to the bearing of adversity and account it as the greatest comfort 46 Set thou thy heart upon the suffering of tribulations and account them the greatest comforts 47 For that the passions of this life are not worthy of the glory that shall be revealed although thou alone couldest suffer them all 48 When thou shalt come to this estate that tribulation for Christ's sake shall seeme sweet and pleasant unto thee then think it is well with thee for thou hast found a Parradise upon earth 49 As long as it is grievous unto thee to suffer and that thou desirest to fly it so long shalt thou be ill at ease and the tribulation thou fliest will follow thee every where 50 If thou setlest thy selfe to that thou oughtest to wit to suffer and to die to thy selfe it will quickly be better with thee and thou shalt find peace 51 Although thou shouldest have been rapt even unto the third heaven with Paul thou art not by this secured that thou shalt suffer no contradiction 52 I saith IESVS will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name It resteth therefore that thou suffer for him if thou wilt love IESUS and perpetually serve him 53 O would to God thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Iesus how great glory would it be unto thee what joy to all the Saints of God how great edification also to thy neighbour 54 For all doe commend patience thought few desire to suffer With great reason thou oughtest to be willing to suffer a litle for Christ since many suffer far great things for the love of the world 55 Know for certaine that thou oughtest to lead a dying life And how much the more every one dieth to himselfe so much the more doth he begin to live unto God 56 No man is sit to attaine unto heavenly things unlesse he submit himselfe to the bearing of adversities for Christ. 57 Nothing is more gratefull unto God nothing more wholesome to thee in this world then to suffer willingly for Christ. 58 And if it were in thy choice thou shouldest rather wish to suffer adversities for Christ then to enjoy the delight of many comforts 59 Because by these meanes thou shouldst be more like unto Christ and more conformable to all Saints 60 For our good workes and the perfectioÌ„ of our estate consisteth not in much sweetnesse and comforts but rather in suffering great afflictions and tribulations 61 If there had been any better thing and more profitable to the soules health then suffering surely Christ would have shâ—wed it by word and example 62 But he plainly exhorted all the disciples that followed him and all that desire to follow him to the bearing of the Crosse 63 And saith if any man will come after me let him deny himselfe and take up his Crosse and follow me 64 So as when we have read and searched all let this be the last conclusion That by many tribulations wee must enter into the Kingdome of God The end of the second Book OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE THIRD BOOK CHAP. I. Of the inward speech of Christ to a faithfull soule I Will heare what our Lord God will speake in me Blessed is the soule that heareth our Lord speaking in hâ—â— and receiveth from his mouth the word of comfort 2 Blessed are those eares that receive the sound of the divine voice and listen not to the whisperings of the world 3 Blessed indeed are those eares that hearken not to the voice which soundeth outwardly but unto truth which teacheth inwardly 4 Blessed are the eyes that being shut up to outward things are attentive to those things that are within 5 Blessed are they that enter into the inward things and endeavour to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises to the attaining of heavenly secâ—ets 6 Blessed be they that delight to attend the service of God and cast from them all impediments of this world 7 Consider these things my soule and shut up the doores of thy sensuall desires thâ—â— thou maist heare what thy Lord God â—â—eaketh in thee 8 Thus saith thy beloved I am thy safâ—â—y thy peace and thy life Keepe thy selfe withâ—â—e and thou shalt find peace Forsake all transitâ—ry things and seeke those that be everlasting 9 What are all temporall things but deceiving snares and what doe all creatures availe thee if thou be forsaken by the Creator 10 Forsake therefore all earthly things and labour to please thy Creator and be faithful unto him that thou maist attaine unto true happinesse CHAP. II. That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words SPeake Lord for thy servant heareth I am thy servant grant me understanding that I may know thy testimonies 2 Stir up my heart to heare the words of thy mouth let thy speech descend as the dew into my soule 3 The children of Israel in times past said unto Moses Speake thou unto us and we shall heare theâ—e let not our Lord speake unto us least perhaps we die 4 Not so Lord not so I beseech thee But rather with the Prophet Samuel I humbly and earnestly intreat speake Lord for thy servant heareth 5 Let not Moses speake unto me nor any of the Pâ—ophets but thou rather speake my Lord God the inspirer and enlightner of all the Prophets 6 For thou alone without them canst perfectly instruct me but they without thee can profit me nothing 7 They can pronounce words but they give not spirit They speak marveilous well but if thou hold thy peace they inflame not the heart 8 They deliver the letters but thou openest the sense They bringforth mysteries but thou disclosest the understanding of sealed things 9 They declare thy commandements but thou helpest to fulfill them They shew the way but thou givest strength to walke in it 10 They work only exteriorly but thou instructest and enlightnest the hearts They water outwardly but thou givest fruitfulnesse They sound forth wordes but thou givest understanding to the hearing 11 Let not therefore Moses speak unto me but thou my Lord God the everlasting truth lest perhaps I should dye and become without fruit if I be warned outwardly only and not enflâ—med within 12 Lest the word heard and not fulfilled knowen and not loved believed and not observed should increase my punishment 13 Speak therefore Lord for thy servant heareth for thou hast the words of everlasting life Speak unto me to the comfort of my soule and to the amendment of my whole life and to thy praise and glory and everlasting honour CHAP. III. â—hat the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not SOnne hear my words wordes of great comfort excelling all the knowledge of the Philosophers and wise men of this world 2 My wordes are spirit and life not to be wâ—ighed by the understanding of man Thâ—y are not to be drawn to vaine liking but to be heard with silence and to be received with all
else but nothing and nothing 12 O unmeasurable weight O sea that can never be passed over where I find nothing in my selfe but that which is altogether nothing 13 Where then is the lurking hole of glory Where is the confidence conceived of vertue 14 All vain-glory is swallowed up in the depth of thy Iudgments which hang over my head 15 What is all flesh in thy sight Shall clay glory against him that frameth it How can he be lifted up with vaine words whose heart is truly subject to God 16 All the world cannot moove him to any elation of mind whom truth hath subjected unto it selfe neither shall he be moved with the tongues of all his praisers that hath setled his whole hope in God 17 For they also that speake behold they are all nothing they shall passe away with the sound of the words but the truth of our Lord remaineth for ever CHAP. XV. What we ought to doe and say in every thing which we desire SOnne say thus in evering thing Lord if it be pleasing unto thee let this be done in this sort Lord if it be to thy honour let this be done in thy name 2 Lord if thou seest it expedient for me and allowest it to be profitable then grant unto me that I may use this unto thine honour 3 But if thou knowest it will be hurtfull unto me and not profitable to the health of my soule take from me all such desire 4 For every desire proceedeth not from the holy Ghost though it seeme unto man right and good 5 It is hard to judge whether a good spirit or the contrary drive thee to desire this or that 6 Or whether also by thine owne spirit thou be moved thereunto Many are deceived in the end who at the first seemed to be lead by a good spirit 7 Alwaies therefore whatsoever occurreth unto thy mind to be desired let it be desired with the fear of God and with humility of heart 8 And above all thou oughtest to commit it unto me with full resignation of thy selfe and thou oughtest to say Lord thou knowest what is best doe this or that as thou pleasest 9 Give what thou wilt and how much thou wilt and when thou wilt Doe with me as thou knowest and as best pleaseth thee and is most for thy honour 10 Set me where thou wilt and deale with me in all things according to thy will I am in thy hand turne me and turne me againe which way soever thou please 11 Behold I am thy servant ready to obey thee in all things