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The Imitation of Christ · The Imitation of Christ

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  The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis translated by the Reverend William Benham.
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  The first book Admonitions Profitable for the Spiritual Life, chapters one to ten.
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  Chapter one of the Imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world
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  and all its vanities. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
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  saith the Lord John Chapter eight, verse twelve. These are the words of
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  Christ, and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and character.
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  If we seek true illumination and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let
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  it be our most earnest study. Therefore, to dwell upon the life of
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  Jesus Christ. His teaching surpasseth all teachings of holy men, and such as
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  have his spirit find therein the hidden manner Revelations Chapter two, verse seventeen.
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  But there are many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel
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  but little longing after it, because they have not the mind of Christ.
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  He therefore, that will fully and with true wisdom understand the words of Christ,
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  let him strive to conform his whole life to that mind of Christ.
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  What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning the Holy Trinity,
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  if thou lack humility and be thus displeasing to the Trinity. For verily,
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  it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright. It is
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  a good life which maketh a man dear to God. I had rather feel
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  contrition than be skillful in the definition thereof. If thou knewest the whole Bible
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  and the sayings of all the philosophers, what should all this profit thee without
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  the love and grace of God. Vanity of vanities. All is vanity save
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  to love God and him only to serve that is the highest wisdom, to
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  cast the world behind us, and to reach forward to the heavenly kingdom.
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  It is vanity, then, to seek after and to trust in the riches
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  that shall perish. It is vanity, too to covet honors and to lift
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  up ourselves on high. It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh
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  and be led by them, for this shall bring misery. At the last,
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  it is vanity to desire a long life and to have little care for
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  a good life. It is vanity to take thought only for the life which
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  now is, and not to look forward to the things which shall be hereafter,
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  it is vanity to love that which quickly passeth away, and not to
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  hasten where eternal joy abideth be oftentimes mindful of the saying, the eye is
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  not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing Ecclesiastes, Chapter one,
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  verse eight. Strive therefore, to turn away thy heart from the love of
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  the things that are seen, and to set it upon the things that are
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  not seen. For they who follow after their own fleshly losts, defile the
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  conscience and destroy the grace of God. Chapter two. Of thinking humbly of
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  oneself. There is naturally in every man a desire to know. But what
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  profiteth knowledge without the fear of God? Better of a surety is a lowly
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  peasant who serveth God, than a proud philosopher who watcheth the stars and neglecteth
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  the knowledge of himself. He who knoweth himself well is vile in his own
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  sight. Neither regardeth he the praises of men. If I knew all the
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  things that are in the world, and were not in charity, what should
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  it help me before God, who is to judge me according to my deeds.
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  Rest from inordinate desire of knowledge, for therein is found much distraction and
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  deceit. Those who have knowledge desire to appear learned and to be called wise.
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  Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul,
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  And foolish out of measure is he who attendeth upon other things rather than
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  those which serve to his soul's health. Many words satisfy not the soul,
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  but a good life refresheth the mind, and a pure conscience giveth great confidence
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  towards God. The greater and more complete thy knowledge, the more severely shalt
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  thou be judged unless thou hast lived holy. Therefore, be not lifted up
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  by any skill or knowledge that thou hast, but rather fear concerning the knowledge
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  which is given to THEE. If it seemeth to THEE that thou knowest many
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  things and understandest them well, know also that there are many more things which
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  thou knowest, not be not high minded, but rather confess thine ignorance.
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  Why desirest thou to lift thyself above another, when there are found many more
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  learned and more skilled in the scripture than thou. If thou wilt know and
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  life earn anything with profit love, to be thyself unknown, and to be
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  counted for nothing. That is the highest and most profitable lesson. When a
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  man truly knoweth and judgeth lowly of himself, to account nothing of oneself,
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  and to think always kindly and highly of others. This is great and perfect
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  wisdom. Even shouldst thou see thy neighbour sin openly or grievously. Yet thou
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  oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he, For thou knowest not how long
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  thou shalt keep thine integrity. All of us are weak and frail, hold
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  thou no man more frail than thyself. Chapter three of the Knowledge of Truth.
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  Happy is the man whom truth, by itself doth tell each, not
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  by figures and transient words, but as it is in itself Psalm ninety four,
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  verse twelve, numbers twelve, verse eight. Our own judgment and feelings
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  often deceive us, and we discern but little of the truth. What doth
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  it profit to argue about hidden and dark things concerning which we shall not be
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  even reproved in the judgment because we knew them? Not, Oh, grievous
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  folly, to neglect the things which are profitable and necessary and to give our
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  minds to things which are curious and hurtful. Having eyes we see not,
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  And what have we to do with talk about genus and species. He to
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  whom the eternal word speaketh, is free from multiplied questionings. From this one
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  word are all things, and all things speak of him. This is the
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  beginning which also speaketh unto us. John chapter eight, verse twenty five.
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  No man without him understandeth or rightly judgeth The man to whom all things are
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  one who bringeth all things, to one who seeth all things in one,
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  he is able to remain steadfast of spirit and addrest in God. O,
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  God, who art the Truth, Make me one with THEE in everlasting love.
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  It wearieth me oftentimes to read and listen to many things in THEE is
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  all that I wish for and desire. Let all the doctors hold their peace,
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  Let all creation keep silence before THEE. Speak Thou alone to me.
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  The more a man hath unity and simplicity in himself, the more things and
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  the deeper things he understandeth, And that without labor, because he receiveth the
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  light of understanding from above. The spirit, which is pure, sincere and
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  steadfast, is not distracted, though it hath many works to do, because
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  it doth all things to the honor of God, and striveth to be free
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  from all thoughts of self seeking. Who is so full of hindrance and annoyance
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  to thee has thine own undisciplined heart. A man who is good and devout
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  arrangeth beforehand within his own heart the works which he hath to do abroad,
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  and so is not drawn away by the desires of his evil will, but
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  subjecteth everything to the judgment of right reason. Who hath a harder battle to
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  fight than he who striveth for self mastery? And this should be our endeavour,
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  even to master self, And thus daily to grow stronger than self,
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  and go on unto perfection. All perfection hath some imperfection joined to it in
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  this life, and all our power of sight is not without some darkness.
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  A lowly knowledge of thyself is a shururer way to God than the deep searching
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  of man's learning. Not that learning is to be blamed, nor the taking
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  account of anything that is good. But a good conscience and a holy life
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  are better than all. And because many seek knowledge rather than good living,
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  therefore they go astray and bear little or no fruit. Oh, if they
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  would give that diligence to the rooting out of vice and the planting of virtue,
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  which they give unto vain questionings, there had not been so many evil
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  doings and stumbling blocks among the laity, nor such ill living among houses of
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  religion. Of a surety, At the day of judgment, it will be
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  demanded of us, not what we have read, but what we have done.
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  Not how well we have spoken, but how holy we have lived.
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  Tell me where now are all those masters and teachers whom thou knewest well whilst
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  they were yet with you and flourished in learning. Their stalls are now filled
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  by others who perhaps never have one thought concerning them. Whilst they lived,
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  they seemed to be somewhat but now no one speaks of them. Oh,
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  how quickly passeth the glory of the world away? Would that their life and
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  knowledge had agreed together, For then would they have read and inquired unto good
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  purpose. How many perish through empty learning in this world who care little for
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  serving God, and because they love to be great more than to be humble.
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  Therefore they have become vain in their imaginations. He only is truly great,
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  who hath great charity. He is truly great, who deemeth himself small,
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  and counteth all height of honor as nothing. He is the truly wise
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  man who counteth all earthly things as dung, that he may win Christ.
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  And he is the truly learned man who doeth the will of God and forsaketh
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  his own will, Chapter four of Prudence. In action, we must not
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  trust every word of others or feeling within ourselves, but cautiously and patiently try
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  the matter, whether it be of God. Unhappily, we are so weak
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  that we find it easier to believe and speak evil of others rather than good.
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  But they that are perfect do not give ready heed to every newsbearer,
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  for they know man's weakness, that it is prone to evil and unstable in
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  words. This is great wisdom, not to be hasty in action or stubborn
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  in our own opinions. A part of this wisdom also is not to believe
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  every word we hear, nor to tell others all that we hear, even
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  though we believe it. Take counsel with a man who is wise and of
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  a good conscience, and seek to be instructed by one better than thyself,
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  rather than to follow thine own inventions. A good life maketh a man wise
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  toward God, and giveth him experience in many things. The more humbler man
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  is in himself, and the more obedient towards God, the wiser he will
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  be in all things, and the more shall his soul be at peace.
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  Chapter five of the Reading of Holy Scriptures. It is truth which we must
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  look for in Holy writ, not cunning of words. All scripture ought to
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  be read in the spirit in which it was written. We must rather seek
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  for what is profitable in scripture than for what ministers to subtlety in discourse.
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  Therefore we ought to read books which are devotional and simple, as well as
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  those which are deep and difficult. And let not the weight of the writer
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  be a stumbling block to thee, whether he be of little or much learning.
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  But let the love of the pure truth draw thee to read. Ask
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  not who hath said this or that, but look to what he says.
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  Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord endureth forever, without respect
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  of persons. God speaketh to us in diverse manners. Our own curiosity often
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  hindereth us. In the reading of Holy writings. When we seek to understand
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  and discuss where we should pass simply on, if thou wouldst profit by thy
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  reading, read humbly, simply, honestly, and not desiring to win a
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  character for learning, ask freely and here in silence the words of holy men.
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  Nor be displeased at the hard sayings of older men than thou, for
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  they are not uttered without cause. Chapter six of inordinate affections. Whensoever a
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  man desireth aught above measure, immediately he becometh restless. The proud and the
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  avaricious man are never at rest, while the poor and lonely of heart abide
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  in the multitude of peace. The man who is not yet wholly dead to
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  self is soon tempted and is overcome in small and trifling matters. It is
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  hard for him, who is weak in spirit and still impart carnal and inclined
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  to the pleasures of sense, to withdraw himself altogether from earthly desires. And
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  therefore, when he withdraweth himself from these, he is often sad and easily
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  angered too, if any oppose his will. But if, on the other
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  hand, he yield to his inclination immediately he is weighed down by the condemnation
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  of his conscience, for that he hath followed his own desire, and yet
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  in no way attained the peace which he hoped for. The true peace of
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  heart to be found in resisting passion, not in yielding to it. And
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  therefore there is no peace in the heart of a man who is carnal,
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  nor in him who is given up to the things that are without him,
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  but only in him who is fervent towards God and living the life of the
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  Spirit. Chapter seven of Fleeing from vain, hope and pride. Vain is
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  the life of that man who putteth his trust in men or in any created
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  thing. Be not ashamed to be the servant of others for the love of
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  Jesus Christ, and to be reckoned poor in this life. Rest not upon
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  thyself, but build thy hope in God. Do what lieth in thy power,
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  and God will help thy good intent. Trust not in thy learning,
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  nor in the cleverness of any that lives, but rather trust in the favor
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  of God, who resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
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  Boast not thyself in thy riches, if thou hast them, nor in thy
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  friends if they be powerful. But in God, who giveth all things,
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  and in addition to all things, desireth to give even himself. Be not
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  lifted up because of thy strength or beauty of body, For with only a
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  slight sickness it will fail and wither away. Be not vain of thy skillfulness
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  or ability, lest thou displease God, from whom cometh every good gift which
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  we have. Count not thyself better than others, lest perchance thou appear worse
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  in the sight of God, who knoweth what is in man. Be not
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  proud of thy good works, For or God's judgments are of another sort than
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  the judgments of man. And what pleaseth man is ofttimes displeasing to him.
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  If thou hast any good, believe that others have more, and so thou
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  mayest preserve thy humility. It is no harm to thee if thou place thyself
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  below all others, but it is great harm if thou place thyself above even
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  one. Peace is ever with the humble man, But in the heart of
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  the proud there is envy and continual wrath. Chapter eight of the danger of
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  too much familiarity. Open not thine heart to every man, but deal with
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  one who is wise and feareth God. Be seldom with the young and with
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  strangers. Be not a flatterer of the rich, nor willingly seek the society
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  of the great. Let thy company be the humble and the simple, the
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  devout and the gentle. And let thy discourse be concerning things which edify.
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  Be not familiar with any woman, but commend all good women alike unto God.
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  Choose for thy companions God and his angels only, and flee from the
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  notice of men. We must love all men, but not make close companions
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  of all. It sometimes falleth out that one who is unknown to us is
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  highly regarded through good report of him, whose actual person is nevertheless unpleasing to
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  those who behold it. We sometimes think to please others by our intimacy,
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  and forthwith displease them the more by the faultiness of character which they perceive.
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  In Us Chapter nine of Obedience and Subjection. It is verily a great thing
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  to live in obedience, to be under authority, and not to be at
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  our own disposal. Far safer is it to live in subjection than in a
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  place of authority. Many are in obedience from necessity rather than from love.
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  These take it amiss and repine for small cause. Nor will they gain freedom
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  of spirit unless with all their heart they submit themselves for the love of God.
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  Though thou run hither and thither thou wilt not find peace save in humble
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  subjection to the authority of Him who is set over thee Fancies about places and
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  change of them have disa many True it is that every man willingly followeth his
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  own bent, and is the more inclined to those who agree with him.
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  But if Christ is amongst us, then it is necessary that we sometimes yield
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  up our own opinion for the sake of peace. Who is so wise as
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  to have perfect knowledge of all things. Therefore, trust not too much to
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  thine own opinion, but be ready also to hear the opinions of others.
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  Though thine own opinion be good, Yet if for the love of God thou
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  foregoest it and followest that of another, thou shalt the more profit thereby.
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  Oftentimes I have heard that it is safer to hearken and to receive counsel than
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  to give it. It may also come to pass that each opinion may be
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  good, but to refuse to hearken to others when reason or occasion requires.
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  It is a mark of pride or wilfulness. Chapter ten, of the Danger
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  of superfluity of words, Avoid, as far as thou canst the tumult of
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  men. For talk concerning worldly things, though it be innocently undertaken, is
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  a hindrance. So quickly are we led captive and defiled by vanity. Many
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  a time I wish that I had held my peace and had not gone amongst
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  men. But why do we talk and gossip so continually, seeing that we
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  so rarely resume our silence without some hurt done to our conscience. We like
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  talking so much because we hope, by our conversations to gain some mutual comfort,
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  and because we seek to refresh our wearied spirits by variety of thoughts.
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  And we very willingly talk and think of those things which we love or desire,
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  or else of those which we most dislike. But alas it is often
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  to no purpose and in vain. For this outward consolation is no small hindrance
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  to the inner comfort which cometh from God. Therefore must we watch and pray
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  that time pass not idly away. If it be right and desirable for THEE
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  to speak, speak things which are to edification, evil custom, and neglect
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  of our real prophet tend much to make us heedless of watching over our lips.
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  Nevertheless, devout conversation on spiritual things helpeth not a little to spiritual progress,
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  most of all, where those of kindred mind and spirit find their ground
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  or fellowship in God. End of Chapter ten, Chapter eleven, of seeking
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  peace of mind and of spiritual progress. We may enjoy abundance of peace if
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  we refrain from busying ourselves with the sayings and doings of others and things which
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  concern not ourselves. How can he abide long time in peace who occupieth himself
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  with other men's matters and with things without himself, and meanwhile paieth little or
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  rare heed to the self within. Blessed are the single hearted, for they
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  shall have abundance of peace. How came it to pass that many of the
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  saints were so perfect, so contemplative of divine things, because they steadfastly sought
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  to mortify themselves from all worldly desires, and so were enabled to cling with
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  their whole heart to God and be free and at leisure for the thought of
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  Him. We are too much occupied with our own affections, and too anxious
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  about transitory things. Seldom, too, do we entirely conquer even a single
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  fault, nor are we zealous for daily growth in grace, and so we
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  remain lukewarm and unspiritual. Were we fully watchful of ourselves and not bound in
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  spirit to outward things, then might we be wise unto salvation and make progress
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  in divine contemplation. Our great and grievous stumbling block is that, not being
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  freed from our affections and desires, we strive not to enter into the perfect
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  way of the saints. And when even a little trouble befallth us, too
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  quickly are we cast down and fly to the world to give us comfort.
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  If we would quit ourselves like men and strive to stand firm in the battle,
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  then should we see the Lord helping us from heaven. For he himself
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  is always ready to help those who strive and who trust in him. Yea,
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  he provideth for us occasions of striving to the end, that we may
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  win the victory. If we look upon our progress in religion as a progress
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  only in outward observances and forms, our devoutness will soon come to an end.
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  But let us lay the axe to the very root of our life,
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  that, being cleansed from affection, we may possess our souls in peace.
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  If each year should see one fault rooted out from us, we should go
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  quickly on to perfection. But on the contrary, we often feel that we
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  are better and holier in the beginning of our conversion than after many years of
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  profession. Zeal and progress ought to increase day by day. Yet now it
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  seemeth a great thing if one is able to retain some portion of his first
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  ardor if we could put some slight stress on ourselves at the beginning, then
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  afterwards we should be able to do all things with ease and joy. It
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  is a hard thing to break through a habit, and a yet harder thing
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  to go contrary to our own will. Yet if thou overcome not slight,
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  right and easy obstacles, how shalt thou overcome greater ones withstand thy will at
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  the beginning, and unlearn an evil habit, lest it lead thee little by
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  little into worse difficulties. Oh, if thou knewest what peace thy holy life
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  should bring to thyself and what joy to others, methinketh thou wouldst be more
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  zealous for spiritual profit. Chapter twelve of the Uses of adversity. It is
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  good for us that we sometimes have sorrows and adversities, for they often make
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  a man later heart that he is only a stranger and sojourner, and may
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  not put his trust in any worldly thing. It is good that we sometimes
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  endure contradictions and are hardly and unfairly judged when we do and mean what is
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  good, for these things help us to be humble and shield us from vain
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  glory, for then we seek the more earnestly the witness of God. When
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  men speak evil of us falsely and give us no credit for good. Therefore
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  ought a man to rest wholly upon God, so that he needeth not seek
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  much comfort at the hand of man. When a man who feareth God is
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  afflicted, or tried or oppressed with evil thoughts, then he seeth that God
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  is the more necessary unto him, since without God he can do no good
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  thing. Then he is heavy of heart, he growneth, he crieth out
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  for the very disquietness of his heart. Then he groweth weary of life,
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  and would fain depart and be with Christ. By all this he is taught
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  that in the world, there can be no perfect security or fullness of peace
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  Chapter thirteen of Resisting Temptation. So long as we live in the world,
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  we cannot be without trouble and trial. Wherefore it is written in Job the
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  life of man upon the earth is a trial Job seven, verse one.
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  And therefore ought each of us to give heed concerning trials and temptations, and
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  watch unto prayer, lest the devil find occasion to deceive, for he never
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  sleepeth, but goeth about, seeking whom he may devour. No man is
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  so perfect in holiness that he hath never temptations, nor can he ever be
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  wholly free from them. Yet, notwithstanding temptations, turn greatly onto our profit,
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  even though they be great and hard to bear, for through them we
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  are humbled, purified, instructed. All saints have passed through much tribulation and
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  temptation, and have profited thereby. And they who endured not temptation became reprobate
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  and fell away. There is no position so sacred, no place so secret,
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  that it is without temptations and adversities. There is no man wholly free
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  from temptations so long as he liveth. Because we have the root of temptation
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  within ourselves, in that we are born in concupiscence. One temptation or sorrow
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  so passeth and another cometh, And always we shall have somewhat to suffer,
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  For we have fallen from perfect happiness. Many who seek to fly from temptations
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  fall yet more deeply into them. By flight alone we cannot overcome. But
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  by endurance and true humility we are made stronger than all our enemies. He
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  who only resisteth outwardly and pulleth not up by the root, shall profit little.
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  Nay, rather, temptations will return to him the more quickly, and
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  will be the more terrible. Little by little. Through patience and long suffering,
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  thou shalt conquer by the help of God, rather than by violence and
• 33:52
  thine own strength of will. In the midst of temptation, often seek counsel
• 34:00
  and deal not hardly with one who is tempted, but comfort and strengthen him,
• 34:06
  as thou wouldest have done unto thyself. The beginning of all temptations to
• 34:13
  evil is instability of temper and want of trust in God. For even as
• 34:20
  a ship without a helm is tossed about by the waves, so is a
• 34:23
  man who is careless and infirm of purpose, tempted now on this side,
• 34:30
  now on that. As fire testeth iron, so doth temptation the upright man.
• 34:38
  Oftentimes we know not what strength we have, but temptation revealeth to us
• 34:44
  what we are. Nevertheless, we must watch, especially in the beginnings of
• 34:51
  temptation, For then is the foe the more easily mastered, when he is
• 34:57
  not suffered to enter within the mind, but is met outside the door as
• 35:01
  soon as he hath knocked. Wherefore one saith check the beginnings. Once thou
• 35:08
  mightst have cured. But now tis past thy skill. Too long hath it
• 35:14
  endured. For first cometh to the mind the simple suggestion, then the strong
• 35:22
  imagination. Afterwards pleasure, evil, affection, assent, And so little by
• 35:30
  little the enemy entereth in altogether, because he was not resisted at the beginning.
• 35:37
  And the longer a man delayeth his resistance, the weaker he groweth,
• 35:42
  and the stronger groweth the enemy against him. Some men suffer their most grievous
• 35:50
  temptations in the beginning of their conversion, some at the end. Some are
• 35:57
  sorely tried their whole life. Long. Some there are who are tempted but
• 36:02
  lightly according to the wisdom and justice of the ordering of God, who knoweth
• 36:07
  the character and circumstances of men, and ordereth all things for the welfare of
• 36:14
  his elect Therefore, we ought not to despair when we are tempted, but
• 36:21
  the more fervently should cry unto God that he will vouchsafe to help us in
• 36:25
  all our tribulation, and that he will, as Saint Paul said, with
• 36:31
  the temptation, make a way to escape, that we may be able to
• 36:36
  bear it first Corinthians Cha ten, verse thirteen. Let us therefore humble ourselves
• 36:46
  under the mighty hand of God in all temptation and trouble, for He will
• 36:52
  save and exalt such as are of an humble spirit. In temptation and troubles.
• 37:00
  A man is proved what progress he hath made, and therein is his
• 37:06
  reward. The greater and his virtue doth the more appear. Nor is it
• 37:12
  a great thing if a man be devout and zealous, so long as he
• 37:15
  suffereth no affliction. But if he behave himself patiently in the time of adversity,
• 37:22
  then is their hope of great progress. Some are kept safe from great
• 37:29
  temptations, but are overtaken in those which are little and common, that the
• 37:35
  humiliation may teach them not to trust to themselves in great things, being weak
• 37:40
  in small things. Chapter fourteen, on avoiding rash judgment. Look well unto
• 37:53
  thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings of others. In judging
• 38:00
  others, a man laboreth in vain, he often erreth and easily faleth into
• 38:07
  sin. But in judging and examining himself, he always laboreth to good purpose.
• 38:16
  According as a matter, toucheth our fancy, So oftentimes do we judge
• 38:22
  of it. For easily do we fail of true judgment because of our own
• 38:27
  personal feeling. If God were always the sole object of our desire, we
• 38:32
  should the less easily be troubled by the erring judgment of our fancy. But
• 38:39
  often some secret thought lurking within us, or even some outward circumstance, turneth
• 38:46
  us aside. Many are secretly seeking their own ends in what they do yet
• 38:53
  know it not. They seem to live in good peace of mind so long
• 39:00
  as things go well with them and according to their desires. But if their
• 39:06
  desires be frustrated and broken, immediately they are shaken and displeased. Adversity of
• 39:14
  feelings and opinions very often brings about dissensions between friends, between countrymen, between
• 39:21
  religious and godly men. Established custom is not easily relinquished, and no man
• 39:30
  is very easily led to see with the eyes of another. If thou rest
• 39:36
  more upon thy own reason or experience than upon the power of Jesus Christ,
• 39:42
  thy light shall come slowly and hardly for God willeth us to be perfectly subject
• 39:49
  unto himself, and all our reason to be exalted by abundant love towards Him.
• 40:00
  Chapter fifteen of Works of Charity. For no worldly good whatsoever, and
• 40:09
  for the love of no man must anything be done which is evil, but
• 40:15
  for the help of the suffering. A good work must sometimes be postponed or
• 40:21
  be changed for a better For herein a good work is not destroyed, but
• 40:27
  improved. Without charity, no work profiteth, But whatsoever is done in charity,
• 40:36
  however small, and of no reputation, it be bringeth forth good fruit.
• 40:42
  For God verily considereth what a man is able to do, more than
• 40:46
  the greatness of what he doth. He doth much, who loveth much,
• 40:53
  he doth much, who doth well he doth well, who ministereth to the
• 40:59
  post public good rather than to his own. Oftentimes that seemeth to be charity,
• 41:07
  which is rather carnality, because it springeth from natural inclination self will,
• 41:15
  hope of repayment, desire of gain. He who hath true and perfect charity
• 41:22
  in no wise seeketh his own good, but desireth that God alone be altogether
• 41:29
  glorified. He envieth none because he longeth for no selfish joy. Nor doth
• 41:37
  he desire to rejoice in himself, but longeth to be blessed in God as
• 41:42
  the highest good. He ascribeth good to none, save to God only the
• 41:49
  fountain, whence all good proceedeth, and the end the peace, the joy
• 41:54
  of all saints. Oh, he who hath butter sie spark of true charity,
• 42:01
  hath verily learned that all worldly things are full of vanity. Chapter sixteen.
• 42:12
  Of bearing with the faults of others, those things which a man cannot
• 42:19
  amend in himself or in others, he ought patiently to bear until God shall
• 42:25
  otherwise ordain. Bethink thee that perhaps it is better for thy trial and patience,
• 42:34
  without which our merits are but little worth. Nevertheless, thou artest,
• 42:39
  when thou findest such impediments, to beseech God that he would vouchsafe to sustain
• 42:45
  thee, that thou be able to bear them with good will. If one
• 42:52
  who is once or twice admonished refuse to hearken, strive not with him,
• 42:59
  but commit all to God, that his will may be done, and his
• 43:04
  honor be shown in his servants. For he knoweth well how to convert the
• 43:08
  evil unto good. Endeavor to be patient in bearing with other men's faults and
• 43:15
  infirmities, whatsoever they be. For thou thyself also hast many things which have
• 43:22
  need to be borne with by others. If thou canst not make thine own
• 43:27
  self what thou desirest, how shalt thou be able to fashion another to thine
• 43:32
  own liking. We are ready to see others made perfect, and yet we
• 43:38
  do not amend our own shortcomings. We will that others be straightly corrected,
• 43:47
  but we will not be corrected ourselves. The freedom of others displeaseth us,
• 43:54
  but we are dissatisfied that our own wishes shall be denied us. We desire
• 44:01
  rules to be made restraining others, but by no means will we suffer ourselves
• 44:07
  to be restrained. Thus, therefore doth it plainly appear, how seldom we
• 44:15
  weigh our neighbour in the same balance with ourselves. If all men were perfect,
• 44:22
  what then should we have to suffer from others? For God? But
• 44:28
  now hath God thus ordained that we may learn to bear one another's burdens.
• 44:35
  Because none is without defect, none without a burden, none sufficient of himself,
• 44:43
  none wise enough of himself. But it behooveth us to bear with one
• 44:47
  another, to comfort one another, to help, instruct, admonish one another.
• 44:55
  How much strength each man hath is best proved by occasions of adversity,
• 45:02
  For such occasions do not make a man frail, but show of what temper
• 45:07
  he is Chapter seventeen of a Religious Life. It behooveth thee to learn to
• 45:19
  mortify thyself in many things. If thou wilt live in amity and concord with
• 45:25
  other men. It is no small thing to dwell in a religious community or
• 45:31
  congregation, and to live there without complaint, and therein to remain faithful even
• 45:37
  unto death. Blessed is he who hath lived a good life in such a
• 45:44
  body and brought it to a happy end. If thou wilt stand fast and
• 45:50
  wilt profit as thou artist hold thyself as an exile and a pilgrim upon the
• 45:55
  earth, thou wilt have to be counted as a fool for Christ. If
• 46:00
  thou wilt lead a religious life, the clothing and outward appearance are of small
• 46:08
  account. It is change of character and entire mortification of the affections which make
• 46:16
  a truly religious man. He who seeketh aught, save God and the health
• 46:22
  of his soul shall find only tribulation and sorrow. Nor can he stand long
• 46:30
  in peace who striveth not to be least of all and servant of all.
• 46:37
  Thou art called to endure and to labor, not to a life of ease
• 46:44
  and trifling talk. Here therefore are men tried as gold in the furnace.
• 46:52
  No man can stand unless with all his heart he will humble himself for God's
• 46:59
  sake. Chapter eighteen of the Example of the Holy Fathers. Consider now the
• 47:12
  lively examples of the Holy Fathers in whom shone forth real perfectness and religion.
• 47:20
  And thou shalt see how little, even as nothing is all that we do
• 47:25
  are. What is our life when compared to theirs, they saints and friends
• 47:31
  of Christ, as they were served the Lord in hunger and thirst, in
• 47:38
  cold and nakedness, in labour and weariness, in watchings and fastings, in
• 47:46
  prayer and holy meditations, in persecutions and much rebuke. Oh, how many
• 47:57
  and grievous tribulations did the apostle, martyrs, confessors, virgins endure, and
• 48:05
  all others who would walk in the footsteps of Christ. For they hated their
• 48:09
  souls in this world, that they might keep them unto life eternal. Oh,
• 48:16
  how strict and retired a life was that of the Holy Fathers who dwelt
• 48:22
  in the desert. What long and grievous temptations they did suffer? How often
• 48:28
  were they assaulted by the enemy. What frequent and fervid prayers did they offer
• 48:34
  unto God? What strict fasts did they endure? What fervent zeal and desire
• 48:40
  after spiritual profit did they manifest? How bravely did they fight that their vices
• 48:47
  might not gain the mastery? How entirely and steadfastly did they reach after God?
• 48:55
  By day they labored, and at night they gave themselves oft time tis
• 49:00
  unto prayer. Yea, even when they were laboring. They ceased not from
• 49:06
  mental prayer. They spent their whole time profitably. Every hour seemed short for
• 49:14
  retirement with God, and through the great sweetness of contemplation, even the need
• 49:21
  of bodily refreshment was forgotten. They renounced all riches, dignities, honors,
• 49:29
  friends, kinsmen. They desired nothing from the world. They ate the bare
• 49:35
  necessaries of life. They were unwilling to minister to the body, even in
• 49:40
  necessity. Thus they were poor in earthly things, but rich above measure in
• 49:47
  grace and virtue. Though poor to the outer eye, within they were filled
• 49:54
  with grace and heavenly benedictions. They were strangers to the world, but unto
• 50:02
  God they were as kinsmen and friends. They seemed unto themselves, as of
• 50:09
  no reputation, and in the world's eye contemptible. But in the sight of
• 50:15
  God they were precious and beloved. They stood fast in true humility, They
• 50:22
  lived in simple obedience. They walked in love and patience. And thus they
• 50:30
  waxed strong in spirit and obtained great favor before God. To all religious men,
• 50:37
  they were given as an example, and they ought more to provoke us
• 50:42
  into good livings than the number of the lukewarm tempteth to carelessness of life.
• 50:50
  Oh, how great was the love of all religious persons at the beginning of
• 50:54
  this sacred institution. Oh, what devoutness of prayer, What rivalry in holiness,
• 51:02
  What strict discipline was observed, What reverence and obedience under the rule of
• 51:08
  the Master showed they in all things? The traces of them that remain until
• 51:15
  now testify that they were truly holy and perfect men who fighting so bravely trod
• 51:23
  the world under foot. Now a man is counted great if only he be
• 51:30
  not a transgressor, and if he can only endure with patience what he hath
• 51:35
  undertaken. Oh, the coldness and negligence of our times that we so quickly
• 51:43
  decline from the former love, and it is become a weariness to live because
• 51:49
  of sloth and luke warmness. May progress in holiness not wholly fall asleep in
• 51:55
  thee who many times hast seen so many examples of devout men, Chapter nineteen
• 52:07
  of the Exercises of a Religious Man. The life of a Christian ought to
• 52:15
  be adorned with all virtues, that he may be inwardly what he outwardly appeareth
• 52:22
  unto men and verily it should be yet better within than without. For God
• 52:29
  is a discerner of our heart, whom we must reverence with all our hearts
• 52:34
  wheresoever we are, and walk pure in His presence, as do the angels.
• 52:40
  We ought daily to renew our vows and to kindle our hearts to zeal
• 52:46
  as if each day were the first day of our conversion, and to say,
• 52:52
  help me, O, God, in my great resolutions and in thy
• 52:57
  holy service, and grant that this day I may make a good beginning.
• 53:02
  For hitherto I have done nothing according to our resolution. So is the rate
• 53:10
  of our progress. And much diligence is needful for him who would make good
• 53:15
  progress. For if he who resolveth bravely oftentimes fallth short, how shall it
• 53:23
  be with him who resolveth rarely or feebly. But manifold causes bring about abandonment
• 53:30
  of our resolution. Yet a trivial omission of holy exercises can hardly be made
• 53:37
  without some loss to us. The resolution of the righteous dependeth more upon the
• 53:45
  grace of God than upon their own wisdom, For in Him they always put
• 53:51
  their trust whatsoever they take in hand. For man proposeth, but God disposeth
• 54:00
  and the way of a man is not in himself. Jeremiah, chapter ten,
• 54:07
  verse twenty three. If a holy exercise be sometimes omitted for the sake
• 54:14
  of some act of piety or of some brotherly kindness, it can easily be
• 54:20
  taken up afterwards. But if it be neglected through distaste or slothfulness, then
• 54:27
  it is sinful, and the mischief will be felt. Strive as earnestly as
• 54:34
  we may, we shall still fall short in many things. Always, should
• 54:39
  some distinct resolution be made by us, And most of all we must strive
• 54:45
  against those sins which most easily beset us. Both our outer and inner life
• 54:52
  should be straightly examined and ruled by us, because both have to do with
• 54:59
  our progress. If thou canst not be always examining thyself, thou canst at
• 55:07
  certain seasons, and at least twice in the day, at evening and at
• 55:12
  morning. In the morning, make thy resolves, and in the evening inquire
• 55:19
  into thy life how thou hast sped today in word, deed and thought.
• 55:25
  For in these ways thou hast often perchance offended God and thy neighbour. Gird
• 55:34
  up thy loins like a man against the assaults of the devil. Bridle thine
• 55:38
  appetite, and thou wilt soon be able to bridle every inclination of the flesh.
• 55:45
  Be thou never without something to do, be reading or writing, or
• 55:51
  praying, or meditating, or doing something that is useful to the community.
• 55:58
  Bodily exercises, however, must be undertaken with discretion, nor are they to
• 56:04
  be used by all alike. The duties which are not common to all must
• 56:12
  not be done openly, but are safest carried on in secret. But take
• 56:17
  heed that thou be not careless in the common duties, and more devout in
• 56:22
  the secret, but faithfully and honestly discharge the duties and commands which lie upon
• 56:30
  thee. Then afterwards, if thou hast still leisure, give thyself to thyself,
• 56:36
  as thy devotion leadeth thee. All cannot have one exercise, but one
• 56:43
  suiteth better to this man, and another to that. Even for the diversity
• 56:50
  of season, different exercises are needed. Some suit better for feasts, some
• 56:55
  for fasts. We need one kind in time of temptations, and others in
• 57:02
  time of peace and quietness. Some are suitable to our times of sadness,
• 57:09
  and others when we are joyful in the Lord. When we draw near the
• 57:15
  time of the great feasts, good exercises should be renewed, and the prayers
• 57:22
  of holy men more fervently besought. We ought to make our resolutions from one
• 57:29
  feast to another, as if each were the period of our departure from this
• 57:34
  world and of entering into the eternal feast. So ought we to prepare ourselves
• 57:40
  earnestly at solemn seasons, and the more solemnly to live and to keep straightest
• 57:47
  watch upon each holy observance, as though we were soon to receive the reward
• 57:52
  of our labors at the hand of God. And if this be deferred,
• 57:59
  let us be leave ourselves to be as yet ill prepared and unworthy as yet
• 58:04
  of the glory which shall be revealed in us at the appointed season, and
• 58:09
  let us study to prepare ourselves the better for our end. Blessed is that
• 58:15
  servant as the evangelist Luke hath it, whom when the Lord cometh he shall
• 58:22
  find watching. Verily, I say unto you, he will make him ruler
• 58:28
  over all that he hath Luke Chapter twelve, Verses forty three and forty four.
• 58:40
  Chapter twenty of The Love of solitude and silence. Seek a suitable time
• 58:51
  for thy meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of God. To thee
• 58:58
  leave curious questions, study such matters as bring thee sorrow for sin rather than
• 59:05
  amusement. If thou withdraw thyself from trifling conversation and idle goings about, as
• 59:13
  well as from novelties and gossip, thou shalt find thy time sufficient and apt
• 59:19
  for good meditation. The greatest saints used to avoid as far as they could,
• 59:25
  the company of men, and chose to live in secret with God.
• 59:31
  One hath said, as oft as I have gone among men, so oft
• 59:37
  have I returned less a man. This is what we often experience when we
• 59:43
  have been long time in conversation. For it is easier to be altogether silent
• 59:49
  than it is not to exceed in word. It is easier to remain hidden
• 59:53
  at home than to keep sufficient guard upon thyself out of doors. He therefore,
• 1:00:01
  that seeketh to reach that which is hidden and spiritual, must go with
• 1:00:07
  Jesus apart from the multitude. No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not to
• 1:00:14
  rest at home. No man safely talketh, but he who loveth to hold
• 1:00:21
  his peace. No man safely ruleth but he who loveth to be subject.
• 1:00:28
  No man safely commandeth, but he who loveth to obey. No man safely
• 1:00:35
  rejoiceth, but he who hath the testimony of a good conscience within himself.
• 1:00:42
  The baldness of the saints was always full of the fear of God. Nor
• 1:00:47
  were they the less earnest and humble in themselves, because they shone forth with
• 1:00:52
  great virtues and grace. But the boldness of wicked men springeth from pride and
• 1:01:00
  presumption, and at the last turneth to their own confusion. Never promise thyself
• 1:01:07
  security in this life, howsoever good a monk, or devout a solitary thou
• 1:01:15
  seemest. Often those who stand highest in the esteem of men fall the more
• 1:01:22
  grievously because of their over great confidence. Wherefore it is very profitable unto many
• 1:01:30
  that they should not be without inward temptation, but should be frequently assaulted lest
• 1:01:37
  they be over confident, lest they be indeed lifted up into pride, or
• 1:01:44
  else lean too freely upon the consolations of the world. Oh, how good
• 1:01:50
  a conscience should that man keep who never sought a joy that passeth away,
• 1:01:55
  who never became entangled with the world. Oh, how great peace and quiet
• 1:02:01
  should he possess, who would cast off all vain care and think only of
• 1:02:07
  healthful and divine things, and build his whole hope upon God. No man
• 1:02:17
  is worthy of heavenly consolation, but he who hath diligently exercised himself in holy
• 1:02:24
  compunction. If thou wilt feel compunction within thy heart, enter into thy chamber
• 1:02:32
  and shut out the tumults of the world. As it is written, commune
• 1:02:37
  with your own heart in your own chamber, and be still Psalm four,
• 1:02:44
  verse four. In retirement, thou shalt find what often thou wilt lose abroad.
• 1:02:52
  Retirement, if thou continue therein groweth sweet. But if thou keep not
• 1:02:58
  in it, begett it weariness. If in the beginning of thy conversion thou
• 1:03:05
  dwell in it and keep it well, it shall afterwards be to thee a
• 1:03:08
  dear friend and a most pleasant solace. In silence and quiet, the devout
• 1:03:17
  soul goeth forward and learneth the hidden things of the scriptures. Therein findeth she
• 1:03:25
  a fountain of tears, wherein to wash and cleanse herself each night, that
• 1:03:30
  she may grow the more dear to her maker, as she dwelleth the further
• 1:03:36
  from all worldly distraction. To him who withdraweth himself from his acquaintance and friends,
• 1:03:44
  God with his holy angels, will draw nigh. It is better to
• 1:03:47
  be unknown and take heed to unself, than to neglect oneself and work wonders.
• 1:03:57
  It is praiseworthy for a religious man to go seldom abroad, to fly
• 1:04:02
  from being seen, to have no desire to see men. Why wouldst thou
• 1:04:11
  see what thou mayest not have? The world passeth away, and the lust
• 1:04:18
  thereof the desires of sensuality draw thee abroad. But when an hour is past,
• 1:04:26
  what dost thou bring home? But await upon thy conscience and distraction of
• 1:04:31
  heart. A merry going forth bringeth often a sorrowful return, and a merry
• 1:04:39
  evening maketh a sad morning. So doth all carnal joy begin pleasantly, But
• 1:04:46
  in the end it gnawreth away and destroyeth. What canst thou see abroad which
• 1:04:54
  thou seest not at home? Behold the heaven and the earth and the alle
• 1:05:00
  elements, For out of these are all things made. What canst thou see
• 1:05:08
  anywhere which can continue long under the sun. Thou believest perchance that thou shalt
• 1:05:15
  be satisfied, But thou wilt never be able to attain unto this. If
• 1:05:19
  thou shouldst see all things before THEE at once, what would it be but
• 1:05:25
  a vain vision. Lift up thine eyes to God on High, and pray
• 1:05:30
  that thy sins and negligences may be forgiven. Leave vain things to vain men,
• 1:05:39
  and mind thou the things which God hath commanded THEE. Shut thy door
• 1:05:45
  upon THEE, and call unto thyself Jesus thy beloved. Remain with him in
• 1:05:51
  thy chamber, for thou shalt not elsewhere find so great peace. If thou
• 1:05:59
  hadst not God forth nor listened to vain talk, thou hadst better kept thyself
• 1:06:04
  in good peace. But because it sometimes delighteth THEE to hear new things,
• 1:06:12
  Thou must therefore suffer trouble of heart. End of Chapter twenty Chapter twenty one
• 1:06:23
  of Compunction of Heart. If thou wilt make any progress, keep thyself in
• 1:06:30
  the fear of God and long not to be too free. But restrain all
• 1:06:36
  thy senses under discipline, and give not thyself up to senseless mirth. Give
• 1:06:45
  thyself to compunction of heart, and thou shalt find devotion. Compunction openeth the
• 1:06:53
  way for many good things, which dissoluteness is wont quickly to lose. It
• 1:07:00
  is wonderful that any man can ever rejoice heartily in this life, who considereth
• 1:07:06
  and waiteth his banishment and the manifold dangers which beset his soul. Through lightness
• 1:07:15
  of heart and neglect of our shortcomings, we feel not the sorrows of our
• 1:07:20
  soul, but often vainly laugh when we have good cause to weep. There
• 1:07:28
  is no true liberty nor real joy, save in the fear of God.
• 1:07:32
  With a good conscience. Happy is he who can cast away every cause of
• 1:07:39
  distraction and bring himself to the one purpose of holy compunction. Happy is he
• 1:07:47
  who putteth away from him whatsoever may stain or burden his conscience. Strive manfully.
• 1:07:57
  Custom is overcome by custom. If thou knowest how to let men alone,
• 1:08:02
  they will gladly let thee alone to do thine own works. Busy not
• 1:08:10
  thyself with the affairs of others, nor entangle thyself with the business of great
• 1:08:15
  men. Keep always thine eye upon thyself first of all, and give advice
• 1:08:21
  to thyself, specially before all thy dearest friends. If thou hast not the
• 1:08:29
  favor of men, be not thereby cast down. But let thy concern be
• 1:08:34
  that thou holdest not thyself so well and circumspectly as becometh a servant of God
• 1:08:41
  and a devout monk. It is often better and safer for a man not
• 1:08:47
  to have many comforts in this life, especially those which concern the flesh.
• 1:08:55
  But that we lack divine comforts or feel them rarely is to our own blame,
• 1:09:00
  because we seek not compunction of heart, nor utterly cast away those comforts
• 1:09:05
  which are vain and worldly. Know thyself to be unworthy of divine consolation,
• 1:09:15
  and worthy rather of much tribulation. When a man hath perfect compunction, then
• 1:09:23
  all the world is burdensome and bitter to him. A good man will find
• 1:09:29
  sufficient cause for mourning and weeping. For whether he considereth himself or pondereth concerning
• 1:09:35
  his neighbour, he knoweth that no man liveth here without tribulation. And the
• 1:09:42
  more thoroughly he considereth himself, the more thoroughly he grieveth. Grounds for just
• 1:09:49
  grief and inward compunction there are in our sins and vices, wherein we lie
• 1:09:57
  so entangled that we are but seldom them able to contemplate heavenly things. If
• 1:10:04
  thou thoughtest upon thy death more often than how long thy life should be,
• 1:10:11
  thou wouldest doubtless strive more earnestly to improve. And if thou didst seriously consider
• 1:10:17
  the future pains of hell, I believe thou wouldest willingly endure toil or pain,
• 1:10:25
  and fear not discipline. But because these things reach not the heart,
• 1:10:30
  and we still love pleasant things, therefore we remain cold and miserably indifferent.
• 1:10:40
  Oftentimes it is from poverty of spirit that the wretched body is so easily led
• 1:10:45
  to complain. Pray therefore humbly unto the Lord, that he will give thee
• 1:10:53
  the spirit of compunction, and say, in the language of the Prophet,
• 1:10:57
  feed me o Lord with bread of tears, and give me plenteousness of tears
• 1:11:02
  to drink. Psalm seventy five, verse five, Chapter twenty two, on
• 1:11:13
  the contemplation of human misery. Thou art miserable, wheresoever thou art, and
• 1:11:20
  whithersoever thou turnest, unless thou turn thee to God. Why art thou disquieted,
• 1:11:30
  because it happeneth not to thee according to thy wishes and desires. Who
• 1:11:36
  is he that hath everything according to His will? Neither I, nor thou,
• 1:11:43
  nor any man upon the earth. There is no man in the world
• 1:11:47
  free from trouble or anguish, though he were king or pope. Who is
• 1:11:55
  he who hath the happiest lot? Even he who is strong to suffer somewhat
• 1:12:00
  for God? There are many foolish and unstable men who say, see what
• 1:12:09
  a prosperous life that man hath, how rich and how great he is,
• 1:12:14
  how powerful, how exalted. But lift up thine eyes to the good things
• 1:12:19
  of heaven, and thou shalt see that all these worldly things are nothing.
