But if thou abidest in thy selfe and doest not offer thy selfe up freely unto my wil thy oblation is not entire neither shall the union betweene us be perfect 8 Therefore a free offering up of thy selfe into the hands of God ought to goe before all thy actions if thou wilt obtaine freedome and grace 9 For this cause so few become inwardly illuminated and enjoy true libertie of heart for that they doe not resolve wholly to denie themselves 10 My saying is undoubtedly true Vnlesse one forsake all he cannot be my Disciple If thou therefore wish to be mine offer up thy selfe unto mee with thy whole desires CHAP. IX That we ought to offer up our selves and all that is ours unto God and to pray for all The voice of the Disciple THine O Lord are all things that are in heaven and in earth I desire to offer up my selfe unto thee as a free oblation and to remaine alwaies thine 2 O Lord in sincerity of my heart I offer my selfe unto thee this day in sacrifice of perpetuall praise to be thy servant for ever 3 Receive me with this holy oblation of thy precious body which in the presence of the Angels invisibly attending here upon thee I offer up this day unto thee that it may be to the health of my soule and the salvation of all thy people 4 I offer unto thee O Lord all my sinnes and offences which I have committed in the sight of thee and thy holy Angels from the day wherein I first could sinne to this houre upon thy holy Altaâ—â— 5 That thou maist consume and burne them all with the fire of thy charitie and wash out all the staines of my sinnes and cleanse my conscience from all offence and restore to me againe thy grace which I lost by sinne forgiving me all my offences and receiving me mercifully in the kisse of peace 6 What can I doe for my sinnes but humbly confesse and bewaile them and intreate alwaies for mercy without intermission I beseech thee heare me in thy abundant mercy when I stand before thee my God! 7 All my sinnes are very displeasing unto me I will never commit them any more but I am sory and will be sory for them as long as I live and am ready to repent and doe any thing that may move thee to pardon them 8 Forgive me O God forgive me my sinnes for thy holy names sake save my soule which thou hast redeemed with thy most precious Blood 9 Behold I commit my selfe unto thy mercy I resigne my selfe over into thy hands doe with me according to thy goodnesse not according to my wickednesse and manifold iniquitie 10 I offer up also unto thee all whatsoever is good in me although it be very litle and imperfect that thou maist amend and sanctifie it that thou maist make it gratefull and acceptable unto thee 11 And alwaies perfect more and more that which thou hast begun and bring me also who am the slothfull and unprofitable servent to a good and blessed end 12 I offer up also unto thee all the godly desires of devout persons the necessitie of my parents and friends my brethren and siâ—ters and of all those that are deare unto me and that have done good either to my selfe or others for thy love 13 And that have desired mee to pray for them and all theirs that they all may receive the helpe of thy grace and comfort protection from dangers delivery from paine and being freed from all evils may joyfully give worthy thankes to thee 14 I offer up also unto thee my praiers and sacrifices especially for them who have in any thing wronged grieved or standered me or have done me any damage or displeasure 15 And for those also whom I have at any time grieved troubled and scandalized by words or deeds wittingly or at unawares that it may please thee to forgive us all our sinnes and offences one against another 16 Take O Lord from our hearts all jealousie all indignation wrath and contention and whatsoever may hure charitie and weaken brotherly love 17 Have mercy O Lord have mercy on those that crave thy mercy give grace unto them that stand in need thereoff and grant that we may be worthy to enjoy thy grace and attain unto life everlasting Amen CHAP. X. That the holy Communion is not lightly to be forborne The voice of the Beloved THou oughtest often to have recourse to the Fountaine of grace and of divine mercy to the Fountaine of goodnesse and of all purity that thou maist be cured of thy sinnes and passions and be made more strong vigilant against all temptations and deceipts of the Divell 2 The enemy knowing the greatest profit and remedy to consist in the holy Communion endeavoureth by all meanes and occasions to withdraw hinder faithfull and devout persons from it 3 Some when they purpose to receave the sacred Commnnion suffer greatest assaults of the Divell 4 For that wicked spirit as is written in Iob commeth amongst the Sons of God to trouble them with his accustomed malice and impiety or to make them overfearefull and perplexed 4 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 divine food or at least come unto it with lesse devotion 5 But there is no heed to be taken of his fraudes and malicious suggestions be they never so filthy and hideous but all is to be turned back upon his own head 6 Thou oughtest to contemne scorne him miserable wretch and not to omit the sacred communion for his assaults and the troubles which hee raiseth 7 Oftentimes also an excessive care for the obtaining of devotion and a certain anxiety for the making of thy confession hindereth thee 8 Follow in these occasions the counsell of the wise and put away all anxiety and scruple for it hindreth the grace of God and over throweth devotion 9 Omit not for every small vexation of the minde which hapneth to receave this holy Sacrament 10 But goe presently to confesse thy sinnes and willingly to forgive others whatsoever offences they have done against thee and if thou hast offended any humbly crave pardon and God will willingly forgive thee 11 What availeth it to delay confession to deferre receaving Purge thy selfe with speed spit out the venom presently make hast to take a remedy and thou shalt finde it better then if thou deferredst it long 12 If thou omittest it to day for this cause perhaps to morrow some greater will fall out and so thou maist be hindred a long time from these divine mysteries and become more unfit 13 Stirre up thy selfe and shake off all heavinesse and sloth with the greatest force and speed thou canst 14 For it profiteth nothing to continue long in disquietnesso trouble of mind and for daily occurring impediments to withdraw thy selfe from the Sacraments 15 Yea it hurteth very much
much the more this sacred Communion is common through the world 49 Thankes be unto thee good Iesu everlasting Pastour of our soules that hast vouchsafed to refresh us poore and banished men with thy precious Body and Blood 50 And to invite us to the receiving of these mysteries with the words of thy owne mouth saying Come unto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you CHAP. II. That great goodnesse and charity of God is bestowed upon man in this Sacrament The voice of the Disciple PResuming of thy goodnesse and great mercy O Lord being sick I approach unto my Saviour hungry and thirsty to the fountaine of life needy to the King of heaven a servant unto my Lord a creature to my Creator desolate to my mercifull comforter 2 But whence is this to me that thou vouchsafest to come unto me Who am I that thou shouldest give thy selfe unto me 3 How dare a sinner presume to appeare before thee And thou how doest thou vouchsafe to come unto a sinner 4 Thou knowest thy servant and seest that he hath no good thing in him for which thou shouldest bestow this benefit upon him 5 I confesse therefore my unworthinesse and I acknowledge thy goodnesse I praise thy mercy and give thee thankes for this thy unspeakable charity 6 For thou doest this for thine owne sake not for any merits of mine to the end that thy goodnesse may be better knowne unto mee thy charity more abundantly shewed and thy humility more highly commended 7 Since therefore it is thy pleasure and hast commanded that it should be so this thy bounty is also pleasing to me and doe wish that my offences may be no hindrance unto it 7 O most sweet and bountifull Iesu how great reverence and thanks with perpetuall praise is due unto thee for the receaving of thy sacred body whose worth and dignity no man is able to expresse 8 But what shall I think of at this time now that I am to receive this divine Sacrament and to approach unto my Lord to whom I am not able to give due reverence and yet I desire to receave him devoutly 9 What can I thinke better and more profitable then to humble my selfe wholly before thee and to exalt thy infinite goodnesse above me 10 I praise thee my God and will exalt thee for ever and I doe despise and submit my selfe unto thee even into the depth of my unworthinesse 11 Behold thou art the Holy of Holies and I the skum of sinners behold thou bowest thy selfe downe unto me who am not worthy so much as to look up unto thee 12 Behold thou comest unto me it is thy will to be with me thou invitest me to thy banquet 13 Thou wilt give me the food of heaven and bread of Angels to eat which is no other truly then thy selfe the lively bread that descendedst from heaven and givest life unto the world 14 Behold from whence this love proceedeth what kind of favour and benignity is this which shineth upon us What thankes and praises are due unto thee for these benefits 15 O how good and profitable was thy counsell when thou ordainedst How sweet and pleasant the banquet when thou gavest thy selfe to be our food 16 How wonderfull thy worke O Lord how powerfull thy vertue how unspeakable thy truth For thou saidst the word and all things were made and this was done which thou commandest 17 A thing of great admiration and worthy of faith and surpassing the understanding of man that thou my Lord God true God Man shouldst be exhibited unto us by the elements of bread and wine and thy body worthily receaved should be the spirituall food of our soule 18 Thou who are the Lord of all things and standest in need of none hast pleased to dwell in us by meanes of this thy Sacrament 19 Preserve my heart and body unspotted that with a cheerefull and pure conscience I may often celebrate thy mysteries and receave them to my everlasting health which thou hast chiefly ordained and instituted for thy honour and perpetuall memory 20 Rejoyce O my soule and give thankes unto God for so noble a gift and singular comfort left unto thee in this vale of teares 21 For as often as thou callest to mind this mystery and receavest the body of Christ so often dost thou remember the worke of thy redemption and art made partaker of all the merits of Christ. 22 For the charity of Christ is never diminished and the greatnesse of his mercy is never drawne dry 23 Therefore thou oughtest alwaies to dispose thy selfe hereunto by a fresh renewing of thy minde and to weigh with attentive consideration this great mystery of thy salvation 24 So great now and joyfull it ought to seeme unto thee when thou commest to the holy Communion as if the same day Christ first descended into the wombe of the Virgin were become man or hanging on the crosse did suffer and dye for the salvation of mankinde CHAP. III. That it is profitable to communicate often The voice of the Disciple BEhold O Lord I come unto thee that I may be comforted in thy gifts and be delighted in thy holy banquet which thou O Lord hast prepared in thy sweetnesse for the poore 2 Behold in thee is all whatsoever I can or ought to desire thou art my health and my redemption my hope and my strength my honour and my glory 3 Make joyfull therefore this day the soule of thy servant for that I have lifted it up to thee my sweet Iesus I desire to receave thee now with devotion and reverence 4 I doe long to bring thee into my house that with Zachreus I may obtaine to be blessed by thee and numbred amongst the children of Abraham 5 My soule thirsteth to receave thy body my heart desireth to be united with thee 6 Give thy selfe to me and it sufficeth For besides thee no comfort is availeable I cannot be without thee nor live without thy gracious visitation 7 And therefore I must often come unto thee and receave thee as the only remedy of my health lest perhaps I faint in the way if I be deprived of thy heavenly food 8 For so most mercifull Iesus thou once didst say preaching to the people and curing sundry diseases I will not send them home fasting lest they faint in the way 9 Deale thou therefore in like manner now with me who hast vouchsafed to leave thy selfe in the Sacrament for the comfort of the faithfull 10 For thou art the sweet refection of the soule and he that eateth thee worthily shall be partaker and heire of everlasting glory 11 It is necessary for me that doe so often fall and sinne so quickly waxe dull and faint that by often prayers and confessions and receaving of thy sacred body I renew clense and inflame my selfe lest perhaps by long abstayning I fall from my holy purpose 12 For man is prone unto evill from his youth
