alwayes before the eyes of thy soule the picture of thy Sauiour crucified Thou hast good cause to be ashamed looking vpon the life of Christ seeing thou hast so slackly endeauoured to conforme thy selfe vnto him though thou hast walked a long time in the way of the seruice of God A religious person that exerciseth himselfe seriously and deuoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord shall there abundantly finde whatsoeuer is necessary and profitable for him neither shall hee need to seeke any thing elsewhere but only in Iesus O if Iesus crucified would come into our hearts how quickely and fully should we be instructed in all truth Gal. 2. 6. 7 A feruent religious person taketh and beareth all vvell that is commanded him but he that is negligent and cold hath tribulation vpon tribulation and on all sides is afflicted for he is void of inward consolation and is forbidden to seeke externall comforts A religious person that liueth not according to discipline is in great danger of the ruine of his soule He that seeketh liberty and ease shall euer liue in disquiet for one thing or other will alwaies displease him 8 How doe so many other religious persons vvho liue vnder the strict rule of Monasticall discipline They seldome goe abroad they liue retiredly they feede meanely they are cloathed coursely they labour much speake little watch long rise early spend much time in prayer reade often and keep themselues in all kinde of discipline Consider the Carthusians Cistercians and the Religious men and women of diuers Orders how they rise euery night to sing praises vnto God And how vnseemely then it is for thee to be slouthfull in so holy a worke when as so great multitudes of religious persons doe beginne to glorifie God 9 O that we had nothing else to doe but alwaies with our mouth and whole heart to praise our Lord God! O that thou mightest neuer haue need to eate nor drinke nor sleepe but mightest alwaies praise God and onely imploy thy selfe in the exercises of spirit thou shouldest then be much more happy then now thou art when for so many necessities thou art constrained to serue thy body Would God these necessities were not at all but only the spirituall refections of the soule which alas we taste of too seldome 10 When a man commeth to that estate that he seeketh no comfort of any creature then doth he begin to take perfect contentment and delight in God Then shall he be contented with whatsoeuer doth befall him in this world Then shall he neither reioyce in great matters nor be sorrowfull for small but with great integritie and confidence commit himselfe to God who shall be vnto him al in all to whom nothing doth perish nor die but all things do liue vnto him and serue him at a becke without delay Rom. 11. 11 Remember alwaies the end and hovv that time lost neuer returnes Eccles 7. Without care and diligence thou shalt neuer get vertues If thou beginnest to wax cold it will be euill with thee but if thou giue thy selfe to feruour of spirit thou shalt find much peace and feele lesse labour through the assistance of Gods grace and loue of vertue Apocal 3. The feruent and diligent man is ready and prepared for all things It is harder to resist vices and passions then to toile in bodily labours Eccls. 19. He that auoideth not small faults by little and little falleth into greater Thou wilt alwayes reioyce in the euening if thou spend the day profitably Be watchfull ouer thy selfe stirre vp thy selfe warme thy selfe and whatsoeuer becomes of others neglect not thy selfe The greater violence thou vsest against thy selfe the more thou shalt profite THE END OF THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE SECOND BOOKE CHAP. I. Of spirituall conuersation THe Kingdom of God is within you saith our Lord. Luk. 7. Turne thee with thy whole heart vnto our Lord and forsake this miserable world and thy soule shall finde rest Ioel. 2. Learne to despise exteriour things and to giue thy self to the interiour thou shalt perceiue the Kingdome of God to come into thee Ro. 19. For the kingdome of God is peace and joy in the holy Ghost which is not giuen to the wicked Christ will come vnto thee and shew thee his diuine comfort if thou prepare for him a worthy mansion within thee Psal 44. Al his glory and beauty is within and there he pleaseth himselfe The inward man he often visits and hath with him sweet discourses pleasant comfort much peace wonderfull familiarity 2 O faithfull soule make ready thy hart for this Bridegrome that he may vouchsafe to come vnto thee and dwell within thee For he saith If any loue mee hee will keepe my Word and we will come vnto him and will make our aboad with him Ioh. 14. Giue therefore vnto Christ a place in thy heart and deny entrance to all others When thou hast Christ thou art rich and he will suffice thee Hee will be thy faithfull and prouident helper in all things so as thou shalt not need to trust in men For men are soone changed and quickly decay but Christ remaineth for euer and standeth firmely vnto the end Ioh. 12. 3 There is little trust to be put in a fraile and mortall man though hee be profitable and deare vnto thee neither oughtest thou much to bee grieued if sometimes hee crosse and contradict thee Hier. 17. They that to day take thy part to morrow may be against thee and so on the contrary they often turne like vnto the winde Put all thy trust in God and feare and loue him 1. Pet. 5. He wil answere for thee and do in al things what is best Heb. 13. Thou hast not heere a dwelling Citie and wheresoeuer thou bee thou art a stranger and pilgrime neither shalt thou euer haue rest vnlesse thou be perfectly vnited vnto Christ 4 Why doest thou linger and make delayes heere since this is not the place of thy rest Phil. 3. In heauen ought to be thy dwelling and al earthly things are to be regarded as it were in the way Sap. 5. Al things passe away and thou together with them Beware thou cleaue not vnto them lest thou be enthralled and so doest perish Let thy thought be on the highest and thy prayer directed vnto Christ without ceasing If thou canst not contemplate high and heauenly things rest thy selfe in the passion of Châ—â—â—â— and dwell willingly in the wounds of his sacred body For if thou flie deuoutly vnto his holy wounds and to th◠〈◊〉 markes of his passion thou â—halâ— feele great comfort in tribulation neither wilt thou much care for being despised of men and wilt easily beâ—re the words of slanderous tongues 5 Christ was also in the world despised and in great necessity forsaken by his acquaintance friends in the middest of slanders Matth. 1.12.5.26 Ioh. 15. Christ would suffer and be contemned and darest
vnto the accustomed vanities of thy hart For thou dost rather vnwillingly suffer them then commit them and as long as they displease thee and thou striuest against them it is a merit and no losse 4 Know that thy ancient enemy doth euer striue to hinder thy desire to good and to diuert thee from all deuout exercise to wit from the worshipping of Saints from the deuout memory of my passion frō the profitable remembrance of thy sins from the guard of thine owne heart and from the firme purpose of profiting in vertue He thrusteth many euill thoughts into thy minde that he may cause a wearisomnes and horror in thee to draw thee from deuout prayer and reading Humble confession is displeasing vnto him and if he could he would cause thee to cease from receiuing the Sacrament of my Body Trust him not nor care for him although hee should often set snars of deceit to intrap thee Charge him with it when he suggesteth euil and vncleane thoughts vnto thee Say vnto him Auant filthy spirit blush miserable wretch thou art filthy that bringest such things into mine eares Away from me wicked deceiuer thou shalt haue no part in me but Iesus shall be with me as a strong warriour and thou shalt remaine confounded Mat. 4. 16. I had rather die and vndergo any torment then to consent vnto thee hold thy peace and be silent I will heare thee no more though thou shouldest worke me many troubles My Lord is my light and saluation whom shall I feare Ps 26. If whole armies should stand together against me my hart shal not feare Our Lord is my helper and my Redeemer 5 Fight like a good Souldiour and if thou sometimes fall through frailetie recouer greater forces then before trusting in my more aboundant grace and take great heede of vaine pleasing of thy selfe and pride Psal 26. 1. Tim. 6. This brings many into error and makes them sometimes fal into almost incurable blindnes Let the fall of the proud foolishly presuming of themselues serue thee for a warning and a perpetuall humiliation CHAP. VII That grace is to be hid vnder the veile of humilitie OVR LORD SOnne it is more profitable and safe for thee to hide the grace of deuotion not to extoll thy selfe nor to speake much nor to esteeme much thereof but rather to despise thy selfe and feare it as giuen to one vnworthy thereof This affection is not to bee cleaued vnto which may be quickly changed into the contrary Thinke when thou art in grace how miserable and needy thou art wont to be without it Neither doth therein only consist the profit of spirituall life when thou hast the grace of comfort but when thou humbly resignedly and patiently sufferest the withdrawing thereof so that thou be not then lesse diligent in the exercise of prayer nor suffer thy selfe to passe ouer the rest of thy accustomed good works but that thou willingly performe what lieth in thee according as thou art able and vnderstandest to be fit not neglecting thy self wholy for the drines and trouble of minde which thou feelest 2 There are many that when it succeedeth not well with them presently they become impatient or slouthfull The way of man is not alwaies in his power but it belongeth to God to giue to comfort when he will how much he will whom he will as it shall please him and no more Hier. 10. Rom. 9. Some vnaduised persons haue ouerthrowne thēselues for the greedy desire which they had of the grace of deuotion attempting more then they were able to performe not weighing the measure of their weakenesse but following rather the desire of their hart then the judgement of reason And because they presumed on greater matters then was pleasing to God they quickly lost their grace They were made needy and left in a deiected estate that built thēselues nests in heauē to the end that being humbled and impouerished they may learne not to flie with their owne wings but to liue in hope vnder my fethers Esay 24. They that are yet new and vnacquainted in the way of our Lord vnlesse they gouerne themselues by the counsel of discreet persons may easily be deceiued and ouerthrowne 3 And if they will rather follow their owne judgment then giue credit to others that are experienced their end will be dangerous if they cannot be drawne from their owne conceit Seldome those that are wise in their owne opinion suffer themselues humbly to be gouerned by others A little knowledge with humility and a slender vnderstanding is better then great treasures of learning with a vaine selfe-liking Psal 15. 16. It is better for thee to haue lesse then much of that wherof thou maist be proud He doth not discreetly that wholy giueth himself ouer to mirth forgetting his former pouerty and the chast fear of God which feareth to lose the grace which he hath obtained Neither is he vertuously wise that in time of aduersitie or any tribulation whatsoeuer yeeldeth to despairing thoughts and thinketh and imagineth of me lesse confidently then he ought 4 He that will be ouer secure in time of peace shall be often found in time of war too deiected feareful 1. Thess 5. If thou couldest alwaies continue humble and lowly within thy selfe and temper gouerne thy soule wel thou shouldest not so soon fall into danger offence It is good counsell that when thou conceiuest feruour of spirit thou shouldest think what will become of thee when that light shall leaue thee And when that doth happen remember the light may returne againe which for thy instruction and my glory I haue withdrawne for a time Iob 17. 5 Such proofe is often more profitable then if thou shouldest alwaies enioy prosperity according to thy desire For merits are not to be weighed in a man by the number of visions and comforts which he hath or by his knowledge in Scriptures or by his being placed in high degree but in that he is grounded in true humility and replenished with diuine charity if he alwaies purely and entirely seeke the honor of God if he esteem himselfe nothing and with a sincere heart despise himselfe and reioyce more to be despised and humbled by others then to be honored Psal 83. CHAP. VIII Of a meane conceit of our selues in the sight of God THE SERVANT SHall I speake vnto my Lord sith I am dust and ashes If I esteem better of my selfe behold thou standest against me and my iniquities beare true witnes neither can I speake against it Gen. 18. But if I abase and esteeme nothing of my selfe and cast off all selfe-conceit and as I am account my selfe to be dust thy grace will be fauourable vnto me and thy light will bee neere vnto my heart and all estimation how little soeuer shall bee swallowed vp in the depth of my nothing perish euerlastingly There thou shewest my selfe vnto me what I am what I haue bin and whither I
him to beware of no man more then of himselfe It thou perfectly ouercome thy selfe thou shalt with more ease subdue the rest It is a glorious victory to triumph ouer our selues For he that keepeth himselfe subiect in such sort that his sensuality be subdued to reason reason in al things be obedient to mee he is truely a conquerour of himself Lord of the world 3 If thou desire to mount vnto this height of perfection thou must begin manfully set the axe to the root that thou maist pluck vp destroy thy hidden and inordinat inclination to thy selfe vnto al priuate and earthly good Of this vice that man too inordinatly loueth himself almost all dependeth whatsoeuer is wholy to be ouercome which being once ouercome subdued there wil presently ensue great peace and tranquillity But for that few endeauour perfectly to die vnto themselues and to forsake themselues wholy therefore they remaine intangled in themselues and cannot bee lifted vp in spirit aboue themselues but hee that desireth to walke freely with me it is necessary that he mortifie all his inordinate affections and not adhere vnto any creature by priuate loue CHAP. LIV. Of the different motions of Nature and Grace OVR LORD SOnne marke diligently the motions of thine owne nature and my grace for in very contrary and secret manner these are moued and can hardly be discerned but by him that is spirituall and inwardly enlightned All men desire that which is good and pretend some good in all their words and deeds and therefore vnder pretence of good many are deceiued Nature is deceitfull and seduceth intangleth and deceiueth many and alwayes proposeth her selfe for her end but grace walketh with great sinceritie and auoideth all shew of euill pretendeth not deceits and doth all things purely for God in whom also shee finally resteth 2 Nature will not willingly die nor bee kept in nor ouercome nor bee subiect to any nor bee subdued but Grace laboureth to mortifie her selfe resisteth sensuality seeketh to be subiect is willing to bee ouercome and will not vse her owne libertie shee loueth to be kept vnder discipline and desireth not to rule any but alwaies to liue and remaine wholy subiect vnto God and for God is readie humbly to bow vnto all men Nature striueth for her owne commoditie and considereth what profit shee may reape by another but Grace considereth not what is profitable and commodious vnto her selfe but rather what is profitable to many Nature willingly receiueth honour and reuerence but Grace faithfully attributeth all honor and glory vnto God 3 Nature feareth shame and contempt but Grace reioyceth to suffer reproach for the name of Iesus Nature loueth idlenesse and bodily rest but Grace cannot be idle but willingly embraceth labour Nature seeketh to haue those things that bee curious and precious abhorreth that which is meane and base but Grace delighteth in plaine and humble things despiseth not course and meane nor refuseth to weare that which is old and torne Nature respecteth the things of this world reioyceth at earthly gaine sorroweth for losse is moued with euery little iniurious word but Grace thinketh on that which is euerlasting and cleaueth not to that which fadeth with time shee is not troubled with losse nor exasperated with iniuries for that she hath placed her treasure and joy in heauen where nothing perisheth 4 Nature is couetous and doth more willingly receiue then giue she loueth proper and priuate things but Grace is pitifull and liberall to all auoydeth singularitie is content with a little thinketh it happier to giue then to receiue Nature inclineth to creatures yeeldeth to her owne flesh followeth vanities and listneth to discourses but grace draweth vnto God and seeketh after vertues renounceth creatures flieth 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 wherein shee 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 profite shee can do nothing freely but for bestowed benefits shee hopeth to obtaine either that which is equall or better either praise or fauour and coueteth to haue her workes and gifts much esteemed but Grace seeketh no temporall thing nor asketh any other reward for her deserts then God alone nor desireth more of temporal necessaries then what may serue her for the obtaining of euerlasting glory 6 Nature rejoyceth to haue many friends and kinsfolkes shee glorieth of Noble birth and descent pleaseth the powerfull fawneth vpon the rich applaudeth those that are like her selfe but grace loueth her enemies and is not puffed vp with multitude of friends nor esteemeth place or birth but where it is joyned with greater vertue shee rather fauoureth the poore then the rich hath more compassion of the innocent then the powerfull reioyceth in the simple and respecteth not the deceitfull exhorteth euer the good to labour for the better gifts and by vertue to resemble the Sonne of God Nature quickely complaineth of any want and trouble Grace constantly suffereth all kinde of need 7 Nature turneth all things to her selfe striueth and contendeth for her selfe but Grace reduceth all to God from whence originally they proceede shee ascribeth no good to her selfe neither doth shee arrogantly presume of her selfe she contendeth not nor preferreth her opinion before others but in euery sense and vnderstanding submitteth her selfe vnto the eternall Wisdome and to the diuine Iudgement Nature coueteth to know secrets and to heare newes shee will appeare abroad and make proofe of many things by the experience of her own senses shee desireth to be knowne and to doe those things for which shee may bee praised and admired But Grace careth not for hearing newes nor to vnderstand curious matters for that all this springeth from the ancient disorder of our corrupt nature seeing nothing that is new is durable vpon earth Shee teacheth therefore to restraine the senses to auoid vaine-pleasing and ostentation humbly to hide those things that are worthy of praise and admiration and of euery thing and euery knowledge to seeke profitable fruit and the praise and honor of God she will not haue her selfe nor hers publikely praised but desireth that God should bee blessed in his gifts who of meere charity bestoweth all things 8 Thus Grace is a supernaturall light and a certaine speciall gift of God and the proper marke of the elect pledge of euerlasting saluation which lifteth vp a man frō earthly basenes to loue things of heauen and of a carnall maketh him a spirituall person How much the more therefore Nature is depressed 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 and efficacie of diuine Grace THE SERVANT MY God who of thy meere goodnesse hast
