Here is the complete text of the 14th century spiritual classic. It has been called 'the most perfect fruit of later medieval mysticism in England' and is considered to be the first book in English literature written by a woman.

For hundreds of years the book has been a source of joy and comfort for the thousands who have turned to it for inspiration. Best known for her assurance that 'all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.'

Julian, a contemporary of Chaucer and Dante, was born about 1342 and lived well into the 15th century. She chose to live a solitary life as an anchoress in a cell adjoining the church of St Julian in Norwich, from which she takes her name. These revelations came to her in May of 1373 when she was 30 years of age and deathly ill and she transcribed them some years after her recovery.

Failing of comfort or trust in God, Julian tells us, is 'the most mischief' into which the soul can fall. Love is the key to all religious experience. With this illumination the whole mystery of the Redemption and the purpose of human life became clear to her. Knowledge of God and knowledge of self are inseperable and God, she says, is nearer to us than our own soul. She lays special stress on the 'homeliness' and the 'courtesy' of God's dealings with us to which we must respond with happy confidence.

Julian's message is as direct as it is universal. One who is unfamiliar with her unique message is to that extent spiritually impoverished.

This version of 'Revelations of Divine Love' is from the manuscript in the British Museum edited by Grace Warrack.