not by following but resisting wicked afâ—ections 9 There is no peace then in the heart of a carnall man nor in a man that is addicted to outward things but to the upright man and him that is fervent in the spirit there is great quietnesse CHAP. 7. Of Flying vaine Hope and Pride IT is a vaine thing to trust either in man or any other creature for there is no helpe in them 2 Be not ashamed to be in subjection to others for the love of Iesus Christ and to be esteemed poore in this life count it thy great riches 3 Depend not upon thyselfe but put thy confidence in the Lord doe what lies in thee and God will blesse thine endeavour 4 Trust not to thine owne knowledge nor in the policy of any mortall man but rather in the grace and favour of God who exalteth the humble and humbleth those who exalt themselves 5 Glory not in thy wealth though thou have much nor yet in thy friends though they be mighty but in God who giveth all these and would gladly give thee himselfe before all these 6 Be not proud neither of the beauty of thy face or bignesse of thy body for a litle sicknesse doth deforme the one and consume the other 7 Be not too well conceited of thy wit and abilities of nature least thou displease God who is the sole-giver of all the goods of nature 1 Esteeme not thy selfe better then others least God who best knows what is in man account thee worse then others 9 Be not proud of well doing for God judgeth not as man doth for that often offendeth him that pleaseth them 10 If thou hast any goodnesse in thee think that another hath more so shalt thou preserve within thee that rich treasure of humility 11 To debase thy selfe under all men can never hurt thee but to preferre thy selfe before any man may doe thee some harme 12 The humble man is in a continuall calme but the haughty mind fumeth commonly with indignation CHAP. VIII Of avoiding too much familiaritie OPen not thine heart to every man but communicate thine affaires with the wise and godly 2 Acquaint thy selfe with the grave and aged and delight not much in young and strange company 3 Flatter not the wealthy to make him proud of his riches neither doe thou willingly appeare before great personages 4 Keep company with the humble the sincere and devout and conferre with them of those things that may be for thy edifying 5 Be not in speciall familiar with any woman but in generall commend all good women to God 6 Carefully avoid too much acquaintance with men that thou maist be the more familiar with God and his holy Angels 7 Although thou oughtest to have charity towards all men yet hold familiarity but with a few 8 Many men unknowne unto us may be famous for their good parts whose bodily presence doth seeme to be but contemptible 9 Some men we know not are cried up for their worth who being well acquainted with deserve litle to be regarded 10 We think sometimes to please others by being acquainted with them whom yet we more distast with our lewd behaviour then delight with our company CHAP. IX Of Obedience and Subjection THough it be very hard to live in obedience under a Governour and not to be at our owne disposing yet it is farre better to obey then rule 2 Many live under obedience rather out of necessity then willingly such easily vexe and punish themselves and are ready to murmure and repine upon a small occasion 3 Neither can they attaine to any freedome of mind unlesse they cheerfully submit from the heart and for God's sake 4 Turn hither or thithér goe whither thou wilt thou shalt never find so much case as in humble subjection under a Governour 5 The very imagination and change of places hath deceived many a man when he was under he thought there was no life to a Ruler now he commands he holds it better to obey 6 'T is true every man is willing to follow his owne fancie and is apt to make much of those that are of his mind 7 But if God be amongst us we will discard our owne opinion rather then disturb the common peace 8 It may so fall out that thou art in the wrong for who is so wise that he can fully know all things 9 Therefore trust not too much to thine owne opinion but be willing to give an eare to the judgment of others 10 But suppose thou art in the right yet if for God's and quietnesse sake thou shalt forbeare thine opinion thou shalt gaine more by thy humility then thou shalt loose in thy knowledge 11 I have oftentimes heard that it is more safe and secure to heare and take counsell then to give it 12 It may so fall out that a mans owne judgment and opinion may be right enough but not to hearken and yeeld to others when good reason requâ—res must needs be a signe of great stubbornnesse and pride CHAP. X. Of avoiding superfluity of Words TAke heed of publique meetings as much as is possible for to talke of worldly affaires doth us great harme mean we never so well 2 For we are quickly defiled and even led captive by vanity and for my part I have wished many times that I had been either silent or absent 3 But what might be the reason we are so apt to conference seeing we so seldome breake it off without some hurt of conscience 4 The reason hereof I conceive to be this that by mutuall communication we much comfort one another and refresh our wearied soules oppressed with many cares 5 Of what we love best or desire most we are apt to think and speak freely or else of those things that doe most trouble and molest us 6 But alas this is often to small purpose or profit for this outward comfort is a great hindrance to the inward and our humane discourse to our heavenly consolation 7 That thou passe not thy time idlely spend it in watching and prayer but if it be fit for thee to speak speak those things that may edifie 7 An evill custome and carelessenesse of profitting in good workes is a great meanes to make us very fruitfull in ill words 8 To compare spirituall things with spirituall things doth greatly further our progresse in the spirit especially where men of like minds and spirit are joyned together in the Lord. CHAP. XI Of obtaining peace and desire of profiting VVOuld we not busie our selves in other mens imployments which we have nothing to doe withall we might enjoy at home much peace within our selves 2 How can he continue long in any quietnesse that thrusteth himselfe into other mens affaires who seeketh occasion to be busie abroad and seldome takes occasion to recollect himselfe at home 3 Blessed are the simple and pure in heart for they shall inherit abundance of peace 4 Why are some of the Saints come to such perfection given
and look only to thy selfe 11 Furthermore thou shalt gaine much if thou shalt keep thy selfe fâ—ce from all worldly cares and thou shalt greatly decay if thou make any account of earthly things 12 Account nothing great nothing high nothing gratefull nothing acceptable but God alone or that which is from God 13 Esteem all comfort vain which thou receivest from any creature the soul that loveth God despiseth all things in respect of God 14 God alone who is eternall infinite and incomprehensible is the comfort of the soule and the true joy of the heart CHAP. VI. Of the joy of a good Conscience THe glory of a good man is the testimony of a good conscience have a good conscience and thou shalt ever have joy 2 A good conscience is able to endure much and is exceeding cheerfull in adversities an evill conscience is alwaies fearfull and unquiet 3 Thou shalt rest quietly if thine heart reprove thee not rejoyce not but when thou hast done well 4 Wicked men have never any true joy neither doe they feele inward peace for there is no peace to the wicked saith the Lord. 5 Although they say we live in peace there shall no evill happen unto us and who dares doe us any harm 6 Believe them not for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord arise and their actions shall turn to nothing and their cogitations shall utterly perish 7 To glory in tribulation is no hard thing to him that loveth for so to glory is to glory in the Crosse of our Lord. 8 The glory is short which is given and received from men sorrow alwaies attends the glory of the world 9 The glory of the good is in the testimony of a good conscience and not in the tongues of men the gladnesse of the just is of God and in God and their joy is of the truth 10 He that desireth true and everlasting glory careth not for that which is temporall and he that seeketh after temporall glory or contemneth it not from his heart is lesse in love with heavenly 11 He injoyeth great tranquility of mind that eareth not for the praises or dispraises of men he is easily content and pacified whose conscience is pure 12 Thou art not the more holy for being commended nor the more vile for being dispraised thou art what thou art neither canst thou be greater then what thou art in the sight of God 13 If thou consider what thou art within thee thou wilt not care what men say of thee man seeth but the face but God considereth the heart 14 Man looketh upon the deeds but God weigheth the intentions to doe alwaies well and to esteeme litle of thy selfe is a signe of an humble mind 15 To refuse to be comforted by any creature is a signe of great purity and inward confidence 16 He that seeketh a thing without himselfe to bear witnesse of himselfe it is plain he hath referred himselfe wholly unto God 17 For not he that commendeth himselfe the same is approved saith S. Paul but hee whom God commendeth 17 To walk inwardly with God and not to be possessed with any outward affection is the state of an inward and spirituall man CHAP. VII Of the love of Iesus above all things BLessed is he that understandeth what it is to love Iesus and to despise himselfe for Iesus sake 2 Thou oughest to leave thy beloved for thy beloved thy beloved sin for thy beloved Saviour for that Iesus will alone be beloved above all things 3 The love of the creature is deceiptfull and unconstant the love of Iesus is faithfull and permanent 4 He that cleaveth to creatures shall full with that which is ready to fall he that embraceth Iesus shall be fastned into him 5 Love him and keep him for thy friend who when all goe away will not forsake thee nor suffer thee to perish in the end 6 Prevent the world and begin to forsake it first before it forsake thee for thou must one day be left of all men whether thou wilt or no. 7 Stick thee close to Iesus both in life and death and commit thy selfe unto his trust who when all faile can alone helpe thee 8 Thy beloved is of that nature that he will none of that which appertaineth to others but will have thy heart alone and sit like a King in his owne throne 9 If thou couldest purge thy selfe perfectly of all creatures Iesus would willingly dwell with thee whatsoever confidence thou reposest in men without Iesus is all no better then lost 10 Trust not nor rely upon a reed full of wind for that all flesh is as grasse and all the glory thereof shall wither away as the flower of the field 11 Thou shalt quickly be deceived if thou look only to the outward shew of men and if in them thou seekest for comfort and commodity thou shalt instead thereof often feele losses and crosses 12 If thou seekest Jesus in all things thou shalt surely find Iesus but if thou seekest thy selfe thou shalt also find thy selfe but to thine own destruction 13 For man doth more hurt himselfe if he seeke not Iesus then the whole world and all his adversaries could annoy him CHAP. VIII Of familiar oonversation with IESVS VVHen Iesus is present all is well and nothing seemeth difficult but when Iesus is absent every thing is hard 2 When Iesus speaketh not inwardly unto us our comfort is nothing worth but if Iesus speak but one word we feele much consolation 3 Did not Mary Magdalen presently rise from the place where she wept when Martha said unto her Thy master is here and calleth thee 4 Happy is the houre when Iesus calleth from the teares of the eyes to the joy of the spirit How dry and hard art thou without Iesus How foolish and vaine if thou desire any thing out of Iesus Is not this a greater losse then if thou shouldest loose the whole world 5 What can the world profit thee without Iesus To be without Iesus is a grievous hell and to be with Iesus is a sweet Paradise 6 If Iesus be with thee no enemy can hurt thee he that findeth Iesus findeth a good treasure yea a good above all goods 7 And he that looseth Iesus looseth too much and more then the whole world He is most poore that liveth without Iesus and he most rich that is well with Iesus 8 It is a great skil to know how to converse with Iesus and a great wisdome to know how to keepe Iesus 9 Be humble and peaceable and Iesus will be with thee be devout and quiet and Iesus will stay with thee 10 Thou maist drive away Iesus and loose his grace if thou givest thy selfe to outward things 11 And if thou shouldest drive him from thee and loose him unto whom wilt thou fly and what friend wilt thou then seeke 12 Without a friend thou canst not well live and if Iesus be not above all a friend unto thee thou shalt be too too
to the bearing of adversity and account it as the greatest comfort 46 Set thou thy heart upon the suffering of tribulations and account them the greatest comforts 47 For that the passions of this life are not worthy of the glory that shall be revealed although thou alone couldest suffer them all 48 When thou shalt come to this estate that tribulation for Christ's sake shall seeme sweet and pleasant unto thee then think it is well with thee for thou hast found a Parradise upon earth 49 As long as it is grievous unto thee to suffer and that thou desirest to fly it so long shalt thou be ill at ease and the tribulation thou fliest will follow thee every where 50 If thou setlest thy selfe to that thou oughtest to wit to suffer and to die to thy selfe it will quickly be better with thee and thou shalt find peace 51 Although thou shouldest have been rapt even unto the third heaven with Paul thou art not by this secured that thou shalt suffer no contradiction 52 I saith IESVS will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name It resteth therefore that thou suffer for him if thou wilt love IESUS and perpetually serve him 53 O would to God thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Iesus how great glory would it be unto thee what joy to all the Saints of God how great edification also to thy neighbour 54 For all doe commend patience thought few desire to suffer With great reason thou oughtest to be willing to suffer a litle for Christ since many suffer far great things for the love of the world 55 Know for certaine that thou oughtest to lead a dying life And how much the more every one dieth to himselfe so much the more doth he begin to live unto God 56 No man is sit to attaine unto heavenly things unlesse he submit himselfe to the bearing of adversities for Christ. 57 Nothing is more gratefull unto God nothing more wholesome to thee in this world then to suffer willingly for Christ. 