whatsoever offences they have done against thee and if thou hast offended any humbly crave pardon and God will readily forgive thee 4. What availeth it to delay long the confession of thy sins or to defer the holy Communion Purge thy self with speed spit out the venome presently make hast to apply this sovereign remedy and thou shalt find it to be better with thee than if thou deferredst it long If thou omittest it to day for this cause perhaps to morrow some greater will fall out and so thou maist be hindred a long time from the Communion and become more unfit With all possible speed shake off from thy self all present heaviness and sloth for it will not avail thee to continue long in disquietness and trouble of mind and for daily occurring impediments to withdraw thy self from the divine mysteries Yea it is very prejudicial to defer the Communion long for this usually causeth a greater dulness and undisposedness Alas some cold and dissolute people do willingly delay confession and defer the sacred Communion lest they should be engaged to the greater watch over themselves 5. O how little is their charity and how weak is their devotion that so easily omit the holy Communion How happy is he and acceptable to God who so ordereth his life and keepeth his conscience in such purity that he is ready and fit to communicate every day if it were convenient and might be done without others taking notice If one doth sometimes abstain out of humility or by reason of some lawful impediment he is to be commended for the reverence which therein he sheweth But if it proceedeth of dull slothfulness he must stir himself up and do what lieth in him and God will assist his desire for the good will he hath thereto which God doth chiefly respect 6. And when any lawful hindrance doth happen he must yet always have that good will and a pious intention to communicate and so shall he not lose the fruit of the Sacrament For every good Man may every day and hour profitably and without let receive Christ spiritually and yet on certain daies and at time appointed he ought to receive Sacramentally with an affectionate reverence the body of his Redeemer and rather seek the honor and glory of God than his own comfort For he communicateth mystically and is invisibly as often as he devoutly calleth to mind the mysterie of the Incarnation and the Passion of Christ and is inflamed with his love 7. He that prepareth not himself but when a Festival draweth near and when custome compelleth him thereunto shall usually be found to be unprepared for it Blessed is he that offereth himself up as a Sacrifice to the Lord as often as he doth celebrate or communicate Be not too long nor too short in celebrating but keep the accustomed manner of those with whom thou livest Thou oughtest not to be tedious and troublesom to others but to observe the received custom according to the appointment of thy Superiors and rather frame thy self to the profit of others than to thine own devotion or desire CHAP. XI That the Body of Christ and the holy Scriptures are most necessary unto a faithful soul. The voice of the Disciple O Sweetest Lord Jesus how great sweetness hath an holy soul that feasteth with thee in thy banquet where there is set no other food to be eaten but thy self her only beloved and most to be desired above all the desires of her heart And verily it should be a sweet thing unto me to pour out tears from the very bottom of my heart in thy presence and with holy Magdalene to wash thy feet with my tears But where is this devotion Where is there any so plentiful shedding of holy tears Surely in the sight of thee and thy holy Angels my whole heart should be inflamed and even weep for joy For I enjoy thee in the Sacrament truly present though hidden under another representation 2. For to behold thee in thine own divine brightness mine eyes would not be able to endure it neither could the whole world stand in the brightness of the glory of thy Majesty I do really enjoy and adore him whom the Angels adore in Heaven but I as yet in the mean time by faith they by sight and without a veil I ought to be content with the light of true faith and to walk therein until the day of everlasting brightness break forth and the shadowes of figures pass away But when that shall come which is perfect the use of Sacraments shall cease For the blessed in Heavenly glory need not any Sacramental remedy but rejoyce without end in the presence of God beholding his glory face to face and being transformed from glory to glory into the Image of the incomprehensible Deity they tast the word of God made flesh as he was from the beginning and as he remaineth for ever 3. Whilest I mind these wonderful things even all spiritual comfort whatsoever becometh tedious unto me for that as long as I behold not my Lord openly in his glory I make no account at all of whatsoever I see or hear in this world Thou art my witness O God that nothing can comfort me no creature can give me rest but thou my God whom I desire to behold everlastingly But this is not possible whilest I remain in this mortal life Therefore I must frame my self to much patience and submit my self to thee in all my desires For thy Saints also O Lord who now rejoyce with thee in the Kingdom of Heaven whilst they lived expected in faith and great patience the coming of thy glory What they believed I believe what they hoped for I also hope for whither they are come I trust I shall come by thy grace In the mean time I will go forward in faith strengthened by the examples of the Saints I have also godly books for my comfort and for the glass of my life and above all these thy most holy body for a singular remedy and refuge 4. For I perceive Two things to be chiefly necessary for me in the life without which this miserable life would be unsupportable unto me Whilst I am kept in the prison of this body I acknowledge my self to stand in need of Two things to wit food and light Thou hast therefore given unto me a weak creature thy sacred Body for the nourishment of my soul and body and thou hast set thy word as a light unto my feet without these Two I could not well live For the word of God is the light of the soul and thy Sacrament the bread of life These also may be called the Two Tables set on the one side and the other in the store-house of the holy Church One is the holy Table having the holy bread that is the precious body of Christ the other is that of the divine Law containing holy Doctrine teaching the true faith and certainly leading to that within the veil where is
on the contrary How pitiful and grievous a thing it is to see them that live in a dissolute and disordered sort not applying themselves to that for which they are called O how hurtful a thing it is to neglect the good purposes of their vocation and to busie themselves in that which is not committed to their care 6. Be mindful of the profession thou hast made and have always before the eyes of thy soul the remembrance of thy Saviour crucified Thou hast good cause to be ashamed looking upon the life of Jesus Christ seeing thou hast as yet no more endeavored to conform thy self unto him though thou hast walked a long time in the way of God A religious person that exerciseth himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord shall there abundantly find whatsoever is necessary and profitable for him neither shall he need to seek any better thing out of Jesus O if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts how quickly and fully should we be instructed in all truth 7. A fervent religious person taketh and beareth all well that is commanded him but he that is negligent and cold hath tribulation upon tribulation and on all sides is afflicted for he is void of inward consolation and is forbidden to seek eternal comforts A religious person that liveth not according to discipline lies open to great mischief to the ruine of his soul. He that seeketh liberty and ease shall ever live in disquiet for one thing or other will displease him 8. O that we had nothing elso to do but always with our mouth and whole heart to praise our Lord God! O that thou mightest never have need to eat nor drink nor sleep but mightest always praise God and only employ thy self in spiritual exercises thou shouldest then be much more happy than now thou art when for so many necessities thou art constrained to serve thy body Would God these necessities were not at all but only the spiritual refections of the soul which alas we taste of too seldom 9. When a Man cometh to that estate rhat he seeketh not his comfort from any creature then doth he begin perfectly to relish God Then shall he be contented with whatsoever doth befal him in this world Then shall he neither rejoyce in great matters nor be sorrowful for small but entirely and confidently commit himself to God who shall be unto him all in all to whom nothing doth perish nor die but all things do live unto him and serve him at a beck without delay 10. Remember always thy end and how that time lost never returns Without care and diligence thou shalt never get virtue If thou beginnest to wax cold it will be evil with thee but if thou give thy self to fervor of spirit thou shalt find much peace and feel less labor through the assistance of Gods grace and love of virtue The fervent and diligent Man is prepared for all things It is harder to resist vices and passions than to toil in bodily labors He that avoideth not small faults by little and little falleth into greater Thou wilt always rejoyce in the evening if thou spend the day profitably Be watchful over thy self stir up thy self warn thy self and whatsoever becomes of others neglect not thy self The more holy violence thou usest against thy self the more shall be thy spiritual profiting Amen THE SECOND BOOK CHAP. I. Of the inward Life THE Kingdom of God is within you saith the Lord. Turn thee with thy whole heart unto the Lord and forsake this wretched World and thy Soul shall find rest Learn to despise exteriour things and to give thy self to the interior and thou shalt perceive the Kingdom of God to come into thee For the Kingdom of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost which is not given to the wicked Christ will come into thee and shew thee his consolations if thou prepare for him a worthy mansion within thee All his glory and beauty is within and there he pleaseth himself The inward man he often visits and hath with him sweet discourses pleasant solace much peace wonderful familiarity 2. O faithful Soul make ready thy heart for this Bridegroom that he may vouchsafe to come unto thee and dwell within thee For he saith If any love me he will keep my words and we will come unto him and will make our abode with him Give therefore admittance unto Christ and deny entrance to all others When thou hast Christ thou art Rich and he will suffice thee He will be thy faithful and provident helper in all things so as thou shalt not need to trust in men For men are soon changed and quickly fail but Christ remaineth for ever and standeth firmly unto the end 3. There is little trust to be put in frail and mortal man though he be profitable and dear unto thee neither oughtest thou much to be grieved if sometimes he cross and contradict thee They that to day take thy part to morrow may be against thee and so on the contrary they often turn like unto the wind Put all thy trust in God let him be thy fear and thy love He will answer for thee and do in all things what is best Thou hast not here an abiding City and wheresoever thou be thou art a stranger and pilgrim Neither shalt thou ever have rest unless thou be most inwardly united unto Christ. 4. Why dost thou here gaze about since this is not the place of thy rest In Heaven ought to be thy dwelling and all Earthly things are to be lookt upon as it were by the way All things pass away and thou together with them Beware thou cleave not unto them lest thou be entangled and so dost perish Let thy thought be on the Highest and thy prayer directed unto Christ without ceasing If thou canst not contemplate high and heavenly things rest thy self in the passion of Christ and dwell willingly in his Holy wounds For if thou fly devoutly unto the wounds and precious marks of the Lord Jesus thou shalt feel great comfort in tribulation Neither wilt thou much care for being despised of men and wilt easily bear words of detraction 5. Christ was also in the World despised of men and in greatest necessity forsaken by his acquaintance and Friends in the midst of slanders Christ would suffer and be despised and darest thou complain of any Christ had Adversaries and Backbiters and wilt thou have all men thy Friends and Benefactors For what shall thy patience be crowned if no adversity happen unto thee If thou wilt suffer no adversity how wilt thou be the Friend of Christ Suffer with Christ and for Christ if thou desire to Reign with Christ. 6. If thou hadst but once perfectly entred into the secrets of Jesus and tasted a little of his ardent affection then wouldst thou not weigh thine own commodity or discommodity but wouldst rather rejoyce at slanders when they should chance to
