Linguistic DNA - Concept Modelling Demonstrator

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	call_v	lord_n	soul_n	6,288	5	5.4233	4	true

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A13694	The follovving of Christ Diuided into foure bookes. Written in Latin by the learned and deuout man, Thomas a Kempis, canon-regular of the order of S. Augustine. Whereunto also is added the golden Epistle of S. Bernard. And also certaine rules of a Christian life, made by Iohn Picus the elder, Earle of Mirandula. Translated into English by B.F.; Imitatio Christi. English.	Hoskins, Anthony, 1568-1615.; Elyot, Thomas, Sir, 1490?-1546.; Bernard, of Clairvaux, Saint, 1090 or 91-1153. Epistola de perfectione vitae. English.; Pico della Mirandola, Giovanni, 1463-1494, Regulae duodecim portim excitantes portim dirigentes hominem in pugna spirituali. English. aut; Thomas, à Kempis, 1380-1471, attributed name.; Whitford, Richard, fl. 1495-1555?	1615 (1615)	STC 23988; ESTC S111535	135,170	483

hart They deliuer the letters but thou openest the sense They bring foorth mysteries but thou disclosest the vnderstanding of sealed things They declare thy Commandements but thou helpest to fulfill them They shew the way but thou giuest streÌ„gth to walke it They worke only exteriourly but thou instructest and enlightnest the hearts They water outwardly but thou giuest fruitfulnes They sound foorth words but thou giuest vnderstanding to the hearing 3 Let not therefore Moyses speak vnto me but thou my Lord God the euerlasting truth lest perhaps I shold die and become without fruit if I be warned outwardly onely and not inflamed within lest the word heard and not fulfilled knowen not loued belieued not obserued should increase my judgement Speak therfore Lord for thy seruant heareth for thou hast the words of euerlasting life 1. King 3. Speak vnto me to the comfort of my soule to the ameÌ„dmeÌ„t of my whole life to thy praise glory euerlasting honor Ioh. 6. CHAP. III. That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not OVR LORD SOnne heare my words words of great comfort excelling all the knowledge of the Philosophers and wise men of this world My words are spirit and life not to be weighed by the vnderstanding of man Ioh. 6. They are not to be drawne to vaine liking but to be heard with silence and to be receiued with all humility and great affection SER. And I said Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy Law that thou mayest giue him quietnes from euill daies and that hee bee not destroyed vpon earth Psal 93. LORD 2 I saith our Lord haue taught the Prophets from the beginning and cease not continually to speake to euery one but many are deafe and giue no eare to my speech Heb. 1. The greater number do more willingly listen to the world then to God and follow sooner the desires of their flesh then the will of God The world promiseth temporall and small things and is serued with great diligence I promise most high and eternal things and the hearts of men are nothing moued with it Who is he that serueth and obeyeth me with equall care to that with which the world and the Lords thereof are serued Blush Sidon saith the sea Esa 23. And if thou aske the cause heare vvhereof For a little prebend a long jorney is vndertaken for euerlasting life many will scarce once lift a foot from the ground A thing of small value is sought after greedily for a peny sometimes there is great contention for a vaine thing and sleight promise men doubt not to toile day and night 3 But alas for an vnchangeable good for an inestimable revvard for the highest honour and glorie without end they are loath to take the least paines Blush therefore slouthfull and complaining Seruant that they are found more ready to destruction then thou to life They reioyce more at vanity then thou at truth And yet they are sometimes frustrated of their hope but my promise deceiueth none nor sendeth him away empty that trusteth in me Rom. 1. Matth. 24. I will giue that which I haue promised I will fulfill that which I haue said but to him that remaines faithfull in my loue to the end Apoc. 2. I am the reward of all good and do try my deuout seruants in forcible proofes Mat. 5.15 4 Write my words in thy heart and thinke diligently of them for they will bee necessary in time of temptation What thou vnderstandest not wheÌ„ thou readest thou shalt know in the day of visitation I am wont to visite my elect two seuerall wayes to wit with temptation and comfort And I daily reade two lessons vnto them one reprehending their vices another exhorting them to the encrease of vertues Hee that hath my words and despiseth them hath within him that shal judge him at the last day A prayer to implore the grace of deuotion SER. 5 Lord my God thou art all that I can desire Who am I that dare speake vnto thee I am thy poorest seruant and a most vile worme much more poore and contemptible then I can or dare expresse Gen. 18. Remember Lord that I am nothing haue nothing and can doe nothing Thou alone art good just and holy thou canst doe all things performest all things leauing only a sinner void of al good Call to mind thy mercies and fill my hart with thy grace who wilt not that thy workes be void 6 How can I support my selfe in this miserable life vnlesse thy mercy and grace comfort me Turne not thy face from me delay not thy visitation draw not away thy comfort lest my soule become as earth without water vnto thee Psal 68. Lord teach me to fulfill thy will teach me to liue worthily and humbly in thy sight for thou art my wisdome thou doest perfectly know me and didst know me before the world was made and before I was borne in the world Psal 142. CHAP. IV. That we ought to liue in truth and humility in the sight of God OVR LORD SOnne walke in my sight in sincerity and truth and euer seeke me in plainenesse of heart He that walketh in my sight in truth shal be defended from euill incursions and truth shall deliuer him from seducers and from the detractions of the wicked Gen. 17. Wisd 1. If truth shall haue deliuered thee thou shalt be truely free and shalt not care for vaine speeches of men 1. Ioh. 8. SER. Lord it is true According as thou sayest so I beseech thee let it be done with me and keepe me and bring mee to a happy end Let thy truth teach me and let it deliuer me from all euill affection and inordinat loue and I shall walke with thee in great freedome of heart LORD 2 I wil teach thee saith the Truth those things that are right and pleasing in my sight Thinke of thy sins with great sorrow griefe and neuer esteem thy selfe any thing for thy good workes Thou art in very deed a sinner and subiect to many passions Of thy selfe thou alwayes tendest to nothing and art quickly cast downe and ouercome quickly troubled quickly dissolued Thou hast nothing wherin thou canst glory 2. Cor. 4. But many things for which thou oughtest to humble and despise thy selfe for thou art much weaker then thou art able to comprehend 3 And therfore let nothing seeme much vnto thee whatsoeuer thou dost Let nothing seem great nothing precious wonderful nothing worthy of estimation nothing high nothing truly commendable and to be desired but that which is euerlasting Let the eternall truth aboue al things please thee Let thy owne great vnworthinesse alwayes displease thee Feare nothing blame flie nothing so much as thy sins and vices which ought to displease more then the losse of any thing whatsoeuer Some walke not sincerely in my sight but led by a certain curiosity pride wil know

