he sawe old men signified by the word Preist who smelling to an odoriferous nosegay adored the riseing sunne An expressemarke of ambition which feedes it selfe with vapor and smoake But he sawe à third company of such as adored all sortes of liueing creatures creeping on the ground A very cleere representation of the abomination of auarice à passion which is fedd with earth creepes on the earth and adores the mettalls drawne for mans disaster out of the entrayles of the Earth O how farr are the faythfull seruantes of God and iust dispensors of his misteries estranged from theis miseries and from boweing their knees before theis wretched Idolls Indeede they resemble pigeons and Bees who cannot endure to make their aboade in places infected with noysome smells subiect to noise and where the birds of pray haue recourse The bad odor of pleasures the noise of ambition and vannies and the vniust praye of couerous desires doe so affright them as what soeuer hath but the resemblaÌ„ce of any pleaseing vaine or profitable Intertst makes them flie leauing Iudea which word in the sacred language signifies Confession to retire them selues vnto the Mountaines saueing them selues from the Babilon or confusion of theis disorders within the retraite of à holy interiour solitude free from theis contagions desireing rather with Moyses as sayth S. Paul writeing to the Hebrews to be afflicted in the seruice of God then to dwell in regall honors and delights esteemeing contumelie for Christ fare greater riches then all the treasures of the Egipt of the world Such are the birds of Paradise who descend not heere below but by the thread of simple necessitie laboureing with their hands as S. Paul being no burthen to any nor coueting any thing that is anothers contenting them selues onely with foode and coatheing such as the vse of natute requireth not that of superfluitie and like to the perfect sphericall figure which toucheth noâ— the table perfectly seene but in one point Certes there are very fewe of theise people neuertheles some there are and though hard to be pointed at for they liue in obscuritie amongst the dead of the world as sleepeing in their Sepulchers and free amongst the dead vnknowen to men and knowen to Godhidden from all and from whom nothing is hidden yet there are more of them then is imagined and who bend not their knee to Baall before that image of gold and Siluer the workmanship of mens hands which is called proper interest Nor before that statue variously coloured in its composition and made of so many mettalls which was tourned into dust by à litle stone But let vs obseruâ— at a neerer distance and by retayle theis three Interests beholding them with à stronge water vsed in the parteing of mettalls which is to say with the spirit of discerneing to the end we may auoid the Snares which S. Anthony sawe to couer the face of the Earth and establishe our feete on the firme stone on the liueing Rock CHAP. XV. Of the dilectable Interest I Will insist very litle vpon the detestation of him who regards pleasure because in the subiect which I handle I cannot perswade my self that there is any one of those who are called to the directioÌ„ of soules so abominable as to caste such à scaÌ„dall in this way of heauen which they ought to teach vnlukiâ—y transforming the stone of edification into that of offence and that which ought to vnloose into à snare or gynne the most execrable which can be immagined And although the doctrine of Wise-men and of many miserable examples cause vs to know that there is nothing so holy that findes not its profaner nor any thing so good which an yll minded man may not depraue the sonne of God him self who come for the redemption of the would being the ruine of diuers and à rock which crusheth to peeces those on whom it falls and the Sacrament of his body which is the begining of life and life eternall doth it not render culpable of death and death eternall such as receaue it vnworthily If then so ill an vse may be made of so adorable à Sacrament which is the sunne of all others how much more easily may à lost soule abuse the same wherof they of whom I speake arâ— distributors Since in theÌ„ hath bene placed the word of reconciliation and vnto them the keyes of heauen haue bene comitted Truely how spirituall soeuer aÌ„ man be or conceaue himself to be it is necessary carefully to remember that he is inuironed with infirmitie that the spirit is prompt but the flesh feeble that he is flesh ioyned vnto à spirit which tends of it self to Sinne through an inclination which the sense receaues from its origine but retournes not from thence nor is raised vp by its owne proper forces Here it is where according to the Apostle we ought to walke prudently and as it were vpon the ashes which couer the embers The Sanctitie of Dauid the Wise-dome of Salomon the strength of Sampson proue in this dangerous incounter but misery but folly but Weaknes The flesh is à traiterous Dalila who seekes onely to poule the spirit and depriue it of its force its resolutioÌ„s and to deliuer it vp to its enimie sinne which will make it blinde and binde it with cordes that it cannot vntie it self It is à Iahel who presents milk vnto this Sisara to take from him the life of grace when she shall haue lulled him asleepe in the sleepe of sinne Alas the Angells them selues whom the Scripture points out by the name of the children of God will finde beautifull the daughters of men which peraduenture are vnder their conduct and from whose acquaintance arose Giants the horror of heauen and the monster of the Earth Adam in the state of Iustice and of grace haueing one onely woman to conduct for feare of distasteing hee was seduced and ledd by her vnto this rebellion and to eate the fatalle morsell of the