When thy last sand shall be runne out thou wilt have a farre diffetent opinion of thy whole life that is past and be exceeding sorry thou hast been so carelesse and remisse 15 O how wise and happy is he that now laboureth to be such a one in his life as he wisheth to be found at the houre of his death 16 To contemne the world perfectly to goe forward in vertue zealously to love reprose willingly to amend our lives seriously to obey superiors gladly to denie himselfe throughly and to suffer affliction for his sake patiently make us confident we shall die happily 17 Whilst thou art in health thou maist doe many good deeds but when thou art sick I see not what thou art able to doe 18 Few in the weaknesse of their bodies gather strength to their soules as they who are walking abroad are seldome setled at home 19 Trust not to freinds and kindred neither doe thou put off the care of thy soule till hereafter for men will sooner forget thee then thou art aware of 20 It is better to look to it betime and doe some good a fore hand then to trust to other mens curtesies 21 If thou dost not provide for thy selfe in this world who will have care of thee in that which is to come 22 The time that is now present is very precious now is the day of salvation now is the acceptable time 23 But alas that thou shouldst spend thy time so idlely here where thou mightst purchase to live eternally hereafter 24 The time will come when thou shalt desire one day or houre to amend in and 't is a great question whether it will be granted thee 25 O be loved from how great danger mightst thou deliver thy selfe from how great feare free thy selfe if thou wouldst be now fearfull and carefull how to die 26 Labour now to live so that at the houre of death thou maist rather rejoyce then fear learn now to die to the world that thou maist begin to live with Christ. 27 Learn now to contemn all earthly things that thou maist freely goe to Christ. 28 Chastise thy body now by Repentance that thou maist then have assured confidence 29 Ah foole why dost thou think to live long when thou canst not promise to thy selfe one day how many have been deceived and suddenly snatcht away 30 How often dost thou hear these reports such a man is slain another is drowned a third breaks his neck with a fall this man died eating and that man playing 31 One perished by fire another by the sword another of the plague and another was slain by theeves thus death is the end of all and mans life passeth away like a shadow 32 Who shall remember thee when thou art dead and who shall pray for thee when thou canst not help thy selfe 33 Doe doe now my beloved whatsoever thou art able to doe for thou knowest not when thou shalt die not yet what shall befall thee after thy death 34 Now whilst thou hast time heap unto thy selfe everlasting treasures think on nothing but the salvation of thy soule care for nothing but the service of thy God 35 Make now friends to thy selfe by honouring the Saints of God and imitating their vertues that when thou failest in this short life they may receive thee into everlasting habitations 36 Esteem thy selfe as a stranger and Pilgrime upon the earth and as one to whom the affaires of this world doe nothing appertain 37 Keep thy heart free from the world and lifted up directly unto God because thou hast here no abiding city 38 Send thither thy daily praiers and sighes joyned with unfained tears that after death thy spirit may be happily commended into the hands of the Almighty CHAP. XXIIII Of Iudgment and the punishment of Sinnes IN all thy waies have a speciall aim to thy end for how canst thou be able to stand before a severe Iudge to whom nothing is hid 2 Who is not pacified with gifts nor admitteth any frivolous excuses but will judge according to right and equity 3 O wretched and foolish sinner who sometimes fearest the countenance of an angry and ignorant man what answer wilt thou make to an angry and all-knowing God 4 Why dost not thou provide for thy selfe against that great day of Iudgment when no man can excuse or answer for another buâ— every one shall have enough to answer for himselfe 5 Now are thy paines profitable thy tears acceptable thy groans audible thy griefe pacifieth for thy sinnes and prepareth thy soule 7 The patient man hath a great and vvholesome purgatory who though he receive injuries yet grieveth more for the malice of an other then for his own wrongs 8 Who prayeth willingly for his adversaries and from his heart forgiveth their offences and delaieth not to aske forgivenesse of whomsoever he hath offended 9 Who is sooner moved to compassion then to anger who often offereth violence to himselfe and laboureth earnestly to bring the body into subjection to the spirit 10 It is better to purge our sinnes and offences here then keepe them to be purged and punished hereafter verily we doe but deceive our selves through an inordinate love of the flesh 11 What else will that fire consume but thy sins the more thou sparest thy selfe and followest thy pleasure now so much the more hereafter shall be thy punishment and a greater fewel added to that flame 12 In what thing a man hath sinned in the same shall he be punished there shall the sloathfull be pricked forward with burning goads and the gluttons vexed with great hunger and thirst 13 There shall the lascivious and loves of pleasure be bathed in burning pitch and stinking brimstone and the envious like mad doggs shall howle for very griefe 14 There is no fault but shall have its proper and peculiar torment there the proud shall be filled with all horrour and confusion the covetous shall be pinched with exceeding penury one houre of pain there shall be more bitter then a thousand