curing sundry diseases I will not send them home fasting lest they faint by the way Matth. 15. Mat. 8. Deale thou therefore in like manner now with mee who hast vouchsafed to leaue thy selfe in the Sacrament for the comfort of the faithfull For thou art the sweet refection of the soule and he that eateth thee worthily shall be partaker and heire of euerlasting glory It is necessary for me that do so often fall and sinne so quickly waxe dul and faint that by often prayers and confession and receiuing of thy sacred body I renue clense and inflame my selfe lest perhaps by long abstaining I fall from my holy purpose 3 For man is prone vnto euil from his youth and vnlesse this diuine remedy help him he quickly slideth to worse Gen. 8. This holy Communion therefore draweth backe from euill and comforteth in good For if I be now so often slack and negligent when I communicate or say Masse what would become of me if I receiued not this remedy and sought not after so great a helpe Though euery day I be not fit nor well prepared to say Masse I will endeauour notwithstanding at conuenient times to receiue the Diuine Mysteries and make my selfe partaker of so great a grace For this is the onely chiefe comfort of a faithfull soule whilest she wandreth from thee in this mortall body that being mindfull of her God shee often receiue her Beloued with a deuout minde 4 O wonderfull benignity of thy mercy towards vs that thou Lord God the Creator and giuer of life to all spirits dost vouchsafe to come vnto a poore soule and with thy whole Godhead and humanity to replenish her hunger O happy mind and blessed soule that deserueth to receiue thee her Lord God with deuout affection and in receiuing of thee to be filled with spirituall joy O how great a Lord doth shee entertaine How beloued a guest doth shee harbour How pleasant a companion doth shee receiue How faithfull a friend doth shee accept How beautifull and noble a Spouse doth shee embrace She embraceth him who is to be loued aboue al that is beloued and aboue al things that may be desired Let Heauen and Earth and all their beauty be silent in thy presence For what beauty and praise soeuer they haue it is receiued from thy bounty and shal not equal the beauty of thy name of whose wisedome there is no end Psal 146. CHAP. IV. That many benefits are bestowed vpon them that Communicate deuoutly The voice of the Disciple MY Lord God preuent thy seruant in the blessings of thy sweetnesse that I may deserue to approach worthily and deuoutly to thy holy Sacrament stirre vp my heart vnto thee and deliuer me from all heauines slouth Ps 20. visit me with thy comfort that I may taste in spirit thy sweetnes which plentifully lieth hid in this SacrameÌ„t as a fouÌ„taine Ps 105. Giue light also to mine eyes to behold so great a mystery and strengthen me to beleeue it with vndoubted faith For it is thy worke and not mans power thy sacred institution not mans inuention For no man is of himselfe able to comprehend and vnderstand these things which surpasse the vnderstanding euen of Angels What therefore shall I vnworthy sinner earth and ashes be able to search and comprehend of so high and sacred a mystery 2 O Lord in sinceritie of heart with a good and firme faith and at thy commandement I come vnto thee with hope and reuerence and do verily beleeue that thou art heere present in the Sacrament God and Man Thy holy pleasure is that I receiue thee by charity do vnite my self vnto thee Wherfore I do recurre vnto thy Clemencie and doe craue speciall grace that I may wholy melt in thee and abound with loue and hereafter neuer admit any externall comfort For this most high and worthy Sacrament is the health of the soule and body the remedy of al spirituall sicknes by it my vices are cured my passions bridled temptations ouercome or weakned greater grace infused vertue increased faith confirmed hope strengthened and charity inflamed and enlarged 3 For thou hast bestowed and still oftentimes dost bestow many benefits in this Sacrament vpon thy beloued that receiue it deuoutly my God the protector of my soul the streÌ„gthner of humane frailty and the giuer of all inward comfort Thou impartest vnto them much comfort against sundry tribulations and liftest them vp from the depth of their own basenesse to the hope of thy protection and dost inwardly refresh illustrat them with a certaine new grace in such sort that they who before Communion felt themselues heauy indisposed afterwards being streÌ„gthened with heauenly meat and drinke do find in themselues a great change to the better which thou dost so dispose to thy Elect that they may truly acknowledge and patiently proue how great their owne infirmity is and what benefit and grace they receiue from thee For they of themselues are cold dull and vndeuout but by thee they are made feruent agile and full of deuotion For who is there that approaching humbly vnto the Fountain of sweetnes doth not carry away from thence at least some little sweetnes Or who standing by a great fire receiueth not some small heat thereby Thou art a Fountaine alwayes full and ouerflowing a fire euer burning and neuer decaying Esa 12. Leuit. 6. 4 Wherefore if I cannot draw at the full out of this Fountaine nor drinke my fill I will notwithstanding set my lips to the mouth of this heauenly conduite that I may draw from thence at least some small drop to refresh my thirst to the end I wither not wholy away and perish And though I be not altogether celestial nor so inflamed as the Cherubims and Seraphims notwithstanding I will endeauour to apply my selfe to deuotion and dispose my heart to obtaine some small sparke of diuine fire by humbly receiuing of this Life-giuing Sacrament And whatsoeuer is hereunto wanting in mee good Iesu most blessed Sauiour doe thou supply for mee most benigne and gratious Lord who hast vouchsafed to call vs vnto thee saying Come vnto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you Mat. 11. 5 I labour in the sweate of my browes I am vexed with griefe of heart I am burdened with sinnes I am troubled with temptations I am intangled and oppressed with many euill passions and there is none to helpe me none to deliuer and saue me but thou Lord God my Sauiour to whome I commit my selfe and all mine that thou mayest keepe me and bring me to life euerlasting Receiue me to the honor and glory of thy name who hast prepared thy Body and Bloud to be my meat and my drinke Granâ— Lord God my Sauiour that by frequenting thy mysteries my zeale and deuotion may encrease CHAP. V. Of the dignitie of this Sacrament and Priestly function The voice of Christ IF thou hadst angelicall purity and the sanctity of Saint