• 1:12:26
  They are utterly uncertain. Yes, they are for wearisome, because they are
• 1:12:31
  never possessed without care and fear. The happiness of man lieth not in the
• 1:12:39
  abundance of temporal things, but a moderate portion sufficeth him hour. A life
• 1:12:45
  upon the earth is verily wretchedness. The more a man desireth to be spiritual,
• 1:12:51
  the more bitter doth the present life become to him. Because he the
• 1:12:57
  better understandeth and seeth the defects of human corruption. For to eat, to
• 1:13:03
  drink, to watch, to sleep, to rest, to labour, and
• 1:13:09
  to be subject to the other necessities of nature is truly a great wretchedness and
• 1:13:15
  affliction to a devout man, who would fain be released and free from all
• 1:13:20
  sin. For the inner man is heavily burdened with the necessities of the body
• 1:13:28
  in this world. Wherefore the prophet devoutly prayeth to be freed from them,
• 1:13:34
  saying, deliver me from my necessities, O Lord, Psalm twenty five,
• 1:13:41
  verse seventeen. But woe to those who know not their own misery, And
• 1:13:47
  yet greater woe to those who love this miserable and corruptible life. For to
• 1:13:54
  such a degreed is ucling to it, even though by laboring or begging they
• 1:14:00
  scarce procure what is necessary for subsistence, that if they might live here always,
• 1:14:05
  they would care nothing for the Kingdom of God. O foolish and faithless
• 1:14:13
  of heart, who lie buried so deep in worldly things that they relish nothing
• 1:14:18
  save the things of the flesh, miserable ones, they will too, sadly
• 1:14:25
  find out at last how vile and worthless was that which they loved. The
• 1:14:30
  saints of God and all loyal friends of Christ held as nothing the things which
• 1:14:36
  pleased the flesh, or those which flourish in this life. But their whole
• 1:14:42
  hope and affection aspired to the things which are above. Their whole desire was
• 1:14:48
  borne upwards to everlasting and invisible things, lest they should be drawn downwards by
• 1:14:56
  the love of things visible. Lose not brother, thy loyal desire of progress
• 1:15:03
  to things spiritual. There is yet time. The hour is not past.
• 1:15:12
  Why wilt thou put off thy resolution? Arise, begin this very moment and
• 1:15:18
  say, now is the time to do? Now is the time to fight.
• 1:15:24
  Now is the proper time for amendment. When thou art ill at ease
• 1:15:30
  and troubled, then is the time when thou art nearest unto blessing. Thou
• 1:15:36
  must go through fire and water, that God may bring thee into a wealthy
• 1:15:41
  place. Unless thou put force upon thyself, thou wilt not conquer thy faults.
• 1:15:48
  So long as we carry about with us this frail body, we cannot
• 1:15:54
  be without sin. We cannot live without weariness and trouble. Gladly would we
• 1:16:00
  have rest from all misery. But because through sin we have lost innocence,
• 1:16:06
  we have lost also the true happiness. Therefore, must we be patient and
• 1:16:14
  wait for the mercy of God, until this tyranny be overpast, and this
• 1:16:19
  mortality be swallowed up of life. Oh, how great is the frailty of
• 1:16:26
  man which is ever prone to evil. To day thou confessest thy sins,
• 1:16:32
  and to morrow thou committest to gain the sins thou didst confess. Now dost
• 1:16:40
  thou resolve to avoid a fault, and within an hour thou behavest thyself as
• 1:16:45
  if thou hadst never resolved at all? Good cause have we therefore to humble
• 1:16:51
  ourselves and never to think highly of ourselves, seeing that we are so frail
• 1:16:59
  and unstay, and quickly may that be lost by our negligence, which by
• 1:17:04
  much labor was hardly attained through grace. What shall become of us at the
• 1:17:13
  end, if at the beginning we are lukewarm and idle. Woe unto us
• 1:17:18
  if we choose to rest as though it were a time of peace and security,
• 1:17:25
  while as yet no sign appear within our life of true holiness. Rather,
• 1:17:30
  had we need that we might begin yet afresh, like good novices,
• 1:17:35
  to be instructed unto good living, If haply there might be hope of some
• 1:17:41
  future amendment and greater spiritual increase Chapter twenty three of Meditation. Upon death,
• 1:17:56
  very quickly will there be an end of THEE? Here take heed, therefore,
• 1:18:01
  how it will be with THEE in another world? To day man is,
• 1:18:08
  and to morrow he will be seen no more, and being removed out
• 1:18:13
  of sight quickly? Also is he out of mind? O the dulness and
• 1:18:18
  hardness of man's heart, which thinketh only of the present and looketh not forward
• 1:18:25
  to the future. Thou oughtest in every deed, and thought so to order
• 1:18:30
  thyself, as if thou wert to die this day, if thou hadst a
• 1:18:36
  good conscience, thou wouldst not greatly fear death. It were better for THEE
• 1:18:43
  to watch against sin than to fly from death. If to day thou art
• 1:18:48
  not ready, how shalt thou be ready to morrow? To morrow is an
• 1:18:54
  uncertain day? And how knowest thou that thou shalt have her to morrow?
• 1:19:00
  What doth it profit to live long? When we amend so little? Ah,
• 1:19:08
  long life doth not always amend, but often the more increaseth guilt.
• 1:19:15
  Oh, that we might spend a single day in this world as it ought
• 1:19:18
  to be spent many there are who reckon the years since they were converted,
• 1:19:26
  And yet oftentimes how little is the fruit thereof. If it is a fearful
• 1:19:31
  thing to die, it may be perchance a yet more fearful thing to live
• 1:19:36
  long. Happy is the man who hath the hour of his death always before
• 1:19:43
  his eyes, and daily prepareth himself to die. If thou hast ever seen
• 1:19:48
  one die, consider that thou also shalt pass away by the same road when
• 1:19:57
  it is morning. Reflect that it may be be that thou shalt not see
• 1:20:00
  the evening, and at eventide, dare not to boast thyself of the morrow.
• 1:20:09
  Always be thou prepared and so live, that death may never find thee
• 1:20:14
  unprepared. Many die suddenly and unexpectedly, For at such an hour as ye
• 1:20:21
  think not the son of man cometh Matthew twenty four, verse forty four.
• 1:20:30
  When that last hour shall come, thou wilt begin to think very differently of
• 1:20:34
  thy whole life past, and wilt mourn bitterly that thou hast been so negligent
• 1:20:41
  and slothful. Happy and wise is he who now striveth to be such in
• 1:20:47
  life as he would fain be found in death. For a perfect contempt of
• 1:20:54
  the world, a fervent desire to excel in virtue, the love of death,
• 1:21:00
  discipline, the painfulness of repentance, readiness to obey, denial of self,
• 1:21:08
  submission to any adversity, for love of Christ. These are the things
• 1:21:13
  which shall give great confidence of a happy death. Whilst thou art in health,
• 1:21:19
  thou hast many opportunities of good works. But when thou art in sickness,
• 1:21:26
  I know not how much thou wilt be able to do. Few are
• 1:21:30
  made better by infirmity, even as they who wander much abroad seldom become holy.
• 1:21:40
  Trust not thy friends and kinsfolk, nor put off the work of thy
• 1:21:45
  salvation to the future, For men will forget THEE sooner than thou thinkest.
• 1:21:51
  It is better for THEE now to provide in time, and to send some
• 1:21:57
  good before THEE, than to trust to the help of others. If thou
• 1:22:02
  art not anxious for thyself now, who thinkest thou will be anxious for THEE
• 1:22:10
  afterwards. Now the time is most precious. Now is the accepted time.
• 1:22:17
  Now is the day of salvation. But alas that thou spendest not well this
• 1:22:24
  time, wherein thou mightest lay up treasure which should profit thee everlastingly. The
• 1:22:30
  hour will come when thou shalt desire one day, yea one hour for amendment
• 1:22:35
  of life. And I know not whether thou shalt obtain O dearly beloved from
• 1:22:45
  What danger thou mightest free thyself from what great fear? If only thou wouldst
• 1:22:51
  always live in fear and in expectation of death. Strive now to live in
• 1:22:59
  such ways that in the hour of death thou mayest rather rejoice than fear.
• 1:23:05
  Learn now to die to the world. So shalt thou begin to live with
• 1:23:11
  Christ. Learn now to condemn all earthly things. And then mayst thou freely
• 1:23:17
  go unto Christ, keep under thy body by penitence. And then shalt thou
• 1:23:25
  be able to have a sure confidence? Ah foolish one, Why thinkest thou
• 1:23:31
  that thou shalt live long when thou art not sure of a single day?
• 1:23:38
  How many have been deceived and suddenly have been snatched away from the body.
• 1:23:45
  How many times hast thou heard how one was slain by the sword, another
• 1:23:49
  was drowned, another, falling from on high, broke his neck. Another
• 1:23:55
  died at the table, another whilst at play, died by fire, another
• 1:24:00
  by the sword, another by the pestilence, another by the robber. Thus
• 1:24:06
  cometh death to all, and the life of men swiftly passeth away like a
• 1:24:13
  shadow, who will remember THEE after thy death, and who will entreat for
• 1:24:20
  THEE. Work work now, o, dearly beloved, Work all that thou
• 1:24:27
  canst. For thou knowest not when thou shalt die, nor what shall happen
• 1:24:31
  unto THEE after death. While thou hast time lay up for thyself undying riches,
• 1:24:41
  think of naught but of thy salvation. Care only for the things of
• 1:24:45
  God. Make to thyself friends, by venerating the saints of God and walking
• 1:24:53
  in their steps, that when thou failest, thou mayst be received unto ever
• 1:25:00
  lasting habitations Luke sixteen, verse nine. Keep thyself as a stranger and a
• 1:25:11
  pilgrim upon the earth, to whom the things of the world appertain. Not
• 1:25:16
  keep thine heart free and lift it up towards God. From here have we
• 1:25:23
  no continuing city Hebrews thirteen, verse fourteen. To him, Direct thy daily
• 1:25:33
  prayers with crying and tears, that thy spirit may be found worthy to pass
• 1:25:40
  happily after death unto its lord. Amen. Chapter twenty four of the judgment
• 1:25:51
  and punishment of the wicked. In all that thou doest remember the end,
• 1:25:59
  And how thou wilt stand before a strict judge, from whom nothing is hid,
• 1:26:04
  who is not bribed with gifts, nor accepteth excuses, but will judge
• 1:26:10
  righteous judgment. O most miserable and foolish sinner, who art sometimes in fear
• 1:26:16
  of the countenance of an angry man. What wilt thou answer to God,
• 1:26:23
  who knoweth all thy misdeeds? Why dost thou not provide for thyself against the
• 1:26:29
  day of judgment? When no man shall be able to be excused or defended
• 1:26:34
  by means of another, but each one shall bear his burden himself alone.
• 1:26:42
  Now doth thy labor bring forth fruit? Now is thy weeping acceptable, thy
• 1:26:47
  groaning heard, thy sorrow well pleasing to God, and cleansing to thy soul.
• 1:26:58
  Even here on earth, the patient man findeth great occasion of purifying his
• 1:27:02
  soul. When suffering injuries. He grieveth more for the other's malice than for
• 1:27:10
  his own wrong. When he prayeth heartily for those that despitefully use him,
• 1:27:15
  and forgiveth them from his heart. When he is not slow to ask pardon
• 1:27:20
  from others, when he is swifter to pity than to anger, when he
• 1:27:27
  frequently denieth himself, and striveth altogether to subdue the flesh to the spirit.
• 1:27:34
  Better is it now to purify the soul from sin than to cling to sins
• 1:27:41
  from which we must be purged? Hereafter, truly we deceive ourselves by the
• 1:27:47
  inordinate love which we bear towards the flesh. What is it which that fire
• 1:27:55
  shall devour save thy sins. More thou spareest thyself and followest the flesh,
• 1:28:03
  the more heavy shall thy punishment be, And the more fuel art thou heaping
• 1:28:09
  up for the burning. For wherein a man hath sinned, therein shall he
• 1:28:15
  be the more heavily punished. There Shall the slothful be pricked forward with burning
• 1:28:20
  goads, and the gluttons be tormented with intolerable hunger and thirst. There Shall
• 1:28:29
  the luxurious and the lovers of pleasure be plunged into burning pitch and stinking brimstone.
• 1:28:35
  And the envious shall howl like mad dogs for very grief. No sin
• 1:28:43
  will there be which shall not be visited with its own proper punishment. The
• 1:28:48
  proud shall be filled with utter confusion, and the covetous shall be pinched with
• 1:28:55
  miserable poverty and hour's pain. There shall be more grievous than a hundred years.
• 1:29:01
  Here of the bitterest penitence. No quiet shall be there, no comfort
• 1:29:09
  for the lost, though here sometimes there is respite from pain and enjoyment of
• 1:29:15
  the solace of friends. Be thou anxious now and sorrowful for thy sins,
• 1:29:21
  that in the day of judgment, thou mayest have boldness with the blest.
• 1:29:27
  For then shall the righteous man stand in great baldness before the face of such
• 1:29:32
  as have afflicted him and made no account of his labors Wisdom five verse one.
• 1:29:42
  Then shall he stand up to judge he who now submitteth himself in humility
• 1:29:47
  to the judgments of men. Then shall the poor and humble man have great
• 1:29:54
  confidence, while the proud is taken with fear on every side. Then shall
• 1:30:01
  it be seen that he was the wise man in this world who learned to
• 1:30:06
  be a fool and despised for Christ. Then shall all tribulation patiently born delight
• 1:30:15
  us, while the mouth of the ungodly shall be stopped. Then shall every
• 1:30:21
  godly man rejoice, and every profane man shall mourn. Then the afflicted flesh
• 1:30:30
  shall more rejoice than if it had been always nourished in delights. Then the
• 1:30:35
  humble garment shall put on beauty, and the precious robe shall hide itself as
• 1:30:42
  vile. Then the little poor cottage shall be more commended than the gilded palace.
• 1:30:48
  Then enduring patience shall have more might than all the power of the world.
• 1:30:56
  Then simple obedience shall be more highly exhorted than all worldly wisdom. Then
• 1:31:06
  a pure and good conscience shall more rejoice than learned philosophy. Then contempt of
• 1:31:15
  riches shall have more weight than all the treasure of the children of this world.
• 1:31:20
  Then shalt thou find more comfort in having prayed devoutly than in having fared
• 1:31:27
  sumptuously. Then thou wilt rather rejoice in having kept silence than in having made
• 1:31:34
  long speech. Then holy deeds shall be far stronger than many fine words.
• 1:31:42
  Then a strict life, and sincere penitence shall bring deeper pleasure than all earthly
• 1:31:49
  delight, Learn now to suffer a little, that then thou mayest be enabled
• 1:31:57
  to escape heavier sufferings. Prove first here what thou art able to endure Hereafter,
• 1:32:05
  if now thou art able to bear so little, How wilt thou be
• 1:32:11
  able to endure eternal torments? If now a little suffering maketh THEE so impatient,
• 1:32:18
  what shall hell fire do? Then? Behold of a surety Thou art
• 1:32:25
  not able to have two paradises, to take thy fill or delight here in
• 1:32:30
  this world, and to reign with Christ hereafter. If even unto this day
• 1:32:39
  thou hadst ever lived in honors and pleasures, what would the whole profit THEE?
• 1:32:44
  If now death came to THEE in an instant? All therefore is vanity,
• 1:32:51
  save to love God and to serve Him. Only. For he who
• 1:32:57
  loveth God with all his heart feareth not death, nor punishment, nor judgment,
• 1:33:03
  nor hell. Because perfect love giveth sure access to God. But he
• 1:33:11
  who still delighteth in sin no marvel if he is afraid of death and judgment.
• 1:33:17
  Nevertheless, it is a good thing. If love as yet cannot restrain
• 1:33:23
  THEE from evil, that at least the fear of hell should hold THEE back.
• 1:33:29
  But he who putteth aside the fear of God cannot long continue in good,
• 1:33:33
  but shall quickly fall into the snares of the devil. Chapter twenty five
• 1:33:44
  of the Zealous Amendment of our whole life. Be thou watchful and diligent in
• 1:33:53
  God's service, and bethink thee often why thou hast renounced the world. Was
• 1:34:00
  it not that thou mightest live to God and become a spiritual man. Be
• 1:34:05
  zealous therefore for thy spiritual prophet. For thou shalt receive shortly the reward of
• 1:34:13
  thy labors, and neither fear nor sorrow shall come any more into thy borders.
• 1:34:20
  Now shalt thou labor a little, and thou shalt find great rest yea
• 1:34:27
  everlasting joy. If thou shalt remain faithful and zealous in labor. Doubt not
• 1:34:33
  that God shall be faithful and bountiful in rewarding thee. It is thy duty
• 1:34:41
  to have a good hope that thou wilt attain the victory. But thou must
• 1:34:45
  not fall into security, lest thou become slothful or lifted up. A certain
• 1:34:54
  man, being in anxiety of mind, continually tossed about between hope and fear,
• 1:35:01
  and being on a certain day overwhelmed with grief, cast himself down in
• 1:35:06
  prayer before the altar in a church and meditated within himself, saying, Oh,
• 1:35:13
  if I but knew that I should still persevere, and presently heard within
• 1:35:18
  him a voice from God. And if thou didst know it, what wouldst
• 1:35:25
  thou do? Do now? What thou wouldst do then? And thou shalt
• 1:35:30
  be very secure and straightway? Being comforted and strengthened, he committed himself to
• 1:35:38
  the will of God, and the perturbation of spirit ceased. Neither had he
• 1:35:44
  a mind any more to search curiously to know what should befall him hereafter,
• 1:35:49
  but studied rather to inquire what was the good and acceptable will of God for
• 1:35:56
  the beginning and perfecting of every good work. Hope in the Lord, and
• 1:36:03
  be doing good Saith the prophet. Dwell in the land, and thou shalt
• 1:36:09
  be fed with its riches Psalm thirty seven, verse three. One thing there
• 1:36:15
  is which holdeth back many from progress and fervent amendment, even the dread of
• 1:36:23
  difficulty or the labor of the conflict. Nevertheless, they advance above all others
• 1:36:30
  in virtue, who strive manfully to conquer those things which are most grievous and
• 1:36:35
  contrary to them. For there a man profiteth most and meriteth great grace.
• 1:36:43
  Where he most overcometh himself and mortifieth himself in spirit. But all men have
• 1:36:50
  not the same passions to conquer and to mortify. Yet he who is diligent
• 1:36:57
  shall attain more profit, although he have stronger passions than another, who is
• 1:37:03
  more temperate of disposition, but is withal less fervent in the pursuit of virtue.
• 1:37:11
  Two things especially avail unto improvement in holiness, namely, firmness to withdraw
• 1:37:17
  ourselves from the sin to which by nature we are most inclined, and earnest
• 1:37:25
  zeal for that good in which we are most lacking, And strive also very
• 1:37:30
  earnestly to guard against and subdue those faults which displease THEE. Most frequently in
• 1:37:38
  others gather some profit to thy soul. Wherever thou art, and wherever thou
• 1:37:45
  seest or hearest good examples, stir thyself to follow them. But where thou
• 1:37:53
  seest anything which is blameworthy, take heed that thou do not the same,
• 1:37:59
  Or, if at any any time thou hast done it, strive quickly to
• 1:38:02
  amend thyself. As thine eye observeth others. So again are the eyes of
• 1:38:10
  others upon THEE. How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly
• 1:38:16
  brethren, temperate and of good discipline. And how sad is it and grievous
• 1:38:23
  to see them walking disorderly, not practicing the duties to which they are called.
• 1:38:30
  How hurtful a thing it is to neglect the purpose of their calling and
• 1:38:35
  turn their inclinations to things which are none of their business. Be mindful of
• 1:38:45
  the duties which thou hast undertaken, and set always before thee. The remembrance
• 1:38:50
  of the Crucified truly aughtest thou to be ashamed as thou lookest upon the life
• 1:38:58
  of Jesus Christ, because thou hast not yet endeavored to conform thyself more unto
• 1:39:03
  him, though thou hast been a long time in the way of God.
• 1:39:10
  A religious man who exercises himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and
• 1:39:16
  passion of our Lord shall find there abundantly all things that are profitable and necessary
• 1:39:25
  for him. Neither is there need that he shall seek anything better beyond Jesus.
• 1:39:31
  O. If Jesus Crucified would come into our hearts, how quickly and
• 1:39:39
  completely should we have learned all that we need to know. He who is
• 1:39:45
  earnest receiveth and beareth well all things that are laid upon him. He who
• 1:39:53
  is careless and lukewarm hath trouble upon trouble, and suffereth anguish upon every side,
• 1:40:00
  because he is without inward consolation, and is forbidden to seek that which
• 1:40:06
  is outward. He who is living without discipline is exposed to grievous ruin.
• 1:40:15
  He who seeketh easier and lighter discipline shall always be in distress, because one
• 1:40:23
  thing or another will give him displeasure. Oh, if no other duty lay
• 1:40:30
  upon us but to praise the Lord our God with our whole heart and voice.
• 1:40:35
  Oh, if thou never hadst need to eat, or drink or sleep,
• 1:40:41
  but were always able to praise God and to give thyself to spiritual exercises
• 1:40:46
  alone, Then shouldst thou be far happier than now, when for so many
• 1:40:54
  necessities thou must serve the flesh. Oh, that these necessity tis were not
• 1:41:00
  but only the spiritual refreshments of the soul, which alas we taste too.
• 1:41:06
  Seldom, when a man hath come to this, that he seeketh comfort from
• 1:41:15
  no created thing, then doth he perfectly begin to enjoy God. Then also
• 1:41:23
  will he be well contented with whatsoever shall happen unto him, Then will he
• 1:41:30
  neither rejoice for much, nor be sorrowful for little. But he committeth himself
• 1:41:35
  altogether and with full trust into God, who is all in all to Him,
• 1:41:43
  to whom nothing perisheth nor dieth, but all things live to him,
• 1:41:48
  and obey his every word without delay. Remember always thine end, and how
• 1:41:56
  the time which is lost returneth not. Without care and diligence, Thou shalt
• 1:42:03
  never get virtue. If thou beginnest to grow cold, it shall begin to
• 1:42:10
  go ill with thee. But if thou givest thyself unto zeal, thou shalt
• 1:42:15
  find much peace, and shalt find thy labor the lighter. Because of the
• 1:42:20
  grace of God and the love of virtue, a zealous and diligent man is
• 1:42:29
  ready for all things. It is greater labor to resist sins and passions than
• 1:42:34
  to toil in bodily labors. He who shonneth not small faults, faleth little
• 1:42:43
  by little into greater. At eventide, thou shalt always be glad. If
• 1:42:48
  thou spends the day profitably, watch over thyself, stir thyself up, admonish
• 1:42:57
  thyself, And howsoever it be with others, neglect not thyself. The more
• 1:43:04
  violence thou dost unto thyself, the more thou shalt profit. Amen. End
• 1:43:15
  of the First Book. The second Book Admonitions concerning thee Inner Life. Chapter
• 1:43:24
  one of the Inward Life. The Kingdom of God is within you, saith
• 1:43:32
  the Lord, Luke seventeen, verse twenty one. Turn THEE with all thine
• 1:43:41
  heart to the Lord, and forsake this miserable world, And thou shalt find
• 1:43:46
  rest unto thy soul. Learn to despise outward things, and to give thyself
• 1:43:53
  to things inward, and thou shalt see the Kingdom of God come within THEE.
• 1:44:00
  For the Kingdom of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost,
• 1:44:04
  and it is not given to the wicked. Christ will come to THEE and
• 1:44:10
  show THEE his consolation. If thou prepare a worthy mansion for him within THEE.
• 1:44:17
  All his glory and beauty is from within, and there it pleaseth him
• 1:44:23
  to dwell. He often visiteth the inward Man and holdeth with him sweet discourse,
• 1:44:30
  giving him soothing, consolation, much peace, friendship exceeding wonderful. Go
• 1:44:41
  to faithful soul. Prepare thy heart for this bridegroom that he may vouchsafe to
• 1:44:47
  come to THEE and dwell within THEE. For so he saith. If any
• 1:44:53
  man loveth me, he will keep my words, and my father will love
• 1:44:58
  him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.
• 1:45:03
  John fourteen, verse twenty three. Give therefore place to Christ, and refuse
• 1:45:13
  entrance to all others. When thou hast Christ, thou art rich and hast
• 1:45:18
  sufficient. He shall be thy provider and faithful watch man in all things,
• 1:45:26
  so that thou hast no need to trust in men. For men soon change
• 1:45:30
  and swiftly pass away. But Christ remaineth forever and standeth by us firmly,
• 1:45:39
  even to the end. There is no great trust to be placed in a
• 1:45:45
  frail and mortal man, even though he be useful and dear to us.
• 1:45:50
  Neither should much sorrow arise within us if sometimes he oppose and contradict us.
• 1:45:58
  They who are by thy side to day may tomorrow be against THEE, And
• 1:46:03
  often are they turned around like the wind. Put thy whole trust in God,
• 1:46:10
  and let him be thy fear and thy love. He will answer for
• 1:46:14
  THEE himself, and will do for THEE what is best. Here hast thou
• 1:46:19
  no continuing city Hebrews thirteen, verse fourteen. And whereesoever thou art, thou
• 1:46:29
  art a stranger and a pilgrim, and thou shalt never have rest unless thou
• 1:46:33
  art closely united to Christ within thee. Why dost thou cast thine eyes hither
• 1:46:42
  and thither, since this is not the place of thy rest in Heaven?
• 1:46:47
  Ought thy habitation to be and all earthly things should be looked upon as it
• 1:46:54
  were in the passing by all things pass away, and thou equally with them.
• 1:47:01
  Look that thou cleave not to them, lest thou be taken with them
• 1:47:06
  and perish. Let thy contemplation be on the most high, and let thy
• 1:47:13
  supplication be directed unto Christ without ceasing. If thou canst not behold high and
• 1:47:19
  heavenly things, rest thou in the passion of Christ and dwell willingly in His
• 1:47:26
  sacred wounds. For if thou devoutly fly to the wounds of Christ and the
• 1:47:31
  precious marks of the nails and the spear, thou shalt find great comfort in
• 1:47:36
  tribulation. Nor will the slights of men trouble thee much, and thou wilt
• 1:47:44
  easily bear their unkind words. Christ also when he was in the world,
• 1:47:51
  was despised and rejected of men, and in his greatest necessity, was left
• 1:47:57
  by his acquaintance and friends to bear these reproaches. Christ was willing to suffer
• 1:48:04
  and be despised. And dareest thou complain of any Christ had adversaries and gainsayers,
• 1:48:14
  And dost thou wish to have all men thy friends and benefactors. Whence
• 1:48:18
  shall thy patience attain her crown? If no adversity befall Thee. If thou
• 1:48:26
  art unwilling to suffer any adversity, how shalt thou be the friend of Christ?
• 1:48:31
  Sustain thyself with Christ and for Christ. If thou wilt reign with Christ.
• 1:48:41
  If thou hadst once enter'd into the mind of Jesus, and hadst tasted
• 1:48:46
  yea even a little of his tender love, then wouldst thou care nought for
• 1:48:51
  thine own convenience or inconvenience, But wouldst rather rejoice at trouble brought upon thee?
• 1:49:00
  Because the love of Jesus maketh a man to despise himself. He who
• 1:49:04
  loveth Jesus and is inwardly true and free from inordinate affections, is able to
• 1:49:12
  turn himself readily unto God, and to rise above himself in spirit, and
• 1:49:18
  to enjoy fruitful peace. He who knoweth things as they are, and not
• 1:49:26
  as they are said or seem to be, He truly is wise and is
• 1:49:31
  taught of God more than of men. He who knoweth how to walk from
• 1:49:39
  within, and to set little value upon outward things, requireth not places,
• 1:49:45
  nor waiteth for seasons for holding his intercourse with God. The inward man quickly
• 1:49:51
  recollecteth himself, because he is never entirely given up to outward things. No
• 1:50:00
  outward labor, and no necessary occupations stand in his way. But as events
• 1:50:05
  fall out, so doth he fit himself to them. He who is rightly
• 1:50:12
  disposed and ordered within careth not for the strange and perverse conduct of men.
• 1:50:19
  A man is hindered and distracted in so far as he is moved by outward
• 1:50:25
  things. If it were well with THEE, and thou wert purified from evil,
• 1:50:31
  all things would work together for thy good and profiting for this cause.
• 1:50:39
  Do many things displease THEE and often trouble THEE. That thou art not yet
• 1:50:44
  perfectly dead to thyself, nor separated from all earthly things. Nothing so defileth
• 1:50:53
  and entangleth the heart of man as impure love towards created things. If thou
• 1:51:00
  rejectest outward comfort, thou wilt be able to contemplate heavenly things, and frequently
• 1:51:06
  to be joyful inwardly. Chapter two of Lowly Submission. Make no great account
• 1:51:18
  who is for thee or against thee. But mind only the present duty,
• 1:51:25
  and take care that God be with THEE. In whatsoever thou doest, have
• 1:51:30
  a good conscience, and God will defend THEE. For he whom God will
• 1:51:35
  help, no man's perverseness shall be able to hurt. If thou knowest how
• 1:51:43
  to hold thy peace and to suffer without doubt, thou shalt see the help
• 1:51:48
  of the Lord. He knoweth the time and the way to deliver THEE.
• 1:51:55
  Therefore, must thou resign thyself to Him. To God, it belongeth to
• 1:52:00
  help and to deliver from all confusion. Oftentimes it is very profitable for keeping
• 1:52:08
  us in greater humility that others know and rebuke our faults. When a man
• 1:52:15
  humbleth himself for his defects, he then easily pacifieth others and quickly satisfieth those
• 1:52:24
  that are angered against him. God protecteth and delivereth the humble man. He
• 1:52:32
  loveth and comforteth the humble man. To the humble man, he inclineth himself
• 1:52:39
  on the humble man. He bestoweth great grace, And when he is cast
• 1:52:45
  down, he raiseth him to glory. To the humble he revealeth his secrets,
• 1:52:51
  and sweetly draweth and inviteth him to himself. The humble man, having
• 1:52:58
  received reproach, is yet insufficient peace, because he resteth on God and not
• 1:53:04
  on the world. Reckon not thyself to have profited in any wise, unless
• 1:53:13
  thou feel thyself to be inferior to all three of the good peaceable man.
• 1:53:26
  First keep thyself in peace, and then shalt thou be able to be a
• 1:53:30
  peacemaker towards others. A peaceable man doth more good than a well learned.
• 1:53:40
  A passionate man turneth even good into evil, and easily believeth evil. A
• 1:53:46
  good peaceable man converteth all things into good. He who dwelleth in peace is
• 1:53:55
  suspicious of none. But he who is discontented and restless is tossed with many
• 1:54:00
  suspicions, and is neither quiet himself nor suffereth others to be quiet. He
• 1:54:10
  often saith what he ought not to say, and omitteth what it were more
• 1:54:14
  expedient for him to do. He considereth to what duties others are bound,
• 1:54:20
  and neglecteth those to which he is bound himself. Therefore, be zealous first
• 1:54:27
  over thyself, and then mayst thou righteously be zealous concerning thy neighbor. Thou
• 1:54:38
  knowest well how to excuse and to color thine own deeds, but thou wilt
• 1:54:44
  not accept the excuses of others. It would be more just to accuse thyself
• 1:54:50
  and excuse thy brother. If thou wilt that others bear with thee, bear
• 1:54:58
  thou with others. Behold, how far thou art as yet from the true
• 1:55:02
  charity and humility, which knows not how to be angry or indignant against any
• 1:55:10
  save self alone. It is no great thing to mingle with the good and
• 1:55:15
  the meek, for this is naturally pleasing to all, and every one of
• 1:55:21
  us willingly enjoyeth peace and liketh best those who think with us. But to
• 1:55:29
  be able to live peaceably with the hard and perverse, or with the disorderly,
• 1:55:34
  or those who oppose us, this is a great grace and a thing
• 1:55:40
  much to be commended and most worthy of a man. There are who keep
• 1:55:47
  themselves in peace, and keep peace also with others. And there are who
• 1:55:54
  neither have peace nor suffer others to have peace. They are troublesome to others,
• 1:56:00
  but always more troublesome to themselves. And there are who hold themselves in
• 1:56:06
  peace and study to bring others onto peace. Nevertheless, all our peace in
• 1:56:14
  this sad life lieth in humble suffering, rather than in not feeling adversities.
• 1:56:20
  He who best knoweth how to suffer, shall possess the most peace. That
• 1:56:27
  man is conqueror of himself and Lord of the world, the friend of Christ,
• 1:56:32
  and the inheritor of Heaven. Chapter four. Of a pure mind and
• 1:56:42
  simple intention by two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity
• 1:56:53
  and purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, Purity, in the
• 1:57:00
  affection. Simplicity reacheth towards God. Purity apprehendeth Him and tasteth Him. No
• 1:57:11
  good action will be distasteful to thee if thou be free within from inordinate affection,
• 1:57:18
  If thou reachest after and seekest nothing but the will of God and the
• 1:57:24
  benefit of thy neighbor, thou wilt entirely enjoy inward liberty. If thine heart
• 1:57:30
  were right, then should every creature be a mirror of life and a book
• 1:57:36
  of holy doctrine. There is no creature so small and vile, but that
• 1:57:43
  it showeth us the goodness of God. If thou wert good and pure within,
• 1:57:49
  then wouldst thou look upon all things without hurt and understand them right.
• 1:57:57
  A pure heart seeth the very depths of heaven and Hell, such as each
• 1:58:02
  one is inwardly, so judgeth he outwardly. If there is any joy in
• 1:58:10
  the world, surely the man of pure heart possesseth it. And if there
• 1:58:15
  is anywhere tribulation and anguish, the evil conscience knoweth it best. As iron
• 1:58:24
  cast into fire loseth rust and is made altogether glowing. So the man who
• 1:58:31
  turneth himself altogether unto God is freed from slothfulness and changed into a new man.
• 1:58:41
  When a man beginneth to grow lukewarm, then he feareth a little labour
• 1:58:46
  and willingly accepteth outward consolation. But when he beginneth perfectly to conquer himself and
• 1:58:55
  to walk manfully in the way of God, then he counteth as nothing thing
• 1:59:00
  those things which aforetime seemed to be so grievous unto him. Chapter five of
• 1:59:11
  self esteem. We cannot place too little confidence in ourselves because grace and understanding
• 1:59:20
  are often lacking to us. Little light is there within us, and what
• 1:59:28
  we have we quickly lose by negligence. Oftentimes we perceive not how great is
• 1:59:34
  our inward blindness. We often do ill and excuse it worse. Sometimes we
• 1:59:43
  are moved by passion and count it zeal. We blame little faults in others
• 1:59:48
  and pass over great faults in ourselves quickly enough. We feel and reckon up
• 1:59:57
  what we bear at the hands of others, but we reflect not how much
• 2:00:01
  others are bearing from us. He who would weigh well and rightly his own
• 2:00:08
  doings would not be the man to judge severely of another. The spiritually minded
• 2:00:16
  man putteth care of himself before all cares, and he who diligently attendeth to
• 2:00:24
  himself easily keepeth silence concerning others. Thou wilt never be spiritually minded and godly
• 2:00:33
  unless thou art silent concerning other men's matters, and take full heed to thyself.
• 2:00:43
  If thou think wholly upon thyself and upon God. What thou seest out
• 2:00:47
  of doors shall move THEE little where art thou when thou art not present to
• 2:00:54
  thyself? And when thou hast overrun all things, what hath it fitted THEE
• 2:01:00
  thyself being neglected. If thou wouldst have peace and true unity, thou must
• 2:01:08
  put aside all other things and gaze only upon thyself. Then thou shalt make
• 2:01:16
  good progress. If thy keep thyself free from all temporal care, thou shalt
• 2:01:23
  lamentably fall away. If thou set a value upon any worldly thing, Let
• 2:01:30
  nothing be great, nothing high, nothing pleasing, nothing acceptable unto THEE,
• 2:01:38
  save God himself or the things of God. Reckon as altogether vain. Whatsoever
• 2:01:45
  consolation comes to THEE from a creature. The soul that loveth God looketh not
• 2:01:53
  to anything that is beneath God. God alone is eternal and incomprehensible, filling
• 2:02:00
  all things, the solace of the soul and the true joy of the heart.
• 2:02:10
  Chapter six of the Joy of a good conscience. The testimony of a
• 2:02:16
  good conscience is the glory of a good man. Have a good conscience,
• 2:02:23
  and thou shalt ever have joy. A good conscience is able to bear exceeding
• 2:02:29
  much, and is exceeding joyful in the midst of adversities. An evil conscience
• 2:02:36
  is ever fearful and unquiet. Thou shalt rest sweetly, if thy heart condemn
• 2:02:44
  thee not never rejoice unless thou hast done well. The wicked have never true
• 2:02:53
  joy nor feel internal peace, for there is no peace. Saith my God
• 2:03:00
  to the wicked Isaiah sixty two, verse twenty one. And if they say
• 2:03:09
  we are in peace, there shall be no harm happen unto us. And
• 2:03:14
  who shall dare to do us hurt? Believe them not, for suddenly shall
• 2:03:19
  the wrath of God raise up against them, and their deeds shall be brought
• 2:03:24
  to naught, and their thoughts shall perish. To glory in tribulation is not
• 2:03:32
  grievous to him who loveth, For such glorying is glorying in the Cross of
• 2:03:39
  Christ. Brief is the glory which is given and received of men. Sadness
• 2:03:47
  always goeth hand in hand with the glory of the world. The glory of
• 2:03:54
  the good is in their conscience, and not in the report of men.
• 2:04:00
  The joy of the opright is from God and in God. And their joy
• 2:04:04
  is in the truth. He who desireth truth and eternal glory, careth not
• 2:04:12
  for that which is temporal. And he who seeketh temporal glory, or who
• 2:04:18
  despiseth it from his heart, is proved to bear little love for that which
• 2:04:24
  is heavenly. He who careth for neither praises nor reproaches, hath great tranquility
• 2:04:31
  of heart. He will easily be contented and filled with peace. Whose conscience
• 2:04:41
  is pure. Thou art none the holier if thou art praised, nor the
• 2:04:46
  vila if thou art reproached, Thou art what thou art, And thou canst
• 2:04:53
  not be better than God pronounceth thee to be. If thou considerest well what
• 2:04:59
  thoe thou art inwardly, thou wilt not care what men will say to thee.
• 2:05:05
  Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart
• 2:05:13
  one Samuel sixteen, verse seven. Man looketh on the deed, but God
• 2:05:21
  considereth the intent. It is the token of a humble spirit. Always to
• 2:05:27
  do well and to set little by oneself. Not to look for consolation from
• 2:05:33
  any created thing, is a sign of great purity and inward faithfulness. He
• 2:05:43
  that seeketh no outward witness on his own behalf showeth plainly that he hath committed
• 2:05:49
  himself wholly to God. For not he that commendeth himself is approved as Saint
• 2:05:57
  Paul saith. But who the Lord commendeth to Corinthians ten, verse eighteen,
• 2:06:08
  to walk inwardly with God and not to be held by any outer affections is
• 2:06:14
  the state of a spiritual man. Chapter seven of Loving Jesus above all things.
• 2:06:28
  Blessed is he who understandeth what it is to love Jesus and to despise
• 2:06:32
  himself for jesus sake. He must give up all that he loveth for his
• 2:06:40
  beloved, for Jesus will be loved alone above all things. The love of
• 2:06:46
  created things is deceiving and unstable, but the love of Jesus is faithful and
• 2:06:54
  lasting. He who cleaveth to created things will fall with their slipperiness. But
• 2:07:02
  he who embraceth Jesus will stand upright forever, love him and hold him for
• 2:07:11
  thy friend. For he will not forsake THEE when all depart from THEE,
• 2:07:16
  nor will he suffer THEE to perish. At the last. Thou must one
• 2:07:21
  day be separated from all, whether thou wilt or wilt not cleave thou to
• 2:07:30
  Jesus in life and death, and commit thyself unto his faithfulness, who,
• 2:07:36
  when all men fail, THEE is alone able to help. THEE, thy
• 2:07:43
  beloved is such by nature that he will suffer no rival, but alone will
• 2:07:48
  possess thy heart, and as a king, will sit upon his own throne.
• 2:07:56
  If thou wouldst learn to put away from THEE every creator thing, Jesus
• 2:08:01
  would freely take up his abode with Thee. Thou wilt find all trust little
• 2:08:07
  better than lost, which thou hast placed in men, but not in Jesus.
• 2:08:13
  Trust not nor lean upon a reed shaken with the wind, because all
• 2:08:20
  flesh is grass, and the goodliness thereof falleth as the flower of the field
• 2:08:28
  Isiah forty verse six. Thou wilt be quickly deceived if thou lookest only upon
• 2:08:37
  the outward appearance of men. For if thou seekest thy comfort and profit in
• 2:08:41
  others, thou shalt too often experience loss. If thou seekest Jesus in all
• 2:08:50
  things, thou shalt verily find Jesus. But if thou seekest thyself, thou
• 2:08:56
  shalt also find thyself. But to thine own hurt. For if a man
• 2:09:03
  seeketh not Jesus, he is more hurtful to himself than all the world and
• 2:09:09
  all his adversaries. Chapter eight of the Intimate Love of Jesus. When Jesus
• 2:09:24
  is present, all is well, and nothing seemeth hard. But when Jesus
• 2:09:30
  is not present, everything is hard. When Jesus speaketh not within our comfort
• 2:09:39
  is nothing worth. But if Jesus speaketh but a single word, great is
• 2:09:46
  the comfort we experience. Did not Mary Magdalene rise up quickly from the place
• 2:09:52
  where she wept when Martha said to her, the Master is come, and
• 2:09:58
  calleth for thee. John eleven, verse twenty eight, Happy hour when Jesus
• 2:10:07
  calleth THEE from tears to the joy of the spirit. How dry and hard
• 2:10:13
  art thou without Jesus, How senseless and vain. If thou desirest thought beyond
• 2:10:20
  Jesus, is not this greater loss than if thou shouldst lose the whole world?
• 2:10:28
  What can the world profit THEE without Jesus. To be without Jesus is
• 2:10:35
  the never moost hell, And to be with Jesus is sweet paradise. If
• 2:10:43
  Jesus were with THEE, no enemy could hurt thee. He who findeth Jesus
• 2:10:50
  findeth a good treasure, yea good above all good. And he who loseth
• 2:10:56
  Jesus loseth exceeding much, yea more than the whole world. Most poor is
• 2:11:03
  he who liveth without Jesus, and most rich is he who is much with
• 2:11:09
  Jesus. It is great skill to know how to live with Jesus, and
• 2:11:16
  to know how to hold Jesus is great wisdom. Be thou humble and peaceable,
• 2:11:24
  and Jesus shall be with thee. Be godly and quiet, and Jesus
• 2:11:30
  will remain with THEE. Thou canst quickly drive away Jesus and lose his favor,
• 2:11:37
  if thou wilt turn away to the outer things, And if thou hast
• 2:11:43
  put him to flight and lost him, to whom wilt thou flee, And
• 2:11:48
  whom then wilt thou seek for a friend? Without a friend, thou canst
• 2:11:54
  not live long. And if Jesus be not thy friend above all, thou
• 2:11:58
  shalt be very sad and desolate madly. Therefore doest thou if thou trustest or
• 2:12:05
  findest joy in any other. It is preferable to have the whole world against
• 2:12:13
  thee than Jesus offended with THEE. Therefore, of all that are dear to
• 2:12:18
  THEE, let Jesus be especially loved. Let all be loved for jesus sake,
• 2:12:28
  but Jesus for his own. Jesus Christ alone is to be specially loved,
• 2:12:35
  for he alone is found good and faithful above all friends. For his
• 2:12:41
  sake and in him, Let both enemies and friends be dear to THEE,
• 2:12:48
  and pray for them all that they may all know and love him. Never
• 2:12:52
  desire to be especially praised or loved, because this belongeth to God alone,
• 2:13:00
  who hath none like unto himself. Nor wish thou that any one set his
• 2:13:07
  heart on THEE, nor do thou give thyself up to the love of any
• 2:13:13
  But let Jesus be in THEE and in every good man. Be pure and
• 2:13:20
  free within thyself, and be not entangled by any created thing. Thou oughtest
• 2:13:28
  to bring a bear and clean heart to God. If thou desirest to be
• 2:13:33
  ready to see how gracious the Lord is, and in truth, unless thou
• 2:13:39
  be prevented and drawn on by His grace, thou wilt not attain to this
• 2:13:45
  that, having cast out and dismissed all else thou alone art united to God.
• 2:13:50
  For when the grace of God cometh to a man, then he becometh
• 2:13:54
  able to do all things. And when it departeth, then he will be
• 2:14:01
  poor and weak and given up unto troubles. In these thou art not to
• 2:14:07
  be cast down, nor to despair, but to rest with calm mind on
• 2:14:13
  the will of God, and to bear all things which come upon thee unto
• 2:14:18
  the praise of Jesus Christ. For after winter cometh summer, after night returneth
• 2:14:26
  day after the tempest a great calm. Chapter nine, of the lack of
• 2:14:37
  all comfort. It is no hard thing to despise human comfort when divine is
• 2:14:46
  present. It is a great thing, yea very great to be able to
• 2:14:54
  bear the loss both of human and divine comfort, and for the love of
• 2:15:00
  God willingly to bear exile of heart, and in naught to seek oneself,
• 2:15:07
  nor to look to one's own merit. What great matter is it if thou
• 2:15:13
  be cheerful of heart and devout when favor cometh to thee. That is an
• 2:15:20
  hour wherein all rejoice pleasantly enough doth he ride whom the grace of God carrieth.
• 2:15:28
  And what marvel if he feeleth no burden, who is carried by the
• 2:15:33
  Almighty and is led onwards by the Guide from on high. We are willing
• 2:15:41
  to accept anything for comfort, and it is difficult for a man to be
• 2:15:46
  freed from himself. The holy martyr Lawrence overcame the love of the world and
• 2:15:56
  even of his priestly master, because he despised every everything in the world which
• 2:16:01
  seemed to be pleasant. And for the love of Christ he calmly suffered even
• 2:16:07
  God's chief priest, sixt Us, whom he dearly loved, to be taken
• 2:16:13
  from him. Thus, by the love of the Creator he overcame the love
• 2:16:18
  of man, and instead of human comfort, he chose rather God's good pleasure.
