Selected quad for the lemma: soul_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
soul_n	affection_n	heart_n	love_n	6,065	5	5.2645	4	false

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

mightest shew thy sweetenesse towards thy children vouchsafest to feede them with the most delightsome bread which descendeth from heauen and is full of all sweetnes Wisd 12. Surely there is no other Nation so great that hath Gods approching vnto them as thou our God art present to all thy faithfull vnto whom for their daily comfort and for the lifting vp of their hearts to heauen thou giuest thy self to be eaten and enioyed Deut. 4. 3 For what other Nation is there so famous as the Christian people Or what creature vnder heauen so beloued as a deuout soule to whom God himselfe commeth to feed her with his glorious flesh O vnspeakable grace O admirable fauour O infinit loue singularly bestowed vpon man But what shall I giue vnto our Lord in returne of this grace for so singular a charitie Psal 115. There is no other thing more gratefull that I am able to giue then to bestow my heart wholy on my God and to vnite it perfectly vnto him Then shall all my bowels reioyce when my soule shall be perfectly vnited vnto God Then hee will say vnto me if thou wilt be with me I will bee with thee And I will answere him Vouchsafe O Lord to remaine with me and I will be with thee This is my whole desire that my heart be vnited vnto thee CHAP. XIV Of the feruent desire of some deuout persons to receiue the Body of Christ The voice of the Disciple O How great is the store of thy sweetenesse O Lord which thou hast hidden for them that feare thee Psalm 30. When I remember some deuout persons who come vnto thy Sacrament O Lord with great deuotion and affection I am oftentimes confounded and blush within my selfe that I come so negligently and coldly to thy Altar to the Table of holy Communion that I remaine so drie and without spirituall motion or feeling that I am not wholy inflamed in thy presence my God nor so earnestly drawne and moued as many deuout persons haue beene who out of a vehement desire of receiuing and a feeling affection of heart could not containe themselues from weeping but with the desire both of soule and body they earnestly longed after thee O God the liuely Fountaine being not otherwise able to temper nor satisfie their hunger but by receiuing thy Body with all joy and spirituall greedinesse 2 O most ardent faith of those persons a probable argument of thy sacred presence For these truely know their Lord in the breaking of bread whose heart burneth so within them whilest thou O blessed Iesu walkest with them Luk. 24. Such desire and deuotion so vehement loue and feruencie is oftentimes far off from me Be mercifull vnto me good Iesu sweet and benigne Lord and grant me thy poore needy creature to feele sometimes at least in this holy Sacrament a little cordiall desire of thy loue that my faith may be more strengthened my hope in thy goodnes encreased and that my charity once perfectly inflamed after the tasting of heauenly Manna may neuer decay 3 Thy mercy O Lord is able to giue me the grace I desire and to visit me in thy bounteous clemencie with the spirit of feruour when it shall please thee For although I burne not with so great desire as those that are so especially deuoted vnto thee yet notwithstanding by thy grace I desire to haue this great inflamed desire praying and crauing that I may participate with all such thy feruent louers and be numbered among them in their holy company CHAP. XV. That the grace of deuotion is obtained by humilitie and deniall of our selues The voice of the Beloued THou oughtest to seeke the grace of deuotion instantly to aske it earnestly to expect it patiently and considently to receiue it joyfully to keep it humbly to worke with it diligently and to commit the time and manner of this heauenly visitation to God vntill it shall be his pleasure to come Thou oughtest chiefly to humble thy selfe when thou feelest inwardly little or no deuotion and yet not to be too much deiected nor to grieue inordinately for it God often giueth in a short moment that which he hath long time denied he giueth sometimes in the end that which in the beginning of prayer he differred to grant 2 If grace should be alwaies presently giuen and at hand euer with a wish it could not be well endured by a weake man Therefore deuotion is to be expected with good hope and humble patience yet impute it to thy selfe and thy sinnes when it is not giuen thee or when it is secretly taken from thee It is sometimes a small matter that hindreth hideth grace from vs if it bee to bee called small and not rather a great matter that hindreth so great a good And if thou remooue this bee it great or smal and perfectly ouercome