hath crucified sinne and vanquished death he I say who only remained free amongst those that were deade hauinge power to giue his life for vs and for vs to take it againe He therefore is both a conquerour and an oblation offered for obtayning the coÌ„quest and for this cause a conquerour because an oblation for vs he hath beene a Priest and a sacrifice In him therfore and not without iust cause haue I settled my whole hope hoping that by him thou wilt cure all my maladies who sitteth at thy right hande maketh intercession for vs. My maladies and miseries o Lord are greate and many many and greate for that I knowe and confesse that the Prince of this worlde hath many thinges to lay to my charge but for his sake that sitieth at thy right hande our Redeemer in whoÌ„ the Diuell coulde neuer finde any iniquitie deliuer me I beseeche thee Iustifie me by him who neuer committed any sinne neither was there deceipt at any time founde in his mouth By him beinge our heade in whom was neuer seene the least spott of wickednes deliuer me that am a small and infirme member of his Free me I beseeche thee from my finnes vices faultes and negligences replenishe me with thy sacred virtues and perfections and make me complete in good manners and conditions Make me for thy blessed names sake to perseuer all the daies of my life in good workes acceptable to thee accordinge as thy holy will shall teache and direct me Of the confidence which a Christian soule ought to haue in Iesus Christ and in his passion CHAPT XIV WEre it not that thy diuine Worde o God had beene made flesh and dwelt in vs I should verily despaire by reason of my manifolde sinnes and infinite negligences But now I dare not despaire because if when we were thine enimies we haue beene reconciled by the death of thy sonne how much more being thus brought in fauour againe are we by him made assured of saluation For my whole hope and vndoubted confidence is in his pretious bloud which he hath powred forth for vs and for our good In him I breath and take comforte and trusting in his bounty I desire to come to thee not hauing any iustice or deserte of mine owne but only that which proceedeth from our Lord Iesus Christ thy onely sonne Wherfore I giue thee thankes o God the most milde and mercifull louer of mankinde who by thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord hast powerfully made vs when as yet we had noe being and hast by him wonderfully deliuered and recouered vs when we were past recouerie through sinne I thanke thy pitty and rendre thee many prayses from the very bottome of my hart who through the vnspeakable loue wherwith of thy mere goodnes thou hast loued vs beinge wretched creatures and vnworthy of any good thinge hast sent for our common good the same onely begotten sonne of thine from thy bosome to saue vs sinners beinge then the children of perdition I giue thee thankes for his sacred incarnation and natiuitie and for his glorious mother the blessed virgin Marie of whom he vouchsafed to take fleshe for vs and for our saluation that as he was true God of God soe likewise he might be true man of man I giue thee thankes for his crosse and passion for his deathe and resurrection for his ascension into heauen and for the rhrone of his maiestie at thy right hande For he hauinge for fortie daies togither appeared vnto his disciples after his resurrection ascendinge in theire sight aboue all the heauens and sittinge at thy right hande powred forth the holy Ghost accordinge to his promise vppon the children of adoption I giue thee thankes for that most sacred effusion of his most pretious bloude by which we haue beene redâ—emed as likewise for that most holy and liuelâ— mysterie of his bodie and bloude wherewith we are daylie in thy Churche sedd and inebriated walhed and sanctified and made pertakers of his soue aigne Good I giue thee thankes for thy admirable and vnspeakeable charitie through which by thine onely and beloued sonne thou hast in this manner loued and releiued vs being altogeather vnworthy Soe greately hast thou loued the worlde as that thou hast giuen thine onely begotten sonne to the end that euerie one which beleiueth in him might not perishe but haue life euerlasting which life euerlasting consisteth in this that by a pure and perfect faith and workes answerable to the same we knowe thee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Of the surpassing great charity of the eternall Father towards mankind CHAPT XV. O Infinite mercy o inestimable charity thou hast giuen thy sonne to deliuer thy seruant God hath beene made man that man might be freed from the power of the Diuell when he was vtterly vndonne How kinde a louer of men hath thy sonne our Lord God shewed himselfe to be who thought it not enough to haue debased himselfe so lowe as to haue taken humaine fleshe for vs of the immaculate virgin Marie vnlesse he had likewise sustained the torments of his passion pouring forth his bloud for vs and for our saluation Our good God hath come being moued thereunto through his goodnes and mercy he hath come he hath come to seeks and saue that which was lost cast away He hath sought the sheepe that was lost he hath sought and found it and as a merciful Lord and vnspeakeable louing shepheard he hath on his owne shoulders brought it backe to the foldes of his flocke O charity o pitty Who euer heard the like who is not astonied at this soe feeling an affection of his mercy who is not through admiration almost striken into an extasie who is not moued with gladnes through this thy excessiue charitie wherewith thou hast loued vs Thou hast sent thy son in the likenesse of flesh subiect to sinne that he might conuince sinno of sinne that we might become iust in him For he is the true immaculate lambe who hath taken away the sinnes of the worlde who by dyinge hath destroyed our death and by risinge againe hath raised vs to life But what recompence can we giue thee o good God for these soe greate benefits of thy mercie What praises or thankes giuinge Albeit we had the knowledge and power of the blessed Angels yet could we not make any requitall answerable to thy soe greate loue and goodnes yea if all our members were turned into tonges yet woulde our poore abilitie be no way sufficient to render thee those prayses which thou hast deserued Soe that thine inestimable charitie which thou hast shewed towardes vs being altogether vnworthy proceeding froÌ„ thy meere goodnes and mercy doth surpasse all the knowledg and learning that either is or may be For that thy sonne our God hath not takeÌ„ the nature and essence of Angells but the â—eede of Abraham becomming like vnto vs in euerie thinge setting aside onely sinne Taking therfore
where our forefathers did sit in darknes and hast returned from thence on the third day as a glorious conquerour resuming againe thy sacred bodie which for our sinnes had remained deade in the sepulcher and reuiuing it the third day accordinge to the scripture that thou mightest place it in glorie at the right hande of God the father For hauinge deliuered those from captiuitie whom the ancient foe and ennimie of mankind hath detained as prisoners in â—imbo Patrum thou the true sonne of God hast ascended aboue all the heauens with the substance of our flesh that is with a soule and humaine flesh taken of the glorious Virgin mounting aboue all the orders of Angells where thou sittest at the right hande of God the Father where there is the fountaine of life and that light vnto which noe creature can attaine where there is the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding We adore thee Iesus Christ belieuing thee to be there confessinge God to be thy Father from whence we expect thee to come at the end of the worlde to iudge both the quicke and the deade and to render to all men whether good or euill a rewarde or punishment accordinge to theire actions donne in this life like as euery one shal be deemed worthy either of perpetuall peace or paine For all men that haue receiued a humaine soule shall arise at that day in the same fleshe which they had heere being by the voice of thy diuine power summoned to appeare to the end that euerie man his soule and body being reunited in one may according to his meritts receiue ether glorie or damnation Thou o Lord Iesus Christ art our life and our resurrection whom we expect as our Sauiour to come and saue vs who wilt reforme the bodie of our basenes making it conformable to the bodie of thy brightnes I haue knowen thee true God and one holy Spirit of the Father and the Sonne proceeding equallie from both of them consubstantiall and coeternall to the Father and the Sonne being our comforter and aduocate who in likenes of a doue hast descended vppon the same God our Lord Iesus Christ appearing likewise in tongues of fire vppon the Apostles Who alsoe by the guift of thy grace hast taught all the Saints and elect of God from the beginning openning in like manner the mouthes of the Prophetes to the end they might declare the wonderfull thinges of thy heauenly kingdome who together with the Father and the Sonne art adored and glorified of all the Saints of God Amongst whome I likewise the sonne of thy hande-maide doe with my whole hart glorify thy name because thou hast enlightned me For thou art the true light the light that telleth the truth the truth the fire of God and the maister and directour of our soules who by thy sacred vnction dost teache vs all truth Thou art the Spirit of truth without whose ayde it is impossible to please God because thou thy selfe art God of God light of light proceeding after an vnspeakable manner from the Father of lightes and from his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord with whom thou art glorified and dost raigne together with them superessentiallie being consubstantiall coequall and coeternal with them in the essence of one Trinitie I haue knowen thee one liuing and true God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost three indeede in personnes but one in essence whom I confesse adore and glorifie with my whole harte as the tâ—ue and onely God holy immortall inuisible immutable inaccessible vnsearcheable one light one sunne one breade one life one good one beginning and one end one creator of heauen and earthe by whom all thinges doe liue are preserued guided gouerned and reuiued in heauen in earthe and vnder the earth besides whom there is noe God either is heauen or earthe Thus o Lord God I haue knowen thee who knowest me thus I haue knowen thee I haue knowen thee o my light by thy faithe which thou hast inspired into me o Lord my God the light of â—â—ineeies the hope of the vniuersall worlde the ioy that maketh glad my young and tender yeares and the good that sustaineth my old age All my bones reioyce in thee o Lord saying O Lord who is like vnto thee Who is like vnto thee o Lord amongst the Gods For that the handes of men haue not made thee but contrariwise it is thou that hast made the handes of men The idolls of the Gentills are siluer and golde the workemanship of the handes of men but the maker of men is not such an one All the Gods of the Gentiles are diuells but our Lord hath made the heauens he therefore is the true God Let those Gods which haue not made heauen and earthe perishe and be cast forth of heauen and earthe and let heauen and earthe prayse that God which hath created heauen and earthe The acknowledging of our owne basenes CHAPT XXXIII WHo is like vnto thee o Lord euen amonge the Gods Who I say is like vnto thee Thou art greate in sanctiâ—ie terrible and worthy to be praised doing things that deserue to be admired Too too late haue I knowen thee o true light too too late haue I knowen thee And the cause was for that there was a great and darke cloude before mine eies that delighted in vanitie which hindred me from beholding the sunne of iustice and the light of all veritie I was wrapt in darknes being the child of darknes because I knewe not the light I was blindâ— and loued blindnes and walked through one darknes into an other Who hath deliuered me from thence where I remained as a blinde man sitting in darknes and in the shadowe of death Who hath taken me by the hande and lead me forthe of the same Who is he that hath thus enlightned me I sought him not and he sought me I called him not and he called me But who is he Thou art he o Lord my God being most mercifull and pittifull yea the Father of mercies and God of all comforte Thou o Lord my God most holy art he that hast donne the same whom I confesse with my whole harte rendring thanks to thy holy name I did not seeke thee thou hast sought me I did not call vpon thee thou hast called me yea thou hast called me by thine owne name Thou hast thundered from heauen with a greate voice into the internall eare of my harte saying Let light be made and light was made whereupon that greate and darke cloude which had couered mine eies departed and was dissolued whereby I haue seene thy light and knowen thy voice And I saied Trulieo Lord thou art my God who hast deliuered me out of darknes and from the shadowe of deathe calling me into thy admirable light soe that now I see Thanks be to thee o Lord who hast enlightned me And I looked backe and beheld the darknes wherein I had liued and the deepe darke dongeon wherein I had remained