• 2:16:26
  So also, learn thou to resign any near and beloved friend for the
• 2:16:31
  love of God, nor take it amiss when thou hast been deserted by a
• 2:16:37
  friend, knowing that we must all be parted from one another at last.
• 2:16:46
  Mightily and long must a man strive within himself before he learn altogether to overcome
• 2:16:52
  himself and to draw his whole affection towards God. When a man and resteth
• 2:17:00
  upon himself, he easily slippeth away onto human comforts. But a true lover
• 2:17:07
  of Christ and a diligent seeker after virtue, faleth not back upon those comforts,
• 2:17:15
  nor seeketh such sweetness as may be tasted and handled, but desireth rather
• 2:17:22
  hard exercises and to undertake severe labors for Christ. When therefore spiritual comfort is
• 2:17:33
  given by God, receive it with giving of thanks, and know that it
• 2:17:39
  is the gift of God. Not thy desert be not lifted up. Rejoice
• 2:17:46
  not over much, nor foolishly presume, but rather be more humble for the
• 2:17:52
  gift, more wary, and more careful in all thy doings. For that
• 2:17:58
  hour will pass way, and temptation will follow. When comfort is taken from
• 2:18:05
  thee. Do not straightway despair, but wait for the heavenly visitation with humility
• 2:18:13
  and patience, for God is able to give thee back greater favor and consolation.
• 2:18:20
  This is not new nor strange to those who have made trial of the
• 2:18:24
  way of God. For with the great saints and the ancient prophets, there
• 2:18:30
  was often this manner of change. Wherefore one said, when the favor of
• 2:18:37
  God was present with him, I said, in my prosperity, I shall
• 2:18:41
  never be moved. Psalm thirty verse six. But he goeth on to say
• 2:18:48
  what he felt within himself. When the favor departed, thou didst turn thy
• 2:18:56
  face from me, and I was troubled in spite. Whereof he in no
• 2:19:01
  wise despareth, but the more instantly entreateth God and saith unto thee O Lord,
• 2:19:09
  will I cry and will pray unto God. And then he receiveth the
• 2:19:15
  fruit of his prayer. And testifieth, how he hath been heard saying,
• 2:19:20
  the Lord heard me and had mercy upon me. The Lord was my helper.
• 2:19:26
  But wherein thou hast turn'd my heaviness into joy, thou hast put off
• 2:19:33
  my sackcloth and girded me with gladness. If it was thus with the great
• 2:19:39
  Saints, we who are poor and needy, ought not to despair, if
• 2:19:43
  we are sometimes in the warmth and sometimes in the cold. For the Spirit
• 2:19:50
  cometh and goeth according to the good pleasure of His will. Wherefore, Holy
• 2:19:56
  job saith, thou dost visit him in the morning, and suddenly thou dost
• 2:20:03
  prove him Job seven verse eighteen. Whereupon then can I hope, or wherein
• 2:20:13
  may I trust? Save only in the great mercy of God and the hope
• 2:20:20
  of heavenly grace. For whether good men are with me, godly brethren or
• 2:20:26
  faithful friends, whether holy books or beautiful discourses, whether sweet hymns and songs,
• 2:20:35
  all these help but little and have but little savour. When I am
• 2:20:41
  deserted by God's favour and left to mine own poverty. There is no better
• 2:20:48
  remedy then than patience and denial of self, and an abiding in the will
• 2:20:54
  of God. I have never found any man so religious and godly, but
• 2:21:01
  that he felt sometimes a withdrawal of the divine favor and lack of fervor.
• 2:21:09
  No saint was ever so filled with rapture, so enlightened, but that sooner
• 2:21:15
  or later he was tempted. For he is not worthy of the great vision
• 2:21:20
  of God, who, for God's sake hath not been exercised by some temptation.
• 2:21:28
  For temptation is wont to go before as a sign of the comfort which
• 2:21:33
  shall follow. And heavenly comfort is promised to those who are proved by temptation,
• 2:21:41
  as it is written to him that overcometh I give to eat of the
• 2:21:46
  Tree of life Revelation two, verse seven. Divine comfort is given that a
• 2:21:56
  man may be stronger to bear adversities and temptation followeth lest he be lifted up
• 2:22:03
  because of the benefit the devil sleepeth not. Thy flesh is not yet dead.
• 2:22:11
  Therefore seest thou not to make thyself ready unto the battle, For enemies
• 2:22:18
  stand on thy right hand and on thy left, and they are never at
• 2:22:22
  rest. Chapter ten of Gratitude for the grace of God. Why seekest thou
• 2:22:35
  rest, when thou art born to labour, Prepare thyself for patience more than
• 2:22:41
  for comforts, and forbearing the cross more than for joy. For who among
• 2:22:48
  the men of this world would not gladly receive consolation and spiritual joy if he
• 2:22:56
  might always have it? For spiritual sull comforts exceed all the delights of the
• 2:23:01
  world and all the pleasures of the flesh. For all worldly delights are either
• 2:23:09
  empty or unclean, whilst spiritual delights alone are pleasant and honorable, the offspring
• 2:23:18
  of virtue and poured forth by God into pure minds. But no man can
• 2:23:24
  always enjoy these divine comforts at his own will, because the season of temptation
• 2:23:31
  ceaseth not for long. Great is the difference between a visitation from above and
• 2:23:41
  false liberty of spirit and great confidence in self. God doeth well in giving
• 2:23:48
  us the grace of comfort, but man doeth ill in not immediately giving God
• 2:23:54
  thanks thereof. And thus the gifts of grace are not able to flow unto
• 2:24:01
  us, because we are ungrateful to the author of them, and return them
• 2:24:07
  not wholly to the fountain. Whence they flow. For grace ever becometh the
• 2:24:13
  portion of him who is grateful, and that is taken away from the proud,
• 2:24:18
  which is wont to be given to the humble. I desire no consolation
• 2:24:26
  which taketh me away from compunction. I love no contemplation which leadeth to pride.
• 2:24:35
  For all that is high is not wholly, nor is everything that is
• 2:24:39
  sweet good. Every desire is not pure, nor is everything that is dear
• 2:24:46
  to us pleasing unto God. Willingly do I accept that grace, whereby I
• 2:24:54
  am made humbler and more wary, and more ready to renounce myself. He
• 2:25:01
  who is made learned by the gift of grace and taught wisdom by the stroke
• 2:25:07
  of the withdrawal thereof, will not dare to claim any good thing for himself,
• 2:25:13
  but will rather confess that he is poor and needy give unto God the
• 2:25:20
  thing which is God's Matthew twenty two, verse twenty one. And ascribe to
• 2:25:28
  thyself that which is thine, that is, give thanks unto God for his
• 2:25:33
  grace, and for thyself alone. Confess thy fault, and that thy punishment
• 2:25:41
  is deserved for thy fault. Sit thou down always in the lowest room,
• 2:25:48
  and thou shalt be given the highest place Luke fourteen, verse ten. For
• 2:25:56
  the highest cannot be without the lowest. For the highest saints of God are
• 2:26:03
  least in their own sight, and the more glorious they are, so much.
• 2:26:09
  The lowlier are they in themselves full of grace and heavenly glory. They
• 2:26:15
  are not desirous of vain glory. Resting on God and strong in His might,
• 2:26:22
  they cannot be lifted up in any wise. And they who ascribe unto
• 2:26:28
  God all the good which they have received, seek not glory of one another,
• 2:26:33
  but the glory which cometh from God only. And they desire that God
• 2:26:39
  shall be praised in himself and in all his saints above all things, and
• 2:26:46
  they are always striving for this very thing. Be thankful therefore for the least
• 2:26:54
  benefit, and thou shalt be worthy to receive greater, Let the least be
• 2:27:01
  unto THEE even as the greatest, And let that which is of little account
• 2:27:07
  be unto THEE as a special gift. If the majesty of the giver be
• 2:27:13
  considered, nothing that is given shall seem small and of no worth, For
• 2:27:20
  that is not a small thing which is given by the most High God.
• 2:27:26
  YEA, though he gave punishment and stripes, we ought to be thankful,
• 2:27:31
  because he ever doth for our profit, whatever he suffereth to come upon us.
• 2:27:39
  He who seeketh to retain the favor of God, let him be thankful
• 2:27:43
  for the favor which is given, and patient in respect of that which is
• 2:27:48
  taken away. Let him pray that it may return. Let him be wary
• 2:27:56
  and humble that he lose it not. End of Chapter ten. The Second
• 2:28:05
  Book Admonitions concerning the Inner life. Chapter eleven, of the fewness of those
• 2:28:13
  who love the Cross of Jesus. Jesus hath many lovers of his heavenly kingdom,
• 2:28:22
  but few bearers of his cross. He hath many seekers of comfort,
• 2:28:28
  but few of tribulation. He findeth many companions of his table, but few
• 2:28:35
  of his fasting. All desire to rejoice with him few are willing to undergo
• 2:28:45
  anything for his sake. Many follow Jesus that they may eat of his loaves,
• 2:28:52
  but few that they may drink of the cup of his passion. Many
• 2:28:58
  are astonished at his miracle, Few follow after the shame of his cross.
• 2:29:05
  Many love Jesus so long as no adversities happen to them. Many praise him
• 2:29:13
  and bless him so long as they receive any comforts from him. But if
• 2:29:20
  Jesus hide himself and withdraw from them a little while, they fall either into
• 2:29:24
  complaining or into too great dejection of mind. But they who love Jesus for
• 2:29:33
  Jesus' sake and not for any consolation of their own, bless him in all
• 2:29:39
  tribulation and anguish of heart, as in the highest consolation. And if He
• 2:29:46
  should never give them consolation, nevertheless they would always praise him and always give
• 2:29:52
  him thanks. Oh what power hath the pure love of Jesus, unmixed with
• 2:30:01
  any gain or love of self? Should not all they be called mercenary who
• 2:30:07
  are always seeking consolations? Do they not prove themselves lovers of self more than
• 2:30:13
  of Christ, who are always seeking their own gain and advantage? Where should
• 2:30:20
  be found one who is willing to serve God altogether for naught. Rarely is
• 2:30:28
  any one found so spiritual as to be stripped of all selfish thoughts. For
• 2:30:35
  who shall find a man truly poor in spirit and free of all created things?
• 2:30:43
  His value is from afar yea, from the ends of the earth.
• 2:30:48
  A man may give away all his goods, yet that is nothing. And
• 2:30:54
  if you do many deeds of penitence, yet that is a small thing.
• 2:31:00
  And though he understand all knowledge, yet that is afar off. And if
• 2:31:07
  he have great virtue and zealous devotion, yet much is lacking unto him.
• 2:31:13
  YEA one thing which is the most necessary to him of all? What is
• 2:31:18
  this, then, that having given up all things, besides, he give
• 2:31:24
  up himself and go forth from himself utterly, and retain nothing of self love.
• 2:31:33
  And having done all things which he knoweth to be his duty to do,
• 2:31:39
  that he feel that he hath done nothing. Let him not reckon that
• 2:31:43
  much which might be much esteemed. But let him pronounce himself to be,
• 2:31:48
  in truth an unprofitable servant, as the Truth himself saith. When ye have
• 2:31:56
  done all things that are commanded, you say we are unprofitable servants. Luke
• 2:32:03
  seventeen, verse ten. Then may he be truly poor and naked in spirit,
• 2:32:11
  and be able to say with the prophet, as for me, I
• 2:32:15
  am poor and needy Psalm twenty five, verse sixteen. Nevertheless, no man
• 2:32:24
  is richer than he, no man stronger, no man freer, For he
• 2:32:30
  knoweth both how to give up himself and all things, and how to be
• 2:32:35
  lowly in his own eyes. Chapter twelve of the Royal Way of the Holy
• 2:32:43
  Cross. That seemeth a hard saying to many. If any man will come
• 2:32:52
  after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me
• 2:32:58
  Matthew sixteen, verse twenty five. But it will be much harder to hear
• 2:33:03
  that last sentence, depart from me, ye wicked into eternal fire Matthew twenty
• 2:33:13
  five, verse forty one. For they who now willingly hear the word of
• 2:33:18
  the Cross and follow it shall not then fear the hearing of eternal damnation.
• 2:33:26
  This sign of the Cross shall be in heaven. When the Lord cometh to
• 2:33:30
  judgment. Then all servants of the Cross, who in life have conformed themselves
• 2:33:37
  to the crucified, shall draw nigh unto Christ the judge with great boldness.
• 2:33:46
  Why fearest Thou then to take up the cross, which leadeth to a kingdom.
• 2:33:52
  In the cross is health. In the cross, is life? In
• 2:33:58
  the cross, is protection from enemies. In the cross. Is heavenly sweetness
• 2:34:05
  in the cross, strength of mind in the cross, joy of the spirit
• 2:34:11
  in the cross, the height of virtue in the cross, the perfection of
• 2:34:16
  holiness. There is no health of the soul, no hope of eternal life,
• 2:34:24
  save in the cross. Take up therefore thy cross and follow Jesus,
• 2:34:31
  and thou shalt go into eternal life. He went before Thee bearing his cross,
• 2:34:39
  and died for THEE upon the cross. That thou also mayest bear thy
• 2:34:45
  cross, and mayest love to be crucified upon it. For if thou be
• 2:34:52
  dead with him, thou shalt also live with him. And if thou be
• 2:34:56
  a partaker of his sufferings, the thou shalt also be of his glory.
• 2:35:05
  Behold, everything dependeth upon the Cross, and everything lieth in dying. There
• 2:35:11
  is none other way unto life and to true inward peace, except the way
• 2:35:18
  of the Holy Cross and of daily mortification. Go where thou wilt seek whatsoever
• 2:35:26
  thou wilt, and thou shalt find no higher way. Above, nor safer
• 2:35:31
  way below than the way of the Holy Cross. Dispose and order all things
• 2:35:39
  according to thine own will and judgment, and thou shalt ever find something to
• 2:35:46
  suffer, either willingly or unwillingly. And thus thou shalt ever find thy Cross,
• 2:35:54
  for thou shalt either feel pain of body or tribulation of spirit within thy
• 2:35:58
  soul. Sometimes thou wilt be forsaken of God. Sometimes thou wilt be tried
• 2:36:09
  by thy neighbor, And which is more, thou wilt often be wearisome to
• 2:36:13
  thyself. And still thou canst not be delivered nor eased by any remedy or
• 2:36:20
  consolation, but must bear so long as God will. For God will have
• 2:36:28
  THEE learn to suffer tribulation without consolation, and to submit thyself fully to it,
• 2:36:35
  and by tribulation be made more humble. No man understandeth the passion of
• 2:36:43
  Christ in his heart so well as he who hath had somewhat of the like
• 2:36:48
  suffering himself. The Cross therefore is always ready and everywhere waiteth for THEE.
• 2:36:58
  Thou canst not flee from it whithersoever thou hurriest, For whithersoever thou comest,
• 2:37:05
  thou bearest thyself with THEE, and shalt ever find thyself. Turn THEE above,
• 2:37:13
  turn THEE below, turn THEE without, turn THEE within, And in
• 2:37:18
  them all thou shalt find the cross, and needfulz it that thou everywhere possess
• 2:37:26
  patience, if thou wilt have eternal peace and gain the everlasting crown. If
• 2:37:35
  thou willingly bear the cross, it will bear thee, and will bring THEE
• 2:37:41
  to the end which thou seekest, even where there shall be the end of
• 2:37:46
  suffering, though it shall not be here. If thou bear it unwillingly,
• 2:37:52
  thou makest a burden for thyself, and greatly increaseth thy load. And yet
• 2:37:58
  thou must bear it. If thou cast away one cross, without doubt,
• 2:38:05
  thou shalt find another, and perchance a heavier. Thinkest thou to escape what
• 2:38:13
  no mortal hath been able to avoid. Which of the saints in the world
• 2:38:20
  hath been without the cross and tribulation? For not even Jesus Christ, our
• 2:38:26
  Lord, was one hour without the anguish of his passion. So long as
• 2:38:31
  he lived, it behooved, he said Christ, to suffer and to rise
• 2:38:37
  from the dead, and so enter into his glory. Luke twenty four,
• 2:38:45
  verse forty six. And how dost thou seek another way than this royal way,
• 2:38:52
  which is the way of the Holy Cross, the whole life of Christ,
• 2:39:00
  cross and martyrdom. And dost thou seek for thyself rest and joy?
• 2:39:07
  Thou art wrong? Thou art wrong if thou seekest aught but to suffer tribulations.
• 2:39:13
  For this whole mortal life is full of miseries and set round with crosses.
• 2:39:20
  And the higher a man hath advanced in the spirit, the heavier crosses
• 2:39:24
  he will often find, because the sorrow of his banishment increaseth with the strength
• 2:39:31
  of his love. But yet the man who is thus in so many ways
• 2:39:39
  afflicted, is not without refreshment of consolation, because he feeleth abundant fruit to
• 2:39:46
  be growing within him out of the bearing of his cross. For whilst he
• 2:39:52
  willingly submitteth himself to it, every burden of tribulation is turned into an assured
• 2:40:00
  durrance of divine comfort. And the more the flesh is wasted by affliction,
• 2:40:05
  the more is the spirit strengthened mightily by inward grace. And ofttimes so greatly
• 2:40:15
  is he comforted by the desire for tribulation and adversity through love of conformity to
• 2:40:22
  the Cross of Christ, that he would not be without sorrow and tribulation.
• 2:40:28
  For he believeth that he shall be the more acceptable to God, the more
• 2:40:33
  and the heavier burdens he is able to bear for his sake. This is
• 2:40:39
  not the virtue of men, but the grace of Christ, which hath such
• 2:40:46
  power and energy in the weak flesh, that what it naturally hateth and fleeth
• 2:40:52
  from this it draweth too, and loveth through fervor of spirit. It is
• 2:41:01
  not in the nature of man to bear the cross, to love the cross,
• 2:41:07
  to keep under the body, and to bring it into subjection, to
• 2:41:11
  fly from honors, to bear reproaches meekly, to despise self and desire to
• 2:41:18
  be despised, to bear all adversities and losses, and to desire no prosperity
• 2:41:26
  in this world. If thou lookest to thyself, thou wilt of thyself be
• 2:41:33
  able to do none of this. But if thou trustest in the Lord,
• 2:41:39
  endurance shall be given thee from heaven and the world, and the flesh shall
• 2:41:45
  be subject to Thy command. Yea, thou shalt not even fear thine adversary,
• 2:41:50
  the devil. If thou be armed with faith and signed with the cross
• 2:41:56
  of Christ. Let thyself therefore, like a good and faithful servant of Christ,
• 2:42:05
  to the manful bearing of the cross of thy Lord, who, out
• 2:42:09
  of love was crucified for Thee. Prepare thyself for bearing many adversities and manifold
• 2:42:16
  troubles in this wretched life, Because so it shall be with Thee wheresoever thou
• 2:42:24
  art, and so in very deed thou shalt find it wherever thou hide thyself.
• 2:42:31
  This it must be. And there is no means of escaping from tribulation
• 2:42:37
  and sorrow except to bear them patiently. Drink thou lovingly thy Lord's cup.
• 2:42:45
  If thou desirest to be his friend and to have thy lot with him,
• 2:42:52
  leave consolations to God. Let him do as seemeth best to him concerning them.
• 2:43:00
  But do thou set thyself to endure tribulations and reckon them. The best
• 2:43:07
  consolations for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with
• 2:43:13
  the glory which shall be revealed in Us Romans eight verse eighteen, Nor would
• 2:43:20
  they be even if thou wert to endure them all. When thou hast come
• 2:43:28
  to this, that tribulation is sweet and pleasant to THEE for Christ's sake.
• 2:43:35
  Then reckon that it is well with THEE, because thou hast found paradise on
• 2:43:41
  earth. So long as it is hard for THEE to suffer, and thou
• 2:43:46
  desirest to escape, so long it will not be well with THEE, and
• 2:43:52
  tribulations will follow THEE everywhere. If thou settest thyself to thye, thou artest,
• 2:44:01
  namely to suffer and to die, it shall soon go better with THEE,
• 2:44:07
  and thou shalt find peace, though thou shouldest be caught up with Paul
• 2:44:13
  unto the third heaven two Corinthians twelve, verse two. Thou art not,
• 2:44:20
  on that account secure from suffering evil. I will show him, saith Jesus,
• 2:44:28
  what great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Acts nine,
• 2:44:35
  verse sixteen. It remaineth therefore to THEE to suffer. If thou wilt love
• 2:44:41
  Jesus and serve him continually, O that thou wert worthy to suffer something for
• 2:44:50
  the name of Jesus, How great glory should await THEE. What rejoicing among
• 2:44:56
  all the saints of God, What bright example also to thy neighbor. For
• 2:45:05
  all men commend patience, although few will be willing to practice it. Thou
• 2:45:11
  artest surely to suffer a little for Christ, when many suffer heavier things for
• 2:45:18
  the world. Know thou of a surety that thou oughtest to lead the life
• 2:45:26
  of a dying man. And the more a man dieth to himself, the
• 2:45:31
  more he beginneth to live towards God. None is fit for the understanding of
• 2:45:39
  heavenly things unless he hath submitted himself to bearing adversities for Christ. Nothing more
• 2:45:48
  acceptable to God, nothing more healthful for thyself in the world than to suffer
• 2:45:54
  willingly for Christ. And if it were thine to choose, thou aughtist rather
• 2:46:01
  to wish to suffer adversities for Christ than to be refreshed with manifold consolations,
• 2:46:09
  for thou wouldest be more like Christ and more conformed to all Saints. For
• 2:46:15
  our worthiness and growth in grace lieth not in many delights and consolations, but
• 2:46:22
  rather in bearing many troubles and adversities. If indeed there had been anything better
• 2:46:33
  and more profitable to the health of men than to suffer, Christ would surely
• 2:46:39
  have shown it by word and example. For both the disciples who followed him
• 2:46:46
  and all who desire to follow him. He plainly exhorteth to bear their cross
• 2:46:52
  and saith. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself
• 2:46:58
  and take his cross and follow me. Luke nine, verse twenty three.
• 2:47:09
  So, now that we have thoroughly read and studied all things, let us
• 2:47:13
  hear the conclusion of the whole matter. We must, through much tribulation,
• 2:47:20
  enter into the Kingdom of God. Acts fourteen, verse twenty one, end
• 2:47:31
  of the Second Book, Chapter one of the inward Voice of Christ to the
• 2:47:37
  faithful soul, I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me.
• 2:47:48
  Psalm eighty five, verse eight. Blessed is the soul which heareth the Lord
• 2:47:54
  speaking within it, and receiveth the word of consolation from his mouth. Blessed
• 2:48:01
  are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper of God, and
• 2:48:07
  turn not aside to the whisperings of this world. Blessed truly are the ears
• 2:48:15
  which listen not to the voice that soundeth without, but to that which teaches
• 2:48:20
  truth Inwardly. Blessed are the eyes which are closed to things without, but
• 2:48:28
  are fixed upon things within. Blessed are they who search inward things and study
• 2:48:35
  to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises for the receiving of heavenly mysteries.
• 2:48:45
  Blessed are they who long to have leisure for God and free themselves from
• 2:48:50
  every hindrance of the world. Think on these things, O my soul,
• 2:48:56
  and shut the doors of thy carnal desires, so mayest thou hear what the
• 2:49:01
  Lord God will say within thee. These things saith, my Beloved. I
• 2:49:09
  am thy salvation, I am thy Peace and thy life. Keep THEE unto
• 2:49:16
  me, and thou shalt find peace. Put away thee all transitory things.
• 2:49:24
  Seek those things that are eternal. For what are all temporal things but deceits?
• 2:49:31
  And what shall all created things help thee? If thou be forsaken by
• 2:49:37
  the Creator. Therefore put all things else away, and give thyself to the
• 2:49:43
  Creator to be well pleasing and faithful to him, that thou mayest be able
• 2:49:50
  to attain true blessedness. Chapter two, What the truth saith inwardly, without
• 2:50:01
  noise of words, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth one Samuel Chapter three,
• 2:50:11
  Verse nine, I am thy servant, Oh, give me understanding that
• 2:50:18
  I may know thy testimonies. Incline my heart unto the words of thy mouth
• 2:50:26
  Psalm one hundred and nineteen, Verse one hundred and twenty five. Let thy
• 2:50:33
  speech distill as the deu the children of Israel speak in old times to Moses.
• 2:50:41
  Speak thou unto us, and we will hear. But let not the
• 2:50:46
  Lord speak unto us lest we die Exodus twenty, verse nineteen. Not thus,
• 2:50:56
  o Lord, not thus do I pray, But rather with sam or
• 2:51:00
  the prophet, I beseech THEE humbly and earnestly speak, Lord, for thy
• 2:51:05
  servant heareth. Let not Moses speak to me, nor any prophet, but
• 2:51:11
  rather speak Thou, O Lord, who didst inspire and illuminate all the prophets,
• 2:51:18
  For thou alone, without them canst perfectly fill me with knowledge, whilst
• 2:51:24
  they, without THEE shall profit nothing. They can, indeed utter words,
• 2:51:33
  but they give not the spirit. They speak with exceeding beauty. But when
• 2:51:39
  Thou art silent, they kindle not the heart. They give us scriptures,
• 2:51:46
  but Thou makest known the sense thereof. They bring us mysteries, but thou
• 2:51:52
  revealest the things which are signified. They utter commandments, but Thou helpest to
• 2:51:58
  them, fulfilling of them. They show the way, but thou givest strength
• 2:52:05
  for the journey. They act only outwardly, but thou dost instruct and enlighten
• 2:52:13
  the heart. They water, but thou givest the increase. They cry with
• 2:52:20
  words, but thou givest understanding to the hearer. Therefore, let not Moses
• 2:52:28
  speak to me, but thou, o, Lord, my God, eternal
• 2:52:31
  truth. Lest I die and bring forth no fruit, being outwardly admonished but
• 2:52:39
  not enkindled within, lest the word heard but not followed, known but not
• 2:52:46
  loved, believed but not obeyed, rise up against me in the judgment.
• 2:52:54
  Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth, Thou hast the words of it eternal
• 2:53:00
  life. John six, verse sixty eight. Speak unto me for some consolation,
• 2:53:09
  unto my soul, for the amendment of my whole life, and for
• 2:53:15
  the praise and glory and eternal honor of thy name. Chapter three. How
• 2:53:24
  all the words of God are to be heard with humility, and how many
• 2:53:28
  consider them not My son hear my words, for my words are most sweet,
• 2:53:39
  surpassing all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world.
• 2:53:43
  My words are spirit, and they are life John six, verse sixty three,
• 2:53:52
  and are not to be weighed by man's understanding. They are not to
• 2:53:58
  be drawn forth vain appreciation, but to be heard in silence, and to
• 2:54:03
  be received with all humility and with deep love. And I said, blessed
• 2:54:11
  is the man whom thou teachest, o, Lord, and instructest him in
• 2:54:16
  thy law, that thou mayest give him rest in time of adversity Psalm ninety
• 2:54:22
  four, verse thirteen, and that he be not desolate in the earth.
• 2:54:31
  I saith the Lord taught the prophets from the beginning, and even now cease
• 2:54:37
  I not to speak unto all, But many are deaf and hardened against my
• 2:54:43
  voice. Many love to listen to the world rather than to God. They
• 2:54:48
  follow after the desires of the flesh more readily than after the good pleasure of
• 2:54:54
  God. The world promiseth things that are temporal and small, and it is
• 2:55:01
  served with great eagerness. I promise things that are great and eternal. And
• 2:55:07
  the hearts of mortals are slow to stir. Who serveth and obeyeth Me in
• 2:55:15
  all things with such carefulness as he serveth. The world and its rulers be
• 2:55:22
  thou ashamed, oside on saith the sea Isaiah twenty three, verse four.
• 2:55:28
  And if thou reason seekest, hear thou me for a little reward. Men
• 2:55:37
  make a long journey for eternal life. Many will scarce lift afoot once from
• 2:55:43
  the ground. Mean reward is sought after for a single piece of money.
• 2:55:48
  Sometimes there is shameful striving for a thing which is vain, and for a
• 2:55:54
  trifling promise. Men shrink not from toiling day and night, but o shame
• 2:56:03
  for an unchangeable good, for an inestimable reward, for the highest honor,
• 2:56:11
  and for a glory that fadeth not away. It is irksome to them to
• 2:56:16
  toil even a little. Be thou ashamed therefore slothful and discontented servant, For
• 2:56:24
  they are found readier unto perdition than thou unto life. They rejoice more heartily
• 2:56:31
  in vanity than thou in the truth. Sometimes indeed they are disappointed of their
• 2:56:37
  hope. But my promise faileth no man, nor sendeth away empty him who
• 2:56:43
  trusteth in me what I have promised, I will give. What I have
• 2:56:50
  said, I will fulfill. If only a man remain faithful in my love
• 2:56:56
  unto the end. Therefore am I the rewarder of all good men, and
• 2:57:03
  a strong approver of all who are godly. Write my words in thy heart
• 2:57:09
  and consider them diligently, for they shall be very needful to THEE. In
• 2:57:15
  time of temptation, what thou understandest not when thou readest, thou shalt know
• 2:57:22
  in the time of thy visitation. I am wont to visit mine elect in
• 2:57:26
  twofold manner, even by temptation and by comfort. And I teach them two
• 2:57:33
  lessons day by day, the one in chiding their faults, the other in
• 2:57:39
  exhorting them to grow in grace. He who hath my words and rejecteth them
• 2:57:46
  hath one who shall judge him at the last day. A prayer for the
• 2:57:54
  spirit of devotion. O Lord, my God, Thou art all my good
• 2:58:01
  And who am I that I should dare to speak unto THEE. I am
• 2:58:07
  the very poorest of thy servants and abject worm, much poorer and more despicable
• 2:58:15
  than I know or dare to say. Nevertheless, remember O Lord, that
• 2:58:20
  I am nothing, I have nothing, and can do nothing. Thou only
• 2:58:28
  art good, just and holy, Thou canst do all things? Art over
• 2:58:35
  all things, fill'st all things, leaving empty only the sinner. Call to
• 2:58:43
  mind thy tender mercies, and fill my heart with thy grace, Thou who
• 2:58:50
  wilt not that thy work should return to thee void. How can I bear
• 2:58:56
  this miserable life unless thy mercy and grace strengthen me. Turn not away thy
• 2:59:03
  face from me, delay not thy visitation, Withdraw not thou thy comfort from
• 2:59:11
  me. Lest my soul gasp after thee as a thirsty land Lord teach me
• 2:59:18
  to do thy will teach me to walk humbly and uprightly before THEE. For
• 2:59:24
  thou art my wisdom, who knowest me in truth, and knewest me before
• 2:59:31
  the world was made and before I was born into the world. Chapter four,
• 2:59:39
  How we must walk in truth and humility before God, my son.
• 2:59:48
  Walk before me in truth and in the simplicity of thy heart. Seek me
• 2:59:52
  continually. He who walketh before me in the truth shall be said from evil
• 3:00:01
  assaults, and the truth shall deliver him from the wiles and slant as of
• 3:00:05
  the wicked. If the truth shall make THEE free, thou shalt be free,
• 3:00:11
  indeed, and shalt not care for the vain words of men. Lord,
• 3:00:18
  it is true as thou sayest. Let it, I pray THEE be
• 3:00:22
  so with me. Let thy truth teach me, Let it keep me and
• 3:00:28
  preserve me safe unto the end. Let it free me from all evil and
• 3:00:35
  inordinate affection. And I will walk before THEE in great freedom of heart.
• 3:00:41
  I will teach THEE saith the truth, the things which are right and pleasing
• 3:00:48
  before me. Think upon thy sins with great displeasure and sorrow, and never
• 3:00:56
  think thyself anything because of thy good works. Verily, thou art a sinner,
• 3:01:03
  liable to many passions, yea tied and bound with them of thyself.
• 3:01:09
  Thou always tendest unto nothing. Thou wilt quickly fall, quickly be conquered,
• 3:01:16
  quickly disturbed, quickly undone. Thou hast nought whereof to glory. But many
• 3:01:24
  reasons why thou shouldest reckon thyself vile, For thou art far weaker than thou
• 3:01:31
  art able to comprehend. Let therefore, nothing which thou doest seem to THEE
• 3:01:37
  great. Let nothing be grand, nothing of value or beauty, nothing worthy
• 3:01:46
  of honor, nothing lofty, nothing praiseworthy or desirable, save what is eternal.
• 3:01:54
  Let the eternal truth please THEE above all things. Let thine own great
• 3:01:58
  vile ileness displease THEE. Continually, fear, denounce, flee nothing so much
• 3:02:07
  as thine own faults and sins, which ought to be more displeasing to THEE
• 3:02:11
  than any loss whatsoever of goods. There are some who walk not sincerely before
• 3:02:18
  Me, but being led by curiosity and pride. They desire to know My
• 3:02:24
  secret things, and to understand the deep things of God, whilst they neglect
• 3:02:31
  themselves and their salvation. These often fall into great temptations and sins because of
• 3:02:39
  their pride and curiosity. For I am against them. Fear thou the judgments
• 3:02:46
  of God. Fear greatly the wrath of the Almighty. Shrink from debating upon
• 3:02:52
  the works of the most High, but search narrowly thine own iniquities. Into
• 3:02:58
  what greats, sins, winns thou hast fallen, and how many good things
• 3:03:03
  thou hast neglected. There are some who carry their devotion only in books,
• 3:03:09
  some in pictures, some in outward signs and figures. Some have ME in
• 3:03:15
  their mouths, but little in their hearts. Others there are who, being
• 3:03:20
  enlightened in their understanding and purged in their affections continually long after eternal things.
• 3:03:30
  Hear of earthly things with unwillingness, obey the necessities of nature with sorrow.
• 3:03:37
  And these understand what the Spirit of Truth speaketh in them, For he teacheth
• 3:03:45
  them to despise earthly things and to love heavenly, to neglect the world,
• 3:03:52
  and to desire heaven all the day and night of the wonderful power of the
• 3:04:03
  divine Love. I bless THEE, O, Heavenly Father, Father of my
• 3:04:11
  Lord Jesus Christ, for that thou hast vouchsafed to think of me poor,
• 3:04:16
  that I am O, Father of mercies and God of all comfort. Two
• 3:04:24
  Corinthians, Chapter one, verse three. I give thanks unto THEE who refreshest
• 3:04:31
  me sometimes with thine own comfort, when I am unworthy of any comfort.
• 3:04:37
  I bless and glorify THEE continually with Thine only begotten son and the Holy Ghost
• 3:04:45
  the Paraclet, for ever and ever, O Lord, God, Holy Lover
• 3:04:50
  of my soul. When thou shalt come into my heart, all my inward
• 3:04:56
  parts shall rejoice. Thou art my glory and the joy of my heart.
• 3:05:01
  Thou art my hope and my refuge. In the day of my trouble.
• 3:05:07
  But because I am still weak in love and imperfect in virtue, I need
• 3:05:13
  to be strengthened and comforted by THEE. Therefore, visit thou me often,
• 3:05:20
  and instruct me with thy holy ways of discipline. Deliver me from evil passions,
• 3:05:26
  and cleanse my heart from all inordinate affections. That, being healed and
• 3:05:33
  altogether cleansed within, I may be made ready to love, strong, to
• 3:05:39
  suffer, steadfast, to endure. Love is a great thing, a good
• 3:05:48
  above all others, which alone maketh every heavy burden light, and equaliseeth every
• 3:05:56
  inequality. For it beareth the burden and maketh it no burden. It maketh
• 3:06:03
  every bitter thing to be sweet and of good taste. The surpassing love of
• 3:06:09
  Jesus impelleth to great works, and exciteth to the continual desiring of greater perfection.
• 3:06:20
  Love willeth to be raised up and not to be held down by any
• 3:06:24
  mean thing. Love willeth to be free and aloof from all worldly affection,
• 3:06:31
  lest its inward power of vision be hindered, lest it be entangled by any
• 3:06:37
  worldly prosperity, or overcome by adversity. Nothing is sweeter than love nothing stronger,
• 3:06:46
  nothing loftier, nothing broader, nothing pleasanter, nothing fuller or better in
• 3:06:56
  heaven nor on earth. For love was born of God and cannot rest save
• 3:07:01
  in God above all created things. He who loveth flieth runneth and is glad.
• 3:07:11
  He is free and not hindered. He giveth all things for all things,
• 3:07:18
  and hath all things in all things, because he resteth in one who
• 3:07:24
  is high above all, from whom every good floweth and precedeth. He looketh
• 3:07:31
  not for gifts, but turneth himself to the giver above all good things.
• 3:07:39
  Love oftentimes knoweth no measure, but breaketh out above all measure. Love feeleth
• 3:07:48
  no burden, reckoneth no labors, striveth after more than it is able to
• 3:07:54
  do. Pleadeth not impossibility, because it judged all things which are lawful for
• 3:08:01
  it to be possible. It is strong therefore for all things, and it
• 3:08:07
  fulfilleth many things, and is successful. Where he who loveth not faileth and
• 3:08:15
  lieth down. Love is watchful, and whilst sleeping still keepeth watch. Though
• 3:08:24
  fatigued, it is not weary, though pressed, It is not forced,
• 3:08:31
  though alarmed. It is not terrified, But like the living flame and the
• 3:08:35
  burning torch. It breaketh forth on high and securely triumpheth. If a man
• 3:08:43
  loveth he knoweth what this voice crieth. For. The ardent affection of the
• 3:08:50
  soul is a great clamor in the ears of God, and it saith my
• 3:08:56
  God, my beloved. Thou art all mine, and I am all thine.
• 3:09:05
  Enlarge thou me in love, that I may learn to taste with the
• 3:09:09
  innermost mouth of my heart. How sweet it is to love, to be
• 3:09:15
  dissolved and to swim in love. Let me beholden by love, mounting above
• 3:09:22
  myself through exceeding fervor and admiration. Let me sing the song of love.
• 3:09:31
  Let me follow THEE, my beloved, on high. Let my soul exhaust
• 3:09:35
  itself in Thy praise, exalting with love. Let me love THEE more than
• 3:09:43
  myself, not loving myself except for Thy sake. And all men in THEE
• 3:09:50
  who truly love THEE, as the law of Love commandeth, which shineth forth
• 3:09:56
  from THEE. Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle,
• 3:10:05
  strong, patient, faithful, prudent, long suffering, manly, and never
• 3:10:16
  seeking her own for wheresoever a man seeketh his own there he faleth from love.
• 3:10:24
  Love is circumspect, humble and upright, not weak, not fickle,
• 3:10:31
  not intent on vain things, sober, chaste, steadfast, quiet and guarded
• 3:10:41
  in all the senses. Love is subject and obedient to all that are in
• 3:10:46
  authority, vile and lowly in its own sight, devout and grateful towards God,
• 3:10:54
  faithful and always trusting in Him, even when God hideth his face.
• 3:11:01
  For without sorrow we cannot live in love. He who is not ready to
• 3:11:09
  suffer all things and to conform to the will of the beloved, is not
• 3:11:15
  worthy to be called a lover of God. It behoveth him who loveth to
• 3:11:20
  embrace willingly all hard and bitter things for the beloved sake, and not to
• 3:11:28
  be drawn away from him because of any contrary accidents. Chapter six of the
• 3:11:39
  Proving of the True Lover, My Son, thou art not yet strong and
• 3:11:46
  prudent in thy love. Wherefore, o, my Lord, because for a
• 3:11:52
  little opposition, thou fallst away from thy undertakings, and too eager seekest after
• 3:12:01
  consolation. The strong lover standeth fast in temptations, and believeth not the evil
• 3:12:09
  persuasions of the enemy, As in prosperity, I please him, so in
• 3:12:16
  adversity I do not displease. The prudent lover considereth not the gift of the
• 3:12:24
  lover so much as the love of the giver. He looketh for the affection
• 3:12:30
  more than the value, and setteth all gifts lower than the beloved. The
• 3:12:37
  noble lover resteth not in the gift, but in Me above every gift,
• 3:12:45
  all is not lost. Though thou sometimes think of Me or of my saints,
• 3:12:50
  less than thou shouldest desire that good and sweet affection which thou sometimes perceivest,
• 3:13:00
  the effect of present grace, and some foretaste of the heavenly contrary.
• 3:13:07
  But hereon thou must not too much depend, for it goeth and cometh.
• 3:13:13
  But to strive against the evil motions of the mind which come to us,
• 3:13:18
  and to resist the suggestions of the devil, is a token of virtue and
• 3:13:24
  great merit. Therefore, let not strange fancies disturb thee. Whencesoever they arise,
• 3:13:35
  bravely observe Thy purpose and thy upright intentions towards God. It is not
• 3:13:41
  an illusion when thou art sometimes suddenly carried away into rapture, and then suddenly
• 3:13:48
  art brought back to the wonted vanities of thy heart, for thou dost rather
• 3:13:54
  unwillingly undergo them than cause them. And so long as they displease THEE,
• 3:14:01
  and thou strivest against them, it is a merit and no loss. Know
• 3:14:09
  thou that thine old enemy altogether striveth to hinder thy pursuit after good, and
• 3:14:16
  to deter THEE from every goodly exercise, to wit the contemplation of the saints,
• 3:14:24
  the pious remembrance of my passion, the profitable recollection of sin, the
• 3:14:31
  keeping of thy own heart, and the steadfast purpose to grow in virtue.
• 3:14:39
  He suggesteth to THEE many evil thoughts that he may work in THEE weariness and
• 3:14:45
  terror, and so draw THEE away from prayer and holy reading. Humble confession
• 3:14:52
  displeaseth him, and if he were able, he would make THEE to cease
• 3:14:58
  from communion. Believe him not nor heed him, though many a time he
• 3:15:03
  hath laid for THEE the snares of deceit. Account it to be from him.
• 3:15:09
  When he suggesteth evil and unclean thoughts, say unto him, depart,
• 3:15:18
  unclean spirit, put on shame, miserable one horribly unclean art Thou who bringest
• 3:15:26
  such things to mine ears depart from me, detestable deceiver, Thou shalt have
• 3:15:33
  no part in me, but Jesus shall be with me as a strong warrior,
• 3:15:39
  and thou shalt stand confounded. Rather would I die and bear all suffering
• 3:15:46
  than consent unto THEE. Hold thy peace and be dumb. I will not
• 3:15:52
  hear THEE more, though thou plottest more snares against me. The Lord is
• 3:15:58
  my light and my salvation. Whom then shall I fear? Though a host
• 3:16:03
  of men should rise up against me, Yet shall not my heart be afraid.
• 3:16:09
  The Lord is my strength and my redeemer. Psalms twenty seven, verses
• 3:16:16
  one to three and nineteen, verse fourteen. Strive thou like a good soldier,
• 3:16:24
  And if sometimes thou fail through weakness, put on thy strength more bravely
• 3:16:30
  than before, trusting in my more abundant grace, and take thou much heed
• 3:16:37
  of vain, confidence and pride. Because of it, many are led into
• 3:16:41
  error, and sometimes fall into blindness well nigh irredeemable. Let this ruin of
• 3:16:50
  the proud who foolishly lift themselves up be to THEE for a warning and a
• 3:16:56
  continual exhortation to Humility, Chapter seven of Hiding Our Grace under the Guard of
• 3:17:07
  humility. My son, it is better and safer for thee to hide the
• 3:17:15
  grace of devotion, and not to lift thyself up on high, nor to
• 3:17:20
  speak much thereof, nor to value it greatly, but rather to despise thyself
• 3:17:28
  and to fear as though this grace were given to one unworthy thereof. Nor
• 3:17:35
  must thou depend too much upon this feeling, for it can very quickly be
• 3:17:41
  turned into its opposite. Think when thou art in a state of grace,
• 3:17:46
  how miserable and poor thou art wont to be without grace. Nor is there
• 3:17:52
  advance in spiritual life in this alone that thou hast the grace of consolation,
• 3:18:00
  but that thou humbly and unselfishly and patiently takest the withdrawal thereof, so that
• 3:18:07
  thou cease not from the exercise of prayer, nor suffer thy other common duties
• 3:18:13
  to be in any wise neglected. Rather do thy task more readily, as
• 3:18:20
  though thou hadst gained more strength and knowledge, and do not altogether neglect thyself
• 3:18:26
  because of the dearth and anxiety of spirit which thou feelest. For there are
• 3:18:33
  many who when things have not gone prosperous with them, be come forthwith impatient
• 3:18:39
  or slothful. For the way of a man is not in himself Jeremiah ten,
• 3:18:48
  verse twenty three. But it is God's to give and to console when
• 3:18:52
  he will, and as much as he will, and whom he will,
• 3:18:58
  as it shall please him. And no further. Some who were presumptuous because
• 3:19:05
  of the grace and devotion within them have destroyed themselves, because they would do
• 3:19:11
  more than they were able, not considering the measure of their own littleness,
• 3:19:18
  but rather following the impulse of the heart than the judgment of the reason,
• 3:19:24
  And because they presumed beyond what was well pleasing unto God. Therefore they quickly
• 3:19:31
  lost grace, They became poor, and were left vile. Who had built
• 3:19:37
  for themselves their nest in heaven, so that being humbled and stricken with poverty,
• 3:19:43
  they might learn not to fly with their own wings, but to put
• 3:19:48
  their trust under My feathers. They who are as yet new and unskilled in
• 3:19:56
  the way of the Lord, unless they rule themselves after the counsel of the
• 3:20:01
  wise, may easily be deceived and led away. But if they wish to
• 3:20:09
  follow their own fancies rather than trust the experience of others. The result will
• 3:20:15
  be very dangerous to them if they still refuse to be drawn away from their
• 3:20:20
  own notion. Those who are wise in their own conceits seldom patiently endure to
• 3:20:28
  be ruled by others. It is better to have a small portion of wisdom,
• 3:20:33
  with humility and a slender understanding, than great treasures of science with vain
• 3:20:41
  self esteem. It is better for thee to have less than much of what
• 3:20:48
  may make THEE proud. He doeth not very discreetly, who giveth up himself
• 3:20:54
  entirely to joy, forgetting his former helplessness and the chaste fear of the Lord,
• 3:21:01
  which feareth to lose the grace offered, Nor is he very wise after
• 3:21:09
  a manly sought, who, in time of adversity or any trouble whatsoever,
• 3:21:16
  beareth himself to despairingly, and feeleth concerning me less trustfully than he ought.
• 3:21:24
  He who, in time of peace willeth to be oversecure, shall be often
• 3:21:31
  found in time of war over dispirited and full of fears. If thou knowest
• 3:21:39
  always how to continue humble and moderate in thyself, and to guide and rule
• 3:21:45
  thine own spirit well thou wouldst not so quickly fall into danger and mischief.
