obtaine pardon I haue directed thy Worde with my wordes whom I haue affirmed to haue beene sent for my misdeedes and haue recounted vnto thee the passion of thy most sacred sonne which I doe beleeue to haue beene suffred for my redemption I doe beleeue that his deitie sent by thee hath vouchsafed to be cloathed with my humanitie in which he thought it not strange to endure buffets bondes spittinges derision and mockinge yea to take patiently the crosse the nayles and the lances percinge This humanitie whilome subiect to the cryinge of infancy wrapped in the swadlinge cloathes of childhoode troubled with the trauailles of youthe made leane with tastinge wearied with watchinge tired with trauailinge after that cruelly treated with whipps torne with tormeÌ„ts reputed as dead endowed with the glory of his resurrection he hath caried with him vnto the heauenly felicitie and placed the same at the râ—ght hande of thy Maiestie This is that which doth implore thy mercy to pardon mine iniquitie Heere behâ—ulde o holy Faâ—her the sonne whom thou hast begotten and the seruant whom thou hast redeemed See heere the Creator and despise not his creature Gâ—atiously embrace the shepheard mercifully looke vpon the sheepe which vppon his owne shoulders he hath brought backe vnto the folde This is that most faithfull shepheard who heresofore with much and manie laboures sought the sheepe that was loste wanderinge ouer the craggie hilles and dangerous dales Who liauing at length found this one sheepe that had beene lost beinge now almost dead and fainting for want of foode with iov he laied it on his owne shouâ—ders and bindinge it fast vnto him with cordiall cordes of affection he drewe it out of the pitt of perdition and lastly holding it fast with the embracements of his mercy that it might not againe get away he brought it backe to the ninety nine that had neuer gone astray Beholde o Lord thou who aâ—t my king and God of all power beholde the good sheepheard doth yeeld thee an accompt of that which thou hast committed to his charge he hath by thy ordinance vndertaken to saue man whom he hath repaired and rendred vnto thee free from all spott of sinne Beholde thy most deerely beloued sonne hath reconciled vnto thee the creature which thou didst create of clay which had departed farr from thee Beholde the milde sheapphearde doth bringe againe to thy flocke the sheepe which the violent theife had driuen a way He representeth the seruant before thy face that did runne away through the guilt of his owne conscience to the end that he who by his owne merits deserued punishment may by the satisfaction of this soe good a Lord obtaine pardon and that he to whom hell was due for his sinnes and iniquitie may hope in shorte time by meanes of soe good a guide to be recalled to the countrie of hauenly felicitie I haue beene able of my selfe to offende thee but of my selfe I caÌ„not appease thee My God is become mine ayde to witt thy beloued sonne makinge himselfe partaker of my humanitie that he might cure mine infirmitie to the end that by the same thinge from whence arose the cause of offence he might offer vnto thee a sacrifice of praise and by this might make me acceptable to thy mercie that sittinge at thy right hande he might alwaies shewe himselfe to be of the same nature and substance with me Beholde this is my hope this is my confidence If thou doest as worthily thou maiest contemne me in respect of my sinne at least looke mercifully vpon me for the loue of thy beloued sonne For thy sonnes sake pardon me his seruant Looke vpon the Sacrament of his fleshe and remit my fleshes guiltines Lett my sinnes I beseeche thee be blotted out of thy sight be they neuer soe vilde as often as thou doest see those wide open woundes of thy blessed childe Washe a way I beseeche thee the spotts of pollution and filthines where with I am defiled as often as thou doost behold the pretious bloud flowing from his sacred side And for that flesh hath caused thee to be angry leâ—t flesh 〈◊〉 wise I most humbl requâ—st thee moue thee vnto mercy that as flesh hath seâ—uced me to sin soe flesh may reduce me to pâ—rdon True it is that much is due to my impietie but much more to his pitty Great certainly is my wickednes but farr greater is his worthines For by how much higher God is then man in greatnes and exceliencie by soe much lower is mans malice to his goodnes in quality and quatitie For what hath man done and committed which the sonne of God being made man hath not redeemed What pride could swell to be soe great which so great humiâ—iâ—y did not abate and defeaâ—e What power of death coulde grow to haue soe supereminent power and dominion as that Christ had not power to destroy and pâ—ll it downe by the paine of his passion Verily o my God if the demerits of man sinning and the meritts of his crâ—ator redeeming him were weighed togeather in a ballance that is iust and euen farr greater distance and difference would be founde betweene them then is betweene the East and West or betweene the lowest hell and the highest hâ—auen Now therfore o most excellent creator of light now mercifully pardo me my sinnes for the vnspeakable labours of thy beloued sonne Lett my wickednes I beseeche thee be now forgiuen by meanes of his pitty my peruersnes through his modesty my fiercenes through his meekenes and mercie Lett his humilitie now winne my hautines his sufferance mine impatieÌ„ce his benignity mine vncourteousnes his obedience my disobedience his tranquillitie mine vnquietne his sweetnes my bitternes his mildnes my hastines his charitie mine vngentlenes A prayer to desire the assistance of the Holy-Ghost CHAPT IX VOuchsafe now o true loue of the diuinity o sacred communication of the almighty Father and his most blessed sonne O Holy Ghost the almighti aduocate the most meeke and mercifull comforter of those that mourne and are in misery vouchsafe now to flow and descende into the secret roomes of my harte by the powerfull vertue and dwellinge and abidinge in me make ioyfull by the shininge of thy bright illumination all the darksome dennes of my neglected mansion fruitfull likewise I beseeche thee by visitting me with the aboundance of the heauenly dewe of thy grace infused whatsoeuer thou shalt finde in me through longe neglect to be growne corrupt or withered Wounde with the darte of thy loue the secret places of mine inwarde man and entringe in set on fire with thy wholsome flames the internall partes of my dull affection consume likewise whatsoeuer is amisse in all the partes and powers of my body and soule within by enlightninge me with the fire of sacred deuotion Giue me to drinke of the fountaine of thy pleasure that I may not desire to taste of the poysoned sweetnes of any worldly creature Iudge me o Lord and discerne
mercy giue me yet greater light and vnderstanding I beseech thee that I may perceiue it more plainely For by the lesser benefits o holy Lord God our good Creator we growe to vnderstande thy greater and by those which we visibly see heer we come to the knowledg of those that are inuisible in heauen For if thou o God dost bestowe vpon our base and corruptible body soe greate and innumerable benefits from the firmament and ayre from the earthe sea from the light and darknes from heate and shadowe from dewe and raine from windes and shewers from foules fishes from beastes and trees from variety of hearbes and plantes and of al other of thy earthely creatures seruing vs successiuely in their turnes that by them thoâ— maiest solace the sorowes of this our wearisome life what manner of benefits are those I pray thee how greate I say and innumerable shall those comfortes and commodities be which thou hast prepared for those that loue thee in that heauenly country where apparantly face to face we shall see and beholde thee If thou dost soe much for vs now in this earthly prison what wilt thou doe for vs heerafter in the palace of thy heauenly habitation Greate certainely and innumerable are these thy workes o Lord and kinge of heauen For seing all these thinges are exceeding good and delightfull which thou hast imparted to good and bad men in common what manner of thinges wil those be which thou hast reserued for the good alone If the guifts which thou dost now giue vnto thy freindes and foes together be soe innumerable and many how greate innumerable how sweete and delightfull will those be which thou wilt bestowe heereafter vpon thy freinds onely If thou dost giue vs soe greate comfortes on this sorrowfull day of weepings how greate wilt thou giue vs on the festiuall day of the wedding If soe greate delightes are contained in this earthly prison how greate are contayned in the countrie of heauen There was neuer yet any eye o God without thee that hath seene the pleasures which thou hast prepared for those that loue thee Because the immensitie of thy sweetnes which thou hast reseruâ—â— for those that feare thee is answerable vnto the immensitie of thy magnificence Wherfore o Lord my God like as thou art greate and immense there being neither end of thy greatnes or number of thy wisedome or measure of thy bounteousnes soe likewise there is neither end or number nor measure of thy recompence but like as thou art greate soe is likewise thy rewarde and recompence because thou thy selfe art their rewarde and recompence that fight for thee according to thy holy ordinance That the sweetnes of God doth take away the present bitternes of the Worlde CHAPT XXII THâ—se o Lord God the sanctifier of thy Saincts are those greate benefits of thine with which thou hast aboundantly supplied and replenished the wantes of thy children because thou are the hope of those that are in desperation their comforte that are in affliction thou art a crowne of confidence adorned with glory prepared for those that ouercome Thou art the eternall foode and fullnes of thy hungry seruants to be distributed to those that hunger after righteousnes Thou art the euerlasting comforte who bestowest thy selfe on them only that despise all worldly comforte in hope of that endlesse comforte which they shall haue of thee Because those that are comforted eere are vnworthy to be comforted by thee heereafter But they are by thee comforted who are heere for thee afflicted and they that are partakers of thy passions are likewise partakers of thy consolations Certainely noe man can be comforted in both worldes or reioyce heere in this life and in the next likewise but of necessitie he must loose the one that will get the other When I consider these thinges o Lord my comforter my soule refuseth to be comforted in this life to the end it may be thought worthy of thy eternall comfortes because according to reason it seemeth that he is worthy to loose thee that taketh more delight in any other thing then in thee Wherfore o souueraigne truth by thine owne selfe I beseeche thee permitt me not to take pleasure in any vanitie But let all transitorie thinges seeme bitter vnto me that thou alone maiest seeme sweete vnto my soule who art that inestimable sweetnes that maketh bitter thinges to be sweete Thy sweetnes made the stones of the streame seeme sweete vnto Saint Stephan with which he was stoned Thy sweetnes made the burning gridiron seeme sweete vnto Saint Laurence on which he was broyled By meanes of thy sweetnes the Apostles went ioyfullie froÌ„ the sight of the councell for that they were thought worthy to suffer reproache for