our disordered manners and the euill customes which they discouer in vs. CHAP. IX Of Obedience and Subiection IT is a great matter to liue in Obedience to be vnder a Superiour and not to be at our owne disposition It is much safer to liue in the state of subiection then of gouernment Many liue vnder Obedience rather for necessitie then for charitie and such are discontented and doe easily repine and murmure Neither can they attaine to freedome of minde vnlesse they willingly and heartily put themselues vnder Obedience for the loue of God Goe whither thou wilt thou shalt finde no rest but in humble subiection vnder the gouernment of a Superiour The imagination and change of places haue deceiued many 2 True it is that euery one willingly doth that which agreeth with his owne sense and liking and is apt to effect those most that are of his owne minde But if God bee amongst vs we must leaue our owne judgement that so peace and quietnesse may bee the better preserued Who is so wise that he can fully know all things Trust not therefore too much to thine owne conceits but bee willing to heare the judgement of others If that which thou thinkest be good and notwithstanding doest leaue it for God and followest the opinion of another it shall be better for thee 3 I haue often heard that it is more secure to heare and take counsell then to giue it It may also fall out that each ones opinion may bee good but to refuse to yeeld to others when as reason or cause requireth it is a token of wilfulnesse and pride CHAP. X. Of the auoiding supersluity of words FLy the vnquietnesse of men as much as thou canst for the talke of vvorldly affaires hindereth very much although they bee recounted with sincere intention Mat. 4. 14. for wee are quickely defiled and as it were enthralled with vanitie Ioan. 6. I could vvish that I had often times held my peace vvhen I haue spoken and that I had not beene in company Why doe wee so willingly speake and talke one with another when notwithstanding wee seldome returne to silence vvithout hurt of conscience The cause wherefore we so willingly talke is for that by discoursing one with another wee seeke to receiue comfort one of another and desire to ease our minde ouer-wearied with sundry thoughts Matth. 7. and wee talke willingly and thinke of those things which we loue best and most desire or of those which we feele most contrary vnto vs. Rom. 2. 2 But alas oftentimes in vaine and to no end for this outvvard comfort is cause of no small losse of invvard and diuine consolation Therefore we must watch and pray lest our time passe without any fruit or profit If it be lawfull and expedient for thee to speake speake those things that may edifie An euill custome and neglect of our owne good doth very much slacke the raynes to inconsiderate speech Yet deuout discourses of heauenly things doe greatly further our progresse in spirit Act. 1. especially vvhere persons of one minde and spirit be gathered together in God Rom. 15. CHAP. XI Of the obtaining of peace and zeale of spirituall profit WEE might enioy peace if wee would not busie our selues with the words and deeds of other men which appertaine nothing to our charge How can hee liue long in peace that thrusteth himselfe into the cares of others or that little or seldome recollecteth himselfe within his owne breast Blessed are the simple and pure minds for they shal enioy much peace 2 What is the reason why some of the Saints were so perfect and contemplatiue Because they laboured to mortifie themselues wholly to earthly desires and therefore they could with their whole heart giue themselues to God and freely attend to their owne affaires Wee are too much led by our owne passions and too solicitous for transitory things Wee also seldome ouercome any one vice perfectly and are not inflamed with a feruent desire to profit in spirit and therefore we remaine cold in deuotion and full of tepiditie 3 If we were perfectly dead vnto our selues and not intangled within our owne breasts then wee might also haue some taste of diuine things and feele the sweetnesse of heauenly contemplation The greatest and indeed the whole impediment is for that wee are not free from our passions and disordered inclinations neither doe wee endeauour to enter into that path of perfection which the Saints haue walked before vs and when any small aduersitie befalleth vs we are too quickly deiected and turne our selues to humane comforts 4 If wee endeauour like men of courage to stand continually in the battell surely wee should feele the fauourable assistance of God from heauen For he who giueth vs occasion to fight to the end we may get the victory is ready to succour those that fight manfully and doe trust in his grace If wee esteeme our progresse in religious life to consist only in these exteriour obseruations our deuotion will quickly be at an end Let vs set the axe to the roote that being freed from passions wee may enioy true peace of minde 5 If euery yeare we would roote out one vice we should quickly become perfect men But now oftentimes we perceiue it goeth contrary and that wee were better and of a more pure conscience at the beginning of our conuersion then after many yeares of our profession Our feruour and profit should encrease daily but now it is accounted a great matter if one can retaine but some part of his first spirit If vvee vvould vse but a little violence in the beginning then should wee bee able to performe all things aftervvards vvith ease and joy of heart 6 It is a hard matter to leaue that to which wee are accustomed but harder to doe against our owne vvills But if thou doest not ouercome little and easie things how wilt thou ouercome harder matters Resist thy inclination in the first motions and breake off euill customes lest perhaps by little and little they dravv thee to greater difficultie O if thou diddest consider how much inward peace to thy selfe and joy to others thou shouldest procure by demeaning thy selfe vvell I suppose thou wouldest be more carefull of thy spirituall profit CHAP. XII Of the profit of Aduersitie IT is good that we haue sometimes griefe and aduersities for they often make a man enter into himselfe and remember that he is heere in banishment and ought not to place his trust in any worldly thing It is good that we be some times contradicted and that there bee an euill or hard conceit had of vs and this although wee doe and intend well These things helpe often to the attaining of humilitie and defend vs from vaine-glory for then wee chiefely seeke God for our inward witnesse when outwardly we be contemned by men and when there is no credit giuen vnto vs. 2 And therefore a man should settle himselfe so fully in God that hee needed not
THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST Diuided into foure Bookes Written in Latin by the Learned and deuout Man THOMAS A KEMPIS Canon-Regular of the Order of S. AVGVSTINE Whereunto also is added the golden EPISTLE of S. BERNARD And Also certaine rules of a Christian life made by IOHN PICVS the elder Earle of MIRANDVLA· Translated into English by B. F. Printed with licence 1615. TO THE HONORABLE AND VERTVOVS ELIZABETH VAVX Mother to the Lord HARRODOVVNE HOnorable Right Worthy the publike demonstration which you haue lately giuen of your true desire to follow the footsteps of our Lord vndergoing so heauy a Crosse for his sake with so ready and resolued a minde hath moued mee to dedicate this little Booke of the IMITATION OF CHRIST vnto you assuring my selfe that it will be no lesse gratefull to you to see it appeare in light purged from many mistaken sentences which were in the former Translation then the reading and practise thereof wil be profitable to others it being so diuine and excellent a worke as in the opinion of such as can best judge of this matter of all the Bookes which are written that treate of Spirit Christian Perfection the holy Scripture excepted it is inferiour to none if it excelleth not all No book hath bin more approued by generall consent none more often printed translated into diuers languages none more esteemed commended yea commanded also by the chiefe Masters of Spirit of some religious Orders to be often read by euery one in priuate and once a week publikely to al. So full of sweet sense is this diuine Flower that the most spirituall Bees may daily draw from thence great plentie of celestiall hony It is a dish of so diuine meat that it neuer satiates the deuout mind but as the Wisdome of God doth promise to all such as sit at that heauenly banquent so shal they find in this spiritual food The more they eat it the more they shall hunger after it Eccles 4. And the reason hereof is for that it containeth so great depth of spirit and so great store and variety of heauenly documents that it seemeth euer new to the Reader and like another Manna affordeth to euery one that delightfull taste which best agreeth with the palate of his soule and none can loath it but they whose lustes doe carry them to Aegyptian slauery A true Israelite may feed vpon it forty yeares together and euer finde such pleasing taste and encreasing strength by vse therof as wil sustaine him in the desert of this world and enable him to goe on without fainting till he arriue at his promised inheritance of eternall rest The practise of that which this booke doth teach couereth the soule with the rich garment of grace and adorneth it with the splendent pearls of Euangelical perfection which maketh vs more pleasing in the sight of God then can the deckings of all earthly jewels make the fairest Lady in the Kingdome where you are appeare beautifull to the eyes of men It returneth abundant gaine for sustained losses and enlargeth the liberty which is now restrained It raiseth vp to cheerefull confidence the debased head placeth in a Throne of endlesse honour those who in this world doe seeme imprisoned in the blacke cloud of disgrace To you therefore who haue so willingly endured the losse of your earthly substance I haue thought good to present this Euangelicall Pearle and incomparable Treasure contained in a little roome Here you shall find the most perfect manner of conforming our selues to Christ our heauenly paterne see the vertues set forth in their colours which did most shine in the life of our Lord himselfe and reade in plaine and vulgar phrase those Lessons of high perfection which are commended vnto vs by the highest Wisdome which haue made as many Saints as they haue had diligent and obseruant followers Accept therefore I beseech you this little Present presented by him who wisheth you much more temporall happines then your present state affordeth and that endlesse glory whereof your present suffering is no vncertaine pledge This first of Nouember 1612. Yours in all dutie B. F. A TABLE OF THE CHAPTERS OF THIS ensuing Booke THE FIRST BOOKE OF the imitation of Christ and contempt of all the vanities of the world pag. 1 Of the humble conceit of our selues pag. 4 Of the doctrine of truth pag. 7 Of prudence and foresight in our actions pag. 13 Of the reading of holy Scriptures pag. 14 Of inordinate desires and affections pag. 16 Of flying vaine hope and pride pag. 17 That too much familiarity is to be shunned pag. 19 Of obedience and subiection pag. 21 Of auoiding superfluitie of words pag. 23 Of the obtaining of peace and zeale of spirituall profit pag. 25 Of the profit of aduersitie pag. 29 Of resisting temptations pag. 30 Of auoiding rash iudgement pag. 36 Of workes done of charitie pag. 38 Of bearing with the defects of others pag. 40 Of religious life pag. 42 Of the examples of the holy Fathers pag. 44 Of the exercise of a good and religious person pag. 48 Of the loue of solitude and silence pag. 54 Of compunction of heart pag. 60 Of the consideration of humane misery pag. 64 Of the consideration of death pag. 70 Of iudgement and the punishment of sin pag. 77 Of the feruent amendment of our whole life pag. 83 THE SECOND BOOKE OF spirituall conuersation pag. 93 Of humble submission pag. 99 Of a good and peaceable man pag. 101 Of a pure minde and vpright intention pag. 104 Of the consideration of ones selfe pag. 106 Of the comfort of a good conscience pag. 108 Of the loue of Iesus aboue all things pag. 111 Of familiar conuersation with Iesus pag. 114 Of the want of all comfort pag. 118 Of thankefulnes for the grace of God pag. 124 How few the the louers of the Crosse of Christ are pag. 128 Of the high way of the holy Crosse pag. 131 THE THIRD BOOKE OF the inward speech of Christ vnto a faithfull-soule pag. 143 That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words pag. 145 That the words of God are to bee heard with humilitie and that many weigh them not pag. 147 That we ought to liue in truth and humilitie in the sight of God pag. 152 Of the wonderfull effect of diuine grace pag. 156 Of the proofe of a true Louer pag. 161 That grace is to be hid vnder the veile of humilitie pag. 165 Of a meane conceit of our selues in the sight of God pag. 170 That all things are to bee referred vnto God as vnto the last end pag. 173 That despising the world it is sweet to serue God pag. 175 That the desires of our heart are to be examined and moderated pag. 179 Of the effects of patience and of strife against concupiscence pag. 182 Of the humble obedience of a subiect according to the example of Christ pag. 185 Of the secret Iudgements of God to bee considered lest
to seeke many comforts of men When a good vertuous man is afflicted tempted or troubled with euill thoughts then hee vnderstandeth better the great neede hee hath of Gods assistance without whose helpe he perceiueth hee can doe nothing that is good Then also he sorroweth lamenteth and prayeth for the miseries he suffereth Then is he weary of liuing longer and wisheth that death would come that hee might be dissolued and bee with Christ Then also hee well perceiueth that complete security and perfect peace cannot be had in this world CHAP. XIII Of Resisting Temptations SO long as wee liue in this world we cannot be without tribulation and temptation for as it is written in Iob Temptation is the life of man vpon earth Euery one therefore ought to be carefull and diligently to arme himselfe with prayer against his temptations lest the Diuell finde time and place to deceiue him who neuer sleepeth but goeth about seeking whom he may deuour No man is so perfect and holy but hath sometimes temptations and we cannot be altogether free from them 2 Temptations are often profitable vnto men though they be troublesome and grieuous for in them man is humbled purged and instructed All the Saints haue passed and profited through many tribulations and temptations and they that could not beare temptations became reprobate and fell from God There is no order so holy nor place so secret where there be not temptations or aduersities 3 There is no man that is altogether free from temptations whilest he liueth on earth for in our selues is the cause thereof being borne with inclination to euill When one temptation or tribulation goeth away another commeth and we shal euer haue something to suffer because wee haue lost that innocencie with which we were created Many seeke to flie temptations and do fall more grieuously into them By flight alone we cannot ouercome but by patience and true humility wee become stronger then all our enemies 4 Hee that onely auoideth them outwardly and doth not pluck them vp by the root shall profit little yea temptation will the sooner returne vnto him and he shall feele himselfe in worse case then before By little and little and by patience with longanimitie through Gods help thou shalt more easily ouercome then with violence and thine owne importunity Often take counsell in temptation and deale not roughly with him that is tempted but giue him comfort as thou wouldest wish to be done to thy selfe 5 The beginning of al euil temptations is inconstancie of minde and little confidence in God for as a shippe without a sterne is tosted to and fro with the waues so the man that is negligent and leaueth his purpose is many wayes tempted Fire trieth iron and temptation a just man We know not oftentimes what we are able to doe but temptations doe shew vs what wee are We must be watchfull especially in the beginning of the temptation for the enemie is then more easily ouercome if hee bee not suffered to enter the dore of our hearts but bee resisted without the gate at his first knocke Wherefore one said Ouid. libr. 1. de remed amoris Withstand the beginnings for an after-remedie comes often too late First there commeth to the minde an euill thought then a strong imagination thereof afterwards delight and an euill motion and then consent and so by little and little our wicked enemie getteth full entrance whilest he is not resisted in the beginning And how much the longer one is negligent in resisting so much weaker doth he become daily and the enemy stronger against him 6 Some suffer greatest temptations in the beginning of their conuersion others in the later end others againe are much troubled almost through the whole time of their life Some are but easily tempted according to the wisdome and equity of the diuine appointment which weigheth the state and deserts of men and ordaineth al things for the sauing of his elect and chosen seruants 7 We ought not therefore to despaire when we are tempted but so much the more feruently to pray vnto God that hee will vouchsafe to helpe vs in all tribulation who surely according to the saying of S. Paul Will make with temptation such issue that we may be able to sustaine it Let vs therefore humble our selues vnder the hand of God in all temptation and tribulation for he wil saue and exalt the humble in spirit 8 In temptations and afflictions man is proued how much he hath profited and his merit is thereby the greater before God and his vertues doe more openly appeare Neither is it any great matter if a man bee deuout and feruent when he feeleth no heauines but if in time of aduersitie he beare himselfe patiently there is hope of great good Some are kept from great temptations and are often ouercome in smal ones which do daily occurre to the end that being humbled they may neuer presume on themselues in great matters who in so small things doe see themselues so weake CHAP. XIV Of auoiding rash Iudgement TVrne thine eyes vnto thy selfe and beware thou judge not rashly the deeds of other men Mat. 7. Rom. 25. Eccls. 