text: THE IMITATION OF CHRIST THOMAS A KEMPIS∗ 1 With the exception of the Bible, no Chris- tian 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 writ- ings of the medieval mystics, and its ideas and phrases are a mosaic from the Bible and ∗ PDF created by pdfbooks.co.za 2 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 aspira- tion. THE IMITATION OF CHRIST THE FIRST BOOK 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 deep discussion concerning the Holy Trin- ity, if thou lack humility, and be thus dis- pleasing to the Trinity? For verily it is not deep words that make a man holy and up- right; 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 say- ings of all the philosophers, what should 7 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 8 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 9 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. 10 (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 de- sire to know, but what profiteth knowledge 11 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 12 judge me according to my deeds? 2. Rest from inordinate desire of knowl- edge, for therein is found much distraction and deceit. Those who have knowledge de- sire to appear learned, and to be called wise. Many things there are to know which prof- iteth little or nothing to the soul. And fool- ish out of measure is he who attendeth upon other things rather than those which serve 13 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. There- fore be not lifted up by any skill or knowl- edge that thou hast; but rather fear con- 14 cerning 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 de- sirest thou to lift thyself above another, when there are found many more learned and more skilled in the Scripture than thou? If thou 15 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 prof- itable 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 16 see thy neighbor sin openly or grievously, yet thou oughtest not to reckon thyself bet- ter 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. 17 CHAPTER III Of the knowledge of truth Happy is the man whom Truth by it- self doth teach, not by figures and tran- sient 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 18 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 19 Eternal Word speaketh is free from multi- plied 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 under- standeth 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 20 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 sim- plicity in himself, the more things and the 21 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 hon- our 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 22 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 every- thing 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 23 thus daily to grow stronger than self, and go on unto perfection. 4. All perfection hath some imperfec- tion 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 24 good; but a good conscience and a holy life is better than all. And because many seek knowledge rather than good living, there- fore 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 question- ings: there had not been so many evil do- 25 ings 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 26 learning? Their stalls are now filled by oth- ers, 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 27 good purpose. How many perish through empty learning in this world, who care lit- tle for serving God. And because they love to be great more than to be humble, there- fore they "have become vain in their imag- inations." 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 28 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.). 29 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 30 are perfect, do not give ready heed to ev- ery news-bearer, for they know man's weak- ness 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 be- lieve every word we hear, nor to tell others all that we hear, even though we believe it. 31 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 32 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 Scrip- ture ought to be read in the spirit in which 33 it was written. We must rather seek for what is profitable in Scripture, than for what ministereth to subtlety in discourse. There- fore we ought to read books which are devo- tional 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 34 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 man- ners. 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 35 profit by thy reading, read humbly, simply, honestly, and not desiring to win a char- acter for learning. Ask freely, and hear in silence the words of holy men; nor be dis- pleased at the hard sayings of older men than thou, for they are not uttered without cause. 36 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 37 tempted, and is overcome in small and tri- fling matters. It is hard for him who is weak in spirit, and still in part carnal and inclined to the pleasures of sense, to with- draw himself altogether from earthly de- sires. And therefore, when he withdraweth himself from these, he is often sad, and eas- ily angered too if any oppose his will. 2. But if, on the other hand, he yield to 38 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 39 without him, but only in him who is fer- vent 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 40 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 clev- erness of any that lives, but rather trust in the favour of God, who resisteth the proud 41 and giveth grace to the humble. 2. Boast not thyself in thy riches if thou hast them, nor in thy friends if they be pow- erful, 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 abil- 42 ity, lest thou displease God, from whom cometh every good gift which we have. 3. Count not thyself better than oth- ers, 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 43 hast any good, believe that others have more, and so thou mayest preserve thy humility. It is no harm to thee if thou place thy- self 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 con- tinual wrath. 44 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 com- pany be the humble and the simple, the de- 45 vout 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 fal- leth out that one who is unknown to us 46 is highly regarded through good report of him, whose actual person is nevertheless un- pleasing to those who behold it. We some- times think to please others by our inti- macy, and forthwith displease them the more by the faultiness of character which they perceive in us. 47 CHAPTER IX Of obedience and subjection It is verily a great thing to live in obedi- ence, 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 re- 48 pine 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 subjec- tion 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 49 followeth his own bent, and is the more in- clined to those who agree with him. But if Christ is amongst us, then it is necessary that we sometimes yield up our own opin- ion 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 opin- ions of others. Though thine own opinion 50 be good, yet if for the love of God thou fore- goest 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 hear- ken to others when reason or occasion re- quireth it, is a mark of pride or wilfulness. 51 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 52 amongst men. But why do we talk and gos- sip 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 vari- ety of thoughts. And we very willingly talk and think of those things which we love or 53 desire, or else of those which we most dis- like. 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. 54 Evil custom and neglect of our real profit tend much to make us heedless of watching over our lips. Nevertheless, devout conver- sation on spiritual things helpeth not a lit- tle to spiritual progress, most of all where those of kindred mind and spirit find their ground of fellowship in God. 55 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 say- ings and doings of others, and things which concern not ourselves. How can he abide long time in peace who occupieth himself 56 with other men's matters, and with things without himself, and meanwhile payeth lit- tle 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 contempla- tive of Divine things? Because they stead- fastly sought to mortify themselves from all 57 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 af- fections, 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. 58 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 de- sires, we strive not to enter into the perfect way of the Saints. And when even a lit- tle trouble befalleth us, too quickly are we 59 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 60 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 per- fection. But on the contrary, we often feel 61 that we were better and holier in the be- ginning 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 begin- ning, then afterwards we should be able to do all things with ease and joy. 62 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 dif- ficulties. Oh, if thou knewest what peace to thyself thy holy life should bring to thyself, 63 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 64 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 65 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 op- pressed 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, 66 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. 67 CHAPTER XIII Of resisting temptation So long as we live in the world, we can- not 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, 68 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. 69 All Saints have passed through much tribu- lation and temptation, and have profited thereby. And they who endured not temp- tation became reprobate and fell away. There is no position so sacred, no place so secret, that it is without temptations and adversi- ties. 3. There is no man wholly free from temptations so long as he liveth, because 70 we have the root of temptation within our- selves, in that we are born in concupiscence. One temptation or sorrow passeth, and an- other cometh; and always we shall have some- what to suffer, for we have fallen from per- fect 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 71 stronger than all our enemies. 4. He who only resisteth outwardly and pulleth not up by the root, shall profit lit- tle; 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 72 temptation often seek counsel; and deal not hardly with one who is tempted, but com- fort 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 73 tempted, now on this side, now on that. As fire testeth iron, so doth temptation the up- right 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 temp- tation; for then is the foe the more easily mastered, when he is not suffered to en- ter within the mind, but is met outside the 74 door as soon as he hath knocked. Where- fore 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 sim- ple suggestion, then the strong imagination, afterwards pleasure, evil affection, assent. And so little by little the enemy entereth in 75 altogether, because he was not resisted at the beginning. And the longer a man de- layeth 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 con- version, some at the end. Some are sorely tried their whole life long. Some there are 76 who are tempted but lightly, according to the wisdom and justice of the ordering of God, who knoweth the character and cir- cumstances 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 fer- vently should cry unto God, that He will vouchsafe to help us in all our tribulation; 77 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 78 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 ad- versity, then is there hope of great progress. Some are kept safe from great temptations, but are overtaken in those which are lit- tle and common, that the humiliation may 79 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 80 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 feel- 81 ing. If God were always the sole object of our desire, we should the less easily be trou- bled by the erring judgment of our fancy. 2. But often some secret thought lurk- ing within us, or even some outward cir- cumstance, turneth us aside. Many are se- cretly 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 82 with them, and according to their desires, but if their desires be frustrated and bro- ken, immediately they are shaken and dis- pleased. Diversity of feelings and opinions very often brings about dissensions between friends, between countrymen, between reli- gious and godly men. 3. Established custom is not easily re- linquished, and no man is very easily led 83 to see with the eyes of another. If thou rest more upon thy own reason or experi- ence 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. 84 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 im- 85 proved. 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 86 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 char- ity, in no wise seeketh his own good, but desireth that God alone be altogether glo- rified. He envieth none, because he longeth for no selfish joy; nor doth he desire to re- 87 joice in himself, but longeth to be blessed in God as the highest good. He ascribeth good to none save to God only, the Foun- tain 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. 88 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 89 thou oughtest, when thou findeth such im- pediments, 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 admon- ished 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 con- 90 vert 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 91 not amend our own shortcomings. 3. We will that others be straitly cor- rected, but we will not be corrected our- selves. 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 92 seldom we weigh our neighbour in the same balance with ourselves. If all men were per- fect, 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 93 it behoveth us to bear with one another, to comfort one another, to help, instruct, ad- monish 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. 94 CHAPTER XVII Of a religious life It behoveth thee to learn to mortify thy- self 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 com- plaint, and therein to remain faithful even 95 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 appear- ance are of small account; it is change of 96 character and entire mortification of the af- fections which make a truly religious man. He who seeketh aught save God and the health of his soul, shall find only tribula- tion 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. 97 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 98 Consider now the lively examples of the holy fathers, in whom shone forth real per- fectness 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, 99 in prayer and holy meditations, in persecu- tions and much rebuke. 2. O how many and grievous tribula- tions 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 100 fathers who dwelt in the desert! what long and grievous temptations they did suffer! how often were they assaulted by the en- emy! 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 101 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 prof- itably; every hour seemed short for retire- ment with God; and through the great sweet- ness of contemplation, even the need of bod- 102 ily refreshment was forgotten. They renounced all riches, dignities, honours, friends, kins- men; 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 103 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 obe- dience, they walked in love and patience; 104 and thus they waxed strong in spirit, and obtained great favour before God. To all religious men they were given as an exam- ple, and they ought more to provoke us unto good livings than the number of the luke- warm tempteth to carelessness of life. 5. O how great was the love of all reli- gious persons at the beginning of this sacred institution! O what devoutness of prayer! 105 what rivalry in holiness! what strict dis- cipline 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 transgres- sor, and if he can only endure with patience 106 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! 107 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 108 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!" 109 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 of- tentimes 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 110 some loss to us. The resolution of the righ- teous dependeth more upon the grace of God than upon their own wisdom; for in Him they always put their trust, whatso- ever 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 omit- ted for the sake of some act of piety, or of 111 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 112 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 exam- ining thyself, thou canst at certain seasons, and at least twice in the day, at evening and at morning. In the morning make thy re- solves, and in the evening inquire into thy life, how thou hast sped to-day in word, 113 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 bri- dle every inclination of the flesh. Be thou never without something to do; be reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or do- ing something that is useful to the commu- 114 nity. 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 faith- fully and honestly discharge the duties and 115 commands which lie upon thee, then after- wards, if thou hast still leisure, give thy- self to thyself as thy devotion leadeth thee. All cannot have one exercise, but one suit- eth 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 116 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 re- newed, 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 117 from this world, and of entering into the eternal feast. So ought we to prepare our- selves earnestly at solemn seasons, and the more solemnly to live, and to keep straight- est 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 un- 118 worthy 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. 119 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 120 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 121 when we have been long time in conversa- tion. 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 suf- ficient guard upon thyself out of doors. He, therefore, that seeketh to reach that which is hidden and spiritual, must go with Je- sus "apart from the multitude." No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not to rest 122 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 123 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 pre- sumption, and at the last turneth to their own confusion. Never promise thyself secu- rity in this life, howsoever good a monk or devout a solitary thou seemest. 