forbidden fruite â— which was the true box of Pandora and the source of all our miseries Goe and trust then in this domestique enimy which is our flesh enimy so much the more stronge by how much the more infirme after so many horrible lapses wherwith both the profane and sacred histories are but too full LOT who was so holy and so iuste in à cittie the most abominable of the earth what did he committ in the desert Had the sense respect vnto blood and as à Prophett sayth did not blood touch blood Ammon blindad with his passion did he not violate all the duties of nature and was there not one of the children of Iacob and the lyke of Dauid who defiled the bed of their owne father Certes as all good is possible to à beleeuer so noe euill causeth horror to the Wicked After that once God and his iudgements are taken from before their eyes at all times and in euery place their wayes are corrupted What did not the Children of Aaron and those
to reprehend here and lesse to blame ether priuiledges or Mendicity or Orders or Foundations or Exemptions or Communitie or retirement from the world or sequestred life or Vowes or Beggings or possessions or preachings or directions or any of the functions of Cenobites since they are all approued and authorised by the holie Sea and their exercises so profitable to the Church of God O no I doe not set my mouth nor my pen against the heauens Whosoeuer shall curse this holie condition or who onely shall speake ill of it let him he accursed and who shall blesse it let him be replenished with benedictions it is the sister of the Sacerdotall and Pastorall state let it increase into à thousand thousands I onely note some abuses which may be indiffereÌ„tly committed by the Interessed Directours as well Pastours and particular Preists as Cenobites I blame their vniust reproaches the artificall coÌ„plaints the reciprocall coÌ„tempts of the one and the other the dominations and tyranicall Empires which some holde ouer weake soules the subtilties the artifices the industries to arriue vnto diuers profitable honourable or delectable pretentions I aswage the presumption of the proude I persecute the excesse of Interest contrary to charitie which seekes not its proper aduantages I exclame against the sower countenance and the Pharisaicall lauen which is no other then hypocrisie Who can take ill if he be not ill himselfe and tyed to the seate of iniquitie that I reprehend the vices which alter so holie à condition as that of Spirituall Directours troubling aÌ„d infecting those pure springs from wheÌ„ce riuers of graces should flowe vnto the people as the Palestines spoyled the wells of Iacob It is said of two auntient Poets of very different humuours that the one in his verses made continuall inuectiues against women and the other praised them wherevpon à pleasant witt said that the one painted them such as they were and the other such as they ought to be I doe herein this worke some such like thing touching Spirituall Directours For representing the Interessed in all their colours I make appeare by their defaults what the good and Dis interessed ought to be So the picture of the one will serue for the knowledge of the other If some bad Pastours or Cenobites beholde in this glasse some Ideas of their imperfections let them not so much blame the looking glasse as themselues and that in this glasse which presents them such as they are let them learne to become such as they ought to be and take occasion rather to correct theÌ„ to irritate themselues and to growe better rather then to put themselues into coler against him who admonisheth them If they so well respect my labour it will nether feare indignation nor detraction After all if I suffer calumny for hauing said the truth and if I be stoned for à good worke I will not leaue to possesse my soule in patience reioyceing to endure some thing for the name of God and for iustice I should become Anathema for my litle brethreÌ„ who are the simple soules vnto whoÌ„ I giue this addresse of the good choise of à Spirituall Directour Hauing founde him such as I propose vnto them to wit entirely Dis-interessed let them beleeue to haue met with à treasure and as the wisemaÌ„ saith à medicine of immoâ—tality Let them boldly holde theÌ„selues to this prudent and faithfull seruant of God whom he hath placed ouer his familie Let them thinke to possesse in him the pearle of the Ghospell whose price is inestimable and which comprehends in his worth all the spirituall goods which caÌ„ be desired For in fine it is the counsell of counsells to haue an Angell of good counsell who may direct our stepps in the wayes of God and of eternall felicitie Deuoute soule you will knowe him by the same triall by which the good gold and true balme is discerned This mettle is the purest and most weighty of all mettles and that which least mingles it selfe with others and which is most easily seuered by the fire The Spirituall Director dis-interessed hath not any impure pretension iâ— the delectable Interest he hath none in the vanitie of the honourable being rather disposed to abase himselfe by the waight of his nothing then to exalt himselfe to commaund He intangleth himselfe no further in the incombrances of the profitable esteeming all things dung and ordure prouided that he serue IESVS-CHRIST in soules The true Balme neuer looseth its good odour sinkes vnder all liquours and preserues the body from corruption The dis-interessed Directour hath the same qualities he is neâ—er in odour of death vnto death but in odour of life vnto life by à sweete and exemplar puritie He doth not assume an eleuated and imperious authoritie by ambitious Interest ouer the soules which he conducts nether doth he suffer himselfe to be corrupted by pretensions of auarice