spirit of contrition 25 And say with the Prophet feed me O Lord with the bread of tears and give me plenteousnesse of tears to drink CHAP. XXII Of the Consideration of humane misery MIserable thou art wheresoever thou be or whithersoever thou turnest unlesse thou turne thy selfe un to God 2 Why art thou troubled when things succeed not as thou wouldst or desirest for who is he that hath all things accoording to his mind 3 Neither I nor thou nor any man upon the earth there is none in this world be he King or Pope without some tribulation or other 4 Who is then in the best estate or condition even he who for God's sake can suffer affliction 5 Many weake and fraile men can say O what an happy life hath such a one how wealthy how mighty he is in how great honour and credit 6 But lift up thine eyes to the riches of heaven and thou shall perceive that all the goods of this life are nothing so be accounted of 7 They are very uncertain rather burthensome then delightfull because they are never enjoyed without carefulnesse and feare 8 Mans happinesse consisteth not in having abundance of wealth but a meane estate should content him it is truly misery enough even to live upon the earth 9 The more a man hungreth after godlinesse the more he abhorreth this life because he seeth more cleerly and perceiveth more sensibly the defects of humane corruption 10 For to eat and to drink to sleep and to watch to labour and to rest and to be subject to other necessities of nature is doubtlesse a great misery to a devout mind that would gladly be free and delivered from sinne 11 For the inward man is much oppressed with these outward and corporall necessities whilst we live in this world 12 Therefore the holy Prophet prayeth with great devotion to be delivered from them saying draw me O Lord out of my necessities 13 But woe be to them that know not their owne misery and a greater woe to them that take delight in this miserable and corruptible life 14 And some there be so much dote upon it although with great labour and paines they can scarce get bread to eat yet could they live here alwaies they would care but litle for the Kingdome of heaven 15 O how mad are these in their braines and faithlesse in their hearts who lie so deeply drowned in the earth that they can think of nothing but earthly things 16 But miserable wretches as they are they shall in the end feele to their cost how vile and vaine that was which they loved 17 Whereas the Saints of God and all the fast friends of Christ looke not on those things which pleased the flesh and flourished for a time but panted after everlasting rreasures with all greedinesse and desire 18 Their whole desire was carried upward to things durable and invisible that the desire of things visible might not draw them to things below 19 O Brother loose not thy confidence to come forward in godlinesse there is yet time the houre is not yet past 20 Why wilt thou deferre thine amendment from day to day arise and begin this very instant and say now is the time to be doing now is the time to be working now is the best time to amend my selfe 21 When thou art ill at ease and much troubled then is the time to profit best thou must passe through fire and water before thou comest to a place of refreshing 22 Vnlesse thou offer violence to thy selfe thou shalt never get the victory over sinne so long as we carry about us this fraile body of ours we can never be without sinne or live without sorrow 23 We could gladly be quiet and freed from all misery but seeing by sin we have lost our innocency we have by that also forfeited our felicity 24 Therefore we must hold our selves content and expect the mercy of God till this our iniquitie be put away and this mortality of ours be swallowed up of life 25 O how great is humane frailty which is alwaies prone to evill to day thou confessest thy sinnes and to morrow thou committest the very same thou hast confessed 26 Now thou art in the mind to looke well unto thy waies and within a while thou so behavest thy selfe as though thou hadst never any such mind at all 27 Good cause have we therefore to humble our selves and never to have any great conceit of our worth we are so fraile in our nature so inconstant in our courses 28 Besides that may quickly be lost by our owne negligence which by the grace of God and our owne great paines we have scarce at length obtained 29 What will become of us in the end who begiu to waxe cold so timely 30 Woe be unto us if we will now give our selves to ease as if all were in peace and safetie when yet there appeareeh no signe of sanctity in our conversations 31 We have need like young beginners be newly instructed againe to good manners if happily there be any hope of our future amendment and spirituall progresse CHAP. XXIII Of the meditation of Death THere will very quickly be an end of thee here therefore see what will become of thee hereafter To day a man to morrow none and out of sight out