more powerful no Man more free than he that can leave himself and all things and set himself in the lowest place CHAP. XII Of the high way of the holy Cross. UNto many this speech seemeth hard Deny thy self take up thy Cross and follow Iesus But it will be much harder to hear that last word Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire For they that now willingly hear and follow the word of the Cross shall not then fear to hear the sentence of everlasting damnation This sign of the Cross shall be in Heaven when our Lord shall come to judgment Then all the servants of the Cross who in their life-time conformed themselves unto Christ crucified shall draw near unto Christ the Judg with great confidence 2. Why therefore fearest thou to take up the Cross which leadeth thee to a Kingdom In the Cross is salvation in the Cross is life in the Cross is protection against our enemies in the Cross is infusion of Heavenly sweetness in the Cross is strength of mind in the Cross is joy of spirit in the Cross is the height of virtue in the Cross is the perfection of sanctity There is no salvation of the soul nor hope of everlasting life but in the Cross. Take up therefore thy Cross and follow Jesus and thou shalt go into life everlasting He is gone before bearing his Cross and is dead for thee on the Cross that thou mayest also bear thy Cross and desire to die on the Cross with him For if thou diest with him thou shalt also live with him And if thou be his companion in pain thou shalt be partaker ith him also in glory 3. Behold in the Cross all doth consist and all lyeth in our dying upon it for there is no other way unto life and unto true inward peace but the way of the Holy Cross and of daily mortification Go where thou wilt seek whatsoever thou wilt thou shalt not find a higher way above nor a safer way below than the way of the Holy Cross. Dispose and order all things according to thy will and judgment yet thou shalt ever find that of necessity thou must suffer somewhat either willingly or against thy will and so thou shalt ever find the Cross. For either thou shalt feel pain in thy body or in thy soul thou shalt suffer tribulation of spirit 4. Sometimes thou shalt be forsaken of God sometimes thou shalt be troubled by thy neighbors and which is more oftentimes thou shalt be irksome to thy self neither canst thou be delivered or eased by any remedy or comfort but so long as pleaseth God thou oughtest to bear it For God will have thee learn to suffer tribulation without comfort and that thou subject thy self wholly to him and become more humble by tribulation No Man hath so cordial a feeling of the passion of Christ as he who hath suffered the like himself The Cross therefore is always ready and every where waits for thee Thou canst not escape it whithersoever thou runnest for wheresoever thou goest thou carriest thy self with thee and shalt ever find thy self both above and below without and within which way soever thou dost turn thee every where thou shalt find the Cross and every where of necessity thou must have patience if thou wilt have inward peace and enjoy an everlasting Crown 5. If thou bear the Cross willingly it will bear thee and lead thee to thy desired end to wit where there shall be an end of suffering though here there shall not If thou bear it unwillingly thou makest for thy self a new burden and encreasest thy load and yet notwithstanding thou must bear it If thou cast away one Cross without doubt thou shalt find another and that perhaps a more heavy one 6. Thinkest thou to escape that which no Man could ever avoid Which of the Saints in the world was without crosses and tribulation Verily Jesus Christ our Lord was never one hour without pain of suffering so long as he lived Christ saith he ought to suffer and arise again from the dead and so to enter into his glory Luke 24. and how dost thou seek any other way than this high way which is the way of the Holy Cross 7. The whole life of Christ was a Cross and Martyrdom and dost thou seek rest and joy Thou art deceived thou art deceived if thou seekest any other thing than to suffer tribulations for this whole mortal life is full of miseries and environed on every side with Crosses And how much the more one hath profited in spirit so much the heavier crosses he oftentimes findeth for the love he beareth to God increaseth the grief which he endureth for his banishment 8. But yet this Man though so many ways afflicted is not without some refreshing comfort for that he perceiveth much benefit to accrew unto him by the bearing of his Cross. For whilest he willingly putteth himself under it all the burden of tribulation is turned into the confidence of divine comfort And how much the more the flesh is wasted by affliction so much the more is the spirit strengthened by inward grace And sometimes he is so comforted with the desire of tribulation and adversity for the love of conforming himself to the Cross of Christ that he would not wish at any time to be without sorrow and tribulation because he believeth that so much the more acceptable he shall be unto God how much the more and more grievous things he can suffer for him This is not the power of Man but it is the grace of Christ that can and doth so much in frail flesh that what naturally it always abhorreth and flyeth that by fervor of spirit it encounters with delight 9. It is not according to Mans inclination to bear the Cross to chastise and subdue the body to fly honors to suffer contumelies with a willing heart to despise himself and to wish to be despised to bear all adversities and dammages and to desire no prosperity in this world If thou considerest thy self thou shalt be able to perform no such matter of thy self But if thou trustest in the Lord strength shall be given thee from Heaven and the world and flesh shall be made subject to thy command Neither shalt thou fear thy enemy the Devil if thou be armed with faith and bearest the Cross of Christ. 10. Set therefore thy self like a good and faithful servant of Christ to bear manfully the Cross of thy Lord who was crucified for thee out of love Prepare thy self to bear many adversities and divers kinds of troubles in this miserable life for so it will be with thee wheresoever thou be and so surely thou wilt find it wheresoever thou hide thy self So it must be and there is no remedy or means to avoid tribulation and sorrow but to bear them Drink of the Cup of our Lord heartily if thou wilt be his friend and desirest to have part with him As for comforts leave them to
Cross did suffer and die for salvation of Mankind 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 gift and be delighted in thy holy banquet which thou O God hast prepared in thy goodness for the poor Behold in thee is all whatsoever I can or ought to desire thou art my salvation and my redemption my hope and my strength my honor and my glory make joyful therefore this day the soul of thy Servant for that I have lifted it up to thee O Lord Jesus I desire to receive thee now with devotion and reverence I do long to bring thee into my house that with Zacheus I may obtain to be blessed by thee and to be numbred amongst the Children of Abraham My soul thirsteth to receive thy body my heart desireth to be united with thee 2. Give thy self to me and it sufficeth for besides thee no comfort is available I cannot be without thee nor live without thy visitation And therefore I must often come unto thee and receive thee for the welfare of my soul lest perhaps I faint in the way if I be deprived of thy Heavenly food For so most merciful Jesus 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 Deal thou therefore in like manner now with me who hast vouchsafed to leave thy self in the Sacrament for the comfort of the faithful For thou art the sweet refection of the soul and he that eateth thee worthily shall be partaker and heir of everlasting glory It is necessary for me that do often fall and sin and so quickly wax dull and faint that by frequent prayer and confession and receiving of thy holy body I renew cleanse and inflame my self lest perhaps by long abstaining I should fall from my holy purpose 3. For the imaginations of Man are prone unto evil from his youth and unless some divine remedy help him he quickly slideth to worse This holy Communion therefore draweth back from evil and strengtheneth in good For if I be now so often slack and cold when I communicate or celebrate what would become of me if I received not this remedy and sought not after so great an help Though every day I be not fit nor well prepared to communicate I will endeavor notwithstanding at due times to receive the divine mysteries and to be partaker of so great a grace For this is one chief comfort of a faithful soul whilest she wandreth from thee in this mortal body that being often mindful of her God she receive her beloved with a devout mind 4. O the wonderful condescent of thy mercy towards us that thou O Lord God the Creator and giver of life to all spirits dost vouchsafe to come unto a poor soul and with thy whole Deity and Humanity to replenish her hunger O happy mind and blessed soul that obtains to receive thee her Lord God with devout affection and in receiving of thee to be filled with spiritual joy O how great a Lord doth she entertain How beloved a guest doth she harbor How pleasant a companion doth she receive How faithful a friend doth she take in How lovely and noble a spouse doth she embrace She embraceth him who is to be loved above all that is beloved and above all things that may be desired Let Heaven and Earth and all their furniture be silent in thy presence for what praise and beauty soever they have it is received from thy bounty and shall not equal the beauty of thy Name whose wisdom is infinite CHAP. IV. That many benefits are bestowed upon them that communicate devoutly The voice of the Disciple MY Lord God prevent thy Servant with the blessings of thy sweetness that I may approach worthily and devoutly to thy glorious Sacrament stir up my heart unto thee and deliver me from all dulness visit me with thy salvation that I may taste in spirit thy sweetness which plentifully lieth hid in this Sacrament as in a fountain Enlighten also my eyes to behold so great a mystery and strengthen me to believe it with undoubted faith For it is thy work and not Mans power thy sacred institution not Mans invention For no Man is of himself able to comprehend and understand these things which surpass the understanding even of Angels What therefore shall I unworthy sinner dust and ashes be able to search and comprehend of so high and sacred a mystery 2. O Lord in the simplicity of my heart with a good and firm faith and at thy commandment I come unto thee with hope and reverence and do truly believe that thou art present in the Sacrament Thy will is that I receive thee and that by love I unite my self unto thee Wherefore I implore thy mercy and do crave thy special grace to the end I may wholly melt and flow over with love unto thee and hereafter never harbor any external comfort For this most high and worthy Sacrament is the health of the soul and body the remedy of all spiritual weakness hereby my vices are cured my passions bridled temptations overcome or weakned greater grace is infused virtue begun increased faith confirmed hope strengthened and love inflamed and enlarged 3. For thou hast bestowed and still oftentimes dost bestow many benefits in this Sacrament upon thy beloved ones that communicate devoutly O my God the Protector of my soul the strengthner of humane frailty and the giver of all inward comfort Thou impartest unto them much comfort against sundry tribulations and liftest them up from the depth of their own dejectedness to hope in thy protection and dost inwardly refresh and illustrate them with new grace so that they who before Communion felt themselves heavy and indisposed afterwards being refreshed with Heavenly meat and drink do find in themselves a great change to the better And in such a way of dispensation thou dealest with thy elect that they may truly acknowledg and patiently prove how great their own infirmity is and what goodness and grace they receive from thee For they of themselves are cold dull and undevout but by thee they are made fervent chearful and full of devotion For who is there that approaching humbly unto the fountain of sweetness doth not carry away from thence at least some little sweetness Or who standing by a great fire receiveth not some small heat thereby Thou art a fountain always full and overflowing a fire ever burning and never decaying 4. Wherefore if I cannot draw out of the full fountain it self nor drink my fill I will notwithstanding set my lips to the mouth of this Heavenly conduit that I may draw from thence at least some small drop to refresh my thirst that so I may not be wholly dried up And though I be not altogether Heavenly nor so inflamed as the Cherubins and Seraphins notwithstanding I will
