Soliloquium Animae. The sole-talke of the Soul. Or, A spiritual and heavenly Dialogue betwixt the Soul of Man and God. Which, for the great affinity it hath with other books of the Auctor published heretofore in our native tongue, is now entitled The fourth book of the Imitation of Christ. Translated and corrected by THOMAS ROGERS.  
Never before published.  
¶ At London Printed. And are to be sold in the Royal Exchange at the Shop of Andrew Maunsell. 1592.   

To the Christian Reader.  
BEing much and earnestly requested hereunto, I have published in our vulgar tongue another of Malleolus, alias Thom. de Kempis, or, Kempisius works: not that I confess, which of some well weening, though not so well deeming persons was commended unto me, I mean, that in the old English translation, and in some Latin copies too, called, The fourth Book of the Imitation of Christ, which in deed is altogether De sacramento altaris, and so entitled: but the next to that in Kempisius works, namely, the Soliloquium animae. This I have termed, for the great affinity it hath with the books of Kempisius by me heretofore divulged, The fourth book of the Imitation of Christ.  
In the doing whereof, I have as little as might be varied from the authors words and phrases, and no where from the sense, but where himself hath varied from the truth of God, and, I doubt not, would have redressed, had he lived in these days of light, as he did in the time of most palpable blindness.  
And this have I done with the greater alacrity, because I find (and thou mayst read it also in the authors own Preface) that he not only doubted that he might utter some things both fond and offensive, but also wished to have some godly corrector of his faults, and prayed unto almighty God graciously to reveal, such things offensive, either unto himself, or unto some other.  
Whose godly prayer, God hath heard, and discovered those things for thy benefit, and testification beside how Kempisius, the Auctor, howsoever living in a Popish time, was yet in heart no Papist, but would like well of that which is done, as I trust thou wilt, whose edifying, and spiritual comforting, I have only aimed at.  
And reaping this comfort to thy soul, by the reading or hearing of this treatise, be thankful unto thy God that giveth thee some taste of the celestial joys in this miserable and all-trooblesome world, to whose gracious protection, I do most humbly commend thee and myself.   

The authors Preface.  
I Have gathered together into a little book for my comfort sake, certain devout sentences, the better so to commit them to memory; I have also disposed them as into a pleasant orchard, set out with all sorts of trees, and beautified with all varieties of goodly flowers, whereinto I might now and then enter both for to choose and behold at my need such matter as my heart desires for the refreshing of the mind, grieved at any time, and overwhelmed with pensiveness.  
Now the more clearly, and readily to find under which arbour I might repose myself, or which flower were best to be culled out, I have made the heads of every Chapter to glitter (as it were) with red titles. I have likewise with variety of words, as now talking, now reasoning, praying now, now conferring, now in mine own, now in another man's person, bewreathed about the text with a sweet, and delightsome style.  
Wherefore I entreat them whosoever shall read it, first that they be not moved with indignation at that which the writer hath done, for it was his mind wholly to talk (with his God.) Next, that they will pardon the imperfection, and plainness of the style, considering that God is more delighted with words that be simple and pure, than with those that be artificial. And if happily the sense in any place appear either not sound, or not clear enough, my desire is to have a godly corrector of the same, telling him withal, that what fond matter soever he shall espy, it hath escaped from me not of purpose, but rather for that I was not heedy enough in marking what I writ.  
Moreover, forasmuch as man in that judgement of his which is most probable, may be deceived, unto thee, o God almighty, and father of lights, do I thine humble disciple make recourse, and this Sole-talke (of mine) do present before thy divine Majesty, to the end that thou mayst both approve the things well said, and disprove what is done amiss, and insinuate also either into myself, or some other faithful servant of thine, more rightly to observe whatsoever things are offensive.  
My request is also, holy Father, that I thy poor servant may obtain at thy hands both time and space to abide in the all plentiful pastures of the Scriptures, which be and shall be my chiefest comfort, until that day of eternity appear, and the shadow of mortality do decline away. And therefore withdraw thou fro me all unprofitable cares, worldly desires, hurtful affections, and what else may hinder me fro my desired leisure. For he must have a free mind and a quiet, that would meditate of hidden and heavenly matters. Wherefore that I may be worthy to attain my suit, vouchsafe thou (my God) to endue and fill me with the grace of thine heavenly joy, that I may speak to thy glory, and to some comfort of my own soul.   
The fourth Book of the Imitation of Christ.  

CHAPTER. 1.  
1. A longing of the soul after God. 2. The incomprehensible majesty of the Lord. 3. An exhortation to the love of God.  soul. 
AS for me, it is good to draw near unto God 
a Psal 73, verse 28. .  
O short, and o sweet saying, embracing God, and abandoning the universal world!  
What more can be said? And what moreover is to be desired? Would it not suffice if that were performed which now is spoken? And were other, yea many other things uttered, should not all in the end be reduced unto this one thing?  
Therefore, my soul, say thou with the Prophet, As for me, it is good to draw near unto God 
b Psal. 73, 28 .  
O my God, thou art mine only felicity; thou alone art good 
c Luk. 18, 19 , and sweet unto me.  
To speak of thee it delighteth the lover; to think of thee, it liketh the religious, whose heart is not fixed upon the world 
d Math. 6, 21 Coloss. 3, 1. 2 , but hidden with thee in the heavens, to the end that both thou alone mayest be his true peace 
e Phil. 4, 7 , and inmost joy; and he not vexed daily in this world, where false concupiscence doth provoke unto sin 
f 1. john 2, 16 .  
O my God, how is he affected, which is inflamed with thy love 
g Rom, 8, 35 36, etc. ! How doth he rejoice, that hath no pleasure in any vain creature! 