4. Often those who stand highest in the 124 esteem of men, fall the more grievously be- cause of their over great confidence. Where- fore it is very profitable unto many that they should not be without inward temp- tation, but should be frequently assaulted, lest they be over confident, lest they be in- deed lifted up into pride, or else lean too freely upon the consolations of the world. O how good a conscience should that man 125 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 conso- lation but he who hath diligently exercised himself in holy compunction. If thou wilt 126 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 127 dwell in it and keep it well, it shall after- wards 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 128 further from all worldly distraction. To him who withdraweth himself from his acquain- tance 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 praisewor- thy for a religious man to go seldom abroad, to fly from being seen, to have no desire to see men. 129 7. Why wouldest thou see what thou mayest not have? The world passeth away and the lust thereof. The desires of sensu- ality 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 of- ten a sorrowful return, and a merry evening maketh a sad morning? So doth all car- 130 nal 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 sat- 131 isfied, but thou wilt never be able to at- tain 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 thy- 132 self 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 be- cause it sometimes delighteth thee to hear new things, thou must therefore suffer trou- ble of heart. (1) Psalm iv. 4. 133 CHAPTER XXI Of compunction of heart If thou wilt make any progress keep thy- self 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 sense- less mirth. Give thyself to compunction of heart and thou shalt find devotion. Com- 134 punction 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 consid- ereth and weigheth his banishment, and the manifold dangers which beset his soul. 2. Through lightness of heart and ne- glect of our shortcomings we feel not the sorrows of our soul, but often vainly laugh 135 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 distrac- tion and bring himself to the one purpose of holy compunction. Happy is he who put- teth away from him whatsoever may stain or burden his conscience. Strive manfully; custom is overcome by custom. If thou know- 136 est 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 busi- ness 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 con- 137 cern be that thou holdest not thyself so well and circumspectly, as becometh a servant of God and a devout monk. It is often bet- ter 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 138 which are vain and worldly. 4. Know thyself to be unworthy of di- vine consolation, and worthy rather of much tribulation. When a man hath perfect com- punction, 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 pon- dereth concerning his neighbour, he knoweth 139 that no man liveth here without tribula- tion, and the more thoroughly he consid- ereth himself, the more thoroughly he grieveth. Grounds for just grief and inward compunc- tion 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, 140 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 141 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. 142 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 accord- ing to thy wishes and desires? Who is he that hath everything according to his will? 143 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 hap- piest 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 144 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 hap- piness of man lieth not in the abundance of temporal things but a moderate portion sufficeth him. Our life upon the earth is 145 verily wretchedness. The more a man de- sireth to be spiritual, the more bitter doth the present life become to him; because he the better understandeth and seeth the de- fects 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 146 be released and free from all sin. 3. For the inner man is heavily bur- dened with the necessities of the body in this world. Wherefore the prophet devoutly prayeth to be freed from them, saying, De- liver 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 147 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 148 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 149 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 150 when thou art nearest unto blessing. Thou must go through fire and water that God may bring thee into a wealthy place. Un- less 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 weari- ness and trouble. Gladly would we have rest from all misery; but because through sin we 151 have lost innocence, we have lost also the true happiness. Therefore must we be pa- tient, 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 com- mittest again the sins thou didst confess. 152 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. 153 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 154 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 155 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 hard- ness 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 con- 156 science 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 157 not always amend, but often the more in- creaseth 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 often- times 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 158 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 unpre- 159 pared. Many die suddenly and unexpect- edly. 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 striv- eth to be such in life as he would fain be 160 found in death! For a perfect contempt of the world, a fervent desire to excel in virtue, the love of discipline, the painful- ness of repentance, readiness to obey, de- nial 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 161 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 be- 162 fore thee, than to trust to the help of oth- ers. 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 everlast- ingly. The hour will come when thou shalt 163 desire one day, yea, one hour, for amend- ment of life, and I know not whether thou shalt obtain. 6. Oh, dearly beloved, from what dan- ger 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. 164 Learn now to die to the world, so shalt thou begin to live with Christ. Learn now to con- temn 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 165 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 166 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 167 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 habita- tions.(2) 9. Keep thyself as a stranger and a pil- grim upon the earth, to whom the things of the world appertain not. Keep thine heart free, and lifted up towards God, for here 168 have we no continuing city.(3) To Him di- rect 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. 169 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 mis- erable and foolish sinner, who art some- 170 times 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 171 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 de- spitefully use him, and forgiveth them from his heart; when he is not slow to ask pardon 172 from others; when he is swifter to pity than to anger; when he frequently denieth him- self 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 de- 173 vour, 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 burn- ing goads, and the gluttons be tormented with intolerable hunger and thirst. There 174 shall the luxurious and the lovers of plea- sure be plunged into burning pitch and stink- ing 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 confu- sion, and the covetous shall be pinched with miserable poverty. An hour's pain there 175 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 bold- 176 ness 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 177 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 re- joice, and every profane man shall mourn. Then the afflicted flesh shall more rejoice than if it had been alway nourished in de- lights. Then the humble garment shall put on beauty, and the precious robe shall hide 178 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 179 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 de- 180 light. 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 181 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, 182 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. 183 (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 184 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 nei- ther fear nor sorrow shall come any more into thy borders. Now shalt thou labour a little, and thou shalt find great rest, yea ev- erlasting joy. If thou shalt remain faithful and zealous in labour, doubt not that God 185 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 over- whelmed with grief, cast himself down in 186 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 strength- ened, he committed himself to the will of 187 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 188 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 con- flict. Nevertheless they advance above all others in virtue who strive manfully to con- quer those things which are most grievous and contrary to them, for there a man prof- iteth most and meriteth greater grace where 189 he most overcometh himself and mortifieth himself in spirit. 4. But all men have not the same pas- sions 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 190 holiness, namely firmness to withdraw our- selves 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 wher- ever thou art, and wherever thou seest or 191 hearest good examples, stir thyself to fol- low 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 thy- self. 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; 192 and how sad is it and grievous to see them walking disorderly, not practising the du- ties 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 193 oughtest thou to be ashamed as thou look- est 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 re- ligious man who exercises himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and pas- sion of our Lord shall find there abundantly all things that are profitable and necessary 194 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 195 every side, because he is without inward consolation, and is forbidden to seek that which is outward. He who is living with- out 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 196 heart and voice! Oh! if thou never hadst need to eat or drink, or sleep, but wert al- ways 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. 197 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 sor- rowful for little, but he committeth him- self altogether and with full trust unto God, who is all in all to him, to whom nothing 198 perisheth nor dieth, but all things live to Him and obey His every word without de- lay. 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 199 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 re- sist sins and passions than to toil in bodily labours. He who shunneth not small faults falleth little by little into greater. At even- tide thou shalt always be glad if thou spend the day profitably. Watch over thyself, stir 200 thyself up, admonish thyself, and howso- ever 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 201 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 miser- able world, and thou shalt find rest unto thy soul. Learn to despise outward things and to give thyself to things inward, and thou 202 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 vis- iteth the inward man and holdeth with him 203 sweet discourse, giving him soothing con- solation, 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 204 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 re- maineth for ever and standeth by us firmly even to the end. 205 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 op- pose 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 206 answer for thee Himself, and will do for thee what is best. Here hast thou no con- tinuing 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 207 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 con- templation be on the Most High, and let thy supplication be directed unto Christ with- out ceasing. If thou canst not behold high and heavenly things, rest thou in the pas- 208 sion of Christ and dwell willingly in His sa- cred 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 209 His greatest necessity was left by His ac- quaintance 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 at- tain her crown if no adversity befall thee? If thou art unwilling to suffer any adver- 210 sity, 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 211 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 212 than of men. He who knoweth how to walk from within, and to set little value upon outward things, requireth not places nor wait- eth for seasons, for holding his intercourse with God. The inward man quickly recol- lecteth 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 213 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 214 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 con- template heavenly things and frequently to be joyful inwardly. (1) Luke xvii. 21. (2) John xiv. 23. (3) 215 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 216 whatsoever thou doest. Have a good con- science 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 de- liver thee, therefore must thou resign thy- self to Him. To God it belongeth to help 217 and to deliver from all confusion. Often- times it is very profitable for keeping us in greater humility, that others know and re- buke 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 218 humble man, to the humble man He in- clineth Himself, on the humble He bestoweth great grace, and when he is cast down He raiseth him to glory: to the humble He re- vealeth 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 219 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 to- 220 wards others. A peaceable man doth more good than a well-learned. A passionate man turneth even good into evil and easily be- lieveth evil; a good, peaceable man con- verteth 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 him- self nor suffereth others to be quiet. He 221 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 222 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 223 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 224 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 them- selves 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 225 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 226 By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and purity. Sim- plicity ought to be in the intention, pu- rity in the affection. Simplicity reacheth to- wards God, purity apprehendeth Him and tasteth Him. No good action will be dis- tasteful to thee if thou be free within from inordinate affection. If thou reachest after and seekest, nothing but the will of God 227 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 with- out hurt and understand them aright. A 228 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 glow- ing, so the man who turneth himself alto- 229 gether unto God is freed from slothfulness and changed into a new man. 3. When a man beginneth to grow luke- warm, then he feareth a little labour, and willingly accepteth outward consolation; but when he beginneth perfectly to conquer him- self and to walk manfully in the way of God, then he counteth as nothing those things which aforetime seemed to be so grievous 230 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 231 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. Some- times 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 232 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 keep- eth silence concerning others. Thou wilt never be spiritually minded and godly un- 233 less 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 prof- ited thee, thyself being neglected? If thou wouldst have peace and true unity, thou 234 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 235 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. 236 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 con- science 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 fear- 237 ful and unquiet. Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not. Never re- joice 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 238 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 glo- rying 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 239 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 tempo- ral; and he who seeketh temporal glory, or who despiseth it from his heart, is proved to bear little love for that which is heav- enly. He who careth for neither praises nor 240 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. 241 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 one- self. 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 242 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 com- mendeth.(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. 243 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, 244 but the love of Jesus is faithful and last- ing. He who cleaveth to created things will fall with their slipperiness; but he who em- braceth 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 per- ish at the last. Thou must one day be sep- arated from all, whether thou wilt or wilt 245 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 na- ture, 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 246 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 247 of men, for if thou seekest thy comfort and profit in others, thou shalt too often ex- perience loss. If thou seekest Jesus in all things thou shalt verily find Jesus, but if thou seekest thyself thou shalt also find thy- self, but to thine own hurt. For if a man seeketh not Jesus he is more hurtful to him- self than all the world and all his adver- saries. 248 (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 249 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 250 senseless and vain if thou desirest aught be- yond Jesus! Is not this greater loss than if thou shouldst lose the whole world? 2. What can the world profit thee with- out Jesus? To be without Jesus is the nether- most hell, and to be with Jesus is sweet paradise. If Jesus were with thee no en- emy could hurt thee. He who findeth Jesus findeth a good treasure, yea, good above 251 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 Je- sus is great wisdom. Be thou humble and peaceable and Jesus shall be with thee. Be 252 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 des- 253 olate. 