are most necessary unto a faithful soul. 304 That he who is to communicate ought to prepare himself with great diligence 309 That a devout soul ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto Christ in the Sacrament 312 Of the fervent desire of some devout persons to receive the Body of Christ. 314 That the grace of devotian is obtained by humility and denial of our selves 316 That we ought to manifest our necessities to Christ and crave his grace 319 Of fervent love and vehement desire to receive Christ. 321 That Man be not a curious searcher of the Sacrament but an humble follower of Christ submitting his sense to faith 324 THE FIRST BOOK CHAP. I. Of the Imitation of Christ and contempt of all wordly vanities HE that followeth me walketh not in darkness saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ by which we are admonished that we ought to imitate his life and manners if we will be truly inlightned and be delivered from all blindness of heart Let therefore our chiefest endeavor be to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ. 2. The doctrine of Christ exceedeth all the doctrines of holy Men and he that hath the Spirit will find therein an hidden Manna But it falleth out that many who often hear the Gospel of Christ are yet but little affected because they are void of the Spirit of Christ. But whosoever will fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ. 3. What will it avail thee to dispute profoundly of the Trinity if thou be void of humility and art thereby displeasing to the Trinity High words surely make a Man neither holy nor just but a virtuous life maketh him dear to God I had rather feel compunction than understand the definition thereof If thou didst know the whole Bible and the sayings of all the Philosophers by heart what would all that profit thee without the love of God and without grace Vanity of vanities and all is vanity but to love God and to serve him only This is the highest wisdom by contempt of the world to tend towards the Kingdom of Heaven 4. It is therefore vanity to seek after perishing riches and to trust in them It is also vanity to hunt after honors and to climb to high degree It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh and to labor for that for which thou mayest afterwards suffer more grievous punishment Vanity it is to wish to live long and to be careless to live well It is vanity to mind only this present life and not to foresee those things which are to come It is vanity to set thy love on that which speedily passeth away and not to hasten thither where everlasting joy is permanent 5. Call often to mind that Proverb That the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing Endeavor therefore to withdraw thy heart from the love of visible things and to turn thy self to the invisible For they that follow their sensuality do stain their own consciences and loose the favor of God CHAP. II. Of the humble conceit of our selves ALL Men naturally desire to know but what availeth knowledg without the fear of God Surely an humble Husbandman that serveth God is better than a proud Philosopher that neglecting himself laboreth to understand the course of the heavens Who so knoweth himself well groweth more mean in his own conceit and delighteth not in the praises of Men. If I understood all things in the world and were not in charity what would that help me in the sight of God who will judg me according to my deeds 2. Cease from an inordinate desire of knowing for therein is much distraction and deceit The learned are willing to seem so to others and to be accounted wise There be many things which to know doth little or nothing profit the soul and he is very unwise that is intent upon other things than those that may avail him for the welfare of his soul. Many words do not satisfie the soul but a good life comforteth the mind and a pure conscience giveth great assurance in the sight of God 3. How much the more thou knowest and how much the better thou understandest so much the more grievously shalt thou therefore be judged unless thy life be also more holy Be not therefore extolled in thine own mind for any Art or Science which thou knowest but rather let the knowledg given thee make thee more humble and cautious If thou thinkest that thou understandest and knowest much know also that there be many things more which thou knowest not Affect not to be overwise but rather acknowledg thine own ignorance Why wilt thou prefer thy self before others sith there be many more learned and skilful in the Scripture than thou If thou wilt know or learn any thing profitably desire to be unknown and to be little esteemed of by Man 4. The highest and most profitable reading is the true knowledg and consideration of our selves It is great wisdom and perfection to esteem nothing of our selves and to think always well and highly of others If thou shouldst see another openly sin or commit some hainous offence yet oughtest thou not to esteem the better of thy self for thou knowest not how long thou shalt be able to remain in good estate We are all frail but thou oughtest to esteem none more frail than thy self CHAP. III. Of the doctrine of truth HAppy is he whom Truth by it self doth teach not by figures and words that pass away but as it is in its self Our own opinion and our own sense do often deceive us and it discerns little What availeth it to cavil and dispute about dark and hidden things whereas for being ignorant of them we shall not be so much as reproved at the day of judgment It is a great folly to neglect the things that are profitable and necessary and give our minds to that which is curious and hurtful we have eyes and see not 2. And what have we to do with Genus and Species the dry notions of Logicians He to whom the Eternal Word speaketh is delivered from a world of unnecessary conceptions From that one Word are all things and all speak that one and this is the Beginning which also speaketh unto us No Man without that Word understandeth or judgeth rightly He to whom all things are one he who reduceth all things to one and seeth all things in one may enjoy a quiet mind and remain peaceable in God O God who art the Truth make me one with thee in everlasting charity It is tedious to me often to read and hear many things In thee is all that I would have and can desire Let all Doctors hold their peace let all creatures be silent in thy sight Speak thou alone unto me 3. How much the more one is united within himself and becometh inwardly simple and pure so
of true judgment If God were always the pure intention of our desire we should not be so much troubled through the repugnance of our carnal mind 2. But oftentimes something lurketh within or else occurreth from without which draweth us after it Many secretly seek themselves in their actions and know it not They seem also to live in good peace of mind when things are done according to their will and opinion but if things succeed otherwise than they desire they are straightways troubled and much afflicted The diversities of judgments and opinions cause oftentimes dissentions between religious and devout Persons between Friends and Countrymen 3. An old custom is hardly broken and no Man is willing to be led further than himself can see If thou dost more rely upon thine own reason or industry than upon that power which brings thee under the obedience of Jesus Christ it will be long before thou become illuminated for God will have us perfectly subject unto him and that being enflamed with his love we transcend the narrow limits of humane reason CHAP. XV. Of works done of Charity FOr no worldly thing nor for the love of any Man is any evil to be done but yet for the profit of one that standeth in need a good work is sometimes to be intermitted without any scruple or changed also for a better For by doing this a good work is not lost but changed into a better The exterior work without charity profiteth nothing but whatsoever is done of charity be it never so little and contemptible in the sight of the world it becomes wholly fruitful For God weigheth more with how much love one worketh than how much he doeth He doeth much that loveth much 2. He doeth much that doeth a thing well he doeth well that rather serveth the community than his own proper will Oftentimes it seemeth to be charity and it is rather carnality because natural inclination self-will hope of reward and desire of our own interest will seldom be away 3. He that hath true and perfect charity seeketh himself in nothing but only desireth in all things that the glory of God should be exalted He also envieth none because he affecteth no private good neither will he rejoyce in himself but wisheth above all things to be made happy in the enjoyment of God He attributeth nothing that is good to any Man but wholly referreth it unto God from whom as from the fountain all things proceed in whom finally all the Saints do rest as in their highest fruition O he that had but one spark of true charity would certainly discern that all earthly things be full of vanity CHAP. XVI Of bearing with the defects of others THose things that a Man cannot amend in himself or in others he ought to suffer patiently until God order things otherwise Think that perhaps it is better so for thy trial and patience without which all our good deeds are not much to be esteemed Thou oughtest to pray notwithstanding when thou hast such impediments that God would vouchsafe to help thee and that thou mayest bear them patiently 2. If one that is once or twice warned will not give over contend not with him but commit all to God that his will may be fulfilled and his name honored in all his servants who well knoweth how to turn evil into good Endeavor to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others of what sort soever they be for that thy self also hast many things which must be suffered by others If thou canst not make thy self such an one as thou wouldst how canst thou expect to have another in all things to thy liking We would willingly have others perfect and yet we amend not our own faults 3. We will have others severely corrected and will not be corrected our selves The large liberty of others displeaseth us and yet we will not have our desires denied us We will have others kept under by strict laws but in no sort will our selves be restrained And thus it appeareth how seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same ballance with our selves If all Men were perfect what should we have to suffer of our neighbor for God 4. But now God hath thus ordered it that we may learn to bear one anothers burden for no Man is without fault no Man but hath his burden no Man sufficient of himself no Man wise enough of himself but we ought to bear with one another comfort one another help instruct and admonish one another Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue or strength each one hath for occasions make not a Man frail but do shew what he is CHAP. XVII Of a retired life THou must learn to break thy own will in many things if thou wilt have peace and concord with others It is no small matter to dwell in a religious community and to converse therein without complaint and to persevere therein faithfully until death Blessed is he that hath there lived well and ended happily If thou wilt persevere in grace as thou oughtest and profit in virtue esteem thy self as a banished Man and a pilgrim upon earth Thou must be contented for Christs sake to be esteemed as a fool in this world if thou desire to lead an holy life 2. The wearing of a religious habit and shaving of the crown do little profit but change of manners and perfect mortification of passions make a true religious Man He that seeketh any thing else but God and the salvation of his soul shall find nothing but tribulation and sorrow Neither can he remain long in peace that laboreth not to be the least and subject to all 3. Thou camest to serve not to rule Know that thou wast called to suffer and to labor not to be idle or to spend thy time in talk Here therefore Men are proved as gold in the furnace Here no Man can stand unless he humble himself with his whole heart for the love of God CHAP. XVIII Of the examples of the holy Fathers COnsider the lively examples of the holy Fathers in whom true perfection and religion shined and thou shalt see how little it is and almost nothing which we do now in these days Alas what is our life if it be compared to them The Saints and Friends of Christ served the Lord in hunger and thirst in cold and nakedness in labor and weariness in watchings and fastings in prayer and holy meditations in persecutions and many reproaches 2. O how many and grievous tribulations suffered the Apostles Martyrs Confessors Virgins and all the rest that endeavored to follow the steps of Christ They hated their lives in this world that they might possess their souls in everlasting life O how strict and self-renouncing a life led those holy Fathers in the wilderness How long and grievous tentations suffered they How often were they assaulted by the enemy What frequent and fervent prayers offered they to God! How rigorous an abstinence did
