"A tree that is cultivated and guarded through the care of its owner produces its fruit at the expected time. "

St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church

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"Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars."

Thomas á Kempis

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"Lord, here burn, here cut, and dry up in me all that hinders me from going to You, that You may spare me in eternity."

St Louis Bertrand

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St. Francis de Sales  (1567-1622)
 Bishop, Founder of the Visitation and Doctor of the Church
 
TREATISE ON THE LOVE OF GOD

By St Francis de Sales

Book XII. Containing Certain Counsels For The Progress Of The Soul In Holy Love.

Ch 11. The Motives We Have Of Holy Love.

S. Bonaventure, Father Louis of Granada, Father Louis de Ponte, Father Diego di Stella, have sufficiently discoursed upon this subject. I will only sum up those points on which I have touched in this treatise.

The divine goodness considered in itself is not only the first motive of all, but also the greatest, the most noble and most mighty. For it is that which ravishes the Blessed, and crowns their felicity. How can one have a heart, and yet not love so infinite a goodness? This subject is treated to some extent in chapters 1 and 2 of Book II., and from chapter 8 to the end of Book III., and in chapter 9 of Book X.

The second motive is that of God's natural Providence towards us, of creation and preservation, as we say in chapter 3 of Book II.

The third motive is that of God's supernatural Providence over us, and of the Redemption he has prepared for us, as is explained in chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, of Book II.

The fourth motive is to consider how God brings to effect this Providence and Redemption, giving every one all the graces and assistances required for salvation; which we handle in Book II., from chapter 8, and in Book III., from the beginning to chapter 6.

The fifth motive is the eternal glory which the Divine goodness has provided for us, which is the crown of God's benefits towards us: of which we have said something from chapter 9 to the end of Book III.