God let him do therein as shall best please him Set thou thy self to suffer tribulations and account them the greatest comforts for that the sufferings of this life are not worthy of the glory which is to come although thou alone couldest suffer them all 11. When thou shalt come to this estate that tribulation shall seem sweet and savory unto thee for Christ then thou mayst think it is well with thee for thou hast found a Paradise upon earth As long as it is grievous to thee to suffer and that thou desirest to fly it so long shalt thou be ill at ease and the tribulation thou flyest will follow thee every where 12. If thou dost set thy self to that thou oughtest to wit to suffer and to die to thy self it will quickly be better with thee and thou shalt find peace Although thou shouldest have been rapt even unto the third Heaven with Paul thou art not for this secured that thou shalt suffer no adversity I saith Jesus will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name It remaineth therefore that thou suffer if thou wilt love Jesus and perpetually serve him 13. O that thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus how great glory would it be unto thee what joy to all the Saints of God how great edification also to thy neighbor For all do commend patience though few desire to suffer With great reason thou oughtest to be willing to suffer a little for Christ since many suffer far greater things for the world 14. Know for certain that thou oughtest to lead a dying life And how much the more every one dyeth to himself so much the more doth he begin to live to God No Man is fit to attain unto Heavenly things unless he submit himself to the bearing of adversities for Christ. Nothing is more grateful unto God nothing more wholesome to thee in this world than to suffer willingly for Christ. And if it were in thy choice thou shouldest rather wish to suffer Adversities for Christ than to enjoy the delight of many comforts because hereby thou shouldest be more like unto Christ and more conformable to all the Saints For our worthiness and the proficiency of our spiritual estate consisteth not in many sweetnesses and comforts but rather in suffering great afflictions and tribulation 15. If there had been any better thing and more profitable to the health of Man than suffering surely Christ would have shewed it by word and example But he plainly exhorteth all the Disciples that followed him and all that desire to follow him to the bearing of the Cross and saith If any will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow me So that when we have read and searched all let this be the last conclusion That by many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God THE THIRD BOOK CHAP. 1. Of the inward Speech of Christ unto a Faithful Soul I Will hear what the Lord God will speak in me Blessed is the soul that heareth the Lord speaking in her and receiveth from his mouth the word of comfort Blessed are those ears that receive the sound of the divine voice and listen not to the whisperings of the world Blessed indeed are those ears that hearken not to the voice which soundeth outwardly but unto the truth which teacheth inwardly Blessed are the eyes that are shut to outward things but open to those things that are internal Blessed are they that enter into the inward things and endeavor to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises to the attaining of Heavenly secrets Blessed be they that delight to converse with God and rid themselves of all worldly impediments 2. Consider these things my soul and shut up the door of thy sensual desires that thou mayest hear what thy Lord God speaketh in thee Thus saith thy beloved I am thy safety thy peace and thy life Keep thy self with me and thou shalt find peace Leave all transitory things and seek those that be everlasting What are all temporal things but deceiving snares And what do all creatures avail thee if thou be forsaken by the Creator Forsake therefore all earthly things and labor to please thy Creator and be Faithful unto him that thou mayest attain unto the true happiness CHAP. II. That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words CHristian Speak Lord for thy servant heareth I am thy servant grant me unsterstanding that I may know thy testimonies Incline my heart to the words of thy mouth Let thy speech distil as the dew upon my soul. The Children of Israel in times past said unto Moses Speak thou unto us and we will hear thee Let not the Lord speak unto us lest we die Not so Lord not so I beseech thee But rather with the Prophet Samuel I humbly and earnestly intreat Speak Lord for thy servant heareth Let not Moses speak unto me nor any of the prophets but do thou rather speak my Lord God the inspirer and enlightner of all the Prophets for thou alone without them canst perfectly instruct me but they without thee can profit nothing 2. They indeed may sound forth words but they cannot give spirit and life they speak marvellous well but if thou be silent they inflame not the heart They may teach the letter but thou openest the sense They bring forth mysteries but thou unlockest the meaning of sealed things They declare thy commandments but thou helpest to fulfil them They shew the way but thou givest strength to walk in it They work only exteriorly but thou instructest and enlightnest the heart They water outwardly but thou givest fruitfulness They make a noise with words but thou givest understanding to the hearing 3. Let not therefore Moses speak unto me but thou my Lord God the everlasting Truth lest I die and prove unfruitful if I be warned outwardly only and not