S. AVGVSTINES MANVEL. Conteining special, and piked meditations, and godlie praiers: Drawne out of the Word of God, and writings of the holie Fathers, for the exercise of the soule. Corrected, translated, and adorned, by THOMAS ROGERS.
¶Imprinted at London by Henrie Denham, dwelling in Pater noster rowe, at the signe of the Starre.
Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis.
1581.
¶ A Preface vnto the Reader.
THis Manuel so liked me, and the wel accepting of other bookes whiche I haue published to the same purpose, so pricked me forward, that I thought it requisite to set foorth the same in such order as I haue done.
The rather I tooke this in hand before anie other in the workes of S. Augustine, because this commonlie hath bene annexed in our English tong vnto those of S. Augustine, which alreadie I haue translated; and therefore that, as hetherto they haue ben ioined together, so hencefoorth they may be, if it so like the owners, I thought good to do this afore anie other. Againe, who so wil dulie compare this with the other, especialie with S. Augustines praiers, shal find this to be euen an abstract in a maner of the rest, containing special and piked meditations in few words, [Page] which in other bookes be more at large. Finalie, had this booke neither ben ioined, nor yet had such affinitie with the other of S. Augustine alreadie in English: yet, so singularlie diuine are the praiers comprised in the same, that wel I could not publish anie other, before this were finished.
1 This Booke why called a Manuel.I do cal this booke, as also the author doth, a Manuel, because my wish is, that Christians would vse, and haue it in their hands, not onlie when they are at home in their chambers, and studies priuatelie, but also when they are abroade in the fields, gardens, and else-where idlelie: and that not to dandle, and to handle onlie, but diligentlie, and zealouslie, as the part of Christians is, to reade the same for their spiritual exercise.
2 Author of this Booke, who.Touching the Author, who hee was, I dare not directlie set downe. For in some copies I finde, that S. Augustine made the same, in others it is flatlie denied. Therefore, although it be entituled S. Augustines Manuel: yet is it in none other sense applied vnto him, than are diuers Psalmes [Page] in the Psalter, entituled Dauid his Psalmes, which happelie Dauid neuer sawe, much lesse endited. Notwithstanding, were S. Augustine the Author of the same, or were he not, it skilleth not greatlie. For the matter it conteineth, is verie spiritual, godlie, and necessarie: and wise men either do not respect the Author, or not the Author so much as the matter; nor so much who writeth, as what is set downe.
The Argument of this booke is doubtles verie good, 3 The Argument of this Booke. either holie meditations, or praiers: the one whereof, which is meditation (as Bernard noteth D. Bern. in die S. Andreae serm. 1.,) teacheth vs what is wanting, the other, to wit, praier, obteineth that which wee want; Praier bringeth vnto the ende of our iournie, meditation sheweth the waie; to conclude, by meditation wee confesse the dangers hanging ouer our heads, and by praier wee escape them, through the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, Of these this whole booke doth consist.
The occasion of making this treatise was this. 4 The occasion why this Booke was made. The Author considering [Page] the frailtie of al men in general, and especialie his owne weakenes in particular; and seeking some prop to staie himselfe from falling, found none so sure à staie against the engins of Satan and his limmes, as continual meditation, and praier. And therefore out of the meditations and praiers of the fathers (for so he saith) he gathered this booke, as à pretious iewel alwaie to be carried about him, both to keepe him from securitie, and to enflame the zeale of godlines within him when he waxed colde.
5 Methode of this Booke.The methode (for that is another circumstance to be noted in anie booke) is verie exquisite: for neuer did Goldsmith more cunninglie dispose either pretious stones in à iewel, or linkes in à golden chaine, than are both the meditations in this Manuel, and the sentences in each meditation, and each phraze wel-nigh in euerie sentence.
6 Vse of this Booke.Last of al, how necessarie this, and such like bookes are for this present time, he wil confesse that calleth into remembrance the [Page] great and general corruption of al mankinde; and waieth by what sleightes and subtelties both the Diuel seeketh to deuoure, the flesh to entangle, and the world to drawe vs headlong vnto perdition: which to auoide, we haue none other remedie, beside earnest, godlie, and continual praier. This made both our Sauiour to commaund vs to Watch and praie Mark. 13, verse. 33.; and S. Paule to bid vs, Praie continualie 1. Thes. 5. verse. 17.; and Cyril to breake into these words Cyril, praefat. Catech., Bee thou ydle neither in the daie time, nor in the night; and when sleepe is gone from thine eies, euen then let thy minde bee occupied in praier. Hetherto agreeth that of Hierome Hierome in Epist., When you go abroade, praie; when you returne home, praie; before meate, praie; and before you go to rest, praie. The reason Augustine doth yeeld. For praier is, as à sacrifice vnto God: so à scourge vnto Satan August. in serm.. August. in serm.. Vse therefore that which God delighteth in, but neuer do that which liketh Satan, that is, neglect not praier.
One Chapter you shal find in this booke, lesse than is in the Latine [Page] copie: and yet moe by two, than hetherto hath bene in English. The addition, I doubt not, wil like you, but the omission of a Chapter some perhaps wil mislike, which notwithstanding was done, neither of negligence vnwittinglie, nor heddilie of presumption, but with good aduisement, that thy zeale might not be cooled by the reading thereof. For it containeth strange, that I saie not erroneous doctrine: as that Vnicuique Manuel cap. 25. propria voluntas est causa suae damnationis vel saluationis; that, Bona voluntas Deum ad nos deducit, & nos in eum dirigit; that, Per bonam voluntatem Deum diligimus, Deum eligimus, ad Deum currimus, ad Deum peruenimus, & eum possidemus, &c. which sentences being contrarie vnto the truth, and sauoring of a superstitious time, were better quite omitted, than translated to the infecting of some, Manuel cap. 11. or offence of anie.
Againe, another Chapter there is, though not cleane left out, yet applied from an il, vnto a good purpose, as the eleuenth Chapter, where that which was spoken either of the sacrifice of the altar, is [Page] applied vnto our Sacrament of thankesgiuing, or of the real and carnal presence of Christ, vnto his spiritual being at the Communion. And these are the things corrected in this booke.
To conclude, whatsoeuer is done either in translating, correcting, quoting, or publishing this booke, is al done for thy edification, and to prouoke thee vnto this godlie exercise of praier. For a better meanes thou hast not to keepe thy selfe in the feare of God than it is. Therefore the more zealous, godlie, and learned bookes to this purpose are published, the more thou hast to praise God, and be thankeful.
The Authors Preface.
FOr so much as we are placed among manifold snares, our desire of heauenlie things soone vvaxeth cold, & therefore vve do stand continualie in neede of help, that so often as vve slip aside, vve may, beeing vvakened out of securitie, run backe vnto our God, vvho is the true, and the soueraigne happines.
[Page]Jn cōsideratiō vvherof, not of rash presumption, but through the great loue J beare vnto my God, J haue taken in hand this treatise for the aduancement of his glorie, to the ende J might alvvaies haue about me à short abridgement of such things as concerne my God, collected out of the most piked sentēces of the holie fathers, that so often as J vvaxe colde, J might be enflamed againe with [Page] an hote burning desire of him, through the fire vvhich the reading thereof shuld minister.
Novv, O my GOD, whom J do seke, whom J do loue, & vvhom both vvith hart, and vvith mouth, and vvith al my strength, J both glorifie and vvorship, assist me.
Truelie, my minde consecrated to thy seruice, inflamed vvith thy loue, coueting, sighing, desiring onlie to set thee, hath none other [Page] delight, but to talke of thee, to heare of thee, to vvright of thee, to confer of thee, to meditate oftentimes of thy fame, and glorious estate, that thy svveete remēbrance may be some refreshing for my soule amidst the raging stormes of this vvretched vvorld.
Vnto thee therefore do J cal most earnestlie, vnto thee do J crie alovvd from the bottome of mine hart.
And vvhē J cal vnto [Page] thee, J cal vnto thee in my selfe: for vnlesse thou wert within me, J shuld not be at al; and were J not in thee, thou shouldest not be vvithin me.
Thou art in mee, because thou remainest in my memorie, through it J haue knovvne thee, and therein J find thee, vvhen J doe remember thee, and take delight both in thee, & of thee, of vvhome, through vvhom, and in vvhome are al things.
[Page 1]A godlie Booke, conteining special, and piked meditations, and praiers.
Chap. 1. Of the wonderful essence, or being which God hath.
O Lord, thou fillest heauen and earth Iere. 23, verse. 24.: bearing vp all things Heb. 1, 3., and yet not burthened; filling al things Eccle. 23, verse. 18.19., and yet not included; alwaies working Ioh. 5, 17., and yet euer quiet; gathering, and yet lacking naught Psal. 50, 8.9, &c.; seking Luk. 15, 4.5, &c., and yet wanting naught;
Thou louest entirelie Wis. 11, 23. Iohn. 3, 16. Iohn. 13, 1., yet thou burnest not; thou art gelous, Exo. 20, 5. [Page 2] and yet secure:
Thou repentest Ier. 26, 3., and art not greeued; thou art angrie Psal. 79, 5., but neuer impatient;
Thou changest thy works Wis. 7, 27., but not thy counsel Mal. 3, 6.: Thou receauest what thou findest, and yet neuer didst lose the same:
Thou art neuer needie Psal. 50, 8.9.10, &c., and yet glad when thou gainest; at no time couetous, and yet exactest vsurie:
Thou art bountiful, to whom thou owest nought; and manie are bountiful, to binde thee vnto them: Yet who hath aught which is not thine 1. Cor. 7, verse. 4. Iam. 1, 17.?
Thou paiest debts 1. Pet. 2, verse. 24. Isai. 53, 5.6, &c., owing naught; thou forgiuest debts Matth. 18, verse. 23.27, &c. 35. and yet forgoest naught:
Thou art euerie-where Iob. 23, 8.9. and euerie-where al whole:
Thou maist be vnderstood, [Page 3] but not seene Ioh. 1, 18. 1. Tim. 6, 16.; and art no where absent Eccles. 23, verse. 18.19., yet far thou art from the cogitations of the wicked Prou. 15, verse. 29.:
Yet art thou not absent there, where thou art far off; For where thou art not to shew fauour, thou art to execute vengeance:
Thou art euerie-where present Eccl. 23, verse. 18.19.; and yet maist hardlie be founde:
Thou standest stil when we followe thee; yet can we not lay hold vpon thee:
Thou possessest al things Psa. 50, 8.9, &c.; fillest al things Ier. 23, 24.; enuironest al things Ier. 32, 18.19.; ouerpassest al things Psa. 139, 7.8; and bearest vp al things Heb. 1, 3..
