blessed soule of our Sauiour from his sacred body at his death He deuides it into three seuerall parts which signifie the three seuerall states of the Church The first represents to vs the state of the present life which he layes downe vpon the Altar The second signifies Purgatory which he retaynes in his hand From this he breakes a third little part which he puts into the chalice to repre sent to vs the Church triumphant absorpt in the sacred Diuinity as also the reunion of his blessed soule with his body againe after his glorious Resurrection Here make this or some like seruent prayer The petition PErmit not deare Lord and my sweet Sauiour IESVS that cursed sinne may euer separate me from thee but that by true repentance finall perseuerance in thy holy grace I may be vnited to thee in glory for all Eternity Amen What is meant by the three Crosses which are made with the particle of the consecrated Host The Declaration THe three Crosses made with the little part of the holy Host ouer the chalice signifie the three-fould peace which by the grace of CHRISTS sacred Passion is pourchased for all such as by faith and good life triumph ouer their three mortall enemies the world the flesh and the Diuell Craue humbly for his bitter Passions sake that this may be accomplisht in you and for that end with a feruent aspiration say The petition GRant Lord that I may find the testimonie of this most happie triple peace in my soule by the helpe of thy three diuine vertues Faith Hope and Charity accompanied with true Christian Penance and Humility Amen At pax Domini c. The Declaration AT Pax Domini c. which immediately followes we must contemplate our blessed Sauiour now risen againe from death both immortall and glorious as also his appearance to the Blessed Virgin to S. Marie Magdalen and to his Apostles saying Pax vobis Luke 24. Here we must craue true charity and peace for our soules which is the most gratefull disposition and best preparation to receiue worthily the fruits of this most holy Sacrament And therefore in the spirit of diuine loue and true gratitude say The petition O Most milde and meeke IESV in vnion honour and adoration of that infinit loue which induced thee to shed thy most precious blood for thy greatest enemies and to begg pardon for those who were the cruell executioners of thy most bitter death I freely pardon from my hart and most humbly beseech thee also to forgiue whosoeuer haue anie wayes wronged me most humbly also crauing to be pardoned by all such as I may haue anie way offended being ready and truly willing to giue all iust and reasonable satisfaction to them and this purely for thy sweet sake my deare Lord and most mercifull Redeemer At the Agnus Dei c. The Declaration THe Agnus Dei thrice repeated puts vs in minde how our blessed Sauiour that immaculate lambe of God reconciled vs to his Eternall Father and to the holy Trinity by his most sacred death pourchasing thereby for vs the meanes to make our happy peace with him for all our offenses past present to come Which blessed peace the Priest communicates to the people he hauing first by a particular prayer craued it and by kissing the Altar receiued it of IESVS-CHRIST whom the Altar represents and then giues it to the Clerke to be communicated to all the rest to recommend thereby true charity peace and concorde to all Christian people as being the Disciples of IESVS-CHRIST and true members of the self-same mysticall body whereof he is the diuine and supreame head Here stirr vp true detestation of sinne and a firme purpose to auoyde it saying The petition O Lambe of God which takest away the sinnes of the world vouchsafe I beseech thee that no wicked sinne may euer breake the happie peace betwixt my soule and thee nor hinder the fruit of thy grace which I may hope to receiue by the neare approaching and most holy communion of thy true precious body and blood that sacred feast wherein CHRIST is receiued the memory of his Passion is renewed the soule is replenished with grace a pledge is giuen vs of future glory which we expect to enioy as sheepe of the fould of this holy lambe in vnion with all his blessed saints and glorious Angels in all Eternitie Amen At Domine non sum dignus and the Communion The Declaration THe Priest thus prepared receiueth the holy Communion auowing his great vnworthinesse and in token of a contrite hart knocking his breast thrice he saith as often with the humble Centurion Domine non sum dignus c. Math. 8. And then with all reuerence he receiues this diuine refection and consummates the sacrifice representing to vs thereby the death and Passion of IESVS-CHRIST For as often as you shall eate this bread and drinke this chalice you shall shew the death of our Lord vntill he come Cor. 1.11.26 Here a great subiect is giuen vs of perpetuall gratitude seing that although our blessed Sauiour be ascended into Heauen with triumph and glory he yet remaynes with vs in this holy Sacrament powring downe vpon vs all spirituall temporall benedictions For which dispose your hart to breath fourth feruent eiaculations of loue and gratitude saying The petition O IESV my most louing Redeemer fountaine of all graces both temporall and eternall communicated to vngratefull man thy fauors to me my deare Sauiour haue been farr beyond all measure I therefore o Lord being so farr vnable to render thee due gratitude inuite all thy creatures both in Heauen and