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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1653-0.txt b/1653-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fba98fe --- /dev/null +++ b/1653-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7262 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: The Imitation of Christ + +Author: Thomas à Kempis + +Translator: William Benham + +Release Date: February, 1999 [eBook #1653] +[Most recently updated: May 5, 2023] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IMITATION OF CHRIST *** + + + + +The Imitation of Christ + +by Thomas à Kempis + +Translated by Rev. William Benham + + +Contents + + INTRODUCTORY NOTE + THE IMITATION OF CHRIST + + THE FIRST BOOK ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE + CHAPTER I Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities + CHAPTER II Of thinking humbly of oneself + CHAPTER III Of the knowledge of truth + CHAPTER IV Of prudence in action + CHAPTER V Of the reading of Holy Scriptures + CHAPTER VI Of inordinate affections + CHAPTER VII Of fleeing from vain hope and pride + CHAPTER VIII Of the danger of too much familiarity + CHAPTER IX Of Obedience and Subjection + CHAPTER X Of the danger of superfluity of words + CHAPTER XI Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress + CHAPTER XII Of the uses of adversity + CHAPTER XIII Of resisting temptation + CHAPTER XIV On avoiding rash judgment + CHAPTER XV Of works of charity + CHAPTER XVI Of bearing with the faults of others + CHAPTER XVII Of a Religious life + CHAPTER XVIII Of the example of the holy fathers + CHAPTER XIX Of the exercises of a religious man + CHAPTER XX Of the love of solitude and silence + CHAPTER XXI Of compunction of heart + CHAPTER XXII On the contemplation of human misery + CHAPTER XXIII Of meditation upon death + CHAPTER XXIV Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked + CHAPTER XXV Of the zealous amendment of our whole life + + THE SECOND BOOK ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE + CHAPTER I Of the inward life + CHAPTER II Of lowly submission + CHAPTER III Of the good, peaceable man + CHAPTER IV Of a pure mind and simple intention + CHAPTER V Of self-esteem + CHAPTER VI Of the joy of a good conscience + CHAPTER VII Of loving Jesus above all things + CHAPTER VIII Of the intimate love of Jesus + CHAPTER IX Of the lack of all comfort + CHAPTER X Of gratitude for the Grace of God + CHAPTER XI Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus + CHAPTER XII Of the royal way of the Holy Cross + + THE THIRD BOOK ON INWARD CONSOLATION + CHAPTER I Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul + CHAPTER II What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words + CHAPTER III How all the words of God are to be heard with humility, and how many consider them not + CHAPTER IV How we must walk in truth and humility before God + CHAPTER V Of the wonderful power of the Divine Love + CHAPTER VI Of the proving of the true lover + CHAPTER VII Of hiding our grace under the guard of humility + CHAPTER VIII Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God + CHAPTER IX That all things are to be referred to God, as the final end + CHAPTER X That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God + CHAPTER XI That the desires of the heart are to be examined and governed + CHAPTER XII Of the inward growth of patience, and of the struggle against evil desires + CHAPTER XIII Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus Christ + CHAPTER XIV Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God, that we may not be lifted up because of our well-doing + CHAPTER XV How we must stand and speak, in everything that we desire + CHAPTER XVI That true solace is to be sought in God alone + CHAPTER XVII That all care is to be cast upon God + CHAPTER XVIII That temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of Christ + CHAPTER XIX Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient + CHAPTER XX Of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life + CHAPTER XXI That we must rest in God above all goods and gifts + CHAPTER XXII Of the recollection of God’s manifold benefits + CHAPTER XXIII Of four things which bring great peace + CHAPTER XXIV Of avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another + CHAPTER XXV Wherein firm peace of heart and true profit consist + CHAPTER XXVI Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which humble prayer more deserveth than doth frequent reading + CHAPTER XXVII That personal love greatly hindereth from the highest good + CHAPTER XXVIII Against the tongues of detractors + CHAPTER XXIX How when tribulation cometh we must call upon and bless God + CHAPTER XXX Of seeking divine help, and the confidence of obtaining grace + CHAPTER XXXI Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found + CHAPTER XXXII Of self-denial and the casting away all selfishness + CHAPTER XXXIII Of instability of the heart, and of directing the aim towards God + CHAPTER XXXIV That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things + CHAPTER XXXV That there is no security against temptation in this life + CHAPTER XXXVI Against vain judgments of men + CHAPTER XXXVII Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of heart + CHAPTER XXXVIII Of a good government in external things, and of having recourse to God in dangers + CHAPTER XXXIX That man must not be immersed in business + CHAPTER XL That man hath no good in himself, and nothing whereof to glory + CHAPTER XLI Of contempt of all temporal honour + CHAPTER XLII That our peace is not to be placed in men + CHAPTER XLIII Against vain and worldly knowledge + CHAPTER XLIV Of not troubling ourselves about outward things + CHAPTER XLV That we must not believe everyone, and that we are prone to fall in our words + CHAPTER XLVI Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us + CHAPTER XLVII That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life + CHAPTER XLVIII Of the day of eternity and of the straitnesses of this life + CHAPTER XLIX Of the desire after eternal life, and how great blessings are promised to those who strive + CHAPTER L How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God + CHAPTER LI That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty + CHAPTER LII That a man ought not to reckon himself worthy of consolation, but more worthy of chastisement + CHAPTER LIII That the Grace of God doth not join itself to those who mind earthly things + CHAPTER LIV Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace + CHAPTER LV Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace + CHAPTER LVI That we ought to deny ourselves, and to imitate Christ by means of the Cross + CHAPTER LVII That a man must not be too much cast down when he falleth into some faults + CHAPTER LVIII Of deeper matters, and God’s hidden judgments which are not to be inquired into + CHAPTER LIX That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone + + THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR + CHAPTER I With how great reverence Christ must be received + CHAPTER II That the greatness and charity of God is shown to men in the Sacrament + CHAPTER III That it is profitable to Communicate often + CHAPTER IV That many good gifts are bestowed upon those who Communicate devoutly + CHAPTER V Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest + CHAPTER VI An inquiry concerning preparation for Communion + CHAPTER VII Of the examination of conscience, and purpose of amendment + CHAPTER VIII Of the oblation of Christ upon the cross, and of resignation of self + CHAPTER IX That we ought to offer ourselves and all that is ours to God, and to pray for all + CHAPTER X That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted + CHAPTER XI That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are most necessary to a faithful soul + CHAPTER XII That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence + CHAPTER XIII That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after union with Christ in the Sacrament + CHAPTER XIV Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and Blood of Christ + CHAPTER XV That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self-denial + CHAPTER XVI That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ and to require His Grace + CHAPTER XVII Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving Christ + CHAPTER XVIII That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + + +The treatise “Of the Imitation of Christ” appears to have been +originally written in Latin early in the fifteenth century. Its exact +date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. Manuscripts of +the Latin version survive in considerable numbers all over Western +Europe, and they, with the vast list of translations and of printed +editions, testify to its almost unparalleled popularity. One scribe +attributes it to St. Bernard of Clairvaux; but the fact that it +contains a quotation from St. Francis of Assisi, who was born thirty +years after the death of St. Bernard, disposes of this theory. In +England there exist many manuscripts of the first three books, called +“Musica Ecclesiastica,” frequently ascribed to the English mystic +Walter Hilton. But Hilton seems to have died in 1395, and there is no +evidence of the existence of the work before 1400. Many manuscripts +scattered throughout Europe ascribe the book to Jean le Charlier de +Gerson, the great Chancellor of the University of Paris, who was a +leading figure in the Church in the earlier part of the fifteenth +century. The most probable author, however, especially when the +internal evidence is considered, is Thomas Haemmerlein, known also as +Thomas à Kempis, from his native town of Kempen, near the Rhine, about +forty miles north of Cologne. Haemmerlein, who was born in 1379 or +1380, was a member of the order of the Brothers of Common Life, and +spent the last seventy years of his life at Mount St. Agnes, a +monastery of Augustinian canons in the diocese of Utrecht. Here he died +on July 26, 1471, after an uneventful life spent in copying +manuscripts, reading, and composing, and in the peaceful routine of +monastic piety. + +With the exception of the Bible, no Christian writing has had so wide a +vogue or so sustained a popularity as this. And yet, in one sense, it +is hardly an original work at all. Its structure it owes largely to the +writings of the medieval mystics, and its ideas and phrases are a +mosaic from the Bible and the Fathers of the early Church. But these +elements are interwoven with such delicate skill and a religious +feeling at once so ardent and so sound, that it promises to remain, +what it has been for five hundred years, the supreme call and guide to +spiritual aspiration. + + + + +THE IMITATION OF CHRIST + + + + +THE FIRST BOOK +ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its +vanities + + +_He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness_,(1) saith the Lord. +These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must +imitate His life and character, if we seek true illumination, and +deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest +study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ. + +2. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have +His Spirit find therein the hidden manna.(2) But there are many who, +though they frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel but little longing +after it, because they have not the mind of Christ. He, therefore, that +will fully and with true wisdom understand the words of Christ, let him +strive to conform his whole life to that mind of Christ. + +3. What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning +the Holy Trinity, if thou lack humility, and be thus displeasing to the +Trinity? For verily it is not deep words that make a man holy and +upright; it is a good life which maketh a man dear to God. I had rather +feel contrition than be skilful in the definition thereof. If thou +knewest the whole Bible, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what +should all this profit thee without the love and grace of God? Vanity +of vanities, all is vanity, save to love God, and Him only to serve. +That is the highest wisdom, to cast the world behind us, and to reach +forward to the heavenly kingdom. + +4. It is vanity then to seek after, and to trust in, the riches that +shall perish. It is vanity, too, to covet honours, and to lift up +ourselves on high. It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh and +be led by them, for this shall bring misery at the last. It is vanity +to desire a long life, and to have little care for a good life. It is +vanity to take thought only for the life which now is, and not to look +forward to the things which shall be hereafter. It is vanity to love +that which quickly passeth away, and not to hasten where eternal joy +abideth. + +5. Be ofttimes mindful of the saying,(3) The eye is not satisfied with +seeing, nor the ear with hearing. Strive, therefore, to turn away thy +heart from the love of the things that are seen, and to set it upon the +things that are not seen. For they who follow after their own fleshly +lusts, defile the conscience, and destroy the grace of God. + +(1) John viii. 12. (2) Revelations ii. 17. (3) Ecclesiastes i. 8. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +Of thinking humbly of oneself + + +There is naturally in every man a desire to know, but what profiteth +knowledge without the fear of God? Better of a surety is a lowly +peasant who serveth God, than a proud philosopher who watcheth the +stars and neglecteth the knowledge of himself. He who knoweth himself +well is vile in his own sight; neither regardeth he the praises of men. +If I knew all the things that are in the world, and were not in +charity, what should it help me before God, who is to judge me +according to my deeds? + +2. Rest from inordinate desire of knowledge, for therein is found much +distraction and deceit. Those who have knowledge desire to appear +learned, and to be called wise. Many things there are to know which +profiteth little or nothing to the soul. And foolish out of measure is +he who attendeth upon other things rather than those which serve to his +soul’s health. Many words satisfy not the soul, but a good life +refresheth the mind, and a pure conscience giveth great confidence +towards God. + +3. The greater and more complete thy knowledge, the more severely shalt +thou be judged, unless thou hast lived holily. Therefore be not lifted +up by any skill or knowledge that thou hast; but rather fear concerning +the knowledge which is given to thee. If it seemeth to thee that thou +knowest many things, and understandest them well, know also that there +are many more things which thou knowest not. Be not high-minded, but +rather confess thine ignorance. Why desirest thou to lift thyself above +another, when there are found many more learned and more skilled in the +Scripture than thou? If thou wilt know and learn anything with profit, +love to be thyself unknown and to be counted for nothing. + +4. That is the highest and most profitable lesson, when a man truly +knoweth and judgeth lowly of himself. To account nothing of one’s self, +and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and +perfect wisdom. Even shouldest thou see thy neighbor sin openly or +grievously, yet thou oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he, for +thou knowest not how long thou shalt keep thine integrity. All of us +are weak and frail; hold thou no man more frail than thyself. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +Of the knowledge of truth + + +Happy is the man whom Truth by itself doth teach, not by figures and +transient words, but as it is in itself.(1) Our own judgment and +feelings often deceive us, and we discern but little of the truth. What +doth it profit to argue about hidden and dark things, concerning which +we shall not be even reproved in the judgment, because we knew them +not? Oh, grievous folly, to neglect the things which are profitable and +necessary, and to give our minds to things which are curious and +hurtful! Having eyes, we see not. + +2. And what have we to do with talk about genus and species! He to whom +the Eternal Word speaketh is free from multiplied questionings. From +this One Word are all things, and all things speak of Him; and this is +the Beginning which also speaketh unto us.(2) No man without Him +understandeth or rightly judgeth. The man to whom all things are one, +who bringeth all things to one, who seeth all things in one, he is able +to remain steadfast of spirit, and at rest in God. O God, who art the +Truth, make me one with Thee in everlasting love. It wearieth me +oftentimes to read and listen to many things; in Thee is all that I +wish for and desire. Let all the doctors hold their peace; let all +creation keep silence before Thee: speak Thou alone to me. + +3. The more a man hath unity and simplicity in himself, the more things +and the deeper things he understandeth; and that without labour, +because he receiveth the light of understanding from above. The spirit +which is pure, sincere, and steadfast, is not distracted though it hath +many works to do, because it doth all things to the honour of God, and +striveth to be free from all thoughts of self-seeking. Who is so full +of hindrance and annoyance to thee as thine own undisciplined heart? A +man who is good and devout arrangeth beforehand within his own heart +the works which he hath to do abroad; and so is not drawn away by the +desires of his evil will, but subjecteth everything to the judgment of +right reason. Who hath a harder battle to fight than he who striveth +for self-mastery? And this should be our endeavour, even to master +self, and thus daily to grow stronger than self, and go on unto +perfection. + +4. All perfection hath some imperfection joined to it in this life, and +all our power of sight is not without some darkness. A lowly knowledge +of thyself is a surer way to God than the deep searching of man’s +learning. Not that learning is to be blamed, nor the taking account of +anything that is good; but a good conscience and a holy life is better +than all. And because many seek knowledge rather than good living, +therefore they go astray, and bear little or no fruit. + +5. O if they would give that diligence to the rooting out of vice and +the planting of virtue which they give unto vain questionings: there +had not been so many evil doings and stumbling-blocks among the laity, +nor such ill living among houses of religion. Of a surety, at the Day +of Judgment it will be demanded of us, not what we have read, but what +we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how holily we have +lived. Tell me, where now are all those masters and teachers, whom thou +knewest well, whilst they were yet with you, and flourished in +learning? Their stalls are now filled by others, who perhaps never have +one thought concerning them. Whilst they lived they seemed to be +somewhat, but now no one speaks of them. + +6. Oh how quickly passeth the glory of the world away! Would that their +life and knowledge had agreed together! For then would they have read +and inquired unto good purpose. How many perish through empty learning +in this world, who care little for serving God. And because they love +to be great more than to be humble, therefore they “have become vain in +their imaginations.” He only is truly great, who hath great charity. He +is truly great who deemeth himself small, and counteth all height of +honour as nothing. He is the truly wise man, who counteth all earthly +things as dung that he may win Christ. And he is the truly learned man, +who doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will. + +(1) Psalm xciv. 12; Numbers xii. 8. (2) John viii. 25 (Vulg.). + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +Of prudence in action + + +We must not trust every word of others or feeling within ourselves, but +cautiously and patiently try the matter, whether it be of God. +Unhappily we are so weak that we find it easier to believe and speak +evil of others, rather than good. But they that are perfect, do not +give ready heed to every news-bearer, for they know man’s weakness that +it is prone to evil and unstable in words. + +2. This is great wisdom, not to be hasty in action, or stubborn in our +own opinions. A part of this wisdom also is not to believe every word +we hear, nor to tell others all that we hear, even though we believe +it. Take counsel with a man who is wise and of a good conscience; and +seek to be instructed by one better than thyself, rather than to follow +thine own inventions. A good life maketh a man wise toward God, and +giveth him experience in many things. The more humble a man is in +himself, and the more obedient towards God, the wiser will he be in all +things, and the more shall his soul be at peace. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +Of the reading of Holy Scriptures + + +It is Truth which we must look for in Holy Writ, not cunning of words. +All Scripture ought to be read in the spirit in which it was written. +We must rather seek for what is profitable in Scripture, than for what +ministereth to subtlety in discourse. Therefore we ought to read books +which are devotional and simple, as well as those which are deep and +difficult. And let not the weight of the writer be a stumbling-block to +thee, whether he be of little or much learning, but let the love of the +pure Truth draw thee to read. Ask not, who hath said this or that, but +look to what he says. + +2. Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Without +respect of persons God speaketh to us in divers manners. Our own +curiosity often hindereth us in the reading of holy writings, when we +seek to understand and discuss, where we should pass simply on. If thou +wouldst profit by thy reading, read humbly, simply, honestly, and not +desiring to win a character for learning. Ask freely, and hear in +silence the words of holy men; nor be displeased at the hard sayings of +older men than thou, for they are not uttered without cause. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +Of inordinate affections + + +Whensoever a man desireth aught above measure, immediately he becometh +restless. The proud and the avaricious man are never at rest; while the +poor and lowly of heart abide in the multitude of peace. The man who is +not yet wholly dead to self, is soon tempted, and is overcome in small +and trifling matters. It is hard for him who is weak in spirit, and +still in part carnal and inclined to the pleasures of sense, to +withdraw himself altogether from earthly desires. And therefore, when +he withdraweth himself from these, he is often sad, and easily angered +too if any oppose his will. + +2. But if, on the other hand, he yield to his inclination, immediately +he is weighed down by the condemnation of his conscience; for that he +hath followed his own desire, and yet in no way attained the peace +which he hoped for. For true peace of heart is to be found in resisting +passion, not in yielding to it. And therefore there is no peace in the +heart of a man who is carnal, nor in him who is given up to the things +that are without him, but only in him who is fervent towards God and +living the life of the Spirit. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +Of fleeing from vain hope and pride + + +Vain is the life of that man who putteth his trust in men or in any +created Thing. Be not ashamed to be the servant of others for the love +of Jesus Christ, and to be reckoned poor in this life. Rest not upon +thyself, but build thy hope in God. Do what lieth in thy power, and God +will help thy good intent. Trust not in thy learning, nor in the +cleverness of any that lives, but rather trust in the favour of God, +who resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble. + +2. Boast not thyself in thy riches if thou hast them, nor in thy +friends if they be powerful, but in God, who giveth all things, and in +addition to all things desireth to give even Himself. Be not lifted up +because of thy strength or beauty of body, for with only a slight +sickness it will fail and wither away. Be not vain of thy skilfulness +or ability, lest thou displease God, from whom cometh every good gift +which we have. + +3. Count not thyself better than others, lest perchance thou appear +worse in the sight of God, who knoweth what is in man. Be not proud of +thy good works, for God’s judgments are of another sort than the +judgments of man, and what pleaseth man is ofttimes displeasing to Him. +If thou hast any good, believe that others have more, and so thou +mayest preserve thy humility. It is no harm to thee if thou place +thyself below all others; but it is great harm if thou place thyself +above even one. Peace is ever with the humble man, but in the heart of +the proud there is envy and continual wrath. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Of the danger of too much familiarity + + +Open not thine heart to every man, but deal with one who is wise and +feareth God. Be seldom with the young and with strangers. Be not a +flatterer of the rich; nor willingly seek the society of the great. Let +thy company be the humble and the simple, the devout and the gentle, +and let thy discourse be concerning things which edify. Be not familiar +with any woman, but commend all good women alike unto God. Choose for +thy companions God and His Angels only, and flee from the notice of +men. + +2. We must love all men, but not make close companions of all. It +sometimes falleth out that one who is unknown to us is highly regarded +through good report of him, whose actual person is nevertheless +unpleasing to those who behold it. We sometimes think to please others +by our intimacy, and forthwith displease them the more by the +faultiness of character which they perceive in us. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Of Obedience and Subjection + + +It is verily a great thing to live in obedience, to be under authority, +and not to be at our own disposal. Far safer is it to live in +subjection than in a place of authority. Many are in obedience from +necessity rather than from love; these take it amiss, and repine for +small cause. Nor will they gain freedom of spirit, unless with all +their heart they submit themselves for the love of God. Though thou run +hither and thither, thou wilt not find peace, save in humble subjection +to the authority of him who is set over thee. Fancies about places and +change of them have deceived many. + +2. True it is that every man willingly followeth his own bent, and is +the more inclined to those who agree with him. But if Christ is amongst +us, then it is necessary that we sometimes yield up our own opinion for +the sake of peace. Who is so wise as to have perfect knowledge of all +things? Therefore trust not too much to thine own opinion, but be ready +also to hear the opinions of others. Though thine own opinion be good, +yet if for the love of God thou foregoest it, and followest that of +another, thou shalt the more profit thereby. + +3. Ofttimes I have heard that it is safer to hearken and to receive +counsel than to give it. It may also come to pass that each opinion may +be good; but to refuse to hearken to others when reason or occasion +requireth it, is a mark of pride or wilfulness. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +Of the danger of superfluity of words + + +Avoid as far as thou canst the tumult of men; for talk concerning +worldly things, though it be innocently undertaken, is a hindrance, so +quickly are we led captive and defiled by vanity. Many a time I wish +that I had held my peace, and had not gone amongst men. But why do we +talk and gossip so continually, seeing that we so rarely resume our +silence without some hurt done to our conscience? We like talking so +much because we hope by our conversations to gain some mutual comfort, +and because we seek to refresh our wearied spirits by variety of +thoughts. And we very willingly talk and think of those things which we +love or desire, or else of those which we most dislike. + +2. But alas! it is often to no purpose and in vain. For this outward +consolation is no small hindrance to the inner comfort which cometh +from God. Therefore must we watch and pray that time pass not idly +away. If it be right and desirable for thee to speak, speak things +which are to edification. Evil custom and neglect of our real profit +tend much to make us heedless of watching over our lips. Nevertheless, +devout conversation on spiritual things helpeth not a little to +spiritual progress, most of all where those of kindred mind and spirit +find their ground of fellowship in God. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress + + +We may enjoy abundance of peace if we refrain from busying ourselves +with the sayings and doings of others, and things which concern not +ourselves. How can he abide long time in peace who occupieth himself +with other men’s matters, and with things without himself, and +meanwhile payeth little or rare heed to the self within? Blessed are +the single-hearted, for they shall have abundance of peace. + +2. How came it to pass that many of the Saints were so perfect, so +contemplative of Divine things? Because they steadfastly sought to +mortify themselves from all worldly desires, and so were enabled to +cling with their whole heart to God, and be free and at leisure for the +thought of Him. We are too much occupied with our own affections, and +too anxious about transitory things. Seldom, too, do we entirely +conquer even a single fault, nor are we zealous for daily growth in +grace. And so we remain lukewarm and unspiritual. + +3. Were we fully watchful of ourselves, and not bound in spirit to +outward things, then might we be wise unto salvation, and make progress +in Divine contemplation. Our great and grievous stumbling-block is +that, not being freed from our affections and desires, we strive not to +enter into the perfect way of the Saints. And when even a little +trouble befalleth us, too quickly are we cast down, and fly to the +world to give us comfort. + +4. If we would quit ourselves like men, and strive to stand firm in the +battle, then should we see the Lord helping us from Heaven. For He +Himself is alway ready to help those who strive and who trust in Him; +yea, He provideth for us occasions of striving, to the end that we may +win the victory. If we look upon our progress in religion as a progress +only in outward observances and forms, our devoutness will soon come to +an end. But let us lay the axe to the very root of our life, that, +being cleansed from affections, we may possess our souls in peace. + +5. If each year should see one fault rooted out from us, we should go +quickly on to perfection. But on the contrary, we often feel that we +were better and holier in the beginning of our conversion than after +many years of profession. Zeal and progress ought to increase day by +day; yet now it seemeth a great thing if one is able to retain some +portion of his first ardour. If we would put some slight stress on +ourselves at the beginning, then afterwards we should be able to do all +things with ease and joy. + +6. It is a hard thing to break through a habit, and a yet harder thing +to go contrary to our own will. Yet if thou overcome not slight and +easy obstacles, how shalt thou overcome greater ones? Withstand thy +will at the beginning, and unlearn an evil habit, lest it lead thee +little by little into worse difficulties. Oh, if thou knewest what +peace to thyself thy holy life should bring to thyself, and what joy to +others, methinketh thou wouldst be more zealous for spiritual profit. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +Of the uses of adversity + + +It is good for us that we sometimes have sorrows and adversities, for +they often make a man lay to heart that he is only a stranger and +sojourner, and may not put his trust in any worldly thing. It is good +that we sometimes endure contradictions, and are hardly and unfairly +judged, when we do and mean what is good. For these things help us to +be humble, and shield us from vain-glory. For then we seek the more +earnestly the witness of God, when men speak evil of us falsely, and +give us no credit for good. + +2. Therefore ought a man to rest wholly upon God, so that he needeth +not seek much comfort at the hand of men. When a man who feareth God is +afflicted or tried or oppressed with evil thoughts, then he seeth that +God is the more necessary unto him, since without God he can do no good +thing. Then he is heavy of heart, he groaneth, he crieth out for the +very disquietness of his heart. Then he groweth weary of life, and +would fain depart and be with Christ. By all this he is taught that in +the world there can be no perfect security or fulness of peace. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Of resisting temptation + + +So long as we live in the world, we cannot be without trouble and +trial. Wherefore it is written in Job, The life of man upon the earth +is a trial.(1) And therefore ought each of us to give heed concerning +trials and temptations, and watch unto prayer, lest the devil find +occasion to deceive; for he never sleepeth, but goeth about seeking +whom he may devour. No man is so perfect in holiness that he hath never +temptations, nor can we ever be wholly free from them. + +2. Yet, notwithstanding, temptations turn greatly unto our profit, even +though they be great and hard to bear; for through them we are humbled, +purified, instructed. All Saints have passed through much tribulation +and temptation, and have profited thereby. And they who endured not +temptation became reprobate and fell away. There is no position so +sacred, no place so secret, that it is without temptations and +adversities. + +3. There is no man wholly free from temptations so long as he liveth, +because we have the root of temptation within ourselves, in that we are +born in concupiscence. One temptation or sorrow passeth, and another +cometh; and always we shall have somewhat to suffer, for we have fallen +from perfect happiness. Many who seek to fly from temptations fall yet +more deeply into them. By flight alone we cannot overcome, but by +endurance and true humility we are made stronger than all our enemies. + +4. He who only resisteth outwardly and pulleth not up by the root, +shall profit little; nay, rather temptations will return to him the +more quickly, and will be the more terrible. Little by little, through +patience and long-suffering, thou shalt conquer by the help of God, +rather than by violence and thine own strength of will. In the midst of +temptation often seek counsel; and deal not hardly with one who is +tempted, but comfort and strengthen him as thou wouldest have done unto +thyself. + +5. The beginning of all temptations to evil is instability of temper +and want of trust in God; for even as a ship without a helm is tossed +about by the waves, so is a man who is careless and infirm of purpose +tempted, now on this side, now on that. As fire testeth iron, so doth +temptation the upright man. Oftentimes we know not what strength we +have; but temptation revealeth to us what we are. Nevertheless, we must +watch, especially in the beginnings of temptation; for then is the foe +the more easily mastered, when he is not suffered to enter within the +mind, but is met outside the door as soon as he hath knocked. Wherefore +one saith, + +Check the beginnings; once thou might’st have cured, +But now ’tis past thy skill, too long hath it endured. + + +For first cometh to the mind the simple suggestion, then the strong +imagination, afterwards pleasure, evil affection, assent. And so little +by little the enemy entereth in altogether, because he was not resisted +at the beginning. And the longer a man delayeth his resistance, the +weaker he groweth, and the stronger groweth the enemy against him. + +6. Some men suffer their most grievous temptations in the beginning of +their conversion, some at the end. Some are sorely tried their whole +life long. Some there are who are tempted but lightly, according to the +wisdom and justice of the ordering of God, who knoweth the character +and circumstances of men, and ordereth all things for the welfare of +His elect. + +7. Therefore we ought not to despair when we are tempted, but the more +fervently should cry unto God, that He will vouchsafe to help us in all +our tribulation; and that He will, as St. Paul saith, with the +temptation make a way to escape that we may be able to bear it.(2) Let +us therefore humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God in all +temptation and trouble, for He will save and exalt such as are of an +humble spirit. + +8. In temptations and troubles a man is proved, what progress he hath +made, and therein is his reward the greater, and his virtue doth the +more appear. Nor is it a great thing if a man be devout and zealous so +long as he suffereth no affliction; but if he behave himself patiently +in the time of adversity, then is there hope of great progress. Some +are kept safe from great temptations, but are overtaken in those which +are little and common, that the humiliation may teach them not to trust +to themselves in great things, being weak in small things. + +(1) Job vii. 1 (Vulg.). (2) 1 Corinthians x. 13. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +On avoiding rash judgment + + +Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings of +others. In judging others a man laboureth in vain; he often erreth, and +easily falleth into sin; but in judging and examining himself he always +laboureth to good purpose. According as a matter toucheth our fancy, so +oftentimes do we judge of it; for easily do we fail of true judgment +because of our own personal feeling. If God were always the sole object +of our desire, we should the less easily be troubled by the erring +judgment of our fancy. + +2. But often some secret thought lurking within us, or even some +outward circumstance, turneth us aside. Many are secretly seeking their +own ends in what they do, yet know it not. They seem to live in good +peace of mind so long as things go well with them, and according to +their desires, but if their desires be frustrated and broken, +immediately they are shaken and displeased. Diversity of feelings and +opinions very often brings about dissensions between friends, between +countrymen, between religious and godly men. + +3. Established custom is not easily relinquished, and no man is very +easily led to see with the eyes of another. If thou rest more upon thy +own reason or experience than upon the power of Jesus Christ, thy light +shall come slowly and hardly; for God willeth us to be perfectly +subject unto Himself, and all our reason to be exalted by abundant love +towards Him. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +Of works of charity + + +For no worldly good whatsoever, and for the love of no man, must +anything be done which is evil, but for the help of the suffering a +good work must sometimes be postponed, or be changed for a better; for +herein a good work is not destroyed, but improved. Without charity no +work profiteth, but whatsoever is done in charity, however small and of +no reputation it be, bringeth forth good fruit; for God verily +considereth what a man is able to do, more than the greatness of what +he doth. + +2. He doth much who loveth much. He doth much who doth well. He doth +well who ministereth to the public good rather than to his own. +Oftentimes that seemeth to be charity which is rather carnality, +because it springeth from natural inclination, self-will, hope of +repayment, desire of gain. + +3. He who hath true and perfect charity, in no wise seeketh his own +good, but desireth that God alone be altogether glorified. He envieth +none, because he longeth for no selfish joy; nor doth he desire to +rejoice in himself, but longeth to be blessed in God as the highest +good. He ascribeth good to none save to God only, the Fountain whence +all good proceedeth, and the End, the Peace, the joy of all Saints. Oh, +he who hath but a spark of true charity, hath verily learned that all +worldly things are full of vanity. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +Of bearing with the faults of others + + +Those things which a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he ought +patiently to bear, until God shall otherwise ordain. Bethink thee that +perhaps it is better for thy trial and patience, without which our +merits are but little worth. Nevertheless thou oughtest, when thou +findeth such impediments, to beseech God that He would vouchsafe to +sustain thee, that thou be able to bear them with a good will. + +2. If one who is once or twice admonished refuse to hearken, strive not +with him, but commit all to God, that His will may be done and His +honour be shown in His servants, for He knoweth well how to convert the +evil unto good. Endeavour to be patient in bearing with other men’s +faults and infirmities whatsoever they be, for thou thyself also hast +many things which have need to be borne with by others. If thou canst +not make thine own self what thou desireth, how shalt thou be able to +fashion another to thine own liking. We are ready to see others made +perfect, and yet we do not amend our own shortcomings. + +3. We will that others be straitly corrected, but we will not be +corrected ourselves. The freedom of others displeaseth us, but we are +dissatisfied that our own wishes shall be denied us. We desire rules to +be made restraining others, but by no means will we suffer ourselves to +be restrained. Thus therefore doth it plainly appear how seldom we +weigh our neighbour in the same balance with ourselves. If all men were +perfect, what then should we have to suffer from others for God? + +4. But now hath God thus ordained, that we may learn to bear one +another’s burdens, because none is without defect, none without a +burden, none sufficient of himself, none wise enough of himself; but it +behoveth us to bear with one another, to comfort one another, to help, +instruct, admonish one another. How much strength each man hath is best +proved by occasions of adversity: for such occasions do not make a man +frail, but show of what temper he is. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +Of a Religious life + + +It behoveth thee to learn to mortify thyself in many things, if thou +wilt live in amity and concord with other men. It is no small thing to +dwell in a religious community or congregation, and to live there +without complaint, and therein to remain faithful even unto death. +Blessed is he who hath lived a good life in such a body, and brought it +to a happy end. If thou wilt stand fast and wilt profit as thou +oughtest, hold thyself as an exile and a pilgrim upon the earth. Thou +wilt have to be counted as a fool for Christ, if thou wilt lead a +religious life. + +2. The clothing and outward appearance are of small account; it is +change of character and entire mortification of the affections which +make a truly religious man. He who seeketh aught save God and the +health of his soul, shall find only tribulation and sorrow. Nor can he +stand long in peace, who striveth not to be least of all and servant of +all. + +3. Thou art called to endure and to labour, not to a life of ease and +trifling talk. Here therefore are men tried as gold in the furnace. No +man can stand, unless with all his heart he will humble himself for +God’s sake. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +Of the example of the holy fathers + + +Consider now the lively examples of the holy fathers, in whom shone +forth real perfectness and religion, and thou shalt see how little, +even as nothing, is all that we do. Ah! What is our life when compared +to theirs? They, saints and friends of Christ as they were, served the +Lord in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, in labour and +weariness, in watchings and fastings, in prayer and holy meditations, +in persecutions and much rebuke. + +2. O how many and grievous tribulations did the Apostles, Martyrs, +Confessors, Virgins, endure; and all others who would walk in the +footsteps of Christ. For they hated their souls in this world that they +might keep them unto life eternal. O how strict and retired a life was +that of the holy fathers who dwelt in the desert! what long and +grievous temptations they did suffer! how often were they assaulted by +the enemy! what frequent and fervid prayers did they offer unto God! +what strict fasts did they endure! what fervent zeal and desire after +spiritual profit did they manifest! how bravely did they fight that +their vices might not gain the mastery! how entirely and steadfastly +did they reach after God! By day they laboured, and at night they gave +themselves ofttimes unto prayer; yea, even when they were labouring +they ceased not from mental prayer. + +3. They spent their whole time profitably; every hour seemed short for +retirement with God; and through the great sweetness of contemplation, +even the need of bodily refreshment was forgotten. They renounced all +riches, dignities, honours, friends, kinsmen; they desired nothing from +the world; they ate the bare necessaries of life; they were unwilling +to minister to the body even in necessity. Thus were they poor in +earthly things, but rich above measure in grace and virtue. Though poor +to the outer eye, within they were filled with grace and heavenly +benedictions. + +4. They were strangers to the world, but unto God they were as kinsmen +and friends. They seemed unto themselves as of no reputation, and in +the world’s eyes contemptible; but in the sight of God they were +precious and beloved. They stood fast in true humility, they lived in +simple obedience, they walked in love and patience; and thus they waxed +strong in spirit, and obtained great favour before God. To all +religious men they were given as an example, and they ought more to +provoke us unto good livings than the number of the lukewarm tempteth +to carelessness of life. + +5. O how great was the love of all religious persons at the beginning +of this sacred institution! O what devoutness of prayer! what rivalry +in holiness! what strict discipline was observed! what reverence and +obedience under the rule of the master showed they in all things! The +traces of them that remain until now testify that they were truly holy +and perfect men, who fighting so bravely trod the world underfoot. Now +a man is counted great if only he be not a transgressor, and if he can +only endure with patience what he hath undertaken. + +6. O the coldness and negligence of our times, that we so quickly +decline from the former love, and it is become a weariness to live, +because of sloth and lukewarmness. May progress in holiness not wholly +fall asleep in thee, who many times hast seen so many examples of +devout men! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +Of the exercises of a religious man + + +The life of a Christian ought to be adorned with all virtues, that he +may be inwardly what he outwardly appeareth unto men. And verily it +should be yet better within than without, for God is a discerner of our +heart, Whom we must reverence with all our hearts wheresoever we are, +and walk pure in His presence as do the angels. We ought daily to renew +our vows, and to kindle our hearts to zeal, as if each day were the +first day of our conversion, and to say, “Help me, O God, in my good +resolutions, and in Thy holy service, and grant that this day I may +make a good beginning, for hitherto I have done nothing!” + +2. According to our resolution so is the rate of our progress, and much +diligence is needful for him who would make good progress. For if he +who resolveth bravely oftentimes falleth short, how shall it be with +him who resolveth rarely or feebly? But manifold causes bring about +abandonment of our resolution, yet a trivial omission of holy exercises +can hardly be made without some loss to us. The resolution of the +righteous dependeth more upon the grace of God than upon their own +wisdom; for in Him they always put their trust, whatsoever they take in +hand. For man proposeth, but God disposeth; and the way of a man is not +in himself.(1) + +3. If a holy exercise be sometimes omitted for the sake of some act of +piety, or of some brotherly kindness, it can easily be taken up +afterwards; but if it be neglected through distaste or slothfulness, +then is it sinful, and the mischief will be felt. Strive as earnestly +as we may, we shall still fall short in many things. Always should some +distinct resolution be made by us; and, most of all, we must strive +against those sins which most easily beset us. Both our outer and inner +life should be straitly examined and ruled by us, because both have to +do with our progress. + +4. If thou canst not be always examining thyself, thou canst at certain +seasons, and at least twice in the day, at evening and at morning. In +the morning make thy resolves, and in the evening inquire into thy +life, how thou hast sped to-day in word, deed, and thought; for in +these ways thou hast often perchance offended God and thy neighbour. +Gird up thy lions like a man against the assaults of the devil; bridle +thine appetite, and thou wilt soon be able to bridle every inclination +of the flesh. Be thou never without something to do; be reading, or +writing, or praying, or meditating, or doing something that is useful +to the community. Bodily exercises, however, must be undertaken with +discretion, nor are they to be used by all alike. + +5. The duties which are not common to all must not be done openly, but +are safest carried on in secret. But take heed that thou be not +careless in the common duties, and more devout in the secret; but +faithfully and honestly discharge the duties and commands which lie +upon thee, then afterwards, if thou hast still leisure, give thyself to +thyself as thy devotion leadeth thee. All cannot have one exercise, but +one suiteth better to this man and another to that. Even for the +diversity of season different exercises are needed, some suit better +for feasts, some for fasts. We need one kind in time of temptations and +others in time of peace and quietness. Some are suitable to our times +of sadness, and others when we are joyful in the Lord. + +6. When we draw near the time of the great feasts, good exercises +should be renewed, and the prayers of holy men more fervently besought. +We ought to make our resolutions from one Feast to another, as if each +were the period of our departure from this world, and of entering into +the eternal feast. So ought we to prepare ourselves earnestly at solemn +seasons, and the more solemnly to live, and to keep straightest watch +upon each holy observance, as though we were soon to receive the reward +of our labours at the hand of God. + +7. And if this be deferred, let us believe ourselves to be as yet +ill-prepared, and unworthy as yet of the glory which shall be revealed +in us at the appointed season; and let us study to prepare ourselves +the better for our end. Blessed is that servant, as the Evangelist Luke +hath it, whom, when the Lord cometh He shall find watching. Verily I +say unto you He will make him ruler over all that He hath.(2) + +(1) Jeremiah x. 23. (2) Luke xii. 43, 44. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +Of the love of solitude and silence + + +Seek a suitable time for thy meditation, and think frequently of the +mercies of God to thee. Leave curious questions. Study such matters as +bring thee sorrow for sin rather than amusement. If thou withdraw +thyself from trifling conversation and idle goings about, as well as +from novelties and gossip, thou shalt find thy time sufficient and apt +for good meditation. The greatest saints used to avoid as far as they +could the company of men, and chose to live in secret with God. + +2. One hath said, “As oft as I have gone among men, so oft have I +returned less a man.” This is what we often experience when we have +been long time in conversation. For it is easier to be altogether +silent than it is not to exceed in word. It is easier to remain hidden +at home than to keep sufficient guard upon thyself out of doors. He, +therefore, that seeketh to reach that which is hidden and spiritual, +must go with Jesus “apart from the multitude.” No man safely goeth +abroad who loveth not to rest at home. No man safely talketh but he who +loveth to hold his peace. No man safely ruleth but he who loveth to be +subject. No man safely commandeth but he who loveth to obey. + +3. No man safely rejoiceth but he who hath the testimony of a good +conscience within himself. The boldness of the Saints was always full +of the fear of God. Nor were they the less earnest and humble in +themselves, because they shone forth with great virtues and grace. But +the boldness of wicked men springeth from pride and presumption, and at +the last turneth to their own confusion. Never promise thyself security +in this life, howsoever good a monk or devout a solitary thou seemest. + +4. Often those who stand highest in the esteem of men, fall the more +grievously because of their over great confidence. Wherefore it is very +profitable unto many that they should not be without inward temptation, +but should be frequently assaulted, lest they be over confident, lest +they be indeed lifted up into pride, or else lean too freely upon the +consolations of the world. O how good a conscience should that man +keep, who never sought a joy that passeth away, who never became +entangled with the world! O how great peace and quiet should he +possess, who would cast off all vain care, and think only of healthful +and divine things, and build his whole hope upon God! + +5. No man is worthy of heavenly consolation but he who hath diligently +exercised himself in holy compunction. If thou wilt feel compunction +within thy heart, enter into thy chamber and shut out the tumults of +the world, as it is written, Commune with your own heart in your own +chamber and be still.(1) In retirement thou shalt find what often thou +wilt lose abroad. Retirement, if thou continue therein, groweth sweet, +but if thou keep not in it, begetteth weariness. If in the beginning of +thy conversation thou dwell in it and keep it well, it shall afterwards +be to thee a dear friend, and a most pleasant solace. + +6. In silence and quiet the devout soul goeth forward and learneth the +hidden things of the Scriptures. Therein findeth she a fountain of +tears, wherein to wash and cleanse herself each night, that she may +grow the more dear to her Maker as she dwelleth the further from all +worldly distraction. To him who withdraweth himself from his +acquaintance and friends God with his holy angels will draw nigh. It is +better to be unknown and take heed to oneself than to neglect oneself +and work wonders. It is praiseworthy for a religious man to go seldom +abroad, to fly from being seen, to have no desire to see men. + +7. Why wouldest thou see what thou mayest not have? The world passeth +away and the lust thereof. The desires of sensuality draw thee abroad, +but when an hour is past, what dost thou bring home, but a weight upon +thy conscience and distraction of heart? A merry going forth bringeth +often a sorrowful return, and a merry evening maketh a sad morning? So +doth all carnal joy begin pleasantly, but in the end it gnaweth away +and destroyeth. What canst thou see abroad which thou seest not at +home? Behold the heaven and the earth and the elements, for out of +these are all things made. + +8. What canst thou see anywhere which can continue long under the sun? +Thou believest perchance that thou shalt be satisfied, but thou wilt +never be able to attain unto this. If thou shouldest see all things +before thee at once, what would it be but a vain vision? Lift up thine +eyes to God on high, and pray that thy sins and negligences may be +forgiven. Leave vain things to vain men, and mind thou the things which +God hath commanded thee. Shut thy door upon thee, and call unto thyself +Jesus thy beloved. Remain with Him in thy chamber, for thou shalt not +elsewhere find so great peace. If thou hadst not gone forth nor +listened to vain talk, thou hadst better kept thyself in good peace. +But because it sometimes delighteth thee to hear new things, thou must +therefore suffer trouble of heart. + +(1) Psalm iv. 4. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +Of compunction of heart + + +If thou wilt make any progress keep thyself in the fear of God, and +long not to be too free, but restrain all thy senses under discipline +and give not thyself up to senseless mirth. Give thyself to compunction +of heart and thou shalt find devotion. Compunction openeth the way for +many good things, which dissoluteness is wont quickly to lose. It is +wonderful that any man can ever rejoice heartily in this life who +considereth and weigheth his banishment, and the manifold dangers which +beset his soul. + +2. Through lightness of heart and neglect of our shortcomings we feel +not the sorrows of our soul, but often vainly laugh when we have good +cause to weep. There is no true liberty nor real joy, save in the fear +of God with a good conscience. Happy is he who can cast away every +cause of distraction and bring himself to the one purpose of holy +compunction. Happy is he who putteth away from him whatsoever may stain +or burden his conscience. Strive manfully; custom is overcome by +custom. If thou knowest how to let men alone, they will gladly let thee +alone to do thine own works. + +3. Busy not thyself with the affairs of others, nor entangle thyself +with the business of great men. Keep always thine eye upon thyself +first of all, and give advice to thyself specially before all thy +dearest friends. If thou hast not the favour of men, be not thereby +cast down, but let thy concern be that thou holdest not thyself so well +and circumspectly, as becometh a servant of God and a devout monk. It +is often better and safer for a man not to have many comforts in this +life, especially those which concern the flesh. But that we lack divine +comforts or feel them rarely is to our own blame, because we seek not +compunction of heart, nor utterly cast away those comforts which are +vain and worldly. + +4. Know thyself to be unworthy of divine consolation, and worthy rather +of much tribulation. When a man hath perfect compunction, then all the +world is burdensome and bitter to him. A good man will find sufficient +cause for mourning and weeping; for whether he considereth himself, or +pondereth concerning his neighbour, he knoweth that no man liveth here +without tribulation, and the more thoroughly he considereth himself, +the more thoroughly he grieveth. Grounds for just grief and inward +compunction there are in our sins and vices, wherein we lie so +entangled that we are but seldom able to contemplate heavenly things. + +5. If thou thoughtest upon thy death more often than how long thy life +should be, thou wouldest doubtless strive more earnestly to improve. +And if thou didst seriously consider the future pains of hell, I +believe thou wouldest willingly endure toil or pain and fear not +discipline. But because these things reach not the heart, and we still +love pleasant things, therefore we remain cold and miserably +indifferent. + +6. Oftentimes it is from poverty of spirit that the wretched body is so +easily led to complain. Pray therefore humbly unto the Lord that He +will give thee the spirit of compunction and say in the language of the +prophet, _Feed me, O Lord, with bread of tears, and give me +plenteousness of tears to drink_.(1) + +(1) Psalm lxxx. 5. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +On the contemplation of human misery + + +Thou art miserable wheresoever thou art, and whithersoever thou +turnest, unless thou turn thee to God. Why art thou disquieted because +it happeneth not to thee according to thy wishes and desires? Who is he +that hath everything according to his will? Neither I, nor thou, nor +any man upon the earth. There is no man in the world free from trouble +or anguish, though he were King or Pope. Who is he who hath the +happiest lot? Even he who is strong to suffer somewhat for God. + +2. There are many foolish and unstable men who say, “See what a +prosperous life that man hath, how rich and how great he is, how +powerful, how exalted.” But lift up thine eyes to the good things of +heaven, and thou shalt see that all these worldly things are nothing, +they are utterly uncertain, yea, they are wearisome, because they are +never possessed without care and fear. The happiness of man lieth not +in the abundance of temporal things but a moderate portion sufficeth +him. Our life upon the earth is verily wretchedness. The more a man +desireth to be spiritual, the more bitter doth the present life become +to him; because he the better understandeth and seeth the defects of +human corruption. For to eat, to drink, to watch, to sleep, to rest, to +labour, and to be subject to the other necessities of nature, is truly +a great wretchedness and affliction to a devout man, who would fain be +released and free from all sin. + +3. For the inner man is heavily burdened with the necessities of the +body in this world. Wherefore the prophet devoutly prayeth to be freed +from them, saying, Deliver me from my necessities, O Lord.(1) But woe +to those who know not their own misery, and yet greater woe to those +who love this miserable and corruptible life. For to such a degree do +some cling to it (even though by labouring or begging they scarce +procure what is necessary for subsistence) that if they might live here +always, they would care nothing for the Kingdom of God. + +4. Oh foolish and faithless of heart, who lie buried so deep in worldly +things, that they relish nothing save the things of the flesh! +Miserable ones! they will too sadly find out at the last, how vile and +worthless was that which they loved. The saints of God and all loyal +friends of Christ held as nothing the things which pleased the flesh, +or those which flourished in this life, but their whole hope and +affection aspired to the things which are above. Their whole desire was +borne upwards to everlasting and invisible things, lest they should be +drawn downwards by the love of things visible. + +5. Lose not, brother, thy loyal desire of progress to things spiritual. +There is yet time, the hour is not past. Why wilt thou put off thy +resolution? Arise, begin this very moment, and say, “Now is the time to +do: now is the time to fight, now is the proper time for amendment.” +When thou art ill at ease and troubled, then is the time when thou art +nearest unto blessing. Thou must go through fire and water that God may +bring thee into a wealthy place. Unless thou put force upon thyself, +thou wilt not conquer thy faults. So long as we carry about with us +this frail body, we cannot be without sin, we cannot live without +weariness and trouble. Gladly would we have rest from all misery; but +because through sin we have lost innocence, we have lost also the true +happiness. Therefore must we be patient, and wait for the mercy of God, +until this tyranny be overpast, and this mortality be swallowed up of +life. + +6. O how great is the frailty of man, which is ever prone to evil! +To-day thou confessest thy sins, and to-morrow thou committest again +the sins thou didst confess. Now dost thou resolve to avoid a fault, +and within an hour thou behavest thyself as if thou hadst never +resolved at all. Good cause have we therefore to humble ourselves, and +never to think highly of ourselves, seeing that we are so frail and +unstable. And quickly may that be lost by our negligence, which by much +labour was hardly attained through grace. + +7. What shall become of us at the end, if at the beginning we are +lukewarm and idle? Woe unto us, if we choose to rest, as though it were +a time of peace and security, while as yet no sign appeareth in our +life of true holiness. Rather had we need that we might begin yet +afresh, like good novices, to be instructed unto good living, if haply +there might be hope of some future amendment and greater spiritual +increase. + +(1) Psalm xxv. 17. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +Of meditation upon death + + +Very quickly will there be an end of thee here; take heed therefore how +it will be with thee in another world. To-day man is, and to-morrow he +will be seen no more. And being removed out of sight, quickly also he +is out of mind. O the dulness and hardness of man’s heart, which +thinketh only of the present, and looketh not forward to the future. +Thou oughtest in every deed and thought so to order thyself, as if thou +wert to die this day. If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldst not +greatly fear death. It were better for thee to watch against sin, than +to fly from death. If to-day thou art not ready, how shalt thou be +ready to-morrow? To-morrow is an uncertain day; and how knowest thou +that thou shalt have a to-morrow? + +2. What doth it profit to live long, when we amend so little? Ah! long +life doth not always amend, but often the more increaseth guilt. Oh +that we might spend a single day in this world as it ought to be spent! +Many there are who reckon the years since they were converted, and yet +oftentimes how little is the fruit thereof. If it is a fearful thing to +die, it may be perchance a yet more fearful thing to live long. Happy +is the man who hath the hour of his death always before his eyes, and +daily prepareth himself to die. If thou hast ever seen one die, +consider that thou also shalt pass away by the same road. + +3. When it is morning reflect that it may be thou shalt not see the +evening, and at eventide dare not to boast thyself of the morrow. +Always be thou prepared, and so live that death may never find thee +unprepared. Many die suddenly and unexpectedly. For at such an hour as +ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.(1) When that last hour shall come, +thou wilt begin to think very differently of thy whole life past, and +wilt mourn bitterly that thou hast been so negligent and slothful. + +4. Happy and wise is he who now striveth to be such in life as he would +fain be found in death! For a perfect contempt of the world, a fervent +desire to excel in virtue, the love of discipline, the painfulness of +repentance, readiness to obey, denial of self, submission to any +adversity for love of Christ; these are the things which shall give +great confidence of a happy death. Whilst thou art in health thou hast +many opportunities of good works; but when thou art in sickness I know +not how much thou wilt be able to do. Few are made better by infirmity: +even as they who wander much abroad seldom become holy. + +5. Trust not thy friends and kinsfolk, nor put off the work of thy +salvation to the future, for men will forget thee sooner than thou +thinkest. It is better for thee now to provide in time, and to send +some good before thee, than to trust to the help of others. If thou art +not anxious for thyself now, who, thinkest thou, will be anxious for +thee afterwards? Now the time is most precious. Now is the accepted +time, now is the day of salvation. But alas! that thou spendest not +well this time, wherein thou mightest lay up treasure which should +profit thee everlastingly. The hour will come when thou shalt desire +one day, yea, one hour, for amendment of life, and I know not whether +thou shalt obtain. + +6. Oh, dearly beloved, from what danger thou mightest free thyself, +from what great fear, if only thou wouldst always live in fear, and in +expectation of death! Strive now to live in such wise that in the hour +of death thou mayest rather rejoice than fear. Learn now to die to the +world, so shalt thou begin to live with Christ. Learn now to contemn +all earthly things, and then mayest thou freely go unto Christ. Keep +under thy body by penitence, and then shalt thou be able to have a sure +confidence. + +7. Ah, foolish one! why thinkest thou that thou shalt live long, when +thou art not sure of a single day? How many have been deceived, and +suddenly have been snatched away from the body! How many times hast +thou heard how one was slain by the sword, another was drowned, another +falling from on high broke his neck, another died at the table, another +whilst at play! One died by fire, another by the sword, another by the +pestilence, another by the robber. Thus cometh death to all, and the +life of men swiftly passeth away like a shadow. + +8. Who will remember thee after thy death? And who will entreat for +thee? Work, work now, oh dearly beloved, work all that thou canst. For +thou knowest not when thou shalt die, nor what shall happen unto thee +after death. While thou hast time, lay up for thyself undying riches. +Think of nought but of thy salvation; care only for the things of God. +Make to thyself friends, by venerating the saints of God and walking in +their steps, that when thou failest, thou mayest be received into +everlasting habitations.(2) + +9. Keep thyself as a stranger and a pilgrim upon the earth, to whom the +things of the world appertain not. Keep thine heart free, and lifted up +towards God, for here have we no continuing city.(3) To Him direct thy +daily prayers with crying and tears, that thy spirit may be found +worthy to pass happily after death unto its Lord. Amen. + +(1) Matthew xxiv. 44. (2) Luke xvi. 9. (3) Hebrews xiii. 14. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked + + +In all that thou doest, remember the end, and how thou wilt stand +before a strict judge, from whom nothing is hid, who is not bribed with +gifts, nor accepteth excuses, but will judge righteous judgment. O most +miserable and foolish sinner, who art sometimes in fear of the +countenance of an angry man, what wilt thou answer to God, who knoweth +all thy misdeeds? Why dost thou not provide for thyself against the day +of judgment, when no man shall be able to be excused or defended by +means of another, but each one shall bear his burden himself alone? Now +doth thy labour bring forth fruit, now is thy weeping acceptable, thy +groaning heard, thy sorrow well pleasing to God, and cleansing to thy +soul. + +2. Even here on earth the patient man findeth great occasion of +purifying his soul. When suffering injuries he grieveth more for the +other’s malice than for his own wrong; when he prayeth heartily for +those that despitefully use him, and forgiveth them from his heart; +when he is not slow to ask pardon from others; when he is swifter to +pity than to anger; when he frequently denieth himself and striveth +altogether to subdue the flesh to the spirit. Better is it now to +purify the soul from sin, than to cling to sins from which we must be +purged hereafter. Truly we deceive ourselves by the inordinate love +which we bear towards the flesh. + +3. What is it which that fire shall devour, save thy sins? The more +thou sparest thyself and followest the flesh, the more heavy shall thy +punishment be, and the more fuel art thou heaping up for the burning. +For wherein a man hath sinned, therein shall he be the more heavily +punished. There shall the slothful be pricked forward with burning +goads, and the gluttons be tormented with intolerable hunger and +thirst. There shall the luxurious and the lovers of pleasure be plunged +into burning pitch and stinking brimstone, and the envious shall howl +like mad dogs for very grief. + +4. No sin will there be which shall not be visited with its own proper +punishment. The proud shall be filled with utter confusion, and the +covetous shall be pinched with miserable poverty. An hour’s pain there +shall be more grievous than a hundred years here of the bitterest +penitence. No quiet shall be there, no comfort for the lost, though +here sometimes there is respite from pain, and enjoyment of the solace +of friends. Be thou anxious now and sorrowful for thy sins, that in the +day of judgment thou mayest have boldness with the blessed. For then +shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such +as have afflicted him and made no account of his labours.(1) Then shall +he stand up to judge, he who now submitteth himself in humility to the +judgments of men. Then shall the poor and humble man have great +confidence, while the proud is taken with fear on every side. + +5. Then shall it be seen that he was the wise man in this world who +learned to be a fool and despised for Christ. Then shall all +tribulation patiently borne delight us, while the mouth of the ungodly +shall be stopped. Then shall every godly man rejoice, and every profane +man shall mourn. Then the afflicted flesh shall more rejoice than if it +had been alway nourished in delights. Then the humble garment shall put +on beauty, and the precious robe shall hide itself as vile. Then the +little poor cottage shall be more commended than the gilded palace. +Then enduring patience shall have more might than all the power of the +world. Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all +worldly wisdom. + +6. Then a pure and good conscience shall more rejoice than learned +philosophy. Then contempt of riches shall have more weight than all the +treasure of the children of this world. Then shalt thou find more +comfort in having prayed devoutly than in having fared sumptuously. +Then thou wilt rather rejoice in having kept silence than in having +made long speech. Then holy deeds shall be far stronger than many fine +words. Then a strict life and sincere penitence shall bring deeper +pleasure than all earthly delight. Learn now to suffer a little, that +then thou mayest be enabled to escape heavier sufferings. Prove first +here, what thou art able to endure hereafter. If now thou art able to +bear so little, how wilt thou be able to endure eternal torments? If +now a little suffering maketh thee so impatient, what shall hell-fire +do then? Behold of a surety thou art not able to have two Paradises, to +take thy fill or delight here in this world, and to reign with Christ +hereafter. + +7. If even unto this day thou hadst ever lived in honours and +pleasures, what would the whole profit thee if now death came to thee +in an instant? All therefore is vanity, save to love God and to serve +Him only. For he who loveth God with all his heart feareth not death, +nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell, because perfect love giveth +sure access to God. But he who still delighteth in sin, no marvel if he +is afraid of death and judgment. Nevertheless it is a good thing, if +love as yet cannot restrain thee from evil, that at least the fear of +hell should hold thee back. But he who putteth aside the fear of God +cannot long continue in good, but shall quickly fall into the snares of +the devil. + +(1) Wisd. v. 1. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +Of the zealous amendment of our whole life + + +Be thou watchful and diligent in God’s service, and bethink thee often +why thou hast renounced the world. Was it not that thou mightest live +to God and become a spiritual man? Be zealous, therefore, for thy +spiritual profit, for thou shalt receive shortly the reward of thy +labours, and neither fear nor sorrow shall come any more into thy +borders. Now shalt thou labour a little, and thou shalt find great +rest, yea everlasting joy. If thou shalt remain faithful and zealous in +labour, doubt not that God shall be faithful and bountiful in rewarding +thee. It is thy duty to have a good hope that thou wilt attain the +victory, but thou must not fall into security lest thou become slothful +or lifted up. + +2. A certain man being in anxiety of mind, continually tossed about +between hope and fear, and being on a certain day overwhelmed with +grief, cast himself down in prayer before the altar in a church, and +meditated within himself, saying, “Oh! if I but knew that I should +still persevere,” and presently heard within him a voice from God, “And +if thou didst know it, what wouldst thou do? Do now what thou wouldst +do then, and thou shalt be very secure.” And straightway being +comforted and strengthened, he committed himself to the will of God and +the perturbation of spirit ceased, neither had he a mind any more to +search curiously to know what should befall him hereafter, but studied +rather to inquire what was the good and acceptable will of God, for the +beginning and perfecting of every good work. + +3. Hope in the Lord and be doing good, saith the Prophet; dwell in the +land and thou shalt be fed(1) with its riches. One thing there is which +holdeth back many from progress and fervent amendment, even the dread +of difficulty, or the labour of the conflict. Nevertheless they advance +above all others in virtue who strive manfully to conquer those things +which are most grievous and contrary to them, for there a man profiteth +most and meriteth greater grace where he most overcometh himself and +mortifieth himself in spirit. + +4. But all men have not the same passions to conquer and to mortify, +yet he who is diligent shall attain more profit, although he have +stronger passions, than another who is more temperate of disposition, +but is withal less fervent in the pursuit of virtue. Two things +specially avail unto improvement in holiness, namely firmness to +withdraw ourselves from the sin to which by nature we are most +inclined, and earnest zeal for that good in which we are most lacking. +And strive also very earnestly to guard against and subdue those faults +which displease thee most frequently in others. + +5. Gather some profit to thy soul wherever thou art, and wherever thou +seest or hearest good examples, stir thyself to follow them, but where +thou seest anything which is blameworthy, take heed that thou do not +the same; or if at any time thou hast done it, strive quickly to amend +thyself. As thine eye observeth others, so again are the eyes of others +upon thee. How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly +brethren temperate and of good discipline; and how sad is it and +grievous to see them walking disorderly, not practising the duties to +which they are called. How hurtful a thing it is to neglect the purpose +of their calling, and turn their inclinations to things which are none +of their business. + +6. Be mindful of the duties which thou hast undertaken, and set always +before thee the remembrance of the Crucified. Truly oughtest thou to be +ashamed as thou lookest upon the life of Jesus Christ, because thou +hast not yet endeavoured to conform thyself more unto Him, though thou +hast been a long time in the way of God. A religious man who exercises +himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our +Lord shall find there abundantly all things that are profitable and +necessary for him, neither is there need that he shall seek anything +better beyond Jesus. Oh! if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts, +how quickly, and completely should we have learned all that we need to +know! + +7. He who is earnest receiveth and beareth well all things that are +laid upon him. He who is careless and lukewarm hath trouble upon +trouble, and suffereth anguish upon every side, because he is without +inward consolation, and is forbidden to seek that which is outward. He +who is living without discipline is exposed to grievous ruin. He who +seeketh easier and lighter discipline shall always be in distress, +because one thing or another will give him displeasure. + +8. O! if no other duty lay upon us but to praise the Lord our God with +our whole heart and voice! Oh! if thou never hadst need to eat or +drink, or sleep, but wert always able to praise God, and to give +thyself to spiritual exercises alone; then shouldst thou be far happier +than now, when for so many necessities thou must serve the flesh. O! +that these necessities were not, but only the spiritual refreshments of +the soul, which alas we taste too seldom. + +9. When a man hath come to this, that he seeketh comfort from no +created thing, then doth he perfectly begin to enjoy God, then also +will he be well contented with whatsoever shall happen unto him. Then +will he neither rejoice for much nor be sorrowful for little, but he +committeth himself altogether and with full trust unto God, who is all +in all to him, to whom nothing perisheth nor dieth, but all things live +to Him and obey His every word without delay. + +10. Remember always thine end, and how the time which is lost returneth +not. Without care and diligence thou shalt never get virtue. If thou +beginnest to grow cold, it shall begin to go ill with thee, but if thou +givest thyself unto zeal thou shalt find much peace, and shalt find thy +labour the lighter because of the grace of God and the love of virtue. +A zealous and diligent man is ready for all things. It is greater +labour to resist sins and passions than to toil in bodily labours. He +who shunneth not small faults falleth little by little into greater. At +eventide thou shalt always be glad if thou spend the day profitably. +Watch over thyself, stir thyself up, admonish thyself, and howsoever it +be with others, neglect not thyself. The more violence thou dost unto +thyself, the more thou shall profit. Amen. + +(1) Psalm xxxvii. 3. + + + + +THE SECOND BOOK +ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +Of the inward life + + +The kingdom of God is within you,(1) saith the Lord. Turn thee with all +thine heart to the Lord and forsake this miserable world, and thou +shalt find rest unto thy soul. Learn to despise outward things and to +give thyself to things inward, and thou shalt see the kingdom of God +come within thee. For the kingdom of God is peace and joy in the Holy +Ghost, and it is not given to the wicked. Christ will come to thee, and +show thee His consolation, if thou prepare a worthy mansion for Him +within thee. All His glory and beauty is from within, and there it +pleaseth Him to dwell. He often visiteth the inward man and holdeth +with him sweet discourse, giving him soothing consolation, much peace, +friendship exceeding wonderful. + +2. Go to, faithful soul, prepare thy heart for this bridegroom that he +may vouchsafe to come to thee and dwell within thee, for so He saith, +if any man loveth me he will keep my words: and my Father will love +him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.(2) Give, +therefore, place to Christ and refuse entrance to all others. When thou +hast Christ, thou art rich, and hast sufficient. He shall be thy +provider and faithful watchman in all things, so that thou hast no need +to trust in men, for men soon change and swiftly pass away, but Christ +remaineth for ever and standeth by us firmly even to the end. + +3. There is no great trust to be placed in a frail and mortal man, even +though he be useful and dear to us, neither should much sorrow arise +within us if sometimes he oppose and contradict us. They who are on thy +side to-day, may to-morrow be against thee, and often are they turned +round like the wind. Put thy whole trust in God and let Him be thy fear +and thy love, He will answer for thee Himself, and will do for thee +what is best. Here hast thou no continuing city,(3) and wheresoever +thou art, thou art a stranger and a pilgrim, and thou shalt never have +rest unless thou art closely united to Christ within thee. + +4. Why dost thou cast thine eyes hither and thither, since this is not +the place of thy rest? In heaven ought thy habitation to be, and all +earthly things should be looked upon as it were in the passing by. All +things pass away and thou equally with them. Look that thou cleave not +to them lest thou be taken with them and perish. Let thy contemplation +be on the Most High, and let thy supplication be directed unto Christ +without ceasing. If thou canst not behold high and heavenly things, +rest thou in the passion of Christ and dwell willingly in His sacred +wounds. For if thou devoutly fly to the wounds of Jesus, and the +precious marks of the nails and the spear, thou shalt find great +comfort in tribulation, nor will the slights of men trouble thee much, +and thou wilt easily bear their unkind words. + +5. Christ also, when He was in the world, was despised and rejected of +men, and in His greatest necessity was left by His acquaintance and +friends to bear these reproaches. Christ was willing to suffer and be +despised, and darest thou complain of any? Christ had adversaries and +gainsayers, and dost thou wish to have all men thy friends and +benefactors? Whence shall thy patience attain her crown if no adversity +befall thee? If thou art unwilling to suffer any adversity, how shalt +thou be the friend of Christ? Sustain thyself with Christ and for +Christ if thou wilt reign with Christ. + +6. If thou hadst once entered into the mind of Jesus, and hadst tasted +yea even a little of his tender love, then wouldst thou care nought for +thine own convenience or inconvenience, but wouldst rather rejoice at +trouble brought upon thee, because the love of Jesus maketh a man to +despise himself. He who loveth Jesus, and is inwardly true and free +from inordinate affections, is able to turn himself readily unto God, +and to rise above himself in spirit, and to enjoy fruitful peace. + +7. He who knoweth things as they are and not as they are said or seem +to be, he truly is wise, and is taught of God more than of men. He who +knoweth how to walk from within, and to set little value upon outward +things, requireth not places nor waiteth for seasons, for holding his +intercourse with God. The inward man quickly recollecteth himself, +because he is never entirely given up to outward things. No outward +labour and no necessary occupations stand in his way, but as events +fall out, so doth he fit himself to them. He who is rightly disposed +and ordered within careth not for the strange and perverse conduct of +men. A man is hindered and distracted in so far as he is moved by +outward things. + +8. If it were well with thee, and thou wert purified from evil, all +things would work together for thy good and profiting. For this cause +do many things displease thee and often trouble thee, that thou art not +yet perfectly dead to thyself nor separated from all earthly things. +Nothing so defileth and entangleth the heart of man as impure love +towards created things. If thou rejectest outward comfort thou wilt be +able to contemplate heavenly things and frequently to be joyful +inwardly. + +(1) Luke xvii. 21. (2) John xiv. 23. (3) Hebrews xiii. 14. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +Of lowly submission + + +Make no great account who is for thee or against thee, but mind only +the present duty and take care that God be with thee in whatsoever thou +doest. Have a good conscience and God will defend thee, for he whom God +will help no man’s perverseness shall be able to hurt. If thou knowest +how to hold thy peace and to suffer, without doubt thou shalt see the +help of the Lord. He knoweth the time and the way to deliver thee, +therefore must thou resign thyself to Him. To God it belongeth to help +and to deliver from all confusion. Oftentimes it is very profitable for +keeping us in greater humility, that others know and rebuke our faults. + +2. When a man humbleth himself for his defects, he then easily +pacifieth others and quickly satisfieth those that are angered against +him. God protecteth and delivereth the humble man, He loveth and +comforteth the humble man, to the humble man He inclineth Himself, on +the humble He bestoweth great grace, and when he is cast down He +raiseth him to glory: to the humble He revealeth His secrets, and +sweetly draweth and inviteth him to Himself. The humble man having +received reproach, is yet in sufficient peace, because he resteth on +God and not on the world. Reckon not thyself to have profited in +anywise unless thou feel thyself to be inferior to all. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +Of the good, peaceable man + + +First keep thyself in peace, and then shalt thou be able to be a +peacemaker towards others. A peaceable man doth more good than a +well-learned. A passionate man turneth even good into evil and easily +believeth evil; a good, peaceable man converteth all things into good. +He who dwelleth in peace is suspicious of none, but he who is +discontented and restless is tossed with many suspicions, and is +neither quiet himself nor suffereth others to be quiet. He often saith +what he ought not to say, and omitteth what it were more expedient for +him to do. He considereth to what duties others are bound, and +neglecteth those to which he is bound himself. Therefore be zealous +first over thyself, and then mayest thou righteously be zealous +concerning thy neighbour. + +2. Thou knowest well how to excuse and to colour thine own deeds, but +thou wilt not accept the excuses of others. It would be more just to +accuse thyself and excuse thy brother. If thou wilt that others bear +with thee, bear thou with others. Behold how far thou art as yet from +the true charity and humility which knows not how to be angry or +indignant against any save self alone. It is no great thing to mingle +with the good and the meek, for this is naturally pleasing to all, and +every one of us willingly enjoyeth peace and liketh best those who +think with us: but to be able to live peaceably with the hard and +perverse, or with the disorderly, or those who oppose us, this is a +great grace and a thing much to be commended and most worthy of a man. + +3. There are who keep themselves in peace and keep peace also with +others, and there are who neither have peace nor suffer others to have +peace; they are troublesome to others, but always more troublesome to +themselves. And there are who hold themselves in peace, and study to +bring others unto peace; nevertheless, all our peace in this sad life +lieth in humble suffering rather than in not feeling adversities. He +who best knoweth how to suffer shall possess the most peace; that man +is conqueror of himself and lord of the world, the friend of Christ, +and the inheritor of heaven. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +Of a pure mind and simple intention + + +By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and +purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, purity in the +affection. Simplicity reacheth towards God, purity apprehendeth Him and +tasteth Him. No good action will be distasteful to thee if thou be free +within from inordinate affection. If thou reachest after and seekest, +nothing but the will of God and the benefit of thy neighbour, thou wilt +entirely enjoy inward liberty. If thine heart were right, then should +every creature be a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine. There +is no creature so small and vile but that it showeth us the goodness of +God. + +2. If thou wert good and pure within, then wouldst thou look upon all +things without hurt and understand them aright. A pure heart seeth the +very depths of heaven and hell. Such as each one is inwardly, so +judgeth he outwardly. If there is any joy in the world surely the man +of pure heart possesseth it, and if there is anywhere tribulation and +anguish, the evil conscience knoweth it best. As iron cast into the +fire loseth rust and is made altogether glowing, so the man who turneth +himself altogether unto God is freed from slothfulness and changed into +a new man. + +3. When a man beginneth to grow lukewarm, then he feareth a little +labour, and willingly accepteth outward consolation; but when he +beginneth perfectly to conquer himself and to walk manfully in the way +of God, then he counteth as nothing those things which aforetime seemed +to be so grievous unto him. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +Of self-esteem + + +We cannot place too little confidence in ourselves, because grace and +understanding are often lacking to us. Little light is there within us, +and what we have we quickly lose by negligence. Oftentimes we perceive +not how great is our inward blindness. We often do ill and excuse it +worse. Sometimes we are moved by passion and count it zeal; we blame +little faults in others and pass over great faults in ourselves. +Quickly enough we feel and reckon up what we bear at the hands of +others, but we reflect not how much others are bearing from us. He who +would weigh well and rightly his own doings would not be the man to +judge severely of another. + +2. The spiritually-minded man putteth care of himself before all cares; +and he who diligently attendeth to himself easily keepeth silence +concerning others. Thou wilt never be spiritually minded and godly +unless thou art silent concerning other men’s matters and take full +heed to thyself. If thou think wholly upon thyself and upon God, what +thou seest out of doors shall move thee little. Where art thou when +thou art not present to thyself? and when thou hast overrun all things, +what hath it profited thee, thyself being neglected? If thou wouldst +have peace and true unity, thou must put aside all other things, and +gaze only upon thyself. + +3. Then thou shalt make great progress if thou keep thyself free from +all temporal care. Thou shalt lamentably fall away if thou set a value +upon any worldly thing. Let nothing be great, nothing high, nothing +pleasing, nothing acceptable unto thee, save God Himself or the things +of God. Reckon as altogether vain whatsoever consolation comes to thee +from a creature. The soul that loveth God looketh not to anything that +is beneath God. God alone is eternal and incomprehensible, filling all +things, the solace of the soul, and the true joy of the heart. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +Of the joy of a good conscience + + +The testimony of a good conscience is the glory of a good man. Have a +good conscience and thou shalt ever have joy. A good conscience is able +to bear exceeding much, and is exceeding joyful in the midst of +adversities; an evil conscience is ever fearful and unquiet. Thou shalt +rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not. Never rejoice unless when +thou hast done well. The wicked have never true joy, nor feel internal +peace, for there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.(1) And if +they say “we are in peace, there shall no harm happen unto us, and who +shall dare to do us hurt?” believe them not, for suddenly shall the +wrath of God rise up against them, and their deeds shall be brought to +nought, and their thoughts shall perish. + +2. To glory in tribulation is not grievous to him who loveth; for such +glorying is glorying in the Cross of Christ. Brief is the glory which +is given and received of men. Sadness always goeth hand in hand with +the glory of the world. The glory of the good is in their conscience, +and not in the report of men. The joy of the upright is from God and in +God, and their joy is in the truth. He who desireth true and eternal +glory careth not for that which is temporal; and he who seeketh +temporal glory, or who despiseth it from his heart, is proved to bear +little love for that which is heavenly. He who careth for neither +praises nor reproaches hath great tranquillity of heart. + +3. He will easily be contented and filled with peace, whose conscience +is pure. Thou art none the holier if thou art praised, nor the viler if +thou art reproached. Thou art what thou art; and thou canst not be +better than God pronounceth thee to be. If thou considerest well what +thou art inwardly, thou wilt not care what men will say to thee. Man +looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the +heart:(2) man looketh on the deed, but God considereth the intent. It +is the token of a humble spirit always to do well, and to set little by +oneself. Not to look for consolation from any created thing is a sign +of great purity and inward faithfulness. + +4. He that seeketh no outward witness on his own behalf, showeth +plainly that he hath committed himself wholly to God. For not he that +commendeth himself is approved, as St. Paul saith, but whom the Lord +commendeth.(3) To walk inwardly with God, and not to be held by any +outer affections, is the state of a spiritual man. + +(1) Isaiah lvii. 21. (2) 1 Samuel xvi. 7. (3) 2 Corinthians x. 18. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +Of loving Jesus above all things + + +Blessed is he who understandeth what it is to love Jesus, and to +despise himself for Jesus’ sake. He must give up all that he loveth for +his Beloved, for Jesus will be loved alone above all things. The love +of created things is deceiving and unstable, but the love of Jesus is +faithful and lasting. He who cleaveth to created things will fall with +their slipperiness; but he who embraceth Jesus will stand upright for +ever. Love Him and hold Him for thy friend, for He will not forsake +thee when all depart from thee, nor will he suffer thee to perish at +the last. Thou must one day be separated from all, whether thou wilt or +wilt not. + +2. Cleave thou to Jesus in life and death, and commit thyself unto His +faithfulness, who, when all men fail thee, is alone able to help thee. +Thy Beloved is such, by nature, that He will suffer no rival, but alone +will possess thy heart, and as a king will sit upon His own throne. If +thou wouldst learn to put away from thee every created thing, Jesus +would freely take up His abode with thee. Thou wilt find all trust +little better than lost which thou hast placed in men, and not in +Jesus. Trust not nor lean upon a reed shaken with the wind, because all +flesh is grass, and the goodliness thereof falleth as the flower of the +field.(1) + +3. Thou wilt be quickly deceived if thou lookest only upon the outward +appearance of men, for if thou seekest thy comfort and profit in +others, thou shalt too often experience loss. If thou seekest Jesus in +all things thou shalt verily find Jesus, but if thou seekest thyself +thou shalt also find thyself, but to thine own hurt. For if a man +seeketh not Jesus he is more hurtful to himself than all the world and +all his adversaries. + +(1) Isaiah xl. 6. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Of the intimate love of Jesus + + +When Jesus is present all is well and nothing seemeth hard, but when +Jesus is not present everything is hard. When Jesus speaketh not +within, our comfort is nothing worth, but if Jesus speaketh but a +single word great is the comfort we experience. Did not Mary Magdalene +rise up quickly from the place where she wept when Martha said to her, +The Master is come and calleth for thee?(1) Happy hour when Jesus +calleth thee from tears to the joy of the spirit! How dry and hard art +thou without Jesus! How senseless and vain if thou desirest aught +beyond Jesus! Is not this greater loss than if thou shouldst lose the +whole world? + +2. What can the world profit thee without Jesus? To be without Jesus is +the nethermost hell, and to be with Jesus is sweet paradise. If Jesus +were with thee no enemy could hurt thee. He who findeth Jesus findeth a +good treasure, yea, good above all good; and he who loseth Jesus loseth +exceeding much, yea, more than the whole world. Most poor is he who +liveth without Jesus, and most rich is he who is much with Jesus. + +3. It is great skill to know how to live with Jesus, and to know how to +hold Jesus is great wisdom. Be thou humble and peaceable and Jesus +shall be with thee. Be godly and quiet, and Jesus will remain with +thee. Thou canst quickly drive away Jesus and lose His favour if thou +wilt turn away to the outer things. And if thou hast put Him to flight +and lost Him, to whom wilt thou flee, and whom then wilt thou seek for +a friend? Without a friend thou canst not live long, and if Jesus be +not thy friend above all thou shalt be very sad and desolate. Madly +therefore doest thou if thou trusteth or findest joy in any other. It +is preferable to have the whole world against thee, than Jesus offended +with thee. Therefore of all that are dear to thee, let Jesus be +specially loved. + +4. Let all be loved for Jesus’ sake, but Jesus for His own. Jesus +Christ alone is to be specially loved, for He alone is found good and +faithful above all friends. For His sake and in Him let both enemies +and friends be dear to thee, and pray for them all that they may all +know and love Him. Never desire to be specially praised or loved, +because this belongeth to God alone, who hath none like unto Himself. +Nor wish thou that any one set his heart on thee, nor do thou give +thyself up to the love of any, but let Jesus be in thee and in every +good man. + +5. Be pure and free within thyself, and be not entangled by any created +thing. Thou oughtest to bring a bare and clean heart to God, if thou +desirest to be ready to see how gracious the Lord is. And in truth, +unless thou be prevented and drawn on by His grace, thou wilt not +attain to this, that having cast out and dismissed all else, thou alone +art united to God. For when the grace of God cometh to a man, then he +becometh able to do all things, and when it departeth then he will be +poor and weak and given up unto troubles. In these thou art not to be +cast down nor to despair, but to rest with calm mind on the will of +God, and to bear all things which come upon thee unto the praise of +Jesus Christ; for after winter cometh summer, after night returneth +day, after the tempest a great calm. + +(1) John xi. 28. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Of the lack of all comfort + + +It is no hard thing to despise human comfort when divine is present. It +is a great thing, yea very great, to be able to bear the loss both of +human and divine comfort; and for the love of God willingly to bear +exile of heart, and in nought to seek oneself, nor to look to one’s own +merit. What great matter is it, if thou be cheerful of heart and devout +when favour cometh to thee? That is an hour wherein all rejoice. +Pleasantly enough doth he ride whom the grace of God carrieth. And what +marvel, if he feeleth no burden who is carried by the Almighty, and is +led onwards by the Guide from on high? + +2. We are willing to accept anything for comfort, and it is difficult +for a man to be freed from himself. The holy martyr Laurence overcame +the love of the world and even of his priestly master, because he +despised everything in the world which seemed to be pleasant; and for +the love of Christ he calmly suffered even God’s chief priest, Sixtus, +whom he dearly loved, to be taken from him. Thus by the love of the +Creator he overcame the love of man, and instead of human comfort he +chose rather God’s good pleasure. So also learn thou to resign any near +and beloved friend for the love of God. Nor take it amiss when thou +hast been deserted by a friend, knowing that we must all be parted from +one another at last. + +3. Mightily and long must a man strive within himself before he learn +altogether to overcome himself, and to draw his whole affection towards +God. When a man resteth upon himself, he easily slippeth away unto +human comforts. But a true lover of Christ, and a diligent seeker after +virtue, falleth not back upon those comforts, nor seeketh such +sweetness as may be tasted and handled, but desireth rather hard +exercises, and to undertake severe labours for Christ. + +4. When, therefore, spiritual comfort is given by God, receive it with +giving of thanks, and know that it is the gift of God, not thy desert. +Be not lifted up, rejoice not overmuch nor foolishly presume, but +rather be more humble for the gift, more wary and more careful in all +thy doings; for that hour will pass away, and temptation will follow. +When comfort is taken from thee, do not straightway despair, but wait +for the heavenly visitation with humility and patience, for God is able +to give thee back greater favour and consolation. This is not new nor +strange to those who have made trial of the way of God, for with the +great saints and the ancient prophets there was often this manner of +change. + +5. Wherefore one said when the favour of God was present with him, I +said in my prosperity I shall never be moved,(1) but he goeth on to say +what he felt within himself when the favour departed: Thou didst turn +Thy face from me, and I was troubled. In spite whereof he in no wise +despaireth, but the more instantly entreateth God, and saith, Unto +Thee, O Lord, will I cry, and will pray unto my God; and then he +receiveth the fruit of his prayer, and testifieth how he hath been +heard, saying, The Lord heard me and had mercy upon me, the Lord was my +helper. But wherein? Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy, Thou hast +put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness. If it was thus with +the great saints, we who are poor and needy ought not to despair if we +are sometimes in the warmth and sometimes in the cold, for the Spirit +cometh and goeth according to the good pleasure of His will. Wherefore +holy Job saith, Thou dost visit him in the morning, and suddenly Thou +dost prove him.(2) + +6. Whereupon then can I hope, or wherein may I trust, save only in the +great mercy of God, and the hope of heavenly grace? For whether good +men are with me, godly brethren or faithful friends, whether holy books +or beautiful discourses, whether sweet hymns and songs, all these help +but little, and have but little savour when I am deserted by God’s +favour and left to mine own poverty. There is no better remedy, then, +than patience and denial of self, and an abiding in the will of God. + +7. I have never found any man so religious and godly, but that he felt +sometimes a withdrawal of the divine favour, and lack of fervour. No +saint was ever so filled with rapture, so enlightened, but that sooner +or later he was tempted. For he is not worthy of the great vision of +God, who, for God’s sake, hath not been exercised by some temptation. +For temptation is wont to go before as a sign of the comfort which +shall follow, and heavenly comfort is promised to those who are proved +by temptation. As it is written, To him that overcometh I will give to +eat of the tree of life.(3) + +8. Divine comfort is given that a man may be stronger to bear +adversities. And temptation followeth, lest he be lifted up because of +the benefit. The devil sleepeth not; thy flesh is not yet dead; +therefore, cease thou not to make thyself ready unto the battle, for +enemies stand on thy right hand and on thy left, and they are never at +rest. + +(1) Psalm xxx. 6. (2) Job vii. 18. (3) Revelation ii. 7. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +Of gratitude for the Grace of God + + +Why seekest thou rest when thou art born to labour? Prepare thyself for +patience more than for comforts, and for bearing the cross more than +for joy. For who among the men of this world would not gladly receive +consolation and spiritual joy if he might always have it? For spiritual +comforts exceed all the delights of the world, and all the pleasures of +the flesh. For all worldly delights are either empty or unclean, whilst +spiritual delights alone are pleasant and honourable, the offspring of +virtue, and poured forth by God into pure minds. But no man can always +enjoy these divine comforts at his own will, because the season of +temptation ceaseth not for long. + +2. Great is the difference between a visitation from above and false +liberty of spirit and great confidence in self. God doeth well in +giving us the grace of comfort, but man doeth ill in not immediately +giving God thanks thereof. And thus the gifts of grace are not able to +flow unto us, because we are ungrateful to the Author of them, and +return them not wholly to the Fountain whence they flow. For grace ever +becometh the portion of him who is grateful and that is taken away from +the proud, which is wont to be given to the humble. + +3. I desire no consolation which taketh away from me compunction, I +love no contemplation which leadeth to pride. For all that is high is +not holy, nor is everything that is sweet good; every desire is not +pure; nor is everything that is dear to us pleasing unto God. Willingly +do I accept that grace whereby I am made humbler and more wary and more +ready to renounce myself. He who is made learned by the gift of grace +and taught wisdom by the stroke of the withdrawal thereof, will not +dare to claim any good thing for himself, but will rather confess that +he is poor and needy. Give unto God the thing which is God’s,(1) and +ascribe to thyself that which is thine; that is, give thanks unto God +for His grace, but for thyself alone confess thy fault, and that thy +punishment is deserved for thy fault. + +4. Sit thou down always in the lowest room and thou shalt be given the +highest place.(2) For the highest cannot be without the lowest. For the +highest saints of God are least in their own sight, and the more +glorious they are, so much the lowlier are they in themselves; full of +grace and heavenly glory, they are not desirous of vain-glory; resting +on God and strong in His might, they cannot be lifted up in any wise. +And they who ascribe unto God all the good which they have received, +“seek not glory one of another, but the glory which cometh from God +only,” and they desire that God shall be praised in Himself and in all +His Saints above all things, and they are always striving for this very +thing. + +5. Be thankful, therefore, for the least benefit and thou shalt be +worthy to receive greater. Let the least be unto thee even as the +greatest, and let that which is of little account be unto thee as a +special gift. If the majesty of the Giver be considered, nothing that +is given shall seem small and of no worth, for that is not a small +thing which is given by the Most High God. Yea, though He gave +punishment and stripes, we ought to be thankful, because He ever doth +for our profit whatever He suffereth to come upon us. He who seeketh to +retain the favour of God, let him be thankful for the favour which is +given, and patient in respect of that which is taken away. Let him pray +that it may return; let him be wary and humble that he lose it not. + +(1) Matthew xxii. 21. (2) Luke xiv. 10. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus + + +Jesus hath many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His +Cross. He hath many seekers of comfort, but few of tribulation. He +findeth many companions of His table, but few of His fasting. All +desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to undergo anything for His +sake. Many follow Jesus that they may eat of His loaves, but few that +they may drink of the cup of His passion. Many are astonished at His +Miracles, few follow after the shame of His Cross. Many love Jesus so +long as no adversities happen to them. Many praise Him and bless Him, +so long as they receive any comforts from Him. But if Jesus hide +Himself and withdraw from them a little while, they fall either into +complaining or into too great dejection of mind. + +2. But they who love Jesus for Jesus’ sake, and not for any consolation +of their own, bless Him in all tribulation and anguish of heart as in +the highest consolation. And if He should never give them consolation, +nevertheless they would always praise Him and always give Him thanks. + +3. Oh what power hath the pure love of Jesus, unmixed with any gain or +love of self! Should not all they be called mercenary who are always +seeking consolations? Do they not prove themselves lovers of self more +than of Christ who are always seeking their own gain and advantage? +Where shall be found one who is willing to serve God altogether for +nought? + +4. Rarely is any one found so spiritual as to be stripped of all +selfish thoughts, for who shall find a man truly poor in spirit and +free of all created things? “His value is from afar, yea from the ends +of the earth.” A man may give away all his goods, yet that is nothing; +and if he do many deeds of penitence, yet that is a small thing; and +though he understand all knowledge, yet that is afar off; and if he +have great virtue and zealous devotion, yet much is lacking unto him, +yea, one thing which is the most necessary to him of all. What is it +then? That having given up all things besides, he give up himself and +go forth from himself utterly, and retain nothing of self-love; and +having done all things which he knoweth to be his duty to do, that he +feel that he hath done nothing. Let him not reckon that much which +might be much esteemed, but let him pronounce himself to be in truth an +unprofitable servant, as the Truth Himself saith, When ye have done all +things that are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants.(1) +Then may he be truly poor and naked in spirit, and be able to say with +the Prophet, As for me, I am poor and needy.(2) Nevertheless, no man is +richer than he, no man stronger, no man freer. For he knoweth both how +to give up himself and all things, and how to be lowly in his own eyes. + +(1) Luke xvii. 10. (2) Psalm xxv. 16. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +Of the royal way of the Holy Cross + + +That seemeth a hard saying to many, If any man will come after Me, let +him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow Me.(1) But it will be +much harder to hear that last sentence, Depart from me, ye wicked, into +eternal fire.(2) For they who now willingly hear the word of the Cross +and follow it, shall not then fear the hearing of eternal damnation. +This sign of the Cross shall be in heaven when the Lord cometh to +Judgment. Then all servants of the Cross, who in life have conformed +themselves to the Crucified, shall draw nigh unto Christ the Judge with +great boldness. + +2. Why fearest thou then to take up the cross which leadeth to a +kingdom? In the Cross is health, in the Cross is life, in the Cross is +protection from enemies, in the Cross is heavenly sweetness, in the +Cross strength of mind, in the Cross joy of the spirit, in the Cross +the height of virtue, in the Cross perfection of holiness. There is no +health of the soul, no hope of eternal life, save in the Cross. Take up +therefore, thy cross and follow Jesus and thou shalt go into eternal +life. He went before thee bearing His Cross and died for thee upon the +Cross, that thou also mayest bear thy cross and mayest love to be +crucified upon it. For if thou be dead with Him, thou shalt also live +with Him, and if thou be a partaker of His sufferings thou shalt be +also of His glory. + +3. Behold everything dependeth upon the Cross, and everything lieth in +dying; and there is none other way unto life and to true inward peace, +except the way of the Holy Cross and of daily mortification. Go where +thou wilt, seek whatsoever thou wilt, and thou shalt find no higher way +above nor safer way below, than the way of the Holy Cross. Dispose and +order all things according to thine own will and judgment, and thou +shalt ever find something to suffer either willingly or unwillingly, +and thus thou shalt ever find thy cross. For thou shalt either feel +pain of body, or tribulation of spirit within thy soul. + +4. Sometimes thou wilt be forsaken of God, sometimes thou wilt be tried +by thy neighbour, and which is more, thou wilt often be wearisome to +thyself. And still thou canst not be delivered nor eased by any remedy +or consolation, but must bear so long as God will. For God will have +thee learn to suffer tribulation without consolation, and to submit +thyself fully to it, and by tribulation be made more humble. No man +understandeth the Passion of Christ in his heart so well as he who hath +had somewhat of the like suffering himself. The Cross therefore is +always ready, and every where waiteth for thee. Thou canst not flee +from it whithersoever thou hurriest, for whithersoever thou comest, +thou bearest thyself with thee, and shalt ever find thyself. Turn thee +above, turn thee below, turn thee without, turn thee within, and in +them all thou shalt find the Cross; and needful is it that thou +everywhere possess patience if thou wilt have internal peace and gain +the everlasting crown. + +5. If thou willingly bear the Cross, it will bear thee, and will bring +thee to the end which thou seekest, even where there shall be the end +of suffering; though it shall not be here. If thou bear it unwillingly, +thou makest a burden for thyself and greatly increaseth thy load, and +yet thou must bear it. If thou cast away one cross, without doubt thou +shalt find another and perchance a heavier. + +6. Thinketh thou to escape what no mortal hath been able to avoid? +Which of the saints in the world hath been without the cross and +tribulation? For not even Jesus Christ our Lord was one hour without +the anguish of His Passion, so long as He lived. It behooved, He said, +Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his +glory.(3) And how dost thou seek another way than this royal way, which +is the way of the Holy Cross? + +7. The whole life of Christ was a cross and martyrdom, and dost thou +seek for thyself rest and joy? Thou art wrong, thou art wrong, if thou +seekest aught but to suffer tribulations, for this whole mortal life is +full of miseries, and set round with crosses. And the higher a man hath +advanced in the spirit, the heavier crosses he will often find, because +the sorrow of his banishment increaseth with the strength of his love. + +8. But yet the man who is thus in so many wise afflicted, is not +without refreshment of consolation, because he feeleth abundant fruit +to be growing within him out of the bearing of his cross. For whilst he +willingly submitteth himself to it, every burden of tribulation is +turned into an assurance of divine comfort, and the more the flesh is +wasted by affliction, the more is the spirit strengthened mightily by +inward grace. And ofttimes so greatly is he comforted by the desire for +tribulation and adversity, through love of conformity to the Cross of +Christ, that he would not be without sorrow and tribulation; for he +believeth that he shall be the more acceptable to God, the more and the +heavier burdens he is able to bear for His sake. This is not the virtue +of man, but the grace of Christ which hath such power and energy in the +weak flesh, that what it naturally hateth and fleeth from, this it +draweth to and loveth through fervour of spirit. + +9. It is not in the nature of man to bear the cross, to love the cross, +to keep under the body and to bring it into subjection, to fly from +honours, to bear reproaches meekly, to despise self and desire to be +despised, to bear all adversities and losses, and to desire no +prosperity in this world. If thou lookest to thyself, thou wilt of +thyself be able to do none of this; but if thou trustest in the Lord, +endurance shall be given thee from heaven, and the world and the flesh +shall be made subject to thy command. Yea, thou shalt not even fear +thine adversary the devil, if thou be armed with faith and signed with +the Cross of Christ. + +10. Set thyself, therefore, like a good and faithful servant of Christ, +to the manful bearing of the Cross of thy Lord, who out of love was +crucified for thee. Prepare thyself for the bearing many adversities +and manifold troubles in this wretched life; because so it shall be +with thee wheresoever thou art, and so in very deed thou shalt find it, +wherever thou hide thyself. This it must be; and there is no means of +escaping from tribulation and sorrow, except to bear them patiently. +Drink thou lovingly thy Lord’s cup if thou desirest to be His friend +and to have thy lot with Him. Leave consolations to God, let Him do as +seemeth best to Him concerning them. But do thou set thyself to endure +tribulations, and reckon them the best consolations; for the sufferings +of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which +shall be revealed in us,(4) nor would they be even if thou wert to +endure them all. + +11. When thou hast come to this, that tribulation is sweet and pleasant +to thee for Christ’s sake, then reckon that it is well with thee, +because thou hast found paradise on earth. So long as it is hard to +thee to suffer and thou desirest to escape, so long it will not be well +with thee, and tribulations will follow thee everywhere. + +12. If thou settest thyself to that thou oughtest, namely, to suffer +and to die, it shall soon go better with thee, and thou shalt find +peace. Though thou shouldest be caught up with Paul unto the third +heaven,(5) thou art not on that account secure from suffering evil. I +will show him, saith Jesus, what great things he must suffer for My +Name’s sake.(6) It remaineth, therefore, to thee to suffer, if thou +wilt love Jesus and serve Him continually. + +13. Oh that thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus, +how great glory should await thee, what rejoicing among all the saints +of God, what bright example also to thy neighbour! For all men commend +patience, although few be willing to practise it. Thou oughtest surely +to suffer a little for Christ when many suffer heavier things for the +world. + +14. Know thou of a surety that thou oughtest to lead the life of a +dying man. And the more a man dieth to himself, the more he beginneth +to live towards God. None is fit for the understanding of heavenly +things, unless he hath submitted himself to bearing adversities for +Christ. Nothing more acceptable to God, nothing more healthful for +thyself in this world, than to suffer willingly for Christ. And if it +were thine to choose, thou oughtest rather to wish to suffer +adversities for Christ, than to be refreshed with manifold +consolations, for thou wouldest be more like Christ and more conformed +to all saints. For our worthiness and growth in grace lieth not in many +delights and consolations, but rather in bearing many troubles and +adversities. + +15. If indeed there had been anything better and more profitable to the +health of men than to suffer, Christ would surely have shown it by word +and example. For both the disciples who followed Him, and all who +desire to follow Him, He plainly exhorteth to bear their cross, and +saith, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up +his cross, and follow Me.(7) So now that we have thoroughly read and +studied all things, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. We +must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.(8) + +(1) Matthew xvi. 24. (2) Matthew xxv. 41. (3) Luke xxiv. 46. (4) Romans +viii. 18. (5) 2 Corinthians xii. 2. (6) Acts ix. 16. (7) Luke ix. 23. +(8) Acts xiv. 21. + + + + +THE THIRD BOOK +ON INWARD CONSOLATION + + + + +CHAPTER I + +Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul + + +I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me.(1) Blessed is the +soul which heareth the Lord speaking within it, and receiveth the word +of consolation from His mouth. Blessed are the ears which receive the +echoes of the soft whisper of God, and turn not aside to the +whisperings of this world. Blessed truly are the ears which listen not +to the voice that soundeth without, but to that which teacheth truth +inwardly. Blessed are the eyes which are closed to things without, but +are fixed upon things within. Blessed are they who search inward things +and study to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises for +the receiving of heavenly mysteries. Blessed are they who long to have +leisure for God, and free themselves from every hindrance of the world. +Think on these things, O my soul, and shut the doors of thy carnal +desires, so mayest thou hear what the Lord God will say within thee. + +2. These things saith thy Beloved, “I am thy salvation, I am thy peace +and thy life. Keep thee unto Me, and thou shalt find peace.” Put away +thee all transitory things, seek those things that are eternal. For +what are all temporal things but deceits, and what shall all created +things help thee if thou be forsaken by the Creator? Therefore put all +things else away, and give thyself to the Creator, to be well pleasing +and faithful to Him, that thou mayest be able to attain true +blessedness. + +(1) Psalm lxxxv. 8. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words + + +Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.(1) I am Thy servant; O give me +understanding that I may know Thy testimonies. Incline my heart unto +the words of Thy mouth.(2) Let thy speech distil as the dew. The +children of Israel spake in old time to Moses, Speak thou unto us and +we will hear, but let not the Lord speak unto us lest we die.(3) Not +thus, O Lord, not thus do I pray, but rather with Samuel the prophet, I +beseech Thee humbly and earnestly, Speak, Lord, for Thy servant +heareth. Let not Moses speak to me, nor any prophet, but rather speak +Thou, O Lord, who didst inspire and illuminate all the prophets; for +Thou alone without them canst perfectly fill me with knowledge, whilst +they without Thee shall profit nothing. + +2. They can indeed utter words, but they give not the spirit. They +speak with exceeding beauty, but when Thou art silent they kindle not +the heart. They give us scriptures, but Thou makest known the sense +thereof. They bring us mysteries, but Thou revealest the things which +are signified. They utter commandments, but Thou helpest to the +fulfilling of them. They show the way, but Thou givest strength for the +journey. They act only outwardly, but Thou dost instruct and enlighten +the heart. They water, but Thou givest the increase. They cry with +words, but Thou givest understanding to the hearer. + +3. Therefore let not Moses speak to me, but Thou, O Lord my God, +Eternal Truth; lest I die and bring forth no fruit, being outwardly +admonished, but not enkindled within; lest the word heard but not +followed, known but not loved, believed but not obeyed, rise up against +me in the judgment. Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth; Thou hast the +words of eternal life.(4) Speak unto me for some consolation unto my +soul, for the amendment of my whole life, and for the praise and glory +and eternal honour of Thy Name. + +(1) 1 Samuel iii. 9. (2) Psalm cxix. 125. (3) Exodus xx. 19. (4) John +vi. 68. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +How all the words of God are to be heard with humility, and how many +consider them not + + +“My Son, hear My words, for My words are most sweet, surpassing all the +knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world. My words are +spirit, and they are life,(1) and are not to be weighed by man’s +understanding. They are not to be drawn forth for vain approbation, but +to be heard in silence, and to be received with all humility and with +deep love.” + +2. And I said, “Blessed is the man whom Thou teachest, O Lord, and +instructest him in Thy law, that Thou mayest give him rest in time of +adversity,(2) and that he be not desolate in the earth.” + +3. “I,” saith the Lord, “taught the prophets from the beginning, and +even now cease I not to speak unto all; but many are deaf and hardened +against My voice; many love to listen to the world rather than to God, +they follow after the desires of the flesh more readily than after the +good pleasure of God. The world promiseth things that are temporal and +small, and it is served with great eagerness. I promise things that are +great and eternal, and the hearts of mortals are slow to stir. Who +serveth and obeyeth Me in all things, with such carefulness as he +serveth the world and its rulers? + +Be thou ashamed, O Sidon, saith the sea;(3) +And if thou reason seekest, hear thou me. + + +For a little reward men make a long journey; for eternal life many will +scarce lift a foot once from the ground. Mean reward is sought after; +for a single piece of money sometimes there is shameful striving; for a +thing which is vain and for a trifling promise, men shrink not from +toiling day and night.” + +4. “But, O shame! for an unchangeable good, for an inestimable reward, +for the highest honour and for a glory that fadeth not away, it is +irksome to them to toil even a little. Be thou ashamed therefore, +slothful and discontented servant, for they are found readier unto +perdition than thou unto life. They rejoice more heartily in vanity +than thou in the truth. Sometimes, indeed, they are disappointed of +their hope, but my promise faileth no man, nor sendeth away empty him +who trusteth in Me. What I have promised I will give; what I have said +I will fulfil; if only a man remain faithful in My love unto the end. +Therefore am I the rewarder of all good men, and a strong approver of +all who are godly. + +5. “Write My words in thy heart and consider them diligently, for they +shall be very needful to thee in time of temptation. What thou +understandest not when thou readest, thou shalt know in the time of thy +visitation. I am wont to visit Mine elect in twofold manner, even by +temptation and by comfort, and I teach them two lessons day by day, the +one in chiding their faults, the other in exhorting them to grow in +grace. He who hath My words and rejecteth them, hath one who shall +judge him at the last day.” + +A PRAYER FOR THE SPIRIT OF DEVOTION + + +6. O Lord my God, Thou art all my good, and who am I that I should dare +to speak unto Thee? I am the very poorest of Thy servants, an abject +worm, much poorer and more despicable than I know or dare to say. +Nevertheless remember, O Lord, that I am nothing, I have nothing, and +can do nothing. Thou only art good, just and holy; Thou canst do all +things, art over all things, fillest all things, leaving empty only the +sinner. Call to mind Thy tender mercies, and fill my heart with Thy +grace, Thou who wilt not that Thy work should return to Thee void. + +7. How can I bear this miserable life unless Thy mercy and grace +strengthen me? Turn not away Thy face from me, delay not Thy +visitation. Withdraw not Thou Thy comfort from me, lest my soul “gasp +after thee as a thirsty land.” Lord, teach me to do Thy will, teach me +to walk humbly and uprightly before Thee, for Thou art my wisdom, who +knowest me in truth, and knewest me before the world was made and +before I was born into the world. + +(1) John vi. 63. (2) Psalm xciv. 13. (3) Isaiah xxiii. 4. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +How we must walk in truth and humility before God + + +“My Son! walk before Me in truth, and in the simplicity of thy heart +seek Me continually. He who walketh before Me in the truth shall be +safe from evil assaults, and the truth shall deliver him from the wiles +and slanders of the wicked. If the truth shall make thee free, thou +shalt be free indeed, and shalt not care for the vain words of men.” + +2. Lord, it is true as Thou sayest; let it, I pray Thee, be so with me; +let Thy truth teach me, let it keep me and preserve me safe unto the +end. Let it free me from all evil and inordinate affection, and I will +walk before Thee in great freedom of heart. + +3. “I will teach thee,” saith the Truth, “the things which are right +and pleasing before Me. Think upon thy sins with great displeasure and +sorrow, and never think thyself anything because of thy good works. +Verily thou art a sinner, liable to many passions, yea, tied and bound +with them. Of thyself thou always tendest unto nothing, thou wilt +quickly fall, quickly be conquered, quickly disturbed, quickly undone. +Thou hast nought whereof to glory, but many reasons why thou shouldest +reckon thyself vile, for thou art far weaker than thou art able to +comprehend. + +4. “Let, therefore, nothing which thou doest seem to thee great; let +nothing be grand, nothing of value or beauty, nothing worthy of honour, +nothing lofty, nothing praiseworthy or desirable, save what is eternal. +Let the eternal truth please thee above all things, let thine own great +vileness displease thee continually. Fear, denounce, flee nothing so +much as thine own faults and sins, which ought to be more displeasing +to thee than any loss whatsoever of goods. There are some who walk not +sincerely before me, but being led by curiosity and pride, they desire +to know my secret things and to understand the deep things of God, +whilst they neglect themselves and their salvation. These often fall +into great temptations and sins because of their pride and curiosity, +for I am against them. + +5. “Fear thou the judgments of God, fear greatly the wrath of the +Almighty. Shrink from debating upon the works of the Most High, but +search narrowly thine own iniquities into what great sins thou hast +fallen, and how many good things thou hast neglected. There are some +who carry their devotion only in books, some in pictures, some in +outward signs and figures; some have Me in their mouths, but little in +their hearts. Others there are who, being enlightened in their +understanding and purged in their affections, continually long after +eternal things, hear of earthly things with unwillingness, obey the +necessities of nature with sorrow. And these understand what the Spirit +of truth speaketh in them; for He teacheth them to despise earthly +things and to love heavenly; to neglect the world and to desire heaven +all the day and night.” + + + + +CHAPTER V + +Of the wonderful power of the Divine Love + + +I bless Thee, O Heavenly Father, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, for +that Thou hast vouchsafed to think of me, poor that I am. O, Father of +Mercies and God of all comfort,(1) I give thanks unto Thee, who +refreshest me sometimes with thine own comfort, when I am unworthy of +any comfort. I bless and glorify Thee continually, with thine only +begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, for ever and ever. O +Lord God, Holy lover of my soul, when Thou shalt come into my heart, +all my inward parts shall rejoice. Thou art my glory and the joy of my +heart. Thou art my hope and my refuge in the day of my trouble. + +2. But because I am still weak in love and imperfect in virtue, I need +to be strengthened and comforted by Thee; therefore visit Thou me often +and instruct me with Thy holy ways of discipline. Deliver me from evil +passions, and cleanse my heart from all inordinate affections, that, +being healed and altogether cleansed within, I may be made ready to +love, strong to suffer, steadfast to endure. + +3. Love is a great thing, a good above all others, which alone maketh +every heavy burden light, and equaliseth every inequality. For it +beareth the burden and maketh it no burden, it maketh every bitter +thing to be sweet and of good taste. The surpassing love of Jesus +impelleth to great works, and exciteth to the continual desiring of +greater perfection. Love willeth to be raised up, and not to be held +down by any mean thing. Love willeth to be free and aloof from all +worldly affection, lest its inward power of vision be hindered, lest it +be entangled by any worldly prosperity or overcome by adversity. +Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing loftier, +nothing broader, nothing pleasanter, nothing fuller or better in heaven +nor on earth, for love was born of God and cannot rest save in God +above all created things. + +4. He who loveth flyeth, runneth, and is glad; he is free and not +hindered. He giveth all things for all things, and hath all things in +all things, because he resteth in One who is high above all, from whom +every good floweth and proceedeth. He looketh not for gifts, but +turneth himself to the Giver above all good things. Love oftentimes +knoweth no measure, but breaketh out above all measure; love feeleth no +burden, reckoneth not labours, striveth after more than it is able to +do, pleadeth not impossibility, because it judgeth all things which are +lawful for it to be possible. It is strong therefore for all things, +and it fulfilleth many things, and is successful where he who loveth +not faileth and lieth down. + +5. Love is watchful, and whilst sleeping still keepeth watch; though +fatigued it is not weary, though pressed it is not forced, though +alarmed it is not terrified, but like the living flame and the burning +torch, it breaketh forth on high and securely triumpheth. If a man +loveth, he knoweth what this voice crieth. For the ardent affection of +the soul is a great clamour in the ears of God, and it saith: My God, +my Beloved! Thou art all mine, and I am all Thine. + +6. Enlarge Thou me in love, that I may learn to taste with the +innermost mouth of my heart how sweet it is to love, to be dissolved, +and to swim in love. Let me be holden by love, mounting above myself +through exceeding fervour and admiration. Let me sing the song of love, +let me follow Thee my Beloved on high, let my soul exhaust itself in +Thy praise, exulting with love. Let me love Thee more than myself, not +loving myself except for Thy sake, and all men in Thee who truly love +Thee, as the law of love commandeth which shineth forth from Thee. + +7. Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle, strong, patient, +faithful, prudent, long-suffering, manly, and never seeking her own; +for wheresoever a man seeketh his own, there he falleth from love. Love +is circumspect, humble, and upright; not weak, not fickle, nor intent +on vain things; sober, chaste, steadfast, quiet, and guarded in all the +senses. Love is subject and obedient to all that are in authority, vile +and lowly in its own sight, devout and grateful towards God, faithful +and always trusting in Him even when God hideth His face, for without +sorrow we cannot live in love. + +8. He who is not ready to suffer all things, and to conform to the will +of the Beloved, is not worthy to be called a lover of God. It behoveth +him who loveth to embrace willingly all hard and bitter things for the +Beloved’s sake, and not to be drawn away from Him because of any +contrary accidents. + +(1) 2 Corinthians i. 3. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +Of the proving of the true lover + + +“My Son, thou art not yet strong and prudent in thy love.” + +2. Wherefore, O my Lord? + +3. “Because for a little opposition thou fallest away from thy +undertakings, and too eagerly seekest after consolation. The strong +lover standeth fast in temptations, and believeth not the evil +persuasions of the enemy. As in prosperity I please him, so in +adversity I do not displease. + +4. “The prudent lover considereth not the gift of the lover so much as +the love of the giver. He looketh for the affection more than the +value, and setteth all gifts lower than the Beloved. The noble lover +resteth not in the gift, but in Me above every gift. + +5. “All is not lost, though thou sometimes think of Me or of My saints, +less than thou shouldest desire. That good and sweet affection which +thou sometimes perceivest is the effect of present grace and some +foretaste of the heavenly country; but hereon thou must not too much +depend, for it goeth and cometh. But to strive against the evil motions +of the mind which come to us, and to resist the suggestions of the +devil, is a token of virtue and great merit. + +6. “Therefore let not strange fancies disturb thee, whencesoever they +arise. Bravely observe thy purpose and thy upright intentions towards +God. It is not an illusion when thou art sometimes suddenly carried +away into rapture, and then suddenly art brought back to the wonted +vanities of thy heart. For thou dost rather unwillingly undergo them +than cause them; and so long as they displease thee and thou strivest +against them, it is a merit and no loss. + +7. “Know thou that thine old enemy altogether striveth to hinder thy +pursuit after good, and to deter thee from every godly exercise, to +wit, the contemplation of the Saints, the pious remembrance of My +passion, the profitable recollection of sin, the keeping of thy own +heart, and the steadfast purpose to grow in virtue. He suggesteth to +thee many evil thoughts, that he may work in thee weariness and terror, +and so draw thee away from prayer and holy reading. Humble confession +displeaseth him, and if he were able he would make thee to cease from +Communion. Believe him not, nor heed him, though many a time he hath +laid for thee the snares of deceit. Account it to be from him, when he +suggesteth evil and unclean thoughts. Say unto him, ‘Depart unclean +spirit; put on shame, miserable one; horribly unclean art thou, who +bringest such things to mine ears. Depart from me, detestable deceiver; +thou shalt have no part in me; but Jesus shall be with me, as a strong +warrior, and thou shalt stand confounded. Rather would I die and bear +all suffering, than consent unto thee. Hold thy peace and be dumb; I +will not hear thee more, though thou plottest more snares against me. +The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom then shall I fear? Though a +host of men should rise up against me, yet shall not my heart be +afraid. The Lord is my strength and my Redeemer.’(1) + +8. “Strive thou like a good soldier; and if sometimes thou fail through +weakness, put on thy strength more bravely than before, trusting in My +more abundant grace, and take thou much heed of vain confidence and +pride. Because of it many are led into error, and sometimes fall into +blindness well-nigh irremediable. Let this ruin of the proud, who +foolishly lift themselves up, be to thee for a warning and a continual +exhortation to humility.” + +(1) Psalms xxvii. 1-3; xix. 14. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +Of hiding our grace under the guard of humility + + +“My Son, it is better and safer for thee to hide the grace of devotion, +and not to lift thyself up on high, nor to speak much thereof, nor to +value it greatly; but rather to despise thyself, and to fear as though +this grace were given to one unworthy thereof. Nor must thou depend too +much upon this feeling, for it can very quickly be turned into its +opposite. Think when thou art in a state of grace how miserable and +poor thou art wont to be without grace. Nor is there advance in +spiritual life in this alone, that thou hast the grace of consolation, +but that thou humbly and unselfishly and patiently takest the +withdrawal thereof; so that thou cease not from the exercise of prayer, +nor suffer thy other common duties to be in anywise neglected; rather +do thy task more readily, as though thou hadst gained more strength and +knowledge; and do not altogether neglect thyself because of the dearth +and anxiety of spirit which thou feelest. + +2. “For there are many who, when things have not gone prosperous with +them, become forthwith impatient or slothful. For the way of a man is +not in himself,(1) but it is God’s to give and to console, when He +will, and as much as He will, and whom He will, as it shall please Him, +and no further. Some who were presumptuous because of the grace of +devotion within them, have destroyed themselves, because they would do +more than they were able, not considering the measure of their own +littleness, but rather following the impulse of the heart than the +judgment of the reason. And because they presumed beyond what was +well-pleasing unto God, therefore they quickly lost grace. They became +poor and were left vile, who had built for themselves their nest in +heaven; so that being humbled and stricken with poverty, they might +learn not to fly with their own wings, but to put their trust under My +feathers. They who are as yet new and unskilled in the way of the Lord, +unless they rule themselves after the counsel of the wise, may easily +be deceived and led away. + +3. “But if they wish to follow their own fancies rather than trust the +experience of others, the result will be very dangerous to them if they +still refuse to be drawn away from their own notion. Those who are wise +in their own conceits, seldom patiently endure to be ruled by others. +It is better to have a small portion of wisdom with humility, and a +slender understanding, than great treasures of sciences with vain +self-esteem. It is better for thee to have less than much of what may +make thee proud. He doeth not very discreetly who giveth up himself +entirely to joy, forgetting his former helplessness and the chaste fear +of the Lord, which feareth to lose the grace offered. Nor is he very +wise, after a manly sort, who in time of adversity, or any trouble +whatsoever, beareth himself too despairingly, and feeleth concerning Me +less trustfully than he ought. + +4. “He who in time of peace willeth to be oversecure shall be often +found in time of war overdispirited and full of fears. If thou knewest +always how to continue humble and moderate in thyself, and to guide and +rule thine own spirit well, thou wouldest not so quickly fall into +danger and mischief. It is good counsel that when fervour of spirit is +kindled, thou shouldest meditate how it will be with thee when the +light is taken away. Which when it doth happen, remember that still the +light may return again, which I have taken away for a time for a +warning to thee, and also for mine own glory. Such a trial is often +more useful than if thou hadst always things prosperous according to +thine own will. + +5. “For merits are not to be reckoned by this, that a man hath many +visions or consolations, or that he is skilled in the Scriptures, or +that he is placed in a high situation; but that he is grounded upon +true humility and filled with divine charity, that he always purely and +uprightly seeketh the honour of God, that he setteth not by himself, +but unfeignedly despiseth himself, and even rejoiceth to be despised +and humbled by others more than to be honoured.” + +(1) Jeremiah x. 23. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God + + +I will speak unto my Lord who am but dust and ashes. If I count myself +more, behold Thou standest against me, and my iniquities bear true +testimony, and I cannot gainsay it. But if I abase myself, and bring +myself to nought, and shrink from all self-esteem, and grind myself to +dust, which I am, Thy grace will be favourable unto me, and Thy light +will be near unto my heart; and all self-esteem, how little soever it +be, shall be swallowed up in the depths of my nothingness, and shall +perish for ever. There Thou showest to me myself, what I am, what I +was, and whither I have come: so foolish was I and ignorant.(1) If I am +left to myself, behold I am nothing, I am all weakness; but if suddenly +Thou look upon me, immediately I am made strong, and filled with new +joy. And it is great marvel that I am so suddenly lifted up, and so +graciously embraced by Thee, since I am always being carried to the +deep by my own weight. + +2. This is the doing of Thy love which freely goeth before me and +succoureth me in so many necessities, which guardeth me also in great +dangers and snatcheth me, as I may truly say, from innumerable evils. +For verily, by loving myself amiss, I lost myself, and by seeking and +sincerely loving Thee alone, I found both myself and Thee, and through +love I have brought myself to yet deeper nothingness: because Thou, O +most sweet Lord, dealest with me beyond all merit, and above all which +I dare ask or think. + +3. Blessed be Thou, O my God, because though I be unworthy of all Thy +benefits, Thy bountiful and infinite goodness never ceaseth to do good +even to ingrates and to those who are turned far from Thee. Turn Thou +us unto Thyself, that we may be grateful, humble, and godly, for Thou +art our salvation, our courage, and our strength. + +(1) Psalm lxxiii. 22. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +That all things are to be referred to God, as the final end + + +“My Son, I must be thy Supreme and final end, if thou desirest to be +truly happy. Out of such purpose thy affection shall be purified, which +too often is sinfully bent upon itself and upon created things. For if +thou seekest thyself in any matter, straightway thou wilt fail within +thyself and grow barren. Therefore refer everything to Me first of all, +for it is I who gave thee all. So look upon each blessing as flowing +from the Supreme Good, and thus all things are to be attributed to Me +as their source. + +2. “From Me the humble and great, the poor and the rich, draw water as +from a living fountain, and those who serve Me with a free and faithful +spirit shall receive grace for grace. But he who will glory apart from +Me, or will be delighted with any good which lieth in himself, shall +not be established in true joy, nor shall be enlarged in heart, but +shall be greatly hindered and thrown into tribulation. Therefore thou +must not ascribe any good to thyself, nor look upon virtue as belonging +to any man, but ascribe it all unto God, without whom man hath nothing. +I gave all, I will receive all again, and with great strictness require +I the giving of thanks. + +3. “This is the Truth, and by it the vanity of boasting is put to +flight. And if heavenly grace and true charity shall enter into thee, +there shall be no envy, nor straitening of the heart, nor shall any +self-love take possession of thee. For divine charity conquereth all +things, and enlargeth all the powers of the soul. If thou art truly +wise, thou wilt rejoice in Me alone, thou wilt hope in Me alone; for +there is none good but one, that is God,(1) Who is to be praised above +all things, and in all things to receive blessing.” + +(1) Luke xviii. 19. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God + + +Now will I speak again, O my Lord, and hold not my peace; I will say in +the ears of my God, my Lord, and my King, who is exalted above all, _Oh +how plentiful is Thy goodness which Thou hast laid up for them that +fear Thee!_(1) But what art Thou to those who love Thee? What to those +who serve Thee with their whole heart? Truly unspeakable is the +sweetness of the contemplation of Thee, which Thou bestowest upon those +who love Thee. In this most of all Thou hast showed me the sweetness of +Thy charity, that when I was not, Thou madest me, and when I wandered +far from Thee, Thou broughtest me back that I might serve Thee, and +commandedst me to love Thee. + +2. O Fountain of perpetual love, what shall I say concerning Thee? How +shall I be unmindful of Thee, who didst vouchsafe to remember me, even +after I pined away and perished? Thou hast had mercy beyond all hope +upon Thy servant, and hast showed Thy grace and friendship beyond all +deserving. What reward shall I render Thee for this Thy grace? For it +is not given unto all to renounce this world and its affairs, and to +take up a religious life. For is it a great thing that I should serve +Thee, whom every creature ought to serve? It ought not to seem a great +thing to me to serve Thee; but rather this appeareth to me a great and +wonderful thing, that Thou vouchsafest to receive as Thy servant one so +poor and unworthy, and to join him unto Thy chosen servants. + +3. Behold all things which I have are Thine, and with them I serve +Thee. And yet verily it is Thou who servest me, rather than I Thee. +Behold the heaven and the earth which Thou hast created for the service +of men; they are at Thy bidding, and perform daily whatsoever Thou dost +command. Yea, and this is little; for Thou hast even ordained the +Angels for the service of man. But it surpasseth even all these things, +that Thou Thyself didst vouchsafe to minister unto man, and didst +promise that Thou wouldest give Thyself unto him. + +4. What shall I render unto Thee for all these Thy manifold mercies? Oh +that I were able to serve Thee all the days of my life! Oh that even +for one day I were enabled to do Thee service worthy of Thyself! For +verily Thou art worthy of all service, all honour, and praise without +end. Verily Thou art my God, and I am Thy poor servant, who am bound to +serve Thee with all my strength, nor ought I ever to grow weary of Thy +praise. This is my wish, this is my exceeding great desire, and +whatsoever is lacking to me, vouchsafe Thou to supply. + +5. It is great honour, great glory to serve Thee, and to despise all +for Thy sake. For they shall have great grace who of their own will +shall submit themselves to Thy most holy service. They who for Thy love +have cast away every carnal delight shall find the sweetest consolation +of the Holy Ghost. They who enter the narrow way of life for Thy Name’s +sake, and have put away all worldly cares, shall attain great liberty +of spirit. + +6. Oh grateful and delightsome service of God, whereby man is made +truly free and holy! Oh sacred condition of the religious servant, +which maketh man equal to the Angels, well-pleasing unto God, terrible +to evil spirits, and acceptable to all faithful ones! Oh service to be +embraced and ever desired, in which the highest good is promised, and +joy is gained which shall remain for evermore! + +(1) Psalm xxxi. 19. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +That the desires of the heart are to be examined and governed + + +“My Son, thou hast still many things to learn, which thou hast not well +learned yet.” + +2. What are they, Lord? + +3. “To place thy desire altogether in subjection to My good pleasure, +and not to be a lover of thyself, but an earnest seeker of My will. Thy +desires often excite and urge thee forward; but consider with thyself +whether thou art not more moved for thine own objects than for My +honour. If it is Myself that thou seekest, thou shalt be well content +with whatsoever I shall ordain; but if any pursuit of thine own lieth +hidden within thee, behold it is this which hindereth and weigheth thee +down. + +4. “Beware, therefore, lest thou strive too earnestly after some desire +which thou hast conceived, without taking counsel of Me; lest haply it +repent thee afterwards, and that displease thee which before pleased, +and for which thou didst long as for a great good. For not every +affection which seemeth good is to be forthwith followed; neither is +every opposite affection to be immediately avoided. Sometimes it is +expedient to use restraint even in good desires and wishes, lest +through importunity thou fall into distraction of mind, lest through +want of discipline thou become a stumbling-block to others, or lest by +the resistance of others thou be suddenly disturbed and brought to +confusion. + +5. “Sometimes, indeed, it is needful to use violence, and manfully to +strive against the sensual appetite, and not to consider what the flesh +may or not will; but rather to strive after this, that it may become +subject, however unwillingly, to the spirit. And for so long it ought +to be chastised and compelled to undergo slavery, even until it be +ready for all things, and learn to be contented with little, to be +delighted with things simple, and never to murmur at any +inconvenience.” + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +Of the inward growth of patience, and of the struggle against evil +desires + + +O Lord God, I see that patience is very necessary unto me; for many +things in this life fall out contrary. For howsoever I may have +contrived for my peace, my life cannot go on without strife and +trouble. + +2. “Thou speakest truly, My Son. For I will not that thou seek such a +peace as is without trials, and knoweth no adversities; but rather that +thou shouldest judge thyself to have found peace, when thou art tried +with manifold tribulations, and proved by many adversities. If thou +shalt say that thou art not able to bear much, how then wilt thou +sustain the fire hereafter? Of two evils we should always choose the +less. Therefore, that thou mayest escape eternal torments hereafter, +strive on God’s behalf to endure present evils bravely. Thinkest thou +that the children of this world suffer nought, or but little? Thou wilt +not find it so, even though thou find out the most prosperous. + +3. “‘But,’ thou wilt say, ‘they have many delights, and they follow +their own wills, and thus they bear lightly their tribulations.’ + +4. “Be it so, grant that they have what they list; but how long, +thinkest thou, will it last? Behold, like the smoke those who are rich +in this world will pass away, and no record shall remain of their past +joys. Yea, even while they yet live, they rest not without bitterness +and weariness and fear. For from the very same thing wherein they find +delight, thence they oftentimes have the punishment of sorrow. Justly +it befalleth them, that because out of measure they seek out and pursue +pleasures, they enjoy them not without confusion and bitterness. Oh how +short, how false, how inordinate and wicked are all these pleasures! +Yet because of their sottishness and blindness men do not understand; +but like brute beasts, for the sake of a little pleasure of this +corruptible life, they incur death of the soul. Thou therefore, my son, +go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.(1) +Delight thou in the Lord, and He shall give thee thy heart’s desire.(2) + +5. “For if thou wilt truly find delight, and be abundantly comforted of +Me, behold in the contempt of all worldly things and in the avoidance +of all worthless pleasures shall be thy blessing, and fulness of +consolation shall be given thee. And the more thou withdrawest thyself +from all solace of creatures, the more sweet and powerful consolations +shalt thou find. But at the first thou shalt not attain to them, +without some sorrow and hard striving. Long-accustomed habit will +oppose, but it shall be overcome by better habit. The flesh will murmur +again and again, but will be restrained by fervour of spirit. The old +serpent will urge and embitter thee, but will be put to flight by +prayer; moreover, by useful labour his entrance will be greatly +obstructed.” + +(1) Ecclesiastes xviii. 30. (2) Psalm xxxvii. 4. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus +Christ + + +“My Son, he who striveth to withdraw himself from obedience, +withdraweth himself also from grace, and he who seeketh private +advantages, loseth those which are common unto all. If a man submit not +freely and willingly to one set over him, it is a sign that his flesh +is not yet perfectly subject to himself, but often resisteth and +murmureth. Learn therefore quickly to submit thyself to him who is over +thee, if thou seekest to bring thine own flesh into subjection. For the +outward enemy is very quickly overcome if the inner man have not been +laid low. There is no more grievous and deadly enemy to the soul than +thou art to thyself, if thou art not led by the Spirit. Thou must not +altogether conceive contempt for thyself, if thou wilt prevail against +flesh and blood. Because as yet thou inordinately lovest thyself, +therefore thou shrinkest from yielding thyself to the will of others. + +2. “But what great thing is it that thou, who art dust and nothingness, +yieldest thyself to man for God’s sake, when I, the Almighty and the +Most High, who created all things out of nothing, subjected Myself to +man for thy sake? I became the most humble and despised of men, that by +My humility thou mightest overcome thy pride. Learn to obey, O dust! +Learn to humble thyself, O earth and clay, and to bow thyself beneath +the feet of all. Learn to crush thy passions, and to yield thyself in +all subjection. + +3. “Be zealous against thyself, nor suffer pride to live within thee, +but so show thyself subject and of no reputation, that all may be able +to walk over thee, and tread thee down as the clay in the streets. What +hast thou, O foolish man, of which to complain? What, O vile sinner, +canst thou answer those who speak against thee, seeing thou hast so +often offended God, and many a time hast deserved hell? But Mine eye +hath spared thee, because thy soul was precious in My sight; that thou +mightest know My love, and mightest be thankful for My benefits; and +that thou mightest give thyself altogether to true subjection and +humility, and patiently bear the contempt which thou meritest.” + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God, that we may not be +lifted up because of our well-doing + + +Thou sendest forth Thy judgments against me, O Lord, and shakest all my +bones with fear and trembling, and my soul trembleth exceedingly. I +stand astonished, and remember that the heavens are not clean in thy +sight.(1) If Thou chargest Thine angels with folly, and didst spare +them not, how shall it be unto me? Stars have fallen from heaven, and +what shall I dare who am but dust? They whose works seemed to be +praiseworthy, fell into the lowest depths, and they who did eat Angels’ +food, them have I seen delighted with the husks that the swine do eat. + +2. There is therefore no holiness, if Thou O Lord, withdraw Thine hand. +No wisdom profiteth, if Thou leave off to guide the helm. No strength +availeth, if Thou cease to preserve. No purity is secure, if Thou +protect it not. No self-keeping availeth, if Thy holy watching be not +there. For when we are left alone we are swallowed up and perish, but +when we are visited, we are raised up, and we live. For indeed we are +unstable, but are made strong through Thee; we grow cold, but are +rekindled by Thee. + +3. Oh, how humbly and abjectly must I reckon of myself, how must I +weigh it as nothing, if I seem to have nothing good! Oh, how profoundly +ought I to submit myself to Thy unfathomable judgments, O Lord, when I +find myself nothing else save nothing, and again nothing! Oh weight +unmeasurable, oh ocean which cannot be crossed over, where I find +nothing of myself save nothing altogether! Where, then, is the +hiding-place of glory, where the confidence begotten of virtue? All +vain-glory is swallowed up in the depths of Thy judgments against me. + +4. What is all flesh in Thy sight? _For how shall the clay boast +against Him that fashioned it?_(2) How can he be lifted up in vain +speech whose heart is subjected in truth to God? The whole world shall +not lift him up whom Truth hath subdued; nor shall he be moved by the +mouth of all who praise him, who hath placed all his hope in God. For +they themselves who speak, behold, they are all nothing; for they shall +cease with the sound of their words, but the truth of the Lord endureth +for ever.(3) + +(1) Job xv. 15. (2) Isaiah xxix. 16. (3) Psalm cxvii. 2. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +How we must stand and speak, in everything that we desire + + +“My Son, speak thou thus in every matter, ‘Lord, if it please Thee, let +this come to pass. Lord, if this shall be for Thine honour, let it be +done in Thy Name. Lord, if thou see it good for me, and approve it as +useful, then grant me to use it for Thy honour. But if thou knowest +that it shall be hurtful unto me, and not profitable for the health of +my soul, take the desire away from me’! For not every desire is from +the Holy Ghost, although it appear to a man right and good. It is +difficult to judge with certainty whether a good or an evil spirit move +thee to desire this or that, or whether thou art moved by thine own +spirit. Many have been deceived at the last, who seemed at the +beginning to be moved by a good spirit. + +2. “Therefore, whatsoever seemeth to thee desirable, thou must always +desire and seek after it with the fear of God and humility of heart, +and most of all, must altogether resign thyself, and commit all unto Me +and say, ‘Lord, thou knowest what is best; let this or that be, +according as Thou wilt. Give what Thou wilt, so much as Thou wilt, when +Thou wilt. Do with me as Thou knowest best, and as best shall please +Thee, and as shall be most to Thine honour. Place me where Thou wilt, +and freely work Thy will with me in all things. I am in Thine hand, and +turn me in my course. Behold, I am Thy servant, ready for all things; +for I desire to live not to myself but to Thee. Oh, that I might live +worthily and perfectly.’” + +A PRAYER TO BE ENABLED TO DO GOD’S WILL PERFECTLY + + +3. Grant me Thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me, and +work in me, and persevere with me, even unto the end. Grant that I may +ever desire and wish whatsoever is most pleasing and dear unto Thee. +Let Thy will be mine, and let my will alway follow Thine, and entirely +accord with it. May I choose and reject whatsoever Thou dost; yea, let +it be impossible for me to choose or reject except according to Thy +will. + +4. Grant that I may die to all worldly things, and for Thy sake love to +be despised and unknown in this world. Grant unto me, above all things +that I can desire, to rest in Thee, and that in Thee my heart may be at +peace. Thou art the true peace of the heart, Thou alone its rest; apart +from Thee all things are hard and unquiet. In Thee alone, the supreme +and eternal God, _I will lay me down in peace and take my rest_.(1) +Amen. + +(1) Psalm iv. 8. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +That true solace is to be sought in God alone + + +Whatsoever I am able to desire or to think of for my solace, I look for +it not here, but hereafter. For if I alone had all the solaces of this +world, and were able to enjoy all its delights, it is certain that they +could not endure long. Wherefore, O my soul, thou canst be fully +comforted and perfectly refreshed, only in God, the Comforter of the +poor, and the lifter up of the humble. Wait but a little while, my +soul, wait for the Divine promise, and thou shalt have abundance of all +good things in heaven. If thou longest too inordinately for the things +which are now, thou shalt lose those which are eternal and heavenly. +Let temporal things be in the use, eternal things in the desire. Thou +canst not be satisfied with any temporal good, for thou wast not +created for the enjoyment of these. + +2. Although thou hadst all the good things which ever were created, yet +couldst not thou be happy and blessed; all thy blessedness and thy +felicity lieth in God who created all things; not such felicity as +seemeth good to the foolish lover of the world, but such as Christ’s +good and faithful servants wait for, and as the spiritual and pure in +heart sometimes taste, whose conversation is in heaven.(1) All human +solace is empty and short-lived; blessed and true is that solace which +is felt inwardly, springing from the truth. The godly man everywhere +beareth about with him his own Comforter, Jesus, and saith unto Him: +“Be with me, Lord Jesus, always and everywhere. Let it be my comfort to +be able to give up cheerfully all human comfort. And if Thy consolation +fail me, let Thy will and righteous approval be alway with me for the +highest comfort. _For Thou wilt not always be chiding, neither keepest +Thou Thine anger for ever_.”(2) + +(1) Philippians iii. 20. (2) Psalm ciii. 9. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +That all care is to be cast upon God + + +“My Son, suffer me to do with thee what I will; I know what is +expedient for thee. Thou thinkest as a man, in many things thou judgest +as human affection persuadeth thee.” + +2. Lord, what Thou sayest is true. Greater is Thy care for me than all +the care which I am able to take for myself. For too insecurely doth he +stand who casteth not all his care upon Thee. Lord, so long as my will +standeth right and firm in Thee, do with me what Thou wilt, for +whatsoever Thou shalt do with me cannot be aught but good. Blessed be +Thou if Thou wilt leave me in darkness: blessed also be Thou if Thou +wilt leave me in light. Blessed be Thou if Thou vouchsafe to comfort +me, and always blessed be Thou if Thou cause me to be troubled. + +3. “My Son! even thus thou must stand if thou desirest to walk with Me. +Thou must be ready alike for suffering or rejoicing. Thou must be poor +and needy as willingly as full and rich.” + +4. Lord, I will willingly bear for Thee whatsoever Thou wilt have to +come upon me. Without choice I will receive from Thy hand good and +evil, sweet and bitter, joy and sadness, and will give Thee thanks for +all things which shall happen unto me. Keep me from all sin, and I will +not fear death nor hell. Only cast me not away for ever, nor blot me +out of the book of life. Then no tribulation which shall come upon me +shall do me hurt. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +That temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of +Christ + + +“My Son! I came down from heaven for thy salvation; I took upon Me thy +miseries not of necessity, but drawn by love that thou mightest learn +patience and mightest bear temporal miseries without murmuring. For +from the hour of My birth, until My death upon the Cross, I ceased not +from bearing of sorrow; I had much lack of temporal things; I +oftentimes heard many reproaches against Myself; I gently bore +contradictions and hard words; I received ingratitude for benefits, +blasphemies for My miracles, rebukes for My doctrine.” + +2. Lord, because Thou wast patient in Thy life, herein most of all +fulfilling the commandment of Thy Father, it is well that I, miserable +sinner, should patiently bear myself according to Thy will, and as long +as Thou wilt have it so, should bear about with me for my salvation, +the burden of this corruptible life. For although the present life +seemeth burdensome, it is nevertheless already made very full of merit +through Thy grace, and to those who are weak it becometh easier and +brighter through Thy example and the footsteps of Thy saints; but it is +also much more full of consolation than it was of old, under the old +Testament, when the gate of heaven remained shut; and even the way to +heaven seemed more obscure when so few cared to seek after the heavenly +kingdom. But not even those who were then just and in the way of +salvation were able, before Thy Passion and the ransom of Thy holy +Death, to enter the kingdom of heaven. + +3. Oh what great thanks am I bound to give Thee, who hast vouchsafed to +show me and all faithful people the good and right way to Thine eternal +kingdom, for Thy way is our way, and by holy patience we walk to Thee +who art our Crown. If Thou hadst not gone before and taught us, who +would care to follow? Oh, how far would they have gone backward if they +had not beheld Thy glorious example! Behold we are still lukewarm, +though we have heard of Thy many signs and discourses; what would +become of us if we had not such a light to help us follow Thee? + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient + + +“What sayest thou, My Son? Cease to complain; consider My suffering and +that of My saints. Thou hast not yet resisted unto blood.(1) It is +little which thou sufferest in comparison with those who have suffered +so many things, have been so strongly tempted, so grievously troubled, +so manywise proved and tried. Thou oughtest therefore to call to mind +the more grievous sufferings of others that thou mightest bear thy +lesser ones more easily, and if they seem not to thee little, see that +it is not thy impatience which is the cause of this. But whether they +be little or whether they be great, study to bear them all with +patience. + +2. “So far as thou settest thyself to bear patiently, so far thou dost +wisely and art deserving of the more merit; thou shalt also bear the +more easily if thy mind and habit are carefully trained hereunto. And +say not ‘I cannot bear these things from such a man, nor are things of +this kind to be borne by me, for he hath done me grievous harm and +imputeth to me what I had never thought: but from another I will suffer +patiently, such things as I see I ought to suffer.’ Foolish is such a +thought as this, for it considereth not the virtue of patience, nor by +whom that virtue is to be crowned, but it rather weigheth persons and +offences against self. + +3. “He is not truly patient who will only suffer as far as seemeth +right to himself and from whom he pleaseth. But the truly patient man +considereth not by what man he is tried, whether by one above him, or +by an equal or inferior, whether by a good and holy man, or a perverse +and unworthy; but indifferently from every creature, whatsoever or how +often soever adversity happeneth to him, he gratefully accepteth all +from the hand of God and counteth it great gain: for with God nothing +which is borne for His sake, however small, shall lose its reward. + +4. “Be thou therefore ready for the fight if thou wilt have the +victory. Without striving thou canst not win the crown of patience; if +thou wilt not suffer thou refusest to be crowned. But if thou desirest +to be crowned, strive manfully, endure patiently. Without labour thou +drawest not near to rest, nor without fighting comest thou to victory.” + +5. Make possible to me, O Lord, by grace what seemeth impossible to me +by nature. Thou knowest how little I am able to bear, and how quickly I +am cast down when a like adversity riseth up against me. Whatsoever +trial of tribulation may come to me, may it become unto me pleasing and +acceptable, for to suffer and be vexed for Thy sake is exceeding +healthful to the soul. + +(1) Hebrews xii. 4. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +Of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life + + +_I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;_(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, +my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and +maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little +temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully +small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and +whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not +considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of +wind. + +2. Behold, therefore, O Lord, my humility and my frailty, which is +altogether known to Thee. Be merciful unto me, and _draw me out of the +mire that I sink not_,(2) lest I ever remain cast down. This is what +frequently throweth me backward and confoundeth me before Thee, that I +am so liable to fall, so weak to resist my passions. And though their +assault is not altogether according to my will, it is violent and +grievous, and it altogether wearieth me to live thus daily in conflict. +Herein is my infirmity made known to me, that hateful fancies always +rush in far more easily than they depart. + +3. Oh that Thou, most mighty God of Israel, Lover of all faithful +souls, wouldst look upon the labour and sorrow of Thy servant, and give +him help in all things whereunto he striveth. Strengthen me with +heavenly fortitude, lest the old man, this miserable flesh, not being +yet fully subdued to the spirit, prevail to rule over me; against which +I ought to strive so long as I remain in this most miserable life. Oh +what a life is this, where tribulations and miseries cease not, where +all things are full of snares and of enemies, for when one tribulation +or temptation goeth, another cometh, yea, while the former conflict is +yet raging others come more in number and unexpected. + +4. And how can the life of man be loved, seeing that it hath so many +bitter things, that it is subjected to so many calamities and miseries. +How can it be even called life, when it produces so many deaths and +plagues? The world is often reproached because it is deceitful and +vain, yet notwithstanding it is not easily given up, because the lusts +of the flesh have too much rule over it. Some draw us to love, some to +hate. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of +life, these draw to love of the world; but the punishments and miseries +which righteously follow these things, bring forth hatred of the world +and weariness. + +5. But, alas! an evil desire conquereth a mind given to the world, and +thinketh it happiness to be under the nettles(3) because it savoureth +not nor perceiveth the sweetness of God nor the inward gracefulness of +virtue. But they who perfectly despise the world and strive to live +unto God in holy discipline, these are not ignorant of the divine +sweetness promised to all who truly deny themselves and see clearly how +grievously the world erreth, and in how many ways it is deceived. + +(1) Psalm xxxii. 5. (2) Psalm lxix. 14. (3) Job xxx. 7. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +That we must rest in God above all goods and gifts + + +Above all things and in all things thou shalt rest alway in the Lord, O +my soul, for he himself is the eternal rest of the saints. Grant me, +most sweet and loving Jesus, to rest in Thee above every creature, +above all health and beauty, above all glory and honour, above all +power and dignity, above all knowledge and skilfulness, above all +riches and arts, above all joy and exultation, above all fame and +praise, above all sweetness and consolation, above all hope and +promise, above all merit and desire, above all gifts and rewards which +Thou canst give and pour forth, above all joy and jubilation which the +mind is able to receive and feel; in a word, above Angels and +Archangels and all the army of heaven, above all things visible and +invisible, and above everything which Thou, O my God, art not. + +2. For Thou, O Lord, my God, art best above all things; Thou only art +the Most High, Thou only the Almighty, Thou only the All-sufficient, +and the Fulness of all things; Thou only the All-delightsome and the +All-comforting; Thou alone the altogether lovely and altogether loving; +Thou alone the Most Exalted and Most Glorious above all things; in Whom +all things are, and were, and ever shall be, altogether and +all-perfect. And thus it falleth short and is insufficient whatsoever +Thou givest to me without Thyself or whatsoever Thou revealest or dost +promise concerning Thyself, whilst Thou art not seen or fully +possessed: since verily my heart cannot truly rest nor be entirely +content, except it rest in Thee, and go beyond all gifts and every +creature. + +3. O my most beloved Spouse, Jesus Christ, most holy lover of my soul, +Ruler of this whole Creation, who shall give me the wings of true +liberty, that I may flee to Thee and find rest? Oh when shall it be +given me to be open to receive Thee to the full, and to see how sweet +Thou art, O Lord my God? When shall I collect myself altogether in +Thee, that because of Thy love I may not feel myself at all, but may +know Thee only above every sense and measure, in measure not known to +others. But now I ofttimes groan, and bear my sad estate with sorrow; +because many evils befall me in this vale of miseries which continually +disturb and fill me with sorrow, and encloud me, continually hinder and +fill me with care, allure and entangle me, that I cannot have free +access to Thee, nor enjoy that sweet intercourse which is always near +at hand to the blessed spirits. Let my deep sighing come before Thee, +and my manifold desolation on the earth. + +4. O Jesus, Light of Eternal Glory, solace of the wandering soul, +before Thee my mouth is without speech, and my silence speaketh to +Thee. How long will my Lord delay to come unto me? Let Him come unto +me, His poor and humble one, and make me glad. Let Him put forth His +hand, and deliver His holy one from every snare. Come, Oh come; for +without Thee shall be no joyful day or hour, for Thou art my joy, and +without Thee is my table empty. I am miserable, and in a manner +imprisoned and loaded with fetters, until Thou refresh me by the light +of Thy presence, and give me liberty, and show Thy loving countenance. + +5. Let others seek some other thing instead of Thee, whatsoever it +shall please them; but for my part nothing else pleaseth or shall +please, save Thou, my God, my hope, my eternal salvation. I will not +hold my peace, nor cease to implore, until Thy grace return, and until +Thou speak to me within. + +6. “Behold, here I am! Behold, I come to thee, for thou didst call Me. +Thy tears and the longing of thy soul, thy humbleness and contrition of +heart have inclined Me, and brought Me to thee.” + +7. And I said Lord, I have called upon Thee, and I have longed to enjoy +Thee, being ready to reject everything for Thy sake. For Thou didst +first move me to seek Thee. Therefore, blessed be Thou, O Lord, who has +wrought this good work upon Thy servant, according to the multitude of +Thy mercy. What then hath Thy servant to say in Thy presence, save to +humble himself greatly before Thee, being alway mindful of his own +iniquity and vileness. For there is none like unto Thee in all marvels +of heaven and earth. Excellent are Thy works, true are Thy judgments, +and by Thy Providence are all things governed. Therefore praise and +glory be unto Thee, O Wisdom of the Father, let my mouth and my soul +and all created things praise and bless Thee together. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +Of the recollection of God’s manifold benefits + + +Open, O Lord, my heart in Thy law, and teach me to walk in the way of +Thy commandments. Grant me to understand Thy will and to be mindful of +Thy benefits, both general and special, with great reverence and +diligent meditation, that thus I may be able worthily to give Thee +thanks. Yet I know and confess that I cannot render Thee due praises +for the least of Thy mercies. I am less than the least of all the good +things which Thou gavest me; and when I consider Thy majesty, my spirit +faileth because of the greatness thereof. + +2. All things which we have in the soul and in the body, and whatsoever +things we possess, whether outwardly or inwardly, naturally or +supernaturally, are Thy good gifts, and prove Thee, from whom we have +received them all, to be good, gentle, and kind. Although one receiveth +many things, and another fewer, yet all are Thine, and without Thee not +even the least thing can be possessed. He who hath received greater +cannot boast that it is of his own merit, nor lift himself up above +others, nor contemn those beneath him; for he is the greater and the +better who ascribeth least to himself, and in giving thanks is the +humbler and more devout; and he who holdeth himself to be viler than +all, and judgeth himself to be the more unworthy, is the apter for +receiving greater things. + +3. But he who hath received fewer gifts, ought not to be cast down, nor +to take it amiss, nor to envy him who is richer; but rather ought he to +look unto Thee, and to greatly extol Thy goodness, for Thou pourest +forth Thy gifts so richly, so freely and largely, without respect of +persons. All things come of Thee; therefore in all things shalt thou be +praised. Thou knowest what is best to be given to each; and why this +man hath less, and that more, is not for us but for Thee to understand, +for unto Thee each man’s deservings are fully known. + +4. Wherefore, O Lord God, I reckon it even a great benefit, not to have +many things, whence praise and glory may appear outwardly, and after +the thought of men. For so it is that he who considereth his own +poverty and vileness, ought not only to draw therefrom no grief or +sorrow, or sadness of spirit, but rather comfort and cheerfulness; +because Thou, Lord, hast chosen the poor and humble, and those who are +poor in this world, to be Thy friends and acquaintance. So give all +Thine apostles witness whom Thou hast made princes in all lands. Yet +they had their conversation in this world blameless, so humble and +meek, without any malice or deceit, that they even rejoiced to suffer +rebukes for Thy Name’s sake,(1) and what things the world hateth, they +embraced with great joy. + +5. Therefore ought nothing so much to rejoice him who loveth Thee and +knoweth Thy benefits, as Thy will in him, and the good pleasure of +Thine eternal Providence, wherewith he ought to be so contented and +comforted, that he would as willingly be the least as any other would +be the greatest, as peaceable and contented in the lowest as in the +highest place, and as willingly held of small and low account and of no +name or reputation as to be more honourable and greater in the world +than others. For Thy will and the love of Thine honour ought to go +before all things, and to please and comfort him more, than all +benefits that are given or may be given to himself. + +(1) Acts v. 41. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +Of four things which bring great peace + + +“My Son, now will I teach thee the way of peace and of true liberty.” + +2. Do, O my Lord, as Thou sayest, for this is pleasing unto me to hear. + +3. “Strive, My Son, to do another’s will rather than thine own. Choose +always to have less rather than more. Seek always after the lowest +place, and to be subject to all. Wish always and pray that the will of +God be fulfilled in thee. Behold, such a man as this entereth into the +inheritance of peace and quietness.” + +4. O my Lord, this Thy short discourse hath in itself much of +perfectness. It is short in words but full of meaning, and abundant in +fruit. For if it were possible that I should fully keep it, disturbance +would not so easily arise within me. For as often as I feel myself +disquieted and weighed down, I find myself to have gone back from this +teaching. But Thou, Who art Almighty, and always lovest progress in the +soul, vouchsafe more grace, that I may be enabled to fulfil Thy +exhortation, and work out my salvation. + +A PRAYER AGAINST EVIL THOUGHTS + + +5. O Lord my God, be not Thou far from me, my God, haste Thee to help +me,(1) for many thoughts and great fears have risen up against me, +afflicting my soul. How shall I pass through them unhurt? how shall I +break through them? + +6. “I,” saith He, “will go before thee, and make the crooked places +straight.”(2) I will open the prison doors, and reveal to thee the +secret places. + +7. Do, Lord, as Thou sayest; and let all evil thoughts fly away before +Thy face. This is my hope and my only comfort, to fly unto Thee in all +tribulation, to hope in Thee, to call upon Thee from my heart and +patiently wait for Thy loving kindness. + +A PRAYER FOR ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE MIND + + +8. Enlighten me, Blessed Jesus, with the brightness of Thy inner light, +and cast forth all darkness from the habitation of my heart. Restrain +my many wandering thoughts, and carry away the temptations which strive +to do me hurt. Fight Thou mightily for me, and drive forth the evil +beasts, so call I alluring lusts, that peace may be within Thy walls +and plenteousness of praise within Thy palaces,(3) even in my pure +conscience. Command Thou the winds and the storms, say unto the sea, +“Be still,” say unto the stormy wind, “Hold thy peace,” so shall there +be a great calm. + +9. Oh send forth Thy light and Thy truth,(4) that they may shine upon +the earth; for I am but earth without form and void until Thou give me +light. Pour forth Thy grace from above; water my heart with the dew of +heaven; give the waters of devotion to water the face of the earth, and +cause it to bring forth good and perfect fruit. Lift up my mind which +is oppressed with the weight of sins, and raise my whole desire to +heavenly things; that having tasted the sweetness of the happiness +which is from above, it may take no pleasure in thinking of things of +earth. + +10. Draw me and deliver me from every unstable comfort of creatures, +for no created thing is able to satisfy my desire and to give me +comfort. Join me to Thyself by the inseparable bond of love, for Thou +alone art sufficient to him that loveth Thee, and without Thee all +things are vain toys. + +(1) Psalm lxxi. 12. (2) Isaiah xlv. 2. (3) Psalm cxxii. 7. (4) Psalm +xliii. 3. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +Of avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another + + +“My Son, be not curious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares. _What is +that to thee? Follow thou Me._(1) For what is it to thee whether a man +be this or that, or say or do thus or thus? Thou hast no need to answer +for others, but thou must give an answer for thyself. Why therefore +dost thou entangle thyself? Behold, I know all men, and I behold all +things which are done under the sun; and I know how it standeth with +each one, what he thinketh, what he willeth, and to what end his +thoughts reach. All things therefore are to be committed to Me; watch +thou thyself in godly peace, and leave him who is unquiet to be unquiet +as he will. Whatsoever he shall do or say, shall come unto him, for he +cannot deceive Me. + +2. “Trouble not thyself about the shadow of a great name, nor about the +friendship of many, nor about the love of men towards thee. For these +things beget distraction and great sorrows of heart. My word should +speak freely unto thee, and I would reveal secrets, if only thou didst +diligently look for My appearing, and didst open unto Me the gates of +thy heart. Be sober and watch unto prayer,(2) and humble thyself in all +things.” + +(1) John xxi. 22. (2) 1 Peter iv. 7. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +Wherein firm peace of heart and true profit consist + + +“My Son, I have said, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, +not as the world giveth give I unto you.(1) All men desire peace, but +all do not care for the things which belong unto true peace. My peace +is with the humble and lowly in heart. Thy peace shall be in much +patience. If thou heardest Me, and didst follow My voice, thou +shouldest enjoy much peace.” + +2. What then shall I do, Lord? + +3. “In everything take heed to thyself what thou doest, and what thou +sayest; and direct all thy purpose to this, that thou please Me alone, +and desire or seek nothing apart from Me. But, moreover, judge nothing +rashly concerning the words or deeds of others, nor meddle with matters +which are not committed to thee; and it may be that thou shalt be +disturbed little or rarely. Yet never to feel any disquiet, nor to +suffer any pain of heart or body, this belongeth not to the present +life, but is the state of eternal rest. Therefore count not thyself to +have found true peace, if thou hast felt no grief; nor that then all is +well if thou hast no adversary; nor that this is perfect if all things +fall out according to thy desire. Nor then reckon thyself to be +anything great, or think that thou art specially beloved, if thou art +in a state of great fervour and sweetness of spirit; for not by these +things is the true lover of virtue known, nor in them doth the profit +and perfection of man consist.” + +4. In what then, Lord? + +5. “In offering thyself with all thy heart to the Divine Will, in not +seeking the things which are thine own, whether great or small, whether +temporal or eternal; so that thou remain with the same steady +countenance in giving of thanks between prosperity and adversity, +weighing all things in an equal balance. If thou be so brave and +long-suffering in hope that when inward comfort is taken from thee, +thou even prepare thy heart for the more endurance, and justify not +thyself, as though thou oughtest not to suffer these heavy things, but +dost justify Me in all things that I appoint, and dost bless My Holy +Name, then dost thou walk in the true and right way of peace, and shalt +have a sure hope that thou shalt again behold My face with joy. For if +thou come to an utter contempt of thyself, know that then thou shalt +enjoy abundance of peace, as much as is possible where thou art but a +wayfaring man.” + +(1) John xiv. 27. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which humble prayer more deserveth +than doth frequent reading + + +Lord, this is the work of a perfect man, never to slacken his mind from +attention to heavenly things, and among many cares to pass along as it +were without care, not after the manner of one indifferent, but rather +with the privilege of a free mind, cleaving to no creature with +inordinate affection. + +2. I beseech Thee, my most merciful Lord God, preserve me from the +cares of this life, lest I become too much entangled; from many +necessities of the body, lest I be taken captive by pleasure; from all +obstacles of the spirit, lest I be broken and cast down with cares. I +say not from those things which the vanity of the world goeth about +after with all eagerness, but from those miseries, which by the +universal curse of mortality weigh down and hold back the soul of thy +servant in punishment, that it cannot enter into liberty of spirit, so +often as it would. + +3. O my God, sweetness unspeakable, turn into bitterness all my fleshly +consolation, which draweth me away from the love of eternal things, and +wickedly allureth toward itself by setting before me some present +delight. Let not, O my God, let not flesh and blood prevail over me, +let not the world and its short glory deceive me, let not the devil and +his craftiness supplant me. Give me courage to resist, patience to +endure, constancy to persevere. Grant, in place of all consolations of +the world, the most sweet unction of Thy Spirit, and in place of carnal +love, pour into me the love of Thy Name. + +4. Behold, food and drink and clothing, and all the other needs +appertaining to the support of the body, are burdensome to the devout +spirit. Grant that I may use such things with moderation, and that I be +not entangled with inordinate affection for them. To cast away all +these things is not lawful, because nature must be sustained, but to +require superfluities and things which merely minister delight, the +holy law forbiddeth; for otherwise the flesh would wax insolent against +the spirit. In all these things, I beseech Thee, let Thy hand guide and +teach me, that I in no way exceed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +That personal love greatly hindereth from the highest good + + +“My Son, thou must give all for all, and be nothing of thine own. Know +thou that the love of thyself is more hurtful to thee than anything in +the world. According to the love and inclination which thou hast, +everything more or less cleaveth to thee. If thy love be pure, sincere, +well-regulated, thou shalt not be in captivity to anything. Do not +covet what thou mayest not have; do not have what is able to hinder +thee, and to rob thee of inward liberty. It is wonderful that thou +committest not thyself to Me from the very bottom of thy heart, with +all things which thou canst desire or have. + +2. “Why art thou consumed with vain sorrow? Why art thou wearied with +superfluous cares? Stand thou by My good pleasure, and thou shalt +suffer no loss. If thou seekest after this or that, and wilt be here or +there, according to thine own advantage or the fulfilling of thine own +pleasure, thou shalt never be in quiet, nor free from care, because in +everything somewhat will be found lacking, and everywhere there will be +somebody who opposeth thee. + +3. “Therefore it is not gaining or multiplying of this thing or that +which advantageth thee, but rather the despising it and cutting it by +the root out of thy heart; which thou must not only understand of money +and riches, but of the desire after honour and vain praise, things +which all pass away with the world. The place availeth little if the +spirit of devotion is wanting; nor shall that peace stand long which is +sought from abroad, if the state of thy heart is without the true +foundation, that is, if it abide not in Me. Thou mayest change, but +thou canst not better thyself; for when occasion ariseth and is +accepted thou shalt find what thou didst fly from, yea more.” + +A PRAYER FOR CLEANSING OF THE HEART AND FOR HEAVENLY WISDOM + + +4. Strengthen me, O God, by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit. Give me +virtue to be strengthened with might in the inner man, and to free my +heart from all fruitless care and trouble, and that I be not drawn away +by various desires after any things whatsoever, whether of little value +or great, but that I may look upon all as passing away, and myself as +passing away with them; because there is no profit under the sun, and +all is vanity and vexation of spirit.(1) Oh how wise is he that +considereth thus! + +5. Give me, O Lord, heavenly wisdom, that I may learn to seek Thee +above all things and to find Thee; to relish Thee above all things and +to love Thee; and to understand all other things, even as they are, +according to the order of Thy wisdom. Grant me prudently to avoid the +flatterer, and patiently to bear with him that opposeth me; for this is +great wisdom, not to be carried by every wind of words, nor to give ear +to the wicked flattering Siren; for thus do we go safely on in the way +we have begun. + +(1) Ecclesiastes ii. 11. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +Against the tongues of detractors + + +“My Son, take it not sadly to heart, if any think ill of thee, and say +of thee what thou art unwilling to hear. Thou oughtest to think worse +of thyself, and to believe no man weaker than thyself. If thou walkest +inwardly, thou wilt not weigh flying words above their value. It is no +small prudence to keep silence in an evil time and to turn inwardly +unto Me, and not to be troubled by human judgment. + +2. “Let not thy peace depend upon the word of men; for whether they +judge well or ill of thee, thou art not therefore any other man than +thyself. Where is true peace or true glory? Is it not in Me? And he who +seeketh not to please men, nor feareth to displease, shall enjoy +abundant peace. From inordinate love and vain fear ariseth all +disquietude of heart, and all distraction of the senses.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +How when tribulation cometh we must call upon and bless God + + +Blessed be thy name, O Lord, for evermore, who hast willed this +temptation and trouble to come upon me. I cannot escape it, but have +need to flee unto Thee, that Thou mayest succour me and turn it unto me +for good. Lord, now am I in tribulation, and it is not well within my +heart, but I am sore vexed by the suffering which lieth upon me. And +now, O dear Father, what shall I say? I am taken among the snares. Save +me from this hour, but for this cause came I unto this hour,(1) that +Thou mightest be glorified when I am deeply humbled and am delivered +through Thee. Let it be Thy pleasure to deliver me;(2) for what can I +do who am poor, and without Thee whither shall I go? Give patience this +time also. Help me, O Lord my God, and I will not fear how much soever +I be weighed down. + +2. And now amid these things what shall I say? Lord, Thy will be done. +I have well deserved to be troubled and weighed down. Therefore I ought +to bear, would that it be with patience, until the tempest be overpast +and comfort return. Yet is Thine omnipotent arm able also to take this +temptation away from me, and to lessen its power that I fall not +utterly under it, even as many a time past thou has helped me, O God, +my merciful God. And as much as this deliverance is difficult to me, so +much is it easy to Thee, O right hand of the most Highest. + +(1) John xii. 27. (2) Psalm xl. 16. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +Of seeking divine help, and the confidence of obtaining grace + + +“My Son, I the Lord am a stronghold in the day of trouble.(1) Come unto +Me, when it is not well with thee. + +“This it is which chiefly hindereth heavenly consolation, that thou too +slowly betakest thyself unto prayer. For before thou earnestly seekest +unto Me, thou dost first seek after many means of comfort, and +refresheth thyself in outward things: so it cometh to pass that all +things profit thee but little until thou learn that it is I who deliver +those who trust in Me; neither beside Me is there any strong help, nor +profitable counsel, nor enduring remedy. But now, recovering courage +after the tempest, grow thou strong in the light of My mercies, for I +am nigh, saith the Lord, that I may restore all things not only as they +were at the first, but also abundantly and one upon another. + +2. “For is anything too hard for Me, or shall I be like unto one who +saith and doeth not? Where is thy faith? Stand fast and with +perseverance. Be long-suffering and strong. Consolation will come unto +thee in its due season. Wait for Me; yea, wait; I will come and heal +thee. It is temptation which vexeth thee, and a vain fear which +terrifieth thee. What doth care about future events bring thee, save +sorrow upon sorrow? Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.(2) It +is vain and useless to be disturbed or lifted up about future things +which perhaps will never come. + +3. “But it is the nature of man to be deceived by fancies of this sort, +and it is a sign of a mind which is still weak to be so easily drawn +away at the suggestion of the enemy. For he careth not whether he +deceive and beguile by true means or false; whether he throw thee down +by the love of the present or fear of the future. Therefore let not thy +heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Believe in Me, and put thy +trust in My mercy.(3) When thou thinkest thyself far removed from Me, I +am often the nearer. When thou reckonest that almost all is lost, then +often is greater opportunity of gain at hand. All is not lost when +something goeth contrary to thy wishes. Thou oughtest not to judge +according to present feeling, nor so to take or give way to any grief +which befalleth thee, as if all hope of escape were taken away. + +4. “Think not thyself totally abandoned, although for the time I have +sent to thee some tribulation, or have even withdrawn some cherished +consolation; for this is the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. And without +doubt it is better for thee and for all My other servants, that ye +should be proved by adversities, than that ye should have all things as +ye would. I know thy hidden thoughts: and that it is very needful for +thy soul’s health that sometimes thou be left without relish, lest +perchance thou be lifted up by prosperity, and desirous to please +thyself in that which thou art not. What I have given I am able to take +away, and to restore again at My good pleasure. + +5. “When I shall have given, it is Mine; when I shall have taken away, +I have not taken what is thine; for every good gift and every perfect +gift(4) is from me. If I shall have sent upon thee grief or any +vexation, be not angry, nor let thy heart be sad; I am able quickly to +lift thee up and to change every burden into joy. But I am just and +greatly to be praised, when I do thus unto thee. + +6. “If thou rightly consider, and look upon it with truth, thou +oughtest never to be so sadly cast down because of adversity, but +rather shouldst rejoice and give thanks; yea, verily to count it the +highest joy that I afflict thee with sorrows and spare thee not. As My +Father hath loved Me, so love I you;(5) thus have I spoken unto My +beloved disciples: whom I sent forth not unto worldly joys, but to +great strivings; not unto honours, but unto contempt; not unto ease, +but to labours; not unto rest, but to bring forth much fruit with +patience. My son, remember these words.” + +(1) Nahum i. 7. (2) Matthew vi. 34. (3) John xiv. 27; Psalm xiii. 5. +(4) James i. 17. (5) John xv. 9. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found + + +O Lord, I still need more grace, if I would arrive where neither man +nor any other creature may hinder me. For so long as anything keepeth +me back, I cannot freely fly unto Thee. He desired eagerly thus to fly, +who cried, saying, Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I +flee away and be at rest. What is more peaceful than the single eye? +And what more free than he that desireth nothing upon earth? Therefore +must a man rise above every creature, and perfectly forsake himself, +and with abstracted mind to stand and behold that Thou, the Creator of +all things, hast among Thy creatures nothing like unto Thyself. And +except a man be freed from all creatures, he will not be able to reach +freely after Divine things. Therefore few are found who give themselves +to contemplation, because few know how to separate themselves entirely +from perishing and created things. + +2. For this much grace is necessary, which may lift up the soul and +raise it above itself. And except a man be lifted up in the spirit, and +freed from all creatures, and altogether united to God, whatsoever he +knoweth, whatsoever even he hath, it mattereth but little. He who +esteemeth anything great save the one only incomprehensible, eternal, +good, shall long time be little and lie low. For whatsoever is not God +is nothing, and ought to be counted for nothing. Great is the +difference between a godly man, illuminated with wisdom, and a scholar +learned in knowledge and given to books. Far nobler is that doctrine +which floweth down from the divine fulness above, than that which is +acquired laboriously by human study. + +3. Many are found who desire contemplation, but they do not strive to +practice those things which are required thereunto. It is also a great +impediment, that much is made of symbols and external signs, and too +little of thorough mortification. I know not how it is, and by what +spirit we are led, and what we who would be deemed spiritual are aiming +at, that we give so great labour and so eager solicitude for transitory +and worthless things, and scarcely ever gather our senses together to +think at all of our inward condition. + +4. Ah, me! Forthwith after a little recollection we rush out of doors, +and do not subject our actions to a strict examination. Where our +affections are set we take no heed, and we weep not that all things +belonging to us are so defiled. For because all flesh had corrupted +itself upon the earth, the great deluge came. Since therefore our +inmost affections are very corrupt, it followeth of necessity that our +actions also are corrupt, being the index of a deficient inward +strength. Out of a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good living. + +5. We demand, how much a man hath done; but from how much virtue he +acted, is not so narrowly considered. We ask if he be strong, rich, +handsome, clever, whether he is a good writer, good singer, good +workman; but how poor he may be in spirit, how patient and gentle, how +devout and meditative, on these things many are silent. Nature looketh +upon the outward appearance of a man, grace turneth its thought to the +heart. The former frequently judgeth amiss; the latter trusteth in God, +that it may not be deceived. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +Of self-denial and the casting away all selfishness + + +“My Son, thou canst not possess perfect liberty unless thou altogether +deny thyself. All they are enslaved who are possessors of riches, they +who love themselves, the selfish, the curious, the restless; those who +ever seek after soft things, and not after the things of Jesus Christ; +those who continually plan and devise that which will not stand. For +whatsoever cometh not of God shall perish. Hold fast the short and +complete saying, ‘Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; +give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest.’ Dwell upon this in thy +mind, and when thou art full of it, thou shalt understand all things.” + +2. O Lord, this is not the work of a day, nor children’s play; verily +in this short saying is enclosed all the perfection of the religious. + +3. “My son, thou oughtest not to be turned aside, nor immediately cast +down, because thou hast heard the way of the perfect. Rather oughtest +thou to be provoked to higher aims, and at the least to long after the +desire thereof. Oh that it were so with thee, and that thou hadst come +to this, that thou wert not a lover of thine own self, but wert ready +always to My nod, and to his whom I have placed over thee as thy +father. Then shouldest thou please Me exceedingly, and all thy life +should go on in joy and peace. Thou hast still many things to renounce, +which if thou resign not utterly to Me, thou shalt not gain what thou +seekest. I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou +mayest be rich,(1) that is heavenly wisdom, which despiseth all base +things. Put away from thee earthly wisdom, and all pleasure, whether +common to men, or thine own. + +4. “I tell thee that thou must buy vile things with those which are +costly and great in the esteem of men. For wonderfully vile and small, +and almost given up to forgetfulness, doth true heavenly wisdom appear, +which thinketh not high things of itself, nor seeketh to be magnified +upon the earth; many honour it with their lips, but in heart are far +from it; it is indeed the precious pearl, which is hidden from many.” + +(1) Revelation iii. 18. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +Of instability of the heart, and of directing the aim towards God + + +“My Son, trust not thy feeling, for that which is now will be quickly +changed into somewhat else. As long as thou livest thou art subject to +change, howsoever unwilling; so that thou art found now joyful, now +sad; now at peace, now disquieted; now devout, now indevout; now +studious, now careless; now sad, now cheerful. But the wise man, and he +who is truly learned in spirit, standeth above these changeable things, +attentive not to what he may feel in himself, or from what quarter the +wind may blow, but that the whole intent of his mind may carry him on +to the due and much-desired end. For thus will he be able to remain one +and the same and unshaken, the single eye of his desire being +steadfastly fixed, through the manifold changes of the world, upon Me. + +2. “But according as the eye of intention be the more pure, even so +will a man make his way steadfastly through the manifold storms. But in +many the eye of pure intention waxeth dim; for it quickly resteth +itself upon anything pleasant which occurreth, and rarely is any man +found altogether free from the blemish of self-seeking. So the Jews of +old came to Bethany, to the house of Martha and Mary, that they might +see not Jesus, but Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.(1) +Therefore must the eye of the intention be cleansed, that it may be +single and right, and above all things which come in its way, may be +directed unto Me.” + +(1) John xii. 9. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things + + +Behold, God is mine, and all things are mine! What will I more, and +what more happy thing can I desire? O delightsome and sweet world! that +is, to him that loveth the Word, not the world, neither the things that +are in the world.(1) My God, my all! To him that understandeth, that +word sufficeth, and to repeat it often is pleasing to him that loveth +it. When Thou art present all things are pleasant; when Thou art +absent, all things are wearisome. Thou makest the heart to be at rest, +givest it deep peace and festal joy. Thou makest it to think rightly in +every matter, and in every matter to give Thee praise; neither can +anything please long without Thee but if it would be pleasant and of +sweet savour, Thy grace must be there, and it is Thy wisdom which must +give unto it a sweet savour. + +2. To him who tasteth Thee, what can be distasteful? And to him who +tasteth Thee not, what is there which can make him joyous? But the +worldly wise, and they who enjoy the flesh, these fail in Thy wisdom; +for in the wisdom of the world is found utter vanity, and to be +carnally minded is death. But they who follow after Thee through +contempt of worldly things, and mortification of the flesh, are found +to be truly wise because they are carried from vanity to verity, from +the flesh to the spirit. They taste that the Lord is good, and +whatsoever good they find in creatures, they count it all unto the +praise of the Creator. Unlike, yea, very unlike is the enjoyment of the +Creator to enjoyment of the Creature, the enjoyment of eternity and of +time, of light uncreated and of light reflected. + +3. O Light everlasting, surpassing all created lights, dart down Thy +ray from on high which shall pierce the inmost depths of my heart. Give +purity, joy, clearness, life to my spirit that with all its powers it +may cleave unto Thee with rapture passing man’s understanding. Oh when +shall that blessed and longed-for time come when Thou shalt satisfy me +with Thy presence, and be unto me All in all? So long as this is +delayed, my joy shall not be full. Still, ah me! the old man liveth in +me: he is not yet all crucified, not yet quite dead; still he lusteth +fiercely against the spirit, wageth inward wars, nor suffereth the +soul’s kingdom to be in peace. + +4. But Thou who rulest the raging of the sea, and stillest the waves +thereof when they arise, rise up and help me. Scatter the people that +delight in war.(2) Destroy them by Thy power. Show forth, I beseech +Thee, Thy might, and let Thy right hand be glorified, for I have no +hope, no refuge, save in Thee, O Lord my God. + +(1) 1 John ii. 15. (2) Psalm lxviii. 30. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +That there is no security against temptation in this life + + +“My Son, thou art never secure in this life, but thy spiritual armour +will always be needful for thee as long as thou livest. Thou dwellest +among foes, and art attacked on the right hand and on the left. If +therefore thou use not on all sides the shield of patience, thou wilt +not remain long unwounded. Above all, if thou keep not thy heart fixed +upon Me with steadfast purpose to bear all things for My sake, thou +shalt not be able to bear the fierceness of the attack, nor to attain +to the victory of the blessed. Therefore must thou struggle bravely all +thy life through, and put forth a strong hand against those things +which oppose thee. For to him that overcometh is the hidden manna +given,(1) but great misery is reserved for the slothful. + +2. “If thou seek rest in this life, how then wilt thou attain unto the +rest which is eternal? Set not thyself to attain much rest, but much +patience. Seek the true peace, not in earth but in heaven, not in man +nor in any created thing, but in God alone. For the love of God thou +must willingly undergo all things, whether labours or sorrows, +temptations, vexations, anxieties, necessities, infirmities, injuries, +gainsayings, rebukes, humiliations, confusions, corrections, +despisings; these things help unto virtue, these things prove the +scholar of Christ; these things fashion the heavenly crown. I will give +thee an eternal reward for short labour, and infinite glory for +transient shame. + +3. “Thinkest thou that thou shalt always have spiritual consolations at +thy will? My Saints had never such, but instead thereof manifold +griefs, and divers temptations, and heavy desolations. But patiently +they bore themselves in all, and trusted in God more than in +themselves, knowing that the sufferings of this present time are not +worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.(2) +Wouldst thou have that immediately which many have hardly attained unto +after many tears and hard labours? Wait for the Lord, quit thyself like +a man and be strong; be not faint-hearted, nor go aside from Me, but +constantly devote thy body and soul to the glory of God. I will reward +thee plenteously, I will be with thee in trouble.”(3) + +(1) Revelation ii. 17. (2) Romans viii. 17. (3) Psalm xci. 15. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +Against vain judgments of men + + +“My Son, anchor thy soul firmly upon God, and fear not man’s judgment, +when conscience pronounceth thee pious and innocent. It is good and +blessed thus to suffer; nor will it be grievous to the heart which is +humble, and which trusteth in God more than in itself. Many men have +many opinions, and therefore little trust is to be placed in them. But +moreover it is impossible to please all. Although Paul studied to +please all men in the Lord, and to become all things to all men,(1) yet +nevertheless with him it was a very small thing that he should be +judged by man’s judgment.”(2) + +2. He laboured abundantly, as much as in him lay, for the building up +and the salvation of others; but he could not avoid being sometimes +judged and despised by others. Therefore he committed all to God, who +knew all, and by patience and humility defended himself against evil +speakers, or foolish and false thinkers, and those who accused him +according to their pleasure. Nevertheless, from time to time he +replied, lest his silence should become a stumbling-block to those who +were weak. + +3. “Who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die? +To-day he is, and to-morrow his place is not found. Fear God and thou +shalt not quail before the terrors of men. What can any man do against +thee by words or deeds? He hurteth himself more than thee, nor shall he +escape the judgment of God, whosoever he may be. Have thou God before +thine eyes, and do not contend with fretful words. And if for the +present thou seem to give way, and to suffer confusion which thou hast +not deserved, be not angry at this, nor by impatience diminish thy +reward; but rather look up to Me in heaven, for I am able to deliver +thee from all confusion and hurt, and to render to every man according +to his works.” + +(1) 1 Corinthians ix. 22. (2) 1 Corinthians iv. 3. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of +heart + + +“My Son, lose thyself and thou shalt find Me. Stand still without all +choosing and all thought of self, and thou shalt ever be a gainer. For +more grace shall be added to thee, as soon as thou resignest thyself, +and so long as thou dost not turn back to take thyself again.” + +2. O Lord, how often shall I resign myself, and in what things shall I +lose myself? + +3. “Always; every hour: in that which is little, and in that which is +great. I make no exception, but will that thou be found naked in all +things. Otherwise how canst thou be Mine and I thine, unless thou be +inwardly and outwardly free from every will of thine own? The sooner +thou dost this, the better shall it be with thee; and the more fully +and sincerely, the more thou shalt please Me, and the more abundantly +shalt thou be rewarded. + +4. “Some resign themselves, but with certain reservations, for they do +not fully trust in God, therefore they think that they have some +provision to make for themselves. Some again at first offer everything; +but afterwards being pressed by temptation they return to their own +devices, and thus make no progress in virtue. They will not attain to +the true liberty of a pure heart, nor to the grace of My sweet +companionship, unless they first entirely resign themselves and daily +offer themselves up as a sacrifice; without this the union which +bringeth forth fruit standeth not nor will stand. + +5. “Many a time I have said unto thee, and now say again, Give thyself +up, resign thyself, and thou shalt have great inward peace. Give all +for all; demand nothing, ask nothing in return; stand simply and with +no hesitation in Me, and thou shalt possess Me. Thou shalt have liberty +of heart, and the darkness shall not overwhelm thee. For this strive +thou, pray for it, long after it, that thou mayest be delivered from +all possession of thyself, and nakedly follow Jesus who was made naked +for thee; mayest die unto thyself and live eternally to Me. Then shall +all vain fancies disappear, all evil disturbings, and superfluous +cares. Then also shall immoderate fear depart from thee, and inordinate +love shall die.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII + +Of a good government in external things, and of having recourse to God +in dangers + + +“My Son, for this thou must diligently make thy endeavour, that in +every place and outward action or occupation thou mayest be free +within, and have power over thyself; and that all things be under thee, +not thou under them; that thou be master and ruler of thy actions, not +a slave or hireling, but rather a free and true Hebrew, entering into +the lot and the liberty of the children of God, who stand above the +present and look upon the eternal, who with the left eye behold things +transitory, and with the right things heavenly; whom temporal things +draw not to cleave unto, but who rather draw temporal things to do them +good service, even as they were ordained of God to do, and appointed by +the Master Workman, who hath left nought in His creation without aim +and end. + +2. “And if in any chance of life thou stand not in outward appearances, +nor judgest things which are seen and heard by the fleshly sense, but +straightway in every cause enterest with Moses into the tabernacle to +ask counsel of God; thou shalt hear a divine response and come forth +instructed concerning many things that are and shall be. For always +Moses had recourse to the tabernacle for the solving of all doubts and +questionings; and fled to the help of prayer to be delivered from the +dangers and evil deeds of men. Thus also oughtest thou to fly to the +secret chamber of thy heart, and earnestly implore the divine succour. +For this cause we read that Joshua and the children of Israel were +deceived by the Gibeonites, that they asked not counsel at the mouth of +the Lord,(1) but being too ready to listen to fair speeches, were +deceived by pretended piety.” + +(1) Joshua ix. 14. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX + +That man must not be immersed in business + + +“My Son, always commit thy cause to Me; I will dispose it aright in due +time. Wait for My arrangement of it, and then thou shalt find it for +thy profit.” + +2. O Lord, right freely I commit all things to Thee; for my planning +can profit but little. Oh that I did not dwell so much on future +events, but could offer myself altogether to Thy pleasures without +delay. + +3. “My Son, a man often striveth vehemently after somewhat which he +desireth; but when he hath obtained it he beginneth to be of another +mind, because his affections towards it are not lasting, but rather +rush on from one thing to another. Therefore it is not really a small +thing, when in small things we resist self.” + +4. The true progress of man lieth in self-denial, and a man who denieth +himself is free and safe. But the old enemy, opposer of all good +things, ceaseth not from temptation; but day and night setteth his +wicked snares, if haply he may be able to entrap the unwary. Watch and +pray, saith the Lord, lest ye enter into temptation.(1) + +(1) Matthew xxvi. 41. + + + + +CHAPTER XL + +That man hath no good in himself, and nothing whereof to glory + + +Lord, what is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that +Thou visitest him?(1) What hath man deserved, that Thou shouldest +bestow thy favour upon him? Lord, what cause can I have of complaint, +if Thou forsake me? Or what can I justly allege, if Thou refuse to hear +my petition? Of a truth, this I may truly think and say, Lord, I am +nothing, I have nothing that is good of myself, but I fall short in all +things, and ever tend unto nothing. And unless I am helped by Thee and +inwardly supported, I become altogether lukewarm and reckless. + +2. But Thou, O Lord, art always the same, and endurest for ever, always +good, righteous, and holy; doing all things well, righteously, and +holily, and disposing all in Thy wisdom. But I who am more ready to go +forward than backward, never continue in one stay, because changes +sevenfold pass over me. Yet it quickly becometh better when it so +pleaseth Thee, and Thou puttest forth Thy hand to help me; because Thou +alone canst aid without help of man, and canst so strengthen me that my +countenance shall be no more changed, but my heart shall be turned to +Thee, and rest in Thee alone. + +3. Wherefore, if I but knew well how to reject all human consolations, +whether for the sake of gaining devotion, or because of the necessity +by which I was compelled to seek Thee, seeing there is no man who can +comfort me; then could I worthily trust in Thy grace, and rejoice in +the gift of new consolation. + +4. Thanks be to Thee, from whom all cometh, whensoever it goeth well +with me! But I am vanity and nothing in Thy sight, a man inconstant and +weak. What then have I whereof to glory, or why do I long to be held in +honour? Is it not for nought? This also is utterly vain. Verily vain +glory is an evil plague, the greatest of vanities, because it draweth +us away from the true glory, and robbeth us of heavenly grace. For +whilst a man pleaseth himself he displeaseth Thee; whilst he gapeth +after the praises of man, he is deprived of true virtues. + +5. But true glory and holy rejoicing lieth in glorying in Thee and not +in self; in rejoicing in Thy Name, not in our own virtue; in not taking +delight in any creature, save only for Thy sake. Let thy Name, not mine +be praised; let Thy work, not mine be magnified; let Thy holy Name be +blessed, but to me let nought be given of the praises of men. Thou art +my glory, Thou art the joy of my heart. In Thee will I make my boast +and be glad all the day long, but for myself let me not glory save only +in my infirmities.(2) + +6. Let the Jews seek the honour which cometh from one another; but I +will ask for that which cometh from God only.(3) Truly all human glory, +all temporal honour, all worldly exultation, compared to Thy eternal +glory, is but vanity and folly. O God my Truth and my Mercy, Blessed +Trinity, to Thee alone be all praise, honour, power, and glory for ever +and for ever. Amen. + +(1) Psalm viii. 4. (2) 2 Corinthians xii. 5. (3) John v. 44. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI + +Of contempt of all temporal honour + + +“My Son, make it no matter of thine, if thou see others honoured and +exalted, and thyself despised and humbled. Lift up thine heart to Me in +heaven, and then the contempt of men upon earth will not make thee +sad.” + +2. O Lord, we are in blindness, and are quickly seduced by vanity. If I +look rightly within myself, never was injury done unto me by any +creature, and therefore I have nought whereof to complain before Thee. +But because I have many times and grievously sinned against Thee, all +creatures do justly take arms against me. Therefore to me confusion and +contempt are justly due, but to Thee praise and honour and glory. And +except I dispose myself for this, namely, to be willing that every +creature should despise and desert me, and that I should be esteemed +altogether as nothing, I cannot be inwardly filled with peace and +strength, nor spiritually enlightened, nor fully united to Thee. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII + +That our peace is not to be placed in men + + +“My Son, if thou set thy peace on any person because thou hast high +opinion of him, and art familiar with him, thou shalt be unstable and +entangled. But if thou betake thyself to the ever-living and abiding +Truth, the desertion or death of a friend shall not make thee sad. In +Me ought the love of thy friend to subsist, and for My sake is every +one to be loved, whosoever he be, who appeareth to thee good, and is +very dear to thee in this life. Without Me friendship hath no strength +or endurance, neither is that love true and pure, which I unite not. +Thou oughtest to be so dead to such affections of beloved friends, that +as far as in thee lieth, thou wouldst rather choose to be without any +companionship of men. The nearer a man approacheth to God, the further +he recedeth from all earthly solace. The deeper also he descendeth into +himself, and the viler he appeareth in his own eyes, the higher he +ascendeth towards God. + +2. “But he who attributeth anything good to himself, hindereth the +grace of God from coming to him, because the grace of the Holy Ghost +ever seeketh the humble heart. If thou couldst make thyself utterly +nothing, and empty thyself of the love of every creature, then should +it be My part to overflow unto thee with great grace. When thou settest +thine eyes upon creatures, the face of the Creator is withdrawn from +thee. Learn in all things to conquer thyself for thy Creator’s sake, +then shalt thou be able to attain unto divine knowledge. How small +soever anything be, if it be loved and regarded inordinately, it +holdeth us back from the highest good, and corrupteth.” + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII + +Against vain and worldly knowledge + + +“My Son, let not the fair and subtle sayings of men move thee. For the +kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.(1) Give ear to My words, +for they kindle the heart and enlighten the mind, they bring +contrition, and they supply manifold consolations. Never read thou the +word that thou mayest appear more learned or wise; but study for the +mortification of thy sins, for this will be far more profitable for +thee than the knowledge of many difficult questions. + +2. “When thou hast read and learned many things, thou must always +return to one first principle. I am He that teacheth man knowledge,(2) +and I give unto babes clearer knowledge than can be taught by man. He +to whom I speak will be quickly wise and shall grow much in the spirit. +Woe unto them who inquire into many curious questions from men, and +take little heed concerning the way of My service. The time will come +when Christ will appear, the Master of masters, the Lord of the Angels, +to hear the lessons of all, that is to examine the consciences of each +one. And then will He search Jerusalem with candles,(3) and the hidden +things of darkness(4) shall be made manifest, and the arguings of +tongues shall be silent. + +3. “I am He who in an instant lift up the humble spirit, to learn more +reasonings of the Eternal Truth, than if a man had studied ten years in +the schools. I teach without noise of words, without confusion of +opinions, without striving after honour, without clash of arguments. I +am He who teach men to despise earthly things, to loathe things +present, to seek things heavenly, to enjoy things eternal, to flee +honours, to endure offences, to place all hope in Me, to desire nothing +apart from Me, and above all things to love Me ardently. + +4. “For there was one, who by loving Me from the bottom of his heart, +learned divine things, and spake things that were wonderful; he +profited more by forsaking all things than by studying subtleties. But +to some I speak common things, to others special; to some I appear +gently in signs and figures, and again to some I reveal mysteries in +much light. The voice of books is one, but it informeth not all alike; +because I inwardly am the Teacher of truth, the Searcher of the heart, +the Discerner of the thoughts, the Mover of actions, distributing to +each man, as I judge meet.” + +(1) 1 Corinthians iv. 20. (2) Psalm xciv. 10. (3) Zephaniah i. 12. (4) +1 Corinthians iv. 5. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV + +Of not troubling ourselves about outward things + + +“My Son, in many things it behoveth thee to be ignorant, and to esteem +thyself as one dead upon the earth, and as one to whom the whole world +is crucified. Many things also thou must pass by with deaf ear, and +must rather think upon those things which belong unto thy peace. It is +more profitable to turn away thine eyes from those things that +displease, and to leave each man to his own opinion, than to give +thyself to discourses of strife. If thou stand well with God and hast +His judgment in thy mind, thou wilt verily easily bear to be as one +conquered.” + +2. O Lord, to what have we come? Behold a temporal loss is mourned +over; for a trifling gain we labour and hurry; and spiritual loss +passeth away into forgetfulness, and we rarely recover it. That which +profiteth little or nothing is looked after, and that which is +altogether necessary is negligently passed by; because the whole man +slideth away to outward things, and unless he quickly recovereth +himself in outward things he willingly lieth down. + + + + +CHAPTER XLV + +That we must not believe everyone, and that we are prone to fall in our +words + + +Lord, be thou my help in trouble, for vain is the help of man.(1) How +often have I failed to find faithfulness, where I thought I possessed +it. How many times I have found it where I least expected. Vain +therefore is hope in men, but the salvation of the just, O God, is in +Thee. Blessed be thou, O Lord my God, in all things which happen unto +us. We are weak and unstable, we are quickly deceived and quite +changed. + +2. Who is the man who is able to keep himself so warily and +circumspectly as not sometimes to come into some snare of perplexity? +But he who trusteth in Thee, O Lord, and seeketh Thee with an unfeigned +heart, doth not so easily slip. And if he fall into any tribulation, +howsoever he may be entangled, yet very quickly he shall be delivered +through Thee, or by Thee shall be comforted, because Thou wilt not +forsake him that trusteth in Thee unto the end. A friend who continueth +faithful in all the distresses of his friend is rare to be found. Thou, +O Lord, Thou alone art most faithful in all things, and there is none +other like unto Thee. + +3. Oh, how truly wise was that holy soul which said, “My mind is +steadfastly fixed, and it is grounded in Christ.”(2) If thus it were +with me, the fear of man should not so easily tempt me, nor the arrows +of words move me. Who is sufficient to foresee all things, who to guard +beforehand against future ills? If even things which are foreseen +sometimes hurt us, what can things which are not foreseen do, but +grievously injure? But wherefore have I not better provided for myself, +miserable that I am? Why, too, have I given such heed to others? But we +are men, nor are we other than frail men, even though by many we are +reckoned and called angels. Whom shall I trust, O Lord, whom shall I +trust but Thee? Thou art the Truth, and deceivest not, nor canst be +deceived. And on the other hand, Every man is a liar,(3) weak, unstable +and frail, especially in his words, so that one ought scarcely ever to +believe what seemeth to sound right on the face of it. + +4. With what wisdom hast thou warned us beforehand to beware of men, +and that a man’s foes are they of his own household,(4) and that we +must not believe if one say unto us Lo here, or Lo there.(5) I have +been taught by my loss, and O that I may prove more careful and not +foolish hereby. “Be cautious,” saith some one: “be cautious, keep unto +thyself what I tell thee.” And whilst I am silent and believe that it +is hid with me, he himself cannot keep silence concerning it, but +straightway betrayeth me and himself, and goeth his way. Protect me, O +Lord, from such mischief-making and reckless men; let me not fall into +their hands, nor ever do such things myself. Put a true and steadfast +word into my mouth, and remove a deceitful tongue far from me. What I +would not suffer, I ought by all means to beware of doing. + +5. Oh, how good and peacemaking a thing it is to be silent concerning +others, and not carelessly to believe all reports, nor to hand them on +further; how good also to lay one’s self open to few, to seek ever to +have Thee as the beholder of the heart; not to be carried about with +every wind of words, but to desire that all things inward and outward +be done according to the good pleasure of Thy will! How safe for the +preserving of heavenly grace to fly from human approval, and not to +long after the things which seem to win admiration abroad, but to +follow with all earnestness those things which bring amendment of life +and heavenly fervour! How many have been injured by their virtue being +made known and too hastily praised. How truly profitable hath been +grace preserved in silence in this frail life, which, as we are told, +is all temptation and warfare. + +(1) Psalm lx. 11. (2) St. Agatha. (3) Psalm cxvi. 11; Romans iii. 4. +(4) Matthew x. 17, 36. (5) Matthew xxiv. 23. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI + +Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us + + +“My Son, stand fast and believe in Me. For what are words but words? +They fly through the air, but they bruise no stone. If thou are guilty, +think how thou wouldst gladly amend thyself; if thou knowest nothing +against thyself, consider that thou wilt gladly bear this for God’s +sake. It is little enough that thou sometimes hast to bear hard words, +for thou art not yet able to bear hard blows. And wherefore do such +trivial matters go to thine heart, except that thou art yet carnal, and +regardest men more than thou oughtest? For because thou fearest to be +despised, thou art unwilling to be reproved for thy faults, and seekest +paltry shelters of excuses. + +2. “But look better into thyself, and thou shalt know that the world is +still alive in thee, and the vain love of pleasing men. For when thou +fleest away from being abased and confounded for thy faults, it is +plain that thou art neither truly humble nor truly dead to the world, +and that the world is not crucified to thee. But hearken to My word, +and thou shalt not care for ten thousand words of men. Behold, if all +things could be said against thee which the utmost malice could invent, +what should it hurt thee if thou wert altogether to let it go, and make +no more account of it than of a mote? Could it pluck out a single hair +of thy head? + +3. “But he that hath no heart within him, and hath not God before his +eyes, is easily moved by a word of reproach; but he who trusteth in Me, +and seeketh not to abide by his own judgment, shall be free from the +fear of men. For I am the Judge and the Discerner of all secrets; I +know how the thing hath been done; I know both the injurer and the +bearer. From Me went forth that word, by My permission this hath +happened, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.(1) I shall +judge the guilty and the innocent; but beforehand I have willed to try +them both by a secret judgment. + +4. “The testimony of men often deceiveth. My judgment is true; it will +stand, and it shall not be overturned. It commonly lieth hid, and only +to few in certain cases is it made known; yet it never erreth, nor can +err, although it seem not right to the eyes of foolish men. To Me, +therefore, must men have recourse in all judgment, and must not lean to +their opinion. For there shall no evil happen to the just,(2) +whatsoever may be sent to him by God. Even though some unjust charge be +brought against him, he will care little; nor, again, will he exult +above measure, if through others he be clearly vindicated. For he +considereth that I am He who try the hearts and reins,(3) who judge not +outwardly and according to human appearance; for often in Mine eyes +that is found blameworthy which in the judgment of men is held worthy +of praise.” + +5. O Lord God, O Judge, just, strong, and patient, who knowest the +frailty and sinfulness of men, be Thou my strength and my whole +confidence; for my own conscience sufficeth me not. Thou knowest what I +know not; and therefore ought I under all rebuke to humble myself, and +to bear it meekly. Therefore mercifully forgive me as often as I have +not done this, and grant me the next time the grace of greater +endurance. For better unto me is Thine abundant pity for the attainment +of Thy pardon, than the righteousness which I believe myself to have +for defence against my conscience, which lieth wait against me. +Although I know nothing against myself, yet I am not hereby +justified,(4) because if Thy mercy were removed away, in Thy sight +should no man living be justified.(5) + +(1) Luke ii. 35. (2) Proverbs xii. 21. (3) Psalm vii. 9. (4) 1 +Corinthians iv. 4. (5) Psalm cxliii. 2. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII + +That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life + + +“My Son, let not the labours which thou hast undertaken for Me break +thee down, nor let tribulations cast thee down in any wise, but let my +promise strengthen and comfort thee in every event. I am sufficient to +reward thee above all measure and extent. Not long shalt thou labour +here, nor always be weighed down with sorrows. Wait yet a little while, +and thou shalt see a speedy end of thine evils. An hour shall come when +all labour and confusion shall cease. Little and short is all that +passeth away with time. + +2. “Do earnestly what thou dost; labour faithfully in My vineyard; I +will be thy reward. Write, read, sing, weep, be silent, pray, endure +adversities manfully; eternal life is worthy of all these conflicts, +yea, and of greater. Peace shall come in one day which is known to the +Lord; which shall be neither day nor night,(1) but light eternal, +infinite clearness, steadfast peace, and undisturbed rest. Thou shalt +not say then, _Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?_(2) +nor cry out, _Woe is me, for my sojourning is prolonged_,(3) because +death will be utterly destroyed, and there shall be salvation which can +never fail, no more anxiety, happy delight, sweet and noble society. + +3. “Oh, if thou sawest the unfading crowns of the Saints in heaven, and +with what great glory they now rejoice, who aforetime were reckoned by +this world contemptibly and as it were unworthy of life, truly thou +wouldst immediately humble thyself even to the earth, and wouldst +desire rather to be in subjection to all, than to have authority over +one; nor wouldst thou long for pleasant days of this life, but wouldst +more rejoice to be afflicted for God’s sake, and wouldst esteem it gain +to be counted for nought amongst men. + +4. “Oh, if these things were sweet to thy taste, and moved thee to the +bottom of thine heart, how shouldst thou dare even once to complain? +Are not all laborious things to be endured for the sake of eternal +life? It is no small thing, the losing or gaining the Kingdom of God. +Lift up therefore thy face to heaven. Behold, I and all My Saints with +Me, who in this world had a hard conflict, now rejoice, are now +comforted, are now secure, are now at peace, and shall remain with Me +evermore in the Kingdom of My Father.” + +(1) Zechariah xiv. 7. (2) Romans vii. 24. (3) Psalm cxx. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVIII + +Of the day of eternity and of the straitnesses of this life + + +Oh most blessed mansion of the City which is above! Oh most clear day +of eternity which the night obscureth not, but the Supreme Truth ever +enlighteneth! Day always joyful, always secure and never changing its +state into those which are contrary. Oh would that this day might shine +forth, and that all these temporal things would come to an end. It +shineth indeed upon the Saints, glowing with unending brightness, but +only from afar and through a glass, upon those who are pilgrims on the +earth. + +2. The citizens of heaven know how glorious that day is; the exiled +sons of Eve groan, because this is bitter and wearisome. The days of +this life are few and evil, full of sorrows and straits, where man is +defiled with many sins, ensnared with many passions, bound fast with +many fears, wearied with many cares, distracted with many questionings, +entangled with many vanities, compassed about with many errors, worn +away with many labours, weighed down with temptations, enervated by +pleasures, tormented by poverty. + +3. Oh when shall there be an end of these evils? When shall I be +delivered from the wretched slavery of my sins? When shall I be +mindful, O Lord, of Thee alone? When shall I rejoice in Thee to the +full? When shall I be in true liberty without any impediment, without +any burden on mind or body? When shall there be solid peace, peace +immovable and secure, peace within and without, peace firm on every +side? Blessed Jesus, when shall I stand to behold Thee? When shall I +gaze upon the glory of Thy kingdom? When shalt Thou be to me all in +all? Oh when shall I be with Thee in Thy Kingdom which Thou hast +prepared from the foundation of the world for them that love Thee? I am +left destitute, an exile in a hostile land, where are daily wars and +grievous misfortunes. + +4. Console my exile, mitigate my sorrow, for towards Thee all my desire +longeth. For all is to me a burden, whatsoever this world offereth for +consolation. I yearn to enjoy Thee intimately, but I cannot attain unto +it. I long to cleave to heavenly things, but temporal things and +unmortified passions press me down. In my mind I would be above all +things, but in my flesh I am unwillingly compelled to be beneath them. +So, wretched man that I am, I fight with myself, and am made grievous +even unto myself, while the spirit seeketh to be above and the flesh to +be beneath. + +5. Oh how I suffer inwardly, while with the mind I discourse on +heavenly things, and presently a crowd of carnal things rusheth upon me +whilst I pray. My God, be not Thou far from me, nor depart in wrath +from Thy servant. Cast forth Thy lightning and scatter them; send out +Thine arrows,(1) and let all delusions of my enemy be confounded. +Recall my senses unto Thyself, cause me to forget all worldly things; +grant me quickly to cast away and despise the imaginations of sin. +Succour me, O Eternal Truth, that no vanity may move me. Come unto me, +O Heavenly Sweetness, and let all impurity flee from before Thy face. +Pardon me also, and of Thy mercy deal gently with me, whensoever in +prayer I think on anything besides Thee; for truly I confess that I am +wont to be continually distracted. For often and often, where in the +body I stand or sit, there I myself am not; but rather am I there, +whither I am borne by my thoughts. Where my thought is, there am I; and +there commonly is my thought where that which I love is. That readily +occurreth to me, which naturally delighteth, or pleaseth through +custom. + +6. Wherefore Thou, who art the Truth, hast plainly said, Where your +treasure is, there will your heart be also.(2) If I love heaven, I +gladly meditate on heavenly things. If I love the world, I rejoice in +the delights of the world, and am made sorry by its adversities. If I +love the flesh, I am continually imagining the things which belong to +the flesh; if I love the spirit, I am delighted by meditating on +spiritual things. For whatsoever things I love, on these I readily +converse and listen, and carry home with me the images of them. But +blessed is that man who for Thy sake, O Lord, is willing to part from +all creatures; who doth violence to his fleshly nature and crucifieth +the lusts of the flesh by the fervour of his spirit, so that with +serene conscience he may offer unto Thee a pure prayer, and be made +worthy to enter into the angelic choirs, having shut out from himself, +both outwardly and inwardly, all worldly things. + +(1) Psalm lxxi. 12. (2) Matthew vi. 21. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIX + +Of the desire after eternal life, and how great blessings are promised +to those who strive + + +“My Son, when thou feelest the desire of eternal happiness to be poured +into thee from above, and longest to depart from the tabernacle of this +body, that thou mayest contemplate My glory without shadow of turning, +enlarge thine heart, and take in this holy inspiration with all thy +desire. Give most hearty thanks to the Supreme Goodness, who dealeth +with thee so graciously, visiteth thee so lovingly, stirreth thee up so +fervently, raiseth thee so powerfully, lest thou sink down through +thine own weight, to earthly things. For not by thine own meditating or +striving dost thou receive this gift, but by the sole gracious +condescension of Supreme Grace and Divine regard; to the end that thou +mayest make progress in virtue and in more humility, and prepare +thyself for future conflicts, and cleave unto Me with all the affection +of thy heart, and strive to serve Me with fervent will. + +2. “My Son, often the fire burneth, but the flame ascendeth not without +smoke. So also the desires of some men burn towards heavenly things, +and yet they are not free from the temptation of carnal affection. Thus +therefore they are not acting with an altogether simple desire for +God’s glory when they pray to Him so earnestly. Such, too, is +oftentimes thy desire, when thou hast imagined it to be so earnest. For +that is not pure and perfect which is tainted with thine own +self-seeking. + +3. “Seek thou not what is pleasant and advantageous to thyself, but +what is acceptable and honourable unto Me; for if thou judgest rightly, +thou must choose and follow after My appointment rather than thine own +desire; yea, rather than anything that can be desired. I know thy +desire, and I have heard thy many groanings. Already thou longest to be +in the glorious liberty of the children of God; already the eternal +home delighteth thee, and the heavenly country full of joy; but the +hour is not yet come; there remaineth still another season, even a +season of warfare, a season of labour and probation. Thou desirest to +be filled with the Chief Good, but thou canst not attain it +immediately. I AM that Good; wait for Me, until the Kingdom of God +shall come. + +4. “Thou must still be tried upon earth, and be exercised in many +things. Consolation shall from time to time be given thee, but abundant +satisfying shall not be granted. Be strong therefore, and be thou brave +both in working and in suffering things which are against thy nature. +Thou must put on the new man, and be changed into another man. Thou +must often do what thou wouldst not; and thou must leave undone what +thou wouldst do. What pleaseth others shall have good success, what +pleaseth thee shall have no prosperity. What others say shall be +listened to; what thou sayest shall receive no heed. Others shall ask +and receive; thou shalt ask and not obtain. Others shall be great in +the report of men, but about thee shall nothing be spoken. To others +this or that shall be entrusted; thou shalt be judged useful for +nought. + +5. “For this cause nature shall sometimes be filled with sadness; and +it is a great thing if thou bear it silently. In this and many like +things the faithful servant of the Lord is wont to be tried, how far he +is able to deny himself and bring himself into subjection in all +things. Scarcely is there anything in which thou hast need to mortify +thyself so much as in seeing things which are adverse to thy will; +especially when things are commanded thee to be done which seem to thee +inexpedient or of little use to thee. And because thou darest not +resist a higher power, being under authority, therefore it seemeth hard +for thee to shape thy course according to the nod of another, and to +forego thine own opinion. + +6. “But consider, My Son, the fruit of these labours, the swift end, +and the reward exceeding great; and thou shalt find it no pain to bear +them then, but rather the strongest solace of thy patience. For even in +exchange for this trifling desire which thou hast readily forsaken, +thou shalt always have thy will in Heaven. There verily thou shalt find +all that thou wouldst, all that thou canst long for. There thou shalt +have all good within thy power without the fear of losing it. There thy +will, ever at one with Mine, shall desire nothing outward, nothing for +itself. There no man shall withstand thee, none shall complain of thee, +none shall hinder, nothing shall stand in thy path; but all things +desired by thee shall be present together, and shall refresh thy whole +affection, and fill it up even to the brim. There I will glory for the +scorn suffered here, the garment of praise for sorrow, and for the +lowest place a throne in the Kingdom, for ever. There shall appear the +fruit of obedience, the labour of repentance shall rejoice, and humble +subjection shall be crowned gloriously. + +7. “Now therefore bow thyself humbly under the hands of all men; nor +let it trouble thee who said this or who ordered that; but take special +heed that whether thy superior, thy inferior, or thy equal, require +anything from thee, or even show a desire for it; take it all in good +part, and study with a good will to fulfil the desire. Let one seek +this, another that; let this man glory in this, and that man in that, +and be praised a thousand thousand times, but rejoice thou only in the +contempt of thyself, and in Mine own good pleasure and glory. This is +what thou art to long for, even that whether by life or by death God +may be ever magnified in thee.”(1) + +(1) Philippians i. 20. + + + + +CHAPTER L + +How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God + + +O Lord, Holy Father, be Thou blessed now and evermore; because as Thou +wilt so it is done, and what Thou doest is good. Let Thy servant +rejoice in Thee, not in himself, nor in any other; because Thou alone +art the true joy, Thou art my hope and my crown, Thou art my joy and my +honour, O Lord. What hath Thy servant, which he received not from Thee, +even without merit of his own? Thine are all things which Thou hast +given, and which Thou hast made. I am poor and in misery even from my +youth up,(1) and my soul is sorrowful unto tears, sometimes also it is +disquieted within itself, because of the sufferings which are coming +upon it. + +2. I long after the joy of peace; for the peace of Thy children do I +beseech, for in the light of Thy comfort they are fed by Thee. If Thou +give peace, if Thou pour into me holy joy, the soul of Thy servant +shall be full of melody, and devout in Thy praise. But if Thou withdraw +Thyself as too often Thou art wont, he will not be able to run in the +way of Thy commandments, but rather he will smite his breast and will +bow his knees; because it is not with him as yesterday and the day +before, when _Thy candle shined upon his head_,(2) and _he walked under +the shadow of Thy wings_,(3) from the temptations which beset him. + +3. O Father, righteous and ever to be praised, the hour cometh when Thy +servant is to be proved. O beloved Father, it is well that in this hour +Thy servant suffer somewhat for Thy sake. O Father, evermore to be +adored, as the hour cometh which Thou foreknewest from everlasting, +when for a little while Thy servant should outwardly bow down, but +always live inwardly with Thee; when for a little while he should be +little regarded, humbled, and fail in the eyes of men; should be wasted +with sufferings and weaknesses, to rise again with Thee in the dawn of +the new light, and be glorified in the heavenly places. O Holy Father, +thou hast ordained it so, and so hast willed it; and that is done which +Thou Thyself hast commanded. + +4. For this is Thy favour to Thy friend, that he should suffer and be +troubled in the world for Thy love’s sake, how often soever, and by +whomsoever and whosoever Thou hast suffered it to be done. Without Thy +counsel and providence, and without cause, nothing cometh to pass on +the earth. It is good for me, Lord, that I had been in trouble, that I +may learn Thy statutes,(4) and may cast away all pride of heart and +presumption. It is profitable for me that confusion hath covered my +face, that I may seek to Thee for consolation rather than unto men. By +this also I have learned to dread Thine unsearchable judgment, who +afflictest the just with the wicked, but not without equity and +justice. + +5. Thanks be unto Thee, because Thou hast not spared my sins, but hast +beaten me with stripes of love, inflicting pains, and sending troubles +upon me without and within. There is none who can console me, of all +things which are under heaven, but Thou only, O Lord my God, Thou +heavenly Physician of souls, who dost scourge and hast mercy, who +leadest down to hell and bringest up again.(5) Thy discipline over me, +and Thy rod itself shall teach me. + +6. Behold, O beloved Father, I am in Thy hands, I bow myself under the +rod of Thy correction. Smite my back and my neck that I may bend my +crookedness to Thy will. Make me a pious and lowly disciple, as Thou +wert wont to be kind, that I may walk according to every nod of Thine. +To Thee I commend myself and all that I have for correction; better is +it to be punished here than hereafter. Thou knowest all things and each +of them; and nothing remaineth hid from Thee in man’s conscience. +Before they are, thou knowest that they will be, and Thou needest not +that any man teach Thee or admonish Thee concerning the things which +are done upon the earth. Thou knowest what is expedient for my profit, +and how greatly trouble serveth unto the scrubbing off the rust of sin. +Do with me according to Thy desired good pleasure, and despise not my +life which is full of sin, known to none so entirely and fully as to +Thee alone. + +7. Grant me, O Lord, to know that which ought to be known; to love that +which ought to be loved; to praise that which pleaseth Thee most, to +esteem that which is precious in Thy sight, to blame that which is vile +in Thine eyes. Suffer me not to judge according to the sight of bodily +eyes, nor to give sentence according to the hearing of the ears of +ignorant men; but to discern in true judgment between visible and +spiritual things, and above all things to be ever seeking after the +will of Thy good pleasure. + +8. Oftentimes the senses of men are deceived in judging; the lovers of +the world also are deceived in that they love only visible things. What +is a man better because by man he is reckoned very great? The deceiver +deceiveth the deceiver, the vain man the vain, the blind man the blind, +the weak man the weak, when they exalt one another; and in truth they +rather put to shame, while they foolishly praise. For as humble St. +Francis saith, “What each one is in Thine eyes, so much he is, and no +more.” + +(1) Psalm lxxxviii. 15. (2) Job xxix. 3. (3) Psalm xvii. 8. (4) Psalm +cxix. 71. (5) Job xiii. 2. + + + + +CHAPTER LI + +That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to +those that are lofty + + +“My Son, thou art not always able to continue in very fervent desire +after virtues, nor to stand fast in the loftier region of +contemplation; but thou must of necessity sometimes descend to lower +things because of thine original corruption, and bear about the burden +of corruptible life, though unwillingly and with weariness. So long as +thou wearest a mortal body, thou shalt feel weariness and heaviness of +heart. Therefore thou oughtest to groan often in the flesh because of +the burden of the flesh, inasmuch as thou canst not give thyself to +spiritual studies and divine contemplation unceasingly. + +2. “At such a time it is expedient for thee to flee to humble and +external works, and to renew thyself with good actions; to wait for My +coming and heavenly visitation with sure confidence; to bear thy exile +and drought of mind with patience, until thou be visited by Me again, +and be freed from all anxieties. For I will cause thee to forget thy +labours, and altogether to enjoy eternal peace. I will spread open +before thee the pleasant pastures of the Scriptures, that with enlarged +heart thou mayest begin to run in the way of My commandments. And thou +shalt say, ‘The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be +compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.’”(1) + +(1) Romans viii. 18. + + + + +CHAPTER LII + +That a man ought not to reckon himself worthy of consolation, but more +worthy of chastisement + + +O Lord, I am not worthy of Thy consolation, nor of any spiritual +visitation; and therefore Thou dealest justly with me, when Thou +leavest me poor and desolate. For if I were able to pour forth tears +like the sea, still should I not be worthy of Thy consolation. +Therefore am I nothing worthy save to be scourged and punished, because +I have grievously and many a time offended Thee, and in many things +have greatly sinned. Therefore, true account being taken, I am not +worthy even of the least of Thy consolations. But Thou, gracious and +merciful God, who willest not that Thy works should perish, to show +forth the riches of Thy mercy upon the vessels of mercy,(1) vouchsafest +even beyond all his own deserving, to comfort Thy servant above the +measure of mankind. For Thy consolations are not like unto the +discoursings of men. + +2. What have I done, O Lord, that Thou shouldst bestow any heavenly +comfort upon me? I remember not that I have done any good, but have +been ever prone to sin and slow to amendment. It is true and I cannot +deny it. If I should say otherwise, Thou wouldst rise up against me, +and there would be none to defend me. What have I deserved for my sins +but hell and everlasting fire? In very truth I confess that I am worthy +of all scorn and contempt, nor is it fit that I should be remembered +among Thy faithful servants. And although I be unwilling to hear this, +nevertheless I will for the Truth’s sake, accuse myself of my sins, +that the more readily I may prevail to be accounted worthy of Thy +mercy. + +3. What shall I say, guilty that I am and filled with confusion? I have +no mouth to utter, unless it be this word alone, “I have sinned, Lord, +I have sinned; have mercy upon me, forgive me.” Let me alone, that I +may take comfort a little before I go whence I shall not return even to +the land of darkness and the shadow of death.(2) What dost Thou so much +require of a guilty and miserable sinner, as that he be contrite, and +humble himself for his sins? In true contrition and humiliation of +heart is begotten the hope of pardon, the troubled conscience is +reconciled, lost grace is recovered, a man is preserved from the wrath +to come, and God and the penitent soul hasten to meet each other with a +holy kiss.(3) + +4. The humble contrition of sinners is an acceptable sacrifice unto +Thee, O Lord, sending forth a smell sweeter far in Thy sight than the +incense. This also is that pleasant ointment which Thou wouldst have +poured upon Thy sacred feet, for a broken and contrite heart Thou hast +never despised.(4) There is the place of refuge from the wrathful +countenance of the enemy. There is amended and washed away whatsoever +evil hath elsewhere been contracted. + +(1) Romans ix. 23. (2) Job x. 20, 21. (3) Luke xv. 20. (4) Psalm li. +17. + + + + +CHAPTER LIII + +That the Grace of God doth not join itself to those who mind earthly +things + + +“My Son, precious is My grace, it suffereth not itself to be joined +with outward things, nor with earthly consolations. Therefore thou +oughtest to cast away all things which hinder grace, if thou longest to +receive the inpouring thereof. Seek a secret place for thyself, love to +dwell alone with thyself, desire the conversation of no one; but rather +pour out thy devout prayer to God, that thou mayest possess a contrite +mind and a pure conscience. Count the whole world as nought; seek to be +alone with God before all outward things. For thou canst not be alone +with Me, and at the same time be delighted with transitory things. Thou +oughtest to be separated from thy acquaintances and dear friends, and +keep thy mind free from all worldly comfort. So the blessed Apostle +Peter beseecheth, that Christ’s faithful ones bear themselves in this +world as strangers and pilgrims.(1) + +2. “Oh how great a confidence shall there be to the dying man whom no +affection to anything detaineth in the world? But to have a heart so +separated from all things, a sickly soul doth not yet comprehend, nor +doth the carnal man know the liberty of the spiritual man. But if +indeed he desire to be spiritually minded, he must renounce both those +who are far off, and those who are near, and to beware of no man more +than himself. If thou perfectly conquer thyself, very easily shalt thou +subdue all things besides. Perfect victory is the triumph over oneself. +For whoso keepeth himself in subjection, in such manner that the +sensual affections obey the reason, and the reason in all things +obeyeth Me, he truly is conqueror of himself, and lord of the world. + +3. “If thou desire to climb to this height, thou oughtest to start +bravely, and to lay the axe to the root, to the end that thou mayest +pull up and destroy the hidden inordinate inclination towards thyself, +and towards all selfish and earthly good. From this sin, that a man +loveth himself too inordinately, almost everything hangeth which +needeth to be utterly overcome: when that evil is conquered and put +under foot, there shall be great peace and tranquillity continually. +But because few strive earnestly to die perfectly to themselves, and do +not heartily go forth from themselves, therefore do they remain +entangled in themselves, and cannot be raised in spirit above +themselves. But he who desireth to walk at liberty with Me, must of +necessity mortify all his evil and inordinate affections, and must +cling to no creature with selfish love.” + +(1) 1 Peter ii. 11. + + + + +CHAPTER LIV + +Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace + + +“My Son, pay diligent heed to the motions of Nature and of Grace, +because they move in a very contrary and subtle manner, and are hardly +distinguished save by a spiritual and inwardly enlightened man. All men +indeed seek good, and make pretence of something good in all that they +say or do; and thus under the appearance of good many are deceived. + +2. “Nature is deceitful and draweth away, ensnareth, and deceiveth +many, and always hath self for her end; but Grace walketh in simplicity +and turneth away from every appearance of evil, maketh no false +pretences, and doeth all entirely for the sake of God, in whom also she +finally resteth. + +3. “Nature is very unwilling to die, and to be pressed down, and to be +overcome, and to be in subjection, and to bear the yoke readily; but +Grace studieth self-mortification, resisteth sensuality, seeketh to be +subdued, longeth to be conquered, and willeth not to use her own +liberty. She loveth to be held by discipline, and not to have authority +over any, but always to live, to remain, to have her being under God, +and for God’s sake is ready to be humbly subject to every ordinance of +man. + +4. “Nature laboureth for her own advantage, and considereth what profit +she may gain from another; but Grace considereth more, not what may be +useful and convenient to self, but what may be profitable to the many. + +5. “Nature willingly receiveth honour and reverence; but Grace +faithfully ascribeth all honour and glory to God. + +6. “Nature feareth confusion and contempt, but Grace rejoiceth to +suffer shame for the name of Jesus. + +7. “Nature loveth ease and bodily quiet; Grace cannot be unemployed, +but gladly embraceth labour. + +8. “Nature seeketh to possess things curious and attractive, and +abhorreth those which are rough and cheap; Grace is delighted with +things simple and humble, despiseth not those which are rough, nor +refuseth to be clothed with old garments. + +9. “Nature hath regard to things temporal, rejoiceth in earthly lucre, +is made sad by loss, vexed by any little injurious word; but Grace +reacheth after things eternal, cleaveth not to those which are +temporal, is not perturbed by losses, nor embittered by any hard words, +because she hath placed her treasure and joy in heaven where nought +perisheth. + +10. “Nature is covetous, and receiveth more willingly than she giveth, +loveth things that are personal and private to herself; while Grace is +kind and generous, avoideth selfishness, is contented with a little, +believeth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. + +11. “Nature inclineth thee to created things, to thine own flesh, to +vanities and dissipation; but Grace draweth to God and to virtues, +renounceth creatures, fleeth from the world, hateth the desires of the +flesh, restraineth vagaries, blusheth to be seen in public. + +12. “Nature is glad to receive some outward solace in which the senses +may have delight; but Grace seeketh to be comforted in God alone, and +to have delight in the chief good above all visible things. + +13. “Nature doeth everything for her own gain and profit, can do +nothing as a free favour, but hopeth to attain something as good or +better, or some praise or favour for her benefits; and she loveth that +her own deeds and gifts should be highly valued; but Grace seeketh +nothing temporal, nor requireth any other gift of reward than God +alone; neither longeth she for more of temporal necessities than such +as may suffice for the attaining of eternal life. + +14. “Nature rejoiceth in many friends and kinsfolk, she boasteth of +noble place and noble birth, she smileth on the powerful, flattereth +the rich, applaudeth those who are like herself; but Grace loveth even +her enemies, and is not lifted up by the multitude of friends, setteth +no store upon high place or high birth, unless there be greater virtue +therewith; favoureth the poor man more than the rich, hath more +sympathy with the innocent than with the powerful; rejoiceth with the +truthful, not with the liar; always exhorteth the good to strive after +better gifts of grace, and to become by holiness like unto the Son of +God. + +15. “Nature quickly complaineth of poverty and of trouble; Grace +beareth want with constancy. + +16. “Nature looketh upon all things in reference to herself; striveth +and argueth for self; but Grace bringeth back all things to God from +whom they came at the beginning; ascribeth no good to herself nor +arrogantly presumeth; is not contentious, nor preferreth her own +opinion to others, but in every sense and understanding submitteth +herself to the Eternal wisdom and the Divine judgment. + +17. “Nature is eager to know secrets and to hear new things; she loveth +to appear abroad, and to make experience of many things through the +senses; she desireth to be acknowledged and to do those things which +win praise and admiration; but Grace careth not to gather up new or +curious things, because all this springeth from the old corruption, +whereas there is nothing new or lasting upon earth. So she teacheth to +restrain the senses, to shun vain complacency and ostentation, to hide +humbly those things which merit praise and real admiration, and from +everything and in all knowledge to seek after useful fruit, and the +praise and honour of God. She desireth not to receive praise for +herself or her own, but longeth that God be blessed in all His gifts, +who out of unmingled love bestoweth all things.” + +18. This Grace is a supernatural light, and a certain special gift of +God, and the proper mark of the elect, and the pledge of eternal +salvation; it exalteth a man from earthly things to love those that are +heavenly; and it maketh the carnal man spiritual. So far therefore as +Nature is utterly pressed down and overcome, so far is greater Grace +bestowed and the inner man is daily created anew by fresh visitations, +after the image of God. + + + + +CHAPTER LV + +Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace + + +O Lord my God, who hast created me after thine own image and +similitude, grant me this grace, which Thou hast shown to be so great +and so necessary for salvation, that I may conquer my wicked nature, +which draweth me to sin and to perdition. For I feel in my flesh the +law of sin, contradicting the law of my mind, and bringing me into +captivity to the obedience of sensuality in many things; nor can I +resist its passions, unless Thy most holy grace assist me, fervently +poured into my heart. + +2. There is need of Thy grace, yea, and of a great measure thereof, +that my nature may be conquered, which hath alway been prone to evil +from my youth. For being fallen through the first man Adam, and +corrupted through sin, the punishment of this stain descended upon all +men; so that Nature itself, which was framed good and right by Thee, is +now used to express the vice and infirmity of corrupted Nature; because +its motion left unto itself draweth men away to evil and to lower +things. For the little power which remaineth is as it were one spark +lying hid in the ashes. This is Natural reason itself, encompassed with +thick clouds, having yet a discernment of good and evil, a distinction +of the true and the false, though it be powerless to fulfil all that it +approveth, and possess not yet the full light of truth, nor +healthfulness of its affections. + +3. Hence it is, O my God, that I delight in Thy law after the inward +man,(1) knowing that Thy commandment is holy and just and good; +reproving also all evil, and the sin that is to be avoided: yet with +the flesh I serve the law of sin, whilst I obey sensuality rather than +reason. Hence it is that to will to do good is present with me, but how +to perform it I find not.