3. In judging of others a man alwaies laboureth in vaine often erreth and quickely sinneth but in judging and discussing of himselfe he alwaies laboureth fruitfully We often judge of things according to our owne desire for priuate affection bereaues vs easily of true judgement If God were alwaies the pure intention of our desire wee should not be so much troubled with the repugnance of our sensualitie 2 But oftentimes some inward secret inclination or outward affection occurreth which draweth vs after it Many secretly seeke themselues in their actions and know it not They seeme also to liue in good peace of minde when things are done according to their will and opinion but if it succeed otherwise then they desire they are straight waies troubled and much afflicted The diuersities of judgements and opinions cause often dissentions betweene friends and neighbours betweene religious and deuout persons Matth. 12. Luk. 12. 3 An old custome is hardly broken and no man is willingly led further then himselfe liketh If thou dost more rely vpon thine own reason or industry then vpon the vertue of obedience to Iesus Christ Hier. 13. it will be long before thou be illuminated with grace for almighty God will haue vs perfectly subiect vnto him and that we transcend the narrow limits of humane reason enflamed with his loue CHAP. XV. Of Workes done of Charity FOr no worldly thing nor for the loue of any man is any euill to be done Matth. 18. but yet for the profit of one that standeth in need a good worke is sometimes to be left off or changed also for a better For by doing this a good worke is not lost but changed into another of greater merit The exteriour worke without charity profiteth nothing 1. Cor. 13. but whatsoeuer is done of charitie be it neuer so little
any one so spirituall that is free from the loue of all earthly things For where is any that is indeed poore in spirit and free from all affection of creatures Far hence and from the end of the world is his price Prou. 31. If a man should giue all his wealth yet is it nothing And if he should doe great penance yet is it little And if hee should attaine to all knowledge hee is yet far off And if hee should haue great vertue and very feruent deuotion yet there is much wanting to wit one thing which is most necessary for him What is that That leauing all he forsake himselfe and goe perfectly from himselfe and retaine nothing of selfe-loue Matth. 16. And vvhen hee hath done all that hee knoweth to bee done let him thinke that hee hath done nothing 3 Let him not weigh that much which might be much esteemed but according to truth let him affirme himselfe to bee an vnprofitable seruant as our Sauiour hath said When you shall haue done all things that are commanded you say Wee are vnprofitable seruants Luk. 17. Then may he be truely poore in spirit and naked and say with the Prophet I am alone and poore yet no man more powerfull no man more free then he that can leaue himselfe and all things and put himselfe in the meanest and lowest place Psal 24. CHAP. XII Of the high way of the holy Crosse VNTO many seemeth hard this speech Deny thy selfe take vp thy crosse and follow Iesus Mat. 16. But it will be much harder to heare that last word Get ye away from me ye cursed into euerlasting fire For they that now willingly heare and follow the word of the Crosse shall not then feare to heare the sentence of euerlasting damnation This signe of the Crosse shall be in heauen when our Lord shall come to judgement Then all the seruants of the Crosse who in their life time conformed themselues vnto Christ crucified shal draw neere vnto our Lord with great confidence 2 Why therefore fearest thou to take vp 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 in the Crosse is infusion of heauenly 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 There is no health of the soule nor hope of euerlasting life but in the Crosse Take vp therefore thy crosse and follow Iesus and thou shalt goe into life euerlasting Hee is gone before bearing his Crosse Luc. 14. and is dead for thee on the Crosse Ioh. 19. that thou mayest also beare thy Crosse and desire to die on the Crosse with him For if thou diest with him thou shalt also liue with him And if thou bee his companion in paine thou shalt bee partaker with him also in glory 2. Cor. 1. 3 Behold in the Crosse all doth consist and all lyeth in ending our life vpon it for there is no other way vnto life and vnto true inward peace but the vvay of the Holy Crosse and of daily mortification Goe where thou wilt seeke whatsoeuer thou wilt thou shalt not finde a higher way aboue nor a safer way belovv then the vvay of the holy Crosse Dispose and order all things according to thy will judgement yet thou shalt euer finde that of necessity thou must suffer somwhat either willingly or against thy will so as thou shalt neuer fully auoid the Crosse For either thou shalt feele paine in thy body or in thy soule thou shalt suffer tribulation of spirit 4 Sometimes thou shalt be forsaken of God sometimes thou shalt be troubled by thy neighbors which is more oftentimes thou shalt bee irksome to thy selfe neither canst thou be deliuered or eased by any remedie or comfort but so long as pleaseth God thou oughtest to beare it For God wil haue thee learn to suffer tribulation without comfort and that thou submit thy selfe wholly to him and become more humble by tribulation No man hath so liuely a feeling of the Passion of Christ as hee who hath chanced to suffer the like The Crosse therefore is alwaies ready and euery where attendeth thee Thou canst not escape it whither soeuer thou flyest for wheresoeuer thou goest thou cariest thy selfe with thee shalt euer find thy selfe both aboue below without and within which way soeuer thou doest turne thee alwaies thou shalt find the Crosse euery where of necessity thou must haue patience if thou wilt haue inward peace and deserue an euerlasting Crowne 5 If thou beare the crosse willingly it wil beare thee and lead thee to thy desired end to wit where there shall be an end of suffering though heere there shall not If thou beare it vnwillingly thou makest for thy self a new burden encreasest thy load and yet notwithstanding thou must beare it If thou cast away one crosse without doubt thou shalt finde another and that perhaps a more heauy 6 Thinkest thou to escape that which no man could euer auoid Which of the Saints in the vvorld was vvithout crosses and tribulations Verily Iesus Christ our Lord was neuer one houre without paine of suffering so long as hee liued Christ saith he ought to suffer and rise againe from death and so to enter into his glory and how doest thou seeke any other way then this high way which is the way of the holy Crosse Luk. 24. 7 The whole life of Christ was a Crosse and Martyrdome and doest thou seek rest and joy Thou art deceiued thou art deceiued if thou seekest any other thing then to suffer tribulations for this whole mortall life is full of miseries and inuironed on euery side with Crosses Iob. 7. And how much the more one hath profited in spirit so much the heauier Crosses he oftentimes findeth for the loue he beareth to God encreaseth the griefe which hee endureth for his banishment 8 But yet this man though so many waies afflicted is not without the remedy of spirituall consolation for the great good which he perceiueth to grow vnto him by the bearing of his Crosse For whilest he willingly putteth himselfe vnder it all the burthen of tribulation is turned into the confidence of diuine comfort And how much the more the flesh is vvasted by affliction so much the more is the spirit strengthened by invvard grace 2. Cor. 11. 12. And sometimes hee is so comforted with the desire of tribulation and aduersitie for the loue of conforming himselfe to the Crosse of Christ that he would not wish at any time to bee without sorrow and tribulation because hee beleeueth that so much the more gratefull hee shall be vnto God how much the more hee can suffer for him This is not a worke of humane vertue but it is the grace of Christ that can and doth so much in fraile flesh that what naturally it alwaies
false which he proposeth whether he ouerthrow thee with the loue of present or the feare of future things Let not therefore thy heart be troubled neither doe thou feare Psal 90. Beleeue in me and put thy trust in my mercy When thou thinkest thy selfe furthest off from mee oftentimes I am nearest vnto thee When thou judgest that almost all is lost then oftentimes greatest gaine of merit is at hand All is not lost when any thing falleth out contrary vnto thee Thou must not judge according to that which thou feelest for the present nor giue thy selfe ouer to any griefe from whence soeuer it commeth as though all hope of deliuery were quite gone 4 Think not thy selfe wholy left although for a time I haue sent thee some tribulation or withdrawne thy desired comfort for this is the way to the kingdom of heauē And without doubt it is more expedient for thee and the rest of my seruants that yee be exercised with many aduersities then that yee should haue all things according to your desires I know the secret thoughts of thy hart and that it is very expedient for thy soules health that thou be left sometimes without taste feeling of spirituall sweetnesse lest perhaps thou shouldest bee puffed vp with good successe and shouldest please thy self in that which thou art not That which I haue giuen I can take away and restore it againe when I please 5 When I giue it it is mine when I withdraw it I take not any thing that is thine for mine is euery good and euery perfect gift If I send thee affliction or any crosse whatsoeuer repine not nor be not dismayd I can quickly lift thee vp againe turne al thy sorrow into joy Neuerthelesse I am just and greatly to be praised when I do all this vnto thee Iam. 1. 6 If thou be wise consider wel thy case thou wilt neuer yeeld so cowardly to griefe for any aduersitie that befalles thee but rather reioyce and giue thanks yea to account this thy only joy that afflicting thee with sorrowe◠I do not spare thee As my Father hath loued me I also loue you said I vnto my beloued Disciples whom certainly I sent not to temporal joyes but to great cōflicts Io. 15. not to honors but to contempts not to idlenes but to labors 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 Creator THE SERVANT LOrd I stand yet in need of great grace if I must go so far as that no man or creature can hinder me For as long as any thing holdeth mee I cannot fly freely vnto thee He desired to fly with great liberty that said Who will giue me wings like a doue and I will fly and rest Psa 54. What thing more quiet then a simple eye Mat. 6. And what more free then he that desireth nothing vpon earth Man ought therfore to ascend aboue all creatures and perfectly to forsake himselfe and to remaine in excesse of minde and consider that thou who art the maker of al things hast nothing amongst creatures like vnto thee And vnlesse a man be free from the affection of all creatures he cannot with freedome of minde attend vnto diuine things And for this cause there are so few contemplatiue men to bee found for that few can wholy sequester themselues from fading creatures 2 Much grace is necessary to lift vp a soule and to carrie it aboue it selfe And vnlesse a man be lifted vp in spirit and deliuered from all creatures and wholy vnited vnto God whatsoeuer he knoweth and whatsoeuer hee hath is of little account Long shall hee bee little and lye in earthly basenesse that esteemeth any thing great but the one only vnmeasurable and eternall good For whatsoeuer is not God is nothing and ought to bee accounted as nothing There is great difference betweene the wisdome of a spirituall and deuout person and the knowledge of a learned and studious Clerke Farre more noble is that learning which floweth from aboue from the diuine influence then that which is painfully gotten by the wit of man 3 There are many that desire contemplation but they endeauour not to exercise those things that are required thereunto It is a great hinderance that we rest in signes and sensible things haue little true mortification I know not what it is nor by what spirit we are led nor what we pretend we that seeme to be called spirituall that we take so much paines and so great care for transitory base things scarce or seldom thinke of our owne inward profite with full recollection of our senses 4 Alas presently after a sleight recollection we breake foorth and weigh not our workes with diligent examination We minde not where our affections lie nor bewaile the impurity and many faults that are in all our actions For all flesh had corrupted her way therefore did that generall floud ensue Gen. 6. 7. Sith our inward affection then is much corrupted it must needs be that our action proceeding therof be corrupted as a signe of the want of inward vigour From a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good life 5 Wee aske how much one hath done but how vertuous his actions are is not so diligently considered We enquire whether hee be strong rich beautifull handsome a good writer a good singer or a good laborer but how poore he is in spirit how patient meek how deuout spiritual is seldome spoken of Nature respecteth outward things grace turneth her selfe to the inward vertues That is often deceiued this hath her trust in God to the end shee be not deceiued CHAP. XXXII Of the deniall of our selues and forsaking all our affections OVR LORD SOnne thou canst not possesse perfect libertie vnlesse thou wholy denie thy selfe All such as bee louers of themselues are bound in fetters they are couetous curious wanderers seekers of ease and not of those things that appertaine to Iesus Christ but oftentimes deuising and framing that vvhich vvill not continue Matth. 16. and 19. For all shall perish that proceedeth not From God Keep this short and complete word Forsake al and thou shalt finde all Leaue thy inordinate desires and thou shalt find rest Consider this well and when thou hast fulfilled it thou shalt vnderstand all SER. 2 Lord this is not one dayes vvorke nor childrens sport yea in this short sentence all the perfection of Religious persons is included LORD Sonne thou must not go back nor straight waies be deiected when thou hearest the way of the perfect but rather bee stirred vp to more worthy and noble attempts or at least to conceiue an earnest desire thereof I would it were so well with thee and thou wert come so far that thou wert no longer a louer of thy selfe but didst stand meerely at my beck at his whom I haue appointed a Father ouer thee then thou shouldest
