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Treatise on the Love of God

St Francis de Sales · d. 1622

  1. 1 Continuation of Contents >>
  2. 2 About This Book - Dedication
  3. 3 Preface
  4. 4 That for the Beauty of Human Nature God has Given the Government of All the Faculties of the Soul to the Will
  5. 5 How the will variously governs the powers of the soul.
  6. 6 How the will governs the sensual appetite.
  7. 7 That love rules over all the affections, and passions, and even governs the will, although the will has also a dominion over it.
  8. 8 Of the Affections of the Will.
  9. 9 Book I. Containing A Preparation For The Whole Treatise.
  10. 10 Description of Love in General.
  11. 11 How the Love of God Has Dominion Over Other Loves.
  12. 12 That Love Tends to Union.
  13. 13 That the Union to Which Love Aspires is Spiritual.
  14. 14 That There Are Two Portions In The Soul, And How.
  15. 15 That in These Two Portions of the Soul There Are Four Different Degrees of Reason.
  16. 16 On The Difference Of Loves.
  17. 17 That Charity May Be Named Love.
  18. 18 Of The Affinity There Is Between God And Man.
  19. 19 That We Have A Natural Inclination To Love God Above All Things.
  20. 20 That We Have Not Naturally The Power To Love God Above All Things.
  21. 21 That The Natural Inclination Which We Have To Love God Is Not Useless.
  22. 22 That The Divine Perfections Are Only A Single But Infinite Perfection.
  23. 23 That In God There Is But One Only Act, Which Is His Own Divinity.
  24. 24 Of The Divine Providence In General.
  25. 25 Of The Supernatural Providence Which God Uses Towards Reasonable Creatures.
  26. 26 That Heavenly Providence Has Provided Men With A Most Abundant Redemption.
  27. 27 Of Certain Special Favours Exercised By The Divine Providence In The Redemption Of Man.
  28. 28 How Admirable The Divine Providence Is In The Diversity Of Graces Given To Men.
  29. 29 How Much God Desires We Should Love Him.
  30. 30 How The Eternal Love Of God Prevents Our Hearts With His Inspirations In Order That We May Love Him.
  31. 31 How We Oftentimes Repulse The Inspiration And Refuse To Love God.
  32. 32 That It Is No Fault Of The Divine Goodness If We Have Not A Most Excellent Love.
  33. 33 That Divine Inspirations Leave Us In Full Liberty To Follow Or Repulse Them
  34. 34 Of The First Sentiments Of Love Which Divine Inspirations Cause In The Soul Before She Has Faith.
  35. 35 Of The Sentiment Of Divine Love Which Is Had By Faith.
  36. 36 Of The Great Sentiment Of Love Which We Receive By Holy Hope.
  37. 37 How Love Is Practised In Hope.
  38. 38 That The Love Which Is In Hope Is Very Good, Though Imperfect.
  39. 39 That Love Is Exercised In Penitence, And First, That There Are Divers Sorts Of Penitence.
  40. 40 That Penitence Without Love Is Imperfect.
  41. 41 How The Mingling Of Love And Sorrow Takes Place In Contrition.
  42. 42 How Our Saviour's Loving Attractions Assist And Accompany Us To Faith And Charity.
  43. 43 A Short Description Of Charity.
  44. 44 That Holy Love May Be Augmented Still More And More In Every One Of Us.
  45. 45 How Easy Our Saviour Has Made The Increase Of Love.
  46. 46 How A Soul In Charity Makes Progress In It.
  47. 47 Of Holy Perseverance In Sacred Love.
  48. 48 That The Happiness Of Dying In Heavenly Charity Is A Special Gift Of God.
  49. 49 That We Cannot Attain To Perfect Union With God In This Mortal Life.
  50. 50 That The Charity Of Saints In This Mortal Life Equals, Yea Sometimes Surpasses, That Of The Blessed.
  51. 51 Of The Incomparable Love Which The Mother Of God, Our Blessed Lady, Had.
  52. 52 A Preparation For The Discourse On The Union Of The Blessed With God.
  53. 53 That The Preceding Desire Will Much Increase The Union Of The Blessed With God.
  54. 54 Of The Union Of The Blessed Spirits With God, In The Vision Of The Divinity.
  55. 55 Of The Eternal Union Of The Blessed Spirits With God, In The Vision Of The Eternal Birth Of The Son Of God.
  56. 56 Of The Union Of The Blessed With God In The Vision Of The Production Of The Holy Ghost.
  57. 57 That The Holy Light Of Glory Will Serve For The Union Of The Blessed Spirits With God.
  58. 58 That There Shall Be Different Degrees Of The Union Of The Blessed With God.
  59. 59 That As Long As We Are In This Mortal Life We May Lose The Love Of God.
  60. 60 How The Soul Grows Cold In Holy Love.
  61. 61 How We Forsake Divine Love For That Of Creatures.
  62. 62 That Heavenly Love Is Lost In A Moment.
  63. 63 That The Sole Cause Of The Decay And Cooling Of Charity Is In The Creature's Will.
  64. 64 That We Ought To Acknowledge All The Love We Bear To God To Be From God.
  65. 65 That We Must Avoid All Curiosity, And Humbly Acquiesce In God's Most Wise Providence.
