man_n so_o must_v my_o contemplation_n &_o union_n be_v with_o thou_o a_o glorious_a god_n &_o a_o suffer_a man_n by_o partake_v the_o joy_n of_o one_o &_o sorrow_n of_o the_o other_o i_o will_v therefore_o ever_o aspire_v to_o be_v with_o thou_o in_o the_o glory_n of_o thy_o father_n yet_o will_v joyful_o cast_v myself_o into_o the_o sea_n of_o love_n thy_o bleed_a heart_n that_o through_o it_o i_o may_v swim_v to_o the_o haven_n of_o thy_o hide_a divinity_n come_v then_o all_o torment_n of_o heaven_n &_o earth_n press_v heavy_a upon_o i_o i_o shall_v never_o sink_v as_o long_o as_o support_v by_o the_o save_a grace_n of_o my_o victorious_a redeemer_n oh_o that_o i_o be_v grow_v by_o the_o tooth_n of_o wild_a beast_n tear_v by_o rack_n scorch_v with_o burn_a flame_n so_o i_o may_v enjoy_v christ_n rather_o here_o o_o lord_n rather_o here_o then_o where_o thy_o wrath_n never_o cease_v for_o thou_o will_v lead_v i_o forth_o this_o prison_n &_o show_v i_o all_o thy_o glory_n &_o i_o shall_v confess_v unto_o thy_o name_n resolution_n i_o will_v for_o ever_o make_v my_o habitation_n in_o the_o wound_a heart_n of_o my_o crucify_a lord_n &_o therein_o read_v over_o the_o vast_a book_n of_o love_n suffer_v that_o by_o it_o i_o may_v govern_v my_o life_n &_o action_n not_o content_v myself_o with_o a_o empty_a name_n void_a of_o the_o substance_n &_o perfection_n of_o a_o christian_n therefore_o i_o will_v joyful_o welcome_v all_o tribulation_n as_o special_a gift_n of_o god_n &_o token_n of_o his_o love_n give_v to_o cure_v the_o sore_n of_o my_o sinful_a soul_n exercise_n virtue_n &_o preserve_v to_o life_n everlasting_a for_o who_o ever_o live_v holy_o shall_v suffer_v persecution_n nor_o may_v the_o crown_n of_o endless_a glory_n be_v purchase_v at_o a_o easy_a rate_n i_o will_v therefore_o cheerful_o take_v up_o my_o cross_n rank_n myself_o among_o thy_o zealous_a servant_n &_o follow_v thou_o my_o suffer_a lord_n for_o bless_a be_v he_o who_o suffer_v for_o thou_o because_o when_o he_o be_v try_v he_o shall_v receive_v a_o crown_n of_o life_n &_o immortality_n second_o point_n expropriation_n of_o friend_n consideration_n consider_v that_o to_o attain_v to_o this_o high_a state_n of_o christian_a perfection_n &_o union_n with_o christ_n suffer_v we_o must_v willing_o abandon_v all_o earthly_a content_n &_o embrace_v all_o tribulation_n with_o joy_n in_o imitation_n of_o jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v much_o hard_a &_o consequent_o a_o great_a perfection_n to_o bear_v great_a cross_n with_o patience_n then_o perform_v heroic_a act_n of_o virtue_n without_o difficulty_n for_o our_o virtue_n be_v not_o then_o firm_a when_o not_o shake_v but_o when_o not_o shake_v though_o most_o assail_v by_o adversity_n therefore_o our_o perfection_n grow_v with_o proportion_n to_o our_o suffering_n in_o the_o society_n of_o our_o suffer_a saviour_n who_o pilgrimage_n from_o the_o cribb_n to_o the_o cross_n begin_v in_o tear_n &_o end_v in_o blood_n since_o therefore_o philothea_n thou_o be_v by_o profession_n à _fw-fr christian_n &_o by_o special_a resolution_n a_o seeker_n of_o high_a perfection_n christ_n sorrow_n suffering_n &_o cross_n must_v be_v unto_o thou_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n &_o the_o centre_n of_o all_o thy_o motion_n the_o more_o conformable_a thou_o be_v to_o he_o in_o these_o the_o great_a will_v thy_o