draweth to evill and abject things 7 For the litle force which remaineth is like a certain sparke lying hidden in the ashes 8 This is naturall reason it selfe compassed about with great darknesse still retaining power to discerne good and evill the distance between true and false 9 Although it be unable to compasse all that it approvâ—th and enjoyeth not the full light of truth nor the former integrity of her affections 10 Hence it is my God that according to my inward man I delight in thy law knowing thy commandements to be good just and holy and yeelding that all evill and sinne is to be avoided 11 But in my flesh I serve the law of sinne whilest I rather obey sensuality then reason Hence it is that I have a will to doe good but know not how to performe it 12 For this cause I often purpose many good things but for that I want grace to helpe my infirmity for a light resistance I goe back and faint 13 I know the way of perfection and see clearly enough what I ought to doe but pressed with the weight of mine own corruption I rise not unto it 14 O Lord how needfull is thy grace for mee to begin any good worke to goe forward and to accomplish it For without it I can doe nothing but in thee I can doe all things when thy grace doth comfort me 15 O heavenly grace without which our own merits are nothing and no gifts of nature are to be esteemed Arts riches beauty and strength wit or eloquence are of no worth with thee O Lord without thy grace 16 For gifts of nature are common to good and evill but the peculiar gift of the elect is grace and love wherewith being marked they are esteemed worthy of everlasting life 17 This grace so much excelleth that neither the gift of prophesie nor the working of miracles or any speculation how high soever is of any esteeme without it Neither faith nor hope nor other vertues are acceptable unto thee without charity and grace 18 O most blessed grace that makest the poore in spirit rich in vertues and the rich in many blessings humble in heart 19 Come downe unto me replenish me in the morning with thy comfort lest my soule should faint with wearinesse and wither away with drinesse 20 I beseech thee Lord that I may find grace in thy sight for thy grace is sufficient for me though other things that nature desireth be wanting unto me 21 If I be tempted and vexed with many tribulations I will not feare these evils whilest thy grace is with me she is my strength she giveth advise and helpe she is stronger then all enemies and wiser then the wisest 22 Thy grace is the mistresse of truth the teacher of discipline the light of the heart the solace in affliction 23 She driveth away sorrow she expelleth feare she is the nurse of devotion and the mother of teares 24 What am I without it but a rotten peece of wood and an unprofitable stalke only meet for the fire 25 Let thy grace therefore Lord alwaies prevent me and follow me make me ever diligent in good works through Iesus Christ thy Sonne Amen CHAP. LVI That we ought to deny our selves and imitate Christ by the Crosse. SOnne look how much thou canst goe out of thy selfe so much maist thou enter into me As to be void of all desire of externall things maketh inward peace so the forsaking of our selves joyneth us internally to God 2 I will have thee learne the perfect leaving of thy selfe unto my will without contradiction and complaint Follow me I am the way the truth and the life 3 Without the way there is no going aright without truth there is no knowing aright without life there is no living at all 4 I am the way which thou oughtest to follow the truth which thou oughtest to trust the life for which thou oughtest to hope 5 I am the way which cannot lead amisse the truth which cannot erre the life which cannot end 6 I am the way that is straight the truth that is highest and the life that is truest yea a blessed life a life uncreated 7 If thou abide in my way thou shalt know the truth and the truth shall make thee free and thou shalt lay hold on life everlasting 8 If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandements if thou wilt know the truth believe me If thou wilt be perfect sell all thou hast 9 If thou wilt be my disciple deny thy selfe if thou wilt possesse a blessed life despise this present life if thou wilt be exalted in heaven humble thy selfe upon earth 10 If thou wilt reigne with mee beare the crosse with me For only the servants of the crosse find the way of blisse and true light 11 Lord Iesu for as much as thy life was strict despised of the world give me grace to imitate thee though I be despised by the world 12 For the servant is not greater then his Lord nor the Disciple above his Master 13 Let thy servant be exercised in thy holy life for there is my health true holinesse 14 Whatsoever I read or heare besides doth not recreate or delight me fully 15 Sonne now that thou knowest and hast read all these things happy shalt thou be if thou fulfill them 16 He that hath my commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and I will love him and will manifest my selfe unto him and will make him sit with me in the Kingdome of my Father 17 Lord Iesus as thou hast said and promised so let it be and that I may obtain thy favour 18 I have receaved the Crosse I have receaved it from thy hand and I will beare it and beare it till death as thou hast laid it upon me 19 Truly the life of a good religious person is the crosse and it is a sure guide to heaven It is now