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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A13694	The follovving of Christ Diuided into foure bookes. Written in Latin by the learned and deuout man, Thomas a Kempis, canon-regular of the order of S. Augustine. Whereunto also is added the golden Epistle of S. Bernard. And also certaine rules of a Christian life, made by Iohn Picus the elder, Earle of Mirandula. Translated into English by B.F.; Imitatio Christi. English.	Hoskins, Anthony, 1568-1615.; Elyot, Thomas, Sir, 1490?-1546.; Bernard, of Clairvaux, Saint, 1090 or 91-1153. Epistola de perfectione vitae. English.; Pico della Mirandola, Giovanni, 1463-1494, Regulae duodecim portim excitantes portim dirigentes hominem in pugna spirituali. English. aut; Thomas, à Kempis, 1380-1471, attributed name.; Whitford, Richard, fl. 1495-1555?	1615 (1615)	STC 23988; ESTC S111535	135,170	483

any one so spirituall that is free from the loue of all earthly things For where is any that is indeed poore in spirit and free from all affection of creatures Far hence and from the end of the world is his price Prou. 31. If a man should giue all his wealth yet is it nothing And if he should doe great penance yet is it little And if hee should attaine to all knowledge hee is yet far off And if hee should haue great vertue and very feruent deuotion yet there is much wanting to wit one thing which is most necessary for him What is that That leauing all he forsake himselfe and goe perfectly from himselfe and retaine nothing of selfe-loue Matth. 16. And vvhen hee hath done all that hee knoweth to bee done let him thinke that hee hath done nothing 3 Let him not weigh that much which might be much esteemed but according to truth let him affirme himselfe to bee an vnprofitable seruant as our Sauiour hath said When you shall haue done all things that are commanded you say Wee are vnprofitable seruants Luk. 17. Then may he be truely poore in spirit and naked and say with the Prophet I am alone and poore yet no man more powerfull no man more free then he that can leaue himselfe and all things and put himselfe in the meanest and lowest place Psal 24. CHAP. XII Of the high way of the holy Crosse VNTO many seemeth hard this speech Deny thy selfe take vp thy crosse and follow Iesus Mat. 16. But it will be much harder to heare that last word Get ye away from me ye cursed into euerlasting fire For they that now willingly heare and follow the word of the Crosse shall not then feare to heare the sentence of euerlasting damnation This signe of the Crosse shall be in heauen when our Lord shall come to judgement Then all the seruants of the Crosse who in their life time conformed themselues vnto Christ crucified shal draw neere vnto our Lord with great confidence 2 Why therefore fearest thou to take vp the Crosse which leadeth thee to a Kingdome In the Crosse is health in the Crosse is life in the Crosse is protection against our enemies in the Crosse is infusion of heauenly sweetnesse in the Crosse is strength of mind in the Crosse is joy of spirit in the Crosse is the height of vertue in the Crosse is the perfection of sanctity There is no health of the soule nor hope of euerlasting life but in the Crosse Take vp therefore thy crosse and follow Iesus and thou shalt goe into life euerlasting Hee is gone before bearing his Crosse Luc. 14. and is dead for thee on the Crosse Ioh. 19. that thou mayest also beare thy Crosse and desire to die on the Crosse with him For if thou diest with him thou shalt also liue with him And if thou bee his companion in paine thou shalt bee partaker with him also in glory 2. Cor. 1. 3 Behold in the Crosse all doth consist and all lyeth in ending our life vpon it for there is no other way vnto life and vnto true inward peace but the vvay of the Holy Crosse and of daily mortification Goe where thou wilt seeke whatsoeuer thou wilt thou shalt not finde a higher way aboue nor a safer way belovv then the vvay of the holy Crosse Dispose and order all things according to thy will judgement yet thou shalt euer finde that of necessity thou must suffer somwhat either willingly or against thy will so as thou shalt neuer fully auoid the Crosse For either thou shalt feele paine in thy body or in thy soule thou shalt suffer tribulation of spirit 4 Sometimes thou shalt be forsaken of God sometimes thou shalt be troubled by thy neighbors which is more oftentimes thou shalt bee irksome to thy selfe neither canst thou be deliuered or eased by any remedie or comfort but so long as pleaseth God thou oughtest to beare it For God wil haue thee learn to suffer tribulation without comfort and that thou submit thy selfe wholly to him and become more humble by tribulation No man hath so liuely a feeling of the Passion of Christ as hee who hath chanced to suffer the like The Crosse therefore is alwaies ready and euery where attendeth thee Thou canst not escape it whither soeuer thou flyest for wheresoeuer thou goest thou cariest thy selfe with thee shalt euer find thy selfe both aboue below without