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
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
be carelesse to liue well It is vanity to minde onely this present life and not to fore-see those things which are to come It is vanity to set thy loue on that which speedily passeth away and not to hasten thither where euerlasting joy is permanent 5 Call often to minde this prouerbe That the eye is neuer satisfied with seeing nor the eare filled with hearing Eccles 1. Endeauour therefore to withdraw thy heart from the affection of visible things and to turne thy selfe to the inuisible For they that follow their sensuality doe staine their owne consciences and lose the grace of God CHAP. II. Of the humble conceit of our selues ALL men by nature desire to know but what auaileth knowledge without the feare of God Eccles 1. Arist l. 1. Metaph. cap. 1. Surely an humble husbandman that feareth God is better then a proud Philosopher that neglecting himselfe laboureth to vnderstand the course of the heauens Who so knoweth himselfe wel groweth daily more contemptible in his owne conceit and delighteth not in the praises of men If I vnderstood all that is to be knovvne in the vvorld and were not in charity what would that helpe me in the sight of God vvho vvill judge mee according to my deeds 2 Giue not thy selfe to inordinat desire of knowledge for therein is much distraction and deceit The learned are willing to seeme so to others and to bee accounted wise 1. Corinth 8. There be many things vvhich to knovv doth little or nothing profit the soule and he is very vnvvise that bestovveth his labour about other things then those that may auaile him for the health of his soule Many vvords doe not satisfie the desires of the heart but a good life comforteth the minde and a pure conscience giueth great assurance in the sight of God 3 Hovv much the more thou knovvest and hovv much the better thou vnderstandest so much the more grieuously shalt thou therefore bee judged vnlesse thy life bee also more holy Be not therefore extolled in thy owne mind for any arte or science which thou knowest but rather let the knowledge giuen thee make thee more fearefull If thou thinkest that thou vnderstandest and knowest much know also that there be many things more which thou knowest not Thinke not too well of thy selfe but rather confesse thine ignorance Rom. 12. Why wilt thou preferre thy selfe before others sith there bee many more learned and skilfull in the Law then thou If thou wilt know or learne any thing profitable desire not to be knowne and to be little esteemed of by men 4 The highest and most profitable reading is the true knowledge and consideration of our selues It is great wisedome and perfection to esteeme nothing of our selues and to thinke alwaies wel and commendably of others If thou shouldest see another openly sinne or commit any heynous offence yet oughtest thou not to esteeme the better of thy selfe for thou knowest not how long thou shalt bee able to remaine in good estate Wee are all fraile but thou oughtest to esteeme none more fraile then thy selfe Gen. 8. CHAP. III. Of the doctrine of Truth HAppy is he whom Truth by it selfe doth teach not by figures and voices that passe away but as it is in it selfe Psal 93.1 Our owne opinion and sense doe often deceiue vs and it discernes little What auaileth it to dispute and contend about darke and hidden things whereas for being ignorant of them we shall not so much as once be reprehended at the day of Iudgment Eccl. 3. It is a great folly to neglect the things that are profitable and necessary and giue our mindes to that which is curious and hurtfull we haue eies and doe not see Psal 113. 2 And what haue we to doe with the termes and distinctions of Logitians Hee to vvhom the eternall Word speaketh is deliuered from multitudes and diuersities of opinions By that one Word all things doe speake and all declare the same and this is the beginning and that which speaketh vnto vs. No man without that Word vnderstandeth or judgeth rightly Hee to vvhom all things are one vvho draweth all things to one and seeth all things in one may enjoy a quiet minde and remaine peaceable in God O God the eternal Truth make me one with thee in euerlasting charity It is tedious to me often to reade and heare many things In thee is all that I vvould haue and can desire Let all Doctors hold their peace let all creatures be silent in thy sight speak thou alone vnto me 3 How much the more one is retired vvithin himselfe and becommeth inwardly sincere and pure so much the more and higher mysteries doth he vnderstand vvithout labour for that he receiueth light of vnderstanding from aboue Mat. 11. Luk. 10. A pure sincere and stayed spirit is not distracted though hee be imployed in many vvorkes for that hee worketh all to the honor of God and laboureth for invvard tranquillitie without seeking himselfe in any thing he doth Who hinders and troubles thee more then the vnmortified desires of thine owne heart A good and deuout man first of all disposeth in himselfe his outvvard vvorks neither do they draw him to the desires of an inordinate inclination but he ordereth them to the prescript of reason Who hath a greater combate then he that laboureth to ouercome himselfe This ought to be our endeauour to conquer our selues daily to vvaxe stronger and be more able to subdue our passions and alwayes in this way to get some ground 4 All perfection in this life hath some imperfections mixt with it and no knowledge of ours is voide of darknes and ignorance An humble knowledge of thy selfe is a more secure way to God then a deep search after learning yet learning is not to be blamed nor the only knowledge of any thing whatsoeuer is to be disliked it being good in it selfe and ordained by God but a good conscience and a vertuous life is to be preferred before it And for that many endeauour rather to get knowledge then to liue well therefore they are often deceiued and reape either none or very slender profit of their labours 5 O if men bestowed as much labour in the rooting out of vices and planting of vertues as they do in mouing doubts and questions neyther would there so much hurt bee done nor so great scandall be giuen in the world nor so much loosnes be practised in places erected for vertue Truely at the day of Iudgement we shall not be examined what wee haue read but what we haue done nor how well we haue spoken but how vertuously we haue liued Math. 23. Tell me now where are all those great Doctors and Ministers with whom thou wast well acquainted whilest they liued and flourished in learning Now others possesse their liuings and perhaps doe scarce euer think of them In their life-time they seemed something and now they are not spoken of 6 O how quickly doth the glory of this world