(2) Hence I ofttimes purpose many good things; +but because grace is lacking to help mine infirmities, I fall back +before a little resistance and fail. Hence it cometh to pass that I +recognize the way of perfectness, and see very clearly what things I +ought to do; but pressed down by the weight of my own corruption, I +rise not to the things which are more perfect. + +4. Oh how entirely necessary is Thy grace to me, O Lord, for a good +beginning, for progress, and for bringing to perfection. For without it +I can do nothing, but I can do all things through Thy grace which +strengtheneth me.(3) O truly heavenly grace, without which our own +merits are nought, and no gifts of Nature at all are to be esteemed. +Arts, riches, beauty, strength, wit, eloquence, they all avail nothing +before Thee, O Lord, without Thy grace. For the gifts of Nature belong +to good and evil alike; but the proper gift of the elect is grace—that +is, love—and they who bear the mark thereof are held worthy of +everlasting life. So mighty is this grace, that without it neither the +gift of prophecy nor the working of miracles, nor any speculation, +howsoever lofty, is of any value at all. But neither faith, nor hope, +nor any other virtue is accepted with Thee without love and grace. + +5. O most blessed grace that makest the poor in spirit rich in virtues, +and renderest him who is rich in many things humble in spirit, come +Thou, descend upon me, fill me early with Thy consolation, lest my soul +fail through weariness and drought of mind. I beseech thee, O Lord, +that I may find grace in Thy sight, for Thy grace is sufficient for +me,(4) when I obtain not those things which Nature longeth for. If I be +tempted and vexed with many tribulations, I will fear no evil, while +Thy grace remaineth with me. This alone is my strength, this bringeth +me counsel and help. It is more powerful than all enemies, and wiser +than all the wise men in the world. + +6. It is the mistress of truth, the teacher of discipline, the light of +the heart, the solace of anxiety, the banisher of sorrow, the deliverer +from fear, the nurse of devotion, the drawer forth of tears. What am I +without it, save a dry tree, a useless branch, worthy to be cast away! +“Let Thy grace, therefore, O Lord, always prevent and follow me, and +make me continually given to all good works, through Jesus Christ, Thy +Son. Amen.” + +(1) Romans vii. 12, 22. 25. (2) Romans vii. 18. (3) Philippians iv. 13. +(4) 2 Corinthians xii. 9. + + + + +CHAPTER LVI + +That we ought to deny ourselves, and to imitate Christ by means of the +Cross + + +My Son, so far as thou art able to go out of thyself so far shalt thou +be able to enter into Me. As to desire no outward thing worketh +internal peace, so the forsaking of self inwardly joineth unto God. I +will that thou learn perfect self-denial, living in My will without +contradiction or complaint. Follow Me: I am the way, the truth, and the +life.(1) Without the way thou canst not go, without the truth thou +canst not know, without the life thou canst not live. I am the Way +which thou oughtest to follow; the Truth which thou oughtest to +believe; the Life which thou oughtest to hope for. I am the Way +unchangeable; the Truth infallible; the Life everlasting. I am the Way +altogether straight, the Truth supreme, the true Life, the blessed +Life, the uncreated Life. If thou remain in My way thou shalt know the +Truth, and the truth shall make thee free,(2) and thou shalt lay hold +on eternal life. + +2. “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.(3) If thou +wilt know the truth, believe in Me. If thou wilt be perfect, sell all +that thou hast. If thou wilt be My disciple, deny thyself. If thou +wouldst possess the blessed life, despise the life which now is. If +thou wilt be exalted in heaven, humble thyself in the world. If thou +wilt reign with Me, bear the cross with Me; for only the servants of +the cross find the way of blessedness and of true light.” + +3. O Lord Jesu, forasmuch as Thy life was straitened and despised by +the world, grant unto me to imitate Thee in despising the world, for +the servant is not greater than his lord, nor the disciple above his +master.(4) Let Thy servant be exercised in Thy life, because there is +my salvation and true holiness. Whatsoever I read or hear besides it, +it refresheth me not, nor giveth me delight. + +4. “My son, because thou knowest these things and hast read them all, +blessed shalt thou be if thou doest them. He who hath My commandments +and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me, and I will love him, and +will manifest Myself to him,(5) and I will make him to sit down with Me +in My Father’s Kingdom.” + +5. O Lord Jesu, as Thou hast said and promised, even so let it be unto +me, and grant me to prove worthy. I have received the cross at Thy +hand; I have carried it, and will carry it even unto death, as Thou +hast laid it upon me. Truly the life of a truly devoted servant is a +cross, but it leadeth to paradise. I have begun; I may not return back +nor leave it. + +6. Come, my brothers, let us together go forward. Jesus shall be with +us. For Jesus’ sake have we taken up this cross, for Jesus’ sake let us +persevere in the cross. He will be our helper, who was our Captain and +Forerunner. Behold our King entereth in before us, and He will fight +for us. Let us follow bravely, let no man fear terrors; let us be +prepared to die bravely in battle, and let us not so stain our +honour,(6) as to fly from the cross. + +(1) John xiv. 6. (2) John viii. 32. (3) Matthew xix. 17, 21. (4) +Matthew x. 24. (5) John xiv. 21. (6) 1 Mac. ix. 10. + + + + +CHAPTER LVII + +That a man must not be too much cast down when he falleth into some +faults + + +“My Son, patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to Me +than much comfort and devotion in prosperity. Why doth a little thing +spoken against thee make thee sad? If it had been more, thou still +oughtest not to be moved. But now suffer it to go by; it is not the +first, it is not new, and it will not be the last, if thou live long. +Thou art brave enough, so long as no adversity meeteth thee. Thou +givest good counsel also, and knowest how to strengthen others with thy +words; but when tribulation suddenly knocketh at thine own door, thy +counsel and strength fail. Consider thy great frailty, which thou dost +so often experience in trifling matters nevertheless, for thy soul’s +health these things are done when they and such like happen unto thee. + +2. “Put them away from thy heart as well as thou canst, and if +tribulation hath touched thee, yet let it not cast thee down nor +entangle thee long. At the least, bear patiently, if thou canst not +joyfully. And although thou be very unwilling to hear it, and feel +indignation, yet check thyself, and suffer no unadvised word to come +forth from thy lips, whereby the little ones may be offended. Soon the +storm which hath been raised shall be stilled, and inward grief shall +be sweetened by returning grace. I yet live, saith the Lord, ready to +help thee, and to give thee more than wonted consolation if thou put +thy trust in Me, and call devoutly upon Me. + +3. “Be thou more calm of spirit, and gird thyself for greater +endurance. All is not frustrated, though thou find thyself very often +afflicted or grievously tempted. Thou art man, not God; thou art flesh, +not an angel. How shouldst thou be able to remain alway in the same +state of virtue, when an angel in heaven fell, and the first man in +paradise? I am He who lifteth up the mourners to deliverance, and those +who know their own infirmity I raise up to my own nature.” + +4. O Lord, blessed be Thy word, sweeter to my mouth than honey and the +honeycomb. What should I do in my so great tribulations and anxieties, +unless Thou didst comfort me with Thy holy words? If only I may attain +unto the haven of salvation, what matter is it what things or how many +I suffer? Give me a good end, give me a happy passage out of this +world. Remember me, O my God, and lead me by the right way unto Thy +Kingdom. Amen. + + + + +CHAPTER LVIII + +Of deeper matters, and God’s hidden judgments which are not to be +inquired into + + +“My Son, beware thou dispute not of high matters and of the hidden +judgments of God; why this man is thus left, and that man is taken into +so great favour; why also this man is so greatly afflicted, and that so +highly exalted. These things pass all man’s power of judging, neither +may any reasoning or disputation have power to search out the divine +judgments. When therefore the enemy suggesteth these things to thee, or +when any curious people ask such questions, answer with that word of +the Prophet, _Just art Thou, O Lord, and true is Thy judgment_,(1) and +with this, _The judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous +altogether_.(2) My judgments are to be feared, not to be disputed on, +because they are incomprehensible to human understanding. + +2. “And be not given to inquire or dispute about the merits of the +Saints, which is holier than another, or which is the greater in the +Kingdom of Heaven. Such questions often beget useless strifes and +contentions: they also nourish pride and vain glory, whence envyings +and dissensions arise, while one man arrogantly endeavoureth to exalt +one Saint and another another. But to wish to know and search out such +things bringeth no fruit, but it rather displeaseth the Saints; for I +am not _the God of confusion but of peace;_(3) which peace consisteth +more in true humility than in self-exaltation. + +3. “Some are drawn by zeal of love to greater affection to these Saints +or those; but this is human affection rather than divine. I am He Who +made all the Saints: I gave them grace, I brought them glory; I know +the merits of every one; _I prevented them with the blessings of My +goodness_.(4) I foreknew my beloved ones from everlasting, _I chose +them out of the world;_(5) they did not choose Me. I called them by My +grace, drew them by My mercy, led them on through sundry temptations. I +poured mighty consolations upon them, I gave them perseverance, I +crowned their patience. + +4. “I acknowledge the first and the last; I embrace all with +inestimable love. I am to be praised in all My Saints; I am to be +blessed above all things, and to be honoured in every one whom I have +so gloriously exalted and predestined, without any preceding merits of +their own. He therefore that shall despise one of the least of these My +people, honoureth not the great; because I made both small and +great.(6) And he who speaketh against any of My Saints speaketh against +Me, and against all others in the Kingdom of Heaven.” + + They are all one through the bond of charity; they think the same + thing, will the same thing, and all are united in love one to another. + +5. “But yet (which is far better) they love Me above themselves and +their own merits. For being caught up above themselves, and drawn +beyond self-love, they go all straightforward to the love of Me, and +they rest in Me in perfect enjoyment. There is nothing which can turn +them away or press them down; for being full of Eternal Truth, they +burn with the fire of inextinguishable charity. Therefore let all +carnal and natural men hold their peace concerning the state of the +Saints, for they know nothing save to love their own personal +enjoyment. They take away and add according to their own inclination, +not as it pleaseth the Eternal Truth. + +6. “In many men this is ignorance, chiefly is it so in those who, being +little enlightened, rarely learn to love any one with perfect spiritual +love. They are still much drawn by natural affection and human +friendship to these or to those: and as they reckon of themselves in +lower matters, so also do they frame imaginations of things heavenly. +But there is an immeasurable difference between those things which they +imperfectly imagine, and these things which enlightened men behold +through supernatural revelation. + +7. “Take heed, therefore, My son, that thou treat not curiously those +things which surpass thy knowledge, but rather make this thy business +and give attention to it, namely, that thou seek to be found, even +though it be the least, in the Kingdom of God. And even if any one +should know who were holier than others, or who were held greatest in +the Kingdom of Heaven; what should that knowledge profit him, unless +through this knowledge he should humble himself before Me, and should +rise up to give greater praise unto My name? He who considereth how +great are his own sins, how small his virtues, and how far he is +removed from the perfection of the Saints, doeth far more acceptably in +the sight of God, than he who disputeth about their greatness or +littleness. + +8. “They are altogether well content, if men would learn to be content, +and to refrain from vain babbling. They glory not of their own merits, +seeing they ascribe no good unto themselves, but all unto Me, seeing +that I of my infinite charity have given them all things. They are +filled with so great love of the Divinity, and with such overflowing +joy, that no glory is lacking to them, neither can any felicity be +lacking. All the Saints, the higher they are exalted in glory, the +humbler are they in themselves, and the nearer and dearer are they unto +Me. And so thou hast it written that they cast their crowns before God +and fell on their faces before the Lamb, and worshipped Him that liveth +for ever and ever.(7) + +9. “Many ask who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, who know not +whether they shall be worthy to be counted among the least. It is a +great thing to be even the least in Heaven, where all are great, +because all shall be called, and shall be, the sons of God. _A little +one shall become a thousand, but the sinner being an hundred years old +shall be accursed_. For when the disciples asked _who should be the +greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven_, they received no other answer than +this, _Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall +not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. But whosoever shall humble +himself as this little child, the same shall be greatest in the Kingdom +of Heaven_.”(8) + +10. Woe unto them who disdain to humble themselves willingly with the +little children; for the low gate of the kingdom of Heaven will not +suffer them to enter in. Woe also to them who are rich, who have their +consolation here;(9) because whilst the poor enter into the kingdom of +God, they shall stand lamenting without. Rejoice ye humble, and exult +ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God if only ye walk in the truth. + +(1) Psalm cxix. 137. (2) Psalm xix. 9. (3) 1 Corinthians xiv. 33. (4) +Psalm xxi. 3. (5) John xv. 19. (6) Wisd. vi. 8. (7) Revelation iv. 10; +v. 14. (8) Matthew xviii. 3. (9) Luke vi. 24. + + + + +CHAPTER LIX + +That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone + + +O Lord, what is my trust which I have in this life, or what is my +greatest comfort of all the things which are seen under Heaven? Is it +not Thou, O Lord my God, whose mercies are without number? Where hath +it been well with me without Thee? Or when could it be evil whilst Thou +wert near? I had rather be poor for Thy sake, than rich without Thee. I +choose rather to be a pilgrim upon the earth with Thee than without +Thee to possess heaven. Where Thou art, there is heaven; and where Thou +are not, behold there death and hell. Thou art all my desire, and +therefore must I groan and cry and earnestly pray after Thee. In short +I can confide fully in none to give me ready help in necessities, save +in Thee alone, O my God. Thou art my hope, Thou art my trust, Thou art +my Comforter, and most faithful in all things. + +2. _All men seek their own;_(1) Thou settest forward only my salvation +and my profit, and turnest all things unto my good. Even though Thou +dost expose me to divers temptations and adversities, Thou ordainest +all this unto my advantage, for Thou are wont to prove Thy beloved ones +in a thousand ways. In which proving Thou oughtest no less to be loved +and praised, than if Thou wert filling me full of heavenly +consolations. + +3. In Thee, therefore, O Lord God, I put all my hope and my refuge, on +Thee I lay all my tribulation and anguish; because I find all to be +weak and unstable whatsoever I behold out of Thee. For many friends +shall not profit, nor strong helpers be able to succour, nor prudent +counsellors to give a useful answer, nor the books of the learned to +console, nor any precious substance to deliver, nor any secret and +beautiful place to give shelter, if Thou Thyself do not assist, help, +strengthen, comfort, instruct, keep in safety. + +4. For all things which seem to belong to the attainment of peace and +felicity are nothing when Thou art absent, and bring no felicity at all +in reality. Therefore art Thou the end of all good, and the fulness of +Life, and the soul of eloquence; and to hope in Thee above all things +is the strongest solace of Thy servants. _Mine eyes look unto Thee_,(2) +in Thee is my trust, O my God, Father of mercies. + +5. Bless and sanctify my soul with heavenly blessing that it may become +Thy holy habitation, and the seat of Thy eternal glory; and let nothing +be found in the Temple of Thy divinity which may offend the eyes of Thy +majesty. According to the greatness of Thy goodness and the multitude +of Thy mercies look upon me, and hear the prayer of Thy poor servant, +far exiled from Thee in the land of the shadow of death. Protect and +preserve the soul of Thy least servant amid so many dangers of +corruptible life, and by Thy grace accompanying me, direct it by the +way of peace unto its home of perpetual light. Amen. + +(1) Philippians ii. 21 (2) Psalm cxli. 8. + + + + +THE FOURTH BOOK +OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR + + +A devout exhortation to the Holy Communion + + +The Voice of Christ + + +Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will +refresh you,(1) saith the Lord. The bread that I will give is My flesh +which I give for the life of the world.(2) Take, eat: this is My Body, +which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me.(3) He that eateth +My flesh and drinketh My blood dwelleth in Me and I in him. The words +that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.(4) + +(1) Matthew xi. 28 (2) John vi. 51. (3) Matthew xxvi. 26; Luke xxii. +19. (4) John vi. 51, 63. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +With how great reverence Christ must be received + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +These are Thy words, O Christ, Eternal Truth; though not uttered at one +time nor written together in one place of Scripture. Because therefore +they are Thy words and true, I must gratefully and faithfully receive +them all. They are Thine, and Thou hast uttered them; and they are mine +also, because Thou didst speak them for my salvation. Gladly I receive +them from Thy mouth, that they may be more deeply implanted in my +heart. Words of such great grace arouse me, for they are full of +sweetness and love; but my own sins terrify me, and my impure +conscience driveth me away from receiving so great mysteries. The +sweetness of Thy words encourageth me, but the multitude of my faults +presseth me down. + +2. Thou commandest that I draw near to Thee with firm confidence, if I +would have part with Thee, and that I receive the food of immortality, +if I desire to obtain eternal life and glory. Come unto Me, sayest +Thou, all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Oh, +sweet and lovely word in the ear of the sinner, that Thou, O Lord my +God, dost invite the poor and needy to the Communion of Thy most holy +body and blood. But who am I, O Lord, that I should presume to approach +unto Thee? Behold the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee, and yet +Thou sayest, Come ye all unto Me. + +3. What meaneth this most gracious condescension, this most lovely +invitation? How shall I dare to come, who know no good thing of myself, +whence I might be able to presume? How shall I bring Thee within my +house, seeing that I so often have sinned in Thy most loving sight? +Angels and Archangels stand in awe of Thee, the Saints and just men +fear Thee, and Thou sayest, Come unto Me! Except Thou, Lord, hadst said +it, who should believe it true? And except Thou hadst commanded, who +should attempt to draw near? + +4. Behold, Noah, that just man, laboured for a hundred years in +building the ark, that he might be saved with the few; and I, how shall +I be able in one hour to prepare myself to receive the Builder of the +world with reverence? Moses, Thy servant, Thy great and especial +friend, made an ark of incorruptible wood, which also he covered with +purest gold, that he might lay up in it the tables of the law, and I, a +corruptible creature, shall I dare thus easily to receive Thee, the +Maker of the Law and the Giver of life? Solomon, the wisest of the +kings of Israel, was seven years building his magnificent temple to the +praise of Thy Name, and for eight days celebrated the feast of its +dedication, offered a thousand peace offerings, and solemnly brought up +the Ark of the Covenant to the place prepared for it, with the sound of +trumpets and great joy, and I, unhappy and poorest of mankind, how +shall I bring Thee into my house, who scarce know how to spend half an +hour in devotion? And oh that it were even one half hour worthily +spent! + +5. O my God, how earnestly these holy men strove to please Thee! And +alas! how little and trifling is that which I do! how short a time do I +spend, when I am disposing myself to Communion. Rarely altogether +collected, most rarely cleansed from all distraction. And surely in the +saving presence of Thy Godhead no unmeet thought ought to intrude, nor +should any creature take possession of me, because it is not an Angel +but the Lord of the Angels, that I am about to receive as my Guest. + +6. Yet there is a vast difference between the Ark of the Covenant with +its relics, and Thy most pure Body with its ineffable virtues, between +those sacrifices of the law, which were figures of things to come, and +the true sacrifice of Thy Body, the completion of all the ancient +sacrifices. + +7. Wherefore then do I not yearn more ardently after Thy adorable +presence? Why do I not prepare myself with greater solicitude to +receive Thy holy things, when those holy Patriarchs and Prophets of +old, kings also and princes, with the whole people, manifested so great +affection of devotion towards Thy Divine Service? + +8. The most devout king David danced with all his might before the Ark +of God, calling to mind the benefits granted to his forefathers in days +past; he fashioned musical instruments of various sorts, put forth +Psalms, and appointed them to be sung with joy, played also himself +ofttimes on the harp, being inspired with the grace of the Holy Ghost; +he taught the people of Israel to praise God with the whole heart, and +with unity of voice to bless and praise Him every day. If so great +devotion was then exercised, and celebration of divine praise was +carried on before the Ark of the Testimony, how great reverence and +devotion ought now to be shown by me and all Christian people at the +ministering of the Sacrament, at receiving the most precious Body and +Blood of Christ. + +9. Many run to diverse places to visit the memorials of departed +Saints, and rejoice to hear of their deeds and to look upon the +beautiful buildings of their shrines. And behold, Thou art present here +with me, O my God, Saint of Saints, Creator of men and Lord of the +Angels. Often in looking at those memorials men are moved by curiosity +and novelty, and very little fruit of amendment is borne away, +especially when there is so much careless trifling and so little true +contrition. But here in the Sacrament of the Altar, Thou art present +altogether, My God, the Man Christ Jesus; where also abundant fruit of +eternal life is given to every one soever that receiveth Thee worthily +and devoutly. But to this no levity draweth, no curiosity, nor +sensuality, only steadfast faith, devout hope, and sincere charity. + +10. O God, invisible Creator of the world, how wondrously dost Thou +work with us, how sweetly and graciously Thou dealest with Thine elect, +to whom Thou offerest Thyself to be received in this Sacrament! For +this surpasseth all understanding, this specially draweth the hearts of +the devout and enkindleth their affections. For even thy true faithful +ones themselves, who order their whole life to amendment, oftentimes +gain from this most excellent Sacrament great grace of devotion and +love of virtue. + +11. Oh admirable and hidden grace of the Sacrament, which only Christ’s +faithful ones know, but the faithless and those who serve sin cannot +experience! In this Sacrament is conferred spiritual grace, and lost +virtue is regained in the soul, and the beauty which was disfigured by +sin returneth again. So great sometimes is this grace that out of the +fulness of devotion given, not only the mind but also the weak body +feeleth that more strength is supplied unto it. + +12. But greatly must we mourn and lament over our lukewarmness and +negligence, that we are not drawn by greater affection to become +partakers of Christ, in whom all the hope and the merit of those that +are to be saved consist. For He Himself is our sanctification and +redemption.(1) He is the consolation of pilgrims and the eternal +fruition of the Saints. Therefore it is grievously to be lamented that +many so little consider this health-giving mystery, which maketh heaven +glad and preserveth the whole world. Alas for the blindness and +hardness of man’s heart, that he considereth not more this unspeakable +gift, and even slippeth down through the daily use, into carelessness. + +13. For if this most holy Sacrament were celebrated in one place only, +and were consecrated only by one priest in the whole world, with what +great desire thinkest thou, would men be affected towards that place +and towards such a priest of God, that they might behold the divine +mysteries celebrated? But now are many men made priests and in many +places the Sacrament is celebrated, that the grace and love of God +towards men might the more appear, the more widely the Holy Communion +is spread abroad over all the world. Thanks be unto Thee, O good Jesus, +Eternal Shepherd, who hast vouchsafed to refresh us, poor and exiled +ones, with Thy precious Body and Blood, and to invite us to partake +these holy mysteries by the invitation from Thine own mouth, saying, +Come unto Me, ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh +you. + +(1) 1 Corinthians i. 30. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +That the greatness and charity of God is shown to men in the Sacrament + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +Trusting in Thy goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I draw near, the sick +to the Healer, the hungering and thirsting to the Fountain of life, the +poverty-stricken to the King of heaven, the servant to the Lord, the +creature to the Creator, the desolate to my own gentle Comforter. But +whence is this unto me, that Thou comest unto me? Who am I that Thou +shouldest offer me Thyself? How doth a sinner dare to appear before +Thee? And how dost thou vouchsafe to come to the sinner? Thou knowest +Thy servant, and Thou knowest that he hath in him no good thing for +which Thou shouldest grant him this grace. I confess therefore mine own +vileness, I acknowledge Thy goodness, I praise Thy tenderness, and I +give Thee thanks for Thine exceeding great love. For Thou doest this +for Thine own sake, not for my merits, that Thy goodness may be more +manifest unto me, Thy charity more abundantly poured out upon me, and +Thy humility more perfectly commended unto me. Therefore because this +pleaseth Thee and Thou hast commanded that thus it shall be, Thy +condescension pleaseth me also; and oh that mine iniquity hinder it +not. + +2. O most sweet and tender Jesus, what reverence, what giving of thanks +is due to Thee with perpetual praise for the receiving of Thy sacred +Body and Blood, the dignity whereof no man is found able to express. +But what shall I think upon in this Communion in approaching my Lord, +whom I am not able worthily to honour, and nevertheless whom I long +devoutly to receive? What shall be better and more healthful meditation +for me, than utter humiliation of myself before Thee, and exaltation of +Thine infinite goodness towards me? I praise Thee, O my God, and exalt +Thee for evermore. I despise myself, and cast myself down before Thee +into the deep of my vileness. + +3. Behold, Thou art the Saint of saints and I the refuse of sinners; +behold, Thou stoopest unto me who am not worthy to look upon Thee; +behold, Thou comest unto me, Thou willest to be with me, Thou invitest +me to Thy feast. Thou willest to give me the heavenly food and bread of +angels to eat; none other, in truth, than Thyself, The living bread, +which didst descend from heaven; and givest life to the world.(1) + +4. Behold, whence this love proceedeth! what manner of condescension +shineth forth herein. What great giving of thanks and praise is due +unto Thee for these benefits! Oh how salutary and profitable Thy +purpose when Thou didst ordain this! How sweet and pleasant the feast +when Thou didst give Thyself for food! Oh how admirable is thy working, +O Lord, how mighty Thy power, how unspeakable Thy truth! For Thou didst +speak the word, and all things were made; and this is done which Thou +hast commanded. + +5. A thing wonderful, and worthy of faith, and surpassing all the +understanding of man, that Thou, O Lord my God, very God and very man, +givest Thyself altogether to us in a little bread and wine, and art so +our inexhaustible food. Thou, O Lord of all, who hast need of nothing, +hast willed to dwell in us through Thy Sacrament. Preserve my heart and +my body undefiled, that with a joyful and pure conscience I may be able +very often to [celebrate, and](2) receive to my perpetual health. Thy +mysteries, which Thou hast consecrated and instituted both for Thine +own honour, and for a perpetual memorial. + +6. Rejoice, O my soul, and give thanks unto God for so great a gift and +precious consolation, left unto thee in this vale of tears. For so oft +as thou callest this mystery to mind and receivest the body of Christ, +so often dost thou celebrate the work of thy redemption, and art made +partaker of all the merits of Christ. For the charity of Christ never +groweth less, and the greatness of His propitiation is never exhausted. +Therefore, by continual renewal of thy spirit, thou oughtest to dispose +thyself hereunto and to weigh the great mystery of salvation with +attentive consideration. So great, new, and joyful ought it to appear +to thee when thou comest to communion, as if on this self-same day +Christ for the first time were descending into the Virgin’s womb and +becoming man, or hanging on the cross, suffering and dying for the +salvation of mankind. + +(1) John vi. 51. (2) The words in brackets are only suitable for a +priest. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +That it is profitable to Communicate often + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +Behold I come unto Thee, O Lord, that I may be blessed through Thy +gift, and be made joyful in Thy holy feast which Thou, O God, of Thy +goodness hast prepared for the poor.(1) Behold in Thee is all that I +can and ought to desire, Thou art my salvation and redemption, my hope +and strength, my honour and glory. Therefore rejoice the soul of Thy +servant this day, for unto Thee, O Lord Jesus, do I lift up my soul.(2) +I long now to receive Thee devoutly and reverently, I desire to bring +Thee into my house, so that with Zacchaeus I may be counted worthy to +be blessed by Thee and numbered among the children of Abraham. My soul +hath an earnest desire for Thy Body, my heart longeth to be united with +Thee. + +2. Give me Thyself and it sufficeth, for besides Thee no consolation +availeth. Without Thee I cannot be, and without Thy visitation I have +no power to live. And therefore I must needs draw nigh unto Thee often, +and receive Thee for the healing of my soul, lest haply I faint by the +way if I be deprived of heavenly food. For so Thou, most merciful +Jesus, preaching to the people and healing many sick, didst once say, I +will not send them away fasting to their own homes, lest they faint by +the way.(3) Deal therefore now to me in like manner, for Thou left +Thyself for the consolation of the faithful in the Sacrament. For Thou +art the sweet refreshment of the soul, and he who shall eat Thee +worthily shall be partaker and inheritor of the eternal glory. +Necessary indeed it is for me, who so often slide backwards and sin, so +quickly wax cold and faint, to renew, cleanse, enkindle myself by +frequent prayers and penitences and receiving of Thy sacred Body and +Blood lest haply by too long abstinence, I fall short of my holy +resolutions. + +3. For the imaginations of man’s heart are evil from his youth,(4) and +except divine medicine succour him, man slideth away continually unto +the worse. The Holy Communion therefore draweth us back from evil, and +strengtheneth us for good. For if I now be so negligent and lukewarm +when I communicate [or celebrate], how should it be with me, if I +receive not this medicine, and sought not so great a help? [And though +I am not every day fit nor well prepared to celebrate, I will +nevertheless give diligent heed at due season, to receive the divine +mysteries, and to become partaker of so great grace]. For this is the +one principal consolation of a faithful soul, so long as it is absent +from Thee in mortal body, that being continually mindful of its God, it +receiveth its Beloved with devout spirit. + +4. Oh wonderful condescension of Thy pity surrounding us, that Thou, O +Lord God, Creator and Quickener of all spirits, deignest to come unto a +soul so poor and weak, and to appease its hunger with Thy whole Deity +and Humanity. Oh happy mind and blessed soul, to which is granted +devoutly to receive Thee its Lord God, and in so receiving Thee to be +filled with all spiritual joy! Oh how great a Lord doth it entertain, +how beloved a Guest doth it bring in, how delightful a Companion doth +it receive, how faithful a Friend doth it welcome, how beautiful and +exalted a Spouse, above every other Beloved, doth it embrace, One to be +loved above all things that can be desired! Oh my most sweet Beloved, +let heaven and earth and all the glory of them, be silent in Thy +presence; seeing whatsoever praise and beauty they have it is of Thy +gracious bounty; and they shall never reach unto the loveliness of Thy +Name, Whose Wisdom is infinite.(5) + +(1) Psalm lxviii. 10. (2) Psalm lxxxvi. 4. (3) Matthew xv. 32. (4) +Genesis viii. 21. (5) Psalm cxlvii. 5. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +That many good gifts are bestowed upon those who Communicate devoutly + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +O Lord my God, prevent Thou Thy servant with the blessings of Thy +sweetness, that I may be enabled to draw near worthily and devoutly to +Thy glorious Sacrament. Awaken my heart towards Thee, and deliver me +from heavy slumber. Visit me with Thy salvation that I may in spirit +taste Thy sweetness, which plentifully lieth hid in this Sacrament as +in a fountain. Lighten also mine eyes to behold this so great mystery, +and strengthen me that I may believe it with undoubting faith. For it +is Thy word, not human power; it is Thy holy institution, not the +invention of man. For no man is found fit in himself to receive and to +understand these things, which transcend even the wisdom of the Angels. +What portion then shall I, unworthy sinner, who am but dust and ashes, +be able to search into and comprehend of so deep a Sacrament? + +2. O Lord, in the simplicity of my heart, in good and firm faith, and +according to Thy will, I draw nigh unto Thee with hope and reverence, +and truly believe that Thou art here present in the Sacrament, God and +man. Thou willest therefore that I receive Thee and unite myself to +Thee in charity. Wherefore I beseech Thy mercy, and implore Thee to +give me Thy special grace, to this end, that I may be wholly dissolved +and overflow with love towards Thee, and no more suffer any other +consolation to enter into me. For this most high and most glorious +Sacrament is the health of the soul and the body, the medicine of all +spiritual sickness, whereby I am healed of my sins, my passions are +bridled, temptations are conquered or weakened, more grace is poured +into me, virtue begun is increased, faith is made firm, hope is +strengthened, and charity is enkindled and enlarged. + +3. For in this Sacrament Thou hast bestowed many good things and still +bestowest them continually on Thine elect who communicate devoutly, O +my God, Lifter up of my soul, Repairer of human infirmity, and Giver of +all inward consolation. For Thou pourest into them much consolation +against all sorts of tribulation, and out of the deep of their own +misery Thou liftest them up to the hope of Thy protection, and with +ever new grace, dost inwardly refresh and enlighten them; so that they +who felt themselves to be anxious and without affection before +Communion, afterwards being refreshed with heavenly food and drink, +find themselves changed for the better. And even in such wise Thou +dealest severally with Thine elect, that they may truly acknowledge and +clearly make proof that they have nothing whatsoever of their own, and +what goodness and grace come to them from Thee; because being in +themselves cold, hard of heart, indevout, through Thee they become +fervent, zealous, and devout. For who is there coming humbly to the +fountain of sweetness, carrieth not away thence at the least some +little of that sweetness? Or who standing by a large fire, feeleth not +from thence a little of its heat? And Thou art ever a full and +overflowing fountain, a fire continually burning, and never going out. + +4. Wherefore if it is not suffered to me to draw from the fulness of +the fountain, nor to drink unto satisfying, yet will I set my lips to +the mouth of the heavenly conduit, that at least I may receive a small +drop to quench my thirst, that I dry not up within my heart. And if I +am not yet able to be altogether heavenly and so enkindled as the +Cherubim and Seraphim, yet will I endeavour to give myself unto +devotion, and to prepare my heart, that I may gain if it be but a +little flame of the divine fire, through the humble receiving of the +life-giving Sacrament. But whatsoever is wanting unto me, O merciful +Jesus, Most Holy Saviour, do Thou of Thy kindness and grace supply, who +hast vouchsafed to call all unto Thee, saying, Come unto me, all ye +that are weary and heavy laden, and I will refresh you. + +5. I indeed labour in the sweat of my face, I am tormented with sorrow +of heart, I am burdened with sins, I am disquieted with temptations, I +am entangled and oppressed with many passions, and there is none to +help me, there is none to deliver and ease me, but Thou, O Lord God, my +Saviour, to whom I commit myself and all things that are mine, that +Thou mayest preserve me and lead me unto life eternal. + + Receive me unto the praise and glory of Thy name, who hast prepared + Thy Body and Blood to be my meat and drink. Grant, O Lord God my + Saviour, that with coming often to Thy mysteries the zeal of my + devotion may increase. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest + + +The Voice of the Beloved + + +If thou hadst angelic purity and the holiness of holy John the Baptist, +thou wouldest not be worthy to receive or to minister this Sacrament. +For this is not deserved by merit of man that a man should consecrate +and minister the Sacrament of Christ, and take for food the bread of +Angels. Vast is the mystery, and great is the dignity of the priests, +to whom is given what is not granted to Angels. For priests only, +rightly ordained in the church, have the power of consecrating and +celebrating the Body of Christ. The priest indeed is the minister of +God, using the Word of God by God’s command and institution; +nevertheless God is there the principal Author and invisible Worker, +that to whom all that He willeth is subject, and all He commandeth is +obedient. + +2. Therefore thou must believe God Almighty in this most excellent +Sacrament, more than thine own sense or any visible sign at all. And +therefore with fear and reverence is this work to be approached. Take +heed therefore and see what it is of which the ministry is committed to +thee by the laying on of the Bishop’s hand. Behold thou art made a +priest and art consecrated to celebrate. See now that thou do it before +God faithfully and devoutly at due time, and shew thyself without +blame. Thou hast not lightened thy burden, but art now bound with a +straiter bond of discipline, and art pledged to a higher degree of +holiness. A priest ought to be adorned with all virtues and to afford +to others an example of good life. His conversation must not be with +the popular and common ways of men, but with Angels in Heaven or with +perfect men on earth. + +3. A priest clad in holy garments taketh Christ’s place that he may +pray unto God with all supplication and humility for himself and for +the whole people. He must always remember the Passion of Christ. He +must diligently look upon Christ’s footsteps and fervently endeavour +himself to follow them. He must bear meekly for God whatsoever ills are +brought upon him by others. He must mourn for his own sins, and for the +sins committed by others, and may not grow careless of prayer and holy +oblation, until he prevail to obtain grace and mercy. When the priest +celebrateth, he honoureth God, giveth joy to the Angels, buildeth up +the Church, helpeth the living, hath communion with the departed, and +maketh himself a partaker of all good things. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +An inquiry concerning preparation for Communion + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +When I consider Thy dignity, O Lord, and mine own vileness, I tremble +very exceedingly, and am confounded within myself. For if I approach +not, I fly from life; and if I intrude myself unworthily, I run into +Thy displeasure. What then shall I do, O my God, Thou helper and +Counsellor in necessities. + +2. Teach Thou me the right way; propound unto me some short exercise +befitting Holy Communion. For it is profitable to know how I ought to +prepare my heart devoutly and reverently for Thee, to the intent that I +may receive Thy Sacrament to my soul’s health [or it may be also for +the celebrating this so great and divine mystery]. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +Of the examination of conscience, and purpose of amendment + + +The Voice of the Beloved + + +Above all things the priest of God must draw nigh, with all humility of +heart and supplicating reverence, with full faith and pious desire for +the honour of God, to celebrate, minister, and receive this Sacrament. +Diligently examine thy conscience and with all thy might with true +contrition and humble confession cleanse and purify it, so that thou +mayest feel no burden, nor know anything which bringeth thee remorse +and impedeth thy free approach. Have displeasure against all thy sins +in general, and specially sorrow and mourn because of thy daily +transgressions. And if thou have time, confess unto God in the secret +of thine heart, all miseries of thine own passion. + +2. Lament grievously and be sorry, because thou art still so carnal and +worldly, so unmortified from thy passions, so full of the motion of +concupiscence, so unguarded in thine outward senses, so often entangled +in many vain fancies, so much inclined to outward things, so negligent +of internal; so ready to laughter and dissoluteness, so unready to +weeping and contrition; so prone to ease and indulgence of the flesh, +so dull to zeal and fervour; so curious to hear novelties and behold +beauties, so loth to embrace things humble and despised; so desirous to +have many things, so grudging in giving, so close in keeping; so +inconsiderate in speaking, so reluctant to keep silence; so disorderly +in manners, so inconsiderate in actions; so eager after food, so deaf +towards the Word of God; so eager after rest, so slow to labour; so +watchful after tales, so sleepy towards holy watchings; so eager for +the end of them, so wandering in attention to them; so negligent in +observing the hours of prayer, so lukewarm in celebrating, so +unfruitful in communicating; so quickly distracted, so seldom quite +collected with thyself; so quickly moved to anger, so ready for +displeasure at others; so prone to judging, so severe at reproving; so +joyful in prosperity, so weak in adversity; so often making many good +resolutions and bringing them to so little effect. + +3. When thou hast confessed and bewailed these and thy other +shortcomings, with sorrow and sore displeasure at thine own infirmity, +make then a firm resolution of continual amendment of life and of +progress in all that is good. Then moreover with full resignation and +entire will offer thyself to the honour of My name on the altar of +thine heart as a perpetual whole burnt-offering, even by faithfully +presenting thy body and soul unto Me, to the end that thou mayest so be +accounted worthy to draw near to offer this sacrifice of praise and +thanksgiving to God, and to receive the Sacrament of My Body and Blood +to thy soul’s health. For there is no oblation worthier, no +satisfaction greater for the destroying of sin, than that a man offer +himself to God purely and entirely with the oblation of the Body and +Blood of Christ in the Holy Communion. If a man shall have done what in +him lieth, and shall repent him truly, then how often soever he shall +draw nigh unto Me for pardon and grace, As I live, saith the Lord, I +have no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be +converted, and live. All his transgressions that he hath committed, +they shall not be mentioned unto him.(1) + +(1) Ezekiel xviii. 22, 23. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Of the oblation of Christ upon the cross, and of resignation of self + + +The Voice of the Beloved + + +As I of my own will offered myself unto God the Father on the Cross for +thy sins with outstretched hands and naked body, so that nothing +remained in Me that did not become altogether a sacrifice for the +Divine propitiation; so also oughtest thou every day to offer thyself +willingly unto Me for a pure and holy oblation with all thy strength +and affections, even to the utmost powers of thine heart. What more do +I require of thee than thou study to resign thyself altogether unto Me? +Whatsoever thou givest besides thyself, I nothing care for, for I ask +not thy gift, but thee. + +2. As it would not be sufficient for thee if thou hadst all things +except Me, even so whatsoever thou shalt give Me, if thou give Me not +thyself, it cannot please Me. Offer thyself to Me, and give thyself +altogether for God, so shall thy offering be accepted. Behold I offered +Myself altogether to the Father for thee, I give also My whole body and +blood for food, that thou mightest remain altogether Mine and I thine. +But if thou stand in thyself, and offer not thyself freely to My will, +thy offering is not perfect, neither shall the union betwixt us be +complete. Therefore ought the freewill offering of thyself into the +hands of God to go before all thy works, if thou wilt attain liberty +and grace. For this is the cause that so few are inwardly enlightened +and made free, that they know not how to deny themselves entirely. My +word standeth sure, Except a man forsake all, he cannot be My +disciple.(1) Thou therefore, if thou wilt be My disciple, offer thyself +to Me with all thy affections. + +(1) Luke xiv. 33. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +That we ought to offer ourselves and all that is ours to God, and to +pray for all + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +Lord, all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine.(1) I desire +to offer myself up unto thee as a freewill offering, and to continue +Thine for ever. Lord, in the uprightness of mine heart I willingly +offer(2) myself to Thee to-day to be Thy servant for ever, in humble +submission and for a sacrifice of perpetual praise. Receive me with +this holy Communion of Thy precious Body, which I celebrate before Thee +this day in the presence of the Angels invisibly surrounding, that it +may be for the salvation of me and of all Thy people. + +2. Lord, I lay before Thee at this celebration all my sins and offences +which I have committed before Thee and Thy holy Angels, from the day +whereon I was first able to sin even unto this hour; that Thou mayest +consume and burn them every one with the fire of Thy charity, and +mayest do away all the stains of my sins, and cleanse my conscience +from all offence, and restore me to Thy favour which by sinning I have +lost, fully forgiving me all, and mercifully admitting me to the kiss +of peace. + +3. What can I do concerning my sins, save humbly to confess and lament +them and unceasingly to beseech Thy propitiation? I beseech Thee, be +propitious unto me and hear me, when I stand before Thee, O my God. All +my sins displease me grievously: I will never more commit them; but I +grieve for them and will grieve so long as I live, steadfastly +purposing to repent me truly, and to make restitution as far as I can. +Forgive, O God, forgive me my sins for Thy holy Name’s sake; save my +soul, which Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood. Behold I commit +myself to Thy mercy, I resign myself to Thy hands. Deal with me +according to Thy loving-kindness, not according to my wickedness and +iniquity. + +4. I offer also unto Thee all my goodness, though it is exceedingly +little and imperfect, that Thou mayest mend and sanctify it, that Thou +mayest make it well pleasing and acceptable in Thy sight, and ever draw +it on towards perfection; and furthermore bring me safely, slothful and +useless poor creature that I am, to a happy and blessed end. + +5. Moreover I offer unto Thee all pious desires of the devout, +necessities of parents, friends, brothers, sisters, and all who are +dear to me, and of those who have done good to me, or to others for Thy +love; and those who have desired and besought my prayers for themselves +and all belonging to them; that all may feel themselves assisted by Thy +grace, enriched by consolation, protected from dangers, freed from +pains; and that being delivered from all evils they may joyfully give +Thee exceeding thanks. + +6. I offer also to Thee prayers and Sacramental intercessions for those +specially who have injured me in aught, made me sad, or spoken evil +concerning me, or have caused me any loss or displeasure; for all those +also whom I have at any time made sad, disturbed, burdened, and +scandalized, by words or deeds, knowingly or ignorantly; that to all of +us alike, Thou mayest equally pardon our sins and mutual offences. Take +away, O Lord, from our hearts all suspicion, indignation, anger, and +contention, and whatsoever is able to injure charity and diminish +brotherly love. Have mercy, have mercy, Lord, on those who entreat Thy +mercy; give grace to the needy; and make us such that we may be worthy +to enjoy Thy grace, and go forward to the life eternal. Amen. + +(1) 1 Chronicles xxix. 11. (2) 1 Chronicles xxix. 17. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted + + +The Voice of the Beloved + + +Thou must frequently betake thee to the Fountain of grace and divine +mercy, to the Fountain of goodness and all purity; to the end that thou +mayest obtain the healing of thy passions and vices, and mayest be made +stronger and more watchful against all temptations and wiles of the +devil. The enemy, knowing what profit and exceeding strong remedy lieth +in the Holy Communion, striveth by all means and occasions to draw back +and hinder the faithful and devout, so far as he can. + +2. For when some set about to prepare themselves for Holy Communion, +they suffer from the more evil suggestions of Satan. The very evil +spirit himself (as is written in Job), cometh among the sons of God +that he may trouble them by his accustomed evil dealing, or make them +over timid and perplexed; to the intent that he may diminish their +affections, or take away their faith by his attacks, if haply he may +prevail upon them to give up Holy Communion altogether, or to come +thereto with lukewarm hearts. But his wiles and delusions must not be +heeded, howsoever wicked and terrible they be; but all his delusion +must be cast back upon his own head. The wretch must be despised and +laughed to scorn: neither must Holy Communion be omitted because of his +insults and the inward troubles which he stirreth up. + +3. Often also too much carefulness or some anxiety or other touching +confession hindereth from obtaining devotion. Do thou according to the +counsel of wise men, and lay aside anxiety and scruple, because it +hindereth the grace of God and destroyeth devotion of mind. Because of +some little vexation or trouble do not thou neglect Holy Communion, but +rather hasten to confess it, and forgive freely all offences committed +against thee. And if thou hast offended any man, humbly beg for pardon, +and God shall freely forgive thee. + +4. What profiteth it to put off for long time the confession of thy +sins, or to defer Holy Communion? Cleanse thyself forthwith, spit out +the poison with all speed, hasten to take the remedy, and thou shalt +feel thyself better than if thou didst long defer it. If to-day thou +defer it on one account, to-morrow perchance some greater obstacle will +come, and so thou mayest be long time hindered from Communion and +become more unfit. As soon as thou canst, shake thyself from thy +present heaviness and sloth, for it profiteth nothing to be long +anxious, to go long on thy way with heaviness of heart, and because of +daily little obstacles to sever thyself from divine things: nay it is +exceeding hurtful to defer thy Communion long, for this commonly +bringeth on great torpor. Alas! there are some, lukewarm and +undisciplined, who willingly find excuses for delaying repentance, and +desire to defer Holy Communion, lest they should be bound to keep +stricter watch upon themselves. + +5. Alas! how little charity, what flagging devotion, have they who so +lightly put off Holy Communion. How happy is he, how acceptable to God, +who so liveth, and in such purity of conscience keepeth himself, that +any day he could be ready and well inclined to communicate, if it were +in his power, and might be done without the notice of others. If a man +sometimes abstaineth for the sake of humility or some sound cause, he +is to be commended for his reverence. But if drowsiness have taken hold +of him, he ought to rouse himself and to do what in him lieth; and the +Lord will help his desire for the good will which he hath, which God +specially approveth. + +6. But when he is hindered by sufficient cause, yet will he ever have a +good will and pious intention to communicate; and so he shall not be +lacking in the fruit of the Sacrament. For any devout man is able every +day and every hour to draw near to spiritual communion with Christ to +his soul’s health and without hindrance. Nevertheless on certain days +and at the appointed time he ought to receive the Body and Blood of his +Redeemer with affectionate reverence, and rather to seek after the +praise and honour of God, than his own comfort. For so often doth he +communicate mystically, and is invisibly refreshed, as he devoutly +calleth to mind the mystery of Christ’s incarnation and His Passion, +and is inflamed with the love of Him. + +7. He who only prepareth himself when a festival is at hand or custom +compelleth, will too often be unprepared. Blessed is he who offereth +himself to God for a whole burnt-offering, so often as he celebrateth +or communicateth! Be not too slow nor too hurried in thy celebrating, +but preserve the good received custom of those with whom thou livest. +Thou oughtest not to produce weariness and annoyance in others, but to +observe the received custom, according to the institution of the +elders; and to minister to the profit of others rather than to thine +own devotion or feeling. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are most +necessary to a faithful soul + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +O most sweet Lord Jesus, how great is the blessedness of the devout +soul that feedeth with Thee in Thy banquet, where there is set before +it no other food than Thyself its only Beloved, more to be desired than +all the desires of the heart? And to me it would verily be sweet to +pour forth my tears in Thy presence from the very bottom of my heart, +and with the pious Magdalene to water Thy feet with my tears. But where +is this devotion? Where the abundant flowing of holy tears? Surely in +Thy presence and in the presence of the holy Angels my whole heart +ought to burn and to weep for joy; for I have Thee in the Sacrament +verily present, although hidden under other form. + +2. For in Thine own Divine brightness, mine eyes could not endure to +behold Thee, neither could the whole world stand before the splendour +of the glory of Thy Majesty. In this therefore Thou hast consideration +unto my weakness, that Thou hidest Thyself under the Sacrament. I +verily possess and adore Him whom the Angels adore in heaven; I yet for +a while by faith, but they by sight and without a veil. It is good for +me to be content with the light of true faith, and to walk therein +until the day of eternal brightness dawn, and the shadows of figures +flee away.(1) But when that which is perfect is come, the using of +Sacraments shall cease, because the Blessed in heavenly glory have no +need of Sacramental remedy. For they rejoice unceasingly in the +presence of God, beholding His glory face to face, and _being changed +from glory to glory_(2) of the infinite God, they taste the Word of God +made flesh, as He was in the beginning and remaineth for everlasting. + +3. When I think on these wondrous things, even spiritual comfort +whatsoever it be becometh sore weariness to me; for so long as I see +not openly my Lord in His own Glory, I count for nothing all which I +behold and hear in the world. Thou, O God, art my witness that nothing +is able to comfort me, no creature is able to give me rest, save Thou, +O my God, whom I desire to contemplate everlastingly. But this is not +possible, so long as I remain in this mortal state. Therefore ought I +to set myself unto great patience, and submit myself unto Thee in every +desire. For even Thy Saints, O Lord, who now rejoice with Thee in the +kingdom of heaven, waited for the coming of Thy glory whilst they lived +here, in faith and great glory. What they believed, that believe I; +what they hoped, I hope; whither they have attained to, thither through +Thy grace hope I to come. I will walk meanwhile in faith, strengthened +by the examples of the Saints. I will have also holy books for comfort +and for a mirror of life, and above them all Thy most holy Body and +Blood shall be for me a special remedy and refuge. + +4. For two things do I feel to be exceedingly necessary to me in this +life, without which this miserable life would be intolerable to me; +being detained in the prison of this body, I confess that I need two +things, even food and light. Thou hast therefore given to me who am so +weak, Thy sacred Body and Blood, for the refreshing of my soul and +body, and hast set _Thy Word for a lantern to my feet_.(3) Without +these two I could not properly live; for the Word of God is the light +of my soul, and Thy Sacrament the bread of life. These may also be +called the two tables, placed on this side and on that, in the treasury +of Thy holy Church. One table is that of the Sacred Altar, bearing the +holy bread, that is the precious Body and Blood of Christ; the other is +the table of the Divine Law, containing holy doctrine, teaching the +true faith, and leading steadfastly onwards even to that which is +within the veil, where the Holy of Holies is. + +5. Thanks be unto Thee, O Lord Jesus, Light of Light everlasting, for +that table of holy doctrine which Thou has furnished unto us by Thy +servants the Prophets and Apostles and other teachers. Thanks be to +Thee, O Creator and Redeemer of men, who to make known Thy love to the +whole world has prepared a great supper, in which Thou hast set forth +for good not the typical lamb, but Thine own most Holy Body and Blood; +making all Thy faithful ones joyful with this holy banquet and giving +them to drink the cup of salvation, wherein are all the delights of +Paradise, and the holy Angels do feed with us, and with yet happier +sweetness. + +6. Oh how great and honourable is the office of the priests, to whom it +is given to consecrate the Sacrament of the Lord of majesty with holy +words, to bless it with the lips, to hold it in their hands, to receive +it with their own mouth, and to administer it to others! Oh how clean +ought those hands to be, how pure the mouth, how holy the body, how +unspotted the heart of the priest, to whom so often the Author of +purity entereth in! From the mouth of the priest ought naught to +proceed but what is holy, what is honest and profitable, because he so +often receiveth the Sacrament of Christ. + +7. His eyes ought to be single and pure, seeing they are wont to look +upon the Body of Christ; the hands should be pure and lifted towards +heaven, which are wont to hold within them the Creator of heaven and +earth. To priests is it specially said in the Law, _Be ye holy, for I +the Lord your God am holy._(4) + +8. Assist us with Thy grace, O Almighty God, that we who have taken +upon us the priestly office, may be able to converse worthily and +devoutly with Thee in all purity and good conscience. And if we are not +able to have our conversation in such innocency of life as we ought, +yet grant unto us worthily to lament the sins which we have committed, +and in the spirit of humility and full purpose of a good will, to serve +Thee more earnestly for the future. + +(1) Cant. ii. 17. (2) 2 Corinthians iii. 18. (3) Psalm cxix. 105. (4) +Leviticus xix. 2. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare +himself with great diligence + + +The Voice of the Beloved + + +I am the Lover of purity, and Giver of sanctity. I seek a pure heart, +and there is the place of My rest. Prepare for Me the larger upper room +furnished, and I will keep the Passover at thy house with my +disciples.(1) If thou wilt that I come unto thee and abide with thee, +purge out the old leaven,(2) and cleanse the habitation of thy heart. +Shut out the whole world, and all the throng of sins; sit as a sparrow +alone upon the house-top,(3) and think upon thy transgressions with +bitterness of thy soul. For everyone that loveth prepareth the best and +fairest place for his beloved, because hereby the affection of him that +entertaineth his beloved is known. + +2. Yet know thou that thou canst not make sufficient preparation out of +the merit of any action of thine, even though thou shouldest prepare +thyself for a whole year, and hadst nothing else in thy mind. But out +of My tenderness and grace alone art thou permitted to draw nigh unto +My table; as though a beggar were called to a rich man’s dinner, and +had no other recompense to offer him for the benefits done unto him, +but to humble himself and to give him thanks. Do therefore as much as +lieth in thee, and do it diligently, not of custom, nor of necessity, +but with fear, reverence, and affection, receive the Body of thy +beloved Lord God, who vouchsafeth to come unto thee. I am He who hath +called thee; I commanded it to be done; I will supply what is lacking +to thee; come and receive Me. + +3. When I give the grace of devotion, give thanks unto thy God; it is +not because thou art worthy, but because I had mercy on thee. If thou +hast not devotion, but rather feelest thyself dry, be instant in +prayer, cease not to groan and knock; cease not until thou prevail to +obtain some crumb or drop of saving grace. Thou hast need of Me, I have +no need of thee. Nor dost thou come to sanctify Me, but I come to +sanctify thee and make thee better. Thou comest that thou mayest be +sanctified by Me, and be united to Me; that thou mayest receive fresh +grace, and be kindled anew to amendment of life. See that thou neglect +not this grace, but prepare thy heart with all diligence, and receive +thy Beloved unto thee. + +4. But thou oughtest not only to prepare thyself for devotion before +Communion, thou must also keep thyself with all diligence therein after +receiving the Sacrament; nor is less watchfulness needed afterwards, +than devout preparation beforehand: for good watchfulness afterwards +becometh in turn the best preparation for the gaining more grace. For +hereby is a man made entirely indisposed to good, if he immediately +return from Communion to give himself up to outward consolations. +Beware of much speaking; remain in a secret place, and hold communion +with thy God; for thou hast Him whom the whole world cannot take away +from thee. I am He to whom thou oughtest wholly to give thyself; so +that now thou mayest live not wholly in thyself, but in Me, free from +all anxiety. + +(1) Mark xiv. 14, 15. (2) 1 Corinthians v. 7. (3) Psalm cii. 7. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after union +with Christ in the Sacrament + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +Who shall grant unto me, O Lord, that I may find Thee alone, and open +all my heart unto Thee, and enjoy Thee as much as my soul desireth; and +that no man may henceforth look upon me, nor any creature move me or +have respect unto me, but Thou alone speak unto me and I unto Thee, +even as beloved is wont to speak unto beloved, and friend to feast with +friend? For this do I pray, this do I long for, that I may be wholly +united unto Thee, and may withdraw my heart from all created things, +and by means of Holy Communion and frequent celebration may learn more +and more to relish heavenly and eternal things. Ah, Lord God, when +shall I be entirely united and lost in Thee, and altogether forgetful +of myself? Thou in me, and I in Thee;(1) even so grant that we may in +like manner continue together in one. + +2. Verily Thou art my Beloved, the choicest among ten thousand,(2) in +whom my soul delighteth to dwell all the days of her life. Verily Thou +art my Peacemaker, in Whom is perfect peace and true rest, apart from +Whom is labour and sorrow and infinite misery. Verily Thou art a God +that hidest Thyself, and Thy counsel is not with the wicked, but Thy +Word is with the humble and the simple. O how sweet, O Lord, is Thy +spirit, who that Thou mightest manifest Thy sweetness towards Thy +children, dost vouchsafe to refresh them with the bread which is full +of sweetness, which cometh down from heaven. Verily there is no other +nation so great, which hath its gods drawing nigh to them, as Thou, our +God, art present unto all Thy faithful ones,(3) unto whom for their +daily solace, and for lifting up their heart unto heaven, Thou givest +Thyself for their food and delight. + +3. For what other nation is there so renowned as the Christian people? +Or what creature is so beloved under heaven as the devout soul to which +God entereth in, that he may feed it with His glorious flesh? O +unspeakable grace! O wonderful condescension! O immeasurable love +specially bestowed upon men! But what reward shall I give unto the Lord +for this grace, for charity so mighty? There is nothing which I am able +to present more acceptable than to give my heart altogether unto God, +and to join it inwardly to Him. Then all my inward parts shall rejoice, +when my soul shall be perfectly united unto God. Then shall He say unto +me, “If thou wilt be with Me, I will be with thee.” And I will answer +Him, “Vouchsafe, O Lord, to abide with me, I will gladly be with Thee; +this is my whole desire, even that my heart be united unto Thee.” + +(1) John xv. 4. (2) Cant. v. 10. (3) Deuteronomy iv. 7. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and +Blood of Christ + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +O how great is the abundance of Thy sweetness, O Lord, which Thou hast +laid up for them that fear Thee. When I call to mind some devout +persons who draw nigh to Thy Sacrament, O Lord, with the deepest +devotion and affection, then very often I am confounded in myself and +blush for shame, that I approach Thine altar and table of Holy +Communion so carelessly and coldly, that I remain so dry and without +affection, that I am not wholly kindled with love before Thee, my God, +nor so vehemently drawn and affected as many devout persons have been, +who out of the very earnest desire of the Communion, and tender +affection of heart, could not refrain from weeping, but as it were with +mouth of heart and body alike panted inwardly after Thee, O God, O +Fountain of Life, having no power to appease or satiate their hunger, +save by receiving Thy Body with all joyfulness and spiritual eagerness. + +2. O truly ardent faith of those, becoming a very proof of Thy Sacred +Presence! For they verily know their Lord in the breaking of bread, +whose heart so ardently burneth within them(1) when Jesus walketh with +them by the way. Ah me! far from me for the most part is such love and +devotion as this, such vehement love and ardour. Be merciful unto me, O +Jesus, good, sweet, and kind, and grant unto Thy poor suppliant to feel +sometimes, in Holy Communion, though it be but a little, the cordial +affection of Thy love, that my faith may grow stronger, my hope in Thy +goodness increase, and my charity, once kindled within me by the +tasting of the heavenly manna, may never fail. + +3. But Thy mercy is able even to grant me the grace which I long for, +and to visit me most tenderly with the spirit of fervour when the day +of Thy good pleasure shall come. For, although I burn not with desire +so vehement as theirs who are specially devout towards Thee, yet, +through Thy grace, I have a desire after that greatly inflamed desire, +praying and desiring to be made partaker with all those who so +fervently love Thee, and to be numbered among their holy company. + +(1) Luke xxiv. 32. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self-denial + + +The Voice of the Beloved + + +Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to ask it +fervently, to wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it +gratefully, to preserve it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to +leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation until it come. +Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thyself when thou feelest inwardly +little or no devotion, yet not to be too much cast down, nor to grieve +out of measure. God ofttimes giveth in one short moment what He hath +long time denied; He sometimes giveth at the end what at the beginning +of prayer He hath deferred to give. + +2. If grace were always given immediately, and were at hand at the +wish, it would be hardly bearable to weak man. Wherefore the grace of +devotion is to be waited for with a good hope and with humble patience. +Yet impute it to thyself and to thy sins when it is not given, or when +it is mysteriously taken away. It is sometimes a small thing which +hindereth and hideth grace; (if indeed that ought to be called _small_ +and not rather _great_, which hindereth so great a good); but if thou +remove this, be it small or great, and perfectly overcome it, thou wilt +have what thou hast asked. + +3. For immediately that thou hast given thyself unto God with all thine +heart, and hast sought neither this nor that according to thine own +will and pleasure, but hast altogether settled thyself in Him, thou +shalt find thyself united and at peace; because nothing shall give thee +so sweet relish and delight, as the good pleasure of the Divine will. +Whosoever therefore shall have lifted up his will unto God with +singleness of heart, and shall have delivered himself from every +inordinate love or dislike of any created thing, he will be the most +fit for receiving grace, and worthy of the gift of devotion. For where +the Lord findeth empty vessels,(1) there giveth He His blessing. And +the more perfectly a man forsaketh things which cannot profit, and the +more he dieth to himself, the more quickly doth grace come, the more +plentifully doth it enter in, and the higher doth it lift up the free +heart. + +4. Then shall he see, and flow together, and wonder, and his heart +shall be enlarged within him,(2) because the hand of the Lord is with +him, and he hath put himself wholly in His hand, even for ever. Lo, +thus shall the man be blessed, that seeketh God with all his heart, and +receiveth not his soul in vain. This man in receiving the Holy +Eucharist obtaineth the great grace of Divine Union; because he hath +not regard to his own devotion and comfort, but, above all devotion and +comfort, to the glory and honour of God. + +(1) 2 Kings iv. (2) Isaiah lx. 5. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ and to require His +Grace + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +O most sweet and loving Lord, whom now I devoutly desire to receive, +Thou knowest my infirmity and the necessity which I suffer, in what +evils and vices I lie; how often I am weighed down, tempted, disturbed, +and defiled. I come unto Thee for remedy, I beseech of Thee consolation +and support. I speak unto Thee who knowest all things, to whom all my +secrets are open, and who alone art able perfectly to comfort and help +me. Thou knowest what good thing I most stand in need of, and how poor +I am in virtues. + +2. Behold, I stand poor and naked before Thee, requiring grace, and +imploring mercy. Refresh the hungry suppliant, kindle my coldness with +the fire of Thy love, illuminate my blindness with the brightness of +Thy presence. Turn thou all earthly things into bitterness for me, all +grievous and contrary things into patience, all things worthless and +created into contempt and oblivion. Lift up my heart unto Thee in +Heaven, and suffer me not to wander over the earth. Be Thou alone sweet +unto me from this day forward for ever, because Thou alone art my meat +and drink, my love and joy, my sweetness and my whole good. + +3. Oh that Thou wouldest altogether by Thy presence, kindle, consume, +and transform me into Thyself; that I may be made one spirit with Thee, +by the grace of inward union, and the melting of earnest love! Suffer +me not to go away from Thee hungry and dry; but deal mercifully with +me, as oftentimes Thou hast dealt wondrously with Thy saints. What +marvel if I should be wholly kindled from Thee, and in myself should +utterly fail, since Thou art fire always burning and never failing, +love purifying the heart and enlightening the understanding. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving Christ + + +The Voice of the Disciple + + +With the deepest devotion and fervent love, with all affection and +fervour of heart, I long to receive Thee, O Lord, even as many Saints +and devout persons have desired Thee in communicating, who were +altogether well pleasing to Thee by their sanctity of life, and dwelt +in all ardent devotion. O my God, Eternal Love, my whole Good, +Happiness without measure, I long to receive Thee with the most +vehement desire and becoming reverence which any Saint ever had or +could have. + +2. And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion, +yet do I offer Thee the whole affection of my heart, even as though I +alone had all those most grateful inflamed desires. Yea, also, +whatsoever things a pious mind is able to conceive and long for, all +these with the deepest veneration and inward fervour do I offer and +present unto Thee. I desire to reserve nothing unto myself, but freely +and entirely to offer myself and all that I have unto Thee for a +sacrifice. O Lord my God, my Creator and Redeemer! with such affection, +reverence, praise, and honour, with such gratitude, worthiness, and +love, with such faith, hope, and purity do I desire to receive Thee +this day, as Thy most blessed Mother, the glorious Virgin Mary, +received and desired Thee, when she humbly and devoutly answered the +Angel who brought unto her the glad tidings of the mystery of the +Incarnation. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according +to thy word.(1) + +3. And as Thy blessed forerunner, the most excellent of Saints, John +Baptist, being full of joy in Thy presence, leapt while yet in the womb +of his mother, for joy in the Holy Ghost; and afterwards discerning +Jesus walking amongst men, humbled himself exceedingly, and said, with +devout affection, The friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and +heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice;(2) +even so I wish to be inflamed with great and holy desires, and to +present myself unto Thee with my whole heart. Whence also, on behalf of +myself and of all commended to me in prayer, I offer and present unto +Thee the jubilation of all devout hearts, their ardent affections, +their mental ecstasies, and supernatural illuminations and heavenly +visions, with all the virtues and praises celebrated and to be +celebrated by every creature in heaven and earth; to the end that by +all Thou mayest worthily be praised and glorified for ever. + +4. Receive my prayers, O Lord my God, and my desires of giving Thee +infinite praise and unbounded benediction, which, according to the +multitude of Thine unspeakable greatness, are most justly due unto +Thee. These do I give Thee, and desire to give every day and every +moment; and with beseechings and affectionate desires I call upon all +celestial spirits and all Thy faithful people to join with me in +rendering Thee thanks and praises. + +5. Let all peoples, nations, and tongues praise Thee, and magnify Thy +holy and sweet-sounding Name, with highest jubilations and ardent +devotion. And let all who reverently and devoutly celebrate Thy most +high Sacrament, and receive it with full assurance of faith, be +accounted worthy to find grace and mercy with Thee, and intercede with +all supplication for me a sinner; and when they shall have attained +unto their wished-for devotion and joyous union with Thee, and shall +depart full of comfort and wondrously refreshed from Thy holy, heavenly +table, let them vouchsafe to be mindful of me, for I am poor and needy. + +(1) Luke i. 38. (2) John iii. 29. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a +humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith + + +The Voice of the Beloved + + +Thou must take heed of curious and useless searching into this most +profound Sacrament, if thou wilt not be plunged into the abyss of +doubt. He that is a searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by the glory +thereof.(1) God is able to do more than man can understand. A pious and +humble search after truth is to be allowed, when it is always ready to +be taught, and striving to walk after the wholesome opinions of the +fathers. + +2. Blessed is the simplicity which leaveth alone the difficult paths of +questionings, and followeth the plain and firm steps of God’s +commandments. Many have lost devotion whilst they sought to search into +deeper things. Faith is required of thee, and a sincere life, not +loftiness of intellect, nor deepness in the mysteries of God. If thou +understandest not nor comprehendest the things which are beneath thee, +how shalt thou comprehend those which are above thee? Submit thyself +unto God, and humble thy sense to faith, and the light of knowledge +shall be given thee, as shall be profitable and necessary unto thee. + +3. There are some who are grievously tempted concerning faith and the +Sacrament; but this is not to be imputed to themselves but rather to +the enemy. Care not then for this, dispute not with thine own thoughts, +nor make answer to the doubts which are cast into thee by the devil; +but believe the words of God, believe His Saints and Prophets, and the +wicked enemy shall flee from thee. Often it profiteth much, that the +servant of God endureth such things. For the enemy tempteth not +unbelievers and sinners, because he already hath secure possession of +them; but he tempteth and harasseth the faithful and devout by various +means. + +4. Go forward therefore with simple and undoubting faith, and draw nigh +unto the Sacrament with supplicating reverence. And whatsoever thou art +not enabled to understand, that commit without anxiety to Almighty God. +God deceiveth thee not; he is deceived who believeth too much in +himself. God walketh with the simple, revealeth Himself to the humble, +giveth understanding to babes, openeth the sense to pure minds, and +hideth grace from the curious and proud. Human reason is weak and may +be deceived; but true faith cannot be deceived. + +5. All reason and natural investigation ought to follow faith, not to +precede, nor to break it. For faith and love do here especially take +the highest place, and work in hidden ways in this most holy and +exceeding excellent Sacrament. God who is eternal and incomprehensible, +and of infinite power, doth great and inscrutable things in heaven and +in earth, and His wonderful works are past finding out. If the works of +God were of such sort that they might easily be comprehended by human +reason, they should no longer be called wonderful or unspeakable. + +(1) Proverbs xxv. 27 (Vulg.). + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IMITATION OF CHRIST *** + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the +United States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part +of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Imitation of Christ</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Thomas à Kempis</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Translator: William Benham</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February, 1999 [eBook #1653]<br /> +[Most recently updated: May 5, 2023]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IMITATION OF CHRIST ***</div> + +<h1>The Imitation of Christ</h1> + +<h2 class="no-break">by Thomas à Kempis</h2> + +<p class="center"> +Translated by Rev. William Benham +</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2>Contents</h2> + +<table summary="" style=""> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#pref01">INTRODUCTORY NOTE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap00"><b>THE IMITATION OF CHRIST</b></a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book01"><b>THE FIRST BOOK ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap01">CHAPTER I Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap02">CHAPTER II Of thinking humbly of oneself</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap03">CHAPTER III Of the knowledge of truth</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap04">CHAPTER IV Of prudence in action</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap05">CHAPTER V Of the reading of Holy Scriptures</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap06">CHAPTER VI Of inordinate affections</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap07">CHAPTER VII Of fleeing from vain hope and pride</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap08">CHAPTER VIII Of the danger of too much familiarity</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap09">CHAPTER IX Of Obedience and Subjection</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap10">CHAPTER X Of the danger of superfluity of words</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap11">CHAPTER XI Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap12">CHAPTER XII Of the uses of adversity</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap13">CHAPTER XIII Of resisting temptation</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap14">CHAPTER XIV On avoiding rash judgment</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap15">CHAPTER XV Of works of charity</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap16">CHAPTER XVI Of bearing with the faults of others</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap17">CHAPTER XVII Of a Religious life</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap18">CHAPTER XVIII Of the example of the holy fathers</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap19">CHAPTER XIX Of the exercises of a religious man</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap20">CHAPTER XX Of the love of solitude and silence</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap21">CHAPTER XXI Of compunction of heart</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap22">CHAPTER XXII On the contemplation of human misery</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap23">CHAPTER XXIII Of meditation upon death</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap24">CHAPTER XXIV Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap25">CHAPTER XXV Of the zealous amendment of our whole life</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book02"><b>THE SECOND BOOK ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap26">CHAPTER I Of the inward life</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap27">CHAPTER II Of lowly submission</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap28">CHAPTER III Of the good, peaceable man</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap29">CHAPTER IV Of a pure mind and simple intention</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap30">CHAPTER V Of self-esteem</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap31">CHAPTER VI Of the joy of a good conscience</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap32">CHAPTER VII Of loving Jesus above all things</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap33">CHAPTER VIII Of the intimate love of Jesus</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap34">CHAPTER IX Of the lack of all comfort</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap35">CHAPTER X Of gratitude for the Grace of God</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap36">CHAPTER XI Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap37">CHAPTER XII Of the royal way of the Holy Cross</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book03"><b>THE THIRD BOOK ON INWARD CONSOLATION</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap38">CHAPTER I Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap39">CHAPTER II What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap40">CHAPTER III How all the words of God are to be heard with humility, and how many consider them not</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap41">CHAPTER IV How we must walk in truth and humility before God</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap42">CHAPTER V Of the wonderful power of the Divine Love</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap43">CHAPTER VI Of the proving of the true lover</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap44">CHAPTER VII Of hiding our grace under the guard of humility</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap45">CHAPTER VIII Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap46">CHAPTER IX That all things are to be referred to God, as the final end</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap47">CHAPTER X That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap48">CHAPTER XI That the desires of the heart are to be examined and governed</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap49">CHAPTER XII Of the inward growth of patience, and of the struggle against evil desires</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap50">CHAPTER XIII Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus Christ</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap51">CHAPTER XIV Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God, that we may not be lifted up because of our well-doing</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap52">CHAPTER XV How we must stand and speak, in everything that we desire</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap53">CHAPTER XVI That true solace is to be sought in God alone</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap54">CHAPTER XVII That all care is to be cast upon God</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap55">CHAPTER XVIII That temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of Christ</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap56">CHAPTER XIX Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap57">CHAPTER XX Of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap58">CHAPTER XXI That we must rest in God above all goods and gifts</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap59">CHAPTER XXII Of the recollection of God’s manifold benefits</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap60">CHAPTER XXIII Of four things which bring great peace</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap61">CHAPTER XXIV Of avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap62">CHAPTER XXV Wherein firm peace of heart and true profit consist</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap63">CHAPTER XXVI Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which humble prayer more deserveth than doth frequent reading</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap64">CHAPTER XXVII That personal love greatly hindereth from the highest good</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap65">CHAPTER XXVIII Against the tongues of detractors</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap66">CHAPTER XXIX How when tribulation cometh we must call upon and bless God</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap67">CHAPTER XXX Of seeking divine help, and the confidence of obtaining grace</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap68">CHAPTER XXXI Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap69">CHAPTER XXXII Of self-denial and the casting away all selfishness</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap70">CHAPTER XXXIII Of instability of the heart, and of directing the aim towards God</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap71">CHAPTER XXXIV That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap72">CHAPTER XXXV That there is no security against temptation in this life</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap73">CHAPTER XXXVI Against vain judgments of men</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap74">CHAPTER XXXVII Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of heart</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap75">CHAPTER XXXVIII Of a good government in external things, and of having recourse to God in dangers</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap76">CHAPTER XXXIX That man must not be immersed in business</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap77">CHAPTER XL That man hath no good in himself, and nothing whereof to glory</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap78">CHAPTER XLI Of contempt of all temporal honour</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap79">CHAPTER XLII That our peace is not to be placed in men</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap80">CHAPTER XLIII Against vain and worldly knowledge</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap81">CHAPTER XLIV Of not troubling ourselves about outward things</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap82">CHAPTER XLV That we must not believe everyone, and that we are prone to fall in our words</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap83">CHAPTER XLVI Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap84">CHAPTER XLVII That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap85">CHAPTER XLVIII Of the day of eternity and of the straitnesses of this life</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap86">CHAPTER XLIX Of the desire after eternal life, and how great blessings are promised to those who strive</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap87">CHAPTER L How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap88">CHAPTER LI That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap89">CHAPTER LII That a man ought not to reckon himself worthy of consolation, but more worthy of chastisement</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap90">CHAPTER LIII That the Grace of God doth not join itself to those who mind earthly things</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap91">CHAPTER LIV Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap92">CHAPTER LV Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap93">CHAPTER LVI That we ought to deny ourselves, and to imitate Christ by means of the Cross</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap94">CHAPTER LVII That a man must not be too much cast down when he falleth into some faults</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap95">CHAPTER LVIII Of deeper matters, and God’s hidden judgments which are not to be inquired into</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap96">CHAPTER LIX That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book04"><b>THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap97">CHAPTER I With how great reverence Christ must be received</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap98">CHAPTER II That the greatness and charity of God is shown to men in the Sacrament</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap99">CHAPTER III That it is profitable to Communicate often</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap100">CHAPTER IV That many good gifts are bestowed upon those who Communicate devoutly</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap101">CHAPTER V Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap102">CHAPTER VI An inquiry concerning preparation for Communion</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap103">CHAPTER VII Of the examination of conscience, and purpose of amendment</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap104">CHAPTER VIII Of the oblation of Christ upon the cross, and of resignation of self</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap105">CHAPTER IX That we ought to offer ourselves and all that is ours to God, and to pray for all</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap106">CHAPTER X That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap107">CHAPTER XI That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are most necessary to a faithful soul</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap108">CHAPTER XII That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap109">CHAPTER XIII That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after union with Christ in the Sacrament</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap110">CHAPTER XIV Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and Blood of Christ</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap111">CHAPTER XV That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self-denial</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap112">CHAPTER XVI That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ and to require His Grace</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap113">CHAPTER XVII Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving Christ</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap114">CHAPTER XVIII That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith</a></td> +</tr> + +</table> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="pref01"></a>INTRODUCTORY NOTE</h2> + +<p> +The treatise “Of the Imitation of Christ” appears to have been +originally written in Latin early in the fifteenth century. Its exact date and +its authorship are still a matter of debate. Manuscripts of the Latin version +survive in considerable numbers all over Western Europe, and they, with the +vast list of translations and of printed editions, testify to its almost +unparalleled popularity. One scribe attributes it to St. Bernard of Clairvaux; +but the fact that it contains a quotation from St. Francis of Assisi, who was +born thirty years after the death of St. Bernard, disposes of this theory. In +England there exist many manuscripts of the first three books, called +“Musica Ecclesiastica,” frequently ascribed to the English mystic +Walter Hilton. But Hilton seems to have died in 1395, and there is no evidence +of the existence of the work before 1400. Many manuscripts scattered throughout +Europe ascribe the book to Jean le Charlier de Gerson, the great Chancellor of +the University of Paris, who was a leading figure in the Church in the earlier +part of the fifteenth century. The most probable author, however, especially +when the internal evidence is considered, is Thomas Haemmerlein, known also as +Thomas à Kempis, from his native town of Kempen, near the Rhine, about forty +miles north of Cologne. Haemmerlein, who was born in 1379 or 1380, was a member +of the order of the Brothers of Common Life, and spent the last seventy years +of his life at Mount St. Agnes, a monastery of Augustinian canons in the +diocese of Utrecht. Here he died on July 26, 1471, after an uneventful life +spent in copying manuscripts, reading, and composing, and in the peaceful +routine of monastic piety. +</p> + +<p> +With the exception of the Bible, no Christian writing has had so wide a vogue +or so sustained a popularity as this. And yet, in one sense, it is hardly an +original work at all. Its structure it owes largely to the writings of the +medieval mystics, and its ideas and phrases are a mosaic from the Bible and the +Fathers of the early Church. But these elements are interwoven with such +delicate skill and a religious feeling at once so ardent and so sound, that it +promises to remain, what it has been for five hundred years, the supreme call +and guide to spiritual aspiration. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap00"></a>THE IMITATION OF CHRIST</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book01"></a>THE FIRST BOOK<br/> +ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap01"></a>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities +</p> + +<p> +<i>He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness</i>,(1) saith the Lord. +These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His +life and character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all +blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon +the life of Jesus Christ. +</p> + +<p> +2. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have His +Spirit find therein the hidden manna.(2) But there are many who, though they +frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel but little longing after it, because they +have not the mind of Christ. He, therefore, that will fully and with true +wisdom understand the words of Christ, let him strive to conform his whole life +to that mind of Christ. +</p> + +<p> +3. What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning the Holy +Trinity, if thou lack humility, and be thus displeasing to the Trinity? For +verily it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright; it is a good life +which maketh a man dear to God. I had rather feel contrition than be skilful in +the definition thereof. If thou knewest the whole Bible, and the sayings of all +the philosophers, what should all this profit thee without the love and grace +of God? Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, save to love God, and Him only to +serve. That is the highest wisdom, to cast the world behind us, and to reach +forward to the heavenly kingdom. +</p> + +<p> +4. It is vanity then to seek after, and to trust in, the riches that shall +perish. It is vanity, too, to covet honours, and to lift up ourselves on high. +It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh and be led by them, for this +shall bring misery at the last. It is vanity to desire a long life, and to have +little care for a good life. It is vanity to take thought only for the life +which now is, and not to look forward to the things which shall be hereafter. +It is vanity to love that which quickly passeth away, and not to hasten where +eternal joy abideth. +</p> + +<p> +5. Be ofttimes mindful of the saying,(3) The eye is not satisfied with seeing, +nor the ear with hearing. Strive, therefore, to turn away thy heart from the +love of the things that are seen, and to set it upon the things that are not +seen. For they who follow after their own fleshly lusts, defile the conscience, +and destroy the grace of God. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) John viii. 12. (2) Revelations ii. 17. (3) Ecclesiastes i. 8. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap02"></a>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of thinking humbly of oneself +</p> + +<p> +There is naturally in every man a desire to know, but what profiteth knowledge +without the fear of God? Better of a surety is a lowly peasant who serveth God, +than a proud philosopher who watcheth the stars and neglecteth the knowledge of +himself. He who knoweth himself well is vile in his own sight; neither +regardeth he the praises of men. If I knew all the things that are in the +world, and were not in charity, what should it help me before God, who is to +judge me according to my deeds? +</p> + +<p> +2. Rest from inordinate desire of knowledge, for therein is found much +distraction and deceit. Those who have knowledge desire to appear learned, and +to be called wise. Many things there are to know which profiteth little or +nothing to the soul. And foolish out of measure is he who attendeth upon other +things rather than those which serve to his soul’s health. Many words +satisfy not the soul, but a good life refresheth the mind, and a pure +conscience giveth great confidence towards God. +</p> + +<p> +3. The greater and more complete thy knowledge, the more severely shalt thou be +judged, unless thou hast lived holily. Therefore be not lifted up by any skill +or knowledge that thou hast; but rather fear concerning the knowledge which is +given to thee. If it seemeth to thee that thou knowest many things, and +understandest them well, know also that there are many more things which thou +knowest not. Be not high-minded, but rather confess thine ignorance. Why +desirest thou to lift thyself above another, when there are found many more +learned and more skilled in the Scripture than thou? If thou wilt know and +learn anything with profit, love to be thyself unknown and to be counted for +nothing. +</p> + +<p> +4. That is the highest and most profitable lesson, when a man truly knoweth and +judgeth lowly of himself. To account nothing of one’s self, and to think +always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom. Even +shouldest thou see thy neighbor sin openly or grievously, yet thou oughtest not +to reckon thyself better than he, for thou knowest not how long thou shalt keep +thine integrity. All of us are weak and frail; hold thou no man more frail than +thyself. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap03"></a>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the knowledge of truth +</p> + +<p> +Happy is the man whom Truth by itself doth teach, not by figures and transient +words, but as it is in itself.(1) Our own judgment and feelings often deceive +us, and we discern but little of the truth. What doth it profit to argue about +hidden and dark things, concerning which we shall not be even reproved in the +judgment, because we knew them not? Oh, grievous folly, to neglect the things +which are profitable and necessary, and to give our minds to things which are +curious and hurtful! Having eyes, we see not. +</p> + +<p> +2. And what have we to do with talk about genus and species! He to whom the +Eternal Word speaketh is free from multiplied questionings. From this One Word +are all things, and all things speak of Him; and this is the Beginning which +also speaketh unto us.(2) No man without Him understandeth or rightly judgeth. +The man to whom all things are one, who bringeth all things to one, who seeth +all things in one, he is able to remain steadfast of spirit, and at rest in +God. O God, who art the Truth, make me one with Thee in everlasting love. It +wearieth me oftentimes to read and listen to many things; in Thee is all that I +wish for and desire. Let all the doctors hold their peace; let all creation +keep silence before Thee: speak Thou alone to me. +</p> + +<p> +3. The more a man hath unity and simplicity in himself, the more things and the +deeper things he understandeth; and that without labour, because he receiveth +the light of understanding from above. The spirit which is pure, sincere, and +steadfast, is not distracted though it hath many works to do, because it doth +all things to the honour of God, and striveth to be free from all thoughts of +self-seeking. Who is so full of hindrance and annoyance to thee as thine own +undisciplined heart? A man who is good and devout arrangeth beforehand within +his own heart the works which he hath to do abroad; and so is not drawn away by +the desires of his evil will, but subjecteth everything to the judgment of +right reason. Who hath a harder battle to fight than he who striveth for +self-mastery? And this should be our endeavour, even to master self, and thus +daily to grow stronger than self, and go on unto perfection. +</p> + +<p> +4. All perfection hath some imperfection joined to it in this life, and all our +power of sight is not without some darkness. A lowly knowledge of thyself is a +surer way to God than the deep searching of man’s learning. Not that +learning is to be blamed, nor the taking account of anything that is good; but +a good conscience and a holy life is better than all. And because many seek +knowledge rather than good living, therefore they go astray, and bear little or +no fruit. +</p> + +<p> +5. O if they would give that diligence to the rooting out of vice and the +planting of virtue which they give unto vain questionings: there had not been +so many evil doings and stumbling-blocks among the laity, nor such ill living +among houses of religion. Of a surety, at the Day of Judgment it will be +demanded of us, not what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we +have spoken, but how holily we have lived. Tell me, where now are all those +masters and teachers, whom thou knewest well, whilst they were yet with you, +and flourished in learning? Their stalls are now filled by others, who perhaps +never have one thought concerning them. Whilst they lived they seemed to be +somewhat, but now no one speaks of them. +</p> + +<p> +6. Oh how quickly passeth the glory of the world away! Would that their life +and knowledge had agreed together! For then would they have read and inquired +unto good purpose. How many perish through empty learning in this world, who +care little for serving God. And because they love to be great more than to be +humble, therefore they “have become vain in their imaginations.” He +only is truly great, who hath great charity. He is truly great who deemeth +himself small, and counteth all height of honour as nothing. He is the truly +wise man, who counteth all earthly things as dung that he may win Christ. And +he is the truly learned man, who doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own +will. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm xciv. 12; Numbers xii. 8. (2) John viii. 25 (Vulg.). +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap04"></a>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of prudence in action +</p> + +<p> +We must not trust every word of others or feeling within ourselves, but +cautiously and patiently try the matter, whether it be of God. Unhappily we are +so weak that we find it easier to believe and speak evil of others, rather than +good. But they that are perfect, do not give ready heed to every news-bearer, +for they know man’s weakness that it is prone to evil and unstable in +words. +</p> + +<p> +2. This is great wisdom, not to be hasty in action, or stubborn in our own +opinions. A part of this wisdom also is not to believe every word we hear, nor +to tell others all that we hear, even though we believe it. Take counsel with a +man who is wise and of a good conscience; and seek to be instructed by one +better than thyself, rather than to follow thine own inventions. A good life +maketh a man wise toward God, and giveth him experience in many things. The +more humble a man is in himself, and the more obedient towards God, the wiser +will he be in all things, and the more shall his soul be at peace. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap05"></a>CHAPTER V</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the reading of Holy Scriptures +</p> + +<p> +It is Truth which we must look for in Holy Writ, not cunning of words. All +Scripture ought to be read in the spirit in which it was written. We must +rather seek for what is profitable in Scripture, than for what ministereth to +subtlety in discourse. Therefore we ought to read books which are devotional +and simple, as well as those which are deep and difficult. And let not the +weight of the writer be a stumbling-block to thee, whether he be of little or +much learning, but let the love of the pure Truth draw thee to read. Ask not, +who hath said this or that, but look to what he says. +</p> + +<p> +2. Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Without respect +of persons God speaketh to us in divers manners. Our own curiosity often +hindereth us in the reading of holy writings, when we seek to understand and +discuss, where we should pass simply on. If thou wouldst profit by thy reading, +read humbly, simply, honestly, and not desiring to win a character for +learning. Ask freely, and hear in silence the words of holy men; nor be +displeased at the hard sayings of older men than thou, for they are not uttered +without cause. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap06"></a>CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of inordinate affections +</p> + +<p> +Whensoever a man desireth aught above measure, immediately he becometh +restless. The proud and the avaricious man are never at rest; while the poor +and lowly of heart abide in the multitude of peace. The man who is not yet +wholly dead to self, is soon tempted, and is overcome in small and trifling +matters. It is hard for him who is weak in spirit, and still in part carnal and +inclined to the pleasures of sense, to withdraw himself altogether from earthly +desires. And therefore, when he withdraweth himself from these, he is often +sad, and easily angered too if any oppose his will. +</p> + +<p> +2. But if, on the other hand, he yield to his inclination, immediately he is +weighed down by the condemnation of his conscience; for that he hath followed +his own desire, and yet in no way attained the peace which he hoped for. For +true peace of heart is to be found in resisting passion, not in yielding to it. +And therefore there is no peace in the heart of a man who is carnal, nor in him +who is given up to the things that are without him, but only in him who is +fervent towards God and living the life of the Spirit. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap07"></a>CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of fleeing from vain hope and pride +</p> + +<p> +Vain is the life of that man who putteth his trust in men or in any created +Thing. Be not ashamed to be the servant of others for the love of Jesus Christ, +and to be reckoned poor in this life. Rest not upon thyself, but build thy hope +in God. Do what lieth in thy power, and God will help thy good intent. Trust +not in thy learning, nor in the cleverness of any that lives, but rather trust +in the favour of God, who resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble. +</p> + +<p> +2. Boast not thyself in thy riches if thou hast them, nor in thy friends if +they be powerful, but in God, who giveth all things, and in addition to all +things desireth to give even Himself. Be not lifted up because of thy strength +or beauty of body, for with only a slight sickness it will fail and wither +away. Be not vain of thy skilfulness or ability, lest thou displease God, from +whom cometh every good gift which we have. +</p> + +<p> +3. Count not thyself better than others, lest perchance thou appear worse in +the sight of God, who knoweth what is in man. Be not proud of thy good works, +for God’s judgments are of another sort than the judgments of man, and +what pleaseth man is ofttimes displeasing to Him. If thou hast any good, +believe that others have more, and so thou mayest preserve thy humility. It is +no harm to thee if thou place thyself below all others; but it is great harm if +thou place thyself above even one. Peace is ever with the humble man, but in +the heart of the proud there is envy and continual wrath. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap08"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the danger of too much familiarity +</p> + +<p> +Open not thine heart to every man, but deal with one who is wise and feareth +God. Be seldom with the young and with strangers. Be not a flatterer of the +rich; nor willingly seek the society of the great. Let thy company be the +humble and the simple, the devout and the gentle, and let thy discourse be +concerning things which edify. Be not familiar with any woman, but commend all +good women alike unto God. Choose for thy companions God and His Angels only, +and flee from the notice of men. +</p> + +<p> +2. We must love all men, but not make close companions of all. It sometimes +falleth out that one who is unknown to us is highly regarded through good +report of him, whose actual person is nevertheless unpleasing to those who +behold it. We sometimes think to please others by our intimacy, and forthwith +displease them the more by the faultiness of character which they perceive in +us. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap09"></a>CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of Obedience and Subjection +</p> + +<p> +It is verily a great thing to live in obedience, to be under authority, and not +to be at our own disposal. Far safer is it to live in subjection than in a +place of authority. Many are in obedience from necessity rather than from love; +these take it amiss, and repine for small cause. Nor will they gain freedom of +spirit, unless with all their heart they submit themselves for the love of God. +Though thou run hither and thither, thou wilt not find peace, save in humble +subjection to the authority of him who is set over thee. Fancies about places +and change of them have deceived many. +</p> + +<p> +2. True it is that every man willingly followeth his own bent, and is the more +inclined to those who agree with him. But if Christ is amongst us, then it is +necessary that we sometimes yield up our own opinion for the sake of peace. Who +is so wise as to have perfect knowledge of all things? Therefore trust not too +much to thine own opinion, but be ready also to hear the opinions of others. +Though thine own opinion be good, yet if for the love of God thou foregoest it, +and followest that of another, thou shalt the more profit thereby. +</p> + +<p> +3. Ofttimes I have heard that it is safer to hearken and to receive counsel +than to give it. It may also come to pass that each opinion may be good; but to +refuse to hearken to others when reason or occasion requireth it, is a mark of +pride or wilfulness. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap10"></a>CHAPTER X</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the danger of superfluity of words +</p> + +<p> +Avoid as far as thou canst the tumult of men; for talk concerning worldly +things, though it be innocently undertaken, is a hindrance, so quickly are we +led captive and defiled by vanity. Many a time I wish that I had held my peace, +and had not gone amongst men. But why do we talk and gossip so continually, +seeing that we so rarely resume our silence without some hurt done to our +conscience? We like talking so much because we hope by our conversations to +gain some mutual comfort, and because we seek to refresh our wearied spirits by +variety of thoughts. And we very willingly talk and think of those things which +we love or desire, or else of those which we most dislike. +</p> + +<p> +2. But alas! it is often to no purpose and in vain. For this outward +consolation is no small hindrance to the inner comfort which cometh from God. +Therefore must we watch and pray that time pass not idly away. If it be right +and desirable for thee to speak, speak things which are to edification. Evil +custom and neglect of our real profit tend much to make us heedless of watching +over our lips. Nevertheless, devout conversation on spiritual things helpeth +not a little to spiritual progress, most of all where those of kindred mind and +spirit find their ground of fellowship in God. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap11"></a>CHAPTER XI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress +</p> + +<p> +We may enjoy abundance of peace if we refrain from busying ourselves with the +sayings and doings of others, and things which concern not ourselves. How can +he abide long time in peace who occupieth himself with other men’s +matters, and with things without himself, and meanwhile payeth little or rare +heed to the self within? Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall have +abundance of peace. +</p> + +<p> +2. How came it to pass that many of the Saints were so perfect, so +contemplative of Divine things? Because they steadfastly sought to mortify +themselves from all worldly desires, and so were enabled to cling with their +whole heart to God, and be free and at leisure for the thought of Him. We are +too much occupied with our own affections, and too anxious about transitory +things. Seldom, too, do we entirely conquer even a single fault, nor are we +zealous for daily growth in grace. And so we remain lukewarm and unspiritual. +</p> + +<p> +3. Were we fully watchful of ourselves, and not bound in spirit to outward +things, then might we be wise unto salvation, and make progress in Divine +contemplation. Our great and grievous stumbling-block is that, not being freed +from our affections and desires, we strive not to enter into the perfect way of +the Saints. And when even a little trouble befalleth us, too quickly are we +cast down, and fly to the world to give us comfort. +</p> + +<p> +4. If we would quit ourselves like men, and strive to stand firm in the battle, +then should we see the Lord helping us from Heaven. For He Himself is alway +ready to help those who strive and who trust in Him; yea, He provideth for us +occasions of striving, to the end that we may win the victory. If we look upon +our progress in religion as a progress only in outward observances and forms, +our devoutness will soon come to an end. But let us lay the axe to the very +root of our life, that, being cleansed from affections, we may possess our +souls in peace. +</p> + +<p> +5. If each year should see one fault rooted out from us, we should go quickly +on to perfection. But on the contrary, we often feel that we were better and +holier in the beginning of our conversion than after many years of profession. +Zeal and progress ought to increase day by day; yet now it seemeth a great +thing if one is able to retain some portion of his first ardour. If we would +put some slight stress on ourselves at the beginning, then afterwards we should +be able to do all things with ease and joy. +</p> + +<p> +6. It is a hard thing to break through a habit, and a yet harder thing to go +contrary to our own will. Yet if thou overcome not slight and easy obstacles, +how shalt thou overcome greater ones? Withstand thy will at the beginning, and +unlearn an evil habit, lest it lead thee little by little into worse +difficulties. Oh, if thou knewest what peace to thyself thy holy life should +bring to thyself, and what joy to others, methinketh thou wouldst be more +zealous for spiritual profit. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap12"></a>CHAPTER XII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the uses of adversity +</p> + +<p> +It is good for us that we sometimes have sorrows and adversities, for they +often make a man lay to heart that he is only a stranger and sojourner, and may +not put his trust in any worldly thing. It is good that we sometimes endure +contradictions, and are hardly and unfairly judged, when we do and mean what is +good. For these things help us to be humble, and shield us from vain-glory. For +then we seek the more earnestly the witness of God, when men speak evil of us +falsely, and give us no credit for good. +</p> + +<p> +2. Therefore ought a man to rest wholly upon God, so that he needeth not seek +much comfort at the hand of men. When a man who feareth God is afflicted or +tried or oppressed with evil thoughts, then he seeth that God is the more +necessary unto him, since without God he can do no good thing. Then he is heavy +of heart, he groaneth, he crieth out for the very disquietness of his heart. +Then he groweth weary of life, and would fain depart and be with Christ. By all +this he is taught that in the world there can be no perfect security or fulness +of peace. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap13"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of resisting temptation +</p> + +<p> +So long as we live in the world, we cannot be without trouble and trial. +Wherefore it is written in Job, The life of man upon the earth is a trial.(1) +And therefore ought each of us to give heed concerning trials and temptations, +and watch unto prayer, lest the devil find occasion to deceive; for he never +sleepeth, but goeth about seeking whom he may devour. No man is so perfect in +holiness that he hath never temptations, nor can we ever be wholly free from +them. +</p> + +<p> +2. Yet, notwithstanding, temptations turn greatly unto our profit, even though +they be great and hard to bear; for through them we are humbled, purified, +instructed. All Saints have passed through much tribulation and temptation, and +have profited thereby. And they who endured not temptation became reprobate and +fell away. There is no position so sacred, no place so secret, that it is +without temptations and adversities. +</p> + +<p> +3. There is no man wholly free from temptations so long as he liveth, because +we have the root of temptation within ourselves, in that we are born in +concupiscence. One temptation or sorrow passeth, and another cometh; and always +we shall have somewhat to suffer, for we have fallen from perfect happiness. +Many who seek to fly from temptations fall yet more deeply into them. By flight +alone we cannot overcome, but by endurance and true humility we are made +stronger than all our enemies. +</p> + +<p> +4. He who only resisteth outwardly and pulleth not up by the root, shall profit +little; nay, rather temptations will return to him the more quickly, and will +be the more terrible. Little by little, through patience and long-suffering, +thou shalt conquer by the help of God, rather than by violence and thine own +strength of will. In the midst of temptation often seek counsel; and deal not +hardly with one who is tempted, but comfort and strengthen him as thou wouldest +have done unto thyself. +</p> + +<p> +5. The beginning of all temptations to evil is instability of temper and want +of trust in God; for even as a ship without a helm is tossed about by the +waves, so is a man who is careless and infirm of purpose tempted, now on this +side, now on that. As fire testeth iron, so doth temptation the upright man. +Oftentimes we know not what strength we have; but temptation revealeth to us +what we are. Nevertheless, we must watch, especially in the beginnings of +temptation; for then is the foe the more easily mastered, when he is not +suffered to enter within the mind, but is met outside the door as soon as he +hath knocked. Wherefore one saith, +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +Check the beginnings; once thou might’st have cured,<br/> +But now ’tis past thy skill, too long hath it endured. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +For first cometh to the mind the simple suggestion, then the strong +imagination, afterwards pleasure, evil affection, assent. And so little by +little the enemy entereth in altogether, because he was not resisted at the +beginning. And the longer a man delayeth his resistance, the weaker he groweth, +and the stronger groweth the enemy against him. +</p> + +<p> +6. Some men suffer their most grievous temptations in the beginning of their +conversion, some at the end. Some are sorely tried their whole life long. Some +there are who are tempted but lightly, according to the wisdom and justice of +the ordering of God, who knoweth the character and circumstances of men, and +ordereth all things for the welfare of His elect. +</p> + +<p> +7. Therefore we ought not to despair when we are tempted, but the more +fervently should cry unto God, that He will vouchsafe to help us in all our +tribulation; and that He will, as St. Paul saith, with the temptation make a +way to escape that we may be able to bear it.(2) Let us therefore humble +ourselves under the mighty hand of God in all temptation and trouble, for He +will save and exalt such as are of an humble spirit. +</p> + +<p> +8. In temptations and troubles a man is proved, what progress he hath made, and +therein is his reward the greater, and his virtue doth the more appear. Nor is +it a great thing if a man be devout and zealous so long as he suffereth no +affliction; but if he behave himself patiently in the time of adversity, then +is there hope of great progress. Some are kept safe from great temptations, but +are overtaken in those which are little and common, that the humiliation may +teach them not to trust to themselves in great things, being weak in small +things. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Job vii. 1 (Vulg.). (2) 1 Corinthians x. 13. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap14"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +On avoiding rash judgment +</p> + +<p> +Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings of others. In +judging others a man laboureth in vain; he often erreth, and easily falleth +into sin; but in judging and examining himself he always laboureth to good +purpose. According as a matter toucheth our fancy, so oftentimes do we judge of +it; for easily do we fail of true judgment because of our own personal feeling. +If God were always the sole object of our desire, we should the less easily be +troubled by the erring judgment of our fancy. +</p> + +<p> +2. But often some secret thought lurking within us, or even some outward +circumstance, turneth us aside. Many are secretly seeking their own ends in +what they do, yet know it not. They seem to live in good peace of mind so long +as things go well with them, and according to their desires, but if their +desires be frustrated and broken, immediately they are shaken and displeased. +Diversity of feelings and opinions very often brings about dissensions between +friends, between countrymen, between religious and godly men. +</p> + +<p> +3. Established custom is not easily relinquished, and no man is very easily led +to see with the eyes of another. If thou rest more upon thy own reason or +experience than upon the power of Jesus Christ, thy light shall come slowly and +hardly; for God willeth us to be perfectly subject unto Himself, and all our +reason to be exalted by abundant love towards Him. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap15"></a>CHAPTER XV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of works of charity +</p> + +<p> +For no worldly good whatsoever, and for the love of no man, must anything be +done which is evil, but for the help of the suffering a good work must +sometimes be postponed, or be changed for a better; for herein a good work is +not destroyed, but improved. Without charity no work profiteth, but whatsoever +is done in charity, however small and of no reputation it be, bringeth forth +good fruit; for God verily considereth what a man is able to do, more than the +greatness of what he doth. +</p> + +<p> +2. He doth much who loveth much. He doth much who doth well. He doth well who +ministereth to the public good rather than to his own. Oftentimes that seemeth +to be charity which is rather carnality, because it springeth from natural +inclination, self-will, hope of repayment, desire of gain. +</p> + +<p> +3. He who hath true and perfect charity, in no wise seeketh his own good, but +desireth that God alone be altogether glorified. He envieth none, because he +longeth for no selfish joy; nor doth he desire to rejoice in himself, but +longeth to be blessed in God as the highest good. He ascribeth good to none +save to God only, the Fountain whence all good proceedeth, and the End, the +Peace, the joy of all Saints. Oh, he who hath but a spark of true charity, hath +verily learned that all worldly things are full of vanity. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap16"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of bearing with the faults of others +</p> + +<p> +Those things which a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he ought +patiently to bear, until God shall otherwise ordain. Bethink thee that perhaps +it is better for thy trial and patience, without which our merits are but +little worth. Nevertheless thou oughtest, when thou findeth such impediments, +to beseech God that He would vouchsafe to sustain thee, that thou be able to +bear them with a good will. +</p> + +<p> +2. If one who is once or twice admonished refuse to hearken, strive not with +him, but commit all to God, that His will may be done and His honour be shown +in His servants, for He knoweth well how to convert the evil unto good. +Endeavour to be patient in bearing with other men’s faults and +infirmities whatsoever they be, for thou thyself also hast many things which +have need to be borne with by others. If thou canst not make thine own self +what thou desireth, how shalt thou be able to fashion another to thine own +liking. We are ready to see others made perfect, and yet we do not amend our +own shortcomings. +</p> + +<p> +3. We will that others be straitly corrected, but we will not be corrected +ourselves. The freedom of others displeaseth us, but we are dissatisfied that +our own wishes shall be denied us. We desire rules to be made restraining +others, but by no means will we suffer ourselves to be restrained. Thus +therefore doth it plainly appear how seldom we weigh our neighbour in the same +balance with ourselves. If all men were perfect, what then should we have to +suffer from others for God? +</p> + +<p> +4. But now hath God thus ordained, that we may learn to bear one +another’s burdens, because none is without defect, none without a burden, +none sufficient of himself, none wise enough of himself; but it behoveth us to +bear with one another, to comfort one another, to help, instruct, admonish one +another. How much strength each man hath is best proved by occasions of +adversity: for such occasions do not make a man frail, but show of what temper +he is. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap17"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of a Religious life +</p> + +<p> +It behoveth thee to learn to mortify thyself in many things, if thou wilt live +in amity and concord with other men. It is no small thing to dwell in a +religious community or congregation, and to live there without complaint, and +therein to remain faithful even unto death. Blessed is he who hath lived a good +life in such a body, and brought it to a happy end. If thou wilt stand fast and +wilt profit as thou oughtest, hold thyself as an exile and a pilgrim upon the +earth. Thou wilt have to be counted as a fool for Christ, if thou wilt lead a +religious life. +</p> + +<p> +2. The clothing and outward appearance are of small account; it is change of +character and entire mortification of the affections which make a truly +religious man. He who seeketh aught save God and the health of his soul, shall +find only tribulation and sorrow. Nor can he stand long in peace, who striveth +not to be least of all and servant of all. +</p> + +<p> +3. Thou art called to endure and to labour, not to a life of ease and trifling +talk. Here therefore are men tried as gold in the furnace. No man can stand, +unless with all his heart he will humble himself for God’s sake. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap18"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the example of the holy fathers +</p> + +<p> +Consider now the lively examples of the holy fathers, in whom shone forth real +perfectness and religion, and thou shalt see how little, even as nothing, is +all that we do. Ah! What is our life when compared to theirs? They, saints and +friends of Christ as they were, served the Lord in hunger and thirst, in cold +and nakedness, in labour and weariness, in watchings and fastings, in prayer +and holy meditations, in persecutions and much rebuke. +</p> + +<p> +2. O how many and grievous tribulations did the Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, +Virgins, endure; and all others who would walk in the footsteps of Christ. For +they hated their souls in this world that they might keep them unto life +eternal. O how strict and retired a life was that of the holy fathers who dwelt +in the desert! what long and grievous temptations they did suffer! how often +were they assaulted by the enemy! what frequent and fervid prayers did they +offer unto God! what strict fasts did they endure! what fervent zeal and desire +after spiritual profit did they manifest! how bravely did they fight that their +vices might not gain the mastery! how entirely and steadfastly did they reach +after God! By day they laboured, and at night they gave themselves ofttimes +unto prayer; yea, even when they were labouring they ceased not from mental +prayer. +</p> + +<p> +3. They spent their whole time profitably; every hour seemed short for +retirement with God; and through the great sweetness of contemplation, even the +need of bodily refreshment was forgotten. They renounced all riches, dignities, +honours, friends, kinsmen; they desired nothing from the world; they ate the +bare necessaries of life; they were unwilling to minister to the body even in +necessity. Thus were they poor in earthly things, but rich above measure in +grace and virtue. Though poor to the outer eye, within they were filled with +grace and heavenly benedictions. +</p> + +<p> +4. They were strangers to the world, but unto God they were as kinsmen and +friends. They seemed unto themselves as of no reputation, and in the +world’s eyes contemptible; but in the sight of God they were precious and +beloved. They stood fast in true humility, they lived in simple obedience, they +walked in love and patience; and thus they waxed strong in spirit, and obtained +great favour before God. To all religious men they were given as an example, +and they ought more to provoke us unto good livings than the number of the +lukewarm tempteth to carelessness of life. +</p> + +<p> +5. O how great was the love of all religious persons at the beginning of this +sacred institution! O what devoutness of prayer! what rivalry in holiness! what +strict discipline was observed! what reverence and obedience under the rule of +the master showed they in all things! The traces of them that remain until now +testify that they were truly holy and perfect men, who fighting so bravely trod +the world underfoot. Now a man is counted great if only he be not a +transgressor, and if he can only endure with patience what he hath undertaken. +</p> + +<p> +6. O the coldness and negligence of our times, that we so quickly decline from +the former love, and it is become a weariness to live, because of sloth and +lukewarmness. May progress in holiness not wholly fall asleep in thee, who many +times hast seen so many examples of devout men! +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap19"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the exercises of a religious man +</p> + +<p> +The life of a Christian ought to be adorned with all virtues, that he may be +inwardly what he outwardly appeareth unto men. And verily it should be yet +better within than without, for God is a discerner of our heart, Whom we must +reverence with all our hearts wheresoever we are, and walk pure in His presence +as do the angels. We ought daily to renew our vows, and to kindle our hearts to +zeal, as if each day were the first day of our conversion, and to say, +“Help me, O God, in my good resolutions, and in Thy holy service, and +grant that this day I may make a good beginning, for hitherto I have done +nothing!” +</p> + +<p> +2. According to our resolution so is the rate of our progress, and much +diligence is needful for him who would make good progress. For if he who +resolveth bravely oftentimes falleth short, how shall it be with him who +resolveth rarely or feebly? But manifold causes bring about abandonment of our +resolution, yet a trivial omission of holy exercises can hardly be made without +some loss to us. The resolution of the righteous dependeth more upon the grace +of God than upon their own wisdom; for in Him they always put their trust, +whatsoever they take in hand. For man proposeth, but God disposeth; and the way +of a man is not in himself.(1) +</p> + +<p> +3. If a holy exercise be sometimes omitted for the sake of some act of piety, +or of some brotherly kindness, it can easily be taken up afterwards; but if it +be neglected through distaste or slothfulness, then is it sinful, and the +mischief will be felt. Strive as earnestly as we may, we shall still fall short +in many things. Always should some distinct resolution be made by us; and, most +of all, we must strive against those sins which most easily beset us. Both our +outer and inner life should be straitly examined and ruled by us, because both +have to do with our progress. +</p> + +<p> +4. If thou canst not be always examining thyself, thou canst at certain +seasons, and at least twice in the day, at evening and at morning. In the +morning make thy resolves, and in the evening inquire into thy life, how thou +hast sped to-day in word, deed, and thought; for in these ways thou hast often +perchance offended God and thy neighbour. Gird up thy lions like a man against +the assaults of the devil; bridle thine appetite, and thou wilt soon be able to +bridle every inclination of the flesh. Be thou never without something to do; +be reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or doing something that is +useful to the community. Bodily exercises, however, must be undertaken with +discretion, nor are they to be used by all alike. +</p> + +<p> +5. The duties which are not common to all must not be done openly, but are +safest carried on in secret. But take heed that thou be not careless in the +common duties, and more devout in the secret; but faithfully and honestly +discharge the duties and commands which lie upon thee, then afterwards, if thou +hast still leisure, give thyself to thyself as thy devotion leadeth thee. All +cannot have one exercise, but one suiteth better to this man and another to +that. Even for the diversity of season different exercises are needed, some +suit better for feasts, some for fasts. We need one kind in time of temptations +and others in time of peace and quietness. Some are suitable to our times of +sadness, and others when we are joyful in the Lord. +</p> + +<p> +6. When we draw near the time of the great feasts, good exercises should be +renewed, and the prayers of holy men more fervently besought. We ought to make +our resolutions from one Feast to another, as if each were the period of our +departure from this world, and of entering into the eternal feast. So ought we +to prepare ourselves earnestly at solemn seasons, and the more solemnly to +live, and to keep straightest watch upon each holy observance, as though we +were soon to receive the reward of our labours at the hand of God. +</p> + +<p> +7. And if this be deferred, let us believe ourselves to be as yet ill-prepared, +and unworthy as yet of the glory which shall be revealed in us at the appointed +season; and let us study to prepare ourselves the better for our end. Blessed +is that servant, as the Evangelist Luke hath it, whom, when the Lord cometh He +shall find watching. Verily I say unto you He will make him ruler over all that +He hath.(2) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Jeremiah x. 23. (2) Luke xii. 43, 44. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap20"></a>CHAPTER XX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the love of solitude and silence +</p> + +<p> +Seek a suitable time for thy meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of +God to thee. Leave curious questions. Study such matters as bring thee sorrow +for sin rather than amusement. If thou withdraw thyself from trifling +conversation and idle goings about, as well as from novelties and gossip, thou +shalt find thy time sufficient and apt for good meditation. The greatest saints +used to avoid as far as they could the company of men, and chose to live in +secret with God. +</p> + +<p> +2. One hath said, “As oft as I have gone among men, so oft have I +returned less a man.” This is what we often experience when we have been +long time in conversation. For it is easier to be altogether silent than it is +not to exceed in word. It is easier to remain hidden at home than to keep +sufficient guard upon thyself out of doors. He, therefore, that seeketh to +reach that which is hidden and spiritual, must go with Jesus “apart from +the multitude.” No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not to rest at +home. No man safely talketh but he who loveth to hold his peace. No man safely +ruleth but he who loveth to be subject. No man safely commandeth but he who +loveth to obey. +</p> + +<p> +3. No man safely rejoiceth but he who hath the testimony of a good conscience +within himself. The boldness of the Saints was always full of the fear of God. +Nor were they the less earnest and humble in themselves, because they shone +forth with great virtues and grace. But the boldness of wicked men springeth +from pride and presumption, and at the last turneth to their own confusion. +Never promise thyself security in this life, howsoever good a monk or devout a +solitary thou seemest. +</p> + +<p> +4. Often those who stand highest in the esteem of men, fall the more grievously +because of their over great confidence. Wherefore it is very profitable unto +many that they should not be without inward temptation, but should be +frequently assaulted, lest they be over confident, lest they be indeed lifted +up into pride, or else lean too freely upon the consolations of the world. O +how good a conscience should that man keep, who never sought a joy that passeth +away, who never became entangled with the world! O how great peace and quiet +should he possess, who would cast off all vain care, and think only of +healthful and divine things, and build his whole hope upon God! +</p> + +<p> +5. No man is worthy of heavenly consolation but he who hath diligently +exercised himself in holy compunction. If thou wilt feel compunction within thy +heart, enter into thy chamber and shut out the tumults of the world, as it is +written, Commune with your own heart in your own chamber and be still.(1) In +retirement thou shalt find what often thou wilt lose abroad. Retirement, if +thou continue therein, groweth sweet, but if thou keep not in it, begetteth +weariness. If in the beginning of thy conversation thou dwell in it and keep it +well, it shall afterwards be to thee a dear friend, and a most pleasant solace. +</p> + +<p> +6. In silence and quiet the devout soul goeth forward and learneth the hidden +things of the Scriptures. Therein findeth she a fountain of tears, wherein to +wash and cleanse herself each night, that she may grow the more dear to her +Maker as she dwelleth the further from all worldly distraction. To him who +withdraweth himself from his acquaintance and friends God with his holy angels +will draw nigh. It is better to be unknown and take heed to oneself than to +neglect oneself and work wonders. It is praiseworthy for a religious man to go +seldom abroad, to fly from being seen, to have no desire to see men. +</p> + +<p> +7. Why wouldest thou see what thou mayest not have? The world passeth away and +the lust thereof. The desires of sensuality draw thee abroad, but when an hour +is past, what dost thou bring home, but a weight upon thy conscience and +distraction of heart? A merry going forth bringeth often a sorrowful return, +and a merry evening maketh a sad morning? So doth all carnal joy begin +pleasantly, but in the end it gnaweth away and destroyeth. What canst thou see +abroad which thou seest not at home? Behold the heaven and the earth and the +elements, for out of these are all things made. +</p> + +<p> +8. What canst thou see anywhere which can continue long under the sun? Thou +believest perchance that thou shalt be satisfied, but thou wilt never be able +to attain unto this. If thou shouldest see all things before thee at once, what +would it be but a vain vision? Lift up thine eyes to God on high, and pray that +thy sins and negligences may be forgiven. Leave vain things to vain men, and +mind thou the things which God hath commanded thee. Shut thy door upon thee, +and call unto thyself Jesus thy beloved. Remain with Him in thy chamber, for +thou shalt not elsewhere find so great peace. If thou hadst not gone forth nor +listened to vain talk, thou hadst better kept thyself in good peace. But +because it sometimes delighteth thee to hear new things, thou must therefore +suffer trouble of heart. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm iv. 4. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap21"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of compunction of heart +</p> + +<p> +If thou wilt make any progress keep thyself in the fear of God, and long not to +be too free, but restrain all thy senses under discipline and give not thyself +up to senseless mirth. Give thyself to compunction of heart and thou shalt find +devotion. Compunction openeth the way for many good things, which dissoluteness +is wont quickly to lose. It is wonderful that any man can ever rejoice heartily +in this life who considereth and weigheth his banishment, and the manifold +dangers which beset his soul. +</p> + +<p> +2. Through lightness of heart and neglect of our shortcomings we feel not the +sorrows of our soul, but often vainly laugh when we have good cause to weep. +There is no true liberty nor real joy, save in the fear of God with a good +conscience. Happy is he who can cast away every cause of distraction and bring +himself to the one purpose of holy compunction. Happy is he who putteth away +from him whatsoever may stain or burden his conscience. Strive manfully; custom +is overcome by custom. If thou knowest how to let men alone, they will gladly +let thee alone to do thine own works. +</p> + +<p> +3. Busy not thyself with the affairs of others, nor entangle thyself with the +business of great men. Keep always thine eye upon thyself first of all, and +give advice to thyself specially before all thy dearest friends. If thou hast +not the favour of men, be not thereby cast down, but let thy concern be that +thou holdest not thyself so well and circumspectly, as becometh a servant of +God and a devout monk. It is often better and safer for a man not to have many +comforts in this life, especially those which concern the flesh. But that we +lack divine comforts or feel them rarely is to our own blame, because we seek +not compunction of heart, nor utterly cast away those comforts which are vain +and worldly. +</p> + +<p> +4. Know thyself to be unworthy of divine consolation, and worthy rather of much +tribulation. When a man hath perfect compunction, then all the world is +burdensome and bitter to him. A good man will find sufficient cause for +mourning and weeping; for whether he considereth himself, or pondereth +concerning his neighbour, he knoweth that no man liveth here without +tribulation, and the more thoroughly he considereth himself, the more +thoroughly he grieveth. Grounds for just grief and inward compunction there are +in our sins and vices, wherein we lie so entangled that we are but seldom able +to contemplate heavenly things. +</p> + +<p> +5. If thou thoughtest upon thy death more often than how long thy life should +be, thou wouldest doubtless strive more earnestly to improve. And if thou didst +seriously consider the future pains of hell, I believe thou wouldest willingly +endure toil or pain and fear not discipline. But because these things reach not +the heart, and we still love pleasant things, therefore we remain cold and +miserably indifferent. +</p> + +<p> +6. Oftentimes it is from poverty of spirit that the wretched body is so easily +led to complain. Pray therefore humbly unto the Lord that He will give thee the +spirit of compunction and say in the language of the prophet, <i>Feed me, O +Lord, with bread of tears, and give me plenteousness of tears to drink</i>.(1) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm lxxx. 5. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap22"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +On the contemplation of human misery +</p> + +<p> +Thou art miserable wheresoever thou art, and whithersoever thou turnest, unless +thou turn thee to God. Why art thou disquieted because it happeneth not to thee +according to thy wishes and desires? Who is he that hath everything according +to his will? Neither I, nor thou, nor any man upon the earth. There is no man +in the world free from trouble or anguish, though he were King or Pope. Who is +he who hath the happiest lot? Even he who is strong to suffer somewhat for God. +</p> + +<p> +2. There are many foolish and unstable men who say, “See what a +prosperous life that man hath, how rich and how great he is, how powerful, how +exalted.” But lift up thine eyes to the good things of heaven, and thou +shalt see that all these worldly things are nothing, they are utterly +uncertain, yea, they are wearisome, because they are never possessed without +care and fear. The happiness of man lieth not in the abundance of temporal +things but a moderate portion sufficeth him. Our life upon the earth is verily +wretchedness. The more a man desireth to be spiritual, the more bitter doth the +present life become to him; because he the better understandeth and seeth the +defects of human corruption. For to eat, to drink, to watch, to sleep, to rest, +to labour, and to be subject to the other necessities of nature, is truly a +great wretchedness and affliction to a devout man, who would fain be released +and free from all sin. +</p> + +<p> +3. For the inner man is heavily burdened with the necessities of the body in +this world. Wherefore the prophet devoutly prayeth to be freed from them, +saying, Deliver me from my necessities, O Lord.(1) But woe to those who know +not their own misery, and yet greater woe to those who love this miserable and +corruptible life. For to such a degree do some cling to it (even though by +labouring or begging they scarce procure what is necessary for subsistence) +that if they might live here always, they would care nothing for the Kingdom of +God. +</p> + +<p> +4. Oh foolish and faithless of heart, who lie buried so deep in worldly things, +that they relish nothing save the things of the flesh! Miserable ones! they +will too sadly find out at the last, how vile and worthless was that which they +loved. The saints of God and all loyal friends of Christ held as nothing the +things which pleased the flesh, or those which flourished in this life, but +their whole hope and affection aspired to the things which are above. Their +whole desire was borne upwards to everlasting and invisible things, lest they +should be drawn downwards by the love of things visible. +</p> + +<p> +5. Lose not, brother, thy loyal desire of progress to things spiritual. There +is yet time, the hour is not past. Why wilt thou put off thy resolution? Arise, +begin this very moment, and say, “Now is the time to do: now is the time +to fight, now is the proper time for amendment.” When thou art ill at +ease and troubled, then is the time when thou art nearest unto blessing. Thou +must go through fire and water that God may bring thee into a wealthy place. +Unless thou put force upon thyself, thou wilt not conquer thy faults. So long +as we carry about with us this frail body, we cannot be without sin, we cannot +live without weariness and trouble. Gladly would we have rest from all misery; +but because through sin we have lost innocence, we have lost also the true +happiness. Therefore must we be patient, and wait for the mercy of God, until +this tyranny be overpast, and this mortality be swallowed up of life. +</p> + +<p> +6. O how great is the frailty of man, which is ever prone to evil! To-day thou +confessest thy sins, and to-morrow thou committest again the sins thou didst +confess. Now dost thou resolve to avoid a fault, and within an hour thou +behavest thyself as if thou hadst never resolved at all. Good cause have we +therefore to humble ourselves, and never to think highly of ourselves, seeing +that we are so frail and unstable. And quickly may that be lost by our +negligence, which by much labour was hardly attained through grace. +</p> + +<p> +7. What shall become of us at the end, if at the beginning we are lukewarm and +idle? Woe unto us, if we choose to rest, as though it were a time of peace and +security, while as yet no sign appeareth in our life of true holiness. Rather +had we need that we might begin yet afresh, like good novices, to be instructed +unto good living, if haply there might be hope of some future amendment and +greater spiritual increase. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm xxv. 17. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap23"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of meditation upon death +</p> + +<p> +Very quickly will there be an end of thee here; take heed therefore how it will +be with thee in another world. To-day man is, and to-morrow he will be seen no +more. And being removed out of sight, quickly also he is out of mind. O the +dulness and hardness of man’s heart, which thinketh only of the present, +and looketh not forward to the future. Thou oughtest in every deed and thought +so to order thyself, as if thou wert to die this day. If thou hadst a good +conscience thou wouldst not greatly fear death. It were better for thee to +watch against sin, than to fly from death. If to-day thou art not ready, how +shalt thou be ready to-morrow? To-morrow is an uncertain day; and how knowest +thou that thou shalt have a to-morrow? +</p> + +<p> +2. What doth it profit to live long, when we amend so little? Ah! long life +doth not always amend, but often the more increaseth guilt. Oh that we might +spend a single day in this world as it ought to be spent! Many there are who +reckon the years since they were converted, and yet oftentimes how little is +the fruit thereof. If it is a fearful thing to die, it may be perchance a yet +more fearful thing to live long. Happy is the man who hath the hour of his +death always before his eyes, and daily prepareth himself to die. If thou hast +ever seen one die, consider that thou also shalt pass away by the same road. +</p> + +<p> +3. When it is morning reflect that it may be thou shalt not see the evening, +and at eventide dare not to boast thyself of the morrow. Always be thou +prepared, and so live that death may never find thee unprepared. Many die +suddenly and unexpectedly. For at such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man +cometh.(1) When that last hour shall come, thou wilt begin to think very +differently of thy whole life past, and wilt mourn bitterly that thou hast been +so negligent and slothful. +</p> + +<p> +4. Happy and wise is he who now striveth to be such in life as he would fain be +found in death! For a perfect contempt of the world, a fervent desire to excel +in virtue, the love of discipline, the painfulness of repentance, readiness to +obey, denial of self, submission to any adversity for love of Christ; these are +the things which shall give great confidence of a happy death. Whilst thou art +in health thou hast many opportunities of good works; but when thou art in +sickness I know not how much thou wilt be able to do. Few are made better by +infirmity: even as they who wander much abroad seldom become holy. +</p> + +<p> +5. Trust not thy friends and kinsfolk, nor put off the work of thy salvation to +the future, for men will forget thee sooner than thou thinkest. It is better +for thee now to provide in time, and to send some good before thee, than to +trust to the help of others. If thou art not anxious for thyself now, who, +thinkest thou, will be anxious for thee afterwards? Now the time is most +precious. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. But alas! that +thou spendest not well this time, wherein thou mightest lay up treasure which +should profit thee everlastingly. The hour will come when thou shalt desire one +day, yea, one hour, for amendment of life, and I know not whether thou shalt +obtain. +</p> + +<p> +6. Oh, dearly beloved, from what danger thou mightest free thyself, from what +great fear, if only thou wouldst always live in fear, and in expectation of +death! Strive now to live in such wise that in the hour of death thou mayest +rather rejoice than fear. Learn now to die to the world, so shalt thou begin to +live with Christ. Learn now to contemn all earthly things, and then mayest thou +freely go unto Christ. Keep under thy body by penitence, and then shalt thou be +able to have a sure confidence. +</p> + +<p> +7. Ah, foolish one! why thinkest thou that thou shalt live long, when thou art +not sure of a single day? How many have been deceived, and suddenly have been +snatched away from the body! How many times hast thou heard how one was slain +by the sword, another was drowned, another falling from on high broke his neck, +another died at the table, another whilst at play! One died by fire, another by +the sword, another by the pestilence, another by the robber. Thus cometh death +to all, and the life of men swiftly passeth away like a shadow. +</p> + +<p> +8. Who will remember thee after thy death? And who will entreat for thee? Work, +work now, oh dearly beloved, work all that thou canst. For thou knowest not +when thou shalt die, nor what shall happen unto thee after death. While thou +hast time, lay up for thyself undying riches. Think of nought but of thy +salvation; care only for the things of God. Make to thyself friends, by +venerating the saints of God and walking in their steps, that when thou +failest, thou mayest be received into everlasting habitations.(2) +</p> + +<p> +9. Keep thyself as a stranger and a pilgrim upon the earth, to whom the things +of the world appertain not. Keep thine heart free, and lifted up towards God, +for here have we no continuing city.(3) To Him direct thy daily prayers with +crying and tears, that thy spirit may be found worthy to pass happily after +death unto its Lord. Amen. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Matthew xxiv. 44. (2) Luke xvi. 9. (3) Hebrews xiii. 14. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap24"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked +</p> + +<p> +In all that thou doest, remember the end, and how thou wilt stand before a +strict judge, from whom nothing is hid, who is not bribed with gifts, nor +accepteth excuses, but will judge righteous judgment. O most miserable and +foolish sinner, who art sometimes in fear of the countenance of an angry man, +what wilt thou answer to God, who knoweth all thy misdeeds? Why dost thou not +provide for thyself against the day of judgment, when no man shall be able to +be excused or defended by means of another, but each one shall bear his burden +himself alone? Now doth thy labour bring forth fruit, now is thy weeping +acceptable, thy groaning heard, thy sorrow well pleasing to God, and cleansing +to thy soul. +</p> + +<p> +2. Even here on earth the patient man findeth great occasion of purifying his +soul. When suffering injuries he grieveth more for the other’s malice +than for his own wrong; when he prayeth heartily for those that despitefully +use him, and forgiveth them from his heart; when he is not slow to ask pardon +from others; when he is swifter to pity than to anger; when he frequently +denieth himself and striveth altogether to subdue the flesh to the spirit. +Better is it now to purify the soul from sin, than to cling to sins from which +we must be purged hereafter. Truly we deceive ourselves by the inordinate love +which we bear towards the flesh. +</p> + +<p> +3. What is it which that fire shall devour, save thy sins? The more thou +sparest thyself and followest the flesh, the more heavy shall thy punishment +be, and the more fuel art thou heaping up for the burning. For wherein a man +hath sinned, therein shall he be the more heavily punished. There shall the +slothful be pricked forward with burning goads, and the gluttons be tormented +with intolerable hunger and thirst. There shall the luxurious and the lovers of +pleasure be plunged into burning pitch and stinking brimstone, and the envious +shall howl like mad dogs for very grief. +</p> + +<p> +4. No sin will there be which shall not be visited with its own proper +punishment. The proud shall be filled with utter confusion, and the covetous +shall be pinched with miserable poverty. An hour’s pain there shall be +more grievous than a hundred years here of the bitterest penitence. No quiet +shall be there, no comfort for the lost, though here sometimes there is respite +from pain, and enjoyment of the solace of friends. Be thou anxious now and +sorrowful for thy sins, that in the day of judgment thou mayest have boldness +with the blessed. For then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness +before the face of such as have afflicted him and made no account of his +labours.(1) Then shall he stand up to judge, he who now submitteth himself in +humility to the judgments of men. Then shall the poor and humble man have great +confidence, while the proud is taken with fear on every side. +</p> + +<p> +5. Then shall it be seen that he was the wise man in this world who learned to +be a fool and despised for Christ. Then shall all tribulation patiently borne +delight us, while the mouth of the ungodly shall be stopped. Then shall every +godly man rejoice, and every profane man shall mourn. Then the afflicted flesh +shall more rejoice than if it had been alway nourished in delights. Then the +humble garment shall put on beauty, and the precious robe shall hide itself as +vile. Then the little poor cottage shall be more commended than the gilded +palace. Then enduring patience shall have more might than all the power of the +world. Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all worldly +wisdom. +</p> + +<p> +6. Then a pure and good conscience shall more rejoice than learned philosophy. +Then contempt of riches shall have more weight than all the treasure of the +children of this world. Then shalt thou find more comfort in having prayed +devoutly than in having fared sumptuously. Then thou wilt rather rejoice in +having kept silence than in having made long speech. Then holy deeds shall be +far stronger than many fine words. Then a strict life and sincere penitence +shall bring deeper pleasure than all earthly delight. Learn now to suffer a +little, that then thou mayest be enabled to escape heavier sufferings. Prove +first here, what thou art able to endure hereafter. If now thou art able to +bear so little, how wilt thou be able to endure eternal torments? If now a +little suffering maketh thee so impatient, what shall hell-fire do then? Behold +of a surety thou art not able to have two Paradises, to take thy fill or +delight here in this world, and to reign with Christ hereafter. +</p> + +<p> +7. If even unto this day thou hadst ever lived in honours and pleasures, what +would the whole profit thee if now death came to thee in an instant? All +therefore is vanity, save to love God and to serve Him only. For he who loveth +God with all his heart feareth not death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor +hell, because perfect love giveth sure access to God. But he who still +delighteth in sin, no marvel if he is afraid of death and judgment. +Nevertheless it is a good thing, if love as yet cannot restrain thee from evil, +that at least the fear of hell should hold thee back. But he who putteth aside +the fear of God cannot long continue in good, but shall quickly fall into the +snares of the devil. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Wisd. v. 1. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap25"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the zealous amendment of our whole life +</p> + +<p> +Be thou watchful and diligent in God’s service, and bethink thee often +why thou hast renounced the world. Was it not that thou mightest live to God +and become a spiritual man? Be zealous, therefore, for thy spiritual profit, +for thou shalt receive shortly the reward of thy labours, and neither fear nor +sorrow shall come any more into thy borders. Now shalt thou labour a little, +and thou shalt find great rest, yea everlasting joy. If thou shalt remain +faithful and zealous in labour, doubt not that God shall be faithful and +bountiful in rewarding thee. It is thy duty to have a good hope that thou wilt +attain the victory, but thou must not fall into security lest thou become +slothful or lifted up. +</p> + +<p> +2. A certain man being in anxiety of mind, continually tossed about between +hope and fear, and being on a certain day overwhelmed with grief, cast himself +down in prayer before the altar in a church, and meditated within himself, +saying, “Oh! if I but knew that I should still persevere,” and +presently heard within him a voice from God, “And if thou didst know it, +what wouldst thou do? Do now what thou wouldst do then, and thou shalt be very +secure.” And straightway being comforted and strengthened, he committed +himself to the will of God and the perturbation of spirit ceased, neither had +he a mind any more to search curiously to know what should befall him +hereafter, but studied rather to inquire what was the good and acceptable will +of God, for the beginning and perfecting of every good work. +</p> + +<p> +3. Hope in the Lord and be doing good, saith the Prophet; dwell in the land and +thou shalt be fed(1) with its riches. One thing there is which holdeth back +many from progress and fervent amendment, even the dread of difficulty, or the +labour of the conflict. Nevertheless they advance above all others in virtue +who strive manfully to conquer those things which are most grievous and +contrary to them, for there a man profiteth most and meriteth greater grace +where he most overcometh himself and mortifieth himself in spirit. +</p> + +<p> +4. But all men have not the same passions to conquer and to mortify, yet he who +is diligent shall attain more profit, although he have stronger passions, than +another who is more temperate of disposition, but is withal less fervent in the +pursuit of virtue. Two things specially avail unto improvement in holiness, +namely firmness to withdraw ourselves from the sin to which by nature we are +most inclined, and earnest zeal for that good in which we are most lacking. And +strive also very earnestly to guard against and subdue those faults which +displease thee most frequently in others. +</p> + +<p> +5. Gather some profit to thy soul wherever thou art, and wherever thou seest or +hearest good examples, stir thyself to follow them, but where thou seest +anything which is blameworthy, take heed that thou do not the same; or if at +any time thou hast done it, strive quickly to amend thyself. As thine eye +observeth others, so again are the eyes of others upon thee. How sweet and +pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate and of good +discipline; and how sad is it and grievous to see them walking disorderly, not +practising the duties to which they are called. How hurtful a thing it is to +neglect the purpose of their calling, and turn their inclinations to things +which are none of their business. +</p> + +<p> +6. Be mindful of the duties which thou hast undertaken, and set always before +thee the remembrance of the Crucified. Truly oughtest thou to be ashamed as +thou lookest upon the life of Jesus Christ, because thou hast not yet +endeavoured to conform thyself more unto Him, though thou hast been a long time +in the way of God. A religious man who exercises himself seriously and devoutly +in the most holy life and passion of our Lord shall find there abundantly all +things that are profitable and necessary for him, neither is there need that he +shall seek anything better beyond Jesus. Oh! if Jesus crucified would come into +our hearts, how quickly, and completely should we have learned all that we need +to know! +</p> + +<p> +7. He who is earnest receiveth and beareth well all things that are laid upon +him. He who is careless and lukewarm hath trouble upon trouble, and suffereth +anguish upon every side, because he is without inward consolation, and is +forbidden to seek that which is outward. He who is living without discipline is +exposed to grievous ruin. He who seeketh easier and lighter discipline shall +always be in distress, because one thing or another will give him displeasure. +</p> + +<p> +8. O! if no other duty lay upon us but to praise the Lord our God with our +whole heart and voice! Oh! if thou never hadst need to eat or drink, or sleep, +but wert always able to praise God, and to give thyself to spiritual exercises +alone; then shouldst thou be far happier than now, when for so many necessities +thou must serve the flesh. O! that these necessities were not, but only the +spiritual refreshments of the soul, which alas we taste too seldom. +</p> + +<p> +9. When a man hath come to this, that he seeketh comfort from no created thing, +then doth he perfectly begin to enjoy God, then also will he be well contented +with whatsoever shall happen unto him. Then will he neither rejoice for much +nor be sorrowful for little, but he committeth himself altogether and with full +trust unto God, who is all in all to him, to whom nothing perisheth nor dieth, +but all things live to Him and obey His every word without delay. +</p> + +<p> +10. Remember always thine end, and how the time which is lost returneth not. +Without care and diligence thou shalt never get virtue. If thou beginnest to +grow cold, it shall begin to go ill with thee, but if thou givest thyself unto +zeal thou shalt find much peace, and shalt find thy labour the lighter because +of the grace of God and the love of virtue. A zealous and diligent man is ready +for all things. It is greater labour to resist sins and passions than to toil +in bodily labours. He who shunneth not small faults falleth little by little +into greater. At eventide thou shalt always be glad if thou spend the day +profitably. Watch over thyself, stir thyself up, admonish thyself, and +howsoever it be with others, neglect not thyself. The more violence thou dost +unto thyself, the more thou shall profit. Amen. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm xxxvii. 3. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book02"></a>THE SECOND BOOK<br/> +ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap26"></a>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the inward life +</p> + +<p> +The kingdom of God is within you,(1) saith the Lord. Turn thee with all thine +heart to the Lord and forsake this miserable world, and thou shalt find rest +unto thy soul. Learn to despise outward things and to give thyself to things +inward, and thou shalt see the kingdom of God come within thee. For the kingdom +of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, and it is not given to the wicked. +Christ will come to thee, and show thee His consolation, if thou prepare a +worthy mansion for Him within thee. All His glory and beauty is from within, +and there it pleaseth Him to dwell. He often visiteth the inward man and +holdeth with him sweet discourse, giving him soothing consolation, much peace, +friendship exceeding wonderful. +</p> + +<p> +2. Go to, faithful soul, prepare thy heart for this bridegroom that he may +vouchsafe to come to thee and dwell within thee, for so He saith, if any man +loveth me he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come +unto him and make our abode with him.(2) Give, therefore, place to Christ and +refuse entrance to all others. When thou hast Christ, thou art rich, and hast +sufficient. He shall be thy provider and faithful watchman in all things, so +that thou hast no need to trust in men, for men soon change and swiftly pass +away, but Christ remaineth for ever and standeth by us firmly even to the end. +</p> + +<p> +3. There is no great trust to be placed in a frail and mortal man, even though +he be useful and dear to us, neither should much sorrow arise within us if +sometimes he oppose and contradict us. They who are on thy side to-day, may +to-morrow be against thee, and often are they turned round like the wind. Put +thy whole trust in God and let Him be thy fear and thy love, He will answer for +thee Himself, and will do for thee what is best. Here hast thou no continuing +city,(3) and wheresoever thou art, thou art a stranger and a pilgrim, and thou +shalt never have rest unless thou art closely united to Christ within thee. +</p> + +<p> +4. Why dost thou cast thine eyes hither and thither, since this is not the +place of thy rest? In heaven ought thy habitation to be, and all earthly things +should be looked upon as it were in the passing by. All things pass away and +thou equally with them. Look that thou cleave not to them lest thou be taken +with them and perish. Let thy contemplation be on the Most High, and let thy +supplication be directed unto Christ without ceasing. If thou canst not behold +high and heavenly things, rest thou in the passion of Christ and dwell +willingly in His sacred wounds. For if thou devoutly fly to the wounds of +Jesus, and the precious marks of the nails and the spear, thou shalt find great +comfort in tribulation, nor will the slights of men trouble thee much, and thou +wilt easily bear their unkind words. +</p> + +<p> +5. Christ also, when He was in the world, was despised and rejected of men, and +in His greatest necessity was left by His acquaintance and friends to bear +these reproaches. Christ was willing to suffer and be despised, and darest thou +complain of any? Christ had adversaries and gainsayers, and dost thou wish to +have all men thy friends and benefactors? Whence shall thy patience attain her +crown if no adversity befall thee? If thou art unwilling to suffer any +adversity, how shalt thou be the friend of Christ? Sustain thyself with Christ +and for Christ if thou wilt reign with Christ. +</p> + +<p> +6. If thou hadst once entered into the mind of Jesus, and hadst tasted yea even +a little of his tender love, then wouldst thou care nought for thine own +convenience or inconvenience, but wouldst rather rejoice at trouble brought +upon thee, because the love of Jesus maketh a man to despise himself. He who +loveth Jesus, and is inwardly true and free from inordinate affections, is able +to turn himself readily unto God, and to rise above himself in spirit, and to +enjoy fruitful peace. +</p> + +<p> +7. He who knoweth things as they are and not as they are said or seem to be, he +truly is wise, and is taught of God more than of men. He who knoweth how to +walk from within, and to set little value upon outward things, requireth not +places nor waiteth for seasons, for holding his intercourse with God. The +inward man quickly recollecteth himself, because he is never entirely given up +to outward things. No outward labour and no necessary occupations stand in his +way, but as events fall out, so doth he fit himself to them. He who is rightly +disposed and ordered within careth not for the strange and perverse conduct of +men. A man is hindered and distracted in so far as he is moved by outward +things. +</p> + +<p> +8. If it were well with thee, and thou wert purified from evil, all things +would work together for thy good and profiting. For this cause do many things +displease thee and often trouble thee, that thou art not yet perfectly dead to +thyself nor separated from all earthly things. Nothing so defileth and +entangleth the heart of man as impure love towards created things. If thou +rejectest outward comfort thou wilt be able to contemplate heavenly things and +frequently to be joyful inwardly. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Luke xvii. 21. (2) John xiv. 23. (3) Hebrews xiii. 14. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap27"></a>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of lowly submission +</p> + +<p> +Make no great account who is for thee or against thee, but mind only the +present duty and take care that God be with thee in whatsoever thou doest. Have +a good conscience and God will defend thee, for he whom God will help no +man’s perverseness shall be able to hurt. If thou knowest how to hold thy +peace and to suffer, without doubt thou shalt see the help of the Lord. He +knoweth the time and the way to deliver thee, therefore must thou resign +thyself to Him. To God it belongeth to help and to deliver from all confusion. +Oftentimes it is very profitable for keeping us in greater humility, that +others know and rebuke our faults. +</p> + +<p> +2. When a man humbleth himself for his defects, he then easily pacifieth others +and quickly satisfieth those that are angered against him. God protecteth and +delivereth the humble man, He loveth and comforteth the humble man, to the +humble man He inclineth Himself, on the humble He bestoweth great grace, and +when he is cast down He raiseth him to glory: to the humble He revealeth His +secrets, and sweetly draweth and inviteth him to Himself. The humble man having +received reproach, is yet in sufficient peace, because he resteth on God and +not on the world. Reckon not thyself to have profited in anywise unless thou +feel thyself to be inferior to all. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap28"></a>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the good, peaceable man +</p> + +<p> +First keep thyself in peace, and then shalt thou be able to be a peacemaker +towards others. A peaceable man doth more good than a well-learned. A +passionate man turneth even good into evil and easily believeth evil; a good, +peaceable man converteth all things into good. He who dwelleth in peace is +suspicious of none, but he who is discontented and restless is tossed with many +suspicions, and is neither quiet himself nor suffereth others to be quiet. He +often saith what he ought not to say, and omitteth what it were more expedient +for him to do. He considereth to what duties others are bound, and neglecteth +those to which he is bound himself. Therefore be zealous first over thyself, +and then mayest thou righteously be zealous concerning thy neighbour. +</p> + +<p> +2. Thou knowest well how to excuse and to colour thine own deeds, but thou wilt +not accept the excuses of others. It would be more just to accuse thyself and +excuse thy brother. If thou wilt that others bear with thee, bear thou with +others. Behold how far thou art as yet from the true charity and humility which +knows not how to be angry or indignant against any save self alone. It is no +great thing to mingle with the good and the meek, for this is naturally +pleasing to all, and every one of us willingly enjoyeth peace and liketh best +those who think with us: but to be able to live peaceably with the hard and +perverse, or with the disorderly, or those who oppose us, this is a great grace +and a thing much to be commended and most worthy of a man. +</p> + +<p> +3. There are who keep themselves in peace and keep peace also with others, and +there are who neither have peace nor suffer others to have peace; they are +troublesome to others, but always more troublesome to themselves. And there are +who hold themselves in peace, and study to bring others unto peace; +nevertheless, all our peace in this sad life lieth in humble suffering rather +than in not feeling adversities. He who best knoweth how to suffer shall +possess the most peace; that man is conqueror of himself and lord of the world, +the friend of Christ, and the inheritor of heaven. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap29"></a>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of a pure mind and simple intention +</p> + +<p> +By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and purity. +Simplicity ought to be in the intention, purity in the affection. Simplicity +reacheth towards God, purity apprehendeth Him and tasteth Him. No good action +will be distasteful to thee if thou be free within from inordinate affection. +If thou reachest after and seekest, nothing but the will of God and the benefit +of thy neighbour, thou wilt entirely enjoy inward liberty. If thine heart were +right, then should every creature be a mirror of life and a book of holy +doctrine. There is no creature so small and vile but that it showeth us the +goodness of God. +</p> + +<p> +2. If thou wert good and pure within, then wouldst thou look upon all things +without hurt and understand them aright. A pure heart seeth the very depths of +heaven and hell. Such as each one is inwardly, so judgeth he outwardly. If +there is any joy in the world surely the man of pure heart possesseth it, and +if there is anywhere tribulation and anguish, the evil conscience knoweth it +best. As iron cast into the fire loseth rust and is made altogether glowing, so +the man who turneth himself altogether unto God is freed from slothfulness and +changed into a new man. +</p> + +<p> +3. When a man beginneth to grow lukewarm, then he feareth a little labour, and +willingly accepteth outward consolation; but when he beginneth perfectly to +conquer himself and to walk manfully in the way of God, then he counteth as +nothing those things which aforetime seemed to be so grievous unto him. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap30"></a>CHAPTER V</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of self-esteem +</p> + +<p> +We cannot place too little confidence in ourselves, because grace and +understanding are often lacking to us. Little light is there within us, and +what we have we quickly lose by negligence. Oftentimes we perceive not how +great is our inward blindness. We often do ill and excuse it worse. Sometimes +we are moved by passion and count it zeal; we blame little faults in others and +pass over great faults in ourselves. Quickly enough we feel and reckon up what +we bear at the hands of others, but we reflect not how much others are bearing +from us. He who would weigh well and rightly his own doings would not be the +man to judge severely of another. +</p> + +<p> +2. The spiritually-minded man putteth care of himself before all cares; and he +who diligently attendeth to himself easily keepeth silence concerning others. +Thou wilt never be spiritually minded and godly unless thou art silent +concerning other men’s matters and take full heed to thyself. If thou +think wholly upon thyself and upon God, what thou seest out of doors shall move +thee little. Where art thou when thou art not present to thyself? and when thou +hast overrun all things, what hath it profited thee, thyself being neglected? +If thou wouldst have peace and true unity, thou must put aside all other +things, and gaze only upon thyself. +</p> + +<p> +3. Then thou shalt make great progress if thou keep thyself free from all +temporal care. Thou shalt lamentably fall away if thou set a value upon any +worldly thing. Let nothing be great, nothing high, nothing pleasing, nothing +acceptable unto thee, save God Himself or the things of God. Reckon as +altogether vain whatsoever consolation comes to thee from a creature. The soul +that loveth God looketh not to anything that is beneath God. God alone is +eternal and incomprehensible, filling all things, the solace of the soul, and +the true joy of the heart. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap31"></a>CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the joy of a good conscience +</p> + +<p> +The testimony of a good conscience is the glory of a good man. Have a good +conscience and thou shalt ever have joy. A good conscience is able to bear +exceeding much, and is exceeding joyful in the midst of adversities; an evil +conscience is ever fearful and unquiet. Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart +condemn thee not. Never rejoice unless when thou hast done well. The wicked +have never true joy, nor feel internal peace, for there is no peace, saith my +God, to the wicked.(1) And if they say “we are in peace, there shall no +harm happen unto us, and who shall dare to do us hurt?” believe them not, +for suddenly shall the wrath of God rise up against them, and their deeds shall +be brought to nought, and their thoughts shall perish. +</p> + +<p> +2. To glory in tribulation is not grievous to him who loveth; for such glorying +is glorying in the Cross of Christ. Brief is the glory which is given and +received of men. Sadness always goeth hand in hand with the glory of the world. +The glory of the good is in their conscience, and not in the report of men. The +joy of the upright is from God and in God, and their joy is in the truth. He +who desireth true and eternal glory careth not for that which is temporal; and +he who seeketh temporal glory, or who despiseth it from his heart, is proved to +bear little love for that which is heavenly. He who careth for neither praises +nor reproaches hath great tranquillity of heart. +</p> + +<p> +3. He will easily be contented and filled with peace, whose conscience is pure. +Thou art none the holier if thou art praised, nor the viler if thou art +reproached. Thou art what thou art; and thou canst not be better than God +pronounceth thee to be. If thou considerest well what thou art inwardly, thou +wilt not care what men will say to thee. Man looketh on the outward appearance, +but the Lord looketh on the heart:(2) man looketh on the deed, but God +considereth the intent. It is the token of a humble spirit always to do well, +and to set little by oneself. Not to look for consolation from any created +thing is a sign of great purity and inward faithfulness. +</p> + +<p> +4. He that seeketh no outward witness on his own behalf, showeth plainly that +he hath committed himself wholly to God. For not he that commendeth himself is +approved, as St. Paul saith, but whom the Lord commendeth.(3) To walk inwardly +with God, and not to be held by any outer affections, is the state of a +spiritual man. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Isaiah lvii. 21. (2) 1 Samuel xvi. 7. (3) 2 Corinthians x. 18. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap32"></a>CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of loving Jesus above all things +</p> + +<p> +Blessed is he who understandeth what it is to love Jesus, and to despise +himself for Jesus’ sake. He must give up all that he loveth for his +Beloved, for Jesus will be loved alone above all things. The love of created +things is deceiving and unstable, but the love of Jesus is faithful and +lasting. He who cleaveth to created things will fall with their slipperiness; +but he who embraceth Jesus will stand upright for ever. Love Him and hold Him +for thy friend, for He will not forsake thee when all depart from thee, nor +will he suffer thee to perish at the last. Thou must one day be separated from +all, whether thou wilt or wilt not. +</p> + +<p> +2. Cleave thou to Jesus in life and death, and commit thyself unto His +faithfulness, who, when all men fail thee, is alone able to help thee. Thy +Beloved is such, by nature, that He will suffer no rival, but alone will +possess thy heart, and as a king will sit upon His own throne. If thou wouldst +learn to put away from thee every created thing, Jesus would freely take up His +abode with thee. Thou wilt find all trust little better than lost which thou +hast placed in men, and not in Jesus. Trust not nor lean upon a reed shaken +with the wind, because all flesh is grass, and the goodliness thereof falleth +as the flower of the field.(1) +</p> + +<p> +3. Thou wilt be quickly deceived if thou lookest only upon the outward +appearance of men, for if thou seekest thy comfort and profit in others, thou +shalt too often experience loss. If thou seekest Jesus in all things thou shalt +verily find Jesus, but if thou seekest thyself thou shalt also find thyself, +but to thine own hurt. For if a man seeketh not Jesus he is more hurtful to +himself than all the world and all his adversaries. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Isaiah xl. 6. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap33"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the intimate love of Jesus +</p> + +<p> +When Jesus is present all is well and nothing seemeth hard, but when Jesus is +not present everything is hard. When Jesus speaketh not within, our comfort is +nothing worth, but if Jesus speaketh but a single word great is the comfort we +experience. Did not Mary Magdalene rise up quickly from the place where she +wept when Martha said to her, The Master is come and calleth for thee?(1) Happy +hour when Jesus calleth thee from tears to the joy of the spirit! How dry and +hard art thou without Jesus! How senseless and vain if thou desirest aught +beyond Jesus! Is not this greater loss than if thou shouldst lose the whole +world? +</p> + +<p> +2. What can the world profit thee without Jesus? To be without Jesus is the +nethermost hell, and to be with Jesus is sweet paradise. If Jesus were with +thee no enemy could hurt thee. He who findeth Jesus findeth a good treasure, +yea, good above all good; and he who loseth Jesus loseth exceeding much, yea, +more than the whole world. Most poor is he who liveth without Jesus, and most +rich is he who is much with Jesus. +</p> + +<p> +3. It is great skill to know how to live with Jesus, and to know how to hold +Jesus is great wisdom. Be thou humble and peaceable and Jesus shall be with +thee. Be godly and quiet, and Jesus will remain with thee. Thou canst quickly +drive away Jesus and lose His favour if thou wilt turn away to the outer +things. And if thou hast put Him to flight and lost Him, to whom wilt thou +flee, and whom then wilt thou seek for a friend? Without a friend thou canst +not live long, and if Jesus be not thy friend above all thou shalt be very sad +and desolate. Madly therefore doest thou if thou trusteth or findest joy in any +other. It is preferable to have the whole world against thee, than Jesus +offended with thee. Therefore of all that are dear to thee, let Jesus be +specially loved. +</p> + +<p> +4. Let all be loved for Jesus’ sake, but Jesus for His own. Jesus Christ +alone is to be specially loved, for He alone is found good and faithful above +all friends. For His sake and in Him let both enemies and friends be dear to +thee, and pray for them all that they may all know and love Him. Never desire +to be specially praised or loved, because this belongeth to God alone, who hath +none like unto Himself. Nor wish thou that any one set his heart on thee, nor +do thou give thyself up to the love of any, but let Jesus be in thee and in +every good man. +</p> + +<p> +5. Be pure and free within thyself, and be not entangled by any created thing. +Thou oughtest to bring a bare and clean heart to God, if thou desirest to be +ready to see how gracious the Lord is. And in truth, unless thou be prevented +and drawn on by His grace, thou wilt not attain to this, that having cast out +and dismissed all else, thou alone art united to God. For when the grace of God +cometh to a man, then he becometh able to do all things, and when it departeth +then he will be poor and weak and given up unto troubles. In these thou art not +to be cast down nor to despair, but to rest with calm mind on the will of God, +and to bear all things which come upon thee unto the praise of Jesus Christ; +for after winter cometh summer, after night returneth day, after the tempest a +great calm. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) John xi. 28. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap34"></a>CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the lack of all comfort +</p> + +<p> +It is no hard thing to despise human comfort when divine is present. It is a +great thing, yea very great, to be able to bear the loss both of human and +divine comfort; and for the love of God willingly to bear exile of heart, and +in nought to seek oneself, nor to look to one’s own merit. What great +matter is it, if thou be cheerful of heart and devout when favour cometh to +thee? That is an hour wherein all rejoice. Pleasantly enough doth he ride whom +the grace of God carrieth. And what marvel, if he feeleth no burden who is +carried by the Almighty, and is led onwards by the Guide from on high? +</p> + +<p> +2. We are willing to accept anything for comfort, and it is difficult for a man +to be freed from himself. The holy martyr Laurence overcame the love of the +world and even of his priestly master, because he despised everything in the +world which seemed to be pleasant; and for the love of Christ he calmly +suffered even God’s chief priest, Sixtus, whom he dearly loved, to be +taken from him. Thus by the love of the Creator he overcame the love of man, +and instead of human comfort he chose rather God’s good pleasure. So also +learn thou to resign any near and beloved friend for the love of God. Nor take +it amiss when thou hast been deserted by a friend, knowing that we must all be +parted from one another at last. +</p> + +<p> +3. Mightily and long must a man strive within himself before he learn +altogether to overcome himself, and to draw his whole affection towards God. +When a man resteth upon himself, he easily slippeth away unto human comforts. +But a true lover of Christ, and a diligent seeker after virtue, falleth not +back upon those comforts, nor seeketh such sweetness as may be tasted and +handled, but desireth rather hard exercises, and to undertake severe labours +for Christ. +</p> + +<p> +4. When, therefore, spiritual comfort is given by God, receive it with giving +of thanks, and know that it is the gift of God, not thy desert. Be not lifted +up, rejoice not overmuch nor foolishly presume, but rather be more humble for +the gift, more wary and more careful in all thy doings; for that hour will pass +away, and temptation will follow. When comfort is taken from thee, do not +straightway despair, but wait for the heavenly visitation with humility and +patience, for God is able to give thee back greater favour and consolation. +This is not new nor strange to those who have made trial of the way of God, for +with the great saints and the ancient prophets there was often this manner of +change. +</p> + +<p> +5. Wherefore one said when the favour of God was present with him, I said in my +prosperity I shall never be moved,(1) but he goeth on to say what he felt +within himself when the favour departed: Thou didst turn Thy face from me, and +I was troubled. In spite whereof he in no wise despaireth, but the more +instantly entreateth God, and saith, Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry, and will +pray unto my God; and then he receiveth the fruit of his prayer, and testifieth +how he hath been heard, saying, The Lord heard me and had mercy upon me, the +Lord was my helper. But wherein? Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy, Thou +hast put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness. If it was thus with the +great saints, we who are poor and needy ought not to despair if we are +sometimes in the warmth and sometimes in the cold, for the Spirit cometh and +goeth according to the good pleasure of His will. Wherefore holy Job saith, +Thou dost visit him in the morning, and suddenly Thou dost prove him.(2) +</p> + +<p> +6. Whereupon then can I hope, or wherein may I trust, save only in the great +mercy of God, and the hope of heavenly grace? For whether good men are with me, +godly brethren or faithful friends, whether holy books or beautiful discourses, +whether sweet hymns and songs, all these help but little, and have but little +savour when I am deserted by God’s favour and left to mine own poverty. +There is no better remedy, then, than patience and denial of self, and an +abiding in the will of God. +</p> + +<p> +7. I have never found any man so religious and godly, but that he felt +sometimes a withdrawal of the divine favour, and lack of fervour. No saint was +ever so filled with rapture, so enlightened, but that sooner or later he was +tempted. For he is not worthy of the great vision of God, who, for God’s +sake, hath not been exercised by some temptation. For temptation is wont to go +before as a sign of the comfort which shall follow, and heavenly comfort is +promised to those who are proved by temptation. As it is written, To him that +overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life.(3) +</p> + +<p> +8. Divine comfort is given that a man may be stronger to bear adversities. And +temptation followeth, lest he be lifted up because of the benefit. The devil +sleepeth not; thy flesh is not yet dead; therefore, cease thou not to make +thyself ready unto the battle, for enemies stand on thy right hand and on thy +left, and they are never at rest. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm xxx. 6. (2) Job vii. 18. (3) Revelation ii. 7. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap35"></a>CHAPTER X</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of gratitude for the Grace of God +</p> + +<p> +Why seekest thou rest when thou art born to labour? Prepare thyself for +patience more than for comforts, and for bearing the cross more than for joy. +For who among the men of this world would not gladly receive consolation and +spiritual joy if he might always have it? For spiritual comforts exceed all the +delights of the world, and all the pleasures of the flesh. For all worldly +delights are either empty or unclean, whilst spiritual delights alone are +pleasant and honourable, the offspring of virtue, and poured forth by God into +pure minds. But no man can always enjoy these divine comforts at his own will, +because the season of temptation ceaseth not for long. +</p> + +<p> +2. Great is the difference between a visitation from above and false liberty of +spirit and great confidence in self. God doeth well in giving us the grace of +comfort, but man doeth ill in not immediately giving God thanks thereof. And +thus the gifts of grace are not able to flow unto us, because we are ungrateful +to the Author of them, and return them not wholly to the Fountain whence they +flow. For grace ever becometh the portion of him who is grateful and that is +taken away from the proud, which is wont to be given to the humble. +</p> + +<p> +3. I desire no consolation which taketh away from me compunction, I love no +contemplation which leadeth to pride. For all that is high is not holy, nor is +everything that is sweet good; every desire is not pure; nor is everything that +is dear to us pleasing unto God. Willingly do I accept that grace whereby I am +made humbler and more wary and more ready to renounce myself. He who is made +learned by the gift of grace and taught wisdom by the stroke of the withdrawal +thereof, will not dare to claim any good thing for himself, but will rather +confess that he is poor and needy. Give unto God the thing which is +God’s,(1) and ascribe to thyself that which is thine; that is, give +thanks unto God for His grace, but for thyself alone confess thy fault, and +that thy punishment is deserved for thy fault. +</p> + +<p> +4. Sit thou down always in the lowest room and thou shalt be given the highest +place.(2) For the highest cannot be without the lowest. For the highest saints +of God are least in their own sight, and the more glorious they are, so much +the lowlier are they in themselves; full of grace and heavenly glory, they are +not desirous of vain-glory; resting on God and strong in His might, they cannot +be lifted up in any wise. And they who ascribe unto God all the good which they +have received, “seek not glory one of another, but the glory which cometh +from God only,” and they desire that God shall be praised in Himself and +in all His Saints above all things, and they are always striving for this very +thing. +</p> + +<p> +5. Be thankful, therefore, for the least benefit and thou shalt be worthy to +receive greater. Let the least be unto thee even as the greatest, and let that +which is of little account be unto thee as a special gift. If the majesty of +the Giver be considered, nothing that is given shall seem small and of no +worth, for that is not a small thing which is given by the Most High God. Yea, +though He gave punishment and stripes, we ought to be thankful, because He ever +doth for our profit whatever He suffereth to come upon us. He who seeketh to +retain the favour of God, let him be thankful for the favour which is given, +and patient in respect of that which is taken away. Let him pray that it may +return; let him be wary and humble that he lose it not. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Matthew xxii. 21. (2) Luke xiv. 10. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap36"></a>CHAPTER XI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus +</p> + +<p> +Jesus hath many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. +He hath many seekers of comfort, but few of tribulation. He findeth many +companions of His table, but few of His fasting. All desire to rejoice with +Him, few are willing to undergo anything for His sake. Many follow Jesus that +they may eat of His loaves, but few that they may drink of the cup of His +passion. Many are astonished at His Miracles, few follow after the shame of His +Cross. Many love Jesus so long as no adversities happen to them. Many praise +Him and bless Him, so long as they receive any comforts from Him. But if Jesus +hide Himself and withdraw from them a little while, they fall either into +complaining or into too great dejection of mind. +</p> + +<p> +2. But they who love Jesus for Jesus’ sake, and not for any consolation +of their own, bless Him in all tribulation and anguish of heart as in the +highest consolation. And if He should never give them consolation, nevertheless +they would always praise Him and always give Him thanks. +</p> + +<p> +3. Oh what power hath the pure love of Jesus, unmixed with any gain or love of +self! Should not all they be called mercenary who are always seeking +consolations? Do they not prove themselves lovers of self more than of Christ +who are always seeking their own gain and advantage? Where shall be found one +who is willing to serve God altogether for nought? +</p> + +<p> +4. Rarely is any one found so spiritual as to be stripped of all selfish +thoughts, for who shall find a man truly poor in spirit and free of all created +things? “His value is from afar, yea from the ends of the earth.” A +man may give away all his goods, yet that is nothing; and if he do many deeds +of penitence, yet that is a small thing; and though he understand all +knowledge, yet that is afar off; and if he have great virtue and zealous +devotion, yet much is lacking unto him, yea, one thing which is the most +necessary to him of all. What is it then? That having given up all things +besides, he give up himself and go forth from himself utterly, and retain +nothing of self-love; and having done all things which he knoweth to be his +duty to do, that he feel that he hath done nothing. Let him not reckon that +much which might be much esteemed, but let him pronounce himself to be in truth +an unprofitable servant, as the Truth Himself saith, When ye have done all +things that are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants.(1) Then may +he be truly poor and naked in spirit, and be able to say with the Prophet, As +for me, I am poor and needy.(2) Nevertheless, no man is richer than he, no man +stronger, no man freer. For he knoweth both how to give up himself and all +things, and how to be lowly in his own eyes. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Luke xvii. 10. (2) Psalm xxv. 16. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap37"></a>CHAPTER XII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the royal way of the Holy Cross +</p> + +<p> +That seemeth a hard saying to many, If any man will come after Me, let him deny +himself and take up his Cross and follow Me.(1) But it will be much harder to +hear that last sentence, Depart from me, ye wicked, into eternal fire.(2) For +they who now willingly hear the word of the Cross and follow it, shall not then +fear the hearing of eternal damnation. This sign of the Cross shall be in +heaven when the Lord cometh to Judgment. Then all servants of the Cross, who in +life have conformed themselves to the Crucified, shall draw nigh unto Christ +the Judge with great boldness. +</p> + +<p> +2. Why fearest thou then to take up the cross which leadeth to a kingdom? In +the Cross is health, in the Cross is life, in the Cross is protection from +enemies, in the Cross is heavenly sweetness, in the Cross strength of mind, in +the Cross joy of the spirit, in the Cross the height of virtue, in the Cross +perfection of holiness. There is no health of the soul, no hope of eternal +life, save in the Cross. Take up therefore, thy cross and follow Jesus and thou +shalt go into eternal life. He went before thee bearing His Cross and died for +thee upon the Cross, that thou also mayest bear thy cross and mayest love to be +crucified upon it. For if thou be dead with Him, thou shalt also live with Him, +and if thou be a partaker of His sufferings thou shalt be also of His glory. +</p> + +<p> +3. Behold everything dependeth upon the Cross, and everything lieth in dying; +and there is none other way unto life and to true inward peace, except the way +of the Holy Cross and of daily mortification. Go where thou wilt, seek +whatsoever thou wilt, and thou shalt find no higher way above nor safer way +below, than the way of the Holy Cross. Dispose and order all things according +to thine own will and judgment, and thou shalt ever find something to suffer +either willingly or unwillingly, and thus thou shalt ever find thy cross. For +thou shalt either feel pain of body, or tribulation of spirit within thy soul. +</p> + +<p> +4. Sometimes thou wilt be forsaken of God, sometimes thou wilt be tried by thy +neighbour, and which is more, thou wilt often be wearisome to thyself. And +still thou canst not be delivered nor eased by any remedy or consolation, but +must bear so long as God will. For God will have thee learn to suffer +tribulation without consolation, and to submit thyself fully to it, and by +tribulation be made more humble. No man understandeth the Passion of Christ in +his heart so well as he who hath had somewhat of the like suffering himself. +The Cross therefore is always ready, and every where waiteth for thee. Thou +canst not flee from it whithersoever thou hurriest, for whithersoever thou +comest, thou bearest thyself with thee, and shalt ever find thyself. Turn thee +above, turn thee below, turn thee without, turn thee within, and in them all +thou shalt find the Cross; and needful is it that thou everywhere possess +patience if thou wilt have internal peace and gain the everlasting crown. +</p> + +<p> +5. If thou willingly bear the Cross, it will bear thee, and will bring thee to +the end which thou seekest, even where there shall be the end of suffering; +though it shall not be here. If thou bear it unwillingly, thou makest a burden +for thyself and greatly increaseth thy load, and yet thou must bear it. If thou +cast away one cross, without doubt thou shalt find another and perchance a +heavier. +</p> + +<p> +6. Thinketh thou to escape what no mortal hath been able to avoid? Which of the +saints in the world hath been without the cross and tribulation? For not even +Jesus Christ our Lord was one hour without the anguish of His Passion, so long +as He lived. It behooved, He said, Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, +and so enter into his glory.(3) And how dost thou seek another way than this +royal way, which is the way of the Holy Cross? +</p> + +<p> +7. The whole life of Christ was a cross and martyrdom, and dost thou seek for +thyself rest and joy? Thou art wrong, thou art wrong, if thou seekest aught but +to suffer tribulations, for this whole mortal life is full of miseries, and set +round with crosses. And the higher a man hath advanced in the spirit, the +heavier crosses he will often find, because the sorrow of his banishment +increaseth with the strength of his love. +</p> + +<p> +8. But yet the man who is thus in so many wise afflicted, is not without +refreshment of consolation, because he feeleth abundant fruit to be growing +within him out of the bearing of his cross. For whilst he willingly submitteth +himself to it, every burden of tribulation is turned into an assurance of +divine comfort, and the more the flesh is wasted by affliction, the more is the +spirit strengthened mightily by inward grace. And ofttimes so greatly is he +comforted by the desire for tribulation and adversity, through love of +conformity to the Cross of Christ, that he would not be without sorrow and +tribulation; for he believeth that he shall be the more acceptable to God, the +more and the heavier burdens he is able to bear for His sake. This is not the +virtue of man, but the grace of Christ which hath such power and energy in the +weak flesh, that what it naturally hateth and fleeth from, this it draweth to +and loveth through fervour of spirit. +</p> + +<p> +9. It is not in the nature of man to bear the cross, to love the cross, to keep +under the body and to bring it into subjection, to fly from honours, to bear +reproaches meekly, to despise self and desire to be despised, to bear all +adversities and losses, and to desire no prosperity in this world. If thou +lookest to thyself, thou wilt of thyself be able to do none of this; but if +thou trustest in the Lord, endurance shall be given thee from heaven, and the +world and the flesh shall be made subject to thy command. Yea, thou shalt not +even fear thine adversary the devil, if thou be armed with faith and signed +with the Cross of Christ. +</p> + +<p> +10. Set thyself, therefore, like a good and faithful servant of Christ, to the +manful bearing of the Cross of thy Lord, who out of love was crucified for +thee. Prepare thyself for the bearing many adversities and manifold troubles in +this wretched life; because so it shall be with thee wheresoever thou art, and +so in very deed thou shalt find it, wherever thou hide thyself. This it must +be; and there is no means of escaping from tribulation and sorrow, except to +bear them patiently. Drink thou lovingly thy Lord’s cup if thou desirest +to be His friend and to have thy lot with Him. Leave consolations to God, let +Him do as seemeth best to Him concerning them. But do thou set thyself to +endure tribulations, and reckon them the best consolations; for the sufferings +of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall +be revealed in us,(4) nor would they be even if thou wert to endure them all. +</p> + +<p> +11. When thou hast come to this, that tribulation is sweet and pleasant to thee +for Christ’s sake, then reckon that it is well with thee, because thou +hast found paradise on earth. So long as it is hard to thee to suffer and thou +desirest to escape, so long it will not be well with thee, and tribulations +will follow thee everywhere. +</p> + +<p> +12. If thou settest thyself to that thou oughtest, namely, to suffer and to +die, it shall soon go better with thee, and thou shalt find peace. Though thou +shouldest be caught up with Paul unto the third heaven,(5) thou art not on that +account secure from suffering evil. I will show him, saith Jesus, what great +things he must suffer for My Name’s sake.(6) It remaineth, therefore, to +thee to suffer, if thou wilt love Jesus and serve Him continually. +</p> + +<p> +13. Oh that thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus, how +great glory should await thee, what rejoicing among all the saints of God, what +bright example also to thy neighbour! For all men commend patience, although +few be willing to practise it. Thou oughtest surely to suffer a little for +Christ when many suffer heavier things for the world. +</p> + +<p> +14. Know thou of a surety that thou oughtest to lead the life of a dying man. +And the more a man dieth to himself, the more he beginneth to live towards God. +None is fit for the understanding of heavenly things, unless he hath submitted +himself to bearing adversities for Christ. Nothing more acceptable to God, +nothing more healthful for thyself in this world, than to suffer willingly for +Christ. And if it were thine to choose, thou oughtest rather to wish to suffer +adversities for Christ, than to be refreshed with manifold consolations, for +thou wouldest be more like Christ and more conformed to all saints. For our +worthiness and growth in grace lieth not in many delights and consolations, but +rather in bearing many troubles and adversities. +</p> + +<p> +15. If indeed there had been anything better and more profitable to the health +of men than to suffer, Christ would surely have shown it by word and example. +For both the disciples who followed Him, and all who desire to follow Him, He +plainly exhorteth to bear their cross, and saith, If any man will come after +Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me.(7) So now that +we have thoroughly read and studied all things, let us hear the conclusion of +the whole matter. We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of +God.(8) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Matthew xvi. 24. (2) Matthew xxv. 41. (3) Luke xxiv. 46. (4) Romans viii. +18. (5) 2 Corinthians xii. 2. (6) Acts ix. 16. (7) Luke ix. 23. (8) Acts xiv. +21. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book03"></a>THE THIRD BOOK<br/> +ON INWARD CONSOLATION</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap38"></a>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul +</p> + +<p> +I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me.(1) Blessed is the soul +which heareth the Lord speaking within it, and receiveth the word of +consolation from His mouth. Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of +the soft whisper of God, and turn not aside to the whisperings of this world. +Blessed truly are the ears which listen not to the voice that soundeth without, +but to that which teacheth truth inwardly. Blessed are the eyes which are +closed to things without, but are fixed upon things within. Blessed are they +who search inward things and study to prepare themselves more and more by daily +exercises for the receiving of heavenly mysteries. Blessed are they who long to +have leisure for God, and free themselves from every hindrance of the world. +Think on these things, O my soul, and shut the doors of thy carnal desires, so +mayest thou hear what the Lord God will say within thee. +</p> + +<p> +2. These things saith thy Beloved, “I am thy salvation, I am thy peace +and thy life. Keep thee unto Me, and thou shalt find peace.” Put away +thee all transitory things, seek those things that are eternal. For what are +all temporal things but deceits, and what shall all created things help thee if +thou be forsaken by the Creator? Therefore put all things else away, and give +thyself to the Creator, to be well pleasing and faithful to Him, that thou +mayest be able to attain true blessedness. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm lxxxv. 8. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap39"></a>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<p class="center"> +What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words +</p> + +<p> +Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.(1) I am Thy servant; O give me +understanding that I may know Thy testimonies. Incline my heart unto the words +of Thy mouth.(2) Let thy speech distil as the dew. The children of Israel spake +in old time to Moses, Speak thou unto us and we will hear, but let not the Lord +speak unto us lest we die.(3) Not thus, O Lord, not thus do I pray, but rather +with Samuel the prophet, I beseech Thee humbly and earnestly, Speak, Lord, for +Thy servant heareth. Let not Moses speak to me, nor any prophet, but rather +speak Thou, O Lord, who didst inspire and illuminate all the prophets; for Thou +alone without them canst perfectly fill me with knowledge, whilst they without +Thee shall profit nothing. +</p> + +<p> +2. They can indeed utter words, but they give not the spirit. They speak with +exceeding beauty, but when Thou art silent they kindle not the heart. They give +us scriptures, but Thou makest known the sense thereof. They bring us +mysteries, but Thou revealest the things which are signified. They utter +commandments, but Thou helpest to the fulfilling of them. They show the way, +but Thou givest strength for the journey. They act only outwardly, but Thou +dost instruct and enlighten the heart. They water, but Thou givest the +increase. They cry with words, but Thou givest understanding to the hearer. +</p> + +<p> +3. Therefore let not Moses speak to me, but Thou, O Lord my God, Eternal Truth; +lest I die and bring forth no fruit, being outwardly admonished, but not +enkindled within; lest the word heard but not followed, known but not loved, +believed but not obeyed, rise up against me in the judgment. Speak, Lord, for +Thy servant heareth; Thou hast the words of eternal life.(4) Speak unto me for +some consolation unto my soul, for the amendment of my whole life, and for the +praise and glory and eternal honour of Thy Name. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) 1 Samuel iii. 9. (2) Psalm cxix. 125. (3) Exodus xx. 19. (4) John vi. 68. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap40"></a>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<p class="center"> +How all the words of God are to be heard with humility, and how many consider +them not +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, hear My words, for My words are most sweet, surpassing all the +knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world. My words are spirit, +and they are life,(1) and are not to be weighed by man’s understanding. +They are not to be drawn forth for vain approbation, but to be heard in +silence, and to be received with all humility and with deep love.” +</p> + +<p> +2. And I said, “Blessed is the man whom Thou teachest, O Lord, and +instructest him in Thy law, that Thou mayest give him rest in time of +adversity,(2) and that he be not desolate in the earth.” +</p> + +<p> +3. “I,” saith the Lord, “taught the prophets from the +beginning, and even now cease I not to speak unto all; but many are deaf and +hardened against My voice; many love to listen to the world rather than to God, +they follow after the desires of the flesh more readily than after the good +pleasure of God. The world promiseth things that are temporal and small, and it +is served with great eagerness. I promise things that are great and eternal, +and the hearts of mortals are slow to stir. Who serveth and obeyeth Me in all +things, with such carefulness as he serveth the world and its rulers? +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +Be thou ashamed, O Sidon, saith the sea;(3)<br/> +And if thou reason seekest, hear thou me. +</p> + +<p> +For a little reward men make a long journey; for eternal life many will scarce +lift a foot once from the ground. Mean reward is sought after; for a single +piece of money sometimes there is shameful striving; for a thing which is vain +and for a trifling promise, men shrink not from toiling day and night.” +</p> + +<p> +4. “But, O shame! for an unchangeable good, for an inestimable reward, +for the highest honour and for a glory that fadeth not away, it is irksome to +them to toil even a little. Be thou ashamed therefore, slothful and +discontented servant, for they are found readier unto perdition than thou unto +life. They rejoice more heartily in vanity than thou in the truth. Sometimes, +indeed, they are disappointed of their hope, but my promise faileth no man, nor +sendeth away empty him who trusteth in Me. What I have promised I will give; +what I have said I will fulfil; if only a man remain faithful in My love unto +the end. Therefore am I the rewarder of all good men, and a strong approver of +all who are godly. +</p> + +<p> +5. “Write My words in thy heart and consider them diligently, for they +shall be very needful to thee in time of temptation. What thou understandest +not when thou readest, thou shalt know in the time of thy visitation. I am wont +to visit Mine elect in twofold manner, even by temptation and by comfort, and I +teach them two lessons day by day, the one in chiding their faults, the other +in exhorting them to grow in grace. He who hath My words and rejecteth them, +hath one who shall judge him at the last day.” +</p> + +<p class="center"> +A PRAYER FOR THE SPIRIT OF DEVOTION +</p> + +<p> +6. O Lord my God, Thou art all my good, and who am I that I should dare to +speak unto Thee? I am the very poorest of Thy servants, an abject worm, much +poorer and more despicable than I know or dare to say. Nevertheless remember, O +Lord, that I am nothing, I have nothing, and can do nothing. Thou only art +good, just and holy; Thou canst do all things, art over all things, fillest all +things, leaving empty only the sinner. Call to mind Thy tender mercies, and +fill my heart with Thy grace, Thou who wilt not that Thy work should return to +Thee void. +</p> + +<p> +7. How can I bear this miserable life unless Thy mercy and grace strengthen me? +Turn not away Thy face from me, delay not Thy visitation. Withdraw not Thou Thy +comfort from me, lest my soul “gasp after thee as a thirsty land.” +Lord, teach me to do Thy will, teach me to walk humbly and uprightly before +Thee, for Thou art my wisdom, who knowest me in truth, and knewest me before +the world was made and before I was born into the world. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) John vi. 63. (2) Psalm xciv. 13. (3) Isaiah xxiii. 4. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap41"></a>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +How we must walk in truth and humility before God +</p> + +<p> +“My Son! walk before Me in truth, and in the simplicity of thy heart seek +Me continually. He who walketh before Me in the truth shall be safe from evil +assaults, and the truth shall deliver him from the wiles and slanders of the +wicked. If the truth shall make thee free, thou shalt be free indeed, and shalt +not care for the vain words of men.” +</p> + +<p> +2. Lord, it is true as Thou sayest; let it, I pray Thee, be so with me; let Thy +truth teach me, let it keep me and preserve me safe unto the end. Let it free +me from all evil and inordinate affection, and I will walk before Thee in great +freedom of heart. +</p> + +<p> +3. “I will teach thee,” saith the Truth, “the things which +are right and pleasing before Me. Think upon thy sins with great displeasure +and sorrow, and never think thyself anything because of thy good works. Verily +thou art a sinner, liable to many passions, yea, tied and bound with them. Of +thyself thou always tendest unto nothing, thou wilt quickly fall, quickly be +conquered, quickly disturbed, quickly undone. Thou hast nought whereof to +glory, but many reasons why thou shouldest reckon thyself vile, for thou art +far weaker than thou art able to comprehend. +</p> + +<p> +4. “Let, therefore, nothing which thou doest seem to thee great; let +nothing be grand, nothing of value or beauty, nothing worthy of honour, nothing +lofty, nothing praiseworthy or desirable, save what is eternal. Let the eternal +truth please thee above all things, let thine own great vileness displease thee +continually. Fear, denounce, flee nothing so much as thine own faults and sins, +which ought to be more displeasing to thee than any loss whatsoever of goods. +There are some who walk not sincerely before me, but being led by curiosity and +pride, they desire to know my secret things and to understand the deep things +of God, whilst they neglect themselves and their salvation. These often fall +into great temptations and sins because of their pride and curiosity, for I am +against them. +</p> + +<p> +5. “Fear thou the judgments of God, fear greatly the wrath of the +Almighty. Shrink from debating upon the works of the Most High, but search +narrowly thine own iniquities into what great sins thou hast fallen, and how +many good things thou hast neglected. There are some who carry their devotion +only in books, some in pictures, some in outward signs and figures; some have +Me in their mouths, but little in their hearts. Others there are who, being +enlightened in their understanding and purged in their affections, continually +long after eternal things, hear of earthly things with unwillingness, obey the +necessities of nature with sorrow. And these understand what the Spirit of +truth speaketh in them; for He teacheth them to despise earthly things and to +love heavenly; to neglect the world and to desire heaven all the day and +night.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap42"></a>CHAPTER V</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the wonderful power of the Divine Love +</p> + +<p> +I bless Thee, O Heavenly Father, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, for that Thou +hast vouchsafed to think of me, poor that I am. O, Father of Mercies and God of +all comfort,(1) I give thanks unto Thee, who refreshest me sometimes with thine +own comfort, when I am unworthy of any comfort. I bless and glorify Thee +continually, with thine only begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, +for ever and ever. O Lord God, Holy lover of my soul, when Thou shalt come into +my heart, all my inward parts shall rejoice. Thou art my glory and the joy of +my heart. Thou art my hope and my refuge in the day of my trouble. +</p> + +<p> +2. But because I am still weak in love and imperfect in virtue, I need to be +strengthened and comforted by Thee; therefore visit Thou me often and instruct +me with Thy holy ways of discipline. Deliver me from evil passions, and cleanse +my heart from all inordinate affections, that, being healed and altogether +cleansed within, I may be made ready to love, strong to suffer, steadfast to +endure. +</p> + +<p> +3. Love is a great thing, a good above all others, which alone maketh every +heavy burden light, and equaliseth every inequality. For it beareth the burden +and maketh it no burden, it maketh every bitter thing to be sweet and of good +taste. The surpassing love of Jesus impelleth to great works, and exciteth to +the continual desiring of greater perfection. Love willeth to be raised up, and +not to be held down by any mean thing. Love willeth to be free and aloof from +all worldly affection, lest its inward power of vision be hindered, lest it be +entangled by any worldly prosperity or overcome by adversity. Nothing is +sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing loftier, nothing broader, nothing +pleasanter, nothing fuller or better in heaven nor on earth, for love was born +of God and cannot rest save in God above all created things. +</p> + +<p> +4. He who loveth flyeth, runneth, and is glad; he is free and not hindered. He +giveth all things for all things, and hath all things in all things, because he +resteth in One who is high above all, from whom every good floweth and +proceedeth. He looketh not for gifts, but turneth himself to the Giver above +all good things. Love oftentimes knoweth no measure, but breaketh out above all +measure; love feeleth no burden, reckoneth not labours, striveth after more +than it is able to do, pleadeth not impossibility, because it judgeth all +things which are lawful for it to be possible. It is strong therefore for all +things, and it fulfilleth many things, and is successful where he who loveth +not faileth and lieth down. +</p> + +<p> +5. Love is watchful, and whilst sleeping still keepeth watch; though fatigued +it is not weary, though pressed it is not forced, though alarmed it is not +terrified, but like the living flame and the burning torch, it breaketh forth +on high and securely triumpheth. If a man loveth, he knoweth what this voice +crieth. For the ardent affection of the soul is a great clamour in the ears of +God, and it saith: My God, my Beloved! Thou art all mine, and I am all Thine. +</p> + +<p> +6. Enlarge Thou me in love, that I may learn to taste with the innermost mouth +of my heart how sweet it is to love, to be dissolved, and to swim in love. Let +me be holden by love, mounting above myself through exceeding fervour and +admiration. Let me sing the song of love, let me follow Thee my Beloved on +high, let my soul exhaust itself in Thy praise, exulting with love. Let me love +Thee more than myself, not loving myself except for Thy sake, and all men in +Thee who truly love Thee, as the law of love commandeth which shineth forth +from Thee. +</p> + +<p> +7. Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle, strong, patient, faithful, +prudent, long-suffering, manly, and never seeking her own; for wheresoever a +man seeketh his own, there he falleth from love. Love is circumspect, humble, +and upright; not weak, not fickle, nor intent on vain things; sober, chaste, +steadfast, quiet, and guarded in all the senses. Love is subject and obedient +to all that are in authority, vile and lowly in its own sight, devout and +grateful towards God, faithful and always trusting in Him even when God hideth +His face, for without sorrow we cannot live in love. +</p> + +<p> +8. He who is not ready to suffer all things, and to conform to the will of the +Beloved, is not worthy to be called a lover of God. It behoveth him who loveth +to embrace willingly all hard and bitter things for the Beloved’s sake, +and not to be drawn away from Him because of any contrary accidents. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) 2 Corinthians i. 3. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap43"></a>CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the proving of the true lover +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, thou art not yet strong and prudent in thy love.” +</p> + +<p> +2. Wherefore, O my Lord? +</p> + +<p> +3. “Because for a little opposition thou fallest away from thy +undertakings, and too eagerly seekest after consolation. The strong lover +standeth fast in temptations, and believeth not the evil persuasions of the +enemy. As in prosperity I please him, so in adversity I do not displease. +</p> + +<p> +4. “The prudent lover considereth not the gift of the lover so much as +the love of the giver. He looketh for the affection more than the value, and +setteth all gifts lower than the Beloved. The noble lover resteth not in the +gift, but in Me above every gift. +</p> + +<p> +5. “All is not lost, though thou sometimes think of Me or of My saints, +less than thou shouldest desire. That good and sweet affection which thou +sometimes perceivest is the effect of present grace and some foretaste of the +heavenly country; but hereon thou must not too much depend, for it goeth and +cometh. But to strive against the evil motions of the mind which come to us, +and to resist the suggestions of the devil, is a token of virtue and great +merit. +</p> + +<p> +6. “Therefore let not strange fancies disturb thee, whencesoever they +arise. Bravely observe thy purpose and thy upright intentions towards God. It +is not an illusion when thou art sometimes suddenly carried away into rapture, +and then suddenly art brought back to the wonted vanities of thy heart. For +thou dost rather unwillingly undergo them than cause them; and so long as they +displease thee and thou strivest against them, it is a merit and no loss. +</p> + +<p> +7. “Know thou that thine old enemy altogether striveth to hinder thy +pursuit after good, and to deter thee from every godly exercise, to wit, the +contemplation of the Saints, the pious remembrance of My passion, the +profitable recollection of sin, the keeping of thy own heart, and the steadfast +purpose to grow in virtue. He suggesteth to thee many evil thoughts, that he +may work in thee weariness and terror, and so draw thee away from prayer and +holy reading. Humble confession displeaseth him, and if he were able he would +make thee to cease from Communion. Believe him not, nor heed him, though many a +time he hath laid for thee the snares of deceit. Account it to be from him, +when he suggesteth evil and unclean thoughts. Say unto him, ‘Depart +unclean spirit; put on shame, miserable one; horribly unclean art thou, who +bringest such things to mine ears. Depart from me, detestable deceiver; thou +shalt have no part in me; but Jesus shall be with me, as a strong warrior, and +thou shalt stand confounded. Rather would I die and bear all suffering, than +consent unto thee. Hold thy peace and be dumb; I will not hear thee more, +though thou plottest more snares against me. The Lord is my light and my +salvation: whom then shall I fear? Though a host of men should rise up against +me, yet shall not my heart be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my +Redeemer.’(1) +</p> + +<p> +8. “Strive thou like a good soldier; and if sometimes thou fail through +weakness, put on thy strength more bravely than before, trusting in My more +abundant grace, and take thou much heed of vain confidence and pride. Because +of it many are led into error, and sometimes fall into blindness well-nigh +irremediable. Let this ruin of the proud, who foolishly lift themselves up, be +to thee for a warning and a continual exhortation to humility.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalms xxvii. 1-3; xix. 14. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap44"></a>CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of hiding our grace under the guard of humility +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, it is better and safer for thee to hide the grace of devotion, +and not to lift thyself up on high, nor to speak much thereof, nor to value it +greatly; but rather to despise thyself, and to fear as though this grace were +given to one unworthy thereof. Nor must thou depend too much upon this feeling, +for it can very quickly be turned into its opposite. Think when thou art in a +state of grace how miserable and poor thou art wont to be without grace. Nor is +there advance in spiritual life in this alone, that thou hast the grace of +consolation, but that thou humbly and unselfishly and patiently takest the +withdrawal thereof; so that thou cease not from the exercise of prayer, nor +suffer thy other common duties to be in anywise neglected; rather do thy task +more readily, as though thou hadst gained more strength and knowledge; and do +not altogether neglect thyself because of the dearth and anxiety of spirit +which thou feelest. +</p> + +<p> +2. “For there are many who, when things have not gone prosperous with +them, become forthwith impatient or slothful. For the way of a man is not in +himself,(1) but it is God’s to give and to console, when He will, and as +much as He will, and whom He will, as it shall please Him, and no further. Some +who were presumptuous because of the grace of devotion within them, have +destroyed themselves, because they would do more than they were able, not +considering the measure of their own littleness, but rather following the +impulse of the heart than the judgment of the reason. And because they presumed +beyond what was well-pleasing unto God, therefore they quickly lost grace. They +became poor and were left vile, who had built for themselves their nest in +heaven; so that being humbled and stricken with poverty, they might learn not +to fly with their own wings, but to put their trust under My feathers. They who +are as yet new and unskilled in the way of the Lord, unless they rule +themselves after the counsel of the wise, may easily be deceived and led away. +</p> + +<p> +3. “But if they wish to follow their own fancies rather than trust the +experience of others, the result will be very dangerous to them if they still +refuse to be drawn away from their own notion. Those who are wise in their own +conceits, seldom patiently endure to be ruled by others. It is better to have a +small portion of wisdom with humility, and a slender understanding, than great +treasures of sciences with vain self-esteem. It is better for thee to have less +than much of what may make thee proud. He doeth not very discreetly who giveth +up himself entirely to joy, forgetting his former helplessness and the chaste +fear of the Lord, which feareth to lose the grace offered. Nor is he very wise, +after a manly sort, who in time of adversity, or any trouble whatsoever, +beareth himself too despairingly, and feeleth concerning Me less trustfully +than he ought. +</p> + +<p> +4. “He who in time of peace willeth to be oversecure shall be often found +in time of war overdispirited and full of fears. If thou knewest always how to +continue humble and moderate in thyself, and to guide and rule thine own spirit +well, thou wouldest not so quickly fall into danger and mischief. It is good +counsel that when fervour of spirit is kindled, thou shouldest meditate how it +will be with thee when the light is taken away. Which when it doth happen, +remember that still the light may return again, which I have taken away for a +time for a warning to thee, and also for mine own glory. Such a trial is often +more useful than if thou hadst always things prosperous according to thine own +will. +</p> + +<p> +5. “For merits are not to be reckoned by this, that a man hath many +visions or consolations, or that he is skilled in the Scriptures, or that he is +placed in a high situation; but that he is grounded upon true humility and +filled with divine charity, that he always purely and uprightly seeketh the +honour of God, that he setteth not by himself, but unfeignedly despiseth +himself, and even rejoiceth to be despised and humbled by others more than to +be honoured.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Jeremiah x. 23. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap45"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God +</p> + +<p> +I will speak unto my Lord who am but dust and ashes. If I count myself more, +behold Thou standest against me, and my iniquities bear true testimony, and I +cannot gainsay it. But if I abase myself, and bring myself to nought, and +shrink from all self-esteem, and grind myself to dust, which I am, Thy grace +will be favourable unto me, and Thy light will be near unto my heart; and all +self-esteem, how little soever it be, shall be swallowed up in the depths of my +nothingness, and shall perish for ever. There Thou showest to me myself, what I +am, what I was, and whither I have come: so foolish was I and ignorant.(1) If I +am left to myself, behold I am nothing, I am all weakness; but if suddenly Thou +look upon me, immediately I am made strong, and filled with new joy. And it is +great marvel that I am so suddenly lifted up, and so graciously embraced by +Thee, since I am always being carried to the deep by my own weight. +</p> + +<p> +2. This is the doing of Thy love which freely goeth before me and succoureth me +in so many necessities, which guardeth me also in great dangers and snatcheth +me, as I may truly say, from innumerable evils. For verily, by loving myself +amiss, I lost myself, and by seeking and sincerely loving Thee alone, I found +both myself and Thee, and through love I have brought myself to yet deeper +nothingness: because Thou, O most sweet Lord, dealest with me beyond all merit, +and above all which I dare ask or think. +</p> + +<p> +3. Blessed be Thou, O my God, because though I be unworthy of all Thy benefits, +Thy bountiful and infinite goodness never ceaseth to do good even to ingrates +and to those who are turned far from Thee. Turn Thou us unto Thyself, that we +may be grateful, humble, and godly, for Thou art our salvation, our courage, +and our strength. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm lxxiii. 22. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap46"></a>CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That all things are to be referred to God, as the final end +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, I must be thy Supreme and final end, if thou desirest to be +truly happy. Out of such purpose thy affection shall be purified, which too +often is sinfully bent upon itself and upon created things. For if thou seekest +thyself in any matter, straightway thou wilt fail within thyself and grow +barren. Therefore refer everything to Me first of all, for it is I who gave +thee all. So look upon each blessing as flowing from the Supreme Good, and thus +all things are to be attributed to Me as their source. +</p> + +<p> +2. “From Me the humble and great, the poor and the rich, draw water as +from a living fountain, and those who serve Me with a free and faithful spirit +shall receive grace for grace. But he who will glory apart from Me, or will be +delighted with any good which lieth in himself, shall not be established in +true joy, nor shall be enlarged in heart, but shall be greatly hindered and +thrown into tribulation. Therefore thou must not ascribe any good to thyself, +nor look upon virtue as belonging to any man, but ascribe it all unto God, +without whom man hath nothing. I gave all, I will receive all again, and with +great strictness require I the giving of thanks. +</p> + +<p> +3. “This is the Truth, and by it the vanity of boasting is put to flight. +And if heavenly grace and true charity shall enter into thee, there shall be no +envy, nor straitening of the heart, nor shall any self-love take possession of +thee. For divine charity conquereth all things, and enlargeth all the powers of +the soul. If thou art truly wise, thou wilt rejoice in Me alone, thou wilt hope +in Me alone; for there is none good but one, that is God,(1) Who is to be +praised above all things, and in all things to receive blessing.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Luke xviii. 19. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap47"></a>CHAPTER X</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God +</p> + +<p> +Now will I speak again, O my Lord, and hold not my peace; I will say in the +ears of my God, my Lord, and my King, who is exalted above all, <i>Oh how +plentiful is Thy goodness which Thou hast laid up for them that fear +Thee!</i>(1) But what art Thou to those who love Thee? What to those who serve +Thee with their whole heart? Truly unspeakable is the sweetness of the +contemplation of Thee, which Thou bestowest upon those who love Thee. In this +most of all Thou hast showed me the sweetness of Thy charity, that when I was +not, Thou madest me, and when I wandered far from Thee, Thou broughtest me back +that I might serve Thee, and commandedst me to love Thee. +</p> + +<p> +2. O Fountain of perpetual love, what shall I say concerning Thee? How shall I +be unmindful of Thee, who didst vouchsafe to remember me, even after I pined +away and perished? Thou hast had mercy beyond all hope upon Thy servant, and +hast showed Thy grace and friendship beyond all deserving. What reward shall I +render Thee for this Thy grace? For it is not given unto all to renounce this +world and its affairs, and to take up a religious life. For is it a great thing +that I should serve Thee, whom every creature ought to serve? It ought not to +seem a great thing to me to serve Thee; but rather this appeareth to me a great +and wonderful thing, that Thou vouchsafest to receive as Thy servant one so +poor and unworthy, and to join him unto Thy chosen servants. +</p> + +<p> +3. Behold all things which I have are Thine, and with them I serve Thee. And +yet verily it is Thou who servest me, rather than I Thee. Behold the heaven and +the earth which Thou hast created for the service of men; they are at Thy +bidding, and perform daily whatsoever Thou dost command. Yea, and this is +little; for Thou hast even ordained the Angels for the service of man. But it +surpasseth even all these things, that Thou Thyself didst vouchsafe to minister +unto man, and didst promise that Thou wouldest give Thyself unto him. +</p> + +<p> +4. What shall I render unto Thee for all these Thy manifold mercies? Oh that I +were able to serve Thee all the days of my life! Oh that even for one day I +were enabled to do Thee service worthy of Thyself! For verily Thou art worthy +of all service, all honour, and praise without end. Verily Thou art my God, and +I am Thy poor servant, who am bound to serve Thee with all my strength, nor +ought I ever to grow weary of Thy praise. This is my wish, this is my exceeding +great desire, and whatsoever is lacking to me, vouchsafe Thou to supply. +</p> + +<p> +5. It is great honour, great glory to serve Thee, and to despise all for Thy +sake. For they shall have great grace who of their own will shall submit +themselves to Thy most holy service. They who for Thy love have cast away every +carnal delight shall find the sweetest consolation of the Holy Ghost. They who +enter the narrow way of life for Thy Name’s sake, and have put away all +worldly cares, shall attain great liberty of spirit. +</p> + +<p> +6. Oh grateful and delightsome service of God, whereby man is made truly free +and holy! Oh sacred condition of the religious servant, which maketh man equal +to the Angels, well-pleasing unto God, terrible to evil spirits, and acceptable +to all faithful ones! Oh service to be embraced and ever desired, in which the +highest good is promised, and joy is gained which shall remain for evermore! +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm xxxi. 19. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap48"></a>CHAPTER XI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That the desires of the heart are to be examined and governed +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, thou hast still many things to learn, which thou hast not well +learned yet.” +</p> + +<p> +2. What are they, Lord? +</p> + +<p> +3. “To place thy desire altogether in subjection to My good pleasure, and +not to be a lover of thyself, but an earnest seeker of My will. Thy desires +often excite and urge thee forward; but consider with thyself whether thou art +not more moved for thine own objects than for My honour. If it is Myself that +thou seekest, thou shalt be well content with whatsoever I shall ordain; but if +any pursuit of thine own lieth hidden within thee, behold it is this which +hindereth and weigheth thee down. +</p> + +<p> +4. “Beware, therefore, lest thou strive too earnestly after some desire +which thou hast conceived, without taking counsel of Me; lest haply it repent +thee afterwards, and that displease thee which before pleased, and for which +thou didst long as for a great good. For not every affection which seemeth good +is to be forthwith followed; neither is every opposite affection to be +immediately avoided. Sometimes it is expedient to use restraint even in good +desires and wishes, lest through importunity thou fall into distraction of +mind, lest through want of discipline thou become a stumbling-block to others, +or lest by the resistance of others thou be suddenly disturbed and brought to +confusion. +</p> + +<p> +5. “Sometimes, indeed, it is needful to use violence, and manfully to +strive against the sensual appetite, and not to consider what the flesh may or +not will; but rather to strive after this, that it may become subject, however +unwillingly, to the spirit. And for so long it ought to be chastised and +compelled to undergo slavery, even until it be ready for all things, and learn +to be contented with little, to be delighted with things simple, and never to +murmur at any inconvenience.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap49"></a>CHAPTER XII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the inward growth of patience, and of the struggle against evil desires +</p> + +<p> +O Lord God, I see that patience is very necessary unto me; for many things in +this life fall out contrary. For howsoever I may have contrived for my peace, +my life cannot go on without strife and trouble. +</p> + +<p> +2. “Thou speakest truly, My Son. For I will not that thou seek such a +peace as is without trials, and knoweth no adversities; but rather that thou +shouldest judge thyself to have found peace, when thou art tried with manifold +tribulations, and proved by many adversities. If thou shalt say that thou art +not able to bear much, how then wilt thou sustain the fire hereafter? Of two +evils we should always choose the less. Therefore, that thou mayest escape +eternal torments hereafter, strive on God’s behalf to endure present +evils bravely. Thinkest thou that the children of this world suffer nought, or +but little? Thou wilt not find it so, even though thou find out the most +prosperous. +</p> + +<p> +3. “‘But,’ thou wilt say, ‘they have many delights, and +they follow their own wills, and thus they bear lightly their +tribulations.’ +</p> + +<p> +4. “Be it so, grant that they have what they list; but how long, thinkest +thou, will it last? Behold, like the smoke those who are rich in this world +will pass away, and no record shall remain of their past joys. Yea, even while +they yet live, they rest not without bitterness and weariness and fear. For +from the very same thing wherein they find delight, thence they oftentimes have +the punishment of sorrow. Justly it befalleth them, that because out of measure +they seek out and pursue pleasures, they enjoy them not without confusion and +bitterness. Oh how short, how false, how inordinate and wicked are all these +pleasures! Yet because of their sottishness and blindness men do not +understand; but like brute beasts, for the sake of a little pleasure of this +corruptible life, they incur death of the soul. Thou therefore, my son, go not +after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.(1) Delight thou in +the Lord, and He shall give thee thy heart’s desire.(2) +</p> + +<p> +5. “For if thou wilt truly find delight, and be abundantly comforted of +Me, behold in the contempt of all worldly things and in the avoidance of all +worthless pleasures shall be thy blessing, and fulness of consolation shall be +given thee. And the more thou withdrawest thyself from all solace of creatures, +the more sweet and powerful consolations shalt thou find. But at the first thou +shalt not attain to them, without some sorrow and hard striving. +Long-accustomed habit will oppose, but it shall be overcome by better habit. +The flesh will murmur again and again, but will be restrained by fervour of +spirit. The old serpent will urge and embitter thee, but will be put to flight +by prayer; moreover, by useful labour his entrance will be greatly +obstructed.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Ecclesiastes xviii. 30. (2) Psalm xxxvii. 4. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap50"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus Christ +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, he who striveth to withdraw himself from obedience, withdraweth +himself also from grace, and he who seeketh private advantages, loseth those +which are common unto all. If a man submit not freely and willingly to one set +over him, it is a sign that his flesh is not yet perfectly subject to himself, +but often resisteth and murmureth. Learn therefore quickly to submit thyself to +him who is over thee, if thou seekest to bring thine own flesh into subjection. +For the outward enemy is very quickly overcome if the inner man have not been +laid low. There is no more grievous and deadly enemy to the soul than thou art +to thyself, if thou art not led by the Spirit. Thou must not altogether +conceive contempt for thyself, if thou wilt prevail against flesh and blood. +Because as yet thou inordinately lovest thyself, therefore thou shrinkest from +yielding thyself to the will of others. +</p> + +<p> +2. “But what great thing is it that thou, who art dust and nothingness, +yieldest thyself to man for God’s sake, when I, the Almighty and the Most +High, who created all things out of nothing, subjected Myself to man for thy +sake? I became the most humble and despised of men, that by My humility thou +mightest overcome thy pride. Learn to obey, O dust! Learn to humble thyself, O +earth and clay, and to bow thyself beneath the feet of all. Learn to crush thy +passions, and to yield thyself in all subjection. +</p> + +<p> +3. “Be zealous against thyself, nor suffer pride to live within thee, but +so show thyself subject and of no reputation, that all may be able to walk over +thee, and tread thee down as the clay in the streets. What hast thou, O foolish +man, of which to complain? What, O vile sinner, canst thou answer those who +speak against thee, seeing thou hast so often offended God, and many a time +hast deserved hell? But Mine eye hath spared thee, because thy soul was +precious in My sight; that thou mightest know My love, and mightest be thankful +for My benefits; and that thou mightest give thyself altogether to true +subjection and humility, and patiently bear the contempt which thou +meritest.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap51"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God, that we may not be lifted up +because of our well-doing +</p> + +<p> +Thou sendest forth Thy judgments against me, O Lord, and shakest all my bones +with fear and trembling, and my soul trembleth exceedingly. I stand astonished, +and remember that the heavens are not clean in thy sight.(1) If Thou chargest +Thine angels with folly, and didst spare them not, how shall it be unto me? +Stars have fallen from heaven, and what shall I dare who am but dust? They +whose works seemed to be praiseworthy, fell into the lowest depths, and they +who did eat Angels’ food, them have I seen delighted with the husks that +the swine do eat. +</p> + +<p> +2. There is therefore no holiness, if Thou O Lord, withdraw Thine hand. No +wisdom profiteth, if Thou leave off to guide the helm. No strength availeth, if +Thou cease to preserve. No purity is secure, if Thou protect it not. No +self-keeping availeth, if Thy holy watching be not there. For when we are left +alone we are swallowed up and perish, but when we are visited, we are raised +up, and we live. For indeed we are unstable, but are made strong through Thee; +we grow cold, but are rekindled by Thee. +</p> + +<p> +3. Oh, how humbly and abjectly must I reckon of myself, how must I weigh it as +nothing, if I seem to have nothing good! Oh, how profoundly ought I to submit +myself to Thy unfathomable judgments, O Lord, when I find myself nothing else +save nothing, and again nothing! Oh weight unmeasurable, oh ocean which cannot +be crossed over, where I find nothing of myself save nothing altogether! Where, +then, is the hiding-place of glory, where the confidence begotten of virtue? +All vain-glory is swallowed up in the depths of Thy judgments against me. +</p> + +<p> +4. What is all flesh in Thy sight? <i>For how shall the clay boast against Him +that fashioned it?</i>(2) How can he be lifted up in vain speech whose heart is +subjected in truth to God? The whole world shall not lift him up whom Truth +hath subdued; nor shall he be moved by the mouth of all who praise him, who +hath placed all his hope in God. For they themselves who speak, behold, they +are all nothing; for they shall cease with the sound of their words, but the +truth of the Lord endureth for ever.(3) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Job xv. 15. (2) Isaiah xxix. 16. (3) Psalm cxvii. 2. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap52"></a>CHAPTER XV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +How we must stand and speak, in everything that we desire +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, speak thou thus in every matter, ‘Lord, if it please Thee, +let this come to pass. Lord, if this shall be for Thine honour, let it be done +in Thy Name. Lord, if thou see it good for me, and approve it as useful, then +grant me to use it for Thy honour. But if thou knowest that it shall be hurtful +unto me, and not profitable for the health of my soul, take the desire away +from me’! For not every desire is from the Holy Ghost, although it appear +to a man right and good. It is difficult to judge with certainty whether a good +or an evil spirit move thee to desire this or that, or whether thou art moved +by thine own spirit. Many have been deceived at the last, who seemed at the +beginning to be moved by a good spirit. +</p> + +<p> +2. “Therefore, whatsoever seemeth to thee desirable, thou must always +desire and seek after it with the fear of God and humility of heart, and most +of all, must altogether resign thyself, and commit all unto Me and say, +‘Lord, thou knowest what is best; let this or that be, according as Thou +wilt. Give what Thou wilt, so much as Thou wilt, when Thou wilt. Do with me as +Thou knowest best, and as best shall please Thee, and as shall be most to Thine +honour. Place me where Thou wilt, and freely work Thy will with me in all +things. I am in Thine hand, and turn me in my course. Behold, I am Thy servant, +ready for all things; for I desire to live not to myself but to Thee. Oh, that +I might live worthily and perfectly.’” +</p> + +<p class="center"> +A PRAYER TO BE ENABLED TO DO GOD’S WILL PERFECTLY +</p> + +<p> +3. Grant me Thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me, and work in +me, and persevere with me, even unto the end. Grant that I may ever desire and +wish whatsoever is most pleasing and dear unto Thee. Let Thy will be mine, and +let my will alway follow Thine, and entirely accord with it. May I choose and +reject whatsoever Thou dost; yea, let it be impossible for me to choose or +reject except according to Thy will. +</p> + +<p> +4. Grant that I may die to all worldly things, and for Thy sake love to be +despised and unknown in this world. Grant unto me, above all things that I can +desire, to rest in Thee, and that in Thee my heart may be at peace. Thou art +the true peace of the heart, Thou alone its rest; apart from Thee all things +are hard and unquiet. In Thee alone, the supreme and eternal God, <i>I will lay +me down in peace and take my rest</i>.(1) Amen. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm iv. 8. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap53"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That true solace is to be sought in God alone +</p> + +<p> +Whatsoever I am able to desire or to think of for my solace, I look for it not +here, but hereafter. For if I alone had all the solaces of this world, and were +able to enjoy all its delights, it is certain that they could not endure long. +Wherefore, O my soul, thou canst be fully comforted and perfectly refreshed, +only in God, the Comforter of the poor, and the lifter up of the humble. Wait +but a little while, my soul, wait for the Divine promise, and thou shalt have +abundance of all good things in heaven. If thou longest too inordinately for +the things which are now, thou shalt lose those which are eternal and heavenly. +Let temporal things be in the use, eternal things in the desire. Thou canst not +be satisfied with any temporal good, for thou wast not created for the +enjoyment of these. +</p> + +<p> +2. Although thou hadst all the good things which ever were created, yet couldst +not thou be happy and blessed; all thy blessedness and thy felicity lieth in +God who created all things; not such felicity as seemeth good to the foolish +lover of the world, but such as Christ’s good and faithful servants wait +for, and as the spiritual and pure in heart sometimes taste, whose conversation +is in heaven.(1) All human solace is empty and short-lived; blessed and true is +that solace which is felt inwardly, springing from the truth. The godly man +everywhere beareth about with him his own Comforter, Jesus, and saith unto Him: +“Be with me, Lord Jesus, always and everywhere. Let it be my comfort to +be able to give up cheerfully all human comfort. And if Thy consolation fail +me, let Thy will and righteous approval be alway with me for the highest +comfort. <i>For Thou wilt not always be chiding, neither keepest Thou Thine +anger for ever</i>.”(2) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Philippians iii. 20. (2) Psalm ciii. 9. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap54"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That all care is to be cast upon God +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, suffer me to do with thee what I will; I know what is expedient +for thee. Thou thinkest as a man, in many things thou judgest as human +affection persuadeth thee.” +</p> + +<p> +2. Lord, what Thou sayest is true. Greater is Thy care for me than all the care +which I am able to take for myself. For too insecurely doth he stand who +casteth not all his care upon Thee. Lord, so long as my will standeth right and +firm in Thee, do with me what Thou wilt, for whatsoever Thou shalt do with me +cannot be aught but good. Blessed be Thou if Thou wilt leave me in darkness: +blessed also be Thou if Thou wilt leave me in light. Blessed be Thou if Thou +vouchsafe to comfort me, and always blessed be Thou if Thou cause me to be +troubled. +</p> + +<p> +3. “My Son! even thus thou must stand if thou desirest to walk with Me. +Thou must be ready alike for suffering or rejoicing. Thou must be poor and +needy as willingly as full and rich.” +</p> + +<p> +4. Lord, I will willingly bear for Thee whatsoever Thou wilt have to come upon +me. Without choice I will receive from Thy hand good and evil, sweet and +bitter, joy and sadness, and will give Thee thanks for all things which shall +happen unto me. Keep me from all sin, and I will not fear death nor hell. Only +cast me not away for ever, nor blot me out of the book of life. Then no +tribulation which shall come upon me shall do me hurt. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap55"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of Christ +</p> + +<p> +“My Son! I came down from heaven for thy salvation; I took upon Me thy +miseries not of necessity, but drawn by love that thou mightest learn patience +and mightest bear temporal miseries without murmuring. For from the hour of My +birth, until My death upon the Cross, I ceased not from bearing of sorrow; I +had much lack of temporal things; I oftentimes heard many reproaches against +Myself; I gently bore contradictions and hard words; I received ingratitude for +benefits, blasphemies for My miracles, rebukes for My doctrine.” +</p> + +<p> +2. Lord, because Thou wast patient in Thy life, herein most of all fulfilling +the commandment of Thy Father, it is well that I, miserable sinner, should +patiently bear myself according to Thy will, and as long as Thou wilt have it +so, should bear about with me for my salvation, the burden of this corruptible +life. For although the present life seemeth burdensome, it is nevertheless +already made very full of merit through Thy grace, and to those who are weak it +becometh easier and brighter through Thy example and the footsteps of Thy +saints; but it is also much more full of consolation than it was of old, under +the old Testament, when the gate of heaven remained shut; and even the way to +heaven seemed more obscure when so few cared to seek after the heavenly +kingdom. But not even those who were then just and in the way of salvation were +able, before Thy Passion and the ransom of Thy holy Death, to enter the kingdom +of heaven. +</p> + +<p> +3. Oh what great thanks am I bound to give Thee, who hast vouchsafed to show me +and all faithful people the good and right way to Thine eternal kingdom, for +Thy way is our way, and by holy patience we walk to Thee who art our Crown. If +Thou hadst not gone before and taught us, who would care to follow? Oh, how far +would they have gone backward if they had not beheld Thy glorious example! +Behold we are still lukewarm, though we have heard of Thy many signs and +discourses; what would become of us if we had not such a light to help us +follow Thee? +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap56"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient +</p> + +<p> +“What sayest thou, My Son? Cease to complain; consider My suffering and +that of My saints. Thou hast not yet resisted unto blood.