Hayle sweete Iesus who didst permitt thy selfe to be mocked and scoffed and thy louely face which to behold is the cheifest happinesse for thy greater deriâ—â—on to be blindfolded 9. Grant that the vayle of ignorance beinge taken a way I maye be endued with the knowledge of thy Will 10. Imprint in my hart a continuall remembrance of thee 11. Hayle sweete Iesus who for my sake wert diuersly afflicted by the Iewes for a whole night together 12. Thou knowest ô Lord how hard a thinge it is for mee to suffer though neuer soe small a matter 13. Out of thy Mercie therefore assist my frailetie and graunt that I maye not cowardlie fall or faint at the cominge of any aduersitie 14. Hayle sweete Iesus who didst permitt thy selfe beinge mocked bound to be led â—o the Prophane Tribunall of Pilate the Iudge and in a disdaynefull manner to be presented before him thou thy selfe beinge the iudge of the liuinge and the dead 15. Grant that I maye be trulye subiect to my Superiors and all Powres ouer mee ordained by thee 16. That I maye obey my Equalls and loue and honour all Men. 17. Grant that I maye not feare other mens Iudgments of mee but may receiue them with a readie and meeke mind Amen THE XI EXERCISE 1. HAyle sweete Iesus Prayse Honour and Glorie be to thee o Christ Kinge of heauen and Earth who didst affirme that thy Kingdome was not of this world that by this thy profession thou mighst auert our harts from the Loue of this present life 2. Graunt I beseech thee that in Affection I may renounce all worldly and transitorie things lett my hart desire nothinge that is subiect to corruption 3. But lett it loue thee only the true and euerlastinge good 4. Hayle sweete Iesus who standinge before Pilate didst humbly hold thy Peace whilst the Iewes did wrongfullie accuse and calumniate thee 5. Grant ô Lord that I may neuer be troubled at other mens slaunderinge mee 6. But that I maye with silence ouercome all iniuries 7. Giue mee the perfect Grace of humâ—litie by which I maye neither desire to be praysed or refuse to be contemned 8. Hayle sweete Iesusâ— Prayse Honour and Glorie be to thee o Christ. Lambe without spott against whom the wicked Scribes and Pharisees did rage with a most obstinate hatred 9. For though Pilate gaue Testimonie that hee found in thee noe cause deseruinge Death yet they would not be appeased from seekinge after thy Death 10. Grant that I maye imitate thy Innocencie and Patience 11. That I maye both liue well and liuinge well be contented to be euill spoken of and mispired 11. Hayle sweete Iesus who with greate exclamations and much noise of people like a most hainous malefactor wast drawne from Tribunall to Tribunall from Pilate to Herod through the midst of the Cittie 13. Grant that I be not deiected with any iniuries of myne enemies 14. And that I be not much ashamed of Contempt 15. To the end that by thy gratious assistance I maye possesse my soule in Patience 16. Hayle sweete Iesus who beinge asked Vaine Questions by Herod in sundrie things falsely accused by the high Priests and Scribes didst humbly and prudentlie hold thy peace 17. Giue mee that restraint of tongue which maye be acceptable to thee 18. That I may loue to speake well and thinke rightly of all Men. Amen THE XII EXERCISE 1. HAyle sweete Iesus Prayse Honour and Glorie bâ—â—o thee o Christ Who by thy silence condemninge Herods vaine desire wouldst not without good cause and for a good end delight his curious eies by workinge a Miracle And didst thereby giue vs a lesson to auoid ostentation in the presence of greate men 2. Powre into my soule thy Spirit of profound humilitie 3. Mortifie and extinguish in mee all ticklinge of vayne Glorie 4. Grant that I maie not seeke to gaine the praises of Men but to doe all purelie for thyne only Honour Glorie 5. Hayle sweete Iesus who didst not disdaine to be scoffed at by Herode and his whole Army and to be clothed in a white Garment like a foole or a mad man 6. Graunt that I maie rather choose to be reputed base and abiect with thee then Glorious with the world 7. That I may esteeme it better and more worthy to suffer disgrace for thy loue then to shine in the vaine honour of the world 8. Grant that knowinge throughlie mine owne iniquitie and myne owne vnworthynesse I maye grow base in mine owne conceit and despise reprehend and bewayle my selfe 9. Hayle sweete Iesus who beinge compared with the notorious theife â—arrabas wast iudged more wicked and more worthy of Death then hee 10. The Murtherer is set at libertieâ— and the enuious Iewes demand thy death who art the Author of life 11. Thou art indeed that liuinge stone reiected by Man but chosen by God 12. O that I maye preferre nothinge before thee or change thee for any Thinge 13. O that I could esteeme all things as dunge and filth to the end I maye gayne and esteeme thee 14. Grant ô Lord that the blott of enuie may neuer staine my soule 1â— Hayle sweete Iesus who beinge stripped naked in the pallace and bound to a pillar didst suffer thy most