of my vitious inclinations set open this pious place of refuge to which I may flie from the tumults of mine inordinate affections Graunt o Lord thou strength of my saluatioÌ„ that I be not of the number of those whoe for a â—ime beleiue and in time of temptation doe departe and leaue thee couer my heade in the day of battaile my hope in the day of affliction and my safegarde in time of tribulation Beholde o Lord my light and my life I haue asked those thinges which I want I haue made knowen those thinges which I feare neuerthelesse my conscience tormeÌ„teth me the secrets of my hart doe reprehende me and what loue affordeth feare disperseth zeale encourageth me dreade daunteth me mine actions cause me to feare but thy pittie giueth me cause of hope thy mercie emboldeneth me but my malice with-holdeth me And to speake the truth there occure to my memory many sinfull imaginations which reprehende the boldnes of my presuminge affections Mans complainte who for his disobedience is not heard of God CHAPT III. HE therefore which deserueth anger with what face can he demaunde fauoure he which meriteth to be punished howe can he be soe foole-hardie as to aske to be rewarded he incenseth the iudge whoe neglectinge to make satisfaction for his offence maketh meane to obtaine a recompence that malefactor mocketh and derideth his kinge and Lord that carnestly requiteth that price and honouâ—e which he nouer deserued That foolishe sonne likewise preuoketh to anger the sweete affection of his father whoe after reproaches offered bâ—fore repentance doth vsurpe and lay title to his inheritance What is this o Father thaâ— I recompt of myselfe I haue desâ—rued deathe yet begge for life I haue moued my kinge to anger whose aide not withstanding I impudentlie implore I hauâ— dâ—spiâ—ed my judge whome rashely I demaunde to be my helper I haue insolentlie refusâ—d to heaâ—e himâ—a a father whome nowe I presume to choose for my dâ— fender Woe is me for not comminge soe soone as I ought Alas alas howe little haâ—â— doe I make Woe is me for that I runne nowe after woundes be receiued disdatning to take heede of the dartes before I was wounded I neglected to beware of the weapons before hande yet nowe I am troubled throughe the apprehension of deathe at hande I haue inflâ—cted woundâ— vppon wounde for that I haue not feared to adde sinne vppon sinne I haue made my former scarrs to fester with newe sores for that I haue renewed my former faultes by newe iniquities and those whome the diuine salue had made sounde my phreneticall itching hath againe vnbound The skin which being growen ouer my woundes had hidden my maladie by reason of the corruption breakinge forthe hath growen to putrifie because mine iniquitie beinge reâ—â—eraâ—ed hath euacuated and bereaued me of mercie which before was graunted for that I knowe it is written In what hower soeuer a iust man shall sinne all his good deedes shal be forgotten If the righteousnesse of a good man is abolished when hâ—â—â—lleth into sinne by how much more is the pennance of a sinner defaced if he returne to the same O howe often haue I as a dogge returned to that which I had vomitted vpp before and as a sowe haue wallowed agains in the mire I confesse that it is impossible for me to remember howe manie simple and ignorant personnes by my meanes haue sinned howe manye that were desirous to cease from sinne I haue persuaded howe many that haue with-stoode me I haue constrained to howe many that were willing I haue consented to howe many that walked in the right way I haue prepared a ginne to how many that sought the right way I haue vncouered the pit that they might fall in and that I might not be deteried from committing still the like I easily put those past out of my minde But thou in the interim being a â—ust iudge markinge and sealinge vpp mine offenses as it were in a bagge hast considered all my waies and hast numbred all my foote stepps Thou hast all this while helde thy peace thou hast bene silent thou hast beene patient Woe is me for that thou wilt speake at length as a woman in her trauaile The dreade of the iudge comming to iudgement CHAPT IV. O God of Gods o Lord in mercy surmountinge the malice of men I knowe thou wilt not be alwaies silent then I meane when a flaminge fire shall burne before thee and a terrible tempest shall shoure downe rounde about thee when thou shalt call both heauen and earthe to iudge and discerne thy people And loe in the presence of soe many millions of people al mine iniquities shal be reuealed before soe many troupes of Angels al myne abominations shal be desplaied not onely of mine actions but likewise of my wordes and cogitations Ther shall I poore wretche stande to be iudged by so many as haue gone before me in doing good I shall by soe many accusers be thought worthy of hell as haue giuen me example of liuing well I shal be conuinced by soe many witnesses as haue admonished me by theire wholesome speeches and by their godly and pious conuersation haue caried themselues worthy of imitation O my Lord I knowe not what to say I knowe not what to answere And albeit I am as yet free from that terrible danger neuerthelesse my conscience doth afflict me the hidden secrets of my harte doe torment me couetousnes doth presse me pride doth accuse me enuie doth consume me concupiscence doth enflame me luste doth moleste me gluttonie doth disgrace me dronkennes doth conuince me detraction doth rent me ambition doth supplante me extorsion doth check me discorde doth distract me anger doth disturbe me leuitie doth vndoe me drousines doth oppresse me hyprocrisie doth deceiue me flattery doth subdue me fauoure doth eâ—toll me backbitinge doth disquiet me Beholde o my deliuerer whoe hast deliuered me out of the hands of cruell people Beholde with whome I haue liued from the day of my birthe with whome I haue studied and with whome I haue kept promise Those veâ—ie studies which here â—ofore I affâ—cted doe condemne me which in imeâ— paâ—t I praysed doe dispraise me These are the friends to whome I haue assenâ—ed the teachers whom I haue obeyed the maâ—sters whome I haue serued the consellers with whome I haue beleiued the cittizens with whome I haue inhabited the famâ—har acquaintance to whome I haue consented Woe is me o my kinge and my God for that my abode heare is prolonged Woe is me o my light for that I haue liued with those that liue in darknes And seeing holy Dauid saied soe muche howe muche more may I be able to say My soule hath dwelt too longe in a strange lande O my God my force and my fortresse noe man shal be iustified in thy sight My hope is not in the sonnes of men Whom wouldest thou find iustified if thou shouldest iudge seuerely setting mercie aside Neither is there any thinge
my cause from vniust people teache me to fulfill thy will for thou art my God Because I beleiue that in whom soeuer thou doost vouchsafe to make thine habitation in him thou doost builde a house for God the Father and the Sonne That man doubtles is blest who shal be thought worthy to haue thee for his guest for that by thee the Father and the sonne will with him make their mansion Come now come most kinde comforter of a sorrowefull soule come most ready helper in tribulation and time of trouble Come o cleanser of sinnes o healer of woundes Come o strength of such as are fraile o releife of suche as fall Come o instructer of the simple and lowly destroyer of the proude and hautie Come o pittifull Father of the fatherlesse milde iudge of widowes Come o hope of the needy refresher of the fainte and sickly Come o bright starre of those that saile o hauen of those that by shipwrack faile on the sea Come o singular commendation of all men liuing the onely saluation of the faithfull departing Come o most holie Spirit come and take pittie vpon me Vnite me vnto thee and gratiously graunt me that according to the multitude of thy mercies my smalnes may be pleasing to thy greatnes and my weakenes to thy force through our Sauiour Iesus Christ who together with the Father in thy vnity liueth and raigneth for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for one seruing God and thinkinge humbly of himselfe CHAPT X. I knowe o Lord I knowe and confesse that I am not worthy to be beloued of thee yet certainely thou art not vnworthy to be beloued of me I am vnworthy I coÌ„fesse to serue thee but thou art not vnworthy worthy of my seruice seinge thou hast created me Graunt me therefore o Lord to doe that whereof thou art worthy and I shal be worthy of that whereof I am now vnworthy Make me by what meanes thou wilt to cease from iniquitie that accordinge as I am bounde I may be able to serue thee Graunt me soe to keepe gouerne and end my life that I may sleepe in peace and rest in thee Giue me grace at my dyinge day to sleepe with repose to repose with securitie to be secure for all eternitie Amen A Prayer to the Holy Trinitie CHAPT XI WIth my whole harte and mouthe I confesse thee God the Father vnbegotten thee the Sonne onely begotten thee the Holy Ghost giuer of comforte and consolation the holy and vndeuided Trinitie to thee be glorie for all eternitie The acknowledginge of God almightie and of his maiestie CHAPT XII O Holy Trinitie one virtue and vnseparable maiestie one God and God almighty I confesse vnto thee I that am the last and least of thy seruants and a poore member of thy church I confesse vnto thee and honour thee with a sacrifice of praise as is my duty according to the small knowledge and abilitie which thou hast giuen me And for that I haue noe exteriour guifts to offer vnto thee I therfore from an vnfained faith and vndefiled conscience doe willingâ—ly and ioyfully offer vnto thee those vowes of praise which by the guift of thy grace are fouÌ„de within me I therefore with my whole harte beleiue and call vpon thee I confesse the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost three in persons and one in substance to be the true God omnipotent of one nature or essence simple spirituall inuisible incompreâ—ensible hauing nothing higher or lower or greater then thy selfe but beinge perfect without deformity great without quantity good without quality eternall without time life without death strong without infirmity true without falshood euery where present without situation wholy euery where without location filling all thinges without extension occurring euery where without contradiction going beyond all thinges without motion stayinge in all thinges without station creatinge all thinges hauing want of nothing gouerning all thinges without trauaile or perturbation giuing beginning to all thinges thy selfe being without beginning making all thinges mutable thy selfe being without mutation In greatnes infinite in vertue omnipotent in goodnes superexcellent in wisedome inestimable in thy counsells terrible iust in thy iudgements most secrett in thy cogitations true in thy wordes holy in thy workes aboundant in mercies Most patient towardes offenders most pittifull towardes penitent sinners beinge still the same eternall and euerlastinge immortall immutable whom the largenes of places doth not enlarge nor the litlenes make lesse nor any places