not by following but resisting wicked afâ—ections 9 There is no peace then in the heart of a carnall man nor in a man that is addicted to outward things but to the upright man and him that is fervent in the spirit there is great quietnesse CHAP. 7. Of Flying vaine Hope and Pride IT is a vaine thing to trust either in man or any other creature for there is no helpe in them 2 Be not ashamed to be in subjection to others for the love of Iesus Christ and to be esteemed poore in this life count it thy great riches 3 Depend not upon thyselfe but put thy confidence in the Lord doe what lies in thee and God will blesse thine endeavour 4 Trust not to thine owne knowledge nor in the policy of any mortall man but rather in the grace and favour of God who exalteth the humble and humbleth those who exalt themselves 5 Glory not in thy wealth though thou have much nor yet in thy friends though they be mighty but in God who giveth all these and would gladly give thee himselfe before all these 6 Be not proud neither of the beauty of thy face or bignesse of thy body for a litle sicknesse doth deforme the one and consume the other 7 Be not too well conceited of thy wit and abilities of nature least thou displease God who is the sole-giver of all the goods of nature 1 Esteeme not thy selfe better then others least God who best knows what is in man account thee worse then others 9 Be not proud of well doing for God judgeth not as man doth for that often offendeth him that pleaseth them 10 If thou hast any goodnesse in thee think that another hath more so shalt thou preserve within thee that rich treasure of humility 11 To debase thy selfe under all men can never hurt thee but to preferre thy selfe before any man may doe thee some harme 12 The humble man is in a continuall calme but the haughty mind fumeth commonly with indignation CHAP. VIII Of avoiding too much familiaritie OPen not thine heart to every man but communicate thine affaires with the wise and godly 2 Acquaint thy selfe with the grave and aged and delight not much in young and strange company 3 Flatter not the wealthy to make him proud of his riches neither doe thou willingly appeare before great personages 4 Keep company with the humble the sincere and devout and conferre with them of those things that may be for thy edifying 5 Be not in speciall familiar with any woman but in generall commend all good women to God 6 Carefully avoid too much acquaintance with men that thou maist be the more familiar with God and his holy Angels 7 Although thou oughtest to have charity towards all men yet hold familiarity but with a few 8 Many men unknowne unto us may be famous for their good parts whose bodily presence doth seeme to be but contemptible 9 Some men we know not are cried up for their worth who being well acquainted with deserve litle to be regarded 10 We think sometimes to please others by being acquainted with them whom yet we more distast with our lewd behaviour then delight with our company CHAP. IX Of Obedience and Subjection THough it be very hard to live in obedience under a Governour and not to be at our owne disposing yet it is farre better to obey then rule 2 Many live under obedience rather out of necessity then willingly such easily vexe and punish themselves and are ready to murmure and repine upon a small occasion 3 Neither can they attaine to any freedome of mind unlesse they cheerfully submit from the heart and for God's sake 4 Turn hither or thithér goe whither thou wilt thou shalt never find so much case as in humble subjection under a Governour 5 The very imagination and change of places hath deceived many a man when he was under he thought there was no life to a Ruler now he commands he holds it better to obey 6 'T is true every man is willing to follow his owne fancie and is apt to make much of those that are of his mind 7 But if God be amongst us we will discard our owne opinion rather then disturb the common peace 8 It may so fall out that thou art in the wrong for who is so wise that he can fully know all things 9 Therefore trust not too much to thine owne opinion but be willing to give an eare to the judgment of others 10 But suppose thou art in the right yet if for God's and quietnesse sake thou shalt forbeare thine opinion thou shalt gaine more by thy humility then thou shalt loose in thy knowledge 11 I have oftentimes heard that it is more safe and secure to heare and take counsell then to give it 12 It may so fall out that a mans owne judgment and opinion may be right enough but not to hearken and yeeld to others when good reason requâ—res must needs be a signe of great stubbornnesse and pride CHAP. X. Of avoiding superfluity of Words TAke heed of publique meetings as much as is possible for to talke of worldly affaires doth us great harme mean we never so well 2 For we are quickly defiled and even led captive by vanity and for my part I have wished many times that I had been either silent or absent 3 But what might be the reason we are so apt to conference seeing we so seldome breake it off without some hurt of conscience 4 The reason hereof I conceive to be this that by mutuall communication we much comfort one another and refresh our wearied soules oppressed with many cares 5 Of what we love best or desire most we are apt to think and speak freely or else of those things that doe most trouble and molest us 6 But alas this is often to small purpose or profit for this outward comfort is a great hindrance to the inward and our humane discourse to our heavenly consolation 7 That thou passe not thy time idlely spend it in watching and prayer but if it be fit for thee to speak speak those things that may edifie 7 An evill custome and carelessenesse of profitting in good workes is a great meanes to make us very fruitfull in ill words 8 To compare spirituall things with spirituall things doth greatly further our progresse in the spirit especially where men of like minds and spirit are joyned together in the Lord. CHAP. XI Of obtaining peace and desire of profiting VVOuld we not busie our selves in other mens imployments which we have nothing to doe withall we might enjoy at home much peace within our selves 2 How can he continue long in any quietnesse that thrusteth himselfe into other mens affaires who seeketh occasion to be busie abroad and seldome takes occasion to recollect himselfe at home 3 Blessed are the simple and pure in heart for they shall inherit abundance of peace 4 Why are some of the Saints come to such perfection given
sorrowful and desolate 13 Thou doest therefore foolishly if thou doest trust or rejoyce in any other It is better for theâ— to have all the world against thee then Iesus offended with thee 14 Amongst all things therefore that be deare unto thee let Iesus alone be thy chiefest beloved 15 Love all for Iesus but Iesus for himselfe Iesus Châ—ist alone is especially to be beloved who alone is found to be good and faithfull above all friends 16 For him and in him let aswell friends as foes be deare unto thee and all these are to be prayed for that all may know and love him 17 Never desire to be singularly commended or beloved for that appertaineth only unto God who hath none like unto himselfe 17 Neither doe thou desire that the heart of any should be set on thee nor doe thou set thy heart on the love of any but let Iesus be in thee and in every vertuous and good man 18 Be pure and free within and intangle not thy heart with any creaâ—â—re Thou oughtest to be as it were naked and carry a pure heart to God if thou wilt consider and prove and see how sweet our Lord is 19 And truly unlesse thou be prevented and drawen by his grace thou shalt never attaine to that happinesse to forsake and cast away all that thou alone maist be united to him alone 20 For when the grace of God commeth unto a man then he is strong and nothing is hard unto him and when it goeth away he is poore and weake and as it were left unto the will of whomsoever will afflict him 21 In this thou oughtest not to be dejected nor despaire but to resigne thy selfe with all indifferency unto the wâ—ll of God and to â—eare all things that befall thee for the glory of Christ. 22 For after winter followeth summer after night commeth day after a tempest faire weather CHAP. IX Of the want of all comfort IT is 〈◊〉 great matter to despise humane 〈◊〉 when we have divine or to negâ—â—â— divine when we have humane 2 It 〈…〉 and very much to be able to wanâ— both humane and divine comfort 2 And for the honour and glory of God to be willing to endure desolation of heart and to seeke himselfe in nothing nor to regard his owne good actions 3 What great matter is it if thou be cheerfull and devout at the comming of heavenly grace This houre is wâ—â—shed for of all men 4 He rideth easily whom the grace of God carrieth And what marvaile if he feele not his burden who is borne up by the Almighty and led by the greatest guide 5 We are alwaies willing to have something for our comfort and a man doth hardly put off and forsake himself The holy Martyr S. Laurence overcame the world with his Prelate 6 Because he despised whatsoever seemed delightsome in the world and for the love of Christ he patiently suffered the high Priest of God S. Siâ—tus to be taken from him whom he most loved 7 He overcame therefore the love of man by the love of the Creator and he rather chose the divine pleasure then humane comfort 8 See thou also learne to forsake some necessary thing and a beloved friend for the love of God 9 Be not grieved when thou art forsaken by a friend knowing that we all at length must be separated one from another 10 A man must fight long and with a constant mind before he gâ—â— the victory and be able to place his whole heart in God 11 When a man trusteth in himselfe he easily slideth unto humane comforts 12 But a true lover of Christ and a diligent follower of vertue giveth not himselfe to such solace nor seeketh sensible sweetnesse but rather forcible exercises and to sustaine hard labours for Christ. 13 When therefore spirituall comfort is given thee from God receive it thankfully but know that it is the gift of God not any desert of thine 14 Be not puffed up joy not too much neither doe thou presume vainly but be rather the more humble for that grace and more wary and fearefull in all thy actions for that houre will passe away and temptation will succeed 15 When consolation is taken from thee despaire not presently but with humility and patience attend the heavenly visitation for God is able againe to give thee greater consolation 16 This is not new nor strange unto them that have experience in the way of God for in the great Saints and ancient Prophets there was oftentimes such kind of alteration 17 For which cause one when he had grace said I said in my prosperity I shall never be removed 18 But when this was gone from him he addeth what he found in himselfe saying Thou turnedst thy face from me and I became troubled 19 Yet doth he not despaire in the midst of these changes but more earnestly prayeth unto our Lord and saith Vnto thee O Lord I will cry and I will pray unto my God 20 Lastly he receiveth the fruit of his prayer and witnesseth that he was heard saying Our Lord hath heard me and taken pity on me our Lord is become my helper 21 But wherein Thou hast turned saith he my sorrow into joy and thou hast compassed me about with gladnesse 22 If great Saints have been so dealt with all we that are poore and weake ought not to despaire if we be sometimes fervent and sometimes cold 23 For the spirit commeth and goeth according to the good pleasure of his will for which cause blessed Iob saith Thou visitest him early in the morning and suddainly thou provest him 24 Whereupon therefore can I hope or wherein ought I to trust but in the great mercy of God alone and in the onely hope of heavenly grace 25 For whether I enjoy the presence of good men or devout brethren or faithfull friends or holy Bookes or learned treatises or sweet songs and himmes 26 All these helpe litle and have litle savour when grace forsaketh me and I remaine left in my owne poverty 27 At such a time there is no better remedy then patience and the resigning of my selfe unto the will of God 28 I never found any so religious and devout that hath not had sometimes a with drawing of grace or felt not a decrease of fervour 29 There was never Saint so highly rapt and illuminated who first or last was not tempted 30 For he is not worthy of the high contemplation of God who hath not been exercised with some tribulation for God's sake 31 For temptation going before is wont to be a signe of ensuing comfort And unto those that are proved by temptations heavenly comfort is promised He that shall overcome saith he I will give him to eate of the tree of life 32 But divine comfort is given that a man may be stronger to beare adversities There followeth also temptation lest we should waxe proud of that good 33 The Divell sleepeth not neither is our flesh as yet dead