wee bee extolled in our good deeds pag. 188 What we ought to doe and say in euerie thing which we desire pag. 191 That true comfort is to be sought in God alone pag. 194 That all our care is to be placed in God pag. 196 That temporall miseries by the example of Christ are to be borne patiently pag. 198 Of suffering of iniuries and who is proued to be truely patient pag. 201 Of the acknowledging of our owne infirmitie and of the miseries of this life pag. 204 That wee are to rest in God aboue all his gifts pag. 208 Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God pag. 213 Of foure things that bring much peace pag. 217 Of flying curious inquiry of the life of others pag. 221 Wherein doth the firme peace of the heart and true profit consist pag. 223 Of the excellencie of a free minde which humble prayer better deserueth then reading pag. 226 That priuate loue most hindereth from the chiefest good pag. 229 Against the tongue of slanderers pag. 432 How we ought to call vpon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere pag. 233 Of crauing the diuine aide and confidence of recouering grace pag. 235 Of the contempt of all creatures to finde our Creator pag. 240 Of the deniall of our selues and forsaking our affections pag. 244 Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our finall intentions vnto God pag. 247 That God is sweet aboue all things and in all things to him that loueth pag. 249 That there is no security from temptation in this life pag. 252 Against the vaine iudgements of men pag. 255 Of a full and pure resignation of our selues for the obtaining freedome of heart pag. 257 Of good gouernment in outward things and of recourse to God in dangers pag. 260 That a man be not ouer earnest in his affaires pag. 262 That man hath no good of himselfe nor any thing whereof he can glory pag. 264 Of the contempt of all temporall honors pag. 267 That our peace is not to be placed in men pag. 268 Against vaine and secular knowledge pag. 271 Of not drawing outward things to our selues pag. 274 That credit is not to be giuen to all men and how prone man is to offend in words pag. 275 Of putting our trust in God when euill words arise pag. 280 That all grieuous things are to be endured for life euerlasting pag. 284 Of the euerlasting day and shortnesse of this life pag. 287 Of the desire of euerlasting life and how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly pag. 292 How a desolate person ought to offer himselfe into the hands of God pag. 299 That a man ought to imploy himselfe in workes of humilitie when force is wanting for higher exercises pag. 305 That a man ought to esteeme himselfe vnworthy of comfort and to haue deserued stripes pag. 307 That the grace of God is not giuen to those that sauour of earthly things pag. 310 Of the different motions of Nature and Grace pag. 313 Of the corruption of nature and efficacie of diuine grace pag. 320 That we ought to deny our selues and imitate Christ by the Crosse pag. 325 That a man bee not too much deiected when he falleth into some defects pag. 329 Of not searching into high matters and into the secret iudgements of God pag. 333 That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone pag. 341 THE FOVRTH BOOKE WIth how great reuerence Christ is to be receiued pag. 349 That great goodnes and charity of God is bestowed vpon man in this SacrameÌ„t pag. 356 That it is profitable to communicate often pag. 361 That many benefits are bestowed vpon them that communicate deuoutly pag. 365 Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Priestly function pag. 371 An Interrogation of the exercise before Communion pag. 374 Of the discussing of our owne conscience and purpose of amendment pag. 375 Of the oblation of Christ on the Crosse and resignation of our selues pag. 379 That we ought to offer vp our selues and all that is ours vnto God and to pray for all pag. 381 That the holy Communion is not lightly to be forborne pag. 386 That the Body of Christ and the holy Scripture are most necessary vnto a faithfull soule pag. 392 That he that is to communicate ought to prepare himself with great diligence pag. 399 That a deuout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be vnited vnto Christ in the Sacrament pag. 403 Of the feruent desire of some deuout persons to receiue the body of Christ pag. 406 That the grace of deuotion is obtained by humilitie and deniall of our selues pag. 409 That we ought to manifest our necessities vnto Christ and to craue his grace pag. 412 Of burning loue and vehement desire to receiue Christ pag. 414 That a man bee not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense vnto faith pag. 418 OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE FIRST BOOKE CHAP. I. Of the Imitation of Christ and contempt of all the vanities of the world HEE that followeth me walketh not in darknes saith our Lord. Ioh. 8. These are the words of Christ by which we are admonished that we ought to imitate his life and manners if we will be partakers of his diuine light and be deliuered from all blindnesse of heart Let therefore our chiefe care be to meditate vpon the life or Iesus Christ 2 The doctrine of Christ exceedeth all the doctrine of the Saints and hee that had the light of spirit would discouer therein a secret and hidden Manna But it falleth out that many who often heare the Gospell of Christ doe yet feele in themselues but slender motion of any holy desire because they are voide of the Spirit of Christ But whosoeuer will fully and feelingly vnderstand the words of Christ must endeauour to conforme his life wholly to the life of Christ 3 What will it auaile thee to dispute profoundly of the Trinitie if thou be void of humility and thereby displeasing to the Trinitie High words surely make a man neither holy nor just but a vertuous life maketh him deare to God I had rather feele compunction then vnderstand the definition thereof 1. Cor. â—â— If thou diddest know the whole Bible by heart and the sayings of all the Philosophers what would all that profit thee without charity and the grace of God Vanity of vanities and al is vanity but only to loue God and wholly to serue him Eccles 1. This is the highest wisdome by contempt of the world to tend towards the Kingdome of heauen 4 It is therefore vanity to seeke after fading riches and to repose trust in them It is also vanity to gape after honors and to climbe to high degrees It is vanity to follow the appetites of the flesh and to labour for that for which thou must afterwards suffer more griueuous punishment Vanity it is to wish to liue long and to
passe avvay Eccl. 2. Would God their life had beene answerable to their learning then had their study and reading bin to good purpose How many perish in this world by reason of vaine learning who take little care of the seruice of God Tit. 1. And because they rather choose to bee great then humble Rom. 1. therefore they vanish away in their owne thoughts Mat. 18. and 23. He is truely great that is great in charity He is truly great that is little in himselfe and that maketh no account of the height of honor He is truly wise that accounteth all earthly things as dung that he may gaine Christ And he is truly learned that fulfilleth the will of Christ and forsaketh his owne Phil. 3. CHAP. IV. Of Prudence and Fore-sight in our actions WE must not giue eare to euery suggestion or instinct but ought warily leasurely to ponder things according to the wil of God 1. Io. 4. But alas such is our weakenesse that wee rather often beleeue and speake euill of others then good Those that are perfectly vertuous do not easily giue credit to euery thing that is told them Gen. 8. for they know that humane frailtie is prone to euill and very subiect to faile in words Iam. 3. 2 It is great wisedome not to be rash in thy proceedings nor to stand stiffely in thine owne conceits Prouerb 19. as also not to beleeue euery thing which thou hearest nor presently to relate againe to others what thou hast heard or doest beleeue Prou. 17. Consult with him that is wise and of a good conscience and seeke to be instructed by a better then thy selfe rather then to follow thine owne inuentions A good life maketh a man wise according to God and giueth him experience in many things Prou. 15. and Eccl. 1. How much the humbler one is in himselfe and more subiect and resigned vnto God so much the more prudent shall hee bee in all his affaires and enioy greater peace and quiet of heart CHAP. V. Of the reading of holy Scriptures TRuth not eloquence is to bee sought for in holy Scriptures Each part of them is to be read with the same spirit it was made Wee should rather search after spirituall profit in Scriptures then subtility of speech Rom. 15. We ought to reade deuout and simple books as willingly as high and learned Let not the reputation of the writer offend thee whether he be of great or small learning but let the pure word of truth moue thee to reade Search not who spake this or that but marke what is spoken 1. Cor. 2. 2 Men passe away but the truth of our Lord remaineth for euer Psal 110. and Luk. 21. God speaketh vnto vs sundry wayes without respect of persons Our owne curiosity often hindereth vs in reading of the Scriptures when as we will examine and discusse that which wee should rather passe ouer without more ado Rom. 2. 10. Col. 3. If thou desire to reape profite reade humbly plainly and faithfully neuer desire the estimation of learning Inquire willingly and heare with silence the words of holy men dislike not the Parables of Elders for they are not recounted without cause Prou. 1. and 18. CHAP. VI. Of inordinate desires and affections WHensoeuer a man desireth any thing inordinately he is presently disquieted in himselfe The proud and couetous can neuer rest The poore and humble in spirit liue together in all peace The man that is not wholly dead in himselfe is quickely tempted and ouercome in small and trifling things The weake in spirit and that is yet in a manner subiect to his appetites and prone to sensible things can hardly withdraw himselfe altogether from earthly desires And therefore hee is often afflicted when hee goeth about to retire himselfe from them and easily falleth into indignation when any opposition is made against him 2 And if he hath followed therein his appetite hee is presently disquieted with remorse of conscience for that hee yeeldeth to his passion which profiteth him nothing to the obtaining of the peace hee sought for True quiet of minde therefore is gotten by resisting our passions not by obeying them There is no peace in the heart of a carnall man nor of him that is addicted to outward things but in the spirituall and feruent CHAP. VII Of flying vaine Hope and Pride HEE is vaine that putteth his trust in men or creatures Hier. 17.1 Bee not ashamed to serue others for the loue of Iesus Christ nor to be esteemed poore in this world Presume not vpon thy selfe but place thy hope in God Psalm 30. Doe vvhat lyeth in thy power and God will assist thee Trust not in thine owne knowledge nor in the wisdome or prudence of any liuing creature but rather in the grace of God who helpeth the humble and humbleth the presumptuous and proud Hier. 9. 2 Glory not in wealth if thou haue it nor in the power of thy friends but in God who giueth all things and aboue all desireth to giue thee himselfe Extol not thy selfe for the stature and beauty of thy bodie which is dissolued disfigured with euery little sicknes Take not pleasure in thy naturall gifts or wit lest therby thou displease God to whom appertaineth all the good whatsoeuer Nature hath giuen thee 3 Esteeme not thy selfe better then others lest perhaps in the sight of God who knoweth what is in man thou be accounted worse then they Exod. 3. 12. Bee not proud of thy good workes for the iudgements of God are far different from the iudgements of men and that often offendeth him which pleaseth them Iob 9. If there be any good in thee beleeue that there is much more in others that so thou mayst the better keepe within thy heart the precious treasure of humility It is no preiudice vnto thee to esteeme thy selfe worse then all the world but it hurteth thee very much to preferre thy selfe before any one The humble enioy continuall peace but in the heart of the proud is enuy and often indignation CHAP. VIII That too much familiarity is to be shunned LAy not thy heart open to euery one but treate of thy affaires with the wise and such as feare God Eccl. 8. Conuerse not much with yong people and strangers Flatter not the rich neither doe thou appeare willingly before great personages Keep company with the humble simple deuout and vertuous and conferre with them of those things that may edifie Be not familiar with any woman but in generall commend all good women to God Prou. 5. Desire to bee familiar with God alone and his Angels and fly the knowledge of men 2 Wee must haue charitie towards all but familiaritie with all is not expedient Sometimes it falleth out that the fame of some person that is not knowne is much esteemed whose presence notwithstanding is not gratefull to the eyes of the beholders Wee thinke sometimes to please others by our company and wee rather distate them with
daily in spirit and obtained great grace in Gods sight They were giuen for an example and patterne of perfection in Gods Church their example should more stir vs vp to a desire of our spiritual profit then the nūber of the luke-warme dissolute liuers draw vs to the neglect therof 5 O how great was the feruour of all religious persons in the beginning of their holy institution How great was their deuotion to prayer How diligent emulation of vertue How exact discipline flourished How great reuerence and obedience vnder the rule of their Superiour obserued they in al things Their footsteps yet remaining doe testifie that they were indeed holy and perfect men who sighting so valiantly trode the world vnder their feet Now he is greatly accounted of that breaketh not the rule that can with patiēce endure that which he hath professed 6 O coldnes and negligence of our time that we so quickly decline from our first feruour and are come to that passe that very slouth and coldnesse of spirit makes our owne liues tedious vnto vs Would to God the desire to profite in vertue did not wholly sleepe in thee who hast often seene the holy examples of deuout and religious soules CHAP. XIX Of the Exercise of a good and Religious person THe life of a religious person ought to shine with all vertues that he may inwardly be such as outwardly he seemeth to men Mat. 5. And with reason thou oughtest to bee much more within then is perceiued without for God beholdeth the heart Psal 33. Heb. 4. Psal 15. whom we ought most highly to reuerence wheresoeuer wee are and walke in purity like Angels in his sight and to renue daily our purposes and stir vp our selues to feruour as though this were the first day of our conuersion and to say Helpe me my God in this my good purpose and in thy holy seruice and grant that I may now this day begin perfectly for that which I haue done hitherto is nothing 2 According to our purpose shall be the successe of our profit and much diligence is necessary to him that will profit much And if he that firmely purposeth often faileth what shall he doe that seldome purposeth any thing or with little certainty It may fall out sundry waies that we leaue off our purpose and if for light occasions wee omit our accustomed exercises it seldome passeth without some losse The purpose of just men is rather grounded vpon the grace of God then on their owne wisdome in whom also they alwayes haue confidence in whatsoeuer they take in hand For man doth purpose but God disposeth neither is the way of man in his own hands Prou. 16. 3 If an accustomed exercise bee sometimes omitted for some worke of charitie or of intention to profit our neighbour it may easily afterward be recouered Eccles 7. but if it be lightly left through inconstancie or negligence it is an offence and will proue hurtfull Though vve endeauour what we can yet shall we faile in many things But yet me must alwaies purpose something certaine especially against that which most hinders vs. We must examine well and order both our exteriour and interiour actions for that both are expedient for our progresse in vertue 4 If thou canst not alwaies recollect thy selfe yet do it sometimes and that at least once euery day to wit in the morning or euening In the morning make thy good purpose Deu. 4. in the euening examine thy self what thou hast bin that day in word deed or thought for that in these oftentimes perhaps thou hast offended God and thy neighbour Arme thy selfe with courage against the malicious attempts of thine enemy Refraine gluttony and thou shalt more easily bridle all the disordered inclinations of the flesh Neuer be altogether idle but either reading or writing or praying or meditating or labouring something of profit for the common good but bodily exercises are to be discreetly vsed and not to be vndertaken equally of all 5 Those things that be not common are not to be done in the sight of al for priuate things are best done in secret But thou must beware thou neglect not that to which thou art bound by common rule and be ready in performing thy priuate deuotions but hauing fully and faithfully accomplished all thy duties those things that were enioyned thee if thou hast further leasure returne to thy selfe as thy deuotion desireth All cannot vse the same exercise but one is more conuenient for this person another for that According to the diuersity of times also diuers exercises are fitting for some suite better with festiuall daies others with daies of labour We haue need of one kind in temptations and of others in time of peace and quiet Wee desire to thinke of other things when we are sorrowfull then we do when we are cheerefull in our Lord. 6 When principall feasts draw neere good exercises are to be renued and the intercessions of Saints more feruently to be implored From feast to feast we should make some good purpose as though wee were then to depart out of this world and to come to the euerlasting feasts of heauen And therefore we ought to prepare our selues carefully at holy times and to liue more deuoutly and to keepe more exactly all things that wee are to obserue as though shortly we were to receiue reward of our labour at Gods hands 7 And if it bee differred let vs thinke that we were not well prepared nor worthy as yet of so great glory as shal be reuealed in vs at the time appointed and let vs labour to prepare our selues better for our departure Rom. 8. Blessed is that seruant saith S. Luke the Euangelist whom when his Lord commeth he shall finde watching Luk. 13. verily I say vnto you he shall place him ouer all that he possesseth Mat. 24. CHAP. XX. Of the loue of Solitude and Silence SEeke a fit time to attend to thy selfe and often thinke of the benefits of God Leaue curious things Reade ouer such matters as may cause rather compunction then the labour of much study If thou withdraw thy selfe from superfluous talk and idle wandring about as also from hearing of newes tales thou shalt finde sufficient and fit time to thinke of good things The greatest Saints auoided the company of men as much as they could and chose to liue to God in secret Hebr. 3. 2 One said As often as I haue bin amongst men I haue returned lesse man Senec. ep 7. The same we finde by experience when wee talke long It is easier to keepe silence altogether then not to exceed in words It is easier for a man to keep home then to demeane himselfe as he ought in all things abroad He therefore that desireth to attaine to internal spirituall graces ought with Iesus to withdraw himselfe from the people Mat. 4. No man goeth safely abroad but hee that gladly keepeth home Eccl. 3. No man securely gouerneth but he