created mee to thy Image and likenesse Genes 1. graunt mee this grace which thou hast shewed to bee so great and so necessary to saluation that I may ouercome my wicked nature which draweth me to sinne and to the losse of my soule For I feele in my flesh the law of sinne contradicting the law of my minde and leading mee captiue to obey sensuality in many things neither can I resist the passions thereof vnlesse thy holy grace feruently infused into my heart doe assist me Rom. 7. 2 Thy grace O Lord and great grace is needfull that nature may be ouercome which is euer prone to euil from her youth For by Adam the first man in falling and being corrupted by sinne the penalty of this staine hath descended vpon all mankind in such sort that Nature it self which by thee was created good and without defect is now accounted for vice and for the infirmitie of a corrupted nature for that the motion thereof 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 self compassed about with great darknesse still retaining power to discerne good and euill and the distance betweene 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 knowing thy Commandements to bee good just and holy reprouing also all euill and sin and doe know that it is to be fled Rom. 7. But in my flesh I serue the law of sin whilest I rather obey sensualitie then reason Hence it is that I haue a will to doe good but know not how to performe it For this cause I often purpose many good things but for that I want grace to helpe my infirmity for a light resistance I go backe and faint I know the way of perfection see clearely enough what I ought to do but pressed with the waight of mine owne corruption I rise not vnto it 4 O Lord how needfull is thy grace for me to beginne any good worke to go forward and to accomplish it Ioh. 13. For without it I can do nothing but in thee I can doe 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 bee esteemed Arts riches beautie and strength wit or eloquence are of no worth with thee O Lord without thy grace For gifts of nature are common to good and euill but the peculiar gift of the elect is grace and loue wherewith 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 Neyther faith nor hope nor other vertues are acceptable vnto thee without charitie and grace 1. Cor. 13. 5 O most blessed grace that makest the poore in spirit rich with vertues and the rich in many blessings humble in heart come downe vnto me replenish mee in the morning with thy comfort lest my soule should faint with wearines and wither away with drines of mind I beseech the Lord that I may find grace in thy sight for thy grace sufficeth though other things that nature desireth be wanting Psal 22. If I be tempted and vexed with many tribulations I will not feare euils whilest thy grace is with me shee is my strength she giueth aduice and help she is stronger then all enemies and wiser then all the wise 6 Thy grace is the mistresse of truth the teacher of discipline the light of the heart the solace in affliction she driueth away sorrow she expelleth feare she is the nurse of deuotion the bringer foorth of teares What am I without it but a rotten peece of wood and an vnprofitable stalke only meet for the fire Let thy grace therefore Lord alwaies preuent me and follow mee and make mee euer diligent in good workes through Iesus Christ thy Son Amen CHAP. LVI That we ought to deny our selues and imitate Christ by the Crosse OVR LORD SOnne looke how much thou canst goe out of thy selfe so much mayest thou enter into me As to be void of all desire of externall things maketh inward peace so the forsaking of our selues joyneth vs internally to God I will haue thee learne the perfect leauing of thy selfe vnto my will without contradiction and complaint Follow me I am the way the truth and the life Ioh. 14. Without the way there is no going without truth there is no knowledge without life there is no liuing I am the way which thou oughtest to follow the truth which thou oughtest to trust the life for which thou oughtest to hope I am the way which cannot lead amisse the truth which cannot erre the life which cannot end I am a most strait way a supreme truth a true life a blessed life an increated life if thou remaine in mee thou shalt know the truth and truth shall deliuer thee and thou shalt apprehend euerlasting life 2 If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandements if thou wilt know the truth beleeue me Mat. 19. If thou wilt be perfect sell al. If thou wilt be my disciple deny thy selfe Luk. 9. If thou wilt possesse a blessed life deny this present life Ioh. 12. If thou wilt be exalted in heauen humble thy selfe vpon earth Luk. 14. If thou wilt raigne with me beare the Crosse with mee For onely the seruants of the Crosse finde the way of blisse and true light SER. 3 Lord Iesus for as much as thy way is narrow strait and contemptible vnto the world grant me grace to imitate thee in suffring willingly all worldly contempt For the seruant is not greater then his Lord nor the Disciple aboue his Master Mat. 7. Let thy seruant be exercised in thy holy life for there is the health and the true sanctitie of my soule whatsoeuer I reade or heare besides doth not recreate or delight me fully Luk. 6. LORD 4 Sonne now that thou knowest and hast read these things happie shalt thou be if thou fulfill them Hee that hath my Commandements and keepeth them hee it is that loueth me and I will loue him and will manifest my selfe vnto him and wil make him sit with me in the Kingdome of my Father SER. Lord Iesus as thou hast said and promised so giue mee grace to deserue that it be fulfilled I haue receiued the Crosse I haue receiued it from thy hand and I will beare it and beare it till death as thou hast laid it vpon me Truely the life of a good religious person is the Crosse and it is a sure guide to heauen It is now begunne it is not lawfull to go backe neither is it fit to leaue that which I haue vndertaken 5 Let vs then
daily in spirit and obtained great grace in Gods sight They were giuen for an example and patterne of perfection in Gods Church their example should more stir vs vp to a desire of our spiritual profit then the nūber of the luke-warme dissolute liuers draw vs to the neglect therof 5 O how great was the feruour of all religious persons in the beginning of their holy institution How great was their deuotion to prayer How diligent emulation of vertue How exact discipline flourished How great reuerence and obedience vnder the rule of their Superiour obserued they in al things Their footsteps yet remaining doe testifie that they were indeed holy and perfect men who sighting so valiantly trode the world vnder their feet Now he is greatly accounted of that breaketh not the rule that can with patiēce endure that which he hath professed 6 O coldnes and negligence of our time that we so quickly decline from our first feruour and are come to that passe that very slouth and coldnesse of spirit makes our owne liues tedious vnto vs Would to God the desire to profite in vertue did not wholly sleepe in thee who hast often seene the holy examples of deuout and religious soules CHAP. XIX Of the Exercise of a good and Religious person THe life of a religious person ought to shine with all vertues that he may inwardly be such as outwardly he seemeth to men Mat. 5. And with reason thou oughtest to bee much more within then is perceiued without for God beholdeth the heart Psal 33. Heb. 4. Psal 15. whom we ought most highly to reuerence wheresoeuer wee are and walke in purity like Angels in his sight and to renue daily our purposes and stir vp our selues to feruour as though this were the first day of our conuersion and to say Helpe me my God in this my good purpose and in thy holy seruice and grant that I may now this day begin perfectly for that which I haue done hitherto is nothing 2 According to our purpose shall be the successe of our profit and much diligence is necessary to him that will profit much And if he that firmely purposeth often faileth what shall he doe that seldome purposeth any thing or with little certainty It may fall out sundry waies that we leaue off our purpose and if for light occasions wee omit our accustomed exercises it seldome passeth without some losse The purpose of just men is rather grounded vpon the grace of God then on their owne wisdome in whom also they alwayes haue confidence in whatsoeuer they take in hand For man doth purpose but God disposeth neither is the way of man in his own hands Prou. 16. 3 If an accustomed exercise bee sometimes omitted for some worke of charitie or of intention to profit our neighbour it may easily afterward be recouered Eccles 7. but if it be lightly left through inconstancie or negligence it is an offence and will proue hurtfull Though vve endeauour what we can yet shall we faile in many things But yet me must alwaies purpose something certaine especially against that which most hinders vs. We must examine well and order both our exteriour and interiour actions for that both are expedient for our progresse in vertue 4 If thou canst not alwaies recollect thy selfe yet do it sometimes and that at least once euery day to wit in the morning or euening In the morning make thy good purpose Deu. 4. in the euening examine thy self what thou hast bin that day in word deed or thought for that in these oftentimes perhaps thou hast offended God and thy neighbour Arme thy selfe with courage against the malicious attempts of thine enemy Refraine gluttony and thou shalt more easily bridle all the disordered inclinations of the flesh Neuer be altogether idle but either reading or writing or praying or meditating or labouring something of profit for the common good but bodily exercises are to be discreetly vsed and not to be vndertaken equally of all 5 Those things that be not common are not to be done in the sight of al for priuate things are best done in secret But thou must beware thou neglect not that to which thou art bound by common rule and be ready in performing thy priuate deuotions but hauing fully and faithfully accomplished all thy duties those things that were enioyned thee if thou hast further leasure returne to thy selfe as thy deuotion desireth All cannot vse the same exercise but one is more conuenient for this person another for that According to the diuersity of times also diuers exercises are fitting for some suite better with festiuall daies others with daies of labour We haue need of one kind in temptations and of others in time of peace and quiet Wee desire to thinke of other things when we are sorrowfull then we do when we are cheerefull in our Lord. 6 When principall feasts draw neere good exercises are to be renued and the intercessions of Saints more feruently to be implored From feast to feast we should make some good purpose as though wee were then to depart out of this world and to come to the euerlasting feasts of heauen And therefore we ought to prepare our selues carefully at holy times and to liue more deuoutly and to keepe more exactly all things that wee are to obserue as though shortly we were to receiue reward of our labour at Gods hands 7 And if it bee differred let vs thinke that we were not well prepared nor worthy as yet of so great glory as shal be reuealed in vs at the time appointed and let vs labour to prepare our selues better for our departure Rom. 8. Blessed is that seruant saith S. Luke the Euangelist whom when his Lord commeth he shall finde watching Luk. 13. verily I say vnto you he shall place him ouer all that he possesseth Mat. 24. CHAP. XX. Of the loue of Solitude and Silence SEeke a fit time to attend to thy selfe and often thinke of the benefits of God Leaue curious things Reade ouer such matters as may cause rather compunction then the labour of much study If thou withdraw thy selfe from superfluous talk and idle wandring about as also from hearing of newes tales thou shalt finde sufficient and fit time to thinke of good things The greatest Saints auoided the company of men as much as they could and chose to liue to God in secret Hebr. 3. 2 One said As often as I haue bin amongst men I haue returned lesse man Senec. ep 7. The same we finde by experience when wee talke long It is easier to keepe silence altogether then not to exceed in words It is easier for a man to keep home then to demeane himselfe as he ought in all things abroad He therefore that desireth to attaine to internal spirituall graces ought with Iesus to withdraw himselfe from the people Mat. 4. No man goeth safely abroad but hee that gladly keepeth home Eccl. 3. No man securely gouerneth but he
that delighteth to liue in subjection No man securely commandeth but he that hath learned readily to obey 3 No man securely reioyceth vnlesse he hath within him the testimony of a good conscience And yet the security of Saints was alwaies full of the feare of God Neither were they lesse carefull and humble in themselues for that they shined outwardly with grace and great vertues But the security of euill men riseth of pride and presumption and in the end deceiueth them Neuer promise to thy selfe security in this life although thou seeme to be a good religious man or deuout Hermite 4 Oftentimes those who in the judgement of men were of better esteeme haue bin in greatest danger by reason of their too much confidence Wherefore it is more profitable to many not to bee altogether free from temptations but to be often assaulted lest they should be too secure and so perhaps be lifted vp in pride lest also they should too freely giue themselues to outward comforts O how good a conscience should he keepe that would neuer seeke transitory joy Would neuer busie himselfe with the things of this world And how great peace and quietnesse should hee possesse that would cut off al vaine solicitude and only think of diuine things and such as are profitable for his soule and place all his hope in God! 5 No man is worthy of heauenly comfort vnlesse hee haue diligently exercised himselfe in holy compunction If thou desirest true contrition of heart retire thy selfe into some secret and solitary place and exclude from thy minde the tumults and vnquietnesse of the world as it is written In your chambers be yee sorry Psal 4. In thy Cell thou shalt finde that which abroad thou shalt often lose The Cell if thou continue in it waxeth sweete and if thou loue not to stay in it it becommeth irkesome If in the beginning of thy conuersion thou accustome thy selfe to remaine in it and keepe it well it will be aftervvards vnto thee a deare friend and a most pleasant comfort 6 In silence and quietnesse a deuout soule perfecteth her selfe and learneth the secrets of holy Scriptures There shee findeth flouds of teares vvith vvhich shee may euery night wash and clense her selfe and be made so much the more familiar with her Creator by how much the further off she liueth from all worldly disquiet Psal 6. Who so therefore withdraweth himselfe from his acquaintance friends God with his holy Angels will draw neare vnto him It were better for a man to lye hidden and haue care of himselfe then being carelesse of his soule to worke miracles in the world It is commendable for a religious person to goe abroad seldome to fly to bee seene to be vnvvilling to see men 7 Why wilt thou see that which is not lawfull for thee to haue The world passeth away and all his delights The desires of our sensuality draw vs to vvalke abroad but vvhen the houre is past what bringest thou home but a burdened conscience and distracted thoughts