Thou teachest the harts of the faithful Isa. 54, 13. Iohn. 6, 44.45., without noise of words:
Thou art neither stroughted out by places Eccl. 16, 18 19.; nor changed [Page 4] by time Psa. 102, 24.25, &c.; nor hast accesse and recesse:
Thou dwellest in the light that none can attaine vnto 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16., whome neuer man saw, neither can see:
Abiding quiet in thy selfe, thou goest euerie-where about the whole world:
For thou canst not be cut, and deuided, because thou trulie art one Deut. 6, 4. 2. Kings. 19, verse. 15.19.; nor yet be brought into partes: but being whole, thou possessest, fillest, lightenest, and enioiest the whole.
Chap. 2. Of God his vnspeakeable knowledge.
WEre y e whole world replenished with Bookes: yet could not thine vnspeakeable knowledge be vttered [Page 5] foorth. For, because thou art in deede vnutterable, thou canst by no meanes be either written, or concluded.
Thou art the fountaine of heauenlie light; & the Sunne of eternal brightnes.
Thou art great without quantitie, and therefore vnmeasurable Iob. 23, 8.9. Psal. 139, 7.8.; and good without qualitie, and therefore in deede & soueraignelie good Iam. 1, 17.: yea, to saie the truth, there is none good, but thou alone Mar. 10, verse. 18. Luk. 18, 18.: whose wil is à worke, and whose wil is habilitie:
Who, euen because it was thy pleasure, didest make al things, which thou hast created of nothing Gen. 1, 1.2. Heb. 1, 1.2.:
Who possessest al the creatures Psal. 50, 8.9.10, &c. without anie lacke; and gouernest them Iohn. 5, 17., without paine; and rulest them Matth. 11, verse. 25. Luk. 10, 21. without wearines; for there is nothing, [Page 6] either of things on high, or of things belowe, that can disturbe the order of thy gouernement:
Who art in al places without anie place; and containest al things without inclosure; and art present euerie-where Ier. 32, 19. without seate or motion:
Who neither art the author of sinne Eccles. 15, verse. 20., which thing onlie thou canst not doo Psal. 11, 5.6.7., who canst doo al things Exod. 6, 3. Gen. 35, 11.; neithe [...] hast thou bin sorie for aught thou hast done:
Of whose goodnes we were created Gen. 1, 26.27. Psal. 100, 3. Psal. 119, 73.; of whose iustice we are punished Dan. 9, 4.5.6, &c.; of whose mercie we are saued Gal. 3, 13. 1. Tim. 2, 6. Psal. 103, 1.2.3.4, &c.;
Whose almightines doth gouerne, rule, and fil al things Ier. 23, 24., which it hath created:
Neither in saieng, thou fillest al things, meane we that they conteine thee; but how [Page 7] they rather be conteined of thee, neither by partes fillest thou al things, nor yet may it be thought, that euerie thing according to the greatnes of the quantitie it hath, receaueth thee, that is, the greatest thing more, and the smallest thing lesse; thou rather being in al things, or more trulie al things in thee Act. 17, 28.:
Whose omnipotencie encloseth al things; Psa. 139, 7.8, &c. whose power none may escape.
For whosoeuer hath not thy fauor, can by no meanes auoide thy displeasure Reu. 6, 15.16.17..
Chap. 3. The desire of that soule which hath a feeling of God.
FOR thee then I doe cal into my soule, ô most gratious God, which [Page 8] thou preparest to receaue thee through the desire which thou enspirest into the same.
Oh, enter thereinto, I beseech thee, ioine it to thy selfe, that both thou maist possesse that which thou hast not onlie made Gen. 1, 26.27. Colos. 3, 10., but also renewed Rom. 5, 15 16, &c.; & I may enioie the [...] as à seale vpon mine hart.
Merciful God, I beseec [...] thee, forsake him not whic [...] calleth vpon thee now: fo [...] before euer I could cal vpon thee, thou didest not cal m [...] onlie Rom. 8, 30, but also seeke me Luk. 15, 4.5, &c., t [...] the end that I thy seruan [...] might seeke thee, & throug [...] seeking finde thee, and bein [...] found, loue thee.
I haue sought, and I hau [...] found thee, ô Lord, graun [...] that I may loue thee.
Increase my desire, & gra [...] my request: for though tho [...] [Page 9] giue me al things which thou hast made, yet vnles thou giue thy selfe withal, I thy seruant shal neuer be satisfied.
Wherefore bestowe thy selfe vpon me, ô my God, bestowe thy selfe vpon me.
Lo, I do loue thee; and if too little I loue thee, my desire is to loue yet more entirelie.
I loue thee I saie, I long for thee, I am much delighted to thinke vpon thee.
Behold, while fro mine hart I do sigh, and cal into my remembrance thine vnspeakeable kindnes, y e burthen of my flesh y e lesse greeueth; troublesome cogitations the lesse inuade; y e waight of mortalitie, & miseries do not so loade me as they were wont; al things are hush, euerie thing is quiet. Mine hart burneth; my mind is iocund; my memorie fresh; [Page 10] mine vnderstanding cleere; and al my spirit, enflamed through the desire of thy sight, perceaueth how it is rauished with the loue of things vnseene.
Let the same my spirit take the wings as the Eagles Isai. 40, 31., let it flee, and not be wearie; let it flee, and neuer faint, vntil it come vnto the place where thine honor dwelleth Psal. 26, 8., euen vnto the throne of grace▪ there at the table, where y e supernal Citizens do repast, to be fed frō thine eies in green [...] pasture Psal. 23, 2., by the stil waters.
Be thou our ioie Reu. 7, 15.16.17., our hope 1. Tim. 1, 1. our saluation Hos. 13, 9., & redēption Isa. 41, 14. Isa. 44, 24. ▪
Thou which hereafter wil [...] be our reward, be thou ou [...] comfort.
Let my soule euermore sek [...] thee; and graunt that neue [...] it may ceasse to seeke, Amen▪
Chap. 4. The miserable state of that soule which neither loueth our Lord and Sauior Christ, nor seeketh after him.
WO to the wretched soule, which neither seeketh, nor loueth Christ: such à soule abideth both drie, & miserable.
He looseth his life time, that loueth not thee, ô God. And he that would liue, but not to serue thee, is doubtles nothing, and so to be accounted.
He which refuseth to liue to thee, is alredie dead: and he that sauoreth not of heauenlie wisedome, is à verie foole 1. Cor. 1, 17.18.19, &c..
O most gratious God into thine hand I do commend, render, and yeeld my selfe, through whome I both am Gen. 1, 26.27. Psal. 119, 73., liue Act. 17, 28, and haue vnderstanding Iam. 1, 17..
[Page 12]In thee I doe repose mine whole trust, confidence, and hope, through whom I shal rise againe Ioh. 11, 25., liue Iohn. 14, 6, and rest.
Thee doe I long for, thee doe I loue, thee doe I worship, with whome I shal euerlastinglie abide, raigne, and be blessed Reu. 21, 4. Reu. 22, 5..
The soule which neither seeketh, nor loueth thee, is à friend of the world Mat. 6, 24. Luk. 16, 13., the slaue of sinne, subiect to al maner wickednes; neuer quiet, at no time secure.
Therefore, merciful Sauior, as for my mind let it attend on thee; my pilgrimage let it be toward thee; and mine hart let it euen burne with the loue of thee.
Let my soule rest on thee, my God; let it, I saie, deepelie meditate of thee; let it sing-out thy praises with ioie; & let this be al my comfort in this mine exile.
Let the shadowe of thy wings [Page 13] be à refuge for my soule from the parching heate of worldlie cogitations. Let mine hart, à verie great sea, swelling with waues trust in thee.
Thou which aboundest with al good dainties, and art a most liberal bestower of supernal satietie, ô God, giue thou food to the wearied; gather the dispersed; deliuer the captiued; amend the parted.
Lo, he standeth at the doore, & knocketh: I therfore euen by the bowels of thy mercie, wherby thou, the daie spring from on high hath visited vs Luk. 1, 78., besech thee command the doore to be opened to him which knocketh, that boldlie he may enter-in to thee, and rest in thee, and be refreshed of thee, the heauenlie bread. For thou art the bread Ioh. 6, 35.48.50, &c., and the wel of life Iohn. 4, 13 14.; thou art the light of euerlasting cleerenes Reu. 21, 23; to conclude [Page 14] thou art al things, whereof the righteous do liue, which loue thee.
Chap. 5. A verie Christian desire of the soule after God.
O God, thou who art both the light of the harts Iohn. 1, 9. that see thee; and the life of the soules Iohn. 4, 13 14. that loue thee; and the strength of the minds that seeke thee, giue me grace euermore to cleaue vnto thine holie loue.
O come, I praie thee, into mine hart, and make me drunke with the riuer of thy pleasures Psal. 36, 8..
It shameth, and it irketh me at the very hart euen to suffer those things which are done in this wretched world.
The verie sight of worldlie vanities [Page 15] is à griefe vnto me; and to heare of these transitorie things it doth troble me much.
Helpe me, ô Lord my God, and cause mine hart to reioice in thee; come thou vnto me, that I may behold thee.
I am penned in this house of my soule, vntil thou come therinto, and make it wider. It is ruinous, ô repaire the same!
Manie things, I acknowledge and knowe are in it, which may offend thine eies; but alas who can make it cleane; or vnto whom else beside thee should I crie for helpe?
Clense me, ô Lord, fro my secret faultes Psal. 19, 12 13.; keepe thy seruant also from presumptuous sinnes.
Giue me grace, ô sweet Christ, ô good Iesu, giue me grace, I beseech thee, for thy loue & desire sake to laie-off the heauie burden [Page 16] of carnal desires, and earthlie lust [...]. Ioh. 2, 15.
Let the soule ouer the flesh; let reason ouer the soule; let thy grace ouer reason beare swaie; and make mee both in bodie and soule euermore to obey thy wil Matt. 6, 10.
Grant that both mine hart, and my tongue, and al my strength may extol thy goodnes.