58 And if it were in thy choice thou shouldest rather wish to suffer adversities for Christ then to enjoy the delight of many comforts 59 Because by these meanes thou shouldst be more like unto Christ and more conformable to all Saints 60 For our good workes and the perfectioÌ„ of our estate consisteth not in much sweetnesse and comforts but rather in suffering great afflictions and tribulations 61 If there had been any better thing and more profitable to the soules health then suffering surely Christ would have shâ—wed it by word and example 62 But he plainly exhorted all the disciples that followed him and all that desire to follow him to the bearing of the Crosse 63 And saith if any man will come after me let him deny himselfe and take up his Crosse and follow me 64 So as when we have read and searched all let this be the last conclusion That by many tribulations wee must enter into the Kingdome of God The end of the second Book OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE THIRD BOOK CHAP. I. Of the inward speech of Christ to a faithfull soule I Will heare what our Lord God will speake in me Blessed is the soule that heareth our Lord speaking in hâ—â— and receiveth from his mouth the word of comfort 2 Blessed are those eares that receive the sound of the divine voice and listen not to the whisperings of the world 3 Blessed indeed are those eares that hearken not to the voice which soundeth outwardly but unto truth which teacheth inwardly 4 Blessed are the eyes that being shut up to outward things are attentive to those things that are within 5 Blessed are they that enter into the inward things and endeavour to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises to the attaining of heavenly secâ—ets 6 Blessed be they that delight to attend the service of God and cast from them all impediments of this world 7 Consider these things my soule and shut up the doores of thy sensuall desires thâ—â— thou maist heare what thy Lord God â—â—eaketh in thee 8 Thus saith thy beloved I am thy safâ—â—y thy peace and thy life Keepe thy selfe withâ—â—e and thou shalt find peace Forsake all transitâ—ry things and seeke those that be everlasting 9 What are all temporall things but deceiving snares and what doe all creatures availe thee if thou be forsaken by the Creator 10 Forsake therefore all earthly things and labour to please thy Creator and be faithful unto him that thou maist attaine unto true happinesse CHAP. II. That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words SPeake Lord for thy servant heareth I am thy servant grant me understanding that I may know thy testimonies 2 Stir up my heart to heare the words of thy mouth let thy speech descend as the dew into my soule 3 The children of Israel in times past said unto Moses Speake thou unto us and we shall heare theâ—e let not our Lord speake unto us least perhaps we die 4 Not so Lord not so I beseech thee But rather with the Prophet Samuel I humbly and earnestly intreat speake Lord for thy servant heareth 5 Let not Moses speake unto me nor any of the Pâ—ophets but thou rather speake my Lord God the inspirer and enlightner of all the Prophets 6 For thou alone without them canst perfectly instruct me but they without thee can profit me nothing 7 They can pronounce words but they give not spirit They speak marveilous well but if thou hold thy peace they inflame not the heart 8 They deliver the letters but thou openest the sense They bringforth mysteries but thou disclosest the understanding of sealed things 9 They declare thy commandements but thou helpest to fulfill them They shew the way but thou givest strength to walke in it 10 They work only exteriorly but thou instructest and enlightnest the hearts They water outwardly but thou givest fruitfulnesse They sound forth wordes but thou givest understanding to the hearing 11 Let not therefore Moses speak unto me but thou my Lord God the everlasting truth lest perhaps I should dye and become without fruit if I be warned outwardly only and not enflâ—med within 12 Lest the word heard and not fulfilled knowen and not loved believed and not observed should increase my punishment 13 Speak therefore Lord for thy servant heareth for thou hast the words of everlasting life Speak unto me to the comfort of my soule and to the amendment of my whole life and to thy praise and glory and everlasting honour CHAP. III. â—hat the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not SOnne hear my words wordes of great comfort excelling all the knowledge of the Philosophers and wise men of this world 2 My wordes are spirit and life not to be wâ—ighed by the understanding of man Thâ—y are not to be drawn to vaine liking but to be heard with silence and to be received with all
humility and great affection 3 And I said Blessed â—s the man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy saw that thou maist give him quietnesse from evill daies that he be not destroyed upon earth 4 I saith our Lord have taught the Prophets from the beginning and cease not continually to speak to every one but many are deafe and give no eare to my speech 5 The greater number doe more willingly listen to the world then to God and follow sooner the desires of their flesh then the will of God 6 The world promiseth temporall and small things and is served with great diligence I promise most high and eternall things and the hearts of men are nothing moved with it 7 Who is he that serveth and obeyeth me with equall care to that with which the world and the Lords thereof are served 8 Blush Sidon saith the sea and if thou aske the cause he are wherefore For a litle prebend a long journey is undertaken for everlasting life many will scarce once lift a foot from the ground 9 A thing of small value is sought after greedily for a penny sometimes there is great contention for a vaine thing and sleighâ— promise men doubâ— not to toile day and night 10 But alas for an unchangeable good for an inestimable reward for the highest honour and glory without end they are loath to take the least paines 11 Blush therefore slothfull and complaining servant that they are found more ready to destruction then thou to life They rejoyce more at vanity then thou at verity 12 And yet they are sometimes frustrated of their hope but my promise deceaveth none nor sendeth him away empty that trusteth in me 13 I will give that which I have promised I will fulfill that which I have said but to him that remaines faithfull in my love to the end I am the rewarder of all those who are good and doe try my devout servants with greater and severer temptations 14 Write my words in thy heart and think diligently of them for they will be very necessaâ—y in time of temptation 15 What thou understandest not when thou readest thou shalt know in â—he day of visitation 16 I am wont to visit my elect two severall waies to wit with temptation and comfort 17 And I daily read two lessons unto them one reprehending their vices another exhorting them to the increase of vertues 18 He that hath my wordes and despiseth them hath within himselfe that shall judge him at the last day A prayer to implore the grace of devotion 1 O Lord my God thou art all that I can desire What am I that dare speak unto thee I am thy poorest servant and a most vile worme much more poore and contemptible then I either know or dare expresse 2 And yet Lord remember this one thing that I am nothing that I have nothing and that I am worth nothing Thou alone art good thou alone art righteous thou alone art holy thou canst all thou doest all thou fillest all only the wicked thou sendest empty away Remember O Lord thy tender mercies fill my heart with thy grace for thou wilt that none of thy workes should be in vaine 3 How can I sustaine my selfe in this miserable life unlesse thy mercy and grace support me 4 Turne not thy face from me delay not thy visitations draw not away thy comfort least my soule become like a barren and dry land wherein is no water 5 Lord teach me to fulfill thy wil teach me to live worthily and humbly in thy sight for thou art my wisdome thou doest perfectly know me 6 Yea thou knowest me not only before I was conceived in the womb but also before the very world was made CHAP. IV. That we ought to live in truth humility in the sight of God SOnne walke in my sight in â—incerity and truth and ever seeke mee in singlenesse of heart 2 He that walketh before me in truth shall be defended from evill incursions truth shall deliver him from seducers and from the detractions of the wicked 3 If truth shall make the free thou shalt be free indeed and shalt not need to care for the vaine words of men 4 Lord it is true according as thou saist so I beseech thee be it unto mee lâ—t thy truâ—h teach me let it defend me and bring me to a blessed end 5 Let the same truth deliver me from â—ll evill affection and inordinate love and I shall walke with thee in great freedome of heart 6 I will teach thee saith the Truth those things that are right and pleasing in my sight Think of thy sinnes with great serrow and griefe and never esteem thy selfe any thing for thy good workes 7 Thou art in very deed a sinnerâ— and subject to many passions Of thy selfe thou alwaies tendest to nothing and art quickly cast down quickly overcome quickly troubled quickly dissolved 8 Thou hast nothing wherein thou canst glory but many things for which thou oughtest to humble and despise thy selfe for thou art much weaker then thou cast perceive 9 And therefore let nothing seem much unto thee whatsoever thou dost Let nothing seem great nothing precious and wonderfull nothing worthy of estimation 10 Nothing high nothing truly commendable and to be desired but that which is everlasting 11 Let the eternall Truth above all things please thee Let thy own great unworthinesse alwaies displease thee 12 Feare nothing blame and flye nothing so much as thy sinnes and vices which ought to displease thee more then the losse of any thing whatsoever 13 Some walk not sincerely in my sight but led by a certain curiosity and pride will know my secrets and understand the high mysteries of God neglecting themselves and their own salvation 14 These oftentimes for that I resist them doe fall into great temptations and sinnes for their pride and curiosity 15 Fear the judgements of God dread the wrath of the Almighty Bâ—t discusse not the works of the Highest Search thine own iniquities in how much thou hast offended and how much good thou hast neglected 16 Some carry their devotion only in books some in pictures some in outward signes and figures some have mee in their mouthes but litle in their hearts 18 There are others that being illuminated in their understanding and purged in their affection doe alwaies aspire with an earnest mind to everlasting happinesse 18 And are unwilling to heare of the things of this world and doe serve the necessities of nature with griefe and these perceave what the spirit of truth speaketh in them 19 Because it teacheth them to despise earthly love heavenly things to neglect the world and day night to desire heaven CHAP. V. Of the wonderfull effect of divine grace I Praise thee O heavenly Father Father of my Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast vouchsafed to remember me a poore and wretched creature 2 O Father of mercies and God of all comfort thanks be
else but nothing and nothing 12 O unmeasurable weight O sea that can never be passed over where I find nothing in my selfe but that which is altogether nothing 13 Where then is the lurking hole of glory Where is the confidence conceived of vertue 14 All vain-glory is swallowed up in the depth of thy Iudgments which hang over my head 15 What is all flesh in thy sight Shall clay glory against him that frameth it How can he be lifted up with vaine words whose heart is truly subject to God 16 All the world cannot moove him to any elation of mind whom truth hath subjected unto it selfe neither shall he be moved with the tongues of all his praisers that hath setled his whole hope in God 17 For they also that speake behold they are all nothing they shall passe away with the sound of the words but the truth of our Lord remaineth for ever CHAP. XV. What we ought to doe and say in every thing which we desire SOnne say thus in evering thing Lord if it be pleasing unto thee let this be done in this sort Lord if it be to thy honour let this be done in thy name 2 Lord if thou seest it expedient for me and allowest it to be profitable then grant unto me that I may use this unto thine honour 3 But if thou knowest it will be hurtfull unto me and not profitable to the health of my soule take from me all such desire 4 For every desire proceedeth not from the holy Ghost though it seeme unto man right and good 5 It is hard to judge whether a good spirit or the contrary drive thee to desire this or that 6 Or whether also by thine owne spirit thou be moved thereunto Many are deceived in the end who at the first seemed to be lead by a good spirit 7 Alwaies therefore whatsoever occurreth unto thy mind to be desired let it be desired with the fear of God and with humility of heart 8 And above all thou oughtest to commit it unto me with full resignation of thy selfe and thou oughtest to say Lord thou knowest what is best doe this or that as thou pleasest 9 Give what thou wilt and how much thou wilt and when thou wilt Doe with me as thou knowest and as best pleaseth thee and is most for thy honour 10 Set me where thou wilt and deale with me in all things according to thy will I am in thy hand turne me and turne me againe which way soever thou please 11 Behold I am thy servant ready to obey thee in all things for I desire not to live unto my selfe but unto thee and would to God it might be in some worthy and perfect manner A Praier for the fulfilling of the will of God GRant me grace sweet Iesus that it may be with me and labour with me and persevere with me untill the end 2 Grant me alwaies to desire and will that which is most acceptable unto thee and best pleaseth thee 3 Let thy will be mine and let my will ever follow thine and agree perfectly with it 4 Let my will and â—ill be all one with thine not be able to will or refuse any thing else but what thou wilt or rejectest 5 Grant that I may die to all things that are in the world and to love for thy sake to be cotemned and not to be known in this world 6 Grant that above all things that can be desired I may rest in thee and make my heart to enjoy peace in thee 7 Thou art the true peace of the heart thou art the only rest out of thee all things are troublesome and unquiet 8 In this peace in this very same that is in thee one chiefest eternall good I will sleepe and take my rest AMEN CHAP. XVI That true comfort is to be sought in God alone VVHatsoever I can desire or imagine for my comfort I looke not for it in this life but hereafter 2 For if I should alone have all the comforts of the world and might enjoy all the delights thereof it is certain that they could not long endure 3 Wherefore my soule thou canst not be fully comforted nor have perfect delight but in God the comforter of the poore and the receiver of the humble 4 Expect a while my soule expect the divine promise and thou shalt have abundance of all good things in heaven 5 If thou desire inordinately the things that are present thou shalt loose the coelestiall and eternall Have temporall things in use and the eternall in desire 6 Thou canst not be filled with any temporall goods because thou art not created to enjoy them 7 Although thou enjoyest all that is created yet canst thou not be happy thereby nor blessed but in God that hath created all things thy whole be atitude and happinesse consisteth 8 Not such as is seene and commended by the foolish lovers of the world but such as the good faithfull servants of Christ expect and the spirituall and cleane of heart whose conversation is in heaven sometimes take a tast of before hand 9 Vaine and short is all humane comfort Blessed and true is the comfort which is received inwardly from truth 10 A devout man every where carrieth with him Iesus his comforter and saith unto him Be present with me Lord Iesus in every place and time 11 Let this be my comfort to be alwaies willing to want all humane comfort 12 And if thy comfort be wanting let thy will and just triall be unto me as the greatest comfort for thou wilt not be angry alwaies neither wilt thou threaten for ever CHAP. XVII That all our care is to be placed in God SOnne suffer me to doe with thee what I please I know what is expedient for thee Thou thinkest as a man thou judgest in many things as humane affection perswadeth thee 2 Lord what thou sayest is true Thy solicitude for me is greater then all the care that I can take for my selfe 3 For he standeth at too great a hazard that casteth not his whole care upon thee Lord. 4 So that my will may remaine right and firme in thee doe with me whatsoever it shall please thee for it cannot be but good whatsoever thou doest with me 5 If it be thy will I should be in darknesse be thou blessed and if it be thy will I should be in light be thou againe blessed 6 If thou vouchsafest to comfort me be thou blessed and if thou wilt afflict me be thou also ever blessed 7 Son thou oughtest thus to behave thy selfe if thou desirest to walke with me thou must be as ready to suffer griefe as to receive joy Thou oughtest to be as willing to be poore and needy as plentifull and rich 8 Lord I will willingly suffer for thee whatsoever thy pleasure is shall befall mee 9 I will receive indifferently from thy hand good and evill sweet and sower delightfull and sorrowfull and give thee thankes for all that hapneth unto
