standeth heareth him Ioan. 3. reioyceth with ioy for the voice of the Bridegrome so I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desires and to offer my selfe vp to thee with my whole hart Wherfore I offer also and present vnto thee the ioyes feruent desires excesses of mind spirituall illuminations heauenly visions of all deuout harts 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 maist be worthily praised and glorified for euer 4. Receaue my Lord God the affections of my hart 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 yield thee and desire to yield thee euery day and moment and I doe intreate and inuite all the heauenly spirits and all thy deuout seruants to giue thankes and praises togeather with me 5. Let all People Tribes and Tongues praise thee and magnify thy holy and sweet name with great ioy and feruent deuotion and let all that reuerently and deuoutly celebrate thy most high Sacrament and receaue it with full faith deserue to find grace and mercy at thy hands and pray humbly for me sinfull creature And when they shall haue obtained their desired deuotion and ioyfull 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 THOV oughtest to beware of curious and vnprofitable searching into this most profound Sacrament if thou wilt not sink into the depth of doubt Prou. 25. He that is a searcher of Maiesty◠shal be oppressed by glory God is able to worke more then man can vnderstand A pious and humble inquiry of truth is tolerable so he be alwaies ready to be taught and do endeauour to walke in the sound pathes of the ancient Fathers doctrine 2. Bessed 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 whilst 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 vnderstād nor conceaue those things that are vnder thee how shalt thou be 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 be giuen thee in that degree as shall be profitable and necessary for thee 3. Some are grieuously tempted about faith and the Sacrament but this is not to be imputed to thē but rather to the enemie Do not regard nor dispute with thy thoughts neither do thou giue answere to the doubts moued by the enemie but belieue the words of God belieue his Saintes and Prophets and the wicked Serpent will fly from thee It is oftentimes very profitable to the seruant of God to suffer such things For he tempteth not Infidels and sinners whome he already securely possesseth but he sundry waies tempteth vexeth the faithfull and deuour 4. Go forward therfore with a sincere and vndoubted faith and come to the Sacrament with vnfaigned reuerence And whatsoeuer thou art not able to vnderstand cōmit fecurely to Almighty God God deceaueth thee not he is deceaued that trusteth too much to himselfe Ps 19. c. 118. God walketh with the simple Matt. 11. reuealeth himselfe to the humble giueth vnderstanding to little ones openeth the senses of pure minds and hideth grace from the curious and proud Humane reason is weake and may be deceaued but true sayth cannot be deceaued 5. All reason naturall search ought to follow faith not to go before it nor impugne it For faith and loue do chiefly excell worke in a hidden manner in this most blessed and excellent Sacrament God who is euerlasting and of infinite power doth great and inscrutable things in heauen and in earth and there is no searching of his wonderfull workes If the workes of God were such as might be easily comprehended by humane reason they were not to be called wonderfull and vnspeakable FINIS
God for in the great Saints and ancient Prophets there was oftentimes such kind of alteration 5. For which cause one when he had grace said Psal 29. I sayd in my plenty I will not be moued euerlastingly But when this was gone from him he addeth what he found in himselfe saying Thou turnedst thy face frō me and I became troubled Ibid. Yet doth he not despaire in the middest of these changes but more earnestly prayeth vnto our Lord and saith Ibid. Vnto thee o Lord I will cry and I will pray vnto my God Lastly he receaueth the fruit of his prayer and witnesseth that he was heard saying Our Lord hath heard me Ibid. and taken pitty on me our Lord is become my helper But wherin Thou hast turned saith he my sorrow into ioy Ibid. and thou hast compassed me about with gladnes If great Saints haue byn so dealt withall we that are poore and weake ought not to despaire if we be sometimes feruent and sometimes cold Ioan. 3. for the spirit commeth and goeth according to the good pleasure of his will For which cause blessed Iob saith Iob. 7. Thou visitest him early in the morning and suddainly thou prouest him 6. Whereupon therfore can I hope or wherin ought I to trust but in the great mercy of God alone and in the only hope of heauenly grace For whether I enioy the presence of good men or deuout brethren or faithfull friends or holy bookes or learned treatises or sweet songs and hymnes all these help little and haue little sauour when grace forsaketh me and I remaine left in my owne pouerty At such a tyme there is no better remedy then patience and the resigning of my selfe vnto the will God Luc. 9. 7. I neuer found any so religious and deuout that hath not had somtimes a withdrawing of grace or felt not a decrease of feruour There was neuer Saint so highly rapt and illuminated who first or last was not tempted For he is not worthy of the high contemplation of God who hath not byn exercised with some tribulation for Gods sake For temptation going before is wont to be a signe of ensuing comfort And vnto those that are proued by temptations heauenly comfort is promised He that shall ouercome Apoc. 21. saith he I will giue him to eate of the wood of life 8. But diuine comfort is giuen that a man may be stronger to beare aduersities There followeth also temptation least we should wax proud of that good The diuell sleepeth not 1. Pet. 5. neither is our flesh as yet dead therfore cease not to prepare thy selfe to the battaile for on thy right hand and on thy left are enemies that neuer rest CHAP. X. Of thankefulnesse for the Grace of God VVHY seekest thou rest since thou art borne to labour Dispose thy self to patience Iob. 3. rather then to comforts and to the bearing of the Crosse rather then to gladnes Luc. 14. What secular person is there that would not willingly receaue spirituall ioy and comfort if he could alwaies haue it Spirituall comforts exced all the delights of the world and all the pleasures of the flesh All worldly delights are either vaine or