inflamed within lest the word heard and not fulfilled known and not loved believed and not observed turn to my condemnation Speak therefore Lord for thy servant heareth for thou hast the words of everlasting life Speak unto me to the comfort of my soul and to the amendment of my whole life and to thy praise and glory and everlasting honor CHAP. III. That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not CHrist. Son hear my words words of greatest sweetness excelling all the knowledg of the Philosophers and wise Men of this world My words are spirit and life not to be weighed by the understanding of Man They are not to be drawn to vain liking but to be heard with silence and to be received with all humility and great affection Christian. And I said Blessed is the Man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy law that thou mayest give him rest from the evil days and that he be not destroyed upon earth 2. Christ. I saith our Lord have taught the
is the help of Man How often have I been deceived finding want of faith where I thought it sure And how often have I found faith where I least expected it It is vain therefore to trust in Men but the salvation of the just O Lord is in thee Blessed be thou my Lord God in all things that befal us We are weak and inconstant quickly deceived and soon changed 2. Who is he that in all things so warily and circumspectly keeps himself that he never falls into any deceit or perplexity But he that trusteth in thee O Lord and seeketh thee with a single heart doth not so easily fail and if he fall into any tribulation be he never so much enthralled yet he shall quickly be either delivered or comforted by thee For thou wilt not forsake him for ever that trusteth in thee A friend is rare to be found that continueth faithful in all his friends distress but thou O Lord thou alone art most faithful at all times and there is none like unto thee 3. O how wise was that holy soul that said My mind is firmly settled and grounded in Christ If it were so with me then would not humane fear so easily trouble me nor the darts of words move me Who can foresee all things Who is able to beware before-hand of future evils If things even foreseen do oftentimes hurt us how can things unlooked for choose but wound us grievously But why did I not provide better for my self miserable Wretch Why also have I so easily given credit to others But we are Men nothing but frail Men although by many we are reputed and called Angles To whom shall I give credit Lord to whom but to thee Thou art the Truth that neither dost deceive nor can be deceived And on the other side Every Man is a liar 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 to be right 4. O with what wisdom hast thou warned us to beware of Men And because a Mans foes are they of his own houshold not to give credit if one should say Lo here or Lo there I am taught to my cost and O that I might thereby encrease my care and not my folly Be wary saith one be wary keep to thy self what I tell thee and whilst I hold my peace and think it is secret he cannot keep that secret which he desired should be secret but presently discloseth me and himself and goeth his way From such tales and such indiscreet persons protect me O Lord that I fall not into their hands nor ever commit such things Give me to observe truth and constancy in my words and remove far from me a deceitful Tongue What I am not willing to suffer I ought by all means to avoid 5. O how good is it and tending to peace to be silent of others nor to believe promiscuously all that is said nor easily to report what we have heard to lay ones self open to few always to seek after thee who art the beholder of the heart not to be carried about with every wind of words but to desire that all things both within and without be accomplished according to the pleasure of thy will How safe is it for the keeping of Heavenly grace to fly the sight of Men and not to seek those things that seem to cause admiration abroad but to follow that will all diligence which bringeth amendment of life and zeal of godliness 6. To how many hath virtue known and over hastily commended been hurtful How profitable hath grace been kept with silence in this mortal life which is nothing but a temptation and a warfare CHAP. XLVI Of putting our trust in God when evil words arise CHrist. Son be constant and put thy trust in me For what are words but words They fly through the Air but hurt not so much as a stone If thou be guilty see that thou be not unwilling to amend thy self if thou be innocent resolve to suffer this willingly for the sake of God It is but a small matter to suffer sometimes a few words if thou hast not yet the courage to endure hard stripes And why do small matters go to thy heart but for that thou art yet carnal and regardest Men more than thou oughtest Because thou art afraid to be despised therefore thou wilt not be reprehended for thy faults but seekest the shades of excuses 2. But look better into thy self and thou shalt see that the world is yet alive in thee and a vain affection to please Men. For when thou shunnest to be humbled and reproved for thy faults it is evident that thou art neither truly humble nor truly dead to the world nor the world crucified to thee But give diligent ear to my words and thou shalt little regard Ten thousand words spoken by Men. Behold if all should be spoken against thee that could be most maliciously invented what would it hurt thee if thou sufferedst it to pass and madest no more reckoning of it than of a mote could all those words pluck as much as one hair from thy head 3. But he that hath no heart