• 3:21:52
  It is good counsel, that when fervor of spirit is kindled, thou shouldst
• 3:21:58
  meditate how it will be with THEE when the light is taken away, which
• 3:22:05
  when it doth happen, remember that still the light may return again, which
• 3:22:09
  I have taken away for a time, for a warning to THEE, and
• 3:22:15
  also for mine own glory. Such a trial is often more useful than if
• 3:22:20
  thou hadst always things prosperous according to thine own will. For merits are not
• 3:22:28
  to be reckoned by this. That a man hath many visions or consolations,
• 3:22:37
  or that he is skilled in the scriptures, or that he is placed in
• 3:22:41
  a high situation, but that he is grounded upon true humility and filled with
• 3:22:48
  divine charity, that he always purely and uprightly seeketh the honor of God.
• 3:22:56
  That he setteth not by himself, but on fain despiseth himself, and even
• 3:23:03
  rejoiceth to be despised and humbled by others, more than to be honored.
• 3:23:13
  Chapter eight. Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God.
• 3:23:20
  I will speak unto my Lord, who am but dust and ashes. If
• 3:23:26
  I count myself more, behold, thou standest against me, and my iniquities
• 3:23:33
  bear true testimony, and I cannot gainsay it. But if I abase myself
• 3:23:39
  and bring myself to naught, and shrink from all self esteem, and grind
• 3:23:46
  myself to dust, which I am, thy grace will be favorable unto me,
• 3:23:54
  and thy light will be near unto my heart. And all self esteem,
• 3:24:00
  how little soever it be, shall be swallowed up in the depths of
• 3:24:05
  my nothingness, and shall perish forever. There. Thou ShoWest to me thyself
• 3:24:11
  what I am, what I was, and whither I have come. So
• 3:24:16
  foolish was I and ignorant Psalm seventy three, verse twenty two. If I
• 3:24:24
  am left to myself, behold, I am nothing, I am all weakness.
• 3:24:31
  But if suddenly thou look upon me, immediately I am made strong and
• 3:24:37
  filled with new joy. And it is great marvel that I am so suddenly
• 3:24:43
  lifted up and so graciously embraced by THEE. Since I am always being carried
• 3:24:48
  to the deep by my own weight. This is the doing of Thy love,
• 3:24:54
  which freely goeth before me and succuereth me in so many necessities, which
• 3:25:01
  guardeth me also in great dangers, and snatcheth me, as I may truly
• 3:25:09
  say, from innumerable evils. For verily, by loving myself, amiss,
• 3:25:16
  I lost myself, and by seeking and sincerely loving THEE alone, I found
• 3:25:22
  both myself and THEE. And through love I have brought myself to yet deeper
• 3:25:30
  nothingness. Because Thou, o most sweet Lord, dealest with me beyond all
• 3:25:37
  merit, and above all which I dare ask or think. Blessed be thou,
• 3:25:45
  o, my God, because though I be unworthy of all thy benefits,
• 3:25:50
  Thou bountiful and infinite goodness never ceaseth to do good, even to ingrates
• 3:25:58
  and to those who are turned are from THEE. Turn thou us unto thyself,
• 3:26:05
  that we may be grateful, humble, and godly. For Thou art
• 3:26:11
  our salvation, our courage, and our strength. Chapter nine. That all
• 3:26:20
  things are to be referred to God as the final end. My son,
• 3:26:28
  I must be thy supreme and final end. If thou desirest to be truly
• 3:26:35
  happy, out of such purpose, thy affection shall be purified, which too
• 3:26:43
  often is sinfully bent upon itself and upon created things. For if thou seekest
• 3:26:50
  thyself in any matter straightway, thou wilt fail within thyself and grow barren.
• 3:26:58
  Therefore, refer everything to me first of all, for it is I who
• 3:27:05
  gave thee all. So look upon each blessing as flowing from the supreme good.
• 3:27:13
  And thus all things are to be attributed to Me as their source.
• 3:27:20
  From me, the humble and great, the poor and the rich, draw
• 3:27:24
  water as from a living fountain. And those who serve ME with a free
• 3:27:31
  and faithful spirit shall receive grace from grace. But he who will glory apart
• 3:27:39
  from Me, or will be delighted with any good which lieth in himself,
• 3:27:45
  shall not be established in true joy, nor shall be enlarged in heart,
• 3:27:52
  but shall be greatly hindered and thrown into tribulation. Therefore thou must not ascribe
• 3:27:58
  any good to thyself, nor look upon virtue as belonging to any man,
• 3:28:05
  but ascribe it all unto God, without whom man hath nothing. I gave
• 3:28:13
  all, I will receive all again, and with great strictness require I the
• 3:28:20
  giving of thanks. This is the truth, and by it the vanity of
• 3:28:26
  boasting is put to flight. And if heavenly grace and true charity shall enter
• 3:28:33
  into THEE. There shall be no envy nor straightening of the heart, nor
• 3:28:39
  shall any self love take possession of THEE. For divine charity conquereth all things
• 3:28:48
  and enlargeth all the powers of the soul. If thou art truly wise,
• 3:28:54
  thou wilt rejoice in me alone. Thou wilt hope in mere loone, For
• 3:29:01
  there is none good but one that is God Luke eighteen, verse nineteen,
• 3:29:09
  who is to be praised above all things and in all things to receive blessing.
• 3:29:20
  Chapter ten. That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve
• 3:29:26
  God. Now will I speak again, O, my Lord, and hold
• 3:29:33
  not my peace. I will say in the years of my God, my
• 3:29:37
  Lord and my King, who is exalted above all. Oh, how plentiful
• 3:29:45
  is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear THEE. Psalm
• 3:29:50
  thirty one, verse twenty one. But what art thou to those who love
• 3:29:56
  THEE? What to those who serve THEE with their whole heart? Truly unspeakable
• 3:30:03
  is the sweetness of the contemplation of THEE, which thou bestowest upon those who
• 3:30:09
  love THEE. In this most of all, thou hast showed me the sweetness
• 3:30:16
  of thy charity, that, when I was not thou madest me, and
• 3:30:22
  when I wandered far from THEE, Thou broughtest me back that I might serve
• 3:30:28
  THEE, and commandest me to love THEE, O fountain of perpetual love.
• 3:30:35
  What shall I say concerning THEE? How shall I be unmindful of THEE,
• 3:30:41
  who didst vouchsafe to remember me even after I pined away and perished. Thou
• 3:30:50
  hast had mercy beyond all hope upon thy servant, and hast showed thy grace
• 3:30:56
  and friendship beyond all deserving. What reward shall I render THEE for this grace?
• 3:31:05
  For it is not given unto all to renounce this world and its affairs
• 3:31:09
  and to take up a religious life. For is it a great thing that
• 3:31:16
  I should serve THEE whom every creature ought to serve? It ought not to
• 3:31:22
  seem a great thing to me to serve THEE. But rather this appeareth to
• 3:31:28
  me a great and wonderful thing, that Thou vouchsafest to receive as thy servant,
• 3:31:35
  one so poor and unworthy, and to join him unto thy chosen servants.
• 3:31:43
  Behold all things which I have are thine, and with them I serve
• 3:31:48
  THEE. And yet verily it is thou who servest me rather than I THEE.
• 3:31:58
  Behold the heaven and the earth, which thou hast created for the service
• 3:32:03
  of men. They are at thy bidding and perform daily whatsoever thou dost command
• 3:32:11
  YEA, and this is little, for thou hast even ordained the angels for
• 3:32:16
  the service of man. But it surpasseth even all these things that thou thyself
• 3:32:24
  didst vouchsafe to minister unto man, and didst promise that thou wouldst give thyself
• 3:32:31
  unto him? What shall I render unto THEE for all these thy manifold mercies.
• 3:32:41
  Oh that I were able to serve THEE all the days of my life,
• 3:32:48
  O that even for one day I were enabled to do THEE service worthy
• 3:32:52
  of thyself. For verily thou art worthy of all service, all honor and
• 3:33:01
  praise without end. Verily Thou art my God. And I am thy poor
• 3:33:07
  servant, who am bound to serve THEE with all my strength. Nor aught
• 3:33:13
  I ever to grow weary of Thy praise. This is my wish, this
• 3:33:20
  is my exceeding great desire. And whatsoever is lacking to me vouchsafe thou to
• 3:33:26
  supply. It is great honor, great glory to serve thee and to despise
• 3:33:35
  all for Thy sake. For they shall have great grace. Who of their
• 3:33:41
  own will shall submit themselves to thy most holy service. They who for Thy
• 3:33:48
  love have cast away every carnal delight, shall find the sweetest consolation of the
• 3:33:56
  Holy Ghost. They who enter the narrow way of life for thy name's sake,
• 3:34:03
  and have put away all worldly cares, shall attain great liberty of spirit,
• 3:34:11
  Oh, grateful and delightsome service of God, whereby man is made truly
• 3:34:18
  free and holy. O sacred condition of the religious servant, which maketh man
• 3:34:26
  equal to the angels, well, pleasing unto God, terrible to evil spirits,
• 3:34:33
  and acceptable to all faithful ones. O service to be embraced and ever
• 3:34:39
  desired, in which the highest good is promised and joy is gained, which
• 3:34:46
  shall remain forevermore. End of Chapter ten, Chapter eleven. That the desires
• 3:34:58
  of the heart are to be exactly and governed. My son, thou hast
• 3:35:03
  still many things to learn, which thou hast not well learned. Yet what
• 3:35:09
  are they Lord to place thy desire altogether in subjection to my good pleasure,
• 3:35:18
  and not to be a lover of thyself, but an earnest seeker of my
• 3:35:22
  will. Thy desires often excite and urge THEE forward. But consider with thyself
• 3:35:31
  whether thou art not more moved for thine own objects than for my honor.
• 3:35:37
  If it is myself that thou seekest, thou shalt be well content with whatsoever
• 3:35:43
  I shall ordain. But if any pursuit of thine own lieth hidden within THEE,
• 3:35:50
  behold, it is this which hindereth, and weigheth THEE down. Beware,
• 3:35:56
  therefore, lest thou strive too earnestly after some desire which thou hast conceived
• 3:36:03
  without taking counsel of me, lest haply it repent THEE afterwards, and that
• 3:36:11
  displease THEE which before pleased, and for which thou didst long as for a
• 3:36:16
  great good. For not every affection which seemeth good is to be forthwith followed,
• 3:36:24
  neither is every opposite affection to be immediately avoided. Sometimes it is expedient
• 3:36:31
  to use restraint, even in good desires and wishes, lest through importunity thou
• 3:36:39
  fall into distraction of mind. Lest through want of discipline, thou become a
• 3:36:46
  stumbling block to others, or lest by the resistance of others thou be suddenly
• 3:36:52
  disturbed and brought to confusion. Sometimes. Indeed, it is needful to use
• 3:37:00
  violence and manfully to strive against the sensual appetite, and not to consider what
• 3:37:07
  the flesh may or not will, but rather to strive after this, that
• 3:37:13
  it may become subject, however unwillingly, to the spirit. And for so
• 3:37:20
  long it ought to be chastised and compelled to undergo slavery, even until it
• 3:37:24
  be ready for all things and learn to be contented with little, to be
• 3:37:31
  delighted with things simple, and never to murmur at any inconvenience. Chapter twelve,
• 3:37:41
  of the inward growth of patience and of the struggle against evil desires.
• 3:37:50
  O Lord God, I see that patience is very necessary unto me, for
• 3:37:56
  many things in this life fall out contrary. For howsoever I may have contrived
• 3:38:01
  for my peace, my life cannot go on without strife and trouble. Thou
• 3:38:09
  speakest truly, my son, for I will not that thou seek such a
• 3:38:15
  peace as is without trials and knowest no adversities, but rather that thou shouldest
• 3:38:22
  judge thyself to have found peace when thou art tried with manifold tribulations and proved
• 3:38:30
  by many adversities. If thou shalt say that thou art not able to bear
• 3:38:35
  such, how then wilt thou sustain the fire hereafter? Of two evils?
• 3:38:43
  We should always choose the less. Therefore, that thou mayest escape eternal torments.
• 3:38:50
  Hereafter, strive on God's behalf to endure present evils. Bravely thinkest thou
• 3:38:58
  that the chrul dren of this world suffen nought or but little thou wilt not
• 3:39:05
  find it so, even though thou find out the most prosperous. But thou
• 3:39:11
  wilt say they have many delights, and they follow their own wills, and
• 3:39:16
  thus they bear lightly their tribulations. Be it so grant that they have what
• 3:39:24
  they list, But how long, thinkest thou would it last behold? Like
• 3:39:30
  the smoke? Those who are rich in this world will pass away, and
• 3:39:35
  no record shall remain of their past joys. Yea, even while they yet
• 3:39:41
  live, they rest not without bitterness and weariness and fear, For from the
• 3:39:48
  very same thing wherein they find delight, thence they oftentimes have the punishment of
• 3:39:54
  sorrow. Justly. It befallth them that because out of measure they seek out
• 3:40:01
  and pursue pleasures, they enjoy them not without confusion and bitterness. O how
• 3:40:07
  short, how false, how inordinate, and wicked are all these pleasures,
• 3:40:15
  Yet because of their scottishness and blindness, men do not understand. But like
• 3:40:22
  brute beasts, for the sake of a little pleasure, of this corruptible life,
• 3:40:26
  they incur death of the soul. Thou, therefore, my son,
• 3:40:31
  go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites. Ecclesiastes eighteen,
• 3:40:41
  verse thirty. Delight thou in the Lord, and He shall give THEE
• 3:40:46
  thy heart's desire. Psalm thirty seven, verse four. For if thou wilt
• 3:40:54
  truly find delight and be abundantly comforted of Me, behold, in the contempt
• 3:41:01
  of all worldly things, and in the avoidance of all worthless pleasures, shall
• 3:41:07
  be thy blessing and fullness of consolation shall be given THEE. And the more
• 3:41:13
  thou withdrawest thyself from all solace of creatures, the more sweet and powerful consolations
• 3:41:22
  thou shalt find. But at the first thou shalt not attain to them.
• 3:41:28
  Without some sorrow and hard striving, long accustomed habit will oppose, but it
• 3:41:35
  shall be overcome by better habit. The flesh will murmur again and again,
• 3:41:43
  but will be restrained by fervor of spirit. The old serpent will urge and
• 3:41:48
  embitter thee, but will be put to flight by prayer, moreover by useful
• 3:41:56
  labor. His entrance will be greatly obstructed. Chapter thirteen of the Obedience of
• 3:42:05
  One in lowly subjection, after the example of Jesus Christ my son. He
• 3:42:16
  who striveth to withdraw himself from obedience withdraweth himself also from grace. And he
• 3:42:24
  who seeketh private advantages loseth those which are common unto all. If a man
• 3:42:31
  submit not freely and willingly to one set over him, it is a sign
• 3:42:37
  that his flesh is not yet perfectly subject to himself, but often resisteth and
• 3:42:43
  murmureth. Learn therefore quickly to submit thyself to him who is over thee.
• 3:42:50
  If thou seekest to bring thine own flesh into subjection, for the outward enemy
• 3:42:56
  is very quickly overcome. If the inner man have not been laid low,
• 3:43:03
  there is no more grievous and deadly enemy to the soul than thou art to
• 3:43:09
  thyself. If thou art not led by the spirit, thou must not altogether
• 3:43:16
  conceive contempt for thyself, if thou wilt prevail against flesh and blood. Because
• 3:43:22
  as yet thou inordinately lovest thyself. Therefore thou shrinkest from yielding thyself to the
• 3:43:30
  will of others. But what great thing is it that thou, who art
• 3:43:35
  dust and nothingness, yieldest thyself to man for God's sake? When I,
• 3:43:41
  the Almighty and the most High, who created all things out of nothing,
• 3:43:48
  subjected myself to man for thy sake, I became the most humble and despised
• 3:43:56
  of men, that by my humility thou might overcome thy pride. Learn to
• 3:44:03
  obey o dust, Learn to humble thyself, O earth and clay, and
• 3:44:11
  to bow thyself beneath the feet of all. Learn to crush thy passions,
• 3:44:18
  and to yield thyself to all subjection. Be zealous against thyself, nor suffer
• 3:44:26
  pride to live within thee, but to show thyself subject and of no reputation,
• 3:44:33
  that all may be able to walk over thee and tread thee down as
• 3:44:39
  the clay in the streets. What hast thou, o foolish man, of
• 3:44:45
  which to complain, What O vile sinner canst thou answer those who speak against
• 3:44:52
  THEE, seeing thou hast so often offended God, and many a time hast
• 3:44:56
  deserved hell. But mine eye hath spared THEE, because thy soul was precious
• 3:45:05
  in my sight, that thou mightest know my love, and mightest be thankful
• 3:45:11
  for my benefits, and that thou mightest give thyself altogether to true subjection and
• 3:45:18
  humility, and patiently bear the contempt which thou meritest Chapter fourteen of Meditation,
• 3:45:31
  upon the hidden judgments of God, that we may not be lifted up because
• 3:45:35
  of our well doing. Thou sendest forth thy judgments against me, O Lord,
• 3:45:43
  and shakest all my bones with fear and trembling, and my soul trembleth
• 3:45:48
  exceedingly. I stand astonished, and remember that the heavens are not clean in
• 3:45:56
  thy sight. Job fifteen, verse fifteen. If thou chargest thine angels with
• 3:46:03
  folly, and didst spare them not, then how shall it be unto me?
• 3:46:09
  Stars have fallen from heaven? And what shall I dare? Who am
• 3:46:15
  but dust? They whose works seemed to be praiseworthy fell into the lowest depths,
• 3:46:22
  And they who did eat angels food them? Have I seen delighted with
• 3:46:28
  the husks that the swine do eat. There is therefore no holiness if thou,
• 3:46:35
  O Lord, withdraw thine hand. No wisdom profiteth if thou leave off
• 3:46:41
  to guide the helm, no strength of aileth if thou ceast to preserve.
• 3:46:50
  No purity is secure if thou protect it not, no self keeping a veileth
• 3:46:58
  if thy holy watching be not there. For when we are left alone we
• 3:47:03
  are swallowed up and perish. But when we are visited, we are raised
• 3:47:09
  up and we live. How indeed we are unstable, but are made strong
• 3:47:16
  through thee. We grow cold, but are rekindled by THEE. Oh how
• 3:47:24
  humbly and abjectly must I reckon of myself? How must I weigh it as
• 3:47:30
  nothing if I seem to have nothing good? Oh? How profoundly ought I
• 3:47:35
  to submit myself to thy unfathomable judgments, O Lord? When I find myself
• 3:47:41
  nothing else save nothing, and again nothing? Oh wait, unmeasurable o ocean
• 3:47:50
  which cannot be crossed over? Where I find nothing of myself save nothing altogether?
• 3:47:58
  Where then is the hiding place of glory, where the confidence begotten of
• 3:48:05
  virtue. All vain glory is swallowed up in the depths of thy judgments against
• 3:48:11
  me? What is all flesh in thy sight? For how shall the clay
• 3:48:20
  boast against him that fashioned it? Psalm twenty nine, verse sixteen. How
• 3:48:28
  can he be lifted up in vain speech whose heart is subjected in truth to
• 3:48:33
  God? The whole world shall not lift him up, whom truth hath subdued,
• 3:48:41
  Nor shall he be moved by the mouth of all who praise him,
• 3:48:45
  who hath placed all his hope in God. For they themselves who speak,
• 3:48:50
  behold, they are all nothing, For they shall cease with the sound of
• 3:48:56
  their words. But the true truth of the Lord endureth forever. Psalm one
• 3:49:05
  hundred and seventeen, verse two, chapter fifteen. How we must stand and
• 3:49:16
  speak in everything that we desire, My son, Speak thou thus in every
• 3:49:24
  matter, Lord, if it please thee, let this come to pass,
• 3:49:31
  Lord, if this shall be for Thine honor, Let it be done in
• 3:49:35
  thy name. Lord. If thou see it good for me and approve it
• 3:49:41
  as useful, then grant me to use it for thy honor. But if
• 3:49:46
  thou knowest that it shall be hurtful unto me and not profitable for the health
• 3:49:52
  of my soul. Take the desire away from me, for not every desire
• 3:50:00
  from the Holy Ghost. Although it appear to a man right and good,
• 3:50:05
  it is difficult to judge with certainty whether a good or an evil spirit move
• 3:50:11
  THEE to desire this or that, or whether thou art moved by thine own
• 3:50:16
  spirit. Many have been deceived in the past who seemed at the beginning to
• 3:50:24
  be moved by a good spirit. Therefore, whatsoever seemeth to THEE desirable,
• 3:50:31
  thou must always desire and seek after it with the fear of God and humility
• 3:50:37
  of heart. And most of all, must altogether resign thyself and commit all
• 3:50:43
  unto me, And say, Lord, thou knowest what is best. Let
• 3:50:50
  this or that be according as thou wilt, give what thou wilt, so
• 3:50:56
  much as thou wilt, when thou wilt, do with me as thou knowest
• 3:51:03
  best, and as best shall please THEE. And I shall be most to
• 3:51:07
  Thine honor. Place me where thou wilt, and freely work thy will with
• 3:51:13
  me. In all things. I am in thine hand, And turn me
• 3:51:20
  in my course. Behold, I am thy servant, ready for all things.
• 3:51:26
  For I desire to live not to myself but to THEE. O,
• 3:51:31
  that I might live worthily and perfectly. A prayer to be enabled to do
• 3:51:39
  God's will perfectly. Grant me thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it
• 3:51:48
  may be with me, and work in me, and persevere with me even
• 3:51:54
  unto the end. Grant that I may ever desire and will whatsoever is most
• 3:52:01
  pleasing and dear unto THEE. Let Thy will be mine, and let my
• 3:52:07
  will always follow Thine and entirely accord with it. May I choose and reject
• 3:52:16
  whatsoever Thou dost YEA, Let it be impossible for me to choose or reject
• 3:52:24
  except according to Thy will. Grant that I may die to all worldly things,
• 3:52:33
  and for Thy sake love to be despised and unknown in this world.
• 3:52:39
  Grant unto me above all things, that I can desire to rest in THEE,
• 3:52:46
  and that in THEE my heart may be at peace. Thou art the
• 3:52:52
  true peace of the heart, Thou alone its rest. Apart from THEE,
• 3:52:58
  all things are and unquiet. In THEE alone, the supreme and eternal God.
• 3:53:07
  I will lay me down in peace and take my rest amen Psalm four,
• 3:53:16
  verse nine, chapter sixteen. That true solace is to be sought in
• 3:53:24
  God alone. Whatsoever I am able to desire or to think of. For
• 3:53:33
  my solace, I look for it not here but hereafter. For if I
• 3:53:39
  alone had all the solaces of this world, and were able to enjoy all
• 3:53:43
  its delights, it is certain that they could not endure long. Wherefore,
• 3:53:50
  o, my soul, thou canst be fully comforted and perfectly refreshed only in
• 3:53:56
  God, the comforter of the poor and the lifter up of the humble.
• 3:54:03
  Wait but a little while, my soul, wait for the divine promise,
• 3:54:07
  and thou shalt have abundance of all good things in heaven. If thou longest
• 3:54:15
  too inordinately for the things which are now, thou shalt lose those which are
• 3:54:20
  eternal and heavenly. Let temporal things be in the use eternal things in the
• 3:54:28
  desire. Thou canst not be satisfied with any temporal good, for thou wast
• 3:54:35
  not created for the enjoyment of these. Although thou hadst all the good things
• 3:54:43
  which ever were created, Yet couldst not thou be happy and blessed all thy
• 3:54:50
  blessedness, and thy felicity lieth in God, who created all things. Not
• 3:54:56
  such felicity as seemeth good to the full foolish lover of the world, but
• 3:55:01
  such as Christ's good and faithful servants wait for, and as the spiritual and
• 3:55:09
  pure in heart sometimes taste, whose conservation is in heaven. Philippians three,
• 3:55:18
  verse twenty. All human solace is empty and short lived. Blessed and true
• 3:55:26
  is that solace which is felt inwardly, springing from the truth. The godly
• 3:55:33
  man everywhere beareth about with him his own comforter Jesus, and saith unto him.
• 3:55:41
  Be with me, Lord Jesus, always and everywhere. Let it be
• 3:55:46
  my comfort to be able to give up cheerfully all human comfort. And if
• 3:55:52
  Thy consolation fail me, let Thy will and righteous approval be allways with me
• 3:56:01
  for the highest comfort. For thou wilt not always be chiding. Neither keepest
• 3:56:07
  thou thine anger forever Psalm one hundred and two, verse nine, Chapter seventeen.
• 3:56:20
  That all care is to be cast upon God my Son. Suffer me
• 3:56:28
  to do with THEE what I will. I know what is expedient for THEE.
• 3:56:33
  Thou thinkest as a man in many things, Thou judgest as human affection
• 3:56:39
  persuadeth THEE Lord. What thou sayest is true. Greater is thy care for
• 3:56:48
  me than all the care which I am able to take for myself. For
• 3:56:54
  too insecurely doth he stand who casteth not all his care upon THEE Lord.
• 3:57:01
  So long as my will standeth right and firm in thee do with me what
• 3:57:07
  thou wilt. For whatsoever thou shalt do with me cannot be aught but good.
• 3:57:15
  Blessed be thou if thou wilt leave me in darkness. Blessed also be
• 3:57:22
  thou, if thou wilt leave me in light. Blessed be thou if thou
• 3:57:28
  vouchsafe to comfort me, And always blessed be thou if thou cause me to
• 3:57:33
  be troubled my son. Even Thus must thou stand. If thou desirest to
• 3:57:41
  walk with me, Thou must be ready alike for suffering or rejoicing. Thou
• 3:57:48
  must be poor and needy, as willingly as full and rich. Lord,
• 3:57:56
  I will willingly bear for thee Ye, whatsoever thou wilt have to come upon
• 3:58:01
  me without choice, I will receive from thy hand good and evil, sweet
• 3:58:09
  and bitter, joy and sadness, and will give THEE thanks for all things
• 3:58:16
  which shall happen unto me. Keep me from all sin, and I will
• 3:58:22
  not fear death nor hell. Only cast me not away forever, nor blot
• 3:58:30
  me out of the book of life. Then no tribulation which shall come upon
• 3:58:35
  me shall do me hurt. Chapter eighteen. That temporal miseries are to be
• 3:58:46
  borne patiently, after the example of Christ, my son, I came down
• 3:58:54
  from heaven for thy salvation. I took upon me thy misery, not of
• 3:59:00
  necessity, but drawn by love, that thou mightest learn patience and mightest bear
• 3:59:07
  temporal miseries without murmuring. For from the hour of my birth until my death
• 3:59:15
  upon the Cross, I ceased not from bearing of sorrow. I had much
• 3:59:20
  lack of temporal things. I oftentimes heard many reproaches against myself. I gently
• 3:59:30
  bore contradictions and hard words. I received ingratitude for benefits, blasphemies for my
• 3:59:37
  miracles, rebukes for my doctrine. Lord, because thou wast patient in thy
• 3:59:46
  life herein most of all, fulfilling the commandment of thy father, it is
• 3:59:52
  well that I, miserable sinner, should patiently bear myself according to thy will,
• 4:00:01
  and as long as thou wilt have it, so should bear about with
• 4:00:05
  me for my salvation the burden of this corruptible life. For although the present
• 4:00:13
  life seemeth burdensome, it is nevertheless already made very full of merit through thy
• 4:00:18
  grace, and to those who are weak. It becometh easier and brighter through
• 4:00:26
  thy example and the footsteps of thy saints. But it is also much more
• 4:00:33
  full of consolation than it was of old, under the Old Testament, when
• 4:00:39
  the gate of heaven remained shot, and even the way to heaven seemed more
• 4:00:43
  obscure, when so few cared to seek after the heavenly kingdom. But not
• 4:00:50
  even those who were then just and in the way of salvation, were able,
• 4:00:56
  before Thy passion and the ransom thy holy death, to enter the Kingdom
• 4:01:03
  of heaven. Oh what great thanks am I bound to give THEE who hast
• 4:01:09
  vouchsafe to show me and all faithful people the good and right way to Thine
• 4:01:16
  eternal kingdom. For thy way is our way, and by holy patience we
• 4:01:24
  walk to THEE who art our crown. If thou hadst not gone before and
• 4:01:30
  taught us who would care to follow? Oh, how far would they have
• 4:01:35
  gone backward if they had not beheld thy glorious example. Behold, we are
• 4:01:43
  still lukewarm, though we have heard of thy many signs and discourses. What
• 4:01:50
  would become of us if we had not such a light to help us follow
• 4:01:54
  thee Chapter nineteen of bearing injuries? And who shall be approved as truly patient?
• 4:02:11
  What sayst thou, my son, cease to complain? Consider my suffering
• 4:02:16
  and that of my saints. Thou hast not yet resisted unto blood Hebrews twelve,
• 4:02:24
  verse four. It is little which thou sufferest in comparison with those who
• 4:02:31
  have suffer'd so many things, have been so strongly tempted, so grievously troubled,
• 4:02:39
  so many wise proved and tried. Thou aughtest therefore to call to mind
• 4:02:46
  the more grievous sufferings of others, that thou mightst bear thy lesser ones more
• 4:02:52
  easily. And if they seem not to thee little, see that it is
• 4:02:58
  not thy impact which is the cause of this, but whether they belittle,
• 4:03:05
  or whether they be great study to bear them all with patience. So far
• 4:03:13
  as thou settest thyself to bear patiently, so far thou dost wisely and art
• 4:03:20
  deserving of the more merit, thou shalt also bear the more easily, if
• 4:03:26
  thy mind and habit are carefully trained hereunto and say not, I cannot bear
• 4:03:35
  these things from such a man, Nor are things of this kind to be
• 4:03:39
  borne by me, For he hath done me grievous harm, and imputeth to
• 4:03:43
  me what I had never thought. But from another I will suffer patiently such
• 4:03:50
  things as I see I ought to suffer. Foolish is such a thought as
• 4:03:56
  this, For it considereth not the virtue of patience, nor by whom that
• 4:04:01
  virtue is to be crowned, But it rather weigheth persons and offenses against self.
• 4:04:11
  He is not truly patient, who will only suffer as far as seemeth
• 4:04:16
  right to himself and from whom he pleaseth. But the truly patient man considereth
• 4:04:24
  not by what man he is tried, whether by one above him or by
• 4:04:28
  an equal or inferior, whether by a good and holy man or a perverse
• 4:04:35
  and unworthy, but indifferently from every creature, whatsoever, or how often soever
• 4:04:43
  adversity happeneth to him, he gratefully accepteth all from the hand of God,
• 4:04:50
  and counteth it great gain. For with God, nothing which is born for
• 4:04:56
  his sake, however small, shall lose its reward. Be thou therefore ready
• 4:05:05
  for the fight. If thou wilt have the victory without striving, thou canst
• 4:05:11
  not win the crown of patience. If thou wilt not suffer, thou refusest
• 4:05:18
  to be crowned. But if thou desirest to be crowned, strive manfully,
• 4:05:26
  endure patiently without labor. Thou drawest not near to rest, nor without fighting.
• 4:05:35
  Comest Thou to victory. Make possible to me, O Lord, by
• 4:05:43
  grace, what seemeth impossible to me by nature. Thou knowest how little I
• 4:05:48
  am able to bear, and how quickly I am cast down when a like
• 4:05:54
  adversity riseth up against me. Whats so, however trial of tribulation may come
• 4:06:01
  to me, may it become unto me pleasing and acceptable? For to suffer
• 4:06:09
  and be vexed for thy sake is exceeding healthful to the soul. Chapter twenty
• 4:06:20
  of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life, I will
• 4:06:28
  acknowledge my sin unto thee Psalm thirty two, verse five. I will confess
• 4:06:37
  to THEE Lord my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me
• 4:06:43
  down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely. But
• 4:06:50
  when a little temptation cometh immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small
• 4:07:00
  sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh. And whilst I imagine myself
• 4:07:07
  safe for a little space, when I am not considering, I find myself
• 4:07:13
  often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. Behold, therefore, o
• 4:07:20
  Lord, my humility and my frailty, which is altogether known to THEE.
• 4:07:28
  Be merciful unto me, and draw me out of the mire that I sink
• 4:07:33
  not Psalm fifty nine, verse sixteen, lest I ever remain cast down.
• 4:07:43
  This is what frequently throweth me backward, and confoundeth me before THEE. That
• 4:07:48
  I am so liable to fall, so weak to resist my passions. And
• 4:07:54
  though their assault is not altogether according to my will, it is ireland and
• 4:08:00
  grievous, and it altogether wearieth me to live thus daily in conflict. Herein
• 4:08:09
  is my infirmity made known to me, that hateful fancies always rush in far
• 4:08:16
  more easily than they depart. O that thou, most Mighty God of Israel,
• 4:08:24
  Lover of all faithful souls, wouldst look upon the labor and sorrow of
• 4:08:28
  thy servant, and give him help in all things whereunto he striveth strengthen me
• 4:08:37
  with heavenly fortitude. Lest the old man, this miserable flesh, not being
• 4:08:43
  yet fully subdued to the spirit, prevail to rule over me against which I
• 4:08:50
  ought to strive, so long as I remain in this most miserable life.
• 4:08:58
  Oh, what a life is this? Where tribulations and miseries cease, Not
• 4:09:03
  where all things are full of snares and of enemies. For when one tribulation
• 4:09:09
  or temptation goeth another cometh. Yea, while the former conflict is yet raging,
• 4:09:18
  others come more in number and unexpected. And how can the life of
• 4:09:24
  man be loved? Seeing that it hath so many bitter things, that it
• 4:09:31
  is subjected to so many calamities and miseries. How can it even be called
• 4:09:37
  life when it produces so many deaths and plagues. The world is often reproached
• 4:09:45
  because it is deceitful and vain, Yet notwithstanding it is not easily given up,
• 4:09:50
  because the lusts of the flesh have too much rule over it. Some
• 4:09:56
  draw us to love, some to hate. The lust of the flesh,
• 4:10:01
  the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These draw to
• 4:10:07
  love of the world. But the punishments and miseries which righteously follow these things
• 4:10:13
  bring forth hatred of the world and weariness. But alas an evil desire conquereth
• 4:10:22
  a mind given to the world, and thinketh it happiness to be under the
• 4:10:28
  nettles Job thirty verse seven, because it savoreth not nor perceiveth the sweetness of
• 4:10:37
  God, nor the inward gracefulness of virtue. But they who perfectly despise the
• 4:10:45
  world and strive to live unto God in holy discipline, these are not ignorant
• 4:10:50
  of the divine sweetness promised to all who truly deny themselves. And see clearly
• 4:10:58
  how greenfly the world earreth, and in how many ways it is deceived.
• 4:11:07
  End of Book three, Chapter twenty Chapter twenty one. That we must rest
• 4:11:15
  in God above all goods and gifts, above all things, and in all
• 4:11:22
  things, thou shalt rest always in the Lord o my soul, for He
• 4:11:28
  himself is the eternal rest of the Saints, grant me most sweet and loving
• 4:11:37
  Jesus, to rest in THEE. Above every creature, above all health and
• 4:11:43
  beauty, above all glory and honor, above all power and dignity, above
• 4:11:52
  all knowledge and skillfulness, above all riches and arts, above all joy and
• 4:12:00
  exaltation, above all fame and praise, above all sweetness and consolation, above
• 4:12:09
  all hope and promise, above all merit and desire, Above all gifts and
• 4:12:18
  rewards which Thou canst give and pour forth, Above all joy and tribulation which
• 4:12:26
  the mind is able to receive and feel in a word, Above angels and
• 4:12:33
  archangels, and all the army of Heaven, above all things visible and invisible,
• 4:12:41
  and above everything which Thou, o God, art not. For Thou,
• 4:12:48
  o Lord, my God, art best above all things. Thou only
• 4:12:56
  art the most High, Thou only, the Almighty, Thou only, the
• 4:13:01
  all sufficient and the fullness of all things. Thou only, all delightsome and
• 4:13:09
  the all comforting, Thou alone, the all together, lovely and altogether loving,
• 4:13:18
  Thou alone, the most exalted and most glorious, above all things,
• 4:13:24
  in whom all things are and were and ever shall be, all together,
• 4:13:30
  and all perfect and thus it fallth short and is insufficient. Whatsoever thou givest
• 4:13:37
  to me without thyself, or whatsoever thou revealest or dost promise concerning thyself,
• 4:13:46
  while thou art not seen or fully possessed. Since verily my heart cannot truly
• 4:13:52
  rest nor be entirely content except it rest in THEE and go beyond all gifts
• 4:14:01
  and every creature, O, my most beloved spouse, Jesus Christ, most
• 4:14:09
  holy lover of my soul, Ruler of this whole creation, Who shall give
• 4:14:15
  me the wings of true liberty that I may flee to THEE and find rest.
• 4:14:22
  O? When shall it be given me to be open and to receive
• 4:14:26
  THEE to the full, and to see how sweet thou art, O,
• 4:14:30
  Lord, my God? When shall I collect myself altogether in THEE, that
• 4:14:37
  because of Thy love I may not feel myself at all, but may know
• 4:14:41
  THEE only above every sense and pleasure in measure not known to others. But
• 4:14:50
  now I ofttimes groan and bear my sad estate with sorrow, because many evils
• 4:14:56
  befall me in this vale of miseries, which continually disturb and fill me with
• 4:15:03
  sorrow, and encloud me, continually hinder and fill me with care allure and
• 4:15:11
  entangle me that I cannot have free access to THEE, nor enjoy that sweet
• 4:15:16
  intercourse which is always near at hand to the blessed spirits. Let my deep
• 4:15:24
  sighing come before THEE and my manifold desolation on the earth, O Jesus,
• 4:15:33
  light of eternal glory, solace of the wandering soul. Before THEE. My
• 4:15:39
  mouth is without speech, and my silence speaketh to THEE. How long will
• 4:15:46
  my Lord delay to come unto me? Let him come unto me, his
• 4:15:52
  poor and humble one, and make me glad. Let him put forth his
• 4:15:58
  hand and deliver his hoe from every snare. Come, O, Come,
• 4:16:03
  For without THEE shall be no joyful day or hour. For Thou art my
• 4:16:10
  joy. And without THEE is my table empty. I am miserable and in
• 4:16:17
  a manner, imprisoned and loaded with fetters. Until Thou refresh me by the
• 4:16:22
  light of thy presence and give me liberty and show thy loving countenance. Let
• 4:16:32
  others seek some other things instead of THEE. Whatsoever it shall please them.
• 4:16:40
  But for my part, nothing else pleaseth or shall please save Thou, my
• 4:16:45
  God, my hope, my eternal salvation. I will not hold my peace,
• 4:16:52
  nor cease to implore until thy grace return, and until thou speak to
• 4:16:57
  me within. Behold here I am, Behold, I come to THEE.
• 4:17:07
  For thou didst call me. Thy tears and the longing of thy soul,
• 4:17:12
  Thy humbleness and contrition of heart, have inclined me and brought me to THEE.
• 4:17:21
  And I said, Lord, I have called upon THEE, and I
• 4:17:25
  have longed to enjoy THEE, being ready to reject everything for thy sake.
• 4:17:30
  For thou didst first move me to seek THEE. Therefore, blessed be thou,
• 4:17:37
  O Lord, who has wrought this good work upon thy servant, according
• 4:17:42
  to the multitude of thy mercy. What then hath thy servant to say in
• 4:17:48
  thy presence save to humble himself greatly before THEE, being always mindful of his
• 4:17:56
  own iniquity and vileness. For there is none like unto THEE in all marvels
• 4:18:03
  of heaven and earth. Excellent are thy works, true are thy judgments,
• 4:18:11
  and by Thy providence are all things governed. Therefore, praise and glory be
• 4:18:18
  unto THEE, O wisdom of the Father. Let my mouth and my soul
• 4:18:23
  and all created things praise and bless THEE together Chapter twenty two of the Recollection
• 4:18:36
  of God's Manifold Benefits. Open, O, Lord, my heart in thy
• 4:18:44
  law, and teach me to walk in the way of Thy commandments. Grant
• 4:18:49
  me to understand Thy will and to be mindful of Thy benefits, both general
• 4:18:56
  and special, with great reverence and diligent meditation, that thus I may be
• 4:19:03
  able worthily to give THEE thanks. Yet I know and confess that I cannot
• 4:19:10
  render THEE due praises for the least of thy mercies. I am less than
• 4:19:17
  the least of all the good things which Thou gavest me. And when I
• 4:19:22
  consider Thy majesty, my spirit faileth. Because of the greatness thereof all things
• 4:19:30
  which we have in the soul and in the body. And whatsoever things we
• 4:19:36
  possess, whether outwardly or inwardly, naturally or supernaturally, are Thy good gifts,
• 4:19:44
  and prove THEE from whom we have received them all to be good,
• 4:19:49
  gentle, and kind. Although one receiveth many things and another fewer, yet
• 4:19:57
  all are Thine and n and without THEE, not even the least thing can
• 4:20:03
  be possessed. He who hath received greater cannot boast that it is of his
• 4:20:10
  own merit, nor lift himself up above others, nor condemn those beneath him.
• 4:20:18
  For he is the greater and the better. Who ascribeth least to himself,
• 4:20:25
  and in giving thanks is the humbler and more devout. And he who
• 4:20:30
  holdeth himself to be viler than all, and judgeth himself to be the more
• 4:20:36
  unworthy, is the aptor for receiving greater things. But he who hath received
• 4:20:44
  fewer gifts, ought not to be cast down, nor to take it amiss,
• 4:20:49
  nor to envy him who is richer. But rather ought he to look
• 4:20:55
  unto THEE, and to greatly extol thy goodness, for thou poorest forth thy
• 4:21:02
  gifts so richly, so freely, and largely without respect of persons. All
• 4:21:10
  things come of THEE. Therefore, in all things shalt thou be praised.
• 4:21:15
  Thou knowest what is best to be given to each, and why this man
• 4:21:21
  hath less, And that more is not for us but for THEE to understand.
• 4:21:26
  For unto THEE, each man's deservings are fully known. Wherefore, O,
• 4:21:34
  Lord God, I reckon it even a great benefit not to have many
• 4:21:38
  things. Whence praise and glory may appear outwardly and after the thought of men.
• 4:21:47
  For so it is that he who considereth his own poverty and vileness ought
• 4:21:52
  not only to draw therefrom no grief or sorrow or sadness of spirit, but
• 4:22:00
  rather comfort and cheerfulness. Because thou Lord hast chosen the poor and humble,
• 4:22:07
  and those who are poor in this world to be thy friends and acquaintance.
• 4:22:14
  So give all thine apostles. Witness whom thou hast made princes in all lands.
• 4:22:21
  Yet they had their conversation in this world blameless, so humble and meek,
• 4:22:27
  without any malice or deceit, that they even rejoiced to suffer rebukes for
• 4:22:33
  thy name's sake Acts five, verse forty one. And what things the world
• 4:22:41
  hateth, they embraced with great joy. Therefore ought nothing so much to rejoice
• 4:22:49
  him who loveth thee and knoweth thy benefits as thy will in him, and
• 4:22:56
  the good pleasure of Thine eternal providence. Wherewith he ought to be so contented
• 4:23:03
  and comforted, that he would as willingly be the least, as any other
• 4:23:07
  would be the greatest, as peaceable and contented in the lowest as in the
• 4:23:14
  highest place, and as willingly held, of small and low account, and
• 4:23:19
  of no name or reputation, as to be more honorable and greater in the
• 4:23:26
  world than others. For thy will and the love of thine honor ought to
• 4:23:33
  go before all things, and to please and comfort him more than all benefits
• 4:23:40
  that are given or may be given to himself. Chapter twenty three of four
• 4:23:49
  things which bring great peace? My son? Now will I teach thee the
• 4:23:57
  way of peace and of true liberty? Do o, my lord, as
• 4:24:03
  thou sayest, For this is pleasing unto me to hear strive my son to
• 4:24:12
  do another's will rather than thine own. Choose always to have less rather than
• 4:24:19
  more, seek always after the lowest place, and to be subject to all
• 4:24:27
  wish always and pray that the will of God will be fulfilled in THEE.
• 4:24:34
  Behold such a man as this entereth into the inheritance of peace and quietness,
• 4:24:44
  O, my Lord, this thy short discourse hath in itself much of perfectness.
• 4:24:51
  It is short in words, but full of meaning and abundant in fruit.
• 4:24:57
  For if it were possible that I should fully hope it, disturbance would
• 4:25:03
  not so easily arise within me. For as often as I feel myself disquieted
• 4:25:08
  and weighted down. I find myself to have gone back from this teaching.
• 4:25:15
  But Thou, who art almighty and always lovest progress in the soul, vouchsafe
• 4:25:22
  more grace that I may be enabled to fulfill Thy exhortation and work out my
• 4:25:29
  salvation. A prayer against evil thoughts, O, Lord, my God,
• 4:25:38
  be not thou far from me. My God, Haste THEE to help me,
• 4:25:45
  Psalm seventy one, verse twelve. For many thoughts and great fears have
• 4:25:52
  risen up against me, afflicting my soul. How shall I pass through them?
• 4:25:59
  Unhears? How shall I break through them? I saith he will go
• 4:26:07
  before THEE and make the crooked places straight Isire forty five, verse two.
• 4:26:15
  I will open the prison doors and reveal to THEE the secret places. Do
• 4:26:22
  Lord, as thou sayest, and let all evil thoughts fly away before thy
• 4:26:27
  face. This is my hope and my only comfort, to fly unto THEE
• 4:26:34
  in all tribulation, to hope in THEE, to call upon THEE from my
• 4:26:41
  heart, and patiently wait for Thy loving kindness. A prayer for enlightenment of
• 4:26:49
  the mind. Enlighten me, blessed Jesus, with the brightness of thy inner
• 4:26:56
  light, and cast forth all die darkness from the habitation of my heart.
• 4:27:03
  Restrain my many wandering thoughts, and carry away the temptations which strive to do
• 4:27:11
  me hurt. Fight thou mightily for me, and drive forth the evil beasts.
• 4:27:18
  So call I alluring lusts, that peace may be within thy walls,
• 4:27:25
  and plenteousness of praise within thy palaces. Psalm one hundred and twenty two,
• 4:27:32
  verse seven. Even in my pure conscience command thou the winds and the storms,
• 4:27:41
  say unto the sea, be still, say unto the stormy wind,
• 4:27:45
  hold thy peace, So shall there be a great calm. O Send forth
• 4:27:52
  thy light and thy truth Psalm forty three, verse three, that they may
• 4:28:00
  shine upon the earth. For I am but earth, without form and void,
• 4:28:06
  until Thou give me light. Pour forth thy grace from above water my
• 4:28:12
  heart with the dew of heaven. Give the waters of devotion to water the
• 4:28:18
  face of the earth, and cause it to bring forth good and perfect fruit.