perfection_n now_o be_v &_o happiness_n hereafter_o behold_v then_o with_o a_o steadfast_a eye_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n hang_v on_o the_o cross_n &_o as_o in_o his_o passion_n so_o in_o his_o death_n abandon_v by_o his_o apostle_n disciple_n &_o all_o his_o usual_a train_n of_o applaud_v attendant_n he_o who_o in_o his_o glory_n be_v guard_v with_o million_o of_o angel_n to_o who_o all_o knee_n bow_v &_o who_o be_v the_o image_n &_o splendour_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o eternal_a father_n be_v now_o forsake_v by_o all._n love_v make_v he_o our_o brother_n by_o assume_v our_o nature_n compassion_n our_o physician_n by_o his_o heal_a doctrine_n &_o sacrament_n mercy_n our_o ransom_n by_o his_o own_o bitter_a death_n discharge_v our_o debt_n &_o now_o alas_o he_o be_v abandon_v of_o all_o he_o descend_v from_o the_o noble_a prince_n priest_n &_o prophet_n of_o israël_n by_o his_o temporal_a birth_n he_o heal_v lame_a blind_a dumb_a leper_n all_o disease_n by_o his_o divine_a power_n all_o man_n &_o angel_n for_o ever_o glorious_a with_o god_n be_v happy_a through_o the_o efficacy_n of_o his_o peace-speaking_a blood_n &_o they_o have_v now_o alas_o all_o desert_a he_o this_o be_v the_o pattern_n which_o we_o must_v imitate_v philothea_n ere_o we_o can_v attain_v the_o perfection_n we_o aim_v at_o we_o must_v be_v entire_o resign_v to_o abandon_v &_o be_v abandon_v by_o all_o even_o our_o dear_a &_o most_o oblige_a friend_n this_o may_v seem_v hard_a &_o indeed_o it_o be_v so_o for_o friendship_n be_v a_o virtue_n &_o charity_n be_v yet_o a_o great_a it_o be_v hard_o therefore_o to_o persuade_v from_o action_n arise_v from_o so_o sublime_a a_o cause_n yet_o be_v it_o main_o necessary_a if_o we_o will_v become_v perfect_a when_o the_o prune_a time_n be_v come_v superfluous_a shoot_n must_v be_v cut_n off_o else_o few_o &_o small_a fruit_n all_o earthly_a friendship_n be_v superfluous_a in_o order_n to_o inward_a perfection_n therefore_o shall_v be_v lop_v off_o that_o the_o sap_n of_o grace_n may_v quiet_o fructify_v in_o we_o to_o life_n everlasting_a under_o the_o conduct_n of_o our_o divine_a guide_n &_o example_n tell_v i_o philothea_n can_v thou_o like_v well_o a_o treason_n in_o thy_o bosom_n friend_n sure_o thou_o can_v not_o if_o david_n have_v be_v curse_v by_o his_o enemy_n he_o can_v have_v bear_v it_o but_o to_o be_v hurt_v by_o a_o friend_n by_o one_o that_o have_v pray_v with_o he_o in_o god_n holy_a house_n that_o be_v a_o unsupportable_a cross_n and_o what_o be_v more_o frequent_a even_o with_o those_o who_o abandon_v the_o world_n shall_v abandon_v its_o weakness_n &_o mutability_n &_o yet_o through_o variety_n of_o opinion_n &_o disposition_n oft_o break_v &_o betray_v a_o friend_n confidence_n if_o then_o for_o the_o love_n of_o thy_o heavenly_a espous_a thou_o have_v forsake_v parent_n kindred_n &_o all_o worldly_a friend_n for_o the_o same_o love_n enter_v not_o now_o or_o at_o least_o break_v off_o any_o singularity_n of_o affection_n even_o towards_o thy_o companion_n in_o the_o study_n of_o perfection_n not_o only_o because_o singularity_n be_v ever_o prejudicial_a in_o professor_n of_o a_o common_a life_n whence_o propriety_n of_o affection_n as_o well_o as_o of_o temporal_a good_n must_v be_v banish_v as_o nurse_n of_o suspicion_n jealousy_n &_o many_o private_a feude_n