But with their whole souls eagerly thirsted to approach, both with the mouth of their heart and of their body, to thee, O God, the living Fountain; being in no wise able to moderate or satisfy their hunger, but by receiving thy body with all joy and spiritual greediness.

2. Oh! true ardent faith of these persons, being a probable argument of thy sacred presence!

For they truly know their Lord in the breaking of bread, whose heart burneth so mightily within them, from Jesus his walking with them. Luke xxiv.

Such affection and devotion as this, so vehement a love and burning, is often far from me.

Be thou merciful to me, O good Jesus, sweet and gracious Lord; and grant me, thy poor beggar, to feel, sometimes at least, in the sacred communion, some little of the cordial affection of thy love, that my faith may be more strengthened, my hope in thy goodness increased, and that my charity, being once perfectly enkindled, and having tasted the Manna of heaven, may never decay.

3. Moreover, thy mercy is able to give me the grace I desire, and to visit me in thy great clemency with the spirit of fervour, when it shall please thee:

For though I burn not at present with so great a desire as those that are so singularly devoted to thee; yet, by thy grace, I desire to have this same great inflamed desire; praying and wishing that I may be made partaker with all such thy fervent lovers, and be numbered in their holy company.

Chap. XV.
That the grace of devotion
is obtained by humility and self-denial.

1. Thou oughtest to seek the grace of devotion earnestly, to ask it fervently, to wait for it patiently and confidently, to receive it thankfully, to keep it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to commit to God the time and manner of this heavenly visitation, until it shall please him to come unto thee.

Thou oughtest chiefly to humble thyself, when thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion; and yet not to be too much dejected, nor to grieve inordinately.

God often giveth, in one short moment, what he hath a long time denied:

He giveth sometimes in the end, that which in the beginning of prayer he deferred to grant.

2. If grace were always presently given, and ever at hand with a wish, it would be more than man's infirmity could well bear:

Therefore the grace of devotion is to be expected with a good hope and humble patience. Yet impute it to thyself, and to thy sins, when it is not given to thee, or when it is secretly taken away.

It is sometimes a little thing that hinders or hides grace from us; if that may be called little, and not rather great, which hindereth so great a good:

But if thou remove this same, be it small or great, and perfectly overcome it, thou shalt have thy desire.

3. For as soon as ever thou hast delivered thyself up to God with thy whole heart, and neither seekest this nor that for thine own pleasure or will, but wholly placest thyself in him, thou shalt find thyself united and at peace; for nothing will relish so well, and please thee so much, as the good pleasure of the divine will.

Whosoever therefore with a single heart shall direct his attention upwards to God, and purge himself of all inordinate love or dislike of any created thing, he shall be the most fit to receive grace, and worthy of the gift of devotion:

For the Lord bestows his blessing there where he finds the vessels empty.

And the more perfectly one forsakes these things below, and the more he dies to himself by the contempt of himself, the more speedily grace cometh, entereth in more plentifully, and the higher it elevateth the free heart.

4. Then shall he see and abound, he shall admire, and his heart shall be enlarged within him, because the hand of the Lord is with him, and he has put himself wholly into his hand for ever. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that seeketh God with his whole heart, and taketh not his soul in vain.

Such a one as this, in receiving the Holy Eucharist, obtains a great grace of divine union; because he looks not towards his own devotion and comfort, but, above all devotion and comfort, regards the honour and glory of God.

Chap. XVI.
That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ, and crave his grace.

The Voice of the Disciple.

1. O Most sweet and loving Lord, whom I now desire to receive with all devotion, thou knowest my weakness, and the necessity which I endure; in how great evils and vices I am immersed; now often I am oppressed, tempted, troubled, and defiled;

To thee I come for remedy; I pray to thee for comfort and succour.

I speak to him that knows all things, to whom all that is within me is manifest, and who alone can perfectly comfort and help me.

Thou knowest what good I stand most inn need of, and how poor I am in virtues.

2. Behold, I stand before thee poor and naked, begging thy grace, and imploring thy mercy:

Feed thy hungry beggar; inflame my coldness with the fire of thy love; enlighten my blindness with the brightness of thy presence;

Turn all earthly things to me into bitterness; all things grievous and cross into patience; all things below and created, into contempt and oblivion:

Lift up my heart to thee in heaven, and suffer me not to wander upon earth:

Be thou only sweet to me from henceforth for evermore; for thou only art my meat and my drink, my love and my joy, my sweetness and all my good.

