could enter or come into this place Seeing it is so as thou sayest quoth the Loue of God and that thou puttest all thy confidence into our handes tarrie here a while for thou canst not become familiar with the loue of God ere thou become acquainted first with his page therefore I will go call him and hee will instruct thee of all what thou hast to do and speak vnto his Lorde and maister The second Chapter intreateth of the loue of his neighbour DEsire tarried with great expectation for the forth comminge of this Page that he might bring him to the speech of his Lorde and maister And not long after sawe him come and was called Neighbourly loue which sight did greatly reioyce him that euen for the loue which he bare to she Loue of God coulde not abstaine frō weeping Wherefore dost thou weep quoth Neighbourly loue for they are all merrie in this house from hence is banished all sorrowe ladnesse I do not weepe for any griefe said Desire but for ioy For whome dost thou seek here quoth Neighbourly loue My son answered he I looke for the Loue of God I am his seruant page quoth he and if thou doest seeke my Lorde first of all thou must speake and come acquainted with me for my Lorde loueth me deerely therefore those that loue not me he wil not know them nor once speake vnto them Faine would I know thy nature conditions quoth Desire for thy Lorde and maysters sake become acquainted with thee If thou doest desire my acquaintance frendshippe quoth Neighbourly loue thou must prouide giue mee euery morninge an hearb for my breakfast called to thinke humblie for my dinner another called to speake humblie for my supper another not vnlike the first called to worke and doe humblie But where shall I get these hearbes quoth Desire the first called to think humblie aunswered the Page groweth in Humilities garden where she esteemed her selfe a slaue of all slaues and worse then a beast But to come easily to this hearbe because it is a great way to the pallace of Humilitie and thou shalt take a horse to ride on called to thinke well of euerie man and by these means mayest thou come by this hearb euery morning The second hearbe is made of three sundrye hearbes of the first thinke humblie of meekenes and affabilitie in speech vpon the last is cast a smal ponder called Slow and little The third hearbe called to worke humblie is made of diuers hearbes whereof Mirth loue and quietnesse or diligēce are the chiefest And whensoeuer thou doest feede mee with these hearbs then our acquaintance and frend shippe wil cōtinue abide for euer I wil soons bring thee to that speech of my maister The counsell and doctrine of the Page did delight Desire said Seeing thou hast made me acquainted with thy nature and desire I will diligently endeuour my self to procure and get these hearbes for to giue them vnto thee After this they both continued in samiliaritie one with another a long time And Desire hauing conueniēt time and opportunitie said vnto him I beseech thee shew me so much fauour as to bringe mee to thy Lorde Willingly quoth Neighbourly loue for thou hast done thine endeuour since thou hast beene with mee But tarrie here a while I will go call my Lorde see whether hee will come forth to speake with thee The thirde Chapter intreateth of the loue of God his neighbour and of the second degree to loue of his office and dayly exercise DEsire doubting whether the Loue of God woulde come forth to speake with him because he saw his own vilenesse pouertie and miserie and how vnworthy he was to speake with such a Lorde espied one to come towardes him who saide Brother what doest thou looke for or what is thy desire Sir quoth Desire I looke for that Loue of God I am bee aunswered the Loue of God And as soone as Desire did heare this fell in a sounde but the Loue of God tooke him by the hand and lifting him vp reuiued him againe And when hee sawe the loue of God make so much of him hee began most bitterly to weepe insomuch that hee could not speak any word at all Which the loue of God seeing being of a gētle and tender heart was moued with compassion and meruailed greatly of the extreame loue desire affection which Desire did beare vnto him because he saw him weep for very ioy and said I pray thee weepe no more and doe not make me sadde for I cannot abide to see those weepe that loue mee Tell me who told thee I dwelt here A shepheard quoth Desire whome I met by the way and did direct me hether What said he of me vnto thee said the Loue of God that thou louest and desirest me so much doest thou loue mee so deerely because thou hast beene told that I am bountiful to my frendes and vnto those that serue mee very franke and liberall No quoth Desire not therfore but because you are a noble and good Lorde and because you bring your frendes in a place where they shall see God which is the greatest blessednesse of at the world This good and holy minde of Desire did delight the Loue of God not a little was an occasion that he loued him the more for it I meruell my Lord quoth Desire seeing your highnes are so noble a Prince that your Grace putteth those that come to seeke you to such pain and trauaile and are so hardly so be found out Hold thy peace answered the Loue of God this misterie is hidden from many For some there are who thinke they haue not founde mee nor knowen me yet I nowtstāting am alwaies neere them and they are filled and replenished with me And some there are likewise who perswade themselues that they haue founds me who are yet far from me and know me not I pray your highnes theefore quoth Desire to let me vnderstande your nature and conditions that I may know thereby whether I am neer or far from you for I take you for my Lorde and maister Mine exercise and office is aunswered the Loue of God to loue God I am a child of the knowledge of God In what sort do you loue God quoth Desire I haue aunswered the Loue of God a desire to wish for him with all my heart with all the strength and force of my soule and to find him I leaue nothing vndone vsing all means thereunto possible And that I might knowe him the better to his praise glorie I desire that all the earth wold acknowledge his vnspeakeable and infinite goodnesse and that all creatures should laud honour and praise him with this desire I constraine and force my selfe to do nothing wherewith to displease him and if peraduenture I offend him then presently I prostrate my selfe before him and craue pardō at his hands for my
instructions by these meanes for to find out the Loue of God Most willingly wil I theÌ„ satisfie thy minde aunswered Humilitie and disclose all my secrets communicate vnto there my daylie exercises First my godly pretence and purpose beinge my husband whereof I haue spoken vnto thee before made mee by the meanes of Contempt to ouercom the worlde and by chasting and fasting to rule my one flesh and to vanquish Sathan by humilitie and make mee Soueraigne of this house but chiefly of my selfe which is the most of all For when my flesh feeleth that I trauell and endeuour to please the Loue of God then it doth resist me with all his crue is continually disquieted with my doings but neuerthelesse my soule doth then remaine in peace contentment and quietnesse Desire did meruaile greatly at the wordes of Lady Humilitie and sayd I pray your Ladishippe that it may please you to instruct me by some similitude in these things for I am somewhat dull of vnderstanding so that I shal better conceiue your meaning by an example or coÌ„parison This motion did greatly please Humilitie and chiefly because she saw how he did begin to waxe humble in confessing the dulnesse and grossenes of his wit and vnderstanding and said My childe whensoeuer any of that foresaide women doe enter in then I behaue my selfe in this sort as for example when Concupiscence of the flesh beginneth to siruit with me before she is able to come to mee I knowe her and her conditions very well for shee is verie gluttenous and gathereth forces by eating and drinking therefore I withdrawe from her all dainty kindes of meate and wil not giue her so much of ordinarie diet as she doth desire to haue And because my forces are not able to withstand or to vaÌ„quish her for mine owne houshold commeth to aide and to assist her I craue and call for helpe at the hands of God who standeth alwaies at my side to strengthen mee against these wicked women Moreouer I doe esteeme my selfe to bee as a beast who doeth eate no more then his maister doth giue and allow him But wheÌ„ his maister seeth that he is greedie at his meate hee doth restrayne his mouth with a mufle because hee should not eate but at such times and such as it doth please him to giue vnto him Wherefore the Loue of God my onely maister hath put about my mouth a mussell called Sobrietie that I should eat no more then will suffice nature hath tolde me that I shold of that yet something wtdrawe if I woulde please hun In this forte is this wicked Ladie vanquished and ouercome as much as it doth concerne my owne selfe But because she doth not onely assault me with mine owne flesh but by others doth prouoke and draw me to sensualitie and vncleannesse therefore I auoide her as much as I am able eschewing all things wherby she seeketh to intice me to her loue and liking esteeming this to be the best and only cemedy to escape her snares and deceytes Furthermore shee assaulteth not onely my body but also my mind with diuers and straunge imaginations and thoughtes for the which to auoid likewise I iudge it the best remedie to cast my mind vpon my Sauiour Christ and continually to behold his death passion martyrdome as also to remeÌ„der the pames of hell the straitnes of the last iudgement and my small enâ—e and that I must appeare before the tribunall seat of God to giue an account of al my words thoughts and deedes And by these means is ouercome vanquished and quite ouerthrowne this wicked woman being Lieuetenant to the Pallace of Pride The xi Chapter Ladie Humilitie speaketh against the Concupiscence of the eyes and the pride of life IT auailed not to haue ouerthrowne the one vnles I shold endeuour my selfe also to vanquish the other her fellow and companion who is Steward of this vngodly Pallace is called Concupiscence of the eyes And oftentimes shee offered first the combate but I ouercome her by my godly intente and purpose saying whensoeuer that shee is ready to come In vaine doest thou seeke to assault me for I am not unlike to a beast that doth care for no thing but what is before him esteemed of no other superfluitie but what hee needeth and therewithall is contented being nothing curious in that which he lacketh nor carefull whether the Saddle and the Trappiâ—rs are cleane neat or old or whether the stable or maunger be altogether fit for him or not but is sufficiently satisfied when he may stand or lie for to take his naturall rest And because I esteeme my selfe to bee such an other for the Loue of God I will vse my body according as they are vsed for when the maister doth mark that they waxe wilde and stubborne hee putteth a bit and bridle in their mouth to rule them after his owne will Likewise bath the Loue of God brideled mee with a bitte called Shamâ—fâ—stnes that I shoulde not curiously beholde and loue vanitie for it is daungerous to beholde that which is forbidden to bee desired or coueted wherefore the Loue of God hath giuen me warning when â—â—euer I shoulde come to â—â—euer I shoulde come to see a thing which is beautifull comely and delightsome to the eyes that I shoulde not set my minde oppon it but shoulde diâ—daine it as a trifle of nothing and shoulde continually loue and behold yâ— cheefest felicitie being a a treasure not subiect to mutability or vnconstaÌ„cie which is my only Sauior Jesus Christ who doth seeke and demaunde my heart and loue and will most bountifully reward me for the same And by these contemplations I ouercome the other Damosell Now when these two are driueÌ„ away there resteth yet the last who is there Soueraigne to bee vanquished who hath more deceite and subtiltie then all the rest watcheth continually ouer the good workes of a man and is called the Pide of life And whensoeuer the commeth she is alwayes accompanyed with one page or an other the one called good and the other euill intent But so soone as I doe spie her then I vse her in this sort tell her Auoid thou wicked deceitfull Syren for if I sholdgiue eare to thy sweet poisoned words I should draw vpon me a sea of calamities miseries And although thou clounsellest me that I should grudge at the chastenings commandement of others yet I will not hearken to thy wordes for I tell thee plaine I thinke that hee loueth me who doth chasten and rebuke me for not to come to shame and vtterly to bee cast away Sometimes she doth present her selfe vnder the colour of Enuy and tels me This bodie is in such authoritie and this hath such a commandemente but no bodie esteemeth of thee The one is Soueraigne the other Lieuetenant the other Steward ouerseer the other but thou art accounted but as a kitchin drudge being notwithstanding vs old as good as