years of the sharpest pennance here 15 There is no quiet no comfort for the damned there yet here we have some intermission of our labours and injoy the comfort of our friends 16 Be now solicitous and sorrowfull for thy sinnes that at the day of judgment thou maist be secure with the company of blessed soules 17 For then shall the righteous with great boldnesse stand against such as have vexed and oppressed them then shall he sit to judge men who is now content to be judged of men 18 Then shall the poor and humble have great confidence but the proud man shall be compassed with feare on every side 29 Then will it appeare that he was wise in this world who had learned for Christ to be a foole and despised 30 Then shall affliction patiently undergone delight us when the mouth of iniquity shall be stopped up then shall the devout rejoyce and the prophane mourne 31 Then shall he more rejoyce
therefore cease not to prepare thy selfe to the battaile for on thy right hand and thy left are enemies that never rest CHAP. X. Of thankfulnesse for the grace of God VVHy seekest thou rest since thou art borne to labour Dispose thy selfe to patience rather then to comforts and to the bearing of the Grosse rather then to gladnesse 2 What secular person is there that would not willingly receive spirituall joy and comfort if he could alwaies have it Spirituall comforts exceede all the delights of the world and all the pleasures of the flesh 3 All worldly delights are either vaine or uncleane but spirituall delights are only pleasant and honest produced by vertues and infused by God into pure hearts 4 But no man can alwaies enjoy these comforts according to his desire for the time of temptation is not long away 5 False freedome of mind and great trust of our selves is very contrary to heavenly visitation 6 God doth well in giving grace but man doth evill in not returning it againe wholly unto God with thanksgiving 7 And therefore the gifts of grace cannot flow in us because we are ungratefull to the given and returne them not wholly to the head fountaine 8 For grace is ever due to him that is thankfull and from the proud shall be taken that which is wont to be given to the humble 9 I desire not that consolation that taketh from me compunction nor that contemplation which breedeth a haughâ—y mind 10 For all that is high is not holy nor all that is sweet good nor every desire pure nor every thing that is deare unto us is gratefull to God 11 I doe willingly accept of that grace whereby I may ever become more humble and fearful and be made more ready and able to forsake my selfe 12 He that is taught by the gift of grace and by the scourge of the withdrawing thereof will nor dare to attribute any good to himselfe but will rather acknowledge himselfe poor and naked 13 Give unto God that which is God's and ascribe unto thy selfe that which is thine own that is give thanks unto God for his grace and acknowledge that nothing is to be attributed to thee but only sinne and the punishment due thereunto 14 Content thy selfe and desire alwaies the meanest and lowest things and the highest shall be given thee for the highest stand not without the lowest 15 The highest Saints before God are the least in their owne judgments and how much the more glorious so much the humbler within themselves 16 Those that are full of truth and heavenly glory are not desirous of the vain glory of this world Those that are firmly setled and grounded in God can no way be prov'd 17 And they that ascribe all unto God what good soever they have received seeke not glory one of another but would have that glory which is from God alone and desire above all things to praise God in himselfe and in all the Saints and alwaies tend unto the same 18 Be therefore gratefull for the least gift and thou shalt be made worthy to receive greater Let the least be unto thee also as the greatest and the most contemptible as an especiall gift 19 If thou consider the worth of the giver no gift will seeme litle or of meane esteeme For it is not litle that is given by the Soveraigne Majesty of God 20 Yea if he should give punishment and stripes it ought to be gratefull for that he doth it alwaies for our salvation whatsoever he permitteth to happen unto us 20 He that desireth to keepe the grace of God let him be thankfull for the grace given and patient for the taking away thereof Let him pray that he may returne Let him be wary and humble lest he loose it CHAP. XI How few the lovers of the Crosse of Christ are IEsus hath now many lovers of his heavenly Kingdome but few bearers of his Crosse He hath many desirous of comfort but few of tribulation 2 He findeth many companions of his table but few of his abstinence All desire to rejoyce with him few will suffer any thing for him or with him 3 Many follow Iesus unto the breaking of bread but few to the drinking of the Cup of his Passion Many reverence his miracles few follow the ignominy of his Crosse. 