THE FIRST ENTERTAINMENT
VVHERIN IS DECLARED THE OBLI­gation of the constitutions of the visitation of Our Blessed Ladíe, & of the qualities of deuo­tion, vvhich the Religious of the sayd order oughto haue.

TThese cōstitutions, of themselues doe in no sorte oblige any one vn­der sinne, either mortall or ve­niall: but they are giuen onely for [...]rection & guide to those of the congregation; [...]t not with standing, if any should violate [...]em willingly, of purpose, with contempt, or [...]ith scandall, aswell to the sisters as to stran­ [...]rs: she should with out doubt committ à [...]eat offence; for such a person cannot be ex­ [...]pt from fault, who debaseth and deshono­ [...]th the things of God, belieth her profession, [Page 2] ouerthroweth the congregation, and dissipateth the fruites of good example & sweet sauour, wich she ought to produce to wardes her neigh­bour: so that such à voluntarie contempt shall in the ende be poursued with some great chastis­ment from heauen, & especially with depriua­tion of the graces and guifts of the holy Ghost, wich are ordinarily taken from them, who a­bandon their good designes, & quitt the way into which Almighty God hath introduced thē

2. Now the contempt of Constitutions, as also of all other good workes, is knowne by these considetations following.

That person failleth therein, which through contempt violateth, or omitteth to execute any ordinance, not only voluntarily, but of delibe­rate purpose; for if he violate it in consideratly by obliuion, or surprise of some passion; that i [...] another thing: for contempt contayneth in it▪ deliberate will, and a determinate purpose to doe that, wich it doeth; where of it followeth that the person, who violateth the ordinance▪ or disobeyeth through contempt, he not onel [...] disobeyeth, but he will disobey; he doth no [...] onely cōmmitt an act of disobedience, but h [...] doth it with intention to disobey: as for exam­ple, It is forbiddden to eate out of the time of meales, a sister eateth plummes, Apricokes▪ or other fruites; she violateh the Rule and committeth an act of disobedience: now if she eat being allured with the delighte, which sh [...] thinketh to receaue in it; then she disobeyet [...] but not through disobedience, but through L [...] quorousnes; or else she eateth, beccause sh [...] hath the Rule in little esteme, neither will regard [Page 3] it, nor submitt her selfe there vnto, & then she disobeyeth through contēpt & disobediēce.

More ouer hēce it followeth, that the party that disobeyeth, by some alluremēt, inticing, or sodayne passion, would gladly be able to cōtent her passion and not disobey, euen at the same time that she, taketh pleasure in matter of eating: for exāple, she is sorrie that it is with disobedi­ence; in which case disobedience followeth or accompanieth the worke: but in the former, dis­obedience precedeth or goes before the actiō, and serueth for the cause and motiue of it, euen although it be for delicacye; for whosoeuer eateth against a commaundement, consequently or together, committeth an act of disobedi­ence; although if it could be auoyded in eatting he would not commit it: euen as he that drin­ [...]eth very much, would not willingly become drunke, although in drinking he maketh him [...]lfe drunke. But they who sinn through neglect, or disesteeme of the Rule, and by disobedience; [...]hey will and intend the same disobedience, in [...]ch sorte that they doe not the worke, nor [...]ould doe it, if they weare not moued to doe it [...]y the will and pourpose they haue to disobey. [...]he one then disobeyeth, willing and inten­ [...]ng that to the which disobedience is ioyned, [...]e other disobeyeth willing and pourposing the [...]me thing because disobedience is conioyned [...]er vnto: The one encountereth and disobedi­ [...]ce, in the thing she willeth, and would be glad [...]t to edcounter it: the other seeketh a [...]fer dis­ [...]edience and would not doe the thing, but [...]ith intention to find disobediēce therein. The [...]e sayeth, I disobey because, I entend to eate [Page 4] this apricoke, which I cannot doe but with di­sobedience: the other sayeth, I eate it, because I will disobey, wihch I shall doe in eating: diso­bedience and contempt followeth the one, and it conducteth the other:

Now this formall disobediēce and contempt of good and holy things, is neuer with out some sinne at least veniall, no not in things which are onely conunsells. Although one is not bound to followe the councells of perfectiō, by the ele­ction of other things vnder any offēce: yet may she not therefore by disesteeme, and contēpt re­fuse them, with out offence. For though we are not obliged to follow all that is good, yet we ought to honnour and esteeme it, and cōsequēt­ly we haue much more reason not to contemne or sett little by it.

More-ouer it followeth that she who by cō ­tempt violateth the Rule and constitutions, e­steemeth it vnprofitable and vile, which is a very great presumption & pride: or else perad­uenture, if she esteeme it profitable, yet for all that, will not submitt her selfe there-vnto: then she breaketh her purpose, with great dōmage of her neighbour, to whome she giueth scandall, and euill example, & she doeth contra­rie to her promise made to the companie, and disordereth a deuout house; vhich are three greeuous faults.

But to the end, it may in some sorte be discer­ned when a person violateth the Rules of Obe­diēce by contempt, behould here some signes.

1. when as being corrected, she mocketh at it, and hath not any repentance.

2. when she perseuereth with out demon­stration [Page 5] of any desire or will to amēd her selfe.

3. when she contesteth, that the Rule or commaundement, is not to the purpose.

4 when she endeuoreth to draw others in­to the same breach, and taketh the feare there­of from them, saying, that it is nothing, & there is no danger, therein. Yet these signes are not so certayne, but they may happen sometimes for otber causes, aswell as that of contempt: for it may happen that a person, derideth the party, who reprehendeth her; for the little estima­tion she hath of her; That she perseuereth through infirmity; or that she contesteth out of despite and choler; or to haue cōpanions she debaucheth others, the better to excuse her di­sordered b [...]hauiour Neuertheless [...] it is easye to iudge by [...]he circumstances, when these things are done by contēpt: for in the ende shame ess­ [...]nes, impudēcie, and manifest liberty ordinarilie follow contēpt; and those who haue it in their hart, in fine powre it forth at their mouth, say­ing (as Dauid noteth) vvho shall controll vs?

4. I must needs add a worde concerning a [...]entation, which may arriue vpon this point: [...]hat is this, somtimes a person esteemeth not [...]er selfe to de disobedient and a libertine whē hee neglecteth but one or two Rules, which [...]eeme to her of smal importance, prouided [...]hat she obserue all the others; But O good God, who seeth not this deceipt; considering [...]hat what one shall esteeme little, an other will [...]uch regarde; and contrary. Likwise when [...] a companye one maketh no accompt of one [...]ule, the second dispiseth another, the third a­ [...]other, so the whole frame of Religious disci­pline, [Page 6] is put out of order. For whilest tha [...] the spirit of man is no otherwise conducted then according to his inclinations and auersiōs, what hapneth vnto him, but a perpetuall incon­stancie, with varietie of defects and offences? yesterday I was ioyfull & silence did dislike me; and a tentation did suggest to me that I was Idle perchance I am melancholie this day, & it wil tell me that recreatiō and intertaynment are ye [...] far more vnprofitable; I was yesterday in con­solation, then it did please me to sing: this day I am in desolation and it will displease me, & s [...] of other suth like accidents.

So that whosoeuer will liue perfectly a happy lif [...] of necessitie he must accustome himself to liue according to reason, to his Rules, an [...] Obedience; and not according to his inclinatiō or auersions; and much to esteeme all the Rule [...] and to h [...]nour them▪ and cherish them▪ at sca [...] in his Superior will; for if he neglect one now to morrow he shall cōtemne another, & furthe [...] more the next day another, and thē incontinēt [...] the bond of duty being brok [...]n in an instant a whatsoeuer vas bound there with, by litt [...] and little wilbe dispersed and scaterred [...] broad.

God forbid that any of the daughters of th [...] visitation should straye so farr out of the w [...] of the Loue of God, that she loose her sel [...] in the contempt of the Rules by disob [...] dience, hardnesse and obstinacie of hart. F [...] what greatter mischeife or disaster could ha [...] pen vnto her? espetially since there are fe [...] particular and proper Rules of the congr [...] gation, the most part, and almost all of the [Page 7] being either generall good Rules, which they ought and should obserue in their houses, were they in the world, if they will liue with any ho­nour, reputation and feare of God; or else they regard the apparent comelines (or) decencie of a deuoute house, or the officers them selues in particular.

5. If so be som times there arriue vnto them some disgust or auersion from the constitu­tions, and Rules of the Congregation: they shal comport themselues in the same manner, as they are to doe about other temptations, cor­recting the auersion by reason, and by a good and strong resolution, framed in the superiour part of the soule; attendig till God sende them consolation in their way, and make them to see, (as another Iacob, when he was wearie and ti­red in his voiage,) that the Rules and method of Life which they haue embraced, are the true [...]adder, by which they ought, in guise of the An­gell, to mount vnto God by Charitie, and to descend into themselues by humilitie.

But if, with out auersion, it happen vnto [...]hem to violate the Rules through infirmity: [...]hen they are instantly to humble themselues before God, demaund pardon of him; and re­ [...]ewing their resolution of obseruing the same Rule, they shall take care, and wach [...]boue all, that they enter not into discourage­ment of spirit and vnquietnesse; but with new confidence in God, haue recourse to his holie Loue.

6. And in regard of violating of the Rule, (which is not done, but by pure disobedience or by contempt) if they doe it by carelessnes, [Page 8] infirmity tentation, or negligence: then they may & ought to confesse it as a veniall sinne; or otherwise as a thing, wherin there might haue bene a veniall sinne; for although there be not any kind of sinne there in, in vertu of obligation to the Rule; there may be neuertheless in respect of their negligēce carelessnes, sodaynesse, or other such defects; since it rarelie arriueth, that seeing some good proper for our aduance-ment (and especiallie if we be called and inuited to doe the same) we voluntarilie giue it ouer & omitt it with out of­fence; in so much as such an omission, procee­deth no otherwise thē, of neglicence, and depra­ued affectiō, or want of fernon [...]. And if we must render an account of those wordes which are trulie idle, how much more for hauing rendred vnfruitfull and vnprofitable the call which out Rule giueth vs for the practice there of? I haue sayed, It hapneth rarely not to offend god Whē wi [...] Leaue vndone a good, fitt for our adduancement; because it may so fall out, that we omitt it not willingly, or deliberatly; but by obliuion, vnwa­rinesse, and subreption; and thē there is no sinne therein, neither little nor great; vnlesse the thing, which we forget, weare of so great importance that we weare obliged to hould our selues so at­tentiue, that we doe not fall into obliuion and vnwarinesse; as for exemple, if a sister break si­lence, because she is not attentiue, that it is time of silence, & therefore she remembreth not he [...] selfe; for somuch as she thinkelth of other things or else she is suprised with some motion to speake, in the wich occasiō she shall haue saye [...] some thing, before she hath well thought to repress [Page 9] it; with out doubt she sinneth not: for the [...]bseruance of silence is not of so great impor­ [...]ance, that they be obliged to haue such an at­ [...]ention, that they forgett it not: rather contra­ [...]iewise it is a very good thing in the time of [...]lence to imploy themselues in other pious and [...]oly thoughts, and if being attentiue to them, [...]ne forgett her selfe to be in time of silence, [...]his obliuion proceding from so good a cause [...]an neuer be euill, nor consequently, the wante [...]f silence, which proceedeth there of.

But if she should forgett to serue a sicke per­ [...]on, which weare in danger for want of seruice, [...]nd that this office had bene enioyned her, for [...]e wich all reposed on her care: it should be no [...]ood excuse for her to say, I thought not of it, I [...]id not remember my selfe; no: for the thing [...]as of so great importāce, that she ought to bee [...]ttentiue there vnto, not to faile there in; and he want of this attention may not be excused, in [...]gard of the quallitie of the thing which doeth [...]eserue and require due attention.

7. It ought to be beleeued, that according [...] the measure which diuine Loue shall make [...]rogresse in the soules of the daughters of the [...]ongregation, it will alwaies render them more [...]act, and carefull in the obseruance of their [...]onstitutions, although they of them [...]lues oblige not vnder payne of sinne nei­ [...]er mortall nor veniall; for if they did obli­ [...]e vnder payne of death, how much more [...]raitly, should they obserue them? Now [...]oue is strong as death; then the attra­ [...]ions of Loue are also as powerfull to execute resolution, as the threatnings of death: zeale [Page 10] sayeth the sacred Canticle) is hard and strong as hell: the Soules then which haue zeale, will do [...] as much and more in vertu of the same, thē they would doe for feare of hell. So likwise by the sweet violence of Loue, the daughters of the Congregatiō wil obserue so much more exactly their Rules, God affisting thē, then if they weare obliged vnder payne of eternall damnation It summe, they shall haue perpetuall memorie o [...] that which Salomon sayeth in the Prouerbs 19. he which keepeth the commaundement▪ gardeth his soule, and he who neglecteth his way shall die now your way is that manner of Life, in the which God hath placed you. I speake nothing heere of the obligatiō which we haue to the ob­seruance of vowes: for it is most euident, tha [...] whoseuer absolutely trāsgresseth the Rule, in th [...] essentiall vowes of Pouertie, Chastitie, and obedience, sinneth mortally, and he shoulde doe a [...] much breaking inclosure.

8. Lett the sisters make a particuler Professio [...] to nourish in their hartes an interiour strōg an [...] generous deuotiō; I say interiour that they hau [...] their wills cōforme to the good exteriour actiō they shall doe, whether they be little or great [...] Lett nothing be done out of custome: but by electiō and applicatiō of the will; & if somtimes the exteriour action preuent the interiour affectio [...] because of the cōtinuall vse there of: at least let affection immediatlie follow; if before that I in­cline my selfe to my Superiour, I haue not th [...] interiour inclination by an humble electiō to b [...] subiect vnto her: at least lett this electiō accō panie, or follow neere the exteriour inclinatiō

The fisters of the Congregatiō haue very few [Page 11] Rules for the exteriour; few a usterities; few ce­ [...]emonies, short seruice: let thē therefore willing­ [...]ie and louinglie accommodate their hartes [...]o them, making the exteriour to proceede from [...]he interiour, and nourishing the interiour by [...]he exteriour, euen so as fire produceth ashes, [...]nd ashes nourish the fire.

More ouer this deuotion must be strong,

First to support tentations which are neuer [...]anting to them, wich will with an entire hart [...]erue God.

Secōdly strōg to support the varietie of spirits [...]hich they shall find in the congregatiō, which [...]s so great a triall for weake spirits that they shall [...]arcely encounter any thing more difficult.

Thirdry strong to support each one her owne [...]mperfections, and not to be disquieted to see [...]er selfe subiect to them: for euen as she must [...]aue a strōg humilitie, not to loose courage, but [...]o lift vp her confidence in God in the midst of [...]er imbecillities; so must she haue a powerfull [...]ourage to entreprise the correction and amēd­ment of them.

Fourthly, strōg to fight again h cr imperfectiōs Fiftly strong to contēne the worlde and iudge­ [...]ēts of the world, which are neuer wāting to cō ­ [...]oll pious institutes, espetially in the beginning. Sixtly, strong to hould her selfe independant of [...]ff [...]ctions, frindships or particuler inclinations, [...]o the end she liue not according to them; but [...]ccording to the light of true pietie.

Seuenthly, strong to hould her selfe independēt [...]f tēdernesse, sweetnesses, and cōsolatiōs which [...]ome vnto vs aswell from God, as frō creatures, [...]nd not to permitt our selues to be ingaged to [...]hem.

Again, strong to enterprise a continuall war [...] against [...]ur euill inclinations humours, habitts and propensions.

In fine it must be generous, not to be astonished or daunted with difficulties; but rathe [...] contrarie wr [...]e increassing her courage by them For (as S. Bernard sayeth) he is not very valiant whose courage groweth not in midst o [...] paynes and contradictions. Generous to preten [...] the most high point of perfection, notwithstanding all imperfections, and weaknes or frailty sustayning her selfe by a perfect confidence vppon the diuine mercye, following the exampl [...] of that soule who sayed to her beloued: Dravv me we vvill rume after thee in the odour of th [...] oyntmēts: as if she would haue sayed: of my self I am immouable; but when thou shalt draw [...] me, I will rume The diuine Louer of our soule leaueth vs often as it weare sticking in our miseries, to the end we may know our deliuranc [...] commeth from him; and when we haue it, w [...] hould it deare, as a most pretious gift of hi [...] bountie. For this cause as generous deuotiō neuer ceaseth to cry vnto God, drawe me; [...] she neuer ceaseth from aspiring, f [...]ō hoping, an [...] from promising her selfe couragiously to run [...] one, and sayeth, we will runne after thee; And w [...] ought neuer to be troubled if at the first onse [...] we runne not after our Sauiour, prouided that w [...] allwaies say, draw mee, & that we haw the courage for to say: we will runne; for although w [...] rūne not, it sufficeth that God assisting vve vv [...] runne. This congregation not being an assembl [...] of perfect persons, no more then other Religiō are, but of persons whō pretend to perfe [...] [Page 13] themselues: not of persons running, but of per­ [...]ons who pretend to runne; and who for this [...]ause learne first to walke a slow pace, then to [...]asten themselues, after to walke more roūdly, [...]nd in fine to runne.

9. This generous deuotion contēneth not [...]ny thing: and causeth that with out trouble or [...]nquietnesse we see euery one to walke, to [...]unne, to fly diuerslie, according to the diuersi­ [...]ies of inspirations, and variety of measures of [...]he diuine grace, which euerie one receaueth. This is an aduertisement which the great Apo­ [...]tle S. Paule made to the Romains. 14. one (sayeth [...]e) beleeueth he may eate of all things, the other, vvhich is vveake, eateth hearbs; Lett not hym that eateth, despise him vvhich eateth not, & [...]e that eateth not, lett him not iudge him that [...]ateth. Lett euerie one abound in his sence: he that eateth, eateth to our Lord, and he that ea­teth not, eateth not to our Lord, and asvvell the one as the other rendreth thankes to God. Your Rule doeth not commaund many fastes, neuer­thelesse some for particuler necessities may ob­tayne licence to faste more. Lett not those that shall fast, dispise them that eate, nor those that eat them who doe fast, and euen so in all o­ther things, which are not cōmāded nor forbid­den. Lett euerie one abound in her sence, that is to say, let euerie one enioy, and vse her libertie, with out iudging and controlling others, that doe not as she doth; desiring to haue her mā ­ner held to be the best: since it may bee, that one eateth with as much renunciation of her owne will, as another would fast; & that one tel­leth not his faultes by the same renunciation, by [Page 14] the which another telleth thē. Generous deuotiō will not haue cōpanions in all that she doth; but only in her pretentiō, which is the Glorie of God and aduancement of her neighbour in the diuine Loue; and, prouided they walke rightly to that end, she careth not by what way it is; on cōditiō that he which fasteth, fast for God; and he who fasteth not, also fast not for God, she is wholie satisfied, as well with the one, as with the other. She will not then drawe others to her course, but followeth simply, humbly, and peaceably on her way Yea if it should happen that one should eate not for God, but by inclinatiō; or that she should not take a disclpline, not for God, but by à naturall auersion; yet for all that, those who doe the cō ­trarie exercises shall not iudg her; but with out censuring shall gentlie and sweetlie follow on their way, with out dispising, to the preiudice of the weake; remēbring them selues, that if in these occasiōs, some incline perchance to nicenes: their owne inclinations and auersiōs also in other oc­currences doe perhapps the same; but also those who haue such inclinations and auersions, ought to take great heede, not to vtter any wordes, nor to giue any manner of signe of disgust, that others doe better: for it should be a great impertinēce in them: but rather cōsidering their imbecillity they ought to regard the better doers with a holy sweete and cordiall reuerence; for thereby they may be able to drawe as much profitt frō their weak­nes by the humility that proceedeth there of, as the others doe gaine by their exercises. If that this point be well vnderstood and wel obscrued, it will conserue a meruelous tranquilly and sweetnes in the Congregation. Lett Martha be actiue, but lett her not controll Magdalene; Lett [Page 15] Magdalene contemplate, but so that she dispise [...]ot Martha; for our Lord Will take the cause of [...]er that shalbe censured.

But neuerthelesse if some sisters should haue [...]uersiōs from pious, good and approoued things, or inclinations to things lesse pious; if they will [...]eleeue me, they shall vse violence, and shall [...]esist their auersions, and inclinatiōs, as much as [...]hey shalbe able, the better to render thēselues [...]rue mistrisses of thē selues, and to serue God [...]y an excellēt mortification, repugning euen this [...]heir repugnāce, contradicting their contradictiō declining from their inclinations, diuerting thē selues from their auersions, and in all and by all making the authoritie of reason to reigne, prin­cipallie in things, in which they haue time to take their resolution: and for conclusion, they shall endeuour to haue a gentle and tractable hart, submisse and easie to condescend in all lawfull things, and to shew in euerie enterprise, Obe­dience and Charitie; for to resemble the doue, who receaueth, all the brightness and shinings the sunne giueth her; Blessed are the pliable harts, for they will neuer breake.

10. The daughters of the visitation shall allwaies speake very hūbly of their little con­gregation, and they shall preferr all others be­fore it, (as touching honour and precedence) yet neuertheless they shall preferr it before al other, as touching Loue; willinglie witnessing, when occasion shall present if selfe, how con­tentdllie they liue in this vocation, euen so as wemen ought to preferr their hushands before all others, not as more honourable, but in affection; so euerie one preferrs his country be­fore others in Loue, not in esteeme; and each [Page 16] Pilot cherisheth more the vessell wher in h [...] saylleth, thē thers, although they be more rich and better furnished. Lett vs freelie auouch tha [...] other Congregations are better, more rich, an [...] more excellent; but therefore not more amia­ble, or more desirable, or more conuenient, fo [...] vs; since our Lord hath willed this should be our countrie, our barke; and that our har [...] should be maried to this institute, following th [...] speach of him, who being demaunded which was the most delightfull resting place, and the best foode for the Child, the breast (sayed he) and the milke of his mother; for al­though there are many more beautifull breasts and better milke, yet for him there is not any more proper, nor more amiable.

THE SECOND ENTER­TAINEMENT.
VVherin is demaunded, whether we may appeare before God whith great confidence, hauing whith in our selues the feeling of our miserie, and hovv; and of the perfect abnegation of our seues.

YOv demanded of mee, most Deare daughters, whether a soule, that hath the feeling of her miserie, may present her selfe before God with a great cōfidence? now I aunswere, that not one­lie the soule, which hath the knowl [...]dg of, her miserie; may haue great confidence in God; but also she cannot haue true confidēce, vnlesse [Page 17] she haue the kenowledg of her miserie; for this [...]enowledg and confession of our miserie intro­ [...]uceth vs before God; euen so all the great [...]ints as Iob, Dauid, and others, did begin all [...]eir prayers by the confession of their miserie [...]nd indignitie; therfore it is a very good thing [...]or a person to acknouledg her selfe poore, vile [...]biect and vnworthy to appeare in the presence [...]f God. This saying, knovve thy selfe, so much [...]elebrated by the antients of former times; al­ [...]hough that it extendeth it selfe to [...]he knowledg [...]f the greatness, and excellēcie of the soule, that [...]t doe not abase and prophane it selfe in things [...]nworthy of its nobilitie: it also extendeth to [...]he knowledg of our indignity, imperfection, [...]nd miserie. For looke how much more wee [...]hall acknowledg our selues to be miserable; so much more shall we confide in the bounty and mercy of God: for betweene mercie and miserie [...]here is à certayne connexion so great, that the [...]ne cannot be exercised with out the other. yf God had not created mā, he had bene truely to­ [...]ally good; but he had not bene actuallie mercifull; for so much as mercie exerciseth not it selfe but [...]o the miserable. You see then, that how much more wee acknowledg our selues miserable, so much more we haue occasion to put our trust in God, since we haue nothing wher of to confide in our selues. Distrust of our selues proceedeth from the knowledg of our imperfections: It is good then to distrust our selues. But to what purpose will it serue vs, vnlesse we cast our whole confidence vppon God, and relie vppon his mercie? the faults and infidelities that wee cō ­mitt euerie day, ought indeed to bring vs shame [Page 18] and confusion, when we will approch neere o [...] Lord; and so we read, that there haue bene ho [...] soules ( S Katherin of Siēne, and S. Theresa) wh [...] whē they weare fallē into any fault, felt exceedin [...] great confusiō; It is truelie very reasonable tha [...] hauing offēded God, we should retire our selue a little by humilitie. and remayne confounded for hauing offēded a freind onely, we are ashamed to approch to him; but wee must not remayne there; for these vertues of humilitie of abiection & confusion, are mediate vertue by the which we ought to mount to th [...] vnion of our soule with God. It would be n [...] great matter, to be annihilated and left naked o [...] our selues (the which is donne by acts of cōfusion) if it weare not to giue our selues wholie t [...] God: euen as S. Paule taught vs, vhen he sayed vncloth your selues of the ould man, and put o [...] you the new, for you must not remayne naked but cloth yourselue with God; This little recoyl [...] is not made but to the end the soule may there­by leape forward into God by an act of Lou [...] and confidence; for wee must not be co [...]founded with Sadnes or vnquietness; it is self Lou [...] that giueth these confusions, by which we ar [...] sorrie for not being perfect, not so much for the Loue of God, as for the Loue of our selues.

Yea although you feele not any such confi­dence, yet may you not ommitt to make acts therof, and say vnto our Lord, although, my Lord I haue not any confidence in thee, yet I know thou art my God, that I am wholie thine, and haue no other hope then in thy goodnes: and therefore I giue my selfe ouer quite into thy hāds It is allwaies in our power to make these acts▪ [Page 19] and albeit we haue difficultie in it, it is not there­ [...]re impossible: and it is in these occasions, and [...]eses difficulties, that we ough to giue testimo­ [...]ie of our fidelitie to our Lord: for although we [...]ake such acts with out gust and with out any [...]atisfaction, we must not be troubled; since our [...]ord loueth them better so; And doe not say, as [...]ou are wont: alas it is no otherwise then from [...]he mouth: for if the hart would it not, the mouth would not speak [...] a worde; Hauing done this, [...]emayne in peac [...] with out reflecting vppon your [...]rouble; speake to out Lord of some other thing Cōsider then for conclusiō of this first point, that [...]t is very good to ha [...]e confusion, when we haue [...]he knowlegd and feeling of our miserie, and im­perfe [...]ion: but we must not there in nor for it [...]a [...] into into discouragemēt but raise vp our hart vnto God by a holie Confidence, the foundation whe [...]e of ought to be in him; and not in vs: For so much as we change and he neuer changeth, but remayneth allwais as good and as mercifull, whē we are weake a [...]d imperfect, as when we are strōg and perfect I am wōt to say, that the [...]hrone of the mercie of God is our miserie: it followeth thē that how much greater our miserie shalbe, so much great ther Confidence must we haue.

3. Lett vs past now to the other question, of forsaking ones selfe, and what ought to be the cxercise of the soule abandoned; It must then be vnderstood that to abādon our soule and to leaue our selues, is no other thing, then to quitt & break vs of our selfe will, to giue it vnto God: for it should serue vs but little (as I haue alreadie sayed) to renounce and leaue our selues, if it weare not to vnite vs more perfectlie to the diuine goodnes: it is this then for which [Page 20] this giuing ouer ones selfe ought to be mad [...] which otherwise would be vnprofitable, a [...] should resēble those of the antiēt philosophe [...] who made admirable renuntiations of the selues and of all thinges, for a vaine pretext giue them selues to philosophy, as Epicte [...] most renowned philosopher, who being a sla [...] by condition, by reason of his great wisdom they weare content to haue giuen hem his fre [...] dome; but he out of an extreame renuntiatio [...] would not haue his liberty, and so voluntaril [...] remayned in slaueric with so great pouertie that after his death they found no other hous [...] hold stuffe of his but a Lampe, which wa [...] sould very deare, because it had bene the Lāp of so great à man; But we must not abandon ou [...] selues, vnles it weare to leaue our selues to the mercie of the will of God. There are man [...] who say to our Lord: I giue my selfe wholie to the with out any reseruation; but there are ve­rie few, which unbrace the practice of this re­nuntiation, which is no other thing, then a per­fect indifferencie to receaue all sortes of euent [...] according as they arriue by the order of the di­uine prouidence aswell affliction, as cōsolatiō; sicknes as health; pouertie, as riches, eon­tēpt as honour, & infamy as glorie, the which I meane according to the Superiour part of our soule; for there is not any doubt, but that the in­feriour and naturall inclination will allwaies bend and tend to the side of honour, rather then that of contempt: of riches, then that of pouer­tie although there are not any that can be igno­rant; that contempt, abiection, and pouerty, are more pleasing to God, then honour, and abun­dance [Page 21] of great riches.

§. 4. Now to gett this relinquishing of all at soeuer, we ought to obey the wil of God [...]nified, and that of his good pleausure, the one done by may of resignation, the other by way indifferencie. The will of God signified com­ [...]ehendeth his commaudements, his councells [...]s inspirations, our Rules, and the ordinances our Superiours. The will of his good pleau­ [...]e, regardeth the euents of things, which wee [...]n not foresee (or) preuent: as for example; I [...]owe not if I shall die to morrow, I doe see at this is the good pleausure of God, and there [...]re I render my selfe to his holy will, and [...]ll die willinglie, In like fort I know not if the [...]xt yeare, all the fruites of the earth shalbe [...]asted; if it happen they be, or there be plague [...]t other like euents, it is euident that this is the [...]ood pleasure of God, and therefore I cōforme [...]y selfe there vnto. It may happen that you [...]hall not haue consolation in your exercises; it [...] certayne that then this is the good pleasure of [...]od, wher-fore you must remayne with an ex­ [...]eame indifferencie betweene desolation, & [...]onsolation. The same ought to be done in all [...]hings, which shall artiue vnto vs, in the cloathes [...]hat are giuen vs, and in the meates that are [...]resented vs.

§. 5. It ought moreouer to be noted, that there [...]re things in which the will of God signified is [...]oined to that of his good pleasure: as if I fall sicke of a greeuous feauer, I see that the good pleasure [...]f God in this euent is, that I remayne indifferēt either for health or sicknes; but the will of God signified is, that I who am not vnder obedience, [Page 22] call for the phisition, and that I apply all th [...] remedies I can; I doe not say the most exquisit but the common and ordinarie; and that t [...] Religious, who are vnder a Superiour, recea [...] the remedies, and vsage which are presente [...] them in simplicity and submission: for God ha [...] signified it vnto vs, in this that he hath giue vertu vnto remedies; the holy Scripture teacheth it in many places, & the church orday [...] eth it: now this being done, lett the sickne [...] surmount the remedie, or the remedie surmou [...] the maladie, we ought to be perfectlie indifferē [...] in such sort, thar if sicknes and health wear presēt before vs, and that our Lord did say vnt [...] vs: if thou chose health, I will not take fro [...] thee one graine of my grace: and if thou mak [...] choise of sicknes, I will not augment it one io [...] at all: but to make choise of sicknes would b [...] more agreable to my will, the soule then, tha [...] intirely abandoneth, and comitteth it selfe int [...] the hāds of our Lord, will with out doubt choos [...] sicknes, for this cause onelie, that there is in i [...] some what more of the good pleasure of God yea though she weare to remayne all her life in [...] bedd, not being able to doe any other thing, th [...] to suffer, yet would not she for any thing in th [...] world desire any other estate then that. Euen th [...] saints which are in heauē, haue such an vniō with the will of God, that if there weare to be had a little more of the good pleasure of God in hell thy would quitt paradice to goe thither. This estate of forsaking of ones selfe comprehendeth also the entire resignation to the good pleasure of God in all temptations, as drinesses, auer­sions, and repugnances, which may arriue in a [Page 23] spirituall life; for in all these things we see the [...]od pleasure of God; when they arriue not by [...]r default, and that on our part there be no [...]ne. In fine this renuntiation of our selues, is [...]e vertu of vertues: it is, the creame of [...]haritie, the sweete sauour of humilitie, the [...]eritt (as it seemeth) of patience, and the fruite [...] perseuerance. O great is this vertue, and [...]lie worthy to be practiced by the most deare [...]hildren of God. My father; sayed our most [...]weet Sauiour vppon the crosse I committ my [...]iritt into thy bandes as yf he would Saye: [...]s true that all is consummate, and that haue accomplished all that thou hast com­ [...]aunded me: but more ouer if such be thy [...]ill, that I remayne yet on this Cross, to [...]ffer more, I am content, and committ my [...]irit into thy handes, thou mayest do there­ [...]ith, euen as it shall please thee We ought [...] doe the same, my most deare daughters, [...] euerie occasion, be ir that we doe suffer, [...]r that wee doe enioy some contentment; [...]eauing our selues to be conducted by [...]e diuine will, according to his good [...]easure, with out euer permitting our [...]elues to be preoccupated by our particuler will. Out Lord loueth with an extreeme [...]ender loue those, who are so happie, as [...]o abandon themselues totally to his pa­ [...]ernall care, leauing themselues to be go­ [...]erned by his diuine prouidence, with out [...]nusing (or) considering whether the effects [...]f this prouidedce, shabe beneficiall, pro­ [...]itable, or dommagable to them, being most assured, that nothing shall be [Page 24] sent vnto them from his paternall and amiab [...] hart; nor that he will permitt any thing to arri [...] vnto them, aut of which he will not can [...] them to drawe good and profit; prouided th [...] they put theyr whole confidence in him, a [...] that thy say with a good hart: I remitt my spir [...] my soule, my hodie, and all that I haue into t [...] blessed hands, to doe according as it sh [...] please thee. For we are neuer reduced to suc [...] extremitye, that we may not allwaies pow [...] before his diuine maiestie perfumes of holy su [...] mission to his most blessed will, and a continua [...] promise neuer willinglie to offend him.

§. 2. Somtimes our Lord will that the soule chosen for the seruice of his diuine maies [...] should nourish them selues wih a firme and i [...] uariable resolution to follow him, among th [...] disgusts, drinesses repugnāces, and asperities [...] a spirituall life, with out consolation, sweetnes [...] tenderness and gusts; & that they beleeue the [...] selues, not to be worthy of other treating: fo [...] lowing our diuine Sauiour with the pure poi [...] (or) quintessence of the spiritt, hauing no othe [...] prop or stay, then that of the diuine will, whic [...] would haue it so. Behould then how I desi [...] you should walke my Deare daughters.

But now you demaund of me, wherin this soul ought interioulie 'to imploy her selfe, which i [...] totally abādoned into the hāds of God? she sha [...] doe nothing but remayne neere vnto our Lor [...] with out care of any thing, no not of her own bodie nor of her soule; for since she is imbarke [...] vnder the prouidence of God, what hath she t [...] doe to thinke of that which is to come? ou [...] Lord, to whome she hath totallie left her selfe [Page 25] will prouide sufficiētlie for her. Yet my meaning [...]s not, that she think not of those things, to which she is obliged, according to her charge; for a Superiour ought not vnder colour of [...]bandoning her selfe to God, and reposing in [...]is care, neglect to read, and learne the docu­ments, which are proper for the exercise of her [...]harge. It is most true that she ought to haue great confidence, to forsake her selfe in such manner, with out any reseruation to, the diuine [...]rouidence; Moreouer that when wee abandon [...]ur selues wholie, our Lord taketh care of all, [...]nd conducteth all: but if we reserue any thing of the which we confide not in him, he leaueth vs; as if he sayed, You thinke to be wise enough with out mee, I leaue you to gouerne, you [...]hall see how you will find your selues there-in Those who are dedicated to God in Religion, ought to abandon all with out any reseruation. Sainct Marye Magdalene, who was totallie giuen ouer to the will of our Lord, remayned at his feete, and did hearken whilst he spake; [...]nd when he ceased to speake, she also ceased to [...]earken; but she did not therefore remoue from being neere him: euen so the soule, which is so giuen ouer, hath noe other thing to doe, then to remayne beweene the armes of our Lord, as a child in the bosome of his Mother, who when [...]he setteth him on the ground for to goe, he goeth, vntill such time as she taketh him vp againe; and when she will carrie him he per­mitteth it; for he knoweth not, nor thinketh whether he goeth; but leaueth himselfe to be carryed, or lead, whether it pleaseth his Mother; in the same sort, this soule louing the [Page 26] will of the good pleasure of God, in all things that arriue vnto her, leaueth her selfe to be car­ried, and walketh neuerthelesse, perf [...]rming with great diligence the will of God, as farre fo [...]th as it is signified vnto her.

§. 3. You aske now, if it be possible, that our will may be so dead in our Lord that we may come in a sort to know no more what we will, or what we will not? I say in the first place, that it neuer hapneth so to abandon our freedome and the libertie of our free will, that it remaynes not with vs; so that allwaies we haue some desire and some will; but these are not absolute wills, and formed desires; for so soone as a soule, which hath plunged it selfe into the good pleasure of God, perceaueth in it selfe any will, she incontinently maketh it to dye in the goo [...] will of God.

§. 4. You would also know, if a soule which is yet vnperfect, may be able to remayne profi­tably before God, with this simple attention to his holy presence in prayer; I tell you, i [...] that God place you there, you may well re­mayne there; for it hapneth very often, that our Lord giueth these quietnesses, & tran­quillities to some soules, that are not well purged; but whiles it is expedient that they purifie them selues more perfectlie, they ought out of prayer to consider what is necessarie for their amendment; For although God would allwaies hould them throughly recollect, yet haue they sufficient libertie besides to discourse with the vnderstanding vppon diuers indiffe­rent things: where-fore then may they not consider and make resolutions for their amend­ment [Page 27] and the practice of vertues? There [...]re verye perfect persons, to whom our lord [...]euer giueth such sweetnes, nor this quiet­ [...]es; who doe all with the Superiour parte [...]f their soule, and make their will to die with [...]n the will of God by a sweet and liuelie [...]orce, and with edge of reason: this death speake of, is the death of the spouse the [...]hich is much more excellent and generous [...]en the other, and ought rather to be called [...] sleeping, then a death; for this soule which [...]s imbarked in the ship of the prouidence of [...]od, permitteth her selfe to saile sweetlie; [...]s a person who sleeepth with in a shipp vp­on a calme sea, yet doeth not cease therefore [...]o goe forward; this manner of death so sweet, [...]s giuen by way of grace; the other is giuen by [...]ay of merit.

§. 5. You would further know, what foun­ [...]ation our confidence ought to haue? It must [...]e founded vppon the infinite Goodnes of God, and vppon the meritts of the death [...]nd passions of our lord IESVS-CHRIST, with this condition on our part; that we haue [...]nd know in our selues an entire and firme re­ [...]olution to be wholic Gods, and to abandon our [...]elues totallye with out any reseruation, to his [...]rouidence; I desire allwaies that you marke [...]hat I say not, that we must feele this reso­ [...]ution of being totallie Gods, but only that [...]t must be had and knowen in vs: for so much as we must not studie (or) muse on that wee feele or on that wee feele not, because the most part of our feelings and sattisfactions [...]re no other then delayes of going forward, [Page 28] instigated by selfe loue. Also it must not be vnderstood, that in all these things heere spoken of renuntiation, and of indifferencie, w [...] neuer haue desires contrarie to the will of God and that nature doe not repugne at the euent of his good pleasure: for this may often happē these vertues are those which make their residence in the Superiour part of the soule; th [...] inferior ordinarilie knoweth nothing of it; an [...] no account must be made of what that inferiou [...] part feeleth: but not regarding what it willeth▪ or willeth not, wee ought to imbrace this diuine will; & vnite our selues there vnto whether it will or no; There are few persons tha [...] arriue to this degree of perfect forsaking them­selues; but wee all of vs neuerthelesse ough [...] to pretend it; each one according to her abilliti [...] and capacitie.

LJƲE IESVS LJƲE.

THE THIRD ENTER­TAINEMENT.
Vppon the flight of our Lord, into Egipt: Wherin is treated of the Constancie which w [...] ought to haue, in the middest of the accidents of this World.

1. WEE Celebrate the octaue of th [...] feast of the Holy Innocents, o [...] which day the holie Churc [...] causeth to be read the Gospell [Page 29] that treateth, how the Angell of our Lord, spake [...]o the glorius S. Ioseph in a dreame, that is to [...]y, in sleepe, that he should take the Child and [...]is mother, and fly into Egipt, for so much as Herod being iealous of his Royaltie, did search [...]fter our Lord to put him to death, for feare cast he should depriue him of it; and being [...]lled with choller, because the wise men did not [...]etourne to him into Ierusalem as he expected, [...]e commaunded that they should kill all the [...]hildren from wo yeares ould and vnder, [...]eleeuing our Lord should be found among [...]em, and thar by this meanes he should be [...]ssured of the possession of his kingdome: [...]his Gospell is full of diuers excellent consi­ [...]eratiōs. I will content my selfe with such [...]s shall serue vs for an entertaynment, aswell [...]easing as profitable.

§. 2. I begin with the first remarkable note [...]hich the great S Ihon Chrysostome maketh; [...]hich is, of the inconstancie varietie, and insta­ [...]ilitye, of the accidents of this mortall life. O [...]ow profitable is this consideration; for the [...]ant there of, is that, wich carrieth vs into [...]iscouragment, and fantasticallnesse of spiritt, [...]nquietnesse, varietie of humours, inconstancie, [...]nd instabilitye in our resolutions; for we would [...]ot encounter in our way with any difficulty, [...]r contradiction, nor any payne: we would [...]waies haue consolations, and be free from [...]idities and drinesse of spiritt; we would all­ [...]aies haue good things with out mixture of [...]ny euill; health with out sicknes; repose with [...]ut labour, & peace with out trouble; Alas who [...]eth not our follie? for we will that which [Page 30] cannot be: Vnmingled puritie is to be found [...] no other place, then in heauen, and in hell: i [...] heauen, goodnes, pleasure, rest, and consolation are in there puritie, with out mixture o [...] any euill, trouble, o [...] affliction; on the contrari [...] there is found in hell, euill, dispayre, troub [...] and vnquietnesse, in their puritie with o [...] mixture of any good, hope, tranquillitie, o [...] peace But in this decaying life of ours good [...] neuer found with out euill; riches with o [...] vnquietnesse, rest with out labour, consolatio [...] with out affliction, health with out sicknes: [...] breife all is mixed and mingled, the good wi [...] the badd; there being a continuall variety [...] diuers accidents. Euen so would God diuersi [...] the times of the yeare; that Sommer should b [...] followed by the autumne: and winter by th [...] spring; to shew vnto vs that temporall thing are perpetuallie mutable, inconstant and su [...] iect to change, and that nothing is permane [...] in this life. And the defect of the knowled [...] of this truth is, as I haue sayed, that whic [...] maketh vs mutable, and changing in our h [...] mours: for so much as we doe not serue o [...] selues, with the reason that God hath giuen v [...] the which reason causeth vs to become imm [...] table, firme and solide, and therefore like to Go [...] When God sayed; Let vs make man to our likn [...] he immediatly gaue vnto him reason, and th [...] vse there of; to discourse, consider and discer [...] good from euill, and those things which deser [...] to be elected or reiected. It is reason that make [...] vs Superiours and lords ouer all creatures. W [...] God had created our first parentes, he gaue th [...] entire dominion, ouer the fishes of the sea a [...] [Page 31] beastes of the earth, and consequentlie gaue [...]hem the knowledg of their diuers kindes, and [...]eanes to rule them, and become their maister [...]nd lord: God hath not onely done this grace [...]o mā to make him lord of creatures, by meanes [...]f the gift of reason giuen vnto him, by the which he becommeth like vnto himselfe; but [...]urthermore he hath giuen him full power ouer [...]ll sortes of accidents and euents. It is sayed that [...] wise man, that is to say, a man that is guided [...]y reason, shall cause himselfe to be absolute [...]aister of the planetts: what is the meaning of his, but that by the vse of reason he shall re­ [...]ayne firme and constant, in the diuersitie of [...]ccidents and euēts of this mortall life? whether [...]he time be fayre, or that it rayne; whether the [...]yre be calme, or the wind blowe; the wise man [...]aketh no thought therfore, knowing very well [...]hat nothing is stable▪ and permanent in this life, [...]his not being the place of rest. In affliction [...]e dispayreth not, but expecteth consolation: [...]n sicknnes he doeth not vex himselfe, but ex­ [...]ecteth health; or if he perceaue the euill to be [...]uch, that death is to follow, he blesseth God [...]xpecting the repose of an immortall life to [...]ollow this; yf he encounter pouertie, he is not [...]fflicted: for he knoweth well, that riches are [...]ot in this life with out pouertie; if he be despi­ [...]ed, he knoweth well that honour heere, hath [...]ot any perpetuitie, but is ordinarilie pourse­ [...]ed with dishonour, or contempt. In breife in [...]ll sortes of euents, be it prosperitie or aduersity [...]e remayneth firme, stable and constant in his [...]esolution of pretending, and tending to the [...]nioyng of eternall goods.

[Page 32]§. 3. But we must not onelie consider thi [...] varietie change and mutation in materiall an [...] transitorie thinges of this mortall life: no; bu [...] we ought to cōsider them also in the successe o [...] our spirituall life where stabilitie and constāci [...] are so much the more necessarie, by how muc [...] the spirituall life is raysed farre aboue the corporall and mortall life. It is a very great abuse not to haue a will to suffer, or feele mutation and changes in our humours, whiles we do not gouerne our selues by reason, neither wi [...] be gouerned by others: we say eommolie [...] behould this Child, he is very young, but ye [...] for all that he hath allreadie the vse of reason [...] euen so many haue the vse of reason, who ye [...] for all that, euen as Children, doe not gouern [...] themselues by the commaundement of reason [...] God hath giuen man reason for his guide: bu [...] not with standing there are verie few whic [...] permitt it to rule in them; contrariwise the [...] giue ouer themselues to be gouerned by thei [...] passions, which should be subiect and obedien [...] to reason, according to the order which go [...] requireth of vs I will make it more easy to b [...] vnderstood; for the most part persons of th [...] wotld yeald them selues to be gouerned an [...] guided according to their passions, and no [...] according to reason; they are also ordinarily [...] iarring, varying, and changing in their humors▪ if they haue a desire to goe to bed earlie or late▪ they doe it; and if they haue a mind to walke in the feeldes, they rise betimes in the morning and if to sleepe, they effect it; when they will they breake their fast, sooner or latter, as the [...] please; and they are not onely iarring and vn­constant [Page 33] in this, but they are the same likewise [...]n their conuer [...]ation; they will that euerie one [...]hould accommodate them selues to their hu­ [...]ours, but they will not be accommodated to [...]hose of others: they giue themselues ouer to [...]e carryed by their inclinations, particular affe­ [...]tions and passions, and this is not esteemed [...]itious among worldlie people, & prouided [...]hey doe not much disturbe the minds of their [...]eigbour, they are not esteemed fleeting and [...]nconstant: and wherfore is this? For no other [...]hing, but for so much as this is an ordinarie euill among seculars. But in Religion, they [...]annot permitt themselues, in such sort to be [...]ransported by their passions, considering that [...]or exteriour things, out Rules are to keepe vs [...]n order to pray to eate, and to sleepe (and [...]he like of other exercises) allwaies at the same [...]oure when obedience, or rhe bell signifieth it [...]nto vs; furthermore we allwaies haue one manner of conuersation, we cannot seperate our selues; in what then may vnsetlednes, and [...]nconstancie be exercised? it is in the diuersitie of humours of wills, and of desires: now I am [...]oyfull, because all things succeed according to my will; with in a while I am sorrowfull, be­cause there shalbe some little contradiction, which I did not expect. But do you not know, that this is not the place, where pure pleasure is to be foūd, with out mixture of displeasure? and that this life is interlaced with the like acci­dents? this day you are encouraged, because you find cons [...]lation in prayer, and you resolue to serue God verie well: but to morrow you shalbe in drinesse, and you will haue no hart for the [Page 34] seruice of God, Good God, say you, how I a [...] decayed in vigour, and violentlie borne downe▪ Tell me now, I pray you; if you gouerned you [...] selfe by reasō, should you not see, that if it wer [...] good to serue God yesterday, that it is ye [...] more good to serue him this day, and that it shal [...] be much better to serue him to morrow? for h [...] is allwaies the same God, as worthy to be loue [...] when you are in drinesse, as whē you are in cō solatiō. Now will I one thing, to morrow I woul [...] haue another that I see such a one to doe at th [...] presēt, pleaseth me, and with in a while displeaseth me, in such sort that it wilbe capable to mak [...] me conceaue an auersion from her; at the presē [...] I loue a person verie much, and her conuersatiō is gratfull and pleasing to mee, and to morrow [...] shalbe scarce able to support it; and what meaneth this? is she not as capable to be loued thi [...] day, as she was yesterday? if we did regar [...] what reason doeth dictate to vs,, we should see [...] that this person ought to be loued, because it i [...] a creature, which beareth the Image of the diuine maiestie; so we should haue as much content in her cōuersatiō now as heretofore we had; there­fore this proceedeth of noe other cause, thē tha [...] we giue out selues ouer to be guided according to our inclinations, passions, and affections; so peruerting the order that God hath placed in vs, that all should be subiect to reason: for if reason [...] raigne not ouer all our powers, ouer our faculties our passions, inclinations and affectiōs, and in fine ouer all our proceedings: what will happen of it? but a continuall vicissitude, inconstancye, variety, changing, and iarring, which wlle make vs at the present to be feruēt [Page 35] and little after remisse, negligent, and sloth full; [...]e while ioyfull, and by & by melancholie? we [...]albe peacefull and tranquill one houre, and [...]ter vnquiet two dayes together. In breife our [...]fe shall passe away in sloth and losse of time. [...]hen by this first note wee are incited, and [...]mmoned, to consider the inconstancy, and [...]arietie of successes, aswell in tēporall things as [...] spitituall, to the end that by the euents that [...]ccurre, which may be able to affright our spi­ [...]tts (as being new things, and not preuēted) wee [...]ose not our courage, nor permitt our selues to [...]e carried into inequalitie of humours in the midst [...]f the inequalitye of accidents that arriue vnto [...]s; but rather submitt our selues to be guided by [...]e reasō that God hath placed in vs, and resigre [...]ur selues to his prouidence, and so remaine [...]rme constant and inuariable, in the resolution [...]e haue mode to serue God, constantlie, cou­ [...]geouslie, and orderlie, with out any discon­ [...]nuation whatsoeuer.

§ 5. If I did speake before persons that did [...]or vnderstand me, I would endeuour to incul­ [...]a [...]e it vnto them, in the best manner that were [...]ossible for mee; but you knowe that I haue all­waies endeuored throughly to ingraue in your memorie, this most holie equallitie of spiritt, [...]s being the most necessarie and peculier vertu [...]f Religion. All the ancient Fathers of Reli­gious orders haue had particuler care and pro­ [...]idence for it, that this equallie and stabilitie of [...]umours, and of spititt should raigne in their Monasteries▪ for this they haue established sta­ [...]utes, constitutions and Rules, to the end the Religious might serue themselues of thē as of a [Page 36] bridge to passe from the equallitie of exercis [...] which are there appointed, and to which th [...] are to be subiect; to this so amiable, and desir [...] ble equallitie of spiritt, in the midst of the in [...] qualitie of accidents they meete with all, aswe [...] in the way of our mortall life, as in the way [...] our spirituall life. The great S. Chrysostom [...] sayeth. O man, wherefore doest thou disqui [...] thy selfe, because euerie thing succedeth not [...] thou wouldest haue it? art thou not ashamed [...] see, that this that thou wilt haue; was not to [...] found, euen in the familie of our Lord? Cōsid [...] I pray thee, the change, the alteration, the diue [...] sitie of subiects, that are there to be seene: O [...] blessed ladie hauing receaued the message, th [...] the should cōceaue by the holie Ghost a sonn [...] who should be Lord and Sauiour of the worl [...] what ioy, what iubilation did she feele in th [...] sacred houre of the incarnation of the eterna [...] worde? a while after Sainct Ioseph perceauin [...] her to be with child, and knowing well, th [...] it was not by him; good God, in what afflictio [...] and distresse was he? what did he not endure? an [...] Bl. Ladie, what extreamitie of greefe and afflicti [...] did she not feele in her soule, seeing her dear [...] spouse at the point to leaue her: her modesty [...] not permitting her to discouer to Sainct Iosep [...] the honour and grace where with God ha [...] magnified her? A little after this tempest wa [...] passed, the Angell hauing discouered to S. Iosep [...] the secreat of that mysterie, what content an [...] ioy was wanting vnto them? truely none? whe [...] our Bl Ladie brought forth her sōne the Angel [...] declared his byr [...]h to the shepheardes and the [...] wise men came to adore him: I leaue to you [...] [Page 37] consideration, what Iubilation, and consolation [...]hey had in this occasion; But attend, for this is [...]ot all: immediatlie after the Angell of our Lord [...]ame to S. Ioseph in his sleepe saying: Take the [...]hild and his mother, and fly into Egypt, for Herod will seek meanes that the child be slayne. O, with out doubt this was a subiect of most great greife vnto our Bl. Ladie, and S. Ioseph. O how the Angell treateth S. Ioseph like a true Religious person: Take the child, sayeth he, and his mother, and flye into Egypt, and, re­mayne there vntill such time as I shall tell thee; what is this? might not the poore S. Ioseph haue sayed: you bid me to goe, will there not be time enough to depart earelie in the morning! or will you haue me to goe in the night? my furniture is not readie; how will you haue me carrye the child? shall I haue armes strong enough to carrye him continuallie in so long a iorney? or would you haue his mother to carry him in her turne? alas! doe you not see that she is young, & very tender? I neyther haue horse nor monye, for the voyage: and doe you not knowe that the Egyptians are enimies to the Israelites? who shall receaue vs? and the like difficulties, which surely we had alleaged to the Angell, if we had beene in the place of S. Ioseph; who sayed not so much as one word to excuse himselfe from performing the obediēce; but departed at the same hower, and accompli­shed all that the Angell had commaunded him. There are many profitable documents in this commaundement: first we are taught, that we must in no sort delay and be remisse in that which concerneth obedience; it is the fashiō of [Page 38] the slothfull to linger and say, (as S. Augustin [...] sayed of him selfe) By and by, yet a little, an [...] then I will conuert my selfe. The Holy Ghos [...] will brooke no delay, but desireth a great prō ptitude in following of his i [...]spiratiōs. Our loss [...] comes of our negligēce, which mak [...]th vs to say [...] will begin by and by; and why not in this hour [...] which he inspireth and exciteth vs forward [...] truly because we are so tender ouer our selues that we feare euerie thing that may seeme to tak [...] away our rest and repose: which is no other thin [...] then our backwardnes, and lasines, from whic [...] we will not be with drawne by the solicitatiō o [...] any obiects, which inuite vs to goe out of ou [...] selues: and we say in a manner as the slothfull man, who cōplayning of those, that would haue him come forth of his house: how shall I com [...] forth saved he, for there is a liō in the high way, and a Beare in the passages; and with out doub [...] they will deuoure mee? O how much are wee to blame, to permitt God our Lord, to send and re­sende, to knocke and strike at the gate of our harts so many times, before that we will open it vnto him, and permitt him to dwelle therein; fo [...] it is to be feared that we doe prouoke and con­straine him to abandon & forsake vs Moreouer the great peace and equalitie of spiritt of the most Holie virgin, and S. Ioseph ought to [...] cō ­sidered: and their cōstancye in the thickest of so great inequalitie of diuers accidēts, which hap­ned vnto them as we haue sayed. N [...]w cōsider if we haue reasō to trouble our [...]elues and be asto­nished if we find the like encoūters in the house of God which is Religion; since that this was in the same famylie of our Lord, where stabilitie & [Page 39] soliditie it selfe made his residence, which was [...]r lord Iesus? This ought to be spoken and re­ [...]eated of vs many times, to the ende to engraue [...] the better in our soules; to witt, that the ine­ [...]uallity of accidents ought neuer to carrye our [...]ules and spirits into the inequallity of hu­ [...]ours; for the inequallitie of humours procee­ [...]eth from no other source or spring, then of our [...]assions, inclinations, or immortified affections; [...]nd they ought not to haue power ouer vs, whiles [...]ey incite vs to doe, to leaue vndone, or desire [...]ny thing, how little soeuer it may be, which is [...]ōtrarie to that, which reason doth dictate vnto [...]s to be done, or left vndone for to please God.

I will passe to the second consideration, that I [...]ote vppon this word of the Angell of our lord, [...]ho sayed to S. Ioseph, Take the child, and that [...]hich followeth; but I will in sist vppon this [...]orde, The Angell of our lord: vppō which I de­ [...]re we would marke well, what estimation wee [...]ught to make of the care, helpe assistāce & dire­ [...]tiō of [...]hose, whō God hath placed round aboud [...]s, to assist vs the more securely to goe forward [...]n the way of perfection. First it must be vnder­ [...]ood [...]hat whē it is sayed: The Angell of our lord: [...]t may not be thought to be spoken as if it weare [...]ayed of one of vs: the Angell of such a one; or [...]he Angell of such a one: for this weare as much [...]s so say our Angell gardiā who hath care of vs by Gods appointment: but our lord, who is the king [...]nd guide of Angells thēselu [...]s, had no neede du­ [...]ing the course of his mortall life of an Angell [...]ardien. Therfore when it is sayed, The Angell of [...]ur lord, it ought thus to be vnderstood, to witt [...]he Angell appointed to guide and conduct the [Page 38] familie of our Lord, and more spetiallie ded [...] cated for his seruice, and that of his holie M [...] ther the B. Virgin. Now to explicate this mo [...] familiarlie, we changed Officers and ayd [...] some dayes past; what signifieth these ay [...] that are giuen you? wherefore doe we giue y [...] them? S. Gregorie sayeth; that in this miserab [...] world we ought to doe, as those, who walke vpō the ice if we will keepe our selues stedye a [...] solide in the enterprise of sauing our soules, [...] perfitting our selues: for sayeth he, they ta [...] one the other by the hand, or vnder the arme, [...] the ende that if any one among them slipp, [...] may be held vp by the other, and that the oth [...] may be stayed by him, when he shalbe in dang [...] to fall in his turne. We are in this life as vppo [...] the ice, finding in euerie designe occasions a [...] to make vs stūble and fall; sōtines into anxiet [...] now into murmors a little after into ficklen [...] and inconstancy of spiritt; which will cause, th [...] nothing that is done, shalbe to giue vs conten [...] ment, and we will begin to be disgusted wit [...] our vocation: melancholy suggesting vnto v [...] that we shall neuer doe any thing of worth; an [...] the like things and accidents, that encounter [...] in our little spirituall world: for man is an abrig [...] mēt of the world; or, to say better, a little wor [...] in the which he meeteth with all that is seene i [...] the grear vniuersall world: our passiōs repres [...] the beastes and liuing creatures, which are wit [...] out reason; our sences, inclinations, affection [...] powers, and the faculties of our soule, all the [...] haue their particular signification: but I will n [...] stay on this, but will follow on my discour [...] begun: These aydes then, who are giuen vs, a [...] [Page 41] [...] assist vs, and to keepe vs firmelie in our way, [...] the end to hinder vs frō falling; or if we fall, [...] helpe vs to rise againe. O God! with what [...]eedome, hartinesse, sincerity, simplicity, and [...]thfull confidēce ought we to treat with these [...]sistants, which are giuen vs of God for our [...]irituall aduancement? certanlie no otherwise, [...]en as with our good Angells: and wee ought [...] respect them with the like reuerence; for our [...]ood Angells are called our Angells gardians, [...]ecause they haue charge to assist vs with their [...]spirations; to defend vs in our dangers; to [...]prehend vs for our faultes; to incite vs to the [...]orsute of vertu: it is their charge, to carrye [...]ur prayers before the throne of the bountie [...]nd mercie of our Lord, and to bring vnto vs [...]e full grant of our requests; and the fauours [...]hich God will doe vs, he doeth them by the [...]ediation, or intcrcession of our good Angells. [...]ur assistants are our visible good Angells, euē [...]s our holy Angells gardians are our inuisible: [...]ey ayde vs visibly, in that which our good [...]ngells doe interiorlye; for they aduertise vs of [...]efects, they encourage vs in our weaknes and [...]ynthartednesse they excite vs to the porsute of [...]ur intēded course for to attayne vnto perfectiō [...]hey hinder vs by their good councell frō falling [...]nd helpe vs to rise agayne, whē we are throwne [...]owne into some steepe & deepe downefall of [...]mperfections or fault; yf we be ouerwhelmed with irksomnes and disgusts, they assist vs to [...]eare our paynes patiently, and they praye to God to giue vs strēgh to support it as we ought [...]o doe, and not to be subdued in tēptation. Now [...]ou see the account we ought to make of their [...]ssistance, and of the care they haue for vs.

I consider next, wherfore our Lord IES [...] CHRIST who is the eternall wisdome, did [...] take care of his familie, I would say did n [...] aduertise S. Ioseph, or his most shweete Mot [...]e [...] of all that was to arriue vnt [...] them; might n [...] he very well haue sayed to his foster father [...] Ioseph: Let vs goe into Egipt, we shalbe the [...] some time since it is a most assured case, that [...] had the vse of reason, from the instant of h [...] conception with in the intrails of the most H [...] lie virgin Mother: but he w [...]uld not doe a m [...] racle, to speake before the time was come [...] might not he v [...]ry well haue inspired it into t [...] hart of his most holy Mother, or of his welbeloued supp [...]sed Father S Ioseph, the spouse [...] the most sac [...]ed [...]irgin? wherefore then did h [...] not this, but rather left it to the commission o [...] the Angell, w [...]ich was much inferiour to ou [...] Blessed Ladie? this was not with out mysteri [...] Our Lord would not take vppon him the offic [...] of the Angell Gabriell, who hauing bene deputed to announce the mysterie of the incarnation to the glorious virgin from the eternall father; was thenceforth as it were high stewar [...] & gouerner of [...]he house & familie of our Lor [...] to haue care there of in the diuers accidēts, an [...] occurences, which they should encounter wit [...] all; and to hinder that nothing might happen [...] which should be able to shorten the life o [...] our little infant new borne: this was the cause [...] wherefore he aduertisled S Ioseph, to carry him speedily into Egipt, to auoyd the tirānye of Herod who had determined to murther him: Ou [...] Lord would not be gouerner of himselfe, bu [...] permitted himselfe to be carryed where the [...] would, and by whom they would: it seemeth the [...] [Page 43] [...] did not esteeme himselfe wise enough to [...]ide himselfe nor his famylie; but leaued the [...]ngell to gouerne, euen so as pleased him; al­ [...]ough he neither had the knowledg nor the [...]isdome, to enter comparison with his diuine [...]aiestie. And now shall we be so daring for to [...]y, that we will gouerne our selues, as hauing [...]o more necessitie of directiō, nor of the assistāce [...]f those, that God hath giuen vs for guides; not [...]steeming them of capacitye sufficient for vs? tell [...]e, was the Angell greatter then our Lord, or [...]ur Ladie? had [...]e a better spirit and more [...]dgmēt? in no case; was he indued with any spe­ [...]all or particuler grace, or more quallif [...]ed? this [...]ānot be, seeng, that our Lord is God, and man [...]oth together: and tha [...] our Bl: Ladie being his Mother, by cōse [...]uēc [...] hath more grace and per­ [...]ectiō thē all the Angells t [...]gether haue; not with [...]āding all this, the Angell cōmaunded, and he is [...]beyed. Moreouer behould the order, that is [...]ept in this holy familye, there is no doubt it was the same of the sparrowhauke where the [...]emalts are mistristes and are more worth then [...]he males: who can doubt that our Bl. Lady was much more worthy then S. Ioseph, and that she [...]ad more discretiō and quallities proper for go­ [...]ermēt then her spouse? Neuerthelesse the Angell [...]ddressed not himselfe to her, for euerie thing [...]hat was requisite to be done, whether it weare [...]o goe or to come, nor in fine for whatseouer it weare that the angell commanded. Doth it not [...]eeme to you great indiscretiō to addresse him­ [...]elfe rather to S. Ioseph then to our Bl. Ladie, who is the cheife of the house, carrying with her [...]he treasure of the eternall father? had not she [...]easō to be offēded with this māner of procee­ding [Page 44] and vsage? with out doubt she might ha [...] sayed to her spouse: Werefore shall I goe in [...] Egipt, since my sōne hath not reuealed to me th [...] I should doe it: neither hath the Angell spoke [...] vnto mee of it? Bur our Bl. Lady sayed nothin [...] of all this, she was not offēded, because the A [...] gell addressed himselfe to St. Ioseph; but rath [...] she simply obeyed in all: because she knew [...] that God had so ordayned it; she informed ne [...] her selfe wherefore, but it was sufficient for h [...] that God would haue it so, and with out cons [...] ­deration she tooke, delight to submitt her self▪ But I am greatter then the Angell or S. Ioseph might she haue sayed; but she spake not on [...] such word. Doe you not see that Allmighti [...] God taketh pleasure to treat with men in thi [...] manner, to teach them most holy and amourou [...] submission? Saint Peter was an ould man, ignorant and rusticall: and S Ihon on the contrarie, was young, sweete and pleasing; neuerthelesse it was the will of God that S. Pete [...] should gouerne others, and be the vniuersa [...] Superiour, and S. Ihon be one of them tha [...] weare guided by hym, and obedient vnto him It is a strange case of mans spiritt that will no [...] be brought to adore the secrett mysteries o [...] God, and his most holy will, if it haue not some kind of knowlege wherefore this or wherefore that. I haue a better spiritt, (say they, in praise of themselues,) more experience, and the [...] like goodlie reasons, that are proper for no­thing else then to produce vnquietnesse, incon­stant humours; and murmours? what reason had they to giue this Office? wherefore haue they sayed this? to what ende doe they such a thing to this partie, rather then to another [...] [Page 45] [...]hese spirits truely are greatly to be pittied. [...]soone as we giue our selues ouer to search [...]rrowlye into euerie thing that we see done; [...]as what doe we not, for to loose the tran­ [...]illitie of our harts? wee ought not to seeke [...]y other reason, but that God will haue it so, [...]d that must suffice; but who shall, or will as­ [...]re me, that this is the will of God, say they! [...]ould we that God should reueale all things [...] secreat inspirarions? would we expect, vntill [...]e should send his Angells to declare vnto vs [...]hat is his will? he did not so to our Ladie her [...]fe (at the least in this subiect) but he would [...]ue her know his will by S. Ioseph, to whom [...]e was subiect as to her Superiour; we would [...]eraduenture be taught and instructed by God [...]ymselfe, by way of extasies, or rauishments, [...]d visions, and I know not what like chil­ [...]sh fopperies, that we frame in our spiritts, [...]ther then submitt our selues, to the assured [...]nd most amiable way of true & holy submis­ [...]on, to the gouernment of those, whome God [...]ath placed to direct vs, and the obseruāce and [...]irection aswell of our Rules as of our supe­ [...]ours. Lett it suffice then for vs to know, that it [...] the will of God, that we obey: and and Lett [...]s not muse nor enter into consideration of the [...]apacitie of those we ought to obey: and then [...]e shall submitt our spiritts to walke simply [...]n in the way of most holy humilitie, which will make vs infinitlye pleasing to God.

