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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

hart They deliuer the letters but thou openest the sense They bring foorth mysteries but thou disclosest the vnderstanding of sealed things They declare thy Commandements but thou helpest to fulfill them They shew the way but thou giuest strēgth to walke it They worke only exteriourly but thou instructest and enlightnest the hearts They water outwardly but thou giuest fruitfulnes They sound foorth words but thou giuest vnderstanding to the hearing 3 Let not therefore Moyses speak vnto me but thou my Lord God the euerlasting truth lest perhaps I shold die and become without fruit if I be warned outwardly onely and not inflamed within lest the word heard and not fulfilled knowen not loued belieued not obserued should increase my judgement Speak therfore Lord for thy seruant heareth for thou hast the words of euerlasting life 1. King 3. Speak vnto me to the comfort of my soule to the amēdmēt of my whole life to thy praise glory euerlasting honor Ioh. 6. CHAP. III. That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not OVR LORD SOnne heare my words words of great comfort excelling all the knowledge of the Philosophers and wise men of this world My words are spirit and life not to be weighed by the vnderstanding of man Ioh. 6. They are not to be drawne to vaine liking but to be heard with silence and to be receiued with all humility and great affection SER. And I said Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy Law that thou mayest giue him quietnes from euill daies and that hee bee not destroyed vpon earth Psal 93. LORD 2 I saith our Lord haue taught the Prophets from the beginning and cease not continually to speake to euery one but many are deafe and giue no eare to my speech Heb. 1. The greater number do more willingly listen to the world then to God and follow sooner the desires of their flesh then the will of God The world promiseth temporall and small things and is serued with great diligence I promise most high and eternal things and the hearts of men are nothing moued with it Who is he that serueth and obeyeth me with equall care to that with which the world and the Lords thereof are serued Blush Sidon saith the sea Esa 23. And if thou aske the cause heare vvhereof For a little prebend a long jorney is vndertaken for euerlasting life many will scarce once lift a foot from the ground A thing of small value is sought after greedily for a peny sometimes there is great contention for a vaine thing and sleight promise men doubt not to toile day and night 3 But alas for an vnchangeable good for an inestimable revvard for the highest honour and glorie without end they are loath to take the least paines Blush therefore slouthfull and complaining Seruant that they are found more ready to destruction then thou to life They reioyce more at vanity then thou at truth And yet they are sometimes frustrated of their hope but my promise deceiueth none nor sendeth him away empty that trusteth in me Rom. 1. Matth. 24. I will giue that which I haue promised I will fulfill that which I haue said but to him that remaines faithfull in my loue to the end Apoc. 2. I am the reward of all good and do try my deuout seruants in forcible proofes Mat. 5.15 4 Write my words in thy heart and thinke diligently of them for they will bee necessary in time of temptation What thou vnderstandest not whē thou readest thou shalt know in the day of visitation I am wont to visite my elect two seuerall wayes to wit with temptation and comfort And I daily reade two lessons vnto them one reprehending their vices another exhorting them to the encrease of vertues Hee that hath my words and despiseth them hath within him that shal judge him at the last day A prayer to implore the grace of deuotion SER. 5 Lord my God thou art all that I can desire Who am I that dare speake vnto thee I am thy poorest seruant and a most vile worme much more poore and contemptible then I can or dare expresse Gen. 18. Remember Lord that I am nothing haue nothing and can doe nothing Thou alone art good just and holy thou canst doe all things performest all things leauing only a sinner void of al good Call to mind thy mercies and fill my hart with thy grace who wilt not that thy workes be void 6 How can I support my selfe in this miserable life vnlesse thy mercy and grace comfort me Turne not thy face from me delay not thy visitation draw not away thy comfort lest my soule become as earth without water vnto thee Psal 68. Lord teach me to fulfill thy will teach me to liue worthily and humbly in thy sight for thou art my wisdome thou doest perfectly know me and didst know me before the world was made and