of receipt whatsoeuer doe any way straighten and presse together Neither doth thy will alter thee nor freindshipp corrupt thee or dolefull thinges trouble thee or ioyfull thinges moue thee Whom neither forgettfullnes doth make to forgett nor remembrance to remember any thinge To whom thinges past and thinges to come are alwaies present To whom beginning neuer gaue beginning nor time augmentation neither shall any hap or chaunce euer giue ending but thou art he who liuest for euer and euer before all ages and in all ages and through out all ages To thee therefore is due perpetuall prayse and eternall glorie most soueraigne power and singular dignitie and euerlastinge kingdome and dominion worlde without end duringe all eternitie Amen After what manner it pleased God the Father to succoure mankinde Of the incarnation of the diuine Worde and thankes for the same CHAPT XIII HItherto o God almighty the beholder and searcher of my hart I haue confessed the omnipotency of thy maiestie the maiesty of thy omnipotency but now after what manner thou hast vouchsafed to helpe mankind towardes the end of the world as I beleiue with the hart for my iustification soe I confesse with my mouth before thee therby to attaine saluation Certaine it is we cannot any where finde it written of thee that thou o God the Father hast at any time beene sent alone but of thy sonne thus writteth thy Apostle But when the fulnes of time was come God sent his soâ—re When he saieth he sent he sufficiently declareth that he came at that time sent into this worlde when being borne of blessed Marie euer a Virgin he appeared in our flesh true and perfect man But what is that which the cheife euaÌ„gelist affirmeth of him He was in the world and the world was made by him Doutlesse he was sent thither by taking vpoÌ„ him our humanitie where he alwaies hath beene and is remaining by his diuinity Which Mission I verily beleiue with my whole hart and confesse with my mouth to haue bene the work of the whole holy Trinity Now how greately hast thou loued vs o holy and louing Father how greately hast thou loued vs o pitâ—ifull Creator who hast not spared euen thine onely son but hast giuen him for vs sinners He hath beene obedient vnto thee vnto death euen the death of the crosse and takinge our hand writing or obligation wherin we stoode bounde aâ— slaues to the diuell by sinne and fastninge the same to the crosse he
be pertaker of thy glory For albeit I doe not presume to demaunde by mine owne meritt to be admitted into thy woÌ„derfull beauty yett I doe not despaire to obtaine the same by the meritt of his sacred bloud who hath redeemed me Onely lett thy meritts helpe me lett thy most holy and pure prayers which cannot but be effectuall in the sight of God succoure my sinfulnes I haue gone astray I confesse as a lost sheep my aboad here hath ben too too long being cast farr from the face of my Lord God into the darknes of this exile Where remaining expelled from the ioyes of heauen I doe dayly bewaile with my selfe the calamities of this my captiuitie making great lementation and in mournefull manner sounding forth a dolefull ditty when I remember thee o mother Hierusalem whilst the feet of mine affections stand at the entrance of thy gates o holie and comely Syon not being yet admitted to behold thine inner partes wide open but I hope one day to be brought vnto thee on the shoulders of my shepheard who hath built thee that I may dance with thee through that vnspeakable pleasure wherewith they reioyce who are with thee in the presence of God and our Sauiour who in his flesh through the effusion of his bloud hath made peace and pacified all thinges in heauen and in earth For he is our peace vinting both in one who ioyning together two opposite walles hath promised to bestow vpon vs in the same manner and measure the fullnes of thy felicitie which consisteth in the fruition of himselfe for all eternitie saying They shal be equall to the Angells of God in heauen O Hierusalem the euer happy house of God next after the loue of Christ be thou my ioy and comforte lett the sweete remembrance of thy blessed name be a solace to the sorrowes and heauines of minde Of the manifolde mâ—series with which mans life is replenished CHAP. XXI VErilâ—e o Lord I am wonderfull werie of this life and paine full pilgrimage This life is a miserable life a fraile life an vncertaine life a laborious life an vncleane life a life mystres of miscreants queene of such 〈◊〉 are proude full of miserie and 〈◊〉 not worthy to be termed a life yea rather a death in which we dy by sondry soâ—â—es of death almost ech moment of time by the diuers defects of change and alteration The time therefore which we liue in this world how can we truly call it a life whom humoreâ— puffe vp whom paines pull downe whom heaâ—es doe parch whoÌ„ the aire maketh sick whom resting maketh fat and fasting maketh leane whom delightes make dissolute whom sorrowes doâ— consume whom pensiuenesse doth oppresse whom securitie maketh dull whom riches lift vp and make stately whoÌ„ pouerty doth abase and make lowly whoÌ„ youth maketh to be magnified old age to be crooked whom sicknes weakeneth sadnes afflicteth And close as it were at the heeles of all these euills doth furious death come after closing vp the end of all the delightes of this miserable life in that fashion as that being ended it is as if it had neuer been begun And albeit this liuing death and dying life be replenished with these and many more miseries â—et alas it entrappeth very many by her flattering alluâ—ements and noe lesse nomber by her false promises of preferments And although it be soe apparently false and bitter as that the blind louers thereof cannot but see and perceiue it yet by reason of the golden cup which it holdeth in her hand it causeth an infinite nomber of fooles to drinke and to be wholy drunke therwith They therefore are happy although not many who refuse her familiaritie who contemne her delightes transitorie who abandon her companie least at length they runne to ruine and perdition together with her that deceiued them Of the happines of that life which God hath prepared for those that loue him CHAPT XXII O Thou thrise happie life which God hath prepared for those that loue him a liuing life a blessed life a secure life a peaceable life a beautifull life a cleane life a chaste life a holy life a life voide of death free from sorrow a life without blemish without heauines without vexation without corruption without perturbation without variation and mutation a life full of all beautie and dignitie where there is noe aduersarie to impugne vs noe occasion of sinne to allure vs where charitie raigneth in perfection hauing noe feare of anie euil approaching where there is one onely day which is eternall and one onely minde and meaning of al where God face to face is seene apparently and with this bread of life the soule is satisfied aboundantlie O blessed life it pleaseth me much to thinke of thy brightnes and excellencie my hart is not a little delighted when I minde those good thinges which are in thee The more I thinke of thee the more I loue thee for that I am wonderfullie recreated through the vehement desire and sweete remembrance of thee It pleaseth me therefore to lift vp to thee the eyes of my hart to direct to thee the state of my mind to frame towardes thee the affectioÌ„ of a freinde Verilye it delighteth me to speake of thee to heare of thee to write of thee to conferre of thee to reade something daily of thy glorie and beatitude and often in my hart to thinke vpon what I haue reade that soe vnder the sweete shadowe of thy vitall ayre I may in some sorte be free from the heaâ—es dangers and sweates of this sraile and bricke life and being free may a little rest my weary head falling as it weare a sleepe in thy blessed bosome For this cause I am accustomed to enter into the pleasant feildes of the holie scriptures where I gather the most greene and wholsome hearbes of sacred sentences by writing them I eate them by reading I chewe them by frequent meditation and at lenght I doe swallowe them downe into the stomach of my memorie by recollection thaâ— by this meanes hauinge tasted of thy sweetnesse I may the lesse feele this most miserable lifes bitternes O life most happy o kingedome truly blessed voide of death neuer to haue ending where time without succession of ages is still the same where one continual day without interchange of night knoweth neither time past nor to come where the victorious souldier being vnited to those harmonious quires of Angels doth singe to God without intermission a Canticle of the Canticles of Syon Hauing his head adorn'd with an eternall croune By Christ th' eternall kinge in token of renoune O would to God my sinnes being pardonned and the burden of my fraile flesh being forth with laied aside I might enter into thy ioyes there to finde euerlastinge repose and might be admitted within the walles of thy Citty there from the handes of our Lord to receiue a crowne of glory to the end I might be placed to singe as one of that
most sacred quire that with those most blessed spirits I might helpe to sounde forth the praises of my maker that in presence I might contemplate the face of Christ my Lord and Sauiour and might for euermore behold that supreme vnspeakable and incomprehensible brightnes and splendour and thus being from the fare of death sett at libertie I might reioyce for euer through the guift of perpetuall immortalitie Of the happines of a holie soule departing out of this worlde CHAPT XXIII HAppie is that soule which being sett at libertie from this earthly bodie doth freely mount vpp to the heauenlie countrie Shee is at rest and securitie feaâ—ing neither death nor aduersarie because shee doth incessantly see our Lord shining in beautie whom thee hath serued and loued and to whom at length shee hath ioyfullie and happilie arriued Such shall be the greatnâ—â—s of this her glorie and â—elicitie as that noe time shall diminish it neither shaâ—l any aduerâ—arie be euer able to beâ—aue â—er of it The daughters of Syon haue seene her and esteemed her most hapâ—ie The Queenes likewise and concuâ—ines haue commended her saying What 〈◊〉 shee that ascendeth vp from the desert flowing with delightes leaning vpon her beloued What is shee that commeth rising vp as the dawning of the day faire as the mooâ—e chosen as the sunne terrible as the forefront of an armie sett in battle aray O how ioyfullie shee issueth forth how shee hastneâ—h how shee runneth when as one astonished shee heareth her well beloued saving vnto her Asâ—â—se make hast my loue my doue my beautifull one and come For winter is now past the raine is gone and departed the flowers haue appeared in our land the time of pruning is come the voyce of the turtle doue is heard in our land the figg tree hath brought forth her greene figges the florishing vineyardes haue giuen theire sauour Arise my loue my beautifull one and come My doue in the holes of the rock in the hollow places of the wall shew me thy face let thy voyce sounde in mine eares for thy voyce is sweete and thy face comely Come o my chosen my fairest one and my doue come myne immaculate and my spouse and I will place my throne in thee because I haue desired thy beauty Come that thou maiest reioyce with mine Angells in my presence whose company I haue promised thee long since Come at length after soe many dangers and trauailes enter into the ioy of thy Lord which none shall euer be able to take from thee A Prayer to the Saints to succour vs in our dangers and necessities CHAPT XXIV Happy are you o blessed Saints of God who haue alreadie passed ouer the sea of this mortalitie and haue deserued to arriue at the porte of perpetuall rest peace and securitie It is you that are without feare and free from tempestes reioycing for euermore in that hauen of happines O you that are voyde of care for your selues by your charitie I beseech you haue a care of vs you that are assured of your immmortall glorie be mindfull of our manifold miserie For his sake I beseeche you who hath chosen you who hath made you such as you are by beholding whose beautie you are satisfied by whose immortalitie you are become immortall