and within which way soeuer thou doest turne thee alwaies thou shalt find the Crosse euery where of necessity thou must haue patience if thou wilt haue inward peace and deserue an euerlasting Crowne 5 If thou beare the crosse willingly it wil beare thee and lead thee to thy desired end to wit where there shall be an end of suffering though heere there shall not If thou beare it vnwillingly thou makest for thy self a new burden encreasest thy load and yet notwithstanding thou must beare it If thou cast away one crosse without doubt thou shalt finde another and that perhaps a more heauy 6 Thinkest thou to escape that which no man could euer auoid Which of the Saints in the vvorld was vvithout crosses and tribulations Verily Iesus Christ our Lord was neuer one houre without paine of suffering so long as hee liued Christ saith he ought to suffer and rise againe from death and so to enter into his glory and how doest thou seeke any other way then this high way which is the way of the holy Crosse Luk. 24. 7 The whole life of Christ was a Crosse and Martyrdome and doest thou seek rest and joy Thou art deceiued thou art deceiued if thou seekest any other thing then to suffer tribulations for this whole mortall life is full of miseries and inuironed on euery side with Crosses Iob. 7. And how much the more one hath profited in spirit so much the heauier Crosses he oftentimes findeth for the loue he beareth to God encreaseth the griefe which hee endureth for his banishment 8 But yet this man though so many waies afflicted is not without the remedy of spirituall consolation for the great good which he perceiueth to grow vnto him by the bearing of his Crosse For whilest he willingly putteth himselfe vnder it all the burthen of tribulation is turned into the confidence of diuine comfort And how much the more the flesh is vvasted by affliction so much the more is the spirit strengthened by invvard grace 2. Cor. 11. 12. And sometimes hee is so comforted with the desire of tribulation and aduersitie for the loue of conforming himselfe to the Crosse of Christ that he would not wish at any time to bee without sorrow and tribulation because hee beleeueth that so much the more gratefull hee shall be vnto God how much the more hee can suffer for him This is not a worke of humane vertue but it is the grace of Christ that can and doth so much in fraile flesh that what naturally it alwaies

alwayes before the eyes of thy soule the picture of thy Sauiour crucified Thou hast good cause to be ashamed looking vpon the life of Christ seeing thou hast so slackly endeauoured to conforme thy selfe vnto him though thou hast walked a long time in the way of the seruice of God A religious person that exerciseth himselfe seriously and deuoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord shall there abundantly finde whatsoeuer is necessary and profitable for him neither shall hee need to seeke any thing elsewhere but only in Iesus O if Iesus crucified would come into our hearts how quickely and fully should we be instructed in all truth Gal. 2. 6. 7 A feruent religious person taketh and beareth all vvell that is commanded him but he that is negligent and cold hath tribulation vpon tribulation and on all sides is afflicted for he is void of inward consolation and is forbidden to seeke externall comforts A religious person that liueth not according to discipline is in great danger of the ruine of his soule He that seeketh liberty and ease shall euer liue in disquiet for one thing or other will alwaies displease him 8 How doe so many other religious persons vvho liue vnder the strict rule of Monasticall discipline They seldome goe abroad they liue retiredly they feede meanely they are cloathed coursely they labour much speake little watch long rise early spend much time in prayer reade often and keep themselues in all kinde of discipline Consider the Carthusians Cistercians and the Religious men and women of diuers Orders how they rise euery night to sing praises vnto God And how vnseemely then it is for thee to be slouthfull in so holy a worke when as so great multitudes of religious persons doe beginne to glorifie God 9 O that we had nothing else to doe but alwaies with our mouth and whole heart to praise our Lord God! O that thou mightest neuer haue need to eate nor drinke nor sleepe but mightest alwaies praise God and onely imploy thy selfe in the exercises of spirit thou shouldest then be much more happy then now thou art when for so many necessities thou art constrained to serue thy body Would God these necessities were not at all but only the spirituall refections of the soule which alas we taste of too seldome 10 When a man commeth to that estate that he seeketh no comfort of any creature then doth he begin to take perfect contentment and delight in God Then shall he be contented with whatsoeuer doth befall him in this world Then shall he neither reioyce in great matters nor be sorrowfull for small but with great integritie and confidence commit himselfe to God who shall be vnto him al in all to whom nothing doth perish nor die but all things do liue vnto him and serue him at a becke without delay Rom. 11. 