CHAPTER II.

OF THE FIRST WAY, WHICH IS ACTIVE, AND OF MEDITATION — WHAT IT IS — ITS WEAKNESSES, HABITS, OCCUPATIONS, ADVANTAGES, ETC. — GENERAL OPINION — WANT OF OBSER-VATION THE CAUSE OF MOST OF THE DISPUTES AND DIFFICULTIES WHICH HAVE ARISEN UPON THE PASSIVE WAY, AND THE ABSURD OBJECTIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE TO IT — SOULS FOR MEDITATION — THEY SHOULD BE LED TO IT THROUGH THE AFFECTIONS — OPINION CONCERNING THEIR BARRENNESS AND POWER-LESSNESS — SPIRITUAL BOOKS AND AUTHORS ON THE INNER LIFE, IN CONTRAST TO OTHERS — CAPACITY AND INCAPACITY OF SOULS — ^THE SIMPLE ARE BETTER THAN THE GREAT REASONERS.

nPHE first class of souls are those who, after their conversion, give themselves up to medi-tation, or even to works of charity. They perform some exterior austerities ; endeavour, little by little, to purify themselves, to rid themselves of certain notable sins, and even of voluntary venial ones. They endeavour, with all their little strength, to advance gradually, but it is feebly and slowly. As their source is not abundant, the dryness