and as it were deified by whose blessed sight you are for euer blessed be you alwaies mindfull of vs and help vs miserable wretches who remaine as yett in the sea of this wretched world tossed to and fro with continuall stormes and tempests O you most faire gates raysed by God to that height of glory help vs lying heere beneath like the vild pauemeÌ„t of this vale of miserie Lend vs your hand and lift vs vpon our feet wholie grouelinge on the ground to the end that being cured of our infirmitie we may be made strong to encounter our ghostly ennimy I beseech vou to pray continuallie and without ceasing to make intercession for vs wretched and carelesse sinners that by your prayers we may be admitted into your sacred societie without which we cannot possiblie be saued Because we are exceeding fraile and men voide of all force and abilitie or rather beastes subiect to our owne flesh and sensualitie in whom there appeareth searce any token of vertue Neuerthelesse making profession of Christianitie we are caried and vpheld by the woode of Christs crosse sayling by help of the same as in a shipp through this great and spatious sea where there is an innumerable multitude of thinges that creepe where there are liuing creatures both small great where there is a most feâ—rce and cruell Dragon alwaies ready to deuoure vs where there are those gastly gulfes Sâ—ylla and Charybdis and other innumerable peâ—illous places in which those that are doubtfull in the faith and take not heede doe suffer shipwrack and are drowned Pray therfore o yee holy Saints pray to our Lord for vs o all you troupes and assemblies of the blessed pray for vs that being aided by your meritts and intercession we may deserue to attaine our shippe and marchandise being in safety to the hauen of perpetuall happines and quietnes of continuall peace and securitie which shall neuer cease The soules desire to attaine to the heauenly city Hierusalem CHAPT XXV O Mother Hierusalem thou sacred city of God thou dearest spouse of Christ my hart doth loue thee my mind doth exceedingly longe after thy beautie O how gliâ—â—ering how glorious how generous art thou Thou art altogether faire and there is noe spott in thee Triumph be gladd o faire daughter of the Prince for that the king euen he that surpasseth all the children of men in beauties excellencie hath desired thy fauoure and hath been enamoured of thy beautie But what is thy beloued more then an other beloued o thou that art most beautifull My beloued is white and ruddie chosen of thousands As the apple tree among the trees of the woodes soe is my beloued amongst the sonns of meÌ„ Behold I sitt ioyfull vnder the shadowe of him whom I haue desired and his fruite is sweete vnto my throat My beloued hath putt his hand through the hole and my bellie hath trembled at his touch C â—nt 5. In the night season in my bedd I haue sought him whom my soule loueth I haue sought and founde him I doe holde him and will not lett him goe vntill he bring me into his house into his bedd-chaÌ„ber o my most gloriouse mother For there thou willt graunt me to suck of thy breasts more perfectlie and aboundantlie and I shal be in that manner satisfied with vnspeakable plentie as that I shal not hunger or thirst any more during all eternitie O how happie will my soule be yea happie euerlastinglie if I shall merit to be hold thy glorie thy felicitie thy beautie thy gates and walles thy streetes and manifolde mansions thy most noble citizens and thy most puissant king sitting in his magnificence Because thy walls are built of pretions
handewriting and saue me Behold I sigh to thee being thy creature recreate me being my Creator Beholde I whom thou hast made doe crie vnto thee thou that art life reuiue me Beholde I looke towardes thee being a peece of clay framed by thee thou art my maker repaire me Pardon me o Lord for that the dayes of my life are short and as it were nothinge What is man that he durst speake to God that made him Pardon me talking vnto thee Pardon thy seruant presuming to speake vnto soe greate a Lord. Necessiâ—ie hath noe lawe My greife compelleth me to speake the miseâ—ie which I sustaine constraineth me to crie vnto the. Beeing therfore sicke I crie vnto the phisition being blinde I hasten vnto the â—ight being deade I sighe after life Thou art my phisition o Iesus of Nazareth thou art my light thou art my life O Sonne of Dauid take pittie vppon me o fountaine of mercie be mercifull vnto me Heare what thy sicke patient saieth vnto thee O light which passest by expect him that is blinde lende him thy hande that he may come vnto thee and in thy light may see light O liuing life recall me that am deade to life What am I that doe speake vnto thee Woe be to me o Lord pardon me o Lord I am an vnhappie man A man I say borne of a woman liuinge but a short time replenished with many miseries a man I say become like vnto vanitie compared and very well likened vnto senslesse bruite beastes Againe what am I An obscure bottomelesse pitt a clodd of clay the sonne of anger and perdition begotten in filthines liuing in wretchednes and being to die in great anguish and distresse O wretche what am I O miserable man what shall I be A vessel of ordure and filthines a receptacle of rottennes full of stenche and loathsomenes blinde needie naked subiect to manifolde necessities subiect to miserie and mortalitie knowing neither my beginning nor my dyinge day Whose dayes and life passe and vanish away as the shadow of the Moone And as the blossomes of a tree growe and sodainely wither away soe doth the life of man now flowrishe and forthwith growe to decay My life I say is a life fraile and brittle a life which by how much the more it encreaseth by soe much the more it decreaseth by how much the more it hastneth on by soe much the more it draweth neere to deathe a life deceiptful like vnto a shadowe One while I am merrie and gladde and presentlie after sorrowefull and sadde Sometime sounde and then sodainely sicke now a liue and in a shorte time after I shal be deade sometimes I make a shew as if I were happie yet still in miserie sometimes I laughe and sodainely after I lament And all thinges are soe subiect to mutation as that nothing can be truly saied to remaine stable in the same state one onely hower of time Sometimes feare afflicteth vs at other times some sodaine chance affrighteth vs sometimes hunger vexeth vs at other times thirst tormenteth vs sometimes heate parcheth vs at other times colde pincheth vs sometimes sicknes molesteth vs at other times sadnes dâ—iâ—cteth vs. After these followeth deathe before he is expected bereauing wretched men by a thousande meanes dayly of theire liues and taking them on a sodaine before they be prepared One dieth of a feauer an other throughe sorrowe one fainteth and falleth downe deade through hunger an other through thirst one is drowned an other hanged one is burned an other with the teethe of wilde beastes is torne in pceces and deuoured One is slaine with the sworde an other poysoned an other dieth being by some soddaine accident onely affrighted And yet a greater miserie then all these is that albeit nothing is more certaine then deathe yet man knoweth not the time of his deathe and when he thinketh to stande most firme he is ouerthrowne and all his hopes come to nothinge Because man knoweth not when nor where nor how he shall die althoughe it be a thinge assured that he must die Beholde o Lord how greate mans miserie is in which I am and yet I am voide of feare Beholde how greate the calamitie is which I sustaine and yet I am voide of sorrowe and doe not crie to thee I will crie vnto thee o Lord before I passe out of this life to the end my passage may be nothing els but to remaine perpetuallie with thee I will therfore make knowne and discouer my wretchednes I will confesse and will not be ashamed to disclose my vildenes Helpe me o my force by whom I am vphelde succoure me o my strength by whom I sustained come o light by which I see appeare o glorie by which I reioyce apppeare o life in which I may liue eternallie blessed cuen thou o Lord my God Of the admirable light of God CHAPT III. O Light which ould Tobias being blinde did see when he taught his sonne the way of life That light which Isaac albeit his corporall eies failled him sawe within him when outwardlye he foretolde to this sonne thinges that were to come That inuisible light I say that seethe plainely the vnspeakeable depthe of mans harte That light which lacob did see when he prophesied of fuâ—uâ—e euents to his children according to that which thou didst inwardly dictate vnto him Beholde o Lord darknes doth ouershadowe the face of the bottomlesse depth of my minde thou art light Beholde an obscure mist doth ouerwhelme the waters of my harte thou art the truthe O Worde by which all thinges were made and without which was made nothing That Worde which is before all thinges and before which there was nothinge That Worde which gouerneth all thinges without which all thinges are nothing That Worde which in the beginning hast saied Let light be made and it was donne Say likewise to me let light be made and let it be donne and let me see the light and knowe whatsoeuer is not light because without thee darknes wil be vnto me as light and light as darknesse And soe without thy light there is noe veritie there is nothing els but errour and vanitie there is confusion and noe discretion there is ignorance and noe knowledge blindenes and noe seeing going astray and noe walking in the right way deathe and noe life Of the mortalitie of mans nature CHAPT IV. BEholde o Lord where light is absent there deathe is present nay deathe is not there present because deathe is meerelie nothinge For by deathe we tende to nothinge whilst by sinne we feare to doe nothing And truly o Lord this iustlie hapneth vnto vs for we receiue according to our actions whiles like a flowinge riuer we runne and come to nothinge because without thee there is made nothing and we by doing nothing come to be nothinge For without thee we are nothing by whom all thinges are made without whom there is made nothing O Lord God thou diuine Worde by whom all thinges are made
boasting minde but possesse my harte that it may alwaies thinke of thee Enlighten the eies of mine vnderstanding that they may see thee not be exalted in thy presence o glorie euerlasting but let them thinke humbly not looking ouer curiously on those wonderfull thinges that are aboue them Let them looke vppon those thinges that are on the right hande and not vpon those on the left that are displeasing vnto thee Let thy eie-lidds likewise guide my footestepps for that thy eie-lidds looke into the actions and thoughtes of the sonnes of men Breake and bruise my vnlawefull luste with thy sweetenes which thou hast reserued for those that feare thee to the end I may with an eternall desire couet thee least my internall taste being through vanities entseed and deceaued esteeme bitter to be sweete and sweete to be bitter darkenes to be light and light to be darkenes that I may escape free from such a multitude of snares wherewith all the worlde is replenished which our ghostly ennimic hath placed in the way of this life that we are to walke in therby to ensnare the soules of such as sinne Which he that saw it omitted not to tell vs of saying Whatsoeuer is in the worlde is either the concupiscence of the eies concupiscence of the flesh or pride of life Beholde o Lord my God the whole worlde is full of the snares of concupiscences which my ghostly ennimies haue prepared to intrappe me in and who shall be able to auoide them Verily he from whom thou shalt take away the concupiscence of the eies least the concupiscence of the eies doe entrappe him from whom thou shalt take away the concupiscence of the flesh least the concupiscence of the fleshe entice him and from whom thou shalt take away a bolde and boasting minde least pride of life doe craftely deceaue him O how happie is he to whoÌ„ thou shalt afforde this â—auoure because such a one shall passe without danger Wherfore I beseeche thee for thine owne sake o my Redeemer that thou wilt helpe me that I may not fall in the sight of mine aduersaries being taken in the snares which they haue