are most necessary unto a faithful soul. 304 That he who is to communicate ought to prepare himself with great diligence 309 That a devout soul ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto Christ in the Sacrament 312 Of the fervent desire of some devout persons to receive the Body of Christ. 314 That the grace of devotian is obtained by humility and denial of our selves 316 That we ought to manifest our necessities to Christ and crave his grace 319 Of fervent love and vehement desire to receive Christ. 321 That Man be not a curious searcher of the Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense to faith 324 THE FIRST BOOK CHAP. I. Of the Imitation of Christ and contempt of all wordly vanities HE that followeth me walketh not in darkness saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ by which we are admonished that we ought to imitate his life and manners if we will be truly inlightned and be delivered from all blindness of heart Let therefore our chiefest endeavor be to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ. 2. The doctrine of Christ exceedeth all the doctrines of holy Men and he that hath the Spirit will find therein an hidden Manna But it falleth out that many who often hear the Gospel of Christ are yet but little affected because they are void of the Spirit of Christ. But whosoever will fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ. 3. What will it avail thee to dispute profoundly of the Trinity if thou be void of humility and art thereby displeasing to the Trinity High words surely make a Man neither holy nor just but a virtuous life maketh him dear to God I had rather feel compunction than understand the definition thereof If thou didst know the whole Bible and the sayings of all the Philosophers by heart what would all that profit thee without the love of God and without grace Vanity of vanities and all is vanity but to love God and to serve him only This is the highest wisdom by contempt of the world to tend towards the Kingdom of Heaven 4. It is therefore vanity to seek after perishing riches and to trust in them It is also vanity to hunt after honors and to climb to high degree It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh and to labor for that for which thou mayest afterwards suffer more grievous punishment Vanity it is to wish to live long and to be careless to live well It is vanity to mind only this present life and not to foresee those things which are to come It is vanity to set thy love on that which speedily passeth away and not to hasten thither where everlasting joy is permanent 5. Call often to mind that Proverb That the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing Endeavor therefore to withdraw thy heart from the love of visible things and to turn thy self to the invisible For they that follow their sensuality do stain their own consciences and loose the favor of God CHAP. II. Of the humble conceit of our selves ALL Men naturally desire to know but what availeth knowledg without the fear of God Surely an humble Husbandman that serveth God is better than a proud Philosopher that neglecting himself laboreth to understand the course of the heavens Who so knoweth himself well groweth more mean in his own conceit and delighteth not in the praises of Men. If I understood all things in the world and were not in charity what would that help me in the sight of God who will judg me according to my deeds 2. Cease from an inordinate desire of knowing for therein is much distraction and deceit The learned are willing to seem so to others and to be accounted wise There be many things which to know doth little or nothing profit the soul and he is very unwise that is intent upon other things than those that may avail him for the welfare of his soul. Many words do not satisfie the soul but a good life comforteth the mind and a pure conscience giveth great assurance in the sight of God 3. How much the more thou knowest and how much the better thou understandest so much the more grievously shalt thou therefore be judged unless thy life be also more holy Be not therefore extolled in thine own mind for any Art or Science which thou knowest but rather let the knowledg given thee make thee more humble and cautious If thou thinkest that thou understandest and knowest much know also that there be many things more which thou knowest not Affect not to be overwise but rather acknowledg thine own ignorance Why wilt thou prefer thy self before others sith there be many more learned and skilful in the Scripture than thou If thou wilt know or learn any thing profitably desire to be unknown and to be little esteemed of by Man 4. The highest and most profitable reading is the true knowledg and consideration of our selves It is great wisdom and perfection to esteem nothing of our selves and to think always well and highly of others If thou shouldst see another openly sin or commit some hainous offence yet oughtest thou not to esteem the better of thy self for thou knowest not how long thou shalt be able to remain in good estate We are all frail but thou oughtest to esteem none more frail than thy self CHAP. III. Of the doctrine of truth HAppy is he whom Truth by it self doth teach not by figures and words that pass away but as it is in its self Our own opinion and our own sense do often deceive us and it discerns little What availeth it to cavil and dispute about dark and hidden things whereas for being ignorant of them we shall not be so much as reproved at the day of judgment It is a great folly to neglect the things that are profitable and necessary and give our minds to that which is curious and hurtful we have eyes and see not 2. And what have we to do with Genus and Species the dry notions of Logicians He to whom the Eternal Word speaketh is delivered from a world of unnecessary conceptions From that one Word are all things and all speak that one and this is the Beginning which also speaketh unto us No Man without that Word understandeth or judgeth rightly He to whom all things are one he who reduceth all things to one and seeth all things in one may enjoy a quiet mind and remain peaceable in God O God who art the Truth make me one with thee in everlasting charity It is tedious to me often to read and hear many things In thee is all that I would have and can desire Let all Doctors hold their peace let all creatures be silent in thy sight Speak thou alone unto me 3. How much the more one is united within himself and becometh inwardly simple and pure so
THE CHRISTIANS PATTERN or The Imitation of CHRIST Printed by J R. for Iohn Williams at y e Crowne in St Paules Church yard 1677 THE Christians Pattern OR A DIVINE TREATISE OF THE Imitation of Christ. Written Originally in Latin by THOMAS of KEMPIS above 200. Years since Faithfully Englished And Printed in a large Character for the benefit of the Aged LONDON Printed for Richard Wellington at the Sign of the Lute in St. Pauls Church-Yard 1695. The Contents of the Chapters The First Book CHAP. I. OF the Imitation of Christ and contempt of all worldly vanities Pag. 1 Of the humble conceit of our selves 3 Of the doctrine of Truth 6 Of wisdom and providence in our actions 10 Of the reading of holy Scriptures 11 Of inordinate affections 12 Of flying vain hope and pride 13 That too much familiarity is to be shunned 15 Of obedience and subjection 16 Of avoiding superfluity in words 17 Of the obtaining of peace and zealous desire of profiting in grace 19 Of the profit of adversity 22 Of resisting temptations 23 Of avoiding rash judgment 27 Of works done of Charity 29 Of bearing with the defects of others 30 Of a retired life 32 Of the examples of the holy Fathers 34 Of the exercise of a good and religious person 37 Of the love of solitude and silence 41 Of compunction of heart 46 Of the consideration of humane misery 49 Of the meditation of death 54 Of judgement and the punishment of Sins 58 Of the zealous amendment of our whole life 63 The Second Book CHAP. I OF the inward life 70 Of humble submission 75 Of a good and peaceable Man 76 Of a pure mind and upright intention 78 Of the consideration of ones self 80 Of the joy of a good conscience 82 Of the love of Iesus above all things 84 Of familiar conversation with Iesus 86 Of the want of all comfort 89 Of thankfulness for the grace of God 93 How few the lovers of the Cross os Christ are 97 Of the high way of the holy Cross. 