Enlarge mine vnderstanding, and lift vp the eies of mine hart, that my spirit with swift cogitation may attaine vnto thee the euerlasting wisedome Heb. 1, 1.2, &c., abiding aboue al things.
Loase me, I beseech thee, from the fetters wherewithal I am fast bound, that leauing al these worldlie things, I may hasten vnto thee, cleaue to thee alone, and thinke onelie vpon thee.
Chap. 6. The happines of that soule which is deliuered out of the earthlie prison of the bodie.
O Happie is the soule, which loased from y e earthlie prison Phil. 1, 23., soareth without let vnto heauen; which face to face beholdeth thee 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. Reue. 22, 4., the most gratious Lord; which is touched with no feare of death at al Reu. 7, 15.16., but triumpheth with an incorruptible crowne of perpetual glorie!
O quiet and secure is such à soule; and feareth now neither enimie, nor death Reu. 21, 4.!
She enioieth thee her good Lord, whome long she sought, and alwaie loued;
Now ioined to the singing quires, she soundeth-out without cessing vnto the praise of thy [Page 18] glorie, ô Christ, her King, ô sweete Iesu, most melodious Psalmes she singeth of aie lasting ioifulnes.
For she is satisfied with thy fatnes Psal. 36, 8.; thou doest giue her drinke out of the riuer of thy pleasures.
Happie is the felowship of supernal Citizens, and glorious is the solemnitie of such as returne vnto thee from the paineful toile of this pilgrimage Heb. 11, 13. Heb. 13, 14., vnto the wonderful beautie, vnto the surpassing glorie, vnto the excellencie of al comelines, where continualie thy Citizens, ô Lord, behold thy face Reu. 22, 4.. There nothing is heard to troble the minde Reu. 21, 4..
What mirth Reu. 5, 8.! what melodie! what singing! what Psalmes be there soong without ceassing!
There the pleasant organes do sounde-out most heauenlie [Page 19] hymnes; the blessed Angels most sweetelie do sing; & songs of rare excellencie are vttered out by the supernal Citizens, vnto the praise and glorie of thy Name.
There is neither gal, nor anie bitternes in that blessed region Reu. 21, 4.. For there is no wicked person Reu. 21, verse. 27., nor anie wickednes at al.
There is neither enimie to impugne, nor anie enticement to offend.
There is no lacke 1. Cor. 2, verse. 9., no shame, no contention, no vpbraiding, no blaming, no feare, no vnquietnes, no punishment; doubtfulnes, violence, discord there is none.
But singular peace, and perfect loue, and lasting triumphes, and praising of God, and secure quietnes, which neuer shal haue end, and continual ioie in the holie spirit there is.
[Page 20]Oh, how happie should I be, did I heare those most comfortable songs of thy Citizens, and the sugred verses vttering foorth with due reuerence the praises of the sacred Trinitie!
But most singularlie blessed should I be, might I also with them sing to my Lord Iesus Christ one of the pleasant songs of Zion Psa. 137, 3.
Chap. 7. The blessed ioie of the heauenlie Paradise.
O Liuelie life! ô euerlasting life, and euerlastinglie blessed! whereas ioie is and no sorowe Reu. 7, 16, 17. Reue. 21, 4.; rest is and no labour; honor is and no feare; wealth is and no losse; health is and no sicknes; abundance and no want; life and no death; immortalitie and no corruption; [Page 21] happines, & no miserie at al is!
Whereas al good things are in perfect loue; where sight is face vnto face Reu. 22, 4.; where perfect knowledge is in al men 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12.13., & al things are knowne; whereas Gods soueraigne goodnes is perceaued, and the light enlightening, is glorified of the saincts;
Where the present maiestie of God is beholden, and the minde of the beholders is filled continualie with this meate of life:
They see continualie, and yet they desire to see; they desire without griefe, and without loathing they be satisfied:
Where the true sonne of righteousnes Reue. 21, verse. 23.24. Reue. 22, 5., with the wonderful show of his beautiful beames, doth refresh al beholders, and so inlighteneth al the Citizens of the celestial countrie, that they do giue light, to wit, à light inlightened through God, à light [Page 22] shining more cleerelie, than doth either the Sunne at anie time, or the Starres.
They do cleaue vnto the immortal God-head, and thereby they become immortal, and vncorruptible, according to the promise of our Lord and Sauiour Ioh. 17, 24., Father, I wil that they which thou hast giuen me, be with me euen where I am, that they may behold my glorie; that they al may be one, 21. as thou, ô Father, art in me, and I in thee, euen that they also may be one in vs.
Chap. 8. The glorious condition of the kingdome of Heauen.
THE kingdome of heauen, is à most happie kingdome, à kingdome both immortal Reu. 21, 4., and euerlasting Dan. 7, 27..
[Page 23]There no times succeede by ages; neither night followeth after daie Reu. 21, 4.;
There the valiant soldior after battels fought, is adorned abundantlie with vnspeakeable rewardes 2. Tim. 4. verse. 7.8.; and crowned honorablie with an euerlasting crowne.
Oh that Christ of his diuine goodnes, hauing eased me of the heauie loade of my sinnes, oh that he would bid me, euen the basest of al his seruants, to laie off the burthen of this flesh Phil. 1, 23., that I might to my comfort Reu. 7, 16.17., passe ouer vnto the euerlasting ioies of his citie; be admitted into the felowship of the Saincts aboue Reu. 5, 1.2, &c.; attend vpon the maiestie of the Creator, with the blessed Spirits; beholde the countenance of God 1. Cor, 13, verse. 12.; be neuer touched anie more with feare of death Reu. 21, 4.; but reioice securelie [Page 24] for the immortalitie attained 1. Cor. 15, verse. 53.54.; and ioined to him which knoweth al thinges Eccles. 23, verse. 19.20., might forgo al blind ignorance 1. Cor. 13, verse. 13., and neither make accompt of earthlie things; nor vouchsafe either to behold, or to remember this vale of teares anie more, whereas the laborsome life Iob. 7, 1., the corruptible life Psa. 102, 11. Psa. 103, 14.15., the life replenished with al manner bitternes is Iob. 14, 1., such à life as is the Ladie of euils, the handmaid of Diuels.
The which both humors puffe vp, and sorowes plucke downe; heate withereth, and il aërs infect; which both much eating maketh pursie, and much fasting maketh leane;
Which by mirth is loosed, and by sadnes consumed; by care is shortned, and by securitie dulled; by riches made proud, and by pouertie ouerthrowne; by youth exalted, & by age bowed;
[Page 25]Which is both by sicknes broken, and by sadnes depressed; which both y e Diuel entrappeth by his snares; and the world deceaueth by flatterie; & the flesh destroieth by filthie pleasure.
Whereby the soule is made blinde, and the whole man distempered:
And after these so manie, and so great euils, succeedeth raging death, which bringeth vaine delights vnto such an ende, that when they are once gone, they are as quite forgotten, as if they had neuer bin at al!
Chap. 9. How God after much troubles doth comfort the pensiue soule.
BVT what praises, or what thankes may we render Psa. 116, 12. vnto thy goodnes, ô GOD, [Page 26] who ceassest not for al this by thy gratious visitation, to comfort vs amids so great wretchednes of our mortalitie!
While I dread much to die; while I consider the multitude of my sinnes; while I do feare thy heauie iudgement; while I cal into minde the houre of death; and am a gast at the horrible paines of hel; while I wot not how preciselie, and how strictlie thou wilt waigh my deedes; and am vtterlie ignorant how I shal ende my life; and ponder manie other things in mine hart, lo, of thy woonted goodnes, ô Lord my God, thou art present to comfort me, wretch, replenished with much sorowe, and from these pitious complaintes and crieng, thou carriest my pensiue and troubled vnderstanding ouer steepe hils, vnto the beds of [Page 27] sweete spices, and makest me to rest in greene pasture Psa. 23, 2., by the riuers of sweete waters, where thou preparest à table diuerslie furnished against my cōming, to refresh my wearied spirites, and to comfort my sorowful hart, and so refreshed with those dainties, I forget at the length my manifold miseries, and exalted ouer the earth, I do rest my selfe in thee which art the true peace Phil. 4, 7..
Chap. 10. A praier for grace to loue God.
O Lord my God, I do loue thee; and more and more I desire to loue thee.
Giue me grace, ô Lord my God Psal. 7, 1.3., who art fairer than the children of men Psa. 45, 2., giue me grace not onlie to desire thee, but also [Page 28] to loue thee both as I would, and as I am bound.
Thou art vnmeasurable Iob. 23, 8.9. Psal. 139, 7.8., and therefore to be loued without measure, especialie of vs whom thou hast so loued Ioh. 3, 16., so saued 1. Pet. 2, verse. 22., for whose sakes thou hast done such and so great things.
O Loue, which burnest alwaie, and neuer goest out, ô sweete Christ, ô good Iesu, ô my God who art loue it selfe 1. Ioh. 4, 8., set mee wholie on fire with thy fire, with the loue of thee, with thy sweetnes, with hartie affection toward thee, with a desire of thee, with godlie charitie, with godlie ioie, and reioicing; with godlie kindnes and sweetenes; with godlie delectation and concupiscence, the which is holie and good, and chast and pure, that being throughlie replenished with the sweetenes of thy loue, and altogether purged from the [Page 29] grosse vapors of earthlie cogitations by the fire of diuine charitie, I may loue thee, most sweet, and most louelie Lord, with al mine hart, with al my soule, with al my strength, and with al my mind Deut. 6, 5. Matt. 22, 37. Luke. 10, 27., and that with much sorrowe of hart, and plentiful teares of the eies, with much feare and trembling Phil. 2, 12., hauing thee in such wise both in mine hart, and in my mouth, that no strange loues may find roome within me.
Chap. 11. A praier for grace both dulie to thanke God for our redemption; and worthilie to approch vnto the holie Table.
O Christ my Sauior, who art of al the fairest Psa. 45, 2., through the shedding of thy pretious blood, wherewithal we be [Page 30] redeemed 1. Pet. 1, 18.19., I humblie beseech thee, giue me grace vnfainedlie to repent, & hartilie to bewaile my sins, especialie at such times when I offer praiers vnto thee, when I sing-foorth thy praises; when I cal into mind the mysterie of our redemption 1. Tim. 3, verse. 16., à manifest argument of thy mercie to man ward; when I am at the holie Table, though vnworthie to approch therevnto, desiring to participate of that wonderful, and heauenlie, and reuerend Sacrament, which thou, ô Lord my God, the vnspotted Priest Heb. 7, 26 27. didst institute, and command to be receaued Luk. 22, 19 in remembrance of thy loue, to wit of thy death 1. Cor. 11, verse. 26., and passion for our saluation, and for the strengthening of our dailie weakenes.