A joyfull going abroad bringeth often a sorrowfull comming home and a merry euening maketh a sad morning Prou. 14. So all carnall joy entereth gently but in the end it causeth remorse and destruction What is elsewhere to be seene which thou canst not see here Eccl. 1. Here thou seest heauen and earth al the elements of which all other things are made 8 What is there any where to be seene that can long continue vnder the Sunne thou thinkest perhaps to satiate thy selfe and haue thy fill but thou shalt neuer attaine it If it were possible for thee to see all things created present before thine eyes what were it all but a vaine and vnprofitable sight Eccl. 3. Lift vp thine eyes to God in heauen and aske pardon of thy sins and negligences Psa 122. Leaue vaine things to the vaine Attend thou to that which God cōmandeth Shut thy dore vpon thee cal vpon Iesus thy beloued Mat. 6. Be thou with him in thy Cell for thou shalt not finde so great peace in any other place If thou hadst stayed within and not giuen eare to idle newes thou haddest kept thy selfe better in good peace But now that thou delightest sometimes to heare nouelties it is fit thou sufferest for it some trouble and disquiet of minde CHAP. XXI Of Compunction of heart IF thou wilt profit any thing keepe thy selfe alwayes in the feare of God and yeeld not too much scope to liberty Prou. 19. Containe all thy senses vnder the rule of discipline and giue not thy selfe to foolish mirth Giue thy selfe to compunction of heart and thou shalt finde deuotion Compunction discouereth much good which with too much liberty is quickly lost It is meruaile that a man can euer perfectly reioice in this life if he consider his banishment and weigh the many perills wherwith his soule is inuironed The leuity of our minds the little care we haue of our faults makes vs not to feele the sorrowes of our soule 2 But oftentimes we vainly laugh when wee haue just cause to weepe There is neither true libertie nor good mirth but that which is in the feare of God accompanied with a good conscience Happy is he that can auoid all cause of distraction and draw himselfe to the vnion of holy compunction Happy is he that can abandon all that may defile or burden his conscience Fight manfully one custome ouercomes another If thou canst forbeare to intermeddle with that which belongs to others they will not hinder thee in that which thou hast to doe 3 Busie not thy selfe in matters which appertaine to others neither doe thou meddle at all with the affaires of thy betters Looke first of al to thy selfe and haue a more especial care to admonish thy self then whōsoeuer thou louest best If thou hast not the fauour of men be not therefore grieued Gal. 1. but let this seeme vnto thee a most just cause of griefe that thou lookest not to thy self with that care which beseemeth the seruant of God and a deuout religious person It is oftentimes better and more secure that a man hath not many consolations in this life especially such as are agreeable to the inclination of our corrupt nature But that we haue none at all or doe seldome taste diuine comforts the fault is ours that doe not seeke for compunction of heart nor do wholly forsake the vaine comforts of this world 4 Acknowledge thy selfe vnworthy of diuine comforts that thou hast deserued great tribulatiō Whē a man hath perfect contrition then is the whole world grieuous and lothsome vnto him Iudg. 2. 20. A good man findeth alwaies sufficient cause of teares and sorrow for whether he consider himself or weigh the estate of his neighbour hee knoweth that none liueth here without tribulatiō 2. King 13. And how much the more throughly he considereth himselfe so much the more is his sorrow Our sinnes and vices in which wee are so
could annoy him CHAP. VIII Of familiar conuersation with IESVS WHen Iesus is present all is well and nothing seemeth difficult but when Iesus is absent euery thing is hard When Iesus speaketh not inwardly vnto vs our comfort is nothing worth but if Iesus speake but one word we feele much consolation Did not Mary Magdalen presently rise frō the place where she wept when Martha said vnto her Thy Master is here and calleth thee Ioh. 11. Happy is the houre whē Iesus calleth from teares to spiritual ioy How dry and hard art thou without Iesus How foolish vaine if thou desire any thing out of Iesus Is not this a greater losse then if thou shouldest lose the whole world Matth. 16. 2 What can the world profit thee without Iesus To be without Iesus is a grieuous hell and to be with Iesus is a sweet Paradise If Iesus be with thee no enemy can hurt thee Rom. 8. He that findeth Iesus findeth a good treasure yea a good aboue al goods Mat. 13. And he that leeseth Iesus leeseth too much more then the whole world Hee is most poore that liueth without Iesus he most rich that is well with Iesus Luk. 12. 3 It is a great skill to know how to conuerse with Iesus and a great wisdome to know how to keepe Iesus Prou. 8. Be humble peaceable and Iesus will be with thee Be deuout and quiet and Iesus will stay with thee Thou mayest driue away Iesus lose his grace if thou giuest thy selfe to outward things And if thou shouldest driue him from thee and leese him vnto whom wilt thou fly and what friend wilt thou then seeke Without a friend thou canst not well liue and if Iesus be not aboue al a friend vnto thee thou shalt be too too sorrowfull and desolate Thou doest therefore foolishly if thou doest trust or reioyce in any other It is better for thee to haue all the vvorld against thee then Iesus offended with thee Gal. 6. Amongst al things therefore that be deare vnto thee let Iesus alone be thy chiefest beloued 4 Loue all for Iesus but Iesus for himselfe Iesus Christ alone is especially to bee beloued who alone is found to be good and faithful aboue all friends For him and in him let as well friends as foes be deare vnto thee Mat. 5. and all these are to bee prayed for that all may know loue him Luk. 6. Neuer desire to be singularly commended or beloued for that appertaineth onely vnto God who hath none like vnto himselfe Neither do thou desire that the hart of any should be set on thee nor do thou set thy heart on the loue of any but let Iesus be in thee and in euery vertuous and good man 5 Bee pure and free within and intangle not thy hart with any creature Thou oughtest to be as it were naked and carry a pure heart to God if thou wilt consider and proue and see how sweete our Lord is And truely vnlesse thou be preuented and drawne by his grace thou shalt neuer attaine to that happines to forsake and cast away all that 〈…〉 mayest bee vnited to him 〈◊〉 For when the grace of God commeth vnto a man then hee is strong and nothing is hard vnto him And vvhen it goeth away hee is poore and weake and as it vvere left vnto the vvill of whomsoeuer will afflict him In this thou oughtest not to bee deiected nor despaire but to resigne thy selfe with all indifferency vnto the will of God and to beare all things that befall thee for the glory of Christ for after winter followeth summer after night commeth day and after a tempest faire weather CHAP. IX Of the want of all comfort IT is no great matter to despise humane comfort when wee haue diuine It is much and very much to be able to want both humane diuine comfort and for the honor and glory of God to be willing to endure desolation of hart and to seeke himselfe in nothing nor to regard his owne merit What great matter is it if thou be cheerefull and deuout at the cōming of heauenly grace This houre is wished for of all men He rideth easily whom the grace of God carieth And what maruell if he feele not his burden who is borne vp by the Almighty and led by the greatest guide 2 We are alwaies willing to haue something for our comfort and a man doth hardly put off and forsake himselfe The holy Martyr S. Laurence ouercame the world with his Prelate because he despised whatsoeuer seemed delightsome in the world and for the loue of Christ he patiently suffered the high Priest of God S. Syxtus to be takē from him whom he most loued He ouercame therfore the loue of man by the loue of the Creator and he rather chose the diuine pleasure then humane cōfort See thou also learne to forsake some necessary thing and a beloued friend for the loue of God Bee not grieued when thou art forsaken by a friend knowing that we al at length must be separated one from another 3 A man must fight long with a constant minde before hee get the victory be able to place his whole heart in God When a man confideth in himselfe he easily slideth vnto humane comforts But a true louer of Christ a diligent follower of vertue giueth not himselfe to such solace nor seeketh sensible sweetnes but rather forcible exercises and to sustaine hard labours for Christ 4 When therefore spiritual comfort is giuen thee from God receiue it thankfully but know that it is the gift of God not any desert of thine Be not puffed vp ioy not too much neither do thou presume vainely but be rather the more humble for that grace and more wary and fearefull in all thy actions for that houre wil passe away and temptation will succeed When consolation is taken frō thee despaire not presently but with humility patience attend the heauenly visitation for God is able againe to giue thee greater consolation This is not new nor strange vnto them that haue experience in the way of God for in the great Saints and ancient Prophets there was oftentimes such kinde of alteration 5 For which cause one when he had grace said I said in my plentie I will not be moued euerlastingly Psalm 29. But vvhen this vvas gone from him hee addeth vvhat he found in himselfe saying Thou turnedst thy face from mee and I became troubled Ibid. Yet doth hee not despaire in the middest of these changes but more earnestly prayeth vnto our Lord and saith Vnto thee O Lord I will cry and I will pray vnto my God Ibid. Lastly he receiueth the fruite of his prayer and witnesseth that hee was heard saying Our Lord hath heard mee and taken pitie on mee our Lord is become my helper Ibid. But wherein Thou hast turned saith he my sorrow into joy and thou hast compassed me about with gladnes Ibid. If great Saints haue beene
my secrets and vnderstand the high mysteries of God neglecting themselues and their own saluation Eccles 3. and 2. Cor. 3. These oftentimes for that I resist them doe fall into great temptations and sinnes for their pride and curiosity 4 Feare the judgements of God dread the wrath of the almighty But discusse not the workes of the Highest Search thine owne iniquities in how much thou hast offended and how much good thou hast neglected Some carry their deuotion onely in books some in pictures sone in outward signes figures some haue me in their mouthes but little in their harts There are others that being illuminated in their vnderstanding and purged in their affection doe alwaies aspire with an earnest mind to euerlasting happines Esa 29. and are vnwilling to heare of the things of this world to serue the necessities of nature with griefe and these perceiue what the Spirit of truth speaketh in them Psal 24 Because it teacheth them to despise earthly and loue heauenly things to neglect thâ— world and day and night to desire heauen CHAP. V. Of the wonderfull effect of diuine grace THE SERVANT I Praise thee O heauenly Father Father of my Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast vouchsafed to remember mee a poore and wretched creature O Father of mercies and God of all comfort thankes be vnto thee who sometimes with thy comfort refreshest mee vnworthy of all comfort 2. Cor. 1. I euer blesse and glorifie thee with thy only begotten Son the holy Ghost for al worlds O God my Lord the holy louer of my soule when thou shalt come into my heart all that is within me will reioyce Thou art my glory and the exultation of my heart Psal 3. Thou art my hope and my refuge in the day of my tribulation Psal 31. 2 But for that I am yet weake in loue and imperfect in vertue I haue need to be comforted by thee visite me therefore often and instruct mee with thy holy discipline Deliuer me from euill passions and heale my heart of al inordinate affections that being cured within and wel purged I may be made fit to loue strong to suffer and constant to perseuere 3 Loue is a great matter in very truth a great good which alone maketh euery thing that is heauy light and beareth equally vnequall burdens Mat. 11. For it carrieth a burden without a burden and maketh euery thing that is bitter sweet and delightsome The noble loue of Iesus enforceth man to worke great things and stirreth him vp to desire alwayes the most perfect Loue will be aloft and not kept downe with any base things Loue will be free from all worldly affection to the end his inward sight be not obscured that he be not intangled with the desire of any transitory gaine or troubled with the want thereof Nothing is sweeter then loue nothing stronger nothing higher nothing more ample nothing more pleasant nothing fuller nor better in heauen or in earth for that loue hath his beginning from God and cannot rest but in God aboue all creatures 4 He that loueth flyeth runneth and reioyceth he is free and not held in He giueth all for all and hath all in al for that he resteth in one Highest aboue all from which all good floweth and proceedeth Hee respecteth not the gifts but turneth himselfe aboue all goods vnto the giuer Loue oftentimes knoweth no measure but inflameth aboue al measure Loue feeleth no burthen weigheth no paines desireth aboue it strength complaineth not of impossibility for that it thinketh all things lawful and possible It is therefore able to vndertake all things and performeth and bringeth many things to effect whereas he that doth not loue fainteth and can doe nothing 5 Loue alwaies watcheth sleeping sleepeth not being wearied is not tired straitned is not pressed frighted is not troubled but like a liuely flame and burning torch breaketh vpwards and passeth through al with great securitie Rom. 8. If any one loueth hee knoweth what this voice cries A lowd cry in the ears of God is the burning loue of the soul which saith My God my loue thou art wholy mine and I wholy thine 6 Enlarge mee in loue that my heart may taste how sweete it is to loue and to be dissolued swimme in thy loue Let me be possessed by loue mounting aboue my selfe with excessiue feruour admiration Let me sing the song of loue let me follow thee on high my beloued let my soule faint in thy praises reioycing with loue Let mee loue thee more then my selfe and not my selfe but for thee and al in thee and truly loue thee as the law of loue commandeth which shineth in thee 7. Loue is swift sincere pious sweet and delightfull strong patient faithful prudent suffering ful of courage and neuer seeking it selfe 1. Cor. 13. For where one seeketh himself there he falleth from loue 1. Cor. 10. Loue is circumspect humble and vpright not remisse not mutable nor attending vnto vaine things sober chast constant quiet and guarded in al the senses Psal 2. Loue is subiect and obedient to Superiours meane and abiect to it selfe deuout thankfull vnto God trusting and hoping alwaies in him euen then when God imparteth no sweetnes vnto it for without sorrow none liueth in loue 8 He that is not ready to suffer al things and stand to the will of his beloued is not worthy to be called a louer A louer ought to embrace willingly al that is hard and distastefull for his beloued and not to turne away from him for any contrary accidents CHAP. VI. Of the proofe of a true Louer OVR LORD SOnne thou art not yet a strong and prudent louer SER. Wherefore Lord LORD Because thou giuest ouer for a small aduersitie and too earnestly seekest comfort A constant louer standeth firmely in temptations giueth not credit to the crafty perswasions of the enemy As I please him in prosperity so I am not vnpleasant to him in aduersity Phil. 4. 2 A prudent louer considereth not so much the gift of his louer as the loue of the giuer He rather esteemeth the good will then the value and placeth all gifts vnder his beloued A noble louer resteth not in the gift but in mee aboue any gift All therfore is not left if sometimes thou hast lesse taste of mee and my Saints then thou wouldest That good and sweet desire which thou sometimes feelest is the effect of present grace and a certaine taste of the heauenly Country whereon thou must not rely too much for it goeth and commeth But to fight against euil motions of the minde which may happen vnto thee and to despise the suggestion of the diuel is a signe of vertue and great merit Matth. 4. 3 Let not therefore strange fancies forced into thee of any matter whatsoeuer trouble thee Retaine a firme purpose and vpright intention to God Neither is it an illusion that sometimes thou art suddenly rapt on high and presently returnest againe