but_o especial_o because_o they_o hazard_v the_o loss_n of_o our_o inward_a tranquillity_n in_o case_n our_o friend_n to_o who_o we_o have_v imprudent_o disclose_v the_o secret_n of_o our_o heart_n betray_v his_o trust_n use_v our_o freedom_n to_o our_o confusion_n wherefore_o be_v cautious_a in_o trust_v thy_o heart_n string_n to_o any_o but_o as_o the_o wise_a heathen_a say_v ever_o converse_v with_o thy_o friend_n as_o one_o who_o may_v prove_v thy_o enemy_n for_o as_o it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o fire_n to_o burn_v so_o of_o sinner_n to_o be_v weak_a &_o self_n interest_v take_v a_o view_n of_o they_o past_a life_n &_o experience_n will_v teach_v thou_o most_o friendship_n of_o thy_o bosom-friend_n to_o have_v be_v ground_v on_o self-profit_n &_o therefore_o have_v end_v in_o discontent_n &_o enmity_n beside_o the_o superfluity_n &_o treachery_n of_o friendship_n they_o be_v great_a impediment_n of_o virtue_n while_o many_o thought_n be_v spend_v in_o they_o to_o the_o breach_n of_o in_o ward_n peace_n loss_n of_o precious_a time_n &_o neglect_n of_o heavenly_a conference_n with_o our_o divine_a espous_a i_o doubt_v not_o philothea_n but_o thou_o have_v have_v many_o special_a &_o dear_a friend_n &_o much_o delight_v to_o abide_v &_o confer_v with_o they_o &_o what_o profit_n thence_o alas_o much_o vanity_n time_n lose_v languish_n of_o heart_n or_o sin_n even_o now_o then_o knock_v off_o these_o troublesome_a slackle_n whereby_o thou_o be_v fetter_v to_o creature_n however_o dear_a to_o thou_o lest_o thou_o present_v god_n with_o a_o break_a &_o divide_a heart_n whereas_o he_o give_v &_o demand_v a_o whole_a &_o sound_a &_o that_o thou_o owe_v to_o he_o have_v thou_o many_o thousand_o affection_n ah_o how_o hard_o be_v it_o to_o be_v abandon_v by_o all_o friend_n who_o may_v comfort_v we_o in_o our_o desolation_n but_o i_o know_v &_o will_v adore_v the_o power_n that_o work_v this_o happy_a separation_n perhaps_o thou_o have_v for_o ever_o perish_v o_o my_o soul_n have_v not_o not_o thus_o lose_v thy_o friend_n or_o abandon_v he_o for_o god_n alas_o
philotheas_n pilgrimage_n to_o perfection_n describe_v in_o a_o practice_n of_o ten_o day_n solitude_n by_o brother_n john_n of_o the_o holy_a cross_n friar_n minour_n ih_n bruges_n print_v by_o luke_n kerchove_v 1668._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a and_o most_o virtuous_a lady_n the_o countess_n dowager_n of_o sussex_n madam_n divine_a thing_n become_v generous_a &_o noble_a spirit_n who_o be_v the_o more_o refine_a image_n of_o god_n above_o the_o vulgar_a have_v by_o their_o noble_a descent_n à _fw-fr large_a capacity_n to_o great_a matter_n &_o by_o their_o most_o careful_a education_n a_o clear_a aptness_n to_o sublime_a thought_n &_o action_n your_o honour_n have_v by_o the_o excellent_a conduct_n of_o your_o life_n give_v the_o world_n so_o ample_a a_o proof_n of_o your_o eminent_a perfection_n befit_v the_o greatness_n of_o your_o name_n that_o none_o may_v reflect_v thereon_o but_o must_v admire_v both_o the_o fortunate_a disposition_n of_o your_o original_a inclination_n to_o piety_n &_o the_o free_a blessing_n of_o a_o gracious_a providence_n religious_o manage_v by_o your_o own_o virtuous_a care_n &_o industry_n for_o beside_o the_o rare_a gift_n of_o nature_n &_o fortune_n which_o welcome_v you_o into_o this_o light_n wherein_o few_o of_o