in him nor hath God before his eyes is easily moved with a word of dispraise when as he that trusteth in me and affects not to confide in his own judgment shall be free from humane fears For I am the Judge and the discerner of all secrets I know how the matter passed I know him that offereth the injury and him that suffereth it From me hath this proceded this hath happened by my permission that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed I shall judge the guilty and the innocent but by a secret judgement I would before hand try them both 4. The Testimony of Men oftentimes deceiveth but my judgement is true it shall stand and not be overthrown It is commonly hidden and not known in every thing but to few notwithstanding it never erreth neither can it erre although to the eyes of the foolish it seems not right Men ought therefore to have recourse to me in every judgment and not to leave to their own opinions For the just Man will not be troubled whatsoever befalleth him from God and if any thing be wrongfully brought forth against him he will not much care neither will he vainly be glad if by others he be with reason excused For he considereth that I am he that searcheth the heart and reins and do judge not according to the outward face nor humane appearance For that is oftentimes found culpable in my sight that in the Judgment of Men is thought to be commendable 5. Christian. O Lord God the just judg strong and patient thou who knowest the frailty and pravity of Man be thou my strength and all my trust for mine own conscience sufficeth me not Thou knowest that which I know not and therefore in every reproof I
expeller of fear the nurse of devotion the mother of tears What am I without it but a withered piece of wood and an unprofitable stalk only meet to be cast away Let thy grace therefore O Lord always prevent me and follow me and make me ever diligent in good works through Jesus Christ thy Son Amen CHAP. LVI That we ought to deny our selves and imitate Christ by the Cross. CHrist. Son look how much thou goest out of thy self so much mayst thou enter into me As to be void of all desire of external things maketh inward peace so the forsaking of our selves inwardly joyneth unto God I will have thee learn the perfect leaving of thy self to my will without contradiction and complaint Follow me I am the Way the Truth and the Life Without the way there is no going aright without truth there is no knowledge without life there is no living 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 inviolable the truth infallible the life which cannot end I am the most straight way the supreme truth the true life yea the blessed life the uncreated life If thou remain in my way thou shalt keep the truth and the truth shall make thee free and thou shalt lay hold on everlasting life 2. If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments If thou wilt know the truth believe me If thou wilt be perfect sell all If thou wilt be my Disciple deny thy self If thou wilt possess a blessed life despise this present life If thou wilt be exalted in Heaven humble thy self upon Earth If thou wilt reign with me bear the Cross with me For only the Servants of the Cross find the way of bliss and true light 3. Christian. Lord Jesus forasmuch as thy way is narrow and contemptible unto the world grant me grace to imitate thee in suffering worldly contempt For the Servant is not greater than his Lord nor the Disciple above his Master Let thy Servant be exercised in thy holy life for therein my salvation and the true holiness doth consist whatsoever I read or hear besides it doth not recreate or delight me fully 4. Christ. Son now that thou knowest and hast read these things happy shalt thou be if thou do them He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and I will love him and will manifest my self unto him and will make him sit with me in the Kingdom of my Father Christian. Lord Jesus as thou hast said and promised so let it come to pass and grant that I may not wholly undeserve this favor I have received the Cross I have received it from thy hand I will bear it and bear it till death as thou hast laid it upon me Truly the life of a good retired person is the Cross but yet it is a guide to Paradise It is now begun it is not lawful to go back neither is it fit to leave that which I have undertaken 5. Let us then take courage my Brethren and go forwards together Jesus will be with us For Jesus's sake we have undertaken this Cross for Jesus's sake let us persevere in the Cross. He will be our helper who is our guide and forerunner Behold our King goeth before us who also will fight for us let us follow him manfully let none be dismaid but be we ready to die valiantly in the battle and let us not blemish our glory by flying from the Cross. CHAP. LVII That a Man be not too much dejected when he falleth into some defects CHrist. Son patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to me than much comfort and devotion in prosperities Why art thou grieved for every little trifle spoken and done against thee Although it had been much more thou oughtest not to have been moved But now let it pass it is not the first that hath happened nor is it any new thing neither shall it be the last if thou live long Thou art manly enough as long as no adversity happeneth Thou canst give good counsel also and canst strengthen others with thy words but when any tribulation suddenly comes to thy door thou art destitute of counsel and strength See therefore thy great frailty which thou often hast experience of in every small occurrence It is notwithstanding intended for thy