1. Cor 13, 4 5, etc.   
Are not these the words of such a man in that Psalm, whereout the beginning of my speech was taken, even these his words?  
Whom have Irin heaven but thee 
h Psa. 73, 25 ? and I have desired none in the earth with thee?  man.. 
O holy soul, 
man..  o zealous soul, so longing after God What is that I hear? what is that thou sayest? Are the things both in heaven and in earth but small things in thine eyes?  soul. 
Surely I take all things but for trifles. 
soul.   man.. 
What then seekest thou? 
man..  Whom would you have without these? And where will you find him if not in these things?  
Hath he either name, or place, or habitation to be sought by?  
Where is the place where his honour dwelleth? of which in a certain psalm thou sangest, saying 
i Psal. 26, 8. :  
O Lord, I have loved the habitation of thine house; and the place where thine honour dwelleth.  
Make answer, I pray thee. For, if thou canst, show me him, I will go with thee, and we will seek him together, yea and he shall be thy God, and my God: and we shall be full happy when we have found him, and hold him.  soul. 
What ask you this at mine hands? 
soul.  Or why so curiously do you inquire of this matter of me? Think you I can, or am able to utter such things? What though gladly I would, conceive not yet, that what through the rareness of the thing, and the deepness of the mystery, I am restrained back?  
What ask you me? Ask them who have both heard and seen, they are such as better can describe him whom you seek.  
But rather ask him that knoweth all things 
k Psal. 94, 8 9 10 . For he it is, of whom we speak, that both best can tell you who himself is, yea and best declare the place of his own abode. 
Psal 119, 12  Even he it is (and none other) which teacheth man knowledge 
l Psal. 94, 12 , and giveth his grace also to the humble 
m jam. 4, 6 .  
Make recourse unto him which revealeth himself when he will, and to whom he will 
n Mat. 11. 25 , neither is there any beside him that can open. He alone can reveal to thee what the joy is of such as love him 
o 1. Cor. 2, 9 , and that far more excellently than I can tell you.  man.. 
But why speak you on this wise, o holy and humble Soul? Think not that I would know that of you, which neither aught to be known, nor can be uttered. Keep your secret to yourself; let your door still abide shut upon you: let the seal of faith remain uncancelled, neither let the vale, for me, be removed from the sanctuary.  
Eat you holy bread (by yourself) in the chapel, go in into the tabernacle of your house, ascend into the upper parlour, enter into the cellar of the eternal king, or, which is more noble, and soundeth more sweetly, even into the bride-chamber of your celestial spouse.  
I know it is written 
p Mat. 15, 26 , It is not good to take the children's bread, and to cast it to whelps. I know this, I say, and have read it: but mark again what followeth, and take pity upon me, according to the words of her that said 
q Mat. 15, 27 , The whelps do eat of the ●romms, which fall from their masters table.  
And therefore hide not that fro me which I demand, but of the greatness of your inward pleasures, poure-out even a sparkle of the fiery love. Give me one small drop of precious wine, send forth some little savour of the best ointment, whose chiefest part and lovely com●ort is well and usually known to thee, that I also may taste thereof.  
Why linger you? Satisfy my desire, and open the door to a friend now at this third knock.  
O beloved, speak of the well-beloved; let not me be neglected.  
If you cannot describe him rightly as he is, yet speak of him so well as you can. For indeed as he is, who is able to describe him? Yea, who is able to conceive the describer?  
Therefore, if not, as in himself he is: yet tell me what thou thinkest of him. If not what to himself: yet utter out how good he hath been to thee.  
For who ever shall search forth what he is in himself?  
Thou wilt never do it, because thou hast plainly confessed, and not denied, how speaking of him 
r Psal. 139, 6 .  
Thy knowledge is too wonderful for me: it is so high, that I cannot attain unto it. Whether shall I go from thy Spirit? 
7   
If then thou art not able to know thine own spirit, which the creator and quickener 
s Act. 17, 25  of all spirits hath made 
t Gen. 2, 7 , how at any time wilt thou know him which is uncreated! Did not this make thee all amazed to say 
u Psal. 35, 10 , O Lord, who is like unto thee?  
Notwithstanding, of all friendship, by some similitude describe him, whose essence thou hast not yet attained unto. Neither is it for you to deny to show him in part, whom you think can not wholly be revealed.  S. 
I must needs say you are too curious, and importune upon me. Thou searchest all my privities, and lettest in thine hand into the secrets of my chamber.  
I sent thee unto him, and comest thou again unto me? Seek you me or him?  
But I pray you, of what spirit art thou? Be still, I beseech thee, and trouble me not. For whom thou seekest, he is above me.  M. 
But can he that seeketh after God, so easily give over? Protract not to speak, for you may comfort me forthwith. How long will you keep me in suspense? What do you say and unsay?  
As I live I will not give over, except you bless me▪ For I count it a blessing, if thou show me my God.  
Now therefore if thou hast seen him, tell me plainly, and I will take him upon my shoulders.  S. 
I know thou hast a great desire, and a love unto the creator.  
But a great thing is it which you require at mine hands, and such a thing as I am in doubt whether it may be done or no.  
He whom thou seekest, knoweth it right well: for it is not in me to let thee know so much.  
Your demand seemeth unto me to be like that of the Spouse which in the Songs did say 
x Sal. S. 1, 6 ;  
Show me, o thou, whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest.  
Wilt thou then learn of me who this is, or what good he hath done with me? Doubtless it is not in me to show you.  
But you are not content, neither his greatness, who exceedeth the heavens 
y 1. Kin. 8. 27 , can deter you; nor my weakness, which in his eyes am nothing, make you to desist.  