Earth with thy Eternall Father and Holy Ghost thy most sacred Virgin Mother and all the Saints and Angells to praise thee with mee and for mee in all Eternity O let my body and soule and all the powers of them both haue no other employment for euer then to praise admire and loue thee O Eternall Father of IESVS o holy spirit of IESVS o immaculate mother of IESVS o glorious Angels of IESVS o blessed Saints of IESVS o all yee creatures of IESVS blesse and thanke IESVS eternally for me and all the innumerable benefitts which I a most vngratefull sinner haue receiued from the Father and from the Sonne and from the Holy Ghost three Persons and one Eternall God to whom be all praise glory and thankesgiuing both now and for euer Amen At remoouing againe the booke to the other side of the Altar The Declaration BY this remoouing againe the booke to the other side of the Altar we are put in minde of the conuersion of the Iewes in the end of the world when both Iew and Gentil shall make but one true folde vnder one and the same Pastor IESVS-CHRIST for the encreace of whose glory say The petition WE most humbly beseech thee ô heanenly Father by the merits of thy blessed Sonne IESVS to powre downe thy heauenly grace vpon the rebellious harts of all sinners
by a serious reflexion of God's beholding the foulnesse of her offenses shee therevpon forsooke her sinfull course and retyring to a penitentiall life shee ended the rest of her dayes in great repentance and sanctity This was the happy effect of Gods diuine Presence remembred by that happy sinner And doubtlesse should we but liuely conceiue this sacred Presence it would obleige vs to much more reuerent and deuout respect at our prayers as also to refraine from offending in other occasions that dreadfull and all ouerseeing Maiesty You haue now had in this present Rule the Theory of God's diuine Presence and by which is only lay'd the foundation whereon this next is to build by reducing the former to practise which is the proper subiect of THE SECOND RVLE Regulating all our actions from our vprising vntill we goe to bed THE former Rule informing our vnderstanding with that great treuth of Gods diuine Presence it is but requisit that by this the will should be excited to the holy practise thereof in rendring to his sacred Maiesty due honour and homage by all our actions of the day for he hauing so mercifully redeemed vs from eternall thraldome by the price of his dearest blood both iustice and gratitude makes all our actions by an infinit degree more due vnto him then anie Prince or Parent can pretend from either child or ransom'd slaue And to performe our duty rightly herein to him by the practise of this good Rule it mainely imports vs to begin well the day to which the remainder doth so vsually corresponde And therefore with a speciall care we ought to sanctifie our first vprising thoughts and actions by some vertuous practise they giuing so great an impression to all our ensuing deeds of the day First then so soone as you are fully awake hauing taken conuenient rest and your vsuall repose it being also now your tyme to rise and no incommodity nor indisposition being offered to hinder you make presently the signe of the Crosse thereby to inuoke the diuine assistāce of the most blessed Trinity through the merits of CHRISTS holy Passion and at the first morning light appearing to your eyes salute with all cordiall reuerence and deuotion that bright heauenly Sonne of Iustice IESVS-CHRIST saying O sweet IESVS the true light of our soules illuminate my vnderstanding I beseech thee and inflame my will to the end that I may know thee loue thee and serue thee both this day and euer-more And for your better beginning of the day endeauour also to giue God your first action thereof by a vertuous act of Mortification shakeing off all sloath and drowsinesse that would detayne you with losse of precious tyme which holy Act you may offer to God as the first fruit of that new day most due vnto him and so very gratefull as it may pourchace a happy blessing vpon all the rest you shall doe therein Finally omitt not to acknowledge with due gratitude this so graciously preseruing you that night from all euill and his mercy in affording you the good beginning of that day wherein by his grace you may negotiate the most important worke of your Saluation by louing and seruing him with much more care and fidelity then formerly you haue done Secondly in further thankfulnesse for his so innumerable great benefitts offer your selfe entyrely both body and soule with all their powers and senses to his heauenly Maiesty all your actions both interiour and exteriour of that day to the end that he may wholy dispose of you both in life and death to his owne greater honour and glory And protest that together with all the Saints and Angells in Heauen and with all other creatures vpon Earth you desire to loue to praise and adore him by all and euery action whatsoeuer yea by each motion of your eyes hands or feet and by euery breath you draw for by this holy practise you shall happily associate your selfe with all his other both Celestiall and Terrestriall blessed Creatures in all their religious actions of loue praise and homage which they render to God to whome in vertue of that your holy intention all your actions will be acceptable you actually both louing praysing and adoring him thereby And finally by this vertuous