Let my mind at such mysteries bee confirmed with the sweetenes of thy spiritual presence; [Page 31] let it behold thee with the eies of faith, and reioice in thy sight.
O sweete Christ, ô good Iesu, who art both the fire burning alwaies, and the loue inflamed euermore; the euerlasting and neuer wasting light Reu. 21, 23 24., and the bread of life Ioh. 6, 35.48.51., feeding vs, and yet neuer diminished, and eaten-of dailie, and yet continualie abiding whole;
Shine thou vpon me, and set me on fire, inlighten and sanctifie me; purge thy vessel from the dregs of malice, fil me of thy grace, and keepe me ful, that I may eate the meate of thy flesh vnto the saluation of my soule, that feeding vpon thee, I may liue of thee, and through thee, I may attaine vnto thee, and rest in thee, Amen.
Chap. 12. A zealous praier for grace to meditate deepelie vpon the goodnes of God.
O Sweet loue, & louelie sweetnes, let my stomach digest thee; and with the nectar of thy loue be al my bowels filled; & let mine hart vtter-forth good matter Psal. 45, [...]..
O my God, who art charitie it selfe 1. Ioh. 4, 8., the delectable honie, the snowie milke, and the foode of y e strong, make me to growe-vp in thee, that thou with à sound palate maiest be tasted of mee.
Thou art my life Ioh. 14, 6. Iohn. 25, 11., whereby I doe liue Act. 17, 28.; the hope wherevnto I trust 1. Tim. 1, 1.; and the glorie, which I desire to attaine Col. 3, 4..
Guide thou mine hart, rule thou my mind, direct mine vnderstāding, erect my loue, cheere [Page 33] vp my soule, and quench thou the thirst of my spirit, which longeth after thee, with thine heauenlie riuers.
Let the tumultuous cogitations of the flesh, hold their peace I beseech thee; let earthlie, and worldlie phantasies be stil; let al dreames, and vaine reuelations, let euerie tong, euery signe, and what else soeuer doth vanish-awaie, be silent.
Yea, let mine owne soule also be dumme too; and ouer-passe it selfe, not by thinking on it selfe, but vpon thee, my God: because thou art in deed al mine hope and confidence 1. Tim. 1, 1..
For in thee our most gratious, and kind, & merciful Lord, and God, Iesus Christ, ech of vs hath à portiō both of blood & flesh Eph. 5, 30..
Therefore where à peece of my selfe doth raigne, there I beleeue I doe raigne; where my blood [Page 34] hath dominion, there I trust I haue dominion; where my flesh is glorified, there I knowe I am glorious.
And although I am yet à sinner, yet I doubt no whit of this participation of grace; although my sinnes do hinder me, yet my substance doth require it; and although mine owne offences doe exclude me, yet the communion of nature doth not repel me.
Chap. 13. A thankes-giuing vnto God for the incarnation of his deere Sonne to saue man.
FOr the Lord is not so vnkinde, that he can hate his owne flesh Eph. 5, 29., his owne members, his owne bowels.
Surelie I might vtterlie despaire, in respect of mine outragious [Page 35] offences, and infinite sins, which I both haue committed, and dailie doe commit both in hart, word, and deede, and by al meanes whereby the frailtie of man may transgresse, had not thy word, ô my God, bin made flesh Iohn. 1, 14., and dwelled among vs.
But now I dare not despaire, because he hauing showen him selfe obedient to thee vnto the death, euen the death of the crosse Phil. 2, 8., hath taken awaie Col. 2, 14. the hand-writing of our sinnes, and fastening it vpon the crosse, hath crucified both sinne and death.
In him therefore who sitteth at thy right hand, and maketh request also for vs Rom. 8, 34, I take hart againe.
Through mine hope 1. Tim. 1, 1., in whom we are quickened Eph. 2, 5.6., and raised, and sit together in the heauenlie places, I desire to come vnto [Page 36] thee.
To thee bee praise Reu. 19, 1., to thee glorie, to thee honor, to thee thanks, Amen.
Chap. 14. The more God is thought-vpon, the more louelie he seemeth.
O Most gratious Lord, who hast so loued Iohn. 3, 16, and saued vs 1. Pet. 1, 18.19.; so quickened Eph. 2, 5., and glorified vs Rom. 8, verse. 30.; ô most gratious Lord, how sweet is thy remembrance! The more I thinke on thee, the sweeter thou seemest, and the more amiable in mine eies!
Therefore thy good things do much delight me; and vncessantlie doe I couet, with a pure sight of the hart Matt. 5, 8., and with the sweet affection of godlie loue, as far-foorth as I am able in the [Page 37] place of my pilgrimage, and so long as I carie these fraile members about me, to desire, and to thinke-vpon thy woonderful loue, and beautie.
For I am wounded with the dart of thy loue; I do burne exceedinglie with desire of thee; I couet long to be with thee Phil. 1, 23.; to behold thee, is al my desire.
And therefore I wil stand-vpon my gard, and with watchful eies I wil sing with the spirit 1. Cor. 14. verse. 25., and I wil sing with the vnderstanding also, and with al my strength too.
I wil praise thee my maker Iob. 10, 8. Psal. 100, 3., & renewer; I wil perce the heauens with mine hart, and in desire I wil be with thee, so as my bodie onlie shal be in this miserable world, but in thought, and in mind, and in desire Col. 3, 1.2. I wil be where thou art; and where thou my rich Matth. 13, verse. 44.45., and incomparable, [Page 38] and much desired treasure art, there shal mine hart be also Matt. 6, 21. Luke. 12, 34..
But lo, ô most gratious and merciful God, mine hart is not able to consider the glorie of thine infinite goodnes, and mercie. For thine honor, thy beautie, thy strength, thy glorie, magnificence, maiestie, and loue, exceede al sense Phil. 4, 7. of mans vnderstanding; euen as the curtesie of thine eternal loue, wherby thou giuest to such the adoption of sonnes Rom. 8, 15 Galat. 4, 5.6., and ioinest them to thy selfe, whom thou hast created Gen. 1, 26.27., is inestimable.
Chap. 15. How the trobles in this world are nothing answerable to the ioies in heauen.
O My soule, were wee euerie daie to endure torments; and to suffer the paines [Page 39] of hel à long space, if we would behold Christ in his glorie, and be ioined to his saints; were it not meete that we suffered al kind of aduersitie Rom. 8, 18, to attaine vnto the participation of such felicitie, and of so great glorie!
Let the diuels then lie in wait, and prepare their tentations; let fastings breake the bodie; let hard apparel bring-downe the flesh; let labors grieue; watchings drie-vp; let this man crie out vpon me; let him or them disquiet me; let cold benum; the conscience murmur; heate parch me;
Let mine head ake, my breast burne, my stomach swel, my countenance become pale, let euerie part of me be weakened.
Let my life waste in heauines Psal. 31, 10., and my yeeres with mourning;
Let rottennes enter-into my [Page 40] bones Hab. 3, 16., and let me tremble in my selfe, so I may rest in the day of troble, and ascend-vp vnto the saints of God.
For how singular shal the glorie of the righteous be 1. Cor. 2, 9! how great the ioie of al the sancts, when each of their faces shal shine as the Sunne Matth. 13, verse. 43.! when the Lord shal begin to sort his people into sundrie degrees in the kingdome of his Father; and according to each mans deserts and works Rom. 2, 6. Reu. 22, 12., as he hath promised, render his rewards, euen celestial for earthlie Matth. 25, verse. 34.35, &c., eternal for transitorie, and great things for verie trifles!
Doubtles there shal be store of happines, when the Lord shal bring his sancts to the contemplation of his fathers glorie 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. Reu. 22, 4., and make them to sit together in heauenlie places Eph. 2, 6., that God may be al in al 1. Cor. 15. verse. 28..
Chap. 16. Of the kingdome of heauen, and how it may be attained.
O Happie ioifulnes, & ioiful happines, to see the Sancts, to be with the Sancts, to be à Sanct; to beholde God 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12., and to enioie God from euerlasting, to euerlasting!
Heerevpon let vs earnestlie muse; these things let vs hartelie desire, the sooner to come vnto their happie state.
Askest thou how this may be done; or by what merits or meanes? Listen ô man. This matter consisteth in the power of the worker, for the kingdome of God suffereth violence Matth. 11, verse. 12..
The kingdome of Heauen ô man, asketh none other price, but thy selfe; it is worth so much [Page 42] as thou art thy selfe. Giue thy selfe, and thou shalt haue that.
What art thou troubled about the price? Christ hath giuen himselfe 1. Pet. 1, verse. 18.19., that he might purchase thee à kingdome to God euen the Father 1. Cor. 15, verse. 24..
So giue thou thy selfe, that thou maist be his kingdome, and let not sinne raigne in thy mortal bodie Rom. 6, verse. 12., but the spirit to the attainement of life.
Chap. 17. VVhat Paradise is: and the ioies thereof.
NOw my soule, returne we vnto the celestiall Citie, wherein wee be written Reue. 20. verse. 12., and of which we be members.
For as Citizens with y e Saints Eph. 2, 19., and of the houshold of God; and as the heires of God Rom. 8, 17, and [Page 43] heires annexed with Christ, let vs cal into minde, as we are able, y e happie state of our Citie. Saie we therefore with the Prophet, Glorious things are spoken of thee Psa. 87, 3., ô Citie of God; they which dwel in thee are like such as sing. It is faire in situation, euen the ioie of the whole earth Psal. 48, 2..
There is neither age, nor the miserie of age in thee; in thee there is no maimed, nor lame, nor crooked, nor deformed person; for al do meete together vnto à perfect man Eph. 4, 13., and vnto the measure of the age of the fulnes of Christ.
Then what happier thing can there be than this life, where neither pouertie is to be feared, nor sicknes Reu. 21, 4 [...] to weaken! where no hurt is done, and no man wil either be angrie, or enuious!
Where there is no burning [Page 44] concupiscence; no desire of meate; no suing for honor and preferment!
Where we shal be out of al feare of the Diuel; of his traps; and of damnation!