3. Oh! that with thy presence thou wouldst inflame, burn, and transform me into thyself, that I may be made one spirit with thee, by the grace of internal union, and by the melting of ardent love!

Suffer me not to go from thee hungry and dry; but deal with me in thy mercy, as thou hast dealt wonderfully with thy saints.

What marvel if I should be wholly set on fire by thee, and should die to myself; since thou art a fire always burning, and never decaying; a love purifying the heart, and enlightening the understanding.

Chap. XVII.
Of fervent love and vehement desire
to receive Christ.

The Voice of the Disciple.

1. With the greatest devotion and burning love, with all the affection and fervour of my heart, I desire to receive thee, O Lord; as many saints and devout persons, who were most pleasing to thee in holiness of life, and most fervent in devotion, have desired thee when they have communicated.

O my God, my eternal love, my whole good, and never-ending happiness, I would gladly receive thee with the most vehement desire, and most worthy reverence, that any of the saints ever had or could feel.

2. And though I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion, yet I offer to thee the whole affection of my heart, as if I alone had all those highly pleasing inflamed desires;

Yea, and whatsoever a godly mind can conceive and desire, all this, with the greatest reverence and most inward affection, I offer and present to thee:

I desire to reserve nothing to myself, but freely and most willingly to sacrifice myself, and all that is mine, to thee.

O Lord, my God, my Creator and Redeemer, I desire to receive thee this day with such affection, reverence, praise, and honour; with such gratitude, worthiness, and love; with such faith, hope, and purity, as thy most holy Mother, the glorious Virgin Mary, received and desired thee, when she humbly and devoutly answered the angel, who declared to her the mystery of the incarnation; Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done unto me according to thy word. Luke i.

3. And as thy blessed forerunner, the most excellent among the saints, John the Baptist, in thy presence leaped for joy through the Holy Ghost, whilst he was as yet shut up in his mother's womb; and afterwards seeing Jesus walking amongst men, humbling himself exceedingly, said with devout affection, The friend of the bridegroom that standeth and heareth him, and rejoiceth with joy for the voice of the bridegroom. John iii. So I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desires, and to present myself to thee with my whole heart:

Wherefore I here offer and present myself to thee the excessive joys of all devout hearts, their ardent affections, their extasies and supernatural illuminations, and heavenly visions; together with all the virtues and praises which are or shall be celebrated by all creatures in heaven and earth; for myself and all such as are recommended to my prayers, that by all thou mayest be worthily praised and glorified for ever.

4. Receive my wishes, O Lord, my God, and my desire of giving thee infinite praise and immense blessing, which, according to the multitude of thy unspeakable greatness, are most justly due to thee.

These I render, and desire to render to thee every day and every moment: and I invite and entreat all the heavenly spirits, and all thy faithful, with my prayers and affections, to join with me in giving thee praises and thanks.

5. Let all people, tribes, and tongues praise thee, and magnify thy holy and sweet name, with the highest jubilation and ardent devotion.

And let all who reverently and devoutly celebrate thy most high sacrament, and receive it with full faith, find grace and mercy at thy hands, and humbly pray for me, a sinful creature.

And when they shall have obtained their desired devotion and joyful union, and shall depart from thy sacred heavenly table, well comforted, and wonderfully nourished, let them vouchsafe to remember my poor soul.

Chap. XVIII.
That a man be not a curious searcher into this sacrament, but a follower of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith.

The Voice of the Beloved.

1. Thou must, beware of curious and unprofitable searching into this most profound sacrament, if thou wilt not sink into the depth of doubt.

He that is a searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by glory. Proverbs xxv. God is able to work more than man can understand.

A pious and humble inquiry after truth is tolerable, which is always ready to be taught, and studies to walk in the sound doctrine of the Fathers.

2. Blessed is that simplicity that leaveth the difficult ways of disputes, and goeth on in the plain and sure path of God's commandments.

Many have lost devotion, whilst they would search into high things.

It is faith that is required of thee, and a sincere life; not the height of understanding, not diving deep into the mysteries of God.

If thou dost not understand nor comprehend those things that are under thee, how shouldst thou comprehend those things that are above thee?

