a gooly and wise man who will instruct them herein The fifte Chapter intreateth of the two other intentes namely of Desire nothing and remēber nothing SEeinge I haue nowe disclosed vnto thee my first intent wherewithall I maintayne the two damosels Obedience and Pouertie likewise I will discouer the nature and propertie of others namely Desire nothing Remember nothing Thou must know that the said first intent To wishe for nothing groweth and commeth of nothing but from a Desire to haue or doe nothing And when the cause which is the Desire to wishe for is taken awaye and rooted out then his force and effect doth cease quickly which is To aske for And hereby is made that which is contrarie to it namely To aske nothing which is my second intent wherewithall I maintain dame Pouertie But thou must marke that this Desire is vnderstood only of worldlye and earthly matters But because this hearbe hath an other roote where out it groweth which is to Remember for nothing there can bee wisht for which was not before remembred therefore make much of this third intent which is to Remember nothing wherewithall I mayntain the third Damsell called Chastitie But thou must vnderstande this Remembring when it is substantiall stedfast wilfull and springing out of a fleshly lust For it is not in mans power not to Remember nothing but wel not to suffer thoughtes to remayne and cast foundations in him but to turne them quickly of and to thinke of God But because that this hearbe Remembring doeth water it selfe with a water called To see we must cast vpon it a pouder called Diligently to haue care to the eyes which is very profitable so it These three intents do not onely clense my soule of all worldly things as selfe-wil such like spots but they breede in mee a great purenes promptitude to loue my Lorde drawing from me al other loues and vniting me altogether with him In these three intents I haue comprehended all the other godly exercises seruing the spirite as well of Humilitie as of any other vertues because I know that the perfection of vertue consisteth herein Thinke not therefore that in vame I serue these three Ladies for they bee very gracious and get me much fauour One of the three called Pouerty hath giuen me a faire iewell I pray you quoth Desire to let me see it I keepe it answered the Loue of God in two places namelie in my heart and Bed-chamber This iewel is so costly and of such price and value that I was not able to keepe it in my hart before I had cast out of it all earthly loue And in like sort it coulde haue no place in my Bed-Chamber before I had cast and throwne out of it all curious superfluous and partiall things reseruing onely to my vse but a few bookes Now do you call this iewell quoth Desire It is called answered the Loue of God Nothing at all for this is the greatest treasure that Pouertie can possesse who is the richest Ladie of all the earth because she hath as much treasure hereof as she will her selfe The sixte Chapter doth prosecute the office of the Loue of God and besides intreateth of praier IN this degree of charity wherof I haue spoken which was for to obey his commaundement as my duetie doeth require there is yet another circumstance to bee considered for the Office sake wherein hee hath placed me namely to be his chāberlain Which is whēsoeuer I come to serue him or come to craue something at his hands or but onely to speake with him I haue then a special care to come before him with such great humilitie lowlines purenesse of mind as I am able And the purer and cleaner that my heart is the more casie I see beholde and knowe him And pray my louing brother the Feare of God and my Aunt Reuerence to keepe mee companye What do you when Lady Reuerence goeth with you said Desire Then I remēber and think what I am answered the Loue of God and set before my eyes the maiesty and greatnes of my Lord who is to be serued with feare and reuerence as one onely worthie of it Besides I remember that all Angels and heauenly principalities do fall downe before him worshippe and adore him being astonished at such great excellent and incomprehensible a Maiestie Moreouer I conclude that hee knoweth the secrets of my bart and seeth my inward thoughtes better then I my selfe Likewise that he can according vnto his godly will and pleasure doo and vndoo all things and that life and death being and not being and the saluation and condemnation of al the world are in his hand and power Furthermore I remēber that hee is the fountaine and welspring of all goodnesse the onely and Soueraigne good in heauen and earth and when diligently I put in minde those thinges then I beginne to shake and tremble then my hearte and minde beginnes to alter so that oftentimes I fall in a sound chieflie when I consider that I being so wicked vile vncleane worser then any dog presume to vndertake such an high office to be so familiar with such a mighty Lord that such a renowned Maiesty will vouchsafe to delight in my vile companie suffer me to speak eat with him as his familiar and onely friend And oftentimes my selfe do tel him of it saying wherefore doest thou suffer O my God these vile vnclean sinners to stand before thee How my Lord is it decent that thou shouldest be serued of such wretches wicked offenders as we are Where is the honour and reuerence due to thy princely Maiestie But what aunswere doeth he giue you quoth Desire I cannot tell answered the Loue of God but onely that for very ioy hee makes mee to weepe and saith Doo not trouble thy selfe herewithall for thou hast not procured thee the office hast not placed thy selfe in it but I haue called thee vnto it and I know wherefore I haue done it but bee thou carefull to looke to thy calling and that which thy Office doth require demaunde endeuour thy selfe diligently to further and performe it What do you say vnto him quoth Desire when you come before him accompanied with Humilitie Charity Feare and Reuerence First of al quoth the Loue of God when I craue something at his hands and would moue him to grant me my request then I endeuour with all my force and power to exalte and prayse him and cease not for to giue him thankes for all his benefits which I haue receiued for I knowe that this is acceptable pleasant in his sight And whensoeuer I goe about to praise him then I rehearse all the wondrous workes which hee hath done recreating and delighting my selfe therein greatly This same I do touching his great power wisedome and goodnesse further I rehearse his great mercye and benefites which he hath bestowed vppon his people and seruants praising and
magnifying him therein I doe not forget also his great mercy shewed vnto his enemies which hee doeth dayly yet continue maruelling greatly in his omnipotency excellencie incomprehensible goodnesse in that he doeth not punish them according to their desertes but rather doeth make them partakers of his bountie and liberalitie I thanke him also for the great mercye which in him is alwaies resident delighting to recount his vertues beautie which flow and runne from him praysing and magnilying him for those and reioycing in them in his vnspeake able mercie And this I do oftentimes because I knowe that this is his will and doeth greatly please him Besides his will is that we being familiar with him should talke of â—ecret and heauenly thinges which are hidden from those that doe not esteeme to enter in his priuie Chamber although they are of his housholde and dayly seruantes Wherefore quoth Desire doe you giue him all this praise thankesgiuing and blessing because answered the Loue of God the more I extol his goodnesse and the more I disable and humble my selfe before him the more I am agreeable and acceptable vnto him For this is his most blessed holy will that we should haue alwaies before our eyes his vnspeakeable goodnesse highnesse excellencie omnipotency our weaknes And although I giue vnto him as much praise thanks as euer I may I am certaine that therein I can bee no lyar for hee is of greater excellencie power highnesse and worthinesse then I or any mortall or unmortall tongue can vtter or any heauenly or earthlye creature conceiue or comprehende The seuenth chapter intreateth of the loue of God in the second degree doth prosecute the manner of prayer AFter that I haue praysed thanked and exalted him as much as I am able then I do commend vnto him my soule my whole will and the best intent and minde which I haue which is that although I might gaine all the world I would in no wise anger or offend him praying him out of the bottome of my hearte that it would please him to keep strengthen and further me in this good and godly minde for without him were I not able to keepe it long This done I praye him for the forgiuenesse of all my trespasses and offences wherein I haue transgressed his holy laws and that he wold not let me set my thoghts loue and minde vpon any thing but vpoÌ„ him onely And because hee hath vouchsafed to accept mee for his seruant and friend and hath honoured mee with such an office that it wold likewise please him to giue mee the spirite of Humilitie who might draw and turne away my mind from pride from all that doeth displease him to the end my seruice bee not to his dishonour but to his honour and glorie giuing mee that which he knoweth to bee most needefull vnto me that which hee is willing I should haue to his glorie for to be more acceptable vnto him And this I doe for no other cause but that I might liue and die with him feare not to bee cast although I haue deserued it out of his sight and fauour Then afterwarde I pray to him for my frendes and acquaintance as also for all creatures that it would please him in his mercie to giue them grace that they all shoulde praise honour loue and thanke him as is their duetie endeuouring my selfe for to doo and speake all this with all purenesse and simplicitie of minde