§. 7. I must now passe to the third considera­ [...]on, which is a note that I haue taken, vppon [...]he cōmaundement the Angell gaue to S. Ioseph: [...]o take the Child, and his mother, and to goe [...]nto Egipt, to remayne there vntill such time as [Page 46] he did aduertise him for to retourne Truly th [...] Angell did speake verie brefly, and did treat S. Ioseph like a good Religious mā; sayng, Goe, and returne not, vntill I tell thee; by this manner o [...] proceeding betweene the Angell and S. Ioseph, we are taught in the third place, how we ought t [...] embarke our selues vppō the sea of diuine proui­dence, with out biskitt, with out Rowers, wit [...] out oars, with out sailes, and in fine wi [...]h out any kind of prouisiō: and euen so to leaue all the ca [...] of our selues, and successe of our affayres to ou [...] lord with out recours or replyes, or any feare [...] whatsoeuer of that which may arriue vnto vs: Fo [...] the Angell sayed simply; take the child and hi [...] mother and flye into Egipt; not telling him, nei­ther by whay way they should goe, nor what prouisiō they should haue to passe rhe iourney, no [...] into what part of Egipt rhe should goe; muc [...] lesse who should receaue thē, or of whome the [...] should be maintayned being there. Had not the [...] poore S. Ioseph some reasō to make reply saying, w [...]y bidd you me to leaue this country, and tha [...] so speedilie, euē in an instāt? But this was to she [...] vnto vs the promptitude that the Holie spirit [...] requireth of vs, when he sayeth vnto vs, raise thy [...] selfe aboue thy selfe, goe out of such an imper­fection Oh the holy spiritt is a great enimie o [...] remissnes, negligence and delayes [...] Consider, [...] beesech you, the great Patrō and modell of perfect Religious, holy Abrahā, behould how Go [...] dealt with him; Abraham saith he goe forth of thy country and frō thy kindred, and goe to the mountayne that I shall shew thee; what say est thou, lord? that I goe forth of the towne? but tell me [...] thē, if I shall goe towardes the East or the west [...] he made no such reply, but departed thence prōpi [...], [Page 47] and went whether the spirit of God condu­ [...]ed him euen vnto the mountayne, which hath [...]er since bene called the vision of God; for so­ [...]uch as he receaued great and notable graces in [...]is mountayne: to demonstrate vnto vs how [...]atfull and pleasing promptitude in obediēce is to him Might not S. Ioseph haue sayed vnto [...]e Angell, y [...]u commaund mee to conduct the [...]ild and his mother tell me then if you please, [...]here with shall I nourish them in the way? for [...]u knowe well, my lord, I haue no monye to [...]are our charges; But he alleaged no excuse, ful­ [...] confiding, that God would prouide what [...]ould be requisite for them; which he did al­ [...]ough meanely: causing thē to find where with [...]intertayne thēselues simply, either by the trade [...] labour of S. Ioseph; or otherwise by the al­ [...]es that good poeple did bestowe on thē. True­ [...] all the anciēt Religious of former times haue [...]ne admirable in the confidēce they haue had, [...]at God would allwaies prouide sufficient of [...]at they had neede of, for the sustayning of [...]eir life; leauing all care of themselues to his [...]uine prouidence,

§. 8. But I consider that it is not onely re­ [...]isite for vs to repose in the diuine prouidence [...]r that which regardeth temporall things, but [...]uch more for that which appertayneth to our [...]irituall life, and the perfectiō thereof. It is no [...]her thing, truely, then the ouer much care we [...]ue of our selues, which maketh vs loose the trā ­ [...]illitie of our spirit, and carryeth vs into cōtra­ [...]ery ād inequallitie of humours: for that as soone [...] any cōtradictiōs happē to vs, yea whē we doe [...]erceaue but onlie a little act of our immortifi­cation [Page 24] or when we cōmitt some fault how lit [...] soeuer, it seemeth to vs all is lost; and is th [...] so great a meruaile, to see vs (poore creatur [...] somtimes to fall? but I am so miserable, so full [...] imperfections? knowe you it well? Blesse Go [...] who hath giuē you this knowledge and, doe [...] lament so much; you are very happie to know that you are no other then miserie it selfe Af [...] you haue thāked God for the knowledge whi [...] he hath giuen you, cutt of this vnprofitable te [...] dernesse ouer your selues, which causeth you [...] complayne of your infirmities. Wee haue diu [...] delicacies concerning our bodies, which [...] exceeding contrarie to perfection: but they a more with out comparison, which we haue o [...] our soules. My God! sayeth one, I am n [...] faythfull to our lord, and therefore I haue [...] any consolation in prayer; great pittie trueli [...] But I am so often in drinesse, that it maketh [...] beleeue, that things stand not well betwee [...] God and my soule, he being so full of consolati [...] is not this wiselie spokē? as if God did allwai [...] giue consolation to his freinds: hath there e [...] bene a pure creature, so worthy to be belou [...] of G [...]d, & which hath bene more beloued him, then our Lady, and S. Ioseph? Behoul [...] they weare allwaies in cōsolation; Can there imagined a more extreame affliction, then th [...] which S. Ioseph did feele, when he perceau [...] that the Glorious virgin was great with chi [...] knowing well, it was not his fact? his afflicti [...] and anguish of mind being so much the grea [...] as the passion of loue is more vehement, thē [...] other passions of the soule; and furthermore, loue Ielousie is the extremitye of payne: t [...] [Page 49] spouse in the canticles declareth in to be so, Loue, [...]ayeth she, is strong as death; for loue worketh the [...]ame effects in the soule, that death doth in the [...]odye. But Ielousie, sayeth she, is as hard as hell: [...] leaue then to your consideration, what anxiety [...]nd greife the Bl. S. Ioseph did indure: and our Bl. [...]ady also, when she perceaued what opinion he, [...]ho loued her so dearlye, might haue of her; and [...]nowing her selfe to be so dearely beloued of him; [...]elousye made him to languish, and not knowing what way to take, he resolued rather then to blame [...]er whome he had allwaies so much honoured and [...]oued, to leaue her, and depart secretlie. But you will say, I am very sensible of the payne that this [...]entation, or my imperfection, causeth mee. I [...]eleeue it, but is it any way comparable to that, [...]here of we speake? it cannot be; and if it be, consi­ [...]er, I praye you, if we haue any reason to cōplayne [...]nd lament since S. Ioseph did not complayne, nor [...]itnesse any disgust in his exteriour: he was not [...]ny whitt more harsh in his conuersation, neith [...]r [...]id he alter his countenāce towards our Bl. Ladye, [...]or treat her ill; but simply suffered this vexation, [...]d meant no other thing, then quit her company. [...]od knoweth what he might doe in this subiect. [...]y auersion, sayeth some one, is so great from [...]at person, that I doe not almost know how to [...]eake vnto her, but with great difficultye; her actiō [...]spleaseth me greuouslie; that is all one, you must [...]ot therefore enter into dislike against her, as if she [...]uld hinder it. But rather you ought to comport [...]ur selfe as our Blessed ladye and S. Ioseph: we [...]ust be quiet in our payne, and leaue the care to [...]ur lord, to take it from vs when he shall please [...] [...]ur Blessed Ladye might verie well haue appeased [...]is storme; not with standing she would not doe [...] out left the issue of this affayre fully to the diuine [Page 50] prouidence; these are two discording cords, but equally necessarie to be accorded, that is to say, the treble string and the base, if one meane to play well vppon the lute; there is nothing more discording then the high with the lowe: notwithstanding with out the accorde of these twoe strings the harmonye of the lute cannot be delightfull. Likewise in our spirituall lute, two things are equallie discordant, & necessarie to be accorded; to witt, to haue a grea [...] care to perfect our selues; and not to haue care of our perfection, but to leaue it entirelie vnto god: [...] would say, that we must haue that care, that Go [...] would we should haue to perfect our selues; ye [...] neuerthelesse must leaue the care of our perfectio [...] to him. God willeth that we haue quiet and peace­full care, which may cause vs to doe that, which i [...] iudged proper for vs, by those who direct vs; an [...] allwaies walke faythfully forward in the wa [...] which is marked by the Rules, and directions th [...] are giuen vs; and for the rest, that we repose ou [...] selues in his Paternall care, endeuoring as much [...] shalbe possible for vs, to keepe our selues in peac [...] for the habitation of God is made in peace, and in [...] peaceable & well reposed hart. You know, when [...] lake or poole is very calme, and th [...] windes doe n [...] moue the waters, in a bright cleare night, the sk [...] or firmament with the starres are so well represe [...] ted therein, that looking downeward, we see asw [...] the beautie of the heauens, as if we did looke v [...] wards. Likewise when our soule is well pacifie [...] and the windes of superfluous eares, inequallitie [...] spiritt, and incōstācie, doe not trouble and disqui [...] it, she is very capable to beare with in her t [...] Image of our Lord IESVS; but when she is troubl [...] vnquiet, and moued with diuers tempests of passi [...] and permitteth her selfe to be gouerned by the and not by reason (which only maketh vs beco [...] [Page 51] like to God) then is she nothing capable to repre­sent the fayre and most amiable Image of our Lord IESVS crucified, nor the diuersitye of his excellent vertues, neither can she be capable to serue him, for his nuptiall bedd. Therefore we must leaue the care of our selues to his diuine mercie and proui­dence; neuerthelesse orderlie and simply doing what is in our power, to amend and perfect our selues allwaies taking especiall heed, not to permitt our spiritts to be troubled and disquieted.

§. I note in fine, that the Angell sayed to S. Ioseph, that he should remayne in Egypt, vntill such time as he did aduertise him to returne; and [...]he holy Sainct made him noe reply, saying, But when shall it be, O Lord, that thou will tell mee? To [...]each vs, that when we are commaunded to em­ [...]race any exercise, we ought not to say, shall this be for a long time? But rather wee ought to imbrace [...]t with simplicitye, imitating the perfect obedience of Abraham who when God commaunded him to sacrifice his sonne, alleaged not any excuse, he complayned not, neither delayed to execute the [...]ommaundement of God: therfore God did fauour him so much, as he caused him to find a ramme [...]here, the which he sacrificed vppō the mountayne [...]n place of his sonne, God being satisfied with the [...]romptnes of his will.

§. I conclude with the simplicitie that S. Io­ [...]eph did practice, in taking his iourney vppon the [...]ommaundement of the Angell into Egipt, where [...]e was assured to find so many enimies, as there [...]eare inhabitants in that country. Might he not [...]aue sayd very well to the Angell, thou makest me [...]o carrye the child into Egypt, and so we fly from [...]ne enimye, and expose our selues into the hands of [...] thousand thousand others, which we shall find in Egipt, for so much as we are of Israel? But he made [Page 25] no reflection vppon the cōmaundement and there­fore went his way full of peace and of confidence in God. In like manner, my daughters, when any imployment is imposed vppon you, doe not say, Good God! I am so rash and hasty, if they impose this office vppon mee, I shall haue a thousand cares and feares, and be extreemly put to my plunges, I am all readie so distracted, if they giue me such a charge, I shalbe much more: but if they would leaue me to my cell, I should be modest, peacefull, and recollected; Goe simply into Egipt, in the midest of the great multitude of enimyes, that you shal [...] haue there; for God who maketh you to goe thi­ther, will conserue you there, neither shall you dye there; whereas contrariwise; if you remayne i [...] Israell, where is your great enimye your prope [...] will, with out doubt it will kill you there: it should not be well done to take offices, and charges by ou [...] proper election, for feare least we performe no [...] our duty there-in: but when it is by obedience neuer bring any excuse; for God is for vs, and u [...] shall profitt more in perfectiō, then if wee had nothing to doe. Doe you not know what I haue saye to you at other times? and it is not amisse to repeate it agayne formitt: that vertu requireth n [...] that the occasions of falling into imperfections b [...] taken away it suffireth not, (sayeth Cassian) to b [...] depriued of the conuersation of men, for to b [...] patient, sweet and gentle in our selues; for it ha [...] hapned to me, being in my cell all alone, to b [...] angry with my selfe, when my mater did not ta [...] fire, that I haue cast it away in a chotay. I must end and in the meane time leaue you to goe into Egipt with our Lord, who (as I beleeue and also othe [...] doe hould) began then to make little Gosses, wh [...] he had vacant time, after he had ayded S. Iose [...] in some little things; demonstrating euen then [...] [Page 53] desire he had of the worke of our Redemption.

THE FOVRTH ENTER­TAINEMENT.
Of Cordiality, where-in it is demaunded, How the sisters ought to loue each other with a Cordiall loue, yet vsing no indecent familiaritye.

[...]. TO satisfie your demaund, and to make it well vnderstood wher-in Cordiall loue [...]onsisteth, wherwith the Sisters ought to loue one [...]n other: you must know that Cordiallnesse is no [...]ther thing, then the essence of true and sincere [...]reindship: which cannot be, but betweene persons, [...]hat haue reasō, who cherish & nourish their freind­ [...]hips by the mediation reason. For otherwise it [...]annot be frindship, but onlie loue. Euen beastes [...]aue loue, but they cannot haue frindship, since [...]hey are with out reason: they haue loue amongst [...]hem, because of some naturall correspondence; yea [...]kewise they beare loue towardes man, as it appea­ [...]eth by experience euerie day, and diuers Authours [...]aue written of admirable things in this kinde: as [...]at they relate of a Dolphin, that did loue a young [...]hild which he had seene many times vppon the sea [...]ore so exceussitly that this child being dead, the [...]olphin himselfe died with greife; But this ought [...]ot to be called freindship, for as much as necessa­ [...]ie the correspōdence of freindship, is to be found [...]tweene two that loue each other, and that this [...]eindshipe be contracted by the meanes of reason: [...]as the greatter part of freindships that men make [...]t hauing a good end, nor being guided by reason [Page 54] doe not in any sort deserue the name of freindship. More-ouer, besides the mediation of reason, there must be a certayne correspondence, either of voca­tion, or of pretence, or of quallitie betweene them that contract freindship. Experience doth clearly teach vs this; for is it not true, that there is not more true freindship, nor more strong, then that which is betweene brethren? we doe not call the loue of fathers toward their childrē freindship, nor that the childrē beare towards their parēts; because it hath not this correspondēce, whereof we speake, but are different: the loue of Fathers being maiesti­call loue, and full of auhoritie; and that of children towardes their parents, a respectiue and submissiue loue; but betweene Brothers, because of the resem­blance of their condition, the correspondence of their loue, maketh a firme, strong and solid freind­shipe. For this cause the ancient christians of the primitiue church, did all call themselues brethren▪ and this first feruour waxing could among th [...] common multitude of Christians, Religions wear [...] instituted, where they did ordayne that Religiou [...] should call themselues Brethren and Sisters to de­clare the true cordiall and sincere freinship that they did beare, or which they ought to beare, on [...] towardes an other: as there is not any freindship comparable to that of Brethren, all other freindship being either vnequall, or artificiall (as that whic [...] maried persons haue the one with the other th [...] which they haue by contracts, written & pronūce [...] by notaries, or otherwise by simple promises. Als [...] these freindships, which worldly poeple contra [...] together, are either for some particular interest, o [...] for some friuolous subiect, and are most ordinaril [...] very subiect to perish and to be dissolued: But th [...] which is betweene Brethren, is cleane contrari [...] for it is naturall, not artificiall; and therefore ve [...] [Page 55] recommendable: This then being so, I say that this [...]s the cause, wherefore the Religious call each other Brethren, and therefore they haue loue which truely meriteth the name of freindship, not common, but cordiall freindship, that is to saye, frindship that hath his foundation within the hart. VVe must thē vnderstand, that loue hath his seate within the hart, and that we can neuer loue our neighbour too much, nor exceed the termes of reason in this loue, prouided that it reside in the hart: but touching the testimonie of this loue, we may well faile, and exceede therin, passing beyond the rules of rea­son, The Glorious S. Bernarde sayeth that the mea­sure to loue God, is to loue him with out measure, and that our loue to him should not haue any [...]imitte; but it must be free to spreed his branches so farr as possible may be. That which is sayed of God, ought also to be vnderstood of the loue towardes our neighbour, prouided allwaies that the loue of God doe euen swimme aloft, and hould the first ranke: next vnto which we ought to loue our sisters with all the dilatation of our hart, not contenting our selues to loue them as our selues, (as the com­maundements of God doe oblige vs) but we ought to loue thē more then our selues (as to our tēporall [...]ife) to obserue the rules of Euangelicall perfection which requireth this of vs. Our Lord hath sayed this himselfe: Loue you one another, euen as I haue loued you: that is to say, more then your selues: & euen as our Lord hath allwaies preferred vs before himselfe; and furthermore doth the same euerie time, that we receaue him in the most Blessed Sa­crament making himselfe our foode; likewise his will is, that we haue such a loue one to another, that wee euer preferr our neighbours before our selues; and euen as he did all he could for vs, except [...]he damning of himselfe (for he neither ought, nor [Page 56] could doe it because he could not sinne, which it of it selfe the onely thing that leadeth to damna­tion) he willeth, and the rule of perfection requi­reth it, that we doe all that we are able one for another, except that which may cause vs to be damned; but this excepted, our freindshipe ought to be so constant, cordiall and solid, that we neuer re­fuse to doe, or suffer whatsoeuer it be for our neighbour and sisters.

§. 2. Now this cordiall loue ought to be accō ­panied with two vertues, the one is called affabi­litye, the other, good Conuersation: Affabiliaye, is a vertu that powreth forth a certayne sweetnesse into the serious communications and affayres we haue one with another; Good conuersation, is that, which rendreth vs gracious, and pleasing in recrea­tions, and lesse serious communications, that we haue with our neighbour. All vertues, as you know haue twoe conttarye vices, which are the extre­mityes of vertue; the vertu of Affabilitye is in the midst of two vices; to witt Statelinesse, or ouer great seriositye, and too great tendernesse, to make too much of, and to speake frequent wordes that tend to flaterie; now the vertu Affabilitye houldeth her selfe betweene too much, and too little, vsing kind­nesses according to the necessities of those with whom wee treat, neuerthelesse cōseruing a sweete grauitie, according as the persons and affayres, where-of wee treat, doe require. I say, that che­rishings (or) making much of, are to bee vsed at proper times: for it would bee very indiscreet to vse about a sicke person so much grauity, as they should doe with others, not being willing to che­rish her more, then if she weere in good health. Also we should not so frequently vse kindnesses; and vppon euerie occasion speake honye wordes, casting whole handfulls of them vppon the first we [Page 57] meete with all: for euen as, if you put too much su­gar vppon any meate, it will bee distastfull, because [...]t wilbe too sweete and vnsauorie; in like māner too [...]requent tendernesse and kindnesses will become disgustfull, and not be esteemed, knowing they are done but for fashion sake. Likwise meates vppon which are put great hādfulls of salte, are displeasing, [...]ecause of their sharpnes; but those whereon the [...]alte, and suger are put by measure, are made plea­ [...]ing to the tast, in like sort courtiseys, which are vsed [...]y measure and discretion, are pleasing and profi­ [...]able to them, to whom they be exhibited. The [...]ertu of Good Cōuersation requireth that we cōtri­ [...]ute and condescend to holy & moderate ioy, and [...]o gracious entertaynments, which may serue for [...]onsolation or recreation of our neighbour: that [...]n no sort we cause any vexation to him or her, [...]y our frowning and mellancholie countenances, [...]r by refusing to recreate in the time ordayned for [...]t. VVe haue allreadie treated of this vertu in the discourse of modestie; wherefore I passe further [...]nd say, that it is a very difficult thing to hitt [...]llwaies the marke we ayme at: it is true indeed; [...]hat vve ought all to haue this pretence, to attay­ [...]e and ayme iust vvith in the vvhite marke of [...]ertu, the vvhite vve ought ardentlye to desire: [...]ut notvvithstanding vve ought not to lease cou­ [...]age vvhen vve doe not rightly encounter the [...]ssence of vertu, nor be astonished therat, proui­ [...]ed that vvee keepe our selues vvith in the round [...]hat is to say, the neerest that vve may to true [...]ertu, for it is a thing vvhich the Saints themselues haue not knovven hovv to doe in all vertues, there hauing not bene any (but our Bl. Lord and Ladye) vvho haue bene able to doe it. The Saints haue [...]racticed them with a very great difference: what [Page 58] difference I pray you is there betweene the spirit [...] of Saint Augustine, and that of Saint Ierome? as may bee noted in their writings: there is nothing more sweete then S. Augustine, his writings are swetnes and hony it selfe; contrariwise S. Icrome was extreeme austere: the better to knowe it, confi­der him in his Episteles, he is as it weere allwaie [...] angrie: neuerthelesse both of thē were exceedingly vertuous: but the one had more sweetnes, the other much more austeritie of life, and both of them (although not equallye either sweete or rigorous) haue bene great Saints. So as we see, that we ough [...] not to be astonished, if we be not equallie gentle and sweete, prouided we loue our neighbour accor­ding to the loue of the hart wholie extent, and a [...] our Lord hath loued vs, (that is to say) more thē ou [...] selues, preferring him allwaies before our selues i [...] all things with in the Order of holy Charitie, an [...] refusing him nothing that we may be able to con­tribute for his profitt, except our damnation as [...] haue alreadye sayed: VVe must there-fore ende­uour as much as we shalbe able to render exteriou [...] testimonie of our affection, conformable to reason to laugh with them that laugh, and weepe wit [...] those that weepe.

§. 3. I say we ought to manifest that we lou [...] ours sisters (this is the second part of the question [...] without vsing indecent familiaritie: the rule declareth it, but let vs see what we ought to doe heerin [...] nothing, but that sāctitie appeare in our familiariti [...] and manifest our freindship, as S. Paul sayeth i [...] one of his epistles: Salute, sayeth he, one anothe [...] with a holy kisse; it was the custome, when th [...] christians did meete together, to kisse each other Our Lord IESVS did also vse towards his Apostle this forme of salutation, as we learne in the traitou [...] [Page 59] Iudas; and holie Religious therefore did vse to saye when they encountred each other, Deo gratias, to declare the great contentment they did receaue in behoulding one the other, as if they had sayed or would say, I thanke God, my Deare Brother, for [...]he consolation he hath vouchsafed mee by your presence. Euen so my Deare daughters we must demonstrate how much we loue our sisters, and [...]hat we are pleased with them; prouided allwaies, [...]hat sanctitie accompanie the signes we giue of our [...]ffection; that God may not onely not be offended [...]ut that he may be praised and Glorified. Likewise S. Paul (who teacheth vs so to behaue our selues, [...]hat our affections may be witnessed by our san­ [...]titie) willeth and teacheth vs to behaue our selues [...]raciously, giuing vs his example: Salute (sayeth he) [...]uch a one who knoweth well that I loue him with my hart, and such a one, who must be assu­ [...]ed that I loue him as my Brother, and in parti­ [...]ular his mother who knoweth also that she is myne.

§. 4. You demaund vppon this subiect, if we may or should aduenture to shewe more affection [...]o one sister whom we esteeme more vertuous, thē we doe to another. I aunswere to this, that although [...]e are obliged to loue those more that are more [...]ertuous, with the loue of delight, and content: yet [...]ught we not therefore to loue them more with [...]e loue of good will; nor ought we to shewe them [...]ore signes of freindship: and this for two rea­ [...]ons. The first is, because our Lord IESVS did not [...]ractice it; but rather it seemeth he shewed more [...]ffection to the imperfect then to the perfect: since [...]e hath sayed; that he was not come for the iust, but [...]or sinners, that is to say, for those thât haue more [...]eede of vs, to whom we are to witnesse our loue [Page 60] more particularlye: for heere it is, vvhē vve shevv [...] best, that vve loue for charitie, and not in louing those that giue vs more consolation, then payne or trouble. And in this vve ought to proceede as the profitt of our neighbour doth require; bu [...] further then this, vve must endeuour so to behaue our selues, that vve loue all equallie, since our Lord IESVS did not say: loue those that are more vertuous; but indifferentlie, loue one vvith ano­ther, euen as I haue loued you, vvith out exclu­ding any one hovv imperfect soeuer he bee [...] The second reason vvherefore vve ovve not signe of freindship to one, more then another; an [...] ought not to permitt our selues to be carryed t [...] loue them more, is, that vve cannot iudge vvh [...] are the more vertuous, and vvho haue more perfection: for exteriour apparences are very deceat full, and very often those, that seeme to you to b [...] the most vertuous; (as I haue saved in anothe [...] part) are not so before God; vvho is onelie he tha [...] can knovve them. It may be that a sister vvho [...] you shall see to faile very often, and committ [...] multitude of imperfections; vvilbe more vertuou [...] & more pleasing to Almightye God, either fo [...] the greatnesse of the courage vvhere vvithe sh [...] vphouldeth her selfe in the midst of her imperf [...] ctions, not giuing her selfe ouer to be troubled, no [...] disquieted to see her selfe subiect to fall, or becau [...] she dravveth out of it Humilitie; or for the loue sh [...] hath of her abiection: then another vvho shàll hau [...] a doren vertues, either naturall or acquired b [...] hath lesse exercise and labour; and consequently, may be lesse courage, and Humilitie, then hath th [...] other, vvhom vve see subiect to frailties. Sain [...] Peter vvas chosen to be the head of the Apostele [...] although he vveere subiect to many imperfection in such sort that he did commit them, euen aft [...] [Page 61] he had receaued the holy Ghost; but for so much [...], not vvith staning these his defects, he allvvaies [...]ad a great courage, and vvas not astonished at [...]mselfe; our Lord made him his leiftenaunt, and [...]uored him aboue all the rest: so as none had [...]ason to say, he did not deserue to haue the [...]riuiledg and to be aduanced before Sainct Ihon, [...]r the other Apostles. VVe must then behaue our [...]lues in the affection vve are to beare our sisters [...]he most equallie, that possibly vve may, for the foresayed reasons; and all ought to knovve, that vve loue them vvith this loue of the hart; and the­ [...]efore there is no necessitie to vse so many vvor­ [...]es, that vve loue them dearly, that vve haue an [...]nclination to loue them in particular, and the like: [...]onsidering the loue vve beare a partie, is not [...]he more perfect, for hauing an inclination for her more then for others: rather it may be more sub­ [...]ect to change; for the very least thing, that she [...]hall doe to vs: Yf it be so, that it bee true, that [...]ve haue an inclination to loue one rather then another, vve ought not to muse or thinke there­on, much lesse to declare it in vvordes to the partie, for vve ought not to loue by inclination, but to loue our neghbour, either because he is vertuous, [...]or for the hope that vve haue that he vvill become so: but principally, because it is the vvill of God. Novv to giue true testimony that vve loue him, we must procure him all the good that vve can, aswell for soule as bodie; praying for him, and seruing him cordially, vvhen occasion shall present it selfe: for the freindship that endeth in fayre speeches, [...]a no great matter; and it is not to loue, as our Lord IESVS hath loued vs, vvho vvas not con­tent to assure vs, that he did loue vs; but vvould passe further, in doing all that he hath done, for [Page 62] proofe of his loue. Saint Paule speaking to his mo [...] Deare children: I am most readie (sayed he) to gi [...] my life for you, and to imploye my selfe so abso [...] telie for you, that I will not make any reseruatio [...] for to witnesse how dearely and tenderlie I lou [...] you: yea, would he say, I am readie to leaue v [...] done, or to doe for you, or by you, all that yo [...] will haue of mee; wherin he teacheth vs, that [...] imploy himselfe, yea to giue his life for his neigh [...] bour, is not so much as to leaue himselfe to be imployed at the will of others, eithers by them or fo [...] them. And this was that which he had learned [...] our sweete Sauiour vppon the crosse. This is tha [...] soueraigne degree of loue of our neighbour, th [...] Religious men and Religious weemen, and w [...] who are consecrated to the seruice of God, are called vnto: for it is not enough to assist our neighbòurs with our temporall commodities; it is no [...] enough (sayeth S. Bernard) to imploye our prope [...] person to suffer for this loue; but it must passe further, leauing our selues to be imployed for him, i [...] most holy obedience, and by him, euen so as h [...] will, with out euer resisting ther-in: for when w [...] imploy our selues for our selues, and by choise o [...] our owne will, or proper election, this allwaie [...] giueth very much satisfaction to selfe loue; but t [...] permit, our selues to be imployed in things tha [...] others will, and which we our selues would not that is to say, in businesses, which are not of ou [...] election, this is it, wher-in the soueraigne degree of abnegation doth consist. As when we woul [...] preach, they send vs to serue the sicke; when we would pray for our neighbour, they send vs to serue him. O how much better and with put cō ­parison more worth, is that which they will haue vs to doe (I meane in things not contrarie to God, [Page 63] and such as are not displeasing to him then that [...]ich we performe or make choise of our selues! [...]ett vs then Loue one another well, and serue our [...]lues therefore with this motiue, which is so pre­ [...]ant, for to incite vs to this holy Loue, which our [...]ord IESVS vppō the crosse powred forth vnto the [...]st drop of his most holy bloud vppon the earth. [...]r to make it as it weare a sacred morter where­ [...]ith he would soder, vnite, conioyne, and fasten [...]gether all the stones of his church (which are [...]ythfull) the one with the other: to the end that [...]is vnion should be so strong that there might ne­ [...]er be found there-in any diuision; so much did he [...]are, least this diuision should cause eternall dam­ [...]ation.

[...]he supporting of the imperfections of our neigh­ [...]our, is one of the most principall points of this [...]oue: Our Lord IESVS hath shewed it vs vppon the [...]rosse, whose hart was so sweete towards vs, and [...]id loue vs so dearely, vs I say, & euen those which [...]ere did cause his death, and who weare in the act [...]f the most enormious sinne, which euer mā could [...]ommitt: (for the sinne which the Iewes did com­ [...]itt, was a monster of wickednes) and neuerthe­ [...]esse our sweete sauiour IESVS had considerations of [...]oue towards them, giuing an exāple aboue all ima­ [...]ination, in that he excused them who did crucifie [...]im, and did iniurie him with most barbarous rage: [...]or these I say, did he seeke out inuentions to make [...]is father to pardon them, in the very act it selfe of [...]inne and iniurye. O how miserable are we world­ [...]ings! for scarcely can we forgett an iniurye, that [...]ath bene done vs, a long time after that we haue [...]eceaued it! therefore he that will preuent his neighbour in benedictions of sweetnes, shalbe the most perfect imitatour of our Lord IESVS.

§. 5. Furthermore we ought to marke, that [Page 64] cordiall loue, is fastned to a vertu, which is as a d [...] pendance of this loue, to witt a simple confidenc [...] as children haue. Children when they haue a fin [...] feather, or some other thing, that they esteeme bra [...] they are neuer in quiet, if they haue not mett wit [...] their little companions to shew their feather, & t [...] make them partakers of their ioy, as also they wi [...] haue them, to haue part of their greefe: for whe [...] they haue a little hurt vppon their fingers end, the [...] cease not to speake of it to all they meete with, t [...] the end they may bemoane them, and may blow [...] a little vppon their sore; now I doe not say, th [...] they must be iust as children: although I say th [...] this confidence ought to cause Sisters not to b [...] sparing to communicate their little contents an [...] consolatiōs to their sisters, also not to fear their imperfections to be noted by thē. I doe not say, if th [...] haue had any extraordinarie gift from God, th [...] they must declare it to all the world, noe: but touching their ordinarie consolations I would th [...] they should not be too reserued in them, but (whe [...] occasiō shall present it selfe) not by way of boastin [...] or vanting, but with simple confidence, they ma [...] communicate them, freely and truelie one t [...] an other. Likewise lett vs not put our selues int [...] vnquietnesse to couer our defects, that they appear [...] not: for not to permitt them outwardly to shew [...] themselues, doth not make them any whit th [...] better: for the sisters will not beleeue, that you hau [...] non imperfections, because they see none: and ou [...] imperfections it may be wilbe more dangerous then if they weare discouered, and that they d [...] cause vs confusion: euen as they doe to those wh [...] are more facill to lett them appeare exteriourlie [...] VVe must not then be amased, nor discourage [...] when we committ defects, and imperfectiōs befor [...] our sisters, but contrarie wise we should be glad [Page 65] that vve are knowne to be such as inded we are. You [...]ue peraduenture committed a fault, some inci­ [...]lity, or impertinencie▪ it is true; but this is before [...]ur Sisters which loue you dearelie, and there­ [...]re know very well how to support you in your [...]ultes, and will haue more compassion of you, thē [...]ssion against you; and by this meanes confidence [...]ould exceeding he increase cordiallitie, and the [...]nquillitie of our spiritts, which are subiect to be [...]oubled, whē we are knowne to faile in any thing [...]w little soeuer, as if it weere a great meruaile to [...]e vs vnperfect. In fine, for conclusion of this dis­ [...]urse, it must allwaies be remembred, that for [...]me want of gentlenesse, and suauitie that sōtimes [...]omitted by mistake, we ought not to be angrye [...]r to iugd that they haue not a good will towards [...]r for they leaue not to haue it: for that an act done [...]ere or there (prouided that it be not frequent) [...]aketh not men vitious, espetiallie when they haue good will to amend.

THE FIFT ENTERTAINMENT.
OF GENEROSITIE.

THe better to vnderstand what it is, and where­in consisteth this strength and Generositie of [...]ritt, which you demaund of mee; first a question [...] you haue made to me very often, must be [...]nswered: to witt, in what true Humilitie consi­ [...]th? for so much as resoluing this point, I shall [...]ake my selfe the better to be vnderstood, spea­ [...]ng of the second, that is, of the Generositie of [...]hich you now desire that I treate.

1. Humilitie is not any other thing, then a [...]erfect knowledg that we are no other thē a pure [...]othing, and it causeth vs to hould this esteeme of [...]ur selues: the better to vnderstand this, you must nowe, that there are in vs, two kinds or sortes of [...]oods, some, which are in vs, and of vs; and others which are in vs, but not of vs. when I say we haue [...]oods which are of vs; I doe not say, that they [...]ome not from God, and that we haue them of our [...]elues; for in veritye of our selues, we haue no other [...]hing then miserye and nothing, but this I meane, [...]hat they are goods which God hath so placed in vs, [...]hat they seeme to be of vs; these goods are health, [Page 70] riches, sciences, arts, and the like. Now Humili [...] hindreth vs from glorifying, and esteeeming o [...] selues for theses goods, for so much as it maketh [...] more account of them, then of nothing, ye a me [...] nothing: and in effect reason doth make it clea [...] these goods not being of any stabilitie, nor rēdri [...] vs more acceptable to God but mutable, and subi [...] to fortune: and if it weare not so, there is nothing lesse assurāce then riches which depend of time a [...] seasons; thē beautie which fadeth in let thē nothin [...] a little durt on the face is sufficient to take away [...] the luster thereof, and concerning sciences and art [...] little trouble of the braine, causeth vs to loose a [...] forgett all that we haue knowne; Is it not thē gre [...] reason, that humilitie make no reckoning of all [...] foresayed goods? but how much the more it cause [...] vs, to abase our selues, by the knowledge of wh [...] we are of our selues, and by the little esteeme that maketh of all that is in vs, and of vs: so much th [...] more doth it cause vs, to esteeme our selues becau [...] of the goods which are in vs, and not of vs; which a [...] fayth, hope, and the loue of God, how little soeue [...] we haue of them in vs; as also a certayne capacit [...] which God hath giuē vs, to vnite our selues to hi [...] by meanes of his grace, and touching vs, our vocati [...] which giueth vs as much assurance (as we can hau [...] thereof in this life) of the possession of Glorie an [...] eternall felicitie; and this great esteeme that humilitie maketh of these goods, to witt fayth, hope an [...] charitie, is the foundation of Generositie of spiritt [...] Behould thē the first goods whereof we haue spok [...] appertayne to humility for her exercise: and thes [...] other to Generositie for hers. Humilitie maketh v [...] beleeue that we are able to doe nothing, in respec [...] of the knowlegd os our pouertie, and weaknesse in so much as is of our selues: and on the cōtrarie Ge­nerositie maketh vs say with S. Paule; I can doe al [...] things in him that cōforteth me. Humilitie maketh [Page 51] [...]o distrust our selues; and Generositie causeth vs to [...]ide in God. You see thē that these two vertues of [...]militie and Generositie are so ioyned and vnited [...] one with the other, that they neuer are nor cā seperated. There are certayne persons, who relye [...]pō a false and childish Humilitie which hindreth [...] frō regarding in thēselues, that good which god [...]h placed there: They are very much deceaued; for [...]e gifts that God hath endowed vs with all, should acknowledged, esteemed and greatly honoured; ād [...]t held in the same rāke of base esteeme; which we [...]ght to hould of those, that are with in vs and of vs. [...]ot onely true christians haue acknowledged, that [...]ey ought to regard these two sortes of goods, [...]hich are in vs, the one kind to hūble vs, the other [...] glorifie the Diuine boūtie, which bestowed thē [...]pon vs: but also the Philosophers: for this worde [...] common amōg them, know thy selfe, ought not [...]ely to be vnderstood of the knowledge of our [...]itye and miserie; but likewise of the excellencye [...]d dignitye of our soules, who are capable to be [...]ited to the Diuinitie, by his Diuine bountye who [...]th setled a certayne instinct in vs the which cau­ [...]th vs allwaies to tend to, and pretend this vnion. [...]herein consisteth all our felicitye.

§. 2. The Humilitie which doth not produce [...] enerositie, vndoubtedly is false for after that she [...]th sayed, I can doe nothing, I am no other then a [...]ure nothing, she yealdeth immediatlye the place to [...]enerositye of spiritt, the which sayeth; There is not [...]ny thing, neither can there be any thing to be had [...]at is not in my power, for so much as I put all my [...]onfidence in God, who can doe all: and vppō this [...]ōfidēce, she enterpriseth couragiously to performe [...]l that they cōmaund her. But marke thar I say all [...]at is cōmaūded her, or coūselled, how difficult soe­ [...]er it be: for I cā assure you that Humilitie iudgeth [Page 70] it not to be a thing impossible for her to wo [...] miracles, being commaunded so to doe: if she her selfe to the execution of the commaundem [...] in simplicitie of hart, God will rather worke a [...] racle, then be wanting to giue her abilitie to ac [...] plish her enterprise: because she did not vndert [...] the action vppon any other ayde, then vppon cōfidēce she hath in his streingth: yea she is gro [...] ded vppon the estimation that she hath of the g [...] that God hath imparted vnto her and so she mak [...] this discourse within her selfe: if God doe call to so high an estate of perfection, that there is [...] more high estate in this life, what is that wh [...] shall hinder me to attayne there vnto, since th [...] am most assured that he, who hath begū the wo [...] of my perfectiō, will perfect it? but take heed t [...] this be done with out any presumptiō: for so m [...] as this confidence hindereth not, but that we m [...] allwaies keepe our selues vppon our gard, for fe [...] of being deceaued; but rather it maketh vs m [...] attentiue ouer our selues, more vigilant and ca [...] full to doe that, which may serue vs for the adu [...] cement of our perfection. Humilitie consisteth [...] onely in the distrust of our selues, but also that confide in God: and the diffidēce of our selues [...] of our ownne forces, produceth confidence in G [...] and from this confidence springeth Generositie [...] spiritt of which we speake.

3. The most holie virgin Our Bl. Ladie [...] furnish vs with a most remarkable exāple for t [...] subiect, when she pronūced these wordes; Beho [...] the hand mayde of our Lord, be it done to [...] according to thy worde: for in that she sayeth, t [...] seruāt of our Lord, she maketh an act of the great humilitie that she could doe for so much as she o [...] posed against the praises that the Angell gaue h [...] that she should be the mother of God, that [...] [Page 71] ch [...]d which should be borne of her should be called Sonne of the most High (the greatest dignitie, [...] euer had bene or could be imagined:) she oppo­ [...] (I say) to all these praises and greatnesses, her [...]enes and vnworthines, saying she was the hand­ [...]yd of our Lord. But consider that after she had [...]dred her due to humilitie, she practiced incon­ [...]ntly a most excellent act of Generositie, saying: [...]t it be done to me according to thy word. It is [...]e (as if she would haue sayed) that I am not in [...] sorte capable of this grace, if respect be had to [...]at I am of my selfe; but since that which is good [...]ne is of God, and that wich thou tellest mee is most holy will, I beleeue that he is able, and that will effect it; and therefore she sayed, Let it be [...]he to me as thou hast sayed.

§. 4. Likewise for want of this Generositie, [...]y few acts of true contrition are made; for so­ [...]ch [...]ch as after we be humbled and confounded, [...]ore the diuine maiestie in consideration of our [...]at infidelitye, we approch not to make an act confidence, in taking hart by the assurance we [...]ght to haue, that the diuine bountie will giue vs [...] grace, from henceforth to be more faythfull to [...]n, and to correspōd more perfectly to his diuine [...]e. After this act of confidence should imme­ [...]tlye follow; that of Generositie, saying, since that [...]m most assured that the grace of God shall not [...] wanting to mee, I will further beleeue, that [...] will not permitt me to fayle in corresponding [...]his grace.

§. 5. But you will say to mee; If I be wanting [...] grace, it will also be wanting to me. It is true, if [...]en it be so, who shall assure me from this time [...]rth, that I shall not fayle to cooperate vvith grace [...]nce I haue so oftentimes heretofore lett it passe [...] releslie? I aunsvvere that Generositie causeth the [Page 72] soule boudly to say, without any feare no, I wi [...] no more vnfaytfull to God; and because she feel [...] in her hart this resolution of neuer being disloy [...] she vndertaketh with out any feare, all that she k [...] weth is in her power to yeald acceptable seruice God, with out exception: and enterpriseing all, [...] beleeueth she hath abilitye for all, not of her se [...] but in God, vppon whome she hath fixed her c [...] fidence: therefore she attempteth what soeue [...] commaunded or councelled her.

§. 5. But you will demaund of mee, if it be ne [...] permitted to doubt, whether we bee capable or [...] to doe those things that are commaunded vs aunsweere, that Generositie of spiritt, doth ne [...] permitt vs to enter into any doubt. To this end y [...] must distinguish, (as I haue bene accoustome [...] tell you) the superiour part of your soules from, inferiour: Now whē I say that Generositie doth [...] permitt vs to doubt, this is as touching the Su [...] riour part: for it may very well bee that the inferi [...] will be top full of doubts, and will haue much di [...] cultye to receaue the charge, or imployment tha [...] appointed vs. But for all this, the soule that is Ge [...] rous scorneth it, and maked no account ther-of; [...] simply putteth her selfe to the exercise of the cha [...] not so much as speaking one worde, nor shew [...] any action to discouer the feeling she hath of [...] incapacitie. But we poore creatures, are so ioyf [...] as of nothing more, to witnesse that we are v [...] hūble, and that we haue a base esteeme of our selu [...] and the like things, which are nothing lesse th [...] true humilitie, which doth neuer permitt vs to re [...] the iudgment of those whom God hath giuen vs be our Guides I haue put in the booke of the int [...] duction an example which serueth to my purpo [...] and which is very remarkable: it is of king Ach [...] who being reduced to extreeme affliction, by [...] [Page 73] greeuous warre that two other kings did make [...]gainst him, hauing beseeged Herusalem: God cō ­ [...]maunded the prophet Isaye, that he should goe to [...]omfort him in his name, and to promise him he [...]hould haue the victorie, and remayne triumphant [...]uer his enimyes. And moreouer the prophet sayed [...]o him, that for proose of the truth of what he spake [...]e should demaund of God a signe in heauē aboue, [...]r in the earth below, and God would grant it him: [...]hen Ac [...]az distrusting the bountie of God, and his [...]iberality, sayed, I will not doe it, for so much as [...] will not tempt God. But the miserable man, sayed [...]ot this for the honour he did beare to God: for [...]ontrariwise, he refused to honour him, because God would at that time be honored by miracles: [...]nd Achaz did refuse to demaūd one of him, which [...]e had signified vnto him, he desired to doe: he [...]ffended God in refusing to obey the Prophet, that God sent to signify his will vnto him. VVee ought [...]hen neuer to be doubtfull that we cannot doe that which is commaunded, for so much as those, who [...]ommaund vs, knowe sufficiently our capacitye.

§. 6. But you tell me, that peraduenture you [...]aue many interiour miseries ad imperfections, [...]hat your superiours knowe not of, and this that [...]hey doe is vppon exteriour apparences, by the which it may be you haue deceaued their spiritts. I [...]ay, wee must not allwaies beleeue what you saye, [...]ushed forwardes it may be with discouragment, [...]hat you are miserable, and wholy filled with im­ [...]erfections; no more thē we must beleeue that you [...]aue them not, whē you say nothing of them, they [...]rdinarilie being such as your workes make them [...]ppeare. Your vertues are knowne by the fidelitie [...]ou haue in practicing of them, and euen so imper­ [...]ections are knowne by their acts. VVe cannot, as [...]ong as we feele no malice in our hart deceaue the [Page 74] spiritt of our superiours.

§. 7. But you tell mee that wee see many Sts. make great resistance, that they might not receaue those offices and charges others would haue giuen them. That which they haue done, hath not bene onely, because of the base esteeme they had of thē ­selues; but principally because they did see, that those that would haue them vndertake these char­ges grounded themselues vppon apparent vertues, as are fastings, Almees deeds, penāces and austerities of bodye, and not vppon the true interiour vertues, which they kept close, and couert vnder holye humilitie; and they weare sought ont, and followed by the poeple, who did nott knowe them other­wise then by the fame they heard of their vertu: in this case, it should be (as it seeemeth) permitted to make some resistāce: but doe you know to whome? I will tell you. To a Religious of Dijon, for exam­ple, to whome a Superiour of Anessy should send commaundement to be Superiour, hauing neuer seene nor knowen her. But a Religious of that place, to whom she should make the same com­maundement, should neuer endeuour to bring any testimonie, that she is repugnant to the commaun­dement: but rather she should endeuour to put her selfe to the exercise of her charge, with as much peace and courage, as if she thought her selfe very capable for the performance thereof. But I see very well the craft of the diuell, we feare forsoothe the successe thereof will not proue to our honour, we haue our reputation in so great recommendation, that we would not be held for learners in our charges, but for maisters and Mistrisses, that neuer committ faultes.

§. 8. You now by this vnderstand inough, what the spiritt of streingth and Generositie is, which we so much desire should be established amongst you, [Page 75] to the end it may banish all childishnes & effemi­nacie which serue for nothing else, then to stop vs in our way, and to hinder vs from making any pro­gresse in perfection. These tendernesses are nou­risht by the vaine reflectiōs wee make vppō our sel­ues, principallie when we haue stūbled in our way by any faulte; for in this place by the grace of God we haue neuer yet seene any directlye to fall; but if they stumble now and then, and in steed of hūbling themselues mildly, and redressing themselues cou­ragiously (as we haue sayed) they enter into consi­deration of their pouertie, and there vppon they begin to compassionate themselues saying, Alas my God! how miserable am I, I am fitt for nothing: and afterward we passe into discouragment which causeth vs to saye: O no, there is nothing more for to be hoped for of me, I shall neuer doe any thing of worth, it is time lost to speake to mee: and cōse­quentlie we would almost that they should leaue vs there, as if they weere very well assured neuer to be able to gayne any thing with vs. Good God how farre are all these things from the soule that is generous, and who maketh a great esteeme, as we haue sayed, of the talentes God hath endowed her with all? for she is not astonished eyther at the difficultyes of the way, she hath to goe, or at the greatnesse of the worke, or the leanght of time that must be imployed therein, or in fine at the delaying of the worke which she hath vndertaken. The Religious of the Visitation are all called to most great perfection, and their enterprise is the most high and excellent that can be thought of: for so much as they haue not onely the pretense in vniting themselues to the will of God, as all crea­tures ought to doe; but moreouer their pretensiō is to vnite themselues to his desires, yea euen vnto his intentions, I say, euen in a manner before they be [Page 76] scarse signified vnto them, and if they could cōceaue vvhat vveere more perfect, and one degree of per­fection more thē to conforme thēselues to the will of God, his desires, and intentions, they would with out doubt vndertake to moūt therevnto; since they haue a vocation, which obligeth thē therevnto and therefore their deuotion ought to be a strong and generous deuotion, as we haue sayed many times.

§. 7. But besides this that we haue sayed of this Generositie, this must further more be declared heere to witt, that the soule which possesseth it, receaueth equallie drinesse of spiritt, and sweetnesse of conso­lations; interiour anguishes, vexations, and oppres­sions of spiritt. as the fauoures and prosperitie of a spiritt, filled with peace and tranquillitie; and this because she cōsidereth, that he which giueth her the consolations, is the very same that sendeth her affli­ctions, vvho sendeth the one and the other with the same loue, which she her selfe acknowledgeth to be exceedinglie great: because that by the interiour affli­ction of the spiritt, he pretendeth to drawe her to most high perfectiō, which is the abnegation of all sortes of cōsolatiōs in this life: remayning most assu­red that he who hath depriued her of them in this world, will not eternallie depriue her of thē in the height of heauē. You will say to mee, that we cānot in the thickett of these great darknesses make these considerations: seeing as it seemeth; we cānot speake so much as one onely word vnto our Lord truly you haue reason to say, as it seemeth to you, for so much as in veritie it is not so. The sacred councell of Trent hath determined this, and wee are obliged to beleaue it, that God and his grace doe neuer abā ­don vs in such sort, that we cannot haue recourse to his bountie, and protest th [...]t against all the trouble and wrestling of our soule, we wilbe wholie his, and that we will not willinglie offend him. But marke [Page 77] well, all this is in the superiour part of our soule, and because the inferiour perceaueth not any thing at all of this, but that she remayneth allvvaies in her payne, that is it, that troubleth vs, and maketh vs to esteeme our selues very miserable: and further more we begin to bemoane our selues excessiuelye as if it weare a thing very worthy of compassion, to see our selues vvith out consolation. Alas, Alas, for Gods sake let vs cōsider, how our Lord and maister hath very willinglie bene exercised by these interi­our anguishes, and that beyōd all imaginatiō. Lett vs [...]harkē vnto those wordes that he spake vppō the cross: My God, m [...] God, why hast thou forsakē mee? he was reduced to so great extremitye that he had no other [...]hing left thē the point of the spiritt, which was not ouer whelmed with dolours: but yet cōsider that he [...]etaketh himselfe to speake to God, for to shewe vs, [...] it shou [...]d not be impossible for vs to doe the same

§. 8. VVhich is better say you, at this time, to speake [...]o God of our greife, and miserie, or else to speake [...]o him of some other matter? I tell you that in this [...]afe, as in all sortes of temptations, it is better to di­ [...]ert our spiritt frō the vexation and trouble ther-of [...]iscoursing with God of some other thing, then to [...]eake to him of our vexation: for vndoubtedly if [...]e doe it, it will not be with out a kinde of bemo­ [...]ing and tendernesse ouer our hart, augmenting a [...]evv our grife; our nature being such, as it cannot [...]e or thinke of her dolours with out hauing great [...]ompassion of them. But you say to me except you [...]e attentiue to your greifes, you shall not remem­ [...]er then hovv to declare them, & what matter is [...] truely we are as children, vvho are very glad to [...]e to their mother, if a Bee haue stung them, to [...]ll it her, to the end she may bemoane them, and [...]ow vppon the place, which is alreadie whole: for [...] willinglie goe to our mother to tell her we [Page 78] haue bene very much afflicted, and we aggrauate our affliction, recounting the very least things, not omitting any little circumstance which may cause vs to be bemoaned a little: Now doe you not see this extreeme childishnes? if wee haue committed any infidelitie, it is good to declare it, if we haue bene faythfull it must be also tould, yet breiflie, with out exaggerating either the one or the other, for all ought to be declared to those that haue char­ge of our soules.

§. 9. You will say now, that when you haue had a great motion of choller, or of any other ten­tation there allwaies commeth some scruple int [...] your minde vnlesse you confesse it I say it ought t [...] be spoken in the reuewe of our selues, but not by way of confession: but for instruction how to cō ­port our selues in the like occasions, I say, whe [...] we doe not clearelie see, that we haue giuen som [...] kind of consent; for if you saie: I accuse my sel [...] that two dayes together I haue had great motion of choler, but I consented not there vnto, you d [...] clare your vertues, in place of telling your faulte [...] but if I be in doubt whether I haue committe [...] some fault therein or no: I must consider man [...] [...]elie if this doubt haue any ground: it may be, th [...] about a quarter of an hower, in the space of the two dayes you haue bene somewhat negligent [...] diuerting your thoughts from that motion; if it [...] so tell simply, that you haue bene negligent in d [...] uerting your selfe from a motion of choller th [...] you haue had, during the space of a quarter of [...] hower, with out adding the tentation hath con [...] nued two dayes: except you would say it either [...] receaue some instruction from your Confessour, [...] otherwise because it is of your ordinarie reuew [...] for then it is very good to declare it. But for or [...] narie, confessions, it wilbe better not to speake of [Page 79] since you doe it to no other end then to satisfie your selues, and if it put you to some little payne in not doing it; it ought to be suffered, as some other accident, in which we are not able to procure re­dresse. God be Blessed.

LIƲE JESƲS.

THE SIXT ENTERTAIN­MENT OF HOPE.
VPPON THE DEPARTVRE OF THE Visitation, that went to found a new house of their Institute.

1. AMong the praises the Holy Sainctes haue giuen to Abraham S. Paul extolleth this aboue all the rest, that he increased in Hope against hope, it selfe; God Almightie had promised him, that [...]is seede should be multiplied as the stars of heauen, & as the sandes of the sea: yet notwith­standing he receaued a commaundement to sacri­fice his sonne Isaac: poore Abraham did not loose his Hope for this; but hee expected beyond hope it selfe, that being obedient to the commaundement giuen him of sacrificing his sonne, God vvould not therefore fayle to performe his promise made to him great truely vvas his hope: for in no sort did [...]he see where-on it might depend, but onely vppon the worde which God had giuen him. O; that word of God is a most true and solide ground and foundation, for it is infallible; Abraham then pro­ceeded to accōplish the will of the of God with an incō ­parable simplicitie; for he made no more conside­ratiō, [Page 80] nor reply, then he did vvhē God had cōmaunded him, saying: goe forth out of thy country, an [...] from thy kindred, and goe to the place that I wi [...] shewe thee, not specifying it vnto him, to the en [...] he should imbarke himselfe, most simply in th [...] ship of his Diuine prouidence: walking then for­wards three dayes and three nights, with his sonn [...] Isaac, carrying the wood for the sacrifice, this In­nocent soule demaunded of his Fa [...]her vvhere wa [...] the Holocaust? to vvhome good Abraham auns­wered; My sonne, our Lord will prouide it. O [...] good God hovv happie should wee bee, if vv [...] could accustome our selues to make this aunswer to our hartes, vvhen they are in care for any thing our Lord vvill prouide therefore, and that after th [...] vve had not any more anxietie, trouble, or impression, then Isaac had: for he held himselfe silent an [...] quiett, beleuing our Lord vvould prouide, euen a [...] his father had sayed; Certaynelye God requiret [...] that the confidence vvee haue in his fatherlie ca [...] and Diuine Prouidence should be great: But wherefore should we not haue it? seeing there hath neuer bene any personne deceaued therein, nor an [...] one confided in God that hath not receaued th [...] fruit of his confidence. I speake this amongst o [...] selues; for touching these of the vvorld, their confidence is accompagnied vvith apprehension; an [...] therefore is of no vvorth before God. Lett vs consider I beseech you, vvhat Our Lord & Maiste [...] sayed to his Apostles, to establish in them this hol [...] and louing Confidence. I haue sent you into th [...] world vvith out scrip, mony, or other prouisions either for yout nourishment or clothing, hath ther [...] bene any thing vvanting to you? and they saved no [...] goe, sayed he, to them, and meditate not in you [...] mind, whereof you shall eate, or vvhat you sha [...] drinke, or vvhere vvith you shalbe clothed, no [...] [Page 81] likevvise vvhat you shall speake being in the pre­ [...]ence of the great Lords and magistrats of the pro­ [...]inces through vvhich you shall passe: for in euery [...]ccasion your heauenlie Father vvill prouide for [...]ou, all that is necessarie; neither doe you preme­ [...]itate vvhat you shall speake, for he vvill speake in [...]ou, and put into your mouth the wordes that you [...]hall haue to say. But I am so dull, and ill-spokē (so­me one of our sisters will say) I knovve not hovv to [...]onuerse with great ones, and Noble poeple, I haue [...]o learning: that is all one, goe, and confide in God: [...]or he hath sayed. Although a vvomā should happen [...]o forgett her child yet vvill I neuer forgett) you: [...]or I beare you ingrauen in my hart, and on my [...]ands; Thinke you that he vvho hath care to prouide foode for the foules os the ayre, and the [...]eastes of the earth, which neither sovv nor ga­ [...]her into barnes, can euer forgett to prouide all [...]hat shalbe necessarie for the man that vvil con­ [...]ide totallie in his Prouidence, since that man [...]s capable to be vnited to God our Souueraigne good?

§. 2. This my most deare Sisters hath seemed good to me to speake to you vppon this subject of your departure; for although you are not capa­ [...]le of Aposto [...]icall dignitie because of your sex; neuerthelesse you are in some sort capable of the Apostolicall office and you may render many seruices to God, procuring in some sorte the aduancement of his glorie as the Apostles did. Certaynelie, my Deare Daughters, this ought to be a moriue of great consolation vnto you, that God will serue him selfe of you for so excellent a worke as this to which you are called, and you ought to [...]hould your selues greatlie honored before the Di­uine maiestie. For what is that, that God desireth of you, but that which he did orda [...]ne to his Apostles? [Page 82] and that for which he sent them into the world, which was that for which our Lord himselfe came to worke in this world, to witt, to giue life to men, and not onely this, sayed hee, but to the end they should liue more abundantlie, that they may haue life and better life, which he hath wrought by giuing thē his grace: The Apostles were sent of our Lord throughout the world for the same subiect: for our Lord sayed vnto them, euen as my Father sent mee I send you: goe and giue life to men; but you must not content your selues with this, but endeuour that they liue, and that a most perfect life; by the meanes of the doctrine that you shall teach them they shall haue life in beleeuing my worde that you expose to them: but they shall haue more abundant life by the good example that you shall giue them and therefore take no care whether your labours fructifie according to your pretended desire, for it is not of you the fruits shalbe demaunded, but onely whether you haue imploied your selues faythfully to cultiuate the sterill and dry ground: it will not be demaunded whether you haue had a good haruest: but onely if you haue had care to sowe vvel. In like manner my deare daughters you are now cōmaun­ded to goe hether and thether, into diuers places to the end that soules hauing life, by your meanes may liue a better life, for what is that vvhich you goe to doe, but to giue knowledg of your Institute, and by meanes of this knowledg to dravve many sou­les, to imbrace all the obseruances, which are com­prised and conteined therein! but with out prea­ching and conferring the Sacraments, and remitting sinnes as the Appostles did. Goe you not to giue life to men? but to speake more properly; goe you not to giue life to vvomen; since it may be a hundred and a hūdred virgins which would haue bene lost in the vvorld, shall by your example, retyring them [Page 83] selues vvith in your Religion, goe to enioy in hea­ [...]en for all eternitie, incomprebēsible felicitye: and not this by your meanes, that their life shalbe [...]uen them, and that they shall liue a more abun­ [...]ant life, that is to say, a life more perfect and [...]easing to God, a life that shall make them capable [...] vnite themselues more perfectly to the diuine [...]ountie: for they shall receaue from you necessarie [...]structions, for to attayne the true and pure loue [...]f God, with is that more abundant life, which [...]ur Lord IESVS is come to giue to men? I haue [...]rought, sayed he, fire into the earth, what is that I [...]emaund, or what doe I prretend, but that it bur­ [...]e? And in another place he cōmaundeth that fire [...]urne continually vppon his Altar, and therefore [...]at it should neuer be put out, to shewe with what [...]rdour he desireth that the fire of his loue be all­ [...]aies kindled vppō the Altar of our harts. O God, [...]hat a grace is this, that God doeth bestowe on [...]ou? he maketh you Apostles, not in dignity, but in [...]ffice and meritt, you preach not, for your sex is [...]ot permitted it, although S. Marie Magdalene, [...]nd S. Martha her Sister hath done it, but you [...]mitt not therefore to exercise the Apostolicall [...]ffice, in the communicatiō of your manner of life, [...]uen so as I say. Goe then with courage to accom­ [...]lish that to which you are called, but goe in sim­ [...]licitye; if you haue apprehensions, saye to your [...]oules, Our Lord will prouide for vs if the conside­ [...]ation of your weaknes disharten you; cast your [...]elues into the armes of God, and confide in him. The Apostles for the most part weere sinners and [...]gnorant, God made them learned, according as [...]as necessarie for the charge that he would giue [...]em: doe you therefore confide in him, depend [...]ppon his prouidence and feare nothing: doe not [...]y. I haue not the talēt to discourse well, it impor­teth [Page 84] not, goe with out making discourse: for go [...] will giue you that which you shall haue to saye, an [...] to doe when it shalbe time, if you haue indeed [...] vertue, or at least perceaue none in you, lett it n [...] trouble you; for if you enterprise for the Glorie [...] God: and the fulfilling of obedience, the gouerme [...] of soules, or any other exercise whatsoeuer it be God vvill haue care of you, and shalbe obliged [...] prouide for you all that shalbe necessarie, aswe [...] for you, as for those God hath giuen you in charg [...] it is true that this which you vndertake is a matt [...] of great consequence and importance; but ho [...] soeuer you should doe amisse, if you would n [...] expect good successe, since you doe not inte [...] prise it, by your owne choise, but for your oblig [...] tion to Obedience. VVithout doubt we haue gre [...] cause to feare when vve seeke after offices and cha [...] ges, be it in Religion, or other where, and th [...] they be granted vs through our importune sui [...] but vvhen it is not so: Lett vs bovve humbly o [...] necke vnder the yoke of holy Obedience, and Le [...] vs accept of the burthen with a good hart humbling our selues, for this ought allwaies to be practiced: but lett vs allvvaies remember to establis [...] Generositie vppon the acts of humilitye, fo [...] vvith out it, these acts of humilitie are vvorth no [...] thing.

§. 3. I haue an extreeme desire to graue i [...] your harts one maxime, vvhich is of incomparable profitt: not to aske any thing, nor to refu [...] any thing: no my Deare Children demaund nothing, nor refuse nothing: receaue that which the [...] vvill giue you, and doe not demaund vvhat the [...] shall not present, or that they vvill not giue you in this practice you shall find great peace to you [...] soules; yea, my Deare Sisters, hould your harts t [...] [Page 85] this holy indifferencie, to receaue all they vvill [...]iue you, and not to desire that vvhich they vvill [...]ot giue you: I say in a vvorde desire nothing, [...]ut leaue your selues, and all your affayres totally [...]nd perfectlie to the care of the Diuine Prouidence: [...]ermitt him to doe with you; euen as Children [...]aue themselues to be gouerned by their Nourses, [...] it carrye you on the right arme or on the [...]eft, lett it all be as it shall please him, for a child [...]ould not bee discontented thereat▪ vvhether [...] bring you to bed, or raise you from bed, lett it [...]one for it is a good mother, that knovveth better [...]vhat you vvant, then you your selues. I advise [...]ou, if the Diuine prouidence permitt, that affli­ [...]tion or mortifications happen to you, not to [...]efuse them: rather accept them with a louing [...]nd peacefull hart: and if they be not sent you [...]y it, or that it be not permitted that they happen [...]nto you: desire them not, nor aske for them: [...]kevvise if consolations or comfortes be giuen [...]ou, receaue them vvith the spiritt of gratitu­ [...]e, and thankesgiuing to the Diuine bountie: [...]nd if you haue them not, doe not desire them, [...]ut endeauour to haue your hart prepared to [...]eceaue the diuersitye of euents from the Diui­ [...]e Prouidence vvith an equall hart as much as [...]ay bee. If in Religion they appoint obediences [...]o you, vvhich seeme dangerous for you, as [...]re those of superioritye, refuse them not if they [...]re not appointed you, desire them not, and [...]uen so of all thinges, I meane of things of this [...]vorld for so farr as concerneth vertues, we may [...]nd ought to aske thē of God: and the loue of God [...]omprehendeth them all. You cannot beleeue vntill [...]ou haue experienced it, hovv much profitt the [...]ractice of this will bring to your soules; for in pla­ [...]e of musing to desire now these meanes, and after [Page 86] others to perfect your selues, you will apply yo [...] selues more simply, and fayt fullie, to those th [...] will encounter you in your way.

§. 4. Casting my eyes vppon the subiect [...] your departure, and vppon the ineuitable feelin [...] that euerie one of you shall haue, in being s [...]parat [...] one from an other, I thought my selfe bound [...] m [...]ke some little speache to you, to lessen yo [...] greife, although I will not say, that it is not law [...] full to weepe [...] little, for it must be done, for [...] much as ye shall not be able to restraine it, haui [...] remayned so sweetly and louinglie together, a lo [...] time in the practice of one and the same exercise [...] the which hath so vnited your hartes t [...]at with o [...] doubt they cannot suffer any diuision or separatiō My Deare Sisters, you shall not be deuided n [...] separated, for all goe, and all remayne; those th [...] goe remayne; and those that remayne goe; not i [...] their person: but in the person of those that go [...] and likewise those that shall goe, shall remayne [...] the person of those that remayne, this is one of th [...] principall fruites of Religion (to witt) this holy vniō that is made by charitie; which is such an vni [...] that of many harts there is but one hart, and o [...] many members there is made but one bodye: all a [...] so made one in Religion; that all the Religious [...] one order (as it seemeth) are but one onely Rel [...] gious. The laye Sisters sing the Diuine Office in th [...] person of those that are dedicated to the Quire, an [...] the quire Nūnes serue in domesticall offices in th [...] person of those who doe them: and euen so th [...] reason is most euident. For so much as if those tha [...] are in the quire, to sing the office, weare not ther [...] the others should be there in their place, and and [...] they had not domesticall Sisters to dresse the [...] dinner, the Sisters of the Quire should be imploye [...] therin: and if such a Sister weare not superiour, th [...] [Page 87] there should be another: euen so those who doe [...]e, doe remayne, & those who remayne goe: for [...]ose that be named to goe, could not performe those that remayne should goe in their place: but [...]t which ought cause you either to goe or re­ [...]yne willingly, my deare daug [...]ters, is, the almost [...]allible assurance which wee ought to haue, that [...]s separation is made no otherwise then touching [...] bodye, for touching the spiritt you remayne [...]st perfectly vnited; this corporall separation is [...] a small matter, the which wilbe done, will wee, [...] will wee not: but the separation of harts and [...]nion of spiritts, this is it alone that is to be fea­ [...]. Now touching vs, we will not onelie remayne [...]ted together: but further more this our vnion [...]ll euerie day increase to more perfection, and [...]t most sweete and amiable bond or corde of [...]ritie shall be allwayes more twisted and tied [...]ether, according to the measure that we shall [...]ance our selues, in the way of our owne perfe­ [...]on: for as much as becomming more capable to [...]te our selues to God, the more we shall vnite [...]r selues one to and other, so that by euery [...]mmunion that we make, our vnion shalbe made [...]re perfect: for vniting our selues with our Lord [...] shall allwaies remayne more vnited together: [...]o the receauing of this sacred and celestiall Bread [...] of this most odoriferous Sacrament is called [...]mmunion, that is as much to say, as, common [...]on. O good God, what an vnion is that, which [...]etweene, each Religious of one and the same [...]er; such an vnion that their spirituall riches are [...]ntermixed together, and reduced into common, [...]heir exteriour prouisions are. A Religious persō [...]h nothing in particular to himselfe, because of [...]e sacred vowe that he hath made, of voluntarie [...]uertie, and by the holy profession that Religious [Page 88] make of most holy charitie, all their vertues are [...] mon, and all participat of the good workes [...] one an other, and shall enioy the fruite of [...] same: prouided that they keepe themselues allwai [...] in charitie, and in obseruance of those Rules [...] Religion vvherevnto God hath called them; that that person which is in any domesticall o [...] ce, or in any other exercise vvhat soeuer it be, co [...] templateth in the person of her that is in pray in the quier: she that reposeth, participateth of [...] labour another hath, vvho is in exercise by [...] commaundement of the Superiour. Behould th [...] my deare Children, hovv those that goe, doe [...] mayne, and those vvho remayne doe goe, a [...] therefore you ought all equallie, louinglie and co [...] ragiously to imbrace Obedience as vvell in this [...] casiō as in all others, since those vvho doe remay [...] shall haue part of the labour and fruite of the vo [...] ge of those vvho depart: euen as they shall haue p [...] of the tranquillitie and quiet of those who rem [...] ne. Doubtlesse all of you, my Deare children, ha [...] neede of much vertue, and of great care to prac [...] it, aswell to depart, as to stay. For euen as they vv [...] depart, haue need of much courage & conside [...] in God, louinglye and with the spiritt of humil [...] to enterprise that vvhich God requireth of the [...] vanquis [...]ing all the feelings which may laye ho [...] or come vppon them to leaue the house, in vvh [...] God hath first placed them, the Sisters they ha [...] so dearely loued, and vvhose conuersation broug [...] so much consolation to their soule; the tranqu [...] litye of their retired life, which is so deare, th [...] parents and acquaintance, and I knovv not vv [...] many other things, to which nature is tyed w [...] les that vve liue in this life, They likewise vv [...] remayne haue the same neede and necessitye [...] courage, asvvell to perseuere in the practice [...] [Page 89] h [...]y submission, humilitie, and tranquillitye, as [...] to prepare themselues, to goe forth vvhen [...]y shalbe commaunded: since that euen as you [...], your Institute, My Deare sisters, beginneth [...] extend it selfe into all parts in so many diuers [...]ces: in like manner you ought to endeauour, [...] increase and multiply the acts of your vertue, [...]d to stringhten your courage, for to make your [...]ues capable to bee imployed, according to the [...]ill of God.

