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This seeking, involves an interior activity of the soul; a desire, a
determination, and searching after what is hidden.

When the soul has thus earnestly sought the kingdom of God within, this
kingdom is developed little by little. Interior recollection becomes
less difficult, and the presence of God more perceptible and agreeable.
Formerly it was supposed, that the presence of God was only the thought
of God, and that it was necessary to force the mind--to concentrate the
thoughts with violence to find God. This is true in some sense, but,
as the soul cannot long endure this tension, and as the kingdom of God
is not found in the external vestments of the soul, but in its depths,
this labor is of little avail. So little progress is made, the soul
becomes discouraged, and the evil one, who fears nothing so much as the
reign of God in the soul, makes an effort to draw the soul to
externalities.

In order to accomplish this object, he takes two methods, either by
excessive labors, persuading the soul that this is the way to find God,
and thus choking the internal process of the interior life, or, by this
tension of the mind, of which I have spoken. Neither of these methods
open in the soul, the interior way.

You reply, how, then, is this life accomplished? I answer, God, seeing
the heart of him who seeks him within, draws near to him, and teaches
him a just moderation in all things; and, by this retrenchment of all
excess in externals, the soul begins to perceive the peaceful kingdom.
It realizes within itself a guide, who provides for its necessities,
according to divine laws, who takes away the burdens that sin imposes;
a guide who does not foster corrupt nature, nor forbid innocent
pleasures.

When the soul begins to perceive this kingdom, and that the King
himself is manifested in some degree, it thus communes, (and we may
call this the second step), O, my Beloved, I have sought thee with all
the strength of my heart, in the place where thou hast taught me to
seek thee, and I have there found thee! Days and nights have I passed
in seeking thee. All the desires of my heart go after thee. But now I
have found thee. I pray thee to reign as Sovereign, to establish thine
empire in my soul. I will do thy will alone. I will resign to thee
all the right I have to myself; all that thou, by thy goodness, hast
given to me.

At this stage of progress, the soul ceases from self. Its work is to
regard, loving