of mind 2 O the stupidity and hardnesse of mans heart who thinketh only upon the present and hath no care of the time to come 3 Thou shouldst so order thy selfe in all thy thoughts and actions as if to day yea this very moment thou we it ready to depart 4 Hadst thou a clear conscience thou wouldst not greatly feare death care not so much for the death of this body as the sinne of thy soule 5 If thou art not prepared to day how wilt thou be prepared to morrow thou knowest not what will be to morrow and how knowest thou that thou shalt live till to morrow 6 What are we the better to live long if we prove not the better by long living for length of daies doth oftnes make our sinnes the greater then our lives the better 7 O that we had spent but one day well in this world 8 Many keepe in mind how long it is since their conversion and yet forget to fructifie in a holy conversation 9 If to die be accounted dreadfull to live long may prove more dangerous happy is he that hath his end before his eies and prepareth himselfe to die daily 10 If at any time thou hast seen an other man die make account thou must follow him he hath shewed thee but the way 11 When it is morning think thou maist die before night and when evening comes presume not upon next morning 12 Be thou therefore alwaies in a readinesse and so lead thy life that death may never take thee unprepared 13 Many die suddenly and when they look not for it for the sonne of man will come when we think not of his comming 14
Of flying vaine Hope and Pride 16 Of avoiding too much familiarity 18 Of obedience and Subjection 19 Of avoiding superfluity of words 21 Of obtaining peace and desire of profiting 23 Of the profit gotten by adversity 26 Of resisting Temptations 28 Of avoiding rash judgement 34 Of workes proceeding from Charity 36 Of bearing with other mens defects 37 Of solitary life 40 Of the example of holy Fathers 41 Of the exercise of good religious persons 45 Of the love of solitude and silence 50 Of compunction of heart 56 Of the consideration of humane misery 60 Of the meditation of death 65 Of Iudgement and punishment of sinnes 71 Of the zealous amendment of our whole life 77 THE SECOND BOOK OF inward Conversation 84 Of humble submission 90 Of a good and peaceable man 91 Of a pure mind and upright intention 94 Of the consideration of ones selfe 96 Of the joy of â— good conscience 98 Of the love of Iesus above all things 101 Of familiar conversation with Iesus 103 Of the want of all comfort 106 Of thankfulnesse for the grace of God 112 How few the lovers of the Crosse of Christ are 116 Of the high way of the holy Crosse. 119 THE THIRD BOOK OF the inward speech of Christ to a faithfull soule 130 That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words 132 That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not 135 A prayer to implore the grace of devotion 137 That we ought to live in truth and humility in the sight of God 138 Of the wonderfull effect of divine grace 141 Of the proofe of a true lover 146 That grace is to be hid under the veile of humility 150 Of a mean conceipt of our selves in the sight of God 154 That all things are to be reserved unto God as unto the last end 156 That despising the world it is sweet to serve God 158 That the desires of our heart are to be examined and moderated 162 Of the effect of Patience and of strife against concupiscence 164 Of the humble obedience of a subiect according to the example of Christ. 167 Of the secret Iudgements of God to be considered lest we be extolled in our good deeds 169 What we ought to doe and say in every thing which we desire 172 A Prayer for the fulfilling of the will of God 174 That true comfort is to be sought in God alone 175 That all our care is to be placed in God 177 That temporall miseries by the example of Christ are to be borne patiently 179 Of suffering of injuries and who is proved to be truly patient 181 Of the acknowledging of our owne infirmity and of the miseries of this life 184 That we are to rest in God above all his gifts 187 Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God 192 Of foure things that bring much peace 197 A prayer against evill thoughts 197 A prayer for the enlightning of the mind 198 Of flying curious inquiry of the life of others 200 Wherein doth the firme peace of the heart and true proficiency consist 20â— Of the excellency of a free mind which humble prayer better obtaineth then reading 204 That private love most hindreth from the chiefest good 206 A Prayer for cleansig the heart and obtaining of heavenly wisdome 208 Against the tongue of Slanderers 210 How we ought to call upon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere 211 Of craving the divine aid and confidence of recovering grace 212 Of the contempt of all creatures to find our Creator 217 Of the deniall of our selves and forsaking all our affections 220 Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our finall intentions