naked and immaculate flesh to be rent with most cruell scourges that with thy soares thou mighst heale out wounds 16. O amiable Iesus I make choice â—f thee couered with stripes for the spowse of my soule 17. Desiringe to be inflamed and burned with the Fyre of thy most sweete loueâ— 18. Strippe my hart naked I beseech thee from all indecent cogitations 19. Grant that I maye now patiently suffer the scourges of thy Fatherly correction Amen THE XIII EXERCISE 1. HAyle sweete Iesus Prayse Honour and Glorie be to thee â— Christ vppon whom all discharged vnspeakeable iniuries and contumelies 2. For they clothed thee Kinge of Glorie with a purple garment for thy greater affront 3. They fastned vppon thy deuine head a crowne of thornes 4. They putt into thy hands a scepter of reed and kneelinge downe in a scornefull manner saluted thee sayinge Hayle kinge of the Iewes 5. Plant I beseech thee in my hart the memorie of thy Passion 6. Lett scornes for thy sake be my Glorie and iniuries and affronts my Crowne 7. Hayle sueete Iesus who didst not refuse for my sake to be beaten with a reed to be buffeted to be spitt vppon and to be the obiect of all kind of derisions 8. I beseech thee by thy wounds by thy Blood by thy Disgraces and by all the greife and sorrow which thou sufferedst for mee to endue my soule with all thy patience and those Graces 9. That thou wilt conuert mee and all I haue to thyne euerlastinge praise and Glorie 10. Hayle sueete Iesus Who beinge defiled with spittle rent and disfigured with stripes bound and wholie miserable wast brought forth as a spectacle to the enraged people wearinge a crowne of Thornes and a robe of purple
towards itt from God wee tend towards the foresaid end of absolute Perfection and thereby satisfie God and secure our owne soules saluation which otherwise wee cannot doe And in and by such tendance wee passe by degrees though perhapps but slow low from that which is lesse perfect to that which is more perfect perseueringe in such our tendance progresse liue wee or liue wee not tyme enough for to be able to reach to the foresaid end itselfe wee shall finallye become perfectlye happie God reguardinge and requitinge as out of his most free and immense Goodnesse Hee will such our good wills and endeauours in the said Holye affaire graciouslye acceptinge the same as fact and deed from vs. And indeed noe man in this life and state of corruption doth fullye attayne to the foresaid Perfection of the first Man who in that state of his Loued God with his whole Hart mind and powres of his soule and Bodie But it wil suffise vs that wee ayme at such Perfection faithfullye labour to attayne therevnto in the meane tyme towards it exercisinge performinge Loue to God the best and most wee can albeit wee neuer attayne fullye and in deed to the aforesaid perfection but to some degree of perfection inferior to it which wee shall attayne to aiminge at and labouringe for the said more absolute COMMENDATIO Quotidiana PIE Iesu ego commendo tibi animam meam corpus meum progressum finemque huius miserae vitae meae Presta vt recessus meus ab hoc exilio sit placitus coram te cum venerit ipsa Hora mortis meae concede si est Honor Nominis tui vt absque impedimento mox perueniam ad Te. Fiat voluntas tua Domine Deus meus Commendo tibi hunc locum Congregationem praesente atque absentes Fratres nostros Commendo tibi omnia negotia spiritualia temporalia omnes necessitates nostras Da vt sit sancta disciplina verae Religionis sit hîc Humilitas Charitas Puritas ad Gloriam Nominis tui Commendo Ecclesiam Catholicam Da Reformationem morum tibi placentem In â—mnium hominum ordine Commendo Vicarium tuum Summuâ—â— Pontificem famulum tuum Imperatorem Regem nostrum Principes Christianos commendo Patrem meum Matrem Fratres Sorores Propinquos Familiares Benefactores Nostros omnesque fideles tam vivos quam defunctos ac praecipuè eos qui meis orationibus specialiter commendati sunt Conuerte quaeso salua excaecatos miserosque peccatores Conuerte reuoca Hareticos atque Schismaticos Conuerte illumina infideles te adhuc ignorantes periclitantibus subueni maerentes consolare Tentationibus doloribus calamitatibus pressos afflictos releua Miserere Domine Miserere Omnium propter Sanctum nomen Tuum Amen Amor meus Pondus meum illo feror quocumque feror S. Aug. DIRECTIONS HOW to make right vse of the Deuotions or formes of Prayer followinge commonly called the Ideots Deuotions because they are for such as feruently and simply with all their affections Light of fâ—ith the onlie â—ui safe ground desire to aspire after God in the Cloâ—d of faith and feelings of Loue without troubleinge themselues with busye and impertinent operations of the vnderstandinge commonly called MeditatioÌ„s or discourses of the vnderstandinge to move excite the will which in the case of these deuine Seraphicke Ideots are superfluous they beinge alreadye sufficiently yea aboundantly excited and bent to loue God and practise vertue through their light of Faith which telleth and assureth them that all is vanitye of Vanities but. Only to Loue and serue God Ec. 1 2â— and their owne innate Propension inclininge them to this end and not sufferinge them to rest contentedly any way else or in any thinge else and this natural propension strenthned promoted by the habit of supernatural deuine Charitie makes them runne the wayes of the Commandments of God he dilating their Harts Ps. 119. 