O how happie is the soule who hath founde such à guide à visible Angell who conducts her like the young Toby in the way of saluation through the dangers of this life I counsell you ô pious soule to buye this pure golde if you will be enâ—iched with spirituall goods But how are you to buy it Let it be as the milke and honny of the Prophet without giuing money For diuine graces are not so acquired and possessed but by prayers and teares For it is by these hostes wherewith God is inuited to giue vs that which we aske of him He vnderstands the preparation of harts and the voice of those who earnestly begge his aide in their necessity Furnish your selfe by the same meanes with this aromaticall Balme wherby you may be preserued from all corruption of sinne to the end you may be through-out à good odour in IESVS CHRIST vnto whom with the Father and the Holie Ghost be honour and glory in all time Eternitie FINIS
docilitie I thought my selfe obliged to correspond by my slender assistaÌ„ce vnto the coÌ„fidence which it testified to repose both in my publique and priuate speahes I tooke then vpon me this care amongst diuerse others and not withstandeing my dayly imployements in preaching I repaired at certaine houres to the Tribunall of Penance which is in the church as à Poole for sheepe and as the Founteine of the house of Iacob applied to the purgation of humane imperfections I found this soule then in such sorte lost in seruile feare and all worne-out with scruples bredd by the contradiction of these guides as being ledd by force it knew not well what way it went so contrary was it vnto it selfe The payne which I tooke to restore its spirit vnto à quiett and reposed seate God he knoweth that in my retirement I cast my thoughts on this soule and that I ardently prayed for its consolation In the end God heard the preparation of its heart and disperseing these obscurities and discontents caused the splendour of his face to shine vpon it and rendred it the Ioy of its saluation confirmeing it with his principall spirit Theis feares too seruile and mercinary as much swolne with self-loue as voide of diuine dilection by litle and litle dissolue them selues and charitie being diffused by the holy Ghost into its heart this starr whose influences are so benigne made like the sunne in the spring to open the flowers in the lande of its interiour And wheÌ„ this sacred vertue Queene of all others had somwhat dilated its soule the excessiue terrous as the shadowes of the night became dispersed by its amiable bâ—ames And this soule aduanceth with so much ardor and vigor in the way of God that it seemes rather to flye oâ— runn then to walk I left it in this good disposition after I had finished the course of my preacheings and was vpon the point of retireing vnto my residence And because experience made me knowe that all the trouble of its spirit sprunge from noe other source then the Antipathie of the councells of her ordinary Confessor and this blessed Director who was as greate à Theoritian and Rhetoritian as the other à good Practitian and experienced in the gouerment of soules I freely councelled her and according to God without any constraint as S. Peter sayth that if she would haue à Director besides her Confessor she should make choise of one who had the knowledge of the Theorie ioyned with the Practise and who did actually dedicate and exercise himself in the seruice and guidance of soules at the Tribunall of Penance For be he neuer so vnderstanding à man yet defectiue in the experimeÌ„tall parte he cannot proue otherwise then vnfitt and vnable not to call him à bad and dangerous Director aÌ„d one blinde leadeing another since he putts himself vpon an Arte which he vsed not and whose Practick is sometime as far distant from the Theoricke as the North from the Southe CHAP. V. Concerning Theorie without Practise VVhat I then spake with the Sourdine I doe now publishe with the Trumpett What I sayd vnto one soule I speake vnto all What I councelled in particular and private I preach vpon the howse topps what I sett forth with my tongue I signe it with my hand by this treatise And I say againe that à Director without Practise that is to say without experience is à hollow read on which no man ought to leane For as much as by this fayre theorie without the vse he spoiles all in lieu of perfitting he hinders in steede of advanceing he darkens where he should illuminate he imbroiles in place of disintangleing he imprisoneth where he ought to free he demolisheth where he should build he misleades in lieu of directing and causeth to stray where he should reduce And like vnto that temerarious of the fable who ambitious to guide the chariott of the Sunne gaue fire where he thought to haue produced light troubleing the spirits and breaking the braynes whose weakenes is no lesse worthy of pittie then their subtiltie culpable who practise vpon their docilitie an imperious gouerment which comes very neere vnto tirannie Everie one is not an Elias to guide well the chariott of Israell It is an act wherto certes knowledge is needefull but much more experience which to speake the truth is not attayned but by practise not vnlike vnto that of Phisitiones who become not able but by vse And indeed who in à daungerous sicknes would putt his lyfe into the handes of à Phisition well versed in greeke and Arabique and who in his art should speak wonders yet wanted the Practick Who would comitt his cause vnto an Aduocate whose memory were stuffed with the leaues of the Code and the Pandecte yeâ— knowes not the ordinary waye of the courte Who knowes not that à simple Atturney wanting both Latine and learning shall better manage à busines then the ablest Professor in the lawes To become à Good Painter it sufficeth not to