good when these and such like things befal thee 2. Put it out of thy heart the best thou canst and if it touch thee yet let it not deject thee nor trouble thee long bear it at least patiently if thou canst not joyfully Although thou be unwilling to hear it and conceivest indignation thereat yet restrain thy self and suffer no inordinate word to pass out of thy mouth whereby the little ones may be offended The storm which now is raised shall quickly be appeased and inward grief shall be sweetned by the return of grace I yet live saith the Lord and am ready to help thee and to give thee greater comfort than before if thou put thy trust in me and callest devoutly upon me 3. Be more patient and prepare thy self to greater suffering All is not lost if thou feel thy self often afflicted or grievously tempted Thou art a Man and not God thou art flesh not an Angel How canst thou look to continue ever in the same state of virtue when an Angel in Heaven hath fallen as also the first Man in Paradise I am he who will strengthen with health them that mourn and do raise up unto divine glory those that know their own infirmity 4. Christian. Lord blessed be thy word more sweet unto my mouth than the hony and the hony-comb What should I do in these my so great tribulations and straits unless thou didst comfort me with thy holy words What matter is it how much and what I suffer so as I may at length attain to the port of salvation Grant me a good end grant me a happy passage out of this world Be mindful of me O my God and direct me the right way to thy Kingdom Amen CHAP. LVIII Of not searching into high matters and into the secret judgments of God CHrist. Son beware thou dispute not of high matters nor of the secret judgments of God why this Man is left and that Man taken into so great favor why also this Man is so much afflicted and that Man so greatly advanced these things are beyond the reach of Man neither can any reason or disputation search out the judgment of God When the enemy therefore suggesteth these things unto thee or some curious people enquire of thee answer that of the Prophet Thou art just O Lord and thy judgment is right And again The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether My judgments are to be feared not to be discussed for they are such as cannot be comprehended by the understanding of Man 2. In like manner I
are most necessary unto a faithful soul. 304 That he who is to communicate ought to prepare himself with great diligence 309 That a devout soul ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto Christ in the Sacrament 312 Of the fervent desire of some devout persons to receive the Body of Christ. 314 That the grace of devotian is obtained by humility and denial of our selves 316 That we ought to manifest our necessities to Christ and crave his grace 319 Of fervent love and vehement desire to receive Christ. 321 That Man be not a curious searcher of the Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense to faith 324 THE FIRST BOOK CHAP. I. Of the Imitation of Christ and contempt of all wordly vanities HE that followeth me walketh not in darkness saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ by which we are admonished that we ought to imitate his life and manners if we will be truly inlightned and be delivered from all blindness of heart Let therefore our chiefest endeavor be to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ. 2. The doctrine of Christ exceedeth all the doctrines of holy Men and he that hath the Spirit will find therein an hidden Manna But it falleth out that many who often hear the Gospel of Christ are yet but little affected because they are void of the Spirit of Christ. But whosoever will fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ. 3. What will it avail thee to dispute profoundly of the Trinity if thou be void of humility and art thereby displeasing to the Trinity High words surely make a Man neither holy nor just but a virtuous life maketh him dear to God I had rather feel compunction than understand the definition thereof If thou didst know the whole Bible and the sayings of all the Philosophers by heart what would all that profit thee without the love of God and without grace Vanity of vanities and all is vanity but to love God and to serve him only This is the highest wisdom by contempt of the world to tend towards the Kingdom of Heaven 4. It is therefore vanity to seek after perishing riches and to trust in them It is also vanity to hunt after honors and to climb to high degree It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh and to labor for that for which thou mayest afterwards suffer more grievous punishment Vanity it is to wish to live long and to be careless to live well It is vanity to mind only this present life and not to foresee those things which are to come It is vanity to set thy love on that which speedily passeth away and not to hasten thither where everlasting joy is permanent 5. Call often to mind that Proverb That the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing Endeavor therefore to withdraw thy heart from the love of visible things and to turn thy self to the invisible For they that follow their sensuality do stain their own consciences and loose the favor of God CHAP. II. Of the humble conceit of our selves ALL Men naturally desire to know but what availeth knowledg without the fear of God Surely an humble Husbandman that serveth God is better than a proud Philosopher that neglecting himself laboreth to understand the course of the heavens Who so knoweth himself well groweth more mean in his own conceit and delighteth not in