let every man take his choice and doe that which he thinks in his conscience he may best and most piously performe for neither of these dishonour the body and blood of our Saviour but rather both of them doe strive to honour this saving Sacrament For Zacheus rejoyced greatly to entertaine our Saviour in his house The Centurion said Lord I am not worthy thou shouldest come under my roofe both of these did worship and honour our Saviour though after a diverse and as it were a contrary manner both of them being miserable by reason of sinne both of them obtaining mercy for their sinnes Thus one man to honour Christ dares not receive every day another also to honour Christ dares not omit any day And although these be but petty differences yet why may I not apply it to controversies of greater moment especially seeing that ancient Father S. Salvian lib. 5. de Providentia hath found a good intention in the Arians the most pernitious and most dangerous hereticks accounted that ever have been in the Church They whom we account hereticks saith he account not themselves hereticks for they so much esteeme themselves good Catholikes that they defame us with the note and appellation of heresy That therefore which they be to us the very same are we to them We are certaine that they injure the divine generation in that they say the Sonne is lesse and inferior to the Father They think us likewise injurious to the Father because we make the Sonne equall unto him The true honour of God is amongst us but they think that to be the honour of the Deity to believe as they believe They are undutifull but they think it the greatest duty of their Religion They are impious but they think this to be true piety They erre therefore but they erre with a very good minde and intention not with a hatred but with a good affection towards God verily believing that they honour and love God Although they have not the right Faith yet they notwithstanding think this to be perfect love towards God In what manner they shall bee punished in the day of Iudgement for this very error of false opinion no man can tell but the judge himselfe A good lesson for the hotâ—purres of these times with whom it is a very easy matter to pronounce damnation upon the very least disagreement in Religion whereas this good Father would not determine any thing concerning these great hereticks the Arians but leaves them to the mercy of the judge not being able to discerne what they did deserve You see that this holy Father findes out a good intention even in these hereticks And if there was a good intention amongst those that were so grossely erroneous why may there not be good intentions found out amongst us also who are not at such great oddes and acknowledged on all sides to have no such dangerous opinions amongst us I speak not this any whit to countenance that opinion of the Arians which is creeping into the Church againe but leave them to stand or fall to their own master and shall in the mean time be perswaded that they goe not against their consciences and so farre forth hit will goe better with them yet with this holy Father not free them from punishment but must referre the manner and measure thereof to the time of judgement Those of the Church of Rome are so impatient of this doctrine that they care not for being saved unlesse they may be saved alone And their writers generally agree upon nothing so much as that out of their Communion there is no Salvation One of their late writers Barckly Paren l. 1. cap. 1 can professe thus We saith he proclaime with the whole Church and we command with Moses that Heaven and Earth would heare us that there is no communion between God and Belia that these Protestants doe so far differ from us in matters of faith that they altogether in vaine expect those mansions of happinesse which are prepared for us And afterwards he saith Hee that dares believe a stubborne and obstinate Protestant can be saved doth by so believing fall from the Catholike Faith And that this is no private or obscure sentence of the Church but that all Catholicks are of the same mind that none of them are ignorant of it nor any can dissemble it unlesse he be an unexpert Divine or for feare or ambition preferres some mens favour before the truth Another of your company Camp rat 10. averres the same with a very great and solemne protestation I call to witnesse saith hee Gods Throne and that tribunall at which I shall â—sand to give an accompt of these my reasons and of whatsoever I have spoken or done that either there is no heaven at all or that it peculiarly and properly belongs unto us I Campian must yee be saved and none but yee what is not heaven able to hold us as well as you Or will our salvation be any disparagement to yours It seemes it will But to come a litle closer to you Is it nothing with you at one breath to throw so many soules headlong to hell for whom Christ died and which is more who are already incorporate into Christ by Baptisme It cost more to redeeme their soules but you will let that alone for ever Our comfort is that though you passe such sentence upon us here yet you are not to be our Iudges hereafter but must your selves come to give an account as well as we peradveÌ„ture of these speeches Account us not men of so desperate and deplored an estate that wee would wittingly and willingly runne into hell why should not out salvation be as deere unto us as yours is unto you or why should you not think us to have as great a care of our salvation as you have of yours For could wee be perswaded that wee were in heresie and that there is no salvation out of your Church how quickly would we fly unto you How gladly would we be entertained by you what means and moans would we make to be members of your society Who can endure such peremptory pronunciations of Iudgment of God's eternal wrath and condemnation upon us before wee come to our hearing And seeing God's mercy is overall his workes who can endure that you should interdict God's mercy and judge what the sentence of the Iudge shall be before the day of iudgment Lib. 1. advers Pelag. So that if God had a mind to spare such sinners as you say we poore Protestants are yet by your verdict and prescription he could not be suffered to doe it as S. Ierome long agoe complained of Critobulus the Pelagian Were we such tares in the field of the Church as you would make the world believe yet if you would imitate Christ Mat. 13. you should let us grow till the harvest lest you plucke up the good corne with us Neither are you thus fierce alone there are some of