talk well of colours shadowes proportions if he know not by the pencille how to set forth his work So it is in all artes all sciences and professiones And who can be found who knowes not the greate Chaos betweene the Theorique and the Practique He who swolne with à self-opinion through the conceipt which he hath of the same thinkenig himself to be à greate maister therin is his owne deceauer and this passage of the diuine Apostle may be applied vnto him he that thinketh himself to know something in which he knoweth nothing as yet knoweth not in what manner he ought to knowe All which causeth me te say that à Soule which for its greater securitie or consolation would consult with à Director besides its Consessor in respect two eyes see more then one and one brother assistes another ought to choose one not onely expert in the administration of the Sacrament of Penance but of à capacitie and experience so transcendinge and surpassing its ordinary Confessor that no emulation or dispute be made betweene these Angells about the body of Moses that is to say about the guidance of this hearte which with all candor and simplicitie yeelds it self vp into their hands Otherwise it vndergoes the dauÌ„ger of resenting many contradictions in it self and the same panges of minde which Rebecca suffered in her body wheÌ„ she complained of those two nations which in the persons of the twinnes did combatt in her sides If then the Church guided by the holy-ghoste giues but one Pastor vnto à flocke composed of diuers sheepe yea and euen in her full extent which is vniuersalle acknowledgeth but one Pastor as she makes but one body and one flock In what manner can one onely soule be diuided in its gouerment vnto so many Confessors and Directors who often in lieu of cure cause siknes As that auntient Emperour sayd toucheing the multitude of his Phisitions to which he artributed the cause of his death I doe
the very diuision of the Soule of the Spirit of the Marrowe and of the nerues But it is needefull that this direction should be allwayes amiable and that mercie should swime aloft aboue this act of Iustice It is needefull that this authoritie exercised ouer Soules voluntarily submitted and who offer voluntary sacrifices vnto God at the feete of his Ministers should bee seasoned with much respect and dilection and since it is the authoritie of God which is reuerenced in Directors they ought therfore to practise it with the spirit of God with is Charitie it self For in conclusion they haue not power to authorise themselues but to authorise God in soules and to cause him to reigne in them by dilection Wherfore the good are called the children of diuine dilection Neither doe I knowe whether this spirituall authoritie consigned to Director without the act of the keyes which bindeth or looseth be giuen them to performe the act of authoritie but I knowe well that it is giuen them to performe the act of Charitie The sonne of God whose preistood is eternall being à Preist for euer according to the order of Melchesedech and to whoÌ„ all power is giuen in heauen and in earth and all right of iudgement is well called à Lion for his authoritie but he is also tearmed à lambe for his Charitie yet à lambe dominator of the earth to shewe with how much Charitie and Humility he hath tempered his authoritie reigning by the woode of his crosse which was accursed and infamous before it became sanctified and glorious And beareing his key to witt his scepter on his shoulder And what is this scepter but the crosse on which being exalted he gaue testimony aâ— the same time of his extreme Charitie drawing all vnto himself his humilitie annihilating him therto as à tender worme the reproach of the world and the refuse of the people and his authoritie eclipseing the sunne made the earth to tremble the stones to splitt the graues to open the dead to rise againe and astonished all nature But who seeth not what à thunderclapp his authoritie hath made euen to draw veritie out of the mouth of his enimies who were constrained by so forceable and conuincing testimonies to acknowledge him for the sonne of God causeing the confession of him to issue out of the same place from whence came blasphemie that his Charitie and humilitie are yet become more famous because they are much more esteemed in the holy scripture which onely speaks of this excesse of Charitie which caused him to giue his life for the propitiation of our sinnes and of his annihilation and humiliation which made him obedieÌ„t eueÌ„ to death and death of the crosse This â—ayd he himself like à good Pastor and Prince of Pastors and Bishop of our soules and Director of Directors that he came to serue and not to be serued hauing for that cause taken vpon him the likenes of à slaue in becoming man and speakeing to his disciples I am sayd he in the midst of you as à wayter at table not as sitting with you In this spiritt not of authoritie but of Humilitie the greate Apostle would be vnderstoode by the faythfull in so many places where he cales himself not onely à seruant of Iesus-Christ but for Iesus-Christ à seruant of all those who beleeue in him and who desire his comming Then sayth he lett euery man regards vs as seruants and ministers of God and dispensers of his misteries Besides he addeth that the cheefe pointe is to finde amongst so many dispensors one faythfull What meanes this to finde out one faythfull but such à one as putts not his hand to the portion of his Maister and who like Ioseph toucheth not his spouse with is Glorie Glorie which God reserues to him self with such à Ielosie that he protestes neuer to giue nor communicate it to any Now is not this to touch the apple of his eyes and there where he is most sensible and to say with the first rebellious angell I will