gratefull humble and devout for thou art our safety our power and our strength CHAP. IX That all things are to be referred unto God as unto the last end SOone I ought to be thy chiefest and â—ast end if thou desire to be truly blessed With this intention thy affection shall be purified which is oftentimes inclined inordinately to it selfe and unto creatures 2 For in any thing thou seeke thy selfe thou presently faintest and driest up within thy selfe Direct therefore all things chiefly unto me for I am he that hath given all 3 Consider every thing as flowing from the highest good and therefore all things to be reduced unto me as untheir first beginning 4 Out of me as out of a living fountaine the litle and the great the poore and the rich doe draw the water of life and they that willingly and freely serve me shall receive grace for grace 5 But he that will glory out of me or be delighted in any particular good shall not be grounded in true joy nor enlarged in his heart but shall be many waies hindred and straitned 6 Thou oughtest therefore to ascribe no good unto thy selfe nor attribute the praise of vertue unto any man but give all unto God without whom man hath nothing 7 I have bestowed all and will that all be returned to me againe and with great severity I require thanks 8 This is the truth that putteth to flight vain-glory And if heavenly grace and true charity enter in there shall be no envy nor grudging of heart neither shall there be any place for self-selfe-love 9 For divine charity overcommeth all and enlargeth all the forces of the soule 10 If thou understand aright in me alone thou wilt rejoyce in me alone thou wilt hope for none is good but God alone who is to be praised above all and to be blessed in all CHAP. X. That despising the world it is sweet to serve God NOw I will speak againe Lord and will not be silent I will say its the eares of my God my Lord and my King that is on high 2 O how great is the multitude of thy sweetnesse Lord which thou hast hidden for those that feare thee 3 But what art thou to them that love thee What to them that serve thee with their whole heart 4 Truly unspeakable is the sweetnesse of thy contemplation which thou bestowest on them that love thee 5 In this chiefly thou hast shewed me the sweetnesse of thy charity for that when I was not thou madest me 6 And when I went astray farre off from thee thou broughtest me back againe that I might serve thee and hast commanded me to love thee 7 O fountaine of everlasting love what shall I say of thee How can I forget thee that hast vouchsafed to remember me even when I withered away and perished 8 Thou hast used mercy with thy servant beyond all the expectation of my heart and hast bestowed thy grace and friendship beyond all merit 9 What shall I returne unto thee for this grace For it is not granted to every one to forsake all things to renounce the world and to undertake a retired life Is it much that I serve thee whom all creatures are bound to serve It ought not to seeme much unto me to serve thee 10 But this rather seemeth much and marveilous unto me that thou vouchsafest to receive into thy service one so poore and unworthy and to joyne him with thy beloved servants 11 Behold all is thine which I have and whereby I serve thee and yet in very deed thou rather servest me then â— thee 12 Behold heaven and earth which thou hast created for the service of man are ready at hand and doe daily performe whatsoever thou dost command 13 And this is litle yea thou hast also appointed the Angels to the service of man but that which exceedeth all is that thou thy selfe hast vouchsafed to serve man and promised to give thy selfe unto him 14 What shall I give thee for all these thousands of benefits I would I could serve thee all the daies of my life 15 I would I were able at least for one day to doe thee some worthy and acceptable service Thou art truly worthy of all service of all honour and everlasting praise 16 Thou art my Lord and I thy poor servant that am bound to serve thee with all my forces neither ought I ever to cease to praise thee 17 And this I wish to doe this I desire and whatsoever is wanting unto me vouchsafe I beseech thee to supply 18 It is a great honour a very great glory to serve thee and to despise all things for thee For great grace shall be given to them that shall willingly submit themselves unto thy most holy service 19 They shall receive most sweet comfort of the holy Ghost that for thy love shall renounce all carnall delights 20 They shall attaine great freedome of mind that for thy names sake shall enter into the narrow way and shall have left off all the care of this world 21 O sweet and delightfull servitude of God by which man is truely made fâ—ee and holy 22 O sacred state of religious bondage vvhich maketh man equall to Angels pleasing to God terrible to Divels and acceptable to all the faithfull 23 O service to be embraced and alwaies wished for by which we obtain the greatest good and attaine to that joy which never shall have end CHAP. XI That the desires of our heart are to be examined and moderated SOnne thou oughtest to learne many things more which thou hast not yet â—ell learned 2 What are those Lord 3 That thou frame thy desire wholly according to my pleasure and be not a lover of thy self but a diligenâ—â— follower of my will 4 Thy desires oftentimes doe stirrâ— thee up and drive thee forwards with violence but consider whether thou arâ— mooved rather for my honour then for thine owne profit 5 If I be the cause thou wilt be well content with whatsoever I shaâ—â— ordaine but if there lurk in thee any selfe-inclination behold this is it that hindreth thee and weigheth theâ— downe 6 Beware therefore thou incline not too much towards any desire that commeth to thy mind before thou aske my counsaile 7 Lest perhaps afterwards it repent thee and that thou begin now to dislike that which before did please thee and which thou earnestly desiredst at the best 8 For every affection that seemeth good is not presently to be followed nor every contrary affection at the first to be fled 9 It is expedient sometimes to use a restraint even in good desires and endeavours 10 Least by importunity thou incur distractioÌ„ of mind by evill example become a scandall unto others or being gainsaid by others thou be suddainly troubled and fall 11 Yet sometimes thou oughtest to use violence and resist manfully thy sensuall appetites and respect not what the body would or would not but rather to labour that even perforce
nothing I can doe nothing I have nothing that is good of my selfe 4 But in all things I doe faile and am defective and doe ever tend to nothing and unlesse thou helpe me and doest inwardly instruct me I become cold and am dissolved 5 But thou O Lord art alwaies the same and endurest for ever alwaies good just and holy doing all things well justly and holily and disposing al things with wisdome 6 But I that am more inclined to fall then to goe forwards doe never continue in one estate for seven different times are changed over me yet doth it soone turne to the better when it so pleaseth thee and when thou vouchsafest to stretch forth thy helping hand 7 For thou alone canst help me without the favour of man and so strengthen me that my countenance shall be no more changed but my heart shall be converted and rest in thee alone 8 Wherefore if I could once perfectly forsake all humane comfort either for the love of devotion or for mine owne necessitie which inforceth me to seeke after thee for none else can comfort me then might I well hope in thy grace and rejoyce in the gift of new consolation 9 Thankes be unto thee from whence all proceedeth as often as it goeth well with me but I am meere vanity and nothing before thee an unconstant and weake man 10 Whereof then can I glory Of why doe I desire to be esteemed of Is it not of nothing And this is most vaine 11 Truly vain-glory is an evill plague and very great vanity because it draweth from true glory and robbeth the soule of heavenly grace 12 For whilst a man pleaseth himselfe he displeaseth thee whilst he gapeth after the praise of men he is deprived of true vertue 13 But true glory holy exultation is for a man to glory in thee and not in himselfe to rejoyce in thy name and not in his owne vertue nor to delight in any creature but for thee 14 Praised be thy name not mine magnified be thy worke not mine let thy holy name be for ever blessed but to me let no part of mens praises be given 15 Thou art my glory thou art the joy of my heart In thee will I glory and rejoyce all the day but for my selfe I will not joye but in my infirmities 16 Let the Iewes seeeke the glory which one man giveth to another I will desire this which is from God alone 17 For all humane glory all temporall honour all worldly highnesse compared to thy eternall glory is vanity and folly 18 O my truth my mercy my God most blessed Trinity to thee alone be all praise honour vertue and glory for all eternity CHAP. XLI Of the contempt of all temporall honours SOnne trouble not thyselfe if thou seest others honoured and advanced and thy selfe contemned and debased 2 Lift up thy heart unto me in heaven and the contempt of men in earth will not grieve thee Lord we are blind and quickly seduced with vanity 3 If I look well into my selfe I cannot say that any creature hath done me wrong and therefore I cannot justly complain of thee 4 But because I have often and grievously sinned against thee all creatures doe justly take armes against me for shame and contempt is due unto me but unto thee praise honour and glory 5 And unlesse I doe so prepare my selfe that I be willing and doe rejoyce to be despised and forsaken of all creatures and to be esteemed nothing at all I cannot obtain internall strength and peace nor be spiritually enlightned nor wholly united unto thee CHAP. XLII That our peace is not to be placed in men SOnne if the peace thou hast with any be grounded on the opinion which thou hast of him or on the contentment thou receavest in his company thou shalt ever be unconstant and subject to disquiet 2 But if thou have recourse unto the ever-living and eternall truth a friend going from thee or dying shall not grieve thee 3 The love of thy friend ought to rest in me and for me is he to be beloved whosoever he be whom thou thinkest well of and is verily deare unto thee in this life 4 No friendship can availe or continue without me neither is the love true and pure which they have whose hearts are not joyned together by me 5 Thou oughtest to be so dead to such affections of beloved friends that forasmuch as appertaineth unto thee thou shouldest wish to be without all company of men 6 Man approacheth so much the neerer unto God how much the farther off he departeth from all earthly comfort 7 So much the higher also he ascendeth unto God by how much the lower he descendeth into himselfe and how much the baser he is in his own conceipt 8 But he that attributeth any good unto himselfe hindreth the comming of Gods grace into him for the grace of the holy Ghost ever seeketh an humble heart 9 If thou couldeâ—st perfectly annihilate thy selfe and purge thy selfe of all created love then should there flow into thee great abundance of my grace 10 When thou castest thy eyes on creatures the sight of thy Creator is taken from thee 11 Learne to overcome thy selfe in all things for the love of thy Creator and then shalt thou be able to attaine to heavenly knowledge 12 How litle soever it be if it be inordinately loved and regarded it defileth the soule and hindreth the enjoying of the chiofest good CHAP. XLIII Against vaine and secular knowledge SOnne let not the faire speeches subtile sayings of men move thee for the Kingdome of God consisteth not in words but in vertue 2 Observe well the words which I speake for they inflame the heart and enlighten the mind induce compunction and bring sundry comforts 3 Doe thou never read to shevv thy selfe learned or wise but labour to mortify thy vices for that will profit thee more then the knowledge of many hard and difficult questions 4 When thou shalt have read and known many things thou oughtest ever to returne to one begining 5 I am he that teacheth man all knowledge and doe give to litle ones a more cleare understanding then can be taught by man 6 He therefore to whom I speak shall quickly be wise and shall profit much in spirit Woe be to them that inquire many curious things of men and doe litle desire to know the way how to serve me 7 The time will come when the Maister of Maisters shall appear Christ the Lord of Angels to hear the lessons of all that is to examine the consciences of every one 8 And then he will search Hierusalem with a candle and the hidden things of darknesse shall be laid open and the inventions of tongues shall be silent 9 I am he that in an instant doe raise up the humble mind to understand more reasons of the everlasting truth then can be gotten by ten years study in schooles 10 I teach without noise of words without