for I desire not to live unto my selfe but unto thee and would to God it might be in some worthy and perfect manner A Praier for the fulfilling of the will of God GRant me grace sweet Iesus that it may be with me and labour with me and persevere with me untill the end 2 Grant me alwaies to desire and will that which is most acceptable unto thee and best pleaseth thee 3 Let thy will be mine and let my will ever follow thine and agree perfectly with it 4 Let my will and â—ill be all one with thine not be able to will or refuse any thing else but what thou wilt or rejectest 5 Grant that I may die to all things that are in the world and to love for thy sake to be cotemned and not to be known in this world 6 Grant that above all things that can be desired I may rest in thee and make my heart to enjoy peace in thee 7 Thou art the true peace of the heart thou art the only rest out of thee all things are troublesome and unquiet 8 In this peace in this very same that is in thee one chiefest eternall good I will sleepe and take my rest AMEN CHAP. XVI That true comfort is to be sought in God alone VVHatsoever I can desire or imagine for my comfort I looke not for it in this life but hereafter 2 For if I should alone have all the comforts of the world and might enjoy all the delights thereof it is certain that they could not long endure 3 Wherefore my soule thou canst not be fully comforted nor have perfect delight but in God the comforter of the poore and the receiver of the humble 4 Expect a while my soule expect the divine promise and thou shalt have abundance of all good things in heaven 5 If thou desire inordinately the things that are present thou shalt loose the coelestiall and eternall Have temporall things in use and the eternall in desire 6 Thou canst not be filled with any temporall goods because thou art not created to enjoy them 7 Although thou enjoyest all that is created yet canst thou not be happy thereby nor blessed but in God that hath created all things thy whole be atitude and happinesse consisteth 8 Not such as is seene and commended by the foolish lovers of the world but such as the good faithfull servants of Christ expect and the spirituall and cleane of heart whose conversation is in heaven sometimes take a tast of before hand 9 Vaine and short is all humane comfort Blessed and true is the comfort which is received inwardly from truth 10 A devout man every where carrieth with him Iesus his comforter and saith unto him Be present with me Lord Iesus in every place and time 11 Let this be my comfort to be alwaies willing to want all humane comfort 12 And if thy comfort be wanting let thy will and just triall be unto me as the greatest comfort for thou wilt not be angry alwaies neither wilt thou threaten for ever CHAP. XVII That all our care is to be placed in God SOnne suffer me to doe with thee what I please I know what is expedient for thee Thou thinkest as a man thou judgest in many things as humane affection perswadeth thee 2 Lord what thou sayest is true Thy solicitude for me is greater then all the care that I can take for my selfe 3 For he standeth at too great a hazard that casteth not his whole care upon thee Lord. 4 So that my will may remaine right and firme in thee doe with me whatsoever it shall please thee for it cannot be but good whatsoever thou doest with me 5 If it be thy will I should be in darknesse be thou blessed and if it be thy will I should be in light be thou againe blessed 6 If thou vouchsafest to comfort me be thou blessed and if thou wilt afflict me be thou also ever blessed 7 Son thou oughtest thus to behave thy selfe if thou desirest to walke with me thou must be as ready to suffer griefe as to receive joy Thou oughtest to be as willing to be poore and needy as plentifull and rich 8 Lord I will willingly suffer for thee whatsoever thy pleasure is shall befall mee 9 I will receive indifferently from thy hand good and evill sweet and sower delightfull and sorrowfull and give thee thankes for all that hapneth unto
Of flying vaine Hope and Pride 16 Of avoiding too much familiarity 18 Of obedience and Subjection 19 Of avoiding superfluity of words 21 Of obtaining peace and desire of profiting 23 Of the profit gotten by adversity 26 Of resisting Temptations 28 Of avoiding rash judgement 34 Of workes proceeding from Charity 36 Of bearing with other mens defects 37 Of solitary life 40 Of the example of holy Fathers 41 Of the exercise of good religious persons 45 Of the love of solitude and silence 50 Of compunction of heart 56 Of the consideration of humane misery 60 Of the meditation of death 65 Of Iudgement and punishment of sinnes 71 Of the zealous amendment of our whole life 77 THE SECOND BOOK OF inward Conversation 84 Of humble submission 90 Of a good and peaceable man 91 Of a pure mind and upright intention 94 Of the consideration of ones selfe 96 Of the joy of â— good conscience 98 Of the love of Iesus above all things 101 Of familiar conversation with Iesus 103 Of the want of all comfort 106 Of thankfulnesse for the grace of God 112 How few the lovers of the Crosse of Christ are 116 Of the high way of the holy Crosse. 119 THE THIRD BOOK OF the inward speech of Christ to a faithfull soule 130 That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words 132 That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not 135 A prayer to implore the grace of devotion 137 That we ought to live in truth and humility in the sight of God 138 Of the wonderfull effect of divine grace 141 Of the proofe of a true lover 146 That grace is to be hid under the veile of humility 150 Of a mean conceipt of our selves in the sight of God 154 That all things are to be reserved unto God as unto the last end 156 That despising the world it is sweet to serve God 158 That the desires of our heart are to be examined and moderated 162 Of the effect of Patience and of strife against concupiscence 164 Of the humble obedience of a subiect according to the example of Christ. 167 Of the secret Iudgements of God to be considered lest we be extolled in our good deeds 169 What we ought to doe and say in every thing which we desire 172 A Prayer for the fulfilling of the will of God 174 That true comfort is to be sought in God alone 175 That all our care is to be placed in God 177 That temporall miseries by the example of Christ are to be borne patiently 179 Of suffering of injuries and who is proved to be truly patient 181 Of the acknowledging of our owne infirmity and of the miseries of this life 184 That we are to rest in God above all his gifts 187 Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God 192 Of foure things that bring much peace 197 A prayer against evill thoughts 197 A prayer for the enlightning of the mind 198 Of flying curious inquiry of the life of others 200 Wherein doth the firme peace of the heart and true proficiency consist 20â— Of the excellency of a free mind which humble prayer better obtaineth then reading 204 That private love most hindreth from the chiefest good 206 A Prayer for cleansig the heart and obtaining of heavenly wisdome 208 Against the tongue of Slanderers 210 How we ought to call upon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere 211 Of craving the divine aid and confidence of recovering grace 212 Of the contempt of all creatures to find our Creator 217 Of the deniall of our selves and forsaking all our affections 220 Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our finall intentions unto God 223 That God is sweet above all things and in all things to him that loveth 225 That there is no security from temptation in this life 225 Against the vaine Iudgements of men 230 Of a full and pure resignation of our selves from the obtaining freedome of heart 232 Of good government of outward things and of recourse to God in dangers 235 That a man be not over earnest in his affaires 237 That a man hath no good of himselfe nor any thing whereof he can glory 238 Of the contempt of all temporall honours 241 That our peace is not to be placed in men 242 Against vaine and secular knowledge 245 Of not drawing outward things to our selves 247 That credit is not to be given to all men and how prone man is to offend in words 249 Of putting our trust in God when evill words arise 253 That all grievous things are to be endured for life everlasting 257 Of the everlasting day and shortnesse of this life 259 Of the desire of everlasting life and how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly 264 How a desolate person ought to offer himselfe into the hands of God 270 That a man ought to imploy himselfe in works of humility when force is wanting for higher exercises 276 That a man ought to esteeme himselfe unworthy of comfort and to have deserved stripes 277 That the grace of God is not given to those that savour of earthly things 280 Of the different motions of Nature and Grace 283 Of the corruption of nature and efficacy of divine grace 289 That we oâ—ght to deny our selves and imitate Christ by the Crosse. 