it thou shalt haue thy desire 3 For presently as soone as thou giuest thy selfe to God and seekest not this nor that for thine owne pleasure or will but setlest thy selfe wholy in me thou shalt find thy selfe vnited vnto him and quiet For nothing will taste so well and please thee so much as the will and pleasure of God Whosoeuer therefore with a sincere heart directeth his intention to God purgeth himselfe from all in ordinate loue or dislike of any creature shall be most fit to receiue grace and worthy of the gift of deuotion For our Lord bestoweth his blessing there where he findeth his vessels empty And how much the more perfectly one forsaketh these basest things and dieth to himselfe by contempt of himselfe so much the more speedily grace commeth and entreth in more plentifully and lifteth vp the heart that is free to a higher state of grace 4 Then shall he see and abound and wonder and his heart shall be enlarged because the hand of our Lord is with him and hee hath put himselfe wholy into his hand for euer Esa 60. Behold so shall the man bee blessed that seeketh Almighty God with his whole heart and taketh not his soule in vaine This man deserueth great grace of diuine vnion in receiuing the holy Eucharist for that hee regardeth not his owne deuotion and comfort but aboue all deuotion and comfort he prizeth the honor and glory of God CHAP. XVI That wee ought to manifest our necessities vnto Christ and to craue his grace The voice of the Disciple O Most sweete and louing Lord whom I now desire to receiue deuoutly thou knowest my infirmitie and the necessity which I endure with how many sins I am oppressed how often I am grieued tempted troubled and defiled I come vnto thee for remedie I craue of thee thy heauenly comfort and the ease of my paine I speake to him that knoweth all things to whom all my secrets are open and who can only perfectly comfort and helpe mee Thou knowest what it is whereof aboue all things I stand in most need and how poore I am in vertues 2 Behold

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

forth good and perfect fruit Lift vp my mind ouercharged with the waight of sinne draw vp my whole desire to heauenly treasures that hauing tasted the sweetnes of celestial happines it may loath to thinke of earthly vanities 6 Take me violently to thee and deliuer mee from all vnstable comfort of creatures for no created thing can fully quiet and satisfie my desire Ioyne me vnto thee with an vnspeakable band of loue for thou onely fillest the minde of him that loueth thee and without thee all things are distastefull CHAP. XXIV Of flying curious enquiry of the life of others OVR LORD SOnne be not curious trouble not thy selfe with idle cares What is this or that to thee Doe thou follow me Eccls. 3. and 1. Tim. 5. For what is it to thee whether that man be such or no or whether this man do or speak this or that Thou shalt not need to answere for others but shalt giue account of thy selfe Io. 21. Why therefore dost thou trouble thy selfe Behold I know euery one what he is and doe see all things that are vnder the Sunne and do vnderstand how it is with euery one what hee thinketh what he would at what his intentiō aimeth Gal. 6. Al things therfore are to be cōmitted vnto me but doe thou keepe thy selfe in good peace and suffer the vnquiet to do as they wil. Whatsoeuer they shal haue done or said shall fall vpon themselues for they cannot deceiue me 2 Desire not too great fame in this world nor to be knowne to many nor to haue the priuate loue of men for these things breed distractions and cause great darkenes of heart I would willingly vtter my words and reueale my secrets vnto thee if thou didst diligently obserue my cōming and didst open the dore of thy heart vnto me Be careful watch in praier and humble thy selfe in all things CHAP. XXV Wherein doth the firme peace of the heart and true profit consist OVR LORD SOnne I haue said Peace I leaue to you my peace I giue to you not as the world giueth doe I giue to you All do desire peace but all care not for those things that appertaine vnto true peace My peace is with the humble and meeke of heart Ioh. 4. Thy peace shal be in much patience If thou wilt heare me and follow my voice thou maist enioy much peace SER. What then shall I doe LORD In euery thing attend vnto thy selfe what thou doest what thou sayest and direct thy whole intention vnto this that thou mayest please me alone and desire or seeke nothing out of mee Of the sayings and doings of others judge nothing rashly neither do thou intangle thy self with things not committed vnto thee and doing thus it may be thou shalt be little or seldome troubled 2 But neuer to feele any trouble at all nor to suffer any griefe of hart or body is not the state of this life but of euerlasting