• 4:28:23
  Lift up my mind, which is oppressed with the weight of sins,
• 4:28:29
  and raise my whole desire to heavenly things, that, having tasted the sweetness
• 4:28:34
  of the happiness which is from above, it may take no pleasure in thinking
• 4:28:41
  of things of earth. Draw me and deliver me from every unstable comfort of
• 4:28:48
  creatures. For no created thing is able to satisfy my desire and to give
• 4:28:55
  me comfort. Join me to thyself by the insection parable bond of love.
• 4:29:02
  For thou alone art sufficient to him that loveth THEE, and without THEE,
• 4:29:07
  all things are vain toys. Chapter twenty four of avoiding of curious inquiry into
• 4:29:18
  the life of another, My son, be not curious, nor trouble thyself
• 4:29:27
  with vain cares. What is that to THEE? Follow thou me John twenty
• 4:29:36
  one, verse twelve. For what is it to THEE whether a man be
• 4:29:41
  this or that, or say or do thus? Or Thus? Thou hast
• 4:29:48
  no need to answer for others. But thou must give an answer for thyself.
• 4:29:53
  Why therefore dost thou entangle thyself? Behold, I know all men,
• 4:30:00
  and I behold all things which are done under the sun, and I know
• 4:30:06
  how it standeth with each one, what he thinketh, what he willeth,
• 4:30:11
  and to what end his thoughts reach. All things therefore are to be committed
• 4:30:18
  to me. Watch thyself in godly peace, and leave him who is unquiet
• 4:30:26
  to be unquiet as he will. Whatsoever he shall do or say, shall
• 4:30:32
  come unto him. For he cannot deceive me trouble not thyself about the shadow
• 4:30:40
  of a great name, nor about the friendship of many, nor about the
• 4:30:45
  love of men towards THEE. For these things beget distraction and great sorrows of
• 4:30:52
  heart. My words should speak freely unto THEE, and I would reveal secrets.
• 4:30:59
  If only thou didst diligently look for my appearing, and didst open unto
• 4:31:04
  me the gates of thy heart be sober and watch unto prayer one Peter four,
• 4:31:15
  verse seven, And humble thyself in all things Chapter twenty five, wherein
• 4:31:26
  firm peace of heart and true prophet consist. My son, I have said
• 4:31:34
  peace, I leave with you. My peace I give unto you, not
• 4:31:40
  as the world giveth give I unto you. John fourteen, verse twenty seven.
• 4:31:48
  All men desire peace, but all do not care for the things which
• 4:31:53
  belong unto true peace. My peace is with the humble and life in heart.
• 4:32:02
  Thy peace shall be in much patience. If thou heardest me and didst
• 4:32:07
  follow my voice, thou shouldst enjoy much peace. What then shall I do,
• 4:32:15
  Lord, in everything, Take heed to thyself what thou doest and what
• 4:32:22
  thou sayest, and direct all thy purpose to this, that thou please me
• 4:32:30
  alone, and desire or seek nothing apart from me. But moreover, judge
• 4:32:37
  nothing rashly concerning the words or deeds of others, nor meddle with matters which
• 4:32:45
  are not committed to thee. And it may be that thou shalt be disturbed
• 4:32:49
  little or rarely, yet never to feel any disquiet, nor to suffer any
• 4:32:56
  pain of heart or body. This belongeth not to the present life, but
• 4:33:03
  is the state of eternal rest. Therefore, count not thyself to have found
• 4:33:10
  true peace. If thou hast felt no grief, nor that then all is
• 4:33:15
  well, If thou hast no adversary, nor that this is perfect, if
• 4:33:21
  all things fall out according to thy desire, Nor then reckon thyself to be
• 4:33:27
  anything great, or think that thou art especially beloved, if thou art in
• 4:33:33
  a state of great fervor and sweetness of spirit. For not by these things
• 4:33:40
  is the true lover of virtue known. Nor in them doth the prophet and
• 4:33:45
  perfection of man consist in what then, Lord, in offering thyself with all
• 4:33:53
  thy heart to the Divine will, in not seeking the things which are thine
• 4:34:00
  own, whether great or small, whether temporal or eternal, so that thou
• 4:34:07
  remain with the same steady countenance in giving of thanks, between prosperity and adversity,
• 4:34:15
  weighing all things in an equal balance. If thou be so brave and
• 4:34:21
  long suffering in hope that when inward comfort is taken from thee, thou even
• 4:34:26
  prepare thy heart for the more endurance, and justify not thyself, as though
• 4:34:33
  thou oughtest not to suffer these heavy things, but dost justify me in all
• 4:34:40
  things that I appoint, and dost bless my Holy name. Then dost thou
• 4:34:45
  walk in the true and right way of peace, and shall have a sure
• 4:34:51
  hope that thou shalt again behold My face with joy. For if thou come
• 4:34:57
  to an utter contempt of thine thy self, know that then thou shalt enjoy
• 4:35:03
  abundance of peace as much as is possible. Where thou art but a wayfaring
• 4:35:10
  man, Chapter twenty six of the Exaltation of a Free Spirit, which humble
• 4:35:19
  prayer more deserveth than doth frequent reading. Lord. This is the work of
• 4:35:27
  a perfect man, never to slacken his mind from attention to heavenly things,
• 4:35:34
  and among many cares, to pass along, as it were, without care,
• 4:35:41
  not after the manner of one indifferent, but rather with the privilege of
• 4:35:45
  a free mind, cleaving to no creature with inordinate affection. I beseech thee,
• 4:35:53
  my most merciful Lord, God, preserve me from the cares of this
• 4:35:59
  life. Lest I become too much entangled from many necessities of the body,
• 4:36:06
  lest I be taken captive by pleasure, from all obstacles of the spirit,
• 4:36:11
  lest I be broken and cast down with cares. I say, not from
• 4:36:17
  those things which the vanity of the world goeth about after with all eagerness,
• 4:36:23
  but from those miseries which, by the universal curse of mortality, weigh down
• 4:36:30
  and hold back the soul of thy servant in punishment, that it cannot enter
• 4:36:36
  into liberty of spirit. So often as it would, o, My God,
• 4:36:41
  Sweetness, unspeakable, turn into bitterness, all my fleshly consolation, which
• 4:36:49
  draweth me away from the love of eternal things, and wickedly allureth towards itself
• 4:36:56
  by setting before me some present day light. Let not, o, my
• 4:37:03
  God, let not flesh and blood prevail over me. Let not the world
• 4:37:08
  and its short glory deceive me. Let not the devil and his craftiness supplant
• 4:37:15
  me. Give me courage to resist, patience, to endure, constancy to
• 4:37:22
  persevere. Grant, in place of all consolations of the world, the most
• 4:37:30
  sweet unction of thy Spirit, and in place of carnal love, pour into
• 4:37:37
  me the love of thy name. Behold, food and drink, and clothing,
• 4:37:45
  and all the other things appertaining to the support of the body are burdensome
• 4:37:51
  to the devout spirit. Grant that I may use such things with moderation,
• 4:37:57
  and that I be not intact angled with inordinate affection for them. To cast
• 4:38:03
  away all these things is not lawful, because nature must be sustained. But
• 4:38:11
  to require superfluities and things which merely minister delight the Holy Law forbiddeth, for
• 4:38:19
  otherwise the flesh would wax insolent against the Spirit. In all these things.
• 4:38:26
  I beseech thee. Let thy hand guide and teach me that I in no
• 4:38:33
  way exceed Chapter twenty seven. That personal love greatly hindereth from the highest good.
• 4:38:47
  My son, Thou must give all for all, and be nothing of
• 4:38:52
  thine own know thou that the love of thyself is more hurtful to THEE than
• 4:38:59
  anything in the world. According to the love and inclination which thou hast,
• 4:39:06
  everything more or less cleaveth to THEE. If thy love be pure, sincere
• 4:39:14
  well regulated, thou shalt not be in captivity to anything. Do not covet
• 4:39:21
  what thou mayest not have. Do not have what is able to hinder THEE
• 4:39:26
  and to rob THEE of inward liberty. It is wonderful that thou committest not
• 4:39:33
  thyself to me from the very bottom of thy heart, with all things which
• 4:39:38
  thou canst desire or have. Why art thou consumed with vain sorrow? Why
• 4:39:47
  art thou wearied with superfluous cares? Stand thou by my good pleasure, and
• 4:39:55
  thou shalt suffer no loss. If thou seekest af to this or that,
• 4:40:00
  and wilt be here or there according to thine own advantage or the fulfilling of
• 4:40:07
  thine own pleasure, thou shalt never be in quiet nor free from care,
• 4:40:14
  because in everything somewhat will be found lacking, and everywhere there will be somebody
• 4:40:21
  who opposeth THEE. Therefore, it is not gaining or multiplying of this thing
• 4:40:27
  or that which advantageth thee, but rather the despising it and cutting it by
• 4:40:34
  the root out of thy heart, which thou must not only understand of money
• 4:40:40
  and riches, but of the desire after honor and vain praise, things which
• 4:40:47
  all pass away with the world. The place availeth little if the spirit of
• 4:40:53
  devotion is wanting, Nor shall that peace stand long, which is sought for
• 4:40:59
  from abroad, if the state of thy heart is without the true foundation,
• 4:41:04
  that is, if it abideth not in me, thou mayest change. But
• 4:41:11
  thou canst not better thyself. For when occasion ariseth and is accepted, thou
• 4:41:19
  shalt find what thou didst fly from yea more a prayer for cleansing of the
• 4:41:29
  heart and for heavenly wisdom. Strengthen me o, God, by the grace
• 4:41:36
  of thy holy Spirit, give me virtue to be strengthened with might in the
• 4:41:41
  inner man, and to free my heart from all fruitless care and trouble.
• 4:41:48
  And that I be not drawn away by various desires after any things whatsoever,
• 4:41:55
  whether of little value or great, but that I may look upon all as
• 4:42:00
  passing away, and myself as passing away with them, because there is no
• 4:42:07
  prophet unto the sun, and all is vanity and vexation of spirit Ecclesiastes two,
• 4:42:17
  verse eleven. Oh, how wise is he that considereth. Thus give
• 4:42:23
  me, o Lord, heavenly wisdom, that I may learn to seek THEE
• 4:42:29
  above all things, and to find THEE, to relish THEE above all things,
• 4:42:36
  and to love THEE, and to understand all other things, even as
• 4:42:41
  they are, according to the order of Thy wisdom. Grant me prudently to
• 4:42:48
  avoid the flatterer, and patiently to bear with him that opposeth me. For
• 4:42:56
  this is great wisdom, not to be carried by every wind of words,
• 4:43:02
  nor to give ear to the wicked, flattering siren. For thus do we
• 4:43:07
  go safely on in the way we have begun Chapter twenty eight, Against the
• 4:43:15
  tongues of detractors, My son, take it not sadly to heart. If
• 4:43:22
  anything ill of THEE, and say of THEE what thou art unwilling to hear,
• 4:43:30
  thou oughtest to think worse of thyself, and to believe no man weaker
• 4:43:34
  than thyself. If thou walkest inwardly, thou wilt not weigh flying words above
• 4:43:42
  their value. It is no small prudence to keep silence in an evil time,
• 4:43:49
  and to turn inwardly onto me, and not to be troubled by human
• 4:43:56
  judgment. Let not thy peace upon the word of men, for whether they
• 4:44:03
  judge well or ill of thee. Thou art not therefore any other man than
• 4:44:07
  thyself. Where is true peace or true glory? Is it not in me?
• 4:44:17
  And he who seeketh not to please men, nor feareth to displease,
• 4:44:22
  shall enjoy abundant peace. From inordinate love and vain fear ariseth all disquietude of
• 4:44:32
  heart and all distraction of the senses. Chapter twenty nine. How when tribulation
• 4:44:42
  cometh, we must call upon and bless God. Blessed be thy name,
• 4:44:49
  O Lord, for evermore, who hast willed this temptation and trouble to come
• 4:44:56
  upon me? I cannot esca ape it, but have need to flee unto
• 4:45:02
  THEE that thou mayest succor me and turn it unto me. For good Lord,
• 4:45:10
  Now am I in tribulation, and it is not well within my heart?
• 4:45:14
  But I am sore vexed by the suffering which lieth upon me. And
• 4:45:19
  now, oh, dear Father, what shall I say? I am taken
• 4:45:25
  among the snares, save me from this hour. But for this cause came
• 4:45:30
  I unto this hour John twelve, verse twenty seven, that Thou mightest be
• 4:45:37
  glorified when I am deeply humbled and am delivered through THEE. Let it be
• 4:45:45
  thy pleasure to deliver me Psalm forty, verse sixteen. For what can I
• 4:45:52
  do, who am poor and without THEE Whither shall I go? Give patience
• 4:45:59
  this time? Also help me, O Lord, my God, And I
• 4:46:03
  will not fear how much soever I be weighed down? And now amid these
• 4:46:11
  things, what shall I say, Lord, Thy will be done? I
• 4:46:18
  have well deserved to be troubled and weighed down. Therefore I ought to bear.
• 4:46:26
  Would that it be with patience until the tempest be overpassed and comfort return.
• 4:46:33
  Yet is Thine omnipotent arm able also to take this temptation away from me,
• 4:46:40
  and to lessen its power, that I fall not utterly under it?
• 4:46:44
  Even as many a time past thou hast helped me, O God, my
• 4:46:48
  merciful God. And as much as this deliverance is difficult to me, so
• 4:46:55
  much is it easy to THEE, O right hand of them most Highest?
• 4:47:03
  Chapter thirty of Seeking Divine Help and the confidence of obtaining grace. My son,
• 4:47:15
  I the Lord am a stronghold in the day of trouble Naem one verse
• 4:47:22
  seven, come unto me when it is not well with THEE. This it
• 4:47:30
  is which chiefly hindereth heavenly consolation, that thou too slowly betakest thyself unto prayer.
• 4:47:38
  For before thou earnestly seekest unto me, thou dost first seek after many
• 4:47:45
  means of comfort, and refreshest thyself in outward things. So it cometh to
• 4:47:52
  pass that all things profit THEE but little until thou learn that it is I
• 4:47:56
  who deliver those who trust in me me. Neither beside me is there any
• 4:48:03
  strong help, nor profitable counsel, nor enduring remedy, But now recovering courage.
• 4:48:11
  After the tempest, grow thou strong in the light of my mercies.
• 4:48:17
  For I am nigh saith the Lord, that I may restore all things not
• 4:48:22
  only as they were at the first, but also abundantly and one upon another.
• 4:48:30
  For is anything too hard for me? Or shall I be like unto
• 4:48:34
  one who saith and doeth not? Where is thy faith? Stand fast and
• 4:48:42
  with perseverance, be long, suffering and strong consolation will come unto THEE in
• 4:48:51
  its due season. Wait for me, yea wait, I will come and
• 4:48:57
  heal thee. It is temptation which vexeth THEE, and a vain fear which
• 4:49:04
  terrifieth THEE. What doth care about future events? Bring thee? Save sorrow
• 4:49:12
  upon sorrow sufficient for the day is the evil thereof Matthew six, verse thirty
• 4:49:22
  four. It is vain and useless to be disturbed or lifted up about future
• 4:49:29
  things, which perhaps will never come. But it is the nature of man
• 4:49:36
  to be deceived by fancies of this sort. And it is a sign of
• 4:49:40
  a mind which is still weak to be so easily drawn away at the suggestion
• 4:49:45
  of the enemy. For he careth not whether he deceive and beguile by true
• 4:49:52
  means or false, whether he throw THEE down by the love of the present
• 4:49:57
  or fear of the future. Therefore, let not thy heart be troubled,
• 4:50:03
  neither let it be afraid. Believe in me, and put thy trust in
• 4:50:08
  my mercy. John fourteen, verse twenty seven. Psalm thirteen, verse five.
• 4:50:18
  When thou thinkest thyself far removed from me, I am often the nearer.
• 4:50:25
  When thou reckonest, that almost all is lost, then often is greater
• 4:50:30
  opportunity of gain at hand. All is not lost when something goeth contrary to
• 4:50:37
  thy wishes. Thou oughtest not to judge according to present feeling, nor so
• 4:50:42
  to take or give way to any grief which befallth THEE. As if all
• 4:50:48
  hope of escape were taken away, Think not thyself totally abandoned, Although for
• 4:50:56
  the time I have sent to THEE some tribulation, or have even withdrawn some
• 4:51:02
  cherished consolation, For this is the way to the Kingdom of heaven. And
• 4:51:08
  without doubt it is better for THEE and for all my other servants, that
• 4:51:15
  ye should be proved by adversities, than that ye should have all things as
• 4:51:19
  ye would. I know thy hidden thoughts, and that it is very needful
• 4:51:26
  for thy soul's health that sometimes thou be left without relish, lest perchance thou
• 4:51:33
  be lifted up by prosperity and desires to please thyself in that which thou art.
• 4:51:38
  Not. What I have given, I am able to take away and
• 4:51:45
  to restore again at my good pleasure. When I shall have given it is
• 4:51:52
  mine. When I shall have taken away, I have not taken what is
• 4:51:57
  thine. For ever Every good gift and every perfect gift is from me James
• 4:52:06
  one verse seventeen. If I shall have sent upon THEE grief or any vexation,
• 4:52:15
  be not angry, nor let thy heart be sad. I am able
• 4:52:18
  quickly to lift THEE up and to change every burden into joy. For I
• 4:52:25
  am just and greatly to be praised. When I do thus unto THEE.
• 4:52:32
  If thou rightly consider and look upon it with truth, thou oughtist never to
• 4:52:37
  be so sadly cast down because of adversity, but rather shouldst rejoice and give
• 4:52:44
  thanks yea verily to count it the highest joy, that I afflict THEE with
• 4:52:51
  sorrows and spare THEE. Not as my father hath loved me, so love
• 4:52:56
  I you fifteen verse nine. Thus have I spoken unto my beloved disciples,
• 4:53:07
  whom I sent forth, not unto worldly joys but to great strivings, not
• 4:53:12
  unto honors but unto contempt, Not unto ease but to labors, not unto
• 4:53:21
  rest, but to bring forth much fruit with patience. My son, remember
• 4:53:29
  these words end of Chapter thirty Chapter thirty one, of the neglect of every
• 4:53:40
  creature, that the creator may be found. O Lord, I still need
• 4:53:48
  more grace. If I would arrive where neither man nor any other creature may
• 4:53:53
  hinder me. For so long as anything keepeth me back, I cannot freely
• 4:54:00
  fly unto thee he desired eagerly thus to fly, who cried, saying O
• 4:54:08
  that I had wings like a dove. For then would I fly away and
• 4:54:11
  be at rest? What is more peaceful than the single eye? And what
• 4:54:18
  more free than he that desireth nothing upon earth. Therefore must a man rise
• 4:54:26
  above every creature and perfectly forsake himself, and with abstracted mind to stand and
• 4:54:33
  behold that thou, the creator of all things, hast among thy creatures nothing
• 4:54:40
  like unto thyself. And except a man be freed from all creatures, he
• 4:54:45
  will not be able to reach freely after divine things. Therefore few are found
• 4:54:52
  who give themselves to contemplation, because few know how to separate themselves entirely from
• 4:55:00
  perishing and created things. For this much grace is necessary, which may lift
• 4:55:07
  up the soul and raise it above itself. And except a man be lifted
• 4:55:14
  up in the spirit and freed from all creatures and altogether united to God,
• 4:55:21
  whatsoever he knoweth whatsoever even he hath it mattereth. But little he who esteemeth
• 4:55:29
  anything great, save the one only incomprehensible, eternal good, shall long time
• 4:55:37
  be little and lie low, For whatsoever is not God is nothing, and
• 4:55:42
  ought to be counted for nothing. Great is the difference between a godly man
• 4:55:49
  illuminated with wisdom and a scholar, learned in knowledge and given to books.
• 4:55:56
  Far nobler is that doctrine which floweth down from the divine fullness above, than
• 4:56:03
  that which is acquired laboriously by human study. Many are found who desire contemplation,
• 4:56:11
  but they do not strive to practice those things which are required thereunto.
• 4:56:18
  It is also a great impediment that much is made of symbols and external signs,
• 4:56:25
  and too little of thorough mortification. I know not how it is,
• 4:56:30
  and by what spirit we are led, and what we who would be deemed
• 4:56:34
  spiritual, are aiming at. That we give so great labor and so eager
• 4:56:40
  solicitude for transitory and worthless things, and scarcely ever gather our senses together to
• 4:56:48
  think at all of our inward condition. Ah Me forthwith, after a little
• 4:56:55
  recollection, we rush out of doors, and do not subjet project our actions
• 4:57:00
  to a strict examination. Where our affections are set, we take no heed,
• 4:57:07
  and we weep not that all things belonging to us are so defiled.
• 4:57:12
  For because all flesh had corrupted itself upon earth, the great deluge came.
• 4:57:19
  Since therefore our inmost affections are very corrupt, it followeth of necessity that our
• 4:57:26
  actions also are corrupt. Being the index of a deficient inward strength. Out
• 4:57:34
  of pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good living. We demand how much a
• 4:57:42
  man hath done, but from how much virtue he acted is not so narrowly
• 4:57:48
  considered. We ask if he be strong, rich, handsome, clever,
• 4:57:55
  whether he is a good writer, good singer, good workman, But how
• 4:58:00
  poor he may be in spirit, how patient and gentle, how devout and
• 4:58:07
  meditative? On these things many are silent. Nature looketh upon the outward appearance
• 4:58:15
  of a man. Grace turneth its thought to the heart. The former frequently
• 4:58:22
  judgeth amiss. The latter trusteth in God, that it may not be deceived.
• 4:58:30
  Chapter thirty two of self denial and the casting away all selfishness. My
• 4:58:40
  son, thou canst not possess perfect liberty unless thou altogether deny thyself all they
• 4:58:48
  are enslaved, who are possessors of riches. They who love themselves, the
• 4:58:55
  selfish, the curious, the restless, though who ever seek after soft things
• 4:59:02
  and not after the things of Jesus Christ. Those who continually plan and devise
• 4:59:08
  that which will not stand, for whatsoever cometh not of God shall perish.
• 4:59:17
  Hold fast the short and complete saying. Renounce all things, and thou shalt
• 4:59:22
  find all things. Give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest dwell
• 4:59:30
  upon this in thy mind, And when thou art full of it, thou
• 4:59:33
  shalt understand all things, O Lord, This is not the work of a
• 4:59:41
  day, nor children's play. Verily, in this short saying is enclosed all
• 4:59:47
  the perfection of the religious My son, Thou oughtest not to be turned aside
• 4:59:55
  nor immediately cast down, because thou hast heard the way of the perfect Rather
• 5:00:00
  aughtiest thou to be provoked to higher aims, and at the least to long
• 5:00:06
  after the desire thereof. O. That it were so with THEE, and
• 5:00:11
  that thou hadst come to this, that thou wert not a lover of thine
• 5:00:15
  own self, but wert ready always to my nod and to his whom I
• 5:00:22
  have placed over thee as thy father. Then shouldst thou please me exceedingly,
• 5:00:29
  and all thy life should go on in joy and peace. Thou hast still
• 5:00:33
  many things to renounce, which if thou resign not utterly to me, thou
• 5:00:40
  shalt not gain what thou seekest. I counsel THEE to buy of me gold
• 5:00:45
  tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich Revelation three, verse eighteen.
• 5:00:53
  That is heavenly wisdom, which despiseth all base things, put away from
• 5:01:00
  thee, earthly wisdom, and all pleasure, whether common to man or thine
• 5:01:07
  own. I tell THEE that thou must buy vile things with those which are
• 5:01:12
  costly and great in the esteem of men. For wonderfully vile and small,
• 5:01:19
  and almost given up to forgetfulness, doth true heavenly wisdom appear, which thinketh
• 5:01:26
  not high things of itself, nor seeketh to be magnified upon the earth.
• 5:01:33
  Many honor it with their lips, but in heart are far from it.
• 5:01:37
  It is indeed the precious pearl which is hidden from many. Chapter thirty three.
• 5:01:47
  Of instability of the heart and of directing the aim towards God, my
• 5:01:53
  son, trust not thy feeling for that which is now will be quickly changed
• 5:02:00
  into somewhat else. As long as thou livest, thou art subject to change,
• 5:02:07
  howsoever unwilling, so that thou art found now joyful, now sad,
• 5:02:12
  now at peace, now disquieted, now devout, now in devout, now
• 5:02:22
  studious, now careless, now sad, now cheerful. But the wise man,
• 5:02:30
  and he who is truly learned in spirit, standeth above these changeable things,
• 5:02:37
  attentive not to what he may feel in himself, or from what quarter
• 5:02:41
  the wind may blow, but that the whole intent of his mind may carry
• 5:02:45
  him on to the dew and much desired end. For thus will he be
• 5:02:52
  able to remain one and the same and unshaken, the single eye of his
• 5:02:57
  desire being still dreadfastly fixed through the manifold changes of the world upon me.
• 5:03:07
  But according as the eye of intention be the more pure, even so will
• 5:03:11
  a man make his way steadfastly through the manifold storms. But in many the
• 5:03:18
  eye of pure intention waxeth dim, for it quickly rests itself upon anything pleasant
• 5:03:25
  which occurreth. And rarely is any man found altogether free from the blemish of
• 5:03:30
  self seeking. So the jews of old came to Bethany, to the house
• 5:03:37
  of Martha and Mary, that they might see not Jesus but Lazarus, whom
• 5:03:41
  he had raised from the dead. John twelve, verse nine. Therefore must
• 5:03:48
  the eye of the intention be cleansed, that it may be single and right,
• 5:03:55
  and above all things which come in its way may be directed unto me
• 5:04:00
  me Chapter thirty four. That to him who loveth God is sweet above all
• 5:04:08
  things, and in all things, behold, God is mine, and all
• 5:04:15
  things are mine. What will I more and what more happy thing can I
• 5:04:22
  desire? O delightsome and sweet world. That is to him that loveth the
• 5:04:29
  word, not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
• 5:04:34
  One John two, verse fifteen, My God, my all. To him
• 5:04:41
  that understandeth that word sufficeth, and to repeat it often is pleasing to him
• 5:04:48
  that loveth it. When thou art present, all things are pleasant. When
• 5:04:55
  thou art absent, all things are wearisome. Thou make the heart to be
• 5:05:00
  at rest, givest it deep peace and festal joy. Thou makest it to
• 5:05:07
  think rightly in every matter, and in every matter to give THEE praise.
• 5:05:12
  Neither can anything please long without THEE, but if it would be pleasant and
• 5:05:18
  of sweet savor, Thy grace must be there, and it is Thy wisdom
• 5:05:23
  which must give unto it a sweet savor. To him who tasteth THEE,
• 5:05:32
  what can be distasteful. And to him who tasteth thee, not what is
• 5:05:37
  there which can make him joyous. But the worldly wise, and they who
• 5:05:44
  enjoy the flesh, these fail in Thy wisdom. For in the wisdom of
• 5:05:49
  the world is found utter vanity, and to be carnally minded is death.
• 5:05:56
  But they who follow after THEE, through contempt of worldly things and mortification of
• 5:06:03
  the flesh, are found to be truly wise, because they are carried from
• 5:06:08
  vanity to verity, from the flesh to the spirit. They taste that the
• 5:06:15
  Lord is good. And whatsoever good they find in creatures, they count it
• 5:06:22
  all unto the praise of the Creator. Unlike, yea very unlike, is
• 5:06:29
  the enjoyment of the Creator, to enjoyment of the creature, the enjoyment of
• 5:06:34
  eternity and of time, of light uncreated and of light reflected, o light
• 5:06:45
  everlasting, surpassing all created lights. Dart down thy ray from on high,
• 5:06:52
  which shall pierce the inmost depths of my heart. Give purity, joy,
• 5:06:57
  clearness, life to my spirit, that with all its powers it may cleave
• 5:07:03
  unto thee with rapture passing man's understanding. O, when shall that blessed and
• 5:07:10
  longed for time come? When thou shalt satisfy me with thy presence and be
• 5:07:15
  unto me all in all? So long as this is delayed, my joy
• 5:07:22
  shall not be full. Still are me the old man liveth in me?
• 5:07:27
  He is not yet all crucified, not yet quite dead. Still he lusteth
• 5:07:33
  fiercely against the spirit, wageth inward wars, nor suffereth the soul's kingdom to
• 5:07:41
  be in peace. But Thou, who rulest the raging of the sea,
• 5:07:47
  and stillest the waves thereof when they arise, rise up and help me scatter
• 5:07:53
  the people that delight in war Psalms sixty eight, verse thirty, destroy them
• 5:08:00
  by thy power. Show forth. I beseech thee thy might, and let
• 5:08:06
  thy right hand be glorified, For I have no hope, no refuge save
• 5:08:11
  in THEE, O, Lord, my God, Chapter thirty five. That
• 5:08:18
  there is no security against temptation in this life. My son, Thou art
• 5:08:26
  never secure in this life, but thy spiritual armor will always be needful for
• 5:08:33
  THEE. As long as thou livest, thou dwellest among foes, and art
• 5:08:37
  attacked on the right hand and on the left. If therefore thou use not
• 5:08:44
  on all sides the shield of patience, thou wilt not remain long unwounded.
• 5:08:51
  Above all. If thou keep not thy heart fixed upon me with steadfast purpose
• 5:08:56
  to bear all things for my sake, thou shalt not be able to bear
• 5:09:02
  the fierceness of the attack, nor to attain to the victory of the blessed.
• 5:09:07
  Therefore must thou struggle bravely all thy life through and put forth a strong
• 5:09:15
  hand against those things which oppose THEE. For to him that overcometh is the
• 5:09:21
  hidden manner given Revelation two, verse seventeen. But great misery is reserved for
• 5:09:30
  the slothful. If thou seek rest in this life, how then wilt thou
• 5:09:36
  attain unto the rest which is eternal. Set not thyself to attain much rest,
• 5:09:42
  but much patience. Seek the true peace, not on earth but in
• 5:09:48
  Heaven, not in man, nor in any created thing, but in God
• 5:09:55
  alone. For the love of God, thou must willingly undergo all things,
• 5:10:00
  whether labors or sorrows, temptations, vexations, anxieties, necessities, infirmities,
• 5:10:11
  injuries, gainsayings, rebukes, humiliations, confusions, corrections, despisings. These
• 5:10:22
  things help unto virtue. These things prove the scholar of Christ. These things
• 5:10:30
  fashion the heavenly crown. I will give thee an eternal reward for short labor
• 5:10:37
  and infinite glory for transient shame. Thinkest thou that thou shalt always have spiritual
• 5:10:45
  consolations at thy will. My saints had never such, but instead thereof manifold
• 5:10:53
  griefs and diverse temptations and heavy desolations. But patiently they bore themselves in all
• 5:11:03
  and trusted in God more than in themselves, knowing that the sufferings of this
• 5:11:08
  present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed
• 5:11:15
  In Us Romans eighth, verse seventeen. Wouldst thou have that immediately which many
• 5:11:23
  have hardly attained unto, after many tears and hard labors. Wait for the
• 5:11:30
  Lord. Quit thyself like a man, and be strong, Be not faint
• 5:11:36
  hearted, nor go aside from me, but constantly devote thy body and soul
• 5:11:41
  to the glory of God. I will reward THEE plenteously. I will be
• 5:11:48
  with THEE in trouble, Psalm ninety one, verse fifteen, Chapter thirty six.
• 5:11:59
  Against the judgments of men, my son, anchor, thy soul firmly
• 5:12:07
  upon God, and fear not man's judgment. When conscious pronounceth THEE pious and
• 5:12:12
  innocent, it is good and blessed. Thus to suffer, nor will it
• 5:12:19
  be grievous to the heart, which is humble, and which trusteth in God
• 5:12:25
  more than in itself. Many men have many opinions, and therefore little trust
• 5:12:32
  is to be placed in them. But moreover, it is impossible to please
• 5:12:37
  all. Although Paul studied to please all men in the Lord, and to
• 5:12:44
  become all things to all men one Corinthians nine, verse twenty two. Yet
• 5:12:51
  nevertheless, with him it was a very small thing that he should be judged
• 5:12:56
  by man's judgment one Corinthians four, verse three. He labored abundantly, as
• 5:13:04
  much as in him lay for the building up and the salvation of others.
• 5:13:10
  But he could not avoid being sometimes judged and despised by others. Therefore he
• 5:13:17
  committed all to God, who knew all, and by patience and humility defended
• 5:13:22
  himself against evil speakers or foolish and false thinkers, and those who accused him
• 5:13:30
  according to their pleasure. Nevertheless, from time to time he replied, lest
• 5:13:37
  his silence should become a stumbling block to those who were weak. Who art
• 5:13:42
  thou that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die. To day
• 5:13:48
  he is, and to morrow his place is not found. Fear God,
• 5:13:55
  And thou shalt not quail before the terrors of men. What can any man
• 5:14:00
  do against THEE by words or deeds he hurteth himself more than THEE, nor
• 5:14:07
  shall he escape the judgment of God, whosoever he may be. Have thou
• 5:14:14
  God before thine eyes, and do not contend with fretful words. And if
• 5:14:19
  for the present thou seem to give way and to suffer confusion, which thou
• 5:14:25
  hast not deserved, be not angry at this, nor by impatience diminish thy
• 5:14:30
  reward, but rather look up to Me in Heaven, For I am able
• 5:14:36
  to deliver THEE from all confusion and hurt, and to render to every man
• 5:14:41
  according to his works, Chapter thirty seven of pure and entire resignation of self
• 5:14:53
  for the obtaining liberty of heart, My son, lose thyself, and thou
• 5:15:02
  shalt find me stand still without all choosing and all thought of self, and
• 5:15:10
  thou shalt ever be a gainer. For more grace shall be added to THEE
• 5:15:15
  as soon as thou resignest thyself, and so long as thou dost not turn
• 5:15:21
  back to take thyself again. O Lord, how often shall I resign myself?
• 5:15:30
  And in what things? Shall I lose myself? Always every hour?
• 5:15:37
  In that which is little, and in that which is great? I make
• 5:15:41
  no exception, but will that thou be found naked in all things? Otherwise,
• 5:15:48
  how canst thou be mine and I thine unless thou be inwardly and outwardly
• 5:15:55
  free from every will of thine own. So when thou dost this, the
• 5:16:00
  better shall it be with THEE. And the more fully and sincerely, the
• 5:16:06
  more thou shalt please me, and the more abundantly shalt thou be rewarded.
• 5:16:14
  Some resign themselves, but with certain reservations, for they do not fully trust
• 5:16:19
  in God. Therefore they think that they have some provision to make for themselves.
• 5:16:26
  Some again at first offer everything, but afterwards, being pressed by temptation,
• 5:16:33
  they return to their own devices, and thus make no progress in virtue.
• 5:16:38
  They will not attain to the true liberty of a pure heart, nor
• 5:16:42
  to the grace of my sweet companionship, unless they first entirely resign themselves and
• 5:16:51
  daily offer themselves up as a sacrifice. Without this, the union which bringeth
• 5:16:57
  forth fruit standeth not, nor will stand. Many a time. I have
• 5:17:04
  said unto THEE, and now say again, give thyself up. Resign thyself,
• 5:17:11
  and thou shalt have great inward peace. Give all for all, demand
• 5:17:18
  nothing, ask nothing in return. Stand simply and with no hesitation in me,
• 5:17:26
  and thou shalt possess me. Thou shalt have liberty of heart, and
• 5:17:33
  the darkness shall not overwhelm THEE. For this strive thou pray for it long
• 5:17:41
  after it, that thou mayst be delivered from all possession of thyself and nakedly
• 5:17:48
  follow Jesus, who was made naked for THEE. Mayest die unto thyself and
• 5:17:56
  live eternally to me. Then shall all vain fancies disappear, all evil disturbings,
• 5:18:04
  all superfluous cares. Then also shall immoderate fear depart from THEE, and
• 5:18:12
  inordinate love shall die. Chapter thirty eight of a Good Government In External Things
• 5:18:25
  and of having recourse to God in dangers, my son. For this thou
• 5:18:33
  must diligently make thy endeavor, that in every place and outward action or occupation,
• 5:18:41
  thou mayest be free within and have power over thyself, and that all
• 5:18:47
  things be under thee, and not thou under them, that thou be master
• 5:18:53
  and ruler of thy actions, not a slave or hireling, but rather a
• 5:18:59
  free and true Hebrew, entering into the lot and the liberty of the children
• 5:19:04
  of God, who stand above the present and look upon the eternal, who
• 5:19:11
  with the left eye behold things transitory and with the right things heavenly, whom
• 5:19:18
  temporal things draw not to cleave unto, but who rather draw temporal things to
• 5:19:23
  do them good service, even as they were ordained of God to do,
• 5:19:30
  and appointed by the Master Workman, who hath left naught in his creation,
• 5:19:36
  without aim and end. And if in any chance of life, thou stand
• 5:19:41
  not in outward appearances nor judgest things which are seen and heard by the fleshly
• 5:19:48
  sense, but straight away in every cause, enterest with Moses into the tabernacle
• 5:19:55
  to ask counsel of God, thou shalt hear a divine response, and come
• 5:20:00
  forth instructed concerning many things that are and shall be. For always, Moses
• 5:20:07
  had recourse to the Tabernacle for the solving of all doubts and questionings, and
• 5:20:14
  fled to the help of prayer to be delivered from the dangers and evil deeds
• 5:20:18
  of men. Thus also aughtist thou to fly to the secret chamber of thy
• 5:20:26
  heart and earnestly implore the divine succor. For this cause. We read that
• 5:20:33
  Joshua and the children of Israel were deceived by the Gibeonites, that they asked
• 5:20:38
  not counsel at the mouth of the Lord Joshua nine verse fourteen, but being
• 5:20:45
  too ready to listen to fair speeches, were deceived by pretended piety. Chapter
• 5:20:55
  thirty nine. That man must not be immersed in business. My son,
• 5:21:02
  always commit thy cause to me. I will dispose it aright in due time.
• 5:21:10
  Wait for my arrangement of it, and then thou shalt find it for
• 5:21:14
  thy profit, Oh Lord, right freely, I commit all things to thee,
• 5:21:21
  for my planning can profit. But little, Oh, that I did
• 5:21:26
  not dwell so much on future events, but could offer myself altogether to thy
• 5:21:30
  pleasures without delay, My son, a man often striveth vehemently after somewhat which
• 5:21:40
  he desireth. But when he hath obtained it, he beginneth to be of
• 5:21:45
  another mind, because his affections towards it are not lasting, but rather rush
• 5:21:51
  on from one thing to another. Therefore it is not really a small thing,
• 5:21:57
  when in small things we resist self. The true progress of man lieth
• 5:22:04
  in self denial. And a man who denieth himself is free and safe.
• 5:22:11
  But the old enemy, opposer of all good things, ceaseth not from temptation,
• 5:22:18
  but day and night setteth his wicked snares. If haply he may be
• 5:22:23
  able to entrap the unwary, watch and pray saith the Lord, lest ye
• 5:22:30
  enter into temptation. Matthew twenty six, Verse forty one, chapter forty.
• 5:22:41
  That man hath no good in himself, and nothing whereof to glory? Lord?
• 5:22:48
  What is man that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of
• 5:22:53
  man that thou visitest him? Psalm eight, verse four. What hath man
• 5:23:02
  deserved that thou shouldst bestow thy favor upon him? Lord? What cause can
• 5:23:08
  I have of complaint if thou forsake me? Or what can I justly allege
• 5:23:15
  if thou refuse to hear my petition of a truth. This I may truly
• 5:23:21
  think and say, Lord, I am nothing. I have nothing that is
• 5:23:26
  good of myself. But I fall short in all things, and ever tend
• 5:23:33
  unto nothing. And unless I am helped by THEE and inwardly supported, I
• 5:23:40
  become altogether lukewarm and reckless. But Thou, o, Lord, art always
• 5:23:47
  the same, and endurest forever, always good, righteous and holy, doing
• 5:23:55
  all things well, righteously and holy, and dispose all in thy wisdom.
• 5:24:02
  But I, who am more ready to go forward than backward, never continue
• 5:24:07
  in one's stay, because changes sevenfold pass over me. Yet it quickly becometh
• 5:24:14
  better when it so pleaseth THEE. And thou puttest forth thy hand to help
• 5:24:19
  me, because thou alone canst aid without help of man, and canst so
• 5:24:26
  strengthen me, that my countenance shall be no more changed, but my heart
• 5:24:30
  shall be turned to THEE and rest in THEE alone. Wherefore, if I
• 5:24:38
  but knew well how to reject all human consolations, whether for the sake of
• 5:24:45
  gaining devotion or because of the necessity by which I is compelled to seek THEE.
• 5:24:52
  Seeing there is no man who can comfort me, then could I worthily
• 5:24:56
  trust in Thy grace and rejoice in the gift of new consolation. Thanks be
• 5:25:04
  to THEE, from whom all cometh, whensoever it goeth well with me.
• 5:25:11
  But I am vanity and nothing in thy sight, a man inconstant and weak.
• 5:25:18
  What then have I whereof to glory? Or why do I long to
• 5:25:23
  be held in honor? Is it not for naught? This also is utterly
• 5:25:30
  vain, verily vain. Glory is an evil plague, the greatest of vanities,
• 5:25:37
  because it draweth us away from the true glory and robeth us of heavenly
• 5:25:41
  grace. For whilst a man pleaseth himself, he displeaseth Thee. Whilst he
• 5:25:51
  gapeth after the praises of man, he is deprived of true virtues. But
• 5:25:57
  true glory and wholly rejoicing lieth in glorying in THEE, and not in self,
• 5:26:07
  in rejoicing in Thy name, not in our own virtue, in not
• 5:26:11
  taking delight in any creature, save only for thy sake. Let thy name,
• 5:26:18
  not mine be praised, Let thy work, not mine be magnified.
• 5:26:26
  Let thy holy name be blessed. But to me, let nought be given
• 5:26:32
  of the praises of men, thou art my glory, Thou art the joy
• 5:26:37
  of my heart in THEE. Will I make my boast and be glad all
• 5:26:42
  the day long. But for myself, let me not glory save only in
• 5:26:48
  my infirmities Two Corinthians twelve, verse five. Let the Jews seek the honor
• 5:26:57
  which cometh from one another, but I will ask for that which cometh from
• 5:27:03
  God only. John five, verse forty four. Truly, all human glory,
• 5:27:11
  all temporal honor, all worldly exaltation, compared to thy eternal glory,
• 5:27:18
  is but vanity and folly, O God, my truth and my mercy,
• 5:27:25
  blessed trinity to THEE alone, be all praise, honor, power, and
• 5:27:30
  glory, forever and ever. Amen. End of Chapter forty, Book three,
• 5:27:41
  Chapters forty one to fifty. Chapter forty one of contempt of all temporal
• 5:27:49
  honor, My son, make it no matter of thine if thou see others
• 5:27:56
  honored and exalted, and thyself despised and humbled, lift up thine heart to
• 5:28:03
  me in heaven. And then the contempt of men upon earth will not make
• 5:28:07
  THEE sad. O Lord, we are in blindness and are quickly seduced by
• 5:28:15
  vanity. If I look rightly within myself. Never was injury done unto me
• 5:28:22
  by any creature, And therefore I have naught whereof to complain before THEE.
• 5:28:27
  But because I have many times and grievously sinned against THEE, all creatures do
• 5:28:34
  justly take arms against me. Therefore to me, confusion and contempt are justly
• 5:28:41
  due. But to THEE praise and honor and glory. And except I dispose
• 5:28:49
  myself for this, namely, to be willing that every creature should despise and
• 5:28:56
  desert me, and that I should be esteemed altogether as any nothing, I
• 5:29:00
  cannot be inwardly filled with peace and strength, nor spiritually enlightened, nor fully
• 5:29:07
  united to THEE. Chapter forty two. That our peace is not to be
• 5:29:15
  placed in men, My son, if thou set thy peace on any person,
• 5:29:22
  because thou hast high opinion of him, and art familiar with him,
• 5:29:27
  thou shalt be unstable and entangled. But if thou betake thyself to the ever
• 5:29:34
  living and abiding truth, the desertion or death of a friend shall not make
• 5:29:40
  THEE sad. In me ought the love of thy friend to subsist, And
• 5:29:47
  for my sake is every one to be loved whosoever he be, who appereth
• 5:29:52
  to THEE good and is very dear to THEE. In this life without me
• 5:29:59
  friend kindship, hath no strength or endurance. Neither is that love true and
• 5:30:04
  pure which I unite. Not thou oughtest to be so dead to such affections
• 5:30:11
  of beloved friends, that, as far as in THEE lieth, thou wouldst
• 5:30:15
  rather choose to be without any companionship of men. The nearer a man approacheth
• 5:30:22
  to God, the further he recedeth from all earthly solace. The deeper also
• 5:30:30
  he descendeth into himself, and the violer he appeareth in his own eyes.
• 5:30:36
  The higher he ascendeth towards God. But he who attributeth anything good to himself
• 5:30:45
  hindereth the grace of God from coming to him. Because the grace of the
• 5:30:49
  Holy Ghost ever seeketh the humble heart. If thou couldst make thyself utterly nothing,
• 5:30:57
  and empty thyself of the life of every creature, then should it be
• 5:31:03
  my part to overflow into THEE with great grace. When thou settest thine eyes
• 5:31:10
  upon creatures, the face of the Creator is withdrawn from THEE. Learn in
• 5:31:17
  all things to conquer thyself for the Creator's sake. Then shalt thou be able
• 5:31:22
  to attain unto divine knowledge. How small soever anything be, if it be
• 5:31:30
  loved and regarded inordinately, it holdeth us back from the highest good and corrupteth
• 5:31:40
  Chapter forty three against vain and worldly knowledge, My son, let not the
• 5:31:48
  fair and subtle sayings of men move THEE. For the Kingdom of God is
• 5:31:53
  not in word, but in power One Corinthians four, verse twenty. Give
• 5:32:02
  ear to my words, for they kindle the heart and enlighten the mind.