Why hast thou laid this burden upon me? I am not able to tell thee, until I go into the sanctuary of God 
z Psa. 73, 17 , and understand the same.  
Why are you so desirous to know that, which may not be uttered?  M. 
And will you not? Oh, how feign would I be instructed! For those things we are most earnest to know, which the most hardly may be revealed.  
Notwithstanding, once again I pray you be not so hard, as altogether to be silent.  
Think not that forthwith I will utter what you shall say unto our enemies. I will keep your saying as a friend, yea, as a very friend ought to do.  
You may boldly tell me your mind secretly. Lo, we two be here alone; neither I with lightness, nor you with arrogancy are delighted, but in him which hath given us understanding, even of him will we speak.  
And if happily he come while we are talking, let us give place, and let him be between us. If he vouchsafe to speak, let us hear him gladly, and be silent till he have done. At which time you shall not be bound to satisfy my demands. For when he speaketh, all flesh must be still.  S. 
This covenant I like well. Only let him be with us, and be we carried unto our secret places. Let him be the guide of our speech, and conduct us whether our delight is to go.  
This beloved of whom you so diligently inquire, is for his greatness unspeakable 
a Psal. 139, 6 , for his height and glory incomprehensible 
b job. 9, 10 11 ; for his strength and magnificence infinite 
c Psalm. 8, 1 2 ▪ Whatsoever is either spoken or written of him, cometh far behind his majesty, because in glory he excelleth all things.  
The heavens have said, He hath overpassed, and ascended, and prevailed over us 
d 2. Chro. 6, verse 18. .  
The earth hath answered, If the heavens, and the heavens of heavens do not comprehend him, ask not me of him 
e Psal. 139, 7 8, etc. .  
The stars have song; We are darkness and not light, unless he enlighten us 
f Gene. 1, 1. 2, etc. .  
The sea trembled, and said, He is not in me, 
Psal. 139, 12.  and the deep knoweth him not.  
Hear you what they say?  M. 
I heard, and was sore troubled; at their voice my very lips trembled.  S. 
What then will become of thee if we should ask him? Let us speak unto him.  
O Lord, art thou he of whom the Prophets have prophesied, and whose commandment all things in their seasons do obey?  
verily I am that I am 
g Exo. 3. 14 ; and 
God.  besides me there is none other God 
h Deut. 4, 35 Psalm. 18, 31 Isai. 45, 21. ; I am the beginning and the ending 
i Revel. 1, 8 ; I am the creator 
k Isai. 42, 5 Act. 17, 24. , and the governor 
l Hebr. 1, 3 john. 5, 17.  of all things. I live saith the Lord, and I will reign for ever and ever.  
Now little worm what sayest thou, 
soul.  being environed with such light?  
Lo, thy beloved, whom thou thoughtest was with me, speaketh unto thee.  
He was with me when I said 
m Psa. 73, 28 , For me it is good to draw near unto God. He will be with thee, if thou also wilt say, 
n Psal. 77, 2  My soul refuseth comfort: the day of misery I desire not 
o jer. 17, 16 , for thou art my King and my God 
p Psalm. 5, 2 .  
Be not like to raging lovers, but love God alone, seek him alone, which admitteth no companion of the world into his fellowship.  
Talk thou only with him, and though he depart, leaving the room void, bear all things patiently. For his wont is, to go and to come, to prove his friend, and make him perfect in loving.  
If thou desire his presence, bear his absence patiently. Wait, and wait again, he will departed for a while, and after a while he will again return.  
Love maketh thee thus affected, which now heaveth thee on high, and straightway flingeth to the ground again.  
His love is than all flowers sweeter; than lilies fairer; and brighter than the precious stones.  
For no creature is to be preferred before the love of God 
q Mat. 10, 37 , and therefore for that every thing is to be despised 
r Mat. 16, 26 Luke. 9, 25 .  
So soon as I was touched inwardly with his love, I forthwith began so to be inflamed in my mind, that bidding adieu to all things in the world, I only wished for his most pure embracements, and, as it were bearing hot coals out of a burning oven, I uttered these words, which but few do use 
s Psal. 73, 25 .  
Whom have I in heaven but thee; and I have desired none in the earth with thee. 
26  God is the strength of mine head, and my portion for ever.  
By these gather now of thy beloved what manner a one and what he is, which incomprehensibly exceedeth all the things which are, and have being.  
And although he can neither by words be uttered, nor conceived in mind, because he is infinite 
t job. 23, 8 9 : yet is he very lovely, tractable, fellowly, and to be entreated, insomuch as though he cannot be comprehended, yet after a strange manner he may be loved.  
For by love he is taken, yea by love fast bounden: but by desire, he is sought; by prayer, knocked at; and by hope attained.  
If as yet I have not satisfied you, let him, whom you have sought, satisfy you, and teach you, above all teachers, to find himself.   

CHAP. 2.  
1. Of God his distinct judgement at the end of this world. 2. The cursed state of the ungodly.  
KNit mine heart unto thee, O Lord, that I may fear thy name 
a Psal. 86, 11 .  
O my God, thou art much to be loved, yea, and to be feared much thou art 
b Psal. 96, 4 .  
He that loveth, let him be glad; but he that loveth not thee, let him quake and fear. But he which neither doth fear thee, nor love thee, is utterly foolish and frantic. For, it is a fearful thing to fall into thine hands 
c Heb. 10, 31 .  
And, who knoweth the power of thy wrath 
d Psal. 90, 11 ? Or, who may abide the day of thy coming unto judgement 
e Mala. 3, 2 ?  