rest Thinke not therefore that thou hast found true peace if thou feelest no sorrow nor that then all is well if thou haue no aduersary nor that it is perfect if all things be done according to thy desire Neither doe thou then esteeme highly of thy selfe or imagine thy selfe to be especially beloued if thou be in great deuotion and sweetnes for in these things a true louer of vertue is not tried neither doth the profit and perfection of man consist in hauing them SER. 3 Wherein then Lord LORD In offering thy self from the very bottom of thy heart vnto the diuine seruice not seeking thine owne interest or commodity neither in great nor little neither in time nor eternity so that with equall countenance thou mayest persist in thanksgiuing both in prosperity and aduersity weighing all things with an equal ballance If thou be of such courage so patient in hope that when inward comfort is withdrawne from thee thou prepare thy heart to suffer greater matters and not justifie thy selfe as though thou oughtest not to suffer these and so great afflictions but justifie me in whatsoeuer I appoint and praise my holy name then thou walkest in the true and right way of peace and thou shalt haue vndoubted hope to see my face againe with great joy And if thou attaine to the full contempt of thy selfe then shalt thou enioy as great abundance of peace as thy banishment may permit CHAP. XXVI Of the excellency of a free minde which humble prayer better deserueth then reading THE SERVANT LOrd it is the worke of a perfect man neuer to slack his mind from the attentiue thought of heauenly things and as it were to passe without care through many cares not faintingly but with a certaine priuiledge of a free mind adhering by inordinate affection to no creature 2 I beseech thee most mercifull God preserue me from the cares of this life lest I should be too much intangled thereby and from the many necessities of the body lest I should be enthralled by pleasure from all hinderances of the soule lest broken with troubles I should be deiected and dismayed I mean not from those things that worldly vanity so greatly desireth but from those miseries that as punishments do weigh down and hinder the soule of thy seruant with the general curse of mortality that it cannot enter into liberty of spirit as often as I would Gen. 3. Rom. 7. 3 O my God the vnspeakable sweetnesse make bitter vnto mee all carnall comfort which may draw me away from the loue of euerlasting happines and wickedly allure me to it selfe with the force of a certaine present delight Rom. 12. Let not flesh and bloud ouercome mee O Lord. Let not the world the short glory therof deceiue me Let not the Diuell and his subtill fraud supplant me Giue me force to resist patience to suffer and constancy to perseuere Giue me insteed of all the comforts of the world the most sweet vnction of thy Spirit and in lieu of carnall loue powre into my soule the loue of thy name 2 Behold meat drinke cloathes and other necessaries for the maintenance of the body are burdensome vnto a feruent spirit Grant mee to affect such nourishments in due measure and not to bee intangled vvith an ouer great desire of them It is not lawfull to renounce them wholy for that nature is to bee maintained but to desire superfluities and those things that doe rather delight then sustaine the Law of God forbiddeth for otherwise the flesh would rebell against the spirit Herein I beseech thee let thy hand gouerne mee and teach mee that I may not exceed CHAP. XXVII That priuate loue most hindreth from the chiefest good OVR LORD SOnne thou oughtest to giue all for all and to retaine nothing of thy selfe Know that the loue of thy selfe doth hurt thee more then any thing in the world According to the loue and affection thou bearest them so doth euery thing cleaue vnto thee more or lesse If thy loue be pure

thou complaine Christ had aduersaries and backbiters and wilt thou haue all men thy friends and benefactors For what shall thy patience be crowned if no aduersitie happen vnto thee 2. Tim. 21. If thou wilt suffer no aduersity how wilt thou be the friend of Christ Suffer vvith Christ and for Christ if thou desire to raigne with Chr●●● 6 If thou 〈…〉 perfectly entered into the heart of Iesus and tasted a little of his burning loue then wouldest thou not weigh thy owne commodity or discommodity but wouldest rather reioyce at slanders when they should chance to the cast vpon 〈…〉 for the loue of Iesus maketh a man to despise himselfe A louer of Iesus and of truth and a true spirituall person and free from inordinat affections can freely turne himselfe vnto God and lift himselfe aboue himselfe in spirit and with great joy of his soule rest in God 7 He that judgeth of all things as they are and not as they are said and esteemed to