we must not be surprised if such a love and such a goodness
breaks out into such excesses of love as disturb those who know
nothing of it. And though many know of it by faith, still, as to
that special experience of the loving, and more than loving,
converse of God with whom He will, if not had, how deep it
reaches can never be known; and so I have seen many persons
scandalized at hearing of what God in His love does for His
creatures. As they are themselves very far away from it, they
cannot think that God will do for others what He is not doing for
them. As this is an effect of love, and that a love which causes
wonder, reason requires we should look upon it as a sign of its
being from God, seeing that He is wonderful in His works, and
most especially in those of his compassion; but they take
occasion from this to be distrustful, which should have been a
ground of confidence, when other circumstances combine as
evidences of these visitations being good.

"9. It seems from the book, I think, that you have resisted, and
even longer than was right. I think, too, that these locutions
have done your soul good, and in particular that they have made
you see your own wretchedness and your faults more clearly, and
amend them. They have lasted long, and always with spiritual
profit. They move you to love God, and to despise yourself, and
to do penance. I see no reasons for condemning them, I incline
rather to regard them as good, provided you are careful not to
rely altogether on them, especially if they are unusual, or bid
you do something out of the way, or are not very plain. In all
these and the like cases you must withhold your belief in them,
and at once seek for direction.