the melting of fervent love 11 Suffer me not to goe from thee hungry and dry but deale mercifully with me as thou hast oftentimes dealt wonderfully with thy Saiuts 12 What marveâ—le if I should be wholy inflamed by thee and dye in my selfe sith thou art ever burning and never decaying love purifying the heart and inlightning the understanâ—â—ing CHAP. XVII Of burning love and vehement desire to receive Christ. The voice of the Disciple VVIth great devotion and burning love with most hearty affection and fervour I desire to receive thee O Lord 2 As many Saints and devout persons have desired thee when they received thy Sacrament who were most pleasing unto thee in holinesse of life and most fervent in devotion 3 O my God my everlasting love my whole good my happinesse without end I would gladly receive thee with the most vehement desire and most worthy reverence that any of the Saints ever had or could feele 4 And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion yet I offer unto thee the whole affection of my heart as if I alone had all those most sweet inflamed desires 5 Yea whatsoever also a devout mind can conceive and desire all that with greatest reverence and most inward affection I offer and present unto thee 6 I wish to reserve nothing to my selfe but freely and most willingly to sacrifice my self and all mine unto thee my Lord God my Creatour and my Redeemer 7 I desire to receive thee this day with such affection reverence praise and honour with such gratitude worthinesse and love with such faith hope and puritie 8 As thy most blessed Mother the glorious Virgin Marie received and desired thee when she humbly and devoutly answered the Angell 9 Who declared unto her the mysterie of the Incarnation and said Behold the handmaid of the Lord let it be done unto mee according to thy word 10 And as thy blessed Fore-runner the most excellent amongst the Saints Iohn Baptist cheerfully leaped with joy of the Holy Ghost whilst he was yet shut up in his Mothers wombe 11 And afterwards seeing Iesus walking amongst men humbling himselfe very much said with devout affection The friend of the Bridegroome that standeth and heareth him rejoyced with joy for the voice of the Bridegroome 12 So I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desire and to offeâ— my selfe up to thee with my while heart 13 Wherefore I offer also and present unto thee joyes fervent desires excesse of mind spirituall illuminations and heavenly visions of all devouâ— hearts 14 With all the vertues and praises exercised by all creatures in heaven and earth for my selfe and all such as are commended to me in praier that by all thou maist be worthily praised and glorified for ever 15 Receive my Lord God the affections of my heart and desires which I have to give thee infinite praise and thankes which according to the measure of thy unspeakable greatnesse are due unto thee 16 These I yeeld thee and desire to yeeld thee every day and moment of time and I doe intreate and invite all the heavenly spirits and all thy devout fervants to give thankes and praises together with me 17 Let all people Tribes and Tongues praise thee and magnifie thy holy and sweet name with great joy and fervent devotion and let all that â—everently and devoutly celebrate thy most high Sacrament and receive it with full faith find grace and mercy at thy hands and pray humbly for me sinfull creature 18 And when they shall have obtained their desired devotion and joyfull union and depart from thy sacred heavenly table well comforted and marveilously refreshed let them vouchsafe to remember my poore and needy foule CHAP. VIII That a man be not a curious searcher of this Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense unto faith TYPE = sub The voice of the Beloved THou oughtest to beware curious and unprofitable searching into this most profound Sacrament if thou wile not be drowned in the depth of doubt 2 He that is a searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by glory God is able to worke more then man can understand 3 A pious and humble inquirie of truth is tolerable so he be alwaies ready to be taught and doe endeavour to walke in the sound paths of the ancient Fathers doctrine 4 Blessed is that simplicitie that forsaketh the difficult waies of questions and goeth on in the plaine and assured path of Gods Commandements Many have lost devotion whilst they would search after high things 5 Faith and sincere life are exacted thy hands not height of understaning nor the depth of the mysteries of God 6 If thou doest not understand or conceive those things that are under â—hee how shalt thou be able to comprehend those that are above thee 7 Submit thy selfe to God and let thy sense be subject to faith and the â—ight of knowledge shall be given thee in that degree as shall be profitable and necessary for thee 8 Some are grievously tempted about faith and the Sacrament but that is not to be imputed to them but rather to the enemie 9 Doe not regard nor dispute with thy thoughts neither doe thou give answer to the doubts moved by the enemie 10 But believe the words of God believe his Saints and Prophets and the wicked Serpent wil fly from thee 11 It is oftentimes very profitable to the servant of God to suffer such things 12 For he tempteth not Infidelâ— and sinners whom he already secure possesseth but he sundry waies temâ—teth and vexeth the faithfull and dâ—vout 13 Goe forward therefore with sincere undoubted faith and come 〈◊〉 the Sacrament with unfeigned reverence And whatsoever thou art not able to understand commit securely 〈◊〉 Almighty God 14 God deceiveth thee not he deceived that trusteth too much to him selfe God walketh with the simple râ—vealeth himselfe to the humble giveâ— understanding to litle ones openets the sense to pure minds hideth grace from the curious and proud 15 Humane reason is weake and may be deceived but true faith cannoâ— be deceived 16 All reason and naturall search ought to follow faith not to goe before it nor impugne it 17 For faith and love doe chiefly excell and worke in a hidden manner in this most blessed and superexcellent Sacrament 18 God who is everlasing and of infinite power doth great and inâ—â—â—utable things in heaven and in earth â—nd there is no searching out of his â—onderfull workes 19 If the workes of God were â—â—ch as might be easily comprehended by humane reason they were not to be called wonderfull and unspeakable FINIS A TABLE Of the Chapters contained in this Booke THE FIRST BOOK OF following Christ and the contempt of all worldly vanities pag. 1 To have an humble opinion of ones selfe 4 Of the doctrine of truth 7 Of providence or prudence in our actions 12 Of the reading of holy Scriptures 13 Of inordinate desires and affection 15
