I stand before thee poore and naked calling for grace and crauing mercy Refresh this thy hungry and needy creature giue heat vnto my coldnes with the fire of thy loue giue light vnto my blindnesse with the brightnes of thy presence Turne al earthly things vnto me into bitternes all things grieuous and contrarie into patience all base and created things into contempt and obliuion Lift vp my heart to thee in heauen and suffer me not to wander vpon earth be thou only sweete and delightsome vnto mee from hence-forth for euermore for thou only art my meat and my drinke my loue and my joy my delight and all my good 3 O that with thy presence thou wouldest wholy inflame burne and change me into thee that I might be made one spirit with thee by the grace of inward vnion and melting of burning loue Suffer me not to go from thee hungry and drie but deale mercifully with me as thou hast oftentimes dealt wonderfully with thy Saints What meruaile if I should be wholy inflamed by thee and die in my selfe sith thou art fire euer burning and neuer decaying loue purifying the heart and enlightning the vnderstanding CHAP. XVII Of burning loue and vehement desire to receiue Christ The voice of the Disciple WIth great deuotion and burning loue with most hearty affection and feruour I desire to receiue thee O Lord as many Saints and deuout persons haue desired thee when they receiued thy Sacrament who were most pleasing vnto thee in holines of life and most feruent in deuotion O my God the euerlasting loue my whole good my happinesse without end I would gladly receiue thee with the most vehement desire and worthy reuerence that any of the Saints euer had or could feele 2 And although I be vnworthy to haue all those feelings of deuotion yet I offer vnto thee the whole affection of my hart as if I alone had those most sweet inflamed desires yea whatsoeuer also a deuout minde can conceiue and desire all that with greatest reuerence and most inward affection I offer present vnto thee I wish to reserue nothing to my self but freely and most willingly to sacrifice my selfe all mine vnto thee my Lord God my Creator and my Redeemer I desire to receiue thee this day with such affection reuerence praise honor with such gratitude worthines and loue with such faith hope and purity as thy most blessed Mother the glorious Virgin Mary receiued and desired thee when she humbly and deuoutly answered the Angel who declared vnto her the mystery of the Incarnation and said Behold the Handmaid of our Lord let it be done vnto mee according to thy word Luk. 1. 3 And as thy blessed Forerunner the most excellent amongst the Saints Iohn Baptist cheerefully leaped with joy of the holy Ghost whilest he was yet shut vp in his mothers wombe and afterwards seeing Iesus walking amongst men humbling himselfe very much said with deuout affection The friend of the Bridegrome that standeth and heareth him reioyceth with joy for the voice of the Bridegrome Ioh. 3. so I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desires and to offer my self vp vnto thee with my whole heart Wherefore I offer also and present vnto thee the joyes feruent desires excesses of minde spirituall illuminations and heauenly visions of all deuout hearts with all the vertues and praises exercised and to be exercised by all creatures in heauen and earth for my selfe and all such as are commended to me in prayer that by all thou mayest be worthily praised and glorified for euer 4 Receiue my Lord God the affections of my heart and desires which I haue to giue thee infinite praise and thankes which according to the measure of thy vnspeakable greatnesse are due vnto thee These I yeeld thee and desire to yeeld thee euery day and moment and I doe intreate and inuite all the heauenly Spirits and all thy deuout seruants to giue thanks and praises together with me 5 Let all People Tribes and Tongues praise thee and magnifie thy holy and sweet name with great joy and feruent deuotion and let all that reuerently and deuoutly celebrate thy most high Sacrament and receiue it with full faith deserue to finde grace and mercy at thy hands and pray humbly for mee sinfull creature And when they shall haue obtained their desired deuotion and joyfull vnion and depart from thy sacred heauenly Table well comforted and meruailously refreshed let them vouchsafe to remember my poore and needy soule CHAP. XVIII That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense vnto faith The voice of the Beloued THou oughtest to beware of curious and vnprofitable searching into this most profound Sacrament if thou wilt not sinke into the depth of doubt He that is a searcher of Maiestie shall be oppressed by Glorie Prou. 25. God is able to worke more then man can vnderstand A pious and humble inquirie of truth is tolerable so he be alwaies ready to bee taught and doe endeauour to walke in the sound pathes of the ancient Fathers doctrine 2 Blessed is that simplicity that forsaketh the difficult waies of questions and goeth on in the plaine and assured path of Gods Commandements Many haue lost deuotion whilest they would search after high things Faith and sincere life are exacted at thy hands not height of vnderstanding nor the depth of the mysteries of God If thou doest not vnderstand nor conceiue those things that are vnder thee how shalt thou bee able to comprehend those that are aboue thee Submit thy selfe to God and let thy sense be subiect to faith and the light of knowledge shall bee giuen thee in that degree as shall bee profitable and necessary for thee 3 Some are grieuously tempted about Faith and the Sacrament but this is not to bee imputed to them but rather to the enemie Do not regard nor dispute with thy thoughts neither doe thou giue answere to the doubts mooued by the enemie but beleeue the words of God beleeue his Saints and Prophets and the wicked Serpent will flie from thee It is oftentimes very profitable to the seruant of God to suffer such things for he tempteth not Infidels and sinners whom he alreadie securely possesseth but hee sundrie waies tempteth and vexeth the faithfull and deuout 4 Goe forward therefore with a sincere and vndoubted faith and come to the Sacrament with vnfained reuerence And whatsoeuer thou art not able to vnderstand commit securely to Almightie God God deceiueth thee not hee is deceiued that trusteth too much to himselfe Psalm 18. and 118. God walketh with the simple reuealeth himselfe to the humble giueth vnderstanding to little ones openeth the senses of pure minds and hideth grace from the curious and proud Mat. 11. Humane reason is weake and may be deceiued but true faith cannot be deceiued 5 All reason and naturall search ought to follow faith not to go before it
wee bee extolled in our good deeds pag. 188 What we ought to doe and say in euerie thing which we desire pag. 191 That true comfort is to be sought in God alone pag. 194 That all our care is to be placed in God pag. 196 That temporall miseries by the example of Christ are to be borne patiently pag. 198 Of suffering of iniuries and who is proued to be truely patient pag. 201 Of the acknowledging of our owne infirmitie and of the miseries of this life pag. 204 That wee are to rest in God aboue all his gifts pag. 208 Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God pag. 213 Of foure things that bring much peace pag. 217 Of flying curious inquiry of the life of others pag. 221 Wherein doth the firme peace of the heart and true profit consist pag. 223 Of the excellencie of a free minde which humble prayer better deserueth then reading pag. 226 That priuate loue most hindereth from the chiefest good pag. 229 Against the tongue of slanderers pag. 432 How we ought to call vpon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere pag. 233 Of crauing the diuine aide and confidence of recouering grace pag. 235 Of the contempt of all creatures to finde our Creator pag. 240 Of the deniall of our selues and forsaking our affections pag. 244 Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our finall intentions vnto God pag. 247 That God is sweet aboue all things and in all things to him that loueth pag. 249 That there is no security from temptation in this life pag. 252 Against the vaine iudgements of men pag. 255 Of a full and pure resignation of our selues for the obtaining freedome of heart pag. 257 Of good gouernment in outward things and of recourse to God in dangers pag. 260 That a man be not ouer earnest in his affaires pag. 262 That man hath no good of himselfe nor any thing whereof he can glory pag. 264 Of the contempt of all temporall honors pag. 267 That our peace is not to be placed in men pag. 268 Against vaine and secular knowledge pag. 271 Of not drawing outward things to our selues pag. 274 That credit is not to be giuen to all men and how prone man is to offend in words pag. 275 Of putting our trust in God when euill words arise pag. 280 That all grieuous things are to be endured for life euerlasting pag. 284 Of the euerlasting day and shortnesse of this life pag. 287 Of the desire of euerlasting life and how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly pag. 292 How a desolate person ought to offer himselfe into the hands of God pag. 299 That a man ought to imploy himselfe in workes of humilitie when force is wanting for higher exercises pag. 305 That a man ought to esteeme himselfe vnworthy of comfort and to haue deserued stripes pag. 307 That the grace of God is not giuen to those that sauour of earthly things pag. 310 Of the different motions of Nature and Grace pag. 313 Of the corruption of nature and efficacie of diuine grace pag. 320 That we ought to deny our selues and imitate Christ by the Crosse pag. 325 That a man bee not too much deiected when he falleth into some defects pag. 329 Of not searching into high matters and into the secret iudgements of God pag. 333 That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone pag. 341 THE FOVRTH BOOKE WIth how great reuerence Christ is to be receiued pag. 349 That great goodnes and charity of God is bestowed vpon man in this SacrameÌ„t pag. 356 That it is profitable to communicate often pag. 361 That many benefits are bestowed vpon them that communicate deuoutly pag. 365 Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Priestly function pag. 371 An Interrogation of the exercise before Communion pag. 374 Of the discussing of our owne conscience and purpose of amendment pag. 375 Of the oblation of Christ on the Crosse and resignation of our selues pag. 379 That we ought to offer vp our selues and all that is ours vnto God and to pray for all pag. 381 That the holy Communion is not lightly to be forborne pag. 386 That the Body of Christ and the holy Scripture are most necessary vnto a faithfull soule pag. 392 That he that is to communicate ought to prepare himself with great diligence pag. 399 That a deuout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be vnited vnto Christ in the Sacrament pag. 403 Of the feruent desire of some deuout persons to receiue the body of Christ pag. 406 That the grace of deuotion is obtained by humilitie and deniall of our selues pag. 409 That we ought to manifest our necessities vnto Christ and to craue his grace pag. 412 Of burning loue and vehement desire to receiue Christ pag. 414 That a man bee not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense vnto faith pag. 418 OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE FIRST BOOKE CHAP. I. Of the Imitation of Christ and contempt of all the vanities of the world HEE that followeth me walketh