our_o nation_n exceed_v your_o excel_v happiness_n your_o honour_n laborious_a discovery_n of_o truth_n in_o our_o holy_a church_n from_o which_o your_o first_o year_n &_o grow_a honour_n be_v extreme_o averse_a &_o your_o zealous_a love_n towards_o comfortable_a solitude_n &_o compliance_n with_o christian_a duty_n since_o your_o be_v engraft_v on_o the_o sacred_a stock_n of_o our_o ever-flourishing_a christianity_n wherein_o you_o be_v become_v imitable_a by_o few_o of_o your_o noble_a birth_n &_o quality_n discover_v that_o swift_a penetration_n of_o your_o judgement_n that_o solidness_n of_o virtue_n in_o your_o heart_n which_o true_o speak_v you_o noble_a &_o religious_a although_o this_o small_a handful_n of_o advice_n &_o help_v to_o solitary_a perfection_n glean_v up_o by_o many_o year_n serious_a meditation_n in_o sweet_a retirement_n may_v already_o find_v a_o plenteous_a harvest_n in_o your_o own_o bosom_n yet_o will_v i_o presume_v through_o your_o honour_n encouragement_n to_o lay_v they_o at_o the_o foot_n of_o your_o excellent_a virtue_n that_o under_o the_o protection_n of_o your_o honour_n favourable_a acceptance_n &_o strengthen_v by_o the_o greatness_n of_o your_o name_n &_o perfection_n my_o philothea_n may_v become_v conspicuous_a to_o he_o world_n &_o do_v that_o great_a work_n abroad_o which_o be_v therein_o design_v by_o madam_n your_o honour_n most_o devote_a servant_n bro._n john_n cross_n to_o the_o reader_n christian_n reader_n it_o be_v no_o new_a thing_n to_o measure_v a_o friend_n kindness_n by_o our_o own_o profit_n &_o value_v that_o most_o by_o which_o we_o reap_v great_a fruit_n i_o can_v wish_v this_o principle_n as_o well_o observe_v in_o the_o order_n our_o spirit_n towards_o god_n &_o virtue_n as_o in_o use_v the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n in_o order_n to_o worldly_a conversation_n i_o may_v then_o hope_v this_o small_a treatise_n will_v find_v as_o kind_a à _fw-fr welcome_n from_o all_o well-willer_n to_o piety_n as_o the_o worth_n of_o the_o subject_n may_v deserve_v that_o whereof_o it_o treat_v be_v divine_a &_o my_o whole_a aim_n be_v to_o render_v the_o lover_n of_o solitude_n divine_a bring_v she_o home_o to_o god_n whence_o she_o stray_v by_o sin_n that_o moderate_v passion_n &_o plant_v virtue_n she_o may_v be_v cordial_o unite_v to_o her_o divine_a espous_a the_o author_n of_o all_o perfection_n &_o finisher_n of_o our_o best_a hope_n by_o obedience_n to_o his_o will_n now_o &_o after_o by_o a_o endless_a communion_n with_o he_o in_o heaven_n as_o the_o state_n of_o holy_a religion_n so_o its_o design_n be_v to_o render_v its_o professor_n lover_n of_o solitude_n therefore_o all_o duty_n there_o by_o reason_n of_o those_o divine_a thought_n first_o conceive_v &_o still_o conserve_v in_o those_o divine_a soul_n aim_v to_o fix_v on_o god_n by_o confer_v with_o he_o of_o heaven_n their_o home_n &_o virtue_n the_o way_n thither_o spiritual_a retreat_n therefore_o be_v not_o intend_v for_o they_o who_o whole_a life_n be_v a_o solitude_n but_o for_o such_o who_o conversation_n with_o creature_n expose_v to_o manifold_a distraction_n apt_a to_o slacken_v christian_a zeal_n since_o nature_n be_v too_o prone_a to_o cleave_v to_o the_o perish_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n these_o therefore_o shall_v oft_o renew_v their_o vow_n of_o christianity_n &_o endeavour_v