(1) It is little which +thou sufferest in comparison with those who have suffered so many things, have +been so strongly tempted, so grievously troubled, so manywise proved and tried. +Thou oughtest therefore to call to mind the more grievous sufferings of others +that thou mightest bear thy lesser ones more easily, and if they seem not to +thee little, see that it is not thy impatience which is the cause of this. But +whether they be little or whether they be great, study to bear them all with +patience. +</p> + +<p> +2. “So far as thou settest thyself to bear patiently, so far thou dost +wisely and art deserving of the more merit; thou shalt also bear the more +easily if thy mind and habit are carefully trained hereunto. And say not +‘I cannot bear these things from such a man, nor are things of this kind +to be borne by me, for he hath done me grievous harm and imputeth to me what I +had never thought: but from another I will suffer patiently, such things as I +see I ought to suffer.’ Foolish is such a thought as this, for it +considereth not the virtue of patience, nor by whom that virtue is to be +crowned, but it rather weigheth persons and offences against self. +</p> + +<p> +3. “He is not truly patient who will only suffer as far as seemeth right +to himself and from whom he pleaseth. But the truly patient man considereth not +by what man he is tried, whether by one above him, or by an equal or inferior, +whether by a good and holy man, or a perverse and unworthy; but indifferently +from every creature, whatsoever or how often soever adversity happeneth to him, +he gratefully accepteth all from the hand of God and counteth it great gain: +for with God nothing which is borne for His sake, however small, shall lose its +reward. +</p> + +<p> +4. “Be thou therefore ready for the fight if thou wilt have the victory. +Without striving thou canst not win the crown of patience; if thou wilt not +suffer thou refusest to be crowned. But if thou desirest to be crowned, strive +manfully, endure patiently. Without labour thou drawest not near to rest, nor +without fighting comest thou to victory.” +</p> + +<p> +5. Make possible to me, O Lord, by grace what seemeth impossible to me by +nature. Thou knowest how little I am able to bear, and how quickly I am cast +down when a like adversity riseth up against me. Whatsoever trial of +tribulation may come to me, may it become unto me pleasing and acceptable, for +to suffer and be vexed for Thy sake is exceeding healthful to the soul. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Hebrews xii. 4. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap57"></a>CHAPTER XX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life +</p> + +<p> +<i>I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;</i>(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my +infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I +resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, +immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter +whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a +little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by +a little puff of wind. +</p> + +<p> +2. Behold, therefore, O Lord, my humility and my frailty, which is altogether +known to Thee. Be merciful unto me, and <i>draw me out of the mire that I sink +not</i>,(2) lest I ever remain cast down. This is what frequently throweth me +backward and confoundeth me before Thee, that I am so liable to fall, so weak +to resist my passions. And though their assault is not altogether according to +my will, it is violent and grievous, and it altogether wearieth me to live thus +daily in conflict. Herein is my infirmity made known to me, that hateful +fancies always rush in far more easily than they depart. +</p> + +<p> +3. Oh that Thou, most mighty God of Israel, Lover of all faithful souls, +wouldst look upon the labour and sorrow of Thy servant, and give him help in +all things whereunto he striveth. Strengthen me with heavenly fortitude, lest +the old man, this miserable flesh, not being yet fully subdued to the spirit, +prevail to rule over me; against which I ought to strive so long as I remain in +this most miserable life. Oh what a life is this, where tribulations and +miseries cease not, where all things are full of snares and of enemies, for +when one tribulation or temptation goeth, another cometh, yea, while the former +conflict is yet raging others come more in number and unexpected. +</p> + +<p> +4. And how can the life of man be loved, seeing that it hath so many bitter +things, that it is subjected to so many calamities and miseries. How can it be +even called life, when it produces so many deaths and plagues? The world is +often reproached because it is deceitful and vain, yet notwithstanding it is +not easily given up, because the lusts of the flesh have too much rule over it. +Some draw us to love, some to hate. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the +eyes, and the pride of life, these draw to love of the world; but the +punishments and miseries which righteously follow these things, bring forth +hatred of the world and weariness. +</p> + +<p> +5. But, alas! an evil desire conquereth a mind given to the world, and thinketh +it happiness to be under the nettles(3) because it savoureth not nor perceiveth +the sweetness of God nor the inward gracefulness of virtue. But they who +perfectly despise the world and strive to live unto God in holy discipline, +these are not ignorant of the divine sweetness promised to all who truly deny +themselves and see clearly how grievously the world erreth, and in how many +ways it is deceived. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm xxxii. 5. (2) Psalm lxix. 14. (3) Job xxx. 7. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap58"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That we must rest in God above all goods and gifts +</p> + +<p> +Above all things and in all things thou shalt rest alway in the Lord, O my +soul, for he himself is the eternal rest of the saints. Grant me, most sweet +and loving Jesus, to rest in Thee above every creature, above all health and +beauty, above all glory and honour, above all power and dignity, above all +knowledge and skilfulness, above all riches and arts, above all joy and +exultation, above all fame and praise, above all sweetness and consolation, +above all hope and promise, above all merit and desire, above all gifts and +rewards which Thou canst give and pour forth, above all joy and jubilation +which the mind is able to receive and feel; in a word, above Angels and +Archangels and all the army of heaven, above all things visible and invisible, +and above everything which Thou, O my God, art not. +</p> + +<p> +2. For Thou, O Lord, my God, art best above all things; Thou only art the Most +High, Thou only the Almighty, Thou only the All-sufficient, and the Fulness of +all things; Thou only the All-delightsome and the All-comforting; Thou alone +the altogether lovely and altogether loving; Thou alone the Most Exalted and +Most Glorious above all things; in Whom all things are, and were, and ever +shall be, altogether and all-perfect. And thus it falleth short and is +insufficient whatsoever Thou givest to me without Thyself or whatsoever Thou +revealest or dost promise concerning Thyself, whilst Thou art not seen or fully +possessed: since verily my heart cannot truly rest nor be entirely content, +except it rest in Thee, and go beyond all gifts and every creature. +</p> + +<p> +3. O my most beloved Spouse, Jesus Christ, most holy lover of my soul, Ruler of +this whole Creation, who shall give me the wings of true liberty, that I may +flee to Thee and find rest? Oh when shall it be given me to be open to receive +Thee to the full, and to see how sweet Thou art, O Lord my God? When shall I +collect myself altogether in Thee, that because of Thy love I may not feel +myself at all, but may know Thee only above every sense and measure, in measure +not known to others. But now I ofttimes groan, and bear my sad estate with +sorrow; because many evils befall me in this vale of miseries which continually +disturb and fill me with sorrow, and encloud me, continually hinder and fill me +with care, allure and entangle me, that I cannot have free access to Thee, nor +enjoy that sweet intercourse which is always near at hand to the blessed +spirits. Let my deep sighing come before Thee, and my manifold desolation on +the earth. +</p> + +<p> +4. O Jesus, Light of Eternal Glory, solace of the wandering soul, before Thee +my mouth is without speech, and my silence speaketh to Thee. How long will my +Lord delay to come unto me? Let Him come unto me, His poor and humble one, and +make me glad. Let Him put forth His hand, and deliver His holy one from every +snare. Come, Oh come; for without Thee shall be no joyful day or hour, for Thou +art my joy, and without Thee is my table empty. I am miserable, and in a manner +imprisoned and loaded with fetters, until Thou refresh me by the light of Thy +presence, and give me liberty, and show Thy loving countenance. +</p> + +<p> +5. Let others seek some other thing instead of Thee, whatsoever it shall please +them; but for my part nothing else pleaseth or shall please, save Thou, my God, +my hope, my eternal salvation. I will not hold my peace, nor cease to implore, +until Thy grace return, and until Thou speak to me within. +</p> + +<p> +6. “Behold, here I am! Behold, I come to thee, for thou didst call Me. +Thy tears and the longing of thy soul, thy humbleness and contrition of heart +have inclined Me, and brought Me to thee.” +</p> + +<p> +7. And I said Lord, I have called upon Thee, and I have longed to enjoy Thee, +being ready to reject everything for Thy sake. For Thou didst first move me to +seek Thee. Therefore, blessed be Thou, O Lord, who has wrought this good work +upon Thy servant, according to the multitude of Thy mercy. What then hath Thy +servant to say in Thy presence, save to humble himself greatly before Thee, +being alway mindful of his own iniquity and vileness. For there is none like +unto Thee in all marvels of heaven and earth. Excellent are Thy works, true are +Thy judgments, and by Thy Providence are all things governed. Therefore praise +and glory be unto Thee, O Wisdom of the Father, let my mouth and my soul and +all created things praise and bless Thee together. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap59"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the recollection of God’s manifold benefits +</p> + +<p> +Open, O Lord, my heart in Thy law, and teach me to walk in the way of Thy +commandments. Grant me to understand Thy will and to be mindful of Thy +benefits, both general and special, with great reverence and diligent +meditation, that thus I may be able worthily to give Thee thanks. Yet I know +and confess that I cannot render Thee due praises for the least of Thy mercies. +I am less than the least of all the good things which Thou gavest me; and when +I consider Thy majesty, my spirit faileth because of the greatness thereof. +</p> + +<p> +2. All things which we have in the soul and in the body, and whatsoever things +we possess, whether outwardly or inwardly, naturally or supernaturally, are Thy +good gifts, and prove Thee, from whom we have received them all, to be good, +gentle, and kind. Although one receiveth many things, and another fewer, yet +all are Thine, and without Thee not even the least thing can be possessed. He +who hath received greater cannot boast that it is of his own merit, nor lift +himself up above others, nor contemn those beneath him; for he is the greater +and the better who ascribeth least to himself, and in giving thanks is the +humbler and more devout; and he who holdeth himself to be viler than all, and +judgeth himself to be the more unworthy, is the apter for receiving greater +things. +</p> + +<p> +3. But he who hath received fewer gifts, ought not to be cast down, nor to take +it amiss, nor to envy him who is richer; but rather ought he to look unto Thee, +and to greatly extol Thy goodness, for Thou pourest forth Thy gifts so richly, +so freely and largely, without respect of persons. All things come of Thee; +therefore in all things shalt thou be praised. Thou knowest what is best to be +given to each; and why this man hath less, and that more, is not for us but for +Thee to understand, for unto Thee each man’s deservings are fully known. +</p> + +<p> +4. Wherefore, O Lord God, I reckon it even a great benefit, not to have many +things, whence praise and glory may appear outwardly, and after the thought of +men. For so it is that he who considereth his own poverty and vileness, ought +not only to draw therefrom no grief or sorrow, or sadness of spirit, but rather +comfort and cheerfulness; because Thou, Lord, hast chosen the poor and humble, +and those who are poor in this world, to be Thy friends and acquaintance. So +give all Thine apostles witness whom Thou hast made princes in all lands. Yet +they had their conversation in this world blameless, so humble and meek, +without any malice or deceit, that they even rejoiced to suffer rebukes for Thy +Name’s sake,(1) and what things the world hateth, they embraced with +great joy. +</p> + +<p> +5. Therefore ought nothing so much to rejoice him who loveth Thee and knoweth +Thy benefits, as Thy will in him, and the good pleasure of Thine eternal +Providence, wherewith he ought to be so contented and comforted, that he would +as willingly be the least as any other would be the greatest, as peaceable and +contented in the lowest as in the highest place, and as willingly held of small +and low account and of no name or reputation as to be more honourable and +greater in the world than others. For Thy will and the love of Thine honour +ought to go before all things, and to please and comfort him more, than all +benefits that are given or may be given to himself. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Acts v. 41. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap60"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of four things which bring great peace +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, now will I teach thee the way of peace and of true +liberty.” +</p> + +<p> +2. Do, O my Lord, as Thou sayest, for this is pleasing unto me to hear. +</p> + +<p> +3. “Strive, My Son, to do another’s will rather than thine own. +Choose always to have less rather than more. Seek always after the lowest +place, and to be subject to all. Wish always and pray that the will of God be +fulfilled in thee. Behold, such a man as this entereth into the inheritance of +peace and quietness.” +</p> + +<p> +4. O my Lord, this Thy short discourse hath in itself much of perfectness. It +is short in words but full of meaning, and abundant in fruit. For if it were +possible that I should fully keep it, disturbance would not so easily arise +within me. For as often as I feel myself disquieted and weighed down, I find +myself to have gone back from this teaching. But Thou, Who art Almighty, and +always lovest progress in the soul, vouchsafe more grace, that I may be enabled +to fulfil Thy exhortation, and work out my salvation. +</p> + +<p class="center"> +A PRAYER AGAINST EVIL THOUGHTS +</p> + +<p> +5. O Lord my God, be not Thou far from me, my God, haste Thee to help me,(1) +for many thoughts and great fears have risen up against me, afflicting my soul. +How shall I pass through them unhurt? how shall I break through them? +</p> + +<p> +6. “I,” saith He, “will go before thee, and make the crooked +places straight.”(2) I will open the prison doors, and reveal to thee the +secret places. +</p> + +<p> +7. Do, Lord, as Thou sayest; and let all evil thoughts fly away before Thy +face. This is my hope and my only comfort, to fly unto Thee in all tribulation, +to hope in Thee, to call upon Thee from my heart and patiently wait for Thy +loving kindness. +</p> + +<p class="center"> +A PRAYER FOR ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE MIND +</p> + +<p> +8. Enlighten me, Blessed Jesus, with the brightness of Thy inner light, and +cast forth all darkness from the habitation of my heart. Restrain my many +wandering thoughts, and carry away the temptations which strive to do me hurt. +Fight Thou mightily for me, and drive forth the evil beasts, so call I alluring +lusts, that peace may be within Thy walls and plenteousness of praise within +Thy palaces,(3) even in my pure conscience. Command Thou the winds and the +storms, say unto the sea, “Be still,” say unto the stormy wind, +“Hold thy peace,” so shall there be a great calm. +</p> + +<p> +9. Oh send forth Thy light and Thy truth,(4) that they may shine upon the +earth; for I am but earth without form and void until Thou give me light. Pour +forth Thy grace from above; water my heart with the dew of heaven; give the +waters of devotion to water the face of the earth, and cause it to bring forth +good and perfect fruit. Lift up my mind which is oppressed with the weight of +sins, and raise my whole desire to heavenly things; that having tasted the +sweetness of the happiness which is from above, it may take no pleasure in +thinking of things of earth. +</p> + +<p> +10. Draw me and deliver me from every unstable comfort of creatures, for no +created thing is able to satisfy my desire and to give me comfort. Join me to +Thyself by the inseparable bond of love, for Thou alone art sufficient to him +that loveth Thee, and without Thee all things are vain toys. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm lxxi. 12. (2) Isaiah xlv. 2. (3) Psalm cxxii. 7. (4) Psalm xliii. 3. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap61"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, be not curious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares. <i>What is +that to thee? Follow thou Me.</i>(1) For what is it to thee whether a man be +this or that, or say or do thus or thus? Thou hast no need to answer for +others, but thou must give an answer for thyself. Why therefore dost thou +entangle thyself? Behold, I know all men, and I behold all things which are +done under the sun; and I know how it standeth with each one, what he thinketh, +what he willeth, and to what end his thoughts reach. All things therefore are +to be committed to Me; watch thou thyself in godly peace, and leave him who is +unquiet to be unquiet as he will. Whatsoever he shall do or say, shall come +unto him, for he cannot deceive Me. +</p> + +<p> +2. “Trouble not thyself about the shadow of a great name, nor about the +friendship of many, nor about the love of men towards thee. For these things +beget distraction and great sorrows of heart. My word should speak freely unto +thee, and I would reveal secrets, if only thou didst diligently look for My +appearing, and didst open unto Me the gates of thy heart. Be sober and watch +unto prayer,(2) and humble thyself in all things.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) John xxi. 22. (2) 1 Peter iv. 7. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap62"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Wherein firm peace of heart and true profit consist +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, I have said, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, +not as the world giveth give I unto you.(1) All men desire peace, but all do +not care for the things which belong unto true peace. My peace is with the +humble and lowly in heart. Thy peace shall be in much patience. If thou +heardest Me, and didst follow My voice, thou shouldest enjoy much peace.” +</p> + +<p> +2. What then shall I do, Lord? +</p> + +<p> +3. “In everything take heed to thyself what thou doest, and what thou +sayest; and direct all thy purpose to this, that thou please Me alone, and +desire or seek nothing apart from Me. But, moreover, judge nothing rashly +concerning the words or deeds of others, nor meddle with matters which are not +committed to thee; and it may be that thou shalt be disturbed little or rarely. +Yet never to feel any disquiet, nor to suffer any pain of heart or body, this +belongeth not to the present life, but is the state of eternal rest. Therefore +count not thyself to have found true peace, if thou hast felt no grief; nor +that then all is well if thou hast no adversary; nor that this is perfect if +all things fall out according to thy desire. Nor then reckon thyself to be +anything great, or think that thou art specially beloved, if thou art in a +state of great fervour and sweetness of spirit; for not by these things is the +true lover of virtue known, nor in them doth the profit and perfection of man +consist.” +</p> + +<p> +4. In what then, Lord? +</p> + +<p> +5. “In offering thyself with all thy heart to the Divine Will, in not +seeking the things which are thine own, whether great or small, whether +temporal or eternal; so that thou remain with the same steady countenance in +giving of thanks between prosperity and adversity, weighing all things in an +equal balance. If thou be so brave and long-suffering in hope that when inward +comfort is taken from thee, thou even prepare thy heart for the more endurance, +and justify not thyself, as though thou oughtest not to suffer these heavy +things, but dost justify Me in all things that I appoint, and dost bless My +Holy Name, then dost thou walk in the true and right way of peace, and shalt +have a sure hope that thou shalt again behold My face with joy. For if thou +come to an utter contempt of thyself, know that then thou shalt enjoy abundance +of peace, as much as is possible where thou art but a wayfaring man.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) John xiv. 27. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap63"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which humble prayer more deserveth than +doth frequent reading +</p> + +<p> +Lord, this is the work of a perfect man, never to slacken his mind from +attention to heavenly things, and among many cares to pass along as it were +without care, not after the manner of one indifferent, but rather with the +privilege of a free mind, cleaving to no creature with inordinate affection. +</p> + +<p> +2. I beseech Thee, my most merciful Lord God, preserve me from the cares of +this life, lest I become too much entangled; from many necessities of the body, +lest I be taken captive by pleasure; from all obstacles of the spirit, lest I +be broken and cast down with cares. I say not from those things which the +vanity of the world goeth about after with all eagerness, but from those +miseries, which by the universal curse of mortality weigh down and hold back +the soul of thy servant in punishment, that it cannot enter into liberty of +spirit, so often as it would. +</p> + +<p> +3. O my God, sweetness unspeakable, turn into bitterness all my fleshly +consolation, which draweth me away from the love of eternal things, and +wickedly allureth toward itself by setting before me some present delight. Let +not, O my God, let not flesh and blood prevail over me, let not the world and +its short glory deceive me, let not the devil and his craftiness supplant me. +Give me courage to resist, patience to endure, constancy to persevere. Grant, +in place of all consolations of the world, the most sweet unction of Thy +Spirit, and in place of carnal love, pour into me the love of Thy Name. +</p> + +<p> +4. Behold, food and drink and clothing, and all the other needs appertaining to +the support of the body, are burdensome to the devout spirit. Grant that I may +use such things with moderation, and that I be not entangled with inordinate +affection for them. To cast away all these things is not lawful, because nature +must be sustained, but to require superfluities and things which merely +minister delight, the holy law forbiddeth; for otherwise the flesh would wax +insolent against the spirit. In all these things, I beseech Thee, let Thy hand +guide and teach me, that I in no way exceed. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap64"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That personal love greatly hindereth from the highest good +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, thou must give all for all, and be nothing of thine own. Know +thou that the love of thyself is more hurtful to thee than anything in the +world. According to the love and inclination which thou hast, everything more +or less cleaveth to thee. If thy love be pure, sincere, well-regulated, thou +shalt not be in captivity to anything. Do not covet what thou mayest not have; +do not have what is able to hinder thee, and to rob thee of inward liberty. It +is wonderful that thou committest not thyself to Me from the very bottom of thy +heart, with all things which thou canst desire or have. +</p> + +<p> +2. “Why art thou consumed with vain sorrow? Why art thou wearied with +superfluous cares? Stand thou by My good pleasure, and thou shalt suffer no +loss. If thou seekest after this or that, and wilt be here or there, according +to thine own advantage or the fulfilling of thine own pleasure, thou shalt +never be in quiet, nor free from care, because in everything somewhat will be +found lacking, and everywhere there will be somebody who opposeth thee. +</p> + +<p> +3. “Therefore it is not gaining or multiplying of this thing or that +which advantageth thee, but rather the despising it and cutting it by the root +out of thy heart; which thou must not only understand of money and riches, but +of the desire after honour and vain praise, things which all pass away with the +world. The place availeth little if the spirit of devotion is wanting; nor +shall that peace stand long which is sought from abroad, if the state of thy +heart is without the true foundation, that is, if it abide not in Me. Thou +mayest change, but thou canst not better thyself; for when occasion ariseth and +is accepted thou shalt find what thou didst fly from, yea more.” +</p> + +<p class="center"> +A PRAYER FOR CLEANSING OF THE HEART AND FOR HEAVENLY WISDOM +</p> + +<p> +4. Strengthen me, O God, by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit. Give me virtue to be +strengthened with might in the inner man, and to free my heart from all +fruitless care and trouble, and that I be not drawn away by various desires +after any things whatsoever, whether of little value or great, but that I may +look upon all as passing away, and myself as passing away with them; because +there is no profit under the sun, and all is vanity and vexation of spirit.(1) +Oh how wise is he that considereth thus! +</p> + +<p> +5. Give me, O Lord, heavenly wisdom, that I may learn to seek Thee above all +things and to find Thee; to relish Thee above all things and to love Thee; and +to understand all other things, even as they are, according to the order of Thy +wisdom. Grant me prudently to avoid the flatterer, and patiently to bear with +him that opposeth me; for this is great wisdom, not to be carried by every wind +of words, nor to give ear to the wicked flattering Siren; for thus do we go +safely on in the way we have begun. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Ecclesiastes ii. 11. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap65"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Against the tongues of detractors +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, take it not sadly to heart, if any think ill of thee, and say of +thee what thou art unwilling to hear. Thou oughtest to think worse of thyself, +and to believe no man weaker than thyself. If thou walkest inwardly, thou wilt +not weigh flying words above their value. It is no small prudence to keep +silence in an evil time and to turn inwardly unto Me, and not to be troubled by +human judgment. +</p> + +<p> +2. “Let not thy peace depend upon the word of men; for whether they judge +well or ill of thee, thou art not therefore any other man than thyself. Where +is true peace or true glory? Is it not in Me? And he who seeketh not to please +men, nor feareth to displease, shall enjoy abundant peace. From inordinate love +and vain fear ariseth all disquietude of heart, and all distraction of the +senses.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap66"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +How when tribulation cometh we must call upon and bless God +</p> + +<p> +Blessed be thy name, O Lord, for evermore, who hast willed this temptation and +trouble to come upon me. I cannot escape it, but have need to flee unto Thee, +that Thou mayest succour me and turn it unto me for good. Lord, now am I in +tribulation, and it is not well within my heart, but I am sore vexed by the +suffering which lieth upon me. And now, O dear Father, what shall I say? I am +taken among the snares. Save me from this hour, but for this cause came I unto +this hour,(1) that Thou mightest be glorified when I am deeply humbled and am +delivered through Thee. Let it be Thy pleasure to deliver me;(2) for what can I +do who am poor, and without Thee whither shall I go? Give patience this time +also. Help me, O Lord my God, and I will not fear how much soever I be weighed +down. +</p> + +<p> +2. And now amid these things what shall I say? Lord, Thy will be done. I have +well deserved to be troubled and weighed down. Therefore I ought to bear, would +that it be with patience, until the tempest be overpast and comfort return. Yet +is Thine omnipotent arm able also to take this temptation away from me, and to +lessen its power that I fall not utterly under it, even as many a time past +thou has helped me, O God, my merciful God. And as much as this deliverance is +difficult to me, so much is it easy to Thee, O right hand of the most Highest. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) John xii. 27. (2) Psalm xl. 16. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap67"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of seeking divine help, and the confidence of obtaining grace +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, I the Lord am a stronghold in the day of trouble.(1) Come unto +Me, when it is not well with thee. +</p> + +<p> +“This it is which chiefly hindereth heavenly consolation, that thou too +slowly betakest thyself unto prayer. For before thou earnestly seekest unto Me, +thou dost first seek after many means of comfort, and refresheth thyself in +outward things: so it cometh to pass that all things profit thee but little +until thou learn that it is I who deliver those who trust in Me; neither beside +Me is there any strong help, nor profitable counsel, nor enduring remedy. But +now, recovering courage after the tempest, grow thou strong in the light of My +mercies, for I am nigh, saith the Lord, that I may restore all things not only +as they were at the first, but also abundantly and one upon another. +</p> + +<p> +2. “For is anything too hard for Me, or shall I be like unto one who +saith and doeth not? Where is thy faith? Stand fast and with perseverance. Be +long-suffering and strong. Consolation will come unto thee in its due season. +Wait for Me; yea, wait; I will come and heal thee. It is temptation which +vexeth thee, and a vain fear which terrifieth thee. What doth care about future +events bring thee, save sorrow upon sorrow? Sufficient for the day is the evil +thereof.(2) It is vain and useless to be disturbed or lifted up about future +things which perhaps will never come. +</p> + +<p> +3. “But it is the nature of man to be deceived by fancies of this sort, +and it is a sign of a mind which is still weak to be so easily drawn away at +the suggestion of the enemy. For he careth not whether he deceive and beguile +by true means or false; whether he throw thee down by the love of the present +or fear of the future. Therefore let not thy heart be troubled, neither let it +be afraid. Believe in Me, and put thy trust in My mercy.(3) When thou thinkest +thyself far removed from Me, I am often the nearer. When thou reckonest that +almost all is lost, then often is greater opportunity of gain at hand. All is +not lost when something goeth contrary to thy wishes. Thou oughtest not to +judge according to present feeling, nor so to take or give way to any grief +which befalleth thee, as if all hope of escape were taken away. +</p> + +<p> +4. “Think not thyself totally abandoned, although for the time I have +sent to thee some tribulation, or have even withdrawn some cherished +consolation; for this is the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. And without doubt it +is better for thee and for all My other servants, that ye should be proved by +adversities, than that ye should have all things as ye would. I know thy hidden +thoughts: and that it is very needful for thy soul’s health that +sometimes thou be left without relish, lest perchance thou be lifted up by +prosperity, and desirous to please thyself in that which thou art not. What I +have given I am able to take away, and to restore again at My good pleasure. +</p> + +<p> +5. “When I shall have given, it is Mine; when I shall have taken away, I +have not taken what is thine; for every good gift and every perfect gift(4) is +from me. If I shall have sent upon thee grief or any vexation, be not angry, +nor let thy heart be sad; I am able quickly to lift thee up and to change every +burden into joy. But I am just and greatly to be praised, when I do thus unto +thee. +</p> + +<p> +6. “If thou rightly consider, and look upon it with truth, thou oughtest +never to be so sadly cast down because of adversity, but rather shouldst +rejoice and give thanks; yea, verily to count it the highest joy that I afflict +thee with sorrows and spare thee not. As My Father hath loved Me, so love I +you;(5) thus have I spoken unto My beloved disciples: whom I sent forth not +unto worldly joys, but to great strivings; not unto honours, but unto contempt; +not unto ease, but to labours; not unto rest, but to bring forth much fruit +with patience. My son, remember these words.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Nahum i. 7. (2) Matthew vi. 34. (3) John xiv. 27; Psalm xiii. 5. (4) James +i. 17. (5) John xv. 9. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap68"></a>CHAPTER XXXI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found +</p> + +<p> +O Lord, I still need more grace, if I would arrive where neither man nor any +other creature may hinder me. For so long as anything keepeth me back, I cannot +freely fly unto Thee. He desired eagerly thus to fly, who cried, saying, Oh +that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee away and be at rest. What +is more peaceful than the single eye? And what more free than he that desireth +nothing upon earth? Therefore must a man rise above every creature, and +perfectly forsake himself, and with abstracted mind to stand and behold that +Thou, the Creator of all things, hast among Thy creatures nothing like unto +Thyself. And except a man be freed from all creatures, he will not be able to +reach freely after Divine things. Therefore few are found who give themselves +to contemplation, because few know how to separate themselves entirely from +perishing and created things. +</p> + +<p> +2. For this much grace is necessary, which may lift up the soul and raise it +above itself. And except a man be lifted up in the spirit, and freed from all +creatures, and altogether united to God, whatsoever he knoweth, whatsoever even +he hath, it mattereth but little. He who esteemeth anything great save the one +only incomprehensible, eternal, good, shall long time be little and lie low. +For whatsoever is not God is nothing, and ought to be counted for nothing. +Great is the difference between a godly man, illuminated with wisdom, and a +scholar learned in knowledge and given to books. Far nobler is that doctrine +which floweth down from the divine fulness above, than that which is acquired +laboriously by human study. +</p> + +<p> +3. Many are found who desire contemplation, but they do not strive to practice +those things which are required thereunto. It is also a great impediment, that +much is made of symbols and external signs, and too little of thorough +mortification. I know not how it is, and by what spirit we are led, and what we +who would be deemed spiritual are aiming at, that we give so great labour and +so eager solicitude for transitory and worthless things, and scarcely ever +gather our senses together to think at all of our inward condition. +</p> + +<p> +4. Ah, me! Forthwith after a little recollection we rush out of doors, and do +not subject our actions to a strict examination. Where our affections are set +we take no heed, and we weep not that all things belonging to us are so +defiled. For because all flesh had corrupted itself upon the earth, the great +deluge came. Since therefore our inmost affections are very corrupt, it +followeth of necessity that our actions also are corrupt, being the index of a +deficient inward strength. Out of a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good +living. +</p> + +<p> +5. We demand, how much a man hath done; but from how much virtue he acted, is +not so narrowly considered. We ask if he be strong, rich, handsome, clever, +whether he is a good writer, good singer, good workman; but how poor he may be +in spirit, how patient and gentle, how devout and meditative, on these things +many are silent. Nature looketh upon the outward appearance of a man, grace +turneth its thought to the heart. The former frequently judgeth amiss; the +latter trusteth in God, that it may not be deceived. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap69"></a>CHAPTER XXXII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of self-denial and the casting away all selfishness +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, thou canst not possess perfect liberty unless thou altogether +deny thyself. All they are enslaved who are possessors of riches, they who love +themselves, the selfish, the curious, the restless; those who ever seek after +soft things, and not after the things of Jesus Christ; those who continually +plan and devise that which will not stand. For whatsoever cometh not of God +shall perish. Hold fast the short and complete saying, ‘Renounce all +things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find +rest.’ Dwell upon this in thy mind, and when thou art full of it, thou +shalt understand all things.” +</p> + +<p> +2. O Lord, this is not the work of a day, nor children’s play; verily in +this short saying is enclosed all the perfection of the religious. +</p> + +<p> +3. “My son, thou oughtest not to be turned aside, nor immediately cast +down, because thou hast heard the way of the perfect. Rather oughtest thou to +be provoked to higher aims, and at the least to long after the desire thereof. +Oh that it were so with thee, and that thou hadst come to this, that thou wert +not a lover of thine own self, but wert ready always to My nod, and to his whom +I have placed over thee as thy father. Then shouldest thou please Me +exceedingly, and all thy life should go on in joy and peace. Thou hast still +many things to renounce, which if thou resign not utterly to Me, thou shalt not +gain what thou seekest. I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, +that thou mayest be rich,(1) that is heavenly wisdom, which despiseth all base +things. Put away from thee earthly wisdom, and all pleasure, whether common to +men, or thine own. +</p> + +<p> +4. “I tell thee that thou must buy vile things with those which are +costly and great in the esteem of men. For wonderfully vile and small, and +almost given up to forgetfulness, doth true heavenly wisdom appear, which +thinketh not high things of itself, nor seeketh to be magnified upon the earth; +many honour it with their lips, but in heart are far from it; it is indeed the +precious pearl, which is hidden from many.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Revelation iii. 18. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap70"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of instability of the heart, and of directing the aim towards God +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, trust not thy feeling, for that which is now will be quickly +changed into somewhat else. As long as thou livest thou art subject to change, +howsoever unwilling; so that thou art found now joyful, now sad; now at peace, +now disquieted; now devout, now indevout; now studious, now careless; now sad, +now cheerful. But the wise man, and he who is truly learned in spirit, standeth +above these changeable things, attentive not to what he may feel in himself, or +from what quarter the wind may blow, but that the whole intent of his mind may +carry him on to the due and much-desired end. For thus will he be able to +remain one and the same and unshaken, the single eye of his desire being +steadfastly fixed, through the manifold changes of the world, upon Me. +</p> + +<p> +2. “But according as the eye of intention be the more pure, even so will +a man make his way steadfastly through the manifold storms. But in many the eye +of pure intention waxeth dim; for it quickly resteth itself upon anything +pleasant which occurreth, and rarely is any man found altogether free from the +blemish of self-seeking. So the Jews of old came to Bethany, to the house of +Martha and Mary, that they might see not Jesus, but Lazarus, whom he had raised +from the dead.(1) Therefore must the eye of the intention be cleansed, that it +may be single and right, and above all things which come in its way, may be +directed unto Me.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) John xii. 9. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap71"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things +</p> + +<p> +Behold, God is mine, and all things are mine! What will I more, and what more +happy thing can I desire? O delightsome and sweet world! that is, to him that +loveth the Word, not the world, neither the things that are in the world.(1) My +God, my all! To him that understandeth, that word sufficeth, and to repeat it +often is pleasing to him that loveth it. When Thou art present all things are +pleasant; when Thou art absent, all things are wearisome. Thou makest the heart +to be at rest, givest it deep peace and festal joy. Thou makest it to think +rightly in every matter, and in every matter to give Thee praise; neither can +anything please long without Thee but if it would be pleasant and of sweet +savour, Thy grace must be there, and it is Thy wisdom which must give unto it a +sweet savour. +</p> + +<p> +2. To him who tasteth Thee, what can be distasteful? And to him who tasteth +Thee not, what is there which can make him joyous? But the worldly wise, and +they who enjoy the flesh, these fail in Thy wisdom; for in the wisdom of the +world is found utter vanity, and to be carnally minded is death. But they who +follow after Thee through contempt of worldly things, and mortification of the +flesh, are found to be truly wise because they are carried from vanity to +verity, from the flesh to the spirit. They taste that the Lord is good, and +whatsoever good they find in creatures, they count it all unto the praise of +the Creator. Unlike, yea, very unlike is the enjoyment of the Creator to +enjoyment of the Creature, the enjoyment of eternity and of time, of light +uncreated and of light reflected. +</p> + +<p> +3. O Light everlasting, surpassing all created lights, dart down Thy ray from +on high which shall pierce the inmost depths of my heart. Give purity, joy, +clearness, life to my spirit that with all its powers it may cleave unto Thee +with rapture passing man’s understanding. Oh when shall that blessed and +longed-for time come when Thou shalt satisfy me with Thy presence, and be unto +me All in all? So long as this is delayed, my joy shall not be full. Still, ah +me! the old man liveth in me: he is not yet all crucified, not yet quite dead; +still he lusteth fiercely against the spirit, wageth inward wars, nor suffereth +the soul’s kingdom to be in peace. +</p> + +<p> +4. But Thou who rulest the raging of the sea, and stillest the waves thereof +when they arise, rise up and help me. Scatter the people that delight in +war.(2) Destroy them by Thy power. Show forth, I beseech Thee, Thy might, and +let Thy right hand be glorified, for I have no hope, no refuge, save in Thee, O +Lord my God. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) 1 John ii. 15. (2) Psalm lxviii. 30. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap72"></a>CHAPTER XXXV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That there is no security against temptation in this life +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, thou art never secure in this life, but thy spiritual armour +will always be needful for thee as long as thou livest. Thou dwellest among +foes, and art attacked on the right hand and on the left. If therefore thou use +not on all sides the shield of patience, thou wilt not remain long unwounded. +Above all, if thou keep not thy heart fixed upon Me with steadfast purpose to +bear all things for My sake, thou shalt not be able to bear the fierceness of +the attack, nor to attain to the victory of the blessed. Therefore must thou +struggle bravely all thy life through, and put forth a strong hand against +those things which oppose thee. For to him that overcometh is the hidden manna +given,(1) but great misery is reserved for the slothful. +</p> + +<p> +2. “If thou seek rest in this life, how then wilt thou attain unto the +rest which is eternal? Set not thyself to attain much rest, but much patience. +Seek the true peace, not in earth but in heaven, not in man nor in any created +thing, but in God alone. For the love of God thou must willingly undergo all +things, whether labours or sorrows, temptations, vexations, anxieties, +necessities, infirmities, injuries, gainsayings, rebukes, humiliations, +confusions, corrections, despisings; these things help unto virtue, these +things prove the scholar of Christ; these things fashion the heavenly crown. I +will give thee an eternal reward for short labour, and infinite glory for +transient shame. +</p> + +<p> +3. “Thinkest thou that thou shalt always have spiritual consolations at +thy will? My Saints had never such, but instead thereof manifold griefs, and +divers temptations, and heavy desolations. But patiently they bore themselves +in all, and trusted in God more than in themselves, knowing that the sufferings +of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall +be revealed in us.(2) Wouldst thou have that immediately which many have hardly +attained unto after many tears and hard labours? Wait for the Lord, quit +thyself like a man and be strong; be not faint-hearted, nor go aside from Me, +but constantly devote thy body and soul to the glory of God. I will reward thee +plenteously, I will be with thee in trouble.”(3) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Revelation ii. 17. (2) Romans viii. 17. (3) Psalm xci. 15. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap73"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Against vain judgments of men +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, anchor thy soul firmly upon God, and fear not man’s +judgment, when conscience pronounceth thee pious and innocent. It is good and +blessed thus to suffer; nor will it be grievous to the heart which is humble, +and which trusteth in God more than in itself. Many men have many opinions, and +therefore little trust is to be placed in them. But moreover it is impossible +to please all. Although Paul studied to please all men in the Lord, and to +become all things to all men,(1) yet nevertheless with him it was a very small +thing that he should be judged by man’s judgment.”(2) +</p> + +<p> +2. He laboured abundantly, as much as in him lay, for the building up and the +salvation of others; but he could not avoid being sometimes judged and despised +by others. Therefore he committed all to God, who knew all, and by patience and +humility defended himself against evil speakers, or foolish and false thinkers, +and those who accused him according to their pleasure. Nevertheless, from time +to time he replied, lest his silence should become a stumbling-block to those +who were weak. +</p> + +<p> +3. “Who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die? +To-day he is, and to-morrow his place is not found. Fear God and thou shalt not +quail before the terrors of men. What can any man do against thee by words or +deeds? He hurteth himself more than thee, nor shall he escape the judgment of +God, whosoever he may be. Have thou God before thine eyes, and do not contend +with fretful words. And if for the present thou seem to give way, and to suffer +confusion which thou hast not deserved, be not angry at this, nor by impatience +diminish thy reward; but rather look up to Me in heaven, for I am able to +deliver thee from all confusion and hurt, and to render to every man according +to his works.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) 1 Corinthians ix. 22. (2) 1 Corinthians iv. 3. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap74"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of heart +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, lose thyself and thou shalt find Me. Stand still without all +choosing and all thought of self, and thou shalt ever be a gainer. For more +grace shall be added to thee, as soon as thou resignest thyself, and so long as +thou dost not turn back to take thyself again.” +</p> + +<p> +2. O Lord, how often shall I resign myself, and in what things shall I lose +myself? +</p> + +<p> +3. “Always; every hour: in that which is little, and in that which is +great. I make no exception, but will that thou be found naked in all things. +Otherwise how canst thou be Mine and I thine, unless thou be inwardly and +outwardly free from every will of thine own? The sooner thou dost this, the +better shall it be with thee; and the more fully and sincerely, the more thou +shalt please Me, and the more abundantly shalt thou be rewarded. +</p> + +<p> +4. “Some resign themselves, but with certain reservations, for they do +not fully trust in God, therefore they think that they have some provision to +make for themselves. Some again at first offer everything; but afterwards being +pressed by temptation they return to their own devices, and thus make no +progress in virtue. They will not attain to the true liberty of a pure heart, +nor to the grace of My sweet companionship, unless they first entirely resign +themselves and daily offer themselves up as a sacrifice; without this the union +which bringeth forth fruit standeth not nor will stand. +</p> + +<p> +5. “Many a time I have said unto thee, and now say again, Give thyself +up, resign thyself, and thou shalt have great inward peace. Give all for all; +demand nothing, ask nothing in return; stand simply and with no hesitation in +Me, and thou shalt possess Me. Thou shalt have liberty of heart, and the +darkness shall not overwhelm thee. For this strive thou, pray for it, long +after it, that thou mayest be delivered from all possession of thyself, and +nakedly follow Jesus who was made naked for thee; mayest die unto thyself and +live eternally to Me. Then shall all vain fancies disappear, all evil +disturbings, and superfluous cares. Then also shall immoderate fear depart from +thee, and inordinate love shall die.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap75"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of a good government in external things, and of having recourse to God in +dangers +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, for this thou must diligently make thy endeavour, that in every +place and outward action or occupation thou mayest be free within, and have +power over thyself; and that all things be under thee, not thou under them; +that thou be master and ruler of thy actions, not a slave or hireling, but +rather a free and true Hebrew, entering into the lot and the liberty of the +children of God, who stand above the present and look upon the eternal, who +with the left eye behold things transitory, and with the right things heavenly; +whom temporal things draw not to cleave unto, but who rather draw temporal +things to do them good service, even as they were ordained of God to do, and +appointed by the Master Workman, who hath left nought in His creation without +aim and end. +</p> + +<p> +2. “And if in any chance of life thou stand not in outward appearances, +nor judgest things which are seen and heard by the fleshly sense, but +straightway in every cause enterest with Moses into the tabernacle to ask +counsel of God; thou shalt hear a divine response and come forth instructed +concerning many things that are and shall be. For always Moses had recourse to +the tabernacle for the solving of all doubts and questionings; and fled to the +help of prayer to be delivered from the dangers and evil deeds of men. Thus +also oughtest thou to fly to the secret chamber of thy heart, and earnestly +implore the divine succour. For this cause we read that Joshua and the children +of Israel were deceived by the Gibeonites, that they asked not counsel at the +mouth of the Lord,(1) but being too ready to listen to fair speeches, were +deceived by pretended piety.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Joshua ix. 14. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap76"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That man must not be immersed in business +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, always commit thy cause to Me; I will dispose it aright in due +time. Wait for My arrangement of it, and then thou shalt find it for thy +profit.” +</p> + +<p> +2. O Lord, right freely I commit all things to Thee; for my planning can profit +but little. Oh that I did not dwell so much on future events, but could offer +myself altogether to Thy pleasures without delay. +</p> + +<p> +3. “My Son, a man often striveth vehemently after somewhat which he +desireth; but when he hath obtained it he beginneth to be of another mind, +because his affections towards it are not lasting, but rather rush on from one +thing to another. Therefore it is not really a small thing, when in small +things we resist self.” +</p> + +<p> +4. The true progress of man lieth in self-denial, and a man who denieth himself +is free and safe. But the old enemy, opposer of all good things, ceaseth not +from temptation; but day and night setteth his wicked snares, if haply he may +be able to entrap the unwary. Watch and pray, saith the Lord, lest ye enter +into temptation.(1) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Matthew xxvi. 41. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap77"></a>CHAPTER XL</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That man hath no good in himself, and nothing whereof to glory +</p> + +<p> +Lord, what is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that Thou +visitest him?(1) What hath man deserved, that Thou shouldest bestow thy favour +upon him? Lord, what cause can I have of complaint, if Thou forsake me? Or what +can I justly allege, if Thou refuse to hear my petition? Of a truth, this I may +truly think and say, Lord, I am nothing, I have nothing that is good of myself, +but I fall short in all things, and ever tend unto nothing. And unless I am +helped by Thee and inwardly supported, I become altogether lukewarm and +reckless. +</p> + +<p> +2. But Thou, O Lord, art always the same, and endurest for ever, always good, +righteous, and holy; doing all things well, righteously, and holily, and +disposing all in Thy wisdom. But I who am more ready to go forward than +backward, never continue in one stay, because changes sevenfold pass over me. +Yet it quickly becometh better when it so pleaseth Thee, and Thou puttest forth +Thy hand to help me; because Thou alone canst aid without help of man, and +canst so strengthen me that my countenance shall be no more changed, but my +heart shall be turned to Thee, and rest in Thee alone. +</p> + +<p> +3. Wherefore, if I but knew well how to reject all human consolations, whether +for the sake of gaining devotion, or because of the necessity by which I was +compelled to seek Thee, seeing there is no man who can comfort me; then could I +worthily trust in Thy grace, and rejoice in the gift of new consolation. +</p> + +<p> +4. Thanks be to Thee, from whom all cometh, whensoever it goeth well with me! +But I am vanity and nothing in Thy sight, a man inconstant and weak. What then +have I whereof to glory, or why do I long to be held in honour? Is it not for +nought? This also is utterly vain. Verily vain glory is an evil plague, the +greatest of vanities, because it draweth us away from the true glory, and +robbeth us of heavenly grace. For whilst a man pleaseth himself he displeaseth +Thee; whilst he gapeth after the praises of man, he is deprived of true +virtues. +</p> + +<p> +5. But true glory and holy rejoicing lieth in glorying in Thee and not in self; +in rejoicing in Thy Name, not in our own virtue; in not taking delight in any +creature, save only for Thy sake. Let thy Name, not mine be praised; let Thy +work, not mine be magnified; let Thy holy Name be blessed, but to me let nought +be given of the praises of men. Thou art my glory, Thou art the joy of my +heart. In Thee will I make my boast and be glad all the day long, but for +myself let me not glory save only in my infirmities.(2) +</p> + +<p> +6. Let the Jews seek the honour which cometh from one another; but I will ask +for that which cometh from God only.(3) Truly all human glory, all temporal +honour, all worldly exultation, compared to Thy eternal glory, is but vanity +and folly. O God my Truth and my Mercy, Blessed Trinity, to Thee alone be all +praise, honour, power, and glory for ever and for ever. Amen. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm viii. 4. (2) 2 Corinthians xii. 5. (3) John v. 44. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap78"></a>CHAPTER XLI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of contempt of all temporal honour +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, make it no matter of thine, if thou see others honoured and +exalted, and thyself despised and humbled. Lift up thine heart to Me in heaven, +and then the contempt of men upon earth will not make thee sad.” +</p> + +<p> +2. O Lord, we are in blindness, and are quickly seduced by vanity. If I look +rightly within myself, never was injury done unto me by any creature, and +therefore I have nought whereof to complain before Thee. But because I have +many times and grievously sinned against Thee, all creatures do justly take +arms against me. Therefore to me confusion and contempt are justly due, but to +Thee praise and honour and glory. And except I dispose myself for this, namely, +to be willing that every creature should despise and desert me, and that I +should be esteemed altogether as nothing, I cannot be inwardly filled with +peace and strength, nor spiritually enlightened, nor fully united to Thee. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap79"></a>CHAPTER XLII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That our peace is not to be placed in men +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, if thou set thy peace on any person because thou hast high +opinion of him, and art familiar with him, thou shalt be unstable and +entangled. But if thou betake thyself to the ever-living and abiding Truth, the +desertion or death of a friend shall not make thee sad. In Me ought the love of +thy friend to subsist, and for My sake is every one to be loved, whosoever he +be, who appeareth to thee good, and is very dear to thee in this life. Without +Me friendship hath no strength or endurance, neither is that love true and +pure, which I unite not. Thou oughtest to be so dead to such affections of +beloved friends, that as far as in thee lieth, thou wouldst rather choose to be +without any companionship of men. The nearer a man approacheth to God, the +further he recedeth from all earthly solace. The deeper also he descendeth into +himself, and the viler he appeareth in his own eyes, the higher he ascendeth +towards God. +</p> + +<p> +2. “But he who attributeth anything good to himself, hindereth the grace +of God from coming to him, because the grace of the Holy Ghost ever seeketh the +humble heart. If thou couldst make thyself utterly nothing, and empty thyself +of the love of every creature, then should it be My part to overflow unto thee +with great grace. When thou settest thine eyes upon creatures, the face of the +Creator is withdrawn from thee. Learn in all things to conquer thyself for thy +Creator’s sake, then shalt thou be able to attain unto divine knowledge. +How small soever anything be, if it be loved and regarded inordinately, it +holdeth us back from the highest good, and corrupteth.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap80"></a>CHAPTER XLIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Against vain and worldly knowledge +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, let not the fair and subtle sayings of men move thee. For the +kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.(1) Give ear to My words, for they +kindle the heart and enlighten the mind, they bring contrition, and they supply +manifold consolations. Never read thou the word that thou mayest appear more +learned or wise; but study for the mortification of thy sins, for this will be +far more profitable for thee than the knowledge of many difficult questions. +</p> + +<p> +2. “When thou hast read and learned many things, thou must always return +to one first principle. I am He that teacheth man knowledge,(2) and I give unto +babes clearer knowledge than can be taught by man. He to whom I speak will be +quickly wise and shall grow much in the spirit. Woe unto them who inquire into +many curious questions from men, and take little heed concerning the way of My +service. The time will come when Christ will appear, the Master of masters, the +Lord of the Angels, to hear the lessons of all, that is to examine the +consciences of each one. And then will He search Jerusalem with candles,(3) and +the hidden things of darkness(4) shall be made manifest, and the arguings of +tongues shall be silent. +</p> + +<p> +3. “I am He who in an instant lift up the humble spirit, to learn more +reasonings of the Eternal Truth, than if a man had studied ten years in the +schools. I teach without noise of words, without confusion of opinions, without +striving after honour, without clash of arguments. I am He who teach men to +despise earthly things, to loathe things present, to seek things heavenly, to +enjoy things eternal, to flee honours, to endure offences, to place all hope in +Me, to desire nothing apart from Me, and above all things to love Me ardently. +</p> + +<p> +4. “For there was one, who by loving Me from the bottom of his heart, +learned divine things, and spake things that were wonderful; he profited more +by forsaking all things than by studying subtleties. But to some I speak common +things, to others special; to some I appear gently in signs and figures, and +again to some I reveal mysteries in much light. The voice of books is one, but +it informeth not all alike; because I inwardly am the Teacher of truth, the +Searcher of the heart, the Discerner of the thoughts, the Mover of actions, +distributing to each man, as I judge meet.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) 1 Corinthians iv. 20. (2) Psalm xciv. 10. (3) Zephaniah i. 12. (4) 1 +Corinthians iv. 5. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap81"></a>CHAPTER XLIV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of not troubling ourselves about outward things +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, in many things it behoveth thee to be ignorant, and to esteem +thyself as one dead upon the earth, and as one to whom the whole world is +crucified. Many things also thou must pass by with deaf ear, and must rather +think upon those things which belong unto thy peace. It is more profitable to +turn away thine eyes from those things that displease, and to leave each man to +his own opinion, than to give thyself to discourses of strife. If thou stand +well with God and hast His judgment in thy mind, thou wilt verily easily bear +to be as one conquered.” +</p> + +<p> +2. O Lord, to what have we come? Behold a temporal loss is mourned over; for a +trifling gain we labour and hurry; and spiritual loss passeth away into +forgetfulness, and we rarely recover it. That which profiteth little or nothing +is looked after, and that which is altogether necessary is negligently passed +by; because the whole man slideth away to outward things, and unless he quickly +recovereth himself in outward things he willingly lieth down. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap82"></a>CHAPTER XLV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That we must not believe everyone, and that we are prone to fall in our words +</p> + +<p> +Lord, be thou my help in trouble, for vain is the help of man.(1) How often +have I failed to find faithfulness, where I thought I possessed it. How many +times I have found it where I least expected. Vain therefore is hope in men, +but the salvation of the just, O God, is in Thee. Blessed be thou, O Lord my +God, in all things which happen unto us. We are weak and unstable, we are +quickly deceived and quite changed. +</p> + +<p> +2. Who is the man who is able to keep himself so warily and circumspectly as +not sometimes to come into some snare of perplexity? But he who trusteth in +Thee, O Lord, and seeketh Thee with an unfeigned heart, doth not so easily +slip. And if he fall into any tribulation, howsoever he may be entangled, yet +very quickly he shall be delivered through Thee, or by Thee shall be comforted, +because Thou wilt not forsake him that trusteth in Thee unto the end. A friend +who continueth faithful in all the distresses of his friend is rare to be +found. Thou, O Lord, Thou alone art most faithful in all things, and there is +none other like unto Thee. +</p> + +<p> +3. Oh, how truly wise was that holy soul which said, “My mind is +steadfastly fixed, and it is grounded in Christ.”(2) If thus it were with +me, the fear of man should not so easily tempt me, nor the arrows of words move +me. Who is sufficient to foresee all things, who to guard beforehand against +future ills? If even things which are foreseen sometimes hurt us, what can +things which are not foreseen do, but grievously injure? But wherefore have I +not better provided for myself, miserable that I am? Why, too, have I given +such heed to others? But we are men, nor are we other than frail men, even +though by many we are reckoned and called angels. Whom shall I trust, O Lord, +whom shall I trust but Thee? Thou art the Truth, and deceivest not, nor canst +be deceived. And on the other hand, Every man is a liar,(3) weak, unstable and +frail, especially in his words, so that one ought scarcely ever to believe what +seemeth to sound right on the face of it. +</p> + +<p> +4. With what wisdom hast thou warned us beforehand to beware of men, and that a +man’s foes are they of his own household,(4) and that we must not believe +if one say unto us Lo here, or Lo there.(5) I have been taught by my loss, and +O that I may prove more careful and not foolish hereby. “Be +cautious,” saith some one: “be cautious, keep unto thyself what I +tell thee.” And whilst I am silent and believe that it is hid with me, he +himself cannot keep silence concerning it, but straightway betrayeth me and +himself, and goeth his way. Protect me, O Lord, from such mischief-making and +reckless men; let me not fall into their hands, nor ever do such things myself. +Put a true and steadfast word into my mouth, and remove a deceitful tongue far +from me. What I would not suffer, I ought by all means to beware of doing. +</p> + +<p> +5. Oh, how good and peacemaking a thing it is to be silent concerning others, +and not carelessly to believe all reports, nor to hand them on further; how +good also to lay one’s self open to few, to seek ever to have Thee as the +beholder of the heart; not to be carried about with every wind of words, but to +desire that all things inward and outward be done according to the good +pleasure of Thy will! How safe for the preserving of heavenly grace to fly from +human approval, and not to long after the things which seem to win admiration +abroad, but to follow with all earnestness those things which bring amendment +of life and heavenly fervour! How many have been injured by their virtue being +made known and too hastily praised. How truly profitable hath been grace +preserved in silence in this frail life, which, as we are told, is all +temptation and warfare. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm lx. 11. (2) St. Agatha. (3) Psalm cxvi. 11; Romans iii. 4. (4) +Matthew x. 17, 36. (5) Matthew xxiv. 23. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap83"></a>CHAPTER XLVI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, stand fast and believe in Me. For what are words but words? They +fly through the air, but they bruise no stone. If thou are guilty, think how +thou wouldst gladly amend thyself; if thou knowest nothing against thyself, +consider that thou wilt gladly bear this for God’s sake. It is little +enough that thou sometimes hast to bear hard words, for thou art not yet able +to bear hard blows. And wherefore do such trivial matters go to thine heart, +except that thou art yet carnal, and regardest men more than thou oughtest? For +because thou fearest to be despised, thou art unwilling to be reproved for thy +faults, and seekest paltry shelters of excuses. +</p> + +<p> +2. “But look better into thyself, and thou shalt know that the world is +still alive in thee, and the vain love of pleasing men. For when thou fleest +away from being abased and confounded for thy faults, it is plain that thou art +neither truly humble nor truly dead to the world, and that the world is not +crucified to thee. But hearken to My word, and thou shalt not care for ten +thousand words of men. Behold, if all things could be said against thee which +the utmost malice could invent, what should it hurt thee if thou wert +altogether to let it go, and make no more account of it than of a mote? Could +it pluck out a single hair of thy head? +</p> + +<p> +3. “But he that hath no heart within him, and hath not God before his +eyes, is easily moved by a word of reproach; but he who trusteth in Me, and +seeketh not to abide by his own judgment, shall be free from the fear of men. +For I am the Judge and the Discerner of all secrets; I know how the thing hath +been done; I know both the injurer and the bearer. From Me went forth that +word, by My permission this hath happened, that the thoughts of many hearts may +be revealed.(1) I shall judge the guilty and the innocent; but beforehand I +have willed to try them both by a secret judgment. +</p> + +<p> +4. “The testimony of men often deceiveth. My judgment is true; it will +stand, and it shall not be overturned. It commonly lieth hid, and only to few +in certain cases is it made known; yet it never erreth, nor can err, although +it seem not right to the eyes of foolish men. To Me, therefore, must men have +recourse in all judgment, and must not lean to their opinion. For there shall +no evil happen to the just,(2) whatsoever may be sent to him by God. Even +though some unjust charge be brought against him, he will care little; nor, +again, will he exult above measure, if through others he be clearly vindicated. +For he considereth that I am He who try the hearts and reins,(3) who judge not +outwardly and according to human appearance; for often in Mine eyes that is +found blameworthy which in the judgment of men is held worthy of praise.” +</p> + +<p> +5. O Lord God, O Judge, just, strong, and patient, who knowest the frailty and +sinfulness of men, be Thou my strength and my whole confidence; for my own +conscience sufficeth me not. Thou knowest what I know not; and therefore ought +I under all rebuke to humble myself, and to bear it meekly. Therefore +mercifully forgive me as often as I have not done this, and grant me the next +time the grace of greater endurance. For better unto me is Thine abundant pity +for the attainment of Thy pardon, than the righteousness which I believe myself +to have for defence against my conscience, which lieth wait against me. +Although I know nothing against myself, yet I am not hereby justified,(4) +because if Thy mercy were removed away, in Thy sight should no man living be +justified.(5) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Luke ii. 35. (2) Proverbs xii. 21. (3) Psalm vii. 9. (4) 1 Corinthians iv. +4. (5) Psalm cxliii. 2. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap84"></a>CHAPTER XLVII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, let not the labours which thou hast undertaken for Me break thee +down, nor let tribulations cast thee down in any wise, but let my promise +strengthen and comfort thee in every event. I am sufficient to reward thee +above all measure and extent. Not long shalt thou labour here, nor always be +weighed down with sorrows. Wait yet a little while, and thou shalt see a speedy +end of thine evils. An hour shall come when all labour and confusion shall +cease. Little and short is all that passeth away with time. +</p> + +<p> +2. “Do earnestly what thou dost; labour faithfully in My vineyard; I will +be thy reward. Write, read, sing, weep, be silent, pray, endure adversities +manfully; eternal life is worthy of all these conflicts, yea, and of greater. +Peace shall come in one day which is known to the Lord; which shall be neither +day nor night,(1) but light eternal, infinite clearness, steadfast peace, and +undisturbed rest. Thou shalt not say then, <i>Who shall deliver me from the +body of this death?</i>(2) nor cry out, <i>Woe is me, for my sojourning is +prolonged</i>,(3) because death will be utterly destroyed, and there shall be +salvation which can never fail, no more anxiety, happy delight, sweet and noble +society. +</p> + +<p> +3. “Oh, if thou sawest the unfading crowns of the Saints in heaven, and +with what great glory they now rejoice, who aforetime were reckoned by this +world contemptibly and as it were unworthy of life, truly thou wouldst +immediately humble thyself even to the earth, and wouldst desire rather to be +in subjection to all, than to have authority over one; nor wouldst thou long +for pleasant days of this life, but wouldst more rejoice to be afflicted for +God’s sake, and wouldst esteem it gain to be counted for nought amongst +men. +</p> + +<p> +4. “Oh, if these things were sweet to thy taste, and moved thee to the +bottom of thine heart, how shouldst thou dare even once to complain? Are not +all laborious things to be endured for the sake of eternal life? It is no small +thing, the losing or gaining the Kingdom of God. Lift up therefore thy face to +heaven. Behold, I and all My Saints with Me, who in this world had a hard +conflict, now rejoice, are now comforted, are now secure, are now at peace, and +shall remain with Me evermore in the Kingdom of My Father.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Zechariah xiv. 7. (2) Romans vii. 24. (3) Psalm cxx. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap85"></a>CHAPTER XLVIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the day of eternity and of the straitnesses of this life +</p> + +<p> +Oh most blessed mansion of the City which is above! Oh most clear day of +eternity which the night obscureth not, but the Supreme Truth ever +enlighteneth! Day always joyful, always secure and never changing its state +into those which are contrary. Oh would that this day might shine forth, and +that all these temporal things would come to an end. It shineth indeed upon the +Saints, glowing with unending brightness, but only from afar and through a +glass, upon those who are pilgrims on the earth. +</p> + +<p> +2. The citizens of heaven know how glorious that day is; the exiled sons of Eve +groan, because this is bitter and wearisome. The days of this life are few and +evil, full of sorrows and straits, where man is defiled with many sins, +ensnared with many passions, bound fast with many fears, wearied with many +cares, distracted with many questionings, entangled with many vanities, +compassed about with many errors, worn away with many labours, weighed down +with temptations, enervated by pleasures, tormented by poverty. +</p> + +<p> +3. Oh when shall there be an end of these evils? When shall I be delivered from +the wretched slavery of my sins? When shall I be mindful, O Lord, of Thee +alone? When shall I rejoice in Thee to the full? When shall I be in true +liberty without any impediment, without any burden on mind or body? When shall +there be solid peace, peace immovable and secure, peace within and without, +peace firm on every side? Blessed Jesus, when shall I stand to behold Thee? +When shall I gaze upon the glory of Thy kingdom? When shalt Thou be to me all +in all? Oh when shall I be with Thee in Thy Kingdom which Thou hast prepared +from the foundation of the world for them that love Thee? I am left destitute, +an exile in a hostile land, where are daily wars and grievous misfortunes. +</p> + +<p> +4. Console my exile, mitigate my sorrow, for towards Thee all my desire +longeth. For all is to me a burden, whatsoever this world offereth for +consolation. I yearn to enjoy Thee intimately, but I cannot attain unto it. I +long to cleave to heavenly things, but temporal things and unmortified passions +press me down. In my mind I would be above all things, but in my flesh I am +unwillingly compelled to be beneath them. So, wretched man that I am, I fight +with myself, and am made grievous even unto myself, while the spirit seeketh to +be above and the flesh to be beneath. +</p> + +<p> +5. Oh how I suffer inwardly, while with the mind I discourse on heavenly +things, and presently a crowd of carnal things rusheth upon me whilst I pray. +My God, be not Thou far from me, nor depart in wrath from Thy servant. Cast +forth Thy lightning and scatter them; send out Thine arrows,(1) and let all +delusions of my enemy be confounded. Recall my senses unto Thyself, cause me to +forget all worldly things; grant me quickly to cast away and despise the +imaginations of sin. Succour me, O Eternal Truth, that no vanity may move me. +Come unto me, O Heavenly Sweetness, and let all impurity flee from before Thy +face. Pardon me also, and of Thy mercy deal gently with me, whensoever in +prayer I think on anything besides Thee; for truly I confess that I am wont to +be continually distracted. For often and often, where in the body I stand or +sit, there I myself am not; but rather am I there, whither I am borne by my +thoughts. Where my thought is, there am I; and there commonly is my thought +where that which I love is. That readily occurreth to me, which naturally +delighteth, or pleaseth through custom. +</p> + +<p> +6. Wherefore Thou, who art the Truth, hast plainly said, Where your treasure +is, there will your heart be also.(2) If I love heaven, I gladly meditate on +heavenly things. If I love the world, I rejoice in the delights of the world, +and am made sorry by its adversities. If I love the flesh, I am continually +imagining the things which belong to the flesh; if I love the spirit, I am +delighted by meditating on spiritual things. For whatsoever things I love, on +these I readily converse and listen, and carry home with me the images of them. +But blessed is that man who for Thy sake, O Lord, is willing to part from all +creatures; who doth violence to his fleshly nature and crucifieth the lusts of +the flesh by the fervour of his spirit, so that with serene conscience he may +offer unto Thee a pure prayer, and be made worthy to enter into the angelic +choirs, having shut out from himself, both outwardly and inwardly, all worldly +things. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm lxxi. 12. (2) Matthew vi. 21. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap86"></a>CHAPTER XLIX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the desire after eternal life, and how great blessings are promised to those +who strive +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, when thou feelest the desire of eternal happiness to be poured +into thee from above, and longest to depart from the tabernacle of this body, +that thou mayest contemplate My glory without shadow of turning, enlarge thine +heart, and take in this holy inspiration with all thy desire. Give most hearty +thanks to the Supreme Goodness, who dealeth with thee so graciously, visiteth +thee so lovingly, stirreth thee up so fervently, raiseth thee so powerfully, +lest thou sink down through thine own weight, to earthly things. For not by +thine own meditating or striving dost thou receive this gift, but by the sole +gracious condescension of Supreme Grace and Divine regard; to the end that thou +mayest make progress in virtue and in more humility, and prepare thyself for +future conflicts, and cleave unto Me with all the affection of thy heart, and +strive to serve Me with fervent will. +</p> + +<p> +2. “My Son, often the fire burneth, but the flame ascendeth not without +smoke. So also the desires of some men burn towards heavenly things, and yet +they are not free from the temptation of carnal affection. Thus therefore they +are not acting with an altogether simple desire for God’s glory when they +pray to Him so earnestly. Such, too, is oftentimes thy desire, when thou hast +imagined it to be so earnest. For that is not pure and perfect which is tainted +with thine own self-seeking. +</p> + +<p> +3. “Seek thou not what is pleasant and advantageous to thyself, but what +is acceptable and honourable unto Me; for if thou judgest rightly, thou must +choose and follow after My appointment rather than thine own desire; yea, +rather than anything that can be desired. I know thy desire, and I have heard +thy many groanings. Already thou longest to be in the glorious liberty of the +children of God; already the eternal home delighteth thee, and the heavenly +country full of joy; but the hour is not yet come; there remaineth still +another season, even a season of warfare, a season of labour and probation. +Thou desirest to be filled with the Chief Good, but thou canst not attain it +immediately. I <small>AM</small> that Good; wait for Me, until the Kingdom of +God shall come. +</p> + +<p> +4. “Thou must still be tried upon earth, and be exercised in many things. +Consolation shall from time to time be given thee, but abundant satisfying +shall not be granted. Be strong therefore, and be thou brave both in working +and in suffering things which are against thy nature. Thou must put on the new +man, and be changed into another man. Thou must often do what thou wouldst not; +and thou must leave undone what thou wouldst do. What pleaseth others shall +have good success, what pleaseth thee shall have no prosperity. What others say +shall be listened to; what thou sayest shall receive no heed. Others shall ask +and receive; thou shalt ask and not obtain. Others shall be great in the report +of men, but about thee shall nothing be spoken. To others this or that shall be +entrusted; thou shalt be judged useful for nought. +</p> + +<p> +5. “For this cause nature shall sometimes be filled with sadness; and it +is a great thing if thou bear it silently. In this and many like things the +faithful servant of the Lord is wont to be tried, how far he is able to deny +himself and bring himself into subjection in all things. Scarcely is there +anything in which thou hast need to mortify thyself so much as in seeing things +which are adverse to thy will; especially when things are commanded thee to be +done which seem to thee inexpedient or of little use to thee. And because thou +darest not resist a higher power, being under authority, therefore it seemeth +hard for thee to shape thy course according to the nod of another, and to +forego thine own opinion. +</p> + +<p> +6. “But consider, My Son, the fruit of these labours, the swift end, and +the reward exceeding great; and thou shalt find it no pain to bear them then, +but rather the strongest solace of thy patience. For even in exchange for this +trifling desire which thou hast readily forsaken, thou shalt always have thy +will in Heaven. There verily thou shalt find all that thou wouldst, all that +thou canst long for. There thou shalt have all good within thy power without +the fear of losing it. There thy will, ever at one with Mine, shall desire +nothing outward, nothing for itself. There no man shall withstand thee, none +shall complain of thee, none shall hinder, nothing shall stand in thy path; but +all things desired by thee shall be present together, and shall refresh thy +whole affection, and fill it up even to the brim. There I will glory for the +scorn suffered here, the garment of praise for sorrow, and for the lowest place +a throne in the Kingdom, for ever. There shall appear the fruit of obedience, +the labour of repentance shall rejoice, and humble subjection shall be crowned +gloriously. +</p> + +<p> +7. “Now therefore bow thyself humbly under the hands of all men; nor let +it trouble thee who said this or who ordered that; but take special heed that +whether thy superior, thy inferior, or thy equal, require anything from thee, +or even show a desire for it; take it all in good part, and study with a good +will to fulfil the desire. Let one seek this, another that; let this man glory +in this, and that man in that, and be praised a thousand thousand times, but +rejoice thou only in the contempt of thyself, and in Mine own good pleasure and +glory. This is what thou art to long for, even that whether by life or by death +God may be ever magnified in thee.”(1) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Philippians i. 20. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap87"></a>CHAPTER L</h3> + +<p class="center"> +How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God +</p> + +<p> +O Lord, Holy Father, be Thou blessed now and evermore; because as Thou wilt so +it is done, and what Thou doest is good. Let Thy servant rejoice in Thee, not +in himself, nor in any other; because Thou alone art the true joy, Thou art my +hope and my crown, Thou art my joy and my honour, O Lord. What hath Thy +servant, which he received not from Thee, even without merit of his own? Thine +are all things which Thou hast given, and which Thou hast made. I am poor and +in misery even from my youth up,(1) and my soul is sorrowful unto tears, +sometimes also it is disquieted within itself, because of the sufferings which +are coming upon it. +</p> + +<p> +2. I long after the joy of peace; for the peace of Thy children do I beseech, +for in the light of Thy comfort they are fed by Thee. If Thou give peace, if +Thou pour into me holy joy, the soul of Thy servant shall be full of melody, +and devout in Thy praise. But if Thou withdraw Thyself as too often Thou art +wont, he will not be able to run in the way of Thy commandments, but rather he +will smite his breast and will bow his knees; because it is not with him as +yesterday and the day before, when <i>Thy candle shined upon his head</i>,(2) +and <i>he walked under the shadow of Thy wings</i>,(3) from the temptations +which beset him. +</p> + +<p> +3. O Father, righteous and ever to be praised, the hour cometh when Thy servant +is to be proved. O beloved Father, it is well that in this hour Thy servant +suffer somewhat for Thy sake. O Father, evermore to be adored, as the hour +cometh which Thou foreknewest from everlasting, when for a little while Thy +servant should outwardly bow down, but always live inwardly with Thee; when for +a little while he should be little regarded, humbled, and fail in the eyes of +men; should be wasted with sufferings and weaknesses, to rise again with Thee +in the dawn of the new light, and be glorified in the heavenly places. O Holy +Father, thou hast ordained it so, and so hast willed it; and that is done which +Thou Thyself hast commanded. +</p> + +<p> +4. For this is Thy favour to Thy friend, that he should suffer and be troubled +in the world for Thy love’s sake, how often soever, and by whomsoever and +whosoever Thou hast suffered it to be done. Without Thy counsel and providence, +and without cause, nothing cometh to pass on the earth. It is good for me, +Lord, that I had been in trouble, that I may learn Thy statutes,(4) and may +cast away all pride of heart and presumption. It is profitable for me that +confusion hath covered my face, that I may seek to Thee for consolation rather +than unto men. By this also I have learned to dread Thine unsearchable +judgment, who afflictest the just with the wicked, but not without equity and +justice. +</p> + +<p> +5. Thanks be unto Thee, because Thou hast not spared my sins, but hast beaten +me with stripes of love, inflicting pains, and sending troubles upon me without +and within. There is none who can console me, of all things which are under +heaven, but Thou only, O Lord my God, Thou heavenly Physician of souls, who +dost scourge and hast mercy, who leadest down to hell and bringest up again.(5) +Thy discipline over me, and Thy rod itself shall teach me. +</p> + +<p> +6. Behold, O beloved Father, I am in Thy hands, I bow myself under the rod of +Thy correction. Smite my back and my neck that I may bend my crookedness to Thy +will. Make me a pious and lowly disciple, as Thou wert wont to be kind, that I +may walk according to every nod of Thine. To Thee I commend myself and all that +I have for correction; better is it to be punished here than hereafter. Thou +knowest all things and each of them; and nothing remaineth hid from Thee in +man’s conscience. Before they are, thou knowest that they will be, and +Thou needest not that any man teach Thee or admonish Thee concerning the things +which are done upon the earth. Thou knowest what is expedient for my profit, +and how greatly trouble serveth unto the scrubbing off the rust of sin. Do with +me according to Thy desired good pleasure, and despise not my life which is +full of sin, known to none so entirely and fully as to Thee alone. +</p> + +<p> +7. Grant me, O Lord, to know that which ought to be known; to love that which +ought to be loved; to praise that which pleaseth Thee most, to esteem that +which is precious in Thy sight, to blame that which is vile in Thine eyes. +Suffer me not to judge according to the sight of bodily eyes, nor to give +sentence according to the hearing of the ears of ignorant men; but to discern +in true judgment between visible and spiritual things, and above all things to +be ever seeking after the will of Thy good pleasure. +</p> + +<p> +8. Oftentimes the senses of men are deceived in judging; the lovers of the +world also are deceived in that they love only visible things. What is a man +better because by man he is reckoned very great? The deceiver deceiveth the +deceiver, the vain man the vain, the blind man the blind, the weak man the +weak, when they exalt one another; and in truth they rather put to shame, while +they foolishly praise. For as humble St. Francis saith, “What each one is +in Thine eyes, so much he is, and no more.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm lxxxviii. 15. (2) Job xxix. 3. (3) Psalm xvii. 8. (4) Psalm cxix. 71. +(5) Job xiii. 2. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap88"></a>CHAPTER LI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that +are lofty +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, thou art not always able to continue in very fervent desire +after virtues, nor to stand fast in the loftier region of contemplation; but +thou must of necessity sometimes descend to lower things because of thine +original corruption, and bear about the burden of corruptible life, though +unwillingly and with weariness. So long as thou wearest a mortal body, thou +shalt feel weariness and heaviness of heart. Therefore thou oughtest to groan +often in the flesh because of the burden of the flesh, inasmuch as thou canst +not give thyself to spiritual studies and divine contemplation unceasingly. +</p> + +<p> +2. “At such a time it is expedient for thee to flee to humble and +external works, and to renew thyself with good actions; to wait for My coming +and heavenly visitation with sure confidence; to bear thy exile and drought of +mind with patience, until thou be visited by Me again, and be freed from all +anxieties. For I will cause thee to forget thy labours, and altogether to enjoy +eternal peace. I will spread open before thee the pleasant pastures of the +Scriptures, that with enlarged heart thou mayest begin to run in the way of My +commandments. And thou shalt say, ‘The sufferings of this present time +are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in +us.’”(1) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Romans viii. 18. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap89"></a>CHAPTER LII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That a man ought not to reckon himself worthy of consolation, but more worthy +of chastisement +</p> + +<p> +O Lord, I am not worthy of Thy consolation, nor of any spiritual visitation; +and therefore Thou dealest justly with me, when Thou leavest me poor and +desolate. For if I were able to pour forth tears like the sea, still should I +not be worthy of Thy consolation. Therefore am I nothing worthy save to be +scourged and punished, because I have grievously and many a time offended Thee, +and in many things have greatly sinned. Therefore, true account being taken, I +am not worthy even of the least of Thy consolations. But Thou, gracious and +merciful God, who willest not that Thy works should perish, to show forth the +riches of Thy mercy upon the vessels of mercy,(1) vouchsafest even beyond all +his own deserving, to comfort Thy servant above the measure of mankind. For Thy +consolations are not like unto the discoursings of men. +</p> + +<p> +2. What have I done, O Lord, that Thou shouldst bestow any heavenly comfort +upon me? I remember not that I have done any good, but have been ever prone to +sin and slow to amendment. It is true and I cannot deny it. If I should say +otherwise, Thou wouldst rise up against me, and there would be none to defend +me. What have I deserved for my sins but hell and everlasting fire? In very +truth I confess that I am worthy of all scorn and contempt, nor is it fit that +I should be remembered among Thy faithful servants. And although I be unwilling +to hear this, nevertheless I will for the Truth’s sake, accuse myself of +my sins, that the more readily I may prevail to be accounted worthy of Thy +mercy. +</p> + +<p> +3. What shall I say, guilty that I am and filled with confusion? I have no +mouth to utter, unless it be this word alone, “I have sinned, Lord, I +have sinned; have mercy upon me, forgive me.” Let me alone, that I may +take comfort a little before I go whence I shall not return even to the land of +darkness and the shadow of death.(2) What dost Thou so much require of a guilty +and miserable sinner, as that he be contrite, and humble himself for his sins? +In true contrition and humiliation of heart is begotten the hope of pardon, the +troubled conscience is reconciled, lost grace is recovered, a man is preserved +from the wrath to come, and God and the penitent soul hasten to meet each other +with a holy kiss.(3) +</p> + +<p> +4. The humble contrition of sinners is an acceptable sacrifice unto Thee, O +Lord, sending forth a smell sweeter far in Thy sight than the incense. This +also is that pleasant ointment which Thou wouldst have poured upon Thy sacred +feet, for a broken and contrite heart Thou hast never despised.(4) There is the +place of refuge from the wrathful countenance of the enemy. There is amended +and washed away whatsoever evil hath elsewhere been contracted. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Romans ix. 23. (2) Job x. 20, 21. (3) Luke xv. 20. (4) Psalm li. 17. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap90"></a>CHAPTER LIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That the Grace of God doth not join itself to those who mind earthly things +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, precious is My grace, it suffereth not itself to be joined with +outward things, nor with earthly consolations. Therefore thou oughtest to cast +away all things which hinder grace, if thou longest to receive the inpouring +thereof. Seek a secret place for thyself, love to dwell alone with thyself, +desire the conversation of no one; but rather pour out thy devout prayer to +God, that thou mayest possess a contrite mind and a pure conscience. Count the +whole world as nought; seek to be alone with God before all outward things. For +thou canst not be alone with Me, and at the same time be delighted with +transitory things. Thou oughtest to be separated from thy acquaintances and +dear friends, and keep thy mind free from all worldly comfort. So the blessed +Apostle Peter beseecheth, that Christ’s faithful ones bear themselves in +this world as strangers and pilgrims.(1) +</p> + +<p> +2. “Oh how great a confidence shall there be to the dying man whom no +affection to anything detaineth in the world? But to have a heart so separated +from all things, a sickly soul doth not yet comprehend, nor doth the carnal man +know the liberty of the spiritual man. But if indeed he desire to be +spiritually minded, he must renounce both those who are far off, and those who +are near, and to beware of no man more than himself. If thou perfectly conquer +thyself, very easily shalt thou subdue all things besides. Perfect victory is +the triumph over oneself. For whoso keepeth himself in subjection, in such +manner that the sensual affections obey the reason, and the reason in all +things obeyeth Me, he truly is conqueror of himself, and lord of the world. +</p> + +<p> +3. “If thou desire to climb to this height, thou oughtest to start +bravely, and to lay the axe to the root, to the end that thou mayest pull up +and destroy the hidden inordinate inclination towards thyself, and towards all +selfish and earthly good. From this sin, that a man loveth himself too +inordinately, almost everything hangeth which needeth to be utterly overcome: +when that evil is conquered and put under foot, there shall be great peace and +tranquillity continually. But because few strive earnestly to die perfectly to +themselves, and do not heartily go forth from themselves, therefore do they +remain entangled in themselves, and cannot be raised in spirit above +themselves. But he who desireth to walk at liberty with Me, must of necessity +mortify all his evil and inordinate affections, and must cling to no creature +with selfish love.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) 1 Peter ii. 11. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap91"></a>CHAPTER LIV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, pay diligent heed to the motions of Nature and of Grace, because +they move in a very contrary and subtle manner, and are hardly distinguished +save by a spiritual and inwardly enlightened man. All men indeed seek good, and +make pretence of something good in all that they say or do; and thus under the +appearance of good many are deceived. +</p> + +<p> +2. “Nature is deceitful and draweth away, ensnareth, and deceiveth many, +and always hath self for her end; but Grace walketh in simplicity and turneth +away from every appearance of evil, maketh no false pretences, and doeth all +entirely for the sake of God, in whom also she finally resteth. +</p> + +<p> +3. “Nature is very unwilling to die, and to be pressed down, and to be +overcome, and to be in subjection, and to bear the yoke readily; but Grace +studieth self-mortification, resisteth sensuality, seeketh to be subdued, +longeth to be conquered, and willeth not to use her own liberty. She loveth to +be held by discipline, and not to have authority over any, but always to live, +to remain, to have her being under God, and for God’s sake is ready to be +humbly subject to every ordinance of man. +</p> + +<p> +4. “Nature laboureth for her own advantage, and considereth what profit +she may gain from another; but Grace considereth more, not what may be useful +and convenient to self, but what may be profitable to the many. +</p> + +<p> +5. “Nature willingly receiveth honour and reverence; but Grace faithfully +ascribeth all honour and glory to God. +</p> + +<p> +6. “Nature feareth confusion and contempt, but Grace rejoiceth to suffer +shame for the name of Jesus. +</p> + +<p> +7. “Nature loveth ease and bodily quiet; Grace cannot be unemployed, but +gladly embraceth labour. +</p> + +<p> +8. “Nature seeketh to possess things curious and attractive, and +abhorreth those which are rough and cheap; Grace is delighted with things +simple and humble, despiseth not those which are rough, nor refuseth to be +clothed with old garments. +</p> + +<p> +9. “Nature hath regard to things temporal, rejoiceth in earthly lucre, is +made sad by loss, vexed by any little injurious word; but Grace reacheth after +things eternal, cleaveth not to those which are temporal, is not perturbed by +losses, nor embittered by any hard words, because she hath placed her treasure +and joy in heaven where nought perisheth. +</p> + +<p> +10. “Nature is covetous, and receiveth more willingly than she giveth, +loveth things that are personal and private to herself; while Grace is kind and +generous, avoideth selfishness, is contented with a little, believeth that it +is more blessed to give than to receive. +</p> + +<p> +11. “Nature inclineth thee to created things, to thine own flesh, to +vanities and dissipation; but Grace draweth to God and to virtues, renounceth +creatures, fleeth from the world, hateth the desires of the flesh, restraineth +vagaries, blusheth to be seen in public. +</p> + +<p> +12. “Nature is glad to receive some outward solace in which the senses +may have delight; but Grace seeketh to be comforted in God alone, and to have +delight in the chief good above all visible things. +</p> + +<p> +13. “Nature doeth everything for her own gain and profit, can do nothing +as a free favour, but hopeth to attain something as good or better, or some +praise or favour for her benefits; and she loveth that her own deeds and gifts +should be highly valued; but Grace seeketh nothing temporal, nor requireth any +other gift of reward than God alone; neither longeth she for more of temporal +necessities than such as may suffice for the attaining of eternal life. +</p> + +<p> +14. “Nature rejoiceth in many friends and kinsfolk, she boasteth of noble +place and noble birth, she smileth on the powerful, flattereth the rich, +applaudeth those who are like herself; but Grace loveth even her enemies, and +is not lifted up by the multitude of friends, setteth no store upon high place +or high birth, unless there be greater virtue therewith; favoureth the poor man +more than the rich, hath more sympathy with the innocent than with the +powerful; rejoiceth with the truthful, not with the liar; always exhorteth the +good to strive after better gifts of grace, and to become by holiness like unto +the Son of God. +</p> + +<p> +15. “Nature quickly complaineth of poverty and of trouble; Grace beareth +want with constancy. +</p> + +<p> +16. “Nature looketh upon all things in reference to herself; striveth and +argueth for self; but Grace bringeth back all things to God from whom they came +at the beginning; ascribeth no good to herself nor arrogantly presumeth; is not +contentious, nor preferreth her own opinion to others, but in every sense and +understanding submitteth herself to the Eternal wisdom and the Divine judgment. +</p> + +<p> +17. “Nature is eager to know secrets and to hear new things; she loveth +to appear abroad, and to make experience of many things through the senses; she +desireth to be acknowledged and to do those things which win praise and +admiration; but Grace careth not to gather up new or curious things, because +all this springeth from the old corruption, whereas there is nothing new or +lasting upon earth. So she teacheth to restrain the senses, to shun vain +complacency and ostentation, to hide humbly those things which merit praise and +real admiration, and from everything and in all knowledge to seek after useful +fruit, and the praise and honour of God. She desireth not to receive praise for +herself or her own, but longeth that God be blessed in all His gifts, who out +of unmingled love bestoweth all things.” +</p> + +<p> +18. This Grace is a supernatural light, and a certain special gift of God, and +the proper mark of the elect, and the pledge of eternal salvation; it exalteth +a man from earthly things to love those that are heavenly; and it maketh the +carnal man spiritual. So far therefore as Nature is utterly pressed down and +overcome, so far is greater Grace bestowed and the inner man is daily created +anew by fresh visitations, after the image of God. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap92"></a>CHAPTER LV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace +</p> + +<p> +O Lord my God, who hast created me after thine own image and similitude, grant +me this grace, which Thou hast shown to be so great and so necessary for +salvation, that I may conquer my wicked nature, which draweth me to sin and to +perdition. For I feel in my flesh the law of sin, contradicting the law of my +mind, and bringing me into captivity to the obedience of sensuality in many +things; nor can I resist its passions, unless Thy most holy grace assist me, +fervently poured into my heart. +</p> + +<p> +2. There is need of Thy grace, yea, and of a great measure thereof, that my +nature may be conquered, which hath alway been prone to evil from my youth. For +being fallen through the first man Adam, and corrupted through sin, the +punishment of this stain descended upon all men; so that Nature itself, which +was framed good and right by Thee, is now used to express the vice and +infirmity of corrupted Nature; because its motion left unto itself draweth men +away to evil and to lower things. For the little power which remaineth is as it +were one spark lying hid in the ashes. This is Natural reason itself, +encompassed with thick clouds, having yet a discernment of good and evil, a +distinction of the true and the false, though it be powerless to fulfil all +that it approveth, and possess not yet the full light of truth, nor +healthfulness of its affections. +</p> + +<p> +3. Hence it is, O my God, that I delight in Thy law after the inward man,(1) +knowing that Thy commandment is holy and just and good; reproving also all +evil, and the sin that is to be avoided: yet with the flesh I serve the law of +sin, whilst I obey sensuality rather than reason. Hence it is that to will to +do good is present with me, but how to perform it I find not.(2) Hence I +ofttimes purpose many good things; but because grace is lacking to help mine +infirmities, I fall back before a little resistance and fail. Hence it cometh +to pass that I recognize the way of perfectness, and see very clearly what +things I ought to do; but pressed down by the weight of my own corruption, I +rise not to the things which are more perfect. +</p> + +<p> +4. Oh how entirely necessary is Thy grace to me, O Lord, for a good beginning, +for progress, and for bringing to perfection. For without it I can do nothing, +but I can do all things through Thy grace which strengtheneth me.(3) O truly +heavenly grace, without which our own merits are nought, and no gifts of Nature +at all are to be esteemed. Arts, riches, beauty, strength, wit, eloquence, they +all avail nothing before Thee, O Lord, without Thy grace. For the gifts of +Nature belong to good and evil alike; but the proper gift of the elect is +grace—that is, love—and they who bear the mark thereof are held +worthy of everlasting life. So mighty is this grace, that without it neither +the gift of prophecy nor the working of miracles, nor any speculation, +howsoever lofty, is of any value at all. But neither faith, nor hope, nor any +other virtue is accepted with Thee without love and grace. +</p> + +<p> +5. O most blessed grace that makest the poor in spirit rich in virtues, and +renderest him who is rich in many things humble in spirit, come Thou, descend +upon me, fill me early with Thy consolation, lest my soul fail through +weariness and drought of mind. I beseech thee, O Lord, that I may find grace in +Thy sight, for Thy grace is sufficient for me,(4) when I obtain not those +things which Nature longeth for. If I be tempted and vexed with many +tribulations, I will fear no evil, while Thy grace remaineth with me. This +alone is my strength, this bringeth me counsel and help. It is more powerful +than all enemies, and wiser than all the wise men in the world. +</p> + +<p> +6. It is the mistress of truth, the teacher of discipline, the light of the +heart, the solace of anxiety, the banisher of sorrow, the deliverer from fear, +the nurse of devotion, the drawer forth of tears. What am I without it, save a +dry tree, a useless branch, worthy to be cast away! “Let Thy grace, +therefore, O Lord, always prevent and follow me, and make me continually given +to all good works, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son. Amen.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Romans vii. 12, 22. 25. (2) Romans vii. 18. (3) Philippians iv. 13. (4) 2 +Corinthians xii. 9. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap93"></a>CHAPTER LVI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That we ought to deny ourselves, and to imitate Christ by means of the Cross +</p> + +<p> +My Son, so far as thou art able to go out of thyself so far shalt thou be able +to enter into Me. As to desire no outward thing worketh internal peace, so the +forsaking of self inwardly joineth unto God. I will that thou learn perfect +self-denial, living in My will without contradiction or complaint. Follow Me: I +am the way, the truth, and the life.(1) Without the way thou canst not go, +without the truth thou canst not know, without the life thou canst not live. I +am the Way which thou oughtest to follow; the Truth which thou oughtest to +believe; the Life which thou oughtest to hope for. I am the Way unchangeable; +the Truth infallible; the Life everlasting. I am the Way altogether straight, +the Truth supreme, the true Life, the blessed Life, the uncreated Life. If thou +remain in My way thou shalt know the Truth, and the truth shall make thee +free,(2) and thou shalt lay hold on eternal life. +</p> + +<p> +2. “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.(3) If thou wilt +know the truth, believe in Me. If thou wilt be perfect, sell all that thou +hast. If thou wilt be My disciple, deny thyself. If thou wouldst possess the +blessed life, despise the life which now is. If thou wilt be exalted in heaven, +humble thyself in the world. If thou wilt reign with Me, bear the cross with +Me; for only the servants of the cross find the way of blessedness and of true +light.” +</p> + +<p> +3. O Lord Jesu, forasmuch as Thy life was straitened and despised by the world, +grant unto me to imitate Thee in despising the world, for the servant is not +greater than his lord, nor the disciple above his master.(4) Let Thy servant be +exercised in Thy life, because there is my salvation and true holiness. +Whatsoever I read or hear besides it, it refresheth me not, nor giveth me +delight. +</p> + +<p> +4. “My son, because thou knowest these things and hast read them all, +blessed shalt thou be if thou doest them. He who hath My commandments and +keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me, and I will love him, and will manifest +Myself to him,(5) and I will make him to sit down with Me in My Father’s +Kingdom.” +</p> + +<p> +5. O Lord Jesu, as Thou hast said and promised, even so let it be unto me, and +grant me to prove worthy. I have received the cross at Thy hand; I have carried +it, and will carry it even unto death, as Thou hast laid it upon me. Truly the +life of a truly devoted servant is a cross, but it leadeth to paradise. I have +begun; I may not return back nor leave it. +</p> + +<p> +6. Come, my brothers, let us together go forward. Jesus shall be with us. For +Jesus’ sake have we taken up this cross, for Jesus’ sake let us +persevere in the cross. He will be our helper, who was our Captain and +Forerunner. Behold our King entereth in before us, and He will fight for us. +Let us follow bravely, let no man fear terrors; let us be prepared to die +bravely in battle, and let us not so stain our honour,(6) as to fly from the +cross. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) John xiv. 6. (2) John viii. 32. (3) Matthew xix. 17, 21. (4) Matthew x. 24. +(5) John xiv. 21. (6) 1 Mac. ix. 10. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap94"></a>CHAPTER LVII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That a man must not be too much cast down when he falleth into some faults +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to Me +than much comfort and devotion in prosperity. Why doth a little thing spoken +against thee make thee sad? If it had been more, thou still oughtest not to be +moved. But now suffer it to go by; it is not the first, it is not new, and it +will not be the last, if thou live long. Thou art brave enough, so long as no +adversity meeteth thee. Thou givest good counsel also, and knowest how to +strengthen others with thy words; but when tribulation suddenly knocketh at +thine own door, thy counsel and strength fail. Consider thy great frailty, +which thou dost so often experience in trifling matters nevertheless, for thy +soul’s health these things are done when they and such like happen unto +thee. +</p> + +<p> +2. “Put them away from thy heart as well as thou canst, and if +tribulation hath touched thee, yet let it not cast thee down nor entangle thee +long. At the least, bear patiently, if thou canst not joyfully. And although +thou be very unwilling to hear it, and feel indignation, yet check thyself, and +suffer no unadvised word to come forth from thy lips, whereby the little ones +may be offended. Soon the storm which hath been raised shall be stilled, and +inward grief shall be sweetened by returning grace. I yet live, saith the Lord, +ready to help thee, and to give thee more than wonted consolation if thou put +thy trust in Me, and call devoutly upon Me. +</p> + +<p> +3. “Be thou more calm of spirit, and gird thyself for greater endurance. +All is not frustrated, though thou find thyself very often afflicted or +grievously tempted. Thou art man, not God; thou art flesh, not an angel. How +shouldst thou be able to remain alway in the same state of virtue, when an +angel in heaven fell, and the first man in paradise? I am He who lifteth up the +mourners to deliverance, and those who know their own infirmity I raise up to +my own nature.” +</p> + +<p> +4. O Lord, blessed be Thy word, sweeter to my mouth than honey and the +honeycomb. What should I do in my so great tribulations and anxieties, unless +Thou didst comfort me with Thy holy words? If only I may attain unto the haven +of salvation, what matter is it what things or how many I suffer? Give me a +good end, give me a happy passage out of this world. Remember me, O my God, and +lead me by the right way unto Thy Kingdom. Amen. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap95"></a>CHAPTER LVIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of deeper matters, and God’s hidden judgments which are not to be +inquired into +</p> + +<p> +“My Son, beware thou dispute not of high matters and of the hidden +judgments of God; why this man is thus left, and that man is taken into so +great favour; why also this man is so greatly afflicted, and that so highly +exalted. These things pass all man’s power of judging, neither may any +reasoning or disputation have power to search out the divine judgments. When +therefore the enemy suggesteth these things to thee, or when any curious people +ask such questions, answer with that word of the Prophet, <i>Just art Thou, O +Lord, and true is Thy judgment</i>,(1) and with this, <i>The judgments of the +Lord are true, and righteous altogether</i>.(2) My judgments are to be feared, +not to be disputed on, because they are incomprehensible to human +understanding. +</p> + +<p> +2. “And be not given to inquire or dispute about the merits of the +Saints, which is holier than another, or which is the greater in the Kingdom of +Heaven. Such questions often beget useless strifes and contentions: they also +nourish pride and vain glory, whence envyings and dissensions arise, while one +man arrogantly endeavoureth to exalt one Saint and another another. But to wish +to know and search out such things bringeth no fruit, but it rather displeaseth +the Saints; for I am not <i>the God of confusion but of peace;</i>(3) which +peace consisteth more in true humility than in self-exaltation. +</p> + +<p> +3. “Some are drawn by zeal of love to greater affection to these Saints +or those; but this is human affection rather than divine. I am He Who made all +the Saints: I gave them grace, I brought them glory; I know the merits of every +one; <i>I prevented them with the blessings of My goodness</i>.(4) I foreknew +my beloved ones from everlasting, <i>I chose them out of the world;</i>(5) they +did not choose Me. I called them by My grace, drew them by My mercy, led them +on through sundry temptations. I poured mighty consolations upon them, I gave +them perseverance, I crowned their patience. +</p> + +<p> +4. “I acknowledge the first and the last; I embrace all with inestimable +love. I am to be praised in all My Saints; I am to be blessed above all things, +and to be honoured in every one whom I have so gloriously exalted and +predestined, without any preceding merits of their own. He therefore that shall +despise one of the least of these My people, honoureth not the great; because I +made both small and great.(6) And he who speaketh against any of My Saints +speaketh against Me, and against all others in the Kingdom of Heaven.” +</p> + +<p> + They are all one through the bond of charity; they think the same thing, will + the same thing, and all are united in love one to another. +</p> + +<p> +5. “But yet (which is far better) they love Me above themselves and their +own merits. For being caught up above themselves, and drawn beyond self-love, +they go all straightforward to the love of Me, and they rest in Me in perfect +enjoyment. There is nothing which can turn them away or press them down; for +being full of Eternal Truth, they burn with the fire of inextinguishable +charity. Therefore let all carnal and natural men hold their peace concerning +the state of the Saints, for they know nothing save to love their own personal +enjoyment. They take away and add according to their own inclination, not as it +pleaseth the Eternal Truth. +</p> + +<p> +6. “In many men this is ignorance, chiefly is it so in those who, being +little enlightened, rarely learn to love any one with perfect spiritual love. +They are still much drawn by natural affection and human friendship to these or +to those: and as they reckon of themselves in lower matters, so also do they +frame imaginations of things heavenly. But there is an immeasurable difference +between those things which they imperfectly imagine, and these things which +enlightened men behold through supernatural revelation. +</p> + +<p> +7. “Take heed, therefore, My son, that thou treat not curiously those +things which surpass thy knowledge, but rather make this thy business and give +attention to it, namely, that thou seek to be found, even though it be the +least, in the Kingdom of God. And even if any one should know who were holier +than others, or who were held greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven; what should +that knowledge profit him, unless through this knowledge he should humble +himself before Me, and should rise up to give greater praise unto My name? He +who considereth how great are his own sins, how small his virtues, and how far +he is removed from the perfection of the Saints, doeth far more acceptably in +the sight of God, than he who disputeth about their greatness or littleness. +</p> + +<p> +8. “They are altogether well content, if men would learn to be content, +and to refrain from vain babbling. They glory not of their own merits, seeing +they ascribe no good unto themselves, but all unto Me, seeing that I of my +infinite charity have given them all things. They are filled with so great love +of the Divinity, and with such overflowing joy, that no glory is lacking to +them, neither can any felicity be lacking. All the Saints, the higher they are +exalted in glory, the humbler are they in themselves, and the nearer and dearer +are they unto Me. And so thou hast it written that they cast their crowns +before God and fell on their faces before the Lamb, and worshipped Him that +liveth for ever and ever.(7) +</p> + +<p> +9. “Many ask who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, who know not +whether they shall be worthy to be counted among the least. It is a great thing +to be even the least in Heaven, where all are great, because all shall be +called, and shall be, the sons of God. <i>A little one shall become a thousand, +but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed</i>. For when the +disciples asked <i>who should be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven</i>, +they received no other answer than this, <i>Except ye be converted and become +as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. But +whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same shall be greatest +in the Kingdom of Heaven</i>.”(8) +</p> + +<p> +10. Woe unto them who disdain to humble themselves willingly with the little +children; for the low gate of the kingdom of Heaven will not suffer them to +enter in. Woe also to them who are rich, who have their consolation here;(9) +because whilst the poor enter into the kingdom of God, they shall stand +lamenting without. Rejoice ye humble, and exult ye poor, for yours is the +kingdom of God if only ye walk in the truth. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm cxix. 137. (2) Psalm xix. 9. (3) 1 Corinthians xiv. 33. (4) Psalm +xxi. 3. (5) John xv. 19. (6) Wisd. vi. 8. (7) Revelation iv. 10; v. 14. (8) +Matthew xviii. 3. (9) Luke vi. 24. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap96"></a>CHAPTER LIX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone +</p> + +<p> +O Lord, what is my trust which I have in this life, or what is my greatest +comfort of all the things which are seen under Heaven? Is it not Thou, O Lord +my God, whose mercies are without number? Where hath it been well with me +without Thee? Or when could it be evil whilst Thou wert near? I had rather be +poor for Thy sake, than rich without Thee. I choose rather to be a pilgrim upon +the earth with Thee than without Thee to possess heaven. Where Thou art, there +is heaven; and where Thou are not, behold there death and hell. Thou art all my +desire, and therefore must I groan and cry and earnestly pray after Thee. In +short I can confide fully in none to give me ready help in necessities, save in +Thee alone, O my God. Thou art my hope, Thou art my trust, Thou art my +Comforter, and most faithful in all things. +</p> + +<p> +2. <i>All men seek their own;</i>(1) Thou settest forward only my salvation and +my profit, and turnest all things unto my good. Even though Thou dost expose me +to divers temptations and adversities, Thou ordainest all this unto my +advantage, for Thou are wont to prove Thy beloved ones in a thousand ways. In +which proving Thou oughtest no less to be loved and praised, than if Thou wert +filling me full of heavenly consolations. +</p> + +<p> +3. In Thee, therefore, O Lord God, I put all my hope and my refuge, on Thee I +lay all my tribulation and anguish; because I find all to be weak and unstable +whatsoever I behold out of Thee. For many friends shall not profit, nor strong +helpers be able to succour, nor prudent counsellors to give a useful answer, +nor the books of the learned to console, nor any precious substance to deliver, +nor any secret and beautiful place to give shelter, if Thou Thyself do not +assist, help, strengthen, comfort, instruct, keep in safety. +</p> + +<p> +4. For all things which seem to belong to the attainment of peace and felicity +are nothing when Thou art absent, and bring no felicity at all in reality. +Therefore art Thou the end of all good, and the fulness of Life, and the soul +of eloquence; and to hope in Thee above all things is the strongest solace of +Thy servants. <i>Mine eyes look unto Thee</i>,(2) in Thee is my trust, O my +God, Father of mercies. +</p> + +<p> +5. Bless and sanctify my soul with heavenly blessing that it may become Thy +holy habitation, and the seat of Thy eternal glory; and let nothing be found in +the Temple of Thy divinity which may offend the eyes of Thy majesty. According +to the greatness of Thy goodness and the multitude of Thy mercies look upon me, +and hear the prayer of Thy poor servant, far exiled from Thee in the land of +the shadow of death. Protect and preserve the soul of Thy least servant amid so +many dangers of corruptible life, and by Thy grace accompanying me, direct it +by the way of peace unto its home of perpetual light. Amen. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Philippians ii. 21 (2) Psalm cxli. 8. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book04"></a>THE FOURTH BOOK<br/> +OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR</h2> + +<p class="center"> +A devout exhortation to the Holy Communion +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of Christ +</p> + +<p> +Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh +you,(1) saith the Lord. The bread that I will give is My flesh which I give for +the life of the world.(2) Take, eat: this is My Body, which is given for you; +this do in remembrance of Me.(3) He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood +dwelleth in Me and I in him. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, +and they are life.(4) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Matthew xi. 28 (2) John vi. 51. (3) Matthew xxvi. 26; Luke xxii. 19. (4) +John vi. 51, 63. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap97"></a>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<p class="center"> +With how great reverence Christ must be received +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +These are Thy words, O Christ, Eternal Truth; though not uttered at one time +nor written together in one place of Scripture. Because therefore they are Thy +words and true, I must gratefully and faithfully receive them all. They are +Thine, and Thou hast uttered them; and they are mine also, because Thou didst +speak them for my salvation. Gladly I receive them from Thy mouth, that they +may be more deeply implanted in my heart. Words of such great grace arouse me, +for they are full of sweetness and love; but my own sins terrify me, and my +impure conscience driveth me away from receiving so great mysteries. The +sweetness of Thy words encourageth me, but the multitude of my faults presseth +me down. +</p> + +<p> +2. Thou commandest that I draw near to Thee with firm confidence, if I would +have part with Thee, and that I receive the food of immortality, if I desire to +obtain eternal life and glory. Come unto Me, sayest Thou, all that labour and +are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Oh, sweet and lovely word in the ear +of the sinner, that Thou, O Lord my God, dost invite the poor and needy to the +Communion of Thy most holy body and blood. But who am I, O Lord, that I should +presume to approach unto Thee? Behold the heaven of heavens cannot contain +Thee, and yet Thou sayest, Come ye all unto Me. +</p> + +<p> +3. What meaneth this most gracious condescension, this most lovely invitation? +How shall I dare to come, who know no good thing of myself, whence I might be +able to presume? How shall I bring Thee within my house, seeing that I so often +have sinned in Thy most loving sight? Angels and Archangels stand in awe of +Thee, the Saints and just men fear Thee, and Thou sayest, Come unto Me! Except +Thou, Lord, hadst said it, who should believe it true? And except Thou hadst +commanded, who should attempt to draw near? +</p> + +<p> +4. Behold, Noah, that just man, laboured for a hundred years in building the +ark, that he might be saved with the few; and I, how shall I be able in one +hour to prepare myself to receive the Builder of the world with reverence? +Moses, Thy servant, Thy great and especial friend, made an ark of incorruptible +wood, which also he covered with purest gold, that he might lay up in it the +tables of the law, and I, a corruptible creature, shall I dare thus easily to +receive Thee, the Maker of the Law and the Giver of life? Solomon, the wisest +of the kings of Israel, was seven years building his magnificent temple to the +praise of Thy Name, and for eight days celebrated the feast of its dedication, +offered a thousand peace offerings, and solemnly brought up the Ark of the +Covenant to the place prepared for it, with the sound of trumpets and great +joy, and I, unhappy and poorest of mankind, how shall I bring Thee into my +house, who scarce know how to spend half an hour in devotion? And oh that it +were even one half hour worthily spent! +</p> + +<p> +5. O my God, how earnestly these holy men strove to please Thee! And alas! how +little and trifling is that which I do! how short a time do I spend, when I am +disposing myself to Communion. Rarely altogether collected, most rarely +cleansed from all distraction. And surely in the saving presence of Thy Godhead +no unmeet thought ought to intrude, nor should any creature take possession of +me, because it is not an Angel but the Lord of the Angels, that I am about to +receive as my Guest. +</p> + +<p> +6. Yet there is a vast difference between the Ark of the Covenant with its +relics, and Thy most pure Body with its ineffable virtues, between those +sacrifices of the law, which were figures of things to come, and the true +sacrifice of Thy Body, the completion of all the ancient sacrifices. +</p> + +<p> +7. Wherefore then do I not yearn more ardently after Thy adorable presence? Why +do I not prepare myself with greater solicitude to receive Thy holy things, +when those holy Patriarchs and Prophets of old, kings also and princes, with +the whole people, manifested so great affection of devotion towards Thy Divine +Service? +</p> + +<p> +8. The most devout king David danced with all his might before the Ark of God, +calling to mind the benefits granted to his forefathers in days past; he +fashioned musical instruments of various sorts, put forth Psalms, and appointed +them to be sung with joy, played also himself ofttimes on the harp, being +inspired with the grace of the Holy Ghost; he taught the people of Israel to +praise God with the whole heart, and with unity of voice to bless and praise +Him every day. If so great devotion was then exercised, and celebration of +divine praise was carried on before the Ark of the Testimony, how great +reverence and devotion ought now to be shown by me and all Christian people at +the ministering of the Sacrament, at receiving the most precious Body and Blood +of Christ. +</p> + +<p> +9. Many run to diverse places to visit the memorials of departed Saints, and +rejoice to hear of their deeds and to look upon the beautiful buildings of +their shrines. And behold, Thou art present here with me, O my God, Saint of +Saints, Creator of men and Lord of the Angels. Often in looking at those +memorials men are moved by curiosity and novelty, and very little fruit of +amendment is borne away, especially when there is so much careless trifling and +so little true contrition. But here in the Sacrament of the Altar, Thou art +present altogether, My God, the Man Christ Jesus; where also abundant fruit of +eternal life is given to every one soever that receiveth Thee worthily and +devoutly. But to this no levity draweth, no curiosity, nor sensuality, only +steadfast faith, devout hope, and sincere charity. +</p> + +<p> +10. O God, invisible Creator of the world, how wondrously dost Thou work with +us, how sweetly and graciously Thou dealest with Thine elect, to whom Thou +offerest Thyself to be received in this Sacrament! For this surpasseth all +understanding, this specially draweth the hearts of the devout and enkindleth +their affections. For even thy true faithful ones themselves, who order their +whole life to amendment, oftentimes gain from this most excellent Sacrament +great grace of devotion and love of virtue. +</p> + +<p> +11. Oh admirable and hidden grace of the Sacrament, which only Christ’s +faithful ones know, but the faithless and those who serve sin cannot +experience! In this Sacrament is conferred spiritual grace, and lost virtue is +regained in the soul, and the beauty which was disfigured by sin returneth +again. So great sometimes is this grace that out of the fulness of devotion +given, not only the mind but also the weak body feeleth that more strength is +supplied unto it. +</p> + +<p> +12. But greatly must we mourn and lament over our lukewarmness and negligence, +that we are not drawn by greater affection to become partakers of Christ, in +whom all the hope and the merit of those that are to be saved consist. For He +Himself is our sanctification and redemption.