not in darknes saith our Lord. Ioh. 8. These are the words of Christ by which we are admonished that we ought to imitate his life and manners if we will be partakers of his diuine light and be deliuered from all blindnesse of heart Let therefore our chiefe care be to meditate vpon the life or Iesus Christ 2 The doctrine of Christ exceedeth all the doctrine of the Saints and hee that had the light of spirit would discouer therein a secret and hidden Manna But it falleth out that many who often heare the Gospell of Christ doe yet feele in themselues but slender motion of any holy desire because they are voide of the Spirit of Christ But whosoeuer will fully and feelingly vnderstand the words of Christ must endeauour to conforme his life wholly to the life of Christ 3 What will it auaile thee to dispute profoundly of the Trinitie if thou be void of humility and thereby displeasing to the Trinitie High words surely make a man neither holy nor just but a vertuous life maketh him deare to God I had rather feele compunction then vnderstand the definition thereof 1. Cor. â—â— If thou diddest know the whole Bible by heart and the sayings of all the Philosophers what would all that profit thee without charity and the grace of God Vanity of vanities and al is vanity but only to loue God and wholly to serue him Eccles 1. This is the highest wisdome by contempt of the world to tend towards the Kingdome of heauen 4 It is therefore vanity to seeke after fading riches and to repose trust in them It is also vanity to gape after honors and to climbe to high degrees It is vanity to follow the appetites of the flesh and to labour for that for which thou must afterwards suffer more griueuous punishment Vanity it is to wish to liue long and to
plunged that we can seldome contemplate the things of heauen doe minister vnto vs matter of most just sorrow and hartie contrition 5 If thou didst thinke more diligently of thy death then of liuing long thou wouldest without doubt be more careful in the amendment of thy life Eccles 7. And if thou wouldest consider within thy selfe the paines of hell or of Purgatory Mat. 25. I am perswaded it would moue thee to endure any labour or paine whatsoeuer in this world and not to feare any kinde of austerity But because these things enter not to the heart and wee still loue that which delighteth vs therefore we remaine cold and void of spirituall vigour 6 Oftentimes our want of spirit is the cause that our wretched bodies do so quickly complaine Pray therefore with all humility to our Lord that he will vouchsafe to giue thee the spirit of contrition and say with the Prophet Feed me O Lord with the bread of tears giue me to drink with teares in measure Ps 79. CHAP. XXII Of the consideration of humane misery MIserable thou art wheresoeuer thou be whithersoeuer thou turnest if thou turnest not thy selfe to God Why art thou troubled when things succeed not as thou wouldest and desirest Who is there that hath all things as he wil Eccls. 7. Neither I nor thou nor any man vpon earth There is not any man in this world without some tribulation or affliction though he be a King or a Pope Who thinkest thou then is in best case Truely he that willingly suffereth something for God 2 Many weake and feeble men say Behold how well such a one liues hovv rich hovv povverfull hovv beautifull how great a man he is but lift vp thine eyes to the riches of heauen Luk. 12. and thou shalt see that al temporal prosperity is as nothing full of vncertainty and which rather oppresseth then otherwise for it is neuer had vvithout solicitude and feare The felicitie of man consisteth not in hauing abundance of temporall riches a meane sufficeth Prou. 19. Iob. 14. It is truely misery enough to liue vpon earth How much more a man desireth to bee spirituall so much the more distasteful is this present life vnto him for hee better perceiueth and seeth more clearely the defects of humane corruption Eccls. 2. To eat to drink to watch to sleepe to labour to repose and to bee subiect to all other necessities of nature is doubtlesse a great misery to a deuout minde that would gladly be free and deliuered from all sinne 3 The inward man is much oppressed with these corporall necessities whilest he is in this world And therefore the holy Prophet prayeth with great deuotion to be deliuered from them saying Deliuer mee O Lord from my necessities Psal 24. But wo bee to them that know not their misery and much more to them that loue this miserable and corruptible life For some there bee so dotingly affected vnto it that although with labor and begging they scarce get bread to eate yet if they might liue heere alwaies they would care but little for the kingdom of heauē 4 O senselesse creatures and infidels in hart who lie buried so deep in earth that they haue no taste nor feeling but of sensuall things Rom. 8. But miserable wretches they shall in the end feele to their cost how vile of no esteeme was that which they loued The Saints of God the deuout seruants and friends of Christ respected little what pleased their naturall inclinations or what flourished in this life but with their whole hopes and intentions they sought after the riches of heauen 1. Pet. 51. Heb. 11. Their whole desire was carried vp to those euerlasting treasures which are inuisible lest they might haue bin drawne to base affections by the loue of visible things Lose not thy hope to profit in spirituall matters there is yet time the houre is not yet past Rom. 13. 5 Why wilt thou defer thy good purpose Rise vp in this very instant and beginne and say Now is the time to worke the time to fight novv is it a fit time to amend my selfe When any tribulation or affliction doth befall thee then is the time to merit Thou must passe thorovv fire and vvater before thou come to rest Psalm 65. Vnlesse thou vse violence to thy selfe thou shalt not ouercome thy euill inclinations As long as vvee carrie about vvith vs this fraile bodie of ours vvee can neuer bee vvithout sinne nor liue vvithout tediousnes and griefe We vvould gladly enjoy quietnesse and bee deliuered from all miserie but for that vvee haue by sinne lost our innocencie wee haue together with it lost also our happinesse Rom. 7. Gen. 3. and therefore it behoueth vs to haue patience and to expect the mercie of God till this iniquity haue an end and that which is mortall be swallowed vp of life 2. Cor. 5. 6 O how great is the frailety of man alwaies inclined to euil Gen. 6 To day thou confessest thy sins and to morrow thou committest againe the same which thou didst confesse Now thou proposest to take heed and within an houre thou doest as if thou haddest made no purpose at al. We may therefore with great reason humble our selues and neuer admit any thought of our owne esteeme being so weak as we are and subiect to euery change 2. Mach. 9. Full soone God-knowes is that lost by negligence which with much labour was hardly gotten by grace 7 What will become of vs in the end that doe so timely beginne to wax cold Woe be vnto vs if wee will now giue our selues to ease as if all were already in peace and security when as yet there scarce appeareth so much as any signe of true sanctity in our conuersation It were needfull that we were taught good manners againe like children if so perhaps there might be some more hope of our amendment and profit in spirit CHAP. XXIII Of the consideration of death THe houre of death will quickly ouertake thee and therefore looke how thou liuest To day a man is liuing and to morrow he doth not appeare and being once out of sight he is also quickly out of minde Iob. 9. 14. Luk. 12. O dulnes and hardnes of mans heart who thinketh only on that he seeth and foreseeth not that which is to come Hebr. 9. Thou shouldest alwayes so order thy thoughts and actions as if this very day thou wert to depart this life If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldest not much feare death Luk. 12. It is better to auoid sin then to flie death Sap. 4. If thou be not prepared to day how wilt thou be prepared to morrow Mat. 24. 25. To morrow-day is vncertaine and whether thou shalt see it or no thou knowest not 2 What doth it auaile vs to liue long when we do so little amend A long life doth not alwaies make vs better nay rather it oftentimes heapeth vpon vs a greater load of sins O
alwayes before the eyes of thy soule the picture of thy Sauiour crucified Thou hast good cause to be ashamed looking vpon the life of Christ seeing thou hast so slackly endeauoured to conforme thy selfe vnto him though thou hast walked a long time in the way of the seruice of God A religious person that exerciseth himselfe seriously and deuoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord shall there abundantly finde whatsoeuer is necessary and profitable for him neither shall hee need to seeke any thing elsewhere but only in Iesus O if Iesus crucified would come into our hearts how quickely and fully should we be instructed in all truth Gal. 2. 6. 7 A feruent religious person taketh and beareth all vvell that is commanded him but he that is negligent and cold hath tribulation vpon tribulation and on all sides is afflicted for he is void of inward consolation and is forbidden to seeke externall comforts A religious person that liueth not according to discipline is in great danger of the ruine of his soule He that seeketh liberty and ease shall euer liue in disquiet for one thing or other will alwaies displease him 8 How doe so many other religious persons vvho liue vnder the strict rule of Monasticall discipline They seldome goe abroad they liue retiredly they feede meanely they are cloathed coursely they labour much speake little watch long rise early spend much time in prayer reade often and keep themselues in all kinde of discipline Consider the Carthusians Cistercians and the Religious men and women of diuers Orders how they rise euery night to sing praises vnto God And how vnseemely then it is for thee to be slouthfull in so holy a worke when as so great multitudes of religious persons doe beginne to glorifie God 9 O that we had nothing else to doe but alwaies with our mouth and whole heart to praise our Lord God! O that thou mightest neuer haue need to eate nor drinke nor sleepe but mightest alwaies praise God and onely imploy thy selfe in the exercises of spirit thou shouldest then be much more happy then now thou art when for so many necessities thou art constrained to serue thy body Would God these necessities were not at all but only the spirituall refections of the soule which alas we taste of too seldome 10 When a man commeth to that estate that he seeketh no comfort of any creature then doth he begin to take perfect contentment and delight in God Then shall he be contented with whatsoeuer doth befall him in this world Then shall he neither reioyce in great matters nor be sorrowfull for small but with great integritie and confidence commit himselfe to God who shall be vnto him al in all to whom nothing doth perish nor die but all things do liue vnto him and serue him at a becke without delay Rom. 11. 11 Remember alwaies the end and hovv that time lost neuer returnes Eccles 7. Without care and diligence thou shalt neuer get vertues If thou beginnest to wax cold it will be euill with thee but if thou giue thy selfe to feruour of spirit thou shalt find much peace and feele lesse labour through the assistance of Gods grace and loue of vertue Apocal 3. The feruent and diligent man is ready and prepared for all things It is harder to resist vices and passions then to toile in bodily labours Eccls. 