1. First you are to know that though these Deuotions imply greate perfection yet noe greater then euery Christian of what state and condition soeuer is bound vnto To witt To the perfect Loue of God aboue all things That is with all Ones hart with all ones soule with all ones mind Which is the very first Commandment 2. Though in these Deuotions there be many Actâ— peculiar proper to Religious Persons as principally made for them yet single married lay people may make very good profitable and proper vse of the rest of those acts alsoe soe farre as they may make them agree with their state and condition by some smal alteration As where it is spoken of obedience to Superiors it may be applyed of wiues to their Husbands Children to their Parents single people to their Ghostly Fathers yea of all People to their Ghostly Fathers in a good sense Soe also where it is spoken of Pouertye it may be vnderstood in Spirit affection which all euen lay people ought to Haue And in like manner where it is spoken of Religious offices both for acceptinge meane and base ones and refusinge honorable ones may be as well applyed to lay Offices both in priuate familyes and common Wealths And thus appropriatinge euery thinge to each ones particular state and condition very good and profitable vse may be made of them all 3. Though these Deuotions be ample and large enough yet they cannot reach to euery ones particular occasions necessities wherefore they are to obserue that what Deuotions may be specially inspired them or vpon some iust Occasion suggested vnto them as proper and necessarye for them they ought to make vse of them freely and cheerefully though they beâ— not contained in these exercises And this especially in the Acts of Resignation 4. Now as concerninge the maner of exercisinge these Deuotions it ought cheifly to be done in Spirit mind and without any vocalitie at all especially in beginners who would be more distracted through such vocalitie as more sensible and soe more subiect to distraction yet in some who haue such a Grace to exercise them both vocallie mentallye that is spiritually they may doe well and best it is soe to doe 5. And as concerninge the quantitie though they be deuided into seuerall Exercises and those into seueral Acts. Yet is it not to be vnderstood that all the Acts of euerie exercise are to be vsed at one tyme nor that one Exercise and all its Acts only are to be vsed at one tyme but in this discretion is to be vsed and libertie of Spirit sometymes to vse fewer sometymes more as may be expedient for our soules good For it may soe happen that one or two Acts of an exercise may serue with greate profitt for one whole tyme of Prayer and sometymes agayne 20. or 40. may not serue and in this as I haue said and now I say it agayne as a principall poynt to
enemies 17. Protect mee vnder this Title against the wiles and deceits of the Diuell 18. Teach mee vnder this Title to ouercome all Temptations and to subdue all uices 19. That hauinge by Grace conquered them I maye freelie prayse and Glorifie thy holy name Amen THE XVII EXERCISE 1. HAYLE sueete Iesus Prayse Honour and Glorie be to thee o Christ. Whose garments the souldiers hauinge deuided amongst themselues did leaue thy coate which was without seame and signifieth the vnitie of the Church vndeuided 2. Powre downe into my hart I beseech thee the Spiritt of Peace and Vnion 3. That I may neuer through my fault deride or trouble the concord and vnion of my Bretheren 4. But that I maye alwayes endeauour to repaire diuisions and pacifie troubles 5. Hayle sweete Iesus Who sufferinge vppon the Altar of the Crosse incomprehensible torments and ineffable lanquishes wast shamefully reproached and scorned by the Iewes who vomited out of their wicked Mouths sundrie Blasphemies against thee 6. Grant ô Lord that beinge mindfull of thy humilitie and Patience mildnesse I maye quietlie and cheerefully suffer paynes disgraces Persecutions infamie and contempt of my selfe 7. And may remayne with thee nayled to the Crosse euen to the end 8. Let noe violence of temptation noe stormes of Aduersities noe tempest of contumelies hinder mee from effectinge my good purposes 9. Lett not Death or life or things present nor to come nor any creature separate mee from thy loue 10. Hayle sweete Iesus who didst tollerate one of the Theiues to vpbraid thee and didst most mercifullye and bountifullie promise the Glorie of Paradise to the other who did humblie acknowledge his owne iniustice and with a deuout faith did confesse thee to be his kinge and God 11. Behold mee I beseech