vncleane but spiritual delights are only pleasant and honest produced by vertues and infused by God into pure harts But no men can alwaies enioy these diuine comforts according to his desire for the time of temptation it not long away 2. False freedome of mind and great trust of our selues is very contrary to heauenly visitation God doth well in giuing grace but man doth euill in not returning it againe wholy vnto God with thankesgiuing And therfore the gifts of grace cannot flow in vs Eccles 1. because we are vngratefull to the giuer and returne them not wholy to the headfountaine For grace is euer due to him that is thankefull and from the proud shall be taken that which is wont to be giuen to the humble 3. I desire not that consolation that taketh from me compunction nor that contemplation which breedeth a haughty mind For all that is high is not holy nor all that is sweet good nor euery desire pure nor euery thing that is deare vnto vs is gratefull to God I do willingly accept of that grace wherby I may euer become more humble and fearefull and be made more ready and able to forsake my selfe He that is taught by the gift of grace and by the scourge of the withdrawing therof will not dare to attribute any good to himselfe but will rather acknowledge himselfe poore and naked Matt. 22. Giue vnto God that which is Gods and ascribe vnto thy selfe that which is thine owne that is giue thankes vnto God for his grace and acknowledge that nothing is to be attributed to thee but only sinne and the punishment due thereunto 4. Content thy selfe and desire alwaies the meanest and lowest things and the highest shall be giuen thee for the highest stand not without the lowest The highest Saints before God Luc. 14. are the least in their owne iudgments And how much the more glorious so much the humbler within thēselues Those that are full of truth and heauenly glory are not desirous of the vaine glory of this world Those that are firmely setled and grounded in God can no way be proud And they that ascribe all vnto God what good soeuer they haue receaued Ioan. 5. seek not glory one of another but would haue that glory which is from God alone and desire aboue all things to praise God in himselfe and in all the Saints and alwaies tend vnto the same 5. Be therfore gratefull for the least gift and thou shalt be made worthy to receaue greater Let the least be vnto thee also as the greatest and the most contemptible as an especiall gift If thou consider the worth of the giuer no gift will seeme little or of meane esteeme For it is not little that is giuen by the soueraigne Maiesty of God Yea if he should giue punishment and stripes it ought to be gratefull for that he doth it alwaies for our saluation whatsoeuer he permitteth to happen vnto vs. He that desireth to keep the grace of God let him be thankfull for the grace giuen and patient for the taking away therof Let him pray that it may returne Let him be wary and humble least he leese it CHAP. XI How few the louers of the Crosse of Christ are IESVS hath now many louers of his heauenly kingdome but few bearers of his Crosse He hath many desirous of comfort but few of tribulation He findeth many companions of his table but few of his abstinence All desire to reioyce with him few will suffer any thing for him or with him Many follow Iesus vnto the breaking of bread but few to the drinking of the Chalice of his passion Many reuerence his miracles Luc. 9.22 few follow the ignominy of his Crosse Many loue Iesus
for he hath done me great wrong and vpbraided me with those thinges which I neuer thought or but or another I wil willinglie suffer and as I shall see cause Such a thought is foolish it considereth not the vertue of patience nor by whome it shall be crowned but rather wargheth the persons and the iniuries offered 3. He is not truly patient that will nor suffer but as much as he thinketh good and by whome he listeth But he that is indeed patient mindeth not by whome he is exercised whether by his Superiour or some of his equals or by his inferior whether by a good and holy man or by a peruerse and vnworthy person But indifferently from all creatures how much soeuer or how often soeuer any aduersity happeneth vnto him he taketh all thankfully as from the hands of God and esteemeth it a great gaine for that nothing before God how little soeuer so it be suffered for God can be without merit 4. Be thou therfore alwaies prepared for the fight if thou wilt haue the victory Without combat thou canst not attaine vnto the Crowne of patience If thou wilt not suffer thou refusest to be crowned But if thou desirest to be crowned 2. Tim. 2. fight manfully and endure patiently without labour there is no comming to rest nor without fight can the victory be obtained Lord * The Seruant let that be made possible to me by thy grace which seemeth impossible to me by nature Thou knowest that I can suffer little that I am quickly dismayed when a small aduersity ariseth Let all exercise of tribulation be made pleasing vnto me and be wellcome for thy name for to suffer and to be troubled for thee is very profitable for my soule CHAP. XX. Of the acknowledging of our owne infirmity and of the miseries of this life I will * The Seruant Psal 31. confesse against me my iniustice I will confesse vnto thee o Lord my infirmity Oftentimes it is a small matter that discomforteth and grieueth me I purpose to resist with courage but when a small tēptation commeth it bringeth me into very narrow straits It is somtimes a very trifle from whence great temptations do proceed And whilest I thinke my selfe somwhat lase when I least expect it I find my selfe sometimes ouercome with a small blast 2. Behould therfore Lord my humility Psal 24. and my frailty euery way knowne vnto thee Ps 68. Haue mercy on me and deliuer me out of the mire of my infirmities that I stick not fast therin let me not for euer remaine deiected This is that which oftentimes beareth me back and confoundeth me in thy sight for that I am so subiect to fall weake in resisting of my passions And though I do not altogeather consent yet their continuall assaults are troublesome and grieuous vnto me and it is tedious a very irksome thing to liue thus daily in strife Hereby my infirmity is made knowne vnto me for that wicked fancies do alwaies much more easily enter in vpon me then they can be cast out againe 3. O mighty 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 Strengthē me with heauenly force least my old man