4 Many love Iesus as long as adversities happen not Many praise blesse him as long as they receive any comfort from him 5 But if Iesus hide himselfe and leave them but a while they fall either into complaint or into too much dejection of mind 6 But they that love Iesus for Iesus and not for some comfort of their owne blesse him in all tribulation and anguish of heart as well as in the greatest comfort 7 And although he should never give them comfort they notwithstanding would ever praise him alwaies give him thankes 8 O how powerfull is the pure love of Iesus which is mixed with no selfe-love nor proper interest Are they not all to be called hirelings that ever seeke comforts 9 Doe they not shew themselves to be rather lovers of themselves then of Christ that alwaies think of their commodity and gâ—ine Where may one be found that will serve God without looking for reward 10 It is hard to find any one so spirituall that is free from the love of all earthly things For where is any that is inddeed poore in spirit and free from all affection of creatures thou maist goe to the end of the world before thou find him 11 If a man should give all his wealth yet is it nothing And if he should doe great pennance yet is it litle And if he should attain to all knowledge he is yet farre off 12 And if he should have great vertue and very fervent devotion yet there is much wanting to wit one thing which is most necessary for him 13 What is that That leaving all he forsake himselfe and goe perfectly from himselfe and retaine nothing of selfe-love And when he hath done all that he knoweth to be done let him thinke that he hath done nothing 14 Let him not weigh that much which might be much esteemed but according to truth let him affirme himselfe to be an unprofitable servant as our Saviour hath said When you shall have done all things that are commanded you say We are unprofitable servants 15 Then may he be truly poore in spirit and naked and say with the Prophet I am alone and poore yet no man richer no man more powerfull no man more free then he that can leave himselfe and all things and put himselfe in the meanest and lowest place CHAP. XII Of the highway of the holy Crosse. VNto many seemeth hard this sppeech Deny thy selfe take up thy Crosse and follow Iesus But it will be much harder to hear that last word Get yee away from me yee cursed into everlasting fire 2 For they that now willingly heare and follow the word of the Crosse
else but nothing and nothing 12 O unmeasurable weight O sea that can never be passed over where I find nothing in my selfe but that which is altogether nothing 13 Where then is the lurking hole of glory Where is the confidence conceived of vertue 14 All vain-glory is swallowed up in the depth of thy Iudgments which hang over my head 15 What is all flesh in thy sight Shall clay glory against him that frameth it How can he be lifted up with vaine words whose heart is truly subject to God 16 All the world cannot moove him to any elation of mind whom truth hath subjected unto it selfe neither shall he be moved with the tongues of all his praisers that hath setled his whole hope in God 17 For they also that speake behold they are all nothing they shall passe away with the sound of the words but the truth of our Lord remaineth for ever CHAP. XV. What we ought to doe and say in every thing which we desire SOnne say thus in evering thing Lord if it be pleasing unto thee let this be done in this sort Lord if it be to thy honour let this be done in thy name 2 Lord if thou seest it expedient for me and allowest it to be profitable then grant unto me that I may use this unto thine honour 3 But if thou knowest it will be hurtfull unto me and not profitable to the health of my soule take from me all such desire 4 For every desire proceedeth not from the holy Ghost though it seeme unto man right and good 5 It is hard to judge whether a good spirit or the contrary drive thee to desire this or that 6 Or whether also by thine owne spirit thou be moved thereunto Many are deceived in the end who at the first seemed to be lead by a good spirit 7 Alwaies therefore whatsoever occurreth unto thy mind to be desired let it be desired with the fear of God and with humility of heart 8 And above all thou oughtest to commit it unto me with full resignation of thy selfe and thou oughtest to say Lord thou knowest what is best doe this or that as thou pleasest 9 Give what thou wilt and how much thou wilt and when thou wilt Doe with me as thou knowest and as best pleaseth thee and is most for thy honour 10 Set me where thou wilt and deale with me in all things according to thy will I am in thy hand turne me and turne me againe which way soever thou please 11 Behold I am thy servant ready to obey thee in all things for I desire not to live unto my selfe but unto thee and would to God it might be in some worthy and perfect manner A Praier for the fulfilling of the will of God GRant me grace sweet Iesus that it may be with me and labour with me and persevere with me untill the end 2 Grant me alwaies to desire and will that which is most acceptable unto thee and best pleaseth thee 3 Let thy will be mine and let my will ever follow thine and agree perfectly with it 4 Let my will and â—ill be all one with thine not be able to will or refuse any thing else but what thou wilt or rejectest 5 Grant that I may die to all things that are in the world and to love for thy sake to be cotemned and not to be known in this world 6 Grant that above all things that can be desired I may rest in thee and make my heart to enjoy peace in thee 7 Thou art the true peace of the heart thou art the only rest out of thee all things are troublesome and unquiet 8 In this peace in this very same that is in thee one chiefest eternall good I will sleepe and take my rest AMEN CHAP. XVI That true comfort is to be sought in God alone VVHatsoever I can desire or imagine for my comfort I looke not for it in this life but hereafter 2 For if I should alone have all the comforts of the world and might enjoy all the delights thereof it is certain that they could not long endure 3 Wherefore my soule thou canst not be fully comforted nor have perfect delight but in God the comforter of the poore and the receiver of the humble 4 Expect a while my soule expect the divine promise and thou shalt have abundance of all good things in heaven 5 If thou desire inordinately the things that are present thou shalt