our future amendment and proficiency in spiritual things CHAP. XXIII Of the meditation of Death THere will very quickly be an end of thee here therefore see what will become of thee hereafter To day a Man to morrow none and out of sight out of mind O the stupidity and hardness of Mans Heart who thinketh only upon the present and hath no more care of what is to come Thou shouldest so order thy self in all thy thoughts and actions as if to day yea this very moment thou wert ready to depart Hadst thou a clear conscience thou wouldst not greatly fear death It were better to avoid sin than to fly death If thou art not prepared to day how wilt thou be prepared to morrow To morrow is uncertain and how knowest thou that thou shalt live till to morrow 2. What availeth it to live long when we are so little the better by long living Alas length of days doth oftner make our sins the greater than our lives the better O that we had spent but one day well in this world Many there are who count how long it is since their conversion and yet ful slender oftentimes is the fruit of amendment of life If to die be accounted dreadful to live long may perhaps prove more dangerous Happy is he that always hath the hour of his death before his eyes and daily prepareth himself for to die If at any time thou hast seen another Man die make account thou must also pass the same way 3. When it is morning think thou mayest die before night and when evening comes dare not to promise thy self the next morning Be thou therefore always in a readiness and so lead thy life that death may never take thee unprepared Many die suddenly and when they look not for it for the Son of Man will come when we think not of his coming When that last hour shall come thou wilt begin to have a far different opinion of thy whole life that is past and be exceeding sorry thou hast been so careless and remiss 4. O how wise and happy is he that now laboreth to be such an one in his life as he wisheth to be found at the hour of his death A perfect contempt of the world a fervent desire to go forward in vertue the love of discipline the painfulness of repentance the readiness of obedience the denying of our selves and the bearing any affliction for the love of Christ patiently will give us great confidence we shall die happily Whilst thou art in health thou mayest do much good but when thou art sick I see not what thou art able to do Few by sickness grow better and more reformed as also they who wander much abroad seldom thereby become holy 5. Trust. not to friends and kindred neither do thou put off the care of thy souls welfare till hereafter for Men will sooner forget thee than thou art aware of It is better to look to it betime and do some good beforehand than to trust to other Mens courtesies If thou beest not careful for thy self now who will be careful for thee hereafter The time that is now present is very precious now are the days of salvation now is the acceptable time But alas that thou shouldst spend thy time so idlely here where thou mightest purchase to live eternally hereafter The time will come when thou shalt desire one day or hour to amend in and I cannot say that it will be granted thee 6. O beloved from how great danger mightest thou deliver thy self from how great fear free thy self if thou wouldst be always mindful of death Labor now to live so that at the hour of death thou mayest rather rejoyce than fear learn now to die to the world that thou mayest then begin to live with Christ. Learn now to contemn all earthly things that thou mayest freely go to Christ. Chastise thy body now by repentance that thou mayest then have assured confidence 7. Ah fool why dost thou think to live long when thou canst not promise to thy self one day How many have been deceived and suddenly snatcht away How often dost thou hear these reports Such a Man is slain another Man is drowned a third breaks his neck with a fall from some high place this Man died eating and that Man playing One perished by fire another by the sword another of the plague another was slain by Thieves Thus death is the end of all and Mans life suddenly passeth away like a shaddow 8. Who shall remember thee when thou art Dead Do do now my beloved whatsoever thou art able to do for thou knowest not when thou shalt die nor yet what shall befal thee after thy death Now whilst thou hast time heap unto thy self everlasting riches think on nothing but the salvation of thy soul care for nothing but the things of God Make now friends to thy self by honoring the Saints of God and imitating their actions that when thou failest in this short life they may receive thee into everlasting habitations 9. Keep thy self as a stranger and pilgrim upon the earth and as one to whom the affairs of this world do nothing appertain Keep thy heart free and lifted up to God because thou hast here no abiding city Send thither thy daily prayers and sighs together with thy tears that after death thy spirit may with much happiness pass to the Lord. Amen CHAP. XXIV Of Iudgment and the punishment of Sins IN all things have a special aim to thy end and how thou wilt be able to stand before that severe Judg to whom nothing is hid who is not pacified with gifts nor admitteth any excuses but will judg according to right and equity O wretched and foolish sinner who sometimes fearest the countenance of an angry Man what answer wilt thou make to God who knoweth all thy wickedness Why dost thou not provide for thy self against that great day of judgment when no Man can excuse or answer for another but every one shall have enough to answer for himself Now are thy pains profitable thy tears acceptable thy groans audible thy grief pacifieth God and purgeth thy soul. 2. The patient Man hath a great and wholesome purgatory who though he receive injuries yet grieveth more for the malice of another than for his own wrong who prayeth willingly for his adversaries and from his heart forgiveth their offences he delayeth not to ask forgiveness of whomsoever he hath offended he is sooner moved to compassion than to anger he often offereth an holy violence to himself and laboreth to bring the body wholly into subjection to the spirit It is better to purge out our sins and cut off our vices here than to keep them to be punished hereafter Verily we do but deceive our selves through an inordinate love of the flesh 3. What is it that that infernal fire feeds upon but thy sins The more thou sparest thy self now and followest the flesh so much the more hereafter shall
God let him do therein as shall best please him Set thou thy self to suffer tribulations and account them the greatest comforts for that the sufferings of this life are not worthy of the glory which is to come although thou alone couldest suffer them all 11. When thou shalt come to this estate that tribulation shall seem sweet and savory unto thee for Christ then thou mayst think it is well with thee for thou hast found a Paradise upon earth As long as it is grievous to thee to suffer and that thou desirest to fly it so long shalt thou be ill at ease and the tribulation thou flyest will follow thee every where 12. If thou dost set thy self to that thou oughtest to wit to suffer and to die to thy self it will quickly be better with thee and thou shalt find peace Although thou shouldest have been rapt even unto the third Heaven with Paul thou art not for this secured that thou shalt suffer no adversity I saith Jesus will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name It remaineth therefore that thou suffer if thou wilt love Jesus and perpetually serve him 13. O that thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus how great glory would it be unto thee what joy to all the Saints of God how great edification also to thy neighbor For all do commend patience though few desire to suffer With great reason thou oughtest to be willing to suffer a little for Christ since many suffer far greater things for the world 14. Know for certain that thou oughtest to lead a dying life And how much the more every one dyeth to himself so much the more doth he begin to live to God No Man is fit to attain unto Heavenly things unless he submit himself to the bearing of adversities for Christ. Nothing is more grateful unto God nothing more wholesome to thee in this world than to suffer willingly for Christ. And if it were in thy choice thou shouldest rather wish to suffer Adversities for Christ than to enjoy the delight of many comforts because hereby thou shouldest be more like unto Christ and more conformable to all the Saints For our worthiness and the proficiency of our spiritual estate consisteth not in many sweetnesses and comforts but rather in suffering great afflictions and tribulation 15. If there had been any better thing and more profitable to the health of Man than suffering surely Christ would have shewed it by word and example But he plainly exhorteth all the Disciples that followed him and all that desire to follow him to the bearing of the Cross and saith If any will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow me So that when we have read and searched all let this be the last conclusion That by many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God THE THIRD BOOK CHAP. 1. Of the inward Speech of Christ unto a Faithful Soul I Will hear what the Lord God will speak in me Blessed is the soul that heareth the Lord speaking in her and receiveth from his mouth the word of comfort Blessed are those ears that receive the sound of the divine voice and listen not to the whisperings of the world Blessed indeed are those ears that hearken not to the voice which soundeth outwardly but unto the truth which teacheth inwardly Blessed are the eyes that are shut to outward things but open to those things that are internal Blessed are they that enter into the inward things and endeavor to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises to the attaining of Heavenly secrets Blessed be they that delight to converse with God and rid themselves of all worldly impediments 2. Consider these things my soul and shut up the door of thy sensual desires that thou mayest hear what thy Lord God speaketh in thee Thus saith thy beloved I am thy safety thy peace and thy life Keep thy self with me and thou shalt find peace Leave all transitory things and seek those that be everlasting What are all temporal things but deceiving snares And what do all creatures avail thee if thou be forsaken by the Creator Forsake therefore all earthly things and labor to please thy Creator and be Faithful unto him that thou mayest attain unto the true happiness CHAP. II. That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words CHristian Speak Lord for thy servant heareth I am thy servant grant me unsterstanding that I may know thy testimonies Incline my heart to the words of thy mouth Let thy speech distil as the dew upon my soul. The Children of Israel in times past said unto Moses Speak thou unto us and we will hear thee Let not the Lord speak unto us lest we die Not so Lord not so I beseech thee But rather with the Prophet Samuel I humbly and earnestly intreat Speak Lord for thy servant heareth Let not Moses speak unto me nor any of the prophets but do thou rather speak my Lord God the inspirer and enlightner of all the Prophets for thou alone without them canst perfectly instruct me but they without thee can profit nothing 2. They indeed may sound forth words but they cannot give spirit and life they speak marvellous well but if thou be silent they inflame not the heart They may teach the letter but thou openest the sense They bring forth mysteries but thou unlockest the meaning of sealed things They declare thy commandments but thou helpest to fulfil them They shew the way but thou givest strength to walk in it They work only exteriorly but thou instructest and enlightnest the heart They water outwardly but thou givest fruitfulness They make a noise with words but thou givest understanding to the hearing 3. Let not therefore Moses speak unto me but thou my Lord God the everlasting Truth lest I die and prove unfruitful if I be warned outwardly only and not inflamed within lest the word heard and not fulfilled known and not loved believed and not observed turn to my condemnation Speak therefore Lord for thy servant heareth for thou hast the words of everlasting life Speak unto me to the comfort of my soul and to the amendment of my whole life and to thy praise and glory and everlasting honor CHAP. III. That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not CHrist. Son hear my words words of greatest sweetness excelling all the knowledg of the Philosophers and wise Men of this world My words are spirit and life not to be weighed by the understanding of Man They are not to be drawn to vain liking but to be heard with silence and to be received with all humility and great affection Christian. And I said Blessed is the Man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach thy law that thou mayest give him rest from the evil days and that he be not destroyed upon earth 2. Christ. I saith our Lord have taught the