• 5:32:07
  They bring contrition, and they supply manifold consolations. Never read thou the word
• 5:32:15
  that thou mayest appear more learned or wise, but study for the mortification of
• 5:32:21
  thy sins, For this will be far more profitable for THEE than the knowledge
• 5:32:26
  of many difficult questions. When thou hast read and learned many things, Thou
• 5:32:34
  must always return to one first principle. I am he that teacheth man knowledge
• 5:32:42
  Psalm ninety four, verse ten. And I give unto babes clearer knowledge than
• 5:32:48
  can be taught by man. He to whom I speak will be quickly wise
• 5:32:53
  and shall grow much in the spirit woe unto them who inquire into many curious
• 5:33:00
  questions from men and take little heed concerning the way of my service. The
• 5:33:07
  time will come when Christ will appear, the Master of masters, the Lord
• 5:33:14
  of the angels, to hear the lessons of all, that is, to
• 5:33:18
  examine the consciences of each one. And then will he search Jerusalem with candles
• 5:33:26
  Zephaniah one, verse twelve, and the hidden things of darkness one Corinthians four,
• 5:33:34
  verse five, And the hidden things of darkness shall be made manifest,
• 5:33:41
  and the arguings of tongues shall be silent. I am he who, in
• 5:33:48
  an instant lift up the humble spirit to learn more reasonings of the eternal truth
• 5:33:56
  than if a man had studied ten years in the schools. I teach without
• 5:34:02
  noise of words, without confusion of opinions, without striving after honor, without
• 5:34:08
  clash of arguments. I am he who teach men to despise earthly things,
• 5:34:15
  to loathe things present, to seek things heavenly, to enjoy things eternal,
• 5:34:23
  to flee honors, to endure offenses, to place all hope in me,
• 5:34:30
  to desire nothing apart from me, and above all things, to love me
• 5:34:37
  ardently. For there was one who, by loving me from the bottom of
• 5:34:42
  his heart, learned divine things and spake things that were wonderful. He profited
• 5:34:49
  more by forsaking all things than by studying subtleties. But to some I speak
• 5:34:56
  common things, to others special. To some, I appear gently in signs
• 5:35:02
  and figures, and again to some I reveal mysteries in much light. The
• 5:35:07
  voice of books is one, but it informeth not all alike, because I
• 5:35:15
  inwardly am the teacher of truth, the searcher of the heart, the discerner
• 5:35:21
  of all thoughts, the mover of actions, distributing to each man, as
• 5:35:26
  I judge meet Chapter forty four, of not troubling ourselves about outward things,
• 5:35:38
  my son, In many things, it behoveth THEE to be ignorant, and
• 5:35:44
  to esteem thyself as one dead upon the earth, and as one to whom
• 5:35:48
  the whole world is crucified. Many things also, thou must pass by with
• 5:35:55
  deaf ear, and must rather think upon those things which belong unto thy peace.
• 5:36:02
  It is more profitable to turn away thine eyes from those things that displease,
• 5:36:07
  and to leave each man to his own opinion, than to give thyself
• 5:36:12
  to discourses of strife. If thou stand well with God and hast his judgment
• 5:36:18
  in thy mind, thou wilt verily easily bear to be as one conquered,
• 5:36:26
  O Lord, to what have we come? Behold? A temporal loss is
• 5:36:32
  mourned over for a trifling gain. We labor and hurry, and spiritual loss
• 5:36:37
  passeth away into forgetfulness, and we rarely recover it. That which profiteth little
• 5:36:45
  or nothing is looked after, and that which is altogether necessary is negligently passed
• 5:36:52
  by. Because the whole man slideth away to outward things. And unless he
• 5:36:57
  quickly recovereth him in outward things, he willingly lieth down Chapter forty five,
• 5:37:07
  that we must not believe everyone, and that we are prone to fall in
• 5:37:12
  our words. Lord be thou my help in trouble, for vain is the
• 5:37:19
  help of man Psalm sixty, verse eleven. How often have I failed to
• 5:37:27
  find faithfulness where I thought I possessed it? How many times I have found
• 5:37:33
  it where I least expected. Vain. Therefore is hope in men. But
• 5:37:40
  the salvation of the just O God is in thee Blessed be thou, O
• 5:37:45
  Lord, my God, in all things which happen unto us. We are
• 5:37:51
  weak and unstable. We are quickly deceived and quite changed. Who is the
• 5:37:57
  man who is able to keep himself so warily and circumspectly as not sometimes to
• 5:38:04
  come into some snare of perplexity? But he who trusteth in THEE, O
• 5:38:11
  Lord, and seeketh THEE with an unfeigned heart, doth not so easily slip.
• 5:38:18
  And if he fall into any tribulation, howsoever he may be entangled,
• 5:38:22
  yet very quickly he shall be delivered through THEE, or by THEE, shall
• 5:38:27
  be comforted, because Thou wilt not forsake him that trusteth in THEE. Unto
• 5:38:33
  the end. A friend who continueth faithful in all the distresses of his friend
• 5:38:41
  is rare to be found. Thou, o Lord, Thou alone art most
• 5:38:47
  faithful in all things, And there is none other like unto THEE. Oh,
• 5:38:55
  how truly wise was that holy soul who said, my mind is steadfastly
• 5:39:00
  fixed, and it is grounded in Christ, Saint Agatha. If thus it
• 5:39:07
  were with me, the fear of man should not so easily tempt me,
• 5:39:11
  nor the arrows of words move me. Who is sufficient to foresee all things,
• 5:39:18
  who to guard beforehand against future ills? If even things which are foreseen
• 5:39:26
  sometimes hurt us. What can things which are not foreseen do but grievously injure?
• 5:39:33
  But wherefore have I not better provided for myself? Miserable that I am,
• 5:39:40
  why too have I given such heed to others? But we are men,
• 5:39:45
  Nor are we other than frail men, even though by many we are
• 5:39:49
  reckoned and called angels. Whom shall I trust? O, Lord, whom
• 5:39:56
  shall I trust? But thee thou art the truth and deceives not, nor
• 5:40:02
  canst be deceived. And on the other hand, every man is a liar
• 5:40:08
  Psalm one hundred and sixteen, verse eleven, Romans three, verse four,
• 5:40:14
  weak, unstable, and frail, especially in his words, so that one
• 5:40:19
  ought scarcely ever to believe what seemeth to sound right on the face of it.
• 5:40:26
  With what wisdom hast thou warned us beforehand to beware of men, and
• 5:40:33
  that a man's foes are they of his own household Matthew ten, verses seventeen
• 5:40:38
  and thirty six. And that we must not believe if one say unto us
• 5:40:45
  lo here or lo there Matthew twenty four, verse twenty three. I have
• 5:40:52
  been taught by my loss, and oh that I may prove more careful and
• 5:40:56
  not foolish. Hereby be cautious, sayth some one, be cautious, keep
• 5:41:03
  unto thyself what I tell THEE. And whilst I am silent and believe that
• 5:41:08
  it is hid with me, he himself cannot keep silence concerning it, but
• 5:41:15
  straightway betrayeth me and himself, and goeth his way. Protect me, O
• 5:41:21
  Lord, from such mischief making and reckless men. Let me not fall into
• 5:41:26
  their hands, nor ever do such things myself. Put a true and steadfast
• 5:41:33
  word into my mouth, and remove a deceitful tongue far from me. What
• 5:41:40
  I would not suffer. I ought by all means to beware of doing.
• 5:41:45
  Oh, how good and peace making a thing it is. To be silent
• 5:41:51
  concerning others, and not carelessly to believe all reports, nor to hand them
• 5:41:56
  on further, How good all to lay oneself open to few, to seek
• 5:42:03
  ever, to have THEE as the beholder of the heart, not to be
• 5:42:07
  carried about with every wind of words, but to desire that all things inward
• 5:42:14
  and outward be done according to the good pleasure of thy will. How safe
• 5:42:21
  for the preserving of heavenly grace to fly from human approval, and not to
• 5:42:27
  long after the things which seem to win admiration abroad, but to follow with
• 5:42:33
  all earnestness those things which bring amendment of life and heavenly fervor. How many
• 5:42:41
  have been injured by their virtue being made known and too hastily praised. How
• 5:42:48
  truly profitable hath been grace preserved in silence in this frail life, which,
• 5:42:55
  as we are told, is all temptation and warfare. Chapter forty six of
• 5:43:06
  having confidence in God When evil words are cast at us, my son,
• 5:43:12
  stand fast and believe in me. For what are words but words? They
• 5:43:19
  fly through the air, but they bruise no stone. If thou art guilty,
• 5:43:26
  think how thou wouldst gladly amend thyself. If thou knowest nothing against thyself.
• 5:43:32
  Consider that thou wilt gladly bear this for God's sake. It is little
• 5:43:37
  enough that thou sometimes hast to bear hard words, for thou art not yet
• 5:43:42
  able to bear hard blows. And wherefore do such trivial matters go to thine
• 5:43:49
  heart? Except that thou art yet carnal, and regardest men more than thou
• 5:43:56
  artest. For because thou fearest to be despised, thou art unwilling to be
• 5:44:03
  reproved for thy faults, and seekest paltry shelters of excuses. But look better
• 5:44:11
  into thyself, and thou shalt know that the world is still alive in THEE
• 5:44:15
  and the vain love of pleasing men. For when thou fleest away from being
• 5:44:22
  abased and confounded for thy faults, it is plain that thou art neither truly
• 5:44:26
  humble nor truly dead to the world, and that the world is not crucified
• 5:44:33
  to THEE. But hearken to my word, and thou shalt not care for
• 5:44:37
  ten thousand words of men. Behold, if all things could be said against
• 5:44:44
  THEE, which the utmost malice could invent, what should it hurt THEE?
• 5:44:48
  If thou wert altogether to let it go, and make no more account of
• 5:44:52
  it than of a mote could it pluck out a single hair of thy head.
• 5:45:00
  But he that hath no heart within him, and hath not God before
• 5:45:03
  his eyes, is easily moved by a word of reproach. But he who
• 5:45:10
  trusteth in Me and seeketh not to abide by his own judgment, shall be
• 5:45:15
  free from the fear of men. For I am the judge and the discerner
• 5:45:19
  of all secrets. I know how the thing hath been done. I know
• 5:45:26
  both the injurer and the bearer from me went forth that word by my permission.
• 5:45:33
  This hath happened, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
• 5:45:38
  Luke two, verse thirty five. I shall judge the guilty and the innocent,
• 5:45:45
  But beforehand I have willed to try them both by a secret judgment.
• 5:45:52
  The testimony of men often deceiveth My judgment is true. It will stand,
• 5:46:00
  and it shall not be overturned. It commonly lieth hid, and only to
• 5:46:06
  few in certain cases is it made known. Yet it never eareth nor can
• 5:46:11
  err, although it seemed not right to the eyes of foolish men to me.
• 5:46:18
  Therefore, must men have recourse in all judgment, and must not lean
• 5:46:22
  to their opinion. For there shall no evil happen to the just. Proverbs
• 5:46:29
  twelve, verse twenty one. Whatsoever may be sent to him by God,
• 5:46:34
  even though some unjust charge be brought against him, he will care little.
• 5:46:41
  Nor again will he exalt above measure, if through others he be clearly vindicated.
• 5:46:48
  For he considereth that I am he who try the hearts and reigns p
• 5:46:53
  seven, verse nine, who judge not outwardly and according to human appearance,
• 5:47:00
  For often in mine eyes that is found blameworthy, which in the judgment of
• 5:47:04
  men is held worthy of praise. O, Lord God, O judge just,
• 5:47:12
  strong and patient, who knowest the frailty and sinfulness of men. Be
• 5:47:18
  thou my strength and my whole confidence. For my own conscience sufficeth me not.
• 5:47:26
  Thou knowest what I know not, And therefore ought I under all rebuke
• 5:47:32
  to humble myself and to bear it meekly. Therefore, mercifully forgive me as
• 5:47:37
  often as I have not done this, and grant me the next time.
• 5:47:41
  The grace of greater endurance for better unto me is Thine abundant pity for the
• 5:47:48
  attainment of thy pardon, than the righteousness which I believe myself to have for
• 5:47:53
  defense against my conscience, which lieth weight against me. Although I know nothing
• 5:48:00
  against myself. Yet I am not hereby justified One Corinthians four, verse four.
• 5:48:07
  Because if thy mercy were removed away in thy sight, should no man
• 5:48:14
  living be justified. Psalm one hundred forty three, verse two, chapter forty
• 5:48:22
  seven. That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life,
• 5:48:30
  my son, Let not the labors which thou hast undertaken for me break
• 5:48:36
  THEE down, nor let tribulations cast THEE down in any wise. But let
• 5:48:42
  my promise strengthen and comfort THEE. In every event. I am sufficient to
• 5:48:48
  reward THEE above all measure and extent. Not long shalt thou labor here,
• 5:48:56
  nor always be weighted down with sorrows. Wait yet a little while, and
• 5:49:02
  thou shalt see a speedy end of thine evils. And hour shall come when
• 5:49:07
  all labor and confusion shall cease. Little and short is all that passeth away
• 5:49:14
  with time. Do earnestly what thou dost labor faithfully in my vineyard. I
• 5:49:23
  will be thy reward. Write, read, sing, weep, be silent,
• 5:49:30
  pray, endure adversities manfully. Eternal life is worthy of all these conflicts,
• 5:49:38
  yea, And of greater peace shall come in one day which is known
• 5:49:44
  to the Lord, which shall be neither day nor night Zachariah fourteen, verse
• 5:49:51
  seven. But light, eternal, infinite clearness, steadfast peace, and undisturbed
• 5:49:57
  rest. Thou shalt not say, then, who shall deliver me from the
• 5:50:03
  body of this death? Romans seven, verse twenty four, Nor cry out
• 5:50:10
  woe is me, for my sojourning is prolonged Psalm one hundred and twenty,
• 5:50:15
  because death will be utterly destroyed, and there shall be salvation which can never
• 5:50:22
  fail. No more anxiety, happy delight, sweet and noble society. O,
• 5:50:30
  if thou soreest the unfading crowns of the saints in heaven, and with
• 5:50:36
  what great glory they now rejoice, who aforetime were reckoned by this world contemptibly,
• 5:50:42
  and as it were unworthy of life. Truly thou wouldst immediately humble thyself
• 5:50:48
  even to the earth, and wouldst desire rather to be in subjection to all
• 5:50:55
  than to have authority over one. Nor wouldst thou long for pleasant days of
• 5:51:00
  this life, But wouldst more rejoice to be afflicted for God's sake? And
• 5:51:06
  wouldst esteem it gain to be counted for naught amongst men. Oh, if
• 5:51:11
  these things were sweet to thy taste and moved thee to the bottom of thine
• 5:51:17
  heart, how shouldst thou dare even once to complain? Are not all laborious
• 5:51:23
  things to be endured for the sake of eternal life? It is no small
• 5:51:29
  thing the losing or gaining the Kingdom of God. Lift up therefore thy face
• 5:51:34
  to Heaven. Behold I and all my saints with me, who in this
• 5:51:41
  world had a hard conflict, now rejoice, are now comforted, are now
• 5:51:48
  secure, are now at peace, and shall remain with me evermore in the
• 5:51:52
  Kingdom of my Father. Chapter forty eight. Of the Day of Eternity and
• 5:52:02
  of the straitnesses of this life, Oh, most blessed mansion of the city
• 5:52:07
  which is above, Oh, most clear day of Eternity, which the night
• 5:52:12
  obscureth not but the supreme Truth, ever enlighteneth, day, always joyful,
• 5:52:22
  always secure, and never changing its state into those which are contrary. Oh,
• 5:52:29
  would that this day might shine forth, and that all these temporal things
• 5:52:33
  would come to an end. It shineth indeed upon the saints, glowing with
• 5:52:40
  unending brightness, but only from afar, and through a glass, upon those
• 5:52:45
  who are pilgrims on the earth. The citizens of Heaven know how glorious that
• 5:52:52
  day is. The exiled suns of eve grown. Because this is bitter and
• 5:52:57
  wearisome. The days of this life are few and evil, full of sorrows
• 5:53:03
  and straits, where man is defiled with many sins, ensnared with many passions,
• 5:53:11
  bound fast, with many fears, wearied, with many cares, distracted,
• 5:53:18
  with many questionings, entangled, with many vanities compassed about, with many
• 5:53:25
  errors worn away, with many labors, weighed down, with temptations, enervated
• 5:53:33
  by pleasures, tormented by poverty. O, When shall there be an end
• 5:53:40
  of these evils? When shall I be delivered from the wretched slavery of my
• 5:53:45
  sins? When shall I be mindful, O, Lord of THEE alone?
• 5:53:48
  When shall I rejoice in THEE to the full? When shall I be in
• 5:53:53
  true liberty without any impediment, without any burden on mind or body? When
• 5:54:00
  shall there be solid peace, peace, immovable and secure peace within and without
• 5:54:07
  peace, firm on every side, Blessed Jesus, When shall I stand to
• 5:54:15
  behold THEE? When shall I gaze upon the glory of Thy kingdom? When
• 5:54:19
  shalt thou be to me all in all? Oh? When shall I be
• 5:54:25
  with THEE in Thy kingdom which thou hast prepared from the foundation of the world
• 5:54:30
  for them that love THEE? I am left destitute and exile in a hostile
• 5:54:36
  land, where are daily wars and grievous misfortunes console my exile, mitigate my
• 5:54:45
  sorrow for towards THEE. All my desire longeth. For all is to me
• 5:54:52
  a burden. Whatsoever this world offereth for consolation. I yearn to enjoy THEE
• 5:54:59
  intimately, but I cannot attain unto it. I long to cleave to heavenly
• 5:55:04
  things, but temporal things and unmortified passions press me down. In my mind,
• 5:55:11
  I would be above all things, but in my flesh I am unwillingly
• 5:55:17
  compelled to be beneath them. So wretched man that I am, I fight
• 5:55:22
  with myself, and am made grievous even unto myself. While the spirit seeketh
• 5:55:29
  to be above, and the flesh to be beneath. Oh, how I
• 5:55:34
  suffer inwardly, while with the mind I discourse on heavenly things, and presently
• 5:55:41
  a crowd of carnal things rushes upon me. While I pray my God,
• 5:55:47
  be not thou far from me, nor depart in wrath from thy servant.
• 5:55:52
  Cast forth thy lightning and scatter them. Send out thine arrows Psalm one hundred
• 5:55:59
  and twenty one, verse twelve. And let all delusions of my enemy be
• 5:56:03
  confounded. Recall my senses unto thyself, cause me to forget all worldly things.
• 5:56:11
  Grant me quickly to cast away and despise the imaginations of sin. Succor
• 5:56:18
  me O eternal truth, that no vanity may move me. Come unto me,
• 5:56:23
  O heavenly Sweetness, and let all impurity flee from before thy face.
• 5:56:30
  Pardon me also, and of thy mercy deal gently with me whensoever in prayer
• 5:56:37
  I think on anything besides THEE. For truly I confess that I am wont
• 5:56:41
  to be continually distracted. For often and often wherein the body I stand or
• 5:56:48
  sit, there I myself am not, But rather am I there whither I
• 5:56:53
  am borne by my thoughts. Where my thought is there am I, and
• 5:57:00
  there commonly is my thought. Where that which I love is that readily occurreth
• 5:57:06
  to me, which naturally delighteth or pleaseth through custom. Wherefore, thou who
• 5:57:14
  art the truth, hast said plainly, where your treasure is, there will
• 5:57:18
  your heart be also Matthew six, verse twenty one. If I love Heaven,
• 5:57:25
  I gladly meditate on heavenly things. If I love the world, I
• 5:57:30
  rejoice in the delights of the world and are made sorry by its adversities.
• 5:57:37
  If I love the flesh, I am continually imagining the things which belong to
• 5:57:41
  the flesh. If I love the spirit, I am delighted by meditating on
• 5:57:47
  spiritual things. For whatsoever things I love, on these I readily converse and
• 5:57:53
  listen, and carry home with me the images of them. But blessed is
• 5:57:59
  that man who, for thy sake, O Lord, is willing to part
• 5:58:03
  from all creatures, who doth violence to his fleshly nature, and crucifieth the
• 5:58:10
  lusts of the flesh by the fervor of his spirit, so that with serene
• 5:58:15
  conscience he may offer unto THEE a pure prayer and be made worthy to enter
• 5:58:21
  into the angelic choirs, having shut out from himself, both outwardly and inwardly,
• 5:58:27
  all worldly things, Chapter forty nine of the Desire after Eternal Life,
• 5:58:37
  and how great blessings are promised to those who strive, My son, When
• 5:58:45
  thou feelest the desire of eternal happiness to be poured into THEE from above,
• 5:58:51
  and longest to depart from the tabernacle of this body, that thou mayst contemplate
• 5:58:56
  My glory without shadow of turning. Enlarge thine heart and take in this holy
• 5:59:03
  inspiration with all thy desire, give most hearty, thanks to the Supreme Goodness,
• 5:59:11
  who dealeth with THEE, so graciously visiteth THEE, so lovingly stirreth THEE
• 5:59:18
  up, so fervently raiseth THEE so powerfully lest thou sink down through thine own
• 5:59:26
  weight to earthly things. For not by thine own meditating or striving dost thou
• 5:59:33
  receive this gift, but by the sole gracious condescension of supreme grace and divine
• 5:59:40
  reward, to the end that thou mayest make progress in virtue and in more
• 5:59:45
  humility, and prepare thyself of future conflicts, and cleave unto me with all
• 5:59:52
  the affection of thine heart, and strive to serve me with fervent will,
• 6:00:00
  my son. Often the fire burneth, but the flame ascendeth not without smoke.
• 6:00:07
  So also the desires of some men burned towards heavenly things, and yet
• 6:00:12
  they are not free from the temptation of carnal affection. Thus, therefore they
• 6:00:18
  are not acting with an altogether simple desire for God's glory when they pray to
• 6:00:23
  him so earnestly. Such too, is sometimes thy desire, when thou hast
• 6:00:30
  imagined it to be so earnest for that is not pure and perfect, which
• 6:00:37
  is tainted with thine own self seeking. Seek thou not what is pleasant and
• 6:00:45
  advantageous to thyself, but what is acceptable and honorable unto me. For if
• 6:00:52
  thou judgest rightly, thou must choose and follow after my appointment rather than thine
• 6:00:57
  own desire, yea, rather than anything that can be desired. I know
• 6:01:04
  thy desire, and I have heard thy many groanings. Already thou longest to
• 6:01:11
  be in the glorious liberty of the children of God. Already the eternal home
• 6:01:17
  delighteth thee, and the heavenly country full of joy. But the hour is
• 6:01:22
  not yet come. There remaineth still another season, even a season of warfare,
• 6:01:30
  a season of labor and probation. Thou desirest to be filled with the
• 6:01:36
  chief good, but thou canst not attain it immediately. I am that good
• 6:01:42
  wait for me until the Kingdom of God shall come. Thou must still be
• 6:01:49
  tried upon earth and be exercised in many things. Consolation shall from time to
• 6:01:56
  time be given thee, but abundance satisfying shall not be granted. Be strong,
• 6:02:03
  therefore, and be thou brave, both in working and in suffering things
• 6:02:08
  which are against thy nature, Thou must put on the new man and be
• 6:02:14
  changed into another man. Thou must often do what thou wouldst not, and
• 6:02:19
  thou must leave undone what thou wouldst do. What pleaseth others shall have good
• 6:02:26
  success, what pleaseth THEE shall have no prosperity. What others say shall be
• 6:02:33
  listened to. What thou sayest shall receive no heed. Others shall ask and
• 6:02:41
  receive. Thou shalt ask and not obtain. Others shall be great in the
• 6:02:47
  report of men. But about THEE shall nothing be spoken to others. This
• 6:02:53
  or that shall be entrusted. Thou shalt be judged useful for naught. For
• 6:03:02
  this cause, nature shall sometimes be filled with sadness, And it is a
• 6:03:07
  great thing if thou bear it silently. In this and many like things,
• 6:03:15
  the faithful servant of the Lord is wont to be tried, how far he
• 6:03:18
  is able to deny himself and bring himself into subjection in all things. Scarcely
• 6:03:26
  is there anything in which thou hast need to mortify thyself so much as in
• 6:03:32
  seeing things which are adverse to thy will, especially when things are commanded THEE
• 6:03:38
  to be done which seem to THEE inexpedient or of little use to THEE.
• 6:03:45
  And because thou darest not resist a higher power being under authority, therefore it
• 6:03:51
  seemeth hard for THEE to shape thy course according to the nod of another,
• 6:03:56
  and to forego thine own opinion. But consider my son, the fruit of
• 6:04:03
  these labors, the swift end, and the reward exceeding great. And thou
• 6:04:10
  shalt find it no pain to bear them, then, but rather the strongest
• 6:04:15
  solace of thy patience. For even in exchange for this trifling desire, which
• 6:04:21
  thou hast readily forsaken, thou shalt always have thy will in Heaven. There
• 6:04:27
  verily thou shalt find all that thou wouldst all, that thou canst long.
• 6:04:33
  For there thou shalt have all good within thy power, without the fear of
• 6:04:38
  losing it. There thy will, ever at one with mine, shall desire
• 6:04:45
  nothing outward, nothing for itself. There no men shall withstand THEE, none
• 6:04:52
  shall complain of THEE, none shall hinder, nothing shall stand in thy path.
• 6:05:00
  But all things desired by THEE shall be present together, and shall refresh
• 6:05:04
  thy whole affection and fill it up even to the brim. There I will
• 6:05:11
  glory for the scorn suffered here, the garment of praise for sorrow, and
• 6:05:17
  for the lowest place a throne in the kingdom. Forever there shall appear the
• 6:05:22
  fruit of obedience, the labor of repentance shall rejoice, and humble subjection shall
• 6:05:30
  be crowned gloriously. Now therefore, bow thyself humbly under the hands of all
• 6:05:37
  men, Nor let it trouble THEE who said this or who ordered that.
• 6:05:42
  But take special heed that, whether thy superior, thy inferior, or thy
• 6:05:48
  equal, require anything from THEE, or even show a desire for it,
• 6:05:55
  take it all in good part, and study with a good will to fulfill
• 6:06:00
  the desire. Let one seek this another that, let this man glory in
• 6:06:07
  this, and that man in that, and be praised a thousand thousand times.
• 6:06:12
  But rejoice thou only in the contempt of thyself and in mine own good
• 6:06:18
  pleasure and glory. This is what thou art to long for, even that,
• 6:06:23
  whether by fire or by death, God may be ever magnified. In
• 6:06:29
  thee Philippians one, verse twenty, chapter fifty, how a desolate man ought
• 6:06:41
  to commit himself into the hands of God. O Lord, Holy Father,
• 6:06:49
  be thou blessed now and evermore, because as thou wilt, so it is
• 6:06:55
  done. And what thou doest is good. Let thy servant rejoice in THEE,
• 6:07:02
  not in himself nor in any other. Because thou alone art the true
• 6:07:07
  joy. Thou art my hope and my crown. Thou art my joy and
• 6:07:14
  my honor. O Lord, What hath thy servant which he receiveth not from
• 6:07:19
  THEE, even without merit of his own. Thine are all things which thou
• 6:07:26
  hast given, and which thou hast made. I am poor and in misery,
• 6:07:33
  even from my youth up Psalm one hundred thirty eight, verse fifteen.
• 6:07:40
  And my soul is sorrowful unto tears. Sometimes also it is disquieted within itself
• 6:07:45
  because of the sufferings which are coming upon it. I long after the joy
• 6:07:52
  of peace, for the peace of thy children do I beseech, For in
• 6:07:56
  the light of thy comfort they are fed by THEE. If thou give peace,
• 6:08:03
  if thou pour into me holy joy, the soul of thy servant shall
• 6:08:07
  be full of melody and devout in thy praise. But if thou withdraw thyself,
• 6:08:14
  as too often thou art wont, he will not be able to run
• 6:08:18
  in the way of thy commandments. But rather he will smite his breast and
• 6:08:22
  will bow his knees, because it is not with him as yesterday and the
• 6:08:27
  day before, when Thy candle shined upon his head Job twenty nine, verse
• 6:08:33
  three, and he walked under the shadow of thy wings Psalm seventeen, verse
• 6:08:41
  eight, from the temptations which beset him, O Father, Righteous, and
• 6:08:48
  ever to be praised. The hour cometh when thy servant is to be proved,
• 6:08:55
  O beloved Father, It is well that in this hour thy servants suffer
• 6:09:00
  somewhat for thy sake, O Father, ever more to be adored, as
• 6:09:06
  the hour cometh, which thou foreknowest from everlasting, when for a little while
• 6:09:11
  thy servant should outwardly bow down, but always live inwardly with THEE, when
• 6:09:18
  for a little while he should be little regarded, humbled and fail in the
• 6:09:23
  eyes of men, should be wasted with sufferings and weaknesses, to rise again
• 6:09:30
  with THEE in the dawn of the new light, and be glorified in the
• 6:09:34
  heavenly places, O Holy Father, thou hast ordained it so, and so
• 6:09:41
  hast willed it. And that is done which thou thyself hast commanded. For
• 6:09:48
  this is thy favor to thy friend, that he should suffer and be troubled
• 6:09:53
  in the world for thy love's sake, how often soever, and by whomsoever,
• 6:10:00
  and whosoever thou hast suffered it to be done. Without thy counsel and
• 6:10:04
  providence, and without cause, nothing cometh to pass on the earth. It
• 6:10:11
  is good for me, Lord, that I have been in trouble, that
• 6:10:15
  I may learn Thy statutes Psalm one hundred and nineteen, Verse seventy one,
• 6:10:21
  and may cast away all pride of heart and presumption. It is profitable for
• 6:10:26
  me that confusion hath covered my face, that I may seek to THEE for
• 6:10:32
  consolation rather than unto men. By this also I have learned to dread Thine
• 6:10:38
  unsearchable judgment, who afflictest the just with the wicked, but not without equity
• 6:10:45
  and justice. Thanks be unto THEE, because thou hast not spared my sins,
• 6:10:55
  but hast beaten me with stripes of love, afflicting pains and sending troubles
• 6:11:00
  upon me. Without and within. There is none who can console me of
• 6:11:07
  all things which are under heaven, but thou only, O, Lord,
• 6:11:11
  my God, Thou heavenly physician, of souls who dost scourge and hast mercy,
• 6:11:18
  who leadest down to hell and bringest up again Job thirteen, Verse two.
• 6:11:26
  Thy discipline over me, and thy rod itself shall teach me. Behold,
• 6:11:33
  O, Heavenly Father, I am in thy hands. I bow myself
• 6:11:38
  under the rod of thy correction. Smite my back and my neck, that
• 6:11:44
  I may bend my crookedness to Thy will make me a pious and lowly disciple,
• 6:11:51
  as thou wert wont to be kind, that I may walk according to
• 6:11:55
  every nod of thine to THEE. I commend myself and all that I have
• 6:12:02
  for correction. Better is it to be punished here than Hereafter Thou knowest all
• 6:12:08
  things and each of them, and nothing remaineth hid from THEE in man's conscience
• 6:12:17
  before they are. Thou knowest that they will be, And thou needest not
• 6:12:22
  that any man teach THEE or admonish THEE concerning the things which are done upon
• 6:12:26
  the earth. Thou knowest what is expedient for my profit, and how greatly
• 6:12:33
  trouble serveth unto the scrubbing off the rust of sin. Do with me according
• 6:12:40
  to thy desired, good pleasure and despise not my life, which is full
• 6:12:45
  of sin known to none, so entirely and fully as to THEE alone.
• 6:12:52
  Grant me, o Lord, to know that which ought to be known,
• 6:12:57
  to love that which ought to be loved, to praise that which pleaseth THEE
• 6:13:03
  most, to esteem that which is precious in thy sight, to blame that
• 6:13:11
  which is vile in Thine eyes. Suffer me not to judge according to the
• 6:13:15
  sight of bodily eyes, nor to give sentence according to the hearing of the
• 6:13:21
  ears of ignorant men, but to discern in true judgment between visible and spiritual
• 6:13:27
  things, and above all things, to be ever seeking after the will of
• 6:13:33
  Thy good pleasure. Oftentimes the senses of men are deceived in judging. The
• 6:13:41
  lovers of the world also are deceived, in that they love only visible things.
• 6:13:48
  What is a man better, because by man he is reckoned very great.
• 6:13:52
  The deceiver deceiveth the deceiver, the vain man, the vain, the
• 6:13:59
  blind man, the blind, the weak man, the weak when they exalt
• 6:14:03
  one another, and in truth, they rather put to shame, while they
• 6:14:08
  foolishly praise, For as humble Saint Francis saith what each one is in Thine
• 6:14:15
  eyes so much he is and no more. End of Chapter fifty Book three,
• 6:14:26
  Chapters fifty one to fifty nine, Chapter fifty one. That we must
• 6:14:33
  give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty.
• 6:14:41
  My son, thou art not always able to continue in very fervent desire after
• 6:14:48
  virtues, nor to stand fast in the loftier region of contemplation. But thou
• 6:14:55
  must, of necessity sometimes descend to lower things because of thine original corruption,
• 6:15:02
  and bear about the burden of corruptible life, though unwillingly and with weariness.
• 6:15:10
  So long as thou wearest a mortal body, thou shalt feel weariness and heaviness
• 6:15:15
  of heart. Therefore thou oughtest to groan often in the flesh because of the
• 6:15:22
  burden of the flesh. Inasmuch as thou canst not give thyself to spiritual studies
• 6:15:29
  and divine contemplation unceasingly, at such a time, it is expedient for thee
• 6:15:37
  to flee to humble and external works, and to renew thyself with good actions,
• 6:15:44
  to wait for My coming and heavenly visitation with sure confidence, to bear
• 6:15:51
  thy exile and drought of mind with patience, until thou be visited by me
• 6:15:56
  again, and be free from allannanas anxieties. For I will cause THEE to
• 6:16:03
  forget thy labours and altogether to enjoy eternal peace. I will spread open before
• 6:16:11
  THEE the pleasant pastures of the scriptures, that with enlarged heart thou mayest begin
• 6:16:17
  to run in the way of My commandments. And thou shalt say, the
• 6:16:22
  sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which
• 6:16:27
  shall be revealed. In Us Romans eighth verse eighteen, chapter fifty two,
• 6:16:38
  that a man ought not to reckon himself worthy of consolation, but more worthy
• 6:16:44
  of chastisement. O Lord, I am not worthy of thy consolation nor of
• 6:16:52
  any spiritual visitation. And therefore thou dealest justly with me when thou leavest me
• 6:16:57
  poor and desert. For if I were able to pour forth tears like the
• 6:17:03
  sea, still should I not be worthy of thy consolation. Therefore am I
• 6:17:10
  nothing worthy save to be scourged and punished. Because I have grievously and many
• 6:17:15
  a time offended THEE, and in many things have greatly sinned. Therefore,
• 6:17:22
  true account being taken, I am not worthy even of the least of thy
• 6:17:26
  consolations. But thou, gracious and merciful God, who willst not that thy
• 6:17:33
  works should perish, to show forth the riches of thy mercy upon the vessels
• 6:17:38
  of mercy Romans nine, verse twenty three, vouchsafest even beyond all his own
• 6:17:47
  deserving, to comfort thy servant above the measure of mankind. For thy consolations
• 6:17:53
  are not like unto the discoursings of men. What have I done, O,
• 6:18:00
  Lord, that thou shouldst bestow any heavenly comfort upon me? I remember
• 6:18:04
  not that I have done any good, but have been ever prone to sin
• 6:18:10
  and slow to amendment. It is true, and I cannot deny it.
• 6:18:15
  If I should say otherwise, Thou wouldst rise up against me, and there
• 6:18:18
  would be none to defend me. What have I deserved for my sins?
• 6:18:23
  But hell and everlasting fire? In very truth, I confess that I am
• 6:18:30
  worthy of all scorn and contempt. Nor is it fit that I should be
• 6:18:33
  remembered among thy faithful servants. And although I am unwilling to hear this,
• 6:18:40
  nevertheless I will, for the truth's sake accuse myself of my sins, that
• 6:18:45
  the more readily I may prevail to be accounted worthy of thy mercy? What
• 6:18:52
  shall I say? Guilty that I am, and filled with confusion, I
• 6:18:57
  have no mouth to utter unless it is this word alone. I have sinned,
• 6:19:03
  Lord, I have sinned. Have mercy upon me, forgive me.
• 6:19:08
  Let me alone, that I may take comfort a little before I go,
• 6:19:14
  whence I shall not return even to the land of darkness and the shadow of
• 6:19:18
  death, Job ten, verses twenty and twenty one. What dost thou so
• 6:19:26
  much require of a guilty and miserable sinner as that he be contrite and humble
• 6:19:30
  himself for his sins? In true contrition and humiliation of heart is begotten,
• 6:19:37
  the hope of pardon, the troubled conscience is reconciled, lost grace is recovered,
• 6:19:45
  a man is preserved from the wrath to come, and God and the
• 6:19:49
  penitent soul hasten to meet each other with a holy kiss. Luke fifteen,
• 6:19:56
  verse twenty. The humble contrition of sinners is an acceptable sacrifice unto thee O
• 6:20:03
  Lord, sending forth a smell sweeter far in thy sight than the incense.
• 6:20:11
  This also is that pleasant ointment which thou wouldst have poured upon thy sacred feet
• 6:20:17
  for a broken and contrite heart, thou hast never despised Psalm fifty one,
• 6:20:23
  verse seventeen. There is the place of refuge from the wrathful countenance of the
• 6:20:30
  enemy. There is amended and washed away whatsoever evil hath elsewhere been contracted.
• 6:20:40
  Chapter fifty three. That the grace of God doth not join itself to those
• 6:20:45
  who mind earthly things. My son, Precious is my grace. It suffereth
• 6:20:53
  not itself to be joined with outward things, nor with earthly consolations. Therefore
• 6:21:00
  thou oughtest to cast away all things which hinder grace. If thou longest to
• 6:21:07
  receive the impouring thereof, seek a secret place for thyself. Love to dwell
• 6:21:15
  alone with thyself. Desire the conversation of no one, but rather pour out
• 6:21:21
  thy devout prayer to God, that thou mayst possess a contrite mind and a
• 6:21:26
  pure conscience. Count the whole world as naught. Seek to be alone with
• 6:21:33
  God before all outward things, For thou canst not be alone with Me and
• 6:21:40
  at the same time be delighted with transitory things. Thou oughtest to be separated
• 6:21:45
  from thy acquaintances and dear friends, and keep thy mind free from all worldly
• 6:21:52
  comfort. So the blessed apostle Peter beseecheth that Christ's faithful ones bear themselves in
• 6:22:00
  this world as strangers and pilgrims. One Peter two, verse eleven. O,
• 6:22:08
  how great a confidence shall there be to the dying man, whom no
• 6:22:12
  affection to anything detaineth in the world. But to have a heart so separated
• 6:22:19
  from all things a sickly soul doth not yet comprehend. Nor doth the carnal
• 6:22:26
  man know the liberty of the spiritual man. But if indeed he desire to
• 6:22:32
  be spiritually minded, he must renounce both those who are far off and those
• 6:22:37
  who are near, and to beware of no man more than himself. If
• 6:22:42
  thou perfectly conquer thyself, very easily, shalt thou subdue all things. Besides
• 6:22:51
  perfect victory is the triumph over oneself. For whoso keepeth himself in subjection in
• 6:22:59
  such manner that the sensual affections obey the reason, and the reason in all
• 6:23:03
  things obeyeth me, he truly is conqueror of himself and lord of the world.
• 6:23:12
  If thou desire to climb to this height, thou oughtest to start bravely
• 6:23:18
  and to lay the axe to the root, to the end that thou mayest
• 6:23:22
  pull up and destroy the hidden inordinate inclination towards thyself and towards all selfish and
• 6:23:30
  earthly good. From this sin that a man loveth himself too inordinately, almost
• 6:23:37
  everything hangeth which needeth to be utterly overcome. When that evil is conquered and
• 6:23:44
  put under foot, there shall be great peace and tranquility continually. And because
• 6:23:51
  few strive earnestly to die perfectly to themselves and do not heartily go forth from
• 6:23:57
  themselves. Therefore do they remain entangled in themselves and cannot be raised in spirit
• 6:24:04
  above themselves. But he who desireth to walk at liberty with me must of
• 6:24:11
  necessity mortify all his evil and inordinate affections, and must cling to no creature
• 6:24:18
  with selfish love. Chapter fifty four. Of the Diverse Motions of Nature and
• 6:24:27
  of Grace, my son, pay diligent heed to the motions of nature and
• 6:24:36
  of Grace, because they move in a very contrary and subtle manner, and
• 6:24:41
  are hardly distinguished save by a spiritual and inwardly enlightened man. All men indeed
• 6:24:49
  seek good and make pretense of something good in all that they say or do,
• 6:24:56
  and thus under the appearance of good many are de deceived. Nature is
• 6:25:03
  deceitful and draweth away ensnareth, and deceiveth many, and always hath self for
• 6:25:08
  her end. But Grace walketh in simplicity, and turneth away from every appearance
• 6:25:17
  of evil, maketh no false pretenses, and doeth all entirely for the sake
• 6:25:22
  of God, in whom also she finally resteth. Nature is very unwilling to
• 6:25:30
  die, and to be pressed down, and to be overcome, and to
• 6:25:36
  be in subjection, and to bear the yoke readily. But Grace studieth self
• 6:25:42
  mortification, resisteth sensuality, seeketh to be subdued, longeth to be conquered,
• 6:25:51
  and willeth not to use her own liberty. She loveth to be held by
• 6:25:56
  discipline, and not to have authority over, but always to live, to
• 6:26:02
  remain, to have her being under God, and for God's sake, is
• 6:26:07
  ready to be humbly subject to every ordinance of man. Nature laboreth for her
• 6:26:15
  own advantage, and considereth what profit she may gain from another. But Grace
• 6:26:21
  considereth more not what may be useful and convenient to self, but what may
• 6:26:26
  be profitable to the many. Nature willingly receiveth honor and reverence, but Grace
• 6:26:36
  faithfully ascribeth all honor and glory to God. Nature feareth confusion and contempt,
• 6:26:45
  but Grace rejoiceth to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. Nature loveth ease
• 6:26:52
  and bodily quiet. Grace cannot be unemployed, but gladly embraceth labor. Nature
• 6:27:00
  seeketh to possess things curious and attractive, and abhorreth those which are rough and
• 6:27:07
  cheap. Grace is delighted with things simple and humble, despiseth not those which
• 6:27:15
  are rough, nor refuseth to be clothed with old garments. Nature hath regard
• 6:27:22
  to things temporal, rejoiceth in earthly lucre is made sad by loss, vexed
• 6:27:29
  by any little injurious word. But Grace reacheth after things eternal, cleaveth not
• 6:27:37
  to those which are temporal. Is not perturbed by losses, nor embittered by
• 6:27:42
  any hard words. But she hath placed her treasure and joy in heaven,
• 6:27:48
  where naught perisheth. Nature is covetous and receiveth more willingly than she giveth.
• 6:27:56
  Loveth things that are personal and to herself. While grace is kind and generous,
• 6:28:04
  avoideth selfishness is contented with a little believeth that it is more blessed to
• 6:28:11
  give than to receive. Nature inclineth thee to created things, to thine own
• 6:28:19
  flesh, to vanities and dissipation. But Grace draweth to God and to virtues,
• 6:28:29
  renounceth creatures, fleeth from the world, hateth the desires of the flesh,
• 6:28:34
  restraineth vagaries, blusheth to be seen in public. Nature is glad to
• 6:28:42
  receive some outward solace in which the senses may have delight. But Grace seeketh
• 6:28:48
  to be comforted in God alone, and to have delight in the Chief good
• 6:28:53
  above all visible things. Nature doeth everything for or her own gain and profit.
• 6:29:02
  Can do nothing as a free favor, but hopeth to attain something as
• 6:29:07
  good or better, or some praise or favor for her benefits. And she
• 6:29:11
  loveth that her own deeds and gifts should be highly valued. But Grace seeketh
• 6:29:19
  nothing temporal, nor requireth any other gift of reward than God alone. Neither
• 6:29:26
  longeth she for more of temporal necessities than such as may suffice for the attaining
• 6:29:32
  of eternal life. Nature rejoiceth in many friends and kinsfolk. She boasteth of
• 6:29:40
  noble place and noble birth. She smileth on the powerful, flattereth the rich,
• 6:29:47
  applaudeth those who are like herself. But grace loveth even her enemies,
• 6:29:52
  and is not lifted up by the multitude of friends. Setteth no store upon
• 6:29:57
  high place or high pace birth unless there be greater virtue. Therewith favoreth the
• 6:30:04
  poor man more than the rich, hath more sympathy with the innocent than with
• 6:30:10
  the powerful, rejoiceth with the truthful, not with the liar. Always exhorteth
• 6:30:17
  the good to strive after better gifts of grace, and to become by holiness
• 6:30:22
  like unto the Son of God. Nature quickly complaineth of poverty and of trouble.
• 6:30:30
  Grace beareth want with constancy. Nature looketh upon all things in reference to
• 6:30:38
  herself. Striveth and argueth foreself, But grace bringeth back all things to God
• 6:30:47
  from whom they came at the beginning. Ascribeth no good to herself, nor
• 6:30:52
  arrogantly presumeth, is not contentious, nor preferreth her own opinion to others,
• 6:31:00
  But in every sense and understanding submitteth herself to the eternal wisdom and the divine
• 6:31:07
  judgment. Nature is eager to know secrets and to hear new things. She
• 6:31:15
  loveth to appear abroad and to make experience of many things through the senses.
• 6:31:21
  She desireth to be acknowledged and to do those things which win praise and admiration.
• 6:31:27
  But grace careth not to gather up new or curious things, because all
• 6:31:33
  this springeth from the old corruption, whereas there is nothing new or lasting upon
• 6:31:40
  earth. So she teacheth to restrain the senses, to shune vain complacency and
• 6:31:47
  ostentation, to hide humbly those things which merit praise and real admiration, and
• 6:31:53
  from everything and in all knowledge, to seek after useful fruit and the praise
• 6:32:00
  and honor of God. She desireth not to receive praise for herself or her
• 6:32:07
  own, but longeth that God be blessed in all his gifts, who,
• 6:32:11
  out of unmingled love, bestoweth all things. This grace is a supernatural light
• 6:32:21
  and a certain special gift of God, and the proper mark of the elect
• 6:32:26
  and the pledge of eternal salvation. It exalteth a man from earthly things to
• 6:32:33
  love those that are heavenly, and it maketh the carnal man spiritual. So
• 6:32:38
  far therefore, as nature is utterly pressed down and overcome, so far is
• 6:32:45
  greater grace bestowed, and the inner man is daily created anew by fresh visitations
• 6:32:52
  after the image of God, Chapter fifty five of the Corruption of Nature and
• 6:33:02
  the Efficacy of Divine Grace. O, Lord, my God, thou hast
• 6:33:10
  created me after thine own image and similitude. Grant me this grace which thou
• 6:33:15
  hast shown to be so great and so necessary for salvation, that I may
• 6:33:22
  conquer my wicked nature, which draweth me to sin and to perdition. For
• 6:33:27
  I feel in my flesh the law of sin, contradicting the law of my
• 6:33:32
  mind, and bringing me into captivity to the obedience of sensuality in many things.
