DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL
by
Saint John of the Cross
(1542
- 1591)
Table of Contents
Chapter
II. Of certain spiritual imperfections which beginners have with respect to
the habit of pride.
Chapter
III. 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
Chapter
IV. Of other imperfections which these beginners are apt to have with
respect to the third sin, which is luxury
Chapter
V. Of the imperfections into which beginners fall with respect to the sin of
wrath
Chapter
VI. Of imperfections with respect to spiritual gluttony
Chapter
VII. Of imperfections with respect to spiritual envy and sloth
Chapter
VIII. Wherein is expounded the first line of the first stanza, and a beginning
is made of the explanation of this dark night
Chapter
IX. 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
Chapter
X. Of the way in which these souls are to conduct themselves in this dark night
Chapter
XI. Wherein are expounded the three lines of the stanza
Chapter
XII. Of the benefits which this night causes in the soul
Chapter
XIII. Of other benefits which this night of sense causes in the soul
Chapter
XIV. Expounds this last line of the first stanza
Chapter
I. Which begins to treat of the dark nights of the spirit and says at what time
it begins.
Chapter
II. Describes other imperfections which belong to these proficients
Chapter
III. Annotation for that which follows
Chapter
IV. Sets down the first stanza and the exposition thereof
Chapter
V. 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 torment
Chapter
VI. Of other kinds of pain that the soul suffers in this night
Chapter
VII. Continues the same matter and considers other afflictions end constraints
of the will
Chapter
VIII. Of other pains which afflict the soul in this state
Chapter
IX. How, although this night brings darkness to the spirit, it does so in order
to illumine it and give it light
Chapter
X. Explains this purgation fully by a comparison
Chapter
XI. 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
Chapter
XII. 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
Chapter
XIII. Of other delectable effects which are wrought in the soul by this dark
night of contemplation
Chapter
XIV. Wherein are set down and explained the last three lines of the first stanza
Chapter
XV. Sets down the second stanza and its exposition
Chapter
XVI. Explains how, though in darkness, the soul walks securely
Chapter
XVII. Explains how this dark contemplation is secret
Chapter
XVIII. Explains how this secret wisdom is likewise a ladder
Chapter
XIX. Begins to explain the ten steps of the mystic ladder of Divine love,
according to Saint Bernard and
Chapter
XX. Wherein are treated the other five steps of love
Chapter
XXI. Which explains the word ‘disguised,’ and describes the colours of the
disguise of the soul in this night
Chapter
XXII. Explains the third line of the second stanza
Chapter
XXIII. 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
Chapter
XXIV. Completes the explanation of the second stanza
Chapter
XXV. Wherein is expounded the third stanza.
-
Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25
Webservant for TwoListeners.org
a non-profit project for the edification of Christians worldwide