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
and unlesse this divine remedy helpe him he quickly slideth to worse 13 This holy communion therefore draweth back from evill and comforteth in good 14 For if I be now so often slack and negligent when I communicate or officiate what would become of mee if I receaved not this remedy sought not after so great helpe 15 Though every day I be not sit not well prepared to communicate I will endeavour notwithstanding at convenient times to receave the divine mysteries and make my selfe partaker of so great a grace 16 For this is the only chiefe comfort of a faithfull soule whilest she wandreth from thee in this mortall body that being mindfull of her God she often receave her beloved with a devout minde 17 O wonderfull benignity of thy mercy towards us that thou Lord God the Creator and giver of life to all spirits doest vouchsafe to come unto a poore soule 18 And with thy whole Deity and Humanity to turn her hunger into satiety â— o happy minde and blessed soule that is vouchsafed to receave thee her Lord God with devout affection and in receaving of thee to be filled with spirituall joy 19 O how great a Lord doth she entertaine How beloved a guest doth she harbour how pleasant a companion doth she receave how faithfull â— friend doth she accept how beautifull and noble a spouse doth she imbrace 20 Shee imbraceth him who is to be loved above all that is beloved and above all things that may be desired Let heaven and earth all their beauty be silent in thy presence 21 For what beauty and praise soever they have it is receaved from thy honour and shall not equall the beauty of thy name of whose wisdome there is no end CHAP. IV. That many benefits are bestowed upon them that communicate devoutly The voice of the Disciple O My Lord God prevent thy servant in the blessings of thy swetnesse that I may attaine thy favour to approach worthily and devoutly to the holy Sacrament 2 Stirre up my heart unto thee deliver me from all heavinesse slothâ—â— visit me with thy comfort that I may tast in spirit thy sweetnesse which iâ— this Sacrament as in a fountain plentâ— fully lyeth hid 3 Give light also to mine eyes â— behold so great a mystery and strong then me to believe it with undoubteâ—â— faith 4 For it is thy worke and noâ— mans power thy sacred institution noâ— mans invention 3 For no man is of himselfe able to comprehend and understand thâ—â— things which surpasse the deepest reach even of Angels 4 What therefore shall Iunworthy sinner earth and ashes be able to search and comprehend of so high and sacred a mystery 5 O Lord in syncerity of my heart with a good and firme faith and at thy commandement I come unto thee with hope and reverence and doe verily believe that thou God and Man affordest a gracious presence at this Sacrament 6 Thy holy pleasure is that I receave thee and by charity doe unite my selfe unto thee 7 Wherefore I doe flee unto thy clemency and doe crave speciall grace that I may wholly melt in thee and abound with love and hereafter never admit any externall comfort 8 For this most high and worthy Sacrament is the health of the soule and body the remedy of all spirituall sicknesse 9 By it my vices are cured my passions bridled temptations overcome or weakned greater grace infused vertue increased faith confirmed hope strengthened and charity inflamed and enlarged 3 For thou hast bestowed still oftentimes doest bestow many benefits in this Sacrament upon thy beloved that receave it devoutly 11 O my God the Protectour of my soule the strengthener of humane frailety and the giver of all inward comfort 12 Thou impartest unto them much comfort against sundry tribulations and liftest them up from the depth of their own basenesse to the hope of thy protection and doest inwardly refresh and illustrate them with a certain new grace 13 In such sort that they who before Communion felt themselves heavy and indisposed afterwards being strengthened with heavenly meate and drinke doe find in themselves a great change to the better 14 Which thou dost so dispose to thy elect that they may truly acknowledge and patiently proove how great their own infirmitie is and what benefit and grace they receave from thee 15 For they of themselves are cold dull and undevout but by thee they are made fervent cheerefull and full of devotion 16 For who is there that approaching humbly unto the fountaine of sweetnesse doth not carry away from thence at least some litle sweetnesse 17 Or who standing by a great fire receaveth not some small heat thereby Thou art a fountaine alwaies full and overflowing a fire ever burning and never decaying 18 Wherefore if I cannot draw at the full out of the fountaine nor drink my fill I will notwithstanding set my lips to the mouth of this heavenly conduite that I may draw from thence at least some small droppe to refresh my thirst to the end I wither not away and utterly perish 19 And though I be not altogether celestiall nor so inflamed as the Cherubims and Seraphims notwithstanding I will endeavour to apply my selfe to devotion and dispose my heart to obtaine some small sparke of divine fire by humble receaving of this life-giving Sacrament 20 And whatsoever is hereunto wanting in me good Iesu most blessed Saviour doe thou supply for me most benigne and gracious Lord who hast vouchsafed to call all unto thee saying Come unto mee all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you 21 I labour in the sweate of my browes I am vexed with griefe of heart I am burdened with sinnes I am troubled with temptations I am intangled and oppressed with many evill passions 22 And there is none to helpe me none to deliver and save me but thou Lord God my Saviour to whom I commit my selfe all mine that thou maist keep me and bring me to life everlasting 22 Receave me to the honour and glory of thy name who hast prepared thy Body and Bloud to be my meat drinke 23 Grant O Lord God my Saviour that by frequenting thy mysteries my zeale and devotion may increase more and more CHAP. V. Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Priestly function The voice of Christ. IF thou hadst angelicall purity and the Sanctity of S. Iohn Baptist thou â—vert not worthy to receive nor handle â—his Sacrament 2 For it is not within the compasse of the deserts of men that man should consecrate and handle the Sacrament of Christ receive for food the bread of Angels 3 A great mystery and great is the dignity of Priests to whom is granted that which is not permitted to the Angels 4 For Priests alone rightly instituted in the Church have power to ceâ—ebrate and consecrate the Body of Christ. 5 The Priest is the Minister of God using the words of God by the
nor any new thing neither shall it be the last if thou live long 4 Thou art cheerefull enough as long as no adversity occurreth Thou canst give good counsaile also canst strengthen others with thy words but when any tribulation suddenly knocketh at thy doore thou art destitute of counsell and void of force 5 See therefore thy great frailty which thou often provest in very smal occasions It is notwithstanding permitted for thy good when these and such like occasions befall thee 6 Put it out of thy heart the best thou canst and if it touch thee yet let it not deâ—ect thee nor trouble thee long beare it at least patiently if thou canst not joyfully 7 Although thou be unwilling to heare it and feelest in thy heart some motion of disdaine yet represse thy selfe and suffer no inordinate word to passe out of thy mouth which may be a scandall to the weak 8 The storme which now is raised shall quickly be appeased and inward griefe shall be sweetned by the returne of grace 9 I doe yet live saith our Lord am ready to helpe thee and to give thee greater comfort then before if thou put thy trust in me and callest devoutly upon me 10 Be more patient and prepare thy selfe to greater suffering All is not lost if thou feele thy selfe often asslicted or grievously tempted 11 Thou art a man and not God thou art flesh not an Angell How canst thou looke to continue ever in the same state of vertue when an Angell in heaven hath fallen and the first man in Paradise lost his standing 12 I am he that doe give healthfull comfort to them that mourne and doe raise up unto my divinity those that know their own infirmity 13 Lord blessed be thy sacred word more sweet unto my mouth then the hony and the hony combe 14 What should I doe in these my so great tribulations and anguish unlesse thou didst comfort me with thy holy sweet and heavenly speeches 15 What matter is it how much and what I suffer so as I may at length attaine to the haven of happinesse 10 Grant me a good end grant me a happy passage out of this world be mindfull of me my God and direct me the streight and ready way to thy everlasting Kingdome Amen CHAP. LVIII Of not searching into high matters and into the secret judgements of God SOnne beware thou dispute not of high matters nor of the secret judgements of God why this man is forsaken and he assumed to so great grace why also this man is so much afflicted and he so greatly advanced 2 These things exceed all humane power neither can any reason or discourse of any man search out the judgement of God 4 When the enâ—my therefore suggesteth these things unto thee or some envious people demand them of thee answere that of the Prophet 5 Thou art just O Lord and thy judgement is right And againe The judgements of our Lord are true and justifyed in themselves 6 My judgements are to be feared not to be discussed for they are such as cannot be comprehended by the understanding of man 7 In like manner I advise thee not to inquire noâ— dispute of the glory of the Saints which of them is holier then the other and which shall be greater in the Kingdome of heaven 8 These things oftentimes breed strife and unprofitable contentions they nourish also pride and vain-glory from whence doe usually spring envy and dissentions 9 Whilest one endeavours to have this another to have