the praises of Men. If I understood all things in the world and were not in charity what would that help me in the sight of God who will judg me according to my deeds 2. Cease from an inordinate desire of knowing for therein is much distraction and deceit The learned are willing to seem so to others and to be accounted wise There be many things which to know doth little or nothing profit the soul and he is very unwise that is intent upon other things than those that may avail him for the welfare of his soul. Many words do not satisfie the soul but a good life comforteth the mind and a pure conscience giveth great assurance in the sight of God 3. How much the more thou knowest and how much the better thou understandest so much the more grievously shalt thou therefore be judged unless thy life be also more holy Be not therefore extolled in thine own mind for any Art or Science which thou knowest but rather let the knowledg given thee make thee more humble and cautious If thou thinkest that thou understandest and knowest much know also that there be many things more which thou knowest not Affect not to be overwise but rather acknowledg thine own ignorance Why wilt thou prefer thy self before others sith there be many more learned and skilful in the Scripture than thou If thou wilt know or learn any thing profitably desire to be unknown and to be little esteemed of by Man 4. The highest and most profitable reading is the true knowledg and consideration of our selves It is great wisdom and perfection to esteem nothing of our selves and to think always well and highly of others If thou shouldst see another openly sin or commit some hainous offence yet oughtest thou not to esteem the better of thy self for thou knowest not how long thou shalt be able to remain in good estate We are all frail but thou oughtest to esteem none more frail than thy self CHAP. III. Of the doctrine of truth HAppy is he whom Truth by it self doth teach not by figures and words that pass away but as it is in its self Our own opinion and our own sense do often deceive us and it discerns little What availeth it to cavil and dispute about dark and hidden things whereas for being ignorant of them we shall not be so much as reproved at the day of judgment It is a great folly to neglect the things that are profitable and necessary and give our minds to that which is curious and hurtful we have eyes and see not 2. And what have we to do with Genus and Species the dry notions of Logicians He to whom the Eternal Word speaketh is delivered from a world of unnecessary conceptions From that one Word are all things and all speak that one and this is the Beginning which also speaketh unto us No Man without that Word understandeth or judgeth rightly He to whom all things are one he who reduceth all things to one and seeth all things in one may enjoy a quiet mind and remain peaceable in God O God who art the Truth make me one with thee in everlasting charity It is tedious to me often to read and hear many things In thee is all that I would have and can desire Let all Doctors hold their peace let all creatures be silent in thy sight Speak thou alone unto me 3. How much the more one is united within himself and becometh inwardly simple and pure so
much the more and higher things doth he understand without labor for that he receiveth intellectual light from above A pure sincere and stable Spirit is not distracted though it be employed in many works for that it works all to the honor of God and inwardly being still and quiet seeks not it self in any thing it doth Who hinders and troubles thee more than the unmortified affections of thine own heart A good and godly Man first of all disposeth within himself those things which he is outwardly to act neither do they draw him to the desires of an inordinate inclination but he ordereth them according to the prescript of right reason Who hath a greater combat than he that laboreth to overcome himself This ought to be our endeavor to conquer our selves and daily to wax stronger and to make a further growth in holiness 4. All perfection in this life hath some imperfection mixt with it and no knowledg of ours is without some darkness An humble knowledg of thy self is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning yet learning is not to be blamed nor the mere knowledg of any thing whatsoever to be disliked it being good in it self and ordained by God but a good conscience and a vertuous life is always to be preferred before it But because many endeavor rather to get knowledg than to live well therefore they are often deceived and reap either none or very slender profit of their labors 5. O if Men bestowed as much labor in the rooting out of vices and planting of vertues as they do in moving of questions Neither would there so much hurt be done nor so great scandal be given in the world nor so much looseness be practised in religious Houses Truly at the day of Judgment we shall not be examined what we have read but what we have done not how well we have spoken but how religiously we have lived Tell me now where are all those Doctors and Masters with whom thou wast well acquainted whilst they lived and flourished in learning Now others possess their livings and perhaps do scarce ever think of them In their life-time they seemed something but now they are not spoken of 6. O how quickly doth the glory of the world pass away O that their life had been answerable to their learning then had their study and reading been to good purpose How many perish in this world by reason of vain-learning who take little care of the serving of God And because they rather choose