99 The Third Book CHAP. I. OF the inward speech of Christ unto a faithful soul. 108 That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words 110 That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not 112 That we ought to live iu truth and humility before God 116 Of the wonderful effect of divine love 119 Of the proof of a true Lover 123 That grace is to be hid under the veil of humility 126 Of a mean conceit of our selves in the sight of God 130 That all things are to be referred unto God as unto the last end 132 That the world being despised it is a sweet thing to serve God 133 That the desires of our heart are to be examined and moderated 137 Of Patience and of striving against concupiscence 139 Of the humble obedience of a subject according to the example of Christ. 142 Of the secret judgment of God to be considered lest we be exalted in our good deeds 144 How we are to stand affected and what we are to say in every thing which we desire 146 That true comfort is to be sought in God alone 149 That all our care is to be placed in God 150 That temporal miseries after the example of Christ must be born patiently 152 Of suffering of injuries and who is proved to be truly patient 154 Of the acknowledging of our own infirmities and of the miseries of this life 157 That we are to rest in God above all his gifts and benefits 160 Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God 164 Of four things that bring much peace 167 Of flying curious inquiry of the life of others 170 Wherein the firm peace of the heart and true spiritual profiting consisteth 172 Of the excellency of a free mind which humble Prayer sooner gaineth than Reading 174 That private love most hindreth from the chiefest Good 176 Against the tongues of slanderers 179 How we ought to call upon God and bless him when tribulation draweth near 180 Of craving the divine aid and confidence of recovering grace 182 Of the contempt of all creatures to find out the Creator 186 Of denial of our selves and forsaking all inordinate desires 189 Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our final intentions unto God 191 That God is sweet above all things and in all things to him that loveth 193 That there is no security from temptation in this life 195 Against the vain judgments of Men. 197 Of a full and pure resignation of our selves for the obtaining freedom of heart 199 Of good government in outward things and of recourse to God in dangers 202 That a Man be not over earnest in his affairs 204 That a Man hath no good of himself nor any thing whereof he can glory 205 Of the contempt of all temporal honors 208 That our peace is not to be placed in Men. 209 Against vain and secular knowledg 211 Of not drawing outward things to our selves 213 That credit is not to be given to all Men and how prone Man is to offend in words 214 Of putting our trust in God when evil words arise 218 That all grievous things are to be endured for life everlasting 221 Of the everlasting day and shortness of this life 224 Of the desire of everlasting life and how great rewards are promised to those that sight valiantly 228 How a disconsolate person ought to offer himself into the Hands of God 233 That a Man ought to imploy himself in works of Humility when strength is wanting for higher imployments 238 That a Man ought to esteem himself not worthy of comfort but rather to deserve stripes 239 That the grace of God doth not joyn it self with those that savor of Earthly things 242 Of the different motions of Nature and Grace 244 Of the corruption of Nature and efficacy of divine Grace 250 That we ought to deny our selves and imitate Christ by the Cross. 254 That a Man be not too much dejected when he falleth into some defects 257 Of not searching into high matters and into the secret judgments of God 259 That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone 265 The Fourth Book CHAP I. WIth how great reverence Christ ought to be received 270 That the great goodness and love of God is exhibited to Man in this Sacrament 277 That it is profitable to communicate often 281 That many benefits are bestowed upon them that communicate devoutly 284 Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Ministerial function 288 An interrogation of the exercise before Communion 290 Of the discussing of our own conscience and purpose of amendment 291 Of the oblation of Christ on the Cross and resignation of our selves 294 That we ought to offer up our selves and all that is ours unto God and to pray for all 296 That the holy communion is not lightly to be forborn 299 That the body of Christ and the holy Scriptures
expeller of fear the nurse of devotion the mother of tears What am I without it but a withered piece of wood and an unprofitable stalk only meet to be cast away Let thy grace therefore O Lord always prevent me and follow me and make me ever diligent in good works through Jesus Christ thy Son Amen CHAP. LVI That we ought to deny our selves and imitate Christ by the Cross. CHrist. Son look how much thou goest out of thy self so much mayst thou enter into me As to be void of all desire of external things maketh inward peace so the forsaking of our selves inwardly joyneth unto God I will have thee learn the perfect leaving of thy self to my will without contradiction and complaint Follow me I am the Way the Truth and the Life Without the way there is no going aright without truth there is no knowledge without life there is no living I am the way which thou oughtest to follow the truth which thou oughtest to trust the life for which thou oughtest to hope I am the way inviolable the truth infallible the life which cannot end I am the most straight way the supreme truth the true life yea the blessed life the uncreated life If thou remain in my way thou shalt keep the truth and the truth shall make thee free and thou shalt lay hold on everlasting life 2. If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments If thou wilt know the truth believe me If thou wilt be perfect sell all If thou wilt be my Disciple deny thy self If thou wilt possess a blessed life despise this present life If thou wilt be exalted in Heaven humble thy self upon Earth If thou wilt reign with me bear the Cross with me For only the Servants of the Cross find the way of bliss and true light 3. Christian. Lord Jesus forasmuch as thy way is narrow and contemptible unto the world grant me grace to imitate thee in suffering worldly contempt For the Servant is not greater than his Lord nor the Disciple above his Master Let thy Servant be exercised in thy holy life for therein my salvation and the true holiness doth consist whatsoever I read or hear besides it doth not recreate or delight me fully 4. Christ. Son now that thou knowest and hast read these things happy shalt thou be if thou do them He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and I will love him and will manifest my self unto him and will make him sit with me in the Kingdom of my Father Christian. Lord Jesus as thou hast said and promised so let it come to pass and grant that I may not wholly undeserve this favor I have received the Cross I have received it from thy hand I will bear it and bear it till death as thou hast laid it upon me Truly the life of a good retired person is the Cross but yet it is a guide to Paradise It is now begun it is not lawful to go back neither is it fit to leave that which I have undertaken 5. Let us then take courage my Brethren and go forwards together Jesus will be with us For Jesus's sake we have undertaken this Cross for Jesus's sake let us persevere in the Cross. He will be our helper who is our guide and forerunner Behold our King goeth before us who also will fight for us let us follow him manfully let none be dismaid but be we ready to die valiantly in the battle and let us not blemish our glory