sorrowful and desolate 13 Thou doest therefore foolishly if thou doest trust or rejoyce in any other It is better for theâ— to have all the world against thee then Iesus offended with thee 14 Amongst all things therefore that be deare unto thee let Iesus alone be thy chiefest beloved 15 Love all for Iesus but Iesus for himselfe Iesus Châ—ist alone is especially to be beloved who alone is found to be good and faithfull above all friends 16 For him and in him let aswell friends as foes be deare unto thee and all these are to be prayed for that all may know and love him 17 Never desire to be singularly commended or beloved for that appertaineth only unto God who hath none like unto himselfe 17 Neither doe thou desire that the heart of any should be set on thee nor doe thou set thy heart on the love of any but let Iesus be in thee and in every vertuous and good man 18 Be pure and free within and intangle not thy heart with any creaâ—â—re Thou oughtest to be as it were naked and carry a pure heart to God if thou wilt consider and prove and see how sweet our Lord is 19 And truly unlesse thou be prevented and drawen by his grace thou shalt never attaine to that happinesse to forsake and cast away all that thou alone maist be united to him alone 20 For when the grace of God commeth unto a man then he is strong and nothing is hard unto him and when it goeth away he is poore and weake and as it were left unto the will of whomsoever will afflict him 21 In this thou oughtest not to be dejected nor despaire but to resigne thy selfe with all indifferency unto the wâ—ll of God and to â—eare all things that befall thee for the glory of Christ. 22 For after winter followeth summer after night commeth day after a tempest faire weather CHAP. IX Of the want of all comfort IT is 〈◊〉 great matter to despise humane 〈◊〉 when we have divine or to negâ—â—â— divine when we have humane 2 It 〈…〉 and very much to be able to wanâ— both humane and divine comfort 2 And for the honour and glory of God to be willing to endure desolation of heart and to seeke himselfe in nothing nor to regard his owne good actions 3 What great matter is it if thou be cheerfull and devout at the comming of heavenly grace This houre is wâ—â—shed for of all men 4 He rideth easily whom the grace of God carrieth And what marvaile if he feele not his burden who is borne up by the Almighty and led by the greatest guide 5 We are alwaies willing to have something for our comfort and a man doth hardly put off and forsake himself The holy Martyr S. Laurence overcame the world with his Prelate 6 Because he despised whatsoever seemed delightsome in the world and for the love of Christ he patiently suffered the high Priest of God S. Siâ—tus to be taken from him whom he most loved 7 He overcame therefore the love of man by the love of the Creator and he rather chose the divine pleasure then humane comfort 8 See thou also learne to forsake some necessary thing and a beloved friend for the love of God 9 Be not grieved when thou art forsaken by a friend knowing that we all at length must be separated one from another 10 A man must fight long and with a constant mind before he gâ—â— the victory and be able to place his whole heart in God 11 When a man trusteth in himselfe he easily slideth unto humane comforts 12 But a true lover of Christ and a diligent follower of vertue giveth not himselfe to such solace nor seeketh sensible sweetnesse but rather forcible exercises and to sustaine hard labours for Christ. 13 When therefore spirituall comfort is given thee from God receive it thankfully but know that it is the gift of God not any desert of thine 14 Be not puffed up joy not too much neither doe thou presume vainly but be rather the more humble for that grace and more wary and fearefull in all thy actions for that houre will passe away and temptation will succeed 15 When consolation is taken from thee despaire not presently but with humility and patience attend the heavenly visitation for God is able againe to give thee greater consolation 16 This is not new nor strange unto them that have experience in the way of God for in the great Saints and ancient Prophets there was oftentimes such kind of alteration 17 For which cause one when he had grace said I said in my prosperity I shall never be removed 18 But when this was gone from him he addeth what he found in himselfe saying Thou turnedst thy face from me and I became troubled 19 Yet doth he not despaire in the midst of these changes but more earnestly prayeth unto our Lord and saith Vnto thee O Lord I will cry and I will pray unto my God 20 Lastly he receiveth the fruit of his prayer and witnesseth that he was heard saying Our Lord hath heard me and taken pity on me our Lord is become my helper 21 But wherein Thou hast turned saith he my sorrow into joy and thou hast compassed me about with gladnesse 22 If great Saints have been so dealt with all we that are poore and weake ought not to despaire if we be sometimes fervent and sometimes cold 23 For the spirit commeth and goeth according to the good pleasure of his will for which cause blessed Iob saith Thou visitest him early in the morning and suddainly thou provest him 24 Whereupon therefore can I hope or wherein ought I to trust but in the great mercy of God alone and in the onely hope of heavenly grace 25 For whether I enjoy the presence of good men or devout brethren or faithfull friends or holy Bookes or learned treatises or sweet songs and himmes 26 All these helpe litle and have litle savour when grace forsaketh me and I remaine left in my owne poverty 27 At such a time there is no better remedy then patience and the resigning of my selfe unto the will of God 28 I never found any so religious and devout that hath not had sometimes a with drawing of grace or felt not a decrease of fervour 29 There was never Saint so highly rapt and illuminated who first or last was not tempted 30 For he is not worthy of the high contemplation of God who hath not been exercised with some tribulation for God's sake 31 For temptation going before is wont to be a signe of ensuing comfort And unto those that are proved by temptations heavenly comfort is promised He that shall overcome saith he I will give him to eate of the tree of life 32 But divine comfort is given that a man may be stronger to beare adversities There followeth also temptation lest we should waxe proud of that good 33 The Divell sleepeth not neither is our flesh as yet dead
