The Dialogue

A brief repetition of some things already said.

" I HAVE now shown thee the general method that every rational creature should follow, in order to come out of the sea of the world, without being drowned, and escape eternal damnation. I have also shown thee the three general steps, that is the three powers of the soul, and how one cannot ascend one without ascending them all. And I have spoken to thee of those words of My Truth : { Where two or three or more are gathered together in My name! telling thee that this means the gathering together of the three steps, that is of the three powers of the soul, which three powers, being united, have with them the two principal command ments of the Law, that is, love of Me and of the neighbour.

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Then, the staircase being mounted, that is, gathered together in My Name, as I have said, man immediately thirsts for the Living Water, and sets off and passes over the Bridge, following the doctrine of My Truth, Who is this Bridge, and runs, in reply to His Voice, which called you, as I told thee, above, in the Temple inviting you all, saying : Whosoever thirsteth, let him come to Me and drink, for I am the Fountain of the Water of Life' I have explained to thee what He meant, and how these words are to be under stood, in order that thou mayest the better see the abundance of My love, and the confusion of those, who, deceived by what appears to be pleasure, run the way of the Devil, who invites them to the water of death.

" Now thou hast seen and heard what thou askedst of Me, and I have told thee what method should be held, so as not to drown in the river, namely to mount by the Bridge, carrying the heart and the affection like a vessel to Me, Who will give to drink to him who asks of Me, and to keep the way of Christ crucified, with perseverance, until death. This is that method which every man should follow, no matter what be his condition. No man can draw back, saying : ' I have such and such a position, or children, or other worldly reasons, for which I draw back from following this way,' for I have already told thee that every condition is pleasing and acceptable to Me, provided it be held with a holy and good will, for everything is good and perfect and made by Me, Who am Supreme Good, and I did not create nor give anything by which man could be brought to death, but everything was made to lead him to life. I ask an easy thing of you, for nothing is so easy and de lightful as love, and what I require of you is none other than love of Me and of the neighbour. This you can fulfil in every time and in every place and in every condition, provided it be held to the praise and glory of My Name. Thou knowest that I told thee, that it was through their delusion, and walking without the Light, being clothed in self-love, and possessing and loving things and creatures without Me, that some pass through this life in torture, being insupportable to themselves, and, unless they rise

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above themselves, in the aforesaid way, they will arrive at eternal damnation.

" Now I have told thee what general method every man should hold to come out of the river."