(1) He is the consolation of +pilgrims and the eternal fruition of the Saints. Therefore it is grievously to +be lamented that many so little consider this health-giving mystery, which +maketh heaven glad and preserveth the whole world. Alas for the blindness and +hardness of man’s heart, that he considereth not more this unspeakable +gift, and even slippeth down through the daily use, into carelessness. +</p> + +<p> +13. For if this most holy Sacrament were celebrated in one place only, and were +consecrated only by one priest in the whole world, with what great desire +thinkest thou, would men be affected towards that place and towards such a +priest of God, that they might behold the divine mysteries celebrated? But now +are many men made priests and in many places the Sacrament is celebrated, that +the grace and love of God towards men might the more appear, the more widely +the Holy Communion is spread abroad over all the world. Thanks be unto Thee, O +good Jesus, Eternal Shepherd, who hast vouchsafed to refresh us, poor and +exiled ones, with Thy precious Body and Blood, and to invite us to partake +these holy mysteries by the invitation from Thine own mouth, saying, Come unto +Me, ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) 1 Corinthians i. 30. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap98"></a>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That the greatness and charity of God is shown to men in the Sacrament +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +Trusting in Thy goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I draw near, the sick to the +Healer, the hungering and thirsting to the Fountain of life, the +poverty-stricken to the King of heaven, the servant to the Lord, the creature +to the Creator, the desolate to my own gentle Comforter. But whence is this +unto me, that Thou comest unto me? Who am I that Thou shouldest offer me +Thyself? How doth a sinner dare to appear before Thee? And how dost thou +vouchsafe to come to the sinner? Thou knowest Thy servant, and Thou knowest +that he hath in him no good thing for which Thou shouldest grant him this +grace. I confess therefore mine own vileness, I acknowledge Thy goodness, I +praise Thy tenderness, and I give Thee thanks for Thine exceeding great love. +For Thou doest this for Thine own sake, not for my merits, that Thy goodness +may be more manifest unto me, Thy charity more abundantly poured out upon me, +and Thy humility more perfectly commended unto me. Therefore because this +pleaseth Thee and Thou hast commanded that thus it shall be, Thy condescension +pleaseth me also; and oh that mine iniquity hinder it not. +</p> + +<p> +2. O most sweet and tender Jesus, what reverence, what giving of thanks is due +to Thee with perpetual praise for the receiving of Thy sacred Body and Blood, +the dignity whereof no man is found able to express. But what shall I think +upon in this Communion in approaching my Lord, whom I am not able worthily to +honour, and nevertheless whom I long devoutly to receive? What shall be better +and more healthful meditation for me, than utter humiliation of myself before +Thee, and exaltation of Thine infinite goodness towards me? I praise Thee, O my +God, and exalt Thee for evermore. I despise myself, and cast myself down before +Thee into the deep of my vileness. +</p> + +<p> +3. Behold, Thou art the Saint of saints and I the refuse of sinners; behold, +Thou stoopest unto me who am not worthy to look upon Thee; behold, Thou comest +unto me, Thou willest to be with me, Thou invitest me to Thy feast. Thou +willest to give me the heavenly food and bread of angels to eat; none other, in +truth, than Thyself, The living bread, which didst descend from heaven; and +givest life to the world.(1) +</p> + +<p> +4. Behold, whence this love proceedeth! what manner of condescension shineth +forth herein. What great giving of thanks and praise is due unto Thee for these +benefits! Oh how salutary and profitable Thy purpose when Thou didst ordain +this! How sweet and pleasant the feast when Thou didst give Thyself for food! +Oh how admirable is thy working, O Lord, how mighty Thy power, how unspeakable +Thy truth! For Thou didst speak the word, and all things were made; and this is +done which Thou hast commanded. +</p> + +<p> +5. A thing wonderful, and worthy of faith, and surpassing all the understanding +of man, that Thou, O Lord my God, very God and very man, givest Thyself +altogether to us in a little bread and wine, and art so our inexhaustible food. +Thou, O Lord of all, who hast need of nothing, hast willed to dwell in us +through Thy Sacrament. Preserve my heart and my body undefiled, that with a +joyful and pure conscience I may be able very often to [celebrate, and](2) +receive to my perpetual health. Thy mysteries, which Thou hast consecrated and +instituted both for Thine own honour, and for a perpetual memorial. +</p> + +<p> +6. Rejoice, O my soul, and give thanks unto God for so great a gift and +precious consolation, left unto thee in this vale of tears. For so oft as thou +callest this mystery to mind and receivest the body of Christ, so often dost +thou celebrate the work of thy redemption, and art made partaker of all the +merits of Christ. For the charity of Christ never groweth less, and the +greatness of His propitiation is never exhausted. Therefore, by continual +renewal of thy spirit, thou oughtest to dispose thyself hereunto and to weigh +the great mystery of salvation with attentive consideration. So great, new, and +joyful ought it to appear to thee when thou comest to communion, as if on this +self-same day Christ for the first time were descending into the Virgin’s +womb and becoming man, or hanging on the cross, suffering and dying for the +salvation of mankind. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) John vi. 51. (2) The words in brackets are only suitable for a priest. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap99"></a>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That it is profitable to Communicate often +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +Behold I come unto Thee, O Lord, that I may be blessed through Thy gift, and be +made joyful in Thy holy feast which Thou, O God, of Thy goodness hast prepared +for the poor.(1) Behold in Thee is all that I can and ought to desire, Thou art +my salvation and redemption, my hope and strength, my honour and glory. +Therefore rejoice the soul of Thy servant this day, for unto Thee, O Lord +Jesus, do I lift up my soul.(2) I long now to receive Thee devoutly and +reverently, I desire to bring Thee into my house, so that with Zacchaeus I may +be counted worthy to be blessed by Thee and numbered among the children of +Abraham. My soul hath an earnest desire for Thy Body, my heart longeth to be +united with Thee. +</p> + +<p> +2. Give me Thyself and it sufficeth, for besides Thee no consolation availeth. +Without Thee I cannot be, and without Thy visitation I have no power to live. +And therefore I must needs draw nigh unto Thee often, and receive Thee for the +healing of my soul, lest haply I faint by the way if I be deprived of heavenly +food. For so Thou, most merciful Jesus, preaching to the people and healing +many sick, didst once say, I will not send them away fasting to their own +homes, lest they faint by the way.(3) Deal therefore now to me in like manner, +for Thou left Thyself for the consolation of the faithful in the Sacrament. For +Thou art the sweet refreshment of the soul, and he who shall eat Thee worthily +shall be partaker and inheritor of the eternal glory. Necessary indeed it is +for me, who so often slide backwards and sin, so quickly wax cold and faint, to +renew, cleanse, enkindle myself by frequent prayers and penitences and +receiving of Thy sacred Body and Blood lest haply by too long abstinence, I +fall short of my holy resolutions. +</p> + +<p> +3. For the imaginations of man’s heart are evil from his youth,(4) and +except divine medicine succour him, man slideth away continually unto the +worse. The Holy Communion therefore draweth us back from evil, and +strengtheneth us for good. For if I now be so negligent and lukewarm when I +communicate [or celebrate], how should it be with me, if I receive not this +medicine, and sought not so great a help? [And though I am not every day fit +nor well prepared to celebrate, I will nevertheless give diligent heed at due +season, to receive the divine mysteries, and to become partaker of so great +grace]. For this is the one principal consolation of a faithful soul, so long +as it is absent from Thee in mortal body, that being continually mindful of its +God, it receiveth its Beloved with devout spirit. +</p> + +<p> +4. Oh wonderful condescension of Thy pity surrounding us, that Thou, O Lord +God, Creator and Quickener of all spirits, deignest to come unto a soul so poor +and weak, and to appease its hunger with Thy whole Deity and Humanity. Oh happy +mind and blessed soul, to which is granted devoutly to receive Thee its Lord +God, and in so receiving Thee to be filled with all spiritual joy! Oh how great +a Lord doth it entertain, how beloved a Guest doth it bring in, how delightful +a Companion doth it receive, how faithful a Friend doth it welcome, how +beautiful and exalted a Spouse, above every other Beloved, doth it embrace, One +to be loved above all things that can be desired! Oh my most sweet Beloved, let +heaven and earth and all the glory of them, be silent in Thy presence; seeing +whatsoever praise and beauty they have it is of Thy gracious bounty; and they +shall never reach unto the loveliness of Thy Name, Whose Wisdom is infinite.(5) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Psalm lxviii. 10. (2) Psalm lxxxvi. 4. (3) Matthew xv. 32. (4) Genesis +viii. 21. (5) Psalm cxlvii. 5. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap100"></a>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That many good gifts are bestowed upon those who Communicate devoutly +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +O Lord my God, prevent Thou Thy servant with the blessings of Thy sweetness, +that I may be enabled to draw near worthily and devoutly to Thy glorious +Sacrament. Awaken my heart towards Thee, and deliver me from heavy slumber. +Visit me with Thy salvation that I may in spirit taste Thy sweetness, which +plentifully lieth hid in this Sacrament as in a fountain. Lighten also mine +eyes to behold this so great mystery, and strengthen me that I may believe it +with undoubting faith. For it is Thy word, not human power; it is Thy holy +institution, not the invention of man. For no man is found fit in himself to +receive and to understand these things, which transcend even the wisdom of the +Angels. What portion then shall I, unworthy sinner, who am but dust and ashes, +be able to search into and comprehend of so deep a Sacrament? +</p> + +<p> +2. O Lord, in the simplicity of my heart, in good and firm faith, and according +to Thy will, I draw nigh unto Thee with hope and reverence, and truly believe +that Thou art here present in the Sacrament, God and man. Thou willest +therefore that I receive Thee and unite myself to Thee in charity. Wherefore I +beseech Thy mercy, and implore Thee to give me Thy special grace, to this end, +that I may be wholly dissolved and overflow with love towards Thee, and no more +suffer any other consolation to enter into me. For this most high and most +glorious Sacrament is the health of the soul and the body, the medicine of all +spiritual sickness, whereby I am healed of my sins, my passions are bridled, +temptations are conquered or weakened, more grace is poured into me, virtue +begun is increased, faith is made firm, hope is strengthened, and charity is +enkindled and enlarged. +</p> + +<p> +3. For in this Sacrament Thou hast bestowed many good things and still +bestowest them continually on Thine elect who communicate devoutly, O my God, +Lifter up of my soul, Repairer of human infirmity, and Giver of all inward +consolation. For Thou pourest into them much consolation against all sorts of +tribulation, and out of the deep of their own misery Thou liftest them up to +the hope of Thy protection, and with ever new grace, dost inwardly refresh and +enlighten them; so that they who felt themselves to be anxious and without +affection before Communion, afterwards being refreshed with heavenly food and +drink, find themselves changed for the better. And even in such wise Thou +dealest severally with Thine elect, that they may truly acknowledge and clearly +make proof that they have nothing whatsoever of their own, and what goodness +and grace come to them from Thee; because being in themselves cold, hard of +heart, indevout, through Thee they become fervent, zealous, and devout. For who +is there coming humbly to the fountain of sweetness, carrieth not away thence +at the least some little of that sweetness? Or who standing by a large fire, +feeleth not from thence a little of its heat? And Thou art ever a full and +overflowing fountain, a fire continually burning, and never going out. +</p> + +<p> +4. Wherefore if it is not suffered to me to draw from the fulness of the +fountain, nor to drink unto satisfying, yet will I set my lips to the mouth of +the heavenly conduit, that at least I may receive a small drop to quench my +thirst, that I dry not up within my heart. And if I am not yet able to be +altogether heavenly and so enkindled as the Cherubim and Seraphim, yet will I +endeavour to give myself unto devotion, and to prepare my heart, that I may +gain if it be but a little flame of the divine fire, through the humble +receiving of the life-giving Sacrament. But whatsoever is wanting unto me, O +merciful Jesus, Most Holy Saviour, do Thou of Thy kindness and grace supply, +who hast vouchsafed to call all unto Thee, saying, Come unto me, all ye that +are weary and heavy laden, and I will refresh you. +</p> + +<p> +5. I indeed labour in the sweat of my face, I am tormented with sorrow of +heart, I am burdened with sins, I am disquieted with temptations, I am +entangled and oppressed with many passions, and there is none to help me, there +is none to deliver and ease me, but Thou, O Lord God, my Saviour, to whom I +commit myself and all things that are mine, that Thou mayest preserve me and +lead me unto life eternal. +</p> + +<p> + Receive me unto the praise and glory of Thy name, who hast prepared Thy Body + and Blood to be my meat and drink. Grant, O Lord God my Saviour, that with + coming often to Thy mysteries the zeal of my devotion may increase. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap101"></a>CHAPTER V</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Beloved +</p> + +<p> +If thou hadst angelic purity and the holiness of holy John the Baptist, thou +wouldest not be worthy to receive or to minister this Sacrament. For this is +not deserved by merit of man that a man should consecrate and minister the +Sacrament of Christ, and take for food the bread of Angels. Vast is the +mystery, and great is the dignity of the priests, to whom is given what is not +granted to Angels. For priests only, rightly ordained in the church, have the +power of consecrating and celebrating the Body of Christ. The priest indeed is +the minister of God, using the Word of God by God’s command and +institution; nevertheless God is there the principal Author and invisible +Worker, that to whom all that He willeth is subject, and all He commandeth is +obedient. +</p> + +<p> +2. Therefore thou must believe God Almighty in this most excellent Sacrament, +more than thine own sense or any visible sign at all. And therefore with fear +and reverence is this work to be approached. Take heed therefore and see what +it is of which the ministry is committed to thee by the laying on of the +Bishop’s hand. Behold thou art made a priest and art consecrated to +celebrate. See now that thou do it before God faithfully and devoutly at due +time, and shew thyself without blame. Thou hast not lightened thy burden, but +art now bound with a straiter bond of discipline, and art pledged to a higher +degree of holiness. A priest ought to be adorned with all virtues and to afford +to others an example of good life. His conversation must not be with the +popular and common ways of men, but with Angels in Heaven or with perfect men +on earth. +</p> + +<p> +3. A priest clad in holy garments taketh Christ’s place that he may pray +unto God with all supplication and humility for himself and for the whole +people. He must always remember the Passion of Christ. He must diligently look +upon Christ’s footsteps and fervently endeavour himself to follow them. +He must bear meekly for God whatsoever ills are brought upon him by others. He +must mourn for his own sins, and for the sins committed by others, and may not +grow careless of prayer and holy oblation, until he prevail to obtain grace and +mercy. When the priest celebrateth, he honoureth God, giveth joy to the Angels, +buildeth up the Church, helpeth the living, hath communion with the departed, +and maketh himself a partaker of all good things. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap102"></a>CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +An inquiry concerning preparation for Communion +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +When I consider Thy dignity, O Lord, and mine own vileness, I tremble very +exceedingly, and am confounded within myself. For if I approach not, I fly from +life; and if I intrude myself unworthily, I run into Thy displeasure. What then +shall I do, O my God, Thou helper and Counsellor in necessities. +</p> + +<p> +2. Teach Thou me the right way; propound unto me some short exercise befitting +Holy Communion. For it is profitable to know how I ought to prepare my heart +devoutly and reverently for Thee, to the intent that I may receive Thy +Sacrament to my soul’s health [or it may be also for the celebrating this +so great and divine mystery]. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap103"></a>CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the examination of conscience, and purpose of amendment +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Beloved +</p> + +<p> +Above all things the priest of God must draw nigh, with all humility of heart +and supplicating reverence, with full faith and pious desire for the honour of +God, to celebrate, minister, and receive this Sacrament. Diligently examine thy +conscience and with all thy might with true contrition and humble confession +cleanse and purify it, so that thou mayest feel no burden, nor know anything +which bringeth thee remorse and impedeth thy free approach. Have displeasure +against all thy sins in general, and specially sorrow and mourn because of thy +daily transgressions. And if thou have time, confess unto God in the secret of +thine heart, all miseries of thine own passion. +</p> + +<p> +2. Lament grievously and be sorry, because thou art still so carnal and +worldly, so unmortified from thy passions, so full of the motion of +concupiscence, so unguarded in thine outward senses, so often entangled in many +vain fancies, so much inclined to outward things, so negligent of internal; so +ready to laughter and dissoluteness, so unready to weeping and contrition; so +prone to ease and indulgence of the flesh, so dull to zeal and fervour; so +curious to hear novelties and behold beauties, so loth to embrace things humble +and despised; so desirous to have many things, so grudging in giving, so close +in keeping; so inconsiderate in speaking, so reluctant to keep silence; so +disorderly in manners, so inconsiderate in actions; so eager after food, so +deaf towards the Word of God; so eager after rest, so slow to labour; so +watchful after tales, so sleepy towards holy watchings; so eager for the end of +them, so wandering in attention to them; so negligent in observing the hours of +prayer, so lukewarm in celebrating, so unfruitful in communicating; so quickly +distracted, so seldom quite collected with thyself; so quickly moved to anger, +so ready for displeasure at others; so prone to judging, so severe at +reproving; so joyful in prosperity, so weak in adversity; so often making many +good resolutions and bringing them to so little effect. +</p> + +<p> +3. When thou hast confessed and bewailed these and thy other shortcomings, with +sorrow and sore displeasure at thine own infirmity, make then a firm resolution +of continual amendment of life and of progress in all that is good. Then +moreover with full resignation and entire will offer thyself to the honour of +My name on the altar of thine heart as a perpetual whole burnt-offering, even +by faithfully presenting thy body and soul unto Me, to the end that thou mayest +so be accounted worthy to draw near to offer this sacrifice of praise and +thanksgiving to God, and to receive the Sacrament of My Body and Blood to thy +soul’s health. For there is no oblation worthier, no satisfaction greater +for the destroying of sin, than that a man offer himself to God purely and +entirely with the oblation of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy +Communion. If a man shall have done what in him lieth, and shall repent him +truly, then how often soever he shall draw nigh unto Me for pardon and grace, +As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but +rather that he should be converted, and live. All his transgressions that he +hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him.(1) +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Ezekiel xviii. 22, 23. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap104"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the oblation of Christ upon the cross, and of resignation of self +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Beloved +</p> + +<p> +As I of my own will offered myself unto God the Father on the Cross for thy +sins with outstretched hands and naked body, so that nothing remained in Me +that did not become altogether a sacrifice for the Divine propitiation; so also +oughtest thou every day to offer thyself willingly unto Me for a pure and holy +oblation with all thy strength and affections, even to the utmost powers of +thine heart. What more do I require of thee than thou study to resign thyself +altogether unto Me? Whatsoever thou givest besides thyself, I nothing care for, +for I ask not thy gift, but thee. +</p> + +<p> +2. As it would not be sufficient for thee if thou hadst all things except Me, +even so whatsoever thou shalt give Me, if thou give Me not thyself, it cannot +please Me. Offer thyself to Me, and give thyself altogether for God, so shall +thy offering be accepted. Behold I offered Myself altogether to the Father for +thee, I give also My whole body and blood for food, that thou mightest remain +altogether Mine and I thine. But if thou stand in thyself, and offer not +thyself freely to My will, thy offering is not perfect, neither shall the union +betwixt us be complete. Therefore ought the freewill offering of thyself into +the hands of God to go before all thy works, if thou wilt attain liberty and +grace. For this is the cause that so few are inwardly enlightened and made +free, that they know not how to deny themselves entirely. My word standeth +sure, Except a man forsake all, he cannot be My disciple.(1) Thou therefore, if +thou wilt be My disciple, offer thyself to Me with all thy affections. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Luke xiv. 33. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap105"></a>CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That we ought to offer ourselves and all that is ours to God, and to pray for +all +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +Lord, all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine.(1) I desire to offer +myself up unto thee as a freewill offering, and to continue Thine for ever. +Lord, in the uprightness of mine heart I willingly offer(2) myself to Thee +to-day to be Thy servant for ever, in humble submission and for a sacrifice of +perpetual praise. Receive me with this holy Communion of Thy precious Body, +which I celebrate before Thee this day in the presence of the Angels invisibly +surrounding, that it may be for the salvation of me and of all Thy people. +</p> + +<p> +2. Lord, I lay before Thee at this celebration all my sins and offences which I +have committed before Thee and Thy holy Angels, from the day whereon I was +first able to sin even unto this hour; that Thou mayest consume and burn them +every one with the fire of Thy charity, and mayest do away all the stains of my +sins, and cleanse my conscience from all offence, and restore me to Thy favour +which by sinning I have lost, fully forgiving me all, and mercifully admitting +me to the kiss of peace. +</p> + +<p> +3. What can I do concerning my sins, save humbly to confess and lament them and +unceasingly to beseech Thy propitiation? I beseech Thee, be propitious unto me +and hear me, when I stand before Thee, O my God. All my sins displease me +grievously: I will never more commit them; but I grieve for them and will +grieve so long as I live, steadfastly purposing to repent me truly, and to make +restitution as far as I can. Forgive, O God, forgive me my sins for Thy holy +Name’s sake; save my soul, which Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious +blood. Behold I commit myself to Thy mercy, I resign myself to Thy hands. Deal +with me according to Thy loving-kindness, not according to my wickedness and +iniquity. +</p> + +<p> +4. I offer also unto Thee all my goodness, though it is exceedingly little and +imperfect, that Thou mayest mend and sanctify it, that Thou mayest make it well +pleasing and acceptable in Thy sight, and ever draw it on towards perfection; +and furthermore bring me safely, slothful and useless poor creature that I am, +to a happy and blessed end. +</p> + +<p> +5. Moreover I offer unto Thee all pious desires of the devout, necessities of +parents, friends, brothers, sisters, and all who are dear to me, and of those +who have done good to me, or to others for Thy love; and those who have desired +and besought my prayers for themselves and all belonging to them; that all may +feel themselves assisted by Thy grace, enriched by consolation, protected from +dangers, freed from pains; and that being delivered from all evils they may +joyfully give Thee exceeding thanks. +</p> + +<p> +6. I offer also to Thee prayers and Sacramental intercessions for those +specially who have injured me in aught, made me sad, or spoken evil concerning +me, or have caused me any loss or displeasure; for all those also whom I have +at any time made sad, disturbed, burdened, and scandalized, by words or deeds, +knowingly or ignorantly; that to all of us alike, Thou mayest equally pardon +our sins and mutual offences. Take away, O Lord, from our hearts all suspicion, +indignation, anger, and contention, and whatsoever is able to injure charity +and diminish brotherly love. Have mercy, have mercy, Lord, on those who entreat +Thy mercy; give grace to the needy; and make us such that we may be worthy to +enjoy Thy grace, and go forward to the life eternal. Amen. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) 1 Chronicles xxix. 11. (2) 1 Chronicles xxix. 17. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap106"></a>CHAPTER X</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Beloved +</p> + +<p> +Thou must frequently betake thee to the Fountain of grace and divine mercy, to +the Fountain of goodness and all purity; to the end that thou mayest obtain the +healing of thy passions and vices, and mayest be made stronger and more +watchful against all temptations and wiles of the devil. The enemy, knowing +what profit and exceeding strong remedy lieth in the Holy Communion, striveth +by all means and occasions to draw back and hinder the faithful and devout, so +far as he can. +</p> + +<p> +2. For when some set about to prepare themselves for Holy Communion, they +suffer from the more evil suggestions of Satan. The very evil spirit himself +(as is written in Job), cometh among the sons of God that he may trouble them +by his accustomed evil dealing, or make them over timid and perplexed; to the +intent that he may diminish their affections, or take away their faith by his +attacks, if haply he may prevail upon them to give up Holy Communion +altogether, or to come thereto with lukewarm hearts. But his wiles and +delusions must not be heeded, howsoever wicked and terrible they be; but all +his delusion must be cast back upon his own head. The wretch must be despised +and laughed to scorn: neither must Holy Communion be omitted because of his +insults and the inward troubles which he stirreth up. +</p> + +<p> +3. Often also too much carefulness or some anxiety or other touching confession +hindereth from obtaining devotion. Do thou according to the counsel of wise +men, and lay aside anxiety and scruple, because it hindereth the grace of God +and destroyeth devotion of mind. Because of some little vexation or trouble do +not thou neglect Holy Communion, but rather hasten to confess it, and forgive +freely all offences committed against thee. And if thou hast offended any man, +humbly beg for pardon, and God shall freely forgive thee. +</p> + +<p> +4. What profiteth it to put off for long time the confession of thy sins, or to +defer Holy Communion? Cleanse thyself forthwith, spit out the poison with all +speed, hasten to take the remedy, and thou shalt feel thyself better than if +thou didst long defer it. If to-day thou defer it on one account, to-morrow +perchance some greater obstacle will come, and so thou mayest be long time +hindered from Communion and become more unfit. As soon as thou canst, shake +thyself from thy present heaviness and sloth, for it profiteth nothing to be +long anxious, to go long on thy way with heaviness of heart, and because of +daily little obstacles to sever thyself from divine things: nay it is exceeding +hurtful to defer thy Communion long, for this commonly bringeth on great +torpor. Alas! there are some, lukewarm and undisciplined, who willingly find +excuses for delaying repentance, and desire to defer Holy Communion, lest they +should be bound to keep stricter watch upon themselves. +</p> + +<p> +5. Alas! how little charity, what flagging devotion, have they who so lightly +put off Holy Communion. How happy is he, how acceptable to God, who so liveth, +and in such purity of conscience keepeth himself, that any day he could be +ready and well inclined to communicate, if it were in his power, and might be +done without the notice of others. If a man sometimes abstaineth for the sake +of humility or some sound cause, he is to be commended for his reverence. But +if drowsiness have taken hold of him, he ought to rouse himself and to do what +in him lieth; and the Lord will help his desire for the good will which he +hath, which God specially approveth. +</p> + +<p> +6. But when he is hindered by sufficient cause, yet will he ever have a good +will and pious intention to communicate; and so he shall not be lacking in the +fruit of the Sacrament. For any devout man is able every day and every hour to +draw near to spiritual communion with Christ to his soul’s health and +without hindrance. Nevertheless on certain days and at the appointed time he +ought to receive the Body and Blood of his Redeemer with affectionate +reverence, and rather to seek after the praise and honour of God, than his own +comfort. For so often doth he communicate mystically, and is invisibly +refreshed, as he devoutly calleth to mind the mystery of Christ’s +incarnation and His Passion, and is inflamed with the love of Him. +</p> + +<p> +7. He who only prepareth himself when a festival is at hand or custom +compelleth, will too often be unprepared. Blessed is he who offereth himself to +God for a whole burnt-offering, so often as he celebrateth or communicateth! Be +not too slow nor too hurried in thy celebrating, but preserve the good received +custom of those with whom thou livest. Thou oughtest not to produce weariness +and annoyance in others, but to observe the received custom, according to the +institution of the elders; and to minister to the profit of others rather than +to thine own devotion or feeling. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap107"></a>CHAPTER XI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are most necessary to +a faithful soul +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +O most sweet Lord Jesus, how great is the blessedness of the devout soul that +feedeth with Thee in Thy banquet, where there is set before it no other food +than Thyself its only Beloved, more to be desired than all the desires of the +heart? And to me it would verily be sweet to pour forth my tears in Thy +presence from the very bottom of my heart, and with the pious Magdalene to +water Thy feet with my tears. But where is this devotion? Where the abundant +flowing of holy tears? Surely in Thy presence and in the presence of the holy +Angels my whole heart ought to burn and to weep for joy; for I have Thee in the +Sacrament verily present, although hidden under other form. +</p> + +<p> +2. For in Thine own Divine brightness, mine eyes could not endure to behold +Thee, neither could the whole world stand before the splendour of the glory of +Thy Majesty. In this therefore Thou hast consideration unto my weakness, that +Thou hidest Thyself under the Sacrament. I verily possess and adore Him whom +the Angels adore in heaven; I yet for a while by faith, but they by sight and +without a veil. It is good for me to be content with the light of true faith, +and to walk therein until the day of eternal brightness dawn, and the shadows +of figures flee away.(1) But when that which is perfect is come, the using of +Sacraments shall cease, because the Blessed in heavenly glory have no need of +Sacramental remedy. For they rejoice unceasingly in the presence of God, +beholding His glory face to face, and <i>being changed from glory to +glory</i>(2) of the infinite God, they taste the Word of God made flesh, as He +was in the beginning and remaineth for everlasting. +</p> + +<p> +3. When I think on these wondrous things, even spiritual comfort whatsoever it +be becometh sore weariness to me; for so long as I see not openly my Lord in +His own Glory, I count for nothing all which I behold and hear in the world. +Thou, O God, art my witness that nothing is able to comfort me, no creature is +able to give me rest, save Thou, O my God, whom I desire to contemplate +everlastingly. But this is not possible, so long as I remain in this mortal +state. Therefore ought I to set myself unto great patience, and submit myself +unto Thee in every desire. For even Thy Saints, O Lord, who now rejoice with +Thee in the kingdom of heaven, waited for the coming of Thy glory whilst they +lived here, in faith and great glory. What they believed, that believe I; what +they hoped, I hope; whither they have attained to, thither through Thy grace +hope I to come. I will walk meanwhile in faith, strengthened by the examples of +the Saints. I will have also holy books for comfort and for a mirror of life, +and above them all Thy most holy Body and Blood shall be for me a special +remedy and refuge. +</p> + +<p> +4. For two things do I feel to be exceedingly necessary to me in this life, +without which this miserable life would be intolerable to me; being detained in +the prison of this body, I confess that I need two things, even food and light. +Thou hast therefore given to me who am so weak, Thy sacred Body and Blood, for +the refreshing of my soul and body, and hast set <i>Thy Word for a lantern to +my feet</i>.(3) Without these two I could not properly live; for the Word of +God is the light of my soul, and Thy Sacrament the bread of life. These may +also be called the two tables, placed on this side and on that, in the treasury +of Thy holy Church. One table is that of the Sacred Altar, bearing the holy +bread, that is the precious Body and Blood of Christ; the other is the table of +the Divine Law, containing holy doctrine, teaching the true faith, and leading +steadfastly onwards even to that which is within the veil, where the Holy of +Holies is. +</p> + +<p> +5. Thanks be unto Thee, O Lord Jesus, Light of Light everlasting, for that +table of holy doctrine which Thou has furnished unto us by Thy servants the +Prophets and Apostles and other teachers. Thanks be to Thee, O Creator and +Redeemer of men, who to make known Thy love to the whole world has prepared a +great supper, in which Thou hast set forth for good not the typical lamb, but +Thine own most Holy Body and Blood; making all Thy faithful ones joyful with +this holy banquet and giving them to drink the cup of salvation, wherein are +all the delights of Paradise, and the holy Angels do feed with us, and with yet +happier sweetness. +</p> + +<p> +6. Oh how great and honourable is the office of the priests, to whom it is +given to consecrate the Sacrament of the Lord of majesty with holy words, to +bless it with the lips, to hold it in their hands, to receive it with their own +mouth, and to administer it to others! Oh how clean ought those hands to be, +how pure the mouth, how holy the body, how unspotted the heart of the priest, +to whom so often the Author of purity entereth in! From the mouth of the priest +ought naught to proceed but what is holy, what is honest and profitable, +because he so often receiveth the Sacrament of Christ. +</p> + +<p> +7. His eyes ought to be single and pure, seeing they are wont to look upon the +Body of Christ; the hands should be pure and lifted towards heaven, which are +wont to hold within them the Creator of heaven and earth. To priests is it +specially said in the Law, <i>Be ye holy, for I the Lord your God am +holy.</i>(4) +</p> + +<p> +8. Assist us with Thy grace, O Almighty God, that we who have taken upon us the +priestly office, may be able to converse worthily and devoutly with Thee in all +purity and good conscience. And if we are not able to have our conversation in +such innocency of life as we ought, yet grant unto us worthily to lament the +sins which we have committed, and in the spirit of humility and full purpose of +a good will, to serve Thee more earnestly for the future. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Cant. ii. 17. (2) 2 Corinthians iii. 18. (3) Psalm cxix. 105. (4) Leviticus +xix. 2. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap108"></a>CHAPTER XII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with +great diligence +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Beloved +</p> + +<p> +I am the Lover of purity, and Giver of sanctity. I seek a pure heart, and there +is the place of My rest. Prepare for Me the larger upper room furnished, and I +will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.(1) If thou wilt that I +come unto thee and abide with thee, purge out the old leaven,(2) and cleanse +the habitation of thy heart. Shut out the whole world, and all the throng of +sins; sit as a sparrow alone upon the house-top,(3) and think upon thy +transgressions with bitterness of thy soul. For everyone that loveth prepareth +the best and fairest place for his beloved, because hereby the affection of him +that entertaineth his beloved is known. +</p> + +<p> +2. Yet know thou that thou canst not make sufficient preparation out of the +merit of any action of thine, even though thou shouldest prepare thyself for a +whole year, and hadst nothing else in thy mind. But out of My tenderness and +grace alone art thou permitted to draw nigh unto My table; as though a beggar +were called to a rich man’s dinner, and had no other recompense to offer +him for the benefits done unto him, but to humble himself and to give him +thanks. Do therefore as much as lieth in thee, and do it diligently, not of +custom, nor of necessity, but with fear, reverence, and affection, receive the +Body of thy beloved Lord God, who vouchsafeth to come unto thee. I am He who +hath called thee; I commanded it to be done; I will supply what is lacking to +thee; come and receive Me. +</p> + +<p> +3. When I give the grace of devotion, give thanks unto thy God; it is not +because thou art worthy, but because I had mercy on thee. If thou hast not +devotion, but rather feelest thyself dry, be instant in prayer, cease not to +groan and knock; cease not until thou prevail to obtain some crumb or drop of +saving grace. Thou hast need of Me, I have no need of thee. Nor dost thou come +to sanctify Me, but I come to sanctify thee and make thee better. Thou comest +that thou mayest be sanctified by Me, and be united to Me; that thou mayest +receive fresh grace, and be kindled anew to amendment of life. See that thou +neglect not this grace, but prepare thy heart with all diligence, and receive +thy Beloved unto thee. +</p> + +<p> +4. But thou oughtest not only to prepare thyself for devotion before Communion, +thou must also keep thyself with all diligence therein after receiving the +Sacrament; nor is less watchfulness needed afterwards, than devout preparation +beforehand: for good watchfulness afterwards becometh in turn the best +preparation for the gaining more grace. For hereby is a man made entirely +indisposed to good, if he immediately return from Communion to give himself up +to outward consolations. Beware of much speaking; remain in a secret place, and +hold communion with thy God; for thou hast Him whom the whole world cannot take +away from thee. I am He to whom thou oughtest wholly to give thyself; so that +now thou mayest live not wholly in thyself, but in Me, free from all anxiety. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Mark xiv. 14, 15. (2) 1 Corinthians v. 7. (3) Psalm cii. 7. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap109"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after union with +Christ in the Sacrament +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +Who shall grant unto me, O Lord, that I may find Thee alone, and open all my +heart unto Thee, and enjoy Thee as much as my soul desireth; and that no man +may henceforth look upon me, nor any creature move me or have respect unto me, +but Thou alone speak unto me and I unto Thee, even as beloved is wont to speak +unto beloved, and friend to feast with friend? For this do I pray, this do I +long for, that I may be wholly united unto Thee, and may withdraw my heart from +all created things, and by means of Holy Communion and frequent celebration may +learn more and more to relish heavenly and eternal things. Ah, Lord God, when +shall I be entirely united and lost in Thee, and altogether forgetful of +myself? Thou in me, and I in Thee;(1) even so grant that we may in like manner +continue together in one. +</p> + +<p> +2. Verily Thou art my Beloved, the choicest among ten thousand,(2) in whom my +soul delighteth to dwell all the days of her life. Verily Thou art my +Peacemaker, in Whom is perfect peace and true rest, apart from Whom is labour +and sorrow and infinite misery. Verily Thou art a God that hidest Thyself, and +Thy counsel is not with the wicked, but Thy Word is with the humble and the +simple. O how sweet, O Lord, is Thy spirit, who that Thou mightest manifest Thy +sweetness towards Thy children, dost vouchsafe to refresh them with the bread +which is full of sweetness, which cometh down from heaven. Verily there is no +other nation so great, which hath its gods drawing nigh to them, as Thou, our +God, art present unto all Thy faithful ones,(3) unto whom for their daily +solace, and for lifting up their heart unto heaven, Thou givest Thyself for +their food and delight. +</p> + +<p> +3. For what other nation is there so renowned as the Christian people? Or what +creature is so beloved under heaven as the devout soul to which God entereth +in, that he may feed it with His glorious flesh? O unspeakable grace! O +wonderful condescension! O immeasurable love specially bestowed upon men! But +what reward shall I give unto the Lord for this grace, for charity so mighty? +There is nothing which I am able to present more acceptable than to give my +heart altogether unto God, and to join it inwardly to Him. Then all my inward +parts shall rejoice, when my soul shall be perfectly united unto God. Then +shall He say unto me, “If thou wilt be with Me, I will be with +thee.” And I will answer Him, “Vouchsafe, O Lord, to abide with me, +I will gladly be with Thee; this is my whole desire, even that my heart be +united unto Thee.” +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) John xv. 4. (2) Cant. v. 10. (3) Deuteronomy iv. 7. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap110"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and Blood +of Christ +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +O how great is the abundance of Thy sweetness, O Lord, which Thou hast laid up +for them that fear Thee. When I call to mind some devout persons who draw nigh +to Thy Sacrament, O Lord, with the deepest devotion and affection, then very +often I am confounded in myself and blush for shame, that I approach Thine +altar and table of Holy Communion so carelessly and coldly, that I remain so +dry and without affection, that I am not wholly kindled with love before Thee, +my God, nor so vehemently drawn and affected as many devout persons have been, +who out of the very earnest desire of the Communion, and tender affection of +heart, could not refrain from weeping, but as it were with mouth of heart and +body alike panted inwardly after Thee, O God, O Fountain of Life, having no +power to appease or satiate their hunger, save by receiving Thy Body with all +joyfulness and spiritual eagerness. +</p> + +<p> +2. O truly ardent faith of those, becoming a very proof of Thy Sacred Presence! +For they verily know their Lord in the breaking of bread, whose heart so +ardently burneth within them(1) when Jesus walketh with them by the way. Ah me! +far from me for the most part is such love and devotion as this, such vehement +love and ardour. Be merciful unto me, O Jesus, good, sweet, and kind, and grant +unto Thy poor suppliant to feel sometimes, in Holy Communion, though it be but +a little, the cordial affection of Thy love, that my faith may grow stronger, +my hope in Thy goodness increase, and my charity, once kindled within me by the +tasting of the heavenly manna, may never fail. +</p> + +<p> +3. But Thy mercy is able even to grant me the grace which I long for, and to +visit me most tenderly with the spirit of fervour when the day of Thy good +pleasure shall come. For, although I burn not with desire so vehement as theirs +who are specially devout towards Thee, yet, through Thy grace, I have a desire +after that greatly inflamed desire, praying and desiring to be made partaker +with all those who so fervently love Thee, and to be numbered among their holy +company. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Luke xxiv. 32. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap111"></a>CHAPTER XV</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self-denial +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Beloved +</p> + +<p> +Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to ask it fervently, to +wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it gratefully, to preserve it +humbly, to work with it diligently, and to leave to God the time and manner of +heavenly visitation until it come. Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thyself when +thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion, yet not to be too much cast down, +nor to grieve out of measure. God ofttimes giveth in one short moment what He +hath long time denied; He sometimes giveth at the end what at the beginning of +prayer He hath deferred to give. +</p> + +<p> +2. If grace were always given immediately, and were at hand at the wish, it +would be hardly bearable to weak man. Wherefore the grace of devotion is to be +waited for with a good hope and with humble patience. Yet impute it to thyself +and to thy sins when it is not given, or when it is mysteriously taken away. It +is sometimes a small thing which hindereth and hideth grace; (if indeed that +ought to be called <i>small</i> and not rather <i>great</i>, which hindereth so +great a good); but if thou remove this, be it small or great, and perfectly +overcome it, thou wilt have what thou hast asked. +</p> + +<p> +3. For immediately that thou hast given thyself unto God with all thine heart, +and hast sought neither this nor that according to thine own will and pleasure, +but hast altogether settled thyself in Him, thou shalt find thyself united and +at peace; because nothing shall give thee so sweet relish and delight, as the +good pleasure of the Divine will. Whosoever therefore shall have lifted up his +will unto God with singleness of heart, and shall have delivered himself from +every inordinate love or dislike of any created thing, he will be the most fit +for receiving grace, and worthy of the gift of devotion. For where the Lord +findeth empty vessels,(1) there giveth He His blessing. And the more perfectly +a man forsaketh things which cannot profit, and the more he dieth to himself, +the more quickly doth grace come, the more plentifully doth it enter in, and +the higher doth it lift up the free heart. +</p> + +<p> +4. Then shall he see, and flow together, and wonder, and his heart shall be +enlarged within him,(2) because the hand of the Lord is with him, and he hath +put himself wholly in His hand, even for ever. Lo, thus shall the man be +blessed, that seeketh God with all his heart, and receiveth not his soul in +vain. This man in receiving the Holy Eucharist obtaineth the great grace of +Divine Union; because he hath not regard to his own devotion and comfort, but, +above all devotion and comfort, to the glory and honour of God. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) 2 Kings iv. (2) Isaiah lx. 5. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap112"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ and to require His Grace +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +O most sweet and loving Lord, whom now I devoutly desire to receive, Thou +knowest my infirmity and the necessity which I suffer, in what evils and vices +I lie; how often I am weighed down, tempted, disturbed, and defiled. I come +unto Thee for remedy, I beseech of Thee consolation and support. I speak unto +Thee who knowest all things, to whom all my secrets are open, and who alone art +able perfectly to comfort and help me. Thou knowest what good thing I most +stand in need of, and how poor I am in virtues. +</p> + +<p> +2. Behold, I stand poor and naked before Thee, requiring grace, and imploring +mercy. Refresh the hungry suppliant, kindle my coldness with the fire of Thy +love, illuminate my blindness with the brightness of Thy presence. Turn thou +all earthly things into bitterness for me, all grievous and contrary things +into patience, all things worthless and created into contempt and oblivion. +Lift up my heart unto Thee in Heaven, and suffer me not to wander over the +earth. Be Thou alone sweet unto me from this day forward for ever, because Thou +alone art my meat and drink, my love and joy, my sweetness and my whole good. +</p> + +<p> +3. Oh that Thou wouldest altogether by Thy presence, kindle, consume, and +transform me into Thyself; that I may be made one spirit with Thee, by the +grace of inward union, and the melting of earnest love! Suffer me not to go +away from Thee hungry and dry; but deal mercifully with me, as oftentimes Thou +hast dealt wondrously with Thy saints. What marvel if I should be wholly +kindled from Thee, and in myself should utterly fail, since Thou art fire +always burning and never failing, love purifying the heart and enlightening the +understanding. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap113"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving Christ +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Disciple +</p> + +<p> +With the deepest devotion and fervent love, with all affection and fervour of +heart, I long to receive Thee, O Lord, even as many Saints and devout persons +have desired Thee in communicating, who were altogether well pleasing to Thee +by their sanctity of life, and dwelt in all ardent devotion. O my God, Eternal +Love, my whole Good, Happiness without measure, I long to receive Thee with the +most vehement desire and becoming reverence which any Saint ever had or could +have. +</p> + +<p> +2. And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion, yet do I +offer Thee the whole affection of my heart, even as though I alone had all +those most grateful inflamed desires. Yea, also, whatsoever things a pious mind +is able to conceive and long for, all these with the deepest veneration and +inward fervour do I offer and present unto Thee. I desire to reserve nothing +unto myself, but freely and entirely to offer myself and all that I have unto +Thee for a sacrifice. O Lord my God, my Creator and Redeemer! with such +affection, reverence, praise, and honour, with such gratitude, worthiness, and +love, with such faith, hope, and purity do I desire to receive Thee this day, +as Thy most blessed Mother, the glorious Virgin Mary, received and desired +Thee, when she humbly and devoutly answered the Angel who brought unto her the +glad tidings of the mystery of the Incarnation. Behold the handmaid of the +Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.(1) +</p> + +<p> +3. And as Thy blessed forerunner, the most excellent of Saints, John Baptist, +being full of joy in Thy presence, leapt while yet in the womb of his mother, +for joy in the Holy Ghost; and afterwards discerning Jesus walking amongst men, +humbled himself exceedingly, and said, with devout affection, The friend of the +bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the +bridegroom’s voice;(2) even so I wish to be inflamed with great and holy +desires, and to present myself unto Thee with my whole heart. Whence also, on +behalf of myself and of all commended to me in prayer, I offer and present unto +Thee the jubilation of all devout hearts, their ardent affections, their mental +ecstasies, and supernatural illuminations and heavenly visions, with all the +virtues and praises celebrated and to be celebrated by every creature in heaven +and earth; to the end that by all Thou mayest worthily be praised and glorified +for ever. +</p> + +<p> +4. Receive my prayers, O Lord my God, and my desires of giving Thee infinite +praise and unbounded benediction, which, according to the multitude of Thine +unspeakable greatness, are most justly due unto Thee. These do I give Thee, and +desire to give every day and every moment; and with beseechings and +affectionate desires I call upon all celestial spirits and all Thy faithful +people to join with me in rendering Thee thanks and praises. +</p> + +<p> +5. Let all peoples, nations, and tongues praise Thee, and magnify Thy holy and +sweet-sounding Name, with highest jubilations and ardent devotion. And let all +who reverently and devoutly celebrate Thy most high Sacrament, and receive it +with full assurance of faith, be accounted worthy to find grace and mercy with +Thee, and intercede with all supplication for me a sinner; and when they shall +have attained unto their wished-for devotion and joyous union with Thee, and +shall depart full of comfort and wondrously refreshed from Thy holy, heavenly +table, let them vouchsafe to be mindful of me, for I am poor and needy. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Luke i. 38. (2) John iii. 29. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h3><a name="chap114"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h3> + +<p class="center"> +That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a humble +imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith +</p> + +<p class="center"> +The Voice of the Beloved +</p> + +<p> +Thou must take heed of curious and useless searching into this most profound +Sacrament, if thou wilt not be plunged into the abyss of doubt. He that is a +searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by the glory thereof.(1) God is able to +do more than man can understand. A pious and humble search after truth is to be +allowed, when it is always ready to be taught, and striving to walk after the +wholesome opinions of the fathers. +</p> + +<p> +2. Blessed is the simplicity which leaveth alone the difficult paths of +questionings, and followeth the plain and firm steps of God’s +commandments. Many have lost devotion whilst they sought to search into deeper +things. Faith is required of thee, and a sincere life, not loftiness of +intellect, nor deepness in the mysteries of God. If thou understandest not nor +comprehendest the things which are beneath thee, how shalt thou comprehend +those which are above thee? Submit thyself unto God, and humble thy sense to +faith, and the light of knowledge shall be given thee, as shall be profitable +and necessary unto thee. +</p> + +<p> +3. There are some who are grievously tempted concerning faith and the +Sacrament; but this is not to be imputed to themselves but rather to the enemy. +Care not then for this, dispute not with thine own thoughts, nor make answer to +the doubts which are cast into thee by the devil; but believe the words of God, +believe His Saints and Prophets, and the wicked enemy shall flee from thee. +Often it profiteth much, that the servant of God endureth such things. For the +enemy tempteth not unbelievers and sinners, because he already hath secure +possession of them; but he tempteth and harasseth the faithful and devout by +various means. +</p> + +<p> +4. Go forward therefore with simple and undoubting faith, and draw nigh unto +the Sacrament with supplicating reverence. And whatsoever thou art not enabled +to understand, that commit without anxiety to Almighty God. God deceiveth thee +not; he is deceived who believeth too much in himself. God walketh with the +simple, revealeth Himself to the humble, giveth understanding to babes, openeth +the sense to pure minds, and hideth grace from the curious and proud. Human +reason is weak and may be deceived; but true faith cannot be deceived. +</p> + +<p> +5. All reason and natural investigation ought to follow faith, not to precede, +nor to break it. For faith and love do here especially take the highest place, +and work in hidden ways in this most holy and exceeding excellent Sacrament. +God who is eternal and incomprehensible, and of infinite power, doth great and +inscrutable things in heaven and in earth, and His wonderful works are past +finding out. If the works of God were of such sort that they might easily be +comprehended by human reason, they should no longer be called wonderful or +unspeakable. +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +(1) Proverbs xxv. 27 (Vulg.). +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IMITATION OF CHRIST ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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Its +exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. +Manuscripts of the Latin version survive in considerable numbers +all over Western Europe, and they, with the vast list of +translations and of printed editions, testify to its almost +unparalleled popularity. One scribe attributes it to St. Bernard +of Clairvaux; but the fact that it contains a quotation from St. +Francis of Assisi, who was born thirty years after the death of +St. Bernard, disposes of this theory. In England there exist +many manuscripts of the first three books, called "Musica +Ecclesiastica," frequently ascribed to the English mystic Walter +Hilton. But Hilton seems to have died in 1395, and there is no +evidence of the existence of the work before 1400. Many +manuscripts scattered throughout Europe ascribe the book to Jean +le Charlier de Gerson, the great Chancellor of the University of +Paris, who was a leading figure in the Church in the earlier +part of the fifteenth century. The most probable author, +however, especially when the internal evidence is considered, is +Thomas Haemmerlein, known also as Thomas a Kempis, from his +native town of Kempen, near the Rhine, about forty miles north of +Cologne. Haemmerlein, who was born in 1379 or 1380, was a member +of the order of the Brothers of Common Life, and spent the last +seventy years of his life at Mount St. Agnes, a monastery of +Augustinian canons in the diocese of Utrecht. Here he died on +July 26, 1471, after an uneventful life spent in copying +manuscripts, reading, and composing, and in the peaceful routine +of monastic piety. + +With the exception of the Bible, no Christian writing has had +so wide a vogue or so sustained a popularity as this. And yet, +in one sense, it is hardly an original work at all. Its +structure it owes largely to the writings of the medieval +mystics, and its ideas and phrases are a mosaic from the Bible +and the Fathers of the early Church. But these elements are +interwoven with such delicate skill and a religious feeling at +once so ardent and so sound, that it promises to remain, what it +has been for five hundred years, the supreme call and guide to +spiritual aspiration. + + + + +THE IMITATION OF CHRIST + + + + +THE FIRST BOOK + + + +ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE + +CHAPTER I + +Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all +its vanities + +He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,(1) saith the +Lord. These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far +we must imitate His life and character, if we seek true +illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let +it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life +of Jesus Christ. + +2. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as +have His Spirit find therein the hidden manna.(2) But there are +many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel but +little longing after it, because they have not the mind of +Christ. He, therefore, that will fully and with true wisdom +understand the words of Christ, let him strive to conform his +whole life to that mind of Christ. + +3. What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion +concerning the Holy Trinity, if thou lack humility, and be thus +displeasing to the Trinity? For verily it is not deep words that +make a man holy and upright; it is a good life which maketh a man +dear to God. I had rather feel contrition than be skilful in the +definition thereof. If thou knewest the whole Bible, and the +sayings of all the philosophers, what should all this profit thee +without the love and grace of God? Vanity of vanities, all is +vanity, save to love God, and Him only to serve. That is the +highest wisdom, to cast the world behind us, and to reach forward +to the heavenly kingdom. + +4. It is vanity then to seek after, and to trust in, the riches +that shall perish. It is vanity, too, to covet honours, and to +lift up ourselves on high. It is vanity to follow the desires of +the flesh and be led by them, for this shall bring misery at the +last. It is vanity to desire a long life, and to have little +care for a good life. It is vanity to take thought only for the +life which now is, and not to look forward to the things which +shall be hereafter. It is vanity to love that which quickly +passeth away, and not to hasten where eternal joy abideth. + +5. Be ofttimes mindful of the saying,(3) The eye is not satisfied +with seeing, nor the ear with hearing. Strive, therefore, to +turn away thy heart from the love of the things that are seen, +and to set it upon the things that are not seen. For they who +follow after their own fleshly lusts, defile the conscience, and +destroy the grace of God. + +(1) John viii. 12. (2) Revelations ii. 17. +(3) Ecclesiastes i. 8. + + +CHAPTER II + +Of thinking humbly of oneself + +There is naturally in every man a desire to know, but what +profiteth knowledge without the fear of God? Better of a surety +is a lowly peasant who serveth God, than a proud philosopher who +watcheth the stars and neglecteth the knowledge of himself. He +who knoweth himself well is vile in his own sight; neither +regardeth he the praises of men. If I knew all the things that +are in the world, and were not in charity, what should it help me +before God, who is to judge me according to my deeds? + +2. Rest from inordinate desire of knowledge, for therein is found +much distraction and deceit. Those who have knowledge desire to +appear learned, and to be called wise. Many things there are to +know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul. And foolish +out of measure is he who attendeth upon other things rather than +those which serve to his soul's health. Many words satisfy not +the soul, but a good life refresheth the mind, and a pure +conscience giveth great confidence towards God. + +3. The greater and more complete thy knowledge, the more severely +shalt thou be judged, unless thou hast lived holily. Therefore +be not lifted up by any skill or knowledge that thou hast; but +rather fear concerning the knowledge which is given to thee. If +it seemeth to thee that thou knowest many things, and +understandest them well, know also that there are many more +things which thou knowest not. Be not high-minded, but rather +confess thine ignorance. Why desirest thou to lift thyself above +another, when there are found many more learned and more skilled +in the Scripture than thou? If thou wilt know and learn anything +with profit, love to be thyself unknown and to be counted for +nothing. + +4. That is the highest and most profitable lesson, when a man +truly knoweth and judgeth lowly of himself. To account nothing +of one's self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, +this is great and perfect wisdom. Even shouldest thou see thy +neighbor sin openly or grievously, yet thou oughtest not to +reckon thyself better than he, for thou knowest not how long +thou shalt keep thine integrity. All of us are weak and frail; +hold thou no man more frail than thyself. + + +CHAPTER III + +Of the knowledge of truth + +Happy is the man whom Truth by itself doth teach, not by figures +and transient words, but as it is in itself.(1) Our own +judgment and feelings often deceive us, and we discern but +little of the truth. What doth it profit to argue about hidden +and dark things, concerning which we shall not be even reproved +in the judgment, because we knew them not? Oh, grievous folly, +to neglect the things which are profitable and necessary, and to +give our minds to things which are curious and hurtful! Having +eyes, we see not. + +2. And what have we to do with talk about genus and species! +He to whom the Eternal Word speaketh is free from multiplied +questionings. From this One Word are all things, and all things +speak of Him; and this is the Beginning which also speaketh unto +us.(2) No man without Him understandeth or rightly judgeth. The +man to whom all things are one, who bringeth all things to one, +who seeth all things in one, he is able to remain steadfast of +spirit, and at rest in God. O God, who art the Truth, make me +one with Thee in everlasting love. It wearieth me oftentimes to +read and listen to many things; in Thee is all that I wish for +and desire. Let all the doctors hold their peace; let all +creation keep silence before Thee: speak Thou alone to me. + +3. The more a man hath unity and simplicity in himself, the more +things and the deeper things he understandeth; and that without +labour, because he receiveth the light of understanding from +above. The spirit which is pure, sincere, and steadfast, is not +distracted though it hath many works to do, because it doth all +things to the honour of God, and striveth to be free from all +thoughts of self-seeking. Who is so full of hindrance and +annoyance to thee as thine own undisciplined heart? A man who is +good and devout arrangeth beforehand within his own heart the +works which he hath to do abroad; and so is not drawn away by the +desires of his evil will, but subjecteth everything to the +judgment of right reason. Who hath a harder battle to fight +than he who striveth for self-mastery? And this should be our +endeavour, even to master self, and thus daily to grow stronger +than self, and go on unto perfection. + +4. All perfection hath some imperfection joined to it in this +life, and all our power of sight is not without some darkness. A +lowly knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than the deep +searching of man's learning. Not that learning is to be blamed, +nor the taking account of anything that is good; but a good +conscience and a holy life is better than all. And because many +seek knowledge rather than good living, therefore they go astray, +and bear little or no fruit. + +5. O if they would give that diligence to the rooting out of vice +and the planting of virtue which they give unto vain +questionings: there had not been so many evil doings and +stumbling-blocks among the laity, nor such ill living among +houses of religion. Of a surety, at the Day of Judgment it will +be demanded of us, not what we have read, but what we have done; +not how well we have spoken, but how holily we have lived. Tell +me, where now are all those masters and teachers, whom thou +knewest well, whilst they were yet with you, and flourished in +learning? Their stalls are now filled by others, who perhaps +never have one thought concerning them. Whilst they lived they +seemed to be somewhat, but now no one speaks of them. + +6. Oh how quickly passeth the glory of the world away! Would +that their life and knowledge had agreed together! For then +would they have read and inquired unto good purpose. How many +perish through empty learning in this world, who care little for +serving God. And because they love to be great more than to be +humble, therefore they "have become vain in their imaginations." +He only is truly great, who hath great charity. He is truly +great who deemeth himself small, and counteth all height of +honour as nothing. He is the truly wise man, who counteth all +earthly things as dung that he may win Christ. And he is the +truly learned man, who doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his +own will. + +(1) Psalm xciv. 12; Numbers xii. 8. (2) John viii. 25 (Vulg.). + + +CHAPTER IV + +Of prudence in action + +We must not trust every word of others or feeling within +ourselves, but cautiously and patiently try the matter, whether +it be of God. Unhappily we are so weak that we find it easier to +believe and speak evil of others, rather than good. But they +that are perfect, do not give ready heed to every news-bearer, +for they know man's weakness that it is prone to evil and +unstable in words. + +2. This is great wisdom, not to be hasty in action, or stubborn +in our own opinions. A part of this wisdom also is not to +believe every word we hear, nor to tell others all that we hear, +even though we believe it. Take counsel with a man who is wise +and of a good conscience; and seek to be instructed by one better +than thyself, rather than to follow thine own inventions. A good +life maketh a man wise toward God, and giveth him experience in +many things. The more humble a man is in himself, and the more +obedient towards God, the wiser will he be in all things, and the +more shall his soul be at peace. + + +CHAPTER V + +Of the reading of Holy Scriptures + +It is Truth which we must look for in Holy Writ, not cunning of +words. All Scripture ought to be read in the spirit in which it +was written. We must rather seek for what is profitable in +Scripture, than for what ministereth to subtlety in discourse. +Therefore we ought to read books which are devotional and simple, +as well as those which are deep and difficult. And let not the +weight of the writer be a stumbling-block to thee, whether he be +of little or much learning, but let the love of the pure Truth +draw thee to read. Ask not, who hath said this or that, but look +to what he says. + +2. Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. +Without respect of persons God speaketh to us in divers manners. +Our own curiosity often hindereth us in the reading of holy +writings, when we seek to understand and discuss, where we should +pass simply on. If thou wouldst profit by thy reading, read +humbly, simply, honestly, and not desiring to win a character for +learning. Ask freely, and hear in silence the words of holy men; +nor be displeased at the hard sayings of older men than thou, for +they are not uttered without cause. + + +CHAPTER VI + +Of inordinate affections + +Whensoever a man desireth aught above measure, immediately he +becometh restless. The proud and the avaricious man are never +at rest; while the poor and lowly of heart abide in the +multitude of peace. The man who is not yet wholly dead to self, +is soon tempted, and is overcome in small and trifling matters. +It is hard for him who is weak in spirit, and still in part +carnal and inclined to the pleasures of sense, to withdraw +himself altogether from earthly desires. And therefore, when he +withdraweth himself from these, he is often sad, and easily +angered too if any oppose his will. + +2. But if, on the other hand, he yield to his inclination, +immediately he is weighed down by the condemnation of his +conscience; for that he hath followed his own desire, and yet in +no way attained the peace which he hoped for. For true peace of +heart is to be found in resisting passion, not in yielding to it. +And therefore there is no peace in the heart of a man who is +carnal, nor in him who is given up to the things that are without +him, but only in him who is fervent towards God and living the +life of the Spirit. + + +CHAPTER VII + +Of fleeing from vain hope and pride + +Vain is the life of that man who putteth his trust in men or in +any created Thing. Be not ashamed to be the servant of others +for the love of Jesus Christ, and to be reckoned poor in this +life. Rest not upon thyself, but build thy hope in God. Do what +lieth in thy power, and God will help thy good intent. Trust not +in thy learning, nor in the cleverness of any that lives, but +rather trust in the favour of God, who resisteth the proud and +giveth grace to the humble. + +2. Boast not thyself in thy riches if thou hast them, nor in thy +friends if they be powerful, but in God, who giveth all things, +and in addition to all things desireth to give even Himself. Be +not lifted up because of thy strength or beauty of body, for with +only a slight sickness it will fail and wither away. Be not vain +of thy skilfulness or ability, lest thou displease God, from +whom cometh every good gift which we have. + +3. Count not thyself better than others, lest perchance thou +appear worse in the sight of God, who knoweth what is in man. Be +not proud of thy good works, for God's judgments are of another +sort than the judgments of man, and what pleaseth man is ofttimes +displeasing to Him. If thou hast any good, believe that others +have more, and so thou mayest preserve thy humility. It is no +harm to thee if thou place thyself below all others; but it is +great harm if thou place thyself above even one. Peace is ever +with the humble man, but in the heart of the proud there is +envy and continual wrath. + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Of the danger of too much familiarity + +Open not thine heart to every man, but deal with one who is wise +and feareth God. Be seldom with the young and with strangers. Be +not a flatterer of the rich; nor willingly seek the society of +the great. Let thy company be the humble and the simple, the +devout and the gentle, and let thy discourse be concerning things +which edify. Be not familiar with any woman, but commend all good +women alike unto God. Choose for thy companions God and His +Angels only, and flee from the notice of men. + +2. We must love all men, but not make close companions of all. +It sometimes falleth out that one who is unknown to us is highly +regarded through good report of him, whose actual person is +nevertheless unpleasing to those who behold it. We sometimes +think to please others by our intimacy, and forthwith displease +them the more by the faultiness of character which they perceive +in us. + + +CHAPTER IX + +Of obedience and subjection + +It is verily a great thing to live in obedience, to be under +authority, and not to be at our own disposal. Far safer is it to +live in subjection than in a place of authority. Many are in +obedience from necessity rather than from love; these take it +amiss, and repine for small cause. Nor will they gain freedom of +spirit, unless with all their heart they submit themselves for +the love of God. Though thou run hither and thither, thou wilt +not find peace, save in humble subjection to the authority of him +who is set over thee. Fancies about places and change of them +have deceived many. + +2. True it is that every man willingly followeth his own bent, +and is the more inclined to those who agree with him. But if +Christ is amongst us, then it is necessary that we sometimes +yield up our own opinion for the sake of peace. Who is so wise +as to have perfect knowledge of all things? Therefore trust not +too much to thine own opinion, but be ready also to hear the +opinions of others. Though thine own opinion be good, yet if for +the love of God thou foregoest it, and followest that of another, +thou shalt the more profit thereby. + +3. Ofttimes I have heard that it is safer to hearken and to +receive counsel than to give it. It may also come to pass that +each opinion may be good; but to refuse to hearken to others when +reason or occasion requireth it, is a mark of pride or +wilfulness. + + +CHAPTER X + +Of the danger of superfluity of words + +Avoid as far as thou canst the tumult of men; for talk concerning +worldly things, though it be innocently undertaken, is a +hindrance, so quickly are we led captive and defiled by vanity. +Many a time I wish that I had held my peace, and had not gone +amongst men. But why do we talk and gossip so continually, +seeing that we so rarely resume our silence without some hurt +done to our conscience? We like talking so much because we hope +by our conversations to gain some mutual comfort, and because we +seek to refresh our wearied spirits by variety of thoughts. And +we very willingly talk and think of those things which we love or +desire, or else of those which we most dislike. + +2. But alas! it is often to no purpose and in vain. For this +outward consolation is no small hindrance to the inner comfort +which cometh from God. Therefore must we watch and pray that +time pass not idly away. If it be right and desirable for thee +to speak, speak things which are to edification. Evil custom and +neglect of our real profit tend much to make us heedless of +watching over our lips. Nevertheless, devout conversation on +spiritual things helpeth not a little to spiritual progress, most +of all where those of kindred mind and spirit find their ground +of fellowship in God. + + +CHAPTER XI + +Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress + +We may enjoy abundance of peace if we refrain from busying +ourselves with the sayings and doings of others, and things which +concern not ourselves. How can he abide long time in peace who +occupieth himself with other men's matters, and with things +without himself, and meanwhile payeth little or rare heed to the +self within? Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall have +abundance of peace. + +2. How came it to pass that many of the Saints were so perfect, +so contemplative of Divine things? Because they steadfastly +sought to mortify themselves from all worldly desires, and so +were enabled to cling with their whole heart to God, and be free +and at leisure for the thought of Him. We are too much occupied +with our own affections, and too anxious about transitory things. +Seldom, too, do we entirely conquer even a single fault, nor are +we zealous for daily growth in grace. And so we remain lukewarm +and unspiritual. + +3. Were we fully watchful of ourselves, and not bound in spirit +to outward things, then might we be wise unto salvation, and make +progress in Divine contemplation. Our great and grievous +stumbling-block is that, not being freed from our affections and +desires, we strive not to enter into the perfect way of the +Saints. And when even a little trouble befalleth us, too quickly +are we cast down, and fly to the world to give us comfort. + +4. If we would quit ourselves like men, and strive to stand firm +in the battle, then should we see the Lord helping us from Heaven. +For He Himself is alway ready to help those who strive and who +trust in Him; yea, He provideth for us occasions of striving, to +the end that we may win the victory. If we look upon our +progress in religion as a progress only in outward observances +and forms, our devoutness will soon come to an end. But let us +lay the axe to the very root of our life, that, being cleansed +from affections, we may possess our souls in peace. + +5. If each year should see one fault rooted out from us, we +should go quickly on to perfection. But on the contrary, we +often feel that we were better and holier in the beginning of our +conversion than after many years of profession. Zeal and +progress ought to increase day by day; yet now it seemeth a great +thing if one is able to retain some portion of his first ardour. +If we would put some slight stress on ourselves at the beginning, +then afterwards we should be able to do all things with ease and +joy. + +6. It is a hard thing to break through a habit, and a yet harder +thing to go contrary to our own will. Yet if thou overcome not +slight and easy obstacles, how shalt thou overcome greater ones? +Withstand thy will at the beginning, and unlearn an evil habit, +lest it lead thee little by little into worse difficulties. Oh, +if thou knewest what peace to thyself thy holy life should bring +to thyself, and what joy to others, methinketh thou wouldst be +more zealous for spiritual profit. + + +CHAPTER XII + +Of the uses of adversity + +It is good for us that we sometimes have sorrows and adversities, +for they often make a man lay to heart that he is only a stranger +and sojourner, and may not put his trust in any worldly thing. +It is good that we sometimes endure contradictions, and are +hardly and unfairly judged, when we do and mean what is good. +For these things help us to be humble, and shield us from +vain-glory. For then we seek the more earnestly the witness of +God, when men speak evil of us falsely, and give us no credit for +good. + +2. Therefore ought a man to rest wholly upon God, so that he +needeth not seek much comfort at the hand of men. When a man who +feareth God is afflicted or tried or oppressed with evil +thoughts, then he seeth that God is the more necessary unto him, +since without God he can do no good thing. Then he is heavy of +heart, he groaneth, he crieth out for the very disquietness of +his heart. Then he groweth weary of life, and would fain depart +and be with Christ. By all this he is taught that in the world +there can be no perfect security or fulness of peace. + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Of resisting temptation + +So long as we live in the world, we cannot be without trouble and +trial. Wherefore it is written in Job, The life of man upon the +earth is a trial.(1) And therefore ought each of us to give heed +concerning trials and temptations, and watch unto prayer, lest +the devil find occasion to deceive; for he never sleepeth, but +goeth about seeking whom he may devour. No man is so perfect in +holiness that he hath never temptations, nor can we ever be +wholly free from them. + +2. Yet, notwithstanding, temptations turn greatly unto our +profit, even though they be great and hard to bear; for through +them we are humbled, purified, instructed. All Saints have +passed through much tribulation and temptation, and have profited +thereby. And they who endured not temptation became reprobate +and fell away. There is no position so sacred, no place so +secret, that it is without temptations and adversities. + +3. There is no man wholly free from temptations so long as he +liveth, because we have the root of temptation within ourselves, +in that we are born in concupiscence. One temptation or sorrow +passeth, and another cometh; and always we shall have somewhat +to suffer, for we have fallen from perfect happiness. Many who +seek to fly from temptations fall yet more deeply into them. +By flight alone we cannot overcome, but by endurance and +true humility we are made stronger than all our enemies. + +4. He who only resisteth outwardly and pulleth not up by the +root, shall profit little; nay, rather temptations will return to +him the more quickly, and will be the more terrible. Little by +little, through patience and longsuffering, thou shalt conquer by +the help of God, rather than by violence and thine own strength +of will. In the midst of temptation often seek counsel; and deal +not hardly with one who is tempted, but comfort and strengthen +him as thou wouldest have done unto thyself. + +5. The beginning of all temptations to evil is instability of +temper and want of trust in God; for even as a ship without a +helm is tossed about by the waves, so is a man who is careless +and infirm of purpose tempted, now on this side, now on that. +As fire testeth iron, so doth temptation the upright man. +Oftentimes we know not what strength we have; but temptation +revealeth to us what we are. Nevertheless, we must watch, +especially in the beginnings of temptation; for then is the foe +the more easily mastered, when he is not suffered to enter within +the mind, but is met outside the door as soon as he hath knocked. +Wherefore one saith, + + Check the beginnings; once thou might'st have cured, + But now 'tis past thy skill, too long hath it endured. + +For first cometh to the mind the simple suggestion, then the +strong imagination, afterwards pleasure, evil affection, assent. +And so little by little the enemy entereth in altogether, because +he was not resisted at the beginning. And the longer a man +delayeth his resistance, the weaker he groweth, and the stronger +groweth the enemy against him. + +6. Some men suffer their most grievous temptations in the +beginning of their conversion, some at the end. Some are sorely +tried their whole life long. Some there are who are tempted but +lightly, according to the wisdom and justice of the ordering of +God, who knoweth the character and circumstances of men, and +ordereth all things for the welfare of His elect. + +7. Therefore we ought not to despair when we are tempted, but the +more fervently should cry unto God, that He will vouchsafe to +help us in all our tribulation; and that He will, as St. Paul +saith, with the temptation make a way to escape that we may be +able to bear it.(2) Let us therefore humble ourselves under the +mighty hand of God in all temptation and trouble, for He will +save and exalt such as are of an humble spirit. + +8. In temptations and troubles a man is proved, what progress he +hath made, and therein is his reward the greater, and his virtue +doth the more appear. Nor is it a great thing if a man be devout +and zealous so long as he suffereth no affliction; but if he +behave himself patiently in the time of adversity, then is there +hope of great progress. Some are kept safe from great +temptations, but are overtaken in those which are little and +common, that the humiliation may teach them not to trust to +themselves in great things, being weak in small things. + +(1) Job vii. 1 (Vulg.). (2) 1 Corinthians x. 13. + + +CHAPTER XIV + +On avoiding rash judgment + +Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings +of others. In judging others a man laboureth in vain; he often +erreth, and easily falleth into sin; but in judging and examining +himself he always laboureth to good purpose. According as a +matter toucheth our fancy, so oftentimes do we judge of it; for +easily do we fail of true judgment because of our own personal +feeling. If God were always the sole object of our desire, we +should the less easily be troubled by the erring judgment of our +fancy. + +2. But often some secret thought lurking within us, or even some +outward circumstance, turneth us aside. Many are secretly +seeking their own ends in what they do, yet know it not. They +seem to live in good peace of mind so long as things go well with +them, and according to their desires, but if their desires be +frustrated and broken, immediately they are shaken and +displeased. Diversity of feelings and opinions very often brings +about dissensions between friends, between countrymen, between +religious and godly men. + +3. Established custom is not easily relinquished, and no man is +very easily led to see with the eyes of another. If thou rest +more upon thy own reason or experience than upon the power of +Jesus Christ, thy light shall come slowly and hardly; for God +willeth us to be perfectly subject unto Himself, and all our +reason to be exalted by abundant love towards Him. + + +CHAPTER XV + +Of works of charity + +For no worldly good whatsoever, and for the love of no man, must +anything be done which is evil, but for the help of the suffering +a good work must sometimes be postponed, or be changed for a +better; for herein a good work is not destroyed, but improved. +Without charity no work profiteth, but whatsoever is done in +charity, however small and of no reputation it be, bringeth forth +good fruit; for God verily considereth what a man is able to do, +more than the greatness of what he doth. + +2. He doth much who loveth much. He doth much who doth well. He +doth well who ministereth to the public good rather than to his +own. Oftentimes that seemeth to be charity which is rather +carnality, because it springeth from natural inclination, +self-will, hope of repayment, desire of gain. + +3. He who hath true and perfect charity, in no wise seeketh his +own good, but desireth that God alone be altogether glorified. +He envieth none, because he longeth for no selfish joy; nor doth +he desire to rejoice in himself, but longeth to be blessed in God +as the highest good. He ascribeth good to none save to God only, +the Fountain whence all good proceedeth, and the End, the Peace, +the joy of all Saints. Oh, he who hath but a spark of true +charity, hath verily learned that all worldly things are full of +vanity. + +CHAPTER XVI + +Of bearing with the faults of others + +Those things which a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he +ought patiently to bear, until God shall otherwise ordain. +Bethink thee that perhaps it is better for thy trial and +patience, without which our merits are but little worth. +Nevertheless thou oughtest, when thou findeth such impediments, +to beseech God that He would vouchsafe to sustain thee, that thou +be able to bear them with a good will. + +2. If one who is once or twice admonished refuse to hearken, +strive not with him, but commit all to God, that His will may be +done and His honour be shown in His servants, for He knoweth well +how to convert the evil unto good. Endeavour to be patient in +bearing with other men's faults and infirmities whatsoever they +be, for thou thyself also hast many things which have need to be +borne with by others. If thou canst not make thine own self what +thou desireth, how shalt thou be able to fashion another to thine +own liking. We are ready to see others made perfect, and yet we +do not amend our own shortcomings. + +3. We will that others be straitly corrected, but we will not be +corrected ourselves. The freedom of others displeaseth us, but +we are dissatisfied that our own wishes shall be denied us. We +desire rules to be made restraining others, but by no means will +we suffer ourselves to be restrained. Thus therefore doth it +plainly appear how seldom we weigh our neighbour in the same +balance with ourselves. If all men were perfect, what then should +we have to suffer from others for God? + +4. But now hath God thus ordained, that we may learn to bear one +another's burdens, because none is without defect, none without a +burden, none sufficient of himself, none wise enough of himself; +but it behoveth us to bear with one another, to comfort one +another, to help, instruct, admonish one another. How much +strength each man hath is best proved by occasions of adversity: +for such occasions do not make a man frail, but show of what +temper he is. + + +CHAPTER XVII + +Of a religious life + +It behoveth thee to learn to mortify thyself in many things, if +thou wilt live in amity and concord with other men. It is no +small thing to dwell in a religious community or congregation, +and to live there without complaint, and therein to remain +faithful even unto death. Blessed is he who hath lived a good +life in such a body, and brought it to a happy end. If thou wilt +stand fast and wilt profit as thou oughtest, hold thyself as an +exile and a pilgrim upon the earth. Thou wilt have to be counted +as a fool for Christ, if thou wilt lead a religious life. + +2. The clothing and outward appearance are of small account; it +is change of character and entire mortification of the affections +which make a truly religious man. He who seeketh aught save God +and the health of his soul, shall find only tribulation and +sorrow. Nor can he stand long in peace, who striveth not to be +least of all and servant of all. + +3. Thou art called to endure and to labour, not to a life of ease +and trifling talk. Here therefore are men tried as gold in the +furnace. No man can stand, unless with all his heart he will +humble himself for God's sake. + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +Of the example of the Holy Fathers + +Consider now the lively examples of the holy fathers, in whom +shone forth real perfectness and religion, and thou shalt see how +little, even as nothing, is all that we do. Ah! What is our life +when compared to theirs? They, saints and friends of Christ as +they were, served the Lord in hunger and thirst, in cold and +nakedness, in labour and weariness, in watchings and fastings, in +prayer and holy meditations, in persecutions and much rebuke. + +2. O how many and grievous tribulations did the Apostles, +Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, endure; and all others who would +walk in the footsteps of Christ. For they hated their souls in +this world that they might keep them unto life eternal. O how +strict and retired a life was that of the holy fathers who dwelt +in the desert! what long and grievous temptations they did +suffer! how often were they assaulted by the enemy! what +frequent and fervid prayers did they offer unto God! what strict +fasts did they endure! what fervent zeal and desire after +spiritual profit did they manifest! how bravely did they fight +that their vices might not gain the mastery! how entirely and +steadfastly did they reach after God! By day they laboured, and +at night they gave themselves ofttimes unto prayer; yea, even +when they were labouring they ceased not from mental prayer. + +3. They spent their whole time profitably; every hour seemed +short for retirement with God; and through the great sweetness of +contemplation, even the need of bodily refreshment was forgotten. +They renounced all riches, dignities, honours, friends, kinsmen; +they desired nothing from the world; they ate the bare +necessaries of life; they were unwilling to minister to the body +even in necessity. Thus were they poor in earthly things, but +rich above measure in grace and virtue. Though poor to the outer +eye, within they were filled with grace and heavenly +benedictions. + +4. They were strangers to the world, but unto God they were as +kinsmen and friends. They seemed unto themselves as of no +reputation, and in the world's eyes contemptible; but in the +sight of God they were precious and beloved. They stood fast in +true humility, they lived in simple obedience, they walked in +love and patience; and thus they waxed strong in spirit, and +obtained great favour before God. To all religious men they were +given as an example, and they ought more to provoke us unto good +livings than the number of the lukewarm tempteth to +carelessness of life. + +5. O how great was the love of all religious persons at the +beginning of this sacred institution! O what devoutness of +prayer! what rivalry in holiness! what strict discipline was +observed! what reverence and obedience under the rule of the +master showed they in all things! The traces of them that remain +until now testify that they were truly holy and perfect men, who +fighting so bravely trod the world underfoot. Now a man is +counted great if only he be not a transgressor, and if he can +only endure with patience what he hath undertaken. + +6. O the coldness and negligence of our times, that we so quickly +decline from the former love, and it is become a weariness to +live, because of sloth and lukewarmness. May progress in +holiness not wholly fall asleep in thee, who many times hast seen +so many examples of devout men! + + +CHAPTER XIX + +Of the exercises of a religious man + +The life of a Christian ought to be adorned with all virtues, +that he may be inwardly what he outwardly appeareth unto men. +And verily it should be yet better within than without, for God +is a discerner of our heart, Whom we must reverence with all our +hearts wheresoever we are, and walk pure in His presence as do +the angels. We ought daily to renew our vows, and to kindle our +hearts to zeal, as if each day were the first day of our +conversion, and to say, "Help me, O God, in my good resolutions, +and in Thy holy service, and grant that this day I may make a +good beginning, for hitherto I have done nothing!" + +2. According to our resolution so is the rate of our progress, +and much diligence is needful for him who would make good +progress. For if he who resolveth bravely oftentimes falleth +short, how shall it be with him who resolveth rarely or feebly? +But manifold causes bring about abandonment of our resolution, +yet a trivial omission of holy exercises can hardly be made +without some loss to us. The resolution of the righteous +dependeth more upon the grace of God than upon their own wisdom; +for in Him they always put their trust, whatsoever they take in +hand. For man proposeth, but God disposeth; and the way of a +man is not in himself.(1) + +3. If a holy exercise be sometimes omitted for the sake of some +act of piety, or of some brotherly kindness, it can easily be +taken up afterwards; but if it be neglected through distaste or +slothfulness, then is it sinful, and the mischief will be felt. +Strive as earnestly as we may, we shall still fall short in many +things. Always should some distinct resolution be made by us; +and, most of all, we must strive against those sins which most +easily beset us. Both our outer and inner life should be +straitly examined and ruled by us, because both have to do with +our progress. + +4. If thou canst not be always examining thyself, thou canst at +certain seasons, and at least twice in the day, at evening and at +morning. In the morning make thy resolves, and in the evening +inquire into thy life, how thou hast sped to-day in word, deed, +and thought; for in these ways thou hast often perchance offended +God and thy neighbour. Gird up thy lions like a man against the +assaults of the devil; bridle thine appetite, and thou wilt soon +be able to bridle every inclination of the flesh. Be thou never +without something to do; be reading, or writing, or praying, or +meditating, or doing something that is useful to the community. +Bodily exercises, however, must be undertaken with discretion, +nor are they to be used by all alike. + +5. The duties which are not common to all must not be done +openly, but are safest carried on in secret. But take heed that +thou be not careless in the common duties, and more devout in the +secret; but faithfully and honestly discharge the duties and +commands which lie upon thee, then afterwards, if thou hast still +leisure, give thyself to thyself as thy devotion leadeth thee. +All cannot have one exercise, but one suiteth better to this man +and another to that. Even for the diversity of season different +exercises are needed, some suit better for feasts, some for +fasts. We need one kind in time of temptations and others in +time of peace and quietness. Some are suitable to our times of +sadness, and others when we are joyful in the Lord. + +6. When we draw near the time of the great feasts, good exercises +should be renewed, and the prayers of holy men more fervently +besought. We ought to make our resolutions from one Feast to +another, as if each were the period of our departure from this +world, and of entering into the eternal feast. So ought we to +prepare ourselves earnestly at solemn seasons, and the more +solemnly to live, and to keep straightest watch upon each holy +observance, as though we were soon to receive the reward of our +labours at the hand of God. + +7. And if this be deferred, let us believe ourselves to be as yet +ill-prepared, and unworthy as yet of the glory which shall be +revealed in us at the appointed season; and let us study to +prepare ourselves the better for our end. Blessed is that +servant, as the Evangelist Luke hath it, whom, when the Lord +cometh He shall find watching. Verily I say unto you He will +make him ruler over all that He hath.(2) + +(1) Jeremiah x. 23. (2) Luke xii. 43, 44. + + +CHAPTER XX + +Of the love of solitude and silence + +Seek a suitable time for thy meditation, and think frequently of +the mercies of God to thee. Leave curious questions. Study such +matters as bring thee sorrow for sin rather than amusement. If +thou withdraw thyself from trifling conversation and idle goings +about, as well as from novelties and gossip, thou shalt find thy +time sufficient and apt for good meditation. The greatest saints +used to avoid as far as they could the company of men, and chose +to live in secret with God. + +2. One hath said, "As oft as I have gone among men, so oft have I +returned less a man." This is what we often experience when we +have been long time in conversation. For it is easier to be +altogether silent than it is not to exceed in word. It is easier +to remain hidden at home than to keep sufficient guard upon +thyself out of doors. He, therefore, that seeketh to reach that +which is hidden and spiritual, must go with Jesus "apart from the +multitude." No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not to rest at +home. No man safely talketh but he who loveth to hold his peace. +No man safely ruleth but he who loveth to be subject. No man +safely commandeth but he who loveth to obey. + +3. No man safely rejoiceth but he who hath the testimony of a +good conscience within himself. The boldness of the Saints was +always full of the fear of God. Nor were they the less earnest +and humble in themselves, because they shone forth with great +virtues and grace. But the boldness of wicked men springeth from +pride and presumption, and at the last turneth to their own +confusion. Never promise thyself security in this life, +howsoever good a monk or devout a solitary thou seemest. + +4. Often those who stand highest in the esteem of men, fall the +more grievously because of their over great confidence. +Wherefore it is very profitable unto many that they should not be +without inward temptation, but should be frequently assaulted, +lest they be over confident, lest they be indeed lifted up into +pride, or else lean too freely upon the consolations of the +world. O how good a conscience should that man keep, who never +sought a joy that passeth away, who never became entangled with +the world! O how great peace and quiet should he possess, who +would cast off all vain care, and think only of healthful and +divine things, and build his whole hope upon God! + +5. No man is worthy of heavenly consolation but he who hath +diligently exercised himself in holy compunction. If thou wilt +feel compunction within thy heart, enter into thy chamber and +shut out the tumults of the world, as it is written, Commune with +your own heart in your own chamber and be still.(1) In +retirement thou shalt find what often thou wilt lose abroad. +Retirement, if thou continue therein, groweth sweet, but if thou +keep not in it, begetteth weariness. If in the beginning of thy +conversation thou dwell in it and keep it well, it shall +afterwards be to thee a dear friend, and a most pleasant solace. + +6. In silence and quiet the devout soul goeth forward and +learneth the hidden things of the Scriptures. Therein findeth +she a fountain of tears, wherein to wash and cleanse herself each +night, that she may grow the more dear to her Maker as she +dwelleth the further from all worldly distraction. To him who +withdraweth himself from his acquaintance and friends God with +his holy angels will draw nigh. It is better to be unknown and +take heed to oneself than to neglect oneself and work wonders. +It is praiseworthy for a religious man to go seldom abroad, to +fly from being seen, to have no desire to see men. + +7. Why wouldest thou see what thou mayest not have? The world +passeth away and the lust thereof. The desires of sensuality +draw thee abroad, but when an hour is past, what dost thou bring +home, but a weight upon thy conscience and distraction of heart? +A merry going forth bringeth often a sorrowful return, and a +merry evening maketh a sad morning? So doth all carnal joy +begin pleasantly, but in the end it gnaweth away and destroyeth. +What canst thou see abroad which thou seest not at home? Behold +the heaven and the earth and the elements, for out of these are +all things made. + +8. What canst thou see anywhere which can continue long under the +sun? Thou believest perchance that thou shalt be satisfied, but +thou wilt never be able to attain unto this. If thou shouldest +see all things before thee at once, what would it be but a vain +vision? Lift up thine eyes to God on high, and pray that thy +sins and negligences may be forgiven. Leave vain things to vain +men, and mind thou the things which God hath commanded thee. +Shut thy door upon thee, and call unto thyself Jesus thy beloved. +Remain with Him in thy chamber, for thou shalt not elsewhere find +so great peace. If thou hadst not gone forth nor listened to +vain talk, thou hadst better kept thyself in good peace. But +because it sometimes delighteth thee to hear new things, thou +must therefore suffer trouble of heart. + +(1) Psalm iv. 4. + + +CHAPTER XXI + +Of compunction of heart + +If thou wilt make any progress keep thyself in the fear of God, +and long not to be too free, but restrain all thy senses under +discipline and give not thyself up to senseless mirth. Give +thyself to compunction of heart and thou shalt find devotion. +Compunction openeth the way for many good things, which +dissoluteness is wont quickly to lose. It is wonderful that any +man can ever rejoice heartily in this life who considereth and +weigheth his banishment, and the manifold dangers which beset his +soul. + +2. Through lightness of heart and neglect of our shortcomings we +feel not the sorrows of our soul, but often vainly laugh when we +have good cause to weep. There is no true liberty nor real joy, +save in the fear of God with a good conscience. Happy is he who +can cast away every cause of distraction and bring himself to the +one purpose of holy compunction. Happy is he who putteth away +from him whatsoever may stain or burden his conscience. Strive +manfully; custom is overcome by custom. If thou knowest how to +let men alone, they will gladly let thee alone to do thine own +works. + +3. Busy not thyself with the affairs of others, nor entangle +thyself with the business of great men. Keep always thine eye +upon thyself first of all, and give advice to thyself specially +before all thy dearest friends. If thou hast not the favour of +men, be not thereby cast down, but let thy concern be that thou +holdest not thyself so well and circumspectly, as becometh a +servant of God and a devout monk. It is often better and safer +for a man not to have many comforts in this life, especially +those which concern the flesh. But that we lack divine comforts +or feel them rarely is to our own blame, because we seek not +compunction of heart, nor utterly cast away those comforts which +are vain and worldly. + +4. Know thyself to be unworthy of divine consolation, and worthy +rather of much tribulation. When a man hath perfect compunction, +then all the world is burdensome and bitter to him. A good man +will find sufficient cause for mourning and weeping; for whether +he considereth himself, or pondereth concerning his neighbour, he +knoweth that no man liveth here without tribulation, and the more +thoroughly he considereth himself, the more thoroughly he grieveth. +Grounds for just grief and inward compunction there are in our +sins and vices, wherein we lie so entangled that we are but +seldom able to contemplate heavenly things. + +5. If thou thoughtest upon thy death more often than how long thy +life should be, thou wouldest doubtless strive more earnestly to +improve. And if thou didst seriously consider the future pains +of hell, I believe thou wouldest willingly endure toil or pain +and fear not discipline. But because these things reach not the +heart, and we still love pleasant things, therefore we remain +cold and miserably indifferent. + +6. Oftentimes it is from poverty of spirit that the wretched body +is so easily led to complain. Pray therefore humbly unto the +Lord that He will give thee the spirit of compunction and say in +the language of the prophet, Feed me, O Lord, with bread of +tears, and give me plenteousness of tears to drink.(1) + +(1) Psalm lxxv. 5. + + +CHAPTER XXII + +On the contemplation of human misery + +Thou art miserable wheresoever thou art, and whithersoever thou +turnest, unless thou turn thee to God. Why art thou disquieted +because it happeneth not to thee according to thy wishes and +desires? Who is he that hath everything according to his will? +Neither I, nor thou, nor any man upon the earth. There is no man +in the world free from trouble or anguish, though he were King or +Pope. Who is he who hath the happiest lot? Even he who is +strong to suffer somewhat for God. + +2. There are many foolish and unstable men who say, "See what a +prosperous life that man hath, how rich and how great he is, how +powerful, how exalted." But lift up thine eyes to the good +things of heaven, and thou shalt see that all these worldly +things are nothing, they are utterly uncertain, yea, they are +wearisome, because they are never possessed without care and +fear. The happiness of man lieth not in the abundance of +temporal things but a moderate portion sufficeth him. Our life +upon the earth is verily wretchedness. The more a man desireth +to be spiritual, the more bitter doth the present life become to +him; because he the better understandeth and seeth the defects of +human corruption. For to eat, to drink, to watch, to sleep, to +rest, to labour, and to be subject to the other necessities of +nature, is truly a great wretchedness and affliction to a devout +man, who would fain be released and free from all sin. + +3. For the inner man is heavily burdened with the necessities of +the body in this world. Wherefore the prophet devoutly prayeth +to be freed from them, saying, Deliver me from my necessities, O +Lord.(1) But woe to those who know not their own misery, and yet +greater woe to those who love this miserable and corruptible +life. For to such a degree do some cling to it (even though by +labouring or begging they scarce procure what is necessary for +subsistence) that if they might live here always, they would care +nothing for the Kingdom of God. + +4. Oh foolish and faithless of heart, who lie buried so deep in +worldly things, that they relish nothing save the things of the +flesh! Miserable ones! they will too sadly find out at the +last, how vile and worthless was that which they loved. The +saints of God and all loyal friends of Christ held as nothing the +things which pleased the flesh, or those which flourished in +this life, but their whole hope and affection aspired to the +things which are above. Their whole desire was borne upwards to +everlasting and invisible things, lest they should be drawn +downwards by the love of things visible. + +5. Lose not, brother, thy loyal desire of progress to things +spiritual. There is yet time, the hour is not past. Why wilt +thou put off thy resolution? Arise, begin this very moment, and +say, "Now is the time to do: now is the time to fight, now is the +proper time for amendment." When thou art ill at ease and +troubled, then is the time when thou art nearest unto blessing. +Thou must go through fire and water that God may bring thee into +a wealthy place. Unless thou put force upon thyself, thou wilt +not conquer thy faults. So long as we carry about with us this +frail body, we cannot be without sin, we cannot live without +weariness and trouble. Gladly would we have rest from all +misery; but because through sin we have lost innocence, we have +lost also the true happiness. Therefore must we be patient, and +wait for the mercy of God, until this tyranny be overpast, +and this mortality be swallowed up of life. + +6. O how great is the frailty of man, which is ever prone to +evil! To-day thou confessest thy sins, and to-morrow thou +committest again the sins thou didst confess. Now dost thou +resolve to avoid a fault, and within an hour thou behavest +thyself as if thou hadst never resolved at all. Good cause have +we therefore to humble ourselves, and never to think highly of +ourselves, seeing that we are so frail and unstable. And quickly +may that be lost by our negligence, which by much labour was +hardly attained through grace. + +7. What shall become of us at the end, if at the beginning we are +lukewarm and idle? Woe unto us, if we choose to rest, as though +it were a time of peace and security, while as yet no sign +appeareth in our life of true holiness. Rather had we need that +we might begin yet afresh, like good novices, to be instructed +unto good living, if haply there might be hope of some future +amendment and greater spiritual increase. + +(1) Psalm xxv. 17. + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +Of meditation upon death + +Very quickly will there be an end of thee here; take heed +therefore how it will be with thee in another world. To-day man +is, and to-morrow he will be seen no more. And being removed out +of sight, quickly also he is out of mind. O the dulness and +hardness of man's heart, which thinketh only of the present, and +looketh not forward to the future. Thou oughtest in every deed +and thought so to order thyself, as if thou wert to die this day. +If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldst not greatly fear +death. It were better for thee to watch against sin, than to fly +from death. If to-day thou art not ready, how shalt thou be +ready to-morrow? To-morrow is an uncertain day; and how knowest +thou that thou shalt have a to-morrow? + +2. What doth it profit to live long, when we amend so little? +Ah! long life doth not always amend, but often the more +increaseth guilt. Oh that we might spend a single day in this +world as it ought to be spent! Many there are who reckon the +years since they were converted, and yet oftentimes how little is +the fruit thereof. If it is a fearful thing to die, it may be +perchance a yet more fearful thing to live long. Happy is the +man who hath the hour of his death always before his eyes, and +daily prepareth himself to die. If thou hast ever seen one die, +consider that thou also shalt pass away by the same road. + +3. When it is morning reflect that it may be thou shalt not see +the evening, and at eventide dare not to boast thyself of the +morrow. Always be thou prepared, and so live that death may +never find thee unprepared. Many die suddenly and unexpectedly. +For at such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.(1) +When that last hour shall come, thou wilt begin to think very +differently of thy whole life past, and wilt mourn bitterly that +thou hast been so negligent and slothful. + +4. Happy and wise is he who now striveth to be such in life as he +would fain be found in death! For a perfect contempt of the +world, a fervent desire to excel in virtue, the love of +discipline, the painfulness of repentance, readiness to obey, +denial of self, submission to any adversity for love of Christ; +these are the things which shall give great confidence of a happy +death. Whilst thou art in health thou hast many opportunities of +good works; but when thou art in sickness I know not how much +thou wilt be able to do. Few are made better by infirmity: even +as they who wander much abroad seldom become holy. + +5. Trust not thy friends and kinsfolk, nor put off the work of +thy salvation to the future, for men will forget thee sooner than +thou thinkest. It is better for thee now to provide in time, and +to send some good before thee, than to trust to the help of +others. If thou art not anxious for thyself now, who, thinkest +thou, will be anxious for thee afterwards? Now the time is most +precious. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. +But alas! that thou spendest not well this time, wherein thou +mightest lay up treasure which should profit thee everlastingly. +The hour will come when thou shalt desire one day, yea, one hour, +for amendment of life, and I know not whether thou shalt obtain. + +6. Oh, dearly beloved, from what danger thou mightest free +thyself, from what great fear, if only thou wouldst always live +in fear, and in expectation of death! Strive now to live in such +wise that in the hour of death thou mayest rather rejoice than +fear. Learn now to die to the world, so shalt thou begin to live +with Christ. Learn now to contemn all earthly things, and then +mayest thou freely go unto Christ. Keep under thy body by +penitence, and then shalt thou be able to have a sure confidence. + +7. Ah, foolish one! why thinkest thou that thou shalt live long, +when thou art not sure of a single day? How many have been +deceived, and suddenly have been snatched away from the body! +How many times hast thou heard how one was slain by the sword, +another was drowned, another falling from on high broke his neck, +another died at the table, another whilst at play! One died by +fire, another by the sword, another by the pestilence, another by +the robber. Thus cometh death to all, and the life of men +swiftly passeth away like a shadow. + +8. Who will remember thee after thy death? And who will entreat +for thee? Work, work now, oh dearly beloved, work all that thou +canst. For thou knowest not when thou shalt die, nor what shall +happen unto thee after death. While thou hast time, lay up for +thyself undying riches. Think of nought but of thy salvation; +care only for the things of God. Make to thyself friends, by +venerating the saints of God and walking in their steps, that +when thou failest, thou mayest be received into everlasting +habitations.(2) + +9. Keep thyself as a stranger and a pilgrim upon the earth, to +whom the things of the world appertain not. Keep thine heart +free, and lifted up towards God, for here have we no continuing +city.(3) To Him direct thy daily prayers with crying and tears, +that thy spirit may be found worthy to pass happily after death +unto its Lord. Amen. + +(1) Matthew xxiv. 44. (2) Luke xvi. 9. (3) Hebrews xiii. 14. + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked + +In all that thou doest, remember the end, and how thou wilt stand +before a strict judge, from whom nothing is hid, who is not +bribed with gifts, nor accepteth excuses, but will judge +righteous judgment. O most miserable and foolish sinner, who art +sometimes in fear of the countenance of an angry man, what wilt +thou answer to God, who knoweth all thy misdeeds? Why dost thou +not provide for thyself against the day of judgment, when no man +shall be able to be excused or defended by means of another, but +each one shall bear his burden himself alone? Now doth thy +labour bring forth fruit, now is thy weeping acceptable, thy +groaning heard, thy sorrow well pleasing to God, and cleansing to +thy soul. + +2. Even here on earth the patient man findeth great occasion of +purifying his soul. When suffering injuries he grieveth more for +the other's malice than for his own wrong; when he prayeth +heartily for those that despitefully use him, and forgiveth them +from his heart; when he is not slow to ask pardon from others; +when he is swifter to pity than to anger; when he frequently +denieth himself and striveth altogether to subdue the flesh to +the spirit. Better is it now to purify the soul from sin, than +to cling to sins from which we must be purged hereafter. Truly +we deceive ourselves by the inordinate love which we bear towards +the flesh. + +3. What is it which that fire shall devour, save thy sins? The +more thou sparest thyself and followest the flesh, the more heavy +shall thy punishment be, and the more fuel art thou heaping up +for the burning. For wherein a man hath sinned, therein shall he +be the more heavily punished. There shall the slothful be +pricked forward with burning goads, and the gluttons be tormented +with intolerable hunger and thirst. There shall the luxurious +and the lovers of pleasure be plunged into burning pitch and +stinking brimstone, and the envious shall howl like mad dogs for +very grief. + +4. No sin will there be which shall not be visited with its own +proper punishment. The proud shall be filled with utter +confusion, and the covetous shall be pinched with miserable +poverty. An hour's pain there shall be more grievous than a +hundred years here of the bitterest penitence. No quiet shall be +there, no comfort for the lost, though here sometimes there is +respite from pain, and enjoyment of the solace of friends. Be +thou anxious now and sorrowful for thy sins, that in the day of +judgment thou mayest have boldness with the blessed. For then +shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face +of such as have afflicted him and made no account of his +labours.(1) Then shall he stand up to judge, he who now +submitteth himself in humility to the judgments of men. Then +shall the poor and humble man have great confidence, while the +proud is taken with fear on every side. + +5. Then shall it be seen that he was the wise man in this world +who learned to be a fool and despised for Christ. Then shall all +tribulation patiently borne delight us, while the mouth of the +ungodly shall be stopped. Then shall every godly man rejoice, +and every profane man shall mourn. Then the afflicted flesh +shall more rejoice than if it had been alway nourished in +delights. Then the humble garment shall put on beauty, and the +precious robe shall hide itself as vile. Then the little poor +cottage shall be more commended than the gilded palace. Then +enduring patience shall have more might than all the power of the +world. Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than +all worldly wisdom. + +6. Then a pure and good conscience shall more rejoice than +learned philosophy. Then contempt of riches shall have more +weight than all the treasure of the children of this world. Then +shalt thou find more comfort in having prayed devoutly than in +having fared sumptuously. Then thou wilt rather rejoice in +having kept silence than in having made long speech. Then holy +deeds shall be far stronger than many fine words. Then a strict +life and sincere penitence shall bring deeper pleasure than all +earthly delight. Learn now to suffer a little, that then thou +mayest be enabled to escape heavier sufferings. Prove first +here, what thou art able to endure hereafter. If now thou art +able to bear so little, how wilt thou be able to endure eternal +torments? If now a little suffering maketh thee so impatient, +what shall hell-fire do then? Behold of a surety thou art not +able to have two Paradises, to take thy fill or delight here in +this world, and to reign with Christ hereafter. + +7. If even unto this day thou hadst ever lived in honours and +pleasures, what would the whole profit thee if now death came to +thee in an instant? All therefore is vanity, save to love God +and to serve Him only. For he who loveth God with all his heart +feareth not death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell, +because perfect love giveth sure access to God. But he who still +delighteth in sin, no marvel if he is afraid of death and +judgment. Nevertheless it is a good thing, if love as yet cannot +restrain thee from evil, that at least the fear of hell should +hold thee back. But he who putteth aside the fear of God cannot +long continue in good, but shall quickly fall into the snares of +the devil. + +(1) Wisd. v. 1. + + +CHAPTER XXV + +Of the zealous amendment of our whole life + +Be thou watchful and diligent in God's service, and bethink thee +often why thou hast renounced the world. Was it not that thou +mightest live to God and become a spiritual man? Be zealous, +therefore, for thy spiritual profit, for thou shalt receive +shortly the reward of thy labours, and neither fear nor sorrow +shall come any more into thy borders. Now shalt thou labour a +little, and thou shalt find great rest, yea everlasting joy. If +thou shalt remain faithful and zealous in labour, doubt not that +God shall be faithful and bountiful in rewarding thee. It is thy +duty to have a good hope that thou wilt attain the victory, but +thou must not fall into security lest thou become slothful or +lifted up. + +2. A certain man being in anxiety of mind, continually tossed +about between hope and fear, and being on a certain day +overwhelmed with grief, cast himself down in prayer before the +altar in a church, and meditated within himself, saying, "Oh! if +I but knew that I should still persevere," and presently heard +within him a voice from God, "And if thou didst know it, what +wouldst thou do? Do now what thou wouldst do then, and thou +shalt be very secure." And straightway being comforted and +strengthened, he committed himself to the will of God and the +perturbation of spirit ceased, neither had he a mind any more to +search curiously to know what should befall him hereafter, but +studied rather to inquire what was the good and acceptable will +of God, for the beginning and perfecting of every good work. + +3. Hope in the Lord and be doing good, saith the Prophet; dwell +in the land and thou shalt be fed(1) with its riches. One thing +there is which holdeth back many from progress and fervent +amendment, even the dread of difficulty, or the labour of the +conflict. Nevertheless they advance above all others in virtue +who strive manfully to conquer those things which are most +grievous and contrary to them, for there a man profiteth most and +meriteth greater grace where he most overcometh himself and +mortifieth himself in spirit. + +4. But all men have not the same passions to conquer and to +mortify, yet he who is diligent shall attain more profit, +although he have stronger passions, than another who is more +temperate of disposition, but is withal less fervent in the +pursuit of virtue. Two things specially avail unto improvement +in holiness, namely firmness to withdraw ourselves from the sin +to which by nature we are most inclined, and earnest zeal for +that good in which we are most lacking. And strive also very +earnestly to guard against and subdue those faults which +displease thee most frequently in others. + +5. Gather some profit to thy soul wherever thou art, and wherever +thou seest or hearest good examples, stir thyself to follow them, +but where thou seest anything which is blameworthy, take heed +that thou do not the same; or if at any time thou hast done it, +strive quickly to amend thyself. As thine eye observeth others, +so again are the eyes of others upon thee. How sweet and +pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate and of +good discipline; and how sad is it and grievous to see them +walking disorderly, not practising the duties to which they are +called. How hurtful a thing it is to neglect the purpose of their +calling, and turn their inclinations to things which are none of +their business. + +6. Be mindful of the duties which thou hast undertaken, and set +always before thee the remembrance of the Crucified. Truly +oughtest thou to be ashamed as thou lookest upon the life of +Jesus Christ, because thou hast not yet endeavoured to conform +thyself more unto Him, though thou hast been a long time in the +way of God. A religious man who exercises himself seriously and +devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord shall find +there abundantly all things that are profitable and necessary for +him, neither is there need that he shall seek anything better +beyond Jesus. Oh! if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts, +how quickly, and completely should we have learned all that we +need to know! + +7. He who is earnest receiveth and beareth well all things that +are laid upon him. He who is careless and lukewarm hath trouble +upon trouble, and suffereth anguish upon every side, because he +is without inward consolation, and is forbidden to seek that +which is outward. He who is living without discipline is exposed +to grievous ruin. He who seeketh easier and lighter discipline +shall always be in distress, because one thing or another will +give him displeasure. + +8. O! if no other duty lay upon us but to praise the Lord our God +with our whole heart and voice! Oh! if thou never hadst need to +eat or drink, or sleep, but wert always able to praise God, and +to give thyself to spiritual exercises alone; then shouldst thou +be far happier than now, when for so many necessities thou must +serve the flesh. O! that these necessities were not, but only +the spiritual refreshments of the soul, which alas we taste too +seldom. + +9. When a man hath come to this, that he seeketh comfort from no +created thing, then doth he perfectly begin to enjoy God, then +also will he be well contented with whatsoever shall happen unto +him. Then will he neither rejoice for much nor be sorrowful for +little, but he committeth himself altogether and with full trust +unto God, who is all in all to him, to whom nothing perisheth nor +dieth, but all things live to Him and obey His every word +without delay. + +10. Remember always thine end, and how the time which is lost +returneth not. Without care and diligence thou shalt never get +virtue. If thou beginnest to grow cold, it shall begin to go ill +with thee, but if thou givest thyself unto zeal thou shalt find +much peace, and shalt find thy labour the lighter because of the +grace of God and the love of virtue. A zealous and diligent +man is ready for all things. It is greater labour to resist sins +and passions than to toil in bodily labours. He who shunneth not +small faults falleth little by little into greater. At eventide +thou shalt always be glad if thou spend the day profitably. +Watch over thyself, stir thyself up, admonish thyself, and +howsoever it be with others, neglect not thyself. The more +violence thou dost unto thyself, the more thou shall profit. +Amen. + +(1) Psalm xxxvii. 3. + + + + +THE SECOND BOOK + + + +ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE + +CHAPTER I + +Of the inward life + +The kingdom of God is within you,(1) saith the Lord. Turn thee +with all thine heart to the Lord and forsake this miserable +world, and thou shalt find rest unto thy soul. Learn to despise +outward things and to give thyself to things inward, and thou +shalt see the kingdom of God come within thee. For the kingdom +of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, and it is not given to +the wicked. Christ will come to thee, and show thee His +consolation, if thou prepare a worthy mansion for Him within +thee. All His glory and beauty is from within, and there it +pleaseth Him to dwell. He often visiteth the inward man and +holdeth with him sweet discourse, giving him soothing +consolation, much peace, friendship exceeding wonderful. + +2. Go to, faithful soul, prepare thy heart for this bridegroom +that he may vouchsafe to come to thee and dwell within thee, for +so He saith, if any man loveth me he will keep my words: and my +Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our +abode with him.