19. He that auoideth not small faults by little and little falleth into greater Thou wilt alwayes reioyce in the euening if thou spend the day profitably Be watchfull ouer thy selfe stirre vp thy selfe warme thy selfe and whatsoeuer becomes of others neglect not thy selfe The greater violence thou vsest against thy selfe the more thou shalt profite THE END OF THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE SECOND BOOKE CHAP. I. Of spirituall conuersation THe Kingdom of God is within you saith our Lord. Luk. 7. Turne thee with thy whole heart vnto our Lord and forsake this miserable world and thy soule shall finde rest Ioel. 2. Learne to despise exteriour things and to giue thy self to the interiour thou shalt perceiue the Kingdome of God to come into thee Ro. 19. For the kingdome of God is peace and joy in the holy Ghost which is not giuen to the wicked Christ will come vnto thee and shew thee his diuine comfort if thou prepare for him a worthy mansion within thee Psal 44. Al his glory and beauty is within and there he pleaseth himselfe The inward man he often visits and hath with him sweet discourses pleasant comfort much peace wonderfull familiarity 2 O faithfull soule make ready thy hart for this Bridegrome that he may vouchsafe to come vnto thee and dwell within thee For he saith If any loue mee hee will keepe my Word and we will come vnto him and will make our aboad with him Ioh. 14. Giue therefore vnto Christ a place in thy heart and deny entrance to all others When thou hast Christ thou art rich and he will suffice thee Hee will be thy faithfull and prouident helper in all things so as thou shalt not need to trust in men For men are soone changed and quickly decay but Christ remaineth for euer and standeth firmely vnto the end Ioh. 12. 3 There is little trust to be put in a fraile and mortall man though hee be profitable and deare vnto thee neither oughtest thou much to bee grieued if sometimes hee crosse and contradict thee Hier. 17. They that to day take thy part to morrow may be against thee and so on the contrary they often turne like vnto the winde Put all thy trust in God and feare and loue him 1. Pet. 5. He wil answere for thee and do in al things what is best Heb. 13. Thou hast not heere a dwelling Citie and wheresoeuer thou bee thou art a stranger and pilgrime neither shalt thou euer haue rest vnlesse thou be perfectly vnited vnto Christ 4 Why doest thou linger and make delayes heere since this is not the place of thy rest Phil. 3. In heauen ought to be thy dwelling and al earthly things are to be regarded as it were in the way Sap. 5. Al things passe away and thou together with them Beware thou cleaue not vnto them lest thou be enthralled and so doest perish Let thy thought be on the highest and thy prayer directed vnto Christ without ceasing If thou canst not contemplate high and heauenly things rest thy selfe in the passion of Châ—â—â—â— and dwell willingly in the wounds of his sacred body For if thou flie deuoutly vnto his holy wounds and to th◠〈◊〉 markes of his passion thou â—halâ— feele great comfort in tribulation neither wilt thou much care for being despised of men and wilt easily beâ—re the words of slanderous tongues 5 Christ was also in the world despised and in great necessity forsaken by his acquaintance friends in the middest of slanders Matth. 1.12.5.26 Ioh. 15. Christ would suffer and be contemned and darest
simple and well ordered thou shalt bee free from bondage Couet not that which thou mayest not haue Mat. 6. Bee not willing to haue that which may hinder thee and depriue thee of inward libertie It is a wonderfull thing that thou committest not thy selfe wholy vnto me from the bottom of thy heart with all things that thou canst desire or haue 2 Why doest thou consume thy selfe with vaine griefe Why tyrest thou thy mind with needlesse cares Resigne thy selfe to me thou shalt feel no losse at al. Exo. 18. Mic. 4. If thou seekest this or that wouldest be here or there to enioy thine own cōmodity pleasure thou shalt neuer be in quiet nor free from trouble of mind for in euery thing somewhat will be wanting and in euery place there wil be some that wil crosse thee 3 Not euery external thing therfore attained and heaped together helpeth thee but it rather auaileth if thou despise it and doest root it out from thy heart which thou must not vnderstand onely of thy reuenewes and wealth but of the desire of honor also vaine praise all which do passe away with this fading world The place auaileth little if the spirit of feruour be wanting Esa 4.8 neither shall that peace which is sought abroad long continue if the state of thy heart be destitute of a true foundation that is vnlesse thou persist in me thou maist change but not better thy selfe For whē occasion doth happen thou shalt find that which thou soughtest to fly and perhaps more A prayer for cleansing the heart and obtaining of heauenly wisdome SER. 4 Confirme mee Lord with the grace of thy holy Spirit Ps 50. Giue me force to strengthen my inward man and to purge my heart from all vnprofitable care griefe Eph. 3. not to be drawne away with sundry desires of any thing either little or great Mat. 6. but to consider all things how they are transitory and do quickly fade that my selfe do also passe away togither with thē for nothing is permanent vnder the Sun where all things are vanity and affliction of mind O how wise is he that so cōsidereth them Eccl. 1. 2. 5 Grant me Lord heauenly wisdome that I may learne aboue all things to seek and find thee aboue al things to delight in thee and to loue thee to think of all created things as they are according to the disposition of thy wisdome Grant me prudently to auoid him that flatters me to suffer patiently him that cōtradicts me Eph. 4. It is great wisdome not to be moued with euery blast of words nor to giue eare to dangerous flattery for so we shall go on securely in the way which we haue begun CHAP. XXVIII Against the tongue of Slanderers OVR LORD SOnne be not grieued if some think euill of thee and speake that which thou dost not willingly heare Thou oughtest to judge the worst of thy selfe and to thinke no man weaker then thy selfe 1. Cor. 4. If thou walk according to spirit thou wilt not much esteeme of flying words It is no smal wisdome to be silent in time of euil and inwardly to turne to me and not to bee troubled with the judgement of men 2 Let not thy peace bee in the tongues of men for whether they judge well or euill thou art neuerthelesse alwaies the same Where is true peace and true glory Is it not in me and he that coueteth not to please men nor feareth to displease them shall enioy much peace From inordinate loue and vaine feare ariseth all disquiet of heart and distraction of the senses CHAP. XXIX How we ought to call vpon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere THE SERVANT BLessed O Lord be thy name for euer since it pleaseth thee that this temptation and tribulation should fall vpon me Iob 1. Psal 112. I cannot fly it but haue need to fly to thee that thou maist helpe me and turne it to my good Lord I am now afflicted and it is not well with mee I am much troubled with this present griefe And now beloued Father what shall I say I am taken in narrow straits saue me in this houre Mat. 26. Yea therefore I am fallen in this houre that thou maist be glorified when I shal be greatly humbled and by thee deliuered Let it please thee Lord to deliuer me for poore wretch that I am what can I do and whither shal I go without thee Grāt patience Lord euen this time also Help me my God and then I wil not fear how much soeuer I be oppressed 2 And now in this what shall I say Lord thy will be done Mat. 6. I haue well deserued to be afflicted and grieued Surely I ought to beare it and I would to God I might beare it with patience vntil the tempest be passed ouer it become calme But thy omnipotent hand is able to take this temptation from me and to asswage the violence thereof that I vtterly sinke not vnder it as oftentimes heretofore thou hast done vnto mee my Lord my Mercy And how much the more hard it is to mee so much the more easie is this change of thy mighty hand to thee CHAP. XXX Of crauing the diuine aide and confidence of recouering grace OVR LORD SOnne I am thy Lord who doe vse to giue comfort in the day of tribulation Come vnto me when it is not wel with thee Nahum 1. This is that which most of all hindreth heauenly consolatiō that thou art slow in turning thy selfe vnto prayer Mat. 11. For before thou dost earnestly commend thy self to me thou seekest many comforts and delightest thy selfe in outward things And hence it proceedeth that al doth little profit thee vntil thou consider that I am he that deliuer those that trust in me that out of me there is neither powerfull helpe nor profitable counsell nor remedy that can continue But now thou hauing recouered breath after the tempest gather strength againe in the light of my mercies for I am at hand saith our Lord to repaire al not only entirely but also abundantly Mat. 23. 2 Is there any thing hard to me or am I like vnto him that promiseth and performeth not Where is thy faith Be firme and constant Take courage and be patient comfort will bee giuen thee in due time Attend me expect I wil come and cure thee It is a temptation that vexeth thee and a vaine feare that affrighteth thee What else doth the care for future incertainties bring thee but sorrow vpon sorrow Sufficient for the day is the euil therof It is a vain and vnprofitable thing to be grieued or to reioyce for future things that perhaps will neuer happen Mat. 6. 3 But it is incident to man to be deluded with such imaginations and a signe of little courage to be so easily drawne away by the suggestion of the enemy For he careth not so he delude deceiue thee whether it be true or
false which he proposeth whether he ouerthrow thee with the loue of present or the feare of future things Let not therefore thy heart be troubled neither doe thou feare Psal 90. Beleeue in me and put thy trust in my mercy When thou thinkest thy selfe furthest off from mee oftentimes I am nearest vnto thee When thou judgest that almost all is lost then oftentimes greatest gaine of merit is at hand All is not lost when any thing falleth out contrary vnto thee Thou must not judge according to that which thou feelest for the present nor giue thy selfe ouer to any griefe from whence soeuer it commeth as though all hope of deliuery were quite gone 4 Think not thy selfe wholy left although for a time I haue sent thee some tribulation or withdrawne thy desired comfort for this is the way to the kingdom of heauē And without doubt it is more expedient for thee and the rest of my seruants that yee be exercised with many aduersities then that yee should haue all things according to your desires I know the secret thoughts of thy hart and that it is very expedient for thy soules health that thou be left sometimes without taste feeling of spirituall sweetnesse lest perhaps thou shouldest bee puffed vp with good successe and shouldest please thy self in that which thou art not That which I haue giuen I can take away and restore it againe when I please 5 When I giue it it is mine when I withdraw it I take not any thing that is thine for mine is euery good and euery perfect gift If I send thee affliction or any crosse whatsoeuer repine not nor be not dismayd I can quickly lift thee vp againe turne al thy sorrow into joy Neuerthelesse I am just and greatly to be praised when I do all this vnto thee Iam. 1. 