unto God 223 That God is sweet above all things and in all things to him that loveth 225 That there is no security from temptation in this life 225 Against the vaine Iudgements of men 230 Of a full and pure resignation of our selves from the obtaining freedome of heart 232 Of good government of outward things and of recourse to God in dangers 235 That a man be not over earnest in his affaires 237 That a man hath no good of himselfe nor any thing whereof he can glory 238 Of the contempt of all temporall honours 241 That our peace is not to be placed in men 242 Against vaine and secular knowledge 245 Of not drawing outward things to our selves 247 That credit is not to be given to all men and how prone man is to offend in words 249 Of putting our trust in God when evill words arise 253 That all grievous things are to be endured for life everlasting 257 Of the everlasting day and shortnesse of this life 259 Of the desire of everlasting life and how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly 264 How a desolate person ought to offer himselfe into the hands of God 270 That a man ought to imploy himselfe in works of humility when force is wanting for higher exercises 276 That a man ought to esteeme himselfe unworthy of comfort and to have deserved stripes 277 That the grace of God is not given to those that savour of earthly things 280 Of the different motions of Nature and Grace 283 Of the corruption of nature and efficacy of divine grace 289 That we oâ—ght to deny our selves and imitate Christ by the Crosse. 294 That a man be not too much deiected when he â—alleth into some defects 297 Of not searching into high matters and into the secret judgements of God 300 That all our hope aâ—d trust is to be fixed in God alone 307 THE FOVRTH BOOK A Devout exhortation unto the blessed Sacrament 311 With how great reverence Christ ought to be received 312 That great goodnesse and charity of God is bestowed upon man in this Sacrament 321 That it is profitable to communicate often 326 That many benefits are bestowed upon them that communicate devoutly 330 Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Priestly function 335 An Interrogation of the exercise before Communion 337 Of the discussing of our own conscience and purpose of amendment 338 Of the oblation of Christ on the Crosse and resignation of our selves 342 That we ought to offer up our selves and all that is ours unto God and to pray for all 344 That the holy Communion is not lightly to be forborne 348 That the Body of Christ and the holy Scriptures are most necessary unto a faithfull soule 353 That he that is to communicate ought to prepare himselfe with great diligence 360 That a devout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto Christ in the Sacrament 363 Of the fervent desire of some devout persons to receave the body of Christ 366 That the grace of devotion is obtained by humility deniall of our selves 369 That we ought to manifest our necessity unto Christ and to crave his grace 372 Of burning love and vehement desire to receive Christ. 374 That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense unto faith 378 FINIS
When thy last sand shall be runne out thou wilt have a farre diffetent opinion of thy whole life that is past and be exceeding sorry thou hast been so carelesse and remisse 15 O how wise and happy is he that now laboureth to be such a one in his life as he wisheth to be found at the houre of his death 16 To contemne the world perfectly to goe forward in vertue zealously to love reprose willingly to amend our lives seriously to obey superiors gladly to denie himselfe throughly and to suffer affliction for his sake patiently make us confident we shall die happily 17 Whilst thou art in health thou maist doe many good deeds but when thou art sick I see not what thou art able to doe 18 Few in the weaknesse of their bodies gather strength to their soules as they who are walking abroad are seldome setled at home 19 Trust not to freinds and kindred neither doe thou put off the care of thy soule till hereafter for men will sooner forget thee then thou art aware of 20 It is better to look to it betime and doe some good a fore hand then to trust to other mens curtesies 21 If thou dost not provide for thy selfe in this world who will have care of thee in that which is to come 22 The time that is now present is very precious now is the day of salvation now is the acceptable time 23 But alas that thou shouldst spend thy time so idlely here where thou mightst purchase to live eternally hereafter 24 The time will come when thou shalt desire one day or houre to amend in and 't is a great question whether it will be granted thee 25 O be loved from how great danger mightst thou deliver thy selfe from how great feare free thy selfe if thou wouldst be now fearfull and carefull how to die 26 Labour now to live so that at the houre of death thou maist rather rejoyce then fear learn now to die to the world that thou maist begin to live with Christ. 