(2) Give, therefore, place to Christ and refuse +entrance to all others. When thou hast Christ, thou art rich, +and hast sufficient. He shall be thy provider and faithful +watchman in all things, so that thou hast no need to trust in +men, for men soon change and swiftly pass away, but Christ +remaineth for ever and standeth by us firmly even to the end. + +3. There is no great trust to be placed in a frail and mortal +man, even though he be useful and dear to us, neither should +much sorrow arise within us if sometimes he oppose and contradict +us. They who are on thy side to-day, may to-morrow be against +thee, and often are they turned round like the wind. Put thy +whole trust in God and let Him be thy fear and thy love, He will +answer for thee Himself, and will do for thee what is best. Here +hast thou no continuing city,(3) and wheresoever thou art, thou +art a stranger and a pilgrim, and thou shalt never have rest +unless thou art closely united to Christ within thee. + +4. Why dost thou cast thine eyes hither and thither, since this +is not the place of thy rest? In heaven ought thy habitation to +be, and all earthly things should be looked upon as it were in +the passing by. All things pass away and thou equally with them. +Look that thou cleave not to them lest thou be taken with them +and perish. Let thy contemplation be on the Most High, and let +thy supplication be directed unto Christ without ceasing. If +thou canst not behold high and heavenly things, rest thou in the +passion of Christ and dwell willingly in His sacred wounds. For +if thou devoutly fly to the wounds of Jesus, and the precious +marks of the nails and the spear, thou shalt find great comfort +in tribulation, nor will the slights of men trouble thee much, +and thou wilt easily bear their unkind words. + +5. Christ also, when He was in the world, was despised and +rejected of men, and in His greatest necessity was left by His +acquaintance and friends to bear these reproaches. Christ was +willing to suffer and be despised, and darest thou complain of +any? Christ had adversaries and gainsayers, and dost thou wish +to have all men thy friends and benefactors? Whence shall thy +patience attain her crown if no adversity befall thee? If thou +art unwilling to suffer any adversity, how shalt thou be the +friend of Christ? Sustain thyself with Christ and for Christ if +thou wilt reign with Christ. + +6. If thou hadst once entered into the mind of Jesus, and hadst +tasted yea even a little of his tender love, then wouldst thou +care nought for thine own convenience or inconvenience, but +wouldst rather rejoice at trouble brought upon thee, because the +love of Jesus maketh a man to despise himself. He who loveth +Jesus, and is inwardly true and free from inordinate affections, +is able to turn himself readily unto God, and to rise above +himself in spirit, and to enjoy fruitful peace. + +7. He who knoweth things as they are and not as they are said or +seem to be, he truly is wise, and is taught of God more than of +men. He who knoweth how to walk from within, and to set little +value upon outward things, requireth not places nor waiteth for +seasons, for holding his intercourse with God. The inward man +quickly recollecteth himself, because he is never entirely given +up to outward things. No outward labour and no necessary +occupations stand in his way, but as events fall out, so doth he +fit himself to them. He who is rightly disposed and ordered +within careth not for the strange and perverse conduct of men. A +man is hindered and distracted in so far as he is moved by +outward things. + +8. If it were well with thee, and thou wert purified from evil, +all things would work together for thy good and profiting. For +this cause do many things displease thee and often trouble thee, +that thou art not yet perfectly dead to thyself nor separated +from all earthly things. Nothing so defileth and entangleth the +heart of man as impure love towards created things. If thou +rejectest outward comfort thou wilt be able to contemplate +heavenly things and frequently to be joyful inwardly. + +(1) Luke xvii. 21. (2) John xiv. 23. (3) Hebrews xiii. 14. + + +CHAPTER II + +Of lowly submission + +Make no great account who is for thee or against thee, but mind +only the present duty and take care that God be with thee in +whatsoever thou doest. Have a good conscience and God will defend +thee, for he whom God will help no man's perverseness shall be +able to hurt. If thou knowest how to hold thy peace and to +suffer, without doubt thou shalt see the help of the Lord. He +knoweth the time and the way to deliver thee, therefore must thou +resign thyself to Him. To God it belongeth to help and to +deliver from all confusion. Oftentimes it is very profitable for +keeping us in greater humility, that others know and rebuke our +faults. + +2. When a man humbleth himself for his defects, he then easily +pacifieth others and quickly satisfieth those that are angered +against him. God protecteth and delivereth the humble man, He +loveth and comforteth the humble man, to the humble man He +inclineth Himself, on the humble He bestoweth great grace, and +when he is cast down He raiseth him to glory: to the humble He +revealeth His secrets, and sweetly draweth and inviteth him to +Himself. The humble man having received reproach, is yet in +sufficient peace, because he resteth on God and not on the world. +Reckon not thyself to have profited in anywise unless thou feel +thyself to be inferior to all. + + +CHAPTER III + +Of the good, peaceable man + +First keep thyself in peace, and then shalt thou be able to be a +peacemaker towards others. A peaceable man doth more good than a +well-learned. A passionate man turneth even good into evil and +easily believeth evil; a good, peaceable man converteth all +things into good. He who dwelleth in peace is suspicious of +none, but he who is discontented and restless is tossed with many +suspicions, and is neither quiet himself nor suffereth others to +be quiet. He often saith what he ought not to say, and omitteth +what it were more expedient for him to do. He considereth to +what duties others are bound, and neglecteth those to which he is +bound himself. Therefore be zealous first over thyself, and then +mayest thou righteously be zealous concerning thy neighbour. + +2. Thou knowest well how to excuse and to colour thine own deeds, +but thou wilt not accept the excuses of others. It would be more +just to accuse thyself and excuse thy brother. If thou wilt that +others bear with thee, bear thou with others. Behold how far +thou art as yet from the true charity and humility which knows +not how to be angry or indignant against any save self alone. +It is no great thing to mingle with the good and the meek, for +this is naturally pleasing to all, and every one of us willingly +enjoyeth peace and liketh best those who think with us: but to +be able to live peaceably with the hard and perverse, or with the +disorderly, or those who oppose us, this is a great grace and a +thing much to be commended and most worthy of a man. + +3. There are who keep themselves in peace and keep peace also +with others, and there are who neither have peace nor suffer +others to have peace; they are troublesome to others, but always +more troublesome to themselves. And there are who hold +themselves in peace, and study to bring others unto peace; +nevertheless, all our peace in this sad life lieth in humble +suffering rather than in not feeling adversities. He who best +knoweth how to suffer shall possess the most peace; that man is +conqueror of himself and lord of the world, the friend of Christ, +and the inheritor of heaven. + +CHAPTER IV + +Of a pure mind and simple intention + +By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by +simplicity and purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, +purity in the affection. Simplicity reacheth towards God, purity +apprehendeth Him and tasteth Him. No good action will be +distasteful to thee if thou be free within from inordinate +affection. If thou reachest after and seekest, nothing but the +will of God and the benefit of thy neighbour, thou wilt entirely +enjoy inward liberty. If thine heart were right, then should +every creature be a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine. +There is no creature so small and vile but that it showeth us the +goodness of God. + +2. If thou wert good and pure within, then wouldst thou look upon +all things without hurt and understand them aright. A pure heart +seeth the very depths of heaven and hell. Such as each one is +inwardly, so judgeth he outwardly. If there is any joy in the +world surely the man of pure heart possesseth it, and if there is +anywhere tribulation and anguish, the evil conscience knoweth it +best. As iron cast into the fire loseth rust and is made +altogether glowing, so the man who turneth himself altogether +unto God is freed from slothfulness and changed into a new man. + +3. When a man beginneth to grow lukewarm, then he feareth a +little labour, and willingly accepteth outward consolation; but +when he beginneth perfectly to conquer himself and to walk +manfully in the way of God, then he counteth as nothing those +things which aforetime seemed to be so grievous unto him. + + +CHAPTER V + +Of self-esteem + +We cannot place too little confidence in ourselves, because grace +and understanding are often lacking to us. Little light is there +within us, and what we have we quickly lose by negligence. +Oftentimes we perceive not how great is our inward blindness. We +often do ill and excuse it worse. Sometimes we are moved by +passion and count it zeal; we blame little faults in others and +pass over great faults in ourselves. Quickly enough we feel and +reckon up what we bear at the hands of others, but we reflect not +how much others are bearing from us. He who would weigh well and +rightly his own doings would not be the man to judge severely of +another. + +2. The spiritually-minded man putteth care of himself before all +cares; and he who diligently attendeth to himself easily keepeth +silence concerning others. Thou wilt never be spiritually minded +and godly unless thou art silent concerning other men's matters +and take full heed to thyself. If thou think wholly upon thyself +and upon God, what thou seest out of doors shall move thee +little. Where art thou when thou art not present to thyself? and +when thou hast overrun all things, what hath it profited thee, +thyself being neglected? If thou wouldst have peace and true +unity, thou must put aside all other things, and gaze only upon +thyself. + +3. Then thou shalt make great progress if thou keep thyself free +from all temporal care. Thou shalt lamentably fall away if thou +set a value upon any worldly thing. Let nothing be great, +nothing high, nothing pleasing, nothing acceptable unto thee, +save God Himself or the things of God. Reckon as altogether vain +whatsoever consolation comes to thee from a creature. The soul +that loveth God looketh not to anything that is beneath God. God +alone is eternal and incomprehensible, filling all things, the +solace of the soul, and the true joy of the heart. + + +CHAPTER VI + +Of the joy of a good conscience + +The testimony of a good conscience is the glory of a good man. +Have a good conscience and thou shalt ever have joy. A good +conscience is able to bear exceeding much, and is exceeding +joyful in the midst of adversities; an evil conscience is ever +fearful and unquiet. Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart +condemn thee not. Never rejoice unless when thou hast done well. +The wicked have never true joy, nor feel internal peace, for +there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.(1) And if they +say "we are in peace, there shall no harm happen unto us, and who +shall dare to do us hurt?" believe them not, for suddenly shall +the wrath of God rise up against them, and their deeds shall be +brought to nought, and their thoughts shall perish. + +2. To glory in tribulation is not grievous to him who loveth; for +such glorying is glorying in the Cross of Christ. Brief is the +glory which is given and received of men. Sadness always goeth +hand in hand with the glory of the world. The glory of the good +is in their conscience, and not in the report of men. The joy of +the upright is from God and in God, and their joy is in the +truth. He who desireth true and eternal glory careth not for +that which is temporal; and he who seeketh temporal glory, or who +despiseth it from his heart, is proved to bear little love for +that which is heavenly. He who careth for neither praises nor +reproaches hath great tranquillity of heart. + +3. He will easily be contented and filled with peace, whose +conscience is pure. Thou art none the holier if thou art +praised, nor the viler if thou art reproached. Thou art what +thou art; and thou canst not be better than God pronounceth thee +to be. If thou considerest well what thou art inwardly, thou +wilt not care what men will say to thee. Man looketh on the +outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart:(2) man +looketh on the deed, but God considereth the intent. It is the +token of a humble spirit always to do well, and to set little by +oneself. Not to look for consolation from any created thing is a +sign of great purity and inward faithfulness. + +4. He that seeketh no outward witness on his own behalf, showeth +plainly that he hath committed himself wholly to God. For not he +that commendeth himself is approved, as St. Paul saith, but whom +the Lord commendeth.(3) To walk inwardly with God, and not to be +held by any outer affections, is the state of a spiritual man. + +(1) Isaiah lvii. 21. (2) 1 Samuel xvi. 7. +(3) 2 Corinthians x. 18. + + +CHAPTER VII + +Of loving Jesus above all things + +Blessed is he who understandeth what it is to love Jesus, and to +despise himself for Jesus' sake. He must give up all that he +loveth for his Beloved, for Jesus will be loved alone above all +things. The love of created things is deceiving and unstable, +but the love of Jesus is faithful and lasting. He who cleaveth +to created things will fall with their slipperiness; but he who +embraceth Jesus will stand upright for ever. Love Him and hold +Him for thy friend, for He will not forsake thee when all depart +from thee, nor will he suffer thee to perish at the last. Thou +must one day be separated from all, whether thou wilt or wilt +not. + +2. Cleave thou to Jesus in life and death, and commit thyself +unto His faithfulness, who, when all men fail thee, is alone able +to help thee. Thy Beloved is such, by nature, that He will +suffer no rival, but alone will possess thy heart, and as a king +will sit upon His own throne. If thou wouldst learn to put away +from thee every created thing, Jesus would freely take up His +abode with thee. Thou wilt find all trust little better than +lost which thou hast placed in men, and not in Jesus. Trust not +nor lean upon a reed shaken with the wind, because all flesh is +grass, and the goodliness thereof falleth as the flower of the +field.(1) + +3. Thou wilt be quickly deceived if thou lookest only upon the +outward appearance of men, for if thou seekest thy comfort and +profit in others, thou shalt too often experience loss. If thou +seekest Jesus in all things thou shalt verily find Jesus, but if +thou seekest thyself thou shalt also find thyself, but to thine +own hurt. For if a man seeketh not Jesus he is more hurtful to +himself than all the world and all his adversaries. + +(1) Isaiah xl. 6. + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Of the intimate love of Jesus + +When Jesus is present all is well and nothing seemeth hard, but +when Jesus is not present everything is hard. When Jesus +speaketh not within, our comfort is nothing worth, but if Jesus +speaketh but a single word great is the comfort we experience. +Did not Mary Magdalene rise up quickly from the place where she +wept when Martha said to her, The Master is come and calleth for +thee?(1) Happy hour when Jesus calleth thee from tears to the +joy of the spirit! How dry and hard art thou without Jesus! How +senseless and vain if thou desirest aught beyond Jesus! Is not +this greater loss than if thou shouldst lose the whole world? + +2. What can the world profit thee without Jesus? To be without +Jesus is the nethermost hell, and to be with Jesus is sweet +paradise. If Jesus were with thee no enemy could hurt thee. He +who findeth Jesus findeth a good treasure, yea, good above all +good; and he who loseth Jesus loseth exceeding much, yea, more +than the whole world. Most poor is he who liveth without Jesus, +and most rich is he who is much with Jesus. + +3. It is great skill to know how to live with Jesus, and to know +how to hold Jesus is great wisdom. Be thou humble and peaceable +and Jesus shall be with thee. Be godly and quiet, and Jesus will +remain with thee. Thou canst quickly drive away Jesus and lose +His favour if thou wilt turn away to the outer things. And if +thou hast put Him to flight and lost Him, to whom wilt thou flee, +and whom then wilt thou seek for a friend? Without a friend thou +canst not live long, and if Jesus be not thy friend above all +thou shalt be very sad and desolate. Madly therefore doest thou +if thou trusteth or findest joy in any other. It is preferable +to have the whole world against thee, than Jesus offended with +thee. Therefore of all that are dear to thee, let Jesus be +specially loved. + +4. Let all be loved for Jesus' sake, but Jesus for His own. +Jesus Christ alone is to be specially loved, for He alone is +found good and faithful above all friends. For His sake and in +Him let both enemies and friends be dear to thee, and pray for +them all that they may all know and love Him. Never desire to be +specially praised or loved, because this belongeth to God alone, +who hath none like unto Himself. Nor wish thou that any one set +his heart on thee, nor do thou give thyself up to the love of +any, but let Jesus be in thee and in every good man. + +5. Be pure and free within thyself, and be not entangled by any +created thing. Thou oughtest to bring a bare and clean heart to +God, if thou desirest to be ready to see how gracious the Lord +is. And in truth, unless thou be prevented and drawn on by His +grace, thou wilt not attain to this, that having cast out and +dismissed all else, thou alone art united to God. For when the +grace of God cometh to a man, then he becometh able to do all +things, and when it departeth then he will be poor and weak and +given up unto troubles. In these thou art not to be cast down +nor to despair, but to rest with calm mind on the will of God, +and to bear all things which come upon thee unto the praise of +Jesus Christ; for after winter cometh summer, after night +returneth day, after the tempest a great calm. + +(1) John xi. 28. + + +CHAPTER IX + +Of the lack of all comfort + +It is no hard thing to despise human comfort when divine is +present. It is a great thing, yea very great, to be able to bear +the loss both of human and divine comfort; and for the love of +God willingly to bear exile of heart, and in nought to seek +oneself, nor to look to one's own merit. What great matter is +it, if thou be cheerful of heart and devout when favour cometh to +thee? That is an hour wherein all rejoice. Pleasantly enough +doth he ride whom the grace of God carrieth. And what marvel, if +he feeleth no burden who is carried by the Almighty, and is led +onwards by the Guide from on high? + +2. We are willing to accept anything for comfort, and it is +difficult for a man to be freed from himself. The holy martyr +Laurence overcame the love of the world and even of his priestly +master, because he despised everything in the world which seemed +to be pleasant; and for the love of Christ he calmly suffered +even God's chief priest, Sixtus, whom he dearly loved, to be +taken from him. Thus by the love of the Creator he overcame the +love of man, and instead of human comfort he chose rather God's +good pleasure. So also learn thou to resign any near and beloved +friend for the love of God. Nor take it amiss when thou hast +been deserted by a friend, knowing that we must all be parted +from one another at last. + +3. Mightily and long must a man strive within himself before he +learn altogether to overcome himself, and to draw his whole +affection towards God. When a man resteth upon himself, he +easily slippeth away unto human comforts. But a true lover of +Christ, and a diligent seeker after virtue, falleth not back upon +those comforts, nor seeketh such sweetness as may be tasted and +handled, but desireth rather hard exercises, and to undertake +severe labours for Christ. + +4. When, therefore, spiritual comfort is given by God, receive it +with giving of thanks, and know that it is the gift of God, not +thy desert. Be not lifted up, rejoice not overmuch nor foolishly +presume, but rather be more humble for the gift, more wary and +more careful in all thy doings; for that hour will pass away, and +temptation will follow. When comfort is taken from thee, do not +straightway despair, but wait for the heavenly visitation with +humility and patience, for God is able to give thee back greater +favour and consolation. This is not new nor strange to those who +have made trial of the way of God, for with the great saints and +the ancient prophets there was often this manner of change. + +5. Wherefore one said when the favour of God was present with +him, I said in my prosperity I shall never be moved,(1) but he +goeth on to say what he felt within himself when the favour +departed: Thou didst turn Thy face from me, and I was troubled. +In spite whereof he in no wise despaireth, but the more instantly +entreateth God, and saith, Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry, and +will pray unto my God; and then he receiveth the fruit of his +prayer, and testifieth how he hath been heard, saying, The Lord +heard me and had mercy upon me, the Lord was my helper. But +wherein? Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy, Thou hast put +off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness. If it was thus +with the great saints, we who are poor and needy ought not to +despair if we are sometimes in the warmth and sometimes in the +cold, for the Spirit cometh and goeth according to the good +pleasure of His will. Wherefore holy Job saith, Thou dost visit +him in the morning, and suddenly Thou dost prove him.(2) + +6. Whereupon then can I hope, or wherein may I trust, save only +in the great mercy of God, and the hope of heavenly grace? For +whether good men are with me, godly brethren or faithful friends, +whether holy books or beautiful discourses, whether sweet hymns +and songs, all these help but little, and have but little savour +when I am deserted by God's favour and left to mine own poverty. +There is no better remedy, then, than patience and denial of +self, and an abiding in the will of God. + +7. I have never found any man so religious and godly, but that he +felt sometimes a withdrawal of the divine favour, and lack of +fervour. No saint was ever so filled with rapture, so +enlightened, but that sooner or later he was tempted. For he is +not worthy of the great vision of God, who, for God's sake, hath +not been exercised by some temptation. For temptation is wont +to go before as a sign of the comfort which shall follow, and +heavenly comfort is promised to those who are proved by +temptation. As it is written, To him that overcometh I will +give to eat of the tree of life.(3) + +8. Divine comfort is given that a man may be stronger to bear +adversities. And temptation followeth, lest he be lifted up +because of the benefit. The devil sleepeth not; thy flesh is not +yet dead; therefore, cease thou not to make thyself ready unto +the battle, for enemies stand on thy right hand and on thy left, +and they are never at rest. + +(1) Psalm xxx. 6. (2) Job vii. 18. (3) Revelation ii. 7. + + +CHAPTER X + +Of gratitude for the Grace of God + +Why seekest thou rest when thou art born to labour? Prepare +thyself for patience more than for comforts, and for bearing the +cross more than for joy. For who among the men of this world +would not gladly receive consolation and spiritual joy if he +might always have it? For spiritual comforts exceed all the +delights of the world, and all the pleasures of the flesh. For +all worldly delights are either empty or unclean, whilst +spiritual delights alone are pleasant and honourable, the +offspring of virtue, and poured forth by God into pure minds. +But no man can always enjoy these divine comforts at his own +will, because the season of temptation ceaseth not for long. + +2. Great is the difference between a visitation from above and +false liberty of spirit and great confidence in self. God doeth +well in giving us the grace of comfort, but man doeth ill in not +immediately giving God thanks thereof. And thus the gifts of +grace are not able to flow unto us, because we are ungrateful to +the Author of them, and return them not wholly to the Fountain +whence they flow. For grace ever becometh the portion of him who +is grateful and that is taken away from the proud, which is wont +to be given to the humble. + +3. I desire no consolation which taketh away from me compunction, +I love no contemplation which leadeth to pride. For all that is +high is not holy, nor is everything that is sweet good; every +desire is not pure; nor is everything that is dear to us pleasing +unto God. Willingly do I accept that grace whereby I am made +humbler and more wary and more ready to renounce myself. He who +is made learned by the gift of grace and taught wisdom by the +stroke of the withdrawal thereof, will not dare to claim any good +thing for himself, but will rather confess that he is poor and +needy. Give unto God the thing which is God's,(1) and ascribe to +thyself that which is thine; that is, give thanks unto God for +His grace, but for thyself alone confess thy fault, and that thy +punishment is deserved for thy fault. + +4. Sit thou down always in the lowest room and thou shalt be +given the highest place.(2) For the highest cannot be without +the lowest. For the highest saints of God are least in their own +sight, and the more glorious they are, so much the lowlier are +they in themselves; full of grace and heavenly glory, they are +not desirous of vain-glory; resting on God and strong in His +might, they cannot be lifted up in any wise. And they who +ascribe unto God all the good which they have received, "seek not +glory one of another, but the glory which cometh from God only," +and they desire that God shall be praised in Himself and in all +His Saints above all things, and they are always striving for +this very thing. + +5. Be thankful, therefore, for the least benefit and thou shalt +be worthy to receive greater. Let the least be unto thee even as +the greatest, and let that which is of little account be unto +thee as a special gift. If the majesty of the Giver be +considered, nothing that is given shall seem small and of no +worth, for that is not a small thing which is given by the Most +High God. Yea, though He gave punishment and stripes, we ought +to be thankful, because He ever doth for our profit whatever He +suffereth to come upon us. He who seeketh to retain the favour +of God, let him be thankful for the favour which is given, and +patient in respect of that which is taken away. Let him pray +that it may return; let him be wary and humble that he lose it +not. + +(1) Matthew xxii. 21. (2) Luke xiv. 10. + + +CHAPTER XI + +Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus + +Jesus hath many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of +His Cross. He hath many seekers of comfort, but few of +tribulation. He findeth many companions of His table, but few of +His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to +undergo anything for His sake. Many follow Jesus that they may +eat of His loaves, but few that they may drink of the cup of His +passion. Many are astonished at His Miracles, few follow after +the shame of His Cross. Many love Jesus so long as no +adversities happen to them. Many praise Him and bless Him, so +long as they receive any comforts from Him. But if Jesus hide +Himself and withdraw from them a little while, they fall either +into complaining or into too great dejection of mind. + +2. But they who love Jesus for Jesus' sake, and not for any +consolation of their own, bless Him in all tribulation and +anguish of heart as in the highest consolation. And if He should +never give them consolation, nevertheless they would always +praise Him and always give Him thanks. + +3. Oh what power hath the pure love of Jesus, unmixed with any +gain or love of self! Should not all they be called mercenary +who are always seeking consolations? Do they not prove +themselves lovers of self more than of Christ who are always +seeking their own gain and advantage? Where shall be found one +who is willing to serve God altogether for nought? + +4. Rarely is any one found so spiritual as to be stripped of all +selfish thoughts, for who shall find a man truly poor in spirit +and free of all created things? "His value is from afar, yea +from the ends of the earth." A man may give away all his goods, +yet that is nothing; and if he do many deeds of penitence, yet +that is a small thing; and though he understand all knowledge, +yet that is afar off; and if he have great virtue and zealous +devotion, yet much is lacking unto him, yea, one thing which is +the most necessary to him of all. What is it then? That having +given up all things besides, he give up himself and go forth from +himself utterly, and retain nothing of self-love; and having done +all things which he knoweth to be his duty to do, that he feel +that he hath done nothing. Let him not reckon that much which +might be much esteemed, but let him pronounce himself to be in +truth an unprofitable servant, as the Truth Himself saith, When +ye have done all things that are commanded you, say, we are +unprofitable servants.(1) Then may he be truly poor and naked in +spirit, and be able to say with the Prophet, As for me, I am poor +and needy.(2) Nevertheless, no man is richer than he, no man +stronger, no man freer. For he knoweth both how to give up +himself and all things, and how to be lowly in his own eyes. + +(1) Luke xvii. 10. (2) Psalm xxv. 16. + + +CHAPTER XII + +Of the royal way of the Holy Cross + +That seemeth a hard saying to many, If any man will come after +Me, let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow Me.(1) +But it will be much harder to hear that last sentence, Depart +from me, ye wicked, into eternal fire.(2) For they who now +willingly hear the word of the Cross and follow it, shall not +then fear the hearing of eternal damnation. This sign of the +Cross shall be in heaven when the Lord cometh to Judgment. Then +all servants of the Cross, who in life have conformed themselves +to the Crucified, shall draw nigh unto Christ the Judge with +great boldness. + +2. Why fearest thou then to take up the cross which leadeth to a +kingdom? In the Cross is health, in the Cross is life, in the +Cross is protection from enemies, in the Cross is heavenly +sweetness, in the Cross strength of mind, in the Cross joy of +the spirit, in the Cross the height of virtue, in the Cross +perfection of holiness. There is no health of the soul, no hope +of eternal life, save in the Cross. Take up therefore, thy cross +and follow Jesus and thou shalt go into eternal life. He went +before thee bearing His Cross and died for thee upon the Cross, +that thou also mayest bear thy cross and mayest love to be +crucified upon it. For if thou be dead with Him, thou shalt also +live with Him, and if thou be a partaker of His sufferings thou +shalt be also of His glory. + +3. Behold everything dependeth upon the Cross, and everything +lieth in dying; and there is none other way unto life and to true +inward peace, except the way of the Holy Cross and of daily +mortification. Go where thou wilt, seek whatsoever thou wilt, +and thou shalt find no higher way above nor safer way below, than +the way of the Holy Cross. Dispose and order all things +according to thine own will and judgment, and thou shalt ever +find something to suffer either willingly or unwillingly, and +thus thou shalt ever find thy cross. For thou shalt either feel +pain of body, or tribulation of spirit within thy soul. + +4. Sometimes thou wilt be forsaken of God, sometimes thou wilt be +tried by thy neighbour, and which is more, thou wilt often be +wearisome to thyself. And still thou canst not be delivered nor +eased by any remedy or consolation, but must bear so long as God +will. For God will have thee learn to suffer tribulation without +consolation, and to submit thyself fully to it, and by +tribulation be made more humble. No man understandeth the +Passion of Christ in his heart so well as he who hath had +somewhat of the like suffering himself. The Cross therefore is +always ready, and every where waiteth for thee. Thou canst not +flee from it whithersoever thou hurriest, for whithersoever thou +comest, thou bearest thyself with thee, and shalt ever find +thyself. Turn thee above, turn thee below, turn thee without, +turn thee within, and in them all thou shalt find the Cross; and +needful is it that thou everywhere possess patience if thou wilt +have internal peace and gain the everlasting crown. + +5. If thou willingly bear the Cross, it will bear thee, and will +bring thee to the end which thou seekest, even where there shall +be the end of suffering; though it shall not be here. If thou +bear it unwillingly, thou makest a burden for thyself and greatly +increaseth thy load, and yet thou must bear it. If thou cast +away one cross, without doubt thou shalt find another and +perchance a heavier. + +6. Thinketh thou to escape what no mortal hath been able to +avoid? Which of the saints in the world hath been without the +cross and tribulation? For not even Jesus Christ our Lord was +one hour without the anguish of His Passion, so long as He lived. +It behooved, He said, Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, +and so enter into his glory.(3) And how dost thou seek another +way than this royal way, which is the way of the Holy Cross? + +7. The whole life of Christ was a cross and martyrdom, and dost +thou seek for thyself rest and joy? Thou art wrong, thou art +wrong, if thou seekest aught but to suffer tribulations, for this +whole mortal life is full of miseries, and set round with +crosses. And the higher a man hath advanced in the spirit, the +heavier crosses he will often find, because the sorrow of his +banishment increaseth with the strength of his love. + +8. But yet the man who is thus in so many wise afflicted, is not +without refreshment of consolation, because he feeleth abundant +fruit to be growing within him out of the bearing of his cross. +For whilst he willingly submitteth himself to it, every burden of +tribulation is turned into an assurance of divine comfort, and +the more the flesh is wasted by affliction, the more is the +spirit strengthened mightily by inward grace. And ofttimes so +greatly is he comforted by the desire for tribulation and +adversity, through love of conformity to the Cross of Christ, +that he would not be without sorrow and tribulation; for he +believeth that he shall be the more acceptable to God, the more +and the heavier burdens he is able to bear for His sake. This is +not the virtue of man, but the grace of Christ which hath such +power and energy in the weak flesh, that what it naturally hateth +and fleeth from, this it draweth to and loveth through fervour of +spirit. + +9. It is not in the nature of man to bear the cross, to love the +cross, to keep under the body and to bring it into subjection, to +fly from honours, to bear reproaches meekly, to despise self and +desire to be despised, to bear all adversities and losses, and to +desire no prosperity in this world. If thou lookest to thyself, +thou wilt of thyself be able to do none of this; but if thou +trustest in the Lord, endurance shall be given thee from heaven, +and the world and the flesh shall be made subject to thy command. +Yea, thou shalt not even fear thine adversary the devil, if thou +be armed with faith and signed with the Cross of Christ. + +10. Set thyself, therefore, like a good and faithful servant of +Christ, to the manful bearing of the Cross of thy Lord, who out +of love was crucified for thee. Prepare thyself for the bearing +many adversities and manifold troubles in this wretched life; +because so it shall be with thee wheresoever thou art, and so in +very deed thou shalt find it, wherever thou hide thyself. This +it must be; and there is no means of escaping from tribulation +and sorrow, except to bear them patiently. Drink thou lovingly +thy Lord's cup if thou desirest to be His friend and to have thy +lot with Him. Leave consolations to God, let Him do as seemeth +best to Him concerning them. But do thou set thyself to endure +tribulations, and reckon them the best consolations; for the +sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared +with the glory which shall be revealed in us,(4) nor would they +be even if thou wert to endure them all. + +11. When thou hast come to this, that tribulation is sweet and +pleasant to thee for Christ's sake, then reckon that it is well +with thee, because thou hast found paradise on earth. So long as +it is hard to thee to suffer and thou desirest to escape, so long +it will not be well with thee, and tribulations will follow thee +everywhere. + +12. If thou settest thyself to that thou oughtest, namely, to +suffer and to die, it shall soon go better with thee, and thou +shalt find peace. Though thou shouldest be caught up with Paul +unto the third heaven,(5) thou art not on that account secure +from suffering evil. I will show him, saith Jesus, what great +things he must suffer for My Name's sake.(6) It remaineth, +therefore, to thee to suffer, if thou wilt love Jesus and serve +Him continually. + +13. Oh that thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of +Jesus, how great glory should await thee, what rejoicing among +all the saints of God, what bright example also to thy neighbour! +For all men commend patience, although few be willing to practise +it. Thou oughtest surely to suffer a little for Christ when many +suffer heavier things for the world. + +14. Know thou of a surety that thou oughtest to lead the life of +a dying man. And the more a man dieth to himself, the more he +beginneth to live towards God. None is fit for the understanding +of heavenly things, unless he hath submitted himself to bearing +adversities for Christ. Nothing more acceptable to God, nothing +more healthful for thyself in this world, than to suffer +willingly for Christ. And if it were thine to choose, thou +oughtest rather to wish to suffer adversities for Christ, than to +be refreshed with manifold consolations, for thou wouldest be +more like Christ and more conformed to all saints. For our +worthiness and growth in grace lieth not in many delights and +consolations, but rather in bearing many troubles and +adversities. + +15. If indeed there had been anything better and more profitable +to the health of men than to suffer, Christ would surely have +shown it by word and example. For both the disciples who +followed Him, and all who desire to follow Him, He plainly +exhorteth to bear their cross, and saith, If any man will come +after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow +Me.(7) So now that we have thoroughly read and studied all +things, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. We must +through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.(8) + +(1) Matthew xvi. 24. (2) Matthew xxv. 41. (3) Luke xxiv. 46. +(4) Romans viii. 18. (5) 2 Corinthians xii. 2. +(6) Acts ix. 16. (7) Luke ix. 23. (8) Acts xiv. 21. + + + + +THE THIRD BOOK + + + +ON INWARD CONSOLATION + +CHAPTER I + +Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul + +I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me.(1) Blessed +is the soul which heareth the Lord speaking within it, and +receiveth the word of consolation from His mouth. Blessed are +the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper of God, and +turn not aside to the whisperings of this world. Blessed truly +are the ears which listen not to the voice that soundeth without, +but to that which teacheth truth inwardly. Blessed are the eyes +which are closed to things without, but are fixed upon things +within. Blessed are they who search inward things and study to +prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises for the +receiving of heavenly mysteries. Blessed are they who long to +have leisure for God, and free themselves from every hindrance of +the world. Think on these things, O my soul, and shut the doors +of thy carnal desires, so mayest thou hear what the Lord God will +say within thee. + +2. These things saith thy Beloved, "I am thy salvation, I am thy +peace and thy life. Keep thee unto Me, and thou shalt find +peace." Put away thee all transitory things, seek those things +that are eternal. For what are all temporal things but deceits, +and what shall all created things help thee if thou be forsaken +by the Creator? Therefore put all things else away, and give +thyself to the Creator, to be well pleasing and faithful to Him, +that thou mayest be able to attain true blessedness. + +(1) Psalm lxxxv. 8. + + +CHAPTER II + +What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words + +Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.(1) I am Thy servant; O give +me understanding that I may know Thy testimonies. Incline my +heart unto the words of Thy mouth.(2) Let thy speech distil as +the dew. The children of Israel spake in old time to Moses, +Speak thou unto us and we will hear, but let not the Lord speak +unto us lest we die.(3) Not thus, O Lord, not thus do I pray, +but rather with Samuel the prophet, I beseech Thee humbly and +earnestly, Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth. Let not Moses +speak to me, nor any prophet, but rather speak Thou, O Lord, who +didst inspire and illuminate all the prophets; for Thou alone +without them canst perfectly fill me with knowledge, whilst they +without Thee shall profit nothing. + +2. They can indeed utter words, but they give not the spirit. +They speak with exceeding beauty, but when Thou art silent they +kindle not the heart. They give us scriptures, but Thou makest +known the sense thereof. They bring us mysteries, but Thou +revealest the things which are signified. They utter +commandments, but Thou helpest to the fulfilling of them. They +show the way, but Thou givest strength for the journey. They act +only outwardly, but Thou dost instruct and enlighten the heart. +They water, but Thou givest the increase. They cry with words, +but Thou givest understanding to the hearer. + +3. Therefore let not Moses speak to me, but Thou, O Lord my God, +Eternal Truth; lest I die and bring forth no fruit, being +outwardly admonished, but not enkindled within; lest the word +heard but not followed, known but not loved, believed but not +obeyed, rise up against me in the judgment. Speak, Lord, for Thy +servant heareth; Thou hast the words of eternal life.(4) Speak +unto me for some consolation unto my soul, for the amendment of +my whole life, and for the praise and glory and eternal honour of +Thy Name. + +(1) 1 Samuel iii. 9. (2) Psalm cxix. 125. (3) Exodus xx. 19. +(4) John vi. 68. + + +CHAPTER III + +How all the words of God are to be heard with humility, and how +many consider them not + +"My Son, hear My words, for My words are most sweet, surpassing +all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world. +My words are spirit, and they are life,(1) and are not to be +weighed by man's understanding. They are not to be drawn forth +for vain approbation, but to be heard in silence, and to be +received with all humility and with deep love." + +2. And I said, "Blessed is the man whom Thou teachest, O Lord, +and instructest him in Thy law, that Thou mayest give him rest in +time of adversity,(2) and that he be not desolate in the earth." + +3. "I," saith the Lord, "taught the prophets from the beginning, +and even now cease I not to speak unto all; but many are deaf and +hardened against My voice; many love to listen to the world +rather than to God, they follow after the desires of the flesh +more readily than after the good pleasure of God. The world +promiseth things that are temporal and small, and it is served +with great eagerness. I promise things that are great and +eternal, and the hearts of mortals are slow to stir. Who serveth +and obeyeth Me in all things, with such carefulness as he serveth +the world and its rulers? + + Be thou ashamed, O Sidon, saith the sea;(3) + And if thou reason seekest, hear thou me. + +For a little reward men make a long journey; for eternal life +many will scarce lift a foot once from the ground. Mean reward +is sought after; for a single piece of money sometimes there is +shameful striving; for a thing which is vain and for a trifling +promise, men shrink not from toiling day and night." + +4. "But, O shame! for an unchangeable good, for an inestimable +reward, for the highest honour and for a glory that fadeth not +away, it is irksome to them to toil even a little. Be thou +ashamed therefore, slothful and discontented servant, for they +are found readier unto perdition than thou unto life. They +rejoice more heartily in vanity than thou in the truth. +Sometimes, indeed, they are disappointed of their hope, but my +promise faileth no man, nor sendeth away empty him who trusteth +in Me. What I have promised I will give; what I have said I will +fulfil; if only a man remain faithful in My love unto the end. +Therefore am I the rewarder of all good men, and a strong +approver of all who are godly. + +5. "Write My words in thy heart and consider them diligently, for +they shall be very needful to thee in time of temptation. What +thou understandest not when thou readest, thou shalt know in the +time of thy visitation. I am wont to visit Mine elect in twofold +manner, even by temptation and by comfort, and I teach them two +lessons day by day, the one in chiding their faults, the other in +exhorting them to grow in grace. He who hath My words and +rejecteth them, hath one who shall judge him at the last day." + + +A PRAYER FOR THE SPIRIT OF DEVOTION + +6. O Lord my God, Thou art all my good, and who am I that I +should dare to speak unto Thee? I am the very poorest of Thy +servants, an abject worm, much poorer and more despicable than I +know or dare to say. Nevertheless remember, O Lord, that I am +nothing, I have nothing, and can do nothing. Thou only art good, +just and holy; Thou canst do all things, art over all things, +fillest all things, leaving empty only the sinner. Call to mind +Thy tender mercies, and fill my heart with Thy grace, Thou who +wilt not that Thy work should return to Thee void. + +7. How can I bear this miserable life unless Thy mercy and grace +strengthen me? Turn not away Thy face from me, delay not Thy +visitation. Withdraw not Thou Thy comfort from me, lest my soul +"gasp after thee as a thirsty land." Lord, teach me to do Thy +will, teach me to walk humbly and uprightly before Thee, for Thou +art my wisdom, who knowest me in truth, and knewest me before the +world was made and before I was born into the world. + +(1) John vi. 63. (2) Psalm xciv. 13. (3) Isaiah xxiii. 4. + + +CHAPTER IV + +How we must walk in truth and humility before God + +"My Son! walk before Me in truth, and in the simplicity of thy +heart seek Me continually. He who walketh before Me in the truth +shall be safe from evil assaults, and the truth shall deliver him +from the wiles and slanders of the wicked. If the truth shall +make thee free, thou shalt be free indeed, and shalt not care for +the vain words of men." + +2. Lord, it is true as Thou sayest; let it, I pray Thee, be so +with me; let Thy truth teach me, let it keep me and preserve me +safe unto the end. Let it free me from all evil and inordinate +affection, and I will walk before Thee in great freedom of heart. + +3. "I will teach thee," saith the Truth, "the things which are +right and pleasing before Me. Think upon thy sins with great +displeasure and sorrow, and never think thyself anything because +of thy good works. Verily thou art a sinner, liable to many +passions, yea, tied and bound with them. Of thyself thou always +tendest unto nothing, thou wilt quickly fall, quickly be +conquered, quickly disturbed, quickly undone. Thou hast nought +whereof to glory, but many reasons why thou shouldest reckon +thyself vile, for thou art far weaker than thou art able to +comprehend. + +4. "Let, therefore, nothing which thou doest seem to thee great; +let nothing be grand, nothing of value or beauty, nothing worthy +of honour, nothing lofty, nothing praiseworthy or desirable, +save what is eternal. Let the eternal truth please thee above +all things, let thine own great vileness displease thee +continually. Fear, denounce, flee nothing so much as thine own +faults and sins, which ought to be more displeasing to thee than +any loss whatsoever of goods. There are some who walk not +sincerely before me, but being led by curiosity and pride, they +desire to know my secret things and to understand the deep things +of God, whilst they neglect themselves and their salvation. +These often fall into great temptations and sins because of their +pride and curiosity, for I am against them. + +5. "Fear thou the judgments of God, fear greatly the wrath of the +Almighty. Shrink from debating upon the works of the Most High, +but search narrowly thine own iniquities into what great sins +thou hast fallen, and how many good things thou hast neglected. +There are some who carry their devotion only in books, some in +pictures, some in outward signs and figures; some have Me in +their mouths, but little in their hearts. Others there are who, +being enlightened in their understanding and purged in their +affections, continually long after eternal things, hear of +earthly things with unwillingness, obey the necessities of nature +with sorrow. And these understand what the Spirit of truth +speaketh in them; for He teacheth them to despise earthly things +and to love heavenly; to neglect the world and to desire heaven +all the day and night." + + +CHAPTER V + +Of the wonderful power of the Divine Love + +I bless Thee, O Heavenly Father, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, +for that Thou hast vouchsafed to think of me, poor that I am. O, +Father of Mercies and God of all comfort,(1) I give thanks unto +Thee, who refreshest me sometimes with thine own comfort, when I +am unworthy of any comfort. I bless and glorify Thee +continually, with thine only begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, the +Paraclete, for ever and ever. O Lord God, Holy lover of my soul, +when Thou shalt come into my heart, all my inward parts shall +rejoice. Thou art my glory and the joy of my heart. Thou art my +hope and my refuge in the day of my trouble. + +2. But because I am still weak in love and imperfect in virtue, I +need to be strengthened and comforted by Thee; therefore visit +Thou me often and instruct me with Thy holy ways of discipline. +Deliver me from evil passions, and cleanse my heart from all +inordinate affections, that, being healed and altogether cleansed +within, I may be made ready to love, strong to suffer, steadfast +to endure. + +3. Love is a great thing, a good above all others, which alone +maketh every heavy burden light, and equaliseth every inequality. +For it beareth the burden and maketh it no burden, it maketh +every bitter thing to be sweet and of good taste. The surpassing +love of Jesus impelleth to great works, and exciteth to the +continual desiring of greater perfection. Love willeth to be +raised up, and not to be held down by any mean thing. Love +willeth to be free and aloof from all worldly affection, lest its +inward power of vision be hindered, lest it be entangled by any +worldly prosperity or overcome by adversity. Nothing is sweeter +than love, nothing stronger, nothing loftier, nothing broader, +nothing pleasanter, nothing fuller or better in heaven nor on +earth, for love was born of God and cannot rest save in God above +all created things. + +4. He who loveth flyeth, runneth, and is glad; he is free and not +hindered. He giveth all things for all things, and hath all +things in all things, because he resteth in One who is high above +all, from whom every good floweth and proceedeth. He looketh not +for gifts, but turneth himself to the Giver above all good +things. Love oftentimes knoweth no measure, but breaketh out +above all measure; love feeleth no burden, reckoneth not labours, +striveth after more than it is able to do, pleadeth not +impossibility, because it judgeth all things which are lawful for +it to be possible. It is strong therefore for all things, and it +fulfilleth many things, and is successful where he who loveth not +faileth and lieth down. + +5. Love is watchful, and whilst sleeping still keepeth watch; +though fatigued it is not weary, though pressed it is not forced, +though alarmed it is not terrified, but like the living flame and +the burning torch, it breaketh forth on high and securely +triumpheth. If a man loveth, he knoweth what this voice crieth. +For the ardent affection of the soul is a great clamour in the +ears of God, and it saith: My God, my Beloved! Thou art all +mine, and I am all Thine. + +6. Enlarge Thou me in love, that I may learn to taste with the +innermost mouth of my heart how sweet it is to love, to be +dissolved, and to swim in love. Let me be holden by love, +mounting above myself through exceeding fervour and admiration. +Let me sing the song of love, let me follow Thee my Beloved on +high, let my soul exhaust itself in Thy praise, exulting with +love. Let me love Thee more than myself, not loving myself +except for Thy sake, and all men in Thee who truly love Thee, as +the law of love commandeth which shineth forth from Thee. + +7. Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle, strong, +patient, faithful, prudent, long-suffering, manly, and never +seeking her own; for wheresoever a man seeketh his own, there he +falleth from love. Love is circumspect, humble, and upright; not +weak, not fickle, nor intent on vain things; sober, chaste, +steadfast, quiet, and guarded in all the senses. Love is subject +and obedient to all that are in authority, vile and lowly in its +own sight, devout and grateful towards God, faithful and always +trusting in Him even when God hideth His face, for without +sorrow we cannot live in love. + +8. He who is not ready to suffer all things, and to conform to +the will of the Beloved, is not worthy to be called a lover of +God. It behoveth him who loveth to embrace willingly all hard +and bitter things for the Beloved's sake, and not to be drawn +away from Him because of any contrary accidents. + +(1) 2 Corinthians i. 3. + + +CHAPTER VI + +Of the proving of the true lover + +"My Son, thou art not yet strong and prudent in thy love." + +2. Wherefore, O my Lord? + +3. "Because for a little opposition thou fallest away from thy +undertakings, and too eagerly seekest after consolation. The +strong lover standeth fast in temptations, and believeth not the +evil persuasions of the enemy. As in prosperity I please him, so +in adversity I do not displease. + +4. "The prudent lover considereth not the gift of the lover so +much as the love of the giver. He looketh for the affection more +than the value, and setteth all gifts lower than the Beloved. +The noble lover resteth not in the gift, but in Me above every +gift. + +5. "All is not lost, though thou sometimes think of Me or of My +saints, less than thou shouldest desire. That good and sweet +affection which thou sometimes perceivest is the effect of +present grace and some foretaste of the heavenly country; but +hereon thou must not too much depend, for it goeth and cometh. +But to strive against the evil motions of the mind which come to +us, and to resist the suggestions of the devil, is a token of +virtue and great merit. + +6. "Therefore let not strange fancies disturb thee, whencesoever +they arise. Bravely observe thy purpose and thy upright +intentions towards God. It is not an illusion when thou art +sometimes suddenly carried away into rapture, and then suddenly +art brought back to the wonted vanities of thy heart. For thou +dost rather unwillingly undergo them than cause them; and so long +as they displease thee and thou strivest against them, it is a +merit and no loss. + +7. "Know thou that thine old enemy altogether striveth to hinder +thy pursuit after good, and to deter thee from every godly +exercise, to wit, the contemplation of the Saints, the pious +remembrance of My passion, the profitable recollection of sin, +the keeping of thy own heart, and the steadfast purpose to grow +in virtue. He suggesteth to thee many evil thoughts, that he may +work in thee weariness and terror, and so draw thee away from +prayer and holy reading. Humble confession displeaseth him, and +if he were able he would make thee to cease from Communion. +Believe him not, nor heed him, though many a time he hath laid +for thee the snares of deceit. Account it to be from him, when +he suggesteth evil and unclean thoughts. Say unto him, 'Depart +unclean spirit; put on shame, miserable one; horribly unclean art +thou, who bringest such things to mine ears. Depart from me, +detestable deceiver; thou shalt have no part in me; but Jesus +shall be with me, as a strong warrior, and thou shalt stand +confounded. Rather would I die and bear all suffering, than +consent unto thee. Hold thy peace and be dumb; I will not hear +thee more, though thou plottest more snares against me. The Lord +is my light and my salvation: whom then shall I fear? Though a +host of men should rise up against me, yet shall not my heart be +afraid. The Lord is my strength and my Redeemer.'(1) + +8. "Strive thou like a good soldier; and if sometimes thou fail +through weakness, put on thy strength more bravely than before, +trusting in My more abundant grace, and take thou much heed of +vain confidence and pride. Because of it many are led into +error, and sometimes fall into blindness well-nigh irremediable. +Let this ruin of the proud, who foolishly lift themselves up, be +to thee for a warning and a continual exhortation to humility." + +(1) Psalms xxvii. 1-3; xix. 14. + + +CHAPTER VII + +Of hiding our grace under the guard of humility + +"My Son, it is better and safer for thee to hide the grace of +devotion, and not to lift thyself up on high, nor to speak much +thereof, nor to value it greatly; but rather to despise thyself, +and to fear as though this grace were given to one unworthy +thereof. Nor must thou depend too much upon this feeling, for it +can very quickly be turned into its opposite. Think when thou +art in a state of grace how miserable and poor thou art wont to +be without grace. Nor is there advance in spiritual life in this +alone, that thou hast the grace of consolation, but that thou +humbly and unselfishly and patiently takest the withdrawal +thereof; so that thou cease not from the exercise of prayer, nor +suffer thy other common duties to be in anywise neglected; rather +do thy task more readily, as though thou hadst gained more +strength and knowledge; and do not altogether neglect thyself +because of the dearth and anxiety of spirit which thou feelest. + +2. "For there are many who, when things have not gone prosperous +with them, become forthwith impatient or slothful. For the way +of a man is not in himself,(1) but it is God's to give and to +console, when He will, and as much as He will, and whom He will, +as it shall please Him, and no further. Some who were +presumptuous because of the grace of devotion within them, have +destroyed themselves, because they would do more than they were +able, not considering the measure of their own littleness, but +rather following the impulse of the heart than the judgment of +the reason. And because they presumed beyond what was +well-pleasing unto God, therefore they quickly lost grace. They +became poor and were left vile, who had built for themselves +their nest in heaven; so that being humbled and stricken with +poverty, they might learn not to fly with their own wings, but +to put their trust under My feathers. They who are as yet new +and unskilled in the way of the Lord, unless they rule themselves +after the counsel of the wise, may easily be deceived and led +away. + +3. "But if they wish to follow their own fancies rather than +trust the experience of others, the result will be very dangerous +to them if they still refuse to be drawn away from their own +notion. Those who are wise in their own conceits, seldom +patiently endure to be ruled by others. It is better to have a +small portion of wisdom with humility, and a slender +understanding, than great treasures of sciences with vain +self-esteem. It is better for thee to have less than much of +what may make thee proud. He doeth not very discreetly who +giveth up himself entirely to joy, forgetting his former +helplessness and the chaste fear of the Lord, which feareth to +lose the grace offered. Nor is he very wise, after a manly sort, +who in time of adversity, or any trouble whatsoever, beareth +himself too despairingly, and feeleth concerning Me less +trustfully than he ought. + +4. "He who in time of peace willeth to be oversecure shall be +often found in time of war overdispirited and full of fears. If +thou knewest always how to continue humble and moderate in +thyself, and to guide and rule thine own spirit well, thou +wouldest not so quickly fall into danger and mischief. It is +good counsel that when fervour of spirit is kindled, thou +shouldest meditate how it will be with thee when the light is +taken away. Which when it doth happen, remember that still the +light may return again, which I have taken away for a time for a +warning to thee, and also for mine own glory. Such a trial is +often more useful than if thou hadst always things prosperous +according to thine own will. + +5. "For merits are not to be reckoned by this, that a man hath +many visions or consolations, or that he is skilled in the +Scriptures, or that he is placed in a high situation; but that he +is grounded upon true humility and filled with divine charity, +that he always purely and uprightly seeketh the honour of God, +that he setteth not by himself, but unfeignedly despiseth +himself, and even rejoiceth to be despised and humbled by others +more than to be honoured." + +(1) Jeremiah x. 23. + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God + +I will speak unto my Lord who am but dust and ashes. If I count +myself more, behold Thou standest against me, and my iniquities +bear true testimony, and I cannot gainsay it. But if I abase +myself, and bring myself to nought, and shrink from all +self-esteem, and grind myself to dust, which I am, Thy grace will +be favourable unto me, and Thy light will be near unto my heart; +and all self-esteem, how little soever it be, shall be swallowed +up in the depths of my nothingness, and shall perish for ever. +There Thou showest to me myself, what I am, what I was, and +whither I have come: so foolish was I and ignorant.(1) If I am +left to myself, behold I am nothing, I am all weakness; but if +suddenly Thou look upon me, immediately I am made strong, and +filled with new joy. And it is great marvel that I am so +suddenly lifted up, and so graciously embraced by Thee, since I +am always being carried to the deep by my own weight. + +2. This is the doing of Thy love which freely goeth before me and +succoureth me in so many necessities, which guardeth me also in +great dangers and snatcheth me, as I may truly say, from +innumerable evils. For verily, by loving myself amiss, I lost +myself, and by seeking and sincerely loving Thee alone, I found +both myself and Thee, and through love I have brought myself to +yet deeper nothingness: because Thou, O most sweet Lord, dealest +with me beyond all merit, and above all which I dare ask or +think. + +3. Blessed be Thou, O my God, because though I be unworthy of all +Thy benefits, Thy bountiful and infinite goodness never ceaseth +to do good even to ingrates and to those who are turned far from +Thee. Turn Thou us unto Thyself, that we may be grateful, +humble, and godly, for Thou art our salvation, our courage, and +our strength. + +(1) Psalm lxxiii. 22. + + +CHAPTER IX + +That all things are to be referred to God, as the final end + +"My Son, I must be thy Supreme and final end, if thou desirest to +be truly happy. Out of such purpose thy affection shall be +purified, which too often is sinfully bent upon itself and upon +created things. For if thou seekest thyself in any matter, +straightway thou wilt fail within thyself and grow barren. +Therefore refer everything to Me first of all, for it is I who +gave thee all. So look upon each blessing as flowing from the +Supreme Good, and thus all things are to be attributed to Me as +their source. + +2. "From Me the humble and great, the poor and the rich, draw +water as from a living fountain, and those who serve Me with a +free and faithful spirit shall receive grace for grace. But he +who will glory apart from Me, or will be delighted with any good +which lieth in himself, shall not be established in true joy, nor +shall be enlarged in heart, but shall be greatly hindered and +thrown into tribulation. Therefore thou must not ascribe any +good to thyself, nor look upon virtue as belonging to any man, +but ascribe it all unto God, without whom man hath nothing. +I gave all, I will receive all again, and with great strictness +require I the giving of thanks. + +3. "This is the Truth, and by it the vanity of boasting is put to +flight. And if heavenly grace and true charity shall enter into +thee, there shall be no envy, nor straitening of the heart, nor +shall any self-love take possession of thee. For divine charity +conquereth all things, and enlargeth all the powers of the soul. +If thou art truly wise, thou wilt rejoice in Me alone, thou wilt +hope in Me alone; for there is none good but one, that is God,(1) +Who is to be praised above all things, and in all things to +receive blessing." + +(1) Luke xviii. 19. + + +CHAPTER X + +That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God + +Now will I speak again, O my Lord, and hold not my peace; I will +say in the ears of my God, my Lord, and my King, who is exalted +above all, Oh how plentiful is Thy goodness which Thou hast laid +up for them that fear Thee!(1) But what art Thou to those who +love Thee? What to those who serve Thee with their whole heart? +Truly unspeakable is the sweetness of the contemplation of Thee, +which Thou bestowest upon those who love Thee. In this most of +all Thou hast showed me the sweetness of Thy charity, that when I +was not, Thou madest me, and when I wandered far from Thee, Thou +broughtest me back that I might serve Thee, and commandedst me to +love Thee. + +2. O Fountain of perpetual love, what shall I say concerning +Thee? How shall I be unmindful of Thee, who didst vouchsafe to +remember me, even after I pined away and perished? Thou hast had +mercy beyond all hope upon Thy servant, and hast showed Thy grace +and friendship beyond all deserving. What reward shall I render +Thee for this Thy grace? For it is not given unto all to +renounce this world and its affairs, and to take up a religious +life. For is it a great thing that I should serve Thee, whom +every creature ought to serve? It ought not to seem a great +thing to me to serve Thee; but rather this appeareth to me a +great and wonderful thing, that Thou vouchsafest to receive as +Thy servant one so poor and unworthy, and to join him unto Thy +chosen servants. + +3. Behold all things which I have are Thine, and with them I +serve Thee. And yet verily it is Thou who servest me, rather +than I Thee. Behold the heaven and the earth which Thou hast +created for the service of men; they are at Thy bidding, and +perform daily whatsoever Thou dost command. Yea, and this is +little; for Thou hast even ordained the Angels for the service of +man. But it surpasseth even all these things, that Thou Thyself +didst vouchsafe to minister unto man, and didst promise that Thou +wouldest give Thyself unto him. + +4. What shall I render unto Thee for all these Thy manifold +mercies? Oh that I were able to serve Thee all the days of my +life! Oh that even for one day I were enabled to do Thee service +worthy of Thyself! For verily Thou art worthy of all service, +all honour, and praise without end. Verily Thou art my God, and +I am Thy poor servant, who am bound to serve Thee with all my +strength, nor ought I ever to grow weary of Thy praise. This is +my wish, this is my exceeding great desire, and whatsoever is +lacking to me, vouchsafe Thou to supply. + +5. It is great honour, great glory to serve Thee, and to despise +all for Thy sake. For they shall have great grace who of their +own will shall submit themselves to Thy most holy service. They +who for Thy love have cast away every carnal delight shall find +the sweetest consolation of the Holy Ghost. They who enter the +narrow way of life for Thy Name's sake, and have put away all +worldly cares, shall attain great liberty of spirit. + +6. Oh grateful and delightsome service of God, whereby man is +made truly free and holy! Oh sacred condition of the religious +servant, which maketh man equal to the Angels, well-pleasing unto +God, terrible to evil spirits, and acceptable to all faithful +ones! Oh service to be embraced and ever desired, in which the +highest good is promised, and joy is gained which shall remain +for evermore! + +(1) Psalm xxxi. 21. + + +CHAPTER XI + +That the desires of the heart are to be examined and governed + +"My Son, thou hast still many things to learn, which thou hast +not well learned yet." + +2. What are they, Lord? + +3. "To place thy desire altogether in subjection to My good +pleasure, and not to be a lover of thyself, but an earnest seeker +of My will. Thy desires often excite and urge thee forward; but +consider with thyself whether thou art not more moved for thine +own objects than for My honour. If it is Myself that thou +seekest, thou shalt be well content with whatsoever I shall +ordain; but if any pursuit of thine own lieth hidden within thee, +behold it is this which hindereth and weigheth thee down. + +4. "Beware, therefore, lest thou strive too earnestly after some +desire which thou hast conceived, without taking counsel of Me; +lest haply it repent thee afterwards, and that displease thee +which before pleased, and for which thou didst long as for a +great good. For not every affection which seemeth good is to be +forthwith followed; neither is every opposite affection to be +immediately avoided. Sometimes it is expedient to use restraint +even in good desires and wishes, lest through importunity thou +fall into distraction of mind, lest through want of discipline +thou become a stumbling-block to others, or lest by the +resistance of others thou be suddenly disturbed and brought to +confusion. + +5. "Sometimes, indeed, it is needful to use violence, and +manfully to strive against the sensual appetite, and not to +consider what the flesh may or not will; but rather to strive +after this, that it may become subject, however unwillingly, to +the spirit. And for so long it ought to be chastised and +compelled to undergo slavery, even until it be ready for all +things, and learn to be contented with little, to be delighted +with things simple, and never to murmur at any inconvenience." + + +CHAPTER XII + +Of the inward growth of patience, and of the struggle against +evil desires + +O Lord God, I see that patience is very necessary unto me; for +many things in this life fall out contrary. For howsoever I may +have contrived for my peace, my life cannot go on without strife +and trouble. + +2. "Thou speakest truly, My Son. For I will not that thou seek +such a peace as is without trials, and knoweth no adversities; +but rather that thou shouldest judge thyself to have found peace, +when thou art tried with manifold tribulations, and proved by +many adversities. If thou shalt say that thou art not able to +bear much, how then wilt thou sustain the fire hereafter? Of two +evils we should always choose the less. Therefore, that thou +mayest escape eternal torments hereafter, strive on God's behalf +to endure present evils bravely. Thinkest thou that the children +of this world suffer nought, or but little? Thou wilt not find +it so, even though thou find out the most prosperous. + +3. "'But,' thou wilt say, 'they have many delights, and they +follow their own wills, and thus they bear lightly their +tribulations.' + +4. "Be it so, grant that they have what they list; but how long, +thinkest thou, will it last? Behold, like the smoke those who are +rich in this world will pass away, and no record shall remain of +their past joys. Yea, even while they yet live, they rest not +without bitterness and weariness and fear. For from the very +same thing wherein they find delight, thence they oftentimes have +the punishment of sorrow. Justly it befalleth them, that because +out of measure they seek out and pursue pleasures, they enjoy +them not without confusion and bitterness. Oh how short, how +false, how inordinate and wicked are all these pleasures! Yet +because of their sottishness and blindness men do not understand; +but like brute beasts, for the sake of a little pleasure of this +corruptible life, they incur death of the soul. Thou therefore, +my son, go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine +appetites.(1) Delight thou in the Lord, and He shall give thee +thy heart's desire.(2) + +5. "For if thou wilt truly find delight, and be abundantly +comforted of Me, behold in the contempt of all worldly things and +in the avoidance of all worthless pleasures shall be thy +blessing, and fulness of consolation shall be given thee. And +the more thou withdrawest thyself from all solace of creatures, +the more sweet and powerful consolations shalt thou find. But at +the first thou shalt not attain to them, without some sorrow and +hard striving. Long-accustomed habit will oppose, but it shall +be overcome by better habit. The flesh will murmur again and +again, but will be restrained by fervour of spirit. The old +serpent will urge and embitter thee, but will be put to flight by +prayer; moreover, by useful labour his entrance will be greatly +obstructed." + +(1) Ecclesiastes xviii. 30. (2) Psalm xxxvii. 4. + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus Christ + +"My Son, he who striveth to withdraw himself from obedience, +withdraweth himself also from grace, and he who seeketh private +advantages, loseth those which are common unto all. If a man +submit not freely and willingly to one set over him, it is a sign +that his flesh is not yet perfectly subject to himself, but +often resisteth and murmureth. Learn therefore quickly to submit +thyself to him who is over thee, if thou seekest to bring thine +own flesh into subjection. For the outward enemy is very quickly +overcome if the inner man have not been laid low. There is no +more grievous and deadly enemy to the soul than thou art to +thyself, if thou art not led by the Spirit. Thou must not +altogether conceive contempt for thyself, if thou wilt prevail +against flesh and blood. Because as yet thou inordinately lovest +thyself, therefore thou shrinkest from yielding thyself to the +will of others. + +2. "But what great thing is it that thou, who art dust and +nothingness, yieldest thyself to man for God's sake, when I, the +Almighty and the Most High, who created all things out of +nothing, subjected Myself to man for thy sake? I became the most +humble and despised of men, that by My humility thou mightest +overcome thy pride. Learn to obey, O dust! Learn to humble +thyself, O earth and clay, and to bow thyself beneath the feet of +all. Learn to crush thy passions, and to yield thyself in all +subjection. + +3. "Be zealous against thyself, nor suffer pride to live within +thee, but so show thyself subject and of no reputation, that all +may be able to walk over thee, and tread thee down as the clay in +the streets. What hast thou, O foolish man, of which to +complain? What, O vile sinner, canst thou answer those who +speak against thee, seeing thou hast so often offended God, and +many a time hast deserved hell? But Mine eye hath spared thee, +because thy soul was precious in My sight; that thou mightest +know My love, and mightest be thankful for My benefits; and that +thou mightest give thyself altogether to true subjection and +humility, and patiently bear the contempt which thou meritest." + + +CHAPTER XIV + +Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God, that we may not +be lifted up because of our well-doing + +Thou sendest forth Thy judgments against me, O Lord, and shakest +all my bones with fear and trembling, and my soul trembleth +exceedingly. I stand astonished, and remember that the heavens +are not clean in thy sight.(1) If Thou chargest Thine angels +with folly, and didst spare them not, how shall it be unto me? +Stars have fallen from heaven, and what shall I dare who am +but dust? They whose works seemed to be praiseworthy, fell into +the lowest depths, and they who did eat Angels' food, them have I +seen delighted with the husks that the swine do eat. + +2. There is therefore no holiness, if Thou O Lord, withdraw Thine +hand. No wisdom profiteth, if Thou leave off to guide the helm. +No strength availeth, if Thou cease to preserve. No purity is +secure, if Thou protect it not. No self-keeping availeth, if Thy +holy watching be not there. For when we are left alone we are +swallowed up and perish, but when we are visited, we are raised +up, and we live. For indeed we are unstable, but are made strong +through Thee; we grow cold, but are rekindled by Thee. + +3. Oh, how humbly and abjectly must I reckon of myself, how must +I weigh it as nothing, if I seem to have nothing good! Oh, how +profoundly ought I to submit myself to Thy unfathomable +judgments, O Lord, when I find myself nothing else save nothing, +and again nothing! Oh weight unmeasurable, oh ocean which cannot +be crossed over, where I find nothing of myself save nothing +altogether! Where, then, is the hiding-place of glory, where the +confidence begotten of virtue? All vain-glory is swallowed up in +the depths of Thy judgments against me. + +4. What is all flesh in Thy sight? For how shall the clay boast +against Him that fashioned it?(2) How can he be lifted up in +vain speech whose heart is subjected in truth to God? The whole +world shall not lift him up whom Truth hath subdued; nor shall he +be moved by the mouth of all who praise him, who hath placed all +his hope in God. For they themselves who speak, behold, they +are all nothing; for they shall cease with the sound of their +words, but the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.(3) + +(1) Job xv. 15. (2) Psalm xxix. 16. (3) Psalm cxvii. 2. + + +CHAPTER XV + +How we must stand and speak, in everything that we desire + +"My Son, speak thou thus in every matter, 'Lord, if it please +Thee, let this come to pass. Lord, if this shall be for Thine +honour, let it be done in Thy Name. Lord, if thou see it good +for me, and approve it as useful, then grant me to use it for Thy +honour. But if thou knowest that it shall be hurtful unto me, +and not profitable for the health of my soul, take the desire +away from me'! For not every desire is from the Holy Ghost, +although it appear to a man right and good. It is difficult to +judge with certainty whether a good or an evil spirit move thee +to desire this or that, or whether thou art moved by thine own +spirit. Many have been deceived at the last, who seemed at the +beginning to be moved by a good spirit. + +2. "Therefore, whatsoever seemeth to thee desirable, thou must +always desire and seek after it with the fear of God and humility +of heart, and most of all, must altogether resign thyself, and +commit all unto Me and say, 'Lord, thou knowest what is best; let +this or that be, according as Thou wilt. Give what Thou wilt, so +much as Thou wilt, when Thou wilt. Do with me as Thou knowest +best, and as best shall please Thee, and as shall be most to +Thine honour. Place me where Thou wilt, and freely work Thy will +with me in all things. I am in Thine hand, and turn me in my +course. Behold, I am Thy servant, ready for all things; for I +desire to live not to myself but to Thee. Oh, that I might live +worthily and perfectly.'" + + A PRAYER TO BE ENABLED TO DO GOD'S WILL PERFECTLY + +3. Grant me Thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with +me, and work in me, and persevere with me, even unto the end. +Grant that I may ever desire and wish whatsoever is most pleasing +and dear unto Thee. Let Thy will be mine, and let my will alway +follow Thine, and entirely accord with it. May I choose and +reject whatsoever Thou dost; yea, let it be impossible for me to +choose or reject except according to Thy will. + +4. Grant that I may die to all worldly things, and for Thy sake +love to be despised and unknown in this world. Grant unto me, +above all things that I can desire, to rest in Thee, and that in +Thee my heart may be at peace. Thou art the true peace of the +heart, Thou alone its rest; apart from Thee all things are hard +and unquiet. In Thee alone, the supreme and eternal God, I will +lay me down in peace and take my rest.(1) Amen. + +(1) Psalm iv. 9. + + +CHAPTER XVI + +That true solace is to be sought in God alone + +Whatsoever I am able to desire or to think of for my solace, I +look for it not here, but hereafter. For if I alone had all the +solaces of this world, and were able to enjoy all its delights, +it is certain that they could not endure long. Wherefore, O my +soul, thou canst be fully comforted and perfectly refreshed, only +in God, the Comforter of the poor, and the lifter up of the +humble. Wait but a little while, my soul, wait for the Divine +promise, and thou shalt have abundance of all good things in +heaven. If thou longest too inordinately for the things which +are now, thou shalt lose those which are eternal and heavenly. +Let temporal things be in the use, eternal things in the desire. +Thou canst not be satisfied with any temporal good, for thou wast +not created for the enjoyment of these. + +2. Although thou hadst all the good things which ever were +created, yet couldst not thou be happy and blessed; all thy +blessedness and thy felicity lieth in God who created all things; +not such felicity as seemeth good to the foolish lover of the +world, but such as Christ's good and faithful servants wait for, +and as the spiritual and pure in heart sometimes taste, whose +conversation is in heaven.(1) All human solace is empty and +short-lived; blessed and true is that solace which is felt +inwardly, springing from the truth. The godly man everywhere +beareth about with him his own Comforter, Jesus, and saith unto +Him: "Be with me, Lord Jesus, always and everywhere. Let it be +my comfort to be able to give up cheerfully all human comfort. +And if Thy consolation fail me, let Thy will and righteous +approval be alway with me for the highest comfort. For Thou wilt +not always be chiding, neither keepest Thou Thine anger for +ever."(2) + +(1) Philippians iii. 20. (2) Psalm cii. 9. + + +CHAPTER XVII + +That all care is to be cast upon God + +"My Son, suffer me to do with thee what I will; I know what is +expedient for thee. Thou thinkest as a man, in many things thou +judgest as human affection persuadeth thee." + +2. Lord, what Thou sayest is true. Greater is Thy care for me +than all the care which I am able to take for myself. For too +insecurely doth he stand who casteth not all his care upon Thee. +Lord, so long as my will standeth right and firm in Thee, do with +me what Thou wilt, for whatsoever Thou shalt do with me cannot be +aught but good. Blessed be Thou if Thou wilt leave me in +darkness: blessed also be Thou if Thou wilt leave me in light. +Blessed be Thou if Thou vouchsafe to comfort me, and always +blessed be Thou if Thou cause me to be troubled. + +3. "My Son! even thus thou must stand if thou desirest to walk +with Me. Thou must be ready alike for suffering or rejoicing. +Thou must be poor and needy as willingly as full and rich." + +4. Lord, I will willingly bear for Thee whatsoever Thou wilt have +to come upon me. Without choice I will receive from Thy hand +good and evil, sweet and bitter, joy and sadness, and will give +Thee thanks for all things which shall happen unto me. Keep me +from all sin, and I will not fear death nor hell. Only cast me +not away for ever, nor blot me out of the book of life. Then no +tribulation which shall come upon me shall do me hurt. + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +That temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the +example of Christ + +"My Son! I came down from heaven for thy salvation; I took upon +Me thy miseries not of necessity, but drawn by love that thou +mightest learn patience and mightest bear temporal miseries +without murmuring. For from the hour of My birth, until My death +upon the Cross, I ceased not from bearing of sorrow; I had much +lack of temporal things; I oftentimes heard many reproaches +against Myself; I gently bore contradictions and hard words; I +received ingratitude for benefits, blasphemies for My miracles, +rebukes for My doctrine." + +2. Lord, because Thou wast patient in Thy life, herein most of +all fulfilling the commandment of Thy Father, it is well that I, +miserable sinner, should patiently bear myself according to Thy +will, and as long as Thou wilt have it so, should bear about with +me for my salvation, the burden of this corruptible life. For +although the present life seemeth burdensome, it is nevertheless +already made very full of merit through Thy grace, and to those +who are weak it becometh easier and brighter through Thy example +and the footsteps of Thy saints; but it is also much more full of +consolation than it was of old, under the old Testament, when the +gate of heaven remained shut; and even the way to heaven seemed +more obscure when so few cared to seek after the heavenly +kingdom. But not even those who were then just and in the way of +salvation were able, before Thy Passion and the ransom of Thy +holy Death, to enter the kingdom of heaven. + +3. Oh what great thanks am I bound to give Thee, who hast +vouchsafed to show me and all faithful people the good and right +way to Thine eternal kingdom, for Thy way is our way, and by holy +patience we walk to Thee who art our Crown. If Thou hadst not +gone before and taught us, who would care to follow? Oh, how far +would they have gone backward if they had not beheld Thy glorious +example! Behold we are still lukewarm, though we have heard of +Thy many signs and discourses; what would become of us if we had +not such a light to help us follow Thee? + + +CHAPTER XIX + +Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient + +"What sayest thou, My Son? Cease to complain; consider My +suffering and that of My saints. Thou hast not yet resisted unto +blood.(1) It is little which thou sufferest in comparison with +those who have suffered so many things, have been so strongly +tempted, so grievously troubled, so manywise proved and tried. +Thou oughtest therefore to call to mind the more grievous +sufferings of others that thou mightest bear thy lesser ones more +easily, and if they seem not to thee little, see that it is not +thy impatience which is the cause of this. But whether they be +little or whether they be great, study to bear them all with +patience. + +2. "So far as thou settest thyself to bear patiently, so far thou +dost wisely and art deserving of the more merit; thou shalt also +bear the more easily if thy mind and habit are carefully trained +hereunto. And say not 'I cannot bear these things from such a +man, nor are things of this kind to be borne by me, for he hath +done me grievous harm and imputeth to me what I had never +thought: but from another I will suffer patiently, such things as +I see I ought to suffer.' Foolish is such a thought as this, +for it considereth not the virtue of patience, nor by whom that +virtue is to be crowned, but it rather weigheth persons and +offences against self. + +3. "He is not truly patient who will only suffer as far as +seemeth right to himself and from whom he pleaseth. But the +truly patient man considereth not by what man he is tried, +whether by one above him, or by an equal or inferior, whether by +a good and holy man, or a perverse and unworthy; but +indifferently from every creature, whatsoever or how often soever +adversity happeneth to him, he gratefully accepteth all from the +hand of God and counteth it great gain: for with God nothing +which is borne for His sake, however small, shall lose its +reward. + +4. "Be thou therefore ready for the fight if thou wilt have the +victory. Without striving thou canst not win the crown of +patience; if thou wilt not suffer thou refusest to be crowned. +But if thou desirest to be crowned, strive manfully, endure +patiently. Without labour thou drawest not near to rest, nor +without fighting comest thou to victory." + +5. Make possible to me, O Lord, by grace what seemeth impossible +to me by nature. Thou knowest how little I am able to bear, and +how quickly I am cast down when a like adversity riseth up +against me. Whatsoever trial of tribulation may come to me, may +it become unto me pleasing and acceptable, for to suffer and be +vexed for Thy sake is exceeding healthful to the soul. + +(1) Hebrews xii. 4. + + +CHAPTER XX + +Of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life + +I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, +Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me +down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but +when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great +strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a +grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for +a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often +almost overcome by a little puff of wind. + +2. Behold, therefore, O Lord, my humility and my frailty, which +is altogether known to Thee. Be merciful unto me, and draw me +out of the mire that I sink not,(2) lest I ever remain cast down. +This is what frequently throweth me backward and confoundeth me +before Thee, that I am so liable to fall, so weak to resist my +passions. And though their assault is not altogether according +to my will, it is violent and grievous, and it altogether +wearieth me to live thus daily in conflict. Herein is my +infirmity made known to me, that hateful fancies always rush in +far more easily than they depart. + +3. Oh that Thou, most mighty God of Israel, Lover of all faithful +souls, wouldst look upon the labour and sorrow of Thy servant, +and give him help in all things whereunto he striveth. +Strengthen me with heavenly fortitude, lest the old man, this +miserable flesh, not being yet fully subdued to the spirit, +prevail to rule over me; against which I ought to strive so long +as I remain in this most miserable life. Oh what a life is this, +where tribulations and miseries cease not, where all things are +full of snares and of enemies, for when one tribulation or +temptation goeth, another cometh, yea, while the former conflict +is yet raging others come more in number and unexpected. + +4. And how can the life of man be loved, seeing that it hath so +many bitter things, that it is subjected to so many calamities +and miseries. How can it be even called life, when it produces +so many deaths and plagues? The world is often reproached +because it is deceitful and vain, yet notwithstanding it is not +easily given up, because the lusts of the flesh have too much +rule over it. Some draw us to love, some to hate. The lust of +the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, these +draw to love of the world; but the punishments and miseries which +righteously follow these things, bring forth hatred of the world +and weariness. + +5. But, alas! an evil desire conquereth a mind given to the +world, and thinketh it happiness to be under the nettles(3) +because it savoureth not nor perceiveth the sweetness of God nor +the inward gracefulness of virtue. But they who perfectly +despise the world and strive to live unto God in holy discipline, +these are not ignorant of the divine sweetness promised to all +who truly deny themselves and see clearly how grievously the +world erreth, and in how many ways it is deceived. + +(1) Psalm xxxii. 5. (2) Psalm lix. 16. (3) Job xxx. 7. + + +CHAPTER XXI + +That we must rest in God above all goods and gifts + +Above all things and in all things thou shalt rest alway in the +Lord, O my soul, for he himself is the eternal rest of the +saints. Grant me, most sweet and loving Jesus, to rest in Thee +above every creature, above all health and beauty, above all +glory and honour, above all power and dignity, above all +knowledge and skilfulness, above all riches and arts, above all +joy and exultation, above all fame and praise, above all +sweetness and consolation, above all hope and promise, above all +merit and desire, above all gifts and rewards which Thou canst +give and pour forth, above all joy and jubilation which the mind +is able to receive and feel; in a word, above Angels and +Archangels and all the army of heaven, above all things visible +and invisible, and above everything which Thou, O my God, art +not. + +2. For Thou, O Lord, my God, art best above all things; Thou only +art the Most High, Thou only the Almighty, Thou only the +All-sufficient, and the Fulness of all things; Thou only the +All-delightsome and the All-comforting; Thou alone the altogether +lovely and altogether loving; Thou alone the Most Exalted and +Most Glorious above all things; in Whom all things are, and were, +and ever shall be, altogether and all-perfect. And thus it +falleth short and is insufficient whatsoever Thou givest to me +without Thyself or whatsoever Thou revealest or dost promise +concerning Thyself, whilst Thou art not seen or fully possessed: +since verily my heart cannot truly rest nor be entirely content, +except it rest in Thee, and go beyond all gifts and every +creature. + +3. O my most beloved Spouse, Jesus Christ, most holy lover of my +soul, Ruler of this whole Creation, who shall give me the wings +of true liberty, that I may flee to Thee and find rest? Oh when +shall it be given me to be open to receive Thee to the full, +and to see how sweet Thou art, O Lord my God? When shall I +collect myself altogether in Thee, that because of Thy love I may +not feel myself at all, but may know Thee only above every sense +and measure, in measure not known to others. But now I ofttimes +groan, and bear my sad estate with sorrow; because many evils +befall me in this vale of miseries which continually disturb and +fill me with sorrow, and encloud me, continually hinder and fill +me with care, allure and entangle me, that I cannot have free +access to Thee, nor enjoy that sweet intercourse which is always +near at hand to the blessed spirits. Let my deep sighing come +before Thee, and my manifold desolation on the earth. + +4. O Jesus, Light of Eternal Glory, solace of the wandering soul, +before Thee my mouth is without speech, and my silence speaketh +to Thee. How long will my Lord delay to come unto me? Let Him +come unto me, His poor and humble one, and make me glad. Let Him +put forth His hand, and deliver His holy one from every snare. +Come, Oh come; for without Thee shall be no joyful day or hour, +for Thou art my joy, and without Thee is my table empty. I am +miserable, and in a manner imprisoned and loaded with fetters, +until Thou refresh me by the light of Thy presence, and give me +liberty, and show Thy loving countenance. + +5. Let others seek some other thing instead of Thee, whatsoever +it shall please them; but for my part nothing else pleaseth or +shall please, save Thou, my God, my hope, my eternal salvation. +I will not hold my peace, nor cease to implore, until Thy grace +return, and until Thou speak to me within. + +6. "Behold, here I am! Behold, I come to thee, for thou didst +call Me. Thy tears and the longing of thy soul, thy humbleness +and contrition of heart have inclined Me, and brought Me to +thee." + +7. And I said Lord, I have called upon Thee, and I have longed to +enjoy Thee, being ready to reject everything for Thy sake. For +Thou didst first move me to seek Thee. Therefore, blessed be +Thou, O Lord, who has wrought this good work upon Thy servant, +according to the multitude of Thy mercy. What then hath Thy +servant to say in Thy presence, save to humble himself greatly +before Thee, being alway mindful of his own iniquity and vileness. +For there is none like unto Thee in all marvels of heaven and +earth. Excellent are Thy works, true are Thy judgments, and by +Thy Providence are all things governed. Therefore praise and +glory be unto Thee, O Wisdom of the Father, let my mouth and my +soul and all created things praise and bless Thee together. + + +CHAPTER XXII + +Of the recollection of God's manifold benefits + +Open, O Lord, my heart in Thy law, and teach me to walk in the +way of Thy commandments. Grant me to understand Thy will and to +be mindful of Thy benefits, both general and special, with great +reverence and diligent meditation, that thus I may be able +worthily to give Thee thanks. Yet I know and confess that I +cannot render Thee due praises for the least of Thy mercies. I +am less than the least of all the good things which Thou gavest +me; and when I consider Thy majesty, my spirit faileth because of +the greatness thereof. + +2. All things which we have in the soul and in the body, and +whatsoever things we possess, whether outwardly or inwardly, +naturally or supernaturally, are Thy good gifts, and prove Thee, +from whom we have received them all, to be good, gentle, and +kind. Although one receiveth many things, and another fewer, yet +all are Thine, and without Thee not even the least thing can be +possessed. He who hath received greater cannot boast that it is +of his own merit, nor lift himself up above others, nor contemn +those beneath him; for he is the greater and the better who +ascribeth least to himself, and in giving thanks is the humbler +and more devout; and he who holdeth himself to be viler than all, +and judgeth himself to be the more unworthy, is the apter for +receiving greater things. + +3. But he who hath received fewer gifts, ought not to be cast +down, nor to take it amiss, nor to envy him who is richer; but +rather ought he to look unto Thee, and to greatly extol Thy +goodness, for Thou pourest forth Thy gifts so richly, so freely +and largely, without respect of persons. All things come of +Thee; therefore in all things shalt thou be praised. Thou +knowest what is best to be given to each; and why this man hath +less, and that more, is not for us but for Thee to understand, +for unto Thee each man's deservings are fully known. + +4. Wherefore, O Lord God, I reckon it even a great benefit, not +to have many things, whence praise and glory may appear +outwardly, and after the thought of men. For so it is that he who +considereth his own poverty and vileness, ought not only to draw +therefrom no grief or sorrow, or sadness of spirit, but rather +comfort and cheerfulness; because Thou, Lord, hast chosen the +poor and humble, and those who are poor in this world, to be Thy +friends and acquaintance. So give all Thine apostles witness +whom Thou hast made princes in all lands. Yet they had their +conversation in this world blameless, so humble and meek, without +any malice or deceit, that they even rejoiced to suffer rebukes +for Thy Name's sake,(1) and what things the world hateth, they +embraced with great joy. + +5. Therefore ought nothing so much to rejoice him who loveth Thee +and knoweth Thy benefits, as Thy will in him, and the good +pleasure of Thine eternal Providence, wherewith he ought to be so +contented and comforted, that he would as willingly be the least +as any other would be the greatest, as peaceable and contented in +the lowest as in the highest place, and as willingly held of +small and low account and of no name or reputation as to be more +honourable and greater in the world than others. For Thy will +and the love of Thine honour ought to go before all things, and +to please and comfort him more, than all benefits that are given +or may be given to himself. + +(1) Acts v. 41. + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +Of four things which bring great peace + +"My Son, now will I teach thee the way of peace and of true +liberty." + +2. Do, O my Lord, as Thou sayest, for this is pleasing unto me to +hear. + +3. "Strive, My Son, to do another's will rather than thine own. +Choose always to have less rather than more. Seek always after +the lowest place, and to be subject to all. Wish always and pray +that the will of God be fulfilled in thee. Behold, such a man as +this entereth into the inheritance of peace and quietness." + +4. O my Lord, this Thy short discourse hath in itself much of +perfectness. It is short in words but full of meaning, and +abundant in fruit. For if it were possible that I should fully +keep it, disturbance would not so easily arise within me. For as +often as I feel myself disquieted and weighed down, I find myself +to have gone back from this teaching. But Thou, Who art +Almighty, and always lovest progress in the soul, vouchsafe more +grace, that I may be enabled to fulfil Thy exhortation, and work +out my salvation. + + A PRAYER AGAINST EVIL THOUGHTS + +5. O Lord my God, be not Thou far from me, my God, haste Thee to +help me,(1) for many thoughts and great fears have risen up +against me, afflicting my soul. How shall I pass through them +unhurt? how shall I break through them? + +6. "I," saith He, "will go before thee, and make the crooked +places straight."(2) I will open the prison doors, and reveal to +thee the secret places. + +7. Do, Lord, as Thou sayest; and let all evil thoughts fly away +before Thy face. This is my hope and my only comfort, to fly +unto Thee in all tribulation, to hope in Thee, to call upon Thee +from my heart and patiently wait for Thy loving kindness. + +A PRAYER FOR ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE MIND + +8. Enlighten me, Blessed Jesus, with the brightness of Thy inner +light, and cast forth all darkness from the habitation of my +heart. Restrain my many wandering thoughts, and carry away the +temptations which strive to do me hurt. Fight Thou mightily for +me, and drive forth the evil beasts, so call I alluring lusts, +that peace may be within Thy walls and plenteousness of praise +within Thy palaces,(3) even in my pure conscience. Command Thou +the winds and the storms, say unto the sea, "Be still," say unto +the stormy wind, "Hold thy peace," so shall there be a great +calm. + +9. Oh send forth Thy light and Thy truth,(4) that they may shine +upon the earth; for I am but earth without form and void until +Thou give me light. Pour forth Thy grace from above; water my +heart with the dew of heaven; give the waters of devotion to +water the face of the earth, and cause it to bring forth good and +perfect fruit. Lift up my mind which is oppressed with the +weight of sins, and raise my whole desire to heavenly things; +that having tasted the sweetness of the happiness which is from +above, it may take no pleasure in thinking of things of earth. + +10. Draw me and deliver me from every unstable comfort of +creatures, for no created thing is able to satisfy my desire and +to give me comfort. Join me to Thyself by the inseparable bond +of love, for Thou alone art sufficient to him that loveth Thee, +and without Thee all things are vain toys. + +(1) Psalm lxxi. 12. (2) Isaiah xlv. 2. (3) Psalm cxxii. 7. +(4) Psalm xliii. 3. + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +Of avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another + +"My Son, be not curious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares. +What is that to thee? Follow thou Me.(1) For what is it to thee +whether a man be this or that, or say or do thus or thus? Thou +hast no need to answer for others, but thou must give an answer +for thyself. Why therefore dost thou entangle thyself? Behold, +I know all men, and I behold all things which are done under the +sun; and I know how it standeth with each one, what he thinketh, +what he willeth, and to what end his thoughts reach. All things +therefore are to be committed to Me; watch thou thyself in godly +peace, and leave him who is unquiet to be unquiet as he will. +Whatsoever he shall do or say, shall come unto him, for he cannot +deceive Me. + +2. "Trouble not thyself about the shadow of a great name, nor +about the friendship of many, nor about the love of men towards +thee. For these things beget distraction and great sorrows of +heart. My word should speak freely unto thee, and I would reveal +secrets, if only thou didst diligently look for My appearing, and +didst open unto Me the gates of thy heart. Be sober and watch +unto prayer,(2) and humble thyself in all things." + +(1) John xxi. 12. (2) 1 Peter iv. 7. + + +CHAPTER XXV + +Wherein firm peace of heart and true profit consist + +"My Son, I have said, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give +unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you.(1) All men +desire peace, but all do not care for the things which belong +unto true peace. My peace is with the humble and lowly in heart. +Thy peace shall be in much patience. If thou heardest Me, and +didst follow My voice, thou shouldest enjoy much peace." + +2. What then shall I do, Lord? + +3. "In everything take heed to thyself what thou doest, and what +thou sayest; and direct all thy purpose to this, that thou please +Me alone, and desire or seek nothing apart from Me. But, +moreover, judge nothing rashly concerning the words or deeds of +others, nor meddle with matters which are not committed to thee; +and it may be that thou shalt be disturbed little or rarely. Yet +never to feel any disquiet, nor to suffer any pain of heart or +body, this belongeth not to the present life, but is the state of +eternal rest. Therefore count not thyself to have found true +peace, if thou hast felt no grief; nor that then all is well if +thou hast no adversary; nor that this is perfect if all things +fall out according to thy desire. Nor then reckon thyself to be +anything great, or think that thou art specially beloved, if thou +art in a state of great fervour and sweetness of spirit; for not +by these things is the true lover of virtue known, nor in them +doth the profit and perfection of man consist." + +4. In what then, Lord? + +5. "In offering thyself with all thy heart to the Divine Will, in +not seeking the things which are thine own, whether great or +small, whether temporal or eternal; so that thou remain with the +same steady countenance in giving of thanks between prosperity +and adversity, weighing all things in an equal balance. If thou +be so brave and long-suffering in hope that when inward comfort +is taken from thee, thou even prepare thy heart for the more +endurance, and justify not thyself, as though thou oughtest not +to suffer these heavy things, but dost justify Me in all things +that I appoint, and dost bless My Holy Name, then dost thou walk +in the true and right way of peace, and shalt have a sure hope +that thou shalt again behold My face with joy. For if thou come +to an utter contempt of thyself, know that then thou shalt enjoy +abundance of peace, as much as is possible where thou art but a +wayfaring man." + +(1) John xiv. 27. + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which humble prayer more +deserveth than doth frequent reading + +Lord, this is the work of a perfect man, never to slacken his +mind from attention to heavenly things, and among many cares to +pass along as it were without care, not after the manner of one +indifferent, but rather with the privilege of a free mind, +cleaving to no creature with inordinate affection. + +2. I beseech Thee, my most merciful Lord God, preserve me from +the cares of this life, lest I become too much entangled; from +many necessities of the body, lest I be taken captive by +pleasure; from all obstacles of the spirit, lest I be broken and +cast down with cares. I say not from those things which the +vanity of the world goeth about after with all eagerness, but +from those miseries, which by the universal curse of mortality +weigh down and hold back the soul of thy servant in punishment, +that it cannot enter into liberty of spirit, so often as it +would. + +3. O my God, sweetness unspeakable, turn into bitterness all my +fleshly consolation, which draweth me away from the love of +eternal things, and wickedly allureth toward itself by setting +before me some present delight. Let not, O my God, let not flesh +and blood prevail over me, let not the world and its short glory +deceive me, let not the devil and his craftiness supplant me. +Give me courage to resist, patience to endure, constancy to +persevere. Grant, in place of all consolations of the world, the +most sweet unction of Thy Spirit, and in place of carnal love, +pour into me the love of Thy Name. + +4. Behold, food and drink and clothing, and all the other needs +appertaining to the support of the body, are burdensome to the +devout spirit. Grant that I may use such things with moderation, +and that I be not entangled with inordinate affection for them. +To cast away all these things is not lawful, because nature must +be sustained, but to require superfluities and things which +merely minister delight, the holy law forbiddeth; for otherwise +the flesh would wax insolent against the spirit. In all these +things, I beseech Thee, let Thy hand guide and teach me, that I +in no way exceed. + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +That personal love greatly hindereth from the highest good + +"My Son, thou must give all for all, and be nothing of thine own. +Know thou that the love of thyself is more hurtful to thee than +anything in the world. According to the love and inclination +which thou hast, everything more or less cleaveth to thee. If +thy love be pure, sincere, well-regulated, thou shalt not be in +captivity to anything. Do not covet what thou mayest not have; +do not have what is able to hinder thee, and to rob thee of +inward liberty. It is wonderful that thou committest not thyself +to Me from the very bottom of thy heart, with all things which +thou canst desire or have. + +2. "Why art thou consumed with vain sorrow? Why art thou wearied +with superfluous cares? Stand thou by My good pleasure, and thou +shalt suffer no loss. If thou seekest after this or that, and +wilt be here or there, according to thine own advantage or the +fulfilling of thine own pleasure, thou shalt never be in quiet, +nor free from care, because in everything somewhat will be found +lacking, and everywhere there will be somebody who opposeth thee. + +3. "Therefore it is not gaining or multiplying of this thing or +that which advantageth thee, but rather the despising it and +cutting it by the root out of thy heart; which thou must not only +understand of money and riches, but of the desire after honour +and vain praise, things which all pass away with the world. The +place availeth little if the spirit of devotion is wanting; nor +shall that peace stand long which is sought from abroad, if the +state of thy heart is without the true foundation, that is, if it +abide not in Me. Thou mayest change, but thou canst not better +thyself; for when occasion ariseth and is accepted thou shalt +find what thou didst fly from, yea more." + + +A PRAYER FOR CLEANSING OF THE HEART AND FOR HEAVENLY WISDOM + +4. Strengthen me, O God, by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit. Give +me virtue to be strengthened with might in the inner man, and to +free my heart from all fruitless care and trouble, and that I be +not drawn away by various desires after any things whatsoever, +whether of little value or great, but that I may look upon all as +passing away, and myself as passing away with them; because there +is no profit under the sun, and all is vanity and vexation of +spirit.(1) Oh how wise is he that considereth thus! + +5. Give me, O Lord, heavenly wisdom, that I may learn to seek +Thee above all things and to find Thee; to relish Thee above all +things and to love Thee; and to understand all other things, even +as they are, according to the order of Thy wisdom. Grant me +prudently to avoid the flatterer, and patiently to bear with him +that opposeth me; for this is great wisdom, not to be carried +by every wind of words, nor to give ear to the wicked flattering +Siren; for thus do we go safely on in the way we have begun. + +(1) Ecclesiastes ii. 11. + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +Against the tongues of detractors + +"My Son, take it not sadly to heart, if any think ill of thee, +and say of thee what thou art unwilling to hear. Thou oughtest +to think worse of thyself, and to believe no man weaker than +thyself. If thou walkest inwardly, thou wilt not weigh flying +words above their value. It is no small prudence to keep silence +in an evil time and to turn inwardly unto Me, and not to be +troubled by human judgment. + +2. "Let not thy peace depend upon the word of men; for whether +they judge well or ill of thee, thou art not therefore any other +man than thyself. Where is true peace or true glory? Is it not +in Me? And he who seeketh not to please men, nor feareth to +displease, shall enjoy abundant peace. From inordinate love and +vain fear ariseth all disquietude of heart, and all distraction +of the senses." + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +How when tribulation cometh we must call upon and bless God + +Blessed be thy name, O Lord, for evermore, who hast willed this +temptation and trouble to come upon me. I cannot escape it, but +have need to flee unto Thee, that Thou mayest succour me and turn +it unto me for good. Lord, now am I in tribulation, and it is +not well within my heart, but I am sore vexed by the suffering +which lieth upon me. And now, O dear Father, what shall I say? +I am taken among the snares. Save me from this hour, but for +this cause came I unto this hour,(1) that Thou mightest be +glorified when I am deeply humbled and am delivered through Thee. +Let it be Thy pleasure to deliver me;(2) for what can I do who am +poor, and without Thee whither shall I go? Give patience this +time also. Help me, O Lord my God, and I will not fear how much +soever I be weighed down. + +2. And now amid these things what shall I say? Lord, Thy will be +done. I have well deserved to be troubled and weighed down. +Therefore I ought to bear, would that it be with patience, until +the tempest be overpast and comfort return. Yet is Thine +omnipotent arm able also to take this temptation away from me, +and to lessen its power that I fall not utterly under it, even as +many a time past thou has helped me, O God, my merciful God. And +as much as this deliverance is difficult to me, so much is it +easy to Thee, O right hand of the most Highest. + +(1) John xii. 27. (2) Psalm xl. 16. + + +CHAPTER XXX + +Of seeking divine help, and the confidence of obtaining grace + +"My Son, I the Lord am a stronghold in the day of trouble.(1) +Come unto Me, when it is not well with thee. + +"This it is which chiefly hindereth heavenly consolation, that +thou too slowly betakest thyself unto prayer. For before thou +earnestly seekest unto Me, thou dost first seek after many means +of comfort, and refresheth thyself in outward things: so it cometh +to pass that all things profit thee but little until thou learn +that it is I who deliver those who trust in Me; neither beside Me +is there any strong help, nor profitable counsel, nor enduring +remedy. But now, recovering courage after the tempest, grow thou +strong in the light of My mercies, for I am nigh, saith the Lord, +that I may restore all things not only as they were at the first, +but also abundantly and one upon another. + +2. "For is anything too hard for Me, or shall I be like unto one +who saith and doeth not? Where is thy faith? Stand fast and +with perseverance. Be long-suffering and strong. Consolation +will come unto thee in its due season. Wait for Me; yea, wait; I +will come and heal thee. It is temptation which vexeth thee, and +a vain fear which terrifieth thee. What doth care about future +events bring thee, save sorrow upon sorrow? Sufficient for the +day is the evil thereof.(2) It is vain and useless to be +disturbed or lifted up about future things which perhaps will +never come. + +3. "But it is the nature of man to be deceived by fancies of this +sort, and it is a sign of a mind which is still weak to be so +easily drawn away at the suggestion of the enemy. For he careth +not whether he deceive and beguile by true means or false; +whether he throw thee down by the love of the present or fear of +the future. Therefore let not thy heart be troubled, neither let +it be afraid. Believe in Me, and put thy trust in My mercy.(3) +When thou thinkest thyself far removed from Me, I am often the +nearer. When thou reckonest that almost all is lost, then often +is greater opportunity of gain at hand. All is not lost when +something goeth contrary to thy wishes. Thou oughtest not to +judge according to present feeling, nor so to take or give way to +any grief which befalleth thee, as if all hope of escape were +taken away. + +4. "Think not thyself totally abandoned, although for the time I +have sent to thee some tribulation, or have even withdrawn some +cherished consolation; for this is the way to the Kingdom of +Heaven. And without doubt it is better for thee and for all My +other servants, that ye should be proved by adversities, than +that ye should have all things as ye would. I know thy hidden +thoughts: and that it is very needful for thy soul's health that +sometimes thou be left without relish, lest perchance thou be +lifted up by prosperity, and desirous to please thyself in that +which thou art not. What I have given I am able to take away, +and to restore again at My good pleasure. + +5. "When I shall have given, it is Mine; when I shall have taken +away, I have not taken what is thine; for every good gift and +every perfect gift(4) is from me. If I shall have sent upon thee +grief or any vexation, be not angry, nor let thy heart be sad; I +am able quickly to lift thee up and to change every burden into +joy. But I am just and greatly to be praised, when I do thus +unto thee. + +6. "If thou rightly consider, and look upon it with truth, thou +oughtest never to be so sadly cast down because of adversity, but +rather shouldst rejoice and give thanks; yea, verily to count it +the highest joy that I afflict thee with sorrows and spare thee +not. As My Father hath loved Me, so love I you;(5) thus have I +spoken unto My beloved disciples: whom I sent forth not unto +worldly joys, but to great strivings; not unto honours, but unto +contempt; not unto ease, but to labours; not unto rest, but to +bring forth much fruit with patience. My son, remember these +words." + +(1) Nahum i. 7. (2) Matthew vi. 34. +(3) John xiv. 27; Psalm xiii. 5. (4) James i. 17. +(5) John xv. 9. + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found + +O Lord, I still need more grace, if I would arrive where neither +man nor any other creature may hinder me. For so long as +anything keepeth me back, I cannot freely fly unto Thee. He +desired eagerly thus to fly, who cried, saying, Oh that I had +wings like a dove, for then would I flee away and be at rest. +What is more peaceful than the single eye? And what more free +than he that desireth nothing upon earth? Therefore must a man +rise above every creature, and perfectly forsake himself, and +with abstracted mind to stand and behold that Thou, the Creator +of all things, hast among Thy creatures nothing like unto +Thyself. And except a man be freed from all creatures, he will +not be able to reach freely after Divine things. Therefore few +are found who give themselves to contemplation, because few know +how to separate themselves entirely from perishing and created +things. + +2. For this much grace is necessary, which may lift up the soul +and raise it above itself. And except a man be lifted up in the +spirit, and freed from all creatures, and altogether united to +God, whatsoever he knoweth, whatsoever even he hath, it mattereth +but little. He who esteemeth anything great save the one only +incomprehensible, eternal, good, shall long time be little and +lie low. For whatsoever is not God is nothing, and ought to be +counted for nothing. Great is the difference between a godly +man, illuminated with wisdom, and a scholar learned in knowledge +and given to books. Far nobler is that doctrine which floweth +down from the divine fulness above, than that which is acquired +laboriously by human study. + +3. Many are found who desire contemplation, but they do not +strive to practice those things which are required thereunto. It +is also a great impediment, that much is made of symbols and +external signs, and too little of thorough mortification. I know +not how it is, and by what spirit we are led, and what we who +would be deemed spiritual are aiming at, that we give so great +labour and so eager solicitude for transitory and worthless +things, and scarcely ever gather our senses together to think at +all of our inward condition. + +4. Ah, me! Forthwith after a little recollection we rush out of +doors, and do not subject our actions to a strict examination. +Where our affections are set we take no heed, and we weep not +that all things belonging to us are so defiled. For because all +flesh had corrupted itself upon the earth, the great deluge came. +Since therefore our inmost affections are very corrupt, it +followeth of necessity that our actions also are corrupt, being +the index of a deficient inward strength. Out of a pure heart +proceedeth the fruit of good living. + +5. We demand, how much a man hath done; but from how much virtue +he acted, is not so narrowly considered. We ask if he be strong, +rich, handsome, clever, whether he is a good writer, good singer, +good workman; but how poor he may be in spirit, how patient and +gentle, how devout and meditative, on these things many are +silent. Nature looketh upon the outward appearance of a man, +grace turneth its thought to the heart. The former frequently +judgeth amiss; the latter trusteth in God, that it may not be +deceived. + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +Of self-denial and the casting away all selfishness + +"My Son, thou canst not possess perfect liberty unless thou +altogether deny thyself. All they are enslaved who are +possessors of riches, they who love themselves, the selfish, the +curious, the restless; those who ever seek after soft things, and +not after the things of Jesus Christ; those who continually plan +and devise that which will not stand. For whatsoever cometh not +of God shall perish. Hold fast the short and complete saying, +'Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy +lust, and thou shalt find rest.' Dwell upon this in thy mind, +and when thou art full of it, thou shalt understand all things." + +2. O Lord, this is not the work of a day, nor children's play; +verily in this short saying is enclosed all the perfection of the +religious. + +3. "My son, thou oughtest not to be turned aside, nor immediately +cast down, because thou hast heard the way of the perfect. +Rather oughtest thou to be provoked to higher aims, and at the +least to long after the desire thereof. Oh that it were so with +thee, and that thou hadst come to this, that thou wert not a lover +of thine own self, but wert ready always to My nod, and to his +whom I have placed over thee as thy father. Then shouldest thou +please Me exceedingly, and all thy life should go on in joy and +peace. Thou hast still many things to renounce, which if thou +resign not utterly to Me, thou shalt not gain what thou seekest. +I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou +mayest be rich,(1) that is heavenly wisdom, which despiseth all +base things. Put away from thee earthly wisdom, and all +pleasure, whether common to men, or thine own. + +4. "I tell thee that thou must buy vile things with those which +are costly and great in the esteem of men. For wonderfully vile +and small, and almost given up to forgetfulness, doth true +heavenly wisdom appear, which thinketh not high things of itself, +nor seeketh to be magnified upon the earth; many honour it with +their lips, but in heart are far from it; it is indeed the +precious pearl, which is hidden from many." + +(1) Revelation iii. 18. + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +Of instability of the heart, and of directing the aim towards God + +"My Son, trust not thy feeling, for that which is now will be +quickly changed into somewhat else. As long as thou livest thou +art subject to change, howsoever unwilling; so that thou art +found now joyful, now sad; now at peace, now disquieted; now +devout, now indevout; now studious, now careless; now sad, now +cheerful. But the wise man, and he who is truly learned in +spirit, standeth above these changeable things, attentive not to +what he may feel in himself, or from what quarter the wind may +blow, but that the whole intent of his mind may carry him on to +the due and much-desired end. For thus will he be able to remain +one and the same and unshaken, the single eye of his desire being +steadfastly fixed, through the manifold changes of the world, +upon Me. + +2. "But according as the eye of intention be the more pure, even +so will a man make his way steadfastly through the manifold +storms. But in many the eye of pure intention waxeth dim; for it +quickly resteth itself upon anything pleasant which occurreth, +and rarely is any man found altogether free from the blemish of +self-seeking. So the Jews of old came to Bethany, to the house +of Martha and Mary, that they might see not Jesus, but Lazarus, +whom he had raised from the dead.(1) Therefore must the eye of +the intention be cleansed, that it may be single and right, and +above all things which come in its way, may be directed unto Me." + +(1) John xii. 9. + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all +things + +Behold, God is mine, and all things are mine! What will I more, +and what more happy thing can I desire? O delightsome and sweet +world! that is, to him that loveth the Word, not the world, +neither the things that are in the world.(1) My God, my all! To +him that understandeth, that word sufficeth, and to repeat it +often is pleasing to him that loveth it. When Thou art present +all things are pleasant; when Thou art absent, all things are +wearisome. Thou makest the heart to be at rest, givest it deep +peace and festal joy. Thou makest it to think rightly in every +matter, and in every matter to give Thee praise; neither can +anything please long without Thee but if it would be pleasant and +of sweet savour, Thy grace must be there, and it is Thy wisdom +which must give unto it a sweet savour. + +2. To him who tasteth Thee, what can be distasteful? And to him +who tasteth Thee not, what is there which can make him joyous? +But the worldly wise, and they who enjoy the flesh, these fail in +Thy wisdom; for in the wisdom of the world is found utter vanity, +and to be carnally minded is death. But they who follow after +Thee through contempt of worldly things, and mortification of the +flesh, are found to be truly wise because they are carried from +vanity to verity, from the flesh to the spirit. They taste that +the Lord is good, and whatsoever good they find in creatures, +they count it all unto the praise of the Creator. Unlike, yea, +very unlike is the enjoyment of the Creator to enjoyment of the +Creature, the enjoyment of eternity and of time, of light +uncreated and of light reflected. + +3. O Light everlasting, surpassing all created lights, dart down +Thy ray from on high which shall pierce the inmost depths of my +heart. Give purity, joy, clearness, life to my spirit that with +all its powers it may cleave unto Thee with rapture passing man's +understanding. Oh when shall that blessed and longed-for time +come when Thou shalt satisfy me with Thy presence, and be unto me +All in all? So long as this is delayed, my joy shall not be +full. Still, ah me! the old man liveth in me: he is not yet all +crucified, not yet quite dead; still he lusteth fiercely against +the spirit, wageth inward wars, nor suffereth the soul's kingdom +to be in peace. + +4. But Thou who rulest the raging of the sea, and stillest the +waves thereof when they arise, rise up and help me. Scatter the +people that delight in war.(2) Destroy them by Thy power. Show +forth, I beseech Thee, Thy might, and let Thy right hand be +glorified, for I have no hope, no refuge, save in Thee, O Lord my +God. + +(1) 1 John ii. 15. (2) Psalm lxviii. 30. + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +That there is no security against temptation in this life + +"My Son, thou art never secure in this life, but thy spiritual +armour will always be needful for thee as long as thou livest. +Thou dwellest among foes, and art attacked on the right hand and +on the left. If therefore thou use not on all sides the shield +of patience, thou wilt not remain long unwounded. Above all, if +thou keep not thy heart fixed upon Me with steadfast purpose to +bear all things for My sake, thou shalt not be able to bear the +fierceness of the attack, nor to attain to the victory of the +blessed. Therefore must thou struggle bravely all thy life +through, and put forth a strong hand against those things which +oppose thee. For to him that overcometh is the hidden manna +given,(1) but great misery is reserved for the slothful. + +2. "If thou seek rest in this life, how then wilt thou attain +unto the rest which is eternal? Set not thyself to attain much +rest, but much patience. Seek the true peace, not in earth but +in heaven, not in man nor in any created thing, but in God alone. +For the love of God thou must willingly undergo all things, +whether labours or sorrows, temptations, vexations, anxieties, +necessities, infirmities, injuries, gainsayings, rebukes, +humiliations, confusions, corrections, despisings; these things +help unto virtue, these things prove the scholar of Christ; these +things fashion the heavenly crown. I will give thee an eternal +reward for short labour, and infinite glory for transient shame. + +3. "Thinkest thou that thou shalt always have spiritual +consolations at thy will? My Saints had never such, but instead +thereof manifold griefs, and divers temptations, and heavy +desolations. But patiently they bore themselves in all, and +trusted in God more than in themselves, knowing that the +sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared +with the glory which shall be revealed in us.(2) Wouldst thou +have that immediately which many have hardly attained unto after +many tears and hard labours? Wait for the Lord, quit thyself +like a man and be strong; be not faint-hearted, nor go aside from +Me, but constantly devote thy body and soul to the glory of God. +I will reward thee plenteously, I will be with thee in +trouble."(3) + +(1) Revelation ii. 17. (2) Romans viii. 17. +(3) Psalm xci. 15. + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +Against vain judgments of men + +"My Son, anchor thy soul firmly upon God, and fear not man's +judgment, when conscience pronounceth thee pious and innocent. +It is good and blessed thus to suffer; nor will it be grievous to +the heart which is humble, and which trusteth in God more than in +itself. Many men have many opinions, and therefore little trust +is to be placed in them. But moreover it is impossible to please +all. Although Paul studied to please all men in the Lord, and to +become all things to all men,(1) yet nevertheless with him it was +a very small thing that he should be judged by man's +judgment."(2) + +2. He laboured abundantly, as much as in him lay, for the +building up and the salvation of others; but he could not avoid +being sometimes judged and despised by others. Therefore he +committed all to God, who knew all, and by patience and humility +defended himself against evil speakers, or foolish and false +thinkers, and those who accused him according to their pleasure. +Nevertheless, from time to time he replied, lest his silence +should become a stumbling-block to those who were weak. + +3. "Who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that +shall die? To-day he is, and to-morrow his place is not found. +Fear God and thou shalt not quail before the terrors of men. +What can any man do against thee by words or deeds? He hurteth +himself more than thee, nor shall he escape the judgment of God, +whosoever he may be. Have thou God before thine eyes, and do not +contend with fretful words. And if for the present thou seem to +give way, and to suffer confusion which thou hast not deserved, +be not angry at this, nor by impatience diminish thy reward; but +rather look up to Me in heaven, for I am able to deliver thee +from all confusion and hurt, and to render to every man according +to his works." + +(1) 1 Corinthians ix. 22. (2) 1 Corinthians iv. 3. + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining +liberty of heart + +"My Son, lose thyself and thou shalt find Me. Stand still +without all choosing and all thought of self, and thou shalt ever +be a gainer. For more grace shall be added to thee, as soon as +thou resignest thyself, and so long as thou dost not turn back to +take thyself again." + +2. O Lord, how often shall I resign myself, and in what things +shall I lose myself? + +3. "Always; every hour: in that which is little, and in that +which is great. I make no exception, but will that thou be found +naked in all things. Otherwise how canst thou be Mine and I +thine, unless thou be inwardly and outwardly free from every will +of thine own? The sooner thou dost this, the better shall it be +with thee; and the more fully and sincerely, the more thou shalt +please Me, and the more abundantly shalt thou be rewarded. + +4. "Some resign themselves, but with certain reservations, for +they do not fully trust in God, therefore they think that they +have some provision to make for themselves. Some again at first +offer everything; but afterwards being pressed by temptation they +return to their own devices, and thus make no progress in virtue. +They will not attain to the true liberty of a pure heart, nor to +the grace of My sweet companionship, unless they first entirely +resign themselves and daily offer themselves up as a sacrifice; +without this the union which bringeth forth fruit standeth not +nor will stand. + +5. "Many a time I have said unto thee, and now say again, Give +thyself up, resign thyself, and thou shalt have great inward +peace. Give all for all; demand nothing, ask nothing in return; +stand simply and with no hesitation in Me, and thou shalt possess +Me. Thou shalt have liberty of heart, and the darkness shall not +overwhelm thee. For this strive thou, pray for it, long after +it, that thou mayest be delivered from all possession of thyself, +and nakedly follow Jesus who was made naked for thee; mayest die +unto thyself and live eternally to Me. Then shall all vain +fancies disappear, all evil disturbings, and superfluous cares. +Then also shall immoderate fear depart from thee, and inordinate +love shall die." + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII + +Of a good government in external things, and of having recourse +to God in dangers + +"My Son, for this thou must diligently make thy endeavour, that +in every place and outward action or occupation thou mayest be +free within, and have power over thyself; and that all things be +under thee, not thou under them; that thou be master and ruler of +thy actions, not a slave or hireling, but rather a free and true +Hebrew, entering into the lot and the liberty of the children of +God, who stand above the present and look upon the eternal, who +with the left eye behold things transitory, and with the right +things heavenly; whom temporal things draw not to cleave unto, +but who rather draw temporal things to do them good service, even +as they were ordained of God to do, and appointed by the Master +Workman, who hath left nought in His creation without aim and +end. + +2. "And if in any chance of life thou stand not in outward +appearances, nor judgest things which are seen and heard by the +fleshly sense, but straightway in every cause enterest with Moses +into the tabernacle to ask counsel of God; thou shalt hear a +divine response and come forth instructed concerning many things +that are and shall be. For always Moses had recourse to the +tabernacle for the solving of all doubts and questionings; and +fled to the help of prayer to be delivered from the dangers and +evil deeds of men. Thus also oughtest thou to fly to the secret +chamber of thy heart, and earnestly implore the divine succour. +For this cause we read that Joshua and the children of Israel +were deceived by the Gibeonites, that they asked not counsel at +the mouth of the Lord,(1) but being too ready to listen to fair +speeches, were deceived by pretended piety." + +(1) Joshua ix. 14. + + +CHAPTER XXXIX + +That man must not be immersed in business + +"My Son, always commit thy cause to Me; I will dispose it aright +in due time. Wait for My arrangement of it, and then thou shalt +find it for thy profit." + +2. O Lord, right freely I commit all things to Thee; for my +planning can profit but little. Oh that I did not dwell so much +on future events, but could offer myself altogether to Thy +pleasures without delay. + +3. "My Son, a man often striveth vehemently after somewhat which +he desireth; but when he hath obtained it he beginneth to be of +another mind, because his affections towards it are not lasting, +but rather rush on from one thing to another. Therefore it is not +really a small thing, when in small things we resist self." + +4. The true progress of man lieth in self-denial, and a man who +denieth himself is free and safe. But the old enemy, opposer of +all good things, ceaseth not from temptation; but day and night +setteth his wicked snares, if haply he may be able to entrap the +unwary. Watch and pray, saith the Lord, lest ye enter into +temptation.