standeth heareth him Ioan. 3. reioyceth with ioy for the voice of the Bridegrome so I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desires and to offer my selfe vp to thee with my whole hart Wherfore I offer also and present vnto thee the ioyes feruent desires excesses of mind spirituall illuminations heauenly visions of all deuout harts with all the vertues and praises exercised and to be exercised by all creatures in heauen and earth for my selfe and all such as are commended to me in prayer that by all thou maist be worthily praised and glorified for euer 4. Receaue my Lord God the affections of my hart and desires which I haue to giue thee infinite praise and thankes which according to the measure of thy vnspeakable greatnesse are due vnto thee These I yield thee and desire to yield thee euery day and moment and I doe intreate and inuite all the heauenly spirits and all thy deuout seruants to giue thankes and praises togeather with me 5. Let all People Tribes and Tongues praise thee and magnify thy holy and sweet name with great ioy and feruent deuotion and let all that reuerently and deuoutly celebrate thy most high Sacrament and receaue it with full faith deserue to find grace and mercy at thy hands and pray humbly for me sinfull creature And when they shall haue obtained their desired deuotion and ioyfull vnion and depart from thy sacred heauenly table well comforted and meruailously refreshed let them vouchsafe to remember my poore and needy soule CHAP. XVIII That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense vnto faith The voice of the Beloued THOV oughtest to beware of curious and vnprofitable searching into this most profound Sacrament if thou wilt not sink into the depth of doubt Prou. 25. He that is a searcher of Maiesty◠shal be oppressed by glory God is able to worke more then man can vnderstand A pious and humble inquiry of truth is tolerable so he be alwaies ready to be taught and do endeauour to walke in the sound pathes of the ancient Fathers doctrine 2. Bessed is that simplicity that forsaketh the difficult waies of questions and goeth on in the plaine and assured path of Gods Commandements Many haue lost deuotion whilst they would search after high things Faith and sincere life are exacted at thy hands not height of vnderstanding nor the depth of the mysteries of God If thou doest not vnderstād nor conceaue those things that are vnder thee how shalt thou be able to comprehend those that are aboue thee Submit thy selfe to God and let thy sense be subiect to faith and the light of knowledge shall be giuen thee in that degree as shall be profitable and necessary for thee 3. Some are grieuously tempted about faith and the Sacrament but this is not to be imputed to thē but rather to the enemie Do not regard nor dispute with thy thoughts neither do thou giue answere to the doubts moued by the enemie but belieue the words of God belieue his Saintes and Prophets and the wicked Serpent will fly from thee It is oftentimes very profitable to the seruant of God to suffer such things For he tempteth not Infidels and sinners whome he already securely possesseth but he sundry waies tempteth vexeth the faithfull and deuour 4. Go forward therfore with a sincere and vndoubted faith and come to the Sacrament with vnfaigned reuerence And whatsoeuer thou art not able to vnderstand cōmit fecurely to Almighty God God deceaueth thee not he is deceaued that trusteth too much to himselfe Ps 19. c. 118. God walketh with the simple Matt. 11. reuealeth himselfe to the humble giueth vnderstanding to little ones openeth the senses of pure minds and hideth grace from the curious and proud Humane reason is weake and may be deceaued but true sayth cannot be deceaued 5. All reason naturall search ought to follow faith not to go before it nor impugne it For faith and loue do chiefly excell worke in a hidden manner in this most blessed and excellent Sacrament God who is euerlasting and of infinite power doth great and inscrutable things in heauen and in earth and there is no searching of his wonderfull workes If the workes of God were such as might be easily comprehended by humane reason they were not to be called wonderfull and vnspeakable FINIS
temporall honour all worldly highnesse compared to thy eternall glory is vanity and folly O my truth my mercy my God most Blessed Trinity to thee alone be all praise honour vertue and glory for all eternity CHAP. XLI Of the contempt of all temporall honours SONNE †Our Lord. trouble not thy selfe if thou seest others honoured and aduanced and thy self coÌ„temned and debased Lift vp thy hart vnto me in heauen and the contempt of men in earth will not grieue thee Lord * The Seruant we are blind and quickly seduced with vanity If I looke well into my selfe I cannot say that any creature hath done me wrong and therfore I cannot iustly complaine of thee 2. But because I haue often and grieuously sinned against thee all creaturs do iustly take armes against me for shame and contempt is due vnto me but vnto thee praise honour and glory And vnlesse I do so prepare my selfe that I be willing do reioice to be despised and forsaken of all creatures to be esteemed nothing at all I cannot obtaine internall strength and peace nor be spiritually enlightned nor wholy vnited vnto thee CHAP. XLII That our peace is not to be placed in men SONNE †Our Lord. if the peace thou hast with any be grounded on the opinion which thou hast of him or on the contentmeÌ„t thou receauest in his company thou shalt euer be vnconstant and subiect to disquiet but if thou haue recourse vnto the euerliuing and eternall Truth a friend going from thee or dying shall not grieue thee The loue of thy friend ought to rest in me and for me is he to be beloued whosoeuer he be whom thou thinkest well of and is verily deare vnto thee in this life No friendship can auaile or continue without me neither is the loue true and pure which they haue whose hartes are not ioyned togeather by me Thou oughtest to be so dead to such affections of beloued friends that forasmuch as appertaineth vnto thee thou shouldest wish to be without all company of men Man approacheth so much the neerer vnto God how much the further off he departeth from all earthly comfort so much the higher also he ascendeth vnto God by how much lower he descendeth into himselfe and how much the baser he is in his owne coÌ„ceipt 2. But he that attributeth any good vnto himselfe hindreth the comming of Gods grace into him For the grace of the holy Ghost euer seeketh an humble hart If thou couldst perfectly annihilate thy self purge thy self of all created loue then should there flow into thee great abouÌ„dance of my grace When thou castest thy eyes on creatures the sight of thy Creatour is taken froÌ„ thee Learne to ouercome thy selfe in al things for the loue of thy Creatour and then shalt thou be able to attaine to heauenly knowledg How little soeuer it be if it be inordinately loued and regarded it defileth the soule and hindreth the enioying