loose the coelestiall and eternall Have temporall things in use and the eternall in desire 6 Thou canst not be filled with any temporall goods because thou art not created to enjoy them 7 Although thou enjoyest all that is created yet canst thou not be happy thereby nor blessed but in God that hath created all things thy whole be atitude and happinesse consisteth 8 Not such as is seene and commended by the foolish lovers of the world but such as the good faithfull servants of Christ expect and the spirituall and cleane of heart whose conversation is in heaven sometimes take a tast of before hand 9 Vaine and short is all humane comfort Blessed and true is the comfort which is received inwardly from truth 10 A devout man every where carrieth with him Iesus his comforter and saith unto him Be present with me Lord Iesus in every place and time 11 Let this be my comfort to be alwaies willing to want all humane comfort 12 And if thy comfort be wanting let thy will and just triall be unto me as the greatest comfort for thou wilt not be angry alwaies neither wilt thou threaten for ever CHAP. XVII That all our care is to be placed in God SOnne suffer me to doe with thee what I please I know what is expedient for thee Thou thinkest as a man thou judgest in many things as humane affection perswadeth thee 2 Lord what thou sayest is true Thy solicitude for me is greater then all the care that I can take for my selfe 3 For he standeth at too great a hazard that casteth not his whole care upon thee Lord. 4 So that my will may remaine right and firme in thee doe with me whatsoever it shall please thee for it cannot be but good whatsoever thou doest with me 5 If it be thy will I should be in darknesse be thou blessed and if it be thy will I should be in light be thou againe blessed 6 If thou vouchsafest to comfort me be thou blessed and if thou wilt afflict me be thou also ever blessed 7 Son thou oughtest thus to behave thy selfe if thou desirest to walke with me thou must be as ready to suffer griefe as to receive joy Thou oughtest to be as willing to be poore and needy as plentifull and rich 8 Lord I will willingly suffer for thee whatsoever thy pleasure is shall befall mee 9 I will receive indifferently from thy hand good and evill sweet and sower delightfull and sorrowfull and give thee thankes for all that hapneth unto
it it is mine when I withdraw it I take not any thing that is thine for mine is every good and every perfect gift 8 If I send thee affliction or any crosse whatsoever repine not nor let thy heart be dismaied 25 I can quickly lift thee up againe and turne all thy sorrow into joy 26 Neverthelesse I am just and greatly to be praised when I doe all this unto thee 27 If thou be wise and consider thy case truly thou wilt never yeeld so cowardly to griefe for any adversity that befalls thee but rather rejoyce give thanks 28 Yea to accompt this thy only ioy that afflicting thee with sorrowes I doe not spare thee 29 As my Father hath loved me I also love you said I unto my beloved Disciples whom certainly I sent not to temporall ioyes but to great conflicts 30 Not to honours but to contempts not to idlenesse but to labours not to rest but to bring much fruit in patience My Sonne remember these words CHAP. XXXI Of the contempt of all creatures to find our Creatour LOrd I stand yet in need of greater grace if I must goe so farre as that no man or creature can hinder me 2 For as long as any thing holdeth me I cannot fly freely unto thee He desired to fly with great liberty that said who will give me wings like a dove and I will fly and rest What thing more quiet then a simple eye and what more free then he that desireth nothing upon earth 3 Man ought therefore to ascend above all creatures and perfectly to forsake himselfe and to remaine in excesse of mind 4 And consider that thou who are the maker of all things hast nothing amongst creatures like unto thee 5 And unlesse a man be free from the affection of all creatures he cannot with freedome of mind attend unto divine things 6 And for this cause there are so few contemplative men to be found for that few can wholly sequester themselves from fading creatures 7 Much grace is necessary to lift up a soule and to carry it above it selfe 8 Vnlesse a man be lifted up in spirit and delivered from all creatures and wholly united unto God whatsoever he hath is of litle accompt 9 Long shall he be litle and lye in earthly basenesse that esteemeth any thing great but the only unmeasurable and eternall good 10 For whatsoever is not God is nothing and ought to be accounted as nothing 11 There is great difference between the wisdome of a spirituall and devout person and the knowledge of a learned and studious Clerke 12 Farre more noble is that learning which floweth from above from the divine influence then that which is painefully gotten by the wit of man 13 There are many that desire contemplation but they endeavour not to exercise those things that are required thereunto 14 It is a great hinderance that we rest in signes and sensible things and make litle account of true mortification 23 I know not what it is nor by what spirit we are led nor what we pretend we that seeme to be called spirituall 24 That we take so much paines and so great care for transitory and base things and scarce or seldome thinke of our inward profit with full collection of our senses 25 Alas presently after a sleight recollection we break forth weigh not our works with diligent examination 26 We mind not where our affections lye nor bewaile the impurity of many faults that are in all our actions 27 For all flesh had corrupted her way and therefore did that generall floud ensue 28 Sith our inward