Selected quad for the lemma: life_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
life_n	drink_v	flesh_n	meat_n	7,615	5	9.1083	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A08952	A rule of good life: written by the mellifluous doctor S. Bernard (monke and abbot of the holie order of S. Benet) especiallie for virgins, and other religious woemen; and may profitably be read likewise by all others, that aspire to Christian perfection. Faithfully translated into English by the R. Father Antonie Batt, monke of the holie order afore-said, of the Congregation of England; Modus bene vivendi. English	Bernard, of Clairvaux, Saint, 1090 or 91-1153.; Batt, Antonie.	1633 (1633)	STC 1923; ESTC S113802	137,346	537

little tempera●e meate is profitable both for the bodie and soule A fat bellie doth not beget a quick wit It is farre better daily to eate a little then eating seldome to feed to the full to eate sparingly and to rise as it were with hunger is better then to fast three dayes togither I commend his fasting that shunneth all sort of sinne Abstinēce from vice is better then abstinence from meate that is not to be reputed abstinence after which fulnes of bellie doth ensue B. Isidorus likewise saith He meditateth of meat and drinke all the day long who prepareth ●or himselfe daintie fare to giue his gluttonie in the euening An emptie bellie maketh a man watch full in the seruice of God almightie For he that is full falleth fast asleepe for which cause we are not able to watch when our bellie is ●ull of meate Venerable sister let your bodie wither away with fasting through the desire of the kingdome of heauen that you may fulfill that which is writtē in the Psalme * My soule hath thirsted to God my flesh to him verie many wayes Psa 62. For our flesh doth then thirst to God when throug● fasting it becommeth drie and withered Deare sister in Christ credit me if in this life you perfectly hunger and thirst after God you shal be satiated by him in that heauenly beatitude Abstinence doth quicken and mortifie it quickneth the soule mortifieth the bodie Abstinence buildeth vp vertues in the soule and th●oweth ●owne the vices of the bodie We ought to despise gluttonie with all diligence we ought to contemne the inordinate desire of meates and drinks we mu●● not take ouer much care for our bellie because when our bellie is immoderately refreshed the bodie is thereby stirred vp to leacherie We must not eate that our bellie may be filled but that our bodie may be sustained for where the bellie is filled there the fire of lust is kindled But that bodie that is weakened with abstinence is free from the flame of vnlawfull concupiscence The rich glutton mentioned in the Gospel that was clothed in purple and fared delitiously euerie day for that in this world he would not ab● aine frō meate when afterwards amidst the flames of hell fire he requested one onely drop of water he could not obtaine it Luc. 16. Like as all spiritual vertues are rooted and erected in the soule by abst●nence so all vices are nourished and confirmed in the bodie by gluttonie and excesse No man can attaine to spiritual perfection vnlesse he first vanquish in himselfe the vice of ouermuch eating For this reason the three children were not burned in the fierie fournace for that they were addicted to abstinence For this cause Daniel was deliuered frō the mouth of the lions for that he was a louer of abstinence No man is able to expell from himselfe the temptations of the diuel vnlesse he refraine in himselfe the inordinate appetite of eating to the full A Question Most deare brother I pray you tell me how I ought by abstinence to chastice my bodie The Answere Louing sister you ought to chastice your bodie in that so●te that it grow not proud Againe you ought to keepe it in that subi●ction that it fall not into vice yet with all to refresh it so that it may doe you seruice You must likewise so chastice it by abstinence that it do not perish If you afflict your flesh ouer much you kill your fellow citizen and againe if you feede it more then is necessarie you nourish your enemie Most deare sister as oftē as you fast you ought to obserue this that you kill not your bodie but vice Wherefore most louing sister in Christ chastice your bodie by abstinence fast and abstaine from meates let your countenance and face looke pale through fasting not red through ouer much eating and drinking Let your bodie be drie and withered not fat and pampered Pamper not your flesh for wormes eate with that mediocritie that you be alwayes hungrie eate in that moderate manner that you alwayes feele hunger fill not your bellie with more then nature doth require Hunger thirst and abstaine and drie vp your bodie with fasting Beleeue me venerable sister you will neuer be able to vanquish temptations vnlesse you chastise your bodie by abstinence for by meate and drinke luxurie doth encrease Large commons cause carnalitie lust is alwayes a companion to satietie The cold of rising to matins quencheth the fire of lasciuiousnes There the diuells are most bold where they see most meate and drinke Most amiable sister in Christ as I haue alreadie told you if you will perfectly