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Translator's Preface to the First Edition | |
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Translator's Preface to the Second Edition | |
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Principal Abbreviations | |
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Introduction | |
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Prologue | |
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Sets down the first line and begins to treat of the imperfections of beginners | |
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Of certain spiritual imperfections which beginners have with respect to the habit of pride | |
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Of some imperfections which some of these souls are apt to have, with respect to the second capital sin, which is avarice, in the spiritual sense | |
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Of other imperfections which these beginners are apt to have with respect to the third sin, which is luxury | |
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Of the imperfections into which beginners fall with respect to the sin of wrath | |
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Of imperfections with respect to spiritual gluttony | |
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Of imperfections with respect to spiritual envy and sloth | |
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Wherein is expounded the first line of the first stanza, and a beginning is made of the explanation of this dark night | |
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Of the signs by which it will be known that the spiritual person is walking along the way of this night and purgation of sense | |
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Of the way in which these souls are to conduct themselves in this dark night | |
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Wherein are expounded the three lines of the stanza | |
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Of the benefits which this night causes in the soul | |
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Of other benefits which this night of sense causes in the soul | |
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Expounds this last verse of the first stanza | |
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Which begins to treat of the dark night of the spirit and says at what time it begins | |
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Describes other imperfections which belong to these proficients | |
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Annotation for that which follows | |
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Sets down the first stanza and the exposition thereof | |
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Sets down the first line and begins to explain how this dark contemplation is not only night for the soul but is also grief and purgation | |
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Of other kinds of pain that the soul suffers in this night | |
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Continues the same matter and considers other afflictions and constraints of the will | |
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Of other pains which afflict the soul in this state | |
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How, although this night brings darkness to the spirit, it does so in order to illumine it and give it light | |
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Explains this purgation fully by a comparison | |
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Begins to explain the second line of the first stanza. Describes how, as the fruit of these rigorous constraints, the soul finds itself with the vehement passion of Divine love | |
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Shows how this horrible night is purgatory, and how in it the Divine wisdom illumines men on earth with the same illumination that purges and illumines the angels in Heaven | |
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Of other delectable effects which are wrought in the soul by this dark night of contemplation | |
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Wherein are set down and explained the last three lines of the first stanza | |
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Sets down the second stanza and its exposition | |
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Explains how, though in darkness, the soul walks securely | |
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Explains how this dark contemplation is secret | |
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Explains how this secret wisdom is likewise a ladder | |
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Begins to explain the ten steps of the mystic ladder of Divine love, according to Saint Bernard and Saint Thomas. The first five are here treated | |
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Wherein are treated the other five steps of love | |
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Which explains this word 'disguised,' and describes the colours of the disguise of the soul in this night | |
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Explains the third line of the second stanza | |
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Expounds the fourth line and describes the wondrous hiding-place wherein the soul is set during this night. Shows how, although the devil has an entrance into other places that are very high, he has none into this | |
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Completes the explanation of the second stanza | |
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Wherein is expounded the third stanza | |