I stand before thee poore and naked calling for grace and crauing mercy Refresh this thy hungry and needy creature giue heat vnto my coldnes with the fire of thy loue giue light vnto my blindnesse with the brightnes of thy presence Turne al earthly things vnto me into bitternes all things grieuous and contrarie into patience all base and created things into contempt and obliuion Lift vp my heart to thee in heauen and suffer me not to wander vpon earth be thou only sweete and delightsome vnto mee from hence-forth for euermore for thou only art my meat and my drinke my loue and my joy my delight and all my good 3 O that with thy presence thou wouldest wholy inflame burne and change me into thee that I might be made one spirit with thee by the grace of inward vnion and melting of burning loue Suffer me not to go from thee hungry and drie but deale mercifully with me as thou hast oftentimes dealt wonderfully with thy Saints What meruaile if I should be wholy inflamed by thee and die in my selfe sith thou art fire euer burning and neuer decaying loue purifying the heart and enlightning the vnderstanding CHAP. XVII Of burning loue and vehement desire to receiue Christ The voice of the Disciple WIth great deuotion and burning loue with most hearty affection and feruour I desire to receiue thee O Lord as many Saints and deuout persons haue desired thee when they receiued thy Sacrament who were most pleasing vnto thee in holines of life and most feruent in deuotion O my God the euerlasting loue my whole good my happinesse without end I would gladly receiue thee with the most vehement desire and worthy reuerence that any of the Saints euer had or could feele 2 And although I be vnworthy to haue all those feelings of deuotion yet I offer vnto thee the whole affection of my hart as if I alone had those most sweet inflamed desires yea whatsoeuer also a deuout minde can conceiue and desire all that with greatest reuerence and most inward affection I offer present vnto thee I wish to reserue nothing to my self but freely and most willingly to sacrifice my selfe all mine vnto thee my Lord God my Creator and my Redeemer I desire to receiue thee this day with such affection reuerence praise honor with such gratitude worthines and loue with such faith hope and purity as thy most blessed Mother the glorious Virgin Mary receiued and desired thee when she humbly and deuoutly answered the Angel who declared vnto her the mystery of the Incarnation and said Behold the Handmaid of our Lord let it be done vnto mee according to thy word Luk. 1. 3 And as thy blessed Forerunner the most excellent amongst the Saints Iohn Baptist cheerefully leaped with joy of the holy Ghost whilest he was yet shut vp in his mothers wombe and afterwards seeing Iesus walking amongst men humbling himselfe very much said with deuout affection The friend of the Bridegrome that standeth and heareth him reioyceth with joy for the voice of the Bridegrome Ioh. 3. so I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desires and to offer my self vp vnto thee with my whole heart Wherefore I offer also and present vnto thee the joyes feruent desires excesses of minde spirituall illuminations and heauenly visions of all deuout hearts with all the vertues and praises exercised and to be exercised by all creatures in heauen and earth for my selfe and all such as are commended to me in prayer that by all thou mayest be worthily praised and glorified for euer 4 Receiue my Lord God the affections of my heart and desires which I haue to giue thee infinite praise and thankes which according to the measure of thy vnspeakable greatnesse are due vnto thee These I yeeld thee and desire to yeeld thee euery day and moment and I doe intreate and inuite all the heauenly Spirits and all thy deuout seruants to giue thanks and praises together with me 5 Let all People Tribes and Tongues praise thee and magnifie thy holy and sweet name with great joy and feruent deuotion and let all that reuerently and deuoutly celebrate thy most high Sacrament and receiue it with full faith deserue to finde grace and mercy at thy hands and pray humbly for mee sinfull creature And when they shall haue obtained their desired deuotion and joyfull vnion and depart from thy sacred heauenly Table well comforted and meruailously refreshed let them vouchsafe to remember my poore and needy soule CHAP. XVIII That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense vnto faith The voice of the Beloued THou oughtest to beware of curious and vnprofitable searching into this most profound Sacrament if thou wilt not sinke into the depth of doubt He that is a searcher of Maiestie shall be oppressed by Glorie Prou. 25. God is able to worke more then man can vnderstand A pious and humble inquirie of truth is tolerable so he be alwaies ready to bee taught and doe endeauour to walke in the sound pathes of the ancient Fathers doctrine 2 Blessed is that simplicity that forsaketh the difficult waies of questions and goeth on in the plaine and assured path of Gods Commandements Many haue lost deuotion whilest they would search after high things Faith and sincere life are exacted at thy hands not height of vnderstanding nor the depth of the mysteries of God If thou doest not vnderstand nor conceiue those things that are vnder thee how shalt thou bee able to comprehend those that are aboue thee Submit thy selfe to God and let thy sense be subiect to faith and the light of knowledge shall bee giuen thee in that degree as shall bee profitable and necessary for thee 3 Some are grieuously tempted about Faith and the Sacrament but this is not to bee imputed to them but rather to the enemie Do not regard nor dispute with thy thoughts neither doe thou giue answere to the doubts mooued by the enemie but beleeue the words of God beleeue his Saints and Prophets and the wicked Serpent will flie from thee It is oftentimes very profitable to the seruant of God to suffer such things for he tempteth not Infidels and sinners whom he alreadie securely possesseth but hee sundrie waies tempteth and vexeth the faithfull and deuout 4 Goe forward therefore with a sincere and vndoubted faith and come to the Sacrament with vnfained reuerence And whatsoeuer thou art not able to vnderstand commit securely to Almightie God God deceiueth thee not hee is deceiued that trusteth too much to himselfe Psalm 18. and 118. God walketh with the simple reuealeth himselfe to the humble giueth vnderstanding to little ones openeth the senses of pure minds and hideth grace from the curious and proud Mat. 11. Humane reason is weake and may be deceiued but true faith cannot be deceiued 5 All reason and naturall search ought to follow faith not to go before it

purpose to resist with courage but when a smal temptation commeth it bringeth me into very narrow straits It is sometimes a very trifle from whence great temptations do proceed And whilst I thinke my selfe somewhat safe when I least expect it I find my selfe sometimes ouercome with a small blast 2 Behold therfore Lord my humility my frailty euery way knowne vnto thee Psalm 24. Haue mercy on me and deliuer me out of the mire of my infirmities that I sticke not fast therein let me not for euer remaine deiected Psal 68. This is that which oftentimes beareth me back confoundeth me in thy sight for that I am so subiect to fall and weak in resisting of my passions And though I do not altogether consent yet their continuall assaults are troublesome and grieuous vnto me it is tedious and a very irksome thing to liue thus daily in strife Hereby my infirmitie is made knowne vnto me for that wicked fancies doe alwayes much more easily enter in vpon me then they can be cast out againe 3 O mightie God of Israel the zealous louer of faithfull soules let it please thee to consider the labour and sorrow of thy seruant and assist him in all whatsoeuer he vndertaketh Strengthen me with heauenly force lest my old man my miserable flesh not fully as yet subiect to the spirit preuaile get the vpper hand against which I ought to fight as long as I breath in this miserable life Alas what a kind of life is this where tribulations and miseries are neuer wanting where al is set with snares and compassed with enemies For when one tribulation or temptation goeth away another commeth yea and during the first conflict also many others come vnlooked for one after another 4 And how can a life bee loued that hath so many afflictions and is subiect to so many calamities miseries How is it called a life that begetteth so many deaths plagues And yet it is loued and many seek to delight themselues therin The world is oftentimes blamed that it is deceitful and vaine yet it is not easily forsaken because the inclinations of our flesh do too much ouerrule vs. Some things draw vs to loue it others to contemne it To the loue of the world doe draw vs the concupiscence of the flesh the concupiscence of the eyes and the pride of life but the paines and miseries that do justly follow them causeth a hatred and loathsomenesse thereof 1. Ioh. 2. 