me 10 Keepe me from all sinne and I wil neither feare death nor hell so as thou doest not for ever cast me from thee and blot me out of the Book of life what tribulation soever befall me shall not hurt me CHAP. XVIII That temporall miseries by the example of Christ are to be borne patiently SOnne I descended from Heaven for thy health I tooke upon me thy miseries my charity and not any necessity drawing me thereunto that thou mightest learne patience and not refuse to beare temporall miseries 2 For from the houre of my birth until my death on the Crosse I was not without suffering of griefe I suffered great want of temporall things I often heard many complaints against me 3 I beare patiently shame and reproaches for benefits I received ingratitude for miracles blasphemies for heavenly doctrine reprehensions 4 Lord for that thou wert patient in thy life time chiefly in fulfilling the commandement of thy Father 5 It is reason that I miserable sinner should have patience in all things according to thy will and for mine owne health beare the burthen of this corruptible life as long as thou wilt 6 For although this present life be burdensome yet notwithstanding it is now by thy grace made very easy and by thy example and footsteps of thy Saints more plaine and tolerable to the weake 7 Yea much more comfortable also then it was in times past in the old Law when the gate of heaven remained shut and the way also to heaven seemed darke when so few tooke care to seeke after thy Kingdome 8 Neither they also that then were just and ordained to be saved could enter into the heavenly glory before thy Passion the debt of thy sacred death was discharged 9 O how great thanks am I bound to give thee that thou hast vouchsafed to shew unto me and to all faithful soules a direct and sure way to thy everlasting Kingdome 10 For thy life is our way and by holy patience we goe unto thee that art our Crowne 11 If thou hadst not gone before us and taught us who would have taken care to follow 12 Alas how many would stay behind and remain farre off if they beheld not thy excellent examples 13 Behold we are yet cold although we have heard of so many of thy wouders and thy heavenly documents what would become of us if we had not so great light to follow thee CHAP. XIX Of suffering of injuries and who is proved to be truly patientâ— VVHat is it thou saiest Sonneâ— Cease to complaine considering my passion and that of my other Saints thou hast not yet made resistance unto blood 2 It is but litle thou sufferest in comparison of them that have suffered so much so strongly tempted so grievously afflicted so many waies tried exercised 3 Thou oughtest therefore to call to mind the heavy suffrings of others that thou maist the easier beare the litle adversities which thou sufferest 4 And if they seem not litle beware lest thy impatience be cause thereof Yet whether they be litle or great endeavour to beare all patiently 5 How much the better thou disposest thy selfe to suffering so much the more wisely thou dost and so much the more favour doest thou procure 6 Thou shalt more easily also endure it if thy mind be prepared and thy selfe accustomed thereunto 7 Doe not say I cannot suffer these things of such a one at the hands of such a person nor such things are not to be suffered by me 8 For hee hath done mee great wrong and upbraided me with those things which I never thought of but of another I will willingly suffer and as I shall see cause 9 Such a thought is foolish it considereth not the vertue of patience noâ— by whom it shall be crowned but rather weigheth the persons and the injuries offered 10 He is not truly patient that will not suffer but as much as he thinketh good and by whom he listeth 11 But he that is indeed patient mindeth not by whom he is exercised whether by his superiour or some of his equalls or by his inferior whether by a good and holy man or by a perverse and unworthy person 12 But indifferently from all creatures how much soever or how often soever any adversity happeneth unto him he taketh all thankfully as from the hands of God and esteemeth it a great gaine 13 For that nothing with God how little soever so it be suffered for God can be without reward 14 Be thou therefore alwaies prepared for to fight if thou wilt have the victory Without combat thou canst not attaine unto the Crowne of patience 15 If thou wilt not suffer thou refusest to be crowned but if thou desirest to be crowned fight manfully and endure patiently 16 Without labour there is no comming to rest nor without fight can the victory be obtained 17 Lord let that be made possible to me by thy grace which seemeth impossible to me by nature 18 Thou knowest that I can suffer litle and that I am quickly dismayed when a small adversity ariseth 19 Let all exercise of tribulation be made pleasing unto mee and be welcome 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 confesse against me my injustice I will confesse unto thee O Lord my infirmity Oftentimes it is a small matter that discomforteth and grieveth me 2 I purpose to resist with courage but when a small temptation cometh if bringeth me into very narrow straits 3 It is sometimes a very trifle from whence great temptations doe proceed And whilest I think my selfe somewhat safe when I least expect it I finde my selfe sometimes overcome with a small blast 4 Behold therefore Lord my humility my frailty every way known unto thee 5 Have mercy on me and deliver me out of the mire of my infirmities that I stick not fast therein let me not for ever remain dejected 6 This is that which oftentimes beareth me back and confoundeth me in thy sight for that I am so subiect to fall and weak in resisting of my passions 7 And though I doe not altogether consent yet their continuall assaults are troublesome and grievous unto me and it is tedious and a very irksome thing to live thus daily in strife 8 Hereby my infirmity is made known unto me for that wicked fancies doe alwaies much more easily enter in upon me then they can be cast out againe 9 O mighty God of Israel the zealous lover of faithfull soules let it please thee to consider the labour sorrow of thy servant and assist him in all whatsoever he undertaketh 10 Strengthen me with heavenly force lest my old man my miserable flesh not fully as yet subject to the spirit prevaile and get the upper hand against which I ought to fight as long as I breath in this miserable life
