devotion; and against it make war, not with the motive of recovering a consciousness of grace, but in order that you may remove what is displeasing to God.
And if you cannot find out the fault, let your sensible devotion be true devotion, which is prompt resignation to the Will of God. But on no account leave off any of your devotions, but pursue them with all your might, however fruitless and distasteful they may appear to you; drinking willingly the cup of bitterness, which in this dryness the loving Will of God holds out to you.
And if at times dryness is accompanied with such great and thick darkness of mind, that you neither know which way to turn, nor what step to take, yet be not dismayed, remain alone and firm upon the Cross, far from every earthly delight, even though it should be offered you by the world or by any creature.
Conceal your suffering from every one except your spiritual father, and disclose it to him, not with a view of alleviating pain, but in order to learn how to bear it according to God's pleasure.
Let Communion, prayer, and other exercises be used, not that you may come down from the cross, but to receive the strength to exalt that cross to the greater glory of the Crucified. And when you are unable to meditate, through con-