• 6:33:40
  Nor can I resist its passions, unless thy most holy grace assist me
• 6:33:45
  fervently poured into my heart. There is need of thy grace, yea,
• 6:33:52
  and of a great measure thereof that my nature may be conquered, which hath
• 6:33:57
  always been prone to evil from my youth, for being fallen through the first
• 6:34:03
  man adam and corrupted through sin. The punishment of this stain descended upon all
• 6:34:10
  men, so that nature itself, which was framed good and right by THEE,
• 6:34:15
  is now used to express the vice and infirmity of corrupted nature, because
• 6:34:22
  its motion, left unto itself, draweth men away to evil and to lower
• 6:34:26
  things. For the little power which remaineth is as it were, one spark
• 6:34:32
  lying hid in the ashes. This is natural reason, itself encompassed with thick
• 6:34:38
  clouds, having yet a discernment of good and evil, a distinction of the
• 6:34:44
  true and the false. Though it be powerless to fulfill all that it approveth
• 6:34:49
  and possess not yet the full light of truth nor healthfulness of its affections.
• 6:34:57
  Hence it is o my God, that I deal light in thy law after
• 6:35:02
  the inward man Romans seven, verses twelve, twenty two and twenty five,
• 6:35:08
  knowing that Thy commandment is holy and just and good, reproving also all evil
• 6:35:15
  and the sin that is to be avoided. Yet with the flesh I serve
• 6:35:21
  the law of sin, whilst I obey sensuality rather than reason. Hence it
• 6:35:26
  is that to will to do good is present with me, But how to
• 6:35:32
  perform it I find not Romans seven, verse eighteen. Hence I sometimes purpose
• 6:35:40
  many good things, but because grace is lacking to help mine infirmities, I
• 6:35:45
  fall back before a little resistance and fail. Hence it cometh to pass that
• 6:35:52
  I recognize the way of perfectness and see very clearly what things I ought to
• 6:35:57
  do. But pressed down by the weight of my own corruption, I rise
• 6:36:03
  not to the things which are more perfect. Oh, how entirely necessary is
• 6:36:10
  thy grace to me, O Lord, for a good beginning, for progress,
• 6:36:15
  and for bringing to perfection. For without it I can do nothing,
• 6:36:19
  and I can do all things through Thy grace, which strengtheneth me Philippians four,
• 6:36:26
  verse thirteen. O truly heavenly grace, without which our own merits are
• 6:36:33
  naught, and no gifts of nature at all are to be esteemed. Art
• 6:36:40
  rich is beauty, strength, wit, eloquence. They all avail nothing before
• 6:36:47
  thee, O Lord, without thy grace. For the gifts of nature belong
• 6:36:52
  to good and evil alike. But the proper gift of the elect is grace,
• 6:36:56
  that is love. And they who who bear the mark thereof are held
• 6:37:00
  worthy of everlasting life. So mighty is this grace that without it, neither
• 6:37:07
  the gift of prophecy, nor the working of miracles, nor any speculation.
• 6:37:14
  However, lofty is of any value at all. But neither faith, nor
• 6:37:18
  hope, nor any other virtue is accepted with THEE without love and grace,
• 6:37:27
  O, most blessed grace that makest the poor in spirit rich in virtues,
• 6:37:33
  and renderest him who is rich in many things, humble in spirit. Come
• 6:37:38
  thou descend upon me. Fill me early with thy consolation, lest my soul
• 6:37:45
  fail through weariness and drought of mind. I beseech thee, O Lord,
• 6:37:51
  that I may find grace in thy sight. For thy grace is sufficient for
• 6:37:56
  me two Corinthians twelve, verse nine, when I obtain not those things which
• 6:38:03
  nature longeth. For, if I be tempted and vexed with many tribulations,
• 6:38:10
  I will fear no evil, while Thy grace remaineth with me. This alone
• 6:38:15
  is my strength. This bringeth me counsel and help. It is more powerful
• 6:38:21
  than all enemies, and wiser than all the wise men in the world.
• 6:38:27
  It is the mistress of truth, the teacher of discipline, the light of
• 6:38:33
  the heart, the solace of anxiety, the banisher of sorrow, the deliverer
• 6:38:37
  from fear, the nurse of devotion, the drawer forth of tears. What
• 6:38:45
  am I without it? Save a dry tree, a useless branch worthy to
• 6:38:51
  be cast away. Let thy grace therefore, O Lord, always prevent and
• 6:38:57
  follow me, and make me continually given to all good works through Jesus Christ,
• 6:39:04
  thy son, Amen Chapter fifty six. That we ought to deny ourselves
• 6:39:15
  and to imitate Christ by means of the Cross, my son, So far
• 6:39:22
  as thou art able to go out of thyself, so far shalt thou be
• 6:39:26
  able to enter into me as to desire no outward thing worketh eternal peace.
• 6:39:36
  So the forsaking of self inwardly joineth unto God. I will that thou learn
• 6:39:44
  perfect self denial, living in my will, without contradiction or complaint. Follow
• 6:39:51
  me. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John
• 6:39:56
  fourteen, verse six. Without the way, thou canst not go. Without
• 6:40:03
  the truth, thou canst not know. Without the life, thou canst not
• 6:40:07
  live. I am the way which thou ughtest to follow, the truth,
• 6:40:14
  which thou oughtest to believe, the life which thou aughtiest to hope for.
• 6:40:19
  I am the way, unchangeable, the truth, infallible, the life everlasting.
• 6:40:26
  I am the Way altogether straight, the Truth supreme, the true life,
• 6:40:33
  the blessed life, the uncreated life. If thou remain in my way,
• 6:40:40
  thou shalt know the truth, and the truth shall make thee free John
• 6:40:45
  eight, verse thirty two. And thou shalt lay hold on eternal life.
• 6:40:55
  If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments Matthew nineteen, verses seventeen
• 6:41:03
  and twenty one. If thou wilt know the truth, believe in me.
• 6:41:08
  If thou wilt be perfect, sell all that thou hast. If thou wilt
• 6:41:14
  be my disciple, deny thyself, if thou wouldst possess the blessed life,
• 6:41:21
  despise the life which now is. If thou wilt be exalted in heaven,
• 6:41:26
  humble thyself in the world. If thou wilt reign with me, bear the
• 6:41:33
  cross with me. For only the servants of the Cross find the way of
• 6:41:37
  blessedness and of true light. O Lord Jesu, forasmuch as thy life was
• 6:41:45
  straitened and despised by the world, grant unto me to imitate THEE. In
• 6:41:52
  despising the world, For the servant is not greater than his lord, nor
• 6:41:56
  the disciple above his master. Matthew ten, verse twenty four. Let thy
• 6:42:03
  servant be exercised in thy life, because there is my salvation and true holiness.
• 6:42:11
  Whatsoever I read or hear besides it refresheth me not, nor giveth me
• 6:42:17
  delight, my son, Because thou knowest these things, and hast read them
• 6:42:22
  all blessed, shalt thou be if thou doest them. He who hath my
• 6:42:29
  commandments and keepeth them, He it is that loveth me. And I will
• 6:42:34
  love him, and will manifest myself to him. John fourteen, verse twenty
• 6:42:41
  one. And I will make him to sit down with me in my father's
• 6:42:45
  kingdom, O Lord Jesu, as thou hast said and promised. Even so,
• 6:42:52
  let it be unto me and grant me to prove worthy. I have
• 6:42:56
  received the cross at thy hand. I have carried it and will carry it
• 6:43:00
  even unto death, as thou hast laid it upon me. Truly, the
• 6:43:04
  life of a truly devoted servant is a cross, and it leadeth to paradise.
• 6:43:11
  I have begun. I may not return back nor leave it. Come,
• 6:43:17
  my brothers, let us together go forward. Jesus shall be with us
• 6:43:22
  for Jesus sake. Have we taken up this cross for Jesus sake, Let
• 6:43:26
  us persevere in the cross. He will be our helper, who was our
• 6:43:30
  captain and forerunner. Behold our king entereth in before us, and he will
• 6:43:36
  fight for us. Let us follow bravely. Let no man fear terrors.
• 6:43:42
  Let us be prepared to die bravely in battle. And let us not so
• 6:43:47
  stain our honor as to fly from the cross. One Maccabees nine, verse
• 6:43:53
  ten, chapter fifty seven. That a man must not be too much cast
• 6:44:03
  down when he faleth into some faults. My son, patience and humility in
• 6:44:10
  adversities are more pleasing to me than much comfort and devotion in prosperity. Why
• 6:44:18
  doth a little thing spoken against THEE make THEE sad? If it had been
• 6:44:25
  more, Thou still aughtest not to be moved, but now suffere it to
• 6:44:30
  go by. It is not the first, it is not new, and
• 6:44:34
  it will not be the last. If thou live long, thou art brave
• 6:44:40
  enough, so long as no adversity meeteth THEE. Thou givest good counsel also,
• 6:44:47
  and knowest how to strengthen others with thy words. But when tribulation suddenly
• 6:44:52
  knocketh at thine own door, thy counsel and strength fail. Consider thy great
• 6:45:00
  frailty, which thou dost so often experience in trifling matters. Nonetheless, for
• 6:45:06
  thy soul's health. These things are done when they and such like happen unto
• 6:45:11
  thee. Put them away from thy heart as well as thou canst. And
• 6:45:18
  if tribulation hath touched thee, yet let it not cast thee down, nor
• 6:45:23
  entangle thee long at the least, bear patiently. If thou canst not joyfully,
• 6:45:30
  And although thou be very unwilling to hear it and feel indignation, yet
• 6:45:37
  check thyself and suffer no unadvised word to come from thy lips, whereby the
• 6:45:42
  little ones may be offended. Soon the storm which hath been raised shall be
• 6:45:49
  stilled, and inward grief shall be sweetened by returning grace. I yet live,
• 6:45:56
  saith the Lord, ready to help thee, and to give thee more
• 6:46:02
  than wanted consolation. If thou put thy trust in me and call devoutly upon
• 6:46:07
  me, be thou more calm of spirit, and gird thyself for greater endurance.
• 6:46:15
  All is not frustrated. Though thou find thyself very often afflicted or grievously
• 6:46:22
  tempted. Thou art man, not God. Thou art flesh, not an
• 6:46:29
  angel. How shouldst thou be able to remain always in the same state of
• 6:46:33
  virtue when an angel in heaven fell and the first man in paradise. I
• 6:46:41
  am he who lifteth up the mourners to deliverance, and those who know their
• 6:46:47
  own infirmity. I raise up to my own nature, O, Lord,
• 6:46:53
  blessed, be thy word sweeter to my mouth than honey and the honeycomb.
• 6:47:00
  What should I do in my so great tribulations and anxieties unless thou didst comfort
• 6:47:07
  me with thy holy words? If only I may attain unto the heaven of
• 6:47:11
  salvation, What matter is it? What things or how many I suffer?
• 6:47:17
  Give me a good end, Give me a happy passage out of this world.
• 6:47:22
  Remember me, O, my God, and lead me by the right
• 6:47:26
  way unto Thy Kingdom. Amen. Chapter fifty eight of deeper matters and God's
• 6:47:37
  hidden judgments, which are not to be inquired into, My son, beware
• 6:47:45
  thou dispute not of high matters and of the hidden judgments of God. Why
• 6:47:52
  this man is thus left and that man is taken into so great favour,
• 6:47:57
  Why also this man is so greatly afflicted, and that so highly exalted.
• 6:48:04
  These things pass all man's power of judging. Neither may any reasoning or disputation
• 6:48:11
  have power to search out the divine judgments. When therefore the enemy suggesteth these
• 6:48:19
  things to thee, or when any curious people ask such questions, answer with
• 6:48:26
  that word of the prophet, just art thou, o Lord, and true
• 6:48:30
  is thy judgment Psalm one hundred and nineteen, verse one hundred and thirty seven.
• 6:48:37
  And with this the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether Psalm
• 6:48:45
  nineteen, verse nine. My judgments are to be feared, not to be
• 6:48:52
  disputed on, because they are incomprehensible to human understanding. And given to inquire
• 6:49:00
  or dispute about the merits of the saints, which is holier than another,
• 6:49:06
  or which is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. Such questions often beget
• 6:49:11
  useless strifes and contentions. They also nourish pride and vain glory. Whence envyings
• 6:49:19
  and dissensions arise. While one man arrogantly endeavoreth to exalt one saint and another
• 6:49:27
  another, but to wish to know and search out such things bringeth no fruit,
• 6:49:34
  but it rather displeaseth the saints. For I am not the god of
• 6:49:38
  confusion, but of peace Corinthians fourteen, verse thirty three. Which peace consisteth
• 6:49:48
  more in true humility than in self exaltation. Some are drawn by zeal of
• 6:49:57
  love to greater affection to these saints or those, But this is human affection
• 6:50:04
  rather than divine. I am he who made all the saints. I gave
• 6:50:10
  them grace, I brought them glory. I know the merits of every one.
• 6:50:15
  I prevented them with the blessings of my goodness Psalm twenty one, verse
• 6:50:22
  three. I foreknew my beloved ones from everlasting. I chose them out of
• 6:50:30
  the world John fifteen, verse nineteen. They did not choose me. I
• 6:50:37
  called them by my grace, drew them by my mercy, led them on
• 6:50:42
  through saundry temptations. I poured mighty consolations upon them. I gave them perseverance.
• 6:50:52
  I crowned their patients. I acknowledged the first and the last, embrace
• 6:51:00
  all with inestimable love. I am to be praised in all my saints.
• 6:51:07
  I am to be blessed above all things, and to be honored in every
• 6:51:11
  one whom I have so gloriously exalted and predestined, without any preceding merits of
• 6:51:18
  their own. He therefore that shall despise one of the least of these my
• 6:51:23
  people, honoreth not the great, because I made both small and great wisdom
• 6:51:33
  six verse eight. And he who speaketh against any of my saints speaketh against
• 6:51:40
  Me and against all others. In the Kingdom of Heaven. They are all
• 6:51:47
  one through the bond of charity. They think the same thing, will the
• 6:51:52
  same thing, and all are united in love one to another. But yet
• 6:51:57
  which is far better? They love Me above themselves and their own merits.
• 6:52:04
  For being caught up above themselves and drawn beyond self love, they go all
• 6:52:11
  straightforward to the love of Me, and they rest in Me in perfect enjoyment.
• 6:52:18
  There is nothing which can turn them away or press them down, for
• 6:52:22
  being full of eternal truth, they burn with the fire of inextinguishable charity.
• 6:52:30
  Therefore, let all carnal and natural men hold their peace concerning the state of
• 6:52:36
  the saints, for they know nothing save to love. Their own personal enjoyment
• 6:52:42
  they take away and add according to their own inclination, not as it pleaseth
• 6:52:48
  the eternal truth. In many men this is ignorance. Chiefly is it so
• 6:52:56
  in those who, being little enlightened, rarely learn to love any one with
• 6:53:02
  perfect spiritual love. They are still much drawn by natural affection and human friendship
• 6:53:10
  to these or to those. And as they reckon of themselves in lower matters,
• 6:53:15
  so also do they frame imaginations of things heavenly. But there is an
• 6:53:21
  immeasurable difference between those things which they imperfectly imagine and these things which enlightened men
• 6:53:30
  behold through supernatural revelation. Take heed therefore, my son, that thou treat
• 6:53:38
  not curiously those things which surpass thy knowledge, but rather make this thy business
• 6:53:45
  and give attention to it. Namely, that thou seek to be found,
• 6:53:49
  even though it be the least in the kingdom of God. And even if
• 6:53:56
  any one should know who were holier than others, or who were held greatest
• 6:54:00
  in the kingdom of heaven, what should that knowledge profit him, unless through
• 6:54:07
  this knowledge he should humble himself before me and should rise up to give greater
• 6:54:11
  praise unto My name. He who considereth, how great are his own sins,
• 6:54:18
  how small his virtues, and how far he is removed from the perfection
• 6:54:23
  of the saints, doeth far more acceptably in the sight of God than he
• 6:54:30
  who disputeth about their greatness or littleness. They are altogether well content, if
• 6:54:38
  men would learn to be content and to refrain from vain babbling. They glory
• 6:54:45
  not of their own merits, seeing they ascribe no good unto themselves, but
• 6:54:51
  all unto me, Seeing that I, of my infinite charity have given them
• 6:54:56
  all things. They are filled with so great love of the Divinity, and
• 6:55:02
  with such overflowing joy, that no glory is lacking to them. Neither can
• 6:55:07
  any felicity be lacking all the saints. The higher they are exalted in glory,
• 6:55:15
  the humbler are they in themselves, And the nearer and dearer are they
• 6:55:19
  unto me. And so thou hast it written that they cast their crowns before
• 6:55:26
  God and fell on their faces before the lamb, and worshiped Him that liveth
• 6:55:32
  forever and ever Revelation four, verse ten and five, verse fourteen. Many
• 6:55:41
  ask who is greater in the Kingdom of heaven? Who know not whether they
• 6:55:47
  shall be worthy to be counted among the least. It is a great thing
• 6:55:52
  to be even the least in heaven, where all are great, because all
• 6:55:56
  shall be called and shall be the sons of God. A little one shall
• 6:56:03
  become a thousand, but the sinner, being an hundred years old, shall
• 6:56:07
  be accursed. For when the disciples asked who should be the greatest in the
• 6:56:14
  Kingdom of Heaven, they received no answer than this, except ye be converted
• 6:56:21
  and become as little children, Ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
• 6:56:26
  But whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same shall be
• 6:56:32
  greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew eighteen, verse three. Woe unto
• 6:56:40
  them who disdained to humble themselves willingly with the little children, for the low
• 6:56:45
  gate of the Kingdom of Heaven will not suffer them to enter in. Woe
• 6:56:51
  also to them who are rich, who have their consolation here Philippians two,
• 6:56:57
  verse twenty one, because whilst the poor enter into the Kingdom of Heaven,
• 6:57:03
  they shall stand lamenting without rejoice. Ye humble and exalt ye poor, for
• 6:57:11
  yours is the Kingdom of God. If only ye walk in the truth Chapter
• 6:57:18
  fifty nine, that all hope and trust is to be fixed in God.
• 6:57:23
  Alone, O Lord, What is my trust which I have in this life?
• 6:57:32
  Or what is my greatest comfort of all the things which are seen under
• 6:57:36
  heaven? Is it not thou, o Lord, my God, whose mercies
• 6:57:41
  are without number? Where hath it been well with me without THEE? Or
• 6:57:45
  when could it be evil? Whilst thou wert near. I had rather be
• 6:57:51
  poor for thy sake than rich without THEE. I choose rather to be a
• 6:57:56
  pilgrim upon the earth with THEE than without THEE, to possess heaven. Where
• 6:58:03
  thou art there is heaven, and where thou art not behold their death and
• 6:58:10
  hell. Thou art all my desire, And therefore must I groan and cry
• 6:58:17
  and earnestly pray after THEE. In short, I can confide fully in none
• 6:58:22
  to give me ready help in necessities, save in THEE alone, O,
• 6:58:27
  my God, Thou art my hope, Thou art my trust, Thou art
• 6:58:33
  my comforter and most faithful in all things, all men seek their own Luke
• 6:58:44
  Verse six, Thou settest forward only my salvation and my profit, and turnest
• 6:58:49
  all things unto my good, even though thou dost expose me to diverse temptations
• 6:58:56
  and adversities. Thou or dayest all this unto my advantage. For thou art
• 6:59:03
  wont to prove thy beloved ones in a thousand ways in which proving thou oughtest
• 6:59:10
  no less to be loved and praised than if thou wert filling me full of
• 6:59:15
  heavenly consolations in THEE. Therefore, O, Lord God, I put all
• 6:59:21
  my hope and my refuge on THEE. I lay all my tribulation and anguish,
• 6:59:27
  because I find all to be weak and unstable. Whatsoever I behold out
• 6:59:33
  of THEE, for many friends shall not profit, nor strong helpers be able
• 6:59:40
  to succor, nor prudent counselors to give a useful answer, nor the books
• 6:59:45
  of the learned to console, nor any precious substance to deliver, nor any
• 6:59:52
  secret and beautiful place to give shelter. If thou thyself do not assist,
• 6:59:59
  help, strengthen, comfort, instruct keep in safety. For all things which
• 7:00:07
  seem to belong to the attainment of peace and felicity are nothing when thou art
• 7:00:12
  absent, and bring no felicity at all. In reality. Therefore art thou
• 7:00:19
  the end of all good and the fullness of life, and the soul of
• 7:00:23
  eloquence and to hope in THEE above all things is the strongest solace of thy
• 7:00:30
  servants. Mine eyes look unto THEE Psalm one hundred and forty one, verse
• 7:00:37
  eight. In THEE is my trust, O, my god Father of mercies.
• 7:00:44
  Bless and sanctify my soul with heavenly blessing, that it may become thy
• 7:00:49
  holy habitation and the seat of thy eternal glory. And let nothing be found
• 7:00:56
  in the temple of thy divinity which may offend the eyes of thy majesty.
• 7:01:02
  According to the greatness of thy goodness and the multitude of thy mercies, look
• 7:01:07
  upon me and hear the prayer of thy poor servant, far exiled from THEE
• 7:01:14
  in the land of the shadow of death. Protect and preserve the soul of
• 7:01:19
  thy least servant amid so many dangers of corruptible life, And by thy grace
• 7:01:26
  accompanying me, direct it by the way of peace into its home of perpetual
• 7:01:33
  light. Amen. End of Book three, the fourth book of the Sacrament
• 7:01:42
  of the Altar, Chapters one to ten, a devout exhortation to the Holy
• 7:01:51
  Communion. The voice of Christ, Come unto me, all ye that labour
• 7:01:57
  and I heavy laiden, and I will refresh you. Matthew eleven, verse
• 7:02:03
  twenty eight. Saith the Lord. The bread that I will give is my
• 7:02:10
  flesh, which I give for the life of the world. John six,
• 7:02:14
  verse fifty one. Take eat. This is my body which is given for
• 7:02:21
  you. This do in remembrance of me. Matthew twenty one, verse twenty
• 7:02:27
  six. Luke twenty two, verse nineteen. He that eateth my flesh and
• 7:02:33
  drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him. The words that I
• 7:02:40
  speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life. John six,
• 7:02:47
  verses fifty one and sixty three, Chapter one, with how great reverence Christ
• 7:02:56
  must be received the voice of the disciples. These are Thy words O Christ,
• 7:03:03
  eternal truth, though not uttered at one time, nor written together in
• 7:03:10
  one place of scripture. Because therefore they are Thy words and true, I
• 7:03:17
  must gratefully and faithfully receive them all. They are thine, and thou hast
• 7:03:23
  uttered them, and they are mine also because thou didst speak them for my
• 7:03:29
  salvation. Gladly I receive them from thy mouth, that they may be more
• 7:03:34
  deeply implanted in my heart. Words of such great grace arouse me, for
• 7:03:41
  they are full of sweetness and love. But my own sins terrify me,
• 7:03:48
  and my impure conscience driveth me away from receiving so great mysteries. The sweetness
• 7:03:56
  of thy words encourageth me, but the multitude of my faults presseth me down.
• 7:04:04
  Thou commandest that I draw near to THEE with firm confidence, if I
• 7:04:11
  would have part with THEE, and that I receive the food of immortality.
• 7:04:15
  If I desire to obtain eternal life and glory, come unto me, sayest
• 7:04:22
  thou, all that labor and a heavy laden, and I will refresh you,
• 7:04:27
  O sweet and lovely word, in the ear of the sinner, that
• 7:04:32
  thou, o Lord, my God, dost invite the poor and needy to
• 7:04:37
  the communion of thy most holy body and blood. But who am i,
• 7:04:42
  O Lord, that I should presume to approach unto THEE. Behold, the
• 7:04:48
  heaven of heavens cannot contain THEE. And yet thou sayest, come ye all
• 7:04:55
  unto me. What meaneth this most great vicious condescension, this most lovely invitation?
• 7:05:04
  How shall I dare to come, who know no good thing of myself?
• 7:05:08
  Whence I might be able to presume? How shall I bring THEE within
• 7:05:15
  my house, seeing that I so often have sinned in Thy most loving sight.
• 7:05:21
  Angels and archangels stand in awe of THEE. The saints and just men
• 7:05:26
  fear THEE. And thou sayest come unto me. Except thou Lord hast said
• 7:05:34
  it, who should believe it true? And except thou hast commanded, who
• 7:05:41
  should attempt to draw near? Behold, Noah, that just man labored for
• 7:05:48
  a hundred years in building the ark, that he might be saved with the
• 7:05:53
  few. And I, how shall I be able in one hour to prepare
• 7:05:59
  myself to rescis the builder of the world. With reverence, Moses, thy
• 7:06:04
  servant, thy Great, and a special friend, made an arc of incorruptible
• 7:06:11
  wood, which also he covered with purest gold, that he might lay up
• 7:06:15
  in it the tables of the Law. And I a corruptible creature? Shall
• 7:06:22
  I dare thus easily to receive THEE? The maker of the Law and the
• 7:06:26
  giver of life. Solomon, the wisest of the kings of Israel, was
• 7:06:32
  seven years building his magnificent temple to the praise of thy name, and for
• 7:06:37
  eight days celebrated the feast of its dedication, offering a thousand peace offerings,
• 7:06:45
  and solemnly brought up the Ark of the Covenant to the place prepared for it,
• 7:06:49
  with the sound of trumpets and great joy. And I unhappy and poorest
• 7:06:56
  of mankind, How shall I bring thee into my house, who scarcely know
• 7:07:03
  how to spend half an hour in devotion? Oh, that it were even
• 7:07:07
  one half hour worthily spent? O my God, how earnestly these holy men
• 7:07:17
  strove to please thee? And alas, how little and trifling is that which
• 7:07:22
  I do? How short a time do I spend when I am disposing myself
• 7:07:26
  to communion, rarely altogether collected, most rarely cleansed from all distraction, And
• 7:07:37
  surely in the saving presence of Thy Godhead, no unmeet thought ought to intrude,
• 7:07:44
  nor should any creature take possession of me, because it is not an
• 7:07:48
  angel, but the Lord of the Angels, that I am about to receive
• 7:07:52
  as my guest. Yet there is a vast difference between the Ark of the
• 7:07:59
  Covenant its relics, and thy most pure body, with its ineffable virtues,
• 7:08:06
  Between those sacrifices of the Law which were figures of things to come, and
• 7:08:11
  the true sacrifice of Thy body, the completion of all the ancient sacrifices.
• 7:08:19
  Wherefore then do I not yearn more ardently after Thy adorable presence. Why do
• 7:08:27
  I not prepare myself with greater solicitude to receive Thy holy things? When those
• 7:08:34
  holy patriarchs and prophets of old kings also and princes with the whole people,
• 7:08:41
  manifested so great affection of devotion towards Thy divine service, the most devout King
• 7:08:52
  David, danced with all his might before the Ark of God, calling to
• 7:08:56
  mind the benefits granted to his forefathers in days past. He fashioned musical instruments
• 7:09:03
  of various sorts, put forth psalms, and appointed them to be song with
• 7:09:08
  joy, played also himself oft times on the harp. Being inspired with the
• 7:09:15
  grace of the Holy Ghost. He taught the people of Israel to praise God
• 7:09:19
  with the whole heart and with unity of voice, to bless and praise Him
• 7:09:25
  every day. If so great devotion was then exercised, and celebration of divine
• 7:09:33
  praise was carried on before the ark of the testimony, how great reverence and
• 7:09:38
  devotion ought now to be shown by me and all Christian people at the ministering
• 7:09:45
  of the Sacrament. At receiving the most precious body and blood of Christ,
• 7:09:53
  many run to diverse places to visit the memorials of departed saints and rejoice to
• 7:10:00
  hear of their deeds, and to look upon the beautiful buildings of their shrines.
• 7:10:07
  And behold, thou art present here with me, O, my God,
• 7:10:11
  Saint of saints, creator of men, and Lord of the angels.
• 7:10:18
  Often in looking at those memorials, men are moved by curiosity and novelty,
• 7:10:22
  and very little fruit of amendment is borne away, especially when there is so
• 7:10:27
  much careless trifling and so little true contrition. But here in the sacrament of
• 7:10:34
  the altar, thou art present altogether, my God, the Man Christ Jesus,
• 7:10:41
  where also abundant fruit of eternal life is given to every one soever that
• 7:10:48
  receiveth thee worthily and devoutly. But to this no levity drawereth, no curiosity
• 7:10:56
  nor sensuality, only steadfire, as faith, devout, hope and sincere charity,
• 7:11:06
  O, God, invisible creator of the world. How wondrously dost thou
• 7:11:11
  work with us, How sweetly and graciously thou dealest with thine elect to whom
• 7:11:18
  thou offerest thyself to be received in this sacrament. For this surpasseth all understanding.
• 7:11:26
  This specially draweth the hearts of the devout, and enkindleth their affections.
• 7:11:33
  For even thy true faithful ones themselves, who order their whole life to amendment,
• 7:11:40
  oftentimes gain from this most excellent sacrament great grace of devotion and love of
• 7:11:47
  virtue. O admirable and hidden grace of the sacrament, which only Christ's faithful
• 7:11:56
  ones know, but the faithless and those who serves sin cannot experience. In
• 7:12:03
  this sacrament is conferred spiritual grace, and lost virtue is regained in the soul,
• 7:12:11
  and the beauty which was disfigured by sin returneth again. So great sometimes
• 7:12:18
  is this grace, that out of the fullness of devotion, given not only
• 7:12:22
  the mind but also the weak body, feeleth that more strength is supplied unto
• 7:12:27
  it. But greatly must we mourn and lament over our luke warmness and negligence,
• 7:12:37
  that we are not drawn by greater affection to become partakers of Christ,
• 7:12:42
  in whom all the hope and the merit of those that are to be saved
• 7:12:47
  consist, For He himself is our sanctification and Redemption one Corinthians, one verse
• 7:12:56
  thirty. He is the consolation of pilgrims and the eternal fruition of the saints.
• 7:13:03
  Therefore, it is grievously to be lamented that many so little consider this
• 7:13:10
  health giving mystery, which maketh Heaven glad and preserveth the whole world. Alas
• 7:13:18
  for the blindness and hardness of man's heart that he considereth not more this unspeakable
• 7:13:25
  gift, and even slippeth down through the daily use into carelessness. For if
• 7:13:33
  this most holy sacrament were celebrated in one place only, and were consecrated only
• 7:13:40
  by one priest in the whole world, with what great desire thinkest thou would
• 7:13:45
  men be affected towards that place, and towards such a priest of God,
• 7:13:52
  that they might behold the divine mysteries celebrated. But now are many men made
• 7:13:57
  priests, and in many places the sacrament is celebrated, that the grace and
• 7:14:03
  love of God towards men might the more appear, the more widely the Holy
• 7:14:08
  Communion is spread abroad over all the world. Thanks be unto thee O Good
• 7:14:15
  Jesus, eternal Shepherd, who hast vouchsafed to refresh us, poor and exiled
• 7:14:22
  ones, with thy precious body and blood, and to invite us to partake
• 7:14:27
  these holy mysteries by the invitation from thine own mouth, saying, come unto
• 7:14:34
  me, ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.
• 7:14:41
  Chapter two, that the greatness and charity of God is shown to men
• 7:14:48
  in the sacrament the voice of the disciple, trusting in Thy goodness and great
• 7:14:56
  mercy, O Lord, I draw near the sicknes to the healer, the
• 7:15:02
  hungering and thirsting to the fountain of life, the poverty stricken to the King
• 7:15:07
  of Heaven, the servant to the Lord, the creature to the Creator,
• 7:15:14
  the desolate to my own gentle comforter. But whence is this unto me,
• 7:15:21
  that thou comest unto me? Who am I that thou shouldst offer me thyself?
• 7:15:29
  How doth a sinner dare to appear before thee? And how dost thou
• 7:15:33
  vouchsafe to come to the sinner? Thou knowest thy servant, and thou knowest
• 7:15:41
  that he hath in him no good thing for which thou shouldest grant him disgrace.
• 7:15:48
  I confess therefore mine own vileness. I acknowledge thy goodness. I praise
• 7:15:55
  thy tenderness, and I give THEE thanks for thine exceeding great love. For
• 7:16:02
  Thou doest this for thine own sake, not for my merits, that thy
• 7:16:07
  goodness may be more manifest unto me, thy charity more abundantly poured out upon
• 7:16:14
  me, and thy humility more perfectly commended unto me. Therefore, because this
• 7:16:22
  pleaseth THEE, and Thou hast commanded that thus it shall be, Thy condescension
• 7:16:27
  pleaseth me also, And O that mine iniquity hinder it. Not O,
• 7:16:36
  most sweet and tender Jesus, what reverence, what giving of thanks is due
• 7:16:42
  to THEE? With perpetual praise for the receiving of Thy sacred body and blood,
• 7:16:48
  the dignity whereof no man is found able to express. But what shall
• 7:16:55
  I think upon in this communion, in approaching my Lord, who whom I
• 7:17:00
  am not able worthily to honor, and nevertheless whom I long devoutly to receive.
• 7:17:07
  What shall be better and more healthful meditation for me than utter humiliation of
• 7:17:14
  myself before THEE and exaltation of Thine infinite goodness towards me. I praise THEE,
• 7:17:22
  O, my God, and exalt THEE. For evermore I despise myself
• 7:17:29
  and cast myself down before THEE into the deep of my vileness. Behold,
• 7:17:37
  Thou art the saint of saints, and I the refuse of sinners. Behold
• 7:17:45
  thou stoopest unto me, who am not worthy to look upon THEE. Behold
• 7:17:52
  thou comest unto me. Thou willest to be with me, Thou invitest me
• 7:17:57
  to thy feast. Thou willest to give me the heavenly food and bread of
• 7:18:03
  angels, to eat none other in truth than thyself, the living Bread,
• 7:18:11
  which didst descend from Heaven and givest life to the world. John six,
• 7:18:18
  verse fifty one. Behold, whence this love proceedeth, What manner of condescension
• 7:18:26
  shineth forth herein? What great giving of thanks and praise is due unto THEE
• 7:18:33
  for these benefits? O, How salutary and profitable thy purpose. When thou
• 7:18:40
  didst aordain this, How sweet and pleasant the feast? When thou didst give
• 7:18:45
  thyself for food? Oh, how admirable is thy working, O Lord,
• 7:18:52
  How mighty thy power, how unspeakable thy truth? For thou didst speak the
• 7:18:59
  thoue word, and all things were made. And this is done which thou
• 7:19:04
  hast commanded, a thing wonderful and worthy of faith, and surpassing all understanding
• 7:19:14
  of man, that Thou, o, Lord, my God, very God,
• 7:19:18
  and very man, givest thyself altogether to us in a little bread and
• 7:19:22
  wine and art, so our inexhaustible food. Thou, o, Lord of
• 7:19:30
  all, who hast need of nothing, hast willed to dwell in us through
• 7:19:34
  Thy sacrament. Preserve my heart and my body undefiled, that with a joyful
• 7:19:41
  and pure conscience, I may be able very often to receive to my perpetual
• 7:19:48
  health thy mysteries which thou hast consecrated and instituted, both for thine honor and
• 7:19:56
  for a perpetual memorial. Rejoice, O, my soul, and give thanks
• 7:20:04
  unto God for so great a gift and precious consolation left unto thee in this
• 7:20:11
  veil of tears. For so oft as thou callest this mystery to mind and
• 7:20:18
  receivest the body of Christ, so often dost thou celebrate the work of Thy
• 7:20:23
  redemption and art made partaker of all the merits of Christ. For the charity
• 7:20:30
  of Christ never groweth less, and the greatness of His propitiation is never exhausted.
• 7:20:38
  Therefore, by continual renewal of thy spirit, thou oughtest to dispose thyself
• 7:20:45
  hereunto and to weigh the great mystery of salvation with attentive consideration. So great,
• 7:20:53
  new and joyful ought it to appear to thee when thou comest to communeion,
• 7:21:00
  as if on this self same day, Christ for the first time were
• 7:21:04
  descended into the Virgin's womb and becoming man, or hanging on the cross,
• 7:21:11
  suffering and dying for the salvation of mankind. Chapter three, that it is
• 7:21:19
  profitable to communicate often the voice of the disciple. Behold, I come unto
• 7:21:29
  thee O Lord, that I may be blessed through Thy gift and be made
• 7:21:33
  joyful in thy holy feast, which thou, o, God of thy goodness,
• 7:21:40
  hast prepared for the poor Psalm sixty eight, Verse ten. Behold in
• 7:21:48
  thee is all that I can and ought to desire. Thou art my salvation
• 7:21:53
  and redemption, my hope and strength, my honor and glory. Therefore rejoice
• 7:22:00
  the soul of thy servant this day, for unto thee O Lord Jesus,
• 7:22:07
  do I lift up my soul Psalm eighty six, verse four. I long
• 7:22:14
  now to receive THEE devoutly and reverently. I desire to bring THEE into my
• 7:22:19
  house, so that Zachaeus and I may be counted worthy to be blessed by
• 7:22:26
  THEE and numbered among the children of Abraham. My soul hath an earnest desire
• 7:22:33
  for thy body. My heart longeth to be united with THEE. Give me
• 7:22:40
  thyself, and it sufficeth, for besides THEE, no consolation availeth. Without
• 7:22:48
  THEE, I cannot be, and without Thy visitation I have no power to
• 7:22:53
  live. And therefore I must needs draw nigh unto THEE oft and receive THEE
• 7:23:02
  for the healing of my soul. Lest haply I faint by the way,
• 7:23:06
  if I be deprived of heavenly food. For so thou most merciful Jesus,
• 7:23:12
  preaching to the people and healing many sick, didst one say, I will
• 7:23:18
  not send them away fasting to their own homes, lest they faint by the
• 7:23:22
  way. Matthew fifteen, verse thirty two. Deal therefore now to me in
• 7:23:30
  like manner, for thou left thyself for the consolation of the faithful. In
• 7:23:34
  the sacrament, for thou art the sweet refreshment of the soul, And he
• 7:23:41
  who shall eat thee worthily shall be partaker and inheritor of the eternal glory necessary.
• 7:23:49
  Indeed, it is for me, who so often slide backwards and sin
• 7:23:55
  so quickly, wax cold and faint, to renew cleanse enkindle myself by frequent
• 7:24:03
  prayers and penitences, and receiving of thy sacred body and blood. Lest haply
• 7:24:11
  by too long abstinence, I fall short of my holy resolutions. For the
• 7:24:18
  imaginations of man's heart are evil from his youth Genesis eight, verse twenty one.
• 7:24:26
  And except divine medicine succor him, man slideth away continually unto the worse.
• 7:24:34
  The Holy communion therefore draweth us back from evil and strengtheneth us for good.
• 7:24:42
  For if I now be so negligent and lukewarm when I communicate, how
• 7:24:48
  should it be with me if I receive not this medicine and sought not so
• 7:24:53
  great a help. For this is the one principal consolation of a thing,
• 7:25:00
  faithful soul, so long as it is absent from thee in mortal body,
• 7:25:06
  that being continually mindful of its God, it receiveth its beloved with devout spirit,
• 7:25:14
  O wonderful condescension of thy pity surrounding us that Thou, O, Lord,
• 7:25:19
  God, Creator and quickener of all spirits, danest to come unto a
• 7:25:25
  soul so poor and weak, and to appease its hunger with thy whole deity
• 7:25:30
  and humanity, O, happy mind and blessed soul, to which is granted
• 7:25:37
  devoutly to receive thee, its Lord God, and in so receiving thee,
• 7:25:42
  to be filled with all spiritual joy. Oh, how great a Lord,
• 7:25:48
  doth it entertain? How beloved a guest, doth it bring in? How
• 7:25:53
  delightful a companion? Doth it receive, How faithful a friend? Doth it
• 7:25:59
  well welcome? How beautiful and exalted a spouse? Above every other? Beloved?
• 7:26:06
  Doth it embrace one to be loved above all things that can be desired,
• 7:26:12
  O, my most sweet beloved, Let heaven and earth and all the
• 7:26:18
  glory of them be silent in thy presence. Seeing whatsoever praise and beauty they
• 7:26:25
  have, it is of thy gracious bounty, And they shall never reach unto
• 7:26:30
  the loveliness of thy name, whose wisdom is infinite Psalm one. Hundred and
• 7:26:36
  forty seven, Verse five, Chapter four, that many good gifts are bestowed
• 7:26:45
  upon those who communicate devoutly the voice of the disciple. O Lord, my
• 7:26:53
  God, prevent thou, thy servant, with the blessings of thy sweetness,
• 7:27:00
  that I may be enabled to draw near worthily and devoutly to thy glorious sacrament.
• 7:27:07
  Awaken my heart towards thee, and deliver me from heavy slumber. Visit
• 7:27:14
  me with thy salvation, that I may in spirit taste thy sweetness, which
• 7:27:19
  plentifully lieth hid in this sacrament as in a fountain. Lighten also mine eyes
• 7:27:27
  to behold this so great mystery, and strengthen me that I may believe it
• 7:27:33
  with undoubting faith. For it is Thy word, not human power. It
• 7:27:41
  is thy holy institution, not the invention of man. For no man is
• 7:27:47
  found fit in himself to receive and to understand these things which transcend even the
• 7:27:53
  wisdom of the angels. What portion, then, shall I, unword,
• 7:28:00
  thee sinner, who am but dust and ashes, be able to search into
• 7:28:04
  and comprehend of so deep a sacrament, O Lord, in the simplicity of
• 7:28:12
  my heart, in good and firm faith, and according to Thy will I
• 7:28:18
  draw thigh unto THEE with hope and reverence, and truly believe that Thou art
• 7:28:25
  here present in the sacrament, God and Man. Thou willest therefore that I
• 7:28:32
  receive THEE and unite myself to THEE in charity. Wherefore I beseech thy mercy
• 7:28:38
  and implore THEE to give me thy special grace to this end that I may
• 7:28:45
  be wholly dissolved and overflow with love towards THEE, and no more suffer any
• 7:28:52
  other consolation to enter into me. For this most high and glorious sacrament is
• 7:29:00
  the health of the soul and the body, the medicine of all spiritual sickness.
• 7:29:06
  Whereby I am healed of my sins, My passions are bridled, temptations
• 7:29:11
  are conquered or weakened, more grace is poured into me, virtue begun is
• 7:29:18
  increased, faith is made firm, hope is strengthened, and charity is enkindled
• 7:29:26
  and enlarged. For in this sacrament Thou hast bestowed many good things, and
• 7:29:34
  still bestowest them continually on thine elect who communicate devoutly, O, my God,
• 7:29:42
  lifter up of my soul, repairer of human infirmity, and giver of
• 7:29:48
  all inward consolation, For thou poorest into them much consolation against all sorts of
• 7:29:56
  tribulation, and out of the deep of their own misery, Thou liftest them
• 7:30:02
  up to the hope of Thy protection, and with ever new grace dost inwardly
• 7:30:07
  refresh and enlighten them, so that they, who felt themselves to be anxious
• 7:30:14
  and without affection before communion, afterwards, being refreshed with heavenly food and drink,
• 7:30:22
  find themselves changed for the better. And even in such wise, thou
• 7:30:27
  dealist severally with thine elect, that they may truly acknowledge and clearly make proof
• 7:30:33
  that they have nothing whatsoever of their own, and what goodness and grace come
• 7:30:40
  to them from THEE. Because being in themselves cold, hard of heart,
• 7:30:47
  in devout through THEE, they become fervent, zealous, and devout. For
• 7:30:55
  who is there, coming humbly to the fountain of sweetness, carrieth not away,
• 7:31:00
  thence at the least some little of that sweetness, Or who standing by
• 7:31:06
  a large fire, feeleth not from thence a little of its heat. And
• 7:31:11
  thou art ever a full and overflowing fountain, a fire continually burning and never
• 7:31:18
  going out. Wherefore, if it is not suffered to me to draw from
• 7:31:26
  the fullness of the fountain, nor to drink unto satisfying, yet will I
• 7:31:32
  set my lips to the mouth of the heavenly conduit, that at least I
• 7:31:37
  may receive a small drop to quench my thirst, that I dry not up
• 7:31:41
  within my heart. And if I am not yet able to be altogether heavenly
• 7:31:48
  and so enkindled as the Cherubim and Seraphim, yet will I endeavor to give
• 7:31:53
  myself uto devotion and to prepare my heart that I may gain if it be
• 7:32:00
  but a little flame of the divine fire, through the humble receiving of the
• 7:32:06
  life giving sacrament. But whatsoever is wanting unto me? O, Merciful Jesus,
• 7:32:12
  most Holy Savior, do thou of thy kindness and grace supply who hast
• 7:32:19
  vouchsafed to call all unto thee saying, come unto me, all ye that
• 7:32:26
  are weary and heavy laden, and I will refresh you. I indeed labor
• 7:32:33
  in the sweat of my face. I am tormented with sorrow of heart,
• 7:32:38
  I am burdened with sins, I am disquieted with temptations. I am entangled
• 7:32:45
  and oppressed with many passions, and there is none to help me. There
• 7:32:51
  is none to deliver and ease me. But Thou, o, Lord God,
• 7:32:56
  my Savior, to whom I commit myself and all things that are mine,
• 7:33:02
  that Thou mayest preserve me and lead me unto life eternal. Receive me
• 7:33:08
  unto the praise and glory of thy name, who hast prepared thy body and
• 7:33:14
  blood to be my meat and drink. Grant, o, Lord God,
• 7:33:18
  my Savior, that with coming often to Thy mysteries, the zeal of my
• 7:33:25
  devotion may increase. Chapter five of the dignity of this sacrament and of the
• 7:33:36
  office of the priest, the voice of the Beloved. If thou hadst angelic
• 7:33:44
  purity and the holiness of Holy John the Baptist, thou wouldst not be worthy
• 7:33:51
  to receive or to minister this sacrament. For this is not deserved by merit
• 7:33:56
  of man, that a man should consecrate and minister the Sacrament of Christ and
• 7:34:03
  take for food the bread of angels. Vast is the mystery, and great
• 7:34:10
  is the dignity of the priests, to whom is given what is not granted
• 7:34:15
  to angels. For Priests only rightly ordained in the Church have the power of
• 7:34:22
  consecrating and celebrating the body of Christ. A priest, indeed, is the
• 7:34:27
  minister of God, using the word of God by God's command and institution.