thy name Saint Andrewe went with ioy and alacritie towardes the Crosse because he went with hast towardes thy sweetnes The Princes of the Apostles likewise Saint Peter Saint Paule with this thy sweetnes were replenished so that to obtaine it the one of them made choice to be crucified the other without feare to loose his heade Saint Bartholomewe to buy it gaue his owne skinne and Sainte Iohn to taste of it without feare drunke vp a cuppe of poison Noe sooner had Saint Peter tasted of this sweetnes but forthwith forgetting all inferiour thinges he cried out as one inebriated and ouercome with ioy saying Lord it is good for vs to be heere let vs make heere three tabernacles let vs remaine heere in diuine contemplation because we want noe other thing It is sufficieÌ„t for vs saide he to see thee it is sufficient to be satisfied with soe greate sweetnes He had noe sooner tasted one onely droppe of that heauenly sweetenes but he immediatelye forgott all other sweetenes What woulde he haue saied thinke you if he had tasted of the immense sweetenes of thy diuinitie which thou hast kept in store for those that loue thee That Virgin likewise had tasted of this thy vnspeakeable sweetenes of whom we reade that shee went to the prison in that pleasant and merrie manner as if shee had been inuited to some banquet or supper He likewise I suppose had tasted of this sweetnes who saied How greate o Lord is the multitude of thy sweetnesse which thou hast laied vp in store for those that feare thee Who likewise did put vs in minde of it saying Taste and see because our Lord is sweete This o Lord God is that happines which we doe hope thou wilt bestowe vpon vs for which we fight for thee continuallie for which we mortifie our selues for theâ— dailie to the end we may liue with thee in that happy life of thine which shall last euerlastingly That our whole hope and the desire of our harte ought to be in God CHAPT XXIII Bvt thou o Lord the expectation of Israel the desire after which our hartâ— doth sighe euery day make hast and doe not stay Arise make hast and come and deliuer vs out
any time my rebellious flesh doth chance to throwe me downe through the remembrance of the woundes of my Lord I arise againe When the diuell seeketh to entrap me I forthwith fly to the bowells of my Lords mercy and he presentlie departeth from me If the heate of vnlawfull luste doth at any time cause any inordinate motion in my flesh through the remembrance of the woundes of our Lord the sonne of God it is immediatlie mitigated In all aduersities I doe not finde a more soueraigne remedie then are the wounds which Christ suffered for me In them I sleepe securely and repose assuredly Christ hath died for vs and therfore in deathe nothing can be founde soe bitter and vnpleasing which is not sweetned and cured by Christs death and passion My whole hope is in the deathe of my Lord. His deathe is my merit succoure and saluation it is my life and resurrection our Lords mercy and compassion is the merit which I rely vpon I am not voide of merit aslonge as I haue the Lord of mercies on my parte and sit hence the mercies of our Lord are many I my selfe am likewise riche in merits By howe much the more powerfull he is to saue me by soe much the greater is my securitie Howe the remembrance of Christs woundes is an approued remedie against all afflictions CHAPT XXIII I Haue exceedingly sinned and I knowe mine offenses to be many which I haue committed and yet I doe not despaire because where sinnes haue abounded there grace hath superabounded He that despaireth of obtaining pardon for his sinnes denieth God to be mercifull He doth almightie God a greate iniurie that mistrusteth of his mercy As much as lieth in him he denieth God to haue charity truth and power in which three notwithstanding doth depend my whole confidence that is in the charitie of his adoption in the truth of his promise and in the power of his redemption Nowe therfore let my foolishe imagination murmure as much as it will saying Who art thou that speakest after this fashion how wonderfull greate I pray thee is the glory of heauen by what merits then doâ—t thou hope to obtaine the same To whom I will answere confidently saying I knowe to whom I haue committed my selfe for that throughe his surpassing great charitie he hath adopted me to be his sonne because he is true in his promise and able to performe the same and may doe whatsoeuer it pleaseth him I cannot be terrified with the multitude of my sinnes if the deathe of my Lord come into my minde because my sinnes cannot oâ—ercome him The nayles and lance doe tell me that I am truly reconciled to Christ if I loue him Longinus with his lance hath opened Christs side for me into which I haue entred and doe rest there securely He that feareth let him loue because loue chaseth forth feare Verilie the whole worlde doth not afforde such a powerfull and present medicine against the heate of dishonest pleasure as is the deathe of my redeemer He stretcheth for the his armes on the Crosse and spreadeth out his handes as one readie to embrace sinners I purpose to liue and desire to die betweene the armes of Christ that hath saued me There I will sing securely I will extoll thee o Lord for that thou hast receiued me and hast not permitted mine enimies to triumphe ouer me Our Sauiour at his death bowed downe his heade that he might giue the kisse of peace to his beloued So often doe we kisse God as we are egged forwards through his loue to doe good A deuoute Meditation of the soule stirring vs vp to the loue of Christ. CHAPT XXIV O My soule who art famous by being framed according to the likenes of God beinge bought with Christs owne blood espoused vnto him by faith endowed with the holy Ghost adorned with vertues esteemed equall with the Angells loue him of whom thou art soe much loued attende to him that attendeth to thee and seeke him that seeketh thee Loue this thy louer of whom thou art beloued with whose loue thou art preuented who is the fountaine froÌ„whence thy loue proceeded He is thy merit and rewarde he is the fruite the vse and end of thy loue Be carefull to please him that is carefull to please thee thinke on him that thinketh of thee be pure with him that surpasseth in puritie be holy with him that excelleth all others in sanctitie According as thou shalt carry thy selfe towardes God in thy conuersation in the same manner will he carrie himselfe towardes thee againe He therfore being courteous milde and full of mercy and compassion doth exact of thee that thou likewise be courteous milde sweete huÌ„ble and mercifull towardes all men Loue him o my soule who hath deliuered thee from the lake of misery and from the myre of sinne and iniquitie Choose him for thy friende especiallie who alone will faithfullie adhere vnto thee when all other thinges and friendes shal be taken from thee On the day of thy buriall when thou shalt be abandoned by all thy friendes he will not leaue thee but will defende thee from those roring and infernali fiendes ready to deuoure thee yea he will conduct thee throughe that vnknowne region and bring thee into the streetes of heauenly Syon and will place thee there with his Angells before the face of his Maiestie where thou shalt heare that Angelicall songe Holy holy holy c. The Canticle of ioy the voice of mirthe and 〈◊〉 thanks-giuing praise and perpetuall Alleluia is songe there euerlastingly There there is a heape of happines supereminent glory superaboundant gladnes and all manner of goodnes O my soule sighe vehementlie and desire earnestlie that thou maiest attaine to that celestiall citty of which soe glorious thinges are saied and in which is the dwelling place of all those that are truly glad By loue thou maiest mounte vp thither because nothing is harde nothing is impossible to an vnfained louer The soule that loueth ascendeth very often and runneth vp and downe familiarlie in the streetes of the heauenlie Hierusalem visiting the Patriarches and Prophets saluting the Apostles admiring the armies of Martyres and Confessores and considering the quires of Virgins Heauen and earthe and all thinges in them contained doe continuallie exhorte me to loue my Lord God How nothing can satisfie the soule besides God the supreame good CHAT XXV IT is impossible that the harte of man should remaine constant and stable if it be not setled in the desire of thinges eternall but being more mutable then mutabilitie it selfe it passeth from one thing to an other seeking repose where it is not for in these fraile and transitorie thinges in which the affections thereof are held captiue it cannot content it selfe and liue at quiet because it is of soe great dignitie as that nothinge but the chiefe good is able to suffice it it is likewise of that freedome as that it cannot be constrained to commit any sinne Wherfore
vnder wheeling globes The Sunne the Moone and all the heaueÌ„s In starre bespangled robes O Christ the Palme of Warriers Vouchsafe me of thy pitty To make me when I end my warre A free man of this citty Graunt me among these cittizens Thy bounties to partake Meane while assist me with thy ayde A happy fight to make That warring ouâ— my time the rest In quiett I may spend And for my guerdon thee enioy For euer without end Amen The continuall praise of the soule through the contemplation of God CHAPT XXVII MY soule blesse thou our Lord and all thinges that are within me his holie name My soule blesse thou our Lord and forgett not all his benefittâ— Blesse yee our Lord all his workes in euerie place of his dominion my soule blesse thou our Lord Lett vs praise God whom the Angells extoll the Dominations adore in whosâ— presence the powers doe tremble to whom the Cherubins and Seraphins with a loude voice doe incessantlie sing Holy holy holy Let vs ioyne our voyces to the voyces of the holie Angells and with them to the vttermost of our poore powâ—r praise this our common Lord and maker It is they indeede that praiâ—e ouâ— Lord purely and incessantlye who are wholy giuen to the contemplation of his Diuinitie not beholding him as it were in a mirrour or in obscuritie but face to face and apparently But who is able to imagin or expresse in what manner that innumerable multitude of blessed Angells and Saints doe carrie themselues in almightie Gods presence What euerlasting content they receiue by seeinge God what ioy without defect What delightful heate of burning affection without anie affliction What a desire they haue of the sight of God ioyned with fulnes and a fulnes ioyned with desire in whom neither desire causeth paine not fulnes loathinge How by adheringe to the cheife beatitude they are become blessed How by being vnited to the true â—ight they are become light How by continuall contemplation of the immutable Trinitie they are now noe more subiect to muâ—abilitie But when shall we be able to comprehend the greatnes of the dignitie of Angells sitâ—ence we cannot finde out the nature euen of ouâ— owne soule What kind of creature iâ— this who hauing power to giue life to the body cannot as it woulde containe it selte in thinking of such things onely as are holy What kind of creature is this that iâ— soe strong soe weake of soe little soe great that searcheth into the secretts of God that are hidden and soareth vp to the comtemplation of those things that are in heauen and by subtilitie of vnderstanding is kdowen to haue founde out the knowledge of soe