Teresa turns to locutions, words addressed to the soul during prayer or at unexpected moments, which may come from God, the devil, or imagination and therefore demand discernment. Melancholic or highly imaginative people should not be disturbed but gently redirected, for the devil exploits weak souls to injure others. At first it is wiser to resist communications even from God, since genuine locutions increase when discouraged. Any speech contradicting Scripture must be rejected as from Satan himself, regardless of apparent source.
Teresa gives signs of divine locutions: first, operative authority, as when Be not troubled instantly frees a darkened mind theologians could not console; It is I, be not afraid steadies terrified souls; Be at peace settles anxious business. Second, calm recollection and desire to praise God remain together. Third, words imprint on memory with syllabic clarity and prophetic certainty though years pass before fulfillment. Doubts afterward often come from the devil when obedience would do great good.
Imaginary locutions lack conviction, peace, and lasting effect, resembling dreams. Even with strong signs, weighty actions require a learned confessor representing God. Intellectual locutions strike the soul's depths with distinct language, unexpected content, and compressed meaning ordinary speech cannot match. True favors increase humility and zeal for God's honor alone; alarm should yield to trust when effects prove divine, though vigilance remains.
Coming Up in Chapter 15
Next Teresa examines rapture and ecstasy, where God suspends the soul's faculties and grants courage for union so great that human nature trembles before the King of heaven Teresa explains rapture, ecstasy, and trance as one grace whereby God suspends the soul to fortify the butterfly for divine espousals. Courage is required because wedding the King of heaven exceeds marrying an earthly monarch; our.