that Saint vainly preferred To desire to know and search our such things is to no purpose but to displease the Saints 10 For I am not the God of dissension but of peace which peace consisteth rather in true humility then in exalting themselves 11 Some are carried with zeale of affection to love these or those most but this love is rather humane then divine 12 I have made all the Saints I have given them my grace I have made them partakers of my glory I know the merits of every one I have prevented them in the benedictions of my sweetnesse 13 I foreknew my beloved before the beginning of the world I chose them out of the world they chose not me first 14 I called them by grace I drew them by mercy I led them through sundry temptations I have sent them great inward comforts I have given them perseverance I have crowned their patience 15 I know the first and last I imbrace all with inestimable love I am to be praised in all my Saints I am to be blessed above all things and to be honoured in every one whom I have thus gloriously exalted and predestinated without any precedent merits of their owne 16 He therefore that contemneth one of the least of my Saints honoureth not the greatest for that I made both the lesse and the greater 17 And he that derogateth from any of my Saints derogateth also from me and all the rest in the Kingdome of heaven 18 All are one by the band or charitie they think the same they will the same and are all knit together in one perfect band of love 18 But yet which is much more high they love me more then themselves and more then their owne â—merils For being ravished above themselves and drawne from the affection of themselves they tend wholly unto thâ— love of me in whom also they rest enioyning me with unspeakable glory 19 Nothing can put them back nothing presse them downe for being full of everlasting truth they burne with the fire of unquenchable charitie 20 Let therefore carnall and earthly men that can affect no other but private ioyes forbeare to dispute of the state of Saints They adde and take away according to their owne fancies not as it pleaseth the everlasting Truth 21 There is in many great ignorance specially in those that be slenderly enlightned and these can seldome love any with perfect spirituall love 22 They are alwaies much drawn by a naturall affection and humane friendship to this man or to that and according to the experience they have of themselves in their earthly affections so they frame an imagination of heavenly 23 But there is an incomparable distance between the things which the imperfect frame in their conceipts and those which are illuminated doe see by revelation from above 24 Beware therefore my Sonne that thou treat not curiously of these things which exceed thy knowledge but rather so apply thy endeavours that thou maist at least have the meanest place in the Kingdome of heaven 25 And if any one did know which of the Saints exceeded others in sanctity or is esteemed greater in the Kingdome of heaven what would this knowledge avail him unlesse he should thereby humble himselfe the more in my sight and stirre up his mind to praise my name with greater fervour 26 His labour is much more acceptable unto God that thinketh of the greatnesse of his sinnes and his wanâ— of vertues and
fulfilled and his name honoured in all his servants for he that can turne all things to the best can worke good out of evill 6 Endeavour thy selfe patiently to bear with any faults and infirmities of others for that thou thy selfe hast many things that must be borne withall by others 7 If thou canst not make thy selfe such a one as thou wouldst be how canst thou expect to have another to thy liking in all things 8 It is injustice to expect that in another which thou hast not in thy self to looke for perfection in others and yet not to amend imperfections in our selves 9 We will have others severely punisht and will not amend our selves the large liberty of others disliketh us and yet we will not have our desires deni'd us we will have rigorous Lawes imposed upon others but in no sort will we our selves be restrained 10 And thus it appeareth howseldome we weigh our neighbours in the same ballance with our selves If all men were perfect what then should we have to suffer at other mens hands for God's sake 11 But now God hath thus ordained that every man should have a burthen of his owne let us learne to support and beare one anothers burthens 12 For there is none without defect none without his burthen no man sufficient by himselfe no man wise enough of himselfe 13 But we ought to bear with onâ— another comfort one another equally helpe instruct and admonish one another 14 By occasion of adversity every man knoweth what great vertue is in himselfe for such occasions make thee not frail but shew thee what thou art CHAP. XVII Of solitary life THou must learne to breake thy selfe of thine owne will in many things if thou wilt keepe peace and concord with others 2 It is no small matter to lead aâ— contemplative or practicall life to live in either of those places without reproofe and to persevere therein faithfully unto the death 3 Blessed is he that hath there lived well and died as he ought to doeâ— 4 If thou wilt stand uprightly and perfect in vertue as thou oughtst carry thy selfe as a pilgrime and stranger upon the earth 5 Thou must be contented to be esteemed a foole for the love of Christ if thou wilt lead a religious and Christian life 6 The choice raiment and shorne head make litle to the purpose but change of manners and cutting of unruly passions make a man truly Religious 7 He that seeketh after any thing but God and his soules health shall be sure to find nothing but tribulation and griefe 8 Neither can he long injoy a peaceable and quiet mind who striveth not to be the least veriest abject of all 9 Thou art come hither not to be served but to serve know that thou art called to suffer and to labour not to loiter and live at ease 10 As gold in the furnace so are men tried in this world here none can stand upright but he that stoopeth in all humility heartily for the Lords sake CHAP. XVIII Of the example of the holy Fathers COnsider the lively examples of those holy Fathers who are dead who shined so bright in true perfection and Religion 2 You shall easily perceive how litle or nothing at all it is that we doe alas what is our life if you doe but compare it with theirs 3 Those holy men and freinds of Christ served the Lord in hunger and thirst in cold and nakednesse in labour and wearinesse in watching and fasting in praiers and holy meditations in persecutions and many reproaches 4 O how many and grievous tribulations suffered the Apostles Martyrs Confessours Virgins and all the rest who endeavoured to follow Christâ— steps they hated their lives here that they might have life everlasting 5 O how strict and severe a life led those holy Fatherâ— in the wildernesse What long and grievous temptations did they endure How often were they vexed with our common enemy 6 What often and fervent praiers did they offer unto God How rigorous abstinency did they daily undergoe What fervent care and zeale had they to profit in the spirit How great and sharp a combate had they for the taming of their vices how pure an dright an intention had they to Godvvard They laboured all day praied all night although when they labroured with the body they prayed with the mind 7 In a word they spent all their time to their best advantage and thought the houre to soone at an end they imployed in God's service 8 For the great sweetnesse they found in heavenly contemplations they forgot the necessity of their corporall refection and for the food of their soules did not regard the reliefe of their bodies 9 As for all riches dignities honours friends and kinsfolkes they utterly renounced them all and desired to have nothing this world can afford 10 They could hardly be perswaded to take the necessary sustenance of their life and to yeeld to their body in that they must needs was with a great deale of repugnancy 11 They were very poore in outward goods but very rich in inward grace without they seemed needy but within they were refreshed with grace and heavenly consolation 12 They were meere strangers to the world but were neere and familiar friends to God in their owne eyes and in the sight of the world they were but abject and despised persons but in the eyes of God very pâ—etious and beloved 13 They were grounded in humility lived in obedience walked in charity and patience therefore did they daily profit in the spirit and obtained great favour at the hands of God 14 They were set out for examples to all righteous men and these few men should more provoke us to a spirituall progresse then the great number of luke-warme Christians to a remisnesse in behaviour 15 O how great was the fervour of all religious persons in the beginning of their holy institution 16 How great was their devotionâ— to praier how great emulation of vertue How exact discipline was set on â—oote how great reverence and obedience observed they in all things under the rule of their superiors 17 Their footsteps yet remaining do testifie that they were indeed holy and perfect men who fighting so stoutly trod the world under their feet 18 Now he is thought a jolly man that is not an open offender and can but patiently endure what he hath already undertaken 19 O the coldnesse and negligence of our time and state that we soone decline from our first fervour that by reason of our luke-warmnesse and sloath we are even weary of our lives 20 It is a signe that all proficiency in vertue is utterly dead in us when we follow not the examples of so many godly men before us CHAP. 19. Of the exercise of good religious persons THe life of a good religious person ought to excell in all kind of vertue that he may be such a one inwardly to God as he seemeth to be out wardly to men