thee as bountifull pious and good from whom we have received al that is good 6 Although one hath receaved more another lesse all notwithstanding are thine and without thee even the least cannot be had 7 He that hath receaved greater cannot glory of his owne desert nor extoll himselfe above others nor insult over the lesser 8 For he is greater and better that ascribeth least unto himselfe and is more humble and devout in rendring thanks 9 And he that esteemeth himself basest of all men and judgeth himselfe most unworthy is fittest to receave greater blessings 10 And he that hath receaved fewer ought not to be sorry nor beare it impatiently nor envy them that are enriched with greater store 11 But attend rather unto thee chiefly praise thy goodnesse for that thou bestowest thy gifts so bountifully so freely and so willingly without respect of persons 12 All things proceed from thee and therefore in all things thou art to be praised thou knowest what is fit to be given to every one 13 And why this man hath lesse and he more it is not ours but thine to determine who dost weigh in just measure the good behaviour of every one 14 Wherefore my Lord God I esteeme it as a great benefit not to have much whereby outwardly and before men I might seeme worthy of praise glory 15 So that he who considereth his own poverty and basenesse ought not therefore to conceave griefe or sorrow or to be therefore troubled but rather to take great comfort and to be glad 16 For that thou O God hast chosen the poore and humble and the despised of this world for thy selfe and for thy familiar and domesticall friends 17 Witnesses are thy Apostles themselves whom thou hast appointed Princes over all the earth 18 And yet they lived without complaint in the world so humble and simple o the eyes of men without all malice and deceipt 19 That they reioyced to receive contumelies for thy name and what the world abhorreth they imbraced with great affection 20 Nothing therefore ought so to reioyce him that loveth thee and acknowledgeth thy benefits as the accomplishment of thy will in himselfe the pleasure of thy eternall appointment 21 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 22 And as willingly to be despised and contemned and to be of no esteem or accompt as to be preferred in honour before all others 23 And to comfort him more and please him better then all the benefits which he hath receaved or can desire CHAP. XXIII Of four things that bring much peace SOnne now I will teach thee the way of peace and true liberty 2 Doe Lord I beseech thee at thou saiest for I shall be very glad to heare it 3 Endeavour my Sonne to doe rather the will of another then thine own Ever choose rather to have lesse then more 4 Alwaies seeke the lowest place and to be inferior to every one 5 Wish alwaies and pray that the will of God may be wholly fulfilled in thee behold such a man entreth into the limits of peace and most quiet rest 6 Lord this thy short speech containeth much perfection it is litle in words but full in sense and aboundant in fruit 7 For if it could exactly be kept by me then should I not so easily be troubled For as often as I feele my selfe unquiet and afflicted I finde that I have strayed from this doctrine 8 But thou that canst doe all things and ever lovest the good and profit of my soule increase in me thy grace more and more that I may fulfill thy words and perfect mine owne health A prayer against evill thoughts MY Lord God be not farre from me my God have regard to help me for sundry thoughts have risen up against me and great feares afflicting my soule 2 How shall I passe through them without hurt How shall I break through them without danger 3 I saith he will goe before thee and will humble the glorious of the earth 4 I will open the doores of the prison and reveale unto thee the hidden secrets 5 Doe Lord as thou saiest and let all evill thoughts fly from before thy face 6 This is my hope and my only comfort to fly unto thee in all tribulation to trust in thee to call upon thee from my heart to expect patiently thy comfort A prayer for the enlightning of the minde ENlighten me good Iesu with the clearnesse of inward light and expell all darknesse from the habitation of my heart 2 Represse the many wandring thoughts and beat downe the fury of the temptations which violently assault me 3 Fight strongly for mee and vanquish the euill beasts that is the allureing concupiscences that peace may be made by thy vertue and aboundance of thy praise sound in thy holy Court which is a pure conscience 4 Command the windes and tempests say unto the sea be still and to the North-wind blow not and a great calme shall ensue 5 Send forth thy light and thy truth that they may shine upon the earth for I am an empty and unprofitable peece of earth untill thou imparlight unto me 6 Poure out thy grace from above wash my heart with heavenly dew give water of devotion to wash the face of the earth to bring forth good and perfect fruit 7 Lift up my minde overcharged with the weight of sinne draw up my whole desire to heavenly treasures 8 That having tasted the sweetnesse of celestiall happinesse it may loath to think of earthly vanities 9 Take me violently to thee and deliver me from all unstable comfort of creatures for no created thing can fully quiet and satisfy my desire 10 Ioyne me unto thee with an unseparable band of love for thou only fillest the mind of him that loves thee and without thee all things are vaine and frivolous CHAP. XXIIII Of flying curious inquiry of the life of others SOnne be not curious trouble not thy self with idle cares What is this or that to thee doe thou follow me 2 For what is it to thee whether that man be such or no or whether this man doe or speak this or that 3 Thou shalt not need to answer for others but shalt give accompt of thy selfe why therefore dost thou trouble thy selfe 4 Behold I know every one what he is and doe see all things that are under the sunne 5 And doe understand how it is with every one what he thinketh what he would and at what his intention aymeth 6 All things therefore are to be committed unto mee but doe thou keep thy selfe in good peace and suffer the unquiet to trouble himselfe as much as he will 7 Whatsoever he shall have done or said shall fall upon himselfe for he cannot deceave me 8 Desire not too great fame in this world nor to
it it is mine when I withdraw it I take not any thing that is thine for mine is every good and every perfect gift 8 If I send thee affliction or any crosse whatsoever repine not nor let thy heart be dismaied 25 I can quickly lift thee up againe and turne all thy sorrow into joy 26 Neverthelesse I am just and greatly to be praised when I doe all this unto thee 27 If thou be wise and consider thy case truly thou wilt never yeeld so cowardly to griefe for any adversity that befalls thee but rather rejoyce give thanks 28 Yea to accompt this thy only ioy that afflicting thee with sorrowes I doe not spare thee 29 As my Father hath loved me I also love you said I unto my beloved Disciples whom certainly I sent not to temporall ioyes but to great conflicts 30 Not to honours but to contempts not to idlenesse but to labours 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 Creatour LOrd I stand yet in need of greater grace if I must goe so farre as that no man or creature can hinder me 2 For as long as any thing holdeth me I cannot fly freely unto thee He desired to fly with great liberty that said who will give me wings like a dove and I will fly and rest What thing more quiet then a simple eye and what more free then he that desireth nothing upon earth 3 Man ought therefore to ascend above all creatures and perfectly to forsake himselfe and to remaine in excesse of mind 4 And consider that thou who are the maker of all things hast nothing amongst creatures like unto thee 5 And unlesse a man be free from the affection of all creatures he cannot with freedome of mind attend unto divine things 6 And for this cause there are so few contemplative men to be found for that few can wholly sequester themselves from fading creatures 7 Much grace is necessary to lift up a soule and to carry it above it selfe 8 Vnlesse a man be lifted up in spirit and delivered from all creatures and wholly united unto God whatsoever he hath is of litle accompt 9 Long shall he be litle and lye in earthly basenesse that esteemeth any thing great but the only unmeasurable and eternall good 10 For whatsoever is not God is nothing and ought to be accounted as nothing 11 There is great difference between the wisdome of a spirituall and devout person and the knowledge of a learned and studious Clerke 12 Farre more noble is that learning which floweth from above from the divine influence then that which is painefully gotten by the wit of man 13 There are many that desire contemplation but they endeavour not to exercise those things that are required thereunto 14 It is a great hinderance that we rest in signes and sensible things and make litle account of true mortification 23 I know not what it is nor by what spirit we are led nor what we pretend we that seeme to be called spirituall 24 That we take so much paines and so great care for transitory and base things and scarce or seldome thinke of our inward profit with full collection of our senses 25 Alas presently after a sleight recollection we break forth weigh not our works with diligent examination 26 We mind not where our affections lye nor bewaile the impurity of many faults that are in all our actions 27 For all flesh had corrupted her way and therefore did that generall floud ensue 28 Sith our inward affection then is much corrupted it must needs be that our action proceeding thereof be corrupted as a signe of the want of inward vigour 29 From a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good life 30 We aske how much one hath done but how vertuous his actions are is not so diligently considered 31 We inquire whether he be strong rich beautifull handsome a good writer a good singer or a good labourer 31 But how poore he is in spirit how patient and meeke how devout and spirituall is seldome spoken of 32 Nature respecteth outward things grace turneth her selfe to the inward vertues That is often deceaved this hath her trust in God to the end she be not deceaved CHAP. XXXII Of the deniall of our selves and forsaking all our affections SOnne thou canst not possesse perfect liberty unlesse thou wholly deny thy selfe 2 All such as be lovers of themselves are bound in setters they are covetous curious wanderers seekers of ease and not of those things that appertaine to Iesus Christ. 3 But oftentimes devising and framing that which will not continue for all shall perish that proceedeth not from God 4 Keep this short and compleat word forsake all and thou shalt finde all 5 Leave thy inordinate desires thou shalt finde rest 6 Consider this well and when thou hast fulfilled it thou shalt understand all 7 Lord this is not one daies work nor childrens sport yea in this short sentence all the perfection of religious persons is included 8 Sonne thou must not goe back nor straitwaies be deiected when thou hearest the way of the perfect but rather be stirred up to more noble attempts or at least to conceave an earnest desire thereof 9 I would it were so well with thee and thou wert come so farre that thou wert no longer a lover of thy self but didst stand meerely at my beck at his whom I have appointed a Father over thee 10 Then thou shouldest exceedingly please me and all thy life would passe away in joy and peace 11 Thou hast yet many things to forsake which unlesse thou wholly resigne over unto me thou shalt not attain to that which thou desirest 12 I counsell thee to buy of me purified gold that thou maist become rich that is heavenly wisdome which treadeth under foot all base and earthly things 13 Set litle by the wisdome of this world and esteeme not of the contentment of men nor thine own fancies 14 I said that thou shouldest buy the mean and base things in steed of those things that are precious highly esteemed amongst men 15 For true heavenly wisdome seemeth very base and of small accompt and is scarce thought of by men 16 For that esteemeth not highly it selfe nor seeketh to be magnified upon earth 17 Which many praise from the teeth outward but in their life they are farre from it yet is it the pretious pearle which is hidded from many CHAP. XXXIII Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our finall intentions unto God SOnne trust not to thy affection that which now is will quickly change into another 2 As long as thou livest thou art subject to mutability even against thy will 3 So that now thou art merry now sad now quiet now troubled now devout now distracted now diligent now idle now heavy now light 4 But he that is wise and well instructed in the