For, thy roaring shall be like a Lion 
f Isai 5, 29 ; and thy glittering sword like a consuming fire.  
At the sound of thy voice all the dwellers in the world shall be moved; and when thou comest, all the foundations of the earth shall shake 
g 2. Pet. 3, 7 Revel. 6, 14 .  
Who then but will fear? Or by what means can any escape thine hands 
h Psal. 139, 7 8, etc. ?  
If a man will hide himself upon the strong rock 
i Isai. 2, 19 20, etc. , thou wilt thunder thereupon, and it shall rend asunder. And if ●e lurk in caves, or mountains, he shall be plucked out 
k Hose. 10, 8 Luke. 23, 30 , and be made to sustain thy displeasure 
l reve. 6, 16 17 , because he cared not for thy favour. 
Revel. 9 6   
Surely there is no place which can hide man from thy presence 
m job. 23, 10 Psal, 139, 7 8, etc. .  
For all things are naked and open in thine eyes 
n Hebr 4, 13 ; thou seest the heart and the reins 
o Psalm. 7, 9 , and beholdest the most secret affections of the thought, so that no secret is hid from thine eyes 
p Ecclus 23 verse 19 20 .  
O how terrible wilt thou be to sinners, and to the hearts that ●e hardened 
q Prou 1, 2● 25, etc. , which now do glory in ill doing, and triumph in wickedness, saying. The Lord seethe not 
r Psal. 10, 11 , he will not regard 
s Psal. 94, 7 .  
They are so puffed up with vain words, as though thou wouldst never come: yea, they turn away their eyes, that they may not see the end.  
But in the hour that they think not, thou wilt come 
t Mat. 24, 44 , and they shall be taken in the snares 
u Luk. 21, 35  of their own wickedness. And as thieves and robbers being suddenly taken are confounded: so shall they be put to confusion at their due time.  
Then wilt thou have them in derision 
x Prou. 1, 26 27 28, etc. , which now deride thy servants; and evil shall be rendered unto such as have abhorred thy righteousness.  
Now they stop their ears unto thy voice; but the time shall come, when they shall cry, and not be heard.  
Now they turn thy word into a fable: but themselves shall be turned then into a flame of fire 
y Mat. 25, 41 . For thy word shall go out with an horrible blast; and it shall strike the wicked and unbelievers without all mercy.  
What will the proud person say then, so puffed up with knowledge, and swelling in power? What answer will he make, when the last trump shall sound in his ears 
z 1. Cor. 15▪ verse 52 ? When thou Lord, our God, shalt appear in Majesty, together with thine angels 
a Mat. 24, 31  and archangel's 
b 1. Thess. 4, verse 16 ?  
Then all the ungodly deriders of thy word shall be hush; and they which have molested thy servants, struken with an horrible fear 
c Wisd. 5. 2 3, etc. .  
Then shall they utterly be confounded, which, laying a good conscience and honesty aside, gave themselves to vanity and wantonness.  
They shall suffer punishment then, which have loosed the bridle unto the flesh.  
Then shall they roar towards heaven, which now are cunning in vain music and dances:  
Then shall that be turned into morning, which hath been contracted by inordinate pleasure:  
They shall be bound up in bundles together to be burned then 
d Mat. 13, 41 42 43 , which have been companions together at drunkenness and bellie-cheere. And whom love hath bound in wickedness, the revenging fire shall roll together in torments.  
O ye foolish, and wretched, o ye frantic, and blind lovers of the world, what do ye, what is your meaning? how will ye escape the vengeance of the Lord?  
Why for a little pleasure which you do love, do ye hasten unto everlasting torments? Why fear ye not hell, which do so fear a little penance? And, you which fly the death of the flesh, why aforehand do ye not take heed of the eternal death of the soul?  
Unless therefore ye do convert, and repent, ye shall never escape these horrible and fiery torments of God's displeasure.  
When I consider the day and hour of the general judgement, my bones do shake for fear, because entreaty then shall not turn away the wrath of God, but he will be a righteous judge to all 
e Act. 10, 42 2. Tim. 4, 8 Hebr. 12, 23 .  
O God most holy, mighty, and merciful Saviour, save me from that bitter death, and give me grace to repent, that I may unfeignedly bewail my sins before I depart our of this present world. (⸫)   

CHAP. 3.  
1. An humble confession of sins; 2. with a Prayer for grace to repent.  
MY sorrow is ever before me 
a Psa. 38, 17 .  
O my God, foully have I spotted my life with manifold sins: but, Lord, behold my tears which I shed before thee, because I have so much offended thine holiness.  
For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing 
b Rom. 7, 18 ; and that so long as I carry about a mortal body, I am not free from wickedness 
c Wisd. 9, 15 .  
I therefore do sin, and offend day by day; and, which is more lamentable, I suffer many sins to pass away without sorrow and due repentance.  
For being busy most commonly, and encumbered with affairs of the world and vane curiousness, I am not able so speedily to return unto wholesome tears. Whereof it is that the darkness of sin doth increase so mightily against me, the which both stop up the fountains of grace, & hinder the streams of heavenly comfort from coming unto me.  LORD. 
And is that a small offence?  soul. 
No, my God, it is a great sin, and so much the greater, as it passeth the sooner from the heart, and doth not prick me with sorrow.  
But, Lord, wilt thou not regard this my wicked dealing? How long shall I delude thee, and thus deceive myself!  
Wilt thou alway be silent? where is thy rod? where is thy spur? where is thy wand?  
O Lord, why dost thou withdraw thy judgement, and the pains of hell fro mine eyes?  
Were these things always in my remembrance, could I be so reckless?  