am come for alas I am nothing and I knew it not And if I be left to my selfe behold I become nothing and a masse of infirmyty But if thou suddenly looke vpon me I am presently made strong filled with new joy And it is a great meruaile that I am so suddenly lifted vp and so graciously embraced by thee that of mine owne waight alwaies sinke downeward 2 Thy loue is cause hereof freely preuenting me and releeuing mee in so many necessities preseruing mee also from grieuous dangers and as I may truly say deliuering me from innumerable euils For surely by euill louing my selfe I lost my selfe and by seeking thee alone and sincerely louing thee I haue found both my selfe and thee and for thy loue haue more deepely brought my selfe to nothing Ioh. 12. For that thou O most sweet Iesu dealest with me aboue all desert and aboue all that I dare hope and request 3 Blessed be thou my God for although I be vnworthy of all good yet the noblenes of thy bounty and thy infinite goodnes neuer ceaseth to doe good euen to the vngratefull and to them that bee turned away farre from thee Matth. 5. Turne vs vnto thee O Lord that we may bee gratefull humble and deuout for thou art our safety our power and our strength CHAP. IX That all things are to be referred vnto God as vnto the last end OVR LORD SOnne I ought to bee thy chiefest and last end if thou desire to bee truly blessed With this intention thy affection shall be purified which is oftentimes inclined inordinately to it selfe and vnto creatures For if in any thing thou seeke thy selfe thou presently faintest and driest vp within thy selfe Direct therfore al things chiefely vnto me for I am hee that haue giuen all Consider euery thing as flowing from the highest good and therefore all things are to be reduced vnto me as vnto their first beginning Eccles 1. 2 Out of mee as out of liuing fountaines the little and the great the poore and the rich doe draw the water of life and they that willingly and freely serue mee shall receiue grace for grace Ioh. 4. But hee that will glory out of me or be delighted in any particular good shall not bee grounded in true ioy nor enlarged in his heart but shall be many waies hindred and straitned 1. Cor. 1. Thou oughtest therfore to ascribe no good vnto thy self nor attribute the praise of vertue vnto any man but giue all vnto God without whom man hath nothing I haue bestowed all and wil that al be returned to me againe and with great seuerity I require thanks 1. Cor. 4. 3 This is the truth that putteth to flight vaine-glory And if heauenly grace and true charity enter in there shall be no enuy nor grudging of heart neither shall there bee any place for selfe-loue For diuine charity ouercommeth all and enlargeth all the forces of the soule If thou vnderstand aright in mee alone thou wilt reioyce in mee alone thou wilt hope for none is good but God alone who is to be praised aboue all things and to be blessed in all Mat. 19. Luk. 18. CHAP. X. That despising the world it is sweet to serue God THE SERVANT NOw I wil speake againe Lord and will not be silent I wil say in the eares of my God my Lord and my King that is on high O how great is the multitude of thy sweetnes Lord which thou hast hidden for those that feare thee Psal 30. But what art thou to thē that loue thee What to them that serue thee with their whole heart Truly vnspeakable is the sweetnesse of thy contemplation which thou bestowest on them that loue thee In this chiefly thou hast shewed me the sweetnes of thy charity Gen. 1. for that when I was not thou madest me and when I went astray far off from thee thou broughtest me backe againe that I might serue thee and hast commanded mee to loue thee Psalm 118. and Matth. 15. 2 O fountain of euerlasting loue what shall I say of thee How can I forget thee that hast vouchsafed to remember me euen when I whithered away and perished Thou hast vsed mercy with thy seruant beyond all the expectation of my heart and hast bestowed thy grace and friendship beyond all merit What shall I returne vnto thee for this grace Psal 115. For it is not granted to euery one to forsake all things to renounce the world and to vndertake a life of religion and perfection Is it much that I serue thee whom all creatures are bound to serue It ought not to seeme much vnto mee to serue thee but this rather seemeth much and meruailous vnto me that thou vouchsafest to receiue into thy seruice one so poore and vnworthy and to joyne him with thy beloued seruants Iudg. 16. 3 Behold all is thine which I haue and whereby I serue thee And yet in very deed thou rather seruest mee then I thee 1. Cor. 4. Behold heauen and earth which thou hast created for the seruice of man are ready at hand and doe daily performe whatsoeuer thou dost command and this is little yea thou hast also appointed the Angels to the seruice of man Psa 90. Heb. 1. But that which exceedeth all is that thou thy selfe hast vouchsafed to serue man and promised to giue thy selfe vnto him 4 What shall I giue thee for all these thousands of benefits I would I could serue thee al the daies of my life I would I were able at least for one day to doe thee some worthy acceptable seruice Thou art truly worthy of all seruice of all honor and euerlasting praise Thou art my Lord I thy poore seruant that am bound to serue thee with all my forces neither ought I euer to cease to praise thee And this I wish to doe this I desire and whatsoeuer is wanting vnto me vouchsafe I beseech thee to supply 5 It is a great honor a very great glory to serue thee and to despise all things for thee For great grace shall be giuen to them that shall willingly submit themselues vnto thy most holy seruice They shall receiue most sweete comfort of the holy Ghost that for thy loue shall renounce all carnall delights Mat. 19. They shall attaine great freedome of mind that for thy names sake shall enter into the narrow way and shall haue left off all care of this world Matth. 7. 6 O sweet and delightfull seruitude of God by which man is truely made free holy Mat. 11. 1. Ioh. 5. O sacred state of religious bondage which maketh man equal to Angels pleasing to God terrible to diuels and grateful and of great esteeme to all the faithfull O seruice to be imbraced and alwaies wished for by which we obtain the greatest good and attaine to that joy which neuer shall haue end CHAP. XI That the desires of our heart are to be examined and moderated OVR LORD SOnne thou oughtest to learne many
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 alwayes mindfull of his owne iniquity and basenesse For there is none like vnto thee in all whatsoeuer is wonderfull in heauen and earth Psal 85. Thy words are good thy judgements true and by thy prouidence all things are gouerned Praise therefore and glory be vnto thee O wisdome of the eternall Father let my tongue my soule and all creatures together praise and blesse thee CHAP. XXII Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God THE SERVANT OPen O Lord my heart in thy Law and teach me to walke in thy Commandements Grant me to vnderstand thy will and to remember thy benefits as well in generall as in particular vvith great reuerence and diligent consideration that hence forvvard I may bee able worthily to giue thee thankes Psal 118. 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 and when I consider the excellencie of thy Maiestie the greatnesse thereof maketh my spirit to faint 2 All that wee haue in our soule and body whatsoeuer we possesse outwardly or inwardly naturally or spiritually are thy benefits and doe praise thee as bountifull pious and good from whom we haue receiued all that is good Although one hath receiued more another lesse all not withstanding are thine and without thee euen the least cannot be had He that hath receiued greater caÌ„not glory of his owne desert nor extol himself aboue others nor insult ouer the lesser for he is greater better that ascribeth least vnto himselfe and is more humble deuout in rendring thankes And he that esteemeth himselfe basest of all men and judgeth himselfe most vnworthy is fittest to receiue greater blessings 3 And he that hath receiued 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 chiefely 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 therefore in all things thou art to be praised Thou knowest what is fit to be giuen to euery one why this man hath lesse and he moâ—e it is not ours but thine to determine who doest weigh in just measure the deserts of euery one 4 Wherefore my Lord God I esteeme it as a great benefit not to haue much whereby outwardly and before men I might seem worthy of praise and glory so that he who considereth his own pouerty basenes ought not therfore to conceiue grief or sorow 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 the despised of this world for thy selfe and for thy familiar and domesticall friends 1. Cor. 1. Psal 44. Witnesses are thy Apostles themselues whom thou hast appointed Princes ouer all the earth 1. Thess 2. And yet they liued without coÌ„plaint in the world so humble and simple meane to the eyes of men without all malice and deceit that they reioyced to receiue contumelies for thy name and what the world abhorreth they embraced with great affection Act. 5. 5 Nothing therefore ought so to reioyce him that loueth thee and acknowledgeth thy benefits as the accomplishment of thy wil in himself and the pleasure of thy eternall appointment wherewith he ought to be so contented and comforted that he would as willingly be the least as any would wish to be the greatest and as peaceable and content in the last as in the first place and as willing to be despised and contemned and to be of no esteeme or account as to be preferred in honor before al others 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 receiued or can desire CHAP. XXIII Of foure things that bring much peace OVR LORD SOnne now I will teach thee the way of peace and true liberty SER. Doe Lord I beseech thee as thou sayest for I shal be very glad to heare it LORD Endeauour my Sonne to do rather the will of another then thine owne Euer choose rather to haue lesse then more Matth. 26. and Ioh. 5.6 Alwayes seeke the lowest place and to bee inferiour to euery one 1. Cor. 10. Wish alwayes and pray that the will of God may bee wholy fulfilled in thee Luk. 14. Behold such a man entreth into the limits of peace and most quiet rest Matth. 6. SER. 2 Lord this thy short speech containeth much perfection It is little in words but full in sense and abundant in fruit Mat. 5. For if it could exactly be kept by me then should I not so easily bee troubled For as often as I feele my selfe vnquiet and afflicted I finde that I haue strayed from this doctrine But thou that canst all things and euer louest the good and profite of my soule increase in me thy grace that I may fulfill thy words and perfect mine owne health A prayer against euill thoughts SER. 3 My 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 Psalm 70. How shall I passe through them without hurt How shall I breake them LORD I saith he will goe before thee and will humble the glorious of the earth I will open the dores of the prison and reueale vnto thee the hidden secrets Esay 45. SER. Doe Lord as thou sayest and let all euill thoughts flie from before thy face This is my hope and my only comfort to flie vnto thee in all tribulation to trust in thee to call vpon thee from my heart and to expect patiently thy comfort A prayer for enlightning of the minde SER. 4 Enlighten me good Iesu with the clearnes of inward light and expel al darknes of my hart Represse the many wandring thoughts and beat down the fury of the temptations which violently assault mee Fight strongly for me and vanquish the euill beasts that is the alluring concupiscence that peace may bee made in thy vertue abundance of thy praise sound in thy holy Court which is a pure conscience Command the windes and tempests say vnto the Sea Bee still and to the North-winde Blow not and a great calme shall ensue Mat. 8. 5 Send foorth thy light and thy truth that they may shine vpon the earth for I am emptie and vnprofitable earth vntill thou impartest thy light vnto me Psal 42. Powre out thy grace from aboue wash my hart with heauenly dew giue waters of deuotion to wash the face of the earth to bring
simple and well ordered thou shalt bee free from bondage Couet not that which thou mayest not haue Mat. 6. Bee not willing to haue that which may hinder thee and depriue thee of inward libertie It is a wonderfull thing that thou committest not thy selfe wholy vnto me from the bottom of thy heart with all things that thou canst desire or haue 2 Why doest thou consume thy selfe with vaine griefe Why tyrest thou thy mind with needlesse cares Resigne thy selfe to me thou shalt feel no losse at al. Exo. 18. Mic. 4. If thou seekest this or that wouldest be here or there to enioy thine own cōmodity pleasure thou shalt neuer be in quiet nor free from trouble of mind for in euery thing somewhat will be wanting and in euery place there wil be some that wil crosse thee 3 Not euery external thing therfore attained and heaped together helpeth thee but it rather auaileth if thou despise it and doest root it out from thy heart which thou must not vnderstand onely of thy reuenewes and wealth but of the desire of honor also vaine praise all which do passe away with this fading world The place auaileth little if the spirit of feruour be wanting Esa 4.8 neither shall that peace which is sought abroad long continue if the state of thy heart be destitute of a true foundation that is vnlesse thou persist in me thou maist change but not better thy selfe For whē occasion doth happen thou shalt find that which thou soughtest to fly and perhaps more A prayer for cleansing the heart and obtaining of heauenly wisdome SER. 4 Confirme mee Lord with the grace of thy holy Spirit Ps 50. Giue me force to strengthen my inward man and to purge my heart from all vnprofitable care griefe Eph. 3. not to be drawne away with sundry desires of any thing either little or great Mat. 6. but to consider all things how they are transitory and do quickly fade that my selfe do also passe away togither with thē for nothing is permanent vnder the Sun where all things are vanity and affliction of mind O how wise is he that so cōsidereth them Eccl. 1. 2. 5 Grant me Lord heauenly wisdome that I may learne aboue all things to seek and find thee aboue al things to delight in thee and to loue thee to think of all created things as they are according to the disposition of thy wisdome Grant me prudently to auoid him that flatters me to suffer patiently him that cōtradicts me Eph. 4. It is great wisdome not to be moued with euery blast of words nor to giue eare to dangerous flattery for so we shall go on securely in the way which we haue begun CHAP. XXVIII Against the tongue of Slanderers OVR LORD SOnne be not grieued if some think euill of thee and speake that which thou dost not willingly heare Thou oughtest to judge the worst of thy selfe and to thinke no man weaker then thy selfe 1. Cor. 4. If thou walk according to spirit thou wilt not much esteeme of flying words It is no smal wisdome to be silent in time of euil and inwardly to turne to me and not to bee troubled with the judgement of men 2 Let not thy peace bee in the tongues of men for whether they judge well or euill thou art neuerthelesse alwaies the same Where is true peace and true glory Is it not in me and he that coueteth not to please men nor feareth to displease them shall enioy much peace From inordinate loue and vaine feare ariseth all disquiet of heart and distraction of the senses CHAP. XXIX How we ought to call vpon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere THE SERVANT BLessed O Lord be thy name for euer since it pleaseth thee that this temptation and tribulation should fall vpon me Iob 1. Psal 112. I cannot fly it but haue need to fly to thee that thou maist helpe me and turne it to my good Lord I am now afflicted and it is not well with mee I am much troubled with this present griefe And now beloued Father what shall I say I am taken in narrow straits saue me in this houre Mat. 26. Yea therefore I am fallen in this houre that thou maist be glorified when I shal be greatly humbled and by thee deliuered Let it please thee Lord to deliuer me for poore wretch that I am what can I do and whither shal I go without thee Grāt patience Lord euen this time also Help me my God and then I wil not fear how much soeuer I be oppressed 2 And now in this what shall I say Lord thy will be done Mat. 6. I haue well deserued to be afflicted and grieued Surely I ought to beare it and I would to God I might beare it with patience vntil the tempest be passed ouer it become calme But thy omnipotent hand is able to take this temptation from me and to asswage the violence thereof that I vtterly sinke not vnder it as oftentimes heretofore thou hast done vnto mee my Lord my Mercy And how much the more hard it is to mee so much the more easie is this change of thy mighty hand to thee CHAP. XXX Of crauing the diuine aide and confidence of recouering grace OVR LORD SOnne I am thy Lord who doe vse to giue comfort in the day of tribulation Come vnto me when it is not wel with thee Nahum 1. This is that which most of all hindreth heauenly consolatiō that thou art slow in turning thy selfe vnto prayer Mat. 11. For before thou dost earnestly commend thy self to me thou seekest many comforts and delightest thy selfe in outward things And hence it proceedeth that al doth little profit thee vntil thou consider that I am he that deliuer those that trust in me that out of me there is neither powerfull helpe nor profitable counsell nor remedy that can continue But now thou hauing recouered breath after the tempest gather strength againe in the light of my mercies for I am at hand saith our Lord to repaire al not only entirely but also abundantly Mat. 23. 2 Is there any thing hard to me or am I like vnto him that promiseth and performeth not Where is thy faith Be firme and constant Take courage and be patient comfort will bee giuen thee in due time Attend me expect I wil come and cure thee It is a temptation that vexeth thee and a vaine feare that affrighteth thee What else doth the care for future incertainties bring thee but sorrow vpon sorrow Sufficient for the day is the euil therof It is a vain and vnprofitable thing to be grieued or to reioyce for future things that perhaps will neuer happen Mat. 6. 3 But it is incident to man to be deluded with such imaginations and a signe of little courage to be so easily drawne away by the suggestion of the enemy For he careth not so he delude deceiue thee whether it be true or