shall not then feare to heare the sentence of everlasting damnation 3 This signe of the Crosse shall be in heaven when our Lord shall come to Iudgment 4 Then all the servants of the Crosse who in their life time conformed themselves unto Christ crucified shall draw neere unto our Lord with great confidence 5 Why therefore fearest thou to take up the Crosse which leadeth thee to a Kingdome In the Crosse is health in the Crosse is life in the Crosse is protection against our enemies 6 In the Crosse is infusion of heavenly sweetnesse in the Crosse is strength of mind in the Crosse is joy of spirit in the Crosse is the height of vertue in the Crosse is the perfection of sanctity 7 There is no health of the soule nor hope of everlasting life but in the Crosse. Take up therefore thy Crosse and follow Iesus and thou shalt goe into life everlasting 8 He is gone before bearing his Crosse and is dead for thee on the Crosse that thou maist also beare thy Crosse and desire to die on the Crosse with him 9 For if thou diest with him thou shalt also live with him and if thou be his companion in paine thou shalt be partaker with him also in glory 10 Behold in the Crosse all doth consist and all lyeth in ending our life upon it for there is no other way unto life and unto true inward peace but the way of the Holy Crosse and of daily mortification 11 Goe where thou wilt seeke whatsoever thou wilt thou shalt not find a higher way above nor a safeâ—â— way below then the way of the holy Crosse. 12 Dispose and order all things according to thy will and judgment yet thou shalt ever find that of necessity thou must suffer some-what either willingly or against thy will 13 So as thou shalt never fully avoid the Crosse for either thou shalt feele paine in thy body or in thy soule thou shalt suffer tribulation of spirit 14 Sometimes thou shalt be forsaken of God sometimes thou shalt be troubled by thy neighbours and which is more oftentimes thou shalt be irksome to thy selfe 15 Neither canst thou be delivered or cased by any remedy or comfort but so long as pleaseth God thou oughtest to beare it 16 For God will have thee learne to suffer tribulation without comfort and that thou submit thy selfe wholly to him and become more humble by tribulation 17 No man hath so lively a feeling of the Passion of Christ as he who hath chanced to suffer the like The Crosse therefore is alwaies ready and every where attendeth thee 18 Thou canst not escape it whither soever thou fliest for wheresoever thou goest thou carriest thy selfe about with thee and thou shalt ever find thy selfe 19 Turne thy selfe upward turne thy selfe downward turne thee within or turne thee without 20 Which way soever thou doest turn thee alwaies thou shalt find the Crosse. 21 And every where of necessity thou must have patience if thou wilt have inward peace and obtaine an everlasting Crowne 22 If thou beare the Crosse willingly it will beare thee and lead thee to thy desired end to wit where there shall be an end of suffering though here there shall not 23 If thou beare it unwillingly thou makest for thy selfe a new burthen and increasest thy load and yet notwithstanding thou must beare it doe what thou canst 24 If thou cast away one Crosse without doubt thou shalt find another and that perhaps a more heavy 25 Thinkest thou to escape that which no man could ever avoid which of the Saints in the world was without crosses and tribulations 26 Verily Iesus Christ our Lord was never one houre without paine of suffering so long as he lived Christ saith he ought to suffer and rise againe from death and so to enter into his glory 27 And how doest thou seeke any other way then this Kings high way which is the way of the holy Crosse 28 The whole life of Christ was a Crosse and Martyrdome and doest thou seeke rest and joy 29 Thou art deceived thou art deceived if thou seekest any other thing theÌ„ to suffer tribulations for this whole mortall life is full of miseries and invironed on every side with crosses 30 And how much the more one hath profited in spirit so much the heavier Crosses he oftentimes findeth for the love he beareth to God encreaseth the griefe which he endureth for his banishment 31 But yet this man though so many wayes afflâ—cted is not without the ease of consolation for the great good which he perceiveth to grow unto him by the bearing of his Crosse 32 For whilest he willingly putteth himselfe under it all the but then of tribulation is turned into the confidence of divine consolation 33 And how much the more the flesh is wasted by affliction by so much the more is the spirit strengthened by inward grace 34 And sometimes he is so strengthened with the â—eeling of tribulation and adversity for the love of conforming himselfe to the Crosse of Christ that he would not wish at any time to be without sorrow and tribulation 35 Because he beleeveth that so much the more acceptable he shall be unto God how much the more for number weight he can suffer for him 36 This is not the power of man but it is the grace of Christ that can and doth so much in fraile â—lesh that what naturally it alwaies abhorreth and flieth that by fervour of spirit it taketh hold on and loveth 37 It is not according to mans inclination to bear the Crosse to love the Crosse to chastise the body and bring it into subjection to shun promotion 38 To suffer contumelies with a joyfull heart to despise himselfee and to wish to be despised to beare all adversities and damages and to desire no prosperity in this world 39 But if thou depend upon thy selfe thou shalt be able to performe no such matter of thy selfe 40 But if thou trustest in our Lord strength shall be given thee from heaven and thou shalt subdue under thee both the world and the flesh 41 Neither shalt thou feare thy enemy the Divel if thou be armed with faith and rely upon Christ crucified 42 Resolve therefore with thy selfe like a good and faithfull servant of Christ to beare manfully the Crosse of thy Lord who out of love unto thee was crucified for thee 43 Prepare thy selfe to beare many adversities and diverse kinds of troubles in this miserable life for so it will be with thee wheresoever thou be and so surely thou wilt find it wheresoever thou hide thy selfe 44 So it must be and there is no remedy or meanes to avoid tribulation and sorrow but to beare them 35 Drink of the Cup of our Lord with a good affection if thou wilt be his friend and desirest to have part with him As touching consolation referre that to the will of God let him doe therein as shall best please him but yeeld thou thy selfe
it be subject to the spirit 12 And it is to be chastised so long and to be forced under servitude untill it readily obey in all things and learne to be content with a litle and to be pleased with ordinary things and not to murmure against any inconvenience CHAP. XII Of the effect of Patience and of strife against Concupiscence LOrd God I perceive Patience is very necessary unto me for that many adversities doe happen in this life 2 Howsoever I shall dispose of my peace my life cannot be without warre and affliction 3 So it is Sonne and my will is not that thou seeke after that peace which is void oftemptations or that feeleth no contrarieties 4 But then think that thou hast found peace when thou art exercised with sundry tribulations and tried in many adversities 5 If thou say that thou art not able to suffer much how then wilt thou endure the fire of hell Of two evils the lesse is alwaies to be chosen 6 That thou maist therefore avoid everlasting punishments in the next world endeavour to suffer patiently for God the present evils of this 7 Doest thou think that men of this world suffer litle or nothing Thou art deceived look into the life even of them that live in greatest delicacies and thou shalt find it otherwise 8 But thou wilt say they have many delights and follow their own wils and therefore they make smal accompt of their tribulations 9 Be it so that they have whatsoever they will but how long doest thou think it will last 10 Behold the wealthy of this world vanish away like smoke and there shall be no memory of their joyes past 11 Yea even while they live also they rest not in them without griefe irksomnesse and feare 12 For the selfe same thing in which they take their delight is oftentimes the cause of sorrow unto them and muâ—h affliction 13 They have their desert who for that they immoderately seeke and follow delights they doe not obtaine them but with shame and sorrow 14 O how short and deceiptfull how inordinate and filthy are all those pleasures 15 Yea so senselesse and blind are men that they understand it not but like dumbe beasts for a litle pleasure of a corruptible life they incurre the eternall death of their soule 16 Doe not thou therefore my Sonne follow thy inordinate concupiscence but forsake thine owne will delight thou in the Lord and he will give thee thy hearts desire 17 If thou desire true delight and to be more plentifully comforted by me behold in the contempt of all worldly things and in the cutting off of all base delights shall be thy blessing and aboundant comfort shall be given thee 18 And how much the more thou withdrawest thy selfe from all comfort of creatures so much the sweeter and more forcible consolations shalt thou find in me 19 But at first thou canst not attaine unto them without a certaine griefe labour and strife 20 The old custome will make resistance and thou must overcome it with another custome that is better Thy flesh will murmure but thou must bridle it with fervour of spirit 21 The old Serpent will sting and trouble thee but by praier he shall be put to flight and with profitable labour thou shalt shut the doore against him CHAP. XIII Of the humble obedience of a subject according to the example of Christ. SOnne hee that endeavoureth to withdraw himselfe from obedience withdraweth himselfe from grace And he that seeketh to have things in private shall loose the common 2 He that doth not willingly and freely submit himselfe to his Superior it is a signe that his flesh is not yet perfectly obedient unto him but oftentimes rebelleth and murmureth against him 3 Learne therefore readily to submit thy selfe to thy Superior if thou desirest to subdue thine owne Passions 4 For the outward enemy is sooner overcome if the inward man be in good estate 5 There is no worse enemy not more troublesome to the soule then thou unto thy selfe not agreeing well with the spirit 6 Thou must of necessity have a true contempt of thy selfe if thou wilt prevaile against flesh and blood 7 Because thou lovedst thy selfe as yet too inordinately therefore thou art afraid to resigne thy selfe wholly to the will of others 8 But what great matter is it if thou that art dâ—st and nothing submittest thy selfe to man for God's sake 9 When I the Almighty and highest Soveraigne who created all things of nothing humbly submitted my selfe unto man for thee 10 I became the most humble and abject of all men that thou mightst overcome thy pride with thy humility 11 Learne to obey thou that art dust Learne to humble thy selfe thou earth and clay and put thy selfe under the feet of all men Learne to breake thine own will and to yeeld thy selfe to all subjection 12 Take courage against thy selfe and suffer not pride to live in thee but humble and submit thy selfe to all that every one may goe over thee and tread thee as dirt of the streets under their feet 13 Vaine man what canst thou complain of what canst thou answer foule sinner to them that reprove thee who hast so often offended God and so many times deserved hell 14 But mine eye hath spared thee because thy soule was precious in my sight that thou mightest know my love and alwaies remaine gratefull for my benefits 15 That thou mightest continually give thy selfe to true subjection and humility and mightest beare patiently the contempt of thy selfe CHAP. XIIII Of the secret Iudgments of God to be considered lest we be extoâ—â—ed in our good deeds THou thundrest thy Iudgments over me Lord and shakest all my bones with feare and trembling and my soule is fore afraid 2 I stand astonished and consider for that the heavens are not pure in thy sight If thou hast found wickednesse in Angels and hast not pardoned them what shall become of me 3 Starres fell from heaven and what doe I presume that am dust They whose workes seemed laudable fell into the lowest 4 And I have seene them that did eate the bread of Angels to be delighted with the husks of swine 5 There is no sanctity if thou O Lord withdrawest thy hand no wisdome availeth if thou ceasest to govern 6 No strength helpeth if thou leavest to defend no chastitie secure if thou doest not protect it 7 No custodie of our owne profitable if thy sacred watchfulnesse be not present 8 For if thou leavest us we sink and perish but if thou vouchsafest to visit us wee are raised up and do enjoy life 9 We are inconstant but by thee we are strengthened we waxe cold but by thee we receive heate 10 O how meanly and basely ought I to think of my self how litle yea nothing ought I to esteem it if I seeme to have any good 11 O Lord how ought I to submit my selfe under thy unsearchable Iudgments where I find my selfe to be nothing
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
