Unknown, hidden sins are the most dangerous. Therefore, the prophet says, “Cleanse me from my secret faults”.
Sin is essentially a departure from God.
The first freedom is freedom from sin.
My God, I thank Thee that Thou hast given Thy good angels, and hast set a guard of Thy heavenly princes round about us.
If we could find a man who had a heart sweet all through, and a gentle will; without subtlety, yet of sound reason; at once wise and simple. He who has seen such a heart, has colours where he may picture to himself what an angel is.
The saints are but as dew-drops on the locks of the bridegroom.
It would not be fit that we should know how earnestly the dear, holy angels contend for us with the devil; what a hard and severe strife and warfare it is. For if we saw it, we should be dismayed.
I choose to have my recompense from God, the just judge in heaven.
I will not be crowned on earth by men.
For we do not belong to this life, but are called to another, and a far better.
St. Jerome has written about the book of Job; but he wrote only thoughts, for he had not experienced the deepest temptations (i.e. spiritual, not fleshly). If I could have preached in my sickness, I could have made many a beautiful sermon on temptation; for then I learned to understand the psalter and its consolations a little.
I have now survived three pestilences; and have been with many who have suffered; but, thank God, I took no harm. I came home and stroked my little Margarethe on the cheek without washing my hands. But I had forgotten, or I would not have been tempting God.
We must look at what the world rewards and esteems; we must consider what God esteems and will honour in that day.
Therefore it was that Christ said to Peter, “Peter, lovest thou Me?” and repeats it three times, and then says, “Feed My sheep”. It is as if he said: “If thou wilt be a true shepherd and friend of souls, thou must be so from love to Me.” Otherwise it is impossible. For who will and can suffer ingratitude, spend his health and substance in study, and, for a remark, stand in the greatest peril? Therefore he says: “It is necessity that thou shouldst love Me.”