and contemptible in the sight of the world it is fruitfull and of great esteeme in the sight of God For God weigheth more with how much loue one worketh then how much he doth Hee doth much that loueth much Luk. 7. 2 He doth much that doth a thing well he doth well that rather serueth the common good of others then his owne will Phil. 2. Oftentimes it seemeth to bee charity and it is rather carnality because naturall inclination selfe-will hope of reward and desire of our owne commodity will seldome be wanting 3 He that hath true and perfect charity seeketh himselfe in nothing but onely desireth in all things that the glory of God should be exalted Phil. 2.3 1. Cor. 13. He also enuieth none because he loueth no priuat good neither will he reioyce in himself but wisheth aboue al things to enioy God Psal â—7 24 He attributeth nothing that is good to any man but wholly referreth it vnto God from whom as from the fountaine all things proceed in whom finally all Saints haue perfect rest by fruition of his glory O he that had one sparke of perfect charitie how easily would hee discerne that all earthly things be full of vanity CHAP. XVI Of bearing with the defects of others THose things that a man cannot amend in himselfe or in others he ought to suffer patiently vntill God ordaine otherwise Thinke that perhaps it is better so for thy triall and patience without which our merits are not much to be esteemed Thou oughtest to pray notwithstanding when thou hast such impediments that God would vouchsafe to helpe thee and that thou mayest beare them patiently Matth. 6. Luk. 11. 2 If one that is once or twice warned doth not amend contend not with him but commit all to God that his will may be fulfilled and his name honored in all his seruants vvho knovveth hovv to turne euill into good Matth. 6. Endeauour to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others for that thy selfe also hast many things which must bee suffered by others Thess 5. Ioh. 1. Luk. 6. If thou canst not make thy selfe such an one as thou wouldest how canst thou expect to haue another in all things to thy liking Wee vvould vvillingly haue others perfect and yet vvee amend not our owne faults 3 We vvill haue others seuerely corrected and vvill not be corrected our selues The large libertie of others displeaseth vs and yet we will not haue our desires denied vs. Wee will haue others kept vnder by rigorous lawes but in no sort wil we our selues be restrained And thus it appeareth how seldome we weigh our neighbour in the same balance with our selues If all men were perfect vvhat should vvee haue to suffer of our neighbour for God 4 But novv God hath thus ordained that vve may learne to beare one anothers burden Gal. 6. for no man is without defect no man without burden no man sufficient of himselfe no man endued with so much wisdom as he needeth but we ought to beare with one another comfort one another helpe instruct and admonish one another 1. Thess 5. and 1. Cor. 12. Aduersitie best discouereth how great vertue each one hath for occasions make not a man fraile but doe shew what he is CHAP. XVII Of Religious life THou must learne to breake thy owne will in many things if thou wilt haue peace and concord with others It is no small matter to dwell in community or in a congregation and to conuerse therein without complaint and to perseuer there faithfully vntill death Blessed is he that hath there liued well and ended happily If thou wilt perseuer in grace as thou oughtest and profit in vertue esteeme thy selfe as a banished man and a pilgrime vpon earth Thou must be contented for the loue of Christ to be esteemed as a foole in this world if thou desire to leade a vertuous and perfect religious life 2 The wearing of religious habit and shauing of the crowne doe little profit but change of manners and perfect mortification of passions make a true religious man 1. Pet. 2. He that seeketh any thing else but God and the health of his soule shal finde nothing but tribulation and sorrow Eccls. 1. 4. Neither can he remaine long in peace that laboureth not to be in the meanest place and subiect to all 3. Thou camest to serue not to be serued Know that thou wast called to suffer and to labour not to be idle or to spend thy time in talke Mat. 20. Heere in the Schoole of Christ men are prooued as gold in the fornace Heere no man can stand vnlesse hee humble himselfe vvith his vvhole heart for the loue of God CHAP. XVIII Of the examples of the holy Fathers COnsider the liuely examples of the holy Fathers in whom true perfection and religion shined and thou shalt see how little it is and almost nothing which we doe now in these dayes Heb. 11. Alas what is our life if it be compared to them The Saints and friends of Christ serued our Lord in hunger and thirst in cold and nakednesse in labour and vvearinesse in vvatching and fasting in prayer and holy meditations in persecutions and many reproaches 2 O how many and grieuous tribulations suffered the Apostles Martyrs Confessors Virgins and all the rest that endeauoured to follow the steppes of Christ They hated their liues in this world Ioh. 12. that they might possesse their soules in euerlasting life Mat. 7. O how strait and poore a life led the holy Fathers in the vvildernes How long and grieuous temptations suffred they How often and how grieuously were they assaulted by their ghostly Enemie How feruent prayers offered they daily to God! How rigorous abstinence did they vse Hovv feruent zeale and care had they of their spirituall profit How strong and continuall a combate had they for the ouercomming of vices How pure and vpright intention kept they vnto God! In the day they laboured and in the night they attended to continuall prayer although when they laboured also they ceased not from mentall prayer 3 They spent all their time with profit euery houre seemed short for the seruice of God and for the great sweetnes they had in contemplation they forgot the necessity of corporall refection They renounced all riches dignities honors friends and kinsfolkes they desired to haue nothing vvhich appertained to the world they scarse tooke things necessary for the sustenance of life they grieued to serue their bodies euen it necessity They were poore in earthly things but rich in grace and vertues Outwardly they wanted but inwardly they were replenished with grace and spirituall comfort 4 They were strangers in the world but neere and familiar friends to God They seemed to themselues as nothing and abiect to this world but they were precious and beloued in the eyes of God They were grouÌ„ded in true humility liued in simple obedience walked in charity and patience and therefore they profited
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
affliction an euill conscience feeles it As iron put into the fire leeseth his rust and becommeth bright like fire so he that wholly turning himselfe vnto God becommeth feruent and is changed into a new man 3 When one beginneth to wax cold then he is afraid of a small labour and willingly receaueth externall comfort But when he once beginneth to ouercome himselfe perfectly and to walke manfully in the way of God then hee esteemeth those things to be light which before seemed grieuous vnto him CHAP. V. Of the consideration of ones selfe WE cānot trust much to our selues for that grace oftentimes and vnderstanding is wanting There is but little light in vs and that which wee haue we quickly lose by our negligence And oftentimes wee doe not perceiue our owne inward blindnes We often do euil excuse it worse Matth. 7. We are sometimes moued with passion and we thinke it to be zeale We reprehend small things in others and passe ouer greater matters in our selues We quickly feele and vveigh vvhat vvee suffer at the hands of others but wee minde not what others suffer from vs. Hee that doth well and deepely consider his owne workes will finde little cause to judge hardly of another 2 A spirituall man preferreth the care of himself before all other cares Mat. 16. And he that diligently attendeth vnto himselfe doth seldome speak much of others Thou wilt neuer be recollected deuout vnlesse thou passe ouer other mens matters with silence and looke especially to thy selfe If thou attend wholly vnto God and thy selfe thou wilt be little mooued with whatsoeuer thou seest abroad 1. Cor. 4. Where art thou when thou art not with thy selfe Galat. 