6 If thou be wise consider wel thy case thou wilt neuer yeeld so cowardly to griefe for any aduersitie that befalles thee but rather reioyce and giue thanks yea to account this thy only joy that afflicting thee with sorrowe◠I do not spare thee As my Father hath loued me I also loue you said I vnto my beloued Disciples whom certainly I sent not to temporal joyes but to great cōflicts Io. 15. not to honors but to contempts not to idlenes but to labors not to rest but to bring much fruit in patience My Sonne remember these words CHAP. XXXI Of the contempt of all creatures to find our Creator THE SERVANT LOrd I stand yet in need of great grace if I must go so far as that no man or creature can hinder me For as long as any thing holdeth mee I cannot fly freely vnto thee He desired to fly with great liberty that said Who will giue me wings like a doue and I will fly and rest Psa 54. What thing more quiet then a simple eye Mat. 6. And what more free then he that desireth nothing vpon earth Man ought therfore to ascend aboue all creatures and perfectly to forsake himselfe and to remaine in excesse of minde and consider that thou who art the maker of al things hast nothing amongst creatures like vnto thee And vnlesse a man be free from the affection of all creatures he cannot with freedome of minde attend vnto diuine things And for this cause there are so few contemplatiue men to bee found for that few can wholy sequester themselues from fading creatures 2 Much grace is necessary to lift vp a soule and to carrie it aboue it selfe And vnlesse a man be lifted vp in spirit and deliuered from all creatures and wholy vnited vnto God whatsoeuer he knoweth and whatsoeuer hee hath is of little account Long shall hee bee little and lye in earthly basenesse that esteemeth any thing great but the one only vnmeasurable and eternall good For whatsoeuer is not God is nothing and ought to bee accounted as nothing There is great difference betweene the wisdome of a spirituall and deuout person and the knowledge of a learned and studious Clerke Farre more noble is that learning which floweth from aboue from the diuine influence then that which is painfully gotten by the wit of man 3 There are many that desire contemplation but they endeauour not to exercise those things that are required thereunto It is a great hinderance that we rest in signes and sensible things haue little true mortification I know not what it is nor by what spirit we are led nor what we pretend we that seeme to be called spirituall that we take so much paines and so great care for transitory base things scarce or seldom thinke of our owne inward profite with full recollection of our senses 4 Alas presently after a sleight recollection we breake foorth and weigh not our workes with diligent examination We minde not where our affections lie nor bewaile the impurity and many faults that are in all our actions For all flesh had corrupted her way therefore did that generall floud ensue Gen. 6. 7. Sith our inward affection then is much corrupted it must needs be that our action proceeding therof be corrupted as a signe of the want of inward vigour From a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good life 5 Wee aske how much one hath done but how vertuous his actions are is not so diligently considered We enquire whether hee be strong rich beautifull handsome a good writer a good singer or a good laborer but how poore he is in spirit how patient meek how deuout spiritual is seldome spoken of Nature respecteth outward things grace turneth her selfe to the inward vertues That is often deceiued this hath her trust in God to the end shee be not deceiued CHAP. XXXII Of the deniall of our selues and forsaking all our affections OVR LORD SOnne thou canst not possesse perfect libertie vnlesse thou wholy denie thy selfe All such as bee louers of themselues are bound in fetters they are couetous curious wanderers seekers of ease and not of those things that appertaine to Iesus Christ but oftentimes deuising and framing that vvhich vvill not continue Matth. 16. and 19. For all shall perish that proceedeth not From God Keep this short and complete word Forsake al and thou shalt finde all Leaue thy inordinate desires and thou shalt find rest Consider this well and when thou hast fulfilled it thou shalt vnderstand all SER. 2 Lord this is not one dayes vvorke nor childrens sport yea in this short sentence all the perfection of Religious persons is included LORD Sonne thou must not go back nor straight waies be deiected when thou hearest the way of the perfect but rather bee stirred vp to more worthy and noble attempts or at least to conceiue an earnest desire thereof I would it were so well with thee and thou wert come so far that thou wert no longer a louer of thy selfe but didst stand meerely at my beck at his whom I haue appointed a Father ouer thee then thou shouldest
the holy Church Psal 22. Heb. 9. and 13. One is the Table of the holy Altar containing the Sacred bread that is the precious Body of Christ the other is of the diuine law containing holy doctrine teaching true faith certainly leading to the part of the Temple within the veile where are the Holy of Holies Thankes be vnto thee Lord Iesu light of euerlasting light for thy table of holy doctrine at which thou seruest vs by thy seruants the Prophets and Apostles and other Doctors 5 Thanks be vnto thee Creator Redeemer of man who to manifest thy charity to the whole world hast prepared a great Supper Luk. 14. wherin thou hast offred to be eaten not the mysticall Lambe but thine owne most sacred Body and Bloud Ioh. 6. reioycing all the faithful with thy holy banquet and replenishing them to the full with thy heauenly Cup Psal 22. in which are all the delights of heauen and the holy Angels doe feast with vs but with a more happy sweetnesse Wisd 16. 6 O how great and honorable is the office of Priests to whom it is granted with sacred words to consecrate the Lord of Maiestie with their lippes to blesse him with their hands to hold him with their owne mouth to receiue him and to administer him to others O how cleane ought to be those hands How pure that mouth How holy the bodie How vnspotted the heart of the Priest into whom the Author of purity so often entreth Nothing but holy no word but chaste and profitable ought to proceed from the mouth of the Priest which so often receiueth the Sacrament of Christ 7 Simple and chaste ought to be the eyes that are wont to behold the body of Christ the hands pure and lifted vp to heauen that vse to handle the Creator of heauen and earth Vnto the Priests especially it is said in the Law Bee yet holy for that I your Lord God am holy Leuit. 19. and 20. 8 Assist vs Almighty God with thy grace that we who haue vndertaken the office of Priesthood may serue thee worthily and deuoutly in all purity and with a sincere conscience And if wee cannot liue in so great innocency as we ought to do graunt vs notwithstanding in due manner to bewaile the sinnes which we haue committed and in the spirit of humility and sincere intention to serue thee hereafter with more feruour CHAP. XII That he that is to Communicate ought to prepare himselfe with great diligence The voice of the Beloued I Am the louer of purity and the giuer of all sanctitie I seek a pure heart and there is the place of my rest Psal 23. Mat. 5. Make readie and adorne for me a great chamber and I will make with thee the Pasch with my Disciples Mark 14. Luk. 22. If thou wilt haue me come vnto thee and remaine with thee purge the old leuen and make cleane the dwelling of thy heart 1. Cor. 5. shut out the whole world and all tumult of vices sit like a sparow solitary vpon the house top and thinke of thy offences in the bitternesse of thy soule For euery louer prepareth the best and fairest roome for his beloued and herein is knowne the affection of him that entertaineth his beloued 2 Know thou notwithstanding that the worth of no action of thine is able to make this preparation sufficient although thou shouldest prepare thy selfe a whole yeare together and thinke on nothing else but of my mercy and grace onely thou art suffred to come to my Table like a begger inuited to dinner to a rich man who hath nothing else to returne him for his benefits but to humble himselfe and giue him thanks Do what lieth in thee and do it diligently not for custome nor for necessity but with feare and reuerence and harty affection receiue the Body of thy beloued Lord and God who vouchsafeth to come vnto thee I am he that haue called thee I haue commanded it to be done I will supply what is wanting in thee come and receiue me 3 When I bestow the grace of deuotion on thee giue thankes to God for it is giuen thee not for that thou deseruest it but because I haue mercy on thee If thou haue it not but rathere feele thy selfe dry continue in prayer sigh and knocke and giue not ouer vntill thou deserue to receiue some crumme or droppe of grace Thou hast need of me not I of thee neither commest thou to sanctifie me but I come to sanctifie and make thee better Thou commest that thou mayest bee sanctified by me and vnited vnto mee that thou mayest receiue new grace and bee stirred vp againe to amendment Neglect not this grace but prepare thy heart with all diligence and receiue thy beloued into thy soule 4 But thou oughtest not only to prepare thy selfe to deuotion before Communion but carefully also to conserue thy selfe therein after thou hast receiued the Sacrament Neither is the carefull guard of thy self after lesse exacted then deuout preparation before For a good guard afterwards is the best preparation thou canst make for the obtaining againe of greater grace because that mans minde becommeth very indisposed if hee presently powre himselfe out to outward comforts Beware of much talke remaine in some secret place and enjoy thy God For thou hast him whome all the world cannot take from thee I am hee to whom thou oughtest wholy to giue thy selfe that so thou mayest liue hereafter not in thy selfe but in me without all care CHAP. XIII That a deuout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be vnited vnto Christ in the Sacrament The voice of the Disciple HOw may I obtaine this O Lord that I may finde thee alone and open my whole heart vnto thee and enjoy thee as my soule desireth And that no man may looke vpon me nor any creature mone me or respect me but thou alone mayest speake vnto me and I to thee as the Beloued is wont to speake to his Beloued and a friend to banquet with his friend Exod. 33. Cant. 8. This I pray for this I desire that I may be wholy vnited vnto thee and may withdraw my heart from all created things and more and more by sacred Communion and often celebrating learne to taste of heauenly and euerlasting sweetnes O Lord God when shall I bee wholy vnited and absorpt by thee and altogether forgetfull of my selfe Thou in me and I in thee and so grant vs both to continue in one Ioh. 15. 2 Thou art my Beloued the choicest amongst thousands in whome my soule hath taken pleasure to dwel all the daies of her life Cant. 5. Thou art my Peace-maker in whome is greatest peace and true rest without whom is labour and sorrow and infinit misery Thou art a hidden God and thy counsell is not with the wicked but thy speech is with the humble and simple of heart Prou. 3. O Lord how sweet is thy Spirit who to the end thou