What doe you quoth Desire to come by such purenes To my vttermost answered the Loue of God I haue a speciall care to my minde keep a straight watch ouer al my cogitations and doe most carefully looke to my soule And besides I suruey narrowly all my senses setting alwaies before my eieâ— Sincerity who turneth all things which she seeth to the best And when I will assure my selfe against all the worlde and haue no cause to feare any body then I go and remaine with my Lord for it is all my comforte ioy pleasure and my Souetaigne good to bee in his company to speake and aske his aduice and counsell and I am neuer contented quiet satisfied or assured but when I am with him And therefore I haue determined to leaue forsake all things for to dwell and remaine with him and neuer to go froÌ„ him but when he doth commaunde it me It is yet quoth Desire sometimes needful to reade also It is true aunswered the Loue of God that reading is good not for to become craftie and subtill thereby but onely for to learne to know God and his waies to loue him as wee shoulde And to this I neede not manye bookes but will deepely fal in loue with my Lord and set all my desire and whole minde vppon him with all my vnderstanding and wisedome for his loue doeth suffice me and will instruct mee in all thinges which are requitte for mee to know and he will by the means of loue disclose and open vnto me more secreates then all the bookes of the world are able to do And my soule gathereth more purenesse feare feruency reuerence repentaunce strength and force to resist my fleshe when I am with him then wheÌ„ I do read Besides I know that he neuer wil aske an account how much I haue reade studied but how I haue honoured and loued him yet hereby I will not seem to condemne readinge chiefly in those who know not the wayes of God nor the gouernemente of the spirite nor cannot frame in good order their thoughtes wordes and deedes as they should do to those I say it is necessarie that they shoulde read a long time to becom proÌ„pt ready in spirituall inward exercises For other wise it would bee a great madnes presumptioÌ„ nay a contempt dispising oâ— the king that a clownish fellowe who knoweth not the vse custome and language of the court would come personally to speake with the king in the preseÌ„ce of all his Lords nobles now being in that midst of his talke should cast forth vnwise foolish words according vnto his custome for this shoulde turne to his great shame confusion for the king woulde command him to be driueÌ„ away so that it should haue beene better for him neuer to haue presumed to shew himself before his Maiestie And thus it is with spirituall matters But those that haue gotten the knowledge of God and of heauenly thinges eyther by reading or hearing prayer is much more profitable a more excellent an exercise then readinge being now somewhat acquainted with the manners vse and custome vsed in the spirituall and heauenly Court And when I am nowe before my Lorde then I take heede that I turne not my head eyes body hither and thether because it is a signe of contempt of his word when one speaketh vnto him and then turneth his face another way Declare this vnto mee quoth Desire somewhat better for I
THE TREASVRE OF the Soule Wherin we are taught how in dying to Sin we may attayne to the perfect loue of God our neighbour and consequently vnto true blessednes and Saluation Many yeares since written in the Spanish tonge and now newly translated into English By A. P. 1. Tim 1. The end of the commandementes is loue springing from a clean hart a good conscience an vnfained faith Gal. 5. Those that appertaine to Christ haue crucified their flesh with all the euill desires concupiscences thereof LONDON Printed by Iohn Wolfe 1596. To the worshipfull his good Vncle Maister Richard Saltonstall Alderman of the Citty of London and his wife Mistres Susan Saltonstall his louing Aunt Adrian Poyntz wisheth health prosperity in the Lord. WHen I had finished the translation of this Booke louing Vncle Aunt I remembred the common order custome euer vsed in so much that few commit their labours to the view of the world vnlesse they first procure some Patrone for their defence I therefore vnwilling to send my translation to the presse before I had committed it to the patronage of some And standing in doubt to whome I might offer my labour in this kind trusting vpon your curtesies did embolden my selfe to commende this Treatise to your protections The booke was written aboue an hundreth and threescore yeares since in the Spanish tongue the Authour thereof being vnknowne As for his stile and methode of writing I meane not to commend it leauing the iudgment thereof to those vnto whom such censures are belonging I for my parte as I haue faithfully englished his words deliuered his meaning in such maÌ„ner that EnglishmeÌ„ may both read his treatise and vnderstand it so I doo not doubt but that it wil be as profitable vnto them that reade it for their instruction as it hath beene to other nations who haue greedily desired the traÌ„slation hereof And thus beseeching you to take my good will and meaning in good part I commit you to the tuition of the Almightie Your worships to commaunde Adrian Pointz THE PREFACE of the Authour to the Reader THE more graces a man hath receyued of God and the more he is indued with knowledge of vnderstanding the greater punishment he deserueth if therefore he be vnthankefull And againe whosoeuer acknowledgeth the benefites of God he also by all naturall reason is bound the more to loue him Nowe all bookes are replenished with knowledge and learning nowe is the holy Gospell sealed and confirmed with the precious bloude of the immaculate Lambe of God to the end we may haue a greater assurance of the vnspeakeable loue towards vs. All bookes I say are full the earth doth abounde with Preachers sounding forth as Trumpettes the great power and excellency of the Almighty for to draw stirre vs vp to lande praise giue thankes to our Creatour and most louing Father But we are all so prone to vnthankefulnes and so ready to forget his benefites so largely bestowed vpon mankind that there is none almost to bee found who vnfaynedly doo seeke him But all runne and flie headlong into darke and obscure places of sin and wickednesse Moued therefore by the premises I haue finished this booke to the glory of God and as I hope to the furtherance of the godly And because that nowe a dayes our slothfulnesse is so great our desire and stomacke to the glory of God so faint weake and slender I haue vsed here in this my booke sundry similitudes and parables by these meanes to intice the minds of men the more to the deep consideration of the contentes of this volume THE TREASVRE of the Soule IN times past there dwelte in a huge and great forrest a wise and godly man dayly watching fasting and praying deuoutly seruing the Lorde Who being desirous to attaine asmuch as lay in man to the true and perfect knowledge of vnderstanding and the loue of God leauing his cottage determined with himselfe to trauaile through all the world for to see if he could find any that wold vouchsafe to teach him the same And after greate and wearisome iournyes met in the ende with a shepheard feeding his flocke in a green pasture He being very glad of this hauing as yet in none of all his iourneyes found or scene any man came to him said Brother I thanke God that I doe see thee wherevpon the shepheard bidding him welcome asked him what hee lookt for in this desart I looke saide he for a knight who but nowe is gone by this way The seconde Chapter doth instruct the Pastors and Teachers of the people DEsire for it was that holy mans name meruaylinge greatly at the prouision diligence and care which the shephearde tooke in his trade for that he had a crook in his hand a bagge hanging at his right side woodeen cloge at his feet and a long coat vpon his backe besides at his lefte side two hornes hanging at his girdle thâ— one somwhat bigger thâ—â— the other and two great dogges lying before at his feet and not farre from thence his cottage enuironed with a hedge of thornes rounde about it The shepherd perceuing Desire to beholde and to view him so diligent and narrowly asked him the cause of his wondering that if neuer before he had seen any shepheard Whervppon Desire aunswered him how he had seene diuers of them but none so well prouided and furnished of all necessaries as he was desyring him most frendly that it woulde please him to shewe and declare vnto him those thinges which hee should in curtesie demand aske him The shephearde hauing graunted to satisfy him in all his questions so farre as he was able or his knowledge shoulde reach vnto Desire began and saide tell mee I pray thee wherefore carryest thou this crooke Why demandest thou mee this question quoth the shephearde and thou a countrey swaine and a heard-man and doest thou not know this I do carry it said he that I might leane vpon it and keep me from falling when I leade my sheep about the pastures To rule likewise my sheep with it to driue theÌ„ into the right way to keep theÌ„ together that they runne not astray and sâ—eke sundry wayes according to their owne pleasure For when one runneth before and the other behind then doe I driue the hindmost forwarde And what hast thou in this bagge quoth Desire Diuers and sundry things aunswered the shephearde First of all I haue a tinder boxt for to strike make fyre in colde weather and to dresse my meat for me and my housholde Besides I haue in it breade ointmentes a smal bottel with oyle and salt giuing these to my sheep ofteÌ„times but chiefly the salt Wherefore dost thou weare these wooddeÌ„ clogges demanded Desire for to keep my feete warm when it is â—râ—gâ—â— or the drie in raying weather answered the shepheard for if I should wear fine and proper shoes they would be quickly