by flying from the Cross. CHAP. LVII That a Man be not too much dejected when he falleth into some defects CHrist. Son patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to me than much comfort and devotion in prosperities Why art thou grieved for every little trifle spoken and done against thee Although it had been much more thou oughtest not to have been moved But now let it pass it is not the first that hath happened nor is it any new thing neither shall it be the last if thou live long Thou art manly enough as long as no adversity happeneth Thou canst give good counsel also and canst strengthen others with thy words but when any tribulation suddenly comes to thy door thou art destitute of counsel and strength See therefore thy great frailty which thou often hast experience of in every small occurrence It is notwithstanding intended for thy good when these and such like things befal thee 2. Put it out of thy heart the best thou canst and if it touch thee yet let it not deject thee nor trouble thee long bear it at least patiently if thou canst not joyfully Although thou be unwilling to hear it and conceivest indignation thereat yet restrain thy self and suffer no inordinate word to pass out of thy mouth whereby the little ones may be offended The storm which now is raised shall quickly be appeased and inward grief shall be sweetned by the return of grace I yet live saith the Lord and am ready to help thee and to give thee greater comfort than before if thou put thy trust in me and callest devoutly upon me 3. Be more patient and prepare thy self to greater suffering All is not lost if thou feel thy self often afflicted or grievously tempted Thou art a Man and not God thou art flesh not an Angel How canst thou look to continue ever in the same state of virtue when an Angel in Heaven hath fallen as also the first Man in Paradise I am he who will strengthen with health them that mourn and do raise up unto divine glory those that know their own infirmity 4. Christian. Lord blessed be thy word more sweet unto my mouth than the hony and the hony-comb What should I do in these my so great tribulations and straits unless thou didst comfort me with thy holy words What matter is it how much and what I suffer so as I may at length attain to the port of salvation Grant me a good end grant me a happy passage out of this world Be mindful of me O my God and direct me the right way to thy Kingdom Amen CHAP. LVIII Of not searching into high matters and into the secret judgments of God CHrist. Son beware thou dispute not of high matters nor of the secret judgments of God why this Man is left and that Man taken into so great favor why also this Man is so much afflicted and that Man so greatly advanced these things are beyond the reach of Man neither can any reason or disputation search out the judgment of God When the enemy therefore suggesteth these things unto thee or some curious people enquire of thee answer that of the Prophet Thou art just O Lord and thy judgment is right And again The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether My judgments are to be feared not to be discussed for they are such as cannot be comprehended by the understanding of Man 2. In like manner I
most precious body of Christ 8. O God the invisible Creator of the world how wonderfully dost thou deal with us how sweetly and graciously dost thou dispose of all things with thine elect to whom thou offerest thy self to be received in the Sacrament O this exceedeth all understanding This chiefly draweth the hearts of the religious and inflameth their affections For thy true faithful Servants that dispose their whole life to amendment by this most precious Sacrament oftentimes gain much of the grace of devotion and love of holiness 9. O the admirable and hidden grace of this Sacrament which only the faithful ones of Christ do know but the unbelieving and such as are slaves unto sin cannot have experience thereof In this Sacrament spiritual grace is given and strength which was lost is restored in the soul and the beauty disfigured by sin returneth again This grace is sometimes so great that out of the fulness of devotion which is here given not only the mind but the weak body also feeleth great increase of strength 10. Our coldness and negligence surely is much to be wailed and pittied that we are not drawn with greater affection to receive Christ in whom all the hope and merit of those that are to be saved doth consist For he is our sanctification and redemption he is the comfort of those who are here but travellers and the everlasting fruition of Saints It is much therefore to be lamented that many do so little consider this comfortable mystery which rejoyceth Heaven and preserveth the whole world O the blindness and hardness of Mans heart that doth not more deeply weigh so unspeakable a gift but rather cometh by the daily use thereof to regard it little or nothing 11. For if this most holy Sacrament should be celebrated in one place only and consecrated by one only Minister in the world with how great desires dost thou think would Men be affected to that place and to such a Minister that they might enjoy the celebration of these divine mysteries But now there are many Ministers and Christ is offered in many places that so the grace and love of God to Man may appear so much the greater how much the more this sacred Communion is spread through the world Thanks be unto thee good Jesus the everlasting shepherd that hast vouchsafed to refresh us who are poor and in a state of banishment with thy precious body and blood and to invite us to the receiving of these mysteries with the words of thy own mouth saying Come unto me all ye that labor and are burdened and I will refresh you CHAP. II. That the great goodness and love of God is exhibited to Man in this Sacrament The voice of the Disciple IN confidence of thy goodness and great mercy O Lord being sick I approach unto my Savior being hungry and thirsty to the Fountain of life needy to the King of Heaven a Servant unto my Lord a creature to my Creator being disconsolate I come to thee my merciful comforter But whence is this to me that thou vouch-safest to come unto me Who am I that thou shouldest give thy self unto me How dare a sinner appear before thee And how is it that thou dost vouchsafe to come unto a sinner Thou knowest thy Servant and seest that he hath no good thing in him for which thou shouldest bestow this favor upon him I confess therefore my unworthiness and I acknowledg thy goodness I praise thy mercy and give thee thanks for this thy transcendent love For thou dost this for thine own sake not for any merits of mine to the end that thy goodness may be better known unto me thy love more abundantly shewed and thy gracious condescension may be the more eminently set forth Since therefore it is thy pleasure and thou hast commanded that it should be so this thy favor is also dearly pleasing to me and I wish that my sins may be no hindrance herein 2. O most sweet and benign Jesus how great reverence and thanks together with perpetual praise is due unto thee for the receiving of thy sacred body whose preciousness no Man is able to express But what shall I think of at this Communion now that I am to approach unto my Lord whom I am not able duly to honor and yet I desire to receive him with devotion What can I think better and more profitable than to humble my self wholly before thee and to exalt thy infinite goodness above me I praise thee my God and will exalt thee for ever and I do despise and submit my self unto thee in a deep sense of my own unworthiness 3. Behold thou art the Holy of Holies and I the skum of sinners Behold thou inclinest unto me who am not worthy so much as to look up unto thee Behold thou comest unto me It is thy will to be with me thou invitest me to thy banquet Thou wilt give me the food of Heaven and bread of Angels to eat which is no other indeed than thy self the living bread that descendest from Heaven and givest life unto the world world 4. Behold from whence doth this love proceed What a gracious condescension of thine appeareth herein