bee is truely wise and taught rather by God then men Esa 54. He that can liue spiritually and make small reckoning of outward things neither requireth places nor attendeth times for performing of deuout exercises A spirituall man quickly recollecteth himself because he neuer yeeldeth ouer himself wholy to outward things He is not hindred by outward labour or busines which may be necessary for the time but as things fall out so he frameth himselfe vnto them Hee that hath well ordered and disposed all things within careth little for the vaine inuentions and peruerse inclinations of men So much is a man hindred and distracted how much he draweth matters vnto himselfe 8 If all went well with thee and thou haddest thy heart well purged all things would fall out to thy good and profit But many things displease and often trouble thee because thou art not yet perfectly dead vnto thy selfe nor free from the affection of earthly things Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 4. Nothing so defileth and intangleth the heart of man as the impure loue to creatures If thou refuse outward comfort thou wilt be able to contemplate the things of heauen and often receiue internall joy CHAP. II. Of humble submission REspect not much who is with thee or who is against thee Endeauour and take care that God may be for thee in euery thing thou doest Psal 27. Haue a good conscience and God will defend thee For whom God will helpe no malice of man can hurt If thou canst hold thy peace and suffer without doubt thou shalt see that our Lord wil help thee He knoweth the time and manner how to deliuer thee and therefore thou oughtest to resigne thy selfe vnto him It belongs to God to help and to deliuer from all shame Oftentimes it is very profitable for the better keeping of humilitie that others know reprehend our faults 2 When a man humbleth himselfe for his faults then he easily pacifieth others and quickly satisfieth those that are offended with him God protecteth and deliuereth the humble he loueth and comforteth the humble vnto the humble man he inclineth himselfe vnto the humble he giueth great grace and after his humiliation hee raiseth him vnto glorie Vnto the humble hee reuealeth his secrets and sweetely draweth and inuiteth him vnto himselfe Matth. 12. The humble when hee hath receiued confusion is in peace for that hee resteth in God and relieth not on the world Doe not thinke that thou hast profited any thing vnlesse thou esteeme thy selfe inferiour to all CHAP. III. Of a good and peaceable man FIrst keepe thy selfe in peace and then maist thou pacifie others A peaceable man doth more good then he that is well learned A passionate man turneth good into euill and easily beleeueth the worst A good peaceable man turneth all things into good He that is well in peace is not suspitious of any 1. Cor. 15. But hee that is discontented and troubled is tossed with diuers suspitions he is neither quiet himselfe nor suffereth others to be quiet He often speaketh that which he ought not to speake and omitteth that which were more expedient for him to doe Hee considereth what others are bound to doe and neglecteth that which he is bound to himselfe Ma. 7. First therefore haue a carefull zeale ouer thy selfe and then thou mayest justly shew thy selfe zealous of thy neighbours good Act. 1. 2 Thou knowest well how to excuse and colour thine owne deeds and thou wilt not receiue the excuses of others It were more meet that thou diddest accuse thy selfe and excusedst thy brother Gal. 6. If thou wilt be borne withal beare also with another 1. Cor. 13. Behold how far off thou art as yet from true charitie and humility which knoweth not how to be angry with any or to bee moued with indignation but only against himselfe It is no great matter to conuerse with the good and those that are of a gentle disposition for that is naturally pleasing to all and euery one willingly enioyeth peace and loueth those best that agree with him But to bee able to liue peaceably with the vnquiet and peruerse mindes or with the disorderly or such as contradict vs is a great grace and very commendable 3 Some there are that keep themselues in peace and are in peace also with others And there are some that neither are in peace themselues nor suffer others to be in peace they are troublesome to others but alwayes more troublesome to themselues And others there are that keep themselues in peace and labour to bring others vnto peace Our whole peace in this miserable life cōsisteth rather in humble suffering then in not feeling aduersities He that can best tell how to suffer will best keep himselfe in peace He is a conquerour of himselfe a Lord of the world friend of Christ and heire of heauen CHAP. IV. Of a pure minde and vpright intention WIth two wings man is