Dark Night Of The Soul,Saint John Of The Cross

Dark Night Of The Soul

by
Saint John Of The Cross
Doctor Of The Church
Third Revised Edition

Translated and edited, with an Introduction,
by E. ALLISON PEERS
from the critical edition of
P. SILVERIO DE SANTA TERESA, C.D.

TO THE DISCALCED CARMELITES OF CASTILE, WITH ABIDING MEMORIES OF THEIR HOSPITALITY AND KINDNESS IN MADRID, ÁVILA AND BURGOS, BUT ABOVE ALL OF THEIR DEVOTION TO SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS, I DEDICATE THIS TRANSLATION

Contents

Dark Night Of The Soul

BOOK I

CHAPTER I.--Sets down the first line and begins to treat of the imperfections of beginners.
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 verse of the first stanza

BOOK II

CHAPTER I .--Which begins to treat of the dark night 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 purgation

CHAPTER VI .--Of other kinds of pain that the soul suffers in this night

CHAPTER VII .--Continues the same matter and considers other afflictions and 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 Saint Thomas. The first five are here treated

CHAPTER XX .--Wherein are treated the other five steps of love

CHAPTER XXI .--Which explains this 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

FOOTNOTES

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