• 7:34:34
  Nevertheless, God is there the principal author and invisible worker, that to whom
• 7:34:41
  all that He willeth is subject, and all He commandeth is obedient. Therefore
• 7:34:48
  thou must believe God Almighty in this most excellent sacrament, more than thine own
• 7:34:56
  sense or any visible sign at all. And therefore with fear and reverence is
• 7:35:02
  this work to be approached. Take heed therefore, and see what it is
• 7:35:07
  of which the ministry is committed to thee by the laying on of the Bishop's
• 7:35:11
  hand. Behold, thou art made a priest and art consecrated to celebrate.
• 7:35:18
  See now that thou do it before God faithfully and devoutly at due time,
• 7:35:25
  and show thyself without blame. Thou hast not lightened thy burden, but art
• 7:35:32
  now bound with a straitor bond of discipline, and art pledged to a higher
• 7:35:37
  degree of holiness. A priest ought to be adorned with all virtues, and
• 7:35:42
  to afford to others an example of good life. His conversation must not be
• 7:35:48
  with the popular and common ways of men, but with angels in heaven or
• 7:35:53
  with perfect men on earth. A priest clad in holynes the garments taketh Christ's
• 7:36:02
  place, that he may pray unto God with all supplication and humility, for
• 7:36:07
  himself and for the whole people. He must always remember the passion of Christ.
• 7:36:15
  He must diligently look upon Christ's footsteps and fervently endeavor himself to follow them.
• 7:36:23
  He must bear meekly for God, whatsoever ills are brought upon him by
• 7:36:29
  others. He must mourn for his own sins and for the sins committed by
• 7:36:34
  others, and may not grow careless of prayer and holy oblation until he prevailed
• 7:36:41
  to obtain grace and mercy. When the priest celebrateth, he honoreth God,
• 7:36:48
  giveth joy to the angels, buildeth up the Church, helpeth the living,
• 7:36:56
  hath communion with the departed, and maketh him a partaker of all good things.
• 7:37:06
  Chapter six, An inquiry concerning preparation for communion. The voice of the
• 7:37:14
  Disciple. When I consider thy dignity, O Lord, and mine own vileness,
• 7:37:22
  I tremble very exceedingly and am confounded within myself. For if I approach
• 7:37:30
  not, I fly from life, and if I intrude myself unworthily, I
• 7:37:36
  run into thy displeasure. What then shall I do o my God, Thou
• 7:37:41
  helper and counselor in necessities teach thou me the right way? Propound unto me
• 7:37:51
  some short exercise befitting holy communion. For it is profitable to know how I
• 7:37:57
  ought to prepare my heart to devoutly and reverently for THEE, to the intent
• 7:38:03
  that I may receive Thy sacrament to my soul's health. Chapter seven of the
• 7:38:12
  Examination of Conscience and Purpose of Amendment, the voice of the Beloved above all
• 7:38:22
  things, the priest of God must draw nigh with all humility of heart and
• 7:38:29
  supplicating reverence, with full faith and pious desire for the honor of God,
• 7:38:36
  to celebrate, minister and receive this sacrament. Diligently examine thy conscience and with
• 7:38:45
  all thy might, with true contrition and humble confession, cleanse and purify it,
• 7:38:52
  so that thou mayst feel no burden nor know anything which bringeth THEE remorse
• 7:38:57
  and impedeth THEE free approach have displeasure against all thy sins in general, and
• 7:39:07
  specially sorrow and mourn because of thy daily transgressions. And if thou have time,
• 7:39:14
  confess unto God in the secret of thine heart, all miseries of thine
• 7:39:18
  own passion, lament grievously, and be sorry, because thou art still so
• 7:39:26
  carnal and worldly, so unmortified from thy passions, so full of the motion
• 7:39:33
  of concupiscence, so unguarded in thine outward senses, so often entangled in many
• 7:39:41
  vain fancies, so much inclined to outward things, so negligent of internal so
• 7:39:52
  ready to laughter and dissoluteness, so unready to weeping and contrition, own to
• 7:40:00
  ease and indulgence of the flesh, so dull to zeal, and further,
• 7:40:07
  so curious to hear novelties and behold beauties, so loath to embrace things humble
• 7:40:14
  and despised, so desirous to have many things, so grudging in giving,
• 7:40:22
  so close in keeping, so inconsiderate in speaking, so reluctant to keep silence,
• 7:40:32
  so disorderly in manners, so inconsiderate in actions, so eager after food,
• 7:40:41
  so deaf towards the word of God, so eager after rest, so
• 7:40:45
  slow to labor, so watchful after tales, so sleepy towards holy watchings,
• 7:40:56
  so eager for the end of them, so wandering in a te to them,
• 7:41:00
  so negligent in observing the hours of prayer, so lukewarm in celebrating,
• 7:41:07
  so unfruitful in communicating, so quickly distracted, so seldom quite collected with thyself,
• 7:41:18
  so quickly moved to anger, so ready for displeasure at others, so
• 7:41:23
  prone to judging, so severe at reproving, so joyful in prosperity, so
• 7:41:32
  weak in adversity, so often making many good resolutions and bringing them to so
• 7:41:40
  little effect. When thou hast confessed and bewailed these and thy other shortcomings with
• 7:41:49
  sorrow and sore displeasure at thine own infirmity, make then a firm resolution of
• 7:41:56
  continual amendment of life and progress in all that is good. Then, moreover,
• 7:42:04
  with full resignation and entire will offer thyself to the honor of My name
• 7:42:11
  on the altar of thine heart, as a perpetual, whole burnt offering,
• 7:42:17
  even by faithfully presenting thy body and soul unto Me, to the end that
• 7:42:22
  thou mayst so be accounted worthy to draw near to offer this sacrifice of praise
• 7:42:29
  and thanksgiving to God, and to receive the sacrament of my body and blood
• 7:42:34
  to thy soul's health. For there is no oblation worthier, no satisfaction greater
• 7:42:42
  for the destroying of sin, than that a man offer himself to God purely
• 7:42:48
  and entirely, with the oblation of the body and blood of Christ in the
• 7:42:53
  Holy Communion. If a man shall have done what in him lieth, and
• 7:43:00
  shall repent him truly, then how often soever he shall draw nigh unto me
• 7:43:06
  for pardon and grace. As I live saith the Lord, I have no
• 7:43:11
  pleasure in the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted
• 7:43:15
  and live all his transgressions that he hath committed. They shall not be mentioned
• 7:43:22
  unto him. Ezekiel eighteen, Verses twenty two and twenty three, Chapter eight
• 7:43:34
  of the Oblation of Christ upon the Cross and of resignation of Self the voice
• 7:43:41
  of the Beloved, as I of my own will offered myself unto God the
• 7:43:49
  Father on the cross for thy sins, with outstretched hands and naked body,
• 7:43:56
  so that nothing remained in me that did not become altogether a sacrifice for the
• 7:44:02
  divine propitiation. So also, artist thou every day to offer thyself willingly unto
• 7:44:10
  me for a pure and holy oblation, with all thy strength and affections,
• 7:44:15
  even to the utmost powers of thine heart. What more do I require of
• 7:44:22
  THEE than thou study to resign thyself altogether unto me. Whatsoever thou givest besides
• 7:44:30
  thyself, I nothing care for, for I ask not thy gift but THEE,
• 7:44:38
  as it would not be sufficient for THEE if thou hadst all things except
• 7:44:44
  me. Even so, whatsoever thou shalt give me? If thou give me
• 7:44:48
  not thyself, it cannot please me. Offer thyself to me and give thyself
• 7:44:56
  altogether for God. So so shall thy offering be accepted. Behold, I
• 7:45:03
  offered myself altogether to the Father for THEE. I gave also my whole body
• 7:45:10
  and blood for food, that thou mightest remain altogether mine and I thine.
• 7:45:18
  But if thou stand in thyself and offer not thyself freely to my will,
• 7:45:23
  thy offering is not perfect. Neither shall the union betwixt us be complete.
• 7:45:30
  Therefore, ought the free will offering of thyself into the hands of God to
• 7:45:37
  go before all thy works, if thou wilt attain liberty and grace. For
• 7:45:44
  this is the cause that so few are inwardly enlightened and made free, that
• 7:45:49
  they know not how to deny themselves entirely. My word standeth sure. Except
• 7:45:57
  a man forsake all, he cannot be my disciple. Luke fourteen, verse
• 7:46:03
  thirty three. Thou, therefore, if thou wilt be my disciple, offer
• 7:46:08
  thyself to me with all thy affections. Chapter nine, that we ought to
• 7:46:18
  offer ourselves and all that is ours to God and to pray for all the
• 7:46:25
  voice of the disciple. Lord, all that is in the heaven and in
• 7:46:30
  the earth is thine one Chronicles twenty nine, verse eleven. I desire to
• 7:46:38
  offer myself up unto THEE as a free will offering, and to continue thine
• 7:46:45
  forever. Lord, in the uprightness of my heart. I willingly offer one
• 7:46:53
  Chronicles twenty nine, verse seventeen, myself to THEE today to be Thy servant
• 7:47:00
  forever, in humble submission and for a sacrifice of perpetual praise. Receive me
• 7:47:08
  with this holy communion of thy precious body, which I celebrate before THEE this
• 7:47:15
  day, in the presence of the angels invisibly surrounding, that it may be
• 7:47:21
  for the salvation of me and of all thy people. Lord, I lay
• 7:47:29
  before THEE at this celebration, all my sins and offenses which I have committed
• 7:47:33
  before THEE and thy holy angels, from the day whereon I was first able
• 7:47:40
  to sin, even unto this hour, that thou mayest consume and burn them
• 7:47:45
  every one with the fire of thy charity, and mayest do away all the
• 7:47:52
  stains of my sins, and cleanse my conscience from all offense, and restore
• 7:47:59
  me to Thy favor, which by sinning I have lost, fully forgiving me
• 7:48:03
  all and mercifully admitting me to the kiss of peace. What can I do
• 7:48:11
  concerning my sins, save humbly to confess and lament them, and unceasingly to
• 7:48:18
  beseech thy propitiation. I beseech THEE be propitious unto me and hear me when
• 7:48:26
  I stand before THEE, O, my God, all my sins displease me
• 7:48:32
  grievously. I will never more commit them, but I grieve for them,
• 7:48:37
  and will grieve so long as I live, steadfastly, purposing to repent me
• 7:48:42
  truly and to make restitution as far as I can forgive me, O,
• 7:48:48
  God, forgive me my sins for thy holy Name's sake, save my soul,
• 7:48:55
  which thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Behold, I commit myself
• 7:49:00
  to thy mercy. I resign myself to thy hands. Deal with me according
• 7:49:07
  to thy loving kindness, not according to my wickedness and iniquity. I offer
• 7:49:18
  also unto THEE all my goodness, though it is exceedingly little and imperfect,
• 7:49:23
  that thou mayest mend and sanctify it, that thou mayest make it well pleasing
• 7:49:30
  and acceptable in thy sight, and ever draw it on towards perfection, and
• 7:49:37
  furthermore, bring me safely, slothful and useless, poor creature, that I
• 7:49:41
  am to a happy and blessed end. Moreover, I offer unto THEE all
• 7:49:48
  pious desires, of the devout necessities of parents, friends, brothers, sisters,
• 7:49:56
  and all who are dear to me, and of those who have done
• 7:50:00
  good to me or to others for thy love, and those who have desired
• 7:50:06
  and besought my prayers for themselves and all belonging to them, that all may
• 7:50:11
  feel themselves assisted by Thy grace, enriched by consolation, protected from dangers,
• 7:50:21
  freed from pains, and that, being delivered from all evils, they may
• 7:50:26
  joyfully give THEE exceeding thanks. I offer also to THEE prayers and sacramental intercessions
• 7:50:37
  for those especially who have injured me, in aught, made me sad,
• 7:50:41
  or spoken evil concerning me, or have caused me any loss or displeasure.
• 7:50:48
  For all those also whom I have at any time made sad, disturbed,
• 7:50:55
  burdened, and scandalized by words or deeds, knowingly or ignorantly, that to
• 7:51:03
  all of us alike, Thou mayest equally pardon our sins and mutual offenses.
• 7:51:08
  Take away, o, Lord, from our hearts, all suspicion, indignation,
• 7:51:15
  anger and contention, and whatsoever is able to injure charity and diminish brotherly
• 7:51:22
  love. Have mercy, Have mercy, Lord on those who entreat thy mercy.
• 7:51:30
  Give grace to the needy, and make us such that we may be
• 7:51:33
  worthy to enjoy Thy grace and go forward to the life eternal. Amen.
• 7:51:44
  Chapter ten, that holy communion is not likely to be omitted the voice of
• 7:51:52
  the beloved. Thou must frequently betake THEE to the fountain of grace and divine
• 7:51:59
  man to the fountain of goodness and all purity, to the end that thou
• 7:52:06
  mayest obtain the healing of thy passions and vices, and mayst be made stronger
• 7:52:11
  and more watchful against all temptations and wiles of the devil. The enemy,
• 7:52:19
  knowing what profit and exceeding strong remedy lieth in the Holy Communion, striveth by
• 7:52:26
  all means and occasions to draw back and hinder the faithful and devout so far
• 7:52:33
  as he can. For when some set about to prepare themselves for Holy Communion,
• 7:52:41
  they suffer from the more evil suggestions of Satan. The very evil spirit
• 7:52:47
  himself, as is written in Job, cometh among the sons of God,
• 7:52:52
  that he may trouble them by his accustomed evil dealing, or make them over
• 7:52:57
  timid and perplexed, to the intent that he may diminish their affections, or
• 7:53:03
  take away their faith by his attacks. If haply, he may prevail upon
• 7:53:10
  them to give up Holy Communion altogether, or to come thereto with lukewarm hearts.
• 7:53:17
  But his wiles and delusions must not be heeded, howsoever wicked and terrible
• 7:53:22
  they be. But all his delusion must be cast back upon his own head.
• 7:53:30
  The wretch must be despised and laughed to scorn. Neither must Holy Communion
• 7:53:36
  be omitted because of his insults and the inward troubles which he stirreth up.
• 7:53:42
  Often also, too much carefulness or some anxiety or other touching confession hindereth from
• 7:53:51
  obtaining devotion. Do thou, according to the counsel of wise men, and
• 7:53:57
  lay aside anxiety and scruple, because it hindereth the grace of God, and
• 7:54:03
  destroyeth devotion of mind because of some little vexation or trouble. Do not thou
• 7:54:11
  neglect Holy Communion, but rather hasten to confess it and forgive freely all offenses
• 7:54:18
  committed against Thee. And if thou hast offended any man, humbly beg for
• 7:54:25
  pardon, and God shall freely forgive THEE. What profiteth it to put off
• 7:54:33
  for a long time the confession of thy sins, or to defer Holy Communion.
• 7:54:41
  Cleanse thyself forthwith spit out the poison with all speed, hasten to take
• 7:54:48
  the remedy, And thou shalt feel thyself better than if thou didst long defer
• 7:54:53
  it. If today thou defer it on one account to more, perchance some
• 7:55:00
  greater obstacle will come, and so thou mayest be long time hindered from communion
• 7:55:07
  and become more unfit. As soon as thou canst shake thyself from thy present
• 7:55:15
  heaviness and slothe, for it profiteth nothing to be long anxious to go long
• 7:55:21
  on thy way with heaviness of heart, and because of daily little obstacles to
• 7:55:26
  sever thyself from divine things. Nay, it is exceeding hurtful to defer thy
• 7:55:33
  communion long, for this commonly bringeth on great torpor alas there are some lukewarm
• 7:55:42
  and undisciplined who willingly find excuses for delaying repentance, and desire to defer Holy
• 7:55:51
  communion, lest they should be bound to keep strict watch upon themselves. How
• 7:56:00
  little charity, what flagging devotion have they who so lightly put off Holy communion?
• 7:56:08
  How happy is he? How acceptable to God, who so liveth and
• 7:56:14
  in such purity of conscience keepeth himself that any day he could be ready and
• 7:56:21
  well inclined to communicate, if it were in his power, and might be
• 7:56:26
  done without the notice of others. If a man sometimes abstaineth for the sake
• 7:56:32
  of humility, or some sound cause, he is to be commended for his
• 7:56:37
  reverence. But if drowsiness hath taken hold of him, he ought to rouse
• 7:56:44
  himself and to do what in him lieth, and the Lord will help his
• 7:56:48
  desire for the good will which he hath, which God specially approveth. But
• 7:56:56
  when he is hindered by sufficient cause, yet will he ever have a good
• 7:57:02
  will and pious intention to communicate, and so he shall not be lacking in
• 7:57:07
  the fruit of the sacrament. For any devout man is able every day and
• 7:57:14
  every hour to draw near to spiritual communion with Christ, to his soul's health,
• 7:57:19
  and without hinderance. Nevertheless, on certain days and at the appointed time,
• 7:57:26
  he ought to receive the body and blood of his redeemer with affectionate reverence,
• 7:57:33
  and rather to seek after the praise and honor of God than his own
• 7:57:37
  comfort. For so doth he communicate mystically, and is invisibly refreshed as he
• 7:57:47
  devoutly calleth to mind the mystery of Christ's incarnation and his passion, and is
• 7:57:52
  inflamed with the love of Him. He who only prepareth himself. When when
• 7:58:00
  a festival is at hand or custom compelleth, will too often be unprepared.
• 7:58:07
  Blessed is he who offereth himself to God for a whole burnt offering, so
• 7:58:12
  often as he Celebrateth or communicateth. Be not too slow nor too hurried in
• 7:58:21
  thy communicating, but preserve the good received custom of those with whom thou livest.
• 7:58:29
  Thou oughtest not to produce weariness and annoyance in others, but to observe
• 7:58:34
  the received custom according to the institution of the elders, and to minister to
• 7:58:41
  the prophet of others, rather than to thine own devotion or feeling. End
• 7:58:49
  of Chapter ten, Chapter eleven. That the body and blood of Christ and
• 7:58:56
  the holy Scriptures are most necessary to a faithful soul. The voice of the
• 7:59:03
  disciple, O, most sweet Lord Jesus, How great is the blessedness of
• 7:59:10
  the devout soul that feedeth with thee in thy banquet, where there is set
• 7:59:15
  before it no other food than thyself. Its only beloved, more to be
• 7:59:21
  desired than all the desires of the heart. And to me it would verily
• 7:59:26
  be sweet to pour forth my tears in thy presence from the very bottom of
• 7:59:30
  my heart, and with the pious Magdalen to water thy feet with my tears.
• 7:59:37
  But where is this devotion, where the abundant flowing of holy tears.
• 7:59:45
  Surely, in Thy presence and in the presence of the Holy angels, my
• 7:59:48
  whole heart ought to burn and to weep for joy. For I have THEE
• 7:59:53
  in the sacrament, verily present, although hidden under other form. For in
• 8:00:00
  Thine own divine brightness, mine eyes could not endure to behold THEE. Neither
• 8:00:07
  could the whole world stand before the splendor of the glory of Thy majesty.
• 8:00:12
  In this therefore thou hast consideration unto my weakness, that thou hidest thyself under
• 8:00:18
  the sacrament. I verily possess and adore Him whom the angels adore in heaven.
• 8:00:26
  Ay, yet for a while by faith, but they by sight and
• 8:00:30
  without avail. It is good for me to be content with the light of
• 8:00:34
  true faith, and to walk therein until the day of eternal brightness dawn and
• 8:00:41
  the shadows of figures flee away Canticles two, verse seventeen. But when that
• 8:00:48
  which is perfect is come, the using of sacraments shall cease, because the
• 8:00:52
  blessed in heavenly glory have no need of sacramental remedy, for they rejece voice
• 8:01:00
  unceasingly in the presence of God, beholding his glory face to face, and
• 8:01:06
  being changed from glory to glory. To Corinthians three, verse eighteen. Of
• 8:01:11
  the Infinite God, they taste the word of God made flesh as he was
• 8:01:18
  in the beginning, and remaineth for everlasting. When I think on these wondrous
• 8:01:25
  things, even spiritual comfort, whatsoever, it be, becometh sore weariness to
• 8:01:30
  me. For so long as I see not openly my Lord in his own
• 8:01:36
  glory, I count for nothing all which I behold and hear in the world.
• 8:01:41
  Thou, o God, art my witness, that nothing is able to
• 8:01:45
  comfort me. No creature is able to give me rest, save thou,
• 8:01:49
  O, my God, whom I desire to contemplate everlastingly. But this is
• 8:01:56
  not possible so long as I remain in dismortal state. Therefore, ought I
• 8:02:02
  to set myself under great patience and submit myself unto THEE in every desire.
• 8:02:08
  For even thy saints, O, Lord, who now rejoice with THEE in
• 8:02:12
  the Kingdom of Heaven, waited for the coming of Thy glory whilst they lived
• 8:02:18
  here in faith and great glory what they believed. That believe I what they
• 8:02:25
  hoped. I hope whither they have attained to thither through Thy grace, hope
• 8:02:32
  I to come. I will walk meanwhile in faith, strengthened by the examples
• 8:02:37
  of the saints. I will have also holy books for comfort and for a
• 8:02:41
  mirror of life. And above them all Thy most Holy body and Blood shall
• 8:02:48
  be for me a special remedy and refuge. For two things do I feel
• 8:02:55
  to be exceedingly necessary to me in this life, without which this misery life
• 8:03:00
  would be intolerable. To me, being detained in the prison of this body,
• 8:03:04
  I confess that I need two things, even food and light. Thou
• 8:03:11
  hast therefore given to me, who am so weak, thy sacred body and
• 8:03:15
  blood for the refreshing of my soul and body, and has set thy word
• 8:03:21
  for a lantern to my feet Psalm one hundred and nineteen, Verse one O
• 8:03:26
  five. Without these two I could not properly live. For the Word of
• 8:03:30
  God is the light of my soul, and Thy sacrament the bread of life.
• 8:03:37
  These may also be called the two tables placed on this side and on
• 8:03:41
  that in the treasury of Thy Holy Church. One table is that of the
• 8:03:48
  sacred altar bearing the holy bread, that is, the precious body and blood
• 8:03:52
  of Christ. The other is the table of the Divine Law, containing holy
• 8:03:57
  doctrine, reaching the true faith, and leading steadfastly onwards even to that which
• 8:04:04
  is within the veil, where the Holy of Holies is. Thanks be unto
• 8:04:11
  thee O Lord Jesus, Light of Light everlasting, for that table of holy
• 8:04:17
  doctrine, which thou hast furnished unto us by thy servants, the prophets,
• 8:04:21
  and apostles and other teachers. Thanks be to thee O, Creator and Redeemer
• 8:04:27
  of men, who, to make known thy love to the whole world,
• 8:04:32
  has prepared a great supper, in which thou hast set forth for good,
• 8:04:37
  not the typical lamb, but thine own most holy body and blood, making
• 8:04:42
  all thy faithful ones joyful with this holy banquet, and giving them to drink
• 8:04:48
  the cup of salvation, wherein are all the delights of paradise, and the
• 8:04:52
  Holy angels do feed with us and with yet happier sweetness. Oh, how
• 8:05:00
  great and honorable is the office of the priests, to whom it is given
• 8:05:04
  to consecrate the sacrament of the Lord of Majesty with holy words, to bless
• 8:05:11
  it with the lips, to hold it in their hands, to receive it
• 8:05:15
  with their own mouth, and to administer it to others. Oh, how
• 8:05:21
  clean ought those hands to be? How pure the mouth? How holy the
• 8:05:26
  body? How unspotted the heart of the priest, to whom so often the
• 8:05:30
  author of purity entereth in from the mouth of the priest ought nought to proceed.
• 8:05:37
  But what is holy? What is honest and profitable? Because he so
• 8:05:42
  often receiveth the sacrament of Christ. His eyes ought to be single and pure,
• 8:05:51
  seeing they are wont to look upon the body of Christ. The hands
• 8:05:56
  should be pure and lifted towards Heaven, which are wont to hold we within
• 8:06:00
  them, the creator of heaven and earth. To priests, is it specially
• 8:06:04
  said in the Law, be ye holy, for I the Lord your God
• 8:06:10
  am holy Leviticus nineteen, verse two. Assist us with thy grace, O,
• 8:06:18
  Almighty God, that we who have taken upon us the priestly office,
• 8:06:22
  may be able to converse worthily and devoutly with thee in all purity and good
• 8:06:27
  conscience. And if we are not able to have our conversation in such innocency
• 8:06:33
  of life as we ought yet grant unto us worthily to lament the sins which
• 8:06:40
  we have committed, and in the spirit of humility and full purpose of a
• 8:06:45
  good will, to serve THEE more earnestly for the future. Chapter twelve.
• 8:06:53
  That he who is about to communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great
• 8:06:59
  diligence the voice of the beloved. I am the lover of purity and the
• 8:07:07
  giver of sanctity. I seek a pure heart, And there is the place
• 8:07:12
  of my rest. Prepare for me the larger upper room furnished, and I
• 8:07:18
  will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples, Mark fourteen, verses
• 8:07:25
  fourteen and fifteen. If thou wilt that I come unto THEE and abide with
• 8:07:30
  THEE, purge out to the old eleven one Corinthians, verse seven, and
• 8:07:37
  cleanse the habitation of thy heart, shot out the whole world and all the
• 8:07:42
  throng of sins. Sit as a sparrow alone upon the housetop Psalm one hundred
• 8:07:48
  and two, verse seven, and think upon thy transgressions with bitterness of thy
• 8:07:55
  soul. For everyone that loveth prepareth the best and fairest place for his beloved.
• 8:08:02
  Because hereby the affection of him that entertaineth his beloved is known. Yet
• 8:08:10
  know thou that thou canst not make sufficient preparation out of the merit of any
• 8:08:15
  action of thine, even though thou shouldst prepare thyself for a whole year,
• 8:08:21
  and hadst nothing else in thy mind. But out of my tenderness and grace
• 8:08:26
  alone, art thou permitted to draw nigh unto my table, as though a
• 8:08:32
  beggar were called to a rich man's dinner, and had no other recompense to
• 8:08:37
  offer him for the benefits done unto him, but to humble himself and to
• 8:08:41
  give him thanks. Do therefore, as much as lieth in THEE, and
• 8:08:47
  do it diligently, not out of custom nor of necessity, but with fear,
• 8:08:52
  reverence, and affection, receive the body of thy beloved Lord God,
• 8:08:57
  who vouchsafeth to go Come unto THEE. I am he who hath called THEE.
• 8:09:04
  I commanded it to be done. I will supply what is lacking to
• 8:09:08
  THEE. Come and receive me. When I give the grace of devotion,
• 8:09:18
  give thanks unto thy God. It is not because thou art worthy, but
• 8:09:23
  because I had mercy on thee if thou hast not devotion, but rather feelest
• 8:09:29
  thyself dry, be instant in prayer, cease not to groan and knock.
• 8:09:36
  Cease not until thou prevail to obtain some crumb or drop of saving grace.
• 8:09:42
  Thou hast need of me. I have no need of THEE, Nor dost
• 8:09:48
  thou come to sanctify me. But I come to sanctify THEE and make THEE
• 8:09:53
  better. Thou comest that thou mayst be sanctified by Me and be united to
• 8:10:00
  me, that thou mayst receive fresh grace and be kindled anew to amendment of
• 8:10:07
  life. See that thou neglect not this grace, but prepare thy heart with
• 8:10:12
  all diligence, and receive thy beloved unto THEE. But thou oughtest not only
• 8:10:21
  to prepare thyself for devotion before communion, thou must also keep thyself with all
• 8:10:27
  diligence therein after receiving the sacrament. Nor is less watchfulness needed afterwards than devout
• 8:10:37
  preparation beforehand. For good watchfulness afterwards becometh in turn, the best preparation for
• 8:10:45
  the gaining more grace. For hereby is a man made entirely indisposed to good
• 8:10:52
  if he immediately return from communion to give himself up to outward consolations. Beware
• 8:11:00
  of much speaking, remain in a secret place, and hold communion with thy
• 8:11:06
  God. For thou hast him whom the whole world cannot take away from THEE.
• 8:11:11
  I am he to whom thou oughtest wholly to give thyself, so that
• 8:11:17
  now thou mayest live, not wholly in thyself, but in me, free
• 8:11:22
  from all anxiety. Chapter thirteen, that the devout soul aught with the whole
• 8:11:32
  heart to yearn after union with Christ in the sacrament the voice of the Disciple,
• 8:11:40
  who shall grant unto me, O Lord, that I may find THEE
• 8:11:42
  alone and open all my heart unto THEE, and enjoy THEE as much as
• 8:11:48
  my soul desireth, And that no man may henceforth look upon me, nor
• 8:11:55
  any creature move me or have respect unto me. Thou alone speak unto me,
• 8:12:02
  and I unto THEE, even as beloved is wont to speak unto beloved,
• 8:12:07
  and friend to feast with friend. For this do I pray, This,
• 8:12:12
  do I long for that I may be wholly united unto THEE, and
• 8:12:17
  may withdraw my heart from all created things and by means of holy communion and
• 8:12:23
  frequent celebration, may learn more and more to relish heavenly and eternal things.
• 8:12:30
  Ah Lord God, when shall I be entirely united and lost in thee and
• 8:12:37
  altogether forgetful of myself? Thou in me and I in thee? John fifteen,
• 8:12:44
  verse four, Even so, grant that we may, in like manner
• 8:12:48
  continue together in one. Verily, thou art my beloved, the choicest among
• 8:12:56
  ten thousand canticles verse in whom my soul delighteth to dwell all the days of
• 8:13:04
  her life. Verily, thou art my peace maker, in whom is perfect
• 8:13:10
  peace and true rest, apart from whom is labor and sorrow and infinite misery.
• 8:13:18
  Verily, thou art a God that hidest thyself, and thy counsel is
• 8:13:22
  not with the wicked, but thy word is with the humble and the simple.
• 8:13:27
  O How sweet, O Lord is thy spirit, Who that thou mightest
• 8:13:33
  manifest thy sweetness towards thy children, dost vouchsafe to refresh them with the bread
• 8:13:38
  which is full of sweetness, which cometh down from Heaven. Verily, there
• 8:13:45
  is no other nation so great which hath its gods drawing nigh to them,
• 8:13:49
  as Thou our God art present unto all thy faithful ones Deuteronomy four, verse
• 8:13:56
  seven, unto whom for their daily solace and for lifting up their heart unto
• 8:14:03
  heaven, Thou givest thyself for their food and delight. For what other nation
• 8:14:11
  is there so renowned as the Christian people, Or what creature is so beloved
• 8:14:17
  under heaven as the devout soul to which God entereth in that he may feed
• 8:14:22
  it with his glorious flesh. O unspeakable grace, O wonderful condescension, Oh
• 8:14:30
  immeasurable love specially bestowed upon men. But what reward shall I give unto the
• 8:14:37
  Lord for this grace, for charity so mighty. There is nothing which I
• 8:14:41
  am able to present more acceptable than to give my heart altogether unto God,
• 8:14:48
  and to join it inwardly to Him. Then all my inward parts shall rejoice
• 8:14:55
  when my soul shall be perfectly united unto God. Then shall he say unto
• 8:15:00
  me, if thou wilt be with me, I will be with THEE.
• 8:15:07
  And I will answer him vouchsafe, O, Lord, to abide with me.
• 8:15:11
  I will gladly be with THEE. This is my whole desire even that
• 8:15:17
  my heart be united unto THEE Chapter fourteen, of the fervent desire of certain
• 8:15:26
  devout persons to receive the body and blood of Christ the voice of the Disciple,
• 8:15:36
  O, how great is the abundance of thy sweetness, O Lord,
• 8:15:41
  which thou hast laid up for them that fear THEE. When I call to
• 8:15:45
  mind some devout persons who draw nigh to Thy sacrament, O Lord, with
• 8:15:49
  the deepest devotion and affection, then very often I am confounded in myself and
• 8:15:56
  blush for shame that I approach Thine altar and table of holy communion so carelessly
• 8:16:03
  and coldly, that I remain so dry and without affection, that I am
• 8:16:08
  not wholly kindled with love before THEE, my God, nor so vehemently drawn
• 8:16:15
  and affected, as many devout persons have been, who, out of the
• 8:16:19
  very earnest desire of the communion and tender affection of heart, could not refrain
• 8:16:26
  from weeping, but, as it were, with mouth of heart and body
• 8:16:30
  alike, panted inwardly after THEE, O God, O fountain of life,
• 8:16:36
  having no power to appease or satiate their hunger save by receiving Thy body with
• 8:16:41
  all joyfulness and spiritual eagerness, O truly ardent faith of those becoming a very
• 8:16:52
  proof of thy sacred presence, For they verily know their Lord in the breaking
• 8:16:57
  of bread, whose hearts so are ardently burneth within them Luke twenty four,
• 8:17:03
  verse thirty two. When Jesus WoT with them by the way, ah me
• 8:17:08
  far from me, for the most parties such love and devotion as this,
• 8:17:14
  such vehement love and ardor be merciful unto me, O, Jesus, good,
• 8:17:19
  sweet and kind, and grant unto thy poor suppliant to feel sometimes in
• 8:17:26
  holy communion, though it be but a little the cordial affection of Thy love,
• 8:17:33
  that my faith may grow stronger, my hope in thy goodness increase,
• 8:17:37
  and my charity, once kindled within me by the tasting of the heavenly manner,
• 8:17:44
  may never fail. But thy mercy is able even to grant me the
• 8:17:51
  grace which I long for, and to visit me most tenderly with the spirit
• 8:17:56
  of fervor, when the day of Thy good pleasure shall come. For although
• 8:18:00
  I burn not with desire so vehement as theirs, who are specially devout towards
• 8:18:07
  thee, yet through thy grace. I have a desire after that, greatly
• 8:18:11
  inflamed desire, praying and desiring to be made partaker with all those who so
• 8:18:18
  fervently love THEE, and to be numbered among their holy company. Chapter fifteen.
• 8:18:29
  That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self denial the voice
• 8:18:36
  of the beloved. Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to
• 8:18:45
  ask it fervently, to wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it
• 8:18:51
  gratefully, to preserve it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to
• 8:18:57
  leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation until it come chiefly.
• 8:19:04
  Aughtist thou to humble thyself when thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion, yet
• 8:19:11
  not to be too much cast down, nor to grieve out of measure.
• 8:19:18
  God ofttimes giveth in one short moment what he hath long time denied. He
• 8:19:25
  sometimes giveth at the end what at the beginning of prayer he hath deferred to
• 8:19:30
  give. If grace were always given immediately and were at hand at the wish,
• 8:19:38
  it would be hardly bearable to weak man. Wherefore, the grace of
• 8:19:44
  devotion is to be waited for with a good hope and with humble patience.
• 8:19:49
  Yet impute it to thyself and to thy sins. When it is not given,
• 8:19:55
  or when it is mysteriously taken away. It is sometimes a sa small
• 8:20:00
  thing, which hindereth and hideth grace, if indeed that ought to be called
• 8:20:04
  small, and not rather great, which hindereth so great a good. But
• 8:20:11
  if thou remove this, be it small or great, and perfectly overcome it,
• 8:20:17
  thou wilt have what thou hast asked for Immediately that thou hast given thyself
• 8:20:25
  unto God with all thine heart, and hast sought neither this nor that according
• 8:20:30
  to thine own will and pleasure, but hast altogether settled thyself in Him,
• 8:20:37
  Thou shalt find thyself united and at peace, because nothing shall give thee so
• 8:20:44
  sweet, relish and delight as the good pleasure of the Divine will. Whosoever
• 8:20:51
  therefore shall have lifted up his will unto God with singleness of heart, and
• 8:20:56
  shall have delivered himself from every inordinate love dislike of any created thing, he
• 8:21:03
  will be the most fit for receiving grace and worthy of the gift of devotion.
• 8:21:10
  For where the Lord findeth empty vessels two kings, four, there giveth
• 8:21:17
  he his blessing. And the more perfectly a man forsaketh things which cannot profit.
• 8:21:23
  And the more he dieth to himself, the more quickly doth grace come,
• 8:21:30
  the more plentifully doth it enter in, and the higher doth it lift
• 8:21:33
  up the free heart. Then shall he see and flow together and wonder,
• 8:21:42
  and his heart shall be enlarged within him Isaiah sixty, verse five. Because
• 8:21:48
  the hand of the Lord is with him, and he hath put himself wholly
• 8:21:52
  in his hand even forever. Lo Thus shall the man be blessed that seeketh
• 8:22:00
  God with all his heart, and receiveth not his soul in vain. This
• 8:22:07
  man, in receiving the Holy Eucharist, obtaineth the great grace of Divine Union,
• 8:22:12
  because he hath not regard to his own devotion and comfort, but above
• 8:22:18
  all devotion and comfort to the glory and honor of God. Chapter sixteen.
• 8:22:27
  That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ and to require His grace.
• 8:22:33
  The voice of the Disciple, O Most Sweet and Loving Lord, whom
• 8:22:41
  now I devoutly desire to receive Thou knowest my infirmity and the necessity which I
• 8:22:48
  suffer in what evils and vices I lie, How often I am weighed down,
• 8:22:55
  tempted, disturbed, and defiled. I come on to THEE for remedy.
• 8:23:00
  I beseech of THEE consolation and support. I speak unto THEE, who
• 8:23:07
  knowest all things, to whom all my secrets are open, and who alone
• 8:23:12
  art able perfectly to comfort and help me. Thou knowest what good thing I
• 8:23:18
  most stand in need of, and how poor I am in virtues. Behold,
• 8:23:25
  I stand poor and naked before THEE, requiring grace and imploring mercy.
• 8:23:33
  Refresh the hungry, suppliant, Kindle my coldness with the fire of thy love.
• 8:23:38
  Illuminate my blindness with the brightness of thy presence. Turn thou all earthly
• 8:23:45
  things into bitterness for me, all grievous and contrary things into patience, all
• 8:23:52
  things worthless and created into contempt and oblivion. Lift up my heart unto THEE
• 8:24:00
  in Heaven, and suffer me not to wander over the earth. Be thou
• 8:24:06
  alone, sweet unto me, from this day forward forever, because thou alone
• 8:24:11
  art my meat, and drink my love and joy, my sweetness and my
• 8:24:18
  whole good, O, that Thou wouldest altogether by thy presence, kindle,
• 8:24:25
  consume and transform me into thyself, that I may be made one spirit with
• 8:24:30
  THEE by the grace of inward union and the melting of earnest love. Suffer
• 8:24:37
  me not to go away from THEE hungry and dry, but deal mercifully with
• 8:24:44
  me, as oftentimes thou hast dealt wondrously with thy saints. What marvel if
• 8:24:49
  I should be wholly kindled from THEE, and in myself should utterly fail.
• 8:24:56
  Since Thou art fire, always burning and never failing, love, purifying the
• 8:25:00
  heart and enlightening the understanding Chapter seventeen, of fervent love and vehement desire of
• 8:25:12
  receiving Christ the voice of the Disciple, with the deepest devotion and fervent love.
• 8:25:22
  With all affection and fervor of heart, I long to receive THEE,
• 8:25:26
  O Lord, even as many saints and devout persons have desired THEE in communicating,
• 8:25:33
  who were altogether well pleasing to THEE by their sanctity of life and dwelt
• 8:25:38
  in all ardent devotion. O, my God, eternal love, my whole
• 8:25:45
  good, happiness without measure, I longed to receive THEE with the most vehement
• 8:25:52
  desire and becoming reverence which any saint ever had or could have. And although
• 8:26:00
  I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion, yet do I offer
• 8:26:04
  THEE the whole affection of my heart, even as though I alone had all
• 8:26:10
  those most grateful, inflamed desires. YEA, also whatsoever things a pious man
• 8:26:18
  is able to conceive and long for? All these things with the deepest veneration
• 8:26:23
  and inward fervor do I offer and present unto THEE. I desire to reserve
• 8:26:30
  nothing unto myself, but freely and entirely to offer myself and all that I
• 8:26:37
  have unto THEE for a sacrifice. O, Lord, my God, my
• 8:26:42
  Creator and Redeemer, with such affection, reverence, praise and honor, with
• 8:26:51
  such gratitude, worthiness and love, with such faith, hope and purity,
• 8:26:57
  do I desire to receive THEE this day? As Thy most blessed mother,
• 8:27:03
  The glorious Virgin Mary received and desired THEE. When she humbly and devoutly answered
• 8:27:10
  the Angel who brought unto her the glad tidings of the mystery of the incarnation.
• 8:27:17
  Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy
• 8:27:22
  word Luke one, verse thirty eight, and as thy blessed forerunner, the
• 8:27:30
  most excellent of saints, John Baptist, being full of joy in Thy presence,
• 8:27:37
  leapt while yet in the womb of his mother for joy in the Holy
• 8:27:41
  Ghost, and afterwards, discerning Jesus walking amongst men, humbled himself exceedingly,
• 8:27:48
  and said, with devout affection, the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth
• 8:27:55
  and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the Bridegroom's voie John three, verse
• 8:28:02
  twenty nine. Even so I wish to be inflamed with great and holy desires,
• 8:28:08
  and to present myself unto THEE with my whole heart, whence also on
• 8:28:15
  behalf of myself and of all commended to me in prayer, I offer and
• 8:28:19
  present unto THEE the jubilation of all devout hearts, their ardent affections, their
• 8:28:26
  mental ecstasies, and supernatural illuminations and heavenly visions, with all the virtues and
• 8:28:34
  praises celebrated, and to be celebrated by every creature in heaven and earth,
• 8:28:41
  to the end that by all Thou mayest worthily be praised and glorified forever.
• 8:28:49
  Receive my prayers, O, Lord, my God, and my desires of
• 8:28:55
  giving THEE infinite praise and unbounded benediction, which, according to the multitude of
• 8:29:00
  Thine unspeakable greatness, are most justly due unto THEE. These do I give
• 8:29:07
  THEE and desire to give every day and every moment. And with beseechings and
• 8:29:14
  affectionate desires, I call upon all celestial spirits and all thy faithful people to
• 8:29:22
  join with me in rendering THEE thanks and praises. Let all peoples, nations
• 8:29:30
  and tongues praise THEE and magnify thy holy and sweet sounding name with highest jubilations
• 8:29:37
  and ardent devotion. And let all who reverently and devoutly celebrate Thy most high
• 8:29:45
  Sacrament and receive it with full assurance of faith, be accounted worthy to find
• 8:29:51
  grace and mercy with THEE, and intercede with all supplication for me a sinner.
• 8:29:59
  And when they shall have attained unto their wished for devotion and joyous union
• 8:30:03
  with THEE, and shall depart full of comfort and wondrously refreshed from Thy Holy
• 8:30:11
  heavenly table. Let them vouchsafe to be mindful of me, for I am
• 8:30:17
  poor and needy. Chapter eighteen. That a man should not be a curious
• 8:30:26
  searcher of the sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense
• 8:30:33
  to holy faith, the voice of the beloved. Thou must take heed of
• 8:30:42
  curious and useless searching into this most profound sacrament. If thou wilt not be
• 8:30:49
  plunged into the abyss of doubt, he that is a searcher of majesty shall
• 8:30:56
  be oppressed by the glory thereof Proverbs twenty five, verse twenty seven vulgate.
• 8:31:04
  God is able to do more than man can understand. A pious and humble
• 8:31:11
  search after truth is to be allowed when it is always ready to be taught
• 8:31:15
  and striving to walk after the wholesome opinions of the fathers. Blessed is the
• 8:31:23
  simplicity which leaveth alone the difficult paths of questionings, and followeth the plain and
• 8:31:30
  firm steps of God's commandments. Many have lost devotion whilst they sought to search
• 8:31:37
  into deeper things. Faith is required of thee and a sincere life, not
• 8:31:45
  loftiness of intellect nor deepness in the mysteries of God. If thou understandest not
• 8:31:53
  nor comprehendest the things which are beneath THEE, how shalt thou comprehend those which
• 8:31:59
  are above THEE? Submit thyself unto God, and humble thy sense to faith,
• 8:32:07
  and the light of knowledge shall be given THEE, as shall be profitable
• 8:32:12
  and necessary unto THEE. There are some who are grievously tempted concerning faith and
• 8:32:20
  the sacrament, But this is not to be imputed to themselves, but rather
• 8:32:24
  to the enemy. Care not, then, for this dispute, not with
• 8:32:30
  thine own thoughts, nor make answer to the doubts which are cast into THEE
• 8:32:36
  by the devil. But believe the words of God, believe his saints and
• 8:32:40
  prophets, and the wicked enemy shall flee from thee. Often it profiteth much
• 8:32:47
  that the servant of God endureth such things, For the Enemy tempteth not unbelievers
• 8:32:54
  and sinners, because he already hath secure possession of them. But he tempteth
• 8:33:00
  and harasseth the faithful and devout by various means. Go forward, therefore,
• 8:33:07
  with simple and undoubting faith, and draw nigh unto the sacrament, with supplicating
• 8:33:15
  reverence, and whatsoever thou art not enabled to understand that commit without anxiety to
• 8:33:22
  Almighty God. God deceiveth thee. Not he is deceived who believeth too much
• 8:33:30
  in himself. God walketh with the simple, reveal himself to the humble,
• 8:33:37
  giveth understanding to babes, openeth the sense to pure minds, and hideth grace
• 8:33:45
  from the curious and proud. Human reason is weak and may be deceived.
• 8:33:52
  But true faith cannot be deceived. All reason and naturally investigation ought to follow
• 8:34:01
  faith, not to precede it, nor to break it. For faith and
• 8:34:07
  love do here especially take the highest place and work in hidden ways in this
• 8:34:14
  most holy and exceeding excellent sacrament. God, who is eternal and incomprehensible and
• 8:34:22
  of infinite power, doth great and inscrutable things in heaven and in earth.
• 8:34:28
  And his wonderful works are past finding out. If the works of God were
• 8:34:34
  of such sort that they might easily be comprehended by human reason, they should
• 8:34:39
  no longer be called wonderful or unspeakable. End of the imitation of Christ