to be great than humble therefore they become vain in their imaginations He is truly great that is great in charity He is truly great that is little in himself and that maketh no account of any height of honor He is truly wise that accounteth all earthly things as dung that he may gain Christ. And he is truly learned that doeth the will of God and forsaketh his own will CHAP. IV. Of wisdom and providence in our actions WE must not give ear to every saying or suggestion but ought warily and leisurely to ponder things according to the will of God But alas such is our weakness that we rather often believe and speak evil of others than good Those that are perfect Men do not easily give credit to every thing one tells them for they know that humane frailty is prone to evil and very subject to fail in words 2. It is great wisdom not to be rash in thy proceedings nor to stand stiffely in thine own conceits as also not to believe every thing which thou hearest nor presently to relate again to others what thou hast heard or dost believe Consult with him that is wise and conscientious and seek to be instructed by a better than thy self rather than to follow thine own inventions A good life maketh a Man wise according to God and giveth him experience in many things How much the humbler one is in himself and more subject and resigned unto God so much the more prudent shall he be in all his affairs and enjoy greater peace and quiet of heart CHAP. V. Of the reading of holy Scriptures TRuth not eloquence is to be sought for in holy Scripture Each part of the Scripture is to be read with the same Spirit wherewith it was written We should rather search after our spiritual profit in the Scriptures than subtilty of speech We ought to read plain and devout books as willingly as high and profound Let not the authority of the Writer offend thee whether he be of great or small learning but let the love of pure truth draw thee to read Search not who spake this or that but mark what is spoken 2. Men pass away but the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever God speaks unto us sundry ways without respect of persons Our own curiosity often hindreth us in reading of the Scriptures when as we will examine and discuss that which we should rather pass over without more ado If thou desire to reap profit read humbly plainly and faithfully never desire the estimation of learning Inquire willingly and hear with silence the words of holy Men dislike not the parables of the Elders for they are not recounted without cause CHAP. VI. Of inordinate affections WHensoever a Man desireth any thing inordinately he is presently disquieted in himself The proud and covetous can never rest The poor and humble in Spirit live together in all peace The Man that is not yet perfectly dead to himself is quickly tempted and overcome in small and trifling things The weak in Spirit and he that is yet in a manner carnal and prone to sensible things can hardly withdraw himself altogether from earthly desires And therefore he is often afflicted when he goeth about to withdraw himself from them and easily falleth into indignation when any opposition is made against him 2. And if he hath followed therein his appetite he is presently disquieted with remorse of conscience for that he yielded to his passion which profiteth him nothing to the obtaining of the peace he sought for True quietness of heart therefore is gotten by resisting our passions not by obeying them There is no peace in the heart of a carnal Man nor of him that is addicted to outward things but in the spiritual and fervent Man CHAP. VII Of flying vain hope and pride HE is vain that putteth his trust in Man or Creatures Be not ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ nor to be esteemed poor in this world Presume not upon thy self but place thy hope in God Do what lieth in thy power and God will assist thy good affection Trust not in thine own knowledg nor in the subtilty of any living Creature but rather in the grace of God who helpeth the humble and humbleth those that are self-presuming 2. Glory not in wealth if thou have it nor in friends because potent but in God who giveth all things and above all desireth to give thee himself
less to be loved and praised then if thou didst fill me with Heavenly comforts 3. In thee therefore O Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation and anguish for I find all to be weak and unconstant whatsoever I behold out of thee For neither can many friends avail nor strong helpers aid nor wise councellors give any profitable answer nor the Books of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliver nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy self dost not assist help strengthen comfort instruct and keep us 4. For all things that seem to belong to the attainment of peace and felicity without thee are nothing and do bring indeed no felicity at all Thou therefore art the end of all that is good the height of life the depth of wisdom and the strongest comfort of thy servants is to trust in thee above all things To thee therefore do I lift up mine eyes in thee O my God the Father of mercies I put my trust Bless and sanctifie my soul with thy Heavenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the seat of thy eternal glory and that nothing may be found in the Temple of thy glory that may offend the eyes of thy Majesty According to the greatness of thy goodness and multitude of thy mercies look upon me and hear the prayer of thy poor Servant who is far exiled from thee in the land of the shadow of death Protect and keep the soul of thy Servant amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life and by thy grace accompanying me direct it by the way of peace to the country of everlasting light Amen THE FOURTH BOOK A devout Exhortation unto the holy Communion The voice of Christ. COme unto me all ye that labor and are burdened and I will refresh you saith the Lord. The bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world Take ye and eat that is my body that is given for you Do this in remembrance of me He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him 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 the everlasting Truth though not spoken all at one time nor written in one and the self same place Because therefore they are thine and true they are all thankfully and faithfully to be received by me 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 These so gracious words so full of sweetness and love do encourage me but mine own offences do dishearten me and my impure conscience driveth me back from the receiving of so great mysteries The sweetness of thy words doth encourage me but the multitude of my sins doth oppress me 2. 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 obtain everlasting life and glory Come saist thou unto me all ye that labor and are burdened and I wil refresh you O sweet and loving word in the ear of a sinner that thou my Lord God shouldest invite the poor and needy to the participation of thy most holy body But who am I Lord that I may presume to approach unto thee Behold the Heavens cannot contain thee and thou saist Come ye all unto me 3. What meaneth this so gracious a condescension and this so loving invitation How shall I dare to come that know not any good in my self whereupon I may presume How shall I bring thee unto my House that have so often offended thy most gracious countenance The Angels and the Archangels honor thee the Saints and just Men do fear thee and saist thou Come ye all unto me Unless thou O Lord didst say it who would believe it to be true And unless thou didst command it who would attempt to come unto thee Behold Noah a just Man labored a Hundred years in the making of the Ark that he might be saved with a few and how can I in one hours space prepare my self to receive with reverenee the Maker of the world 4. Moses thy great Servant and thy especial friend made an Ark of incorruptible wood which also he covered with most pure Gold to put the Tables of the Law therein and I a corruptible creature how shall I dare so lightly to receive the Maker of the Law and the giver of life Solomon the wisest of the Kings of Israel bestowed Seven years in building a magnificent Temple to the praise of thy Name and celebrated the feast of Dedication thereof Eight days together he offered a Thousand peace-offerings and he solemnly set the Ark in the place prepared for it with the sound of Trumpets and joy and I the most miserable and poorest of Men how shall I bring thee into my House that can scarce spend one half hour religiously And I wish I could once spend about one half hour in a worthy and due manner 5. O my God how much did they endeavor to please thee and alas how little is that which I do How little time do I spend to prepare my self to receive I am seldom wholly recollected very seldom free from all distraction and yet surely no unbecoming thought ought to appear in the comfortable presence of thy Deity nor any creature wholly take me up for I am not to harbor an Angel but the Lord of Angels 6. And yet there is great difference between the Ark of the Covenant with its reliques and thy most pure body with its unspeakable virtues between those legal Sacrifices figures of future things and the true Sacrifice of thy body the complement of all antient Sacrifices Why therefore am I not more zealous in thy venerable presence Wherefore do I not prepare my self with greater care to receive thy holy things sith those holy antient Patriarchs and Prophets yea Kings also and Princes with the whole people have shewed such an affectionateness of devotion to thy divine service 7. The most devout King David danced before the Ark of God with all his might calling to mind the benefits bestowed in times past upon his Forefathers He made instruments of sundry kinds he published Psalms and appointed them to be sung with joy he also oftentimes sung to the harp being inspired with the grace of the holy Ghost He taught the people of Israel to praise God with their whole heart and with pleasant voices every day to bless and praise him If so great devotion was then used and such celebrating of divine praise before the Ark of the Testament what reverence and devotion is now to be performed by me and all Christian people at the Sacrament in receiving the
whatsoever offences they have done against thee and if thou hast offended any humbly crave pardon and God will readily forgive thee 4. What availeth it to delay long the confession of thy sins or to defer the holy Communion Purge thy self with speed spit out the venome presently make hast to apply this sovereign remedy and thou shalt find it to be better with thee than if thou deferredst it long If thou omittest it to day for this cause perhaps to morrow some greater will fall out and so thou maist be hindred a long time from the Communion and become more unfit With all possible speed shake off from thy self all present heaviness and sloth for it will not avail thee to continue long in disquietness and trouble of mind and for daily occurring impediments to withdraw thy self from the divine mysteries Yea it is very prejudicial to defer the Communion long for this usually causeth a greater dulness and