spirit remaineth alwaies one in the midst of these changes not heeding what he seeketh in himselfe or which way the winde of mutability bloweth 5 But that the whole intention of his minde may tend as it ought to the most perfect and best end 6 For so he may continue one and the selfe same without any change in the midst of so many sundry chances directing alwaies the sincere eye of his intention unto me 7 And how much purer the eye of the intention is so much the more constantly doth he passe through the variety of many contrary waves 8 But in many things the eye of a sincere intention waxeth blind for it quickly looketh upon some delightsome object that occurreth 9 And it is rare to find one that is wholly free from all blemish of seeking himselfe 10 So the Iewes in times past came into Bethania to Martha Mary not for Iesus alone but to see Lazarus also 11 The eye of our intention therefore is to be purged that it may be sincere and pure and to be directed unto me neglecting the multitude and â—ariety of earthly objects CHAP. XXXIV That God is sweet above all things and in all things to him that loveth BEhold my God and behold all things What would I have more and what more happy thing can I desire 2 O sweet and comfortable word but to him that loveth the word not the world nor those things that are in the world 3 My God and all things Inough is said to him that understandeth and it is pleasant to him that loveth to repeat it often 4 For when thou art present all things doe yeeld delight but when thou art absent all becomes irksome Thou givest quiet of heart and much peace and pleasant joy 5 Thou makest men thinke well of all and praise thee in all things neither can any thing please us long without thee 6 But if it be pleasant and delightsome thy grace must be present and it must be seasoned with the sweetnesse of thy wisdome 7 what can be distastfull unto him to whom thou art pleasing And whom thou delightest not to him what can be pleasant 8 But the wise of the world they that have their contentment in sensuall things cannot attain to thy wisdome for in the world is much vanity and in the flesh is death 9 But they that follow thee by the contempt of worldly things and mortification of the flesh are proved to be truly wise for they are changed from vanity to truth from flesh to spirit 10 To these God is sweet and what good soever is found in creatures they wholly referre unto the praise of their Maker 11 Notwithstanding great yea very great is the difference between the sweetnes of the Creatour and of the creature of eternity and of time of uncreated and created light 12 O everlasting light surpassing all created lights cast forth the beams of thy brightnesse from above and pierce the most Mward corners of my heart 13 Purify rejoyce clarify and quicken my spirit with all the powers thereof that I may cleave unto thee with excesse of unspeakable joy 14 O when will that blessed and desired houre come that I may be filled with thy presence and thou maist be unto me all in all 15 As long as this is not granted me I shall not have full nor perfect joy Alas my old man yet liveth in mee he is not wholly crucified he is not perfectly dead 16 He doth yet covet strongly against the spirit moveth civill wars and suffereth not the Kingdome of my soule to be in peace 17 But thou that rulest the powers of the sea and asswagest the motions of the waves rise and help me 18 Dissipate the people that desire warre and destroy them in thy might and let thy hand be glorified for there is no hope nor refuge for me but in thee my Lord God CHAP. XXXV That there is no security from temptation in this life SOnne there is no security in this life as long as thou livest thou shalt alwaies have need of spirituall armour 2 Thou livest among enemies art assaulted on all sides if thererefore thou defendest not thy selfe on every side with the shield of patience thou canst not be long unwounded 3 Moreover if thou sixe not thy heart on me with a sincere will to suffer all things for me thou canst not sustaine the heat of this battaile nor get that victorious crown which they have that are in glory 4 Thou oughtest therefore manfully to goe through all and to use a strong hand against whatsoever withstandeth thee 5 For to him that overcometh is given Manna and to the negligent is left much woe 6 If thou seekest rest in this world how wilt thou then attain to everlasting rest Give not thy selfe to much ease but to much patience 7 Seek true peace not in earth but in heaven not in men nor in any creature but in God alone 8 Thou oughtest for the love of God willingly to undergoe whatsoever labours to endure whatsoever griefes temptations vexations anxieties necessities infirmities injuries detractions reprehensions humiliations confusions corrections and contempts 9 These helpe to the attaining of vertue these try a Novice of Christ these make up an heavenly Crowne 10 I will give an everlasting reward for a short labour and infinite glory for transitory confusion 11 Thinkest thou that thou shalt alwaies have spirituall consolations at will My Saints had not so but many afflictions and sundry temptations and many discomforts 12 All which they endured patiently and trusted rather in God then in themselves knowing that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to obtain future glory 13 Wilt thou have that straight waies which many after teares and great labours have hardly obtained Expect the comming of thy Lord do manfully be of good courage 14 Feare not doe not fly but offer both body soul for the glory of God I will reward thee in most plentifull manner and I will be with thee in all thy tribulations CHAP. XXXVI Against the vaine-Iudgments of men SOnne sixe thy heart stedfastly on God and feare not the judgments of men when thy conscience giveth testimony of thy justice and innocencie 2 It is a good and a happy thing to suffer in that sort neither will it be burdensome to an humble mind nor to him that trusteth rather in God then in himselfe 3 The most part of men are given to talke much and therefore litle care is to be had of their words neither is it possible to satisfie all 4 Though the Apostle endeavour to please all in our Lord and made himselfe all unto all yet he litle regarded that he was judged by humane judgment 5 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 6 Therefore he committed all to God who knew all and defended himselfe
with patience humility against evill tongues and such as thought vanities and lies and spake what they listed 7 Yet sometimes notwithstanding he answered lest the weake might have received scandall by his silence 8 Who art thou that fearest mortal man to day he is and to morrow he is not seene Feare God and the terrour of men shall not trouble thee 9 What harme can the words or injuries of any doe thee he rather hurteth himselfe then thee neither can he avoid the Iudgments of God be lie what he will 10 Have thou God before thine eyes and contend not with complaining words 11 I am able to deliver thee from all shame and wrong and to repray every one according to their workes 12 And if for the present thou seemest to be trodden downe and to suffer shame and confusion without desert doe not repine neither doe thou lessen thy crowne by thy impatience but rather lift up thine eyes to mee in hea CHAP. XXXVII Of a full and pure resignation of our selves for the obtaining freedome of heart SOnne leave thy selfe and thou shalt find me Make choice of nothing appropriate nothing to thy selfe and thou shalt ever gaine 2 For greater grace shall alwaies he given thee when thou doest perfectly resigne thy selfe and not turne back to take thy selfe againe 3 Lord how often shall I resigne my selfe and wherein shall I forsake my selfe Alwaies and in every thing as well in litle as in great 4 I doe accept nothing but doe require that thou be as it were naked and void of all things 5 Otherwise how canst thou be perfectly mine and I thine unlesse both within and without thou be free from all selfe-will 6 And how much the sooner thou doest this so much the better shalt thou find thy selfe and how much the more fully sincerely thou doest it so much the more shalt thou please me and so much the more shalt thou gaine 7 Some there are that resigne themselves but with some exception For they put not their whole trust in God and therefore doe labour to provide for themselves 8 Some also at the first doe offer all but afterwards being affailed with temptations doe returne againe to that which they had left and therefore they goe not afterwards in the way of vertue 9 These shall not attaine to the true liberty of a pure heart nor to the grace of my divine familiarity unlesse they first make an entire resignation and offer themselves a daily sacrifice unto me 10 For without this can never be obtained the union with me wherewith my Saints enjoy me 11 I have often said unto thee and now againe I say the same Forsake thy selfe resigne thy selfe and thou shalt enjoy great internall peace 12 Give all for all seeke nothing require nothing repose thy selfe purely and with a full confidence in me and I will give my selfe unto thee and darknesse shall not cover thee 13 Let this be thy whole endeavour let this be thy praier let this be thy desire 14 That casting off all proprietie thou maist all naked follow thy naked Saviour Iesus and dying to thy selfe maist live eternally to me 15 Then shall vaine fantasies evil perturbations and all superfluous cares fly away then shall immoderate feare leave thee and inordinate love shall die CHAP. XXXVIII Of good government of outward things and of recourse to God in dangers SOnne thou oughtest with all diligence to procure that in every place and action or externall businesse thou be inwardly free and master of thy self and that all things be under thy disposition and thou not subject to them 2 That thou maist be Lord and Master of thy actions not a servant or a hireling but rather a freeman and a true Hebrew belonging to the lot and freedome of the Sons of God 3 Who put the things that are present under their feet and place their thoughts on that which is eternall who look on transitory things with the left eye and with the right doe behold the things of heaven 4 Who depend not upon temporall things but make such things depend upon them and serve them 5 As they are ordained by God and appointed by the Creator of all who hath left nothing in his creatures without due order 6 If thou remaine firme and stedfast in all events and doest not weigh by the outward appearance nor with a carnall eye the things which thou seest and hearest 7 But presently in every occasion doest enter with Moses into the Tabernacle to aske counsell of our Lord thou shalt sometimes heare the divine and celestiall oracle and shalt returne instructed of many things both present and to come 8 Moses had alwaies recourse to the Tabernacle for the deciding of all doubts and obscure questions and fied to the help of praier for the remedy of the iniquity and dangers of men 9 So oughtest thou in like manner to fly to the closet of thy heart earnestly craving the divine favour 10 For the Scripture testifieth that therefore was Iosue and the children of Israell deceived by the Giboanites because they consulted not first with God but giving too lightly credit to faire words were deluded with counterfeit piety CHAP. XXXIX That a man be not over earnest in his affaires SOn 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 2 Lord I doe most willingly commit all unto thee for my care can profit litle O that I cleaved not too much to future events but oftered my selfe with all readinesse of mind to thy divine pleasure 3 Sonne oftentimes a man doth earnestly labour for that which he desireth and when he hath gotten it he beginneth to be of another mind and not to esteeme so much of it as before he did 4 For mans affections doe not long continue fixed on one thing but doe passe from one to another 5 It is therefore a matter not of least moment to forsake our selves even in the least things 6 The true spirituall profit of man consisteth in denying and forsaking of himselfe and he that is thus resigned up liveth in great freedome and securitie 7 But the ancient enemie who alwaies laboureth to withstand the servants of God omitteth at no time his wonted temptations but day and night lieth still in waite to cast the unwary if he can into the snare of deceipt Watch therefore and pray saith our Lord that you enter not into temptation CHAP. XL. That man hath no good of himselfe nor any thing whereof he can glory LOrd what is man that thou art mindfull of him or the son of man that thou vouchsafest to visit him What hath man deserved that thou shouldest give him thy grace 2 Lord what cause have I to complaine if thou forsake me or if thou dost not that which I desire what can I justly say against it 3 Surely this I may truly think and say Lord I am