Submit thyself to God, and humble thy sense to faith, and the light of knowledge shall be given thee, as far as shall be profitable and necessary for thee.

3. Some are grievously tempted about faith and the sacrament; but this is not to be imputed to them, but rather to the enemy.

Be not thou anxious, stand not to dispute with thy thoughts, nor to answer the doubts which the devil suggests, but believe the words of God, believe his saints and prophets, and the wicked enemy will fly from thee.

It is often very profitable to the servant of God to suffer such things;

For the devil tempteth not unbelievers and sinners, whom he already securely possesseth; but the faithful and devout he many ways tempteth and molesteth.

4. Go forward therefore with a sincere and undoubted faith, and with an humble reverence approach to this sacrament; and whatsoever thou art not able to understand, commit securely to God, who is Omnipotent.

God never deceiveth, but he is deceived that trusts too much to himself:

God walketh with the simple, and revealeth himself to the humble; he giveth understanding to little ones, openeth the gate of knowledge to pure minds, and hideth his grace from the curious and proud.

Human reason is weak and may be deceived; but true faith cannot be deceived.

5. All reason and natural search ought to follow faith, and not to go before it, nor oppose it;

For faith and love are here predominant, and work by hidden ways in this most holy and super-excellent sacrament.

God, who is eternal and incomprehensible, and of infinite power, doth great and inscrutable things in heaven and earth, and there is no searching out his wonderful works.

If the works of God were such as might be easily comprehended by human reason, they could not be called wonderful and unspeakable.


The End.


Erratum, page 356, line 2, for likely read lightly.

[Transcriber's note: This correction has been applied.]

Contents.