5 But alas wicked pleasure ouercommeth the minde which is giuen ouer to the world and she esteemeth it a delight to be vnder thornes because shee hath neither seene nor tasted the sweetnes of God and the inward delight of vertue Iob. 30. But they that perfectly contemne the world and endeauour to liue to God vnder holy discipline these are not ignorant of the diuine sweetnes promised to the true forsakers of the world and do more clearely see how grieuously the world erreth and how it is many wayes deceiued CHAP. XXI That we are to rest in God aboue all his gifts THE SERVANT ABoue all things and in all things my soule thou shalt euer rest in God for he is the euerlasting rest of the Saints Grant me most sweet and louing Iesu to rest in thee aboue all creatures aboue all health and beauty aboue all glory and honor aboue all power and dignitie aboue all knowledge and learning aboue all riches and artes aboue all joy and gladnes aboue all fame and praise aboue all sweetnes and comfort aboue all hope and promise aboue all merit and desire aboue all gifts and presents that thou canst giue and impart vnto vs aboue all joy and jubily that the minde of man can receiue and feele lastly aboue Angels and Archangels and aboue all the heauenly Host aboue all visible and inuisible things and aboue all that that thou art not my God Rom. 8. 2 For that thou my Lord God surpassest all thou alone most high thou alone most powerfull thou alone most full and sufficient thou alone most sweete and comfortable thou alone most beautifull and louing thou alone most noble and glorious aboue all things in whom all good things together both are perfectly and euer haue beene and shall be and therefore it is too little and not sufficient whatsoeuer thou bestowest on me besides thy selfe or reuealest vnto mee of thy selfe or promisest whilest thou art not seene and not fully obtained for surely my heart cannot rest nor be fully coÌ„tented vnlesse it rest in thee surmount all gifts and creatures whatsoeuer 3 O my most beloued Spouse Christ Iesus the most chast louer the gouernour of all creatures who wil giue me wings of true libertie to flie and rest in thee Psalm 53. O when shall it be fully granted me to consider in quietnes of mind and see how sweet thou art my Lord God! When shall I fully recollect my self in thee that for thy loue I may not feele my selfe but thee alone aboue all sense and feeling in a manner not knowne vnto al. But now I oftentimes lament and beare my infelicity with griefe Dan. 13. For that many euils occurre in this vale of miseries which do often trouble grieue and darken me often hinder and distract me allure and intangle me to the end I should not haue free accesse vnto thee and that I should not enioy those sweete and heaueÌ„ly imbracings which thou alwaies giueth to the blessed celestial spirits Let my sighes and manifold desolation on earth moue thee 4 O Iesus splendor of eternal glory comfort of the pilgrime soule With thee is my tongue without voice and my silence speaketh vnto thee How long doth my Lord delay to come Let him come vnto me his poore seruant make me glad Let him put out his hand and deliuer me miserable wretch from all anguish Come come blessed Lord for without thee I shall haue no joyfull day nor houre Thou art my joy without thee there is nothing but want A wretched creature I am and in a manner imprisoned and loaden with irons vntill thou comfortest me with the light of thy presence and giuest me liberty and shewest a fauourable countenance vnto me 5 Let others seeke vvhat they please insteed of thee but for me nothing else doth nor shall delight me but thou only my God my hope my euerlasting health I will not hold my peace nor cease to pray vntil thy grace returne againe and thou speak inwardly vnto me LORD Behold I am here behold I come vnto thee because thou hast called vpon me thy teares and the desire of thy foule thy humility and the contrition of thy heart haue inclined and brought me vnto thee SER. And I said Lord I haue called thee haue desired to enioy thee being ready to forsake all things for thee For thou first hast stirred me vp that I might seek thee Blessed be thou therefore O Lord that hast shewed this goodnesse to thy

take courage my brethren and go forwards together Iesus will be with vs for Iesus sake we haue vndertaken this Crosse for the loue of Iesus let vs perseuere in the Crosse Hee will be our helper who is our guide and forerunner Behold our King goeth before vs who also will fight for vs let vs follow him cheerefully let vs not bee dismayed but be readie to die with courage in the battaile and let vs not blemish our glory by flying from the Crosse CHAP. LVII That a man be not too much deiected when he falleth into some defects OVR LORD SOnne patience and humilitie in time of aduersitie are more pleasing to mee then much comfort and deuotion in prosperitie Why art thou grieued for euery little trifle spoken and done against thee Although it had beene much more thou oughtest not to haue been moued But now let it passe it is not the first that hath happened nor any new thing neither shall it bee the last if thou liue long Thou art cheerefull enough as long as no aduersity occurreth Thou canst giue good counsell also and canst strengthen others with thy words but when any tribulation suddenly knocketh at thy dore thou art destitute of counsell and voide of force See therefore thy great frailtie which thou often prouest in very small occasions It is notwithstanding permitted for thy good when these and such like occasions befall thee 2 Put it out of thy heart the best thou canst and if it touch thee yet let it not deiect thee nor trouble thee long beare it at least patiently if thou canst not ioyfully Although thou bee vnwilling to heare it and feelest in thy heart some motion of disdaine yet represse thy selfe and suffer no inordinate word to passe out of thy mouth which may bee a scandall to the weake The storme which now is raised shall quickly be appeased and inward griefe shall be asswaged by the returne of grace I do yet liue saith our Lord and am ready to helpe thee and to giue thee greater comfort then before if thou put thy trust in mee and callest deuoutly vpon me Esay 49. 