vnto mee where thou dost eate where thou dost lodge Surge propera Amica mea columba mea formosa mea veni 54. Arise hasten my beloued my doue my faire One and come vnto mee Ostende mihi faciem tuam soneâ— vox tua in auribus meis 55. Shew mee thy face lett thy voyce sound in myne eares Vox enim tua dulcis facies tua decora 56. For thy voyce is sweete and thy face comelye Quaesiui quem diligit anima mea quaesiui illum non inueni 57. I haue sought for him whom my soule loueth I haue sought for him and haue not found him Surgam circuibo ciuitatem perâ—vicos plate as quaeram quem diligit anima mea 58. I will rise and goe about the city in all the streets and lanes I will seeke after Him whom my soule loueth Num vidisti quem diligit Anima mea 59. Haue you seene whom my soule loueth Paululum cum pertransissem inueni quem diligit Anima mea 60. When I had gone a little farther I found him whom my soule loueth Tenui â—um nec dimittam 61. I laid hold of him and will not let him goe Vox Dilecti mei pulsantis aperi mihi soror mea Amica mea columba mea immaculata mea 62. The voyce of my beloued knockinge open to mee my sister my loue my doue myne immaculate Pessulam Ostij mei aperui dilecto meo 63. I opened the barre of my doore to my beloued Anima mea liquefacta est vt locuta est mihi 64. My soule melted as hee spoke to mee Diligam te Domine fortitudo mea firmamentum meum Refugium meum liberator meus 65. I will loue thee ô Lord my strenth my firme foundation my Refuge and my Deliuerer Illumina oculoâ— meos ne vnquam obdormiam in morte ne quando dicâ—t inimicus meus praeualui aduersus eum 66. Enlighten myne eyes that I may neuer sleepe in Death least myne enimie may come at lenth to say I haue preuailed against him Dignus es tu Domine Deus accipere Gloriam Honorem virtutem Benedictionem 67. Thou art worthy ô Lord God to haue Glorie and Honour and powre and praysinge Confite antur tibi Domine omnia operatua sancti tui benedicant tibi 68. Let thy workes ô Lord confesse vnto thee and lett thy Saintes prayse thee Si oportuerit me mori non te negabo 69. Though I were to dye for it yet I would not denye thee 70. Iesus Iesus Iesus c. Non aemittam Te nisi Benedixeris mihi 71. I will not lett thee goe till thou hast Blissed mee 72. Lord when shal I be wholye thyne and thou myne 73. O my secure Refuge 74. O life of my Soule my Maker my Redeemer and my conseruer 75. O ioye of my soule when shal I loue thee with all my Hart with all my soule and with all my might 76. When shal I enioye thee 77. When shal I possesse thee 78. O that I were buried in thee 79. When shall I fullye please thee 80. My Consolation 81. My Life 82. My Loue. 83. My Desire 84. My Delight 86. My Riches 87. My Treasure and all my good 88. O when shal my soule be accordinge to thy harts desire 89. O that my soule were as cleane and pure as it was when it first proceeded from thee 90. O that I could perfectly obey thee 91. O that I could alwayes serue thee 92. O Treasure of my soule 93. O that I had neuer offended thee 94. O that I could see my selfe free from this or that imperfection 95. O that I could obtayne this or that necessarie virtue 96. When shal I perfectly loue thee 97. When shall this earthly Tabernacle be dissolued and my soule be made one with thee 98. Replenish mee ô Lord with thy loue 99. Giue vnto mee sweete Iesus puritie of Hart and pouertie of Spirit 100. O sweete Iesus that I knew thee and knew my selfe 101. Graunt mee ô sweete Iesus that I maye entirelie loue thee 102. Graunt mee ô my onlie loue that I maye continuallie reuerence and adore thee 103. O Bottomelesse sea of Mercie pardon mee all my sinns offences 104. Permitt mee not ô my Lord Iesus euer to be separated from thee 105. Possesse mee ô sweete Iesus vnite mee wholie vnto thee 106. I am nothinge I can nothinge I desire nothinge but thee ô Iesus Iesus Iesus 107. Graunt mee ô Lord the holye hatred of my selfe and the perfect loue of thee 108. O my God quench thou the thirst of my soule 108. Thou onlie pleasest mee and thee onlie I desire 109. For thy loue I vtterly renounce all other Loues 111. For thy loue I wholy yeild vp my selfe into thy hands 112. O All my Glorie 113. O All my Delight 114. O All my Comfort 115. With thy selfe comfort mee whom nothinge else can comfort or satisfie 1â—6 O what doe I loue ô what doe I intend or seeke for saue only thee 117. Feed and satisfie mee ô Lord with thy Grace and presence in my soule 118. Thee onlie doth my soule rellish Iesus Iesus Iesus 119. My Hart longeth after thee and with none but thee Alone can it be satisfied 120. Quench my thirst ô Iesus Iesus Iesus 121. When shal my soule be plunged swallowed vp and buried in the infinit depth of thy Eternitie 122. O my Happynesse 123. O my only delight 124. O ioye of my hart 125. O my Hope my sollace my beginninge and end 126. O Lord Iesus 127. O Emanuel 128. O Messias 129. O Christ the annointed of our Lord 130. O most sweete and most louinge Lord God! 131. When shall I be vnited vnto thee 132. When shall I be drowned in thee 133. When shall I be fullye mortified 134. When shall I embrace thee 135. When shall I be inflamed with thy loue 136. When shall I be one with thee accordinge to thy harts desire Confitebor tibi Domine in toto cordâ— meo glorificabo nomen tuum in aeternum 137. I will confesse vnto thee ô Lord with my whole hart and will glorifie thy name for euer Miserere mei Deus miserere mei quoniam in te confidit Anima mea 138. Haue Mercie on mee ô Lordâ— haue on mee because my soule doth confide in thee Beati qui habitant in domo tua Domine in saecula saeculorum laudabunt te 139. Blissed are they who dwell in thy Howse ô Lord they praise thee for euer and euer Quia est melior est dies vna in atrijs tuis super millia 140. Because one daye within thy Gates is bâ—â—â—â—r then a thowsand without 141. O All my Hope 142. O All my Glorie 143. O All my Refuge And All my ioie 144. O the most Beloued of Beleiuers 145. O Flourishinge spowse 146. O sweete spowse 147. O Comfort of my Hart 148. O life of my soule and the pleasant repose of my Spirit 149. Mortifie in mee
whatsoeuer displeaseth thy sight and make mee a Man accordinge to thy hart 150. Wound mee ô Lord wound the most inward part of my soule with the darts of thy Loue 151. And make mee drunke with the wine of thy perfect Charitie 152. O when shall this be 153. When shal I please thee in all things 154. When shall all dye in mee which is contrarie to thee 155. When shall I be altogether thine 156. When shall I liue to be noe more myne owne 157. When shall nothinge else liue in mee but thou ô Iesus 158. When shall I loue thee most feruentlie 159. When shall the flames of thy loue wholie consume mee 160. When shall I be altogether melted pearsed through with the woÌ„derfull efficacie of thy sweetenesse 161. When wilt thou take mee hence by force drowne mee transport mee and hide mee in thy selfe where I maye neuer more be seene 162. When wilt thou free mee from all these impediments and distractions and make mee one Spirit with thee that I maye not any more depart from thee 163. O Dearely Beloued O Dearelie Beloued of my soule 164. O sweetenesse of my Hart 165. Heare mee ô Lord not for my merits but for thy infinitt Goodnesse and Mercie 166. Teach mee enlighten mee direct mee and assist mee in all things that I may doe or say nothinge but what is agreable to thy blissed will and pleasure 167. O my God my well beloued my dearest Hart and the very God of my soule 168. O my sweete loue 169. O my greate Delight 170. O my strenth Helpe mee 171. O my light guid mee towards thee 172. O God of my soule why giuest not thou thy selfe to thy poore Creature 17â— Thou fillest Heauen and earth and wilt thou leaue my hart emptie 17â— Thou bathest the Lillies of the field giuest meate to the little birds and feedest the wormes of the earth why then dost thou forgett mee who endeauours to forgett all others for thy sake 175. Too late haue I haue I knownâ— thee ô infinitt Goodnesse 176. Too late haue I loued thee ô Beautie soe ancient and soe new 177. Wooe to the tyme I loued thee not 178. Blind I was that I saw thee not 179. Thou wert within mee and I went seekinge thee abroad 180. But now that I haue found thee though late suffer not Good Lord that I euer leaue thee Amen Amen Amen FINIS ACTS OF RESIGNATION To be vsed accordinge TO THE DIRECTIONS ACTS OF RESIGNATION in things concerninge the Body THE