passe avvay Eccl. 2. Would God their life had beene answerable to their learning then had their study and reading bin to good purpose How many perish in this world by reason of vaine learning who take little care of the seruice of God Tit. 1. And because they rather choose to bee great then humble Rom. 1. therefore they vanish away in their owne thoughts Mat. 18. and 23. He is truely great that is great in charity He is truly great that is little in himselfe and that maketh no account of the height of honor He is truly wise that accounteth all earthly things as dung that he may gaine Christ And he is truly learned that fulfilleth the will of Christ and forsaketh his owne Phil. 3. CHAP. IV. Of Prudence and Fore-sight in our actions WE must not giue eare to euery suggestion or instinct but ought warily leasurely to ponder things according to the wil of God 1. Io. 4. But alas such is our weakenesse that wee rather often beleeue and speake euill of others then good Those that are perfectly vertuous do not easily giue credit to euery thing that is told them Gen. 8. for they know that humane frailtie is prone to euill and very subiect to faile in words Iam. 3. 2 It is great wisedome not to be rash in thy proceedings nor to stand stiffely in thine owne conceits Prouerb 19. as also not to beleeue euery thing which thou hearest nor presently to relate againe to others what thou hast heard or doest beleeue Prou. 17. Consult with him that is wise and of a good conscience and seeke to be instructed by a better then thy selfe rather then to follow thine owne inuentions A good life maketh a man wise according to God and giueth him experience in many things Prou. 15. and Eccl. 1. How much the humbler one is in himselfe and more subiect and resigned vnto God so much the more prudent shall hee bee in all his affaires and enioy greater peace and quiet of heart CHAP. V. Of the reading of holy Scriptures TRuth not eloquence is to bee sought for in holy Scriptures Each part of them is to be read with the same spirit it was made Wee should rather search after spirituall profit in Scriptures then subtility of speech Rom. 15. We ought to reade deuout and simple books as willingly as high and learned Let not the reputation of the writer offend thee whether he be of great or small learning but let the pure word of truth moue thee to reade Search not who spake this or that but marke what is spoken 1. Cor. 2. 2 Men passe away but the truth of our Lord remaineth for euer Psal 110. and Luk. 21. God speaketh vnto vs sundry wayes without respect of persons Our owne curiosity often hindereth vs in reading of the Scriptures when as we will examine and discusse that which wee should rather passe ouer without more ado Rom. 2. 10. Col. 3. If thou desire to reape profite reade humbly plainly and faithfully neuer desire the estimation of learning Inquire willingly and heare with silence the words of holy men dislike not the Parables of Elders for they are not recounted without cause Prou. 1. and 18. CHAP. VI. Of inordinate desires and affections WHensoeuer a man desireth any thing inordinately he is presently disquieted in himselfe The proud and couetous can neuer rest The poore and humble in spirit liue together in all peace The man that is not wholly dead in himselfe is quickely tempted and ouercome in small and trifling things The weake in spirit and that is yet in a manner subiect to his appetites and prone to sensible things can hardly withdraw himselfe altogether from earthly desires And therefore hee is often afflicted when hee goeth about to retire himselfe from them and easily falleth into indignation when any opposition is made against him 2 And if he hath followed therein his appetite hee is presently disquieted with remorse of conscience for that hee yeeldeth to his passion which profiteth him nothing to the obtaining of the peace hee sought for True quiet of minde therefore is gotten by resisting our passions not by obeying them There is no peace in the heart of a carnall man nor of him that is addicted to outward things but in the spirituall and feruent CHAP. VII Of flying vaine Hope and Pride HEE is vaine that putteth his trust in men or creatures Hier. 17.1 Bee not ashamed to serue others for the loue of Iesus Christ nor to be esteemed poore in this world Presume not vpon thy selfe but place thy hope in God Psalm 30. Doe vvhat lyeth in thy power and God will assist thee Trust not in thine owne knowledge nor in the wisdome or prudence of any liuing creature but rather in the grace of God who helpeth the humble and humbleth the presumptuous and proud Hier. 9. 2 Glory not in wealth if thou haue it nor in the power of thy friends but in God who giueth all things and aboue all desireth to giue thee himselfe Extol not thy selfe for the stature and beauty of thy bodie which is dissolued disfigured with euery little sicknes Take not pleasure in thy naturall gifts or wit lest therby thou displease God to whom appertaineth all the good whatsoeuer Nature hath giuen thee 3 Esteeme not thy selfe better then others lest perhaps in the sight of God who knoweth what is in man thou be accounted worse then they Exod. 3. 12. Bee not proud of thy good workes for the iudgements of God are far different from the iudgements of men and that often offendeth him which pleaseth them Iob 9. If there be any good in thee beleeue that there is much more in others that so thou mayst the better keepe within thy heart the precious treasure of humility It is no preiudice vnto thee to esteeme thy selfe worse then all the world but it hurteth thee very much to preferre thy selfe before any one The humble enioy continuall peace but in the heart of the proud is enuy and often indignation CHAP. VIII That too much familiarity is to be shunned LAy not thy heart open to euery one but treate of thy affaires with the wise and such as feare God Eccl. 8. Conuerse not much with yong people and strangers Flatter not the rich neither doe thou appeare willingly before great personages Keep company with the humble simple deuout and vertuous and conferre with them of those things that may edifie Be not familiar with any woman but in generall commend all good women to God Prou. 5. Desire to bee familiar with God alone and his Angels and fly the knowledge of men 2 Wee must haue charitie towards all but familiaritie with all is not expedient Sometimes it falleth out that the fame of some person that is not knowne is much esteemed whose presence notwithstanding is not gratefull to the eyes of the beholders Wee thinke sometimes to please others by our company and wee rather distate them with
our disordered manners and the euill customes which they discouer in vs. CHAP. IX Of Obedience and Subiection IT is a great matter to liue in Obedience to be vnder a Superiour and not to be at our owne disposition It is much safer to liue in the state of subiection then of gouernment Many liue vnder Obedience rather for necessitie then for charitie and such are discontented and doe easily repine and murmure Neither can they attaine to freedome of minde vnlesse they willingly and heartily put themselues vnder Obedience for the loue of God Goe whither thou wilt thou shalt finde no rest but in humble subiection vnder the gouernment of a Superiour The imagination and change of places haue deceiued many 2 True it is that euery one willingly doth that which agreeth with his owne sense and liking and is apt to effect those most that are of his owne minde But if God bee amongst vs we must leaue our owne judgement that so peace and quietnesse may bee the better preserued Who is so wise that he can fully know all things Trust not therefore too much to thine owne conceits but bee willing to heare the judgement of others If that which thou thinkest be good and notwithstanding doest leaue it for God and followest the opinion of another it shall be better for thee 3 I haue often heard that it is more secure to heare and take counsell then to giue it It may also fall out that each ones opinion may bee good but to refuse to yeeld to others when as reason or cause requireth it is a token of wilfulnesse and pride CHAP. X. Of the auoiding supersluity of words FLy the vnquietnesse of men as much as thou canst for the talke of vvorldly affaires hindereth very much although they bee recounted with sincere intention Mat. 4. 14. for wee are quickely defiled and as it were enthralled with vanitie Ioan. 6. I could vvish that I had often times held my peace vvhen I haue spoken and that I had not beene in company Why doe wee so willingly speake and talke one with another when notwithstanding wee seldome returne to silence vvithout hurt of conscience The cause wherefore we so willingly talke is for that by discoursing one with another wee seeke to receiue comfort one of another and desire to ease our minde ouer-wearied with sundry thoughts Matth. 7. and wee talke willingly and thinke of those things which we loue best and most desire or of those which we feele most contrary vnto vs. Rom. 2. 2 But alas oftentimes in vaine and to no end for this outvvard comfort is cause of no small losse of invvard and diuine consolation Therefore we must watch and pray lest our time passe without any fruit or profit If it be lawfull and expedient for thee to speake speake those things that may edifie An euill custome and neglect of our owne good doth very much slacke the raynes to inconsiderate speech Yet deuout discourses of heauenly things doe greatly further our progresse in spirit Act. 1. especially vvhere persons of one minde and spirit be gathered together in God Rom. 15. CHAP. XI Of the obtaining of peace and zeale of spirituall profit WEE might enioy peace if wee would not busie our selues with the words and deeds of other men which appertaine nothing to our charge How can hee liue long in peace that thrusteth himselfe into the cares of others or that little or seldome recollecteth himselfe within his owne breast Blessed are the simple and pure minds for they shal enioy much peace 2 What is the reason why some of the Saints were so perfect and contemplatiue Because they laboured to mortifie themselues wholly to earthly desires and therefore they could with their whole heart giue themselues to God and freely attend to their owne affaires Wee are too much led by our owne passions and too solicitous for transitory things Wee also seldome ouercome any one vice perfectly and are not inflamed with a feruent desire to profit in spirit and therefore we remaine cold in deuotion and full of tepiditie 3 If we were perfectly dead vnto our selues and not intangled within our owne breasts then wee might also haue some taste of diuine things and feele the sweetnesse of heauenly contemplation The greatest and indeed the whole impediment is for that wee are not free from our passions and disordered inclinations neither doe wee endeauour to enter into that path of perfection which the Saints haue walked before vs and when any small aduersitie befalleth vs we are too quickly deiected and turne our selues to humane comforts 4 If wee endeauour like men of courage to stand continually in the battell surely wee should feele the fauourable assistance of God from heauen For he who giueth vs occasion to fight to the end we may get the victory is ready to succour those that fight manfully and doe trust in his grace If wee esteeme our progresse in religious life to consist only in these exteriour obseruations our deuotion will quickly be at an end Let vs set the axe to the roote that being freed from passions wee may enioy true peace of minde 5 If euery yeare we would roote out one vice we should quickly become perfect men But now oftentimes we perceiue it goeth contrary and that wee were better and of a more pure conscience at the beginning of our conuersion then after many yeares of our profession Our feruour and profit should encrease daily but now it is accounted a great matter if one can retaine but some part of his first spirit If vvee vvould vse but a little violence in the beginning then should wee bee able to performe all things aftervvards vvith ease and joy of heart 6 It is a hard matter to leaue that to which wee are accustomed but harder to doe against our owne vvills But if thou doest not ouercome little and easie things how wilt thou ouercome harder matters Resist thy inclination in the first motions and breake off euill customes lest perhaps by little and little they dravv thee to greater difficultie O if thou diddest consider how much inward peace to thy selfe and joy to others thou shouldest procure by demeaning thy selfe vvell I suppose thou wouldest be more carefull of thy spirituall profit CHAP. XII Of the profit of Aduersitie IT is good that we haue sometimes griefe and aduersities for they often make a man enter into himselfe and remember that he is heere in banishment and ought not to place his trust in any worldly thing It is good that we be some times contradicted and that there bee an euill or hard conceit had of vs and this although wee doe and intend well These things helpe often to the attaining of humilitie and defend vs from vaine-glory for then wee chiefely seeke God for our inward witnesse when outwardly we be contemned by men and when there is no credit giuen vnto vs. 2 And therefore a man should settle himselfe so fully in God that hee needed not