and whole heart to praise our Lord God! 30 O that thou mightst never have need to eat nor drink nor sleep but alwaies praise God and only attend upon spirituall imployments 31 Then shouldst thou be much happier then now thou art when upon every occasion thou art so ready to follow the lusts of the flesh 32 Would we were not put to such necessities but had only the spirituall â—efections of the soule which alas we â—ast of too seldome 33 When a man is come to that passe that he seeketh no comfort in any creature then doth God first begin to be a sweet relish unto him 34 Then will he be well content with whatsoever shall befall him then shall not a great matter overjoy him â—or a small matter trouble him 35 But with great integrity and confidence commits himselfe to God who shall be to him all in all to whom nothing perisheth or dieth but all things live unto him and serve him without delay 36 Remember alwaies thy end and how time lost never returnes without care and diligence thou shalt never become vertuous 37 If thou beginnest to waxe cold all is not well with thee hut if thou give thy selfe to fervency thou shalt find much peace and through the assistance of God's grace and love of vertue thou shalt find thy labour but light 38 The fervent and diligent man is ready at all assayes it is easier to endure the labour and pains of the body then to conquâ—re the vices and passions of â—he mind 39 He that avoideth not small slips by litle and litle may take a great fall if thou spend the day well thou wilt be alwaies merry at night 40 Be watchfull over thy waies and whatsoever become of others be carefull of thy selfe the greater violence thou usest against thy selfe the greater benefit shalt thou reap THE SECOND BOOK CHAP. I. Of inward Conversation THE Kingdome of God is within you saith the Lord. Turne thee with thy whole heart unto the Lord and forsake this wretched world and thy soule shall find rest 2 Learn to contemne outward things and give thy selfe to the inward and thou shalt see the Kingdome of God to come into thee 3 For the Kingdome of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost which is not bestowed upon the wicked 4 Christ will come unto thee and shew thee his comfort so that thou wilt provide within thee a dwelling place fit for him 5 All his beauty and glory is within noâ— caring for any thing else there delighteh he himselfe 6 The inward man he often visits and hath with him sweet discourse pleasant comfort much peace wonderfull familiarity 7 O faithfull soule make ready thy heart for this bride-groome that he may vouchsafe to come unto thee and dwell within thee 8 For so he saith if any man love me he will keep my word and we will come unto him and will make our aboade with him 9 Give therefore unto Christ a place in thy heart and deny entrance to all others when thou hast Christ thou art rich enough and he will suffice thee 10 He will faithfully oversee thee and carefully provide for thee in all things so that thou shalt not need to depend upon men 11 For men soon alter their minds or quickly fade away but Christ remaineth for ever and standeth out stoutly to the very end 12 There is litle trust to be given to fraile and mortall man though he be profitable and deare unto thee neither oughtest thou much to be grieved when sometimes he crosses and contradicts thee 13 They that to day take thy part to morrow may be against thee and so on the contrary they often turne like the wind 14 Put thy whole trust and confidence in God love him for his mercy feare him for his judgment he will answer for thee and will doe in all things what is best 15 Thou hast here no abiding City and wheresoever thou be thou art but a Stranger and Pilgrime neither shalt thou ever have rest unlesse thou be fully united to thy Saviour 16 Why dost thou gaze up and down here since this is not the place of thy aboad In heaven ought to be thy dwelling place and all things here to be lookt upon but as it were in the passage 17 All things passe away and thoâ— together with them beware thou enâ—angle not thy selfe in them lâ—ast thou be caught and confounded 18 Let thy thought be on the Almighty and thy praier be directed unto Christ without ceasing 19 If thou canst not contemplate high and heavenly things rest thy selfe in the passion of thy Saviour and dwell willingly in the wounds of his sacred body 20 For if thou flâ—e devoutly to his holy wounds and to the precious marks of his Passion thou shalt find great comfort in all thy tribulation 21 Neither wilt thou much care to be despised of men and wilt easily endure the words of slanderous tongues 22 Christ was also in the world despised of men he was exposed to the reproach of his enemies and forsaken by his acquaintance and friends in his greatest extremity 23 Christ had adversaries and backbiters and wilt thou have all men thy friends and benefactors how shall thy patience be crown'd if no adversity befall thee 24 If thou wilt not endure adversity how art thou Christ's friend Suffer with Christ and for Christ if you desire to raigne with Christ. 25 If thou hast but once entred into the secrets of thy Saviour and tasted a litle of his ardent love then wouldst thou not care for thine owne commodity or discommodity but rather rejoyce at thy wrongs offered thee for the love of Iesus maketh a man to despise himselfe 26 A lover of Iesus and of the true inwâ—rd man and one free from inordinate affections can easily turn himselfe to God and being lifted up in spirit above himselfe rests in the fruition of joy 27 He that relisheth all things as they are and not as they are called and esteemed to be he is truly wise indeed and rather tought of God then of men 28 He that knowes to walk within himselfe and to make small account of outward things shall be sure to have time and place enough to performe devout exercises 29 The inward man doth quickly recollect himselfe because he never gives himselfe wholly to outward imployments 30 Bodily labour is no let unto him nor necessary businesse so it be seasonable but as things fall out so he applieth himselfe unto them 31 He that is well disposed within himselfe is not troubled with the strange and perverse behaviour of men by how much a man drawes businesse to himselfe by so much is he hindred and distracted 32 If all were well with thee and thou throughly purged all things would turn to thy good and profit 33 Therefore doe many things displease thee and often trouble thee because thou art not yet full dead unto thy selfe nor free from the affection of earthly things 34
shall not then feare to heare the sentence of everlasting damnation 3 This signe of the Crosse shall be in heaven when our Lord shall come to Iudgment 4 Then all the servants of the Crosse who in their life time conformed themselves unto Christ crucified shall draw neere unto our Lord with great confidence 5 Why therefore fearest thou to take up the Crosse which leadeth thee to a Kingdome In the Crosse is health in the Crosse is life in the Crosse is protection against our enemies 6 In the Crosse is infusion of heavenly sweetnesse in the Crosse is strength of mind in the Crosse is joy of spirit in the Crosse is the height of vertue in the Crosse is the perfection of sanctity 7 There is no health of the soule nor hope of everlasting life but in the Crosse. Take up therefore thy Crosse and follow Iesus and thou shalt goe into life everlasting 8 He is gone before bearing his Crosse and is dead for thee on the Crosse that thou maist also beare thy Crosse and desire to die on the Crosse with him 9 For if thou diest with him thou shalt also live with him and if thou be his companion in paine thou shalt be partaker with him also in glory 10 Behold in the Crosse all doth consist and all lyeth in ending our life upon it for there is no other way unto life and unto true inward peace but the way of the Holy Crosse and of daily mortification 11 Goe where thou wilt seeke whatsoever thou wilt thou shalt not find a higher way above nor a safeâ—â— way below then the way of the holy Crosse. 12 Dispose and order all things according to thy will and judgment yet thou shalt ever find that of necessity thou must suffer some-what either willingly or against thy will 13 So as thou shalt never fully avoid the Crosse for either thou shalt feele paine in thy body or in thy soule thou shalt suffer tribulation of spirit 14 Sometimes thou shalt be forsaken of God sometimes thou shalt be troubled by thy neighbours and which is more oftentimes thou shalt be irksome to thy selfe 15 Neither canst thou be delivered or cased by any remedy or comfort but so long as pleaseth God thou oughtest to beare it 16 For God will have thee learne to suffer tribulation without comfort and that thou submit thy selfe wholly to him and become more humble by tribulation 17 No man hath so lively a feeling of the Passion of Christ as he who hath chanced to suffer the like The Crosse therefore is alwaies ready and every where attendeth thee 18 Thou canst not escape it whither soever thou fliest for wheresoever thou goest thou carriest thy selfe about with thee and thou shalt ever find thy selfe 19 Turne thy selfe upward turne thy selfe downward turne thee within or turne thee without 20 Which way soever thou doest turn thee alwaies thou shalt find the Crosse. 21 And every where of necessity thou must have patience if thou wilt have inward peace and obtaine an everlasting Crowne 22 If thou beare the Crosse willingly it will beare thee and lead thee to thy desired end to wit where there shall be an end of suffering though here there shall not 23 If thou beare it unwillingly thou makest for thy selfe a new burthen and increasest thy load and yet notwithstanding thou must beare it doe what thou canst 24 If thou cast away one Crosse without doubt thou shalt find another and that perhaps a more heavy 25 Thinkest thou to escape that which no man could ever avoid which of the Saints in the world was without crosses and tribulations 26 Verily Iesus Christ our Lord was never one houre without paine of suffering so long as he lived Christ saith he ought to suffer and rise againe from death and so to enter into his glory 27 And how doest thou seeke any other way then this Kings high way which is the way of the holy Crosse 28 The whole life of Christ was a Crosse and Martyrdome and doest thou seeke rest and joy 29 Thou art deceived thou art deceived if thou seekest any other thing theÌ„ to suffer tribulations for this whole mortall life is full of miseries and invironed on every side with crosses 30 And how much the more one hath profited in spirit so much the heavier Crosses he oftentimes findeth for the love he beareth to God encreaseth the griefe which he endureth for his banishment 31 But yet this man though so many wayes afflâ—cted is not without the ease of consolation for the great good which he perceiveth to grow unto him by the bearing of his Crosse 32 For whilest he willingly putteth himselfe under it all the but then of tribulation is turned into the confidence of divine consolation 33 And how much the more the flesh is wasted by affliction by so much the more is the spirit strengthened by inward grace 34 And sometimes he is so strengthened with the â—eeling of tribulation and adversity for the love of conforming himselfe to the Crosse of Christ that he would not wish at any time to be without sorrow and tribulation 35 Because he beleeveth that so much the more acceptable he shall be unto God how much the more for number weight he can suffer for him 36 This is not the power of man but it is the grace of Christ that can and doth so much in fraile â—lesh that what naturally it alwaies abhorreth and flieth that by fervour of spirit it taketh hold on and loveth 37 It is not according to mans inclination to bear the Crosse to love the Crosse to chastise the body and bring it into subjection to shun promotion 38 To suffer contumelies with a joyfull heart to despise himselfee and to wish to be despised to beare all adversities and damages and to desire no prosperity in this world 39 But if thou depend upon thy selfe thou shalt be able to performe no such matter of thy selfe 40 But if thou trustest in our Lord strength shall be given thee from heaven and thou shalt subdue under thee both the world and the flesh 41 Neither shalt thou feare thy enemy the Divel if thou be armed with faith and rely upon Christ crucified 42 Resolve therefore with thy selfe like a good and faithfull servant of Christ to beare manfully the Crosse of thy Lord who out of love unto thee was crucified for thee 43 Prepare thy selfe to beare many adversities and diverse kinds of troubles in this miserable life for so it will be with thee wheresoever thou be and so surely thou wilt find it wheresoever thou hide thy selfe 44 So it must be and there is no remedy or meanes to avoid tribulation and sorrow but to beare them 35 Drink of the Cup of our Lord with a good affection if thou wilt be his friend and desirest to have part with him As touching consolation referre that to the will of God let him doe therein as shall best please him but yeeld thou thy selfe