before I was borne in the world Psal 142. CHAP. IV. That we ought to liue in truth and humility in the sight of God OVR LORD SOnne walke in my sight in sincerity and truth and euer seeke me in plainenesse of heart He that walketh in my sight in truth shal be defended from euill incursions and truth shall deliuer him from seducers and from the detractions of the wicked Gen. 17. Wisd 1. If truth shall haue deliuered thee thou shalt be truely free and shalt not care for vaine speeches of men 1. Ioh. 8. SER. Lord it is true According as thou sayest so I beseech thee let it be done with me and keepe me and bring mee to a happy end Let thy truth teach me and let it deliuer me from all euill affection and inordinat loue and I shall walke with thee in great freedome of heart LORD 2 I wil teach thee saith the Truth those things that are right and pleasing in my sight Thinke of thy sins with great sorrow griefe and neuer esteem thy selfe any thing for thy good workes Thou art in very deed a sinner and subiect to many passions Of thy selfe thou alwayes tendest to nothing and art quickly cast downe and ouercome quickly troubled quickly dissolued Thou hast nothing wherin thou canst glory 2. Cor. 4. But many things for which thou oughtest to humble and despise thy selfe for thou art much weaker then thou art able to comprehend 3 And therfore let nothing seeme much vnto thee whatsoeuer thou dost Let nothing seem great nothing precious wonderful nothing worthy of estimation nothing high nothing truly commendable and to be desired but that which is euerlasting Let the eternall truth aboue al things please thee Let thy owne great vnworthinesse alwayes displease thee Feare nothing blame flie nothing so much as thy sins and vices which ought to displease more then the losse of any thing whatsoeuer Some walke not sincerely in my sight but led by a certain curiosity pride wil know

passe avvay Eccl. 2. Would God their life had beene answerable to their learning then had their study and reading bin to good purpose How many perish in this world by reason of vaine learning who take little care of the seruice of God Tit. 1. And because they rather choose to bee great then humble Rom. 1. therefore they vanish away in their owne thoughts Mat. 18. and 23. He is truely great that is great in charity He is truly great that is little in himselfe and that maketh no account of the height of honor He is truly wise that accounteth all earthly things as dung that he may gaine Christ And he is truly learned that fulfilleth the will of Christ and forsaketh his owne Phil. 3. CHAP. IV. Of Prudence and Fore-sight in our actions WE must not giue eare to euery suggestion or instinct but ought warily leasurely to ponder things according to the wil of God 1. Io. 4. But alas such is our weakenesse that wee rather often beleeue and speake euill of others then good Those that are perfectly vertuous do not easily giue credit to euery thing that is told them Gen. 8. for they know that humane frailtie is prone to euill and very subiect to faile in words Iam. 3. 2 It is great wisedome not to be rash in thy proceedings nor to stand stiffely in thine owne conceits Prouerb 19. as also not to beleeue euery thing which thou hearest nor presently to relate againe to others what thou hast heard or doest beleeue Prou. 17. Consult with him that is wise and of a good conscience and seeke to be instructed by a better then thy selfe rather then to follow thine owne inuentions A good life maketh a man wise according to God and giueth him experience in many things Prou. 15. and Eccl. 1. How much the humbler one is in himselfe and more subiect and resigned vnto God so much the more prudent shall hee bee in all his affaires and enioy greater peace and quiet of heart CHAP. V. Of the reading of holy Scriptures TRuth not eloquence is to bee sought for in holy Scriptures Each part of them is to be read with the same spirit it was made Wee should rather search after spirituall profit in Scriptures then subtility of speech Rom. 15. We ought to reade deuout and simple books as willingly as high and learned Let not the reputation of the writer offend thee whether he be of great or small learning but let the pure word of truth moue thee to reade Search not who spake this or that but marke what is spoken 1. Cor. 2. 2 Men passe away but the truth of our Lord remaineth for euer Psal 110. and Luk. 21. God speaketh vnto vs sundry wayes without respect of persons Our owne curiosity often hindereth vs in reading of the Scriptures when as we will examine and discusse that which wee should rather passe ouer without more ado Rom. 2. 