worne spoyled in the wet and snowe What dost thou with this long coate saide Desire It serueth to cloath mee qd the shepheard for if I did not weare this coate I should not seeme to bee a heardeman But of what stuffe is it made demaunded Desire It is made of sheep skinnes answered the shephearde for if my frocke were made of Wolf skinnes or of any other kinde of beast the sheepe woulde smell it quickly woulde flie and runne away from mee but nowe that I am cloathed with their wooll they loue me know me and follow me Tell mee quoth Desire what hast thou in this small horne hanging at thy girdle Ointmentes saide the shephearde to ointe my sheepe withall when they bee scabbed And what hast thou in the other horne somwhat bigger then the first demanded Desire Tincture and collour answered the shepheard to marke my sheep withall for to know them again when they are stragled by chaunce among other straunge sheep What dost thou with these dogs These dogges barke in the night turne and chase away the Wolues for the better safety of my sheepe and because I shoulde the more quietly take my rest without â—eare Wherefore â—oest thou al things so aduisedly quoth Desire beâ—ause I haue a good bountifull Lorde answered the shepheard who hath promised mee great recompence for my paines alâ—hough I rather doe this more through the loue which I beare him then for the recompence I doe looke to receiue at his handes The third Chapter intreateth yet of the same matter DEsire did marnayle greatly at all these things being wonderfully well pleased that hee did all this through meere loue And tolde him brother seeing thou spendest the most part of the day in the fieldes I praye thee canst thou not shewe mee which waye a certaine knight is gone trauayling vp and downe without companie because they haue thrust him out of his house and his own subiectes will not knowe nor receiue him therefore doth he seek on with whoÌ„ he might dwell remaine for euer What is this man quoth the shepheard He is called the Loue of God answered Desire I know where he commonly keepeth said the shephearde and if I had one to looke to my sheepe then would I bring thee my self wherher dwelleth to ease thee somewhat of thy iourney for thou must know that he loues shepheards and is glad of their companies and although he bee a knight is notwithstanding a shepheards sonne But because I haue no body to keepe my sheepe I will shew thee the way as neere as I can Therefore brother go through this desart and great forrest at the ende whereof thou shalt finde a costly Pallace where none but women must dwell who will shewe thee where thou mayest finde thie knight For hee is of such frendly and vertuous nature and conuersation that hee despiseth no mans coÌ„panie nor fellowshippe These wordes did very much please and reioyce Desire and chiefely because they put him in hope that hee shoulde finde out the Loue of God saying brother I pray thee shew me the direct way that I may not misse my way I may not leaue my sheepe alone quoth the shephearde but yet I will appoint and get thee good company that will leade thee God willing in the readiest best way take therefore this Dogge for this purpose But what is his name quoth Desire He is called Good-wil said the shephearde I thanke thee quoth Desire God haue thee in his keeping The Lord bee with thee thy guide aunswered the Shephearde and had him farewell Of the Pallace of Humility WHen Desire was parted from the shepheard who had committed him to that way with his new companioÌ„ being a great comfort vnto him in his iourney after many nightes daies trauelling came at the end vpoÌ„ a Sunday in a green and large field very pleasante the grounde neuerthelesse being nothing but grauel very drie whereat DESIRE maruelling greatly how it should be possible that so faire and flourishing hearbes could growe in so rocky a place sit rather for thornes and thistles then for any thing els Espied in the midst of the fielde a sumptuous costly Pallace whereof he reioyced and in all paste going to the howse ounde the gates thereof shutte and a fayre Damzell standing without by her fauour and outwarde apparell seeming very honest vertuous Who seeing his dogge was affraide of him and began to shake But Desire willed her not to feare him because he was not wont to doe harme to any man Desire maruelling at this Damzell watching at the gates of the pallace sayd Tel me I pray thee sister what lookest thou here for alone I tarry aunswered she til they open the gates that I might enter in how art thou called then quoth Desire my name is sayde she Vaine-Glory Desire hauing taried long at the gates and seeing that hee thus watched in vain began to knocke for at the doore did hange an won hammer called Patience to see if any man woulâ—e come to open the gates And presently there came an aunciente and reuerende father being Porter and keeper of all the house to open the doores and his name was the Feare of God Desire seeing this olde and worshipfull father after due reuerence done vnto him saide I am come hither sir to look for a certain knight called the Loue of God and theâ— haue tolde mee howe he shoulde bee past through thie forrest and come into this house therefore full â—am would I know whether he be here or not The Porter was glad of these wordes for hee loued intirely the Loue of God being his brother and saide vnto him Sonne wherefore doest thou looke for this knight what busines hast thou with him Most reuerend father answered Desire I doe aske for him because I doe reioyce in him and stande in great need of him Howe so quoth The feare of God because said Desire I would willingly dwell with him and be his seruant for in all this countrie there is none who liketh mee better although I might haue had many others that most gladly woulde haue entertayned me But I haue beene certified of him by others how he is a noble courteous and bountifull Lorde to his seruantes It is most true answered the Porter that thou sayest and not long agone hee came by this way with smal company yet notwithstanding at this present hee is not within but tarry here a while till I go call a Damosell who wil shew thee directly where thou maiest find him The seuenth Chapter howe Vaine-Glorie keepeth the watch at the gates of the Pallace of Humilitie DEsire tarried merily til the Damosell shold come w e the Porter and not long after there came foorth a very humble and vertuous Ladie greeting him very frendly and hee likewise her saying I pray thee Ladie tell mee thy name is said wee Esteeme me nothing how is this house called quoth hee The Pallace of Humilitie answered she
instructions by these meanes for to find out the Loue of God Most willingly wil I theÌ„ satisfie thy minde aunswered Humilitie and disclose all my secrets communicate vnto there my daylie exercises First my godly pretence and purpose beinge my husband whereof I haue spoken vnto thee before made mee by the meanes of Contempt to ouercom the worlde and by chasting and fasting to rule my one flesh and to vanquish Sathan by humilitie and make mee Soueraigne of this house but chiefly of my selfe which is the most of all For when my flesh feeleth that I trauell and endeuour to please the Loue of God then it doth resist me with all his crue is continually disquieted with my doings but neuerthelesse my soule doth then remaine in peace contentment and quietnesse Desire did meruaile greatly at the wordes of Lady Humilitie and sayd I pray your Ladishippe that it may please you to instruct me by some similitude in these things for I am somewhat dull of vnderstanding so that I shal better conceiue your meaning by an example or coÌ„parison This motion did greatly please Humilitie and chiefly because she saw how he did begin to waxe humble in confessing the dulnesse and grossenes of his wit and vnderstanding and said My childe whensoeuer any of that foresaide women doe enter in then I behaue my selfe in this sort as for example when Concupiscence of the flesh beginneth to siruit with me before she is able to come to mee I knowe her and her conditions very well for shee is verie gluttenous and gathereth forces by eating and drinking therefore I withdrawe from her all dainty kindes of meate and wil not giue her so much of ordinarie diet as she doth desire to haue And because my forces are not able to withstand or to vaÌ„quish her for mine owne houshold commeth to aide and to assist her I craue and call for helpe at the hands of God who standeth alwaies at my side to strengthen mee against these wicked women Moreouer I doe esteeme my selfe to bee as a beast who doeth eate no more then his maister doth giue and allow him But wheÌ„ his maister seeth that he is greedie at his meate hee doth restrayne his mouth with a mufle because hee should not eate but at such times and such as it doth please him to giue vnto him Wherefore the Loue of God my onely maister hath put about my mouth a mussell called Sobrietie that I should eat no more then will suffice nature hath tolde me that I shold of that yet something wtdrawe if I woulde please hun In this forte is this wicked Ladie vanquished and ouercome as much as it doth concerne my owne selfe But because she doth not onely assault me with mine owne flesh but by others doth prouoke and draw me to sensualitie and vncleannesse therefore I auoide her as much as I am able eschewing all things wherby she seeketh to intice me to her loue and liking esteeming this to be the best and only cemedy to escape her snares and deceytes Furthermore shee assaulteth not onely my body but also my mind with diuers and straunge imaginations and thoughtes for the which to auoid likewise I iudge it the best remedie to cast my mind vpon my Sauiour Christ and continually to behold his death passion martyrdome as also to remeÌ„der the pames of hell the straitnes of the last iudgement and my small enâ—e and that I must