perfect will of God; for the fire of divine love was enkindled in my soul, and God, blessed above all who created me by his power, and filled me with the virtue of the Holy Ghost, had an ardent love for me. — Lib. iii., c. 8.
CHAPTER V.
EARLY LIFE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.
As soon as I understood that there was a God, I was always solicitous and fearful for my salvation and observance. And when I heard more fully that God was, too, my Creator, and judge of all my actions, I loved him intensely, and every hour feared and pondered lest I should offend him in word or deed. Then when I heard that he had given a law to his people, and his commandments, and wrought so many wonders with them, I firmly resolved in my mind to love naught but him, and all worldly things became most bitter to me. Hearing after this that this same God was to redeem the world and be born of a virgin, I was filled with such love for her, that I