of the chiefest good CHAP. XLIII Against vaine and secular knowledge SONNE †Our Lord. let not the fair speaches and subtile sayings of men moue thee †1. Cor. 4. For the Kingdome of God consisteth not in words but in vertue Obserue well the wordes which I speake for they inflame the hart and enlighten the mind induce coÌ„punction and bring sundry comforts Do thou neuer read to shew thy selfe learned or wise but labour to mortifie thy vices for that will profit thee more then the knowledg of many hard and difficult questioÌ„s 2. When thou shalt haue read knowne many things thou oughtest euer to returne to one beginning I am he that teacheth man all knowledg and do giue to little ones a more cleare vnderstanding then can be taught by man He therfore to whome I speake shall quickly be wise and shall profit much in spirit Woe be to them that inquire many curious things of men and do little desire to know the way how to serue me The time will come when the Maister of Maisters shal appeare Christ the Lord of Angells to heare the lessons of all that is to examine the consciences of euery one and then he will search Hierusalem with a candle Soph. 1. 1. Cor. 4. and the hidden things of darkenesse shall be laid open and the inuentions of tongues shall be silent 3. I am he that in an instant do raise vp the humble mind to vnder stand more reasons of the euerlasting truth then can be gotten by ten yeares study in schools I teach without noise of words without confusion of opinions without ambition of honour without contention of arguments I am he that teacheth to despise earthly things to loath things present to seeke the euerlasting to delight in the things that are eternal to fly honours to suffer scandalls to place all hope in me to desire nothing out of me and aboue all things feruently to loue me 4. For one by louing me entirely learned diuine things and spake wonders he prosited more in forsaking all things then in studying subtilties To some I speake ordinary things to others things more especiall to some I appeare sweetly by signes and figures but to some I reueale mysteries with much light The voice of boâ—ks is one but it teacheth not all men alike For I am the internal teacher I am the Truth the searcher of the hart the vnderstander of thoughts the setter forwards of good works distributing to euery one according to my will CHAP. XLIIII Of not drawing outward things to our selues SONNE †Our Lord. in many things thou oughtest to be ignorant and esteeme thy selfe as dead vpon earth as one to whom the whole world is crucified Thou must also passe ouer many things with a deafe eare and rather thinke of that which appertaineth to thy peace It is more profitable to turne thine eyes from the sight of vnpleasing things and to leaue vnto euery one his owne opinion then to striue with contentious wordes If thou standest well with God and considerest his iudgments thou shalt the more easily yield to the will of others 2. O * The Seruant Lord to what an estate are we come Behold we bewaile a temporall losse and for a little gaine we toyle and spare no labour the spirituall domage of our soule is forgotteÌ„ hardly at length called to mind That which little or nothing profiteth is alwaies remembred and that which is chiefty necessary is negligeÌ„tly passed ouer because mans nature carrieth him to externall things vnlesse he quickly returne vnto himselfe he lyeth drowned in them with delight CHAP. XLV That credit is not to be giuen to all men and how prone man is to offend in words HELP me * The Seruant Lord in my tribulation for vaine is the defence of man How often haue I bene deceaued finding want of faith Psal 59. where I thought it sure And how often haue I found faith where I least expected it It is vaine therefore
thinketh it happier to giue then to receaue Nature inclineth to creatures yieldeth to her owne flesh followeth vanities and listneth to discourses but grace draweth vnto God and seeketh after vertues renounceth creatures flesh the world hateth the desires of the flesh restraineth wandrings abroad blusheth to be seene in publike Nature is willing to haue some outward comfort wherin she may delight her senses but grace seeketh comfort in God alone and delighteth aboue all visible things in the highest good 5. Nature worketh all for her owne gaine and profit she can doe nothing freely but for bestowed benefits she hopeth to obtaine either that which is equall or better either praise or fauour coueteth to haue her workes gifts much esteemed but grace seeketh no temporal thing nor asketh any other reward for her deserts then God alone not desireth more of temporall necessaries then what may serue her for the obtayning of euerlasting glory 6. Nature rejoyceth to haue many friends and kinsfolkes she glorieth of Noble birth and descent pleaseth the powerfull fawneth vpon the rich applaudeth those that are like herselfe but grace loueth her enemies is not puffed vp with multitude of friends nor esteemeth place or birth but where it is ioyned with greater vertue she rather fauoureth the poore then the rich hath more compassion of the innocent then the powerfull reioyceth in the simple respecteth not the deceiptfull exhorteth euer the good to labour for the better gifts and by vertue to resemble the sonne of God Nature quickly complaineth of any want and trouble grace constantly suffereth all kind of need 7. Nature turneth all things to her selfe striueth and contendeth for her selfe but grace reduceth all to God froÌ„ whence originally they proceed she ascribeth no good to her selfe neither doth she arrogantly presume of her selfe she contendeth not nor preferreth her opinion before others but in euery sense vnderstanding submitteth her selfe vnto the eternall wisdome and to the diuine iudgment Nature coueteth to know secrets and to heare newes she will appeare a broad and make proofe of many things by the experience of her owne senses she desireth to be known to do those things for which she may be praised and admired but grace careth not for hearing news nor to vnderstaÌ„d curious matters for that all this springeth from the ancient disorder of our corrupt nature seing nothing that is new is durable vpon earth She teacheth therfore to restraine the senses to auoid vaine pleasing and ostentatioÌ„ humbly to hide those things that are worthy of praise and admiration and of euery thing and euery knowledg to seeke profitable fruite and the praise and honour of God she will not haue her selfe nor hers publickly praised but desireth that God should be blessed in his gifts who of meere charity bestoweth all things 8. This grace is a supernaturall light and a certaine speciall gift of God and the proper marke of the elect and pledge of euerlasting saluation which lifteth vp a man from earthly basenes to loue things of heauen of a carnall maketh him a spirituall person How much the more therfore nature is depressed and subdued so much the greater grace is infused and the inward man daily by new visitations more