me one with thee in everlasting love Many times to read much and to hear much itâ—irketh me in thee is all I would have or can desire 9 Let all teachers hold their peace let all Creatures keepe silence in thy sight but speake Lord for thy servant heareth speake thou alone unto me and it sufficeth 10 By how much the more one is united to himself admitteth of no admixture within himselfe by so much the more easily doth he coÌ„ceive high mysteries because he is enlightned from above 11 A pure sincere and stayed spirit is not distracted though it be imploy'd in diverse matters for that it worketh all to the honour of God and labouring for inward tranquillitie seeketh not it selfe in any thing it doth 12 Who hinders and troubles thee more then the unmortified and unruly affections of thine owne heart 13 A good and godly man before he doe any businesse outwardly abroad doth first rightly order it inwardly at home 14 Neither shall his imployment drive him to any corrupt inclination but he will draw it to the rule of right reason 15 Great are the confliccts of every good Christian but of all combates the forest is to conquer our selves 16 This then should be our chiefe endeavour continually to maintaine the sight and every day to be stronger and better then another 16 The greatest perfection wee can attaine to in this life it hath some imperfection annexed to it and our greatest light of knowledge is not void of some darknesse 17 An humble knowledge of thy selfe is a more secure way to heaven then a profound searching into other kinds of learning 18 Not that humane learning is blame-worthy nor the knowledge of any thing whatsoever is to be disliked because it is good in it selfe and ordained of God 19 But yet a good conscience is to be preferred before all knowledge and a vertuous life before all learning 20 But because men commonly labour more to know well then to live well this makes them so much to wander out of the way and reap litle fruit of their labours 21 O if men would be as carefull in removing vices as they are in moving questions there would not be so much loosness amongst the vulgar nor such enormities in retir'd places 22 Assuredly at the day of judgment we shall not be examined how many bookes we have read but how many good workes we have done not how rhetorically we have spoken but how religiously we have lived 23 Tell me now what 's become of all those great Doctors and Masters in Israell which thou knewest to be so famous and pointed at in their life 24 Others now possesse their places and preferments and perchance doe scarce ever so much as thinke of them 26 In their life time they seemed to be some body who but they but now they are gone we heare not a word of them 27 O how quickly doth the glory of this world passe away would God their life had been answerable to their learning then had their study and reading been to good purpose 28 Alas how many perish in the world through this vaine knowledge in that they make small account of the worship of God 29 And because they rather strive to be high then humble therefore they vanish in their vaine imaginations 30 Accosding to thy charity so is thy greatnesse he is truly great who is litle in his own eyes and lightly esteemeth all height of honour 31 He is wise indeed who accounteth all things else but dung that he may winne Christ and he is learned indeed that abandoneth his owne will that he may doe Gods CHAP. IV. Of Providence or Prudence in our actions VVE must not rashly believe every word of man but warily and seriously ponder whether it be consonant to the will of God 2 But alas such is our weaknesse and so great our infirmity that we oftner think and speake the worst of another then the best 3 But such as be perfect will not easily give credit to every tale that is told them they know how prone every man is by nature unto evill and how easy it is to offend with the tongue 4 It is a point of great wisdome to be neither rash in our actions nor stiffe in our opinions 5 And as great wisdome it is not to believe all thou hearest nor yet what thou hearest and believest to be by and by telling it another 6 Take advise of a wise and conscientious man follow his better instructions rather theÌ„ thine own fancies 7 A good life maketh a man wise to God-ward and giveth him great experience in many things 8 The more humble a man is in himselfe and obedient to his God the more prudent shall he be in all his affaires and injoy greater quietnesse of mind CAAP. V. Of the reading of holy Scriptures IN the holy Scriptures we must looke after the truth of the matter not the eloquence of the words and we should read them with the same spirit they were penn'd 2 We ought rather to marke in them the evidence of the spirit then the excellency of the words for it is better to read a Booke that brings devotion to my heart then knowledge to my head 