to_o repair_v their_o tire_a out_o spirit_n by_o strong_a purpose_n of_o piety_n which_o be_v best_a make_v in_o a_o retreat_n from_o their_o usual_a employment_n how_o ever_o even_o religious_a person_n particular_o who_o obedience_n partake_v more_o of_o the_o solicitude_n of_o martha_n than_o mary_n solitude_n shall_v sometime_o observe_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a retirement_n that_o reflect_v on_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o vocation_n &_o the_o duty_n thereof_o they_o may_v repair_v what_o be_v decay_v of_o their_o first_o fervour_n &_o secure_v their_o claym_v to_o heaven_n aim_v at_o by_o their_o divine_a choice_n and_o indeed_o this_o great_a work_n be_v to_o all_o of_o that_o high_a concernment_n that_o what_o ever_o account_v some_o loose_a spirit_n may_v make_v of_o it_o it_o will_v one_o day_n extreme_o justify_v the_o child_n of_o light_n &_o crown_v their_o hope_n in_o my_o preface_n to_o philothea_n a_o heaven-aspiring_a soul_n who_o conduct_n in_o her_o pilgrimage_n to_o god_n be_v here_o intend_a i_o have_v at_o large_a discourse_v on_o the_o dignity_n profit_n aim_n &_o use_v of_o spiritual_a retreat_n wherefore_o i_o need_v not_o further_o dilate_v myself_o on_o that_o subject_n my_o wish_n be_v it_o be_v practice_n may_v make_v thou_o &_o all_o true_o happy_a farewell_n approbation_n librum_fw-la hunc_fw-la anglicè_fw-la conscriptum_fw-la à _fw-la v._o adm._n p._n fr._n joanne_n à _fw-fr s._n cruse_n s._n th._n lect._n ac_fw-la conventus_fw-la fr_n minor_n anglo-duacen_a vicario_n cvi_fw-la titulus_fw-la philothea_n pilgrimage_n to_o perfection_n etc._n etc._n diligenter_n perlegi_fw-la nihilque_fw-la in_o eo_fw-la deprehendi_fw-la fidei_fw-la vel_fw-la bonis_fw-la moribus_fw-la contrarium_fw-la sed_fw-la omne_fw-la devotionem_fw-la spirantia_fw-la &_o quae_fw-la perigrinantes_fw-la ad_fw-la beatitudinem_fw-la animas_fw-la in_fw-la itinere_fw-la promovere_fw-la poterunt_fw-la in_o cujus_fw-la rei_fw-la fidem_fw-la subscripsi_fw-la kalend_n septembr_n anno_fw-la 1664._o georgius_n leyburnus_n sacr._n theol._n doct._n &_o coll._n anglo-duacen_a praeses_fw-la mandatum_fw-la ordinis_fw-la commendetur_fw-la praelo_fw-la tractatus_fw-la v._n adm._n f._n joannis_n à _fw-fr s._n cruse_n confessarii_fw-la monialium_fw-la nostrarum_fw-la brugensium_fw-la etc._n etc._n de_fw-fr recessu_fw-la spirituali_fw-la actum_fw-la londini_fw-la in_o congregatione_fw-la intermedia_fw-la 15._o nou._n 1666._o erat_fw-la subscriptum_fw-la fr._n thomas_n à _fw-fr s._n anna_n secret_n prov._n &_o notar._n ap._n locus_n ✚_o sigilli_fw-la i_o underwritten_a have_v diligent_o read_v over_o philothea_n pilgrimage_n to_o perfection_n etc._n etc._n compose_v by_o the_o rev._n father_n bro_n john_n of_o the_o holy_a cross_n reader_n of_o divinity_n etc._n etc._n wherein_o holy_a solitude_n be_v high_o commend_v the_o prerogative_n motive_n &_o effect_n thereof_o be_v declare_v instruction_n &_o mean_n for_o attain_v it_o with_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o solitary_a soul_n be_v prescribe_v by_o which_o at_o length_n he_o conduct_n she_o to_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o solitude_n contemplation_n &_o union_n with_o god_n possible_a in_o this_o life_n in_o who_o he_o leave_v she_o firm_o fix_a by_o a_o perfect_a resignation_n humility_n &_o abnegation_n &_o consequent_o