11 Remember alwaies the end and hovv that time lost neuer returnes Eccles 7. Without care and diligence thou shalt neuer get vertues If thou beginnest to wax cold it will be euill with thee but if thou giue thy selfe to feruour of spirit thou shalt find much peace and feele lesse labour through the assistance of Gods grace and loue of vertue Apocal 3. The feruent and diligent man is ready and prepared for all things It is harder to resist vices and passions then to toile in bodily labours Eccls. 19. He that auoideth not small faults by little and little falleth into greater Thou wilt alwayes reioyce in the euening if thou spend the day profitably Be watchfull ouer thy selfe stirre vp thy selfe warme thy selfe and whatsoeuer becomes of others neglect not thy selfe The greater violence thou vsest against thy selfe the more thou shalt profite THE END OF THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE SECOND BOOKE CHAP. I. Of spirituall conuersation THe Kingdom of God is within you saith our Lord. Luk. 7. Turne thee with thy whole heart vnto our Lord and forsake this miserable world and thy soule shall finde rest Ioel. 2. Learne to despise exteriour things and to giue thy self to the interiour thou shalt perceiue the Kingdome of God to come into thee Ro. 19. For the kingdome of God is peace and joy in the holy Ghost which is not giuen to the wicked Christ will come vnto thee and shew thee his diuine comfort if thou prepare for him a worthy mansion within thee Psal 44. Al his glory and beauty is within and there he pleaseth himselfe The inward man he often visits and hath with him sweet discourses pleasant comfort much peace wonderfull familiarity 2 O faithfull soule make ready thy hart for this Bridegrome that he may vouchsafe to come vnto thee and dwell within thee For he saith If any loue mee hee will keepe my Word and we will come vnto him and will make our aboad with him Ioh. 14. Giue therefore vnto Christ a place in thy heart and deny entrance to all others When thou hast Christ thou art rich and he will suffice thee Hee will be thy faithfull and prouident helper in all things so as thou shalt not need to trust in men For men are soone changed and quickly decay but Christ remaineth for euer and standeth firmely vnto the end Ioh. 12. 3 There is little trust to be put in a fraile and mortall man though hee be profitable and deare vnto thee neither oughtest thou much to bee grieued if sometimes hee crosse and contradict thee Hier. 17. They that to day take thy part to morrow may be against thee and so on the contrary they often turne like vnto the winde Put all thy trust in God and feare and loue him 1. Pet. 5. He wil answere for thee and do in al things what is best Heb. 13. Thou hast not heere a dwelling Citie and wheresoeuer thou bee thou art a stranger and pilgrime neither shalt thou euer haue rest vnlesse thou be perfectly vnited vnto Christ 4 Why doest thou linger and make delayes heere since this is not the place of thy rest Phil. 3. In heauen ought to be thy dwelling and al earthly things are to be regarded as it were in the way Sap. 5. Al things passe away and thou together with them Beware thou cleaue not vnto them lest thou be enthralled and so doest perish Let thy thought be on the highest and thy prayer directed vnto Christ without ceasing If thou canst not contemplate high and heauenly things rest thy selfe in the passion of Ch●●●● and dwell willingly in the wounds of his sacred body For if thou flie deuoutly vnto his holy wounds and to th● 〈◊〉 markes of his passion thou ●hal● feele great comfort in tribulation neither wilt thou much care for being despised of men and wilt easily be●re the words of slanderous tongues 5 Christ was also in the world despised and in great necessity forsaken by his acquaintance friends in the middest of slanders Matth. 1.12.5.26 Ioh. 15. Christ would suffer and be contemned and darest

thou wilt not be angry alwaies neither wilt thou threaten for euer Psal 102. CHAP. XVII That all our care is to be placed in God OVR LORD SOnne suffer mee to doe with thee what I please I know what is expedient for thee Thou thinkest as man thou judgest in many things as humane affection perswadeth thee SER. Lord what thou sayest is true Thy solicitude for me is greater then all the care that I can take for my selfe Matth. 