thee with those eyes of mercie which thou didst cast vppon the Theife repentant for his sinns 12. O that by thy Holy Helpe and Grace I maye lead a life soe innocent that I maye soe faithfullye serue thee and purelye loue thee 13. That at the end of my life I may deserue to heare from thee most mercifull Redeemer that most desisired voyce This Day thou shalt be with mee in Paradise 14. Hayle sweete Iesus Who from the Crosse beholdinge thy most sweete Mother full of greife and teares with inward compassion didst commeÌ„d Her to Thy Disciple Iohn and agayne Iohn to Her and vs all in Iohn vnto thy said Mother 15. Grant that I maye Loue and Honour Her with a most chast and ardent affection 1â— That hauinge Her for my Mother I may deserue alsoe to be acknowledged by Her for her sonne 17. Grant that in all necessities and especially at the howre of my death I may find Her present assistance Amen THE XVIII EXERCISE 1. HAyle sweete Iesus Prayse Honour and Glorie he to thee o Christ Who in a most pittifull manner hanginge vppon the Crosse with wide gapinge wounds didst professe thy selfe to be destitute of all all comfort 2. Grant that with a firme confidence I maye alwayes haue recourse to thee my most mercifull Father in all aduersities Temptations and Desolations 3. And wholy distrustinge my selfe I maye trust in thee alone 4. And committ and resigne my selfe entirely to thee 5. Wound the intymme of my soule with the remembrance of thy wounds 6. Imprint and caracter them in my Hart and make my mind euen drunke with thy sacred Blood 7. That I may attend to thee and thee only seeke find hold and possesse 8. Hayle sweete Iesus Who pantinge vppon the Crosâ—e thy Bodye beinge drawne drie for want of Blood becamst very thirstie and didst burne with an vnspeakeable desire of our Saluation 9. Grant that I maye most ardently thirst after thyne Honour and the Saluation of our soules 10. And may with courage employe myselfe in this affaire 11. Grant that I may not be hindered or entangled by any transitorie thinge 12. Hayle sweete Iesâ—s who wouldst that a spunge dipt in vineger and gall should be offered thee to drinke thirstie euen to death that by tastinge thereof thou mighst satisfie for our gluttonie and leaue vs an example of pouertie 13. Giue mee grace to dispise vnlawfull pleasures and delights and to auoid all excesse in meate and drinke 14. Alsoe to vse those things moderately which thou giuest for the sustentation of the Bodie 15. Pacifie the inordinatenesse of my desires that whatsoeuer doth please thee may please mee and whatsoeuer displeaseth thee may be displeasinge alsoe to mee 16. Hayle sweete Iesus most enamoured of Mankind who duly performinge the Worke of our Redemption didst offer vp thy selfe vppon the Altar of the Crosse an Holy Sacrifice for the expiation of the sinns of all Men. 17. Be thou I beseech thee the scope of all my thoughts Words and Workes 18. That in all things I maye With a right and simple intention seeke thy honour 19. Grant I maye neuer grow cold or Faint in thy seruice 20. But that the feruour of Spirit may be renewed in mee and that I may be dayly more and more inflamed to praise and loue thâ—â— Amen THE XIX EXERCISE 1. HAYLE sweete Iesus prayse honâ—ur and glorie â—e to o Christ. Who of thyne owne accord didst embrace Death and recomâ—endinge thyselfe to thy Heauenly Father bowinge downe thy venerable Head yeildest vp thy Spirit 2. Truly thus giuinge thy life vp for thy sheepe thou hast shewed thy selfe to be a good shepheard 3. Thou didst dye ô the only begotten sonne of God! Thou dyedst ô my beloued Sauuiour that I might liue for euer 4. O How greate Hope How greate confidence haue I reposed in thy Death and in thy Blood 5. I Glorifie and prayse thy Holie name acknowledginge my infinit obligations to Thee 6. O good Iesus for thy bitter death and Passion giue mee Grace and Pardon 7. Giue vnto the faithfull departed Rest and life euerlastinge 8. Hayle sweete Iesus at whose death the â—unne withdrew his light the vaile of the Temple rent in sunder and the Monuments opened 9. O Sunne of Iustice permitt not I beseech thee that the beames of thy grace at any tyme forsake mee 10. But lett them continuallie enlighten the inner parts of my soule 11. Withdrawe wholie from mee the vaile of Hypocrisie 12. Shake the earth of my soule with wholesome repentance 13. Rent my stonie hart 14. That beinge wholie renewed I maye contemne all things transitorie and loue onlie that which is eternall 15. Hayle sweete Iesus Who wouldst that thy side should be opened with a soldiers launce 16. And out of itt poure out blood and water to reuiue and wash our soules 17. Thou wouldst ô my best beloued that thy mellifluous Hart should be wounded for mee 18. O that it might please thee to make a most deepe wound in my Hart with the launce of thy Loue 19. And vnite itt to thy most sacred Hart. 20. In such manner that I maye haue â—oe powre to will any thinge buâ— that which thou wilt 21.
