Linguistic DNA - Concept Modelling Demonstrator

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	grace_n	great_a	love_n	4,912	5	5.2007	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

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

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

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

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

my secrets and vnderstand the high mysteries of God neglecting themselues and their own saluation Eccles 3. and 2. Cor. 3. These oftentimes for that I resist them doe fall into great temptations and sinnes for their pride and curiosity 4 Feare the judgements of God dread the wrath of the almighty But discusse not the workes of the Highest Search thine owne iniquities in how much thou hast offended and how much good thou hast neglected Some carry their deuotion onely in books some in pictures sone in outward signes figures some haue me in their mouthes but little in their harts There are others that being illuminated in their vnderstanding and purged in their affection doe alwaies aspire with an earnest mind to euerlasting happines Esa 29. and are vnwilling to heare of the things of this world to serue the necessities of nature with griefe and these perceiue what the Spirit of truth speaketh in them Psal 24 Because it teacheth them to despise earthly and loue heauenly things to neglect thâ— world and day and night to desire heauen CHAP. V. Of the wonderfull effect of diuine grace THE SERVANT I Praise thee O heauenly Father Father of my Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast vouchsafed to remember mee a poore and wretched creature O Father of mercies and God of all comfort thankes be vnto thee who sometimes with thy comfort refreshest mee vnworthy of all comfort 2. Cor. 1. I euer blesse and glorifie thee with thy only begotten Son the holy Ghost for al worlds O God my Lord the holy louer of my soule when thou shalt come into my heart all that is within me will reioyce Thou art my glory and the exultation of my heart Psal 3. Thou art my hope and my refuge in the day of my tribulation Psal 31. 2 But for that I am yet weake in loue and imperfect in vertue I haue need to be comforted by thee visite me therefore often and instruct mee with thy holy discipline Deliuer me from euill passions and heale my heart of al inordinate affections that being cured within and wel purged I may be made fit to loue strong to suffer and constant to perseuere 3 Loue is a great matter in very truth a great good which alone maketh euery thing that is heauy light and beareth equally vnequall burdens Mat. 11. For it carrieth a burden without a burden and maketh euery thing that is bitter sweet and delightsome The noble loue of Iesus enforceth man to worke great things and stirreth him vp to desire alwayes the most perfect Loue will be aloft and not kept downe with any base things Loue will be free from all worldly affection to the end his inward sight be not obscured that he be not intangled with the desire of any transitory gaine or troubled with the want thereof Nothing is sweeter then loue nothing stronger nothing higher nothing more ample nothing more pleasant nothing fuller nor better in heauen or in earth for that loue hath his beginning from God and cannot rest but in God aboue all creatures 4 He that loueth flyeth runneth and reioyceth he is free and not held in He giueth all for all and hath all in al for that he resteth in one Highest aboue all from which all good floweth and