10. Col. 3. If thou desire to reape profite reade humbly plainly and faithfully neuer desire the estimation of learning Inquire willingly and heare with silence the words of holy men dislike not the Parables of Elders for they are not recounted without cause Prou. 1. and 18. CHAP. VI. Of inordinate desires and affections WHensoeuer a man desireth any thing inordinately he is presently disquieted in himselfe The proud and couetous can neuer rest The poore and humble in spirit liue together in all peace The man that is not wholly dead in himselfe is quickely tempted and ouercome in small and trifling things The weake in spirit and that is yet in a manner subiect to his appetites and prone to sensible things can hardly withdraw himselfe altogether from earthly desires And therefore hee is often afflicted when hee goeth about to retire himselfe from them and easily falleth into indignation when any opposition is made against him 2 And if he hath followed therein his appetite hee is presently disquieted with remorse of conscience for that hee yeeldeth to his passion which profiteth him nothing to the obtaining of the peace hee sought for True quiet of minde therefore is gotten by resisting our passions not by obeying them There is no peace in the heart of a carnall man nor of him that is addicted to outward things but in the spirituall and feruent CHAP. VII Of flying vaine Hope and Pride HEE is vaine that putteth his trust in men or creatures Hier. 17.1 Bee not ashamed to serue others for the loue of Iesus Christ nor to be esteemed poore in this world Presume not vpon thy selfe but place thy hope in God Psalm 30. Doe vvhat lyeth in thy power and God will assist thee Trust not in thine owne knowledge nor in the wisdome or prudence of any liuing creature but rather in the grace of God who helpeth the humble and humbleth the presumptuous and proud Hier. 9. 2 Glory not in wealth if thou haue it nor in the power of thy friends but in God who giueth all things and aboue all desireth to giue thee himselfe Extol not thy selfe for the stature and beauty of thy bodie which is dissolued disfigured with euery little sicknes Take not pleasure in thy naturall gifts or wit lest therby thou displease God to whom appertaineth all the good whatsoeuer Nature hath giuen thee 3 Esteeme not thy selfe better then others lest perhaps in the sight of God who knoweth what is in man thou be accounted worse then they Exod. 3. 12. Bee not proud of thy good workes for the iudgements of God are far different from the iudgements of men and that often offendeth him which pleaseth them Iob 9. If there be any good in thee beleeue that there is much more in others that so thou mayst the better keepe within thy heart the precious treasure of humility It is no preiudice vnto thee to esteeme thy selfe worse then all the world but it hurteth thee very much to preferre thy selfe before any one The humble enioy continuall peace but in the heart of the proud is enuy and often indignation CHAP. VIII That too much familiarity is to be shunned LAy not thy heart open to euery one but treate of thy affaires with the wise and such as feare God Eccl. 8. Conuerse not much with yong people and strangers Flatter not the rich neither doe thou appeare willingly before great personages Keep company with the humble simple deuout and vertuous and conferre with them of those things that may edifie Be not familiar with any woman but in generall commend all good women to God Prou. 5. Desire to bee familiar with God alone and his Angels and fly the knowledge of men 2 Wee must haue charitie towards all but familiaritie with all is not expedient Sometimes it falleth out that the fame of some person that is not knowne is much esteemed whose presence notwithstanding is not gratefull to the eyes of the beholders Wee thinke sometimes to please others by our company and wee rather distate them with

wee bee extolled in our good deeds pag. 188 What we ought to doe and say in euerie thing which we desire pag. 191 That true comfort is to be sought in God alone pag. 194 That all our care is to be placed in God pag. 196 That temporall miseries by the example of Christ are to be borne patiently pag. 198 Of suffering of iniuries and who is proued to be truely patient pag. 201 Of the acknowledging of our owne infirmitie and of the miseries of this life pag. 204 That wee are to rest in God aboue all his gifts pag. 208 Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God pag. 213 Of foure things that bring much peace pag. 217 Of flying curious inquiry of the life of others pag. 221 Wherein doth the firme peace of the heart and true profit consist pag. 223 Of the excellencie of a free minde which humble prayer better deserueth then reading pag. 226 That priuate loue most hindereth from the chiefest good pag. 229 Against the tongue of slanderers pag. 432 