my miserable flesh not fully as yet subiect to the spirit preuaile and get the vpper hand against which I ought to fight as long as I breath in this miserable life Alas what a kinde of life is this where tribulations and miseries are neuer wanting where all 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 be loued that hath so many afflictions and is subiect to so many calamities and miseries How is it called a life that begetteth so many deaths and plagues And yet it is loued and many seeke to delight themselues therin The world is oftentimes blamed that it is deceiptfull and vaine and 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 do draw vs the concupiscence of the flesh 1. Ioan. 2. the cōcupiscence of the eyes and the pride of life but the paynes and miseries that do iustly follow them causeth a hatred and loathsomnes therof 5. But alas wicked pleasure ouercommeth the mind which is giuen ouer to the world Iob. 30. she esteemeth it a delight to be vnder thornes because she hath neither seene nor tasted the sweetnes of God and the inward delight of vertue But they that perfectly contemne the world and endeauour to liue to God vnder holy discipline these are not ignorāt of the diuine sweetnes promised to the true forsakers of the world and do more cleerly see how grieuously the world erreth and how it is many waies deceaued CHAP. XXI That we are to rest in God aboue all his gifts ABOVE * The Seruant 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 Rom. 8. to rest in thee aboue all creatures aboue al health and beauty aboue all glory and honour aboue all power and dignity aboue all knowledg and learning aboue all riches and arts aboue allioy and gladnes aboue all same 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 impart vnto vs aboue all ioy and iubily that the mind of man can receaue and feele lastly aboue Angels and Archangels and aboue all the heauenly Host aboue al visible and inuisible things and aboue all that that thou art not my God 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 sweet and comfortable thou alone most beautifull and louing thou alone most noble and glorious aboue all things in whome all good things togeather both are perfectly and euer haue beene and shall be and therfore it is too little and not sufficient whatsoeuer thou bestowest on me besides thy selfe or reuealest vnto me of thy selfe or promisest whilst thou art not seene and not fully obtained for surely my hart cannot rest nor be fully cōtented vnlesse it rest in thee and surmount all gifts and creatures what soeuer 3. O my most beloued spouse Christ Iesus the most chast louer the gouernour of all creatures Ps 53. who wil giue me winges of true liberty to fly and rest in thee O when shall it be fully granted me to consider in quietnes of mind see how sweet thou art my Lord God! When shal I fully
vouchsafe mercifully to pardon me as often as I haue fayled heerin and giue me againe grace of greater sufferance For thy bountifull mercy is more auaylable to me for the obtayning of pardon then my conceaued iustice for the defence of my hidden conscience 1. Cor. 4. Although my conscience accuse me not yet I cannot hereby iustifie my selfe Ps 142. for if thy mercy be away no man liuing shal be iustified in thy sight CHAP. XLVII That all grieuous thinges are to be endured for life euerlasting SONNE †Our Lord. let not the paines dismay thee which thou hast vndertaken for me neither be thou discoÌ„forted for the tribulatioÌ„s which do befall thee but let my promise strengthen and comfort thee in all euents I am able to reward thee aboue all measure Thou shalt not long toile here nor alwayes be oppressed with griefe Attend a while and thou shalt see a speedy end of thy euills There will come an houre when all labour and trouble shall cease Little and short is all that passeth away with time 2. Doe as thou doest labour faithfully in my vineyard I will be thy reward Write read sing Mâ—tt 20. mourne obserue silence pray suffer crosses maÌ„fully life euerlasting is worthy of all these greater coÌ„bats Peace shall come in the day which is knowne vnto our Lord it shall not be day nor night to wit of this time but euerlasting light infinite brightnesse stedfast peace and secure rest Then thou shalt not say Who shall deliuer me from the body of this death Rom. 7. nor cry Wo be vnto me for that my dwelling in a strange countrey is prolonged Psal 119. For death shall be throwne downe and health shall be without decay no anxiety blessed ioy sweet and glorious company 3. O if thou hadst seene the euerlasting crowns of the Saints in heaueÌ„ and with how great glory they now reioyce who in times past were conteÌ„ptible to this world Sap. 3. 5. and esteemed vnworthy of life it selfe truly thou wouldest presently humble thy selfe euen vnto the earth wouldest rather seek to be vnder the feet of all then to haue coÌ„mand so much as ouer one neither wouldest thou desire pleasant daies of this life but rather reioyce to be afflicted for God and esteeme it thy greatest gaine to be reputed as nothing amongst men 4. O if thou hadst a feeling of these things and didst suffer them to enter into the depth of thy hart how durst thou so much as once to complaine Are not al paineful labours to be endured for euerlasting life It is no smal matter to leese or to gain the Kingdome of heauen Lift vp thine eyes therfore vnto heauen behould I and all my Saints with me who in this world had great conflicts do now reioyce now are comforted now are secure now do rest and shall remaine with me euerlastingly in the Kingdome of my Father CHAP. XLVIII Of the euerlasting day and shortnesse of this life O most * The Seruant blessed mansion of the heauenly Citty o most cleare day of eternity which night obscureth not Apoc. 21. but the highest truth euer enlightneth day euer pleasant euer secure and neuer changing into coÌ„trary state O that that day would once appeare and all these temporall things were at an end To the Saints it shineth glistering with euerlasting brightnesse but to those that are Pilgrimes vpon earth it appeareth only a far off and as it were through a glasse 2. The inhabitants of heauen do know how ioyfull that day is but the banished children of Eue be waile the bitternes and tediousnes of this The daies of this life are short and euill Iob. 7. full of sorrow anguish where man is defiled with many sinnes incumbred with many passioÌ„s disquieted with many feares filled with many cares distracted with