thou complaine Christ had aduersaries and backbiters and wilt thou haue all men thy friends and benefactors For what shall thy patience be crowned if no aduersitie happen vnto thee 2. Tim. 21. If thou wilt suffer no aduersity how wilt thou be the friend of Christ Suffer vvith Christ and for Christ if thou desire to raigne with Chrâ—â—â— 6 If thou 〈…〉 perfectly entered into the heart of Iesus and tasted a little of his burning loue then wouldest thou not weigh thy owne commodity or discommodity but wouldest rather reioyce at slanders when they should chance to the cast vpon 〈…〉 for the loue of Iesus maketh a man to despise himselfe A louer of Iesus and of truth and a true spirituall person and free from inordinat affections can freely turne himselfe vnto God and lift himselfe aboue himselfe in spirit and with great joy of his soule rest in God 7 He that judgeth of all things as they are and not as they are said and esteemed to bee is truely wise and taught rather by God then men Esa 54. He that can liue spiritually and make small reckoning of outward things neither requireth places nor attendeth times for performing of deuout exercises A spirituall man quickly recollecteth himself because he neuer yeeldeth ouer himself wholy to outward things He is not hindred by outward labour or busines which may be necessary for the time but as things fall out so he frameth himselfe vnto them Hee that hath well ordered and disposed all things within careth little for the vaine inuentions and peruerse inclinations of men So much is a man hindred and distracted how much he draweth matters vnto himselfe 8 If all went well with thee and thou haddest thy heart well purged all things would fall out to thy good and profit But many things displease and often trouble thee because thou art not yet perfectly dead vnto thy selfe nor free from the affection of earthly things Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 4. Nothing so defileth and intangleth the heart of man as the impure loue to creatures If thou refuse outward comfort thou wilt be able to contemplate the things of heauen and often receiue internall joy CHAP. II. Of humble submission REspect not much who is with thee or who is against thee Endeauour and take care that God may be for thee in euery thing thou doest Psal 27. Haue a good conscience and God will defend thee For whom God will helpe no malice of man can hurt If thou canst hold thy peace and suffer without doubt thou shalt see that our Lord wil help thee He knoweth the time and manner how to deliuer thee and therefore thou oughtest to resigne thy selfe vnto him It belongs to God to help and to deliuer from all shame Oftentimes it is very profitable for the better keeping of humilitie that others know reprehend our faults 2 When a man humbleth himselfe for his faults then he easily pacifieth others and quickly satisfieth those that are offended with him God protecteth and deliuereth the humble he loueth and comforteth the humble vnto the humble man he inclineth himselfe vnto the humble he giueth great grace and after his humiliation hee raiseth him vnto glorie Vnto the humble hee reuealeth his secrets and sweetely draweth and inuiteth him vnto himselfe Matth. 12. The humble when hee hath receiued confusion is in peace for that hee resteth in God and relieth not on the world Doe not thinke that thou hast profited any thing vnlesse thou esteeme thy selfe inferiour to all CHAP. III. Of a good and peaceable man FIrst keepe thy selfe in peace and then maist thou pacifie others A peaceable man doth more good then he that is well learned A passionate man turneth good into euill and easily beleeueth the worst A good peaceable man turneth all things into good He that is well in peace is not suspitious of any 1. Cor. 15. But hee that is discontented and troubled is tossed with diuers suspitions he is neither quiet himselfe nor suffereth others to be quiet He often speaketh that which he ought not to speake and omitteth that which were more expedient for him to doe Hee considereth what others are bound to doe and neglecteth that which he is bound to himselfe Ma. 7. First therefore haue a carefull zeale ouer thy selfe and then thou mayest justly shew thy selfe zealous of thy neighbours good Act. 1. 2 Thou knowest well how to excuse and colour thine owne deeds and thou wilt not receiue the excuses of others It were more meet that thou diddest accuse thy selfe and excusedst thy brother Gal. 6. If thou wilt be borne withal beare also with another 1. Cor. 13. Behold how far off thou art as yet from true charitie and humility which knoweth not how to be angry with any or to bee moued with indignation but only against himselfe It is no great matter to conuerse with the good and those that are of a gentle disposition for that is naturally pleasing to all and euery one willingly enioyeth peace and loueth those best that agree with him But to bee able to liue peaceably with the vnquiet and peruerse mindes or with the disorderly or such as contradict vs is a great grace and very commendable 3 Some there are that keep themselues in peace and are in peace also with others And there are some that neither are in peace themselues nor suffer others to be in peace they are troublesome to others but alwayes more troublesome to themselues And others there are that keep themselues in peace and labour to bring others vnto peace Our whole peace in this miserable life coÌ„sisteth rather in humble suffering then in not feeling aduersities He that can best tell how to suffer will best keep himselfe in peace He is a conquerour of himselfe a Lord of the world friend of Christ and heire of heauen CHAP. IV. Of a pure minde and vpright intention WIth two wings man is lifted vp from earthly vanities that is with simplicity purity Simplicity ought to be in our intention Purity in our affection Simplicity fixeth the eyes of the soule in God Purity apprehendeth and tasteth his sweetnes No good action will hinder thee if thou be inwardly free from inordinate affection If thou intend and seeke nothing else but the will of God and the profite of thy neighbour thou shalt enioy eternall libertie If thy heart were sincere and vpright then euery creature would be vnto thee a looking-glasse of life and a booke of holy doctrine There is no creature so little and abiect that representeth not the goodnes of God 2 If in thine owne heart thou wert good and pure then thou wouldest be able to see and vnderstand all things without any impediment Rom. 1. Prou. 3. A pure heart penetrateth heauen and pierceth the depth of hell Psal 118. Such as euery one is inwardly so hee iudgeth outwardly If there bee ioy in the world surely a man of a pure heart possesseth it And if there bee any where tribulation and
hart They deliuer the letters but thou openest the sense They bring foorth mysteries but thou disclosest the vnderstanding of sealed things They declare thy Commandements but thou helpest to fulfill them They shew the way but thou giuest strēgth to walke it They worke only exteriourly but thou instructest and enlightnest the hearts They water outwardly but thou giuest fruitfulnes They sound foorth words but thou giuest vnderstanding to the hearing 3 Let not therefore Moyses speak vnto me but thou my Lord God the euerlasting truth lest perhaps I shold die and become without fruit if I be warned outwardly onely and not inflamed within lest the word heard and not fulfilled knowen not loued belieued not obserued should increase my judgement Speak therfore Lord for thy seruant heareth for thou hast the words of euerlasting life 1. King 3. Speak vnto me to the comfort of my soule to the amēdmēt of my whole life to thy praise glory euerlasting honor Ioh. 6. CHAP. III. That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not OVR LORD SOnne heare my words words of great comfort excelling all the knowledge of the Philosophers and wise men of this world My words are spirit and life not to be weighed by the vnderstanding of man Ioh. 6. They are not to be drawne to vaine liking but to be heard with silence and to be receiued with all humility and great affection SER. And I said Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy Law that thou mayest giue him quietnes from euill daies and that hee bee not destroyed vpon earth Psal 93. LORD 2 I saith our Lord haue taught the Prophets from the beginning and cease not continually to speake to euery one but many are deafe and giue no eare to my speech Heb. 1. The greater number do more willingly listen to the world then to God and follow sooner the desires of their flesh then the will of God The world promiseth temporall and small things and is serued with great diligence I promise most high and eternal things and the hearts of men are nothing moued with it Who is he that serueth and obeyeth me with equall care to that with which the world and the Lords thereof are serued Blush Sidon saith the sea Esa 23. And if thou aske the cause heare vvhereof For a little prebend a long jorney is vndertaken for euerlasting life many will scarce once lift a foot from the ground A thing of small value is sought after greedily for a peny sometimes there is great contention for a vaine thing and sleight promise men doubt not to toile day and night 3 But alas for an vnchangeable good for an inestimable revvard for the highest honour and glorie without end they are loath to take the least paines Blush therefore slouthfull and complaining Seruant that they are found more ready to destruction then thou to life They reioyce more at vanity then thou at truth And yet they are sometimes frustrated of their hope but my promise deceiueth none nor sendeth him away empty that trusteth in me Rom. 1. Matth. 