confusion of opinions without ambition of honour without contention of arguments 11 I am he that teacheth to despise earthly things to loath things present to seeke the everlasting to delight in the things that are eternall 12 To flye honours to suffer scandalls to place all hope in me to desire nothing out of me and above all things servently to love me 13 For one by loving me entirely learned divine things and spake wonders he profited more in forsaking all things then in studying subtilties 14 To some I speak ordinary things to others things more rare to some I appear sweetly by signes and figures but to some I reveale mysteries with much light 15 The voice of books is one but it teacheth not all men alike For I am the internall teacher I am the Truth the searcher of the heart the understander of thoughts the setter forwards of good works distributing to every one according to my will CHAP. XLIV Of not drawing outward things to our selves SOnne in many things thou oughtest to be ignorant and esteeme thy selfe as dead upon earth and as one to whom the world is crucified 2 Thou must also passe over many things with a deafe eare and rather think of that which appertaineth to thy peace 3 It is more profitable to turne thine eyes from the sight of unpleasing things and to leave unto every one his own opinion then to strive with contentious words 4 If thou standest well with God and considerest his judgements thou shalt the more easily yeeld to the will of others 5 O Lord to what an estate are we come Behold we bewaile a temporall losse and for a little gaine wee toile and spare no labour and the spirituall damage of our soule is forgotten and hardly at length called to mind 6 That which litle or nothing profiteth is alwaies remembred and that which is chiefly necessary is negligently passed over 7 Because mans nature carrieth him to externall things and unlesse he quickly returne unto himselfe he lyeth drowned in them with delight CHAP. XLV That credit is not to be given to all men and how prone man is to offend in words HElp me Lord in my tribulation for vaine is the defence of man How often have I been deceaved finding want of faith where I thought it sure And how often have I found faith where I least expected it 2 It is vaine therefore to trust in men but the safety of the just O Lord is in thee Blessed be thou my God in all things that befall us We are weak and inconstant quickly deceaved and soone changed 3 Who is he that is able so warily to keep himselfe that he never fall into any deceipt or doubt But he that trusteth in thee O Lord and seeketh thee with a pure heart doth not easily fall 4 And if he fall into any tribulation be he never so much inthralied yet he shall quickly be delivered or comforted by thee for thou wilt not forsake him for ever that trusteth in thee 5 The friend is rare to be found that continueth faithfull in his friends distresse but thou O Lord thou alone art faithfull at all times and there is none like unto thee 6 O how wise was that holy soule that said My mind is firmely setled and grounded in Christ If it were so with mee then would not human feare so easily trouble me nor words move me 7 Who can foresee all things who is able to beware beforehand of future evills If things even foreseen doe oftentimes hurt us how can things unlooked for choose but wound us grievously 8 But why did not provide better for my selfe 〈…〉 why also have I so easily given credit â—o others 9 But alas we are men and God knoweth weak fâ—â—ile men although by to any we are reputed and called Angels 10 To whom shall I 〈◊〉 credit Lord to whom but to thee Thou art the truth that neither dost deceave not canst be deceaved 11 And on the other side every man is a lyar weak unconstant and subject to fall especially in words and therefore we must not easily give credit even to that which in outward shew seemeth at the first a certaine truth 12 O with how great wisdome hast thou warned us to take heed of men and because the enemies of man are his familiar domesticall acquaintance not to trust if one should say Behold here or behold there 13 I am taught to my cost and I would to God I might thereby increase my care and not my folly 14 Be wary saith one be wary keep unto thy selfe what I tell thee 15 And whilest I hold my peace and think it is secret he cannot keep that secret which he desired should be secret but presently disoloseth me and himselfe and goeth his way 16 From such tales and such improvident people protect me Lord that I fall not into their hands nor ever commit such errors 17 Give me grace my God to observe truth and constancy in my words and remove far from me a deceiptfull tongue What I am not willing to suffer I ought by all means to avoid 18 O how good and quiet a thing it is to be silent and not to talke of others nor to believe all that is said nor easily to report what we have heard 19 To lay ones selfe open to few alwaies to seeke after thee the beholder of the heart not to be carried about with every wind of words but to desire that all things both within without be accomplished according to thy will and pleasure 20 How secure is it for the keeping of heavenly grace to fly the sight of men and not to seeke those things that seeme to cause admiration abroad but to follow that withall diligence which bringeth amendment of life and increase of fervour 21 To how many hath vertue known and overhastily commended been hurtfull How profitable hath grace been kept with silence in this mortall life which is nothing but a perpetuall temptation and a warfare CHAP. XLVI Of putting our trust in God whom evill words arise SOnne be constant and put thy trust in me For what are words but words They passe through the aire but hurt not If thou be guilty determine willingly to amend thy selfe if thou be innocent resolve to suffee this willingly at least for God 2 It is a small matter to suffer sometimes a few words if thou hast not yet the courage to endure stripes 3 And why doe small matters goe to thy heart but for that thou art yet carnall and regardest men more then thou oughtest 4 Because thou art afraid to be despised therefore thou wilt not be reprehended for thy faults and therefore seekest shadowes of excuses 5 But look better unto thy felfe and thou shalt see that the world yet liveth in thee and a vaine desire to please men 6 For when thou refusest to be humbled and reproved for thy faults it is surely evident that thou art neither truly humble nor dead to
nor any new thing neither shall it be the last if thou live long 4 Thou art cheerefull enough as long as no adversity occurreth Thou canst give good counsaile also canst strengthen others with thy words but when any tribulation suddenly knocketh at thy doore thou art destitute of counsell and void of force 5 See therefore thy great frailty which thou often provest in very smal occasions It is notwithstanding permitted for thy good when these and such like occasions befall thee 6 Put it out of thy heart the best thou canst and if it touch thee yet let it not deâ—ect thee nor trouble thee long beare it at least patiently if thou canst not joyfully 7 Although thou be unwilling 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 be a scandall to the weak 8 The storme which now is raised shall quickly be appeased and inward griefe shall be sweetned by the returne of grace 9 I doe yet live saith our Lord am ready to helpe thee and to give thee greater comfort then before if thou put thy trust in me and callest devoutly upon me 10 Be more patient and prepare thy selfe to greater suffering All is not lost if thou feele thy selfe often asslicted or grievously tempted 11 Thou art a man and not God thou art flesh not an Angell How canst thou looke to continue ever in the same state of vertue when an Angell in heaven hath fallen and the first man in Paradise lost his standing 12 I am he that doe give healthfull comfort to them that mourne and doe raise up unto my divinity those that know their own infirmity 13 Lord blessed be thy sacred word more sweet unto my mouth then the hony and the hony combe 14 What should I doe in these my so great tribulations and anguish unlesse thou didst comfort me with thy holy sweet and heavenly speeches 15 What matter is it how much and what I suffer so as I may at length attaine to the haven of happinesse 10 Grant me a good end grant me a happy passage out of this world be mindfull of me my God and direct me the streight and ready way to thy everlasting Kingdome Amen CHAP. LVIII Of not searching into high matters and into the secret judgements of God SOnne beware thou dispute not of high matters nor 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 advanced 2 These things exceed all humane power neither can any reason or discourse of any man search out the judgement of God 4 When the enâ—my therefore suggesteth these things unto thee or some envious people demand them of thee answere that of the Prophet 5 Thou art just O Lord and thy judgement is right And againe The judgements of our Lord are true and justifyed in themselves 6 My judgements are to be feared not to be discussed for they are such as cannot be comprehended by the understanding of man 7 In like manner I advise thee not to inquire noâ— dispute of the glory of the Saints which of them is holier then the other and which shall be greater in the Kingdome of heaven 8 These things oftentimes breed strife and unprofitable contentions they nourish also pride and vain-glory from whence doe usually spring envy and dissentions 9 Whilest one endeavours to have this another to have that Saint vainly preferred To desire to know and search our such things is to no purpose but to displease the Saints 10 For I am not the God of dissension but of peace which peace consisteth rather in true humility then in exalting themselves 11 Some are carried with zeale of affection to love these or those most but this love is rather humane then divine 12 I have made all the Saints I have given them my grace I have made them partakers of my glory I know the merits of every one I have prevented them in the benedictions of my sweetnesse 13 I foreknew my beloved before the beginning of the world I chose them out of the world they chose not me first 14 I called them by grace I drew them by mercy I led them through sundry temptations I have sent them great inward comforts I have given them perseverance I have crowned their patience 15 I know the first and last I imbrace all with inestimable love I am to be praised in all my Saints I am to be blessed above all things and to be honoured in every one whom I have thus gloriously exalted and predestinated without any precedent merits of their owne 16 He therefore that contemneth one of the least of my Saints honoureth not the greatest for that I made both the lesse and the greater 17 And he that derogateth from any of my Saints derogateth also from me and all the rest in the Kingdome of heaven 18 All are one by the band or charitie they think the same they will the same and are all knit together in one perfect band of love 18 But yet which is much more high they love me more then themselves and more then their owne â—merils For being ravished above themselves and drawne from the affection of themselves they tend wholly unto thâ— love of me in whom also they rest enioyning me with unspeakable glory 19 Nothing can put them back nothing presse them downe for being full of everlasting truth they burne with the fire of unquenchable charitie 20 Let therefore carnall and earthly men that can affect no other but private ioyes forbeare to dispute of the state of Saints They adde and take away according to their owne fancies not as it pleaseth the everlasting Truth 21 There is in many great ignorance specially in those that be slenderly enlightned and these can seldome love any with perfect spirituall love 22 They are alwaies much drawn by a naturall affection and humane friendship to this man or to that and according to the experience they have of themselves in their earthly affections so they frame an imagination of heavenly 23 But there is an incomparable distance between the things which the imperfect frame in their conceipts and those which are illuminated doe see by revelation from above 24 Beware therefore my Sonne that thou treat not curiously of these things which exceed thy knowledge but rather so apply thy endeavours that thou maist at least have the meanest place in the Kingdome of heaven 25 And if any one did know which of the Saints exceeded others in sanctity or is esteemed greater in the Kingdome of heaven what would this knowledge avail him unlesse he should thereby humble himselfe the more in my sight and stirre up his mind to praise my name with greater fervour 26 His labour is much more acceptable unto God that thinketh of the greatnesse of his sinnes and his wanâ— of vertues and
life and glory 6 Come sayst thou unto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you 7 O sweet and lovely word in the eare of a sinner that thou my Lord God shouldest invite the poore and needy to receive thy most blessed Body 8 But who am I Lord that I may presume to approach unto thee behold the heavens cannot containe thee and thou sayst Come yee all unto me 9 What meaneth this most pious benignity and so loving invitation How shall I dare to come that know not any good in me whereupon I may presume 10 How shall I enter into thy house that have often offended thy most gracious countenance 11 The Angels and the Archangels honour thee the Saints and just men doe feare thee and thou saist Come yee all unto me 12 Vnlesse thou O Lord didst say it who would believe it to be true And unlesse thou didst command it who would dare to come unto thee 13 Behold Noah a just man laboured a hundred yeares in preparing the Arke that he might be saved with a few and how can I in one houres space prepare my selfe to receive with reverence the Maker of the world 14 Moses thy great servant and especiall friend made an Arke of incorruptible wood which also he covered with most pure gold to put the Tables of the Law therein and I a rotten creature how shall I so lightly dare to receive the maker of the Law and the giver of life 15 Salomon the wisest of the Kings of Israel bestowed seven yeares in building a magnificent Temple in in praise of thy name and celebrated the feast of the Dedication thereof eight daies together he offered a thousand peaceable sacrifices and set the Arke in the place prepared for it with the sound of trumpets and joy 16 And I the most unhappy and poorest of men how shall I bring thee into my house that can scarce spendone halfe houre devoutly and I would to God it were once almost one half hour â—n worthy and due manner 17 O my God how much did they endeavour to please thee and alas how â—itle is that which I doe How short â—ime doe I spend when I prepare my selfe to receive I am seldome wholly recollected very seldome altogether free from distraction 18 And yet surely no undecent thought should occurre in the presence of thy Deity nor any creature draw me unto it for I am not to harbour an Angâ—l but the Lord of Angels 19 And yet there is great difference betweene the Arke and the Reliques thereof and thy most pure body with his unspeakable vertues 20 Betweene those legall sacrifices figures of future things and the true sacrifice of thy body the complement of oll ancient sacrifices 21 Why therefore doe I not become more fervent in thy venerable presence Wherefore doe I not prepare my selfe with greater care to receive thy sacred gifts 22 Sith those holy ancient Patriarches and Prophets yea Kings also Princes with the whole people have shewed so great zeale of devotion to thy divine service 23 The most devout King David danced before the Ark of God with all his force calling to mind the benefits bestowed in times past upon his forefathers 24 He made instruments of sundry kinds he published Psalmes and appointed them to be sung with joy himselfe also oftentimes plaied upon the harpe 27 Being inspired with the grace of the holy Ghost he taught the people of Israel to praise God with their whole heart and with plesant voices every day to blesse and praise him 28 If so great