many artes and sâ—â—ences for the commoditie of man What kind of creature is this that knoweth soe much of all other thinges and yett is altogether ignorant of the manner of its owne beginning For albeit certaine doubtfull thinges haue been written by some coÌ„cerning the originall thereof yetâ— we finde that it is a certane intellectuall spirit made by the power of God the creator liuing euerlastinglie if it be considered in its owne manner giuing life to the mortall bodie which it doth sustaine subiect to mutation subiect to obliuion somtimes fearefull at other times ioyfull Loe here a thing most worthy of admiratioÌ„ O God the creator of al thinges who is incomprehensible and vnspeakable we reade speake and write without any ambiguity thinges surpassing high and woÌ„derfull but those thinges which we say of the Anglls and souleâ— of men we cannot soe manistly proue and confirme But lett my minde omitt to think on these thinges and passe beyonde what soeuer is created lett it runne and ascende and flâ—e and soare aboue them all lookinge stedfastlie with the eies of faith as much as is possible on him that hath created all thinges For this cause I will make as it were steppes or stayres in my hart and by them I will ascende vnto my soule and from my soule vnto my vnderstanding and from thence vnto God who remaineth aboue ouer my head What soeuer likewise is seene visiblie whatsoeuer likewise is imagined spiritually lett be remoued fare off with a strong hand from the sight of my hart and minde that my sole vnderstanding walking in all puritie and simplicitie may speedily come to the Creator himselfe of Angells soules all other thinges Happie is that soule that leaueth these thinges that are heere beneath loueth those aboue who placing the seate of her habitation in thinges hard and difficile doth from the high rockes contemplate the sunne of iustice with the eies of an Eagle Because there is nothing soe faire and pleasing as with the view of the vnderstanding and harts affection to looke vppon Iesus alone and after a manner vnspeakable inuisible to see him that is muisible and by this meanes to taste a more sweete delight then that of this life to behold a brightnes more cleare then that which we see heere for that the light of this present life which is enclosed in a ceâ—taine place and by the intâ—rruption of the night is changed ended after a certaine space being common to vs with wormes and beastes in comparison of that high and heauenly light is rather to be teaâ—med night then light What it is after a certaine manner to see and comprehend God and what opinion we ought to haue of him CHAPT XXVIII ALthough God the most supreame vnchangeable essence the true and neuer failinge light the light of Angells cannot be scene by any mortall man during the time of this life this beinge the onely rewarde and guâ—rdon reserued by God for the Saints in heaven yett neuerthelesse to beleiue and vndeâ—stand to feele and feruently to affect the same is after a câ—râ—aine manner to see and comprehend him Lett our voice therefore be heard aboue the Angâ—lls and let man contemplate God with all attention and with the best wordes he can singe praises vnto him Because it is a thing very meete which iustice it selfe doth seeme to require that the creature doo praise his creator yea the motiue that moued him to create vs was noe other but that we should praise him albeit he needeth not our praise or commendation And â—nd ede God is a vertue that cannot be comprehended needing nothing of himselfe sufficient Our Lord God is great and grâ—at is his power and of his wisedomehere iâ— noe nâ—mber Our Lord God is great and exceeding worthy to be praised Let our soule therfore loue him our tongue talke of him our hand write of him in these sacred exercises let the minde of euerie faithfull Christian wholy employ it selfe That man certainely that is full of good desires whose delight is in heauenly meditation may daily be refreshed with the most sweete daintie dishes of this â—elestiall contemplation to the end that being filled with this supernal foode he may crie with a loude voice and with the whole force and affection
essence one vertuâ— one goodnes one onely happines From whom by whom and in whom all thinges are happie what thinges soâ—uer are happie That God is the true and soueraigne life CHAPT XXXII O God the true and soueraigne lâ—fe from whome by whome and in whome all thinges doe liue what thinges soeuer doe truly and happilie liue O God the true and soueraigne bountiâ— and beautie from whom by whom and in whome all thinges are good and beautifull what thinges soeuer are good and beautifull O God whose faiâ—he dâ—th raise vsâ— whose hope doth releiue vs whose charitie doth vnite vs. O God who commaundest that we shoulde aske thee and openest to him that doth knock and call vnto thee O God from whome to be auerted is to fall to whome to be conuâ—â—ed is to rise in whome to remaine is to be immoueable O God whom noe man looseth vnlesse he be deceaued whioÌ„ noe man seeketh vnlesse he bâ— admonished whom noe man findeth vnlesse he be vndefiled O God to knowe whom is to liue to serue whom is to raigne to praife whom is the â—oules ioy and saluation I praise blâ—sse and adore thee with my lippes and harte and with all the force I haue rendring thankes to thy mercie and bountie for all the benefitts which I haue receiuâ—d from thee and singing vnto thee the hymne of thy glorie holy holy holy To thee I cry o blessed Trinity beseeching thee that thou wilt vouchsafe to come into me and make men temple fitt to receaue thy maiestie I beseech the Father by the Sonne I beseech the Sonne by the Father I beseech the holy Ghost by the Father and the Sonne that all my sinnes and imperfections may be remoued farr from me and all holy vertues may be planted in me O God of infinite power and might of whom by whom and in whom all thinges visible and inuisible were created who dost enuiron thy workes without and replenishe them within who dost couer them aboue and sustaine them beneath protect me the worke of thy handes hoping in thee and hauing my whole coÌ„fidence in thy onely mercy Preserue me I beseeche thee heere and euery where now and euer within and without before and behinde aboue and beneathe and on euery side that noe place in me may be founde open to the assaultes and snares of mine enimies Thou art God almightie the keeper and defender of all those that trust in thee without whom no man is secure no man is free from danger Thou art God and there is noe other God but thee either in heauen aboue or on the earthe beneathe who dost great and maruailous thinges vnknowen and inscrutable in nomber infinite and innumerable To thee therefore doth truly belong all glory power and praise To thee all the holy Angells the heauens and vniuâ—rsall powers doe singe songes of thanksgiuing sounding forth thy prayses without ceasinge as creatures to theire creator as seruants to theire maister as souldiers to theme Prince and gouuernoure Finallie euery creature and eueric spiritt doth magnifie and extoll thee o sacred and inseparable Trinitie The praises of Angells and men CHAPT XXXIII TO thee all holy and humblâ— men of hartie to thee the spiritts and soules of the iust to thee all the celestiall citâ—izeÌ„s and euerie order of the heauenlie hierarchie doe singe and sounde forth praise and honoure euâ—rlastinglie in most humble manner fallinge downe adoring thee Those celestiall cittizens o Lord doe praise thee with much honoure and magnificencie Man likewise doth extâ—ll thy power containinge in himselfe a greate parte of ech other creature I my selfe alsoe albeit a poore and miserable sinner doe desire to praise thee with greate deuotion and doe withe thaâ— I coulde loue thee with most ardent affection O my God my life my strength and my praise giue me graâ—e to praise thee Giue light vnto my harte and worde vnto my mouth that my harte may thinke of thy glorie and my tongue may all the day longe singe and sounde forth thy praises But because thy praise is not seemely in my mouthe that am a sinner and a man of vncleane lipps cleanse my harte I beseâ— che thee from all vncleanlineffe of iniqnitie sanctifie me within and without o sanctifier omnipotent and make me worthy to praise thee Receiue gratiouslie and take in good parte this sacrifice of my lipps which I offer thee with my whole harte and affection and graunt that it may be acceptable in thy sight and ascende vnto thee as an odore of sweetnes Lett thy holie remembrance and thy most blessed sweetnes possesse my whole soule drawinge it vp to the loue of thinges inuisible Lett my soule passe from thinges visible to inuisible from earthly to celestiall from thinges temporall to eternall lett it mount vp by contemplation and beholde thee whose sight is soe full of admiration O eternal truthe true charitie and charitable eternitie thou art my God to thee I sigh day and night thou art my whole studie my desire is how I may come to thee because he that knoweth the truth knoweth eternity Thou o truth art ruler ouer al thinges whom we shal apparantly see after that this blinde and mortal life is ended in which we are demauÌ„ded Wher is thy God yea I my selfe doe demaunde My God where art thou Me thinke I finde my selfe somewhat comforted in thee when with wordes of exultation and confession I doe power forthe my soule vppon thee as one reioyceth at some banquet or vppon a holie day Neuerthelesse my soule is yet pensiue for that it falleth downe and becommeth as an infinite deepe pitt or rather perceiueth it selfe to be such a one as yett To whome my faith which in the night season thou hast kindled before my feete making answere saieth Why art thou sadd o my soule and why doost thou trouble me Put thy trust in God whose worde is a light vnto my feete hope and perseuere in him vntill the night be past the mother of such as sinne vntill Gods anger be past whose children in times past we haue been because we were heeretofore darknes vntill this violent inundation of waters be past vntill the day appeare and the shadowes are departed till then the residue of sinne remaineth in our bodie growen deade through iniquitie Wherefore o my soule put thy trust in our Lord in the morninge I will preisent my selfe before him and meditate vppon him and for euermore will confesse vnto him In the morninge I will present my selfe before him and by contemplation will beholde him who is the health of my countenance and my God who will reuiue our deade bodies by meanes of the holie Ghost dwellinge in vs to the end that from hence forth we may become light and the children of the light and of the day not of the night neither of darknes being as yett saued by hope True it is that heeretofore we were darknesse but now we are become light in thee our God neuertheles as yet by