affection then is much corrupted it must needs be that our action proceeding thereof be corrupted as a signe of the want of inward vigour 29 From a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good life 30 We aske how much one hath done but how vertuous his actions are is not so diligently considered 31 We inquire whether he be strong rich beautifull handsome a good writer a good singer or a good labourer 31 But how poore he is in spirit how patient and meeke how devout and spirituall is seldome spoken of 32 Nature respecteth outward things grace turneth her selfe to the inward vertues That is often deceaved this hath her trust in God to the end she be not deceaved CHAP. XXXII Of the deniall of our selves and forsaking all our affections SOnne thou canst not possesse perfect liberty unlesse thou wholly deny thy selfe 2 All such as be lovers of themselves are bound in setters they are covetous curious wanderers seekers of ease and not of those things that appertaine to Iesus Christ. 3 But oftentimes devising and framing that which will not continue for all shall perish that proceedeth not from God 4 Keep this short and compleat word forsake all and thou shalt finde all 5 Leave thy inordinate desires thou shalt finde rest 6 Consider this well and when thou hast fulfilled it thou shalt understand all 7 Lord this is not one daies work nor childrens sport yea in this short sentence all the perfection of religious persons is included 8 Sonne thou must not goe back nor straitwaies be deiected when thou hearest the way of the perfect but rather be stirred up to more noble attempts or at least to conceave an earnest desire thereof 9 I would it were so well with thee and thou wert come so farre that thou wert no longer a lover of thy self but didst stand meerely at my beck at his whom I have appointed a Father over thee 10 Then thou shouldest exceedingly please me and all thy life would passe away in joy and peace 11 Thou hast yet many things to forsake which unlesse thou wholly resigne over unto me thou shalt not attain to that which thou desirest 12 I counsell thee to buy of me purified gold that thou maist become rich that is heavenly wisdome which treadeth under foot all base and earthly things 13 Set litle by the wisdome of this world and esteeme not of the contentment of men nor thine own fancies 14 I said that thou shouldest buy the mean and base things in steed of those things that are precious highly esteemed amongst men 15 For true heavenly wisdome seemeth very base and of small accompt and is scarce thought of by men 16 For that esteemeth not highly it selfe nor seeketh to be magnified upon earth 17 Which many praise from the teeth outward but in their life they are farre from it yet is it the pretious pearle which is hidded from many CHAP. XXXIII Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our finall intentions unto God SOnne trust not to thy affection that which now is will quickly change into another 2 As long as thou livest thou art subject to mutability even against thy will 3 So that now thou art merry now sad now quiet now troubled now devout now distracted now diligent now idle now heavy now light 4 But he that is wise and well instructed in the
spirit remaineth alwaies one in the midst of these changes not heeding what he seeketh in himselfe or which way the winde of mutability bloweth 5 But that the whole intention of his minde may tend as it ought to the most perfect and best end 6 For so he may continue one and the selfe same without any change in the midst of so many sundry chances directing alwaies the sincere eye of his intention unto me 7 And how much purer the eye of the intention is so much the more constantly doth he passe through the variety of many contrary waves 8 But in many things the eye of a sincere intention waxeth blind for it quickly looketh upon some delightsome object that occurreth 9 And it is rare to find one that is wholly free from all blemish of seeking himselfe 10 So the Iewes in times past came into Bethania to Martha Mary not for Iesus alone but to see Lazarus also 11 The eye of our intention therefore is to be purged that it may be sincere and pure and to be directed unto me neglecting the multitude and â—ariety of earthly objects CHAP. XXXIV That God is sweet above all things and in all things to him that loveth BEhold my God and behold all things What would I have more and what more happy thing can I desire 2 O sweet and comfortable word but to him that loveth the word not the world nor those things that are in the world 3 My God and all things Inough is said to him that understandeth and it is pleasant to him that loveth to repeat it often 4 For when thou art present all things doe yeeld delight but when thou art absent all becomes irksome Thou givest quiet of heart and much peace and pleasant joy 5 Thou makest men thinke well of all and praise thee in all things neither can any thing please us long without thee 6 But if it be pleasant and delightsome thy grace must be present and it must be seasoned with the sweetnesse of thy wisdome 7 what can be distastfull unto him to whom thou art pleasing And whom thou delightest not to him what can be pleasant 8 But the wise of the world they that have their contentment in sensuall things cannot attain to thy wisdome for in the world is much vanity and in the flesh is death 9 But they that follow thee by the contempt of worldly things and mortification of the flesh are proved to be truly wise for they are changed from vanity to truth from flesh to spirit 10 To these God is sweet and what good soever is found in creatures they wholly referre unto the praise of their Maker 11 Notwithstanding great yea very great