3 Let not the authority of the Writer be he of great or small account but the pure love of truth move thee to read and seeke out not so much who it is that speaketh but diligently mark what it is that is spoken 4 Men are here to day and gone to morrow but the truth of our Lord remaineth for ever God speaketh to us sundry waies without respect of persons 5 In reading the Scriptures our curiosity doth often hurt us when we goe about to comprehend that which indeed we should let alone 6 If thou desirest to reap commodity read withall humility simplicity and fidelity and never covet to be accounted learned 7 Be questioning alwaies with godly men and hearken with silence unto their sayings be not offended with the Proverbes of thine elders for they are not left unto us without a cause CHAP. VI. Of inordinate desires and affections VVHensoever a man desireth a thing inordinately he is presently disquieted within himselfe 2 The proud and covetous men are never at rest but the poore and meeke-spirited live together in abundance of peace 4 The man that is not yet throughly mortified is quickly tempted yea and overcome too with small and triviall things 5 He that is weake in the spirit and as yet carnally minded and prone unto sensuality can hardly withdraw himselfe altogether from earthly desires 6 And therefore it often grieveth him when he goeth about to withdraw himselfe and is easily moved to anger if any one doth withstand him 7 But if he hath followed therein his appetite he is presently gauled with remorse of conscience because he hath yeelded to his unruly passions which doth no whit make to the peace he sofght for 8 Wherefore the true peace of mind is gotten
to the bearing of adversity and account it as the greatest comfort 46 Set thou thy heart upon the suffering of tribulations and account them the greatest comforts 47 For that the passions of this life are not worthy of the glory that shall be revealed although thou alone couldest suffer them all 48 When thou shalt come to this estate that tribulation for Christ's sake shall seeme sweet and pleasant unto thee then think it is well with thee for thou hast found a Parradise upon earth 49 As long as it is grievous unto thee to suffer and that thou desirest to fly it so long shalt thou be ill at ease and the tribulation thou fliest will follow thee every where 50 If thou setlest thy selfe to that thou oughtest to wit to suffer and to die to thy selfe it will quickly be better with thee and thou shalt find peace 51 Although thou shouldest have been rapt even unto the third heaven with Paul thou art not by this secured that thou shalt suffer no contradiction 52 I saith IESVS will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name It resteth therefore that thou suffer for him if thou wilt love IESUS and perpetually serve him 53 O would to God thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Iesus how great glory would it be unto thee what joy to all the Saints of God how great edification also to thy neighbour 54 For all doe commend patience thought few desire to suffer With great reason thou oughtest to be willing to suffer a litle for Christ since many suffer far great things for the love of the world 55 Know for certaine that thou oughtest to lead a dying life And how much the more every one dieth to himselfe so much the more doth he begin to live unto God 56 No man is sit to attaine unto heavenly things unlesse he submit himselfe to the bearing of adversities for Christ. 57 Nothing is more gratefull unto God nothing more wholesome to thee in this world then to suffer willingly for Christ. 58 And if it were in thy choice thou shouldest rather wish to suffer adversities for Christ then to enjoy the delight of many comforts 59 Because by these meanes thou shouldst be more like unto Christ and more conformable to all Saints 60 For our good workes and the perfectioÌ„ of our estate consisteth not in much sweetnesse and comforts but rather in suffering great afflictions and tribulations 61 If there had been any better thing and more profitable to the soules health then suffering surely Christ would have shâ—wed it by word and example 62 But he plainly exhorted all the disciples that followed him and all that desire to follow him to the bearing of the Crosse 63 And saith if any man will come after me let him deny himselfe and take up his Crosse and follow me 64 So as when we have read and searched all let this be the last conclusion That by many tribulations wee must enter into the Kingdome of God The end of the second Book OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE THIRD BOOK CHAP. I. Of the inward speech of Christ to a faithfull soule I Will heare what our Lord God will speake in me Blessed is the soule that heareth our Lord speaking in hâ—â— and receiveth from his mouth the word of comfort 2 Blessed are those eares