FIRST EXERCISE 1. I Resigne my selfe for the Loue of my God my deare Lord to vndergoe these ensuinge Paines or Difficulties in my Bodie soe farre as God hath alreadie laid them or any of them vppon mee or shal be pleased heereafter to laye or permitt them or any of them to fall vppon mee To witt Agues Feauers falling-sicknesse crampe collicke Consumption or other bodilie sicknesse whatsoeuer Especiallie such sicknesse or infirmitie as troubles mee at this present or to which through my nature or Bodilie complexion and constitution I am most disposed and inclined 2. As weaknesse feeblenesse lamenesse Toothache or any other ache or paine in my head or any other part of my Bodie 3. Deformitie or vglinesse in the sight of others as it was in the case of holy Iob Lazarus and others that were full of Biles botches and other more odious externall defects in Bodie 4. Extremitie of Heate such as wee feele or maye feele in some time of the summer extremitie of cold such as wee feele or maye feele in some tyme of the winter And in tyme of summer to be driuen to weare and beare perhaps out of Obedience or other necessitie more cloaths then our nature needeth or is willinge to beare And in the cold of winter to be contented to want cloaths which wee conceiue our nature needes when that obedience or necessitie denies them vs. 5. Want of sleepe as when beinge in bed one cannot â—leepe through â—ome bodilie indisposition or other or when obedience will not permitt mee to haue soe much tyme for sleepe as my nature would desire to haue or maye seeme needfull to haue 6. Hunger thirst the difficulties of fastinge and Abstinence scarcitie in meate or drinke as not hauinge soe much in Quantitie as my nature would haue or perchance requireth or lesse then I see some others haue Or when the qualitie of the meate or drinke doth not please my nature and yet obedience will yeild mee noe better or when my meate is not soe well dressed as I could wish it were or when I haue it not in such a season as in my nature I could wish but is delayed mee for some tyme. 7. I am resigned and contented to see others better serued or prouided for in meate drinke cloath lodginge and beddinge then I am though I conceiue and imagine that I deserue and need as much as they doe and yet obedience will not allow it mee Likwise when it seemeth to mee that others are more spared from corporal labours then I am yet it seemeth to mee that they need or deserue noe more indulgence or sparinge then I doe 8. Indisgestion vomitinge or other payne or defect in the stomacke not to be able to gett downe some meate that is vngratefull to the stomacke or palate And yet obedience or pouertie will perhaps afford mee noe better 9. Paynes or Defects about the 5. externall senses As bitter or vnsauorie Tasts vngratefull smells hideous and horrible sights or representations to the eyes as the sight of Deuills or damned soules Hideous and fearefull noises as thunder c. and noises displeasinge to the eare and soe of the Rest. It is continued THE II. EXERCISE 1. AS to the fift sense of feelinge I Resigne my selfe to suffer and endure scorgings buffetings beatings as our Sauuiour endured or stoneings as S. Stephen or incisions and launcings or câ—ttinge of the flesh or any other corporall paynes or torments be they external or internal To the losse of eyes or pains in them to deafenesse or dumbenesse to vndergoe alsoe some externall worke or labour from which I am naturally auerted when that obedience appoints itt albeit I should conceiue it preiudiciall to my health 3. To attend and watch with the sicke when that obedience appoints it 4. I am resigned to loose any member of my Bodye when God shall permitt or will haue mee to loose itt be it feete leggs hands c. 5. To vndergoe all sort of corporall labours and that with feeblenesse and indisposition of Body soe farre as the will of God shall require 6. I am resigned to loose all pleasure delight and Gust in the sense of Tast soe that I may find noe more tast in the pleasantest meate then I should doe in eatinge a chipp or a stone or in drinkinge of a thinge that hath noe tast or is of a very vngratefull Tast. 7. I am resigned to any disfiguringe in the face or other part of the Bodie
corresponded with my dutye and beene verie vngratefull for thy Benefits 9. For thou hast spent thy whole life for my Aduantage and I haue spent myne in offendinge thee 10. I acknowledge I deserue for my sinns and in punishment of them all the paynes of hel 11. Yea they are all too little for my demeritt 12. I haue sinned I haue sinned I am sorrie I am sorrie and repent from the bottome of my hart This Exercise is continued in the followinge THE XXI EXERCISE 1. I Offer thee a sorrowfull and repentant hart because such an one is acceptable vnto thee and beseeminge mee 2. I assure thee I had rather haue suffered all the torments and trauayles of the world rather then to haue offended thee in the least of my sinns 3. I purpose if please thee to giue mee life to take chastisement and reuenge of my selfe for offendingâ— thee doinge for my sinnes all the pennance I am able 4. And though they be many and greate yet haue I greate hope and confidence thou wilt pardon them 5. For thou art the sea of Mercie that which thou most gloriest in is to be mercifull and forgiue sinns 6. Thou hast promised that in what howre soeuer a sinner should repent him of his sinns thou wouldst pardon him 7. Be mercifull therefore to mee ô Lord be mercifull 8. Pardon and forgiue mee my sinns and offences pardon mee sweete Iesus 9. Be mercifull vnto mee for thy bitter death and Passions sake and for ihy glorious meritts haue mercie vppon mee for in them I trust and confide 10. If thou lookest on mee Alone and naked then maist thou presentlie cast mee into hell 11. But I humblye begge of thee that thou wouldst place thy Death and Passion thy Blood and Crosse betweene thy â—udgement and my soule 12. That by the merits of thy death I may be deliuered from euerlastinge death and admitted to life in thy Glorie 13. And in the blessed societie of thy Saincts I may prayse thee world without end Amen Heere Endeth the Poenitent FINIS CERTAYNE AMOROVS speeches of the soâ—le to her selfe in Prayer The VVhich are a good forme or matter of Prayer vvhen the soule is not able or apt to speake immediatelye to God THE FIRST EXERCISE 1. O My soule when wilt thou be readie to follow the humilitie of thy Lord Iesus-Christ 2. When wilt thou imitate his mildnesse 3. When shal the example of his Patience shine in thee 4. When wilt thou be better 5. When wilt thou be wholye free from Passions and vicious Affections 6. When shall euill be quite destroyed in thee 7. When shall disordinatenesse be blotted out of thee 8. When wilt thou peaceablye and gentlye endure all tribulation and temptation 9. When wilt thou perfectlye loue thy God 10. When wilt thou most inwardlye embrace Him 11. When wilt thou be wholye swallowed vpp in his Loue 12. When wilt thou be pure simple and resigned before him 13. How longe wil it be ere thou be hindered noe more from his most chast embracings 14. O that thou wert immaculate 15. O that thou dist feruentlye loue God 16. O that thou didst inseparablye cleaue vnto thy cheifest good 17. O my soule where is thy God 18. Where is thy Loue 19. Where is thy Treasure 20. Where is thy Desire 2â— Where is all thy Good 22. Where is thy God 23. When shalt thou be with him 24. When shalt thou most happilye enioye him It is continued THE II. EXERCISE 1. WHEN shalt thou freelye prayse him with all the Glorious Citizens of Heauen 2. Dispaire not ô my soule 3. Take comfort daughter and be confident most deare 4. If thou hast sinned and art wounded behold thy God behold thy Physitian is readie to cure thee 5. Hee is most gratious and most mercifull and therefore willinge 〈…〉 tent and therefore 〈…〉 6. Peraduenture thou art afraid because hee is thy Iudge but take haâ—â— for hee who is thy Iudge is alsoe thy Aduocate 7. Hee is thy Aduocate to defend and excuse thee doinge pennance soe thy â—udge to saue not to condemne thee beinge humbled 8. His mercie is infinitlye greater then is or can be thyne iniquitie 9. Thy God is most gentle most sweet hee is wholye amiable wholye desirable and loueth all things which hee hath created 10. Let not thyne imperfections discourage thee too much for thy God doth not dispise thee because thou art fraile