On Some Difficulties ofthe Inner Life.^47
That this isso isnot onlya theoryof a law,
butitisalsoafacttowhichwitnessisborneby
allwhohave gained experiencein thespiritual
life. In the famous Imitation ofChrist it is
saidthatcomfortandsorrowthusalternate,and
"thisisnothingnewnorstrangeuntothemthat
have experience in the way of God; for the
greatsaintsandancient prophetshadoftentimes
experienceofsuchkindofvicissitudes
Ifgreatsaints wereso dealt with, wethat are
weakand poor ought not to despairif webe
sometimeshotandsometimescold^1
neverfoundanysoreligiousanddevout,thathe
had not sometimesa withdrawing of grace or
feltnotsomedecreaseofzeal." (Bk.11.ix.4,
5,7.) Thisalternationofstatesbeingrecognised
astheresultof a general law,a special mani-
festation of a universal principle, it becomes
possibleforus to utilisethisknowledgebothas
awarningandanencouragement. Wemaybe
passingthroughaperiodofgreatspiritualillumi-
nation,whenallseemstobeeasyofaccomplish-
ment,whentheglowofdevotionshedsitsglory
overlife, andwhen the peaceof sure insightis
ours. Such a condition is often one of con-
siderable danger, its very happiness lulling us
intoacarelesssecurity, and forcinginto growth
anyremaining germsofthe lower nature. At