unto thee who sometimes with thy comfort refreshest me unworthy of all comfort 3 I ever blesse and glorify thee with thy only begotten Son and the holy Ghost the comforter for ever and ever 4 O God my Lord the holy lover of my soule when thou shalt come into my heart all that is within me will rejoyce 5 Thou art my glory and the exultation of my heart thou art my hope and my refuge in the day of my tribulation 6 But because I am yet weak in love and imperfect in vertue therefore I have need to be strengthned comforted by thee 7 Visit me therefore often and instruct me with thy holy discipline deliver me from evill passions and heale my heart of all mordinate affections that being cured within and well purged throughout I may be made fit to love strong to suffer and constant to perseaere 8 Love is a great matter in very truth a great good which alone maketh every thing that is heavy to be light and beareth equally all that 〈◊〉 unequall 9 For it carrieth a burthen without any burthen and maketh every thing that is bitter to be sweet and savory 10 The noble loue of Iesus enforceth man to worke great things and stirreth him up to desire alwaies the most perfect 11 Love will be aloft and not kept downe with any abject things Love will be free and a stranger to all worldly affection 12 That his inward sight be not obscured that he be not intangled with the desire of any transitory game or troubled with the want thereof 13 Nothing is sweeter then love nothing stronger nothing higher nothing more ample nothing more pleasant nothing fuller nor better in heaven or in earth 14 For that love hath his begining from God and cannot rest but in God above all creatures 15 He that loveth flyeth runneth and rejoyceth he is free and not held in He giveth all for all and hath all in all for that he resteth in one Highest above all from which all good floweth and proceedeth 16 He respecteth not the gifts but turneth himselfe above all goods unto the giver Love oftentimes knoweth no measure but enflameth aboue all measure 17 Love feeleth no burthen weigheth no paines desireth above its strength complaineth not of impossibility for that it thinketh all things lawfull and possible 18 It is therefore able to undertake all things and performeth and bringeth many things to effect whereas he that doth not love fainteth and can doe nothing 19 Love alwaies watcheth and slumbring sleepeth not being wearied is not tired straitned is not pressed frighted is not troubled but like a lively â—lame and burning torch breâ—keth upwards and passeth through all with great security 20 If any one loveth he knowes what this voice cryeth a loud cry in the eares of God is the burning love of the â—oule which saith My God my love thou art wholly mine and I am wholly thine 21 Enlarge me in love that my heart may tast how sweet it is to love and to be dissolved and swimme as it were in the streames of love 22 Let me be possessed by 〈◊〉 mounting above my selfe with excessive fervor and admiration 23 Let me sing the song of love let me follow thee on high my beloved let my soule faint in thy praises rejoycing with love 24 Let me love thee more then my selfe and not my selfe but for thee and all in thee that truly love thee as the law of love commandeth which shineth from thee 25 Love is swift sincere pious sweet and delightfull strong patient faithfull prudent suffering full of courage and never seeking it selfe 26 For where one seeketh himselfe there he falleth from love Love is circâ—mspect humble and upright not remisse not mutable nor attending unto vaine things sober chast constant quiet and guarded in all the senses 27 Love is subject and obedient to Superiours mean and abject to it selfe devout and thankfull unto God trusting and hoping alwaies in him even then when God imparteth no sweetnesse unto it for without sorrow none liveth in love 28 He that is not ready to suffer all things and stande to the will of his beloved is not worthy to be called a lover 29 A lover ought to imbrace willingly all that is hard and distastfull for his beloved and not to turne away from him for any contrary occurrencies CHAP. VI. Of the proofe of a true lover SOnne thou art not yet a strong and prudent lover 2 Wherefore Lord 3 Because thou givest over thy enterprise for a small adversity and too earnestly seekest after comfort 4 A constant lover standeth firmely in temptations and giveth not credit to the crafty perswasions of the enemy As I please him in prosperity so I am not unpleasant to him in adversity 5 A prudent lover considereth not so much the gift of his lover as the love of the giver He rather esteemeth the good will then the value and placeth all gifts under his beloved 6 A noble lover resteth not in the gift but in me above any gift All therefore is not lost if sometimes thou hast lesse tast of me and my Saints then thou wouldest 7 That good sweet desire which thou sometimes feelest is the effect of present grace and a certain tast of the heavenly Country whereon thou must not rely too much for it goeth and commeth 8 But to fight against evill motions of the mind which may happen unto thee and to despise the suggestion of the dâ—ell is a signe of vertue and great strength 9 Let not therefore strange fancies forced into thee of any matter whatsoever trouble theo Retaine a firme purpose and an upright intention to God 10 Neither is it an illusion that sometimes thou art suddainly rapâ— on high and presently returnest again unto the accustomed vanities of the heart 11 For thou dost rather unwillingly suffer them then commit them and as long as they displease thee and thou strivest against them it is a gaine not a losse unto thee 12 Know that thy ancient enemy doth ever strive to hinder thy desire to good and to divert thee from all devout exercise 13 To wit from the pious memory of my passion from the profitable remembrance of thy sinnes from the guard of thine own heart and from the firme purpose of proâ—iting in vertue 14 Hee thrusteth many evill thoughts into the minde that he may cause a wearisomenesse and horrour in thee to draw thee from devout prayer and reading 15 Humble confession is displeasing unto him and if he could he would cause thee to cease from receaving the Sacrament of my Body 16 Trust him not nor care for him although he should often set snares of deceipt to intrap thee 17 Charge him with it when hee suggesteth evill and unclean thoughts unto thee Say unto him Avant filthy spirit blush miserable wretch thou art filthy that bringest such things into mine eares 18 A way from me thou wicked deceaver thou shalt have no part in me but
be known to many nor to have the private love of men for these things breed distractions and cause great darknesse of heart 9 I would vvillingly utter my words reveale my secrets unto thee if thou diddest diligently observe my comming and diddest open the dore of thy heart unto mee 10 Be carefull in thy courses and watch in thy prayers and humble thy selfe in all things CHAP. XXV Wherein doth the firme peace of the heart and true proficiency consist SOnne I have said Peace I leave to you my peace I give to you not as the world giveth doe I give to you 2 All doe desire peace but all care not for those things that appertain unto true peace My peace is with the humble and meeke of heart 3 Thy peace shall be in much patience if thou wilt heare me and follow my voice thou maist enjoy much peace 4 What then shall I doe 5 In every thing attend unto thy selfe what thou doest and what thou sayest and direct thy whole intention unto this that thou maiest please me alone and desire or seeke nothing out of mee 6 But of the sayings and doings of others judge nothing rashly neither doe thou intangle thy selfe with things not committed unto thee and doing thus it may be thou shalt be litle 〈◊〉 seldome troubled 7 But never to feele any trouble at all nor to suffer any griefe of heart or body is not the state of this life but of everlasting rest 8 Think not therefore that thou hast found true peace if thou feelest no sorrow nor that then all is well if thou have no adversary 9 Nor that it is perfect if all things be done according to thy desire Neither doe thou then esteem highly of thy selfe or imagine thy selfe to be especially beloved if thou be in great devotion and sweetnesse 10 For in these things a true lover of vertue is not tryed neither doth the proficiency and perfection of man consist in having them 11 Wherein then Lord 12 In offering thy selfe from the very bottome of thy heart unto the will of God not seeking thine owne interest or commodity neither in great nor litle neither for a time nor for ever 13 So that with equall countenance thou maist persist in thanksgiving both in prosperity and in adversity weighing all things with an equall ballance 14 If thou be of such courage and so patient in hope that when inward comfort is withdrawn from thee thou prepare thy heart to suffer greater matters 15 And not justify thy self as though thou oughtest not to suffer these and so great afflictions but justify me in whatsoever I appoint and praise my holy name 16 Then thou walkest in the true and right way of peace and thou shalt have undoubted hope to see my face a gaine with great ioy 17 And if thou attaine to the full contempt of thy selfe then shalt thou enioy as great aboundance of peace as thy banishment may permit CHAP. XXVI Of the excellency of a free mind which humble prayer better obtaineth then reading LOrd it is the worke of a perfect man never to slack his mind from the attentive thought of heavenly things and as it were to passe without care through many cares 2 Not faintingly but with a certaine priviledge of a free mind adhering by inordinate affection to no creature 3 I beseech thee most mercifull God preserve me from the cares of this life least I should be too much intangled hereby and from the many necessities of the body least I should be enthralled by pleasure 4 From all hindrances of the soule least broken with troubles I should be dejected and dismayed I meane not from those things that all worldly vanity so greatly desireth 5 But from those miseries that as punishments doe weigh downe and hinder the soule of thy servant with the generall curse of mortality that it cannot enter into the liberty of the spirit as often as it would 6 O my God the unspeakable sweetnesse make bitter unto me all carnall comfort which may draw me away from the love of everlasting happinesse and wickedly allure me to it selfe with the force of a certaine present delight 7 Let not flesh and blood O my God let not flesh and blood Let not the world and the short glory thereof deceive me 8 Let not the Divel and his subtile fraud supplant me Give me force to resist patience to suffer and constancy to persevere 9 Give me insteed of all the comforts of the world the most sweet unction of thy spirit and in lieu of carnall love powre into my soule the love of thy name 10 Behold meat drink cloathe◠and other necessaries for the maintenance of the body are burden some unto a fervent spirit 11 Grant me to affect such nourishments in due measure and not to be intangled with an over-great desire of them 12 It is not lawfull to renounce them wholly for that nature is to be sustained but to desire superfluities and those things that doe rather delight then sustaine the Law of God forbiddeth 3 For otherwise the flesh would rebell against the spirit Herein I beseech thee let thy hand govern me and teach me that I may not exceed CHAP. XXVII That private love most hindreth from the chiefest good SOnne thou oughtest to give all for all and to retaine nothing of thy selfe Know that the love of thy selfe doth hurt thee more then any thing in the world 2 According to the love and affection thou bearest them so doth every thing cleave unto thee more or lesse If thy love be pure simple and well ordered thou shalt be free from bondange 3 Covet not that which thou maist not have Be not willing to have that which may hinder thee and deprive thee of inward liberty 4 It is a wonderful thing that thou committest not thy selfe wholly unto me from the bottome of thy heart with all things that thou canst desire or have 5 Why doest thou consume thy self with vaine griefe Why tirest thou thy mind with needlesse cares Stand to my curtesy and thou shalt be no looser by it 6 If thou seekest this or that and wouldest be here or there to enjoy thine owne commodity and pleasure thou shalt never be in quiet nor free from trouble of mind 7 For in every thing somewhat will be wanting and in every place there will be some that will crosse thee 8 Not every external thing therefore attained and heaped together helpeth thee but it rather availeth if thou despise it and dost root it out from thy heart 9 Which thou must not understand only of thy revenewes and wealth but of the desire of honour also and vaine praise all which doe passe away with this fading world 10 The place availeth litle if the spirit of fervour be wanting neither shal that peace which is sought abroad long continue if the state of thy heart be destitute of a true foundation 11 That is unlesse thou persist in me thou maist change but