perfected according to the Image of God CHAP. LV. Of the corruption of nature efficacy of diuine grace MY God * The Seruant who of thy meere goodnes hast created me to thy Image and likenesse Gen. 1. graunt me this grace which thou hast shewed to be so great and so necessary to saluation that I may overcome my wicked nature which draweth me to sinne and to the losse of my soule For I feele in my flesh the law of sin Rom. 7. contradicting the law of my mind and leading me captiue to obey sensualitie in many things neither can I resist the passâ—ons therof vnlesse thy holy grace feruently infused into my hart do assist me 2. Thy grace o Lord great grace is needfull that nature may be ouercome which is euer prone to euill from her youth For by Adam the first man it falling being corrupted by sinne the penalty of this staine hath descended vpon all mankind in such sort that nature it selfe which by thee was created good without defect is now accompted for vice and for the infirmitie of a corrupted nature for that the motioÌ„ therof left vnto it selfe draweth to euill and abiect things For the little force which remaineth is like a certaine sparke lying hidden in ashes This is naturall reason it selfe compassed about with great darknesse still retayning power to discerne good and euill and the distance be tweene true and false although it be vnable to fulfill all that it approueth and enioyeth not now the full light of truth nor the former integrity of her affections 3. Hence it is my God that according to my inward man I delight in thy law Rom. 7. knowing thy comman dements to be good iust and holy reprouing also all euill and sunne and do know that it is to be fled .. But in my flesh I serue the law of sirâ— whilst I rather obey sensuality then reason Hence it is that I haue a will to do good but know not how to performe it For this cause I often purpose many good things but for that I want grace to help my infirmity for a light resistance I go back and faint I know the way of perfectioÌ„ and see cleerly inough what I ought to do but pressed with the weight of mine owne corruption I rise not vnto it 4. O Lord how needfull is thy grace for me Ioan. 13. to begin any good worke to go forward and to accomplish it For without it I can do nothing but in thee I can do all things when thy grace doth comfort me O heauenly grace without which our owne merits are nothing and no gifts of nature are to be esteemed Arts riches beauty strength wit or eloquence are of no worth with thee o Lord without thy grace For gifts of nature are coÌ„mon to good euil but the peculiar gift of the elect is grace and loue wher with being marked they are esteemed worthy of euerlasting life This grace so much excelleth that neither the gift of prophesie nor the working of miracles nor any speculation how high soeuer is of any esteeme without it Neither faith nor hope 1. Cor. 13. nor other vertues are aceptable vnto thee without charity and grace 5. O most blessed grace that makest the poore in spirit rich with vertues and the rich in many blessings humble in hart come downe vnto me replenish me in the morning with thy coÌ„fort least my soule should faint with wearines and wither away with drinesse of mind I beseech the Lord Psal 22. that I may find grace in thy sight for thy grace sufficeth though other things that nature desireth be wanting If I be tempted and vexed with many tribulations I
thy Creatour and be faithfull vnto him that thou maist attaine vnto true happines CHAP. II. That truth speaketh inwardely without noyse of VVordes SPEAKE Lord The Seruant for thy seruant heareth I am thy seruant graunt me vnderstanding that I may know thy testimonies 1. Reg. 3. Ps 118. Stir vp my hart to heare the wordes of thy mouth Let thy speach descend as the dew into my soule The children of Israel in times past said vnto Moyses Speake thou vnto vs and we shall heare thee Let not our Lord speake vnto vs least perhaps we dye Exod. 20. Not so Lord not so I beseech thee But rather with the Prophet Samuel 1. Reg. 3. I humbly and earnestly intreat speak Lord for thy seruant heareth Let not Moyses speake vnto me nor any of the Prophets but thou rather speake my Lord God the inspirer and enlightener of all the Prophets for thou alone without them canst perfectly instruct me but they without thee can profit nothing 2. They can pronounce words but they giue not spirit They speake maruelous well but if thou hould thy peace they inflame not the hart They deliuer the letters but thou openest the sense They bring forth mysteries but thou disclosest the vnderstanding of sealed thinges They declare thy commaundemēts but thou helpest to fulfill them They shew the way but thou giuest strength to walke it They worke only exterioutly but thou instructest and enlightnest the hartes They water outwardly but thou giuest fruitfulnes They sound forth wordes but thou giuest vnderstanding to the hearing 3. Let not therfore Moyses speak vnto me but thou my Lord God the euerlasting truth least perhaps I should dye and become without fruit if I be warned outwardly only and not inflamed within least the word heard and not fulfilled knowen and not loued belieued not obserued should increase my iudgment Speake therefore Lord for thy seruant heareth 1. Reg. 3. for thou hast the words of euerlasting life Speake vnto me to the comfort of my soule and to the amendment of my whole life Ioan. 6. and to thy prayse and glory and euerlasting honor CHAP. III. That the wordes of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not SONNE †Our Lord. heare my words wordes of great comfort excelling al the knowledg of the Philosophers and wise men of this world My wordes are spirit and life not to be waighed by the vnderstanding of man Ioan. 6. They are not to be drawne to vaine liking but to be heard with silence and to be receaued with al humility and great affection And I said * The Seruant Psal 93. Blessed is the man whō thou shall instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy law that thou maist giue him quietnes from euill daies and that he be not destroyed vpon earth 2. I saith our †Our Lord. Heb. 1. Lord haue taught the Prophets from the beginning and cease not continually to speake to euery one but many are deafe and giue no eare to my speach The greater number doe more willingly listen to the world then to God follow sooner the desires of their fleshe then the will of God The world promiseth temporall small things and is serued with great diligence I promise most high and eternall thinges and the hartes of men are nothing moued with it Who is he that serueth and obeyeth me with equall care to that with which the world the Lords therof are serued Esa 23. Blush Sidon saith the sea And if thou aske the cause heare wherefore For a little prebend a long iorney is vndertaken for euerlasting life many will scarce once lift a foote from the ground A thing of small value is sought after greedily for a penny somtimes there is great contention for a vaine thing and sleight