How we ought to call vpon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere pag. 233 Of crauing the diuine aide and confidence of recouering grace pag. 235 Of the contempt of all creatures to finde our Creator pag. 240 Of the deniall of our selues and forsaking our affections pag. 244 Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our finall intentions vnto God pag. 247 That God is sweet aboue all things and in all things to him that loueth pag. 249 That there is no security from temptation in this life pag. 252 Against the vaine iudgements of men pag. 255 Of a full and pure resignation of our selues for the obtaining freedome of heart pag. 257 Of good gouernment in outward things and of recourse to God in dangers pag. 260 That a man be not ouer earnest in his affaires pag. 262 That man hath no good of himselfe nor any thing whereof he can glory pag. 264 Of the contempt of all temporall honors pag. 267 That our peace is not to be placed in men pag. 268 Against vaine and secular knowledge pag. 271 Of not drawing outward things to our selues pag. 274 That credit is not to be giuen to all men and how prone man is to offend in words pag. 275 Of putting our trust in God when euill words arise pag. 280 That all grieuous things are to be endured for life euerlasting pag. 284 Of the euerlasting day and shortnesse of this life pag. 287 Of the desire of euerlasting life and how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly pag. 292 How a desolate person ought to offer himselfe into the hands of God pag. 299 That a man ought to imploy himselfe in workes of humilitie when force is wanting for higher exercises pag. 305 That a man ought to esteeme himselfe vnworthy of comfort and to haue deserued stripes pag. 307 That the grace of God is not giuen to those that sauour of earthly things pag. 310 Of the different motions of Nature and Grace pag. 313 Of the corruption of nature and efficacie of diuine grace pag. 320 That we ought to deny our selues and imitate Christ by the Crosse pag. 325 That a man bee not too much deiected when he falleth into some defects pag. 329 Of not searching into high matters and into the secret iudgements of God pag. 333 That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone pag. 341 THE FOVRTH BOOKE WIth how great reuerence Christ is to be receiued pag. 349 That great goodnes and charity of God is bestowed vpon man in this Sacramēt pag. 356 That it is profitable to communicate often pag. 361 That many benefits are bestowed vpon them that communicate deuoutly pag. 365 Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Priestly function pag. 371 An Interrogation of the exercise before Communion pag. 374 Of the discussing of our owne conscience and purpose of amendment pag. 375 Of the oblation of Christ on the Crosse and resignation of our selues pag. 379 That we ought to offer vp our selues and all that is ours vnto God and to pray for all pag. 381 That the holy Communion is not lightly to be forborne pag. 386 That the Body of Christ and the holy Scripture are most necessary vnto a faithfull soule pag. 392 That he that is to communicate ought to prepare himself with great diligence pag. 399 That a deuout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be vnited vnto Christ in the Sacrament pag. 403 Of the feruent desire of some deuout persons to receiue the body of Christ pag. 406 That the grace of deuotion is obtained by humilitie and deniall of our selues pag. 409 That we ought to manifest our necessities vnto Christ and to craue his grace pag. 412 Of burning loue and vehement desire to receiue Christ pag. 414 That a man bee not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense vnto faith pag. 418 OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE FIRST BOOKE CHAP. I. Of the Imitation of Christ and contempt of all the vanities of the world HEE that followeth me walketh not in darknes saith our Lord. Ioh. 8. These are the words of Christ by which we are admonished that we ought to imitate his life and manners if we will be partakers of his diuine light and be deliuered from all blindnesse of heart Let therefore our chiefe care be to meditate vpon the life or Iesus Christ 2 The doctrine of Christ exceedeth all the doctrine of the Saints and hee that had the light of spirit would discouer therein a secret and hidden Manna But it falleth out that many who often heare the Gospell of Christ doe yet feele in themselues but slender motion of any holy desire because they are voide of the Spirit of Christ But whosoeuer will fully and feelingly vnderstand the words of Christ must endeauour to conforme his life wholly to the life of Christ 3 What will it auaile thee to dispute profoundly of the Trinitie if thou be