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
much the more this sacred Communion is common through the world 49 Thankes be unto thee good Iesu everlasting Pastour of our soules that hast vouchsafed to refresh us poore and banished men with thy precious Body and Blood 50 And to invite us to the receiving of these mysteries with the words of thy owne mouth saying Come unto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you CHAP. II. That great goodnesse and charity of God is bestowed upon man in this Sacrament The voice of the Disciple PResuming of thy goodnesse and great mercy O Lord being sick I approach unto my Saviour hungry and thirsty to the fountaine of life needy to the King of heaven a servant unto my Lord a creature to my Creator desolate to my mercifull comforter 2 But whence is this to me that thou vouchsafest to come unto me Who am I that thou shouldest give thy selfe unto me 3 How dare a sinner presume to appeare before thee And thou how doest thou vouchsafe to come unto a sinner 4 Thou knowest thy servant and seest that he hath no good thing in him for which thou shouldest bestow this benefit upon him 5 I confesse therefore my unworthinesse and I acknowledge thy goodnesse I praise thy mercy and give thee thankes for this thy unspeakable charity 6 For thou doest this for thine owne sake not for any merits of mine to the end that thy goodnesse may be better knowne unto mee thy charity more abundantly shewed and thy humility more highly commended 7 Since therefore it is thy pleasure and hast commanded that it should be so this thy bounty is also pleasing to me and doe wish that my offences may be no hindrance unto it 7 O most sweet and bountifull Iesu how great reverence and thanks with perpetuall praise is due unto thee for the receaving of thy sacred body whose worth and dignity no man is able to expresse 8 But what shall I think of at this time now that I am to receive this divine Sacrament and to approach unto my Lord to whom I am not able to give due reverence and yet I desire to receave him devoutly 9 What can I thinke better and more profitable then to humble my selfe wholly before thee and to exalt thy infinite goodnesse above me 10 I praise thee my God and will exalt thee for ever and I doe despise and submit my selfe unto thee even into the depth of my unworthinesse 11 Behold thou art the Holy of Holies and I the skum of sinners behold thou bowest thy selfe downe unto me who am not worthy so much as to look up unto thee 12 Behold thou comest unto me it is thy will to be with me thou invitest me to thy banquet 13 Thou wilt give me the food of heaven and bread of Angels to eat which is no other truly then thy selfe the lively bread that descendedst from heaven and givest life unto the world 14 Behold from whence this love proceedeth what kind of favour and benignity is this which shineth upon us What thankes and praises are due unto thee for these benefits 15 O how good and profitable was thy counsell when thou ordainedst How sweet and pleasant the banquet when thou gavest thy selfe to be our food 16 How wonderfull thy worke O Lord how powerfull thy vertue how unspeakable thy truth For thou saidst the word and all things were made and this was done which thou commandest 17 A thing of great admiration and worthy of faith and surpassing the understanding of man that thou my Lord God true God Man shouldst be exhibited unto us by the elements of bread and wine and thy body worthily receaved should be the spirituall food of our soule 18 Thou who are the Lord of all things and standest in need of none hast pleased to dwell in us by meanes of this thy Sacrament 19 Preserve my heart and body unspotted that with a cheerefull and pure conscience I may often celebrate thy mysteries and receave them to my everlasting health which thou hast chiefly ordained and instituted for thy honour and perpetuall memory 20 Rejoyce O my soule and give thankes unto God for so noble a gift and singular comfort left unto thee in this vale of teares 21 For as often as thou callest to mind this mystery and receavest the body of Christ so often dost thou remember the worke of thy redemption and art made partaker of all the merits of Christ. 22 For the charity of Christ is never diminished and the greatnesse of his mercy is never drawne dry 23 Therefore thou oughtest alwaies to dispose thy selfe hereunto by a fresh renewing of thy minde and to weigh with attentive consideration this great mystery of thy salvation 24 So great now and joyfull it ought to seeme unto thee when thou commest to the holy Communion as if the same day Christ first descended into the wombe of the Virgin were become man or hanging on the crosse did suffer and dye for the salvation of mankinde CHAP. III. That it is profitable to communicate often The voice of the Disciple BEhold O Lord I come unto thee that I may be comforted in thy gifts and be delighted in thy holy banquet which thou O Lord hast prepared in thy sweetnesse for the poore 2 Behold in thee is all whatsoever I can or ought to desire thou art my health and my redemption my hope and my strength my honour and my glory 3 Make joyfull therefore this day the soule of thy servant for that I have lifted it up to thee my sweet Iesus I desire to receave thee now with devotion and reverence 4 I doe long to bring thee into my house that with Zachreus I may obtaine to be blessed by thee and numbred amongst the children of Abraham 5 My soule thirsteth to receave thy body my heart desireth to be united with thee 6 Give thy selfe to me and it sufficeth For besides thee no comfort is availeable I cannot be without thee nor live without thy gracious visitation 7 And therefore I must often come unto thee and receave thee as the only remedy of my health lest perhaps I faint in the way if I be deprived of thy heavenly food 8 For so most mercifull Iesus thou once didst say preaching to the people and curing sundry diseases I will not send them home fasting lest they faint in the way 9 Deale thou therefore in like manner now with me who hast vouchsafed to leave thy selfe in the Sacrament for the comfort of the faithfull 10 For thou art the sweet refection of the soule and he that eateth thee worthily shall be partaker and heire of everlasting glory 11 It is necessary for me that doe so often fall and sinne so quickly waxe dull and faint that by often prayers and confessions and receaving of thy sacred body I renew clense and inflame my selfe lest perhaps by long abstayning I fall from my holy purpose 12 For man is prone unto evill from his youth
how great and honourable is the office of Priests to whom it is granted with sacred words to consecrate the Lord of Majesty with their lips to blesse him with their hands to hold him with their own mouth to receave him and to administer him to others â—2 O how clean ought to be those hands How pure that mouth How holy the body How unspotted the heart of the Priest into whom the Author of purity so often entreth 40 Nothing but holy no word but chast and profitable ought to proceed from the mouth of the Priest which so often receaveth the Sacrament of Christ. 41 Simple and chast ought to be the eyes that are wont to behold the body of Christ the hands pure and lifted up to heaven that use to handle the Creator of heaven and earth 43 Vnto the Priests especially it is said in the Law Be ye holy for that I your Lord God am holy 43 Assist us Almighty God with thy grace that we who have undertaken the office of Priesthood may serve thee worthily and devoutly in all purity and with a sincere conscience 44 And if we cannot live in so great innocency as we ought to doe grant us notwithstanding in due manner to bewaile the sinnes which we have committed 43 And in the spirit of humilitie and syncere intention to serve thee hereafter with more fervour and devotion CHAP. XII That he that is to communicate ought to prepare himself with great diligence The voice of the Beloved I Am the lover of purity and the giver of all sanctity I seeke a pure heart there is the place of my râ—st Make ready and adorne for me a great chamber and I will make with thee the Passeover for my Disciples 2 If thou wilt have me come unto thee and remaine with thee purge the old leaven and make clean the dwelling of thy heart shut out the whole world and all tumult of vices 3 Sit like a sparrow solitary â—â—on the house top and think of thy offence in the bitternesse of thy soule 4 For every lover prepareth â—he best and fairest roome for his beloved and herein is known the affection of him that entertaineth his beloved 5 Know thou notwithstanding that the worth of no action of thine is able to make this preparation sufficient although thou shouldest preparâ— thy selfe a whole yeare together and thinke on nothing else 6 But of my mercy and grace only thou art suffred to come to my table like a begger invited to dinner to a rich man who hath nothing else to returne him for his benefits but to humble himselfe and give him thanks 7 Doe what lieth in thee and doe it diligently not for custome nor for necessity but with feare and reverence and hearty affection receave the body of thy beloved Lord and God who vouchsafeth to come unto thee 8 I am he that have called thee I have commanded it to be done I will supply what is wanting in thee come and receave me 9 When I bestow the grace of devotion on thee give thanks to God for it is given thee not for that thou deservest it but because I have mercy on thee 10 If thou have it not but rather feele thy selfe dry continue in prayer sigh and knock and give not over untill thou hast attained to some crumme or drop of saving grace 11 Thou hast need of me not I of thee neither comest thou to sanctify me but I come to sanctify and make thee better 12 Thou comest that thou maist be sanctified by me and united unto me that thou maist receave