himselfe but all manner of wickednesse shall therefore desire that the honour and praise of goodnesse shall onely redound to God from whoÌ„ all goodnes floweth But as much as concerneth his wickednesse being his owne shall wish onely to bee dispised contemned discredited and dishonoured for it And whensoeuer he shall doe this then shall hee bee iust And if a holie good and vertuous man doeth not grudge is desirous to be dispised why should a sinner then account it iniustice and vndecent to haue such a desire but contrariwise would bee honoured and esteemed of although they had deserued it Therefore no sinner shall perswade himselfe that hee doth much when hee desireth to be thus despised disdained seeing a holy vertuous and iust man is bound in duty and conscience to desire it The seuenteenth chapter intreateth of the same words THe wordes of the Damosell did greatlie please Desire said I praye you that it may please you to tell the means wherby I might further and obtayne this holy desire Two meanes there are aunswered the Ladie the first is the Loue of God the second a godly minde and wheÌ„soeuer thou wilt take my counsel it will greatly further thee to the attayning of this my vertue Most willingly answered Desire I wil take it make account then and fully perâ—wade thy selfe said the Damsell that the Loue of God whom thou desirest and louest so much hath no greater enemy nor one who offereth hun more wrong and iniury more resisteth him then thine owne fleshe Therefore take this for an vse and custome to speake euery morning to thy soule as followeth Let me see O my soule how thou wilt hate this day thy rebellious fleshe mortall enemie to thy creator Lorde and louing spouse Iesus Christ and what meanes thou wilt vse to despise and vexe it And again in the euening shalt thou say this vnto her Let vs examine now my foule howe thou hast hated this day thy vile bodie enemie to thy onely Lorde and Sauiour and hast sought by all meanes to dishonour it chasten it and vexe it and how diligent thou hast beene to hinder it of his owne wil and in all thinges to persecute it And brother whensoeuer thou wilt go about to do this and with a stedfast desire to hate thy Lordes and thine owne soules enemic then will this exercise bring and adnaunce thee to a high degree of humilitie and by little and little worke in thee a perfection of all vertues so that shortlie after thou shalt detest thy selte hate vanquish thy owne rebellious will and fleshe And whensoeuer any body doth vse thee so then take holde of mee and of my vertues and herem greatly also reioycing say Praised and blessed bee the Lorde my God who giues me now meanes to bee reuenged vppon mine enemies Desire receiued great comfort by this damsels wordes and with great and humble thankes hauing takeÌ„ leaue of her was brought by his guide into another of Ladie Humilities daughters chambers called Sinceritie or Simplicitie who likewise receiued entertamed him most trendly and curteously placing him next to her side began to speake of God and of heauenly and spirituall matters Wherevpon Desire did pray the Damsell that it would please her to tell him her name My name is Simplicity answered shee and with euery man I deale plainely and without deceite vsing no dissimulation in any of my actions or doinges all that I heare or see doe alwaies conster it to the best for I thinke euery man to be as I am at the least as much as concerneth his mind I thinke no harm of any man but only of my selfe for I haue alwates an euill suspition of my selfe hauing an eye continually vpon all my thoughtes and desires being very circumspect carefull to eschew that traps and snares of the wicked that by these meanes I might waxe strong and increase in my mother Humilities vertues How answered Desire can you not bee vertuous vnlesse you be thus carefull No said she for Simplicitie wtout Wisedome is worth little or nothing and hindereth more then it profiteth for the Loue of God loueth none but those which walke wisely and circumspectly in all his waies The eight Chapter intreateth of Sincerities manners and conditions I pray you good Lary quoth Desire to tell me hoâ—â— you deale vpright and sâ—â—cecely with euery 〈◊〉 In three things answered she in thoughtes wordes and dâ—edes First of al I will not cast my thought vppon matters which do passe my vnderstanding or capacitie nor seeke to purchase honour dignitie or prouiotions of this world which are but vaine and transitorie alwaies thinking my selfe to be the worst amongst al reasonable creatures and the vnworthiest of all Gods seruaÌ„ts esteeming all others to be holy good and replenished with heauenly graces vertues Secondly I will not vse any flattering or deceitfull words to intrappe therewith my brother but only I no for all things els are wicked spring out of the roote of vanitie and â—dlenes Thirdely I refraine my selfe from vain fleshly and worldly actions and endeuour to doe that onely which is simple plaine and prosiable thereby to eschue Vanitie Partialitie which â—ight cause and worke my cuine and ouerthrowe for to go alwaies roundly and plainly to worke it maintayned the mind in humilitie whereof the contrary is full of feare and danger wherefore is the contrary thus perillous qd Desire thou must know that my mother hath giueÌ„ me two iewels or precious stones to keepe which I haue here in my Closet the one called Chastity and the other Innocencie which are of such valour price and estimation that none is able to giue the worth for them For we doe direct all our actions by these two iewelles euen as the Marriner doth his shippe by the compasse endeuouring euery day to get theÌ„ hauing gotten theÌ„ surely to keepe them And whensoeuer Curiositie Vanitie or Partialite are suffered to enter through the doore of our harte mouth eyes or eares they they serue by all means to steale theÌ„ away and depriue vs of these iewelles And therefore whosoeuer doeth not direct all his thoughtes wordes and deeds to geâ— and keepâ— them deserueth to be esteemed worse then a foole What will you â—o said Desire with these iewelles for it is a token of couetousnes to possesse such needlesse and superfluous riches as iewelles and precious stones bee where you see so many poore almost ready to starue for want of foode maintaynance Not so quoth she for thou doest mistake my wordes And although that in the loue and desire of possessing wealth riches and worldly goodes after the intent and meaning of the possessor or owner thereof maâ— consist couetousnes fraud and guile yet notwithstanding there can bee no deceite or auarisiousnesse in possessinge of these iewelles whereof I haue spoken because wee doe desire and keepe them to serue and please therewith the Loue of God and to honour
him herewith when hee vouchsafeth to visite vs. Other riches eyther perish by wormes or consume with rust or weare with time because they are earthly and common to euery man But those that are hidden in the harte no mustines rust worme or tune can consume them because they are common to none but to such as doe possesse theÌ„ Dow quoth Desire if hee who doeth possesse them did discourse and make a show of them would they not consume then as other riches doe No said she for when he doeth discouer them to bee seene then hee doeth not possesse them any longer for whosoeuer doeth inioy them doeth not thinke that hee doeth possesse them but doeth alwaies endeuour himselfe and trauaileth to get and to attaine vnto them For our God doeth oftentimes bestowe these iewelles vppon him that doth not know them and is ignorant of the possessioÌ„ thereof because that our Presumption and Selfe loue which lyeth hidden in our hartes shoulde not steale them away Therefore he that doeth possesse them keepes them as secret as may the possible The nineteenth Chapter sheweth what thinges that mayntaine sinceritie or Simplicitie THe wordes of this Damsell did please Desire sayd by what meanes might one best keepe then these iewelles one thing aunswered she is most requisite and necessary to those that are new beginâ—ers and not altogether vnprofitable to the long continuers which is to flie to shutte doores and windowes for to haunt and frequen many mens companies and to heare and see much are ready waies to lose and to be depriued of them because our soule is as a looking glasse which easily receuieth all figures and likenesses which are brought before it and is like vnto waxe which retayneth the print marke of any thing put vppon it How is it possible quoth Desire to flie and to shutte all the gates and windowes for hun that dwelleth in a congregation or companie of many for he is constrained to go oftentimes hether and thether for to dispatch his busines besides it is both decent and godly to be affable and curteous to euery man for not to fall in the vice of selfe-loue or Partialitie which is to bee abhorred and to be detested although it seemeth to carrie a faire shine or colour of vertue and godlines It is true answered she but neuerthelesse the Loue of God commandeth vs that we should be circumspect in all our actions and doe nothing but by necessitie according to the greatnes of our affaires and to bee carefull alwaies for these iewels which we haue in our custody that we do not lose them How must we then behaue our selues quoth Desire for to doe as much as lieth in vs It is needfull answered she that hee who is not able for his busines sake to keepe him from company indangering hereby greatly the looimg of these two iewels Chastitie and Innocency should alwaies take me at his side and whensoeuer he shall bee in my companie then he needeth not to feare that hee shall loose them although he should trauel through al the world I pray you quoth Desire that it may please you to instruct me by some comparison that I might the better conceiue it and the simple and idiot people the better vnderstand it for to carrie it away in their memories