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. There- fore 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 254 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 255 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 256 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 257 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 258 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 259 doth he ride whom the grace of God car- rieth. 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 Lau- rence overcame the love of the world and even of his priestly master, because he de- 260 spised 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. 261 Nor take it amiss when thou hast been de- serted 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, 262 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 263 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 heav- enly visitation with humility and patience, for God is able to give thee back greater favour and consolation. This is not new nor 264 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 him- self when the favour departed: Thou didst 265 turn Thy face from me, and I was trou- bled. In spite whereof he in no wise de- spaireth, 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 tes- tifieth how he hath been heard, saying, The Lord heard me and had mercy upon me, the Lord was my helper. But wherein? Thou 266 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 morn- 267 ing, 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 lit- tle, and have but little savour when I am 268 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 reli- gious 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 269 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 temp- tation. 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 writ- ten, To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life.(3) 270 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. 271 (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 pa- 272 tience more than for comforts, and for bear- ing 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 273 and honourable, the offspring of virtue, and poured forth by God into pure minds. But no man can always enjoy these divine com- forts 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 com- 274 fort, 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 grate- ful and that is taken away from the proud, which is wont to be given to the humble. 275 3. I desire no consolation which taketh away from me compunction, I love no con- templation 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 276 is made learned by the gift of grace and taught wisdom by the stroke of the with- drawal thereof, will not dare to claim any good thing for himself, but will rather con- fess that he is poor and needy. Give unto God the thing which is God's,(1) and as- cribe 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 277 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 glori- ous they are, so much the lowlier are they in themselves; full of grace and heavenly glory, they are not desirous of vain-glory; resting 278 on God and strong in His might, they can- not 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 striv- ing for this very thing. 279 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, noth- ing 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 280 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. 281 (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 282 hath many seekers of comfort, but few of tribulation. He findeth many companions of His table, but few of His fasting. All de- sire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to undergo anything for His sake. Many fol- low 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 283 Cross. Many love Jesus so long as no ad- versities happen to them. Many praise Him and bless Him, so long as they receive any comforts from Him. But if Jesus hide Him- self 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 284 own, bless Him in all tribulation and an- guish of heart as in the highest consolation. And if He should never give them consola- tion, 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 merce- nary who are always seeking consolations? 285 Do they not prove themselves lovers of self more than of Christ who are always seek- ing 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 286 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? 287 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 288 saith, When ye have done all things that are commanded you, say, we are unprof- itable 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 289 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 290 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 will- ingly hear the word of the Cross and fol- low 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, 291 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 292 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 293 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 294 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 accord- ing to thine own will and judgment, and thou shalt ever find something to suffer ei- ther willingly or unwillingly, and thus thou shalt ever find thy cross. For thou shalt either feel pain of body, or tribulation of 295 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 consola- 296 tion, 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 thy- 297 self 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 298 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 in- creaseth 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 299 mortal hath been able to avoid? Which of the saints in the world hath been without the cross and tribulation? For not even Je- sus Christ our Lord was one hour without the anguish of His Passion, so long as He lived. It behooved, He said, Christ to suf- fer 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 300 the way of the Holy Cross? 7. The whole life of Christ was a cross and martyrdom, and dost thou seek for thy- self rest and joy? Thou art wrong, thou art wrong, if thou seekest aught but to suf- fer 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, 301 because the sorrow of his banishment in- creaseth with the strength of his love. 8. But yet the man who is thus in so many wise afflicted, is not without refresh- ment of consolation, because he feeleth abun- dant fruit to be growing within him out of the bearing of his cross. For whilst he will- ingly submitteth himself to it, every bur- den of tribulation is turned into an assur- 302 ance 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 com- forted by the desire for tribulation and ad- versity, through love of conformity to the Cross of Christ, that he would not be with- out sorrow and tribulation; for he believeth that he shall be the more acceptable to God, 303 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 fer- vour of spirit. 9. It is not in the nature of man to bear the cross, to love the cross, to keep 304 under the body and to bring it into sub- jection, to fly from honours, to bear re- proaches 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 305 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 man- ful bearing of the Cross of thy Lord, who out of love was crucified for thee. Prepare thyself for the bearing many adversities and 306 manifold troubles in this wretched life; be- cause 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 consola- 307 tions 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 suffer- ings 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 308 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 309 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 Je- sus, 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. 310 13. Oh that thou wert worthy to suf- fer something for the name of Jesus, how great glory should await thee, what rejoic- ing among all the saints of God, what bright example also to thy neighbour! For all men commend patience, although few be will- ing to practise it. Thou oughtest surely to suffer a little for Christ when many suffer heavier things for the world. 311 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 bear- ing adversities for Christ. Nothing more ac- ceptable to God, nothing more healthful for thyself in this world, than to suffer willingly 312 for Christ. And if it were thine to choose, thou oughtest rather to wish to suffer adver- sities 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 conso- lations, but rather in bearing many troubles and adversities. 313 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 ex- horteth to bear their cross, and saith, If any man will come after Me, let him deny him- self and take up his cross, and follow Me.(7) 314 So now that we have thoroughly read and studied all things, let us hear the conclu- sion 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. 315 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 316 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 lis- ten not to the voice that soundeth without, but to that which teacheth truth inwardly. 317 Blessed are the eyes which are closed to things without, but are fixed upon things within. Blessed are they who search in- ward things and study to prepare them- selves 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 318 soul, and shut the doors of thy carnal de- sires, 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 de- 319 ceits, 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. 320 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 chil- 321 dren 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 322 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 323 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 wa- ter, but Thou givest the increase. They cry with words, but Thou givest understanding 324 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 fol- lowed, known but not loved, believed but not obeyed, rise up against me in the judg- ment. Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth; 325 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. 326 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 knowl- edge of the philosophers and wise men of this world. My words are spirit, and they 327 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 328 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 tem- 329 poral 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. 330 For a little reward men make a long jour- ney; for eternal life many will scarce lift a foot once from the ground. Mean re- ward is sought after; for a single piece of money sometimes there is shameful striv- ing; for a thing which is vain and for a tri- fling promise, men shrink not from toiling day and night." 4. "But, O shame! for an unchangeable 331 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, sloth- ful 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 332 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 333 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, 334 hath one who shall judge him at the last day." A PRAYER FOR THE SPIRIT OF DE- VOTION 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 335 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 sin- ner. 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. 336 7. How can I bear this miserable life un- less 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 wis- dom, who knowest me in truth, and knewest 337 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. 338 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 con- tinually. He who walketh before Me in the truth shall be safe from evil assaults, and the truth shall deliver him from the wiles 339 and slanders of the wicked. If the truth shall make thee free, thou shalt be free in- deed, 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 340 before Thee in great freedom of heart. 3. "I will teach thee," saith the Truth, "the things which are right and pleasing be- fore Me. Think upon thy sins with great displeasure and sorrow, and never think thy- self anything because of thy good works. Verily thou art a sinner, liable to many pas- sions, yea, tied and bound with them. Of thyself thou always tendest unto nothing, 341 thou wilt quickly fall, quickly be conquered, quickly disturbed, quickly undone. Thou hast nought whereof to glory, but many rea- sons 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, noth- 342 ing worthy of honour, nothing lofty, noth- ing praiseworthy or desirable, save what is eternal. Let the eternal truth please thee above all things, let thine own great vile- ness displease thee continually. Fear, de- nounce, flee nothing so much as thine own faults and sins, which ought to be more dis- pleasing to thee than any loss whatsoever of goods. There are some who walk not sin- 343 cerely 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 344 from debating upon the works of the Most High, but search narrowly thine own iniq- uities into what great sins thou hast fallen, and how many good things thou hast ne- glected. 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 enlight- 345 ened in their understanding and purged in their affections, continually long after eter- nal things, hear of earthly things with un- willingness, 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." 346 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 com- fort,(1) I give thanks unto Thee, who re- freshest me sometimes with thine own com- 347 fort, 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. 348 2. But because I am still weak in love and imperfect in virtue, I need to be strength- ened 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 in- ordinate affections, that, being healed and altogether cleansed within, I may be made ready to love, strong to suffer, steadfast to 349 endure. 3. Love is a great thing, a good above all others, which alone maketh every heavy burden light, and equaliseth every inequal- ity. For it beareth the burden and maketh it no burden, it maketh every bitter thing to be sweet and of good taste. The surpass- ing love of Jesus impelleth to great works, and exciteth to the continual desiring of 350 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 entan- gled by any worldly prosperity or overcome by adversity. Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing loftier, nothing broader, nothing pleasanter, nothing fuller 351 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 352 not for gifts, but turneth himself to the Giver above all good things. Love often- times knoweth no measure, but breaketh out above all measure; love feeleth no bur- den, 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 fulfil- 353 leth many things, and is successful where he who loveth not faileth and lieth down. 5. Love is watchful, and whilst sleep- ing 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 354 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 355 through exceeding fervour and admiration. Let me sing the song of love, let me fol- low 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. 356 7. Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleas- ant, gentle, strong, patient, faithful, pru- dent, long-suffering, manly, and never seek- ing 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 obe- 357 dient 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 em- 358 brace willingly all hard and bitter things for the Beloved's sake, and not to be drawn away from Him because of any contrary ac- cidents. (1) 2 Corinthians i. 3. 359 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 360 lover standeth fast in temptations, and be- lieveth not the evil persuasions of the en- emy. 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 361 not in the gift, but in Me above every gift. 5. "All is not lost, though thou some- times 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 fore- taste of the heavenly country; but hereon thou must not too much depend, for it goeth and cometh. But to strive against the evil 362 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 dis- turb thee, whencesoever they arise. Bravely observe thy purpose and thy upright inten- tions towards God. It is not an illusion when thou art sometimes suddenly carried away into rapture, and then suddenly art 363 brought back to the wonted vanities of thy heart. For thou dost rather unwillingly un- dergo 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 al- together striveth to hinder thy pursuit after good, and to deter thee from every godly exercise, to wit, the contemplation of the 364 Saints, the pious remembrance of My pas- sion, 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 read- ing. Humble confession displeaseth him, and if he were able he would make thee to 365 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, 'De- part unclean spirit; put on shame, miser- able one; horribly unclean art thou, who bringest such things to mine ears. Depart from me, detestable deceiver; thou shalt have 366 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 367 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 368 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. 369 CHAPTER VII Of hiding our grace under the guard of hu- mility "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 370 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 371 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 alto- gether neglect thyself because of the dearth and anxiety of spirit which thou feelest. 2. "For there are many who, when things 372 have not gone prosperous with them, be- come 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 de- stroyed themselves, because they would do 373 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 374 poverty, they might learn not to fly with their own wings, but to put their trust un- der My feathers. They who are as yet new and unskilled in the way of the Lord, un- less 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 375 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 en- dure to be ruled by others. It is better to have a small portion of wisdom with hu- mility, and a slender understanding, than great treasures of sciences with vain self- esteem. It is better for thee to have less 376 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 whatso- ever, beareth himself too despairingly, and feeleth concerning Me less trustfully than 377 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 378 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. 