294 That a man be not too much deiected when he â—alleth into some defects 297 Of not searching into high matters and into the secret judgements of God 300 That all our hope aâ—d trust is to be fixed in God alone 307 THE FOVRTH BOOK A Devout exhortation unto the blessed Sacrament 311 With how great reverence Christ ought to be received 312 That great goodnesse and charity of God is bestowed upon man in this Sacrament 321 That it is profitable to communicate often 326 That many benefits are bestowed upon them that communicate devoutly 330 Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Priestly function 335 An Interrogation of the exercise before Communion 337 Of the discussing of our own conscience and purpose of amendment 338 Of the oblation of Christ on the Crosse and resignation of our selves 342 That we ought to offer up our selves and all that is ours unto God and to pray for all 344 That the holy Communion is not lightly to be forborne 348 That the Body of Christ and the holy Scriptures are most necessary unto a faithfull soule 353 That he that is to communicate ought to prepare himselfe with great diligence 360 That a devout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto Christ in the Sacrament 363 Of the fervent desire of some devout persons to receave the body of Christ 366 That the grace of devotion is obtained by humility deniall of our selves 369 That we ought to manifest our necessity unto Christ and to crave his grace 372 Of burning love and vehement desire to receive Christ. 374 That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense unto faith 378 FINIS
may agree in the truth of his holy word and live in unity and Godly love And although we cannot at the first attaine to that perfection to be of one minde yet let us beginne to be charitable and beare with one another for who knowes but that by entertaining this bond of peace we may in good time come to the unity of the spirit which he heartily wisheth and daily prayeth for who is Thine in Christ W. P. THE IMITATION OF CHRIST THE FIRST BOOKE CHAP. I. Of following Christ and the contempt of all worldly vanities HEE that followeth me walketh not in darknesse saith our blessed Saviour the true light 2 And because he is truth as well as light we must follow him if we will truly be enlightned and cast off all the workes of darknesse 3 Let it be then our chiefest care fully to tread in his blessed steps 4 His sacred documents were they rightly understood doe farre exceed all humane instructions and he that hath the spirit of Christ shall be sure to find there the hidden Manna 5 But so it falls out that many though they often read and heare this Gospell of peace though they are many times made partakers of these dainties yet they relish them not because they have not the tast of the spirit 6 But he that will be Christs best Schollar must translate his words into deeds and he that will truly know what his Saviour hath said must be sure to practise what he hath done 7 What will it profit a man profoundly to dispute of the Trinity and yet be puffed up with pride and so displease the Trinity 8 It is not eloquence of words nor strength of understanding that makes any man more holy and just but it is a vertuous and religious life that drawes neere unto God 9 I had rather feele the effect of compunction in my heart then know the nature of it in my head 10 Suppose thou couldst repeat the whole Bible and many other good sayings without-book it would argue thee to have a good memory but not to be the better Christian. 11 Vanity of vanities and all is vanity besides the love of God and his alone service 12 This is chiefe wisdome through the contempt of this world to passe unto a better 13 It is vanity then to hunt after riches because they are transitory or trust in them because they are uncertaine 14 It is vanity also to be ambitious after honour and greedy to climbe up into any high place 15 It is vanity to follow after fleshly lusts and desire that which will hereafter adde to thy punishment 16 It is vanity to wish for a long life and to be altogether carelesse of a good life 17 It is vanity only to have a care of this present life and not to have an eye to that which is to come 17 It is vanity to love that which is quickly gone and not to hasten thither where is joy without end 18 Remember often that saying The eie is not satisfied with seeing nor the eare with hearing 18 Labour then to withdraw thy soule from the love of things visible and to fixe upon the delight of things invisible 19 For those that follow their sensuality defile their conscience and whiles they gaine the favour of men they loose the grace of God CHAP. II. To have an humble opinion of ones selfe EVery man doth naturally desire to know but knowledge without the feare of God what availeth it 2 Better is the poore iusticke whose conversation is in heaven then the proud Philosopher vvho is still gazing into heaven 3 He that knowes himselfe well indeed is vile in his owne eyes and is not affected with the applause of men 4 Though I knew all things in the world yet had not charity what would it helpe me before God who will judge me according to my works of charity Be not very greedy to know much for there is in it great distraction and deceipt 5 Those that be learned would willingly be taken notice of and accounted wise 6 There be many things the knowledge of which doe profit the soule litle or nothing 7 And he is very unwise that troubles himselfe much with any thing but that which may further his salvation 7 Multitude of words doe not satisfie the mind but a good life doth refresh the soule and a cleare conscience makes us very confident with God The greater knowledge thou hast the heavier shall be thy Iudgment unlesse thy life be so much the more holy 9 Be not then lifted up with any knowledge or learning but rather let the increase of thy knowledge be the increase of thy feare 10 If thou thinkest thou hast a good understanding and knowest much yet know withall that thou art ignorant of much more then thou knowest 11 Be not wise in thy owne conceipt but rather acknowledge thine ignorance and say Lord I thanke thee that I am not ignorant how ignorant I am 12 Why shouldst thou preferre thy selfe before any when there are many more learned and skilfull then thy selfe 13 Wilt thou know and learne any thing for thy profit study to be unknowne and nothing to be accounted of 14 This is the highest and most usefull study truly to know thy selfe and then to despise thy selfe To esteem nothing of thy selfe but alwaies to have a good and high opinion of others is great wisdome and perfection 15 Though thou seest another openly to offend or commit some great crime yet thou shouldst not presently think thy selfe better then he for though thou art so for the present yet thou knowest not how long thou canst continue so 16 'T is true we are all of us frail yet this is the way to gather true strength to think no man more fraile then thy selfe CHAP. III. Of the Doctrine of truth HAppy is he whom truth teacheth not by letters and words that vanish but in its owne proper shape 2 Our ovvne opinion and conceit doth ofttimes deceive us and at the best sees but a litle 3 What profit is there to cavill much about secret and obscure points seeing we shall never be called in question for not knowing them 4 Great folly it is to neglect profitable and necessary studies and busy our selves incurious and dangerous inquiries for in so doing we have eyes but see not 5 Why spend we so much time in learning genus and species and other logicall words he is rid from a great many of opinions whom that everlasting Word doth speake unto 6 All things have their being of that one Word and all things doe speake according to that one Word this is that beginning which doth speake unto us without whom no mā understandeth or judgeth any thing aright 7 Hee to whom all things are one and who draweth all things to one and beholdeth all things in one the same can stand firme in his heart and repose himself quietly in his God 8 O God which art the eternall truth make