§. 5. Truely it seemeth to mee, vvhen I regard [...]d consider the beginning of your Institute, that [...]verye vvel representeth the historie of Abra­ [...]m: for vvhen God had giuen his vvord to him; [...]t his seede should be multiplied [...]s the stars of [...]e firmament, and as the sandes of the sea: he [...]mmaunded him neuerthelesse to sacrifice his [...]nne: by vvhome the promise of God vvas to [...] accomplished. Abraham did hope and strengh­ [...]n himselfe in his hope, agaynst hope it selfe, [...]d his hope vvas not in vaine, but fruitfull: in [...]e manner vvhen the first three Sist [...]rs did ranke [...]emselues together, and embra [...]e this kind [...] life, God had designed from all eternitie to [...]esse their g [...]neration, in giuing them one vvho [...]ould be great [...]ie multyplied: but vvho could haue [...]leeued this? since vvhen they enclosed them­ [...]lues vvith in their little house, vve thought [...]o other thing then to make them dye to the [...]orld? they vveare not sacrificed, but they did [...]oluntarilie sacrifice themselues, and God con­ [...]nted himselfe so must vvith their sacrifice, [...]at he hath not onely giuen them a nevv life [...]r them selues: but a life so abundant, that they [...]ay by his grace communicate it to many sou­ [...]s, euen as vve allreadie see. And truelie it [Page 90] seemeth to mee that these three first Sisters, [...] verye well represented by the three graine [...] wheat that weare found among the strawe, w [...] was put on the chariott of Triptolemus, the w [...] graines did serue to conserue his armye. For b [...] brought into a countrye, where there was not [...] wheate, these three graines weare takē, and cast [...] the ground, which did produce others in such qu [...] titie, that with in a fewe yeares all the grounde [...] that country weare sowed there with. The Pro [...] dence of our good God casting with his ble [...] hand these three Religious into the ground of Visitation: and hauing remayned there somt [...] hidden from the eyes of the world, they haue p [...] duced the fruite that we see at this present: in [...] sort that within a short time, all this country sh [...] made participant of your Institute. O how hap [...] are those soules who dedicate themfelues truely [...] absolutely to the seruice of God? for God ne [...] leaueth them barren nor vnfruitefull; for, for a v [...] nothing that they haue leaft for God: God giu [...] them incomparable recompences, aswell in this [...] as in the other. VVhat a grace is this I praye y [...] to be imployed in the seruice of soules, whom G [...] hath so dearelye loued, and for whose saluation o [...] Lord IESVS hath suffered so much? truely it is inestimable honour, and you ought) my deare ch [...] dren) to make a very great esteeme thereof, and [...] employ your selues f [...]ythfully therein, not cōpl [...] ning neither of payne nor care, nor labour: for y [...] shalbe most dearely recompensed for all, allthou [...] this ought not to serue as a motiue to encourage y [...] but rather, because by the same you become mo [...] pleasing to God, and thereby augment his Glorie [...] much the more; Goe then, and remayne courag [...] ouslie in this exercise, and doe not studie to cō [...]d [...] that you see not in your selues what is necessarie, [Page 91] meanes talentes proper for the offices you shalbe [...]ployed in: it is hetter that you doe not see them [...]our selues, for this will keepe you in humilitye, [...] giue you more ample subiect to distrust your [...]es, & your owne forces, and cause you more [...]olutelie to put your vvhole confidence in God; [...]o much that as long as we haue not necessitie to [...]ctice a vertue, it is better we haue it not: when [...] shall haue vse thereof (prouided that we bee [...]thfull in those that vve haue present practice of) [...] vs hould our selues assured that God will giue euery vertue in his time; lett vs not studie to de­ [...], nor to pretend any thing, lett vs indeed leaue [...]r selues vvholie in the handes of the diuine pro­ [...]ence that he doe vvith vs vvhat shall please him: [...] to vvhat purpose is it, to desire one thing rather [...]n another ought not all things to be indifferent to vs? prouided that vve please God, and that vve [...]ue his diuine vvill, this ought to suffice vs. For [...]y part, I admire hovv it can bee, that vve should [...]ue more inclinatiō to bee imployed in one thing [...]en in another; principallie being in Religion, [...]here one charge, and one busines is as pleasing [...] God as another: since it is Obedience that giueth [...]e prise to all the exercises of Religiō: if the choice [...]eare giuen vs the most abiect should bee the [...]ost desirable, and these vve should imbrace most [...]uingly; but this not being in our choice, lett vs [...]brace the one & the other with the same harty [...]ood vvill: vvhen the charge that is giuē vs is hono­ [...]ble before men: lett vs hould our selues humble [...]efore God: vvhen it is more abiect before men, [...]tt vs esteeme our selues more honored before the [...]iuine Bountie.

§. 6. In fine, my deare daughters, retayne chere­ [...]ully and faythfully, that which I haue sayed to you, [...]vhether it respect the interiour, or the exteriour, [Page 92] vvill nothing but vvhat God vvould haue yo [...] vvill: imbrace louinglie the euents ad diuers eff [...] of his diuine will, not troubling your heades ab [...] any other thing, and now what can I say more, deare Sisters, since it seemeth that all our happi [...] is comprised in this most amiable practice? on [...] I will represent to you the example of the Isra [...] with the which I vvill ende: they hauing belong time vvith out a king, had a desire to haue (great certaynelie is the spiritt of humayne esti [...] tion) as if God had left them vvith out a guide that he had not had care to Rule, gouerne, and fend them, for this cause they did addresse the [...] selues to the Prophett, vvho promised in the name to demaund one for them of God; the vvh [...] he did, and God being irritated vvith their dema [...] made them this aunsvvere, [...]hat he vvould gr [...] their request: but that he shou [...]d aduertise thē, [...] the king that they should haue, should take s [...] dominion ouer them, that he should take their ch [...] dren from them, & as for their sonnes, he sho [...] make some of them, vnd [...]r officers, others sodiers, and captaynes, and for their daug [...]ters, [...] should make some of them cookes, others Bake [...] and others perfumers: O [...]r Lord doth the sam [...] Most deare daughters, to [...]hose vvho dedicate the [...] selues vnto his seruice, for (as you see in Religio [...] their are diuers charges, and diuers offices: but vvh [...] is it that I will say? no other thing, but that it seemeth to mee, that the diuine Maiestie hath chose [...] you, vvho are to goe, as perfumers, yea truelie, fo [...] you are deputed by him, to goe and povvre for [...] the most svveete sauour of the vertues of your Institute; and as young damsells are louers of svveet [...] smelles, [...]as the sacred spouse sayeth in the Cāticles that the name of her be oued is an oyle or ba [...]me [...] vvhich spredeth all ouer its Odoriferous and fra­gran [...] [Page 93] sauour for this cause she addeth, the young [...]ells, haue follovved him (being dravven by his [...]e perfumes) My deare sisters, as perfumers of [...]uine bountie, goe your way to povvre forth [...]igh all partes the incomparable odour of Most [...]re humilitie, svveetnesse, ād Charitie; that many [...]g maydens may be dravvne, to follovv after perfumes, and to imbrace your manner of life, [...]ich they may bee able, as yourselues, to inioy in [...]fe a holy and amorouse peace and trāquillie of [...], and by this meanes, in the other life, to possess [...]all felicitye. Your congregation is as a hiue of the vvhich hath all readie cast diuers swarmes: [...]euerthelesse vvith this difference, that the come forth to retyre themselues vvith in ano­ [...]iue, and there to begin a nevv houshould, [...] svvarme choising their particuler king vnder [...]me they fight, and make their retraite: but tou­ [...] you, my deare soules, although you goe vvith­ [...]evv hiue (that is to saye, begin a nevv house [...]ur order) neuerthelesse you haue allvvaies the same king, that is our Lord IESVS Crucified: [...]r vvhose authoritie you shall liue in securitie [...]resoeuer you shall bee▪ feare not the vvant of [...]hing, for he vvill be allvvaies vvith you, so as you doe not make choise of another: onely [...]a great care to increase your loue and fidelitie [...]s diuine Goodnes, hould your selues as neere [...]m as you can possibly, and all yvill succeede to good: learne of him to doe all that you shall to doe, and doe nothing vvithout his councell, [...]e is the most faythfull freind, vvho vvil con­ [...] gouerne, and haue care of you, as vvith my [...]le hart, I humbly beeseech him. God bee [...]ed.

LIƲE JESƲS.

THE SEAVENTH ENTERTAYNMENT.
VVHEREIN THE PROPERTI [...] of Doues are applyed to the Religious sou [...] by vvay of Lavves.

1. YOu haue demaunded of mee some i [...] Lavves, in the beginning of the yeare, considering vvhat might bee most profitable conuenient for you; I haue cast the eyes of my [...] ration vppon the Gospell of this day, vvhe [...] made mention of the Baptisme of our Lord [...] and of the Glorious apparition of the holie G [...] in the forme of a Doue, vppon the vvhich appa [...] I haue layed hould: and considering that the [...] Ghost is the loue of the Father, and of the Son [...] haue thought that I ought to giue lavves all of the vvhich I haue taken from the Doues, in co [...] deration of this, that the Holie Ghost hath vo [...] safed to take the forme of a Doue: and also so [...] the more vvilinglie,, because that all the soules v [...] are dedicated to the seruice of the Diuine Mai [...] are obliged to bee as chast and louing Doues. [...] as vve see the spouse in the Canticles is often na [...] by this name; and vvith very good reason for t [...] is a great correspondence betvvene the quallitie the Doue, and those of the beautifull louing D [...] of our Lord, the lavves of Doues are all excee [...] glie agreable: & it is a most svvete meditatio [...] consider them. VVhat is a more goodly lavv [...] pray you, then that of cleanlines? for their is any thing more neate then Doues: they are vvō [...] [Page 95] [...]andsome, although there is nothing more [...] then a doue-cote, and the place vvhere they [...]e their nests: notvvithstanding vve neuer see a [...] Doue, they haue allvvaies their feathers bright [...]th make a delightfull aspect in the sunne. Lett [...]nsider I pray you, hovv gratious the Lavve of [...] simplicitie is? Our Lord IESVS himselfe hath [...]ed it, saying to his Apostles; bee as simple as [...]es, and as prudent as the serpent. But in the [...] place, good God hovv delightfull is their [...] of svveetnesse. For they are vvith out galle, and out bitternesse: and a hundred other lavves haue, vvhich are exceeding amiable and profi­ [...] for soules to obserue vvho are dedicated in [...]gion, to the more peculier seruice of the diuine [...]tie. But I haue considered, that if I giue you [...] lavves, that you haue allreadie had, you [...]ld make small esteeme of them, I haue there­ [...] chose onely three, vvhich are of an incompa­ [...] profitt, being vvell obserued, and vvhich doe [...]g a very great svvetnesse to the soule vvho cō ­ [...]eth them, because they are all vvholie of loue, extreemely delicious for the perfection of [...]uall life, & are so much the more excellent [...]tayning perfection, as they are lesse knowne [...] those that make profession to gett it, at least [...]he most part: but vvhat then are these Lavves?

2. The first that I haue designed to giue you [...]at of the shee-doues, vvho doe all for their [...] and maistre Doue, and nothing for them­ [...]s, it seemeth they say no other thing but; My [...]e doue is all for mee, and I all his, he is all­ [...]es inclining tovvardes mee, and I attend, and [...]e my selfe of him, and rely on him, lett this beloued doue then flie, to seeke vvhere it plea­ [...] him, I vvill not enter into diffidēce, or Ielousie [...]s loue, but vvill confide fully in his care. It [Page 96] may bee you haue seene but not marked, that shee-doues; vvhiles that they hache, or sitt on th [...] egges, stirre not of them, vntill such time as th [...] little young ones be hasthed, and vvhen they [...] hacthed, they continue to couer and keepe th [...] vvarme so long as they haue neede, and all this t [...] the hēn goeth not to gather for to nourish her se [...] but she leaueth all the care to her deare compa [...] who is so faythfull to her, that he not onely go [...] to search out the graines to nourish ber, but also bringeth vvater in his bill to quench her th [...] he hath an exceding care that nothing be vvan [...] vnto her that is necessarie, yea so great, that it [...] neuer seene that any doue did dye in this time vvant of foode; the Doue then doeth all for beloued one, she couereth and keepeth her l [...] ones vvarme, for the desire she hath to please h [...] in giuing him generation: and the cocke-D [...] taketh care to nourish his deare hen, vvho hath the care of her selfe to him; she hath no o [...] thought then to please him; and he in countere [...] thinketh onely hovv to sustayne her. O vvhat a lightfull and profitable lavve is this? to doe not [...] but for God: and to leaue all the care of our se [...] to him: I speake not onely for that which re [...] deth the temporallitye (for I vvill not speake th [...] of, for there is none of you heere, but vnders [...] this vvithout speaking) but I speake for that w [...] concerneth the spirituallitye, and the aduancen [...] of our soules in perfection. Ah: doe you not that the Doue thinketh nothing but of her belo [...] and to please him, she moueth not of her eggs, [...] in the meane time nothing is vvantting to her recompens [...]ing her confidence vvith his care hovv happie shoulde vve bee, if all vve did vve for our most amiable Doue the Holy Ghost! fo [...] vvould take the care of vs, and according to [Page 97] measure that our confidence, wherely we should repose in his prouidence, should become more great, so much more also should his care extende it [...]elfe ouer all our necessities, and we should neuer doubt that God would leaue vs: for his loue is infi­nitt for the soule that putteth her trust in him. O [...]ow happie is the Doue to haue such confidence [...]n her deare one! this is that which causeth her to [...]iue in peace and tranquillitie: A thousand times more happie is the soule that leaueth the totall care of her selfe, and all that is necessarie for her, to her most deare and welbeloued beautiful Doue, hauing no other thought, then to couer and cherish her [...]ittle ones to please him and produce him issue: for she enioyeth in this life such tranquillitye and so great peace, that there is nothing to bee compared [...]herevnto, nor any repose equall to hers in this world; but onely in the height of heauen, where she shall fully for euer enioy the chast imbracemēts of her celestiall Spouse.

§. But what are our egges that we must sitt on vntill that they bee hatehed, for to haue little young Doues? our eggs are our desires, the which being well couered and cherished, the little young doues [...]ome forth out of them, which are the effects of our desires: but among our desires there is one which i [...] supereminent aboue all the other, and deseruet [...] much to be very well cherished and couered for t [...] please our Diuine louer the Holy Ghost, who wil allwaies be called the sacred Spouse of our soules So great is his bountye and loue towards vs. Thi [...] desyre is the same which we haue brought with v [...] comming into Religion, which is to imbrace Reli­gious vertues, it is one of the branches of the lou [...] of God, and one of the most high that are in thi [...] diuine tree. But this desire must not extend it selfe further, then the meanes which are sett downe it [Page 98] our Rules and constitutions, for to attayne to this perfection which wee haue pretended to gayne, in obliging our selues to the persuite thereof: But it must be cherished, and keept in the first vig or all the dayes of our life, to the end that this desire may become a beautifull young doue, which may resem­ble her Father, which is perfection it selfe: And yet wee must haue no other intention then to keepe our selues vppon our egges, that is to say, enclosed within the meanes that are prescribed vs for our perfection, leauing all the care of our selues to our onelye and most amiable Doue, who will not permitt that any thing shalbe wantting to vs of that which shalbe necessarie to please him.

§. Trulie it is a verye great pittie to see soules, whereof the number is too great, who pretending perfection imagin within themselues, that all con­sisteth in making a multitude of desires, and con­straine themselues very much to search out now this meanes, and immediatlye another to attayne there vnto, & are neuer content nor quiett in thē ­selues for from one desire that they haue, t [...]ey en­deauour quickly to cōceaue another, and it seemeth they are as hennes, who hauing layed an egge, pre­sentlie charge themselues with another, leauing th [...] same which they made without brooding it, i [...] such sort that they haue no issue of chickens: th [...] Doue doth not so, for she couereth, hatcheth, an [...] cherisheth her little ones, vntill such time as they are capable to flye, and gather wherewith to nou­rish themselues: The henne if she haue little ones, i [...] extreemlye sollicitous, and ceaseth not clocking ād making a noise: But the Doue retayneth her self [...] quiert, and patient, she clocketh not, nor troubleth not her selfe: euen so there are some soules, wh [...] cease not to clocke, and to enforce themselues afte [...] their little ones, that is to say, after the desires the [...] [Page 99] haue to perfect themselues, and neuer find persons sufficient to speake vnto, and to demaund of them proper and new meanes therefore: in breife they studie so much to speake of the perfection they pre­tend to gett, that they forgett the principall meanes for the practice thereof; which is that same of kee­ping themselues quiett, and putting all their confi­dence in him, who onely can giue the increase to that they haue sowne and planted.

§. All our good dependeth of the grace of God in whome we ought to place all our confidence: and neuerthelesse it seemeth, by the egernesse that they haue to doe much, they place their confidence in their labours, and in the multiplicitye of exer­cises that they imbrace, and in seemeth to them they are neuer able to doe enough. This is good, prouided that it weere accompaned with peace, and with a louing care of doeing well all that they doe, notwithstanding allwaies depending vppon the grace of God, and not on their exercises: I would say, not to expect any fruit of their labour, without the grace of God: it appeareth that these soules forcing themselues in the inquirie of their perfection, haue forgotten, or else they knowe not, that vvhich S. Hierom sayeth: O poore man what doest thou confiding in thy labour, and in thy indu­strye? knowest thou not, that it apperta neth [...]o thee to cultiuate the earth, to plovve and to sovve it: but it is the part of God to giue the grovvth to the plātes, and to cause thee to haue a good haruest, and to rayne fauorably vpon thy sowed grounds? thou mayest water them, and it is wel [...] done; but yet for all that, it vvould serue thee for nothing, if God did not blesse thy labour, and giue thee of his pure grace and goodnes, a good haruest, and not by thy sweates: Depend then intirelie of his diuine Bountie. It is true, it is our dutye to cultiuate well, [Page 100] but it is God that causeth our trauaill to be follo­wed with good successe: the Holy Church singeth in euerie feast of the holy Confessours, God hath honored your labours, in causing you to dravve fruite of them, to shew that we of our selues are not able to doe any thing, with out thee grace of God, in which we ought to place all our confidēce, not expecting any thing of our selues. I pray you lett vs not bee too sollicitous in our busines, for, for to doe it vvell, wee must apply our selues care­fully: but quietly and peaceably, not putting confi­dence in our indeuours, but in God and in his grace. These anxieties of spiritt, that vvee haue to aduance our perfection; and to see if vvee be aduanced, are nothing pleasing to God, and serue for no other thing then to satisfie selfe loue; vvho is a great hurrier vp and downe, trotting hither and thither, and neuer ceaseth to vndertake very much, although it doe but little: one good worke vvell done vvith tranquillitie of spiritt, is vvorth much more, then many better vvorkes perfomed vvith ouer much egernesse.

§. The Doue museth simply of the vvorke she hath in hand to doe it vvell, leauing all other care to her deare companion: the soule truely colombine, that is to say, which loueth God dearely, applyeth her selfe simply to all, and vvith out impetuositye taketh the meanes, vvhich are prescribed to perfect her selfe, not searching after others hovv perfect soeuer they may bee: my vvelbeloued, sayeth she, thinketh of mee, and I confide in him, he loueth mee, and in testimonie of my loue I am vvholie his. A while since there weere some holie Religious vvomen that sayed to me; My Lord, vvhat shall we doe this yeare, the yeare past we did fast three dayes in the weeke, and tooke as many disciplines; vvhat shall we now doe this yeare? it is necessarie we [Page 101] should doe some thing more, aswell to giue thākes to God for the yoare past, as to proceede all vvaies forward in the way of God: It is very vvell sayed, that vve ought to aduance our selues daylie, auns­wered I: but our aduancement is not effected as you cōceaue, by the multitude of exercises of pietie, but by the perfection wherevvith vvee doe them, confiding allvvaies more in our Deare beloued Doue, & more distrusting our selues: The passed yeare you fasted three dayes in the vveeke, and tooke discipline three times; if you vvill allvvaies double your exercises, this yeare you must fast and disci­pline the vveke entire: but the yeare that is to come vvhat vvill you doe? you must make nine dayes in the weeke, or else fast twise in the day: what a great follye is it of those that busie their heades in desi­ring to bee martyred in the Indies, and neuer apply thēselues to that which they haue to doe, according to their cōdition: it is also a great deceat in them that will eate more then they can disgest, we haue not spirituall heate sufficient to digest vvell all that vvee imbrace for our perfection, and yet we will not cutt of these anxieties of spiritt, that wee haue of desiring to doe much more, to read many spiri­tuall bookes, espetiallie when they are new, to speake well of God, and of all the most spirituall things, to incite vs, say vvee, to deuotion, to heare sermons, to make conferences vpon euerie occa­sion, to communicate very often, and confesse oftē, to serue the sicke, to speake vvel of all that passeth in vs for to manifest the pretension that vvee haue [...]o perfect our selues, and the soonest that possible may bee, and such like; are not these things very proper to make vs perfect, and to attayne to the end of our designes? yeas doubtles, prouided that all this be done according as it is ordayned, and that it bee allvvaies vvith d [...]pendance of the grace of God [Page 102] that is to say, that we put not our confidence in all this, hovv good soeuer it bee: but in one onely God, vvho onely can make vs to gather fruite of all our exercises.

§. But, my deare daughters, I beseech you consider a little the liues of the great Religious saint S. Antonye vvho hath bene honoured of God and men, because of his extraordinarie sanctitie; tell mee hovv did he attayne to so great sanctitye and perfection? vvas it by the force of reading, or by conferences, and frequent communions, or by the multitude of sermons, that he heard? not so: but he attayned there vnto, in seruing himselfe with the example of the holy hermitts, learning of one ab­stinence, of another prayer, euen so he went as a carefull Bee, picking and gathering the vertues of the seruantes of God, to compose of them the hony of holie edification. Hovv did S. Paul the first her­mitt attayne vnto perfection, did he gayne it by good bookes? he had none: was it confessions or communions that he vsed? he neuer made but two in his life: was it conferences or preaching? he had them not; for he did neuer see any man with in the deserte but S. Antonye, vvho came to visitt him in the end of his life, doe you knovv vvhat made him a Saint? it vvas the fidelitye vvherewith he had im­ployed himselfe to that which he enterprised in the begining, to the vvhich he had bene called, an [...] intertayned not any other cogitations. Those Hol [...] Religious vvho did liue vnder the charge of S. Pa­chomius, had they bookes or preachings? none conferences they had, but rarelie: did they confess [...] often? Somtimes vppon good feasts: did they hear [...] many Masses? the sundayes and the feasts, on othe [...] dayes none: but vvhat wilbe sayed thē? that eattin [...] so seldome of the spirituall foodes, that nourish ou [...] soules to immortallitye they weere allwaies in s [...] [Page 103] good state, that is to say, so strong and couragious, [...]or to vndertake the gayning of vertues, and to attayne to perfection, and to the end of their pre­tention: and wee vvho eate much more; are allwaies so leane, that is to saye so remisse and languishing in [...]he poursuite of our enterprises: and it seemeth that we haue not, longer then spirituall consolations march before vs, any courage, or vigour in the ser­uice of our Lord? wee must then imitate these holy Religious, applying our selues to our affayres, that [...]s to say, to that which God requireth of vs, accor­ding to our vocation, feruently, and humbly, not to thinke of any other thing then this: nor expecting to find any meanes fitter to perfect vs then it.

§. Put it may bee you vvill reply, Sir, you say feruentlye, Good God! and hovv shall I doe this? for I haue not any feruour: no, not of that, which [...]ou vnderstand, to vvitt not the feeling of feruour which God giueth to vvhom he thinketh good, and [...]t is not in our power to gaine it when we please: [...] add also humbly, to the end none haue any sub­ [...]ect of excuse: for doe not say, I haue not humilitie, [...]t is not in my povver to haue it; for the Holy Ghost [...]hat is bountie it selfe, doth giue it him that demaū ­deth it of him: not that humilitie (that is to saye) [...]hat feeling of our littlenesse, which maketh vs so much to humble our selues so graciouslie: But I meane the humilitie that maketh vs knovve our owne abiection, and which causeth vs to loue it hauing acknowledged it to bee in vs; for that is true [...]umilitie. Mē did neuer studye so much as novv they doe. Those great Saints S. Augustine, S. Gregorie, S. Hilarie, whose solemnitie vve keepe this day, and many others, haue not studied so much, they had not time to doe it, composing so many bookes as [...]hey haue done, preaching, and performing all other [...]hings appertayning, to their charges. But they had [Page 104] so great confidence in God, and in his grace and so great distrust in themselues, that they attēded not to thēselues, nor cōfided any thing at all in their owne industry, nor in their labour, so that all the great workes that they haue done, weere done purelie by the confidence which they had in the grace of God and in his Allmighty povver: It is thou, O Lord sayed they, which makeest vs to labour, and for thee we labour; it shalbee thou alone vvich must blesse our sweats and paynes, and giue vs a good haruest: ād so their bookes and their preachings did bring forth meruelous fruites; and wee who cōfide in our fayre wordes, in our exquisite fine speaches, and in ou [...] doctrine; all our paynes vanish as smoake, and yeal [...] no other fruite thē vanitie. You must thē for cōclu­sion of this first lawe that I giue you fully cōfide i [...] God, ād doe all for him, entirely quitting the care o [...] your selues to your deare master Doue; who will ex­ercise an exceeding care and foresight ouer you: an [...] how much more true and perfect your confidenc [...] shalbe, so more peculier shall his prouidence be [...] ouer you.

§. 3. I thought good to giue you for the secōd law [...] the worde which the doues speake in their lāguage▪ The more they take, the more I make, say they; wha [...] meaneth that? the meaning is this vvhen their littl [...] pigeons are grovvne a little great, the maister of th [...] doue-cote cōmeth and taketh them from them, an [...] presently they put thēselues to sitt for others; but i [...] they did not take them, they would prouide for th [...] longer, and consequently, they would breed lesse they say; The more they take from mee; the more make: And to make you vnderstand the better wha [...] I would saye, I vvil presēt an exāple vnto you: Io [...] that great seruant of God, praised by the mouth o [...] God himselfe: did not permitt himselfe to be ouer­come by any affliction, vvhich did come vppō him the more that God did take frō him his young p [...] geons: [Page 105] the more did he begett: what is that which he did not doe, whiles he was in his first prosperitie? what good whorkes did he omitt? he speaketh of himselfe in this manner: I was a foote to the lame, that is to say, I caused him to be carryed, or I sett him on my asse, or camell; I was an eye to the blind, in causing him to be guided; I was in fine the prouider for the hungrye, and the refuge of all the afflicted; Now consider him in extreme pouertye: Hee com­playneth not that God had takē frō him the meanes that hee had to doe so many good workes: but he sayeth with the doue, The more is takē frō mee, the more I doe: not Almes deeds; for hee had not whe­rewithall; but in this onely act of submission, and patiēce that he made, seeing himselfe depriued of all his goods, and of all his children, hee did more then euer hee had done by all the great workes of chari­tie that hee had wrought, during the time of his prosperitie, & yealded himselfe more pleasing to God, in this onely act of patience, then euer hee had done in so very many good workes, that hee had performed in his whole life: for of necessitie he must haue a loue more noble ād generous for this onely act, thē euer vvas needfull for all the others put to­gether. VVe must then likewise doe the same to ob­serue this amiable lawe of Doues; giuing our selues ouer to bee depriued by our souetayne maister of our little young pigeōs: that is to say, of the meanes to execute our defices, whē it pleaseth him to depri­ue vs of thē, how good soeuer they bee, neuer com­playning of him nor lamenting as if he did vs great wronge: but rather we ought to double not our desires, nor our exercises, but the perfection with the which wee doe thē, endeuoring by this mea­nes to gayne more, by one onelie act (as vndoub­tedly we shall doe) then we should haue done with a hundred other acts done according to our pro­pension [Page 106] and affection: our Lord vvill not haue [...] carrye his crosse, but onely by one ende, and he vvil be honoured therein, as great ladies vvho cause their traynes to be carried after them; his vvill i [...] notwithstanding that vve should carrye the crosse, that he layeth vpon our shoulders, which indeed i [...] our ovvne. But alas! vve doe nothing; for vvhen hi [...] Goodnes depriueth vs of the consolation which he vvas vvont to giue vs in our exercises, it seemet [...] that all is lost, and the meanes to performe ou [...] begun enterprise is taken from vs. Consider this soule hovv vvell she sitteth on her eggs in the tim [...] of consolation, and leaueth the care of her selfe to her onely vvelbeloued one. If she bee in prayer, what holy desires doth she not make to please him▪ hovv tenderly affected is she in his presēce? vvholye melting into her vvelbeloued, she putteth her selfe intirely into the armes of his Diuine Prouidence: O these are most amiable eggs, and all this is very [...] good, besides, the little pigions are not vvanting which are the effects: for vvhat is it that she doth not? the vvorkes of her charitie are in so great nū ­ber, her modestie appeareth before all the sisters she giueth exceeding edifi [...]ation, she causeth admi­ration in all those that behould her, or vvho knov [...] her; mortifications, sayeth she, lost mee nothing a [...] that time; they vveere rather consolations to mee [...] and for Obediences they vveere my ioyes: I no [...] soouer heard the first sound of the Bell, but I vv [...] risen: I did not permitt one point of vertue [...] passe without practice, and I did doe all this vvit [...] most great peace and tranquillitie. But novv that [...] am in disgust, and in driesse in prayer, I haue not an [...] courage as it seemeth to mee, for my amendmen [...] I haue not the feruour I vsed to haue in my exer­cises; in fine, the cold and frost hath wholly benum­med mee; I beleeue it vvell. Consider I pray yo [...] [...] [Page 107] this poore soule, hovv she lamenteth her disgrace, her discontent doth appeare euen in her face, she hath her countenance on the ground, deiected and melencholye, she vvalketh all pensiue & so cōfused as nothing more. Good God! vvhat haue you sister, (are vvee constrained to say to her.) O! vvhat haue I: I am so decayed in vigour nothing can con­tent mee, all is disgustfull to mee, I am novv so confused: But vvhat confusion is it? For there ar [...] two sor [...]s, one which cōducteth to humilitie, and to life, and the other to dispayre, and consequentlye to death, I assure you (quoth she) I am so neere it, that I haue allmost lost the courage to passe further in my vndertaken course of perfection. O Good God! what a vveaknes is this? consolation is vvanting, and by that occation, courage is lost. O vvee must not doe so; but rather the more God depriueth vs of consolation the more wee ought to labour, and confide in him, to giue him testimonie of our fide­litye: one onely act made with drinesse of spiritt, is more worth then many made with great tender­nesse. Because, that, as I haue allreadye sayed, spea­king of Iob: it is vvrought with a more strōg loue, allthough not so tender, nor so pleasing: so that the more they take frō mee the more I make; is the se­cōd lavve, that I desire very much that you obserue.

§. 4. The third lavve that I presen [...] to you of the Doues, is this, that they vveepe as if they did reioyce, they sing allwaies one selfe same tune, asvvell for their songs of reioysing, as for those of [...]amenting; that is to say, to bemoane themselues, and manifest their griefe. Behould them pearched on their branches, vvhere they bewaile the losse that they haue had of their little ones, which the vvea­sill or ovvle hath robbed them of (for vvhen any other taketh them, then the maister of the Doue­house, they are very much afflicted) consider them [Page 108] also vvhen their companion commeth and appro­cheth to thë soe that they are wholie cōforted, they chang not their tune, but make the same mournful grumling sound, to expresse their contentment, a [...] they did to manifest their greife. This is that mo [...] holie Equallitie of spiritt, my Deare soules, that vvish vnto you, I doe not saye, equallitie of humours, nor of inclinations, I saye equallitie o [...] spiritt: for I make none, neither doe I desire tha [...] you should make any acount of the turmoyle, tha [...] the inferiour part of your soule causeth to troubl [...] you, which is that which causeth vnquietnesse (wh [...] the Superiour part doth not her duty, in making h [...] selfe maister, nor doeth keepe good watch, to discouer her enimies, as the Spirituall Cōflict sayeth we ought to doe; to the end she bee prōptly aduertise of the turbulent motions, and assaults, that the inferiour part raiseth, which proceed from our sence [...] and from our inclinations and passions, for to mak [...] warre against it and to subiect it to hir lawes) but say vve must retayne our selues allvvaies constan [...] and resolute in the Superiour part of our soule, t [...] prosecute the vertue vvhereof vvee make profe [...] sion, and to keepe our selues in a continuall equa [...] litie, asvvell in aduerse things as in prosperous, i [...] desolarion, as in consolation, and in fine aswell i [...] the thickest of aridities, as in the midst of cher [...] shings. Iob, of vvhome vve spake in the secōd law furnisheth vs moreouer vvith an exāple of this su [...] iect: for he did euer sing the selfe same ayre in all th [...] songes that he hath cōposed, which are no other t [...] the historie of his life▪ what is that which he did say [...] vvhē as God did make his goods to be multiplye [...] giuing him children, and in fine he did send hi [...] whatsoeuer his desire could wish in this life? vvh [...] sayed hee, but, the name of God be blessed? this w [...] his song of loue, that he did sing in all occasiōs: f [...] [Page 109] consider him reduced to the extremitye of afflictiō, [...]hat doth hee doe, hee singeth his canticle of lamē ­ [...]tiō vppō the same ayre that hee did sing the other [...]or reioyceing; we haue receaued sayeth hee good [...]hings of our Lord, wherefore should not wee re­ [...]eaue the euill? Our Lord hath giuen mee children, [...]nd goods, and our Lord hath taken them frō mee, [...]is holy name be blessed: allwaies the name of God [...]e blessed. O this holy soule vvas a chast and louing [...]oung doue, exceedinglye cherished of her deare [...]nd onely one; euen so should wee doe My deare [...]hildren, that is, in all occasions vve should take the [...]ood and the euill, our comforts and afflictions frō [...]he hand of our Lord, neuer ceasing to sing other [...]hen that most excellent canticle: The name of God [...]e blessed, allwaies on the ayre of cōtinuall equal­ [...]itye: for if this good happ arriue vnto vs we shall [...]iue in great peace in all occurrences. But doe not [...]ou doe, as those that weepe when consolation [...]ayleth, and doe no other thing but sing vvhen it is [...]eturned or cometh agayne: vvherin they are like [...]o the Apes and Baboones, who are allvvaies sadd [...]nd furious, vvhen the ayre becometh raynie and [...]loudie; and neuer cease to leape & skipp, and [...]urne heeles ouer head, vvhen it is fayre vvea­ [...]her.

§. 5. Consider then the three lawes that I giue [...]ou, the which neuerthelesse are lavves totallye of [...]oue, obliging no othervvise then for loue. Lett [...]oue then carrye vs vnto our Lord, that vve bee sollicitous to obserue and keepe them, to the end vvee may truely say, in imitation of the beautifull Doue of the Soueraigne spiritt, vvhich is the sa­cred spouse: My welbeloued is all mine, and I am all for him, doing no other thing then for to please him: hee hath his hart allvvaies tovvards mee by prouidence, as I haue mine tovvards him [Page 110] by confidence: and hauing all this time of our li [...] exhibited our selues for our vvelbeloued, he vv [...] haue care to prouide for vs his eternall Glorie, [...] recompence of our confidence: & there vve sh [...] see the happie estate, of those, who quitting all supe [...] fluous & vnquiett care that vvee haue ordinaril [...] ouer our selues, and of our perfection, giuing theselues simply and intirely to their duty, abādoni [...] themselues vvith out reseruation into the hands the diuine goodnes, for vvhom onely they ha [...] laboured; hovv their labours shallbe in the [...] follovved with such peace and repose, as cannot [...] explicated: for they shall rest for euer within [...] breast of their vvellbeloued; The happie lott also [...] those vvho shall haue obserued the second lav [...] vvilbe very great; for permitting and giuing the [...] selues ouer to bee depriued of their young pigeo [...] by their maister which is our Lord, vvith out tro [...] ble or discontent, hauing had the courage to sa [...] The more they take from mee, the more I ma [...] remayning submisse vnto him vvho hath spoyl [...] them, these shall sing, so much the more cour [...] giously in the height of heauen, this Most me [...] fluous canticle, God be Blessed, in the mid [...] of eternall consolations, as they haue song w [...] a better courage in the thickest of the desolation [...] anguishes, and disgusts of this mortall and tran [...] torie life, during the which wee ought to endeuo [...] carefully to conserue this most amiable indif [...] rencye of spiritt. Amen.

THE EIGHT ENTER­TAYNMENT.
OF DISAPPROPRIATION, AND depriuation of all things.

THese little affections of, myne and thine, are the reliques of the world, where there is [...]othing so pretious as they: for it is the soueraigne [...]licitye of the world, to haue great store of things [...]oper, and of which one may saye, This is mine: [...]ow that which maketh vs be come affectionat to [...]at which is ours, is the great esteeme wee haue [...]f our selues: for wee hould our selues for such ex­ [...]llent creatures, that wee esteeme any one thing [...]at appertayneth to vs aboue measure: and the [...]ttle esteeme that wee haue of others, causeth that [...]ee haue a dislike of that which hath serued them: [...]t if wee weere truelie humble, and vnclothed of [...]ur selues, so that wee held our selues for nothing [...]efore God: we would make no reckoning of [...]at should be proper for vs, and wee should estee­ [...]e our selues exceedingly honoured to be serued [...]ith that which hath bene for the vse of another. [...]ut we ought as well in this, as in euery other thing, [...] make a difference, betweene inclinations, and [...]fections; for when these things are no other then [...]clinations, and not affections, vvee must not [...]ouble our selues, because, it doth not depend of [...]s, to bee free from hauing euill inclinations, as it [...]oth, from bad affections. So then, if it happen that [...] changing the garment of any sister, to giue her [...]nother of lesse worth, the inferiour part be moued [Page 112] a little, it is not sinne, if that with reason she acce [...] it willinglye for t [...]e loue of God, and so likevv [...] of all other motions that arriue vnto vs.

§. 2. Now these motions doe happen, because w [...] haue not put all our will in cōmō, which is a thi [...] that oug [...]t to bee done entring into Religion: [...] euery Sister shou [...]d leaue [...]er proper will witho [...] the gate, to the end, she haue no other vvill then [...] will of God: happie is she that shall haue no oth [...] will then that of the communitie, and vvho sh [...] euerie day take out of the cōmon purse that whi [...] shall bee necessarie for her, euen so ought this [...] cred vvord of our Lord to bee vnderstood: Bee [...] carefull for to morrow: it regardeth not so m [...] that which appertayneth to corporall foode or cl [...] thing as spirituall exercises: for if one should [...] maund of you, vvhat will you doe to morrow? y [...] would aunsvver I knovve not, this day I vvil [...] such a thing that is commanded mee, to morro [...] doe not know what I shall doe, because I kno [...] not what they will cōmmaund mee: whosoeuer [...] doe this, she shall neuer be vexed nor vnquiet, [...] where true indifferēcye is, there cannot be displ [...] sure or sadnes. If there bee any that will haue M [...] and Thine, let her goe seeke it out of the house; [...] within it is not to be spoken of.

§. 3. Now wee must not onely vvill in gene [...] disappropriatiō, but in particular: for there is noth [...] more easye the to say in grosse, wee must renou [...] our selues, and quitt our ovvne will: but whe [...] must come to practice, there lieth the difficulty; [...] this cause wee must make considerations vpon [...] condition, and vpon all things that depend ther [...] in particular, then in particuler, to renounce for [...] with one of our proper wills, and incōtinently a [...] ther, vntill such time as wee bee intirely vncloth [...] of them all, This true nakednes of all thing [...] [Page 113] wrought by three degrees. The first in the affection [...]ereof, the which is begotten in vs, by the consi­ [...]ration of the beautie of this nakednes. The secōd [...]gree is, the resolution that followeth the affectiō, [...]r wee easilye resolue of a good that wee affect. [...]he third is the practice, which is the most difficult. [...]he goods vvhereof vvee must vncloth our selues, [...]e of three sortes. Exteriour goods, the goods of [...]e bodye, & the goods of the soule. Exteriour [...]ods are all those things, that wee haue left out of [...]eligiō: as housses, possessions, parents, freinds and [...]e like. For to vncloth vs of them, vvee must re­ [...]unce them into the hands of our Lord, and then [...]maund those affectiōs that hee would wee should [...]ue for them: for vvee must not remayne with out [...]fections, nor haue them all equall and indifferent; [...]ee must loue euerie one in his degree Charitie gi­ [...]eth place and order to the affections. The second [...]ods are those of the bodie, beautye, health and the [...]e like things which wee must renounce, and the [...] [...]e must not goe to a looking glasse, to behould if [...]e be fayre, nor care more for health thē for sicknes, [...] least touching the superiour parte; for nature will [...]lwaies haue a sensible apprehension, and exclame [...]mtimes, espetiallie vvhen the person is not verye [...]erfect. VVee ought therefore to remayne equallie [...]ontent, in sicknes and in health, and to take the [...]emedies, and such sustenance as vvee find, I meane [...]ith reason allwaies; for touching inclinations, I [...]tt them passe. The goods of the hart are the con­ [...]lations, and svvetnesses that are found in a spiri­ [...]all lif [...]: and these goods are very good, and where­ [...]ore (vvill you say to mee) must vvee then vn­ [...]oth our selues of them? it must be done notvvith­ [...]anding, and they are to bee remitted into the hāds [...]f our Lord, for to dispose thereof as it shall please [...]im, and wee are to serue him, asvvell vvithout [Page 114] them as with them. There is another sorte of goo [...] which are neither interiour nor exteriour, that a [...] neither goods of the body, nor goods of the ha [...] these are imaginarye goods, that depend vppon [...] opiniō of another, they are called honour, esteem [...] reputation: Now wee must vnclothe our selues▪ them wholye in an instant, and not vvill any oth [...] honour, then the honour of the congregatiō, wh [...] is in all things to seeke the Glorie of God; [...] other esteeme or reputation, then that of the co [...] munitye, vvhich is to giue good edification in [...] occasions.

§. 4. The stripping of our selues of all these [...] fore sayed things, ought not to bee done out of co [...] tempt, but by abnegation, for the onely and p [...] loue of God. VVee must note heere, that the co [...] tentment that wee find, in meeting with perso [...] that wee loue, and the testimonies of affection th [...] wee render them, in behoulding them, are [...] contrarie to this vertue of depriuation, so that it [...] not inordinate, and the persons being absent o [...] hart runne not after them: for how shall wee b [...] able (the obiect being present) to cause the pow [...] not to bee moued? it is as if one should say t [...] person at the incounter of a lion or a beare, bee [...] affeard; this is not in our power. Likewise at [...] encounter of those vvee loue, it cannot bee but th [...] wee shalbe moued with Ioy and contentmen [...] wherefore this is not contrarie to vertue. I say y [...] more, that if I haue a desire to see any one for so [...] profitable thing, and that vvould redound to t [...] Glorie of God, if his designe to come happen [...] bee crossed, and that I feele some sorrovve, yea al [...] that I somewhat force my selfe, to diuert the occ [...] sions that retayne him, I doe nothing in this co [...] trarie to the vertue of disappropriation, so that passe not into vnquietnesse. Heere you see th [...] [Page 115] vertue is not so terrible a thinge as some imagin [...] bee; this is a fault that many make, they frame [...]ish imaginations in their spiritts, & thinke that [...]way to heauen is strāgly difficult, vvherein they [...]tly abuse and deceaue themselues, for Dauid [...]th to our Lord, that his lavve vvas verye sweet, [...] according, as the vvicked did diuulge it to be [...]e, & difficult, this good king sayed it vvas [...]e sweete then hony. VVe ought to say the same [...]ur vocation, esteeming it not onely good and [...]e, but also sweete and amiable. If vvee doe so, [...] shall haue a great loue to obserue all that which [...]endeth there-on.

[...]. 5. It is true, my deare Sisters, that vvee shall [...]er knowe hovv to attayne to perfection, vvhiles [...] vvee haue affection to any imperfection, hovv [...]e soeuer it bee; yea also vvhen it shalbe no more [...]n to haue an vnprofitable thought, and you [...]uld not beleeue hovv much euill this bringeth the soule; for after you haue giuen your spiritt [...]ertye, to settle it selfe to thinke of an vnprofitable [...]ng, it vvill aftervvards thinke of pernicious [...]ngs: wee must then cutt of the euill, so soone as [...]e perceaue it, hovv little soeuer it bee: wee must [...] examine in good earnest, if it bee true, as som­ [...]es it seemeth to vs, that wee haue not our affe­ [...]ons ingaged: for example; if vvhen you are pray­ [...], you begin to speake fome wordes which may [...]rease the praise, that they giue you, or otherwise [...]hen you seeke it by artificiall wordes, saying that [...]u haue not so good a memorie, or so good a [...]ritt as you weere wonte to haue to discourse [...]ell: Alas! vvho perceaueth not that you pretend, [...]ey should tell you, that allwaies you speake excee­ [...]ngly vvell? search then vvell into the depth of [...]ur conscience, if you find therein the affection to [...]nitie. You may easilie also knowe, if you bee [Page 116] tyed to any thing, vvhen you haue not comm [...] tie to performe vvhat you haue purposed: f [...] you haue no affection therevnto, you will re [...] as much contentment not to haue done it, as if had effected it: and contrary-wise if you bee t [...] bled, it is a signe, that you haue setled your affec [...] there-on. Now our affections are so pretious [...] they ought all to bee imployed in the loue of G [...] that vvee must take very great heede not to l [...] them in vnprofitable things, and a fault, hovv [...] soeuer it may bee, cōmitted vvith affection, is [...] contrarie to perfection then a hundred others [...] by surprise and vvithout affection.

§. 6. You demaund hovv you ought to loue cre [...] res; I tell you breiflie, that there are certayne lo [...] that exteriourly seeme great and perfect in the [...] of creatures, vvhich before God vvill be found [...] and of no vvorth: because that these freindships not grounded in true charitie, vvhich is God▪ be [...] certayne alliances, and inclinatiōs, and vppon so [...] consideratiōs humaynlie worthy of praise and a [...] ptation: in the contrarie there are others that e [...] riourlye seeme little, empty and nothing in the [...] of the world; which before God are found to be [...] fraught and very excellent, because they are m [...] onely in God, and for God without mixture of [...] proper interest Novv the acts of charitie that done about those vvhom wee loue in this sorte, [...] a thousand times more perfect, for so much as t [...] all tend purely to God: But the seruices and ot [...] assistance that vve giue to those vvhom vvee l [...] by inclination, are farr lesse vvorth in meritt, b [...] cause of the great contentment and sattisfactiō t [...] vve receaue in doing them, and that (ordinaril [...] vvee doe them more for that motiue then for [...] loue of God. There is furthermore another reaso [...] vvhich maketh these first freindships vvhereof v [...] speake, [Page 117] lesse then the second; to vvitt that they are of continuance, because the ground-vvorke [...]g fraile, assoone as there happens any crosse [...] vvax could, or chang themselues, the vvhicb [...]eth not to those vvho are settled and groun­ [...]n God, for that the cause is solide and perma­ [...].

[...]. To this purpose S. Catherine of Sienne made [...]od comparison: If you take, sayed she, a glasse, fill it vvithin a fountayne, and drinke in that [...]e not taking it out of the fountayne, although drinke as much as you vvill, the glasse will not [...]mptie; but if you take it forth of the fountayne, [...] you haue drōke, the glasse vvilbe emptie: euē [...]is in freindships, vvhen they are dravvne from [...] spring or fountayne they neuer vvither nor [...]h. The kindnesses and signes of frindships thē ­ [...]s which vvee shevv contrarie to our ovvne in­ [...]tiō to the person to vvhom vvee haue an auer­ [...] are better, and more pleasing to God, thē those wee doe dravve with sēsitiue affectiō and this [...]t not to bee called doublenesse or dissimulatiō, [...]lthough I haue a cōtrarie feeling, it is but in the [...]iour part, and the acts I doe, is vvith the force [...]ason, which is the principall part of my soule. [...]ch manner, that whē those to vvhō I doe these [...]tesyes, should knowe, that I doe them, bēcause [...]e an auersiō from them; they ought not to bee [...]nded at it: but rather to esteeme of them more [...] if they vveare imparted of sensible affection: [...]uersions are naturall, and of themselues they not vvicked, vvhen as vvee doe not follovv [...]: contrarievvise, it is a meanes to practice a [...]sand sortes of vertues: and our Lord himselfe more liking to vs, whē with extreme repugnā ­ [...]e [...] goe to kisse his feete, thē if vve went to doe [...]ith much more sweetnes and cōtent. Also those [Page 118] that haue nothing that is comelye and gratious very happie: For they are assured the loue vve [...] them is excellent, since it is all for God, and in▪ VVee thinke often that wee loue some perso [...] God, and wee loue them for our selues, seruin [...] selues of this pretext, saying: that it is for this that vvee loue them, but in veritie vvee loue [...] for the comfort vvee find in them: for is it [...] thing more svveete, to see a soule come to y [...] of good affection, that follovveth exceedingly▪ your councells, and who goeth faythfully and [...] ceably on the way which you haue directed yes vvithout all doubt, thē to see another all [...] vnquiett, perplexed, and weake to follovv [...] and to vvhome one thing must bee tould a [...] sād times, which you therefore neglect, perch [...] it is not for God then that you loue the fo [...] For this last person is also as deare to God [...] first, and moreouer you should loue her [...] because there is much more to be laboured for▪ It is true that there vvhere there is more o [...] that is to say more vertue, which is a partici [...] of the diuine quallities, wee ovve more affe [...] as for example, if there bee found more p [...] soules then that of your Superiour, wee ou [...] loue them more for that reason: notvvithsta [...] wee owe much more loue to our super [...] because they are our fathers and directours.

§. 8. Touching that which you demau [...] mee, If vvee must be glad that a sister pr [...] vertue to the cost of another; I say that wee [...] to loue the good in our neighbour as in our s [...] and principallie in Religion, vvhere all ought perfectly in common, neither ought vve [...] sorrie, that a sister practice some vertue to my [...] as for exāple, I find my selfe with one more [...] thē I at the gate, and I vvithdravve my selfe [...] [Page 119] [...]waye: according to the measure that I practice [...]act of humilitie, she ought with sweetnesse to [...]ctice simplicitie, and to proue at another encoū ­ [...]o preuent it. Likevvise if I giue her a stoole, or [...]re from any place to giue it her, she should bee [...]tent that I make this little gayne, and by that [...]nes she shalbe partaker of it: as if she did say, [...]e I could not doe this act of vertue, I am very [...] that this sister hath done it, and vve must not [...]ly not bee sorrie, but also ought to contribute [...]hat vvee are able for this, euen vnto our skin, if [...]eere needfull: for so as God be Glorified vvee [...]uld not care by vvhom: in such sort, that if an [...]asion should bee presented to performe some [...]rke of vertue, and our Lord did demaund of vs [...]o vvee should like best, to performe it, vvee [...]st aunsvvere him, Lord she vvho shalbe able to [...] it most to thy Glorie. Now not hauing this [...]ise, vve ought to desire to doe itt; for charity [...]ins first vvith it selfe: but if I cannot, I ought to [...]oyce, delight, and bee exceeding glade that ano­ [...]r hath done it, and so vve shall perfectly put all [...]gs in common. Further I must say the same for [...] which concerneth the temporall▪ so that the [...]se be accommodated, vve ought not to care, [...]ether it bee by our meanes, or by another. If [...]e bee found these little contrarie affections, it is [...]gne that there is yet, thine and mine amongst [...]

[...]. 9. In fine, you demaund, if vvee may knovve wee doe aduāce in perfection, or no. I aunsvvere, [...]e shall neuer bee able to knowe our ovvne per­ [...]ion: for it hapneth to vs, as to those that saile [...]on sea, they doe not knovve vvhether they goe [...]vvard or no: But the maister Pilot, who kno­ [...]th the ayre where they saile, knovveth it; euen so [...] cannot iudg of our aduancement, but easilye of [Page 120] anothers, for vvhen vvee doe a good action, [...] dare not assure our selues that wee haue perfor [...] it vvith perfection, for so much as humility [...] forbid vs. Novv allthoug vvee may iudg of the v [...] tues of another, yet must vvee not therefore at [...] time determine, that one person is better then a [...] ther: because apparences are very deceaitfull; [...] such as exteriourlye seeme to bee very vertuou [...] the eyes of creatures, before the eyes of God ma [...] lesse then another vvho appeareth much more i [...] perfect aboue all perfection. I vvish you humili [...] vvhich is not onely charitable, but svveet and [...] ctable. For Charitie is Humilitie ascēding, and [...] militye is Charitie discending; I loue you be [...] vvith more humilitye, and fevver other perfecti [...] then vvith many other perfections and lesse hu [...] litie.

THE NINTH ENTER­TAINEMENT.
VVHEREIN IS TREATED OF MODEST of the manner to receaue corrections; an [...] the meanes for a soule, so to establish her es [...] in God, that nothinge may be able to vvi [...] dravve her from him.

§. 1. YOu demaund vvhat true Modesty is: I [...] tell you, There are fovvre vertues, [...] beare the name of modestie; the first is that vvh [...] beareth it by eminencye aboue the others, this is comelinesse of our beauiour and exteriour gest [...] There are tvvo vices opposite to this vertue, to [...] dissolutnes in our countenāces and gestures: th [...] to say, lightnes; the other vice vvhich is no [...] [Page 121] contrarie is an affected countenance. The second [...]hat beareth the name of modestie, is the interiour [...]omlinesse of our vnderstanding, and will: this like­wise hath two vices opposite, vvhich are curiositye [...]n the vnderstanding, multiplicitye of desires to [...]novve and vnderstand all things; and instabilitie [...]n our enterprises passing frō one exercise to ano­ [...]her, not setling our selues vpon any one: The [...]ther vice is a certayne stupiditye & carelesnes of [...]piritt, that vvill not knovve nor learne things ne­ [...]essarie for our perfectiō: an imperfection which is [...]o lesse dangerous thē ther other. The third kind of Modestie, consisteth in our conuersation, and in our wordes, that is to say, in our manner of speaking, [...]nd conuersing vvith our neighbour, auoyding the [...]wo imperfections that are opposite vnto it, to witt [...]lownishnes, and ouer much babbling vvhere of the [...]ne hinders vs from contributing any thing, to the [...]ntertaynment of honest conuersation; the other maketh vs so to speake that vvee take the time from others, that they cannot speake in their turne. The [...]ourth is honestie and decencie in garments, and [...]he contrarie vices are vncleanesse, and super­ [...]uitie.

Behould heere fowr sortes of Modestie, the first [...]s exceeding much to bee commended, for many [...]easons: and first because it doth subiect vs very much: neither is there any vertue, in the vvhich so [...]articular attention is requisite; and in that it subie­cteth vs, consisteth the great valour thereof; for all [...]hat subiecteth vs for God, is of great meritt, and meruelouslye pleasing to God. The second reason [...]s, that it doth not onely subiect vs for a time: but [...]llvvaies, and in euerie place, asvvell being alone, [...]s in cōpanie, and at all times, yea sleeping. A great Saint vvrote to a disciple of his, saying; that in the presence of God, hee ought to lay himselfe downe [Page 122] modestlye in his bed, euen as hee vvould doe if ou [...] Lord IESVS being yet aliue should commaund him to sleepe and lye dovvne in his presence; and al­though (sayeth hee) thou seest him not, nor vnder­standest not the commaundement hee giueth thee▪ hee omitteth not to doe it, euen as if thou didst see him because that in effect hee is present vvith thee, and keepeth thee vvhilst thou sleepest.

O good God, hovv modestly and deuoutlye should vvee lay our selues to rest if vvee did see thee? vvithout doubt vvee should crosse our arme [...] vvith great deuotion vpon our breasts. Modestie then doth allwaies subiect vs, and in all occasion [...] of our life, because the Angells are allvvaies presēt▪ yea God himselfe, before vvhose eyes vvee ough [...] to gouerne our selues modestlye. This vertue is al­so verye recommendable, because of the edificatiō of our neighbour, and I assure you that simple mo­destye in the exteriour hath conuerted many, as i [...] hapned to S. Francis, vvho passed one time throug [...] a tovvne, vvith so great modestie in his behauiour, that vvithout giuing one vvord, a great number o [...] young poeple follovved him (dravvne onely by this example) to be instructed of him. Modestie is a dumme exhortation, it is a vertue that S. Paul re­commendeth very particularlie to the Philippians the 4th Chap. saying: Lett your modestie appeare [...] before all men: and this is that hee sayeth to hi [...] disciple S. Timothy a Bishope should bee adorne [...] vvith, tovvit vvith Modestie, and not vvith ric [...] garments: to the end that by his modest and mild [...] demeanour hee giue confidence to euerie one to approch to him, equallie auoyding inciuility, and lightnesse, to the end that giuing freedome to the vvorldly poeple to resorre to him, they may not conceaue that he is vvordly as they bee.

2, The vertue of modestie, obserueth thre [...] [Page 123] things, to vvitt, time, place, and person; for tell mee, should not she bee troublesome, that vvould frovvne and pout in the time of recreation, and not bee merrie vvith the companye? there are gestures and countenances, that vvould bee immodest out of that time vvhich are not so then: likevvise she that should laugh vvhen they are in the midst of serious affayres; and should giue freedome to her spiritt, as vvee reasonably doe in recreation, should she not bee esteemed light and immodest? vvee ought also to obserue the place, the persons, the cō ­uersations, vvith vvhom vvee are; but very parti­ticularly the quallitie of the person. The modestie of a vvoman in the vvorld is othervvise then that of a Religious vvoman; a virgin in the vvorld should not bee esteemed, if she vvould looke dovvnevvar­de, as our sisters doe, no more then our sisters should be if they held not there sight more lovve then the maydens of the vvorld doe: that vvhich is modesty in one man, vvill bee immodestie in ano­ther man, because of his quallitie: grauitie becom­meth an aged person exceedingly vvell, vvhich vvould bee affected in a young person, to vvhom is conueniēt a more respectiue and humble modestie. I must not omitt to tell you a thing that I read a fevv dayes past, because it regardeth the discourse that vvee make of modestye. The great Saint Ar­senius (vvho vvas chosen by the Pope, S. Damasus to instruct and bring vp the sonne of the Emperour Theodosius Arcadius, vvho vvas to succeede him in the Empire) after that he had bene honoured ma­ny yeares in the court, and fauoured of the Empe­rour, as much as any man in the vvorld, in the end being vvearie of all these vanities (although he had liued no lesse christianly then honourably in the court) resolued vvith himselfe to retire into the de­serte, vvith the holy Fathers the Hermitts, vvho did [Page 124] liue there; the which designe he did very couragious­ly execute. The Fathers, who had heard the renoune of the vertues of this great Saint, vvere very glad, and much comforted to haue him in their compa­nie. Hee grevve particulerly familiar vvith two Re­ligious, the name of one of them was Pastor, and hee had great freindshipe with them: on a day vvhen all the Fathers weere assembled, to make spirituall cō ­ference (for it hath bene the custome in all former times, so to doe amongst pious persons) one of the Fathers aduertised the superiour, that Arsenius did ordinarilie vse an immodest manner in that he did crosse one legg ouer the other: it is true, sayed the Father; I haue very often noted it. But hee is a good mā who hath liued a lōg time in the world; ād hath brought this gesture from the court, how could hee doe otherwise? excusing him; for hee was troubled to reprehēd him for so small a matter, wherein there was not any sinne: yet hee had a desire to haue him corrected therfore, for hee had no other thing then that, wherein they might find vvhat to say against him. Thē the Religious Pastor sayed: Father doe not trouble your selfe, it vvilbe no gre [...]t matter to tell it him, hee vvilbe very gladd, therefore, if you please to morrovv at the hour of the assēbly, I will sett my selfe in the same posture that hee doth, and lett mee receaue correction before all for it, and so he will vnderstād that hee must not doe it. The Father then correcting Pastor, the good Arsenius cast him­selfe, at the feete of the Father, humbly demaun­ding pardon, saying; that although they had not marked it, hee had neuerthelesse allvvaies commit­ted this fault, vvhich was his ordinarie behauiour in the court; then hee asked pennance for it; but it vvas not giuen him, and neuer after did they see him in this posture. In this historie I find many things very vvorthy of consideration; first the prudence [Page 125] of the Superiour, not to trouble the good Arsenius by correction, for a matter of so small importance; neuerthelesse seeking the meanes to correct it, vvherein hee shewed very vvel [...], that they vvere all most exact in the least thing that appertayned to Modestie. More-ouer I note the noble vpright­nesse of Arsenius, to yeald himselfe faultie, and his fidelitye in correcting himselfe, although this vvas so light a thing, that in it selfe vvas not immodest being in the court, although being among the Fa­thers it vvas so. I marke also, that vvee ought not to bee astonished at our selues, if vvee haue as yet some ould habitt of the vvorld, since Arse­nius had this hauing remayned a long time, in the companie of the Fathers in the desert vvee cannot bee so soone ridd of all our imperfect ons, and vvee must neuer bee astonished to s [...]e m [...]ny in our selues, so that vvee haue the vvill to vvith­stand them. Furthermore I note, that it is not to bee thought an euill iudgment, that the superiour imposeth correction to another, for some fault that you commit asvvell as he, to the end, that vvithout reprehending of you, you of your selfe [...]mend it: but you must humble your selfe profoun­dly, seeing that the superiour taketh notice of your vveaknesse, and knovveth very vvell, you vvould haue much feeling of the correction, if it vvere done to you. VVee must also dearely loue this [...]biection, and humble our selues as Arsenius did, confessing that vvee bee culpable of the same fault, prouided that vvee humble our sel­ [...]es allvvaies in the spiritt of svveetnes and tran­quillitie.

§. 3. I perceaue very vvel, that you desire [...] should furthermore speake of the other ver­ [...]ues of Modestye: I tell you then, that the second, vvhich is the interiour, vvorketh the same effects [Page 126] in the soule, that this vvhich vvee haue spoken of doth in the body; this composeth the motions, gestures, and countenances of the body, auoyding the two extremities, vvhich are these tvvo contrarie vices, lightnes or dissolution, and a countenance too much affected. Likewise interiour modestie mayn­taineth the povvers of the soule in tranquillity, and Modesty, auoyding as I haue sayed curiosity of the vnderstanding, ouer the vvhich she principally exerciseth her care, also cutting of from the vvill her multitude of desires, making it to apply it selfe piously to that onely one, that Marie hath chosen vvhi [...]h shall not be taken from her, that is, a vvill to please God. Martha doeth verye vvell represent the immodestye of the vvill, she is forvvard and eager, and setteth all the seruants of the house a vvorke, she goeth hither and thither, vvith out stay, so desirous is she to intreat our Lord vvell, and it seemeth to her there vvill neuer be sufficient serui­ces of meat to make him good cheare. Euen so the vvill vvhich is not restrayned by Modesty, passeth from one subiect to another, to prouoke it selfe to loue God, and to desire many meanes and vvayes to serue him, and yet notvvithstanding there is no necessitie of so many things, it vvould be better to vnite her selfe to God as Magdalene did; keeping her selfe at his feete, demaunding of him that hee giue vs his loue, then to thinke hovv, and by vvhat meanes wee may gett it. This Modesty bridle the the [...] vvil [...], cōtinually setling and closing it in the exercise of the meanes of her aduan [...]ement in the loue of God, according to the vocation in vvhich vvee re­mayne. I haue sayed that this vertue doth princi­pally imploy it selfe to subiect the vnderstanding, because the naturall curiositie that vvee haue is very dangerouse, and causeth that vvee neuer perfectly knovve any one thing: for so much as vvee take not [Page 127] time sufficient to learne it vvell. It flieth also the other extremitie of vice, vvhich is opposite to it, [...]hat is dulnes and negligence of spiritt, vvhich vvill not knovve that vvhich is necessarie. Novv this [...]ubiection of the vnderstanding is of verye great [...]mportance, for our perfection: for look how much [...]he vvill vveddeth it selfe to any thing, so much the more earnest it is in the pursuite of it: and if the vnderstanding shevve vnto the vvill the beautie of another, it deuerteth it from the first. The Bees haue no setled place, vvhiles they haue not a king, neuer [...]easing to fly through the ayre, dispersing & scatte­ring themselues hauing allmost no repose in their [...]iue: but so soone as their king is borne; they gather [...]hemselues all together round about him, and goe not forth but by the permission of their king to ga­ [...]her their honnye. In like manner our vnderstan­ding and vvill, our passions, and the faculties of our soule, as spirituall Bees, vntill such time as they haue a king, that is to saye, vntill such time as they haue made choise of our Lord IESVS for their king, haue no repose, our senses neuer ceasing to vvander cu­riously, and to dravve our interiour faculties after them, to disperse them, somtimes after one subiect, [...]hen after another, and by this meanes there is no other then a continuall labour, and vnquietnesse of spiritt, vvhich maketh vs to loose the peace and tranquillitie of spiritt vvhich is so necessarie for vs, & this is that vvhich the immodestie of the vnder­standing, and will, causeth vs. But from the time that our soules haue chosen Our Lord IESVS for their onely fouueraigne king, her povvers like chast my­sticall Bees, put themselues in order neere to him, and neuer goe forth from their Hiue but for to gather the exercises of charitie, that this holy king commaundeth them to practice towards their nei­ghbour, and presently after, they returne modestly [Page 116] into this holy and amiable presence of their Lord for to gather and mannage discreetlye the honny o [...] holy and amorous conceits and affections, vvhich they dravve from his sacred presence: and so they shall auoyd the tvvo extremities aforesayed: cutting of on the one side curiositie of the vnderstanding, by a simple attention to God A [...]l, mighty and on the other side stupiditie, and lazines of spiritt, by the exercises of Charitie that they shall practize tovvards their neighbour, vvhen it shalbe requi­site and necessary. But behould another example touching this subiect. On a day a certayne Religiou [...] man came to the great Sainct Thomas, and demaū ­ded of him vvhat hee should doe, to become very [...] learned; In reading one onely booke, sayed hee I read these dayes past, The Rule that Sainct Augu­stine made for Religious vvomen; vvhere hee sayeth expressly, that the sisters may neuer read another bookes, then those that shalbe giuen them b [...] their Superiour; and after hee gaue the same commaundement to his Religious mē. So much knowledg had hee of the euill, that the curiositie of willing to knovve other things, then that vvhich is necessarie for the better seruice of God (vvhich a [...] very fevv things) bringeth to the soule: for if yo [...] vvalke in simplicitye, by the obseruance of yo [...] Rules, vvithout povvring out your selues, or sea [...] ching to knovve other things, you shall perfectl [...] serue God. Science or knowledg is not necessar [...] to loue God; (as sayeth Sainct Bonauenture) for simple vvoman is as capable to loue God, as th [...] most learned men in the vvorld. There must be little knovvledg, and very much practice, in th [...] vvhich concerneth perfection. I remember vpō th [...] discourse, the danger there is in the curiositie of th [...] vvill to knovve so many meanes for the perfiting o [...] it selfe. I spake vvith tvvo Religious vvomen o [...] [Page 117] tvvo orders vvell reformed, one of them by the fre­quent reading of the bookes of the Bl. S. Teresa, learned to speake so like her, that she seemed to bee a little Mother Teresa, and she beleeued it, so ima­gining in her selfe, all that the holy Mother Teresa had done vvhilest she liued, that she thought to doe the very same, so farr as to haue had the bindings of the spiritt, and suspensions of the povvers of the soule, euen so as she did read the Sainte had, so that she spake very vvell thereof. There are others, who haue so effectually thought on the life of S. Katherin of Sienna, and of the life of S. Katherin of Genes, that they also thought thēselues to bee S. Katherins. Such soules as these, at the least haue contentment in themselues, by the imagination they haue of being Saints, although their contentment be vaine. But the other Religious vvoman, I spake of, vvas of a verie different humour: for so much as she ne­uer had contentment, because of the auiditie she had to seeke, and desire the vvay, and method to perfect her selfe; and although she laboured for it, neuer­thelesse it allvvaies seemed to her, that there vvas some other manner to perfect her, then that vvhich others did teach her. The one of these Religious womē did liue content in her imaginary sanctitie, and did not seeke nor desire any other thing and the other did liue discontent, because her perfectiō vvas hidden, and therefore she did allwaies desire some other thing. Interiour modestie retayneth the soule betweene these tvvo estates in mediocritye to desire and knovv that vvhich is necessarie, and no more. In fine it must be noted, that the exte­riour modestie vvhereof vvee haue spoken, serueth verye much to the interiour, and to the peace ād trā ­quillitie of the soule. The proofe that all the holy fa­thers haue made thereof, who haue made great pro­fessiō of prayer, doeth witnsse it. For they haue all [Page 130] iudged, that the most modest posture aydeth most therein, as to sett themselues on their knees their hands ioyned together, or their armes a crosse, or the like.