many curiosities intangled with many vanities compassed about with many errours worne away with many labours vexed with temptatioÌ„s weakned with delights tormented with want 3. O when shall these euills be at an end Rom. 7. When shall I be deliuered from the miserable bondage of sin Ps 70. When shall I thinke o Lord of thee alone When shall I perfectly reioyce in thee When shall I be free from al impediments in true liberty without all griefe of mind body When shal I haue firme peace peace secure and without trouble peace within and without peace euery way assured O good Iesu when shal I stand to behould thee When shall I contemplate the glory of thy Kingdome When wilt thou be vnto me all in all thinges O when shall I be with thee in thy Kingdome which thou hast prepared for thy beloued from before all worldes I am left a poore and banished man in the land of mine enemies where there are daily warres and great misfortunes 4. Comfort my banishment asswage my sorrow for my whole desire sendeth vp sighes vnto thee For all is burdensome to me whatsoeuer this world offereth for my coÌ„fort I desire familiarly to enioy thee but I cannot attaine vnto it I would gladly fixe my hart to the things of heauen but temporall cares and vnmortified passions weigh me down In mind I would be aboue al things Rom. 7. â— but to my flesh I am inforced to be subiect against my will Thus vnhappy man that I am I fight against my selfe and am become grieuous to my selfe whilst my spirit seeketh after the things that are aboue and my flesh that which is below 5. O what do I inwardly suffer when in mind I consider heauenly things and presently in my praiers a multitude of fleshly fantasies present themselues before me Psal 70. My God be not farre from me depart not in thy wrath from thy seruant Cast forth thy lightning and disperse them send out thy darts and breake all the fantasies of my enemie Gather my senses togeather vnto thee make me forget the things of this world grant me grace to cast away speedily the fantasies of vices Succour me o euerlasting truth that no vanity may moue me Come heauenly sweetnesse and let all impurity fly from thy face Pardon me also and mercifully forgiue me as often as I think vpon any thing els besides thee in praier I truely confesse that I am wont to be subiect to many distractions for oftentimes I am not there where I do corporally stand or sit but rather there whither my thoughte do carry me Where my thought is there am I there is oftentimes my thought where my affection is That quickly occurreth vnto me which is naturally delightsome and by custome pleasing 6. And for this cause thou that art truth it selfe hast plainely said Matt. 6. Where thy treasure is there is also thy hart If I loue heauen I willingly think of heauenly things If I loue the world I reioyce at the felicity of the world and grieue for the aduersity therof If I loue the flesh I
Lord that thou shouldest impart any heauenly comfort vnto me I remember not that I haue euer done any good but haue bene alwayes prone to sinne and slouthfull in my amēdment It is true and I cannot deny it If I should say otherwise thou wouldest stand against me Iob. 9. there would be none to defend me What haue I deserued for my sinnes but hell and euerlasting fire I confesse in the truth of my hart that I am worthy of all scorne and contempt and it is vnfit that I should be remēbred amongst thy deuout seruants And although I be vnwilling to heare this yet notwithstanding for the loue of truth I will lay open my sinnes against my selfe that I may the better deserue to obtaine thy mercy 3. What shall I say being guilty and full of confusion I can vtter out of my mouth no other word but this I haue sinned Psal 50. Lord I haue sinned Iob. 10. haue mercy on me pardon me suffer me a little that I may bewaile my griefe before I go vnto the land of darknesse and be couered with the shaddow of death What doest thou require of a guilty miserable sinner but that he be contrite and sorrowfull and do humble him selfe for his offences In true contrition and hūblenes of heart is bred a hope of forgiuenes a troubled cōscience is reconciled againe grace lost is restored man is defended frō future wrath and God and the penitent soule meet togeather in the holy kisse of peace 4. Humble contrition for sinns is an acceptable sacrifice vnto thee Psal 50. o Lord sauouring much sweeter in thy sight then burning frankincense This is also the pleasant oyntment Luc. 7. which thou wouldest haue powred vpon thy sacred feet Psal 50. for thou neuer despisest a contrite and humble hart There is a place of refuge from the face of the wrath of our enemie there is amended and washed away whatsoeuer vncleanes hath bene elswhere gathered and whatsoeuer is defiled CHAP. LIII That the grace of God is not giuen to those that sauour of earthly things SONNE †Out Lord. my grace is precious it suffereth not it selfe to be mingled with externall things nor earthly comforts Thou oughtest therfore to cast away all hinderances of grace if thou desire to receaue the infusion therof Choose therfore a secret place to thy selfe loue to liue alone with thy selfe desire the conuersation of none but rather powre out deuout praiers vnto God that thou maist keep thy mind compunct and thy conscience pure Esteeme the whole world as nothing Matt. 19. preferre my seruice before all outward things for thou canst not attend vnto me and be delighted also in transitory vanities Thou oughtest to sequester thy selfe frō thy acquaintance friends to keep thy mind depriued of all temporall cōfort So the blessed Apostle Peter required 1. Pet. 2. that the faithfull of Christ should keep themselues as strangers Pilgrimes in this world 2. O how great a confidence shall he haue at the houre of death whome no affection to any earthly thing detaineth in the world But the weake mind is not yet capable of so retired a hart neither doth the fleshly person vnderstand the freedome of a recollected mind Notwithstanding if he will be truly spirituall he ought to renounce as wel that which is farre off as that which is neerest vnto him and to beware of no man more then of himselfe If thou perfectly ouercome thy selfe thou shalt with more ease subdue the rest It is a glorious victory to triumph ouer our selues For he that keepeth himselfe subiect in such sort that his sēsualitie be subdued to reason reason in al things be obedient to me he is truly a conquerour of himselfe Lord of the world 3. If thou