How great thanks and praises are due unto thee for these benefits O how good and profitable was thy councel when thou ordainedst it How sweet and pleasant the banquet when thou gavest thy self to be our food How wonderful is this thy doing O Lord how mighty is thy power how unspeakable is thy truth For thou sayest the word and all things were made and this was done which thou commandest 5. A thing of great admiration that thou my Lord God true God and Man shouldest be exhibited unto us by the Elements of Bread and Wine Thou who art the Lord of all things and standest in need of none had pleased to dwell in us by means of this thy Sacrament preserve my heart and body unspotted that with a chearful and pure conscience I may often celebrate thy mysteries and receive them to my everlasting health which thou hast chiefly ordained and instituted for thy honor and for a perpetual memorial 6. Rejoyce O my soul and give thanks unto God for so noble a gift and so singular a comfort left unto thee in this vale of tears For as often as thou callest to mind this mystery and receivest the body of Christ so often dost thou remember the work of thy redemption and art made partaker of all the merits of Christ. For the love of Christ is never diminished and the greatness of his propitiation is never exhausted Therefore thou oughtest always to dispose thy self hereunto by a fresh renewing of thy mind and to weigh with attentive consideration this great mystery of thy salvation So great new and joyful it ought to seem unto thee when thou comest to these holy mysteries as if the same day Christ first descending into the womb of the Virgin were become Man or hanging on the
worthy of the high contemplation of God who hath not been exercised with some tribulation for Gods sake For temptation going before is wont to be a sign of ensuing comfort And unto those that are proved by temptations heavenly comfort is promised He that shall overcome saith he I will give him to eat of the Tree of life 8. But divine comfort is given that a Man may be stronger to bear adversities There followeth also temptation lest he should wax proud of any good The Devil sleepeth not neither is the flesh as yet dead therefore cease not to prepare thy self to the battel For on thy right hand and on thy left are enemies that never rest CHAP. X. Of thankfulness for the grace of God WHy seekest thou rest since thou art born to labor Dispose thy self to patience rather than to comfort and to the bearing of the Cross rather than to gladness What secular person is there that would not willingly receive spiritual joy and comfort if he could always have it For spiritual comforts exceed all the delights of the world and pleasures of the flesh All worldly delights are either vain or unclean but spiritual delights are only pleasant and honest sprung from virtue and infused by God into pure minds But no Man can always enjoy these divine comforts according to his desire for the time of temptation is not long away 2. False freedom of mind and great trust of our selves is very contrary to heavenly visitations God doth well in giving the grace of comfort but Man doth evil in not returning all again unto God with thanksgiving And therefore the gifts of grace cannot flow in us because we are not thankful to the giver and return them not wholly to the head-fountain For grace ever attendeth him that is thankful and from the proud shall be taken that which is wont to be given to the humble 3. I desire not that consolation that taketh from me compunction nor do I affect that contemplation which leadeth to haughtiness of mind For all that is high is not holy nor all that is sweet good nor every desire pure nor every thing that is dear unto us is grateful to God I do willingly accept of that Grace whereby I may ever become more humble and affected with an holy fear and be made more ready to forsake my self He that is taught by the gift of grace and school'd by the scourge of the withdrawing thereof will not dare to attribute any good to himself but will rather acknowledg himself poor and naked Give unto God that which is Gods and ascribe unto thy self that which is thine own that is give thanks to God for his grace and acknowledg that nothing is to be attributed to thee but only sin and the punishment due thereunto 4. Set thy self always in the lowest place and the highest shall be given thee for the highest consist not without the lowest The chiefest Saints before God are the least in their own judgments and how much the more glorious so much the humbler within themselves Those that are full of truth and Heavenly glory are not desirous of vain glory Those that are firmly setled and grounded in God can no way be proud And they that ascribe all unto God what good soever they have received seek not glory one of another but would have that glory which is from God alone and desire above all things to praise God in himself and in all the Saints and always tend unto the same 5. Be therefore thankful for the least gift so shalt thou be meet to receive greater Let the least be unto thee also as the greatest and the most contemptible as an especial gift If thou consider the worth of the giver no gift will seem little or of too mean esteem For it is not little that is given by the most high God Yea if he should give punishment and stripes it ought to be grateful for that he doth it always for our welfare whatsoever he permitteth to happen unto us He that desireth to keep the grace of God let him be thankful for the grace given and patient for the taking away thereof Let him pray that it may return Let him be wary and humble lest he lose it CHAP. XI How few the lovers of the Cross of Christ are JEsus hath now many lovers of his Heavenly Kingdom but few bearers of his Cross. He hath many desirous of comfort but few of tribulation He findeth many companions of his table but few of his abstinence All desire to rejoyce with him few will suffer any thing for him or with him Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of Bread but few to the drinking of the Cup of his passion Many reverence his miracles few follow the ignominy of his Cross. Many love Jesus as long as adversities happen not Many praise and bless him as long as they receive any comforts from him But if Jesus hide himself and leave them but a while they fall either into complaint or into too much dejection of mind 2. But they that love Jesus for Jesus and not for some comfort of their own bless him in all tribulation and anguish of heart as well as in the greatest comfort And although he should never give them comfort they notwithstanding would ever praise him and always give him thanks 3. O how powerful is the pure love of Jesus which is mixed with no self-love nor proper interest Are not all those to be called hirelings that ever seek comforts Do they not shew themselves to be rather lovers of themselves than of Christ that always think of their own commodity and gain Where may one be found that will serve God freely 4. It is hard to find any one so spiritual that is stript of the love of all earthly things For where is any one to be found that is indeed poor in spirit and free from all affection of creatures He 's a Jewel of such price as is scarce to be met with in these parts If a Man should give all his wealth yet is it nothing And if he should outwardly express great repentance yet it is little And if he should attain to all knowledg he is yet afar off And if he should be of great virtue and very fervent devotion yet there is much wanting to wit one thing which is most necessary for him What is that that leaving all he forsake himself and go wholly from himself and retain nothing of self-love And when he hath done all that he knoweth to be done let him think that he hath done nothing 5. Let him not weigh that much which might be much esteemed but according to truth let him affirm himself to be an unprofitable servant as our Saviour hath said when you shall have done all things that are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants Then may he be truly poor and naked in spirit and say with the Prophet I am alone and poor yet no man richer no Man