ptomise men doubt not to toile day and night 3. But alas for an vnchangeable good for an inestimable reward for the highest honour and glory without end they are loath to take the least paines Blush therefore flouthfull and complayning seruant that they are found more ready to distruction then thou to life They reioyce more at vanity then thou at truth Rom. 1. Matt. 24. And yet they are somtimes frustrated of their hope but my promise deceaueth none nor sendeth him away empty that trusteth in me I will giue that which I haue promised I will fulfill that which I haue said Apoc. 2 but to him that remaines faithfull in my loue to the end I am the reward of all good Matt. 5.15 and do try my deuout seruants in forcible proofes 4. Write my words in thy hart and thinke diligently of them for they will be necessary in time of tēptation What thou vnderstandest not when thou readest thou shalt know in the day of visitation I am wont to visite my elect two seuerall waies to wit with temptation and comfort And I dayly read two lessons vnto them one reprehending their vices another exhorting them to the increase of vertues He that hath my words despiseth them hath within himselfe that shall iudg him at the last day A prayer to implore the grace of denotion 5. Lord * The Seruant my God thou art all that I can desire Who am I that dare speak vnto thee I am thy poorest seruant Gen. 18. and a most vile worme much more poore and contemptible then I can or dare expresse Remember Lord that I am nothing haue nothing and can do nothing Thou alone art good iust and holy thou canst do all things performest all things leauing only a sinner voide of all good Call to mind thy mercies and fill my hart with thy grace who wilt not that thy workes be voyd 6. How can I support my selfe in this miserable life vnlesse thy mercy and grace comfort me Psal 68. Turne not thy face from me delay not thy visitation draw not away thy comfort least my soule become as earth without water vnto thee Lord teach me to fulfill thy will Ps 142. teach me to line worthily and humbly in thy sight for thou art my wisdome thou dost perfectly know me and didest know me before the world was made and before I was borne in the world CHAP. IIII. That we ought to line in truth and humility in the sight of God SONNE * Our Lord. walke in my sight in sincerity and truth and euer seeke me in playnes of hart Gen. 17. Sap. 1. He that walketh in my sight in truth shall be defended from euill incursions and truth shall deliuer him from seducers and from the detractions of the wicked 1. Ioan 8. If truth shall haue deliuered thee thou shalt be truly free and shalt not care for vaine speaches of men Lord * The Seruant it is true According as thou saist so I beseech thee let it be done with me and keepe me bring me to a happy end Let thy truth teach
recollect my selfe in thee that for thy loue I may not feele my selfe but thee alone aboue all sense and feeling in a manner not knowne vnto all But now I oftentimes lament Dan. 13. and beare my infelicity with griefe For that many euells occurr in this vale of miseries which do often trouble grieue and darken me often hinder and distract me allure and intangle me to the end I should not haue free accesse vnto thee and that I should not enioy those sweet and heauenly imbracings which thou alwaies giuest to the blessed and celestiall spirits Let my sighes and manifold desolation on earth mooue thee 4. O Iesus splendor of eternall glory and comfort of the pilgrime soule with thee is my tongue without voice and my silence speaketh vnto thee How long doth my Lord delay to come Let him come vnto me his poore seruant and make me glad Let him put out his hand and deliuer me miserable wretch from al anguish Come come blessed Lord for without thee I shall haue no ioy full day nor houre Thou art my ioy and without thee there is nothing but want A wretched creature I am and in a manner imprisoned and loaden with irons vntill thou comfortest me with the light of thy presence and giuest me liberty and shewest a fauourable countenance vnto me 5. Let others seeke what they please insteed of thee but for me nothing els doth nor shall delight me but thou only my God my hope my euerlasting health I will not hould my peace nor cease to pray vntill thy grace returne againe and thou speake inwardly vnto me Behould †Our Lord. I am heere behould I come vnto thee because thou hast called vpon me Thy teares and the desire of thy soule thy humility and the contrition of thy hart haue inclined and brought me vnto thee And * The Seruant I said Lord I haue called thee and haue desired to enioy thee being ready to forsake all things for thee For thou first hast stirred me vp that I might seeke thee Blessed be thou therfore o Lord that hast shewed this goodnes to thy seruant according to the multitude of thy mercies 6. What hath thy seruant more to say before thee but that he do greatly humble himselfe in thy sight alwaies mindfull of his owne iniquity and basenes For there is none like vnto thee in all whatsoeuer is wonderful Ps â—5 in heauen and earth Thy words are good thy iudgments true and by thy prouidence all things are gouerned Praise therfore and glory be vnto thee o wisdome of the eternall Father let my tongue my soule all creatures togeather praise and blesse thee CHAP. XXII Of the remembrance of the manifould benefits of God OPEN * The Seruant o Lord my hart in thy Law and teach me to walke in thy commandements Grant me to vnderstand thy will * Ps 118. and to remember thy benefits as well in generall as in particuler with great reuerence diligent consideration that hence forward I may be able worthily to giue thee thanks But I know and confesse that I am not able to giue thee due thanks for the fauours which thou bestowest vpon me euen in the least moment I am lesse then the least of thy benefits when I consider the excelleÌ„cy of thy Maiesty the greatnes therof maketh my spirit to faint 2. All that we haue in our soule and body and whatsoeuer we possesse outwardly or inwardly naturally or spiritually are thy benefits and do praise thee as bountifull pious and good from whome we haue receaued all that is good Although one hath receaued more another lesse all notwithstanding are thine and without thee euen the least cannot be had He that hath receaued greater cannot glory of his owne desert nor extoll himselfe aboue others nor insult ouer the lesser for he is greater and better that ascribeth least vnto himselfe and is more humble deuout in rendring thanks And he that esteemeth him selfe basest of all men and iudgeth himselfe most vnworthy is fittest to receaue greater blessings 3. And he that hath receaued fewer ought not to be sory nor beare it impatiently nor enuy them that are enriched with greater store but attend rather vnto thee and chiefly praise thy goodnes for that thou bestowest thy gifts so bountifully so freely and so willingly without respect of persons All things proceed from thee and therfore in all things thou art to be praised