that receive the sound of the divine voice and listen not to the whisperings of the world 3 Blessed indeed are those eares that hearken not to the voice which soundeth outwardly but unto truth which teacheth inwardly 4 Blessed are the eyes that being shut up to outward things are attentive to those things that are within 5 Blessed are they that enter into the inward things and endeavour to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises to the attaining of heavenly secâ—ets 6 Blessed be they that delight to attend the service of God and cast from them all impediments of this world 7 Consider these things my soule and shut up the doores of thy sensuall desires thâ—â— thou maist heare what thy Lord God â—â—eaketh in thee 8 Thus saith thy beloved I am thy safâ—â—y thy peace and thy life Keepe thy selfe withâ—â—e and thou shalt find peace Forsake all transitâ—ry things and seeke those that be everlasting 9 What are all temporall things but deceiving snares and what doe all creatures availe thee if thou be forsaken by the Creator 10 Forsake therefore all earthly things and labour to please thy Creator and be faithful unto him that thou maist attaine unto true happinesse CHAP. II. That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words SPeake Lord for thy servant heareth I am thy servant grant me understanding that I may know thy testimonies 2 Stir up my heart to heare the words of thy mouth let thy speech descend as the dew into my soule 3 The children of Israel in times past said unto Moses Speake thou unto us and we shall heare theâ—e let not our Lord speake unto us least perhaps we die 4 Not so Lord not so I beseech thee But rather with the Prophet Samuel I humbly and earnestly intreat speake Lord for thy servant heareth 5 Let not Moses speake unto me nor any of the Pâ—ophets but thou rather speake my Lord God the inspirer and enlightner of all the Prophets 6 For thou alone without them canst perfectly instruct me but they without thee can profit me nothing 7 They can pronounce words but they give not spirit They speak marveilous well but if thou hold thy peace they inflame not the heart 8 They deliver the letters but thou openest the sense They bringforth mysteries but thou disclosest the understanding of sealed things 9 They declare thy commandements but thou helpest to fulfill them They shew the way but thou givest strength to walke in it 10 They work only exteriorly but thou instructest and enlightnest the hearts They water outwardly but thou givest fruitfulnesse They sound forth wordes but thou givest understanding to the hearing 11 Let not therefore Moses speak unto me but thou my Lord God the everlasting truth lest perhaps I should dye and become without fruit if I be warned outwardly only and not enflâ—med within 12 Lest the word heard and not fulfilled knowen and not loved believed and not observed should increase my punishment 13 Speak therefore Lord for thy servant heareth for thou hast the words of everlasting life Speak unto me to the comfort of my soule and to the amendment of my whole life and to thy praise and glory and everlasting honour CHAP. III. â—hat the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not SOnne hear my words wordes of great comfort excelling all the knowledge of the Philosophers and wise men of this world 2 My wordes are spirit and life not to be wâ—ighed by the understanding of man Thâ—y are not to be drawn to vaine liking but to be heard with silence and to be received with all
confusion of opinions without ambition of honour without contention of arguments 11 I am he that teacheth to despise earthly things to loath things present to seeke the everlasting to delight in the things that are eternall 12 To flye honours to suffer scandalls to place all hope in me to desire nothing out of me and above all things servently to love me 13 For one by loving me entirely learned divine things and spake wonders he profited more in forsaking all things then in studying subtilties 14 To some I speak ordinary things to others things more rare to some I appear sweetly by signes and figures but to some I reveale mysteries with much light 15 The voice of books is one but it teacheth not all men alike For I am the internall teacher I am the Truth the searcher of the heart the understander of thoughts the setter forwards of good works distributing to every one according to my will CHAP. XLIV Of not drawing outward things to our selves SOnne in many things thou oughtest to be ignorant and esteeme thy selfe as dead upon earth and as one to whom the world is crucified 2 Thou must also passe over many things with a deafe eare and rather think of that which appertaineth to thy peace 3 It is more profitable to turne thine eyes from the sight of unpleasing things and to leave unto every one his own opinion then to strive with contentious words 4 If thou