is the difference between the sweetnes of the Creatour and of the creature of eternity and of time of uncreated and created light 12 O everlasting light surpassing all created lights cast forth the beams of thy brightnesse from above and pierce the most Mward corners of my heart 13 Purify rejoyce clarify and quicken my spirit with all the powers thereof that I may cleave unto thee with excesse of unspeakable joy 14 O when will that blessed and desired houre come that I may be filled with thy presence and thou maist be unto me all in all 15 As long as this is not granted me I shall not have full nor perfect joy Alas my old man yet liveth in mee he is not wholly crucified he is not perfectly dead 16 He doth yet covet strongly against the spirit moveth civill wars and suffereth not the Kingdome of my soule to be in peace 17 But thou that rulest the powers of the sea and asswagest the motions of the waves rise and help me 18 Dissipate the people that desire warre and destroy them in thy might and let thy hand be glorified for there is no hope nor refuge for me but in thee my Lord God CHAP. XXXV That there is no security from temptation in this life SOnne there is no security in this life as long as thou livest thou shalt alwaies have need of spirituall armour 2 Thou livest among enemies art assaulted on all sides if thererefore thou defendest not thy selfe on every side with the shield of patience thou canst not be long unwounded 3 Moreover if thou sixe not thy heart on me with a sincere will to suffer all things for me thou canst not sustaine the heat of this battaile nor get that victorious crown which they have that are in glory 4 Thou oughtest therefore manfully to goe through all and to use a strong hand against whatsoever withstandeth thee 5 For to him that overcometh is given Manna and to the negligent is left much woe 6 If thou seekest rest in this world how wilt thou then attain to everlasting rest Give not thy selfe to much ease but to much patience 7 Seek true peace not in earth but in heaven not in men nor in any creature but in God alone 8 Thou oughtest for the love of God willingly to undergoe whatsoever labours to endure whatsoever griefes temptations vexations anxieties necessities infirmities injuries detractions reprehensions humiliations confusions corrections and contempts 9 These helpe to the attaining of vertue these try a Novice of Christ these make up an heavenly Crowne 10 I will give an everlasting reward for a short labour and infinite glory for transitory confusion 11 Thinkest thou that thou shalt alwaies have spirituall consolations at will My Saints had not so but many afflictions and sundry temptations and many discomforts 12 All which they endured patiently and trusted rather in God then in themselves knowing that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to obtain future glory 13 Wilt thou have that straight waies which many after teares and great labours have hardly obtained Expect the comming of thy Lord do manfully be of good courage 14 Feare not doe not fly but offer both body soul for the glory of God I will reward thee in most plentifull manner and I will be with thee in all thy tribulations CHAP. XXXVI Against the vaine-Iudgments of men SOnne sixe thy heart stedfastly on God and feare not the judgments of men when thy conscience giveth testimony of thy justice and innocencie 2 It is a good and a happy thing to suffer in that sort neither will it be burdensome to an humble mind nor to him that trusteth rather in God then in himselfe 3 The most part of men are given to talke much and therefore litle care is to be had of their words neither is it possible to satisfie all 4 Though the Apostle endeavour to please all in our Lord and made himselfe all unto all yet he litle regarded that he was judged by humane judgment 5 He did for the edification and health of others as much as he could and lay in him yet could he not hinder but that he was sometimes judged and despised by others 6 Therefore he committed all to God who knew all and defended himselfe
But if thou abidest in thy selfe and doest not offer thy selfe up freely unto my wil thy oblation is not entire neither shall the union betweene us be perfect 8 Therefore a free offering up of thy selfe into the hands of God ought to goe before all thy actions if thou wilt obtaine freedome and grace 9 For this cause so few become inwardly illuminated and enjoy true libertie of heart for that they doe not resolve wholly to denie themselves 10 My saying is undoubtedly true Vnlesse one forsake all he cannot be my Disciple If thou therefore wish to be mine offer up thy selfe unto mee with thy whole desires CHAP. IX That we ought to offer up our selves and all that is ours unto God and to pray for all The voice of the Disciple THine O Lord are all things that are in heaven and in earth I desire to offer up my selfe unto thee as a free oblation and to remaine alwaies thine 2 O Lord in sincerity of my heart I offer my selfe unto thee this day in sacrifice of perpetuall praise to be thy servant for ever 3 Receive me with this holy oblation of thy precious body which in the presence of the Angels invisibly attending here upon thee I offer up this day unto thee that it may be to the health of my soule and the salvation of all thy people 4 I offer unto thee O Lord all my sinnes and offences which I have committed in the sight of thee and thy holy Angels from the day wherein I first could sinne to this houre upon thy holy Altaâ—â— 5 That thou maist consume and burne them all with the fire of thy charitie and wash out all the staines of my sinnes and cleanse my conscience from all offence and restore to me againe thy grace which