Where neither bodie, nor soule shal die Reu. 21, 4.; and à ioiful and immortal life is!
Where no euils at al, nor discord shalbe; but al things wel, al things at quiet: because the harts of al the Sancts shal wish and wil one thing!
Where peace and mirth do possesse al; al things are as they should be, and at à good staie.
Where continual light shal be; not such à light as we now enioie, but so much cleerer, as it is more blessed! For that Citie, as we reade, hath no neede of the Sunne, neither of the Moone to shine in it Reu. 21, 23.; for the glorie of God shal in [...]ighten it, and the [Page 45] Lambe is the light of it.
Where the Sancts shal shine as the Starres for euer & euer Dan. 12, 3.; and they that turne manie vnto righteousnes, as the brightnes of the firmament!
So that no night shal be there Reuel. 21. verse. 25., no darkenes there; no gathering together of cloudes there; no complaining there either of parching heate, or of nipping colde:
But such à temperature of al things there shal be, as eie hath not seene 1. Cor. 2. verse. 9. Esai. 64.4., neither eare hath heard, nor at anie time hath come into the hart of anie man, they onlie excepted, who are founde worthie to enioie that happines, whose names be written in the booke of life Reuel. 21, verse. 27..
Notwithstanding, à greater happines than al this is, to be ioined to the quires of Angels, and of Archangels, and of al the [Page 46] celestial powers; to behold the Patriarches, and the Prophets; to see the Apostles of Christ, and al the Saints, and our parents also.
This is à great glorie: but the greatest of al is, to beholde God himselfe face to face 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. Reue. 22, 4.; to see the incomprehensible light.
The superexcellent glorie shal be, when we see God in himselfe, and when we shal both see, and enioie him in our selues too, of which sight there shal be none ende.
Chap. 18. That we can not please God, but through loue.
THE soule, being goodlie through the image of God Gen. 1, 26.27. Colos 3, 20., and glorious thorough his likenes, hath in it of God, whereby it may be warned alwaies [Page 47] either to stand with him, or to returne vnto him, if she be moued with hir affections, or defections rather.
And hath not onlie whence to take hart againe, through hope of pardon, and mercie, but also whence boldlie to aspire vnto the marriage of the word Matth. 22. verse. 2.3, &c., and to enter into the couenant of felowship with God, and to beare the pleasant yoke of amitie with the king of Angels.
Al this worketh loue, if the soule shew hir selfe like to God in wil, as she is to him by nature, louing as she is beloued Ioh. 3, 16..
For of al the motions, senses, and affections of the minde, loue onlie it is, whereby man may, though not fullie satisfie the loue of God, yet answere in à sort his good wil.
When loue once commeth, it draweth vnto it, and captiueth [Page 48] al other affections. Loue sufficeth of it selfe; pleaseth of it selfe, and for it selfe.
Loue is the merit, the reward, the cause, the fruit, the vse. For by loue we are conioined to God 1. Cor. 13, verse. 1.2, &c..
Loue maketh one spirit of two. Loue maketh to wil, and to nil one thing. Loue maketh first to frame our manners; afterward to consider things that are, as though they were not; and thirdlie with a pure sight of the hart Matth. 5, verse. 8., to behold heauenlie, and spiritual things.
Through loue, first honest things are wel handled in the world; secondlie, honest things of the world are despised Phil. 3, 8., and last of al, the secrets of God are seene and beholden 1. Cor. 13, verse. 13..
Chap. 19. How God requireth some thing of vs like to himselfe.
GOD the Father is charitie 1. Ioh. 4, 8., God the Sonne is louingnes, God y e holie Ghost is the loue of the Father, and of the Sonne.
This charitie, and this loue requireth à like thing in vs, euen loue againe, whereby we may be linked, and ioined to God, as it were by some alliance of kindred.
Loue is ignorant what dignitie meaneth, knoweth no reuerence.
He that loueth, approcheth boldlie vnto God, and speaketh familiarlie to him without feare, and stopping.
He that loueth not, liueth not: [Page 50] but he that loueth, looketh euermore vpon God whome he loueth, whome he desireth, vpon whome he thinketh, in whome he delighteth, vpon whome he feedeth, in whome he groweth.
A man so deuoute, doth euermore so sing, and so reade, and so circumspectlie, and warelie behaue himselfe in al his actions, as if God were, as in deede he is Eccle. 23, verse. 19.20., alwaie present before his eies.
He so praieth, as if he were taken-vp and presented before the face of God in his maiestical throne, whereas thousand thousands minister to him Dan. 7, 10., and ten thousand thousands stand before him.
The soule which he visiteth with loue, awakeneth him that sleepeth; it monisheth, and mollifieth the soule, and woundeth his hart.
[Page 51]It inlighteneth darke things; it vnlocketh things shut-vp; it inflameth colde things; it mitigateth the froward, angrie, and impatient minde.
It chaseth awaie vices; brideleth carnal affections; amendeth maners; reformeth and renueth the minde; and restraineth the light motions, and actions of slipperie youth.
Al these things loue worketh when it is present; but when it is wanting, the soule beginneth to droope, euen as à boiling caudron doth when fire is taken from vnder the same.
Chap. 20. Of the boldnes of the soule that loueth God.
LOue doubtles is à great thing, by it the soule of hir-selfe, doth boldlie aproch [Page 52] vnto God, and cleaueth constantlie vnto him.
The soule that loueth, asketh questions of God familiarlie, and consulteth with him in al matters.
She can thinke of nothing, and speake of nothing beside God, al other things she loatheth, and contemneth Matth. 6, verse. 24..
Whatsoeuer she mindeth, and whatsoeuer she speaketh, it sauoreth of loue, and smelleth of loue, so wholie hath the loue of God won her vnto him.
He that would haue the knowledge of God, let him loue.
In vaine doth he giue himselfe either to reade, or to studie, or to preach, or to praie, that loueth not 8. Cor. 1, 2, &c..
The loue of God engendreth the loue of the soule, and maketh her to harken vnto it selfe.
God loueth, because he would [Page 53] be loued againe. When he loueth, he would be loued, knowing that through loue they are blessed which loue him.
The louing soule renounceth al her owne affections, and wholie giueth her selfe to loue, that in rendering loue for loue, she may answere the loue she hath found: and when she hath loued what she can, yet what is it vnto the euerlasting streame of that heauenlie fountaine!
For loue and the louer, the soule and God, the Creator and the creature meete not alike together: yet if man with al his hart wholie doth loue thee, ô GOD, there lacketh nothing where al is.
Let not the soule then feare which loueth; but let the soule shake and tremble that loueth not.
The louing soule is caried with [Page 54] desire, and drawne with longing; she dissembleth her deserts; shutteth her eies from the maiestie of God; openeth them to pleasure; reposing her trust in thy saluation, and confidentlie reioicing therein.
Through loue the soule withdraweth herselfe, and departeth from the bodilie senses, to the end that feeling God, she may haue no feeling of her selfe.
Which falleth-out when the mind allured by an vnspeakeable sweetenes of God stealeth awaie from her selfe, yea is rauished and slippeth-awaie, the better to enioie God at her ful pleasure. And this pleasure surpasseth al pleasure, where it is of continuance.
Of loue springeth familiaritie, of familiaritie boldnes, of boldnes taste, of tasting hunger.
The soule which the loue of [Page 55] God hath touched can thinke none other thing, and desire nothing else, but with often sighes saith, As the Hart braieth for the riuers of water Psal. 42, 1.: so panteth my soule after thee, ô God.
Chap. 21. The singular loue of God to man ward.
THrough loue GOD himselfe came vnto men Iohn. 3, 16, came into men, was made man Iohn. 1, 14..
Through loue the inuisible God became like vnto his seruants Phil. 2, 7. Mat. 20, 28.. Through loue he was wounded for our transgressions Esai. 53, 5. 1. Pet. 2, 24..
In those wounds of our Sauior, sure and safe rest is for weaklings and sinners. There I dwel without care, his bowels of mercie are laid open to my sight [Page 56] through his wounds.
Whatsoeuer I lack of my selfe, that I doe boldlie take out of the bowels of my Lord: For his mercies abound, and there want none holes for them to issue out by.
Through the holes of the bodie, I behold the secrets of the hart; I see the great mysterie of godlines 1. Tim. 3, verse. 16.; and the bowels of the mercie of our God Luk. 1, 78., whereby the daie spring from an high hath visited vs, are open to mine eies.
The wounds of Iesu Christ are ful of mercie, ful of clemencie, ful of sweetnes, and loue.
They boared his hands, and his feete Luke. 24, verse. 39.40. Iohn. 20, 25, and pierced his side with à speare Ioh. 19, 34.
By these holes I may taste, how gratious the Lord is Psal. 34, 8.; for doubtles the Lord is good and merciful Psal. 86, 5., and of great kindnes to a [Page 57] which cal vpon him in truth Psa. 145, 8, to al yea which cal vpon him Esai. 55, 6, but especialie to such as loue him Ezo. 20, 6..
Great redemption is giuen vs through the wounds of our Sauior Christ 1. Pet. 1, 18.19. 1. Pet. 2, 24., great goodnes, much grace, and al virtues perfectlie.
Chap. 22. The refuge of à Christian in the time of tentation.
WHen I am tempted with anie filthie cogitation, I runne forthwith vnto the wounds of Christ; when my flesh subdueth me, I rise-againe through the recordation of my Lord his wounds; when the diuel laieth snares to entrap me, I doe flie vnto the tender mercie of my Lord, and he leaueth me.
[Page 58]If burning lust doe inflame me, it is quenched through the calling of the wounds of our Lord Col. 1, 2.3., the Sonne of God Mat. 16, 16 Luke. 1, 35. into mind.
In al extremities I can find none so good à remedie, as the wounds of Christ.
In them I sleepe securelie, and rest without feare. Christ hath died for vs Rom. 5, 6.7.8. Rom. 14, 15. 1. Cor. 15, 3..
Nothing is so bitter vnto the death, but may by the death of my Lord be holpen.
His death is my merit; my refuge, saluation, life and resurrection Ioh. 11, 25.. The Lords mercie, is my merit.
I can not lacke merits, so long as the Lord of mercies is with me. And if great is the Lords mercies Psal. 86, 5.15. Psa. 119, 156, doubtles great are my merits.
The more able he is to saue, the lesse care doe I take.