appeare before the tribunall seat of God to giue an account of al my words thoughts and deedes And by these means is ouercome vanquished and quite ouerthrowne this wicked woman being Lieuetenant to the Pallace of Pride The xi Chapter Ladie Humilitie speaketh against the Concupiscence of the eyes and the pride of life IT auailed not to haue ouerthrowne the one vnles I shold endeuour my selfe also to vanquish the other her fellow and companion who is Steward of this vngodly Pallace is called Concupiscence of the eyes And oftentimes shee offered first the combate but I ouercome her by my godly intente and purpose saying whensoeuer that shee is ready to come In vaine doest thou seeke to assault me for I am not unlike to a beast that doth care for no thing but what is before him esteemed of no other superfluitie but what hee needeth and therewithall is contented being nothing curious in that which he lacketh nor carefull whether the Saddle and the Trappiâ—rs are cleane neat or old or whether the stable or maunger be altogether fit for him or not but is sufficiently satisfied when he may stand or lie for to take his naturall rest And because I esteeme my selfe to bee such an other for the Loue of God I will vse my body according as they are vsed for when the maister doth mark that they waxe wilde and stubborne hee putteth a bit and bridle in their mouth to rule them after his owne will Likewise bath the Loue of God brideled mee with a bitte called Shamâ—fâ—stnes that I shoulde not curiously beholde and loue vanitie for it is daungerous to beholde that which is forbidden to bee desired or coueted wherefore the Loue of God hath giuen me warning when â—â—euer I shoulde come to â—â—euer I shoulde come to see a thing which is beautifull comely and delightsome to the eyes that I shoulde not set my minde oppon it but shoulde diâ—daine it as a trifle of nothing and shoulde continually loue and behold yâ— cheefest felicitie being a a treasure not subiect to mutability or vnconstaÌ„cie which is my only Sauior Jesus Christ who doth seeke and demaunde my heart and loue and will most bountifully reward me for the same And by these contemplations I ouercome the other Damosell Now when these two are driueÌ„ away there resteth yet the last who is there Soueraigne to bee vanquished who hath more deceite and subtiltie then all the rest watcheth continually ouer the good workes of a man and is called the Pide of life And whensoeuer the commeth she is alwayes accompanyed with one page or an other the one called good and the other euill intent But so soone as I doe spie her then I vse her in this sort tell her Auoid thou wicked deceitfull Syren for if I sholdgiue eare to thy sweet poisoned words I should draw vpon me a sea of calamities miseries And although thou clounsellest me that I should grudge at the chastenings commandement of others yet I will not hearken to thy wordes for I tell thee plaine I thinke that hee loueth me who doth chasten and rebuke me for not to come to shame and vtterly to bee cast away Sometimes she doth present her selfe vnder the colour of Enuy and tels me This bodie is in such authoritie and this hath such a commandemente but no bodie esteemeth of thee The one is Soueraigne the other Lieuetenant the other Steward ouerseer the other but thou art accounted but as a kitchin drudge being notwithstanding vs old as good as
daintily because hee should not waxe too bold or too stubborne for there is no worse man then a wicked prisoner Further I aske her whether the kingdome of heauen is to be gotten with eating drinking sleeping and securenesse of life Not so truely for our sauiour Christ did not enter into it in this sort seeing that he who is our onely guide did not take this waye to come thether but by paines and sufferings entered into euerlasting blessednes therfore if we wil obtaine the same ioy then are we forced to walke in the way of sufferinges and pouertie for when the head will go this way and the feet another the bodie shall neuer be ioyned and come together And if we do not keep the high way of suffering trauaile paine and contempt then wee can in no wise be incorporated but shall bee cut off as vnprofitable members and braÌ„ches and be cast into Hell fire And if we refuse to be partakers of his crosse passion then we shall not participate of his ioyes and resurrection And if wee doe not finde Christ in punishing our flesh as he was whipped spitted at despised wearied poor hungry thirstie and suffering death betweene two theeus as an il doer being neuertheles bout staine or spot and altogether innocent then wee are sure neuer to tast of his ioyes and inioy his louely and sweet countenance being nowe made kinge of all kinges Lord of Lords sometimes this wicked woman comes to assault mee when I am in my chamber at my prayers although she were wearied and troubled with too much heate or frost Then I tell her woman a deuout damsell feeleth no tediousnes of a good thing Besides what shal I pay to the Lord againe for all that hee hath giuen mee What can I suffer to requite my deere and welbe-loued Sauiour Christ Who through meere loue hath lost his life vpon the crosse not lying there at his owne pleasure as I do heere but was throwen most cruelly vpon it there stretcht out as with a racke not cloathed but naked not vnder a couer but vnder the bare skie not with warme shooes at his feete but pearced with great and cold iron nails and all this for my sake Wherefore then should I grudge to suffer a thing of nothing for the loue of him All which is yet smal in comparison of the rest for he hath not onely most gladly and willingly for my sake suffered the miseries and calamities of this life not for an houre a day or a moneth but for three and thirtie years together and besides remained three hours aliue vpon the crosse in such pain grieâ—e and martirdome that no tongue is able to speake it or any vnderstand it to conceiue or comprehende it all which seemed little vnto him for the great loue and affection he bore to all mankind and particularly to euery one of vs would haue suffered much more if it had beene needful he notwithstaÌ„ding being a king and I worse then a slaue he God and I more vilder then the earth dust or ashes he most holy and innocent and I a great and grieuous sinner worthy of seuere punishment And seeing hee hath done all this for my sake shold I think it too much to do any thing for the loue of him And is the seruaunt better then the maister Therefore ObliuioÌ„ auoid for it is no paine for me to be here seeing I doe not suffer any griefe or aduersitie and vnlesse I should do this with a good will or spiritual pleasure the hande of God might fall vpon me for it is written Cursed is hee who doeth the worke of the Lorde negligenly and carelesly For hee cannot abide that one shoulde serue or offer the sacrifice of prayse and prayers vnwillingly but is pleased wheÌ„ they spring and come out of a ioyful vnfayned minde When now this olde and accursed wretch is ouercome then must wee endeuour ourselues to vanquish the other foolishe watching maides whome the worser they are of the greater and of more force are their temptations assailings and the lesse they are mortified the vncasier are they to bee rebuked and ouerthrowen Now when the first whereof I haue spoken called Maliciousnes accompanied with her daughter Wrath do both assaile me then I giue them this answere Charitie is bouÌ„tifull patient and thus with my good intent and meaning my husband I quite ouerthrowe them Further I tell them although that mine acquaintance who professe great loue and frendshippe towardes me doe offer mee some secret wrong and iniury seeing that I deserue and am worthy of more I am willing to beare it patiently for the Loue of God perswade my selfe that they greatly fauour mee that they offer mee not so much as I if all thinges were rightly considered off haue deserued And this the Lord suffereth for my sins sake for to make me readie in this worlde that I might learn to suffer some thing in the mean season for his cause Those whome thou sayest that wish me ill and do speake ill behind my backe and cannot abide my sight they hate not my soule but my sinnes onely my faultes and wickednesse therefore I am bounde to loue them for their purpose and intent is good goodly And if I am Gods seruant I shall soone spy hate mine owne faults Wherefore then should I curse or wish any harm to theÌ„ who do that which I would endeuour to do my selfe I will therefore conclude therewithall driue thee away froÌ„ me Those that do report ill of me seeke to hinder mee are they not my brothers and sisters and seeing that they be such am I not coÌ„manded to loue and in no wise to hate them by force and vertue of the commaÌ„dement Loue thy neighbor as thy selfe And whensoeuer shee doth assault mee with another of her seruauntes called Enuie who bringeth with her a two edged sworde commonly termed Spight at another mans corporall and spiritual vertues Then I answere her as followeth But first of all you must know that shee is a venemous and spightful Damsell for she withereth consumeth killeth her selfe at the prosperitie and good successe of her neighbour and reuiueth againe and reioyceth at their miserie and aduersitie But nowe to my answere Thou sayest that others are endued with greater wealth beauty and better giftes of nature them I wherein I doe reioyce and account me the happier for in this and in the life to come I desire nor wishe for nothing but for Iesus Christ who is the Angels and my onely treasure mine and all creatures beauty my gaine and the fountaine of al goodnesse Therefore let those loue the other things that wil as for mee I doe thirst after nothing but after Christ and his loue Fe there is no exception of the rich or poore of the foule and faire with him but hee regardeth onely the humblenes and lowlines of the spirite And thou sayest that others do possesse such
him herewith when hee vouchsafeth to visite vs. Other riches eyther perish by wormes or consume with rust or weare with time because they are earthly and common to euery man But those that are hidden in the harte no mustines rust worme or tune can consume them because they are common to none but to such as doe possesse theÌ„ Dow quoth Desire if hee who doeth possesse them did discourse and make a show of them would they not consume then as other riches doe No said she for when he doeth discouer them to bee seene then hee doeth not possesse them any longer for whosoeuer doeth inioy them doeth not thinke that hee doeth possesse them but doeth alwaies endeuour himselfe and trauaileth to get and to attaine vnto them For our God doeth oftentimes bestowe these iewelles vppon him that doth not know them and is ignorant of the possessioÌ„ thereof because that our Presumption and Selfe loue which lyeth hidden in our hartes shoulde not steale them away Therefore he that doeth possesse them keepes them as secret as may the possible The nineteenth Chapter sheweth what thinges that mayntaine sinceritie or Simplicitie THe wordes of this Damsell did please Desire sayd by what meanes might one best keepe then these iewelles one thing aunswered she is most requisite and necessary to those that are new beginâ—ers and not altogether vnprofitable to the long continuers which is to flie to shutte doores and windowes for to haunt and frequen many mens companies and to heare and see much are ready waies to lose and to be depriued of them because our soule is as a looking glasse which easily receuieth all figures and likenesses which are brought before it and is like vnto waxe which retayneth the print marke of any thing put vppon it How is it possible quoth Desire to flie and to shutte all the gates and windowes for hun that dwelleth in a congregation or companie of many for he is constrained to go oftentimes hether and thether for to dispatch his busines besides it is both decent and godly to be affable and curteous to euery man for not to fall in the vice of selfe-loue or Partialitie which is to bee abhorred and to be detested although it seemeth to carrie a faire shine or colour of vertue and godlines It is true answered she but neuerthelesse the Loue of God commandeth vs that we should be circumspect in all our actions and doe nothing but by necessitie according to the greatnes of our affaires and to bee carefull alwaies for these iewels which we haue in our custody that we do not lose them How must we then behaue our selues quoth Desire for to doe as much as lieth in vs It is needfull answered she that hee who is not able for his busines sake to keepe him from company indangering hereby greatly the looimg of these two iewels Chastitie and Innocency should alwaies take me at his side and whensoeuer he shall bee in my companie then he needeth not to feare that hee shall loose them although he should trauel through al the world I pray you quoth Desire that it may please you to instruct me by some comparison that I might the better conceiue it and the simple and idiot people the better vnderstand it for to carrie it away in their memories the more easier Knowe then aunswered Sinceritie whosoeuer is desirous to keep Chastitie and Innocencie being two of the best meanes to vertue and the readiest waies to come to the last the Loue of God who comprehendeth all perfection of Charitie must flie and shutte doores and windowes And if it be not possible for him to doe it let him vse me then in all his actions and put mee in his right eye that whensoeuer his left eie of Concupiscence of rash or foolish iudgement will desire to see or iudge any thing let him direct her to his right eye of sinceritie considering with himselfe earnestly that euery man or woman are Angelles and children of the Lorde who continually without ceasing doe laude praise their Creator Likewise whatsoeuer he shall heare or see of his neighbour his right eye shall excuse it and amend it And whensoeuer his left eye of Concupiscence shall seeke to drawe him to the loue and desire of any Creature let him presently beholde his right eye which will send him to the remembring consideration of the beauty goodnesse and other perfections of his Creator which will cause him to loue the creature for no other cause but that shee doth loue laud and praise with him her God and Creator And therefore it were most requisite that he should vse me likewise in all his words and communications When quoth Desire doeth a man all things with Sinceritie when his minde answered she is simple vpright and sincere so that his wordes and deedes be alwaies correspondent and all his actions reasonable and without dissimulation Hauing alwaies a speciall regard that all his doinges may redound to the glorie praise of God his soules health and saluation and to the profite of his neighbour and this doing is in all thinges to walk with Sinceritie and he goeth sure and without daunger whosoeuer taketh her alwayes in his companie The twentith Chapter intreateth of Pouertie one of Ladie Humilities daughters DEsire hauing receiued great comforte out of Sincerities words tooke his leaue of her and his guide brought him to another of Ladie Humilities daughters called Pouerty who bidding him welcome did pray him to sit downe by her side Desire seeing the great courtesie of the Ladie said that hee was very glad of her coÌ„pany because he did perceiue that shee esteemed much of the Loue of God and therefore did aske her name and prayed her to tell him her manners and conditions My name quoth she is Pouertio And for the Loue of God I doe not possesse nor care for anye worldly thinges wherein quoth Desire take you then your ioy and all your comforte My chiefest treasure answered she wealth and riches ioy and comforte consisteth to forbeare all things for the Loue of God I doe greatly maruaile of this quoth Desire for I was tolde that this pallace was builded by the most noblest richest and most bountifullest knight of the earth wherefore doth he suffer then so poore and needie people to dwel in it For I cannot conceiue what profite or gain hee receiueth by your pouertie need and necessitie I will tell it thee answered she The Landlord the founder of this house is Lord and King of all the earth hauing al her riches and wealth in his hand power and yet it is his will and pleasure that we should bee poore because we shoulde not settle our heart vpon any thing but vpon him onely for hee is able inough to giue vs all things aboundantly But these whom he loueth he doeth giue them none of this earthly felicitie because they shoulde onely desire and loue him and hate this transitorie and deceitfull worlde
The greatest token and witnes which we can haue of his loue towardes vs is when hee doeth not comfort vs in this wretched worlde or bestoweth on vs all that our flesh and lust doth craue and desire Moreouer he doeth sende vs pouertie because wee should not bee too pensiue and carefull for the goods and riches of this worlde but that wee should serue him with an vnfayned minde and a ioyfull spirite and not lightly for any worldly thinges gaine or losse prosperitie or aduersitie receiue a vaine ioy or discomforte but that our hearts should alwaies in rest and quiet without perturbations or discorde bee vnited with God our creator and Sauiour For the Loue of God is of such tender and gentle nature that he can not dwell but in a quiet cleaue peaceable place which is your cheefest vertue quoth Desire my cheefest vertue is answered Pouertie to frame and conforme my selfe to the godly and vertuous conuersation of the children of God whose company I gladly do frequent And although my desire is for to haue nothing yet for to shut out a wild bore who doeth destroy all our garden called Partialitie or Exceptions of persons my mother hath ordained that I should liue as the other of my sisters do But because I shold not lose the rewarde of my vertue she hath married me to a holy mind called to desire nothing this quoth Desire in my iudgement is to desire more then to be good or more then wee do owe or are bounde vnto for I do perswade my selfe that your Landlorde doeth counsell you rather to the pouertie of the spirite theÌ„ to that of the boly and the prophet saith if thy goods and wealth doeth increase set not thy heart vpon it Therefore I esteeme that the vertue of pouertie doth not consist in possessing little or much but in the hart and mind of the possessor It is true quoth she that the vertue of pouertie consisteth in the spiritie yet for the Loue of God to forbeare these thinges it is a precious vertue worthy of great praise commendation For our loue and desire is so much enclined to the beauty and comelines of these earthly thinges that hardely we can possesse them without fixing our whole minde vpon them And because they should not draw vs away froÌ„ the loue which wee beare to God which commonly is very small it is good and wisely done to take the flaxe from the fire and to remoue preuent all occasions of mischiefe as much as lyeth in vs. For the loue of God wil haue all the heart and can abide no partner and take of this an example of our Sauiour himselfe who could haue possessed all the wealth of this world that without to set his minde vpon it But behold I pray thee how poor hee and all his Apostles were What doth this els signifie but that we shold abstain from these things which are so dangerous draw many that doe possesse theÌ„ into euerlasting paine and damnation The twentie one Chapter intreateth of Obedience DEsire was likewise comforted by this Damsell and tooke his leaue of her And his guide brought him to an other of Lady Humilities daughters called Obedience whom he greatly did reuerence for her countenaunce and outwarde apparaunce did showe that she was of great dignitie and more esteemed of by the Loue of God then any of her sisters were And when he did offer to kisse her handes shee woulde not suffer it for shee was one of Ladie Humilityes daughters and sought not after Honour and Promotion But she bad him to sit downe by her wherevpon Desire did inquire her name and conditions My name quoth the Lady is Obedience I am married to a husband called to leaue nothing vndone who is a very valiant and renowned Knight and hee onely is able to ouerthrowe this feareful and terrible beast ranging thus in the world called selfe-will Which beast doth deuour all those that follow and loue him and causeth through his sweet whistling al the vngodly to follow him and fewe doe leaue him before hee hath brought them to eternall destruction But euery body flieth away from mee although it bee most true that without me none can get and obtaine the Loue of God And seeing that God hath giuen me so good a husband therefore I doe nothing but that hee commandeth me Likewise I craue nothing at his handes but necessaries and I neuer do go about any thing alone for feare of theefes for here are many and hide themselues so that I cannot see them Who goeth then with you quoth Desire first aunswered shee a trustie dogge called Good wil and my sister Sincerity and my daughters Foresight Mirth Diligence and Chastity and before all things my mother Humilitie will alwaies accompanie me all these must I needes take with mee for to goe sure and without daunger and for to do those thinges which are commanded me I praye you quoth Desire to tell me in what sort your mother Humilitie is alwaies with you in all thinges which you take in hande for I cannot well vnderstande it Of all thinges which I doe aunswered shee although they were the greatest of the worlde I thinke not once that I haue done any goodnesse nor set my trust or confidence vpon them nor doe exalt my self for them nor perswade my selfe that others are not able to doe the like or better nor doe desire that any man shold praise mee although I should seem to haue done great wonders but humbly I do thanke the Lord that it hath pleased his goodnesse to giue and bestow vpon me this knowledge wisedome grace to doe this for the loue of him and thinke because God hath granted me the grace for to do this therein hath made me more beholden vnto him therefore am altogether vnwilling that any shoulde doe otherwise but laude praise God for it And as coÌ„cerning my self I desire nothing but pain and trauaile till my last end and that my Lorde God may receiue thereof the prayse and thanks my neighbour the gaine and profit And therfore I desire nothing for all my doinges because I knowe that I meryte nor deserue nothing Praying God onely that it may please him to graunt me his loue that thereby I might bee the more vertuous in all my actions for neuer to offend him and that it may please him to be vnto mee a fauourable and merciful God in the houre of death as I hope and faithfully put my trust in him The two and twentith Chapter intreateth of Chastity DEsire taking leaue of Lady Obedyence went his wayes being greatly comforted by her and his guide brought him to another of Lady Humilities daughters chamber called Chastitie who likewise entertayned him most frendly and bad him to sit downe Wherevpon Desire did aske her name and of what nature and conditions shee was I am quoth shee one of Humilities daughters and I haue two maideâ—â— attendant vppon mee the
could enter or come into this place Seeing it is so as thou sayest quoth the Loue of God and that thou puttest all thy confidence into our handes tarrie here a while for thou canst not become familiar with the loue of God ere thou become acquainted first with his page therefore I will go call him and hee will instruct thee of all what thou hast to do and speak vnto his Lorde and maister The second Chapter intreateth of the loue of his neighbour DEsire tarried with great expectation for the forth comminge of this Page that he might bring him to the speech of his Lorde and maister And not long after sawe him come and was called Neighbourly loue which sight did greatly reioyce him that euen for the loue which he bare to she Loue of God coulde not abstaine frō weeping Wherefore dost thou weep quoth Neighbourly loue for they are all merrie in this house from hence is banished all sorrowe ladnesse I do not weepe for any griefe said Desire but for ioy For whome dost thou seek here quoth Neighbourly loue My son answered he I looke for the Loue of God I am his seruant page quoth he and if thou doest seeke my Lorde first of all thou must speake and come acquainted with me for my Lorde loueth me deerely therefore those that loue not me he wil not know them nor once speake vnto them Faine would I know thy nature conditions quoth Desire for thy Lorde and maysters sake become acquainted with thee If thou doest desire my acquaintance frendshippe quoth Neighbourly loue thou must prouide giue mee euery morninge an hearb for my breakfast called to thinke humblie for my dinner another called to speake humblie for my supper another not vnlike the first called to worke and doe humblie But where shall I get these hearbes quoth Desire the first called to think humblie aunswered the Page groweth in Humilities garden where she esteemed her selfe a slaue of all slaues and worse then a beast But to come easily to this hearbe because it is a great way to the pallace of Humilitie and thou shalt take a horse to ride on called to thinke well of euerie man and by these means mayest thou come by this hearb euery morning The second hearbe is made of three sundrye hearbes of the first thinke humblie of meekenes and affabilitie in speech vpon the last is cast a smal ponder called Slow and little The third hearbe called to worke humblie is made of diuers hearbes whereof Mirth loue and quietnesse or diligēce are the chiefest And whensoeuer thou doest feede mee with these hearbs then our acquaintance and frend shippe wil cōtinue abide for euer I wil soons bring thee to that speech of my maister The counsell and doctrine of the Page did delight Desire said Seeing thou hast made me acquainted with thy nature and desire I will diligently endeuour my self to procure and get these hearbes for to giue them vnto thee After this they both continued in samiliaritie one with another a long time And Desire hauing conueniēt time and opportunitie said vnto him I beseech thee shew me so much fauour as to bringe mee to thy Lorde Willingly quoth Neighbourly loue for thou hast done thine endeuour since thou hast beene with mee But tarrie here a while I will go call my Lorde see whether hee will come forth to speake with thee The thirde Chapter intreateth of the loue of God his neighbour and of the second degree to loue of his office and dayly exercise DEsire doubting whether the Loue of God woulde come forth to speake with him because he saw his own vilenesse pouertie and miserie and how vnworthy he was to speake with such a Lorde espied one to come towardes him who saide Brother what doest thou looke for or what is thy desire Sir quoth Desire I looke for that Loue of God I am bee aunswered the Loue of God And as soone as Desire did heare this fell in a sounde but the Loue of God tooke him by the hand and lifting him vp reuiued him againe And when hee sawe the loue of God make so much of him hee began most bitterly to weepe insomuch that hee could not speak any word at all Which the loue of God seeing being of a gētle and tender heart was moued with compassion and meruailed greatly of the extreame loue desire affection which Desire did beare vnto him because he saw him weep for very ioy and said I pray thee weepe no more and doe not make me sadde for I cannot abide to see those weepe that loue mee Tell me who told thee I dwelt here A shepheard quoth Desire whome I met by the way and did direct me hether What said he of me vnto thee said the Loue of God that thou louest and desirest me so much doest thou loue mee so deerely because thou hast beene told that I am bountiful to my frendes and vnto those that serue mee very franke and liberall No quoth Desire not therfore but because you are a noble and good Lorde and because you bring your frendes in a place where they shall see God which is the greatest blessednesse of at the world This good and holy minde of Desire did delight the Loue of God not a little was an occasion that he loued him the more for it I meruell my Lord quoth Desire seeing your highnes are so noble a Prince that your Grace putteth those that come to seeke you to such pain and trauaile and are so hardly so be found out Hold thy peace answered the Loue of God this misterie is hidden from many For some there are who thinke they haue not founde mee nor knowen me yet I nowtstāting am alwaies neere them and they are filled and replenished with me And some there are likewise who perswade themselues that they haue founds me who are yet far from me and know me not I pray your highnes theefore quoth Desire to let me vnderstande your nature and conditions that I may know thereby whether I am neer or far from you for I take you for my Lorde and maister Mine exercise and office is aunswered the Loue of God to loue God I am a child of the knowledge of God In what sort do you loue God quoth Desire I haue aunswered the Loue of God a desire to wish for him with all my heart with all the strength and force of my soule and to find him I leaue nothing vndone vsing all means thereunto possible And that I might knowe him the better to his praise glorie I desire that all the earth wold acknowledge his vnspeakeable and infinite goodnesse and that all creatures should laud honour and praise him with this desire I constraine and force my selfe to do nothing wherewith to displease him and if peraduenture I offend him then presently I prostrate my selfe before him and craue pardō at his hands for my
offence and then we are as good frendes as euer wee were before and because my Lord and God is so bountifull and â—ood I am not yet counâ—ed to this first degree but I endeuour my selfe also to my small power aâ— dâ—â—â— bâ—â—â—e to execute and doe that which he or any of 〈◊〉 least amongst vs doeth command mee with as great diligence as may be And hereby onely I can perceiue howe dearely I do loue him when I doe that which he commaundeth me For certainly I beleeue that nothing is more acceptable or pleasant vnto him no seruice or reuerence more delightful then the obedience vnto his will and commandementes For he him self doth say how can thy seruice please mee or howe canst thou perswade thy selt that I loue thee when thou doest not keepe my commandementes For knowe that there is nothing that ioyned knitted faster thy spirite with thine then willingly to execute my will and keep my lawes and statutes The fourth Chapter doeth prosecute the office of the loue of God in the same degree IN the same degree of Charitie I haue purposed to do al thinges where unto by office and calling I am bound unto and seeing that I haue nowe bounde my selfe to God whereof I repent me not I am willing to obey his will and commandement Daily therefore I consider my office and all thinges there vnto belonging and for the better execution hereof I diligently follow the couÌ„sell of the godly and the holy Scriptures for I know that many herein offende my Lord because they are ignorant of those things which are belonging to their dutie And if they knowe it and doe it not then they are farre worse because they sinne not through ignoraunce or weakenesse but onely through meere wilfulnes and mallice Besides that which I haue promised and haue sworne vowed vnto him wherevnto I am most bounde I endeuour with all diligence to performe and keepe it Therefore I haue vowed vnto my Lorde to serue him with three damselles Obedience Chastity and Pouertie Therefore euery morning I study how I might best serue please him speaking vnto my soule as followeth Let vs cast about my soule how we shall behaue our selues this day to please and to serue our Lorde and again in the euening I say vnto her Let vs see O my Soule howe wee haue serued our Lorde to day with the saide Damsels whether we haue offended him in any thing or no and in this sorte I endeuour my selfe to bee a loyall seruant to my Lorde with these Damselles Wherefore do you this quoth Desire Therefore answered the Loue of God because these three Damselles are Chamberlaines to my Lorde and none can come in his chaÌ„ber and speake with him vnlesse first they do open him the doores and prepare him the entry I pray you quoth Desire to tell me what spirituall exercises you do vse for to bee faithfull vnto these damsels I haue answered the Loue of God three intents which I do offer both day and night that further me to all manner of seruice The first intent is called Wish or aduance not The seconde Desire nothing The first intent serueth Obedience when I dresse it with a certaine sause called to doe and then is called Aduance not to doe And the finer I dresse this for her diet the more frendshippe she getteth for me and in greater fauour she bringers me with my Lorde and sayeth much good of me vnto him so that he by her words loues me dearly and is a mercifull and bountifull Lord unto me This foresaid dish namely Aduance not to do when I dresse it with another sause called to haue then it is called Wish or aduance not to haue herewithal I feede and maintaine the other Damsell called Pouerty Stay a while quoth Desire Why shoulde I not wish or aduance my selfe to haue something when I lacke This is not thus to be understoode answered the Loue of God for if thou needest some thing thou hast thy Soueraign who wil by himselfe or by his commanders sufficiently prouided for thee without thy wishinge or asking which is altogether vnmannerly For where one is who hath the commaundement and care ouer all the houshold hee will sufficiently prouide for them all after his power abilitie as it becommeth his duetie place and authoritie To the end the rest should addict themselues more zelously to the seruice of God and to the contemplation of heauenly and spirituall thinges without euery mans owne and perticular carefulnes to craue aske or aduance to haue that which he needeth And it were a greate ouersight that a chiefe commaunder of anye place should not haue the care and forecast to prouide for his subiects or housh oldes necessitie without their asking But that which I speake of aduancing demaunding or crauing is diuersly but chiefely two waies to be vnderstode First when they prouide not for thy necessitie without thy asking or crauing which is greatly to be misliked discommended dispraised in a congregation whatsoeuer Secondly that which thou needest thou doest lacke it gretly and not to be wilfull and wanton Orels in all thinges which thou canst desire therin will consist curiositie superfluitie and tempting of God For beleeue me that vnder the couer colour of necessitie lie oftentimes hidden diuers and many sinnes chieflie in things belonging to the maintenance and sustenance of the body as meare drinke apparell and such like things are How shall I know quoth Desire whether it be needfull superfluitie or wantonnesse onely that which I demand or craue to haue See answered the loue of God whether thou canst forbeare it and liue without it without the great hinderaunce perill and daunger of thy soule and body But if thou didst perceiue that it shold turne thee to such perill damage then to Desire nothing were a great sinne and madnesse and contrarie to Gods commaundementes But if thou canst forbeare it and bee without it so it bee not as I haue sayde daungerous and hurtefull to thy health although somewhat painefull troublesome and tedious to thy fleshe then to Desire nothing is a great vertue and morthie of prayse and commendation But as the holy Scripture sayeth Blessed is the man that suffereth something for the Loue of GOD. Therefore if thou canst forbear it without the hazarding and indangering both of thy soule and bodie then to craue aske and demande esteeme it wantonnesse onely although it couereth it selfe which the cloake of necessity want need holines For sinnes neuer disclose and shewe themselues hare but present themselues alwaies vnder the colour of good thinges and hereby mayest thou know whether it be necessarie or not when thou crauest some thing And that none deceiue themselues in their owne opinion they need greatly a diligent inquisition a vertuous exercise and if they be destitute hereof then set them goe about their businesse with counsell of the holy scriptures or with the aduice of
doe not wel vnderstande it When I aunswered the Loue of God speak vnto my Lord and cast my mind and cogitations vpoÌ„ other matters then I turne him my backe and not my face Therefore I thinke and perswade my selfe that he alwaies seeth me and neuer turneth his eyes from me for to marke what I say what ferueÌ„cy I haue what reuerence I shewe vnto him likewise in what repentance loue vnitie I doe exercise my selfe Then afterwarde I humbly thanke him for all his benefits bestowed vpon me and generally vpon all creatures hauing them oftentimes in my minde and rehearsing them vnto him because I knowe that hee cannot abide any vnthankefulnes or that in any wise wee should forget his goodnes declared vnto vs all The eight Chapter intreateth of the third degree of the Loue of God SEeing I haue nowe spoken vnto thee of the first degree oâ— loue which I beare vnto my Lorde which is to be careful not to offend him and likewise of the seconde which is to doe all that hee commaundeth mee yet I am not contented with these two for the great loue which I baâ—e him but haue toyned vnto those two first the third degree which is to do all that I am able to thinke or imagine for to please and to bee acceptable vnto him wherby do you know qd Desire that you do that which is pleasant in his sight By two things answered the Loue of God The one is to loue that which hee loueth and the other to hate that which he hateth As coÌ„cerning the first to loue that which he leueth therby I loue my Lords only son who is the fairest gentlest and most worthiest that euer was or shal be being like vnto his father in all thinges and yet the most obedientest that was or euer shall bee This sonne be loueth as much as hun self because he is more like vnto him then euer sonne was vnto his father And the vnitie and loue between the father and the sonne is so exceeding great that they are both one of one will force power wisedome maiestie And although they are distinguished in persons are notwithstanding but of one substance and essence My Lorde did make with his owne hande for this his sonne a shepheardes garmente wherewithall being clothed came out of his Fathers chamber yet neuer was from him but alwaies with him and is dayly conuersant with vs in this house for otherwise we could not see nor know him and thus apparelled his father sent him with a basket at his armes through the whole world likewise through this wildernesse to seeke out his sheepe that were lost and run astray And as hee was walkinge through the desart his father suffered him to bee slaine by the wolues and deuoured by dogges and in no wise would come to aid or assist him although hee was able enough to haue done it but his will was that the wolues should teare him in peeces and put him to the most cruellest death that could be inuented or imagined and shoulde vse him the worse because hee was a kinges sonne And this did our Lord for meer loue which hee bare vs because that all they which are of his houshold might perceiue and see howe dearely hee loued vs in that he hath not spared his owne son but hath giuen him in sacrifice for vs therefore are we bound to loue him also because he loued vs so much before when the Loue of God was telling this Desire wept bitterly so that his hart seemed to breake in peeces The father loued the son so much saide the Loue of God that although he suffred him to be put to death yet throgh his omnipotency did soone raise him vp again froÌ„ the dead with more glozie and triumph theÌ„ euer before carrying with him those sheepe for whom bee was come hauing a speciall care ouer those whome hee had yet left in the desarte and pastures to waxe fat And thus he returned into his fathers chamber where he now sitteth at his right hand making dayly intercession for vs and excusing our infirmities for the vnspeakable loue which he beareth vnto maÌ„kind I belieue that if it were not for his sake the Lorde would haue cast vs long agone out of this house for our great wickednesse sake because we serue him so negligently without anie zeale or affection and so highly doe forget him put him out of minde for euery trifle and small occasion The Father loueth his sonne so dearely that I belieue not that there is any thing in this world wherwith we can do him better seruice then in louing of his sonne Therefore I endeuour my selfe to loue please his sonne wherein quoth Desire do you loue and please him when I aunswered the Loue of God remember his holy life his exceeding great trauaile his death his blessed doctrine endeuor to coÌ„form frame my actions and manners vnto his life for when my Lord doeth see one resembling the life of his sonne so much the more doth he loue him and therefore it was his wil that he shold come to visite vs dwel with vs and teach vs how we shoulde liue for wee liued before euen as beasts and therfore the Lord did send him vnto vs in steed of a mirror and looking glasse that all men who were desyrous to knowe whether their wil or actions were bad or good shoulde behold his sons life for in the worlde there is no surer better touchstone then it The seconde whome my Lord loueth is my page called Neighbourly loue For hee loueth this lad so tenderly that all that we doe vnto him whether it be good or euill he doth take it as it were done vnto his own person In what loue you this boye quoth Desire First ol al I esteeme him to bee better then my selfe and although I doe supplie a great and high office yet am obedient vnto him in all lawfull good things I take heede in no wise to hinder or endamage him but I shewe him all loue and frend shippe that I am able I haue no ill suâ—pition of him but rather doe alwayes defende and excuse him I â—narie him not iâ— words nor deeâ—es but I suffer patiently his naturall weaknes and infirmitie I â—â—â—rie him I doe not back â—â—â—e him nor will not suffâ—r any man for to do it I wish that he should exceede me in loue which I beare to God and that it woulde please almightie God to make him better then my selfe I in no wise ennie his temporall or spirituall blessinges or any thing that belongeth vnto him but reioyce in his prosperitie and welfare his losse aduersitye and sorrowe doeth hartely grieue mee Further I thinke him to be an Angell of the Lord and that I am vnworthy to bee his slaue seruant and this do I because my Lord loueth him so deorely I loue also the affaires of the common wealth hauinge a speciall care ouer them because they
appertaine to the seruice of the Lorde to his honour and to the mayntenance of his house Therefore I doe mine indeuour that nothing be neglected chiefly which concerneth anye godly exercise as is reading fasting chastning of the flesh and such like although some do but little esteeme of these thinges Further I remember that I know him better then any other creature because I haue receyued more at his handes then any And seeing that other seruants serue their earthly maisters with greate attendance and diligence why shoulde I not serue my Lord who hath chosen â—â—â—e to bee his chamberlaine aboue any domestical seruant And although all the world should faile and there should none bee remayning yet I will neuer be vnfaithfull vnto him till death The ninth Chapter intreateth of those things which the loue of God hath anâ— of the conclusion THe other of these two things wherof I haue spoken vnto thee and wherewith I seeke to please my Lord is to hate yâ— which he hateth Therefore I set before mee that my Lorde hath two enemies the one the world the other my flesh therefore I haue determined with my selfe to hate them mortally neuer to contracte any league with them because I might the stedfaster remaine in my determination I use these meanes neuer to recreate my selfe with them to speake or frequent their companies vniesse my Lord doeth commaund it me whose commaundement I esreene more then my determination And therefore I haue desired the lieuetenant of the house that be send me not about such busines whereby I might recreatemy selfe as in townes citties countries or among people for I esteeme this a great contempt and dispising but wheÌ„ I am coÌ„manded then I obey And althogh my Lorde for certaine affaires commandeth me to go into the world yet his will is that I in going should not loyter and in returning shold be found faithfull vnto him and in no wise shold vse any falshood practise treason against him but shoulde withdrawe my selfe as soone as it were possible come again for I know certainely that how narrowly wee looke to our selues and as much good as we can do yet we are like to get there nothing but are alwaies in danger to loose much In this sorte I hate like my sins iniquities vncleannes carnal motions wâ—ekes desires and vnnaturall passions and am vetie pensiue and sorrowful that they dwel within me knowing that they are contrary to my Lords wil doe altogether displease him Therefore I endeuour my selfe alwayes to amend through loue Like wise for the loue of him I eschewe and flie from all those that are in his house except it be in thinges of necessitie and loue withdrawing my selfe altogether from them Wherefore doe you so quoth Desire Because now a dayes there are no spiritual praiers loue and goodly zeale practised and exercised and those that boast of the knowledge of God commonly decay in slothfulnes Therefore I will accustome my selfe to be alone and addict my self to praiers that my soule may receine and feele some comfort and ioy in the Lorde and I learne to loue him as it becommeth me for to that intent I haue forsaken the worlde and all the vanities thereof But quoth Desire others will account you fantasticall partiall and euery man will cast his eyes vppon you it is no matter answered the Loue of God for I shoulde not serue to please man and chiefly in things which are contrarie to God And when I giue no offence to my brother I care not what the worlde speaketh so I do my duety in that which is commanded mee And therefore if thou wilt haue and possesse me doe as I do The tenth Chapter intreateth that the Loue of God brought Desire to the house DEsire was amased at those things which the Loue of God had tolde him and after long studying said When you do all these things haue you then any need to stand in feare of any body I truly aunswered the Loue of God for I must be very careful that I bee not pust vp in vaine glorie for my good workes or intangled with selfe loue for if I gaue anye place unto these my Lord presently would thrust and turne me out of the doores Thereâ—ore I haue alwayes at my side my mother Humilitie I pray you quoth Desire to leade mee into the house follow me said the Loue of God for thou hast beene nowe long enough with me and I will bring thee to another of my fellowes who hath a greater office then I. How is he called quoth Desire His name answered the Loue of God is To desire God Desire went merrely accompanied with the Loue of God to seeke out To desire God when he had found him said vnto him my Lord I wold it would please you to entertaine me as one of your seruantes Desires good-will did greatly please To desire God and saide vnto him it is needefull so thou wilt bee with me that thou bee first well instructed by my fellows for thou must knowe that of the wine which floweth out of the hoggeshead of the Loue of God is made To desire God Therefore doe not deceiue thy selfe but see that thou be first well prouided and replenished with the Loue of God My Lorde quoth Desire I haue dwelt longe with the Loue of God and he hath instructed me in all thinges which I must doe and with Gods grace I wil endeuour my selfe to put all thinges in vre and practise but I cannot warrant you whether I haue the Loue of God or not for hee onely knoweth who doeth loue him and in these thinges the vest is to humble himselfe As for my selfe I can not assure what I haue but onely this dog called good-wil and yet I think not that hee is mine because he was but sent me To desire God did take a great delight and pleasure in all these wordes and chiefly because Desire did not perswade himself that he had the Loue of God I pray you Sir quoth Desire to tell me your nature and conditions Euen as a man saide The dersie of God commeth through the knowledge of himselfe to a hate and despising of himselfe so likewise through the knowledge of God hee attaineth to Desire God And whosoeuer doeth possesse mee hee hated all worldly thinges for I do frame in him so noble and excellent a mind that hee thinketh himselfe to good to desire any thing els then the chiefest and the souerainest good which is God onely besides I make him very great high tanored with God although he is but of base kindred yet I make him a mighty king whosoeuer doeth enioy me his mind runneth vpoÌ„ nothing but vpoÌ„ God only he speketh nothing but of God for where his treasure is there is his hart also And that which a man hath coÌ„ceiued in mind the congue commonly speaketh for the mouth doeth alwaies bewray the inwarde affections of the hart To the hungrie I am