Thou knowest what is fit to be giuen to euery one and why this man hath lesse and he more it is not ours but thine to determine who dost waigh in iust measure the deserts of euery one 4. Wherfore my Lord God I esteeme it as a great benefit not to haue much wherby outwardly and before men I might seeme worthy of praise and glory so that he who considereth his owne pouerty and basenes ought not therfore to conceaue griefe or sorrow or to be therfore troubled but rather to take great comfort and to be glad for that thou O God hast chosen the poore and humble 1. Cor. 1. and the despised of this world for thy selfe Ps 44. and for thy familiar domesticall friends 2. Thess 2. Witnesses are thy Apostle themselues whome thou hast appointed princes ouer all the earth And yet they liued without complaint in the world so humble and simple meane to the eyes of men without all malice and deceipt Act. 5. that they reioyced to receaue coÌ„tumelies for thy name and what the world abhorreth they imbraced with great affection 5. Nothing therefore ought so to reioice him that loueth thee and acknowledgeth thy benefits as the accomplishment of thy will in himselfe and the pleasure of thy eternal appointment wherwith he ought to be so contented and comforted that he would as willingly be the least as any would wish to be the greatest as peaceable content in the last as in the first place and as willingly to be despised and contemned and to be of no esteeme or accompt as to be preferred in honour before all others and to be greater in the world For thy will and the loue of thy glory ought to be preferred before all things and to comfort him more and please him better then all the benefits which he hath receaued or can desire CHAP. XXIII Of soure thinges that bring much peace SONNE †Our Lord. now I will teach thee the way of peace and true liberty Do * The Seruant Lord I beseech thee as thou saist for I shall be very glad to heare it Endeauour †Our Lord. Matt. 26. Io. 5.6 1. Cor. 10. my Sonne to do rather the will of another then thine owne Euer choose rather to haue lesse then more Alwaies seeke the lowest place and to be inferior to euery one Wish alwaies and pray Lue. 14. that the will of God may be wholy fulfilled in thee Behold such a man entreth into the limits
of peace and most quiet rest Matt. 6. 2. Lord * The Seruant Matt. 5. this thy short speach containeth much perfection It is little in words but sull in sense and aboundant in fruit For if it could exactly be kept by me then should I not so easily be troubled For as often as I feele my selfe vnquiet afflicted I find that I haue straied from this doctrine But thou that canst all things and euer louest the good and profit of my soule increase in me thy grace that I may fulfill thy words and perfect mine owne health A Prayer against euill thoughts 3. My * The Seruant Ps 70. Lord God be not far from me my God haue regard to helpe me for sundry thoughts haue risen vp against me and great feares afflicting my soule How shall I passe through them without hurt How shall I breake them I saith he †Our Lord. wil go before thee and will humble the glorious of the earth I will open the dores of the prison Esa 45. and reueale vnto thee the hidden secrets Do * The Seruant Lord as thou saiest let all euill thoughts fly from before thy face This is my hope and my only comfort to fly vnto thee in all tribulation to trust in thee to call vpon thee from my hart and to expect patiently thy comfort A Prayer for enlightening of the mind 4. Enlighten * The Seruant me good Iesu with the clearnes of inward light expell all darknes of my hart Represse the many wandring thoughts and beate downe the fury of the rēptations which violently assault me Fight strongly for me and vanquish the euill beasts that is the alluring concupiscences that peace may be made in thy vertue and aboundance of thy praise sound in thy holy Court which is a pure conscience Command the winds and tempests say vnto the sea Matt. 3. Be still and to the north-wind Blow not and a great calme shall ensue 5. Send forth thy light and thy truth Psal 42. that they may shine vpon the earth for I am empty and vnprofitable earth vntill thou impartest thy light vnto me Powre out thy grace from aboue wash my hart with heauenly dew giue waters of denotion to wash the face of the earth to bring forth good and perfect fruit Lift vp my mind ouercharged with the waight of sinne draw vp my whole desire to heauenly treasures that hauing tasted the sweetnes of celestiall happines it may loath to thinke of earthly vanityes 6. Take me violently to thee and deliuer me from all vnstable cōfort of creatures for no created thing can fully quiet satisfie my desire Ioine me vnto thee with an vnspeakable band of loue for thou only fillest the mind of him that loues thee and without thee all things are distastfull CHAP. XXIIII Of flying curious inquiry of the life of others SONNE †Our Lord. Eccls. 3. 1. Tim. 5. be not curious trouble not thy selfe with idle cares What is this or that to thee do thou follow me For what is it to thee whether that man be such or no or whether this man do or speake this or that Ioan. 21. Thou shalt not need to answere for others but shalt giue accompt of thy selfe Gal. 6. Why therfore dost thou trouble thy selfe Behould I know euery one what he is and do see all things that are vnder the sunne and do vnderstand how it is with euery one what he thinketh what he would and at what his intention aymeth All things therfore are to be committed vnto me but do thou keepe thy self in good peace and suffer the vnquiet to do as they will Whatsoeuer they shall haue done or sayd shall fall vpon themselues for they cannot deceaue me 2. Desire not too great fame in this world nor to be knowne to many nor to haue the priuate loue of men for these things breed distractions and cause great darknes of hart I would willingly vtter my words and reueale my secrets vnto thee if thou didest diligently obserue my comming and didest opē the dore of thy hart vnto me Be carefull and watch in prayer and humble thy selfe in all things CHAP. XXV VVherin doth the firme peace of the hart and true profit consist SONNE †Our Lord. I haue sayd Peace I leaue to you my peace I giue to you not as the world giueth do I giue to you All do desire peace but all care not for those things that appertaine vnto true peace Ioan. 4 My peace is with the humble meeke of hart Thy peace shall be in much patience If thou wilt heare me and follow my voyce thou maist enioy much peace What * The Seruant then shall I do In †Our Lord. euery thing attend vnto thy self what thou doest what thou sayst and direct thy whole intention vnto this that thou maiest please me alone and desire or seeke nothing out of me Of the sayings and doings of others iudge nothing rashly neither do thou intangle thy selfe with things not cōmitted vnto thee and doing thus it may be thou shalt be little or seldome troubled 2. But neuer to feele any trouble at all nor to suffer any griefe of hart or