place my seate vpon the North and I wil be like vnto the highest which then is done when the Director assumes appropriats to himself the reuerence giuen him for the authoritie of God of whom he is the Image in his function of remitting sinnes and of the guidance of soules And deserues he not the same intertainement which the asse in the embleme receiued who gloried in the adorations which the idolaters made to the goddesse Ises whose image he carried as if those honours had bene addressed to him It is not vnto you ô Directors to whom so much respect is borne it is to him who beares the keyes of death of hell and of life and who hath made you the porters in giueing you the vse of them and whathaue you which you haue not receiued of this soueraigne Lord to whom onely thanks are due and in whose name you preach remissioÌ„ of sinns he remitting them by your ministry when that you vntâ—e those who are loaden with heauy chaines of inquition Were it not an impertinent thing for à treasurer of à Prince if he would that he vnto whom he deliuers à somme of money by order from his Maister should remaine his debtor Is it fitt for the instrument to attribuâ—e to it selfe the honour of the workman and for the pensile to appropriate to it self the glory of the Painter An Angell in his splendor appearinge on à time to S. 〈…〉 hn who takeing him for God would haue adored him sayd doe not this Iam but thy sellow seruant O vaine man who art no Angell but à counfeller of the earth and made of earth and shalt retourne to earth what à shamefull lesson doth this celestiall spirit giue to thy vanitiâ— Wherof canst thou boast dust and ashes And who art as the dust the shittle-cock of the winde which â—osseth thee hither and thither whirleing about thee Retourne retourne into thy self and remeÌ„ber to say reflecting on the Soules which put them selues vnder thy conduct they are reasonable spirits Christian spirits reasonable spirits which are not to be led with à bridle and sharp Caueson like vnto horses nor bruised with à barr of Iron as earthen potts With the same measure that I shall measure vnto them I shall one day be measured my self This will asswage thy haughtie humour which carries thee to great thinges and will make thee tend the eare of thy heart to those words of the Prince of the Apostles Aboue all things haue à continuall Charitie one towards another because this vertue couers the multitude of sinns Assiste one another without murmure Let every one according to the grace which he hath receaued from God communicate the same as à good dispensor vnto others If any one speake let it be as the wordes of God If one exercise any ministry let iâ— be by the vertue which God hath giuen him to the end that in all things God may be glorified by IESVS-CHRIST vnto whom
lawfull PEraduenture I haue too much extended and raised my self speculations soe much stretched will not be comprehended by such as are pressed with Adamantine nailes of necessitie For as he that is satiated reiects the honey combe as the wise-man saith soâ— he that is starued sauores not spirituall discourses If the appetite be not pacified he murmurs Israell it self distasted the Manna as à hollowe and light meate although it were so heauenly and admirable I desceÌ„d then from this high stile and to accomodate my self and communcate to the necessicie of Saints and of Gods annointed I will more neerely examine their complainte We are incoÌ„modated with Pouertie vnto whom will you haue vs temporally to addresse ourselues but vnto those who haue recourse vnto vs spiritually Doth not the Apostle teach vs that they who sowe the spirituall may reape temporall comfort Would to God my deare brethren that we had the spirit of this holy Apostle to the end we might doe and say like him For theÌ„ might we vse his tearmes and take the testament of God by our mouth But all they who alleage his wordes haue not his feelings witnes that which S. Peter said vnto such as abused the diuine â—wrritings of that Vessell of Election to their owne perdition It is true that S. Paul complained oftentimes of his anguishes which reduced him euen to the pointe of being wearie of his life and to crie out miserablely Who will free me from the body of this death And moreouer I desire to be dissolued to flie vnto IESVS-CHRIST He speakes of his pouerties of his sufferances of his weakenes of his nakednes of his hunger of his thirst of his beatings of his perigrinations of his perills and troubles by sea and Land in such sorâ—e as he seemes to groane vnder the waight of soe many afflictions In the meane while lifting vp his head in the midst of these torrents he doth like the Palme rise vp vnder the burthen and doth reioice and glorie in his infirmities and tribulations knowing that the rose of vertue growes amongst these thornes He semetimes represents his pouertie and wants after à manner which seemes to accuse those of ingratitude and litle compassion to whom he rendred seruices with wordes that haue the sound of reproaches but afferwardes he tempers the same with so much sweetenes as he doth like the Bee which steepes his sting in his owne honey and he giues sufficiently to vnderstand how much his Charitie is Dis-interessed and that they are not the goods but the soules which he seekes for to gaine theÌ„ to Iesus Christ For he glorifieth God because he knoweth how to abounde and also to suffer want that he knowes how by the labour of his hands to gaine what is necessarie for him not onely for his owne liuing but also for the entertainement of his companions not to be chargeable to any not careing to exact of the faithfull which he could lawfully doe and by right of Iustice to the end saith he that all passe honestly amongst vs as well becommeth Saints Theis are not