perfect_a in_o a_o solitary_a way_n see_v therefore_o that_o this_o treatise_n tend_v to_o the_o instruction_n &_o consolation_n of_o such_o soul_n &_o to_o the_o advancement_n of_o that_o happy_a end_n &_o more_o over_o contain_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n i_o judge_v that_o it_o may_v happy_o see_v light_n give_v in_o our_o english_a convent_n of_o friar_n minour_n in_o douai_n this_o 3._o of_o may_n 1668._o bro._n bernard_n elston_n ord._n ff_n min._n s._n th._n doctor_n approbatio_fw-la ordinarii_fw-la libre_fw-la hic_fw-la anglicè_fw-la conscriptus_fw-la &_o à _fw-la patribus_fw-la ordinis_fw-la examinatus_fw-la de_fw-la licentiâ_fw-la ordinarii_fw-la poterit_fw-la imprimi_fw-la actum_fw-la hâc_fw-la 8._o maii_n 1668._o n._n gerseken_n archid._n brug_n &_o libr._n censor_n the_o table_n of_o content_n the_o preface_n to_o philothea_n contain_v instruction_n for_o solitude_n §_o 1._o excellency_n of_o holy_a solitude_n pag._n 1._o §_o 2._o preparation_n for_o solitude_n p._n 6._o §_o 3._o abstraction_n from_o usual_a care_n p._n 9_o §_o 4._o choice_n of_o place_n p._n 12._o §_o 5._o due_a time_n of_o solitude_n p._n 14._o §_o 6._o posture_n of_o body_n p._n 24._o §_o 7_o subject_n of_o solitary_a thought_n p._n
how_o superfluous_a how_o treacherous_a how_o dangerous_a have_v singularity_n of_o frienships_n hitherto_o prove_v unto_o i_o adieu_n all_o friend_n henceforth_o my_o only_a trust_n shall_v be_v in_o god_n who_o have_v love_v i_o with_o a_o perpetual_a charity_n &_o have_v engrave_v i_o in_o his_o hand_n that_o he_o may_v be_v ever_o mindful_a of_o i_o forsake_v i_o not_o o_o lord_n &_o i_o will_v be_v always_o with_o thou_o &_o become_v as_o a_o pilgrim_n to_o the_o child_n of_o my_o mother_n resolution_n i_o will_v courageous_o quit_v all_o tie_n even_o to_o my_o dear_a friend_n when_o my_o spiritual_a concernment_n require_v it_o whither_o they_o love_v i_o therefore_o or_o hate_v i_o wish_v i_o well_o or_o persecute_v i_o &_o i_o will_v equal_o prepare_v my_o heart_n to_o be_v love_v or_o persecute_v praise_v or_o condemn_v by_o they_o behave_v myself_o as_o a_o pilgrim_n to_o all_o earthly_a creature_n &_o a_o citizen_n of_o heaven_n i_o have_v choose_v my_o solitude_n with_o my_o abandon_a lord_n &_o master_n nor_o shall_v any_o false_a allurement_n or_o harsh_a deal_n change_v my_o resolution_n he_o have_v give_v i_o a_o glorious_a example_n as_o he_o have_v do_v i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o do_v also_o third_z point_n self-denial_n consideration_n consider_v that_o jesus_n christ_n hang_v on_o the_o cross_n be_v the_o true_a pattern_n of_o self-denial_n this_o be_v his_o doctrine_n while_o he_o live_v &_o this_o his_o practice_n in_o his_o passion_n &_o death_n therefore_o his_o prayer_n to_o his_o eternal_a father_n be_v not_o i_o but_o thy_o will_n be_v do_v behold_v then_o how_o he_o lose_v his_o blood_n in_o his_o agony_n his_o esteem_n by_o revile_n &_o blasphemy_n his_o strength_n by_o whip_n &_o thorn_n his_o comeliness_n by_o stripe_n &_o wound_n the_o joy_n of_o the_o low_a region_n of_o his_o soul_n by_o excess_n of_o sorrow_n &_o his_o life_n by_o a_o most_o bitter_a &_o ignominious_a death_n thus_o the_o most_o beautiful_a among_o the_o child_n of_o man_n be_v become_v as_o one_o strike_v of_o god_n cover_v with_o leprosy_n &_o a_o man_n of_o sorrow_n if_o thou_o