1. And when thou hast runne ouer all what hast thou profited if thou doest neglect thy selfe If thou desirest peace of mind true vnion thou must esteeme little of all earthly things and look only to thy selfe 3 Thou shalt therfore profit much if thou keepe thy selfe free from all temporall cares Thou shalt hinder thy selfe greatly if thou esteeme any thing of this vvorld Let nothing be great vnto thee nothing high nothing gratefull nothing acceptable but only God himselfe purely or that which is for God Esteeme all comfort vaine which thou receiuest from any creature Eccles 1. A soule that loueth God despiseth all things that be inferiour vnto God God alone is euerlasting and of infinite greatnes filling all creatures the comfort of the soule and the true ioy of the heart CHAP. VI. Of the confort of a good Conscience THe glory of a good man is the testimony of a good conscience 2. Cor. 1. Haue a good conscience and thou shalt euer haue ioy A good conscience is able to beare much and is cheerefull in aduersities An euill conscience is alwayes fearefull and vnquiet Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart doth not reprehend thee Wisd 17. Do thou neuer reioyce but when thou hast done well Sinners haue neuer true mirth nor feele inward peace because there is no peace to the impious saith our Lord. And if they should say Wee are in peace no euill shall fall vpon vs and who shall dare to hurt vs Luk. 12. Esay 27. Beleeue them not for vpon a sudden will arise the wrath of God and their deeds shall be turned into nothing and their conceits shall perish 2 To glory in tribulation is no hard thing for him that loueth Rom. 8. For to glory so is to glory in the Crosse of our Lord. That glory is short which is giuen and receiued from men Galath 6. Sorrow alwaies accompanieth the glory of the world The glory of the good is in their cōsciences not in the tongues of men 2. Cor. 2. The gladnes of the just is of God and in God and their joy is of the truth Hee that desireth true euerlasting glory careth not for that which passeth away vvith time And he that seeketh temporall glory or contemneth it not from his heart sheweth himselfe but little to esteeme of the glory of heauen He enioyeth great tranquillitie peace of minde that careth neither for the praises nor dispraises of men 3 Hee will easily be content and pacified whose cōscience is pure He is not the more holy though thou commend him nor the more abiect though thou dispraise him What thou art that thou art neither canst thou be truly said to be greater then what thou art in the sight of God If thou consider what thou art within thee thou wilt not care what men say of thee Man seeth in the face but God looketh into the heart 1. King 16. Man considereth the deeds but God weigheth the intentions To do alwayes well and to esteeme little of himselfe is a token of an humble minde To refuse to be comforted by any creature is a signe of great purity and inward confidence 4 Hee that seeketh no outward witnes for himselfe doth shew that he hath wholly committed himselfe vnto God For not he that commendeth himselfe the same is approued saith S. Paul but whom God commendeth 2. Cor. 10. To walk inwardly with God and not to be possessed with any outward affection is the state of an inward spirituall man CHAP. VII Of the loue of IESVS aboue all things BLessed is hee that vnderstandeth what it is to loue Iesus and to despise himselfe for Iesus Psal 116. Thou oughtest to leaue thy beloued for thy beloued for that Iesus will be beloued alone aboue all things Deut. 6. The loue of things created is deceitfull and vnconstant the loue of Iesus is faithfull and constant Mat. 22. He that cleaueth vnto creatures shall fall with that which is subiect to fall He that imbraceth Iesus shall stand firmely for euer Loue him and keepe him for thy friend who when all goe away will not forsake thee nor suffer thee to perish in the end Thou must once bee left of men whether thou vvilt or no. 2 Liue and die with Iesus and commit thy selfe vnto his trust who when all faile can alone helpe thee Thy beloued is of that nature that he will none of that which appertaineth to others but vvill haue thy heart alone and sit like a King in his owne throne If thou couldest purge thy selfe perfectly of all creatures Iesus vvould vvillingly dwell vvith thee Whatsoeuer thou puttest in men out of Iesus is all no better then lost Trust not nor rely vpon a reedefull of vvinde for that all flesh is as hay and all the glory therof shall wither away as the flower of the field Esay 4. 3 Thou shalt quickely be deceiued if thou looke onely to the outvvard shew of men And if in them thou seekest thy comfort and profit thou shalt often feele losse If thou seekest Iesus in all things thou shalt surely finde Iesus But if thou seekest thy selfe thou shalt also finde thy selfe but to thy owne harme For man doth more hurt himselfe if hee seeke not Iesus then the vvhole vvorld and all his aduersaries
my secrets and vnderstand the high mysteries of God neglecting themselues and their own saluation Eccles 3. and 2. Cor. 3. These oftentimes for that I resist them doe fall into great temptations and sinnes for their pride and curiosity 4 Feare the judgements of God dread the wrath of the almighty But discusse not the workes of the Highest Search thine owne iniquities in how much thou hast offended and how much good thou hast neglected Some carry their deuotion onely in books some in pictures sone in outward signes figures some haue me in their mouthes but little in their harts There are others that being illuminated in their vnderstanding and purged in their affection doe alwaies aspire with an earnest mind to euerlasting happines Esa 29. and are vnwilling to heare of the things of this world to serue the necessities of nature with griefe and these perceiue what the Spirit of truth speaketh in them Psal 24 Because it teacheth them to despise earthly and loue heauenly things to neglect thâ— world and day and night to desire heauen CHAP. V. Of the wonderfull effect of diuine grace THE SERVANT I Praise thee O heauenly Father Father of my Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast vouchsafed to remember mee a poore and wretched creature O Father of mercies and God of all comfort thankes be vnto thee who sometimes with thy comfort refreshest mee vnworthy of all comfort 2. Cor. 1. I euer blesse and glorifie thee with thy only begotten Son the holy Ghost for al worlds O God my Lord the holy louer of my soule when thou shalt come into my heart all that is within me will reioyce Thou art my glory and the exultation of my heart Psal 3. Thou art my hope and my refuge in the day of my tribulation Psal 31. 