and infirme But loueth thee exceedinglye because thou desirest and labourest to be more perfect 11. Arise my soule arise out of the dust slipp thy head out of the collar thou captiue daughter of Sion 12. Arise forsake the puddle of thy negligent lise 13. How longe must thou take pleasure in perills how longe wilt thou esteemee anxitie and torments to be rest how longe wilt thou securelye sleepe in destruction 14. How longe wilt thou willinglye leaue the right way and wander abroad farre and neere in vncouth and vnknowne Paths 15. Returne vnto our Lord thy God for hee expecteth thee 16. Make hast be not slacke for hee is readie to receiue thee 17. Hee wil meete thee with open armes deferre not to returne 18. Haue accesse vnto Iesus hee will heale and purifye thee 19. Ioyne thy selfe to Iesus hee will illuminate thee 20. Adhere to Iesus hee will blesse and saue thee 21. Alas my soule how vngratefull hast thou beene to thy God It is continued THE III. EXERCISE 1. HEE hath bestowed innumerable and most admirable bâ—nefits on thee and thou stil repaist euill for good 2. Hee hath adopted thee to be heir of the Kingdome of Heauen 3. Hee hath promised those things vnto thee which neither eye hath seene nor eare hath heard nor the Hart of man can comprehend 4. But thou hast left and contemned Him who hath beene soe many wayes beneficial vnto thee 5. Thou hast cast away the holye feare of Him that loued thee 6. Thou hast shaken of his sweet yoke that hath elected thee 7. Thou art become as One of the daughters of Belial as an impudent harlot void of all shame thou hast worshipped iniquitie 8. Thou hast made a compact with death thou hast giuen thy hand to the diuell 9. Thou hast beene most prompt to all wickednesse thou hast heaped euil vppon euil and hast reioyced to adde sinne to sinne 10. By thy wickednesse thou hast Crucifyed Christ agayne who had chosen thee for his spouse 11. Thou hast renewed his wounds by thy crimes 12. Who will giue groanes and sighs 13. Who wil giue thee a springe of teares that thou maist night and day be wayle thy ingratitude 14. O vnhappie wretch what wilt thou doe 15. O that thou hadst kept thy selfe in the state of Innocencie 16. O that thou hadst remayned immaculate 17. O that thou hadst not miserablye defiled thy selfe with dishonestie 18. O that thou hadst not gone a stray from thy God! 19. Thou hast lost thyne innocencie thou art defiled thou art become dishonest thou
thy most worthy Ladye 3. O my most mercifull ladye what fountaines of Teares maye I affirme to haue flowed from thy most chast eyes when thou beheldst thy only sonne though free from all offence to be bound whipt and slaine in thy presence 4. In what mournefull manner may I imagine thy dolefull countenance at that tyme to be blubbered all ouer with weepinge when thou beheldst this thy innocent sonne thy God and thy Lord to be stretched out vppon the Crosse and that sacred flesh framed of thy flesh to be by those bloodie butchers soe cruellye rent in Peices 5. With what vnspeakable greife may I well thinke thy poore hart at that tyme to be tormented when thou didst heare those words pronounced Weoman behold thy sonne And to the Disciple Behold thy Mother when thou didst accept of the Disciple insteed of his Maister and the seruant in Ieiu of his Lord 6. O that I had beene worthy with Ioseph to haue taken my Lord downe from the Crosse to haue enbaulmed and buried him to haue followed or accompanyed him to his sepulcher that soe I might haue done some little seruice at soe greate a funerall 7. I am as a poore fatherlesse child and my soule is as a weoman bereaued of her husband in the Absence of my buried Lord. 8. Vouchsafe graciouslye to behold the teares of my distressed Orphancie and widdowhood which I offer vnto thee vntill thou returne ô my God 9. May it please thee therefore maye it please thee ô Lord to manifest thy selfe to mee and I shall be comforted 10. Grant that I may see thee and I shall obtayne what I desire 11. Make manifest thy Glorie and my ioye will be accomplished 12. My soule hath thristed after thee and soe hath likewise my flesh exceedinglie 13. My soule hath thirsted after my God the liuinge fountaine when shall I come and be presented before the face of my Lord 14. When wilt thou come ô my comforter for whom I will wish and earnestlye wayte 15. O that I might once behold my delight which I doe soe much desire 17. O how trulye shall I be satisfyed when thy Glorie shall appeare which I greatelye hunger to behold 17. When shall I become drunke through the plentie of thy heauenlye habitation for which I sigh often 18. When wilt thou make mee to drinke of the riuer of thy pleasure which I soe much thirst after 19. In the meane while lett my Teares be my continuall food vntill it be said vnto mee behold thy God vntil it be said vnto my soule behold thy Bridegroome 20. In the meane while feed mee with my sobbs and teares nourish mee with my sorrowes and lamentations 21 Peraduenture my Redeemer will come and visit mee because hee is full of Mercie hee will not be longe in comminge because Hee is full of Pittye to him be Glorie for all Eternitie Amen THE XV. EXERCISE 1. O Lord my God grant vnto my hart to desire thee by desiringe thee to seeke thee by seekinge to find thee by findinge to loue thee by louinge thee to gaâ—ne pardon of my sinns heeretofore committed and beinge pardoned to committ them noe more 2. Graunt ô Lord God repentance to my hart and sorrow to my spiritt 3. O my Kinge extinguish in mee the heate of vnlawfull lust and kindle in mee the fire of thy loue 4. O my Redeemer expell from mee the Spirit of Pride and Arrogancie and mercifullye graunt mee the treasure of thy humilitie 5. O my Sauuiour remoue from mee all anger and testinesse and gratiouslye giue mee the shield of patience meeknesse 6. O my Creator roote out of mee all bitternesse of Affection and bestow on mee the sweetnesse of a mild disposition 7. Giue vnto mee most mercifull father a firme faith true hope and euerlastinge Charitie 8. O my God my Mercie I beseech thee for thy beloued sonns sake graunt vnto mee to take pittie on the afflicted to pardon such as haue offended mee to loue those who hate mee and to render good for euill 9. To dispise noe-man but rather reuerence all Men. 10. To embrace Patience in aduersities and Temperance in prosperities 11. To tread vnderfoote by contempt all temporall things and greatelye to desire those that are eternall 12. Behold ô my Maker I haue now requested of thee many thinges and those not small albeit I deserue nothinge at all 13. I confesse alas I confesse that I doe not onlie not deserue these guifts and Graces which I haue demanded but greate and greiuous torments to be inflicted vppon mee 14. Publicans notwithstandinge harlots and theefes doe enbolden mee who on a sudden beinge deliuered out of the Iawes of the ghostlye aduersaries are receiued into the boosome of their true sheepheard 15. For thou ô God the Maker of all things though in all thy workes thou art full of Admiration yet art thou most to be admired in thy workes of Mercie and compassion 16. Wherevppon by a certayne seruant of thyne thou hast said of thy selfe His Mercies are aboue all his Workes 17. And as speakinge of one wee hope thou hast said of all thy people I will not take away my Mercyes from Him 18. For thou disdainest noe Man dispisest noe Man vnlesse peraduenture such an One as beinge as it were besides himselfe shall hate thee 19. Thou therefore not only forbearest to strike when thou art angry but likwise giuest guifts and graces to those that haue prouoked thee if they shall cease from liuing wickedlye 20. O my God the horne of my health and my Refuge I vnâ—appie creature I haue prouoked thee I haue sinned against thee I haue incensed thyne Anger and deserued thy displeasure This is continued in the ensuinge Exercise THE XVI EXERCISE 1. I Haue sinned thou sufferest mee I haue done amisse and yet thou lookest not angrylie vppon mee 2. If I repent thou dost pardon mee if I returne thou receiuest mee yea moreouer whilst I delay to doe it thou expectest mee 3. Thou recallest mee wandringe thou inuitest mee resistinge thou waitest for mee lingringe thou embracest mee returninge 4. Thou instructest mee simple thou comfortest mee sorrowfull 5. Thou raisest mee from sinne thou â—â—pairest mee after I am falne 6. Thou giuest when I aske thou vonchsafest to be found when I seeke thee and when I knocke thou openest vnto mee 7. Behold ô Lord God of my Saluation what to obiect I know not what answere to make I am ignorant 8. There is noe place of Refuge to which I can fly from thee there is noe place soe secret in which I may remayne secret from thee 9. Thou hast shewed mee the way of liueinge well thou hast giuen mee the knowledge of walkinge as I ought 10. Thou hast threatned to punish mee with the paines of Hell thou hast promised to reward mee with the ioyes of Heauen 11. Now therefore ô Father of mercie and God of all comfort peirce my flesh with thy feare to the end that those things which thou