thou complaine Christ had aduersaries and backbiters and wilt thou haue all men thy friends and benefactors For what shall thy patience be crowned if no aduersitie happen vnto thee 2. Tim. 21. If thou wilt suffer no aduersity how wilt thou be the friend of Christ Suffer vvith Christ and for Christ if thou desire to raigne with Chrâ—â—â— 6 If thou 〈…〉 perfectly entered into the heart of Iesus and tasted a little of his burning loue then wouldest thou not weigh thy owne commodity or discommodity but wouldest rather reioyce at slanders when they should chance to the cast vpon 〈…〉 for the loue of Iesus maketh a man to despise himselfe A louer of Iesus and of truth and a true spirituall person and free from inordinat affections can freely turne himselfe vnto God and lift himselfe aboue himselfe in spirit and with great joy of his soule rest in God 7 He that judgeth of all things as they are and not as they are said and esteemed to bee is truely wise and taught rather by God then men Esa 54. He that can liue spiritually and make small reckoning of outward things neither requireth places nor attendeth times for performing of deuout exercises A spirituall man quickly recollecteth himself because he neuer yeeldeth ouer himself wholy to outward things He is not hindred by outward labour or busines which may be necessary for the time but as things fall out so he frameth himselfe vnto them Hee that hath well ordered and disposed all things within careth little for the vaine inuentions and peruerse inclinations of men So much is a man hindred and distracted how much he draweth matters vnto himselfe 8 If all went well with thee and thou haddest thy heart well purged all things would fall out to thy good and profit But many things displease and often trouble thee because thou art not yet perfectly dead vnto thy selfe nor free from the affection of earthly things Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 4. Nothing so defileth and intangleth the heart of man as the impure loue to creatures If thou refuse outward comfort thou wilt be able to contemplate the things of heauen and often receiue internall joy CHAP. II. Of humble submission REspect not much who is with thee or who is against thee Endeauour and take care that God may be for thee in euery thing thou doest Psal 27. Haue a good conscience and God will defend thee For whom God will helpe no malice of man can hurt If thou canst hold thy peace and suffer without doubt thou shalt see that our Lord wil help thee He knoweth the time and manner how to deliuer thee and therefore thou oughtest to resigne thy selfe vnto him It belongs to God to help and to deliuer from all shame Oftentimes it is very profitable for the better keeping of humilitie that others know reprehend our faults 2 When a man humbleth himselfe for his faults then he easily pacifieth others and quickly satisfieth those that are offended with him God protecteth and deliuereth the humble he loueth and comforteth the humble vnto the humble man he inclineth himselfe vnto the humble he giueth great grace and after his humiliation hee raiseth him vnto glorie Vnto the humble hee reuealeth his secrets and sweetely draweth and inuiteth him vnto himselfe Matth. 12. The humble when hee hath receiued confusion is in peace for that hee resteth in God and relieth not on the world Doe not thinke that thou hast profited any thing vnlesse thou esteeme thy selfe inferiour to all CHAP. III. Of a good and peaceable man FIrst keepe thy selfe in peace and then maist thou pacifie others A peaceable man doth more good then he that is well learned A passionate man turneth good into euill and easily beleeueth the worst A good peaceable man turneth all things into good He that is well in peace is not suspitious of any 1. Cor. 15. But hee that is discontented and troubled is tossed with diuers suspitions he is neither quiet himselfe nor suffereth others to be quiet He often speaketh that which he ought not to speake and omitteth that which were more expedient for him to doe Hee considereth what others are bound to doe and neglecteth that which he is bound to himselfe Ma. 7. First therefore haue a carefull zeale ouer thy selfe and then thou mayest justly shew thy selfe zealous of thy neighbours good Act. 1. 2 Thou knowest well how to excuse and colour thine owne deeds and thou wilt not receiue the excuses of others It were more meet that thou diddest accuse thy selfe and excusedst thy brother Gal. 6. If thou wilt be borne withal beare also with another 1. Cor. 13. Behold how far off thou art as yet from true charitie and humility which knoweth not how to be angry with any or to bee moued with indignation but only against himselfe It is no great matter to conuerse with the good and those that are of a gentle disposition for that is naturally pleasing to all and euery one willingly enioyeth peace and loueth those best that agree with him But to bee able to liue peaceably with the vnquiet and peruerse mindes or with the disorderly or such as contradict vs is a great grace and very commendable 3 Some there are that keep themselues in peace and are in peace also with others And there are some that neither are in peace themselues nor suffer others to be in peace they are troublesome to others but alwayes more troublesome to themselues And others there are that keep themselues in peace and labour to bring others vnto peace Our whole peace in this miserable life coÌ„sisteth rather in humble suffering then in not feeling aduersities He that can best tell how to suffer will best keep himselfe in peace He is a conquerour of himselfe a Lord of the world friend of Christ and heire of heauen CHAP. IV. Of a pure minde and vpright intention WIth two wings man is lifted vp from earthly vanities that is with simplicity purity Simplicity ought to be in our intention Purity in our affection Simplicity fixeth the eyes of the soule in God Purity apprehendeth and tasteth his sweetnes No good action will hinder thee if thou be inwardly free from inordinate affection If thou intend and seeke nothing else but the will of God and the profite of thy neighbour thou shalt enioy eternall libertie If thy heart were sincere and vpright then euery creature would be vnto thee a looking-glasse of life and a booke of holy doctrine There is no creature so little and abiect that representeth not the goodnes of God 2 If in thine owne heart thou wert good and pure then thou wouldest be able to see and vnderstand all things without any impediment Rom. 1. Prou. 3. A pure heart penetrateth heauen and pierceth the depth of hell Psal 118. Such as euery one is inwardly so hee iudgeth outwardly If there bee ioy in the world surely a man of a pure heart possesseth it And if there bee any where tribulation and
so dealt withall we that are poore and weake ought not to despaire if we be somtimes feruent and sometimes cold for the spirit commeth and goeth according to the good pleasure of his will Ioh. 3. For which cause blessed Iob saith Thou visitest him early in the morning and suddenly thou prouest him Iob 7. 6 Whereupon therefore can I hope or wherin ought I to trust but in the great mercy of God alone and in the only hope of heauenly grace For whether I enioy the presence of good men or deuout brethren or faithfull friends or holy bookes or learned treatises or sweet songs and hymnes all these helpe little haue little sauour when grace forsaketh mee and I remaine left in my owne pouerty At such a time there is no better remedy then patience and the resigning of my selfe vnto the will of God Luk. 9. 7 I neuer found any so religious and deuout that hath not had sometimes a withdrawing of grace or felt not a decrease of feruour There was neuer Saint so highly wrapt and illuminated who first or last was not tempted For he is not worthy of the high contemplation of God who hath not bin exercised with some tribulation for God sake For temptation going before is wont to bee a signe of ensuing comfort And vnto those that are proued by temptations heauenly comfort is promised He that shal ouercome saith he I wil giue him to eate of the wood of life Apocal. 21. 8 But diuine comfort is giuen that a man may be stronger to beare aduersities There followeth also temptatiō lest we should wax proud of that good The diuel sleepeth not neither is our flesh as yet dead 1. Pet. 5. therefore cease not to prepare thy selfe to the battaile for on thy right hand and on thy left are enemies that neuer rest CHAP. X. Of thankefulnesse for the grace of God WHy seekest thou rest since thou art borne to labour Iob 3. Dispose thy selfe to patience rather then to comforts and to the bearing of the Crosse rather then to gladnes What secular person is there that would not willingly receiue spirituall joy and comfort if hee could alwayes haue it Luk. 14. Spirituall comforts exceed all the delights of the world all the pleasures of the flesh All worldly delights are either vaine or vncleane but spirituall delights are onely pleasant and honest produced by vertues and infused by God into pure hearts But no man can alwayes enioy these diuine comforts according to his desire for the time of temptation is not long away 2 False freedome of minde and great trust of our selues is very contrary to heauēly visitation God doth well in giuing grace but man doth euill in not returning it againe wholy vnto God with thankesgiuing And therefore the gifts of grace cannot flow in vs because wee are vngratefull to the giuer and returne them not wholly to the head-fountaine Eccles 1. For grace is euer due to him that is thankefull and from the proud shall be taken that which is wont to be giuen to the humble 3 I desire not that consolation that taketh from me compunction nor that contemplation which breedeth a haughtie minde For all that is high is not holy nor all that is sweet good nor euery desire pure nor euery thing that is deare vnto vs is gratefull to God I do willingly accept of that grace whereby I may euer become more humble and fearfull and be made more ready able to forsake my selfe He that is taught by the gift of grace by the scourge of the withdrawing thereof wil not dare to attribute any good to himselfe but will rather acknowledge himselfe poore and naked Giue vnto God that which is Gods Mat. 22. and ascribe vnto thy selfe that which is thine owne that is giue thankes vnto God for his grace and acknowledge that nothing is to be attributed to thee but only sinne and the punishment due thereunto 4 Content thy selfe and desire alwaies the meanest lowest things and the highest shall be giuen thee for the highest stand not without the lowest The highest Saints before God are the least in their own iudgments Luk. 14. And how much the more glorious so much the humbler within themselues Those that are ful of truth and heauenly glory are not desirous of the vaine-glory of this world Those that are firmely setled and grounded in God can no way be proud And they that ascribe all vnto God what good soeuer they haue receiued seeke not glory one of another Ioh. 5. but would haue that glory which is from God alone and desire aboue all things to praise God in himselfe and in all the Saints and alwaies tend vnto the same 5 Bee therefore gratefull for the least gift and thou shalt bee made worthy to receiue greater Let the least bee vnto thee also as the greatest and the most contemptible as an especiall gift If thou consider the worth of the giuer no gift wil seeme little or of meane esteeme For it is not little that is giuen by the soueraigne Maiesty of God Yea if hee should giue punishment and stripes it ought to be gratefull for that hee doth it alwayes for our saluation whatsoeuer he permitteth to happen vnto vs. He that desireth to keep the grace of God let him be thankefull for the grace giuen and patient for the taking away thereof Let him pray that it may returne Let him be wary and humble lest he leese it CHAP. XI How few the louers of the Crosse of Christ are IEsus hath now many louers of his heauenly kingdome but few bearers of his Crosse He hath many desirous of comfort but few of tribulation He findeth many companions of his Table but few of his abstinence Al desire to rejoyce with him few will suffer any thing for him or with him Many follow Iesus vnto the breaking of bread but few to the drinking of the Chalice of his Passion Many reuerence his miracles few follow the ignominy of his Crosse Luk. 9.22 Many loue Iesus as long as aduersities happen not Many praise and blesse him as long as they receiue any comfort from him But if Iesus hide himselfe and leaue them but a while they fal either into complaint or into too much deiection of minde 2 But they that loue Iesus for Iesus and not for some comfort of their own blesse him in al tribulation and anguish of hart as wel as in the greatest comfort And although he should neuer giue them comfort they notwithstanding would euer praise him and alwayes giue him thankes 3 O how powerfull is the pure loue of Iesus which is mixed with no selfe-loue nor proper interest Phil. 2. Are they not all to be called hirelings that euer seeke comforts Doe they not shew themselues to be rather louers of themselues then of Christ that alwaies think of their cōmoditie and gaine Where may one be found that will serue God without looking for reward 4 It is hard to finde
hart They deliuer the letters but thou openest the sense They bring foorth mysteries but thou disclosest the vnderstanding of sealed things They declare thy Commandements but thou helpest to fulfill them They shew the way but thou giuest strēgth to walke it They worke only exteriourly but thou instructest and enlightnest the hearts They water outwardly but thou giuest fruitfulnes They sound foorth words but thou giuest vnderstanding to the hearing 3 Let not therefore Moyses speak vnto me but thou my Lord God the euerlasting truth lest perhaps I shold die and become without fruit if I be warned outwardly onely and not inflamed within lest the word heard and not fulfilled knowen not loued belieued not obserued should increase my judgement Speak therfore Lord for thy seruant heareth for thou hast the words of euerlasting life 1. King 3. Speak vnto me to the comfort of my soule to the amēdmēt of my whole life to thy praise glory euerlasting honor Ioh. 6. CHAP. III. That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not OVR LORD SOnne heare my words words of great comfort excelling all the knowledge of the Philosophers and wise men of this world My words are spirit and life not to be weighed by the vnderstanding of man Ioh. 6. They are not to be drawne to vaine liking but to be heard with silence and to be receiued with all humility and great affection SER. And I said Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy Law that thou mayest giue him quietnes from euill daies and that hee bee not destroyed vpon earth Psal 93. LORD 2 I saith our Lord haue taught the Prophets from the beginning and cease not continually to speake to euery one but many are deafe and giue no eare to my speech Heb. 1. The greater number do more willingly listen to the world then to God and follow sooner the desires of their flesh then the will of God The world promiseth temporall and small things and is serued with great diligence I promise most high and eternal things and the hearts of men are nothing moued with it Who is he that serueth and obeyeth me with equall care to that with which the world and the Lords thereof are serued Blush Sidon saith the sea Esa 23. And if thou aske the cause heare vvhereof For a little prebend a long jorney is vndertaken for euerlasting life many will scarce once lift a foot from the ground A thing of small value is sought after greedily for a peny sometimes there is great contention for a vaine thing and sleight promise men doubt not to toile day and night 3 But alas for an vnchangeable good for an inestimable revvard for the highest honour and glorie without end they are loath to take the least paines Blush therefore slouthfull and complaining Seruant that they are found more ready to destruction then thou to life They reioyce more at vanity then thou at truth And yet they are sometimes frustrated of their hope but my promise deceiueth none nor sendeth him away empty that trusteth in me Rom. 1. Matth. 