weake deceiveth him and doth verily more shame him while he doth vainely praise him 33 For how much every one is in thy sight O Lord so much he is and no 〈◊〉 saith humble S. Francis CHAP. LI. That a man ought to imploy himselfe in workes of humilitie when force is wanting for higher exercises SOnne thou art not able alwaies to continue in the fervent desire of vertue nor to persist in the high pitch of heavenly contemplation 2 But thou must sometimes of necessity by reason of originall corruption descend to inferior things and beare the burthen of this corruptible life though unwillingly and with griefe 3 As long as thou cariest a mortall body thou shalt feele great trouble heavinesse of heart 4 Thou oughtest therefore in the flesh oftentimes to bewaile the burthen of the flesh for that thou canst not alwaies persevere in spirituall exercises and divine contemplation 5 It is then expedient for thee to flye to humble and exteriour workes and to refresh thy selfe with good and vertuous actions 6 To expect with a firme confidence my coÌ„ming heavenly visitation to beare patiently thy banishment and the drinesse of thy minde untill I visit thee againe and deliver thee from all anxiety 7 For I will make thee forget thy paines and enjoy inward quietnesse 8 I will lay open before thee the pleasant fields of holy Scripture â—haâ— with an enlarged heart that maist begin to run the way of my commandements 9 And thou shalt say that the sufferings of this time are not worthy of the glory to come that shall be revealed in us CHAP. LII That a man ought to esteeme himselfe unworthy of comfort and to have deserved stripes LOrd I am not worthy of thy comfort noâ— of any spirituall visitation and therefore thou dealest justly with me when thou leavest me poore and desolate Though I could powre out even a sea of teares yet I were not worthy of thy comfort 2 For alas I deserve nothing but to be scourged and punished in that I have grievously and often offended thee and sinned in many things 3 All things therefore duly considered I am not worthy even of the least comfort 4 But thou mild and mercifull God who wilt not that thy works doe perish to shew the riches of thy goodnesse upon the vessels of mercy even beyond all mine own merit vouchsafest to comfor thy servant above humane measure 5 For thy heavenly consolations are not like humane communications and in comparison of thee we are miserable comforters 6 What have I done O Lord that thou shouldest bestow upon me any heavenly comfort 7 I remember I have done no good at all but have been alwaies prone to sinne and slothfull in my amendment 8 It is so true that I cannot deny â—it if I should say otherwise thou wouldest plead against me and there would be none to defend me 9 What have I deserved for my sinnes but hell and everlasting fire 10 I confesse in the truth of my heart that I am worthy of all scoâ—ne and contempt and it is unfit that I should be remembred amongst thy holy ones 11 And although I be unwilling to heare this yet notwithstanding for the love of truth I will lay open my sinnes against my selfe that I may the better obtaine mercy at thy hands 12 What shall I say being guilty and full of all confusion I have nothing to say but this I have sinned Lord I have sinned have mercy on me pardon and forgive me 13 Suffer me a litle that I may bewaile my griefe before I goe unto the land of darknesse and be covered with the shadow of death 14 What dost thou require of a guilty and miserable sinner â—ut that he be contrite and sorrowfull and doe humble himselfe for his sinnes 15 In true contrition and humblenesse of heart is bred a hope of forgivenesse a troubled conscience is reconciled againe grace lost is restored man is defended from future wrath God and the penitent soule meet together in a holy kisse 16 Humble contrition for â—innes is an acceptable sacrifice unto thee O Lord savouring much sweeter in thy nostrils then the perfume of frankiâ—sence 17 This is also the pleasant oyntment which thou wouldest have powred upon thy sacred feet for thou never despisest a contrite and humble heart 18 There is a place of refuge from the angry face of the enemy there is amended and washed away whatsoever elsewhere was polluted and defiled CHAP. LIII That the grace of God is not given to those that savour of earthly things SOnne my grace is precious it suffereth not it selfe to be mingled witâ— externall things nor earthly comforts Thou oughtest therefore to cast away all hinderances of grace if thou desire to receave the infusion thereof 2 Choose therefore a secret place to thy selfe love to live alone with thy selfe desire the conversation of none but rather powre out devout prayers unto God that thou maist keep thy minde compunct and thy conscience pure 3 Esteem the whole world as nothing preferre my service before all outward things for thou canst not altend unto me and be delighted also in transitory vanities 4 Thou oughtest to sequester thy selfe from thy acquaintance and friends and to keep thy mind deprived of all temporall comfort 5 So the blessed Apostle Peter required that the faithfull of Christ should keep themselves as strangers pilgrims in this world 6 O how great a confidence shall he have at the houre of death whom no affection to any earthly thing detained in the world 7 But the weak minde is not yet capable of so retired a heart neither doth the fleshly person understand the freedome of a reâ—ollected minde 8 Notwithstanding if he will be truly spirituall he ought to renounce as well those which are farre off as those which are neere unto him and to beware of no man more then of himselfe 9 If thou perfectly overcome thy selfe thou shalt with more ease subdue the rest It is a glorious victory to triumph over our selves 10 For he that keepeth himselfe subject in such sort that his sensuality be subdued to reason and reason in all things be obedient to me he is truly a conquerour of himselfe and Lord of the world 11 If thou desire to mount unto this height of perfection thou must begin manfully and set the axe to the root that thou maist pluck up and destroy thy hidden and inordinate inclination to thy selfe and unto all private and earthly good 12 Of this vice that man too inordinately loveth himselfe almost all dependeth whatsoever is wholy to be overcome which being once overcome and subdued there will presently ensue great peace and tranquillity 13 But for that few endeavour perfectly to dye unto themselves and do forsake themselves wholly therefore they remaine intangled in themselves and cannot be lifted up in spirit above themselves 14 But he that desireth to walke freely with mee it is necessary that he mortify all his