§. 4. The third kind of Modestie regardeth our wor­des, and manner of conuersing. There are speeches vvhich should bee immodest out of the time of recreation, vvhere iustly and vvith good reason, vvee ought to vnbind the spiritt a little; and vvho­soeuer vvould not speake, nor permitt others to speake, but of high eleuated matters in this time, should doe immodestlie: For haue vvee not sayed that Modestye regardeth the time, the place, and the persons? To this purpose I did read the other day, that S. Pachome vppon his entry into the desert, to lead a monasticall life, had verye great tentations, and the vvicked spiritts did appeare to him often in diuerse formes. He that wrote his life sayeth, tha [...] one day going to the vvoode to hevv, there came a great troupe of infernall spiritts to fright him, vvho ranked themselues as soldiers, that sett the gard, al [...] verye vvell armed, calling one to the other. Make place for the holy man; S. Pachome that knevve very well, these vveere the soundes of the wicked spiritt, began to laugh saying; you mocke mee, but I wilbe one, if it please God. Novv the diuell seeing that hee could not intrap him, nor make him enter into melancholie, thought that he vvould ouertake him with ioy, since he had laughed at their first en­terprise, so he went about to tye a great number o [...] huge cordes to a leafe of a tree and many diuells did sett themselues about these cordes, to dravve them with gteat violence, crying and swēating, as if they had had great difficultie, the good Sainte lifting vp [...] his eyes, and seeing this folly, did represēt to himself our Lord IESVS Crucified on the crosse; they seeing that the S. did apply himselfe to the fruite of the tre [...] [Page 131] and not to the leafe, went their waies all cōfounded and ashamed. There is a time for laughing, and a [...]ime not to laugh: as also a time to speake, and a ti­me to keepe silence, as this glorious S. sheweth vs [...]n his tentations. This Modestie cōposeth our man­ [...]er of speaking that it may bee acceptable, speaking [...]either too high nor too lowe, neither too slowly [...]or too fast, retayning our selues within the tearmes of holy mediocritie, permitting others to speake without interrupting them, (for that sauoureth of [...]abling) yet speaking in our turne to auoyde rusti­ [...]allnesse, which hindreth vs from being of good [...]onuersation. Also oftentimes a person meeteth with occasiōs, vvhere it is necessarie to speake with modestie, equallitie, patience, and tranquillitye.

§. 5. The fourth vertue named Modestie ap­ [...]ertayneth to apparell, and manner of dressing: where-of it is not needfull to speake any other [...]hing, then that sluttishnes, and vnseemelinesse, in [...]he manner of apparelling of our selues, must be [...]uoyded; as also the other extremitie, that is ouer much great care of dressing our selues vvell, with [...]ffected curiositie to bee verye fine, which is vani­ [...]ye. But ciuilitye ād cleanlines hath bene very much [...]ommended by S. Bernard, as being a great signe [...]f the puritie and sanctity of the soule. There is an [...]xample in the life of S. Hilarion, vvhich seemeth [...]ontrarie to this, for one day speaking to a gentle­man that vvas come to see him, hee sayed to him, [...]hat there was no apparence to looke after cleanli­ [...]es in a haire shirte, as if hee had sayed, that vvee must not seeke neatnes in our bodies, vvhich are no [...]ther then stincking carrion, and top full of infe­ [...]tion. But this was more admirable in this great S. [...]en imitable.

Truely wee must not haue too much delicatnesse, [...]et notwithstanding vvee must not bee sluttish; [Page 132] that which made this Saint speake in this so [...] was (if I be not deceaued) because he spake before courtiers, that hee did see so giuen ouert [...] delicatnesse, that it was needfull for him to speake a little more sharplye, as those that Will ma [...] straight a yoūg tree, they doe not onelie se [...] it straighte; but they bend it euen to the other side, to the end it retourne not to its former crookednes. Behould there what I had to say of modestie.

§. 6. You desire in the second place, to know, wha [...] wee must doe to receaue correction well, that th [...] feeling thereof remayne not in vs, or drinesse o [...] hart: To hinder the motions of choller to be felt i [...] vs, and the bloud not to rise in the face, will neue [...] bee. Happie shall vvee bee, if wee may bee able t [...] haue this persectiō, a quarter of an hower before o [...] death. But to keepe drinesse of spiritt, in such manner, that after the feeling is past, wee cannot speak [...] with so much confidence, sweetnesse and tranquillitie as before, ô: this, vvee must haue a great ca [...] not to doe; You dismisse the feeling farr of, saye yo [...] but it ceaseth not to retourne. I assure you, my dear daughters, that you send it from you, it may bee, a [...] doe the Cytizens of a tovvne, vvherein is made sedition in the night, vvhen they chase a vvay th [...] seditious persons and enimies; but they put the [...] not out of the tovvne, so that they hide themselu [...] going from street to street, vntill the day come, an [...] then they cast themselues vppon the inhabitant [...] and in fine remayne Masters: you reiect the fe [...] ling you haue of the correction, that is giue you, but not so couragiously and carefully, that hideth not it selfe in some little corner of yo [...] hart, at least some part of the feeling. You vv [...] not haue the feeling: neither vvill you submi [...] your iudgment, vvhich maketh you belee [...] [Page 133] that the correction hath bene giuen you vvrong­ [...]ully, or else that it hath bene done by passion, or [...]he like: vvho seeth not, that these makebates [...]vill sett vppon you, and ouervvhelme you [...]uickly, vvhith a thousand sorts of confusions? beleeue mee, you chase them not farre of. But vvhat must bee done in this time? vvee must dravve neere vnto our Lord IESV, and speake to him of some other thing. But your feeling is not quieted, but it suggesteth to you to regard [...]he vvrong hath bene done you. O God; this is not the time; submitt your iudgment, to make it [...]eleeue and confesse, that the correction is good, [...]nd that it vvas giuen verye iustlie; O no, this [...]s to bee done after your soule shalbe quiet [...]gayne and pacified; for in the time of trouble wee must not speake, nor doe any thing, vppon any [...]ermes or reasons, but remayne constant and reso­ [...]ute, not to consent to our passion, for vvee shall neuer vvant reasons at that time, they will come [...]hicke and threefold: But not one must hee hear­kned vnto, hovv good soeuer they seeme to bee; But vvee must keepe neere to God as I haue sayed; diuerting our selues, after vvee bee humbled and prostrate before his Maiestie; spea­king to him of some other thing.

But marke this vvorde, that pleaseth mee ve­rie much to speake, because of the profitt there­of, humble your selues vvith a svvete and a peace­full humilitye, and not vvith a melancholy and troubled humility: for this is our vnhappinesse, that vvee bring before God acts of troubled & spitefull humilitye, and by this meanes our spi­ritts are not pacified, and these acts are vn­fruitfull. But if on the contrarie vvee make these acts before the diuine bountie, vvith a svveet confi­dence, [Page 134] wee should come away all cherefull and tr [...] quille, and after wee should verie easilye disauow [...] all the reasons, (very often and ordinarilye irreasonable) that our iudgement and proper loue do [...] suggest vnto vs, and wee should goe with the sam [...] facilitye to speake to those, who haue giuen vs th [...] correction, or contradiction as before. You oue [...] come your selfe indeed (say you) to speake to them but if they doe not aunsvvere to you as you desire this doth redouble the tentation; all this proceedet [...] of the same euill that wee haue sayed: what impor [...] it you, whether they speake after one fashion o [...] another, so that you doe your dutie? Therefore a [...] being well counted and deducted, there is not an [...] person that hath not auersion to bee corrected. S Pachome after that he had liued forty or fiftye yea­res in the desert in great perfection, had a reuela­tion from God, that hee should gayne a great num­ber of soules, and that many should come into th [...] deserts, to place themselues vnder his conduct: he [...] had allreadie some Rcligious with him, and the firs [...] hee receaued was, his Brother named Iohn, vvh [...] was his elder Brother: S. Pachome then began to inlarge his monasterie, and to make a great numbe [...] of cells; his Brother Iohn, either because hee di [...] not knovve his designe, or otherwise for the zeal [...] hee had to pouertie, one day reprehended him ve­rye sharplye, saying vnto him, is it so, that yo [...] ought, and meane to imitate our Lord IESV, wh [...] had not where-on to rest his head, vvhilest hee wa [...] in this world, to make so great a conuent? and othe [...] the like wordes to that purpose. S. Pachome all­though he weare a great S. had such a feeling of thi [...] reprehension, that hee tourned himselfe on th [...] other side, to the end (if I bee not deceaued) that the feeling hee had there-of might not appeare in hi [...] face: Then hee wēt, and cast himselfe on his knee [...] [Page 135] before God, demaunding pardon for his fault, and [...]mplayning, for that, after he had remayned so [...]ng within the desert, he was not yet mortifyed, [...]aking so humble and feruent prayer, that he ob­ [...]yned grace, neuer more to bee subiect to impa­ [...]nce. Likewise S. Francis, towards the end of his [...]e, after hee had had so many rapts, and amorous [...]nions with God: after hee had done so much for [...]s glorie; and surmounted himselfe in so many [...]rtes; one day when hee planted colworts in the [...]rden, it hapned that à Brother seeing that hee did [...]ot plant them well, reprehended him, and the S. [...]as moued with so povverfull a motion of chole­ [...] at his reprehension, that hee had almost vttered iurious words against that Brother, that had re­ [...]ehended him. Hee opened his mouth to pro­ [...]unce it: but hee restrayned himselfe, and taking the dung that hee did burie with the collworts: [...] wicked toung sayed hee, I will teach the to in­ [...]rye thy Brother, and presently prostrating him­ [...]fe on both his knees, hee besought the Brother to [...]rdon him. Now what reason is there I praye you [...]at wee should bee astonished to see our selues [...]t to cholere, and if wee haue a feeling vvhen wee [...]e reprehended, or when some contradiction hap [...]eth vnto vs? vvee must therefore take example [...]om these Saints who did surmount themselues continentlye, the one hauing recourse to prayer, [...]d the other humbly demaunding pardon of his [...]rother; and neither the one nor the other did any [...]ing in fauour of their motion, but amended thē ­ [...]lues and made their profitt of it. You tell mee that [...]ou accept of the correction with all your hart, [...]at you approue it, and find it iust & reasonable, [...]ut this giueth you a certayne confusion, in respect [...]f the superiour, because you haue displeased her, or [...]uen her occasion to bee angrye, and that this ta­keth [Page 136] from you the confidence to approch vnto h [...] notvvistanding you loue the abiection that co [...] meth on you for the fault. My daughter, this is do [...] by the commaundement of selfeloue; knowe y [...] not (it may bee you doe not) that there is in our s [...] ues, a certayne Monasterie, whereof the Superio [...] is selfeloue, and therefore it imposeth penances, a [...] this payne is the penance it imposeth vppon yo [...] for the fault you haue committed in displeasing [...] superiour, because it may bee she will not estee [...] you so much as she hath done, if you had not fay [...] in your duty; This is enough for those vvho [...] ceaue correction; I must speake a word for th [...] that giue it. They ought to vse verye great disc [...] tion, to take a proper time for it, and to doe it w [...] all due circumstances; besides, they must not b [...] astonished or meruaill; nor bee offended to [...] those to whome they giue it, to haue a feeling [...] trouble thereof; for it is a thing verye greeuous t [...] person to see himselfe corrected.

§. 7. Thirdly you demaund, how you may [...] able to carrye your spiritt vp rightly before Go [...] not svvaruing on the right hand, or on the l [...] My Deare daughter; your proposition is very pl [...] sing to mee, for so much as it bringeth his a [...] were with it. You must doe that you speake, goe [...] God, looking neither on the right hand, nor [...] the left. But it is not this that you demaund, I [...] well; but vvhat you may bee able to doe, to fix yo [...] spiritt in God in such sorte, that nothing may vnt [...] nor dravve it backe. Tvvo things are necessarie [...] this, to die, and to bee saued. For after this there sh [...] neuer bee any separation, and your spiritt shal [...] indissolubly fastned and vnited to God. You say y [...] this is not that which you demaund; but it is, w [...] you may doe to hinder, that the least fly doe [...] with drawe your spiritt from God, as it doth, y [...] [Page 137] would say the least distraction, Pardō mee, my dau­ [...]ter, the least fly of distraction doth not with­ [...]awe your spiritt frō God, so as you say: For no­ [...]ing withdraweth vs from god but sinne; and the [...]solution we haue made in the morning, to keepe [...]ur selues vnited to God, and attentiue to his pre­ [...]nce, causeth that wee remayne allwaies there, yea so vvhen vvee sleepe, since wee doe it in the [...]me of God, and according to his most holy vvill: seemeth that his diuine bountye hath sayed to vs, [...]eepe and rest, and in the meane time, I vvill watch [...]uer you, for to keepe and defend you from the [...]reing lion, vvho goeth allwaies round about [...]ou to defeat you: Consider then if you haue [...]ot reason to take your rest modestly, as I haue [...]yed: for the meanes to doe all things vvell that [...]ee doe, is to bee attentiue to the presence of [...]od; for seeing that hee doth behould vs, vvho [...]f vs will offend him? veniall sinnes of them­ [...]lues are not capable to diuert vs out of the way, [...]at conducteth vs to God: they stay vs vvithout [...]oubt a little in our way, but they doe not therefore [...]rne vs backe, and much lesse simple distractions, [...]nd this I haue declared in the Introduction; As [...]or prayer, it is no lesse profitable to vs, nor lesse [...]easing to God, for hauing manye distractions but [...] may bee, it shall proue more profitable, then [...] we had had many consolations; because there is [...]ore labour therein, prouided notwithstāding that [...]ee must haue fidelitie to withdrawe, our selues [...]rom these distractions, and not willinglie permitt [...]ur spiritt to rest, or pause on them. The same is to [...]e sayd of the paine that wee haue all the day long [...]o settle our spiritts in god, and celestiall things: so [...]hat we haue care to retayne our spiritt, from run­ [...]ing after these flyes & butter flyes; as a mother [...]oth with her child, seeing her little one affected [Page 138] to runne after the butterflyes, thinking to ca [...] them, she withdraweth him, withhoulding hi [...] presentlye by the armes, saying to him, My chil [...] thou wilt take cold to runne after those butter fly [...] in the sunne, it is better that thou stay with mee: th [...] poore child remayneth vntill such time as hee see [...] another, after the which hee should be as readie [...] runne, if his mother did not withhould him as b [...] fore; but what must wee doe then, wee must ha [...] patience, and not bee wearie of our labour, since [...] is vndertaken for the loue of God? But if I bee n [...] deceaued, when wee say that wee cannot find Go [...] and that it seemeth to vs that hee is farr from w [...] wee would say that wee cannot haue the feeling [...] his presence; I haue obserued that manye make n [...] difference betweene God and the feeling of Go [...] betvveene fayth & the feeling of fayth, which i [...] very great defect: it seemeth to them, that whē the [...] feele not God, that they are not in his presence, a [...] this is ignorance. For a person vv [...]o goeth [...]o suff [...] martyrdome for God notwithstanding should n [...] thinke on God at the present, but on the payne: a [...] though he haue not the feeling of fayth: he is n [...] excluded from meritt in respect of his first resol [...] tion, but executeth an act of great loue. There is great difference, to haue the presence of God (I v [...] derstand to bee in his presence) and to haue the fe [...] ling of his presence. There is not any but God hi [...] selfe, that may grant vs this grace: For to giue yo [...] the meanes to obteyne this feelieg is not possib [...] for mee. Doe you demaund what must bee done [...] hould ones selfe allwaies with great respect befor [...] God, as being most vnworthye of his grace? The [...] is no other meanes to doe it, then as you saye: consider that hee is our God, and that we are his weak [...] creatures, vnworthy of this honour, as S. Franc [...] did, who passed a whole night, interrogating wit [...] [Page 139] God in these termes, who art thou? and who am I? [...]fine if you demaund of mee what I shall doe to [...]eyne the loue of God? I will tell you, in desiring [...]oue him, and in place of applying your selues thinke and aske, what you may doe to vnite [...]ur spiritt to God, sett your selues to practice it, a continuall application of your spiritt to God, [...] I assure you, you shall sooner arriue to your [...]tence by this meanes, then by any other waye: [...] according to the measure that we disperse our [...]es, so much lesse are wee recollected, and there­ [...]e lesse capable of vniting our selues with the diui­ [...] maiestie who will haue vs all without any reser­ [...]ion. Truely there are soules who busye themsel­ [...] so much to thinke, what they shall doe, thar [...]y haue not time to doe it; and notwitstanding in [...]t which regardeth our perfection, which confi­ [...]th in the vnion of our soule with the diuinitie, knovve little, and to doe much, is our way with­ [...]t doubt: it seemeth to me, that those of vvhom [...]u aske the way to heauen, haue great reason to [...]nswer, as they who say; that to goe to such a place, [...]u must allwaies goe, setting one foote before other, and by this meanes, you shall come where [...]u desire, walke allwaies, say they, to these soules [...]sirous of their perfections, walke in the way of [...]ur vocation in simplicitie, and lett your studie [...] to effect, more then to desire, this is the shor­ [...]st vvay.

§. 8. But behould a subtilitie, that I must, if it ease you to permitt mee, discouer vnto you, with­ [...]t offending you; to vvit, you wou [...]d I should [...]uch you a way of perfection allreadie perfected, [...] such sort as there weere no other thing to be do­ [...], then to put it ouer [...]our head, as you doe your [...]bitt, and then, by this meanes you should find [...]ur selues perfect without payne, that is to say [Page 140] I should giue you in an instant perfection allre [...] made; For that, I say, wee must doe, is not agre [...] to nature; is not this that vvee vvould haue? [...] truely if t [...]is were in my povver, I should [...] the most perf [...]ct man of the vvorld; For if I co [...] giue perf [...]ction vnto others vvithout doing [...] thing, I assure you I vvould first learne it my se [...] It seemeth to you that perfection is an art, [...] if one could find the secreat there-of, hee sho [...] haue it vvithout labour. Truely you dece [...] your selues, for there is no greatter secreet the [...] vvorke and labour faythfully in the exercise [...] diuine loue, if you pretend to vnite your selues [...] the vvelbeloued. But I vvould vvillinglie [...] you did marke: that vvhen I saye you must vvor [...] I allvvaies intend to speake of the superio [...] part of our soule: For notvvitstanding all [...] repugnances of the inferiour, vvee must bee [...] more astonished, then passengers are at dog [...] that barke a farre of. They vvho at a feast, tak [...] tast of euerie dish, eatting somvvhat of each k [...] of meat, vvith this varietie ouerturne their sto [...] acke, and cause so great indisgestion that it hindr [...] them from sleeping all the night, neither can th [...] doe any other thing then spitte: euen so the sou [...] that desire to tast of all methodes, and meanes t [...] leade, or may conduce to perfection, doe the ve [...] same; for the stomacke of their vvill not haui [...] sufficiēt heat to disg [...]st, and put in practice so m [...] meanes, there is made there a certayne cruditie, a [...] indisgestiō, vvhich taketh avvay their peace and t [...] quillitie of spiritt to dravve neere vnto our Lo [...] vvhich is the onely thing necessarie that Ma [...] hath chosen and shall neuer bee taken from her.

Lett vs passe novv to that other demaund, t [...] you proposed to mee, that is, vvhat you may d [...] to strengthen your resolutions so vvell, that th [...] [Page 141] m [...] spring forth and come to good effect. There [...]o better meanes (my child) then to put them in [...]tice: but you say you are allvvaies fraile, and [...] although you doe often make strong resolu­ [...]s, not to fall into the imperfections that you de­ [...] to amend, if the occasiō present it selfe, you faile to stumble and lay your nose on the ground, [...]ld you haue mee tell you, vvhy vvee remayne vveake? it is because vvee vvill not abstayne [...]n vnwholsome meates: it is euen as if a parson [...] vvould not haue the payne of the stomacke, [...]aske of a phisition vvhat she should doe: hee [...]uld aunsvvere her, that she must not eate of [...] and such meates, because they engender crudi­ [...] vvhich doe cause payne aftervvardes: but she [...] not abstayne from them. VVee doe euen the [...] same; wee would (for example) loue corre­ [...] vvell: but we vvill neuerthelesse bee obstinate: [...]hat a folly is this? this cannot bee, you vvill [...]er bee able and strong to support correctiō cou­ [...]ously, whiles you eate of the fruit of proper [...]mation. I vvould verye vvillingly keepe my [...]e, recollect, & neuerthelesse I vvill not ab­ [...]ge so many sortes of vnprofitable reflections. [...]s may not be. Good God! I vvould bee inuaria­ [...] and very feruent in my exercises; but also I [...]uld not willinglye haue so muche payne; in a [...]de I would find the busines allreadie dispatched: may not bee grāted during this life, wherein we [...]l allwaies haue difficultie and labour. The feast [...]he Purification (as I haue sayed to you once [...]re) hath not an Octaue. Of necessitie wee must [...]e two equall resolutions, the one to see vveedes vve in our garden; and the other to haue the [...]rage to see them pluckte vp by the rootes, and [...]lucke them vp our selues: for our selfe loue-will [...]er dye vvhiles wee liue: it being selfe-loue, that [Page 142] causeth these impertinent productions. Moreo [...] it is not to bee fraile, to fall sometimes into ve [...] sinnes, so that wee raise our selues immediatlye the retourne of our soule to God, meeklie and g [...] tlye humbling our selues: wee must not think [...] liue vvith out committing some: for there hath bene any, (Our Bl. Ladie excepted) that hath this priuiledge: truely although they staye vs a [...] (as I haue sayed) they doe not diuert vs so much [...] of the vvay, but that one onely regard of God [...] lisheth thē, in fine wee must knowe, that we o [...] neuer to cease from making good resolutions though wee see very well, that according to our [...] dinarie wee practice them not; yea when wee [...] ceaue verye vvell, it is impossible to practice t [...] when occasion shall present it selfe; and this [...] bee done with more stabilitie, then if we felt in [...] selues, sufficient courage for to bring our enterp [...] to good effect, saying to our Lord, it is true [...] Lord, that I shall not haue the strenght to doe [...] support such a thing of my selfe, but I reioyce fo [...] much as it shalbe thy streinght which will wor [...] in mee; and vppon this foundation wee must to battaill couragiously, and doe not doubt, but [...] shall haue the victorie. Our Lord doeth tovv [...] vs, euen the very same that a good Father or [...] ther, who permitt their child to goe alone, w [...] hee is in a softe medovve vvhere the grasse is v [...] grovvne, or vppon moss: be [...]ause if hee happe [...] fall it vvil be no great harme: but in the ill and [...] gerous vvaies they carrye him carefully in t [...] armes. VVe haue often seene soules to supp [...] couragiouslye diuers great assaultes, not hauing [...] ne ouercome of theit enimies, who with [...] while haue bene ouercome in slight encounter [...] why so? because our Lord seeing it could doe t [...] no great harme to fall, left them to goe alon [...] [Page 143] th [...]mselues, the vvhich hee did not doe vvhen they [...]ere in the desperate termes of great temptatiōs, [...] of vvhich hee drewe them by his Allmighty [...]vver. Paula vvho vvas so generous to forsake the [...]rld, quitting the citty of Rome, and so great [...]ndance of all things, and vvho could not be sha­ [...] by the Motherly affection she bare to her [...]dren, so resolute vvas she to forsake all for God, [...]er she had effected all these great meruailes, she [...]mitted herselfe to bee surmounted, by the tenta­ [...]n of her proper iudgment, vvhich made her be­ [...]ue, that she ought not to submitt her selfe to the [...]ise of many holie persons, vvho did desire her vvithdravve somevvhat of her ordinarie auste­ [...]es; vvherein S. Hierome auovveth that she vvas [...]rehensible. Lett vs marke vvell for conclusion, [...] all vvhatsoeuer vvee haue declared in this dis­ [...]rse, are things verie delicate concerning perfe­ [...], and therefore lett none of you that haue heard [...]m bee affrighted or afflicted, if she find not her [...]e to haue arriued to this perfection, since by the [...]ce of God, you haue so good courage to desire, [...] pretend, the attayning therevnto.

LIVE IESVS AMEN.

THE TENTH ENTER­TAINEMENT.
OF OBEDIENCE.

1. OBediēce is a morall vertue, vvhich depen­deth of Iustice novv there are certayne [...]orall vertues vvhich haue so great affinitye with [...] vertues Theologicall (which are Fayth, hope, [Page 144] and charitie) that they seeme as it weere Theolo [...] call, although they bee in a degree verie inferiour Penance, Religion, Iustice, and Obedience: No Obedience consisteth in tvvo points, the first is obey Superiours, the second to obey our equall [...] and inferiours: But this second appertayneth rat [...] to humilitie, gentlenesse and charitie, then to O [...] dience; For the person that is humble, thinketh t [...] all others surpasse her, and are better then she [...] such sort that she esteemeth them her Superio [...] and beleeueth that she ought to obey them. [...] touching the Obedience that regardeth the Su [...] riours, that God hath established ouer vs to goue [...] vs, it is of Iustice and necessity, and wee ou [...] to render it vnto them with entire submission our vnderstanding & vvill. Novv this Obedie [...] of the vnderstanding is practized, when being [...] maunded, vvee accept and approue the commau [...] ment, not onely vvith our will; but also vvith [...] vnderstanding, approuing and esteeming the th [...] that is commaunded, and iudging it better, [...] any other thing that they might haue commaun [...] vs vppon this occasion VVhen one is come to t [...] then they loue so to Obey, that they desire ins [...] ably to bee commaunded, to the end that all t [...] doe, bee done by Obedience: This is the Obed [...] of the perfect, and that which I desire for [...] which proceedeth from the pure gift of God [...] othervvise is gotten vvith long time and lab [...] and by a great number of re [...]terated acts, and p [...] duced with a liuely force, by the meanes vvhe [...] of vvee gayne the habitt and facillitye therof. [...] naturall inclination allwaies carrieth vs to desir [...] commaund, and giueth vs an auersion to Obey: [...] notvvithstanding it is certayne that wee haue m [...] capacitie to Obey, and it may be wee haue non [...] all to commaund.

[Page 145]§. 2. Obedience most ordinarilye hath three [...]onditions, the first is to accept vvith a good vvill [...]e thing that they commaund vs, and to apply our [...]ill svveetly therevnto louing to bee commaun­ [...]ed; for it is not the way or meanes to yeald our [...]lues truelye obedient, to haue no person to com­ [...]aund vs: as likewise it is not a meanes to bee [...]ilde to remayne alone in a desert. Cassian repor­ [...]th that being in the desert, he was somtimes in [...]holer, and taking his pē to write, if it did not write [...]ell, hee should cast it from him; vvhere-fore sayed [...]ee, it serueth for nothing to bee alone, since that [...]ee carrye cholere with vs. Vertue is a good of it [...]lfe, that dependeth not of the priuation of his [...]ontrarie. The second condition of obedience is [...]romptitude, to the which sloth, or spirituall sadnes opposite; For it rarelye hapneth, that a sorovvfull [...]ule doth any thing promptly, and diligentlye, (in [...]heologicall termes, sloth is called spirituall sor­ [...]owe) and this is it vvhich hindereth from execu­ [...]ng obedience couragiouslie, and promptlye. The [...]ird is perseuerance: for it sufficeth not, that vvee [...]onsent to the commaundement, and that wee [...]ecute it for some space of time, if wee doe not [...]erseuere therein, since it is this perseuerance that [...]bteyneth the crovvne. There are euerie where to [...]e found admirable examples of perseuerance but [...]rticularlye in the life of Saint Pachome; there is [...]ention of diuers monkes, that perseuered vvith [...] incredible patience, all their life imploying thē ­ [...]elues, in one and the selfe same exercise, as the [...]ood Father Ionas, vvho neuer in his life did any [...]ther thing (besides gardening) then make matts, [...]nd hee vvas so habituated, that hee made them, his [...]indowe being shut close, meditating and making [...]is prayer, and the one did not hindet the other in [...]im, in such sorte that they found him dead vvith [Page 146] his knees acrosse, and his matts fastned vpon the [...] hee did dye doing of that which hee had done a [...] his life. This vvas an act of great humilitie, for ob [...] bedience to imploye himselfe in this selfe same exercise being so abiect all his life: For strong tempt [...] tions might arriue vnto him, that he should be c [...] pable of some office of more vvorth. Now thi [...] third condition is most difficult of all, because [...] the lightnes ad inconstancie of humayne spiritts; fo [...] at this present vvee loue to doe one thing, and b [...] and by wee will not regarde it, if vvee would follow all the motions of our spiritt, or that it we [...] possible for vs so to doe, without giuing scanda [...] ther-in, or dishonoring our selues, wee should s [...] no other thing then chang and instabilitye. No [...] wee would bee in one condition, and a while aft [...] wee would seeke for another, so extrauagant an [...] inconstant, is the spiritt of man: Therefore it mu [...] be stopped by the force of our first resolutions, t [...] the end wee may liue equallie, in the throng of t [...] inequallities of our feelings, successes, and euen [...] Now to giue our selues affectionatly to Obedienc [...] when wee shall find our selues tempted, vve oug [...] to make considerations of the excellencie, beautie and meritt, yea also the profitt thereof: for to e [...] courage vs to passe onvvarde; This is to bee vnde [...] stood for those soules, that are not yet well establ [...] shed in Obedience: but vvhen there is no questio [...] but of a simple auersion, or disgust of the thing co [...] maunded, wee must make on act of loue, and p [...] our selues to the vvorke. Our Lord IESVS himsel [...] in his passion, did feele a very great distaste, and mortall auersion to suffer death: hee sayeth it himselfe: but vvith the subtile point of his spiritt h [...] was resigned to the will of his Father; all the r [...] was but a motion of nature. Perseuerance is mo [...] difficult in interiour things; for the exteriour a [...] [Page 147] materiall are easie enough, which proceedeth from [...]his, that wee are troubled to subiect our vnder­ [...]anding, for this is the last peece that vvee submitt; [...]nd notwithstanding it is intirelie necessarie, that [...]ee subiect our thoughs to certayne obiects; in [...]uch sort, that vvhen our superiour doth giue vs sett [...]xercises, or practice of vertue, wee remayne in [...]hose exercises, and submitt our spiritt. I doe not all it want of perseuerance when wee make some [...]mall interruptions, so that vvee quit it not alltoge­ [...]her: as it is not vvant of Obedience, to bee defe­ [...]tiue in one of her conditions, prouided that vvee [...]re not obliged but to the substance of the vertues, [...]nd not to the conditions: For allthough that vvee doe obey vvith repugnance, and allmost as it weere [...]y force, by the obligation of our condition, our Obedience notwithstanding omitteth not therefote [...]o bee good, in vertue of our first resolutiō: But it is [...]f an infinitt worth and meritt, when it is perfor­ [...]ed vvith the conditions that wee haue nominated, or any one thing hovv little soeuer it bee, being [...]ffectuated vvith such Obedience, is of excellent [...]vorth.

§. 3. Obedience is a vertue so excellent, that [...]ur Lord IESVS vvould guide all the course of his [...]fe by Obedience, euē so as hee sayed manye times, [...]hat hee vvas not come to doe his vvill, but that of [...]is Father: and the Apostle sayeth, that hee vvas [...]ade Obedient euen vnto death, and the death of [...]he crosse: and he would ioyne to the infinite meritt [...]f his perfect Charitie, the infinitt meritt of perfect Obedience; Charitie giueth way to Obedience, [...]ecause Obedience dependeth of Iustice. also it is [...]etter to pay that vvee ovve, then to giue an almes, [...]hat is to say, it is better to Obey, then to doe acts [...]f Charitie by our ovvne proper motion.

The second point vvher-in Obedience consisteth [Page 148] is rather humilitie then Obedience, for this kind [...] of Obedience is a certayne flexiblenes of our will [...] to follovv the will of another, and this is a vertu [...] that is exceedinglye pleasing; which causeth our spiritt to winde it selfe in all occasiōs, and allwaies disposeth vs to doe the vvill of God: For example, if i [...] passing to one place I meete a sister that desiret [...] mee to goe to another: the will of God in mee is that I doe as she desireth, rather thē that I vvill. Bu [...] if I oppose my opiniō to hers, the will of God in h [...] is, that she giue mee way, and the like in all thing [...] that are indifferent: But if it happen vppon this fir [...] opiniō both will yeald and giue way, they must no [...] staye there contesting: but they shall haue regard [...] that vvhich is best and most reasonable, and simpl [...] doe it, but in this wee must bee guided by discreti [...] for it should bee farre from the purpose, to qui [...] a thing that vvere of necessitie, to condescend to thing indifferent. If I would execute an action [...] great mortificatiō, and another sister should com [...] to mee, and bidd mee not to doe it, or that I do [...] some other. I would remitt my first designe if vvere possible vntill another time, for to doe h [...] will, and then afterwardes, I vvould dispatch m [...] vndertaken mortification, But if I could not omi [...] or remitt it, and that this that she vvould haue mee, were not necessarie, I ought to doe that, whic [...] I had first vndertaken: and then if I could, I wou [...] regaine the cōmoditie to doe that vvhich the sist [...] did desire of mee. But if it happē that a sister reque [...] vs to doe something for her, and that through so daynesse, or surprise, wee shewe our selues disguste [...] therevvhith, the sister must not bee ielous, or m [...] strust, nor make semblance of knowing or marki [...] it, neither must she desire that it be not done, for is in our power to hinder our eyes and our coun [...] nance from demonstrating the cōbat that wee ha [...] [Page 149] vvithin vs; allthoug reason would gladlie performe [...]hat is desired: For these are messengers that come without sending for, and although wee bidd them [...]tourne, ordinarilie they doe nor stirre. To vvhat [...]urpose then, would not this sister haue mee to doe [...]at she desired, onely because she knovveth I haue [...]d repugnāce therevnto? she ought to desire that I [...]ake profitt of this for my soule. You vvill say, it is [...]ecause she feareth that she hath displeased you. No, [...]is selfe loue that would not that I should haue the [...]ast thought, that she is importune; I shall haue it [...]otwitstāding, although I stay not my selfe therein▪ [...]oreouer, if to the signes of my repugnance, I add [...]ords, that plainly witnesse, I haue no desire to doe [...]at which this sister desired of mee, she may and [...]ght sweetly to praye mee, that I doe it not, when [...]e: persons are equall for those that haue authoritie [...]ust hould thēselues resolute, and they must cause [...]eir inferiours to bee pliable to them. Now al­ [...]ough a sister should absolutelye refuse mee some­ [...]ing, or manifest the disgust she hath, I ought not to [...]ose cōfidence to imploy her another time, neither [...]ght I to bee disedified with her imperfectiō; For the present I support her, and within a vvhile she [...]ll support mee, Now she hath auersion frō doing this thing, and another time she will willinglie [...]e it: Notwithstāding if I haue had experiēce, that [...]s was such a spiritt, as were not as yet capable to [...]e intreated in this māner, I would expect a while [...]ull such time as the were better disposed we are [...] of vs capable of the defectes one of another, and [...]e must in no sorte whatsoeuer bee astonished to [...]ounter thē, for if wee remayne sometime with­ [...] falling into a fault, with in a while it will happē [...]t wee shall doe no other thing then fayle, and [...]mitt manye great imperfections, vvhereof it [...]w [...]th, that wee must profit our selues, by the [Page 150] abiection that hapneth to vs there-vppon. VVe [...] ought also to suff [...]r the dela [...] of our perfection [...]ith patience, allvvaies doing that which wee are abl [...] for our aduancement, and that hartelye, and vvillinglie.

§. 4. O hovv happie are those, vvho liuing i [...] expectation, are not vvearied out vvith expecting this I say for many, who hauing a desire to perfe [...] themselues, by the acquisition of vertues, vvoul [...] haue them all in an instant, as if perfection co [...] sisted in no other thing then to desire it. It vvoul [...] be an exttaordinarie great benefitt, if wee could b [...] humble, euen so soone as wee haue a desire to be so, vvithout further payne▪ we ought to accustom [...] our selues, to examine diligently the successe of ou [...] perfection, according to the ordinarie vvaies, in tr [...] quillitie of hart, doing all that is in our power [...] gayne vertues by the fidelitie that wee shall haue [...] practice them, each one according to her conditio [...] and vocation, and expecting vvith patience the a [...] tayning, soone, or late, the end that vvee preten [...] committing this to the diuine prouidence, wh [...] will haue care to comfort vs, in the time hee ha [...] appointed for it: and if this should I not bee vnt [...] the houre of our death, vvee ought to suffer it, pr [...] uided that we doe our dutye, in performing a [...] waies that which is in our power, wee shall ha [...] soone enough that vvee desire, when that wee sh [...] obteyne it, & that it shall please almighty. God [...] giue it vs. This attending and resignation is mo [...] necessarie for the want there-of hindreth and tro [...] bleth a soule very much▪ wee must bee content [...] knovve that we doe vvell by him vvhō gouerne [...] vs, and not to seeke after feelings, or particul [...] knovvledg: but vvalke as blind, within this pro [...] dence and confidence in God: yea euen in the th [...] kest of desolations, feares, darknes, and all ot [...] [Page 151] kind of crosses, if it please our Lord that wee shall [...]aue them: remayning perfectly abandoned to his [...]ouerment, with out any exception or reseruation [...]hatsoeuer, permitting him to doe all, casting vppō [...]s bounty the vvhole care of bodye and soule, [...]esting also vvholie resigned and immoueable in [...]od, vnder the gouerment of Superiours, hauing [...]o other care then to obey. Now the meanes to [...]bteyne this flexiblenesse to the will of another is [...] prayer to make acts of indifferencye verie often [...]d seriouslie, and then to put them in practice [...]hen occasion shall present it selfe: For it is not [...]nough to cast our selues before God, for so much [...] this being done onely vvith the Imagination, [...]ere is no great matter in it; but when it is to bee [...]erformed in effect, and that comming to giue our [...]lues vvholie to God wee shall find a creature that [...]ill commaund vs, wee shall find a difference, [...]nd heere it is where wee must shewe our courage. [...]his gentlenesse and condescendance to the vvill of [...]ur neigbour is a verie pretious vertue, and resem­ [...]leth much the prayer of vnion: for as this prayer [...] no other thing, then a renouncing of our selues [...] God; when the soule sayeth vvith veritie, I haue [...] other vvill but thine O Lord, then is she wholie [...]nited vnto God; likevvise allwaies renounceing [...]ur vvill to doe that our neighbour desireth, is true [...]ion with our neighbour, and all this must bee [...]ne for the loue of God. It hapneth often that such [...]ersons as are little and vveake, both in bodie and [...]iritt, vvho vvill exercise themselues but in small [...]atters, will doe them vvith such Charitie, that they [...]all farre surpasse the meritt of great and eleuated [...]tions; for ordinarilie these high and great acts are [...]ade with lesse charitie, because of the attention, [...]d of diuers considerations that are made about [...]em. Yet neuerthelesse if a great vvorke bee done [Page 152] vvith as much Charitie, as a little one, vvitho [...] doubt hee shall haue much more meritt and [...] warde that doeth it. In fine, Charitie giueth t [...] prize and vvorth to all our vvorkes, in such manne [...] that all the good that vvee doe, vvee must doe it fo [...] the loue of God; and the euill that vve auoyd, m [...] bee avoyded for the loue of God. The good act [...] ons that vvee doe, vvhich are not particularlie commaunded vs, and vvhich cannot dravve their men from Obedience, it must bee giuen them by Ch [...] ritie, allthough vvee may doe all by Obedienc [...] In breife vvee must haue a good courage, and d [...] pend of God onely, For the Character of the Religious of the Visitation is, to regarde the vvill [...] God in all things and to follovve itt.

§. 5. You haue asked of mee heretofore, if yo [...] may saye particular prayers, I aunsvvere, that to [...] ching those short prayers, that you haue deuotio [...] vnto sometimes, it is not amisse, so that you d [...] not tye your selues vnto them, in such sorte, that they bee not sayed you haue a scruple there-of: [...] that you determine to say euerie day, or during yeare, or a certayne time, some prayer according [...] your fantasye; for this must not bee done; but som [...] times in the time of silence, if vve haue deuotion [...] say an Aue Maris stella, or a Veni Creator, there [...] not any difficultie, but that vvee may say it, and it [...] good, but wee must bee verie warye, that this b [...] done vvithout preiudice of a greater good, as f [...] example, if you haue deuotion before the Bl. Sacr [...] ment, to say three Pater nosters in honour of th [...] Blessed Trinitie, and that you bee called to do some othe [...] thing, you should rise presentlie, an [...] readilie goe to performe that action to the hono [...] of the Blessed Trinitie, in stead of the three Pat [...] nosters: therefore vvee must not prescribe to o [...] selues the making of a certayne number of gen [...] [Page 153] flectiōs, and Iaculatorie prayers, and the like daylie [...]actices, or during any time, vvithout declaring it [...] the Superiour, although we must bee very fayth­ [...]ll in the practice of eleuations, and aspirations to [...]od. Novv if you thinke that it is the Holy spiritt, [...]ho in spireth you to make those kind of exercises [...]u wilbe willing to demaund leaue, yea likevvise [...]ot to performe them, if they vvill not permitt [...]ou, for so much as there is nothing so acceptable as [...]eligious Obediēce. You must not promise a per­ [...]n to say any number of prayers for them: if they [...]aye you to doe it, you must aunsvvere you vvill [...]ke leaue: but if they recommend themselues sim­ [...]ly to your prayers, you may aunfvvere that you [...]ill doe it vvillingly, and euen in the same time [...]ise vp your spiritt to God for that person: euen so [...]kevvise in the Blessed Sacrament, for you may not [...]ommunicate vvithout leaue for any person, this is [...]ot to bee vnderstoode vvhen being readie to re­ [...]eaue our Lord IESV, in the Sacramēt; if there came [...]to your mind the necessitie of any one of your [...]ceinds, or the common necessitie of the people, [...]hat you may not recommend them to God, in sup­ [...]licating him to haue compassion of them. But if [...]ou vvould communicate particularlye for any [...]ing, you must aske leaue, if it bee not for your [...]vvne necessities, as to obteyne streinght against [...]ome tentation, or else to obteyne some vertues of [...]ur Lord, vvho bee euer Blessed. Amen.

THE ELEAVENTH DIS­COVRSE.
VPPON THE SAME SVBIECT O [...] Obedience; Of the vertue of Obedience.

§. 1. THere are three sortes of pious Obedience [...] vvhere-of the first is generall to all Chri­stians, vvhich is the Obedience due to God, and to the Holye Church, in the obseruance of their com­mandementes. The second is Religious Obedience, which is of farre greatter price then the other, be­cause it is not onely tyed to the commaundemētes of God: but subiecteth it selfe to his coūcells. There is a third Obedience, vvhich is this where-of I intēd to speake, as being the most perfect, vvhich is called amorous Obedience: and this is that same, which our Lord hath shevveed vs example of, all the time of his life. The holy Fathers haue giuen to this kind of Obedience many properties and conditions: but among them I vvill choose onely three, vvhere-of the first is, that it is (as they name it) blind: The second, that it is prompt, the third that it is perseue­rant. Blind Obedience hath three properties or con­ditions: The first that it looketh not on the face of the Superiours, but onely on their authoritie; The second that it informeth not it selfe of reasons, nor of the motiues the Superiours haue to commaund such or such a thing, it sufficeth, to knowe, they haue commaunded it; and the third, that it enquireth not the meanes, vvhich it must haue to doe that vvhich is commaunded, being assured that God, by vvhose inspirations the commaundment is made, will also giue abilitie to accomplish it: but in stead of enqui­ring [Page 155] how she shall doe it, she putteth her selfe to it. [...]ligiouse Obedience, the which should bee blind [...]omitteth, her selfe Louingly to doe all that is cō ­ [...]aunded her simply, vvith out euer regarding [...]hether the commaundement be well or ill made, that they who commande haue power to com­ [...]unde, and that the commaundement serue to the [...]niunction of our spiritt with God: for out of it [...]ue Obedience neuer doth any thing. Many are [...]eatly deceaued about this condition of Obediēce, [...]ho haue beleeued, that it consisteth in doing all [...]at should bee commaunded vs, bee it right or [...]rong, weere it euen against the commaunde­ [...]ents of God and Holy church: vvherein they [...]ue greatlye erred, imagining follye in this blind­ [...]s, where there is none: for in all that vvhich con­ [...]rneth the commaundements of God, as the Su­ [...]riours haue neuer any povver to make any com­ [...]aundement contrarie, so likevvise the inferiours [...]uer haue any obligation to obey in such case. For they should Obey therin, they should sinne. Now know verye well, that many haue done things cō ­ [...]arie to the cōmaun̄dements of God by the instinct [...] this Obedience (which will not onelie Obey the [...]mmaundements of God and Superiours, but also [...]eir councells and inclinations) Many haue preci­ [...]tated themselues to death, by a particuler inspira­ [...]on from God, vvhich vvas so strong that they [...]uld in no sorte gaynsaye it: for otherwise it had [...]ene in them a greuous sinne. It is related in the [...]ird booke of the Machabees, that one named Ra­ [...]as vvho being thrust forvvard with an ardēt zeale [...] the Glorie of God, vvent and exposed himselfe [...] blovves vvherof hee knewe hee could not auoy­ [...] vvoundes and death: and feeling himselfe to bee woūded in the breast, hee drewe out all his entrails [...]y this vvound, then hee cast them in the ayre, in [Page 156] the presence of his enimies. Saint Apolonia cast h [...] selfe into the fire which the enimyes of God, and [...] Christian fayth had prepared to put her into, t [...] kill her Sainct Ambrose reporteth the historie [...] three virgines, vvho to auoyde the losse of the chastitie cast themselues into a riuer, and vve [...] drowned in the vvaters, but these had other manner of reasons to doe thus, vvhich vvould be too long to declare in this place. There are diue [...] others, that haue precipitated themselues to death as hee that cast himselfe into a burning fornace: a [...] these examples ought to bee admired not imitate [...] for you knovv sufficiently, that vvee must neuer be [...] so blind, as to thinke to please God by trans­gressing his commaundements.

§. 2. Amorous Obedience presupposeth th [...] vvee bee obedient to the commaundement [...] God, they say that this Obedience is blind, because it obeyeth equally to all Superiours. Al [...] the antient Fathers haue blamed those verye much vvho vvould not submitt themselues to the Obe­dience of those, vvho vvere of lesse qualitie the [...] themselues: Of vvhom they did demaund, vvhe [...] you did obey your Superiours; vvherefore di [...] you doe it? vvas it for the loue of God? nothin [...] so; For hath not this person the same place amōg [...] vs, as the other had? vvithout doubt hee is the vi­car of God, and God by his mouth commaun­deth vs, and causeth vs to vnderstand his vvil [...] by his ordinances, euen as hee did by the mouth of the other. You therefore obey the Superiours because you haue an inclination to them, as for respect of their persons. Alas, Alas! you doe no [...] more then vvorldlings; for they doe the veri [...] same, and not onely obey they the commaunde­ments of those vvhom they loue, but they vvould not esteeme their loue vvell satisfied, [...] [Page 157] they did not follovve as neere as they could their [...]nclinations and affections, euen as the true Obedi­ [...]nt doth tovvardes his superiours as to god him­ [...]elfe. The Panimes, ac vvicked as they vvere, [...]aue shevved vs example of this: for the diuell [...]pake to them in diuers sortes of Idoles, some of [...]hem vvere statues of men, others of Rats, doggs, [...]iones, serpents, and the like things, and these poore poeple did equallie adioyne fayth to all; being as [...]bedient to the statue of a dog, as to that of a man, [...]nd to that of a ratt, as to that of a lion, vvithout [...]ny difference: vvhy did they this? because they [...]id respect their Gods in these statues. Sainct Paul [...]ōmaundeth vs to obey our Superiours allthough [...]hey should be vvicked. Our Lord, Our Ladie, [...]nd Sainct Ioseph haue taught vs very vvell this manner of Obedience, in the voyage they made [...]rom Nazareth to Bethleem: for Cesar hauing [...]ade an edict, that all his subiects should assem­ [...]le to the places vvhere they vvere borne for to [...]ee enrolled, they vvent louingly thither to satisfie [...]is Obedience, although Cesar vvas a Panyme [...]d Idolater. Our Lord vvould shevv by this, that wee neuer ought to regard the face of those [...]ho commaund, prouided they haue povver to [...]ommand.

§. 3. Lett vs novv passe to the second property [...] blind Obedience. After this point is gayned, [...]ot to consider those vvho commaund, but to sub­ [...]itt our selues equally to all sorts of superiours, [...]e may passe further, and come to the second. [...]hich is to obey vvithout consideration of the in­ [...]on or the end vvherefore the commaundement made, contenting her selfe to knovve that it is [...]ade, without consideration, vvhether it bee vvell, [...]ill, or whether they haue reason, or not, to make [Page 158] such or such a commaundement. Abraham became verye recommendable in this Obedience, God cal­led him, and sayed to him, Abraham goe forth of thy country, and from thy kindred, that is to say, out of thy citty, and goe vnto the place, which I will shevve thee. Abraham went without reply. Alas might not hee very vvell haue sayed; Lord tho [...] bidst mee goe out of the citty, tell mee then if tho [...] please by which side I shall goe forth? hee sayed not a vvorde, but vvent his vvay whither the spiritt car­ryed him, not regarding in any sorte, whether hee went well or ill, wherefore, or for what intention. God had giuen him this commaundement so so­daynely, that he had not so much as appointed him the way which hee should take. O! certaynlie tru [...] Obedience maketh no discourse, but setteth it selfe simply to the worke, not inquiring any other thing then to obey. It seemeth that our Lord himself [...] vvould shevv vnto vs, hovv much this kind [...] Obedience vvas acceptable vnto him, when he [...] appeared to Sainct Paul to conuert him; for hauing called him by his name, hee made him fall to th [...] ground, and strooke him blind: doe you not no [...] how to make him his disciple, hee cast him dovvn [...] to humble him, and subiect him to himselfe? then i [...] an instāt hee made him blinde, and cōmaunded him to goe into the citty to seeke out Ananias, and tha [...] hee must doe all that, which hee should commaun [...] him. But vvherefore did not our Lord himselfe tel [...] him what hee shoulde doe, without referring hi [...] to another, since hee had vouchsafed to speake to him for his conuersion? S. Paule did all that vva [...] commaunded. It had cast our Lord nothing to hau [...] tould him himselfe, that which hee caused A nam [...] to doe: but hee vvould that vvee should knovve [...] this example, how much hee loueth blind Obedience since that it seemeth, hee had not made Sain [...] [Page 159] Pa [...]nd, but to become trulie Obedient. VVhen our [...]ord gaue sight to the man borne blind, hee made [...]ay, and put it vpon his eis, commaunding him to [...]e wash in the fountayne of Silo. Might not this [...]ore blind man haue bene amazed at the meanes, [...]here of our Lord made vse to heale him, & say [...]o him; Alas; what will you haue mee to doe, if weere not blind, this weere enough to make mee [...]ose my sight? Hee made none of all these consi­ [...]rations, but obeyed simply: euē so the true Obe­ [...]ent, beleeue simply they can doe all that any a commaund them, because they hould that all [...]e cōmaundements come from God, or are made [...] his inspiration, the which cannot bee impossible [...] reason of the power of him who commaundeth. [...]aiman the Syrian, did not the like, vvhereby hee [...]posed himselfe to danger: for being a leaper, hee [...]ent to finde out Eliseus to heale him, because [...]t all the remedies, that hee had made vse of to [...]ouer his former health, did serue him to no pur­ [...]se. Hearing that Eliseus did worke great mer­ [...]les, hee went vnto him, and being arriued, hee [...]t vnto him, one of his seruantes, to beseech him bee pleased to cure him. VVherevppon Eliseus [...] comming forth of his chamber, sent him a mes­ [...] by his seruant, that hee should vvash himselfe [...]uen times in sordayne and bee healed. At this [...]swer Naiman begā to bee displeased, and sayed: [...]e there not as good vvaters in our country as [...]se are of the Riuer of Iordan? and he vvould not [...]e thether: But his followers did shewe vnto him thee should doe well to doe as the Prophett en­ [...]ned him, since it was so easie a thing. Hee being [...]swaded by their wordes, vvashed seauen times [...] was healed. You see hee put himselfe, in danger [...] to recouer his health, by making so many con­ [...]ratious vppon that vvhich vvas commaunded.

[Page 160]§. 4. The third propertie of blind Obedience [...] that she cōsidereth not, nor enquireth not so much by vvhat meanes she shalbe able to doe that vvhich is cōmaūded her. She knoweth that the way whe [...] by she ought to goe is the Rule of Religion, and th [...] cōmaundements of superiours, she taketh this wa [...] in simplicitye of hart, vvithout exception, whe [...] it were better to doe so, or so prouided that [...] obey all equallye: for she knoweth verye well, th [...] this sufficeth to bee acceptable to God, for vvho [...] loue she obeyth purely & simply. The second condition of louing Obedience is, that it is promp [...] Now promptitude of Obediēnce hath allwaies be [...] recomended to the Religious, as a most necessari [...] peece to obey well, & perfectly to obserue th [...] which they haue vowed to God. This was the to [...] that Eliezer tooke to knovve the virgin▪ that Go [...] had ordayned to bee the spouse of his Masters sōn [...] Hee sayed to himselfe, the virgin of vvhome I sha [...] demaund drinke, and she shall aunswere mee, I [...] not onely giue you, but furthermore I will dra [...] water for your camells, by this I shall knowe h [...] to bee a vvorthy spouse for the sōne of my Maiste [...] and as he thought vppon this, hee sawe a farre [...] the fayre Rebecca: Eliezer seing her so fayre and gratious; drevve neere the well, where she sho [...] drawe water for her sheepe, hee made his demaū [...] and the damsell aunswered, according to his desig [...] yeas, sayed she, not onely to you, but to your [...] mells also. Marke I pray you hovv readie and gr [...] tious she was, she did not spare her labour but w [...] verye liberall thereof: for she did not faile to draw water for so many camells as Eliezer brought [...] him, vvhich vvould require much water▪ O! Tr [...] the Obediences that are performed in an [...] man are not acceptable. There are some vvho obey, [...] it is with so much lazines and so frovvarde a contenance, [Page 161] that they diminish very much the meritt of [...]is vertue. Charitie and Obedience haue such vniō [...]gether, that rhey cānot bee separated. Loue mak­ [...]h vs to obey readilie; For hovv difficult soeuer the [...]ing bee that is cōmaūded, hee who hath amorous [...]bedience, vndertaketh it louingly: for Obedience [...]ing a principall part of humilitye, vvhich excee­ [...]ngly loueth submission, consequentlie a sister [...]uelie Obedient loueth the commaundement: and [...]erceauing it a farre of, vvhatsoeuer it may bee, [...]hether it may bee according to her gust or not, she [...]braceth it, houldeth it deare, and cherisheth it tē ­ [...]erlie. There is in the life of Sainct Pachome, an [...]ample of this promptitude of Obedience, that I [...]ill tell you: Amongst the Religious of Saint Pa­ [...]ome, there was one called Ionas, a man of great [...]ertue, and sāctitie, who had the charge of the gardē, [...]herein hee had a figg Tree, that did be are verye [...]yre figgs. Now this figg Tree did serue for a tē ­tatiō to the young Religious, for euerie time they [...]assed neere vnto it, they allvvaies cast their eyes on [...]e figges. Saint Pachome hauing noted it, walking [...]e day through the garden, looking towardes [...]e figg Tree, savve the diuell on the topp, vvho [...]evved the figgs from the topp to the bottome, as [...]e Religious did from the bottome to the topp. [...]his great Saint vvho did no lesse desire to direct is Religious to a totall mortification of their [...]nces, then to the interiour mortification of their [...]assions & inclinations, called Ionas, and com­ [...]aunded him, that the next morning hee should [...]ot faile to cutt dovvne the figg Tree, vvhereto [...]e good man replyed, Ah; My Father, these [...]oung people must bee a little supported, they [...]ust bee recreated in some thing, it is not for [...]ee that I desire to keepe it. VVhereto the Fa­ [...]er aunsvvered verie svveetlie; My Brother, you [Page 162] vvil not obey simply and readilye; vvhat vvill yo [...] saye, that the tree shalbe more obedient then you the vvhich hapned: for the next morning they foū [...] the Tree dry and without sap, & neuer bare mo [...] fruite. The Good Ionas did say verie truelie, that [...] was not for himse [...]fe that hee vvould keepe th [...] Tree, for they noted, that from 75. yeares that h [...] had liued in Re [...]gion, and was gardiner, hee neue [...] had tasted any fruit of his garden, but hee was very liberall to his Brethrē; but heerby hee learned ho [...] commendable prompt obedience vvas. Our Lor [...] hath giuen vs continuall examples all the time o [...] his life, of this promptitude in Obedience; for the [...] could not bee any thing found so pliable and prōp [...] as hee was to the vvill of euerie one, and accordin [...] to his example wee must earne to bee verie prōp [...] in Obedience; For it sufficeth nor the amorous ha [...] to doe that is commaunded, or that vvhich othe [...] make shewe to desire of him: if hee doe it not prō ­ptlie, hee cannot see the houre come soone enoug [...] for to accomplish what is ordayned, to the end the [...] may of nevv commaunde him some other thing Dauid did but onely desire to drinke of the Cestern [...] of Bethleem, and instantly three valiant Warriours departed inclining themselues, and crosse [...] through the armie of the enimies to gett it for him▪ They weare exceeding readie to follovv the desir [...] of the king: euē so vvee see that innumerable saint [...] haue done to follovve, as it appeared to them, th [...] inclinations and desires that the king of kings ou [...] Lord IESVS had. VVat commaundement I beseech you did our Lord make, that might oblige Sainct [...] Katherin of Siēna, to drinke or licke vvith her toug [...] the filth vvhich came forth of the wound, of tha [...] poore woman whom she did serue? and Lewi [...] king of France to eate vvith the leapers, to encou­rage them to eate? certaynelie they weere not any [Page 163] waies obliged to this, but knowing our Lord did [...]ue it, and had demonstrated his inclination to the [...]ue of our proper abiectiō; they thought in doing [...] such things to gratifie him, by following his in­ [...]nation, with verye great loue, (a [...]lthough it weere [...]rie repugnant to their sence). VVe are obliged to [...]pe our neighbour whē hee is in extreeme neces­ [...]ie: neuerthelesse because almes is a coun [...]ell of [...]r Lord, many willingly giue almes, as much as [...]eir meanes vvill permitt them. Novv vppon this [...]bedience to the councells amorouse Obedience [...]grafted, vvich maketh vs enterprise to follovv [...]ecisely euerie point of the desires, and intentions [...] God, and our superiours.

§. 5. But I must aduertise you heere, of one de­ [...]ate, into vvhich vvee may fall. For if those that [...]ould vndertake the practice of this vertue verie [...]actlie, vvould allvvaies keepe themselues atten­ [...]ue, thereby to knovve the desires and inclinations [...] their Superiours, or God, they should loose their [...]me infallibly; as for example, vvhilest I should [...]quire vvhat is the desire of God: I should not [...]ifie my selfe in keeping my repose & tranquillitie [...] being neere him, which is the desire hee hath [...]ow, since hee hath not giuen mee any other thing [...] doe: euen as hee who to followe the inclination, [...]at our Lord hath manifested of succouring the [...]oore, vvould goe from towne to towne to seeke [...]em, vvho knovveth not that whiles he is in one, [...]ee shall not serue those that are in another? I [...]ust goe to this busines in simplicitie of hart, gi­ [...]ing my almes vvhen I shall meete vvith the occa­ [...]on, and not goe musing through the streats, from [...]ouse to house, to enquire, if there bee any poore [...]at I knowe not of: likevvise vvhen I perceaue the [...]periour desireth something of mee, I must yeald [...]y selfe readie to doe it, not sifting vp and dovvne, [Page 164] if I may bee able to knovve that she hath some i [...] clinatiō that I doe some other thing for this wou [...] take away the peace and tranquillitie of ha [...] vvhich is the principall fruite of Louing Obed [...] ence.

§. 6. The third condition of Obedience is pers [...] uerance. Now our Lord hath taught vs this v [...] rye particularlye; as sainct Paul declareth in the termes; Hee hath beene made Obedient vntill dea [...] and magnifying this Obedience vnto death, th [...] death of the crosse sayeth hee: In these wordes, vntill death, is presupposed, that hee had bene Obedient all the dayes of his life: during the vvhich the [...] vvas no other thing seene then the traces of Obedience yealded by him, asvvell to his parents, as t [...] many others, yea likevvise to the vvicked an [...] impious; and as hee did begin by this vertue he [...] did likevvise end therevvith the course of th [...] morta [...]l life. The good Religious man Iona [...] hath furnished vs vvith tvvo examples about thi [...] subiect of perseuerance, and allthough hee did no [...] so promptlye obey the commaundement that Sain [...] Pachome gaue him, hee vvas notvvitstanding [...] Religious of great perfection, for from the tim [...] that hee entred into Religion vntill his death, he [...] continued in the Office of gardener vvithou [...] euer changing it, during Sixtie fiue yeares tha [...] hee liued in that Monasterie; and the other exer­cise, vvherein hee did perseuere all his life tim [...] (as I haue before sayed) vvas to make▪ matts o [...] bu [...]ruhes, interlaced vvith leaues of Palmes; so that hee dyed making of them. This is verie grea [...] vertue to perseuere so long in such an exercise▪ for to doe a thing ioyfully that is commaunded for one time, as often as they vvill▪ this costs no [...] thing: But vvhen one shall say to you▪ you shall [Page 165] allvvaies doe this, all the time of your life; heere [...]is vvhere vertue shineth or vvherin the diffi­ [...]ltie lieth. Consider then vvhat I haue sayed to [...]u touching Obedience, but yett one worde [...]ore. Obedience is of so great vvorth, that she [...] companion to Charitie, and these tvvo vertues [...] those that giue the prize & vvorth to all the [...]hers; in such sort that vvithout them, all the [...]hers are nothing: if you haue not these tvvo [...]rtues, you haue no vertue at all: if you haue these, [...]u haue vvith them all the other vertues.