the more easier Knowe then aunswered Sinceritie whosoeuer is desirous to keep Chastitie and Innocencie being two of the best meanes to vertue and the readiest waies to come to the last the Loue of God who comprehendeth all perfection of Charitie must flie and shutte doores and windowes And if it be not possible for him to doe it let him vse me then in all his actions and put mee in his right eye that whensoeuer his left eie of Concupiscence of rash or foolish iudgement will desire to see or iudge any thing let him direct her to his right eye of sinceritie considering with himselfe earnestly that euery man or woman are Angelles and children of the Lorde who continually without ceasing doe laude praise their Creator Likewise whatsoeuer he shall heare or see of his neighbour his right eye shall excuse it and amend it And whensoeuer his left eye of Concupiscence shall seeke to drawe him to the loue and desire of any Creature let him presently beholde his right eye which will send him to the remembring consideration of the beauty goodnesse and other perfections of his Creator which will cause him to loue the creature for no other cause but that shee doth loue laud and praise with him her God and Creator And therefore it were most requisite that he should vse me likewise in all his words and communications When quoth Desire doeth a man all things with Sinceritie when his minde answered she is simple vpright and sincere so that his wordes and deedes be alwaies correspondent and all his actions reasonable and without dissimulation Hauing alwaies a speciall regard that all his doinges may redound to the glorie praise of God his soules health and saluation and to the profite of his neighbour and this doing is in all thinges to walk with Sinceritie and he goeth sure and without daunger whosoeuer taketh her alwayes in his companie The twentith Chapter intreateth of Pouertie one of Ladie Humilities daughters DEsire hauing receiued great comforte out of Sincerities words tooke his leaue of her and his guide brought him to another of Ladie Humilities daughters called Pouerty who bidding him welcome did pray him to sit downe by her side Desire seeing the great courtesie of the Ladie said that hee was very glad of her coÌ„pany because he did perceiue that shee esteemed much of the Loue of God and therefore did aske her name and prayed her to tell him her manners and conditions My name quoth she is Pouertio And for the Loue of God I doe not possesse nor care for anye worldly thinges wherein quoth Desire take you then your ioy and all your comforte My chiefest treasure answered she wealth and riches ioy and comforte consisteth to forbeare all things for the Loue of God I doe greatly maruaile of this quoth Desire for I was tolde that this pallace was builded by the most noblest richest and most bountifullest knight of the earth wherefore doth he suffer then so poore and needie people to dwel in it For I cannot conceiue what profite or gain hee receiueth by your pouertie need and necessitie I will tell it thee answered she The Landlord the founder of this house is Lord and King of all the earth hauing al her riches and wealth in his hand power and yet it is his will and pleasure that we should bee poore because we shoulde not settle our heart vpon any thing but vpon him onely for hee is able inough to giue vs all things aboundantly But these whom he loueth he doeth giue them none of this earthly felicitie because they shoulde onely desire and loue him and hate this transitorie and deceitfull worlde
doe not wel vnderstande it When I aunswered the Loue of God speak vnto my Lord and cast my mind and cogitations vpoÌ„ other matters then I turne him my backe and not my face Therefore I thinke and perswade my selfe that he alwaies seeth me and neuer turneth his eyes from me for to marke what I say what ferueÌ„cy I haue what reuerence I shewe vnto him likewise in what repentance loue vnitie I doe exercise my selfe Then afterwarde I humbly thanke him for all his benefits bestowed vpon me and generally vpon all creatures hauing them oftentimes in my minde and rehearsing them vnto him because I knowe that hee cannot abide any vnthankefulnes or that in any wise wee should forget his goodnes declared vnto vs all The eight Chapter intreateth of the third degree of the Loue of God SEeing I haue nowe spoken vnto thee of the first degree oâ— loue which I beare vnto my Lorde which is to be careful not to offend him and likewise of the seconde which is to doe all that hee commaundeth mee yet I am not contented with these two for the great loue which I baâ—e him but haue toyned vnto those two first the third degree which is to do all that I am able to thinke or imagine for to please and to bee acceptable vnto him wherby do you know qd Desire that you do that which is pleasant in his sight By two things answered the Loue of God The one is to loue that which hee loueth and the other to hate that which he hateth As coÌ„cerning the first to loue that which he leueth therby I loue my Lords only son who is the fairest gentlest and most worthiest that euer was or shal be being like vnto his father in all thinges and yet the most obedientest that was or euer shall bee This sonne be loueth as much as hun self because he is more like vnto him then euer sonne was vnto his father And the vnitie and loue between the father and the sonne is so exceeding great that they are both one of one will force power wisedome maiestie And although they are distinguished in persons are notwithstanding but of one substance and essence My Lorde did make with his owne hande for this his sonne a shepheardes garmente wherewithall being clothed came out of his Fathers chamber yet neuer was from him but alwaies with him and is dayly conuersant with vs in this house for otherwise we could not see nor know him and thus apparelled his father sent him with a basket at his armes through the whole world likewise through this wildernesse to seeke out his sheepe that were lost and run astray And as hee was walkinge through the desart his father suffered him to bee slaine by the wolues and deuoured by dogges and in no wise would come to aid or assist him although hee was able enough to haue done it but his will was that the wolues should teare him in peeces and put him to the most cruellest death that could be inuented or imagined and shoulde vse him the worse because hee was a kinges sonne And this did our Lord for meer loue which hee bare vs because that all they which are of his houshold might perceiue and see howe dearely hee loued vs in that he hath not spared his owne son but hath giuen him in sacrifice for vs therefore are we bound to loue him also because he loued vs so much before when the Loue of God was telling this Desire wept bitterly so that his hart seemed to breake in peeces The father loued the son so much saide the Loue of God that although he suffred him to be put to death yet throgh his omnipotency did soone raise him vp again froÌ„ the dead with more glozie and triumph theÌ„ euer before carrying with him those sheepe for whom bee was come hauing a speciall care ouer those whome hee had yet left in the desarte and pastures to waxe fat And thus he returned into his fathers chamber where he now sitteth at his right hand making dayly intercession for vs and excusing our infirmities for the vnspeakable loue which he beareth vnto maÌ„kind I belieue that if it were not for his sake the Lorde would haue cast vs long agone out of this house for our great wickednesse sake because we serue him so negligently without anie zeale or affection and so highly doe forget him put him out of minde for euery trifle and small occasion The Father loueth his sonne so dearely that I belieue not that there is any thing in this world wherwith we can do him better seruice then in louing of his sonne Therefore I endeuour my selfe to loue please his sonne wherein quoth Desire do you loue and please him when I aunswered the Loue of God remember his holy life his exceeding great trauaile his death his blessed doctrine endeuor to coÌ„form frame my actions and manners vnto his life for when my Lord doeth see one resembling the life of his sonne so much the more doth he loue him and therefore it was his wil that he shold come to visite vs dwel with vs and teach vs how we shoulde liue for wee liued before euen as beasts and therfore the Lord did send him vnto vs in steed of a mirror and looking glasse that all men who were desyrous to knowe whether their wil or actions were bad or good shoulde behold his sons life for in the worlde there is no surer better touchstone then it The seconde whome my Lord loueth is my page called Neighbourly loue For hee loueth this lad so tenderly that all that we doe vnto him whether it be good or euill he doth take it as it were done vnto his own person In what loue you this boye quoth Desire First ol al I esteeme him to bee better then my selfe and although I doe supplie a great and high office yet am obedient vnto him in all lawfull good things I take heede in no wise to hinder or endamage him but I shewe him all loue and frend shippe that I am able I haue no ill suâ—pition of him but rather doe alwayes defende and excuse him I â—narie him not iâ— words nor deeâ—es but I suffer patiently his naturall weaknes and infirmitie I â—â—â—rie him I doe not back â—â—â—e him nor will not suffâ—r any man for to do it I wish that he should exceede me in loue which I beare to God and that it woulde please almightie God to make him better then my selfe I in no wise ennie his temporall or spirituall blessinges or any thing that belongeth vnto him but reioyce in his prosperitie and welfare his losse aduersitye and sorrowe doeth hartely grieue mee Further I thinke him to be an Angell of the Lord and that I am vnworthy to bee his slaue seruant and this do I because my Lord loueth him so deorely I loue also the affaires of the common wealth hauinge a speciall care ouer them because they