standest well with God and considerest his judgements thou shalt the more easily yeeld to the will of others 5 O Lord to what an estate are we come Behold we bewaile a temporall losse and for a little gaine wee toile and spare no labour and the spirituall damage of our soule is forgotten and hardly at length called to mind 6 That which litle or nothing profiteth is alwaies remembred and that which is chiefly necessary is negligently passed over 7 Because mans nature carrieth him to externall things and unlesse he quickly returne unto himselfe he lyeth drowned in them with delight CHAP. XLV That credit is not to be given to all men and how prone man is to offend in words HElp me Lord in my tribulation for vaine is the defence of man How often have I been deceaved finding want of faith where I thought it sure And how often have I found faith where I least expected it 2 It is vaine therefore to trust in men but the safety of the just O Lord is in thee Blessed be thou my God in all things that befall us We are weak and inconstant quickly deceaved and soone changed 3 Who is he that is able so warily to keep himselfe that he never fall into any deceipt or doubt But he that trusteth in thee O Lord and seeketh thee with a pure heart doth not easily fall 4 And if he fall into any tribulation be he never so much inthralied yet he shall quickly be delivered or comforted by thee for thou wilt not forsake him for ever that trusteth in thee 5 The friend is rare to be found that continueth faithfull in his friends distresse but thou O Lord thou alone art faithfull at all times and there is none like unto thee 6 O how wise was that holy soule that said My mind is firmely setled and grounded in Christ If it were so with mee then would not human feare so easily trouble me nor words move me 7 Who can foresee all things who is able to beware beforehand of future evills If things even foreseen doe oftentimes hurt us how can things unlooked for choose but wound us grievously 8 But why did not provide better for my selfe 〈…〉 why also have I so easily given credit â—o others 9 But alas we are men and God knoweth weak fâ—â—ile men although by to any we are reputed and called Angels 10 To whom shall I 〈◊〉 credit Lord to whom but to thee Thou art the truth that neither dost deceave not canst be deceaved 11 And on the other side every man is a lyar weak unconstant and subject to fall especially in words and therefore we must not easily give credit even to that which in outward shew seemeth at the first a certaine truth 12 O with how great wisdome hast thou warned us to take heed of men and because the enemies of man are his familiar domesticall acquaintance not to trust if one should say Behold here or behold there 13 I am taught to my cost and I would to God I might thereby increase my care and not my folly 14 Be wary saith one be wary keep unto thy selfe what I tell thee 15 And whilest I hold my peace and think it is secret he cannot keep that secret which he desired should be secret but presently disoloseth me and himselfe and goeth his way 16 From such tales and such improvident people protect me Lord that I fall not into their hands nor ever commit such errors 17 Give me grace my God to observe truth and constancy in my words and remove far from me a deceiptfull tongue What I am not willing to suffer I ought by all means to avoid 18 O how good and quiet a thing it is to be silent and not to talke of others nor to believe all that is said nor easily to report what we have heard 19 To lay ones selfe open to few alwaies to seeke after thee the beholder of the heart not to be carried about with every wind of words but to desire that all things both within without be accomplished according to thy will and pleasure 20 How secure is it for the keeping of heavenly grace to fly the sight of men and not to seeke those things that seeme to cause admiration abroad but to follow that withall diligence which bringeth amendment of life and increase of fervour 21 To how many hath vertue known and overhastily commended been hurtfull How profitable hath grace been kept with silence in this mortall life which is nothing but a perpetuall temptation and a warfare CHAP. XLVI Of putting our trust in God whom evill words arise SOnne be constant and put thy trust in me For what are words but words They passe through the aire but hurt not If thou be guilty determine willingly to amend thy selfe if thou be innocent resolve to suffee this willingly at least for God 2 It is a small matter to suffer sometimes a few words if thou hast not yet the courage to endure stripes 3 And why doe small matters goe to thy heart but for that thou art yet carnall and regardest men more then thou oughtest 4 Because thou art afraid to be despised therefore thou wilt not be reprehended for thy faults and therefore seekest shadowes of excuses 5 But look better unto thy felfe and thou shalt see that the world yet liveth in thee and a vaine desire to please men 6 For when thou refusest to be humbled and reproved for thy faults it is surely evident that thou art neither truly humble nor dead to