2 But for that I am yet weake in loue and imperfect in vertue I haue need to be comforted by thee visite me therefore often and instruct mee with thy holy discipline Deliuer me from euill passions and heale my heart of al inordinate affections that being cured within and wel purged I may be made fit to loue strong to suffer and constant to perseuere 3 Loue is a great matter in very truth a great good which alone maketh euery thing that is heauy light and beareth equally vnequall burdens Mat. 11. For it carrieth a burden without a burden and maketh euery thing that is bitter sweet and delightsome The noble loue of Iesus enforceth man to worke great things and stirreth him vp to desire alwayes the most perfect Loue will be aloft and not kept downe with any base things Loue will be free from all worldly affection to the end his inward sight be not obscured that he be not intangled with the desire of any transitory gaine or troubled with the want thereof Nothing is sweeter then loue nothing stronger nothing higher nothing more ample nothing more pleasant nothing fuller nor better in heauen or in earth for that loue hath his beginning from God and cannot rest but in God aboue all creatures 4 He that loueth flyeth runneth and reioyceth he is free and not held in He giueth all for all and hath all in al for that he resteth in one Highest aboue all from which all good floweth and proceedeth Hee respecteth not the gifts but turneth himselfe aboue all goods vnto the giuer Loue oftentimes knoweth no measure but inflameth aboue al measure Loue feeleth no burthen weigheth no paines desireth aboue it strength complaineth not of impossibility for that it thinketh all things lawful and possible It is therefore able to vndertake all things and performeth and bringeth many things to effect whereas he that doth not loue fainteth and can doe nothing 5 Loue alwaies watcheth sleeping sleepeth not being wearied is not tired straitned is not pressed frighted is not troubled but like a liuely flame and burning torch breaketh vpwards and passeth through al with great securitie Rom. 8. If any one loueth hee knoweth what this voice cries A lowd cry in the ears of God is the burning loue of the soul which saith My God my loue thou art wholy mine and I wholy thine 6 Enlarge mee in loue that my heart may taste how sweete it is to loue and to be dissolued swimme in thy loue Let me be possessed by loue mounting aboue my selfe with excessiue feruour admiration Let me sing the song of loue let me follow thee on high my beloued let my soule faint in thy praises reioycing with loue Let mee loue thee more then my selfe and not my selfe but for thee and al in thee and truly loue thee as the law of loue commandeth which shineth in thee 7. Loue is swift sincere pious sweet and delightfull strong patient faithful prudent suffering ful of courage and neuer seeking it selfe 1. Cor. 13. For where one seeketh himself there he falleth from loue 1. Cor. 10. Loue is circumspect humble and vpright not remisse not mutable nor attending vnto vaine things sober chast constant quiet and guarded in al the senses Psal 2. Loue is subiect and obedient to Superiours meane and abiect to it selfe deuout thankfull vnto God trusting and hoping alwaies in him euen then when God imparteth no sweetnes vnto it for without sorrow none liueth in loue 8 He that is not ready to suffer al things and stand to the will of his beloued is not worthy to be called a louer A louer ought to embrace willingly al that is hard and distastefull for his beloued and not to turne away from him for any contrary accidents CHAP. VI. Of the proofe of a true Louer OVR LORD SOnne thou art not yet a strong and prudent louer SER. Wherefore Lord LORD Because thou giuest ouer for a small aduersitie and too earnestly seekest comfort A constant louer standeth firmely in temptations giueth not credit to the crafty perswasions of the enemy As I please him in prosperity so I am not vnpleasant to him in aduersity Phil. 4. 2 A prudent louer considereth not so much the gift of his louer as the loue of the giuer He rather esteemeth the good will then the value and placeth all gifts vnder his beloued A noble louer resteth not in the gift but in mee aboue any gift All therfore is not left if sometimes thou hast lesse taste of mee and my Saints then thou wouldest That good and sweet desire which thou sometimes feelest is the effect of present grace and a certaine taste of the heauenly Country whereon thou must not rely too much for it goeth and commeth But to fight against euil motions of the minde which may happen vnto thee and to despise the suggestion of the diuel is a signe of vertue and great merit Matth. 4. 3 Let not therefore strange fancies forced into thee of any matter whatsoeuer trouble thee Retaine a firme purpose and vpright intention to God Neither is it an illusion that sometimes thou art suddenly rapt on high and presently returnest againe
forth good and perfect fruit Lift vp my mind ouercharged with the waight of sinne draw vp my whole desire to heauenly treasures that hauing tasted the sweetnes of celestial happines it may loath to thinke of earthly vanities 6 Take me violently to thee and deliuer mee from all vnstable comfort of creatures for no created thing can fully quiet and satisfie my desire Ioyne me vnto thee with an vnspeakable band of loue for thou onely fillest the minde of him that loueth thee and without thee all things are distastefull CHAP. XXIV Of flying curious enquiry of the life of others OVR LORD SOnne be not curious trouble not thy selfe with idle cares What is this or that to thee Doe thou follow me Eccls. 3. and 1. Tim. 5. For what is it to thee whether that man be such or no or whether this man do or speak this or that Thou shalt not need to answere for others but shalt giue account of thy selfe Io. 21. Why therefore dost thou trouble thy selfe Behold I know euery one what he is and doe see all things that are vnder the Sunne and do vnderstand how it is with euery one what hee thinketh what he would at what his intentiō aimeth Gal. 6. Al things therfore are to be cōmitted vnto me but doe thou keepe thy selfe in good peace and suffer the vnquiet to do as they wil. Whatsoeuer they shal haue done or said shall fall vpon themselues for they cannot deceiue me 2 Desire not too great fame in this world nor to be knowne to many nor to haue the priuate loue of men for these things breed distractions and cause great darkenes of heart I would willingly vtter my words and reueale my secrets vnto thee if thou didst diligently obserue my cōming and didst open the dore of thy heart vnto me Be careful watch in praier and humble thy selfe in all things CHAP. XXV Wherein doth the firme peace of the heart and true profit consist OVR LORD SOnne I haue said Peace I leaue to you my peace I giue to you not as the world giueth doe I giue to you All do desire peace but all care not for those things that appertaine vnto true peace My peace is with the humble and meeke of heart Ioh. 4. Thy peace shal be in much patience If thou wilt heare me and follow my voice thou maist enioy much peace SER. What then shall I doe LORD In euery thing attend vnto thy selfe what thou doest what thou sayest and direct thy whole intention vnto this that thou mayest please me alone and desire or seeke nothing out of mee Of the sayings and doings of others judge nothing rashly neither do thou intangle thy self with things not committed vnto thee and doing thus it may be thou shalt be little or seldome troubled 2 But neuer to feele any trouble at all nor to suffer any griefe of hart or body is not the state of this life but of euerlasting rest Thinke not therefore that thou hast found true peace if thou feelest no sorrow nor that then all is well if thou haue no aduersary nor that it is perfect if all things be done according to thy desire Neither doe thou then esteeme highly of thy selfe or imagine thy selfe to be especially beloued if thou be in great deuotion and sweetnes for in these things a true louer of vertue is not tried neither doth the profit and perfection of man consist in hauing them SER. 