void of humility and thereby displeasing to the Trinitie High words surely make a man neither holy nor just but a vertuous life maketh him deare to God I had rather feele compunction then vnderstand the definition thereof 1. Cor. ●● If thou diddest know the whole Bible by heart and the sayings of all the Philosophers what would all that profit thee without charity and the grace of God Vanity of vanities and al is vanity but only to loue God and wholly to serue him Eccles 1. This is the highest wisdome by contempt of the world to tend towards the Kingdome of heauen 4 It is therefore vanity to seeke after fading riches and to repose trust in them It is also vanity to gape after honors and to climbe to high degrees It is vanity to follow the appetites of the flesh and to labour for that for which thou must afterwards suffer more griueuous punishment Vanity it is to wish to liue long and to

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

created mee to thy Image and likenesse Genes 1. graunt mee this grace which thou hast shewed to bee so great and so necessary to saluation that I may ouercome my wicked nature which draweth me to sinne and to the losse of my soule For I feele in my flesh the law of sinne contradicting the law of my minde and leading mee captiue to obey sensuality in many things neither can I resist the passions thereof vnlesse thy holy grace feruently infused into my heart doe assist me Rom. 7. 2 Thy grace O Lord and great grace is needfull that nature may be ouercome which is euer prone to euil from her youth For by Adam the first man in falling and being corrupted by sinne the penalty of this staine hath descended vpon all mankind in such sort that Nature it self which by thee was created good and without defect is now accounted for vice and for the infirmitie of a corrupted nature for that the motion thereof left vnto it selfe draweth to euill and abiect things For the little force which remaineth is like a certaine sparke lying hidden in ashes This is naturall reason it self compassed about with great darknesse still retaining power to discerne good and euill and the distance betweene true and false although it be vnable to fulfill all that it approueth and enioyeth not now the full light of truth nor the former integrity of her affections 3 Hence it is my God that according to my inward man I delight in thy law knowing thy Commandements to bee good just and holy reprouing also all euill and sin and doe know that it is to be fled Rom. 7. But in my flesh I serue the law of sin whilest I rather obey sensualitie then reason Hence it is that I haue a will to doe good but know not how to performe it For this cause I often purpose many good things but for that I want grace to helpe my infirmity for a light resistance I go backe and faint I know the way of perfection see clearely enough what I ought to do but pressed with the waight of mine owne corruption I rise not vnto it 4 O Lord how needfull is thy grace for me to beginne any good worke to go forward and to accomplish it Ioh. 13. For without it I can do nothing but in thee I can doe all things when thy grace doth comfort me O heauenly grace without which our owne merits are nothing and no gifts of nature are to bee esteemed Arts riches beautie and strength wit or eloquence are of no worth with thee O Lord without thy grace For gifts of nature are common to good and euill but the peculiar gift of the elect is grace and loue wherewith being marked they are esteemed worthy of euerlasting life This grace so much excelleth that neither the gift of prophesie nor the working of miracles nor any speculation how high soeuer is of any esteeme without it Neyther faith nor hope nor other vertues are acceptable vnto thee without charitie and grace 1. Cor. 13. 5 O most blessed grace that makest the poore in spirit rich with vertues and the rich in many blessings humble in heart come downe vnto me replenish mee in the morning with thy comfort lest my soule should faint with wearines and wither away with drines of mind I beseech the Lord that I may find grace in thy sight for thy grace sufficeth though other things that nature desireth be wanting Psal 22. If I be tempted and vexed with many tribulations I will not feare euils whilest thy grace is with me shee is my strength she giueth aduice and help she is stronger then all enemies and wiser then all the wise 6 Thy grace is the mistresse of truth the teacher of discipline the light of the heart the solace in affliction she driueth away sorrow she expelleth feare she is the nurse of deuotion the bringer foorth of teares What am I without it but a rotten peece of wood and an vnprofitable stalke only meet for the fire Let thy grace therefore Lord alwaies