God let him do therein as shall best please him Set thou thy self to suffer tribulations and account them the greatest comforts for that the sufferings of this life are not worthy of the glory which is to come although thou alone couldest suffer them all 11. When thou shalt come to this estate that tribulation shall seem sweet and savory unto thee for Christ then thou mayst think it is well with thee for thou hast found a Paradise upon earth As long as it is grievous to thee to suffer and that thou desirest to fly it so long shalt thou be ill at ease and the tribulation thou flyest will follow thee every where 12. If thou dost set thy self to that thou oughtest to wit to suffer and to die to thy self it will quickly be better with thee and thou shalt find peace Although thou shouldest have been rapt even unto the third Heaven with Paul thou art not for this secured that thou shalt suffer no adversity I saith Jesus will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name It remaineth therefore that thou suffer if thou wilt love Jesus and perpetually serve him 13. O that thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus how great glory would it be unto thee what joy to all the Saints of God how great edification also to thy neighbor For all do commend patience though few desire to suffer With great reason thou oughtest to be willing to suffer a little for Christ since many suffer far greater things for the world 14. Know for certain that thou oughtest to lead a dying life And how much the more every one dyeth to himself so much the more doth he begin to live to God No Man is fit to attain unto Heavenly things unless he submit himself to the bearing of adversities for Christ. Nothing is more grateful unto God nothing more wholesome to thee in this world than to suffer willingly for Christ. And if it were in thy choice thou shouldest rather wish to suffer Adversities for Christ than to enjoy the delight of many comforts because hereby thou shouldest be more like unto Christ and more conformable to all the Saints For our worthiness and the proficiency of our spiritual estate consisteth not in many sweetnesses and comforts but rather in suffering great afflictions and tribulation 15. If there had been any better thing and more profitable to the health of Man than suffering surely Christ would have shewed it by word and example But he plainly exhorteth all the Disciples that followed him and all that desire to follow him to the bearing of the Cross and saith If any will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow me So that when we have read and searched all let this be the last conclusion That by many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God THE THIRD BOOK CHAP. 1. Of the inward Speech of Christ unto a Faithful Soul I Will hear what the Lord God will speak in me Blessed is the soul that heareth the Lord speaking in her and receiveth from his mouth the word of comfort Blessed are those ears that receive the sound of the divine voice and listen not to the whisperings of the world Blessed indeed are those ears that hearken not to the voice which soundeth outwardly but unto the truth which teacheth inwardly Blessed are the eyes that are shut to outward things but open to those things that are internal Blessed are they that enter into the inward things and endeavor to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises to the attaining of Heavenly secrets Blessed be they that delight to converse with God and rid themselves of all worldly impediments 2. Consider these things my soul and shut up the door of thy sensual desires that thou mayest hear what thy Lord God speaketh in thee Thus saith thy beloved I am thy safety thy peace and thy life Keep thy self with me and thou shalt find peace Leave all transitory things and seek those that be everlasting What are all temporal things but deceiving snares And what do all creatures avail thee if thou be forsaken by the Creator Forsake therefore all earthly things and labor to please thy Creator and be Faithful unto him that thou mayest attain unto the true happiness CHAP. II. That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words CHristian Speak Lord for thy servant heareth I am thy servant grant me unsterstanding that I may know thy testimonies Incline my heart to the words of thy mouth Let thy speech distil as the dew upon my soul. The Children of Israel in times past said unto Moses Speak thou unto us and we will hear thee Let not the Lord speak unto us lest we die Not so Lord not so I beseech thee But rather with the Prophet Samuel I humbly and earnestly intreat Speak Lord for thy servant heareth Let not Moses speak unto me nor any of the prophets but do thou rather speak my Lord God the inspirer and enlightner of all the Prophets for thou alone without them canst perfectly instruct me but they without thee can profit nothing 2. They indeed may sound forth words but they cannot give spirit and life they speak marvellous well but if thou be silent they inflame not the heart They may teach the letter but thou openest the sense They bring forth mysteries but thou unlockest the meaning of sealed things They declare thy commandments but thou helpest to fulfil them They shew the way but thou givest strength to walk in it They work only exteriorly but thou instructest and enlightnest the heart They water outwardly but thou givest fruitfulness They make a noise with words but thou givest understanding to the hearing 3. Let not therefore Moses speak unto me but thou my Lord God the everlasting Truth lest I die and prove unfruitful if I be warned outwardly only and not inflamed within lest the word heard and not fulfilled known and not loved believed and not observed turn to my condemnation Speak therefore Lord for thy servant heareth for thou hast the words of everlasting life Speak unto me to the comfort of my soul and to the amendment of my whole life and to thy praise and glory and everlasting honor CHAP. III. That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not CHrist. Son hear my words words of greatest sweetness excelling all the knowledg of the Philosophers and wise Men of this world My words are spirit and life not to be weighed by the understanding of Man They are not to be drawn to vain liking but to be heard with silence and to be received with all humility and great affection Christian. And I said Blessed is the Man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy law that thou mayest give him rest from the evil days and that he be not destroyed upon earth 2. Christ. I saith our Lord have taught the
Prophets from the beginning and cease not in these days to speak to every one but many are hardned and deaf to my speech The greater number do more willingly listen to the world than to God and follow sooner the desires of their flesh than the will of God The world promiseth temporal and small things and is served with great eagerness I promise most high and eternal things and the hearts of Men are nothing moved therewith Who is he that serveth and obeyeth me with equal care to that with which the world and the Lords thereof are served Blush O Sidon saith the Sea And if thou ask the cause hear wherefore For a little Prebend a long journey is undertaken for everlasting life many will scarce once lift a foot from the ground A thing of small value is sought after greedily for a penny sometimes there is foul contention sor a vain thing and sleight promise Men cease not to toil day and night 3. But alas for an unchangeable good for an inestimable reward for the highest honor and glory without end they are loth to take the least pains Blush therefore slothful and complaining Servant that they are found to be more ready to distruction than thou to life They rejoyce more in vanity than thou in the truth And yet they are sometimes frustrated of their hope but my promise deceiveth none nor sendeth him away empty that trusteth in me I will give that which I have promised I will fulfil that which I have said but to him that remains faithful in my love to the end