me one with thee in everlasting love Many times to read much and to hear much itâ—irketh me in thee is all I would have or can desire 9 Let all teachers hold their peace let all Creatures keepe silence in thy sight but speake Lord for thy servant heareth speake thou alone unto me and it sufficeth 10 By how much the more one is united to himself admitteth of no admixture within himselfe by so much the more easily doth he coÌ„ceive high mysteries because he is enlightned from above 11 A pure sincere and stayed spirit is not distracted though it be imploy'd in diverse matters for that it worketh all to the honour of God and labouring for inward tranquillitie seeketh not it selfe in any thing it doth 12 Who hinders and troubles thee more then the unmortified and unruly affections of thine owne heart 13 A good and godly man before he doe any businesse outwardly abroad doth first rightly order it inwardly at home 14 Neither shall his imployment drive him to any corrupt inclination but he will draw it to the rule of right reason 15 Great are the confliccts of every good Christian but of all combates the forest is to conquer our selves 16 This then should be our chiefe endeavour continually to maintaine the sight and every day to be stronger and better then another 16 The greatest perfection wee can attaine to in this life it hath some imperfection annexed to it and our greatest light of knowledge is not void of some darknesse 17 An humble knowledge of thy selfe is a more secure way to heaven then a profound searching into other kinds of learning 18 Not that humane learning is blame-worthy nor the knowledge of any thing whatsoever is to be disliked because it is good in it selfe and ordained of God 19 But yet a good conscience is to be preferred before all knowledge and a vertuous life before all learning 20 But because men commonly labour more to know well then to live well this makes them so much to wander out of the way and reap litle fruit of their labours 21 O if men would be as carefull in removing vices as they are in moving questions there would not be so much loosness amongst the vulgar nor such enormities in retir'd places 22 Assuredly at the day of judgment we shall not be examined how many bookes we have read but how many good workes we have done not how rhetorically we have spoken but how religiously we have lived 23 Tell me now what 's become of all those great Doctors and Masters in Israell which thou knewest to be so famous and pointed at in their life 24 Others now possesse their places and preferments and perchance doe scarce ever so much as thinke of them 26 In their life time they seemed to be some body who but they but now they are gone we heare not a word of them 27 O how quickly doth the glory of this world passe away would God their life had been answerable to their learning then had their study and reading been to good purpose 28 Alas how many perish in the world through this vaine knowledge in that they make small account of the worship of God 29 And because they rather strive to be high then humble therefore they vanish in their vaine imaginations 30 Accosding to thy charity so is thy greatnesse he is truly great who is litle in his own eyes and lightly esteemeth all height of honour 31 He is wise indeed who accounteth all things else but dung that he may winne Christ and he is learned indeed that abandoneth his owne will that he may doe Gods CHAP. IV. Of Providence or Prudence in our actions VVE must not rashly believe every word of man but warily and seriously ponder whether it be consonant to the will of God 2 But alas such is our weaknesse and so great our infirmity that we oftner think and speake the worst of another then the best 3 But such as be perfect will not easily give credit to every tale that is told them they know how prone every man is by nature unto evill and how easy it is to offend with the tongue 4 It is a point of great wisdome to be neither rash in our actions nor stiffe in our opinions 5 And as great wisdome it is not to believe all thou hearest nor yet what thou hearest and believest to be by and by telling it another 6 Take advise of a wise and conscientious man follow his better instructions rather theÌ„ thine own fancies 7 A good life maketh a man wise to God-ward and giveth him great experience in many things 8 The more humble a man is in himselfe and obedient to his God the more prudent shall he be in all his affaires and injoy greater quietnesse of mind CAAP. V. Of the reading of holy Scriptures IN the holy Scriptures we must looke after the truth of the matter not the eloquence of the words and we should read them with the same spirit they were penn'd 2 We ought rather to marke in them the evidence of the spirit then the excellency of the words for it is better to read a Booke that brings devotion to my heart then knowledge to my head 3 Let not the authority of the Writer be he of great or small account but the pure love of truth move thee to read and seeke out not so much who it is that speaketh but diligently mark what it is that is spoken 4 Men are here to day and gone to morrow but the truth of our Lord remaineth for ever God speaketh to us sundry waies without respect of persons 5 In reading the Scriptures our curiosity doth often hurt us when we goe about to comprehend that which indeed we should let alone 6 If thou desirest to reap commodity read withall humility simplicity and fidelity and never covet to be accounted learned 7 Be questioning alwaies with godly men and hearken with silence unto their sayings be not offended with the Proverbes of thine elders for they are not left unto us without a cause CHAP. VI. Of inordinate desires and affections VVHensoever a man desireth a thing inordinately he is presently disquieted within himselfe 2 The proud and covetous men are never at rest but the poore and meeke-spirited live together in abundance of peace 4 The man that is not yet throughly mortified is quickly tempted yea and overcome too with small and triviall things 5 He that is weake in the spirit and as yet carnally minded and prone unto sensuality can hardly withdraw himselfe altogether from earthly desires 6 And therefore it often grieveth him when he goeth about to withdraw himselfe and is easily moved to anger if any one doth withstand him 7 But if he hath followed therein his appetite he is presently gauled with remorse of conscience because he hath yeelded to his unruly passions which doth no whit make to the peace he sofght for 8 Wherefore the true peace of mind is gotten
inconstancy of our mindes and the litle confidence we have in our God 21 For as a ship without a sterne is tossed to and fro with wind and weather so a carelesse and unconstant man hath great variety of temptations 22 As fire tryeth yron so temptation a just man we know not oftentimes what we are able to doe untill temptations doe shew us what we are 23 We must be very watchfull then especially when temptation is but newly begunne for then is the enemy more easily overcome 24 If thou suffer him not to enter in at the doore of thine heart but givest him his answer at the threshold when he gives the first knocke 25 Wherefore one said very well Take a disease at the first and 't will easily be cur'd But an after remedy will be hardly endur'd 26 For first of all there comes into thy minde a bare cogitation next a strong and vehement imagination after that an evill motion and consent joyned with a wonderfull delectation 27 And so our deadly enemy if we set him but put in his head doth after with greater ease draw in the whole body 28 And by how much the longer before any man stirreth against his enemy by so much the weaker is he when he doth resist and his enemy the stronger whom he must resist 29 Some suffer greatest assaults in the beginning of their conversion and some at the later end but others are much troubled all their life long 30 Some againe are but gently and lightly assaulted according to the wisdome and equity of the divine appointment which weigheth the state and conditions of all men and pre-ordaineth all things to the salvation of his elect 31 We ought not therefore to despaire when we are tempted but so much the more fervently pray unto God who is ready to helpe us in all our adversities 32 Who according to the saying of S. Paul will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able but will give an issue with the temptation that we may be able to beare it 33 So then in all temptations and tribulations let us humble our soules under the mighty hand of God for the humble in spirit will he save and exalt 34 In these troubles and adversities a manis proved how much he hath profited and the more his vertue hath been manifested here the greater shall be his reward hereafter 35 Nor is it any great matter for a man to be zealous and devout when nothing doth trouble him but if in time of adversity he beare himselfe patiently there is good hope he hath profited not a litle 36 Some there are who in great and fierce temptations are strangely preserved who in small and ordinary trials are often overcome 37 To the end that being truly humbled they never in great matters trust to their owne strength who in such small trifles have shewed themselves to be so weak CHAP. XIIII Of avoiding rash Iudgment BEware thou judge not rashly the deeds of other men which thou shalt the better take heed of if thou let thine eyes reflect upon thy selfe 2 In judging of others a man labours in vain is commonly deceived and easily offendeth but in judging and examining himselfe his pains is alwaies well bestowed 3 As we fancie any thing commonly we judge of it thereafter for private affection doth easily oversway sound judgment 4 If God were alwaies the pure intention of our desire we should not be so much troubled with the repugnancy of our sensuality 5 But still some inward secret inclination or some outward molestation comes in thy way and either the flesh within or the world without drawes us along after them 6 Many in their actions would make you believe nay have made themselves beleeve they intend some publique good when indeed they aim'd at their own private ends 7 They seeme also to live at their hearts ease so long as things goe well with them but if any thing fall out otherwise then they look for then quickly they are troubled and discontented 8 Great dissention riseth many times amongst friends and neighbours yea amongst those that be zealous and religious through diversity of opinions 9 It is a very hard matter to leave an old custome and no man is willingly drawne further then his owne eyes will lead him 10 If thou followest the conduct of thine owne reason and industry more then the subduing vertue of thy Saviour seldome and slowly shalt thou be illuminated from above 11 For God will have us fully and perfectly submit our selves to him and transcend the narrew reach of all reason by love that is enflamed CHAP. XV. Of workes proceeding from Charity VVE ought to doe no kind of evill either for any profit to be gotin this world or for the pleasure of any man 2 Yet for the helpe of the needy we may passe over it for a time or doe another insteed of it and this is not the losse but the change of a worke and that for a better 3 Let thy worke be never so great and glorious without charity it is nothing worth be thy worke but small and triviall yet done in charity is very effectuall 4 For God regardeth not so much what is done as how and with what affection a thing is done he doth most that loves most 5 He doth much that doth a thing as it should be done and he doth so who preferres the publique good before his owne private affections 6 Naturall inclination selfe will hope of reward desire of gaine are seldome wanting to our workes and so that which seemes to be charity is rather indeed carnality 7 He that is endowed with true and perfect charity he seeketh himselfe in nothing but desireth and only studieth God's glory in all things 8 He doth also repine at no body because he loveth no private ioy nor will he reioyce in himselfe but above all things desireth to be blessed in his God 8 He attributeth nothing that is good to others but wholly referreth them all unto God from whom as from a fountain all things doe proceed and in whom finally all the Saints have their fruition of rest 9 O he that hath but one spark of true charity would easily discerne all earthly things how full they are of vanity CHAP. XVI Of bearing with other mens defects THose things which no man can amend either in himselfe or in others he ought to beare patiently until God have otherwise disposed 2 Think with thy selfe that perchance it is better to be so for thy triall and patience without which all our good works are litle to be regarded 3 Thou oughtest to pray notwithstanding when thou hast such impediments that God would vouchsafe to helpe thee that thou maist beare them patiently 4 If one that that is once or twice admonished cannot endure it or will not amend be not rigorous with him because he hath offended doe not thou offend 5 But commit thy whole cause to God that his will may be