379 5. "For merits are not to be reckoned by this, that a man hath many visions or con- solations, or that he is skilled in the Scrip- tures, or that he is placed in a high situ- ation; 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 him- self, but unfeignedly despiseth himself, and 380 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 381 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 can- not 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 382 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 383 filled with new joy. And it is great mar- vel that I am so suddenly lifted up, and so graciously embraced by Thee, since I am al- ways 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 384 may truly say, from innumerable evils. For verily, by loving myself amiss, I lost my- self, 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. 385 3. Blessed be Thou, O my God, be- cause though I be unworthy of all Thy ben- efits, 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. 386 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 387 thou seekest thyself in any matter, straight- way 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 liv- 388 ing 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 li- eth 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 as- cribe any good to thyself, nor look upon 389 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 giv- ing 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 strait- 390 ening 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 bless- ing." 391 (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 392 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 con- templation of Thee, which Thou bestowest upon those who love Thee. In this most 393 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 394 to remember me, even after I pined away and perished? Thou hast had mercy be- yond 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 395 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 un- worthy, and to join him unto Thy chosen servants. 3. Behold all things which I have are Thine, and with them I serve Thee. And 396 yet verily it is Thou who servest me, rather than I Thee. Behold the heaven and the earth which Thou hast created for the ser- vice of men; they are at Thy bidding, and perform daily whatsoever Thou dost com- mand. 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 397 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 en- abled to do Thee service worthy of Thyself! For verily Thou art worthy of all service, all honour, and praise without end. Verily 398 Thou art my God, and I am Thy poor ser- vant, 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 399 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 400 of God, whereby man is made truly free and holy! Oh sacred condition of the re- ligious servant, which maketh man equal to the Angels, well-pleasing unto God, terrible to evil spirits, and acceptable to all faith- ful ones! Oh service to be embraced and ever desired, in which the highest good is promised, and joy is gained which shall re- main for evermore! 401 (1) Psalm xxxi. 21. CHAPTER XI That the desires of the heart are to be ex- amined and governed "My Son, thou hast still many things to learn, which thou hast not well learned 402 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 thy- self whether thou art not more moved for thine own objects than for My honour. If 403 it is Myself that thou seekest, thou shalt be well content with whatsoever I shall or- dain; 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, 404 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 dis- traction of mind, lest through want of dis- 405 cipline 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 sub- 406 ject, however unwillingly, to the spirit. And for so long it ought to be chastised and com- pelled to undergo slavery, even until it be ready for all things, and learn to be con- tented with little, to be delighted with things simple, and never to murmur at any incon- venience." 407 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. 408 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 409 evils we should always choose the less. There- fore, that thou mayest escape eternal tor- ments 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, 410 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 411 find delight, thence they oftentimes have the punishment of sorrow. Justly it be- falleth them, that because out of measure they seek out and pursue pleasures, they enjoy them not without confusion and bit- terness. Oh how short, how false, how in- ordinate and wicked are all these pleasures! Yet because of their sottishness and blind- ness men do not understand; but like brute 412 beasts, for the sake of a little pleasure of this corruptible life, they incur death of the soul. Thou therefore, my son, go not af- ter 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, be- hold in the contempt of all worldly things 413 and in the avoidance of all worthless plea- sures shall be thy blessing, and fulness of consolation shall be given thee. And the more thou withdrawest thyself from all so- lace of creatures, the more sweet and power- ful consolations shalt thou find. But at the first thou shalt not attain to them, with- out some sorrow and hard striving. Long- accustomed habit will oppose, but it shall 414 be overcome by better habit. The flesh will murmur again and again, but will be re- strained by fervour of spirit. The old ser- pent will urge and embitter thee, but will be put to flight by prayer; moreover, by use- ful labour his entrance will be greatly ob- structed." (1) Ecclesiastes xviii. 30. (2) Psalm xxxvii. 4. 415 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 him- self also from grace, and he who seeketh private advantages, loseth those which are common unto all. If a man submit not 416 freely and willingly to one set over him, it is a sign that his flesh is not yet perfectly sub- ject to himself, but often resisteth and mur- mureth. Learn therefore quickly to submit thyself to him who is over thee, if thou seek- est to bring thine own flesh into subjection. For the outward enemy is very quickly over- come if the inner man have not been laid low. There is no more grievous and deadly 417 enemy to the soul than thou art to thyself, if thou art not led by the Spirit. Thou must not altogether conceive contempt for thy- self, 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 thy- 418 self 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, 419 and to yield thyself in all subjection. 3. "Be zealous against thyself, nor suffer pride to live within thee, but so show thy- self 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 com- plain? What, O vile sinner, canst thou an- swer those who speak against thee, seeing 420 thou hast so often offended God, and many a time hast deserved hell? But Mine eye hath spared thee, because thy soul was pre- cious in My sight; that thou mightest know My love, and mightest be thankful for My benefits; and that thou mightest give thy- self altogether to true subjection and humil- ity, and patiently bear the contempt which thou meritest." 421 CHAPTER XIV Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God, that we may not be lifted up be- cause 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 re- 422 member that the heavens are not clean in thy sight.(1) If Thou chargest Thine an- gels 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 423 the swine do eat. 2. There is therefore no holiness, if Thou O Lord, withdraw Thine hand. No wis- dom profiteth, if Thou leave off to guide the helm. No strength availeth, if Thou cease to preserve. No purity is secure, if Thou pro- tect it not. No self-keeping availeth, if Thy holy watching be not there. For when we are left alone we are swallowed up and per- 424 ish, but when we are visited, we are raised up, and we live. For indeed we are unsta- ble, 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 my- self to Thy unfathomable judgments, O Lord, 425 when I find myself nothing else save noth- ing, and again nothing! Oh weight unmea- surable, 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 swal- lowed up in the depths of Thy judgments against me. 426 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, 427 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. 428 CHAPTER XV How we must stand and speak, in every- thing that we desire "My Son, speak thou thus in every mat- ter, '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 429 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 430 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 hu- mility of heart, and most of all, must alto- gether resign thyself, and commit all unto 431 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 432 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 433 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 434 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) 435 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 436 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 per- fectly refreshed, only in God, the Comforter of the poor, and the lifter up of the hum- ble. Wait but a little while, my soul, wait 437 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 tem- poral good, for thou wast not created for the enjoyment of these. 438 2. Although thou hadst all the good things which ever were created, yet couldst not thou be happy and blessed; all thy blessed- ness and thy felicity lieth in God who cre- ated 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 439 is in heaven.(1) All human solace is empty and short-lived; blessed and true is that so- lace 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 Je- sus, always and everywhere. Let it be my comfort to be able to give up cheerfully all human comfort. And if Thy consolation fail 440 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. 441 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 442 is Thy care for me than all the care which I am able to take for myself. For too in- securely 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 443 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 rejoic- ing. Thou must be poor and needy as will- ingly as full and rich." 444 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 445 tribulation which shall come upon me shall do me hurt. CHAPTER XVIII That temporal miseries are to be borne pa- tiently after the example of Christ "My Son! I came down from heaven for 446 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 tem- poral things; I oftentimes heard many re- proaches against Myself; I gently bore con- 447 tradictions and hard words; I received in- gratitude 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 448 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 be- cometh easier and brighter through Thy ex- ample 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 449 the gate of heaven remained shut; and even the way to heaven seemed more obscure when so few cared to seek after the heav- enly 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 450 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 luke- 451 warm, 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? 452 CHAPTER XIX Of bearing injuries, and who shall be ap- proved 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 suffer- est in comparison with those who have suf- 453 fered so many things, have been so strongly tempted, so grievously troubled, so many- wise proved and tried. Thou oughtest there- fore to call to mind the more grievous suf- ferings 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 im- patience which is the cause of this. But whether they be little or whether they be 454 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 455 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 456 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 unwor- thy; but indifferently from every creature, whatsoever or how often soever adversity happeneth to him, he gratefully accepteth 457 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 striv- ing thou canst not win the crown of pa- tience; if thou wilt not suffer thou refusest to be crowned. But if thou desirest to be 458 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 na- ture. Thou knowest how little I am able to bear, and how quickly I am cast down when a like adversity riseth up against me. What- 459 soever trial of tribulation may come to me, may it become unto me pleasing and ac- ceptable, for to suffer and be vexed for Thy sake is exceeding healthful to the soul. (1) Hebrews xii. 4. 460 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 tempta- 461 tion 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 my- self often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, O Lord, my hu- mility and my frailty, which is altogether 462 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 con- foundeth me before Thee, that I am so li- able 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 463 daily in conflict. Herein is my infirmity made known to me, that hateful fancies al- ways rush in far more easily than they de- part. 3. Oh that Thou, most mighty God of Israel, Lover of all faithful souls, wouldst look upon the labour and sorrow of Thy ser- vant, and give him help in all things where- unto he striveth. Strengthen me with heav- 464 enly fortitude, lest the old man, this mis- erable 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 temp- tation goeth, another cometh, yea, while 465 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 be- cause it is deceitful and vain, yet notwith- 466 standing 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 mis- eries which righteously follow these things, bring forth hatred of the world and weari- ness. 467 5. But, alas! an evil desire conquereth a mind given to the world, and thinketh it happiness to be under the nettles(3) be- cause it savoureth not nor perceiveth the sweetness of God nor the inward graceful- ness of virtue. But they who perfectly de- spise the world and strive to live unto God in holy discipline, these are not ignorant of the divine sweetness promised to all who 468 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. 469 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 470 health and beauty, above all glory and hon- our, 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 471 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; 472 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 what- soever Thou givest to me without Thyself or whatsoever Thou revealest or dost promise 473 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 474 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; 475 because many evils befall me in this vale of miseries which continually disturb and fill me with sorrow, and encloud me, continu- ally 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 476 earth. 4. O Jesus, Light of Eternal Glory, so- lace 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. 477 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 in- stead of Thee, whatsoever it shall please 478 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 479 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, be- ing 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 ser- vant, according to the multitude of Thy mercy. 480 What then hath Thy servant to say in Thy presence, save to humble himself greatly be- fore 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 judg- ments, and by Thy Providence are all things governed. Therefore praise and glory be unto Thee, O Wisdom of the Father, let my 481 mouth and my soul and all created things praise and bless Thee together. CHAPTER XXII Of the recollection of God's manifold bene- fits Open, O Lord, my heart in Thy law, 482 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 rev- erence 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 mer- cies. I am less than the least of all the good 483 things which Thou gavest me; and when I consider Thy majesty, my spirit faileth be- cause 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, nat- urally or supernaturally, are Thy good gifts, and prove Thee, from whom we have re- ceived them all, to be good, gentle, and 484 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 485 more devout; and he who holdeth himself to be viler than all, and judgeth himself to be the more unworthy, is the apter for re- ceiving 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 486 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 487 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 cho- sen the poor and humble, and those who 488 are poor in this world, to be Thy friends and acquaintance. So give all Thine apos- tles witness whom Thou hast made princes in all lands. Yet they had their conversa- tion 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. 489 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 490 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 com- fort him more, than all benefits that are given or may be given to himself. (1) Acts v. 41. 491 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 492 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 493 in fruit. For if it were possible that I should fully keep it, disturbance would not so eas- ily 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. 494 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) 495 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 496 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 497 may be within Thy walls and plenteous- ness 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 498 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 499 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 cre- ated 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. 500 (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 501 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 502 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 503 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. 504 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 de- sire peace, but all do not care for the things which belong unto true peace. My peace is 505 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 506 apart from Me. But, moreover, judge noth- ing 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 507 found true peace, if thou hast felt no grief; nor that then all is well if thou hast no ad- versary; 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 508 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 509 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 thy- self, 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 510 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. 511 CHAPTER XXVI Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which hum- ble prayer more deserveth than doth fre- quent 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 512 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 513 with cares. I say not from those things which the vanity of the world goeth about after with all eagerness, but from those mis- eries, which by the universal curse of mor- tality weigh down and hold back the soul of thy servant in punishment, that it can- not enter into liberty of spirit, so often as it would. 