preuent me and follow mee and make mee euer diligent in good workes through Iesus Christ thy Son Amen CHAP. LVI That we ought to deny our selues and imitate Christ by the Crosse OVR LORD SOnne looke how much thou canst goe out of thy selfe so much mayest thou enter into me As to be void of all desire of externall things maketh inward peace so the forsaking of our selues joyneth vs internally to God I will haue thee learne the perfect leauing of thy selfe vnto my will without contradiction and complaint Follow me I am the way the truth and the life Ioh. 14. Without the way there is no going without truth there is no knowledge without life there is no liuing I am the way which thou oughtest to follow the truth which thou oughtest to trust the life for which thou oughtest to hope I am the way which cannot lead amisse the truth which cannot erre the life which cannot end I am a most strait way a supreme truth a true life a blessed life an increated life if thou remaine in mee thou shalt know the truth and truth shall deliuer thee and thou shalt apprehend euerlasting life 2 If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandements if thou wilt know the truth beleeue me Mat. 19. If thou wilt be perfect sell al. If thou wilt be my disciple deny thy selfe Luk. 9. If thou wilt possesse a blessed life deny this present life Ioh. 12. If thou wilt be exalted in heauen humble thy selfe vpon earth Luk. 14. If thou wilt raigne with me beare the Crosse with mee For onely the seruants of the Crosse finde the way of blisse and true light SER. 3 Lord Iesus for as much as thy way is narrow strait and contemptible vnto the world grant me grace to imitate thee in suffring willingly all worldly contempt For the seruant is not greater then his Lord nor the Disciple aboue his Master Mat. 7. Let thy seruant be exercised in thy holy life for there is the health and the true sanctitie of my soule whatsoeuer I reade or heare besides doth not recreate or delight me fully Luk. 6. LORD 4 Sonne now that thou knowest and hast read these things happie shalt thou be if thou fulfill them Hee that hath my Commandements and keepeth them hee it is that loueth me and I will loue him and will manifest my selfe vnto him and wil make him sit with me in the Kingdome of my Father SER. Lord Iesus as thou hast said and promised so giue mee grace to deserue that it be fulfilled I haue receiued the Crosse I haue receiued it from thy hand and I will beare it and beare it till death as thou hast laid it vpon me Truely the life of a good religious person is the Crosse and it is a sure guide to heauen It is now begunne it is not lawfull to go backe neither is it fit to leaue that which I haue vndertaken 5 Let vs then

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

though not spoken all at one time nor written in one and the selfe-same place Because therefore they are thine and true they are al thankfully and faithfully to be receiued by me They are thine thou hast spoken them and they are mine also because thou hast spoken them for my saluation I willingly receiue them from thy mouth that they may be the deeper imprinted in my heart These deuout words so full of sweetnes and loue do stirre me vp but mine owne offences doe amaze me my impure conscience driueth me back from the receiuing of so great mysteries The sweetnes of thy words doth encourage mee but the multitude of my sinnes doe oppresse me 2 Thou commandest me to come confidently vnto thee if I will haue part with thee and to receiue the food of immortality if I desire to obtaine euerlasting life glory Come sayest thou vnto me all ye that labour and are burdened and I wil refresh you Mat. 11. O sweet and louely word in the eare of a sinner that thou my Lord God shouldest inuite the poore and needy to receiue thy most blessed body But who am I Lord that I may presume to approach vnto thee Behold the heauens cannot containe thee and thou sayst Come ye all vnto me Mat. 11. 3 What meaneth this most pious benignity and so louing inuitation How shal I dare to come that know not any good in mee whereupon I may presume How shal I bring thee into my house that haue often offended thy most gracious countenance The Angels and the Archangels honor thee the Saints and just men doe feare thee and thou sayest Come ye all vnto me Mat. 11. Vnlesse thou O Lord didst say it who would beleeue it to be true And vnlesse thou didst command it who would dare to come vnto thee Behold Noe a just man laboured an hundred yeares in building of the Arke that he might be saued with a few and how can I in one houres space prepare my selfe to receiue with reuerence the Maker of the world Gen. 6. 