practise you will vnite your poore endeauours with those who praise him best and by a speciall manner communicate with them and also contribute to all the honour and glory which shall be actually rendred him both in Heauen and in Earth Thirdly craue his diuine grace to preserue you that day from all grieuous sinne and propose firmely on your part to auoyde all such occasions as former frailties may giue you iust reason to feare And resolue in particular most carefully to shunne that sinne to which you finde your selfe most subiect and to exercise the actes of that vertue which most opposeth the same Adde also to this an act of oblation to God of a most willing acceptation for his loue of all the Crosses and troubles which may happen that day and during your whole life Renounce all euill temptations to sinne all inclinations to pride and selfe-loue all inordinate passions and vnruly affections which may present themselues that day to you for by this act God will be glorifi'd in all your sufferings you hauing so very willingly accepted them for his loue and by this meanes you may also obtaine a diuine blessing and grace to resist all temptations to those sinnes which for his loue you did formerly renounce and disauow And in case that by frailty you shall transgresse against your morning good purpose yet this renouncing act not being reuoked your intention stands good and your transgression inuoluntary and thereby will either not be criminall in the sight of God or at the least the malice of it will be greatly diminished Fourthly raise feruently your heart and minde vnto God and treate with him the chiefe necessities of your soule by holy prayer which is as needfull to a spirituall life and aduancement in vertue as is the water to growing plants Begge humbly his diuine light to vnderstand his blessed will and to enable you by his grace to performe the same Which preparation to your prayer being made Fiftly compose your selfe deuoutly in the place of prayer as in the diuine Presence of God where vpō your knees first humbly and lowly bowe or kisse the ground in acknowledgment that you are earth to which you must returne as also in humble and gratefull memory of the most blessed Incarnation of the Sonne of God Adore his diuine Presence who became Man for our Redemption Next makeing the signe of the holy Crosse vpon your forehead mouth and breast as sealing and shutting vp thereby the doore of your heart against all prophane words thoughts and deeds for that tyme retire your selfe into the secret cabinet of your soule there priuately to conuerse with him alone as if there were no other but only himselfe and you in all
humbled for our sake craue humbly Gods grace to practise this holy Humility of hart in the disposition spirit of that profound Humility which IESVS-CHRIST hath practised for our loue and that with a true vertuous courage you may cheerefully endure all confusions and abiections whatsoeuer they being all so most iustly due to a rebellious sinner and to most abiect sinne Of Conformity to the will of God the third Exercise of this Rule THis holy Conformity is to the precedent great vertue of Humility but as a linke of the same chaine and the verie true sequele of that blessed vertue they being both united in that superiour happy tye of the loue of God whereby this precious chavness composed of the continued linkes of mani other great vertues and vnites vs most happily vnto God himselfe In fine from true Humility as from a most precious roote springs fourth this faire and gratefull flower of vertuous Conformity for by an humble and true abiect contempt of our selues our owne will becomes easily conformable not only to the will of God but also for his sake we submit and subiect our selues euen to the meanest creature aliue Now in the faithfull practise of this heroique vertue consists that true Christian Perfection which IESVS CHRIST hath not only taught vs by word daily to pray that his will be done in Earth at it is in Heauen But he confirmed also the same by his owne example telling vs that he came downe from Heauen not to doe his owne will but the will of his Father who sent him S. Iohn 6. and this he esteemed as his nourishing food Math. 11. Yea and it is most worthy of obseruing that from the tyme of his returne with the sacred Virgin and S. Ioseph from his diuine reasoning with the Doctors in the Temple at Hierusalem as if he had come downe from Heauen for no other designe then to shew obedience and Conformity vnto his heauenly Fathers will in obeying and being subiect vnto his Parents pleasure he was so exactly punctuall in all dutifull obedience to them as the holy Euangelist recompts to vs no other of of his diuine actions during the farr greater part of all his tyme liuing hereupon earth amongst vs but only that he Was obedient and subiect to them the perfect performance of which holy Conformity vnto his heauenly Fathers will he finally sealed by rendring himselfe vnto that bitter and reproachfull death vpon the Crosse In imitation of which diuine example we must be in all occasions so resigned to Gods holy will as is the clay in the potters hands which chooseth not its owne fashion or forme but is plyable and obedient to that which the workeman pleaseth to ordayne it vnto for thereby you will obtayne a most happie peace to your minde and euen begin to enioy a perfect Paradise By this meanes there is nothing will