fulfilled and his name honoured in all his servants for he that can turne all things to the best can worke good out of evill 6 Endeavour thy selfe patiently to bear with any faults and infirmities of others for that thou thy selfe hast many things that must be borne withall by others 7 If thou canst not make thy selfe such a one as thou wouldst be how canst thou expect to have another to thy liking in all things 8 It is injustice to expect that in another which thou hast not in thy self to looke for perfection in others and yet not to amend imperfections in our selves 9 We will have others severely punisht and will not amend our selves the large liberty of others disliketh us and yet we will not have our desires deni'd us we will have rigorous Lawes imposed upon others but in no sort will we our selves be restrained 10 And thus it appeareth howseldome we weigh our neighbours in the same ballance with our selves If all men were perfect what then should we have to suffer at other mens hands for God's sake 11 But now God hath thus ordained that every man should have a burthen of his owne let us learne to support and beare one anothers burthens 12 For there is none without defect none without his burthen no man sufficient by himselfe no man wise enough of himselfe 13 But we ought to bear with onâ— another comfort one another equally helpe instruct and admonish one another 14 By occasion of adversity every man knoweth what great vertue is in himselfe for such occasions make thee not frail but shew thee what thou art CHAP. XVII Of solitary life THou must learne to breake thy selfe of thine owne will in many things if thou wilt keepe peace and concord with others 2 It is no small matter to lead aâ— contemplative or practicall life to live in either of those places without reproofe and to persevere therein faithfully unto the death 3 Blessed is he that hath there lived well and died as he ought to doeâ— 4 If thou wilt stand uprightly and perfect in vertue as thou oughtst carry thy selfe as a pilgrime and stranger upon the earth 5 Thou must be contented to be esteemed a foole for the love of Christ if thou wilt lead a religious and Christian life 6 The choice raiment and shorne head make litle to the purpose but change of manners and cutting of unruly passions make a man truly Religious 7 He that seeketh after any thing but God and his soules health shall be sure to find nothing but tribulation and griefe 8 Neither can he long injoy a peaceable and quiet mind who striveth not to be the least veriest abject of all 9 Thou art come hither not to be served but to serve know that thou art called to suffer and to labour not to loiter and live at ease 10 As gold in the furnace so are men tried in this world here none can stand upright but he that stoopeth in all humility heartily for the Lords sake CHAP. XVIII Of the example of the holy Fathers COnsider the lively examples of those holy Fathers who are dead who shined so bright in true perfection and Religion 2 You shall easily perceive how litle or nothing at all it is that we doe alas what is our life if you doe but compare it with theirs 3 Those holy men and freinds of Christ served the Lord in hunger and thirst in cold and nakednesse in labour and wearinesse in watching and fasting in praiers and holy meditations in persecutions and many reproaches 4 O how many and grievous tribulations suffered the Apostles Martyrs Confessours Virgins and all the rest who endeavoured to follow Christâ— steps they hated their lives here that they might have life everlasting 5 O how strict and severe a life led those holy Fatherâ— in the wildernesse What long and grievous temptations did they endure How often were they vexed with our common enemy 6 What often and fervent praiers did they offer unto God How rigorous abstinency did they daily undergoe What fervent care and zeale had they to profit in the spirit How great and sharp a combate had they for the taming of their vices how pure an dright an intention had they to Godvvard They laboured all day praied all night although when they labroured with the body they prayed with the mind 7 In a word they spent all their time to their best advantage and thought the houre to soone at an end they imployed in God's service 8 For the great sweetnesse they found in heavenly contemplations they forgot the necessity of their corporall refection and for the food of their soules did not regard the reliefe of their bodies 9 As for all riches dignities honours friends and kinsfolkes they utterly renounced them all and desired to have nothing this world can afford 10 They could hardly be perswaded to take the necessary sustenance of their life and to yeeld to their body in that they must needs was with a great deale of repugnancy 11 They were very poore in outward goods but very rich in inward grace without they seemed needy but within they were refreshed with grace and heavenly consolation 12 They were meere strangers to the world but were neere and familiar friends to God in their owne eyes and in the sight of the world they were but abject and despised persons but in the eyes of God very pâ—etious and beloved 13 They were grounded in humility lived in obedience walked in charity and patience therefore did they daily profit in the spirit and obtained great favour at the hands of God 14 They were set out for examples to all righteous men and these few men should more provoke us to a spirituall progresse then the great number of luke-warme Christians to a remisnesse in behaviour 15 O how great was the fervour of all religious persons in the beginning of their holy institution 16 How great was their devotionâ— to praier how great emulation of vertue How exact discipline was set on â—oote how great reverence and obedience observed they in all things under the rule of their superiors 17 Their footsteps yet remaining do testifie that they were indeed holy and perfect men who fighting so stoutly trod the world under their feet 18 Now he is thought a jolly man that is not an open offender and can but patiently endure what he hath already undertaken 19 O the coldnesse and negligence of our time and state that we soone decline from our first fervour that by reason of our luke-warmnesse and sloath we are even weary of our lives 20 It is a signe that all proficiency in vertue is utterly dead in us when we follow not the examples of so many godly men before us CHAP. 19. Of the exercise of good religious persons THe life of a good religious person ought to excell in all kind of vertue that he may be such a one inwardly to God as he seemeth to be out wardly to men
and look only to thy selfe 11 Furthermore thou shalt gaine much if thou shalt keep thy selfe fâ—ce from all worldly cares and thou shalt greatly decay if thou make any account of earthly things 12 Account nothing great nothing high nothing gratefull nothing acceptable but God alone or that which is from God 13 Esteem all comfort vain which thou receivest from any creature the soul that loveth God despiseth all things in respect of God 14 God alone who is eternall infinite and incomprehensible is the comfort of the soule and the true joy of the heart CHAP. VI. Of the joy of a good Conscience THe glory of a good man is the testimony of a good conscience have a good conscience and thou shalt ever have joy 2 A good conscience is able to endure much and is exceeding cheerfull in adversities an evill conscience is alwaies fearfull and unquiet 3 Thou shalt rest quietly if thine heart reprove thee not rejoyce not but when thou hast done well 4 Wicked men have never any true joy neither doe they feele inward peace for there is no peace to the wicked saith the Lord. 5 Although they say we live in peace there shall no evill happen unto us and who dares doe us any harm 6 Believe them not for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord arise and their actions shall turn to nothing and their cogitations shall utterly perish 7 To glory in tribulation is no hard thing to him that loveth for so to glory is to glory in the Crosse of our Lord. 8 The glory is short which is given and received from men sorrow alwaies attends the glory of the world 9 The glory of the good is in the testimony of a good conscience and not in the tongues of men the gladnesse of the just is of God and in God and their joy is of the truth 10 He that desireth true and everlasting glory careth not for that which is temporall and he that seeketh after temporall glory or contemneth it not from his heart is lesse in love with heavenly 11 He injoyeth great tranquility of mind that eareth not for the praises or dispraises of men he is easily content and pacified whose conscience is pure 12 Thou art not the more holy for being commended nor the more vile for being dispraised thou art what thou art neither canst thou be greater then what thou art in the sight of God 13 If thou consider what thou art within thee thou wilt not care what men say of thee man seeth but the face but God considereth the heart 14 Man looketh upon the deeds but God weigheth the intentions to doe alwaies well and to esteeme litle of thy selfe is a signe of an humble mind 15 To refuse to be comforted by any creature is a signe of great purity and inward confidence 16 He that seeketh a thing without himselfe to bear witnesse of himselfe it is plain he hath referred himselfe wholly unto God 17 For not he that commendeth himselfe the same is approved saith S. Paul but hee whom God commendeth 17 To walk inwardly with God and not to be possessed with any outward affection is the state of an inward and spirituall man CHAP. VII Of the love of Iesus above all things BLessed is he that understandeth what it is to love Iesus and to despise himselfe for Iesus sake 2 Thou oughest to leave thy beloved for thy beloved thy beloved sin for thy beloved Saviour for that Iesus will alone be beloved above all things 3 The love of the creature is deceiptfull and unconstant the love of Iesus is faithfull and permanent 4 He that cleaveth to creatures shall full with that which is ready to fall he that embraceth Iesus shall be fastned into him 5 Love him and keep him for thy friend who when all goe away will not forsake thee nor suffer thee to perish in the end 6 Prevent the world and begin to forsake it first before it forsake thee for thou must one day be left of all men whether thou wilt or no. 7 Stick thee close to Iesus both in life and death and commit thy selfe unto his trust who when all faile can alone helpe thee 8 Thy beloved is of that nature that he will none of that which appertaineth to others but will have thy heart alone and sit like a King in his owne throne 9 If thou couldest purge thy selfe perfectly of all creatures Iesus would willingly dwell with thee whatsoever confidence thou reposest in men without Iesus is all no better then lost 10 Trust not nor rely upon a reed full of wind for that all flesh is as grasse and all the glory thereof shall wither away as the flower of the field 11 Thou shalt quickly be deceived if thou look only to the outward shew of men and if in them thou seekest for comfort and commodity thou shalt instead thereof often feele losses and crosses 12 If thou seekest Jesus in all things thou shalt surely find Iesus but if thou seekest thy selfe thou shalt also find thy selfe but to thine own destruction 13 For man doth more hurt himselfe if he seeke not Iesus then the whole world and all his adversaries could annoy him CHAP. VIII Of familiar oonversation with IESVS VVHen Iesus is present all is well and nothing seemeth difficult but when Iesus is absent every thing is hard 2 When Iesus speaketh not inwardly unto us our comfort is nothing worth but if Iesus speak but one word we feele much consolation 3 Did not Mary Magdalen presently rise from the place where she wept when Martha said unto her Thy master is here and calleth thee 4 Happy is the houre when Iesus calleth from the teares of the eyes to the joy of the spirit How dry and hard art thou without Iesus How foolish and vaine if thou desire any thing out of Iesus Is not this a greater losse then if thou shouldest loose the whole world 5 What can the world profit thee without Iesus To be without Iesus is a grievous hell and to be with Iesus is a sweet Paradise 6 If Iesus be with thee no enemy can hurt thee he that findeth Iesus findeth a good treasure yea a good above all goods 7 And he that looseth Iesus looseth too much and more then the whole world He is most poore that liveth without Iesus and he most rich that is well with Iesus 8 It is a great skil to know how to converse with Iesus and a great wisdome to know how to keepe Iesus 9 Be humble and peaceable and Iesus will be with thee be devout and quiet and Iesus will stay with thee 10 Thou maist drive away Iesus and loose his grace if thou givest thy selfe to outward things 11 And if thou shouldest drive him from thee and loose him unto whom wilt thou fly and what friend wilt thou then seeke 12 Without a friend thou canst not well live and if Iesus be not above all a friend unto thee thou shalt be too too
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