free from all affliction When shall I be admitted into that admirable beautifull house of thine where the voice of ioy and exultation doth refounde in the tabernacles of iust men They o Lord that dwell in thy house are happie because they shall praise thee euerlastingly They are happie and trulie happie indeede whoÌ„ thou hast chosen and taken vp to be heires of that celestiall beatitude Behold o Lord thy Saints doe flourishe in thy sight as a lâ—llie for that they are filled with the plentie of thy house thou giuinge them to drinke of the riuer of thy dilightful sweetnesse because thou art the fountaine of life and in thy light they doe see light soe that they the illuminated light by meanes of thee the illuminating light doe shine like vnto the sunne in thy sight O Lord of all vertues how wonderfull how beautifull how gratefull are the lodgings of thy heauenly mansion my sinfull soule doth exceedingly couet to enter into them O Lord I haue loued the beauty of thy house and the place of the habitation of thy glorie I haue desired of our Lord one thinge and I will aske it of him againe and againe to witâ— that I may dwell in the house of our Lord all my life longe Like as the harte longeth for the fountaines of waters when he iâ— pursued soe doth my soule longe after thee my God When shall I come and appeare before thee When shall I see my God whom my soule doth soe much thirst to behold When shall I see him in the lande of the liuinge for in this lande of the dyinge it is impossible with mortal eies to beholde him What shall I therfore doe poore wretche that I am being subiect to death and corruption What course shall I take As longe as we are in this corruptible bodie we are in respect of thee as strangers and pilgrims in a forraine countrie not hauinge heere any citty or certaine dwellinge but doe seeke for one in time to come because ouâ— habitation is in heauen Alas I esteeme my selfe wretched by reason of my ouer longe slay in this worlde I haue dwelt with the inhabitants of Cedar too longe hath my soule remained heere Who will giue me winges like vnto a doue that I may flie and be at rest Nothing can be to me soe pleasant and good as to be with my Lord. It is good for me to adhere to my God Giue me grace therfore I beseech thee that as loÌ„ge as I liue I may adhere to thee as it is written He that adhereth to our Lord becommeth one spiritt with him Giue me I beseech thee the winges of contemplation by which I may be able to flie vp vnto thee into heauen And for that euery thinge that is euiâ—l doth drawe vs downewarde to sinne vp holde my mynde that it fall not downe to the bottome of the obscure valley of perdition vpholde my minde least by the interposition of the shadowe of earthly thinges it be separated from thee the sonne of iustice and by the darke cloude of secular conuersation it be hindered from looking and lifting vp it selfe to celestiall contemplation For this cause I doe endeuoure to ascende vp to those ioyes of peace and to the deligthfull and quiet state of true light Vpholde my harte with thy holy hande for that without thy help it cannot ascende I doe hasten thither where surpassing greate peace raigneth and where continuall quietnes shineth Guide and conduct my soule and according to thy holy will drawe it vnto thee to the end that vnder thy conducte it may ascende vnto that region of plentie where thou dost feede Israel euerlastingly with the foode of thy veritie that there be it but in thought onely and for neuer soe shorte a time it may touche thee the supreame wisedome remaininge aboue all thinges ouer-going all thinges and gouerninge all thinges But many thinges there be which trouble my soule and hinder it that it cannot soare vp vnto thee Cause them all o Lord by thy commaundement to cease and be silent Let my soule it selfe be silente let it passe beyonde all thinges all thinges I meane created let it mounte aboue it selfe and come to thee Let it fixe the eies of its saith on thee alone the creator of all thinges lett it aspire to thee lett it attende to thee lett it meditate on thee lâ—tt it contemplate on thee lett it sett thee before its eies and thinke vpon thee in its harte who art the true and soueraigne good thinge and that ioy which shall neuer haue end For albeit the contemplations are many wherwith a deuoute soule is by thee wonderfully fedd and refreshed yet is my soule in none of them all soe much delighted and conforted as in thee and as when it doth meditate and contemplate on thee onely O how greate o Lord is the aboundaÌ„ce of thy sweetned how marueilouslie dost thou inspire and visit the hartes of such as loue thee how wonderfull is the delight of thy loue which they feele and enioy who affect and seeke nothinge but thee who desire not soe much as to thinke of any other thing sauing onely thee Happie are they whose hope iâ— in thee alone who wholy addict themselues to prayer and contemplation Happie is he that passeth his life in solitarinesse and silence taking continuall heede night and day to the custodie of his senses that euen in this life during the time of his abode in this fraile fleshe he may be able in some sorte to taste of thy vnspeakeable sweetnes I beseech thee o Lord by those most pretious woundes of thine which on the crosse thou hast suffered for the redemption of mankinde froÌ„ which hath gushed forth that most pretious blood by which we are redeemed wounde my sinfull soule for whom likewise thou hast vouchsafed to dye wounde it with the fierie and forcible darte of thy surpassing greate charitie Because the worde of God is powerful and effectual and more peircing then a two edged sworde Thou therfore o Lord who as a chosen arrowe and most sharpe sworde art able to peirce and passe thoughe the harde target of mans harte pierce my harte with the darte of thy loue that my soule may say I am wounded with thy charitie soe that from the wounde of this thy charitie teares may trickle downe day and night in greate quantitie Strike o Lord strike I most humblie beseeche thee my hard hatred soule with the pious and powerfull speare of thy loue yea peirce it to the very bottome with thy omnâ—poteÌ„t vertue Cause likewise a floude of water to flowe from my heade and a fountainâ— of teares continually to trickle downe from mine eies throughe the exceeding greate affection and desire of beholdinge thy fairnesse in such sorte as that I may weepe continuallie receyuing noe comforte duringe this present life vntill I shall be thought worthie to beholde thee in thy heauâ—nlie house my beloued and most beautifull spouse my God and my Lord
that seeing there thy glorious admirable and most fâ—ire face replenished with all sweetnes I may together with that elected companie fall prostrate and adore thy Maiestie and being at length filled with the celestiall and vnspeakeable ioy of that eternall delectation I may with those that loue thee cry out saying Beholde I nowe see what I coueted I nowe enioy that for which I hoped I nowe haue that which I desired because I am nowe ioyned to him in heauen whom whilst I liued on earth with my whole strength I loued with my whole loue I affected and to whom with my whole affection I was vnited him doe I praise blesse and adore who liueth and raigneth God both nowe and euer more Amen A Prayer to be saied in time of tribulation CHAPT XXXVIII TAke pittieâ—o Lord take pittie o mercifull Sauiour of me a most miserable sinner doing thinges worthie of blame and worthilie suffering for the same being by thee dailie afflicted for that continuallie I am founde to haue offended If I ponder the euill which I daylie commit that which I endure is nothing in comparison of it that which I haue donne being much more greiuous then mine affliction Thou art iust o Lord and right is thy iudgmentâ— all thy iudgementâ— are iuste and true Thou o Lord our God arâ— iust and full of goodnes neither is there in thee anie wickednesâ— because when we offende thou dost not vniustlie and cruellie afflict vs who when we were not hast powerfullie made vs and when for our sinne we were guiltie of damnation thou hast by thy wonderfull mercie and goodnesse set vs in state of saluation I knowe o Lord God and am assured that our life is not gouerned by the vnaduised influence and concurrence of secondarie causes but is wholie disposed and ordered by thy almightie prouidence Thou therfore takest care of all thinges but especiallie of such as serue thee who putt theire whole confidence in thy onelie mercie Wherefore I humblie pray and beseeche thee that thou wilt not deale with me according to mine iniquities by which I haue deserued thine anger but according to thy manifold mercies which surmounte the sinnes of the whole world together Thou o Lord who dost punishe me outwardlie giue me alwaies an inuincible patience inwardlie to the end I may neuer cease to praise thee Take pittie of me o Lord take pittie of me and helpe me like as thou knowest to be expedient for me both in soulâ— and bodie thou I say who knowest all thinges and art able to doe all thinges whatsoeuer who liueth and raigneth for euer and euer Amen A verie deuoute Prayer to God the Sonne CHAPT XXXIX O Lord Iesu Christ the sonne of the living God who with thy handes stretched forth on the Crosse hast drunke the cupp of thy passion for the redemption of all mankinde succouâ—e me this day I beseeche thee Beholde o Lord I that am needie doe come to thee that art wealthie I that am full of miserie doe approache to thee replenished with mercie suffer mâ— not therfore to departe voide or as one worthie to be despised I beginne hungrie let me not end emptie I approache as one hunger-starued let me not departe vnfed And if I sighe before I eate graunt that I may eate at least after I haue sighed First therforâ— most sweete Iesu before the magnificence of thy sweetnes I confesse against me myne iniustice Beholde o Lord for that I was conceiued and borne in sinne and thou hast washed and sanctified me from the same and 〈◊〉 this haue defiled my selfe with greater offences because those sinnes wherin I was borne were of necessitie but those in which I afterwardes lay wallowing were voluntarie This notwithstanding thou being not vnmindfull of thy mercie and goodnes hast drawne me from my fathers house and from the tabernacles of sinner inspiring me with thy grace to followe thee in the companie of those that seeke thy face who walk the direct way that leadeth to felicâ—tie liuinge amiddst the 〈◊〉 of chaâ—itie and sitting at table with thee in the parloure of most profounde pouertie But I ingratefull and forgetfull of soe many benefits receiued haue after my entrance into Religion committed many sinnes and abominations and where I ought to haue corrected my faultes by doing satisfaction there haue I added sinne vpon sinne These therfore o Lord are the faultes by which I haue dishonoured thee and defiled my selfe who thou hast created according to thine owne image similitude to wit pride vaine glorie and many other sinnes almost infinite by which my vnhappy soule is troubled and afflicted rent and destroyed Beholde o Lord mine iniquities haue ouerwhelmed mine heade being vnto me as a greiuous burden vnsupportable to be endured in soe much that if thou whose propertie is to pardonne and to shewe mercie doe not lift me vp with the right hande of thy maiestie I shall woefullie sinke downe into the gulfe of eternall miserie Beholde o Lord God see because thou art holy beholde I say how my ghostlie ennimie doth insulte ouer me saying God hath forsaken him I will pursue and take him because there is none that can deliuer him Howe longe o Lord wilt thou thus leaue me Tuâ—ne backe and deliuer my soule o sauâ— me for thy mercies sake Take pittie of me thy sonne whom thou hast begotten in the greate greife of thy passion and doe not soe attende to my wickednes that thou forgett thy goodnes What Father is there who seeing his sonne in danger doth not endeuoure to sett him free or what sonne is there whom his Father doth refuse to correct with the staffe of his pittie Wherefore o Lord and Father albeit I am a sinner yet I doe not cease to be thy sonne because thou hast made me and newe made me againe like as I haue sinned soe correct and amend me and being by the staffe of thy fatherlie pittie corrected and amended commit me to the care and custodie of thy onely begotten sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Is it possible for a woman to forget the childe of her owne wombe And albeit shee shoulde forget it yet thou o most louinge Father hast promised not to forget the same Beholde I cry and thou dost not heare me I am afflicted with greife and thou dost not comfort me What shall I say or doe being in this extreame miserie Alas I am altogether comfortles and which is worse am chased forth of thy presence Wretche that I am from howe greate good into howe greate euill am I fallen Whither did I attempt to goe and whither am I come Where am I and where am I not howe is it that I that did sighe after heauen doe nowe sighe through soe great tribulation I haue sought comforte and haue founde affliction And truly it is better for me not to be then to be without thee o sweete Iesu It is better not to liue then to liue without thee the onely true life Where are