I lost by sinne forgiving me all my offences and receiving me mercifully in the kisse of peace 6 What can I doe for my sinnes but humbly confesse and bewaile them and intreate alwaies for mercy without intermission I beseech thee heare me in thy abundant mercy when I stand before thee my God! 7 All my sinnes are very displeasing unto me I will never commit them any more but I am sory and will be sory for them as long as I live and am ready to repent and doe any thing that may move thee to pardon them 8 Forgive me O God forgive me my sinnes for thy holy names sake save my soule which thou hast redeemed with thy most precious Blood 9 Behold I commit my selfe unto thy mercy I resigne my selfe over into thy hands doe with me according to thy goodnesse not according to my wickednesse and manifold iniquitie 10 I offer up also unto thee all whatsoever is good in me although it be very litle and imperfect that thou maist amend and sanctifie it that thou maist make it gratefull and acceptable unto thee 11 And alwaies perfect more and more that which thou hast begun and bring me also who am the slothfull and unprofitable servent to a good and blessed end 12 I offer up also unto thee all the godly desires of devout persons the necessitie of my parents and friends my brethren and siâ—ters and of all those that are deare unto me and that have done good either to my selfe or others for thy love 13 And that have desired mee to pray for them and all theirs that they all may receive the helpe of thy grace and comfort protection from dangers delivery from paine and being freed from all evils may joyfully give worthy thankes to thee 14 I offer up also unto thee my praiers and sacrifices especially for them who have in any thing wronged grieved or standered me or have done me any damage or displeasure 15 And for those also whom I have at any time grieved troubled and scandalized by words or deeds wittingly or at unawares that it may please thee to forgive us all our sinnes and offences one against another 16 Take O Lord from our hearts all jealousie all indignation wrath and contention and whatsoever may hure charitie and weaken brotherly love 17 Have mercy O Lord have mercy on those that crave thy mercy give grace unto them that stand in need thereoff and grant that we may be worthy to enjoy thy grace and attain unto life everlasting Amen CHAP. X. That the holy Communion is not lightly to be forborne The voice of the Beloved THou oughtest often to have recourse to the Fountaine of grace and of divine mercy to the Fountaine of goodnesse and of all purity that thou maist be cured of thy sinnes and passions and be made more strong vigilant against all temptations and deceipts of the Divell 2 The enemy knowing the greatest profit and remedy to consist in the holy Communion endeavoureth by all meanes and occasions to withdraw hinder faithfull and devout persons from it 3 Some when they purpose to receave the sacred Commnnion suffer greatest assaults of the Divell 4 For that wicked spirit as is written in Iob commeth amongst the Sons of God to trouble them with his accustomed malice and impiety or to make them overfearefull and perplexed 4 That so he may diminish their affection or by his subtile assaults take away their faith to the end they may either altogether abstaine from this divine food or at least come unto it with lesse devotion 5 But there is no heed to be taken of his fraudes and malicious suggestions be they never so filthy and hideous but all is to be turned back upon his own head 6 Thou oughtest to contemne scorne him miserable wretch and not to omit the sacred communion for his assaults and the troubles which hee raiseth 7 Oftentimes also an excessive care for the obtaining of devotion and a certain anxiety for the making of thy confession hindereth thee 8 Follow in these occasions the counsell of the wise and put away all anxiety and scruple for it hindreth the grace of God and over throweth devotion 9 Omit not for every small vexation of the minde which hapneth to receave this holy Sacrament 10 But goe presently to confesse thy sinnes and willingly to forgive others whatsoever offences they have done against thee and if thou hast offended any humbly crave pardon and God will willingly forgive thee 11 What availeth it to delay confession to deferre receaving Purge thy selfe with speed spit out the venom presently make hast to take a remedy and thou shalt finde it better then if thou deferredst it long 12 If thou omittest it to day for this cause perhaps to morrow some greater will fall out and so thou maist be hindred a long time from these divine mysteries and become more unfit 13 Stirre up thy selfe and shake off all heavinesse and sloth with the greatest force and speed thou canst 14 For it profiteth nothing to continue long in disquietnesso trouble of mind and for daily occurring impediments to withdraw thy selfe from the Sacraments 15 Yea it hurteth very much