not better thy selfe For when occasion doth happen thou shalt find that which thou soughtest to fly and perhaps more A Praier for clensing the heart and obtaining of heavenly wisdome COnfirme me Lord with the grace of thy holy spirit Give me force to strengthen my inward man and to purge my heart from all unprofitable care and griefe 2 Not to be drawne away with sundry desires of any thing either litle or great but to consider all things how they are transitory and doe quickly fade and that I my selfe doe also passe away together with them 3 For nothing is permanent under the sun where all things are vanity and affliction of mind O how wise is he that so considereth them 4 Grant me Lord heavenly wisdome that I may learne above all things to seeke and find thee above all things to delight in thee and to love thee and to think of all created things as they are according to the disposition of thy wisdome 5 Grant me prudently to avoid him that flatters me and to suffer patiently him that contradicts me 6 It is great wisdome not to be moved with every blast of words nor to give eare to dangerous flattery for so we shall goe one securely in the way which we have begun CHAP. XXVIII Against the tongue of Slanderers SOnne be not grieved if some think evill of thee and speake that which thou doest not willingly heare 2 Thou oughtest to judge the worst of thy selfe and to think no man weaker then thy selfe If thou walke well inwardly thou wilt not much esteeme of flying words abroad 3 It is no small wisdome to be silent in time of evill and inwardly to turne to me and not to be troubled with the judgment of men 4 Let not thy peace be in the tongues of men For whether they judge well or evill thou art neverthelesse alwaies the same 5 Where is true peace and true glory Is it not in me And he that coveteth not to please men nor feareth to displease them shall enjoy much peace 6 From inordinate love and vaine feareth ariseth all disquietnesse of the heart and distraction of the senses CHAP. XXIX How we ought to call upon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere BLessed O Lord be thy name for ever since it pleaseth thee that this temptation and tribulation should fall upon me 2 I cannot fly it but have need to fly to thee that thou maist helpe me and turne it to my good 3 Lord I am now afflicted and it is not well with me I am much troubled with this present griefe 4 And now deare Father what shall I say I am taken in narrow straits save me from this houre yet therefore came I into this houre that thou maist be glorified when I shall be greatly humbled and by thee delivered 5 Let it please thee Lord to deliver me for poore wretch that I am what can I doe and whither shall I goe without thee 6 Grant patience Lord even this time also Help me my God and then I will not feare how much soever I be oppressed 7 And now in this what shall I say Lord thy will be done I have wel deserved to be afflicted and grieved 8 Surely I ought to beare it and I would to God I might beare it with patience untill the tempest be passed over and it become calme 9 But thy omnipotent hand is able to take this temptation from me and to asswage the violence thereof that I utterly sink not under it as oftentimes heretofore thou hast done unto me my Lord my Mercy 10 And how much the more hard it is to me so much the more easie is this change of thy mighty hand to thee CHAP. XXX Of craving the divine aide and confidence of recovering grace SOnne I am thy Lord who doe use to give comfort in the day of tribulation Come unto me when it is not well with thee 2 This is that which most of all hindreth heavenly consolation that thou art slow in turning thy selfe unto praier 3 For before thou doest earnestly commend thy selfe to me thou seekest many comforts and delightest thy selfe in outward things 4 And hence it proceedeth that all doth litle profit thee untill thou consider that I am he that deliver those that trust in me 5 And that out of me there is neither powerfull help nor profitable counsell nor remedy that can continue 6 But now thou having recovered breath after the tempest gather strength againe in the light of my mercies 7 For I am at hand saith our Lord to repaire all things not only entirely but also abundantly in a very plentifull measure 8 Is there any thing hard to me or am I like unto him that promiseth and performeth not 9 Where is thy faith Be firme and constant take courage and be patient comfort will be given thee in due time 10 Attend me expect I will come and cure thee It is a temptation that vexeth thee and a vaine feare that affrighteh thee 11 What else doth the care for future incertainties bring thee but sorrow upon sorrow Sufficient for the day is the evill thereof 12 It is a vaine and unprofitable thing to be grieved or to rejoyce for future things that perhaps will never happen 13 But it is incident to man to be deluded with such imaginations and a signe of litle courage to be so easily drawne away by the suggestion of the enemy 14 For he careth not so he delude and deceive thee whether it be true or false which he proposeth whether he overthrow thee with the love of present or the feare of future things 15 Let not therefore thy heart be troubled neither doe thou feare Believe in me and put thy trust in my mercy 16 When thou thinkest thy selfe furthest off from me oftentimes I am neerest unto thee 17 When thou judgest that almost all is lost then oftentimes greatest hope of obtaining is at hand All is not lost when any thing falleth out contrary unto thee 18 Thou must not judge according to that which thou feelest for the present nor give thy selfe over to any griefe from whence soever it commeth as though all hope of delivery were quite gone 19 Think not thy selfe wholly left although for a time I have sent thee some tribulation or withdrawne thy desired comfort for this is the way to the Kingdome of heaven 20 And without doubt it is more expedient for thee and the rest of my servants that ye be exercised with many adversities then that yee should have all things according to your desires 21 I know the secret thoughts of thy heart and that it is very expedient for thy soules health that thou be left sometimes without tast and feeling of spirituall sweetnesse 21 Least perhaps thou shouldest be puffed up with good successe and shouldest please thy selfe in that which thou art not 22 That which I have given I can take away and restore it againe when I please 5 When I give
a poore and banished man in the land of mine enemies where there are daily warres and great mis-fortunes 13 Comfort my banishment asswage my sorrow for my whole desire sendeth up sighes unto thee For all â—s burdensome to me whatsoever this world offereth for my comfort 14 I desire familiarly to enjoy thee but I cannot attaine unto it I would gladly fixe my heart to the things of heaven but temporall cares and unmortiâ—ied passions weigh me downe 15 In â—ind I would be above all things but to my flesh I am inforced to be subject against my will 16 Thus unhappy man that I am I fight against my selfe and am become grievous to my selfe whilst my spirit seeketh after the things that are above and my flesh that which is below 17 O what doe I inwardly suffer when in mind I consider heavenly things and presently in my praiers a multitude of fleshly fantasies present themselves before me 18 My God be not farre from me depart not in thy wrath from thy servant Cast forth thy lightning and disperse them send out thy darts and breake all the fantasies of my enemy 19 Gather my senses together unto thee make me forget the things of this world grant me grace to cast away speedily the appearance of vices 20 Succour me O everlasting truth that no vanity may move me Come heavenly sweetnesse and let all impurity fly from thy face 21 Paâ—don me also and mercifully forgive me as often as I think upon any thing else besides thee in prayer 22 I truly confesse that I am wont to be subject to many distractions for oftentâ—mes I am not there where I doe corporally stand or sit but rather whither my thoughts doe carry me 23 Where my thoughts are there am Iâ— there is oftentimes my thought where my affection is that quickly occurreth unto me which is naturally delightsome and by custome pleasing 24 And for this cause thou thaâ— art truth it selfe hast plainly said Where thy treasure is there is also thy heart 25 If I love heaven I willingly think of heavenly things If I love the world I rejoyce at the felicity of the world and grieve for the adversity thereof 26 If I love the flesh I imagine oftentimes those things that are pleasing to the flesh If I love the spirit I delight to think of spirituall things 27 For whatsoever I love thereof doe I willingly speake and heare and carry home with me the formes and representations thereof 28 O blessed is that man that for thee O Lord forsaketh all creatures that violently resisteth nature and out of the fervour of spirit crucifieth the concupiscences of the flesh 29 That with a cleare conscience he may offer sincere praiers unto thee and be worthy of the coâ—pany of the angelicall Quires all earthly things outwardly and â—nwardly being excluded CHAP. XLIX Of the desire of everlasting life and how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly SOnne when thou perceivest the desire of everlasting blisse to be given thee from above and desirest to depart out of the Tabernacle of this body that thou maist without shadow of any enterchange behold my light open thy heart and receive this holy inspiration with thy whole desire 2 Give great thankes to the heavenly goodnesse that dealeth with thee so favourably visiteth thee mercifully stirreth thee up fervently holdeth thee up powerfully lest through thine own weight thou fall downe to the vanitieâ— of the earth 3 Neither doest thou obtaine this by thine owne thought or endeavour but by the only favour of heavenly grace and divine bounty 4 That thou maist profit in vertue and obtaine greater humility and prepare thy selfe to future battailes and endeavour to cleave unto me with the whole affection of thy heart and serve me with a servent desire 5 Sonne fire often burneth but flame ascendeth not up without smoke so likewise the desires of some men are earnestly carried to heavenly things and yet they are not free from temptation of carnall affection 6 And therefore it is not altogether purely for the honour of God that which they so earnestly request of him 7 Such is also oftentimes thy desire which with such importunity thou presentest unto me 8 For that is not pure and perfect which is infected and desiled with the love of thine owne proper commodity and interest 9 Aske not that which is delightsome and profitable to thee but that which is gratefull to me and appetaineth to my honour 10 For if thou judgest aright thou oughtest to preferre and follow my appointment rather then thine owne desire or any thing that can be desired 11 I know thy desire and have heard thy often groanes Now thou wouldest be in the freedome of the glory of the Sonnes of God now doth the everlasting habitation and the heavenly Country full of joy delight thee 12 But this houre is not yet come it is yet another time to wit a time of warre a time of labour and triall 13 Thou desirest to be filled with the chiefest good but thou canst not attaine it for the present I am he saith our Lord expect untill the Kingdome of God doth come 14 Thou art yet to be tried upon earth and to be exercised in many things Comfort shall be sometimes given thee but abundant fulnesse thereof shall not be granted to thee 15 Take courage therefore and be valiant as well in doing as in suffering things contrary to nature Thou oughtest to put on a new man and to be changed into another man 16 Thou must oftentimes doe that which thou wouldest not and leave undone that which thou wouldest that which is pleasing to others shall goe well forwards that which thou wishest shall not speed 17 That which others say shall be heard what thou saist shall be nothing regarded Others shall aske and shall receive thou shalt aske and not obtaine 18 Others shall be great in thc praises of men but of thee there shall be no speech to others this or that shall be committed but thou shalt be accompted sit for nothing 19 At this nature will sometimes repine and it is much if thou endurest it with silence 20 In these and such like a faithfull servant of our Lord is wont to be tried how he can deny and overcome himselfe in all things 21 There is scarce any thing wherein thou hast such need to mortifie thy selfe as in seeing and suffering those things that â—are contrary to thy will 22 Especially when that is commanded which seemeth unto thee inconvenient or to little purpose 23 And for that thou being placed under authoritie darest nor resist higher power therefore it seemeth hard unto thee to walke at the beck of another and to leave wholly thine own opinion 24 But consider Sonne the fruit of these labours the end neare at hand and the reward above all measure and thou shalt receive no griefe there by but great comfort of thy patience 25 For in regard of that litle of