Thy silence and patience is for mine amendment 
d Wis 11, 20 2. Pet. 3, 9 ; but if I still be negligent, wilt thou not then punish me severely 
e Wis. 12, ●0 ? Surely thou wilt punish me, if not in this world, yet in the world to come.  
For nothing shall pass away unrevenged, neither small, neither great offence.  
But much better here in this world, where both weeping is profitable, the pain is short, the satisfaction more accepted, and reconcilement sooner had.  
And therefore spare not the rod; but with a sharp water anoint mine eyes, and reserve not my sins until the time to come, lest then I be delivered unto the torments until I have paid the utmost farthing 
f Matt. 5, 26 .  
Better is it now a little for my profit to be pricked, than hereafter to feel the bitter pains of hell fire. 
Purgatorij.   
Wherefore I am to mourn, and to conceive a great sorrow for my sins.  
For many things I have to bewail, but no cause at all to laugh.  
The darkness of mine heart, the slipperiness of my conscience; my proneness unto wickedness; my want of grace, do wish me, yea rather of necessity do enforce me to weep and to lament.  
Furthermore, the remembrance of manifold temptations, and of assaults to sin, should make me have little lust to be merry.  
Spare me, o Lord, spare me.  
For though I weep, being touched inwardly with sorrow, it is no marvel, because the time is now to weep.  
O happy is the hour, when I conceive sorrow for my sins! Blessed are the tears which do flow from the grief of heart, at the consideration of the foulness of a guilty conscience!  
And who is able to sound the bottom of this depth, and to reprove the hidden filthiness without feeling?  
O my God, the true light 
g john. 1, 9 , thou canst lighten all the obscure places of mine heart; yea, and burn up all the spots thereof, in the spirit of heat, and judgement.  
It is in thee to give a new heart, to create a new spirit 
h Psal. 51, 10 , and there to prepare a secret habitation, that it may be a place for thee to rest in, and a tabernacle of thy name, which art the lover of cleans, and the guest of the good conscience.  
But forsomuch as willingly thou dost not visit a disordered house, but commonly leavest the same to be illuded with beastly affections, I am the more careful lest that betid me.  
But help me, o merciful and gracious God, to repair the ruins of this mine house.  
Woe to him from whom thou departest away offended! But peace to him unto whom thou descendest, and with whom thou abidest.  
I miserable wretch now placed in the mids of snares, and loaden with the shackleses of wickedness, what counsel is best for me, or what remedy to be used, but only to lift up mine heavy eyes unto thee, that my cry may be heard in the heavens?  
For a polluted conscience shall never find or have a better medicine, than bitterly to slay itself in prayer. And how can extreme tentation more profitably be cured that it prevail not, than by pouring continual petitions unto thee, and by humbling ourselves?  
But who can give me these blessings? I mean to pray and to weep as I ought to do. Where may I attain that humility, and abundance of tears? Doubtless of thee Lord, with whom is mercy 
i Psa. 130, 7 , and great redemption.  
O Lord, my God, the giver of all grace 
k jam. 1, 17 , grant that I may, as I am bound, bewail mine offences, seem they never so small, and to amend all without vain excuses, aswell those offences which are secret, as those that are well known.  
Let this mine hearty repentance get me thy favour again, and prepare unto well doing, and to that which tendeth unto salvation.   

CHAP. 4.  
1. A lamentation of the soul for her weakness, and unstaidness in the race of virtue.  
THine eyes did see me, when I was without form 
a Psa. 135, 16 .  
O Lord my GOD, what in the end will become of me, seeing daily I do offend?  
When shall I amend my life as I ought to do? When will it be better with me? When shall I wax strong? And when shall I overcome?  
I am cast headlong into the deep pit of filthiness. Who can think there is yet hope left to arise again, to amend, to go forward, and to come unto the end? Surely touching myself I am out of all hope; ah that mine hope were stronger in thee!  
I greatly d●o despair, because my weakness increaseth through long troubles; and I see no end of my sorrow, and sin.  
And though I say, lo now I will begin to amend; lo it is now time, I will do my best to reform myself, straightway, alas, sin standeth before me, the enemy lifteth up himself against me, and wicked custom keepeth me back with might and main, contrary to my mind.  
O Lord, behold how I am cast down, and trodden under foot: behold the troubles which I do endure.  
Lift up thy right hand, and deliver me fro my persecutors, for they are too strong for me 
b Psal. 142, 6 .  
My wisdom is perished, and my strength hath failed me.  
Mine arm is broken, neither can my sword save me 
c Psal. 44, 6 .  
I see not unto whom I may fly; and that will receive and heal me, I know none.  
Thou alone continuest my refuge, but I dare not approach for shame, because I have offended thee.  
I have sinned, o God, forgive me. I am sorry, yea heartily sorry that ever I did transgress thy laws.  
Give me that which seemeth right in thine eyes, and be merciful.  
Thou diddest justly in forsaking me, and justly thou diddest commit me into the hands of mine adversary.  
But Lord, remember that which thou hast made, amend that which is decayed, for of itself it can never stand.  
Mark my groaning, and my troubles: let the pain and grief of mine heart at no time be out of thy remembrance.  
O merciful Father, cast an eye upon my thraldom and imprisonment, upon the misery and cruelty which I do endure; and bring me out that am bound, from the prisonhouse, and wretched bondage.  
Though a man should live many years, what will he be the better thereby? And who knoweth whether he shall amend his wicked life, or be worse and worse?  
Man woteth not how he shall proceed, and end; and his continuance is very doubtful, because of the manifold chances of evils, and dangerous temptations.  