false which he proposeth whether he ouerthrow thee with the loue of present or the feare of future things Let not therefore thy heart be troubled neither doe thou feare Psal 90. Beleeue in me and put thy trust in my mercy When thou thinkest thy selfe furthest off from mee oftentimes I am nearest vnto thee When thou judgest that almost all is lost then oftentimes greatest gaine of merit is at hand All is not lost when any thing falleth out contrary vnto thee Thou must not judge according to that which thou feelest for the present nor giue thy selfe ouer to any griefe from whence soeuer it commeth as though all hope of deliuery were quite gone 4 Think not thy selfe wholy left although for a time I haue sent thee some tribulation or withdrawne thy desired comfort for this is the way to the kingdom of heauē And without doubt it is more expedient for thee and the rest of my seruants that yee be exercised with many aduersities then that yee should haue all things according to your desires I know the secret thoughts of thy hart and that it is very expedient for thy soules health that thou be left sometimes without taste feeling of spirituall sweetnesse lest perhaps thou shouldest bee puffed vp with good successe and shouldest please thy self in that which thou art not That which I haue giuen I can take away and restore it againe when I please 5 When I giue it it is mine when I withdraw it I take not any thing that is thine for mine is euery good and euery perfect gift If I send thee affliction or any crosse whatsoeuer repine not nor be not dismayd I can quickly lift thee vp againe turne al thy sorrow into joy Neuerthelesse I am just and greatly to be praised when I do all this vnto thee Iam. 1. 6 If thou be wise consider wel thy case thou wilt neuer yeeld so cowardly to griefe for any aduersitie that befalles thee but rather reioyce and giue thanks yea to account this thy only joy that afflicting thee with sorrowe◠I do not spare thee As my Father hath loued me I also loue you said I vnto my beloued Disciples whom certainly I sent not to temporal joyes but to great cōflicts Io. 15. not to honors but to contempts not to idlenes but to labors not to rest but to bring much fruit in patience My Sonne remember these words CHAP. XXXI Of the contempt of all creatures to find our Creator THE SERVANT LOrd I stand yet in need of great grace if I must go so far as that no man or creature can hinder me For as long as any thing holdeth mee I cannot fly freely vnto thee He desired to fly with great liberty that said Who will giue me wings like a doue and I will fly and rest Psa 54. What thing more quiet then a simple eye Mat. 6. And what more free then he that desireth nothing vpon earth Man ought therfore to ascend aboue all creatures and perfectly to forsake himselfe and to remaine in excesse of minde and consider that thou who art the maker of al things hast nothing amongst creatures like vnto thee And vnlesse a man be free from the affection of all creatures he cannot with freedome of minde attend vnto diuine things And for this cause there are so few contemplatiue men to bee found for that few can wholy sequester themselues from fading creatures 2 Much grace is necessary to lift vp a soule and to carrie it aboue it selfe And vnlesse a man be lifted vp in spirit and deliuered from all creatures and wholy vnited vnto God whatsoeuer he knoweth and whatsoeuer hee hath is of little account Long shall hee bee little and lye in earthly basenesse that esteemeth any thing great but the one only vnmeasurable and eternall good For whatsoeuer is not God is nothing and ought to bee accounted as nothing There is great difference betweene the wisdome of a spirituall and deuout person and the knowledge of a learned and studious Clerke Farre more noble is that learning which floweth from aboue from the diuine influence then that which is painfully gotten by the wit of man 3 There are many that desire contemplation but they endeauour not to exercise those things that are required thereunto It is a great hinderance that we rest in signes and sensible things haue little true mortification I know not what it is nor by what spirit we are led nor what we pretend we that seeme to be called spirituall that we take so much paines and so great care for transitory base things scarce or seldom thinke of our owne inward profite with full recollection of our senses 4 Alas presently after a sleight recollection we breake foorth and weigh not our workes with diligent examination We minde not where our affections lie nor bewaile the impurity and many faults that are in all our actions For all flesh had corrupted her way therefore did that generall floud ensue Gen. 6. 7. Sith our inward affection then is much corrupted it must needs be that our action proceeding therof be corrupted as a signe of the want of inward vigour From a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good life 5 Wee aske how much one hath done but how vertuous his actions are is not so diligently considered We enquire whether hee be strong rich beautifull handsome a good writer a good singer or a good laborer but how poore he is in spirit how patient meek how deuout spiritual is seldome spoken of Nature respecteth outward things grace turneth her selfe to the inward vertues That is often deceiued this hath her trust in God to the end shee be not deceiued CHAP. XXXII Of the deniall of our selues and forsaking all our affections OVR LORD SOnne thou canst not possesse perfect libertie vnlesse thou wholy denie thy selfe All such as bee louers of themselues are bound in fetters they are couetous curious wanderers seekers of ease and not of those things that appertaine to Iesus Christ but oftentimes deuising and framing that vvhich vvill not continue Matth. 16. and 19. For all shall perish that proceedeth not From God Keep this short and complete word Forsake al and thou shalt finde all Leaue thy inordinate desires and thou shalt find rest Consider this well and when thou hast fulfilled it thou shalt vnderstand all SER. 2 Lord this is not one dayes vvorke nor childrens sport yea in this short sentence all the perfection of Religious persons is included LORD Sonne thou must not go back nor straight waies be deiected when thou hearest the way of the perfect but rather bee stirred vp to more worthy and noble attempts or at least to conceiue an earnest desire thereof I would it were so well with thee and thou wert come so far that thou wert no longer a louer of thy selfe but didst stand meerely at my beck at his whom I haue appointed a Father ouer thee then thou shouldest
and trusted rather in God then in themselues knowing that the sufferings of this time are not condigne to the deseruing of future glory Rom. 8. Wilt thou haue that straight waies which many after teares and great labours haue hardly attained Expect the comming of thy Lord doe manfully be of good courage feare not doe not flie but offer both bodie and soule for the glorie of God Psalm 26. I vvill revvard thee in most plentifull manner and I vvill bee vvith thee in all thy tribulations CHAP. XXXVI Against the vaine Iudgements of men OVR LORD SOnne fixe thy heart stedfastly on God and feare not the judgements of men when thy conscience giueth testimony of thy justice innocency It is a good and happy thing to suffer in that sort neither will it bee burdensome to an humble mind nor to him that trusteth rather in God then in himself The most part of men are giuen to talke much and therfore litle care is to be had of their words neither is it possible to satisfie all 1. Cor. 9. Though the Apostle endeauoured to please all in our Lord and made himselfe all vnto all 2. Cor. 4. yet hee little regarded that hee was judged by humane day Coloss 1. 2 He did for the edification and health of others as much as he could and lay in him yet could he not hinder but that he was sometimes judged and despised by others Therfore he committed all to God who knew all and defended himselfe with patience humility against euil tongues and such as thought vanities lies and spake what they listed Yet somtimes notwithstanding he answered lest the weake might haue receiued scandall by his silence 3 Who art thou that fearest a mortall man To day he is and to morrow he is not seene Feare God the terror of men shall not trouble thee 2. Mac. 2. What harme can the words or iniuries of any do thee he rather hurteth himselfe then thee neither can he auoid the judgments of God be he what he wil. Rom. 2. Haue thou God before thine eyes and contend not with complaining words 1. Cor. 11. And if for the present thou seemest to be troden downe and to suffer shame and confusion without desert do not repine neither do thou lessen thy crowne by thy impatience but rather lift vp thine eyes to me in heauen Hebr. 12. I am able to deliuer thee from all shame and wrong and to repay euery one according to their workes CHAP. XXXVII Of a full and pure resignation of our selues for the obtaining freedome of heart OVR LORD SOnne leaue thy selfe and thou shalt finde me Make choice of nothing appropriate nothing to thy selfe and thou shalt euer gaine For greater grace shall alwaies be giuen thee when thou dost perfectly resigne thy selfe and not turne backe to take thy selfe againe SER. Lord how often shall I resigne my selfe And wherein shall I forsake my selfe LORD Alwayes and in euery thing as well in little as in great I do except nothing but doe require that thou be as it were naked void of al things Otherwise how canst thou be perfectly mine I thine vnlesse both within without thou be free from all selfe-will And how much the sooner thou dost this so much the better shalt thou find thy self how much the more fully and sincerely thou dost it so much the more shalt thou please mee and so much the more shalt thou gaine 2 Some there are that resigne themselues but with some exception For they put not their whole trust in God and therefore doe labour to prouide for themselues Some also at the first do offer all but afterwards being assailed with temptations doe returne againe to that which they had left and therefore they goe not forwards in the way of vertue These shall not attaine to the true libertie of a pure heart nor to the grace of my diuine familiarity vnlesse they first make an entire resignation and offer themselues a daily sacrifice vnto me For without this can neuer bee obtained the vnion with mee wherewith my Saints enioy me 3 I haue often said vnto thee and now againe I say the same Forsake thy selfe resigne thy selfe and thou shalt enioy internall peace Mat. 16. Giue all for all seek nothing require nothing repose thy selfe purely and with a full confidence in mee and I will giue my selfe vnto thee darknes shall not couer thee Let this bee thy whole endeauour let this be thy prayer let this be thy desire that casting off all propriety thou mayest al naked follow thy naked Sauiour Iesus and dying to thy selfe mayest liue eternally to me Then shall vaine fantasies euill perturbations and all superfluos cares flie away then shal immoderate feare leaue thee and inordinate loue shall die CHAP. XXXVIII Of good gouernment in outward things and of recourse to God in dangers OVR LORD SOnne thou oughtest with all diligence to procure that in euery place and action or external busines thou be inwardly free and master of thy selfe and that all things be vnder thy disposition thou not subiect to them that thou mayest bee Lord and Master of thy actions not a seruant or a hireling but rather a freeman and a true Hebrew belonging to the lot and freedome of the sonnes of God who put the things that are present vnder their feet and place their thoughts on that which is eternall who looke on transitory things with the left eie and with the right doe behold the things of heauen who suffer not themselues to be drawne to cleaue vnto them but rather dispose and vse them as they are ordained by God and appointed by the Creator of all who hath left nothing in his creatures without due order 2 If thou remaine firme and stedfast in all euents and dost not weigh by the outward apparence nor with a carnall eye the things which thou seest and hearest but presently in euery occasion dost enter with Moses into the Tabernacle to aske counsell of our Lord Exod. 33. thou shalt sometimes heare the diuine and celestiall Oracle and shalt returne instructed of many things both present and to come Moses had alwaies recourse to the Tabernacle for the deciding of all doubts and obscure questions and fled to the helpe of prayer for the remedy of the iniquitie and dangers of men So oughtest thou in like maner to fly to the closet of thy heart earnestly crauing the diuine fauour For the Scripture testifieth that therefore was Iosue the childrē of Israel deceiued by the Gabaonites because they consulted not first with God but giuing too lightly credit to faire words were deluded with counterfeit piety Iosue 9. CHAP. XXXIX That a man be not ouer earnest in his affaires OVR LORD SOnne alwaies commit thy cause to me I will dispose well of it in due time expect my ordination and thou shalt find it will be for thy good SER. Lord I do most willingly commit al vnto thee for my
care can profit little O that I cleaued not too much to future euents but offred my selfe with all readinesse of minde to thy diuine pleasure LORD 2 Son oftentimes a man doth earnestly labour for that which he desireth and when he hath gotten it hee beginneth to be of another minde and not to esteeme so much of it as before he did for mans affections doe not long continue fixed on one thing but do passe from one to another It is therefore a matter not of least moment to forsake our selues euen in the least things 3 The true spirituall profite of man consisteth in denying and forsaking of himselfe and he that is resigned liueth in great freedome and security But the ancient enemie who alwaies laboureth to withstand the seruants of God omitteth at no time his wonted temptations but day and night lieth still in waite to cast the vnwary if hee can into the snare of deceit 1. Pet. 5. Watch therefore and pray saith our Lord that you enter not into temptation Matth. 26. CHAP. XL. That man hath no good of himselfe nor any thing wherof he can glory THE SERVANT LOrd what is man that thou art mindefull of him or the sonne of man that thou vouchsafest to visite him Psalm 8. What hath man deserued that thou shouldest giue him thy grace Lord what cause haue I to complaine if thou forsake me Or if thou doest not that which I desire what can I justly say against it Surely this I may truely thinke and say Lord I am nothing I can doe nothing I haue nothing that is good of my self but in al things I do faile and am defectiue and doe euer tend to nothing and vnlesse thou helpe me and dost interiourly instruct me I become cold and am dissolued 2 But thou O Lord art alwayes the same and endurest for euer alwaies good just and holy doing all things well just and holily and disposing al things with wisdome Psa 101. But I that am more inclined to fall then to goe forwards doe neuer continue in one estate for seuen different times are changed ouer mee yet doth it soone turne to the better when it so pleaseth thee and when thou vouchsafest to stretch forth thy helping hand For thou alone canst help me without the fauour of man and so strengthen me that my countenance shall be no more changed but my heart shall be conuerted and rest in thee alone 3 Wherefore if I could once perfectly forsake all humane comfort either for the loue of deuotion or for mine own necessity which inforceth me to seeke after thee for none else can comfort mee then might I well hope in thy grace and reioyce in the gift of new consolation 4 Thankes by vnto thee from whence all proceedeth as often as it goeth well with me but I am meere vanity nothing before thee an vnconstant and weake man Whereof then can I glory Or why do I desire to be esteemed of Is it not of nothing and this is most vaine Truly vain-glory is an euill plague and very great vanity because it draweth from true glory robbeth the soule of heauenly grace For whilest a man pleaseth himself he displeaseth thee whilest hee gapeth after the praise of men he is depriued of true vertue 5 But true glory holy exultation and joy is for a man to glory in thee and not in himselfe Abac. 3. to reioyce in thy name and not in his owne vertue nor to delight in any creature but for thee Praised be thy name not mine magnified bee thy worke not mine let thy holy name be for euer blessed but to me let no part of mens praises be giuen Ps 112. and 113. Thou art my glory thou art the joy of my hart In thee wil I glory and reioice al the day but for my self I will not joy but in my infirmities 6 Let the Iewes seeke the glory which one man giueth ro another I will desire this which is from God alone Ioh. 5. For all humane glory all temporall honor al wordly highnes 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 honor vertue and glory for all eternity CHAP. XLI Of the contempt of all temporall honors OVR LORD SOnne trouble not thy selfe if thou seest others honoured and aduanced and thy selfe contemned and debased Lift vp thy heart vnto mee in heauen and the contempt of men in earth will not grieue thee SER. Lord we are blind quickly seduced with vanity If I look wel into my selfe I cannot say that any creature hath done me wrōg therfore I cānot justly complain of thee 2 But because I haue often grieuously sinned against thee all creatures do justly take arms against me for shame and contempt is due vnto me but vnto thee praise honor and glory And vnlesse I do so prepare my self that I be willing do reioyce to be despised and forsaken of all creatures and to be esteemed nothing at all I cannot obtain internal strength and peace nor be spiritually enlightned nor wholy vnited vnto thee CHAP. XLII That our peace is not to be placed in men OVR LORD SOnne if the peace thou hast with any bee grounded on the opinion which thou hast of him or on the contentment thou receiuest in his company thou shalt euer be vnconstant and subiect to disquiet but if thou haue recourse vnto the euer-liuing 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 bee beloued whosoeuer hee bee 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 hearts are not joyned together by me Thou oughtest to be so dead to such affections of beloued friends that for as much as appertaineth vnto thee thou shouldest wish to be without all company of men Man approcheth so much the neerer vnto God how much the further off hee departeth from all earthly comfort so much the higher also he ascendeth vnto God by how much lower hee descendeth into himselfe and how much the baser hee is in his owne conceit 2 But hee that attributeth any good vnto himselfe hindereth the comming of Gods grace vnto him For the grace of the holy Ghost euer seeketh an humble heart If thou couldst perfectly annihilate thy self and purge thy selfe of all created loue then should there flow into thee great abundance of my grace When thou castest thy eies on creatures the sight of thy Creator is taken from thee Learne to ouercome thy selfe in al things for the loue of thy Creator and then shalt thou be able to attain to heauenly knowledge How little soeuer it be if it be inordinately loued and regarded it defileth the soule and hindreth the enjoying of the chiefest good CHAP. XLIII Against