3 Be more patient and prepare thy selfe to greater suffering All is not lost if thou feele thy selfe often afflicted or grieuously tempted Thou art a man and not God thou art flesh not an Angell How canst thou looke to continue euer in the same state of vertue when an Angell in heauen hath fallen and the first man in Paradise lost his standing I am hee that doe giue healthfull comfort to them that mourne and doe raise vp vnto my God-head those that know their owne frailtie Gen. 3. SER. 4 Lord blessed be thy sacred Word more sweete vnto my mouth then the hony and the hony-combe What should I doe in these my so great tribulations and anguishes vnlesse thou diddest comfort mee with thy holy sweete and heauenly speeches Psal 118. What matter is it how much and what I suffer so as at length I may attaine to the hauen of blisse Grant mee a good end grant mee a happie passage out of this world Be mindfull of me my God and direct mee the straight and ready way to the euerlasting Kingdome Amen CHAP. LVIII Of not searching into high matters and into the secret iudgements of God OVR LORD SOnne beware thou dispute not of high matters not of the secret judgements of God why this man is forsaken and he assumed to so great grace why also this man is so much afflicted and he so greatly aduanced These things exceede all humane power neither can any reason or discourse of any man search out the judgement of God When the enemy therfore suggesteth these things vnto thee or some enuious people demand them of thee answere that of the Prophet Thou art just O Lord and thy judgement is right Psa 218. And againe The judgements of our Lord are true justified in theÌ„selues Psa 18. My judgments are to be fearead not to be discussed for they are such as cannot be comprehended by the vnderstanding of man 2 In like maner I aduise thee not to enquire nor dispute of the merits of the Saints which of them is holier then the other and which is greater in the Kingdome of heauen These things oftentimes breed strife vnprofitable contentions they nourish also pride vain-glory from wheÌ„ce do vsually spring enuy dissensions whilst one will needs foolishly haue this Saint preferred the other another 1. Tim. 2. To desire to know search out such things is to no purpose but to displease the Saints of whom they speake For I am not the God of dissensioÌ„ but of peace which peace consisteth rather in true humilitie then in exalting our selues 3 Some are carried with zeale of affectioÌ„ to loue these or those most but this loue is rather humane then diuine I haue made al the Saints and haue giuen them grace I haue made them partakers of my glory I know the merits of euery one I haue preuented them in the benedictions of my sweetnes I foreknew my beloued before the beginning of the world I chose theÌ„ out of the world they chose not me first Ioh. 15. I called them by grace I drew them by mercy I led them through sundry temptations I haue sent theÌ„ great inward coÌ„forts I haue giuen theÌ„ perseueraÌ„ce I haue crowned their patieÌ„ce 4 I know the first and last I embrace all with inestimable loue I am to be praised in al my Saints I am to be blessed aboue al things and to be honored in euery one whom I haue thus gloriously exalted and predestinated without any precedent merits of their owne He therefore that conteÌ„neth one of the least of my Saints honoreth not the greatest for that I made both the lesse and the greater Iam. 2. Wisd 6. And he that dispraiseth any of my Saints dispraiseth also me al the rest in the Kingdome of heauen All are one by the band of Charity they thinke the same they will the same and are all knit together in one perfect-band of loue 5 But yet which is much more high they loue me more then themselues more then their owne merits For being rauished aboue themselues drawne out of the affection of themselues they tend wholy vnto the loue of mee in which also they rest enioying me with vnspeakable glory Nothing can put them backe nothing presse them down for being full of euerlasting truth they burne with the fire of vnquenchable charity Let therfore carnal earthly meÌ„ that can affect no other but priuate joyes forbeare to dispute of the state of Saints They adde and take away according to their owne fancies not as it pleaseth the euerlasting Truth 6 There is in many great ignoraÌ„ce specially in those that bee slenderly enlightned these can seldom loue any with perfect spiritual loue They are alwaies much drawne by a natural affection humane friendship to this man or to that and according to the

experience they haue of themselues in their earthly affections so they frame an imagination of heaueÌ„ly things But there is an incoÌ„parable distance betweene the things which the imperfect frame in their conceits and those which illuminated persons do see by reuelation from aboue 7 Beware therefore my Sonne that thou treat not curiously of these things which exceed thy knowledg but rather so apply thy endeauours that thou maist at least haue the meanest place in the Kingdom of heaueÌ„ Eccles 3. And if any one did know which of the Saints exceeded others in sanctity or is esteemed greater in the kingdom of heauen what would this knowledge auaile him vnlesse he should thereby humble himselfe the more in my sight and stirre vp his minde to praise my name with greater feruour His labour is much more acceptable vnto God that thinketh of the greatnes of his sins and his want of vertues and how far off he is from the perfection of the Saints then he that disputeth of their greatnes It is better to pray to the Saints with deuotion and teares and to craue their glorious suffrages with an humble mind then to search their secrets with a vaine curiositie 8 They are well and right well contented if men could content theÌ„selues and refraine from these vaine discourses They glory not of their own merits for they ascribe no good vnto themselues but attribute all to me who of my infinite charity haue bestowed my blessings vpon them They are replenished with so great loue of my Godhead and so superabundant joy that there is no glory nor happines that is or can be wanting vnto them All the Saints how much the higher they be in glory so much the more humble they are in themselues and neerer and dearer vnto me And therefore thou hast it written That they did cast their crownes before God and fel downe vpon their faces before the Lambe and adored him that liueth for euer Apocal. 4. 9 Many enquire who is greatest in the Kingdome of God that know not whether they shall euer be numbred there amongst the least It is no small matter to bee euen the least in heauen where all are great for that all there shall be called and shall be indeed the Sonnes of God The least there shall bee great among thousands and the sinner of an hundred yeares shall die For when the Disciples asked who was the greater in the Kingdome of heauen they receiued this answere Matth. 18. Vnlesse you be conuerted and become as little children you shall not enter into the Kingdome of heauen Whosoeuer therefore shall humble himselfe as this little childe he is the greater in the Kingdome of heauen 10 Woe be vnto them that disdaine to humble themselues willingly with little children Mat. 6. For the low gate of the Kingdom of heauen wil not giue them entrance And wo be to the rich that haue their comforts heere for whilst the poore enter into the Kingdom of God they shall be waiting without Reioyce you that be humble and you that bee poore be you glad for yours is the Kingdome of God if you walke according vnto truth Mat. 5. CHAP. LIX That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone THE SERVANT LOrd what trust haue I in this world Or what is the greatest comfort that all things vnder heauen doe yeeld mee Is it not thou my Lord God whose mercies are without number Where hath it beene well with mee without thee Or when could it bee ill with mee when thou wert present I had rather bee poore for thee then rich without thee I rather choose to be a Pilgrime in earth with thee then to possesse heauen without thee Where thou art there is heauen and there is death and hell where thou art not Thou art my