new grace and be stirred up againe to amendment 13 Neglect not this grace but prepare thy heart with all diligence receave thy beloved into thy soule 14 But thou oughtest not only to prepare thy selfe to devotion before Communion but carefully also to conserve thy selfe therein after thou hast receaved the Sacrament 15 Neither is the carefull guarde of thy selfe after lesse exacted then devout preparation before 16 For a good guard afterwards is the best preparation thou canst make for the obtaining againe of greater grace 17 Because that mans minde becometh very indisposed if he presently powre himselfe forth to outward comforts Beware of much talke remaine in some secret place and enjoy thy God 18 For thou hast him whom all the world cannot take from thee I am he to whom thou oughtest wholly to give thy selfe that so thou maist live hereafter not in thy selfe but in me without all care CHAP. XIII That a devout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto Christ in the Sacrament The voice of the Disciple HOw may I obtaine this O Lord that I may finde thee alone and open my whole heart unto thee and enjoy thee as my soule desireth 2 And that no man may look upon mee nor any creature move mee or respect mee but thou alone maist speake unto me and I to thee as the beloved is wont to speak to his beloved a friend to baÌ„quet with his frieÌ„d 3 This I pray for this I desire that I may be wholly united unto thee and may withdraw my heart from all created things and more by sacred Communion and often celebrating learne to tast of heavenly and everlasting sweetnesse 4 O Lord God when shall I be wholly united unto thee and swallowed up by thee and altogether forgetfull of my selfe thou in me and I in thee and so grant us both to continue in one 5 Thou art my beloved the choisest amongst thousands in whom my soule hath taken pleasure to dwell all the daies of her life 6 Thou art my peace-maker in whom is greatest peace and true rest without whom is labour and sorrow and infinite misery 7 Thou art a hidden God and thy counsell is not with the wicked but thy speech is with the humble and simple of heart 8 O Lord how sweet is thy spirit who to the end thou maist shew thy sweetnesse towards thy children vouchsafe to feed them with the most delightsome bread which descendeth from heaven and is full of all sweetnesse 9 Surely there is no other Nation so great that hath Gods approaching unto them as thou our God art present to all thy faithfull 10 Vnto whom for their daily comfort and for the lifting up of their hearts to heaven thou givest thy selfe to be eaten and enjoyed 11 I or what other Nation is there so famous as the Christian people or what creature under heaven so beloved as a devout soule to whom God himselfe commeth to feed her with his glorious flesh 12 O unspeakable grace O admirable favour O infinite love singularly bestowed upon man 13 But what shall I give unto our Lord in returne of this grace for so singular a charity 14 There is no other thing more gratefull that I am able to give then to bestow my heart wholly on my God and to unite it perfectly unto him 15 Then shall all my bowels re-rejoyce when my soule
shall be perfectly united unto God Then he will say unto me if thou wilt be with me I will be with thee 16 And I will answer him Vouchsafe O Lord to remaine with me I will very gladly be with thee This is my whole desire that my heart be united unto thee CHAP. XIV Of the fervent desire of some devout persons to receave the body of Christ. The voice of the Disciple O How great is the store of thy sweetnesse O Lord which thou hast hidden for them that fear thee 2 When I remember some devout persons who come unto thy Sacrament O Lord with great devotion and affection I am oftentimes confounded blush within my selfe that I come so negligently and coldly to thy altar and to the table of the holy Communion 3 That I remaine so dry and without any hearty affection that I am not wholly inflamed in thy presence my God 4 Nor so earnestly drawne and moved as many devout persons have been who out of a vehement desire of receaving and a feeling affection of heart could not containe themselves from weeping 5 But with the desire both of soule and body they earnestly longed after thee O God the lively fountaine being not otherwise able to temper not satisfie their hunger but by receaving thy body with all joy and spirituall greedinesse 6 O most ardent faith of those persons a probable argument of thy sacred presence 7 For these truly know their Lord in the breaking of bread whose heart burneth so within them whilest thou O blessed Iesu walkest with them 8 Such desire and devotion I seldome find in me so vehement love and fervency is oftentimes farre off from mee 9 Be mercifull unto mee good Iesu sweet and benigne Lord and grant me thy poore needy creature to feele sometimes at least in this holy Sacrament a litle hearty desire of thy love 10 That my faith may be more strengthened my hope in thy goodnesse increased and that my charity once pefectly inflamed after the tasting of heavenly Manna may never decay 11 Thy mercy O Lord is able to give me the grace I desire and to visâ—â— me in thy bounteous clemency with the spirit of fervour when it shall please thee 12 For although I burne notwith so great desire as those that are so especially devoted unto thee yet notwithstanding by thy grace I desire to have this great inflamed desire 13 Praying and craving that I may participate with all such thy fervent lovers and be numbred among them in their holy company CHAP. XV. That the grace of devotion is obtained by humility and deniall of our selves The voice of the Beloved THou oughtest to seeke the grace of devotion instantly to aske it earnestly to expect it patiently and confidently to receave it joyfully to keep it humbly to worke with it diligently 2 And to commit the time and manner of this heavenly visitation to God untill it shall be his pleasure to come 3 Thou oughtest chiefly to humble thy selfe when thou feelest inwardly litle or no devotion and yâ—t be not too much dejected nor grieve inordinaâ—ly for it 4 God often giveth in a short moment that which he hath a long time denyed he giveth sometimes in the end that which in the begining of prayes he deferred to grant 5 If grace should bee alwaiâ—s presently given and at hand ever with a wish it could not be well indured by a weak man 6 Therefore devotion is to be expected with good hope and humble patience yet impute it to thy selfe and thy sinnes when it is not given thee or when it is secretly taken from thee 7 It is sometimes a small matter that hindreth and hideth grace from us if it be to be called small and not rather a great matter that hindreth so great a good 8 And if thou remove this be it great or small and perfectly overcome it thou shalt have thy desire 9 For presently as soone as thou givest thy selfe to God with thy whole heart and seekest not this nor that for thine own pleasure or will but setlest thy selfe wholly in him thou shalt find thy selfe united unto him and quiet 10 For nothing will tast so well and please thee so much as the good will and pleasure of almighty God 11 Whosoever therefore with a sincere heart directeth his intention to God and â—mptieth himselfe of all inordinate love 〈◊〉 dislike of any creature shall be most fit to receave grace and worthy of the gift of devotion 12 When a vessell is full already all that you powre in runneth quite beside For our Lord bestoweth his blessings there where he findeth his vessels empty 13 And how much the more perfectly one forsaketh the basest things and dieth to himselfe by contempt of himselfe 14 So much the more speedily grace commeth and entreth in more plentifully and lifteth up the heart that is free to a higher state of grace 15 Then shall he see and abound and wonder and his heart within shall be enlarged because the hand of our Lord is with him and he hath put himselfe wholly into his hand for ever 16 Behold so shall the man be blessed that seeketh Almighty God with his whole heart and busieth not his soule in vaine 17 This man procureth great grace of divine union in receaving the holy Eucharist for that he regardeth not his own devotion and comfort but above all he prizeth the honour and glory of God CHAP. XVI That we ought to manifest our necessity unto Christ and to crave his grace The voice of the Disciple O Most sweet and loving Lord whom I now desire to receive devoutly thou knowest my infirmity and the necessity which I endure with how many sinnes I am oppâ—essed how often I am grieved tempted troubled and defiled 2 I come unto thee for remedy I crave of thee thy heavenly comfort the â—ase of my paine 3 I speak to him that knoweth all things to whom all my secrets are open and who can only perfectly comfort and help me 4 Thou knowest what it is wherof above all I stand in most need and how poore I am in vertues 5 Behold I stand before thee poore and naked calling for grace and graving mercy 6 Refresh this thy hungry needy creature give heat unto my coldnesse with the fire of thy love give light unto my blindesse with the brightnesse of thy presence 7 Turne all earthly things into bitternesse to me all things grievous contrary into patience all base and created things into contempt and oblivion 8 Lift up my heart to thee in heaven and suffer me not to wander upon earth be thou only sweet and delightsome unto me from henceforth for evermore 9 For thou only art my meat and my drinke my love and my ioy my delight and all my good 10 O thâ—t with thy presence thou wouldest wholly inflame burne and change me into thee that I might be made one spirit with thee by the grace of inward union
the melting of fervent love 11 Suffer me not to goe from thee hungry and dry but deale mercifully with me as thou hast oftentimes dealt wonderfully with thy Saiuts 12 What marveâ—le if I should be wholy inflamed by thee and dye in my selfe sith thou art ever burning and never decaying love purifying the heart and inlightning the understanâ—â—ing CHAP. XVII Of burning love and vehement desire to receive Christ. The voice of the Disciple VVIth great devotion and burning love with most hearty affection and fervour I desire to receive thee O Lord 2 As many Saints and devout persons have desired thee when they received thy Sacrament who were most pleasing unto thee in holinesse of life and most fervent in devotion 3 O my God my everlasting love my whole good my happinesse without end I would gladly receive thee with the most vehement desire and most worthy reverence that any of the Saints ever had or could feele 4 And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion yet I offer unto thee the whole affection of my heart as if I alone had all those most sweet inflamed desires 5 Yea whatsoever also a devout mind can conceive and desire all that with greatest reverence and most inward affection I offer and present unto thee 6 I wish to reserve nothing to my selfe but freely and most willingly to sacrifice my self and all mine unto thee my Lord God my Creatour and my Redeemer 7 I desire to receive thee this day with such affection reverence praise and honour with such gratitude worthinesse and love with such faith hope and puritie 8 As thy most blessed Mother the glorious Virgin Marie received and desired thee when she humbly and devoutly answered the Angell 9 Who declared unto her the mysterie of the Incarnation and said Behold the handmaid of the Lord let it be done unto mee according to thy word 