state Apoc. 21. O that that day would once appeare all these temporall things were at an end To the Saints it shineth glistering with euerlasting brightnes but to those that are Pilgrimes vpon earth it appeareth only a far off and as it were through a glasse 2 The inhabitants of heauen doe know how joyfull that day is but the banished children of Eue bewaile the bitternesse and tediousnes of this The daies of this life are short and euill full of sorrow and anguish where man is defiled with many sins incumbred with many passions disquieted with many feares filled with many cares distracted with many curiosities intangled with many vanities compassed about with many errors worne away with many labours vexed with temptations weakened with delights tormented with want Iob 7. 3 O when shall these euils be at an end Rom. 7. When shall I be deliuered from the miserable bondage of sin Psal 70. When shall I thinke O Lord of thee alone When shall I perfectly reioyce in thee When shal I bee free from all impediments in true liberty without al grief of mind and body When shall I haue firme peace peace secure without trouble peace without and within peace euery way assured O good Iesu whē shall I stand to behold thee When shall I contemplate the glory of thy Kingdom When wilt thou be vnto me all in all things O when shall I be with thee in thy Kingdom which thou hast prepared for thy beloued from before all worlds I am left a poore and banished man in the Land of mine enemies where there are daily warres and great misfortunes 4 Comfort my banishment asswage my sorrow for my whole desire sendeth vp sighes vnto thee For all is burdensome to me whatsoeuer this world offereth for my comfort I desire familiarly to enioy thee but I cannot attaine vnto it I would gladly fixe my heart to the things of heauen but temporall cares and vnmortified passions weigh me downe In mind I would be aboue al things but to my flesh I am inforced to be subiect against my will Ro. 7. 8. Thus vnhappy mā that I am I fight against my selfe and am become grieuous to my selfe whilest my spirit seeketh after the things that are aboue and my flesh that which is below 5 O what doe I inwardly suffer when in minde I consider heauenly things and presently in my prayers a multitude of fleshly fantasies present themselues before me My God be not farre from me depart not in thy wrath from thy seruant Psa 70. Cast forth thy lightning disperse them send out thy darts and breake all the fantasies of my enemy Gather my senses together vnto thee make mee forget the things of this world grant me grace to cast away speedily the fantasies of vices Succour me O euerlasting truth that no vanity may moue me Come heauenly sweetnes and let al impurity fly from thy face Pardon me also and mercifully forgiue me as often as I think vpon any thing else besides thee in prayer I truly confesse that I am wont to be subiect to many distractions for oftentimes I am not there where I do corporally stand or sit but rather there whither my thoughts do carry me Where my thought is there am I there is oftentimes my thought where my affection is That quickly occurreth vnto me which is naturally delightsome by custome pleasing 6 And for this cause thou that art truth it self hast plainly said Where thy treasure is there is also thy heart Mat. 6. If I loue heauen I willingly thinke of heauenly things If I loue the world I reioyce at the felicity of the world grieue for the aduersity thereof If I loue the flesh I imagine oftētimes those things that are pleasing to the flesh If I loue the spirit I delight to thinke of spirituall things For whatsoeuer I loue thereof doe I willingly speake and heare and cary 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 out of the feruour of spirit crucifieth the concupiscence of the flesh that with a cleare conscience he may offer sincere prayers vnto thee and be worthy of the company of the Angelicall 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 OVR LORD SOn whē thou perceiuest the desire of euerlasting blisse to be giuē thee from aboue desirest to depart out of the Tabernacle of this body that thou maist without shaddow of any enterchange behold my light open thy heart and receiue this holy inspiration with thy whole desire Giue great thankes to the heauenly goodnes that dealeth with thee so fauourably visiteth thee mercifully stirreth thee vp feruently holdeth thee vp powerfully lest through thine owne waight 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 diuine bounty that thou maist profit in vertue obtaine greater humility and prepare thy selfe to future battailes and endeauour to cleaue vnto mee with the whole affection of thy hart and serue me with a feruent desire 2 Sonne fire often burneth but the flame ascendeth not vp without smoke so likewise the desires of some men are earnestly carried to heauenly things and yet they are not free from temptation of carnall affection and therefore it is not altogether 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 perfect which is infected and defiled with the loue of thine owne proper commodity interest 3 Ask not that which is delightsome and profitable to thee but that which is gratefull to me and appertaineth to my honor for if thou judgest aright thou oughtest to preferre and follow my appointment rather then thine own desire or any desired thing I know thy desire and haue heard thy often grones Now thou wouldest bee in the freedome of the glory of the sons of God now doth the euerlasting habitation and the heauenly Country full of joy delight thee but this houre is not yet come it is yet another time to wit of war time of labour triall Thou desirest to bee filled with the chiefest good but thou canst not attaine it for the present I am he saith our Lord expect vntill the Kingdome of God doth come Iob 7. 4 Thou art yet to be tried vpon earth and to bee exercised in many things Comfort shall be sometimes giuen thee but abundant fulnes therof shal not be granted Take courage therfore be constant as wel in doing as in suffring things contrary to nature Iosue 1. Thou oughtest to put on a new man and to be changed into another Eph. 4. Thou must oftentimes doe
take courage my brethren and go forwards together Iesus will be with vs for Iesus sake we haue vndertaken this Crosse for the loue of Iesus let vs perseuere in the Crosse Hee will be our helper who is our guide and forerunner Behold our King goeth before vs who also will fight for vs let vs follow him cheerefully let vs not bee dismayed but be readie to die with courage in the battaile and let vs not blemish our glory by flying from the Crosse CHAP. LVII That a man be not too much deiected when he falleth into some defects OVR LORD SOnne patience and humilitie in time of aduersitie are more pleasing to mee then much comfort and deuotion in prosperitie Why art thou grieued for euery little trifle spoken and done against thee Although it had beene much more thou oughtest not to haue been moued But now let it passe it is not the first that hath happened nor any new thing neither shall it bee the last if thou liue long Thou art cheerefull enough as long as no aduersity occurreth Thou canst giue good counsell also and canst strengthen others with thy words but when any tribulation suddenly knocketh at thy dore thou art destitute of counsell and voide of force See therefore thy great frailtie which thou often prouest in very small occasions It is notwithstanding permitted for thy good when these and such like occasions befall thee 2 Put it out of thy heart the best thou canst and if it touch thee yet let it not deiect thee nor trouble thee long beare it at least patiently if thou canst not ioyfully Although thou bee vnwilling to heare it and feelest in thy heart some motion of disdaine yet represse thy selfe and suffer no inordinate word to passe out of thy mouth which may bee a scandall to the weake The storme which now is raised shall quickly be appeased and inward griefe shall be asswaged by the returne of grace I do yet liue saith our Lord and am ready to helpe thee and to giue thee greater comfort then before if thou put thy trust in mee and callest deuoutly vpon me Esay 49. 3 Be more patient and prepare thy selfe to greater suffering All is not lost if thou feele thy selfe often afflicted or grieuously tempted Thou art a man and not God thou art flesh not an Angell How canst thou looke to continue euer in the same state of vertue when an Angell in heauen hath fallen and the first man in Paradise lost his standing I am hee that doe giue healthfull comfort to them that mourne and doe raise vp vnto my God-head those that know their owne frailtie Gen. 3. SER. 4 Lord blessed be thy sacred Word more sweete vnto my mouth then the hony and the hony-combe What should I doe in these my so great tribulations and anguishes vnlesse thou diddest comfort mee with thy holy sweete and heauenly speeches Psal 118. What matter is it how much and what I suffer so as at length I may attaine to the hauen of blisse Grant mee a good end grant mee a happie passage out of this world Be mindfull of me my God and direct mee the straight and ready way to the euerlasting Kingdome Amen CHAP. LVIII Of not searching into high matters and into the secret iudgements of God OVR LORD SOnne beware thou dispute not of high matters not of the secret judgements of God why this man is forsaken and he assumed to so great grace why also this man is so much afflicted and he so greatly aduanced These things exceede all humane power neither can any reason or discourse of any man search out the judgement of God When the enemy therfore suggesteth these things vnto thee or some enuious people demand them of thee answere that of the Prophet Thou art just O Lord and thy judgement is right Psa 218. And againe The judgements of our Lord are true justified in thēselues Psa 18. My judgments are to be fearead not to be discussed for they are such as cannot be comprehended by the vnderstanding of man 2 In like maner I aduise thee not to enquire nor dispute of the merits of the Saints which of them is holier then the other and which is greater in the Kingdome of heauen These things oftentimes breed strife vnprofitable contentions they nourish also pride vain-glory from whēce do vsually spring enuy dissensions whilst one will needs foolishly haue this Saint preferred the other another 1. Tim. 2. To desire to know search out such things is to no purpose but to displease the Saints of whom they speake For I am not the God of dissensiō but of peace which peace consisteth rather in true humilitie then in exalting our selues 3 Some are carried with zeale of affectiō to loue these or those most but this loue is rather humane then diuine I haue made al the Saints and haue giuen them grace I haue made them partakers of my glory I know the merits of euery one I haue preuented them in the benedictions of my sweetnes I foreknew my beloued before the beginning of the world I chose thē out of the world they chose not me first Ioh. 15. I called them by grace I drew them by mercy I led them through sundry temptations I haue sent thē great inward cōforts I haue giuen thē perseuerāce I haue crowned their patiēce 4 I know the first and last I embrace all with inestimable loue I am to be praised in al my Saints I am to be blessed aboue al things and to be honored in euery one whom I haue thus gloriously exalted and predestinated without any precedent merits of their owne He therefore that contēneth one of the least of my Saints honoreth not the greatest for that I made both the lesse and the greater Iam. 2. Wisd 6. And he that dispraiseth any of my Saints dispraiseth also me al the rest in the Kingdome of heauen All are one by the band of Charity they thinke the same they will the same and are all knit together in one perfect-band of loue 5 But yet which is much more high they loue me more then themselues more then their owne merits For being rauished aboue themselues drawne out of the affection of themselues they tend wholy vnto the loue of mee in which also they rest enioying me with vnspeakable glory Nothing can put them backe nothing presse them down for being full of euerlasting truth they burne with the fire of vnquenchable charity Let therfore carnal earthly mē that can affect no other but priuate joyes forbeare to dispute of the state of Saints They adde and take away according to their owne fancies not as it pleaseth the euerlasting Truth 6 There is in many great ignorāce specially in those that bee slenderly enlightned these can seldom loue any with perfect spiritual loue They are alwaies much drawne by a natural affection humane friendship to this man or to that and according to the
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 al thankfully and faithfully to be receiued by me They are thine thou hast spoken them and they are mine also because thou hast spoken them for my saluation I willingly receiue them from thy mouth that they may be the deeper imprinted in my heart These deuout words so full of sweetnes and loue do stirre me vp but mine owne offences doe amaze me my impure conscience driueth me back from the receiuing of so great mysteries The sweetnes of thy words doth encourage mee but the multitude of my sinnes doe oppresse me 2 Thou commandest me to come confidently vnto thee if I will haue part with thee and to receiue the food of immortality if I desire to obtaine euerlasting life glory Come sayest thou vnto me all ye that labour and are burdened and I wil refresh you Mat. 11. O sweet and louely word in the eare of a sinner that thou my Lord God shouldest inuite the poore and needy to receiue thy most blessed body But who am I Lord that I may presume to approach vnto thee Behold the heauens cannot containe thee and thou sayst Come ye all vnto me Mat. 11. 3 What meaneth this most pious benignity and so louing inuitation How shal I dare to come that know not any good in mee whereupon I may presume How shal I bring thee into my house that haue often offended thy most gracious countenance The Angels and the Archangels honor thee the Saints and just men doe feare thee and thou sayest Come ye all vnto me Mat. 11. Vnlesse thou O Lord didst say it who would beleeue it to be true And vnlesse thou didst command it who would dare to come vnto thee Behold Noe a just man laboured an hundred yeares in building of the Arke that he might be saued with a few and how can I in one houres space prepare my selfe to receiue with reuerence the Maker of the world Gen. 6. 