able to steed others 10. Soe that the whole world grow weary of mee and of my life and Beinge and dayly longe to be ridd of mee by death or some other way they care not how and in this case to remayne diuers yeares yea for my whole life tyme though neuer soe longe 11. I am resigned that dyinge in the Grace of God which I hope and earnestly pray I may alwayes doe and of a naturall death I be for all that through some occasion or other by the permission of God esteemed to haue killed or destroyed my selfe and therevppon to be accordinge to the custome of our countrey pearsed through the midst of my Bodye with a stake and buried in the high way and euery one that passeth by to cast a stone on my Graue in detestation of mee to the vnspeakable shame câ—nfusion and damnation of my owne fame and to the fowle Aspersion of my Familye Resignations of and concerninge the soule THE V. EXERCISE 1. I Am resigned to vndergoe all sorts of temptations which may please thy Deuine Maiestie to lay or permitt to fall vppon mee for myne exercise and Triall And to endure them to the end euer adheringe to thee and not yeildinge to sinne by occasion of them soe farre as thy holy Grace shall enable mee 2. To endure all manner of desolations Priuations Aridities Drynesses and indeuotion All darknesse in myne vnderstandinge and all dullnesse and coldnesâ—e of Affection in my will towards my God soe farre as I am not able to helpe it And will not for my comfort conuert mee to externall solaces 3. To want all manner of guifts Graces that are not absolutely necessarie to my Saluation as all supernaturall contemplations sweetenesses and extraordinarie deuine visits and fauours 4. To resigne my selfe in all things be they neuer soe contrarie to nature and its inclination to sensualitie and its affections 5. To resigne my selfe to beare with the repugnance which I find in my sensualitie vntill by the Grace of God sooner or later euer or neuer in this life it may be brought to perfect subiection to the soule and in the meane tyme to beare with the labour and difficultie that is in fightinge against it or in resistinge the desires of itt 6. To resigne my selfe to dye before that I can reach to perfection and to liue and dye in that state or degree of perfection which shall be pleasinge to God and not accordinge to my owne will or waye yet euer wishinge and endeauouringe that I may not be wantinge in cooperatinge with His Graces and Calls 7. To resigne my selfe to be content to serue my God accordinge to that manner which Hee preordained and not accordinge to myne owne proper will desires or wayes Hauinge reguard notwithstandinge to my naturall talents and complexion or corporall constitution And accordinge to the measure of witt or vnderstandinge that is in mee and accordinge to the supernaturall helps and Graces that God shall afford vnto mee and not accordinge to the talents guifts and graces which God hath giuen and imparted vnto others 8. I am resigned and well pleased that God hath giuen and heereafter at his pleasure may giue to others farre greater Graces and Talents or perfections then hee hath giuen or shall giue vnto mee 9. And that all others make greater progresse in Spirit and perfection then I doe albeit I should vse greater diligence and industrie then they 10. I am resigned to vnderstand learne or know noe more or otherwise then God would haue mee to know and to remayne ignorant in what Hee would haue mee to remayne ignorant of It is continued THE VI. EXERCISE 1. AND for what I doe or shall know I doe resigne and yeld vp to God whose it is by due all the Honour contentment satisfaction and commoditie that can come to mee by such knowledge 2. I am resigned to know noe more then is absolutely necessarie to saluation and to want the knowledge of all other things and especiallye of all curiosities and impertinencies 3. I am resigned yea desire to follow God by all wayes whatsoeuer that Hee shall call mee seeme they neuer soe strange or vnreasonable soe they haue noe sinne in them I meane both for internall and externall wayes though I cannot vnderstand the reasons of them or perceiue how they can lead or bringe to a good end or issue And soe to be contented to walke as it were blindfold and in darknesse as to the vse of my naturall vnderstandinge 4. I am resigned and contented that others doe excell mee in virtues and perfections yet euer desiringe that I may not be wantinge in my endeauours And am resigned that they be farre more then my selfe esteemed loued and honored by all others for virtues and perfection 5. I am resigned not to know in what case I am as to my soule nor in what degree of Perfection and not to know whither I goe backward or forward in perfection 6. I am resigned not know whither I am in the state of Grace or noe as noe man without speciall reuelation doth know himselfe to be I craue notwithstandinge and desire that I may be industrious and doe my part and cooperate with my Grace 7. I am resigned that God may giue and bestow on Him who