then to speake properly coÌ„plaints which S. Paul sometimes vttered of his necessities but free representations of his wants to the faithfull that as members of the selfe same body they might help to beare one anothers burthens to fulfill the lawe of Iesus-Christ and his diuine precept which recommends ones Neighbour to euery one à precept which obligeth vnder paine of sinne when the necessitie of him that implores our aide is extreame If then the poore Director conuerte misbeseemeing complaints into à simple and candide declaration of his necessitie without any arte yea rather without deceite there is noe doubt but God who is the God of hartes and who hath not onely those of Kings but also of all particular men in his hande will giue such motions as shabbe requisite to cause him to be assisted with à franke and free will by such à Soule as should feele it self importuned with complaints which haue alwaies some image of reproach and euery one knowes how ill the reproaching tone souÌ„ds in eares beaten therewith But to giue à greater indulgence à more ample meanes both of breathing aÌ„d sighing vnto him who is prest with the stinge of necessitie according to the sacred counsell giue stronge drinke vnto those who haue their spirit in bitternes I will serue as with the hande of à midwife such as are in this affliction and helpe theÌ„ to be deliured of their griefe I will then presuppose that the Preist who complaines should become poore by misfortunes which are coÌ„mon in the miseries wherof the world is replenished and which the vulgar attribute to the crosses of aduerse fortune though in effect they are but the strokes of the diuine prouidence I will imagine that losses by fire hayle stormes deluge banqueroutes suites warrs vniuste pillages and other scourges haue taken from him or wasted his reueneue be it Ecclesiasticall be it patrimoniall and in conclusioÌ„ he is brought to pouertie In this case wâ—ll you not haue him complaine And to whom may he more tenderly make his complainte then vnto those who come vnto him for their interiour direction Of whom can he with more reason hope for à temporall assistance then of such as expect from him à spirituall He knoweth their consciences why should he not laie open vnto them his necessities We haue already satisfied this obiection in as much as we haue permitted the discouery of wants prouided it be not by way of complainte since that manner is doublely vniust It being first iniurious to God and secondly vnto him who receaues the complainte Vnto man For in what is he culpeable of this necessitie Is it he who hath reduced him into this necessitie Vnto God For if one haire of our head fall not without his ordinance and if he hauecare of the least sparrowes is it not to contest with his Prouidence by coÌ„plaining of the is eueÌ„ts since they onely are effects of this first cause I but he complaines vnto the Soule Directed after the manner of beggers who represent their miseries vnto passengers to the end they should take pittie on them and comforte them with some smalle almes Let them doe there like theiâ—e poore who to drawe vnto them the liberalitie of such vnto whom they present their misfortunes are carefull not to vse coÌ„plaintes which haue the least aire of reproache For insteede of mollifying hearts this way they would harden them and produce contrary effects to what they pretend CHAP. XV. Wherein vniuste BVT when one makes complaintes of the litle Charitie that is in the World when one exaggerates his necessitie and which being but indifferent he paintes it forth as extreame with pressing and importune tearmes which testifie either à greate greedines or an extreame impatience of suffering or too slender à confidence in the Prouidence of God this truely takes much away from the credit of the Director and of the edification which
Orphans the sicke which were without succour in their miserable cottages or in the hospitalls and if they had any feare it was of their Confessour neuer approaching the tribunall but with trembling as if he had bene that Cherubin armed with à firye sword keeping the gate of the terrestrial Paradice And though he inspired into theÌ„ onely loue and charity and recommended vnto them nothing so much as à mutuall beneuolence in God according to the so frequent lesson of our Sauiour and of his well beloued disciple yet neuertheles their confidence in him was accompanied with so much reuerence as it was à wonder that this banished not the other Besides he was so farr from all Interest be it of dominion be it of profit as to auoid the same he commanded them oftentimes to take some other Confessour to the end his counselles might be the more assured if they were approued by others or that he might correct them in case they were in any sort doubtfull or defectiue And to shun what soeuer tends to profit his aduice extended it selfe to all except the distribution of their goods telling them that it was à case reserued to the vnction of the holie Ghost who teacheth his waies to the mercifull and meeke Yes for is it not he who infuseth charity into harts and who establisheth therin conuenient Order enemie of presents both great and small hauing learned of the wiseman that they blinde the spirit of the most wise and estranged from all profit not onely sordid but also that which being permitted by the most seuere lawes cannot be esteemed dishonest without offending the Church it selfe who hath approued the vse and rule therof Also he was prouided of goods of fortune to enioy this beatitude which consists in giuing rather then receauing and content with foode and apparrell sutable to his condition he held nothing more aduantagious then sufficiency with pietie that which seemed profitable vnto others vnto him was à detriment