shunne the temptations of the flesh abstaine not onely from meates but also from all worldly delightes that after this present life ended you may be able to reioyce with the holy Angells in eternal beatitude Amen Of drunkennes CHAPT XXV MY ' most deare si●ter listen to the wordes of our Lord Iesus Christ saying * Looke well to your selues least perhaps your heart be ouercharged with surfetting drunkennes Luc. 21. The Apostle S. Paul also by way of reprehending his disciples vsed these wordes * Be not drunke with wine wherein is riotousnes Ephes 5. Salomon saith likewise * Wine is a luxurious thing drunkennes tumultuous whosoeuer is delighted there with shall not be wise Pro. 20. Behold not wine when it waxeth yellow when the colour thereof shall shine in the glasse it goeth in pleasantly but in the end it will bite like a snake and as a basilisk it will power abroad poysons There is no secret where drunkennes is Wine hath destroyed very many and brought them into danger both of soule and bodie * Wine was created for ioyfullnes not for drunkennes Eccl. 31. Wheresoeuer fulnes doth abound there luxurie doth domineere A bellie that is strouted out with meate and wine hath commonly luxurie for his companion Drunkennes weakeneth the bodie entangleth the soule Drunkennes begetteth perturpatiō of mind Drunkēnes encraeseth furie of heart Drunkennes nourisheth the flame of fornication Drunkennes doth so alienate the mind that a man knoweth not himselfe A drunken man is so alienated from himselfe that he knoweth not where he is Many thinke it a praise to drinke much and not to be drunke whome the Prophet rebuketh saying * Woe to you that are mightie to drinke wine and stout in drunkennes Isai 5. And againe Woe to you that rise earely to follow drunkennes and to drinke euen vntill euening that you may be enflamed with wine The Prophet Ioel crieth out likewise saying * Awake you that be drunke and weepe and howle all ye that drinke wine in sweetnes Ioel. 1. He saith not ye that drinke wine in necessitie but ye that drinke wine in sweetnes that is in delight Drunkennes is a mortall sinne Drunkennes is a grieuous crime Drunkennes is esteemed as great a sinne as murther adulterie or fornication Drunkennes doth exclude a mā out of the kingdome of God Drunkennes doth

wight haue offended I confesse my errour I lay open my sinne I acknowledge mine iniquitie I haue sinned o sweet Sauiour be mercifull to me a sinner Spare my faultes pardō my sinnes forgiue me my crimes If thou shalt obserue iniquities ô Lord Lord who shall sustaine it No man durst approach to thine examination without feare neither shall the iustice it selfe of a iust man be secure for what man is so iust in euerie thing that he durst say that he is without sinne No man is without sinne no man is free from offense no man is cleane in thy sight yea euen among the Saincts no man is immaculate * Behold they that serue God haue not beene stab●e and in his Angells he found wickednes Iob. 4. * Behold the moone also doth not shine and the starres are not cleane in his sight Iob. 25. The heauens likewise are not cleane in his sight If therefore no man is holy in his sight no man immaculate how much more I that am a sinner corruption and meate for wormes who haue drunke iniquitie as it were water and haue multiplied my sinnes Who do sit in the dust who do dwell in a howse of clay who haue an earthly foundation My God stretch forth thy right hand to me a sinner Remember ô Lord that I am but arth Remember that I am but dust and ashes Giue me a medicine by which I may be healed Giue me a medicine by which I may be cured I alas wretch that I am haue fallen into the pit of sinne I haue fallen into the bottome of hell O my God deliuer my captiue soule from hell let not that bottomlesse chaos include me let not the pit of perdition shut his mouth vpon me Let not that bottomlesse depth denie me to goe forth Behold the dreadfull day of iudgement is now at hand the last day is now come the day of death doth now draw neere nothing remaineth for me but a graue nothing but a sepulcher O Lord pardon me I beseech thee before I goe to that obscure countrie O my God vouchsafe to assist me before I goe to the land of darknes and miserie O Redeemer of soules succour me before my death breake the bondes of my sinnes before that dreadfull hower approacheth Deare si●●er in Chri●t God be mercifull vnto you and forgiue you all your sinnes God graunt you forgiuenes of all your offenses God forgiue you whatsoeuer you haue offended God release you from all sinne Now therefore be of good courage deare sister and resolue in your heart not to sinne any more Haue a care not to iterate your offenses defile not your selfe with sinne againe now after forgiuenes Returne not to sinne after the lamentation o● penance doe not that againe which may moue you againe to teares and repentance He is not a true penitent but a derider of God who doth yet doe that whereat he may be grieued he doth not seeme to beseech God humbly but to mock and scorne him proudly who as yet committeth that euill whereat he seemed to be sorowfull Wherevpon B. Isidorus doth affirme That penance is vaine that is defiled by a