24. I will giue that which I haue promised I will fulfill that which I haue said but to him that remaines faithfull in my loue to the end Apoc. 2. I am the reward of all good and do try my deuout seruants in forcible proofes Mat. 5.15 4 Write my words in thy heart and thinke diligently of them for they will bee necessary in time of temptation What thou vnderstandest not whē thou readest thou shalt know in the day of visitation I am wont to visite my elect two seuerall wayes to wit with temptation and comfort And I daily reade two lessons vnto them one reprehending their vices another exhorting them to the encrease of vertues Hee that hath my words and despiseth them hath within him that shal judge him at the last day A prayer to implore the grace of deuotion SER. 5 Lord my God thou art all that I can desire Who am I that dare speake vnto thee I am thy poorest seruant and a most vile worme much more poore and contemptible then I can or dare expresse Gen. 18. Remember Lord that I am nothing haue nothing and can doe nothing Thou alone art good just and holy thou canst doe all things performest all things leauing only a sinner void of al good Call to mind thy mercies and fill my hart with thy grace who wilt not that thy workes be void 6 How can I support my selfe in this miserable life vnlesse thy mercy and grace comfort me Turne not thy face from me delay not thy visitation draw not away thy comfort lest my soule become as earth without water vnto thee Psal 68. Lord teach me to fulfill thy will teach me to liue worthily and humbly in thy sight for thou art my wisdome thou doest perfectly know me and didst know me before the world was made and before I was borne in the world Psal 142. CHAP. IV. That we ought to liue in truth and humility in the sight of God OVR LORD SOnne walke in my sight in sincerity and truth and euer seeke me in plainenesse of heart He that walketh in my sight in truth shal be defended from euill incursions and truth shall deliuer him from seducers and from the detractions of the wicked Gen. 17. Wisd 1. If truth shall haue deliuered thee thou shalt be truely free and shalt not care for vaine speeches of men 1. Ioh. 8. SER. Lord it is true According as thou sayest so I beseech thee let it be done with me and keepe me and bring mee to a happy end Let thy truth teach me and let it deliuer me from all euill affection and inordinat loue and I shall walke with thee in great freedome of heart LORD 2 I wil teach thee saith the Truth those things that are right and pleasing in my sight Thinke of thy sins with great sorrow griefe and neuer esteem thy selfe any thing for thy good workes Thou art in very deed a sinner and subiect to many passions Of thy selfe thou alwayes tendest to nothing and art quickly cast downe and ouercome quickly troubled quickly dissolued Thou hast nothing wherin thou canst glory 2. Cor. 4. But many things for which thou oughtest to humble and despise thy selfe for thou art much weaker then thou art able to comprehend 3 And therfore let nothing seeme much vnto thee whatsoeuer thou dost Let nothing seem great nothing precious wonderful nothing worthy of estimation nothing high nothing truly commendable and to be desired but that which is euerlasting Let the eternall truth aboue al things please thee Let thy owne great vnworthinesse alwayes displease thee Feare nothing blame flie nothing so much as thy sins and vices which ought to displease more then the losse of any thing whatsoeuer Some walke not sincerely in my sight but led by a certain curiosity pride wil know
state Apoc. 21. O that that day would once appeare all these temporall things were at an end To the Saints it shineth glistering with euerlasting brightnes but to those that are Pilgrimes vpon earth it appeareth only a far off and as it were through a glasse 2 The inhabitants of heauen doe know how joyfull that day is but the banished children of Eue bewaile the bitternesse and tediousnes of this The daies of this life are short and euill full of sorrow and anguish where man is defiled with many sins incumbred with many passions disquieted with many feares filled with many cares distracted with many curiosities intangled with many vanities compassed about with many errors worne away with many labours vexed with temptations weakened with delights tormented with want Iob 7. 3 O when shall these euils be at an end Rom. 7. When shall I be deliuered from the miserable bondage of sin Psal 70. When shall I thinke O Lord of thee alone When shall I perfectly reioyce in thee When shal I bee free from all impediments in true liberty without al grief of mind and body When shall I haue firme peace peace secure without trouble peace without and within peace euery way assured O good Iesu whē shall I stand to behold thee When shall I contemplate the glory of thy Kingdom When wilt thou be vnto me all in all things O when shall I be with thee in thy Kingdom which thou hast prepared for thy beloued from before all worlds I am left a poore and banished man in the Land of mine enemies where there are daily warres and great misfortunes 4 Comfort my banishment asswage my sorrow for my whole desire sendeth vp sighes vnto thee For all is burdensome to me whatsoeuer this world offereth for my comfort I desire familiarly to enioy thee but I cannot attaine vnto it I would gladly fixe my heart to the things of heauen but temporall cares and vnmortified passions weigh me downe In mind I would be aboue al things but to my flesh I am inforced to be subiect against my will Ro. 7. 8. Thus vnhappy mā that I am I fight against my selfe and am become grieuous to my selfe whilest my spirit seeketh after the things that are aboue and my flesh that which is below 5 O what doe I inwardly suffer when in minde I consider heauenly things and presently in my prayers a multitude of fleshly fantasies present themselues before me My God be not farre from me depart not in thy wrath from thy seruant Psa 70. Cast forth thy lightning disperse them send out thy darts and breake all the fantasies of my enemy Gather my senses together vnto thee make mee forget the things of this world grant me grace to cast away speedily the fantasies of vices Succour me O euerlasting truth that no vanity may moue me Come heauenly sweetnes and let al impurity fly from thy face Pardon me also and mercifully forgiue me as often as I think vpon any thing else besides thee in prayer I truly confesse that I am wont to be subiect to many distractions for oftentimes I am not there where I do corporally stand or sit but rather there whither my thoughts do carry me Where my thought is there am I there is oftentimes my thought where my affection is That quickly occurreth vnto me which is naturally delightsome by custome pleasing 6 And for this cause thou that art truth it self hast plainly said Where thy treasure is there is also thy heart Mat. 6. If I loue heauen I willingly thinke of heauenly things If I loue the world I reioyce at the felicity of the world grieue for the aduersity thereof If I loue the flesh I imagine oftētimes those things that are pleasing to the flesh If I loue the spirit I delight to thinke of spirituall things For whatsoeuer I loue thereof doe I willingly speake and heare and cary home with me the formes and representations thereof O blessed is that man that for thee O Lord forsaketh all creatures that violently resisteth nature out of the feruour of spirit crucifieth the concupiscence of the flesh that with a cleare conscience he may offer sincere prayers vnto thee and be worthy of the company of the Angelicall quiers all earthly things outwardly and inwardly being excluded CHAP. XLIX Of the desire of euerlasting life how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly OVR LORD SOn whē thou perceiuest the desire of euerlasting blisse to be giuē thee from aboue desirest to depart out of the Tabernacle of this body that thou maist without shaddow of any enterchange behold my light open thy heart and receiue this holy inspiration with thy whole desire Giue great thankes to the heauenly goodnes that dealeth with thee so fauourably visiteth thee mercifully stirreth thee vp feruently holdeth thee vp powerfully lest through thine owne waight thou fall downe to the vanities of the earth Neither doest thou obtaine this by thine owne thought or endeauour but by the only fauour of heauenly grace diuine bounty that thou maist profit in vertue obtaine greater humility and prepare thy selfe to future battailes and endeauour to cleaue vnto mee with the whole affection of thy hart and serue me with a feruent desire 2 Sonne fire often burneth but the flame ascendeth not vp without smoke so likewise the desires of some men are earnestly carried to heauenly things and yet they are not free from temptation of carnall affection and therefore it is not altogether purely for the honour of God that which they so earnestly request of him Such is also oftentimes thy desire which with such importunity thou presentest vnto me For that is not pure perfect which is infected and defiled with the loue of thine owne proper commodity interest 3 Ask not that which is delightsome and profitable to thee but that which is gratefull to me and appertaineth to my honor for if thou judgest aright thou oughtest to preferre and follow my appointment rather then thine own desire or any desired thing I know thy desire and haue heard thy often grones Now thou wouldest bee in the freedome of the glory of the sons of God now doth the euerlasting habitation and the heauenly Country full of joy delight thee but this houre is not yet come it is yet another time to wit of war time of labour triall Thou desirest to bee filled with the chiefest good but thou canst not attaine it for the present I am he saith our Lord expect vntill the Kingdome of God doth come Iob 7. 4 Thou art yet to be tried vpon earth and to bee exercised in many things Comfort shall be sometimes giuen thee but abundant fulnes therof shal not be granted Take courage therfore be constant as wel in doing as in suffring things contrary to nature Iosue 1. Thou oughtest to put on a new man and to be changed into another Eph. 4. Thou must oftentimes doe
