examination of the heart 350 she feared the infernal deception and was on her guard against it. Secondly, she was troubled because she heard the heavenly messenger [f.108v] praising her, and she did not want to hear those praises because of her low estimation of herself and of her profound submission. Behold the spiritual teaching that you learn from this wisest Virgin! Her fearing the Angel teaches that you ought to be afraid and cautious at the sight of any figure,162 even if it seems to be a holy one. She teaches to avoid the infectious waft of public praises and to detest entirely praising oneself. If she who excels among all creatures by singular endowments fears hearing praises of herself, even if they were deserved and although there was nothing in her that did not correspond with angelic praises, then how is it possible that you shall seek praises; by what right shall you be carried by the wind of vainglory and either personally extol or rejoice at somebody else’s accolade, when, in fact, nothing can be found in you that would be even deserving of a little praise. 3. “considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be” (Lk 1:29). Ponder that the Most Blessed Virgin does not immediately assent to the angelic salutation, but considers it first to recognize whether that vision is heavenly and good or rather an infernal temptation and evil deception. For this reason, you should similarly take note of all internal inspirations and prior to putting them into action consider whether they truly come from God. Since the Most Blessed Virgin was not unaware of the fact that the angel of darkness quite often takes on the guise of an angel of light, she realized that she should not immediately believe that messenger, lest she be either deceived or act heedlessly in matters of great importance. Wherefore, think first before carrying out any suggestions. Test the spirits, whether they are from God, and do not readily 162 It seems that St. Stanislaus is referring here to apparitions.
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