Chap. 23. Special medicines against sinne, and despaire.
GReatlie haue I sinned, ô Lord, and my conscience accuseth me of manifold offences; yet doe I not despaire. For where sin abounded Rom. 5, 20 grace abounded much more.
He that in consideration of his hainous wickednes doth despaire, denieth God to be à merciful God.
He greatlie defaceth the glorie of God, which doubteth of his mercie; and as much as in him is, denieth God to haue loue Iohn. 3, 16 1. Iohn. 4, 8., truth Psa. 86, 15. Rom. 3, 4., & power in him Gen. 35, 11 Reuel. 4, 8., wherein al mine hope consisteth (to wit in the loue of his adoption Rom. 8, 15 16, &c., in the truth of his promise Rom. 4, 16. Gal. 4, 28., & in the power of his redemption 1. Pet. 1, 18.19..)
Then let my foolish cogitation [Page 60] murmur as much as it wil, saieng, who art thou; how great is that glorie; & by what merits hopest thou to obteine y e same? And I wil boldlie make this answere: I knowe whome I giue credit vnto; for of his tender loue he hath adopted me for his Sonne Gal. 4, 28.: who is both of his promise true Iohn. 3, 33, and also mightie in performance, and he may doe what he wil Ecc. 46, 6. 2. Cor. 6, 18..
The multitude of my sinnes can not dismaie me, if the death of Christ come into my mind: for my sinnes are not able to ouermatch his mercie.
The nailes, and the speare doe crie vnto me, that I am reconciled to Christ, if I loue him hartilie.
Longinus with his speare hath opened to me y e side of Christ Ioh. 19, 34., and I am gone-in, and rest there quietlie.
[Page 61]He that feareth, let him loue. For perfect loue casteth-out feare 1. Ioh. 4, 18.
There is no such remedie against the heate of lust, as the death of my redeemer.
He stretched-out his armes vpon the crosse, and held-out his hands Matt. 27, verse. 35. Gal. 3, 13., to show how he is readie to embrace the penitent sinners.
Betweene those armes of my Sauior, I both wish to liue, and desire to die. There I wil sing without care: I wil magnifie thee, ô Lord, for thou hast exalted me Psal. 30, 1., and hast not made my foes to reioice ouer me.
Our Sauior bowed his head Ioh. 19, 30, and gaue vp the ghost, euen to kisse his beloued. And so often doe we kisse God, as we are pricked at the hart with the loue of him.
Chap. 24. A zealous meditation to mooue vnto the loue of God.
O MY Soule, thou which art endued with the image of GOD Gen. 1, 26.27. Col. 3, 10., redeemed with the blood of Christ 1. Pet. 1, 18.19., betrothed through faith 2. Cor. 11, 2, endued with the Spirit Rom. 8, 9.15., adorned with virtues, and counted with the Angels Luke. 20, verse. 36.:
Loue thou him, who hath so loued thee; care thou for him, who hath a care of thee 1. Pet. 5, 7.; seeke thou him, who seeketh thee.
Loue thy louer, of whom thou art loued 1. Ioh. 4, 7.8, &c.; who in louing hath preuented thee 1. Ioh. 4, 19; who is the cause of thy loue Iam. 1, 17.. He is the merit; he the reward, he the fruite, the vse, and the end.
Be thou careful with the careful; [Page 63] be thou at leisure, with him that hath leisure; cleane with the cleane; and holie with the holie.
As thou offerest thy selfe in the presence of God, so wil he appeare in thy sight.
A good, and merciful God, of great kindnes Psal. 86, 5., requireth such as are good, and merciful, and louing, and humble, and kind.
Loue thou him who hath brought thee out of the horrible pit Psal. 40, 2., out of the mirie claie.
Choose him for thy friend before al friends; who when al things shal faile, wil keepe his faith Ioh. 13, 1..
In the daie of thy burial, when al thy friends wil depart from thee, he wil not forsake thee Psa. 37, 28 Psal. 27, 10.; but protect thee from the roaring of them that be readie to deuoure Eccl. 51, 3., and conduct thee through an vnknowen contrie, [Page 64] and bring thee vnto the streetes of supernal Zion, & there place thee with the Angels before the face of his maiestie Reu. 22, 4., where thou shalt heare that angelical musicke, Holie, Holie, Holie Esai. 6, 3..
There is the song of mirth Reu. 5, 9. Reu. 14, 3., the voice of ioie and welfare, and thankes-giuing, and praising, and Halleluiah for euer and euer.
There is perfect felicitie, excellent glorie, surpassing ioie, and al good things 1. Cor. 2, 9..
O my soule sigh hartilie, and earnestlie desire to attaine vnto that supernal citie, whereof such glorious things are spoken Psal. 87, 3.: in which who so dwel are al euen like such as triumph with ioie.
Through loue thou maiest ascend. To the louer nothing is hard, nothing vnpossible.
The soule that loueth doth often-times ascend, and boldlie [Page 65] runneth about the streetes of celestial Hierusalem, visiting the Patriarches and Prophets; saluting the Apostles, wondering at the armies of Martyrs, and Confessors; and beholding y e flockes of virgins.
Heauen & earth, and al things in them contained, do cal vpon me continuallie to loue my Lord God.
Chap. 25. Of true knowledge, what it is.
WHat is the knowledge of the truth? It is first to knowe thy selfe, and that thou both studie to be such as thou oughtest to be; and also amend that which is to be reformed. Secondlie, it is to knowe, and to loue thy maker; for this is al mans happines Ioh. 17, 3..
[Page 66]Consider therefore how vnspeakeable the loue of God is to manward. He created vs of nothing Gen. 1, 26.27. Iob. 10, 8. Psa. 119, 73.; and whatsoeuer wee haue, he gaue the same 1. Cor. 4, verse. 7. Iam. 1, 17..
But forsomuch as we loued the gift more than the giuer; the creature than the creator Gen. 3, 6.7, &c., we fel into the snare of Satan, and became his bond-slaues Rom. 6, 16.17..
Neuerthelesse, God of his great loue, sent his owne Sonne Ioh. 3, 16.17., to redeeme seruants Rom. 8, 3.; and sent also the holie Ghost, whereby he made seruants his sonnes by adoption Gal. 4, 6..
He gaue his Sonne for a ransome 1. Pet. 1, 18.19. Gal. 4, 4.5.; the holie Ghost for a pledge of his loue 2. Cor. 1, verse. 22. Ephe. 1, 13.14.; and reserueth himselfe wholie for the inheritance of adoption Rom. 8, 17..
And thus God, as he is verie gratious and merciful Psa. 86, 5., of his good wil and loue to mankindward, bestoweth not his goodes [Page 67] onlie, but himselfe also to redeeme man, and that not so much for his owne sake, as for mans behoofe.
That men might be borne of God, God first was borne of man Ioh. 1, 14..
Now what hart is so flintie, but wil be softened by this loue of God, so preuenting man 1. Iohn. 4, verse. 19.!
O vehement loue, that God for mans cause can vouchsafe to become man Matt. 1, 21.!
Who can hate man, whose nature and likenes he beholdeth in the humanitie of God?
Doubtles, who so loueth not man, hateth God; and so abideth in death 1. Iohn. 3, verse. 14..
For God became man for mans sake Luk. 1, 31.69., that he might be a redeemer 1. Pet. 1, 18.19., as he was before a creator Iohn. 1, 1.3. Heb. 1, 3.; and that man not onlie might be ransomed through his riches, but also loue him the [Page 68] more entirelie.
God appeared in the similitude of sinful flesh Rom. 8, 3., that each sense of man might be made blessed in him, and as wel the eie of the hart be renewed in his diuinitie, as the eie of the bodie in his humanitie, that whether it go in, or out, mans nature which he hath created Gen. 1, 26.27., might in it finde comfort and refreshment.
Chap. 26. VVhat the sending of the holie Spirit worketh in vs.
FOR our Sauiour came into y e world Luke. 2, 11. and was crucified, and put vnto death for our sakes Rom. 5, 6.8., that he might through his death Heb. 2, 14., destroie him that had the power of death, that is the Diuel.
[Page 69]And seeing the grapes of his flesh were carried vnto y e wine-presse of the crosse, and the pleasant wine of his diuinitie began to spout-foorth; the holie Spirit was sent to make readie mens harts, that new wine might be put into new vessels Matt. 9, 17., and to see first that they were cleane, least otherwise they marred y t which should be powred-in; and then that they were wel hooped that they leaked not: I meane that they were clensed from the delight of wickednes; and hooped to keepe-out the delight of vanitie.
For that which is good could not enter, til that which il is were gone.
The delight in wickednes polluteth; and the delight in vanitie sheddeth.
The delight in wickednes makes the vessel to stincke; and [Page 70] the delight in vanitie maketh it ful of clefts.
Men delight in wickednes, when they loue sinne; and they delight in vanitie, when they loue transitorie things.
Then cast awaie that which is euil, that you may taste that which good is. Powre-out bitternes, that you may be replenished with sweetenes.
The holie Ghost is ioie, and loue, then cast out the spirit of the Diuel, and the spirit of this world, that you may be capable of the holie Ghost.
The spirit of the Diuel worketh the delight of iniquitie; and the spirit of the world, the delight of vanitie. And these delightes are euil, because the one is a sinne of it selfe, and the other is an occasion of sinne.
But when these euil spirits are throwne-out, the spirit of God [Page 71] wil come, and enter into the tabernacle of the heart, and worke à good delight there Rom. 14, verse. 17., euen à good loue, which shal expel the loue both of the world, and of wickednes.
The loue of the world allureth, and deceaueth 1. Iohn. 2, verse. 15.16.17.; the loue of sinne defileth, and bringeth vnto destruction Rom. 6, verse. 23.: but the loue of God inlighteneth the mind Rom. 5, 5., clenseth the conscience 1. Cor. 13, 1.2, &c., reioiceth the heart Gal. 5, 22., and bringeth into the sight of God 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12..
Chap. 27. The effects of true loue.
HE that loueth God vnfainedlie, doth euermore thinke it long vntil he come vnto God Phil. 1, 23., vntil he leaue the world, vntil he be free from the corruption of the flesh Rom. 7, verse. 24.; his [Page 72] heart and affection are set on things aboue Col. 3, 2., that he may finde the true peace Phil. 4, 7. Reu. 21, 4..