me one with thee in everlasting love Many times to read much and to hear much itâ—irketh me in thee is all I would have or can desire 9 Let all teachers hold their peace let all Creatures keepe silence in thy sight but speake Lord for thy servant heareth speake thou alone unto me and it sufficeth 10 By how much the more one is united to himself admitteth of no admixture within himselfe by so much the more easily doth he coÌ„ceive high mysteries because he is enlightned from above 11 A pure sincere and stayed spirit is not distracted though it be imploy'd in diverse matters for that it worketh all to the honour of God and labouring for inward tranquillitie seeketh not it selfe in any thing it doth 12 Who hinders and troubles thee more then the unmortified and unruly affections of thine owne heart 13 A good and godly man before he doe any businesse outwardly abroad doth first rightly order it inwardly at home 14 Neither shall his imployment drive him to any corrupt inclination but he will draw it to the rule of right reason 15 Great are the confliccts of every good Christian but of all combates the forest is to conquer our selves 16 This then should be our chiefe endeavour continually to maintaine the sight and every day to be stronger and better then another 16 The greatest perfection wee can attaine to in this life it hath some imperfection annexed to it and our greatest light of knowledge is not void of some darknesse 17 An humble knowledge of thy selfe is a more secure way to heaven then a profound searching into other kinds of learning 18 Not that humane learning is blame-worthy nor the knowledge of any thing whatsoever is to be disliked because it is good in it selfe and ordained of God 19 But yet a good conscience is to be preferred before all knowledge and a vertuous life before all learning 20 But because men commonly labour more to know well then to live well this makes them so much to wander out of the way and reap litle fruit of their labours 21 O if men would be as carefull in removing vices as they are in moving questions there would not be so much loosness amongst the vulgar nor such enormities in retir'd places 22 Assuredly at the day of judgment we shall not be examined how many bookes we have read but how many good workes we have done not how rhetorically we have spoken but how religiously we have lived 23 Tell me now what 's become of all those great Doctors and Masters in Israell which thou knewest to be so famous and pointed at in their life 24 Others now possesse their places and preferments and perchance doe scarce ever so much as thinke of them 26 In their life time they seemed to be some body who but they but now they are gone we heare not a word of them 27 O how quickly doth the glory of this world passe away would God their life had been answerable to their learning then had their study and reading been to good purpose 28 Alas how many perish in the world through this vaine knowledge in that they make small account of the worship of God 29 And because they rather strive to be high then humble therefore they vanish in their vaine imaginations 30 Accosding to thy charity so is thy greatnesse he is truly great who is litle in his own eyes and lightly esteemeth all height of honour 31 He is wise indeed who accounteth all things else but dung that he may winne Christ and he is learned indeed that abandoneth his owne will that he may doe Gods CHAP. IV. Of Providence or Prudence in our actions VVE must not rashly believe every word of man but warily and seriously ponder whether it be consonant to the will of God 2 But alas such is our weaknesse and so great our infirmity that we oftner think and speake the worst of another then the best 3 But such as be perfect will not easily give credit to every tale that is told them they know how prone every man is by nature unto evill and how easy it is to offend with the tongue 4 It is a point of great wisdome to be neither rash in our actions nor stiffe in our opinions 5 And as great wisdome it is not to believe all thou hearest nor yet what thou hearest and believest to be by and by telling it another 6 Take advise of a wise and conscientious man follow his better instructions rather theÌ„ thine own fancies 7 A good life maketh a man wise to God-ward and giveth him great experience in many things 8 The more humble a man is in himselfe and obedient to his God the more prudent shall he be in all his affaires and injoy greater quietnesse of mind CAAP. V. Of the reading of holy Scriptures IN the holy Scriptures we must looke after the truth of the matter not the eloquence of the words and we should read them with the same spirit they were penn'd 2 We ought rather to marke in them the evidence of the spirit then the excellency of the words for it is better to read a Booke that brings devotion to my heart then knowledge to my head 3 Let not the authority of the Writer be he of great or small account but the pure love of truth move thee to read and seeke out not so much who it is that speaketh but diligently mark what it is that is spoken 4 Men are here to day and gone to morrow but the truth of our Lord remaineth for ever God speaketh to us sundry waies without respect of persons 5 In reading the Scriptures our curiosity doth often hurt us when we goe about to comprehend that which indeed we should let alone 6 If thou desirest to reap commodity read withall humility simplicity and fidelity and never covet to be accounted learned 7 Be questioning alwaies with godly men and hearken with silence unto their sayings be not offended with the Proverbes of thine elders for they are not left unto us without a cause CHAP. VI. Of inordinate desires and affections VVHensoever a man desireth a thing inordinately he is presently disquieted within himselfe 2 The proud and covetous men are never at rest but the poore and meeke-spirited live together in abundance of peace 4 The man that is not yet throughly mortified is quickly tempted yea and overcome too with small and triviall things 5 He that is weake in the spirit and as yet carnally minded and prone unto sensuality can hardly withdraw himselfe altogether from earthly desires 6 And therefore it often grieveth him when he goeth about to withdraw himselfe and is easily moved to anger if any one doth withstand him 7 But if he hath followed therein his appetite he is presently gauled with remorse of conscience because he hath yeelded to his unruly passions which doth no whit make to the peace he sofght for 8 Wherefore the true peace of mind is gotten
humility and great affection 3 And I said Blessed â—s the man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy saw that thou maist give him quietnesse from evill daies that he be not destroyed upon earth 4 I saith our Lord have taught the Prophets from the beginning and cease not continually to speak to every one but many are deafe and give no eare to my speech 5 The greater number doe more willingly listen to the world then to God and follow sooner the desires of their flesh then the will of God 6 The world promiseth temporall and small things and is served with great diligence I promise most high and eternall things and the hearts of men are nothing moved with it 7 Who is he that serveth and obeyeth me with equall care to that with which the world and the Lords thereof are served 8 Blush Sidon saith the sea and if thou aske the cause he are wherefore For a litle prebend a long journey is undertaken for everlasting life many will scarce once lift a foot from the ground 9 A thing of small value is sought after greedily for a penny sometimes there is great contention for a vaine thing and sleighâ— promise men doubâ— not to toile day and night 10 But alas for an unchangeable good for an inestimable reward for the highest honour and glory without end they are loath to take the least paines 11 Blush therefore slothfull and complaining servant that they are found more ready to destruction then thou to life They rejoyce more at vanity then thou at verity 12 And yet they are sometimes frustrated of their hope but my promise deceaveth none nor sendeth him away empty that trusteth in me 13 I will give that which I have promised I will fulfill that which I have said but to him that remaines faithfull in my love to the end I am the rewarder of all those who are good and doe try my devout servants with greater and severer temptations 14 Write my words in thy heart and think diligently of them for they will be very necessaâ—y in time of temptation 15 What thou understandest not when thou readest thou shalt know in â—he day of visitation 16 I am wont to visit my elect two severall waies to wit with temptation and comfort 17 And I daily read two lessons unto them one reprehending their vices another exhorting them to the increase of vertues 18 He that hath my wordes and despiseth them hath within himselfe that shall judge him at the last day A prayer to implore the grace of devotion 1 O Lord my God thou art all that I can desire What am I that dare speak unto thee I am thy poorest servant and a most vile worme much more poore and contemptible then I either know or dare expresse 2 And yet Lord remember this one thing that I am nothing that I have nothing and that I am worth nothing Thou alone art good thou alone art righteous thou alone art holy thou canst all thou doest all thou fillest all only the wicked thou sendest empty away Remember O Lord thy tender mercies fill my heart with thy grace for thou wilt that none of thy workes should be in vaine 3 How can I sustaine my selfe in this miserable life unlesse thy mercy and grace support me 4 Turne not thy face from me delay not thy visitations draw not away thy comfort least my soule become like a barren and dry land wherein is no water 5 Lord teach me to fulfill thy wil teach me to live worthily and humbly in thy sight for thou art