begunne it is not lawfull to goe back neither is it fit to leave that which I have undertaken 20 Let us then take courage my brethren and goe forwards together Iesus will be with us for Iesus sake we have undertaken this crosse 21 For the love of Iesus let us persevere in the crosse he will be our helper who is our guide and forerunner 22 Behold our King goeth before us who also will fight for us let us follow him manfully let us not be dismayed but be ready to dye with courage in the battaile and let us not blemish our glory by flying from the Crosse. CHAP. LVII That a man be not too much deiected when he falleth into some defects SOnne patience and humility in time of adversity are more pleasing unto mee then much comfort and devotion in prosperity 2 Why art thou grieved for every litle trifle spoken and done against thee Although it had been much more thou oughtest not to have been moved 3 But now let it passe it is not the first that hath happened
therefore cease not to prepare thy selfe to the battaile for on thy right hand and thy left are enemies that never rest CHAP. X. Of thankfulnesse for the grace of God VVHy seekest thou rest since thou art borne to labour Dispose thy selfe to patience rather then to comforts and to the bearing of the Grosse rather then to gladnesse 2 What secular person is there that would not willingly receive spirituall joy and comfort if he could alwaies have it Spirituall comforts exceede all the delights of the world and all the pleasures of the flesh 3 All worldly delights are either vaine or uncleane but spirituall delights are only pleasant and honest produced by vertues and infused by God into pure hearts 4 But no man can alwaies enjoy these comforts according to his desire for the time of temptation is not long away 5 False freedome of mind and great trust of our selves is very contrary to heavenly visitation 6 God doth well in giving grace but man doth evill in not returning it againe wholly unto God with thanksgiving 7 And therefore the gifts of grace cannot flow in us because we are ungratefull to the given and returne them not wholly to the head fountaine 8 For grace is ever due to him that is thankfull and from the proud shall be taken that which is wont to be given to the humble 9 I desire not that consolation that taketh from me compunction nor that contemplation which breedeth a haughâ—y mind 10 For all that is high is not holy nor all that is sweet good nor every desire pure nor every thing that is deare unto us is gratefull to God 11 I doe willingly accept of that grace whereby I may ever become more humble and fearful and be made more ready and able to forsake my selfe 12 He that is taught by the gift of grace and by the scourge of the withdrawing thereof will nor dare to attribute any good to himselfe but will rather acknowledge himselfe poor and naked 13 Give unto God that which is God's and ascribe unto thy selfe that which is thine own that is give thanks unto God for his grace and acknowledge that nothing is to be attributed to thee but only sinne and the punishment due thereunto 14 Content thy selfe and desire alwaies the meanest and lowest things and the highest shall be given thee for the highest stand not without the lowest 15 The highest Saints before God are the least in their owne judgments and how much the more glorious so much the humbler within themselves 16 Those that are full of truth and heavenly glory are not desirous of the vain glory of this world Those that are firmly setled and grounded in God can no way be prov'd 17 And they that ascribe all unto God what good soever they have received seeke not glory one of another but would have that glory which is from God alone and desire above all things to praise God in himselfe and in all the Saints and alwaies tend unto the same 18 Be therefore gratefull for the least gift and thou shalt be made worthy to receive greater Let the least be unto thee also as the greatest and the most contemptible as an especiall gift 19 If thou consider the worth of the giver no gift will seeme litle or of meane esteeme For it is not litle that is given by the Soveraigne Majesty of God 20 Yea if he should give punishment and stripes it ought to be gratefull for that he doth it alwaies for our salvation whatsoever he permitteth to happen unto us 20 He that desireth to keepe the grace of God let him be thankfull for the grace given and patient for the taking away thereof Let him pray that he may returne Let him be wary and humble lest he loose it CHAP. XI How few the lovers of the Crosse of Christ are IEsus hath now many lovers of his heavenly Kingdome but few bearers of his Crosse He hath many desirous of comfort but few of tribulation 2 He findeth many companions of his table but few of his abstinence All desire to rejoyce with him few will suffer any thing for him or with him 3 Many follow Iesus unto the breaking of bread but few to the drinking of the Cup of his Passion Many reverence his miracles few follow the ignominy of his Crosse. 4 Many love Iesus as long as adversities happen not Many praise blesse him as long as they receive any comfort from him 5 But if Iesus hide himselfe and leave them but a while they fall either into complaint or into too much dejection of mind 6 But they that love Iesus for Iesus and not for some comfort of their owne blesse him in all tribulation and anguish of heart as well as in the greatest comfort 7 And although he should never give them comfort they notwithstanding would ever praise him alwaies give him thankes 8 O how powerfull is the pure love of Iesus which is mixed with no selfe-love nor proper interest Are they not all to be called hirelings that ever seeke comforts 9 Doe they not shew themselves to be rather lovers of themselves then of Christ that alwaies think of their commodity and gâ—ine Where may one be found that will serve God without looking for reward 10 It is hard to find any one so spirituall that is free from the love of all earthly things For where is any that is inddeed poore in spirit and free from all affection of creatures thou maist goe to the end of the world before thou find him 11 If a man should give all his wealth yet is it nothing And if he should doe great pennance yet is it litle And if he should attain to all knowledge he is yet farre off 12 And if he should have great vertue and very fervent devotion yet there is much wanting to wit one thing which is most necessary for him 13 What is that That leaving all he forsake himselfe and goe perfectly from himselfe and retaine nothing of selfe-love And when he hath done all that he knoweth to be done let him thinke that he hath done nothing 14 Let him not weigh that much which might be much esteemed but according to truth let him affirme himselfe to be an unprofitable servant as our Saviour hath said When you shall have done all things that are commanded you say We are unprofitable servants 15 Then may he be truly poore in spirit and naked and say with the Prophet I am alone and poore yet no man richer no man more powerfull no man more free then he that can leave himselfe and all things and put himselfe in the meanest and lowest place CHAP. XII Of the highway of the holy Crosse. VNto many seemeth hard this sppeech Deny thy selfe take up thy Crosse and follow Iesus But it will be much harder to hear that last word Get yee away from me yee cursed into everlasting fire 2 For they that now willingly heare and follow the word of the Crosse
how farre off he is from the perfection of the Saints ehen he that disputeth of their greatnesse 27 It is better to labour after the piety devotion of the Saints and with an humble mind to imitate their glorious examples then to search their secrets with vaine curiosity 28 They are wel right wel contented if men could content themselves and refrain from these vain discourses 29 They glory not of their owne merits for they ascribe no good unto themselves but attribute all to me who of my infinite charity have bestowed my blessings upon them 30 They are replenished with so great love of my Godhead and so superabundant joy that there is no glory that is nor happinesse that can be wanting unto them 31 All the Saints how much the higher they be in glory so much the more humble they are in themselves nearer and dearer unto me 32 And therefore thou hast it written that they did cast their Crownes before God and fell downe upon their faces before the Lambe and adored him that liveth for ever and ever 33 Many inquire who is the greatest in the Kingdome of God that know not whether they shall ever be numbered there amongst the lest 34 It is no small matter to be even the lest in heaven where all are great for that all there shall be called and shall be indeed the Sons of God The lest there shall be great among thousands and the sinner of a hundred yeaes shall die 35 For when the Disciples asked who was the greatest in the Kingdome of heaven they received this answer unlesse you be converted and become as litle children you shall not enter into the Kingdome of heaven 35 Whosoever therefore shall humble himselfe as this litle child hee is greater in the Kingdome of heaven 37 Woe be unto them that disdaine to humble themselves willingly with litle children For the low gate of the Kingdome of heaven will not give them entrance 28 And woe be to the rich thâ—â— have their comforts here for whilst the poore enter into the Kingdome of God they shall be lamenting without 39 Rejoyce you that be humble and you that be poore be you glad for yours is the Kingdome of God if you walke according unto truth CHAP. LIX That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone LOrd what trust have I in this world or what is the greatest comfort that all things under heaven doe yeeld me Is it not thou my Lord God whose mercies are without number 2 Where hath it beene well with me without thee Or when could it be ill with me when thou were present I had rather be poore for thee then rich without thee 3 I had rather choose to be a Pilgrim in earth with thee then to possesse heaven without thee Where thou art there is heaven and there is death and hell where thou art not 4 Thou art my desire and therefore it behoveth me to send forth deep sighes from my heart and cry and pray unto thee 5 For I have none to trust unto none that can help me in time of necessitie but thee alone my God Thou art my hope and my trust thou art my comfort and most faithfull unto me in all my distresses 6 All men seeke their own gaine thou only seekest my salvation and my profit and turnest all things to my good 7 Although thou permittest many temptations to assault me and many adversities to befall me yet thou ordainest all this to my good and profit who art wont to prove thy beloved servants a thousand waies 8 In which proofe thou oughtest no lesse to beloved and praised then if thou didst replenish me with heavenly comforts 9 In thee therefore my Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation anguish for I find all to be weake and unconstant whatsoever I behold out of thee 10 For neither can many friends availe nor forcible helpers aide nor wise counsellours give profitable answer nor the books of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliver nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy selfe doest not assist help comfort instruct and keepe us 11 For all things that seeme to be ordained for the rest and solace of man when thou art absent are nothing and doe bring indeed no joy nor comfort at all 11 Thou therefore art the end of all that is good the light of life the depth of wisdome and the most forcible comfort of thy servants is to trust in thee above all things 12 To thee therefore doe I lift up mine eyes In thee my God the Father of mercies I put my whole trust 13 Blesse and sanctifie my soule with thy heavenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the â—eate of thy eternall glory and that noâ—hing may be found in the Temple of â—hy greatnesse that may offend the eyes of thy Majesty 14 According to the greatnesse of â—hy goodnesse and the multitude of thy mercies take pitty upon me and heare the praier of thy poore servant who is â—arre exiled from thee in the land of the â—hadow of death 15 Protect and keepe the soule of thy servant amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life and by the assistance of thy grace direct it in the way of peace to the country of everlasting light Amen The end of the third book OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST THE FOVRTH BOOK A devout exhortation unto the blessed Sacrament The Voice of Christ. COme unto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you saith our Lord. 2 The bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world 3 Take yee and eate that is my Body that shall be delivered for you doe this in remembrance of me 4 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh by blood dwelleth in me and I in him 5 The words which I have spoken unto you are spirit and life CHAP. I. With how great reverence Christ ought to be received The voice of the Disciple THese are thy words O Christ everlasting Truth though not spoken all at one time nor written in one and the selfe same place because therefore they are thine and true they are all of them thankfully and faithfully to be received by me 2 They are thine and thou hast spoken them and they are mine also because thou hast spoken them for my salvation I willingly receive them from thy mouth that they may be the deeper imprinted in my heart 3 These devout words so full of sweetnesse and love doe stirre me up but mine owne offences doe amaze me and my impure conscience driveth me back from the receiving of so great mysteries 4 The sweetnesse of thy words doth incourage me but the multitude of my sinnes doe oppresse me 5 Thou commandest me to come confidently unto thee if I will have part with thee and to receive the food of immortality if I desire to obtaine everlasting
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
the world nor the world perfectly crucified to thee 7 But give diligent eare to my words and thou shalt litle respect ten thousand words spoken by men 8 Behold if all should be spoken against thee that could be most maliciously invented what would it hurt thee if thou sufferedst it to passe and madest no reckoning at all of it Could all those words pluck as much as one haire from thy head 9 But he that hath not his heart within him nor God before his eyes is easily moved with every litle dispraise when as he that trusteth in me and trusteth not in his own judgement shall be free from humane feares 10 For I am the Iudge and discerner of all secrets I know how the matter passed I know him that offereth the injury and him that suffereth it 11 From me hath this word proceeded this hath happened by my permission that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed 12 I shall judge the guilty and the innocent but by a secret judgement I would before hand try them both 13 The testimony of men oftentimes deceaveth my judgement is alwaies true it shall stand and not be overthrowne 14 It is commonly hidden and secret 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 seemes not right 15 Men ought therefore to return to me in every judgement and not to stand in their owne opinions 16 For the just man will not be troubled whatsoever happeneth unto him from God and if any thing be wrongfully brought forth against him he will not much care neither will he vainely be glad if by others he be with reason excused 17 For he considereth that I am he that searcheth the heart and reines and doe judge not according to the outward face nor humane apparence 18 For that is oftentimes found â—ulpable in my sight that in the judgement of men is thought to be commendable 19 O Lord my God the just Iudge strong and patient thou knowest the frailty and perversity of man be thou my strength and all my trust for mine own conscience sufficeth me not 20 Thou knowest that which I cannot reach unto and therefore in every reprehension I ought to have submitted my selfe and to have borne iâ— patiently 21 Vouchsafe mercifully to pardon me as often as I have failed herein and give me againe grace of greateâ— sufferance 22 For thy bountifull mercy is more availeable to me for the obtaining of pardon then my conceaved justice for the defence of my hidden conscience 23 Although my conscience accuse me not yet I cannot hereby justify my selfe for if thy mercy be away â—o man living shall be justified in thy â—ight CHAP. XLVII That all grievous things are to be endured for life everlasting SOnne let not the paines dismay thee which thou hast undertaken for me neither be thou discomforted for the tribulations which doe befall thee but let my promise strengthen and comfort thee in all events 2 I am able to reward thee above all measure Thou shalt not long toyle here nor alwaies be oppressed with griefe attend a while and thou shalt see a speedy end of thy evils 3 There will come an houre wheâ— all labour and trouble shall cease Litlâ— and short is all that passeth away with time 4 Doe as thou doest labour faithfully in my vineyard I will be thy reward Write read sing mourne keepe silence pray suffer crosses manfully life everlasting is worthy of all these and greater combats 5 Peace shall come in the day which is knowne unto our Lord and â—here shall be no day nor night to wit of this time but everlasting light infinite brightnesse stedfast peace and secure rest 6 Then thou shalt not say who shall deliver me from the body of this death nor cry woe be unto me for that my dwelling in a strange country is prolonged 7 For death shall be throwne downe and health shall be without decay no anxiety blessed joy sweet and glorious company 8 O if thou hadst seene the everlasting crowne of the Saints in heaven and with how great glory they now rejoyce who in times past were conâ—â—mptible to this worldâ— and esteemed unworthy of life it selfe 9 Truly thou wouldest presently humble thy selfe even unto the earth and wouldst rather seeke to be under the feet of all then to have command so much as over one 10 Neither wouldest thou desire the pleasant daies of this life but rather rejoyce to be afflicted for Godâ— and esteeme it thy greatest gaine to be reputed as nothing amongst men 11 O if thou hadst a feeling of these things and didst suffer them to enter into the depth of thy heart how durst thou so much as once to complaine 12 Are not all painfull labours to be endured for everlasting life It is no small matter to loose or to gaine the Kingdome of heaven 13 Lift up thine eyes therefore unto heaven behold I and all my Saints with me who in this world had great conflicts doe now rejoyce now are comforted now are secure now doe rest and shall remaine with me everlastingly in the Kingdome of my Father CHAP. XLVIII Of the everlasting day and shortnesse of this life O Most blessed mansion of the heavenly City O most cleare day of eternity which night obscureth not but the highest truth ever enlightneth day ever pleasant ever secure and never changing into a contrary state 2 O that that day would once appeare and all these temporall things were at an end 3 To the Saints it shineth glistering with everlasting brightnesse but to those that are Pilgrims upon earth it appeareth only a farre off and as it were through a glasse 4 The inhabitants of heaven doe know how joyfull that day is but the banished children of Eve bewaile the bitternesse and tediousnesse of this 5 The daies of this life are short and evill full of sorrow and anguish where man is defiled with many sinnes incumbred with many passions disquieted with many feares filled with many cares 6 Distracted with many curiosities intangled with many vanities compassed a bout with many errours worne away with many labours vexed with temptations weakned with delights tormented with want 7 O when shall these evils be at an end When shall I be delivered from the miserable bondage of sin When shall I think O Lord of thee alone 8 When shall I perfectly rejoyce in thee When shall I be free from all impediments in true liberty without all griefe of mind and body 9 When shall I have firme peace peace secure and without trouble peace within and without pence every way assured 10 O good Iesu when shall I stand to behold thee When shall I contemplate the glory of thy Kingdome 11 When wilt thou be unto me all in all things O when shall I be with thee in thy Kingdome which thou hast prepared for thy beloved from before all worlds 12 I am left
a poore and banished man in the land of mine enemies where there are daily warres and great mis-fortunes 13 Comfort my banishment asswage my sorrow for my whole desire sendeth up sighes unto thee For all â—s burdensome to me whatsoever this world offereth for my comfort 14 I desire familiarly to enjoy thee but I cannot attaine unto it I would gladly fixe my heart to the things of heaven but temporall cares and unmortiâ—ied passions weigh me downe 15 In â—ind I would be above all things but to my flesh I am inforced to be subject against my will 16 Thus unhappy man that I am I fight against my selfe and am become grievous to my selfe whilst my spirit seeketh after the things that are above and my flesh that which is below 17 O what doe I inwardly suffer when in mind I consider heavenly things and presently in my praiers a multitude of fleshly fantasies present themselves before me 18 My God be not farre from me depart not in thy wrath from thy servant Cast forth thy lightning and disperse them send out thy darts and breake all the fantasies of my enemy 19 Gather my senses together unto thee make me forget the things of this world grant me grace to cast away speedily the appearance of vices 20 Succour me O everlasting truth that no vanity may move me Come heavenly sweetnesse and let all impurity fly from thy face 21 Paâ—don me also and mercifully forgive me as often as I think upon any thing else besides thee in prayer 22 I truly confesse that I am wont to be subject to many distractions for oftentâ—mes I am not there where I doe corporally stand or sit but rather whither my thoughts doe carry me 23 Where my thoughts are there am Iâ— there is oftentimes my thought where my affection is that quickly occurreth unto me which is naturally delightsome and by custome pleasing 24 And for this cause thou thaâ— art truth it selfe hast plainly said Where thy treasure is there is also thy heart 25 If I love heaven I willingly think of heavenly things If I love the world I rejoyce at the felicity of the world and grieve for the adversity thereof 26 If I love the flesh I imagine oftentimes those things that are pleasing to the flesh If I love the spirit I delight to think of spirituall things 27 For whatsoever I love thereof doe I willingly speake and heare and carry home with me the formes and representations thereof 28 O blessed is that man that for thee O Lord forsaketh all creatures that violently resisteth nature and out of the fervour of spirit crucifieth the concupiscences of the flesh 29 That with a cleare conscience he may offer sincere praiers unto thee and be worthy of the coâ—pany of the angelicall Quires all earthly things outwardly and â—nwardly being excluded CHAP. XLIX Of the desire of everlasting life and how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly SOnne when thou perceivest the desire of everlasting blisse to be given thee from above and desirest to depart out of the Tabernacle of this body that thou maist without shadow of any enterchange behold my light open thy heart and receive this holy inspiration with thy whole desire 2 Give great thankes to the heavenly goodnesse that dealeth with thee so favourably visiteth thee mercifully stirreth thee up fervently holdeth thee up powerfully lest through thine own weight thou fall downe to the vanitieâ— of the earth 3 Neither doest thou obtaine this by thine owne thought or endeavour but by the only favour of heavenly grace and divine bounty 4 That thou maist profit in vertue and obtaine greater humility and prepare thy selfe to future battailes and endeavour to cleave unto me with the whole affection of thy heart and serve me with a servent desire 5 Sonne fire often burneth but flame ascendeth not up without smoke so likewise the desires of some men are earnestly carried to heavenly things and yet they are not free from temptation of carnall affection 6 And therefore it is not altogether purely for the honour of God that which they so earnestly request of him 7 Such is also oftentimes thy desire which with such importunity thou presentest unto me 8 For that is not pure and perfect which is infected and desiled with the love of thine owne proper commodity and interest 9 Aske not that which is delightsome and profitable to thee but that which is gratefull to me and appetaineth to my honour 10 For if thou judgest aright thou oughtest to preferre and follow my appointment rather then thine owne desire or any thing that can be desired 11 I know thy desire and have heard thy often groanes Now thou wouldest be in the freedome of the glory of the Sonnes of God now doth the everlasting habitation and the heavenly Country full of joy delight thee 12 But this houre is not yet come it is yet another time to wit a time of warre a time of labour and triall 13 Thou desirest to be filled with the chiefest good but thou canst not attaine it for the present I am he saith our Lord expect untill the Kingdome of God doth come 14 Thou art yet to be tried upon earth and to be exercised in many things Comfort shall be sometimes given thee but abundant fulnesse thereof shall not be granted to thee 15 Take courage therefore and be valiant as well in doing as in suffering things contrary to nature Thou oughtest to put on a new man and to be changed into another man 16 Thou must oftentimes doe that which thou wouldest not and leave undone that which thou wouldest that which is pleasing to others shall goe well forwards that which thou wishest shall not speed 17 That which others say shall be heard what thou saist shall be nothing regarded Others shall aske and shall receive thou shalt aske and not obtaine 18 Others shall be great in thc praises of men but of thee there shall be no speech to others this or that shall be committed but thou shalt be accompted sit for nothing 19 At this nature will sometimes repine and it is much if thou endurest it with silence 20 In these and such like a faithfull servant of our Lord is wont to be tried how he can deny and overcome himselfe in all things 21 There is scarce any thing wherein thou hast such need to mortifie thy selfe as in seeing and suffering those things that â—are contrary to thy will 22 Especially when that is commanded which seemeth unto thee inconvenient or to little purpose 23 And for that thou being placed under authoritie darest nor resist higher power therefore it seemeth hard unto thee to walke at the beck of another and to leave wholly thine own opinion 24 But consider Sonne the fruit of these labours the end neare at hand and the reward above all measure and thou shalt receive no griefe there by but great comfort of thy patience 25 For in regard of that litle of