hast forsaken thy God 20. Alas poore wretch and what wilt thou doe to whom wilt thou flye from whom wilt thou expect helpe 21. From whom but from Him whom thou hast offended Hee is most pittifull most courteous and most mercifull It is continued THE IV. EXERCISE 1. HVMBLE thy selfe prostrate thy selfe powre out thy selfe like water in his sight and Hee will take pittie on thee 2. O my soule if it were necessarie dayly to suffer torments yea to endure hell itselfe for a longe tyme together that wee might see Christ in his glorie and be ioyned in fellowship with the saintes in His Heauenlye Citie were it not meete thinkest thou to sustayne all manner of miserie that wee might be made pertaker of soe greate a good and soe greate a felicitie 3. O my soule who art most famous by beinge framed accordinge to the likenesse of God beinge bought with the price of Christs owne blood espoused vnto Him by Faith endowed with the holye Ghost adorned with vertues esteemed equall with the Angells 4. Loue Him then Loue Him of whom thou art beloued 5. Attend to Him that attendeth to thee and seeke Him that seeketh thee 6. Loue this Louer of whom thou art beloued with whose loue thou art preuented and who is the fountaine from whence thy loue floweth 7. Be carefull to please Him who is carefull to please thee thinke on Him who thinketh on thee be pure with Him who is Puritie itselfe be holye with Him who is Holinesse itselfe 8. Accoordinge to thy carriage towards God in thy conuersation will hee carrie himselfe towards thee againe 9. God is courteous mild full of mercie and compassion and doth require therefore of thee that thou likwise be courteous mild sweete humble and mercifull towards All. 10. Loue Him ô my soule who hath deliuered thee from the lake of miserie and from the Mire of sinne and iniquitie 11. Choose Him for thy special Friend who alone will Faithfullye adhere and sticke vnto thee when all other things and Friends will faile and shrinke from thee 12. One the day of thy burial when thou shalt be Abandoned and forsaken by all thy Friends Hee will not leaue thee but will defend thee from those roaringe infernall Fiends readie to deuoure thee will conduct thee vnto the Land of the liuinge 13. O my soule sigh vehementlye and aspire feruentlye to that glorious Citie soe highlye spoken of 14. Heauen and Earth and all therin contayned doe continuallye exhort thee to loue thy Lord God 15. My soule blisse thou our Lord my soule praise thou our Lord 16. Why art thou ô my soule sad and why art thou troubled Hope in our Lord for hee will be thy comfort and sollace 17. Sweete and amiable Iesus is present with thee thou must with Reuerence and loue attend vnto Him 18. O would to God hee would wash mee with his most pretious blood perfectlye cleanse and heale mee and lighten mee with the brightenesse of his Grace 19. O that hee would wound my hart interiorlye and mollifye itt perfectlye and make it as it were drunke with his mellifluous Charitie 20. O would to God I might wholye burne and be consumed and melted with the fire of his Loue 21. I aske I wish I desire that the heauenlye Kinge who vouchsafeth to be my soules Bridegroome would vouchsafe alsoe to make mee pleasinge to him Amen FINIS An example of Acts which a Soule maye Exercisee towards God as absent from Her 1. I will blesse our Lord at all tymes his prayses shal euer be in my Mouth 2. Our Lord haue Mercie on vs◠enlighten his countenance vppon vs and take pittie on vs. 3. It is good for mee to seeke after our Lord and gett neere vnto him for hee is our Hope and our All. The Pfalmes of Dauid are full of these Acts. FINIS An example of speakinges supposed to be made by God to the soule 1. SONNE it behoueth thee to giue all for all and reserue nothinge to thy selfe 2. Sonne where is true peace to be found is it not in Mee 3. Sonne thou canst not attayne to perfect libertie if thou dost not wholye forsake thy selfe 4. Sonne abide constant and hope in mee This is All in All. FINIS ACTS OF LOVE AND vvellvvishinge tovvards God THE FIRST EXERCISE 1. I Doe reioyce in all the Perfections that are in thee ô my God as in thy wisedome Goodnesse Powre and all other thy deuine prerogatiues and perfections 2. Lett it please and suffice mee that thou art infinitlye happie and Rich my most benigne and louinge Father 3. I doe reioyce at the presence of thee my God in heauen where thou reignest as in thy Kingdome and that thou art there worshipped adored and loued by all thy Angells and Saincts 4. Soe that if it were in my Powre I would Loue and honour thee with all that loue and worshipp wherewith all the Angells and Saints doe there Loue thee 5. I doe ioye in all the Loues and seruices that the iust Men in the Church especiallye the Perfect in all former ages in the present Age or in the future Ages haue borne performed doe beare and performe or shall beare and performe towards thee 6. And I desire to loue thee with the Loue of them All and would for thy Loue doe and performe if it lay in my powre all their workes aswell internall as externall and would vndergoe all their labours and endure all their Afflictions 7. I doe hartilye reioyce in all the good things that are in the elect seruants of God but especiallye for the wonderfull guifts of the perfect and that they are by thee ô my God illuminated inflamed and sanctified 8. My Loue and desire towards thee ô my God is such and soe greate that if it were possible to mee and acceptable to thee I would of each soule especiallye of myne owne make a Kingdome of Heauen that thou mightst be beloued and praysed in foe many Heauens by the dwellers in them 9. Which if it lay in my powre should be more in number then the Grasse piles on the Earth the sands in the sea or dropps of water therin 10. I doe heere in thy presence ô my God hold and repute my selfe as nothinge and whatsoeuer I haue aboue nothinge naturall or supernaturall I acknowledge it to be thyne and none of myne 11. And because of my selfe I am nothinge and that my God is all Good and that all good things come onlye from him I doe greatly reioyce and with all my hart confesse that I am nothinge can doe nothinge and haue nothinge for both my beinge and abilitie to doe and all I haue is thyne and from thee THE II. EXERCISE 1. I Doe heere in the presence of God repute and iudge my selfe the most vile of all creatures and because I cannot feele or perceiue this in my selfe but rather the contrarie hauinge a good and greate opinion of my selfe I doe acknowledge therefore that I am most prowd