my wisdome thou doest perfectly know me 6 Yea thou knowest me not only before I was conceived in the womb but also before the very world was made CHAP. IV. That we ought to live in truth humility in the sight of God SOnne walke in my sight in â—incerity and truth and ever seeke mee in singlenesse of heart 2 He that walketh before me in truth shall be defended from evill incursions truth shall deliver him from seducers and from the detractions of the wicked 3 If truth shall make the free thou shalt be free indeed and shalt not need to care for the vaine words of men 4 Lord it is true according as thou saist so I beseech thee be it unto mee lâ—t thy truâ—h teach me let it defend me and bring me to a blessed end 5 Let the same truth deliver me from â—ll evill affection and inordinate love and I shall walke with thee in great freedome of heart 6 I will teach thee saith the Truth those things that are right and pleasing in my sight Think of thy sinnes with great serrow and griefe and never esteem thy selfe any thing for thy good workes 7 Thou art in very deed a sinnerâ— and subject to many passions Of thy selfe thou alwaies tendest to nothing and art quickly cast down quickly overcome quickly troubled quickly dissolved 8 Thou hast nothing wherein thou canst glory but many things for which thou oughtest to humble and despise thy selfe for thou art much weaker then thou cast perceive 9 And therefore let nothing seem much unto thee whatsoever thou dost Let nothing seem great nothing precious and wonderfull nothing worthy of estimation 10 Nothing high nothing truly commendable and to be desired but that which is everlasting 11 Let the eternall Truth above all things please thee Let thy own great unworthinesse alwaies displease thee 12 Feare nothing blame and flye nothing so much as thy sinnes and vices which ought to displease thee more then the losse of any thing whatsoever 13 Some walk not sincerely in my sight but led by a certain curiosity and pride will know my secrets and understand the high mysteries of God neglecting themselves and their own salvation 14 These oftentimes for that I resist them doe fall into great temptations and sinnes for their pride and curiosity 15 Fear the judgements of God dread the wrath of the Almighty Bâ—t discusse not the works of the Highest Search thine own iniquities in how much thou hast offended and how much good thou hast neglected 16 Some carry their devotion only in books some in pictures some in outward signes and figures some have mee in their mouthes but litle in their hearts 18 There are others that being illuminated in their understanding and purged in their affection doe alwaies aspire with an earnest mind to everlasting happinesse 18 And are unwilling to heare of the things of this world and doe serve the necessities of nature with griefe and these perceave what the spirit of truth speaketh in them 19 Because it teacheth them to despise earthly love heavenly things to neglect the world and day night to desire heaven CHAP. V. Of the wonderfull effect of divine grace I Praise thee O heavenly Father Father of my Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast vouchsafed to remember me a poore and wretched creature 2 O Father of mercies and God of all comfort thanks be
nothing I can doe nothing I have nothing that is good of my selfe 4 But in all things I doe faile and am defective and doe ever tend to nothing and unlesse thou helpe me and doest inwardly instruct me I become cold and am dissolved 5 But thou O Lord art alwaies the same and endurest for ever alwaies good just and holy doing all things well justly and holily and disposing al things with wisdome 6 But I that am more inclined to fall then to goe forwards doe never continue in one estate for seven different times are changed over me yet doth it soone turne to the better when it so pleaseth thee and when thou vouchsafest to stretch forth thy helping hand 7 For thou alone canst help me without the favour of man and so strengthen me that my countenance shall be no more changed but my heart shall be converted and rest in thee alone 8 Wherefore if I could once perfectly forsake all humane comfort either for the love of devotion or for mine owne necessitie which inforceth me to seeke after thee for none else can comfort me then might I well hope in thy grace and rejoyce in the gift of new consolation 9 Thankes be unto thee from whence all proceedeth as often as it goeth well with me but I am meere vanity and nothing before thee an unconstant and weake man 10 Whereof then can I glory Of why doe I desire to be esteemed of Is it not of nothing And this is most vaine 11 Truly vain-glory is an evill plague and very great vanity because it draweth from true glory and robbeth the soule of heavenly grace 12 For whilst a man pleaseth himselfe he displeaseth thee whilst he gapeth after the praise of men he is deprived of true vertue 13 But true glory holy exultation is for a man to glory in thee and not in himselfe to rejoyce in thy name and not in his owne vertue nor to delight in any creature but for thee 14 Praised be thy name not mine magnified be thy worke not mine let thy holy name be for ever blessed but to me let no part of mens praises be given 15 Thou art my glory thou art the joy of my heart In thee will I glory and rejoyce all the day but for my selfe I will not joye but in my infirmities 16 Let the Iewes seeeke the glory which one man giveth to another I will desire this which is from God alone 17 For all humane glory all temporall honour all worldly highnesse compared to thy eternall glory is vanity and folly 18 O my truth my mercy my God most blessed Trinity to thee alone be all praise honour vertue and glory for all eternity CHAP. XLI Of the contempt of all temporall honours SOnne trouble not thyselfe if thou seest others honoured and advanced and thy selfe contemned and debased 2 Lift up thy heart unto me in heaven and the contempt of men in earth will not grieve thee Lord we are blind and quickly seduced with vanity 3 If I look well into my selfe I cannot say that any creature hath done me wrong and therefore I cannot justly complain of thee 4 But because I have often and grievously sinned against thee all creatures doe justly take armes against me for shame and contempt is due unto me but unto thee praise honour and glory 5 And unlesse I doe so prepare my selfe that I be willing and doe rejoyce to be despised and forsaken of all creatures and to be esteemed nothing at all I cannot obtain internall strength and peace nor be spiritually enlightned nor wholly united unto thee CHAP. XLII That our peace is not to be placed in men SOnne if the peace thou hast with any be grounded on the opinion which thou hast of him or on the contentment thou receavest in his company thou shalt ever be unconstant and subject to disquiet 2 But if thou have recourse unto the ever-living and eternall truth a friend going from thee or dying shall not grieve thee 3 The love of thy friend ought to rest in me and for me is he to be beloved whosoever he be whom thou thinkest well of and is verily deare unto thee in this life 4 No friendship can availe or continue without me neither is the love true and pure which they have whose hearts are not joyned together by me 5 Thou oughtest to be so dead to such affections of beloved friends that forasmuch as appertaineth unto thee thou shouldest wish to be without all company of men 6 Man approacheth so much the neerer unto God how much the farther off he departeth from all earthly comfort 7 So much the higher also he ascendeth unto God by how much the lower he descendeth into himselfe and how much the baser he is in his own conceipt 8 But he that attributeth any good unto himselfe hindreth the comming of Gods grace into him for the grace of the holy Ghost ever seeketh an humble heart 9 If thou couldeâ—st perfectly annihilate thy selfe and purge thy selfe of all created love then should there flow into thee great abundance of my grace 10 When thou castest thy eyes on creatures the sight of thy Creator is taken from thee 11 Learne to overcome thy selfe in all things for the love of thy Creator and then shalt thou be able to attaine to heavenly knowledge 12 How litle soever it be if it be inordinately loved and regarded it defileth the soule and hindreth the enjoying of the chiofest good CHAP. XLIII Against vaine and secular knowledge SOnne let not the faire speeches subtile sayings of men move thee for the Kingdome of God consisteth not in words but in vertue 2 Observe well the words which I speake for they inflame the heart and enlighten the mind induce compunction and bring sundry comforts 3 Doe thou never read to shevv thy selfe learned or wise but labour to mortify thy vices for that will profit thee more then the knowledge of many hard and difficult questions 4 When thou shalt have read and known many things thou oughtest ever to returne to one begining 5 I am he that teacheth man all knowledge and doe give to litle ones a more cleare understanding then can be taught by man 6 He therefore to whom I speak shall quickly be wise and shall profit much in spirit Woe be to them that inquire many curious things of men and doe litle desire to know the way how to serve me 7 The time will come when the Maister of Maisters shall appear Christ the Lord of Angels to hear the lessons of all that is to examine the consciences of every one 8 And then he will search Hierusalem with a candle and the hidden things of darknesse shall be laid open and the inventions of tongues shall be silent 9 I am he that in an instant doe raise up the humble mind to understand more reasons of the everlasting truth then can be gotten by ten years study in schooles 10 I teach without noise of words without