§. 7. But lett vs passe further, and leauing apart [...]e generall Obedience to the commaundments of [...]od, lett vs speake of Religious Obedience. I say [...]en if the Religious obey not: they shall neuer [...]ue any vertue; For it is Obedience principallie [...]t maketh vs Religious, as being the proper and [...]culier vertue of Religion: yea, euen to haue the [...]sire of martirdome for the loue of God is no­ [...]ing, if you haue not Obedience. VVe read [...] the life of Sainct Pachome, that one of his Reli­ [...]ous, (vvho all the time of his Nouitiat had per­ [...]ered in exemplar submission and humilitie) ca­ [...] to Saint Pachome transported vvith great fer­ [...]ur, and sayed to him; that hee had a verye [...]at desire of martyrdome, and that hee should [...]uer bee sattiffyed vntill hee did attayne it; and [...]sought him very humbly, that hee vvould praye [...] God that it might bee accomplished. The [...]oly Father endeauored to moderate this feruour; [...]t the more that hee did saye, the more hott the [...]her vvas in the pursuite of his desire: The Saint [...]ed to him; My sonne, it is more vvorthe to [...]e in Obedience, and to dye euerie day liuing, [...] a continuall mortification of a mans [...] selfe, [...] to mart [...] our selues in our imagination: Hee [...]th a good Mart [...] vvho mortifieth himselfe [Page 166] vvell; it is a greater martirdome to perseuere a [...] mās life in Obediēce, then to dye vvith one str [...] of a svvorde. Liue in peace, My sonne, and qu [...] your spiritt, diuerting it from this desire. The Re [...] gious who assured himselfe that his desire procee [...] ed from the Holy Ghost, abated nothing at all his he at, continually soliciting the Father that [...] would praye, that his desire might bee fullfill▪ After some shorte time, they had nevves proper [...] his consolation; For a certayne Saracene a capta [...] of theeues, came to a Mountayne neere to the M [...] nasterie: wherevppon Sainct Pachome called [...] Monke to him, and sayed to him, well my so [...] the houre is come that you haue so much desir [...] goe in good time to cut vvood in the mountay [...] The Religious being wholie replenished vvith [...] went his vvay chanting and singing psalmes to [...] praise of God, and giuing thankes vnto him, [...] hee had vouchsafed to doe him the honour, a [...] giue him this occasion to die for his loue▪ in f [...] hee thought of nothing lesse, then that the succ [...] vvould fall out as it did. Novv behould so soone those theeues had perceaued him, they came [...] wardes him, and began to laye hould of him and threaten him; for a while hee vvas verye vali [...] Thou art dead, sayed they; I demaūd no other th [...] sayed hee then to dye for God, and the like an [...] wers. The Saracēs led him to the place vvhere t [...] Idoll was, to make him adore it; vvhen they sa [...] that hee did constantlie refuse it, they began to [...] themselues vppon him to kill him. Alas; this po [...] Religious man, so valiant in his owne imaginati [...] seeing the blade at his throate; Ah, of pittie sayed [...] doe not kill mee, I vvill doe all that you desire mee, I am yet yoūg take pittie on mee, it would [...] a great losse to shortē my dayes. In fine, hee ad [...] their Idoll, and these miscreants mocking [...] [Page 167] beating him soundlye, left him to retourne to his [...]onasterie. VVhere being arriued more dead then [...]ue, all pale and gastlie, Sainct Pachome, vvho was [...]ne forth to meete him, sayed to him: well my [...]nne, hovv goeth it, and and vvho is hee that hath [...]us vsed you? Then the poore Religious ashamed [...]d confused in himselfe, because hee had had so [...]eat Pride, vvas not able to support himselfe. [...]ing hee had commited so haynous a crime, but [...]ting himselfe before the Father confessed it, [...]hom the Father readilye did helpe, causing the [...]ethren to pray for him, and making him aske par­ [...]n of God, putt him in good estate, and then gaue [...]m good aduertisments, saying: My sonne, remem­ [...] thy selfe, that it is more vvorth to haue good [...]sires to liue according to the communitie, and to [...]ue no other vvill, then fidelitie in obseruance of [...] Rules, not enterprising, nor desiring any other [...]ng, then that which is contayned in them. then haue great desires to put in execution imaginarie [...]eruailes, vvhich are good for no other thing, then [...] make our hartes svvell with pride, and to cause [...] to despise others, esteeming our selues better thē [...]ey. O hovv good it is to liue vnder the shelter of [...]oly Obedience, rather then to retire our selues [...]t of her armes, to seeke for that which seemeth [...]ore perfect vnto vs: if thou vvouldest haue bene [...]ntēt to doe as I aduised thee, to mortifie thy selfe [...]ing, then thou vvouldest haue desired nothing [...]se then death, & shouldest not haue fallen as now [...]ou hast done: but bee of good courage, and re­ [...]ember henceforth to liue in submission, and as­ [...]e thy selfe that God hath pardoned thee. Hee [...]eyed the councell of the saint, comporting him­ [...]e vvith much more humilitie all the time of his [...].

§. 8. I say yet furthermore, that Obedience is [Page 168] of no lesse meritt thē Charitie; for to giue a cupp [...] water for Charitie is vvorth the kindome of hea [...] our Lord himselfe hath sayed it; doing so much f [...] Obedience you vvill gayne the same: The ver [...] least thing done for Obedience is most acceptab [...] to God: eate for Obedience, your eating is mo [...] pleasing to God; then the fasts of Anchoritts, if th [...] bee done without Obedience; if you rest by Obed [...] ence, your repose is much more meritorious, a [...] acceptable to God, then voluntarie labour: but y [...] will say to mee, what profitt shall come to mee f [...] practiceing this louing Obedience so exactly vv [...] the foresayed conditions; blindlie, promptlye, a [...] perseuerantlie? O my deare Daughthers! the pe [...] son that vvill performe it, shall enioy in his so [...] continuall tranquillitye, and the most holie pea [...] of our Lord vvhich surpasseth all vnderstandi [...] Hee shril haue no account to render of his actio [...] since they haue all bene exercised by Obedien [...] as vvell touching the Rules, as the Superiours w [...] happines more profitable and desirable then th [...] Certaynely the true Obedient (speaking this by t [...] way) loueth hir Rules, honoureth thē, and esteeme them dearely; as the true vvay wherein hee oug [...] to walke to the vnion of his spiritt vvith God: T [...] refore hee neuer departeth from this vvaye, nor f [...] the obseruance of those things that are appoint [...] therein in forme of direction, no more then fro [...] those that are there commaunded.

The soule truelie Obedient shall liue as svvet [...] and peaceably as a childe vvho is in the armes of deare mother, vvho troubleth not himselfe vv [...] that vvhich may happen: whether the Mother c [...] rie him on the right hand, or on the left, hee tak [...] no care; euen so the true Obedient, lett them co [...] maund him this, or that, hee troubleth not himse [...] prouided that they commaund him, and hee [...] [Page 169] allvvaies betwene the armes of Obedience (I would [...]ay in the exercise of Obedience) his content. Now to such a one, I may very well assure on the art of God the Paradice of eternall life; as also dure­ [...]g the course of this mortall life hee shall enioy [...]ue tranquillitie, for it cannot bee doubted.

§. 9. Now you demaund, if you bee obliged [...]n payne of sinne to doe all that the Superiours tell [...]ou; you must doe as when you render account; if [...]ou must hould for a commaundement all that the [...]uperiour hath sayed to you, vvhich is proper for [...]our aduancement; O no, my Daughter, Superiours [...]o more then confessours haue not intention all­ [...]aies to oblige the inferiours by the commaunde­ments they make, & vvhen they will doe it, they [...]e that vvorde of commaundement, vppon payne [...]f disobediēce, and then the inferiours are obliged [...] obey vnder payne of sinne, allthough the com­ [...]aundement vvere verie light, and the thing but [...]tle: but othervvise not: for they giue aduise in [...]ree sortes, some by forme of commaundement, [...]thers by vvay of councell, and others by way of [...]mple direction: In the Cōstitutions & Rules it is [...]en the verie same, for their are articles that say: [...]he sisters may doe such a thing: and others that [...]ye, they shall doe itt, or take heede they doe it not: [...]me of these are councells, and others commaun­ [...]ments, those vvho vvould not subiect themselues [...] the councells and direction, they should trans­ [...]esse against louing Obedience, and this should [...]ittnesse in them great remisnesse of hart, and [...]f hauing verie little of the of God: to doe but [...]nelie that which is commaunded, and no more: [...]d allthough they doe not transgresse the Obedi­ [...]ce that they haue vovved, vvhich are those of cō ­ [...]aundements, and councells vvhen they are not [...]biect vnto direction, neuerthelesse they trangresse [Page 170] louing Obedience, vvhich all the Religious of th [...] Visitation ought to pretend and practice.

§. 10. You aske me if a person might not verye well thinke, vvhen they chāge your Superiou [...] that she is not so capable, as the other you haue ha [...] and that she hath not so much knovvledg of t [...] way, whereby she ought to guid you, Certayne vvee are not able to hinder our thoughts; but to r [...] solue or abide in thē, this is that vvhich vvee oug [...] not to doe; For if Balaam vvas so vvell instruct [...] by an asse, vvith much more reason ought vvee beleeue, that God, vvho hath giuē vs this Superio [...] vvill cause her to teach vs according to his vvill, [...] though it may bee not according to our will. O [...] Lord hath promised that the true obedient pers [...] shall neuer erre. No truelie, the person vvho ve [...] follovv indistinctlye the vvill and direction of t [...] Superiours whom God shall establish ouer him, [...] though the Superiours vvere neuer so ignora [...] and did leade their inferiours according to th [...] ignorance, yea through rugged and dāgerous wa [...] the inferiours submitting thēselues, to all that is [...] manifestlie sinne, nor against the commaundem [...] of God, and the Holie church, I can assure you [...] they shall neuer erre. The true obedient pers [...] sayeth the holye scripture, shall speake of victor [...] that is to saye, hee shall become victorious, in difficulties through vvhich hee shalbe carried Obedience, and shall come forth of the vva [...] through vvhich hee did enter by Obedience, w [...] honour, hovv dangerous soeuer they may bee should be a pretty kind of Obedience, if [...] vvould not obey, but those Superiours vvho sho [...] be pleasing to vs: If this day you haue a Superi [...] of great esteeme, asvvell for her quallitie, as for vertues, you willinglie obey vvith a good hart▪ morrovv you shall haue another, vvho will not [Page 171] [...] much esteemed, ād you doe not obey her with so [...]ood a hart as the other, yealding her the like Obe­ [...]ience, not esteeming so much, that vvhich she [...]yeth to you, nor performing your dutye vvith [...]at satisfaction. Ah! vvho seeth not, that you did [...]bey the other out of your inclinations and not [...]urelie for God: for if it were so, you should haue [...] much pleasure, and make as great esteeme, of [...]at vvhich this telleth you, as you did of that [...]hich the other did saye. I haue oftē vsed to speake [...]ne thing, that is good allvvaies to bee spoken of: [...]ecause it ought allvvaies to bee obserued, to vvitt: [...]hat all our actions ought to bee practiced accor­ [...]ing to the superiour part: for it is so that vvee must [...]ue in this house, and not according to our sences, [...]d inclinatiōs. VVhithout doubt I shall haue more [...]ttisfactiō, touching the inferiour part of my soule [...] doe that vvhich one superiour to vvhome I haue [...]n inclination, shall cōmaund mee; then to doe that [...]nother biddeth mee, to vvhome I haue it not: but [...] I doe obey equallie touching the superiour part, sufficeth, and my Obedience is vvorth more, whē haue lesse content in doing it, for heerein vvee [...]hevve it is for God, and not for our pleasure that [...]ee doe obey: There is nothing more common in [...]e world, then in this manner to obey those vvee [...]ue: but for the other, it is exceeding rare, and not [...]racticed but in Religion. But it may bee you will [...]y, Is it not permitted to disapproue that vvhich [...]is Superiour doeth, nor to speake, or consider [...]herefore she maketh these ordinances, vvhich the [...]ther did not? O truly no, neuer my deare daugh­ [...]ers, so that it bee not manifestlie against the com­ [...]aundements of God: for then wee must neither [...]bey nor approuue it: but in vvhatsoeuer else, the [...]nferiours ought allwaies to make their proper [...]dgmēt to beleeue and cōfesse, that the Superiours [Page 172] doe verie well, and that they haue good reason doe it: she that should doe othervvise, should n [...] her selfe Superiour, ād the Superiour her inferio [...] sinces hee maketh herselfe examiner of her cau [...] No, wee must bovve our shoulders vnder the b [...] then of holie obedience, beleeuing that both th [...] Superiours haue had good reason to make the [...] maundements they haue done, although differe [...] and contrarie the one to the other.

§. 11. But shall it not bee lavvefull for one t [...] hath allreadie liued long in Religiō, and vvho h [...] done great seruices therein; to withdrawe hers [...] a little from obedience, at least in some small [...] ter? O good God! what should this bee, but to [...] as a Maister Pilot, vvho hauing brought his ba [...] to the hauē, after hee had long & painfullie labou [...] to saue it frō the rageing waues of the sea, would the end, being arriued in the hauē, breake his shi [...] and cast himselfe into the sea; should not one in [...] rightlie that hee vvere a foole? For if he had tēded this hee needed not to haue laboured so m [...] to haue brought his barque within the hauen.

The Religious man vvho hath begun, hath [...] done all, if hee doe not perseuere vnto the ende, must not say, that it appertayneth but to Nouices bee so exact; although that wee see ordinarili [...] all Religions, the nouices verye exact & mortifi [...] It is not that they bee more obliged then the P [...] fessed; O no; for they are not obliged as yet a thing at all; but they perseuere in obedience, fo [...] attayne the grace of Profession. But the Profest obliged therevnto in vertue of the vowes they h [...] made, vvhich hauing done, it is not sufficient to [...] Religious, if they obserue them not. The Religi [...] vvho thinketh she may bee remisse in any th [...] after her Profession, yea after she hath liued a l [...] time in Religion, deceaueth her selfe exceeding [Page 173] [...]r Lord shevved himselfe mu [...]h more exact in death, then in his infancye, permitting himselfe [...]ee handled, and vsed as I haue sayed, and this is [...]ugh of obedience, for to vvinne your affection [...]revnto.

12. It resteth onely to speake a word touching question was made to mee yesterday in the euē ­ [...] to witt, if it bee lavvfull for the sisters to tell [...] an other, that they haue bene mortified by the [...]eriour, or Maistresse of Nouices vppō any oc­ [...]on? I aunsvvere, this may be spoken of, in three [...]es; The first is, that a sister may say: good God! [...]r, our Mother knoweth verie well how to mor­ [...] mee; being verie glad, because she hath bene [...]rthy of this mortification, and because the Supe­ [...]r by this meanes hath caused some little gayne [...]er soule; saying she had good reason so to doe, [...] not to spare mee. Therby imparting her con­ [...] to her sister, to the ende that she assist her to [...]ake God: The second manner in vvhich one [...] speake; is to disburdē her selfe; finding the mor­ [...]atiō or correctiō to bee verie heauie, she goeth [...]ischarge it vppō her sister to whome she impar­ [...] it, who bemoaning her, litghtneth in some sort trouble: ād this māner is not alltogether so sup­ [...]able as the first, because they cōmitt an imperfe­ [...] to cōplayne: but the third should bee absolute­ [...] [...]aught, to witt, to speake by way of murmu­ [...]ō and dispite, and to make it knowē that the Su­ [...]our hath done wronge. Now, as for this kind, I we verie well they doe it not in this house by grace of God: of the first kind although it bee [...] euill to speake, it should be notvvitstanding [...]e good not to speake, but rather to exercise [...]n selues internallie and reioyce vvith God. In second manner truelye it must not bee done, [...]y meanes of our complayning, wee loose [Page 174] the meritt of mortifcation. Doe you knovve wh [...] must bee done, when we are corrected and mort [...] fied? wee must take this mortification as an appl [...] of loue, and hide it in our hart, kissing it and cher [...] shing it the most tenderlye that is possible for [...] Furthermore, to saye, I come from speaking vvi [...] our mother, and I am as dry as I vvas before; I s [...] there is no other course but to adhere to God: F [...] my part I receaue not any consolation from cre [...] tures, I haue bene lesse comforted then I vvas; th [...] is not to the purpose. The sister to vvhome s [...] speaketh this, should aunsvvere verie gently: [...] deare sister, if you were so vvell vnited to God, you say you must be, before you goe to speake t [...] our mother, then you vvould not haue any disco [...] tent, because she hath not comforted you. But [...] the sence you speake of, that one must endeauour [...] vnite herse [...]fe to God, take heede that in seeki [...] God when creatures faile, hee permitt not himse [...] so to bee found: For hee vvil bee fought before [...] things, and in the contempt of all things; Becau [...] creatures doe not contēt mee, I vvill seeke the cre [...] tor; O no, The Creator doth deserue that I forsa [...] all for him, euen as his vvill is, that wee should do▪ Therefore vvhen vvee depart from the Superio [...] full of ariditye, not hauing receaued one on [...] dropp of consolation, of necessitie wee must be [...] our ariditie and drinesse as a pretious balme, ma [...] of the affections that weē haue receaued in ho [...] prayer, as balme, I say; and lett vs bee very caref [...] not to spill any part of this pretious liquor, whi [...] hath bene sent vs from heauen as a noble gift, to [...] end wee may perfume our hart, vvith the depri [...] tion of consolation, vvhich vvee thought to me [...] with, in the vvordes of the Superiour. But there a thing to bee noted vppon this subiect; vvhich this, diuers times you carrie a dry and hard ha [...] [Page 175] vvhen you goe to speake to your Superiour, which [...]nnot bee capable to bee vvatered, or moistned [...]ith the vvater of consolation, for so much as it is [...]ot susceptible, nor able to receaue vvhat the Supe­ [...]our sayeth: and although she speake verie well [...]ccording to your necessitie: notvvitstanding it see­ [...]eth not so to you. At another time whē you shall [...]aue a tender and well disposed hart, she shall not [...]eake aboue three or four vvords, much lesse pro­ [...]table for your perfection, then the other vvere, [...]ut shall comfort you: and vvherefore? because [...]our hart vvas disposed for it. It seemeth to you [...]at Superiours haue consolation vppon the top of [...]eir lipps, and that they can povvre it forth easilye [...]to the harts of vvhom they please which neuer­ [...]elesse is not so: for they cannot allvvaies bee of [...]ne humour, no more then others: happie is that [...]erson that can keepe equallitie of hart, in the thrōg [...]f all this inequallity of successes: one vvhile vvee [...]halbe comforted, a little time after wee shall haue dry hart, in such sort that it will cost vs extreme care to produce a word of comfort.

§. 13. Further you demaunded of mee, vvhat [...] had to say to you touching some exercise proper [...]o kill selfe iudgment; to vvhich I aunsvvere, that it [...] best, faythfully to abridge it from all sortes of dis­ [...]ourse, wherein it will become maister, making it [...]o knovve that it is but the seruant. For, my deare Daughters, it is by reiterared acts that wee gayne [...]ertues; allthough there haue bene some soules, to [...]vhom God hath giuen them all in an instāt. There­ [...]ore vvhen you find in youre selfe a suggestion to [...]udge, vvhether a thing bee vvell or ill ordayned, [...]utt of the discourse of your ovvne iudgment: and a [...]ttle after vvhen one shall say to you, that such a [...]hing must be done in such a manner, doe not stu­ [...]ye to discourse or discerne, if it vvould bee better [Page 178] othervvise: but make your proper iudgment to be confident, that it could neuer bee done, then in th [...] manner that they haue tould you. If they appoin [...] you any exercise, permitt not your iudgment t [...] discerne, whether it bee proper for you, or not; an [...] bee warie, for although you doe the thing, eue [...] as it is commaunded, proper iudgment verie ofte [...] obeyeth not, I vvould say, submiteth not it self [...] For it approueth not of the commaundement, th [...] vvhich is ordinarilie the cause of the repugnance [...] that wee haue, to submitt our selues to doe th [...] vvhich is desired of vs, because the vnderstandin [...] and the iudgment represent to the will, that thi [...] ought not to bee so, or, that other meanes must be vsed, to doe that vvhich they ordayned, then thos [...] that are appointed vs, and she cannot submitt he [...] selfe, for so much as she allvvaies maketh mo [...] account of the reasons, that proper iudgment sh [...] vveth her, then of any other; For euerie one b [...] leeueth his ovvne iudgment is the best, I neue [...] mett vvith any vvho did not esteeme his iudgment, but tvvo, vvho did confesse to mee, that they ha [...] not any iudgment: and the one comming to me [...] at a time, sayed: Sir, I pray you speake some wha [...] to me of such a matter, for I haue not iudgmen [...] enough to comprehend it; This did astonish me [...] verie much. VVee haue in our age a verye remark­able example, of the mortification of prope [...] iudgment in a great doctour, a man of great re­novvne, vvho composed a booke that hee intitu­led Of Dispensations and commaundement, th [...] which booke falling into the hands of the Pope [...] hee iudged that it cōtayned some erronious propo­sitiōs; and did write to this Doctour, that hee should raze thē out of his booke. This Doctour receauing the cōmaundement, submitted his iudgmēt so abso­lutelie, that hee vvould not cleare, nor explaine hi [...] [Page 179] vvoorke, to iustifie himselfe, but contrarivvise be­ [...]ed hee had done amisse, and that hee was de­ [...]ed by his ovvne iudgment, and going vp into a [...]pitt, hee read alovvde the letter that the Pope [...] written, tooke the booke and rent it in peeces, [...]ng vvhith a lovvde voice, that the Pope in iudg­ [...] this fact, had iudged very well, and that hee did [...]roue with all his hart the Censure, and Fatherlie [...]rection that he had vouchsafed to giue him, as [...]ng most iust and svveete to him, who did deserue bee rigorouslie punished, and that hee vvas [...]ch astonished that hee had bene so blinded, as to [...] deceaued by his ovvne iudgment, in a thing so [...]nifestly wicked. Hee was in noe sort obliged to [...] this, beeause the Pope did not commaund it; but [...]ly that hee should raze out of his booke cer­ [...]e things that did not seeme good: For (vvhich [...]erie remarkable) it vvas not hereticall, nor so [...]nifestly erroneus, that it might not bee defēded. [...]e gaue testimonie of great vertue in this occasiō, [...] an admirable mortification of proper iudg­ [...]nt. VVee mortifie verie often our sences, be­ [...]fe selfe-will intrudeth it selfe to mortifie thē; and [...]ould bee a shamefull thing to shewe ones selfe [...]borne in obedienee: what would they say of vs? [...] in proper iudgment, verye rarelie, are any foūd [...]ell mortified. For to approue that vvhich is com­ [...]unded, to bee good, to loue and esteeme it as a [...]ng which is good and profitable for vs aboue all [...]er things; O this is that wherein Iudgmēt is foūd [...]kward and stubborne. For there are many who [...] I will willinglie doe that you desire; but I see [...]ll it would bee better otherwise. Alas! vvhat doe [...]u, if you nourish your iudgment in this manner? [...]thout doubt it will make you drūke: for there is no [...]ferēce betweene a drunkē person, and hee who is [...] of his owne iudgmēt. Dauid one day being in the [Page 178] country vvhich his souldiers wearyed, & tyred [...] vvith famine, not hauing any thing leaft vvhere­to eate, hee sent to the husband of Abigaill for [...] ctualls: by ill happ this poore man was drunke, a [...] talking like a drunkard sayed; Dauid after hee h [...] eatten vp all his robberies, hath sent to m [...] house ruine it as hee hath done other places. And so wo [...] not giue him any thing. Liue God, sayed Dauid will repaye the not acknovvledgment, of the go [...] that I haue done to this man in sauing his flock and not permitting that any thing of his should [...] rish, nor any harme befall him. Abigaill vnd [...] standing the designe of Dauid, the next morn [...] went to meete him, vvith presents to appease hi [...] vsing these tearmes: My Lord vvhat vvill you [...] to a foole? yesterday my husband vvas drunke, [...] spake wickeldlye, but hee spake in drinke and a foole; Sir lett your anger bee appeased, and lay [...] your hands vppon him; For you vvilbe sory, to na [...] layed your hands vppon a foole. The same exc [...] may bee made of our iudgment, as of a drunkē p [...] son; for the one is no more capable of reason t [...] the other. VVee must therfore haue a very gr [...] care to hinder the making of these consideratio [...] to the end wee bee not drunke with the reasons proper iudgment, principallie in that vvhich co [...] cerneth obedience.

In fine you desire to knovve, if you oug [...] to haue a great confidence, and care to aduert [...] one an other in charitie, of your defects. Y [...] without doubt, my Daughter, this must bee do [...] for to what purpose doe you see a defect in y [...] sister if you endeuour not to take it away by [...] meanes of an aduertisment; Neuerthelesse you m [...] bee discreete in this busines, for it will bee no ti [...] to aduertise a sister, vvhiles you see her indispos [...] or troubled vvith melancholie: for if you mak [...] [Page 179] thē, she will bee in danger to reiect the aduertismēt, the first onsett. You must expect a vvhile, and [...]en aduertise her in confidence and Charitie. If sister speake vvordes to you, that sauour of mur­ [...]uration, and that othervvise she haue her hart [...]uiet, vvithout doubt you may say vnto her con­ [...]dentlye, verilie sister this is not vvell done; but [...] you perceaue she hath some passion moued in [...]er hart; then the discourse must bee changed the [...]ost dexterousl [...] that you can. You say you feare [...] aduer [...]ise a Sister so often of the faultes that she [...]ath committed, because it vvill take from her as­ [...]rance, and make her sooner faile, through [...]rce of feare: O God! vvee must not iudg thus [...]f the Sisters heere inclosed; for this appertay­ [...]eth not to any other then to the maydens of the [...]orld, to loose assurance vvhen they are aduer­ [...]sed of their faults: Our Sisters doe loue their [...]vvne abiection too much to doe so, although they [...]e troubled: but on the contrarie they vvill take [...]reater courage, and more care to amend them­ [...]lues, not to avoyde the aduertisments (for I [...]ppose they doe exceedinglye loue all that vvhich [...]ay make them become vile and abiect in their [...]wne eyes) but to the end, they may better per­ [...]rme their dutie, and yeald themselues more con­ [...]rmable to their vocation.

THE TVVELFTH ENTER­TAINEMENT.
OF SIMPLICITIE AND RELIGIOVS Prudence.

§. 1. THe vertue whereof we are novv to treat, i [...] so necessarie, that allthough I haue often­times spoken there-of, notwithstanding, you hau [...] desired, that I make an entire discourse of the fame Novv in the first place must bee made knovvn [...] what this vertue of Simplicitie is. You knovve that commonlie vvee call a thing simple, vvhen it is no [...] imbrodered, pleated, or of many coullours: Fo [...] example, wee saye, behould a person that is simply apparelled, because he hath no lineing in his garmēt I meane his habitt is but of one stuffe: and this is [...] simple garment. Simplicitie therefore is no othe [...] thing, then a pure and simple act of Charitie, whic [...] hath but one onely end, vvhich is, to attayne to th [...] loue of God. And our soule is then simple, vvhe [...] vvee haue no other pretension in all whatsoeue [...] wee doe. The famous historie of the hostesses o [...] our Lord, Martha, and Magdalene, is verie remark [...] able for this subiect: For doe you not see tha [...] Martha, although her end was laudable, to vvitt to entertayne our Lord in the best manner: ye [...] she vvas not free from being reprehended by thi [...] diuine Maister, for so much as besides the veri [...] good end, that she had in her ouer-busie care, sh [...] did yet behould our Lord in as much as hee vva [...] man, and therefore she did beleeue hee vvas [...] others, vvhom not one onely meate; or one manne [...] of dressing, vvould suffice, and this vvas that vvhic [...] [Page 180] caused her to stirr vpp and dovvne so much, to [...]repare many dishes: and so she doubled this first [...]nd of the loue of God in her exercise, vvith diuers [...]ther petty-pretenses, for vvhich she vvas repre­ [...]ēded of our Lord: Martha, Martha, thou troublest [...]ny selfe vvith many things, allthough one onely is [...]ecessarie, which is, this that Magdalene hath chosē, [...]nd vvhich shall not bee taken from her. There­ [...]ore this act of simple charitie, which causeth vs not [...]o regard, nor haue any other eye in all our actions [...]hen the sole desire to please God, is the part of Ma­ [...]e, which is onely necessarie, and this is Simplicitie, [...] vertue vvhich is inseparable with Charitie; forso­ [...]uch as it looketh right towards God: neither cā it [...]uffer any mixture of proper interest: for otherwise, [...] would not bee Simplicity; for she cannot suffer [...]ny doubling of creatures; nor any consideration of [...]hem, God alone findeth place in her. This vertue is [...]urely Christiā. The Panymes, yea those who haue [...]iscoursed best of vertues had not any knovvledg [...]hereof, no more then of Humilitie. For of Magni­ [...]icēce, Liberallitie, and Constancye, they haue writ­ [...] verie well, but of Simplicitie, and Humilitie, no­ [...]hing at all. Our Lord himselfe is descended from [...]eauen to giue knovvledg to mē, asvvel of the one, [...]s of the other vertue, othervvise this so necessarie [...]octrine had allvvaies bene vnknovvne. Bee pru­ [...]ēt as serpents, sayeth hee to his Apostles; but more­ [...]uer bee as simple as Doues. Learne of the Doue to [...]oue God in simplicitye of hart, hauing but one onely pretence, and one onely end in all that you [...]hall doe, but imitate not onely the simplicitie of [...]he loue of Doues, in that they haue allvvaies but [...]ne mate, for vvhom they doe all, and vvhō onely [...]hey will please, but imitate them also in the simpli­ [...]itye that they practice in the exercise and testimo­ [...]ie that they yeald of their loue, for they buesie not [Page 182] thēselues vvith many things, nor many loue toyes, but they make simply their little gronings and mournings about their young ones, and content themselues with their companie, when they are present. Simplicitie banisheth from the soule, the vnprofitable care and solicitude that many haue to seeke out diuersitie of exercises and meanes for to bee able to loue God: so as they say, that if they doe not all vvhich the sisters haue done, in their opiniō they knovve not hovv to bee contēt. Poore people they torment themseluss to find the art hovv to loue God, and knovve not, that it hath no other point then to loue him; they thinke there is a cer­tayne subtillitie to attayne this loue, the vvhich notvvithstanding is not found but in simplicltye.

§. 2. Now vvhen vvee say, that there is not any art therein, it is not to dispise certayne booke [...] which are intituled: The art hovv to loue God: Fo [...] these bookes teach that there is no other art then to sett themselues to loue: that is to say, to put them­selues into the practice of those things, that are plea­sing vnto him, vvhich is the onely meanes to find and attayne this sacred loue, prouided that this pra­ctice bee vndertaken in simplicitye, vvithout trou­ble and solicitude. Simplicitye embraceth truely the meanes, that are prescribed to each one according to their vocatiō, for to attayne to the loue of God, i [...] such sort, that she vvill not haue any other motiue, to gayne or to be incited to the search of this loue but the end it selfe: othervvise she should not be [...] perfectlie simple; For she cannot endure any other aspect, hovv perfect soeuer it may bee, thē the pure loue of God vvhich is her onely pretence. For example, if one goe to the office, and you aske he [...] whether goe you? I goe to the office aunsvvereth she, but vvherefore goe you thither? I goe to prais [...] God; but wherfore at this howe [...] rather then at ano­ther? [Page 183] it is because the clocke hath stroken, if I doe not goe I shalbe noted; To goe to the office to praise God is verie good; but the motiue is not simple: For simplicitye requireth, that vvee goe therevnto dravvne vvith desire to please God vvithout any other respect, and the like is to bee sayed in all other occasions. Novv before wee passe further, a deceyt must hee discouered, vvhich is in the spiritt of diuers, touching this vertue; for they thinke that Simplicitye is contrarie to Prudence, and that they bee opposite the one to the other; it is not so, for vertues doe neuer contradict the one the other; but haue a verie great vnion together. The vertue of simplicitie is opposite, and contrarie to the vice of craft and deceaite; a vice vvhich is the source and spring from vvhence proceedeth policye, subtiltye and doublenesse: Crafte is a masse of subtilties, de­ceytes, and threacheries; it is by the meanes of crafte that vvee find out inuentions to deceaue the spiritt of our neighbour; and of those vvith vvhom wee haue to doe, for to leade to the point vve aime at, vvhich is to make them vnderstand, that wee haue no other meaning in our hart, then the same wee manifest by our wordes, nor any other knovvledg of the subiect vvhereof there is question; a thing which is infinitly contrarie to simplicitye, vvhich requireth that vvee haue the interiour entirely cō ­forme to the exteriour.

§. 3. I intend not therefore to say that wee must demonstrat our motions of passions by the exteriour, euen as vvee haue them in the interiour; for it is not against simplicitye to sett a good coun­tenance on the matter, so as they may conceaue no­thing amisse. There must be allwaies made a diffe­rence betweene the effects of the Superiour part of our soule, and the effectes of the inferiour part. It is true that by fitts vvee haue great cōmotions in the [Page 184] interiour of our soule, vppon the encounter of a correction, or of some other contradiction: but this commotiō proceedeth not from our vvill: but all this sensible apprenhension passeth in the infe­riour part, the superiour part consenteth not at all to this; but agreeth, accepteth, and findeth this en­counter good▪ we haue sayed, that Simplicitye hath her continuall aspect in the purchaseing of the loue of God; novv the loue of God requireth of vs; that wee restrayne our feelings and feares, and that wee mortifie, and annihilate thē; wherefore it doeth not require, that wee should manifest thē and make thē knowen to others; Therefore it is not want of Sim­plicie, to sett a good countenāce on it, whē wee are moued in the interiour; But should not this deceaue those who should see vs, say you; for so much as al­though we should be verie vnmortified, they would beleeue that wee are very vertuous? This reflectiō, my deare sister, vpō what they will say, or what they will thinke of you, is contrarie to simplicitie; for as wee haue sayed, she hath no other eye, then to cōtēt God, ād not creatures, but onely as the loue of God requireth it. After that the simple soule hath done an actiō that she iudgeth is her dutie to doe, she think­eth no more thereō, and if it cōmeth into her mind to thinke what they will say, or what they will thin­ke of her, she prōptly cutteth of all this, because she cānot endure any stop or stay, to diuerte her in her designe, which is to keepe her selfe attentiue to her God, to increase in her selfe his diuine loue; the cō ­sideratiō of creatures moueth not her for any thing, for she referreth all to the Creator. The same is to be sayed of that which one may say: whether it bee not permitted to make vse of Prudence, for the not discouering to superiours, that which wee shall thinke may trouble thē, or our selues, in speaking of it: for Simplicitie regardeth onely if it bee expediēt [Page 185] to speake, or doe such a thing, & thē she putteth her [...]lfe to the woorke, not loosing time to cōsider, if the [...]periour bee troubled, or my selfe. If I haue declar­ [...]d some thought I haue had of her; or if she be not [...]oubled, nor I neither; if it bee expediēt for mee to [...]eake it, I will not omitt simply to declare my [...]inde; let it happen after as God will▪ when I shall [...]aue done my dutie, I will not put my felfe to payne [...]r any other thing: wee must not allwaies feare [...]ouble so much, whether it be for our selues, or for [...]nother; for the trouble of ones selfe is not a sinne; [...] I knovve that goeing into some cōpanie, one will [...]eake some woordes that will trouble and moue [...]ee, I ought not to auoyde the goeing amōge thē; [...]ut I ought to carrie my selfe armed with the con­ [...]dence vvhich I ought to haue in the diuine prote­ [...]iō, that it will fortifie mee to ouercome and van­ [...]ish my nature, against which I will make warre; [...] his trouble is not made but in the inferiour part [...]f our soule, wherefore wee must not bee astoni­ [...]ed, when it is not obeyd; I would say, when wee [...]e not cōsent to that, which it suggesteth to vs: for [...]at must not bee done. But from whence cōmeth [...]is trouble, but for want of Simplicitie; for somuch [...] wee muse oftentimes to thinke what one vvill [...], and what one will thinke, in steed of thinking [...] God, and of that which ma [...] make vs more pleas­ [...]g to his diuine bountie and goodnes; but if I [...]eake such a thing, I shall remayne in more [...]yne thē I was before I spake it: vvell, if you will [...]t declare it, and that it be not necessarie, hauing [...] need of instruction in this act, resolue your [...]fe readilye, and loose not the time to consider, [...]hether you ought to declare it, or not. For there [...] no reason to make an hovvers consideration [...]pon all the triffling actions of our life: More­ [...]er I thinke in my opinion, that it is better and [...]ore expedient to tell our Superiour the thoughts [Page 186] which mortifie vs most; thē many others which seru [...] for nothing, but for to prolong the discourse wee haue vvith her, and if you remayne in payne, it i [...] nothing but immortification that causeth it; for [...] vvhat purpose vvill I speake of that, which is no [...] necessarie for my profitt, and omitt that which may more mortifie mee. Simplicitie, as vvee allreadi [...] sayed, seeketh nothing but the pure loue of God the vvhich is neuer found so vvell, as in the mortification of our selues, and according to the measur [...] that mortification encreaseth, so much the mor [...] neere vvee approche vnto the place vvhere we [...] shal find his diuine loue. Moreouer the Superiour [...] ought to bee perfect, or att least they ought to do [...] the vvorkes of the perfect: and therefore they hau [...] their eares open, for to receaue and vnderstand a [...] that wee vvill say to them vvithout putting themselues to much payne. Simplicitye intermedlet [...] not with what others doe or vvill doe. She thinketh of her selfe, yet not for her selfe doth she think [...] but what is truelie necessarie; for as for other thing she allwaies speedilie turneth away her thought [...] This vertue hath a great affinitye with humilitye which permitteth vs not to haue a vvorse opinio [...] of any, then of our selues.

§. 4. You aske, hovv Simplicitye must bee ob­serued in cōuersations and recreations? I aunswer you as in all other actions, although in this ther [...] must bee had a holy freedome & libertie for to entertayne our selues vvith discourse, vvhich serue th [...] spiritt for matter of ioy, & recreation. VVee mu [...] bee verie reall in conuersation, yet wee must no [...] therefore bee inconsiderate, for so much as simplicitye allwaies followeth the Rule of the loue o [...] God; but it may happen that you shall speake som [...] little thing, which may seeme not to bee so vve [...] taken of all as you would desire: you must not fo [...] all this bee musing to make reflections vppon a [...] [Page 187] [...]our vvordes; No! For it is without all doubt, selfe- [...]oue that causeth vs to make these inquiries, whether [...]at vvhich wee haue sayed or done bee well taken; Holy simplicitie runneth not after her wordes, nor [...]er actions, but she leaueth the euēt of them to the [...]iuine prouidence, to the whi [...]h she is souueraigne­ [...]e vnited: she tourneth not het selfe to the right [...]and, or to the left: but follovveth simply on her [...]ay: so that if she encounter therein any occasion [...]o practi [...]e some vertue, she serueth her selfe care­ [...]ully thereof, as of a meanes proper to attayne to [...]er perfection, vvhich is t [...]e loue of God, but she [...]resseth not her selfe too earnestly to search them; [...]either doth she contemne them; she troubleth her [...]elfe vvith not [...]ing, s [...]e houldeth her selfe quiet and [...]eacefull, in the confidence she hath, that God kno­weth her desire vvhich is [...]o please him, & this suf­ [...]iceth her. But how may wee accord two things so [...]ontrarie? you say on the one side, that wee must [...]aue a great care of our perfection and aduancemēt, [...]nd on the oth [...]r, you forbidd vs to thinke thereon. Marke heere, if you please, the miserie of humayne [...]piritt; for it neuer stayeth, or resteth it selfe in a mediocritie; but it runneth ordinarilie into extre­mities; VVee haue this defect from our good mo­ [...]her Eue, for she did euen as much, when the wick­ed spiritt did tempt her to eate of the forbidden fruite. God hath forbidden, sayed she, that wee [...]hould touch it, in stead of saying hee had forbid­den them to eate it. VVee doe not say, that you may not thinke of your aduancemēt: but that you thinke not thereon with too much eagernes and trouble.

§ 5. It is also want of simplicitie that wee make so many considerations, vvhen wee see the faultes one of another, to knovve whether such things are necessarie to acquaint the Superiour withall, or no. For, tell mee, is not the Superiour capable of this, [Page 188] and to iudge whether it bee requisite to correct it or not; but what knowe I, for what intentiō this si­ster shall haue done such a thing, say you? it may ve­rie well bee her intention is good: Therefore you ought not to accuse her intention; but her exteriour action, if there bee any imperfection: neither may you say. The matter is of small cōsequence, and not worth the troubling of this poore sister; for all this is contrarie to Simplicitye. The Rule which com­maundeth to procure the amendment of the sisters by the meanes of aduertismēts, cōmaundeth vs not to bee so cōsideratiue in this point: as if the honour of the sisters did depend vppon this accusatiō; True­ly vvee must obserue, and expect a conuenient time to giue correction: For to doe it sodaynelie, or passionatelie is somewhat daingerous: but this ex­cepted, wee ought in simplicitie to doe that, which wee are obliged to doe according to God, and that without scruple. For although it may bee this persō is in passion, and troubled after the aduertisment, that you shall haue giuen her, you are not the cause of it, but her immortification. And if she committ any fault vppon the sodayne, this wil be the cause that she will auoyd many others, that she would haue cōmitted in perseuering in her defect. The Su­periours ought not to omitt to correct the sisters be­cause they haue an auersion to correctiō: for it may bee so, that as long as wee liue wee shall allwaies haue itt: For so much as, it is a thing totally cōtrarie to the nature of man, to bee misesteemed and cor­rected; but this auersion ought not to bee fauoured of our vvill, the vvhich ought to loue humiliation.

§. 6. You desire that I speake a worde of the Sim­plicitye vvhich wee ought to haue, to leaue our sel­ues wholie to bee guided according to the interiour, aswell by God, as by our Superiours. There are sou­les which will not, as they say, bee guided but by the [Page 189] spiritt of God, and it seemeth vnto them, that all things they imagin bee inspirations, and motions of the holye Ghost, who taketh them by the hand, and leadeth thē in all they desire to doe, as childrē, wherein truely they deceane thēselues verie much: For I praye you, was there euer any had a more spe­tiall vocatiō then that of S. Paul, in which our Lord himselfe did speake to conuert him? and notwistan­ding hee vvould not instruct him, but hee sent him to Ananias, saying: Goe, thou shalt find a man who will tell thee what thou shalt doe? and although Sainct Paule might haue sayed, Lord, and vvhere­fore vvilt not thou thy selfe? notwitstanding hee sayed not so, but went verye simply to doe as hee was commaunded: and should wee thinke our sel­ues to bee more fauoured of God, then Saint Paul, beleeuing that hee will guide vs himselfe without the meanes of any creature. The guid of God, for vs (my deare childrē) is no other then Obedience, for, out of it there is nothing but deceate. It is a verie certayne thing, that wee are not all guided by one and the selfe same way: yet it is not so, that each of vs knovveth by which way God calleth vs, this ap­pertayneth to the Superiours, vvho haue light from God to doe this▪ wee must not say, that they doe not knovve vs well; For vvee ought to beleeue that Obedience and submissiō are allwaies the true mar­kes of a good inspiration, and although it may hap­pen, that wee haue not any consolation in the exer­cises that they appoint vs to doe, and that vve haue manie in the others, it is not by consolation that [...]hey iudge of the goodnes of our actions; There­fore vvee must not be tyed to our proper satisfa­ction; for this should bee to cleaue to the flovv­ers, and not to the fruite. You shall dravve mo­ [...]e profitt from that vvhich you shall doe, fol­ [...]ovving the direction of your Superiours, then [Page 190] you shall in following your interiour instincts, [...]hich ordinarilie doe not proceede but from selfe- [...]ue, which vnder the coulour of good, seeketh to [...]ease it selfe, in the vaine esteeme of our selues. It [...] a most certayne truth, that our good dependeth [...]f leauing our selues to bee conducted, and gouer­ [...]ed by the spiritt of God, vvith out any reseruation, [...]nd this is that vvhich the true simplicitie, that our [...]ord hath so much recommended, doth pretend, [...]ee simple as Doues, sayed hee, to his Apostles; Hee [...]ayed not there, but added further more, if you be­ [...]ome not simple as a little child, you shall not enter [...]to the kingdome of my Father. A child, vvhiles [...]ee is verie little, is held in so great simplicitie, that [...]ee hath no other knovvledg then of his mother, [...]ath but one onely loue, vvhich is for his mother, [...]nd in this loue one onely desire, which is the bo­ [...]ome of his mother, being placed in this welbelo­ [...]ed breast, hee desireth no other thing. The soule [...]vhich hath perfect simplicitie, hath but one loue, [...]hich is for God: and in this loue she hath but one [...]nely pretence, vvhich is to repose vpon the breast [...]f her celestiall Father, and as a child of loue to make her aboade there, leauing intirelie all the care [...]f her selfe to her good Father, neuer more trou­ [...]ling her selfe for any thing, but still retayning this [...]oly confidence, so that, neither the desires of ver­ [...]ues and graces themselues doe disquiet her; and in­ [...]eed vvherefore serue the importune and vnquiet [...]esires of vertues, the practice whereof is not ne­ [...]essarie to vs? gratiousnesse, mildnesse, loue of our [...]vvne abiection, Humilitie, Sweete Charitie, cor­diall freindshipe tovvards our neighbour, and Obe­dience, are the vertues which wee ought to practice most commonlie, because they are necessarie for vs, and the encounter of such occasions is frequent with vs; but for Constancie, Magnificence, and [Page 191] such other vertues, that it may bee vvee shall neue [...] haue occasion to practice, lett vs not trouble ou [...] selues, wee shall not bee for this the lesse Magn [...] nimous or generous.

§. 7. You aske of mee, how the soules, vvho i [...] prayer are dravvne to this holy simplicitie, and th [...] perfect forsaking all in God, ought to guide them selues in all their actions? I aunswere, that not onel [...] in prayer, but in the conduct of their vvhole lif [...] they ought inuariably to vvalke in the spiritt [...] simplicitie, and abnegation, remitting their vvho [...] soule, their actions and successes to the good ple [...] sure of God, by a loue of perfect and most absolu [...] confidence, leauing themselues to the mercie an [...] care of the eternall loue, which the diuine prou [...] dence hath of them, and therefore they must hou [...] themselues constant in this course, not permitti [...] any alteration or reflection about themselues, to [...] vvhat they doe, or vvhether they bee satisfied; Ala [...] Our satisfactions and consolations doe not satis [...] the eyes of God: but they onely content this mis [...] rable care, and loue that wee haue of our selues, o [...] of God and his consideration. Certaynely the ch [...] dren, vvhich our Lord noteth vnto vs to bee t [...] modle of our perfection, haue not ordinarilie a [...] care; aboue all in the presence of their Fathers a [...] Mothers, they keepe themselues neere to them, n [...] ther regarding their satisfactions, nor consolatiō which they take in good part, and enioy in simp [...] citye, vvithout any curiositie of considering t [...] causes, or the effects, loue so much imploying th [...] that they can doe no other thing. Hee vvho is ve [...] attentiue to please louingly the celestiall louer, h [...] neither hart nor leasure to reflect vppon himsel [...] his spiritt continually tending thether where [...]o [...] carrieth it.

§. 8. This exercise of the continuall aband [...] ning [Page 192] of himselfe into the hands of God, doth exce [...] lently comprehend all the perfection of other exe [...] cises, its most perfect puritye, and simplicitie; an [...] whiles God permitteth vs to vse it, vvee ought n [...] to change it. The spirituall louers, spouses of the [...] lestiall king, truely doe viewe thēselues, from tim [...] to time as Doues, who are neere the most pure w [...] ters: to see if they bee well accommodated to t [...] liking of their Louer, and this is performed in t [...] examens of their Conscience, whereby they clean [...] purifie, and adorne themselues, the best they ma [...] not for to bee perfect, nor to satisfye thēselues; n [...] for the desire of their progress in wel-doing, but [...] obey the spouse, for the reuerence they beare vn [...] him, and for the exceeding desire they haue to g [...] ue him contentemēt: Is not this a verie pure Lo [...] vnspotted, and verie simple, since they doe not p [...] rifie themselues to bee pure, they adorne not the [...] selues to bee fayre, but onelie to please their Lou [...] to whom if deformitie were as acceptable, th [...] would loue it as much as beautie? And so the [...] simple Doues doe not imploye care or time, n [...] any eagernes to wash and trimme themselues: F [...] the confidēce that their Loue giueth them of bei [...] much beloued, although vnworthy (I say the Co [...] fidence that their Loue giueth them, in the Lo [...] and bountie of their Louer) taketh from them▪ solicitude, and diffidence, of not being sufficient fayre, and the desire to Loue, rather then to ador [...] and prepare themselues to Loue, cutteth of fro [...] them all curious care, and maketh them conte [...] with à sweete and faythfull preparation, ma [...] Louinglye, and Cordiallye.

8. And to conclude this point, St. Francis sen [...] ing his Religious into the world in a iourney ga [...] them this aduise, in steed of monye, and for all the [...] prouision: Cast your care on our Lord, and hee w [...] [Page 193] feede you; I say the same to you (my most deare [...]aughters) cast all your pretensions, your solicitudes [...]nd affections, within the fatherlie breast of God, [...]nd hee vvill guide you; nay hee vvill carrye you wheere his loue vvill haue you. Lett vs heare and [...]mitate our blessed Sauiour, vvho as a most perfect [...]salmist singing the soueraigne sonnets of his loue, [...]ppon the tree of the crosse, concludeth them thus; My Father, I commend and committ my spiritt into [...]y hands; hauing sayed this, (my deare daughters) [...]vhat remayneth but to expire, and to dye the death [...]f loue, not liuing any more to our selues but [...]ESVS CHRISTE liuing in vs? Thē shall cease all the [...]nquietnesse of our hart, vvhich proceedeth frō the [...]esire that selfe loue suggesteth, and from the ten­ [...]ernesse, that wee haue in and for our selues; which [...]auseth vs secretly to bee verie busie in the search [...]f the satisfactions and perfections of our selues. [...]nd being imbarqued vvithin the exercise of our [...]ocation vnder the vvinde of this simple and loue­ [...]ng confidēce, vvhithout perceauing our progresse [...]ee shall doe verie much, not goeing vvee shall [...]ett forvvard, and not mouing from our place, wee [...]hall dravve neere our country, as those doe vvho [...]ayle on a full sea, vnder a prosperous vvinde. Then [...]re all the euents and varietie of accidents vvhich [...]appē receaued svveetly and mildlye; For hee who [...]s in the hands of God, and reposeth vvithin his [...]reast, vvho is abandoned to his loue, and commit­ed to his good pleasure, vvhat is it, that may bee [...]ble to shake and moue him? Certaynelie in all oc­ [...]urrances, vvithout studying like a Philosopher, [...]ppon the causes, reasons, and motiues of euents, [...]ee pronounceth from his hart, this holy acceptatiō [...]nd consent of our Lord: yeas, my father, for so it hath bene pleasing in thy sight; Then vvee shalbe [...]all imbrued in svveetnesse and mildnesse towardes [Page 194] our sisters and neighbours; for vvee shall see thes [...] soules vvithin the breasts of our Sauiour; Alas! He [...] that regardeth his neighbour out of it, runneth hazard to loue him neither purelie, constantlie, no [...] equallie; But therein vvho vvould not loue him vvho vvould not support him? vvho vvould not suffer his imperfections? vvho vvould find any defec [...] in him? vvho vvould find him distastfull or burden [...] some? Novv this neighbour (my most deare daughters) as hee is vvithin the breast of our sauiour, i [...] there so welbeloued, and so amiable, that the loue [...] dyed for loue of him. Furthermore the natura [...] loue of consanguinitie, good countenances, vvelbe [...] seemings, correspondences, sympathies, and othe [...] graces shall then bee purified, and reduced to th [...] perfect obedience of the most pure loue of th [...] good diuine pleasure: and truelie the greatest goo [...] & happinesse of soules vvho aspire to perfection should bee, not to haue any desire to bee beloue [...] of creatures, but by this loue of Charitie, vvhic [...] affectionateth vs to our neighbour, and [...]each o [...] in their degree, according to the desire of o [...] Lord.

§. 10. Before I end, I must speake a vvord [...] the prudence of the serpent; for I haue considere [...] that if I did speake of the simplicitie of the Dou [...] you vvould quicklie obiect vnto mee the Serpen [...] Many haue demaunded vvhat serpent it vvas [...] vvhom our Lord vvould haue vs learne Prudence: omitting all other aunsvveres that may be [...] made to this question vvee vvill novv take th [...] wordes of our Lord: bee Prudent as the serpen [...] vvho, vvhen hee is taken, exposeth all his bodie t [...] saue his head; in like manner ought vvee to do [...] exposeing all to dāger, vvhen it is requisite for t [...] conserue our Lord and his loue vvhole and inti [...] vvithin vs: For hee is our head, and vvee are h [...] [Page 195] members: and this is the Prudence that vvee ought [...]o haue in our Simplicitie. Furthermore you must [...]emember, that there are tvvo sortes of Prudence [...]vherevvith vvee must be furnished, to vvitt natu­ [...]all, and supernaturall. Touching the naturall, it must bee vvell mortified, as not being vvholie [...]ood, suggesting vnto vs many considerations, and [...]nnecessarie preuentions and foresights, vvhich [...]ould our spiritts verie farr of from Simplici­ [...]ie.

The true vertue of Prudēnce ought indeed to [...]ee practiced, for so much as it is a spirituall salte, [...]hich giueth tast and fauour to all the other ver­ [...]ues: But it ought so to bee practiced by the Reli­ [...]ious of the Visitasion, that the vertue of simple [...]onfidence surpasse all; for they ought to haue an [...]ntire simple confidence, vvhich may cause them to [...]emayne in repose, betvveene the armes of their [...]elestiall Father, and their most deare mother [...]ur Bl. Ladie, being before assured they vvill [...]lvvaies protect them; vvith their most amia­ [...]le care, since they are assembled for the glorie of God, and the honour of the most holy Virgin. God bee blessed. Amen.

THE THIRTEENTH ENTER­TAYNMENT.
OF THE RVLES AND SPIRIT of the Visitation.

§. 1. It is a verie difficult thing which you demaū [...] of mee, to witt what is the spiritt of you [...] Rules, and how you may vnderstand them; No [...] before wee speake of this spirit: You must know [...] what, it meaneth to haue the spiritt of a Rule; fo [...] wee heare it ordinarilie spoken, such a Religio [...] hath the true spiritt of his Rule. VVe will take o [...] of the holie Gospell two examples, which are ver [...] proper for to make you comprehend this. It is sayed that St. Ihon Baptist was come in the spiritt a [...] vertue of Elias, and therefore hee did reprehēd si [...] ners bouldly and rigourously, calling them viper [...] broode, and such other wordes; But what was th [...] vertue of Elias? It was the zeale which proceed [...] of his spiritt, for to annihilate and punish sinne [...] making fire fall frō heauen to ouerthrowe and [...] fund those who would resist the Maiesty of [...] Maister. This was then a spiritt of rigour that Eli [...] had. The other example that wee find in the Go [...] pell, which serueth to our purpose is: That o [...] Lord desiering to goe to Ierusalem, his discip [...] disswaded him from it, because some had affecti [...] to goe into Carphanaum; & others into Betha [...] and so they endeauoured to leade our Lord to [...] place whither they vvould goe. It is noe new thi [...] to haue inferiours guid their maisters accordi [...] to their vvill; But our Lord, vvho vvas facill [...] condescend, notwithstanding setled his [...] (for the Euangelist vseth the same vvordes) [Page 197] goe vnto Ierusalem, to the end that the Apostles [...]hould not presse him further, not to goe thither. Then goeing tovvards Ierusalem, hee desired to [...]asse through a tovvne of Samaria; but the Sama­ [...]itans vvould not permitt him; whervppon Saint [...]ames and Saint Ihon being in choler, were so [...]ngry against the Samaritans, for the inhospital­ [...]tye shewed tovvards their Maister, that they [...]yed vnto him: Maister, vvilt thou that vvee make [...]ere fall from heauen to consume them and punish [...]em for the outrage they haue done thee? And [...]ur Lord aunsvvered them, you knovve not of [...]hat spiritt you are; as vvho vvould say, doe you [...]ot knowe, that wee are no more in the time of [...]lias, vvho had a spiritt of rigour, and although [...]ee were a verie great seruant of God, and did well [...] doeing that which you would doe, notwithstan­ [...]ng you should not doe well to imitate him: For [...] much as I am not come to punish and confound [...]nners; but to drawe them sweetlye to penance [...]d to follow mee.

§. 2. Now Lett vs see what the perticuler spi­ [...]t of a Rule is. The better to vnderstand this, exā ­ [...]es must bee alleaged of Religion in general; and [...]erwardes we vvill retourne to our selues. All [...]ligions and all assemblyes of deuotion haue [...]e spiritt, vvhich is generall, and each-one [...]th one vvhich is his in particular. The generall, [...] the pretence that they all haue to aspire to [...] perfection of Charitie; but the particular spi­ [...]t is the meanes to attayne to this perfection of [...]arity: that is to say, to the vniō of our soule with­ [...]d, and with our neighbour for the loue of God; [...] which is made with God, by the vnion of our [...]ll with his, and with our neighbour by meeke­ [...]se, vvhich is a vertue immediatlie depending charitie. Lett vs novv come to this particular [Page 198] spiritt: Truelie it is verie different in diuers order [...] some vnite themselues to God and to their neigh­bour by Contemplation, and for this cause they haue verie great solitude, and conuerse as little as may bee vvith the vvorld, no not one vvith another but att certayne times: They also vnite themselue [...] vvith their neighbour, by the meanes of prayer, praying to God for him. On the contrarie the par­ticular spiritt of others is, truely to vnite themsel­ues to God and their neighbour; but it is by the meanes of action although spirituall. They vnite themselues to God; but this is in reconcileing thei [...] neighbour vnto him, by studie, preachings, Con­fessions, conferences, and other actions of pietie [...] and the better to performe this act tovvards thei [...] neighbour, they conuerse vvith the vvorld, all­though they vnite themselues to God by prayer yett notvvistanding their principall ende is tha [...] vvee speake of: to vvitt, to endeauour to conuer soules, & vnite them to God. Others haue a seuer [...] and rigoerous spiritt, vvith perfect contempt of the vvorld, and of all its vanities and sensualities, desire­ing to induce others by their example to cōtemn [...] earthlie things, and for this serue the asperities o [...] their habitts and exercises. Others haue anothe [...] spiritt, and it is a verie necessarie thing to knovv [...] vvhat is the peculier spiritt of each Religion, an [...] pious assembly.

§. 3. For to knovve this vvell, vvee must con­sider the end vvherefore it hath bene begun, and th [...] diuers meanes to attayne to this end. There is a generall spiritt in all-Religions, as wee haue sa [...]ed: bu [...] it is the particuler of vvhich I speake: and to whic [...] vvee must haue so great a loue, that there is not an [...] thing vvhich vvee may knowe that is conforme t [...] this end, that vvee vvould not embrace vvith a [...] our hart. Knovve you vvhat it meaneth, to lou [...] [Page 199] the end of our Institute? it is to bee exact in the ob­seruanee of the meanes to attayne to this end, which are our Rules and Constitutions, and to bee verie diligent to doe all that belongeth and helpeth to obserue them the more perfectly: this is to haue the spiritt of our Religion. But this exact and punctuall obseruance must bee vndertaken in simplicitye of [...]hart, I vvould say vvee must not desire to goe beyond it, by pretences to doe more then is ap­pointed vs in our Rules; For it is not by the multi­plicitie of things that vvee doe that vvee gaine per­fection; but it is by the perfection and puritie of in­tention vvith the vvhich vvee performe them. You must therefore regard vvhat is the end of your In­stitute, and the intention of your Institutour, and [...]ettle your selues to the meanes vvhich are appoint­ [...]d you to attayne therevnto. Touching the end of your Institute, you must not search into the in­ [...]ention of the three first sisters that began it, no more then the Iesuitts did into the first designe that Saint Ignatius had: for hee thought nothing lesse [...]hen to doe that vvhich hee did aftervvards; as like­vvise Saint Francis, Saint Dominicke and others, vvhich haue begun Religious Orders. But God to vvhome it appertayneth to make such assemblyes of pietie, causeth them to florish, in this fashiō that vvee see they doe, for vvee must not beleeue, that [...]his is the vvorke of men, vvho by their inuention [...]aue begun this kind of life so perfect, as this of Religion is, It is God by vvhose inspiration, Rules [...]aue bene composed, vvhich are the proper meanes [...]o attayne to this generall end os all Religions, that [...]s, to vnite themselues to God, and to their neigh­ [...]our for the loue of God. But as each Religion [...]ath his peculier end, and also particular meanes to [...]ttayne to this end, and generall vnion, so all haue generall meanes to attayne therevnto, vvhich is [Page 211] by the three essentialle vowes of Religion. Eueri [...] one knoweth, that riches and the goods of th [...] earth, are powerfull attracts, to dissipate the soule, asvvell for the ouer great affection she hath vnto them, as for the solicitudes she must haue to keep [...] them, yea to increase them; for so much as man neuer hath enough of them as hee desireth. A Re­ligious person cutteth of all this at once by th [...] vowe of pouertie. And doth the same to the flesh, and to all his sensuallities, and pleasures, aswell lawefull as vnlavvfull, by the vowe o [...] Charitie. VVhich is a very great meanes to bee vnited to God most peculiarlie; for so much a [...] sensuall pleasures doe verie much vveaken, and depresse the forces of the spiritt, dissipate the har [...] and the loue vvee ovve to God, and hinder v [...] from giuing our selues intirelie vnto him: by this meanes vvee doe not content our selues to goe out of the vvorld, but furthermore vve [...] goe out of our selues, that is to say renouncing the terrestriall pleasure of our flesh; But muc [...] more perfectlie doe vvee vnite our selues to Go [...] by the vowe of Obedience, for so much as vve [...] renounce our vvhole soule, and all her povvers her vvills, and all her affections, to submit [...] and subiect our selues, not onely to the vvill o [...] God; but to that of our Superiours, vvhich vve [...] are allwaies to regard, as the will of God him­selfe. And this is a verie great renounciation, be­cause of the cōtinuall productions of the little wills that selfe loue causeth. Then being thus sequestred from all things, vvee doe retire into the intime o [...] our harts, to vnite our selues the more perfectlie to his Diuine Maiestie.

§. 4. Novv to come in particular to the end for which our Congregation of the Visitation hat [...] been erected, and thereby to comprehend mor [...] [Page 212] easilie vvhat is the spiritt of the Visitation, I haue [...]waies iudged that it vvas a spiritt of a profound [...]imilitie tovvards God, and gentlenesse tovvards [...]r neighbour: For so much as hauing lesse ri­ [...]our for the bodie, there must bee so much more [...]eeknes of hart. All the auntient Fathers haue de­ [...]rmined, that vvhere corporall mortifications, [...]d austerities are vvanting, there they ought to [...]ue more perfection of spiritt: Humilitie then [...]vvards God, and mildnes tovvardes your nei­ [...]bour in your houses must supply the austeritie [...] others. And allthough austerities are good in [...]emselues, and are meanes to attayne to perfe­ [...]ion, yet they will not bee so good in your house; [...] as much as this should bee against your Rules. [...]he spiritt of svveetnesse is so the spiritt of the Vi­ [...]ation, that vvhosoeuer vvould introduce more [...]steritie therein then novv there is, should in­ [...]ntinently destroy the Visitation: for this should [...]e to doe against the end, for which it hath bene [...]ected, vvhich is to bee able for to receaue [...]erein infirme woemen and maydens, that haue [...]t sufficient strenght of bodie to vndertake i [...], [...] which are not inspired and dravvn [...] to vnitte [...]emselues to God, by the vvay of aus [...]erities [...]hich they vse in other Religions. It may [...]ee you [...]ll say to mee, if it happen that a sister hath a [...]ong complexion, may not she vse more auste­ [...]ties then others, vvith the permission of the Su­ [...]riour, in such sort that the other sisters doe not [...]rceaue it? I aunsvvere to this, there is no secrett, [...]at passeth not secreatlie to another; and so from [...]e to other, they come to make Religions in Re­gions; & from little combinations, in the end [...] is dissipated. The Bl. Mother S. Teresa foretould [...]mirable well the hurt which these little enterpri­ [...]s bring, of desiering to doe more then the Rule [Page 202] ordayneth, and vvhich the communitie doth no [...] exercise, and particularlie, if it bee the Superiour, i [...] vvill bee greater. For euen so soone as her Reli­gious shall perceaue them, they vvill incontinent­lie doe the same; and they shall not vvant reason, for to perswade themselues that they doe vvell, some thrust forvvards vvith zeale, others to please the Superiour, and all this vvill serue for a tentation to those vvho cannot, or vvill not doe the same.

§. 5. VVee must neuer introduce, permitt, no [...] suffer these particularities in Religion. Neuerthe­lesse excepting certayne particular necessities, as i [...] it should happen, that a sister vvere oppresse [...] vvith some great vexation, or tentation, then i [...] should not bee an extraordinarie for to aske of th [...] superiour to doe some penance more then others For wee must vse the same simplicitie that the sick [...] doe, vvho ought to aske the remedies; vvhich they thinke may comfort them: So that if you had a si­ster heere, that vvere so generous and couragious, a [...] to haue a vvill to attayne perfection in a quarter o [...] an hovver, doing more then the communitie, [...] vvould councell her that she should humble and submitt her selfe, and not haue a desire to bee per­fect but vvithin three dayes, vvalking the traine o [...] others. And if vvee meete vvith sisters vvho hau [...] strong and able bodies, in good time bee it, not­vvithstanding they must not desire to goe faste then those that bee vveake. Behould in Iacob a [...] example vvhich is admirable, and verie proper fo [...] to shewe vnto vs, hovv vve ought to accommodat [...] our selues vnto the vveake, and to stopp our force, to subiect our selues to goe euen vvith them, espe­ciallie vvhen we haue obligatiō therevnto as the Re­ligious haue to follovv the cōmunitie, in all that i [...] of perfect obseruance. Iacob departing from th [...] house of his Father-in-lavve Laban, vvith all hi [...] [Page 203] wiues, children, seruantes, and flockes of catell to [...]etourne into his ovvne house, feared extremelie [...]o meete vvith his brother Esau, for so much as hee [...]id thinke his brother vvas allwaies irritated against [...]im, vvhich vvas not so: being then in the way, [...]oore Iacob vvas greatlie afraide, for hee mett Esau [...]ery vvell accompayned, vvith a great troupe of [...]ouldiers. Iacob hauing saluted him, found him very [...]entle tovvards him; for hee sayed to him, my bro­ [...]her, lett vs goe in companye, and end our iourney [...]ogether; to vvhom holy Iacob aunsvvered, My [...]ord and my brother, not so if you please, for so [...]uch as I leade my children, and their little pace [...]hould exercise, or abuse your patience; but for mee [...]vho am obliged ther vnto, I measure my pace to [...]heirs, likevvise my sheepe haue lately brought [...]orth their young lambes, vvho are yett tender, and [...]ot able to goe so swift, and those occasions vvill [...]ay you verie much in the way. Mark I pray you [...]he milde beauiour of this holy Patriarcke. Hee [...]ccommodated himselfe vvillinglie not onely to [...]e pace of his little children; but also to his [...]ambes. Hee vvas on foote, and this vvas a happie [...]oiage to him, as is sufficientlie knovvne, by the [...]lessings vvhich hee receaued from God all the [...]vaye long, for hee savv and spake manie times [...]vith the Angells, and vvith the Lord of Angells [...]nd men; and in fine hee had a better part then his [...]rother vvho vvas so vvell accompayned. If vvee [...]esire our voyages should bee blessed of the diuine [...]oodnes, lett vs submitt our selues vvillinglie, to [...]he exact and punctuall obseruance of our Rules, [...]nd that in simplicitie of hart, not desireing to dou­ [...]le exercises, vvhich vvould be to contradict the [...]ntention of the Institutour and the end for vvhich [...]e Congregation hath bene erected. Lett vs then [...]villinglie accommodate our selues to the infirme, [Page 204] which may be receaued therein, and I assure you, wee shall not arriue to perfection the later for this; but on the contrarie, this vvil be a meanes to leade vs therevnto the sooner, because not haueing much to doe, wee shall apply our selues to per­forme our dutie with the greatest perfection that shall be possible for vs. It is this wherein our workes are most pleaseing to God; for so much as hee hath not regard to the multiplicitie of things which wee doe for his loue: (as wee haue sayed euen novv) but to the feruour of Charitie vvhere­with wee effect them. I find if I bee not deceaued, that if wee determine with our selues to obserue our Rule perfectlie, wee shall haue busines enough, vvithout charging our selues vvith more, for so much as all that which concerneth the perfection of our estate is comprised therein. The blessed mother Sainct Teresa sayeth that her Religious vvere so exact, that it was expedient that the Supe­riour had a verye great care to speake of nothing, but what was verie fitt to bee doe: because that vvithout any other bidding, they would sett them­selues to doe it; and for to obserue their Rules more perfectlie, they were punctuall in the least little. She reporteth that one time, there was one of her Religious, who hauing not well heard a Su­periour cōmaund her, sayed to her, that she did not well vnderstand what she sayed, and the Superiour aunswered her verie rudely and inconsideratlye: Goe put your head into the well (sayed she to her) and you shall vnderstand it. The Religious vvas so readie to depart, that if they had not stayed her, she was goeing to cast her selfe into a vvell. Truelie there is lesse to bee done to bee exact in the obser­uance of the Rules, then to bee willing to obserue them but in part.