6. Ioh. 6. For he standeth at too great a hazard that casteth not his whole care vpon thee Lord so that my will may remaine right and firme in thee doe with me whatsoeuer it shall please thee For it cannot be but good whatsoeuer thou doest with me 2 If it be thy will I should be in darknes be thou blessed and if it be thy will I should be in light be thou againe blessed If thou vouchsafest to comfort me be thou blessed and if thou wilt afflict mee be thou also euer blessed LORD Sonne so thou oughtest to be as ready to suffer as to receiue joy Thou oughtest to be as willing to be poore and needy as plentifull and rich SER. 3 Lord I wil willingly suffer for thee whatsoeuer thy pleasure is shall befall me I will receiue indifferently from thy hand good and euill sweete and sower delightfull and sorrowfull and giue thee thanks for all that hapneth vnto me Iob 2. Keepe me from all sinne and I will neither feare death nor hell so as thou doest not for euer cast me from thee and blot me out of the booke of life what tribulation soeuer befall me shall not hurt me Psal 22. CHAP. XVIII That temporal miseries by the example of Christ are to be borne patiently OVR LORD SOnne I descended from heauen for thy health I took vpon me thy miseries my charity and not any necessitie drawing me thereunto that thou mightest learne patience not refuse to beare temporall miseries Ioh. 8. For from the houre of my birth vntill my death on the Crosse I was not without suffring of griefe Esa 53. I suffered great want of temporall things I often heard many complaints against me I bare patiently shame and reproches for benefits I receiued ingratitude for miracles blasphemies for heauenly doctrine reprehensions Luk. 2. SER. 2 Lord for that thou wert patient in thy life-time chiefly in fulfilling the commandment of thy Father it is reason that I miserable sinner should haue patience in al things according to thy will and for mine own health beare the burden of this corruptible life as long as thou wilt Ioh. 5. For although this present life be burdensome yet notwithstanding it is now by thy grace made very meritorious by thy example and the foot-steps of thy Saints more plaine tolerable to the weak Yea much more comfortable also then it was in times past in the olde Law when the gate of heauen remained shut and the way also to heauen seemed darker when so few tooke care to seeke after thy Kingdom Neither they also that then were just were ordained to be saued could enter into the heauenly glory before thy Passion and the debt of thy sacred death was discharged Mat. 7. 3 O how great thanks am I bound to giue thee that thou hast vouchsafed to shew vnto me and to al faithful soules a direct sure way to thy euerlasting Kingdome For thy life is our way and by holy patience we go vnto thee that art our Crowne If thou hadst not gone before vs and taught vs who would haue takē care to follow Alas how many would stay behind remaine far off if they beheld not thy excellent examples Behold we are yet cold although we haue heard of so many of thy wonders thy heauēly documēts What would become of vs if we had not so great light to follow thee Ioh. 12. CHAP. XIX Of suffering of iniuries and who is proued to be truely patient OVR LORD WHat is it thou sayest Son Cease to complain considering my passion and that of my other Saints Thou hast not yet made resistance to the shedding of bloud Heb. 12. It is but little thou suffrest in comparison of them that haue suffered so much so strongly tempted so grieuously afflicted so many wayes tried and exercised Heb. 11. Thou oughtest therfore to call to minde the heauy sufferings of others that thou mayest easier beare the little aduersities which thou sufferest And if they seeme not little beware lest thy impatience be cause thereof Yet whether they be little or great endeauour to beare all patiently 2 How much the better thou disposest thy selfe to suffering so much the more wisely thou doest and so much the more dost thou merit thou shalt more easily also endure it if thy minde be prepared and thy selfe accustomed thereunto Doe not say I cannot suffer these things of such a one at the hands of such a person nor such things are not to be suffred by mee for hee hath done me great wrong and vpbraided me with those things which I neuer thought of but of another I wil willingly suffer and as I shall see cause Such a thought is foolish it considereth not the vertue of patience nor by whom it shall be crowned but rather weigheth the persons and the iniuries offered 3 He is not truly patient that wil not suffer but as much as he thinketh good and by whom he listeth But he that is indeed patient mindeth not by whom he is exercised whether by his superiour or some of his equals or by his inferior whether by a good and holy man or by a peruerse and vnworthy person But indifferently from al creatures how much soeuer or how often soeuer any aduersitie happeneth vnto him hee taketh all thankefully as from the hands of God and esteemeth it a great gaine for that nothing before God how little soeuer so it be suffred for God can be without merit 4 Be thou therefore alwaies prepared for the fight if thou wilt haue the victory Without combate thou canst not attaine vnto the crowne of patience If thou wilt not suffer thou refusest to be crowned But if thou desirest to be crowned fight manfully and endure patiently without labour there is no comming to rest nor without fight can the victory be obtained 2. Tim. 2. SER. Lord let that bee made possible to me by thy grace which seemeth impossible to me by nature Thou knowest that I can suffer little and that I am quickly dismayed when a small aduersitie ariseth Let all exercise of tribulation be made pleasing vnto me and be welcome for thy name for to suffer and to be troubled for thee is very profitable for my soule CHAP. XX. Of the acknowledging of our owne infirmity and of the miseries of this life THE SERVANT I Will confesse against me my iniustice I will confesse vnto thee O Lord my infirmitie Oftentimes it is a smal matter that discomforteth and grieueth me Psal 31. I