happen which can depriue vs of true content and consolation in which consists the chiefest felicity of Gods heighest fauorits in this world who though not exempt from laborious and painfull temptations nor from infirmities and great corporall sufferings yet by the helpe of this holy Conformity whatsoeuer befalls them they preserue their serenity true interiour ioy because there whole content and pleasure is in the accomplishment of the will of God which makes all euents whatsoeuer to be gratefull to them though neuer so contrary and displeasing to flesh and blood they knowing that nothing can befall them but by his diuine order and will whose louing and carefull Prouidence hath disposed of all things for our greatest good what instruments and second causes soeuer he shall please to make vse of for effecting the same yea no sterility in prayer nor the want of all sensible deuotion and comfort therein will disquiet a well setled soule in this vertuous practise of Conformity whereas who neglect the same if they but faile to obtayne what they craue by theire prayers they leaue of with disgust and are greatly discomforted for failing of the end and desire of their owne proper satisfaction Which oftentymes preuailes so verie much with them as they are strongly tempted and sometymes ouercome so farr as to abandon their praiers and other vertuous Exercises which is the greatest victory theyr mortall enemie can desire to obtayne And for these good reasons it was that the ancient holy Fathers did greatly apply themselues to this important studie and fruitfull practise of Cōformity knowing that true resignation is altogether in deeds and not in words and in takeing all things as proceeding from the hand of God by which vertuous Exercise their greatest aduersities were made most pleasing contents and their life become celestiall vpon Earth yea finally to liue or to dye is all one and the selfe same thing saith S. Augustin when our will is truly vnited to the will of God in whose sight we are and vpon whom our being depending we ought wholy to resigne our selues to him with all which we can either doe or suffer in body or in soule in same frends or externall goods for tyme or for Eternity with a perfect resignation to his diuine and holy pleasure yea his granting or denying our request must be to vs indifferent for we ayming but at the glory of God and our owne soules greatest happines both which he knowing farr better then our selues we must rest ioyfully content with his diuine will though neuer so contrary to our owne desire who know not oftentymes what we aske and therefore with great loue and mercy it is that frequently God denies our petition saith S. Augustin that he may doe vs a more mercifull fauour nor yet ought we so much to reioyce for obtayning what we desire as that it is the will of God which is done thereby for by this vnion and Conformity with Gods blessed will we doe most truly restifie our loue and by it we doe our truest honour and homage to him and to our selues we also pourchance that true content and most happie repose which is only to be found in a soule thus truly subiect vnto Gods holy will for who is he that resists it and findeth peace saith Iob. 9. but be subiect to him and thou art secure to enioy it c. 22. Finally by the practise of this holy Conformity to the diuine will and pleasure of God how euer our affaires shall succeed yet our hart will enioy a most happie and quiet peace we acknowledging God to be the soueraign Lord of all and vnderstanding best what most conduceth to his owne glory and to our soules eternall health The fourth Exercise of this Rule which is for the practise of Patience THe great connexion of this holy vertue with the two former is most apparent for where there is true Humility of hart and an entire conformity to the will of God there doubtlesse Patience cannot be wanting to suffer with all cheerefull alacrity what Crosse or tribulation soeuer the Diuine Prouidēce shall
this innocent pastime doth much rather resemble Puritanicall cruelty then anie vertue or true Christian deuotion which comming from the holy Ghost cannot be in that seuere spirit of cruelty and rigour but in his spirit by whom all thinges are sweetly disposed wisd 8. Now as concerning your ordinary deuotions if leasure and good commodity will permitt after your daily morning prayers and other vsuall deuotions make some more then ordinary spirituall lecture say your Euen song also after dinner and heare some good exhortation if oportunity be offered and let not the whole day passe without some good worke as in visiting some sicke person or to comfort such as either corporally or spiritually may most stand in need of your helpe or finally to exercise at the least some one of the holy workes of mercy Take more tyme on those dayes for reading spirituall bookes and make a diligent examen of your last weekes comportment towards God whether faithfull in your good purposes for the amendment of your life or if not rather worse by continuing and increasing your former bad habits Whereat confound your selfe and renew with great feruour your former Resolutions of amendment and with the next new weeke begin also a new reformation for there is no better way saith holy Sales to end happily a true spirituall life then daily to begin the same and it is greatly nourished by this ensuing help Of spirituall lecture a proper Exercise