and vngratefull of all others and I doe bewayle my selfe as such an One. 2. O my God I loue and desire to loue thee with a loue pure and free from all respect of proper commoditie and selfe interest 3. I loue thee my Lord with a perseuerant loue purposinge by the helpe of thy holye Grace and assistance neuer to be separated from thee by sinne 4. And if I were to liue for millions of yeares yet would I euer remayne thy faithfull seruant and louer 5. I wish all Creatures would Adore and serue thee and that infidels may be conuerted to thy faith and all sinners to good life and All this onlye for thy supreame Honor and Glorie 6. I wish that neither my selfe nor any other had euer offended thee my God and that in particular I my selfe had euer serued thee faithfullye from the instant of my Natiuitie 7. I wish and desire that both I my selfe and all others maye hereafter serue and loue thee most faithfully and this for the loue and good will I beare thee 8. I reioyce and congratulate that thou my Lord God art soe rich and happie that all creatùres can add noe more to thy happinesse then alreadie thou hast 9. Neuerthelesse because thou maist haue external honour and worshipp from thy creatures I doe wish I doe wish that All of them may accordinglye performe their seruice and the worshipp dew vnto thee the best they can 10. I am sorrie for all the sinns and indignities that are haue or shall be done vnto thee by my selfe or by All or any others 11. And this principally and only I am sorrie for because these sinns are iniuries donne to thy deuine Maiestie who onlye is worthye to be honored and serued by all thy creatures 12. I doe ioyfullye accept and am glad of all that is pleasinge to God be it Prosperitie or Aduersitie sweete or bitter and this meerelye for the loue I beare him 13. I am sorrie for all that doth displease God or is contrarie to his deuine will or Commandements and all this onlye for the loue of him and his Glorie THE III. EXERCISE 1. I Congratule thee ô my God and am glad that thou art God and for the Blissednesse and all the Perfections that are in thee and which for all Eternitie thou hast euer had as thy omnipotencie wisedome goodnesses and the like 2. I congratulate thee alsoe and am glad that thou hast need of noe extrinsecall thinge but art in thy selfe most rich and fullye sufficient both for thy selfe and all Other Creatures 3. I likewise with thee ô my Lord reioyce in the sweete ordinance and disposition of heauen and earth for all the things which are in the maruaylous Creation of this world and for all the workes which thou hast made or shalt yet make vnto the end of the world 4. I congratulate approue and reioyce in all the iudgements of my Lord God aswell manifest as secret concerninge the Diuells the soules of the damned the vnbaptised children in Lymbo the soules that be in Purgatorie and the wicked men that liue in this world 5. I congratulate end reioyce with thee ô my God in all the Laude and prayses which the Angells Saints in heauen and thy seruants of the earth doe giue thee and for all the worshipp they yeild vnto thee 6. Because I find my selfe altogether insufficient to prayse my God I doe for my helpe and assistance therin inuite and call vppon the holye Angells and all creatures 7. And withall my owne soule with all the powres of it that all of them together may glorifye my God for his infinitt excellencie 8. I am sorrie I am not perfect and wish that soe farre as it maye please my God to grant itt I maye be perfect the more worthylie to prayse thee 9. And not out of any commoditie by it to my selfe but purelye for the Loue I beare thy Deuine Maiestie who is infinitly worthy of more loue and honour then all Creatures that are or can be are able to performe towards thee 10. Exult and reioyce and be thou delighted ô my soule for all the excellencies and good things that are in thy God 11. If it laye in my powre and were lawfull for mee to choose what God I would haue I would not choose any other God but thee Alone sayinge with Dauid Dixi Domino Deus meus es Tu. I said vnto my Lord thou art my God 12. I reioyce in the Dignitie that our Sauuiour Christ now hath in Heauen and congratulate him in it It is continued THE IV. EXERCISE 1. BLISSED be thy eternall Father who soe aboundantly bestowed these felicities on thee Doe thou blissedly and gloriouslye enioye them for all Eternitie 2. I congratulate the most Blissed Virgin Marie and all the Angells and Saints in Heauen for the glory and happinesse which they now enioye 3. And I prayse and exalt my God for his greate goodnesse and liberalitie therin shewed towards those thy most faithfull and elect friends 4. I doe exceedinglye reioyce that since all Creatures together are in noe sort able to prayse thee my God accordinge to the very least worth that is in thee yet thou thy selfe and thou onlye art able sufficientlye and perfectlye to prayse and glorifye thy selfe 5. I doe reioyce indeed at this and doe hartilye desire thee to doe it euer more 6. Yea I doe hartyly craue of thee that thou may incessantlye and most intensiuely prayse thy selfe since thou onlye art Able to doe itt and deserueth to haue it done 7. I doe congratulate and reioyce with thee ô my Lord God in all the workes which thou hast done and this only because they are thy workes 8. As for the Creation of the world thy Prouidence about itt thy Redemption of it Wonderfully esteeminge all these workes because they are thyne 9. An I reioyce aswell in that thou hast made a hell for the punishment of the wicked as a heauen for the Reward of the good 10. I wish and desire out of my loue to God that hee may be praysed and knowne of all Men and I doe inuite all Creatures to doe the same with my selfe 11. I offer my selfe for the loue of my God to beare and suffer all things which may be to his honour and Glorie though noe manner of commoditie accurre to mee thereby but purely to doe it out of the free loue I beare and desire to beare towards my God 12. Lastlye I professe that if I could deuise any thinge wherin I might shew or Exercise my loue towards my God I hope with the helpe of his Grace I should and would doe it most cheerefullye and readily out of the pure and sinceare loue that I beare and wish to beare toward my God without respect of any commoditie by it to my selfe which God graunt mee to doe for his Glorie and my happynesâ—e Amen FINIS CERTAINE AMOROVS Aspirations to be vsed accordinge to the Direstions and the Disposition of
11. Graunt that with my hart I maie vtterlie tread vnder foote spitt vppon and haue in detestation all ambition ostentation worldly pompe and vanitie and all earthlie dignitie 12. That by profoâ—nd humilitâ—e and true contempt of my selfe I may incessantlie â—unne towards the Glory of thy heauenlie felicitie 13. Hayle suâ—ete Iesus Who beinge declared Innocent by Pilate the Iudge didst not refuse to heare the furious outcries of the Iewes by which they demanded that thou shouldst be crucified 14. Grant that I may liue innocently and not be troubled by reason of Other mens euill will towards mee 15. Giue mee this Grace that I maie neither backbite other Men or willinglie giue â—are to those that doe it 16. But that still I may haue a good opinion of others and beare other mens imperfections with a true compassion 17. And loue all men for God and in God with a pure sinceare and cordiall affection Amen The XIV EXERCISE 1. HAyle sueete Iesus Prayse Honour and Glorie be to thee o Christ Who didst permitt thy selfe in the presence of thy people to be vniustlie condemned to the most ignominious Death of the Crosse. 2. That thou mighst free vs from the sentence of eternall Death 3. Grant that I may seeke thy honour and rather choose to be exercised with thee in Aduersitie then by forsakinge thee to enioye the commodities of this life 4. Hayle sueete Iesus who beinge deliuered ouer to the pleasure of those who did persecute thee didst suffer greate payne by puttinge of the purple garment which did sticke vnto thy soares and puttinge on thyne owne againe 5. Grant that after I haue putt of the garment of my Bodie and am vested with the robe of perfect brightnesse I maye appeare adorned with thy meritts 6. Hayle sâ—eete Iesus Who with many disgraces and iniuries offered thee didst carrie thy Crosse on with greate payne vppon thy sacred and torne sholdiers 7. And beinge weary and breathlesse didst languish vnder the burden 8â— Grant that with feruent Deuotion I may embrace the Crosse of myne owne Abnegation 9. And with an ardent charitie imitate the Examples of thy virtues 10. And may humbly follow thee vnto Death 11. Hayle sueete Iesus Who in that lamentable iorney in which thou went to thy death didst meekely admonish the Weomen that did bewayle thee to bewayle themselues and their childeren 12. Giue mee accegtable teares of Compunction with which I maâ— truely bewaile my sinns and mine owne ingratitude 13. Giue mee Teares of deuout compunction and of holie loue which may melt my hard hart and make it gratefull vnto thee 14. That I maye loue thee alone and rest in thee only 15. Hayle sweete Iesus Who beinge led out with two theeues didst not refuse to be driuen forward to be vrged and hastened and in many other sundrie manners to be afflicted 16. Draw mee after thee and lett mee cheerefullye follow thee 17. Grant that I maie reioice in thee Alone 18. Giue mee grace to loue thee and render Loue for Loue. THE XV. EXERCISE 1. HAYLE sweete Iesus Prayse honour and glorie be to thee ô Christ Who hauinge thy sholders bruised with the weight of the Crosse didst at lenth arriue