within and without be accomplished according to thy will and pleasure How secure is it for the keeping of heauenly grace to fly the sight of men And not to seek those things that seeme to cause admiration abroad but to follow that with al diligence which bringeth amendment of life and encrease of feruour 6 To how many hath vertue knowne and ouer hastily commended bin hurtful how profitable hath grace beene kept with silence in this mortall life which is nothing but a perpetual temptation and a warfare CHAP. XLVI Of putting our trust in God when euil words arise OVR LORD SOn be constant and put thy trust in mee For what are words but words They passe through the aire but hurt not Psa 36. If thou be guiltie determine willingly to amend thy selfe if thou be innocent resolue to suffer this willingly at least for God It is a small matter to suffer sometimes a fevv vvords if thou hast not yet the courage to endure stripes And why doe small matters go to thy heart but for that thou art yet carnall and regardest men more then thou oughtest Because thou art afraid to bee despised therefore wilt not bee reprehended for thy faults and therefore seekest shaddowes of excuses 2 But look better into thy self and thou shalt see that the world yet liueth in thee a vain desire to please men For when thou refusest to be humbled reproued for thy faults it is surely euident that thou art neither truely humble nor dead to the world nor the world perfectly crucified to thee But giue diligent eare to my words thou shalt little respect ten thousand words spoken by men Behold if al should be spokē against thee that could be maliciously inuented what would it hurt thee if thou suffredst it to passe madest no reckoning at all of it Could all those words pluck as much as one haire from thy head Mat. 10. Luk. 11. 3 But he that hath not his heart within him nor God before his eies is easily moued with euery little dispraise whē as he that trusteth in me and confideth not in his own judgement shal be free from human fears For I am the Iudge and the discerner of all secrets I know how the matter passed I know him that offereth the iniury and him that suffereth it Psal 7. From me hath this word proceeded this hath happened by my permission that out of many hearts thoughts may bee reuealed I shall judge the guilty and the innocent but by a secret judgement I would beforehand try them both Luk. 2. 4 The testimony of men oftentimes deceiueth my judgement is alwaies true it shall stand and not be ouerthrown It is commonly hidden and secret and not knowne in euery thing but to few notwithstanding it neuer erreth neither can it erre although to the eyes of the foolish it seemes not right Men ought therefore to returne to me in euery judgement and not to stand in their owne opinions For the just man will not be troubled whatsoeuer happeneth vnto him for God Pro. 12. and if any thing be wrongfully brought forth against him hee will not much care neither will he vainly be glad if by others hee be with reason excused For he considereth that I am he that searcheth the heart and reines do judge not according to the outward face nor humane apparence For that is oftentimes found culpable in my sight that in the judgement of men is commendable SER. 5 O Lord my God the just Iudge strong patient thou knowest the frailty and peruersity of man be thou my strength all my trust for mine owne conscience sufficeth me not Thou knowest that which I cannot reach vnto and therefore in euery reprehension I ought to haue submitted my selfe to haue borne it patiently vouchsafe mercifully to pardon me as often as I haue failed herein and giue me againe grace of greater sufferance For thy bountiful mercy is more auaileable to me for the obtaining of pardon then my conceiued justice for the defence of my hidden conscience Although my conscience accuse me not yet I cannot hereby justifie my selfe 1. Cor. 4. for if thy mercy be away no man liuing shall bee justified in thy sight Psal 142. CHAP. XLVII That all grieuous things are to be endured for life euerlasting OVR LORD SOn let not the paines dismay thee which thou hast vndertaken for me neither be thou discomforted for the tribulatiōs which do befal thee but let my promise strengthen and comfort thee in all euents I am able to reward thee aboue all measure Thou shalt not long toile heere nor alwaies be oppressed with griefe Attend a while and thou shalt see a speedy end of thy euils There will come an houre when all labour and trouble shall cease Little and short is all that passeth away with time 2 Do as thou doest labour faithfully in my Vineyard I will be thy reward Write reade sing mourne obserue silence pray suffer crosses manfully Matth. 