desire to mount vnto this height of perfection thou must begin manfully and set the axe to the root that thou maist plucke vp and destroy thy hidden and inordinate inclination to thy selfe and vnto all priuate and earthly good Of this vice that man too inordinately loueth himselfe almost all dependeth whatsoeuer is wholy to be ouercome which being once ouercome subdued there will presently ensue great peace and tranquillity But for that few endeauour perfectly to die vnto themselues to forsake themselues wholy therfore they remaine intangled in themselues and cannot be lifted vp in spirit aboue themselues but he that desireth to walke freely with me it is necessary that he mortify all his inordinate affections and not adhere vnto any creature by priuate loue CHAP. LIV. Of the different motions of Nature and Grace SONNE †Our Lord. marke diligently the motions of thine owne nature and my grace for in very contrary and secret manner these are moued and can hardly be discerned but by him that is spirituall and inwardly enlightned All men desire that which is good and pretend some good in all their words and deeds therfore vnder pretence of good many are deceaued Nature is deceiptfull and seduceth intangleth deceaueth many and alwaies proposeth her selfe for her end but grace walketh with great sincerity and auoideth all shew of euill pretendeth not deceipts doth all things purely for God in whome also she finally resteth 2. Nature will not willingly dye nor be kept in nor ouercome nor be subiect to any nor be subdued but grace laboureth to mortifie her selfe resisteth sensuality seeketh to be subiect is willing to be ouercome and will not vse her owne liberty she loueth to be kept vnder discipline and desireth not to rule any but alwaies to liue and remaine wholy subiect vnto God and for God is ready humbly to bow vnto all men Nature striueth for her owne commodity and considereth what profit she may reape by another but grace considereth not what is profitable and commodious vnto herselfe but rather what is profitable to many Nature willingly receaueth honour reuerence but grace faithfully attributeth all honour and glory vnto God 3. Nature feareth shame and contempt but grace reioyceth to suffer reproach for the name of Iesus Nature loueth idlenes and bodily rest but grace cannot be idle but willingly imbraceth labour Nature seeketh to haue those things that be curious and precious abhorreth that which is meane and base but grace delighteth in plaine hūble things despiseth not course and meane nor refuseth to wear that which is old torne Nature respecteth the things of this world reioyceth at earthly gaine sorroweth for losse is moued with euery little iniurious word but grace thinketh on that which is euerlasting and cleaueth not to that which fadeth with time she is not troubled with losse nor exasperated with iniuries for that she hath placed her treasure and ioy in heauen where nothing perisheth 4. Nature is couetous and doth more willingly receaue then giue she loueth proper and priuate things but grace is pittifull liberall to all auoydeth singularity is content with a little
nor any creature draw me vnto it for I am not to harbour an Angell but the Lord of Angels 6. And yet there is great difference betweene the Arke the Reliques therof and thy most pure body with his vnspeakable vertues betweene those legall sacrifices figures of future things and the true Sacrifice of thy body the complement of all ancient Sacrifices Why therfore do I not become more feruent in thy venerable presence Wherefore do I not prepare my selfe with greater care to receaue thy sacred gifts sith those holy ancient Patriarches Prophets yea Kings also and Princes with the whole people haue shewed so great zeale of deuotion to thy diuine seruice 7. The most denout King Dauid daunced before the Arke of God with all his force 2. Reg. 6. calling to mind the benefits bestowed in times past vpon his forefathers He made Instruments of sundry kinds he published Psalmes and appointed thē to be sung with ioy himselfe also oftentimes played vpon the harpe Being inspired with the grace of the holy Ghost he taught the people of Israel to praise God with their whole hart and with pleasant voyces euery day to blesse and praise him If so great deuotion was then vsed and such memory of diuine praise before the Arke of the Testament what reuerence and deuotion is now to be performed by me and all Christian people in the presence of this Sacrament in receauing the most precious body of Christ 8. Many go to sundry places to visit the Reliques of Saints and are astonished when they heare of their miraculous works they behould the spacious buildings of their Churches kisse their sacred bones wrapped in silke and gould And behold thou art heere present with me on the altar my God the Holy of Holies the maker of all things Lord of Angels Oftentimes in those deuotions there is but curiosity of men and nouelty of the beholders in the seeing of such sights and little fruite of amendment is gotten thereby especially where there is so vnconstant wandring without true contrition But here in the Sacrament of the altar thou art present my Lord God and Man Christ Iesus where also plentifull fruite of euerlasting saluation is obtained as often as thou art worthily and deuoutly receaued No leuity no curiosity or sensuallity draweth vnto this but firme faith deuout hope and sincere charity 9. O God the inuisible Creatour of the world how wonderfully doest thou deale with vs how sweetly and graciously doest thou dispose of all things with thy elect to whome thou offerest thy selfe to be receaued in the Sacrament O this exceedeth all vnderstanding of man this chiefly draweth the harts of the deuout and inflameth their desire For thy true faithfull seruants that dispose their whole life to amendment by this most worthy Sacrament oftentimes receaue great grace of deuotion and loue of vertue 10. O admirable hidden grace of this Sacrament which only the faithfull of Christ do know but the vnfaithfull and such as are slaues vnto sinne cānot conceaue nor feele In this Sacrament spirituall grace is giuen and lost vertue is restored in the soule and beautie disfigured by sinne returneth againe This grace is sometimes so great that with the fuinesse of deuotion which is here giuen not only the mind but the weake body also feeleth great increase of strength 11. Our coldnesse negligence surely is much to be bewailed pittied that we are not