Many at their first conversion from sin are good and humble, which afterward become froward and rebellious. At the first they were modest and devout, zealous and silent, and in the end proved careless, and dissolute, babblers, and barbarous. And they which at the beginning did bridle their wicked affections, at the length had scarce any care at all either what they said or did. And so by little and little wickedness taketh root and increaseth while it is not prevented at the beginning.  
Who therefore but should fear, and be circumspect, seeing such unlucky chances do come unto the good and modest?  
Again, who thoroughly doth know whether he be elected; or hath strength to bear all things?  
We are all to be tried 
d Act. 14, 22 , and who is sure that he shall not be burned, seeing tentation is a fire 
e 1. Pet. 1, 7 ?  
So that all must fear, and hope alike of the better: but none is rashly to presume, nor yet proudly to be secure.  
In deed the gold which is tried 
f Prou. 17, 3 , shall be preserved: but I advise thee, o man, to consider well of what metal thou art.  
The celestial purger will purge, he will fine the sons of Levi 
g Mal. 3, 3 , even all that are his servants 
h 2. Tim. 3, verse 12 .  
It is not always gold, which hath the colour of gold; neither is it alway stubble, or naughty silver, which endureth beating, and beareth the flail. For God beholdeth the very cogitations and the hearts 
i Psalm. 7, 9 , by them most commonly working wonders, which in the opinion of many are but castaways.  
O Lord God, what joy can I have in this world, when I think upon the uncertainty 
k 2. Petr. 3, 7 Psal. 102, 25 26 , and frailty of all things under heaven?  
Notwithstanding, this am I sure of, that thou art good, and that thy mercy is from generation to generation on them that fear thee 
l Iuk. 1, 50 .  
For thine infinite goodness and mercy, is greater than all my sins. And this shall be my comfort, while thou givest me space to amend my life.   

CHAP. 5.  
1. Of the shortness and misery of this present life. 2. A prayer for grace to renounce the world, and the vanities of the same.  
LEt me understand the shortness of my days. So long as I am in this world, I am wicked 
a job. 14, 4 : and while I continue upon the earth, I am poor, a stranger, and a pilgrim 
b Heb. 11, 13 .  
I brought nothing into the world 
c 1. Tim. 6, 7 , and certain it is I can carry nothing thereout: for naked came I out of my mother's womb 
d job. 1, 21 , and naked shall I return thither again.  
As a shadow which passeth away; and as a feather, which is tossed up and down with the wind; and as a guest of one night, so suddenly shall I pass away.  
All the time we have here to live, is but as the shortest night. Few and evil are my days 
e Gen. 47, 9 , and after a little while they shall end, and be as though they had never been.  
And when man is dead, what is in man but filthiness? Who will have any care of a stinking carcase? Or who will inquire of the absent being dead, whereas being alive he was accounted of?  
A small while is man remembered either of his friends, or of strangers: but undoubtedly the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance 
f Psal. 112, 6 , because he shall be everlastingly linked to God, who is always the same, and shall never die 
g Ps. 102, 27 .  
Therefore happy is he which putteth no trust in man; nor yet rejoiceth in any worldly thing, but hath his heart fixed in heaven 
h Psal. 2, 12 , for what soever is in this world, is transitory 
i 2. Petr. 3, 7 Psal. 102, 25 26  and vane.  
Call into thy mind those which have lived since the world began until now, and tell, I pray thee, 
1. Cor. 7, 31  where they be? 
1. john 2, 17  And those whom you see and hear to live now, how long thinkest thou will they endure?  
Say therefore of all, Every man that liveth, is but vanity 
k Psal. 39, 5 .  
O miserable and wretched life! o frail, and lamentable life, which good men do suffer rather than desire: and wicked men, albe they desire it, yet can they not long enjoy the same!  
Oah, vanity of this world, when wilt thou have an end? when wilt thou cease?  
Yet the time will come, when all the elect shall be set free from the bondage of corruption 
l Rom. 8, 22 23 , though now they do lament, because they are estranged from the kingdom of Christ 
m Psal. 1, 23 .  
Would to God, the whole world would even whither up in mine heart; and my Lord God, even mine immortal spouse, seem sweet unto my soul!  
Undoubtedly, the fleeting joy of this present life, is but a false and a most bitter potion. Let them drink thereof that list, for afterward they shall feel a most bitter flux. And the more one hath drunk thereof, the sharper shall his torments be, because the whole pleasure of this world shall more speedily pass away than the wind 
n Wisd. 5, 8 9, etc. , and leave to their lovers pains and burnings 
o Luk. 16, 25 .  
Therefore out of my sight thou deceitful glory of the world, and all foolish pleasure of the flesh.  
Many you do draw, and deceive: but in the end you leave and destroy them 
p 1. joh. 2, 15 16 17 .  
Woe to them which believe thee; woe to them which be there drowned.  
But come, and come nigh me, most holy humility; and the full renouncing of all worldly pomps; and never do thou leave me, o thou sweet remembrance of my present pilgrimage.  
What am I but ashes, and earth 
q Ecclus. 10 verse 9 ? and whether tend I, but towards earth 
r Gen. 3, 19 ?  
Oah, how wretched am I become! how justly may I lament, when I think upon my pilgrimage 
s Heb. 11, 13 , and how little I am privy how I shall end the same!  
If I live well, and continue so, there is no cause why I should fear an evil death. But who can glory of a good life, and of a pure conscience? He which knoweth himself to be such a one, let him rejoice in the Lord 
t 1. Cor. 1, 31 , and take compassion upon me a sinner.  
To live I have no desire 
u Phil. 1, 23 , because misery environeth me on every side: to die an evil conscience is afraid, for to answer God, it hath not one for a thousand 
x job. 9, 3 .  