appertaine to the seruice of the Lorde to his honour and to the mayntenance of his house Therefore I doe mine indeuour that nothing be neglected chiefly which concerneth anye godly exercise as is reading fasting chastning of the flesh and such like although some do but little esteeme of these thinges Further I remember that I know him better then any other creature because I haue receyued more at his handes then any And seeing that other seruants serue their earthly maisters with greate attendance and diligence why shoulde I not serue my Lord who hath chosen â—â—â—e to bee his chamberlaine aboue any domestical seruant And although all the world should faile and there should none bee remayning yet I will neuer be vnfaithfull vnto him till death The ninth Chapter intreateth of those things which the loue of God hath anâ— of the conclusion THe other of these two things wherof I haue spoken vnto thee and wherewith I seeke to please my Lord is to hate yâ— which he hateth Therefore I set before mee that my Lorde hath two enemies the one the world the other my flesh therefore I haue determined with my selfe to hate them mortally neuer to contracte any league with them because I might the stedfaster remaine in my determination I use these meanes neuer to recreate my selfe with them to speake or frequent their companies vniesse my Lord doeth commaund it me whose commaundement I esreene more then my determination And therefore I haue desired the lieuetenant of the house that be send me not about such busines whereby I might recreatemy selfe as in townes citties countries or among people for I esteeme this a great contempt and dispising but wheÌ„ I am coÌ„manded then I obey And althogh my Lorde for certaine affaires commandeth me to go into the world yet his will is that I in going should not loyter and in returning shold be found faithfull vnto him and in no wise shold vse any falshood practise treason against him but shoulde withdrawe my selfe as soone as it were possible come again for I know certainely that how narrowly wee looke to our selues and as much good as we can do yet we are like to get there nothing but are alwaies in danger to loose much In this sorte I hate like my sins iniquities vncleannes carnal motions wâ—ekes desires and vnnaturall passions and am vetie pensiue and sorrowful that they dwel within me knowing that they are contrary to my Lords wil doe altogether displease him Therefore I endeuour my selfe alwayes to amend through loue Like wise for the loue of him I eschewe and flie from all those that are in his house except it be in thinges of necessitie and loue withdrawing my selfe altogether from them Wherefore doe you so quoth Desire Because now a dayes there are no spiritual praiers loue and goodly zeale practised and exercised and those that boast of the knowledge of God commonly decay in slothfulnes Therefore I will accustome my selfe to be alone and addict my self to praiers that my soule may receine and feele some comfort and ioy in the Lorde and I learne to loue him as it becommeth me for to that intent I haue forsaken the worlde and all the vanities thereof But quoth Desire others will account you fantasticall partiall and euery man will cast his eyes vppon you it is no matter answered the Loue of God for I shoulde not serue to please man and chiefly in things which are contrarie to God And when I giue no offence to my brother I care not what the worlde speaketh so I do my duety in that which is commanded mee And therefore if thou wilt haue and possesse me doe as I do The tenth Chapter intreateth that the Loue of God brought Desire to the house DEsire was amased at those things which the Loue of God had tolde him and after long studying said When you do all these things haue you then any need to stand in feare of any body I truly aunswered the Loue of God for I must be very careful that I bee not pust vp in vaine glorie for my good workes or intangled with selfe loue for if I gaue anye place unto these my Lord presently would thrust and turne me out of the doores Thereâ—ore I haue alwayes at my side my mother Humilitie I pray you quoth Desire to leade mee into the house follow me said the Loue of God for thou hast beene nowe long enough with me and I will bring thee to another of my fellowes who hath a greater office then I. How is he called quoth Desire His name answered the Loue of God is To desire God Desire went merrely accompanied with the Loue of God to seeke out To desire God when he had found him said vnto him my Lord I wold it would please you to entertaine me as one of your seruantes Desires good-will did greatly please To desire God and saide vnto him it is needefull so thou wilt bee with me that thou bee first well instructed by my fellows for thou must knowe that of the wine which floweth out of the hoggeshead of the Loue of God is made To desire God Therefore doe not deceiue thy selfe but see that thou be first well prouided and replenished with the Loue of God My Lorde quoth Desire I haue dwelt longe with the Loue of God and he hath instructed me in all thinges which I must doe and with Gods grace I wil endeuour my selfe to put all thinges in vre and practise but I cannot warrant you whether I haue the Loue of God or not for hee onely knoweth who doeth loue him and in these thinges the vest is to humble himselfe As for my selfe I can not assure what I haue but onely this dog called good-wil and yet I think not that hee is mine because he was but sent me To desire God did take a great delight and pleasure in all these wordes and chiefly because Desire did not perswade himself that he had the Loue of God I pray you Sir quoth Desire to tell me your nature and conditions Euen as a man saide The dersie of God commeth through the knowledge of himselfe to a hate and despising of himselfe so likewise through the knowledge of God hee attaineth to Desire God And whosoeuer doeth possesse mee hee hated all worldly thinges for I do frame in him so noble and excellent a mind that hee thinketh himselfe to good to desire any thing els then the chiefest and the souerainest good which is God onely besides I make him very great high tanored with God although he is but of base kindred yet I make him a mighty king whosoeuer doeth enioy me his mind runneth vpoÌ„ nothing but vpoÌ„ God only he speketh nothing but of God for where his treasure is there is his hart also And that which a man hath coÌ„ceiued in mind the congue commonly speaketh for the mouth doeth alwaies bewray the inwarde affections of the hart To the hungrie I am
quoth to desire God wilt thou go hence and return againe from whence thou art come where should I trauaile answered Desire for to be better then I am here where I am come with so much pain and labour Now that I am welcome to a place where I may line in quiet and be comforted I am not minded to change for they say in a common prouerbe De that is in blisse let him remain where hee is And I tell you sir I wil not go hēce vnles you doe thrust mee out of the dores It is not our custome qd To desire God to turn any body out of the doores vnlesse they thēselues doe desire it but rather doe intreat them to stay But because they may know that we stand not in need of any body therefore sometimes doe aske them if they are desirous for to go or not But because thou art willing to tarrie here with vs thou must not bee idle what must I doe qd Desire All that they shall commande thee aunswered To desire God And when I shall not bee commaunded at all saide Desire what shall I doe then Sing answered To desire God praise thanke magnifie the Lord. And whensoeuer thou art about thy busines dost that is commanded vnto then thē thou maiest yet sing to thy selfe for to keepe thy thoughtes from idlenes Further wilt thou please our Lord and become his familiar frende see that thou goest to speak oftentimes alone with him and if thou wilt profite greatly bee daylie conuersant with him Then shalt thou heare his aunswers who will disclose vnto thee many secretes whereby thou shalt grow familiar with him becom one of his minions May euery man who will said Desire come in his chamber and speake with him I quoth To desire God as far as he hath Humilitie in his company I tel thee that it is his greatest ioy that wee should come to him and awake him for hee is of this nature that he cannot abide to be alone and how base simple soeuer a mā is yet he reioyceth greatly in his company and will haue him to remaine with him continually For his nobilitie and worthines is so great that hee doth not regarde the externall person for there is no exceptions of persons with him if his spirite bee humble for one man hath cost him so deare as an other and hath created thē all of one substance the earth I which more is the baser viler the persō is if he doth but debase humble himself the greater fauour and courtesy he sheweth vnto him and wil do him the more good And I tell thee plaine that the most part of these that are dwelling here are but of simple parētage progenie For God hath chosen those for his seruice who were the abiectes of that worlde to the ende that no body who dwelleth here should think him to be receyued and intertained for his desarts worthines but only through the goodnesse and meere mercy of God Therefore if thou art willing for to dwell here and desirous not to loose but to profite further thy selfe and procure that thy song bee acceptable vnto God remember these four parts The first is Good-will the seconde Humilitie that third Patience the fourth Loue or Charity And whensoeuer thou singest with these four parts thou shalt neuer faile in thy songs And although sometimes thou flippest a note or two or els doest not sing fast enough presently thou shalt come to the right tune againe by hearing onely With good will thou shalt sing that Superius or Treble for all that rest doth frame it selfe after it and with the second and third namely with Humility Patience thou shalt sing the Contratenor for Humilities Patiences doinges are contrarie to a mans wil and wilfulnes And with the fourth namely Loue thou shalt sing all manner of musicke whatsoeuer that with thy soule the sweetnesse of that holy Ghost But aboue all thinges doe not forget to eat the fruit which thou hast eaten in that Pallace of Humilitie namely to Distrust in thy selfe and the greater thy loue and desire is towards God and the greater friend thou art of the Lord giue him the more of this fruite for he loueth them wel gladly eateth of them The thirteenth chapter how to desire God did bring Desire into the chamber of the Lord besides intreateth of an instruction to Praier I woulde praye you for to get one sauoure more at your hands which is seeing you haue entertained mee granted that I shall dwell here that it may please you likewise to bring me to my Lord for to know him to do vnto him homage reuerence I am contented qd To Desire God go with me Desire went trembling that he now should speak with so mightie a king monarch in his chamber and stand before his diuine maiesty and was taken with such feare trembling that he neither durst nor coulde come before that Lorde in as much that hee was minded to turne backe againe But when he remembred againe the nobilitie and vnspeakable courtesie and goodnes of this king how louing affable hee was to euery man he comforted himself vppon his gratiousnesse there vpon putting onely all his trust confidence Tarrie for mee here at the doore saide to desire God for I will go see what my Lorde doth and tell him how thou art here to speak with him Desire was yet fearfull studying what hee should say vnto the Lord whē he shold come before him Com hither qd to desire God I haue tolde my Lorde how thou art here Go in therfore and I wil stay here for thee Desire began with great reuerence to goe through the chamber of presence as soone as he did see the Lorde fell downe flat vpon his face weeping bitterly durst not once lift vp his eyes for he remembred that he had beene a mortall enemye of his Lord had done him oftentimes great iniury and wrong in as much that he was not able to vtter one word but onely did sigh weepe thinking alwaies that now he was in the presence of this endlesse goodnes whome hee had so oftentimes so grieuously offended What meaneth this qd our Lord wherefore doest thou come hether doest thou not speak Arise let me know thy desire What can or shall I speake before thy incomprehensible Maiestie answered Desire O my Lord I am not worthy to open my vile vnclean mouth in thy sight but suffer me now to bewaile by silence sighes teares my forepast wickednes iniquity Wherefore art thou come hither quoth our Lord I I am not come hither my Lord answered Desire for I do not thinke that I haue deserued to dwell here in thy house and yet lesse to come in thy maiesties chāber presence Who hath bronght thee hether then said our Lord Thy grace hath drawne mee hether hath caused me to be calde commanded