to be profitable then grant unto me that I may use this unto thine honor But if thou knowest it will be hurtful unto me and not profitable to the health of my soul take away this desire from me For every desire proceedeth not from the holy Ghost though it seem unto Man right and good It is hard to judge rightly whether a good Spirit or the contrary drive thee to desire this or that or whether also by thine own spirit thou be moved thereunto Many are deceived in the end who at the first seemed to be led by a good Spirit 2. Always therefore whatsoever occurreth unto thy mind to be desired let it be desired and prayed for in the fear of God and with Humility of heart and above all thou oughtest to commit the whole unto me with resignation of thy self and thou oughtest to say Lord thou knowest what is best let this or that be done as thou pleasest Give what thou wilt and how much thou wilt and when thou wilt Deal with me as thou thinkest good and as best pleaseth thee and is most for thy honor Set me where thou wilt and deal with me in all things according to thy will I am in thy hand turn me and turn me again which way soever thou please Behold I am thy Servant prepared for all things for I desire not to live unto my self but unto thee and O that I could do it worthily and perfectly A Prayer for the fulfilling of the will of God 3. Grant me thy Grace O most gracious Jesus that it may be with me and labor with me and persevere with me until the end Grant me always to desire and will that which is most acceptable unto thee and best pleaseth thee Let thy will be mine and let my will ever follow thine and agree perfectly with it Let my will and nill be all one with thine and let me not will or nill any thing else but what thou willest or nillest 4. Grant that I may die to all things that are in the World and to love to be contemned for thy sake and not to be known in this world Grant that above all things that can be desired I may rest in thee and may quiet my heart in thee Thou art the true peace of the heart thou art the only rest out of thee all things are troublesom and unquiet In this very peace that is in thee the one chiefest eternal Good I will sleep and rest Amen CHAP. XVI That true comfort is to be sought in God alone WHatsoever I can desire or imagine for my comfort I look not for it here but hereafter For if I should alone have all the comforts of the world and might enjoy all the delights thereof it is certain that they could not long endure Wherefore my soul thou canst not be fully comforted nor have perfect delight but in God the comforter of the poor and the helper of the humble Expect a while O my soul expect the divine promise and thou shalt have abundance of all good things in Heaven If thou desire inordinately the things that are present thou shalt lose the celestial and eternal Use temporal things and desire eternal Thou canst not be filled with any temporal goods because thou art not created to enjoy them 2. Although thou shouldest enjoy all created good yet couldst thou not be happy thereby nor blessed but in God that hath created all things thy whole beatitude and happiness consisteth not such as is seen and commended by the foolish lovers of the world but such as the good and faithful Servants of Christ expect and the spiritual and pure in heart whose conversation is in Heaven sometimes have a foretast of Vain and short is all humane comfort Blessed and true is the comfort which is received inwardly from the Truth A Religious Man every where carrieth with him Jesus his comforter and saith unto him Be present with me Lord Jesus in every place and time Let this be my comfort to be willing to want all humane comfort And if thy comfort be wanting let thy will and just proving of me be unto me as the greatest comfort for thou wilt not be angry always neither wilt thou threaten for ever CHAP. XVII That all our care is to be placed in God CHrist. Son suffer me to do with thee what I please I know what is expedient for thee Thou thinkest as Man thou judgest in many things as humane affection perswadeth thee Christian. Lord what thou sayest is true Thy care for me is greater than all the care that I can take for my self For he standeth very totteringly that casteth not his whole care upon thee Lord so that my will may remain right and firm towards thee do with me whatsoever it shall please thee For it cannot be but good whatsoever thou doest with me 2. If it be thy will I should be in darkness be thou blessed and if it be thy will I should be in light be thou again Blessed If thou vouchsafest to comfort me be thou Blessed and if thou wilt afflict me be thou ever equally blessed Christ. Son Thus thou oughtest to be minded if thou wilt walk with me Thou must be as ready to suffer as to rejoyce Thou oughtest to be as willing to be poor and needy as full and rich 3. Christian. Lord I will willingly suffer for thee whatsoever thy pleasure is shall befall me I will receive indifferently from thy hand good and evil sweet and sowre delightful and sorrowful and give thee thanks for all that befalleth me Keep me from all sin and I will neither fear death nor Hell so as thou dost not for ever cast me from thee nor blot me out of the Book of life what tribulation soever befal me shall not hurt me CHAP. XVIII That temporal miseries after the example of Christ must be born patiently CHrist. Son I descended from Heaven for thy Salvation I took upon me thy miseries my own love and not any necessity drawing me thereunto that thou mightest learn patience and not grudgingly bear temporal miseries For from the hour of my birth until my death on the Cross I was not without suffering of grief I suffered great want of temporal things I often heard many complaints against me I bore patiently shame and reproaches for benefits I received ingratitude for miracles blasphemies for Heavenly Doctrine reprehensions 2. Christian. Lord for that thou wert patient in thy life-time chiefly fulfilling herein the commandment of thy Father it is reason that I a miserable sinner should shew my self patient according to thy will and for my souls welfare bear the burden of this corruptible life as long as thou wilt For although this present life be burdensom yet notwithstanding it is now by thy grace made very gainful and by thy example and the footsteps of thy Saints more plain and tolerable to the weak Yea much more comfortable also than it was in times past in the old Law
be specially beloved if thou be in great devotion and sweetness for by these things a true lover of virtue is not known neither doth the profiting and perfection of a Man consist in these things 3. Christian. Wherein then Lord Christ. In offering thy self with all thy heart unto the will of God not seeking thine own interest neither in great nor little neither for a time nor for ever so that thou keepest one and the same countenance with thanksgiving both in prosperity and in adversity weighing all things with an equal balance If thou be of such courage and so patient in hope that when inward comfort is withdrawn from thee thou preparest thy heart to suffer greater things and dost not justify thy self as though thou oughtest not to suffer these and so great afflictions but justifiest me in whatsoever I appoint and praisest my Holy name Then thou walkest in the true and right way of peace And thou shalt have undoubted hope to see my face again with great joy And if thou attain to the full contempt of thy self then shalt thou enjoy as great abundance of peace as this thy state of sojourning in this World is capable of CHAP. XXVI Of the excellency of a free mind which humble Prayer sooner gaineth than Reading CHristian Lord it is the work of a perfect Man never to slack his mind from the attentive thought of heavenly things and as it were to pass without care amongst many cares not like a dull sluggard but by the priviledge of a free mind adhering to no creature with inordinate affection 2. I beseech thee my most gracious God preserve me from the cares of this Life lest I should be too much entangled thereby And for the many necessities of the body lest I should be caught by pleasure And from whatsoever is an obstacle to the Soul lest broken with troubles I should be overthrown I say not from those things that worldly vanity so greatly desireth But from those miseries that as punishments and as the common curse of mortality do weigh down and hinder the Soul of thy Servant that it cannot enter into freedom of Spirit as often as it would 3. O my God the ineffable sweetness embitter unto me all carnal comfort which may draw me away from the love of eternal things and may wickedly allure me to it self by the beholding of some present delightsome good Let me not be overcome O Lord let me not be overcome by flesh and blood Let not the World and the short glory thereof deceive me Let not the Devil and his subtil fraud supplant me Give me strength to resist patience to suffer and constancy to persevere Give me instead of all the comforts of the World the most sweet unction of thy Spirit and in lieu of carnal Love pour into my Soul the Love of thy name 4. Behold Meat Drink Cloaths and other necessaries for the maintenance of the body are burdensome unto a fervent Spirit Grant me to use such refreshments moderately and not to be intangled with an over great desire of them It is not lawful to cast away all things for that nature is to be sustained But to desire superfluities and those things that are rather pleasurable thy holy Law forbiddeth For otherwise the flesh would Rebel against the Spirit Herein I beseech thee let thy hand govern me and teach me that I may not exceed CHAP. XXVII That private Love most hindreth from the chiefest Good CHrist. Son thou oughtest to give all for all and to retain nothing of thy self Know that the Love of thy self doth hurt thee more than any thing in the World According to the Love and affection thou bearest them so doth every thing cleave unto thee more or less If thy love be pure simple and well ordered thou shalt be free from the bondage of things Covet not that which thou mayest not have Be not willing to have that which may hinder thee and deprive thee of inward liberty It is strange that thou committest not thy self wholly unto me from the bottom of thy heart with all things that thou canst desire or have 2. Why dost thou consume thy self with vain grief Why art thou tired with needless cares stand to my good will and thou shalt suffer no detriment at all If thou seekest this or that and wouldest be here or there to enjoy thine own commodity and pleasure thou shalt never be at quiet nor free from trouble of mind for in every thing somewhat will be wanting and in every place there will be some that will cross thee 3. Not every external thing therefore attained and heaped together helpeth thee but it rather availeth if thou despise it and dost utterly root it out from thy heart which thou must not understand only of thy revenues and wealth but of thy seeking after honor also and thy desire of vain praise all which do pass away with this world The place availeth little if the spirit of fervor be wanting neither shall that peace which is sought abroad long continue if the state of thy heart be destitute of a true foundation that is unless thou stand stedfast in me thou mayest change but not better thy self For when occasion doth happen thou shalt find not only those things which thou soughtest to fly but a great deal more A Prayer for purging the heart and obtaining of Heavenly wisdom 4. Christian. Strengthen me O God by the grace of thy holy Spirit Give me to be strengthened in my inward Man and to empty my heart of all unprofitable care and anguish not to be drawn away with the sundry desires of any thing either mean or precious but to look upon all things as passing away and that my self do also pass away together with them for nothing is permanent under the Sun where all things are vanity and vexation of spirit O how wise is he that so considereth them 5. Grant me Lord Heavenly wisdom that I may learn above all things to seek and find thee above all things to relish thee and to love thee and to think of all other things as they are according to the disposal of thy wisdom Grant me prudently to avoid him that flatters me and to suffer patiently him that contradicts me For it is a great part of wisdom not to be moved with every blast of words nor to give ear to an ill flattering Syren for so we shall go on securely in the way which we have begun CHAP. XXVIII Against the Tongues of Slanderers CHrist. Son take it not grievously if some think evil of thee and speak that which thou wouldest not willingly hear Thou oughtest to judg the worst of thy self and to think no Man weaker than thy self If thou dost walk spiritually thou wilt not much esteem of flying words It is no small wisdom to keep silence in an evil time and inwardly to run to me and not to be troubled with the judgment of Men. 2. Let not thy peace be in the