how farre off he is from the perfection of the Saints ehen he that disputeth of their greatnesse 27 It is better to labour after the piety devotion of the Saints and with an humble mind to imitate their glorious examples then to search their secrets with vaine curiosity 28 They are wel right wel contented if men could content themselves and refrain from these vain discourses 29 They glory not of their owne merits for they ascribe no good unto themselves but attribute all to me who of my infinite charity have bestowed my blessings upon them 30 They are replenished with so great love of my Godhead and so superabundant joy that there is no glory that is nor happinesse that can be wanting unto them 31 All the Saints how much the higher they be in glory so much the more humble they are in themselves nearer and dearer unto me 32 And therefore thou hast it written that they did cast their Crownes before God and fell downe upon their faces before the Lambe and adored him that liveth for ever and ever 33 Many inquire who is the greatest in the Kingdome of God that know not whether they shall ever be numbered there amongst the lest 34 It is no small matter to be even the lest in heaven where all are great for that all there shall be called and shall be indeed the Sons of God The lest there shall be great among thousands and the sinner of a hundred yeaes shall die 35 For when the Disciples asked who was the greatest in the Kingdome of heaven they received this answer unlesse you be converted and become as litle children you shall not enter into the Kingdome of heaven 35 Whosoever therefore shall humble himselfe as this litle child hee is greater in the Kingdome of heaven 37 Woe be unto them that disdaine to humble themselves willingly with litle children For the low gate of the Kingdome of heaven will not give them entrance 28 And woe be to the rich thâ—â— have their comforts here for whilst the poore enter into the Kingdome of God they shall be lamenting without 39 Rejoyce you that be humble and you that be poore be you glad for yours is the Kingdome of God if you walke according unto truth CHAP. LIX That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone LOrd what trust have I in this world or what is the greatest comfort that all things under heaven doe yeeld me Is it not thou my Lord God whose mercies are without number 2 Where hath it beene well with me without thee Or when could it be ill with me when thou were present I had rather be poore for thee then rich without thee 3 I had rather choose to be a Pilgrim in earth with thee then to possesse heaven without thee Where thou art there is heaven and there is death and hell where thou art not 4 Thou art my desire and therefore it behoveth me to send forth deep sighes from my heart and cry and pray unto thee 5 For I have none to trust unto none that can help me in time of necessitie but thee alone my God Thou art my hope and my trust thou art my comfort and most faithfull unto me in all my distresses 6 All men seeke their own gaine thou only seekest my salvation and my profit and turnest all things to my good 7 Although thou permittest many temptations to assault me and many adversities to befall me yet thou ordainest all this to my good and profit who art wont to prove thy beloved servants a thousand waies 8 In which proofe thou oughtest no lesse to beloved and praised then if thou didst replenish me with heavenly comforts 9 In thee therefore my Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation anguish for I find all to be weake and unconstant whatsoever I behold out of thee 10 For neither can many friends availe nor forcible helpers aide nor wise counsellours give profitable answer nor the books of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliver nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy selfe doest not assist help comfort instruct and keepe us 11 For all things that seeme to be ordained for the rest and solace of man when thou art absent are nothing and doe bring indeed no joy nor comfort at all 11 Thou therefore art the end of all that is good the light of life the depth of wisdome and the most forcible comfort of thy servants is to trust in thee above all things 12 To thee therefore doe I lift up mine eyes In thee my God the Father of mercies I put my whole trust 13 Blesse and sanctifie my soule with thy heavenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the â—eate of thy eternall glory and that noâ—hing may be found in the Temple of â—hy greatnesse that may offend the eyes of thy Majesty 14 According to the greatnesse of â—hy goodnesse and the multitude of thy mercies take pitty upon me and heare the praier of thy poore servant who is â—arre exiled from thee in the land of the â—hadow of death 15 Protect and keepe the soule of thy servant amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life and by the assistance of thy grace direct it in the way of peace to the country of everlasting light Amen The end of the third book OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST THE FOVRTH BOOK A devout exhortation unto the blessed Sacrament The Voice of Christ. COme unto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you saith our Lord. 2 The bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world 3 Take yee and eate that is my Body that shall be delivered for you doe this in remembrance of me 4 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh by blood dwelleth in me and I in him 5 The words which I have spoken unto you are spirit and life CHAP. I. With how great reverence Christ ought to be received The voice of the Disciple THese are thy words O Christ everlasting Truth though not spoken all at one time nor written in one and the selfe same place because therefore they are thine and true they are all of them thankfully and faithfully to be received by me 2 They are thine and thou hast spoken them and they are mine also because thou hast spoken them for my salvation I willingly receive them from thy mouth that they may be the deeper imprinted in my heart 3 These devout words so full of sweetnesse and love doe stirre me up but mine owne offences doe amaze me and my impure conscience driveth me back from the receiving of so great mysteries 4 The sweetnesse of thy words doth incourage me but the multitude of my sinnes doe oppresse me 5 Thou commandest me to come confidently unto thee if I will have part with thee and to receive the food of immortality if I desire to obtaine everlasting
and unlesse this divine remedy helpe him he quickly slideth to worse 13 This holy communion therefore draweth back from evill and comforteth in good 14 For if I be now so often slack and negligent when I communicate or officiate what would become of mee if I receaved not this remedy sought not after so great helpe 15 Though every day I be not sit not well prepared to communicate I will endeavour notwithstanding at convenient times to receave the divine mysteries and make my selfe partaker of so great a grace 16 For this is the only chiefe comfort of a faithfull soule whilest she wandreth from thee in this mortall body that being mindfull of her God she often receave her beloved with a devout minde 17 O wonderfull benignity of thy mercy towards us that thou Lord God the Creator and giver of life to all spirits doest vouchsafe to come unto a poore soule 18 And with thy whole Deity and Humanity to turn her hunger into satiety â— o happy minde and blessed soule that is vouchsafed to receave thee her Lord God with devout affection and in receaving of thee to be filled with spirituall joy 19 O how great a Lord doth she entertaine How beloved a guest doth she harbour how pleasant a companion doth she receave how faithfull â— friend doth she accept how beautifull and noble a spouse doth she imbrace 20 Shee imbraceth him who is to be loved above all that is beloved and above all things that may be desired Let heaven and earth all their beauty be silent in thy presence 21 For what beauty and praise soever they have it is receaved from thy honour and shall not equall the beauty of thy name of whose wisdome there is no end CHAP. IV. That many benefits are bestowed upon them that communicate devoutly The voice of the Disciple O My Lord God prevent thy servant in the blessings of thy swetnesse that I may attaine thy favour to approach worthily and devoutly to the holy Sacrament 2 Stirre up my heart unto thee deliver me from all heavinesse slothâ—â— visit me with thy comfort that I may tast in spirit thy sweetnesse which iâ— this Sacrament as in a fountain plentâ— fully lyeth hid 3 Give light also to mine eyes â— behold so great a mystery and strong then me to believe it with undoubteâ—â— faith 4 For it is thy worke and noâ— mans power thy sacred institution noâ— mans invention 3 For no man is of himselfe able to comprehend and understand thâ—â— things which surpasse the deepest reach even of Angels 4 What therefore shall Iunworthy sinner earth and ashes be able to search and comprehend of so high and sacred a mystery 5 O Lord in syncerity of my heart with a good and firme faith and at thy commandement I come unto thee with hope and reverence and doe verily believe that thou God and Man affordest a gracious presence at this Sacrament 6 Thy holy pleasure is that I receave thee and by charity doe unite my selfe unto thee 7 Wherefore I doe flee unto thy clemency and doe crave speciall grace that I may wholly melt in thee and abound with love and hereafter never admit any externall comfort 8 For this most high and worthy Sacrament is the health of the soule and body the remedy of all spirituall sicknesse 9 By it my vices are cured my passions bridled temptations overcome or weakned greater grace infused vertue increased faith confirmed hope strengthened and charity inflamed and enlarged 3 For thou hast bestowed still oftentimes doest bestow many benefits in this Sacrament upon thy beloved that receave it devoutly 11 O my God the Protectour of my soule the strengthener of humane frailety and the giver of all inward comfort 12 Thou impartest unto them much comfort against sundry tribulations and liftest them up from the depth of their own basenesse to the hope of thy protection and doest inwardly refresh and illustrate them with a certain new grace 13 In such sort that they who before Communion felt themselves heavy and indisposed afterwards being strengthened with heavenly meate and drinke doe find in themselves a great change to the better 14 Which thou dost so dispose to thy elect that they may truly acknowledge and patiently proove how great their own infirmitie is and what benefit and grace they receave from thee 15 For they of themselves are cold dull and undevout but by thee they are made fervent cheerefull and full of devotion 16 For who is there that approaching humbly unto the fountaine of sweetnesse doth not carry away from thence at least some litle sweetnesse 17 Or who standing by a great fire receaveth not some small heat thereby Thou art a fountaine alwaies full and overflowing a fire ever burning and never decaying 18 Wherefore if I cannot draw at the full out of the fountaine nor drink my fill I will notwithstanding set my lips to the mouth of this heavenly conduite that I may draw from thence at least some small droppe to refresh my thirst to the end I wither not away and utterly perish 19 And though I be not altogether celestiall nor so inflamed as the Cherubims and Seraphims notwithstanding I will endeavour to apply my selfe to devotion and dispose my heart to obtaine some small sparke of divine fire by humble receaving of this life-giving Sacrament 20 And whatsoever is hereunto wanting in me good Iesu most blessed Saviour doe thou supply for me most benigne and gracious Lord who hast vouchsafed to call all unto thee saying Come unto mee all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you 21 I labour in the sweate of my browes I am vexed with griefe of heart I am burdened with sinnes I am troubled with temptations I am intangled and oppressed with many evill passions 22 And there is none to helpe me none to deliver and save me but thou Lord God my Saviour to whom I commit my selfe all mine that thou maist keep me and bring me to life everlasting 22 Receave me to the honour and glory of thy name who hast prepared thy Body and Bloud to be my meat drinke 23 Grant O Lord God my Saviour that by frequenting thy mysteries my zeale and devotion may increase more and more CHAP. V. Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Priestly function The voice of Christ. IF thou hadst angelicall purity and the Sanctity of S. Iohn Baptist thou â—vert not worthy to receive nor handle â—his Sacrament 2 For it is not within the compasse of the deserts of men that man should consecrate and handle the Sacrament of Christ receive for food the bread of Angels 3 A great mystery and great is the dignity of Priests to whom is granted that which is not permitted to the Angels 4 For Priests alone rightly instituted in the Church have power to ceâ—ebrate and consecrate the Body of Christ. 5 The Priest is the Minister of God using the words of God by the
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