curing sundry diseases I will not send them home fasting lest they faint by the way Matth. 15. Mat. 8. Deale thou therefore in like manner now with mee who hast vouchsafed to leaue thy selfe in the Sacrament for the comfort of the faithfull For thou art the sweet refection of the soule and he that eateth thee worthily shall be partaker and heire of euerlasting glory It is necessary for me that do so often fall and sinne so quickly waxe dul and faint that by often prayers and confession and receiuing of thy sacred body I renue clense and inflame my selfe lest perhaps by long abstaining I fall from my holy purpose 3 For man is prone vnto euil from his youth and vnlesse this diuine remedy help him he quickly slideth to worse Gen. 8. This holy Communion therefore draweth backe from euill and comforteth in good For if I be now so often slack and negligent when I communicate or say Masse what would become of me if I receiued not this remedy and sought not after so great a helpe Though euery day I be not fit nor well prepared to say Masse I will endeauour notwithstanding at conuenient times to receiue the Diuine Mysteries and make my selfe partaker of so great a grace For this is the onely chiefe comfort of a faithfull soule whilest she wandreth from thee in this mortall body that being mindfull of her God shee often receiue her Beloued with a deuout minde 4 O wonderfull benignity of thy mercy towards vs that thou Lord God the Creator and giuer of life to all spirits dost vouchsafe to come vnto a poore soule and with thy whole Godhead and humanity to replenish her hunger O happy mind and blessed soule that deserueth to receiue thee her Lord God with deuout affection and in receiuing of thee to be filled with spirituall joy O how great a Lord doth shee entertaine How beloued a guest doth shee harbour How pleasant a companion doth shee receiue How faithfull a friend doth shee accept How beautifull and noble a Spouse doth shee embrace She embraceth him who is to be loued aboue al that is beloued and aboue al things that may be desired Let Heauen and Earth and all their beauty be silent in thy presence For what beauty and praise soeuer they haue it is receiued from thy bounty and shal not equal the beauty of thy name of whose wisedome there is no end Psal 146. CHAP. IV. That many benefits are bestowed vpon them that Communicate deuoutly The voice of the Disciple MY Lord God preuent thy seruant in the blessings of thy sweetnesse that I may deserue to approach worthily and deuoutly to thy holy Sacrament stirre vp my heart vnto thee and deliuer me from all heauines slouth Ps 20. visit me with thy comfort that I may taste in spirit thy sweetnes which plentifully lieth hid in this Sacramēt as a foūtaine Ps 105. Giue light also to mine eyes to behold so great a mystery and strengthen me to beleeue it with vndoubted faith For it is thy worke and not mans power thy sacred institution not mans inuention For no man is of himselfe able to comprehend and vnderstand these things which surpasse the vnderstanding euen of Angels What therefore shall I vnworthy sinner earth and ashes be able to search and comprehend of so high and sacred a mystery 2 O Lord in sinceritie of heart with a good and firme faith and at thy commandement I come vnto thee with hope and reuerence and do verily beleeue that thou art heere present in the Sacrament God and Man Thy holy pleasure is that I receiue thee by charity do vnite my self vnto thee Wherfore I do recurre vnto thy Clemencie and doe craue speciall grace that I may wholy melt in thee and abound with loue and hereafter neuer admit any externall comfort For this most high and worthy Sacrament is the health of the soule and body the remedy of al spirituall sicknes by it my vices are cured my passions bridled temptations ouercome or weakned greater grace infused vertue increased faith confirmed hope strengthened and charity inflamed and enlarged 3 For thou hast bestowed and still oftentimes dost bestow many benefits in this Sacrament vpon thy beloued that receiue it deuoutly my God the protector of my soul the strēgthner of humane frailty and the giuer of all inward comfort Thou impartest vnto them much comfort against sundry tribulations and liftest them vp from the depth of their own basenesse to the hope of thy protection and dost inwardly refresh illustrat them with a certaine new grace in such sort that they who before Communion felt themselues heauy indisposed afterwards being strēgthened with heauenly meat and drinke do find in themselues a great change to the better which thou dost so dispose to thy Elect that they may truly acknowledge and patiently proue how great their owne infirmity is and what benefit and grace they receiue from thee For they of themselues are cold dull and vndeuout but by thee they are made feruent agile and full of deuotion For who is there that approaching humbly vnto the Fountain of sweetnes doth not carry away from thence at least some little sweetnes Or who standing by a great fire receiueth not some small heat thereby Thou art a Fountaine alwayes full and ouerflowing a fire euer burning and neuer decaying Esa 12. Leuit. 6. 4 Wherefore if I cannot draw at the full out of this Fountaine nor drinke my fill I will notwithstanding set my lips to the mouth of this heauenly conduite that I may draw from thence at least some small drop to refresh my thirst to the end I wither not wholy away and perish And though I be not altogether celestial nor so inflamed as the Cherubims and Seraphims notwithstanding I will endeauour to apply my selfe to deuotion and dispose my heart to obtaine some small sparke of diuine fire by humbly receiuing of this Life-giuing Sacrament And whatsoeuer is hereunto wanting in mee good Iesu most blessed Sauiour doe thou supply for mee most benigne and gratious Lord who hast vouchsafed to call vs vnto thee saying Come vnto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you Mat. 11. 5 I labour in the sweate of my browes I am vexed with griefe of heart I am burdened with sinnes I am troubled with temptations I am intangled and oppressed with many euill passions and there is none to helpe me none to deliuer and saue me but thou Lord God my Sauiour to whome I commit my selfe and all mine that thou mayest keepe me and bring me to life euerlasting Receiue me to the honor and glory of thy name who hast prepared thy Body and Bloud to be my meat and my drinke Gran◠Lord God my Sauiour that by frequenting thy mysteries my zeale and deuotion may encrease CHAP. V. Of the dignitie of this Sacrament and Priestly function The voice of Christ IF thou hadst angelicall purity and the sanctity of Saint
mightest shew thy sweetenesse towards thy children vouchsafest to feede them with the most delightsome bread which descendeth from heauen and is full of all sweetnes Wisd 12. Surely there is no other Nation so great that hath Gods approching vnto them as thou our God art present to all thy faithfull vnto whom for their daily comfort and for the lifting vp of their hearts to heauen thou giuest thy self to be eaten and enioyed Deut. 4. 3 For what other Nation is there so famous as the Christian people Or what creature vnder heauen so beloued as a deuout soule to whom God himselfe commeth to feed her with his glorious flesh O vnspeakable grace O admirable fauour O infinit loue singularly bestowed vpon man But what shall I giue vnto our Lord in returne of this grace for so singular a charitie Psal 115. There is no other thing more gratefull that I am able to giue then to bestow my heart wholy on my God and to vnite it perfectly vnto him Then shall all my bowels reioyce when my soule shall be perfectly vnited vnto God Then hee will say vnto me if thou wilt be with me I will bee with thee And I will answere him Vouchsafe O Lord to remaine with me and I will be with thee This is my whole desire that my heart be vnited vnto thee CHAP. XIV Of the feruent desire of some deuout persons to receiue the Body of Christ The voice of the Disciple O How great is the store of thy sweetenesse O Lord which thou hast hidden for them that feare thee Psalm 30. When I remember some deuout persons who come vnto thy Sacrament O Lord with great deuotion and affection I am oftentimes confounded and blush within my selfe that I come so negligently and coldly to thy Altar to the Table of holy Communion that I remaine so drie and without spirituall motion or feeling that I am not wholy inflamed in thy presence my God nor so earnestly drawne and moued as many deuout persons haue beene who out of a vehement desire of receiuing and a feeling affection of heart could not containe themselues from weeping but with the desire both of soule and body they earnestly longed after thee O God the liuely Fountaine being not otherwise able to temper nor satisfie their hunger but by receiuing thy Body with all joy and spirituall greedinesse 2 O most ardent faith of those persons a probable argument of thy sacred presence For these truely know their Lord in the breaking of bread whose heart burneth so within them whilest thou O blessed Iesu walkest with them Luk. 24. Such desire and deuotion so vehement loue and feruencie is oftentimes far off from me Be mercifull vnto me good Iesu sweet and benigne Lord and grant me thy poore needy creature to feele sometimes at least in this holy Sacrament a little cordiall desire of thy loue that my faith may be more strengthened my hope in thy goodnes encreased and that my charity once perfectly inflamed after the tasting of heauenly Manna may neuer decay 3 Thy mercy O Lord is able to giue me the grace I desire and to visit me in thy bounteous clemencie with the spirit of feruour when it shall please thee For although I burne not with so great desire as those that are so especially deuoted vnto thee yet notwithstanding by thy grace I desire to haue this great inflamed desire praying and crauing that I may participate with all such thy feruent louers and be numbered among them in their holy company CHAP. XV. That the grace of deuotion is obtained by humilitie and deniall of our selues The voice of the Beloued THou oughtest to seeke the grace of deuotion instantly to aske it earnestly to expect it patiently and considently to receiue it joyfully to keep it humbly to worke with it diligently and to commit the time and manner of this heauenly visitation to God vntill it shall be his pleasure to come Thou oughtest chiefly to humble thy selfe when thou feelest inwardly little or no deuotion and yet not to be too much deiected nor to grieue inordinately for it God often giueth in a short moment that which he hath long time denied he giueth sometimes in the end that which in the beginning of prayer he differred to grant 2 If grace should be alwaies presently giuen and at hand euer with a wish it could not be well endured by a weake man Therefore deuotion is to be expected with good hope and humble patience yet impute it to thy selfe and thy sinnes when it is not giuen thee or when it is secretly taken from thee It is sometimes a small matter that hindreth hideth grace from vs if it bee to bee called small and not rather a great matter that hindreth so great a good And if thou remooue this bee it great or smal and perfectly ouercome it thou shalt haue thy desire 3 For presently as soone as thou giuest thy selfe to God and seekest not this nor that for thine owne pleasure or will but setlest thy selfe wholy in me thou shalt find thy selfe vnited vnto him and quiet For nothing will taste so well and please thee so much as the will and pleasure of God Whosoeuer therefore with a sincere heart directeth his intention to God purgeth himselfe from all in ordinate loue or dislike of any creature shall be most fit to receiue grace and worthy of the gift of deuotion For our Lord bestoweth his blessing there where he findeth his vessels empty And how much the more perfectly one forsaketh these basest things and dieth to himselfe by contempt of himselfe so much the more speedily grace commeth and entreth in more plentifully and lifteth vp the heart that is free to a higher state of grace 4 Then shall he see and abound and wonder and his heart shall be enlarged because the hand of our Lord is with him and hee hath put himselfe wholy into his hand for euer Esa 60. Behold so shall the man bee blessed that seeketh Almighty God with his whole heart and taketh not his soule in vaine This man deserueth great grace of diuine vnion in receiuing the holy Eucharist for that hee regardeth not his owne deuotion and comfort but aboue all deuotion and comfort he prizeth the honor and glory of God CHAP. XVI That wee ought to manifest our necessities vnto Christ and to craue his grace The voice of the Disciple O Most sweete and louing Lord whom I now desire to receiue deuoutly thou knowest my infirmitie and the necessity which I endure with how many sins I am oppressed how often I am grieued tempted troubled and defiled I come vnto thee for remedie I craue of thee thy heauenly comfort and the ease of my paine I speake to him that knoweth all things to whom all my secrets are open and who can only perfectly comfort and helpe mee Thou knowest what it is whereof aboue all things I stand in most need and how poore I am in vertues 2 Behold