desire and therefore it behoueth mee to send forth deep sighes from my heart and crie and pray vnto thee For I haue none to trust vnto none that can help mee in time of necessitie but thee alone my God Thou art my hope and my trust thou art my comforter and most faithfull vnto mee in all my distresses 2 All men seeke their owne gaine thou only seekest my saluation and my profit and turnest all things to my good Phil. 2. Although thou permittest many temptations to assault me and many aduersities to befall me yet thou ordainest all this to my good and profit who art wont to proue thy beloued seruants a thousand wayes In which proofe thou oughtest no lesse to bee loued and praised then if thou diddest replenish me with heauenly comforts 3 In thee therfore my Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation and anguish for I finde all to be weake and vnconstant whatsoeuer I behold out of thee For neither can many friends auaile nor forcible helpers aide nor wise counsellers giue profitable answere nor the bookes of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliuer nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy selfe dost not assist helpe comfort instruct and keepe vs. 4 For all things that seeme to be ordained for the rest and solace of man when thou art absent are nothing and doe bring indeed no joy nor comfort at all Thou therefore art the end of all that is good the light of life the depth of wisdome and the most forcible comfort of thy seruants is to trust in thee aboue all things To thee therefore do I lift vp mine eyes In thee my God the Father of mercies I put my whole trust Blesse and sanctifie my soule with thy heauenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the seat of thy eternall glory and that nothing may be found in the Temple of thy greatnes that may offend the eyes of thy Maiestie According to the greatnes of thy goodnes and multitude of thy mercies take pitie vpon mee and heare the prayer of thy poore seruant who is farre exiled from thee in the land of the shadow of death Protect and keepe the soule of thy seruant amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life and by the assistance of thy grace direct it in the way of peace to the Countrey of euerlasting light AMEN The end of the third Booke OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE FOVRTH BOOKE A deuout Exhortation vnto the blessed Sacrament The voice of Christ COme vnto mee all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you saith our Lord. Matth. 11. The bread which I will giue is my flesh for the life of the world Ioh. 6. Take yee and eate this is my body that shall be deliuered for you Matth. 26. Doe this for the commemoration of me He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud remaineth in me and I in him 1. Cor. 11. The words which I haue spoken vnto you are Spirit and life Ioh. 6. CHAP. I. With how great reuerence Christ ought to be receiued THese are thy words O Christ euerlasting Truth

that many doe so little consider this comfortable mystery which rejoyceth heauen preserueth the whole world O blindnes and hardnesse of mans hart that doth not more deeply weigh the greatnes of so vnspeakable a gift but rather comes by the daily vse thereof to regard it little or nothing 12 For if this most holy Sacrament should be celebrated in one place only consecrated by one only Priest in the world with how great desire dost thou think would men be affected to that place and what esteeme would they haue of such a Priest of almighty God by whom they might enioy the consolation of these diuine mysteries But now there are many Priests Christ is offred vp in many places that so the grace and loue of God to man may appeare so much the greater how much the more this sacred CoÌ„munion is coÌ„mon through the world ThaÌ„ks be vnto thee good Iesu euerlasting Pastor of our soules that hast vouchsafed to refresh vs poore banished men with thy precious Body Bloud to inuite vs to that receiuing of these mysteries with the words of thy owne mouth saying Come vnto me all ye that labour are burdened and I will refresh you Mat. 11. CHAP. II. That great goodnes and charity of God is bestowed vpon man in this Sacrament The voice of the Disciple PResuming of thy goodnesse and great mercy O Lord being sick I approach vnto my Sauiour hungry and thirstie to the Fountaine of life needy to the King of heauen a seruant vnto my Lord a creature to my Creator desolate to my mercifull Comforter But whence is this to me that thou vouchsafest to come vnto mee Who am I that thou shouldest giue thy selfe vnto mee Luk. 1. How dare a sinner presume to appeare before thee And thou how doest thou vouchsafe to come vnto a sinner Thou knowest thy seruant and seest that hee hath no good thing in him for which thou shouldest bestow this benefit vpon him I confesse therefore my vnworthinesse I acknowledge thy goodnes I praise thy mercy and giue thee thanks for this thy vnspeakable charity For thou dost this for thine own goodnes not for any merits of mine to the end that thy goodnes may be better knowne vnto me thy charity more abundantly shewed and thy humility more highly commended Since therefore it is thy pleasure and hast commanded that it should bee so this thy bounty is also pleasing to me and do wish that my offences may be no hinderance 2 O most sweet and bountiful Iesu how great reuerence and thankes with perpetuall prayse is due vnto thee for the receiuing of thy sacred Bodie whose worth and dignitie no man is able to expresse But what shall I thinke of at this time now that I am to receiue this diuine Sacrament and to approach vnto my Lord to whome I am not able to giue due reuerence and yet I desire to receiue him deuoutly What can I thinke better and more profitable then to humble my selfe wholy before thee and to exalt thy infinite goodnes aboue me I praise thee my God and wil exalt thee for euer and I do despise and submit my selfe vnto thee euen into the depth of my vnworthinesse 3 Behold thou art the Holy of Holies and I the skumme of sinners Behold thou bowest thy self downe vnto mee who am not worthy so much as to looke vp vnto thee Behold thou commest vnto me it is thy will to be with me thou inuitest me to thy banket Ps 77. Thou wilt giue me the food of heauen and bread of Angels to eat which is no other truly then thy self the liuely bread that descendest from heauen and giuest life vnto the world Ioh. 6. 4 Behold from whence this loue proceedth What kind of fauour and benignity is this which shineth vpon vs What thanks and praises are due vnto thee for these benefits O how good and profitable was thy counsell when thou ordainedst it How sweet pleasant the banket when thou gauest thy selfe to be our food How wonderfull thy work O Lord how powerfull thy vertue how vnspeakable thy truth For thou saidst the word and all things were made and this was done which thou commandest Gen. 1. Psal 148. 