10 And as thy blessed Fore-runner the most excellent amongst the Saints Iohn Baptist cheerfully leaped with joy of the Holy Ghost whilst he was yet shut up in his Mothers wombe 11 And afterwards seeing Iesus walking amongst men humbling himselfe very much said with devout affection The friend of the Bridegroome that standeth and heareth him rejoyced with joy for the voice of the Bridegroome 12 So I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desire and to offeâ— my selfe up to thee with my while heart 13 Wherefore I offer also and present unto thee joyes fervent desires excesse of mind spirituall illuminations and heavenly visions of all devouâ— hearts 14 With all the vertues and praises exercised by all creatures in heaven and earth for my selfe and all such as are commended to me in praier that by all thou maist be worthily praised and glorified for ever 15 Receive my Lord God the affections of my heart and desires which I have to give thee infinite praise and thankes which according to the measure of thy unspeakable greatnesse are due unto thee 16 These I yeeld thee and desire to yeeld thee every day and moment of time and I doe intreate and invite all the heavenly spirits and all thy devout fervants to give thankes and praises together with me 17 Let all people Tribes and Tongues praise thee and magnifie thy holy and sweet name with great joy and fervent devotion and let all that â—everently and devoutly celebrate thy most high Sacrament and receive it with full faith find grace and mercy at thy hands and pray humbly for me sinfull creature 18 And when they shall have obtained their desired devotion and joyfull union and depart from thy sacred heavenly table well comforted and marveilously refreshed let them vouchsafe to remember my poore and needy foule CHAP. VIII That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense unto faith TYPE = sub The voice of the Beloved THou oughtest to beware curious and unprofitable searching into this most profound Sacrament if thou wile not be drowned in the depth of doubt 2 He that is a searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by glory God is able to worke more then man can understand 3 A pious and humble inquirie of truth is tolerable so he be alwaies ready to be taught and doe endeavour to walke in the sound paths of the ancient Fathers doctrine 4 Blessed is that simplicitie that forsaketh the difficult waies of questions and goeth on in the plaine and assured path of Gods Commandements Many have lost devotion whilst they would search after high things 5 Faith and sincere life are exacted thy hands not height of understaning nor the depth of the mysteries of God 6 If thou doest not understand or conceive those things that are under â—hee how shalt thou be able to comprehend those that are above thee 7 Submit thy selfe to God and let thy sense be subject to faith and the â—ight of knowledge shall be given thee in that degree as shall be profitable and necessary for thee 8 Some are grievously tempted about faith and the Sacrament but that is not to be imputed to them but rather to the enemie 9 Doe not regard nor dispute with thy thoughts neither doe thou give answer to the doubts moved by the enemie 10 But believe the words of God believe his Saints and Prophets and the wicked Serpent wil fly from thee 11 It is oftentimes very profitable to the servant of God to suffer such things 12 For he tempteth not Infidelâ— and sinners whom he already secure possesseth but he sundry waies temâ—teth and vexeth the faithfull and dâ—vout 13 Goe forward therefore with sincere undoubted faith and come 〈◊〉 the Sacrament with unfeigned reverence And whatsoever thou art not able to understand commit securely 〈◊〉 Almighty God 14 God deceiveth thee not he deceived that trusteth too much to him selfe God walketh with the simple râ—vealeth himselfe to the humble giveâ— understanding to litle ones openets the sense to pure minds hideth grace from the curious and proud 15 Humane reason is weake and may be deceived but true faith cannoâ— be deceived 16 All reason and naturall search ought to follow faith not to goe before it nor impugne it 17 For faith and love doe chiefly excell and worke in a hidden manner in this most blessed and superexcellent Sacrament 18 God who is everlasing and of infinite power doth great and inâ—â—â—utable things in heaven and in earth â—nd there is no searching out of his â—onderfull workes 19 If the workes of God were â—â—ch as might be easily comprehended by humane reason they were not to be called wonderfull and unspeakable FINIS A TABLE Of the Chapters contained in this Booke THE FIRST BOOK OF following Christ and the contempt of all worldly vanities pag. 1 To have an humble opinion of ones selfe 4 Of the doctrine of truth 7 Of providence or prudence in our actions 12 Of the reading of holy Scriptures 13 Of inordinate desires and affection 15
Of flying vaine Hope and Pride 16 Of avoiding too much familiarity 18 Of obedience and Subjection 19 Of avoiding superfluity of words 21 Of obtaining peace and desire of profiting 23 Of the profit gotten by adversity 26 Of resisting Temptations 28 Of avoiding rash judgement 34 Of workes proceeding from Charity 36 Of bearing with other mens defects 37 Of solitary life 40 Of the example of holy Fathers 41 Of the exercise of good religious persons 45 Of the love of solitude and silence 50 Of compunction of heart 56 Of the consideration of humane misery 60 Of the meditation of death 65 Of Iudgement and punishment of sinnes 71 Of the zealous amendment of our whole life 77 THE SECOND BOOK OF inward Conversation 84 Of humble submission 90 Of a good and peaceable man 91 Of a pure mind and upright intention 94 Of the consideration of ones selfe 96 Of the joy of â— good conscience 98 Of the love of Iesus above all things 101 Of familiar conversation with Iesus 103 Of the want of all comfort 106 Of thankfulnesse for the grace of God 112 How few the lovers of the Crosse of Christ are 116 Of the high way of the holy Crosse. 119 THE THIRD BOOK OF the inward speech of Christ to a faithfull soule 130 That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words 132 That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not 135 A prayer to implore the grace of devotion 137 That we ought to live in truth and humility in the sight of God 138 Of the wonderfull effect of divine grace 141 Of the proofe of a true lover 146 That grace is to be hid under the veile of humility 150 Of a mean conceipt of our selves in the sight of God 154 That all things are to be reserved unto God as unto the last end 156 That despising the world it is sweet to serve God 158 That the desires of our heart are to be examined and moderated 162 Of the effect of Patience and of strife against concupiscence 164 Of the humble obedience of a subiect according to the example of Christ. 167 Of the secret Iudgements of God to be considered lest we be extolled in our good deeds 169 What we ought to doe and say in every thing which we desire 172 A Prayer for the fulfilling of the will of God 174 That true comfort is to be sought in God alone 175 That all our care is to be placed in God 177 That temporall miseries by the example of Christ are to be borne patiently 179 Of suffering of injuries and who is proved to be truly patient 181 Of the acknowledging of our owne infirmity and of the miseries of this life 184 That we are to rest in God above all his gifts 187 Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God 192 Of foure things that bring much peace 197 A prayer against evill thoughts 197 A prayer for the enlightning of the mind 198 Of flying curious inquiry of the life of others 200 Wherein doth the firme peace of the heart and true proficiency consist 20â— Of the excellency of a free mind which humble prayer better obtaineth then reading 204 That private love most hindreth from the chiefest good 206 A Prayer for cleansig the heart and obtaining of heavenly wisdome 208 Against the tongue of Slanderers 210 How we ought to call upon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere 211 Of craving the divine aid and confidence of recovering grace 212 Of the contempt of all creatures to find our Creator 217 Of the deniall of our selves and forsaking all our affections 220 Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our finall intentions unto God 223 That God is sweet above all things and in all things to him that loveth 225 That there is no security from temptation in this life 225 Against the vaine Iudgements of men 230 Of a full and pure resignation of our selves from the obtaining freedome of heart 232 Of good government of outward things and of recourse to God in dangers 235 That a man be not over earnest in his affaires 237 That a man hath no good of himselfe nor any thing whereof he can glory 238 Of the contempt of all temporall honours 241 That our peace is not to be placed in men 242 Against vaine and secular knowledge 245 Of not drawing outward things to our selves 247 That credit is not to be given to all men and how prone man is to offend in words 249 Of putting our trust in God when evill words arise 253 That all grievous things are to be endured for life everlasting 257 Of the everlasting day and shortnesse of this life 259 Of the desire of everlasting life and how great rewards are promised to those that fight valiantly 264 How a desolate person ought to offer himselfe into the hands of God 270 That a man ought to imploy himselfe in works of humility when force is wanting for higher exercises 276 That a man ought to esteeme himselfe unworthy of comfort and to have deserved stripes 277 That the grace of God is not given to those that savour of earthly things 280 Of the different motions of Nature and Grace 283 Of the corruption of nature and efficacy of divine grace 289 That we oâ—ght to deny our selves and imitate Christ by the Crosse. 294 That a man be not too much deiected when he â—alleth into some defects 297 Of not searching into high matters and into the secret judgements of God 300 That all our hope aâ—d trust is to be fixed in God alone 307 THE FOVRTH BOOK A Devout exhortation unto the blessed Sacrament 311 With how great reverence Christ ought to be received 312 That great goodnesse and charity of God is bestowed upon man in this Sacrament 321 That it is profitable to communicate often 326 That many benefits are bestowed upon them that communicate devoutly 330 Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Priestly function 335 An Interrogation of the exercise before Communion 337 Of the discussing of our own conscience and purpose of amendment 338 Of the oblation of Christ on the Crosse and resignation of our selves 342 That we ought to offer up our selves and all that is ours unto God and to pray for all 344 That the holy Communion is not lightly to be forborne 348 That the Body of Christ and the holy Scriptures are most necessary unto a faithfull soule 353 That he that is to communicate ought to prepare himselfe with great diligence 360 That a devout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto Christ in the Sacrament 363 Of the fervent desire of some devout persons to receave the body of Christ 366 That the grace of devotion is obtained by humility deniall of our selves 369 That we ought to manifest our necessity unto Christ and to crave his grace 372 Of burning love and vehement desire to receive Christ. 374 That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense unto faith 378 FINIS