3. O my God, sweetness unspeakable, 514 turn into bitterness all my fleshly consola- tion, which draweth me away from the love of eternal things, and wickedly allureth to- ward 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, 515 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 cloth- ing, and all the other needs appertaining to the support of the body, are burden- some to the devout spirit. Grant that I may use such things with moderation, and 516 that I be not entangled with inordinate af- fection 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 517 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 518 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 wonder- 519 ful 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 su- perfluous 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 advan- 520 tage 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 mul- tiplying of this thing or that which advan- tageth thee, but rather the despising it and cutting it by the root out of thy heart; which 521 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 522 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 523 and trouble, and that I be not drawn away by various desires after any things whatso- ever, whether of little value or great, but that I may look upon all as passing away, and myself as passing away with them; be- cause 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, 524 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 under- stand all other things, even as they are, ac- cording to the order of Thy wisdom. Grant me prudently to avoid the flatterer, and pa- tiently 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 525 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 526 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. 527 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 dis- quietude of heart, and all distraction of the 528 senses." CHAPTER XXIX How when tribulation cometh we must call upon and bless God Blessed be thy name, O Lord, for ever- more, who hast willed this temptation and 529 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 530 I unto this hour,(1) that Thou mightest be glorified when I am deeply humbled and am delivered through Thee. Let it be Thy plea- sure 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 531 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 temp- tation 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 532 merciful God. And as much as this deliver- ance 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. 533 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 heav- enly consolation, that thou too slowly be- 534 takest thyself unto prayer. For before thou earnestly seekest unto Me, thou dost first seek after many means of comfort, and re- fresheth thyself in outward things: so it cometh to pass that all things profit thee but little until thou learn that it is I who de- liver those who trust in Me; neither beside Me is there any strong help, nor profitable counsel, nor enduring remedy. But now, 535 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 536 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? Suf- ficient 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 537 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 538 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 539 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 with- out doubt it is better for thee and for all 540 My other servants, that ye should be proved by adversities, than that ye should have all things as ye would. I know thy hid- den 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, 541 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 542 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 adver- sity, 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 543 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 544 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 crea- 545 ture may hinder me. For so long as any- thing 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 de- sireth nothing upon earth? Therefore must a man rise above every creature, and per- 546 fectly forsake himself, and with abstracted mind to stand and behold that Thou, the Creator of all things, hast among Thy crea- tures nothing like unto Thyself. And ex- cept 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 547 from perishing and created things. 2. For this much grace is necessary, which may lift up the soul and raise it above it- self. 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 mat- tereth but little. He who esteemeth any- thing great save the one only incomprehen- 548 sible, eternal, good, shall long time be little and lie low. For whatsoever is not God is nothing, and ought to be counted for noth- ing. 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 hu- 549 man study. 3. Many are found who desire contem- plation, 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 550 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 rec- ollection we rush out of doors, and do not subject our actions to a strict examination. Where our affections are set we take no 551 heed, and we weep not that all things be- longing 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 fol- loweth of necessity that our actions also are corrupt, being the index of a deficient in- ward strength. Out of a pure heart pro- ceedeth the fruit of good living. 552 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 work- man; 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 appear- 553 ance 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. 554 CHAPTER XXXII Of self-denial and the casting away all self- ishness "My Son, thou canst not possess per- fect liberty unless thou altogether deny thy- self. All they are enslaved who are posses- sors of riches, they who love themselves, the selfish, the curious, the restless; those who 555 ever seek after soft things, and not after the things of Jesus Christ; those who con- tinually plan and devise that which will not stand. For whatsoever cometh not of God shall perish. Hold fast the short and com- plete 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 556 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 per- fect. Rather oughtest thou to be provoked 557 to higher aims, and at the least to long af- ter 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 ex- ceedingly, and all thy life should go on in joy and peace. Thou hast still many things to 558 renounce, which if thou resign not utterly to Me, thou shalt not gain what thou seek- est. 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 wis- dom, and all pleasure, whether common to men, or thine own. 4. "I tell thee that thou must buy vile 559 things with those which are costly and great in the esteem of men. For wonderfully vile and small, and almost given up to forget- fulness, 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." 560 (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 561 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 562 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 mani- fold changes of the world, upon Me. 2. "But according as the eye of inten- tion be the more pure, even so will a man 563 make his way steadfastly through the man- ifold storms. But in many the eye of pure intention waxeth dim; for it quickly resteth itself upon anything pleasant which occur- reth, 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 564 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. 565 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 566 that are in the world.(1) My God, my all! To him that understandeth, that word suf- ficeth, and to repeat it often is pleasing to him that loveth it. When Thou art present all things are pleasant; when Thou art ab- sent, all things are wearisome. Thou mak- est the heart to be at rest, givest it deep peace and festal joy. Thou makest it to think rightly in every matter, and in ev- 567 ery 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 568 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 mortifica- tion of the flesh, are found to be truly wise because they are carried from vanity to ver- ity, from the flesh to the spirit. They taste that the Lord is good, and whatsoever good 569 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 570 of my heart. Give purity, joy, clearness, life to my spirit that with all its powers it may cleave unto Thee with rapture pass- ing 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 571 yet all crucified, not yet quite dead; still he lusteth fiercely against the spirit, wageth in- ward 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 572 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. 573 CHAPTER XXXV That there is no security against tempta- tion 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 there- 574 fore thou use not on all sides the shield of patience, thou wilt not remain long un- wounded. Above all, if thou keep not thy heart fixed upon Me with steadfast pur- pose 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 575 strong hand against those things which op- pose thee. For to him that overcometh is the hidden manna given,(1) but great mis- ery 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 576 any created thing, but in God alone. For the love of God thou must willingly un- dergo all things, whether labours or sor- rows, temptations, vexations, anxieties, ne- cessities, 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 577 give thee an eternal reward for short labour, and infinite glory for transient shame. 3. "Thinkest thou that thou shalt al- ways 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 suffer- 578 ings 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 at- tained 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 579 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 580 "My Son, anchor thy soul firmly upon God, and fear not man's judgment, when conscience pronounceth thee pious and in- nocent. 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 opin- ions, and therefore little trust is to be placed in them. But moreover it is impossible to 581 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 sal- vation of others; but he could not avoid be- ing sometimes judged and despised by oth- 582 ers. 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 ac- cused him according to their pleasure. Nev- ertheless, 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 583 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 584 for the present thou seem to give way, and to suffer confusion which thou hast not de- served, be not angry at this, nor by impa- tience diminish thy reward; but rather look up to Me in heaven, for I am able to de- liver thee from all confusion and hurt, and to render to every man according to his works." (1) 1 Corinthians ix. 22. (2) 1 Corinthi- 585 ans 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 586 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 my- self, 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 587 no exception, but will that thou be found naked in all things. Otherwise how canst thou be Mine and I thine, unless thou be in- wardly 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. 588 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 af- terwards being pressed by temptation they return to their own devices, and thus make no progress in virtue. They will not at- tain to the true liberty of a pure heart, nor 589 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 590 nothing in return; stand simply and with no hesitation in Me, and thou shalt pos- sess Me. Thou shalt have liberty of heart, and the darkness shall not overwhelm thee. For this strive thou, pray for it, long af- ter it, that thou mayest be delivered from all possession of thyself, and nakedly fol- low Jesus who was made naked for thee; mayest die unto thyself and live eternally 591 to Me. Then shall all vain fancies disap- pear, all evil disturbings, and superfluous cares. Then also shall immoderate fear de- part from thee, and inordinate love shall die." 592 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 thy- self; and that all things be under thee, not 593 thou under them; that thou be master and ruler of thy actions, not a slave or hireling, but rather a free and true Hebrew, enter- ing into the lot and the liberty of the chil- dren 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 594 rather draw temporal things to do them good service, even as they were ordained of God to do, and appointed by the Mas- ter 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 enter- 595 est with Moses into the tabernacle to ask counsel of God; thou shalt hear a divine re- sponse and come forth instructed concern- ing many things that are and shall be. For always Moses had recourse to the taberna- cle for the solving of all doubts and ques- tionings; 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 596 secret chamber of thy heart, and earnestly implore the divine succour. For this cause we read that Joshua and the children of Is- rael 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. 597 CHAPTER XXXIX That man must not be immersed in busi- ness "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 598 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 al- together to Thy pleasures without delay. 3. "My Son, a man often striveth vehe- mently after somewhat which he desireth; but when he hath obtained it he beginneth to be of another mind, because his affec- tions towards it are not lasting, but rather 599 rush on from one thing to another. There- fore 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 temp- tation; but day and night setteth his wicked snares, if haply he may be able to entrap the 600 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 601 Lord, what is man that Thou art mind- ful 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 com- plaint, if Thou forsake me? Or what can I justly allege, if Thou refuse to hear my pe- tition? Of a truth, this I may truly think and say, Lord, I am nothing, I have nothing 602 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 603 Thy wisdom. But I who am more ready to go forward than backward, never con- tinue in one stay, because changes seven- fold 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 coun- tenance shall be no more changed, but my 604 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 605 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 606 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 li- eth in glorying in Thee and not in self; in re- joicing in Thy Name, not in our own virtue; in not taking delight in any creature, save 607 only for Thy sake. Let thy Name, not mine be praised; let Thy work, not mine be mag- nified; 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 infirmi- ties.(2) 608 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 eter- nal 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. 609 (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 610 thyself despised and humbled. Lift up thine heart to Me in heaven, and then the con- tempt 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. 611 But because I have many times and grievously sinned against Thee, all creatures do justly take arms against me. Therefore to me con- fusion and contempt are justly due, but to Thee praise and honour and glory. And ex- cept I dispose myself for this, namely, to be willing that every creature should de- spise and desert me, and that I should be esteemed altogether as nothing, I cannot be 612 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 613 person because thou hast high opinion of him, and art familiar with him, thou shalt be unstable and entangled. But if thou be- take 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 614 dear to thee in this life. Without Me friend- ship 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. 615 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 ev- 616 ery 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 re- garded inordinately, it holdeth us back from 617 the highest good, and corrupteth." CHAPTER XLIII Against vain and worldly knowledge "My Son, let not the fair and subtle say- ings of men move thee. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.(1) 618 Give ear to My words, for they kindle the heart and enlighten the mind, they bring contrition, and they supply manifold con- solations. 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 ques- tions. 619 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 620 concerning the way of My service. The time will come when Christ will appear, the Mas- ter 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. 621 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 stud- ied ten years in the schools. I teach without noise of words, without confusion of opin- ions, 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 622 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 wonder- ful; he profited more by forsaking all things than by studying subtleties. But to some 623 I speak common things, to others special; to some I appear gently in signs and fig- ures, 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." 624 (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 625 "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 626 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 con- quered." 2. O Lord, to what have we come? Be- hold a temporal loss is mourned over; for a trifling gain we labour and hurry; and spiritual loss passeth away into forgetful- 627 ness, 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 out- ward things he willingly lieth down. 628 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 629 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 per- plexity? But he who trusteth in Thee, O 630 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 de- livered 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. 631 Thou, O Lord, Thou alone art most faith- ful 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 632 things, who to guard beforehand against fu- ture 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 633 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 634 us beforehand to beware of men, and that a man's foes are they of his own house- hold,(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 cau- tious, keep unto thyself what I tell thee." And whilst I am silent and believe that it is 635 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 re- move a deceitful tongue far from me. What I would not suffer, I ought by all means to 636 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 637 and outward be done according to the good pleasure of Thy will! How safe for the pre- serving 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 heav- enly fervour! How many have been injured by their virtue being made known and too 638 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. 