of all creatures liuinge most hateth mee all those guifts Graces and Fauours which my soule my nature or my hart could craue or wish of thee my God for my selfe and am resigned to want them my selfe and to haue noe more then thy will is to bestow on mee 8. And I am moreouer contented and resigned that in the end of my life thou my Lord may bestow vpon him that hateth mee most the fruict Benefit and reward of all the labours afflictions and mortifications which in my life tyme I haue vndergone albeit they were soe great and soe many as hath beene all the labours Afflictions and Mortifications of all the Marâ—yrs Confessors and Virgins all put together that euer liued or heereafter shall liue in the Church of God Soe purely and freely doe I desire to serue my God 9. I am resigned willingly to endure all manner of contempts and yet to be esteemed by others that I endure them meerely against my will and not out of Humilitie and that I would be reuenged if I could without further discredit or dammage to my selfe THE VII EXERCISE 1. I Am resigned to serue my God in this life in all labours and afflictions which are possible for mee to vndergoe though there were neither heauen or Hell or Purgatorie or any payne or reward in the future life Soe purely doe I desire and purpose to serue my God for his owne sake without any maner of interest or commoditie thereby intended to my selfe 2. I am resigned and contented to enioy the very lowest place in Heauen though God should enable mee to meritt as much as all the SS in Heauen putt together haue done 3. I am resigned to doe and suffer both in
4. Obtayne for mee I beseech thee perfect pardon of my sinns and the perfect Grace of the Holy Ghost 5. That I maye diligentlye worship chastlye and feruentlye loue thy Sonne my Sauuiour and thee the Mother of Mercie 6. Hayle sweete Marie whom forshewed in sundrie figuratiue speeches and promised in diuers Oracles of the Prophets the Ancient Fathers did coueâ— most earneâ—tly 7. O my Lady receiue mee for thy poore seruant Adopt mee O Mother for thy Sonne 8. Graunt that I may be numbred amonge them whom thou dost loue whose names are written in thy Virginall breast and whom thou dost teach direct helpe cherishâ— and protect 9. Hayle sweete Marie whom God by a most Honorable Priuiledge did preserue from sinne 10. And adorned with most singular Grace and most excellent guifts 11. O Glorious Virgin ô Gratious Virgin ô moâ—t pure Virgin chosen amongst thowsands 12. Doâ— not repell mee wicked sinner doe not dispise and reiect mee defiled with the filth of sinne 13. But heare mee miserable wretch â—ryinge vnto thee comfort mee desiringe thee and helpe mee trustinge in thee Amen An Exercâ—se to the Holy Angells and especiallye the Angell Guardian 1. I Salute you ô Holy Spirittâ— and with all myne Hart Congratulate your Happinesse who continuallye contemplate and behold the Deuine Face and Allsatiatinge goodnesse 2. You ô Seraphin Cherubim and Thrones who are of the higher Ierarchie you ô dominations virtues and powers of the middle you ô Princes Archangells and Angâ—lls of the lowest who continuallye singe Holy Holye Holye Lord God of Sabaoth 3. Thou ô my Lord hast made these holy Spirits Angells for my Benefitt and hast commanded them to keepe mee in all my wayes 4. They doe therefore assist vs with greate care and with watchfull endeauour at all tymes and in all plaâ—es succouringe vs. 5. They present our sighs and sobbs to thee ô Lord they inflame our will illuminate our vnderstandinge and replenish our mind with holy thoughts 6. They walke with vs in all our wayes reioycinge at our virtues and contristated at our vices 7. Their loue is greate and excessiue towards vs. 8. They helpe such as are takinge pains they protect such as are at rest they encourage such as fight they crowne the conquerors they reioyce with such as ioye I meane such as ioye in thee and they suffer with such as suffer I meane such as are in sufferance for thee 9. Greate and very greate is the Honour done to man to haue Angells to wayte on and assist him 10. O my Deare Angell Guardian gouerne protect and defend mee illuminate comfort and direct mee now and euer more 11. O Blissed Angells be you euer blissed and praysed for all and euerie Fauour and benefitt you haue most louingely and powrefullye bestowed on mee and vouchsafed mee and one on my owne experience a most singular one 12. Graunt ô Father of Heauen and Earth that they may euer reioyce concerninge vs that is by our practise of vertue and that thou maist euer be praysed by them and vs and that both they and wee maye be brought into one sheepefould that together wee maye confesse to thy holy name O Thou Crâ—atsr of men and Angells Amen AN EXERCISE OF Deuotion Towards our Holy Father and Religious founder S. Bennet 1. HAYLE most blissed â—and glorius Father I congratulate with all my hart thy glorie and grace with God 2. I prayse likewise and thanke the deuine goodnesse that made thee worthyâ— and brought thee