3 Wherein then Lord LORD In offering thy self from the very bottom of thy heart vnto the diuine seruice not seeking thine owne interest or commodity neither in great nor little neither in time nor eternity so that with equall countenance thou mayest persist in thanksgiuing both in prosperity and aduersity weighing all things with an equal ballance If thou be of such courage so patient in hope that when inward comfort is withdrawne from thee thou prepare thy heart to suffer greater matters and not justifie thy selfe as though thou oughtest not to suffer these and so great afflictions but justifie me in whatsoeuer I appoint and praise my holy name then thou walkest in the true and right way of peace and thou shalt haue vndoubted hope to see my face againe with great joy And if thou attaine to the full contempt of thy selfe then shalt thou enioy as great abundance of peace as thy banishment may permit CHAP. XXVI Of the excellency of a free minde which humble prayer better deserueth then reading THE SERVANT LOrd it is the worke of a perfect man neuer to slack his mind from the attentiue thought of heauenly things and as it were to passe without care through many cares not faintingly but with a certaine priuiledge of a free mind adhering by inordinate affection to no creature 2 I beseech thee most mercifull God preserue me from the cares of this life lest I should be too much intangled thereby and from the many necessities of the body lest I should be enthralled by pleasure from all hinderances of the soule lest broken with troubles I should be deiected and dismayed I mean not from those things that worldly vanity so greatly desireth but from those miseries that as punishments do weigh down and hinder the soule of thy seruant with the general curse of mortality that it cannot enter into liberty of spirit as often as I would Gen. 3. Rom. 7. 3 O my God the vnspeakable sweetnesse make bitter vnto mee all carnall comfort which may draw me away from the loue of euerlasting happines and wickedly allure me to it selfe with the force of a certaine present delight Rom. 12. Let not flesh and bloud ouercome mee O Lord. Let not the world the short glory therof deceiue me Let not the Diuell and his subtill fraud supplant me Giue me force to resist patience to suffer and constancy to perseuere Giue me insteed of all the comforts of the world the most sweet vnction of thy Spirit and in lieu of carnall loue powre into my soule the loue of thy name 2 Behold meat drinke cloathes and other necessaries for the maintenance of the body are burdensome vnto a feruent spirit Grant mee to affect such nourishments in due measure and not to bee intangled vvith an ouer great desire of them It is not lawfull to renounce them wholy for that nature is to bee maintained but to desire superfluities and those things that doe rather delight then sustaine the Law of God forbiddeth for otherwise the flesh would rebell against the spirit Herein I beseech thee let thy hand gouerne mee and teach mee that I may not exceed CHAP. XXVII That priuate loue most hindreth from the chiefest good OVR LORD SOnne thou oughtest to giue all for all and to retaine nothing of thy selfe Know that the loue of thy selfe doth hurt thee more then any thing in the world According to the loue and affection thou bearest them so doth euery thing cleaue vnto thee more or lesse If thy loue be pure
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
vaine and secular knowledge OVR LORD SOn let not the faire speeches and subtill sayings of men moue thee For the Kingdom of God consisteth not in words but in vertue 1. Cor. 4. Obserue well the words which I speake for they inflame the hart and enlighten the mind induce compunction and bring sundry comforts Do thou neuer reade to shew thy self learned or wise but labour to mortifie thy vices for that wil profit thee more then the knowledge of many hard and difficult questions 2 When thou shalt haue read and knowne many things thou oughtest euer to returne to one beginning I am he that teacheth man all knowledge and doe giue to little ones a more cleare vnderstanding then can be taught by man He therefore to whom I speake shall quickely bee wise and shall profit much in spirit Woe be to them that inquire many curious things of men and doe little desire to know the way how to serue me The time will come when the Master of Masters shall appeare Christ the Lord of Angels to heare the lessons of all that is to examine the consciences of euery one and then he will search Hierusalem with a candle and the hidden things of darknesse shall be laid open and the inuention of tongues shall be silent 1. Cor. 4. 3 I am hee that in an instant doe raise vp the humble mind to vnderstand more reasons of the euerlasting truth then can bee gotten by ten years study in schooles I teach without noise of words without confusion of opinions without ambition of honor without contention of arguments I am he that teacheth to despise earthly things to loath things present to seeke the euerlasting to delight in the things that are eternall to fly honors to suffer scandals to place all hope in me to desire nothing out of me and aboue all things feruently to loue me 4 For one by louing me entirely learned diuine things and spake wonders he profited more in forsaking all things then in studying subtilties To some I speake ordinary things to others things more especiall to some I appeare sweetly by signes and figures but to some I reueale mysteries with much light The voice of bookes is one but it teacheth not all men alike For I am the internal Teacher I am the Truth the Searcher of the heart the Vnderstander of thoughts the Setter forwards of good workes distributing to euery one according to my will CHAP. XLIV Of not drawing outward things to our selues OVR LORD SOn in many things thou oughtest to be ignorant and to esteeme thy selfe as dead vpon earth and as one to whom the whole world is crucified Thou must also passe ouer many things with a deafe eare and rather thinke of that which appertaineth to thy peace It is more profitable to turne thine eies from the sight of vnpleasing things and to leaue vnto euery one his owne opinion then to striue with contentious words If thou standest well with God considerest his judgments thou shalt the more easily yeeld to the wil of others SER. 2 O Lord to what an estate are we come Behold we bewaile a temporall losse and for a little gaine we toile and spare no labour and the spirituall domage of our soule is forgotten and hardly at length called to mind That which little or nothing profiteth is alwaies remembred and that which is chiefely necessary is negligently passed ouer because mans nature carrieth him to external things and vnlesse he quickly returne vnto himselfe he lieth drowned in them with delight CHAP. XLV That credit is not to be giuen to all men and how prone man is to offend in words THE SERVANT HElpe me Lord in my tribulation for vaine is the defence of man How often haue I bin deceiued finding wāt of faith where I thought it sure Psal 59. And how often haue I found faith where I least expected it It is vaine therefore to trust in men but the safetie of the just O Lord is in thee Blessed be thou my God in all things that befall vs. We are weake and inconstant quickely deceiued and soone changed 2 Who is he that is able so warily to keep himselfe that he neuer fal into any deceit or doubt But he that trusteth in thee O Lord and seeketh thee with a pure heart doth not easily fal if