body is not the state of this life but of euerlasting rest Thinke not therfore that thou hast found true peace if thou feelest no sorrow nor that then all is well if thou haue no aduersary nor that it is perfect if all things be done according to thy desire Neyther do thou then esteeme highly of thy selfe or imagine thy selfe to be especially beloued if thou be in great deuotion and sweetnes for in these things a true louer of vertue is not tried neither doth the profit and perfection of man consist in hauing them 3. Wherin * The Seruant then Lord In †Our Lord. offering thy selfe from the very bottom of thy hart vnto the diuine seruice not seeking thine own interest or commodity neither in great nor little neither in time nor eternity so that with equall countenance thou maist persist in thanksgiuing both in prosperity and in aduersity waighing all things with an equall ballance If thou be of such courage and so patient in hope that when inward comfort is withdrawne from thee thou prepare thy hart to suffer greater matters and not iustify thy selfe as though thou oughtest not to suffer these and so great afflictions but iustify me in whatsoeuer I appoint and praise my holy name then thou walkest in the true and right way of peace and thou shalt haue vndoubted hope to see my face againe with great ioy And if thou attaine to the full contempt of thy selfe then shalt thou enioy as great aboundance of peace as thy banishment may permit CHAP. XXVI Of the excellency of a free mind which humble prayer better deserueth then reading LORD * The Seruant it is the worke of a perfect man neuer to slack his mind from
imagine oftentimes those things that are pleasing to the flesh If I loue the spirit I delight to think of spirituall things For whatsoeuer I loue thereof do I willingly speake and heare and carry home with me the formes and representations thereof O blessed is that man that for thee o Lord forsaketh all creatures that violently resisteth nature and out of the feruour of spirit crucifieth the concupiscences of the flesh that with a cleare conscience he may offer sincere praiers vnto thee be worthy of the cōpany of the angelical quiers all earthly things outwardly and inwardly being excluded CHAP. XLIX Of the desire of euerlasting life how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly SONNE †Our Lord. when thou perceauest the desire of euerlasting bliss to be giuen thee from aboue desirest to depart out of the Tabernacle of this body that thou maist without shaddow of any enterchange behould my light open thy hart and receaue this holy inspiratiō with thy whole desire Giue great thanks to the heauenly goodnesse that dealeth with thee so fauourably visiteth thee mercifully stirreth thee vp fernently houldeth thee vp powerfully least through thme owne weight thou fall downe to the vanities of the earth Neither doest thou obtaine this by thine owne thought or endeauour but by the only fauour of heauenly grace and diuine boūty that thou maist profit in vertue and obtaine greater humility and prepare thy selfe to future battailes and endeauour to cleaue vnto me with the whole affectiō of thy hart and serue me with a feruent desire 2. Sonne fire often burneth but the flame ascēdeth not vp without smoke so likewise the desires of some men are earnestly carried to heauenly things yet they are not free from temptation of carnall affection and therfore it is not altogeather purely for the honour of God that which they so earnestly request of him Such is also oftentimes thy desire which with such importunity thou presentest vnto me For that is not pure and perfect which is infected and defiled with the loue of thine owne proper commodity and interest 3. Aske not that which is delightsome and profitable to thee but that which is gratefull to me and appertaineth to my honour for if thou iudgest aright thou oughtest to preferre and follow my appointment rather then thine owne desire or any desired thing I know thy desire and haue heard thy often grones Now thou wouldest be in the freedome of the glory of the Sonnes of God now doth the euerlasting habitation the heauenly Countrey full of ioy delight thee but this houre is not yet come it is yet another time to wit of warre time of labour and triall Thou desirest to be filled with the chiefest good but thou canst not attaine it for the present Iob. 7. I am he saith our Lord expect vntill the Kingdome of God doth come 4. Thou art yet to be tryed vpon earth and to be exercised in many things Comfort shall be sometimes giuen thee but aboūdant fulnes therof shall not be granted Iosue 1. Take courage therfore and be constant as well in doing as in suffering things contrary to nature Eph. 4. Thou oughtest to put on a new man and to be chāged into another Thou must oftentimes do that which thou wouldest not and leaue vndone that thou wouldest do That which is pleasing to others shall go well forwards that which thou wishest shall not speed That which others say shal be heard what thou saist shall be nothing regarded Others shall aske shall receaue thou shalt aske and not obtaine 5. Others shall be great in the praises of men but of thee there shall be no speach to others this or that shall be committed but thou shalt be accompted fit for nothing At this nature will sometimes repine and it is much if thou endurest it with silence In these and such like a faithfull seruant of our Lord is wont to be tryed how he can deny and ouercome himselfe in all thinges There is scarce any thing wherein thou hast such need to mortifie thy selfe as in seeing and suffering those things that are contrary to thy will especially when that is commanded which seemeth vnto thee inconuenient or to little purpose And for that thou being placed vnder authority darest not resist a higher power therfore it seemeth hard vnto thee to walke at the becke of another to leaue wholy thine owne opinion 6. But consider Sonne the fruit of these labours the end neere at hand the reward aboue all measure and thou shalt receaue no griefe therby but great comfort of thy patience For in regard of that little of thy will which now thou willingly forsakest thou shalt alwaies haue thy will in heauen There thou shalt haue all that thou wilt or canst desire there thou shalt enioy all good without feare of loosing it there shall thy will be euer one with me it shall desire nothing strange or priuate there no man shall withstand thee no man complaine of thee no man hinder thee nothing come against thee but all things desired shall be there togeather present and delight thy whole desire and fulfill it to the highest degree there I will giue thee glory for the reproach which heere thou sufferedst a garment of praise for former griefe for the lowest place a seat of an euerlasting Kingdome there shall the fruite of obedience appeare the labour of pēnance reioyce humble subiection shal be gloriously crowned 7. Now therfore bow thy selfe with great humility vnder the hands of all and regard not who said or cōmaunded this