to the same 3. Bestowingâ— on thee in this life very greate naturall and supernaturall guifts and graces by meanes whereof thou hast obtayned thy present most glorious and happie condition 4. In particular I prayse and magnifie the same deuine goodnesse for that it gaue thee the grace in the very flowre or prime of thy youth with a thristye mind to seeke after the sole felicitie of the future life 5. And for that end to forsake all the vayne pleasures of this life the solaces of thy Parents kinred and Countrey the desire of humane sciences and learninge and generallye all things that might not be needfull for thee towards attayninge the foresaid felicitie 6. And I prayse and magnifie the same deuine goodnesse for that by such callinge and takinge of thee soe tymelye out of the world and the snares of it hee freed and secuâ—ed thee from worser habits and multitudes of sinns which the world if thoâ— hadst remayned longer in it had beeâ—e apt to breed and cause in thee 7. I prayse and magnifie the same deuine goodnesse for leadinge thee to a place of solitude and there prouidinge for thee all corporall necesâ—aries towards his holy seruice and thyne owne soules good 8. And especiallye for that the same deuine goodnesse itselfe vouchsafed to become thy immediate Maister and Director inspiringe thee and teachinge thee what to doe continuallye 9. And gaue thee Grace and strenth to performe and accomplish the things necessarie and expedient to the end Hee called thee to 10. And namelye to liue in mortification of body and will And as it were in continuall prayer and high Contemplation 11. I prayse and glorifie the same deuine Goodnesse for bestowinge on thee the most necessarie guift of perseuerance by which thou didst remayne constant in such perfect deuine seruice from thy first call to the verie period of thy life 11. That comeinge to dye euen ripe for a most holye death thou didst as it were passe from life to life as one thaâ— feeles not what corporall death meanes 13. Soe that thy expiration was Aspiration accordinge to what S. Gregorie the great saith of thee Vltimum Spiritum inter verba Orationis efflauit To witt His last breath was Prayer Passinge forth of the faithfull Contemplation of this life to the reall and beatificke contemplation of the other 1â— I now cordiallye congratulate the perfect felicitie thou enioyest 15. And since I am called by the deuine Grace as I truly hope to liue accordinge to thy holye Rule for my Saluation and Perfection vouchsafe thy Holy intercession for that end that I maye through Gods Grace liue accordinglye and dye consummated and perfect therin and thereby for without his Grace I can doe nothinge 16. And as the said S. Gregorie saith thou framedst thy Rule accordinge to thy holye life sweete Iesus giue mee grace interiorlye and exteriorlye to be a faithfull Imitator thereof 17. That I may be led by the same Guide the Holy Ghost 18. And Exercise true Spirituall Prayer the only meanes to all vertues 19. That I may in all things abandon my selfe with all puâ—itie of Intention 20. And doe all good and abstayne from all euill which interiorlye and exteriorly may concerne mee 21. Especially in all things occurringe patientlye to suffer all iniuries â—â—d Crosses 22. And that all maye be accomplished God grant mee as hee did to thee the guift of perseuerance 23. That I expiringe maye be admitted into the happy societie of thee and thy
learninge and vnderstandinge wee delude ourselues by a vaine Fancie and Folish species and take the shadow for the substance this is Gods Worâ—e not ours For to that end onlye art thou made redeemed Hee it is that is thy beginninge and thy end Thy ioye and thy happinesse and who onlie can satisfie thy hungrie soule And therefore whatsoeuer thou haue and be thou neuer soe rich in other deeds corporall or spirituall vnlesse thou haue this Loue that I speake of and know and feele that thou hast it hold and esteeme that thou hast right nothinge Imprint well in thy soule this desire of the loue of Iesus cleaue fast therevnto and itt shall saue thee from all perills in thy iorney soe that thou shalt neuer perish and it shall saue thee from theiues and robbers which are the wicked Spirits soe that though they beare or torment or vexe thee by diuers temptations yet shall the life of the soule euer be safe And if thou thus hold on thy waye as I aduise thou shalt escape all perills and mischeifes and shalt in a short tyme come to the Cittie of Ierusalem Passinge and transcendinge brings vs to a good endinge That is thus tendinge still to God by slightinge all Creatures wee shall attayne to Him in this life by faith in the next by Glorie Now thou art in the waye and knowst the place whither thou art to drawe and tend beginne then in the name of God to proceed and goe on in thy iorney Thy goinge forth and thy proceedinge in thy iorney is nothinge else but a spirituall workinge and a bodilie alsoe when it shall be expedient which thou shalt vse with the Discretion