must be present and it must be seasoned with the sweetness of thy wisdom 2. What is not savory unto him to whom thou art pleasing And whom thou delightest not what can be pleasant to him But the wise of this world and they that relish the things of the flesh come short of thy wisdom for in the world is much vanity and in the flesh is death But they that follow thee by the contempt of worldly things and mortification of the flesh are proved to be truly wise For they are changed from vanity to truth from the flesh to the spirit These relish God and what good soever is found in creatures they wholly refer unto the praise of their Maker Notwithstanding great yea very great is the difference between the sweetness of the creator and of the creature of eternity and of time of light uncreated and of light enlightned 3. O thou everlasting light surpassing all created lights dart the beams of thy brightness from above which may pierce all the most inward parts of my heart purifie rejoyce enlighten and enliven my spirit with all the powers thereof that I may cleave unto thee with abundance of joy and triumph O when will that blessed and desired hour come that I may be filled with thy presence and thou mayest be unto me all in all As long as this is not granted me I shall not have full joy Alas the old Man yet liveth in me he is not wholly crucified he is not perfectly dead He doth as yet lust strongly against the spirit and stirreth up inward wars and suffereth not the Kingdom of my soul to be in peace 4. But thou that rulest the power of the Sea and stillest the rising of the Waves thereof arise and help me scatter the People that desire war destroy them in thy might display thy greatness and let thy right hand be glorified for there is no hope nor refuge for me but in thee my Lord God CHAP. XXXV That there is no security from temptation in this life CHrist. Son there is no security in this life as long as thou livest thou shalt always have need of spiritual armor Thou livest among enemies and art assaulted on the right hand and on the left If therefore thou defendest not thy self on every side with the shield of patience thou canst not be long unwounded Moreover if thou fix not thy heart on me with a sincere will to suffer all things for me thou canst not bear the heat of this battel nor obtain the triumphant reward of the Saints in bliss Thou oughtest therefore manfully to go through all and to use a strong hand against whatsoever withstandeth thee For to him that overcometh is manna given but for the negligent there remains much misery 2. If thou seekest rest in this world how wilt thou then attain to everlasting rest Dispose not thy self to much ease but to much patience Seek true peace not in Earth but in Heaven not in Men nor in any other creature but in God alone Thou oughtest for the love of God willingly to undergo all things even labors griefs temptations vexations anxieties necessities infirmities injuries detractions reprehensions humblings shame corrections and contempts these help to virtue these try a Novice of Christ these make the Heavenly Crown I will give an everlasting reward for a short labor and infinite glory for transitory shame 3. Thinkest thou that thou shalt always have spiritual consolations at will My Saints had not so but they had many afflictions and sundry temptations and many discomforts in all which they did bear up themselves patiently and trusted rather in God than in themselves knowing that the sufferings of this time are not condign to the deserving of future glory Wilt thou have that straightways which many after many tears and great labors have hardly obtained Wait upon the Lord do manfully be of good courage do not despair do not fly but with constancy expose both body and soul for the glory of God I will reward thee in most plentiful manner and I will be with thee in all thy tribulations CHAP. XXXVI Against the vain judgments of Men. CHrist. Son cast thy heart constantly upon God and fear not the judgment of Men when thy conscience giveth testimony of thy piety and innocency It is a good and happy thing to suffer in such a way neither will it be burdensome to an humble heart nor to him that trusteth rather in God than in himself The most part of Men are given to talk much and therefore little heed is to be given them neither is it possible to satisfie all Although Paul endeavored to please all in the Lord and made himself all things unto all yet with him it was a very small thing that he should be judged of Mans judgment 2. He did for the edification and salvation of others as much as he could and lay in him yet could he not hinder but that he was sometimes judged and despised by others Therefore he committed all to God who knew all and he defended himself with patience and humility against evil tongues and such as thought vanities and lies and spake what they listed Yet sometimes notwithstanding he answered lest the weak should be offended by his silence 3. Who art thou that fearest a mortal Man To day he is and to morrow he is not seen Fear God and thou shalt not need to fear the terrors of Men. What harm can the words or injuries of any do thee He rather hurteth himself than thee neither can he avoid the judgment of God whosoever he be Have thou God before thine eyes and contend not with complaining words And if for the present thou seemest to be worsted and to suffer shame without desert do not therefore repine neither do thou lessen thy crown by thy impatience but rather lift up thy eyes to me in Heaven who am able to deliver thee from all shame and wrong and to render to every one according to their works CHAP. XXXVII Of a full and pure resignation of our selves for the obtaining freedom of heart CHrist. Son forsake thy self and thou shalt find me Make no self respecting choice of any thing appropriate nothing to thy self and thou shalt ever be a gainer For greater grace shall be given thee when thou dost perfectly resign thy self and not turn back to take thy self again Christian. Lord how often shall I resign my self and wherein shall I forsake my self Christ. Always and every hour as well in little things as in great I do except nothing but do require that thou be naked and void of all things Otherwise how canst thou be mine and I thine unless both within and without thou be free from all self will And how much the sooner thou dost this so much the better it will be with thee and how much the more fully and sincerely thou doest it so much the more shalt thou please me and so much the more shalt thou gain 2.
less to be loved and praised then if thou didst fill me with Heavenly comforts 3. In thee therefore O Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation and anguish for I find all to be weak and unconstant whatsoever I behold out of thee For neither can many friends avail nor strong helpers aid nor wise councellors give any profitable answer nor the Books of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliver nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy self dost not assist help strengthen comfort instruct and keep us 4. For all things that seem to belong to the attainment of peace and felicity without thee are nothing and do bring indeed no felicity at all Thou therefore art the end of all that is good the height of life the depth of wisdom and the strongest comfort of thy servants is to trust in thee above all things To thee therefore do I lift up mine eyes in thee O my God the Father of mercies I put my trust Bless and sanctifie my soul with thy Heavenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the seat of thy eternal glory and that nothing may be found in the Temple of thy glory that may offend the eyes of thy Majesty According to the greatness of thy goodness and multitude of thy mercies look upon me and hear the prayer of thy poor Servant who is far exiled from thee in the land of the shadow of death Protect and keep the soul of thy Servant amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life and by thy grace accompanying me direct it by the way of peace to the country of everlasting light Amen THE FOURTH BOOK A devout Exhortation unto the holy Communion The voice of Christ. COme unto me all ye that labor and are burdened and I will refresh you saith the Lord. The bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world Take ye and eat that is my body that is given for you Do this in remembrance of me He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him 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 the everlasting Truth though not spoken all at one time nor written in one and the self same place Because therefore they are thine and true they are all thankfully and faithfully to be received by me 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 These so gracious words so full of sweetness and love do encourage me but mine own offences do dishearten me and my impure conscience driveth me back from the receiving of so great mysteries The sweetness of thy words doth encourage me but the multitude of my sins doth oppress me 2. 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 obtain everlasting life and glory Come saist thou unto me all ye that labor and are burdened and I wil refresh you O sweet and loving word in the ear of a sinner that thou my Lord God shouldest invite the poor and needy to the participation of thy most holy body But who am I Lord that I may presume to approach unto thee Behold the Heavens cannot contain thee and thou saist Come ye all unto me 3. What meaneth this so gracious a condescension and this so loving invitation How shall I dare to come that know not any good in my self whereupon I may presume How shall I bring thee unto my House that have so often offended thy most gracious countenance The Angels and the Archangels honor thee the Saints and just Men do fear thee and saist thou Come ye all unto me Unless thou O Lord didst say it who would believe it to be true And unless thou didst command it who would attempt to come unto thee Behold Noah a just Man labored a Hundred years in the making of the Ark that he might be saved with a few and how can I in one hours space prepare my self to receive with reverenee the Maker of the world 4. Moses thy great Servant and thy especial friend made an Ark of incorruptible wood which also he covered with most pure Gold to put the Tables of the Law therein and I a corruptible creature how shall I dare so lightly to receive the Maker of the Law and the giver of life Solomon the wisest of the Kings of Israel bestowed Seven years in building a magnificent Temple to the praise of thy Name and celebrated the feast of Dedication thereof Eight days together he offered a Thousand peace-offerings and he solemnly set the Ark in the place prepared for it with the sound of Trumpets and joy and I the most miserable and poorest of Men how shall I bring thee into my House that can scarce spend one half hour religiously And I wish I could once spend about one half hour in a worthy and due manner 5. O my God how much did they endeavor to please thee and alas how little is that which I do How little time do I spend to prepare my self to receive I am seldom wholly recollected very seldom free from all distraction and yet surely no unbecoming thought ought to appear in the comfortable presence of thy Deity nor any creature wholly take me up for I am not to harbor an Angel but the Lord of Angels 6. And yet there is great difference between the Ark of the Covenant with its reliques and thy most pure body with its unspeakable virtues between those legal Sacrifices figures of future things and the true Sacrifice of thy body the complement of all antient Sacrifices Why therefore am I not more zealous in thy venerable presence Wherefore do I not prepare my self with greater care to receive thy holy things sith those holy antient Patriarchs and Prophets yea Kings also and Princes with the whole people have shewed such an affectionateness of devotion to thy divine service 7. The most devout King David danced before the Ark of God with all his might calling to mind the benefits bestowed in times past upon his Forefathers He made instruments of sundry kinds he published Psalms and appointed them to be sung with joy he also oftentimes sung to the harp being inspired with the grace of the holy Ghost He taught the people of Israel to praise God with their whole heart and with pleasant voices every day to bless and praise him If so great devotion was then used and such celebrating of divine praise before the Ark of the Testament what reverence and devotion is now to be performed by me and all Christian people at the Sacrament in receiving the