devotion was then used and such memory of divine praise before the Arke of the testament 29 What reverence and devotion is now to be performed by me and all Christian people in the presence of this Sacrament in receiving of the most precious Body of Iesus Christ 30 Many goe to sundry places to visit the Reliques of Saints and are astonished when they heare of their miraculous worke 31 They behold the spacious buildings of their Churches and kisse their sacred bones wrapped in silke and gold 32 And behold thou art here present with me on the Altar my God the Holy of Holies the Maker of all things and Lord of Angels 33 Oftentimes in those devotions there is but curiositie of men and the novelty of the beholders in the seeing of such sights and litle fruit of amendment is gotten thereby especially where there is so unconstant wandring without true contrition 34 But here in the Sacrament of the Altar thou art present my Lord God and Man Christ Iesus where also plentifull fruit of everlasting salvation is obtained as often as thou art worthly and devoutly received 35 No levity no curiosity or sensuality draweth unto this but firme faith devout hope and sincere charitie 36 O God the invisible Creator of the world how wonderfully doest thou deale with us how sweetly and graciously doest thou dispose of all things with thine elect to whom thou offerest thy selfe to be received in the Sacrament 37 O this exceedeth all understanding of man this chiefly draweth the hearts of the devout and inflameth their desire 38 For thy true faithfull servants that dispose their whole life to amendment oftentimes receive great grace of devotion and love of vertue 39 O admirable and hidden grace of this Sacrament which only the faithfull of Christ doe know but the unfaithfull and such as are slaves unto sin canot conceive nor feele 40 In this Sacrament spirituall grace is given and lost vertue is restored in the soule and beauty disfigured by sin returneth againe 41 This grace is sometimes so great that with the fulnesse of devotion which is here given not only the mind but the weake body also feeleth great increase of strength 42 Our coldnesse and negligence surely is much to be bewailed and pittied that we are not drawne with greater affection to receive Christ in whom all the hope and reward of those that are to be saved doth consist 43 For hee is our sanctification and redemption he is the comfort of passengers and the everlasting fruition of Saints 44 It is much therefore to be lamented that many doe so litle consider this comfortable mysterie which rejoyceth heaven and preserveth the whole world 45 Oblindnesse and hardnesse of mans heart that doth not the more deeply weigh the greatnesse of so unspeakable gift but rather comes by the daily use thereof to regard it litle or nothing 46 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 doest thou think would men be affected to that place 47 And what esteeme would they have of such a Priest of Almighty God by whom they might enjoy the consolation of these divine mysteries 48 But now there are many Priests and Christ is offered up in many places that so the grace and love of God to man may appeare so much the greater hovv
to defer Communionlong for it is wont to breed a great and dangerous dulnesse 16 Alas some cold and dissolute people doe willingly delay their confession and doe therefore deferre the sacred Communion lest they should be bound to greater watch over themselves 17 O how litle charity and weak devotion have they that so easily omit the receaving of these holy mysteries 18 How happy is he and gratefull to God who ordereth so his life and keepeth his conscience in such purity that he may be ready and fit to communicate every day if it were covenient and might be done without notice taken 19 If any one sometimes abstaine of humility or by reason of some lawfull impediment he is to be commended for the revorence which therein it shewed 20 But if it proceedeth of coldnesse he must stirre himselfe up and doe what lyeth in him and God will prosper his desire for the good will hee hath to doe it which God doth chiefly respect 21 And when any lawfull hinderance doth happen he must alwaies have yet a good will and loving desire to communicate and so shall he not loose the fruit of the Sacrament 22 For a devout person may everyday and houre profitably and without let receave Christ spiritually 23 And yet on certain daies and at time appointed he ought to receave Sacramentally with an affectionate reverence the Body of his Redeemer and rather seeke the honour and glory of God then his own comfort 24 For he communicateth mystically and is invisibly fed as often as he devoutly calleth to mind the mystery of the incarnation and the Passion of Christ and is inflamed with his love 25 He that prepareth not himselfe but when a feast draweth neere and when custome compelleth him thereunto shall often be unprepared 26 Blessed is he that offereth himselfe as an Holocaust and burnt offering to our Lord as often as he doth celebrate or communicate 27 Be not too long nor too short in officiating but keep the accustomed manner of those with whom thou livest 28 Thou oughtest not to be tedious and troublesome to others but to observe the common course according to the appointment of thy Superiours 29 And rather frame thy selfe to the profit of others then to thine own devotion or desire CHAP. XI That the Body of Christ and the holy Scriptures are most necessary unto a faithfull soule The voice of the Disciple O Most sweet Lord Iesu how great is the delight of a devout soule that feasteth with thee in thy bntiquet 2 Where there is no other meat offered to be eaten but thy selfe her only beloved and most to be desired above all the desires of her heart 3 And verily it would be a great comfort unto me to powre out teares from the bottome of my heart in thy presence and with devout Magdalen to wash thy feet with the teares of mine eyes 4 But where is this devotion where is so plentifull shedding of holy teares Surely in the sight of thee and thy holy Angels my whole heart should be inflamed and dissolve into teares for joy 5 For I enjoy thee in the sacrament truly present though darkned in a shadow 6 For to behold thee in thine own divine brightnesse mine eyes would not be able to endure it neither could the whole world stand in the cleerenesse of the glory of thy Majesty 7 I doe really enjoy and adore him whom the Angels adore in heaven but I as yet for the time in faith they in his proper forme and without shadow 8 I ought to be contented with the light of true faith and to walke therein untill the day of everlasting brightnesse break forth and the shaddowes of figures passe away 9 But when that shall come which is perfect the use of Sacraments shall cease For the blessed in heavenly glory need not the remedy of Sacraments who rejoyce without end in the presence of God 10 Beholding his glory face to face and being transformed by his brightnesse into the brightnesse of the incomprehensible Deity they tast the word of God made flesh as he was from the beginning and as he remaineth for ever 11 Whilest I remember these wonderfull works even all spirituall comfort whatsoever becometh very tedious unto me for that as long as I behold not my Lord openly in his glory I make no accompt of whatsoever I see or heare in this life 12 Thou art my witnesse O God that nothing can comfort me no creature give me rest but thou my God whom I desire to behold everlastingly 13 But this is not possible whilest I remaine in this mortall life therefore I must frame my selfe to much patience and submit my selfe to thee in all my desires 14 For thy Saints also O Lord who now rejoyce with thee in the Kingdome of heaven whilest they lived expected in faith and great patience the comming of thy glory 15 What they believed I believe what they hoped for I expect whither they are come I trust by thy grace I shall also come 16 In the meane time I will goe forward in faith strengthened by the examples of the Saints 17 I have also devout bookes for my comfort and for the guide of my life and above all these thy most holy Body for a singular remedy and â—efuge 18 For I perceive two things to be chiefly necessary for me in this life without which this miserable life would be insupportable unto me 19 Whilest I am kept in the prison of this body I acknowledge my selfe to stand in need of two things to wit food and light 29 Thou hast therefore given unto me weak creature thy sacred Body for the refection of my soule body and hast set thy word as a light unto my feet 30 Without these two I could not well live For the word of God is the light of the soule and thy Sacrament the bread of life 31 These also may be called the two tables set on the one side and the other in the store-house of the holy Church 32 One is the table of the holy Altar containing the sacred bread that is the precious body of Christ 33 The other is of the divine law containing holy doctrine teaching true faith and certainly leading to the part of the Temple within the veile where are the Holy of Holies 34 Thanks be unto thee Lord 〈◊〉 light of everlasting light for thy able of holy doctrine at which thou â—â—vest us by thy servants the Prophets and Apostles and other Doctors â—5 Thanks be unto thee Creatour and redeeâ—â—er of man who to manifest thy charity to the whole world hast prepared a great supper wherein thou hast offered to be eaten not the mysticall lambe but thine own most sacred Body and Blood 36 Rejoycing all the faithfull with thy holy banquet replenishing them to the full with thy heavenly cuppe 37 In which are all the delights of heaven and the holy Angels doe feast with us but with a more happy sweetnesse 38 O
how great and honourable is the office of Priests to whom it is granted with sacred words to consecrate the Lord of Majesty with their lips to blesse him with their hands to hold him with their own mouth to receave him and to administer him to others â—2 O how clean ought to be those hands How pure that mouth How holy the body How unspotted the heart of the Priest into whom the Author of purity so often entreth 40 Nothing but holy no word but chast and profitable ought to proceed from the mouth of the Priest which so often receaveth the Sacrament of Christ. 41 Simple and chast ought to be the eyes that are wont to behold the body of Christ the hands pure and lifted up to heaven that use to handle the Creator of heaven and earth 43 Vnto the Priests especially it is said in the Law Be ye holy for that I your Lord God am holy 43 Assist us Almighty God with thy grace that we who have undertaken the office of Priesthood may serve thee worthily and devoutly in all purity and with a sincere conscience 44 And if we cannot live in so great innocency as we ought to doe grant us notwithstanding in due manner to bewaile the sinnes which we have committed 43 And in the spirit of humilitie and syncere intention to serve thee hereafter with more fervour and devotion CHAP. XII That he that is to communicate ought to prepare himself with great diligence The voice of the Beloved I Am the lover of purity and the giver of all sanctity I seeke a pure heart there is the place of my râ—st Make ready and adorne for me a great chamber and I will make with thee the Passeover for my Disciples 2 If thou wilt have me come unto thee and remaine with thee purge the old leaven and make clean the dwelling of thy heart shut out the whole world and all tumult of vices 3 Sit like a sparrow solitary â—â—on the house top and think of thy offence in the bitternesse of thy soule 4 For every lover prepareth â—he best and fairest roome for his beloved and herein is known the affection of him that entertaineth his beloved 5 Know thou notwithstanding that the worth of no action of thine is able to make this preparation sufficient although thou shouldest preparâ— thy selfe a whole yeare together and thinke on nothing else 6 But of my mercy and grace only thou art suffred to come to my table like a begger invited to dinner to a rich man who hath nothing else to returne him for his benefits but to humble himselfe and give him thanks 7 Doe what lieth in thee and doe it diligently not for custome nor for necessity but with feare and reverence and hearty affection receave the body of thy beloved Lord and God who vouchsafeth to come unto thee 8 I am he that have called thee I have commanded it to be done I will supply what is wanting in thee come and receave me 9 When I bestow the grace of devotion on thee give thanks to God for it is given thee not for that thou deservest it but because I have mercy on thee 10 If thou have it not but rather feele thy selfe dry continue in prayer sigh and knock and give not over untill thou hast attained to some crumme or drop of saving grace 11 Thou hast need of me not I of thee neither comest thou to sanctify me but I come to sanctify and make thee better 12 Thou comest that thou maist be sanctified by me and united unto me that thou maist receave new grace and be stirred up againe to amendment 13 Neglect not this grace but prepare thy heart with all diligence receave thy beloved into thy soule 14 But thou oughtest not only to prepare thy selfe to devotion before Communion but carefully also to conserve thy selfe therein after thou hast receaved the Sacrament 15 Neither is the carefull guarde of thy selfe after lesse exacted then devout preparation before 16 For a good guard afterwards is the best preparation thou canst make for the obtaining againe of greater grace 17 Because that mans minde becometh very indisposed if he presently powre himselfe forth to outward comforts Beware of much talke remaine in some secret place and enjoy thy God 18 For thou hast him whom all the world cannot take from thee I am he to whom thou oughtest wholly to give thy selfe that so thou maist live hereafter not in thy selfe but in me without all care CHAP. XIII That a devout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto 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 unto thee and enjoy thee as my soule desireth 2 And that no man may look upon mee nor any creature move mee or respect mee but thou alone maist speake unto me and I to thee as the beloved is wont to speak to his beloved a friend to baÌ„quet with his frieÌ„d 3 This I pray for this I desire that I may be wholly united unto thee and may withdraw my heart from all created things and more by sacred Communion and often celebrating learne to tast of heavenly and everlasting sweetnesse 4 O Lord God when shall I be wholly united unto thee and swallowed up by thee and altogether forgetfull of my selfe thou in me and I in thee and so grant us both to continue in one 5 Thou art my beloved the choisest amongst thousands in whom my soule hath taken pleasure to dwell all the daies of her life 6 Thou art my peace-maker in whom is greatest peace and true rest without whom is labour and sorrow and infinite misery 7 Thou art a hidden God and thy counsell is not with the wicked but thy speech is with the humble and simple of heart 8 O Lord how sweet is thy spirit who to the end thou maist shew thy sweetnesse towards thy children vouchsafe to feed them with the most delightsome bread which descendeth from heaven and is full of all sweetnesse 9 Surely there is no other Nation so great that hath Gods approaching unto them as thou our God art present to all thy faithfull 10 Vnto whom for their daily comfort and for the lifting up of their hearts to heaven thou givest thy selfe to be eaten and enjoyed 11 I or what other Nation is there so famous as the Christian people or what creature under heaven so beloved as a devout soule to whom God himselfe commeth to feed her with his glorious flesh 12 O unspeakable grace O admirable favour O infinite love singularly bestowed upon man 13 But what shall I give unto our Lord in returne of this grace for so singular a charity 14 There is no other thing more gratefull that I am able to give then to bestow my heart wholly on my God and to unite it perfectly unto him 15 Then shall all my bowels re-rejoyce when my soule