how farre off he is from the perfection of the Saints ehen he that disputeth of their greatnesse 27 It is better to labour after the piety devotion of the Saints and with an humble mind to imitate their glorious examples then to search their secrets with vaine curiosity 28 They are wel right wel contented if men could content themselves and refrain from these vain discourses 29 They glory not of their owne merits for they ascribe no good unto themselves but attribute all to me who of my infinite charity have bestowed my blessings upon them 30 They are replenished with so great love of my Godhead and so superabundant joy that there is no glory that is nor happinesse that can be wanting unto them 31 All the Saints how much the higher they be in glory so much the more humble they are in themselves nearer and dearer unto me 32 And therefore thou hast it written that they did cast their Crownes before God and fell downe upon their faces before the Lambe and adored him that liveth for ever and ever 33 Many inquire who is the greatest in the Kingdome of God that know not whether they shall ever be numbered there amongst the lest 34 It is no small matter to be even the lest in heaven where all are great for that all there shall be called and shall be indeed the Sons of God The lest there shall be great among thousands and the sinner of a hundred yeaes shall die 35 For when the Disciples asked who was the greatest in the Kingdome of heaven they received this answer unlesse you be converted and become as litle children you shall not enter into the Kingdome of heaven 35 Whosoever therefore shall humble himselfe as this litle child hee is greater in the Kingdome of heaven 37 Woe be unto them that disdaine to humble themselves willingly with litle children For the low gate of the Kingdome of heaven will not give them entrance 28 And woe be to the rich thâ—â— have their comforts here for whilst the poore enter into the Kingdome of God they shall be lamenting without 39 Rejoyce you that be humble and you that be poore be you glad for yours is the Kingdome of God if you walke according unto truth CHAP. LIX That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone LOrd what trust have I in this world or what is the greatest comfort that all things under heaven doe yeeld me Is it not thou my Lord God whose mercies are without number 2 Where hath it beene well with me without thee Or when could it be ill with me when thou were present I had rather be poore for thee then rich without thee 3 I had rather choose to be a Pilgrim in earth with thee then to possesse heaven without thee Where thou art there is heaven and there is death and hell where thou art not 4 Thou art my desire and therefore it behoveth me to send forth deep sighes from my heart and cry and pray unto thee 5 For I have none to trust unto none that can help me in time of necessitie but thee alone my God Thou art my hope and my trust thou art my comfort and most faithfull unto me in all my distresses 6 All men seeke their own gaine thou only seekest my salvation and my profit and turnest all things to my good 7 Although thou permittest many temptations to assault me and many adversities to befall me yet thou ordainest all this to my good and profit who art wont to prove thy beloved servants a thousand waies 8 In which proofe thou oughtest no lesse to beloved and praised then if thou didst replenish me with heavenly comforts 9 In thee therefore my Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation anguish for I find all to be weake and unconstant whatsoever I behold out of thee 10 For neither can many friends availe nor forcible helpers aide nor wise counsellours give profitable answer nor the books of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliver nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy selfe doest not assist help comfort instruct and keepe us 11 For all things that seeme to be ordained for the rest and solace of man when thou art absent are nothing and doe bring indeed no joy nor comfort at all 11 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 servants is to trust in thee above all things 12 To thee therefore doe I lift up mine eyes In thee my God the Father of mercies I put my whole trust 13 Blesse and sanctifie my soule with thy heavenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the â—eate of thy eternall glory and that noâ—hing may be found in the Temple of â—hy greatnesse that may offend the eyes of thy Majesty 14 According to the greatnesse of â—hy goodnesse and the multitude of thy mercies take pitty upon me and heare the praier of thy poore servant who is â—arre exiled from thee in the land of the â—hadow of death 15 Protect and keepe the soule of thy servant 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 everlasting light Amen The end of the third book OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST THE FOVRTH BOOK A devout exhortation unto the blessed Sacrament The Voice of Christ. COme unto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you saith our Lord. 2 The bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world 3 Take yee and eate that is my Body that shall be delivered for you doe this in remembrance of me 4 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh by blood dwelleth in me and I in him 5 The words which I have spoken unto you are spirit and life CHAP. I. With how great reverence Christ ought to be received The voice of the Disciple THese are thy words O Christ everlasting 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 of them thankfully and faithfully to be received by me 2 They are thine and thou hast spoken them and they are mine also because thou hast spoken them for my salvation I willingly receive them from thy mouth that they may be the deeper imprinted in my heart 3 These devout words so full of sweetnesse and love doe stirre me up but mine owne offences doe amaze me and my impure conscience driveth me back from the receiving of so great mysteries 4 The sweetnesse of thy words doth incourage me but the multitude of my sinnes doe oppresse me 5 Thou commandest me to come confidently unto thee if I will have part with thee and to receive the food of immortality if I desire to obtaine everlasting