sinne ensuing And againe A wound that is iterated is more slowlie healed A man frequently sinning and mourning doth scarcely deserue pardon Be therefore constant in penance and forsake not that vertuous course of life which you haue begun to practice To such a perseuere saluation is promised on such the reward of heauen is bestowed Wherevpon it is said * Blessed are they that keepe iudgement and doe iustice at all time Psal 105. And againe * He that shall perseuere to the end he shall be saued Mat. 10. Honest virgin I counsel you that you alwayes behaue your selfe as one ashamed with your countenance cast downe through the remembrance of your sinne let a blushing bashfulnes appeare alwayes in your face through the memorie of your offences Let the shame of your sinne make you ashamed to looke vp to heauen walke with your countenance cast downe on the ground sorowfull through mourning going as one forlorne wrapping your members in sack-cloath and ashes Let the earth be your bed the ground your cou●rlets You are dust and therefore sit in the ●ust you are ashes and therefore let them be the place of your repose Be alwayes weeping alwayes mourning alwayes sighing alwayes sorowfull in your heart for your sinnes Let sighes proceede from your brea●● grones from your heart Let teares often flow from your eies Be alwayes readie to shed teares as often as you call your bad life to remembrance Venerable Virgin beleeue me because the seruants of God neuer ought to be secure in this life although they be iust and good The seruants of God ought to be vigilant at all times and with teares to call their sinnes to remembrance Wherevpon in prayse of the bridegroome to wit Christ it is said in the Canticles * His hayres are as the branches of palme trees black as a rauen Cant. 5. What do we vnderstand by the hayres of Christ but faithfull men who whiles they keepe the faith of the blessed Trinitie in their mind and performe what they beleeue adhearing to God do doe him honour a● hayres hanging on the head The palme tree is verie high and according to the name there of signifieth victorie Christs haires therefore are as the branches of palme-trees because whiles each one of the elect doth lift vp himselfe to the height of vertue they at length by Gods grace arriue to the victorie Howbeit they are black as a rauen because although they eleuate themselues to heauen by their vertues yet they alwayes acknowledge them selues to be sinners So you most louing sister in Christ albeit you liue well and religiously albeit you serue God iustly and deuoutly yet I giue you this admonition that you neuer desist from teares and lamentation Let teare be sweet vnto you let mourning and lamentation delight you neuer cease from mourning by so much the more be inclined to lamentation by how much the more you haue beene addicted to sinne A● great as your intention hath beene to commit sinne so great let your deuotion be to make satisfaction The medecine ought to be answerable to the disease mightie sinnes require many teares Venerable sister he vouch safe to assist you and afford you spiritual comfort whome the holy Angells adore in the heauenly court Amen Of communicating or communion CHAPT XXVIII * VVhosoeuer shall eate th●is bread or drinke the chalice of our Lord vnworthily he shall be guiltie of the bodie of the blood of our Lord 1. Cor. 11. that is he shall ●ō●●act sinne cōmit a fault by such his fact Why For that he goeth amisse to that which is good But let a man proue himselfe so let him eate of that bread and drinke of the chalice As if he had said Let euerie one examine his life and cleanse his hea●● from all malice that he may worthily approach to so

one coate least we should feare tribulation he for our sakes hath willingly endured the same and least death should seeme dread full vnto vs he hath voluntarily sustained death for vs. * All that is in the world is the concupiscence of the flesh and the concup●scence of the eies and the pride of life which is not of the father but is of the world And the world passeth and the concupiscence thereof 1. Io. 2. Wherefore deare sister let vs not loue those things which are in the world least we perish with the world Dauid was a King and albeit he did abound with siluer and gold and ruled with a strong hand according to the interpretation of his name ouer many people yet he thought humbly of himselfe and said * I am poore and in labours from my youth Psal 67. And againe I am needie and poore Psal 69 And in an other place * I am a stranger with thee and a pilgrime as all my fathers Psal 38. Venerable sister let not transitorie allurements or contentmens delight your mind let neither temporal commodities make you merrie nor earthly losses and crosses make you mourne For so it is written If riches abound set not your heart vpon them Those things which ye possesse with loue we loose with griefe Listen ô spouse of Christ what I say He to whome all things in heauen and ear●h do offer their seru ce became poore for v● Why what was the cause That by his pouertie he might m●ke 〈◊〉 rich You therefo●● hon●st virgin walk in the way in which Christ Iesu● your brid●●roome ha●h gone b●fore you 〈◊〉 