24. I will giue that which I haue promised I will fulfill that which I haue said but to him that remaines faithfull in my loue to the end Apoc. 2. I am the reward of all good and do try my deuout seruants in forcible proofes Mat. 5.15 4 Write my words in thy heart and thinke diligently of them for they will bee necessary in time of temptation What thou vnderstandest not whē thou readest thou shalt know in the day of visitation I am wont to visite my elect two seuerall wayes to wit with temptation and comfort And I daily reade two lessons vnto them one reprehending their vices another exhorting them to the encrease of vertues Hee that hath my words and despiseth them hath within him that shal judge him at the last day A prayer to implore the grace of deuotion SER. 5 Lord my God thou art all that I can desire Who am I that dare speake vnto thee I am thy poorest seruant and a most vile worme much more poore and contemptible then I can or dare expresse Gen. 18. Remember Lord that I am nothing haue nothing and can doe nothing Thou alone art good just and holy thou canst doe all things performest all things leauing only a sinner void of al good Call to mind thy mercies and fill my hart with thy grace who wilt not that thy workes be void 6 How can I support my selfe in this miserable life vnlesse thy mercy and grace comfort me Turne not thy face from me delay not thy visitation draw not away thy comfort lest my soule become as earth without water vnto thee Psal 68. Lord teach me to fulfill thy will teach me to liue worthily and humbly in thy sight for thou art my wisdome thou doest perfectly know me and didst know me before the world was made and before I was borne in the world Psal 142. CHAP. IV. That we ought to liue in truth and humility in the sight of God OVR LORD SOnne walke in my sight in sincerity and truth and euer seeke me in plainenesse of heart He that walketh in my sight in truth shal be defended from euill incursions and truth shall deliuer him from seducers and from the detractions of the wicked Gen. 17. Wisd 1. If truth shall haue deliuered thee thou shalt be truely free and shalt not care for vaine speeches of men 1. Ioh. 8. SER. Lord it is true According as thou sayest so I beseech thee let it be done with me and keepe me and bring mee to a happy end Let thy truth teach me and let it deliuer me from all euill affection and inordinat loue and I shall walke with thee in great freedome of heart LORD 2 I wil teach thee saith the Truth those things that are right and pleasing in my sight Thinke of thy sins with great sorrow griefe and neuer esteem thy selfe any thing for thy good workes Thou art in very deed a sinner and subiect to many passions Of thy selfe thou alwayes tendest to nothing and art quickly cast downe and ouercome quickly troubled quickly dissolued Thou hast nothing wherin thou canst glory 2. Cor. 4. But many things for which thou oughtest to humble and despise thy selfe for thou art much weaker then thou art able to comprehend 3 And therfore let nothing seeme much vnto thee whatsoeuer thou dost Let nothing seem great nothing precious wonderful nothing worthy of estimation nothing high nothing truly commendable and to be desired but that which is euerlasting Let the eternall truth aboue al things please thee Let thy owne great vnworthinesse alwayes displease thee Feare nothing blame flie nothing so much as thy sins and vices which ought to displease more then the losse of any thing whatsoeuer Some walke not sincerely in my sight but led by a certain curiosity pride wil know
things more which thou hast not yet well learned SER. What are those Lord LORD That thou frame thy desire wholy according to my pleasure and be not a louer of thy selfe but a diligent follower of my will Thy desires oftentimes doe stirre thee vp and driue thee forwards with violence but consider whether thou art mooued rather for my honour then for thine owne profit If I bee the cause thou wilt bee well content with whatsoeuer I shal ordaine but if there lurke in thee any selfe inclination behold this is it that hindreth thee and weigheth thee downe Phil. 2. 2 Beware therefore thou incline not too much vpon any desire that commeth to thy minde before thou aske my counsaile lest perhaps afterwards it repent thee and that thou beginne now to dislike that which before did please thee and vvhich thou earnestly desiredst as the best For euery affection that seemeth good is not presently to be-followed nor euery contrary affection at the first to be fled It is expedient sometimes to vse a restraint euen in good desires and endeauours lest by importunitie thou incurre distraction of minde and by euill example become a scandall vnto others or being gaine-said by others thou bee suddenly troubled and fall 3 Yet sometimes thou oughtest to vse violence and resist manfully thy sensuall appetites Philip. 2. and respect not what thy bodie vvould or vvould not but rather to labour that euen perforce it bee subiect to the spirit Rom. 8. and 2. Cor. 4. And it is to be chastised so long and to be forced vnder seruitude 2. Cor. 10. vntill it readily obey in all things and learne to bee content with a little and to be pleased with ordinary things and not to murmure against any inconuenience 1. Cor. 9. CHAP. XII Of the effect of Patience and of strife against Concupiscence THE SERVANT LOrd God I perceiue patience is very necessary vnto me for that many aduersities doe happen in this life Heb. 10. Howsoeuer I shall dispose of my peace my life cannot be without warre and affliction Iob 7. LORD So it is Son And my wil is not that thou seek after that peace which is void of temptation or that feeleth no contrarieties but then thinke that thou hast found peace when thou art exercised with sundry tribulations and tried in many aduersities Iam. 1. 2 If thou say that thou art not able to suffer much how then wilt thou endure the fire of Purgatory Of two euils the lesse is alwayes to be chosen That thou maist therefore auoid euerlasting punishments in the next world endeauour to suffer patiently for God the present euils of this Doest thou thinke that men of this world suffer little or nothing Thou art deceiued Looke into the life euen of them that liue in greatest delicacies and thou shalt finde it otherwise But thou wilt say they haue many delights and follow their own wills and therefore they make small account of their tribulations Be it so that they haue whatsoeuer they will but how long dost thou thinke it will last 3 Behold the vvealthy of this world vanish away like smoke and there shall bee no memory of their joyes past Psal 67. Yea euen while they liue also they rest not in them without griefe irksomnes and feare For the selfe-same thing in which they take their delight is oftentimes the cause of sorrow vnto them and much affliction They haue their desert who for that they immoderately seeke and follow delights they do not obtaine them but with shame and sorrow 4 O how short and deceitfull how inordinate and filthy are those pleasures Yea so senselesse and blind are men that they vnderstand it not but like dumbe beasts for a little pleasure of a corruptible life they incur the eternall death of their soule Doe not thou therefore my Sonne follow the disordinate inclinations of thy corrupt nature but forsake thine owne will Delight in our Lord and he will giue thee the desires of thy heart Eccls. 28. Psal 36. 5 If thou desire true light 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 aboundant comfort shall be giuen thee And how much the more thou withdrawest thy selfe from all comfort of creatures so much the sweeter and more forcible consolations shalt thou finde in me But at first thou canst not attaine vnto them without a certaine griefe labour and strife The old custome wil make resistance and thou must ouercome it with another custome that is better Thy flesh will murmure but thou must bridle it with feruour of spirit The olde Serpent will sting and trouble thee but by prayer hee shall be put to flight and with profitable labour thou shalt shut the dore against him CHAP. XIII Of the humble obedience of a subiect according to the example of Christ OVR LORD SOnne hee that endeauoureth to withdraw himself from obedience withdraweth himselfe from grace And hee that seeketh to haue things in priuate shall lose the common Mat. 16. He that doth not willingly and freely submit himselfe to his Superiour it is a signe that his flesh is not yet perfectly obedient vnto him but oftentimes rebelleth and murmureth against him Learne therfore readily to submit thy selfe to thy Superiour if thou desirest to subdue thine owne passions For the outward enemy is sooner ouercome if the inward man be in good estate There is no worse enemy nor more troublesome to the soule then thou vnto thy selfe not agreeing well with the spirit Thou must of necessity haue a true contempt of thy selfe if thou wilt preuaile against flesh and bloud 2 Because thou louest thy selfe as yet too inordinatly therfore thou art afraid to resigne thy selfe wholly to the will of others But what great matter is it if thou that art dust and nothing submittest thy self to a man for God when I the Almighty and highest soueraigne who created all things of nothing humbly submitted my selfe vnto man for thee Luk. 2. Ioh. 12. I became the most humble and abiect of all men that thou mightest ouercome thy pride with my humility Learne to obey thou that art dust Learne to humble thy selfe thou earth and clay and put thy self vnder thâ— feet of all men Learne to breake thine owne will and to yeeld thy selfe to all subiection 3 Take courage against thy selfe and suffer not pride to liue in thee but humble and submit thy selfe to all that euery one may go ouer thee and treade thee as dirt of the streets vnder their feet Vaine man what canst thou complaine of what canst thou answere foule sinner to them that reproue thee who hast so often offended God and so many times deserued hell But mine eye hath spared thee because thy soule was precious in my sight that thou mightest know my loue and alwaies remaine gratefull for my benefits that thou mightest continually giue thy selfe to true subiection
forth good and perfect fruit Lift vp my mind ouercharged with the waight of sinne draw vp my whole desire to heauenly treasures that hauing tasted the sweetnes of celestial happines it may loath to thinke of earthly vanities 6 Take me violently to thee and deliuer mee from all vnstable comfort of creatures for no created thing can fully quiet and satisfie my desire Ioyne me vnto thee with an vnspeakable band of loue for thou onely fillest the minde of him that loueth thee and without thee all things are distastefull CHAP. XXIV Of flying curious enquiry of the life of others OVR LORD SOnne be not curious trouble not thy selfe with idle cares What is this or that to thee Doe thou follow me Eccls. 3. and 1. Tim. 5. For what is it to thee whether that man be such or no or whether this man do or speak this or that Thou shalt not need to answere for others but shalt giue account of thy selfe Io. 21. Why therefore dost thou trouble thy selfe Behold I know euery one what he is and doe see all things that are vnder the Sunne and do vnderstand how it is with euery one what hee thinketh what he would at what his intentiō aimeth Gal. 6. Al things therfore are to be cōmitted vnto me but doe thou keepe thy selfe in good peace and suffer the vnquiet to do as they wil. Whatsoeuer they shal haue done or said shall fall vpon themselues for they cannot deceiue me 2 Desire not too great fame in this world nor to be knowne to many nor to haue the priuate loue of men for these things breed distractions and cause great darkenes of heart I would willingly vtter my words and reueale my secrets vnto thee if thou didst diligently obserue my cōming and didst open the dore of thy heart vnto me Be careful watch in praier and humble thy selfe in all things CHAP. XXV Wherein doth the firme peace of the heart and true profit consist OVR LORD SOnne I haue said Peace I leaue to you my peace I giue to you not as the world giueth doe I giue to you All do desire peace but all care not for those things that appertaine vnto true peace My peace is with the humble and meeke of heart Ioh. 4. Thy peace shal be in much patience If thou wilt heare me and follow my voice thou maist enioy much peace SER. What then shall I doe LORD In euery thing attend vnto thy selfe what thou doest what thou sayest and direct thy whole intention vnto this that thou mayest please me alone and desire or seeke nothing out of mee Of the sayings and doings of others judge nothing rashly neither do thou intangle thy self with things not committed vnto thee and doing thus it may be thou shalt be little or seldome troubled 2 But neuer to feele any trouble at all nor to suffer any griefe of hart or body is not the state of this life but of euerlasting rest Thinke not therefore that thou hast found true peace if thou feelest no sorrow nor that then all is well if thou haue no aduersary nor that it is perfect if all things be done according to thy desire Neither doe thou then esteeme highly of thy selfe or imagine thy selfe to be especially beloued if thou be in great deuotion and sweetnes for in these things a true louer of vertue is not tried neither doth the profit and perfection of man consist in hauing them SER. 3 Wherein then Lord LORD In offering thy self from the very bottom of thy heart vnto the diuine seruice not seeking thine owne interest or commodity neither in great nor little neither in time nor eternity so that with equall countenance thou mayest persist in thanksgiuing both in prosperity and aduersity weighing all things with an equal ballance If thou be of such courage so patient in hope that when inward comfort is withdrawne from thee thou prepare thy heart to suffer greater matters and not justifie thy selfe as though thou oughtest not to suffer these and so great afflictions but justifie me in whatsoeuer I appoint and praise my holy name then thou walkest in the true and right way of peace and thou shalt haue vndoubted hope to see my face againe with great joy And if thou attaine to the full contempt of thy selfe then shalt thou enioy as great abundance of peace as thy banishment may permit CHAP. XXVI Of the excellency of a free minde which humble prayer better deserueth then reading THE SERVANT LOrd it is the worke of a perfect man neuer to slack his mind from the attentiue thought of heauenly things and as it were to passe without care through many cares not faintingly but with a certaine priuiledge of a free mind adhering by inordinate affection to no creature 2 I beseech thee most mercifull God preserue me from the cares of this life lest I should be too much intangled thereby and from the many necessities of the body lest I should be enthralled by pleasure from all hinderances of the soule lest broken with troubles I should be deiected and dismayed I mean not from those things that worldly vanity so greatly desireth but from those miseries that as punishments do weigh down and hinder the soule of thy seruant with the general curse of mortality that it cannot enter into liberty of spirit as often as I would Gen. 3. Rom. 7. 3 O my God the vnspeakable sweetnesse make bitter vnto mee all carnall comfort which may draw me away from the loue of euerlasting happines and wickedly allure me to it selfe with the force of a certaine present delight Rom. 12. Let not flesh and bloud ouercome mee O Lord. Let not the world the short glory therof deceiue me Let not the Diuell and his subtill fraud supplant me Giue me force to resist patience to suffer and constancy to perseuere Giue me insteed of all the comforts of the world the most sweet vnction of thy Spirit and in lieu of carnall loue powre into my soule the loue of thy name 2 Behold meat drinke cloathes and other necessaries for the maintenance of the body are burdensome vnto a feruent spirit Grant mee to affect such nourishments in due measure and not to bee intangled vvith an ouer great desire of them It is not lawfull to renounce them wholy for that nature is to bee maintained but to desire superfluities and those things that doe rather delight then sustaine the Law of God forbiddeth for otherwise the flesh would rebell against the spirit Herein I beseech thee let thy hand gouerne mee and teach mee that I may not exceed CHAP. XXVII That priuate loue most hindreth from the chiefest good OVR LORD SOnne thou oughtest to giue all for all and to retaine nothing of thy selfe Know that the loue of thy selfe doth hurt thee more then any thing in the world According to the loue and affection thou bearest them so doth euery thing cleaue vnto thee more or lesse If thy loue be pure