drawne with greater affection to receaue Christ in whome all the hope and merit of those that are to be saued doth cō fist For he is our sanctification and redemption he is the comfort of passengers and the euerlasting fruition of Saints It is much therfore to be lamented that many do so little consider this comfortable mysterie which reioyceth heauen and preserueth the whole world O blindnes and hardnes of mans hart that doth not more deeply weigh the greatnes of so vnspeakable a gift but rather comes by the daily vse therof to regard it little or nothing 12. For if this most holy Sacrament should be celebrated in one place only and consecrated by one only Priest in the world with how great desire doest thou thinke would men be affected to that place and what esteeme would they haue of such a Priest of Almighty God by whome they might enioy the consolation of these diuine mysteries but now there are many Priests Christ is offered 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 Cōmuniō is cōmon through the world Thāks be vnto thee good Iesu euerlasting Pastour of our souls that hast vouchsafed to refresh vs poore banished men with thy precious Body Bloud to inuite vs to the receauing of these mysteries with the words of thy owne mouth saying Come vnto me all ye that labour and are burdened Matt. 11. and I wil refresh you CHAP. II. That great goodnesse and charity of God is bestowed vpon man in this Sacrament The voice of the Disciple PRESVMING of thy goodnesse and great mercy o Lord being sicke I approach vnto my Sauiour hungry and thirsty to the fountaine of life needy to the King of heauen a seruant vnto my Lord a creature to my Creator desolate to my mer cifull comforter But whence is this to me that thou vouchsafest to come vnto me Who am I that thou shouldest giue thy selfe vnto me Luc. 1. How dare a sinner presume to ap peare before thee And thou how doest thou vouchsafe to come vnto a sinner Thou knowest thy seruant and seest that he hath no good thing in him for which thou shouldest bestow this benefit vpon him I confesse therfore my vnworthinesse I acknowledg thy goodnesse I praise thy mercy and giue thee thanks for this thy vnspeakable charity For thou doest this for thine owne goodnesse not for any merits of mine to the end that thy goodnesse may be better knowne vnto me thy charity more aboundantly shewed and thy humility more highly commended Since therfore it is thy pleasure and hast commanded that it should be so this thy boūty is also pleasing to me and do wish that my offences may be no hinderance 2. O most sweet and bountifull Iesu how great reuerēce thanks with perpetuall praise is due vnto thee for the receauing of thy sacred body whose worth and dignity no man is able to expresse But what shall I thinke of at this time now that I am to receaue this diuine Sacrament and to approach vnto my Lord to whome I am not able to giue due reuerence and yet I desire to receaue him deuoutly What can I thinke better and more profitable then to humble my selfe wholy before thee and to exalt thy infinite goodnesse aboue me I praise thee my God will exalt thee for euer and I do despise and submit my self vnto thee euen into the depth of my vnworthinesse 3.
Behould thou art the Holy of Holies and I the skum of sinners behold thou bowest thy selfe downe vnto me who am not worthy so much as to looke vp vnto thee Behould thou commest vnto me it is thy will to be with me Psal 77. thou inuitest me to thy banquet Ioan. 6. Thou wilt giue me the food of heauen and bread of Angels to eate which is no other truely then thy selfe the liuely bread that descendest from heauen and giuest life vnto the world 4. Behould from whence this loue proceedeth what kind of fauour and benignity is this which shineth vpon vs What thankes 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 banquet when thou gauest thy selfe to be our food How wonderfull thy worke o Lord how powerfull thy vertue how vnspeakable thy truth For thou saidst the word Gen. 1 Psal 148. and all things were made this was done which thou commanndest 5. A thing of grâ—at admiration and worthy of faith and surpassing the vnderstanding of man that thou my Lord God true God Man shouldest be wholy coÌ„teyned vnder a small forme of bread wine and shouldest be eaten by the receauer without being coÌ„sumed 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 cheerfull and pure conscience I may often celebrate thy mysteries and receaue theÌ„ to my euerlasting health which thou hast chiefly ordained instituted for thy honour and perpetuall memory 6. Reioyce my soule and 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 mysterie and receauest 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 greatnesse of his mercy is neuer lessened Therefore thou oughtest alwaies to dispose thy selfe hereunto by a fresh renewing of thy mind and to weigh with attentiue consideration this great mystery of thy saluation So great new and ioyfull it ought to seeme 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 dye for the saluation of mankind CHAP. III. That it is profitable to communicate often BEHOLD o Lord I come vnto thee Ps 67. 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 Behold in thee is all whatsoeuer I can or ought to desire thou art my health and my redeÌ„ption my hope and my strength my honour and my glory Make ioyfull therefore this day the soule of thy seruant Psal 85. for that I haue lifted it vp to thee my sweet Iesus I desire to receaue 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 receaue 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 therefore I must often come vnto thee and receaue thee as the only remedy of my health least 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 and curing sundry diseases Matt 15. I will not send them home fasting Matt. 8. least they faint in the way Deale thou therfore in like maÌ„ner now with me 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 wax dull and faint that by often praiers confession and receauing of thy sacred body I renew clense and inflame my selfe least perhaps by long abstayning I fall from my holy purpose 3. For man is prone vnto euill from his youth Gen. 8. and vnlesse this diuine remedie help him he quickly slideth to worse This holy CoÌ„munion therfore draweth back 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 receaued not this remedy and sought not after so great a help Though euery day I be not fit nor well prepared to say Masse