but take great heed that whether thy Superiour or thy Inferiour or thine equall require any thing of thee or doe insinuate their desire thou take it all in good part and endeauour to fulfill it with a sincere intention Let one seeke this another that let him glory in this the other in that and be praised a thousand thousand times but do thou neither reioyce in this nor in that but in the contempt of thy selfe and in my pleasure and honour alone This art thou to wish that whether by life or death God may be alwaies glorified in thee CHAP. L. How a desolate person ought to offer himselfe into the hands of God LORD God * The Seruant Holy Father thy holy name be now and for euer blessed because as thou wilt so is it done and what thou doest is good Let thy seruant reioyce in thee not in himselfe nor any thing els for thou alone art the true gladnes thou art my hope and my crown thou art my ioy and my honour o Lord. What hath thy seruant 1. Cor. 4. but what he hath receaued from thee euen without any desert of his Thine is al that thou hast giuen whatsoeuer thou hast made I am poore and in labours from my youth Psal 87. and sometimes my soule is heauy euen vnto teares sometimes also it is troubled in
comfort that all thinges vnder heauen do yield me Is it not thou my Lord God whose mercies are without number Where hath it bene well with me without thee Or when could it be ill with me when thou wert present I had rather be poore for thee then rich without thee I rather choose to be a Pilgrime in earth with thee then to possesse heauen without thee Where thou art there is heauen and there is death and hell where thou art not Thou art my desire and therfore it behoueth me to send forth deep sighes from my hart and crie and pray vnto thee For I haue none to trust vnto none that can help me in tyme of necessity but thee alone my God Thou art my hope and my trust thou art my comforter and most faithfull vnto me in all my distresses 2. All men seeke their owne gaine Phil. 2. thou only seekest my saluatiō and my profit and turnest all things to my good Although thou permittest many temptations to assault me many aduersities to befall me yet thou ordainest all this to my good and profit who art wont to proue thy beloued seruants a thousand waies In which proofe thou oughtest no lesse to be loued and praysed then if thou didest replenish me with heauenly comforts 3. In thee therefore my Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation and anguish for I finde all to be weake and vnconstant whatsoeuer I behould out of thee For neither can many friends auaile nor forcible helpers aid nor wise counsellours giue profitable answere nor the bookes of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliuer nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy selfe doest not assist help comfort instruct and keep vs. 4. For all things that seeme to be ordayned for the rest and solace of man when thou art absent are nothing and do bring indeed no ioy nor comfort at all Thou therefore art the end of all that is good the light of life the depth of wisdome and the most forcible comfort of thy seruants is to trust in thee aboue all things To thee therefore doe I lift vp myne eyes In thee my God the Father of mercies I put my whole trust Blesse and sanctifie my soule with thy heauenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the seat of thy eternall glory and that nothing may be found in the Temple of thy greatnes that may offend the eyes of thy Maiesty According to the greatnesse of thy goodnesse multitude of thy mercies take pitty vpon me and heare the prayer of thy poore seruant who is farre exiled from thee in the land of the shaddow of death Protect and keep the soule of thy seruant amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life and by the assistance of thy grace direct it in the way of peace to the country of euerlasting light Amen The end of the third Booke OF THE FOLLOVVING OF CHRIST THE FOVRTH BOOKE A deuout Exhortation vnto the blessed Sacrament The voice of Christ COME vnto me all ye that labour are burdened Matt. 11. I will refresh you saith our Lord. The bread which I will giue Ioan. 6. is my flesh for the life of the world Matt. 26. Take yee and eate this is my body that shall be deliuered for you 1. ◠1.11 Doe this for the commemoration of me He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud remaineth in me and I in him Ioan. 6. The words which I haue spoken vnto you are spirit and life CHAP. I. VVith how great reuerence Christ ought to be receaued THESE are thy words o Christ euerlasting Truth though not spoken all at one time nor written in one and the selfe same place Because therefore they are thine and true they are all thankfully faithfully to be receaued by me They are thine and thou hast spoken thē and they are mine also because thou hast spoken them for my saluation I willingly receaue them from thy mouth that they may be the deeper imprinted in my hart These deuout words so full of sweetnesse and loue doe stirre me vp but mine owne offences doe amaze me and my impure conscience driueth me back from the receauing of so great mysteries The sweetnesse of thy words doth encourage me but the multitude of my sinnes do oppresse me 2. Thou commaundest me to come confidently vnto thee if I will haue part with thee and to receaue the food of immortality if I desire to obtaine euerlasting life and glory Come sayst thou vnto me all ye that labour and are burdened Matt. 11. and I will refresh you O sweet and louely word in the eare of a sinner that thou my Lord God shouldest inuite the poore and needy to receaue thy most blessed body But who am I Lord that I may presume to approach vnto thee behould the heauens cannot containe thee and thou sayst Come ye all vnto me Matt. 12. 3. What meaneth this most pious benignity and so louing inuitation How shal I dare to come that know not any good in me wherevpon I may presume How shall I bring thee into my house that haue often offended thy most gracious countenance The Angels and the Archangels honour thee the Saints and iust men do feare thee and thou saist Matt. 11. Come ye all vnto me Vnlesse thou o Lord didst say it who would belieue it to be true And vnlesse thou didst cōmaund it who would dare to come vnto thee Behould Noe a iust man laboured a hundred yeares in the building of the Arke Gen. 6. that he might be saued with a few and how can I in one houres space prepare my selfe to receaue with reuerence the maker of the world 4. Moyses thy great seruant especiall friend made an Arke of incorruptible wood which also he couered with most pure gold to put the Tables of the Law therein and I a rotten creature how shall I so lightly dare to receaue the maker of the Law and the giuer of life Salomon the wisest of the Kings of Israel 3. Reg. 6. bestowed seauen yeares in building a magnificent Temple in praise of thy name celebrated the feast of the Dedication therof eight daies togeather 3. Reg. 8. he offered a thousand peaceable sacrifices and set the Ark in the place prepared for it with the sound of trumpets and ioy and I the most vnhappy and poorest of men how shall I bring thee into my house that can scarce spend one halfe houre deuoutly and I would to God it were once almost one halfe houre in worthy and due māner 5. O my God how much did they endeauour to please thee and alas how little is that which I doe How short time do I spend when I prepare my selfe to receaue I am seldome wholy recollected very seldome altogeather free from distraction and yet surely no vndecent thought should occurre in the presence of thy Deity