Chap. Book I. Page.
i.Of following Christ and despising all the vanities of the world 3
ii. Of having an humble sentiment of one's self 6
iii.Of the doctrine of truth 8
iv. Of prudence in our doings 13
v. Of the reading the holy scriptures 14
vi. Of inordinate affections 16
vii. Of flying vain hope and pride 17
viii. Of shunning too much familiarity 19
ix. Of obedience and subjection 20
X. Of avoiding superfluity of words 21
xi. Of acquiring peace and zeal of spiritual progress 23
xii. Of the advantage of adversity 26
xiii. Of resisting temptation 28
xiv. Of avoiding rash judgment 33
xv. Of works done out of charity 34
xvi. Of bearing the defects of others 36
xvii. Of a monastic life 38
xviii. Of the examples of the holy fathers 40
xix. Of the exercises of a good religious man 44
xx. Of the love of solitude and silence 49
xxi. Of compunction of heart 54
xxii. Of the consideration of the misery of man 58
xxiii.Of the thoughts of death 63
xxiv. Of judgment and the punishment of sins 69
XXV. Of the fervent amendment of our whole life 75
Book II.
i. Of interior conversation 83
ii. Of humble submission 89
iii. Of a good peaceable man 90
iv. Of a pure mind and simple intention 93
v. Of the consideration of one's self 95
vi. Of the joy of a good conscience 97
vii. Of the love of Jesus above all things. 100
viii. Of familiar friendship with Jesus 102
ix. Of the want of all comfort 106
X. Of gratitude for the grace of God 111
xi. Of the small number of the lovers of the cross of Jesus 115
xii. Of the King's highway of the Holy Cross 119
Book III.
i. Of the internal speech of Christ to a faithful soul 129
ii. That truth speaks within us without noise of words 131
iii. That the words of God are to be heard with humility, and that many weigh them not 133
A prayer to implore the grace of devotion 136
iv. That we ought to walk in truth and humility in God's presence 138
v.Of the wonderful effect of divine love 141
vi. Of the proof of a true lover 146
vii. That grace is to be hid under the guardianship of humility 150
viii. Of the mean esteem of one's self in the sight of God 155
ix. That all things are to be referred to God, as to our last end 157
X. That it is sweet to serve God, despising this world 159
xi. That the desires of the heart are to be examined and moderated 163
xii. Of learning patience, and of fighting against concupiscence 165
xiii. Of the obedience of an humble subject after the example of Jesus Christ 168
xiv. Of considering the secret judgments of God, lest we be puffed up by our good works 171
xv. How we are to be disposed, and what we are to say when we desire any thing 173
A prayer for the fulfilling of the will of God 175
xvi. That true comfort is to be sought in God alone 177
xvii. That we ought to cast all our care upon God 179
xviii. That temporal miseries are to be borne with patience after the example of Jesus Christ 181
xix. Of supporting injuries, and who is proved to be truly patient 183
xx. Of the confession of our own infirmity, and of the miseries of this life 186
xxi. That we are to rest in God above all goods and gifts 190
xxii. Of the remembrance of the manifold benefits of God 195
xxiii. Of four things which bring much peace 198
A prayer against evil thoughts 200
A prayer for the enlightening of the mind 201
xxiv. That we are not to be curious in enquiring into the life of others 202
xxv. In what things the firm peace of the heart and true progress doth consist 204
xxvi. Of the eminence of a free mind, which humble prayer better procures than reading 207
xxvii. That self love chiefly keeps a person back from the sovereign good 209
A prayer for the cleansing of the heart and the obtaining of heavenly wisdom 211
xxviii. Against the tongues of detracters 212
xxix. How in the time of tribulation God is to be invoked and blessed 213
xxx. Of asking the divine assistance, and of confidence of recovering grace 215
xxxi. Of disregarding all things created, that so we may find the Creator 220
xxxii. Of the denying ourselves, and renouncing all cupidity 224
xxxiii. Of the inconstancy of our heart, and of directing our final intention to God 226
xxxiv. That he that loves God relishes him above all things, and in all things 228
xxxv. That there is no being secure from temptation in this life 231
xxxvi. Against the vain judgments of men 234
xxxvii. Of a pure and full resignation of ourselves, for the obtaining freedom of heart 236
xxxviii. Of the good government of ourselves in outward things, and of having recourse to God in dangers 238
xxxix. That a man must not be over eager in his affairs 240
xl. That man hath no good of himself, and that he cannot glory in any thing 242
xli. Of the contempt of all temporal honour 245
xlii. That our peace is not to be placed in men 246
xliii. Against vain and worldly learning 248
xliv. Of not drawing to ourselves exterior things 251
xlv. That credit is not to be given to all men; and that men are prone to offend in words 252
xlvi. Of having confidence in God when words arise against us 256
xlvii. That all grievous things are to be endured for life everlasting 260
xlviii. Of the day of eternity, and of the miseries of this life 263
xlix. Of the desire of eternal life, and how great things are promised to them that fight 268
l. How a desolate person ought to offer himself into the hands of God 274
li. That we must practise ourselves in humble works, when we cannot attain to high things 280
lii. That a man ought not to esteem himself worthy of consolation, but rather guilty of stripes 282
liii. That the grace of God is not communicated to the earthly-minded 285
liv. Of the different motions of nature and grace 288
iv. Of the corruption of nature, and of the efficacy of divine grace 295
lvi. That we ought to deny ourselves, and to imitate Christ by the cross 300
lvii. That a man should not be too much dejected when he falls into some defects 303
lviii. Of not searching into high matters, nor into the secret judgments of God 306
lix. That all hope and confidence is to be fixed in God alone 314

Book IV.
Of The Blessed Sacrament.
i. With how great reverence Christ is to be received 319
ii. That the great goodness and charity of God is shewed to man in this sacrament 328
iii. That it is profitable to communicate often 333
iv. That many benefits are bestowed on them who communicate devoutly 337
v. Of the dignity of the sacrament, and of the priestly state 342
vi. A petition concerning the exercise proper before communion 345
vii. Of the discussion of one's own conscience, and of a resolution of amendment 346
viii. Of the oblation of Christ on the cross, and of the resignation of ourselves 350
ix. That we must offer ourselves, and all that is ours, to God, and pray for all 352
x. That the holy communion is not lightly to be forborne 356
xi. That the body of Christ and the holy scriptures are most necessary to a faithful soul 361
xii. That he who is to communicate ought to prepare himself for Christ with great diligence 367
xiii. That a devout soul ought to desire with her whole heart to be united to Christ in this sacrament 371
xiv. Of the ardent desire of some devout persons to receive the body of Christ 374
XV. That the grace of devotion is obtained by humility and self-denial 376
xvi. That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ, and crave his grace 379
xvii. Of fervent love and vehement desire to receive Christ 382
xviii. That a man be not a curious searcher into this sacrament; but an humble follower of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith 386


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