wearie at the place of execution 2. Where Wine mingled with Gall was offered thee to refresh thy languishinge forces 3. O that thou wouldst extinguish in mee the allurements of Gluttonie and the Concupiscences of that flesh 4. And cause in mee an auersion horrour from all impure and vnlawfull delight 5. And that I may eate and drinke soberly to the glorie of thy name 6. That I maye hunger and thirst after thee alone 7. And in thee place my delight ioye 8. Hayle sweete Iesus Who didst not disdaine to be stripped naked vppon Mount Caluarie in the sight of the people 9. And to suffer a most bitter paine by thy soares renewed with the pullinge of thy cloaths 10. Graunt that I maye loue pouertie of Spiritt and neuer be troubled for any worldly want 11. Grant that by thy example I may endure and suffer any corporall necessities or calamities whatsoeuerâ— 12. Hayle sweete Iesus Who beinge naked didst not refuse to be rudely stretched out vppon the Wood of the Crosse and cruellie fastned with nailes vnto the same 13. In this manner didst thou suffer thyne innocent hands and delicate feete to be most greiuously wounded and all thy sacred ioints to cracke and be put out of ioint 14. Grant mee ô Lord that with a faithfull and gratefull mind I maye consider this thy vnspeakeable Charitie with which of thyne owne accord thou didst stretch forth thyne armes and willingly offered thy hands and feete to be peirced 15. Vouchsafe ô Lord to enlardge and extend my hart with the perfect loue of thee 16. Peirce it and fasten itt vnto thy selfe with the most sueete naile of Charitie 17. And all my senses cogitations and affections inclose only in thee Amen THE XVI EXERCISE 1. HAYLE sweete Iesus prayse honour and glorie be to thee ô Christ Who didst hange thy hands feete beinge peirced three howres vppon the shamefull wood of the Crosse and sheddinge in greate aboundance thy pretious Blood didst of thyne owne accord endure vnspeakeable torments through out thy whole Bodie 2. Lift vp I prey thee vppon the wood of thy Crosse my miserable soule grouelinge on the ground 3. O healthfull Blood ô reuiuinge Blood 4. O that thou wouldst purge and througlie heale mee beinge washed with this thy pretious Blood 5. O that thou would offer this thy Blood to thy father for a perfect satisfaction of all myne iniquities 6. Grant I beseech thee that myne inward Man maye with ardent Affection mentally receiue and licke the liuely dropps of thy pretious Blood and maye truely tast how sueâ—te thy Spiritt is 7. Hayle sweete Iesus Who hanginge vppon the Crosse in the midst betwixt two notorious theiues wast reputed with the wicked 8. That by thy incomprehensible humilitie and Patience thou mights amend and withall satisfie for myne immense impatient Pride 9. Lift vp I beseech thee my Spirit aloft that from aboue I maye dispise all things transitorie 10. That I maye only admire thee my God Crucified for mee 1â— Lett mee thinke speake and dreame of thee 12. Hayle sweete Iesus Who wast soe good euen to those that were soe wicked that for the verie same parties who did crucifie thee thou didst praye vnto thy father sayinge Father forgiue them for they know not what they doe 13. Giue mee I beseech thee the grace of true meekenesse and Patience by which I maye accordinge to thy Commandement and example loue myne enemies 1â— And doe good to those that hate mee 15. I hartilie pray vnto thee for those that hurt and persecute mee 16. Hayle sweete Iesus who wouldst that the Title written in Hebrew Greeke and Latine as it were the Trophie of thy Victorie should be fastned to the Crosse that wee beholdinge it might couragiously fight against our inuisible
learninge and vnderstandinge wee delude ourselues by a vaine Fancie and Folish species and take the shadow for the substance this is Gods Worâ—e not ours For to that end onlye art thou made redeemed Hee it is that is thy beginninge and thy end Thy ioye and thy happinesse and who onlie can satisfie thy hungrie soule And therefore whatsoeuer thou haue and be thou neuer soe rich in other deeds corporall or spirituall vnlesse thou haue this Loue that I speake of and know and feele that thou hast it hold and esteeme that thou hast right nothinge Imprint well in thy soule this desire of the loue of Iesus cleaue fast therevnto and itt shall saue thee from all perills in thy iorney soe that thou shalt neuer perish and it shall saue thee from theiues and robbers which are the wicked Spirits soe that though they beare or torment or vexe thee by diuers temptations yet shall the life of the soule euer be safe And if thou thus hold on thy waye as I aduise thou shalt escape all perills and mischeifes and shalt in a short tyme come to the Cittie of Ierusalem Passinge and transcendinge brings vs to a good endinge That is thus tendinge still to God by slightinge all Creatures wee shall attayne to Him in this life by faith in the next by Glorie Now thou art in the waye and knowst the place whither thou art to drawe and tend beginne then in the name of God to proceed and goe on in thy iorney Thy goinge forth and thy proceedinge in thy iorney is nothinge else but a spirituall workinge and a bodilie alsoe when it shall be expedient which thou shalt vse with the Discretion followinge That is to saye Looke what worke it be which thou dost accordinge to the state of thy life thou art in be the worke spirituall or corporall if it helpe increase and cherish within thee this gracious desire thou hast to loue Iesus or doe make thy soule more stronge more readie and more able for the practise of all vertues goodnesse That worke hold I best for thee be it prayinge be it readinge or be it corporall workinge And as longe as the said worke or exercise strenthneth most thy hart and thy will to the loue of Iesus and furthest draweth thyne affection and thoughts from worldlye vanitie for soe longe hold thee still in that worke But if it proue soe that through vse of that same worke or Exercise the sauour or good tast of it doe growe lesse and that it seemeth to thee that some other worke or Exercise is or would be more sauourous or rellishinge to thy Spirit or that thou feelest more grace in another worke or Exercise doe thou take that other worke and leaue that former For though thy desire or longinge of thy hart to Iesus and to his loue should be euer vnchangeable yet neuerthelesse thy Spirituall workes which thou shalt vse in prayinge or consideringe for to feed and nourish thy said desire maye be diuers and maye well be changed accordinge to that thou feelest thee disposed through Grace and accordinge to that thou feelest thy Spirit more to require or rellish I meane what thou findest to be most comfortable agreeable and profitable to thy Spiritt For it faireth by workes and by desire of the loue of God as it doth by stickes and by a fire For the more sticks are laid to the fâ—e the greater is the fire Euen soe the more diuers spirituall workings at diuers tymes that a Man hath in his thoughts for to keepe whole and sound his desire towards God the mightier and more burninge shall his desire be to God Looke therefore well what worke thou canst best doe and that most helpeth to make well sound this Desire of Iesus in matters wherein thou art free and not bound that doe thou Bind not thy selfe to voluntarie customes vnchangeable that would hinder the libertie of thyne hart for to correspond or answere the motion or inuitation of Iesus if that his Grace should speciallye visit thee by which thy loue towards Him would be increased For I will tell thee what customes are euer good and needfull to be kept Loe such customes are good alwayes to hold which consists in gettinge virtues and in hinderinge and resistinge sinne Such a custome thou must neuer leaue For thou shalt be euer humble patient sober and chast c. if thou doe well and soe of other vertues But the custome of another thinge that hindereth a better is good to be laid aside giueinge place to that which would be better for vs when that the tyme is for such laieinge aside and that wee maye doe it without breach of our obligation otherwayes As for example if a man haue a custome to saye soe many beades or to meditate of such or such a matter or for soe longe a tyme or to watch or kneele thus or thus longe or to doe any such bodilie deed this custome is sometymes to be lett alone when reasonable cause requireth that wee should leaue it or else that wee find more Grace or deuotion some other waye or in some other exercise This Holy writer deliuereth the Truth soe fullye and clearelye how wee should walke that a foole cannot erre therin leauinge all to the queene of vertues discretioÌ„ by which wee may soe prudently order all our Workes Actions that wee maye still encrease in vs the deuine Charitie and desire of God Soe that euerie one accordinge to his Vocation in which hee is called secular or Religious married or single poore or rich noble or ignoble is made decible of God lead by his Holy Inspiration and brought into the true libertie of the Childeren of God Gal. 5. 