Whether he sitteth, or walketh, or resteth, or whatsoeuer he doth, his heart is with God 1. Cor. 10, verse. 31..
He exhorteth al men to loue God; he commendeth the loue of God to al men, and both in hart, in word, and by his conuersation he sheweth, both how sweete the loue of God is, and how euil and sower the loue of the world.
He derideth the glorie, and reproueth the care of this world, and sheweth what a foolish thing it is to put anie confidence in transitorie things 1. Ioh. 2, 15.16.17..
He wondereth at the blindnes of men, that they can loue; he wondereth also that euerie man wil not forsake these transitorie and fleeting things of this world 1. Cor. 7, verse. 31..
[Page 73]He thinketh that what he sauoreth, should seeme sweete to al men; what he loueth, should like euerie man; and what he knoweth, euerie man should vnderstand.
Much and oftentimes doth he mufe vpon God, and is sweetelie refreshed through such heauenlie contemplation; and the oftner he doth so, the greater is his ioie.
For verie comfortable is it alwaie euen to thinke vpon that, which to loue and to commend, is so delightful to the minde.
Chap. 28. VVhat the true quietnes of the minde is.
DOubtles the heart is then at rest, when through desire it is wholie fixed vpon the loue of God; and desireth [Page 74] nothing else, but with a certaine blessed sweetenes is much delighted in that which it hath; and in delighting is made iocund.
And if anie time either by à vaine cogitation, or through worldlie busines, it be somewhat drawne awaie there-from, it hasteneth to returne thether with al speede, deeming it a banishment to be anie-where beside.
For, as euerie moment, man may either enioie, or vse the goodnes of God: so euerie moment is man to thinke vpon God.
And therefore his offence is not small, who in praieng is carried suddenlie awaie from his sight, as though he did neither heare, nor beholde.
Which is then done, when man followeth his euil, and vnbrideled [Page 75] affections; and, wherevnto the sight of the minde is easilie carried, preferreth some vile creature before God, by musing, & thinking therevpon, oftner than vpon God, who dailie is to be thought-vpon as à creator Iob. 10, 8. Psal. 119, 73.; to be worshipped, as à redeemer Gal. 3, 13. Gal. 4, 4.5.; to be expected, as à sauiour Phil. 3, 20.21.; and to be feared, as à iudge Acts. 10, verse. 42. 2. Tim. 4, 1.8..
Chap. 29. That whatsoeuer withdraweth the sight of the minde from God, is altogether to be shunned, and abhorred.
WHosoeuer thou art that louest y e world, looke afore-hande, whether thou must go. The waie which thou takest, is the worst waie, and verie dangerous Matth. 7, verse. 13..
Wherefore, ô man, auoide by [Page 76] little & little thy worldlie busines; & withdraw thy self awhile from troublesome cogitations.
Cast awaie heauie cares, laie aside greeuous distractions of the mind; finde some leisure to serue God, and rest thy selfe somewhat in him.
Enter into the chamber of thy minde Matth. 6, verse. 6.; exclude al things saue God, and what makes to the seeking of him; and the dore being shut, seeke him.
And with thine whole heart saie vnto God, I seeke thy face, ô Lord, I seeke euen thy face.
Oh then, ô Lord my God Psal. 7, 1.3., giue thou mine heart instructions, both where & how to seeke thee; both where and how to finde thee.
O Lord, if heere thou art not, where shal I seke thee absent? but if thou art euerie-where Eccle. 23, verse. 18.19.20. Iere. 23, 24., then why do I not see thee present?
[Page 77]But vndoubtedlie thou dwellest in the light that none can attaine vnto 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16..
But how may I come vnto the light that cannot be attained? Or who shal guide, and conduct me thereinto, that therein I may behold thee? Furthermore by what tokens, and with what face may I seeke thee?
O Lord my God, I neuer sawe thee Ioh. 1, 18. 1. Iohn. 4, 12.; I knowe not thy countenance.
Then what shal he doe, ô Lord most hie Luk. 2, 14., what shal this thy far exiled seruāt do Heb. 11, 13.? what shal thy seruant doe, who is in perplexitie through the loue of thee; and cast-awaie far fro thy presence?
Lo, he longeth greatlie to behold thee; yet thy countenance is far from his sight. He desireth to come vnto thee; yet vnto thy dwelling no man can attaine 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16.. He coueteth to find thee; yet he [Page 78] wotteth not where. He loueth to seeke thee; yet he knoweth not thy face.
Chap. 30. How through sinne man both lost the sight of God, and found wretchednes.
O Lord, thou art my God Psal. 7, 1.3., & my Lord Mat. 4, 10., yet did I neuer see thee Iohn. 1, 18.: thou hast both made me Psa. 100, 3. Psa. 119, 73., yea and made me againe Gal. 4, 4., and bestowed vpon me what good things soeuer I enioie 1. Cor. 4, 7., yet hitherto haue I neither seene, nor knowen thee.
To be short, I am made to see, yet hitherto haue not I attained the thing, that I was made for. O miserable condition of man, seeing he hath so vndiscreetlie forgone that, for which he was created! ô heauie, and ô hard chance!
[Page 79]Alas, alas what hath he forgon, and what hath he found? what is lost, and what hath remained?
He hath forgon happines, for which he was made; and he hath found miserie Gen. 3, 16.17, &c., for which he was not made. He hath lost that, without which nothing is happie; and that remaineth which of it selfe is meerelie miserable.
Man did then eate euen the Angels meate, which now he desireth; and now he feedeth vpon the bread of sorowe, which then he knewe not.
O Lord, how long wilt thou forget, for euer Psal. 13, 1! How long wilt thou hide thy face from vs! when wilt thou respect, and heare vs! when wilt thou inlighten our eies, and show vs thy countenance! when wilt thou restore thy selfe vnto vs!
3 Behold and heare vs, ô Lord our God; lighten our eies, and [Page 80] show vs thy selfe. Restore thy selfe to vs, that we may prosper without whome we are in such miserie. Inuite vs, and helpe vs Lord, we beseech thee.
Mine hart is become sorowfu [...] being made desolate: ô make it cheereful againe, Lord, with thy consolation.
I haue begun to seeke thee with an hungrie stomach, ô let me not giue-ouer vnrefreshed of thee; I come with a greedie appetite, let me not depart vnfed; I who am in pouertie, com [...] vnto thee that art rich Rom. 10, 12 Ephes. 2, 4.; in miserie, vnto thee most merciful 2. Cor. 1, 3 ô let me not go-awaie emptie and contemned.
O Lord, I am bowed, and crooked verie sore Psal. 38, 6., erect me that may looke-vp, and behold thee
4 Mine iniquities are gon-oue [...] mine head, and as a weighti [...] burden, they are too heauie fo [...] [Page 81] mee.
O vnwrap, and vnloade me, that the deepe swalowe me not vp Psa. 69, 15.
Teach me to seeke thee; and show thy selfe to him that seeketh thee: for I can neither seeke thee, without thou teach me; neither find thee, except thou reueale thy selfe.
Let me seeke thee in desiring, and desire thee in seeking; let me find thee in louing, and loue thee in finding.
Chap. 31. Of God his woonderful mercie.
I Confesse LORD, thankes vnto thee therefore, that thou hast made me after thine owne image Gen. 1, 26.27. Col. 3, 10., to the end I should remember thee, thinke on thee, and loue thee.
[Page 82]Notwithstanding, through the corruption of wickednes thine image is so defaced, and so blurred with the smoake of sinne that, without thou renew, and reforme the same, it can not do the thing, for which it was created.
Wherefore, Lord, who giuest the gift of faith Rom. 12, 3, I beseech thee, giue mee grace perfectlie to knowe how great thou art.
For according to our beliefe thou art; and we beleeue thee to be such à thing, than which there can be imagined nothing either for quantitie greater Ier. 32, 18.19., or for virtue better Esai. 6, 3..
Then what art thou, ô Lord God, than whom nothing is either greater, or better; but euen that, which being onelie the soueraigne good thing of al others of it selfe, hath made al other [Page 83] things of nothing Gen. 1, 1.2.3, &c..
Then what good thing is there wanting to y e soueraigne goodnes Iam. 1, 17. through whome is euerie good thing?
Wherefore thou art righteous Psal. 11, 7., and true Esai. 45, 21 Psal. 86, 15. Iohn. 3.33. Rom. 3, 4., and blessed Reu. 5, 12.13.; & whatsoeuer is otherwise, better is it not to be atal, than to be.
But if thou art altogether most singularlie good, how is it that thou sparest the wicked? Is it because thy mercie is ouer al thy works Psa. 145, 9.? But this lieth hid in the light which none can attaine vnto 1. Tim. 6, 16.
Verelie the fountaine, whence the riuer of thy mercie doth flowe, lieth-hid in the deepe and most secrete bottome of thy goodnes.
For, although thou art wholie and souerainglie righteous: yet thou sparest of thy goodnes the wicked Mat. 5, 45, because thou art wholie [Page 84] and most singularlie merciful too.
For in verie deede thou shouldest not be so singularlie good, vnlesse thou wert gratious to some offenders.
For he who is good both to the iust and to the vniust, is better than he who sheweth fauour onlie to the good.
And he which is good to the wicked, both by sparing, and by punishing thē, is better than he, who is good onlie by punishing.
So thou art therefore merciful, because thou art altogether, and soueraignelie good.
Chap. 32. The happie state of such as enioie the ioies of heauen.
O Infinite goodnes, passing all vnderstanding!
Let that mercie [Page 85] come vpon me, which proceedeth from such riches;
Let it haue influence into me, which floweth from thee; Spare of thy mercie, but reuenge not in thy iustice.
Rise vp now, ô my soule, and lift vp al thine vnderstanding; consider so wel as thou canst, how great, and what maner of good thing, God is.
For if each particular good thing be delectable, waie aduisedlie how delightful that good thing is, which conteineth the sweetenes of al good things 1. Cor. 2, 9.; and not such as commonlie we perceaue of things created, but so much differing there from, as the creator differeth from the creature!
For if the life created bee good; howe good is the life that created it Ioh. 11, 25.! If the welfare that is wrought, delight; how [Page 86] shal the welfare which worketh al saluation Esa. 12, 1.2.3., delight! If the wisedome consisting in the minde, or in the knowledge of knowne things, be louelie; how louelie is that wisedome which made, and created al things of nothing Iohn. 1, 1.2.3. Hebr. 1, 2. Prou. 8, 22.23, &c.! To be short, if there be much and great delight in delectable things; what and how great shal the pleasure be in him, who made these delectable things!