worne spoyled in the wet and snowe What dost thou with this long coate saide Desire It serueth to cloath mee qd the shepheard for if I did not weare this coate I should not seeme to bee a heardeman But of what stuffe is it made demaunded Desire It is made of sheep skinnes answered the shephearde for if my frocke were made of Wolf skinnes or of any other kinde of beast the sheepe woulde smell it quickly woulde flie and runne away from mee but nowe that I am cloathed with their wooll they loue me know me and follow me Tell mee quoth Desire what hast thou in this small horne hanging at thy girdle Ointmentes saide the shephearde to ointe my sheepe withall when they bee scabbed And what hast thou in the other horne somwhat bigger then the first demanded Desire Tincture and collour answered the shepheard to marke my sheep withall for to know them again when they are stragled by chaunce among other straunge sheep What dost thou with these dogs These dogges barke in the night turne and chase away the Wolues for the better safety of my sheepe and because I shoulde the more quietly take my rest without â—eare Wherefore â—oest thou al things so aduisedly quoth Desire beâ—ause I haue a good bountifull Lorde answered the shepheard who hath promised mee great recompence for my paines alâ—hough I rather doe this more through the loue which I beare him then for the recompence I doe looke to receiue at his handes The third Chapter intreateth yet of the same matter DEsire did marnayle greatly at all these things being wonderfully well pleased that hee did all this through meere loue And tolde him brother seeing thou spendest the most part of the day in the fieldes I praye thee canst thou not shewe mee which waye a certaine knight is gone trauayling vp and downe without companie because they haue thrust him out of his house and his own subiectes will not knowe nor receiue him therefore doth he seek on with whoÌ„ he might dwell remaine for euer What is this man quoth the shepheard He is called the Loue of God answered Desire I know where he commonly keepeth said the shephearde and if I had one to looke to my sheepe then would I bring thee my self wherher dwelleth to ease thee somewhat of thy iourney for thou must know that he loues shepheards and is glad of their companies and although he bee a knight is notwithstanding a shepheards sonne But because I haue no body to keepe my sheepe I will shew thee the way as neere as I can Therefore brother go through this desart and great forrest at the ende whereof thou shalt finde a costly Pallace where none but women must dwell who will shewe thee where thou mayest finde thie knight For hee is of such frendly and vertuous nature and conuersation that hee despiseth no mans coÌ„panie nor fellowshippe These wordes did very much please and reioyce Desire and chiefely because they put him in hope that hee shoulde finde out the Loue of God saying brother I pray thee shew me the direct way that I may not misse my way I may not leaue my sheepe alone quoth the shephearde but yet I will appoint and get thee good company that will leade thee God willing in the readiest best way take therefore this Dogge for this purpose But what is his name quoth Desire He is called Good-wil said the shephearde I thanke thee quoth Desire God haue thee in his keeping The Lord bee with thee thy guide aunswered the Shephearde and had him farewell Of the Pallace of Humility WHen Desire was parted from the shepheard who had committed him to that way with his new companioÌ„ being a great comfort vnto him in his iourney after many nightes daies trauelling came at the end vpoÌ„ a Sunday in a green and large field very pleasante the grounde neuerthelesse being nothing but grauel very drie whereat DESIRE maruelling greatly how it should be possible that so faire and flourishing hearbes could growe in so rocky a place sit rather for thornes and thistles then for any thing els Espied in the midst of the fielde a sumptuous costly Pallace whereof he reioyced and in all paste going to the howse ounde the gates thereof shutte and a fayre Damzell standing without by her fauour and outwarde apparell seeming very honest vertuous Who seeing his dogge was affraide of him and began to shake But Desire willed her not to feare him because he was not wont to doe harme to any man Desire maruelling at this Damzell watching at the gates of the pallace sayd Tel me I pray thee sister what lookest thou here for alone I tarry aunswered she til they open the gates that I might enter in how art thou called then quoth Desire my name is sayde she Vaine-Glory Desire hauing taried long at the gates and seeing that hee thus watched in vain began to knocke for at the doore did hange an won hammer called Patience to see if any man woulâ—e come to open the gates And presently there came an aunciente and reuerende father being Porter and keeper of all the house to open the doores and his name was the Feare of God Desire seeing this olde and worshipfull father after due reuerence done vnto him saide I am come hither sir to look for a certain knight called the Loue of God and theâ— haue tolde mee howe he shoulde bee past through thie forrest and come into this house therefore full â—am would I know whether he be here or not The Porter was glad of these wordes for hee loued intirely the Loue of God being his brother and saide vnto him Sonne wherefore doest thou looke for this knight what busines hast thou with him Most reuerend father answered Desire I doe aske for him because I doe reioyce in him and stande in great need of him Howe so quoth The feare of God because said Desire I would willingly dwell with him and be his seruant for in all this countrie there is none who liketh mee better although I might haue had many others that most gladly woulde haue entertayned me But I haue beene certified of him by others how he is a noble courteous and bountifull Lorde to his seruantes It is most true answered the Porter that thou sayest and not long agone hee came by this way with smal company yet notwithstanding at this present hee is not within but tarry here a while till I go call a Damosell who wil shew thee directly where thou maiest find him The seuenth Chapter howe Vaine-Glorie keepeth the watch at the gates of the Pallace of Humilitie DEsire tarried merily til the Damosell shold come w e the Porter and not long after there came foorth a very humble and vertuous Ladie greeting him very frendly and hee likewise her saying I pray thee Ladie tell mee thy name is said wee Esteeme me nothing how is this house called quoth hee The Pallace of Humilitie answered she
because there are many Ladies dwelling in it vnder one soueraigne called Humility And what gentle woman is she said hee that watched without at the gates She is called Vain-Glorie answered she watching continually at the gates till they are opened and whensoeuer the Porter looketh not narrowly to her or taketh smal heed to his charge then shee presumeth oftentimes to come in Wherefore wilt thou not suffer her to come in said Desire seeing her wordes her apparell and fauour seemeth to bee honest and vertuous Ah brother aunswered shee thou doest not yet knowe her for she is a most pestilent and wicked creature and although she seemeth honest by her outwarde behauiour she is therefore not any thing the better but rather the worse what iniury doth she thē vnto thee said Desire As much as she is able to do answered the Ladie for she is daughter to a wicked father called Self-loue and to a worser mother called Selfe-Conceit These three being our greatest foes in the worlde are yet greater enemies to the Lorde and chiefe of the house called The loue of God Wilt thou know what iniury shee doth vnto vs whensoeuer shee entreth by one way or another into the house shee is very greedy and hungry and runneth presently to a garden and eateth all the fruites of the best tree which wee haue by the which we do liue onely are all maintayned and haue but one of these trees which is not yet verie fruitful when she hath thereof stolen the fruites away wee remaine very poore and are scarce able to liue Besides which is farre worse shee is a great flatterer and hath so smooth a tong that whensoeuer she is come within there is none that is able to thrust her out againe but onely our soueraigne Humilitie whom when she seeth presently sheweth her heeles and runneth away as fast as shee can Therefore it is best not to let her come in to this intent haue we made this olde man our Porter because he is something hard and frowarde and speedily clappeth the doore to her face and taketh great heed that she enter not by stealth or on a sodaine Moreouer wee haue desired him that hee shoulde looke wel to his charge in opening and shutting the gates Desire wondering at this Ladies wordes saide thou hast reason not to suffer her to come in seeing what great harme ye all receiue by her The sixt Chapter concerning the way to Humilitie TEll mee saide Desire who brought thee in this faire costly Pallace two Ladies answered shee the one called Contempt of the world and the other Contempt of her selfe whereof the last is more holie then the first These two Damselles did guide and conduct me hither and desired our soueraigne that it wold please her to entertaine mee but shee woulde neuer haue done it vnlesse it had been for a certaine Knightes sake who met vs in the way and brought vs hither and for the loue of him gaue me this garmēt and receiued mee into her seruice But if God had not granted vs this grace that wee had founde this Knight in our way wee should haue taken all this paines in vaine for shee woulde neuer haue entertayned me How doe they cal this knight quoth Desire The Loue of God answered shee all which did make Desire glad and did increase his desire more to serue him because he perceiued that the Loue of God was so much esteemed of in this place Sister said Desire of what kindred were these two Ladies who brought thee hither For it profiteth greatly to vertuousnes to be the childe of honest and godly parentes because for the most part the tree taketh her force from the roote I know their kindred very well answered the Ladie for they bee of a greate stocke and their father is for they are sisters one of the chiefest in the Kinges Court is called Knowledge Besides I do know their Grandfather called Obseruing a very wise and sensible man doinge all his things with counsel aduice who tooke a wife called Wisedome Then sayde Desire The knight who met thee vppon the way was hee alone no quoth shee for hee had a page with him whom he loued sincerely and was called Neighbourly Loue. Canst thou not shew mee saide Desire whether this knight is gone I said she but first wee wil go within and I will bring thee by some that will giue thee better direction But good Lorde quoth shee what doest thou with this great Mastine He is giuē me sayd hee for at the first I had but a smal one that was brought vp in my chāber til I met a shepheard who hath bestowed this Dog vppon mee to bring me in safetie through this great Forrest How doest thou cal him said she Good-will saide hee it is a very good Dog quoth she if thou canst keepe him wel thou shalt be sure as long as he shall remaine with thee that he will not suffer any harme to fall vppon thee and thou needest not to feare that thou shalt go astray out of the right way Tell me sayde Desire who shal shew me this knight Brother aunswered shee hee dwelleth far from this place and thou must goe seuen daies iourney at the least through this desarte before thou canst come to him where hee dwelleth There be seuen houses in this desart and there is no other hie way but one But for the Loue of God I will shew thee a short foot path which will shorten thy way that thou maiest come the sooner to thy iourneyes ende but thou must follow my counsell Desire was glad to heare these wordes and chiefly because she did it onely for loue and said whatsoeuer thou commaundest mee to doo that will I doe most willingly for hereby to finde out the Loue of God In this desart saide she stand eight houses or pallaces the first is the Pallace of Humility the second of Iustice the third of Wisdome the fourth of Fortitude the fift of Temperāce the sixt of Faith the seuenth of Hope the eight of Charity and in the last of all dwellet the Loue of God and is soueraigne of the house all this way must thou goe so thou wilt not goe out of thy way But as I haue tolde thee before so according to my promise will I shewe thee a foote path to shorten thy way But first of all must thou dwell for a time here in this house for to learne marke and remember all our manners and become acquainted with our Soueraigne her watching maides and neuer to forget their names nor their countenances And when thou shalt haue had a trial of all belonging to this house and shalt bring certaine tokens from vs to the Loue of God then soon wil he entertaine thee for the great affection he beareth to our house aboue any of the rest and chiefly when hee shall see a letter from our Soueraigne Wherefore demaunded Desire doth this knight loue this house more