I am the rewarder of all that are good and do try my devout servants with strong trials 4. Write my words in thy heart and think diligently of them for they will be very necessary in time of temptation What thou understandest not when thou readest thou shalt know in the day of visitation I am wont to visit my elect two several ways to wit with temptation and comfort And I daily read two lessons unto them one reprehending their vices another exhorting them to the increase of virtues He that hath my words and despiseth them hath within himself that shall judg him at the last day A prayer to implore the grace of devotion 5. O Lord my God thou art to me whatsoever is good Who am I that dare speak unto thee I am thy poorest servant and a most vile worm much more poor and contemptible than I can or dare express Remember yet O Lord that I am nothing and can do nothing Thou alone art good just and holy thou canst do all things thou doest all things thou fillest all things only the sinner thou sendest empty away Remember thy mercies and fill my heart with thy grace who will not that thy works be void and in vain 6. How can I bear up my self in this miserable life unless thou strengthen me with thy mercy and grace Turn not thy face from me delay not thy visitation draw not away thy comfort lest my soul become as the thirsty land unto thee Lord teach me to fulfil thy will teach me to live worthily and humbly in thy sight for thou art my wisdom thou dost truly know me and didst know me before the world was made and before I was born in the world CHAP. IV. That we ought to live in truth and humility before God CHrist. Son walk before me in sincerity and truth and ever seek me in simplicity of heart He that walketh before me in truth shall be defended from evil incursions and the Truth shall deliver him from seducers and from the detractions of the wicked If the Truth shall have made thee free thou shalt be truly free and shalt not care for the vain speeches of Men. Christian. Lord it is true According as thou saidst so I beseech thee let it be with me let thy Truth teach me and keep me and bring me safe to an happy end Let it deliver me from all evil affection and inordinate love and I shall walk with thee in great freedom of heart 2. Christ. I will teach thee saith the Truth these things that are right and pleasing in my sight Think of thy sins with great displeasure and grief and never esteem thy self any thing for thy good works Thou art in very deed a sinner thou art subject to and encumbred with may passions Of thy self thou always tendest to nothing thou art quickly cast down quickly overcome quickly troubled quickly dissolved Thou hast nothing wherein thou canst glory but many things for which thou oughtest to despise thy self for thou art much weaker than thou art able to comprehend 3. And therefore let nothing seem much unto thee whatsoever thou doest Let nothing seem great nothing precious and wonderful let nothing seem worthy of estimation nothing high nothing truly and commendable to be desired but that which is everlasting Let the eternal Truth above all things please thee Let thy own great unworthiness always displease thee Fear nothing blame and fly nothing so much as thy vices and sins which ought to displease more than the losses of any thing whatsoever Some walk not sincerely in my sight but led by a certain curiosity and pride will know my secrets and understand the high things of God neglecting themselves and their own salvation These oftentimes for that I resist them do fall into great temptations and sins for their pride and curiosity 4. Fear the judgments of God dread the wrath of the Almighty But discuss not the works of the highest Search thine own iniquities in how much thou hast offended and how much good thou hast neglected Some carry their religion only in Books some in pictures some in outward signs and figures Some have me in their mouths but little in their hearts There are others that being illuminated in their understandings and purged in their affection do always breath after things eternal and are unwilling to hear of the things of this world and do serve the necessities of nature with grief and these perceive what the Spirit of Truth speaketh in them because it teacheth them to despise Earthly and love Heavenly things to neglect the world and all the day and night to desire Heaven CHAP. V. Of the wonderful effect of divine Love CHristian I praise thee O Heavenly Father Father of my Lord Jesus Christ for that thou hast vouchsafed to remember me a poor Creature O Father of mercies and God of all comfort thanks be unto thee who sometimes with thy comfort refreshest me unworthy of all comfort I ever bless and glorifie thee with thy only begotten Son and the holy Ghost for ever and ever O Lord God the holy lover of my soul when thou shalt come into my heart all that is within me will rejoyce Thou art my glory and the exultation of my heart Thou art my hope and refuge in the day of my tribulation 2. But for that I am yet weak in love and imperfect in virtue I have need therefore
patiently for God the present evils of this Dost thou think that the Men of this World suffer little or nothing Look into the life even of them that live in greatest delicacies and thou shalt find it otherwise But thou wilt say they have many delights and follow their own wills and therefore they make small account of their tribulations Be it so that they have whatsoever they will but how long dost thou think it will last 3. Behold the wealthy of this World vanish away like smoak and there shall be no memory of their joys past Yea even while they live also they rest not in them without bitterness irksomeness and fear For the self same thing in which they take their delight is oftentimes unto them the cause of sorrow They have their desert who for that they inordinately seek and follow delights they do not enjoy them but with shame and sorrow 4. O how short and false how inordinate and filthy are all those pleasures Yet so Drunken and Blind are Men that they understand it not But like Dumb beasts for a little pleasure of a corruptible life they incur the Eternal death of their Soul Do not thou therefore my Son go after thy Lusts but forsake thine own will Psal. 37. Delight in the Lord and he will give thee the desires of thy heart 5. For if thou desire true delight and to be more plentifully comforted by me behold in the contempt of all wordly things and in the cutting off all base delights shall be thy blessing and abundant comforts shall be given thee And how much the more thou withdrawest thy self from all comfort of Creatures so much the sweeter and more powerful consolations shalt thou find in me But at first thou canst not attain unto them without fome sorrow nor without a laborious conflict Thy old custom will make resistance and thou must overcome it with another custom that is better Thy flesh will murmur but thou must bridle it with fervor of Spirit The old Serpent will sting and trouble thee but by Prayer he shall be put to flight and by profitable industry thou shalt stop the way against him CHAP. XIII Of the humble obedience of a Subject according to the example of Christ. CHrist. Son he that endeavoreth to withdraw himself from obedience withdraweth himself from grace And he that seeketh things private shall lose the publick He that doth not willingly and freely submit himself to his Superior it is a sign that his flesh is not as yet perfectly obedient unto him but oftentimes kicketh and murmureth against him Learn therefore readily to submit thy self to thy Superior if thou desirest to subdue thine own flesh For the outward enemy is sooner overcome if the inward Man be not wasted There is no worse enemy nor more troublesome to the Soul than thou art unto thy self not agreeing well with the Spirit Thou must of necessity have a true contempt of thy self if thou wilt prevail against flesh and blood 2. Because thou lovest thy self as yet too inordinately therefore thou art afraid to resign thy self wholly to the will of others But what great matter is it if thou that art Dust and nothing submit