§. 6. I cannot sufficientlie declare of what impor­tance [Page 205] this point is, of being punctuall in the least [...]ing, which serueth to obserue the Rule more per­ [...]ectly, as also of not desyreing to vndertake any [...]ing more, vnder what pretext soeuer it be. For so [...]uch as this is the meanes to conserue Religion in [...]er integritie, and in her first feruour; & the cōtrarie [...]o this is that, which destroyeth it, and maketh it to all from her first perfection. You will aske of mee, there should bee more perfection to conforme [...]nes selfe so to the communitie, that euen they [...]hould not aske to cōmunicate extraordinarie by? [...]ho doubteth it, my deare daughter? except it bee [...] a certayne case, as on the Feaste of our Patron, [...] Sainct to whom wee haue had deuotion all [...]ur life, or some vrgent necessitie. But touching [...]ertayne petty-feruours that vvee haue sometimes, [...]hich are ordinarilie the effect of our nature which [...]useth vs to desire the holie Communion; wee [...]ust not haue regarde to this, no more then the [...]ariners haue to a certayne winde, which riseth [...] the breake of day which is produced of va­ [...]ours, that are exhaled from the earth, and conti­ [...]ueth not; but ceaseth so soone as the sayed va­ [...]ours [...]re a little ascended and dispersed, and there­ [...]re the Maister of the shipp who knoweth it, cal­ [...]th not vpō the mariners, nor displaieth the sayles [...] sett forward in fauour of it; likewise wee must [...]ot esteemee▪ euerie wind for a good wind; that is [...] say, so many pettie motions or wills for inspira­ [...]ons; to witt novv to aske to cōmunicate, by and by [...] pray, thē some other thing, For selfe loue which [...]waies seeketh her satisfactions, would remayne [...]tirelie content with all this, and principallie with [...]ese little inuentions, and will not cease to furnish [...] allvvaies with new: this day when the commu­ [...]tie doth communicate, she will suggest to vs, [...]at for humilitie you must aske to abstayne, [Page 206] and vvhen the time of humbling our selues shal [...] come, it vvill perswade vs to reioice, and to ask [...] the holie Cōmunion to this effect; and so vvee shal [...] neuer haue done. vvee must not hould those thing vvhich are out of the Rule for inspirations. if it be [...] not in extraordinarie cases, vvhich perseueranc [...] maketh vs to knovve, that it is the vvill of God, as i [...] is sound touching the sacred Communion, in two or three great Saints whose directours vvould haue them daylie to communicate. I find this to bee an act of verie great perfection, to conforme our sel­ues in all things to the communitie, and neuer to omitt the practice thereof by our ovvne election For besides that this is a verie good meanes to vnit [...] vs vnto our neighbour, it doth hide moreoue [...] from vs our ovvne perfection. There is a certayn [...] simplicitie of hart, vvherein consisteth the perfe­ction of all perfections; and it is this simpliciti [...] which maketh our soule haue no other aspect the [...] towardes God; and that she keepe her selfe closeli [...] recollected wholie vvithin her selfe, for to apply her selfe vvith all fidelitie that is possible for her to the obseruances of her Rules, not povvring out he [...] selfe to will nor desire to vndertake to doe more then this. She vvill not exercise excellent and extra­ordinarie things, vvhich may cause her to be [...] esteemed of creaturrs; and therefore she houldeth her selfe verie lovve (or) abiect in her selfe, and hath no great satisfactions; for she doth nothing o [...] her ovvne will, nor any thing more then others and so all her sanctitie is hidden from her eyes God onelie seeth it who delighteth himselfe in he [...] simplicitie, by the vvhich she rauisheth his hart, and vniteth her selfe to him. She cutteth of at a blovve all the inuentions of selfe-loue, vvhich taketh a sin­guler delight to enterprise great and excellēt things and such as may cause vs to bee much esteemed [Page 207] aboue others. Such soules doe totallie enioy great [...]eace and tranquillitie of spiritt. VVee must nei­ [...]her thinke nor beleeue, that doing nothing more [...]hen others, and follovving the communitie, vvee [...]aue the lesse meritt. O no! For perfection con­ [...]isteth not in austerities. Allthough they bee a good [...]eanes to attayne therevnto, and that they bee good in themselues, notvvithstanding for vs they [...]re not: because they are not conforme to our Rules, nor to the spiritt of them, it being more per­ [...]ection to keepe our selues vvithin their simple [...]bseruance and to follovve the communitie, then [...]o desire to exceede it. The person vvho vvill keepe [...]er selfe vvithin these limitts, I assure you she shall [...]inish a great iourney in short time, and shall bring [...]uch fruite to her sisters by her example. In fine when wee are to rovve it must bee done by mea­ [...]ure: the gally-slaues who rowe vppon the sea, [...]re not so soone beaten for rovving a little lazilie, [...]s if they guide not the stroke of the are by mea­ [...]ure: wee ought to endeauour to aduance all the [...]ouices verie equallie, in doing the same things, to [...]he end they rovve equallie, and although all doe it [...]ot vvith equall perfection, wee cannot remedie it, [...]he like is seene in all communities.

§. 7. But you say it is for mortification that you [...]ay a little longer in the quire on festiuall dayes [...]hen others, because that the time that you haue al­ [...]eadie indured there, hath succeeded vvell with you [...]uring the space of tvvo or three hovvers together, [...]ll haue remayned there. To this I aunsvvere you, [...]hat it is not a generall rule, that vvee must doe all [...]hose things from which vvee haue repugnance, no [...]ore tken to abstaine from things to vvhich vvee [...]aue inclination. For if a sister haue an inclination [...]o say the diuine office, she must not omitt to assist [...]ereat vnder pretext of mortifying her selfe. [Page 208] Moreouer on feastiuall dayes the time that remay­neth, which is left free to doe what they please, each one may imploy her selfe according to her de­uotion: yet it is true notwistanding that haueing bene three howers yea more in the Quire with the communitie, it is mueh to bee feared, that the quarter of an hovver that you stay there longer, i [...] but a little morcell that you vvill giue to selfe-loue.

§. 8. In fine (my deare daughters) vvee must loue our Rules verye much, since they are the meanes by which wee should attayne vnto their end. VVhich is for to guid vs with facillitie to the perfection of Charitie, which is the vnion of our soules with god, and with our neighbour: and not onelie this; but also to revnite our neighbour with God, the which wee doe by the way that wee pre­sent vnto him, the which is verie sweete and facille▪ No woemā must bee reiected for want of corporall strenght, prouided that she haue a will to liue ac­cording to the spiritt of the Visitation, which is (as [...] haue sayed) a spiritt of humility towardes God, and of Svveetnes of hart towards our neighbour; and i [...] is this spiritt which causeth our vnion as well with God as with our neighbour. By humilitie wee vnite our selues with God, submitting our selues to the exact obseruance of his wills, which are signified to vs in our Rules: for wee ought piouslie to be­leeue, that they haue bene composed by his inspira­tiō being receaued by the holie church and approu­ed by his Holines, which are most euident signes thereof. And therefore wee ought to loue them so much the more tenderly, and to bind the fast euerie day vppon our breasts many times, in forme of ac­knowledgment towards God who hath giuen thē vs. By sweetnes of hart wee vnite our selues with our neighbour, by an exact punctuall cōformitie o [...] life, māners, and exercises doeing neither more no [...] [Page 209] lesse then those with whō wee liue, and that which marked vnto vs in the way wherein God hath [...]aced vs together, imploying and settling all the [...]rces of our soule to performe them vvith all the [...]erfection that shal be possible for vs. But note this [...]hich I haue sayed manie times, that wee must bee [...]erie punctuall in the obseruance of our Rules euē [...] the verie least little, it ought not to bee vnder­ [...]ood as punctuallitie of Scruple: O no! for this is [...]ot my meaning, but a punctualitie of chast spouses [...]ho content not themselues to auoyd the displea­ [...]re of their celestiall spouse, but would doe all that [...]ey can, how little soeuer it may bee, that is most [...]easing vnto him.

§. 9. It shalbe much to the purpose that I propose [...]me remarkable example, vnto you, to make you [...]mprehend how acceptable to God the conform­ [...]g of our selues to the cōmunitie in all things is. [...]earkē thē to this that I will say to you: wherefore [...]inke you did our Lord ād his blessed Mother sub­ [...]itt themselues to the lavve of the presentatiō and [...]urification, but because of the loue they beare to [...] communitie. Truelie this example should bee [...]fficiēt to moue Religious persons to follow their [...]ommunitie exactlie; neuer seuering themselues frō [...]. For neither the sonne nor the Mother were in [...]ny sorte obliged to this lavve, not the sonne be­ [...]use hee was God; not the Mother because she was most pure Virgin; they could easilie haue exēpt­ [...] themselues whiout the knowledg of any person; [...]r might she not haue gone to Nazareth, in guisse [...] goeing to Ierusalem? But she did not so: but [...]erie simply followed the communitie: she might [...]erie vvell haue sayd: The lavve is not made for [...]y most deare sonne nor for mee, it doth not [...]lige vs at all: But since all men are oblig­ [...] therevnto, and obserue it, vvee vvill submitt [Page 210] our selues verie vvillinglie, for to conforme o [...] selues to euerie one of them, and not to bee si [...] guler in any thing. The Apostle Sainct Paul saye verie vvell, that our Lord in all things must bee li [...] to his brethren, sinne excepted: But tell mee vvas feare of preuarication, vvhich rendred the moth [...] and her sonne so exact in the obseruance of th [...] lawe? No truelie it vvas not that; for there vvas n [...] any preuaricatiō for them; But they were draw [...] by the loue they carryed to their eternall Fathe [...] No man can loue the commaundement, exce [...] hee loue him that made it. According to the me [...] sure that vvee loue, & esteeme him that made th [...] lawe, wee shall render our selues exact in the obse [...] uance thereof. Some are tyed to the lavve vvi [...] chaines of iron, and others vvith chaines of gould vvould say seculars, vvho obserue the commaundments of God▪ for the feare they haue of being damned, obserue them by force, and not for loue. B [...] Religious, and those who haue care of the perfecti [...] of their soules, are tyed therevnto vvith chaines [...] gold, that is to say, by loue: they loue the commaū dements and obserue them louinglye, and to obserue them the better, they embrace the obseruanc [...] of the councells: and Dauid sayed that God hat [...] commaunded, that his commaundements shoul [...] bee verie well keept; Behould how hee willet [...] that wee bee punctuall in obseruing of them: Ce [...] tainlie all true louers doe so: for they auoyd n [...] onely the preuarication of the lavve: but also the [...] auoyd the verie shadovve of the preuarication; an [...] for this cause the espouse sayeth that his spouse resembled a Doue, vvho keepeth her selfe besides th [...] riuers, that runne svveetlie, and vvhose waters ar [...] christaline. You knowe well that the doue houlder her selfe secure neere to the waters, because tha [...] she seethe there the shadowes of the praying fou [...] [Page 211] [...]s that she feareth, and so soone as she seeth them [...]e taketh her flight, and so she cannot bee surpris­ [...]d. In like sort (vvill the Sacred espouse say) is my [...]eloued: for whiles she flyeth before the shadovve [...]f the preuarication of my commaundements, she [...]eareth not to fall into the hands of disobedience. [...]ruelie that person vvho depriueth himselfe of [...]imselfe voluntarilie, by the vowe of obedience, [...]ot to doe his will in indifferent things, sheweth [...]fficientlie that hee loueth to bee subiect in those [...]at are necessarie, and of obligation. VVee must [...]en bee exceeding punctuall in the obseruance of [...]he lavves and Rules, vvhich are giuen vs by our [...]ord: but aboue all in this point of follovving of [...]he communitie, and wee must take heede of saying [...]at vvee are not bound to obserue this Rule, or [...]articular commaundement of the Superiour, for [...]o much as it is made for the weake and vvee are [...]rong and healthfull; nor on the contrarie, that the [...]ommaundment is made for the strong and vvee [...]e weake and infirme: O God! there must bee no­ [...]hing lesse then this in a communitie. I coniure [...]ou if you bee strong, that you weaken your selues [...]or to yeald your selues conforme to the infirme, [...]nd if you bee weake, I say to you strenghten your [...]elues to martch fitly vvith the strong. The great A­ [...]ostle Sainct Paul sayeth that hee made himselfe all [...]o all, for to gayne all: vvho is infirme vvith vvhom am not? vvho is si ke with whom I am not sicke? [...]ith the strong I am strong. Behould hovv S. Paul, [...]hē hee is vvith the infirme, is infirme, and taketh [...]illingly the commodities necessarie to their in­ [...]rmities to giue them confidence to doe the same, [...]ut when hee findeth himselfe with the strong, he [...]s as a gyant to giue them courage, and if hee can [...]erceaue his neighbour to bee scandalized with any [...]hing that hee doth, allthough it were lawefull for [Page 212] him to doe it, notwithstanding hee hath such a zea [...] of the peace and tranquillitie of his hart, that h [...] willingly abstayneth from the same.

§. 10. But you will say to mee, novv it is the hou [...] of recreation, I haue a verie great desire to goe pra [...] to vnite my selfe more immediatlie with the diuin [...] goodnes, may I not verie well thinke, that the law which ordayneth recreation, doth not oblige me [...] since I haue a spiritt Iouiall enough of my self [...] No! wee must neither thinke it, nor speake it. If yo [...] haue not neede to recreate your selfe, notwithsta [...] ding you must make recreatiō for those vvho hau [...] neede thereof; Is there not any exceptiō in Religiō The Rules oblige then all equally: ye as witho [...] doubt: but there are lavves vvich are iustly vniu [...] for example: The fast of Lent is commaunded fo [...] euerie one, seemeth it not to you that this lavve, vniust, since that the church moderateth this iniu [...] Iustice, giuing dispensations to those that cann [...] obserue it? in like sort it is in Religion: the commaundement is equally for all, and none of them selues can dispence therewith: but the Superiou [...] moderate the rigour according to the necessities o [...] euerie one. VVee must take heede of thinking, tha [...] the infirme are lesse profitable in Religion then th [...] strong, or that they doe lesse, or haue lesse meritt because they doe all equallie the will of God. Th [...] Bees shewe vs an exāple of that which wee say. Fo [...] some of them are imployed to keepe the hiue, an [...] others are perpetuallie in labour to gather hony notwithstanding those that remayne in the hiue eate not lesse hony, then those that take the payne to picke it out of the flowers. Doth it not seeme to you that Dauid made an vniust lawe, when hee cō ­maunded that the souldiers that did garde the baggage, should part the bootie equallie with those tha [...] went to battaill, and who retourned all loaden wit [...] [Page 213] blowes? No truelie) it was not iniust, for so much as [...]ose that kept the baggage, kept thē for those that [...]d fight, and those who were in the battaile, did [...]ght for those that kept the baggage, so they deserued [...] one recompence, since they all obeyed equallie their King. God bee Blessed.

LIƲE JESƲS.

THE FOVRTEENTH ENTER­TAINEMENT.
[...]GAINST SELFE-IVDGMENT AND THE tendernes vvee haue ouer our selues.

[...]. 1. THe first question is: If it bee a thing verie contrarie to perfection, to bee subiect to [...]nes selfe-opinion: wherevnto I aunswere, that to [...]e subiect to haue selfe-opiniōs or not to haue thē, [...] a thing that is neither good nor euill, for so much [...] it is naturall to euerie one to haue selfe-opiniōs, [...]ut this doth not hinder vs from attayning to per­ [...]ction, prouided that vvee tye not our selues [...]erevnto, or that vvee loue them not; for it is [...]nely the loue of our ovvne opinions which is [...]finitly contrarie to perfection, and this is that which I haue so oftentimes sayed, that the loue [...]f our proper iudgment, and the esteeme wee [...]ake of it, is the cause that there are so fevve per­ [...]ct; there are found many persons, vvhich re­ [...]ounce their proper will, some for one subiect, [...]d others for another: I say not onely in Religi­ [...]n, but amongst seculers, and in the Courts of [...]rinces themselues: If a Prince commaund a cour­ [...]er any thing, hee vvill neuer refuse to obey; but to [Page 214] auowe that the commaundement is well made, th [...] arriueth rarelie. I vvill doe vvhat you commaun [...] mee in the manner you desire, will hee aunswer but they allwaies pause vpon their, but; which is much as to say, that they knovve vvell it should b [...] better othervvise. None can doubt (my deare da [...] ghters) but that this is verie contrarie to perfectio [...] for it produceth ordinarilie vnquietnesse of spiri [...] variances, murmurations, and in fine it nourishe [...] the loue of proper estimation; And therefore pr [...] per-opinion and selfe-iudgment ought neither [...] bee esteemed nor loued! But I must tell you th [...] there are persons, vvho ought to forme their op [...] nions, as Bishops, and Superiours are to doe, vv [...] haue charge of others, and all such as haue goue [...] ment: Others ought not to trouble themselues, v [...] lesse obedience so ordayne: For otherwise th [...] should loose their time, vvhich they ought to i [...] ploy faythfully in retayning themselues with Go [...] and as the inferiours should be esteemed little atte [...] tiue to their perfection, if they would settle the [...] selues to consider their selfe opinions; so likevvi [...] the Superioures should bee held incapable of th [...] charges, if they did not forme their opinions, a [...] would not take sinall resolutions, although th [...] ought not to content themselues therein, nor to t [...] themselues therevnto: for this should bee contra [...] to their perfection. The great Saint Thomas, w [...] had one of the greatest spiritts that a man co [...] haue, vvhen hee formed any opinions, h [...] did ground them vpon the most pregnant re [...] sons that hee could: and neuerthelesse if hee four [...] any one who did not approue that which hee h [...] iudged good, or contradicted him therein, h [...] would not dispute nor bee offended in himself [...] but suffered it willglye. VVherein bee manifest [...] verie well, that hee did not loue his ovvne opinio [...] [Page 215] y [...]t so that hee did not disapproue it neither, leauing so as others should find it good or no; after hee [...]d performed his part hee troubled himselfe no [...]rther. The Apostles were not addicted to their [...]ne opinions, no not euen in things appertayn­ [...]g to the gouerment of the Holy church vvhich [...]as an affayre of so great importance, so that after [...]cy had determined the cause by the resolution [...]hich they had takē, they were not offended if any [...]d censure the same, and if any did refuse to agree their opinions, although they were verie well [...]ounded; they did not seeke to make them to bee [...]ceaued by contesting nor by disputes. If then the [...]periours would change opinions at all encoun­ [...]s, they vvould bee esteemed light, and imprudēt their gouernments: so also if those vvho haue no [...]rges, would tye themselues to their opiniōs, de­ [...]cing to mayntaine them, and cause them to bee [...]ceaued, should they not be held for obstinate? yes [...]elie. For it is a most assured thing, that the loue selfe-opinion degenerateth into obstinacie, if it [...]e not faytfully mortified and cut off. VVe see an [...]mple of it euen amongst the Apostles: It is an [...]mirable thing that our Lord hath permitted [...]ny things that the Apostles haue done, vvorthy [...]elye to haue bene written, to lye hidden vnder [...]rofound silence, and that the imperfectiō, which [...]gee at Sainct Paul and Sainct Barnaby commit­ [...] together, hath bene vvritten: It is vvithout [...]ubt a spetiall prouidēce of our Lord, who would [...]e it so for our particular instruction: they went [...]th together to preach the holy Gospell, and tooke [...]th them a young man called Iohn Marke, vvho [...]s kinsman to Sainct Barnabee; These two great [...]ostles fell into dispute whether they should take [...] with them or leaue him, and finding themsel­ [...] of a contrarie opinion vpon this fact, and not [Page 216] being able to agree, they separated themselues o [...] from the other? Now therefore tell mee, oug [...] we to bee troubled, when wee see some defect amongst our selues, since the Apostles did also co [...] mitt them?

§. 2. There are certayne great spiritts that a [...] verie good, but who are so subiect to their opiniō and esteeme them to bee so good, that they w [...] neuer forgoe them, and good heed must bee tak [...] not to aske it of them incircumspectlie and vn [...] wares: For after wards it is almost impossible, [...] make them acknowledg and confess, that they ha [...] fayled, for so much as they thrust thēselues so fa [...] into the search of reasons, to mayntane that whi [...] they haue once sayed to bee good, that there is [...] meanes, vnlesse they giue themselues to an excel [...] perfection, to make them vnsay vvhat they ha [...] sayed. There are also found great spiritts, and ve [...] capable, that are not subiect to this imperfectio [...] but verie vvillinglye dismisse their opinions, [...] though that they bee verie good; they arme [...] themselues to the defence of them, vvhen any co [...] trarietie, or contrarie opinion is opposed to t [...] which they haue iudged for good and well assu [...] euen as vvee haue sayd of the great Saint Thom [...] vvhereby you see it is a naturall thing to bee subi [...] to opinions; ordinarilie melancholie persons [...] more giuen therevnto then those that are of a [...] uiall and pleasant humour; for these are eas [...] tourned at euerie hand, and facile to beleeue [...] which is sayed to them. The great Saint Paula [...] obstinat in mayntaining the opinion that she [...] formed to her selfe, of exercising great austerit [...] rather then she vvould submitt herselfe, to the [...] uise of many that did councell her to abstaine; a [...] likevvise many other Saints vvho thought th [...] must macerate their bodies verie much to pl [...] God, in such sort that they therefore refuse [...] [Page 217] obey the phisition, and to performe that which was requisite to the conseruation of their perishing and mortall bodies; and although this was an imperfe­ction, they leaue not for this to bee great Saints and [...]erie acceptable to God; the vvhich teacheth vs, [...]hat vvee ought not to trouble our selues, vvhen wee perceaue in our selues imperfections, or incli­ [...]ations contrarie to true vertue, prouided that wee [...]ecome not obstinate to perseuere willinglie in [...]hem: For Saint Paula and others rendring them­ [...]elues stifneckt, although it was in a small matter, [...]aue bene reprehensible in the same. Concerning our selues wee must neuer omitt so to forme our opinions, but that wee will vvillinglie depose them [...]vhen it is needfull, vvhether vvee bee obliged or not obliged to forme them. Therefore to bee sub­ [...]ect to esteeme of our ovvne iudgment, and to [...]eeke out reasons to mayntaine that vvhich vvee [...]aue apprehended and found to bee good, is a verie [...]aturall thing: but to permitt our selues to goe [...]hereafter, and to bee fastned thervnto vvould be a notable imperfection. Tell mee, is it not time vn­profitably lost, espetiallie in those that haue not [...]harge, to muse on this?

§. 3. You say, vvhat must vvee doe then to mor­ [...]ifie this inclination? we must cutt of that vvhich [...]ourisheth it; it commeth into your mind that [...]our Superiour erreth in commaunding this or that [...]o bee done in such manner, and that it vvould bee [...]etter done so as you haue conceaued? turne from [...]ou this thought, saying to your selfe, Alas [...] what [...]aue I to doe vvith it since it is not committed to mee? It is allwaies much better to vvithdravve our [...]hought simply, then to search reasons in our mind [...]o make vs beleeue that vvee haue done vvrong▪ [...]or in steed of doing it, our vnderstanding vvhich [...]s preoccupated of her particular Iudgment will [Page 218] giue vs the change; in such sort that in steed of an­nihilating our opinion, it will giue vs reasons to maintayne it, and acknovvledg it for good. It is all­vvaies more profitable to contemne it vvithout re­garding it, and to chase it away so promptly vvhen vvee perceaue it, that vvee knovve not vvhat it was that it vvould say. It is verie true that wee are not able to hinder this first motion of complacence vvhen our opinion is approued and followed; for this cannot bee auoyded: but wee must not muse vpon this complacence, vvee must blesse God and passe it ouer, not troubling our selues more vvith this contentment then of a little feeling of greife, vvhich vvould come to vs if our opinion vvere no [...] followed or found good. VVee must vvhen it is required, either for Charitie or of obedience to propose our aduise vpon the subiect vvhereof th [...] question is, doe it simply; but for the rest wee mus [...] yeald our selues indifferēt, vvhether it bee receaue [...] or noe. VVee may somtimes argue vpon the opi­nions of others, and shevv the reasons vvhervppon our reasons doe depend but wee must doe this mo­destly and hūbly, not dispising the aduise of others nor contesting to make ours to bee receaued. I [...] may bee you vvill aske, if it be not to nourish thi [...] imperfection, to seeke aftervvards to speake vvit [...] those vvho haue bene of your opinion, vvhen ther [...] is no more question of takeing resolution, it being alreadie determined what ought to bee done; vvith­out doubt this vvould bee to nourish, and main­tayne our inclination, and consequentlie to com­mit an imperfectiō ▪ for it is a true marke that on [...] submitteth not her selfe to the aduise of others, and that she allvvaies preferreth her ovvne particula [...] iudgment. The thing being determined which had bene proposed, vvee must not so much as speak [...] nor thinke thereof, vnlesse it vvere a thing notabl [...] [Page 219] vvicked: for then if vvee could yet further find some inuention to alter the execution, or to reme­dye the businesse, wee ought to doe it the most cha­ritably that could bee, and the most innocently, to [...]he end not to trouble any person, nor to contemne that vvhich they should haue found to bee good.

§. 4. The sole and onelie remedie to cure proper [...]udgment, is to neglect that vvhich commeth into our thought, applying our selues vnto some better thing: for if wee will permitt our selues to make reflection vpon all the opiniōs that diuers encoun­ters vvill suggest vnto vs; what will arriue but a continuall distraction, and an impeachment of things more profitable, and vvhich are proper for our perfection, making vs become incapable to make holie prayer? For hauing giuen leaue to our spirit to muse it selfe in the consideration of such deceates, it vvill allvvaies thrust it selfe more for­wards, and vvill produce thoughts vpon thoughts, opinions vpon opinions, and reasons vpon reasons which vvill maruelouslye importune vs in prayer: For prayer is no other thing then a totall applica­tion of our spirit vvith all her faculties vnto God. Novv being vvearied out in the poursuite of vn­profitable things, it becommeth so much lesse able and apt for the consideration of the mysteries, on vvhich vvee vvould make our prayer. Consider then this that I had to say vpon the subiect of the first questiō, by the vvhich wee haue bene taught, that to haue opinions is not a thing contrarie to perfection; but to haue the loue of our ovvne opi­nions and consequentlie to esteeme them. For if vvee did not esteeme them, vvee should not bee so amorous of them: and if wee did not loue them, wee should little care to haue them approued, and wee should not bee so readie to say, lett others be­leeue vvhat they vvill, but as for my selfe: doe you [Page 220] knowe what that is you would say (as for my selfe) verilie no other thing but I will not submitt my selfe; but rather I wilbe constant in my opinion and resolution. This is, as I haue manie times sayed, the last thing that wee leaue; and notwithstanding this is one of the most necessarie things to bee quitted and renounced for the attayning of true perfectiō, for otherwise wee shall neuer gaine holie humi­litie, which hindreth and forbiddeth vs to make any esteeme of our selues or of all that depēdeth there­on; and therefore if we haue not the practice of this vertue in great recommendation, wee shall all­waies thinke our selues to bee better then wee are, and that others come short of vs, & ovve vs res­pect.

§. 5. Novv enough is sayed vppon this subiect, If you aske me nothing more wee will passe to the second question, vvhich is; If the tendernes that wee haue ouer our selues doe not hinder vs verie much in the way of perfection: That you may vn­derstand this the better, I must put you in mind of that which, you knowe verie well, to witt, that we haue two loues in vs, the affectiue loue, and the ef­fectiue loue: and this is aswell in the loue that wee beare tovvards God, as in that vvhich wee haue to­wardes our neighbour, and furthermore tovvardes our selues: but wee will speake heere but of tha [...] of our neighbour, and then wee will retourne to our selues. The diuines to make the difference o [...] these tvvo loues to bee the better comprehended are accustomed to serue themselues vvith the com­parison of a Father vvho hath tvvo sonnes, the one of them is a little minion, as yet a verie childe, o [...] good grace: And the other is a perfect man, a braue and generous souldier, or of some other con­dition. The Father exceedingly loueth these tvvo sonnes, but vvith a different loue; For hee loueth [Page 221] the little one vvith an extreame tender and affe­ctiue loue; marke I praye you, what is there that hee doth not permitt this little infant to doe vnto him? He dandels him, hee kisseth him, bee setts him vpon his knees, houldeth him in his armes, vvith exceeding delight asvvell to the child as to him­selfe; if the child bee stung vvith a Bee, hee ceaseth not to blovve vpon the hurt, vntill such time as the greife be appeased; If his eldest sonne had bene stunge vvith a hundred Bees, hee vvould not haue vouchsafed to moue his foote, although he loue him vvith a great, strong, and solide loue. Consider I pray you, the difference of these tvvo loues; for although you haue seene the tendernesse that this Father hath to his little one, hee doth not therefore [...]eaue his designe to send him forth of his house, [...]nd to make him a Knight of Malta, appointing his [...]lder sonne to bee his heire, and inheritour of his estate: This elder then is loued with effectiue loue, [...]nd the other little one with affectiue loue, the one and the other are loued but differentlie; The [...]oue that wee haue to our selues, is of this sort affe­ [...]tiue and effectiue. The effectiue loue is it, that [...]ouerneth great persons, ambitious of Honour and [...]f Riches; for they doe procure to themselues as much goods as they can, and are neuer satisfied in [...]etting: these loue thēselues exceedinglie vvith this [...]ffectiue loue: But there are others that loue them­ [...]elues more vvith the affectiue loue, and these are [...]ose, vvho are verie tender of themselues, and who noe nothing but bemoane, dandle, cherish, and con­ [...]rue themselues, and who feare so much all that [...]ay hurt them, that it is a great pittie to behould [...]em: If they bee sicke, vvhen they haue no more [...]yne then in their fingers end, there is no­ [...]ing more hurt then they are, they say they are [...]ost miserable, no euill, how great soeuer it bee, [Page 222] is comparable to that they suffer, and they canno [...] find medicines sufficient to cure them, they cease not to medicine themselues, and in thinking to conserue their health they loose it and ruinate i [...] altogether: if others are sicke it is nothing; in fine there is none but they vvho are to bee bemoane [...] and are subiect to weepe tēderlie ouer themselues endeuoring thereby to moue those that see them to compassion; They take little care, vvhethe [...] others esteeme them patient or no, so that they beleeue them to bee verie sicke and afflicted: imperfections certainlie proper to children, and, if I dur [...] say it, to vvoemen, and furthermore amongst men to those that are of an effeminate hart and lit­tle couragious: for amongst the generous this imperfection is not mett vvith all, for vvell made spirits stand not vpon these childish toyes and sottis [...] delicacies, vvhich are proper for nothing but t [...] stopp vs in the way of our perfectiō: and yet for a this, vvee cannot endure that one esteeme vs del [...] cate; is not t [...]is verie much tendernes?

§. 6. I remember a thing that hapned to m [...] retourning from Paris. I encountered in a house t [...] Religious vvoemen with this accident vvhich ser [...] eth to my purpose, and truelie I had more cons [...] lat [...]on in this encounter, then I had in all n [...] iourney, although I had mett with manie verie ve [...] tuous soules; but this one did comfort mee abou [...] all. There vvas in this house a maide vvho ma [...] her [...]riall or nouitiate she was meruelouslie gent [...] docile, subiect, and obedient: in fine she had all t [...] most necessarie conditions to bee a true Religio [...] vvoeman: in the end it hapned by misfortune, th [...] her sisters did marke in her a corporall imperfect vvhich vvas cause that they began to bee in dou [...] whether they oug [...]t not to dismisse her for t [...] cause. The mother Superiour loued her verie mu [...] [Page 223] and vvas troubled to doe it: but notwithstanding the sisters did stronglie ground themselues vpon this corporall incommoditye: Novv vvhen I was there, the matter vvas referred to mee touching this good poore soule, vvho is vvell descended; she vvas brought before mee, being there she placed her selfe vpon her knees, It is true my Lord, sayed she, that I haue such an imperfection, vvhich truelie is so shamefull (naming it alovvde vvith great sim­plicitie) I confesse that our sisters haue verie great reason, not to bee willing to receaue mee, for I am insupportable in my defect; But I beseech you to bee fauorable vnto mee, assuring you if they receaue mee exercising their charitie tovvards mee, that I vvill haue a great care not to trouble them, submit­ting my selfe vvith all my hart to keepe the garden [...]or to bee imployed in other offices vvhatsoeuer they bee, that may keepe mee farr of from their companie, to the end I may not molest thē. Truelie this maydē touched my hart, O she vvas not much tender of her selfe: I cannot hould my selfe from saying, that I vvould vvith all my hart haue the same naturall defect, and vvithall haue the courage to declare it before the whole world vvith the same simplicitye that she did before mee; she had not so much feare of being disesteemed as manie others haue, neither vvas she so tender ouer her selfe; she did not make any of these vaine and vnprofitable considerations, vvhat vvill the Superiour say if I de­clare this or that to her? if I aske her any helpe or reliefe, she vvill say or thinke, that I am verie deli­cate: and if it bee true, vvhy vvould you not that she should thinke so? But vvhen I tell her my necessitie she maketh mee so cold a countenāce, that it seem­eth that she is not pleased vvith it: It may verie vvell bee, my good daughter, that the Superiour hauing other things enough in her head, hath not [Page 224] allvvaies attention to smile or speake verie gra­tiouslie, when you delare to her your greife, and this is it you say which troubleth you, and taketh from you the confidence to speake to her of your infirmities: O God! my deare daughters these are childish toyes, wee must goe simply: If the Supe­riour or the mistrisse haue not entertayned you as you desire, one time, yea many; you must not bee disgusted therefore, nor iudg they doe allwaies the same: O no: Our Lord will touch them it may bee with his spiritt of sweetnes, for to yeald themselues more pleasing at our next retourne; so wee must not bee so tender as to desire allwaies to speake of all the infirmities wee haue, when they are not o [...] importance: a little head ache, or a little tooth ache, which will quicklie passe perchance if you would beare it for the loue of God, there is no neede to goe speake to make your selfe to be beemoaned a little▪ it may bee you will not speake to the superiour, o [...] to her that may take care to ease you; but with more facillitie to others▪ because say you that you would suffer this for God, O my deare daughter, if it were so that you would suffer it for the loue of God, a [...] you thinke: you would not goe to tell it to anothe [...] that you knovve well, will find her selfe obliged to declare your greife to the Superiour, and by this meanes fetching a cōpasse you shall haue your cō ­tentment, but in good earnest you had better make your demaūd simply to her that can giue you leaue to take it; for you knowe well, that the sister that you speake to of your headache, hath not povver to bid [...] you goe lye downe on your bed; this thē is no othe [...] designe or intētiō (although wee thinke not so ex­preslie) but to the end to bee bemoaned a little by this sister, and this doth greatlie satisfie selfe-loue [...] Now if it happē by encoūter that you speake it (the sister it may be asking you how you doe at that ti­me) [Page 225] there is no harme, so that you tell it simply, without aggrauating it or bewailling your selfe; But more then this, must not be spokē but to the Supe­riour, or to the mistrisse; you must no more bee a­fraid, although they bee a little rigorous in corre­cting such a fault; For, my deare daughter, you take not frō thē the cōfidēce and libertie to correct you, goe simply then, tell thē of your greife: I beleeue well that you take more pleasure, ād are more cōfi­dēt to tell your payne to her who hath not the char­ge to cōfort you, thē to her that hath care ād power to doe it: whiles you doe so; euerie one bemoaneth you, and all sett thēselues a worke to prouide you remedies, whereas if you told it to the sister who hath charge of you, you must enter into subiectiō to doe that which she should ordayne, ād whiles with all your hart you auoyd this blessed subiectiō, selfe-loue seeketh to be your gouernesse ād yet, mistrisse of your will, But if I tell the Superiour (you reply,) that I haue the headache, she will bidd mee take my rest, well: what is that to the purpose? If your neces­sitie be not such, it will cost you little to say, mother or sister I thinke I am not so ill as to laye mee downe on my bedd; and if she say, you shall doe it notwith­standing, goe your waies simply: for wee must all­waies obserue great simplicitie in all things; to walke simply is the true way of the Religious of the visita­tion, which is exceeding pleasing to God and most assured. But seing a sister that hath some trouble in her mind, or some other incommoditie, not to haue the confidence or courage to ouercome her selfe to declare it to you, and you perceaue verie well that the want thereof doth carrye her into some melancholie humour; ought you to call her to you, or to lett it come of her selfe? In this, consi­deration must gouerne vs: for sometimes wee must condescend to informing our selues vvhat the [Page 226] matter is, and at other times vvee must mortifie these humours, in letting thē alone, as vvho would say, you vvill not ouercome your selfe to aske re­medie for your payne, suffer ir then in good time, you deserue it vvell.

§. 7. This delicacie is much more insurppor­table in things of the spiritt then in corporall: and yet it is most infortunatlie practiced and nourished by spirituall persons, vvho vvould bee Saints in an instant, desiering notvvithstāding that it should cost them nothing, no not the sufferinge of the com­batts the inferiour part causeth them, by the feeling that it hath in things contrarie to nature, and yet vvill wee or vvill vvee not vvee must haue courage to endure it, and consequentlie to resist these schir­mishes all the time of our life in many encounters, if vvee vvill not become bankrupt in the perfectiō that vvee haue vndertaken. I allvvaies desire verie much that vvee distinguish the effects of the supe­ [...]iour part of our soule, from the effects of the in­feriour part, and that vvee bee neuer astonished at the productions of the inferiour part of our soule hovv euill soeuer they bee. For that is not capable to stopp vs in the way, prouided that vvee hould our selues constanc in the superiour part, to aduāce our selues allvvaies forvvard in the vvay of perfe­ction, vvithout studying and loosing our time, to bevvaile our selues, that vvee are vnperfect, and vvorthy of compassion, as if vvee vvere to doe no other thing, then lament our miserie and misfor­tune, for being so backvvard to come to the topp of our enterprise. This good virgin of vvhom vvee haue spoken vvas nothing tender or reserued in speaking to mee of her defect: but she tould it me with a hart and countenance verie assured, vvherein she pleased mee much. But for vs it doth vs so great good to vveepe vpon our defects to content selfe [Page 227] loue. VVee must (my deare daughthers) bee verie generous, ād not astonished to see our selues subiect to a thousand sorts of imperfections, and yet haue a great courage to contemne our inclinations, our humours, fantasticallnesse, and delicacies, faythfully mortifying all this at euerie occasion: and if notvvithstanding wee happen to committ defects novv and then, vvee must not therefore bee at a stay; but must raise our courage vp againe to bee more faythfull at the next occasion, and so passe fur­ther, making progresse in the way of God, and in the renuntiation of our selues.

§. 8. You demaund moreouer, if the Superiour seeing you more sadd then ordinarie, aske you what is the matter: and you seeing many things in your head that molest you, cannot tell vvhat it is; hovv must you doe then? you must say simply, I haue many things in my head, but I knovve not vvhat it is. You feare say you, the Superiour vvill thinke you haue not confidēce to tell her; But vvhat ought you to care, vvhat she thinketh or thinketh not; prouided that you doe your dutie, vvhereof doe you trouble yourselfe? so that to say, vvhat wil she say if I doe this, or that, or vvhat vvill the Supe­riour thinke, is exceeding contrarie to perfection, vvhen vvee settle our selues therein. For you must allvvaies remember in all that I say, that I intend not to speake of that vvhich the inferiour part of the soule doth: for I make no reckoning of it, it is then the superiour part that must contemne this what will they say? or vvhat will they thinke? this hapneth to you, vvhen you haue rendred an ac­count of your conscience because you haue not suf­ficientlie told particular faultes; you say you thinke the superiour vvill say or thinke that you vvould not tell her all: it is the same of this rendring of ac­count, as of confession: VVee must haue an equall [Page 228] simplicitye in the one and in the other. Novv tell mee, should I say, if I confesse such a thing, vvhat will my confessour say, or what will hee thinke of mee? Let him thinke and say vvhat hee vvill, pro­uided that hee hath giuen mee absolution, and tha [...] I haue done my duty, it sufficeth mee: and as after confession it is not time to examine our selues, to see if wee haue tould all that wee haue done: but i [...] is the time to keepe our selues in trāquillitye close­ly attentiue to our Lord, vvith vvhom wee are reconciled, and to giue him thankes for his beni­fitts, it being nothing necessarie to make a search o [...] that which wee haue forgotten: in like manner it is vvhen wee haue rendred our accompt: That which commeth to our mind must bee simply told, afte [...] it must no more bee though of: But euē as it woul [...] not bee a good preparation to goe to confession not to bee willing to examine our selues, for fear [...] of finding somthing worthy to bee confest: in lik [...] sort wee must not neglect to enter into our selue before the rendring of accompt, for feare of findin [...] somthing, which should be troublesome to speake Nether must you bee so tender to speake all, nor to rūne to the superiour to crie hola for the least payn [...] that you feele, the which it may be wilbe past withi [...] a quarter of an hower. wee may well learne to suf­fer sōwhat generouslie these small matters for whic [...] wee cannot procure remedie, being ordinarilie th [...] productiōs of our imperfect nature; as are these inconstancies of humours, of wills, of desires, vvhic [...] produce sōtimes a little perplexity; sōtimes a desir [...] to speake, and thē all of a sodayne a great auersiō t [...] doe it, and the like, to which wee are subiect, an [...] shalbe as lōg as wee liue in this passing ād decayin [...] life. But touching this payne that you say you haue and which taketh frō you the meanes to keepe yo [...] attētiue to God, vnlesse you goe presētlie to decla [...] [Page 229] it to the superiour, I say to you, that you must note that it may bee it taketh not frō you the attentiō to the presence of God; but rather the sweetnes of this attentiō: Now if it bee but this, if you haue the cou­rage ād the will as you say to suffer it without seek­ing of comfort, I tell you that you shall doe verie well to doe it; although that it doe bring you some little vnquietnesse prouided it bee not too great: but if it should take frō you the meanes to drawe neere to God, at that time you should goe to lett the Su­periour knowe of it, not to seek comforte, but to gaine way in the presence of God, although there would be no great harme to doe it for your cōfort: moreouer the sisters must not bee so tyed to the kind entertaynment of the superiour: That if she speake not to them according to their content, pre­sentlie they perswade thēselues by cōsequence that they are not beleued. O no, our sisters doe loue hu­militie and mortification too much, to bee frō hen­ceforth melancholie vpon a light suspition (which may be without groūd) that they are not so wel be­loued as their selfe-loue maketh them desire to bee.

§. 9. But (some one will say) I haue com­mitted a fault against the superiour, and therefore I enter into these apprehensions that she is displeased with mee, & in a word that she will not haue mee in so good esteeme as she hath had. My deare sisters, all this discontent is made by the cōmaundment of a certayne spirituall Father who is called selfe loue, who beginneth to say, how? haue I failed in this manner? what vvill our mother say or thinke of mee? O! there is nothing to bee expected that is good of mee, I am a poore miserable creature, I shall neuer doe any thing that may content our mother, and the like wise lamentations: they doe dot say, Alas! I haue offended God, I must haue recourse to his goodnes hopeing hat hee vvill strenghthen [Page 230] mee: They say O I knovv vvell that God is good, hee will not regard my vnfay [...]hfullnes, hee knovv­eth verie vvell our infirmitye, A [...]? but our mother. This wee renevve still to continue our complaints: without doubt care must be had to please our su­periours: For the great Apostle Saint Paule declar­eth it and exhorteth therevnto, speaking to seruants and it may also bee attributed to children. Serue, sayeth hee; your Maisters to the eye, as if hee would say, haue a care to please them; but after hee also sayed. Serue not your maisters to the eye, as if hee had sayed, that they must looke vvell to them­selues▪ for to doe nothing more in the sight of thei [...] maisters, then they would doe being absent, be­cause the eyes of God doth allvvaies see them, to vvhom they ought to haue a great respect not to doe any thing that may displease him, and in so doeing, they must not trouble themselues, nor car [...] to desire allvvaies to please men, for it is not i [...] their povver, doe the best you can not to vex or anger any person: but after this if it happen, that by your infirmitye you discontent them sometimes recurr persently to the doctrine that I haue so of­ten preached to you, and vvhich I haue had so grea [...] a desire to graue in your harts, humble your selues instantlie before God, acknovvledging your frailty and weakenesse, and then repayre your fault wit [...] an act of humilitye, if it deserue it, tovvardes th [...] person that you haue disquieted, and this done neuer trouble your selfe: For our spirituall Fathe [...] which is the loue of God forbidds vs to doe so, teaching vs that after vvee haue made an act of humilitie euen as I haue sayed, vvee should re-enter int [...] our selues, for to cherish tenderlye and deareli [...] this blessed abiection, vvhich hapneth to vs for hauing offended, and this vvelbeloued reprehension that the Superiour vvill giue vs: wee haue tvv [...] [...] [Page 231] [...]vvo Iudgments and tvvo vvills, and therefore wee must make no recknoning of all that selfe loue, [...]elfe iudgment, or selfe vvill suggesteth vnto vs, prouided that wee doe make the loue of God to [...]aygne aboue selfe loue, the iudgment of Supe­riours yea of inferiours and equalls aboue our ovvne (vvhich vvee must annihilate as neere as wee can) not contenting our selues to subiect our vvill, in doeing all that they will haue vs doe, but sub­ [...]ecting our iudgment to beleeue that vvee should haue no iudgment, if wee did not esteeme this to bee iustly and reasonably done, reiecting also abso­ [...]utelie the reasons that it vvould bring to make vs [...]eleeue that the thing vvhich is commaunded vs, [...]bould bee better done otherwise, then as they haue [...]idden vs. VVe must vvith simplicitie alleage our reasons for once, if they seeme good; but then vvee must yeald vvithout more replies, to that vvhich [...]hey say to vs, and by this meanes make our selfe- [...]udgment dye, which vvee esteeme so wise and [...]rudent aboue all others; O God! mother, our si­ [...]ters are so resolued to loue mortification, that it vvilbe a pleasing obiect to behould them, consola­ [...]ions vvilbe nothing to them, in comparison of the [...]rice of afflictions, drinesses and repugnances; so much doe they desire to render themselues like to [...]heir spouse. Assist them therefore well in their en­ [...]erprise, mortifye them vvell & couragiously, not [...]paring them: for it is that which they demaund, [...]hey will no more bee tyed to cherishings, since it is contrarie to the generositie of their deuotion, the which vvill make them heerafter, to sett themsel­ [...]es so absolutely to desire to please God, that they will no more regard any other thing, if it bee not [...]roper to aduance them in the accomplishment of [...]his desire. It is the marke of a delicate hart, and a [...]ender deuotion, to permitt our selues to bee car­ried [Page 232] away with euerie little encounter of contrad [...] ction: bee not afraid; these childeshnesses of a melancholye and spightfull humour vvill neuer be [...] amongst vs. VVe hane so much courage, thanke [...] bee to God, that we wil apply our selues to mak [...] so good progresse heereafter, that it willbe agre [...] contentement to behould vs. In the meane time my Deare danghters, lett vs purifie our intention to the end that doing all for God, for his Honou [...] and Glorie, we doe expect our recompence onli [...] from him: his Loue shalbe our reward heere, an [...] himselfe shalbe our recompence in all eternitie.

THE FIFTEENTH ENTER­TAINEMENT.
IN VVHICH IS DEMAVNDED VVHEREI [...] consisteth the perfect determination of regar [...] ing, and follovving the vvill of God in [...] things: and vvhether vvee may find a [...] follovv it in the vvills of Superiours, equal [...] and inferiours vvhich vvee see to proceee [...] vpon their naturall or habituall inclination and of some notable points touching Co [...] fessours and Preachers.

§. 1. VVee must knowe that the determin [...] tiō of following the vvill of God [...] all things without exception, is contained in o [...] Lords prayer in these words that wee say eue [...] day: Thy wille bee done in earth as it is in heau [...] There is not any resistance of the will of God [...] heauen, all are obedient and subiect to him: eu [...] so say vve that it may arrriue to vs, and this vv [...] aske of our Lord to doe, neuer bringing any re [...] stance there vnto: but remayning most obedi [...] and subiect, in all occurrences to his diuine w [...] [Page 233] But the soules thus determined haue neede to be [...]nlightned, in what they shalbe able to know this will of God. Of this I haue spokē verie clearely in [...]he booke of the Loue of God: Notwithstanding to satisfye the demaund [...]hich hath bene made mee, I will heer say something more. The vvill of God may bee vnderstoode in thvvo manners. There is the vvill of God signified, and the will of good pleasure. The vvill of God signified [...]s distinguished into four parts, which are the com­maundements of God, and of the Church, Coun­ [...]ells, Inspirations, Rules and constitutions. The [...]ommaundements of God, and of the Church ne­ [...]essarilie euery one must obey, because it is the [...]bsolute will of God, vvho willeth that in this, we [...]hould obey if wee wilbe saued. Hee willeth also [...]hat wee should obserue his Councells; but not with an absolute will, but onelie by vvay of desire; wherefore wee loose not Charitie, neither shall vve bee seperated frō God, for not hauing courage, [...]o vndertake Obedience to his Councelles; Like­wise wee ought not to desire to vndertake the pra­ [...]tice of all, but of those that are most conforme to [...]ur vocation: For there are some of them which are [...]o opposite to others, that it wilbe impossible with­out doubt to imbrace the practice of the one, and [...]ot to take avvay the meanes to practice the other; [...]t is a coūcell to leaue all for to follovv our Lord, [...]aked void of al [...] things: It is a councell to lend [...]nd giue allmes; tell mee, the person who hath on­ [...]e forsaken and giuen avvay all that hee had, of what can hee giue Almes, since that hee hath no­ [...]hing? wee must then follovv the conuncells that God would we should follovv, and not beleeue [...]hat hee hath giuen them all, that wee should fol­ [...]ovv them all. Now the practice of the councells [...]hat wee heere ought to practice, are those [Page 234] that are conteyned in our Rules. Moreouer vve [...] haue sayed that God signifieth his vvill to vs, b [...] his inspirations, it is true: but notvvithstanding hee vvill not, that vvee should discerne of ou [...] selues, if this vvhich is inspired, is his vvill, muc [...] lesse that wee should presumptiouslie follow hi [...] inspirations: neither will hee that vvee should expect that hee himselfe doe manifest his wills, o [...] that hee send his Angells to teach them vs; Bu [...] his vvill is that in doubtfull cases and of importāc [...] wee should haue recourse to those, vvhō hee hat [...] established ouer vs, to guid vs, and that wee shoul [...] yeald our selues totallye subiect to their counce [...] and opinion, in this which regardeth the perfectio [...] of our soules. Behould then hovv God manifesteth his vvill, which wee call signified vvill. Moreouer there is the will of the good pleasure of God the which vvee ought to behould in all euents, [...] would say in all that hapneth vnto vs, in sicknes, i [...] death in afflictiō, in consolatiō, in aduerse and properouse things, in breif in all things vvhich are no foreseene. And according to this vvill, vvee ough [...] allwaies to bee readie, to submitt our selues in a [...] occurrences, in things disaggreable, in death, as i [...] life; in fine in all that is not manifestlie against th [...] signified vvill of God; for that is allvvaies to b [...] preferred.

§. 2. This being so, vvee aunswere to the s [...] cond part of the demaund. That you may the bett [...] vnderstand this, I must tell you what I haue read [...] fewe dayes past, in the life of the great Saint A [...] seline, where it is sayed; that during all the tim [...] that hee was Priour and Abbott of his Monaster hee was exceedinglie beloued of euerie one; b [...] cause hee vvas verie cōdescending permitting himselfe, to yeald to the vvill of all, not onely of t [...] Religious, but also of strangers. One came to hi [...] [Page 235] saying, Father, your Reuerence should take a little [...]roth, hee tooke it; an other came to him and say­ed, This vvill doe you hurt; instantlie hee lest it: so hee did submi [...]t himselfe (in all that where in there was no offence to God) to the vvill of his brethren who without doubt did follovv their owne incli­nations: especially the Seculers; who did also make him turne at euerie hand according to their vvill. Novv this great gentlenesse and condescending of this Sainct was not approued of all, allthough hee vvas vvel beloued of all, so that one day some of his brethren desiring to shevve to him, that this vvent not vvell according to their iudgment, and that hee ought not to bee so gentle and condescen­ding to the will of all the world; but that hee ought to make those whom hee had in charge; to yeald vnto his will. O my children (sayed this great Saint) it may bee you doe not knovv with what intention I doe it: knovve then when I remember that our Lord hath commaunded, that vvee should doe to others as wee vvould they should doe to vs, I can doe no othervvise; For I vvould that God did my will, and therefore I doe vvillinglie that of my brethren, and of my neighbours, to the end it may please our good God to doe mine sometimes. Fur­thermore I haue an other consideration, which is that after that which is the signified will of God, I cannot knovve better the [...]ill of his good pleasure nor more assuredlie, then b [...] the voice of my neigh­bour: For God doth not speake to mee, neither doth hee send his Angells, to declare to mee what is his good pleasure. The stones, brute beasts, and plantes speake not: there is no other then man, who can manifest the will of my God to mee, and therefore I bind my selfe to this as much as I can. God com­maundeth mee Charitie tovvards my neighbour: and it is a great Charitie to conserue ones selfe in [Page 236] vnion one vvith another, and to preserue this, I do [...] not find a better meanes, then to bee gentle an [...] condescending: Sweetnes and humble condescendence ought allwaies to beare svvay in all our actions. But my principall consideration is, to beleeu [...] that God manifesteth his vvill to mee, by those o [...] my brethren, and therefore I obey God as oftentimes as I condescend to them in any thing. Moreouer hath not our Lord sayed, that if wee becom [...] not as a little child wee shall not enter into th [...] kingdome of heauen? doe not meruaill then if [...] bee sweete, and facill to condescend as a child; sinc [...] in this I doe no other then that vvhich hath ben [...] ordayned by my sauiour. There is not any grea [...] domage, whether I goe to bedd or remayne vpp [...] whether I goe thither or remayne heere: but i [...] should bee an imperfection in mee not to submit [...] my selfe to my neig [...]bour. You see, my deare sisters, the great Sainct Anselme submitteth himselfe to all that which is not contrarie, nor against th [...] commaundements of God or holy church, o [...] against the Rules, for this obedience is allwaies to bee preferred I doe not thinke that if they ha [...] desired any of this that hee would haue done it. O [...] no! But this obserued, his generall Rule vvas in these indifferent things to condescend wholy to all. The Glorious Saint Paul, after that he had say­ed, that nothing should separate him from the Charitie of God, neither death nor life, no not Angells themselues, nor all Hell if it should band against him, should bee able to doe it; I knowe no­thing better (sayeth hee) then to yeald to all, to laugh vvith them that laugh, to weepe with those that weepe, and in fine to yeald my selfe to euerie one. Sainct Pachome one day making matts had vvith him there a child, vvho beholding what the Sainct did, sayed vnto him: O Father you doe [Page 237] not vvell this must not bee done so. The great Saint [...]llthough hee did make these matts vvell enough [...]euerthelesse arose readily, and sett himselfe neere [...]nto the child, vvho shewed him how hee should [...]ake them. Novv there vvas another Religious [...]an, vvho sayed to him: Father you committ two [...]ults in condescending to the will of this child; For [...]ou expose him to the danger of vanitie; and [...]oile your matts, for they were better so as you [...]d them; to whom the blessed Father aunswer­ [...]d: My brother, if God permitt that the child [...]onceaue vanitie, it may bee that in recompence [...]ee will giue mee humilitie, and when hee shall [...]aue giuen it mee, I shall afterwards bee able to [...]ue some to this child. There is not any great [...]rme to dispose in this or that manner the bulrus­ [...]es to make the matts; but it would bee verie great [...]nger, if vvee haue not affection to this word [...] celebrated of our sauiour: if you become not [...] little children, you shall haue no part in the king­ [...]ome of my Father. O what a great good is this, [...]y sisters, to bee so facill and pliable to bee turned [...] obedience at euerie hand!

§. 3. Now not onely the Saints haue taught vs is practice of the submission of our will: but also [...]ir Lord, asvvell by example, as by word: but how [...] word? the councell of abnegarion of ones selfe, [...]hat other thing is it, but to renounce in all occa­ [...]ons his owne will, and his particular iudgment, followe the will of another, and to submitt him­ [...]fe to all? allwaies excepting that wherein wee [...]ould offend God. But it may bee you will say, [...]ee cleerlie, that this, which they vvould haue [...]ee doe, proceedeth from a humayne vvil, and [...]turall inclination; and therefore God hath [...]t inspired my mother, or my sister to make [...]e doe such a thing? No, it may bee God [Page 238] doth not inspire this to her; yet truelie hee will that you should doe it; and you fayling therein resist the determination of doing the vvill of God i [...] all things; and consequently the care you ought t [...] haue of your perfection; wee must then allwaie [...] submitt our selues to doe all that they desire of vs for to doe the will of God; prouided that it bee no contrarie to his will, which hee hath signified i [...] the manner aforesayed.

§. 4. Novv to speake a word of the will of creatures; it may bee taken in three kindes, by vvay o [...] affection, by way of complacence, or else withou [...] intention, or besides their designe; according t [...] the first, our will must bee verie strong, to embra [...] willinglie these wills, which are so contrarie [...] ours, vvhich would not bee contrāried; & yet o [...] dinarilye wee must suffer verie much in this pr [...] ctice of follovving the wills of others, vvhich a [...] for the most part different from ours, wee oug [...] therefore to receaue by way of sufferance the ex [...] cution of such wills, and to serue our selues of the daylie contradictions for to mortifie vs, accepti [...] them with loue and gentlenesse; By way of co [...] placence ther is no neede of exhortation to ma [...] vs follow them: for wee obey most willinglie delectable thing: yea wee runne before these wi [...] to offer them our submissions. Therefore it is [...] of this kinde of will that you demaund, if wee m [...] submitt our selues therevnto: for wee haue [...] doubt thereof: but of those that are farr from t [...] purpose, and of vvhich vvee knowe not the reas [...] wherefore one desireth this of vs: it is this wher [...] the difficultye lieth. For wherefore should I d [...] the will of my sister, rather then my ovvne? also not mine as conforme to the will of God as hers [...] this slight occurrence? for what reason ought [...] beleeue, that this, which she telleth mee tha [...] [Page 239] should doe, is rather an inspiration of God, then [...]he will that moueth mee to doe another thing? O God, my deare sisters, heere it is where the Di­ [...]ine Maiestie vvould make vs to gaine the prise of [...]ubmission; for if wee did allwaies perceaue verie [...]ell, that they haue reason to commaund vs, or [...]ay vs to doe such a thing, vvee should not haue [...]ny great meritt in doeing it, neither any great re­ [...]gnance, because without doubt all our whole [...]ule would willinglie grant this; but when the [...]easons are vnknovve to vs, our soule repineth at it [...]en our iudgment stormeth, and wee feele the [...]ontradiction. Now it is in these occasions, that [...]ee ought to surmount our selues, and with a [...]ildish simplicitie to put our selues to the busines [...]ithout discourse, or reasō, and say: I knovve verie [...]ell that the will of God is, that I should rather [...]e the will of my neighbour then my owne, and [...]erefore I will sett my selfe to the practice thereof [...]ot considering if this is the will of God, that I [...]bmitt my selfe, to doe that which proceedeth of [...]ssion, or otherwise by an inspiration, or motiō of [...]ason: for wee must walke through all these small [...]atters in simplicitye: I pray you to what purpose [...]ould there bee an houre of meditation made, for [...] knowe if it bee the will of God that I drinke, [...]hen they praye mee, or that I abstayne by pe­ [...]nce or sobrietye, and the like small matters which [...]e not worthy of consideration, and principallie, if see I shall content my neighbour how little soe­ [...]r in doeing them? in things of consequence wee [...]ight not to loose our time in considering them, [...]at wee must addresse our selues to our Superi­ [...]rs, to the end to knowe of them what wee haue [...] doe, after vvhich they are no more to be thought [...] but whe must depend absolutlie on their opiniō, [...]nce God hath giuen vs them, for the guid of our [Page 240] soule in the persection of his Loue. And if we ought thus to condescend to the will of euerie one much more ought vve to doe it to the will of Superiours, whom vvee ought to esteeme and regar [...] amongst vs, as the person of God himselfe; for indeed they are his lieftenants; vvherefore, althoug [...] vvee should knovve that they had naturall inclinations yea passions thēselues, by the motions where of they should commaund somtimes, or reprehend the faults of their inferiours, it should i [...] no sort astonish vs: for they are men as others, an [...] consequentlie subiect to haue inclinations, and pa [...] sions: but it is not permitted vs to iudg; that the commaund vs this out of their passion, or inclin [...] tion: and this thing wee must bee verie warie n [...] to doe; Notwithstanding if wee should know [...] palpably that this was so, wee must not omitt [...] obey sweetlie and louinglie, & submitt our selu [...] with humilitye to the correction. It is a thing trulie verie hard to selfe-loue to be subiect to all the encounters; it is true, but also it is not this Lo [...] that we ought to cōtent nor hearken vnto but only the most Holy Loue of our soules IESV [...] who demaūdeth of his Deare spouses, a holie im [...] tation of the perfect Obedience that hee rendre [...] not onelie to the most iust and good vvill of h [...] Father; but also to that of his parents, and which more to that of his enimies, who without do [...] did follovv their passions in the torments, whi [...] they imposed vpon him, and yet good Iesus subm [...] ted himselfe to vndergoe them sweetlie, humb [...] and louinglie. VVe shall see sufficientlie that th [...] vvord of our Lord, vvhich ordayneth that we ta [...] vp his Crosse ought to bee vnderstood of receaui [...] cordially the contradictions, vvhich are made [...] in all, encounters by holy Obedience, hovv lig [...] and of how little importāce soeuer they bee. I w [...] [Page 241] giue you further an admirable example, to make you comprehend the valwe of these little crosses, that is to say, of obedience, condescendance, and pliablenesse to follow the will of euerie one: but espetially of superiours. Sainct Gertrude vvas re­ligious in a monasterie, vvhere there vvas a supe­riour, vvho did knovv verie vvell, that the blessed Sainct vvas of a vveake and delicate complexion: wherefore she caused her to be entertayned more delicately then the other Religious vvoemen, not permitting her to vse the austerities, vvhich the cu­stome vvas to doe in that Religion; vvhat thinke you then the poore virgin did to become holie? no other thing, then to submitt her selfe verie simply to the mother, and although feruour did make her desire to doe the same that others did doe, yet she made no shewe thereof, for when they com­maunded her to goe to bedd, she went thither sim­ply without reply, being assured she should enioy the presence of her spouse, asvvell vvithin her bedd by obedience, as if she had bene in the quire vvith her sisters and companions. And for testimonie of the great peace and tranquillitie of spiritt that she gayned in this practice, our Lord reuealed to Sainct Mictild her companion, that if any vvould find him in this life, they should seeke him first in the most Holie Sacrament of the Alter, and then in the next place, in the hart of Sainct Gertrude; Wee must not bee astonished at this, since the spouse sayeth in tho Canticle of Canticles, that the place where hee re­steth himselfe is in the midday: Hee sayeth not, that hee reposeth himselfe in the morning, nor in the Euening, but in the Midday, because that in the mid­day there is not any shadowe. The hart of this great Sainct vvas a true midday, vvhere there vvas not any shadovve of scruples nor selfe will; and there­fore her soule did fully enioy her beloued, who did [Page 242] take his delights in her: In fine, obedience is the sal [...] vvhich giueth tast and sauour to all our actions, & maketh them meritorious of eternall life.

§. 5. Furthermore, I desire this day to speake two or three words of Confessiō. First I desire you should beare a great respect to the Confessours: for (besides that wee are verie much obliged to honou [...] Preissthood) wee ought to regard them as Angell [...] that God hath sent vs, for to reconcile vs vnto hi [...] diuine maiestie: and not onelie this, but further­more vvee ought to regard them as the lieftenants of God vpon earth; and therefore although it hap­pen somtimes, that they shevve themselues men [...] committing some imperfections, as demaunding some curiositie, vvhich is not concerning confessiō [...] as, vvhat should bee your names? what penances you doe? if you practice vertues? and vvhat they are? i [...] you haue any tentations? and the like; I would auns­vvere according to that they aske, although you ar [...] not obliged therevnto: for vvee ought not to tel [...] them, that wee are not permitted to speake to them of any other thing then that vvhereof you haue ac­cused your selfe: O no? wee must neuer vse thi [...] defect, for it is not true; you may say all vvhatsoe­uer you will in Confession, prouided that you speake not, but of that vvhich concerneth your par­ticular; and not of that vvhich concerneth the generall of your sisters. But if you feare to speake o [...] somthing they aske you, for feare of intāgling you [...] selfe, as shalbee to tell them if you haue any tenta­tions; if you apprehend the disclosing of them, in case they vvould knovve the particulers thereof you may aunswere them I haue had some, Father but by the grace of God I doe not thinke that [...] haue offēded his diuine goodnes therein, but neue [...] say, you haue bene forbiddē to confesse this or that Tell in good truth to your cōfessour, all that whic [...] [Page 243] doth br [...]d you trouble, if you will: but I say againe to you, take heede to speake of a third nor of a fourth person.

§. 5. In the second place, wee haue some reci­procall obligation to the Confessours in the act of Confession to keepe silent that which they s [...]all say vnto vs, vnlesse it bee something of good edificatiō, and more then so vvee ought not to speake. If it happen that they giue you any councell against your Rules and manner of life, hear them with hu­militie and reuerence, and then you shall doe as your Rules shall permitt, and not otherwise: th [...] Confessours haue not allwaies intention to oblige you vppon payne of sinne to that which they say to you▪ their councells ought to bee receaued by way of simple direction; notvvithstāding esteeme them much, and make a great account of all that they shall say to you in Confession: for you cannott beleeue the great profitt that there is in this Sacra­ment, for the soules that come therevnto vvith re­quisite humility. If they vvould giue you for pe­nance any thing that were against your Rule, praye them verie gently to change this penance into an other, for so much as being agaynst your Rule, you feare to scandalize your sisters if you should doe it. Furthermore, you must neuer murmur against the confessour, if through his fault something happen in Confessiō, you may speake simply to the superiour that you are verie desirous if it please her to con­fesse to some other, vvithout saying any thing: for so doeing you shall not discouer the imperfection of the confessour, and also shall haue the commo­ditie to cōfesse to your cōtent: but this is not to bee done lightlie and for matters of nothing▪ wee must auoyde extremities: for as it is not good to support notable defects in confessiōs; so vve must not bee so delicate, that vvee cānot beare some small matters.