footestepps of men are guided by thy diuine prouidence the footesteps I say of those who acknowledge that they are guided by thee and not of themselues Wherefore we humbly beseeche thee by the bowels of thy mercy o Lord that thou wilt saue what thou hast created because thou art able to saue vs if thou art willing on whose onely will doth depeÌ„de the merit of our saluation Of the ancient benefits of almighty God CHAPT XXVI REmember â— Lord I beseeche thee thy mercie shewed towardes vs of old time through which thou hast preuented vs with the blessings of thy sweetnes euen from the beginninge For thou o Lord and my hope from the verie time that I was a suckling yea before I was borne hast prouided and prepared the waies that I should walke in and by them attaine to the glorie of thy heauenly habitation Thou hast knowen me before thou didst forme me in my mothers bâ—llie and before I issued forthe of the wombe of my mother thou hast preordained of me whatsoeuer seemed good to thy diuine pleasure I knowe not o Lord what thinges are written of me in thy booke in the secret of thy consistorie which makeâ—h me to feare exceedingly but thou knowest them all particularlie because that which I expect by succession of daies and times a thousand yeares hence to be fulfilled in the sight of thy eternitie is already accomplished and that which is to come is alreadie donne But I for that I knowe not these thinges liuing heere as it were in a darke and obscure night cannot but feare and tremble whilst I see sondrie dangers on euerie side assaulting me troupes of ennimies poursuing me and the infinite miseries of this life enuironning me And were it not that the ayde of thy grace doth succoure me in these my manifolde tribulations I should soone fall into desperation But I haue a great hope and confidence o my God in thee who art a Prince of vnspeakeable pittie and the consideration of thy infinite mercies are noe small comforte vnto me in my miseries The former tokens likewise of thy loue and mercie shewed towardes me before my natiuitie but appearing now especiallie doe put me in hope for the time to come to receiue more ample and greater fauoures from the handes of thy bountifull libeâ—alitie which thou dost reserue for thy friendes and those that loue thee to the end that my hope may reioyce in thee o Lord my God with a sacred and liuelie cherefulnes with which thou dost continuallie comforte my younge and tender yeares Of the Angells appointed to be the guardians of man CHAPT XXVII Thou hast loued me o my onely loue before I loued thee and hast created me according to thine owne likenes making me Lord and ruler ouer all thy other creatures Which dignitie I then possesse when I know thee for whom thou hast made me Moreouer thou causest those heauenlie spirits for my sake to become messengers to whom thou hast giuen commaundement to protect and guarde me in all my actions that I hurte not my foote against a stone These are the watchmen that keepâ— continuall sentinell vpon the walls of thy cittie new Hierusalem guarding the mouÌ„taines likewise that are rounde about it keeping watch by night ouer thy flocke least that old serpent our aduersarie the diuell as a Lion shoulde kill and destroy our soules if there were none to desende them who as a roaring Lion continuallie rangeth about seeking whom he may deuoure These are the cittizens of our mother aboue the blessed and celestiall cittie Hierusalem who art sent to serue and attende on those that are preordained by God to inherite the kingdome of heauen that they may deliuer them from theire ennimies and guarde them in all theire waies that they may comforte and admonishe them and in the presence of thy glorious Maiestie may offer vp the prayers of thy children Vndoubtedlie they doe loue their fellowe cittizens expecting by them the reparation of theire ruines Wherefore at all times and in all places with great caâ—e and diligence they are present and ready to assist vs succouâ—ing and supplying our necessities passing incessantly to and fro betwixt thee o Lord and vs relatinge our groanes and sighes vnto thee to the end they may obtaine for vs fauoure and courtesie and may bring to vs the desired blessing of thy grace and mercie In all our wayes they walke with vs entring in and going for the with vs considering with great attention how religiously and laudably we behaue our selues in the midst of a peruerse nation with what care and diligence wee seeke thy kingdome the iustice thereof with how greate feare and trembling we serue thee and with how greate ioy and mirthe of â—harte we sing vnto thee When we laboure they ayde vs when we rest they protect vs when we fight they encourage vs when we conquerre they crowne vs when we reioyce if our ioy be of thee they reioyce with vs when we suffer if our sufferings be for thee they suffer together with vs. Greate is the care which they haue of vs and greate is the effect of theire loue towardes vs All which respect and louâ— they shew vs in respect of the vnspeakable loue with which thou hast loued vs. Verilie they loue those that thou louest they preserue those that thou preseruest and forsake those that thou forsakest neither can they endure those that committ sinne because thou they self dost hate those that commit sinne and wilt destroy all those that delight in lying As often as we doe well the Angells are glad and the diuells are sad But when we doe ill we make the diuel merrie and depriue the holy Angells of theirâ— ioy Because they reioyce to see a sinner doe pennaÌ„ce when he hath sinned wheras contrarie wise the diuell reioyceth to see a iust man irrepentant when he hath offended Wherefore o father I beseeche thee affordâ— them this fauoure that they may alwaies reioyce in respect of vs to the end that both thou by them maiest perpetuallie be praysed in vs and we with them may be made one folde in the kingdome of heauen that soe we may together prayse thy holie name o creator of men and Angells When I call these thinges to memorie I confesse o Lord that I haue great cause to prayse and magnifie thee for that these thy benefits are verie greate with which thou hast honoured vs by causing thy Angells who are spirits to serue and attende vs. Verily thou hadst bestowed vpon vs before whatsoeuer is contained within the compasse of heauen and yet thou didst imagin all thinges that are vnder heauen to be a guift of small estimation if thou shouldest not likewise add those that are aboue the heauens Let all thy Angells o Lord for this thy goodnes prayse thee let al thy workes acknowledge and confesse the same vnto thee and let all thy Saints extoll thee euerlastinglie Thou hast honoured vs exceedingly o Lord God our honoure
in â—it I asked the sea and the bottomles depthes and all manne of creatures contained in them and they answered We are not thy God seeke him aboue vs. I asked the blowing aire who together with all the inhabitants thereof answered Anaximines is deceiued I am not thy God I asked the same question of the firmament of the sunne moone and starrs who gaue me the same answere I asked againe of all these aforesaid that stood round about me You haue tolde me that you are not my God at least say something of him and they all cried out with a loude voice It is he that hath made vs. After this I asked the wide and spatious worlde Tell me if thou be my God or not Who answered with a strong voice I am not thy God but a creature created by him he whom thou seekest in me hath created me seeke him aboue me who at this present doth gouerne me and heeretofore hath made me This demaunde and conference made with other creatures is a deepe consideration of them and theire answere is the testimonie which they giue of God for that they all affirme that God hath made them Because as the Apostle saieth the inuisible thinges of God are vnderstood and seene by those things that are donne of the creatures of the worlde After this I returned vnto my selfe and entring into my selfe I vsed with my selfe this discourse Who art thou And I answered vnto my selfe I am a mortal man endewed with reason And I begaÌ„ to examine what this was saying Whence o Lord my God hath this creature his beginning whence I say vnlesse from thee Thou hast made me and not I my selfe Who art thou then Who art thou by whom I and all other thinges doe liue and haue theire being Who art thou Thou o Lord my God art the true and onely God omnipotent and eternall infinite and incomprehensible who liuest euerlastingly and nothing dieth in thee because thou art immortall dwelling in a place that shall continue worlde without end admirable in the eies of the Angells vnspeakeable vnsearcheable and not to be named Thou art the liuing and true God terrible powerfull not knowing beginning or end the beginning and end of all thinges who art before the beginning and originall of all generations worldes ages and times Thou art my God the Lord of all thinges which thou hast created Thou knowest the causes of all thinges that are stable thou knowest the immutable beginnings of all thinges that are mutable thou knowest the eternall reasons of all thinges reasonnable vnreasonnable and teÌ„porall Tell me then o my God thy poore vnworthy seruant thou that art full of mercie tell me that am full of miserie for thy mercies sake tell me I beseeche thee Whence had man his beginning but froÌ„ thee Was there euer any man that coulde vaunt to haue been the author of his owne creation Is it not from thee alone that we haue our life and being Art not thou the chiefe being from whom eueâ—ie thing hath his beginning For whatsoeuer is is from thee because without thee there is nothing Art not thou the fountaine of life from whom floweth all life Because whaâ—soeuer liueth liueth by thee for that nothing liueth without thee Thou therfore o Lord hast made all thinges Shall I then demaund who made me Thou hast made me o Lord without whom nothing was made Thou art my Creator I am thy creature I giue thee thankes o Lord my God by Whom I and all other thinges doe liue for that thou hast created me I giue thee thankes o my maker for that thy handes haue made me and fashioned me I giue thee thankes