4 Moses thy great seruant and 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 receiue the Maker of the Law and the giuer of life Salomon the wisest of the Kings of Israel bestowed seuen yeares in building a magnificent Temple in praise of thy name and celebrated the feast of the Dedication therof eight daies together 3. King 6. hee offered a thousand peaceable sacrifices and set the Arke in the place prepared for it with the sound of trumpets and joy 3. King 8. and I the most vnhappie and poorest of men how shall I bring thee into my house that I can scarce spend one halfe houre deuoutly And I would to God it were once almost one halfe houre in worthy and due manner 5 O my God how much did they endeauour to please thee and alas how little is that which I doe How short time doe I spend when I prepare my selfe to receiue I am seldome wholy recollected very seldome altogether free from distraction yet surely no vndecent thought should occurre in the presence of thy Deity nor any creature draw me vnto it for I am not to harbour an Angell but the Lord of Angels 6 And yet there is great difference betweene the Arke the Reliques therof and thy most pure body with his vnspeakable vertues betweene those legall Sacrifices figures of future things and the true sacrifice of thy body the complement of all ancient Sacrifices Why therefore doe I not become more feruent in thy venerable presence Wherefore doe I not prepare my selfe with greater care to receiue thy sacred gifts sith those holy ancient Patriarkes and Prophets yea Kings also and Princes with the whole people haue shewed so great zeale of deuotion to thy diuine seruice 7 The most deuout King Dauid danced before the Arke of God with all his force calling to minde the benefits bestowed in times past vpon his fore-fathers 2. King 6. He made Instruments of sundry kinds he published Psalmes and appointed them to be sung with joy himselfe also oftentimes played vpon the Harpe Being inspired with the grace of the holy Ghost he taught the people of Israel to praise God vvith their whole heart and with pleasant voyces euery day to blesse praise him If so great deuotion was then vsed and such memory of diuine praise before the Arke of the Testament what reuerence and deuotion is now to be performed by me and al Christian people in the presence of this Sacrament in receiuing the most precious body of Christ 8 Many goe to sundry places to visite the Reliques of Saints and are astonished when they heare of their miraculous workes they behold the spacious buildings of their Churches and kisse their sacred bones wrapped in silke and gold And behold thou art heere present with me on the Altar my God the Holy of Holies the Maker of all things and Lord of Angels Oftentimes in those deuotions there is but curiositie of men and nouelty of the beholders in the seeing of such sights and little fruit of amendment is gotten thereby especially where there is so vnconstant wandring without true contrition But heere in the Sacrament of the Altar thou art present my Lord God and Man Christ Iesus where also plentifull fruit of euerlasting saluation is obtained as often as thou art worthily and deuoutly receiued No leuity no curiosity or sensuality draweth vnto this but firme faith deuout hope and sincere charity 9 O God the inuisible Creator of the world how wonderfully dost thou deale with vs How sweetly and graciously doest thou dispose of all things with thy Elect to whome thou offerest thy selfe to be receiued in the Sacrament O this exceedeth all vnderstanding of man this chiefly draweth the hearts of the deuout and inflameth their desire For thy true faithfull seruants that dispose their whole life to amendment by this most worthy Sacrament oftentimes receiue great grace of deuotion and loue of vertue 10 O admirable and hidden grace of this Sacrament which onely the faithfull of Christ do know but the vnfaithfull and such as are slaues vnto sinne cannot conceiue nor feele In this Sacrament spirituall grace is giuen and lost vertue is restored in the soule and beautie disfigured by sinne returneth againe This grace is sometimes so great that with the fulnesse of deuotion which is heere giuen not only the minde but the weake body also feeleth great increase of strength 11 Our coldnes and negligence surely is much to be bewailed and pitied that wee are not drawne with greater affection to receiue Christ in whom al the hope and merit of those that are to be saued doth consist For he is our sanctification and redemption he is the comfort of passengers and the euerlasting fruition of Saints It is much therefore to be lamented
that many doe so little consider this comfortable mystery which rejoyceth heauen preserueth the whole world O blindnes and hardnesse of mans hart that doth not more deeply weigh the greatnes of so vnspeakable a gift but rather comes by the daily vse thereof to regard it little or nothing 12 For if this most holy Sacrament should be celebrated in one place only consecrated by one only Priest in the world with how great desire dost thou think would men be affected to that place and what esteeme would they haue of such a Priest of almighty God by whom they might enioy the consolation of these diuine mysteries But now there are many Priests Christ is offred vp in many places that so the grace and loue of God to man may appeare so much the greater how much the more this sacred Cōmunion is cōmon through the world Thāks be vnto thee good Iesu euerlasting Pastor of our soules that hast vouchsafed to refresh vs poore banished men with thy precious Body Bloud to inuite vs to that receiuing of these mysteries with the words of thy owne mouth saying Come vnto me all ye that labour are burdened and I will refresh you Mat. 11. CHAP. II. That great goodnes and charity of God is bestowed vpon man in this Sacrament The voice of the Disciple PResuming of thy goodnesse and great mercy O Lord being sick I approach vnto my Sauiour hungry and thirstie to the Fountaine of life needy to the King of heauen a seruant vnto my Lord a creature to my Creator desolate to my mercifull Comforter But whence is this to me that thou vouchsafest to come vnto mee Who am I that thou shouldest giue thy selfe vnto mee Luk. 1. How dare a sinner presume to appeare before thee And thou how doest thou vouchsafe to come vnto a sinner Thou knowest thy seruant and seest that hee hath no good thing in him for which thou shouldest bestow this benefit vpon him I confesse therefore my vnworthinesse I acknowledge thy goodnes I praise thy mercy and giue thee thanks for this thy vnspeakable charity For thou dost this for thine own goodnes not for any merits of mine to the end that thy goodnes may be better knowne vnto me thy charity more abundantly shewed and thy humility more highly commended Since therefore it is thy pleasure and hast commanded that it should bee so this thy bounty is also pleasing to me and do wish that my offences may be no hinderance 2 O most sweet and bountiful Iesu how great reuerence and thankes with perpetuall prayse is due vnto thee for the receiuing of thy sacred Bodie whose worth and dignitie no man is able to expresse But what shall I thinke of at this time now that I am to receiue this diuine Sacrament and to approach vnto my Lord to whome I am not able to giue due reuerence and yet I desire to receiue him deuoutly What can I thinke better and more profitable then to humble my selfe wholy before thee and to exalt thy infinite goodnes aboue me I praise thee my God and wil exalt thee for euer and I do despise and submit my selfe vnto thee euen into the depth of my vnworthinesse 3 Behold thou art the Holy of Holies and I the skumme of sinners Behold thou bowest thy self downe vnto mee who am not worthy so much as to looke vp vnto thee Behold thou commest vnto me it is thy will to be with me thou inuitest me to thy banket Ps 77. Thou wilt giue me the food of heauen and bread of Angels to eat which is no other truly then thy self the liuely bread that descendest from heauen and giuest life vnto the world Ioh. 6. 4 Behold from whence this loue proceedth What kind of fauour and benignity is this which shineth vpon vs What thanks and praises are due vnto thee for these benefits O how good and profitable was thy counsell when thou ordainedst it How sweet pleasant the banket when thou gauest thy selfe to be our food How wonderfull thy work O Lord how powerfull thy vertue how vnspeakable thy truth For thou saidst the word and all things were made and this was done which thou commandest Gen. 1. Psal 148. 5 A thing of great admiration and worthy of faith and surpassing the vnderstanding of man that thou my Lord God true God and Man shouldest be wholy contained vnder a small forme of bread and wine and shouldest bee eaten by the receiuer without being consumed Thou who art the Lord of all things and standest in need of none hast pleased to dwell in vs by meanes of this thy Sacrament preserue my heart and body vnspotted that with a cheerefull and pure conscience I may often celebrate thy mysteries and receiue them to my euerlasting health which thou hast chiefely ordained and instituted for thy honor perpetuall memory 6 Reioyce my soule giue thanks vnto God for so noble a gift and singular comfort left vnto thee in this vale of teares For as often as thou callest to mind this mystery and receiuest the body of Christ so often dost thou worke the worke of thy redemption and art made partaker of all the merits of Christ For the charity of Christ is neuer diminished and the greatnes of his mercy is neuer lessened Therefore thou oughtest alwaies to dispose thy selfe hereunto by a fresh renuing of thy mind and to weigh with attentiue consideration this great mystery of thy saluation So great new and joyfull it ought to seem vnto thee when thou sayest or hearest Masse as if the same day Christ first descending into the wombe of the Virgin were become man or hanging on the Crosse did suffer and die for the saluation of mankind CHAP. III. That it is profitable to Communicate often BEhold O Lord I come vnto thee that I may be comforted in thy gift and be delighted in thy holy banquet which thou O Lord hast prepared in thy sweetnesse for the poore Psal 67. Behold in thee is all whatsoeuer I can or ought to desire thou art my health and my redemption my hope and my strength my honor and my glory Make joyfull therefore this day the soule of thy seruant for that I haue lifted it vp to thee my sweete Iesus Psalm 85. I desire to receiue thee now with deuotion and reuerence I do long to bring thee into my house that with Zachaeus I may deserue to be blessed by thee and numbred amongst the children of Abraham My soule thirsteth to receiue thy Body my heart desireth to be vnited with thee 2 Giue thy selfe to me and it sufficeth For besides thee no comfort is auailable I cannot be without thee nor liue without thy visitation And therfore I must often come vnto thee and receiue thee as the only remedy of my health lest perhaps I faint in the way if I be depriued of thy heauenly food For so most mercifull Iesus thou once didst say preaching to the people
curing sundry diseases I will not send them home fasting lest they faint by the way Matth. 15. Mat. 8. Deale thou therefore in like manner now with mee who hast vouchsafed to leaue thy selfe in the Sacrament for the comfort of the faithfull For thou art the sweet refection of the soule and he that eateth thee worthily shall be partaker and heire of euerlasting glory It is necessary for me that do so often fall and sinne so quickly waxe dul and faint that by often prayers and confession and receiuing of thy sacred body I renue clense and inflame my selfe lest perhaps by long abstaining I fall from my holy purpose 3 For man is prone vnto euil from his youth and vnlesse this diuine remedy help him he quickly slideth to worse Gen. 8. This holy Communion therefore draweth backe from euill and comforteth in good For if I be now so often slack and negligent when I communicate or say Masse what would become of me if I receiued not this remedy and sought not after so great a helpe Though euery day I be not fit nor well prepared to say Masse I will endeauour notwithstanding at conuenient times to receiue the Diuine Mysteries and make my selfe partaker of so great a grace For this is the onely chiefe comfort of a faithfull soule whilest she wandreth from thee in this mortall body that being mindfull of her God shee often receiue her Beloued with a deuout minde 4 O wonderfull benignity of thy mercy towards vs that thou Lord God the Creator and giuer of life to all spirits dost vouchsafe to come vnto a poore soule and with thy whole Godhead and humanity to replenish her hunger O happy mind and blessed soule that deserueth to receiue thee her Lord God with deuout affection and in receiuing of thee to be filled with spirituall joy O how great a Lord doth shee entertaine How beloued a guest doth shee harbour How pleasant a companion doth shee receiue How faithfull a friend doth shee accept How beautifull and noble a Spouse doth shee embrace She embraceth him who is to be loued aboue al that is beloued and aboue al things that may be desired Let Heauen and Earth and all their beauty be silent in thy presence For what beauty and praise soeuer they haue it is receiued from thy bounty and shal not equal the beauty of thy name of whose wisedome there is no end Psal 146. CHAP. IV. That many benefits are bestowed vpon them that Communicate deuoutly The voice of the Disciple MY Lord God preuent thy seruant in the blessings of thy sweetnesse that I may deserue to approach worthily and deuoutly to thy holy Sacrament stirre vp my heart vnto thee and deliuer me from all heauines slouth Ps 20. visit me with thy comfort that I may taste in spirit thy sweetnes which plentifully lieth hid in this Sacramēt as a foūtaine Ps 105. Giue light also to mine eyes to behold so great a mystery and strengthen me to beleeue it with vndoubted faith For it is thy worke and not mans power thy sacred institution not mans inuention For no man is of himselfe able to comprehend and vnderstand these things which surpasse the vnderstanding euen of Angels What therefore shall I vnworthy sinner earth and ashes be able to search and comprehend of so high and sacred a mystery 2 O Lord in sinceritie of heart with a good and firme faith and at thy commandement I come vnto thee with hope and reuerence and do verily beleeue that thou art heere present in the Sacrament God and Man Thy holy pleasure is that I receiue thee by charity do vnite my self vnto thee Wherfore I do recurre vnto thy Clemencie and doe craue speciall grace that I may wholy melt in thee and abound with loue and hereafter neuer admit any externall comfort For this most high and worthy Sacrament is the health of the soule and body the remedy of al spirituall sicknes by it my vices are cured my passions bridled temptations ouercome or weakned greater grace infused vertue increased faith confirmed hope strengthened and charity inflamed and enlarged 3 For thou hast bestowed and still oftentimes dost bestow many benefits in this Sacrament vpon thy beloued that receiue it deuoutly my God the protector of my soul the strēgthner of humane frailty and the giuer of all inward comfort Thou impartest vnto them much comfort against sundry tribulations and liftest them vp from the depth of their own basenesse to the hope of thy protection and dost inwardly refresh illustrat them with a certaine new grace in such sort that they who before Communion felt themselues heauy indisposed afterwards being strēgthened with heauenly meat and drinke do find in themselues a great change to the better which thou dost so dispose to thy Elect that they may truly acknowledge and patiently proue how great their owne infirmity is and what benefit and grace they receiue from thee For they of themselues are cold dull and vndeuout but by thee they are made feruent agile and full of deuotion For who is there that approaching humbly vnto the Fountain of sweetnes doth not carry away from thence at least some little sweetnes Or who standing by a great fire receiueth not some small heat thereby Thou art a Fountaine alwayes full and ouerflowing a fire euer burning and neuer decaying Esa 12. Leuit. 6. 4 Wherefore if I cannot draw at the full out of this Fountaine nor drinke my fill I will notwithstanding set my lips to the mouth of this heauenly conduite that I may draw from thence at least some small drop to refresh my thirst to the end I wither not wholy away and perish And though I be not altogether celestial nor so inflamed as the Cherubims and Seraphims notwithstanding I will endeauour to apply my selfe to deuotion and dispose my heart to obtaine some small sparke of diuine fire by humbly receiuing of this Life-giuing Sacrament And whatsoeuer is hereunto wanting in mee good Iesu most blessed Sauiour doe thou supply for mee most benigne and gratious Lord who hast vouchsafed to call vs vnto thee saying Come vnto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you Mat. 11. 5 I labour in the sweate of my browes I am vexed with griefe of heart I am burdened with sinnes I am troubled with temptations I am intangled and oppressed with many euill passions and there is none to helpe me none to deliuer and saue me but thou Lord God my Sauiour to whome I commit my selfe and all mine that thou mayest keepe me and bring me to life euerlasting Receiue me to the honor and glory of thy name who hast prepared thy Body and Bloud to be my meat and my drinke Gran◠Lord God my Sauiour that by frequenting thy mysteries my zeale and deuotion may encrease CHAP. V. Of the dignitie of this Sacrament and Priestly function The voice of Christ IF thou hadst angelicall purity and the sanctity of Saint