confusion of opinions without ambition of honour without contention of arguments 11 I am he that teacheth to despise earthly things to loath things present to seeke the everlasting to delight in the things that are eternall 12 To flye honours to suffer scandalls to place all hope in me to desire nothing out of me and above all things servently to love me 13 For one by loving me entirely learned divine things and spake wonders he profited more in forsaking all things then in studying subtilties 14 To some I speak ordinary things to others things more rare to some I appear sweetly by signes and figures but to some I reveale mysteries with much light 15 The voice of books is one but it teacheth not all men alike For I am the internall teacher I am the Truth the searcher of the heart the understander of thoughts the setter forwards of good works distributing to every one according to my will CHAP. XLIV Of not drawing outward things to our selves SOnne in many things thou oughtest to be ignorant and esteeme thy selfe as dead upon earth and as one to whom the world is crucified 2 Thou must also passe over many things with a deafe eare and rather think of that which appertaineth to thy peace 3 It is more profitable to turne thine eyes from the sight of unpleasing things and to leave unto every one his own opinion then to strive with contentious words 4 If thou standest well with God and considerest his judgements thou shalt the more easily yeeld to the will of others 5 O Lord to what an estate are we come Behold we bewaile a temporall losse and for a little gaine wee toile and spare no labour and the spirituall damage of our soule is forgotten and hardly at length called to mind 6 That which litle or nothing profiteth is alwaies remembred and that which is chiefly necessary is negligently passed over 7 Because mans nature carrieth him to externall things and unlesse he quickly returne unto himselfe he lyeth drowned in them with delight CHAP. XLV That credit is not to be given to all men and how prone man is to offend in words HElp me Lord in my tribulation for vaine is the defence of man How often have I been deceaved finding want of faith where I thought it sure And how often have I found faith where I least expected it 2 It is vaine therefore to trust in men but the safety of the just O Lord is in thee Blessed be thou my God in all things that befall us We are weak and inconstant quickly deceaved and soone changed 3 Who is he that is able so warily to keep himselfe that he never fall into any deceipt or doubt But he that trusteth in thee O Lord and seeketh thee with a pure heart doth not easily fall 4 And if he fall into any tribulation be he never so much inthralied yet he shall quickly be delivered or comforted by thee for thou wilt not forsake him for ever that trusteth in thee 5 The friend is rare to be found that continueth faithfull in his friends distresse but thou O Lord thou alone art faithfull at all times and there is none like unto thee 6 O how wise was that holy soule that said My mind is firmely setled and grounded in Christ If it were so with mee then would not human feare so easily trouble me nor words move me 7 Who can foresee all things who is able to beware beforehand of future evills If things even foreseen doe oftentimes hurt us how can things unlooked for choose but wound us grievously 8 But why did not provide better for my selfe 〈…〉 why also have I so easily given credit â—o others 9 But alas we are men and God knoweth weak fâ—â—ile men although by to any we are reputed and called Angels 10 To whom shall I 〈◊〉 credit Lord to whom but to thee Thou art the truth that neither dost deceave not canst be deceaved 11 And on the other side every man is a lyar weak unconstant and subject to fall especially in words and therefore we must not easily give credit even to that which in outward shew seemeth at the first a certaine truth 12 O with how great wisdome hast thou warned us to take heed of men and because the enemies of man are his familiar domesticall acquaintance not to trust if one should say Behold here or behold there 13 I am taught to my cost and I would to God I might thereby increase my care and not my folly 14 Be wary saith one be wary keep unto thy selfe what I tell thee 15 And whilest I hold my peace and think it is secret he cannot keep that secret which he desired should be secret but presently disoloseth me and himselfe and goeth his way 16 From such tales and such improvident people protect me Lord that I fall not into their hands nor ever commit such errors 17 Give me grace my God to observe truth and constancy in my words and remove far from me a deceiptfull tongue What I am not willing to suffer I ought by all means to avoid 18 O how good and quiet a thing it is to be silent and not to talke of others nor to believe all that is said nor easily to report what we have heard 19 To lay ones selfe open to few alwaies to seeke after thee the beholder of the heart not to be carried about with every wind of words but to desire that all things both within without be accomplished according to thy will and pleasure 20 How secure is it for the keeping of heavenly grace to fly the sight of men and not to seeke those things that seeme to cause admiration abroad but to follow that withall diligence which bringeth amendment of life and increase of fervour 21 To how many hath vertue known and overhastily commended been hurtfull How profitable hath grace been kept with silence in this mortall life which is nothing but a perpetuall temptation and a warfare CHAP. XLVI Of putting our trust in God whom evill words arise SOnne be constant and put thy trust in me For what are words but words They passe through the aire but hurt not If thou be guilty determine willingly to amend thy selfe if thou be innocent resolve to suffee this willingly at least for God 2 It is a small matter to suffer sometimes a few words if thou hast not yet the courage to endure stripes 3 And why doe small matters goe to thy heart but for that thou art yet carnall and regardest men more then thou oughtest 4 Because thou art afraid to be despised therefore thou wilt not be reprehended for thy faults and therefore seekest shadowes of excuses 5 But look better unto thy felfe and thou shalt see that the world yet liveth in thee and a vaine desire to please men 6 For when thou refusest to be humbled and reproved for thy faults it is surely evident that thou art neither truly humble nor dead to
much the more this sacred Communion is common through the world 49 Thankes be unto thee good Iesu everlasting Pastour of our soules that hast vouchsafed to refresh us poore and banished men with thy precious Body and Blood 50 And to invite us to the receiving of these mysteries with the words of thy owne mouth saying Come unto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you CHAP. II. That great goodnesse and charity of God is bestowed upon man in this Sacrament The voice of the Disciple PResuming of thy goodnesse and great mercy O Lord being sick I approach unto my Saviour hungry and thirsty to the fountaine of life needy to the King of heaven a servant unto my Lord a creature to my Creator desolate to my mercifull comforter 2 But whence is this to me that thou vouchsafest to come unto me Who am I that thou shouldest give thy selfe unto me 3 How dare a sinner presume to appeare before thee And thou how doest thou vouchsafe to come unto a sinner 4 Thou knowest thy servant and seest that he hath no good thing in him for which thou shouldest bestow this benefit upon him 5 I confesse therefore my unworthinesse and I acknowledge thy goodnesse I praise thy mercy and give thee thankes for this thy unspeakable charity 6 For thou doest this for thine owne sake not for any merits of mine to the end that thy goodnesse may be better knowne unto mee thy charity more abundantly shewed and thy humility more highly commended 7 Since therefore it is thy pleasure and hast commanded that it should be so this thy bounty is also pleasing to me and doe wish that my offences may be no hindrance unto it 7 O most sweet and bountifull Iesu how great reverence and thanks with perpetuall praise is due unto thee for the receaving of thy