Book II, Chapter XXI Summary and Analysis

In this chapter, St. John describes the disguise worn by the soul as it ascends this secret ladder. He starts by describing the purpose of a disguise. This purpose is to hide one's self in order to gain a particular goal. This disguise also protects one from enemies. In the case of the soul, these enemies are the devil, the fleshly desires and the influence of the world. The colors of a believer's disguise are white, green and purple. These colors correspond to the virtues of faith, hope and charity, or love. While wearing a white garment of faith, the devil can neither see nor hurt the believer. The green of hope is worn over this white garment. This garment of green protects the soul from the things of the world. The believer also wears...