much the more this sacred Communion is common through the world 49 Thankes be unto thee good Iesu everlasting Pastour of our soules that hast vouchsafed to refresh us poore and banished men with thy precious Body and Blood 50 And to invite us to the receiving of these mysteries with the words of thy owne mouth saying Come unto me all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you CHAP. II. That great goodnesse and charity of God is bestowed upon man in this Sacrament The voice of the Disciple PResuming of thy goodnesse and great mercy O Lord being sick I approach unto my Saviour hungry and thirsty to the fountaine of life needy to the King of heaven a servant unto my Lord a creature to my Creator desolate to my mercifull comforter 2 But whence is this to me that thou vouchsafest to come unto me Who am I that thou shouldest give thy selfe unto me 3 How dare a sinner presume to appeare before thee And thou how doest thou vouchsafe to come unto a sinner 4 Thou knowest thy servant and seest that he hath no good thing in him for which thou shouldest bestow this benefit upon him 5 I confesse therefore my unworthinesse and I acknowledge thy goodnesse I praise thy mercy and give thee thankes for this thy unspeakable charity 6 For thou doest this for thine owne sake not for any merits of mine to the end that thy goodnesse may be better knowne unto mee thy charity more abundantly shewed and thy humility more highly commended 7 Since therefore it is thy pleasure and hast commanded that it should be so this thy bounty is also pleasing to me and doe wish that my offences may be no hindrance unto it 7 O most sweet and bountifull Iesu how great reverence and thanks with perpetuall praise is due unto thee for the receaving of thy sacred body whose worth and dignity no man is able to expresse 8 But what shall I think of at this time now that I am to receive this divine Sacrament and to approach unto my Lord to whom I am not able to give due reverence and yet I desire to receave him devoutly 9 What can I thinke better and more profitable then to humble my selfe wholly before thee and to exalt thy infinite goodnesse above me 10 I praise thee my God and will exalt thee for ever and I doe despise and submit my selfe unto thee even into the depth of my unworthinesse 11 Behold thou art the Holy of Holies and I the skum of sinners behold thou bowest thy selfe downe unto me who am not worthy so much as to look up unto thee 12 Behold thou comest unto me it is thy will to be with me thou invitest me to thy banquet 13 Thou wilt give me the food of heaven and bread of Angels to eat which is no other truly then thy selfe the lively bread that descendedst from heaven and givest life unto the world 14 Behold from whence this love proceedeth what kind of favour and benignity is this which shineth upon us What thankes and praises are due unto thee for these benefits 15 O how good and profitable was thy counsell when thou ordainedst How sweet and pleasant the banquet when thou gavest thy selfe to be our food 16 How wonderfull thy worke O Lord how powerfull thy vertue how unspeakable thy truth For thou saidst the word and all things were made and this was done which thou commandest 17 A thing of great admiration and worthy of faith and surpassing the understanding of man that thou my Lord God true God Man shouldst be exhibited unto us by the elements of bread and wine and thy body worthily receaved should be the spirituall food of our soule 18 Thou who are the Lord of all things and standest in need of none hast pleased to dwell in us by meanes of this thy Sacrament 19 Preserve my heart and body unspotted that with a cheerefull and pure conscience I may often celebrate thy mysteries and receave them to my everlasting health which thou hast chiefly ordained and instituted for thy honour and perpetuall memory 20 Rejoyce O my soule and give thankes unto God for so noble a gift and singular comfort left unto thee in this vale of teares 21 For as often as thou callest to mind this mystery and receavest the body of Christ so often dost thou remember the worke of thy redemption and art made partaker of all the merits of Christ. 22 For the charity of Christ is never diminished and the greatnesse of his mercy is never drawne dry 23 Therefore thou oughtest alwaies to dispose thy selfe hereunto by a fresh renewing of thy minde and to weigh with attentive consideration this great mystery of thy salvation 24 So great now and joyfull it ought to seeme unto thee when thou commest to the holy Communion as if the same day Christ first descended into the wombe of the Virgin were become man or hanging on the crosse did suffer and dye for the salvation of mankinde CHAP. III. That it is profitable to communicate often The voice of the Disciple BEhold O Lord I come unto thee that I may be comforted in thy gifts and be delighted in thy holy banquet which thou O Lord hast prepared in thy sweetnesse for the poore 2 Behold in thee is all whatsoever I can or ought to desire thou art my health and my redemption my hope and my strength my honour and my glory 3 Make joyfull therefore this day the soule of thy servant for that I have lifted it up to thee my sweet Iesus I desire to receave thee now with devotion and reverence 4 I doe long to bring thee into my house that with Zachreus I may obtaine to be blessed by thee and numbred amongst the children of Abraham 5 My soule thirsteth to receave thy body my heart desireth to be united with thee 6 Give thy selfe to me and it sufficeth For besides thee no comfort is availeable I cannot be without thee nor live without thy gracious visitation 7 And therefore I must often come unto thee and receave thee as the only remedy of my health lest perhaps I faint in the way if I be deprived of thy heavenly food 8 For so most mercifull Iesus thou once didst say preaching to the people and curing sundry diseases I will not send them home fasting lest they faint in the way 9 Deale thou therefore in like manner now with me who hast vouchsafed to leave thy selfe in the Sacrament for the comfort of the faithfull 10 For thou art the sweet refection of the soule and he that eateth thee worthily shall be partaker and heire of everlasting glory 11 It is necessary for me that doe so often fall and sinne so quickly waxe dull and faint that by often prayers and confessions and receaving of thy sacred body I renew clense and inflame my selfe lest perhaps by long abstayning I fall from my holy purpose 12 For man is prone unto evill from his youth