do vtterly displease my God and Father who being man in this worlde and hauing taken vppon him our shape and nature sought not with words or deedes to commande but rather to be commaunded of the simplest And whosoeuer keepeth not this way taketh the high way to condemnation missing the right path leading to eternal life Ah poore and miserable wretches that seeke to command and direct others hauing more then inough to command and gouerne themselues whosoâ—uer hunteth after this honour seeketh care griefe trauaile paine distresse and danger O heauie burthen that bringeth to a man but paine and griefe the il will gainesay and murmuring of those that were bounde in duety to recompence labor with thankes and thankfulnesse which thoâ— shalt finde to bee most true if thou remaynest but a while with vs. And because I shoulde satisfie thee vpon thy demande I will not hide froÌ„ thee this secrete but for the loue of God open and disclose to thee my hearte When I came first to this house I humbled my self as a slaue and seruant to all the rest of the damsels which lowlines I haue continually so loued and embraced that the mercy of God did marrye mee to this minde as to a husband by whose means I haue gotten this office although I did vtterlie detest it and refuse it When Desire did hear this be honoied this Ladie greatly in his hart esteemed her to bee very vetuous the wold for the Loue of God becom so humble lowlie and said nowe doe I see whosoeuer will become a gouernour and commander of others must first of all followe your Ladiships steppes and learne to be humble cammanded It is so my sonne answered shee and if thou didst vnderstande â—ne right then thou shouldest perceiue that they are not my wordes but the euerlasting truthes How shoulde I vnderstand theÌ„ quoth Desire Thou must knowe said shee that hee who humbleth himselfe shal be exalted although he doth not humble himselfe to that intent to bee exalted for by these means he shoulde fall into pride and humilitie and pride are contraries one to other For if one humbleth himself in any work which he taketh in hand in on wise may he become proude of it although in his worke consisteth humility yet in himselfe humbling himselfe to such an ende as I haue spoken of shoulde consist pride and ambition And because the worke taketh his name and title from the intent of a mans minde it happeneth that such humilitie is properly termed with the name of pride and arrogancy And to speake more plainly of this humility is not altogether contrary to pride seeing they do remaine at one time in one body together which is contrary to the nature of contraries but the spirite of the one is quite repugnant to the other so that they can not abide one anothers sight for humilitie is onely the worke but the spirite of humilitie maketh a happy end of the same together with the good intent for to humble himselfe The ninth chapter doth prosecute the former words of the battaile between the flesh and the spirit THis my lowe minde sayde Humilitie is my faithfull helper defender in a battaile which I dayly sustaine against a mighty Princesse of an other pallace who hath a great sorte of Ladies vnder her iurisdiction and her court is called the Pallace of Pride and the soueraigne thereof the Pride of life Euery day shee commeth or to contende and quarrel with me couering onely to search out mine eyes And bringeth with her the lifetenaunce of her house commonly called the coÌ„cupiscence of the flesh with her steward the concupiscence of the eyes these three are accompanyed with an other wicked womaÌ„ their mother who hath nourished them all called Obliuion But because she is oftentimes of no force and very weake therefore shee bringeth w e her a foolish idiot and vnbrideled watching maide called Maliciousnes besides 3. other more the one called Wrath the other Slothfulnes and the third Enuy. And with these two last there comes two other named il Suspition false Iudgement these are altogether my mortall enemies against whoÌ„ I am forced to sight to striue whensoeuer they haue made an entrance here in our house then by the lownesse of my minde I driue them out again and doe giue them the foyle But when I my company haue done this then must we be carefull onely but for one thing which is diligently to looke that this damsell called Vaine-glory continually keeping sentinell at our doore doe not enter for when soeuer she cometh within then she doth robbe vs of al the profite delight and pleasure which we take in ouer comming in others so that we can no wise enioy the fruits of our pain and trauaile and when these other Ladies sayd Desire make an entraunce here within for to endamage you wherefore doth not shee that standeth without at the gates come in with them Because aunswered Humilitie that the other Ladies haue wings and neuer enter through the doore but flie alwaies ouer the wals of the house and oftentimes doe hyde themselues in some corner of the house lie in ambush for to assault vs wheÌ„ we think least vpon them Therefore it is most necessary that wee shoulde watch and warde continually that we be not assaulted being altogether vnprouided for to fight Let vs speake some thing more plainer of this point quoth Desire Wherefore doe you contende striue with them seeing it is not well done to giue an euill example to others which happeneth when men see such iars strifes and contentions betweene wise and godly people who should be merciful meeke and bountiful for the Loue of God towards euery body We battell and contend with them saide Humilitie and seeke to driue them out of our house because they are mortal enemies to the Loue of God who is our onely Landelorde in matters which are contrary vnto him we shoulde nor will not contract or enter in league with any body The tenth Chapter doth entreat of the concupisceÌ„ce of the flesh and how to ouercome it THe good will loyalty which Lady Humilitie did bear to the Loue of God did wonderfully delight Desire and saide Madame I woulde be glad that it woulde please your Ladishippe to show and teach mee the meanes whereby you doe vse to ouercome these wicked Ladies your enemies and driue them out of your house I wold to God aunswered shee that thou wert herein satisfied but because I doe not yet know thy nature will and mind but onely by certain external signes whereby one may be deceyued it causeth me somwhat to doubt of your honesty for honny is not sweet to euery body for the diuersity of sundry natures and complexions My Soueraigne quoth Desire euen as I am here and as your Ladishippe doth see me so I yeeld my selfe into your power my reason and will wholly submitting to yours that I might receiue
daintily because hee should not waxe too bold or too stubborne for there is no worse man then a wicked prisoner Further I aske her whether the kingdome of heauen is to be gotten with eating drinking sleeping and securenesse of life Not so truely for our sauiour Christ did not enter into it in this sort seeing that he who is our onely guide did not take this waye to come thether but by paines and sufferings entered into euerlasting blessednes therfore if we wil obtaine the same ioy then are we forced to walke in the way of sufferinges and pouertie for when the head will go this way and the feet another the bodie shall neuer be ioyned and come together And if we do not keep the high way of suffering trauaile paine and contempt then wee can in no wise be incorporated but shall bee cut off as vnprofitable members and braÌ„ches and be cast into Hell fire And if we refuse to be partakers of his crosse passion then we shall not participate of his ioyes and resurrection And if wee doe not finde Christ in punishing our flesh as he was whipped spitted at despised wearied poor hungry thirstie and suffering death betweene two theeus as an il doer being neuertheles bout staine or spot and altogether innocent then wee are sure neuer to tast of his ioyes and inioy his louely and sweet countenance being nowe made kinge of all kinges Lord of Lords sometimes this wicked woman comes to assault mee when I am in my chamber at my prayers although she were wearied and troubled with too much heate or frost Then I tell her woman a deuout damsell feeleth no tediousnes of a good thing Besides what shal I pay to the Lord againe for all that hee hath giuen mee What can I suffer to requite my deere and welbe-loued Sauiour Christ Who through meere loue hath lost his life vpon the crosse not lying there at his owne pleasure as I do heere but was throwen most cruelly vpon it there stretcht out as with a racke not cloathed but naked not vnder a couer but vnder the bare skie not with warme shooes at his feete but pearced with great and cold iron nails and all this for my sake Wherefore then should I grudge to suffer a thing of nothing for the loue of him All which is yet smal in comparison of the rest for he hath not onely most gladly and willingly for my sake suffered the miseries and calamities of this life not for an houre a day or a moneth but for three and thirtie years together and besides remained three hours aliue vpon the crosse in such pain grieâ—e and martirdome that no tongue is able to speake it or any vnderstand it to conceiue or comprehende it all which seemed little vnto him for the great loue and affection he bore to all mankind and particularly to euery one of vs would haue suffered much more if it had beene needful he notwithstaÌ„ding being a king and I worse then a slaue he God and I more vilder then the earth dust or ashes he most holy and innocent and I a great and grieuous sinner worthy of seuere punishment And seeing hee hath done all this for my sake shold I think it too much to do any thing for the loue of him And is the seruaunt better then the maister Therefore ObliuioÌ„ auoid for it is no paine for me to be here seeing I doe not suffer any griefe or aduersitie and vnlesse I should do this with a good will or spiritual pleasure the hande of God might fall