simple and well ordered thou shalt bee free from bondage Couet not that which thou mayest not haue Mat. 6. Bee not willing to haue that which may hinder thee and depriue thee of inward libertie It is a wonderfull thing that thou committest not thy selfe wholy vnto me from the bottom of thy heart with all things that thou canst desire or haue 2 Why doest thou consume thy selfe with vaine griefe Why tyrest thou thy mind with needlesse cares Resigne thy selfe to me thou shalt feel no losse at al. Exo. 18. Mic. 4. If thou seekest this or that wouldest be here or there to enioy thine own cōmodity pleasure thou shalt neuer be in quiet nor free from trouble of mind for in euery thing somewhat will be wanting and in euery place there wil be some that wil crosse thee 3 Not euery external thing therfore attained and heaped together helpeth thee but it rather auaileth if thou despise it and doest root it out from thy heart which thou must not vnderstand onely of thy reuenewes and wealth but of the desire of honor also vaine praise all which do passe away with this fading world The place auaileth little if the spirit of feruour be wanting Esa 4.8 neither shall that peace which is sought abroad long continue if the state of thy heart be destitute of a true foundation that is vnlesse thou persist in me thou maist change but not better thy selfe For whē occasion doth happen thou shalt find that which thou soughtest to fly and perhaps more A prayer for cleansing the heart and obtaining of heauenly wisdome SER. 4 Confirme mee Lord with the grace of thy holy Spirit Ps 50. Giue me force to strengthen my inward man and to purge my heart from all vnprofitable care griefe Eph. 3. not to be drawne away with sundry desires of any thing either little or great Mat. 6. but to consider all things how they are transitory and do quickly fade that my selfe do also passe away togither with thē for nothing is permanent vnder the Sun where all things are vanity and affliction of mind O how wise is he that so cōsidereth them Eccl. 1. 2. 5 Grant me Lord heauenly wisdome that I may learne aboue all things to seek and find thee aboue al things to delight in thee and to loue thee to think of all created things as they are according to the disposition of thy wisdome Grant me prudently to auoid him that flatters me to suffer patiently him that cōtradicts me Eph. 4. It is great wisdome not to be moued with euery blast of words nor to giue eare to dangerous flattery for so we shall go on securely in the way which we haue begun CHAP. XXVIII Against the tongue of Slanderers OVR LORD SOnne be not grieued if some think euill of thee and speake that which thou dost not willingly heare Thou oughtest to judge the worst of thy selfe and to thinke no man weaker then thy selfe 1. Cor. 4. If thou walk according to spirit thou wilt not much esteeme of flying words It is no smal wisdome to be silent in time of euil and inwardly to turne to me and not to bee troubled with the judgement of men 2 Let not thy peace bee in the tongues of men for whether they judge well or euill thou art neuerthelesse alwaies the same Where is true peace and true glory Is it not in me and he that coueteth not to please men nor feareth to displease them shall enioy much peace From inordinate loue and vaine feare ariseth all disquiet of heart and distraction of the senses CHAP. XXIX How we ought to call vpon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere THE SERVANT BLessed O Lord be thy name for euer since it pleaseth thee that this temptation and tribulation should fall vpon me Iob 1. Psal 112. I cannot fly it but haue need to fly to thee that thou maist helpe me and turne it to my good Lord I am now afflicted and it is not well with mee I am much troubled with this present griefe And now beloued Father what shall I say I am taken in narrow straits saue me in this houre Mat. 26. Yea therefore I am fallen in this houre that thou maist be glorified when I shal be greatly humbled and by thee deliuered Let it please thee Lord to deliuer me for poore wretch that I am what can I do and whither shal I go without thee Grāt patience Lord euen this time also Help me my God and then I wil not fear how much soeuer I be oppressed 2 And now in this what shall I say Lord thy will be done Mat. 6. I haue well deserued to be afflicted and grieued Surely I ought to beare it and I would to God I might beare it with patience vntil the tempest be passed ouer it become calme But thy omnipotent hand is able to take this temptation from me and to asswage the violence thereof that I vtterly sinke not vnder it as oftentimes heretofore thou hast done vnto mee my Lord my Mercy And how much the more hard it is to mee so much the more easie is this change of thy mighty hand to thee CHAP. XXX Of crauing the diuine aide and confidence of recouering grace OVR LORD SOnne I am thy Lord who doe vse to giue comfort in the day of tribulation Come vnto me when it is not wel with thee Nahum 1. This is that which most of all hindreth heauenly consolatiō that thou art slow in turning thy selfe vnto prayer Mat. 11. For before thou dost earnestly commend thy self to me thou seekest many comforts and delightest thy selfe in outward things And hence it proceedeth that al doth little profit thee vntil thou consider that I am he that deliuer those that trust in me that out of me there is neither powerfull helpe nor profitable counsell nor remedy that can continue But now thou hauing recouered breath after the tempest gather strength againe in the light of my mercies for I am at hand saith our Lord to repaire al not only entirely but also abundantly Mat. 23. 2 Is there any thing hard to me or am I like vnto him that promiseth and performeth not Where is thy faith Be firme and constant Take courage and be patient comfort will bee giuen thee in due time Attend me expect I wil come and cure thee It is a temptation that vexeth thee and a vaine feare that affrighteth thee What else doth the care for future incertainties bring thee but sorrow vpon sorrow Sufficient for the day is the euil therof It is a vain and vnprofitable thing to be grieued or to reioyce for future things that perhaps will neuer happen Mat. 6. 3 But it is incident to man to be deluded with such imaginations and a signe of little courage to be so easily drawne away by the suggestion of the enemy For he careth not so he delude deceiue thee whether it be true or
exceedingly please me and all thy life would passe away in joy and peace Thou hast yet many things to forsake which vnlesse thou wholy resigne ouer vnto mee thou shalt not attaine to that which thou desirest I counsell thee to buy of me purified gold that thou mayest become rich that is heauenly wisdom which treadeth vnder foote all base and earthly things Apoc. 3. Set little by the wisdome of this world and esteeme not of the contentment of men nor thine owne fancies 3 I said that thou shouldest buy the meane and base things with the precious and those that were with men of great esteeme For true heauenly wisedome seemeth very base and of small account and is scarce thought of by men for that esteemeth not highly of it selfe nor seeketh to bee magnified vpon earth which many praise from the teeth outward but in their life they are farre from it yet is it the precious pearle which is hidden from many Mat. 13. CHAP. XXXIII Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our small intentions vnto God OVR LORD SOn trust not to thy affection that which now is will quickly change into another As long as thou liuest thou art subiect to mutability euen against thy will so that now thou art mery now sad now quiet now troubled now deuout now distracted now diligent now idle now heauie now light But he that is wise wel instructed in spirit remaines alwaies one in the middest of these changes not heeding what he seeketh in himselfe or which way the winde of mutability bloweth but that the whole intention of his mind may tend as it ought to the most perfect and best end 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 vnto me 2 And how much purer the eye of the intention is so much the more constantly doth hee passe through the varietie of many contrary waues Matth. 6. But in many things the eye of a sincere intention waxeth blinde for it quickely looketh vpon some delight some obiect that occurreth And it is rare to finde one that is wholy free from all blemish of seeking himselfe So the Iewes in times past came into Bethania to Martha and Mary not for Iesus alone but to see Lazarus also Ioh. 11. The eye of our intention therefore is to bee purged that it may be sincere and pure and to be directed vnto mee neglecting the multitude and variety of earthly obiects Mat. 6. CHAP. XXXIV That God is sweete aboue all things and in all things to him that loueth THE SERVANT BEhold my God and all things What would I haue more and what can I desire more happy O sweete and comfortable word but to him that loueth the word not the world nor those things that are in the world My God and all things Inough is said to him that vnderstandeth and it is pleasant to him that loueth to repeate it often For when thou art present all things do yeeld delight but when thou art absent all becomes irkesome Thou giuest quiet of heart and much peace and pleasant joy Thou makest men think well of all and praise thee in all things neither can anything please vs long without thee but if it bee pleasant and delightsome thy grace must be present it must be seasoned with the sweetnes of thy wisdome 2 What can bee distastefull vnto him to whom thou art pleasing And whom thou delightest not what can be pleasant But the wise of the world and that haue their contentment in sensuall things cannot attaine to thy wisdom for in the world is much vanity in the flesh is death 1. Cor. 1. Rom. 8. 1. Io. 2. But they that follow thee by the contempt of worldly things and mortification of the flesh are proued to be truly wise for they are changed from vanity to truth from flesh to spirit To these God is sweet and what good soeuer is found in creatures they wholy referre vnto the praise of their Maker Notwithstanding great yea very great is the difference betweene the sweetnes of the Creator and of the creature of eternity and of time of vncreated and created light 3 O euerlasting light surpassing al created lights cast forth the beams of thy brightnes frō aboue pierce the most inward corners of my hart purifie reioyce clarifie and quicken my spirit with all the powers thereof that I may cleaue vnto thee with excesse of vnspeakable joy O when will that blessed and desired houre come that I may be filled with thy presence and thou mayest be vnto me all in all things as long as this is not granted me I shal not haue ful nor perfect joy Alas my old man yet liueth in me he is not wholy crucified he is not perfectly dead Rom. 7. He doth yet couet strongly against the spirit and moueth ciuill warres and suffereth not the kingdome of my soule to be in peace 4 But thou that rulest the powers of the sea and asswagest the motion of the waues rise help me Psa 88. dissipate the people that desire war and destroy them in thy might and let thy hand be glorified Psal 72. for there is no hope nor refuge for me but in thee my Lord God Psal 30. CHAP. XXXV That there is no securitie from temptation in this life OVR LORD SOnne there is no security in this life as long as thou liuest thou shalt alwayes haue neede of spirituall armour Thou liuest among enemies and art assaulted on all sides Iob 7. if therefore thou defendest not thy selfe on euery side with the shield of patience thou canst not be long vnwounded 2. Cor. 6. Moreouer if thou fix not thy hart on me with a sincere will to suffer all things for me thou canst not sustain the heat of this battaile nor get that victorious crowne which they haue that are in glory Thou oughtest therefore manfully to go through all and to vse a strong hand against whatsoeuer withstandeth thee For to him that ouercommeth is giuen Manna and to the negligent is left much woe Apoc. 2. 2 If thou seekest rest in this world how wilt thou then attain to euerlasting rest Giue not thy selfe to much ease but to much patience Seek true peace not in earth but in heauen not in men nor in any creature but in God alone Thou oughtest for the loue of God willingly to vndergoe whatsoeuer labours to endure whatsoeuer griefes temptations vexations anxieties necessities infirmities iniuries detractions reprehensions humiliations confusions corrections and contempts these help to the attaining of vertue these try a Nouice of Christ these make a heauenly Crowne I will giue an euerlasting reward for a short labour and infinit glory for transitory confusion 3 Thinkest thou that thou shalt alwayes haue spirituall consolations at will My Saints had not so but many afflictions and sundrie temptations and many discomforts all which they endured patiently
state Apoc. 21. O that that day would once appeare all these temporall things were at an end To the Saints it shineth glistering with euerlasting brightnes but to those that are Pilgrimes vpon earth it appeareth only a far off and as it were through a glasse 2 The inhabitants of heauen doe know how joyfull that day is but the banished children of Eue bewaile the bitternesse and tediousnes of this The daies of this life are short and euill full of sorrow and anguish where man is defiled with many sins incumbred with many passions disquieted with many feares filled with many cares distracted with many curiosities intangled with many vanities compassed about with many errors worne away with many labours vexed with temptations weakened with delights tormented with want Iob 7. 3 O when shall these euils be at an end Rom. 7. When shall I be deliuered from the miserable bondage of sin Psal 70. When shall I thinke O Lord of thee alone When shall I perfectly reioyce in thee When shal I bee free from all impediments in true liberty without al grief of mind and body When shall I haue firme peace peace secure without trouble peace without and within peace euery way assured O good Iesu whē shall I stand to behold thee When shall I contemplate the glory of thy Kingdom When wilt thou be vnto me all in all things O when shall I be with thee in thy Kingdom which thou hast prepared for thy beloued from before all worlds I am left a poore and banished man in the Land of mine enemies where there are daily warres and great misfortunes 4 Comfort my banishment asswage my sorrow for my whole desire sendeth vp sighes vnto thee For all is burdensome to me whatsoeuer this world offereth for my comfort I desire familiarly to enioy thee but I cannot attaine vnto it I would gladly fixe my heart to the things of heauen but temporall cares and vnmortified passions weigh me downe In mind I would be aboue al things but to my flesh I am inforced to be subiect against my will Ro. 7. 8. Thus vnhappy mā that I am I fight against my selfe and am become grieuous to my selfe whilest my spirit seeketh after the things that are aboue and my flesh that which is below 5 O what doe I inwardly suffer when in minde I consider heauenly things and presently in my prayers a multitude of fleshly fantasies present themselues before me My God be not farre from me depart not in thy wrath from thy seruant Psa 70. Cast forth thy lightning disperse them send out thy darts and breake all the fantasies of my enemy Gather my senses together vnto thee make mee forget the things of this world grant me grace to cast away speedily the fantasies of vices Succour me O euerlasting truth that no vanity may moue me Come heauenly sweetnes and let al impurity fly from thy face Pardon me also and mercifully forgiue me as often as I think vpon any thing else besides thee in prayer I truly confesse that I am wont to be subiect to many distractions for oftentimes I am not there where I do corporally stand or sit but rather there whither my thoughts do carry me Where my thought is there am I there is oftentimes my thought where my affection is That quickly occurreth vnto me which is naturally delightsome by custome pleasing 6 And for this cause thou that art truth it self hast plainly said Where thy treasure is there is also thy heart Mat. 6. If I loue heauen I willingly thinke of heauenly things If I loue the world I reioyce at the felicity of the world grieue for the aduersity thereof If I loue the flesh I imagine oftētimes those things that are pleasing to the flesh If I loue the spirit I delight to thinke of spirituall things For whatsoeuer I loue thereof doe I willingly speake and heare and cary home with me the formes and representations thereof O blessed is that man that for thee O Lord forsaketh all creatures that violently resisteth nature out of the feruour of spirit crucifieth the concupiscence of the flesh that with a cleare conscience he may offer sincere prayers vnto thee and be worthy of the company of the Angelicall quiers all earthly things outwardly and inwardly being excluded CHAP. XLIX Of the desire of euerlasting life how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly OVR LORD SOn whē thou perceiuest the desire of euerlasting blisse to be giuē thee from aboue desirest to depart out of the Tabernacle of this body that thou maist without shaddow of any enterchange behold my light open thy heart and receiue this holy inspiration with thy whole desire Giue great thankes to the heauenly goodnes that dealeth with thee so fauourably visiteth thee mercifully stirreth thee vp feruently holdeth thee vp powerfully lest through thine owne waight thou fall downe to the vanities of the earth Neither doest thou obtaine this by thine owne thought or endeauour but by the only fauour of heauenly grace diuine bounty that thou maist profit in vertue obtaine greater humility and prepare thy selfe to future battailes and endeauour to cleaue vnto mee with the whole affection of thy hart and serue me with a feruent desire 2 Sonne fire often burneth but the flame ascendeth not vp without smoke so likewise the desires of some men are earnestly carried to heauenly things and yet they are not free from temptation of carnall affection and therefore it is not altogether purely for the honour of God that which they so earnestly request of him Such is also oftentimes thy desire which with such importunity thou presentest vnto me For that is not pure perfect which is infected and defiled with the loue of thine owne proper commodity interest 3 Ask not that which is delightsome and profitable to thee but that which is gratefull to me and appertaineth to my honor for if thou judgest aright thou oughtest to preferre and follow my appointment rather then thine own desire or any desired thing I know thy desire and haue heard thy often grones Now thou wouldest bee in the freedome of the glory of the sons of God now doth the euerlasting habitation and the heauenly Country full of joy delight thee but this houre is not yet come it is yet another time to wit of war time of labour triall Thou desirest to bee filled with the chiefest good but thou canst not attaine it for the present I am he saith our Lord expect vntill the Kingdome of God doth come Iob 7. 4 Thou art yet to be tried vpon earth and to bee exercised in many things Comfort shall be sometimes giuen thee but abundant fulnes therof shal not be granted Take courage therfore be constant as wel in doing as in suffring things contrary to nature Iosue 1. Thou oughtest to put on a new man and to be changed into another Eph. 4. Thou must oftentimes doe