prepared to entrap my feete therby to ouerthrowe my soule but deliuer me o strength of my saluation least thine ennimies which hate thee haue me in derision Arise o Lord my God thou that art my fortitude and let thine ennimies be dispersed let those that hate thee fly before thee yea like as waxe melteth away before the face of the fire euen soe let sinners consume in thy sight But let me remaine safe being hidden in the secret place of thy presence where abounding with all good thinges I may reioyce in the companie of thy children Listen o Lord God vnto the crie of thy children who art a father to the fatherlesse and a mother to such as are in distresse and stretch for the thy winges that we may flie vnder them from the face of our aduersarie O tower of the fortresse of Israel who wilt neither slumber nor sleepe garding and defending Israel for that the ennimie doth neither slumber not sleepe that opposeth Israel Of the miseries of man and the manifolde benefits of almighty God CHAPT XIII O Light not seene by any other light o brightnes not behelde by any other brightnes That light that darkneth all other light that brightnes that maketh dimme all externall brightnes O light from which all light is deriued o brightnes from which all brightnes doth proceede that brightnes in comparison of which all brightnes is but dimnes all light but darknes That light in whose presence all dimnes is turned into brightnes all darknes into light O supreme light by noe cloude enclouded by noe mist diminished by noe darknes darkned by noe obstacle enclosed by noe shadowe seuered and deuided O light which enlightnest all thinges wholy together seuerally and for euer let me be absorpt by thee into the bottoÌ„lesse depth of thy brightnes that on euerie side I may see thee in thee and me in thee and all thinges vnder thee Forsake me not o Lord I beseeche thee least the darknes of my ignorance and sinne increase Verilie without thee all thinges are darknes and sinne vnto me because nothing is good without thee the true sole and soueraigne good I confesse and acknowledge o Lord my God that wheresoeuer I am without thee it fareth not well with me neither without nor within me because without thee o my God I esteeme plentie to be pouertie I shall then be content and not before to wit when thy glorie shall appeare Giue me grace likewise o Lord who art my onely felicitie that I may confesse my miserie vnto thee I confesse therefore that as longe as the multiplicitie of temporall affaires did disperse and deuide me following my sensualitie from one thinge into many to wit from the supreame and onely good that is froÌ„ the vnitie of thy goodnes soe longe I had painefull plentie and plentifull pouertie poursuing many thinges and finding content in none for that I founde not thee with in me the assured singular inseparable and sole good which hauing now gotten I am noe more subiect to neede which hauing obtained I am now no more payned and greiued which hauing now in possession my whole desire is satisfied This is a miserie me thinke aboue other miseries to be lamented to see how my miserable soule doth forsake and abandon thee in whose company shee is alwaies riche and gladde and adhereth to the worlde with whom shee is alwaies poore and fadde The worlde crieth vnto vs saying I fade and thou o Lord callest vnto vs saying I feede and yet notwithstanding such is my peruerse miserie that it maketh choice rather to followe him that fadeth then him that feedeth me This is my infirmitie and disease Cure the same o Phisition of our soules to the end I may with my whole harte acknowledge vnto thee o Sauiour of my soule the manifold benefits with which thou hast nourished me from my tender youth vntill these my ould and last decrepit yeares For thine owne sake o Lord I beseeche thee not to forsake me when I was nothing thou hast created me when I was consumed through sinne thou hast redeemed me when I was past recouerie and deade through mine iniquitie thou hast come downe from heauen vnto me taking vpon thee my mortalitie thou I say being a king and Lord soe puissant hast descended from heauen vnto thy slaue and seruant rendring thy selfe captiue to reserue him a liue yea thou thy selfe hast died and by dying hast ouercome deathe to the end thou mightest restore me to life exalting me to my former dignitie by debasing thy selfe to soe greate pouerty When I was vtterly vndonne being gone astray and solde to sinne thou hast come into the worlde for my redemption and hast loued me soe dearely as that thou hast giuen thine owne blood for a ransome for me thou hast loued me o Lord more then
powerful and potent ouer the spiritts or soules of all flesh whose eies behold all the waies of the children of Adam from the day of their birthe vntill the day of their death to the end thou maiest render to euery man according to his actions be they good or euill teache me I beseeche thee how to confesse vnto thee my pouertie because I haue heretofore vaunted that I was riche and needed nothing not knowing that I was poore blinde naked wretched and in miserie for that I thought my selfe to be something when I was nothinge I saied with my selfe I shall become a wise man and I became a foole I thought my selfe to be prudent and discreete and I was deceiued for that I nowe perceiue that it is a guift gratis by thee giuen without whom we can doe nothing because vnlesse thou o Lord guarde the cittye he watcheth but in vaine that guardeth the same Thus o Lord by leauing me and prouing me thou hast taught me to know my selfe not in respect of thee that thou mightst know me but in respect of me that I might knowe my selfe because as I haue already saied I thought my selfe to be something of my selfe neither did I perceiue that it was thou that didst gouerne me vntill thou didst for a while forsake me whereupon I forthwith fell by which I did see and knowe that it was thou that didst gouerne me and that my fall hapned throughe mine owne faulte and my arising againe to grace by the meanes onely of thy grace Thou hast opened mine eies o diuine light thou hast awakened and enlightned me soe that now I see that mans life is a temptation vppon earth neither hath fraile flesh or any mortall man liuing iust occasion to glorie of himselfe before thee or to presume of his iustification sithence all the good we haue be it little or greate proceedeth wholy and freely from thee neither can we attribute any thing iustly to our selues sauing onely our iniquitie Whereof then shall any mortall man glorie shall he glorie of his iniquitie This is not glorie but meere miserie Shall he therfore glorie of his goodnes shal he glorie of that which is an others because all goodnes and glorie is thine o Lord and belongeth to thee He therfore that vsurpeth that glorie to himselfe that is due to thee is a theefe and a robber and like vnto the diuell who desired to bereaue thee of thy glorie For he that desireth to be praysed in respect of the guift which thou hast giuen him and doth not seeke thy glorie therein but his owne albeit in respect of thy guift he be praised of men yet by thee he is thought worthy of blame for that with that guift which thou hast giuen him he hath not sought thy glory but his owne But he that is praised of men being by thee thought worthy of blame will not be defended by men when thou shalt judge him nor freede by them when thou shalt condemne him Thou therfore o Lord who didst forme me in my mothers wombe permit me not to fall into that reproachfull infamy as to be vpbraieded as one that woulde bereaue thee of thy glorie To thee is due all glorie who art the author of all goodnes but to vs shame and misery who according to our deserts are worthy of all wretchednes were it not that thou dost take pitty vpon vs. Thou o Lord art pittifull indeede full of compassion towardes all men and hating nothing of those thinges which thou hast made bestowing vpon vs many benefits and enriching vs with thy greatest guifts because thou dost fauour those that are friendlesse making theÌ„ to abouÌ„de with the riches of thy goodnes Beholde now o Lord we are thy poore distressed children we are thy little flock open thy gates vnto vs to the end that those that are poore may feede and be filled aboundantly and those that seâ—ke thee may praise thee eternallie I knowe o Lord and confesse because thou hast instructed me that they onely that acknowledge themselues to be poore and needy and confesse vnto thee their pouerty shal be enriched by thee in soe much that they that imagine themselues riche being indeede poore and needie are not to expect any spirituall guift or grace from thee Wherfore o Lord my God I doe acknowledge and confesse vnto thee my pouertie rendring vnto thee all glorie all being thine and due vnto thee because all the good that is donne by me proceedeth wholy from thee I confesse o Lord like as thou hast taught me that I am nothing els but meere vanitie the shadowe of deathe a darke bottomelesse dungeon a voide and vnprofitable plot of grounde bringing forth nothinge without thy blessing the naturall fruit thereof being confusion sinne and eternall death and damnation All the good that euer I had heretofore I had it from thee al the good I haue likewise at this present is wholy thine and proceedeth from the handes of thy liberalitie When I haue stoode vpright it hath been by thy assistance when I haue fallen it hath been through mine owne negligence when I was falleÌ„ likewise I shoulde for euer haue remained in the mire if thou hadst not raised me and being blind I shoulde for euer haue beene blind if thou hadst not enlightned me When I was fallen I should neuer haue risen if thou hadst not with thy hand raysed me yea after thou hast raysed me I shoulde haue fallen againe immediately if thou hadst not vphelde me I shoulde likewise haue perished many times and been vtterly vndonne if thou hadst not gouerned me Thus o Lord and in this manner hath thy grace and mercy preuented me from time to time and continually deliuering me from all mishapps that might haue befallen me preseruing me from perills that are past deliuering me out of those that are present and strengthning me against those that are to come cutting in in sunder before me the snares of sinne remouing likewise all causes and occasioÌ„s of the same for if thou hadst not afforded me this fauoure I shoulde haue committed all sortes of sinnes whatsoeuer Because I knowe o Lord that there is noe sinne committed by one man which an other coulde not likewise doe the same if mans Creator by whom he was made did not assist him Thou therfore hast caused and commaunded me to abstaine from iniquity giuing me thy grace that I might belieue in thee For thou o Lord didst direct me to doe that which was to thy glory and mine owne saluation giuing me grace and vnderstanding that I might auoide adulterie or all other sinne Of the diâ—â—ell and his manifolde temptations CHAPT XVI THe tempter was absent and thou hast been the cause that he was absent time and place haue been wanting and this hath happned through thy fatherly disposition The tempter was present hauing opportunitie of place and time but thou hast kept me from consenting vnto him The tempter came to teÌ„pte me in his owne deformed and ougly