my selfe I incurre thy displeasure What therfore shall I do my God my helper and my counsellour in necessity 2. Teach me the right way appoint me some brief exercise sutable to this holy mysterv of sacred Communion For it is good for me to know how I should reuerently deuoutly prepare my heart vnto thee for the profitable receauing of thy Sacrament or for the celebrating of so great and diuine a Sacrifice CHAP. VII Of the discussing of our owne conscience and purpose of amendment The voice of the Beloued ABOVE all things the Priest of God ought to come to celebrate handle and receaue this Sacrament with great humility of hart and lowly reuerence with a full faith and a Godly desire of the honour of the diuine Maiesty Examine diligently thy conscience and to thy power purge and clense it with true contrition and humble confession so as there may be nothing in thee that may be burdensome vnto thee or that may breed thee remorse of conscience and hinder thy free accesse to these heauenly mysteries Repent thee of all thy sinnes in generall and in particuler bewaile thy daily offences And if thou hast time confesse vnto God in the secret of thy hart all the myseries of thy disordered passions 2. Lament and grieue that thou art yet so subiect to sensuality and so addicted to the world so vnmortified in thy passions so full of the motions of concupiscence so vnwatchfull ouer thy outward senses so often intangled with many vaine fantasies so vehemently inclined to outwardthings so negligent in the interiour so prone to laughter and immodesty so hard to teares cōpunction so prompt to ease pleasures of the flesh so dull to austerity feruour so curious to heare newes and see vaine sights so slack to imbrace that which tends to thine owne humiliation and contempt so couetous of aboundance so niggardly in giuing so fast in keeping so inconsiderate in speach so vnbridled to silence so loose in manners so outragious in deedes so greedy to meate so deafe to the word of God so hasty to rest so slow to labour so watchful to tales so drowsy to watch in the seruice of God so hasty to the end therof so inconstant in attention so negligent in saying thy office so vndeuout in saying Masse so dry in receauing so quickly distracted so seldome wholy recollected so suddainly moued to anger so apt to take displeasure against another so prone to iudge so seuere to reprehend so ioyfull in prosperity so weake in aduersity so often purposing much good and performing little 3. These and other thy defects confessed bewailed with sorrow and great dislike of thine owne infirmity make a firme purpose alwaies to amend thy selfe and to go forwards in vertue Then with full resignation and with thy whole will offer thy selfe vp to the honour of my name a perpetuall sacrifice in the altar of thy hart faithfully committing thy body soule vnto me that thou maist so also deserue to come worthily to offer sacrifice vnto God and to receaue profitably the Sacrament of my body 4. For there is no oblatiō more worthy nor satisfaction greater for the washing away of sinnes then to offer vp our selues vnto God purely and wholy with the oblation of the Body of Christ in the Masse and in Communion And when a man shal haue done what lyeth in him and shall be truly penitent as I liue Ezec. 18. saith our Lord who will not the death of a sinner but rather that he be conuerted and liue I will not remember his sinnes any more but they shall be all forgiuen him and fully pardoned CHAP. VIII Of the oblation of Christ on the Crosse and resignation of our selues The voice of the Beloued AS I willingly offered vp my selfe vnto 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 diuine wrath so oughtest thou also to offer vp thy selfe willingly vnto me daily in the Masse as a pure and holy oblation with thy whole force and desire in as harty a manner as thou canst What do I require of thee more Prou. 23. then that thou resigne thy selfe wholy vnto me Whatsoeuer thou giuest besides thy selfe is of little accompt in my sight for I seeke not thy gift but thee 2. As it would not suffice thee to haue all things whatsoeuer besides me so neither can it please me whatsoeuer thou giuest if thou offerest not vp thy selfe Offer thy selfe vnto me and giue thy selfe all that thou art for God and thy offering shall be gratefull Behould I offered vp my selfe wholy vnto my Father for thee and gaue my whole body bloud for thy food that I might be wholy thine and thou remaine mine But if thou abidest in thy self and doest not offer thy selfe vp freely vnto my will thy oblation is not entire neither shall the vnion betweene vs be perfect Therfore a free offering vp of thy selfe into the hands of God ought to go before all thy actions if thou wilt obtaine freedome and grace For this cause so few become in wardly illuminated and enioy true liberty of hart for that they do not resolue wholy to deny themselues My saying is vndoubtedly true Ioan. 14. Vnlesse one forsake all he cannot be my Disciple If thou therfore wish to be mine offer vp thy self vnto me with thy whole desires CHAP. IX That we ought to offer vp our selues all that is ours vnto God and to pray for all The voice of the Disciple THINE O Lord are all things that are in heauen and in earth Psal 23. I desire to offer vp my self vnto thee as a free oblation and to remaine alwaies thine O Lord in sincerity of my hart I offer my selfe vnto thee this day in sacrifice of perpetuall praise to be thy seruant for euer Receaue me with this holy oblation of thy precious body which in the presence of the Angells inuisibly attending heere vpon thee I offer vp this day vnto thee that it may be to the health of my soule and the saluation of all thy people 2. I offer vnto thee o Lord all my sinnes offences which I haue committed in the sight of thee and thy holy Angels frō the day wherin I first could sinne to this houre vpon thy holy altar that thou maist consume and burne them al with the fire of thy charity and wash out all the staines of my sinnes and cleanse my conscience from all offence and restore to me againe thy grace which I lost by sinne forgiuing me all my offences and receauing me mercifully in the kisse of peace 3. What can I do for my sinns but humbly confesse and bewaile them Psal 31. and intreat alwaies for mercy without intermission I beseech thee heare me in thy aboundant mercy when I stand before thee my God All my sinnes