vpon me for it is written Cursed is hee who doeth the worke of the Lorde negligenly and carelesly For hee cannot abide that one shoulde serue or offer the sacrifice of prayse and prayers vnwillingly but is pleased wheÌ„ they spring and come out of a ioyful vnfayned minde When now this olde and accursed wretch is ouercome then must wee endeuour ourselues to vanquish the other foolishe watching maides whome the worser they are of the greater and of more force are their temptations assailings and the lesse they are mortified the vncasier are they to bee rebuked and ouerthrowen Now when the first whereof I haue spoken called Maliciousnes accompanied with her daughter Wrath do both assaile me then I giue them this answere Charitie is bouÌ„tifull patient and thus with my good intent and meaning my husband I quite ouerthrowe them Further I tell them although that mine acquaintance who professe great loue and frendshippe towardes me doe offer mee some secret wrong and iniury seeing that I deserue and am worthy of more I am willing to beare it patiently for the Loue of God perswade my selfe that they greatly fauour mee that they offer mee not so much as I if all thinges were rightly considered off haue deserued And this the Lord suffereth for my sins sake for to make me readie in this worlde that I might learn to suffer some thing in the mean season for his cause Those whome thou sayest that wish me ill and do speake ill behind my backe and cannot abide my sight they hate not my soule but my sinnes onely my faultes and wickednesse therefore I am bounde to loue them for their purpose and intent is good goodly And if I am Gods seruant I shall soone spy hate mine owne faults Wherefore then should I curse or wish any harm to theÌ„ who do that which I would endeuour to do my selfe I will therefore conclude therewithall driue thee away froÌ„ me Those that do report ill of me seeke to hinder mee are they not my brothers and sisters and seeing that they be such am I not coÌ„manded to loue and in no wise to hate them by force and vertue of the commaÌ„dement Loue thy neighbor as thy selfe And whensoeuer shee doth assault mee with another of her seruauntes called Enuie who bringeth with her a two edged sworde commonly termed Spight at another mans corporall and spiritual vertues Then I answere her as followeth But first of all you must know that shee is a venemous and spightful Damsell for she withereth consumeth killeth her selfe at the prosperitie and good successe of her neighbour and reuiueth againe and reioyceth at their miserie and aduersitie But nowe to my answere Thou sayest that others are endued with greater wealth beauty and better giftes of nature them I wherein I doe reioyce and account me the happier for in this and in the life to come I desire nor wishe for nothing but for Iesus Christ who is the Angels and my onely treasure mine and all creatures beauty my gaine and the fountaine of al goodnesse Therefore let those loue the other things that wil as for mee I doe thirst after nothing but after Christ and his loue Fe there is no exception of the rich or poore of the foule and faire with him but hee regardeth onely the humblenes and lowlines of the spirite And thou sayest that others do possesse such
and such wealth and that they receiue great giftes and I none at all and I doe say although they inioy all this that I possesse yet much more theÌ„ they for I beare so greate and noble a minde that I esteeme it a great basenes to settle my heart vppon such meane vile transitory things as all earthly things are But now I wil ouerthrow thee with humility whereof I beare the name and tel thee that the children of God do freely possesse all these gifts and many more not I that am but a slaue and not worthy of the least of these thinges Then she turneth her backe quickly and presently assaulteth me with a spirituall enuie of another mans goodnes and holines of life saying this man is more aduised more seruent in prayers quieter more mortified soberer then thou art Whereupon I do answer her I say Let vs nowe speak with reason Wherefore shold I spight at this seeing they pricke me forwarde to godlinesse and giue me an occasion to reioyce when I see that my good Lorde and mayster hath such seruantes who are lo feruent and holy do loue him so much with out dissimulation Therefore the more I am bound to pray that it would please his diuine maiestic to bestowe more giftes and graces upon them to the end he might be praysed honoured the more by theÌ„ For if one did loue his mayster would he not be glad that he were knowen loued and honoured of all the world and that he likewise shoulde inrich them with a temporal and spirituall riches and blessednes Auoide therefore thou aceursed and wicked creature for thou knowest not what charity meanes seeing thou art the brood of so wicked a damme Therefore I tell thee farther I would be glad so that it might bee without the damage of my saluation that my Lorde and God shoulde depriue mee of all these bodily and spirituall gifts wherewithall I am endued and bestow them vppon others who should use them better to his glorie then I who am vnworthy of the ground whereon I tread and most vnthankefully haue entertayned his graces fauours so aboundantly bestowed vppon me For I desire nothing else then the glorie and praise of my Lord mayster if it were possible upon mine own charges although my selfe shoulde receyue no benefit by it at all Doest thou not know that our Gob doeth all â—hings in great wisedom hee knoweth the vesselles before whereinto he poureth his graces and because hee knew me to bee vnfit for such fauours for my vncleannes prides sake that woulde bee puft vp with a vain presumption of my selfe mine own workes vertues therefore hath his wisedom not beautified me with them and yet I am wel contented and will desire no more then I am able to vse both to his glorie and mine owne saluation The thirteenth Chapter sheweth most manifestly the waies and meanes to ouercome all manner of wickednesse MAliciousnes third daughter is Slothfulnes who is of a woÌ„derfull wicked nature because she is in all spirituall actions which concerne Gob in whome consisteth all our saluation very cold negligent and slothful And when she beginneth to assault me then I do withstande her with these armours In dayrie doest thou seeke thou accursed wretch to draw me from my prayers and spirituall exercises and therefore to ouercome thee I will bee more diligente zealous in praying watching fasting to passe my time in godly conteÌ„plations And wheÌ„ she seeth that I thus prepare my selfe to the coÌ„bate shee taketh another course with me and saith Doest thou not see perceiue that thou art altogether without feruency that thou shalt praye aaginst thy stomack wherby Gob is rather prouoked unto anger theÌ„ therby pleased and rather tempted then honoured who both desire to be serued with a burning zeale and ioyful minde and not with an vnwilling and browsie heart Wherevpon I do aunswere as followeth auoid hence thou brood of Sathan too wel do I vnderstand thy meanning for thou must know that at such times I doe please God much more wheÌ„ I serue him at mine owne charges then when hee bestoweth a great aboundance of grace vpon me for it is an easie thing for him to swimme that is holden vp by the chinne Dost thou not know that hee withdraweth sometimes his graces froÌ„ vs for to trie what we will or are able to doe our selues And when hee seeth that we doe offer and present vnto him all our abilitie and do al that lyeth in vs hee doth then at conuenient time through his mercie increase our comfort againe and although we bee depriued of that zeale which wee shoulde haue yet notwithstanding wee feele alwaies in vs a good will desire to performe it and a misliking of that which wee dot and doest thou aske then wherefore I doe embolden my selfe to pray being altogether faint slow and of no zeale and moreouer art not ashamed to say that so doing is to tempt God I tell thee if I had yet lesse feruencie then I haue yet I would not be afraid to do this and woulde present my selfe before my Lorde say nothing vnto him nor craue any thing at his hand but onely stande before him shewing him honour and reuerence hoping that he is present and doth vouchsate to behold regard me that hee which is the fire of loue will kindle my hart wheÌ„soeuer it shall please him For I will yeelde my selfe altogether into his hands and submitte my will and my self wholly vnto him and further knowe the colder and famier I am the more neede I haue to approche neere to the fire For if I shoulde go away from it I should be worser and waxe colder Auoid thou hence therefore for I do not set my selfe to pray or to spirituall contemplations and other godly exercises for to receiue thereby comfort only or because I finde in it a sweet and pleasant tast but to serue my Lord and God besides I knowing his wil for to do it exercising my self to the glorie of his name in all vertue and holines Nowe when this wicked Damsell doth perceyue that she is not able to drawe mee from the loue of my God by these meanes she turneth her aside and endeuours to allienate mee from that loue of my neighbour by the helpe of these two other foresaide damsels called Ill Suspition false or light Iudgement for to dispise them in my hart and iudge them to be wicked and malicious laying before my eyes all that which might breede in me some ill suspition of them for by these meanes to intice me to giue a false and rashe iudgement of their doings And to bring their purpose to better effect they come accompanied with Murmuring Despising and Backebiting But presently I aunswere thâ—â—n as it followeth it doeth not become a slaue suspect ill of his betters sinners should not touch sacred things I must esteeme euery bodie to bee good