  66. 66 An Exhortation To The Amorous Submission Which We Owe To The Decrees Of Divine Providence.
  67. 67 Of A Certain Remainder Of Love That Oftentimes Rests In The Soul That Has Lost Holy Charity.
  68. 68 How Dangerous This Imperfect Love Is.
  69. 69 A Means To Discern This Imperfect Love.
  70. 70 Of The Sacred Complacency Of Love; And First Of What It Consists.
  71. 71 How By Holy Complacency We Are Made As Little Infants At Our Saviour's Breasts.
  72. 72 That Holy Complacency Gives Our Heart To God, And Makes Us Feel A Perpetual Desire In Fruition.
  73. 73 Of The Loving Condolence By Which The Complacency Of Love Is Still Better Declared.
  74. 74 Of The Condolence And Complacency Of Love In The Passion Of Our Lord.
  75. 75 Of The Love Of Benevolence Which We Exercise Towards Our Saviour By Way Of Desire.
  76. 76 How The Desire To Exalt And Magnify God Separates Us From Inferior Pleasures, And Makes Us Attentive To The Divine Perfections.
  77. 77 How Holy Benevolence Produces The Praise Of The Divine Well-Beloved.
  78. 78 How Benevolence Makes Us Call All Creatures To The Praise Of God.
  79. 79 How The Desire To Praise God Makes Us Aspire To Heaven.
  80. 80 How We Practise The Love Of Benevolence In The Praises Which Our Saviour And His Mother Give To God.
  81. 81 Of The Sovereign Praise Which God Gives Unto Himself, And How We Exercise Benevolence In It.
  82. 82 A Description Of Mystical Theology, Which Is No Other Thing Than Prayer.
  83. 83 Of Meditation - The First Degree Of Prayer Or Mystical Theology.
  84. 84 A Description Of Contemplation, And Of The First Difference That There Is Between It And Meditation.
  85. 85 That Love In This Life Takes Its Origin But Not Its Excellence From The Knowledge Of God.
  86. 86 The Second Difference Between Meditation And Contemplation.
  87. 87 That Contemplation Is Made Without Labour, Which Is The Third Difference Between It And Meditation.
  88. 88 Of The Loving Recollection Of The Soul In Contemplation.
  89. 89 Of The Repose Of A Soul Recollected In Her Well-Beloved.
  90. 90 How This Sacred Repose Is Practised.
  91. 91 Of Various Degrees Of This Repose, And How It Is To Be Preserved.
  92. 92 A Continuation Of The Discourse Touching The Various Degrees Of Holy Quiet, And Of An Excellent Abnegation Of Self Which Is Sometimes Practised Therein.
  93. 93 Of The Outflowing (escoulement) Or Liquefaction Of The Soul In God
  94. 94 Of The Wound Of Love.
  95. 95 Of Some Other Means By Which Holy Love Wounds The Heart.
  96. 96 Of The Affectionate Languishing Of The Heart Wounded With Love.
  97. 97 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  98. 98 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  99. 99 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  100. 100 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  101. 101 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  102. 102 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  103. 103 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  104. 104 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  105. 105 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  106. 106 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  107. 107 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  108. 108 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  109. 109 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  110. 110 Book VII. Of The Union Of The Soul With Her God, Which Is Perfected In Prayer.
  111. 111 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  112. 112 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  113. 113 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  114. 114 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  115. 115 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  116. 116 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  117. 117 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  118. 118 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  119. 119 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  120. 120 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  121. 121 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  122. 122 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  123. 123 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  124. 124 Book VIII. Of The Love of Confomity, By Which We Unite Our Will To The Will Of God, Signified Unto Us By His Commandments, Counsels And Inspirations.
  125. 125 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  126. 126 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  127. 127 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  128. 128 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  129. 129 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  130. 130 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  131. 131 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  132. 132 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  133. 133 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  134. 134 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  135. 135 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  136. 136 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  137. 137 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  138. 138 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  139. 139 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  140. 140 Book IX. Of The Love Of Submission, Whereby Our Will Is United To God's Good-Pleasure.
  141. 141 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  142. 142 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  143. 143 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  144. 144 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  145. 145 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  146. 146 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  147. 147 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  148. 148 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  149. 149 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  150. 150 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  151. 151 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  152. 152 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  153. 153 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  154. 154 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  155. 155 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  156. 156 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  157. 157 Book X. Of The Commandment Of Loving God Above All Things.
  158. 158 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  159. 159 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  160. 160 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  161. 161 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  162. 162 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  163. 163 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  164. 164 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  165. 165 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  166. 166 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  167. 167 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  168. 168 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  169. 169 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  170. 170 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  171. 171 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  172. 172 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  173. 173 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  174. 174 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  175. 175 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  176. 176 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  177. 177 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  178. 178 Book XI. Of The Sovereign Authority Which Sacred Love Holds Over All The Virtues, Actions And Perfections Of The Soul.
  179. 179 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  180. 180 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  181. 181 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  182. 182 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  183. 183 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  184. 184 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  185. 185 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  186. 186 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  187. 187 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  188. 188 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  189. 189 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  190. 190 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
  191. 191 Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.
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