draweth to evill and abject things 7 For the litle force which remaineth is like a certain sparke lying hidden in the ashes 8 This is naturall reason it selfe compassed about with great darknesse still retaining power to discerne good and evill the distance between true and false 9 Although it be unable to compasse all that it approvâ—th and enjoyeth not the full light of truth nor the former integrity of her affections 10 Hence it is my God that according to my inward man I delight in thy law knowing thy commandements to be good just and holy and yeelding that all evill and sinne is to be avoided 11 But in my flesh I serve the law of sinne whilest I rather obey sensuality then reason Hence it is that I have a will to doe good but know not how to performe it 12 For this cause I often purpose many good things but for that I want grace to helpe my infirmity for a light resistance I goe back and faint 13 I know the way of perfection and see clearly enough what I ought to doe but pressed with the weight of mine own corruption I rise not unto it 14 O Lord how needfull is thy grace for mee to begin any good worke to goe forward and to accomplish it For without it I can doe nothing but in thee I can doe all things when thy grace doth comfort me 15 O heavenly grace without which our own merits are nothing and no gifts of nature are to be esteemed Arts riches beauty and strength wit or eloquence are of no worth with thee O Lord without thy grace 16 For gifts of nature are common to good and evill but the peculiar gift of the elect is grace and love wherewith being marked they are esteemed worthy of everlasting life 17 This grace so much excelleth that neither the gift of prophesie nor the working of miracles or any speculation how high soever is of any esteeme without it Neither faith nor hope nor other vertues are acceptable unto thee without charity and grace 18 O most blessed grace that makest the poore in spirit rich in vertues and the rich in many blessings humble in heart 19 Come downe unto me replenish me in the morning with thy comfort lest my soule should faint with wearinesse and wither away with drinesse 20 I beseech thee Lord that I may find grace in thy sight for thy grace is sufficient for me though other things that nature desireth be wanting unto me 21 If I be tempted and vexed with many tribulations I will not feare these evils whilest thy grace is with me she is my strength she giveth advise and helpe she is stronger then all enemies and wiser then the wisest 22 Thy grace is the mistresse of truth the teacher of discipline the light of the heart the solace in affliction 23 She driveth away sorrow she expelleth feare she is the nurse of devotion and the mother of teares 24 What am I without it but a rotten peece of wood and an unprofitable stalke only meet for the fire 25 Let thy grace therefore Lord alwaies prevent me and follow me make me ever diligent in good works through Iesus Christ thy Sonne Amen CHAP. LVI That we ought to deny our selves and imitate Christ by the Crosse. SOnne look how much thou canst goe out of thy selfe so much maist thou enter into me As to be void of all desire of externall things maketh inward peace so the forsaking of our selves joyneth us internally to God 2 I will have thee learne the perfect leaving of thy selfe unto my will without contradiction and complaint Follow me I am the way the truth and the life 3 Without the way there is no going aright without truth there is no knowing aright without life there is no living at all 4 I am the way which thou oughtest to follow the truth which thou oughtest to trust the life for which thou oughtest to hope 5 I am the way which cannot lead amisse the truth which cannot erre the life which cannot end 6 I am the way that is straight the truth that is highest and the life that is truest yea a blessed life a life uncreated 7 If thou abide in my way thou shalt know the truth and the truth shall make thee free and thou shalt lay hold on life everlasting 8 If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandements if thou wilt know the truth believe me If thou wilt be perfect sell all thou hast 9 If thou wilt be my disciple deny thy selfe if thou wilt possesse a blessed life despise this present life if thou wilt be exalted in heaven humble thy selfe upon earth 10 If thou wilt reigne with mee beare the crosse with me For only the servants of the crosse find the way of blisse and true light 11 Lord Iesu for as much as thy life was strict despised of the world give me grace to imitate thee though I be despised by the world 12 For the servant is not greater then his