experience they haue of themselues in their earthly affections so they frame an imagination of heauēly things But there is an incōparable distance betweene the things which the imperfect frame in their conceits and those which illuminated persons do see by reuelation from aboue 7 Beware therefore my Sonne that thou treat not curiously of these things which exceed thy knowledg but rather so apply thy endeauours that thou maist at least haue the meanest place in the Kingdom of heauē Eccles 3. And if any one did know which of the Saints exceeded others in sanctity or is esteemed greater in the kingdom of heauen what would this knowledge auaile him vnlesse he should thereby humble himselfe the more in my sight and stirre vp his minde to praise my name with greater feruour His labour is much more acceptable vnto God that thinketh of the greatnes of his sins and his want of vertues and how far off he is from the perfection of the Saints then he that disputeth of their greatnes It is better to pray to the Saints with deuotion and teares and to craue their glorious suffrages with an humble mind then to search their secrets with a vaine curiositie 8 They are well and right well contented if men could content thēselues and refraine from these vaine discourses They glory not of their own merits for they ascribe no good vnto themselues but attribute all to me who of my infinite charity haue bestowed my blessings vpon them They are replenished with so great loue of my Godhead and so superabundant joy that there is no glory nor happines that is or can be wanting vnto them All the Saints how much the higher they be in glory so much the more humble they are in themselues and neerer and dearer vnto me And therefore thou hast it written That they did cast their crownes before God and fel downe vpon their faces before the Lambe and adored him that liueth for euer Apocal. 4. 9 Many enquire who is greatest in the Kingdome of God that know not whether they shall euer be numbred there amongst the least It is no small matter to bee euen the least in heauen where all are great for that all there shall be called and shall be indeed the Sonnes of God The least there shall bee great among thousands and the sinner of an hundred yeares shall die For when the Disciples asked who was the greater in the Kingdome of heauen they receiued this answere Matth. 18. Vnlesse you be conuerted and become as little children you shall not enter into the Kingdome of heauen Whosoeuer therefore shall humble himselfe as this little childe he is the greater in the Kingdome of heauen 10 Woe be vnto them that disdaine to humble themselues willingly with little children Mat. 6. For the low gate of the Kingdom of heauen wil not giue them entrance And wo be to the rich that haue their comforts heere for whilst the poore enter into the Kingdom of God they shall be waiting without Reioyce you that be humble and you that bee poore be you glad for yours is the Kingdome of God if you walke according vnto truth Mat. 5. CHAP. LIX That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone THE SERVANT LOrd what trust haue I in this world Or what is the greatest comfort that all things vnder heauen doe yeeld mee Is it not thou my Lord God whose mercies are without number Where hath it beene well with mee without thee Or when could it bee ill with mee when thou wert present I had rather bee poore for thee then rich without thee I rather choose to be a Pilgrime in earth with thee then to possesse heauen without thee Where thou art there is heauen and there is death and hell where thou art not Thou art my desire and therefore it behoueth mee to send forth deep sighes from my heart and crie and pray vnto thee For I haue none to trust vnto none that can help mee in time of necessitie but thee alone my God Thou art my hope and my trust thou art my comforter and most faithfull vnto mee in all my distresses 2 All men seeke their owne gaine thou only seekest my saluation and my profit and turnest all things to my good Phil. 2. Although thou permittest many temptations to assault me and many aduersities to befall me yet thou ordainest all this to my good and profit who art wont to proue thy beloued seruants a thousand wayes In which proofe thou oughtest no lesse to bee loued and praised then if thou diddest replenish me with heauenly comforts 3 In thee therfore my Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation and anguish for I finde all to be weake and vnconstant whatsoeuer I behold out of thee For neither can many friends auaile nor forcible helpers aide nor wise counsellers giue profitable answere nor the bookes of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliuer nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy selfe dost not assist helpe comfort instruct and keepe vs. 4 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 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 seruants is to trust in thee aboue all things To thee therefore do I lift vp mine eyes In thee my God the Father of mercies I put my whole trust Blesse and sanctifie my soule with thy heauenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the seat of thy eternall glory and that nothing may be found in the Temple of thy greatnes that may offend the eyes of thy Maiestie According to the greatnes of thy goodnes and multitude of thy mercies take pitie vpon mee and heare the prayer of thy poore seruant who is farre exiled from thee in the land of the shadow of death Protect and keepe the soule of thy seruant amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life and by the assistance of thy grace direct it in the way of peace to the Countrey of euerlasting light AMEN The end of the third Booke OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE FOVRTH BOOKE A deuout Exhortation vnto the blessed Sacrament The voice of Christ COme vnto mee all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you saith our Lord. Matth. 11. The bread which I will giue is my flesh for the life of the world Ioh. 6. Take yee and eate this is my body that shall be deliuered for you Matth. 26. Doe this for the commemoration of me He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud remaineth in me and I in him 1. Cor. 11. The words which I haue spoken vnto you are Spirit and life Ioh. 6. CHAP. I. With how great reuerence Christ ought to be receiued THese are thy words O Christ euerlasting Truth
curing sundry diseases I will not send them home fasting lest they faint by the way Matth. 15. Mat. 8. Deale thou therefore in like manner now with mee who hast vouchsafed to leaue thy selfe in the Sacrament for the comfort of the faithfull For thou art the sweet refection of the soule and he that eateth thee worthily shall be partaker and heire of euerlasting glory It is necessary for me that do so often fall and sinne so quickly waxe dul and faint that by often prayers and confession and receiuing of thy sacred body I renue clense and inflame my selfe lest perhaps by long abstaining I fall from my holy purpose 3 For man is prone vnto euil from his youth and vnlesse this diuine remedy help him he quickly slideth to worse Gen. 8. This holy Communion therefore draweth backe from euill and comforteth in good For if I be now so often slack and negligent when I communicate or say Masse what would become of me if I receiued not this remedy and sought not after so great a helpe Though euery day I be not fit nor well prepared to say Masse I will endeauour notwithstanding at conuenient times to receiue the Diuine Mysteries and make my selfe partaker of so great a grace For this is the onely chiefe comfort of a faithfull soule whilest she wandreth from thee in this mortall body that being mindfull of her God shee often receiue her Beloued with a deuout minde 4 O wonderfull benignity of thy mercy towards vs that thou Lord God the Creator and giuer of life to all spirits dost vouchsafe to come vnto a poore soule and with thy whole Godhead and humanity to replenish her hunger O happy mind and blessed soule that deserueth to receiue thee her Lord God with deuout affection and in receiuing of thee to be filled with spirituall joy O how great a Lord doth shee entertaine How beloued a guest doth shee harbour How pleasant a companion doth shee receiue How faithfull a friend doth shee accept How beautifull and noble a Spouse doth shee embrace She embraceth him who is to be loued aboue al that is beloued and aboue al things that may be desired Let Heauen and Earth and all their beauty be silent in thy presence For what beauty and praise soeuer they haue it is receiued from thy bounty and shal not equal the beauty of thy name of whose wisedome there is no end Psal 146. CHAP. IV. That many benefits are bestowed vpon them that Communicate deuoutly The voice of the Disciple MY Lord God preuent thy seruant in the blessings of thy sweetnesse that I may deserue to approach worthily and deuoutly to thy holy Sacrament stirre vp my heart vnto thee and deliuer me from all heauines slouth Ps 20. visit me with thy comfort that I may taste in spirit thy sweetnes which plentifully lieth hid in this Sacramēt as a foūtaine Ps 105. Giue light also to mine eyes to behold so great a mystery and strengthen me to beleeue it with vndoubted faith For it is thy worke and not mans power thy sacred institution not mans inuention For no man is of himselfe able to comprehend and vnderstand these things which surpasse the vnderstanding euen of Angels What therefore shall I vnworthy sinner earth and ashes be able to search and comprehend of so high and sacred a mystery 2 O Lord in sinceritie of heart with a good and firme faith and at thy commandement I come vnto thee with hope and reuerence and do verily beleeue that thou art heere present in the Sacrament God and Man Thy holy pleasure is that I receiue thee by charity do vnite my self vnto thee Wherfore I do recurre vnto thy Clemencie and doe craue speciall grace that I may wholy melt in thee and abound with loue and hereafter neuer admit any externall comfort For this most high and worthy Sacrament is the health of the soule and body the remedy of al spirituall sicknes by it my vices are cured my passions bridled temptations ouercome or weakned greater grace infused vertue increased faith confirmed hope strengthened and charity inflamed and enlarged 3 For thou hast bestowed and still oftentimes dost bestow many benefits in this Sacrament vpon thy beloued that receiue it deuoutly my God the protector of my soul the strēgthner of humane frailty and the giuer of all inward comfort Thou impartest vnto them much comfort against sundry tribulations and liftest them vp from the depth of their own basenesse to the hope of thy protection and dost inwardly refresh illustrat them with a certaine new grace in such sort that they who before Communion felt themselues heauy indisposed afterwards being strēgthened with heauenly meat and drinke do find in themselues a great change to the better which thou dost so dispose to thy Elect that they may truly acknowledge and patiently proue how great their owne infirmity is and what benefit and grace they receiue from thee For they of themselues are cold dull and vndeuout but by thee they are made feruent agile and full of deuotion For who is there that approaching humbly vnto the Fountain of sweetnes doth not carry away from thence at least some little sweetnes Or who standing by a great fire receiueth not some small heat thereby Thou art a Fountaine alwayes full and ouerflowing a fire euer burning and neuer decaying Esa 12. Leuit. 6. 4 Wherefore if I cannot draw at the full out of this Fountaine nor drinke my fill I will notwithstanding set my lips to the mouth of this heauenly conduite that I may draw from thence at least some small drop to refresh my thirst to the end I wither not wholy away and perish And though I be not altogether celestial nor so inflamed as the Cherubims and Seraphims notwithstanding I will endeauour to apply my selfe to deuotion and dispose my heart to obtaine some small sparke of diuine fire by humbly receiuing of this Life-giuing Sacrament And whatsoeuer is hereunto wanting in mee good Iesu most blessed Sauiour doe thou supply for mee most benigne and gratious Lord who hast vouchsafed to call vs vnto thee saying Come vnto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you Mat. 11. 5 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 euill passions and there is none to helpe me none to deliuer and saue me but thou Lord God my Sauiour to whome I commit my selfe and all mine that thou mayest keepe me and bring me to life euerlasting Receiue me to the honor and glory of thy name who hast prepared thy Body and Bloud to be my meat and my drinke Gran◠Lord God my Sauiour that by frequenting thy mysteries my zeale and deuotion may encrease CHAP. V. Of the dignitie of this Sacrament and Priestly function The voice of Christ IF thou hadst angelicall purity and the sanctity of Saint