639 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 noth- 640 ing 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 triv- ial matters go to thine heart, except that thou art yet carnal, and regardest men more than thou oughtest? For because thou fear- est to be despised, thou art unwilling to be 641 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 642 not crucified to thee. But hearken to My word, and thou shalt not care for ten thou- sand words of men. Behold, if all things could be said against thee which the ut- most 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? 643 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 644 that word, by My permission this hath hap- pened, 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 judg- ment. 4. "The testimony of men often deceiveth. My judgment is true; it will stand, and it shall not be overturned. It commonly lieth 645 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, 646 he will care little; nor, again, will he ex- ult 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 judg- ment of men is held worthy of praise." 5. O Lord God, O Judge, just, strong, 647 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 648 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 re- moved away, in Thy sight should no man living be justified.(5) 649 (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 650 "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 suffi- cient 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 651 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 re- ward. Write, read, sing, weep, be silent, pray, endure adversities manfully; eternal life is worthy of all these conflicts, yea, and 652 of greater. Peace shall come in one day which is known to the Lord; which shall be neither day nor night,(1) but light eter- nal, 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 653 be salvation which can never fail, no more anxiety, happy delight, sweet and noble so- ciety. 3. "Oh, if thou sawest the unfading crowns of the Saints in heaven, and with what great glory they now rejoice, who afore- time were reckoned by this world contemptibly and as it were unworthy of life, truly thou wouldst immediately humble thyself even 654 to the earth, and wouldst desire rather to be in subjection to all, than to have au- thority 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 655 thine heart, how shouldst thou dare even once to complain? Are not all laborious things to be endured for the sake of eter- nal life? It is no small thing, the losing or gaining the Kingdom of God. Lift up there- fore thy face to heaven. Behold, I and all My Saints with Me, who in this world had a hard conflict, now rejoice, are now com- forted, are now secure, are now at peace, 656 and shall remain with Me evermore in the Kingdom of My Father." (1) Zechariah xiv. 7. (2) Romans vii. 24. (3) Psalm cxx. 657 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 eter- nity which the night obscureth not, but the Supreme Truth ever enlighteneth! Day al- ways joyful, always secure and never chang- 658 ing 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 glo- rious that day is; the exiled sons of Eve 659 groan, because this is bitter and wearisome. The days of this life are few and evil, full of sorrows and straits, where man is de- filed with many sins, ensnared with many passions, bound fast with many fears, wea- ried with many cares, distracted with many questionings, entangled with many vanities, compassed about with many errors, worn away with many labours, weighed down with 660 temptations, enervated by pleasures, tor- mented 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 661 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 662 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 sor- row, 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, 663 but temporal things and unmortified pas- sions 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 664 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 665 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 impu- rity 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 of- 666 ten 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 cus- tom. 6. Wherefore Thou, who art the Truth, 667 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 adver- sities. 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 what- 668 soever things I love, on these I readily con- verse 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 vio- lence 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 wor- 669 thy 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. 670 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 671 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 Good- ness, 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 672 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 673 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 alto- gether simple desire for God's glory when they pray to Him so earnestly. Such, too, is oftentimes thy desire, when thou hast imag- ined it to be so earnest. For that is not pure 674 and perfect which is tainted with thine own self-seeking. 3. "Seek thou not what is pleasant and advantageous to thyself, but what is accept- able and honourable unto Me; for if thou judgest rightly, thou must choose and fol- low after My appointment rather than thine own desire; yea, rather than anything that can be desired. I know thy desire, and I 675 have heard thy many groanings. Already thou longest to be in the glorious liberty of the children of God; already the eter- nal 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 676 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. Consola- tion 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 677 are against thy nature. Thou must put on the new man, and be changed into an- other man. Thou must often do what thou wouldst not; and thou must leave undone what thou wouldst do. What pleaseth oth- ers 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 678 receive; thou shalt ask and not obtain. Oth- ers 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 some- times 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 679 Lord is wont to be tried, how far he is able to deny himself and bring himself into sub- jection in all things. Scarcely is there any- thing 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 680 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 re- ward exceeding great; and thou shalt find it no pain to bear them then, but rather the strongest solace of thy patience. For even 681 in exchange for this trifling desire which thou hast readily forsaken, thou shalt al- ways have thy will in Heaven. There ver- ily thou shalt find all that thou wouldst, all that thou canst long for. There thou shalt have all good within thy power with- out the fear of losing it. There thy will, ever at one with Mine, shall desire nothing outward, nothing for itself. There no man 682 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 sor- row, and for the lowest place a throne in the Kingdom, for ever. There shall appear 683 the fruit of obedience, the labour of repen- tance shall rejoice, and humble subjection shall be crowned gloriously. 7. "Now therefore bow thyself humbly under the hands of all men; nor let it trou- ble thee who said this or who ordered that; but take special heed that whether thy su- perior, thy inferior, or thy equal, require anything from thee, or even show a desire 684 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 685 in thee."(1) (1) Philippians i. 20. CHAPTER L How a desolate man ought to commit him- self into the hands of God O Lord, Holy Father, be Thou blessed 686 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 him- self, 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 re- ceived not from Thee, even without merit of his own? Thine are all things which Thou 687 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 688 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 yester- day and the day before, when Thy candle 689 shined upon his head,(2) and he walked un- der 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 some- what for Thy sake. O Father, evermore to be adored, as the hour cometh which Thou 690 foreknewest from everlasting, when for a lit- tle 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 691 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, 692 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 693 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 Physi- 694 cian 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 dis- 695 ciple, 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 pun- ished here than hereafter. Thou knowest all things and each of them; and nothing re- maineth hid from Thee in man's conscience. Before they are, thou knowest that they will be, and Thou needest not that any man 696 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 ac- cording 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. 697 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 ac- cording to the sight of bodily eyes, nor to give sentence according to the hearing of the ears of ignorant men; but to discern in 698 true judgment between visible and spiritual things, and above all things to be ever seek- ing after the will of Thy good pleasure. 8. Oftentimes the senses of men are de- ceived in judging; the lovers of the world also are deceived in that they love only vis- ible things. What is a man better because by man he is reckoned very great? The de- ceiver deceiveth the deceiver, the vain man 699 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. 700 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 701 of thine original corruption, and bear about the burden of corruptible life, though un- willingly 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 be- cause of the burden of the flesh, inasmuch as thou canst not give thyself to spiritual stud- ies and divine contemplation unceasingly. 702 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 visita- tion 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 en- 703 joy eternal peace. I will spread open be- fore thee the pleasant pastures of the Scrip- tures, that with enlarged heart thou mayest begin to run in the way of My command- ments. And thou shalt say, 'The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be re- vealed in us.'"(1) (1) Romans viii. 18. 704 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 con- solation, nor of any spiritual visitation; and therefore Thou dealest justly with me, when Thou leavest me poor and desolate. For if 705 I were able to pour forth tears like the sea, still should I not be worthy of Thy consola- tion. 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 con- solations. But Thou, gracious and merci- 706 ful 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 deserv- ing, to comfort Thy servant above the mea- sure 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 707 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 can- not deny it. If I should say otherwise, Thou wouldst rise up against me, and there would be none to defend me. What have I de- served for my sins but hell and everlasting fire? In very truth I confess that I am wor- thy of all scorn and contempt, nor is it fit 708 that I should be remembered among Thy faithful servants. And although I be un- willing 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 709 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 dark- ness and the shadow of death.(2) What dost Thou so much require of a guilty and mis- erable sinner, as that he be contrite, and humble himself for his sins? In true con- trition and humiliation of heart is begotten 710 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 711 pleasant ointment which Thou wouldst have poured upon Thy sacred feet, for a bro- ken and contrite heart Thou hast never de- spised.(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. 712 CHAPTER LIII That the Grace of God doth not join itself to those who mind earthly things "My Son, precious is My grace, it suf- fereth not itself to be joined with outward things, nor with earthly consolations. There- fore thou oughtest to cast away all things which hinder grace, if thou longest to re- 713 ceive 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 714 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 af- 715 fection to anything detaineth in the world? But to have a heart so separated from all things, a sickly soul doth not yet compre- hend, 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 716 conquer thyself, very easily shalt thou sub- due all things besides. Perfect victory is the triumph over oneself. For whoso keep- eth 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, 717 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 inor- dinate inclination towards thyself, and to- wards all selfish and earthly good. From this sin, that a man loveth himself too inor- dinately, almost everything hangeth which needeth to be utterly overcome: when that evil is conquered and put under foot, there 718 shall be great peace and tranquillity con- tinually. 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 719 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 mo- 720 tions of Nature and of Grace, because they move in a very contrary and subtle man- ner, 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, 721 ensnareth, and deceiveth many, and always hath self for her end; but Grace walketh in simplicity and turneth away from every ap- pearance 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 722 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 author- ity 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. 723 4. "Nature laboureth for her own ad- vantage, and considereth what profit she may gain from another; but Grace consid- ereth more, not what may be useful and convenient to self, but what may be prof- itable to the many. 5. "Nature willingly receiveth honour and reverence; but Grace faithfully ascri- beth all honour and glory to God. 724 6. "Nature feareth confusion and con- tempt, 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 cu- rious and attractive, and abhorreth those which are rough and cheap; Grace is de- 725 lighted with things simple and humble, de- spiseth not those which are rough, nor re- fuseth to be clothed with old garments. 9. "Nature hath regard to things tem- poral, rejoiceth in earthly lucre, is made sad by loss, vexed by any little injurious word; but Grace reacheth after things eter- nal, cleaveth not to those which are tempo- ral, is not perturbed by losses, nor embit- 726 tered 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 self- ishness, is contented with a little, believeth that it is more blessed to give than to re- 727 ceive. 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 out- 728 ward 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 729 own deeds and gifts should be highly val- ued; 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 suf- fice 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 pow- 730 erful, flattereth the rich, applaudeth those who are like herself; but Grace loveth even her enemies, and is not lifted up by the mul- titude 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 731 liar; always exhorteth the good to strive af- ter 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 732 God from whom they came at the begin- ning; ascribeth no good to herself nor ar- rogantly presumeth; is not contentious, nor preferreth her own opinion to others, but in every sense and understanding submit- teth 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 733 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, be- cause all this springeth from the old corrup- tion, whereas there is nothing new or lasting upon earth. So she teacheth to restrain the senses, to shun vain complacency and osten- 734 tation, to hide humbly those things which merit praise and real admiration, and from everything and in all knowledge to seek af- ter 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 un- mingled love bestoweth all things." 18. This Grace is a supernatural light, 735 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 heav- enly; and it maketh the carnal man spiri- tual. 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 736 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 737 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, fer- 738 vently 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 cor- rupted through sin, the punishment of this stain descended upon all men; so that Na- ture itself, which was framed good and right 739 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 ly- ing hid in the ashes. This is Natural reason itself, encompassed with thick clouds, hav- ing yet a discernment of good and evil, a distinction of the true and the false, though 740 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 de- light 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 741 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 infir- mities, 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 742 pressed down by the weight of my own cor- ruption, 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 begin- ning, for progress, and for bringing to per- fection. For without it I can do nothing, but I can do all things through Thy grace which strengtheneth me.(3) O truly heav- 743 enly 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 noth- ing 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 ever- 744 lasting life. So mighty is this grace, that without it neither the gift of prophecy nor the working of miracles, nor any specula- tion, 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 745 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 746 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 so- lace of anxiety, the banisher of sorrow, the deliverer from fear, the nurse of devotion, 747 the drawer forth of tears. What am I with- out it, save a dry tree, a useless branch, worthy to be cast away! "Let Thy grace, therefore, O Lord, always prevent and fol- low me, and make me continually given to all good works, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son. Amen." (1) Romans vii. 12, 22. 