13. not giuinge waye to the libertie of the flesh THE XXII CHAPTER Of certayne temptations and lettings which soules haue from their spirituall enemies in their iorney to Spirituall Ierusalem and of the remedie against the same NOW art thou in the way and knowst how thou ought to trauell and goe Now beware of enemies that will be diligent busie to lett thee if they can For their inteÌ„t is to put out of thy hart the desire and longinge that thou hast to the loue of Iesus and to draw thee home againe to the loue of worldlye vanitie There is nothinge that greiueth them soe much as to see thee seeke after and labour for the loue of Iesus Those enemies are principally fleshly desires and vayne feares that arise out of thyne Hart through the corruption of thy corporall nature and would lett and hinder thy desirâ— of the loue of God that soe they might fully and restingly possesse thy Hart These are thy neerest enemies Other enemies alsoe there are and namely the wicked Spirits who are diligent and busie with sleights inuentions and deceits to deceiue thee But one remedie thou hast against them all as before I haue told thee and that is that whatsoeuer they saye vnto thee beleiue
them not but hold forth on thy way and only desire the loue of Iesus Euer answere thus I am nothinge I couet nothinge but onlye the loue of our Lord Iesus This is the best securest and easiest waye of ouercominge all temptationsâ— and scruples whatsoeuer answere nothinge to them be not troubled with them but still goe on thy waye tend to the loue of thy God which will ouercome all and make all right witâ— thee If thyne enemies by suggestions to thy soule saye vnto thee that thou hast not made thy Confession a right or that there is some old sinne or sinns hidd in thy hart that thou before knewst not or that thou hast not as yet euer made thy Confessions a right or as thou shouldst haue made them and therefore would haue thee turne home agayne and to giue ouer thyne earnest desire of the Loue of God and to goe and make a better confession Beleiue not this their sayeinge For it is folly For thou art rightly confessed and soe doe thou surely hope and trust thyselfe to be and that thou art in the waye and that thou needest noe further to looke into thy conscience for confession of what is past Hold on thy waye euer thinke on Ierusalem If they saye alsoe vnto thee that thou art not worthy to haue the Loue of God and therefore why shouldst thou couet that which thou wilt not be able to come by or art worthy to haue Beleiue them not but hold on thy waye and saye thus Not because I am worthye but because I am vnworthy therefore would I loue God For if that I had His loue it would make mee worthye And since that I was created for that end which is for the louinge of God though I should neuer come by it yet will I couet it and therefor will I praye and thinke how I maâ—e gett itt and will labour for itt And then if thyne enemies see that thou beginst to growe bold couragious and resolute in thy said purpose they beginne to grow afraid of thee Neuerthelesse they will not cease or giuâ— ouer to seeke to staye and hinder thee as much as they can soe longe as thou art holdinge on thy way what on the one side with feares and threatnings and what on the otherside with false flatterie vayne pleasings for to make thee giue ouer thy good purposes and to turne thee home agayne And for that end they will say thus vnto thee If thou thus hold on thy desire to Iesus trauellinge soe feruently as thou now beginst thou wilt fall into fancies or into frenzie or craze thy head or fall into bodilie sicknesse as thou seest some doe by goinge about that which thou now dost or thou wilt fall into pouertie or some bodilye harme or mischeife and noe man able to helpe thee or thou maist fall into secret and inward temptations or illusions of the enimie soe â—hat thou wilt not be able to helpe thy selfe about them For it is wonderous perillous for any man or weoman to giue him or herselfe wholy to the loue of God and to leaue and forsake all the world and to couet nothinge but onlye the loue of Him For soe many perillâ— may fall to a Man in such course of his as hee cannot soe much as imagine them before hand And therefore turne thee home agayne and leaue of this desire for thou shalt neuer bringe it to an end and doe thou as other worldlye men or the common sort of good Christâ—ans or euen of Religious doe Thus saye thyne enemyes but beleiue them not but hold on in thy desire saye or answere nothinge else but that thou wouldst haue Iesus and be at Ierusalem And if they perceiue that thou wilt not giue ouer neither for sicknesse for fantazies nor for frenzies for doubts nor for feares of any temptations corporall or spirituall for pouertie nor for any mischeife or harme For life nor for death but euer seekest longest after the said one thinge and nothinge else but that one thinge and yeildst to them a deafe eare as if thou heardst them not and holdst on stifly constantly and perseuerantly in Prayer and in other thy spirituall workes with discretion accordinge to the counsaile of thy superior or the aduise or direction giuen thee by thy Spirituall Father or director then beginne they to be verie angry and to goe a little more neere thee Then they beginne to robbe thee and beate thee and doe thee all the shame and mischeife they can And that they doe when they cause all the deeds thou dost be they neuer soe well done to be deemed iudged by others to be euill and turned and taken in the worser sense and meaninge And whatsoeuer it be thou wouldst doe or haue done in helpe reliefe or comfort of thy bodie or of thy soule it shall be lett or hindred by those other men soe that thou shalt be put from thy will and contradicted in it in all or most of those things which thou with reason desirest to haue And this thy said enemyes doe to the end thou shouldst be stirred and prouoked to anger impatience or euill will towards thy Christian Brother or sister but against all these temptatioÌ„s and vexations and difficulties and all other that maye come vppon thee or which thou maist feele vse this remedie that I shall now agayne tell thee as before I haue told thee Take Iesus or his loue in thy mind and trouble thy selfe noe further with theÌ„ but thinke on thy lesson That thou art nothinge that thou hast nothinge that thou couetest nothinge of earthlye or transitorie things that thou desirest nothinge but the loue of Iesus And in and with these exercises hold on thy waye to Ierusalem And if thou happen sometymes through thy frailetie or by the euill will of some other man or through the malice of thyne enemye to be tarried or lett in thy waye Yet assoone as thou canst come agayne to thy selfe leaue of thinkinge of what hath past and proceed in thy good exercises and hold on thy way abide not longe with those thy former defects or difficulties for feare of thyne enemyes who would still hold thee in them and in discussinge of them thereby to hinder thee from goinge forwards in thy waye If in this our waye to Ierusalem and Spirituall tendance towards God we chance to stray and deuiate or stoppet rough any sinne or defect wee must presentlye get into the way againâ— and goe on as if wee had neuer strayed or stopped at all this is the only waye to expiate the sinns or defects themselues and to ridd vs of all scruples For tâ—eir is noe such Contrition as this aspiringe to God in the Cloâ—d of faith and feelings of Loue. Yea if wee fall into certayne euident greate sinnes lett vs meekely and penitently confesse them and trouble our selues noe further but walke on agayne as if noe such thinge had happened or beene done THE XXIII