lifted vp from earthly vanities that is with simplicity purity Simplicity ought to be in our intention Purity in our affection Simplicity fixeth the eyes of the soule in God Purity apprehendeth and tasteth his sweetnes No good action will hinder thee if thou be inwardly free from inordinate affection If thou intend and seeke nothing else but the will of God and the profite of thy neighbour thou shalt enioy eternall libertie If thy heart were sincere and vpright then euery creature would be vnto thee a looking-glasse of life and a booke of holy doctrine There is no creature so little and abiect that representeth not the goodnes of God 2 If in thine owne heart thou wert good and pure then thou wouldest be able to see and vnderstand all things without any impediment Rom. 1. Prou. 3. A pure heart penetrateth heauen and pierceth the depth of hell Psal 118. Such as euery one is inwardly so hee iudgeth outwardly If there bee ioy in the world surely a man of a pure heart possesseth it And if there bee any where tribulation and

things more which thou hast not yet well learned SER. What are those Lord LORD That thou frame thy desire wholy according to my pleasure and be not a louer of thy selfe but a diligent follower of my will Thy desires oftentimes doe stirre thee vp and driue thee forwards with violence but consider whether thou art mooued rather for my honour then for thine owne profit If I bee the cause thou wilt bee well content with whatsoeuer I shal ordaine but if there lurke in thee any selfe inclination behold this is it that hindreth thee and weigheth thee downe Phil. 2. 2 Beware therefore thou incline not too much vpon any desire that commeth to thy minde before thou aske my counsaile lest perhaps afterwards it repent thee and that thou beginne now to dislike that which before did please thee and vvhich thou earnestly desiredst as the best For euery affection that seemeth good is not presently to be-followed nor euery contrary affection at the first to be fled It is expedient sometimes to vse a restraint euen in good desires and endeauours lest by importunitie thou incurre distraction of minde and by euill example become a scandall vnto others or being gaine-said by others thou bee suddenly troubled and fall 3 Yet sometimes thou oughtest to vse violence and resist manfully thy sensuall appetites Philip. 2. and respect not what thy bodie vvould or vvould not but rather to labour that euen perforce it bee subiect to the spirit Rom. 8. and 2. Cor. 4. And it is to be chastised so long and to be forced vnder seruitude 2. Cor. 10. vntill it readily obey in all things and learne to bee content with a little and to be pleased with ordinary things and not to murmure against any inconuenience 1. Cor. 9. CHAP. XII Of the effect of Patience and of strife against Concupiscence THE SERVANT LOrd God I perceiue patience is very necessary vnto me for that many aduersities doe happen in this life Heb. 10. Howsoeuer I shall dispose of my peace my life cannot be without warre and affliction Iob 7. LORD So it is Son And my wil is not that thou seek after that peace which is void of temptation or that feeleth no contrarieties but then thinke that thou hast found peace when thou art exercised with sundry tribulations and tried in many aduersities Iam. 1. 2 If thou say that thou art not able to suffer much how then wilt thou endure the fire of Purgatory Of two euils the lesse is alwayes to be chosen That thou maist therefore auoid euerlasting punishments in the next world endeauour to suffer patiently for God the present euils of this Doest thou thinke that men of this world suffer little or nothing Thou art deceiued Looke into the life euen of them that liue in greatest delicacies and thou shalt finde it otherwise But thou wilt say they haue many delights and follow their own wills and therefore they make small account of their tribulations Be it so that they haue whatsoeuer they will but how long dost thou thinke it will last 3 Behold the vvealthy of this world vanish away like smoke and there shall bee no memory of their joyes past Psal 67. Yea euen while they liue also they rest not in them without griefe irksomnes and feare For the selfe-same thing in which they take their delight is oftentimes the cause of sorrow vnto them and much affliction They haue their desert who for that they immoderately seeke and follow delights they do not obtaine them but with shame and sorrow 4 O how short and deceitfull how inordinate and filthy are those pleasures Yea so senselesse and blind are men that they vnderstand it not but like dumbe beasts for a little pleasure of a corruptible life they incur the eternall death of their soule Doe not thou therefore my Sonne follow the disordinate inclinations of thy corrupt nature but forsake thine owne will Delight in our Lord and he will giue thee the desires of thy heart Eccls. 