25. (2) Ro- mans vii. 18. (3) Philippians iv. 13. (4) 2 748 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 749 enter into Me. As to desire no outward thing worketh internal peace, so the forsak- ing 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 750 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 alto- gether 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 751 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 pos- sess the blessed life, despise the life which now is. If thou wilt be exalted in heaven, 752 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 despis- ing the world, for the servant is not greater than his lord, nor the disciple above his 753 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 754 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 755 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 756 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. 757 CHAPTER LVII That a man must not be too much cast down when he falleth into some faults "My Son, patience and humility in ad- versities 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 758 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 adver- sity meeteth thee. Thou givest good coun- sel also, and knowest how to strengthen oth- ers with thy words; but when tribulation suddenly knocketh at thine own door, thy counsel and strength fail. Consider thy great 759 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 760 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 of- fended. 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 761 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 of- ten 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 762 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 na- ture." 4. O Lord, blessed be Thy word, sweeter to my mouth than honey and the honey- comb. What should I do in my so great tribulations and anxieties, unless Thou didst 763 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. Remem- ber me, O my God, and lead me by the right way unto Thy Kingdom. Amen. 764 CHAPTER LVIII Of deeper matters, and God's hidden judg- ments 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 765 highly exalted. These things pass all man's power of judging, neither may any reason- ing 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 judg- ment,(1) and with this, The judgments of 766 the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.(2) My judgments are to be feared, not to be disputed on, because they are incomprehen- sible to human understanding. 2. "And be not given to inquire or dis- pute 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: 767 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. 768 3. "Some are drawn by zeal of love to greater affection to these Saints or those; but this is human affection rather than di- vine. 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 everlast- ing, I chose them out of the world;(5) they 769 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 770 in every one whom I have so gloriously ex- alted and predestined, without any preced- ing 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." 771 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 them- selves, and drawn beyond self-love, they go all straightforward to the love of Me, and 772 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 inextin- guishable charity. Therefore let all carnal and natural men hold their peace concern- ing the state of the Saints, for they know nothing save to love their own personal en- joyment. They take away and add accord- 773 ing 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 enlight- ened, rarely learn to love any one with per- fect 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 774 frame imaginations of things heavenly. But there is an immeasurable difference between those things which they imperfectly imag- ine, 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, 775 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 776 great are his own sins, how small his virtues, and how far he is removed from the perfec- tion of the Saints, doeth far more accept- ably in the sight of God, than he who dis- puteth about their greatness or littleness. 8. "They are altogether well content, if men would learn to be content, and to re- frain from vain babbling. They glory not of their own merits, seeing they ascribe no 777 good unto themselves, but all unto Me, see- ing 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. 778 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, be- 779 cause 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. 780 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 hum- ble themselves willingly with the little chil- dren; 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 781 enter into the kingdom of God, they shall stand lamenting without. Rejoice ye hum- ble, and exult ye poor, for yours is the king- dom 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. 782 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 mer- cies are without number? Where hath it 783 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 pil- grim upon the earth with Thee than with- out 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 784 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 785 though Thou dost expose me to divers temp- tations 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 786 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 suc- cour, nor prudent counsellors to give a use- ful answer, nor the books of the learned to console, nor any precious substance to de- liver, nor any secret and beautiful place to give shelter, if Thou Thyself do not assist, 787 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 so- 788 lace 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 heav- enly 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 789 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 per- petual light. Amen. 790 (1) Luke vi. (2) Psalm cxli. 8. THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE AL- TAR A devout exhortation to the Holy Com- munion The Voice of Christ Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you,(1) 791 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 drin- keth 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) 792 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 793 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, be- cause Thou didst speak them for my sal- vation. Gladly I receive them from Thy 794 mouth, that they may be more deeply im- planted in my heart. Words of such great grace arouse me, for they are full of sweet- ness and love; but my own sins terrify me, and my impure conscience driveth me away from receiving so great mysteries. The sweet- ness of Thy words encourageth me, but the multitude of my faults presseth me down. 2. Thou commandest that I draw near 795 to Thee with firm confidence, if I would have part with Thee, and that I receive the food of immortality, if I desire to ob- tain 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 796 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 797 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? 798 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 799 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 mag- nificent temple to the praise of Thy Name, and for eight days celebrated the feast of its dedication, offered a thousand peace offer- ings, and solemnly brought up the Ark of 800 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 801 little and trifling is that which I do! how short a time do I spend, when I am dis- posing myself to Communion. Rarely alto- gether 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 802 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 803 ardently after Thy adorable presence? Why do I not prepare myself with greater so- licitude to receive Thy holy things, when those holy Patriarchs and Prophets of old, kings also and princes, with the whole peo- ple, manifested so great affection of devo- tion towards Thy Divine Service? 8. The most devout king David danced with all his might before the Ark of God, 804 calling to mind the benefits granted to his forefathers in days past; he fashioned mu- sical 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 805 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 receiv- ing the most precious Body and Blood of Christ. 9. Many run to diverse places to visit 806 the memorials of departed Saints, and re- joice 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 cu- riosity and novelty, and very little fruit of amendment is borne away, especially when 807 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 ev- ery 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. 808 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 or- 809 der their whole life to amendment, often- times gain from this most excellent Sacra- ment great grace of devotion and love of virtue. 11. Oh admirable and hidden grace of the Sacrament, which only Christ's faith- ful ones know, but the faithless and those who serve sin cannot experience! In this Sacrament is conferred spiritual grace, and 810 lost virtue is regained in the soul, and the beauty which was disfigured by sin retur- neth 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 negli- 811 gence, 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 Him- self 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, 812 which maketh heaven glad and preserveth the whole world. Alas for the blindness and hardness of man's heart, that he con- sidereth 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 con- secrated only by one priest in the whole 813 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 814 the world. Thanks be unto Thee, O good Jesus, Eternal Shepherd, who hast vouch- safed 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, say- ing, Come unto Me, ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. (1) 1 Corinthians i. 30. 815 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 816 heaven, the servant to the Lord, the crea- ture 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 817 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 mer- its, that Thy goodness may be more man- ifest unto me, Thy charity more abundantly poured out upon me, and Thy humility more 818 perfectly commended unto me. Therefore because this pleaseth Thee and Thou hast commanded that thus it shall be, Thy con- descension 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 819 whereof no man is found able to express. But what shall I think upon in this Commu- nion in approaching my Lord, whom I am not able worthily to honour, and neverthe- less whom I long devoutly to receive? What shall be better and more healthful medita- tion for me, than utter humiliation of myself before Thee, and exaltation of Thine infi- nite goodness towards me? I praise Thee, 820 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 in- vitest me to Thy feast. Thou willest to give 821 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 pur- 822 pose when Thou didst ordain this! How sweet and pleasant the feast when Thou didst give Thyself for food! Oh how ad- mirable 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 823 faith, and surpassing all the understand- ing of man, that Thou, O Lord my God, very God and very man, givest Thyself al- together 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 Sacra- ment. Preserve my heart and my body un- defiled, that with a joyful and pure con- 824 science 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 825 to mind and receivest the body of Christ, so often dost thou celebrate the work of thy re- demption, 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 ought- est to dispose thyself hereunto and to weigh the great mystery of salvation with atten- 826 tive consideration. So great, new, and joy- ful ought it to appear to thee when thou comest to communion, as if on this self- same day Christ for the first time were de- scending into the Virgin's womb and be- coming man, or hanging on the cross, suffer- ing and dying for the salvation of mankind. (1) John vi. 51. (2) The words in brack- ets are only suitable for a priest. 827 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 828 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 rever- ently, I desire to bring Thee into my house, so that with Zacchaeus I may be counted worthy to be blessed by Thee and numbered 829 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. With- out Thee I cannot be, and without Thy vis- itation I have no power to live. And there- fore I must needs draw nigh unto Thee of- ten, and receive Thee for the healing of my 830 soul, lest haply I faint by the way if I be de- prived 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 there- fore now to me in like manner, for Thou left Thyself for the consolation of the faithful in the Sacrament. For Thou art the sweet re- 831 freshment of the soul, and he who shall eat Thee worthily shall be partaker and inheri- tor 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 ab- stinence, I fall short of my holy resolutions. 832 3. For the imaginations of man's heart are evil from his youth,(4) and except di- vine medicine succour him, man slideth away continually unto the worse. The Holy Com- munion therefore draweth us back from evil, and strengtheneth us for good. For if I now be so negligent and lukewarm when I com- municate [or celebrate], how should it be with me, if I receive not this medicine, and 833 sought not so great a help? [And though I am not every day fit nor well prepared to celebrate, I will nevertheless give dili- gent heed at due season, to receive the di- vine mysteries, and to become partaker of so great grace]. For this is the one prin- cipal consolation of a faithful soul, so long as it is absent from Thee in mortal body, that being continually mindful of its God, 834 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 de- voutly to receive Thee its Lord God, and in 835 so receiving Thee to be filled with all spiri- tual joy! Oh how great a Lord doth it enter- tain, 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 836 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. 837 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 ser- vant with the blessings of Thy sweetness, that I may be enabled to draw near worthily and devoutly to Thy glorious Sacrament. 838 Awaken my heart towards Thee, and de- liver 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, 839 not the invention of man. For no man is found fit in himself to receive and to under- stand 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 840 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 im- plore Thee to give me Thy special grace, to this end, that I may be wholly dissolved and overflow with love towards Thee, and no 841 more suffer any other consolation to enter into me. For this most high and most glori- ous Sacrament is the health of the soul and the body, the medicine of all spiritual sick- ness, whereby I am healed of my sins, my passions are bridled, temptations are con- quered or weakened, more grace is poured into me, virtue begun is increased, faith is made firm, hope is strengthened, and char- 842 ity is enkindled and enlarged. 3. For in this Sacrament Thou hast be- stowed many good things and still bestow- est 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 843 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 af- fection before Communion, afterwards be- ing refreshed with heavenly food and drink, find themselves changed for the better. And even in such wise Thou dealest severally 844 with Thine elect, that they may truly ac- knowledge 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 be- come fervent, zealous, and devout. For who is there coming humbly to the fountain of sweetness, carrieth not away thence at the 845 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 con- 846 duit, 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 enkin- dled as the Cherubim and Seraphim, yet will I endeavour to give myself unto devo- tion, and to prepare my heart, that I may gain if it be but a little flame of the di- vine fire, through the humble receiving of 847 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, 848 I am burdened with sins, I am disquieted with temptations, I am entangled and op- pressed 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 pre- serve me and lead me unto life eternal. Receive me unto the praise and glory 849 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 devo- tion may increase. 850 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 holi- ness of holy John the Baptist, thou wouldest not be worthy to receive or to minister this Sacrament. For this is not deserved by merit 851 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 An- gels. 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 852 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 853 this work to be approached. Take heed there- fore 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 faith- fully and devoutly at due time, and shew thyself without blame. Thou hast not light- ened thy burden, but art now bound with a 854 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 pop- ular and common ways of men, but with Angels in Heaven or with perfect men on earth. 3. A priest clad in holy garments taketh 855 Christ's place that he may pray unto God with all supplication and humility for him- self and for the whole people. He must al- ways 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 what- soever ills are brought upon him by others. He must mourn for his own sins, and for 856 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 com- munion with the departed, and maketh him- self a partaker of all good things. 857 CHAPTER VI An inquiry concerning preparation for Com- munion The Voice of the Disciple When I consider Thy dignity, O Lord, and mine own vileness, I tremble very ex- ceedingly, and am confounded within my- self. For if I approach not, I fly from life; 858 and if I intrude myself unworthily, I run into Thy displeasure. What then shall I do, O my God, Thou helper and Counsellor in ne- cessities. 2. Teach Thou me the right way; pro- pound unto me some short exercise befit- ting Holy Communion. For it is profitable to know how I ought to prepare my heart devoutly and reverently for Thee, to the in- 859 tent 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 pur- pose of amendment 860 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 cele- brate, minister, and receive this Sacrament. Diligently examine thy conscience and with all thy might with true contrition and hum- ble confession cleanse and purify it, so that 861 thou mayest feel no burden, nor know any- thing which bringeth thee remorse and im- pedeth thy free approach. Have displeasure against all thy sins in general, and specially sorrow and mourn because of thy daily trans- gressions. 