[Page 244]§. 7. Thirdly, I desire verie much that the sisters of the Visitation take a great care to particularize their sinnes in Confession, I vvould say, tha [...] they who shall haue nothing remarkable whic [...] were worthy of absolutiō tell some particular sinn [...] for to say that they haue many motions of choler, of sorrovv, and the like, is not to the purpose: fo [...] choler and sorrovv are passions, and their motion are not sinne, for so much as it is not in our powe [...] to hinder them, choler must bee disordered or caus [...] in vs some disorderlie actions to bee a sinne, we [...] must therefore particularize some thing that marketh a sinne. I desire moreouer that you should hau [...] a great care, to bee verie true, simple, and charitabl [...] in Confession, (truth and simplicitie is one self [...] same thing) telling verie [...]learelie your faults, vvithout vanitie & without cunning, making your account, that it is God to vvhom you speake, frō wh [...] nothing can bee concealed; & verie charitable, no [...] mingling anie thing of another in your Confessiō [...] for example, hauing to Confesse of what you hau [...] murmured in your selues, or else with the sister [...] that the superiour hath spoken verie drilie to you [...] doe not say you haue murmured at the harsh corr [...] ction that the superiour hath giuen you: but simpl [...] that you haue murmured against the superiour. Te [...] onely the euill that you haue done ād not the cau [...] and that which thrust you therevppon, and neue [...] directlie not indirectlie discouer the offence o [...] others in accuseing your selfe ād neuer giue willinglie occasion to the Confessour to suspect vvho it [...] that hath contributed to your sinne also alleage no [...] any vnprofitable accusations in Confessiō, as to sa [...] you haue had thoughts of the imperfectiōs of you [...] neighbour, of vanitie, yea and worse, you haue ha [...] distractions in your prayers; if you haue stayed d [...] liberatlie in them tell it in veritie▪ and content no [...] [Page 245] your selfe to say, that you haue not had sufficient [...]are to keepe your selfe recollected, dureing the time of your prayer, but if you haue bene negligent to [...]eiect a distraction say so, for these generall accusa­ [...]ions serue for nothing in Confession.

§. 8. I desire moreouer, my deare daughters, [...]hat in this house you beare great honour to those who preach the word of God to you; truelie wee [...]aue verie much obligation to doe it. For, it [...]eemeth that these are celestiall messengers, who [...]ome as from God to teache vs the way of salua­ [...]ion, wee ought to regard them as such, and not as [...]imple men; for although they speake not so well [...]s celestiall men, wee must not therefore diminish [...]he humility and reuerence wherewith wee ought [...]o heare the Word of God, which is allwaies the [...]ame, as pure and as holie as if it were declared and [...]ronunced by Angells. I marke how when I write [...]o a person vpon ill paper, and in a bad character, [...]e giues mee thankes with asmuch affection, as when I write vpon better paper, and in more legi­ [...]le Characters; and vvhy? because hee maketh not [...]eflection vpon the paper (which was not good) [...]or on the character (vvhich vvas badd) but on mee [...]vho vvritt to him in like sort ought vvee to doe of the vvord of God: not to regard vvho it is that [...]eclareth it to vs or preacheth it, it ought to suffice [...]s that God serueth himselfe of this preacher to [...]each it vs. And since vvee see that God honoureth [...]im so much as to speake by his mouth, hovv is it [...]ossible that wee can bee wanting to honour and [...]espect his person?

THE SIXTEENTH ENTER­TAYNMENT.
TOVCHING AVERSIONS; HOVV VVE [...] ought to receaue bookes: and that vv [...] must not be astonished to see imperfections in Religious persons, no not in Su­periours themselues.

§. 1. THe first Question is, vvhat it is that we [...] call auersion? Auersions are certayne in­clinations, vvhich are somtimes naturall; vvhich ar [...] cause that vve haue a certayne grudge of hart at the approch of those tovvards vvhom wee haue them vvhich hindreth vs that vvee loue not their con­uersation, that is to say, vvee take no pleasure there­in, as wee vvould doe in the companie of those towards vvhō vvee haue a svveete inclinatiō which maketh vs loue them vvith a sensible loue, becaus [...] there is a certayne alliance & correspondance be­tvveene our spiritt and theirs. Novv to shevv that i [...] is naturall to loue some by inclinatiō, ād not others doe vvee not see, that if tvvo men enter into a ten­nis court, vvhere two others are playing at tennis, those vvho enter vvill at the first sight haue an in­clination, that the one winne rather then the other, and vvhence commeth this? since they haue neuer seene the one nor the other, nor haue heard them spoken of; nor know not if one bee more vertuous then the other, vvherefore they haue no reason to bee affectionate more to the one thē the other. VVe must then confesse that this inclination of louing some better then others is naturall: wee see it in beastes themselues, vvhich haue no reason ye [...] [Page 247] haue this auersion, and this inclination naturallie. Experience makes this plaine in a little lābe newlie brought forth, shevv him the skinne of a woalfe (al­though hee bee dead) hee setts himselfe to flight, hee bleats, hee hides himselfe vnder the flanks of his damm; but shevv him a horse (which is a much greater beast) hee is nothing at all afrayd, but vvill playe with him: the reason of this is no other, but that nature giueth him sympathy with the one, and antyp [...]thy from the other. Now wee must make no great account of these naturall auersions, no more then of inclinations, prouided that wee submitt our selues vvho [...]ie to reason. I haue an auersion to con­uerse vvith a person, vvhom I knovve to bee of great vertue, and vvith vvhom I may get much profitt; I must in no sort follow my auersiō, which maketh mee auoyd the encounter of him, but I ought to subiect this inclination to reason, which ought to make mee to seeke his conuersation, or at least to remayne there vvith a spiritt of peace and tranquillitie vvhen I meete with the occasion: but there are persōs vvho haue so great feare of hauing auersion from those they loue by inclination; that they auoyd their conuersation, for the feare they haue of meeting vvith some defect, vvhich might take from them the svvetnes of their affection & freindshipe. VVhat remedie for these auersions, since none can bee exempt hovv perfect soeuer hee bee? Those vvho are naturallie austere, vvill haue auersion from them that are verie svveete, & and vvill esteeme this svveetnes a very great remissenes, although this vertue of svvetnes, bee more vniuer­salie loued. The onlie remedie of this euill (as of all other kinds of temptations) is a simple diuersion, I meane, not to thinke thereon▪ but the miserie is that vvee vvould vvillinglie knovv vvhether vvee haue reason or not, to haue auersion from some person; [Page 248] O! vvee must neuer muse to seeke this: our selfe-loue, vvhich neuer sleeps, vvill gilde the Pill so wel [...] for vs, that it will make vs beleeue that it i [...] good, I vvould say, that it vvill make vs see, that it is true we haue certayne reasons vvhich vvill seeme good to vs, and then these reasons being ap­proued of our proper iudgment and selfe-loue, [...]here wilbe no more meanes to hinder from find­ing them iust and reasonable. O! truelie wee ought to take great heede of this. I extend my selfe to speake somwhat heerein, because it is a matter of importance. VVee neuer haue reason to haue auer­sion, much lesse to haue a desire to nourish it: I say then, when these are simple naturall auer­sions, wee must make no account of them, but diuert our selues without making shew of any thing and so deceaue our spiritt: but wee must fight and beat them downe whē wee see that nature passeth further, and vvould make vs depart from the sub­mission wee owe to reason, vvhich neuer permit­teth vs to doe any thing in fauour of our auer­sions, no more then of our inclinations (vvhen they are wicked) for feare of offending God. Now vvhen vvee doe no other in fauour of our auer­sions, then speake a little lesse pleasinglie, then wee should doe to a person to whom wee should haue great feelings of affection, this is no great matter, for it is not allmost in our power to doe other­wise. And when wee are in the motion of this passion, they should doe vvrong to require that of vs.

§. 2. The second demaund is, hovv vvee ought to comport our selues in the receauing of bookes which are giuen vs to read? The Supe­riour vvill giue to one of the sisters a booke that [...]reateth verie well of vertues: but because she loueth it not, she will not make profitt of her rea­ding: [Page 249] but vvill read it vvith negligence of spiritt: [...]nd the reason is, that she allreadie knoweth at her [...]ingers ends the contents there-of, and that caus­ [...]th her to haue more desire they giue her another booke to read. Now I say that this is an imperfe­ction, to haue a will to choose or desire another booke, then the same that they giue vs, and this is [...] marke that wee read rather to satifie the curio­sitie of our spiritt, then to profitt by our lecture. If wee did read for our profitt and not to content our selues, wee should bee as equallie satisfied with one booke as with another, at least vvee vvould accept vvith a good will, all those our superiour [...]hould giue vs for to read. I say much more; for I assure you that if wee did neuer take pleasure to [...]ead but one onely booke, prouided that it were good and did speake of God: yea vvhen there should not bee in it, but onelie this name of God, vvee should bee content, since wee should find busines enough to doe, after the reading of it ouer and ouer agayne many times. For to desire to read to content curiositie, is a signe that vvee haue a little lightnes of spiritt, and that it doth not suffi­cientlie take care to performe the good which it hath learned in these little bookes of the pra­ctice of vertues, for they speake verie well of hu­militie and mortification, therefore they doe not practice them when they accept not of them with a good will.

Now to say, because I loue thē not I shall make no profitt of thē, is no good consequence, no more then to say, I knovv allreadie all by hart, I can take no pleasure to read it. All these are childish toyes, doe they giue you a booke that you know alreadie, or all most all, by hart? blesse God for it, for so much as you will more easilie comprehend the doctrine thereof. If they giue you one that you haue allreadie [Page 250] read many times, humble your selfe, and assure your selfe that God vvould haue it so, to the end you should bee more carefull to doe, thē to learne, and that his goodnes giueth it you for the second & third time, because you haue not made your pro­fitt thereof at the first reading. But the miserie from vvhence all this proceedeth is, that vvee seeke all­vvaies our ovvne satisfaction, and not our greater perfection. If peraduenture they haue regard to our infirmitie, and that the Superiour put vs to the choise of a booke, vvhat should vvee doe? then wee may choose it vvith simplicitie, but further then so, vvee must remayne allwaies humbly submisse to all that which the Superiour ordayneth, vvhether it bee to our liking or not, neuer making shew of the feel­ings vvee haue contrarie to this submission.

§. 3. The third Question is, if vvee should bee amazed to see imperfections amongst our selues, or in our Superiours? Touching the first point, it is vvithout doubt, you ought not at all to bee amazed if you see some imperfections heere vvithin, euen as in other houses of Religious vvoemen, hovv per­fect soeuer they bee; for you shall neuer bee able to doe so much, as not to committ some defects heere and there, according as you shalbe exercised. It is no great meruaile to see a Religious, vvho hath nothing vvhich troubleth her, or exerciseth her, to bee verie gentle, and to committ fevve faultes: vvhen they say to mee, behould such a one, vvhom vvee neuer savve committ imperfection, I aske pre­sentlie, hath she any charge? if they tell mee no, I make no great account of her perfection: for there is much difference betvveene the vertue of this one, and that of another vvho shalbe vvell exercised, bee it interiourlie by tentations, bee it exteriourlie by the contradictions that are giuē her. For the vertue of streinght, and the strenght of vertue are neuer [Page 251] gotten in the time of peace, and vvhiles vvee are not exercised by its contrarie.

Those vvho are verie gētle vvhiles they haue no contradiction, and vvho haue not gotten this vertue at the point of the speare, as vvee say, they are true­lie verie exemplar; and of great edification; but if you come to proue it, you shall see them presently moued, and vvitnesse, hovv their svvetnesse was not a strong and solide vertue; but imaginarie rather then true. There is much difference betweene hau­ing cessation from vice, and hauing vertue, vvhich is cōtrarie to it. Many seeme to bee verie vertuous, vvho neuerthelesse haue not vertue; because they haue not purchased it vvith labour. Very often it hapneth that our passions sleepe, and rest sence­lesse, and if in this meane time vvee doe not make prouision of forces, to fight against them, and to re­sist them, vvhen they shall come to awake, wee shalbe ouercome in the battaill. VVee must all­waies remayne humble, and not beleeue that wee haue vertues, although wee committ not (at least that wee knovv) defects that are contrarie to thē. Trulie there are many, vvho gently deceaue them­selues in this, that they beleeue, that the persons that make profession of perfection should not stumble into imperfections, and particularlie Religious: be­cause it seemeth vnto them, that entring into Reli­gion they cannot fayle to bee perfect, vvhich is not so; for, Religiōs are not made to gather perfect per­sons together, but persons who haue courage to pretend perfection.

§. 4. But vvhat shall vvee doe if vvee see im­perfections in Superiours, asvvell as in others? wee ought not to bee amazed at it: But I hope you make not imperfect superiours, say you? Alas, my deare daughters, if vvee should make none Supe­riours vnlesse they were perfect, vvee must pray [Page 252] to God to send vs Saincts or Angells to bee our superiours; for wee shall not find men capable: wee indeed seeke that they may not bee of wicked exā ­ple: but not to haue imperfections, wee take no heede therein, prouided that they haue the condi­tions of spiritt which are necessarie, for so much as although there may bee found more perfect, yet notvvistanding they would not bee so capable to bee Superiours. Alas, tell mee, hath not our Lord himselfe shewed vs, that hee did not take this consideration in the election that hee made of Sainct Peter for Superiour of all the Apostles? For euerie one knows what this Apostle did in the death and passion of his Maister, standing to talke vvith a mayde seruant and so vnhappily denied his most deare Maister vvho had done him so much good hee made his brauado, and then in fine hee tooke his flight: but besides this, after hee vvas confirmed in grace by receauing of the holy Ghost hee did committ a fault vvhich vvas iudged of such importance, that Sainct Paul vvritting to the Galathians: sayeth to thē, that hee had resisted him in the face, because hee vvas to bee blamed. And not onely Sainct Peter, had his imperfections but moreouer Sainct Paul, and Sainct Barnabee also: for desiring to preach the Gospel they had a little dis­pute together, because S. Barnabee desired to take with them, Iohn Marke who was his Cosen: S. Paul was of a contrarie opinion, and would not that hee should goe with them, and Sainct Barnabee would not yeald to the will of Sainct Paul, and so they se­perated themselues and went to preach, S. Paul into one country, and Sainct Barnabee into another with his Cosen Iohn Marke; It is true our Lord drevv good out of their variance, for else they had not preached but in one part of the world, & by this meanes they cast the seede of the Gospel in diuers [Page 253] places. Lett vs not thinke whiles wee shalbe in this life, to bee able to liue without committing imper­fections: for it cannot bee, whether wee bee Supe­riours or inferiours; since that wee are all men▪ and consequently wee haue all neede to beleeue this veritie as most assured, to the end that wee bee not astonished to see our selues, yea all of vs sub­iect to imperfectiōs; our Lord hath ordayned that vvee say euerie day these vvordes which are in the Pater Noster: Forgiue vs our offences as wee for­giue them that haue offended vs: and there is no exception in this ordinance, because wee haue all neede to make it; It is no good consequence to say, she is a Superiour, and therefore she is not cholerick, or she hath no imperfection. You won­der that comming to speake to the Superiour, she speaketh some word lesse svveet then ordinarie, it may bee she hath her head full of cares and affayres: your selfe-loue goeth away all troubled, in stead of thinking that God hath permitted this little dri­nesse in the Superiour to mortifie your selfe-loue, vvhich seeketh that the Superiour should make much of you, receauing amiably vvhat you would say to her; but in fine, it vexeth vs to meete with a mortification vvhere vvee looked not for it. Alas, vvee ought to goe and praye God for the Superiour, blessing him for this vvelbeloued con­tradiction. In a vvord, my deare daughters, Lett vs remember the vvords of the great Apostle S. Paul: Charitie thinketh not euill: as if hee vvould say, that she tourneth her selfe from seeing it, without thinking there-on, or staying to consider it.

§. 5. Moreouer you asked of mee touching this point: whether the superiour or directrice ought not to make shew of repugnance that the sisters doe see her defects, and what she ought to say vvhen a Religious cōmeth to accuse herselfe simply to her▪ [Page 254] of some iudgment or thought that she hath had, vvhich noted her imperfectiō; as for exāple if some one haue thought that the superiour should haue vsed correctiō vvith passion. Now I say, that vvhich she is to doe in this occasiō, is to humble her selfe, and to runne to the loue of her abiection▪ but if the sister vvas a little troubled in speaking it, the su­periour should not make semblance of any thing; but chang the discourse, yet notwithstanding hide the abiection in her hart. For wee ought to take good heade that our selfe loue cause vs not to loose the occasion of seeing our selues vnperfect and of humbling our selues▪ and although they forbeare the exteriour act of humility for feare of troubling the poore sister vvho is alreadie afflicted enough, they must not omitt to make the interiour: But if on the contrarie, the sister vvas not troubled in accuseing her, I should thinke it good that the superiour did freelye confesse that she had fayled, if it bee true: for if the iudgment hee false, it is good she declare it vvith humilitie, notvvithstanding allwaies reseru­ing the abiection pretiously, vvhich commeth to her of this that they iudg her defectiue. You see hovv this little vertue of our ovvne abiectiō ought neuer to remoue one stepp from our hart; because wee haue need of it euerye houre, although wee be verie perfect, for as much as our passions will reuiue, yea somtimes after vvee haue liued in Reli­gion many yeares, and haue made great progresse in perfection: euen as it hapned to a Religious of Sainct Pachome named Siluain, vvho in the vvorld vvas a player by profession, and being conuerted became Religious. Hee passed the yeare of his pro­bation, yea manie others after, vvith verie exem­pla [...] mortification; they neuer hauing, seene him exercise any act of his first occupation; twenty yeares after hee thought hee might doe well to [Page 255] make some merrimēt, vnder pretence of recreating his brethren, beleeuing that his passions were alrea­die so mortifyed, that they had no povver to make him passe the limitts of a simple recreation: but the poore man vvas much deceaued, for the passion of ioy did so reuiue, that after his apish fopperies, hee betooke himselfe to dissolutions in such sort, that they resolued to put him out of the monasterie, vvhich they had done, but that one of his Religious brethren yealded himselfe pledge for Siluain, pro­mising that hee should amend himselfe, vvhich he did, and became after a great Saint. Consider then, my deare sisters, how vvee must neuer forgett what vvee haue bene, to the end wee become not worse, and lett vs not thinke that vvee are perfect, vvhen vvee doe not committ manie imperfections: wee must also take head not to bee troubled if vvee haue passions; for vvee shall neuer bee vvholie exempt. Those Hermitts vvho vvould avovv the contrarie, were censured by the sacred councell, and their opi­nion condemned, and held for erroneous. VVee shall therefore allvvaies committ some faultes; but they ought so rarelie to bee committed, that tvvo bee not seene in fiftie yeares, euen as there were but tvvo espied in the lenght of time that the Apo­stles liued, after they had receaued the Holy Ghost. Neuerthelesse if vvee should see three or four, yea seuen or eight, in so long a succession of yeares, wee should not therefore be afflicted nor loose courage, but rather take breath, and fortifie our selues to doe better.

§. 6. Lett vs speake furthermore one word for the superiour; The sisters ought not to bee astoni­shed, although the Superiour committ imperfe­ctions, since that Saint Peter, vvho vvas the pastor of the vvhole church, and vniuersall Superiour of all Christians, fell into a defect, and such a one, as [Page 256] hee deserued correction, euen as Saint Paul sayeth: Likevvise the Superiour ought not to make shevv of trouble that her faults are seene, but she ought to obserue the humilitie and gentlenesse, with which Saint Peter receaued the reprehension from Sainct Paul, notwithstanding hee vvas his Superiour. VVe know not which is more worthy of consideration, either the force of the courage of Sainct Paul to re­prehend Sainct Peter, or the humilitie wherewith Sainct Peter submitted himselfe to the correction that was giuen him by S. Paul; yea for a thing where­in he thought hee did vvell, and had a verie good intention.

§. 7. You demaund in the fourth place, if i [...] should happen, that a Superiour had so much incli­nation to comply vvith secular persons, vnder pre­tence of profiting them, that she did omitt the particular care, vvhich she ought to haue of the Re­ligious vvho are vnder her charge, or else that she had not time sufficient to execute the affayres of the house, because she vvould remayne too long at the parloy; if she should not bee obliged to cutt of this inclination although her intention were good? I vvill yeald this to you, that the Supe­periours ought to bee verie affable to seculars to profitt them, and they ought willinglie to giue them part of their time; but vvhat thinke you this little part ought to bee? it ought to bee the tvvelueth part, the eleauen remayning to bee im­ployed vvithin the house, in the care of the fa­milie.

The Bees truelie goe forth of their hiue, but this is not but for necessitie or profitt, and they remayne but little vvithout, retourning backe againe, and principallie the king of Bees goeth but rarelie forth, but vvhen hee maketh a swarme of Bees that hee is inuironned vvith all his little [Page 257] people. Religion is a misticall hiue full of cele­stiall Bees, who are assembled together to man­nage the honie of celestiall vertues, and there­fore the Superiour, who is amongst them as their king, ought to bee carefull to keepe them neere her, for to teach them the manner how to attayne and conserue these vertues. Notwithstanding, she must not bee wanting to conuerse with secular per­sons when necessitie or charitie requireth it; but further then so, the superiour must bee breife with seculars: I say besids necessitie and charitie, be­cause there are certayne persons of great respect who must not bee disgusted. But Religious men [...]nd vvoemen must neuer entertayne themselues vvith seculars vnder pretence of gayning freinds to their Congregation. O truelie! there is no neede of this; for if they keepe themselues vvith­in to performe that well which is their dutie, they ought not to doubt but our Lord vvill prouide their Congregation sufficientlie of freinds who are necessarie for them.

But if it trouble the Superiour to breake of companie vvhen the signe is giuen to goe to the diuine Office, for feare of discontenting those vvith vvhome she conuerseth, she must not bee so tender nor fearefull; For if they bee not per­sons of great respect, or othervvise vvho come not but verie rarelie, or vvho dwell farre of, she must not quit the diuine Office, nor prayer, if Charitie doe not absolutelie require it. Touching the ordi­narie visitts of persons whom they may freelie take leaue of, the Portresse should say, that our mother or sisters are in prayer, or at the Office, if they please to staye, or come another time. But if it happen for some great necessitie they goe to the parloy in these times, at the least lett them [Page 258] take time after to remake their prayer, so much as they may or can possible: for of the Office none doubteth but they are obliged to say it.

§. 8. Novv in respect of the last question, which is if they ought not allvvaies to yeald some little particularitie to the Superiour, more then to the rest of the sisters, asvvell in garments, as in her diet, it shall soone bee resolued, for in a vvord I tell you, no; in no sort vvhatsoeuer, if it bee not of necessitie: euē as they doe to euerie one of the sisters, also she must not haue a particuler chaire, if it bee no [...] in the Quire, and in the Chapter, and in this chaire the assistant ought neuer to place her selfe, although in all other things they ought to beare her the same respect as to the Superiour▪ (vnderstand in her ab­sence) In the Refectorie also she must onelie haue a [...] seat as the others▪ although they all ovve her respec [...] as to a particular person to vvhom they ought to beare a verie great reuerence, yet she must not bee singular in any thing, as little as she shalbee able wee▪ allvvaies except necessitie, as if she bee olde o [...] infirme; for then it shalbe permitted to giue her a [...] chaire for her ease. VVee must carefullie auoyde all these things vvhich make vs appeare sōthing aboue others, I vvould say supereminent and remarkable. The superiour ought to bee acknovvledged and noted for her vertues, and not for her vnnecessarie singularities, espetiallie amongst vs of the Visitatiō, vvho desire to make a particular profession of great simplicity and humilitie: The [...]e honours are good for those Religious houses, vvhere the superiour is called Madame; but for vs there must bee none of all this.

§. 9. VVhat must vvee doe to conserue the spi­ritt of the Visitation vvell, and to hinder the dissi­pation thereof? The onelie meanes is, to keepe it locked and enclosed vvithin the obseruance of her [Page 259] Rules: but you say that there are some vvho are so iealous of this spiritt, that they vvould not haue it communicated out of the house: there is an excesse in this zeale vvhich must bee cutt of: for to vvhat purpose I praye you vvould you conceale from your neighbour that vvhich may profitt him, I am not of this opinion, for I vvould that all the good that is in the Visitation vvere acknovvledged and knovvē to euerie one, and therefore I haue all­vvaies been of this iudgment, that it vvilbe good to cause the Rule and Constitutions to bee printed; to the end that manie seeing them may dravve some profitt thereof. VVould to God, my deare sisters, there might bee manie found that vvould practice them, they should see verie quicklie a great chang in themselues, vvhich vvould redound to the Glorie of God, and the saluation of their soules. Lett vs bee verie carefull to conserue the spirit of the Visitation, but not in such sort, that the care hin­der vs from the communicating of it charitably, and vvith simplicitie to our neighbour, and to eue­rie one according to their capacitie, and doe not feare that it vvilbe dissipated by this communica­tion: for Charitie neuer ruinateth any thing but perfecteth all things.

THE SEAVENTEENTH ENTER­TAINEMENT.
VVHERE-IN IS DEMAVNDED: HOVV, and vppon vvhat motiue the Religious ought to giue their voice to those that they vvould admitt to Profession, as also to those they receaue into the Nouitiat.

§. 1. TVVo things are requisite for to giue their voice so as is befitting such persons: The first, that they admitt such persons, who haue a good call from God. The second that they haue re­quisite conditions for our manner of life. Touch­ing the first point, that she must haue a good vo­cation from God, to bee receaued into Religion, you must knovv, that when I speake of this call and vocation, I intend not to speake of the generall vocation, such as that is by the vvhich our Lord calleth all men to Christianitie, nor yet of that vvhereof it is sayed in the Ghospell that many are called but fevv elect: For God vvho desireth to giue eternall life to all, giueth to them all the mea­nes to attayne thervnto, and therefore he calleth thē to Christianitie, and hath elected them correspon­dent to this vocation, follovving the attracts of God, and yet the number of those vvho are found therein is verie little in comparison of those vvho are called. But speaking more particulerlie of a Re­ligious vocation, I say, that manie are vvell called of God into Religiō, but there are fevv vvho main­tayne [Page 261] and conserue their vocation: for they begin vvell, but are not faythfull to correspond to the di­uine grace, nor perseuerant in the practice of that vvich may conserue their vocation, and make it good & assured. There are others vvho are not vvell called, neuertheless being entred, their vocatiō hath been ratifyed and made good of God euen as vve see in those vvho come through spleene & dis­content into Religion, and although it seemeth that these vocations are not good, neuertheless vve haue seene that these being entred on such tearmes, haue succeeded verie vvell in the seruice of God. Others are incited to entrer into Religion for some disaster and misfortune, vvhi [...]h they haue in th [...] vvorld, others for vvant of health or corporall be­autie: and alt [...]ough that these persons, haue mo­tiues vvhich of themselues are not good; notvvith­standing God serueth himselfe of them for to call such persons. In fine, the vvaies of God are incom­prehensible, and his iudgments inscrutable, and ad­mirable in the varietie of vocations, and meanes vvhich hee vseth to call his creatures to his seruice, to vvhich all honour and reuerence is due.

§. 2. Novv of this great varietie of vocation [...] it follovveth, that it is a thing verie difficult to knovv true vocations, and yet this is the first thing vvich is requisite to giue their voice vvell, to vvitt, if the partye proposed bee vvell called, and if her vocation bee good: hovv then amongst so great a varietie of vocations, and of so different motiues, shall vvee bee able to knovv the good from the bad and not bee deceaued? This truely is a matter of great importance, and is verie difficult; notvvithstanding it is not so that wee are altogether destitute of meanes for to knovv the goodnes of a vocation. Novv amongst manie that I could al­leage, I vvill speake of one onelie, as the best of all. [Page 262] A good vocation is no other thing then a firme and constant vvill, that the person called hath to serue God, in the manner and in the place to vvhich his diuine Maiestie calleth her, ād this is the best marke that vvee can haue to knovv vvhen a vocation i [...] good: but note vvell that vvhen I say a firme and constant will to serue God, I doe not say that she must from the beginning doe all that is to be done in her vocation, vvith so great a stabilitie and con­stancye that she bee exempt from all repugnance, difficultie, or disgust in that vvhich dependeth there­on▪ no, I doe not say so, much lesse that this stabi­litie and constancie bee such, that it exempteth he [...] from committing faults, nor that therefore she be [...] so firme that she neuer happen to stagger or vari [...] in the entreprise that she hath made, to practice the meanes vvhich may conduct her to perfection. O [...] no truely; this is not that I vvould say: for euerie man is subiect to such a passion, alteration, and vicissitude, that hee vvho this day doth loue such a [...] thing, to morrovv vvill loue another, in such sor [...] that one day neuer resembleth another. Then it is not by the diuers motiōs & feelings, that vvee ough [...] to iudg the stabilitie and constancie of the vvill, al­though vvee haue once embraced it; but if amongs [...] this varietie of diuers motions, the vvill remayne firme, and quitteth not the good it hath embraced allthough it feele some disgust, or coldnesse in the loue of some vertue, and that she doe not there­fore omitt to serue her selfe of the meanes, that ar [...] appointed her: so that to haue a marke of a good vocation, a sensible constancie is not necessarie; bu [...] that vvhich is in the superiour part of the spiritt vvhich is effectiue, is sufficient. Therefore to know if God vvill haue vs Religious, wee must not ex­pect, that hee speake sensibly vnto vs, or that he send some Angell from heauen to signifie his will [Page 263] much lesse is it needfull to haue reuelations vpon [...]his subiect; or to make an examine of ten or [...]welue Doctors to see if the inspiration bee good [...]r badd, if it must bee follovved or not. But vvee ought to correspond vvell, and cultiuate the first motion, and then not to bee afflicted if disgusts and [...]uke-warmnes therein come vpon vs: for if vvee [...]llvvaies endeuour to keepe our vvill verie constāt, [...]o desire and search the good which is manifested [...]nto vs, God vvill not bee wanting to cause all to [...]edound to his Glorie.

§. 3. And vvhen I say this, I doe not speake onelie for you, but more ouer for all woemen that [...]re in the vvorld, of whom truelie care ought to be [...]ad, in assisting them in their good designes. VVhē [...]hey haue the first motions a little strong, nothing [...]s difficult vnto them, it seemeth vnto them that [...]hey can breake through all obstacles. But vvhen [...]hey feele these changes, and that the former gusts [...]re no more so sensible in the inferiour part, they [...]hinke that all is lost, and that all must bee left, they vvill and they vvill not: that which they then feele [...]s not sufficient to make them leaue the world I would willinglie, sayeth one of these virgins, but I know not if it bee the vvill of God that I bee Reli­gious, for so much as the inspiration that I feele at this time is not strong enough me thinkes. It is true I haue had it much strōger then I haue at this time▪ [...]ut because it continueth not, it maketh mee be­leeue it is not good. Truelie vvhen I meete with such soules, I wonder not at these disgusts, neither doe I beleeue them, that therefore their vocation is the lesse good: wee must onelie in this haue a great care to assist them, and learne them not to bee asto­nished at these changes in themselues, incouraging them to remayne constant in these mutations: well, say I, to them, this is nothing, tell mee, haue you not [Page 264] felt a motion or inspiration in your hart to seek [...] so great a good? yeas, say they, it is verie true, bu [...] this quicklie passed: werie vvell say I to them, th [...] force of this feeling passed, but not in such sor [...] that there remayneth not in you some affectio [...] therevnto: O no, sayeth she; for I feele alvvaies [...] knovv not vvhat, w [...]ich maketh me yeald to th [...] side: but that which troubleth me is, that I fee [...] not the motion so strong, as it should bee for suc [...] a resolution. I aunsvvere them that they must no [...] vex themselues for these sensible feelings, nor examine them so much, but that they content themse [...] ues with this constancie of their will, which in th [...] midst of all this looseth not the affection of her fir [...] designe; Lett them onelie bee carefull to cultiua [...] it well, and to correspond well to this first motio [...] doe you not care thē (say I) of which side it cōmet [...] for God hath many waies to call his seruants an [...] handmayds to his seruice. Hee vseth somtimes se [...] mons, other times reading of good bookes. So [...] haue been called by hearing the sacred words [...] the Gospel, as Sainct Francis and Sainct Antoni [...] vvho hauing heard these vvords: Goe sell all th [...] thou hast, and giue to the poore and follovv me [...] and vvhosoeuer vvill come after mee lett him ta [...] vp his Crosse and follovv mee: left all Others ha [...] been called by troubles, disasters, and afflictio [...] vvhich befell them in the vvorld, vvhich gaue the [...] occasion to sett themselues against it and abando [...] it. Our Sauiour often vseth such meanes to call [...] uers persons to his seruice, which hee could [...] gaine in any other sort.

§. 4. For although God bee Allmightie, & o [...] all that hee vvill, notvvithstanding hee vvill not d [...] priue vs of the libertie, that hee hath once giuen [...] and vvhen he calleth vs to his seruice, his vvill [...] that it bee of our free election that wee goe ther [...] vnto [Page 265] and not by force or constraint: for although these doe come to God, as spightfull against the world, which hath vexed them, or else because of some labours and afflictions vvhich haue tormēted them: yet notwithstanding they omitt not to giue themselues to God with a free will: and verie often such persons doe proceede verie well in the seruice of God, and become great Saints, and somtimes greater then those, vvho haue entered into Religion by vocations more apparent. You haue read what Platus recounteth of a braue gentle man according to the world, who one day being well adorned and frisled, mounted on a fayre horse, vvith a goodly plume of feathers, endeauoring by all meanes to please the ladie that hee courted; as hee braued it, behould his horse threw him backward to the earth in the midst of the mire and durt, from whence hee came forth all foule and besmired with durt; This poore gentleman was so ashamed and confounded with this accident, that all in a chafe, hee resolued in that instant to become a Religious man, saying: O traiterous vvorld! thou hast mocked mec, but I will also mocke thee: thou hast played mee this tricke, but I will play thee another, for I will neuer haue part vvith the more, and at this instāt I resolue my selfe to become a Religious man: and this done hee vvas receaued into Religion, vvhere hee ledd a holie life, notvvithstanding his vocation came vpon a disgrace.

§. 5. Furthermore there haue been others whose motiues haue been much more wicked then this, I haue credibly heard that a gētleman of our age, of a braue spiritt and bodye, and verie vvell descended, seeing the Father Capucins to passe by, sayed to the other Noble men vvith vvhom hee vvas: a desire taketh mee to knovv how these bare footed beggars doe liue, and to render my selfe amongst them, not [Page 266] with a determination to remayne allwaies there, but onelie for a month or three weekes, the better to marke what they doe, for thē afterwards I wilbe merrie, and make iestes vpon them with you. Hee so making his plot, pursueed it so stronglie and firmelie that hee vvas in fine receaued: but the di­uine prouidence, vvho vsed this meanes to dravve him from the world, conuerted his end and wicked intention into good, and hee that thought to take others, was taken himselfe; for hee had not remayn­ed but some few dayes vvith those good Religious, but hee was holie changed, perseuering faythfullie in his vocation, and hath been a great seruant of God. There are yet others, vvhose vocation in it selfe is not better then this, that is, of those vvho goe into Religion because of some naturall defect, as being lame, hauing but one eye, or being ill fa­uoured, or hauing some other like defect, ād more­ouer that which appeareth worse is, that they are carryed thither by their parentts, vvho verie often, when they haue children blind, lame or otherwise defectiue, sett them in a corner at the fire saying, this child is not vvorth anie thing for the world, wee must put him or her into Religion, vvee must procure some benifice for him, it wilbe a good dis­charge for our house: The childerē permitt them­selues to bee conducted whither they please, vnder hope to liue of the goods of the altar: others haue a great nūber of chi [...]dren, vvell say they, vvee must discharge the house and send these into Religion, to the end the eldest hauing all may bee of vvorth and make a great shew in the world. But God verie of­ten in this demonstrateth the greatnesse of his cle­mencie and mercie, imploying these intentions, which of themselues are in no sort good, to make these persons great seruants of his diuine Maiestie, and in this hee appeareth admirable: So this diuine [Page 267] Artisan pleaseth himselfe to make beautifull build­ings, vvith vvoode that is verie crooked, and which hath not any apparence to bee proper for any thing in the vvorld: Euen as a person vvho knoweth not what ioyners worke meaneth; seeing some crooked woode in the ioyners shopp, would wonder to heare him say that it to make some beautifull peace of worke: for hee would say if this bee as you say, how oftentimes must the planer passe ouer it, before it can bee made into such a worke? so ordinarilie the diuine prouidence mak­eth beautifull and principall peeces of vvorke with these crooked and sinister intentions; as hee made the lame and blind to enter into his feast, for to make vs see, that to haue two eyes and two feete serueth for nothing to goe into heauen, and that it is better to goe into heauen vvith one legg, one eye one arme, then for a man to haue two and loose himselfe. Novv such kind of poeple being thus come into Religion, wee see them oftentimes make great profitt, produce much fruit, and perseuere faythfullie in their vocation.

§. 6. There are others vvho haue been called verie well, vvho notvvithstanding haue not perse­uered; but after they haue remayned in Religion some time, haue left all, & of this vvee haue an ex­ample in Iudas, of vvhose vocatiō wee cānot doubt but hee was vvell called; for our Lord did choose and called him to the Apostle-shipe with his owne mouth, from vvhence then came it that being so well called hee did not perseuere in his vocation? O this vvas because hee abused this libertie, and would not vse the meanes vvhich God had giuen him for this end; but in lieu of imbracing them, and vsing them for his profitt, hee tourned them into abuse; and in doeing this hee lost himselfe by reiect­ing them; for it is a certayne thing, that vvhen [Page 268] God calleth any one to a vocatiō, hee obligeth him­selfe consequentlie by his diuine prouidence, to fur­nish him vvith all requisite helpes, to become per­fect in his vocatiō. Novv vvhen I say that our Lord obligeth himselfe, vvee must not thinke that it is vvee, vvho haue obliged him to doe this, in follow­ing his vocation; for vvee cannot oblige him: but God obligeth himselfe by himselfe, thrust forward, and prouoked to doe this by the entralles of his in­finitt goodnes and mercie: so that decomming Re­ligious, our Lord is of himselfe obliged to furnish mee vvith all that is necessarie for to bee a good Religious, not of dutie; but through his mercie and infinit prouidence: Euen as a great king, raising souldiers for warr, his foresight and prudence re­quireth, that hee prepare armour to arme them with all, for what likelihood were it to send them to fight without armes, which if he doe not prouide hee is taxed of great imprudence? Now the diuine Maiestie neuer wanteth care, nor foresight touching this: and to make vs the better creditt it hee obligeth himselfe there-vnto, in such sort that wee ought neuer to enter into conceat, that there is fault of his part, vvhen wee doe not well, yea his liberallitie is so great, that he giueth these meanes to those to whom hee is not obliged be­cause hee hath not called them. Note also that when I say, that God is obliged to giue to those whom hee calleth, all the conditions requsite to bee perfect in their vocation, I doe not say that hee giueth them, to them all at once, at the instant that they enter into Religion, O no! vvee must not thinke that entring into Religion they can bee perfect so sodaynlie; it is sufficient that they come to tend to perfection, and to vnder­take the meanes fitt to perfect themselues: and to doe this it is necessarie to haue this firme [Page 265] and constant will (of which wee haue spoken) of imbraceing all meanes proper for perfecting themselues in the vocation wherevnto they bee called.

§. 7. Behold therefore how secreat and hidden the iudgments of God are, and as some who for despite, and by way of mockerie did enter into Religion, notwithstanding did perseuere well therein: so others being well called, and hauing be­gun with great feruour did make an euill end and leaue all: therefore it is a verie difficult thing to know if a woemen haue a good vocation from God, for to giue her your voice; for although wee see her feruent it may bee she will not per­seuere so: but so much the worse for her, you must not therefore if you see that she hath this con­stant vvill, to desire to serue God and perfect her selfe, deny to giue her your voice: for if she will receaue the helpes that our Lord vvill infaillibly giue her, she vvill perseuere: but if after some yeares she loose perseuerance to her damnation, you are not the cause but her selfe. And this bee spoken for the first part and knowledg of voca­tions.

§. 8. Touching the second, that is to say, To know what conditions they ought to haue who offer themselues, first those wee receaue into the house, secondlie those wee receaue to the No­uitiat, and in the third place, those vvee re­ceaue to profession. I haue little to say about the first reception, for vvee cannot know these much, vvho doe come with so good countenance, and outvvard shevv: speake to them they vvill doe all vvee vvill haue them: they resemble Sainct Iohn and Sainct Iames, to vvhom our Lord sayed: Can you drinke the Cha­lice of my passion? They bouldlie and freelie [Page 270] aunsvvered I and yet the night of his passion they left and for sooke him. These women doe so, they make so manie prayers, so manie Reuerences, they shew so much good vvill that vvee cannot vvell deny them, and in effect in my opinion wee need not make verie great consideration thereof. I say this for the interiour: for truelie it is verie difficult at this time, to bee able to knovv it, principallie of those vvho come farr of; all that wee can doe to them, is to knovv who they are, and such things as regard the temporall and exteriour, then open thē the gate, and put them to their first triall. If they bee of the place where wee dwell, wee may obserue their behauiour, and by the conuersation vvee haue vvith them, come to knovv something of their in­teriour: but I find this verie difficulte notvvistan­ding: for they allwaies come in the best fashion and posture they can. Now in my opinion for that which concerneth their corporall health, and infir­mitie of bodie, there is no necessitie of making any great consideration, for so much as in these houses wee may receaue the weake and feeble asvvell as the strong and robust▪ since they haue beene built partlie for them, prouided that the infirmities bee not so great, that they make them wholie incapable of obseruing the Rule, and vnable to performe that vvhich t [...]is vocation requireth: but excepting this, I would neuer refuse them my voice, no not vvhen they shou [...]d be blind, or should haue but one legg, if vvith this they should haue the other conditions requisite to this vocation; and lett not humayne prudence say to mee, But if such kind of poeple shou [...]d allwaies bee presented, must wee allvvaies receaue them, and if all vvere blind or sicke vvho shall serue them? trouble not your selues vvith this for it vvill neuer arriue: leaue this in the care of the diuine prouidence, vvho knoweth vvell hovv to [Page 271] prouide for it; and to call the strong necessarie for the seruice of the weake. VVhen the infirme shall present themselues, say, God bee blessed, and vvhen the strong come, in good time be it. In summe, the sicke vvho hind [...]r not the obseruance of the Rule, ought not to bee reiected in your houses. Behould vvhat I had to say to you touching this first rece­ption.

§. 9. Touching the second vvhich is of recea­uing any into the Nouitiat, I doe not yet find that there are any great difficulties, notvvithstanding vvee ought to haue more consideration then in their first receauing: for vvee haue had also more meanes to note their humours, actions and habi­tudes, vvee see vvell the passions that they haue; but for all this vvee ought not to hinder them from being admitted to the Nouitiat, prouided that they haue a good vvill to amend and submitt themsel­ues, and to serue themselues of the medicines pro­per for to heale them. And although they haue re­pugnance against these remedies, and take them vvith great difficultie, their is nothing to bee sayed to this, prouided that they giue not ouer the pra­ctice of them; for medicines are allvvaies bitter to the tast, and it is not possible, that they rece [...]ue them, vvith the svveetnes they vvould doe if they were pleasing to the appetite: but for all this omitt not to haue their operation; and vvhen they haue it it is better then that they haue the more paine and labour▪ euen iust as a sister that hath her passions strong; she is cholericke, she committeth manie de­fects, if she wilbe cured of this, and desire that wee correct & mortifie it, and that wee giue her reme­dies proper for her cu [...]e, although the taking of them trouble and vex her, vvee must not therefore refuse her our voice, for she hath not onelie a will to bee healed: but furthermore she taketh the reme­dies [Page 272] which are giuen her for this purpose, although vvith payne and difficultie. VVe shall find those who haue been ill bredd, and not trained vp in ci­uillitie vvho vvill haue a rude and lumpish nature: novv there is no doubt but these haue more payne and difficultie, then those who haue a more sweet and tractable disposition, and that they wilbe more subiect to committ faults then o­thers vvho haue been better bredd: but neuer­theless if they desire to bee vvell cured, and by their indeauours vvitnesse a firme vvill to seeke and desire to receaue the remedies, although it bee to their cost, to such as these I vvould giue my voice, notvvithstanding these relapses: For these after much labour produce great fruit in Reli­gion becomming great seruants of God, and gayning strong and solide vertue; for the graces of God supplyeth the defect, and there is no doubt, that often vvhere there is lesse of nature, there is more of grace. Therefore vvee ought not to re­fuse to receaue such into the Nouitiat although they haue many euill habitts, prouided such per­sons vvil be cured. In summe to receaue one into the Nouitiat there is nothing to bee knovvne, but if she haue a good vvill, and if she bee delibe­ratelie resolued to receaue the vsage shal be giuen her for her cure, and to liue in gteat submission; hauing this I vvould giue her my voice: Behould! I thinke this is all that can bee sayed concerning this second reception.

§. 10. For the third it is a thing of great impor­tance, to receaue any to professiō, and in this it seem­eth to mee wee ought to obserue three things; the first that those vvee receaue to profession bee sound not of bodie (as I haue alreadie sayed) but of hart and spiritt, I vvould say, vvho haue their hart vvell disposed to liue in an entire flexiblenesse [Page 273] and submission. Secondlie that they haue à good spiritt; novv vvhen I say a good spiritt, I entend not to speake of those great spiritts, vvho are ordi­narilie vaine, and full of selfe-iudgments, of imagi­narie sufficiencie, and vvho in the vvorld vvere shopps of vanitie, vvho come into Religion not to humble themselues, but as if they vvould read there lessons of Philosophy and Theologie, haue­ing a vvill to guid and gouerne all. Of such as these you must take great heede: I say there must bee good care taken of them, not that they must not bee receaued, if vvee see that they vvil bee chāg­ed and humble themselues: for they vvil be able in time vvith the grace of God to make this chang, vvhich will arriue without doubt, if they vse fayth­fullie the remedies which shal be giuen them, for their amendment. Therefore when I speake of a good spiritt, I intend iudicious and well made spi­ritts, and more-ouer of a moderate, temper, who are not very great nor verie little, for such spiritts all­waies doe much, vvithout knovving it themselues. They applie thēselues to worke, and giue thēselues to solide vertues, they are tractable, and vvee haue not much trouble to guid them: for they easilie cō ­prehēd how good a thing it is, to leaue themselues to bee gouerned by others. The third thing that is to bee obserued is this, if she haue laboured vvell in the yeare of her Nouitiat, if she haue suf­fered vvell and profited vvith the medecines that haue been giuen her, if she haue made much of those resolutions that she promised entring into the Nouitiat of changing her euill humours and inclinations; for the yeare of Nouitiat hath bene giuen her for this. If vvee see she hath perseuered faythfully in her resolution, and that her vill re­mayneth firme and constant, and that she applyes her selfe to reforme her selfe, and behaue her [Page 274] selfe according to the Rule and constitutions, and that this vvill endure, yea allvvaies desireth to doe better, this is a good signe and a good conditiō, for to giue her your voice: although notvvithstan­ding she leaue not to commit faultes and also great enough, for although in the yeare of her Nouitiat she ought to labour for the reformation of her manners and habitts, it is not therefore to be sayed, that she must not make any relapse, nor that at the end of her Nouitiat she ought to bee perfect. For behold the Colledg of our Lord the Glorious A­postles, although they were called well, and had la­boured much in the reformation of their liues, how often did they committ faultes not onelie in the first yeare▪ but also in the second and third? all did speake and promise maruelles, yea euen to follow our Lord into prison and death: but in the night of his passion, vvhen Iudas came to take their good Maister, all forsooke him. Therefore I will say that falles ought not to bee a cause that wee reiect one vvhen among all this, she remayneth vvith a verie strong will to redresse her selfe, and vvith a vvill to helpe her selfe by the meanes vvhich are giuen her for this purpose. This is that I had to say touching the conditions, which those ought to haue vvhom wee would receaue to profession, and vvhat the sisters ought to obserue to giue thē their voices: herevpon I will finish my discourse, if you demaund not any further question.

§. 11. VVee demaund first, if any one be found, who was subiect to bee troubled for small matters, and that her spirit was often full of melencholie and vnquietness, and that she did witness by this, little loue of her vocation: and yet notwithstan­ding this being past; she promiseth to doe mar­ualles; what should bee done to her? it is most cer­tayne that such a person, being so changeable is not [Page 275] proper for Religiō: for in this she will not be cure­ed, wee must giue her leaue to depart. VVe doe not know, you say, whether this proceedeth from want of will to bee cured, or because she doth not comprehend wherein true vertue consisteth. But if after she hath bene made to vnderstand what she ought to doe for her amendment, she doth it not, but becommeth incorrigible, she must bee reiected; especially because her faults as you say, proceed not for want of iudgment, nor of abillitie to compre­hend where-in true vertue consisteth, much lesse to know the meanes she ought to vse for her amēd­ment; but it is from the defect of the will which hath not perseuerance, nor cōstancie to execute and serue it selfe of that which she knoweth to be re­quisite for her amendment, although she say som­times that she will doe better yet doth it not, but perseuereth in this inconstancie of will, I would not giue her my voice. Moreouer, you say, there are some so delicate that they cannot support corre­ction without much trouble, and this maketh them often sicke: if this be so, open them the gate; for since they are sicke, and will not that wee treat them, nor apply to them the remedies fitt for their health, wee cleerlie see that doing so, they will be­come incorrigible, and giue not any hope to bee able to cure them: because this delicacie aswell of spiritt as of bodie, is one of the greatest hindrances which can bee in a Religious life, and therefore wee must haue an especiall care, not to receaue such who are vnmeasurably tainted therewith; because they will not bee cured, refusing to vse those things, which are giuen them for their health.

§. 12. Secondlie, wee demaund what wee ought to iudg of her, who withnesseth by her words, that she repenteth her selfe of entring into Religion? Trulie if she perseuere in these disgusts of her vo­cation [Page 276] and repentāce, and that vvee see that this ma­keth her remisse and negligent to behaue her selfe according to the spirit of her vocation, she must bee put forth; neuertheless vvee must consider that this may happen, either by a simple tentation, or for her exercise and triall: and this may bee knovvne, by the profit she shall make of such thoughts, dis­gusts or repentance, vvhen vvith simplicitie she shall discouer her selfe of such things, and that she vvil be faythful to vse the remedies that shal be giuē her for itt, for God neuer permitteth any thing for our exercise, but that hee vvould vvee should dravve profitt thereby, the vvhich is allvvaies done, whē vvee are faythfull to discouer our selues, and as I haue sayed, simple to beleeue and to exe­cute that vvhich is appointed vs, and this is a marke that the exercise is of God: but vvhen vvee see that this person vseth her selfe-iudgment, and that her vvill is seduced and corrupted, perseuering in her disgusts, then her case is in ill estate, and as it vvere vvithout remedie: she must bee dismissed.

§. 13. Thirdlie you demaund if vvee ought not to make consideration, of giuing our voice to one that is not cordiall, or vvho is not equall tovvards all the sisters, and who hath manifested that she hath more inclination to one then to another. VVee must not bee so rigourous for these small matters; Consider that this inclination is the last peece of our renuntiation: for before wee can arriue to this point, not to haue any inclinatiō to one more then to another, and that these affectiōs bee so mortified that they appeare not, there must bee time for it. VVee must obserue in this as in all other things, if this sister is become incorrigible.

§. 14. In fine you say, if the opinion of the other sisters, were wholie contrarie to that you know, and that there came an inspiration to you to speake [Page 277] something that you haue knowne, which is to the aduātage of the sisters hould it bee ommitted to bee spaken of? no: allthough the conceate of others be wholie contrarie to yours, and that you bee onelie in this opinion: for this may serue for others to re­solue thēselues what they ought to doe. The Holie Ghoste ought to preceede in the communitie, and they are to resolue themselues according to the va­rietie of opinions, for to doe as they iudg most ex­pedient for his Glorie: Now this inclination that wee haue that others giue their voice, or that they giue it not, although we giue, or doe not giue ours, ought to bee contemned and reiected as another tentation: but wee must neuer make shew among the sisters of our inclinations or auersions in this occasion. In fine, for all the imperfections that woemen bring out of the world, this rule must bee regarded; when wee see that they amend them­selues, although that they leaue not to committ faultes, wee must not reiect them; for by the amēd­ment they make it appeere that they will not re­mayne incorrigible.

THE EIGHTEENTH ENTER­TAINEMENT.
HOVV VVEE OVGHT TO RECEAVE THE Sacraments, and recite the diuine Office, vvith other pointes touching prayer.

§. 1. BEfore that wee know how wee ought to prepare our selues to receaue the Sacra­ments, and what fruit wee should receaue by thē, it is necessarie to knovv vvhat the Sacraments and their effects are. The Sacraments then are the con­duits (so to speake) vvhereby God descendeth to vs, as by prayer vvee ascend to him, since [Page 278] prayer is no other thing then an eleuation of our spiritt vnto God. The effects of the Sacraments are diuers although they haue all but one and the selfe same end and pretention, which is to vnite vs with God. By the Sacrament of Baptisme, wee v­nite our selues to God, as the sonne with the Fa­ther; by that of Confirmation, wee vnite our selues to him as a souldier with his Captayne, receauing strenght to fight and vanquish our enimies in all tentations. By the Sacrament of Pennance wee are vnited to God as reconciled freinds: by that of the Eucharist, as foode with the stomacke: by that of Extreame vnction, wee vnite our selues to God as a child who comming from a farr country, alrea­die putting one of his feete into the house of his father, to revnite himselfe with him, his mother, and all the familie. Now these are the effects of the Sacraments: but notwithstanding which demaunde all the vniō of our soule with her God. VVee will speake now but of two of thē, to witt of Pennance, and of the Holie Eucharist. And first it is most ne­cessarie, that wee should know wherefore it is, that so often receauing these two Sacraments, wee doe not also receaue the graces, which they are accu­stomed to bring to soules which are well prepar­ed; since these graces are ioyned to the Sacramēts. I will declare it in a word, it is for want of due pre­paration, and therefore wee must know how wee ought to prepare our selues well to receaue these two Sacraments, and so like-wise all the others.

§. 2. Therefore, the first preparation is puritie of intention; the second is attention; the third is hu­litie. Touching puritie of intention, it is a thing to­tallie necessarie, not onelie in the reception of the Sacraments: but further more in all that wee haue to doe. Now the intention is then pure when wee receaue the Sacraments, or doe any other thing [Page 279] vvhatsoeuer it bee, for to vnite vs vvith God, and to bee more pleasing to him, without any mixture of proper interest. You shall knovv this; if vvhen you desire to communicate, your Superiours vvill not permitt you, or othervvise if after the holie Communion you haue not had consolation, and notvvithstanding this you remayne in peace, not consenting to the assaultes vvhich may come to you: but if contrarivvise you consent to vnquiet­ness, because they refuse you to communicate, or because you haue not had consolation, vvho seeth not that your intention vvas impure and that you sought not to vnite your selfe to God, but to consolations, since that your vnion with God ought to bee made vnder the vertue of holie Obe­dience? and euen so likevvise if you shall desire perfection vvith a desire full of vnquietnesse, vvho seeth not that it is selfe-loue, vvhich vvould not that others should see imperfections in you? If it vvere possible, that vvee could bee as pleasing to God being imperfect as being perfect, vvee ought to de­sire to bee vvithout perfection, to the end to nou­rish vvithin vs by this meanes most holie humilitie.

§. 3. The second preparation is attention; True­lie vvee ought to goe to the Sacraments with verye much attention asvvell for the greatnesse of the vvorke, as concerning that vvhich each Sacrament requireth of vs. For exemple going to Confession, vvee ought to carrie thither, a hart louinglie do­lorous, and to the holie Communion, wee ought to beare a hart ardentlie louing. I doe not say by this great attention that vvee should not haue any distractions, for this is not in our povver; but I in­tend to say that vvee must haue a verie particu­lar care, not to settle our selues therein vvil­linglie.

§. 4. The third preparation is humilitie, vvhich [Page 180] is a vertue verie necessarie to receaue the graces a­bundantlie, vvhich flow vnto vs by the conduits of the Sacraments, because waters are accustomed to glide more swiftlie and stronglie, when the con­duits are placed in bending places, and tending down-wards.

But besides these three preparations; I desire to speake a word to you about the principall end of all, which is the totall abandoning of our selues to the mercie of God, submitting our will and all our affection to his dominiō without any reseruation. I say without reseruation, for so much as our mi­serie is so great that wee alwaies reserue something to our selues. The most spirituall persons ordinari­lie reserue to thëselues the will of haueing vertues, and when they goe to the holie cōmuniō; O Lord, say they, I abādō my selfe intirelie without reserua­tiō into thy hādes; but lett it please thee to giue mee prudēce to know how to liue honourably, but they neuer demaunde simplicitie. O my God! I submitt my selfe absolutelie to thy diuine will; but giue mee fortitude to thy diuine will: but giue mee fortitude to performe excellent workes for thy seruice; but of sweetnes and mildnes of spiritt to liue peaceably with their neighbour, they speake not off at all. Giue meee, will another say, that hu­militie which is proper for to giue good example: but humilitie of hart vvhich maketh vs loue our owne abiection, they haue no neede thereof as they thinke. O my God, since that I am wholie thine lett mee haue allwaies consolation in prayer. Yea, is this that vvhich is necessarie for to bee vnited vvith God, vvhich is the pretention that vvee haue? But they neuer aske tribulations or mortifications. O! It is not the meanes to make this vnion, to re­serue to themselues all these vvills, for the fayre shevv that they make: for our Lord desireth [Page 281] to giue himselfe vvholie vnto vs, and his will is that reciprocally vvee should giue our selues entirelie vnto him: to the end, that the vnion of our soule vvith his diuine maiestie might bee more perfect, and that vvee might bee able truelie to say, follovving the great Apostles I liue no more in my selfe, but it is Iesus that liueth in mee.

§. 5. The second part of this preparation con­sisteth in emptying our hart of all things, to the end our Lord himselfe may vvholie replenish it: trulie the cause vvherfore vvee doe not receaue the grace of sanctification (since that one onelie Communion vvell receaued, is capable and suffi­cient to make vs holie and perfect) proceedeth not, but of this that vvee permitt not our Lord to raigne in vs, as his goodnes desireth to doe. This vvelbeloued of our soules cometh into vs, and hee findeth our harts topp full of good affe­ctions and desires, but this is not that vvhich hee seeketh: for hee desireth to find them empty, that hee may make himselfe maister ād gouerner there­of: And to shevv hovv much hee desireth it, hee sayeth to his sacred spouse, that she should put him as a seale vppon her hart, to the end that no­thing might enter there but by his permission, and according to his good pleasure. Novv I knovv that the midst of your harts is emptie (othervvise it should bee a verie great infidelitie) I vvould say that you haue not onelie reiected, and detested mortall sinne; but all kindes of vvicked affe­ctions, but alas all the nookes and corners of our harts are full of a thousand things, vnvvorthy to appeare in the presence of this Soueraygne King: VVee seeme to bind his hands and to hinder him from distributing the benefits and graces, vvhich his goodnes hath desire to be­stovve [Page 282] vpon vs, if hee found vs prepared. Lett vs therefore on our part doe vvhat is in our povver, to prepare our selues vvell to receaue this supersubstantiall bread, abandonning our selues totally to the diuine prouidence, not onelie for that vvhich concerneth temporall goods; but principal­lie the spirituall, povvring forth in the presence of the diuine goodnes, all our affections, desires and inclinations, for to bee intirelie subiect vn [...]o him, and lett vs assure our selues, our Lord vvill ac­complish on his part, the promise that hee hath made of transforming vs into himselfe, raising our basenes vntill it bee vnited to his greatnes.

§. 6. VVe may communicate vvell for diuers ends, as to demaunde of God to bee deliuered of some tentation or affliction, bee it for our selues or for our freinds, or to begg some vertue, prouided it bee vnder this condition, for to vnite vs by this meanes more perfectlie vnto God, the vvhich ar­riueth not verie often, for in the time of affliction, vvee are more ordinarilie vnited vnto God, be­cause vvee remember him more often. And for as much as concerneth vertues, somtimes it is more to the purpose, and berter for vs not to haue them in habitt, then if vvee had them, prouided not­vvithstanding that vvee doe acts of vertue, accor­ding to the measure that the occasions doe present themselues: for the repugnance that vvee feele to practice some one vertue, ought to serue vs to hū ­ble our selues, and humilitie is allvvaies more vvorth then all this. In fine it is necessarie that in all the prayers and demaunds you make to God, you make them not onelie for your selues, but that you allvvaies obserue to say vs, as our Lord hath taught vs in the Dominicall prayer, vvhere there is neither mee nor mine, nor I; that is to say, that you haue intention to pray to God, that hee giue the vertue [Page 283] or grace that you aske of him for your selfe, to all those that haue the same necessitie: and lett this bee allv aies vvith intention to vnite your selfe more with him: for othervvise vve ought not to aske or desire any thing, neither for our selues nor for our neighbour, since this is the end, for vvhich the Sa­craments are instituted: therefore vvee ought to correspond to this intention of our Lord, receau­ing them for this end, and vvee must not thinke, that communicating or praying for others, wee loose any thing thereby; except vvhen vvee offer to God this communion or prayer, for the satisfa­ction of their sinnes: for then vvee doe not satisfie for our ovvne, but notvvithstanding the meritt of the Communion, and prayer shall remayne to vs: for vvee cannot deserue grace one for the other, there is none but our Sauiour vvho can doe it; wee may indeed impetrate graces for others; but vvee are not able to deserue them. The prayer which wee haue made for them augmenteth our merit, aswell for the recompence of grace in this life, as of glorie in the other. And if any one did not make her attention to doe somthing for the satisfa­ction of her sinnes, the onelie attention that she should haue, to doe all that she doet [...] for the pure Loue of God should suffice to satisfie for them, since it is most assured, that vvhosoeuer should be able to make an excellent act of Charitie, or an act of perfect contrition, should satisfie fully for all his sinnes.

§. 7. You vvould it may bee informed, hovv you should know, if you doe profit by the meanes of receauing the Sacraments. You shall knovv it if you aduance your selfe in the vertues, which are proper to them; as if you dravve from Confession the loue of your owne abiection, and humilitie: for these are the vertues that are proper to it, and it [Page 284] is allvvaies by the measure of humilie that vvee knowe our aduancement; See you not that it is sayed that whosoeuer humbleth him selfe shalb [...] exalted; to be exalted is to bee aduanced. If by th [...] meanes of the holie Communion, you become ve­rie gentle (since that this is the vertue which is pro­per to this Sacrament, vvhich is altogether svveete, delectable and me [...]lifluous) you reap the fruit tha [...] is proper vnto it, and so you aduance your selfe: but if on the contrarie you become not more hum­ble, nor more gentle, you deserue not your bread, since you vvill not labour for it.

§. 8. I desire verie much that vvhen the desire to communicate shall come into our mind, vvee goe simply to aske it of our Superiours, vvith resigna­tion to accept humbly the refusall, if they giue it vs, and if they grant vs our request, to goe to the Cummunion vvith loue, although there bee mor­tification in the demaunding of it, vvee must no [...] therefore omitt to doe it; for those vvho enter into the congregation, enter not there-in but to morti­fie themselues, and the Crosse vvhich they carrie, ought to put thē in mind thereof. VVhat if the in­spiratiō did come to some one not to communicate so often as the others, because of the knovvledg she hath of her indignitie? She may aske the Superiour expecting the iudgment she vvill giue, with great svveetnes and humilitie.

I vvould also that vvee did not disquiet our selues, vvhen vvee heare some fault that vvee haue, spo­ken of, or some vertue that vvee haue not, but lett vs bless God, because hee hath discouered to vs the meanes to attayne the vertue, and to correct in our selues the imperfection, and then to take courage to serue our selues of these meanes. VVee ought to haue generous spiritts, vvhich are not fa­stened but to God onelie, vvithout any attention [Page 285] to vvhat our inferiour part vvilleth, makeing the superiour part of our soule to raigne, since it is intirelie in our povver vvith the grace of God neuer to consent to the inferiour. Consolations and tendernesses ought not to bee desired, since that this is not necessarie vnto vs to loue our Lord the more. Therefore it is not necessarie to pause and consider if vvee haue good feelings: but vvee must doe that vvhich vve vvould doe if vvee had them. Also it is not necessarie to bee so Scru­pulous to desire to confess so many small imperfe­ctions, since that vvee are not obliged to confess vs of veniall sinnes at all if vvee vvill not: but when one confesseth them, hee ought to haue a resolute vvill to amend: it vvil be othervvise an a­buse to confesse them. Likevvise vvee must not torment our selues vvhen vvee doe not remember our faultes to confess them: for it is not credible, that a soule that maketh her often examine; doth not sufficientlie enough remember her selfe of those faultes that are of importance. As for so manie small and lighte faults, you may speake vvith our Lord about them euerie time that you perceaue them, one humiliation of spiritt, one sigh sufficeth for this.

§. 9. You aske hovv you may make your act of Contrition in little time, I tell you that there is allmost no necessitie of time to doe it vvell: since it is no other thing then to prostrate ones selfe before God in the spiritt of humilitie and repentance for hauing offended him. Secondlie you desire that I speake to you of the diuine Office: I vvill vvil­linglie; and first I say to you, that vvee ought to prepare our selues to say it, from that instant that vvee heare the bell that calleth vs there­vnto, and vvee ought in imitation of Sainct Bernard, to aske of our hart vvhat it is that [Page 286] it goeth to doe; and not onelie in this occasion, bu [...] also in the entrance to all our exercises, to the en [...] vvee may carrie to euerie one of them, the spirit that is proper for it; for it wilbe to no purpose to goe to the Office as to recreation; for to recreatio [...] vee must beare a spiritt amorouslie ioyfull; and to the Office a spiritt seriouslie louing; vvhen vve [...] say: Deus in adiutorium meū intende; vvee mus [...] thinke that our Lord reciprocallie sayeth to vs: An [...] bee you attentiue to mee: Lett those vvho vnderstand somevvhat of that vvhich they say in the Office, employ faythfullie this talent according to th [...] good pleasure of God, vvho hath giuen it to help them to keepe themselues recollected, by th [...] meanes of the good affections they may dravv [...] there-of; and lett those vvho doe not vnderstand keepe themselues simply attentiue to God, or el [...] make darting amourous desires, vvhiles the othe [...] Quier fayeth the verse, and they make the pause [...] It ought also to bee considered, that vvee doe th [...] same office as the Angells, although in diuers language; and that vvee are before the same God before vvhom the Angells tremble, and euen as man vvho did speake to a king, should becom [...] verie attentiue, fearing to committ some fault; b [...] if notvvithstanding all his care, hee did happen t [...] faile, hee vvould blush incontinentlie: so likevvi [...] ought wee to doe in the Office, stāding vpon ou [...] gaurd, fearing to faile: More-ouer it is requisite, t [...] haue attention to pronunce vvell, and to say as it [...] ordayned, aboue all in the beginning: but if vve [...] happen to committ some defect therein, vvee mu [...] humble our selues for it vvithout astonishmen [...] since it is no strang thing, for vvee doe it elswhere but if vvee happen to doe it manie times, and tha [...] this continue, there is a signe that vvee haue no [...] conceaued a true displeasure of our first fault; an [...] [Page 287] it is this negligence vvhich should bring vs verie much confusion, not because of the presence of the Superiour; but for the respect of God, and of his Angells vvho are present vvith vs. Novv it is all­most a generall rule, that vvhen vvee committ so often one and the selfe same fault; it is a signe vvee vvant affection to amend it, and if it bee a thing vvhere-of vvee haue been oftentimes aduertised, there is apparence that vvee neglect the aduertis­ment.

§. 10. More-ouer you ought not to haue a scruple of omitting in the vvhole office tvvo or three verses by mistake, prouided that you did it not of purpose, but if you slumber a good part of the office, although you say your verses on your quire, you are obliged to say it againe; but vvhen you doe things that are necessarie to bee done in the Office, as to cough or to spitt, or that the Mi­stris of the ceremonies speaketh for matter of the office, then you are not obliged to say it a­gaine.

