The Fire of Love

by Richard Rolle, Clifton Wolters (Translator)

This treatise is partly autobiographical and partly a practical manual to the devout life. Erratic, even turbulent at times, the fire explores the shadow-land beyond the realm of common Christian experience.

Genres: Mysticism, Spirituality, Theology, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Devotional

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1340

About the author

Richard Rolle (1290/1300 – late September 1349) was an English hermit, mystic, and religious writer. He is also known as Richard Rolle of Hampole or de Hampole, since at the end of his life he lived near a Cistercian nunnery in Hampole, Yorkshire. In the words of Nicholas Watson, scholarly research has shown that "during the fifteenth century he was one of the most widely read of English writers, whose works survive in nearly four hundred English...and at least seventy Continental manuscripts, almost all written between 1390 and 1500."

Reviews

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

"For it is angelic delightfulness that he receives in his soul and that very song, although he will not resonate praises to God with those very words. This harmony is similar in quality to that of the angels, although not so great nor so clear (on account of the corruptible flesh which burdens the loving man here on earth). The man who experiences this has also experienced angelic song, although it may not be of the same beauty on the pilgrimage as it is in the fatherland. For the music belongs to the song, not to the verse which is sung."

[Darren Jansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a medieval book written in Latin (Incendium Amoris ) by an English man, Richard Rolle, and then later translated into Middle English by another writer. The version that I read I downloaded as a pdf from the Gutenberg project. It included the two books of The Fire of Love as well as another short book called The Mending of Life. I found this book to be a great encouragement to set my mind on eternal things rather than the ephemeral. Book one of The Fire of Love and The Mending of Life were excellent whereas book two of The Fire of Love didn't seem to be very profitable reading for me. I'll definitely come back to read Richard Rolle's books again, but I'll probably skip over book two.

[Chris]

14th-c. devotional reading. The lovely parts are truly spectacular. The rest, eh, it's in keeping with the genre. I'm still not always sure how to use this sort of thing for my own spirituality tbh.

[Glen O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few choice quotations:

‘I offer this book for the attention, not of the philosophers and sages of this world, not of great theologians bogged down in their interminable questions, but of the simple and unlearned, who are seeking rather to love God than to amass knowledge. For he is not known by argument, but by what we do and how we love. I think that while the matters contained in such questions are the most demanding of all intellectually, they are much less important when the love of Christ is under consideration. Anyhow, they are impossible to understand! So I have not written for the experts, unless they have forgotten and put behind them all those things that belong to the world; unless now they are eager to surrender to a longing for God.’

I felt quite singled out by the following:

‘An old woman can be more expert on the love of God - and less worldly too - than your theologian with his useless studying. He does it for vanity, to get a reputation, to obtain stipends and official positions. Such a fellow ought to be entitled not “Doctor” but “Fool”!’

In the end I grew also tired of the repetition of ideas and the shameless misogyny that marrs the work. Sure, I understand it's a medieval text but still... Take as just one example:

'Women...feel themselves lost if they do not get advice and help from men. Reason undoubtedly is less lively in them, and so they are easily led astray and quickly overcome. They are in much need of the counsel of good men. They are attracted to evil by evil men because they are much more disposed to the pleasures of lust than to the radiance of sanctity...God does not women to be despised by men or to be seduced by their vain flattery, but to be instructed by them faithfully and lovingly in all that is holy and pious for the salvation of body and soul...'

Oh, come on, Richard! Can you see how we needed feminism? It's a shame because the emphasis on love is really very valuable. Definitely male-centred, though. There are rich reflections on the centrality of love as the foundation of union with God. It’s just that he has a pathological fear of women probably not unusual for the mystics of his era.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It is both understandable and right that the lover of God should be caught up to gaze mentally on things above, and to sing of the love that surges through his soul. There the fire of love blazes fierce and bright, filling him with sweet devotion. His whole being is a hymn, beautiful and fragrant with his Redeemer’s sweetness." What a lovely thing to say. Less lovely when he describes getting yelled at by a woman because he was commenting on her giant knockers, but makes up for it by being funny.

[Paul Gaya Ochieng Simeon Juma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Rolle wrote this for everyone who are trying to live by the straight and narrow. It is a guide on what God wants from us and how to live by his rules. He tells us about wisdom and knowledge and the difference. He also teaches the value of meditation and being prayerful. He teaches us to to persevere especially in difficult times and remain steadfast in the lord. He tries to explain why innocent people suffer and what we should do.

Unfortunately, he has been criticized for his theories about how you can know that you are closer to God. He says that one can experience the presence of God and know that you have grown in faith by judging form the warmth one feels in his or her heart. Meditation and prayer are what helps us in our spiritual growth. He encourages us to live communally but also to separate ourselves from others in order to be alone with God. Most importantly, he repeatedly talks about love and its importance in our relationship with our fellow human beings. His works have been widely translated and read widely by people from different religions. Some have approved while others dissaprove.

[Lara Hambleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting! I never read medieval literature before this, and only read it because i found it for 40p in a charity shop, but what a find!
I enjoyed the passionate writing style that was poetic in many ways, along with the unique take on spirituality. Despite being atheist myself, I deeply respect and understand the passion Rolle feels. In fact, I found lessons to be learned, about respecting and protecting my own soul.

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sure am collecting these covers awful fast...

[Brittany Petruzzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

After my first read of Cloud of Unknowing, I expected to like this one better. It only made my second read of Cloud of Unknowing better.

[Jeanne Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The medieval language takes a little getting used to.

[David Gialouras · Rating 2 out of 5]

when I started it, I thought, typical God squad tosh

then by chapter 9 he convinced me

what he's saying sounds a bit like Buddhism or Ancient Greek philosophy (via Marcus Aurelius)

he mentions a woman with a horned Medayval hat, a woman with big tits and one that he goosed

they give him a ticking off and he learns his lesson

he mentions wanking a couple of times

all the fun of the fair

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treatise on the love of God by pre-reformation English mystic Richard Rolle. Beautifully writtend and thought-provoking.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very rewarding. it is difficult to read because of the century it was written... but it has alot to say... If you haven't read it, I suggest that you do.