your heauenly captaine with vnwearied steps Doublesse if you shall ouertake him you shall raigne with him Venerable sister behold the virginitie and pouertie of the blessed virgin Marie who wa so rich in our Lord and Sauiour that shee deserued to be his mother a d yet withall was so destitute of all worldly wealth that shee had neither midwife nor handmaid to assist and attend vpon her at his birth shee was likewise so needie and poore that for want of better lodging in ●eed of a bed shee laid her child in a manger Luc. 2. Moreouer S. Ioseph to whome shee was espoused was also verie poore in so much that he got hi liuing by playing the carpenter In like sort we read of the holy Apostles that they serued God in hunger and thirst in fastings often ●n cold and nakednes 2. Cor. 11. O spouse of Christ you haue examples by which you may contemne earthly riches and couet heauenly happines * For they that will be made rich in this world fall into temp●ation and the snare of the diuel and many desires vnprofitable and hurtfull which drowne men into de●●ruction and perdition 1. Tim. 6. They easily contemne earthly riches who perfectly hope for h●au●nly because voluntarie pouertie leadeth a man to eternal felicit●e We came not to religion that we might passe ouer our time therein in pleasures but that by watching praying fasting singing and fighting against our spiritual aduetsaries we might by Christs assistance attaine to that kingdome which is promised vs. For for ●his cause we come naked into this world and are presented naked to baptisme that being naked and without impediment we might arriue to heauen What an absurd and vnseemely thing is it and contrarie to reason that he that was borne naked and came into the world hauing iust nothing should desire to enter rich into heauen * It is easier for a camel to passe through the eie of a needle then for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of heauen Mat. 19. It is better to want then to superabound He is ouer couetous to whome God doth not suffise Deare si●●er if for the loue of Christ we shall willingly in this world endure hunger and thirst and nakednes and other corporall affliction we shall reioyce with the same our Lord Iesus Christ in his heauenly kingdome Amen Of murmuring CHAPT XLVII THe lodging of our heart is sanctified by the grace of God and by the inhabitation of his holy spirit when there is charitie peace goodnes hum●litie concord gentlene and other such vertues abiding in vs. These are our riches to wit good manner and vertu s. But if we begin to brawle murmure and contend among our selues we are presently depriued of all these spiritual graces Why Because vertues cannot remaine with vices * For a little leauen corrupteth the whole paste 1. Cor. 5. Euerie seruant of God ought seriously to consider how great an euil he doth incurre I● for temporal things he murmure for by this meanes he that ought to be rich becommeth poore What are our riches certainely vertues We therefore loose our vertues if we murmure for meate or drinke or such like corporal commodities Murmuring is a grieuous sinne wherevpon S. Gregorie saith No man that murmure●h receiueth the kingdome of heauen no man can murmure that receiueth the same The heart of a foole is as the wheele of a carte carriyng hay murmuring ād making a scrik●ng noyse as it goeth on the way Many religious men and woemen behaue themselues after the same manner who are subiect to many carnal desires and neuer cease to murmure Wherefore venerable sister it is requisite that we follow the counsel of S. Paul saying * Neither do you murmure as certaine of them murmured to wit in the wildernes and perished by the destroyer 1. Cor. 10. It is a dangerous thing therefore for vs to murmure least perhaps we perish by the destroyer in t●e monasterie as they perished in the wildernes Let vs therefore keepe our tongues from murmuring least which God forbid as they perished in this world we perish in the world to come Let vs not mu●mure least as they perished in this life we perish in the next Let vs beware of all murmuring least peraduenture we suffer that in our soules which they suffered in their bodies Againe the Apostle doth counsel v● saying * Neither let vs tempt Christ as certaine of them tempted and perished by serpents ibidem He tempteth Christ who murmureth for meate or drinke or apparaile as it is written of the same people * And they tempted God in their hearts so that they asked meates for their liues Psal 77. And againe * And they murmured in their tabernacles they heard not the voyce of our Lord. Psal 105. He tempteth Christ who in the monasterie murmureth by asking more then he doth neede He doeth against Christ who in the monasterie demandeth more then is requisite He sinneth against Christ who in the monasterie doth scandalize his superiours by importunatly vrging them for earthly and transitorie things And haue perished by serpents Why haue they perished by serpents vnlesse for that a serpent is full of poyson and euerie one that murmureth hath the poyson of the diuel an his tongue This the Apostle S. Iames doth auouch saying * The tongue is an vnquiet euil full of deadly poysō Iam. 3.