he fal into any tribulation be he neuer so much inthralled yet he shal quickly be deliuered or comforted by thee Pro. 10. For thou wilt not forsake him for euer that trusteth in thee The friend is rare to bee found that continueth faithful in his friends distresse but thou O Lord thou alone art faithfull at all times and there is none like vnto thee 3 O how wise was that holy soule that said My minde is firmely setled and grounded in Christ If it were so with me then would not humane feare so easily trouble me nor words mooue mee Who can foresee all things Who is able to beware beforehand of future euils If things euen foreseene do oftentimes hurt vs how can things vnlooked for choose but wound vs grieuously But why did I not prouide better for my self miserable wretch Why also haue I so easily giuen credit to others But alas we are men and God knoweth weake and fraile men although by many we are reputed and called Angels To whom shall I giue credit Lord To whom but to thee Thou art the truth that neither doest deceiue nor canst be deceiued And on the otherside euery man is a lyar weak vnconstant and subiect to fal especially in words and therfore we must not easily giue credit euen to that which in outward shew seemeth at the first a certaine truth 4 O with how great wisdom hast thou warned vs to take heed of mē and because the enemies of man are his familiar and domesticall acquaintance not to trust if one should say Behold heere or behold there Mat. 7. I am tought to my cost and I would to God I might thereby encrease my care and not my folly Be wary saith one be wary keepe vnto thy selfe what I tell thee and whilst I hold my peace and thinke it is secret he cānot keep that secret which he desired should bee secret but presently discloseth me and himself and goeth his way From such tales and such improuident people protect me Lord that I fall not into their hands nor euer commit such errours Giue me grace my God to obserue truth and constancie in my words and remoue far from me a deceitful tongue What I am not willing to suffer I ought by all meanes to auoid 5. O how good and quiet a thing it is to be silent and not to talke of others nor to beleeue all that is said nor easily to report what we haue heard Prou. 25. to lay ones selfe open to few Esa 24. alwaies to seeke after thee the beholder of the heart not to be carried away with euery winde of words but to desire that all things both
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
teach thee or admonish thee of those things which are done on earth Thou knowest what is expedient for my good and how much tribulation is fit for purging the rust of my sins Do with me according to thy desired pleasure and despise not my sinfull life better and more clearely knowne to none then to thee alone 7 Grant me Lord to know that which is to be knowne to loue that which is to be beloued to praise that which pleaseth thee most to esteem that which is precious vnto thee to despise that which is contemptible in thy sight suffer me not to judge according to the sight of the exteriour eyes nor to giue sentence according to the hearing of the eares of ignorant men but to determine of visible spiritual things with a true judgement aboue all things euer to search after thy will and pleasure 8 The senses of men are often deceiued in their judgements the louers of the world are also deceiued in louing only visible things What is a man the better for that he is esteemed great by man The deceitfull man deceiueth the deceitfull the vaine the vaine the blinde deceiueth the blinde and one feeble likewise another whilest he exalteth and praiseth him For how much euery one is in thy sight so much hee is and no more saith humble Saint Francis CHAP. LI. That a man ought to imploy himselfe in the works of humilitie when force is wanting for higher exercises OVR LORD SOnne thou art not able alwaies to continue in the feruent desire of vertue nor to persist in the high pitch of contemplation but thou must sometimes of necessitie by reason of originall corruption descend to inferiour things and beare the burthen of this corruptible life euen against thy will and with irkesomenes As long as thou carriest a mortall body thou shalt feele trouble and heauines of hart Thou oughtest therefore in flesh oftentimes to bewaile the burthen of flesh for that thou canst not alwaies perseuere in spirituall exercises and diuine contemplation 2 It is then expedient for thee to fly to humble and exteriour workes and to refresh thy selfe with good and vertuous actions to expect with a firme confidence my comming and heauenly visitation to beare patiently thy banishment and the drinesse of thy minde till thou bee visited againe by mee and deliuered from all anxietie For I will make thee forget thy former paines and enioy inward quietnesse I will lay open before thee the pleasant fields of holy Scripture that with an enlarged heart thou mayest beginne to runne the way of my Commandements And thou shalt say that the sufferings of this time are not condigne to the glorie to come that shall be reuealed in vs. Rom. 8. CHAP. LII That a man ought to esteeme himselfe vnworthy of comfort and to haue deserued stripes THE SERVANT LOrd I am not worthy of thy comfort nor of any spiritual visitation and therfore thou dealest justly with me when thou leauest me poore and desolate For if I could shee l teares like a sea yet I were not worthy of thy comfort For alas I deserue nothing but to be scourged punished in that I haue grieuously and often offended thee and sinned in many things All things therefore duely considered I am not worthy euen of the least comfort But thou milde and merciful God who wilt not that thy workes do perish to shew the riches of thy goodnes in the vessels of mercy euen beyond his desert vouchsafest to comfort thy seruaÌ„t aboue humane measure For thy comforts are not like to the vaine words of men 2 What haue I done O Lord that thou shouldest impart any heauenly comfort vnto me I remember not that I haue euer done any good but haue beene alwaies prone to sin and slouthfull in my amendment It is true and I cannot deny it If I should say otherwise thou wouldest stand against me and there would be none to defend mee Iob 9. What haue I deserued for my sinnes but hell and euerlasting fire I confesse in the truth of my heart that I am worthy of all scorne and contempt and it is vnfit that I should be remembred amongst thy deuout seruants And although I be vnwilling to heare this yet notwithstanding for the loue of truth I will lay open my sins against my selfe that I may the better deserue to obtaine thy mercy 3 What shall I say being guilty and ful of confusion I can vtter out of my mouth no other word but this I haue sinned Lord I haue sinned haue mercy on me Psa 50. Pardon me suffer me a little that I may bewaile my griefe before I go vnto the land of darknes and be couered with the shaddow of death Iob 20. What dost thou require of a guiltie and miserable sinner but that hee be contrite and sorowful do humble himself for his offences In true contrition and humblenesse of heart is bred a â—ope of forgiuenesse a troubled conscience is reconciled againe grace lost is restored man is defended from future wrath and God and the penitent soule meet together in the holy kisse of peace 4 Humble contrition for sins is an acceptable sacrifice to thee O Lord sauouring much sweeter in thy sight then burning frankincense Psal 50. This is also the pleasant oyntment which thou wouldest