5 A thing of great admiration and worthy of faith and surpassing the vnderstanding of man that thou my Lord God true God and Man shouldest be wholy contained vnder a small forme of bread and wine and shouldest bee eaten by the receiuer without being consumed Thou who art the Lord of all things and standest in need of none hast pleased to dwell in vs by meanes of this thy Sacrament preserue my heart and body vnspotted that with a cheerefull and pure conscience I may often celebrate thy mysteries and receiue them to my euerlasting health which thou hast chiefely ordained and instituted for thy honor perpetuall memory 6 Reioyce my soule giue thanks vnto God for so noble a gift and singular comfort left vnto thee in this vale of teares For as often as thou callest to mind this mystery and receiuest the body of Christ so often dost thou worke the worke of thy redemption and art made partaker of all the merits of Christ For the charity of Christ is neuer diminished and the greatnes of his mercy is neuer lessened Therefore thou oughtest alwaies to dispose thy selfe hereunto by a fresh renuing of thy mind and to weigh with attentiue consideration this great mystery of thy saluation So great new and joyfull it ought to seem vnto thee when thou sayest or hearest Masse as if the same day Christ first descending into the wombe of the Virgin were become man or hanging on the Crosse did suffer and die for the saluation of mankind CHAP. III. That it is profitable to Communicate often BEhold O Lord I come vnto thee that I may be comforted in thy gift and be delighted in thy holy banquet which thou O Lord hast prepared in thy sweetnesse for the poore Psal 67. Behold in thee is all whatsoeuer I can or ought to desire thou art my health and my redemption my hope and my strength my honor and my glory Make joyfull therefore this day the soule of thy seruant for that I haue lifted it vp to thee my sweete Iesus Psalm 85. I desire to receiue thee now with deuotion and reuerence I do long to bring thee into my house that with Zachaeus I may deserue to be blessed by thee and numbred amongst the children of Abraham My soule thirsteth to receiue thy Body my heart desireth to be vnited with thee 2 Giue thy selfe to me and it sufficeth For besides thee no comfort is auailable I cannot be without thee nor liue without thy visitation And therfore I must often come vnto thee and receiue thee as the only remedy of my health lest perhaps I faint in the way if I be depriued of thy heauenly food For so most mercifull Iesus thou once didst say preaching to the people

the holy Church Psal 22. Heb. 9. and 13. One is the Table of the holy Altar containing the Sacred bread that is the precious Body of Christ the other is of the diuine law containing holy doctrine teaching true faith certainly leading to the part of the Temple within the veile where are the Holy of Holies Thankes be vnto thee Lord Iesu light of euerlasting light for thy table of holy doctrine at which thou seruest vs by thy seruants the Prophets and Apostles and other Doctors 5 Thanks be vnto thee Creator Redeemer of man who to manifest thy charity to the whole world hast prepared a great Supper Luk. 14. wherin thou hast offred to be eaten not the mysticall Lambe but thine owne most sacred Body and Bloud Ioh. 6. reioycing all the faithful with thy holy banquet and replenishing them to the full with thy heauenly Cup Psal 22. in which are all the delights of heauen and the holy Angels doe feast with vs but with a more happy sweetnesse Wisd 16. 6 O how great and honorable is the office of Priests to whom it is granted with sacred words to consecrate the Lord of Maiestie with their lippes to blesse him with their hands to hold him with their owne mouth to receiue him and to administer him to others O how cleane ought to be those hands How pure that mouth How holy the bodie How vnspotted the heart of the Priest into whom the Author of purity so often entreth Nothing but holy no word but chaste and profitable ought to proceed from the mouth of the Priest which so often receiueth the Sacrament of Christ 7 Simple and chaste ought to be the eyes that are wont to behold the body of Christ the hands pure and lifted vp to heauen that vse to handle the Creator of heauen and earth Vnto the Priests especially it is said in the Law Bee yet holy for that I your Lord God am holy Leuit. 19. and 20. 8 Assist vs Almighty God with thy grace that we who haue vndertaken the office of Priesthood may serue thee worthily and deuoutly in all purity and with a sincere conscience And if wee cannot liue in so great innocency as we ought to do graunt vs notwithstanding in due manner to bewaile the sinnes which we haue committed and in the spirit of humility and sincere intention to serue thee hereafter with more feruour CHAP. XII That he that is to Communicate ought to prepare himselfe with great diligence The voice of the Beloued I Am the louer of purity and the giuer of all sanctitie I seek a pure heart and there is the place of my rest Psal 23. Mat. 5. Make readie and adorne for me a great chamber and I will make with thee the Pasch with my Disciples Mark 14. Luk. 22. If thou wilt haue me come vnto thee and remaine with thee purge the old leuen and make cleane the dwelling of thy heart 1. Cor. 5. shut out the whole world and all tumult of vices sit like a sparow solitary vpon the house top and thinke of thy offences in the bitternesse of thy soule For euery louer prepareth the best and fairest roome for his beloued and herein is knowne the affection of him that entertaineth his beloued 2 Know thou notwithstanding that the worth of no action of thine is able to make this preparation sufficient although thou shouldest prepare thy selfe a whole yeare together and thinke on nothing else but of my mercy and grace onely thou art suffred to come to my Table like a begger inuited to dinner to a rich man who hath nothing else to returne him for his benefits but to humble himselfe and giue him thanks Do what lieth in thee and do it diligently not for custome nor for necessity but with feare and reuerence and harty affection receiue the Body of thy beloued Lord and God who vouchsafeth to come vnto thee I am he that haue called thee I haue commanded it to be done I will supply what is wanting in thee come and receiue me 3 When I bestow the grace of deuotion on thee giue thankes to God for it is giuen thee not for that thou deseruest it but because I haue mercy on thee If thou haue it not but rathere feele thy selfe dry continue in prayer sigh and knocke and giue not ouer vntill thou deserue to receiue some crumme or droppe of grace Thou hast need of me not I of thee neither commest thou to sanctifie me but I come to sanctifie and make thee better Thou commest that thou mayest bee sanctified by me and vnited vnto mee that thou mayest receiue new grace and bee stirred vp againe to amendment Neglect not this grace but prepare thy heart with all diligence and receiue thy beloued into thy soule 4 But thou oughtest not only to prepare thy selfe to deuotion before Communion but carefully also to conserue thy selfe therein after thou hast receiued the Sacrament Neither is the carefull guard of thy self after lesse exacted then deuout preparation before For a good guard afterwards is the best preparation thou canst make for the obtaining againe of greater grace because that mans minde becommeth very indisposed if hee presently powre himselfe out to outward comforts Beware of much talke remaine in some secret place and enjoy thy God For thou hast him whome all the world cannot take from thee I am hee to whom thou oughtest wholy to giue thy selfe that so thou mayest liue hereafter not in thy selfe but in me without all care CHAP. XIII That a deuout soule ought to desire with her whole heart to be vnited vnto Christ in the Sacrament The voice of the Disciple HOw may I obtaine this O Lord that I may finde thee alone and open my whole heart vnto thee and enjoy thee as my soule desireth And that no man may looke vpon me nor any creature mone me or respect me but thou alone mayest speake vnto me and I to thee as the Beloued is wont to speake to his Beloued and a friend to banquet with his friend Exod. 33. Cant. 8. This I pray for this I desire that I may be wholy vnited vnto thee and may withdraw my heart from all created things and more and more by sacred Communion and often celebrating learne to taste of heauenly and euerlasting sweetnes O Lord God when shall I bee wholy vnited and absorpt by thee and altogether forgetfull of my selfe Thou in me and I in thee and so grant vs both to continue in one Ioh. 15. 2 Thou art my Beloued the choicest amongst thousands in whome my soule hath taken pleasure to dwel all the daies of her life Cant. 5. Thou art my Peace-maker in whome is greatest peace and true rest without whom is labour and sorrow and infinit misery Thou art a hidden God and thy counsell is not with the wicked but thy speech is with the humble and simple of heart Prou. 3. O Lord how sweet is thy Spirit who to the end thou