28. Psal 36. 5 If thou desire true light and to be more plentifully comforted by me behold in the contempt of all worldly things and in the cutting off of all base delights shall be thy blessing aboundant comfort shall be giuen thee And how much the more thou withdrawest thy selfe from all comfort of creatures so much the sweeter and more forcible consolations shalt thou finde in me But at first thou canst not attaine vnto them without a certaine griefe labour and strife The old custome wil make resistance and thou must ouercome it with another custome that is better Thy flesh will murmure but thou must bridle it with feruour of spirit The olde Serpent will sting and trouble thee but by prayer hee shall be put to flight and with profitable labour thou shalt shut the dore against him CHAP. XIII Of the humble obedience of a subiect according to the example of Christ OVR LORD SOnne hee that endeauoureth to withdraw himself from obedience withdraweth himselfe from grace And hee that seeketh to haue things in priuate shall lose the common Mat. 16. He that doth not willingly and freely submit himselfe to his Superiour it is a signe that his flesh is not yet perfectly obedient vnto him but oftentimes rebelleth and murmureth against him Learne therfore readily to submit thy selfe to thy Superiour if thou desirest to subdue thine owne passions For the outward enemy is sooner ouercome if the inward man be in good estate There is no worse enemy nor more troublesome to the soule then thou vnto thy selfe not agreeing well with the spirit Thou must of necessity haue a true contempt of thy selfe if thou wilt preuaile against flesh and bloud 2 Because thou louest thy selfe as yet too inordinatly therfore thou art afraid to resigne thy selfe wholly to the will of others But what great matter is it if thou that art dust and nothing submittest thy self to a man for God when I the Almighty and highest soueraigne who created all things of nothing humbly submitted my selfe vnto man for thee Luk. 2. Ioh. 12. I became the most humble and abiect of all men that thou mightest ouercome thy pride with my humility Learne to obey thou that art dust Learne to humble thy selfe thou earth and clay and put thy self vnder th● feet of all men Learne to breake thine owne will and to yeeld thy selfe to all subiection 3 Take courage against thy selfe and suffer not pride to liue in thee but humble and submit thy selfe to all that euery one may go ouer thee and treade thee as dirt of the streets vnder their feet Vaine man what canst thou complaine of what canst thou answere foule sinner to them that reproue thee who hast so often offended God and so many times deserued hell But mine eye hath spared thee because thy soule was precious in my sight that thou mightest know my loue and alwaies remaine gratefull for my benefits that thou mightest continually giue thy selfe to true subiection

false which he proposeth whether he ouerthrow thee with the loue of present or the feare of future things Let not therefore thy heart be troubled neither doe thou feare Psal 90. Beleeue in me and put thy trust in my mercy When thou thinkest thy selfe furthest off from mee oftentimes I am nearest vnto thee When thou judgest that almost all is lost then oftentimes greatest gaine of merit is at hand All is not lost when any thing falleth out contrary vnto thee Thou must not judge according to that which thou feelest for the present nor giue thy selfe ouer to any griefe from whence soeuer it commeth as though all hope of deliuery were quite gone 4 Think not thy selfe wholy left although for a time I haue sent thee some tribulation or withdrawne thy desired comfort for this is the way to the kingdom of heauē And without doubt it is more expedient for thee and the rest of my seruants that yee be exercised with many aduersities then that yee should haue all things according to your desires I know the secret thoughts of thy hart and that it is very expedient for thy soules health that thou be left sometimes without taste feeling of spirituall sweetnesse lest perhaps thou shouldest bee puffed vp with good successe and shouldest please thy self in that which thou art not That which I haue giuen I can take away and restore it againe when I please 5 When I giue it it is mine when I withdraw it I take not any thing that is thine for mine is euery good and euery perfect gift If I send thee affliction or any crosse whatsoeuer repine not nor be not dismayd I can quickly lift thee vp againe turne al thy sorrow into joy Neuerthelesse I am just and greatly to be praised when I do all this vnto thee Iam. 1. 