proceedeth Hee respecteth not the gifts but turneth himselfe aboue all goods vnto the giuer Loue oftentimes knoweth no measure but inflameth aboue al measure Loue feeleth no burthen weigheth no paines desireth aboue it strength complaineth not of impossibility for that it thinketh all things lawful and possible It is therefore able to vndertake all things and performeth and bringeth many things to effect whereas he that doth not loue fainteth and can doe nothing 5 Loue alwaies watcheth sleeping sleepeth not being wearied is not tired straitned is not pressed frighted is not troubled but like a liuely flame and burning torch breaketh vpwards and passeth through al with great securitie Rom. 8. If any one loueth hee knoweth what this voice cries A lowd cry in the ears of God is the burning loue of the soul which saith My God my loue thou art wholy mine and I wholy thine 6 Enlarge mee in loue that my heart may taste how sweete it is to loue and to be dissolued swimme in thy loue Let me be possessed by loue mounting aboue my selfe with excessiue feruour admiration Let me sing the song of loue let me follow thee on high my beloued let my soule faint in thy praises reioycing with loue Let mee loue thee more then my selfe and not my selfe but for thee and al in thee and truly loue thee as the law of loue commandeth which shineth in thee 7. Loue is swift sincere pious sweet and delightfull strong patient faithful prudent suffering ful of courage and neuer seeking it selfe 1. Cor. 13. For where one seeketh himself there he falleth from loue 1. Cor. 10. Loue is circumspect humble and vpright not remisse not mutable nor attending vnto vaine things sober chast constant quiet and guarded in al the senses Psal 2. Loue is subiect and obedient to Superiours meane and abiect to it selfe deuout thankfull vnto God trusting and hoping alwaies in him euen then when God imparteth no sweetnes vnto it for without sorrow none liueth in loue 8 He that is not ready to suffer al things and stand to the will of his beloued is not worthy to be called a louer A louer ought to embrace willingly al that is hard and distastefull for his beloued and not to turne away from him for any contrary accidents CHAP. VI. Of the proofe of a true Louer OVR LORD SOnne thou art not yet a strong and prudent louer SER. Wherefore Lord LORD Because thou giuest ouer for a small aduersitie and too earnestly seekest comfort A constant louer standeth firmely in temptations giueth not credit to the crafty perswasions of the enemy As I please him in prosperity so I am not vnpleasant to him in aduersity Phil. 4. 2 A prudent louer considereth not so much the gift of his louer as the loue of the giuer He rather esteemeth the good will then the value and placeth all gifts vnder his beloued A noble louer resteth not in the gift but in mee aboue any gift All therfore is not left if sometimes thou hast lesse taste of mee and my Saints then thou wouldest That good and sweet desire which thou sometimes feelest is the effect of present grace and a certaine taste of the heauenly Country whereon thou must not rely too much for it goeth and commeth But to fight against euil motions of the minde which may happen vnto thee and to despise the suggestion of the diuel is a signe of vertue and great merit Matth. 4. 3 Let not therefore strange fancies forced into thee of any matter whatsoeuer trouble thee Retaine a firme purpose and vpright intention to God Neither is it an illusion that sometimes thou art suddenly rapt on high and presently returnest againe

