Of the interior Locutions which occur supernaturally. Their different kinds.

It is necessary for the reader to keep in mind continually the end and object which I have in view — namely, the direction of the soul, through all its natural and supernatural apprehensions, without illusion or perplexity, in pureness of faith to the Divine union with God — that he may perceive that Iam not too concise; though I do not enter into divisions and subdivisions of the subject, while treating of the apprehensions of the soul, as, perhaps, the intellect might require. On the whole, I think I have furnished sufficient advice, information, and warning, to enable the soul, by a prudent behaviour, in all these interior and exterior matters, to make progress onwards. This isthe reason why I have so soon dismissed the subject of Prophecy like the rest, having at the same time much to say of each kind according to their distinctive characteristics, which are so many that I should never accomplish my task. I am satisfied that I have said enough about them, and that I have given the true doctrine and the requisite cautions with. reference to them, and to every other matter of a like nature that may pass within the soul.

I shall pursue the same course with the third kind of apprehensions, the Supernatural Locutions of spiritual men, which are effected without the instrumentality of the corporeal senses. These locutions, notwithstanding their variety, may be comprised under three designations: Successive, Formal, and Substantial Words. By Successive Words I mean certain words and considerations which the mind, selfrecollected, forms and fashions within itself. By Formal, I mean certain distinct and definite words, which the mind receives not from itself but from a third person, sometimes

while in a state of self-recollection, and at other times while not. By Substantial, I mean other words which are also formally in the mind, sometimes while it is recollected, and sometimes while it is not. These words produce and effect in the innermost soul that substance and power of which they are the expression. I shall speak of these in the order I have named them..