and my body naked for thy sins so that nothing remained in mee that was not turned into a sacrifice for the appeasing of the diuine wrath so oughtest thou also to offer vp thy self willingly vnto me daily in the Masse as a pure and holy oblation with thy whole force and desire in as heartie a manner as thou canst What doe I require of thee more then that thou resigne thy selfe wholy vnto mee Prou. 23. Whatsoeuer thou giuest besides thy selfe is of little account 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 mee 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 Behold I offered vp my selfe wholy vnto my Father for thee and gaue my whole body and bloud for thy food that I might be wholy thine and thou remaine mine But if thou abidest in thy selfe and doest not offer thy selfe vp freely vnto my will thy oblation is not entire neither shall the vnion betweene vs be perfect Therefore a free offering vp of thy selfe into the hands of God ought to goe before all thy actions if thou wilt obtaine freedome and grace For this cause so few become inwardly illuminated and enjoy true liberty of heart for that they do not resolue wholy to deny themselues My saying is vndoubtedly true Vnlesse one forsake all hee cannot bee my Disciple Ioh. 14. If thou therefore wish to bee mine offer vp thy selfe vnto mee with thy whole desires CHAP. IX That we ought to offer vp our selues and 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 in earth Ps 23. I desire to offer vp my self vnto thee is a free oblation and to remaine alwaies thine O Lord in sincerity of my hart I offer my self vnto thee this day in sacrifice of perpetuall praise to be thy seruant for euer Receiue mee with this holy oblation of thy precious body which in the presence of the Angels 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 al my sins and offences which I haue committed in the sight of thee and thy holy Angels from the day wherein I first could sin to this houre vpon thy holy Altar that thou maist consume and burne them all with the fire of thy charity wash out all the stains of my sins and clense my conscience from all offence and restore to me againe thy grace which I lost by sin forgiuing me all my offences and receiuing me mercifvlly in the kisse of peace 3 What can I do for my sins but humbly confesse and bewaile them and intreat alwaies for mercy without intermission Psal 31. I beseech thee heare me in thy abundant mercy wheÌ„ I stand before thee my God All my sins are very displeasing vnto me I will neuer commit them any more but I am sory and will be sory for them as long as I liue am ready to do penance and to satisfie for them to the vttermost of my power Forgiue me O God forgiue mee my sinnes for thy holy names sake saue my soule which â—â—ou hast redeemed with thy precious bloud Behold I commit my selfe vnto thy mercy I resigne my selfe ouer into thy hands Do with me according to thy goodnesse not according to my wickednes and manifold iniquities 4 I offer vp also vnto thee all whatsoeuer is good in me although it be very little and imperfect that thou mayest amend and sanctifie it that thou mayest make it gratefull and acceptable vnto thee and alwaies perfect more and more that which thou hast begunne and bring me also who am the slouthfull and vnprofitable creature to a good and blessed end 5 I offer vp also vnto thee all the godly desires of deuout persons the necessities of my parents and friends my brethren and sisters and of all those that are deare vnto me and that haue done good either to my selfe or others for thy loue and that haue desired mee to say Masse and pray for them and all theirs whether they be yet aliue or already dead that they all may receiue the help of thy grace and comfort protection from dangers deliuery from paine and being freed from all euils may joyfully giue worthy thankes to thee 6 I offer vp also vnto thee my prayers and sacrifices especially for them who haue in any thing wronged grieued or slaundered mee or haue done mee any domage or displeasure and for those also whome I haue at any time grieued troubled and scandalized by words or deeds wittingly or at vnawares that it may please thee to forgiue vs all our sinnes and offences one against the other Take O Lord from our hearts all jealousie all indignation wrath and contention and whatsoeuer may hurt Charitie and weaken brotherly loue Haue mercie O Lord haue mercie on those that craue thy mercie giue grace vnto them that stand in need thereof and grant that wee may bee worthy to enioy thy grace and attaine to life euerlasting Amen CHAP. X. That the holy Communion is not lightly to be forborne The voice of the Beloued THou oughtest often to haue recourse to the Fountaine of grace and of diuine mercy to the Fountaine of goodnesse and of all piety that thou mayest bee cured of thy sinnes and passions and deserue to be made more strong and vigilant against all temptations and deceits of the Diuell The enemie knowing the greatest profit and remedy to consist in the holy Communion endeauoureth by all meanes and occasions to withdraw and hinder faithful and deuout persons from it 2 Some when they purpose to receiue the sacred Communion suffer greatest assaults of the Diuell For that wicked spirit as is written in Iob commeth amongst the Sonnes of God to trouble them with his accustomed malice and impiety or to make them ouer fearefull and perplexed that so he may diminish their affection or by his subtile assaults take away their faith to the end they may either altogether abstaine from this diuine foode or at least come vnto it with lesse deuotion But there is no heed to be taken of his frauds and malicious suggestions be they neuer so filthy and hideous but all is to be turned backe vpon his owne head Wee ought to contemne and scorne him miserable wretch and not to omit the sacred Communion for his assaults and the troubles which he raiseth 3 Oftentimes also an excessiue care for the obtaining of deuotion and a certaine anxiety for the making of our Confession hindreth vs. Follow in these occasions the counsell of the wise and put away all anxiety and scruple for it hindereth the grace of God and ouerthroweth deuotion Omit
the holy Church Psal 22. Heb. 9. and 13. One is the Table of the holy Altar containing the Sacred bread that is the precious Body of Christ the other is of the diuine law containing holy doctrine teaching true faith certainly leading to the part of the Temple within the veile where are the Holy of Holies Thankes be vnto thee Lord Iesu light of euerlasting light for thy table of holy doctrine at which thou seruest vs by thy seruants the Prophets and Apostles and other Doctors 5 Thanks be vnto thee Creator Redeemer of man who to manifest thy charity to the whole world hast prepared a great Supper Luk. 14. wherin thou hast offred to be eaten not the mysticall Lambe but thine owne most sacred Body and Bloud Ioh. 6. reioycing all the faithful with thy holy banquet and replenishing them to the full with thy heauenly Cup Psal 22. in which are all the delights of heauen and the holy Angels doe feast with vs but with a more happy sweetnesse Wisd 16. 6 O how great and honorable is the office of Priests to whom it is granted with sacred words to consecrate the Lord of Maiestie with their lippes to blesse him with their hands to hold him with their owne mouth to receiue him and to administer him to others O how cleane ought to be those hands How pure that mouth How holy the bodie How vnspotted the heart of the Priest into whom the Author of purity so often entreth Nothing but holy no word but chaste and profitable ought to proceed from the mouth of the Priest which so often receiueth the Sacrament of Christ 7 Simple and chaste ought to be the eyes that are wont to behold the body of Christ the hands pure and lifted vp to heauen that vse to handle the Creator of heauen and earth Vnto the Priests especially it is said in the Law Bee yet holy for that I your Lord God am holy Leuit. 19. and 20. 8 Assist vs Almighty God with thy grace that we who haue vndertaken the office of Priesthood may serue thee worthily and deuoutly in all purity and with a sincere conscience And if wee cannot liue in so great innocency as we ought to do graunt vs notwithstanding in due manner to bewaile the sinnes which we haue committed and in the spirit of humility and sincere intention to serue thee hereafter with more feruour CHAP. XII That he that is to Communicate ought to prepare himselfe with great diligence The voice of the Beloued I Am the louer of purity and the giuer of all sanctitie I seek a pure heart and there is the place of my rest Psal 23. Mat. 5. Make readie and adorne for me a great chamber and I will make with thee the Pasch with my Disciples Mark 14. Luk. 22. If thou wilt haue me come vnto thee and remaine with thee purge the old leuen and make cleane the dwelling of thy heart 1. Cor. 5. shut out the whole world and all tumult of vices sit like a sparow solitary vpon the house top and thinke of thy offences in the bitternesse of thy soule For euery louer prepareth the best and fairest roome for his beloued and herein is knowne the affection of him that entertaineth his beloued 2 Know thou notwithstanding that the worth of no action of thine is able to make this preparation sufficient although thou shouldest prepare thy selfe a whole yeare together and thinke on nothing else but of my mercy and grace onely thou art suffred to come to my Table like a begger inuited to dinner to a rich man who hath nothing else to returne him for his benefits but to humble himselfe and giue him thanks Do what lieth in thee and do it diligently not for custome nor for necessity but with feare and reuerence and harty affection receiue the Body of thy beloued Lord and God who vouchsafeth to come vnto thee I am he that haue called thee I haue commanded it to be done I will supply what is wanting in thee come and receiue me 3 When I bestow the grace of deuotion on thee giue thankes to God for it is giuen thee not for that thou deseruest it but because I haue mercy on thee If thou haue it not but rathere feele thy selfe dry continue in prayer sigh and knocke and giue not ouer vntill thou deserue to receiue some crumme or droppe of grace Thou hast need of me not I of thee neither commest thou to sanctifie me but I come to sanctifie and make thee better Thou commest that thou mayest bee sanctified by me and vnited vnto mee that thou mayest receiue new grace and bee stirred vp againe to amendment Neglect not this grace but prepare thy heart with all diligence and receiue thy beloued into thy soule 4 But thou oughtest not only to prepare thy selfe to deuotion before Communion but carefully also to conserue thy selfe therein after thou hast receiued the Sacrament Neither is the carefull guard of thy self after lesse exacted then deuout preparation before For a good guard afterwards is the best preparation thou canst make for the obtaining againe of greater grace because that mans minde becommeth very indisposed if hee presently powre himselfe out to outward comforts Beware of much talke remaine in some secret place and enjoy thy God For thou hast him whome all the world cannot take from thee I am hee to whom thou oughtest wholy to giue thy selfe that so thou mayest liue hereafter not in thy selfe but in me without all care CHAP. XIII That a deuout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be vnited vnto Christ in the Sacrament The voice of the Disciple HOw may I obtaine this O Lord that I may finde thee alone and open my whole heart vnto thee and enjoy thee as my soule desireth And that no man may looke vpon me nor any creature mone me or respect me but thou alone mayest speake vnto me and I to thee as the Beloued is wont to speake to his Beloued and a friend to banquet with his friend Exod. 33. Cant. 8. This I pray for this I desire that I may be wholy vnited vnto thee and may withdraw my heart from all created things and more and more by sacred Communion and often celebrating learne to taste of heauenly and euerlasting sweetnes O Lord God when shall I bee wholy vnited and absorpt by thee and altogether forgetfull of my selfe Thou in me and I in thee and so grant vs both to continue in one Ioh. 15. 2 Thou art my Beloued the choicest amongst thousands in whome my soule hath taken pleasure to dwel all the daies of her life Cant. 5. Thou art my Peace-maker in whome is greatest peace and true rest without whom is labour and sorrow and infinit misery Thou art a hidden God and thy counsell is not with the wicked but thy speech is with the humble and simple of heart Prou. 3. O Lord how sweet is thy Spirit who to the end thou
mightest shew thy sweetenesse towards thy children vouchsafest to feede them with the most delightsome bread which descendeth from heauen and is full of all sweetnes Wisd 12. Surely there is no other Nation so great that hath Gods approching vnto them as thou our God art present to all thy faithfull vnto whom for their daily comfort and for the lifting vp of their hearts to heauen thou giuest thy self to be eaten and enioyed Deut. 4. 3 For what other Nation is there so famous as the Christian people Or what creature vnder heauen so beloued as a deuout soule to whom God himselfe commeth to feed her with his glorious flesh O vnspeakable grace O admirable fauour O infinit loue singularly bestowed vpon man But what shall I giue vnto our Lord in returne of this grace for so singular a charitie Psal 115. There is no other thing more gratefull that I am able to giue then to bestow my heart wholy on my God and to vnite it perfectly vnto him Then shall all my bowels reioyce when my soule shall be perfectly vnited vnto God Then hee will say vnto me if thou wilt be with me I will bee with thee And I will answere him Vouchsafe O Lord to remaine with me and I will be with thee This is my whole desire that my heart be vnited vnto thee CHAP. XIV Of the feruent desire of some deuout persons to receiue the Body of Christ The voice of the Disciple O How great is the store of thy sweetenesse O Lord which thou hast hidden for them that feare thee Psalm 30. When I remember some deuout persons who come vnto thy Sacrament O Lord with great deuotion and affection I am oftentimes confounded and blush within my selfe that I come so negligently and coldly to thy Altar to the Table of holy Communion that I remaine so drie and without spirituall motion or feeling that I am not wholy inflamed in thy presence my God nor so earnestly drawne and moued as many deuout persons haue beene who out of a vehement desire of receiuing and a feeling affection of heart could not containe themselues from weeping but with the desire both of soule and body they earnestly longed after thee O God the liuely Fountaine being not otherwise able to temper nor satisfie their hunger but by receiuing thy Body with all joy and spirituall greedinesse 2 O most ardent faith of those persons a probable argument of thy sacred presence For these truely know their Lord in the breaking of bread whose heart burneth so within them whilest thou O blessed Iesu walkest with them Luk. 24. Such desire and deuotion so vehement loue and feruencie is oftentimes far off from me Be mercifull vnto me good Iesu sweet and benigne Lord and grant me thy poore needy creature to feele sometimes at least in this holy Sacrament a little cordiall desire of thy loue that my faith may be more strengthened my hope in thy goodnes encreased and that my charity once perfectly inflamed after the tasting of heauenly Manna may neuer decay 3 Thy mercy O Lord is able to giue me the grace I desire and to visit me in thy bounteous clemencie with the spirit of feruour when it shall please thee For although I burne not with so great desire as those that are so especially deuoted vnto thee yet notwithstanding by thy grace I desire to haue this great inflamed desire praying and crauing that I may participate with all such thy feruent louers and be numbered among them in their holy company CHAP. XV. That the grace of deuotion is obtained by humilitie and deniall of our selues The voice of the Beloued THou oughtest to seeke the grace of deuotion instantly to aske it earnestly to expect it patiently and considently to receiue it joyfully to keep it humbly to worke with it diligently and to commit the time and manner of this heauenly visitation to God vntill it shall be his pleasure to come Thou oughtest chiefly to humble thy selfe when thou feelest inwardly little or no deuotion and yet not to be too much deiected nor to grieue inordinately for it God often giueth in a short moment that which he hath long time denied he giueth sometimes in the end that which in the beginning of prayer he differred to grant 2 If grace should be alwaies presently giuen and at hand euer with a wish it could not be well endured by a weake man Therefore deuotion is to be expected with good hope and humble patience yet impute it to thy selfe and thy sinnes when it is not giuen thee or when it is secretly taken from thee It is sometimes a small matter that hindreth hideth grace from vs if it bee to bee called small and not rather a great matter that hindreth so great a good And if thou remooue this bee it great or smal and perfectly ouercome it thou shalt haue thy desire 3 For presently as soone as thou giuest thy selfe to God and seekest not this nor that for thine owne pleasure or will but setlest thy selfe wholy in me thou shalt find thy selfe vnited vnto him and quiet For nothing will taste so well and please thee so much as the will and pleasure of God Whosoeuer therefore with a sincere heart directeth his intention to God purgeth himselfe from all in ordinate loue or dislike of any creature shall be most fit to receiue grace and worthy of the gift of deuotion For our Lord bestoweth his blessing there where he findeth his vessels empty And how much the more perfectly one forsaketh these basest things and dieth to himselfe by contempt of himselfe so much the more speedily grace commeth and entreth in more plentifully and lifteth vp the heart that is free to a higher state of grace 4 Then shall he see and abound and wonder and his heart shall be enlarged because the hand of our Lord is with him and hee hath put himselfe wholy into his hand for euer Esa 60. Behold so shall the man bee blessed that seeketh Almighty God with his whole heart and taketh not his soule in vaine This man deserueth great grace of diuine vnion in receiuing the holy Eucharist for that hee regardeth not his owne deuotion and comfort but aboue all deuotion and comfort he prizeth the honor and glory of God CHAP. XVI That wee ought to manifest our necessities vnto Christ and to craue his grace The voice of the Disciple O Most sweete and louing Lord whom I now desire to receiue deuoutly thou knowest my infirmitie and the necessity which I endure with how many sins I am oppressed how often I am grieued tempted troubled and defiled I come vnto thee for remedie I craue of thee thy heauenly comfort and the ease of my paine I speake to him that knoweth all things to whom all my secrets are open and who can only perfectly comfort and helpe mee Thou knowest what it is whereof aboue all things I stand in most need and how poore I am in vertues 2 Behold