shall be perfectly united unto God Then he will say unto me if thou wilt be with me I will be with thee 16 And I will answer him Vouchsafe O Lord to remaine with me I will very gladly be with thee This is my whole desire that my heart be united unto thee CHAP. XIV Of the fervent desire of some devout persons to receave the body of Christ. The voice of the Disciple O How great is the store of thy sweetnesse O Lord which thou hast hidden for them that fear thee 2 When I remember some devout persons who come unto thy Sacrament O Lord with great devotion and affection I am oftentimes confounded blush within my selfe that I come so negligently and coldly to thy altar and to the table of the holy Communion 3 That I remaine so dry and without any hearty affection that I am not wholly inflamed in thy presence my God 4 Nor so earnestly drawne and moved as many devout persons have been who out of a vehement desire of receaving and a feeling affection of heart could not containe themselves from weeping 5 But with the desire both of soule and body they earnestly longed after thee O God the lively fountaine being not otherwise able to temper not satisfie their hunger but by receaving thy body with all joy and spirituall greedinesse 6 O most ardent faith of those persons a probable argument of thy sacred presence 7 For these truly know their Lord in the breaking of bread whose heart burneth so within them whilest thou O blessed Iesu walkest with them 8 Such desire and devotion I seldome find in me so vehement love and fervency is oftentimes farre off from mee 9 Be mercifull unto mee good Iesu sweet and benigne Lord and grant me thy poore needy creature to feele sometimes at least in this holy Sacrament a litle hearty desire of thy love 10 That my faith may be more strengthened my hope in thy goodnesse increased and that my charity once pefectly inflamed after the tasting of heavenly Manna may never decay 11 Thy mercy O Lord is able to give me the grace I desire and to visâ—â— me in thy bounteous clemency with the spirit of fervour when it shall please thee 12 For although I burne notwith so great desire as those that are so especially devoted unto thee yet notwithstanding by thy grace I desire to have this great inflamed desire 13 Praying and craving that I may participate with all such thy fervent lovers and be numbred among them in their holy company CHAP. XV. That the grace of devotion is obtained by humility and deniall of our selves The voice of the Beloved THou oughtest to seeke the grace of devotion instantly to aske it earnestly to expect it patiently and confidently to receave it joyfully to keep it humbly to worke with it diligently 2 And to commit the time and manner of this heavenly visitation to God untill it shall be his pleasure to come 3 Thou oughtest chiefly to humble thy selfe when thou feelest inwardly litle or no devotion and yâ—t be not too much dejected nor grieve inordinaâ—ly for it 4 God often giveth in a short moment that which he hath a long time denyed he giveth sometimes in the end that which in the begining of prayes he deferred to grant 5 If grace should bee alwaiâ—s presently given and at hand ever with a wish it could not be well indured by a weak man 6 Therefore devotion is to be expected with good hope and humble patience yet impute it to thy selfe and thy sinnes when it is not given thee or when it is secretly taken from thee 7 It is sometimes a small matter that hindreth and hideth grace from us if it be to be called small and not rather a great matter that hindreth so great a good 8 And if thou remove this be it great or small and perfectly overcome it thou shalt have thy desire 9 For presently as soone as thou givest thy selfe to God with thy whole heart and seekest not this nor that for thine own pleasure or will but setlest thy selfe wholly in him thou shalt find thy selfe united unto him and quiet 10 For nothing will tast so well and please thee so much as the good will and pleasure of almighty God 11 Whosoever therefore with a sincere heart directeth his intention to God and â—mptieth himselfe of all inordinate love 〈◊〉 dislike of any creature shall be most fit to receave grace and worthy of the gift of devotion 12 When a vessell is full already all that you powre in runneth quite beside For our Lord bestoweth his blessings there where he findeth his vessels empty 13 And how much the more perfectly one forsaketh the basest things and dieth to himselfe by contempt of himselfe 14 So much the more speedily grace commeth and entreth in more plentifully and lifteth up the heart that is free to a higher state of grace 15 Then shall he see and abound and wonder and his heart within shall be enlarged because the hand of our Lord is with him and he hath put himselfe wholly into his hand for ever 16 Behold so shall the man be blessed that seeketh Almighty God with his whole heart and busieth not his soule in vaine 17 This man procureth great grace of divine union in receaving the holy Eucharist for that he regardeth not his own devotion and comfort but above all he prizeth the honour and glory of God CHAP. XVI That we ought to manifest our necessity unto Christ and to crave his grace The voice of the Disciple O Most sweet and loving Lord whom I now desire to receive devoutly thou knowest my infirmity and the necessity which I endure with how many sinnes I am oppâ—essed how often I am grieved tempted troubled and defiled 2 I come unto thee for remedy I crave of thee thy heavenly comfort the â—ase of my paine 3 I speak to him that knoweth all things to whom all my secrets are open and who can only perfectly comfort and help me 4 Thou knowest what it is wherof above all I stand in most need and how poore I am in vertues 5 Behold I stand before thee poore and naked calling for grace and graving mercy 6 Refresh this thy hungry needy creature give heat unto my coldnesse with the fire of thy love give light unto my blindesse with the brightnesse of thy presence 7 Turne all earthly things into bitternesse to me all things grievous contrary into patience all base and created things into contempt and oblivion 8 Lift up my heart to thee in heaven and suffer me not to wander upon earth be thou only sweet and delightsome unto me from henceforth for evermore 9 For thou only art my meat and my drinke my love and my ioy my delight and all my good 10 O thâ—t with thy presence thou wouldest wholly inflame burne and change me into thee that I might be made one spirit with thee by the grace of inward union
the melting of fervent love 11 Suffer me not to goe from thee hungry and dry but deale mercifully with me as thou hast oftentimes dealt wonderfully with thy Saiuts 12 What marveâ—le if I should be wholy inflamed by thee and dye in my selfe sith thou art ever burning and never decaying love purifying the heart and inlightning the understanâ—â—ing CHAP. XVII Of burning love and vehement desire to receive Christ. The voice of the Disciple VVIth great devotion and burning love with most hearty affection and fervour I desire to receive thee O Lord 2 As many Saints and devout persons have desired thee when they received thy Sacrament who were most pleasing unto thee in holinesse of life and most fervent in devotion 3 O my God my everlasting love my whole good my happinesse without end I would gladly receive thee with the most vehement desire and most worthy reverence that any of the Saints ever had or could feele 4 And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion yet I offer unto thee the whole affection of my heart as if I alone had all those most sweet inflamed desires 5 Yea whatsoever also a devout mind can conceive and desire all that with greatest reverence and most inward affection I offer and present unto thee 6 I wish to reserve nothing to my selfe but freely and most willingly to sacrifice my self and all mine unto thee my Lord God my Creatour and my Redeemer 7 I desire to receive thee this day with such affection reverence praise and honour with such gratitude worthinesse and love with such faith hope and puritie 8 As thy most blessed Mother the glorious Virgin Marie received and desired thee when she humbly and devoutly answered the Angell 9 Who declared unto her the mysterie of the Incarnation and said Behold the handmaid of the Lord let it be done unto mee according to thy word 10 And as thy blessed Fore-runner the most excellent amongst the Saints Iohn Baptist cheerfully leaped with joy of the Holy Ghost whilst he was yet shut up in his Mothers wombe 11 And afterwards seeing Iesus walking amongst men humbling himselfe very much said with devout affection The friend of the Bridegroome that standeth and heareth him rejoyced with joy for the voice of the Bridegroome 12 So I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desire and to offeâ— my selfe up to thee with my while heart 13 Wherefore I offer also and present unto thee joyes fervent desires excesse of mind spirituall illuminations and heavenly visions of all devouâ— hearts 14 With all the vertues and praises exercised by all creatures in heaven and earth for my selfe and all such as are commended to me in praier that by all thou maist be worthily praised and glorified for ever 15 Receive my Lord God the affections of my heart and desires which I have to give thee infinite praise and thankes which according to the measure of thy unspeakable greatnesse are due unto thee 16 These I yeeld thee and desire to yeeld thee every day and moment of time and I doe intreate and invite all the heavenly spirits and all thy devout fervants to give thankes and praises together with me 17 Let all people Tribes and Tongues praise thee and magnifie thy holy and sweet name with great joy and fervent devotion and let all that â—everently and devoutly celebrate thy most high Sacrament and receive it with full faith find grace and mercy at thy hands and pray humbly for me sinfull creature 18 And when they shall have obtained their desired devotion and joyfull union and depart from thy sacred heavenly table well comforted and marveilously refreshed let them vouchsafe to remember my poore and needy foule CHAP. VIII That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense unto faith TYPE = sub The voice of the Beloved THou oughtest to beware curious and unprofitable searching into this most profound Sacrament if thou wile not be drowned in the depth of doubt 2 He that is a searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by glory God is able to worke more then man can understand 3 A pious and humble inquirie of truth is tolerable so he be alwaies ready to be taught and doe endeavour to walke in the sound paths of the ancient Fathers doctrine 4 Blessed is that simplicitie that forsaketh the difficult waies of questions and goeth on in the plaine and assured path of Gods Commandements Many have lost devotion whilst they would search after high things 5 Faith and sincere life are exacted thy hands not height of understaning nor the depth of the mysteries of God 6 If thou doest not understand or conceive those things that are under â—hee how shalt thou be able to comprehend those that are above thee 7 Submit thy selfe to God and let thy sense be subject to faith and the â—ight of knowledge shall be given thee in that degree as shall be profitable and necessary for thee 8 Some are grievously tempted about faith and the Sacrament but that is not to be imputed to them but rather to the enemie 9 Doe not regard nor dispute with thy thoughts neither doe thou give answer to the doubts moved by the enemie 10 But believe the words of God believe his Saints and Prophets and the wicked Serpent wil fly from thee 11 It is oftentimes very profitable to the servant of God to suffer such things 12 For he tempteth not Infidelâ— and sinners whom he already secure possesseth but he sundry waies temâ—teth and vexeth the faithfull and dâ—vout 13 Goe forward therefore with sincere undoubted faith and come 〈◊〉 the Sacrament with unfeigned reverence And whatsoever thou art not able to understand commit securely 〈◊〉 Almighty God 14 God deceiveth thee not he deceived that trusteth too much to him selfe God walketh with the simple râ—vealeth himselfe to the humble giveâ— understanding to litle ones openets the sense to pure minds hideth grace from the curious and proud 15 Humane reason is weake and may be deceived but true faith cannoâ— be deceived 16 All reason and naturall search ought to follow faith not to goe before it nor impugne it 17 For faith and love doe chiefly excell and worke in a hidden manner in this most blessed and superexcellent Sacrament 18 God who is everlasing and of infinite power doth great and inâ—â—â—utable things in heaven and in earth â—nd there is no searching out of his â—onderfull workes 19 If the workes of God were â—â—ch as might be easily comprehended by humane reason they were not to be called wonderfull and unspeakable FINIS A TABLE Of the Chapters contained in this Booke THE FIRST BOOK OF following Christ and the contempt of all worldly vanities pag. 1 To have an humble opinion of ones selfe 4 Of the doctrine of truth 7 Of providence or prudence in our actions 12 Of the reading of holy Scriptures 13 Of inordinate desires and affection 15