how great and honourable is the office of Priests to whom it is granted with sacred words to consecrate the Lord of Majesty with their lips to blesse him with their hands to hold him with their own mouth to receave him and to administer him to others â—2 O how clean ought to be those hands How pure that mouth How holy the body How unspotted the heart of the Priest into whom the Author of purity so often entreth 40 Nothing but holy no word but chast and profitable ought to proceed from the mouth of the Priest which so often receaveth the Sacrament of Christ. 41 Simple and chast ought to be the eyes that are wont to behold the body of Christ the hands pure and lifted up to heaven that use to handle the Creator of heaven and earth 43 Vnto the Priests especially it is said in the Law Be ye holy for that I your Lord God am holy 43 Assist us Almighty God with thy grace that we who have undertaken the office of Priesthood may serve thee worthily and devoutly in all purity and with a sincere conscience 44 And if we cannot live in so great innocency as we ought to doe grant us notwithstanding in due manner to bewaile the sinnes which we have committed 43 And in the spirit of humilitie and syncere intention to serve thee hereafter with more fervour and devotion CHAP. XII That he that is to communicate ought to prepare himself with great diligence The voice of the Beloved I Am the lover of purity and the giver of all sanctity I seeke a pure heart there is the place of my râ—st Make ready and adorne for me a great chamber and I will make with thee the Passeover for my Disciples 2 If thou wilt have me come unto thee and remaine with thee purge the old leaven and make clean the dwelling of thy heart shut out the whole world and all tumult of vices 3 Sit like a sparrow solitary â—â—on the house top and think of thy offence in the bitternesse of thy soule 4 For every lover prepareth â—he best and fairest roome for his beloved and herein is known the affection of him that entertaineth his beloved 5 Know thou notwithstanding that the worth of no action of thine is able to make this preparation sufficient although thou shouldest preparâ— thy selfe a whole yeare together and thinke on nothing else 6 But of my mercy and grace only thou art suffred to come to my table like a begger invited to dinner to a rich man who hath nothing else to returne him for his benefits but to humble himselfe and give him thanks 7 Doe what lieth in thee and doe it diligently not for custome nor for necessity but with feare and reverence and hearty affection receave the body of thy beloved Lord and God who vouchsafeth to come unto thee 8 I am he that have called thee I have commanded it to be done I will supply what is wanting in thee come and receave me 9 When I bestow the grace of devotion on thee give thanks to God for it is given thee not for that thou deservest it but because I have mercy on thee 10 If thou have it not but rather feele thy selfe dry continue in prayer sigh and knock and give not over untill thou hast attained to some crumme or drop of saving grace 11 Thou hast need of me not I of thee neither comest thou to sanctify me but I come to sanctify and make thee better 12 Thou comest that thou maist be sanctified by me and united unto me that thou maist receave new grace and be stirred up againe to amendment 13 Neglect not this grace but prepare thy heart with all diligence receave thy beloved into thy soule 14 But thou oughtest not only to prepare thy selfe to devotion before Communion but carefully also to conserve thy selfe therein after thou hast receaved the Sacrament 15 Neither is the carefull guarde of thy selfe after lesse exacted then devout preparation before 16 For a good guard afterwards is the best preparation thou canst make for the obtaining againe of greater grace 17 Because that mans minde becometh very indisposed if he presently powre himselfe forth to outward comforts Beware of much talke remaine in some secret place and enjoy thy God 18 For thou hast him whom all the world cannot take from thee I am he to whom thou oughtest wholly to give thy selfe that so thou maist live hereafter not in thy selfe but in me without all care CHAP. XIII That a devout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto Christ in the Sacrament The voice of the Disciple HOw may I obtaine this O Lord that I may finde thee alone and open my whole heart unto thee and enjoy thee as my soule desireth 2 And that no man may look upon mee nor any creature move mee or respect mee but thou alone maist speake unto me and I to thee as the beloved is wont to speak to his beloved a friend to baÌ„quet with his frieÌ„d 3 This I pray for this I desire that I may be wholly united unto thee and may withdraw my heart from all created things and more by sacred Communion and often celebrating learne to tast of heavenly and everlasting sweetnesse 4 O Lord God when shall I be wholly united unto thee and swallowed up by thee and altogether forgetfull of my selfe thou in me and I in thee and so grant us both to continue in one 5 Thou art my beloved the choisest amongst thousands in whom my soule hath taken pleasure to dwell all the daies of her life 6 Thou art my peace-maker in whom is greatest peace and true rest without whom is labour and sorrow and infinite misery 7 Thou art a hidden God and thy counsell is not with the wicked but thy speech is with the humble and simple of heart 8 O Lord how sweet is thy spirit who to the end thou maist shew thy sweetnesse towards thy children vouchsafe to feed them with the most delightsome bread which descendeth from heaven and is full of all sweetnesse 9 Surely there is no other Nation so great that hath Gods approaching unto them as thou our God art present to all thy faithfull 10 Vnto whom for their daily comfort and for the lifting up of their hearts to heaven thou givest thy selfe to be eaten and enjoyed 11 I or what other Nation is there so famous as the Christian people or what creature under heaven so beloved as a devout soule to whom God himselfe commeth to feed her with his glorious flesh 12 O unspeakable grace O admirable favour O infinite love singularly bestowed upon man 13 But what shall I give unto our Lord in returne of this grace for so singular a charity 14 There is no other thing more gratefull that I am able to give then to bestow my heart wholly on my God and to unite it perfectly unto him 15 Then shall all my bowels re-rejoyce when my soule