for IESVS-CHRIST being certaine that they who receaue some recompence of their labours in this world abate so much of that which attends them in the other He forbade nothing so seuerely to those who serued him as to take gratification of such as came to obteine of him spâ—rituall assistances and if any one tooke libertie so farr forth as to receaue the least thing he wished him not the leprosie of Giezi but of the religation of Agar he was assured he gaue him his pasport not to haue any part in this Anathema which he had in no lesse horror then that of Acan. Breifly not to draw more in leÌ„ght the deffences of these Directours beholde the iudgment of the holie Prelate from whom I take this story These two men saied he were both of them prudent and faithfull seruaÌ„ts of God and who taught iustice vnto soules by diuers waies Such as were conducted by the first had much feare of God and much charitie towards their Directour or at least for his communitie and their charitie was in the Order They of the second had much loue of God and of their neighbour and the Order consisted in their charitie and they had much feare and respect of their Directour who besides the necessary conferences for their needs in the howse of God had no other priuate entertaynements nor any visites nor conuersations in howses which is the propertie of corrupted and vnsauory salt Both of them had God before their eyes and for the onely obiect of their intentions and preteÌ„tions both of theÌ„ not with standing singular in their conducts according to the diuision of heauenly graces whose varietie is compared to diuers colours which the sunne makes to appeare on the necke of à pigeon And different in this that the one though very Dis-interessed in his owne particular was neuertheles ingaged in the Interest of his communitie but the other had no regard vnto any Interest nether for himselfe nor for any other God being his prime onely moueable THE FIFT PART CHAP. I. Concerning particular interest and Community TO say the truth although the Cenobites haue à notable aduantage in à vowed remuneration of all which they doe or may possesse in the bosome of their Order yet neuertheles on the other side the dilection and election as also preference which they are obliged to haue for their Institut whose habit they beare causeth them to enter by another yet not à false gate into the interests of that body whereof they are members interest so much the more stinging and more pressing as they are more coloured with the beautifull Ennamell of the glory of God which often enough serues for à foile vnto selfloue But à man free from any other societie then that which is common to him or to all the faythfull or to the Ecclesiasticks of the Clergie which haue no other Order then that of the Hierarchie established by the sonne of God who is à Preist for euer according to the Order of Melchisedech is rather in the state of giuing then receauing and if plenty place him not in the first sufficiency which puts him vnder the lee of necessity exempts him from the last Peraduenture one will say vnto me with the wise man that he is truly blessed who dispiseth golde and puts not his trust in treasures But where is the man and we will praise him If it besome Cenobite who in nodding his head makes this obiection one will reply to him that when he shall haue shewen à man of his condition exempt from the interests of his Order and contemnig the profitt of the holy CoÌ„munitie many shall be presented to his viewe who without support of the Community vse goods of the world as if they vsed them not who doe no evill with theÌ„ although they haue the power and who being able to transgresse the lawe of God yet doe they incline and subiect theÌ„selues theruÌ„to The haÌ„d of God is not shortned his workes are great and exquisite in his wills he hath secret seruants and others in viewe as well in the world as in the Cloisters And there is nothing sayeth an auntient Poet more vniust then an impertinent man who approues of nothing but what be does himselfe à Pharisie who is not like other men his hands and tongue agaynst all and drawes agaynst himselfe the hands and tongues of others A great and most noble seruant of God who retiring himselfe out of the world wherin he had borne eminent offices brought with him great goods into à very holy Congregation on à tyme tolde me to the honour of him who had bene the Institutour thereof and whose holie memory in benediction before God and men that this deuoute personage neuer gaue vnto him nether during his life nor at his death one word of commendation congratulation nor so much as thanks for so many commodities which he had brought into the CoÌ„munitie iudging that he was vnwilling to put him in perill by some vanitie which this applause
might haue setled in his soule to loose the recompence which he ought to expect much greater in heauen then in earth In your opinion was this holy personage ttuly dis-interessed Did he ayme more at earth then at heauen Did he regard the soule which put her selfe vnder his conduct or her goods O well might he haue sayed with that spirituall Giant the holie founder of the company which carie the name and the crosse of IESVS euen to the extreamities of the east and of the west The earth seemes vnto me abiect when I contemplate heauen CHAP. II. Two famous examples TO this purpose I call to minde an agreeable history which is written in the spirituall meddowe an auntient booke and of approued authoritie Amongst the Anchoâ—ets of the first ages there was one called Abbot AmmoÌ„ who receaued vnder his discipline in his hermitage à young brother named Iohn Amongst other mortifications which he exercised for the space of twelue yeares this one is notable to wit that what soeuer good