o my light for that thou hast enlightned me by which meanes I haue found both thee and my selfe Wher I haue found my selfe there I haue knowen my selfe where I haue found thee there I haue knowen thee and where I haue knowen thee there thou hast enlightned me I giue thee thankes o my light for that thou hast enlightned me But what is that which I haue saied I haue knowen thee Art not thou an incomprehensible infinite God the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who dwellest alone in immortalitie and in that light which noe man can attaine vnto which noe man hath euer seene or can possiblie see Art not thou a hidden God and of vnsearcheable maiesty who â—onely art able to knowe and contemplate the greatnes and wonderfulnes of thine owne excellencie Who then hath knowen that which he hath neuer seene Because thou hast saied in thy truth Man shall not see me and liue Thy Apostle likewise hath saied by thy truthe Noe man hath euer seene God Who then hath knowen that which he hath not seene Thy truth in like manner hath affirmed Noe one hath knowen the sonne but the Father neither hath any one knowen the Father but the soÌ„ne Thy sole Trinitie therfore is wholy knowen to thy selfe alone which surpasseth all vnderstanding How durst I then that am a man like vnto vanitie affirme that I haue knowâ—â— thâ—e For who hath knowen thee besides thy selfe Because thou onely art God almightie most worthy to be praysed most glorious most highe and aboue all others to be exalted who in the sacred and diuine scriptures art saied to be superessentiall For that thou art knowen to be superessentially and superintelligibly aboue all essence intelligible intellectuall or sensible aboue euerie name that is named either in this worlde or in the next because by thy superessentiall and hidden diuinitie thou dost inaccessibly and vnsearcheably dwell in thy selfe aboue all reason vnderstanding and essence where there is inaccessible light and vnsearcheable incomprehensible and vnspeakeable brightnes vnto which no brightnes is able to arriue because it is thought to exceed the boundes of all humaine contemplation vnseene beyonde humaine reason vnderstanding and soe highe that noe man can attaine vnto it most free likewise from mutation and not to be imparted to any one Which neither was nor can possibly at any time be seene by either Angells or men This is thy heauen o Lord thy heauen that is carued and garnished that hidden and superessentiall brightnes surpassing â—ll vnderstanding and reason of whom it is saied The heauen of heauen belonging to our Lord. The heauen of heaueÌ„ in conparison of which all the other heauens are but as it were the earth for that it is exalaâ—d after a most admirable manner aboue all the other heauens Yea in respect of this the heauen called â—aelum Empyreum is but as it were the earthe for this is the heauen of heauen belonging to our Lord because it is knowen to noe other but to our Lord. Into which noe man hath euer ascended but he that hath descended from heauen for that noe man hath knowen the Father but the Sonne and the holy Ghost proceeding from both of them Neither hath any one knowen the Sonne but the Father and the holy Ghost proceeding from both of
which made me with feare and trembling to crie out saying Woe is me woe is me in respect of the darknes in which I haue remained woe is me in respect of my former blindnes in which I could not see the light of heauen Woe is me woe is me in respect of my former ignorance when I did not knowe thee o Lord. Thanks therfore be to thee o my enlightner and deliuerer for that thou hast enlightned me and I haue knowen thee Too too late haue I knowen thee o ancient veritie too too late haue I knowen thee o eternall truth Thou remainedâ—s t in light and I in darknes and I knewe thee not because I coulde not be enlightned without thee for that there is noe light besides thee A consideration of Gods diuine Maiestie CHAPT XXXIV O God the holy of holies the God of Gods and Lord of Lords of inestimable Maiestie whose wonderfull greatnes cannot be vttered or imagined before whom the Angelicall Powers doe shake for feate whom all the Dominations and Thrones doe adore in whose presence all the Vertues doe tremble whose power and wisedome is infinite who hast layed the foundation of the worlde vpon nothing and gathered together the sea in the aire as it were in a bottle O most mighty most holy and most powerfull God the God of the Spirits of soules of all mortal creatures from whose sight heauen and earthe doe flie away for feare to whom all the elements doe obey at a becke lett all thy creatures adore and glorifie thee Amongst whom I vnworthy wretch the sonne of thy hand maide doe bowe downe the necke of my harte vnder the feete of thy supreame Maiestie being taught soe to doe by the faithe which thou hast giueÌ„ me rendring thanks vnto thee for that thou hast vouchsafed by thy mercy to enlighten me O light most true sacred and delightfull most worthy of praise and most admirable which enlightneth euery man comming into this worlde yet the eies of the Angells themselues Beholde now I see for which I thanke thee Beholde now I see thee light of heauen a heauenly bright beame proceeding from the face of thy brightnes doth shine vpoÌ„ the eies of my minde which maketh all my bones to reioyce O that this light were perfect in me encrease it in me o author of light I beseech thee Encrease I say I beseech thee that light that shineth in me Let it be augmented I beseeche thee let it be augmented by thee What is this that I feele What fire is this that maketh hoâ—te my harte What light is this that enlightneth my harte O fire which dost alwaies burne and arâ— neuer extinguished enflamme me O light which dost alwaiâ—s shine and art neuer darkned enlighten me O that I were made hoâ—te by thee O sacred fire how sweetlie dost thou heate how secretlie dost thou shine how desiredlie dost thou burne Woe be to those that are not made hoate by thee woe be to those that are not enlightned by thee O true light enlightning al the world whose brightnes doth replenishe all the worlde Woe be to those blind eies which doe not see thee who art the sunne that giuest light both to heauen and earth Woe be to those dimme eies which cannot see thee Woe be to those eies that are turned away from seeing veritie Woe be to those eies that are not turned away from seeing vanitie Verily those eies that are accustomed to darknes cannot beholde the bright beames of thy supreame righteousnes neither doe they knowe what to thinke of the light whose dwelling is in darknes They see loue and approoue the darknes soe that walking from one darknes into an other they stumble and tumble they knowe not whither Doubtles they are wretched that knowe not what they loose but they are more wretched that knowe what they loose who fall with theire eies open and descend aliue into perdition O light most blessed who canst not be sene of those eies that are neuer soe little defiled Blessed are the cleane in harte for they shall see God Cleanse me o cleansing vertue cure mine eies to the end that with sounde and cleare eies I may be able to beholde thee whom sore and sickly eies cannot possibly see Remoue from mine eies I beseech thee o inaccessible beauty the scales of my former blindnes by the beames of thy brightnes that I may be able stedfastly to beholde thee and in thy light may see light Beholde o my light now I see for which I thanke thee Let this my light o Lord I beseech thee be encreased by thee Open mine eies that I may see the wonderfull thinges of thy lawe who art wonderfull in thy Saints I giue thee thanks o my light for that I now see albeit obscurely as it were in a mirrour or looking glasse but when shall I see thee apparantlie face to face O when will that day of ioy and mirthe arriue in which I shall enter into the place of thy tabernacle soe much to be admired euen into the house of God to the end I may see him face to face that seethe me that soe my desire may be accomplished Of the desire and thirst of the soule after God CHAPT XXXV LIke as the harte or stagge desireth the fountaines of water when he is poursued euen soe my soule longeth after thee o God My soule hath thirsted after thee my God the liuing fountaine when shall I come and appeare before thy face O fountaine of life o veine of liuing waters when shall I come to the waters of thy sweetnes from this deserte craggie and dry countrie that I may see thy vertue and glory quenche my thirst with the waters of thy mercy I thirst o Lord thou that art the fountaine of life giue me to drinke I thirst o Lord I thirst after thee the liuing God O when shall I come good Lord and appeare before thy face And shall I then at length indeed see that day that day I say of ioy and gladnes that day which our Lord himselfe hath made that we might reioyce and be glad in it O famous and faire day hauing neither euening nor Sunsetting in which I shall heare the voyce of praise mirthe and thanks-giuinge in which I shall heare saied Enter into the ioy of thy Lord. Enter into the euerlasting ioy into the house of thy Lord God where there are greate and vnsearchable and wonderfull thinges which cannot be numbred Enter into that ioy which is free from heauines which containeth euerlasting gladâ—â—â— where all goodnes doth abounde and no â—euill can be found Where ther shal be whatsoeuer thou louest and nothing that thou loathest There is that vitall life which is sweete and louely which likewise shall endure euerlastingly Where there shal be noe foe to impugne vs not allurement to entice vs but soueraigne and certaine assurednes assured quietnes and quiet ioyfullnes ioyfull happines happie euerlastingnes euerlasting blessendes where there is the blessed
