1.1

First, I greet you in the Lord. I believe that the souls whom the grace of God takes hold of, calling them to His proclamation through His own word, come in three ways, whether male or female. Some, through the law of the covenant and the good implanted in them from their first creation, did not delay when the word of God reached them, but went forward ready to follow it. So it was with our forefather Abraham. When God first tested him through the law of the covenant, He appeared to him and said, “Go out from your land and from your kindred and from your father’s house, and come to the land that I will show you.” Abraham did not hesitate in anything, but was ready for the call. He was a pattern of this first way of life, which remains to this day in those who follow his footsteps. And so, if souls persevere in this way and act accordingly, they will easily attain these same virtues, because their hearts are ready to be filled with the Spirit of God. This is the first way.

The second is found among those who hear the written Law bearing witness to all the punishments prepared for sinners and proclaiming the holy promises made to those who advance. Through the testimony of the written Law, a sober will arises in them, and through it they seek to enter the calling of the One who calls. David bears witness to this when he says, “The Law of the Lord is blameless, converting souls.” And elsewhere he says, “The unfolding of Your words gives light and gives understanding to the little ones.” There are many other passages that we cannot recount now.

The third way is found among those whose hearts are hard and who remain in vices and works of sin. At times the good God brings hardships upon them as correction until, through their distress, they become aware and repent wholeheartedly. Then they too receive the virtues, like those of whom I spoke before. These, then, are the three ways by which souls enter repentance until they attain the grace and calling of the Son of God.