Lord nor the Disciple above his Master 13 Let thy servant be exercised in thy holy life for there is my health true holinesse 14 Whatsoever I read or heare besides doth not recreate or delight me fully 15 Sonne now that thou knowest and hast read all these things happy shalt thou be if thou fulfill them 16 He that hath my commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and I will love him and will manifest my selfe unto him and will make him sit with me in the Kingdome of my Father 17 Lord Iesus as thou hast said and promised so let it be and that I may obtain thy favour 18 I have receaved the Crosse I have receaved it from thy hand and I will beare it and beare it till death as thou hast laid it upon me 19 Truly the life of a good religious person is the crosse and it is a sure guide to heaven It is now begunne it is not lawfull to goe back neither is it fit to leave that which I have undertaken 20 Let us then take courage my brethren and goe forwards together Iesus will be with us for Iesus sake we have undertaken this crosse 21 For the love of Iesus let us persevere in the crosse he will be our helper who is our guide and forerunner 22 Behold our King goeth before us who also will fight for us let us follow him manfully let us not be dismayed but be ready to dye with courage in the battaile and let us 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 SOnne patience and humility in time of adversity are more pleasing unto mee then much comfort and devotion in prosperity 2 Why art thou grieved for every litle trifle spoken and done against thee Although it had been much more thou oughtest not to have been moved 3 But now let it passe it is not the first that hath happened
how farre off he is from the perfection of the Saints ehen he that disputeth of their greatnesse 27 It is better to labour after the piety devotion of the Saints and with an humble mind to imitate their glorious examples then to search their secrets with vaine curiosity 28 They are wel right wel contented if men could content themselves and refrain from these vain discourses 29 They glory not of their owne merits for they ascribe no good unto themselves but attribute all to me who of my infinite charity have bestowed my blessings upon them 30 They are replenished with so great love of my Godhead and so superabundant joy that there is no glory that is nor happinesse that can be wanting unto them 31 All the Saints how much the higher they be in glory so much the more humble they are in themselves nearer and dearer unto me 32 And therefore thou hast it written that they did cast their Crownes before God and fell downe upon their faces before the Lambe and adored him that liveth for ever and ever 33 Many inquire who is the greatest in the Kingdome of God that know not whether they shall ever be numbered there amongst the lest 34 It is no small matter to be even the lest in heaven where all are great for that all there shall be called and shall be indeed the Sons of God The lest there shall be great among thousands and the sinner of a hundred yeaes shall die 35 For when the Disciples asked who was the greatest in the Kingdome of heaven they received this answer unlesse you be converted and become as litle children you shall not enter into the Kingdome of heaven 35 Whosoever therefore shall humble himselfe as this litle child hee is greater in the Kingdome of heaven 37 Woe be unto them that disdaine to humble themselves willingly with litle children For the low gate of the Kingdome of heaven will not give them entrance 28 And woe be to the rich thâ—â— have their comforts here for whilst the poore enter into the Kingdome of God they shall be lamenting without 39 Rejoyce you that be humble and you that be poore be you glad for yours is the Kingdome of God if you walke according unto truth CHAP. LIX That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone LOrd what trust have I in this world or what is the greatest comfort that all things under heaven doe yeeld me Is it not thou my Lord God whose mercies are without number 2 Where hath it beene well with me without thee Or when could it be ill with me when thou were present I had rather be poore for thee then rich without thee 3 I had rather choose to be a Pilgrim in earth with thee then to possesse heaven without thee Where thou art there is heaven and there is death and hell where thou art not 4 Thou art my desire and therefore it behoveth me to send forth deep sighes from my heart and cry and pray unto thee 5 For I have none to trust unto none that can help me in time of necessitie but thee alone my God Thou art my hope and my trust thou art my comfort and most faithfull unto me in all my distresses 6 All men seeke their own gaine thou only seekest my salvation and my profit and turnest all things to my good 7 Although thou permittest many temptations to