for all festiuall dayes SPirituall lecture is a holy Magazen which doth furnish both our memory and vnderstanding with pious thoughts for heauenly contemplation whereby to vnite vs to God it excites vs to the practise of vertue and therefore though it be daily necessary for the vertuous soule yet principally to be practised those dayes peculiarly dedicated to the diuine seruice of God to whom we speake by prayer and by spirituall lecture God speakes vnto vs. Which two holy Exercises haue great connexion and are mutually maine helpes each one to the other and as meate and drinke are both needfull nourishments to the body so these are as necessary for the soule Omit not therefore daily to giue your soule this necessary spirituall food at such tymes as you finde the best leasure for it Your reading may be in the Imitation or following of CHRIST in the Saints liues in some of Granada his workes in the Introduction to a deuout life in the Spirituall Combate in the Holy court or the like But to performe your spirituall lecture with best profit a good methode therein is verie necessary for which you may briefly obserue as here followeth First placing your selfe in Gods diuine presence as in prayer raise louingly your hart to him humbly craue his grace to make profit of what you are going to reade 2. Reade leasurely and not as if you desired to see quickly an end of the booke but meeting with some good point for your instruction pause there and consider it with leasure and good attention as if it were God himselfe who should speake thereby to you which done then goe on and still practise the same 3. Reade not for curiosity but for deuotion thereby to learne the true practise of vertue and to inflame the will to embrace it much rather then to informe the vnderstang what it is Sticke not to reade the same booke if it like you well twice or thrice ouer for it is the leasurely and perfect disgestion which breedeth the purest blood 4. A quiet and reposed minde is necessary for the reaping profit by reading for as vnquiiet water reflects such broken and confused species of the shadow which is cast vpon it as one scarcely can perceiue anie true proportion thereof so likewise it is the verie same with an vnquiet and troubled minde with anie passion which is vncapable then to make anie profitable conception or but verie vnperfectly at the least with the best spirituall bookes by reason that it being disquiet in it selfe it needs must reflect but broken and confused conceptions of what is reade Finally with a recollected and quiet mind in reuerence and deuotion let your reading be not so much by way of studie to know but rather in the spirit of true piety to draw from thence some spirituall profit for the good of your soule and faile not also to draw from your reading some good point in particular which may incite you to the holy practise of piety standing euer most carefully vpon your gard against it's greatest enemie that pernicious Sloath which once getting roote in your hart it will endanger the greatest vertue in your soule This dangerous vice of spirituall sloath and teadious vnwillingnesse to all exercise of vertue I will endeauour to destroy by the ensuing article Of spirituall Sloath and Indenotion THis vice is properly a languishing of the soule a dulnesse of the mind and an vnpleasingnesse of the will towards all spirituall deuotion which declines vs from pious exercises and makes vs negligent and vnwilling to the practise of vertue it inclines vs to giue ouer our accustomed prayers or at least to performe them but verie negligently and only by halues The great danger of this sinne is sufficiently declared by those words of our blessed Sauiour Mat. 7. the tree which beareth not good fruit shall be cut downe and cast into the fire and it is neuer so predominant as vpon these festiuall and consecrated dayes to Gods glory and our owne soules greatest good Against which Capitall vice source of so much sinne our soueraigne remedie must be to haue recourse to God by frequent and earnest prayer that he vouchsafe to enkindle in our harts the ardent flame of deuotion and the true feruour of Pietie Obserue punctually the accustomed tymes for your prayer so farr as conueniency will permit Quitt not your former vsuall holy exercises though they seeme neuer so barren and dry yea though your fancy doth perswade that they nothing auaile you yet be but faithfully patient with true humble perseuerance and God will at last not faile to bestow both comfort and his holy blessing vpon you It is also a great helpe against this spirituall Sloath and indeuotion to reade the liues of Saints and to consider attentiuely therein the great feruour and deuotion wherewith they serued God And aboue all it might aboundantly suffice to cure our sinfull sloath by considering the incessant and most painfull labours which IESVS-CHRIST the eternall Sonne of God did take for our Example and saluation hee spending frequently whole nights in prayer to his heauenly Father in our behalfe what wearisome iourneis through seuerall Prouinces made he to instruct and to cure the infirme both in body soule It may well cōfound vs also to consider with what faithfull alacrity the Apostles made their continuall pilgrimage about the world to plant the holy Gospel for the saluation of soules and with what cheerefull constancy they gaue their liues for the glory of God Finally by what