thy self to a Man for God when I the Almighty and highest Soveraign who created all things of nothing humbly submitted my self unto Man for thee I became the most humble and abject of all Men that thou mightest overcome thy pride with my humility Learn to obey thou that art Dust. Learn to humble thy self thou Earth and Clay and put thy self under the Feet of all Men. Learn to break thine own will and to yield thy self to all Subjection 3. Be vehement against thy self and suffer not pride to live in thee But so humble and submit thy self to all that every one may go over thee and tread thee as dirt of the Streets under their Feet Vain Man what canst thou complain of What canst thou answer foul sinner to them that reprove thee who hast so often offended God and so many times deserved Hell But mine eye hath spared thee because thy Soul was precious in my sight that thou mightest know my Love and always remain thankful for my benefits and that thou mightest continually give thy self to true subjection and humility and mightest bear patiently the contempt of thy self CHAP. XIV Of the secret Iudgments of God to be considered lest we be exalted in our good deeds Christian. Thou thunderest forth thy Judgments over me O Lord and shakest all my bones with fear and trembling and my Soul is fore afraid I stand astonished when I consider that the Heavens are not pure in thy sight If thou hast found wickedness in Angels and hast not pardoned them what shall become of me Stars fell from Heaven and what do I presume that am Dust They whose works seemed commendable fell into the lowest misery And I have seen them that did eat the Bread of Angels to be delighted with the husks of Swine 2. There is therefore no sanctity if thou O Lord withdrawest thy hand No wisdom availeth if thou ceasest to Govern No strength helpeth if thou leavest to defend No chastity is secure if thou dost not protect it No custody of our own profitable if thy sacred watchfulness be not present For if we be left of thee we sink and perish but if thou vouchsafest to visit us we are raised up and live We are inconstant but by thee we are established we wax cold but by thee we are enflamed 3. O how meanly and humbly ought I to think of my self how little yea nothing ought I to esteem it if I seem to have any good O Lord with what profound Humility ought I to submit my self to thy bottomless judgements where I find my self to be nothing else but nothing and nothing O unmeasurable weight O sea that can never be passed over where I find my self only and wholly nothing Where then is the lurking hole of glory Where is the confidence conceived of virtue All vain glorying is swallowed up in the deep of thy judgements over me 4. What is all flesh in thy sight Shall the clay glory against him that frameth it How can he be lifted up with vain words whose heart is truly subject to God All the world cannot lift him up whom the Truth hath subjected unto it self Neither shall he be moved with the Tongues of all his praisers that hath setled his whole hope in God For as for them that speak behold they all are nothing they shall pass away with the sound of their words but the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever CHAP. XV. How we are to stand affected and what we are to say in every thing which we desire CHrist. Son say thus in every thing Lord if it be pleasing unto thee let this be done in this sort Lord if it be to thy honor let this be done in thy Name Lord if thou seest it expedient for me and allowest it
Let the holy Name be blessed but to me let no part of Mens praises be given Thou art my glory thou art the joy of my heart In thee will I glory and rejoyce all the day but as for my self I will not glory but in my infirmities 6. Let the Iews seek honor one of another I will desire this which is from God alone For all humane glory all temporal honor all worldly highness compared to thy eternal glory is vanity and folly O my Truth my mercy my God most blessed Trinity to thee alone be praise honor power and glory for evermore CHAP. XLI Of the contempt of all temporal honors CHrist. Son trouble not thy self if thou seest others honored and advanced and thy self contemned and debased Lift up thy heart unto me in Heaven and the contempt of Men on Earth will not grieve thee Christian. Lord we are blind and quickly seduced with vanity If I look well into my self I cannot say that any creature hath done me wrong and therefore I cannot justly complain of thee 2. But because I have often and grievously sinned against thee all creatures do justly take arms against me for shame and contempt is due unto me but unto thee praise honor and glory And unless I frame my self with a very good will to be despised and forsaken of all creatures and to be esteemed nothing at all I cannot obtain inward peace and strength nor be spiritually enlightned nor fully united unto thee CHAP. XLII That our peace is not to be placed in Men. CHrist. Son if the peace thou hast with any be grounded upon the opinion which thou hast of him or upon the account of thine acquaintance with him thou shalt ever be in an unconstant and enthralled condition but if thou have recourse unto the everliving and eternal Truth a friend going from thee or dying shall not grieve thee The love of thy friend ought to be grounded in me and for me is he to be beloved whosoever he be whom thou thinkest well of and is very dear unto thee in this life No friendship can avail or continue without me neither is that love true and pure which is not knit by me 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. Man approacheth so much the nearer unto God by how much the further off he departeth from all Earthly comfort so much the higher also he ascendeth unto God by how much lower he descendeth into himself and how much the meaner he is in his own sight 2. But he that attributeth any good unto himself hindereth the coming of Gods grace unto him for the grace of the holy Ghost ever seeketh an humble heart If thou couldest perfectly annihilate thy self and empty thy self of all created love then should I flow into thee with great abundance of grace When thou castest thy eyes on creatures the sight of thy Creator is taken from thee Learn to overcome thy self in all things for the love of thy Creator and then shalt thou be able to attain to divine knowledge How little soever the thing be if it be inordinately loved and regarded it defileth the soul and hindereth the enjoying of the chiefest good CHAP. XLIII Against vain and secular knowledg CHrist. Son let not the fair speeches and subtile sayings of Men move thee For the Kingdom of God consisteth not in word but in power Observe well my words for they enflame hearts and enlighten minds they cause compunction and bring sundry comforts Do thou never read to shew thy self learned or wise but labor to mortify thy sins for that will profit thee more than the knowledg of many difficult questions 2. When thou shalt have read and known many things thou oughtest ever to return to one beginning and Principle I am he that teacheth Man knowledg and give unto babes a more clear understanding that can be taught by Man He therefore to whom I speak shall quickly be wise and shall profit much in the spirit Wo be to them that enquire many curious things of Men and do little mind the way how to serve me The time will come when the Master of Masters shall appear Christ the Lord of Angels to hear the lessons of all that is to examine the consciences of every one and then he will search Jerusalem with a candle and the hidden things of darkness shall be laid open and the arguings of Mens Tongues shall be silent 3. I am he that in an instant do raise up the humble mind to understand more of the eternal truth than can be gotten by Ten years study in the Schools I teach without the noise of words without the confounding of opinions without ambition of honor without the scuffling of arguments I am he that teacheth to despise Earthly things to loath things present to seek the everlasting to relish the things that are eternal to flee honors to suffer injuries to place all hope in