haue powred vpon thy sacred feet Luk. 7. for thou neuer despisest a contrite humble heart Psal 50. There is a place of refuge from the face of the wrath of our enemy there is amended and washed away whatsoeuer vncleannes hath beene elsewhere gathered and whatsoeuer is defiled CHAP. LIII That the grace of God is not giuen to those that sauour of earthly things OVR LORD SOn my grace is precious it suffereth not itself to be mingled with externall things nor earthly comforts Thou oughtest therfore to cast away al hinderances of grace if thou desire to receiue the infusion thereof Choose therfore a secret place to thy selfe loue to liue alone with thy self desire the conuersation of none but rather powre out deuout praiers vnto God that thou mayest keepe thy minde compunct and thy conscience pure Esteeme the whole world as nothing prefer my seruice before al outward things for thou canst not attend vnto me and be delighted also in traÌ„sitory vanities Mat. 19. Thou oughtest to sequester thy selfe from thy acquaintaÌ„ce friends to keep thy minde depriued of all temporall comfort So the blessed Apostle Peter required that the faithfull of Christ should keep themselues as strangers and pilgrimes in this world 1. Pet. 2. 2 O how great a confidence shal he haue at the houre of death whom no affection to any earthly thing detaineth in the world But the weake mind is not yet capable of so retired a hart neither doth the fleshly person vnderstand the freedom of a recollected minde Notwithstanding if he wil be truly spiritual he ought to renounce as well that which is far off as that which is nearest vnto
Iohn Baptist thou wert not worthy to receiue nor handle this Sacrament Mat. 11. For it is not within the compasse of the deserts of men that man should consecrate and handle the sacrament of Christ receiue for food the bread of Angels A great mystery great is the dignity of Priests to whom is granted that which is not permitted to the Angels Psal 77. For Priests only instituted in the Church haue power to celebrate and consecrate the Body of Christ The Priest is the Minister of God vsing the words of God by Gods commandement and appointment but God is there the principall Actor and inuisible worker to whome is subiect all that he pleaseth and all that hee commandeth doth obey Gen. 1. Psal 148. Rom. 9. 2 Thou oughtest therfore to giue more credit to God Almightie in this most excellent Sacrament then to thine owne sense or to any visible signe And therefore thou art to come vnto this Mysterie with feare and reuerence Consider attentiuely with thy selfe what that is whereof the Ministrie is deliuered vnto thee by the imposition of hands of the Bishop Behold thou art made a Priest and consecrated to say Masse see now that in due time thou offer Sacrifice vnto God faithfully and deuoutly and carry thy selfe so as thou maist be without reproofe 1. Tim. 4. Thou hast not lightned thy burthen but art now bound with a straiter band of discipline and art obliged to a more perfect degree of sanctitie A Priest ought to be adorned with al kind of vertues and to giue example of good life to others His conuersation should not bee according to the ordinary and common proceedings of men but like to the Angels in heauen or to perfect men on earth Philip. 3. 3 A Priest clothed in sacred garments is the Vicegerent of Christ to pray humbly and with a prostrate mind vnto God for himselfe and the whole people Heb. 5. He hath before and behind the signe of the Crosse of our Lord to the end he may euer remember the Passion of Christ hee beareth the Crosse before him in the Vestement that hee may diligently behold the foote-steps of Christ and feruently endeauour to follow them Hee is behinde marked with the Crosse that he may patiently suffer for God whatsoeuer aduersities shall bee laid vpon him for others He beareth the crosse before that he may lament his owne sinnes and the same hee hath also behind that hee may with a compassionate heart bewaile the offences of others know that he is placed as a mediatour betweene God and the sinner Neither ought he to cease from prayer holy oblation till he deserue to obtaine grace mercy When a Priest doth celebrate he honoreth God reioyceth the Angels edifieth the Church helpeth the liuing giueth rest to the dead and maketh himselfe partaker of all good deeds CHAP. VI. An Interrogation of the exercise before Communion The voice of the Disciple WHen I weigh thy greatnesse O Lord and my vnworthinesse I tremble and am confounded in my selfe For if I come not vnto thee I fly from life and if I vnworthily intrude my selfe I incurre thy displeasure What therefore shall I do my God my helper and my counseller in necessitie 2 Teach mee the right way appoint me some briefe exercise sutable to this holy mystery of sacred Communion For it is good for me to know how I should reuerently and deuoutly prepare my heart vnto thee for the profitable receiuing of thy Sacrament or for the celebrating of so great and diuine a Sacrifice CHAP. VII Of the discussing of our owne conscience and purpose of amendment The voice of the Beloued ABoue al things the Priest of God ought to come to celebrate handle and receiue this Sacrament with great humility of hart and lowly reuerence with a full faith and a godly desire of the honour of the diuine Maiesty Examine diligently thy cōscience and to thy power purge and clense it with true contrition and humble confession so as there may be nothing in thee that may be burdēsome vnto thee or that may breed thee remorse of conscience and hinder thy free accesse to these heauenly mysteries Repent thee of all thy sinnes in generall and in particuler bewaile thy daily offences And if thou hast time confesse vnto God in the secret of thy heart all the miseries of thy disordered passions 2 Lament and grieue that thou art yet so subiect to sensuality and so addicted to the world so vnmortified in thy passions so full of the motions of concupiscence so vnwatchfull ouer thy outward senses so often intangled with many vaine fantasies so vehemently inclined to outward things so negligent in the interiour so prone to laughter and immodesty so hard to teares and compunction so prompt to ease and pleasures of the flesh so dul to austerity and feruour so curious to heare newes and see vaine sights so slacke to imbrace that which tends to thine owne humiliation and contempt so couetous of abundance so niggardly giuing so fast in keeping so inconsiderate in speech so vnbridled to silence so loose in manners so outragious in deedes so greedie to meate so deafe to the word of God so hasty to rest so slow to labour so watchfull to tales so drowsie to watch in the seruice of God so hasty to the end therof so inconstant in attention so negligent in saying thy office so vndeuout in saying Masse so dry in receiuing so quickely distracted so seldome wholy recollected so sodainly moued to anger so apt to take displeasure against another so prone to judge so seuere to reprehend so joyful in prosperity so weak in aduersitie so often purposing much good and performing little 3 These and other thy defects confessed bewailed with sorrow and great dislike of thine owne infirmity make a firme purpose alwayes to amend thy selfe and to goe forwards in vertue Then with full resignation and with thy whole will offer thy selfe vp to the honor of my name a perpetuall sacrifice in the altar of thy heart faithfully committing thy body and soule vnto mee that thou mayest so also deserue to come worthily to offer sacrifice vnto God and to receiue profitably the Sacrament of my body 4 For there is no oblation more worthy nor satisfaction greater for the washing away of sins then to offer vp our selues vnto God purely and wholy with the oblation of the Body of Christ in the Masse and in Communion And when a man shall haue done what lieth in him shall be truly penitent As I liue saith our Lord who will not the death of a sinner but rather that he be conuerted and liue I will not remember his sinnes any more but they shall be all forgiuen him and fully pardoned Ezec. 18. CHAP. VIII Of the Oblation of Christ on the Crosse and resignation of our selues The voice of the Beloued AS I willingly offered vp my selfe vnto God my Father with my hands stretched forth on the Crosse