desire_v philothea_n to_o become_v perfect_a thou_o must_v also_o endeavour_v this_o self-denial_n &_o separation_n of_o thyself_o from_o thyself_o by_o abandon_v thy_o own_o will_n &_o a_o readiness_n to_o sacrifice_v unto_o god_n thy_o tear_n blood_n body_n soul_n &_o all_o the_o calamity_n &_o affliction_n god_n providence_n may_v inflict_v on_o thou_o willing_o suffer_v what_o ever_o cross_n may_v befall_v thou_o in_o conformity_n to_o his_o holy_a will_n &_o the_o counsel_n &_o practice_v of_o thy_o suffer_a lord_n &_o master_n there_o be_v none_o of_o what_o condition_n soever_o but_o must_v more_o or_o less_o take_v up_o christ_n cross_n &_o follow_v he_o by_o self-denial_n &_o bear_v some_o tribulation_n for_o his_o sake_n &_o their_o own_o profit_n through_o sin_n the_o flesh_n &_o spirit_n be_v at_o odds_o &_o sensuality_n rebel_n against_o god_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o we_o feel_v contradiction_n within_o our_o own_o heart_n &_o suffering_n from_o the_o inordinate_a passion_n desire_n or_o malice_n of_o other_o neither_o saint_n nor_o sinner_n nor_o any_o mortal_a creature_n be_v exempt_a from_o the_o law_n of_o the_o cross_n of_o what_o majesty_n wisdom_n power_n or_o holiness_n soever_o he_o be_v nor_o be_v any_o of_o these_o happy_a unless_o resign_v to_o bear_v all_o thou_o suffer_v not_o alone_a philothea_n all_o must_v willing_o or_o against_o their_o will_n suffer_v with_o thou_o which_o shall_v encourage_v thou_o to_o a_o unbroken_a patience_n amid_o the_o heavy_a press_n of_o tribulation_n which_o may_v happen_v to_o thou_o especial_o since_o thy_o jesus_n thy_o espous_a the_o giver_n of_o all_o good_a suffer_v so_o many_o so_o long_o so_o grievous_a torment_n with_o thou_o nor_o may_v we_o hope_v to_o enjoy_v the_o consolation_n of_o this_o &_o the_o other_o life_n we_o must_v forgo_v one_o or_o the_o other_o either_o suffer_v here_o or_o else_o where_o which_o will_v thou_o choose_v be_v it_o not_o much_o better_a to_o undergo_v a_o momentany_a tribulation_n than_o a_o eternal_a only_o worldly_a pleasure_n can_v destroy_v thou_o therefore_o fly_v from_o they_o the_o cross_n only_o whereby_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v save_v can_v save_v thou_o seek_v it_o then_o &_o with_o it_o thou_o shall_v find_v life_n &_o salvation_n thy_o crown_n of_o thorn_n shall_v be_v change_v into_o a_o crown_n of_o never_o fade_a glory_n &_o if_o thou_o have_v drink_v of_o the_o torrent_n of_o tribulation_n with_o thy_o crucify_a redeemer_n thou_o shall_v also_o taste_v the_o delicacy_n of_o his_o heavenly_a happiness_n in_o his_o glorious_a kingdom_n affection_n if_o jesus_n must_v suffer_v ere_o he_o enter_v his_o glory_n can_v thou_o o_o my_o soul_n hope_v to_o purchase_v heaven_n at_o a_o easy_a rate_n no_o my_o dear_a lord_n since_o love_v move_v thou_o to_o transfigure_v thyself_o into_o a_o man_n of_o sorrow_n for_o my_o sake_n love_v also_o shall_v compel_v i_o to_o be_v conformable_a to_o thou_o my_o holy_a espous_a let_v i_o but_o enjoy_v thou_o &_o then_o let_v what_o ever_o tribulation_n thou_o please_v fall_v upon_o i_o here_o cut_n here_o burn_v so_o thou_o spare_v i_o for_o eternity_n o_o eternity_n who_o can_v live_v with_o thy_o everlasting_a torment_n come_v therefore_o o_o delicious_a cross_n o_o amiable_a tribulation_n by_o which_o i_o may_v purchase_v a_o eternity_n of_o joy_n