examination of the heart 562 hundred forty-four cubits and it is built of jasper. Its foundations are adorned with all kinds of precious stones. Its twelve gates are twelve pearls, and its streets are pure gold. [f.185r] Also, the city itself is made of pure gold, similar to clear glass. The Lord Almighty and the Lamb will be its temple (cf. Rev 21:1-2, 10-23). The city inhabitants and citizens are the angels of the Lord and the saints of both sexes; and between them reigns now and always such a great concord and great charity, that the goods of each one seem to be regarded as common to all. One feels such a great joy about the other’s merits, glory, and happiness, as if he himself were experiencing the same. There reigns neither envy nor ill will, but everything is common to all. O you, the unfortunate one! If you do not desire to be in their company as soon as possible. 2. Propose to consider which goods the body as well as the soul will obtain in that holy city at the same time. The body will acquire immortality, impassibility, agility, and clarity. The soul will have perfect beatitude together with the highest glory. Should you want to learn the privileged gifts of individual senses, consider how there (i.e., in the heavenly Fatherland): — the sight shall receive the highest clarity and sharpness, by which it will penetrate everything above and below; — the touch shall be endowed with incorruptible vibrancy; — the taste shall abound in all sweetness and various tastes, not for nourishment, but for satiety and pleasure; — the hearing shall be refreshed constantly by the various melodies of the angels singing together; — the smell, finally, shall detect unusual fragrance from everything, and even from one’s own body. Strive, therefore, for continuous mortification of your senses if you want to take delight in their beatitude. But chiefly, mortify exceptionally your will and intellect since extraordinary gifts are prepared for them in Heaven. 3. Consider that the vision of God alone excels all the goods that the blessed possess in Heaven. This vision is the source out
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