Oh what shal he haue, or what shal he not haue, that enioieth this felicitie! doubtles, whatsoeuer he can wish, he shal haue it; and what he would not haue, shal not come to him.
For there shal be the goodes both of soule and bodie, such goodes as eie hath not seene 1. Cor. 2, 9., neither eare hath heard, neither came into mans hart.
Chap. 33. That soueraigne happines is to be sought for.
WHIE then rangest thou about, ô sillie man, seeking the goodes of thy soule, and of thy bodie? Loue one good, in which are al good things, and it sufficeth. Desire the simple good, which is al that good is, and it is inough.
For what louest thou, ô my flesh? what desirest thou, ô my soule? There it is whatsoeuer thou louest; there it is whatsoeuer thou desirest.
If beautie delight thee; the iust men shal shine as y e Sunne Matth. 13, verse. 43.: If either such swiftnes, strength, or libertie of the bodie, as nothing may withstand; they shal be as the Angels of God in heauen Matth. 22, verse. 30.. For it is sowne à natural [Page 88] bodie 1. Cor. 15, verse. 44., but shal rise a spiritual bodie, to wit, by the power of God, not through the strength of nature:
If a long, and an healthful life; there shal be founde eternitie, and eternal soundnes Reu. 21, 4., because the righteous shal liue euer Wis. 5, 15.; their rewarde also is with the Lord:
If satietie; when the glorie of the Lord appeareth, Psa. 17, 15. they shal be filled:
If drunkennes; they shal be satisfied with the fatnes of the Lords house Psa. 36, 8.:
If pleasant musicke; the Angels there shal sing praises without cessing vnto the Lord:
If al maner honest, not vnhonest pleasure; the Lord shal giue them drinke out of the riuer of his pleasures Psal. 36, 8.:
If wisedome; the verie wisedome of God shal shew it selfe [Page 89] to them 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. Reu. 22, 4.:
If faithful amitie; they shal both loue GOD more than themselues, and one another as themselues; yea, and God shal loue them, more than they can themselues. For they loue both him, themselues, and one another through him; and he loueth both himselfe, and them too through himselfe.
If concord; al they shal be of one minde 1. Cor. 13, verse. 13.; for they shal wil nothing, but what God willeth himselfe:
If power; they shal haue ful power ouer their owne wil, as God hath of his. For as God of himselfe can do what he wil: so they can do what they wil, through him. Because, as they list none otherwise, than he listeth: so he listeth, as they list, and what he wil, must needes come to passe.
[Page 90]If honor, and wealth: God wil make his good and faithful seruants Matth. 25, verse. 23., rulers ouer much; yea, they shal be called the sonnes of God Rom. 8, verse. 16.17., yea, and gods too; and be the heires, euen the heires of God, and heires annexed with Christ.
To conclude, if certaine securitie; they shal be as sure that that felicitie shall not faile them Reu. 7, 15.16.17. Reu. 21, 4., as they are sure that neither they for their parts would willinglie forgo the same; nor God for his part wil bereaue his friends thereof against their wils; nor that anie thing is so mightie, that it can separate God and them.
Now what, and how great ioie is there, where such and so great felicitie is!
Chap. 34. How the Sancts loue each other mutualie in Heauen.
O Hart of man; ô poore hart; ô hart ful of miseries, yea, ouerwhelmed with miseries, how greatlie wouldest thou reioice, if thou aboundedst with these good things!
Aske euen the most secret cogitations of thine hart, if they could receaue the ioie of so excellent blisse.
But if another, whome thou louest as thy selfe, did enioie with thee the like felicitie, doubtles thy ioie would be doubled; because thou wouldest so much reioice at his felicitie, as at thine owne.
Now if two, or three, or moe, were so blessed of God, thou [Page 92] wouldest be as glad for each of them, as for thy selfe, if thou didest loue them euen as thy selfe.
Then, how great shal the ioie be in that perfect loue of the innumerable companie of blessed Angels and men; where each shal loue another euen as himselfe! for euerie man there shal reioice as much for the happie estate of each particular person, as for his owne felicitie.
If therefore the hart of man shal hardlie receaue the ioie of his owne blisse; how shal it comprehend such great ioies of so manie of his friends! for vndoubtedlie, euen as we loue à man, so shal we be glad for his felicitie.
As in that blessed happines euerie man shal loue God soueraignelie aboue himselfe, and al others with him: so most singularlie shal each man be more [Page 93] glad of Gods felicitie, than of his owne, and of al others with him.
And if they shal so loue God with al their harts, with al their minds, and with al their soules, that neither al their harts, nor al their minds, nor al their soules can be able to comprehend the excellencie of the loue: assuredlie the Sancts with al their harts, with al their minds, and with al their soules shal so reioice, as neither their hearts, nor their minds, nor their soules, shal be able to comprehend the abundant streames of celestial ioie.
Chap. 35. Of the perfect ioie of eternal life.
O MY God Psal. 7, [...] ▪ 3., and my Lord Matt. 4, 10, mine hope Psal. 18, 1.2., & the ioie of mine heart, resolue my soule whether this be the ioie [Page 94] whereof thou speakest by thy Sonne, Aske, and ye shal receaue Ioh. 16, 24., that your ioie may be ful. For I haue found à certaine ioie which is ful, yea, and more than ful.
For notwithstanding y e whole hart, be ful; the whole mind, ful; the whole soule, ful; yea, whole man, ful of this ioie: yet shal there remaine ioie for al that, which is incomprehensible.
So then, that whole ioie shal not enter into the reioicers; but al the reioicers shal enter into the ioie of their maister Matth. 25, verse. 21..
Speake Lord, tel thy seruant secretlie in mine hart, if this be the ioie whereinto thy seruants shal enter, who shal enter into their maisters ioie.
But surelie, that ioie, wherewith thine elect shal reioice, neither eie hath seene 1. Cor. 2, 9., nor eare hath heard, nor entred euer into [Page 95] the hart of man.
Then Lord, I haue not yet conceaued in minde, much lesse vttered by words, how greatlie thine elect shal reioice.
Vndoubtedlie they shal so greatlie reioice, as they shal loue; they shal so entirelie loue, as they shal know thee, ô Lord.
And how entirelie shal they loue thee? surelie neither mans eie hath seene, nor his eare hard, nor came it euer into his heart in this world Esa. 64, 4. 1. Cor. 2, 9., how perfectlie they shal both knowe thee 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12.13., & loue thee in the world to come.
O my God, I beseech thee, grant that I may knowe thee, loue thee, and reioice in thee.
And although I cannot so thoroughlie do so in this life as I should; yet giue me grace to profit from daie to daie, vntil I come vnto perfection.
Let thy knowledge so growe [Page 96] vp within me heere, y t it may be found ripe there; and thy loue so encrease within me heere, that it may be perfect there; that my ioie may be great heere in hope, and in deedeful there.
O iust God, my humble sute is, that I may haue the thing which thou promisest, euen that my ioie may be ful Iohn. 16, verse. 34..
In the meane space, let my mind meditate therof, my tong speake therof, mine hart long for it, my speech reason thereof, & my soule hunger for the same.
Let my flesh thirst therefore, and al my substance desire it, euen vntil I enter into the ioie of my maister Matth. 25, verse. 21., there to abide for euer and euer, Amen.
¶ THE SVMME OF EVERIE CHAPTER CONTAINED IN THIS BOOKE, ACCORding as the titles doe import, with the iust number of the page where euerie particular chapter is to be found.
- 1 OF the woonderful essence, or being which God hath, pag. 1.
- 2 Of God his vnspeakeable knowledge, pag. 4.
- 3 The desire of that soule which hath à feeling of God, pag. 7.
- 4 The miserable state of that soule, which neither loueth our Lord & Sauior Christ, nor seketh after him, pa. 11.
- 5 A verie Christian desire of the soule after God, pag. 14.
- 6 The happines of that soule which is deliuered out of the earthlie prison of the bodie, pag. 17.
- [Page]7 The blessed ioie of the heauenlie Paradise, pag. 20.
- 8 The glorious condition of the kingdome of Heauen, pag. 22.
- 9 How GOD after much trouble doth comfort the pensiue soule, pag. 25.
- 10 A praier for grace to loue God, pag. 27.
- 11 A praier for grace both dulie to thanke God for our redemption; & worthilie to approch vnto the holie Table, pag. 29.
- 12 A zealous praier for grace to meditate deepelie vpon the goodnes of God, pag. 32.
- 13 A thankes-giuing vnto God for the incarnation of his deere Sonne to saue man, pag. 34.
- 14 The more God is thought vpon, the more louelie he [Page] seemeth, pag. 36.
- 15 How the trobles in this world are nothing answerable to the ioies in heauen, pag. 38.
- 16 Of the kingdome of heauen, and how it may be attained, pag. 41.
- 17 What Paradise is: and the ioies thereof, pag. 42.
- 18 That we can not please God, but through loue, pag. 46.
- 19 How GOD requireth some thing of vs like to himselfe, pag. 49.
- 20 Of the boldnes of the soule that loueth GOD, pag. 41.
- 21 The singular loue of GOD to manward, pag. 55.
- 22 The refuge of à Christian in time of tentation, pag. 57.
- 23 Special medicines against [Page] sinne, and despaire, pag. 59.
- 24 A zealous meditation to mooue vnto the loue of God, pag. 62.
- 25 Of true knowledge, what it is, pag. 65.
- 26 What the sending of the holie Spirit worketh in vs, pag. 68.
- 27 The effects of true loue, pag. 71.
- 28 What the true quietnes of the mind is, pag. 73.
- 29 That whatsoeuer withdraweth the sight of the mind from God, is altogether to be shunned, and abhorted, pag. 75.
- 30 How through sinne man lost the sight of God, and found wretchednes, 78.
- 31 Of God his woonderful mercie, pag. 81.
- 32 The happie state of such [Page] as enioie the ioies of heauen, pag. 84.
- 33 That soueraigne happines is to bee sought for, pag. 87.
- 34 How the Sancts loue ech other mutualie in heauen, pag. 91.
- 35 Of the perfect ioie of eternal life, pag. 93.
1581.
Printed by Henrie Denham, dwelling in Pater noster Row, at the signe of the Starre.
Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis.