a sweet tranquillitie in our spirits a readiness to Christian Duties to lead for a time the life of an Angell AFFECTION Oh Innocent Solitude how happens it that I have been so long a stranger to Thee Alas by conversing with worldly Creatures I have too long wearyed my selfe in vain sullied the bright garment of my baptismall puritie ocntracted a multitude of evill inclinations which now press heavelie upon my conscience O how deplorable is the condition of wretched worldlings who busyed on creatures are exposed to infinite dangers of sin scarce ever think of coming forth of them even for a season to promote their happiness for ever I blesse Thee my bountifull Lord that thou hast inspired me to abandon them now to consider love Innocent Solitude Oh Innocent Solitude My soul hath thristed after Thee as a Hart after the fountain of living waters I will not rest night or day till I enter into the joys of my Lord. RESOLUTION I will hereafter embrace all occasions of Retiremēt from amongst Creatures preferring the Innocent entertaynmēts of Solitude to all other earthly conditions that I may therby purchase a pure quiet spirit being out of the reach of the allurements of sensible transitorie things may with the greater freedome study the will of my divine Master become neerer to him by Innocency of heart tranquillitie of passions a readiness to all heavenly divine actions THIRD POINT Necessity of Solitude CONSIDERATION COnsider that a Voluntarie withdrawing thy selfe from thy usuall cōmerce with Creatures for a time is highlie necessarie In order to that dutie thou owest to God He being the supreame End of our whole selvs actions this our mortall Pilgrimage being exposed to manifold distractions some time must needs be sett a part for a more serious reflection on that our blessed End the usefullest means wherby to attain to it that therby we may renew in us the knowledg of our Christian speciall Duties to God encrease in us a willingnesse to comply with them This cannot be done more substantially then in our Retyrement where our Minds freed from the tumults of ourward cares are aptest to receive more cleare lights from heaven stronger flames of love to spirituall eternall good things Also in order to that state of life wherin we already are or by Gods providence may one day be for by means of that state God intends to bring Thee home to himselfe in our Retyrement we may learne what love we owe to that our state of life as the only way by which God means to lead us to the possession of life everlasting that therfor we must beare with the frailties of those weak mortalls with whom we therein live labour joyntly to gain heaven the Imperfections of some few not at all derogating from the sanctitie of that state in its selfe if we love it that wil ever appeare in our Obedience to the Laws Customes therin required in the execution of their commands whom God hath placed over us must be accountable for us Likewise in regard of our selus That by help of this our Solitude we may understand how our hearts stand affected to good evill in what dangers of sin we now are or by ill habits or conversation may be what rules of pietie may best help to settle us in the constāt practise of Vertue That discovering our faults wants we may the more readily give eare to the inward Calls of our heavenly Espouse suspect all motions of our own wills strengthen decayed fervour by strōger Resolutiōs that nothing may stop us in our Pilgrimage to that comfortable Perfection which Crowns all What are thy intentions Philothea hast thou a reall desire to learn the art of well-living to follow Gods call to honour thy present state of life to make a discovery of thy faylings work with those lights graces God bestows on thee for that end AFFECTION O how vile is Earth when I lift up my Eies to Heaven O Ancient O Eternall Beautie why am I so long ignorant of Thee Thou hast mercifully drawn me forth the tabernacles of sinners inspired me to follow Thee in the companie of those who seek thy face alwaies walk the way that leads to Thee O true light O onlie life of my soul say thou unto me I am thy Salvation strong helper I shall be able to keep my Covenant made with thee reforming all disorders of my life past in all things seeking a conformitie to thy will RESOLUTION Farwell all yee vain seducing Creatures sith my God has made me for him selfe my heart shall be restless till it rests in him I will therefore henceforth place all my happiness in studying to know obey my spirituall Lord Master in loving complying with the duties of my present state as he hath commanded me in having a strickt guard over all my thoughts words actions at all times in all places with all persons that they may be agreeable to his holie will Make me Thou O my God to know my End that I may also know what is wanting to me THE EVENING EXERCISE FIRST DISCOURSE Gods Favours to us THer 's none but loves what is good therefor should love that most which is best when a Prince opens his Treasurie proclaimes a largess every one is ready to run reach forth his hand open his bosome to receive part of his bountie covets what he values most Philothea we should be ever like our selus Our divine Espouse inviting us to a spirituall conference in holie Solitude with him offers many rich presents to us lights of revealed truths to shew the secret paths that lead to him helps of grace to support encourage us that we may walk steadilie in them not faint before we come to our journeys end harken then to his divine call lay all things else aside run to him streach forth thy hand open thy heart to entertain those precious guifts he is so desirous to bestow on thee Every guift grows according to the proportion of miserie from which it frees us the hapiness that it brings with it the greater our crimes the heavier our chains the more noysome the dungeon wherin we lay the greater also would be our pardon freedom ransom thence but if we be moreover raised to the highest friendship tranquillitie of spirit libertie of mind desirable no guift can be greater then that Thus t' is with thee My Philothea in thy holie Retyrement Worldly Conversation is full of dangers of sin admitts of few helps to pietie causeth great tepiditie remissness in Christian Duties being either without God or working contrary to his Commandements but in our heavenlie solitude there be ever great calms of passions strong helps of pietie an earnest zeale of Gods honour our own duties to him our
inward peace fortifyer against all contradictions This ought to stir us up to humilitie in thoughts by esteeming our selvs full of imperfections wants to stand in need of great helps of Grace in word not discoursing on those perfections which it pleases God to work in by us in Action while we bend our selvs willingly to the performance of any Dutie our Calling may require of us though it may seem to others contemptible vile And to seek no preferment either in dignitie or esteem of others but with a true indifferency of spirit with all persons at all times contentedly to abide in or chang what ever condition fals to thy lott or is appointed Thee And because Austeritie which cōsists in fasting watching wearing course garments suck like mortifications of our sensuall appetite much conduce to the gayning this inward humilitie of spirit That also must be willingly embraced by a solitarie soul whose aimes are to be truly perfect for what society is there between a Compliance with our inordinate concupiscences a separation from worldly conversation cares What is the disposition of thy heart Philothea towards these Eminent vertues Doest thou find a sweetness quietness of spirit when humiliations befal thee Art thou willing to undergoe such Mortifications as thy state requires of thee without tediousness repining thoughts AFFECTION I abhorr yee O fatall Enemies of Perfectiō Pride that cast the Angells down from heaven made them Devils Selfelove which expelled our first parents forth of Paradice made thē Vesfels of Gods wrath Wilt thou My Soul defile thy selfe with those black crimes so abhominable to God Oh rather let me be trampled on as a worm of the Earth undergoe whatsoever Crosses Mortifications then hazard the losse of my friendship with God the joys he hath prepared for those that love him with an humble mortifyed spirit For blessed be the poore in spirit because there 's is the Kingdom of Heaven RESOLUTION I will henceforth humble my selfe under the powerfull hand of God neither in thought word or deed preferring my selfe to any Creature or desiring any value or esteem from them for I Know that God resists the proud of heart gives Grace to the humble And I will accustome my selfe to those austerities which my Vocation requires of me contēting my selfe with such diet cloaths rest as may suffice to the support of Nature for if we mortify our earthlie Members we shall be children of our heavenlie Father SECOND POINT Patience Obedience CONSIDERATION COnsider That Patience being usefull to all Christians is singularly necessary to the solitarie Soul especially if the Solitude be religious permanent It is an easie matter out of a bravery of spirit to undergoe some notable tribulation abandon worldly satisfactions for a while but to remain constant in that Resolutiō this is the speciall work of the Holie Ghost can never be fully accomplisht without a singular profound Patience It is necessary also for the practise of other Vertues which are confederates companions in our pilgrimage to Solitarie perfection for Patience keeps our spirits in peace what ever befals us bends it to beare or forbeare what the hand of providence appoints to us assembles all Vertues wherby to preserve in us the hopes of heavenly blessings amidst the toyls of this wretched life Therefore JESUS CHRIST tells us that by Patience we shall possesse our Souls Wherfor Philothea make a breife Reflection on the present state of this Vertue in Thee wherin it is defective by what motives it may be advanced to a greater height Canst thou with a patient meek heart converse with every one temper others anger with a mild Answer suffer injuries in words rapin of goods honour without disturbāce with bountie good deeds overcome thy Enemies unjust persecutions endeavour to reconcile them to thee even with losse of thy own right Then maist thou lay some claym to the perfection of Patience reap some fruit from thy Solitarie Entertainments The practise also of a prompt Obedience is very expediēt even in our Retyrement for a few dayes but especially if thy calling be to live permanently in a Communion of Religious persons under the conduct of one whom God hath placed as his Vicegerent over the rest by commands counsells to direct them to their best happyness In such a Communion all good things may not be well done either by all of them or at all times Austeritie for exemple is good yet not to be practised against the express will of our spirituall Guid or Superiour to the ruin of our own health the burthen of others Fast with bread water saith a holie Man weare a haire shirt sleep on the ground discipline the flesh to the bone undergoe the most contemptible offices communicate every daie stand from morning till night in Contemplation of God his attributes I make no account of all this if it goes against Obedience be done in a time place measure unseasonable Endeavour Philothea to purchase in thy selfe this safe guid of holie Obedience Be tractable in thy will goe come ascend descend at the first call of thy Superiour that not for feare but love Captivate thy judgment quitt all Interests of body mind when Obedience commands for the Superiour being in possession of his authoritie our conscience cannot be secure with an oppositiō to his will who watches only our good Submitt thy body also either to undergoe readily such austerities or to take freely such recreation corporall comforts as the Superiour shall judg reasonable for thee although contrary to thy judgment inclination And here make a reflection on thy readiness to comply with Obedience if it be firm fixed as it ought how far defective which way to be repayred AFFECTION It is true My dearest Lord I have through Impatience often torturd my heart with revengfull thoughts lavisht away much of my precious time in disquieting vexing my own spirit violently following my owne judgment passions incurred many a deep remorse of conscience greived those who Thou didst place over me I confesse my errours I acknowledg repent my follies O that I had a sea of tears wherwith to bath my heart wash it from the stains contracted through want of Patience Obedience Come O yee sacred Vertues accompany me in my Pilgrimage that amidst all Adversities under all commands I may secure my Vocation to this holie Retreat confirme my Soul in the hopes of a Communion with the Saints in the blessed glory of My God RESOLUTION I will hence forth seale up my lipps to all angry words purge my mind from passionate thoughts prevent each one with Courtosies promptly comply with the Commands of my Superiours however painfull their Execution be cōsidering God to speak by their lipps assuring my selfe that He proportions
God as a sheep that is lost seek thou thy servant I will not be unmindfull of thy commandements RESOLUTION I will not only henceforth mortify the senses of my body but the passions of my mind also that with my heart as well as lips I may honour glorifie my Saviour And I will stricktly examine every motion of my sensuall appetite that I may discover its maladies order its affections prevent those disquiets which my Passions have hitherto raised in Me That My beloved may say to Me Thou art a Garden of delights inclosed a spring shut up a fountain sealed THIRD POINT Mortification the property of a Christian CONSIDERATION COnsider That by means of this Mortification of our senses passions we are placed in a degree of perfection above beasts who being voyd of reason seek their content happinesse in sensuall delights therefor those carnall hearts which still wallow in the puddle of earthly pleasures following the allurements of sensible objects the disorders of their own passions degenerate into beasts Wheras Mortification is the speciall badg property of a true Christian Man who living according to reason grace crucifies the flesh with its concupiscences thereby belongeth to Christ But especially this perfect mortification of our sensuall appetites is the proper Companion true signet of the solitarie soul who retyring from worldly conversation obliges her selfe to imitate JESUS CHRIST in his sufferings to follow the stepps of the most zealous Christians of all Ages by resisting the irregular desires of sensualitie that the flesh may obey the spirit our spirit the Will of God for the Sanctification of the whole Man If therefor Philothea Thy senses passions have hitherto been loosly kept strayed after inordinate satisfactions now thou must have a watchfull care over them fasten them to the Crosse of Mortification promptly joyfully frequently perseverently universally that as all have been Ministers of vncleanesse they may also be promoters of pyety thy Eies in contemplating thy Crucifyed Redeemer reading holy bookes thy Eares in harkning to devout sermōs thy Tongue in prayer pious discourses thy Hands in performing good works thy Feet in visiting holy places thy whole body in bearing patiētly the miseries of this mortall Life undergoing acts of pennance for satisfaction of past prevention of new sins so contrary to thy Christian profession the great design now in hand AFFECTION I acknowledg my Dearest Lord that through thy precious bloud I am regenerated from my sinfull state sanctifyed to Christian holy duties strongly fortifyed agaynst the corrupted inclinations of my own sensualitie outward charms of earthly delights yet Alas how oft how vilely have I transgressed thy commands my own promises to be one of thy flock to become a mortified Christian to abandon all worldly contents suffer whatever austerities tribulations rather then to loose any part in Thee thy blessed Kingdome prepared for Me But thou O Lord art sweet mild aboundest with Mercies Have Mercy upon me O God have mercy upon me for my soul hath trusted in Thee RESOLUTION I will take a speciall View of all abuses committed through immortification of my senses passions consider all my evill Inclinations where at what time towards what Objects I am aptest to comply with them I will waryly watch over all my waies prevent dangers undertake such Mortifications as may keep my heart closse to my God stedfast in the observance of his Holy Commandements strengthen me O Lord with thy grace My Appetite shall be subject to Me I shall have power over it THE EVENING EXERCISE FIRST DISCOURSE Dammages incurrd by Immortification AS the Love of God ioyned with selfe Contempt builds up the Citty of God in us so selfe Love reaching to the contempt of Gods holy Commandements that of Satan This Selfe-love is the First Mover in the sphear of the unmortifyed soul of all the passions of our sensualitie whence proceed all those calamities of sinfull desires the following disorders which restlesly warr agaynst Gods spirit in Us heavyly presse Us down even agaynst our Wills to those Miseries we now groan under long to be freed from Our first Parents complying with an Immoderate Appetite of the fruit of one forbiddē Tree amongst so many thousand excellent Ones allowed by Almighty God for their Use pleasure notwithstanding Gods severe prohibition under payn of his high dispeasure a tedious life forrowfull death all those penalties which daily draw so many teares from our Eies sighs from our hearts has brought Gods heavy wrath upon themselves us all those Rebellions of sensualitie Errours in understanding difficulties in obeying that torrent of cares sorrows which continually afflict our spirits yet We still add to our Miseries by an over-ready sideing with these our unruly passions Appetites What grater mishapp can befal a Soveraign Prince then to be deposed his Throne spoyled of his royall Prerogatives dignity to be banisht forth his own Dominiōs Thus it is with us now Each one of us had a peacefull kingdom within himselfe was Supream Lord therein in his Originall state No sooner did selfe Love creep in to our hearts seduce the powers of the soul to prefer sensualitie to reason Justice but God permits our Passions to overrun us tyrannize within us whence arise those varieties of Concupiscences boylings roulings of our affections Love Hatred Hopes Feares those numberlesse disquiets which torture our unmortifyed spirits He takes from us the safeguard of Justice Innocency whereby we are become unable to governe our hearts in the flight of evill pursuance of approved Good And we are banisht forth that Paradice which was the seat of our Earthly happinesse the Image of the heavenly are here condemn'd through sweats sighs Innumerable sorrows to weare out an anxious painfull Life These be the Miseries we have incurr'd Philothea through Immortification of our senses passions are still increased in us by giving reynes to our heady disorderly sēsualitie as we dayly experience in the misgovernment of our lives actions which certainly none can seriously consider without an extream horrour confusion Thou must therefor earnestly endeavour to suppresse all inordinate suggestions desires of flesh bloud through consideration of the great humiliation bitter sorrows the eating one forbidden Aple cost the Son of God The severe prohibitions God has made against unlawfall concupiscences his cōmands that we mortify our carnall appetites crucify our flesh chastise our bodies hate deny our selves The Examples of all the Saints Lovers of solitude the great dammages we have already still may incurr by consenting to our vicious affections Then by examining what passions abound most in Thee how thou maist timely prevent dangers of raising
Adoration Thanksgiving to God Annihilation of thy selfe now so wholly swallowed up in God become one spirit with him whereby thou maist say Possesse Me O Lord for I am thine and hence forth Nothing shall seperate me from the Charity of JESUS CHRIST And froÌ„ hence will flow such an aboundant sweetnesse of peace tranquillity into all the powers of the soul that she will feele her selfe to be in a manner transformed into a Divine Being For having a lively Apprehension Philothea that God is in Thee as the Life of thy heart has so united thy heart to himselfe that thou livest breathest movest only by influences received from him Thou wilt soon Imagine that He is as much in Thee as carefull of thy Beeing actions as if He where no where but in Thee nor cared for any creature besides Thee Whence will arise so delightfull a serenity in thy Conscience so admirable a Tranquillity in thy whole spirit that Thou wilt think thy selfe beginning actually to Possesse God gloriously And wilt therefor fly from all creatures least they disturb thy conferences with thy heavenly Espous the chast Embracements he then gives Thee Abandoning thy selfe wholly to his Providence as if Nothing were in the world but only God Thy selfe COLLOQUIE Alas My God! how far am I from feeling these delicious Motions of thy all-comforting Spirit within Me Thou fillest all Creatures giving life motion to all dost wonderfully lead them all to their proper Ends yet have I not yeilded my selfe up to Thee to be guided by Thee the fountain of all Goodnesse unto thy selfe My only Happinesse O that thou woulds't powre into my heart a torreÌ„t of Love wherby I may be violently carried towards Thee drowned in Thee O Infinite Sea ever overflowing with sweetnesse Mercy Then shall I abandon all thinges for Thee then nothing shall relish to me but Thee nor will I then care how thou disposest of me Draw Me O Lord I will run after Thee in the odour of thy oyntments I will rejoyce be glad in Thee mindfull of thy breasts above Wine the righteous shall then Love Thee Amen EIGTH DAYES VOYAGE God Speaking to the Soul THE MORNING EXERCISE FIRST POINT Hearken to God CONSIDERATION COnsider That although by our Flight from Creatures the frequent Sallies our heart makes towards God we may arrive to some degree of spirituall Tranquillity yet this will not be compleat or permanent unlesse we grow dumb to all Creatures oft enter into conference with God have our Eares open only to harken what the Holy Ghost speaks in us whereby to confirme our hearts in the search of rest joy in Him as our substantiall happinesse We must therefor Philothea observe a strict Silence as a most necessary preparation of our hearts to appeare in Gods presence conferr with him for he reveales not himselfe to a soul busied in harkning to conferring with Creatures Nor can we profitably apply our minds to the practice of a recollected spirituall Life if our Eares be open to wordly tumults or tongues loosened to discourse on the varieties thereof No noyse was heard in the building of Salomons Temple nor may any disturbance be found in Us while Gods Holy Spirit builds up our Heart into a Temple of grace Holynesse If thy heart be not warmed burn within thee with the vehemency of divine Love while JESUS confers with thee in thy way to perfection 't is because thou hast not been attentive to his Inspirations Be thou silent therefor Philothea at all times but particularly when wher it is required by the constitutions of that state thou hast chosen least thy heart being opened the balsom of Gods Grace evaporate loose its Vertue or be poysoned with the stenches which may proceed from sinfull conversation Be silent too when injur'd or reprehended in conformity to JESUS CHRIST when arraigned for his life a sharp word provokes wrath excuses deprive patience of its due merit But especially thou must be silent during this thy spirituall Retirement for the Holy Ghost will not make thy heart its Sanctuary or deliver his Oracles therin unlesse thou banish thence all danger of casting forth baits of sin to others by thy tongue or sucking in the Venom of evill thoughts into thy own heart by thy Eares unles thou dost seriously apply thy selfe to harken unto what he reveales of himselfe to Thee for thy encouragement to persever in thy blessed choyce the encrease of spitual comfort in thee AFFECTION Ah my soul wilt thou abandon thy Creator for Creatures or deprive thy selfe of the delicious conferences embracements of thy Heavenly Espous for the vain sinfull conversation of Worldlings O my God I perceive I am yet far off from the perfection of holy solitude having hitherto lavisht away so much precious time in unprofitable sinfull discourses O that I could recall those many houres dayes yeeres of my life now past gone whereof I must one day render a severe account Alas my God did st observe all moments of Time allowed us to serve Thee to sue for pardon of sins encrease of Vertue freedom in holy conferences with Thee who could sustain the bitternâ—sse of thy iust wrath Speak now O Lord thy servant will give eare unto thee RESOLUTION I will hence forth place a strict guard upon my lips eares observing a religious silence at all times places conformably to my calling the example of my Saviour JESUS amidst his false accusers but particularly during my Retirement to the end I may heare the Voice of my Beloved speaking the language of peace comfort within me that I may improve my spirit by his heavenly Colloquies encrease my Love duty to him And therefor I will make a daily Examin of my selfe how I spend my time that no moment of my life may passe without some advance in piety nor any of Gods Inspirations be uncomplyed with Call therefor upon me now O Lord I will give eare unto Thee thou thalt blesse the works of my hands SECOND POINT Gods Speaks by Visible Creatures CONSIDERATION COnsider That Our Glorious God created all the Visible Things in this Great World not only to preserve us by their use in this mortall Life but especially that in them he might shaddow out unto us his own Majesty the good things prepared for us in Heaven with Himselfe Their perfection order usefullnesse declare the greatnesse of his Glory Wisdom Bounty they are stepps whereby we may clime up to God in them discover how admirable how amiable how adorable he is in Himselfe they are so many Tongues without cease speaking to us the Infinite Excellencies of their Creatour inviting us to admire love adore that Divine Essence wherin all are contain'd from whence they all had still continue their Being Clime therefor
disapoint thee if thou faile not in thy pursuance persist then thou wilt prevaile that which was begun with lāguishing remisseness difficulty shall end in joy comfort One dayes meale however large liberall strengthens not for to morrow The body languisheth if there be not a supply of food Thou must therefore feed thy soule by daily Meditation The most serious affections are extinguisht by intermission by disuse doe perish Lett not therefore any one day passe without a competent time spent therein break through all letts except those of obedience Charity when these shall have hindred thee repay thy selfe afterwards the time borrowed recompence thy losse with a doubled labour for be assured that too much neglect breeds unaptnesse to good Thus much for thy daily Recollection for the time chosen or appointed thee of which hereafter I shall prescribe á fitt Methode But as for the Ten dayes exercise which I intend specially to recommend unto Thee I advise the use of it only once a yeere no lesse no more Our Nature is so feeble to good so propense to evill that unlesse we once a yeere sett a speciall time a part wherein to looke into our selves after a more serious manner prune ill Customes inclinations budding in us these will grow so strong that they will in time choake kill our little plants of piety The best clock will be out of order unlesse taken in peices cleansed once a yeer There is not any so good a Nature but may be corrupted by irregular affections insensibly creeping upon us which if not timely rectifyed by a carefull industry will gaine the upper hand become a second Nature Yet however necessary a yeerly more serious inspection survay of our lives conversations may be to doe it too oft in one yeere would render a Mind perplext anxiously scrupulous which are distempers incopatible with comfortable Solitude that requires a generous freedome of the soule Wherefore let thy dayly Meditation suffice the rest of the yeere for the correction of errours misdemeanours that creep upon us in this fraile course of mortall life As for the time of the yeere when this speciall Exercice is to be performed 't is hard to prescribe one generall Rule for all Neither can a whole family or community together lay aside at any one prescribed season all their other duties but while Mary meditates Martha must look to household affaires Could it be had there is no time fitter then Lent and Easter whē the weather is temperate the body refreshed anew by the Suns approach Mysteries then represented doe strongly call upon us for amendment of life if we doe intend thē to partake in the benefitts of Christs Passion Resurrection It is a signe of a dead frozen soule not to have an impulse to Vertue a horrour of sin when God him selfe becomes à Propitiation for us by shedding his most precious Bloud upō the Altar of the Crosse for our Redemption That is generally speaking the best time when we desire to be best disposed to piety for thus have all Christians ever had some particular devotiō on one or other particular solemnity which suited best with their mind And some are very devout on the day of their Patron another on that day which had been blest with some speciall good accidēt to themselves or others as their Regeneration to Christ by holy Baptisme their Initiation in Orders their Professiō in Religion or Delivery by Gods providence from some great evill The memory of former good sentiments are apt at the recours of the season to renew them reiteration breeds stronger Inclinatiōs to the like again Choose then Ten dayes before that select time therein to entertain thy selfe in thy happy solitude so behave thy selse therein that that day may be a day of peace Jubily of spirit to thee that thou maist issue thence as a sun forth a Cloud with a cheerfull alacrity livelynesse witnessing the inward harmony of thy soule It will then appear that thy retreat was through a religious zeal of Perfection not of a pensive scruple or dull custome such a good Day will be a forceing motive to thy selfe to blesse thy soveraigne Creatour for that foretast of the joyes of Paradise amidst the cumbersome cares which are incident to Mortality to which every one more or lesse stands subject edify others also to the like felicity Yet neither are these Ten Dayes of speciall solitude so to be spent that the spirit should unchangably be bent upon Contemplation even for that space Our soule must be refreshed with some variety it wil otherwise grow weary our thoughts remisse affections feeble the time thereby seeming long to us the object tedious but these divertisements must be short tending at least a far of to the great designe of piety in hand One time of the day cannot be prescribed to all no more then one time of the yeere for neither is Gods grace showred down at particular times nor doe the various contrary dispositions of all persons agree in the choyce of opportunities The Royall Prophet sayes that In the evening morning midday he spoake to God to redeem his soule in peace in my judgment six ten five would be fitt hours for secular persons Religious who rise at midnight must observe an other Distribution whereof in its due place so David sayes that He meditated upon God at the time of Mattins all things being then still the soule by the obscurity of night being recollected from the fancy of other objects the body some what released from the wearinesse of the past dayes cares the mind will then easilyer grow into a likeing love of heavenly things Neither is the morning lesse fit for this heavenly service for then the body newly raised is fully calmed with its late rest nor has the soule as yet had any motiues of distractiōs frō outward Creatures wherefore the holy Prophet sayd that his soule thirsted after God from the morning watch Neither is Isaacs time unfitt for this work in the Evening he went forth to meditate in the feild when the fumes of the middayes refection being dispersed the soule might easily fasten upon divine objects if thou intendest to reape a grounded permanent benefitt from thy holy retreat be sure that first thou make choyce of the fittest hours for that purpose then carefully sett those hours a part from all other employments for change breeds unsetlednesse this an unreasonable doubt what time should be aptest whē thy thoughts should be fixed on higher objects § 6. Posture of Body THou must also Philothea observe a due Gesture of thy body for although God be a spirit therefore needs not so much the posture of the body as of the soule so it be reverent respectfull yet doth the due composition of the body much advantage the mind in
aboad being there with God our employmeÌ„ts in what beloÌ„gs to him Although nothing be more ours then we our selus titles of honour most coÌ„forting delights our dearest friends as leaves blossoms from the tree being easily blown off from us yet having our Being with what ever appertains to it from God whatsoever we are in our selus can doe or may have belongs to God as the Soveraign Lord Master of all so that to him we owe all we should be guiltie of a most greivous disloyaltie should we venture to dispose of our selus according to our own liking Gods inward Excellencie wherby he contains in himselfe all perfections disperst amongst Creatures those sacred influences wherby he preserus us from falling into our Originall Ashes his precept of loving him above all things which includes the actions of all other morall divine Vertues the price of Christs precious Bloud wherewith he bought us those unspeakable rewards of holiness of life prepared above with his Angells for us are strong tyes of Dutie to him challeng all homage fidelitie from us Wherfore Philothea should we spend our whole liues every thought all our actions on him we pay but the least part of what we owe to him Now therfore at least show thy readiness to follow love obey him sith he specially invites Thee to a more familiar conference freedom with him during thy Solitude COLLOQUIE Even so it is My Dearest Lord I am thine O that I might for ever abide with thee The world is a sea full of tempests confusion holie Solitude is a safe harbour where there are great calms securitie O that thou wouldest fill the sayles of my heart with a gracious gale which may sweetly carry me forth of these turbulent depths free me from the dangers of a spirituall shipwrack give me a sure shelter under thy comforting protection then should my spirit have liberty to pant after the escaped dangers sâ—e the perills wherin she hath been hitherto tossed pay those dutiâ—s which on so many titles are due unto Thee Save me thou O Lord I shall be saved thou shalt be my praise for ever SECOND DISCOURSE Our Returnes to God HAving now perswaded thy selfe to embrace Solitude through reflection on the Dignitie Innocencie Necessitie therof in order to thy freedom from worldly cares solicitudes as also that thou maist therby pay to God part of that great Dutie which on so many titles thou owest to him fitt thy selfe for the due practise therof by Acknowledgment of Gods speciall favours to thee in inspiring thee with so holie just a design The same God that sanctifyed thee a Member of his holie Church has by hidden means drawn thee now nigher to himselfe will that thou break in pieces those fetters of sensualitie which have hitherto kept thee tyed to Creatures without which thou hadst still wallowed in thy old vices never look't into thy corrupted manners or thought on begining this thy holie Pilgrimage Wherfor acknowledge thy nakedness povertie weakness to walk these sublime wayes of perfection that this divine Call all other favours thou shalt ther by reape are pure effects of Gods mercies bountie to thee O Philothea could we duely value the greatness of this favour of being thus cald to walk converse with God whereas many others who perhaps would make better use therof are passed by left to work out their salvation amidst the tumults of worldly cares we would esteem no labours no sufferings enough to express our Gratitude to him Resolve therefor to employ thy Memorie in thinking on God on the generall speciall means best known to thy own spirit wherby he hath drawn thee thus far from Creatures towards himselfe thy Understanding in searching forth means wherby readily to execute his coÌ„mandements inspired counsells thy Will other inferiour powers of thy soul in loving him refrayning from what he hath forbidden performing whatsoever he hath or shall require of thee And because the aime of Solitude is to lead thee to a private conference with God wherin the Immortall Angells now glorifyed Saints will be spectatours before whom none may appeare without his wedding GarmeÌ„t or with feet sullied by sinfull affections Thou must Philothea endeavour to Rectifie thy intentions in undertaking this Retyrement for if thy motives be but customarie the fruicts therof will soon fade Then Purge thy mind of worldly vaine affections by a deep act of repentance least they ever anon call upon thee disturb the repose of the spirit And lastly Offer up thy heart to God united with that of thy crucified Saviour for whose sake thou art resolved to walk the hard ways of thy Pilgrimage to Perfection so that henceforth whether JESUS feasts thee with his disciples in Cana or fasteth in the wilderness be glorious on Mount Thabor or prayeth in the Garden or hangeth on the Crosse thou must never forsake him Thus wilt thou happyly walk through the varieties dangers of this unconstant life make a fruitfull progress in this thy holy Retyrement COLLOQUIE Wellcome then O most delicious paradice of my God O Sacred Solitude wherein is again revived the decayed Image of our Originall Innocency by conformity of will to God Obedience of sensualitie to the precepts of reason sweet traÌ„quillitie of all passions powers in the Kingdome of the soul I acknowledg O my God thy great bounty in inviting me hither will endeavour to prun my spirit of all irregular MotioÌ„s that Imay be Afitt Offring to my heavenly Lord Master Sanctify O God these my earnest desires from thy holie Temple of Hierusalem confirme the good things thou hast wrought in me Amen SECOND DAYES VOYAGE Entertainments in Solitude THE MORNING EXERCISE FIRST POINT Humilitie Austeritie CONSIDERATION COnsider that there 's a great difference between Solitude Idleness A wise holie Soul will choose therefor to be alone that shee may be better employed whither it be that the Retyrement be for the whole life under some Religious Vows or for some certain dayes wherfor entring into Solitude thou must Philothea make use of such Entertainments of spirit body as may consist with retyredness advance thee in the practise of Vertue Wherfore we must be well grouÌ„ded in the use of Humilitie which is the foundation of all other Vertues a fair disposition both to acknowledg ameÌ„d what 's amisse For Solitude is a state wherin the soul is raised to a private conference with God unlesse we have a perfect Humilitie we are in danger of a precipice Nay what ever other progresse we make in our Pilgrimage to Perfection without a profound humilitie we are never secure as appears in Lucifer our first Parents Therfor Our Lord JESUS by doctrine exemple exhorts to the practise therof as the cheife work of Christianitie the prefervative of
into a most heavenly Slumber whereby freed from all noyse of Creatures even in her Imaginative part she enjoyes a perfect tranquillity of spirit peace in her whole soul Which is sometimes accompanied with Extasie wherby the lower Regiō of the soul becomes Insēsible to what passes through the outward senses being wholly absorpt by the intense workings of the superior portion thereof which fixed on God through Vehemency of Admiration love sweetnesse becomes Familiar with him views all the treasures of his Glory receives plenty of guifts blessings converses with him face to face These are the delicious fruits Philothea growing on the Tree of Life which is planted by the River of Divine Grace ever flowing in the Soul which God admitts to his amiable presence Embracements That Soul needs no other Light to walk by God himselfe being the Sun that gives light to her nor any other fire to heat her the Holy Ghost being diffused through all her powers purging whatever is fraile mortall transforming her into a supernaturall Being wherby she is raised to the highest Happinesse Imaginable the Experience of whatever God has promised unto her COLLOQUIE O Divine Tree how pleasant is it to repose under thy delicious shades whence such fragrant smells sweet tranquillity are diffused through the amorous soul O chrystall streames of overflowing Grace how delightfull is it to walk upon thy fruitfull banks in thee to contemplate the overflowings of Love in our breasts O heavenly fruit how sweet confortable art thou to the thirsty languishing soul since what ever knowledg love ioy tranquillity pleasantnesse or Repose may be imagined proceed thence Oh! who will give Me that I may for ever rest under the shade of this Living Tree to walk upon those pleasant banks to eate my fill of that heavenly fruit Let the Spirit say Come my soul shall melt within Me because my Beloved bath spoken unto Mee SECOND DISCOURSE Loves Descents GOds unsearcheable Counsells Decrees are that Perfection ever move on two poles extremly opposite which S. Paul calls Height Depth S. Francis What is God What am I Although God invites Us Philothea to clime the Tree of Life tast its fruits repose under the shadow thereof in his Contemplation Love yet must we still descend into our selves by Consideration of our present state the Obligations thereof which must ever be complyed with Descend then Philothea in regard of thy selfe For the Exercise of Divine Contemplation raising us to an eminent knowledg love Union with God unlesse we descend by humble acts seat our selves with holy Magdalene at the feet of our Beloved Espous there may be danger of falling into presumption of our own perfection loosing his favour trust then in the Mercies of God yet feare his Justice Power amidst the delights of thy Illuminations spirituall Caresses have ever a filiall Feare say Not to Me but to Thee O Lord be all honour glory Then see how oft thou hast had a complacence in thy sweet contemplations the amorous Embracements of thy Beloved assure thy selfe if thou hast at any time faln into drynesse of spirit that proceeded from thy not humbling thy selfe while exalted to those singular favours By these humble acts thy inward Vertue will also become conspicuous in thy outward Conversation to the Example Edification of others For our earthly conversation is sociable our actions are subject to many Censures if then our outward lives expresse not that piety we harbour in our bosoms we may be accounted singular or guilty of hypocrisy Wherefor let not any contemplation or familiarity with God withdraw thee from a friendly conversation with those thou livest cause an affectation of thy own opinion ways or breed a harshnesse towards thy lesse yet possibly more perfect Neighbour but towards all be humble modest cheerfull courteous But especially the Contēplative Soul must oft apply her selfe to the exercises of the Active Life therby to shun Idlenesse the Nurse of all sin source of Temptations For seing t is hardly possible in this Life to be permanent in our heavenly Contemplations affections towards God we must accustome our selves to some bodily exercises Especially if we have some singular Talent wherby we may benefit others At least if Obedience requires that service from us And the work be of that nature that it rather adds then diminishes of our Zeale to Perfection But be thou ever carefull Philothea that thou perform it with an upright Intention promptly in due time place fervently cheerfully humbly Thus thy labours undertaken for God will be gratefull to him cherish our Love towards heavenly things Thou must also descend in regard of thy Neighbour whither Superior Subject or Equall for although nothing can be more pleasant to us then sweetly to repose in the bosom of our heavenly Espous to dive into the Abysse of his Goodnesse yet must we quitt all these overflowings of Love when our Neighbour needs our help so that whither thou bewaylest thy sins Philothea with Magdalene at the foot of the Crosse or with S. Paul art rapt to the third heaven or in thy private closett conversest familiarly with thy Beloved as S. Anthony of Padua without delay abandon all descend to comfort those who expect that duty of thee Art thou a Prince or Governour of a family by thy office duty thou art bound to have as much care of thy subjects as of thy selfe especially if by their own free choyce guided by divine Inspirations they be under thy custody direction not as slaves but as tender Children for whom thou art to render an account unto the Great Just Judge who expects of every one to his own extrem perill that he be faithfull in his charge Wherefor if thou beest cald to any such trust with feare trembling accept of it comply with its duties but if thou art not called thither have a care thou never covet a place of so much danger Art thou a subject The Vow of Obedience under which thou art born or by which thou hast freely sacrifized thy Will to God his Vicegerents doth then oblige thee to leave God for God that is to quitt thy highest contemplations comply with the Will of God revealed to thee by the lips of thy Overseer Governour Since the Word of the Eternall Father equall to himselfe in some manner quitts the bosom of his Father in heaven to obey his Will even to a most painfull shamefull death we may for his Love submit our Judgements Wills to that of our Superior ruling in his stead promptly entirely perseverantly to our dying day Art thou equall to him Thou must then endeavour when Charity requires it to releive his wants unto thy power either corporally or spiritually by Visiting for example helping the needy weak sick by counselling
separate the One from the Other As God caused the brightness of Christs tranfigur'd body on Mount Thabor which signifies the cleerness cheerfulness of our Spirit in holy actions so also he caused that darkness which o'respred the earth whilst CHRISTS body was disfigur'd on Mount Calvarie whereby is represented the droughts of a Soul in this state of spirituall desolation Wherefor behave thy felfe very cautiously in the pursuance of Christian perfection so that whither thou hast a feeling of piety or whither God for reasons known to himselfe deprives Thee thereof keep the same Evenness of heart constancy in thy duties during both States still multiplying acts of Love renewing thy purposes resigning thy selfe to Gods decrees concerning Thee following the direction of his Holy Spirit under whose conduct thou art now become conformable to thy sufferring Espous Imagine therefor that JESUS CHRIST has nayled Thee to this Cross through the great Love he has towards Thee to the end thou flyest not from him abandon the charge he has taken of thee or quitt thy customary duties that he may behold thy conflicts harken to thy mournfull sights supplications may more readily infuse spirituall helps wherefor humbly open thy heart to him disclosing all thy wants weakness advise also with some prudent person whom thou hast chosen for thy Guid follow his counsells punctually ever closeing with an entire Resignation to his sacred Will who thus Visits Thee COLLOQUIE What hast thou done My Innocent Lord that thou art thus severely treated Thy body is covered with wounds thy bloud streams forth from every part thy hands feet are nailed to the Cross thy head is crowned with thorns thy heart is peirced with a speare thy Soul fild to the brim with desolation when thou cryedst My God My God why hast thou forsaken Me Oh what Love what Mercy is here I have sinned the Son of God is smitten Oh rather let me fuffer who have provoked thy wrath Whither I feel the sweetness of thy comfortable presence or thou dost permit Anxieties to oppresse my spirit I will equally love Thee obey thy will And I will blesse God at all times his prayses shall ever be in my lips because he will be my Salvation in the day of sorrow SECOND DISCOURSE Phìlotheas Choyce HAving thus prosperously Philothea though with much difficulty in thy ten daies Voyage to Perfection passed through thy holy Solitude arrived to Mount Calvarie there found thy Crucifyed Lord the Author Exemplar Finisher of all Perfection repose thy selfe with joy under the shade of the Crosse offring up thy heart to him to be united with his by Love made conformable to his Will in all thy affections actions saying Behold I have gone far flying from the World its Vanities made my habitation in the Wilderness Under his shadow whom my Soul desireth will I sett This is my Resting place for ever ever here will I dwell because I have chosen it O blessed Flight O pleasant Repose O Divine Choyce whereby thy Soul will become a stranger to the Earth where she lives freely converse with God whom she loves Then make a breife review of thy ten daies Retirement See whither thou hast that value of Solitude its Entertainments which the perfectiō thereof deserveth And what inclinations thou hast to persever therein whither thou hast a cordiall apprehension of thy Sinfull State the Means God has established for thy salvation Whither thy Passions be any thing abated thy heart unchayned from Creatures that it may joyfully Fly to God Whither thou hast a perfect Calme in thy Soul canst Give eare to the whisperings of thy heavenly Espous beest every way fitted to take thy Repose in God And lastly whither thou hast a hearty resentement of the suffrings of thy Crucifyed Lord a willingness to Imitate him in his bitter seperations a desire to be wholly united to him in that sad ignominious state for unless thy heart be now united ūto that of JESUS suffring thou maist not hope hereafter to be united unto thy JESUS triumphing Fix thy Eie therefor steadily upon thy soveraign Lord bleeding dying upon the Cross thereby draw a Coppy in thy own heart by his wounded feet order thy affections by his peirced hands rectify thy actions by his crowned head purify thy thoughts by his opened side regulate thy Love by his sorrowfull Soul draw in thine the picture of Compassion imitation That for ever after the life of JESUS may be made manifest in Thee COLLOQUIE Behold here O Victorious Saviour of Men Angels my languishing sighing heart earnestly sueing to become One with Thee transformed into the likeness of thy love-wounded heart dying to all things but Thee that henceforth Thou onely maist live in me I for ever in Thee without being seperated from Thee O Amiable Union O delicious Transformation O Divine Life Oh that thou wouldest deep engrave in my heart the Image of thy Cross all thy suffrings thereon that as a bundle of myrrhe they may ever lay in my bosom by a perpetuall Memory of thy Love therein towards Me. To Thee therefor doe I now for ever sacrifize my whole heart to be wounded with the darts of thy ever flaming love that all my Affections Actions Thoughts Desires Ioyes may be ordred by Thee begin from Thee end in Thee O Endless End and Abysse of all Happiness Amen FINIS MEDITATIONS UPON THE PASSION For every day of the week SVNDAY Washing of the Feet CONS 1. Who washeth God thy Creatour Redeemer giver of all good things 2. Whose feet he washeth of ignoble persōs great sinners his own betrayer 3. Why he washeth to give example of meekness teach us to cleanse our Soul ere we approach his Altar Affect Oh my JESU that I could love thee all creatures as I ought thou desirest Resolve To practise the Vertue of Charitie shun Envie in occasions best known to thy self MVNDAY Prayer in the garden CONS 1. How CHRIST prayeth kneeling prostrate with instancy thou how tipid 2. What 's his prayer That his Chalice may passe yet with resignation to obey his Fathers will doe thou pray thus 3. How he sweats bloud in great drops in great sorrows wilt thou rely on thy own strength Affect Oh my JESU that I could hūble my self to Thee all creatures for thee Resolve To practise Humilitie shun Pride c. TWESDAY Mocking before Herod CONS 1. How JESUS betrayed apprehended manicled is led to Annas Caiphas Pilate Herod Follow him in this sorrowfull Pilgrimage 2. How He is every where falsly accused yet is silent be silent too when injur'd 3. How before Herod he is cloathed mocked as a Foole if thou beest a Christian imitate CHRISTS self-denyall Affect Oh my JESU that I could contemn my own will for thy sake Resolve To practise Self-denyall shun self-love c. WEDNESDAY Whipping at the Pillar CONS 1. How JESUS led back to Pilate is there accused as a Blasphemer Seducer Traitor Barabbas though a Murderer is perfer'd before him canst repine when vilifyed 2. How that Innocent Body unclothed bound to the Pillar is whipt for thy sins I sin Thow suffrest 3. How barbarously those Soldiers treat thy JESUS Oh cruelly this he suffers for the Bath thy heart in his saving bloud Affect Oh my JESU that I could bear all Crosses from all persons for the love of Thee Resolve To practise Patience shun Anger c. THVRSDAY Crowning with Thorns CONS 1. How JESUS thus bleeding is crownd with sharp Thorns this Crown is instead of a Crown of Glory 2. How they cloath him in scarlet put a reed in his hand for a Scepter then kneeling deride Him Thou art a King indeed reign for ever in my heart 3. How JESUS thus adorned is led forth by Pilate shown to the Jewes with Behold á Man O sad Spectacle Yet still they cry Crucify Him Oh the heavy weight of my sins Affect Oh my JESU that I could obey Thee even to loss of life Resolve To practise Obedience shun Sloath c. FRYDAY Carrying the Cross CONS 1. How JESUS thus derided whipped crowned goes forth carrying the Cross whereon he is to be sacrifized for thy Sins 2. What shouts of joy the Jewes make after Him through the streets of Jerusalem thus is Innocency despised 3. How the devout woemen meet bewaile Him thy hard heart sheds not one Teare amidst these sorrows or for thy sins Affect Oh my JESU that I could abandon all sensuall satisfactions for the Love of Thee Resolve To practise Temperance shū Gluttony c. SATVRDAY Crucifying of Iesus CONS 1. How JESUS with much pain shame arrived to Mount Calvary is again uncloath'd thus all his soares are renewed My Sins not blotted out by Repentance shall one day be disclosed to the whole World 2. How they streatch thy JESUS upon the Cross fastnīg him with nayles therunto thē raise him up where he hangs betweē two theeves Oh what ignominy 3. How He there hangs for the space of three houres reviled by Jews Gentiles forsaken by his Disciples drenched with gall vineger peirced to the heart with a speare yet He prays for his Enemies Enter make thy aboade in that love-wounded-Heart Affect Oh my JESU that I could imitate Thee in the purity of thy Life Doctrine Resolve To practise Modesty shun All contrary Therunto c. FINIS
Exercise reflecting seriously on every Instructiō how thou mayest reduce thē to practice The other houres till Seven admit of no sett rules for distribution of them by reason of the different times of evening prayers refection according to the customes of severall families However one houre is to be spent in praying vocally making Aspirations review of that dayes task for confirmatiō of good purposes another in saying Evensong the last in taking thy evening repast thanksgiving for benefits praying for benefactours living dead From Seven take some easy divertisement whereby to release thy thoughts by walking or using some moderate corporall Exercice for the space of halfe an houre then seriously examine thy Conscience how thou hast employed that day beg pardon for defects make thy Crosses read over the First point of thy next dayes Exercise going to bed say with the Royall Prophet In peace I will sleep rest because thou O Lord hast singularly setled me in hope This is all Philothea I have to advise thee Complayn not of my over-longnesse The labour is mine my ayme thy benefit I have according to my ability prescribed thee a Method of practising holy Solitude according to the knowledge gaind from skilfull Masters in that Art what use experience hath taught me to be most profitable when custome experience shall shew thee a better forme feare not to use it in Gods name for divers paths lead to the same place though the spirit of God be but One yet ther is diversitie of graces Use this way till thou meet with a better and pray for thy well willer Farwell Philothea's Pilgrimage to Perfection Described in a Practise of Ten dayes Solitude FIRST DAYES VOYAGE Inducements to Solitude THE MORNING EXERCISE FIRST POINT Dignitie of Solitude CONSIDERATION COnsider That no other earthlie condition can equall the happinesse which may be attained by means of retyrement T is a Heaven upon earth seperating us from the rest of the world contented with it's own tranquillitie delights such it will be to us if we can alienate our hearts from worldly cares creatures walk innocently with our blessed God in the observance of his commandements the performance of solitarie duties T is the Schole of all Christian knowledg vertues wherein we may learn that our body is composed of disagreeing elements ever tending to a dissolution that our dearest friends may be taken frō us by untimely death therefor no lasting hopes to be placed in them That our nature is easly ledd away with the allurements of visible objects whereas God only can fill the longings of our soul In a word that all those things wherein poore man is so miserably turmoild are a meere Vexation Vanitie hinder us from listning to those delicious whispers which our Beloved desires to impart to our affectionate souls It is also a Sanctuarie of the ever blessed Deitie for although our Immense God fils all places by an infinite diffusion of his Essence yet he is specially in those which are segregated to his contemplation worship where he opens the rich treasuries of his love bountie reveals his will to his servants in silent secret conferences with them Since therfore Philothea thy Beloved hath drawn Thee hither here to parlie with thy heart to disclose the hidden pathes of his ayding comforting graces to take up his lodging in thy soul see that nothing remain therein offensive to his will which may blūt the edg of thy conceived affections to pietie or darken thy spirituall Eie from beholding his all-sufficing beauty For onlie the clean of heart may see God rejoyce in the plentie of his holy house AFFECTION Oh how beloved are the Tabernacles of my God! better is one day there then thousands in the Courts of Sinners who love not to think on their Creatour O Hierusalem O sweet vision of Peace O happy desart O sacred Mansion of heaven aspiring Souls be thou ever the begining of my joyes I know acknowledg O my God My onlie refuge comfort that there is no pleasant peace no saving knowledg no true Repose but in Thee that all things are Vanity beneath Thee but even that Vanity cannot I despise without Thee therfore Thou O God how long RESOLUTION Hence forth My Solitude shall be my Beatitude My Eden my Heaven the world shall keep what ever it calls its own with all the perills discontents miseries that belong to it if my soul be at any time in distresse I will stay my sorrows with the hopes of those true consolations which my Divine Lord hath promised to those whom he leads thither And since I may there understand all divine truth obtain all helping Vertues Graces I will turne my heart from creatures that I may under the conduct of Gods divine Spirit learn the wayes of Perfection And I will carefully cleanse my soul from all sinns affections to forbidden contents whereby it hath hitherto been hindred to walk to with God to discover the depth of his greatness goodness to me Nor will I loos the precious time which God hath alowed me wherein to work my Salvation converse with him in holy Solitude To Thee O Lord will I reveale the secrets of my heart in Thee will I trust I shall not be ashamed because Thou art A strong helper SECOND POINT Innocencie of Solitude CONSIDERATION COnsider That Solitude is more Innocent Holie then that course of life that spends it's selfe in conversing with creatures Being exempt from manyfold occasiōs of offending or being offended by others from snares scandals irksome turmoiles which are apt to shake our strongest Resolutions to pietie destroy the evennesse of our hearts in the performance of our usuall Christian duties Again our conversation with worldly persons oft engages our hearts in irregular affections solicitudes we being naturally over-prone to adheare to sensible satisfactions too feeble weake in resisting their flattering alurements therfor are therby putt in hazard of loosing our best hopes whereas Solitude withdrawing our thoughts from such occasiōs of sin give us means of purchasing that blessednesse here which abroad we endanger wherfor the now glorious Saints whose lives should be our paterns arrived to the joys they are possest of by withdrawing from worldly conversation confining themselves to Innocent Solitude And hence it is that abandoning superfluous conversation with earthlie Creatures we begin to be conversant with God in some degree approach to imitate the Innocent peacefull life of the already glorifyed Angells in heaven Their life conversation must needs be heavenlie who disdayning earthlie blessings thirst after those of the Saints by knowing loving enjoying him who alone can make them happy What greater happiness My Philothea then being sequestred from vaine tyresome Creatures even amidst the toyls of our unhappy Mortality to enjoy