therefore cease not to prepare thy selfe to the battaile for on thy right hand and thy left are enemies that never rest CHAP. X. Of thankfulnesse for the grace of God VVHy seekest thou rest since thou art borne to labour Dispose thy selfe to patience rather then to comforts and to the bearing of the Grosse rather then to gladnesse 2 What secular person is there that would not willingly receive spirituall joy and comfort if he could alwaies have it Spirituall comforts exceede all the delights of the world and all the pleasures of the flesh 3 All worldly delights are either vaine or uncleane but spirituall delights are only pleasant and honest produced by vertues and infused by God into pure hearts 4 But no man can alwaies enjoy these comforts according to his desire for the time of temptation is not long away 5 False freedome of mind and great trust of our selves is very contrary to heavenly visitation 6 God doth well in giving grace but man doth evill in not returning it againe wholly unto God with thanksgiving 7 And therefore the gifts of grace cannot flow in us because we are ungratefull to the given and returne them not wholly to the head fountaine 8 For grace is ever due to him that is thankfull and from the proud shall be taken that which is wont to be given to the humble 9 I desire not that consolation that taketh from me compunction nor that contemplation which breedeth a haughâ—y mind 10 For all that is high is not holy nor all that is sweet good nor every desire pure nor every thing that is deare unto us is gratefull to God 11 I doe willingly accept of that grace whereby I may ever become more humble and fearful and be made more ready and able to forsake my selfe 12 He that is taught by the gift of grace and by the scourge of the withdrawing thereof will nor dare to attribute any good to himselfe but will rather acknowledge himselfe poor and naked 13 Give unto God that which is God's and ascribe unto thy selfe that which is thine own that is give thanks unto God for his grace and acknowledge that nothing is to be attributed to thee but only sinne and the punishment due thereunto 14 Content thy selfe and desire alwaies the meanest and lowest things and the highest shall be given thee for the highest stand not without the lowest 15 The highest Saints before God are the least in their owne judgments and how much the more glorious so much the humbler within themselves 16 Those that are full of truth and heavenly glory are not desirous of the vain glory of this world Those that are firmly setled and grounded in God can no way be prov'd 17 And they that ascribe all unto God what good soever they have received seeke not glory one of another but would have that glory which is from God alone and desire above all things to praise God in himselfe and in all the Saints and alwaies tend unto the same 18 Be therefore gratefull for the least gift and thou shalt be made worthy to receive greater Let the least be unto thee also as the greatest and the most contemptible as an especiall gift 19 If thou consider the worth of the giver no gift will seeme litle or of meane esteeme For it is not litle that is given by the Soveraigne Majesty of God 20 Yea if he should give punishment and stripes it ought to be gratefull for that he doth it alwaies for our salvation whatsoever he permitteth to happen unto us 20 He that desireth to keepe the grace of God let him be thankfull for the grace given and patient for the taking away thereof Let him pray that he may returne Let him be wary and humble lest he loose it CHAP. XI How few the lovers of the Crosse of Christ are IEsus hath now many lovers of his heavenly Kingdome but few bearers of his Crosse He hath many desirous of comfort but few of tribulation 2 He findeth many companions of his table but few of his abstinence All desire to rejoyce with him few will suffer any thing for him or with him 3 Many follow Iesus unto the breaking of bread but few to the drinking of the Cup of his Passion Many reverence his miracles few follow the ignominy of his Crosse. 4 Many love Iesus as long as adversities happen not Many praise blesse him as long as they receive any comfort from him 5 But if Iesus hide himselfe and leave them but a while they fall either into complaint or into too much dejection of mind 6 But they that love Iesus for Iesus and not for some comfort of their owne blesse him in all tribulation and anguish of heart as well as in the greatest comfort 7 And although he should never give them comfort they notwithstanding would ever praise him alwaies give him thankes 8 O how powerfull is the pure love of Iesus which is mixed with no selfe-love nor proper interest Are they not all to be called hirelings that ever seeke comforts 9 Doe they not shew themselves to be rather lovers of themselves then of Christ that alwaies think of their commodity and gâ—ine Where may one be found that will serve God without looking for reward 10 It is hard to find any one so spirituall that is free from the love of all earthly things For where is any that is inddeed poore in spirit and free from all affection of creatures thou maist goe to the end of the world before thou find him 11 If a man should give all his wealth yet is it nothing And if he should doe great pennance yet is it litle And if he should attain to all knowledge he is yet farre off 12 And if he should have great vertue and very fervent devotion yet there is much wanting to wit one thing which is most necessary for him 13 What is that That leaving all he forsake himselfe and goe perfectly from himselfe and retaine nothing of selfe-love And when he hath done all that he knoweth to be done let him thinke that he hath done nothing 14 Let him not weigh that much which might be much esteemed but according to truth let him affirme himselfe to be an unprofitable servant as our Saviour hath said When you shall have done all things that are commanded you say We are unprofitable servants 15 Then may he be truly poore in spirit and naked and say with the Prophet I am alone and poore yet no man richer no man more powerfull no man more free then he that can leave himselfe and all things and put himselfe in the meanest and lowest place CHAP. XII Of the highway of the holy Crosse. VNto many seemeth hard this sppeech Deny thy selfe take up thy Crosse and follow Iesus But it will be much harder to hear that last word Get yee away from me yee cursed into everlasting fire 2 For they that now willingly heare and follow the word of the Crosse
shall not then feare to heare the sentence of everlasting damnation 3 This signe of the Crosse shall be in heaven when our Lord shall come to Iudgment 4 Then all the servants of the Crosse who in their life time conformed themselves unto Christ crucified shall draw neere unto our Lord with great confidence 5 Why therefore fearest thou to take up the Crosse which leadeth thee to a Kingdome In the Crosse is health in the Crosse is life in the Crosse is protection against our enemies 6 In the Crosse is infusion of heavenly sweetnesse in the Crosse is strength of mind in the Crosse is joy of spirit in the Crosse is the height of vertue in the Crosse is the perfection of sanctity 7 There is no health of the soule nor hope of everlasting life but in the Crosse. Take up therefore thy Crosse and follow Iesus and thou shalt goe into life everlasting 8 He is gone before bearing his Crosse and is dead for thee on the Crosse that thou maist also beare thy Crosse and desire to die on the Crosse with him 9 For if thou diest with him thou shalt also live with him and if thou be his companion in paine thou shalt be partaker with him also in glory 10 Behold in the Crosse all doth consist and all lyeth in ending our life upon it for there is no other way unto life and unto true inward peace but the way of the Holy Crosse and of daily mortification 11 Goe where thou wilt seeke whatsoever thou wilt thou shalt not find a higher way above nor a safeâ—â— way below then the way of the holy Crosse. 12 Dispose and order all things according to thy will and judgment yet thou shalt ever find that of necessity thou must suffer some-what either willingly or against thy will 13 So as thou shalt never fully avoid the Crosse for either thou shalt feele paine in thy body or in thy soule thou shalt suffer tribulation of spirit 14 Sometimes thou shalt be forsaken of God sometimes thou shalt be troubled by thy neighbours and which is more oftentimes thou shalt be irksome to thy selfe 15 Neither canst thou be delivered or cased by any remedy or comfort but so long as pleaseth God thou oughtest to beare it 16 For God will have thee learne to suffer tribulation without comfort and that thou submit thy selfe wholly to him and become more humble by tribulation 17 No man hath so lively a feeling of the Passion of Christ as he who hath chanced to suffer the like The Crosse therefore is alwaies ready and every where attendeth thee 18 Thou canst not escape it whither soever thou fliest for wheresoever thou goest thou carriest thy selfe about with thee and thou shalt ever find thy selfe 19 Turne thy selfe upward turne thy selfe downward turne thee within or turne thee without 20 Which way soever thou doest turn thee alwaies thou shalt find the Crosse. 21 And every where of necessity thou must have patience if thou wilt have inward peace and obtaine an everlasting Crowne 22 If thou beare the Crosse willingly it will beare thee and lead thee to thy desired end to wit where there shall be an end of suffering though here there shall not 23 If thou beare it unwillingly thou makest for thy selfe a new burthen and increasest thy load and yet notwithstanding thou must beare it doe what thou canst 24 If thou cast away one Crosse without doubt thou shalt find another and that perhaps a more heavy 25 Thinkest thou to escape that which no man could ever avoid which of the Saints in the world was without crosses and tribulations 26 Verily Iesus Christ our Lord was never one houre without paine of suffering so long as he lived Christ saith he ought to suffer and rise againe from death and so to enter into his glory 27 And how doest thou seeke any other way then this Kings high way which is the way of the holy Crosse 28 The whole life of Christ was a Crosse and Martyrdome and doest thou seeke rest and joy 29 Thou art deceived thou art deceived if thou seekest any other thing theÌ„ to suffer tribulations for this whole mortall life is full of miseries and invironed on every side with crosses 30 And how much the more one hath profited in spirit so much the heavier Crosses he oftentimes findeth for the love he beareth to God encreaseth the griefe which he endureth for his banishment 31 But yet this man though so many wayes afflâ—cted is not without the ease of consolation for the great good which he perceiveth to grow unto him by the bearing of his Crosse 32 For whilest he willingly putteth himselfe under it all the but then of tribulation is turned into the confidence of divine consolation 33 And how much the more the flesh is wasted by affliction by so much the more is the spirit strengthened by inward grace 34 And sometimes he is so strengthened with the â—eeling of tribulation and adversity for the love of conforming himselfe to the Crosse of Christ that he would not wish at any time to be without sorrow and tribulation 35 Because he beleeveth that so much the more acceptable he shall be unto God how much the more for number weight he can suffer for him 36 This is not the power of man but it is the grace of Christ that can and doth so much in fraile â—lesh that what naturally it alwaies abhorreth and flieth that by fervour of spirit it taketh hold on and loveth 37 It is not according to mans inclination to bear the Crosse to love the Crosse to chastise the body and bring it into subjection to shun promotion 38 To suffer contumelies with a joyfull heart to despise himselfee and to wish to be despised to beare all adversities and damages and to desire no prosperity in this world 39 But if thou depend upon thy selfe thou shalt be able to performe no such matter of thy selfe 40 But if thou trustest in our Lord strength shall be given thee from heaven and thou shalt subdue under thee both the world and the flesh 41 Neither shalt thou feare thy enemy the Divel if thou be armed with faith and rely upon Christ crucified 42 Resolve therefore with thy selfe like a good and faithfull servant of Christ to beare manfully the Crosse of thy Lord who out of love unto thee was crucified for thee 43 Prepare thy selfe to beare many adversities and diverse kinds of troubles in this miserable life for so it will be with thee wheresoever thou be and so surely thou wilt find it wheresoever thou hide thy selfe 44 So it must be and there is no remedy or meanes to avoid tribulation and sorrow but to beare them 35 Drink of the Cup of our Lord with a good affection if thou wilt be his friend and desirest to have part with him As touching consolation referre that to the will of God let him doe therein as shall best please him but yeeld thou thy selfe