the holy Church Psal 22. Heb. 9. and 13. One is the Table of the holy Altar containing the Sacred bread that is the precious Body of Christ the other is of the diuine law containing holy doctrine teaching true faith certainly leading to the part of the Temple within the veile where are the Holy of Holies Thankes be vnto thee Lord Iesu light of euerlasting light for thy table of holy doctrine at which thou seruest vs by thy seruants the Prophets and Apostles and other Doctors 5 Thanks be vnto thee Creator Redeemer of man who to manifest thy charity to the whole world hast prepared a great Supper Luk. 14. wherin thou hast offred to be eaten not the mysticall Lambe but thine owne most sacred Body and Bloud Ioh. 6. reioycing all the faithful with thy holy banquet and replenishing them to the full with thy heauenly Cup Psal 22. in which are all the delights of heauen and the holy Angels doe feast with vs but with a more happy sweetnesse Wisd 16. 6 O how great and honorable is the office of Priests to whom it is granted with sacred words to consecrate the Lord of Maiestie with their lippes to blesse him with their hands to hold him with their owne mouth to receiue him and to administer him to others O how cleane ought to be those hands How pure that mouth How holy the bodie How vnspotted the heart of the Priest into whom the Author of purity so often entreth Nothing but holy no word but chaste and profitable ought to proceed from the mouth of the Priest which so often receiueth the Sacrament of Christ 7 Simple and chaste ought to be the eyes that are wont to behold the body of Christ the hands pure and lifted vp to heauen that vse to handle the Creator of heauen and earth Vnto the Priests especially it is said in the Law Bee yet holy for that I your Lord God am holy Leuit. 19. and 20. 8 Assist vs Almighty God with thy grace that we who haue vndertaken the office of Priesthood may serue thee worthily and deuoutly in all purity and with a sincere conscience And if wee cannot liue in so great innocency as we ought to do graunt vs notwithstanding in due manner to bewaile the sinnes which we haue committed and in the spirit of humility and sincere intention to serue thee hereafter with more feruour CHAP. XII That he that is to Communicate ought to prepare himselfe with great diligence The voice of the Beloued I Am the louer of purity and the giuer of all sanctitie I seek a pure heart and there is the place of my rest Psal 23. Mat. 5. Make readie and adorne for me a great chamber and I will make with thee the Pasch with my Disciples Mark 14. Luk. 22. If thou wilt haue me come vnto thee and remaine with thee purge the old leuen and make cleane the dwelling of thy heart 1. Cor. 5. shut out the whole world and all tumult of vices sit like a sparow solitary vpon the house top and thinke of thy offences in the bitternesse of thy soule For euery louer prepareth the best and fairest roome for his beloued and herein is knowne the affection of him that entertaineth his beloued 2 Know thou notwithstanding that the worth of no action of thine is able to make this preparation sufficient although thou shouldest prepare thy selfe a whole yeare together and thinke on nothing else but of my mercy and grace onely thou art suffred to come to my Table like a begger inuited to dinner to a rich man who hath nothing else to returne him for his benefits but to humble himselfe and giue him thanks Do what lieth in thee and do it diligently not for custome nor for necessity but with feare and reuerence and harty affection receiue the Body of thy beloued Lord and God who vouchsafeth to come vnto thee I am he that haue called thee I haue commanded it to be done I will supply what is wanting in thee come and receiue me 3 When I bestow the grace of deuotion on thee giue thankes to God for it is giuen thee not for that thou deseruest it but because I haue mercy on thee If thou haue it not but rathere feele thy selfe dry continue in prayer sigh and knocke and giue not ouer vntill thou deserue to receiue some crumme or droppe of grace Thou hast need of me not I of thee neither commest thou to sanctifie me but I come to sanctifie and make thee better Thou commest that thou mayest bee sanctified by me and vnited vnto mee that thou mayest receiue new grace and bee stirred vp againe to amendment Neglect not this grace but prepare thy heart with all diligence and receiue thy beloued into thy soule 4 But thou oughtest not only to prepare thy selfe to deuotion before Communion but carefully also to conserue thy selfe therein after thou hast receiued the Sacrament Neither is the carefull guard of thy self after lesse exacted then deuout preparation before For a good guard afterwards is the best preparation thou canst make for the obtaining againe of greater grace because that mans minde becommeth very indisposed if hee presently powre himselfe out to outward comforts Beware of much talke remaine in some secret place and enjoy thy God For thou hast him whome all the world cannot take from thee I am hee to whom thou oughtest wholy to giue thy selfe that so thou mayest liue hereafter not in thy selfe but in me without all care CHAP. XIII That a deuout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be vnited vnto 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 vnto thee and enjoy thee as my soule desireth And that no man may looke vpon me nor any creature mone me or respect me but thou alone mayest speake vnto me and I to thee as the Beloued is wont to speake to his Beloued and a friend to banquet with his friend Exod. 33. Cant. 8. This I pray for this I desire that I may be wholy vnited vnto thee and may withdraw my heart from all created things and more and more by sacred Communion and often celebrating learne to taste of heauenly and euerlasting sweetnes O Lord God when shall I bee wholy vnited and absorpt by thee and altogether forgetfull of my selfe Thou in me and I in thee and so grant vs both to continue in one Ioh. 15. 2 Thou art my Beloued the choicest amongst thousands in whome my soule hath taken pleasure to dwel all the daies of her life Cant. 5. Thou art my Peace-maker in whome is greatest peace and true rest without whom is labour and sorrow and infinit misery Thou art a hidden God and thy counsell is not with the wicked but thy speech is with the humble and simple of heart Prou. 3. O Lord how sweet is thy Spirit who to the end thou
mightest shew thy sweetenesse towards thy children vouchsafest to feede them with the most delightsome bread which descendeth from heauen and is full of all sweetnes Wisd 12. Surely there is no other Nation so great that hath Gods approching vnto them as thou our God art present to all thy faithfull vnto whom for their daily comfort and for the lifting vp of their hearts to heauen thou giuest thy self to be eaten and enioyed Deut. 4. 3 For what other Nation is there so famous as the Christian people Or what creature vnder heauen so beloued as a deuout soule to whom God himselfe commeth to feed her with his glorious flesh O vnspeakable grace O admirable fauour O infinit loue singularly bestowed vpon man But what shall I giue vnto our Lord in returne of this grace for so singular a charitie Psal 115. There is no other thing more gratefull that I am able to giue then to bestow my heart wholy on my God and to vnite it perfectly vnto him Then shall all my bowels reioyce when my soule shall be perfectly vnited vnto God Then hee will say vnto me if thou wilt be with me I will bee with thee And I will answere him Vouchsafe O Lord to remaine with me and I will be with thee This is my whole desire that my heart be vnited vnto thee CHAP. XIV Of the feruent desire of some deuout persons to receiue the Body of Christ The voice of the Disciple O How great is the store of thy sweetenesse O Lord which thou hast hidden for them that feare thee Psalm 30. When I remember some deuout persons who come vnto thy Sacrament O Lord with great deuotion and affection I am oftentimes confounded and blush within my selfe that I come so negligently and coldly to thy Altar to the Table of holy Communion that I remaine so drie and without spirituall motion or feeling that I am not wholy inflamed in thy presence my God nor so earnestly drawne and moued as many deuout persons haue beene who out of a vehement desire of receiuing and a feeling affection of heart could not containe themselues from weeping but with the desire both of soule and body they earnestly longed after thee O God the liuely Fountaine being not otherwise able to temper nor satisfie their hunger but by receiuing thy Body with all joy and spirituall greedinesse 2 O most ardent faith of those persons a probable argument of thy sacred presence For these truely know their Lord in the breaking of bread whose heart burneth so within them whilest thou O blessed Iesu walkest with them Luk. 24. Such desire and deuotion so vehement loue and feruencie is oftentimes far off from me Be mercifull vnto me good Iesu sweet and benigne Lord and grant me thy poore needy creature to feele sometimes at least in this holy Sacrament a little cordiall desire of thy loue that my faith may be more strengthened my hope in thy goodnes encreased and that my charity once perfectly inflamed after the tasting of heauenly Manna may neuer decay 3 Thy mercy O Lord is able to giue me the grace I desire and to visit me in thy bounteous clemencie with the spirit of feruour when it shall please thee For although I burne not with so great desire as those that are so especially deuoted vnto thee yet notwithstanding by thy grace I desire to haue this great inflamed desire praying and crauing that I may participate with all such thy feruent louers and be numbered among them in their holy company CHAP. XV. That the grace of deuotion is obtained by humilitie and deniall of our selues The voice of the Beloued THou oughtest to seeke the grace of deuotion instantly to aske it earnestly to expect it patiently and considently to receiue it joyfully to keep it humbly to worke with it diligently and to commit the time and manner of this heauenly visitation to God vntill it shall be his pleasure to come Thou oughtest chiefly to humble thy selfe when thou feelest inwardly little or no deuotion and yet not to be too much deiected nor to grieue inordinately for it God often giueth in a short moment that which he hath long time denied he giueth sometimes in the end that which in the beginning of prayer he differred to grant 2 If grace should be alwaies presently giuen and at hand euer with a wish it could not be well endured by a weake man Therefore deuotion is to be expected with good hope and humble patience yet impute it to thy selfe and thy sinnes when it is not giuen thee or when it is secretly taken from thee It is sometimes a small matter that hindreth hideth grace from vs if it bee to bee called small and not rather a great matter that hindreth so great a good And if thou remooue this bee it great or smal and perfectly ouercome it thou shalt haue thy desire 3 For presently as soone as thou giuest thy selfe to God and seekest not this nor that for thine owne pleasure or will but setlest thy selfe wholy in me thou shalt find thy selfe vnited vnto him and quiet For nothing will taste so well and please thee so much as the will and pleasure of God Whosoeuer therefore with a sincere heart directeth his intention to God purgeth himselfe from all in ordinate loue or dislike of any creature shall be most fit to receiue grace and worthy of the gift of deuotion For our Lord bestoweth his blessing there where he findeth his vessels empty And how much the more perfectly one forsaketh these basest things and dieth to himselfe by contempt of himselfe so much the more speedily grace commeth and entreth in more plentifully and lifteth vp the heart that is free to a higher state of grace 4 Then shall he see and abound and wonder and his heart shall be enlarged because the hand of our Lord is with him and hee hath put himselfe wholy into his hand for euer Esa 60. Behold so shall the man bee blessed that seeketh Almighty God with his whole heart and taketh not his soule in vaine This man deserueth great grace of diuine vnion in receiuing the holy Eucharist for that hee regardeth not his owne deuotion and comfort but aboue all deuotion and comfort he prizeth the honor and glory of God CHAP. XVI That wee ought to manifest our necessities vnto Christ and to craue his grace The voice of the Disciple O Most sweete and louing Lord whom I now desire to receiue deuoutly thou knowest my infirmitie and the necessity which I endure with how many sins I am oppressed how often I am grieued tempted troubled and defiled I come vnto thee for remedie I craue of thee thy heauenly comfort and the ease of my paine I speake to him that knoweth all things to whom all my secrets are open and who can only perfectly comfort and helpe mee Thou knowest what it is whereof aboue all things I stand in most need and how poore I am in vertues 2 Behold
I stand before thee poore and naked calling for grace and crauing mercy Refresh this thy hungry and needy creature giue heat vnto my coldnes with the fire of thy loue giue light vnto my blindnesse with the brightnes of thy presence Turne al earthly things vnto me into bitternes all things grieuous and contrarie into patience all base and created things into contempt and obliuion Lift vp my heart to thee in heauen and suffer me not to wander vpon earth be thou only sweete and delightsome vnto mee from hence-forth for euermore for thou only art my meat and my drinke my loue and my joy my delight and all my good 3 O that with thy presence thou wouldest wholy inflame burne and change me into thee that I might be made one spirit with thee by the grace of inward vnion and melting of burning loue Suffer me not to go from thee hungry and drie but deale mercifully with me as thou hast oftentimes dealt wonderfully with thy Saints What meruaile if I should be wholy inflamed by thee and die in my selfe sith thou art fire euer burning and neuer decaying loue purifying the heart and enlightning the vnderstanding CHAP. XVII Of burning loue and vehement desire to receiue Christ The voice of the Disciple WIth great deuotion and burning loue with most hearty affection and feruour I desire to receiue thee O Lord as many Saints and deuout persons haue desired thee when they receiued thy Sacrament who were most pleasing vnto thee in holines of life and most feruent in deuotion O my God the euerlasting loue my whole good my happinesse without end I would gladly receiue thee with the most vehement desire and worthy reuerence that any of the Saints euer had or could feele 2 And although I be vnworthy to haue all those feelings of deuotion yet I offer vnto thee the whole affection of my hart as if I alone had those most sweet inflamed desires yea whatsoeuer also a deuout minde can conceiue and desire all that with greatest reuerence and most inward affection I offer present vnto thee I wish to reserue nothing to my self but freely and most willingly to sacrifice my selfe all mine vnto thee my Lord God my Creator and my Redeemer I desire to receiue thee this day with such affection reuerence praise honor with such gratitude worthines and loue with such faith hope and purity as thy most blessed Mother the glorious Virgin Mary receiued and desired thee when she humbly and deuoutly answered the Angel who declared vnto her the mystery of the Incarnation and said Behold the Handmaid of our Lord let it be done vnto mee according to thy word Luk. 1. 3 And as thy blessed Forerunner the most excellent amongst the Saints Iohn Baptist cheerefully leaped with joy of the holy Ghost whilest he was yet shut vp in his mothers wombe and afterwards seeing Iesus walking amongst men humbling himselfe very much said with deuout affection The friend of the Bridegrome that standeth and heareth him reioyceth with joy for the voice of the Bridegrome Ioh. 3. so I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desires and to offer my self vp vnto thee with my whole heart Wherefore I offer also and present vnto thee the joyes feruent desires excesses of minde spirituall illuminations and heauenly visions of all deuout hearts with all the vertues and praises exercised and to be exercised by all creatures in heauen and earth for my selfe and all such as are commended to me in prayer that by all thou mayest be worthily praised and glorified for euer 4 Receiue my Lord God the affections of my heart and desires which I haue to giue thee infinite praise and thankes which according to the measure of thy vnspeakable greatnesse are due vnto thee These I yeeld thee and desire to yeeld thee euery day and moment and I doe intreate and inuite all the heauenly Spirits and all thy deuout seruants to giue thanks and praises together with me 5 Let all People Tribes and Tongues praise thee and magnifie thy holy and sweet name with great joy and feruent deuotion and let all that reuerently and deuoutly celebrate thy most high Sacrament and receiue it with full faith deserue to finde grace and mercy at thy hands and pray humbly for mee sinfull creature And when they shall haue obtained their desired deuotion and joyfull vnion and depart from thy sacred heauenly Table well comforted and meruailously refreshed let them vouchsafe to remember my poore and needy soule CHAP. XVIII That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense vnto faith The voice of the Beloued THou oughtest to beware of curious and vnprofitable searching into this most profound Sacrament if thou wilt not sinke into the depth of doubt He that is a searcher of Maiestie shall be oppressed by Glorie Prou. 25. God is able to worke more then man can vnderstand A pious and humble inquirie of truth is tolerable so he be alwaies ready to bee taught and doe endeauour to walke in the sound pathes of the ancient Fathers doctrine 2 Blessed is that simplicity that forsaketh the difficult waies of questions and goeth on in the plaine and assured path of Gods Commandements Many haue lost deuotion whilest they would search after high things Faith and sincere life are exacted at thy hands not height of vnderstanding nor the depth of the mysteries of God If thou doest not vnderstand nor conceiue those things that are vnder thee how shalt thou bee able to comprehend those that are aboue thee Submit thy selfe to God and let thy sense be subiect to faith and the light of knowledge shall bee giuen thee in that degree as shall bee profitable and necessary for thee 3 Some are grieuously tempted about Faith and the Sacrament but this is not to bee imputed to them but rather to the enemie Do not regard nor dispute with thy thoughts neither doe thou giue answere to the doubts mooued by the enemie but beleeue the words of God beleeue his Saints and Prophets and the wicked Serpent will flie from thee It is oftentimes very profitable to the seruant of God to suffer such things for he tempteth not Infidels and sinners whom he alreadie securely possesseth but hee sundrie waies tempteth and vexeth the faithfull and deuout 4 Goe forward therefore with a sincere and vndoubted faith and come to the Sacrament with vnfained reuerence And whatsoeuer thou art not able to vnderstand commit securely to Almightie God God deceiueth thee not hee is deceiued that trusteth too much to himselfe Psalm 18. and 118. God walketh with the simple reuealeth himselfe to the humble giueth vnderstanding to little ones openeth the senses of pure minds and hideth grace from the curious and proud Mat. 11. Humane reason is weake and may be deceiued but true faith cannot be deceiued 5 All reason and naturall search ought to follow faith not to go before it