CHAPTER Of a generall remedie against the temptationâ— and troubles proceedinge from the flesh the world or the enemie AND after this when that thyne enimies see that thou art soe well willed that thou art not angrie nor much troubled nor incensed against any creatures for any thinge they can doe or speake against thee but art fully resolued in thy hart for to suffer and vndergoe all that maye happen to fall be it easie or vneasie sowre or sweete prayse or disprayse scarsitie or plentie And that thou dost esteeme or reguard nothinge soe thou maye keepe whole and entire the desire that thou hast of the Loue of Iesus Then are they much abashed and daunted But then they will trie and essay thee with flatterie vayne pleasinge and complacence As when they doe bringe to the sight of thy soule all thy good deeds and vertues and would perswade thee that all men prayse and speake much of thy holinesse and vertues And how that all men loue thee and reuerence thee for thy vertuous and holy liuinge and would therefore perswade thee to be sollicitous of thy good name and estimation with others Thus doe thyne enimies that thou shouldst thinke their sayings to be true and take willinge delight and pleasure in such vayne ioye and complaceâ—ce and shouldst willingly rest thee theriâ— But if thou wilt doe well thou shalt hold and esteeme all such thoughts and suggestions to be falshood and flatterie of thyne enemie that profers thee to drinke venome tempered with honie And therefore refuse it and saye that thou wilt not haue it but wouldst fayne be at Ierusalem Such offers and lettings thoâ— shall find feele or some other such lettings or offers what of thy flesh what of the world what of thyne enemie more in number I meane of the temptations and more diuers in the kinds and qualities of them then I am able to tell thee of or thou able before hand to imagine for a man soe longe as hee suffereth his mind and thoughts willingly to runne about the world or about worldly desires as all doe that doe not seriouslye applye themselues to the seruice of God in beholdinge oâ— thinkinge of vayne or hurtfull things hee perceiueth or conceiueth but few lettings But soe soone as hee draweth all his thoughts and desires to the said one thinge onlye to haue that to know that to loue that and that is only Iesus and his loue Then shall hee well feele and perceiue many paynefull and troublesome lettings For euerie thinge that hee feeleth and is not that hee coueteth or helpeth to the gettinge of it is lettinge to Him Therefore I hauerold thee of some temptations or lettings in particular as for some examples And moreouer I saye in generallitie that whatsoeuer stirringe motion or suggestion thou feelest from thy flesh or from the enemye be it pleasant or sowre louelye or dreadfull gladsome or sorrowfull that would draw downe thy thoughts and desire from the loue of Iesus to wordly vanitie and would hinder or coole the Spirituall couetousnesse that thou hast to the loue of Him and would haue thy hart be occupied with that stirring restingly Doe thou sett it at nought receiue it not willingly or deliberately tarrie not therewith too longe But if it be an exterior buâ—inesse that behooueth needs to be donne either towards thy selfe or towards thy Christian Brother or â—ister dispatch it and ridd thee soone of it and bringe it to an end that it hange not on thy Hart and soe distract thee more then needs if it be another thinge that may be spared and needeth not to be done or else concernes not thee or belongeth to thee heed it not harken not after it nor trouble thy selfe about it nor be angrie for it nor affraid of it nor loue it but cast it presently out of thy mind and hart and say thus I am nothinge I haue nothinge nothinge doe I feele or couet but the Loue of Iesus Fasten thy mind thoúghts to this desire and strengthen it and maintayne it with Prayer and other Spirituall workes that thou forgett it not and it shall lead and guid thee in the right waye and saue thee from all perills and make noe doubt but it will bringe thee to the perfect loue of our Lord Iesus This naked and cleane aspiringe and pure adheringe to God in the darke clowde of faith and blind feelings of Loue is a waye soe secure and safe that all the world and all the deuills of Hell nor euen the suttle craft of our owne selfe seekeinge can misleade vs or deceiue vs for wee still ayme at God and nothinge but pure God soe that wee shall not rest in any thinge but him not his very guifts and Graces noe relations noe Visions noe rapts noe exâ—asiesâ— But still passe and make vse of all to tend to Him aboue all Neuerthelesse on the otherside I alsoe saye and aduise thee that looke what worke or motion it be be the same corporall or spirituall that maye helpe or further thy said desire strengthen it and nourish itt drawe thy mind and thoughts furtheâ—t from the loues and desires of the world or corrupt nature and which makes thy loue and desire towards God more burninge more harty or more efficacious Whither it be prayinge either mentally or vocally or for the nature or manner of the Prayer or be it meditation or silence or speakinge solitarinesse or beinge in companie sittinge or walkinge keepe it and hold it for a tyme and worke therin and therewith soe longe as the sauour or tast of itt lasteth This discretion and freedome to doe any thinge that feeds this Holy desire to God in vs is most necessarie and without this freedome wee can make noe progresse Neither need wee to scruple at anythinge that is not euill in itt selfe or contrarie to the euident externe will of God by ordination of holy Church or our particular state or profession If it be soâ— thou take therewith as needs thou must accordinge to thy need meate drinke sleepe and rest as a pilgrime doth and hold disâ—retion in such thy workinge thou shalt doe very well and profitable in thy soe doinge For haue hee neuer soe greate hast in his goinge yet will hee eate drinke and sleepeâ— Doe thou soe likewise for though it lett thee for a tyme yet will itt further thee afterwards Amen FINIS LAVS DEO VIRGINI Benedicto Hac est via Ambulate in ea Isa. 30. 21. This is the waye walke in itt Isa. 30. 21. DEVOVT IDEOT THY Deuotions are soe happilye printed that the faults escaped are such as thou maist easilye take thy pen in the hand correct them thyselfe beinge sometymes one letter for another As an a for an e or an n for an u or a letter too much or a letter too little All which the sense will soone tell thee and I know thou endeauours to mend faults not find faults and for thee and thy like it was set forth and none other ADIEV TO THE V. R MADAME CATHERINE GASCOIGNE MOST VVORTHY ABBESSE of the English Monasterie of our Ladies of Comfort in Cambray MADAME The same engagement which obliged mee to sett forth these simple and pure Deuotions hath bound mee to dedicate and present them to your Lad P. who in verie deed hath the most right title to them beinge yours by the â—en le Authors owne guift yours by Possession but aboue all yours in the highest degree of practise And truely they belonge to such and none but such as de facto indeed practise them All others may looke on them and perchance hardlye censure them but they haue noe right and title to them They haue them not in their hart and nothinge else can possesse them these are treasures for the Hart nothinge else hath right to them This Ideot who to others seemes ignorant and foolish to you is knowingly ignorant and wisely vnlearned They perswade themselues who present him vnto you as they haue experienced themselues that hee hath taught you more high and euident truths more sapid and fatisfactorie knowledge then all the subtile Scholasticks and suttle politicks put together could haue done VVee see knowledge Prudence vertue shine in all your Actions in an high measure Noe other Maister could haue taught them you This Ideot who to others appeares soe vnhandsome and insipide to you shewes himselfe most comely and delightfull For you haue giuen all that you haue Math. 13. Math. 19. Phil. 3. Luk. 15. or rather left all that you had to conuerse with Him You esteeme all else as nothinge You haue choseÌ„ this best part vvhich shall neuer be taken avvay Accept of Him then and as hitherto lett him be euer familiar and gratefull vnto your Lad P. which they wish from their harts who are and hee hartyly by whom they make this humble adresse MADAME Your Lad ps most deuoted humble and obliged seruants c.