20. life euerlasting is worthy of all these and greater combates Peace shall come in the day which is known vnto our Lord and it shall not be day nor night to wit of this time but euerlasting light infinite brightnesse stedfast peace and secure rest Then thou shalt not say Who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death Rom. 7. nor crie Woe be vnto mee for that my dwelling in a strange Countrey is prolonged Psal 119. For death shall be throwne downe and health shall be without decay no anxietie blessed joy sweete and glorious company 3 O if thou hadst seene the euerlasting crownes of the Saints in heauen and with how great glory they now reioice who in times past were contemptible to this world esteemed vnworthy of life it selfe Sap. 3. and 5. truly thou wouldest presently humble thy self euen vnto the earth and wouldest rather seeke to be vnder the feete of al then to haue command so much as ouer one neither wouldest thou desire pleasant dayes of this life but rather reioyce to be afflicted for God and esteeme it thy greatest gaine to bee reputed as nothing amongst men 4 O if thou haddest a feeling of these things and didst suffer them to enter into the depth of thy hart how durst thou so much as once to complaine Are not all painfull labours to be endured for euerlasting life It is no small matter to leese or to gain the Kingdome of heauen Lift vp thine eyes therfore vnto heauen behold I and all my Saints with mee who in this world had great conflicts do now rejoyce now are comforted now are secure now do rest and shall remaine with mee euerlastingly in the kingdom of my Father CHAP. XLVIII Of the euerlasting day and shortnes of this life THE SERVANT O Most blessed mansion of the heauenly City O most cleare day of eternity which night obscureth not but the highest truth euer enlightneth day euer pleasant euer secure and neuer changing into contrary

take courage my brethren and go forwards together Iesus will be with vs for Iesus sake we haue vndertaken this Crosse for the loue of Iesus let vs perseuere in the Crosse Hee will be our helper who is our guide and forerunner Behold our King goeth before vs who also will fight for vs let vs follow him cheerefully let vs not bee dismayed but be readie to die with courage in the battaile and let vs not blemish our glory by flying from the Crosse CHAP. LVII That a man be not too much deiected when he falleth into some defects OVR LORD SOnne patience and humilitie in time of aduersitie are more pleasing to mee then much comfort and deuotion in prosperitie Why art thou grieued for euery little trifle spoken and done against thee Although it had beene much more thou oughtest not to haue been moued But now let it passe it is not the first that hath happened nor any new thing neither shall it bee the last if thou liue long Thou art cheerefull enough as long as no aduersity occurreth Thou canst giue good counsell also and canst strengthen others with thy words but when any tribulation suddenly knocketh at thy dore thou art destitute of counsell and voide of force See therefore thy great frailtie which thou often prouest in very small occasions It is notwithstanding permitted for thy good when these and such like occasions befall thee 2 Put it out of thy heart the best thou canst and if it touch thee yet let it not deiect thee nor trouble thee long beare it at least patiently if thou canst not ioyfully Although thou bee vnwilling to heare it and feelest in thy heart some motion of disdaine yet represse thy selfe and suffer no inordinate word to passe out of thy mouth which may bee a scandall to the weake The storme which now is raised shall quickly be appeased and inward griefe shall be asswaged by the returne of grace I do yet liue saith our Lord and am ready to helpe thee and to giue thee greater comfort then before if thou put thy trust in mee and callest deuoutly vpon me Esay 49. 3 Be more patient and prepare thy selfe to greater suffering All is not lost if thou feele thy selfe often afflicted or grieuously tempted Thou art a man and not God thou art flesh not an Angell How canst thou looke to continue euer in the same state of vertue when an Angell in heauen hath fallen and the first man in Paradise lost his standing I am hee that doe giue healthfull comfort to them that mourne and doe raise vp vnto my God-head those that know their owne frailtie Gen. 3. SER. 4 Lord blessed be thy sacred Word more sweete vnto my mouth then the hony and the hony-combe What should I doe in these my so great tribulations and anguishes vnlesse thou diddest comfort mee with thy holy sweete and heauenly speeches Psal 118. What matter is it how much and what I suffer so as at length I may attaine to the hauen of blisse Grant mee a good end grant mee a happie passage out of this world Be mindfull of me my God and direct mee the straight and ready way to the euerlasting Kingdome Amen CHAP. LVIII Of not searching into high matters and into the