most precious body of Christ 8. O God the invisible Creator of the world how wonderfully dost thou deal with us how sweetly and graciously dost thou dispose of all things with thine elect to whom thou offerest thy self to be received in the Sacrament O this exceedeth all understanding This chiefly draweth the hearts of the religious and inflameth their affections For thy true faithful Servants that dispose their whole life to amendment by this most precious Sacrament oftentimes gain much of the grace of devotion and love of holiness 9. O the admirable and hidden grace of this Sacrament which only the faithful ones of Christ do know but the unbelieving and such as are slaves unto sin cannot have experience thereof In this Sacrament spiritual grace is given and strength which was lost is restored in the soul and the beauty disfigured by sin returneth again This grace is sometimes so great that out of the fulness of devotion which is here given not only the mind but the weak body also feeleth great increase of strength 10. Our coldness and negligence surely is much to be wailed and pittied that we are not drawn with greater affection to receive Christ in whom all the hope and merit of those that are to be saved doth consist For he is our sanctification and redemption he is the comfort of those who are here but travellers and the everlasting fruition of Saints It is much therefore to be lamented that many do so little consider this comfortable mystery which rejoyceth Heaven and preserveth the whole world O the blindness and hardness of Mans heart that doth not more deeply weigh so unspeakable a gift but rather cometh by the daily use thereof to regard it little or nothing 11. For if this most holy Sacrament should be celebrated in one place only and consecrated by one only Minister in the world with how great desires dost thou think would Men be affected to that place and to such a Minister that they might enjoy the celebration of these divine mysteries But now there are many Ministers and Christ is offered in many places that so the grace and love of God to Man may appear so much the greater how much the more this sacred Communion is spread through the world Thanks be unto thee good Jesus the everlasting shepherd that hast vouchsafed to refresh us who are poor and in a state of banishment with thy precious body and blood and to invite us to the receiving of these mysteries with the words of thy own mouth saying Come unto me all ye that labor and are burdened and I will refresh you CHAP. II. That the great goodness and love of God is exhibited to Man in this Sacrament The voice of the Disciple IN confidence of thy goodness and great mercy O Lord being sick I approach unto my Savior being hungry and thirsty to the Fountain of life needy to the King of Heaven a Servant unto my Lord a creature to my Creator being disconsolate I come to thee my merciful comforter But whence is this to me that thou vouch-safest to come unto me Who am I that thou shouldest give thy self unto me How dare a sinner appear before thee And how is it that thou dost vouchsafe to come unto a sinner Thou knowest thy Servant and seest that he hath no good thing in him for which thou shouldest bestow this favor upon him I confess therefore my unworthiness and I acknowledg thy goodness I praise thy mercy and give thee thanks for this thy transcendent love For thou dost this for thine own sake not for any merits of mine to the end that thy goodness may be better known unto me thy love more abundantly shewed and thy gracious condescension may be the more eminently set forth Since therefore it is thy pleasure and thou hast commanded that it should be so this thy favor is also dearly pleasing to me and I wish that my sins may be no hindrance herein 2. O most sweet and benign Jesus how great reverence and thanks together with perpetual praise is due unto thee for the receiving of thy sacred body whose preciousness no Man is able to express But what shall I think of at this Communion now that I am to approach unto my Lord whom I am not able duly to honor and yet I desire to receive him with devotion What can I think better and more profitable than to humble my self wholly before thee and to exalt thy infinite goodness above me I praise thee my God and will exalt thee for ever and I do despise and submit my self unto thee in a deep sense of my own unworthiness 3. Behold thou art the Holy of Holies and I the skum of sinners Behold thou inclinest unto me who am not worthy so much as to look up unto thee Behold thou comest unto me It is thy will to be with me thou invitest me to thy banquet Thou wilt give me the food of Heaven and bread of Angels to eat which is no other indeed than thy self the living bread that descendest from Heaven and givest life unto the world world 4. Behold from whence doth this love proceed What a gracious condescension of thine appeareth herein How great thanks and praises are due unto thee for these benefits O how good and profitable was thy councel when thou ordainedst it How sweet and pleasant the banquet when thou gavest thy self to be our food How wonderful is this thy doing O Lord how mighty is thy power how unspeakable is thy truth For thou sayest the word and all things were made and this was done which thou commandest 5. A thing of great admiration that thou my Lord God true God and Man shouldest be exhibited unto us by the Elements of Bread and Wine Thou who art the Lord of all things and standest in need of none had pleased to dwell in us by means of this thy Sacrament preserve my heart and body unspotted that with a chearful and pure conscience I may often celebrate thy mysteries and receive them to my everlasting health which thou hast chiefly ordained and instituted for thy honor and for a perpetual memorial 6. Rejoyce O my soul and give thanks unto God for so noble a gift and so singular a comfort left unto thee in this vale of tears For as often as thou callest to mind this mystery and receivest the body of Christ so often dost thou remember the work of thy redemption and art made partaker of all the merits of Christ. For the love of Christ is never diminished and the greatness of his propitiation is never exhausted Therefore thou oughtest always to dispose thy self hereunto by a fresh renewing of thy mind and to weigh with attentive consideration this great mystery of thy salvation So great new and joyful it ought to seem unto thee when thou comest to these holy mysteries as if the same day Christ first descending into the womb of the Virgin were become Man or hanging on the
endeavor to apply my self to devotion and prepare my heart to obtain some small spark of divine fire by humble receiving of this enlivening Sacrament And whatsoever is hereunto wanting in me good Jesus most holy Saviour do thou supply for me most bountifully and graciously who hast vouchsafed to call us unto thee saying Come unto me all ye that labor and are burdened and I will refresh you 5. I indeed labor in the sweat of my brows I am vexed with grief of heart I am burdened with sins I am troubled with temptations I am intangled and oppressed with many evill passions and there is none to help me none to deliver and save me but thou O Lord my Saviour to whom I commit my self and all that is mine that thou mayest keep me and bring me to life everlasting Receive me to the honor and glory of thy Name who hast prepared thy Body and Blood to be my meat and drink Grant Lord God my Saviour that by frequenting thy mysteries the zeal of my devotion may increase CHAP. V. Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Ministerial function The voice of Christ. IF thou hadst Angelical purity and the sanctity of St. Iohn Baptist thou wert not worthy to receive this Sacrament For it is not within the compass of the deserts of Men that Man should consecrate the Sacrament of Christ and receive for food the Bread of Angels A great mystery and great is the dignity of the Ministers of God to whom is given that which is not given to the Angels It is proper for Ministers rightly instituted in the Church to have power to celebrate and consecrate the Body of Christ. The Priest is the Minister of God using the word of God by Gods Commandment and appointment but God is there the principal Author and invisible Worker to whom is subject all that he pleaseth and all that he commandeth doth obey 2. Thou oughtest therefore more to believe God Almighty in this most excellent Sacrament than thine own sense or any visible sign And therefore thou art to come unto this mystery with fear and reverence Consider attentively with thy self and see what that is whereof the Ministery is delivered unto thee by the imposition of the hands of the Bishop Behold thou art made a Priest and consecrated to celebrate see now that in due time thou doest this faithfully and devoutly and carry thy self so as thou mayest be without reproof Thou hast not lightned thy burden but art now bound with a straiter band of discipline and art obliged to a more perfect degree of sanctity A Minister ought to be adorned with all graces and to give example of good life to others His conversation should not be according to the ordinary and common course of Men but like to the Angels in Heaven or to perfect Men on Earth 3. A Minister is the Vicegerent of Christ to pray humbly with a prostrate mind unto God for himself and the whole People Neither ought he to cease from prayer till he obtain grace and mercy When a Minister doth celebrate he honoreth God rejoyceth the Angels edifieth the Church helpeth the living and maketh himself partaker of all good CHAP. VI. An interrogation of the exercise before Communion The voice of the Disciple WHen I weigh thy worthiness O Lord and my unworthiness I tremble and am confounded in my self For if I come not unto thee I fly from life and if I unworthily intrude my self I incur thy displeasure What therefore shall I do my God my helper and my counceller in necessity 2. Teach me the right way appoint me some exercise sutable to this holy Communion For it is good for me to know how I should reverently and religiously prepare my heart for thee for the profitable receiving of thy Sacrament or for the celebrating of so great and divine a Sacrifice CHAP. VII Of the discussing of our own conscience and purpose of amendment The voice of the beloved ABove all things The Minister of God ought to come to celebrate and receive this Sacrament with great humility of heart and lowly reverence with a full faith and a pious intending of the honor of God Examine diligently thy conscience and to thy power purge and cleanse it with true contrition and humble confession so as there may be nothing in thee that may be burdensome unto thee or that may breed in thee remorse of conscience and hinder thy free access Repent thee of all thy sins in general and in particular bewail and lament thy daily offences And if thou hast time confess unto God in the secret of thy heart all the evils of thy disordered passions 2. Lament and grieve that thou art yet so carnal so worldly so unmortified in thy passions so full of the motions of concupiscence so unwatchful over thy outward senses so often intangled with many vain fantasies so vehemently inclined to outward things so negligent in the interior so prone to laughter and immodesty so indisposed to tears and compunction so prompt to ease and pleasures of the flesh so dull to strictness and life of zeal so curious to hear news and see glorious sights so slack to imbrace what is humble and low so covetous of abundance so niggardly in giving so fast in keeping so inconsiderate in speeh so unbridled to silence so loose in manners so importune in action so greedy to meat so deaf to the word of God so hasty to rest so slow to labor so watchful to tales so drowsie to watch in the service of God so hasty to the end thereof so inconstant in attention so cold in Prayer so undevout in celebrating so dry in receiving so quickly distracted so seldom wholly gathered into thy self so suddenly moved to anger so apt to take displeasure against another so prone to judge so severe to reprehend so joyful in prosperity so weak in adversity so often purposing much good and yet performing little 3. These and other thy defects being confessed and bewailed with sorrow and great dislike of thine own infirmity make a firm purpose always to amend thy life and to endeavor still after a farther progress in holiness Then with full resignation and with thy whole will do thou to the honor of my Name offer up thy self a perpetual sacrifice on the Altar of thy heart faithfully committing thy body and soul unto me that so thou mayest come worthily to celebrate this Eucharistical sacrifice and to receive profitably the Sacrament of my body 4. For Man hath no oblation more worthy nor greater for the destroying of sin than to offer up himself unto God purely and wholly in the holy Communion And when a Man shall have done what lieth in him and shall be truly penitent and shall come to me for pardon and grace as I live saith the Lord who will not the death of a sinner but rather that he be converted and live I will not remember his sins any more but they shall be all
