aeternus

“Contemplate Jacob’s ladder, for it is the true emblem
of a devout life. The two sides between which
we ascend, and in which the rounds are fastened,
represent prayer, which obtains the love of God, and
the sacraments which confer it ; the rounds are
nothing but different degrees of charity, by which we
advance from virtue to virtue, either descending, by
action, to the help and support of our neighbour, or
ascending, by contemplation, to a blessed union with
God. Now, look upon those who are on this ladder :
they are either men who have angelical hearts, or
angels who have human bodies. They are not young,
yet they seem so, because they are full of vigour and
spiritual activity. They have wings to fly, and soar
np to God in holy prayer ; but they have feet also to
walk with men, by holy and friendly conversation.
Their faces are fair and pleasant, because they receive
all things with sweetness and content ; their
legs, arms, and heads are all uncovered, because their
thoughts, affections, and actions have no other design
nor motive but to please God ; the rest of their
bodies are covered only with a fair and light robe, to
show that they make use indeed of the world and
worldly things, yet in a most pure and sincere manner,
not touching more of them than ia necessary for
their condition. Such are devout persons. Believe
me, Philothea, Devotion is the pleasure of pleasures
the queen of virtues, and the perfection of charity.
If charity be milk, devotion is the cream ; if charity
be a plant, devotion is its flowers ; if charity be a precious
stone, devotion is its lustre ; if charity be a rich
balm, devotion ia its odour : yea, the odour of sweetness,
which comforts men and rejoices angels.”

– Saint François de Sales

An introduction to the devout life
Published 1885
Burns & Oates