secret iudgements of God OVR LORD SOnne beware thou dispute not of high matters not of the secret judgements of God why this man is forsaken and he assumed to so great grace why also this man is so much afflicted and he so greatly aduanced These things exceede all humane power neither can any reason or discourse of any man search out the judgement of God When the enemy therfore suggesteth these things vnto thee or some enuious people demand them of thee answere that of the Prophet Thou art just O Lord and thy judgement is right Psa 218. And againe The judgements of our Lord are true justified in thēselues Psa 18. My judgments are to be fearead not to be discussed for they are such as cannot be comprehended by the vnderstanding of man 2 In like maner I aduise thee not to enquire nor dispute of the merits of the Saints which of them is holier then the other and which is greater in the Kingdome of heauen These things oftentimes breed strife vnprofitable contentions they nourish also pride vain-glory from whēce do vsually spring enuy dissensions whilst one will needs foolishly haue this Saint preferred the other another 1. Tim. 2. To desire to know search out such things is to no purpose but to displease the Saints of whom they speake For I am not the God of dissensiō but of peace which peace consisteth rather in true humilitie then in exalting our selues 3 Some are carried with zeale of affectiō to loue these or those most but this loue is rather humane then diuine I haue made al the Saints and haue giuen them grace I haue made them partakers of my glory I know the merits of euery one I haue preuented them in the benedictions of my sweetnes I foreknew my beloued before the beginning of the world I chose thē out of the world they chose not me first Ioh. 15. I called them by grace I drew them by mercy I led them through sundry temptations I haue sent thē great inward cōforts I haue giuen thē perseuerāce I haue crowned their patiēce 4 I know the first and last I embrace all with inestimable loue I am to be praised in al my Saints I am to be blessed aboue al things and to be honored in euery one whom I haue thus gloriously exalted and predestinated without any precedent merits of their owne He therefore that contēneth one of the least of my Saints honoreth not the greatest for that I made both the lesse and the greater Iam. 2. Wisd 6. And he that dispraiseth any of my Saints dispraiseth also me al the rest in the Kingdome of heauen All are one by the band of Charity they thinke the same they will the same and are all knit together in one perfect-band of loue 5 But yet which is much more high they loue me more then themselues more then their owne merits For being rauished aboue themselues drawne out of the affection of themselues they tend wholy vnto the loue of mee in which also they rest enioying me with vnspeakable glory Nothing can put them backe nothing presse them down for being full of euerlasting truth they burne with the fire of vnquenchable charity Let therfore carnal earthly mē that can affect no other but priuate joyes forbeare to dispute of the state of Saints They adde and take away according to their owne fancies not as it pleaseth the euerlasting Truth 6 There is in many great ignorāce specially in those that bee slenderly enlightned these can seldom loue any with perfect spiritual loue They are alwaies much drawne by a natural affection humane friendship to this man or to that and according to the

experience they haue of themselues in their earthly affections so they frame an imagination of heauēly things But there is an incōparable distance betweene the things which the imperfect frame in their conceits and those which illuminated persons do see by reuelation from aboue 7 Beware therefore my Sonne that thou treat not curiously of these things which exceed thy knowledg but rather so apply thy endeauours that thou maist at least haue the meanest place in the Kingdom of heauē Eccles 3. And if any one did know which of the Saints exceeded others in sanctity or is esteemed greater in the kingdom of heauen what would this knowledge auaile him vnlesse he should thereby humble himselfe the more in my sight and stirre vp his minde to praise my name with greater feruour His labour is much more acceptable vnto God that thinketh of the greatnes of his sins and his want of vertues and how far off he is from the perfection of the Saints then he that disputeth of their greatnes It is better to pray to the Saints with deuotion and teares and to craue their glorious suffrages with an humble mind then to search their secrets with a vaine curiositie 8 They are well and right well contented if men could content thēselues and refraine from these vaine discourses They glory not of their own merits for they ascribe no good vnto themselues but attribute all to me who of my infinite charity haue bestowed my blessings vpon them They are replenished with so great loue of my Godhead and so superabundant joy that there is no glory nor happines that is or can be wanting vnto them All the Saints how much the higher they be in glory so much the more humble they are in themselues and neerer and dearer vnto me And therefore thou hast it written That they did cast their crownes before God and fel downe vpon their faces before the Lambe and adored him that liueth for euer Apocal. 