(1) + +(1) Matthew xxvi. 41. + + +CHAPTER XL + +That man hath no good in himself, and nothing whereof to glory + +Lord, what is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man +that Thou visitest him?(1) What hath man deserved, that Thou +shouldest bestow thy favour upon him? Lord, what cause can I +have of complaint, if Thou forsake me? Or what can I justly +allege, if Thou refuse to hear my petition? Of a truth, this I +may truly think and say, Lord, I am nothing, I have nothing that +is good of myself, but I fall short in all things, and ever tend +unto nothing. And unless I am helped by Thee and inwardly +supported, I become altogether lukewarm and reckless. + +2. But Thou, O Lord, art always the same, and endurest for ever, +always good, righteous, and holy; doing all things well, +righteously, and holily, and disposing all in Thy wisdom. But I +who am more ready to go forward than backward, never continue in +one stay, because changes sevenfold pass over me. Yet it quickly +becometh better when it so pleaseth Thee, and Thou puttest forth +Thy hand to help me; because Thou alone canst aid without help of +man, and canst so strengthen me that my countenance shall be no +more changed, but my heart shall be turned to Thee, and rest in +Thee alone. + +3. Wherefore, if I but knew well how to reject all human +consolations, whether for the sake of gaining devotion, or +because of the necessity by which I was compelled to seek Thee, +seeing there is no man who can comfort me; then could I worthily +trust in Thy grace, and rejoice in the gift of new consolation. + +4. Thanks be to Thee, from whom all cometh, whensoever it goeth +well with me! But I am vanity and nothing in Thy sight, a man +inconstant and weak. What then have I whereof to glory, or why +do I long to be held in honour? Is it not for nought? This also +is utterly vain. Verily vain glory is an evil plague, the +greatest of vanities, because it draweth us away from the true +glory, and robbeth us of heavenly grace. For whilst a man +pleaseth himself he displeaseth Thee; whilst he gapeth after the +praises of man, he is deprived of true virtues. + +5. But true glory and holy rejoicing lieth in glorying in Thee +and not in self; in rejoicing in Thy Name, not in our own virtue; +in not taking delight in any creature, save only for Thy sake. +Let thy Name, not mine be praised; let Thy work, not mine be +magnified; let Thy holy Name be blessed, but to me let nought be +given of the praises of men. Thou art my glory, Thou art the joy +of my heart. In Thee will I make my boast and be glad all the +day long, but for myself let me not glory save only in my +infirmities.(2) + +6. Let the Jews seek the honour which cometh from one another; +but I will ask for that which cometh from God only.(3) Truly all +human glory, all temporal honour, all worldly exultation, +compared to Thy eternal glory, is but vanity and folly. O God my +Truth and my Mercy, Blessed Trinity, to Thee alone be all praise, +honour, power, and glory for ever and for ever. Amen. + +(1) Psalm viii. 4. (2) 2 Corinthians xii. 5. +(3) John v. 44. + + +CHAPTER XLI + +Of contempt of all temporal honour + +"My Son, make it no matter of thine, if thou see others honoured +and exalted, and thyself despised and humbled. Lift up thine +heart to Me in heaven, and then the contempt of men upon earth +will not make thee sad." + +2. O Lord, we are in blindness, and are quickly seduced by +vanity. If I look rightly within myself, never was injury done +unto me by any creature, and therefore I have nought whereof to +complain before Thee. But because I have many times and +grievously sinned against Thee, all creatures do justly take arms +against me. Therefore to me confusion and contempt are justly +due, but to Thee praise and honour and glory. And except I +dispose myself for this, namely, to be willing that every +creature should despise and desert me, and that I should be +esteemed altogether as nothing, I cannot be inwardly filled with +peace and strength, nor spiritually enlightened, nor fully united +to Thee. + + +CHAPTER XLII + +That our peace is not to be placed in men + +"My Son, if thou set thy peace on any person because thou hast +high opinion of him, and art familiar with him, thou shalt be +unstable and entangled. But if thou betake thyself to the +ever-living and abiding Truth, the desertion or death of a friend +shall not make thee sad. In Me ought the love of thy friend to +subsist, and for My sake is every one to be loved, whosoever he +be, who appeareth to thee good, and is very dear to thee in this +life. Without Me friendship hath no strength or endurance, +neither is that love true and pure, which I unite not. Thou +oughtest to be so dead to such affections of beloved friends, +that as far as in thee lieth, thou wouldst rather choose to be +without any companionship of men. The nearer a man approacheth +to God, the further he recedeth from all earthly solace. The +deeper also he descendeth into himself, and the viler he +appeareth in his own eyes, the higher he ascendeth towards God. + +2. "But he who attributeth anything good to himself, hindereth +the grace of God from coming to him, because the grace of the +Holy Ghost ever seeketh the humble heart. If thou couldst make +thyself utterly nothing, and empty thyself of the love of every +creature, then should it be My part to overflow unto thee with +great grace. When thou settest thine eyes upon creatures, the +face of the Creator is withdrawn from thee. Learn in all things +to conquer thyself for thy Creator's sake, then shalt thou be +able to attain unto divine knowledge. How small soever anything +be, if it be loved and regarded inordinately, it holdeth us back +from the highest good, and corrupteth." + + +CHAPTER XLIII + +Against vain and worldly knowledge + +"My Son, let not the fair and subtle sayings of men move thee. +For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.(1) Give ear +to My words, for they kindle the heart and enlighten the mind, +they bring contrition, and they supply manifold consolations. +Never read thou the word that thou mayest appear more learned or +wise; but study for the mortification of thy sins, for this will +be far more profitable for thee than the knowledge of many +difficult questions. + +2. "When thou hast read and learned many things, thou must always +return to one first principle. I am He that teacheth man +knowledge,(2) and I give unto babes clearer knowledge than can +be taught by man. He to whom I speak will be quickly wise and +shall grow much in the spirit. Woe unto them who inquire into +many curious questions from men, and take little heed concerning +the way of My service. The time will come when Christ will +appear, the Master of masters, the Lord of the Angels, to hear +the lessons of all, that is to examine the consciences of each +one. And then will He search Jerusalem with candles,(3) and the +hidden things of darkness(4) shall be made manifest, and the +arguings of tongues shall be silent. + +3. "I am He who in an instant lift up the humble spirit, to learn +more reasonings of the Eternal Truth, than if a man had studied +ten years in the schools. I teach without noise of words, +without confusion of opinions, without striving after honour, +without clash of arguments. I am He who teach men to despise +earthly things, to loathe things present, to seek things +heavenly, to enjoy things eternal, to flee honours, to endure +offences, to place all hope in Me, to desire nothing apart from +Me, and above all things to love Me ardently. + +4. "For there was one, who by loving Me from the bottom of his +heart, learned divine things, and spake things that were +wonderful; he profited more by forsaking all things than by +studying subtleties. But to some I speak common things, to +others special; to some I appear gently in signs and figures, and +again to some I reveal mysteries in much light. The voice of +books is one, but it informeth not all alike; because I inwardly +am the Teacher of truth, the Searcher of the heart, the Discerner +of the thoughts, the Mover of actions, distributing to each man, +as I judge meet." + +(1) 1 Corinthians iv. 20. (2) Psalm xciv. 10. +(3) Zephaniah i. 12. (4) 1 Corinthians iv. 5. + + +CHAPTER XLIV + +Of not troubling ourselves about outward things + +"My Son, in many things it behoveth thee to be ignorant, and to +esteem thyself as one dead upon the earth, and as one to whom the +whole world is crucified. Many things also thou must pass by +with deaf ear, and must rather think upon those things which +belong unto thy peace. It is more profitable to turn away thine +eyes from those things that displease, and to leave each man to +his own opinion, than to give thyself to discourses of strife. +If thou stand well with God and hast His judgment in thy mind, +thou wilt verily easily bear to be as one conquered." + +2. O Lord, to what have we come? Behold a temporal loss is +mourned over; for a trifling gain we labour and hurry; and +spiritual loss passeth away into forgetfulness, and we rarely +recover it. That which profiteth little or nothing is looked +after, and that which is altogether necessary is negligently +passed by; because the whole man slideth away to outward things, +and unless he quickly recovereth himself in outward things he +willingly lieth down. + + +CHAPTER XLV + +That we must not believe everyone, and that we are prone to fall +in our words + +Lord, be thou my help in trouble, for vain is the help of man.(1) +How often have I failed to find faithfulness, where I thought I +possessed it. How many times I have found it where I least +expected. Vain therefore is hope in men, but the salvation of +the just, O God, is in Thee. Blessed be thou, O Lord my God, in +all things which happen unto us. We are weak and unstable, we +are quickly deceived and quite changed. + +2. Who is the man who is able to keep himself so warily and +circumspectly as not sometimes to come into some snare of +perplexity? But he who trusteth in Thee, O Lord, and seeketh +Thee with an unfeigned heart, doth not so easily slip. And if he +fall into any tribulation, howsoever he may be entangled, yet +very quickly he shall be delivered through Thee, or by Thee shall +be comforted, because Thou wilt not forsake him that trusteth in +Thee unto the end. A friend who continueth faithful in all the +distresses of his friend is rare to be found. Thou, O Lord, Thou +alone art most faithful in all things, and there is none other +like unto Thee. + +3. Oh, how truly wise was that holy soul which said, "My mind is +steadfastly fixed, and it is grounded in Christ."(2) If thus it +were with me, the fear of man should not so easily tempt me, nor +the arrows of words move me. Who is sufficient to foresee all +things, who to guard beforehand against future ills? If even +things which are foreseen sometimes hurt us, what can things +which are not foreseen do, but grievously injure? But wherefore +have I not better provided for myself, miserable that I am? Why, +too, have I given such heed to others? But we are men, nor are +we other than frail men, even though by many we are reckoned and +called angels. Whom shall I trust, O Lord, whom shall I trust +but Thee? Thou art the Truth, and deceivest not, nor canst be +deceived. And on the other hand, Every man is a liar,(3) weak, +unstable and frail, especially in his words, so that one ought +scarcely ever to believe what seemeth to sound right on the face +of it. + +4. With what wisdom hast thou warned us beforehand to beware of +men, and that a man's foes are they of his own household,(4) and +that we must not believe if one say unto us Lo here, or Lo +there.(5) I have been taught by my loss, and O that I may prove +more careful and not foolish hereby. "Be cautious," saith some +one: "be cautious, keep unto thyself what I tell thee." And +whilst I am silent and believe that it is hid with me, he himself +cannot keep silence concerning it, but straightway betrayeth me +and himself, and goeth his way. Protect me, O Lord, from such +mischief-making and reckless men; let me not fall into their +hands, nor ever do such things myself. Put a true and steadfast +word into my mouth, and remove a deceitful tongue far from me. +What I would not suffer, I ought by all means to beware of doing. + +5. Oh, how good and peacemaking a thing it is to be silent +concerning others, and not carelessly to believe all reports, nor +to hand them on further; how good also to lay one's self open to +few, to seek ever to have Thee as the beholder of the heart; not +to be carried about with every wind of words, but to desire that +all things inward and outward be done according to the good +pleasure of Thy will! How safe for the preserving of heavenly +grace to fly from human approval, and not to long after the +things which seem to win admiration abroad, but to follow with +all earnestness those things which bring amendment of life and +heavenly fervour! How many have been injured by their virtue +being made known and too hastily praised. How truly profitable +hath been grace preserved in silence in this frail life, which, +as we are told, is all temptation and warfare. + +(1) Psalm lx. 11. (2) St. Agatha. +(3) Psalm cxvi. 11; Romans iii. 4. (4) Matthew x. 17, 36. +(5) Matthew xxiv. 23. + + +CHAPTER XLVI + +Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us + +"My Son, stand fast and believe in Me. For what are words but +words? They fly through the air, but they bruise no stone. If +thou are guilty, think how thou wouldst gladly amend thyself; if +thou knowest nothing against thyself, consider that thou wilt +gladly bear this for God's sake. It is little enough that thou +sometimes hast to bear hard words, for thou art not yet able to +bear hard blows. And wherefore do such trivial matters go to +thine heart, except that thou art yet carnal, and regardest men +more than thou oughtest? For because thou fearest to be +despised, thou art unwilling to be reproved for thy faults, and +seekest paltry shelters of excuses. + +2. "But look better into thyself, and thou shalt know that the +world is still alive in thee, and the vain love of pleasing men. +For when thou fleest away from being abased and confounded for +thy faults, it is plain that thou art neither truly humble nor +truly dead to the world, and that the world is not crucified to +thee. But hearken to My word, and thou shalt not care for ten +thousand words of men. Behold, if all things could be said +against thee which the utmost malice could invent, what should it +hurt thee if thou wert altogether to let it go, and make no more +account of it than of a mote? Could it pluck out a single hair +of thy head? + +3. "But he that hath no heart within him, and hath not God before +his eyes, is easily moved by a word of reproach; but he who +trusteth in Me, and seeketh not to abide by his own judgment, +shall be free from the fear of men. For I am the Judge and the +Discerner of all secrets; I know how the thing hath been done; I +know both the injurer and the bearer. From Me went forth that +word, by My permission this hath happened, that the thoughts of +many hearts may be revealed.(1) I shall judge the guilty and the +innocent; but beforehand I have willed to try them both by a +secret judgment. + +4. "The testimony of men often deceiveth. My judgment is true; +it will stand, and it shall not be overturned. It commonly lieth +hid, and only to few in certain cases is it made known; yet it +never erreth, nor can err, although it seem not right to the eyes +of foolish men. To Me, therefore, must men have recourse in all +judgment, and must not lean to their opinion. For there shall no +evil happen to the just,(2) whatsoever may be sent to him by God. +Even though some unjust charge be brought against him, he will +care little; nor, again, will he exult above measure, if through +others he be clearly vindicated. For he considereth that I am He +who try the hearts and reins,(3) who judge not outwardly and +according to human appearance; for often in Mine eyes that is +found blameworthy which in the judgment of men is held worthy of +praise." + +5. O Lord God, O Judge, just, strong, and patient, who knowest +the frailty and sinfulness of men, be Thou my strength and my +whole confidence; for my own conscience sufficeth me not. Thou +knowest what I know not; and therefore ought I under all rebuke +to humble myself, and to bear it meekly. Therefore mercifully +forgive me as often as I have not done this, and grant me the +next time the grace of greater endurance. For better unto me is +Thine abundant pity for the attainment of Thy pardon, than the +righteousness which I believe myself to have for defence against +my conscience, which lieth wait against me. Although I know +nothing against myself, yet I am not hereby justified,(4) because +if Thy mercy were removed away, in Thy sight should no man +living be justified.(5) + +(1) Luke ii. 35. (2) Proverbs xii. 21. (3) Psalm vii. 9. +(4) 1 Corinthians iv. 4. (5) Psalm cxliii. 2. + + +CHAPTER XLVII + +That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life + +"My Son, let not the labours which thou hast undertaken for Me +break thee down, nor let tribulations cast thee down in any wise, +but let my promise strengthen and comfort thee in every event. I +am sufficient to reward thee above all measure and extent. Not +long shalt thou labour here, nor always be weighed down with +sorrows. Wait yet a little while, and thou shalt see a speedy +end of thine evils. An hour shall come when all labour and +confusion shall cease. Little and short is all that passeth away +with time. + +2. "Do earnestly what thou dost; labour faithfully in My +vineyard; I will be thy reward. Write, read, sing, weep, be +silent, pray, endure adversities manfully; eternal life is worthy +of all these conflicts, yea, and of greater. Peace shall come in +one day which is known to the Lord; which shall be neither day +nor night,(1) but light eternal, infinite clearness, steadfast +peace, and undisturbed rest. Thou shalt not say then, Who shall +deliver me from the body of this death?(2) nor cry out, Woe is +me, for my sojourning is prolonged,(3) because death will be +utterly destroyed, and there shall be salvation which can never +fail, no more anxiety, happy delight, sweet and noble society. + +3. "Oh, if thou sawest the unfading crowns of the Saints in +heaven, and with what great glory they now rejoice, who aforetime +were reckoned by this world contemptibly and as it were unworthy +of life, truly thou wouldst immediately humble thyself even to +the earth, and wouldst desire rather to be in subjection to all, +than to have authority over one; nor wouldst thou long for +pleasant days of this life, but wouldst more rejoice to be +afflicted for God's sake, and wouldst esteem it gain to be +counted for nought amongst men. + +4. "Oh, if these things were sweet to thy taste, and moved thee +to the bottom of thine heart, how shouldst thou dare even once to +complain? Are not all laborious things to be endured for the +sake of eternal life? It is no small thing, the losing or +gaining the Kingdom of God. Lift up therefore thy face to +heaven. Behold, I and all My Saints with Me, who in this world +had a hard conflict, now rejoice, are now comforted, are now +secure, are now at peace, and shall remain with Me evermore in +the Kingdom of My Father." + +(1) Zechariah xiv. 7. (2) Romans vii. 24. (3) Psalm cxx. + + +CHAPTER XLVIII + +Of the day of eternity and of the straitnesses of this life + +Oh most blessed mansion of the City which is above! Oh most +clear day of eternity which the night obscureth not, but the +Supreme Truth ever enlighteneth! Day always joyful, always +secure and never changing its state into those which are +contrary. Oh would that this day might shine forth, and that all +these temporal things would come to an end. It shineth indeed +upon the Saints, glowing with unending brightness, but only from +afar and through a glass, upon those who are pilgrims on the +earth. + +2. The citizens of heaven know how glorious that day is; the +exiled sons of Eve groan, because this is bitter and wearisome. +The days of this life are few and evil, full of sorrows and +straits, where man is defiled with many sins, ensnared with many +passions, bound fast with many fears, wearied with many cares, +distracted with many questionings, entangled with many vanities, +compassed about with many errors, worn away with many labours, +weighed down with temptations, enervated by pleasures, tormented +by poverty. + +3. Oh when shall there be an end of these evils? When shall I be +delivered from the wretched slavery of my sins? When shall I be +mindful, O Lord, of Thee alone? When shall I rejoice in Thee to +the full? When shall I be in true liberty without any +impediment, without any burden on mind or body? When shall there +be solid peace, peace immovable and secure, peace within and +without, peace firm on every side? Blessed Jesus, when shall I +stand to behold Thee? When shall I gaze upon the glory of Thy +kingdom? When shalt Thou be to me all in all? Oh when shall I +be with Thee in Thy Kingdom which Thou hast prepared from the +foundation of the world for them that love Thee? I am left +destitute, an exile in a hostile land, where are daily wars and +grievous misfortunes. + +4. Console my exile, mitigate my sorrow, for towards Thee all my +desire longeth. For all is to me a burden, whatsoever this world +offereth for consolation. I yearn to enjoy Thee intimately, but +I cannot attain unto it. I long to cleave to heavenly things, +but temporal things and unmortified passions press me down. In +my mind I would be above all things, but in my flesh I am +unwillingly compelled to be beneath them. So, wretched man that +I am, I fight with myself, and am made grievous even unto myself, +while the spirit seeketh to be above and the flesh to be beneath. + +5. Oh how I suffer inwardly, while with the mind I discourse on +heavenly things, and presently a crowd of carnal things rusheth +upon me whilst I pray. My God, be not Thou far from me, nor +depart in wrath from Thy servant. Cast forth Thy lightning and +scatter them; send out Thine arrows,(1) and let all delusions of +my enemy be confounded. Recall my senses unto Thyself, cause me +to forget all worldly things; grant me quickly to cast away and +despise the imaginations of sin. Succour me, O Eternal Truth, +that no vanity may move me. Come unto me, O Heavenly Sweetness, +and let all impurity flee from before Thy face. Pardon me also, +and of Thy mercy deal gently with me, whensoever in prayer I +think on anything besides Thee; for truly I confess that I am +wont to be continually distracted. For often and often, where in +the body I stand or sit, there I myself am not; but rather am I +there, whither I am borne by my thoughts. Where my thought is, +there am I; and there commonly is my thought where that which I +love is. That readily occurreth to me, which naturally +delighteth, or pleaseth through custom. + +6. Wherefore Thou, who art the Truth, hast plainly said, Where +your treasure is, there will your heart be also.(2) If I love +heaven, I gladly meditate on heavenly things. If I love the +world, I rejoice in the delights of the world, and am made sorry +by its adversities. If I love the flesh, I am continually +imagining the things which belong to the flesh; if I love the +spirit, I am delighted by meditating on spiritual things. For +whatsoever things I love, on these I readily converse and listen, +and carry home with me the images of them. But blessed is that +man who for Thy sake, O Lord, is willing to part from all +creatures; who doth violence to his fleshly nature and crucifieth +the lusts of the flesh by the fervour of his spirit, so that with +serene conscience he may offer unto Thee a pure prayer, and be +made worthy to enter into the angelic choirs, having shut out +from himself, both outwardly and inwardly, all worldly things. + +(1) Psalm lxxi. 12. (2) Matthew vi. 21. + + +CHAPTER XLIX + +Of the desire after eternal life, and how great blessings are +promised to those who strive + +"My Son, when thou feelest the desire of eternal happiness to be +poured into thee from above, and longest to depart from the +tabernacle of this body, that thou mayest contemplate My glory +without shadow of turning, enlarge thine heart, and take in this +holy inspiration with all thy desire. Give most hearty thanks to +the Supreme Goodness, who dealeth with thee so graciously, +visiteth thee so lovingly, stirreth thee up so fervently, raiseth +thee so powerfully, lest thou sink down through thine own weight, +to earthly things. For not by thine own meditating or striving +dost thou receive this gift, but by the sole gracious +condescension of Supreme Grace and Divine regard; to the end that +thou mayest make progress in virtue and in more humility, and +prepare thyself for future conflicts, and cleave unto Me with all +the affection of thy heart, and strive to serve Me with fervent +will. + +2. "My Son, often the fire burneth, but the flame ascendeth not +without smoke. So also the desires of some men burn towards +heavenly things, and yet they are not free from the temptation of +carnal affection. Thus therefore they are not acting with an +altogether simple desire for God's glory when they pray to Him so +earnestly. Such, too, is oftentimes thy desire, when thou hast +imagined it to be so earnest. For that is not pure and perfect +which is tainted with thine own self-seeking. + +3. "Seek thou not what is pleasant and advantageous to thyself, +but what is acceptable and honourable unto Me; for if thou +judgest rightly, thou must choose and follow after My appointment +rather than thine own desire; yea, rather than anything that can +be desired. I know thy desire, and I have heard thy many +groanings. Already thou longest to be in the glorious liberty of +the children of God; already the eternal home delighteth thee, +and the heavenly country full of joy; but the hour is not yet +come; there remaineth still another season, even a season of +warfare, a season of labour and probation. Thou desirest to be +filled with the Chief Good, but thou canst not attain it +immediately. I AM that Good; wait for Me, until the Kingdom of +God shall come. + +4. "Thou must still be tried upon earth, and be exercised in many +things. Consolation shall from time to time be given thee, but +abundant satisfying shall not be granted. Be strong therefore, +and be thou brave both in working and in suffering things which +are against thy nature. Thou must put on the new man, and be +changed into another man. Thou must often do what thou wouldst +not; and thou must leave undone what thou wouldst do. What +pleaseth others shall have good success, what pleaseth thee shall +have no prosperity. What others say shall be listened to; what +thou sayest shall receive no heed. Others shall ask and receive; +thou shalt ask and not obtain. Others shall be great in the +report of men, but about thee shall nothing be spoken. To others +this or that shall be entrusted; thou shalt be judged useful for +nought. + +5. "For this cause nature shall sometimes be filled with sadness; +and it is a great thing if thou bear it silently. In this and +many like things the faithful servant of the Lord is wont to be +tried, how far he is able to deny himself and bring himself into +subjection in all things. Scarcely is there anything in which +thou hast need to mortify thyself so much as in seeing things +which are adverse to thy will; especially when things are +commanded thee to be done which seem to thee inexpedient or of +little use to thee. And because thou darest not resist a higher +power, being under authority, therefore it seemeth hard for thee +to shape thy course according to the nod of another, and to +forego thine own opinion. + +6. "But consider, My Son, the fruit of these labours, the swift +end, and the reward exceeding great; and thou shalt find it no +pain to bear them then, but rather the strongest solace of thy +patience. For even in exchange for this trifling desire which +thou hast readily forsaken, thou shalt always have thy will in +Heaven. There verily thou shalt find all that thou wouldst, all +that thou canst long for. There thou shalt have all good within +thy power without the fear of losing it. There thy will, ever at +one with Mine, shall desire nothing outward, nothing for itself. +There no man shall withstand thee, none shall complain of thee, +none shall hinder, nothing shall stand in thy path; but all +things desired by thee shall be present together, and shall +refresh thy whole affection, and fill it up even to the brim. +There I will glory for the scorn suffered here, the garment of +praise for sorrow, and for the lowest place a throne in the +Kingdom, for ever. There shall appear the fruit of obedience, +the labour of repentance shall rejoice, and humble subjection +shall be crowned gloriously. + +7. "Now therefore bow thyself humbly under the hands of all men; +nor let it trouble thee who said this or who ordered that; but +take special heed that whether thy superior, thy inferior, or thy +equal, require anything from thee, or even show a desire for it; +take it all in good part, and study with a good will to fulfil +the desire. Let one seek this, another that; let this man glory +in this, and that man in that, and be praised a thousand thousand +times, but rejoice thou only in the contempt of thyself, and in +Mine own good pleasure and glory. This is what thou art to long +for, even that whether by life or by death God may be ever +magnified in thee."(1) + +(1) Philippians i. 20. + + +CHAPTER L + +How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God + +O Lord, Holy Father, be Thou blessed now and evermore; because as +Thou wilt so it is done, and what Thou doest is good. Let Thy +servant rejoice in Thee, not in himself, nor in any other; +because Thou alone art the true joy, Thou art my hope and my +crown, Thou art my joy and my honour, O Lord. What hath Thy +servant, which he received not from Thee, even without merit of +his own? Thine are all things which Thou hast given, and which +Thou hast made. I am poor and in misery even from my youth +up,(1) and my soul is sorrowful unto tears, sometimes also it is +disquieted within itself, because of the sufferings which are +coming upon it. + +2. I long after the joy of peace; for the peace of Thy children +do I beseech, for in the light of Thy comfort they are fed by +Thee. If Thou give peace, if Thou pour into me holy joy, the +soul of Thy servant shall be full of melody, and devout in Thy +praise. But if Thou withdraw Thyself as too often Thou art wont, +he will not be able to run in the way of Thy commandments, but +rather he will smite his breast and will bow his knees; because +it is not with him as yesterday and the day before, when Thy +candle shined upon his head,(2) and he walked under the shadow of +Thy wings,(3) from the temptations which beset him. + +3. O Father, righteous and ever to be praised, the hour cometh +when Thy servant is to be proved. O beloved Father, it is well +that in this hour Thy servant suffer somewhat for Thy sake. O +Father, evermore to be adored, as the hour cometh which Thou +foreknewest from everlasting, when for a little while Thy servant +should outwardly bow down, but always live inwardly with Thee; +when for a little while he should be little regarded, humbled, +and fail in the eyes of men; should be wasted with sufferings and +weaknesses, to rise again with Thee in the dawn of the new light, +and be glorified in the heavenly places. O Holy Father, thou +hast ordained it so, and so hast willed it; and that is done +which Thou Thyself hast commanded. + +4. For this is Thy favour to Thy friend, that he should suffer +and be troubled in the world for Thy love's sake, how often +soever, and by whomsoever and whosoever Thou hast suffered it to +be done. Without Thy counsel and providence, and without cause, +nothing cometh to pass on the earth. It is good for me, Lord, +that I had been in trouble, that I may learn Thy statutes,(4) +and may cast away all pride of heart and presumption. It is +profitable for me that confusion hath covered my face, that I may +seek to Thee for consolation rather than unto men. By this also +I have learned to dread Thine unsearchable judgment, who +afflictest the just with the wicked, but not without equity and +justice. + +5. Thanks be unto Thee, because Thou hast not spared my sins, but +hast beaten me with stripes of love, inflicting pains, and +sending troubles upon me without and within. There is none who +can console me, of all things which are under heaven, but Thou +only, O Lord my God, Thou heavenly Physician of souls, who dost +scourge and hast mercy, who leadest down to hell and bringest up +again.(5) Thy discipline over me, and Thy rod itself shall teach +me. + +6. Behold, O beloved Father, I am in Thy hands, I bow myself +under the rod of Thy correction. Smite my back and my neck that +I may bend my crookedness to Thy will. Make me a pious and lowly +disciple, as Thou wert wont to be kind, that I may walk according +to every nod of Thine. To Thee I commend myself and all that I +have for correction; better is it to be punished here than +hereafter. Thou knowest all things and each of them; and nothing +remaineth hid from Thee in man's conscience. Before they are, +thou knowest that they will be, and Thou needest not that any man +teach Thee or admonish Thee concerning the things which are done +upon the earth. Thou knowest what is expedient for my profit, +and how greatly trouble serveth unto the scrubbing off the rust +of sin. Do with me according to Thy desired good pleasure, and +despise not my life which is full of sin, known to none so +entirely and fully as to Thee alone. + +7. Grant me, O Lord, to know that which ought to be known; to +love that which ought to be loved; to praise that which pleaseth +Thee most, to esteem that which is precious in Thy sight, to +blame that which is vile in Thine eyes. Suffer me not to judge +according to the sight of bodily eyes, nor to give sentence +according to the hearing of the ears of ignorant men; but to +discern in true judgment between visible and spiritual things, +and above all things to be ever seeking after the will of Thy +good pleasure. + +8. Oftentimes the senses of men are deceived in judging; the +lovers of the world also are deceived in that they love only +visible things. What is a man better because by man he is +reckoned very great? The deceiver deceiveth the deceiver, the +vain man the vain, the blind man the blind, the weak man the +weak, when they exalt one another; and in truth they rather put +to shame, while they foolishly praise. For as humble St. Francis +saith, "What each one is in Thine eyes, so much he is, and no +more." + +(1) Psalm lxxxviii. 15. (2) Job xxix. 3. (3) Psalm xvii. 8. +(4) Psalm cxix. 71. (5) Job xiii. 2. + + +CHAPTER LI + +That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal +to those that are lofty + +"My Son, thou art not always able to continue in very fervent +desire after virtues, nor to stand fast in the loftier region of +contemplation; but thou must of necessity sometimes descend to +lower things because of thine original corruption, and bear about +the burden of corruptible life, though unwillingly and with +weariness. So long as thou wearest a mortal body, thou shalt +feel weariness and heaviness of heart. Therefore thou oughtest +to groan often in the flesh because of the burden of the flesh, +inasmuch as thou canst not give thyself to spiritual studies and +divine contemplation unceasingly. + +2. "At such a time it is expedient for thee to flee to humble and +external works, and to renew thyself with good actions; to wait +for My coming and heavenly visitation with sure confidence; to +bear thy exile and drought of mind with patience, until thou be +visited by Me again, and be freed from all anxieties. For I will +cause thee to forget thy labours, and altogether to enjoy eternal +peace. I will spread open before thee the pleasant pastures of the +Scriptures, that with enlarged heart thou mayest begin to run in +the way of My commandments. And thou shalt say, 'The sufferings +of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory +which shall be revealed in us.'"(1) + +(1) Romans viii. 18. + + +CHAPTER LII + +That a man ought not to reckon himself worthy of consolation, but +more worthy of chastisement + +O Lord, I am not worthy of Thy consolation, nor of any spiritual +visitation; and therefore Thou dealest justly with me, when Thou +leavest me poor and desolate. For if I were able to pour forth +tears like the sea, still should I not be worthy of Thy +consolation. Therefore am I nothing worthy save to be scourged +and punished, because I have grievously and many a time offended +Thee, and in many things have greatly sinned. Therefore, true +account being taken, I am not worthy even of the least of Thy +consolations. But Thou, gracious and merciful God, who willest +not that Thy works should perish, to show forth the riches of Thy +mercy upon the vessels of mercy,(1) vouchsafest even beyond all +his own deserving, to comfort Thy servant above the measure of +mankind. For Thy consolations are not like unto the discoursings +of men. + +2. What have I done, O Lord, that Thou shouldst bestow any +heavenly comfort upon me? I remember not that I have done any +good, but have been ever prone to sin and slow to amendment. It +is true and I cannot deny it. If I should say otherwise, Thou +wouldst rise up against me, and there would be none to defend +me. What have I deserved for my sins but hell and everlasting +fire? In very truth I confess that I am worthy of all scorn and +contempt, nor is it fit that I should be remembered among Thy +faithful servants. And although I be unwilling to hear this, +nevertheless I will for the Truth's sake, accuse myself of my +sins, that the more readily I may prevail to be accounted worthy +of Thy mercy. + +3. What shall I say, guilty that I am and filled with confusion? +I have no mouth to utter, unless it be this word alone, "I have +sinned, Lord, I have sinned; have mercy upon me, forgive me." +Let me alone, that I may take comfort a little before I go whence +I shall not return even to the land of darkness and the shadow of +death.(2) What dost Thou so much require of a guilty and +miserable sinner, as that he be contrite, and humble himself for +his sins? In true contrition and humiliation of heart is +begotten the hope of pardon, the troubled conscience is +reconciled, lost grace is recovered, a man is preserved from the +wrath to come, and God and the penitent soul hasten to meet each +other with a holy kiss.(3) + +4. The humble contrition of sinners is an acceptable sacrifice +unto Thee, O Lord, sending forth a smell sweeter far in Thy sight +than the incense. This also is that pleasant ointment which Thou +wouldst have poured upon Thy sacred feet, for a broken and +contrite heart Thou hast never despised.(4) There is the place +of refuge from the wrathful countenance of the enemy. There is +amended and washed away whatsoever evil hath elsewhere been +contracted. + +(1) Romans ix. 23. (2) Job x. 20, 21. (3) Luke xv. 20. +(4) Psalm li. 17. + + +CHAPTER LIII + +That the Grace of God doth not join itself to those who mind +earthly things + +"My Son, precious is My grace, it suffereth not itself to be +joined with outward things, nor with earthly consolations. +Therefore thou oughtest to cast away all things which hinder +grace, if thou longest to receive the inpouring thereof. Seek a +secret place for thyself, love to dwell alone with thyself, +desire the conversation of no one; but rather pour out thy devout +prayer to God, that thou mayest possess a contrite mind and a +pure conscience. Count the whole world as nought; seek to be +alone with God before all outward things. For thou canst not be +alone with Me, and at the same time be delighted with transitory +things. Thou oughtest to be separated from thy acquaintances and +dear friends, and keep thy mind free from all worldly comfort. +So the blessed Apostle Peter beseecheth, that Christ's faithful +ones bear themselves in this world as strangers and pilgrims.(1) + +2. "Oh how great a confidence shall there be to the dying man +whom no affection to anything detaineth in the world? But to +have a heart so separated from all things, a sickly soul doth not +yet comprehend, nor doth the carnal man know the liberty of the +spiritual man. But if indeed he desire to be spiritually minded, +he must renounce both those who are far off, and those who are +near, and to beware of no man more than himself. If thou +perfectly conquer thyself, very easily shalt thou subdue all +things besides. Perfect victory is the triumph over oneself. +For whoso keepeth himself in subjection, in such manner that the +sensual affections obey the reason, and the reason in all things +obeyeth Me, he truly is conqueror of himself, and lord of the +world. + +3. "If thou desire to climb to this height, thou oughtest to +start bravely, and to lay the axe to the root, to the end that +thou mayest pull up and destroy the hidden inordinate inclination +towards thyself, and towards all selfish and earthly good. From +this sin, that a man loveth himself too inordinately, almost +everything hangeth which needeth to be utterly overcome: when +that evil is conquered and put under foot, there shall be great +peace and tranquillity continually. But because few strive +earnestly to die perfectly to themselves, and do not heartily go +forth from themselves, therefore do they remain entangled in +themselves, and cannot be raised in spirit above themselves. But +he who desireth to walk at liberty with Me, must of necessity +mortify all his evil and inordinate affections, and must cling to +no creature with selfish love." + +(1) 1 Peter ii. 11. + + +CHAPTER LIV + +Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace + +"My Son, pay diligent heed to the motions of Nature and of Grace, +because they move in a very contrary and subtle manner, and are +hardly distinguished save by a spiritual and inwardly enlightened +man. All men indeed seek good, and make pretence of something +good in all that they say or do; and thus under the appearance of +good many are deceived. + +2. "Nature is deceitful and draweth away, ensnareth, and +deceiveth many, and always hath self for her end; but Grace +walketh in simplicity and turneth away from every appearance of +evil, maketh no false pretences, and doeth all entirely for the +sake of God, in whom also she finally resteth. + +3. "Nature is very unwilling to die, and to be pressed down, and +to be overcome, and to be in subjection, and to bear the yoke +readily; but Grace studieth self-mortification, resisteth +sensuality, seeketh to be subdued, longeth to be conquered, and +willeth not to use her own liberty. She loveth to be held by +discipline, and not to have authority over any, but always to +live, to remain, to have her being under God, and for God's sake +is ready to be humbly subject to every ordinance of man. + +4. "Nature laboureth for her own advantage, and considereth what +profit she may gain from another; but Grace considereth more, not +what may be useful and convenient to self, but what may be +profitable to the many. + +5. "Nature willingly receiveth honour and reverence; but Grace +faithfully ascribeth all honour and glory to God. + +6. "Nature feareth confusion and contempt, but Grace rejoiceth to +suffer shame for the name of Jesus. + +7. "Nature loveth ease and bodily quiet; Grace cannot be +unemployed, but gladly embraceth labour. + +8. "Nature seeketh to possess things curious and attractive, and +abhorreth those which are rough and cheap; Grace is delighted +with things simple and humble, despiseth not those which are +rough, nor refuseth to be clothed with old garments. + +9. "Nature hath regard to things temporal, rejoiceth in earthly +lucre, is made sad by loss, vexed by any little injurious word; +but Grace reacheth after things eternal, cleaveth not to those +which are temporal, is not perturbed by losses, nor embittered by +any hard words, because she hath placed her treasure and joy in +heaven where nought perisheth. + +10. "Nature is covetous, and receiveth more willingly than she +giveth, loveth things that are personal and private to herself; +while Grace is kind and generous, avoideth selfishness, is +contented with a little, believeth that it is more blessed to +give than to receive. + +11. "Nature inclineth thee to created things, to thine own flesh, +to vanities and dissipation; but Grace draweth to God and to +virtues, renounceth creatures, fleeth from the world, hateth the +desires of the flesh, restraineth vagaries, blusheth to be seen +in public. + +12. "Nature is glad to receive some outward solace in which the +senses may have delight; but Grace seeketh to be comforted in God +alone, and to have delight in the chief good above all visible +things. + +13. "Nature doeth everything for her own gain and profit, can do +nothing as a free favour, but hopeth to attain something as good +or better, or some praise or favour for her benefits; and she +loveth that her own deeds and gifts should be highly valued; but +Grace seeketh nothing temporal, nor requireth any other gift of +reward than God alone; neither longeth she for more of temporal +necessities than such as may suffice for the attaining of eternal +life. + +14. "Nature rejoiceth in many friends and kinsfolk, she boasteth +of noble place and noble birth, she smileth on the powerful, +flattereth the rich, applaudeth those who are like herself; but +Grace loveth even her enemies, and is not lifted up by the +multitude of friends, setteth no store upon high place or high +birth, unless there be greater virtue therewith; favoureth the +poor man more than the rich, hath more sympathy with the innocent +than with the powerful; rejoiceth with the truthful, not with the +liar; always exhorteth the good to strive after better gifts of +grace, and to become by holiness like unto the Son of God. + +15. "Nature quickly complaineth of poverty and of trouble; Grace +beareth want with constancy. + +16. "Nature looketh upon all things in reference to herself; +striveth and argueth for self; but Grace bringeth back all things +to God from whom they came at the beginning; ascribeth no good to +herself nor arrogantly presumeth; is not contentious, nor +preferreth her own opinion to others, but in every sense and +understanding submitteth herself to the Eternal wisdom and the +Divine judgment. + +17. "Nature is eager to know secrets and to hear new things; she +loveth to appear abroad, and to make experience of many things +through the senses; she desireth to be acknowledged and to do +those things which win praise and admiration; but Grace careth +not to gather up new or curious things, because all this +springeth from the old corruption, whereas there is nothing new +or lasting upon earth. So she teacheth to restrain the senses, to +shun vain complacency and ostentation, to hide humbly those +things which merit praise and real admiration, and from +everything and in all knowledge to seek after useful fruit, and +the praise and honour of God. She desireth not to receive praise +for herself or her own, but longeth that God be blessed in all +His gifts, who out of unmingled love bestoweth all things." + +18. This Grace is a supernatural light, and a certain special +gift of God, and the proper mark of the elect, and the pledge of +eternal salvation; it exalteth a man from earthly things to love +those that are heavenly; and it maketh the carnal man spiritual. +So far therefore as Nature is utterly pressed down and overcome, +so far is greater Grace bestowed and the inner man is daily +created anew by fresh visitations, after the image of God. + + +CHAPTER LV + +Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace + +O Lord my God, who hast created me after thine own image and +similitude, grant me this grace, which Thou hast shown to be so +great and so necessary for salvation, that I may conquer my +wicked nature, which draweth me to sin and to perdition. For I +feel in my flesh the law of sin, contradicting the law of my +mind, and bringing me into captivity to the obedience of +sensuality in many things; nor can I resist its passions, unless +Thy most holy grace assist me, fervently poured into my heart. + +2. There is need of Thy grace, yea, and of a great measure +thereof, that my nature may be conquered, which hath alway been +prone to evil from my youth. For being fallen through the first +man Adam, and corrupted through sin, the punishment of this +stain descended upon all men; so that Nature itself, which was +framed good and right by Thee, is now used to express the vice +and infirmity of corrupted Nature; because its motion left unto +itself draweth men away to evil and to lower things. For the +little power which remaineth is as it were one spark lying hid in +the ashes. This is Natural reason itself, encompassed with thick +clouds, having yet a discernment of good and evil, a distinction +of the true and the false, though it be powerless to fulfil all +that it approveth, and possess not yet the full light of truth, +nor healthfulness of its affections. + +3. Hence it is, O my God, that I delight in Thy law after the +inward man,(1) knowing that Thy commandment is holy and just and +good; reproving also all evil, and the sin that is to be avoided: +yet with the flesh I serve the law of sin, whilst I obey +sensuality rather than reason. Hence it is that to will to do +good is present with me, but how to perform it I find not.(2) +Hence I ofttimes purpose many good things; but because grace is +lacking to help mine infirmities, I fall back before a little +resistance and fail. Hence it cometh to pass that I recognize +the way of perfectness, and see very clearly what things I ought +to do; but pressed down by the weight of my own corruption, I +rise not to the things which are more perfect. + +4. Oh how entirely necessary is Thy grace to me, O Lord, for a +good beginning, for progress, and for bringing to perfection. +For without it I can do nothing, but I can do all things through +Thy grace which strengtheneth me.(3) O truly heavenly grace, +without which our own merits are nought, and no gifts of Nature +at all are to be esteemed. Arts, riches, beauty, strength, wit, +eloquence, they all avail nothing before Thee, O Lord, without +Thy grace. For the gifts of Nature belong to good and evil +alike; but the proper gift of the elect is grace--that is, love-- +and they who bear the mark thereof are held worthy of everlasting +life. So mighty is this grace, that without it neither the gift +of prophecy nor the working of miracles, nor any speculation, +howsoever lofty, is of any value at all. But neither faith, nor +hope, nor any other virtue is accepted with Thee without love and +grace. + +5. O most blessed grace that makest the poor in spirit rich in +virtues, and renderest him who is rich in many things humble in +spirit, come Thou, descend upon me, fill me early with Thy +consolation, lest my soul fail through weariness and drought of +mind. I beseech thee, O Lord, that I may find grace in Thy +sight, for Thy grace is sufficient for me,(4) when I obtain not +those things which Nature longeth for. If I be tempted and vexed +with many tribulations, I will fear no evil, while Thy grace +remaineth with me. This alone is my strength, this bringeth me +counsel and help. It is more powerful than all enemies, and +wiser than all the wise men in the world. + +6. It is the mistress of truth, the teacher of discipline, the +light of the heart, the solace of anxiety, the banisher of +sorrow, the deliverer from fear, the nurse of devotion, the +drawer forth of tears. What am I without it, save a dry tree, a +useless branch, worthy to be cast away! "Let Thy grace, +therefore, O Lord, always prevent and follow me, and make me +continually given to all good works, through Jesus Christ, Thy +Son. Amen." + +(1) Romans vii. 12, 22. 25. (2) Romans vii. 18. (3) Philippians iv. 13. +(4) 2 Corinthians xii. 9. + +CHAPTER LVI + +That we ought to deny ourselves, and to imitate Christ by means +of the Cross + +My Son, so far as thou art able to go out of thyself so far shalt +thou be able to enter into Me. As to desire no outward thing +worketh internal peace, so the forsaking of self inwardly joineth +unto God. I will that thou learn perfect self-denial, living in +My will without contradiction or complaint. Follow Me: I am the +way, the truth, and the life.(1) Without the way thou canst not +go, without the truth thou canst not know, without the life thou +canst not live. I am the Way which thou oughtest to follow; the +Truth which thou oughtest to believe; the Life which thou oughtest +to hope for. I am the Way unchangeable; the Truth infallible; +the Life everlasting. I am the Way altogether straight, the +Truth supreme, the true Life, the blessed Life, the uncreated +Life. If thou remain in My way thou shalt know the Truth, and +the truth shall make thee free,(2) and thou shalt lay hold on +eternal life. + +2. "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.(3) If +thou wilt know the truth, believe in Me. If thou wilt be +perfect, sell all that thou hast. If thou wilt be My disciple, +deny thyself. If thou wouldst possess the blessed life, despise +the life which now is. If thou wilt be exalted in heaven, humble +thyself in the world. If thou wilt reign with Me, bear the cross +with Me; for only the servants of the cross find the way of +blessedness and of true light." + +3. O Lord Jesu, forasmuch as Thy life was straitened and despised +by the world, grant unto me to imitate Thee in despising the +world, for the servant is not greater than his lord, nor the +disciple above his master.(4) Let Thy servant be exercised in +Thy life, because there is my salvation and true holiness. +Whatsoever I read or hear besides it, it refresheth me not, nor +giveth me delight. + +4. "My son, because thou knowest these things and hast read them +all, blessed shalt thou be if thou doest them. He who hath My +commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me, and I +will love him, and will manifest Myself to him,(5) and I will +make him to sit down with Me in My Father's Kingdom." + +5. O Lord Jesu, as Thou hast said and promised, even so let it be +unto me, and grant me to prove worthy. I have received the cross +at Thy hand; I have carried it, and will carry it even unto +death, as Thou hast laid it upon me. Truly the life of a truly +devoted servant is a cross, but it leadeth to paradise. I have +begun; I may not return back nor leave it. + +6. Come, my brothers, let us together go forward. Jesus shall be +with us. For Jesus' sake have we taken up this cross, for Jesus' +sake let us persevere in the cross. He will be our helper, who +was our Captain and Forerunner. Behold our King entereth in +before us, and He will fight for us. Let us follow bravely, let +no man fear terrors; let us be prepared to die bravely in battle, +and let us not so stain our honour,(6) as to fly from the cross. + +(1) John xiv. 6. (2) John viii. 32. (3) Matthew xix. 17, 21. +(4) Matthew x. 24. (5) John xiv. 21. (6) 1 Mac. ix. 10. + + +CHAPTER LVII + +That a man must not be too much cast down when he falleth into +some faults + +"My Son, patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing +to Me than much comfort and devotion in prosperity. Why doth a +little thing spoken against thee make thee sad? If it had been +more, thou still oughtest not to be moved. But now suffer it to +go by; it is not the first, it is not new, and it will not be the +last, if thou live long. Thou art brave enough, so long as no +adversity meeteth thee. Thou givest good counsel also, and +knowest how to strengthen others with thy words; but when +tribulation suddenly knocketh at thine own door, thy counsel and +strength fail. Consider thy great frailty, which thou dost so +often experience in trifling matters nevertheless, for thy soul's +health these things are done when they and such like happen unto +thee. + +2. "Put them away from thy heart as well as thou canst, and if +tribulation hath touched thee, yet let it not cast thee down nor +entangle thee long. At the least, bear patiently, if thou canst +not joyfully. And although thou be very unwilling to hear it, +and feel indignation, yet check thyself, and suffer no unadvised +word to come forth from thy lips, whereby the little ones may be +offended. Soon the storm which hath been raised shall be +stilled, and inward grief shall be sweetened by returning grace. +I yet live, saith the Lord, ready to help thee, and to give thee +more than wonted consolation if thou put thy trust in Me, and +call devoutly upon Me. + +3. "Be thou more calm of spirit, and gird thyself for greater +endurance. All is not frustrated, though thou find thyself very +often afflicted or grievously tempted. Thou art man, not God; +thou art flesh, not an angel. How shouldst thou be able to +remain alway in the same state of virtue, when an angel in heaven +fell, and the first man in paradise? I am He who lifteth up the +mourners to deliverance, and those who know their own infirmity I +raise up to my own nature." + +4. O Lord, blessed be Thy word, sweeter to my mouth than honey +and the honeycomb. What should I do in my so great tribulations +and anxieties, unless Thou didst comfort me with Thy holy words? +If only I may attain unto the haven of salvation, what matter is +it what things or how many I suffer? Give me a good end, give me +a happy passage out of this world. Remember me, O my God, and +lead me by the right way unto Thy Kingdom. Amen. + + +CHAPTER LVIII + +Of deeper matters, and God's hidden judgments which are not to be +inquired into + +"My Son, beware thou dispute not of high matters and of the +hidden judgments of God; why this man is thus left, and that man +is taken into so great favour; why also this man is so greatly +afflicted, and that so highly exalted. These things pass all +man's power of judging, neither may any reasoning or disputation +have power to search out the divine judgments. When therefore +the enemy suggesteth these things to thee, or when any curious +people ask such questions, answer with that word of the Prophet, +Just art Thou, O Lord, and true is Thy judgment,(1) and with +this, The judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous +altogether.(2) My judgments are to be feared, not to be disputed +on, because they are incomprehensible to human understanding. + +2. "And be not given to inquire or dispute about the merits of +the Saints, which is holier than another, or which is the greater +in the Kingdom of Heaven. Such questions often beget useless +strifes and contentions: they also nourish pride and vain glory, +whence envyings and dissensions arise, while one man arrogantly +endeavoureth to exalt one Saint and another another. But to wish +to know and search out such things bringeth no fruit, but it +rather displeaseth the Saints; for I am not the God of confusion +but of peace;(3) which peace consisteth more in true humility +than in self-exaltation. + +3. "Some are drawn by zeal of love to greater affection to these +Saints or those; but this is human affection rather than divine. +I am He Who made all the Saints: I gave them grace, I brought +them glory; I know the merits of every one; I prevented them with +the blessings of My goodness.(4) I foreknew my beloved ones from +everlasting, I chose them out of the world;(5) they did not +choose Me. I called them by My grace, drew them by My mercy, led +them on through sundry temptations. I poured mighty consolations +upon them, I gave them perseverance, I crowned their patience. + +4. "I acknowledge the first and the last; I embrace all with +inestimable love. I am to be praised in all My Saints; I am to +be blessed above all things, and to be honoured in every one whom +I have so gloriously exalted and predestined, without any +preceding merits of their own. He therefore that shall despise +one of the least of these My people, honoureth not the great; +because I made both small and great.(6) And he who speaketh +against any of My Saints speaketh against Me, and against all +others in the Kingdom of Heaven." + + They are all one through the bond of charity; they think the +same thing, will the same thing, and all are united in love one +to another. + +5. "But yet (which is far better) they love Me above themselves +and their own merits. For being caught up above themselves, and +drawn beyond self-love, they go all straightforward to the love +of Me, and they rest in Me in perfect enjoyment. There is +nothing which can turn them away or press them down; for being +full of Eternal Truth, they burn with the fire of +inextinguishable charity. Therefore let all carnal and natural +men hold their peace concerning the state of the Saints, for they +know nothing save to love their own personal enjoyment. They +take away and add according to their own inclination, not as it +pleaseth the Eternal Truth. + +6. "In many men this is ignorance, chiefly is it so in those who, +being little enlightened, rarely learn to love any one with +perfect spiritual love. They are still much drawn by natural +affection and human friendship to these or to those: and as they +reckon of themselves in lower matters, so also do they frame +imaginations of things heavenly. But there is an immeasurable +difference between those things which they imperfectly imagine, +and these things which enlightened men behold through +supernatural revelation. + +7. "Take heed, therefore, My son, that thou treat not curiously +those things which surpass thy knowledge, but rather make this +thy business and give attention to it, namely, that thou seek to +be found, even though it be the least, in the Kingdom of God. +And even if any one should know who were holier than others, or +who were held greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven; what should that +knowledge profit him, unless through this knowledge he should +humble himself before Me, and should rise up to give greater +praise unto My name? He who considereth how great are his own +sins, how small his virtues, and how far he is removed from the +perfection of the Saints, doeth far more acceptably in the sight +of God, than he who disputeth about their greatness or +littleness. + +8. "They are altogether well content, if men would learn to be +content, and to refrain from vain babbling. They glory not of +their own merits, seeing they ascribe no good unto themselves, +but all unto Me, seeing that I of my infinite charity have given +them all things. They are filled with so great love of the +Divinity, and with such overflowing joy, that no glory is lacking +to them, neither can any felicity be lacking. All the Saints, +the higher they are exalted in glory, the humbler are they in +themselves, and the nearer and dearer are they unto Me. And so +thou hast it written that they cast their crowns before God and +fell on their faces before the Lamb, and worshipped Him that +liveth for ever and ever.(7) + +9. "Many ask who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, who know +not whether they shall be worthy to be counted among the least. +It is a great thing to be even the least in Heaven, where all are +great, because all shall be called, and shall be, the sons of +God. A little one shall become a thousand, but the sinner being +an hundred years old shall be accursed. For when the disciples +asked who should be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, they +received no other answer than this, Except ye be converted and +become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of +Heaven. But whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, +the same shall be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."(8) + +10. Woe unto them who disdain to humble themselves willingly with +the little children; for the low gate of the kingdom of Heaven +will not suffer them to enter in. Woe also to them who are rich, +who have their consolation here;(9) because whilst the poor +enter into the kingdom of God, they shall stand lamenting +without. Rejoice ye humble, and exult ye poor, for yours is the +kingdom of God if only ye walk in the truth. + +(1) Psalm cxix. 137. (2) Psalm xix. 9. +(3) Corinthians xiv. 33. (4) Psalm xxi. 3. (5) John xv. 19. +(6) Wisd. vi. 8. (7) Revelation iv. 10; v. 14. +(8) Matthew xviii. 3. (9) Philippians ii. 21. + + +CHAPTER LIX + +That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone + +O Lord, what is my trust which I have in this life, or what is my +greatest comfort of all the things which are seen under Heaven? +Is it not Thou, O Lord my God, whose mercies are without number? +Where hath it been well with me without Thee? Or when could it +be evil whilst Thou wert near? I had rather be poor for Thy +sake, than rich without Thee. I choose rather to be a pilgrim +upon the earth with Thee than without Thee to possess heaven. +Where Thou art, there is heaven; and where Thou are not, behold +there death and hell. Thou art all my desire, and therefore must +I groan and cry and earnestly pray after Thee. In short I can +confide fully in none to give me ready help in necessities, save +in Thee alone, O my God. Thou art my hope, Thou art my trust, +Thou art my Comforter, and most faithful in all things. + +2. All men seek their own;(1) Thou settest forward only my +salvation and my profit, and turnest all things unto my good. +Even though Thou dost expose me to divers temptations and +adversities, Thou ordainest all this unto my advantage, for Thou +are wont to prove Thy beloved ones in a thousand ways. In which +proving Thou oughtest no less to be loved and praised, than if +Thou wert filling me full of heavenly consolations. + +3. In Thee, therefore, O Lord God, I put all my hope and my +refuge, on Thee I lay all my tribulation and anguish; because I +find all to be weak and unstable whatsoever I behold out of Thee. +For many friends shall not profit, nor strong helpers be able to +succour, nor prudent counsellors to give a useful answer, nor the +books of the learned to console, nor any precious substance to +deliver, nor any secret and beautiful place to give shelter, if +Thou Thyself do not assist, help, strengthen, comfort, instruct, +keep in safety. + +4. For all things which seem to belong to the attainment of peace +and felicity are nothing when Thou art absent, and bring no +felicity at all in reality. Therefore art Thou the end of all +good, and the fulness of Life, and the soul of eloquence; and to +hope in Thee above all things is the strongest solace of Thy +servants. Mine eyes look unto Thee,(2) in Thee is my trust, O my +God, Father of mercies. + +5. Bless and sanctify my soul with heavenly blessing that it may +become Thy holy habitation, and the seat of Thy eternal glory; +and let nothing be found in the Temple of Thy divinity which may +offend the eyes of Thy majesty. According to the greatness of +Thy goodness and the multitude of Thy mercies look upon me, and +hear the prayer of Thy poor servant, far exiled from Thee in the +land of the shadow of death. Protect and preserve the soul of +Thy least servant amid so many dangers of corruptible life, and +by Thy grace accompanying me, direct it by the way of peace unto +its home of perpetual light. Amen. + +(1) Luke vi. (2) Psalm cxli. 8. + + + + +THE FOURTH BOOK + + + +OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR + +A devout exhortation to the Holy Communion + +The Voice of Christ + +Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will +refresh you,(1) saith the Lord. The bread that I will give is My +flesh which I give for the life of the world.(2) Take, eat: this +is My Body, which is given for you; this do in remembrance of +Me.(3) He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood dwelleth in +Me and I in him. The words that I speak unto you, they are +spirit, and they are life.(4) + +(1) Matthew xi. 28 (2) John vi. 51. +(3) Matthew xxi. 26; Luke xxii. 19. (4) John vi. 51, 63. + + +CHAPTER I + +With how great reverence Christ must be received + +The Voice of the Disciple + +These are Thy words, O Christ, Eternal Truth; though not uttered +at one time nor written together in one place of Scripture. +Because therefore they are Thy words and true, I must gratefully +and faithfully receive them all. They are Thine, and Thou hast +uttered them; and they are mine also, because Thou didst speak +them for my salvation. Gladly I receive them from Thy mouth, +that they may be more deeply implanted in my heart. Words of +such great grace arouse me, for they are full of sweetness and +love; but my own sins terrify me, and my impure conscience +driveth me away from receiving so great mysteries. The sweetness +of Thy words encourageth me, but the multitude of my faults +presseth me down. + +2. Thou commandest that I draw near to Thee with firm confidence, +if I would have part with Thee, and that I receive the food of +immortality, if I desire to obtain eternal life and glory. Come +unto Me, sayest Thou, all that labour and are heavy laden, and I +will refresh you. Oh, sweet and lovely word in the ear of the +sinner, that Thou, O Lord my God, dost invite the poor and needy +to the Communion of Thy most holy body and blood. But who am I, +O Lord, that I should presume to approach unto Thee? Behold the +heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee, and yet Thou sayest, Come +ye all unto Me. + +3. What meaneth this most gracious condescension, this most +lovely invitation? How shall I dare to come, who know no good +thing of myself, whence I might be able to presume? How shall I +bring Thee within my house, seeing that I so often have sinned in +Thy most loving sight? Angels and Archangels stand in awe of +Thee, the Saints and just men fear Thee, and Thou sayest, Come +unto Me! Except Thou, Lord, hadst said it, who should believe it +true? And except Thou hadst commanded, who should attempt to draw +near? + +4. Behold, Noah, that just man, laboured for a hundred years in +building the ark, that he might be saved with the few; and I, how +shall I be able in one hour to prepare myself to receive the +Builder of the world with reverence? Moses, Thy servant, Thy +great and especial friend, made an ark of incorruptible wood, +which also he covered with purest gold, that he might lay up in +it the tables of the law, and I, a corruptible creature, shall I +dare thus easily to receive Thee, the Maker of the Law and the +Giver of life? Solomon, the wisest of the kings of Israel, was +seven years building his magnificent temple to the praise of Thy +Name, and for eight days celebrated the feast of its dedication, +offered a thousand peace offerings, and solemnly brought up the +Ark of the Covenant to the place prepared for it, with the sound +of trumpets and great joy, and I, unhappy and poorest of mankind, +how shall I bring Thee into my house, who scarce know how to +spend half an hour in devotion? And oh that it were even one +half hour worthily spent! + +5. O my God, how earnestly these holy men strove to please Thee! +And alas! how little and trifling is that which I do! how short +a time do I spend, when I am disposing myself to Communion. +Rarely altogether collected, most rarely cleansed from all +distraction. And surely in the saving presence of Thy Godhead no +unmeet thought ought to intrude, nor should any creature take +possession of me, because it is not an Angel but the Lord of +the Angels, that I am about to receive as my Guest. + +6. Yet there is a vast difference between the Ark of the Covenant +with its relics, and Thy most pure Body with its ineffable +virtues, between those sacrifices of the law, which were figures +of things to come, and the true sacrifice of Thy Body, the +completion of all the ancient sacrifices. + +7. Wherefore then do I not yearn more ardently after Thy adorable +presence? Why do I not prepare myself with greater solicitude to +receive Thy holy things, when those holy Patriarchs and Prophets +of old, kings also and princes, with the whole people, manifested +so great affection of devotion towards Thy Divine Service? + +8. The most devout king David danced with all his might before +the Ark of God, calling to mind the benefits granted to his +forefathers in days past; he fashioned musical instruments of +various sorts, put forth Psalms, and appointed them to be sung +with joy, played also himself ofttimes on the harp, being +inspired with the grace of the Holy Ghost; he taught the people +of Israel to praise God with the whole heart, and with unity of +voice to bless and praise Him every day. If so great devotion +was then exercised, and celebration of divine praise was carried +on before the Ark of the Testimony, how great reverence and +devotion ought now to be shown by me and all Christian people at +the ministering of the Sacrament, at receiving the most precious +Body and Blood of Christ. + +9. Many run to diverse places to visit the memorials of departed +Saints, and rejoice to hear of their deeds and to look upon the +beautiful buildings of their shrines. And behold, Thou art +present here with me, O my God, Saint of Saints, Creator of men +and Lord of the Angels. Often in looking at those memorials men +are moved by curiosity and novelty, and very little fruit of +amendment is borne away, especially when there is so much +careless trifling and so little true contrition. But here in the +Sacrament of the Altar, Thou art present altogether, My God, the +Man Christ Jesus; where also abundant fruit of eternal life is +given to every one soever that receiveth Thee worthily and +devoutly. But to this no levity draweth, no curiosity, nor +sensuality, only steadfast faith, devout hope, and sincere +charity. + +10. O God, invisible Creator of the world, how wondrously dost +Thou work with us, how sweetly and graciously Thou dealest with +Thine elect, to whom Thou offerest Thyself to be received in this +Sacrament! For this surpasseth all understanding, this specially +draweth the hearts of the devout and enkindleth their affections. +For even thy true faithful ones themselves, who order their whole +life to amendment, oftentimes gain from this most excellent +Sacrament great grace of devotion and love of virtue. + +11. Oh admirable and hidden grace of the Sacrament, which only +Christ's faithful ones know, but the faithless and those who serve +sin cannot experience! In this Sacrament is conferred spiritual +grace, and lost virtue is regained in the soul, and the beauty +which was disfigured by sin returneth again. So great sometimes +is this grace that out of the fulness of devotion given, not only +the mind but also the weak body feeleth that more strength is +supplied unto it. + +12. But greatly must we mourn and lament over our lukewarmness +and negligence, that we are not drawn by greater affection to +become partakers of Christ, in whom all the hope and the merit of +those that are to be saved consist. For He Himself is our +sanctification and redemption.(1) He is the consolation of +pilgrims and the eternal fruition of the Saints. Therefore it is +grievously to be lamented that many so little consider this +health-giving mystery, which maketh heaven glad and preserveth +the whole world. Alas for the blindness and hardness of man's +heart, that he considereth not more this unspeakable gift, and +even slippeth down through the daily use, into carelessness. + +13. For if this most holy Sacrament were celebrated in one place +only, and were consecrated only by one priest in the whole world, +with what great desire thinkest thou, would men be affected +towards that place and towards such a priest of God, that they +might behold the divine mysteries celebrated? But now are many +men made priests and in many places the Sacrament is celebrated, +that the grace and love of God towards men might the more appear, +the more widely the Holy Communion is spread abroad over all the +world. Thanks be unto Thee, O good Jesus, Eternal Shepherd, who +hast vouchsafed to refresh us, poor and exiled ones, with Thy +precious Body and Blood, and to invite us to partake these holy +mysteries by the invitation from Thine own mouth, saying, Come +unto Me, ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh +you. + +(1) 1 Corinthians i. 30. + + +CHAPTER II + +That the greatness and charity of God is shown to men in the +Sacrament + +The Voice of the Disciple + +Trusting in Thy goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I draw near, +the sick to the Healer, the hungering and thirsting to the +Fountain of life, the poverty-stricken to the King of heaven, the +servant to the Lord, the creature to the Creator, the desolate to +my own gentle Comforter. But whence is this unto me, that Thou +comest unto me? Who am I that Thou shouldest offer me Thyself? +How doth a sinner dare to appear before Thee? And how dost thou +vouchsafe to come to the sinner? Thou knowest Thy servant, and +Thou knowest that he hath in him no good thing for which Thou +shouldest grant him this grace. I confess therefore mine own +vileness, I acknowledge Thy goodness, I praise Thy tenderness, +and I give Thee thanks for Thine exceeding great love. For Thou +doest this for Thine own sake, not for my merits, that Thy +goodness may be more manifest unto me, Thy charity more +abundantly poured out upon me, and Thy humility more perfectly +commended unto me. Therefore because this pleaseth Thee and Thou +hast commanded that thus it shall be, Thy condescension pleaseth +me also; and oh that mine iniquity hinder it not. + +2. O most sweet and tender Jesus, what reverence, what giving of +thanks is due to Thee with perpetual praise for the receiving of +Thy sacred Body and Blood, the dignity whereof no man is found +able to express. But what shall I think upon in this Communion +in approaching my Lord, whom I am not able worthily to honour, +and nevertheless whom I long devoutly to receive? What shall be +better and more healthful meditation for me, than utter +humiliation of myself before Thee, and exaltation of Thine +infinite goodness towards me? I praise Thee, O my God, and exalt +Thee for evermore. I despise myself, and cast myself down before +Thee into the deep of my vileness. + +3. Behold, Thou art the Saint of saints and I the refuse of +sinners; behold, Thou stoopest unto me who am not worthy to look +upon Thee; behold, Thou comest unto me, Thou willest to be with +me, Thou invitest me to Thy feast. Thou willest to give me the +heavenly food and bread of angels to eat; none other, in truth, +than Thyself, The living bread, which didst descend from heaven; +and givest life to the world.(1) + +4. Behold, whence this love proceedeth! what manner of +condescension shineth forth herein. What great giving of thanks +and praise is due unto Thee for these benefits! Oh how salutary +and profitable Thy purpose when Thou didst ordain this! How +sweet and pleasant the feast when Thou didst give Thyself for +food! Oh how admirable is thy working, O Lord, how mighty Thy +power, how unspeakable Thy truth! For Thou didst speak the word, +and all things were made; and this is done which Thou hast +commanded. + +5. A thing wonderful, and worthy of faith, and surpassing all the +understanding of man, that Thou, O Lord my God, very God and very +man, givest Thyself altogether to us in a little bread and wine, +and art so our inexhaustible food. Thou, O Lord of all, who hast +need of nothing, hast willed to dwell in us through Thy +Sacrament. Preserve my heart and my body undefiled, that with a +joyful and pure conscience I may be able very often to +[celebrate, and](2) receive to my perpetual health. Thy +mysteries, which Thou hast consecrated and instituted both for +Thine own honour, and for a perpetual memorial. + +6. Rejoice, O my soul, and give thanks unto God for so great a +gift and precious consolation, left unto thee in this vale of +tears. For so oft as thou callest this mystery to mind and +receivest the body of Christ, so often dost thou celebrate the +work of thy redemption, and art made partaker of all the merits +of Christ. For the charity of Christ never groweth less, and the +greatness of His propitiation is never exhausted. Therefore, by +continual renewal of thy spirit, thou oughtest to dispose thyself +hereunto and to weigh the great mystery of salvation with +attentive consideration. So great, new, and joyful ought it to +appear to thee when thou comest to communion, as if on this +self-same day Christ for the first time were descending into the +Virgin's womb and becoming man, or hanging on the cross, +suffering and dying for the salvation of mankind. + +(1) John vi. 51. +(2) The words in brackets are only suitable for a priest. + + +CHAPTER III + +That it is profitable to Communicate often + +The Voice of the Disciple + +Behold I come unto Thee, O Lord, that I may be blessed through +Thy gift, and be made joyful in Thy holy feast which Thou, O God, +of Thy goodness hast prepared for the poor.(1) Behold in Thee is +all that I can and ought to desire, Thou art my salvation and +redemption, my hope and strength, my honour and glory. Therefore +rejoice the soul of Thy servant this day, for unto Thee, O Lord +Jesus, do I lift up my soul.(2) I long now to receive Thee +devoutly and reverently, I desire to bring Thee into my house, so +that with Zacchaeus I may be counted worthy to be blessed by Thee +and numbered among the children of Abraham. My soul hath an +earnest desire for Thy Body, my heart longeth to be united with +Thee. + +2. Give me Thyself and it sufficeth, for besides Thee no +consolation availeth. Without Thee I cannot be, and without Thy +visitation I have no power to live. And therefore I must needs +draw nigh unto Thee often, and receive Thee for the healing of my +soul, lest haply I faint by the way if I be deprived of heavenly +food. For so Thou, most merciful Jesus, preaching to the people +and healing many sick, didst once say, I will not send them away +fasting to their own homes, lest they faint by the way.(3) Deal +therefore now to me in like manner, for Thou left Thyself for the +consolation of the faithful in the Sacrament. For Thou art the +sweet refreshment of the soul, and he who shall eat Thee worthily +shall be partaker and inheritor of the eternal glory. Necessary +indeed it is for me, who so often slide backwards and sin, so +quickly wax cold and faint, to renew, cleanse, enkindle myself by +frequent prayers and penitences and receiving of Thy sacred Body +and Blood lest haply by too long abstinence, I fall short of my +holy resolutions. + +3. For the imaginations of man's heart are evil from his +youth,(4) and except divine medicine succour him, man slideth +away continually unto the worse. The Holy Communion therefore +draweth us back from evil, and strengtheneth us for good. For if +I now be so negligent and lukewarm when I communicate [or +celebrate], how should it be with me, if I receive not this +medicine, and sought not so great a help? [And though I am not +every day fit nor well prepared to celebrate, I will nevertheless +give diligent heed at due season, to receive the divine +mysteries, and to become partaker of so great grace]. For this +is the one principal consolation of a faithful soul, so long as +it is absent from Thee in mortal body, that being continually +mindful of its God, it receiveth its Beloved with devout spirit. + +4. Oh wonderful condescension of Thy pity surrounding us, that +Thou, O Lord God, Creator and Quickener of all spirits, deignest +to come unto a soul so poor and weak, and to appease its hunger +with Thy whole Deity and Humanity. Oh happy mind and blessed +soul, to which is granted devoutly to receive Thee its Lord God, +and in so receiving Thee to be filled with all spiritual joy! Oh +how great a Lord doth it entertain, how beloved a Guest doth it +bring in, how delightful a Companion doth it receive, how +faithful a Friend doth it welcome, how beautiful and exalted a +Spouse, above every other Beloved, doth it embrace, One to be +loved above all things that can be desired! Oh my most sweet +Beloved, let heaven and earth and all the glory of them, be +silent in Thy presence; seeing whatsoever praise and beauty they +have it is of Thy gracious bounty; and they shall never reach +unto the loveliness of Thy Name, Whose Wisdom is infinite.(5) + +(1) Psalm lxviii. 10. (2) Psalm lxxxvi. 4. +(3) Matthew xv. 32. (4) Genesis viii. 21. +(5) Psalm cxlvii. 5. + + +CHAPTER IV + +That many good gifts are bestowed upon those who Communicate +devoutly + +The Voice of the Disciple + +O Lord my God, prevent Thou Thy servant with the blessings of Thy +sweetness, that I may be enabled to draw near worthily and +devoutly to Thy glorious Sacrament. Awaken my heart towards +Thee, and deliver me from heavy slumber. Visit me with Thy +salvation that I may in spirit taste Thy sweetness, which +plentifully lieth hid in this Sacrament as in a fountain. +Lighten also mine eyes to behold this so great mystery, and +strengthen me that I may believe it with undoubting faith. For +it is Thy word, not human power; it is Thy holy institution, not +the invention of man. For no man is found fit in himself to +receive and to understand these things, which transcend even the +wisdom of the Angels. What portion then shall I, unworthy +sinner, who am but dust and ashes, be able to search into and +comprehend of so deep a Sacrament? + +2. O Lord, in the simplicity of my heart, in good and firm faith, +and according to Thy will, I draw nigh unto Thee with hope and +reverence, and truly believe that Thou art here present in the +Sacrament, God and man. Thou willest therefore that I receive +Thee and unite myself to Thee in charity. Wherefore I beseech +Thy mercy, and implore Thee to give me Thy special grace, to this +end, that I may be wholly dissolved and overflow with love +towards Thee, and no more suffer any other consolation to enter +into me. For this most high and most glorious Sacrament is the +health of the soul and the body, the medicine of all spiritual +sickness, whereby I am healed of my sins, my passions are +bridled, temptations are conquered or weakened, more grace is +poured into me, virtue begun is increased, faith is made firm, +hope is strengthened, and charity is enkindled and enlarged. + +3. For in this Sacrament Thou hast bestowed many good things and +still bestowest them continually on Thine elect who communicate +devoutly, O my God, Lifter up of my soul, Repairer of human +infirmity, and Giver of all inward consolation. For Thou pourest +into them much consolation against all sorts of tribulation, and +out of the deep of their own misery Thou liftest them up to the +hope of Thy protection, and with ever new grace, dost inwardly +refresh and enlighten them; so that they who felt themselves to +be anxious and without affection before Communion, afterwards +being refreshed with heavenly food and drink, find themselves +changed for the better. And even in such wise Thou dealest +severally with Thine elect, that they may truly acknowledge and +clearly make proof that they have nothing whatsoever of their +own, and what goodness and grace come to them from Thee; because +being in themselves cold, hard of heart, indevout, through Thee +they become fervent, zealous, and devout. For who is there +coming humbly to the fountain of sweetness, carrieth not away +thence at the least some little of that sweetness? Or who +standing by a large fire, feeleth not from thence a little of its +heat? And Thou art ever a full and overflowing fountain, a fire +continually burning, and never going out. + +4. Wherefore if it is not suffered to me to draw from the fulness +of the fountain, nor to drink unto satisfying, yet will I set my +lips to the mouth of the heavenly conduit, that at least I may +receive a small drop to quench my thirst, that I dry not up +within my heart. And if I am not yet able to be altogether +heavenly and so enkindled as the Cherubim and Seraphim, yet will +I endeavour to give myself unto devotion, and to prepare my +heart, that I may gain if it be but a little flame of the divine +fire, through the humble receiving of the life-giving Sacrament. +But whatsoever is wanting unto me, O merciful Jesus, Most Holy +Saviour, do Thou of Thy kindness and grace supply, who hast +vouchsafed to call all unto Thee, saying, Come unto me, all ye +that are weary and heavy laden, and I will refresh you. + +5. I indeed labour in the sweat of my face, I am tormented with +sorrow of heart, I am burdened with sins, I am disquieted with +temptations, I am entangled and oppressed with many passions, and +there is none to help me, there is none to deliver and ease me, +but Thou, O Lord God, my Saviour, to whom I commit myself and all +things that are mine, that Thou mayest preserve me and lead me +unto life eternal. + + Receive me unto the praise and glory of Thy name, who hast +prepared Thy Body and Blood to be my meat and drink. Grant, O +Lord God my Saviour, that with coming often to Thy mysteries the +zeal of my devotion may increase. + + +CHAPTER V + +Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest + +The Voice of the Beloved + +If thou hadst angelic purity and the holiness of holy John the +Baptist, thou wouldest not be worthy to receive or to minister +this Sacrament. For this is not deserved by merit of man that a +man should consecrate and minister the Sacrament of Christ, and +take for food the bread of Angels. Vast is the mystery, and +great is the dignity of the priests, to whom is given what is not +granted to Angels. For priests only, rightly ordained in the +church, have the power of consecrating and celebrating the Body +of Christ. The priest indeed is the minister of God, using the +Word of God by God's command and institution; nevertheless God is +there the principal Author and invisible Worker, that to whom all +that He willeth is subject, and all He commandeth is obedient. + +2. Therefore thou must believe God Almighty in this most +excellent Sacrament, more than thine own sense or any visible +sign at all. And therefore with fear and reverence is this work +to be approached. Take heed therefore and see what it is of +which the ministry is committed to thee by the laying on of the +Bishop's hand. Behold thou art made a priest and art consecrated +to celebrate. See now that thou do it before God faithfully and +devoutly at due time, and shew thyself without blame. Thou hast +not lightened thy burden, but art now bound with a straiter bond +of discipline, and art pledged to a higher degree of holiness. A +priest ought to be adorned with all virtues and to afford to +others an example of good life. His conversation must not be +with the popular and common ways of men, but with Angels in +Heaven or with perfect men on earth. + +3. A priest clad in holy garments taketh Christ's place that he +may pray unto God with all supplication and humility for himself +and for the whole people. He must always remember the Passion of +Christ. He must diligently look upon Christ's footsteps and +fervently endeavour himself to follow them. He must bear meekly +for God whatsoever ills are brought upon him by others. He must +mourn for his own sins, and for the sins committed by others, and +may not grow careless of prayer and holy oblation, until he +prevail to obtain grace and mercy. When the priest celebrateth, +he honoureth God, giveth joy to the Angels, buildeth up the +Church, helpeth the living, hath communion with the departed, and +maketh himself a partaker of all good things. + + +CHAPTER VI + +An inquiry concerning preparation for Communion + +The Voice of the Disciple + +When I consider Thy dignity, O Lord, and mine own vileness, I +tremble very exceedingly, and am confounded within myself. For +if I approach not, I fly from life; and if I intrude myself +unworthily, I run into Thy displeasure. What then shall I do, O +my God, Thou helper and Counsellor in necessities. + +2. Teach Thou me the right way; propound unto me some short +exercise befitting Holy Communion. For it is profitable to know +how I ought to prepare my heart devoutly and reverently for Thee, +to the intent that I may receive Thy Sacrament to my soul's +health [or it may be also for the celebrating this so great and +divine mystery]. + + +CHAPTER VII + +Of the examination of conscience, and purpose of amendment + +The Voice of the Beloved + +Above all things the priest of God must draw nigh, with all +humility of heart and supplicating reverence, with full faith and +pious desire for the honour of God, to celebrate, minister, and +receive this Sacrament. Diligently examine thy conscience and +with all thy might with true contrition and humble confession +cleanse and purify it, so that thou mayest feel no burden, nor +know anything which bringeth thee remorse and impedeth thy free +approach. Have displeasure against all thy sins in general, and +specially sorrow and mourn because of thy daily transgressions. +And if thou have time, confess unto God in the secret of thine +heart, all miseries of thine own passion. + +2. Lament grievously and be sorry, because thou art still so +carnal and worldly, so unmortified from thy passions, so full of +the motion of concupiscence, so unguarded in thine outward +senses, so often entangled in many vain fancies, so much inclined +to outward things, so negligent of internal; so ready to laughter +and dissoluteness, so unready to weeping and contrition; so prone +to ease and indulgence of the flesh, so dull to zeal and fervour; +so curious to hear novelties and behold beauties, so loth to +embrace things humble and despised; so desirous to have many +things, so grudging in giving, so close in keeping; so +inconsiderate in speaking, so reluctant to keep silence; so +disorderly in manners, so inconsiderate in actions; so eager +after food, so deaf towards the Word of God; so eager after rest, +so slow to labour; so watchful after tales, so sleepy towards +holy watchings; so eager for the end of them, so wandering in +attention to them; so negligent in observing the hours of prayer, +so lukewarm in celebrating, so unfruitful in communicating; so +quickly distracted, so seldom quite collected with thyself; so +quickly moved to anger, so ready for displeasure at others; so +prone to judging, so severe at reproving; so joyful in +prosperity, so weak in adversity; so often making many good +resolutions and bringing them to so little effect. + +3. When thou hast confessed and bewailed these and thy other +shortcomings, with sorrow and sore displeasure at thine own +infirmity, make then a firm resolution of continual amendment of +life and of progress in all that is good. Then moreover with +full resignation and entire will offer thyself to the honour of +My name on the altar of thine heart as a perpetual whole +burnt-offering, even by faithfully presenting thy body and soul +unto Me, to the end that thou mayest so be accounted worthy to +draw near to offer this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to +God, and to receive the Sacrament of My Body and Blood to thy +soul's health. For there is no oblation worthier, no +satisfaction greater for the destroying of sin, than that a man +offer himself to God purely and entirely with the oblation of +the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Communion. If a man +shall have done what in him lieth, and shall repent him truly, +then how often soever he shall draw nigh unto Me for pardon and +grace, As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death +of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted, and live. +All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be +mentioned unto him.(1) + +(1) Ezekiel xviii. 22, 23. + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Of the oblation of Christ upon the cross, and of resignation of +self + +The Voice of the Beloved + +As I of my own will offered myself unto God the Father on the +Cross for thy sins with outstretched hands and naked body, so +that nothing remained in Me that did not become altogether a +sacrifice for the Divine propitiation; so also oughtest thou +every day to offer thyself willingly unto Me for a pure and holy +oblation with all thy strength and affections, even to the utmost +powers of thine heart. What more do I require of thee than thou +study to resign thyself altogether unto Me? Whatsoever thou givest +besides thyself, I nothing care for, for I ask not thy gift, but +thee. + +2. As it would not be sufficient for thee if thou hadst all +things except Me, even so whatsoever thou shalt give Me, if thou +give Me not thyself, it cannot please Me. Offer thyself to Me, +and give thyself altogether for God, so shall thy offering be +accepted. Behold I offered Myself altogether to the Father for +thee, I give also My whole body and blood for food, that thou +mightest remain altogether Mine and I thine. But if thou stand +in thyself, and offer not thyself freely to My will, thy offering +is not perfect, neither shall the union betwixt us be complete. +Therefore ought the freewill offering of thyself into the hands +of God to go before all thy works, if thou wilt attain liberty +and grace. For this is the cause that so few are inwardly +enlightened and made free, that they know not how to deny +themselves entirely. My word standeth sure, Except a man forsake +all, he cannot be My disciple.(1) Thou therefore, if thou wilt +be My disciple, offer thyself to Me with all thy affections. + +(1) Luke xiv. 33. + + +CHAPTER IX + +That we ought to offer ourselves and all that is ours to God, and +to pray for all + +The Voice of the Disciple + +Lord, all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine.(1) I +desire to offer myself up unto thee as a freewill offering, and +to continue Thine for ever. Lord, in the uprightness of mine +heart I willingly offer(2) myself to Thee to-day to be Thy +servant for ever, in humble submission and for a sacrifice of +perpetual praise. Receive me with this holy Communion of Thy +precious Body, which I celebrate before Thee this day in the +presence of the Angels invisibly surrounding, that it may be for +the salvation of me and of all Thy people. + +2. Lord, I lay before Thee at this celebration all my sins and +offences which I have committed before Thee and Thy holy Angels, +from the day whereon I was first able to sin even unto this hour; +that Thou mayest consume and burn them every one with the fire of +Thy charity, and mayest do away all the stains of my sins, and +cleanse my conscience from all offence, and restore me to Thy +favour which by sinning I have lost, fully forgiving me all, and +mercifully admitting me to the kiss of peace. + +3. What can I do concerning my sins, save humbly to confess and +lament them and unceasingly to beseech Thy propitiation? I +beseech Thee, be propitious unto me and hear me, when I stand +before Thee, O my God. All my sins displease me grievously: I +will never more commit them; but I grieve for them and will grieve +so long as I live, steadfastly purposing to repent me truly, and +to make restitution as far as I can. Forgive, O God, forgive me +my sins for Thy holy Name's sake; save my soul, which Thou hast +redeemed with Thy precious blood. Behold I commit myself to Thy +mercy, I resign myself to Thy hands. Deal with me according to +Thy loving-kindness, not according to my wickedness and iniquity. + +4. I offer also unto Thee all my goodness, though it is +exceedingly little and imperfect, that Thou mayest mend and +sanctify it, that Thou mayest make it well pleasing and +acceptable in Thy sight, and ever draw it on towards perfection; +and furthermore bring me safely, slothful and useless poor +creature that I am, to a happy and blessed end. + +5. Moreover I offer unto Thee all pious desires of the devout, +necessities of parents, friends, brothers, sisters, and all who +are dear to me, and of those who have done good to me, or to +others for Thy love; and those who have desired and besought my +prayers for themselves and all belonging to them; that all may +feel themselves assisted by Thy grace, enriched by consolation, +protected from dangers, freed from pains; and that being +delivered from all evils they may joyfully give Thee exceeding +thanks. + +6. I offer also to Thee prayers and Sacramental intercessions for +those specially who have injured me in aught, made me sad, or +spoken evil concerning me, or have caused me any loss or +displeasure; for all those also whom I have at any time made sad, +disturbed, burdened, and scandalized, by words or deeds, +knowingly or ignorantly; that to all of us alike, Thou mayest +equally pardon our sins and mutual offences. Take away, O Lord, +from our hearts all suspicion, indignation, anger, and +contention, and whatsoever is able to injure charity and diminish +brotherly love. Have mercy, have mercy, Lord, on those who +entreat Thy mercy; give grace to the needy; and make us such that +we may be worthy to enjoy Thy grace, and go forward to the life +eternal. Amen. + +(1) 1 Chronicles xxix. 11. (2) 1 Chronicles xxix. 17. + + +CHAPTER X + +That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted + +The Voice of the Beloved + +Thou must frequently betake thee to the Fountain of grace and +divine mercy, to the Fountain of goodness and all purity; to the +end that thou mayest obtain the healing of thy passions and +vices, and mayest be made stronger and more watchful against all +temptations and wiles of the devil. The enemy, knowing what +profit and exceeding strong remedy lieth in the Holy Communion, +striveth by all means and occasions to draw back and hinder the +faithful and devout, so far as he can. + +2. For when some set about to prepare themselves for Holy +Communion, they suffer from the more evil suggestions of Satan. +The very evil spirit himself (as is written in Job), cometh among +the sons of God that he may trouble them by his accustomed evil +dealing, or make them over timid and perplexed; to the intent +that he may diminish their affections, or take away their faith +by his attacks, if haply he may prevail upon them to give up Holy +Communion altogether, or to come thereto with lukewarm hearts. +But his wiles and delusions must not be heeded, howsoever wicked +and terrible they be; but all his delusion must be cast back upon +his own head. The wretch must be despised and laughed to scorn: +neither must Holy Communion be omitted because of his insults and +the inward troubles which he stirreth up. + +3. Often also too much carefulness or some anxiety or other +touching confession hindereth from obtaining devotion. Do thou +according to the counsel of wise men, and lay aside anxiety and +scruple, because it hindereth the grace of God and destroyeth +devotion of mind. Because of some little vexation or trouble do +not thou neglect Holy Communion, but rather hasten to confess it, +and forgive freely all offences committed against thee. And if +thou hast offended any man, humbly beg for pardon, and God shall +freely forgive thee. + +4. What profiteth it to put off for long time the confession of +thy sins, or to defer Holy Communion? Cleanse thyself forthwith, +spit out the poison with all speed, hasten to take the remedy, +and thou shalt feel thyself better than if thou didst long defer +it. If to-day thou defer it on one account, to-morrow perchance +some greater obstacle will come, and so thou mayest be long time +hindered from Communion and become more unfit. As soon as thou +canst, shake thyself from thy present heaviness and sloth, for it +profiteth nothing to be long anxious, to go long on thy way with +heaviness of heart, and because of daily little obstacles to +sever thyself from divine things: nay it is exceeding hurtful to +defer thy Communion long, for this commonly bringeth on great +torpor. Alas! there are some, lukewarm and undisciplined, who +willingly find excuses for delaying repentance, and desire to +defer Holy Communion, lest they should be bound to keep stricter +watch upon themselves. + +5. Alas! how little charity, what flagging devotion, have they +who so lightly put off Holy Communion. How happy is he, how +acceptable to God, who so liveth, and in such purity of conscience +keepeth himself, that any day he could be ready and well inclined +to communicate, if it were in his power, and might be done without +the notice of others. If a man sometimes abstaineth for the sake +of humility or some sound cause, he is to be commended for his +reverence. But if drowsiness have taken hold of him, he ought +to rouse himself and to do what in him lieth; and the Lord will +help his desire for the good will which he hath, which God +specially approveth. + +6. But when he is hindered by sufficient cause, yet will he ever +have a good will and pious intention to communicate; and so he +shall not be lacking in the fruit of the Sacrament. For any +devout man is able every day and every hour to draw near to +spiritual communion with Christ to his soul's health and without +hindrance. Nevertheless on certain days and at the appointed +time he ought to receive the Body and Blood of his Redeemer with +affectionate reverence, and rather to seek after the praise and +honour of God, than his own comfort. For so often doth he +communicate mystically, and is invisibly refreshed, as he +devoutly calleth to mind the mystery of Christ's incarnation and +His Passion, and is inflamed with the love of Him. + +7. He who only prepareth himself when a festival is at hand or +custom compelleth, will too often be unprepared. Blessed is he +who offereth himself to God for a whole burnt-offering, so often +as he celebrateth or communicateth! Be not too slow nor too +hurried in thy celebrating, but preserve the good received custom +of those with whom thou livest. Thou oughtest not to produce +weariness and annoyance in others, but to observe the received +custom, according to the institution of the elders; and to +minister to the profit of others rather than to thine own +devotion or feeling. + + +CHAPTER XI + +That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are +most necessary to a faithful soul + +The Voice of the Disciple + +O most sweet Lord Jesus, how great is the blessedness of the +devout soul that feedeth with Thee in Thy banquet, where there is +set before it no other food than Thyself its only Beloved, more +to be desired than all the desires of the heart? And to me it +would verily be sweet to pour forth my tears in Thy presence from +the very bottom of my heart, and with the pious Magdalene to +water Thy feet with my tears. But where is this devotion? Where +the abundant flowing of holy tears? Surely in Thy presence and +in the presence of the holy Angels my whole heart ought to burn +and to weep for joy; for I have Thee in the Sacrament verily +present, although hidden under other form. + +2. For in Thine own Divine brightness, mine eyes could not endure +to behold Thee, neither could the whole world stand before the +splendour of the glory of Thy Majesty. In this therefore Thou +hast consideration unto my weakness, that Thou hidest Thyself +under the Sacrament. I verily possess and adore Him whom the +Angels adore in heaven; I yet for a while by faith, but they by +sight and without a veil. It is good for me to be content with +the light of true faith, and to walk therein until the day of +eternal brightness dawn, and the shadows of figures flee away.(1) +But when that which is perfect is come, the using of Sacraments +shall cease, because the Blessed in heavenly glory have no need +of Sacramental remedy. For they rejoice unceasingly in the +presence of God, beholding His glory face to face, and being +changed from glory to glory(2) of the infinite God, they taste +the Word of God made flesh, as He was in the beginning and +remaineth for everlasting. + +3. When I think on these wondrous things, even spiritual comfort +whatsoever it be becometh sore weariness to me; for so long as I +see not openly my Lord in His own Glory, I count for nothing all +which I behold and hear in the world. Thou, O God, art my +witness that nothing is able to comfort me, no creature is able +to give me rest, save Thou, O my God, whom I desire to +contemplate everlastingly. But this is not possible, so long as +I remain in this mortal state. Therefore ought I to set myself +unto great patience, and submit myself unto Thee in every desire. +For even Thy Saints, O Lord, who now rejoice with Thee in the +kingdom of heaven, waited for the coming of Thy glory whilst they +lived here, in faith and great glory. What they believed, that +believe I; what they hoped, I hope; whither they have attained +to, thither through Thy grace hope I to come. I will walk +meanwhile in faith, strengthened by the examples of the Saints. +I will have also holy books for comfort and for a mirror of life, +and above them all Thy most holy Body and Blood shall be +for me a special remedy and refuge. + +4. For two things do I feel to be exceedingly necessary to me in +this life, without which this miserable life would be intolerable +to me; being detained in the prison of this body, I confess that +I need two things, even food and light. Thou hast therefore +given to me who am so weak, Thy sacred Body and Blood, for the +refreshing of my soul and body, and hast set Thy Word for a +lantern to my feet.(3) Without these two I could not properly +live; for the Word of God is the light of my soul, and Thy +Sacrament the bread of life. These may also be called the two +tables, placed on this side and on that, in the treasury of Thy +holy Church. One table is that of the Sacred Altar, bearing the +holy bread, that is the precious Body and Blood of Christ; the +other is the table of the Divine Law, containing holy doctrine, +teaching the true faith, and leading steadfastly onwards even to +that which is within the veil, where the Holy of Holies is. + +5. Thanks be unto Thee, O Lord Jesus, Light of Light everlasting, +for that table of holy doctrine which Thou has furnished unto us +by Thy servants the Prophets and Apostles and other teachers. +Thanks be to Thee, O Creator and Redeemer of men, who to make +known Thy love to the whole world has prepared a great supper, in +which Thou hast set forth for good not the typical lamb, but +Thine own most Holy Body and Blood; making all Thy faithful ones +joyful with this holy banquet and giving them to drink the cup of +salvation, wherein are all the delights of Paradise, and the holy +Angels do feed with us, and with yet happier sweetness. + +6. Oh how great and honourable is the office of the priests, to +whom it is given to consecrate the Sacrament of the Lord of +majesty with holy words, to bless it with the lips, to hold it in +their hands, to receive it with their own mouth, and to +administer it to others! Oh how clean ought those hands to be, +how pure the mouth, how holy the body, how unspotted the heart of +the priest, to whom so often the Author of purity entereth in! +From the mouth of the priest ought naught to proceed but what is +holy, what is honest and profitable, because he so often +receiveth the Sacrament of Christ. + +7. His eyes ought to be single and pure, seeing they are wont to +look upon the Body of Christ; the hands should be pure and lifted +towards heaven, which are wont to hold within them the Creator +of heaven and earth. To priests is it specially said in the Law, +Be ye holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.(4) + +8. Assist us with Thy grace, O Almighty God, that we who have +taken upon us the priestly office, may be able to converse +worthily and devoutly with Thee in all purity and good +conscience. And if we are not able to have our conversation in +such innocency of life as we ought, yet grant unto us worthily to +lament the sins which we have committed, and in the spirit of +humility and full purpose of a good will, to serve Thee more +earnestly for the future. + +(1) Cant. ii. 17. (2) 2 Corinthians iii. 18. +(3) Psalm cxix. 105. (4) Leviticus xix. 2. + + +CHAPTER XII + +That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare +himself with great diligence + +The Voice of the Beloved + +I am the Lover of purity, and Giver of sanctity. I seek a pure +heart, and there is the place of My rest. Prepare for Me the +larger upper room furnished, and I will keep the Passover at thy +house with my disciples.(1) If thou wilt that I come unto thee +and abide with thee, purge out the old leaven,(2) and cleanse the +habitation of thy heart. Shut out the whole world, and all the +throng of sins; sit as a sparrow alone upon the house-top,(3) and +think upon thy transgressions with bitterness of thy soul. For +everyone that loveth prepareth the best and fairest place for his +beloved, because hereby the affection of him that entertaineth +his beloved is known. + +2. Yet know thou that thou canst not make sufficient preparation +out of the merit of any action of thine, even though thou +shouldest prepare thyself for a whole year, and hadst nothing +else in thy mind. But out of My tenderness and grace alone art +thou permitted to draw nigh unto My table; as though a beggar +were called to a rich man's dinner, and had no other recompense +to offer him for the benefits done unto him, but to humble +himself and to give him thanks. Do therefore as much as lieth in +thee, and do it diligently, not of custom, nor of necessity, but +with fear, reverence, and affection, receive the Body of thy +beloved Lord God, who vouchsafeth to come unto thee. I am He who +hath called thee; I commanded it to be done; I will supply what +is lacking to thee; come and receive Me. + +3. When I give the grace of devotion, give thanks unto thy God; +it is not because thou art worthy, but because I had mercy on +thee. If thou hast not devotion, but rather feelest thyself dry, +be instant in prayer, cease not to groan and knock; cease not +until thou prevail to obtain some crumb or drop of saving grace. +Thou hast need of Me, I have no need of thee. Nor dost thou come +to sanctify Me, but I come to sanctify thee and make thee better. +Thou comest that thou mayest be sanctified by Me, and be united +to Me; that thou mayest receive fresh grace, and be kindled anew +to amendment of life. See that thou neglect not this grace, but +prepare thy heart with all diligence, and receive thy Beloved +unto thee. + +4. But thou oughtest not only to prepare thyself for devotion +before Communion, thou must also keep thyself with all diligence +therein after receiving the Sacrament; nor is less watchfulness +needed afterwards, than devout preparation beforehand: for good +watchfulness afterwards becometh in turn the best preparation for +the gaining more grace. For hereby is a man made entirely +indisposed to good, if he immediately return from Communion to +give himself up to outward consolations. Beware of much +speaking; remain in a secret place, and hold communion with thy +God; for thou hast Him whom the whole world cannot take away from +thee. I am He to whom thou oughtest wholly to give thyself; so +that now thou mayest live not wholly in thyself, but in Me, free +from all anxiety. + +(1) Mark xiv. 14, 15. (2) 1 Corinthians v. 7. +(3) Psalm cii. 7. + + +CHAPTER XIII + +That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after +union with Christ in the Sacrament + +The Voice of the Disciple + +Who shall grant unto me, O Lord, that I may find Thee alone, and +open all my heart unto Thee, and enjoy Thee as much as my soul +desireth; and that no man may henceforth look upon me, nor any +creature move me or have respect unto me, but Thou alone speak +unto me and I unto Thee, even as beloved is wont to speak unto +beloved, and friend to feast with friend? For this do I pray, +this do I long for, that I may be wholly united unto Thee, and +may withdraw my heart from all created things, and by means of +Holy Communion and frequent celebration may learn more and more +to relish heavenly and eternal things. Ah, Lord God, when shall +I be entirely united and lost in Thee, and altogether forgetful +of myself? Thou in me, and I in Thee;(1) even so grant that we +may in like manner continue together in one. + +2. Verily Thou art my Beloved, the choicest among ten +thousand,(2) in whom my soul delighteth to dwell all the days of +her life. Verily Thou art my Peacemaker, in Whom is perfect +peace and true rest, apart from Whom is labour and sorrow and +infinite misery. Verily Thou art a God that hidest Thyself, and +Thy counsel is not with the wicked, but Thy Word is with the +humble and the simple. O how sweet, O Lord, is Thy spirit, who +that Thou mightest manifest Thy sweetness towards Thy children, +dost vouchsafe to refresh them with the bread which is full of +sweetness, which cometh down from heaven. Verily there is no +other nation so great, which hath its gods drawing nigh to them, +as Thou, our God, art present unto all Thy faithful ones,(3) unto +whom for their daily solace, and for lifting up their heart unto +heaven, Thou givest Thyself for their food and delight. + +3. For what other nation is there so renowned as the Christian +people? Or what creature is so beloved under heaven as the +devout soul to which God entereth in, that he may feed it with +His glorious flesh? O unspeakable grace! O wonderful +condescension! O immeasurable love specially bestowed upon men! +But what reward shall I give unto the Lord for this grace, for +charity so mighty? There is nothing which I am able to present +more acceptable than to give my heart altogether unto God, and to +join it inwardly to Him. Then all my inward parts shall rejoice, +when my soul shall be perfectly united unto God. Then shall He +say unto me, "If thou wilt be with Me, I will be with thee." And +I will answer Him, "Vouchsafe, O Lord, to abide with me, I will +gladly be with Thee; this is my whole desire, even that my heart +be united unto Thee." + +(1) John xv. 4. (2) Cant. v. 10. (3) Deuteronomy iv. 7. + + +CHAPTER XIV + +Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the +Body and Blood of Christ + +The Voice of the Disciple + +O how great is the abundance of Thy sweetness, O Lord, which Thou +hast laid up for them that fear Thee. When I call to mind some +devout persons who draw nigh to Thy Sacrament, O Lord, with the +deepest devotion and affection, then very often I am confounded +in myself and blush for shame, that I approach Thine altar and +table of Holy Communion so carelessly and coldly, that I remain +so dry and without affection, that I am not wholly kindled with +love before Thee, my God, nor so vehemently drawn and affected as +many devout persons have been, who out of the very earnest desire +of the Communion, and tender affection of heart, could not +refrain from weeping, but as it were with mouth of heart and body +alike panted inwardly after Thee, O God, O Fountain of Life, +having no power to appease or satiate their hunger, save by +receiving Thy Body with all joyfulness and spiritual eagerness. + +2. O truly ardent faith of those, becoming a very proof of Thy +Sacred Presence! For they verily know their Lord in the breaking +of bread, whose heart so ardently burneth within them(1) when +Jesus walketh with them by the way. Ah me! far from me for the +most part is such love and devotion as this, such vehement love +and ardour. Be merciful unto me, O Jesus, good, sweet, and kind, +and grant unto Thy poor suppliant to feel sometimes, in Holy +Communion, though it be but a little, the cordial affection of +Thy love, that my faith may grow stronger, my hope in Thy +goodness increase, and my charity, once kindled within me by the +tasting of the heavenly manna, may never fail. + +3. But Thy mercy is able even to grant me the grace which I long +for, and to visit me most tenderly with the spirit of fervour +when the day of Thy good pleasure shall come. For, although I +burn not with desire so vehement as theirs who are specially +devout towards Thee, yet, through Thy grace, I have a desire +after that greatly inflamed desire, praying and desiring to be +made partaker with all those who so fervently love Thee, and to +be numbered among their holy company. + +(1) Luke xxiv. 32. + + +CHAPTER XV + +That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and +self-denial + +The Voice of the Beloved + +Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to ask it +fervently, to wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it +gratefully, to preserve it humbly, to work with it diligently, +and to leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation +until it come. Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thyself when thou +feelest inwardly little or no devotion, yet not to be too much +cast down, nor to grieve out of measure. God ofttimes giveth in +one short moment what He hath long time denied; He sometimes +giveth at the end what at the beginning of prayer He hath +deferred to give. + +2. If grace were always given immediately, and were at hand at +the wish, it would be hardly bearable to weak man. Wherefore the +grace of devotion is to be waited for with a good hope and with +humble patience. Yet impute it to thyself and to thy sins when +it is not given, or when it is mysteriously taken away. It is +sometimes a small thing which hindereth and hideth grace; (if +indeed that ought to be called small and not rather great, which +hindereth so great a good); but if thou remove this, be it small +or great, and perfectly overcome it, thou wilt have what thou +hast asked. + +3. For immediately that thou hast given thyself unto God with all +thine heart, and hast sought neither this nor that according to +thine own will and pleasure, but hast altogether settled thyself +in Him, thou shalt find thyself united and at peace; because +nothing shall give thee so sweet relish and delight, as the good +pleasure of the Divine will. Whosoever therefore shall have +lifted up his will unto God with singleness of heart, and shall +have delivered himself from every inordinate love or dislike of +any created thing, he will be the most fit for receiving grace, +and worthy of the gift of devotion. For where the Lord findeth +empty vessels,(1) there giveth He His blessing. And the more +perfectly a man forsaketh things which cannot profit, and the +more he dieth to himself, the more quickly doth grace come, the +more plentifully doth it enter in, and the higher doth it lift up +the free heart. + +4. Then shall he see, and flow together, and wonder, and his +heart shall be enlarged within him,(2) because the hand of the +Lord is with him, and he hath put himself wholly in His hand, +even for ever. Lo, thus shall the man be blessed, that seeketh +God with all his heart, and receiveth not his soul in vain. This +man in receiving the Holy Eucharist obtaineth the great grace of +Divine Union; because he hath not regard to his own devotion and +comfort, but, above all devotion and comfort, to the glory and +honour of God. + +(1) 2 Kings iv. (2) Isaiah lx. 5. + + +CHAPTER XVI + +That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ and to +require His Grace + +The Voice of the Disciple + +O most sweet and loving Lord, whom now I devoutly desire to +receive, Thou knowest my infirmity and the necessity which I +suffer, in what evils and vices I lie; how often I am weighed +down, tempted, disturbed, and defiled. I come unto Thee for +remedy, I beseech of Thee consolation and support. I speak unto +Thee who knowest all things, to whom all my secrets are open, and +who alone art able perfectly to comfort and help me. Thou +knowest what good thing I most stand in need of, and how poor I +am in virtues. + +2. Behold, I stand poor and naked before Thee, requiring grace, +and imploring mercy. Refresh the hungry suppliant, kindle my +coldness with the fire of Thy love, illuminate my blindness with +the brightness of Thy presence. Turn thou all earthly things +into bitterness for me, all grievous and contrary things into +patience, all things worthless and created into contempt and +oblivion. Lift up my heart unto Thee in Heaven, and suffer me +not to wander over the earth. Be Thou alone sweet unto me from +this day forward for ever, because Thou alone art my meat and +drink, my love and joy, my sweetness and my whole good. + +3. Oh that Thou wouldest altogether by Thy presence, kindle, +consume, and transform me into Thyself; that I may be made one +spirit with Thee, by the grace of inward union, and the melting +of earnest love! Suffer me not to go away from Thee hungry and +dry; but deal mercifully with me, as oftentimes Thou hast dealt +wondrously with Thy saints. What marvel if I should be wholly +kindled from Thee, and in myself should utterly fail, since Thou +art fire always burning and never failing, love purifying the +heart and enlightening the understanding. + + +CHAPTER XVII + +Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving Christ + +The Voice of the Disciple + +With the deepest devotion and fervent love, with all affection +and fervour of heart, I long to receive Thee, O Lord, even as many +Saints and devout persons have desired Thee in communicating, who +were altogether well pleasing to Thee by their sanctity of life, +and dwelt in all ardent devotion. O my God, Eternal Love, my +whole Good, Happiness without measure, I long to receive Thee +with the most vehement desire and becoming reverence which any +Saint ever had or could have. + +2. And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of +devotion, yet do I offer Thee the whole affection of my heart, +even as though I alone had all those most grateful inflamed +desires. Yea, also, whatsoever things a pious mind is able to +conceive and long for, all these with the deepest veneration and +inward fervour do I offer and present unto Thee. I desire to +reserve nothing unto myself, but freely and entirely to offer +myself and all that I have unto Thee for a sacrifice. O Lord my +God, my Creator and Redeemer! with such affection, reverence, +praise, and honour, with such gratitude, worthiness, and love, +with such faith, hope, and purity do I desire to receive Thee +this day, as Thy most blessed Mother, the glorious Virgin Mary, +received and desired Thee, when she humbly and devoutly answered +the Angel who brought unto her the glad tidings of the mystery of +the Incarnation. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me +according to thy word.(1) + +3. And as Thy blessed forerunner, the most excellent of Saints, +John Baptist, being full of joy in Thy presence, leapt while yet +in the womb of his mother, for joy in the Holy Ghost; and +afterwards discerning Jesus walking amongst men, humbled himself +exceedingly, and said, with devout affection, The friend of the +bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly +because of the bridegroom's voice;(2) even so I wish to be +inflamed with great and holy desires, and to present myself unto +Thee with my whole heart. Whence also, on behalf of myself and +of all commended to me in prayer, I offer and present unto Thee +the jubilation of all devout hearts, their ardent affections, +their mental ecstasies, and supernatural illuminations and +heavenly visions, with all the virtues and praises celebrated and +to be celebrated by every creature in heaven and earth; to the +end that by all Thou mayest worthily be praised and glorified for +ever. + +4. Receive my prayers, O Lord my God, and my desires of giving +Thee infinite praise and unbounded benediction, which, according +to the multitude of Thine unspeakable greatness, are most justly +due unto Thee. These do I give Thee, and desire to give every +day and every moment; and with beseechings and affectionate +desires I call upon all celestial spirits and all Thy faithful +people to join with me in rendering Thee thanks and praises. + +5. Let all peoples, nations, and tongues praise Thee, and magnify +Thy holy and sweet-sounding Name, with highest jubilations and +ardent devotion. And let all who reverently and devoutly +celebrate Thy most high Sacrament, and receive it with full +assurance of faith, be accounted worthy to find grace and mercy +with Thee, and intercede with all supplication for me a sinner; +and when they shall have attained unto their wished-for devotion +and joyous union with Thee, and shall depart full of comfort and +wondrously refreshed from Thy holy, heavenly table, let them +vouchsafe to be mindful of me, for I am poor and needy. + +(1) Luke i. 38. (2) John iii. 29. + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but +a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith + +The Voice of the Beloved + +Thou must take heed of curious and useless searching into this +most profound Sacrament, if thou wilt not be plunged into the +abyss of doubt. He that is a searcher of Majesty shall be +oppressed by the glory thereof.(1) God is able to do more than +man can understand. A pious and humble search after truth is to +be allowed, when it is always ready to be taught, and striving +to walk after the wholesome opinions of the fathers. + +2. Blessed is the simplicity which leaveth alone the difficult +paths of questionings, and followeth the plain and firm steps of +God's commandments. Many have lost devotion whilst they sought +to search into deeper things. Faith is required of thee, and a +sincere life, not loftiness of intellect, nor deepness in the +mysteries of God. If thou understandest not nor comprehendest +the things which are beneath thee, how shalt thou comprehend +those which are above thee? Submit thyself unto God, and humble +thy sense to faith, and the light of knowledge shall be given +thee, as shall be profitable and necessary unto thee. + +3. There are some who are grievously tempted concerning faith and +the Sacrament; but this is not to be imputed to themselves but +rather to the enemy. Care not then for this, dispute not with +thine own thoughts, nor make answer to the doubts which are cast +into thee by the devil; but believe the words of God, believe His +Saints and Prophets, and the wicked enemy shall flee from thee. +Often it profiteth much, that the servant of God endureth such +things. For the enemy tempteth not unbelievers and sinners, +because he already hath secure possession of them; but he +tempteth and harasseth the faithful and devout by various means. + +4. Go forward therefore with simple and undoubting faith, and +draw nigh unto the Sacrament with supplicating reverence. And +whatsoever thou art not enabled to understand, that commit +without anxiety to Almighty God. God deceiveth thee not; he is +deceived who believeth too much in himself. God walketh with the +simple, revealeth Himself to the humble, giveth understanding to +babes, openeth the sense to pure minds, and hideth grace from the +curious and proud. Human reason is weak and may be deceived; but +true faith cannot be deceived. + +5. All reason and natural investigation ought to follow faith, +not to precede, nor to break it. For faith and love do here +especially take the highest place, and work in hidden ways in +this most holy and exceeding excellent Sacrament. God who is +eternal and incomprehensible, and of infinite power, doth great +and inscrutable things in heaven and in earth, and His wonderful +works are past finding out. If the works of God were of such +sort that they might easily be comprehended by human reason, they +should no longer be called wonderful or unspeakable. + +(1) Proverbs xxv. 27 (Vulg.). + + + + + +Project Gutenberg Etext Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A Kempis + diff --git a/old/1653.zip b/old/1653.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea0f823 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1653.zip |