the holy of Holies Thanks be unto thee Lord Jesus the light of everlasting light for the table of holy Doctrine which thou hast afforded us by thy Servants the Prophets and Apostles and other Teachers 5. Thanks be unto thee Creator and Redeemer of Man who to manifest thy love to the whole world hast prepared a great supper wherein thou hast set before us to be eaten not the typical Lamb but thine own most sacred Body and Blood rejoycing all the faithful with thy holy banquet and replenishing them to the full with thy Cup of salvation in which are all the delights of Paradise and the holy Angels do feast with us but yet with a more happy sweetness 6. O how great and honorable is the office of Gods Ministers to whom it is given with sacred words to consecrate the Sacrament of the Lord of glory with their lips to bless with their hands to hold with their mouth to receive and also to administer to others O how clean ought to be those hands how pure that mouth how holy that body how unspotted that heart where the Author of purity so often entreth Nothing but what is holy no word but good and profitable ought to proceed from his mouth which so often receiveth the Sacrament of Christ. 7. Simple and chaste ought to be the eyes that use to behold the body of Christ the hands pure and lifted up to Heaven that use to receive the Creator of Heaven and Earth Unto the Priests especially it is said in the Law be ye holy for that I your Lord God am holy 8. Assist us Almighty God with thy grace that we who have undertaken the office of Priest-hood may serve thee worthily and devoutly in all purity and with a good conscience And if we live not in so great innocency as we ought to do grant us notwithstanding in due manner to bewail the sins which we have committed and in the spirit of humility and with the full purpose of a good will to serve thee hereafter more fervently CHAP. XII That he who is to communicate ought to prepare himself with great diligence The voice of the beloued I Am the lover of purity and the giver of all sanctity I seek a pure heart and there is the place of my rest Make ready and adorn for me the great Chamber and I will keep with thee the Passover amongst my Disciples If thou wilt have me come unto thee and remain with thee purge out the old leaven and make clean the habitation of thy heart shut out the whole world and all the throng of sins sit like a sparrow solitary upon the house-top and think of thy offences in the bitterness of thy soul. For every lover prepareth the best and fairest room for his beloved and herein is known the affection of him that entertaineth his beloved 2. Know thou notwithstanding that the merit of no action of thine is able to make this preparation sufficient although thou shouldest prepare thy self a whole year together and think on nothing else Thou art of my mere grace and favor suffered to come to my Table like a beggar invited to dinner to a rich Man who hath nothing else to return him for his benefits but to humble himself and give him thanks Do what lieth in thee and do it diligently not for custome not for necessity but with fear and reverence and affection receive the body of thy beloved Lord God who vouchsafeth to come unto thee I am he that have called thee I have commanded it to be done I will supply what is wanting in thee come and receive me 3. When I bestow the grace of devotion give thanks to thy God for it is given thee not for that thou art worthy but because I have mercy on thee If thou have it not but rather dost feel thy self dry continue in Prayer sigh and knock and give not over until thou art meet to receive some crum or drop of saving grace Thou hast need of me not I of thee neither comest thou to sanctifie me but I come to sanctifie and make thee better Thou comest that thou maist be sanctified by me and united unto me that thou maist receive new grace and be stirred up again to amendment Neglect not this grace but prepare thy heart with all diligence and receive thy beloved into thy soul. 4. But thou oughtest not only to prepare thy self to devotion before Communion but carefully also to conserve thy self therein after thou hast received the Sacrament Neither is the careful guard of thy self afterwards less required than devout preparation before For a good guard afterwards is the best preparation again for the obtaining of greater grace because that a Man becometh therefore very indisposed if he presently pour himself out overmuch to outward comforts Beware of much talk remain in some secret place and enjoy thy God For thou hast him whom all the world cannot take from thee I am he to whom thou oughtest wholly to give thy self thatso thou maist live hereafter not in thy self but in me without all solicitude CHAP. XIII That a devout soul ought to desire with her whole heart to be united unto Christ in the Sacrament The voice of the Disciple HOw may I obtain this O Lord that I may find thee alone and open my whole heart unto thee and enjoy thee as my soul desireth And that no Man may look towards me nor any creature move me or eye me but thou alone maist speak unto me and I to thee as the beloved is wont to speak to his beloved and a friend to banquet with his friend This I pray for this I desire that I may be wholly united unto thee and may withdraw my heart from all created things and more and more by sacred Communion and often celebrating learn to relish Heavenly and eternal things O Lord God when shall I be wholly united to thee and absorpt by thee and be altogether forgetful of my self Thou in me and I in thee and so grant us both to continue in one 2. Thou art truly my beloved the choicest amongst Thousands in whom my soul is well pleased to dwell all the days of her life Thou art indeed my peacemaker in whom is greatest peace and true rest without whom is labor and sorrow and infinite misery Thou art indeed a God that hidest thy self and thy counsel is not with the wicked but thy speech is with the humble and simple of heart O Lord how sweet is thy spirit who to the end thou mightest shew thy sweetness toward thy Children vouchsafest to feed them with the bread which descendeth from Heaven and is full of all sweetness Surely there is no other Nation so great that hath God nigh unto them as thou our God art present to all thy faithful ones unto whom for their daily comfort and for the raising up of their hearts to Heaven thou givest thy self to be eaten and enjoyed 3. For what other Nation is
THE CHRISTIANS PATTERN or The Imitation of CHRIST Printed by J R. for Iohn Williams at y e Crowne in St Paules Church yard 1677 THE Christians Pattern OR A DIVINE TREATISE OF THE Imitation of Christ. Written Originally in Latin by THOMAS of KEMPIS above 200. Years since Faithfully Englished And Printed in a large Character for the benefit of the Aged LONDON Printed for Richard Wellington at the Sign of the Lute in St. Pauls Church-Yard 1695. The Contents of the Chapters The First Book CHAP. I. OF the Imitation of Christ and contempt of all worldly vanities Pag. 1 Of the humble conceit of our selves 3 Of the doctrine of Truth 6 Of wisdom and providence in our actions 10 Of the reading of holy Scriptures 11 Of inordinate affections 12 Of flying vain hope and pride 13 That too much familiarity is to be shunned 15 Of obedience and subjection 16 Of avoiding superfluity in words 17 Of the obtaining of peace and zealous desire of profiting in grace 19 Of the profit of adversity 22 Of resisting temptations 23 Of avoiding rash judgment 27 Of works done of Charity 29 Of bearing with the defects of others 30 Of a retired life 32 Of the examples of the holy Fathers 34 Of the exercise of a good and religious person 37 Of the love of solitude and silence 41 Of compunction of heart 46 Of the consideration of humane misery 49 Of the meditation of death 54 Of judgement and the punishment of Sins 58 Of the zealous amendment of our whole life 63 The Second Book CHAP. I OF the inward life 70 Of humble submission 75 Of a good and peaceable Man 76 Of a pure mind and upright intention 78 Of the consideration of ones self 80 Of the joy of a good conscience 82 Of the love of Iesus above all things 84 Of familiar conversation with Iesus 86 Of the want of all comfort 89 Of thankfulness for the grace of God 93 How few the lovers of the Cross os Christ are 97 Of the high way of the holy Cross. 99 The Third Book CHAP. I. OF the inward speech of Christ unto a faithful soul. 108 That truth speaketh inwardly without noise of words 110 That the words of God are to be heard with humility and that many weigh them not 112 That we ought to live iu truth and humility before God 116 Of the wonderful effect of divine love 119 Of the proof of a true Lover 123 That grace is to be hid under the veil of humility 126 Of a mean conceit of our selves in the sight of God 130 That all things are to be referred unto God as unto the last end 132 That the world being despised it is a sweet thing to serve God 133 That the desires of our heart are to be examined and moderated 137 Of Patience and of striving against concupiscence 139 Of the humble obedience of a subject according to the example of Christ. 142 Of the secret judgment of God to be considered lest we be exalted in our good deeds 144 How we are to stand affected and what we are to say in every thing which we desire 146 That true comfort is to be sought in God alone 149 That all our care is to be placed in God 150 That temporal miseries after the example of Christ must be born patiently 152 Of suffering of injuries and who is proved to be truly patient 154 Of the acknowledging of our own infirmities and of the miseries of this life 157 That we are to rest in God above all his gifts and benefits 160 Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God 164 Of four things that bring much peace 167 Of flying curious inquiry of the life of others 170 Wherein the firm peace of the heart and true spiritual profiting consisteth 172 Of the excellency of a free mind which humble Prayer sooner gaineth than Reading 174 That private love most hindreth from the chiefest Good 176 Against the tongues of slanderers 179 How we ought to call upon God and bless him when tribulation draweth near 180 Of craving the divine aid and confidence of recovering grace 182 Of the contempt of all creatures to find out the Creator 186 Of denial of our selves and forsaking all inordinate desires 189 Of inconstancy of heart and of directing our final intentions unto God 191 That God is sweet above all things and in all things to him that loveth 193 That there is no security from temptation in this life 195 Against the vain judgments of Men. 197 Of a full and pure resignation of our selves for the obtaining freedom of heart 199 Of good government in outward things and of recourse to God in dangers 202 That a Man be not over earnest in his affairs 204 That a Man hath no good of himself nor any thing whereof he can glory 205 Of the contempt of all temporal honors 208 That our peace is not to be placed in Men. 209 Against vain and secular knowledg 211 Of not drawing outward things to our selves 213 That credit is not to be given to all Men and how prone Man is to offend in words 214 Of putting our trust in God when evil words arise 218 That all grievous things are to be endured for life everlasting 221 Of the everlasting day and shortness of this life 224 Of the desire of everlasting life and how great rewards are promised to those that sight valiantly 228 How a disconsolate person ought to offer himself into the Hands of God 233 That a Man ought to imploy himself in works of Humility when strength is wanting for higher imployments 238 That a Man ought to esteem himself not worthy of comfort but rather to deserve stripes 239 That the grace of God doth not joyn it self with those that savor of Earthly things 242 Of the different motions of Nature and Grace 244 Of the corruption of Nature and efficacy of divine Grace 250 That we ought to deny our selves and imitate Christ by the Cross. 254 That a Man be not too much dejected when he falleth into some defects 257 Of not searching into high matters and into the secret judgments of God 259 That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone 265 The Fourth Book CHAP I. WIth how great reverence Christ ought to be received 270 That the great goodness and love of God is exhibited to Man in this Sacrament 277 That it is profitable to communicate often 281 That many benefits are bestowed upon them that communicate devoutly 284 Of the dignity of this Sacrament and Ministerial function 288 An interrogation of the exercise before Communion 290 Of the discussing of our own conscience and purpose of amendment 291 Of the oblation of Christ on the Cross and resignation of our selves 294 That we ought to offer up our selves and all that is ours unto God and to pray for all 296 That the holy communion is not lightly to be forborn 299 That the body of Christ and the holy Scriptures