But
this
cannot
be
done
by
a
violent
effort
of
the
creature;
all
that
it
can
do
is
to
remain
turned
in
the
direction
of
God
in
a
perpetual
adherence.
God
has
an
attracting
virtue^
which
draws
the
soul
more
strongly
towards
Himself;
and
in
attracting
it,
He
purifies
it
:
as
we
see
the
sun
attracting
a
dense
vapour,
and
gradually,
without
any
other
effort
on
the
part
of
the
vapour
than
that
of
letting
itself
be
drawn,
the
sun,
by
bringing
it
near
to
himself,
refines
and
purifies
it.
There
is,
however,
this
difference,
that
the
vapour
is
not
drawn
freely,
and
does
not
follow
willingly,
as
is
the
case
with
the
souL
This
manner
of
turning
within
is
very
simple,
and
makes
the
soul
advance
naturally
and
without
effort
;
because
God
is
its
centre.
The
centre
has
always
a
strong
attractive
power
;
and
the
larger
the
centre,
the
stronger
is
its
attractive
force.
Besides
this
attraction
of
the
centre,
there
is
given
to
all
natural
objects
a
strong
tendency
to
become
united
with
their
centre.
As
soon
as
anything
is
turned
in
the
direction
of
its
centre,
unless
it
be
stopped
by
some
invincible
obstacle,
it
rushes
to-