assault me and many adversities to befall me yet thou ordainest all this to my good and profit who art wont to prove thy beloved servants a thousand waies 8 In which proofe thou oughtest no lesse to beloved and praised then if thou didst replenish me with heavenly comforts 9 In thee therefore my Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation anguish for I find all to be weake and unconstant whatsoever I behold out of thee 10 For neither can many friends availe nor forcible helpers aide nor wise counsellours give profitable answer nor the books of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliver nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy selfe doest not assist help comfort instruct and keepe us 11 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 11 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 servants is to trust in thee above all things 12 To thee therefore doe I lift up mine eyes In thee my God the Father of mercies I put my whole trust 13 Blesse and sanctifie my soule with thy heavenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the â—eate of thy eternall glory and that noâ—hing may be found in the Temple of â—hy greatnesse that may offend the eyes of thy Majesty 14 According to the greatnesse of â—hy goodnesse and the multitude of thy mercies take pitty upon me and heare the praier of thy poore servant who is â—arre exiled from thee in the land of the â—hadow of death 15 Protect and keepe the soule of thy servant amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life and by the assistance of thy grace direct it in the way of peace to the country of everlasting light Amen The end of the third book OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST THE FOVRTH BOOK A devout exhortation unto the blessed Sacrament The Voice of Christ. COme unto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you saith our Lord. 2 The bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world 3 Take yee and eate that is my Body that shall be delivered for you doe this in remembrance of me 4 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh by blood dwelleth in me and I in him 5 The words which I have spoken unto you are spirit and life CHAP. I. With how great reverence Christ ought to be received The voice of the Disciple THese are thy words O Christ everlasting 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 all of them thankfully and faithfully to be received by me 2 They are thine and thou hast spoken them and they are mine also because thou hast spoken them for my salvation I willingly receive them from thy mouth that they may be the deeper imprinted in my heart 3 These devout words so full of sweetnesse and love doe stirre me up but mine owne offences doe amaze me and my impure conscience driveth me back from the receiving of so great mysteries 4 The sweetnesse of thy words doth incourage me but the multitude of my sinnes doe oppresse me 5 Thou commandest me to come confidently unto thee if I will have part with thee and to receive the food of immortality if I desire to obtaine everlasting
life and glory 6 Come sayst thou unto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you 7 O sweet and lovely word in the eare of a sinner that thou my Lord God shouldest invite the poore and needy to receive thy most blessed Body 8 But who am I Lord that I may presume to approach unto thee behold the heavens cannot containe thee and thou sayst Come yee all unto me 9 What meaneth this most pious benignity and so loving invitation How shall I dare to come that know not any good in me whereupon I may presume 10 How shall I enter into thy house that have often offended thy most gracious countenance 11 The Angels and the Archangels honour thee the Saints and just men doe feare thee and thou saist Come yee all unto me 12 Vnlesse thou O Lord didst say it who would believe it to be true And unlesse thou didst command it who would dare to come unto thee 13 Behold Noah a just man laboured a hundred yeares in preparing the Arke that he might be saved with a few and how can I in one houres space prepare my selfe to receive with reverence the Maker of the world 14 Moses thy great servant and especiall friend made an Arke of incorruptible wood which also he covered with most pure gold to put the Tables of the Law therein and I a rotten creature how shall I so lightly dare to receive the maker of the Law and the giver of life 15 Salomon the wisest of the Kings of Israel bestowed seven yeares in building a magnificent Temple in in praise of thy name and celebrated the feast of the Dedication thereof eight daies together he offered a thousand peaceable sacrifices and set the Arke in the place prepared for it with the sound of trumpets and joy 16 And I the most unhappy and poorest of men how shall I bring thee into my house that can scarce spendone