Chapter 89

The Book of Margery Kempe - Chapter 89

Writing and Inspiration During the Composition

  • Margery Kempe experiences frequent and intense emotional and spiritual states while writing this treatise.

  • Physical Sensations: Flame of Fire

    • A flame of fire came about her breast, described as very hot, symbolizing divine inspiration or presence.

  • Holy Tears

    • While writing, she sheds many holy tears and experiences profound weeping, indicating a deep emotional connection to her spiritual work.

  • Visions and Divine Approval

    • During her time in church, she feels the presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ, His glorious mother, and many saints.

    • They express their satisfaction with her writing, saying they are well pleased with the work she has done.

    • Margery reports hearing sweet sounds and melodies that surpass her ability to describe or articulate, signifying a transcendent experience.

Health and Physical State

  • Margery often feels ill while writing the treatise.

  • Upon starting to write, she suddenly feels hale and healthy, suggesting a miraculous recovery attributed to her spiritual task.

Revelation about Master Aleyn

  • Desire for a Holy Sermon

    • While praying during Advent before Christmas, Margery wishes for Master Aleyn to preach a sermon of great quality.

    • Immediately, she hears the voice of Christ assuring her that he will indeed preach a holy sermon.

  • Divine Assurance

    • Christ instructs her to believe in the words preached by Master Aleyn as if they were His own, providing significant comfort and solace.

  • Warning of Deception

    • Margery confides in her confessor and two other trusted priests about this revelation but also expresses concern about the reliability of such experiences, recognizing that some perceived revelations may be mere illusions or deceptions.

  • Skepticism and Validation

    • She emphasizes the importance of discerning true spiritual experiences from deceptive ones, advocating for a cautious and steadfast approach in assessing such feelings.

Emotional Turmoil and Spiritual Growth

  • At times, Margery experiences intense depression related to her spiritual insights and fears regarding the understanding of her revelations.

  • Her dread of possible deception causes her to wish for an extreme measure (i.e., wishing her head to be struck off) until she receives clarity from God.

  • Transformation through Fear

    • The fear and struggle she faces regarding her spiritual experiences serve as great trials, leading to deeper humility and meekness, fostering her growth in virtue.

  • Increased Strength in Love and Fear

    • Ultimately, Margery recognizes that God strengthens her spirit and virtue through these trials, enabling her to persevere despite difficulties.

Conclusion of the Treatise

  • The chapter concludes by noting the departure of God’s mercy for the original writer of the first copy of the book, highlighting the divine influence in the writing process.

  • Although the original manuscript had its unique style that did not align perfectly with contemporary language norms, it conveyed meaningful sense due to the empowering aid from God and Margery’s experiential understanding while writing this treatise.

  • The treatise is now transformed into a finalized version that accurately reflects the divine experiences Margery faced during its composition.