CHAPTER LXXXV
How joyful and sweet it is to have the grace of contemplation
habitually
Certainly Benjamin freely lingers in such churches [for more, see the
previous chapter] and is
wonderfully delighted. When he is no longer able to contain himself because of
joy he is led above himself and by ecstasy of mind is raised to the summit.
Unless our Benjamin rests delightfully in the contemplation of inner things,
without doubt it would not have been written of him by Moses: "Benjamin, the
most beloved of the Lord, shall live in him fearlessly, shall dwell the whole
day as if in a bridal chamber, and shall rest in his arms" (Deut. 33:12).
What do you think is the reason that Benjamin lingers all day in the bridal
chamber, that he rests there unceasingly so much that he does not wish to go out
even for an hour? We know this, that the bridegroom and the bride are
accustomed to remain together in the bridal chamber, yielding in love, holding
each other in mutual embraces, and cherishing with alternating love.
Therefore whoever that one beloved of our Benjamin may be, unless I am mistaken
she flourishes with the privilege of wonderful beauty and singular form.
Her intimate company he is never able to dislike and from her embraces he will
not wish to be absent for an hour. But if now we come to know the voice of
this Benjamin, we cannot doubt at all that his beloved is of so much beauty: "I
said to wisdom, you are my sister, and I called prudence my friend" (Prov. 7:4).
Do you wish to hear how he cannot dislike the beauty of his beloved whom he
calls sister and friend on account of a spotless and most burning love?
"Entering into my dwelling, I shall rest with her. For association with
her has no bitterness, her company has no tediousness but rather joy and
delight, and in her friendship there is good pleasure" (Wisd. 8:16, 18).
Let each person say what he feels. I find no other reason that would keep
him held so fast within that he is not able to go out even for a short time.
However, I know one thing, that whoever is inflamed with longing for such a
friend, the more intimately he knows her, the greater he loves; and the more
frequently he enjoys her embraces, the more vehemently he burns with longing for
her. Indeed her regular company certainly is accustomed not to diminish
but to increase desire and to kindle more sharply the flame of love.
Therefore it is no wonder that Benjamin himself, who enjoys the sweetness of
such a bride, dwells the whole day as if in a bridal chamber and, resting within
her arms, is delighted continually by her love. How often do you think he
experiences ecstasy of mind; how often, being snatched up in ecstasy, is he led
above himself when after being stunned by the greatness of her beauty he is
suspended in admiration of it? Without doubt what is written of him is
fulfilled: "Benjamin a youth in ecstasy of mind."
It certainly should be noted how the testimonies of Scripture come together.
For what the Prophet expresses by the death of Rachel, the Evangelist designates
by the falling down of the disciples, and the Psalmist expresses in Benjamin by
ecstasy of mind.