flowe as water out of my fleshe to the end I may finde rest in the day of aduersitie and ascende to those celestiall souldiers that haue obtained the victorie O how greate wil be the glorie and ioy of the iust and Saincts in heauen sithence the face of eache one of them shall shine as bright as the sunne at such time as our Lord shall beginne to number his chosen people in the kingdome of his Father eache one distinctly in his order and shall render to euerie one the rewardes which he promised according as by theyr actions in this life they haue deserued for â—arthly thinges giuing theÌ„ celestiall for transitory eternall for small and little most ample and immeasurable There shal be without all doubt store of happinesse and felicitie when our Lord shall leade his Saincts to the sight of his Fathers glorie making the to sit on seates celestiall to the end that God may be all in all By what meanes the kingdome of heauen may be purchased and gotten CHAPT XVI O Happie ioy and ioyfull happines to see the Saincts to be with the Saincts and to be a Sainct to see and enioy God worlde without end and longer to if longer coulde be imagined Let vs carefullie consider these thinges and feruently desire them to the end we may speedilie be ioyned to the company of the Saincts in heauen If thou demaunde how this may be donne by what merits or succoure hearken and thou shalt heare This thinge lieth in the power of the doer because the kingdome of heauen suffereth violence The kingdome of heauen o man asketh noe other price but thy selfe it is asmuch worthe as thou art Giue thy selfe therfore and thou shalt haue it Whie art thou troubled and discontent at the price Christ gaue himselfe that he might purchase thee as a kingdome vnto God the Father Giue thou thy selfe in the same manner to the end thou mightst be his kingdome and let not sinne raigne in this thy bodie which is subiect to corruption but rather let the spirit gouerne for the attaining of life euerlastinge What heauen is and what happines is contained therein CHAPT XVII LEt vs returne o my soule to the heauenlie cittie in which we are written and enrolled as cittizens of the same Let vs as cittizens of the sainctes and Gods house-holde seruants yea as Gods heires and coheires of Christ consider the felicitie of this our famous cittie to the vttermost of our possibilitie Let vs crie out with the Prophet O how glorious things are saied of thee o Cittie of God in thee is the dwellinge of all those that are trulie glad Because thou art built as a place to meete and make merrie for suche as God of his infinitie mercie dotâ—â— vouchsafe to take vnto himselfe out of this vale of miserie In thee there is noe old age nor miserie ensuing of the same in thee there is noe one lame or mamed crumpe shouldered or deformed seing all concurre into a perfect man into the measure of the age of the fulnes of Christ What can be imagined more happie then this life where there is noe feare of pouertie nor feeblenes of infirmitie where noe man is wronged noe man is displeased noe maÌ„ doth enuie at an others good Where there is noe greedines of gaine noe appetite of eating or drinking where there is noe inordinate desire of honoure or ambition noe dreade of diuel or of diuellishe temptation noe horroure of hell or of hellishe damnation Where there is noe deathe either of bodie or soule but a delightfull life endles and immortall Noe euill affections or dissentioÌ„s shal be founde there but all thinges shall accorde and agree together because all the Saincts of that heauenly region shal be of one minde and affection Where there is nothing but peace and gladnes repose and quietnes Where there is perpetual brightnes not that which now is but by soe much more bright by how much more blessed because that cittie euen as it is written shall neede neither sunne nor moone but God almighty shall enlighten the same and the lampe thereof is the lambe Where the Saincts shall shine as the starrs for all eternitie and those that teache many shall in brightnes resemble the clearenes of the skie Wherfore in that place there shal be noe night noe darknes noe concourse of cloudes noe austeritie of colde or heate but that temperature of all thinges which neither eie hath seene nor eare hath hearde neither hath it entred into the harte of any man sauing of those who are founde worthy to enioy the same whose names are written in the booke of life But a greater content then this will be to be ioyned in felowship with the quires of Angells and Archangells and of all the heauenlie vertues to beholde the Patriarches and Prophets to see the Apostles and all the other Saincts and amoÌ„ge the rest our parents kinsfolke and acquaintance These thinges without doubte are very glorious but yet it is more glorious to beholde the face of God there present and the brightnes proceeding from the same which is infinitely greate Finally to see God in himselfe to see him enioy him in our selues wil be a prerogatiue of glory surpassing all the rest in excelleÌ„cy because we shall see him euerlastingly How man can make noe other requitall vnto God for the benefits receiued from him but onely by louinge him CHAP. XVIII THe soule of man being famous and renowned by being created according to the image and likenes of God hath in it selfe meanes from God by which it is alwaies admonished either to remaine with him or to returne vnto him if at any time by sinnefull affections or defects it be sperated from him Neither hath it meanes onely by which it may be able to desire and hope for mercie and pardon when it hath offended but likewise by which it may presume to aspire to the mariage of the diuine Worde yea to enter into a league of friendship with God almighty and with the kinge of Angells to drawe the sweete yoke of charity Loue causeth all this if by the will the soule make it selfe like vnto God to whoÌ„ by nature it is alreadie likened that is by louing him like as it beloued For it is loue aloue of all the motions senses and affections of the soule in which a creature may be answearable and make requitall to his creator althoughe in a farre inferior degree and measure Where loue doth arriue it carrieth away with it all the other affections and as a conqueroure maketh them captiue Loue is sufficient of it selfe it is pleasing of it selfe and for it selfe It is the merit the rewarde the cause the fruite and the helpe of it selfe for by loue we are vnited to God Loue causeth two spirits to become one making the same will and the same nill in both of them Loue teacheth vs first of all how to behaue our selues secondly to esteeme of all thinges present as if they were
thinke of thee and loue thee But alas my soule is soe defaced throughe the corruption of vice it is soe darkned through the smoake of sinne as that it cannot accomplishe that for which it was created vnlesse thou renewe reforme the same Wherfore I beseeche thee o Lord seing thou hast giuen vnderstanding of faith graunt that I may likewise vnderstande as much as is expedient that thou art according as we belieue the selfe â—ame thinge that we belieue verilie we belieue thee to be of that surpassing perfection and feature that nothing can possibly be imagined eiâ—her greater or better What art thou then o Lord my God then whom nothing greater or better can be imagined but that soueraigne and supreame good which being of it selfe alone hath made all other thinges of nothinge What good therfore is wanting to the chiefest good from whom all good thinges doe proceede Thou therfore art iust true and blessed and all other thinges the more they are in these like vnto thee the greater is theire excellencie But sithence thou art soe exceeding iust how is it that thou art soe fauourable towardes those that offende Is it not for that thy mercie is incomprehensible This is a thinge kept secret in that vnaccessible light in which thou dost dwell There without doubt in the most profounde and secret depth of thy bounty is a hiddeÌ„ fountaine from whence floweth that floude of thy vnspeakeable mercy For albeit thou art wholie and perfectly iust yet neuerthelesse thou art likewise merciful towards the wicked for that thou art also wholy and perfectly good For if thou were mercifull towardes none that commit wickednes it were an argument that thy goodnes were the lesse because he that is good both to the good and bad is better then him that is good onely to the good he likewise is better who is good to the wicked by pardonning and punishing them then he that should punishe them onely Thou therfore art mercifull because thou art wholy and perfectly good Of the pleasant fruition of almighty God CHAPT XXXIII O Infinite goodnes who surpassest all humaine sense let thy mercy descende downe vpon me which proceedeth from thee in soe greate plenty Let that flowe into me which floweth from thee Pardon me by thy mildnes least thou punish me by thy iustice Stirre vp thy selfe now o my soule applie thy whole wit and imagination and conceiue as much as thou canst how great a good God is For if all good thinges in particular are delightfull and pleasinge consider with attention how delightful that good thing is which containeth in it the delight of al good thinges neither is it like to that delight which is founde in thinges created but as farre different as the creator doth differ from his creature If then the life created be soe pleasing how pleasing is the life that created the same If that healthe which is made be soe delightfull how delightfull is that from whence all healthe hath his originall If wisedome be amiable by the speculation or knowledge of thinges that are knowen how amiable is that wisedome which hath framed and formed all thinges of nothinge Finally if the pleasures proceeding from pleasant thinges be soe manifolde great how vnspeakable great pleasure is there in him who â—ath made all pleasant thinges He therefore that shall enioy this soe great a good what shall he haue yea what shall he not haue Verilie he shall haue whatsoeuer he is willing and what he is vnwillinge to haue shall be farre from him For there he shall enioy those delightes of soule and bodie which neither the eie hath seen nor the eare hath hearde neither hath it entred into the hearte of man That the chiefe good is to be desired CHAPT XXXIV WHy dost thou then wander vp and downe o vaine man in things transitorye seekinge pleasures and content for thy soule and body Loue that one good thing in whom are all good thinges and it is sufficient Desire that singular sole good which is all good and it is enoughe Tell me o my flesh what dost thou loue What dost thou desire o my soule In heauen thou shalt finde whatsoeuer thou dost loue there thou shalt finde whatsoeuer thou dost desire If thou desire beauty or comelines of personne there the righteous shall shine like vnto the sunne If nimblenes or strength or freedome of body such as nothing can hurte or hinder they shall be like the Angells of God because that which is sowen a naturall body shall arise a spirituall body to wit in power not in nature If a longe and healthfull life there shal be healthfull eternity and eternall health because the iust shall liue for euer and the healthe of the iust is from our Lord. If fulnes they shal be satisfied when the glorie of God shall appeare If drunkennes they shall be made drunke with the plentie of Gods house If musique doth delight thee there the Angels shall sing praises to God euerlastingly If pure chast pleasure doth please thee there our Lord shall make them to drinke of the riuer of his delight If thou wishe for wisedome the verie wisedome of God shall shew himselfe being the true wisedome vnto them If thou affect amitie or friendship they shall loue God more then themselues and one another euen as themselues and God shall loue them more then they themselues because they shall loue him themselues one an other by him and he shall loue himselfe and them by himselfe If thou loue peace and concorde they shal be all of one will because they shalt haue noe other will but the soueraigne will of God If thou desire rule and dignities they shall be omnipotent of their wil euen as God is of his For euen as God shal be able to doe whatsoeuer he will by himselfe soe shall they be able to doe whatsoeuer they will by him for like as they shal desire nothing but what he shal be willing to doe soe he shal be willing to doe whatsoeuer they wil haue him and what he wil haue to be donne must of necessitie be put in execution If thou aspire to honoure and riches God shall place his good and faithfull seruants ouer much riches Moreouer they shal be called the sonnes of God yea very Gods and shal be the heires of God and coheires with Christ If thou seeke securitie they shal be soe assured neuer to loose it of their owne accorde as they shal be assured that God who soe dearely loueth them will not forcibly take it froÌ„ them as they shal be assured that there is nothing of sufficieÌ„t power to separate God and them one from an other With what wordes then can soe great a ioy be expressed where soe great a good is possessed Of the mutuall charity of the Saintes in heauen CHAPT XXXV O Harte of man poore experienced in crosses and calamities yea ouerwhelmed with miseries how greatlie wouldest thou reioyce if thou didst