and unlesse this divine remedy helpe him he quickly slideth to worse 13 This holy communion therefore draweth back from evill and comforteth in good 14 For if I be now so often slack and negligent when I communicate or officiate what would become of mee if I receaved not this remedy sought not after so great helpe 15 Though every day I be not sit not well prepared to communicate I will endeavour notwithstanding at convenient times to receave the divine mysteries and make my selfe partaker of so great a grace 16 For this is the only chiefe comfort of a faithfull soule whilest she wandreth from thee in this mortall body that being mindfull of her God she often receave her beloved with a devout minde 17 O wonderfull benignity of thy mercy towards us that thou Lord God the Creator and giver of life to all spirits doest vouchsafe to come unto a poore soule 18 And with thy whole Deity and Humanity to turn her hunger into satiety â— o happy minde and blessed soule that is vouchsafed to receave thee her Lord God with devout affection and in receaving of thee to be filled with spirituall joy 19 O how great a Lord doth she entertaine How beloved a guest doth she harbour how pleasant a companion doth she receave how faithfull â— friend doth she accept how beautifull and noble a spouse doth she imbrace 20 Shee imbraceth him who is to be loved above all that is beloved and above all things that may be desired Let heaven and earth all their beauty be silent in thy presence 21 For what beauty and praise soever they have it is receaved from thy honour and shall not equall the beauty of thy name of whose wisdome there is no end CHAP. IV. That many benefits are bestowed upon them that communicate devoutly The voice of the Disciple O My Lord God prevent thy servant in the blessings of thy swetnesse that I may attaine thy favour to approach worthily and devoutly to the holy Sacrament 2 Stirre up my heart unto thee deliver me from all heavinesse slothâ—â— visit me with thy comfort that I may tast in spirit thy sweetnesse which iâ— this Sacrament as in a fountain plentâ— fully lyeth hid 3 Give light also to mine eyes â— behold so great a mystery and strong then me to believe it with undoubteâ—â— faith 4 For it is thy worke and noâ— mans power thy sacred institution noâ— mans invention 3 For no man is of himselfe able to comprehend and understand thâ—â— things which surpasse the deepest reach even of Angels 4 What therefore shall Iunworthy sinner earth and ashes be able to search and comprehend of so high and sacred a mystery 5 O Lord in syncerity of my heart with a good and firme faith and at thy commandement I come unto thee with hope and reverence and doe verily believe that thou God and Man affordest a gracious presence at this Sacrament 6 Thy holy pleasure is that I receave thee and by charity doe unite my selfe unto thee 7 Wherefore I doe flee unto thy clemency and doe crave speciall grace that I may wholly melt in thee and abound with love and hereafter never admit any externall comfort 8 For this most high and worthy Sacrament is the health of the soule and body the remedy of all spirituall sicknesse 9 By it my vices are cured my passions bridled temptations overcome or weakned greater grace infused vertue increased faith confirmed hope strengthened and charity inflamed and enlarged 3 For thou hast bestowed still oftentimes doest bestow many benefits in this Sacrament upon thy beloved that receave it devoutly 11 O my God the Protectour of my soule the strengthener of humane frailety and the giver of all inward comfort 12 Thou impartest unto them much comfort against sundry tribulations and liftest them up from the depth of their own basenesse to the hope of thy protection and doest inwardly refresh and illustrate them with a certain new grace 13 In such sort that they who before Communion felt themselves heavy and indisposed afterwards being strengthened with heavenly meate and drinke doe find in themselves a great change to the better 14 Which thou dost so dispose to thy elect that they may truly acknowledge and patiently proove how great their own infirmitie is and what benefit and grace they receave from thee 15 For they of themselves are cold dull and undevout but by thee they are made fervent cheerefull and full of devotion 16 For who is there that approaching humbly unto the fountaine of sweetnesse doth not carry away from thence at least some litle sweetnesse 17 Or who standing by a great fire receaveth not some small heat thereby Thou art a fountaine alwaies full and overflowing a fire ever burning and never decaying 18 Wherefore if I cannot draw at the full out of the fountaine nor drink my fill I will notwithstanding set my lips to the mouth of this heavenly conduite that I may draw from thence at least some small droppe to refresh my thirst to the end I wither not away and utterly perish 19 And though I be not altogether celestiall nor so inflamed as the Cherubims and Seraphims notwithstanding I will endeavour to apply my selfe to devotion and dispose my heart to obtaine some small sparke of divine fire by humble receaving of this life-giving Sacrament 20 And whatsoever is hereunto wanting in me good Iesu most blessed Saviour doe thou supply for me most benigne and gracious Lord who hast vouchsafed to call all unto thee saying Come unto mee all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you 21 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 evill passions 22 And there is none to helpe me none to deliver and save me but thou Lord God my Saviour to whom I commit my selfe all mine that thou maist keep me and bring me to life everlasting 22 Receave me to the honour and glory of thy name who hast prepared thy Body and Bloud to be my meat drinke 23 Grant O Lord God my Saviour that by frequenting thy mysteries my zeale and devotion may increase more and more CHAP. V. Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Priestly function The voice of Christ. IF thou hadst angelicall purity and the Sanctity of S. Iohn Baptist thou â—vert not worthy to receive nor handle â—his Sacrament 2 For it is not within the compasse of the deserts of men that man should consecrate and handle the Sacrament of Christ receive for food the bread of Angels 3 A great mystery and great is the dignity of Priests to whom is granted that which is not permitted to the Angels 4 For Priests alone rightly instituted in the Church have power to ceâ—ebrate and consecrate the Body of Christ. 5 The Priest is the Minister of God using the words of God by the