followinge That is to saye Looke what worke it be which thou dost accordinge to the state of thy life thou art in be the worke spirituall or corporall if it helpe increase and cherish within thee this gracious desire thou hast to loue Iesus or doe make thy soule more stronge more readie and more able for the practise of all vertues goodnesse That worke hold I best for thee be it prayinge be it readinge or be it corporall workinge And as longe as the said worke or exercise strenthneth most thy hart and thy will to the loue of Iesus and furthest draweth thyne affection and thoughts from worldlye vanitie for soe longe hold thee still in that worke But if it proue soe that through vse of that same worke or Exercise the sauour or good tast of it doe growe lesse and that it seemeth to thee that some other worke or Exercise is or would be more sauourous or rellishinge to thy Spirit or that thou feelest more grace in another worke or Exercise doe thou take that other worke and leaue that former For though thy desire or longinge of thy hart to Iesus and to his loue should be euer vnchangeable yet neuerthelesse thy Spirituall workes which thou shalt vse in prayinge or consideringe for to feed and nourish thy said desire maye be diuers and maye well be changed accordinge to that thou feelest thee disposed through Grace and accordinge to that thou feelest thy Spirit more to require or rellish I meane what thou findest to be most comfortable agreeable and profitable to thy Spiritt For it faireth by workes and by desire of the loue of God as it doth by stickes and by a fire For the more sticks are laid to the fâ—e the greater is the fire Euen soe the more diuers spirituall workings at diuers tymes that a Man hath in his thoughts for to keepe whole and sound his desire towards God the mightier and more burninge shall his desire be to God Looke therefore well what worke thou canst best doe and that most helpeth to make well sound this Desire of Iesus in matters wherein thou art free and not bound that doe thou Bind not thy selfe to voluntarie customes vnchangeable that would hinder the libertie of thyne hart for to correspond or answere the motion or inuitation of Iesus if that his Grace should speciallye visit thee by which thy loue towards Him would be increased For I will tell thee what customes are euer good and needfull to be kept Loe such customes are good alwayes to hold which consists in gettinge virtues and in hinderinge and resistinge sinne Such a custome thou must neuer leaue For thou shalt be euer humble patient sober and chast c. if thou doe well and soe of other vertues But the custome of another thinge that hindereth a better is good to be laid aside giueinge place to that which would be better for vs when that the tyme is for such laieinge aside and that wee maye doe it without breach of our obligation otherwayes As for example if a man haue a custome to saye soe many beades or to meditate of such or such a matter or for soe longe a tyme or to watch or kneele thus or thus longe or to doe any such bodilie deed this custome is sometymes to be lett alone when reasonable cause requireth that wee should leaue it or else that wee find more Grace or deuotion some other waye or in some other exercise This Holy writer deliuereth the Truth soe fullye and clearelye how wee should walke that a foole cannot erre therin leauinge all to the queene of vertues discretioÌ„ by which wee may soe prudently order all our Workes Actions that wee maye still encrease in vs the deuine Charitie and desire of God Soe that euerie one accordinge to his Vocation in which hee is called secular or Religious married or single poore or rich noble or ignoble is made decible of God lead by his Holy Inspiration and brought into the true libertie of the Childeren of God Gal. 5. 13. not giuinge waye to the libertie of the flesh THE XXII CHAPTER Of certayne temptations and lettings which soules haue from their spirituall enemies in their iorney to Spirituall Ierusalem and of the remedie against the same NOW art thou in the way and knowst how thou ought to trauell and goe Now beware of enemies that will be diligent busie to lett thee if they can For their inteÌ„t is to put out of thy hart the desire and longinge that thou hast to the loue of Iesus and to draw thee home againe to the loue of worldlye vanitie There is nothinge that greiueth them soe much as to see thee seeke after and labour for the loue of Iesus Those enemies are principally fleshly desires and vayne feares that arise out of thyne Hart through the corruption of thy corporall nature and would lett and hinder thy desirâ— of the loue of God that soe they might fully and restingly possesse thy Hart These are thy neerest enemies Other enemies alsoe there are and namely the wicked Spirits who are diligent and busie with sleights inuentions and deceits to deceiue thee But one remedie thou hast against them all as before I haue told thee and that is that whatsoeuer they saye vnto thee beleiue