resolution_n i_o will_v prepare_v myself_o to_o this_o spiritual_a combat_n &_o not_o only_o endure_v the_o tribulation_n which_o my_o sensuality_n &_o disorderly_a passion_n may_v raise_v against_o i_o but_o what_o ever_o cross_v the_o malice_n of_o satan_n or_o the_o sweet_a providence_n of_o my_o heavenly_a father_n shall_v inflict_v upon_o i_o &_o humble_o cast_v myself_o at_o the_o foot_n of_o the_o cross_n i_o will_v say_v behold_v here_o o_o divine_a lord_n behold_v here_o my_o whole_a self_n my_o body_n my_o soul_n my_o all_o ready_a to_o abandon_v all_o content_n &_o to_o suffer_v all_o sorrow_n for_o thou_o thy_o will_v be_v do_v pleasure_n or_o pain_n thorn_n or_o diadem_n life_n or_o death_n all_o shall_v be_v indifferent_o welcome_a only_o be_v thou_o with_o i_o o_o strong_a helper_n &_o none_o shall_v prevail_v against_o me._n evening_n exercise_n first_o discourse_n spiritual_a desolation_n although_o our_o lord_n jesus_n be_v the_o belove_a of_o the_o eternal_a father_n equal_a to_o he_o in_o essence_n wisdom_n &_o power_n yet_o for_o we_o he_o will_v become_v a_o outcast_n desert_v by_o he_o harken_v philothea_n to_o that_o lamentable_a complaint_n he_o make_v to_o his_o father_n upon_o the_o cross_n my_o god_n my_o god_n why_o have_v thou_o forsake_v i_o though_o his_o humane_a nature_n lose_v not_o its_o union_n with_o the_o godhead_n nor_o the_o grace_n or_o friendship_n of_o god_n yet_o the_o influence_n of_o his_o divinity_n on_o the_o inferior_a portion_n of_o his_o soul_n be_v then_o suspend_v &_o he_o leave_v to_o struggle_v with_o the_o bitter_a torment_n &_o pang_n of_o a_o most_o cruel_a &_o ignominious_a death_n our_o solitary_a pilgrim_n to_o perfection_n must_v be_v prepare_v to_o welcome_v this_o sublime_a state_n of_o spiritual_a desolation_n if_o she_o aspire_v to_o a_o union_n &_o conformity_n with_o her_o heavenly_a espous_a she_o must_v not_o only_o content_o abandon_v all_o friend_n &_o bear_v what_o ever_o cross_n but_o must_v also_o willing_o be_v deprive_v of_o all_o those_o delight_n which_o usual_o accompany_v a_o devout_a life_n undergo_v aridity_n of_o the_o spirit_n &_o loose_v the_o savoury_a influence_n of_o god_n gracious_a favour_n &_o instead_o of_o pleasant_a illustration_n of_o the_o understanding_n enflaming_n of_o the_o will_n &_o flow_n of_o joy_n in_o the_o heart_n to_o have_v the_o spirit_n load_v with_o dulness_n barrenness_n &_o insensibility_n to_o heavenly_a thought_n &_o action_n if_o god_n thus_o try_v thy_o constancy_n assure_v thyself_o philothea_n he_o be_v even_o then_o present_a with_o thou_o watch_v in_o the_o centre_n of_o thy_o heart_n over_o thou_o cause_v aversion_n from_o sin_n desire_v to_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o thy_o state_n &_o long_n to_o be_v with_o god_n though_o in_o that_o distress_n a_o darkness_n be_v spread_v over_o thy_o soul_n &_o thou_o be_v deprive_v of_o thy_o usual_a cheerfulness_n &_o alacrity_n the_o cause_n of_o this_o our_o desolation_n oft_o be_v in_o ourselves_o either_o a_o too_o eager_a desire_n of_o or_o delight_n in_o spiritual_a consolation_n or_o a_o neglect_n of_o timely_a entertain_v offer_v inspiration_n or_o else_o too_o much_o proneness_n to_o seek_v &_o accept_v of_o sensual_a satisfaction_n but_o the_o chief_a cause_n thereof_o be_v god_n only_o who_o property_n it_o be_v to_o create_v light_n &_o darkness_n &_o