I will endeauour notwithstanding at conuenient times to receaue the diuine mysteries and make my selfe partaker of so great a grace For this is the onely chiefe comfort of a faithfull soule whilst she wandreth froÌ„ thee in this mortall body that being mindfull of her God she often receaue her Beloued with a deuout mind 4. O wonderfull benignity of thy mercy towards vs that thou Lord God the Creatour and giuer of life to all spirits doest vouchsafe to come vnto a poore soule with thy whole Godhead and humanity to replenish her hunger O happy mind and blessed soule that deserueth to receaue thee her Lord God with deuout affection and in receauing of thee to be filled with spirituall ioy O how great a Lord doth she intertaine How beloued a ghest doth she harbour how pleasant a companion doth she receaue how faithful a friend doth she accept how beautifull and noble a spouse doth she imbrace she imbraceth him who is to be loued aboue all that is beloued and aboue all things that may be desired Let heauen and earth and all their beauty be sileÌ„t in thy presence For what beauty and praise soeuer they haue it is receaued from thy bounty and shall not equall the beauty of thy name of whose wisdome there is no end Psal 146. CHAP. IIII. That many benefits are bestowed vpon them that communicate deuoutly The voice of the Disciple MY Lord God Psal 20. 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 froÌ„ all heauines and slouth Psal 105. visit me with thy comfort that I may tast in spirit thy sweetnesse which plentifully lyeth hid in this Sacrament as a fountaine Giue light also to mine eyes to behold lo great a mystery and strengthen me to belieue 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 vnderstand these things
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 exceed all humane power neither can any reason or discourse of any man search out the iudgment of God When the enemy therfore suggesteth these things vnto thee or some enuious people demand theÌ„ of thee answere that of the Prophet Psal 118. Thou art iust o Lord and thy iudgment is right And againe The iudgments of our Lord are true and iustified in themselues Psal 1â— My iudgments are to be feared not to be discussed for they are such as cannot be comprehended by the vnderstanding of man 2. In like manner I aduise thee not to inquire 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 and vnprofitable contentions 1. Tim. 2. they nourish also pride vaine glory from whence do vsually spring enuy and dissentions whilst one wil needs foolishly haue this Saint preferred and the other another To desire to know and search out such things is to no purpose but to displease the Saints of whome they speake For I am not the God of dissension but of peace which peace consisteth rather in true humility then in exalting our selues 3. Some are carried with zeale of affection to loue these or those most but this loue is rather humane then diuine I haue made all 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 sweetnesse I foreknew my beloued before the beginning of the world Ioan. 15. I chose theÌ„ out of the world they chose not me first I called them by grace I drew them by mercy I led them through sundry temptations I haue sent theÌ„ great inward comforts I haue giuen them perseuerance I haue crowned their patience 4. I know the first and last I imbrace all with inestimable loue I am to be praised in all my Saints I am to be blessed aboue all things to be honoured in euery one whom I haue thus gloriously exalted and predestinated without any precedeÌ„t merits of their owne He therfore that contemneth one of the least of my Saints Iac. 2. honoureth not the greatest for that I made both the lesse and the greater Sap. 6. And he that dispraiseth any of my Saints dispraiseth also me and all 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 togeather in one perfect band of loue 5. But yet which is much more high they loue me more then theÌ„selues and more then their owne merits For being rauished aboue themselues and drawne out of the affection of themselues they tend wholy vnto the loue of me in which also they rest enioying me with vnspeakable glory Nothing can put them backe nothing presse them downe for being full of euerlasting truth they burne with the fire of vnquenchable charitie Let therefore carnall and earthlymen that can affect no other but priuate ioyes 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 ignorance specially in those that be slenderly enlightned and these can seldome loue any with perfect spiritual loue They are alwaies much drawne by a naturall affection and humane friendship to this man or to that according to the experieÌ„ce they haue of themselues in their earthly affections so they frame an imagination of heauenly things But there is an incomparable distance betweene the things which the imperfect frame in their conceipts and those which illuminated persons do see by reuelatioÌ„ from aboue 7. Beware therfore my Sonne that thou treat not curiously of these things Eccli 3. which exceed thy knowledg but rather so apply thy endeauours that thou maist at least haue the meanest place in the Kingdome of heauen And if any one did know which of the Saints exceeded others in sanctity or is esteemed greater in the Kingdome of heauen what would this knowledg auaile him vnlesse he should thereby humble himselfe the more in my sight and stirre vp his mind to praise my name with greater feruour His labour is much more acceptable vnto God that thinketh of the greatnes of his sinnes and his want of vertues how far off he is from the perfectioÌ„ of the Saints then he that disputeth of their greatnes It is better to pray to the Saints with deuotion tears and to craue their glorious suffrages with an humble mind then to search their secrets with vaine curiosity 8. They are well and right wel contented if men could content theÌ„selues and refraine from these vaine discourses They glory not of their owne 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 superaboundant ioy 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 deerer vnto me And therfore thou haft it writteÌ„ Apoc. 4. That they did cast their Crownes before God and fell down vpon their faces before the Lambe and adored him that liueth for euer 9. Many inquire 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 be euen the least in heauen where all are great for that all there shall be called and shal be indeed the Sonnes of