Iohn Baptist thou wert not worthy to receiue nor handle this Sacrament Mat. 11. For it is not within the compasse of the deserts of men that man should consecrate and handle the sacrament of Christ receiue for food the bread of Angels A great mystery great is the dignity of Priests to whom is granted that which is not permitted to the Angels Psal 77. For Priests only instituted in the Church haue power to celebrate and consecrate the Body of Christ The Priest is the Minister of God vsing the words of God by Gods commandement and appointment but God is there the principall Actor and inuisible worker to whome is subiect all that he pleaseth and all that hee commandeth doth obey Gen. 1. Psal 148. Rom. 9. 2 Thou oughtest therfore to giue more credit to God Almightie in this most excellent Sacrament then to thine owne sense or to any visible signe And therefore thou art to come vnto this Mysterie with feare and reuerence Consider attentiuely with thy selfe what that is whereof the Ministrie is deliuered vnto thee by the imposition of hands of the Bishop Behold thou art made a Priest and consecrated to say Masse see now that in due time thou offer Sacrifice vnto God faithfully and deuoutly and carry thy selfe so as thou maist be without reproofe 1. Tim. 4. Thou hast not lightned thy burthen but art now bound with a straiter band of discipline and art obliged to a more perfect degree of sanctitie A Priest ought to be adorned with al kind of vertues and to giue example of good life to others His conuersation should not bee according to the ordinary and common proceedings of men but like to the Angels in heauen or to perfect men on earth Philip. 3. 3 A Priest clothed in sacred garments is the Vicegerent of Christ to pray humbly and with a prostrate mind vnto God for himselfe and the whole people Heb. 5. He hath before and behind the signe of the Crosse of our Lord to the end he may euer remember the Passion of Christ hee beareth the Crosse before him in the Vestement that hee may diligently behold the foote-steps of Christ and feruently endeauour to follow them Hee is behinde marked with the Crosse that he may patiently suffer for God whatsoeuer aduersities shall bee laid vpon him for others He beareth the crosse before that he may lament his owne sinnes and the same hee hath also behind that hee may with a compassionate heart bewaile the offences of others know that he is placed as a mediatour betweene God and the sinner Neither ought he to cease from prayer holy oblation till he deserue to obtaine grace mercy When a Priest doth celebrate he honoreth God reioyceth the Angels edifieth the Church helpeth the liuing giueth rest to the dead and maketh himselfe partaker of all good deeds CHAP. VI. An Interrogation of the exercise before Communion The voice of the Disciple WHen I weigh thy greatnesse O Lord and my vnworthinesse I tremble and am confounded in my selfe For if I come not vnto thee I fly from life and if I vnworthily intrude my selfe I incurre thy displeasure What therefore shall I do my God my helper and my counseller in necessitie 2 Teach mee the right way appoint me some briefe exercise sutable to this holy mystery of sacred Communion For it is good for me to know how I should reuerently and deuoutly prepare my heart vnto thee for the profitable receiuing of thy Sacrament or for the celebrating of so great and diuine a Sacrifice CHAP. VII Of the discussing of our owne conscience and purpose of amendment The voice of the Beloued ABoue al things the Priest of God ought to come to celebrate handle and receiue this Sacrament with great humility of hart and lowly reuerence with a full faith and a godly desire of the honour of the diuine Maiesty Examine diligently thy coÌ„science and to thy power purge and clense it with true contrition and humble confession so as there may be nothing in thee that may be burdeÌ„some vnto thee or that may breed thee remorse of conscience and hinder thy free accesse to these heauenly mysteries Repent thee of all thy sinnes in generall and in particuler bewaile thy daily offences And if thou hast time confesse vnto God in the secret of thy heart all the miseries of thy disordered passions 2 Lament and grieue that thou art yet so subiect to sensuality and so addicted to the world so vnmortified in thy passions so full of the motions of concupiscence so vnwatchfull ouer thy outward senses so often intangled with many vaine fantasies so vehemently inclined to outward things so negligent in the interiour so prone to laughter and immodesty so hard to teares and compunction so prompt to ease and pleasures of the flesh so dul to austerity and feruour so curious to heare newes and see vaine sights so slacke to imbrace that which tends to thine owne humiliation and contempt so couetous of abundance so niggardly giuing so fast in keeping so inconsiderate in speech so vnbridled to silence so loose in manners so outragious in deedes so greedie to meate so deafe to the word of God so hasty to rest so slow to labour so watchfull to tales so drowsie to watch in the seruice of God so hasty to the end therof so inconstant in attention so negligent in saying thy office so vndeuout in saying Masse so dry in receiuing so quickely distracted so seldome wholy recollected so sodainly moued to anger so apt to take displeasure against another so prone to judge so seuere to reprehend so joyful in prosperity so weak in aduersitie so often purposing much good and performing little 3 These and other thy defects confessed bewailed with sorrow and great dislike of thine owne infirmity make a firme purpose alwayes to amend thy selfe and to goe forwards in vertue Then with full resignation and with thy whole will offer thy selfe vp to the honor of my name a perpetuall sacrifice in the altar of thy heart faithfully committing thy body and soule vnto mee that thou mayest so also deserue to come worthily to offer sacrifice vnto God and to receiue profitably the Sacrament of my body 4 For there is no oblation more worthy nor satisfaction greater for the washing away of sins then to offer vp our selues vnto God purely and wholy with the oblation of the Body of Christ in the Masse and in Communion And when a man shall haue done what lieth in him shall be truly penitent As I liue saith our Lord who will not the death of a sinner but rather that he be conuerted and liue I will not remember his sinnes any more but they shall be all forgiuen him and fully pardoned Ezec. 18. CHAP. VIII Of the Oblation of Christ on the Crosse and resignation of our selues The voice of the Beloued AS I willingly offered vp my selfe vnto God my Father with my hands stretched forth on the Crosse