to the bearing of adversity and account it as the greatest comfort 46 Set thou thy heart upon the suffering of tribulations and account them the greatest comforts 47 For that the passions of this life are not worthy of the glory that shall be revealed although thou alone couldest suffer them all 48 When thou shalt come to this estate that tribulation for Christ's sake shall seeme sweet and pleasant unto thee then think it is well with thee for thou hast found a Parradise upon earth 49 As long as it is grievous unto thee to suffer and that thou desirest to fly it so long shalt thou be ill at ease and the tribulation thou fliest will follow thee every where 50 If thou setlest thy selfe to that thou oughtest to wit to suffer and to die to thy selfe it will quickly be better with thee and thou shalt find peace 51 Although thou shouldest have been rapt even unto the third heaven with Paul thou art not by this secured that thou shalt suffer no contradiction 52 I saith IESVS will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name It resteth therefore that thou suffer for him if thou wilt love IESUS and perpetually serve him 53 O would to God thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Iesus how great glory would it be unto thee what joy to all the Saints of God how great edification also to thy neighbour 54 For all doe commend patience thought few desire to suffer With great reason thou oughtest to be willing to suffer a litle for Christ since many suffer far great things for the love of the world 55 Know for certaine that thou oughtest to lead a dying life And how much the more every one dieth to himselfe so much the more doth he begin to live unto God 56 No man is sit to attaine unto heavenly things unlesse he submit himselfe to the bearing of adversities for Christ. 57 Nothing is more gratefull unto God nothing more wholesome to thee in this world then to suffer willingly for Christ. 58 And if it were in thy choice thou shouldest rather wish to suffer adversities for Christ then to enjoy the delight of many comforts 59 Because by these meanes thou shouldst be more like unto Christ and more conformable to all Saints 60 For our good workes and the perfectioÌ„ of our estate consisteth not in much sweetnesse and comforts but rather in suffering great afflictions and tribulations 61 If there had been any better thing and more profitable to the soules health then suffering surely Christ would have shâ—wed it by word and example 62 But he plainly exhorted all the disciples that followed him and all that desire to follow him to the bearing of the Crosse 63 And saith if any man will come after me let him deny himselfe and take up his Crosse and follow me 64 So as when we have read and searched all let this be the last conclusion That by many tribulations wee must enter into the Kingdome of God The end of the second Book OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE THIRD BOOK CHAP. I. Of the inward speech of Christ to a faithfull soule I Will heare what our Lord God will speake in me Blessed is the soule that heareth our Lord speaking in hâ—â— and receiveth from his mouth the word of comfort 2 Blessed are those eares that receive the sound of the divine voice and listen not to the whisperings of the world 3 Blessed indeed are those eares that hearken not to the voice which soundeth outwardly but unto truth which teacheth inwardly 4 Blessed are the eyes that being shut up to outward things are attentive to those things that are within 5 Blessed are they that enter into the inward things and endeavour to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises to the attaining of heavenly secâ—ets 6 Blessed be they that delight to attend the service of God and cast from them all impediments of this world 7 Consider these things my soule and shut up the doores of thy sensuall desires thâ—â— thou maist heare what thy Lord God â—â—eaketh in thee 8 Thus saith thy beloved I am thy safâ—â—y thy peace and thy life Keepe thy selfe withâ—â—e and thou shalt find peace Forsake all transitâ—ry things and seeke those that be everlasting 9 What are all temporall things but deceiving snares and what doe all creatures availe thee if thou be forsaken by the Creator 10 Forsake therefore all earthly things and labour to please thy Creator and be faithful unto him that thou maist attaine unto true happinesse CHAP. II. That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words SPeake Lord for thy servant heareth I am thy servant grant me understanding that I may know thy testimonies 2 Stir up my heart to heare the words of thy mouth let thy speech descend as the dew into my soule 3 The children of Israel in times past said unto Moses Speake thou unto us and we shall heare theâ—e let not our Lord speake unto us least perhaps we die 4 Not so Lord not so I beseech thee But rather with the Prophet Samuel I humbly and earnestly intreat speake Lord for thy servant heareth 5 Let not Moses speake unto me nor any of the Pâ—ophets but thou rather speake my Lord God the inspirer and enlightner of all the Prophets 6 For thou alone without them canst perfectly instruct me but they without thee can profit me nothing 7 They can pronounce words but they give not spirit They speak marveilous well but if thou hold thy peace they inflame not the heart 8 They deliver the letters but thou openest the sense They bringforth mysteries but thou disclosest the understanding of sealed things 9 They declare thy commandements but thou helpest to fulfill them They shew the way but thou givest strength to walke in it 10 They work only exteriorly but thou instructest and enlightnest the hearts They water outwardly but thou givest fruitfulnesse They sound forth wordes but thou givest understanding to the hearing 11 Let not therefore Moses speak unto me but thou my Lord God the everlasting truth lest perhaps I should dye and become without fruit if I be warned outwardly only and not enflâ—med within 12 Lest the word heard and not fulfilled knowen and not loved believed and not observed should increase my punishment 13 Speak therefore Lord for thy servant heareth for thou hast the words of everlasting life Speak unto me to the comfort of my soule and to the amendment of my whole life and to thy praise and glory and everlasting honour CHAP. III. â—hat the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not SOnne hear my words wordes of great comfort excelling all the knowledge of the Philosophers and wise men of this world 2 My wordes are spirit and life not to be wâ—ighed by the understanding of man Thâ—y are not to be drawn to vaine liking but to be heard with silence and to be received with all
humility and great affection 3 And I said Blessed â—s the man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy saw that thou maist give him quietnesse from evill daies that he be not destroyed upon earth 4 I saith our Lord have taught the Prophets from the beginning and cease not continually to speak to every one but many are deafe and give no eare to my speech 5 The greater number doe more willingly listen to the world then to God and follow sooner the desires of their flesh then the will of God 6 The world promiseth temporall and small things and is served with great diligence I promise most high and eternall things and the hearts of men are nothing moved with it 7 Who is he that serveth and obeyeth me with equall care to that with which the world and the Lords thereof are served 8 Blush Sidon saith the sea and if thou aske the cause he are wherefore For a litle prebend a long journey is undertaken for everlasting life many will scarce once lift a foot from the ground 9 A thing of small value is sought after greedily for a penny sometimes there is great contention for a vaine thing and sleighâ— promise men doubâ— not to toile day and night 10 But alas for an unchangeable good for an inestimable reward for the highest honour and glory without end they are loath to take the least paines 11 Blush therefore slothfull and complaining servant that they are found more ready to destruction then thou to life They rejoyce more at vanity then thou at verity 12 And yet they are sometimes frustrated of their hope but my promise deceaveth none nor sendeth him away empty that trusteth in me 13 I will give that which I have promised I will fulfill that which I have said but to him that remaines faithfull in my love to the end I am the rewarder of all those who are good and doe try my devout servants with greater and severer temptations 14 Write my words in thy heart and think diligently of them for they will be very necessaâ—y in time of temptation 15 What thou understandest not when thou readest thou shalt know in â—he day of visitation 16 I am wont to visit my elect two severall waies to wit with temptation and comfort 17 And I daily read two lessons unto them one reprehending their vices another exhorting them to the increase of vertues 18 He that hath my wordes and despiseth them hath within himselfe that shall judge him at the last day A prayer to implore the grace of devotion 1 O Lord my God thou art all that I can desire What am I that dare speak unto thee I am thy poorest servant and a most vile worme much more poore and contemptible then I either know or dare expresse 2 And yet Lord remember this one thing that I am nothing that I have nothing and that I am worth nothing Thou alone art good thou alone art righteous thou alone art holy thou canst all thou doest all thou fillest all only the wicked thou sendest empty away Remember O Lord thy tender mercies fill my heart with thy grace for thou wilt that none of thy workes should be in vaine 3 How can I sustaine my selfe in this miserable life unlesse thy mercy and grace support me 4 Turne not thy face from me delay not thy visitations draw not away thy comfort least my soule become like a barren and dry land wherein is no water 5 Lord teach me to fulfill thy wil teach me to live worthily and humbly in thy sight for thou art my wisdome thou doest perfectly know me 6 Yea thou knowest me not only before I was conceived in the womb but also before the very world was made CHAP. IV. That we ought to live in truth humility in the sight of God SOnne walke in my sight in â—incerity and truth and ever seeke mee in singlenesse of heart 2 He that walketh before me in truth shall be defended from evill incursions truth shall deliver him from seducers and from the detractions of the wicked 3 If truth shall make the free thou shalt be free indeed and shalt not need to care for the vaine words of men 4 Lord it is true according as thou saist so I beseech thee be it unto mee lâ—t thy truâ—h teach me let it defend me and bring me to a blessed end 5 Let the same truth deliver me from â—ll evill affection and inordinate love and I shall walke with thee in great freedome of heart 6 I will teach thee saith the Truth those things that are right and pleasing in my sight Think of thy sinnes with great serrow and griefe and never esteem thy selfe any thing for thy good workes 7 Thou art in very deed a sinnerâ— and subject to many passions Of thy selfe thou alwaies tendest to nothing and art quickly cast down quickly overcome quickly troubled quickly dissolved 8 Thou hast nothing wherein thou canst glory but many things for which thou oughtest to humble and despise thy selfe for thou art much weaker then thou cast perceive 9 And therefore let nothing seem much unto thee whatsoever thou dost Let nothing seem great nothing precious and wonderfull nothing worthy of estimation 10 Nothing high nothing truly commendable and to be desired but that which is everlasting 11 Let the eternall Truth above all things please thee Let thy own great unworthinesse alwaies displease thee 12 Feare nothing blame and flye nothing so much as thy sinnes and vices which ought to displease thee more then the losse of any thing whatsoever 13 Some walk not sincerely in my sight but led by a certain curiosity and pride will know my secrets and understand the high mysteries of God neglecting themselves and their own salvation 14 These oftentimes for that I resist them doe fall into great temptations and sinnes for their pride and curiosity 15 Fear the judgements of God dread the wrath of the Almighty Bâ—t discusse not the works of the Highest Search thine own iniquities in how much thou hast offended and how much good thou hast neglected 16 Some carry their devotion only in books some in pictures some in outward signes and figures some have mee in their mouthes but litle in their hearts 18 There are others that being illuminated in their understanding and purged in their affection doe alwaies aspire with an earnest mind to everlasting happinesse 18 And are unwilling to heare of the things of this world and doe serve the necessities of nature with griefe and these perceave what the spirit of truth speaketh in them 19 Because it teacheth them to despise earthly love heavenly things to neglect the world and day night to desire heaven CHAP. V. Of the wonderfull effect of divine grace I Praise thee O heavenly Father Father of my Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast vouchsafed to remember me a poore and wretched creature 2 O Father of mercies and God of all comfort thanks be