God The least there shall be great among thousands and the sinner of a hundred yeares shall die Matt. 18. For when the Disciples asked who was the greater in the Kingdome of heauen they receaued this answere Vnlesse you be conuerted become as little children you shall not enter into the Kingdome of heauen Whosoeuer therfore shall humble himself as this little child he is the greater in the Kingdome of heauen 10. Woe be vnto them that disdaine to humble theÌ„selues willingly with little children Matt. 6. For the low gate of the Kingdome of heauen will not giue them entrance And woe be to the rich that haue their comforts heere for whilst the poore enter into the Kingdome of God they shall be wayting without Reioyce you â—hat be humble and you that be poore Matt. 5. be you glad for yours is the Kingome of God if you walke according vnto truth CHAP. LIX That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone LORD * The Seruant what trust haue I in this world Or what is the grea test
comfort that all thinges vnder heauen do yield me Is it not thou my Lord God whose mercies are without number Where hath it bene well with me without thee Or when could it be ill with me when thou wert present I had rather be 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 therfore it behoueth me to send forth deep sighes from my hart and crie and pray vnto thee For I haue none to trust vnto none that can help me in tyme of necessity but thee alone my God Thou art my hope and my trust thou art my comforter and most faithfull vnto me in all my distresses 2. All men seeke their owne gaine Phil. 2. thou only seekest my saluatiō and my profit and turnest all things to my good Although thou permittest many temptations to assault me 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 waies In which proofe thou oughtest no lesse to be loued and praysed then if thou didest replenish me with heauenly comforts 3. In thee therefore 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 behould out of thee For neither can many friends auaile nor forcible helpers aid nor wise counsellours 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 doest not assist help comfort instruct and keep vs. 4. For all things that seeme to be ordayned for the rest and solace of man when thou art absent are nothing and do bring indeed no ioy 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 doe I lift vp myne 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 Maiesty According to the greatnesse of thy goodnesse multitude of thy mercies take pitty vpon me and heare the prayer of thy poore seruant who is farre exiled from thee in the land of the shaddow of death Protect and keep 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 country of euerlasting light Amen The end of the third Booke OF THE FOLLOVVING OF CHRIST THE FOVRTH BOOKE A deuout Exhortation vnto the blessed Sacrament The voice of Christ COME vnto me all ye that labour are burdened Matt. 11. I will refresh you saith our Lord. The bread which I will giue Ioan. 6. is my flesh for the life of the world Matt. 26. Take yee and eate this is my body that shall be deliuered for you 1. ◠1.11 Doe this for the commemoration of me He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud remaineth in me and I in him Ioan. 6. The words which I haue spoken vnto you are spirit and life CHAP. I. VVith how great reuerence Christ ought to be receaued THESE are thy words o Christ euerlasting Truth though not spoken all at one time nor written in one and the selfe same place Because therefore they are thine and true they are all thankfully faithfully to be receaued by me They are thine and thou hast spoken thē and they are mine also because thou hast spoken them for my saluation I willingly receaue them from thy mouth that they may be the deeper imprinted in my hart These deuout words so full of sweetnesse and loue doe stirre me vp but mine owne offences doe amaze me and my impure conscience driueth me back from the receauing of so great mysteries The sweetnesse of thy words doth encourage me but the multitude of my sinnes do oppresse me 2. Thou commaundest me to come confidently vnto thee if I will haue part with thee and to receaue the food of immortality if I desire to obtaine euerlasting life and glory Come sayst thou vnto me all ye that labour and are burdened Matt. 11. and I will refresh you O sweet and louely word in the eare of a sinner that thou my Lord God shouldest inuite the poore and needy to receaue thy most blessed body But who am I Lord that I may presume to approach vnto thee behould the heauens cannot containe thee and thou sayst Come ye all vnto me Matt. 12. 3. What meaneth this most pious benignity and so louing inuitation How shal I dare to come that know not any good in me wherevpon I may presume How shall I bring thee into my house that haue often offended thy most gracious countenance The Angels and the Archangels honour thee the Saints and iust men do feare thee and thou saist Matt. 11. Come ye all vnto me Vnlesse thou o Lord didst say it who would belieue it to be true And vnlesse thou didst cōmaund it who would dare to come vnto thee Behould Noe a iust man laboured a hundred yeares in the building of the Arke Gen. 6. that he might be saued with a few and how can I in one houres space prepare my selfe to receaue with reuerence the maker of the world 4. Moyses thy great seruant especiall friend made an Arke of incorruptible wood which also he couered with most pure gold to put the Tables of the Law therein and I a rotten creature how shall I so lightly dare to receaue the maker of the Law and the giuer of life Salomon the wisest of the Kings of Israel 3. Reg. 6. bestowed seauen yeares in building a magnificent Temple in praise of thy name celebrated the feast of the Dedication therof eight daies togeather 3. Reg. 8. he offered a thousand peaceable sacrifices and set the Ark in the place prepared for it with the sound of trumpets and ioy and I the most vnhappy and poorest of men how shall I bring thee into my house that can scarce spend one halfe houre deuoutly and I would to God it were once almost one halfe houre in worthy and due māner 5. O my God how much did they endeauour to please thee and alas how little is that which I doe How short time do I spend when I prepare my selfe to receaue I am seldome wholy recollected very seldome altogeather free from distraction and yet surely no vndecent thought should occurre in the presence of thy Deity