4 Moses thy great seruant and especiall friend made an Arke of incorruptible wood which also he couered with most pure gold to put the Tables of the Law therein and I a rotten creature how shall I so lightly dare to receiue the Maker of the Law and the giuer of life Salomon the wisest of the Kings of Israel bestowed seuen yeares in building a magnificent Temple in praise of thy name and celebrated the feast of the Dedication therof eight daies together 3. King 6. hee offered a thousand peaceable sacrifices and set the Arke in the place prepared for it with the sound of trumpets and joy 3. King 8. and I the most vnhappie and poorest of men how shall I bring thee into my house that I can scarce spend one halfe houre deuoutly And I would to God it were once almost one halfe houre in worthy and due manner 5 O my God how much did they endeauour to please thee and alas how little is that which I doe How short time doe I spend when I prepare my selfe to receiue I am seldome wholy recollected very seldome altogether free from distraction yet surely no vndecent thought should occurre in the presence of thy Deity nor any creature draw me vnto it for I am not to harbour an Angell but the Lord of Angels 6 And yet there is great difference betweene the Arke the Reliques therof and thy most pure body with his vnspeakable vertues betweene those legall Sacrifices figures of future things and the true sacrifice of thy body the complement of all ancient Sacrifices Why therefore doe I not become more feruent in thy venerable presence Wherefore doe I not prepare my selfe with greater care to receiue thy sacred gifts sith those holy ancient Patriarkes and Prophets yea Kings also and Princes with the whole people haue shewed so great zeale of deuotion to thy diuine seruice 7 The most deuout King Dauid danced before the Arke of God with all his force calling to minde the benefits bestowed in times past vpon his fore-fathers 2. King 6. He made Instruments of sundry kinds he published Psalmes and appointed them to be sung with joy himselfe also oftentimes played vpon the Harpe Being inspired with the grace of the holy Ghost he taught the people of Israel to praise God vvith their whole heart and with pleasant voyces euery day to blesse praise him If so great deuotion was then vsed and such memory of diuine praise before the Arke of the Testament what reuerence and deuotion is now to be performed by me and al Christian people in the presence of this Sacrament in receiuing the most precious body of Christ 8 Many goe to sundry places to visite the Reliques of Saints and are astonished when they heare of their miraculous workes they behold the spacious buildings of their Churches and kisse their sacred bones wrapped in silke and gold And behold thou art heere present with me on the Altar my God the Holy of Holies the Maker of all things and Lord of Angels Oftentimes in those deuotions there is but curiositie of men and nouelty of the beholders in the seeing of such sights and little fruit of amendment is gotten thereby especially where there is so vnconstant wandring without true contrition But heere in the Sacrament of the Altar thou art present my Lord God and Man Christ Iesus where also plentifull fruit of euerlasting saluation is obtained as often as thou art worthily and deuoutly receiued No leuity no curiosity or sensuality draweth vnto this but firme faith deuout hope and sincere charity 9 O God the inuisible Creator of the world how wonderfully dost thou deale with vs How sweetly and graciously doest thou dispose of all things with thy Elect to whome thou offerest thy selfe to be receiued in the Sacrament O this exceedeth all vnderstanding of man this chiefly draweth the hearts of the deuout and inflameth their desire For thy true faithfull seruants that dispose their whole life to amendment by this most worthy Sacrament oftentimes receiue great grace of deuotion and loue of vertue 10 O admirable and hidden grace of this Sacrament which onely the faithfull of Christ do know but the vnfaithfull and such as are slaues vnto sinne cannot conceiue nor feele In this Sacrament spirituall grace is giuen and lost vertue is restored in the soule and beautie disfigured by sinne returneth againe This grace is sometimes so great that with the fulnesse of deuotion which is heere giuen not only the minde but the weake body also feeleth great increase of strength 11 Our coldnes and negligence surely is much to be bewailed and pitied that wee are not drawne with greater affection to receiue Christ in whom al the hope and merit of those that are to be saued doth consist For he is our sanctification and redemption he is the comfort of passengers and the euerlasting fruition of Saints It is much therefore to be lamented

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