4. 9 Many enquire who is greatest in the Kingdome of God that know not whether they shall euer be numbred there amongst the least It is no small matter to bee euen the least in heauen where all are great for that all there shall be called and shall be indeed the Sonnes of God The least there shall bee great among thousands and the sinner of an hundred yeares shall die For when the Disciples asked who was the greater in the Kingdome of heauen they receiued this answere Matth. 18. Vnlesse you be conuerted and become as little children you shall not enter into the Kingdome of heauen Whosoeuer therefore shall humble himselfe as this little childe he is the greater in the Kingdome of heauen 10 Woe be vnto them that disdaine to humble themselues willingly with little children Mat. 6. For the low gate of the Kingdom of heauen wil not giue them entrance And wo be to the rich that haue their comforts heere for whilst the poore enter into the Kingdom of God they shall be waiting without Reioyce you that be humble and you that bee poore be you glad for yours is the Kingdome of God if you walke according vnto truth Mat. 5. CHAP. LIX That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone THE SERVANT LOrd what trust haue I in this world Or what is the greatest comfort that all things vnder heauen doe yeeld mee Is it not thou my Lord God whose mercies are without number Where hath it beene well with mee without thee Or when could it bee ill with mee when thou wert present I had rather bee poore for thee then rich without thee I rather choose to be a Pilgrime in earth with thee then to possesse heauen without thee Where thou art there is heauen and there is death and hell where thou art not Thou art my desire and therefore it behoueth mee to send forth deep sighes from my heart and crie and pray vnto thee For I haue none to trust vnto none that can help mee in time of necessitie but thee alone my God Thou art my hope and my trust thou art my comforter and most faithfull vnto mee in all my distresses 2 All men seeke their owne gaine thou only seekest my saluation and my profit and turnest all things to my good Phil. 2. Although thou permittest many temptations to assault me and many aduersities to befall me yet thou ordainest all this to my good and profit who art wont to proue thy beloued seruants a thousand wayes In which proofe thou oughtest no lesse to bee loued and praised then if thou diddest replenish me with heauenly comforts 3 In thee therfore my Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation and anguish for I finde all to be weake and vnconstant whatsoeuer I behold out of thee For neither can many friends auaile nor forcible helpers aide nor wise counsellers giue profitable answere nor the bookes of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliuer nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy selfe dost not assist helpe comfort instruct and keepe vs. 4 For all things that seeme to be ordained for the rest and solace of man when thou art absent are nothing and doe bring indeed no joy nor comfort at all Thou therefore art the end of all that is good the light of life the depth of wisdome and the most forcible comfort of thy seruants is to trust in thee aboue all things To thee therefore do I lift vp mine eyes In thee my God the Father of mercies I put my whole trust Blesse and sanctifie my soule with thy heauenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the seat of thy eternall glory and that nothing may be found in the Temple of thy greatnes that may offend the eyes of thy Maiestie According to the greatnes of thy goodnes and multitude of thy mercies take pitie vpon mee and heare the prayer of thy poore seruant who is farre exiled from thee in the land of the shadow of death Protect and keepe the soule of thy seruant amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life and by the assistance of thy grace direct it in the way of peace to the Countrey of euerlasting light AMEN The end of the third Booke OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE FOVRTH BOOKE A deuout Exhortation vnto the blessed Sacrament The voice of Christ COme vnto mee all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you saith our Lord. Matth. 11. The bread which I will giue is my flesh for the life of the world Ioh. 6. Take yee and eate this is my body that shall be deliuered for you Matth. 26. Doe this for the commemoration of me He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud remaineth in me and I in him 1. Cor. 11. The words which I haue spoken vnto you are Spirit and life Ioh. 6. CHAP. I. With how great reuerence Christ ought to be receiued THese are thy words O Christ euerlasting Truth

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