comforte during the time of this my banishment Let my minde flie vnder the shadow of thy winges from the heate of worldly cogitations Let my harte pause and repose in thee my harte I say which is like vnto a spatious and tempestuous sea O God the most riche and bountifull giuer of the diuine daintie dishes of heauenlie plentie refreshe it being wearie recall it being gone astray deliuer it being in captiuitie and being by sinne as it were broken in peeces restore it to the estate of its former innocencie Beholde it standeth at thy dore knocking and calling vnto thee I beseech thee o Lord by the bowells of thy mercy in which thou hast visited vs comminge downe from heauen commaund thy gate to be opened vnto my poore wretched soule knocking at the same to the end it may freelie enter in and repose in thee and be fed by thee the breade of heauen for thou art the breade and fountaine of life thou art the light of euerlasting felicitie thou art all thinges by which the righteous doe liue that loue thee Of the desire of the soule CHAPT V. O God the light of those harts that see thee the life of those soules that loue thee the strength of those thoughtes that seeke thee graunt me grace that by loue I may alwaies adhere vnto thee Come I beseech thee into my harte and make it drunke with the plentie of thy pleasure to the end I may forget all temporall thinges whatsoeuer Verilie I am ashamed and grieued to endure such thinges as are donne in the worlde Whatsoeuer I see in this vale of miserie is displeasing vnto me whatsoeuer I heare of thinges transitorie is burdensome vnto me Helpe me o Lord my God and make my harte glad come vnto me that I may see thee But alas the house of my soule is ouer little to entertaine thee vntill thou enter into it and enlarge it It is ruinous and ready to fall wherfore I beseech thee to repaire it It hath many thinges I confesse and knowe contained in it which are displeasing in thy sight but who will cleanse it or to whom besides thee shall I crie to doe it Cleanse me o Lord from my secret sinnes and be mercifull vnto thy seruaunt in respect of other mens sinnes committed by my meanes Graunt me grace o sweete Christ o good Iesu graunt me grace I beseech thee to lay aside the burden of all carnall loue and worldly desires through the loue and desire of thee Let my soule haue dominion ouer my body reason ouer my soule thy grace ouer reason and make me in all thinges subiect to thy most holy will both without and within Afforde me this fauoure I beseech thee that my harte and tongue and all my bones may praise and magnifie thee Dilate my mind and lift vp the eies of my harte that albeit for neuer soe shorte a time my soule may attaine vnto thee the eternall wisedome abiding aboue all thinges Free me I beseech thee from the bandes with which I am bounde that forsaking all thinges transitorie I may adhere and attende vnto thee onely Of the soules felicitie being deliuered out of the prison of this earthly body CHAPT VI. HAppy is that soule which beinge freed from this earthlie prison doth freely mounte vp into heauen which beholdeth thee o sweete Lord apparantlie face to face being now noe more affraied of deathe or of any worldlie miserie but reioycinge throughe the immortalitie of euerlasting glory It liueth in repose and securitie fearing now neither deathe noâ— ennimie It enioyeth thee being a mercifull Lord whom it hath long sought and alwaies loued and being ioyned in felowship with the quires of Angells it singeth for euer mellifluous sonnets of perpetuall gladnes in praise and commendation of thy glory o Christ our King o good Iesu Verilie it becommeth as it were drunke throughe the aboundance of thy heauenlie habitation because thou dost cause it to drinke of the riuer of thy vnspeakeable delectation O howe happy is the heauenlie company of celestiall cittizens how glorious is the solemniâ—ie of all those that returne vnto thee o Lord from the toiles and trauailes of this our pilgrimage to the pleasantnes of all beauty to the beauty of all brightnes and to the dignitie of all excellencie where thy cittizens o Lord doe continuallie see thee Nothing at all is there hearde that may molest the minde What sacred Canticles what diuersitie of instruments what delightfull ditties what sweete sounds of heauenlie harmonie are there hearde incessantlie There the mellifluous organ there the most sweete melodie of Angels doe sounde forth Hymnes and admirable Canticles of Canticles euelastingly which are songe by the celestiall cittizens to thy praise and glory Noe spitefulnes or bitternes of affection is founde in that heauenly region for that neither malice nor malitious men haue there any abiding Noe aduersarie is there to impugne vs nor occasion of sinne to entice vs. There is noe want or pouertie in that place noe shame or disgrace noe brawling noe vp braiding noe blaming noe fearefullnes noe disquietnes noe paine noe doubtfullnes noe violence noe variance but contrariwise surpassing greate peace perfect charitie singing and praising of God euerlastinglie perpetuall repose ioined with securitie and ioy in the holy Ghost during all eternitie O how fortunate shall I be if after this life I shal be admitted to heare the most pleasant and sweete songes of those heauenlie cittizens if I shal be admitted I say to heare those mellifluous meeters of poetrie made to expresse the praises and honoure due to the most sacred Trinitie O how much more happy shall I be then I can imagine if I my selfe likewise shal be thought worthy to sing a songe to our Lord Iesus Christ euen one of the sweete songes of Syon Of the ioy of Paradise CHAPT VII O Liuing life o euerlasting life and euerlastinglie happie Where there is ioy without griefe rest without laboure dignitie without feare riches without sicknes plentie without want life without deathe eternitie without corruption felicitie without affliction where all good thinges are comprehended in perfect charitie where the Sainctes see God and one an other apparantlie where where there is perfect knowledge in all thinges and of all thinges where the supreame goodnes of God is behelde and the light that enlightneth all thinges is by the Saincts glorified where Gods maiestie is seene present and with this foode of life the minde of the beholders doth remaine satisfied and content They alwaies see God and by seeing long to see him they desire it without loathsomnes where the true sunne of iustice doth refreshe them all by the wonderfull light of his vnspeakeable beautie and doth in that manner enlighten all the câ—ttizens of that celestiall countrie as that they beinge but a light enlightned by God who is the light that enlightneth them doe shine more bright then the sunne and all the stars of heauen Who adhering vnto God who is
shine o loue which dost alwaies burne o sweete Christ o good Iesu the eternall and neuer failing light the breade of life who dost feede vs with thy selfe without hurte to thy selfe who art daylie eaten and yet art alwaies whole without being broken I beseeche thee o Lord to shine vppon me and to enflame me Enlighten and sanctifie me thy vessell cleanse me from malice fill me and preserue me full of thy grace that to the good of my soule I may eate the foode of thy fleshe to the end that by eating thee I may liue of thee I may liue by thee I may come to thee and repose in thee Of the ioy which the soule receiuâ—th by receiuing Christ CHAPT XII O Lord the sweetnes of loue and the loue of sweetnes Be thou my foode and let all my bowelles be filled with the delitious drinke of thy loue to the end that all my wordes and cogitations may be good and tending to edification Make me o Lord and my loue to encrease in thee that thou mayest be eaten by me worthily who art more sweete then honie more white then snowe the foode of suche as growe greate in vertue Thou art my life by which I liue my hope to which I adhere my glory which I desire to obtaine Possesse thou my hart gouerne mine intention direct mine vnderstanding lift vp my loue eleuate my minde and draw the mouthe of my soule thirsting after thee to the waters of life euerlasting Let all tumultuous thoughtes and carnall cogitations I beseeche thee holde theire peace Let all phantasies of the earth and waters of the ayre and heauens keepe silence Let all dreames and imaginarie reuelations all tongues and tokens keepe silence briefly let all thinges holde theire peace that are donne in this vale of miserie being all of them short and soone passing away Let my soule in like sorte be silent and not speake a worde let it leaue it selfe by not thinking of it selfe but of thee o my God for that thou art my true and onely hope and my whole confidence Because a parte of each one of vs as the blood and flesh is founde in thee o Lord our God in thee I say o most sweete most gratious and most milde Iesu Where therfore parte of me doth raigne there I belieue likewise to haue dominion and where my blood doth dominere there I trust to haue principalitie and power Where my fleshe is glorified there I knowe my selfe to be renowned Although I am a sinner yet I doe not despaire to be pertaker of this grace and fauoure although my sinnes doe hinder it yet my substance doth require it Although my faultes and defectes doe exclude me yet my humaine nature which is common to me with Christ doth not repell me That the Worde incarnate is the cause of our hope CHAPT XIII DOubtles God is not soe cruell as not to loue his owne fleshe members and bowells I should certainely despaire by reason of the manifolde sinnes and vices faultes and negligences which I haue committed and doe dailie and continuallie commit in thought worde and deede and by all manner of meanes by which humaine frailtie is able to offend were it not that thy diuine Worde o my God had beene made fleshe and dwelt in vs. But now I dare not despaire because he being obedient vnto thee vntil deathe euen the deathe of the Crosse hath taken our handewrittinge or obligation wherein we stoode bounde as slaues to the Diuell by sinne and fastning it to the Crosse hath crucified both sin and deathe In him I securely breathe who sitteth at thy right hande and maketh intercession for vs. Trusting therefore in his bountie I desire to come to thee in whom we are already risen againe from the deade and are reuiued with whom we haue alreadie ascended into heauen and sit with him in glorie in that happie region To thee therfore o heauenly Father be all praise glory honor and thanks-giuinge HOw the more we are addicted to diuine contemplation the greater delight we take therein CHAT XIV How sweete is the remembrance of thee vnto vs o most louing Lord who hast soe dearelie loued and saued vs who hast soe wonderfullie reuiued and exalted vs. The more I meditare of thee o most mercifull Lord the more sweete and amiable thou art vnto me And for that thy goodnes doth exceedinglie delight me I purpose as long as I liue in the place of this pilgrimage to desire and contemplate without ceasing thy wonderfull loue vnspeakeable beautie with apure intention and with a most sweete and louinge affection Because I am wounded with the darte of thy charitie I am wonderfullie enflamed with the desire of thee coueâ—ing to come to thee to see thee Wherfore I will stande vppon my guarde and will singe in spirit with watchfull eies yea I wil singe with my minde and with all my forces I will praise thee my creator and redeemer I will peâ—rce the heauens by deuotion and feruoure and will remaine with thee by a feruent desire that being detained in this present miserie with my bodie only I may in thought and affection be continuallie with thee to the end my hart may be there where thou art my desired incomparable and most beloued treasure But alas o Lord my hart is not sufficient to conteÌ„plate the glorie of thy great goodnes and pittie for that thou art a God of infinite meekenes and mercie verily thy praise thy beautie thy vertue thy glorie thy magnificence thy maiestie and thy charitie doth farre surpasse the capacitie of any mortall memorie For euen as the brightnes of thy glorie is inestimable soe likewise the largenes of thy charitie is vnspeakeable whereby thou dost adopt those to be thy children and vnite them vnto thee by loue and affection whom thou hast created of nothinge How for Christs sake we ought to wishe for tribulations in this life CHAT XV. O My soule if it were necessary daylie to suffer torments yea to endure hell it selfe for a longe time together that we might see Christ in 〈◊〉 glorie and be ioyned in felowship with the Saintes in his heauenly cittie were it not meete thinkest thou to sustaine all manner of miserie that we might be made pertakes of soe greate a good and of soe greate felicitie Let the diuells therfore endeuoure as much as they will to entrap me and by tentatious to deceiue me let longe fastinge weaken my bodie and course cloathing subdue my fleshe let trauaile trouble me and watching drie me vp to nothinge let others exclaime against me let this or that man disquiet and molest me let colde make me crooked let my conscience murmure against me let heate scorche me let my bodie be grieued my breast enflamed my stomacke puffed vp with winde my countenance wanne and withered let me be wholie afflicted with sicknes let my life consume away in sadnes and my yeares in sighes and sorrowfullnes let rottennes enter into my bones and