undisposedness Alas some cold and dissolute people do willingly delay confession and defer the sacred Communion lest they should be engaged to the greater watch over themselves 5. O how little is their charity and how weak is their devotion that so easily omit the holy Communion How happy is he and acceptable to God who so ordereth his life and keepeth his conscience in such purity that he is ready and fit to communicate every day if it were convenient and might be done without others taking notice If one doth sometimes abstain out of humility or by reason of some lawful impediment he is to be commended for the reverence which therein he sheweth But if it proceedeth of dull slothfulness he must stir himself up and do what lieth in him and God will assist his desire for the good will he hath thereto which God doth chiefly respect 6. And when any lawful hindrance doth happen he must yet always have that good will and a pious intention to communicate and so shall he not lose the fruit of the Sacrament For every good Man may every day and hour profitably and without let receive Christ spiritually and yet on certain daies and at time appointed he ought to receive Sacramentally with an affectionate reverence the body of his Redeemer and rather seek the honor and glory of God than his own comfort For he communicateth mystically and is invisibly as often as he devoutly calleth to mind the mysterie of the Incarnation and the Passion of Christ and is inflamed with his love 7. He that prepareth not himself but when a Festival draweth near and when custome compelleth him thereunto shall usually be found to be unprepared for it Blessed is he that offereth himself up as a Sacrifice to the Lord as often as he doth celebrate or communicate Be not too long nor too short in celebrating but keep the accustomed manner of those with whom thou livest Thou oughtest not to be tedious and troublesom to others but to observe the received custom according to the appointment of thy Superiors and rather frame thy self to the profit of others than to thine own devotion or desire CHAP. XI That the Body of Christ and the holy Scriptures are most necessary unto a faithful soul. The voice of the Disciple O Sweetest Lord Jesus how great sweetness hath an holy soul that feasteth with thee in thy banquet where there is set no other food to be eaten but thy self her only beloved and most to be desired above all the desires of her heart And verily it should be a sweet thing unto me to pour out tears from the very bottom of my heart in thy presence and with holy Magdalene to wash thy feet with my tears But where is this devotion Where is there any so plentiful shedding of holy tears Surely in the sight of thee and thy holy Angels my whole heart should be inflamed and even weep for joy For I enjoy thee in the Sacrament truly present though hidden under another representation 2. For to behold thee in thine own divine brightness mine eyes would not be able to endure it neither could the whole world stand in the brightness of the glory of thy Majesty I do really enjoy and adore him whom the Angels adore in Heaven but I as yet in the mean time by faith they by sight and without a veil I ought to be content with the light of true faith and to walk therein until the day of everlasting brightness break forth and the shadowes of figures pass away But when that shall come which is perfect the use of Sacraments shall cease For the blessed in Heavenly glory need not any Sacramental remedy but rejoyce without end in the presence of God beholding his glory face to face and being transformed from glory to glory into the Image of the incomprehensible Deity they tast the word of God made flesh as he was from the beginning and as he remaineth for ever 3. Whilest I mind these wonderful things even all spiritual comfort whatsoever becometh tedious unto me for that as long as I behold not my Lord openly in his glory I make no account at all of whatsoever I see or hear in this world Thou art my witness O God that nothing can comfort me no creature can give me rest but thou my God whom I desire to behold everlastingly But this is not possible whilest I remain in this mortal life Therefore I must frame my self to much patience and submit my self to thee in all my desires For thy Saints also O Lord who now rejoyce with thee in the Kingdom of Heaven whilst they lived expected in faith and great patience the coming of thy glory What they believed I believe what they hoped for I also hope for whither they are come I trust I shall come by thy grace In the mean time I will go forward in faith strengthened by the examples of the Saints I have also godly books for my comfort and for the glass of my life and above all these thy most holy body for a singular remedy and refuge 4. For I perceive Two things to be chiefly necessary for me in the life without which this miserable life would be unsupportable unto me Whilst I am kept in the prison of this body I acknowledge my self to stand in need of Two things to wit food and light Thou hast therefore given unto me a weak creature thy sacred Body for the nourishment of my soul and body and thou hast set thy word as a light unto my feet without these Two I could not well live For the word of God is the light of the soul and thy Sacrament the bread of life These also may be called the Two Tables set on the one side and the other in the store-house of the holy Church One is the holy Table having the holy bread that is the precious body of Christ the other is that of the divine Law containing holy Doctrine teaching the true faith and certainly leading to that within the veil where is