seruant according to the multitude of thy mercies 6 What hath thy seruant more to say before thee but that he do greatly humble himselfe in thy sight alwayes mindfull of his owne iniquity and basenesse For there is none like vnto thee in all whatsoeuer is wonderfull in heauen and earth Psal 85. Thy words are good thy judgements true and by thy prouidence all things are gouerned Praise therefore and glory be vnto thee O wisdome of the eternall Father let my tongue my soule and all creatures together praise and blesse thee CHAP. XXII Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God THE SERVANT OPen O Lord my heart in thy Law and teach me to walke in thy Commandements Grant me to vnderstand thy will and to remember thy benefits as well in generall as in particular vvith great reuerence and diligent consideration that hence forvvard I may bee able worthily to giue thee thankes Psal 118. But I know and confesse that I am not able to giue thee due thanks for the fauours which thou bestowest vpon me euen in the least moment I am lesse then the least of thy benefits and when I consider the excellencie of thy Maiestie the greatnesse thereof maketh my spirit to faint 2 All that wee haue in our soule and body whatsoeuer we possesse outwardly or inwardly naturally or spiritually are thy benefits and doe praise thee as bountifull pious and good from whom we haue receiued all that is good Although one hath receiued more another lesse all not withstanding are thine and without thee euen the least cannot be had He that hath receiued greater caÌ„not glory of his owne desert nor extol himself aboue others nor insult ouer the lesser for he is greater better that ascribeth least vnto himselfe and is more humble deuout in rendring thankes And he that esteemeth himselfe basest of all men and judgeth himselfe most vnworthy is fittest to receiue greater blessings 3 And he that hath receiued fewer ought not to be sory nor beare it impatiently nor enuy them that are enriched with greater store but attend rather vnto thee and chiefely praise thy goodnes for that thou bestowest thy gifts so bountifully so freely and so willingly without respect of persons All things proceed from thee and therefore in all things thou art to be praised Thou knowest what is fit to be giuen to euery one why this man hath lesse and he moâ—e it is not ours but thine to determine who doest weigh in just measure the deserts of euery one 4 Wherefore my Lord God I esteeme it as a great benefit not to haue much whereby outwardly and before men I might seem worthy of praise and glory so that he who considereth his own pouerty basenes ought not therfore to conceiue grief or sorow or to be therfore troubled but rather to take great comfort and to be glad for that thou O God hast chosen the poore and humble the despised of this world for thy selfe and for thy familiar and domesticall friends 1. Cor. 1. Psal 44. Witnesses are thy Apostles themselues whom thou hast appointed Princes ouer all the earth 1. Thess 2. And yet they liued without coÌ„plaint in the world so humble and simple meane to the eyes of men without all malice and deceit that they reioyced to receiue contumelies for thy name and what the world abhorreth they embraced with great affection Act. 5. 5 Nothing therefore ought so to reioyce him that loueth thee and acknowledgeth thy benefits as the accomplishment of thy wil in himself and the pleasure of thy eternall appointment wherewith he ought to be so contented and comforted that he would as willingly be the least as any would wish to be the greatest and as peaceable and content in the last as in the first place and as willing to be despised and contemned and to be of no esteeme or account as to be preferred in honor before al others to be greater in the world For thy will and the loue of thy glory ought to be preferred before all things and to comfort him more and please him better then all the benefits which he hath receiued or can desire CHAP. XXIII Of foure things that bring much peace OVR LORD SOnne now I will teach thee the way of peace and true liberty SER. Doe Lord I beseech thee as thou sayest for I shal be very glad to heare it LORD Endeauour my Sonne to do rather the will of another then thine owne Euer choose rather to haue lesse then more Matth. 26. and Ioh. 5.6 Alwayes seeke the lowest place and to bee inferiour to euery one 1. Cor. 10. Wish alwayes and pray that the will of God may bee wholy fulfilled in thee Luk. 14. Behold such a man entreth into the limits of peace and most quiet rest Matth. 6. SER. 2 Lord this thy short speech containeth much perfection It is little in words but full in sense and abundant in fruit Mat. 5. For if it could exactly be kept by me then should I not so easily bee troubled For as often as I feele my selfe vnquiet and afflicted I finde that I haue strayed from this doctrine But thou that canst all things and euer louest the good and profite of my soule increase in me thy grace that I may fulfill thy words and perfect mine owne health A prayer against euill thoughts SER. 3 My Lord God be not far from me my God haue regard to helpe me for sundry thoughts haue risen vp against me and great feares afflicting my soule Psalm 70. How shall I passe through them without hurt How shall I breake them LORD I saith he will goe before thee and will humble the glorious of the earth I will open the dores of the prison and reueale vnto thee the hidden secrets Esay 45. SER. Doe Lord as thou sayest and let all euill thoughts flie from before thy face This is my hope and my only comfort to flie vnto thee in all tribulation to trust in thee to call vpon thee from my heart and to expect patiently thy comfort A prayer for enlightning of the minde SER. 4 Enlighten me good Iesu with the clearnes of inward light and expel al darknes of my hart Represse the many wandring thoughts and beat down the fury of the temptations which violently assault mee Fight strongly for me and vanquish the euill beasts that is the alluring concupiscence that peace may bee made in thy vertue abundance of thy praise sound in thy holy Court which is a pure conscience Command the windes and tempests say vnto the Sea Bee still and to the North-winde Blow not and a great calme shall ensue Mat. 8. 5 Send foorth thy light and thy truth that they may shine vpon the earth for I am emptie and vnprofitable earth vntill thou impartest thy light vnto me Psal 42. Powre out thy grace from aboue wash my hart with heauenly dew giue waters of deuotion to wash the face of the earth to bring

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