sacred body whose worth and dignity no man is able to expresse 8 But what shall I think of at this time now that I am to receive this divine Sacrament and to approach unto my Lord to whom I am not able to give due reverence and yet I desire to receave him devoutly 9 What can I thinke better and more profitable then to humble my selfe wholly before thee and to exalt thy infinite goodnesse above me 10 I praise thee my God and will exalt thee for ever and I doe despise and submit my selfe unto thee even into the depth of my unworthinesse 11 Behold thou art the Holy of Holies and I the skum of sinners behold thou bowest thy selfe downe unto me who am not worthy so much as to look up unto thee 12 Behold thou comest unto me it is thy will to be with me thou invitest me to thy banquet 13 Thou wilt give me the food of heaven and bread of Angels to eat which is no other truly then thy selfe the lively bread that descendedst from heaven and givest life unto the world 14 Behold from whence this love proceedeth what kind of favour and benignity is this which shineth upon us What thankes and praises are due unto thee for these benefits 15 O how good and profitable was thy counsell when thou ordainedst How sweet and pleasant the banquet when thou gavest thy selfe to be our food 16 How wonderfull thy worke O Lord how powerfull thy vertue how unspeakable thy truth For thou saidst the word and all things were made and this was done which thou commandest 17 A thing of great admiration and worthy of faith and surpassing the understanding of man that thou my Lord God true God Man shouldst be exhibited unto us by the elements of bread and wine and thy body worthily receaved should be the spirituall food of our soule 18 Thou who are the Lord of all things and standest in need of none hast pleased to dwell in us by meanes of this thy Sacrament 19 Preserve my heart and body unspotted that with a cheerefull and pure conscience I may often celebrate thy mysteries and receave them to my everlasting health which thou hast chiefly ordained and instituted for thy honour and perpetuall memory 20 Rejoyce O my soule and give thankes unto God for so noble a gift and singular comfort left unto thee in this vale of teares 21 For as often as thou callest to mind this mystery and receavest the body of Christ so often dost thou remember the worke of thy redemption and art made partaker of all the merits of Christ. 22 For the charity of Christ is never diminished and the greatnesse of his mercy is never drawne dry 23 Therefore thou oughtest alwaies to dispose thy selfe hereunto by a fresh renewing of thy minde and to weigh with attentive consideration this great mystery of thy salvation 24 So great now and joyfull it ought to seeme unto thee when thou commest to the holy Communion as if the same day Christ first descended into the wombe of the Virgin were become man or hanging on the crosse did suffer and dye for the salvation of mankinde CHAP. III. That it is profitable to communicate often The voice of the Disciple BEhold O Lord I come unto thee that I may be comforted in thy gifts and be delighted in thy holy banquet which thou O Lord hast prepared in thy sweetnesse for the poore 2 Behold in thee is all whatsoever I can or ought to desire thou art my health and my redemption my hope and my strength my honour and my glory 3 Make joyfull therefore this day the soule of thy servant for that I have lifted it up to thee my sweet Iesus I desire to receave thee now with devotion and reverence 4 I doe long to bring thee into my house that with Zachreus I may obtaine to be blessed by thee and numbred amongst the children of Abraham 5 My soule thirsteth to receave thy body my heart desireth to be united with thee 6 Give thy selfe to me and it sufficeth For besides thee no comfort is availeable I cannot be without thee nor live without thy gracious visitation 7 And therefore I must often come unto thee and receave thee as the only remedy of my health lest perhaps I faint in the way if I be deprived of thy heavenly food 8 For so most mercifull Iesus thou once didst say preaching to the people and curing sundry diseases I will not send them home fasting lest they faint in the way 9 Deale thou therefore in like manner now with me who hast vouchsafed to leave thy selfe in the Sacrament for the comfort of the faithfull 10 For thou art the sweet refection of the soule and he that eateth thee worthily shall be partaker and heire of everlasting glory 11 It is necessary for me that doe so often fall and sinne so quickly waxe dull and faint that by often prayers and confessions and receaving of thy sacred body I renew clense and inflame my selfe lest perhaps by long abstayning I fall from my holy purpose 12 For man is prone unto evill from his youth
did not say why strive you but drew his sword and slew the Egyptian but when he saw the two Israelites fight he said yee are brethren why strive yee What a glorious sight would it be to see the red Crosle once againe advanced as it was in the daies of Constantine and if wee did not see it written in heaven I hope wee should finde it true upon earth in hoc signo vinces Vnto this holy warre I suppose all they would come who have promised to fight under Christ's banner And set aside for a while this private interest of Protestant and Papist and Grecian and Lutheran and Calvinist and Arminian and Socinian and if there be any other division amongst us and take upon us that generall livery of Christianity and so joyne together to rescue our brethren from that wilde Boare of the Forrest which hath laid wast this goodly vine afterwards we might see how we could decide the Controversies amongst Christians For whosoeuer is in the right I hope wee are all well enough perswaded that he is in the wrong Could Herod and Pilate otherwise deadly enemies be made friends and agree together to condemne Christ and shall not those who are already brethren and therefore should be friends combine together to save Christ I say to save Christ for so long as we save and preserve his members we save and preserve him but so long as we suffer his members to be thus persecuted and oppressed hee cannot choose but suffer with them But wee in steed of bandying against the common enemy muster up our forces one against another and find that to be true by lamentable experience there is no greater hatred then of brethren that are falllen out Seeing then that all Christians are brethren I say brethren as having one Father of us all brethren as having one faith one Lord one Baptisme whereby we are borne into the Catholike Church and one food by the Sacrament of the Eucharist which makes us groane to be perfect men in Christ seeing we are all these waies brethren I may well say as Moses did yee are brethren why strive yee or if yee must needs be striving about matters of Religion strive and strive earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints And because I say we are brethren I would not have you think we like not the cause we have in hand or that we are ready to yeeld unto you and presently joyne hands with you as some of you imagine and many of our side causelesly suspect but this is all we would have the breach no greater then it is and would not have the world believe because we differ in some things that wee agree in nothing And although we call you brethren wee will not winke at your faults or joyne with you in them but this doth put us in minde to admonish you more gently of them as brethren though you rage never so fiercely against us for by this meanes wee shall expresse our charity towards you and so heap coles of fire upoÌ„ your head God he knowes we are farre enough from yeelding to you as Romanists yet should we not be charitable to you as Christians we were much to blame But â—ee how you mistake or rather indeed pervert and abuse this our charity For say you by your own acknowledgement there may be salvation in our Church but we all deny there can be salvation in yours therefore all if they had care of themselves would have recourse to us for it is the safer way to be a member of that Church where both sides yeeld there may be salvation then in that where one side denies it This were something if Salvation or Damnation depended upon opinion but I suppose that charitable opinion of ours in hopeing you may be saved makes you never a whit the nearer heaven but our selves and that rough censure of yours in setting us all out for damnation makes us no whit the neerer hell but your selves And I had rather be a member of that Church which holds there may be salvation in both then of that which holds there can be salvation but in one For holding with the first I am safe wheresoever I am but holding with the latter I must be in danger wheresoever I am I say wheresoever I am for I am not only in danger of my salvation if I be in that Church wherein I think there is no salvation but also in that out of which I think there can be no salvation because I confine salvation to one of these which though I think it be in this alone yet it may be in the other alone Many other motives unto charity might be shewed but these briefly shall suffice for me The one is that we are Christians and therefore brethren and so ought to love as brethren Another is in that I hope our intentions are good and that none maintaines a false opinion perversely against his conscience and this last is that for some opinions that are not so orthodoxe yet there may be hopes of salvation although it be not without smart and punishment Now let me say unto all Christians as S. Paul doth to the Corinthians 2. Cor. 6. 