me to desire nothing out of me and above all things ardently to love me 4. For a certain person by loving me entirely learned divine things and spake that which was admirable he profited more by forsaking all things than in studying subtilties To some I speak common things to others more special things to some I appear sweetly by signs and figures but to some I reveal mysteries with much light The voice of books is indeed one but it teacheth not all Men alike For I am the inward teacher I am the Truth I am the searcher of the heart the discerner of the thoughts the setter forwards of what is good distributing to every one as I judge meet CHAP. XLIV Of not drawing outward things to our selves CHrist. Son in many things thou oughtest to be ignorant and esteem thy self as dead upon Earth and as one to whom the whole world is crucified Thou must also pass by many things with a deaf ear and rather think of that which appertaineth to thy peace It is better for thee to turn thine eyes from what doth mislike thee and to leave unto every one his own opinion than to strive with contentious words If all stand well betwixt thee and God and if thou hast his judgment in thy mind thou shalt the more easily bear if thou be overcome 2. Christian. O Lord to what a pass are we come Behold we bewail a temporal loss for a little gain we toil and run and the spiritual damage of our soul is forgotten and hardly at length called to mind That which little or nothing profiteth is minded and that which is chiefly necessary is slightly passed over because the whole Man doth slide down into eternal things and unless he speedily repent he lieth immerst in them and that willingly CHAP. XLV That credit is not to be given to all Men and how prone Man is to offend in words CHristian Help me O Lord in my tribulation for vain
is the help of Man How often have I been deceived finding want of faith where I thought it sure And how often have I found faith where I least expected it It is vain therefore to trust in Men but the salvation of the just O Lord is in thee Blessed be thou my Lord God in all things that befal us We are weak and inconstant quickly deceived and soon changed 2. Who is he that in all things so warily and circumspectly keeps himself that he never falls into any deceit or perplexity But he that trusteth in thee O Lord and seeketh thee with a single heart doth not so easily fail and if he fall into any tribulation be he never so much enthralled yet he shall quickly be either delivered or comforted by thee For thou wilt not forsake him for ever that trusteth in thee A friend is rare to be found that continueth faithful in all his friends distress but thou O Lord thou alone art most faithful at all times and there is none like unto thee 3. O how wise was that holy soul that said My mind is firmly settled and grounded in Christ If it were so with me then would not humane fear so easily trouble me nor the darts of words move me Who can foresee all things Who is able to beware before-hand of future evils If things even foreseen do oftentimes hurt us how can things unlooked for choose but wound us grievously But why did I not provide better for my self miserable Wretch Why also have I so easily given credit to others But we are Men nothing but frail Men although by many we are reputed and called Angles To whom shall I give credit Lord to whom but to thee Thou art the Truth that neither dost deceive nor can be deceived And on the other side Every Man is a liar 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 to be right 4. O with what wisdom hast thou warned us to beware of Men And because a Mans foes are they of his own houshold not to give credit if one should say Lo here or Lo there I am taught to my cost and O that I might thereby encrease my care and not my folly Be wary saith one be wary keep to thy self what I tell thee and whilst I hold my peace and think it is secret he cannot keep that secret which he desired should be secret but presently discloseth me and himself and goeth his way From such tales and such indiscreet persons protect me O Lord that I fall not into their hands nor ever commit such things Give me to observe truth and constancy in my words and remove far from me a deceitful Tongue What I am not willing to suffer I ought by all means to avoid 5. O how good is it and tending to peace to be silent of others nor to believe promiscuously all that is said nor easily to report what we have heard to lay ones self open to few always to seek after thee who art the beholder of the heart not to be carried about with every wind of words but to desire that all things both within and without be accomplished according to the pleasure of thy will How safe is it for the keeping of Heavenly grace to fly the sight of Men and not to seek those things that seem to cause admiration abroad but to follow that will all diligence which bringeth amendment of life and zeal of godliness 6. To how many hath virtue known and over hastily commended been hurtful How profitable hath grace been kept with silence in this mortal life which is nothing but a temptation and a warfare CHAP. XLVI Of putting our trust in God when evil words arise CHrist. Son be constant and put thy trust in me For what are words but words They fly through the Air but hurt not so much as a stone If thou be guilty see that thou be not unwilling to amend thy self if thou be innocent resolve to suffer this willingly for the sake of God It is but a small matter to suffer sometimes a few words if thou hast not yet the courage to endure hard stripes And why do small matters go to thy heart but for that thou art yet carnal and regardest Men more than thou oughtest Because thou art afraid to be despised therefore thou wilt not be reprehended for thy faults but seekest the shades of excuses 2. But look better into thy self and thou shalt see that the world is yet alive in thee and a vain affection to please Men. For when thou shunnest to be humbled and reproved for thy faults it is evident that thou art neither truly humble nor truly dead to the world nor the world crucified to thee But give diligent ear to my words and thou shalt little regard Ten thousand words spoken by Men. Behold if all should be spoken against thee that could be most maliciously invented what would it hurt thee if thou sufferedst it to pass and madest no more reckoning of it than of a mote could all those words pluck as much as one hair from thy head 3. But he that hath no heart in him nor hath God before his eyes is easily moved with a word of dispraise when as he that trusteth in me and affects not to confide in his own judgment shall be free from humane fears For I am the Judge and the discerner of all secrets I know how the matter passed I know him that offereth the injury and him that suffereth it From me hath this proceded this hath happened by my permission that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed I shall judge the guilty and the innocent but by a secret judgement I would before hand try them both 4. The Testimony of Men oftentimes deceiveth but my judgement is true it shall stand and not be overthrown It is commonly hidden and not known in every thing but to few notwithstanding it never erreth neither can it erre although to the eyes of the foolish it seems not right Men ought therefore to have recourse to me in every judgment and not to leave to their own opinions For the just Man will not be troubled whatsoever befalleth him from God and if any thing be wrongfully brought forth against him he will not much care neither will he vainly be glad if by others he be with reason excused For he considereth that I am he that searcheth the heart and reins and do judge not according to the outward face nor humane appearance For that is oftentimes found culpable in my sight that in the Judgment of Men is thought to be commendable 5. Christian. O Lord God the just judg strong and patient thou who knowest the frailty and pravity of Man be thou my strength and all my trust for mine own conscience sufficeth me not Thou knowest that which I know not and therefore in every reproof I