The Prophet was not so in a fear, which said 
y Psal. 100L, 1. , Mine heart is prepared, o God, mine heart is prepared.  
O Lord, the God of my salvation, let my life come unto a good end; and prolong not the days of my lamentation. With sorrow I came into this prison; and without grief I shall not get out.  S. 
Long do I think this life; and the rather, because of the continual misery and troubles which I find therein: but in truth it is not long, for it passeth away more swiftly than a Post 
z job. 9, 25 .  
To a man that liveth in pain and misery, all time is long 
a Ecclus. 41, 2 , and he counteth a day for a year. This maketh my life tedious unto me, and so much the more it doth trouble me, as the more truly I consider all the miseries of the same.  
But, if happily any consolations and joy come between▪ it standeth me upon to look about whether they be of God, or no▪ If they be● of God, I accept them gladly, but yet I know not how long they will continue: yet how short soever they be, they like and please me well.  
But, would to God he would power them largely upon me; and cause them to continue with me a long while!  
But the joys and pleasures which are not of God, are vile and vading, albe to the show they appear sweet and pleasant.  
Thus, even thus passeth away this life, replenished continually both with good and evil things.  
Therefore so long as I live in this world, I am a poor pilgrim 
b Heb. 11, 13 .  
I cannot truly say I have enough, because presently there is sa●ietie of no good thing 
c Eccles. 1, 8 : but the good thing which I look for thou art 
d Ps. 119, 57 , in whom I believe.  
So that, when thy glory hath appeared, and replenished me, then, even than I will acknowledge, that I have enough. But in the mean while, because this word is hidden fro me, much grief and sorrow doth environ my soul.  
And therefore being mindful of thine holy saying, I repeat this oftentimes 
e Matth. 26, verse 38. , My soul is very heavy, even unto the death.  
Well were it with me, if this hour were come, and that neither grief nor sorrow did possess me!  
But, Lord, I beseech thee, let thy goodness conserve me.   

CHAP. 6.  
1. An ardent desire of the soul to be loosed from sin, and from the troubles of this world.  
BRing my soul out of prison 
a Psal. 142, 7 .  
The greatness of my sorrow will not suffer me to be still.  
For why do I yet live in this world? I know not what I can do here.  
Slowly, God he knoweth, I go forward in virtue; nay would to God I went not backward!  
O Lord, what a pleasure shouldest thou do me, if speedily thou wouldst take me out of this life, that a worser thing come not unto me 
b john. 5, 14 !  
My life, alas, sigheth in pain, and in well-doing amendeth not.  
If thou look for my conversion, I repent not by the same, but do abuse thy long suffering; if thou punish me, I do ●ardlie show patience, because thou pursuest dry stubble 
c job. 13, 25 .  
Why then dost thou not quite take away thy servant? Why do I live upon the earth? that is, why do I dwell among good people, and yet reform not my life and manners? Why, so unworthily and dangerously keep I the place of some better person, and yet walk so carelessly and so coldly, in this life?  
Thus power I out this woeful thing which I consider of, in the ears of my God.  
Yet, gracious Lord, cry not out in thine anger against me, Cut down the tree 
d Luk. 13, 7 , and cast it into the fire.  
I accuse mine infirmity before thee, that I may find grace in thy sight through my confession.  
It is my part to accuse; but it belongeth unto thee to show mercy 
e Dan. 9, 9 . It is my part to weep and to sigh bitterly; but it belongeth unto thee Lord, mercifully to comfort.  
Wherefore, my Lord and God, either give me more grace in this life, or take me speedily out of this world, that the rent be not worser.  
For to live long, and not to cease from ill living, is but to augment the punishment of hell.  
Neither can I away with such a life as knoweth neither how to proceed in virtue, nor to bewail wickedness.  
For that party which leadeth an holy and righteous life, is grieved at the heart whensoever he offendeth; and that he may in grace and virtue increase more and more, it is always his desire.  
What shall he do which knoweth himself daily to offend; and that his flesh grievously doth rise against the spirit? who also being overcome with tediousness sometime, and cooled with negligence and idleness, doth give over to resist, or else laying aside the spiritual weapons 
f Ephes. 6, 11 , doth follow the swing of the flesh, whether his own will doth draw him?  
Alas, Lord and God, such a one alas draweth nigh unto the gates of death, and living in the flesh, runneth into the death of the soul.  
Oah, how is every one to take heed, that he be not seduced and supplanted of the enemy 
g 1. Pet. 5, ● !  
No man is su● from temptation 
h Matt. 6, 13 , no man is pure from sin 
i job 14, 4 Psalm. 51, 5 7 ; but all the sort of us are frail 
k jam. 3, 2 .  
But, Lord, thou which art almighty 
l job. 13, 3 , and knowest all things 
m Ecclus. 23 verse 19 Est. 13, 12 , raise up the broken in heart; and cleanse the unclean from all filthiness, renew a new spirit within his bowels, that all faintness and lazenes' may leave him, that spiritual zeal may return, and that thy love may continue unmovable within him unto the end.  
For he only wanteth thine assistance, who is pe●sed down with his own weight 
n Wisd. 9, 15 : neither is he able to cast off the load of sin, until thou send strength from heaven of power to lose the hard fetters of carnal affections.  
And this my request is to obtain; for without thy special grace, we shall neither lead a good life in this world, nor live eternally in the life to come 
o Rom. 6, 23 .  
And whereas I now live in the body, it is no joy to me; for better it were for me to die, than to live 
p Phil. 1, 23 : because through this life I am debarred the farther from eternal life, which cannot come, unless that death do destroy the life present, yea and death also itself be destroyed.  