and my body naked for thy sins so that nothing remained in mee that was not turned into a sacrifice for the appeasing of the diuine wrath so oughtest thou also to offer vp thy self willingly vnto me daily in the Masse as a pure and holy oblation with thy whole force and desire in as heartie a manner as thou canst What doe I require of thee more then that thou resigne thy selfe wholy vnto mee Prou. 23. Whatsoeuer thou giuest besides thy selfe is of little account in my sight for I seeke not thy gift but thee 2 As it would not suffice thee to haue all things whatsoeuer besides me so neither can it please mee whatsoeuer thou giuest if thou offerest not vp thy selfe Offer thy selfe vnto me and giue thy selfe all that thou art for God and thy offering shall be gratefull Behold I offered vp my selfe wholy vnto my Father for thee and gaue my whole body and bloud for thy food that I might be wholy thine and thou remaine mine But if thou abidest in thy selfe and doest not offer thy selfe vp freely vnto my will thy oblation is not entire neither shall the vnion betweene vs be perfect Therefore a free offering vp of thy selfe into the hands of God ought to goe before all thy actions if thou wilt obtaine freedome and grace For this cause so few become inwardly illuminated and enjoy true liberty of heart for that they do not resolue wholy to deny themselues My saying is vndoubtedly true Vnlesse one forsake all hee cannot bee my Disciple Ioh. 14. If thou therefore wish to bee mine offer vp thy selfe vnto mee with thy whole desires CHAP. IX That we ought to offer vp our selues and all that is ours vnto God and to pray for all The voice of the Disciple THine O Lord are all things that are in heauen in earth Ps 23. I desire to offer vp my self vnto thee is a free oblation and to remaine alwaies thine O Lord in sincerity of my hart I offer my self vnto thee this day in sacrifice of perpetuall praise to be thy seruant for euer Receiue mee with this holy oblation of thy precious body which in the presence of the Angels inuisibly attending heere vpon thee I offer vp this day vnto thee that it may be to the health of my soule and the saluation of all thy people 2 I offer vnto thee O Lord al my sins and offences which I haue committed in the sight of thee and thy holy Angels from the day wherein I first could sin to this houre vpon thy holy Altar that thou maist consume and burne them all with the fire of thy charity wash out all the stains of my sins and clense my conscience from all offence and restore to me againe thy grace which I lost by sin forgiuing me all my offences and receiuing me mercifvlly in the kisse of peace 3 What can I do for my sins but humbly confesse and bewaile them and intreat alwaies for mercy without intermission Psal 31. I beseech thee heare me in thy abundant mercy wheÌ„ I stand before thee my God All my sins are very displeasing vnto me I will neuer commit them any more but I am sory and will be sory for them as long as I liue am ready to do penance and to satisfie for them to the vttermost of my power Forgiue me O God forgiue mee my sinnes for thy holy names sake saue my soule which â—â—ou hast redeemed with thy precious bloud Behold I commit my selfe vnto thy mercy I resigne my selfe ouer into thy hands Do with me according to thy goodnesse not according to my wickednes and manifold iniquities 4 I offer vp also vnto thee all whatsoeuer is good in me although it be very little and imperfect that thou mayest amend and sanctifie it that thou mayest make it gratefull and acceptable vnto thee and alwaies perfect more and more that which thou hast begunne and bring me also who am the slouthfull and vnprofitable creature to a good and blessed end 5 I offer vp also vnto thee all the godly desires of deuout persons the necessities of my parents and friends my brethren and sisters and of all those that are deare vnto me and that haue done good either to my selfe or others for thy loue and that haue desired mee to say Masse and pray for them and all theirs whether they be yet aliue or already dead that they all may receiue the help of thy grace and comfort protection from dangers deliuery from paine and being freed from all euils may joyfully giue worthy thankes to thee 6 I offer vp also vnto thee my prayers and sacrifices especially for them who haue in any thing wronged grieued or slaundered mee or haue done mee any domage or displeasure and for those also whome I haue at any time grieued troubled and scandalized by words or deeds wittingly or at vnawares that it may please thee to forgiue vs all our sinnes and offences one against the other Take O Lord from our hearts all jealousie all indignation wrath and contention and whatsoeuer may hurt Charitie and weaken brotherly loue Haue mercie O Lord haue mercie on those that craue thy mercie giue grace vnto them that stand in need thereof and grant that wee may bee worthy to enioy thy grace and attaine to life euerlasting Amen CHAP. X. That the holy Communion is not lightly to be forborne The voice of the Beloued THou oughtest often to haue recourse to the Fountaine of grace and of diuine mercy to the Fountaine of goodnesse and of all piety that thou mayest bee cured of thy sinnes and passions and deserue to be made more strong and vigilant against all temptations and deceits of the Diuell The enemie knowing the greatest profit and remedy to consist in the holy Communion endeauoureth by all meanes and occasions to withdraw and hinder faithful and deuout persons from it 2 Some when they purpose to receiue the sacred Communion suffer greatest assaults of the Diuell For that wicked spirit as is written in Iob commeth amongst the Sonnes of God to trouble them with his accustomed malice and impiety or to make them ouer fearefull and perplexed that so he may diminish their affection or by his subtile assaults take away their faith to the end they may either altogether abstaine from this diuine foode or at least come vnto it with lesse deuotion But there is no heed to be taken of his frauds and malicious suggestions be they neuer so filthy and hideous but all is to be turned backe vpon his owne head Wee ought to contemne and scorne him miserable wretch and not to omit the sacred Communion for his assaults and the troubles which he raiseth 3 Oftentimes also an excessiue care for the obtaining of deuotion and a certaine anxiety for the making of our Confession hindreth vs. Follow in these occasions the counsell of the wise and put away all anxiety and scruple for it hindereth the grace of God and ouerthroweth deuotion Omit

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

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