testimony against it as against the author of them All its sinnes and iniquitie are laied as it were in heapes before its eies and those which it is vnwilling to see it is forced to beholde whither it will or noe Moreouer on the one side of it it beholdeth a terrible troupe of dreadfull diuells on the other side a multitude of heauenly Angells The soule that lieth in the middest quickly perceiueth to which of these companies it appertaineth For if there be seene in it the signes and tokens of goodnes it is conforted by the comfortable speeches of the Angells and by the sweetnes of their harmonious mellody it is allured to come forthe of the body Contrariwise if the darknes of its desâ—rts and the dâ— formity of its filthine doe adiudge it to the left hande it 〈◊〉 forthwith strooken with intolerable feare it is troubled through the force of the sodaine violence that is vsed it is throwne downe beadlonge and assaulted and poore soule is forciblie pluckt out of the prison of the flesh that it may be dâ— awne to eternall torments with vnspeakeable bitternes Now after it is departed out of the body who is able to eâ— presse how many armed troupes of wicked spirits doe ly in waiâ—e to entrappe it how many bandes of frouning fieÌ„des being ready with cruell tormeÌ„ts to afflict it doe beset the way to hinder its passage And to the end it may not be able to escape and passe through them whole legions of them being gathered together after the manner of souldiers doe assault the same Wherfore to consider these and such like thinges by frequent meditation is a soueraigne meane to contemne the enticing allurements of sinne to abandon the worlde and to subdue the vnlawfull motions of the flesh and finally doth cause and conserue in vs a continuall desire of attaining to perfection which God of his mercy grauâ—t vs. Amen A Table of the Manuel of S. Augustin Bishop of Hyppon OF the wonderfull essence of God Chapt. I. Of the vnspâ— akeable knowledge of God Chapt II. Of the desire of the soule thinking on God Chapt. III. Of the miserable estate of that soule that doth neither loue nor seeke our Lord Iesus Christ Chapt. IV. Of the desiâ—e of the soule Chapt. V. Of the soules fâ—licity being deliueâ—ed out of the prison of this earthly body Chapt. VI Of the ioy of Paradise Chapt. VII Of the kingdome of heauen Chapt. VIII How God visiteth and comforteth that soule which with sighes and teare lamenteth his absence Chapt IX Of the sweetnes of diuine loue Chapt. X. Of the preparation of our Redemption Chapt. XI Of the ioy which the soule receiueth by receiuing Christ Chapt. XII That the Worde incarnate is the cause of our hope Chapt. XIII How the more we are addicted to diuine contemplation the greater delight we take therein Chapt. XIV How for Christs sake we ought to wishe for tribulations in this life Chapt. XV. By what meanes the kingdome of heauen may be purchased and gotten Ch XVI What heauen is and what happines is contained therein Chapt XVII How man can make noe other requitall vnto God for the benefits receiued from him but onely by louing him Chapt. XVIII How he requireth something in vs like vnto himselfe Chapt. XIX Of the greaâ—e confidence which the soule hath that loueth God Chapt XX. What God hath donne for man Chapt XXI Of the remembrance of the woundes of our Lord and Sauiour lesus Christ Chapt. XXII How the remembrance of Christs woundes is an approued remedy against all afflictions Chapt. XXIII A deuoute Meditation of the soule stirring vs vp to the loue of Christ Chapt. XXIV How nothing can satisfie the soule besides God the supreame good Chapt XXV What the knowledge of verity is Chapt. XXVI What the sending of the holy Ghost doth effect in vs. Chapt XXVII After what manner he that loueth God carieth himselfe Chapt. XXVIII Of true quietnes of harte Chapt. XXIX How euery thing that hindereth the soule from the sight of God ought to be auoided and detested Chapt XXX How the sight of God hath been lost by meanes of our sinne and miserie hath succeeded in place of the same Chapt. XXXI Of the goodnes of God Chapt XXXII Of the pleasant fruition of almighty God Chapt. XXXIII That the chiefe good is to be desired Chapt XXXIV Of the mutuall charity of the Saints in heauen Chapt. XXXV Of the full and perfect ioy of life euerlasting Chapt. XXXVI FINIS
stones thy gates are composed of the rarest pearles thy streetes paued with most pure golde in which Alleluia is ioyfullie and continuallie songe to God Thy mansions which are many are founded vpon fower square stones built of Saphires and couered ouer with tyles of golde into which none doe enter but such as are cleansed none doe dwell that are defiled Thou art beautifull and pleasant in thy delightes o HierusaleÌ„ our mother None of those thinges are suffered or seene in thee which we suffer and see in this vale of miserie In thee there is neuer any darkenes or night or any change of time The light that shineth in thee proceedeth neither stom lampes or candles nor from the moone nor from the brightnes of the starres but God of God the light of light euen Christ the sunnne of iustice giueth light in thee The white and immacultate lambe is thy most cleare and beautifull light The sunne and brightnes yea thy whole happines doth consist in the conteÌ„plation of this thy king surpassing all others in fairenes Euen the king of kinges himselfe in the middest of thee keepeth continuall residence compassed about with his seruants There are the quires of Angells singing hymnes there are the companies of the heauenly cittizens There is celebrated the sweete solemnitie and feaste of all such as returne from this sorrowfull pilgrimage vnto thy most ioyful rest There is the forseeing assembly of the Prophetes There is the mysticall nomber of the twelue Apostles There is the inuincible armie of innumerable Martyrs There is the reuerend companie of holy Confessors There are the true perfect Monkes There are the sacred Virgins and other holy woemeÌ„ who haue ouercome all worldly pleasure likewise the weakenes of theire owne nature There are those blessed boyes and girles who haue surmounted theire tender yeares by theire mature manners There are the sheepe and little lambes who as from a wolfe haue now escaped from the intangling snare of the pleasures of this life All these reioyce and triumphe in theire proper places differing ech one from an other in degree of glorie but being all alike in excesse of gladnes There charitie raigneth in full perfection because God is all in all vnto them besides whom they desire nothing whom they eternallie doe behold and by continuallie beholding him doe continuallie burne in his loue whom they alwaies doe loue and by louing doe prayse and by praysing doe loue theire whole exercise and all they haue to doe being nothing els but to praise God euerlastinglie without any difficultie Happie were I yea happie indeede for all eternitie if after the seperation of my soule from this my bodie I might be admitted to heare those Canticles of celestiall melodie which are sung in the praise of the euerlasting King by the cittizens troupes of Saints of that heauenlie countrie Happie I say yea exceeding and excessiuelie happie were I if I poore vnworthie wretch might be thought worthy to sing and in my turne to intone those celestiall Canticles if I might be neare vnto my king my God and my capitaine and might behold him in glorie euen as he vouchsafed to promise vs when he sayed O Father my will and desire is that those which thou hast giuen me be with me that they may see my glorie which I had with thee before the creatio of the world And in an other place He that ministreth vnto me lett him followe me and where I am there likewise shall my minister be And againe He that loueth me shal be loued of my Father and I will loue him and will shew my selfe vnto him A hymne of the glory of Paradyce composed by the blessed Peter Damian Cardinall of Ostia taken out of the sayings of S. Augustin CHAPT XXVI VNto the spring of endlesse life My fainting soule doth thirst Full saine the cloâ—sture of her flesh With speede shee wisheth burst She sekes shee sues shee striues exilde Her countrie to obtaine Wailing that nothing heere shee findes But miserie and paine Contemplating the glory which findes Shee when shee sinned lost Her woes encrease her greife the more To think how deare they cost For who can vtter with what ioy That happy peace delights Where Pallaces stand stately reard With liuing margarites With gold the loftie turretts shine And chambers glitter bright And all the frame with onely gemms And pretious stones is dight The streets the citty out are pau'd With golde as Christall cleen Where dirt nor rayes nor duÌ„ge annoyes Nor any filthe is seen Stormie winter scortching sommer Come neuer there to braule Rose-flowers spring continuallie With Spring continuall Lillies still white and saffron ruddie And balsame sweating growes Meades alwayes green corne alwayes grown And honie in riuers flowes Sweet spices breath out fragrant smells Rich liquors and perfumes Faire orchards ouershaded stand With fruit that nere consumes Noe varyng course of Sunne or Moone Or Starr comes there in sight The Lambe is to that happie cittie A neuer setting Light Nor Night nor Moine nor Time is there But a continuall day Where Saincts in glorie shine like SuÌ„nes And glittering beames display In triumph crown'd together they With â—oy coniubâ—laâ—e And th' battells of theire vanquish'd foe Secured now relate Purg'd cleane from either blotâ— or spott They grudg of flesh feâ—le none For flesh made now spirituall With th' Spir â—t gâ—ees in one Abounding with vntroubled peace Noe scandalls them annoy Who freed from mutabilitie Theire center reinioy Where now they present see that Truth Which mortall eyâ—s nere saw And from the euerlasting Spring A liuing sweetnesse draw Where ere they goe they still retaine The same vnaltered state Faire â—iuely cheerefull subiect to Noe change of Chance or â—ate Whose health no sicknes doth decay Whose youth noe age doth wait Whose being without passing is For Passing nowe is past They spring they bloome they flouriâ—s h stilo From all corruption free Mortallitie is swallowed vp By Immotallitie Who knowing him who all doth knowe Can ignorant not be Who in ech others patent breasts All inmost secrets see The same they will the same they nill One mind 's the same of all Though ' cording to theire seuâ—rall paines Theire guerdon's seuerall Thus what 's an others Charitie By loue soe makes her owne That what is propert'euerie one To all is common growne Where ere the bodie's'th ' Eagles there Are duely congregated And with it are those blessed Soules And Angells recreated One bread both countrie Cittizens Doth feede one breade they craue Still hungtie and yet alwayes full Still wiâ—â—ing what they haue Whom noe satiety doth cloy Whom hunger doth not bite With appetite they euer eate And still haue appetite There the melodious-singing Voyce New harmonies concents Theire eares are lull'd with sweetest sounds Of rarest instruments To him by whom they conquerd haue Due prayses there they sing O happie Soule who present dost Behold soe greate a king And from thy loftie throne suruiew ' The