magnifying him therein I doe not forget also his great mercy shewed vnto his enemies which hee doeth dayly yet continue maruelling greatly in his omnipotency excellencie incomprehensible goodnesse in that he doeth not punish them according to their desertes but rather doeth make them partakers of his bountie and liberalitie I thanke him also for the great mercye which in him is alwaies resident delighting to recount his vertues beautie which flow and runne from him praysing and magnilying him for those and reioycing in them in his vnspeake able mercie And this I do oftentimes because I knowe that this is his will and doeth greatly please him Besides his will is that we being familiar with him should talke of â—ecret and heauenly thinges which are hidden from those that doe not esteeme to enter in his priuie Chamber although they are of his housholde and dayly seruantes Wherefore quoth Desire doe you giue him all this praise thankesgiuing and blessing because answered the Loue of God the more I extol his goodnesse and the more I disable and humble my selfe before him the more I am agreeable and acceptable vnto him For this is his most blessed holy will that we should haue alwaies before our eyes his vnspeakeable goodnesse highnesse excellencie omnipotency our weaknes And although I giue vnto him as much praise thanks as euer I may I am certaine that therein I can bee no lyar for hee is of greater excellencie power highnesse and worthinesse then I or any mortall or unmortall tongue can vtter or any heauenly or earthlye creature conceiue or comprehende The seuenth chapter intreateth of the loue of God in the second degree doth prosecute the manner of prayer AFter that I haue praysed thanked and exalted him as much as I am able then I do commend vnto him my soule my whole will and the best intent and minde which I haue which is that although I might gaine all the world I would in no wise anger or offend him praying him out of the bottome of my hearte that it would please him to keep strengthen and further me in this good and godly minde for without him were I not able to keepe it long This done I praye him for the forgiuenesse of all my trespasses and offences wherein I haue transgressed his holy laws and that he wold not let me set my thoghts loue and minde vpon any thing but vpoÌ„ him onely And because hee hath vouchsafed to accept mee for his seruant and friend and hath honoured mee with such an office that it wold likewise please him to giue mee the spirite of Humilitie who might draw and turne away my mind from pride from all that doeth displease him to the end my seruice bee not to his dishonour but to his honour and glorie giuing mee that which he knoweth to bee most needefull vnto me that which hee is willing I should haue to his glorie for to be more acceptable vnto him And this I doe for no other cause but that I might liue and die with him feare not to bee cast although I haue deserued it out of his sight and fauour Then afterwarde I pray to him for my frendes and acquaintance as also for all creatures that it would please him in his mercie to giue them grace that they all shoulde praise honour loue and thanke him as is their duetie endeuouring my selfe for to doo and speake all this with all purenesse and simplicitie of minde What doe you quoth Desire to come by such purenes To my vttermost answered the Loue of God I haue a speciall care to my minde keep a straight watch ouer al my cogitations and doe most carefully looke to my soule And besides I suruey narrowly all my senses setting alwaies before my eieâ— Sincerity who turneth all things which she seeth to the best And when I will assure my selfe against all the worlde and haue no cause to feare any body then I go and remaine with my Lord for it is all my comforte ioy pleasure and my Souetaigne good to bee in his company to speake and aske his aduice and counsell and I am neuer contented quiet satisfied or assured but when I am with him And therefore I haue determined to leaue forsake all things for to dwell and remaine with him and neuer to go froÌ„ him but when he doth commaunde it me It is yet quoth Desire sometimes needful to reade also It is true aunswered the Loue of God that reading is good not for to become craftie and subtill thereby but onely for to learne to know God and his waies to loue him as wee shoulde And to this I neede not manye bookes but will deepely fal in loue with my Lord and set all my desire and whole minde vppon him with all my vnderstanding and wisedome for his loue doeth suffice me and will instruct mee in all thinges which are requitte for mee to know and he will by the means of loue disclose and open vnto me more secreates then all the bookes of the world are able to do And my soule gathereth more purenesse feare feruency reuerence repentaunce strength and force to resist my fleshe when I am with him then wheÌ„ I do read Besides I know that he neuer wil aske an account how much I haue reade studied but how I haue honoured and loued him yet hereby I will not seem to condemne readinge chiefly in those who know not the wayes of God nor the gouernemente of the spirite nor cannot frame in good order their thoughtes wordes and deedes as they should do to those I say it is necessarie that they shoulde read a long time to becom proÌ„pt ready in spirituall inward exercises For other wise it would bee a great madnes presumptioÌ„ nay a contempt dispising oâ— the king that a clownish fellowe who knoweth not the vse custome and language of the court would come personally to speake with the king in the preseÌ„ce of all his Lords nobles now being in that midst of his talke should cast forth vnwise foolish words according vnto his custome for this shoulde turne to his great shame confusion for the king woulde command him to be driueÌ„ away so that it should haue beene better for him neuer to haue presumed to shew himself before his Maiestie And thus it is with spirituall matters But those that haue gotten the knowledge of God and of heauenly thinges eyther by reading or hearing prayer is much more profitable a more excellent an exercise then readinge being now somewhat acquainted with the manners vse and custome vsed in the spirituall and heauenly Court And when I am nowe before my Lorde then I take heede that I turne not my head eyes body hither and thether because it is a signe of contempt of his word when one speaketh vnto him and then turneth his face another way Declare this vnto mee quoth Desire somewhat better for I
meat and restoritie I am the chiefest in this pallace and ain Chamberlaine to loue and Charitie I haue power to bringe those in whome I will that are my frendes I am the preacher who goeth through the house trying vntill my Lorde doeth awake commeth forth of his chamber for to speake with those that do call vpon him Whom think you did awake vs wheÌ„ thou didst stand long before the gates knocking with the two hammers hanging at the doore called To sigh and weepe but onely the continual barking of thy dog I am the surest messinger who commeth first at the gates and goeth to the Lord who followeth him alwaies and is next vnto him I haue in my power the fruite of a tree that which wee that are here within haue to deliuer out and to giue to euery man thereof to eate called See God Is it a sweete fruite said Desire for they gaue me an other to eat in the house of Humility which was somwhat bitter and chiefly at the first fell somewhat harde vneasie to bee swallowed This fruite quoth hee To desire God is maruellous sweete and pleasant but to some more sweeter and of pleasanter tast then to others which happeneth after the good appetite and stomack that they haue And the sounder that their tast is and their teeth the better thereafter they finde this fruite the sweeter and more pleasant For some there are who haue rotten teeth to those this fruit is vnsauorie for they are not able to chaw it And some doe eat it without appetite or hunger because their stomackes are already ouerladen with other meates and to those likewise it is vnpleasant because they cannot well digeste it although it doeth them but sinal hurt And some there are whose taste is marde through a feuer or an vnnaturall heate and these knowe nothing of this fruit but onely by heare say I pray you qd Desire let me taste of this fruit I am glad answered To desire Gâ—d art thou willing to taste of it for it is not possible that wee during this life should satisfie our selues or sil our bellies with it but only tast how sweet and pleasant it is Wherefore quoth Desire Therefore aunswered To desire God for if man could here satisfie his appetite with it feede plentifully vnto his owne will of it hee wold neuer be willing to leaue this prison and go to heauen hauing here of this fruit sufficieÌ„t enough to maintaine him But for the better vnderstanding hereof we die almost for hunger and are famt and feeble with too long fasting looking alwaies for the time till we shall come to the banquet of our soueraigne Lorde and Ring And euen as a hart doth thirst in the Sommer after the springe of water so likewise doe our soules hunger after that day This fruite is of such force and vertue that onely a small bitte doth fil our stomacke so much that it is not able to containe more how great a feeder soeuer a man bee But when wee shall bee with the Lorde then he will giue vs greater stronger stomackes that we may eat plentifully enough of these fruites without any hurt or surfeting for if any would eate here in this liâ—e more then their stomackes were able to beare it woulde more hinder then profite them Therefore it is needefull that we eat but a little and inoderatly of these fruits till we come to that place where we may fully satisfie our selues with them wherof we haue now but a taste onely The eleuenth Chapter intreateth how to Desire God did prepare Desire for to eate of the fruit I Pray you sir quoth Desire let mee haue a taste of these fruits so much or little as it pleaseth you First aunswered To desire God because this fruit doth neuer remain but in a pure vessell it is therefore most necessary that thou doest make cleaue thy teeth wash thy eyes mouth face and handes But where shall I come to water here saide Desire I will bring thee to a fountaine of life aunswered To desire God which runneth and floweth both night and day and is called Godly exercise besides I will call some Damselles of the house that will bee willing to wash and cleanse thee Desire was glad in tarrying for these Damselles and saw presently To desire God accompainied with these Ladies and saide Behold frende these Ladies must wash thee The first is called Courtesie the seconde Vnitie the third Pittie the fourth Mercy the fift Amiablenesse the sixte Fauour the seuenth Meeknesse the eight Zeale the ninth Ioy the tenth Iustice the eleuenth Fortitude the twelfth Prouidence or Forecast And this last will giue thee an hearbe that will prouoke thine appetite for to eat thy meat with a better stomacke For this fruite is onely ministred to the hungrie and not to any other The thirteenth Damsell is called Long suffering the foureteenth Constancie the fifteenth Peace the sixteenth Neatnes the seuenteenth Diligence the eighteenth Prayer the nineteenth Labour and the last am I to Desire God And I am alwaies found in this company And so long as thou art to bee founde among them they will further thee greatly in the eating of this fruite And whensoeuer thou dost eat them they will goe alwaies with thee and neuer forsake thee vnlesse thy selfe beares them away and doest misuse them for they themselues are wondrous desirous of this diet and no sooner they fee this fruite but presently they swarme about it eneÌ„ as bees about the hony and there is no surer token that one hath had a tast of these fruites but when they see these Damsels about the doore Desire was glad when hee was washt and had tasted of the fruit Brother quoth to desire God seeing thou hast done this thou must now sing also for the seruants of God do alwaies sing after their meales praising and thanking the Lord. And hâ—â—t is 〈◊〉 bâ—oâ—e in the hoâ—â—â— tâ—at can not one in the hoâ—â— that can not 〈◊〉 Howe shall I sing quoth Desire Let vs goe within the house said To dessire God where â—â—ll the Musicians dwell The â—â—rst is called Blessing the second Honour the thirde Prayse the fourth Thanksgiuing With these must thou sing for they are very good and skilfull Musitians and haue all good doyces The first Musitian called Blessing singeth the Superins or troble and prayseth God for his great liberalitie The seconde who supplieth the Contratenor called Honour praiseth the Lord for his vnspeakeable and incomprehensible wiâ—â—bom And the third who is câ—lled Praise singeth the Tenor and praiseth him in his endles goodnes bountie excellency and generally in all that God is in himselfe The sourth is Thankesgiuing and serueth the Base who thanketh the Lorde for all that hee hath created and for all his benefites most liberally powred bestowed vppon all his creatures The twentie two Chapter intreateth howe Desire did learne to sing THe musicke and the manner thereof did please Desire greatly Behold