11. 12. 13. O yee Christians our mouth is open unto you and not only so but our heart is enlarged not only to the Roman but even to the East Church and to as many as call upon the name of our Lord Iesus Ye are not straitned in us but ye are straitned in your own bowels now for a recompence in the same I speak unto you as unto Brethren be ye also enlarged Let me bespeak all learned Prelats and Pastors on all sides as S. Austine Epist. 147. doth Proculianus a Bishop and a favourer of the Donatists I pray and beseech thee saith he if there be any good disposition in thee which many doe extoll and commend if it be not a counterfeit courtesy by reason of worldly honour that the tender bowells of pitty and compassion begin to yerne in thee and that you would have these controversies discussed between us at the length not by wrangling and railing one at another but by fervent prayers and earnest supplications unto Almighty God and by comparing all things peaceably and examining them in the spirit of meeknesse lest the poore ignorant people which now yeeld to and willingly obey our jurisdiction and command over them presse us with this their submission and dutifull obedience to us in the day of the Lord Iesus and say they did as their leaders directed them but rather by our unfained love and charity being together with us drawn from those by paths of errour and dissention they should be directed into the right way of truth and peace I will conclude all with our Churches prayer that it would please God to inspire continually the Vniversall Church with the spirit of truth unity and concord and grant that all they who doe confesse his holy name
the melting of fervent love 11 Suffer me not to goe from thee hungry and dry but deale mercifully with me as thou hast oftentimes dealt wonderfully with thy Saiuts 12 What marveâ—le if I should be wholy inflamed by thee and dye in my selfe sith thou art ever burning and never decaying love purifying the heart and inlightning the understanâ—â—ing CHAP. XVII Of burning love and vehement desire to receive Christ. The voice of the Disciple VVIth great devotion and burning love with most hearty affection and fervour I desire to receive thee O Lord 2 As many Saints and devout persons have desired thee when they received thy Sacrament who were most pleasing unto thee in holinesse of life and most fervent in devotion 3 O my God my everlasting love my whole good my happinesse without end I would gladly receive thee with the most vehement desire and most worthy reverence that any of the Saints ever had or could feele 4 And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion yet I offer unto thee the whole affection of my heart as if I alone had all those most sweet inflamed desires 5 Yea whatsoever also a devout mind can conceive and desire all that with greatest reverence and most inward affection I offer and present unto thee 6 I wish to reserve nothing to my selfe but freely and most willingly to sacrifice my self and all mine unto thee my Lord God my Creatour and my Redeemer 7 I desire to receive thee this day with such affection reverence praise and honour with such gratitude worthinesse and love with such faith hope and puritie 8 As thy most blessed Mother the glorious Virgin Marie received and desired thee when she humbly and devoutly answered the Angell 9 Who declared unto her the mysterie of the Incarnation and said Behold the handmaid of the Lord let it be done unto mee according to thy word 10 And as thy blessed Fore-runner the most excellent amongst the Saints Iohn Baptist cheerfully leaped with joy of the Holy Ghost whilst he was yet shut up in his Mothers wombe 11 And afterwards seeing Iesus walking amongst men humbling himselfe very much said with devout affection The friend of the Bridegroome that standeth and heareth him rejoyced with joy for the voice of the Bridegroome 12 So I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desire and to offeâ— my selfe up to thee with my while heart 13 Wherefore I offer also and present unto thee joyes fervent desires excesse of mind spirituall illuminations and heavenly visions of all devouâ— hearts 14 With all the vertues and praises exercised by all creatures in heaven and earth for my selfe and all such as are commended to me in praier that by all thou maist be worthily praised and glorified for ever 15 Receive my Lord God the affections of my heart and desires which I have to give thee infinite praise and thankes which according to the measure of thy unspeakable greatnesse are due unto thee 16 These I yeeld thee and desire to yeeld thee every day and moment of time and I doe intreate and invite all the heavenly spirits and all thy devout fervants to give thankes and praises together with me 17 Let all people Tribes and Tongues praise thee and magnifie thy holy and sweet name with great joy and fervent devotion and let all that â—everently and devoutly celebrate thy most high Sacrament and receive it with full faith find grace and mercy at thy hands and pray humbly for me sinfull creature 18 And when they shall have obtained their desired devotion and joyfull union and depart from thy sacred heavenly table well comforted and marveilously refreshed let them vouchsafe to remember my poore and needy foule CHAP. VIII That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense unto faith TYPE = sub The voice of the Beloved THou oughtest to beware curious and unprofitable searching into this most profound Sacrament if thou wile not be drowned in the depth of doubt 2 He that is a searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by glory God is able to worke more then man can understand 3 A pious and humble inquirie of truth is tolerable so he be alwaies ready to be taught and doe endeavour to walke in the sound paths of the ancient Fathers doctrine 4 Blessed is that simplicitie that forsaketh the difficult waies of questions and goeth on in the plaine and assured path of Gods Commandements Many have lost devotion whilst they would search after high things 5 Faith and sincere life are exacted thy hands not height of understaning nor the depth of the mysteries of God 6 If thou doest not understand or conceive those things that are under â—hee how shalt thou be able to comprehend those that are above thee 7 Submit thy selfe to God and let thy sense be subject to faith and the â—ight of knowledge shall be given thee in that degree as shall be profitable and necessary for thee 8 Some are grievously tempted about faith and the Sacrament but that is not to be imputed to them but rather to the enemie 9 Doe not regard nor dispute with thy thoughts neither doe thou give answer to the doubts moved by the enemie 10 But believe the words of God believe his Saints and Prophets and the wicked Serpent wil fly from thee 11 It is oftentimes very profitable to the servant of God to suffer such things 12 For he tempteth not Infidelâ— and sinners whom he already secure possesseth but he sundry waies temâ—teth and vexeth the faithfull and dâ—vout 13 Goe forward therefore with sincere undoubted faith and come 〈◊〉 the Sacrament with unfeigned reverence And whatsoever thou art not able to understand commit securely 〈◊〉 Almighty God 14 God deceiveth thee not he deceived that trusteth too much to him selfe God walketh with the simple râ—vealeth himselfe to the humble giveâ— understanding to litle ones openets the sense to pure minds hideth grace from the curious and proud 15 Humane reason is weake and may be deceived but true faith cannoâ— be deceived 16 All reason and naturall search ought to follow faith not to goe before it nor impugne it 17 For faith and love doe chiefly excell and worke in a hidden manner in this most blessed and superexcellent Sacrament 18 God who is everlasing and of infinite power doth great and inâ—â—â—utable things in heaven and in earth â—nd there is no searching out of his â—onderfull workes 19 If the workes of God were â—â—ch as might be easily comprehended by humane reason they were not to be called wonderfull and unspeakable FINIS A TABLE Of the Chapters contained in this Booke THE FIRST BOOK OF following Christ and the contempt of all worldly vanities pag. 1 To have an humble opinion of ones selfe 4 Of the doctrine of truth 7 Of providence or prudence in our actions 12 Of the reading of holy Scriptures 13 Of inordinate desires and affection 15