halfe houre devoutly and I would to God it were once almost one half hour â—n worthy and due manner 17 O my God how much did they endeavour to please thee and alas how â—itle is that which I doe How short â—ime doe I spend when I prepare my selfe to receive I am seldome wholly recollected very seldome altogether free from distraction 18 And yet surely no undecent thought should occurre in the presence of thy Deity nor any creature draw me unto it for I am not to harbour an Angâ—l but the Lord of Angels 19 And yet there is great difference betweene the Arke and the Reliques thereof and thy most pure body with his unspeakable vertues 20 Betweene those legall sacrifices figures of future things and the true sacrifice of thy body the complement of oll ancient sacrifices 21 Why therefore doe I not become more fervent in thy venerable presence Wherefore doe I not prepare my selfe with greater care to receive thy sacred gifts 22 Sith those holy ancient Patriarches and Prophets yea Kings also Princes with the whole people have shewed so great zeale of devotion to thy divine service 23 The most devout King David danced before the Ark of God with all his force calling to mind the benefits bestowed in times past upon his forefathers 24 He made instruments of sundry kinds he published Psalmes and appointed them to be sung with joy himselfe also oftentimes plaied upon the harpe 27 Being inspired with the grace of the holy Ghost he taught the people of Israel to praise God with their whole heart and with plesant voices every day to blesse and praise him 28 If so great devotion was then used and such memory of divine praise before the Arke of the testament 29 What reverence and devotion is now to be performed by me and all Christian people in the presence of this Sacrament in receiving of the most precious Body of Iesus Christ 30 Many goe to sundry places to visit the Reliques of Saints and are astonished when they heare of their miraculous worke 31 They behold the spacious buildings of their Churches and kisse their sacred bones wrapped in silke and gold 32 And behold thou art here present with me on the Altar my God the Holy of Holies the Maker of all things and Lord of Angels 33 Oftentimes in those devotions there is but curiositie of men and the novelty of the beholders in the seeing of such sights and litle fruit of amendment is gotten thereby especially where there is so unconstant wandring without true contrition 34 But here in the Sacrament of the Altar thou art present my Lord God and Man Christ Iesus where also plentifull fruit of everlasting salvation is obtained as often as thou art worthly and devoutly received 35 No levity no curiosity or sensuality draweth unto this but firme faith devout hope and sincere charitie 36 O God the invisible Creator of the world how wonderfully doest thou deale with us how sweetly and graciously doest thou dispose of all things with thine elect to whom thou offerest thy selfe to be received in the Sacrament 37 O this exceedeth all understanding of man this chiefly draweth the hearts of the devout and inflameth their desire 38 For thy true faithfull servants that dispose their whole life to amendment oftentimes receive great grace of devotion and love of vertue 39 O admirable and hidden grace of this Sacrament which only the faithfull of Christ doe know but the unfaithfull and such as are slaves unto sin canot conceive nor feele 40 In this Sacrament spirituall grace is given and lost vertue is restored in the soule and beauty disfigured by sin returneth againe 41 This grace is sometimes so great that with the fulnesse of devotion which is here given not only the mind but the weake body also feeleth great increase of strength 42 Our coldnesse and negligence surely is much to be bewailed and pittied that we are not drawne with greater affection to receive Christ in whom all the hope and reward of those that are to be saved doth consist 43 For hee is our sanctification and redemption he is the comfort of passengers and the everlasting fruition of Saints 44 It is much therefore to be lamented that many doe so litle consider this comfortable mysterie which rejoyceth heaven and preserveth the whole world 45 Oblindnesse and hardnesse of mans heart that doth not the more deeply weigh the greatnesse of so unspeakable gift but rather comes by the daily use thereof to regard it litle or nothing 46 For if this most holy Sacrament should be celebrated in one place only consecrated by one only Priest in the world with how great desire doest thou think would men be affected to that place 47 And what esteeme would they have of such a Priest of Almighty God by whom they might enjoy the consolation of these divine mysteries 48 But now there are many Priests and Christ is offered up in many places that so the grace and love of God to man may appeare so much the greater hovv