VVhen they enter into the Quire, the Office being begun, they must place themselues in their ranke vvith the others; and follovv on the Office vvith them, and after that it is sayed, you must re­take that which the Quire had sayed before you were there, ending vvhere you had taken it; if not you must say vvith a lowe voice, that vvhich the Quire hath sayed, then hauing ouertaken it, cōtinue there­vvith in case your assistance there bee truelie neces­sarie. You must not say your Office againe for hau­ing been distracted in saying of it, prouided it bee not, voluntarie and althoug you should find your selues at the end of some psalme not being vvell as­sured that you haue sayed it because that you haue bene dist [...]acted not thinking there-on, omitt not to pass forvvard humbling your selues before God; [Page 188] for vve must not allvvaies thinke that vvee hau [...] been negligent vvhen the distraction hath bee [...] long; for it may verie vvell bee it vvill endure th [...] length of an Office vvithout any fault of ours▪ and hovv bad soeuer it vvere vvee should no [...] bee troubled; but make simple refusalls of it from time to time before God: I desire that vve shoul [...] neuer bee troubled for the bad motions that vv [...] haue, but that vve faythfullie and couragiouslie imploy our selues not to consent there-vnto, sinc [...] there is verie great difference betvveene, to feele and to consent.

§. 11. You desire that I speake something o [...] prayer; manie are verie much deceaued, beleeuing that much method is necessarie to doe it vvell, an [...] they trouble themselues to find out a certayne ar [...] vvhich they thinke is necessarie to bee knovvn therein, neuer ceasing to subtilize, and pry abou [...] their prayers to see hovv they haue made them, o [...] hovv they shalbe able to doe it according to their likeing, thinking they must not cough nor moue dur [...] ing the time, for feare that the spiritt of God vvith dravve it selfe. A verie great follie truely; as if th [...] spiritt of God vvere so nice, that it depended of th [...] methode and countenāce of those vvho praye; I do [...] not say that vve must not vse those methodes vvhic [...] are appoynted vs; but vvee ought not so tye ou [...] selues vnto them, as those doe vvho neuer think [...] they haue made their prayer vvell; if they haue no [...] made their considerations before the affection that our Lord giueth them, vvhich is notvvithstanding the end for the which vvee make considerations; such persons resemble those vvho findein [...] themselues in the place vvhither they pretended t [...] goe, retourne backe againe because they are no [...] come by the vvay that hath been taught them; Neuertheless it is requisite vvee behaue our selue [...] [...] [Page 289] great reuerēce speaking to the diuine Maiestie since the Angells who are so pure tremble in his pre­sence: but good God! will some soules say, I can­not allwaies haue this feeling of the presence of God, which causeth so great an humiliation to the soule, nor this sensible reuerence, which annihila­teth mee so sweetlie and acceptably before God: Now it is not of this that I entend to speake, but of that which the superiour part, and the topp of the spiritt worketh, houlding it selfe abiect, and in hu­militie before God, in acknowledgmēt of his infinitt goodnes and our profoūnd littlenesse & indignitie.

§. 12. VVee must also haue a great resolution, neuer to abādon prayer, for any difficultie that may bee found there-in, nor to goe with any preoccu­pation of desires, to bee comforted and satisfied there-in: for this will not bee to yeald our will v­nited and ioyned to that of our Lord, whose will is that entring to prayer wee bee resolued to suffer the payne of continuall distractiōs, drinesse and dis­gust which shall come vpō vs there-in, remayning as cōstant as if wee had had much consolation and trāquillitie, since it is certayne that our prayer shall not bee less acceptable to God nor lesse profitable to vs, for being made with more difficultie: prouid­ed that vvee allvvaies place iustlie our vvill with the vvill of the diuine Maiestie remayning in a sim­ple attētiō, and dispositiō to receaue the euets of his good pleasure with loue, bee in it prayer, or other occurrāces: hee will cause that all things shal be pro­fitable to vs, and acceptable to his diuine goodnes. Therefore this shall be to pray vvell, my deare daughters, to keepe your selues in peace and tran­quillitie neere our Lord, or in his sight vvithout any other desire, or pretentiō but to bee vvith him, and to content him.

§. 13. The first methode thē for to entertayne our sel­ues [Page 290] in prayer, is to take some point, as the misteries of the death, Life and passion of our Lord, the which are the most profitable; and it is a verie rare thing, that wee cannot bee able to profit by the consideration of that which our Lord hath done, vvho is the souerayne Maister, vvhom the eternall Father hath sent into the world to teach vs what wee ought to doe: and therefore besides the obli­gation that wee haue, to forme our selues accor­ding to this diuine modell, we ought to bee verie exact to consider his actions, for to imitate them, because it is one of the most excellent intentions that vvee can haue, for all whatsoeuer wee doe, to performe it because our Lord hath done it, that is to say, to practice vertues, because that our Father hath practiced them, and as hee hath practiced thē; The better to comprehend this, wee ought fayth­fullie to ponder; see, and consider them in prayer; for the child that loueth his Father well hath a great affection to conforme himselfe to his hu­mours, & to imitate him in all that hee doeth. That which you say is true, that there are soules, who cannot settle themselues, nor busie their spiritts vpō any misterie, being drawne to a certayne sweete simplicitie, which houldeth them in great tranquil­litie before God, without any other consideration, then to know that they are before him, who is all their good▪ they may remayne so profitably, and this is good▪ but generallie speaking, we ought to prouide that all the sisters begin by the methode of prayer, which is the most sure, & which carrieth them to the reformation of life and māners, which is this wee speake of, which is made about the my­steries of the Life and death of our Lord; there wee walke in securitie. Therefore wee ought to apply our selues sweetlie and simply about our Maister to learne that which hee vvould wee should doe, [Page 291] and likevvise those that can vse their imagination ought to doe it; but it must bee vsed soberlye, verie simply & breiflie. The holie Fathers haue left ma­ny pious and deuout considerations, which wee may vse for this subiect, for since the great sancts and holie men haue composed them, who shall dare to refuse piouslie to beleeue that which they haue piouslie beleeued? VVee must goe assuredlie after these persons, of so great authoritie: But not contenting themselues vvith that vvhich they haue left; many men haue made numbers of other ima­ginations, and it is of these vvhereof vvee must not serue our selues for meditation, for so much as it may bee preiudiciall.

VVee ought to make our resolutions in the fer­uour of prayer, vvhen the sunne of iustice shineth vppon vs and inciteth vs by his inspiration. I vvill not say therefore, that vvee must haue great feelings and consolations, although vvhen God giueth them vs vvee are obliged to make our profitt of them, and to correspond to his loue, but vvhen hee doth not giue them vs, vvee ought not to vvant fidelitie; but to liue according to reason and the diuine vvill, and to make our resolutions vvith the point of our spiritt and superiour part of our soule, not omitting to effectuate and putt them in practice for any drynesse, repugnance or contradiction that can or may present it selfe. Behould then heere, the first manner of meditating, vvhich manie great saincts haue practiced, vvhich is verie good vvhen it is made as it ought.

§. 14. The Second manner of meditaeting is, not to vse the imagination; but to hould themselues to the foote of the Letter, that is to say, to meditate purelie and simply the Gospell, and the misteries of our fayth, entertayning themselues familiarlie and verie simply vvith our Lord; of that vvhich hee [Page 292] hath done and suffered for vs, vvithout any repre­sentation. Novv this manner is much more high and better thē the first, and so it is more holie and more assured, vvherefore vvee ought to bee carried easilie by the least attract that vvee haue there-vnto; obserueing euerie degree of prayer, to keepe our spiritt in holie liberty, for to follovv the lights and motions that God vvill giue vs; But for other kinds of prayer more eleuated, vnlesse that God send them absolutelie, I praye you that you vndertake them not of your selfe, and without the aduise of those vvho guide you.

LIVE IESVS.

THE NINETEENTH INTER­TAINEMENT.
VPON THE VERTVES OF Sainct Ioseph.

1. THe iust man is made like to the Palme-tree, as the holie Church causeth vs to sing in e­uerie feast of holie Confessours. But as the palme-tree hath a verie great varietie of particulier proper­ties aboue all other trees, as being the prince and king of trees, as well for the beautie as goodnes of his fruit: euen so there is verie great varietie of Iu­stice, although that all the iust bee iust, and equall in Iustice: notvvithstanding there is a great dispro­portion betvveene the particular acts of their Iu­stice: euen as the garment of the Patriarke Ioseph doth represent vnto vs, vvhich vvas long euen vnto the heeles, imbrodered vvith a goodlie varietie of flovvers: euerie iust man hath a gar­ment of iustice, vvhich couereth: him euen to the heeles, that is to say, all the powers & fa­culties [Page 293] of his soule are couered vvith iustice, and his interiour and exteriour represent no other thing then iustice it selfe, being iust in all his actions and motions, asvvell interiour as exteriour; but notvvithstanding it must bee confessed that euerie garment is embrodered vvith varietie of diuers fayre flovvers, vvhereof the inequallitie maketh them not the less delightfull, nor lesse commenda­ble. The great Sainct Paul the Hermitt vvas iust with most perfect iustice, and yet neuertheless, it is not to bee doubted, that hee did neuer exercise so much Charitie tovvards the poore as Sainct Iohn, vvho therefore vvas called the Almes-giuer, nor had hee euer the occasions to practice Magni­ficence, and therefore hee had not this vertue in so high a degree as manie other Saincts: hee had all vertues, but some of them not in so high a de­gree as the others: the Saints haue excelled some in one vertue, others in another, and although they are all Saintcts yet verie differentlie, there being asmuch difference in Sainctitie as there is in Saincts. This therefore being presupposed, I note three particular properties that the Palme-tree hath among all others, vvhich are in verie great nūber; vvhich properties appertayne best to the Sainct whose feast vvee celebrate, who is (as the holy Church ordayneth vs to say) like to the Palme tree. O vvhat a Sainct is the glorious Sainct Ioseph: vvho is not onelie a Patriark, but the cheife of all the Patriarcks; hee is not simply a Confessour but more then a Confessour: for in his Confession are contayned the dignities of Bishops, the generositie of Martyres, and of all the other Saincts. There­fore it is with iust reason that hee is compared to the Palme-tree which is the king of trees, and which hath the propertie of virginitie, of humi­litie, and of constancie and valour. Thre vertues [Page 294] vvhere-in the Glorious Sainct Ioseph hath excee­dinglie excelled, and if vvee durst make compari­sons, there vvould bee manie vvho vvould mayn­taine that hee passed all the other Saincts in these three vertues. Among the Palmes is found the male and feemale. The male beareth not fruit, and neuer­thelesse hee is not vnfruitfull, for the Palme female vvould not beare fruit vvithout him and his aspect: in such sort that if the Palme female bee not plant­ed neere to the male-Palme tree and in his aspect, she remaineth vnfruitfull, & bereth not dates, vvhich is her fruit; and on the contrarie if she bee regarded of the male Palme and bee in his aspect, she produceth and bringeth forth much fruit, but notvvithstanding she produceth it virginallie, for she is not touched of the male, though hee looke on her there is no vnion made betvveene them, and though she produce her fruit in the shadovve and aspect of her Palme, yet this is verie purelie and virginallie; The male Palme tree contributeth nothing of his substance for this production, neuer­theless none can say, that hee hath not a great part of the fruit in the Palme female, since vvithout him she should not beare, but remayne barren and vnfruitfull. God hauing from all eternitie in his di­uine prouidence decreed, that a virgin should con­ceaue a sonne, vvhich should bee God and man together, notvvithstanding vvould that this virgin should bee maried; but o God! For vvhat reason say the Holie doctours did hee ordayne tvvo so dif­ferent things, to bee a virgin and maried together. The greater part of Fathers say, that this vvas to free our Bl. Ladie of the calūniations of the Ievves, who had not exēpted our Ladie frō calūnie and re­proach but thēselues, would haue become examiners of her puritie, and that to conserue this puritie and virginitie, it vvas necessarie that the diuine prouidē ­ce should cōmitt her to the charge, & into the gard [Page 295] of a mā vvho vvas a virgin, & that this virgin might conceaue, and bring forh this svveet fruit of life our Lord Iesus, vnder the shadovve of holie Ma­riage. Sainct Ioseph vvas then as a Palme tree, vvho not bearing fruit, notvvithstanding is not vnfruit­full; but hath a great part▪ in the fruit of the female Palme, not that Sainct Ioseph contributed any thing, to this holie and Glorious production, but the onelie shadovve of Mariage, vvhich did free our Ladie & Glorious Mistrise from all sorts of calumnies, and censures, that her being big vvith child might haue caused her, and although hee did contribute nothing of his, hee had notvvithstan­ding a great part in this most holie fruite of his sacred spouse: For she did appertayne vnto him, and vvas planted neere vnto him, as a glorious Palme neere to its vvelbeloued Palme Tree; vvho according to the order of the diuine prouidence could not, nor ought not to haue produced but vn­der his shadovve and by his aspect, I vvould say, vn­der the shadovv of holie mariage that they had contracted together, a mariage that vvas not, ac­cording to the ordinarie fashion, so much for the communication of exteriour goods, as for the v­nion and coniunction of interiour goods▪ O vvhat a diuine vnion vvas there betvveene our Blessed Ladie and Sainct Ioseph! a vnion vvhich did cause this tresure of eternall riches, vvhich is our Lord to bee and appertayne to the glorious Sainct Io­seph, euen as hee did appertayne to our BL. Ladie not according to the nature that hee had taken in the bovvels of our Glorious Mistris, (nature which had been framed by the Holie Ghost of the Most pure bloud of our B L. Ladie) but according to grace, vvhich made him become participant of all the goods of his deare spouse, and the vvhich did cause that hee vvent meruelouslie increasing in [Page 296] perfectiō, and this by the cōtinuall cōuersation that hee had with our Bl. Ladie, who did possesse all ver­tues in so high a degree, that no other pure creature can bee able to attayne there-vnto: Notvvithstan­ding Sainct Ioseph was the man vvho did neerest approch to her; and euē as vvee see a looking-glasse opposed to the beames of the sunne, receaue the beames most perfectlie, and another looking-glasse being put iust against that which receaueth the bea­mes, although the latter looking glasse take not or receaue the beames frō the sunne but by reflectiō, notvvithstāding it representeth thē so liuelie, that wee cannot allmost iudge which it is that receaueth thē immediatlie frō the sunne, either that vvhich is opposite to the sūne, or that vvhich receaueth them by reuerberatiō: of like sort was it in our Bl. Ladie, who vvas as a pure mirrour, opposed to the beames of the sunne of Iustice, beames that did bring into her soule all vertues in their perfection, perfectiōs and vertues, vvhich did make so perfect a reflection in S. Ioseph, that allmost it seemed that hee vvas as perfect, or that hee had the vertues in as high a degree, as the glorious virgin our Mistris had them.

§. 2. But in particular (to retayne vs in our matter begun) in vvhat degree had hee virginitie thinke vvee, vvhich is a vertue that maketh vs become like Angells? If the holie virgin vvas not onelie a virgin most pure and vvhite; but (as the holie Church singeth in the Response of the Lessons at Mattins) holie and immaculate virginity ccc. She vvas virginitie it selfe, hovv much thinke vvee did hee excell there-in, vvhose charge from the e­ternall father vvas to bee guardian of her virgini­tie; or to say better, companion, since that she had not any need to bee guarded by any other then her selfe, hovv excellent say I, ought hee to [Page 297] bee in this vertue? They had both of them vovved to keepe virginity all there life time, and behould God vvill that they bee vnited by the band of a ho­lie Mariage, not for to make them vnsaye and re­pent them of their vovve, but for to reconfirme them, and to fortifie one the other to perseuere in their holie enterprise; wherefore they did renevv it, vovving to liue virginally together all their life. The spouse in the Canticle of canticles vseth admi­rable tearmes, for to discribe the bashfulnes or shamefastnes, the chastitie, and most innocent cā ­dor of his diuine lover with his deare and welbe­loued spouse. Hee sayeth thus; Our sister this little young virgin, alas! that she is little, she hath no breasts, vvhat shall wee doe to her in the day that she must bee spoken vnto? if she bee a vvall, lett vs build vpon it bulwarkes of siluer, and if shee bee a gate or dore, lett vs ioyne it together with boords of Cedar to strenghthen it, or with some incorrup­tible vvood. Behould hovv the diuine spouse spea­keth of the puritie of the most holie Virgin: of the Church; of the deuout soule: but principallie this is addressed to the most holie Virgin, who vvas this diuine Sun [...]mite by excellencie, aboue all o­thers. Our sister, she is little, she hath no breasts: that is to say, she thinketh not of mariage, for she hath neither breasts nor care therefore. VVhat shall vvee doe to her in the day she is to bee spoken vnto? what meaneth this? In the day she is to bee spoken vnto? Doth not the diuine spouse speake vnto her alvvaies vvhen it pleaseth him? In the day she shalbe spoken vnto; to vvit, of the principall vvorde, that is vvhen vvee speake to maydes of their mariage: for so much as it is a vvord of importance, since it is in their choise to make election of a vocation and estate, vvhere-in they must allvvaies re­mayne; [Page 298] if she bee a dore, vvee vvill double it or couer it ouer vvith boords of Cedar that is an in­corruptible vvood, to make it stronger. The most Glorious virgin was a tower compassed with verie high walls, within the which inclosure the enimie could not enter, nor any kind of other desires then of liueing in perfect puritie and virginitie: vvhat shall vvee doe to her? For she is to bee vvedded, hee vvho hath giuen her this resolution of virgini­tie haueing so ordayned it? If she bee a tovver or vvall, lett vs fasten vpon it bulvvarks of siluer, vvhich in steed of beating dovvne the tower shall fortifie it more: vvhat is then the Glorious Sainct Ioseph, but a strong bulvvarke, vvhich hath been ordayned ouer our Blessed Ladie? since beeing her spouse she vvas subiect to him, and hee had care of her; Therefore Sainct Ioseph vvas not appointed ouer our Bl. Ladie, for to make her breake her vovv of virginitie, but contrarivvise he vvas giuen her for a companion there-of, and to the end that the puritie of our Ladie might more admirably perseuered in its integritie, vnder the vaile and shadovv of Mariage, and of the holy v­nion they had together. If the most holie virgin be a dore (sayeth the eternall father) vvee will not haue it opened, for it is the orientall gate, whereby none can enter nor goe forth, but contrarivvise it must hee doubled and fortified vvith incorruptible vvodde, that is to say, giue her a companion in her puritie, vvhich is the great Sainct Ioseph, who ought for this office to surpasse all the Saincts, yea the Angells, and the Cherubins themselues in this so recommendable vertue of virginitie, a vertue vvhich made him become like to a Palme tree, as vvee haue sayed.

§. 3. Lett vs passe to the second propertie and vertue that I find in the Palme, I say to my [Page 331] purpose, that there is made a iust resemblance and cōformitie betvveene Sainct Ioseph and the Palme tree in their vertue, vvhich is no other then holie humilitie, for althoug that the Palme, bee the prince of trees, it is notvvithstanding the most hū ­ble; the vvhich it vvitnesseth in this, that it hideth his flovvers in the spring time, vvhen all other trees sett them forth to the shevve, and lets them not appeare but in the great heates. The Palme keep­eth itt flovvers vvithin pouches or purses vvhich are made in forme of sheaths, or sizzarcases, vvhich doth represent verie vvell vnto vs the diffe­rence of soules vvho tend to perfection, from others, and the presēce of the iust from those vvho liue according to the vvorld; for the vvorldlings and earthlie men, who liue according to the Lawes of the earth, assoone as they haue some good thought, or some good cogitation, vvhich in their opinion is vvorthy to bee esteemed or if they haue some vertue, they are neuer in rest, vntill such time as they haue manifested it, and made it knovvne to all those they meete vvithall; vvhere-in they runne the same hazard, that the trees that are forvvard to budd forth their flovvers in the spring time, as the Almonde trees are; for if peraduenture the frost ouertake them, they perish and beare no fruit: these vvorldlie men vvho are so light to make their flovvers bloome and sprout out, in the spring of this mortale life, by a spiritt of pride and ambition, allvvaies are in danger to rūne hazard to bee taken by the frosts, vvhich maketh them loose the fruit of their actions: contrari [...]se the iust [...]hould allvvaies all their flovvers close-vvithin the case of most holie humilitie and permitt them not to appeare as much as they can, vntill the great heates, vvhen that God the diuine sunne of Iustice, shall come povverfullie to vvarme their hart in eternall life; [Page 300] vvhere they shall beare for euer the svveete fruit of felicitie and immortalitie. The Palme permitteth not its flovvers to bee seene, vntill such time as the vehement heat of the sunne come to make its sheaths, cases, or buggetts vvherin they are enclosed to cleaue or riue asunder, after the vvhich its fruit appeareth suddenlie to the vevve: in like māner doth the iust soule: for she keepeth her flowers, that is to say her vertues, hidden vnder the vaile of holie humilitie vntill death, vvherein our Lord causeth them to bee disclosed, and letteth them appeare outvvardlie, for so much as the fruits are not to withhould there apparence long after. O how ex­cellently faythfull heerin vvas this great Sainct of vvhom vvee speake! it cannot bee sufficientlie de­clared according to its perfection, for notwithstād­ing being such as hee was, in what pouertie, and in vvhat abiection did hee not liue all the time of his life? vnder the vvhich pouertie and abiectiō, hee kept hidden and couert his great vertues and digni­ties; but vvhat dignities my God? to be gouernour of our Lord, and not onelie this, but furthermore to bee his supposed father, and to bee the spouse of his most holie Mother; O truelie I doubt not at all that the Angells rauished vvith admiration did come in troopes after troopes to cōsider him, and to admire his humilitie, vvhen hee did retayne this deare child in his poore shopp, vvhere he laboured in his trade, to nourish the sonne & the Mother vvho were committed to him. There is no doubt, my deare sisters, but that Sainct Ioseph was more va­liant then Dauid, and had more wisdome then Sa­lomon: Notvvithstanding behoulding him reduced vnto the exer [...]ise of a carpenter, who could haue iudged so much of him, if he had not beē illuminat­ed with celestiall light? so fast did hee shut vp and keepe all the si [...]guler giftes, wherwith God had [Page 301] gratified him: for vvhat wisdome had not hee, since that God gaue him in charge his most glo­rious sonne, and that hee was chosen to bee his go­uernour? If the Princes of this vvorld haue so much care, as being a matter of importance, to giue to their children gouerners who are most capable, then God being able to make that the gouerner of his sonne, should bee the most accomplished and cōpleat man of the world in all perfectiōs, ac­cording to the dignitie and excellencie of the thing gouerned, which was his most glorious sonne, the vniuersall prince of heauen and earth: hovv should it bee, that haueing povver to doe it, hee vvould not, or hath not done it? Therefore there is no doubt, but that Sainct Ioseph was endovved with all the graces and giftes, which did deserue the of­fice that the eternall father vvvould impose vppon him, giueing him the temporall, and domesticall stevvardshipp of his sonne, and conduct of his fa­milie, which was composed but of three, which doth represent vnto vs the misterie of the most holie and most adored Trinitie: not that there is any comparison, but in that which respecteth our Lord, who is one of the Persons of the most holy Trinitie: for touching the others they are creatures: but no [...]withstāding wee may say euen so, That it is a Trinitie on earth, which in some sorte doth repre­sēt the most holie Trinitie, Marie, Iesus and Ioseph: Ioseph, Iesus, and Marie: a Trinitie meruelouslie re­cōmendable and vvorthy to bee honoured. You vn­derstād thē how exceedinglie the dignitie of S. Io­seph was exalted, & how excellētlie hee was reple­nished with all sortes of vertues, On the other side you see neuert [...]elesse, how much hee was brought lowe and humbled, more then an bee declared or imagined. This one example sufficeth for the better vnderstanding of it; hee tooke his iourney tovvards his ovvne country, and vnto [Page 302] his tovvne of Bethlem, and none is refused of all lodging but himselfe (at least that vvee knovve of) so that hee was constrayned to retire himselfe, and to lead his chast spouse into a stable among the ox­en and asses: O into vvhat extremitie vvas his hu­militie and abiection reduced! his humilitie vvas the cause (euen as S. Bernard explicateth it (that hee thought vpon leauing our Bl. Ladie, vvhen hee savve her great vvith child: For Sainct Bernard sayeth that hee made this discourse within himselfe, VVhat meaneth this? I knovv that she is a virgin, for vvee haue made a vovv together to keepe our virginitie and puritie, vvherein she vvould in no sorte bee wanting, notwithstanding I see that she is great vvith child, and that she is a Mother, how can it bee that maternitie is found in virginitie and puritie, and that virginitie doth nott hinder Mater­nitie. O God? (sayed hee to himselfe) it may bee this is that Glorious virgin, of whom the Prophets doe assure vs, that she shall conceaue and bee the mother of the Messias? O? If this bee of, God for­bidd that I should remayne with her, I that am so vnworthy of it; it wilbe much better that I secreet­lie forsake her because of my indignitie, and dwell not any longer in her companie: this was a feel­ing of an admirable humilitie, and the which did make S: Peter to cry out in the vessell, where hee vvas vvith our Lord, vvhē hee did see his Almigthie power manifested in the great draught of fishes that hee tooke, at his onlie commaundement, willing them to cast their netts into the sea: O Lord (sayed hee (being wholie trāsported, with the like feeling of humilitie as Sainct Ioseph) with drawe they selfe from mee: for I am a sinfull man, and therefore I am not worthy to bee with thee: I knovv well (vvould hee say) that If I cast my selfe into the sea I shall perish: but thou who art Allmighty canst [Page 303] walke vppon the waters without danger: for this [...]ause I beseeth thee to retyre from mee, and not [...]hat I withdrawe my selfe from thee: If Sainct Io­ [...]eph were so carefull to shutt vp all his vertues vn­der the shadowe of most holie humilitie, hee had [...] most particular care to hide the pretious pearle of [...]is virginitie; this was the cause hee consented to [...]ee maried, to the end that none might know it, and because that vnder the holie vaile of mariage [...]ee could liue vnknowne: whereby virgins, and [...]hose who will liue chastlie are taught that it is not sufficient for them to bee virgins, vnless they bee humble, and shut vp their puritie within the pre­ [...]ious box of humilitie: for othervvise it wlll happē vnto them as it did to the foolish virgins, vvho for vvāt of humilitie and mercifull Charitie, were re­pelled from the Mariage of the spouse, and there­fore were constrained to goe to the wedding of the world, wher the councell of the Celestiall spouse is not obserued who sayeth that hee who will enter to the Mariage feast must bee humble, I would say that hee must practice humilitie: for (sayeth hee) going to a wedding, or being inuited to a Mariage, take the last place; wher-in wee see how necessarie humilitie is for the conseruation of virginitie, since vndoubtedlie not any one shalbee at the celestiall banquet and Nuptiall feast which God hath prepraed for virgins in the eelestiall ha­bitation, vnlesse that hee shalbe accompained with; this vertue. VVee doe not keepe pretious things, [...] especially odoriferous oyntments in the ayre, for not onelie these sweete sauours would euaporate themselues, but moreouer the flyes would corrupt them, and make them loose their price and worth: in like manner the soules of the Iuste fearing to loose the price and valour of their good workes, shut or locke them vp ordinarilie in a box, but [Page 430] not in a cōmon box, no more then precious oynt­ments; but in a box of Allabaster (such as S. Marie Magdaleine powred forth, (or emptied) vpon the sacred head of our Sauiour, when that hee reesta­blished her in virginitie, not essentiall but repared, the which is somtimes more excellent being ac­quired and re-established by penance, then that which haueing not receaued blemish is accompain­ed with lesse humilitie! This Allabaster Box then is humilitie, within the which vvee ought in imitation of our Bl. Ladie and Sainct Ioseph to locke vp our vertues, and all that which may make vs to bee esteemed of men, contenting our selues to please God, and to remayne vnder the sacred vaile of the abiection of our selues, expecting the time (as wee haue sayed) vvhen God comeing to dravve vs into the place of securitie, which is his Glorie, himselfe cause our workes to appeare for his honour and glorie. But vvhat more perfect hu­militie can bee imagined thē that of Sainct Ioseph? (I except that of our Bl. Ladie: for wee haue al­readie sayed, that Sainct Ioseph did receaue a great increase in all vertues by vvay of reflection, of those that the most holie virgin did imprint in him.) hee had a verie great part in that diuine trea­sure that hee had neere him, which vvas our Lord and Maister, & yet for all that hee so hūbled and a­based himselfe, that it seemed not that hee had any part in him, yet notvvithstāding hee did apper­tayne to him more then to any other, next to the most holie Virgin; and none may doubt there of, finde hee vvas of his familie, and the sonne of his spouse who did appertayne vnto him. I am accu­stomed to say, that if a doue (to make the compa­rison more conforme to the puritie of the Sainct of whō I speake) should carrie a date in his becke, and lett it fall into a garden, would wee not say that [Page 305] the Palme which should come of it, did appertayne [...]o him vvho did ovve the garden? novv if this bee so, vvho can doubt, that the holie Ghost haueing lett [...]all this diuine Date, as a diuine Doue, into the in­closed and locked garden of the most holy virgin, (a garden sealed and inuironed on euerie side with the hedges of the holie vovve of virginitie, and all immaculate chastitie) who did appertayne to the glorious Sainct Ioseph, as to her husband, who shall doubt I say, or vvho can say that this diuine Palme-tree, which beareth the fruit that nourisheth to immortalitie, doth not appertayne wholie to this great Sainct Ioseph? who notvvithstanding is not therefore the more puffed vpp, nor become [...]eth the more proude, but rather becometh all­waies the more humble? O God! what a goodlie fight vvas it to behould the reuerence and respect, wherevvith hee did conuerse asvvell with the mo­ther as vvith the sonne. If hee had a desire to leaue the mother, not knowing at that time the greatnesse of her dignitie, into what profound annihilation and humiliation of himselfe was hee aftervvards brought, vvhē hee savve himselfe so much honour­ed, that our Lord and our Ladie did yeald them­selues obedient to his vvill, and did nothing but by his commaundement? this is a thing that cannot be comprehended; therefore it is necessarie that vvee passe to the third propertie that I note to bee in the Palme, which is valour, constancie, and strength, vertues that are found in a verie eminent degree in our Sainct.

§. 4. The Palme hath strength and valour, and likevvise a verie great constancie, aboue all other trees, also it is the cheife of all. The Palme shevveth his strēgth and cōstancie in this, that the more its loaden, the higher it riseth, ād becōmeth more high, the vvhich is verie contrarie not onelie to all other [Page 306] trees, but to all other things, for the more they bee loaden, the more they bovve dovvne tovvards the earth; but the Palme shevveth his strenght and constancie, in not submitting it selfe, nor euer bowing dovvne for any burthen they can put vpon it, for it is its instinct to mount vpvvards, and there­fore it doth so, none being able to hinder it: it shevveth its valour in this, that its Leaues are made like svvords and seemeth to haue as manie svvords to fight as it beareth leaues; it it truelie vvith verie iust reason that Sainct Ioseph is sayed to resemble the Palme: for hee vvas allvvaies verie valiant, cō ­stant, and perseuerant. There is much difference betvveene cōstancie and perseuerance, strenght and valour; vvee call a man constant, vvho keepeth him­selfe, firme, and prepared to suffer the assaults of his enimies, vvithout astonishment or loosing cou­rage during the combatt: but perseuerance regar­deth principallie a certayne interiour vexation or irksomnes, vvhich arriueth to vs in the lenght of our paynes, vvhich is one of the povverfullest eni­mies that vvee can encounter vvithall, novv per­seuerance maketh a man to contemne this enimye, in such sort that hee remaineth victorious by a cō ­tinuall equallitie, and submission to the vvill of God. Courage is that vvhich maketh a man valiāt­lie resist the assaults of his enimies: but valour is a vertu vvhich causeth, that vvee are not onelie rea­die to fight, nor to resist when occasion presents it selfe, but, that vvee assault the enimie at the same time hee looketh not for it. Novv our Glorious Sainct Ioseph was indued vvith all these vertues, and hee did merueilouslie vvell exercise them: for as concerning his constancye, hovv much I pray you did hee make it appeare, vvhen seing our Bles­sed Ladie great vvith child, and not knovving how this could bee, (My God vvhat distresse, vvhat an­guish, [Page 307] what payne did hee not feele? notwithstād­ [...]g hee complayned not, hee was not more vnci­ [...]ll, nor more displeased towards his spouse, nether [...]d hee treat her the worse for this, remayning as [...]vveet and respectiue in his behauiour as hee had [...]ont to bee. But what valour and what force did [...]ee not vvitness in the victorie that hee boore away [...]gainst the tvvo greatest enimies of man the diuell [...]nd the world? and this by the most exact practice [...]f profound humilitie as wee haue noted in the [...]hole course of his life. The diuell is such an eni­ [...]ie of humilitie, because the wāt hee had there-of, [...]as it that expelled him out of heauen, and thrust [...]im into hell (from whence humilitie would haue [...]ept him, if he had chosen it for his inseparable cō ­ [...]anion) that there is no inuention nor art, where-of [...]ee serueth not himselfe to make a man fall from his vertue, and so much the more, because as hee [...]noweth; it is a vertue which maketh him become [...]finitely pleasing to God, so that wee may well say, [...]aliant and strong is the man, who like Sainct Io­ [...]eph perseuereth therein, because that he remayneth [...]n absolute cōquerour of the diuell and the world, which is filled with ambition, vanitie, and Pride. Touching perseuerance contrarie to this interiour [...]nimye, which is the anxietie, which commeth [...]pon vs in the continuation of abiect, humbling, [...]nd paynfull things, of euill fortunes, if wee may [...]o say, or else in diuers accidents that happen [...]nto vs; O how was this Sainct proued of God [...]nd men, euen in his iourney! The Angell com­maunded him to depart speedelie, and to carrie our Ladie and her most deare sōne into Egipt, behould [...]ee departeth in an instant without speaking a worde, hee inquired not whither shall I goe, what [...]way shall I take? wherewith shall wee bee mayn­ [...]ained: who will receaue vs there? hee departed at [Page 308] aduenture with his tooles on his backe, for t [...] gayne his poore liuing and his families with th [...] sweate of his browes; O how much might this anxietie where-of wee speake haue troubled him, especiallie seeing the Angell had not tould him how longe hee should bee there, so that hee could no [...] settle any assured dvvelling, not knowing wher [...] the Angell vvould commaund him to retourne [...] If Sainct Paul admired so much the obedienc [...] of Abraham vvhen God commaunded him to goe out of his country, for so much as God di [...] not tell him into what coast hee should goe, nei­ther did Abraham aske it of him, Lord you com­maund mee to goe; but tell mee then if it shal be by the south gate, or on the North side; but hee pu [...] him selfe on the way, and went according as the spiritt of God guided him. How exceeding admira­ble then is this perfect obedience of Sainct Ioseph? The Angell did not tell him vntill vvhat time hee should remayne in Egipt, neither did hee inquire it, hee remayned there the space of fiue yeares, as the most part beleeue, without seeking to informe himselfe of his retourne, assureing himselfe that hee who had commaunded that hee should goe thither, would commaund him agayne when hee should retourne, wherein hee vvas allvvaies readie to obey; hee vvas in a country not onely of stran­gers but also enimyes of the Israelites; for so much as the Egyptians had yet in mind, hovv they had left them, what they had bereaued them of, and that they had been cause that a great number of the Egiptians had been ouer­vvhelmed vvhen they did pursue them, and this stuck in their stomacks. I leaue it to your consideration what desire Sainct Ioseph might haue of his retourne, because of the continuall [Page 309] feares that hee might haue amongst the Egip­ [...]ians: the greife of not knovving vvhen hee [...]hould come forth might vvithout doubt great­ [...]y afflict and torment his poore hart; notvvith­ [...]anding hee remaynes allvvaies himselfe, all­wayes sweete, tranquill, and perseuerant in his [...]ubmission to the good pleasure of God, to which hee left himselfe fully to bee guided; for [...]s he was iust, hee had his vvill allwaies squared, [...]oyned and conforme to the will of God. To [...]ee iust is no other thing, then to bee perfect­ [...]ie vnited to the vvill of God, and to bee allvvaies [...]herein conforme in all sorts of euents, prosperous [...]or aduerse. That Sainct Ioseph allwaies in all oc­ [...]sions hath been perfectlie submisse vnto the diuine will, none can doubt; doe you not see hovv the Angell tourneth him at all essaies, he telleth [...]im, that hee must goe into Egipt, hee goeth [...]hither; hee commaundeth that hee retourne, & hee retourneth: God would that hee should bee all­vvaies poore, vvhich is one of the most forceable proofes that vvee can haue, and hee submitteth himselfe loueinglie therevnto, and not for a time, for this vvas all his life: but vvith vvhat pouer­tie? vvith a contemptible, needye, and reiectable pouertie. The voluntarie pouertie vvhere-of Re­ligious make profession, is verie amiable, for so much as it hindreth them not, from takeing and receauing those things vvhich shalbe necessa­rie for them, onelie forbidding and depriuing them of superfluities: But the pouertie of Sainct Ioseph, of our Lord, and our Blessed Ladie vvas not such: for allthough it vvas voluntarie, for so much as hee did loue it dearelie, it did not leaue therefore to bee abiect, reiected and contemned, and in verie great necessitie: for euerie one esteemed this great Sainct as a [Page 310] poore carpenter, who without doubt could n [...] make such gayne, but that many necessarie thin [...] would bee wanting, although hee did take payn [...] with an exceeding affection, for the entertaynm [...] of his whole familie, which done hee did subm [...] himselfe most humbly to the will of God, in t [...] continuatiō of his pouertie and abiection, not pe [...] mitting himselfe to bee ouerthrowne, nor va [...] quished by interiour disquietness, which vvitho [...] doubt did make him manie assaults; but remayn [...] allwaies constant in submission, the which (as his other vertues) went continuallie increasing a [...] perfectionating themselues, euen as that of our B [...] Ladie, who did gayne euerie day an ouer-grow of vertues and perfections, that she did learne her most holie sonne, who could not increase any thing, for so much as hee was from the insta [...] of his conception such as hee is, and shalbe eternalie, which did cause that the holy familie wher-hee vvas, went allwaies increasing and aduanci [...] in perfection: Our Bl. Ladie drawing her perf [...] ction from his diuine goodnes, and Sainct Iosep [...] receauing it (as wee haue allreadie sayed) by the m [...] diation of our Bl. Lady.

§. 5. Now what remayneth there more to b [...] saved, but that wee ought not to doubt, but that th [...] Glorious Sainct hath much creditt with him [...] heauē, who hath fauoured him so much as to assū [...] him thither in bodie and soule, the which is [...] much the more probable, because wee haue not ha [...] any Relique of his heere belowe on earth, and seemeth to mee that none can doubt of this veriti [...] for how could hee refuse this grace to Sainct I [...] seph who had been so obediēt to him all the day [...] of his life? without doubt when our Lord desce [...] ded into Limbus Patrum, hee was spoken vnto b [...] Sainct Ioseph in this sort; My Lord, remember yo [...] [Page 311] selfe if you please, that when you came from heauē [...]o earth, I receaued you in-to my familie, and that when you were borne I receaued you into my ar­mes; now that you must goe to heauen lead me [...] [...]hither with you, I receaued you into my familie, receaue mee now into yours, since you goe thither: I haue carried you betweene my armes, now take mee vpon yours, and as I haue had care to nourish [...]nd conduct you, during the course of your mor­ [...]all life; take care of mee and conduct mee to the immortall life: and if it is true, the which wee ought to beleeue, that in vertue of the most Bl. Sa­ [...]rament that wee receaue, our bodies shall rise a­gaine at the day of iudgment, how can wee doubt, [...]hat our Lord did cause the Glorious Sainct Ioseph [...]o ascend with him into heauen asvvell bodye as soule, who had had the honour, and the grace to [...]arrie him so often in his Bl. armes, the which did [...]lease our Lord so much: O how many kisses did [...]ee tenderlie giue him from his Blessed mouth, for [...]o recompence in some sorte his labour. Sainct Io­ [...]eph then is in heauen in body and soule without doubt. Hovv happie should vee bee if vvee could deserue to haue part in his holie intercessions; for nothing shalbe denied him neither of our Bl. Ladie [...]or her Glorious sonne, hee will obteyne for vs if wee haue confidence in him, a holie grovvth in all sortes of vertues, but espetiallie in those which vvee haue found, that hee had, in a more high degree [...]hen all others, vvhich are the most holie puritie of bodie and spiritt, and the most amiable vertue of humilitie, constancye, valour, and perseuerance: vertues vvhich make vs in this life become victo­ [...]ious ouer our enimyes, and vvhich vvill make vs deserue the grace to enioy eternall revvardes in the next life, vvhich are prepared for them vvho shall [...]imitate the example that Sainct Ioseph hath giuen [Page 312] them being in this mortall life, a reward whic [...] shall bee no lesse thē eternall felicitie; in the whic [...] wee shall enioy the cleare vision of the Father, th [...] Sonne, and the Holie Ghost. God bee Blessed Amen.

LIVE IESVS.

THE TVVENTITH ENTER­TAINEMENT.
IN VVHICH IS DEMAVNDED vvhat pretention vvee ought to haue en­tring into Religion.

§. 1. THe questiō that our Mother proposet [...] vnto mee to declare vnto you, my dea [...] daughters; to vvitt the pretēce which one ought t [...] haue to enter into Religion, is truelie the most important, most necessarie, and profitable that can b [...] explicated. Verily, my deare daughters, many women enter into Religion, who knovv not vvherefore: they will come to a parloyr or speaking plac [...] where they shall see the Religious women wit [...] a cheerefull countenance, haueing a good gestur [...] verie modest, and much contented, and they vvi [...] say within themselues, good God! It is good [...] bee there, Lett vs goe thither, the vvorld do [...] frowne vpon vs, wee meete not with our pretentions in it. Another will say: good God! how we [...] they sing! others come thither to encounter peac [...] consolations, and all sortes of sweetnesses, sayin [...] in their thought; My God! how happie are Rel [...] gious women! being out of the noise of fathe [...] and mother, who doe no other thing then complayne [Page 313] and chide, vee can doe nothing which con­tenteth them, wee are allwaies to begin anew: Our Lord promiseth those vvho forsake the world for his seruice many consolations; lett vs goe then into Religion. Behould, my deare dau­ghters, three sortes of pretentions which are worth nothing to make vs enter into the house of God. Of necessitie it must be God who buildeth the Cittie, or othervvise although it vvere built, it must bee ruined againe. I will beleeue, my deare daughters, that your pretentions are better ground­ed, and therefore that you haue all good courages; and that God vvill blesse this little companie nevv­begun.

§. 2. There commetth to my mind tvvo or three similitudes fitt to giue you to vnderstand vvhervppon, and hovv your pretentions ought to bee founded for to bee solide: but I vvvill content my selfe to explicate one vvhich shall suffice: put the case that an architect vvould build a house, hee doth two things: first hee considereth if his build­ing bee for some particular, as for a Prince, or a king: because hee must proceed there-in in different manner; then hee must reckon hy himselfe if his meanes bee sufficient for it: For hee who would vndertake to build a high tovver, and had not vvherevvith to finish it, vvould hee not bee laught at, for haueing begun a thing in vvhich hee could not come of vvith his honour? then hee must re­solue himselfe to ruine the ould building, which is in the place where hee vvould erect a nevv. VVee would make a great building; my deare daughters, which is to build a habitation for God within vs: therefore lett vs consider well and maturelie if wee haue sufficient courage and resolution to ruine and crucifie our selues, or rather to permitt God to mortifie and crucifie vs, to the end that hee reedifie [Page 314] vs, for to bee the liueing temple of his Maiesty: Therefore I say, my most deare daughters, that our onelie pretention ought to bee to vnite vs to God, as Iesus Christ did vnite himselfe to God his Fa­ther, vvhich vvas in dying vpon the Crosse: for I intend not to speake to you, of that generall vnion vvhich is made by Baptisme, vvhere Christians v­nite thēselues to God in takeing this diuine Sacra­ment and caracter of Christianisme, and oblige themselues to keepe his commaundements, & those of his Holie Church, to exercise themselues in good workes, to practice the vertues of Fayth, Hope, and Charitie, vvhich vnion of theirs is auailable and may iustlie pretend heauen, For vniting them­selues by this meanes to God, as to their God, they are not obliged any further, they haue attayn­ed their end, by the generall and spatious vvay of the commaundements. But touching you my deare daughters, it is not so; for besides this common ob­ligation that you haue with all Christiās, God by a verie spetiall loue hath chosen you to bee his deare spouses You ought then to knovv how and vvhat it is to bee Religious vvomen. It is; to bee bound to God by a continuall mortification of our selues, and not to liue but for God, our hart all­vvaies seruing his diuine Maiestie: our eyes, our tounge, our hands, and all the rest serueing him continuallie. VVherefore you see that Religion furnisheth you vvith all meanes proper for this effect, which are, prayer, reading, silence, vvith­dravving of your hart from creatures to rest it in God onelie by continuall darting of affections to our Lord. And because vvee cannot arriue to this, but by the continuall practice of mortifica­tion of all our passions, inclinations, humours, and auersions, vvee are obliged to vvatch con­tinualle ouer our selues, that vvee may make [Page 315] all this to die. Knovv (my deare sisters) that if a graine of vvheat falling into the ground doe not dye, it remayneth alone: but if it corrupt, it vvill bring forth a hūdred fould: the vvord of our Lord heerein is verie cleare, his most blessed mouth ha­ueing pronounced the same: consequentlie, you vvho pretend the habitt, and you also vvho pre­tend the holie Profession, consider vvell more then once, if you haue sufficient resolution to die to your selues, and not to liue but to God. Consi­der all vvell, the time is long enough to rumi­nate there-on before your vailes bee dyed blacke: for I declare to you, my deare daughters, and I vvill not flatter you; vvhosoeuer desire to liue according to nature, lett them remayne in the vvorld: and those vvho are determined to liue according to grace, lett them come into Reli­gion, vvhich is no other thing then the schoole of abnegation and mortification of ones selfe; vvherefore looke to it, that you bee furnished with many instruments of mortification asvvell interiour as exteriour. But good God! you will say to mee, This is not that, that I sought after; I thought it vvas sufficient for to bee a good Reli­gious vvoman, to desire to praye vvell, to haue visions and reuelations, yea of Angells in forme of men, to bee rauished in extasie, to loue vvell the reading of good bookes; and vvhat else. I vvas so vertuous, as it seemed to mee, so mor­tified, so humble, all the vvorld did admire mee; vvas it not to bee humble, to speake so svveetlye of all things appertayning to deuotion to my companions, to recount the sermons by my selfe, to conuerse gentlye vvith those of the house, aboue all vvhen they did not contradict mee? certainelie, my deare daughters, this vvas good for the vvorld: But Religion vvilleth that vvee [Page 316] doe vvorkes vvorthy of her vocation: that vvee dye to all things, asvvell to that vvhich is good to our vvill, as to vnprofitall and euill things. Thinke you that the good Religious men of the desert, vvho attayned to so great vnion vvith God, arriued therevnto in follovving their inclinations? Truelie no, they vvere mortified in most holy exercises, and although they felt great gust to sing the diuine Canticles, to read, pray, and doe other things, they did it not to content themselues; no not so, but con­trarivvise, they did voluntarilie depriue themselues of these pleasures, for to giue themselues to payn­full and labour some vvorkes. It is verie true cer­taynlie that Religious soules receaue a thousand suauities and contentments amidst the mortifica­tions and exercises of holie Religion: for it is prin­cipallie to them that the holie ghost distributeth his pretious giftes: therefore they ought to seeke no­thing but God, and the mortification of their hu­mours, passions, and inclinationes in holy Religion; for if they seeke any other thing, they shall neuer find the cōsolation that they pretended▪ vvee must haue an inuincible courage not to bee vveary vvith our selues, because that vve shall allvvaies haue somvvhat to doe, and to cutt off.

§. 3. The office of Religious ought to bee to cultiuate their spirit, to roote out all the ill pro­ductions that our depraued nature euerie day caus­eth to bud, so that it seemeth there is allvvaies som­thing to bee done anevv, and as the labourer ought not to bee troubled, since hee is not to bee blamed for not hauing reaped a good cropp, prouided not­vvithstanding that hee hath care to cultiuate the earth vvell, and to sovve it vvell: euen so Religious ought not to bee afflicted, if they gather not so soone the fruites of perfection and vertues, prouid­ed that they haue great fidelitie to cultiuate the [Page 317] earth of their hart vvell, cutting of that which they perceaue to bee contrarie to perfection, to the vvhich they are obliged to ayme, since vvee shall neuer bee perfectlie cured vntill vvee bee in heauē. VVhen your Rule telleth you, that you aske for bookes at the appointed houre, thinke you that those which content you most, shall ordinarilie bee giuen you? noe, this is not the intention of the Rule, and the like of other exercises. A sister vvill thinke, as it seemeth to her, that she is verie much inuited to prayer, to say her Office, to bee retyred, and the Superiours say to her; sister goe to the kitshen, or else, doe such or such a thing, this is ill nevves for a sisters that is verie deuout. I say then that vvee must die that God may liue in vs, for it is impossible to procure the vnion of our soule with God, by any other meanes then by mortification. These vvordes are hard, vvee must dye: but they are seconded vvith great svveetnes, that is, to the end vvee may bee vnited to God by this death. You knovv that no vvise man putteth nevv vvine into an old vessell; the liquour of diuine Loue can­not enter, vvhere the old Adam raigneth: hee must of necessitie bee destroyed: but how, you will say to mee, vvill hee bee destroyed? hovv? my deare daughters, by punctuall obedience to your Rules: I assure you on the part of God, that if you bee faythfull to doe that they teach you, you shall at­tayne vvithout doubt to the end you ought to pre­tend, vvhich is to vnite your selues vvith God. Marke that I say; to doe: for vvee cannot purchase perfection by crossing our armes, wee must labour in good sadnes euen from the hart, to tame and reclame our selues, and to liue according to reason, our Rule, and obedience, and not according to the inclinations vvee haue brought from the vvorld. Religion tolerateth vs to bring our euill habits, [Page 318] passiōs, and inclinations, but not to liue according to them, it giueth vs Rules to serue vs, to presse and straine out of our harts, vvhatsoeuer is contrarie to God: therefore liue courageouslye according to them.

§. 4. But some one vvill say. Good God! hovv shall I doe, I haue not the spiritt of Religiō? True­lie, my deare Daughter, I easilie beleeue you, it is a thing the vvorld bringeth not to Religion. The spiritt of the Rule is gayned in practiceing the Rule faythfully. I say the same of holie humilitie, and mildnesse, the foundation of this congregatiō, God vvill infalliby giue it vs, prouided that vve haue a good hart, and doe our endeauour to gett it; vve shalbe verie happie if one quarter of an hovver be­fore vvee dye, vvee find our selues reuested vvith this garment, all our life vvil be vvell impoyed, if vvee labour to vvorke thereon, somtimes one pee­ce, somtimes another; for this holy habitt is not made vvith one onelie peece, it is requisite there bee many. You thinke peraduenture, that perfectiō is to bee found alreadye made, and that there is no other thing necessarie to bee done, but to put it o­uer your head as a garment: No no; my Deare Daughters it is not so. Mother, you tell mee, our sisters the Nouices are of good vvill: but that abil­litie is vvanting to put their desires in execution, and that they feele their passions so strong, that they almost fearre to begin to goe on; Courage, my Deare Daughters, I haue tould you many times that Religion is a schoole vvhere vve learne our lesson: the Maister requireth not allvvaies, that vvithout faile the Scholers knovve their lesson, i [...] sufficeth that they haue attention to doe their endeauour to learne it: Lett vs also doe vvhat vve can, God vvil be contented, and our superiours al­so.

Doe you not see euerie day those vvho learne to beare armes fall often? in like manner doe those vvho learne to ride a horse vvell, but they are not therefore held for vanquished: for it is one thing to bee cast sōtimes to the ground, and another to be absolutelie ouercome.

Your passiōs at times make head against you, and therefore you say, I am not fit for Religion, because I haue passion: No, my Deare Dau­ghters, you are deceaued, the matter goeth not so: Religion accounteth no great tryumph to frame a spiritt allreadye made, a svveete soule and peacefull in its selfe: but she exceedinglie esteem­eth to reduce to a vertuous course soules that are strong in their inclinations; for these soules if they are faythfull vvil surpass the others, getting by the point of the spiritt, vvhich others haue vvith­out payne. VVe doe not require of you, that you should not haue passions (it is not in your povver, and God vvill that you feele them vntill death, for your greater meritt) nor likvvise that they bee but of little strength, for this should bee as much as to say, that a soule ill habituated could not bee fit to serue God: the vvorld is deceaued in this thought, God reiecteth nothing, vvhere malice doth not intrude it selfe; For tell mee, I pray you, if a person be of such or such a temper, subiect to such or such a passion, hovv can hee help it? therefore all cōsisteth in the acts that vvee make by the mo­tions vvhich depend of our vvill: sinne being so voluntarie that vvithout our consent there is no sinne. Put the case that I bee ouertaken vvith choler; I vvould say to it; Turne and returne, riue in sun­der if thou vvilt, I vvill doe nothing for thy res­pect, no not so much as to pronounce a vvord, ac­cording to thy suggestion: God hath left this in [Page 320] our povver, othervvise in requireing perfection of vs, it should bee to oblige vs to a thing impossible and consequently iniustice, which cannot bee in God.

§. 5. To this purpose there commeth into my mind, a historie vvhich is proper for our purpose: vvhen Moyses descended from the mountayne vvhere hee did speake vvith God, hee savv the people, vvho hauing made a golden calfe did adore it: touched vvith iust choler for zeale of the Glorie of God, hee sayed: (turning himselfe tovvards the Leuites;) If there be any one for our Lord, let him take his svvord in hand, to kill all those that shall present themselues before him, not sparing any, neither father nor mother, sister nor brother, but put all to death: The Leuites thē takeing the svvord in hand, hee vvas the most famous vvho killed most: In like manner, my deare daughters, take the svvord of mortification into your hand; for to kill and annihilate your passions, and she vvho shall haue the most to kill shalbe the most valiant, if she vvill cooperate vvith grace. Behould these tvvo young soules (vvhereof the one is a little past six yeares old, the other about fiue) they haue fevv to kill, also their spirit is not almost borne: but these great soules vvho haue experienced many things, and haue tasted the svveetnesses of heauen, it is to them to vvhom it appertayneth to kill and annihi­late their passions vvell. Deare mother, for those, who, you say, haue so great desire of their perfe­ction, that they vvould passe all others in vertue, they doe vvell to comfort their selfe-loue a little, but they should doe well to follovv the communi­tie in keeping their rules vvell: for that is the right vvay to arriue to God. You are verie happie, my deare daughters, in respect of vs in the vvorld; when vvee aske the vvay, one sayeth it is on the right [Page 321] hand, another on the left, and for the most part they deceaue vs: but you, you haue nothing to doe, but to permitt your selues to bee carried: you are like to those that saile vpon the sea, the barque car­rieth them, and they remayne within it without care, and in reposeing they goe forvvarde, and haue nothing to doe to enquire if they are in their vvay, vvhich is the dutie of the marriners, vvho allvvaies see the fayre starre, the guide of the shipp knoweth that they are in a good vvay, and sayeth to the o­thers, vvho are in the barque, courage you are in a good vvay, follovv on vvithout feare. This diuine Pilote is our Lord, the barque is your Rules, those vvho guide it are the Superious, vvho ordinarilie call vppon you, goe forvvard sisters by the pun­ctuall obseruance of your Rules, you shall hap­pilie arriue to Almigtye God, hee vvill guide you surelie.

§. 6. But marke vvhat I tell you, vvalke by the punctuall and faythfull obseruāce of them; for who contemneth his vvay shal be killed, sayeth Salo­mon. Mother, you say that our sisters say it is good to vvalke by the rules, but it is the generall vvay, God dravveth vs by particular attracts, euerie one to her spetiall, vvee are not all dravvne by one and the same vvay; they haue reason to say so, and it is true: but it is a so true, that if this tract come from God, it vvill lead thē to obedience vvithout doubt: it appertayneth not vnto vs vvho are inferiours to iudg of our particular attracts, this is the duetie of superiours, and therefore particular direction is or­dayned; be you verie faythfull therein, and you shall reap the fruit of benediction, my deare daughters, if you doe this vvhich is taught you, you shalbe verie happie, you shall liue content and you shall experience in this vvorld the fauours of heauen at least in some small quantity. But take heede that if [Page 322] some interiour gust come to you and cherishings from our Lord, not to tye your selfe vnto them; it is a fevv Anniscōfitts that the Apothecarie strevv­eth vpon a bitter potion for a sicke person: the sicke must svvallovv the bitter medicine for his health: and allthough hee take from the hand of the Apothecarie these sugred graines, yet must hee of necessitie feele aftervvards the bitternes of the purgation. Therefore you see clearly vvhat the pretention is that you ought to haue, to bee vvor­thy spouses of our Lord, and to make your selues capable to bee vvedded to him vpon the mount of Caluarie. Therefore all your life liue and frame all your actiōs according to it, and God vvill blesse you; All our happines consisteth in perseuerance. I exhorte you therevnto (my Deare Daughters) vvith all my hart, and pray his diuine goodnes, that hee vvill fill you vvith grace, and vvith his diuine loue in this vvorld, and make vs all enioy his Glorie in the other life. Farevvell, my Deare Daughters, I beare you all in my hart: to commend my selfe to your prayers vvould bee superfluous, for I beleeue of your pietie you vvill not bee vvanting. I vvill send you euerie day from the Altar my benedi­ction; and in the meane time receaue it: In the name of the father, the Sonne, and the Holie Ghost.

LIƲE JESƲS.

THE ONE AND TVVENTY EN­TERTAINEMENT.
TOVCHING, THE DOCVMENT OF demaunding nothing, nor refusing any thing.

§. 1. MOther, I spake one day vvith an excel­lent Religious vvoman vvho did aske of mee, if hauing a desire to communicate oftner then the communitie, one might desire it of the Superiour; I sayed to her, that if I vvere a Reli­ligious man I thinke I should doe thus: I vvould not aske to cōmunicate more often thē the cōmu­nitie did, I vvould not aske to vveare haircloth, to make extraordinarie fasts, to take disciplines, nor doe any other thing; I vvould content my selfe to follovv in all and through all the communitie; if I vveare strong, I vvould not eate four times a day, but if my Superiour made mee eate four times a day, I vvould doe it and say nothing; if I vvere vveake, and hee did not offer mee to eate but once a day, I vvould eate but once a day vvithout think­ing vvhether I should bee vveake or not. I desire fevv things, and that vvhich I desire, I desire it verie little, I haue almost no desires; but if I vvere to bee nevv borne, I vvould haue none at all, if God came to mee, I vvould also goe to him: and if hee would not come to mee, I vvould keepe mee there and not goe to him: I say then, vve must nether aske nor refuse any thing, but leaue our selues who­lye in the hands of the diuine prouidence, vvithout [Page 324] museing vpon any desire, but to vvil that which God would haue of vs. Sainct Paul did excel­cellently practice this abnegation, in the verie in­stant of his conuersion, when our Lord had made him blinde, presentlie hee sayed: Lord, what wilt thou haue me to doe? and from thenceforth, hee did allwaies remayne in an absolute dependance of that which God should ordayne for, and of him; all our perfection consisteth in the practice of this point: and the same Sainct Paul writeing to one of his disciples forbiddeth him among other things to permitt his hart to bee preoccupated by any desire so great knowledg had hee of this defect.

§. 2. You say, if wee must not desire vertues, wherefore hath our Lord sayed, aske and it shalbe giuen you. O my daughter? when I say that vvee must not aske nor desire any thing, I intend tere­striall things: as for vertues wee may aske them, and demaunding the loue of God, wee comprehēd them all therein; for it contayneth them all. But for the exteriour imployment, should wee not (say you) desire base offices, because they are more paynfull, and there is more to bee donne, and to humble ones selfe the more for God. My daughter, Dauid sayeth that hee did loue better to bee abiect in the house of our Lord, then to bee great among sinners: And it is good, Lord, (sayeth hee) that thou hast humbled mee, to the end I may learne thy iu­stifications: notvvithstandinh this desire is verie suspitious, and perhapps a humayne cogitation: what knovve you haueing desired abiect offices, whether you shall haue the courage to accept the abiections which you shall meete withall in them? it may bee there vvill happen many disguste, and bitternesses; although that now you feele the cou­rage to suffer mortification, and humiliation what knovv you, if you shall allvvaies haue it? In breife [Page 325] wee must hold the desire of offices, whatsoeuer they bee, base or honorable, for a tentation, it is all­waies better to desire nothing, but to prepare our selues to receaue those, obedience shall impose v­pon vs, and bee they honourable or abiect, I would take and receaue them humbly, without speaking one onelie word, vnlesse my superiour did questiō mee, and then I would simply aunsweere the truth, as I should thinke it.

§. 3. You aske me hovv wee may practice this document of holie indifferency, in sicknes, I find in the holy Gospell a perfect modele in Sainct Pe­ters wiues mother: this good woman lyeing sicke in her bed in a great feuer did practice many ver­tues: but that which I most admire is the great neg­lect she had of her selfe, relying on the diuine prouidence, and the care of her Superiours, remayn­ing in her feuer trāquille and without any vnqui­etnesse, nor giueing any to those who were about her: notvvithstanding euerie one knovveth hovv much those vvho are in feuers are molested, which hindreth them from repose, and giueth them a thousand other vexations. Novv this great resigna­tion that our sicke made of her selfe into the hands of her superiours, caused her that she vvas not vn­quiett, nor did she take care for her health or her cure, she vvas content to suffer her sicknes vvith mildenesse and patience: O God! hovv happie was this good vvoman! Truelie she did deserue that they should take care of her, as also the Apostles did, vvho prouided for her cure, not being solicit­ed by her; but by charitie and commiseration of vvhat she suffered. Happie shall those Religious persons bee who shall make this great and absolute referring of themselues into the hands of their su­periours: vvho by the motion of Charitie shall serue them, and shall carefullie prouide for all their [Page 326] vvants and necessities: for Charitie is more strong and presseth more neere then nature. This good si [...]ke vvoman did knovv that our Lord vvas in Ca­pharnaum, that hee cured the sicke: and yet she vvas not vnquiet, nor troubled not her selfe to send to tell him vvhat shee suffered; but that vvhich is more admirable, is this: That she seeing him in the house, vvhere hee beheld her, and she also be­held him, yet she did not speake one vvord to him of her infirmitie, to excite him to haue pitty vpon her, nor press him to touch her for to bee healed. Novv this vnquietnes of mind that vvee haue in sufferance, and sicknesses (to the vvhich are subiect not onelie vvordly persons, but also verie often the Religious) springeth from the disorderlie loue of our selues.

Our sicke sister maketh not any account of her sicknes, she is not forvvard to recount it, she suffereth it without careing whether they bemoane her, or procure her health, or no; she is content that our Lord knovveth it, and her superiours vvho gouerne her, she seeth our Lord in the house as a souerayne Phisition; but regardeth him not as such (so little thinketh she of her recouerie) she rather considereth him as her God, to vvhom she appertayneth asvvell sicke as in health: being as much content to bee sicke as to possesse perfect health.

O hovv many vvould haue vsed sleights to bee cured by our Lord, and vvould haue sayed, that they asked health the better to serue him, fearing something should bee vvanting to him.

But this good vvoman thought of nothing lesse then this, making her resignation to ap­peere in that she did not require her health: notvvithstanding I vville not say, but that vve [Page 327] may aske it of our Lord as of him vvho can giue it, vvith this condition if such be his vvill: for vve ought alvvaies to say Fiat voluntas tua: it is not sufficient to bee sicke and to haue affli­ctions, beccause God vvould haue it so; but it must bee as hee vvill, and as long a time as hee vvill, and in the manner it pleaseth him that it should bee, not making any choise of any sicknes or affliction vvhatsoeuer, hovv abiect or dishonorable it may seeme to bee: for sicknes and affliction vvithout abiection verie often svvelleth the hart in stead of humbling it: but vvhen vve haue sicknes vvithout honour, or vvith dishonour it selfe, disestimation and abiection are our malady; hovv many occasions are there then to exercise patience, humilitie, mo­desty and svveetnesse of mind and hart.

Lett vs therefore haue a great care, as this good vvomā had, to keepe our hart in mildnesse, making profitt as she did of our sicknesses: for she did rise so soone as our Lord had chaced avvaye the feuer, and serued him at the table, vvherein certaynlie she demonstrated great vertue, and the profitt she had made of her sicknes, of the vvhich being quit­ted, she vvould not vse her health but for the ser­uice of our Lord; imploying herselfe therein in the same instant that she had receaued it.

Besides; she vvas not like persons of the vvorld, vvho hauing a sicknes of some dayes, must haue vveekes and monthes to restore themselues.

Our Lord vppon the Crosse, maketh vs to see very vvell, hovv vvee ought to mortifie these de­licacies: for haueing extreame thirst, hee did not aske to drinke; but simply manifested his necessitie, saving, I am thirsty: after vvhich hee perfomed an act of verie great submission, for some one hauing offered him on the point of a launce, a peece of spoūge moistned in vineger to quēch his thirst, hee [Page 328] sucked it with his blessed lipps: a strang thing [...]he vvas not ignorant that this vvas a draught vvhich should augment his payne: neuertheless hee tooke it simply, not makeing shew that it did trouble him that hee had not found it good, to teach vs vvith vvhat submission vvee ought to take the remedies and meates presented vs vvhen vvee are sicke, not so much as makeing shevve that vvee are disgusted and greeued, yea also vvhen vvee shal be in doubt that this vvill increase our disease. Alas! haueing neuer so little incommodity wee doe quite contra­rie to that vvhich our svveete Maister: hath taught vs: for vvee cease not to lament, and find not per­sones sufficient, as it seemeth, to bemoane our case; and to recount our greefes by parcells vnto vs, our payne vvhatsoeuer it bee is incomparable, and those that others suffer are nothing in respect; vvee are more melancholy and impatient then can hee declared, vvee find nothing that goeth as it ought, to content vs. In fine it is great pitty to see hovv little vve are the true imitatours of our Sauiour, vvho did forgett his greefes, and endeauoured not to haue them marked by men, contenting himselfe that his eternall father by vvhose obedience he suf­fered did consider them, and vvould cease his anger tovvardes humayne nature, for the vvhich hee did suffer.

§. 4. You aske vvhat I desire should remayne most ingrauen in your mind, the better to put it in practice: Ah! vvhat shall I say to you, my most deare daughters, but these tvvo deare vvordes, that I haue allreadie so much recommended vnto you? desire nothing, refuse nothing; in these tvvo wordes I say all: for this document comprehendeth the perfect practice of indifferencie. Behould the poore little Iesus in the crib, hee receaued pouertie, nakednes, the companie of beastes, all the iniuries [Page 329] of the time, colde, and all that his father permitted to arriue vnto him: it is not vvritten that hee euer put forth his hāds to haue the breast of his mother, hee left himselfe wholie to her care and prouidence nether did hee refuse those little comforts that she offered him, hee receaued the seruices of Sainct Ioseph, the Adoration of the three Kinges, and of the shepheards, with equall indifferency: euen so vvee ought neither to desire nor refuse any thing, but to suffer and receaue equallie all that the proui­dence of God shall permitt to happen vnto vs: God giue vs his grace so to doe. Amen.