any time my rebellious flesh doth chance to throwe me downe through the remembrance of the woundes of my Lord I arise againe When the diuell seeketh to entrap me I forthwith fly to the bowells of my Lords mercy and he presentlie departeth from me If the heate of vnlawfull luste doth at any time cause any inordinate motion in my flesh through the remembrance of the woundes of our Lord the sonne of God it is immediatlie mitigated In all aduersities I doe not finde a more soueraigne remedie then are the wounds which Christ suffered for me In them I sleepe securely and repose assuredly Christ hath died for vs and therfore in deathe nothing can be founde soe bitter and vnpleasing which is not sweetned and cured by Christs death and passion My whole hope is in the deathe of my Lord. His deathe is my merit succoure and saluation it is my life and resurrection our Lords mercy and compassion is the merit which I rely vpon I am not voide of merit aslonge as I haue the Lord of mercies on my parte and sit hence the mercies of our Lord are many I my selfe am likewise riche in merits By howe much the more powerfull he is to saue me by soe much the greater is my securitie Howe the remembrance of Christs woundes is an approued remedie against all afflictions CHAPT XXIII I Haue exceedingly sinned and I knowe mine offenses to be many which I haue committed and yet I doe not despaire because where sinnes haue abounded there grace hath superabounded He that despaireth of obtaining pardon for his sinnes denieth God to be mercifull He doth almightie God a greate iniurie that mistrusteth of his mercy As much as lieth in him he denieth God to haue charity truth and power in which three notwithstanding doth depend my whole confidence that is in the charitie of his adoption in the truth of his promise and in the power of his redemption Nowe therfore let my foolishe imagination murmure as much as it will saying Who art thou that speakest after this fashion how wonderfull greate I pray thee is the glory of heauen by what merits then doâ—t thou hope to obtaine the same To whom I will answere confidently saying I knowe to whom I haue committed my selfe for that throughe his surpassing great charitie he hath adopted me to be his sonne because he is true in his promise and able to performe the same and may doe whatsoeuer it pleaseth him I cannot be terrified with the multitude of my sinnes if the deathe of my Lord come into my minde because my sinnes cannot oâ—ercome him The nayles and lance doe tell me that I am truly reconciled to Christ if I loue him Longinus with his lance hath opened Christs side for me into which I haue entred and doe rest there securely He that feareth let him loue because loue chaseth forth feare Verilie the whole worlde doth not afforde such a powerfull and present medicine against the heate of dishonest pleasure as is the deathe of my redeemer He stretcheth for the his armes on the Crosse and spreadeth out his handes as one readie to embrace sinners I purpose to liue and desire to die betweene the armes of Christ that hath saued me There I will sing securely I will extoll thee o Lord for that thou hast receiued me and hast not permitted mine enimies to triumphe ouer me Our Sauiour at his death bowed downe his heade that he might giue the kisse of peace to his beloued So often doe we kisse God as we are egged forwards through his loue to doe good A deuoute Meditation of the soule stirring vs vp to the loue of Christ. CHAPT XXIV O My soule who art famous by being framed according to the likenes of God beinge bought with Christs owne blood espoused vnto him by faith endowed with the holy Ghost adorned with vertues esteemed equall with the Angells loue him of whom thou art soe much loued attende to him that attendeth to thee and seeke him that seeketh thee Loue this thy louer of whom thou art beloued with whose loue thou art preuented who is the fountaine froÌ„whence thy loue proceeded He is thy merit and rewarde he is the fruite the vse and end of thy loue Be carefull to please him that is carefull to please thee thinke on him that thinketh of thee be pure with him that surpasseth in puritie be holy with him that excelleth all others in sanctitie According as thou shalt carry thy selfe towardes God in thy conuersation in the same manner will he carrie himselfe towardes thee againe He therfore being courteous milde and full of mercy and compassion doth exact of thee that thou likewise be courteous milde sweete huÌ„ble and mercifull towardes all men Loue him o my soule who hath deliuered thee from the lake of misery and from the myre of sinne and iniquitie Choose him for thy friende especiallie who alone will faithfullie adhere vnto thee when all other thinges and friendes shal be taken from thee On the day of thy buriall when thou shalt be abandoned by all thy friendes he will not leaue thee but will defende thee from those roring and infernali fiendes ready to deuoure thee yea he will conduct thee throughe that vnknowne region and bring thee into the streetes of heauenly Syon and will place thee there with his Angells before the face of his Maiestie where thou shalt heare that Angelicall songe Holy holy holy c. The Canticle of ioy the voice of mirthe and 〈◊〉 thanks-giuing praise and perpetuall Alleluia is songe there euerlastingly There there is a heape of happines supereminent glory superaboundant gladnes and all manner of goodnes O my soule sighe vehementlie and desire earnestlie that thou maiest attaine to that celestiall citty of which soe glorious thinges are saied and in which is the dwelling place of all those that are truly glad By loue thou maiest mounte vp thither because nothing is harde nothing is impossible to an vnfained louer The soule that loueth ascendeth very often and runneth vp and downe familiarlie in the streetes of the heauenlie Hierusalem visiting the Patriarches and Prophets saluting the Apostles admiring the armies of Martyres and Confessores and considering the quires of Virgins Heauen and earthe and all thinges in them contained doe continuallie exhorte me to loue my Lord God How nothing can satisfie the soule besides God the supreame good CHAT XXV IT is impossible that the harte of man should remaine constant and stable if it be not setled in the desire of thinges eternall but being more mutable then mutabilitie it selfe it passeth from one thing to an other seeking repose where it is not for in these fraile and transitorie thinges in which the affections thereof are held captiue it cannot content it selfe and liue at quiet because it is of soe great dignitie as that nothinge but the chiefe good is able to suffice it it is likewise of that freedome as that it cannot be constrained to commit any sinne Wherfore
abounde with all these aforesaid felicities Demaunde of the most secret corners and closets of thy hart whether they could containe the gladnes which would proceede froÌ„ soe great happines Certainely if an other whom thou didst loue aswell as thy selfe shoulde enioy the same happines thy ioy woulde be twice more then before because thou wouldest reioyce noe lesse for him then for thy selfe But if two or three or manie more should obtaine the same felicitie thou wouldest reioyce as much for each one of them as for thy selfe if thou didst loue each one of them as thy selfe How vnspeakable great ioy wil there be then in that perfect charitie of innumerable blessed Angells and men where noe man shall loue an other lesse then himselfe For euery one of them shal reioyce as much for eache one of the rest as for himselfe If therfore the harte of man shal hardlie be able to containe the ioy which it shall conceiue at his owne proper good how will it be capable of soe infinite many and great ioyes Moreouer seeing by how much the more euerie one loueth an other by soe much the more he reioyceth at the others good therfore as in that blessed felicity euery one without comparison shall loue God more then himselfe and all others that are with him soe he shall beyond all estimation farre more reioyce at the felicitie of God then at his owne and all others that are with him And albeit they shall loue God with their whole harte minde and soule yet all these art not sufficient to declare the dignitie of that loue which God will shew towardes them Verilie although they shal reioyce with their whole hart minde and soule yet all these are not enough to containe the fullnes of ioy which he will imparte vnto them Of the full and perfect ioy of life euerlasting CHAPT XXXVI O My God and my Lord my hope and the ioy of my harte tell my soule I beseech thee if this be the ioy of which thou hast spoken vnto vs by thy Sonne saying Aske and you shall haue that your ioy may be full Because I haue founde a certaine ioy altogether full yea more then ful In soe much that the harte being full the minde being full the soule being full and euerie parte of man being full there shall remaine yet an other ioy much more excellent then the former All that whole ioy therfore shall not enter into those that reioyce but al they that wholie reioyce shall enter into the ioy of their Lord. Tell me o Lord tell me thy poore vnworthy seruant in wardly in my harte if this be the ioy into which thy seruants shall enter those I meane that shall enter into the ioy of their Lord. But certainely that ioy in which thy elect shall reioyce neither eie hath seene nor care hath hearde neither hath it entred into the harte of man I haue not therfore as yet conceiued or spoken how much thy elect shall reioyce Doubtles they shall reioyce as much as they shall loue thee and they shal loue thee o Lord as much as they shall know thee And how much shall they loue thee Verily neither eie hath seene nor eare hath hearde neither hath it entred into the harte of man in this life how much they shall knowe and loue thee in the next life Giue me grace o my God to knowe and loue thee to the end I may reioyce in thee And albeit during the time of this mortal life I cannot loue thee fully yet let me profit and goe forewarde by louinge thee more and more daylie that soe at length I may loue thee perfectly Let thy knowledge here encrease in me that there it may be accomplished that here my ioy may be greate in hope and there perfect in deede I beseech thee o good God let me at length receiue that which thou hast promised to wit that my ioy may be fully accomplished In the interim let my mind mediate of it let my tongue talke of it let my harte affect it let my mouth speake of it let my soule hunger for it let my body thirst after it let my whole substaÌ„xsce desire it vntill I enter into the ioy of my Lord there to remaine for all eternitie Amen The end of S. Augustin's Manuel A WONDERFVL AND worthy saying of blessed S. Peter Damian Monke of the holy order of S. Bennet Cardinal of Ostia concerning the day of death LEt vs imagin how the time being now come in which the sinfull soule is to be seperated from the bandes of the body with how grieuous feare it is terrified with how greate anguishe of an afflicted conscience it is tormented It remembreth the thinges forbidden which it hath committed it beholdeth the commaundments of God which through negligence and contempt it hath omitted It grieueth that the time which iâ— had to doe pennance hath bene soe vainely employed it groaneth that the immutable moment of seuere reuenge is soe neare at haÌ„de not possibly to be auoided It would faine stay it is forced to depart It would faine recouer that which it hath lost and cannot be hearde It looketh backward vpon the course of its whole life past and esteemeth it to be but as it were one onelie little peace it looketh forewarde and seeth infinite worldes of time which shall neuer haue end It lamenteth therfore for hauing lost the ioyes of all eternitie which it might haue gained soe quickly It weepeth likewise that for soe short pleasure of the alluring flesh it is bereaued of the vnspeakeable sweetnes of euerlasting happines It blusheth to see that for that substance sake which is to be mâ—ate for wormes it hath neglected that which should haue bin placed amongst the quires of Angells At length it lifteth vp the eies of its minde and considering the glory of the immortall riches of heauen it is ashamed that for the loue of the beggeâ—â—e of this present life it hath lost that glory Againe when it looketh downewarde vpon the vale of this worlde as vpon a miste and contrariwise seeing aboue it the brightnes of that eternall light it plainely perceiueth that which it loued was but darknes and night if it coulde obtaine the fauoure to haue some little â—ime allotted to doe pennance and satisfaction how austere would it be in life and conuersation how many and how greate maters would it promise to performe How strictly would it binde it selfe to piety and deuotion In the meane season whilst the eie-sight faileth whilst the harte panteth whilst the throate the voyce being lost doth drawe breath with difficulty whilst the teeth by little and little growe black and as it were rusty whilst the countenance groweth pale and all the members of the body become stiffe through colde whilst these thinges I say and other such like happen as certaine signes of deathe approaching all its workes and wordess present themselues before it yea its very thoughtes are not wanting and all these giue bitter
them Certainely the Trinitie is wholy knoweÌ„ to thee onely o holy Trinitie o Trinitie most admirable most vnspeakeable most vnsearcheable most inaccessible most incomprehensible superintelligible and superessentiall superessentiallie surmounting all humaine sense all reason al vnderstanding all wisdome all essence or being euen of the very Saintes in heauen soe that it is impossible euen with Angells eies to expresse imagine vnderstande or knowe the same How then haue I knowen thee o Lord God most highe aboue all the earth and heauens who art not perfectlie knowen of the Cherubins and Seraphins theÌ„selues soe that theire face is couered with the winges of their coÌ„teÌ„platâ—oÌ„s whilst in praise of him that sitteth vpon the high and loftie throne they cry out with a loude voice saying Holy Holy Holy Lord God of hostes All the earth is full of thy glory The Prophet was afraied and saied Woe be to me for that I haue beene silent because I am a man of vncleane lipps My harte likewise hath beene affrayed and saied Woe be to me for that I haue not beene silent because I am a man of vncleane lipps I cannot denie but that I haue affirmed that I haue knowen thee Neuerthelesse woe be to those who speak not of thee because without thy ayde and assistance those that speake much would become speechelesse Wherfore o Lord my God I will not be silent because thou hast made me and enlightned me by which meanes I haue founde my selfe and knowen thee But how haue I knowen thee I haue knowen thee in thy selfe I haue knowen thee not as thou art to thy selfe but as thou art to me not without thee but in thee because thou art the light which hast enlightned me For euen as thou art onely knowen to thy selfe as thou art to thy selfe soe thou art knowen to me according as by thy grace thou art to me But what art thou to me Tell me o mercifull Lord thy poore and wretched seruant tell me for thy mercies sake I beseech thee what art thou to me Say vnto my soule I am thy saluation hide not away thy face from me least I dye Suffer me albeit I am but earthe ashes to speake vnto thy mercy suffer me I say to speake vnto thy mercy because thy mercy is greate towardes me I will therfore presume to speake vnto my Lord albeit I am but dust and ashes Tell me o mercifull Lord thy poore and wretched seruaunt tell me for thy mercies sake I beseeche thee what art thou to me Whervpon thou hast thundered with a greate voyce from aboue into the internall eare of my harte and hast cured my deafnes soe that I haue hearde thy voyce thou hast likewise enlightned my blindnes and I haue seene thy light and knowen thee to be my God For this cause I affirmed that I haue knowen thee I haue knowen thee to be my God I haue knowen thee to be the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent There was a time when I did not know thee Woe be to that time when I did not knowe thee woe be to that blindnes when I did not see thee woe be to that deafnes when I did not heare thee when I became blinde deae and deformed by ouermuch affectinge those faire things which thou hast framed Thou o Lord wert with me and I was not with thee because those thinges did keepe me away from thee which had noe being but in thee Thou hast enlightned me o light of the worlde and I haue seene thee and loued thee Because noe man loueth thee but he that seethe thee and noe man seethe thee but he that loueth thee Too late haue I loued thee o beautie most old and new to to late haue I loued thee Woe be to that time when I haue not loued thee A profession of the true faith CHAPT XXXII I Giue thee thankes o my light who hast enlightned me I haue knowen thee But how haue I knowen thee I haue knowen thee to be the onely liuing and true God and my creator I haue knowen thee to be the maker of heauen and earthe of all thinges visible and inuisible to be true God omnipotent immortall and inuisible hauing neither boundes nor limits eternall inaccessible incomprehensible vnsearcheable immutable vnspeakeably greate yea infinite the beginning of all visible and inuisible creatures by whom all thinges are made by whom all the elements are preserued and maintained Whose maiestie like as it had neuer beginning soe it shall neuer haue ending I haue knowen thee to be one onely true God the euerlasting Father Sonne and holy Ghost three personnes indeede yet but one onely simple essence and indiuisible nature the Father from none the Sonne from the Father alone the holy Ghost proceeding equallie from the Father and the Sonne being alwaies without beginning or ending one onely God in three personnes true God almighty the sole beginning of all thinges the creator of all thinges visible and inuisible spirituall and temporall Who by thy omnipotent power in the beginninge when time first beganne didst create of nothing both creatures at once the spirituall and corporall to wit Angells and creatures of the worlde and after that man consisting of a bodie and soule as one common to both of them I haue knowen thee and confesse thee to be true God the Father vnbegotten the sonne begotten of the Father the holie Ghost the comforter neither begotten neither vnbegotten the sacred and vnseparable Trinitie in three personnes coequall consubstantiall and coeternall Trinitie in vnitie and vnitie in Trinitie which I belieue in my harte for my iustification and confesse with my mouthe for the attaining of saluation I haue knowen thee Iesus Christ our Lord the onely begotten sonne of God to be true God the creator sauiour and redeemer of me and all mankinde whom I confesse to haue beene borne of the father before all worldes God of God light of light verie God of verie God not made but begotten consubstantiall and coeternall to the father the holy Ghost by whom all thinges were made from the beginning firmely belieuing and vnfainedly confessing thee Iesus Christ the only begotten sonne of the father to be true God by the coÌ„mon consent of the whole Trinitie taking fleshe vppon thee for the saluation of man and by the cooperation of the holy Ghost conceiued of thy blessed mother Marie euer a Virgin being made true man of a reasonnable soule and humaine fleshe subsisting Who al be it thou art the onely begotten sonne of God and consequently impassible and immortall according to thy diuinitie yet by reason of the vnspeakeable loue wherewith thou hast loued vs thou the same sonne of God hast become passible and mortall according to thy humanitie Thou I say o onely Sonne of God for mans saluation hast vouchsafed to endure a most bitter death passion to the end thou mightest deliuer vs from death euerlasting Thou likewise o author of light hast descended into hell
testimony against it as against the author of them All its sinnes and iniquitie are laied as it were in heapes before its eies and those which it is vnwilling to see it is forced to beholde whither it will or noe Moreouer on the one side of it it beholdeth a terrible troupe of dreadfull diuells on the other side a multitude of heauenly Angells The soule that lieth in the middest quickly perceiueth to which of these companies it appertaineth For if there be seene in it the signes and tokens of goodnes it is conforted by the comfortable speeches of the Angells and by the sweetnes of their harmonious mellody it is allured to come forthe of the body Contrariwise if the darknes of its desâ—rts and the dâ— formity of its filthine doe adiudge it to the left hande it 〈◊〉 forthwith strooken with intolerable feare it is troubled through the force of the sodaine violence that is vsed it is throwne downe beadlonge and assaulted and poore soule is forciblie pluckt out of the prison of the flesh that it may be dâ— awne to eternall torments with vnspeakeable bitternes Now after it is departed out of the body who is able to eâ— presse how many armed troupes of wicked spirits doe ly in waiâ—e to entrappe it how many bandes of frouning fieÌ„des being ready with cruell tormeÌ„ts to afflict it doe beset the way to hinder its passage And to the end it may not be able to escape and passe through them whole legions of them being gathered together after the manner of souldiers doe assault the same Wherfore to consider these and such like thinges by frequent meditation is a soueraigne meane to contemne the enticing allurements of sinne to abandon the worlde and to subdue the vnlawfull motions of the flesh and finally doth cause and conserue in vs a continuall desire of attaining to perfection which God of his mercy grauâ—t vs. Amen A Table of the Manuel of S. Augustin Bishop of Hyppon OF the wonderfull essence of God Chapt. I. Of the vnspâ— akeable knowledge of God Chapt II. Of the desire of the soule thinking on God Chapt. III. Of the miserable estate of that soule that doth neither loue nor seeke our Lord Iesus Christ Chapt. IV. Of the desiâ—e of the soule Chapt. V. Of the soules fâ—licity being deliueâ—ed out of the prison of this earthly body Chapt. VI Of the ioy of Paradise Chapt. VII Of the kingdome of heauen Chapt. VIII How God visiteth and comforteth that soule which with sighes and teare lamenteth his absence Chapt IX Of the sweetnes of diuine loue Chapt. X. Of the preparation of our Redemption Chapt. XI Of the ioy which the soule receiueth by receiuing Christ Chapt. XII That the Worde incarnate is the cause of our hope Chapt. XIII How the more we are addicted to diuine contemplation the greater delight we take therein Chapt. XIV How for Christs sake we ought to wishe for tribulations in this life Chapt. XV. By what meanes the kingdome of heauen may be purchased and gotten Ch XVI What heauen is and what happines is contained therein Chapt XVII How man can make noe other requitall vnto God for the benefits receiued from him but onely by louing him Chapt. XVIII How he requireth something in vs like vnto himselfe Chapt. XIX Of the greaâ—e confidence which the soule hath that loueth God Chapt XX. What God hath donne for man Chapt XXI Of the remembrance of the woundes of our Lord and Sauiour lesus Christ Chapt. XXII How the remembrance of Christs woundes is an approued remedy against all afflictions Chapt. XXIII A deuoute Meditation of the soule stirring vs vp to the loue of Christ Chapt. XXIV How nothing can satisfie the soule besides God the supreame good Chapt XXV What the knowledge of verity is Chapt. XXVI What the sending of the holy Ghost doth effect in vs. Chapt XXVII After what manner he that loueth God carieth himselfe Chapt. XXVIII Of true quietnes of harte Chapt. XXIX How euery thing that hindereth the soule from the sight of God ought to be auoided and detested Chapt XXX How the sight of God hath been lost by meanes of our sinne and miserie hath succeeded in place of the same Chapt. XXXI Of the goodnes of God Chapt XXXII Of the pleasant fruition of almighty God Chapt. XXXIII That the chiefe good is to be desired Chapt XXXIV Of the mutuall charity of the Saints in heauen Chapt. XXXV Of the full and perfect ioy of life euerlasting Chapt. XXXVI FINIS