not for euery vexation of the minde which happeneth to receiue this holy Sacrament but goe presently to confession and willingly forgiue others whatsoeuer offences they haue done against thee and if thou hast offended any humbly craue pardon and God will willingly forgiue thee 4 What auaileth it to delay confession and to defer receiuing Purge thy selfe with speed spit out the venom presently make hast to take a remedy and thou shalt find it better then if thou deferredst it long If thou omittest it to day for this cause perhaps to morrow some greater wil fall out and so thou mayest bee hindred a long time from these diuine Mysteries and become more vnfit Stirre vp thy selfe and shake off all heauines and slouth with the greatest force and speed thou canst For it profiteth nothing to continue long in disquietnes and trouble of minde and for daily incurring impediments to withdraw thy selfe from the Sacraments Yea it hurteth very much to defer Communion long for it is wont to breed a great and dangerous dulnes Alas some cold and dissolute people doe willingly delay their confession and do therefore defer the sacred Communion lest they should bee bound to greater watch ouer themselues 5 O how little charity and weak deuotion haue they that so easily omit the receiuing of these holy mysteries How happy is he and gratefull to God who ordereth so his life and keepeth his conscience in such puritie that hee may bee readie and fit to communicate euery day if it were conuenient and might be done without note If any one sometimes abstaine of humility or by reason of some lawfull impediment he is to be commended for the reuerence which therein he sheweth But if it proceedeth of coldnes he must stirre himselfe vp and doe what lieth in him and God will prosper his desire for the good will he hath to do it which God doth chiefely respect 6 And when any lawfull hinderance doth happen he must alwayes haue yet a good will and louing desire to communicate and so shall hee not lose the fruit of the Sacrament For a deuout person may euery day and houre profitably and without let receiue Christ spiritually and yet on certaine daies and at time appointed he ought to receiue Sacramentally with a reuerend desire the Bodie of his Redeemer and rather seeke the honour and glory of God then his owne comfort For he communicateth mystically and is inuisibly fed as often as he deuoutly calleth to minde the mysterie of the Incarnation and the Passion of Christ and is inflamed with his loue 1. Cor. 11. 7 He that prepareth not himself but when a Feast draweth neere and when custome compelleth him therunto shal often be vnprepared Blessed is he that offereth himselfe vp as an Holocaust and burnt offering to our Lord as often as hee doth celebrate or communicate Bee not too long nor too short in saying Masse but keepe the accustomed manner of those with whom thou liuest Thou oughtest not to be tedious and troublesome to others but to obserue the common course according to the appointment of thy Superiours and rather frame thy selfe to the profit of others then to thine owne deuotion or desire CHAP. XI That the Body of Christ and the holy Scripture are most necessary vnto a faithfull soule The voice of the Disciple O Most sweet Lord Iesu how great is the delight of a deuout soule that feasteth with thee in thy banquet where there is no other meat offred to be eaten but thy selfe her only beloued and most to be desired aboue al the desires of her hart And verily it would be a great comfort vnto mee to powre out teares from the bottome of my heart in thy presence and with deuout Magdalen to wash thy feet with the teares of mine eyes Luk. 7. But where is this deuotion Where is so plentifull shedding of holy teares Surely in the sight of thee and thy holy Angels my whole heart should be inflamed and dissolue into teares for joy For I enioy thee in the Sacrament really present although hidden vnder another forme 2 For to behold thee in thine owne diuine brightnesse mine eyes would not be able to endure it neither could the whole world stand in the clearenes of the glory of thy Maiesty Thou therefore prouidest for my weaknesse in that thou couerest thy selfe vnder the Sacrament I doe really enioy and adore him whome the Angels adore in heauen but I as yet for the time in faith they in his proper forme and without shadow I ought to be contented with the light of true faith and to walke therein vntill the day of euerlasting brightnes breake forth and the shadowes of figures passe away But when that shall come which is perfect the vse of Sacraments shal cease 1. Cor. 13. For the blessed in heauenly glory need not the remedie of Sacraments who rejoyce without end in the presence of God beholding his glory face to face and being transformed by his brightnesse into the brightnesse of the incomprehensible Deitie they taste the word of God made flesh as he was from the beginning and as hee remaineth for euer 3 Whilest I remember these thy wonderfull works all spirituall comfort whatsoeuer becommeth very tedious vnto me for that as long as I behold not my Lord openly in his glory I make no account of whatsoeuer I see or heare in this life Thou art my witnesse O God that nothing can confort mee no creature giue mee rest but thou my God whom I desire to behold euerlastingly But this is not possible whilest I remaine in this mortall life Therfore I must frame my selfe to much patience and submit my selfe to thee in all my desires For thy Saints also O Lord who now rejoyce with thee in the Kingdome of heauen whilst they liued expected in faith and great patience the comming of thy glory Heb. 10. 11. What they beleeued I beleeue what they hoped for I expect whither they are come I trust I shall come by thy grace In the meane time I will goe forward in faith strengthened by the examples of the Saints I haue also deuout bookes for my comfort and for the guide of my life and aboue all these thy most holy Body for a singular remedie and refuge 4 For I perceiue two things to be chiefely necessarie for me in this life without which this miserable life would bee insupportable vnto mee Whilst I am kept in the prison of this body I acknowledge my selfe to stand in need of two things to wit food and light Thou hast therefore giuen vnto me weake creature thy sacred Body for the refection of my soule body Ioh. 6. and hast set thy word as a light vnto my feet Ps 118. without these two I could not well liue For the word of God is the light of the soule and thy Sacrament the bread of life These also may be called the two Tables set on the one side and the other in the store-house of
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
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