6 If thou be wise consider wel thy case thou wilt neuer yeeld so cowardly to griefe for any aduersitie that befalles thee but rather reioyce and giue thanks yea to account this thy only joy that afflicting thee with sorrowe● I do not spare thee As my Father hath loued me I also loue you said I vnto my beloued Disciples whom certainly I sent not to temporal joyes but to great cōflicts Io. 15. not to honors but to contempts not to idlenes but to labors not to rest but to bring much fruit in patience My Sonne remember these words CHAP. XXXI Of the contempt of all creatures to find our Creator THE SERVANT LOrd I stand yet in need of great grace if I must go so far as that no man or creature can hinder me For as long as any thing holdeth mee I cannot fly freely vnto thee He desired to fly with great liberty that said Who will giue me wings like a doue and I will fly and rest Psa 54. What thing more quiet then a simple eye Mat. 6. And what more free then he that desireth nothing vpon earth Man ought therfore to ascend aboue all creatures and perfectly to forsake himselfe and to remaine in excesse of minde and consider that thou who art the maker of al things hast nothing amongst creatures like vnto thee And vnlesse a man be free from the affection of all creatures he cannot with freedome of minde attend vnto diuine things And for this cause there are so few contemplatiue men to bee found for that few can wholy sequester themselues from fading creatures 2 Much grace is necessary to lift vp a soule and to carrie it aboue it selfe And vnlesse a man be lifted vp in spirit and deliuered from all creatures and wholy vnited vnto God whatsoeuer he knoweth and whatsoeuer hee hath is of little account Long shall hee bee little and lye in earthly basenesse that esteemeth any thing great but the one only vnmeasurable and eternall good For whatsoeuer is not God is nothing and ought to bee accounted as nothing There is great difference betweene the wisdome of a spirituall and deuout person and the knowledge of a learned and studious Clerke Farre more noble is that learning which floweth from aboue from the diuine influence then that which is painfully gotten by the wit of man 3 There are many that desire contemplation but they endeauour not to exercise those things that are required thereunto It is a great hinderance that we rest in signes and sensible things haue little true mortification I know not what it is nor by what spirit we are led nor what we pretend we that seeme to be called spirituall that we take so much paines and so great care for transitory base things scarce or seldom thinke of our owne inward profite with full recollection of our senses 4 Alas presently after a sleight recollection we breake foorth and weigh not our workes with diligent examination We minde not where our affections lie nor bewaile the impurity and many faults that are in all our actions For all flesh had corrupted her way therefore did that generall floud ensue Gen. 6. 7. Sith our inward affection then is much corrupted it must needs be that our action proceeding therof be corrupted as a signe of the want of inward vigour From a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good life 5 Wee aske how much one hath done but how vertuous his actions are is not so diligently considered We enquire whether hee be strong rich beautifull handsome a good writer a good singer or a good laborer but how poore he is in spirit how patient meek how deuout spiritual is seldome spoken of Nature respecteth outward things grace turneth her selfe to the inward vertues That is often deceiued this hath her trust in God to the end shee be not deceiued CHAP. XXXII Of the deniall of our selues and forsaking all our affections OVR LORD SOnne thou canst not possesse perfect libertie vnlesse thou wholy denie thy selfe All such as bee louers of themselues are bound in fetters they are couetous curious wanderers seekers of ease and not of those things that appertaine to Iesus Christ but oftentimes deuising and framing that vvhich vvill not continue Matth. 16. and 19. For all shall perish that proceedeth not From God Keep this short and complete word Forsake al and thou shalt finde all Leaue thy inordinate desires and thou shalt find rest Consider this well and when thou hast fulfilled it thou shalt vnderstand all SER. 2 Lord this is not one dayes vvorke nor childrens sport yea in this short sentence all the perfection of Religious persons is included LORD Sonne thou must not go back nor straight waies be deiected when thou hearest the way of the perfect but rather bee stirred vp to more worthy and noble attempts or at least to conceiue an earnest desire thereof I would it were so well with thee and thou wert come so far that thou wert no longer a louer of thy selfe but didst stand meerely at my beck at his whom I haue appointed a Father ouer thee then thou shouldest