27 Learn now to contemn all earthly things that thou maist freely goe to Christ. 28 Chastise thy body now by Repentance that thou maist then have assured confidence 29 Ah foole why dost thou think to live long when thou canst not promise to thy selfe one day how many have been deceived and suddenly snatcht away 30 How often dost thou hear these reports such a man is slain another is drowned a third breaks his neck with a fall this man died eating and that man playing 31 One perished by fire another by the sword another of the plague and another was slain by theeves thus death is the end of all and mans life passeth away like a shadow 32 Who shall remember thee when thou art dead and who shall pray for thee when thou canst not help thy selfe 33 Doe doe now my beloved whatsoever thou art able to doe for thou knowest not when thou shalt die not yet what shall befall thee after thy death 34 Now whilst thou hast time heap unto thy selfe everlasting treasures think on nothing but the salvation of thy soule care for nothing but the service of thy God 35 Make now friends to thy selfe by honouring the Saints of God and imitating their vertues that when thou failest in this short life they may receive thee into everlasting habitations 36 Esteem thy selfe as a stranger and Pilgrime upon the earth and as one to whom the affaires of this world doe nothing appertain 37 Keep thy heart free from the world and lifted up directly unto God because thou hast here no abiding city 38 Send thither thy daily praiers and sighes joyned with unfained tears that after death thy spirit may be happily commended into the hands of the Almighty CHAP. XXIIII Of Iudgment and the punishment of Sinnes IN all thy waies have a speciall aim to thy end for how canst thou be able to stand before a severe Iudge to whom nothing is hid 2 Who is not pacified with gifts nor admitteth any frivolous excuses but will judge according to right and equity 3 O wretched and foolish sinner who sometimes fearest the countenance of an angry and ignorant man what answer wilt thou make to an angry and all-knowing God 4 Why dost not thou provide for thy selfe against that great day of Iudgment when no man can excuse or answer for another buâ— every one shall have enough to answer for himselfe 5 Now are thy paines profitable thy tears acceptable thy groans audible thy griefe pacifieth for thy sinnes and prepareth thy soule 7 The patient man hath a great and vvholesome purgatory who though he receive injuries yet grieveth more for the malice of an other then for his own wrongs 8 Who prayeth willingly for his adversaries and from his heart forgiveth their offences and delaieth not to aske forgivenesse of whomsoever he hath offended 9 Who is sooner moved to compassion then to anger who often offereth violence to himselfe and laboureth earnestly to bring the body into subjection to the spirit 10 It is better to purge our sinnes and offences here then keepe them to be purged and punished hereafter verily we doe but deceive our selves through an inordinate love of the flesh 11 What else will that fire consume but thy sins the more thou sparest thy selfe and followest thy pleasure now so much the more hereafter shall be thy punishment and a greater fewel added to that flame 12 In what thing a man hath sinned in the same shall he be punished there shall the sloathfull be pricked forward with burning goads and the gluttons vexed with great hunger and thirst 13 There shall the lascivious and loves of pleasure be bathed in burning pitch and stinking brimstone and the envious like mad doggs shall howle for very griefe 14 There is no fault but shall have its proper and peculiar torment there the proud shall be filled with all horrour and confusion the covetous shall be pinched with exceeding penury one houre of pain there shall be more bitter then a thousand years of the sharpest pennance here 15 There is no quiet no comfort for the damned there yet here we have some intermission of our labours and injoy the comfort of our friends 16 Be now solicitous and sorrowfull for thy sinnes that at the day of judgment thou maist be secure with the company of blessed soules 17 For then shall the righteous with great boldnesse stand against such as have vexed and oppressed them then shall he sit to judge men who is now content to be judged of men 18 Then shall the poor and humble have great confidence but the proud man shall be compassed with feare on every side 29 Then will it appeare that he was wise in this world who had learned for Christ to be a foole and despised 30 Then shall affliction patiently undergone delight us when the mouth of iniquity shall be stopped up then shall the devout rejoyce and the prophane mourne 31 Then shall he more rejoyce