he did the Abbot neuer gaue him à pleasing word alwayes testifying vnto him and of purpose discontentment to keepe this nouice in à continnuall humility and contempt of himselfe If the maister animated by the spirit of God were industrious to try his disciple the same disciple was no lesse simple nor lesse plyant performing all that was commaunded him exactly and with alacrity The Abbot Ammon falling sicke and being reduced to the last period of his life the neighbouring hermites came to visite him to assist him both corporally and spiritually in his passage vnto whom he made many excellent remonstraÌ„ces his tongue speaking from the aboundance of his hart he feeling himselfe pressed with his last houre called vnto him his faythfull and humble disciple tooke him by the hand and wringing it sayed vnto him onely three times Adieu with à languishing and dying voice and hauing commaunded him some seruice which obliged him to depart out of the cell he sayed vnto those who were come to see him my brothers I assure you that this young monk is à Saint and vpon exact tryall for during the space of twelue yeares that he remained with me I neuer spoke vnto him any word which might giue him to vnderstand that I receaued any satisfaction of the seruices which he rendred me although they were notable and very accomplished and he neuer gaue replie to my reprehensions albeit of purpose I made them sometimes very vniustly nor euer remained discouraged by my reiectings Respect him then from hence forth as à faithfull seruant of God and who is very dis-interessed in the seruices which he renders him Might I be so bolde vnto this Cenobiticall example to conioyne another purely secular and morall The great Marishall of Mon-luc one of the ablest Captaines which France had in his time and who in those braue commentaries which we haue of him makes appeare his great sufficiency and experience in the aâ—te military hauing lost in à combat one of his sonnes à braue and valiant gentleman and à worthy branch of so generous à courage as that of the father as the corps was brought vnto him dead I could not said he beholding it with à dry eye wish him à more honourable tombe since he dyed with sworde in hand for the seruice of his Contry and of his Prince all of vs bearing armes are but victimes destined vnto this Sacrifice There is but one greife which touches me to the hart which is that this poore boye died before I could haue the meanes to make him knowe at least at the extremitie of his life the esteeme which I made of his vallour certes it was wholie other in my hart then in my tongue for that blessed him whilest with this I spake vnto him iniuries and reproches able to take away the courage from the most generous He neuer ran hazards that I payed him not with threats and when he was hurt or performed best it was then that I charged him with most outrages The same astonnished the world who sawe me so prodigall of praises towards persons that deserued them not and so couetous towards my no owne blood of that which cost so litle That which we now sayd of this great Captaine of the Abbot Ammon and of the Superiour of the Congregation is in my iudgement à most excellent marke in à spirituall Directour for though he ought to incourage the faint harted to good yet must he take heede of praising those which straye from their dutie into the desires of their harts and of blessing the wicked and of saying Peace Peace where there is no Peace The words of praise are alwayes suspected of flatterie and S. Gregory saies very well to praise à wise-man in his owne presence is to scourge his spirit and torment his eare This slauish and seruile langage is extreamely misbeseeming the mouth of à Directour and an infallible note of some secret ptetention CHAP. III. Against both the giuing and receauing of presents BVT there is an other dumbe langage which makes it selfe to be vnderstood more by effects then by words and which in being more efficacious is also more affectiue It is that of small or meane presents aswell actiue as passiue I would saie aswell such as the Directour giues as those which he receaueth O God preserue me from blaming the sainctity of things which I am about to name in nowise for I should offend both heauen and earth the which is farr from my thought but who knowes not that Interest which is à self-loue very subtile doth glide into euery place and penetrates euen into the Sanctuary it selfe S. Hierome violently exclaimes against these litle presents too frequently vsed which are made betweene the Directours and the persons directed He makes à catalogue of those in his time of handkercheifes of linnen of fruites of garments and the like commodities vnder colour of gratitude and assistaÌ„ce which being litle are not regarded nor seeme any thing O how doth this great Saint giuen to austerity in his life and who lie disinteressed strongly inueigh against those Flyes which by litle and litle become Elephants A small present with à great affection makes à deeper impression in à soule then à great benefit accompayned with ill will A litle sparke sometimes causeth marueilous flames And then who knowes not as an auntient sayed that gifts imitate baited hookes which present à follie to catch à great fish He who hath founde benifitts sayeth the great Stoick in the excellent Tract which he coÌ„posed on this subiect hath inuented lines to fasten harts That husband who had espoused à rich but an imperious wife sayed that for à dowry he had solde his authority The Director who is so ill aduised to receaue them immediatly looseth his credit and the holie libertie which in him is necessary for the reprehension of vices Beholde how the Prophet Elizeus reiected those of the leprous Naaman No no sayd S. Paul refusing all