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, be- 862 cause 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 un- ready to weeping and contrition; so prone to ease and indulgence of the flesh, so dull 863 to zeal and fervour; so curious to hear nov- elties and behold beauties, so loth to em- brace things humble and despised; so de- sirous 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 to- wards the Word of God; so eager after rest, 864 so slow to labour; so watchful after tales, so sleepy towards holy watchings; so eager for the end of them, so wandering in at- tention to them; so negligent in observing the hours of prayer, so lukewarm in cele- brating, 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 865 judging, so severe at reproving; so joyful in prosperity, so weak in adversity; so often making many good resolutions and bring- ing them to so little effect. 3. When thou hast confessed and be- wailed 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 866 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 of- fer this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God, and to receive the Sacrament of My 867 Body and Blood to thy soul's health. For there is no oblation worthier, no satisfac- tion 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 li- eth, and shall repent him truly, then how often soever he shall draw nigh unto Me 868 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 con- verted, and live. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be men- tioned unto him.(1) (1) Ezekiel xviii. 22, 23. 869 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 870 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 re- quire of thee than thou study to resign thy- self altogether unto Me? Whatsoever thou givest besides thyself, I nothing care for, for 871 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 872 and blood for food, that thou mightest re- main altogether Mine and I thine. But if thou stand in thyself, and offer not thyself freely to My will, thy offering is not per- fect, neither shall the union betwixt us be complete. Therefore ought the freewill of- fering 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 873 so few are inwardly enlightened and made free, that they know not how to deny them- selves entirely. My word standeth sure, Ex- cept 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. 874 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 my- self up unto thee as a freewill offering, and to continue Thine for ever. Lord, in the up- 875 rightness 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 salva- tion of me and of all Thy people. 876 2. Lord, I lay before Thee at this cel- ebration 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 877 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 propitia- tion? I beseech Thee, be propitious unto me and hear me, when I stand before Thee, O my God. All my sins displease me grievously: 878 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. For- give, O God, forgive me my sins for Thy holy Name's sake; save my soul, which Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood. Be- hold I commit myself to Thy mercy, I resign myself to Thy hands. Deal with me accord- 879 ing to Thy loving-kindness, not according to my wickedness and iniquity. 4. I offer also unto Thee all my good- ness, though it is exceedingly little and im- perfect, that Thou mayest mend and sanc- tify it, that Thou mayest make it well pleas- ing and acceptable in Thy sight, and ever draw it on towards perfection; and further- more bring me safely, slothful and useless 880 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 881 them; that all may feel themselves assisted by Thy grace, enriched by consolation, pro- tected 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 Sacra- mental intercessions for those specially who have injured me in aught, made me sad, or spoken evil concerning me, or have caused 882 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 what- soever is able to injure charity and dimin- 883 ish 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 Chron- icles xxix. 17. 884 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 885 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 Commu- nion, 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 886 themselves for Holy Communion, they suf- fer 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 per- plexed; to the intent that he may diminish their affections, or take away their faith by his attacks, if haply he may prevail upon 887 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 de- spised and laughed to scorn: neither must Holy Communion be omitted because of his insults and the inward troubles which he 888 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 889 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 forth- with, spit out the poison with all speed, 890 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 ac- count, 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 891 anxious, to go long on thy way with heavi- ness of heart, and because of daily little ob- stacles to sever thyself from divine things: nay it is exceeding hurtful to defer thy Com- munion long, for this commonly bringeth on great torpor. Alas! there are some, luke- warm and undisciplined, who willingly find excuses for delaying repentance, and desire to defer Holy Communion, lest they should 892 be bound to keep stricter watch upon them- selves. 5. Alas! how little charity, what flag- ging 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 him- self, that any day he could be ready and well inclined to communicate, if it were in 893 his power, and might be done without the notice of others. If a man sometimes ab- staineth 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. 894 6. But when he is hindered by suffi- cient 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. Nev- ertheless on certain days and at the ap- 895 pointed time he ought to receive the Body and Blood of his Redeemer with affection- ate reverence, and rather to seek after the praise and honour of God, than his own comfort. For so often doth he communi- cate 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. 896 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 897 weariness and annoyance in others, but to observe the received custom, according to the institution of the elders; and to min- ister to the profit of others rather than to thine own devotion or feeling. 898 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 899 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 wa- ter Thy feet with my tears. But where is this devotion? Where the abundant flow- ing of holy tears? Surely in Thy presence 900 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 901 unto my weakness, that Thou hidest Thy- self 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 per- 902 fect 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. 903 3. When I think on these wondrous things, even spiritual comfort whatsoever it be be- cometh 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 contem- 904 plate everlastingly. But this is not possi- ble, 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 be- 905 lieve 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 exceed- 906 ingly necessary to me in this life, without which this miserable life would be intolera- ble 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 907 I could not properly live; for the Word of God is the light of my soul, and Thy Sacra- ment 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 Al- tar, bearing the holy bread, that is the pre- cious Body and Blood of Christ; the other is the table of the Divine Law, containing holy 908 doctrine, teaching the true faith, and lead- ing 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 909 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 910 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 adminis- ter it to others! Oh how clean ought those hands to be, how pure the mouth, how holy 911 the body, how unspotted the heart of the priest, to whom so often the Author of pu- rity entereth in! From the mouth of the priest ought naught to proceed but what is holy, what is honest and profitable, be- cause 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 912 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 913 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 commit- ted, 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. 914 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 915 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 916 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 trans- gressions 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 917 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 of- fer him for the benefits done unto him, but 918 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 neces- sity, 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. 919 3. When I give the grace of devotion, give thanks unto thy God; it is not be- cause 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 920 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 amend- ment of life. See that thou neglect not this grace, but prepare thy heart with all dili- gence, and receive thy Beloved unto thee. 4. But thou oughtest not only to pre- 921 pare thyself for devotion before Commu- nion, thou must also keep thyself with all diligence therein after receiving the Sacra- ment; nor is less watchfulness needed af- terwards, than devout preparation before- hand: for good watchfulness afterwards be- cometh in turn the best preparation for the gaining more grace. For hereby is a man made entirely indisposed to good, if he im- 922 mediately return from Communion to give himself up to outward consolations. Be- ware 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. 923 (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 924 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, 925 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 with- draw my heart from all created things, and by means of Holy Communion and frequent celebration may learn more and more to rel- ish heavenly and eternal things. Ah, Lord God, when shall I be entirely united and lost in Thee, and altogether forgetful of my- 926 self? 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 choic- est 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 in- 927 finite misery. Verily Thou art a God that hidest Thyself, and Thy counsel is not with the wicked, but Thy Word is with the hum- ble and the simple. O how sweet, O Lord, is Thy spirit, who that Thou mightest man- ifest 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 928 nation so great, which hath its gods draw- ing nigh to them, as Thou, our God, art present unto all Thy faithful ones,(3) unto whom for their daily solace, and for lift- ing 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 929 devout soul to which God entereth in, that he may feed it with His glorious flesh? O unspeakable grace! O wonderful condescen- sion! O immeasurable love specially be- stowed upon men! But what reward shall I give unto the Lord for this grace, for char- ity so mighty? There is nothing which I am able to present more acceptable than to give my heart altogether unto God, and to 930 join it inwardly to Him. Then all my in- ward 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." 931 (1) John xv. 4. (2) Cant. v. 10. (3) Deuteronomy iv. 7. CHAPTER XIV Of the fervent desire of certain devout per- sons to receive the Body and Blood of Christ The Voice of the Disciple 932 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 deep- est devotion and affection, then very often I am confounded in myself and blush for shame, that I approach Thine altar and ta- ble of Holy Communion so carelessly and 933 coldly, that I remain so dry and without af- fection, that I am not wholly kindled with love before Thee, my God, nor so vehe- mently drawn and affected as many devout persons have been, who out of the very earnest desire of the Communion, and tender affec- tion of heart, could not refrain from weep- ing, but as it were with mouth of heart and body alike panted inwardly after Thee, O 934 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, be- coming a very proof of Thy Sacred Pres- ence! For they verily know their Lord in the breaking of bread, whose heart so ar- dently burneth within them(1) when Jesus 935 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 ar- dour. Be merciful unto me, O Jesus, good, sweet, and kind, and grant unto Thy poor suppliant to feel sometimes, in Holy Com- munion, though it be but a little, the cor- dial affection of Thy love, that my faith may grow stronger, my hope in Thy goodness in- 936 crease, 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 de- 937 vout towards Thee, yet, through Thy grace, I have a desire after that greatly inflamed desire, praying and desiring to be made par- taker with all those who so fervently love Thee, and to be numbered among their holy company. (1) Luke xxiv. 32. 938 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 grate- fully, to preserve it humbly, to work with 939 it diligently, and to leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation until it come. Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thy- self 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 940 hath deferred to give. 2. If grace were always given immedi- ately, and were at hand at the wish, it would be hardly bearable to weak man. Where- fore the grace of devotion is to be waited for with a good hope and with humble pa- tience. Yet impute it to thyself and to thy sins when it is not given, or when it is mys- teriously taken away. It is sometimes a small 941 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 942 to thine own will and pleasure, but hast al- together 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 ev- ery inordinate love or dislike of any created 943 thing, he will be the most fit for receiv- ing grace, and worthy of the gift of devo- tion. For where the Lord findeth empty ves- sels,(1) there giveth He His blessing. And the more perfectly a man forsaketh things which cannot profit, and the more he di- eth 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. 944 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 Eu- charist obtaineth the great grace of Divine 945 Union; because he hath not regard to his own devotion and comfort, but, above all devotion and comfort, to the glory and hon- our of God. (1) 2 Kings iv. (2) Isaiah lx. 5. 946 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 know- est my infirmity and the necessity which I suffer, in what evils and vices I lie; how of- 947 ten 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. 948 2. Behold, I stand poor and naked be- fore Thee, requiring grace, and imploring mercy. Refresh the hungry suppliant, kin- dle 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 con- trary things into patience, all things worth- less and created into contempt and oblivion. 949 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 trans- form me into Thyself; that I may be made 950 one spirit with Thee, by the grace of in- ward union, and the melting of earnest love! Suffer me not to go away from Thee hun- gry 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 my- self should utterly fail, since Thou art fire always burning and never failing, love puri- 951 fying the heart and enlightening the under- standing. CHAPTER XVII Of fervent love and vehement desire of re- ceiving Christ The Voice of the Disciple 952 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 de- sired Thee in communicating, who were al- together well pleasing to Thee by their sanc- tity of life, and dwelt in all ardent devotion. O my God, Eternal Love, my whole Good, Happiness without measure, I long to re- 953 ceive 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 of- fer Thee the whole affection of my heart, even as though I alone had all those most grateful inflamed desires. Yea, also, what- soever things a pious mind is able to con- 954 ceive and long for, all these with the deep- est 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, rever- ence, praise, and honour, with such grati- tude, worthiness, and love, with such faith, 955 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 an- swered the Angel who brought unto her the glad tidings of the mystery of the Incarna- tion. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.(1) 3. And as Thy blessed forerunner, the 956 most excellent of Saints, John Baptist, be- ing 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 him- self exceedingly, and said, with devout af- fection, The friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice;(2) even 957 so I wish to be inflamed with great and holy desires, and to present myself unto Thee with my whole heart. Whence also, on be- half 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 su- pernatural illuminations and heavenly vi- sions, with all the virtues and praises cele- 958 brated and to be celebrated by every crea- ture 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, accord- ing to the multitude of Thine unspeakable greatness, are most justly due unto Thee. 959 These do I give Thee, and desire to give every day and every moment; and with be- seechings and affectionate desires I call upon all celestial spirits and all Thy faithful peo- ple 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 960 ardent devotion. And let all who rever- ently and devoutly celebrate Thy most high Sacrament, and receive it with full assur- ance 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 961 wondrously refreshed from Thy holy, heav- enly table, let them vouchsafe to be mindful of me, for I am poor and needy. (1) Luke i. 38. (2) John iii. 29. 962 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 use- less searching into this most profound Sacra- ment, if thou wilt not be plunged into the 963 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 un- derstand. A pious and humble search after truth is to be allowed, when it is always ready to be taught, and striving to walk af- ter the wholesome opinions of the fathers. 2. Blessed is the simplicity which leaveth alone the difficult paths of questionings, and 964 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? 965 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, 966 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, be- cause he already hath secure possession of them; but he tempteth and harasseth the 967 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 under- stand, 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 968 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 espe- cially take the highest place, and work in 969 hidden ways in this most holy and exceed- ing excellent Sacrament. God who is eter- nal and incomprehensible, and of infinite power, doth great and inscrutable things in heaven and in earth, and His wonder- ful 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 970 or unspeakable. (1) Proverbs xxv. 27 (Vulg.). 971