that hath beat down his own flesh then he that hath abounded in all pleasure and delight 32 Then shall the poor garment shine and glitter and the precious robes seem vile and contemptible then shall be more commended the poor cottage then the stately pallace 33 Then will constant patience more avail us then all earthly power and simple obedience be preferred before all worldly wisdome 34 Then shall a good and cleare conscience more rejoyce a man then the profound learning of phylosophy and the contempt of riches weigh more then all worldly treasures 35 Then wilt thou be comforted that thou hast praied devoutly then fared daintily and be more glad thou hast kept silence then thou hast talked much 36 Then will good works prevail more then godly words then a strict life and severe repentance will be more pleasing then all earthly delight 37 Prove first here what thou canst indure hereafter accustome thy selfe now to suffer a little that thou maist then be delivered from more grievous pains 38 If now thou canst indure so litle how wilt thou then be able to indure perpetuall torments if a litle suffering make thee so impatient what will hell fire doe hereafter 39 Assure thy selfe thou canst not have two Paradises it is impossible to injoy delights in this world and after that raign for ever with Christ. 40 Suppose thou hadst hitherto lived alwaies in honour and delights what would all this avail thee if thou wert to die at this instant 41 All therefore is but vanity and texation of spirit besides the love of God and his alone service 42 For he that loyeth God with all his heart is neither afraid of death nor judgment nor of punishment nor of hell for perfect love gives secure accesse to God 43 But he that takes delight in sin what marveil is it if he be afraid both of Death and Iudgment Yet it is good although love be not of force to withhold thee from sinne that at least the feare of hell should restrain thee 44 But he that laieth aside the fear of God can never continue long in good estate but falleth quickly into the snares of the Divell CHAP. XXV Of the zealous amendment of our whole life BE watchfull and diligent in the service of God and often bethink thy selfe wherefore thou camest hither and why thou hast left the world 2 Was it not that thou mightst live to God and become a spirituall man be fervent then to come forward for shortly thou shalt receive a reward of thy labours 3 There shall not be then any fear or sorrow in thy coasts labour but now a litle and thou shalt find great rest yea perpetuall joy to thy soule 4 If thou continuest faithfull and fervent in doing good no doubt but God will be faithfull and full in rewarding thee 5 Thou oughtst to have a good hope in getting the victory but thou must not be seeme of it lest thou waxe either negligent or proud 6 When one that was in great anxiety of mind often wavering between fear and hope did once being very sorrowfull prostrate himselfe by praier in a Church before the Altar began to think thus with himselfe saying 7 O that I knew certainly I should persevere unto the end and presently heard this heavenly answer within him what if thou knâ—wst it what wouldst thou doe doe but so now as thou wouldst then doe and thou shalt be secure 8 And being straightway conforted and strengthned in mind he commited himselfe wholly to the will of God and so left off all carefull doubting 9 Neither would he curiously search what should become of him but rather applied himselfe to know the perfect and acceptable Will of God for the beginning and accomplishing of every good work 10 Put thy trust in the Lord and doe good saith the Prophet and inhabit the land and thou shalt be fed with the plenty thereof 11 One thing there is that draweth men back from a progresse in good a thorough reformation of evill the horrour of the difficulty and the labour of the combate 12 For without doubt they especially above all others profit best in godlinesse who strive more manfully to overcome these things which are most grievous and averse from their own dispositions 13 For there a man profits more and obtaines greater grace where he more overcometh himselfe and mortifieth the inward man 14 But all have not alike to overcome and mortifie for although a man have stronger passions yet if he be zealous in the chase shall sooner overcome then he that hath fewer and is not so fervent 15 Two things especially much further any great amendment to witâ— to withdraw our selves violent 〈…〉 that to which our nature is vitiouâ—â—â—â—â—clined and earnestly to contend for the good we stand in need of 16 Be carefull also to avoid with greater diligence those things in thy selfe which doe most displease thee in others 17 Gather some profit to thy soul out of every occasion whosoever thou be so that if thou seest or hearest any good examples be kindled and provoked to doe the like 18 But if thou perceive any thing worthy of reproofe take heed of doing the same or if thou have done it labour quickly to amend it 19 As thou eyest other men so are other mens eies upon thee how sweet and pleasant a thing is it to see those that be fervent and zealous to be tractable and obedâ—ent 20 Again how sorrowfull and sad a spectacle is it to see men live dissolutely and disorderly not applying themselves to that whereunto they were called 21 How hurtfull and pernitious is it to neglect the chiefe intent and 〈…〉 of their callings and busie 〈…〉 in that which they have nothing to doe withall 22 Be mindfull of that profession thou hast taken upon thee and have alwaies in thy heart the remembrance of Christ Crucified 23 When thou lookst upon his life thou maist well be ashamed of thine own for though thou hast a long time professed christianity yet hast thou not endeavoured much to conform thy selfe to Christ. 24 A religious man who exerciseth himselfe attentively and devoutly in the life death of Christ shall there abundantly find all things necessary and profitable and out of Iesus he shal need to seek nothing 25 O if Iesus Christ and him Crucified would sink deep into our hearts how quickly and sufficiently learned should we prove 26 A religious man that is zealous taketh and endureth all well that is commanded him but he that is negligent and luke warme hath tribulation npon tribulation 27 Nay he is upon every side straightned and molested for he is void of inward consolation and forbidden to take any outward comfort 28 A religious man without discipline is in great danger of ruine he that seeketh liberty and ease shall ever live in disquiet for one thing or other will alwaies displease him 29 O that we had nothing else tâ— doe but alwaies with our mouth
weake deceiveth him and doth verily more shame him while he doth vainely praise him 33 For how much every one is in thy sight O Lord so much he is and no 〈◊〉 saith humble S. Francis CHAP. LI. That a man ought to imploy himselfe in workes of humilitie when force is wanting for higher exercises SOnne thou art not able alwaies to continue in the fervent desire of vertue nor to persist in the high pitch of heavenly contemplation 2 But thou must sometimes of necessity by reason of originall corruption descend to inferior things and beare the burthen of this corruptible life though unwillingly and with griefe 3 As long as thou cariest a mortall body thou shalt feele great trouble heavinesse of heart 4 Thou oughtest therefore in the flesh oftentimes to bewaile the burthen of the flesh for that thou canst not alwaies persevere in spirituall exercises and divine contemplation 5 It is then expedient for thee to flye to humble and exteriour workes and to refresh thy selfe with good and vertuous actions 6 To expect with a firme confidence my coÌ„ming heavenly visitation to beare patiently thy banishment and the drinesse of thy minde untill I visit thee againe and deliver thee from all anxiety 7 For I will make thee forget thy paines and enjoy inward quietnesse 8 I will lay open before thee the pleasant fields of holy Scripture â—haâ— with an enlarged heart that maist begin to run the way of my commandements 9 And thou shalt say that the sufferings of this time are not worthy of the glory to come that shall be revealed in us CHAP. LII That a man ought to esteeme himselfe unworthy of comfort and to have deserved stripes LOrd I am not worthy of thy comfort noâ— of any spirituall visitation and therefore thou dealest justly with me when thou leavest me poore and desolate Though I could powre out even a sea of teares yet I were not worthy of thy comfort 2 For alas I deserve nothing but to be scourged and punished in that I have grievously and often offended thee and sinned in many things 3 All things therefore duly considered I am not worthy even of the least comfort 4 But thou mild and mercifull God who wilt not that thy works doe perish to shew the riches of thy goodnesse upon the vessels of mercy even beyond all mine own merit vouchsafest to comfor thy servant above humane measure 5 For thy heavenly consolations are not like humane communications and in comparison of thee we are miserable comforters 6 What have I done O Lord that thou shouldest bestow upon me any heavenly comfort 7 I remember I have done no good at all but have been alwaies prone to sinne and slothfull in my amendment 8 It is so true that I cannot deny â—it if I should say otherwise thou wouldest plead against me and there would be none to defend me 9 What have I deserved for my sinnes but hell and everlasting fire 10 I confesse in the truth of my heart that I am worthy of all scoâ—ne and contempt and it is unfit that I should be remembred amongst thy holy ones 11 And although I be unwilling to heare this yet notwithstanding for the love of truth I will lay open my sinnes against my selfe that I may the better obtaine mercy at thy hands 12 What shall I say being guilty and full of all confusion I have nothing to say but this I have sinned Lord I have sinned have mercy on me pardon and forgive me 13 Suffer me a litle that I may bewaile my griefe before I goe unto the land of darknesse and be covered with the shadow of death 14 What dost thou require of a guilty and miserable sinner â—ut that he be contrite and sorrowfull and doe humble himselfe for his sinnes 15 In true contrition and humblenesse of heart is bred a hope of forgivenesse a troubled conscience is reconciled againe grace lost is restored man is defended from future wrath God and the penitent soule meet together in a holy kisse 16 Humble contrition for â—innes is an acceptable sacrifice unto thee O Lord savouring much sweeter in thy nostrils then the perfume of frankiâ—sence 17 This is also the pleasant oyntment which thou wouldest have powred upon thy sacred feet for thou never despisest a contrite and humble heart 18 There is a place of refuge from the angry face of the enemy there is amended and washed away whatsoever elsewhere was polluted and defiled CHAP. LIII That the grace of God is not given to those that savour of earthly things SOnne my grace is precious it suffereth not it selfe to be mingled witâ— externall things nor earthly comforts Thou oughtest therefore to cast away all hinderances of grace if thou desire to receave the infusion thereof 2 Choose therefore a secret place to thy selfe love to live alone with thy selfe desire the conversation of none but rather powre out devout prayers unto God that thou maist keep thy minde compunct and thy conscience pure 3 Esteem the whole world as nothing preferre my service before all outward things for thou canst not altend unto me and be delighted also in transitory vanities 4 Thou oughtest to sequester thy selfe from thy acquaintance and friends and to keep thy mind deprived of all temporall comfort 5 So the blessed Apostle Peter required that the faithfull of Christ should keep themselves as strangers pilgrims in this world 6 O how great a confidence shall he have at the houre of death whom no affection to any earthly thing detained in the world 7 But the weak minde is not yet capable of so retired a heart neither doth the fleshly person understand the freedome of a reâ—ollected minde 8 Notwithstanding if he will be truly spirituall he ought to renounce as well those which are farre off as those which are neere unto him and to beware of no man more then of himselfe 9 If thou perfectly overcome thy selfe thou shalt with more ease subdue the rest It is a glorious victory to triumph over our selves 10 For he that keepeth himselfe subject in such sort that his sensuality be subdued to reason and reason in all things be obedient to me he is truly a conquerour of himselfe and Lord of the world 11 If thou desire to mount unto this height of perfection thou must begin manfully and set the axe to the root that thou maist pluck up and destroy thy hidden and inordinate inclination to thy selfe and unto all private and earthly good 12 Of this vice that man too inordinately loveth himselfe almost all dependeth whatsoever is wholy to be overcome which being once overcome and subdued there will presently ensue great peace and tranquillity 13 But for that few endeavour perfectly to dye unto themselves and do forsake themselves wholly therefore they remaine intangled in themselves and cannot be lifted up in spirit above themselves 14 But he that desireth to walke freely with mee it is necessary that he mortify all his
commandement and appointment of of God but God is there the principal Author and invisible Worker to whom is subject all that he pleaseth and all that he commandeth doth obey 6 Thou oughtest therefore to give more credit to God Almighty in this most excellent Sacrament then to thine owne sense or to any visible signe And theresofore thou art to come unto this mystery with feare and reverence 7 Consider attentively with thy selfe and see what that is whereof the Ministry is delivered unto thee by the imposition of the hands of the Bishop 8 Behold thou art made a Priest and consecrated to officiate see now that in due time thou offer Sacrifice unto God faithfully and devoutly and carry thy selfe so as thou maist be without reproof 9 Thou hast not lightned thy burthen but are now bound with a straiter bond of discipline and art obliged to a more perfect degree of sanctity 10 A Priest ought to be adorned with all kind of vertues and to give example of good life to others 11 His conversation should not be according to the ordinary and common proceedings of men but like to the Angels in heaven or to perfect men on earth 12 A Priest clothed in sacred garments is the Vicegerent of Christ to pray humbly and with a prostrate mind unto God for himselfe and the whole people 13 And know that he is placed as a modiatour betweene God and the sinner Neither ought he to cease from praior and holy oblation till he obtaine grace and mercy 14 When a Priest doth celebrate he honoureth God rejoyceth the Angels edlfieth the Church helpeth the living and maketh himselfe partaker of all good deeds CHAP. VI. An Interrogation of the exercise before Communion The voice of the Disciple VVHen I weigh thy greatnesse O Lord and mine unworthinesse I tremble and am confounded in my selfe 2 For if I come not unto thee I fly from life and if I unworthily intrude my selfe I incurre thy displeasure 3 What therefore shall I doe my God my Helper and my Counsellour in necessitie 4 Teach me the right way appoint me some briefe exercise sutable to this holy mystery of the sacred Communion 5 For it is good for me to know how I should reverently and devoutly prepare my heart unto thee for the profitable receiving of thy Sacraments or for the celebrating of so great and divine a Sacrifice CHAP. VII Of the discussing of our owne conscience and purpose of amendment The voice of the Beloved ABove all things the Priest of Goâ— ought to come to celebrate hanâ—dle and receive this Sacrament witâ— great humility of heart and lowly reverence with a full faith and a godly desire of the honour of the divine Majestie 2 Examine diligently thy conscience and to thy power purge clense it with true contrition and humble confession 3 So as there may be nothing in thee that may be burdensome unto thee or that may breed thee remorse of conscience and hinder thy free accesse to these heavenly mysteries 4 Repent thee of all thy sinnes in generall and in particular bewaile thy daily offences And if thou hast time confesse unto God in the secret of thy heart all the miseries of thy disordered passions 5 Lament and grieve that thou are yet so subject to sensualitie 6 So addicted unto the world 7 So unmortified in thy passions so full of the motions of concupiscence 8 So unwatchful over thy outward senses 9 So often entangled with many vaine fantasies 10 So vehemently inclined to all outward things 12 So wonderfull negligent in the interiour 13 So prone to laughter and inmodesty 14 So hard to teares and compunction 15 So prompt to ease and pleasures of the flesh 16 So dull to austeritic and fervour 17 So curious to heare newes and see vaine sights 18 So slack to imbrace that which tends to thine owne humiliation and contempt 19 So covetous of abundance so â—â—iggardly in giving 20 So fast in keeping 21 So inconsiderate in speech 22 So unbridled to silence 23 So loose in manners 24 So couragious in deeds 25 So greedy to meat 26 So deafe to the Word of God 27 So hasty to rest 28 So slow to labour 29 So watchfull to tales 30 So drowsy to watch in the service of God 31 So hasty to the end thereof 32 So inconstant in attention 33 So negligent in saying thy praiers 34 So undevout in celebrating the Communion 35 So dry in receiving 36 So quickly distracted 37 So seldome wholly recollected 38 So suddenly moved to an anger 39 So apt to take displeasure against another 40 So prone to judge 41 So severe to reprehend 42 So joyfull in prosperity 43 So weake in adversitie 44 So often purposing much good and performing litle 45 These and other thy defects confessed and bewailed with sorrow and great dislike of thine owne infirmity make a firme purpose alwaies to amend thy selfe and to goe forwards in vertue 46 Then with full resignation and with thy whole will offer thy selfe up to the honour of my name a perpetuall sacrifice in the Altar of thy heart 47 Faithfully committing thy body and soule unto me that so thou maist also obtain that favour to come worthily to offer sacrifice unto God and to receive profitably the Sacrament of my body 48 For there is no oblation worthy nor satisfaction greater for the washing away of sinnes then to offer up our selves unto God purely wholly in the holy Communion 49 And when a man shall have done what lyeth in him and shall be truly penitent as I live saith our Lord who will not the death of a sinner but rather that he be converted and live and I will not remember hir sinnes any more but they shall be all forgiven him and fully pardoned CHAP. VIII Of the oblation of Christ on the Crosse and resignation of our selves The voice of the Beloved AS I willingly offered up my selfe unto God my Father with my hands stretched forth on the Crosse and my body naked for thy sinnes so that nothing remained in me that was not turned into a sacrifice for the appeasing of the divine wrath 2 So oughtest thou also to offer up thy selfe willingly unto me daily as a pure and holy oblation with thy whole force and desire in as hearty manner as thou canst 3 What doe I require of thee more then that thou resigne thy selfe wholly unto me 4 Whatsoever thou givest besides thy selfe is of litle accompt in my sight for I seeke not thy gift but thee 5 As it would not suffice thee to have all things whatsoever besides me so neither can it please me whatsoever thou givest if thou offerest not up thy selfe Offer thy selfe unto me and give thy selfe all that thou art for God and thy offering shall be gratefull 6 Behold I offered up my selfe wholly unto my Father for thee and gave my whole body and blood for thy food that I might be wholly thine and thou remain mine 7