Hence it is that my desire is to heavenward, and mine heart seeking eternal rest, fetcheth deep sighs, and crieth:  
It is now enough Lord, take away my soul, which thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood 
q 1. Pet. 1, 18 19 .  
Open to me the gate of thy kingdom, and let in a poor pilgrim 
r Heb. 11, 13  returning unto thee from exile.  
Listen to me, Lord, and lose me from the band of the body 
s Phil. 1, 23 .  
What should I longer do here? I am good neither to myself, nor to others.  
Why then do I live? To myself I am burdensome, to others troublesome.  
What shall become of me? I wots not, Lord, whether thou hast foreseen any better thing of me, wherefore my longing should be lingered.  
I do allow thine ordinance, because it is good: but in me only I find the evil, why it grieveth and troobleth me to live in the world.  
For daily I do sin; I heap sin upon sin, and yet, as I ought, I repent not.  
If therefore I were loased from this body of sin 
t Rom. 6, 6 , and coupled to thee in heaven, neither should I offend any more, nor thou be offended, but be praised continually.  
Notwithstanding as yet thou bearest with me 
u 2. Pet. 3, 9 , and showest all patience.  
I know my fault; because through my sins I may not enter into thy kingdom. For none unclean thing shall enter thereinto 
x Ephes. 5, 5 Revel. 22, 15 .  
But, when shall I be without sin! When shall I throughlie be cleansed, that I may not fear to be prohibited, but rejoice rather to be let in?  
If I go not forward more zealously, nor be more careful than hitherto I have been, I am afraid, mine hope will be little enough.  
But Lord, thou which wilt that no man should perish 
y 1. Tim. 2, 4 1. Petr. 3, 9 , but that all should be saved, grant me more grace to the amendment of my life; and to hope for celestial blessings, give me the spirit of inward fatness.  
Let not mine heart here rejoice after the flesh; but in fearing let it expect for death.  
Let no care, or creature hold me back; but let thy desired presence draw and comfort me.  
Blessed is the man which trusteth in thee, o Lord 
z Psa. 37, 34 Psal. 27, 14 : but more blessed is he that is passed out of this wicked world, for he shall no more either feel, or fear any trouble 
a reve. 7, 17 reve. 21, 4 . (⸪)   

CHAP. 7.  
1. A godly desire for a good death.  
O Lord, thou art mine hope even fro my youth 
a Psal. 71, 5 .  
In this hope I fly unto thee, until the last hour and time of my resolution shall come.  
Oah that I were so well prepared, that I might even now die under the hope of grace!  
Oah that I had ended this life with an happy departure; and laid off the load of this body 
b Wisd. 9, 15 ; how many dangers and fears had I then escaped!  
Happy is the man whom thou hast chosen, and taken up, who is now gone out of this world unto the father 
c Mat. 5, 48 ; from banishment, unto a kingdom 
d Mat. 25, 34 ; from the prison unto the palace 
e Phil. 1, 23. ; from darkness unto light 
f reve. 22, 5 ; from death unto life 
g reve. 21, 4 ; unto security from dangers 
h reve. 7, 16 17 ; from labour unto rest 
i Reu. 14, 23 ; and from all manner miseries unto everlasting felicity 
k Reu. 22, 5 !  
Happy is the soul that now enjoyeth her reward, triumphing in thee her Lord!  
But, alas that my country is so long kept fro me 
l Psal. 120, 5 !  
How graciously and mercifully shouldest thou deal with me, if quickly I were called away, and bidden to come unto thee, that where thou art, I might be also!  
Oah that I had been taken out of this world, before ever I had known the filthiness of the same, and before I was afraid to offend even in small things; how happy then had I been! But now the longer here I live, the more I wander from thee, and do sin in too too many things.  
Woe is me, what have I done? Alas, I have followed the desires of the flesh, and have drawn vanity to myself with ropes, but godliness I have abandoned, abhorred innocency, and added sin unto sin, so that now to my grief I find that true which I have sometime read 
m Isai. 3, 11 , Woe be to the wicked, it shall be evil with him.  
Too too late almost I have returned unto my God, yea very late it was ear I began to amend, and then too but slowly went I on; I was not zealous enough in my proceeding, I did not increase in zeal, but, which is worser, I waxed cooler and cooler.  
Hence it was that many times I was very loath to die, because my guilty conscience still told me I had not lived as I should have done.  
Notwithstanding, in consideration of the dangerous temptations (whereunto I am subject) and that my sins might not increase, many a time have I wished for death; and into these words have I burst, saying:  
Oah that now God in mercy would take me out of this world, that I might sin no more upon earth! Oh that God speedily would vouchsafe to take me away, and make an end of my labours; in what an happy state should I then be!  
But, Lord, all things must be even as thou wilt. If thou mind to do that which I require, it shall forthwith be accomplished: but if otherwise, thy will be done.  
I may utter out my desire, and the misery which I endure, not as to him which is ignorant thereof, but that thereby I may find some comfort to my soul.  
I know I am not yet ready as I ought to be, for my conscience is greatly out of quiet.  
And what marvel though I, a sinner, do stand in fear, seeing many even of the holy fathers were afraid, because thou judgest not as man doth 
n 1. Sam. 16, 7 john. 8, 15 16 .  
But how shall I prepare myself? It were good for me to prepare myself against that time, which may come this day before to morrow for any thing I know.  
Therefore I will more firmly alter my purpose; I will bewail all my negligences passed; I will sacrifice myself to thee; and wholly and henceforth commend myself unto thy mercy, o Lord.  
O Lord, my God, all my works do stand at thy mercy 
o Ephes. 1, 6 7 ; and without thy mercy I have no merits. And this is mine hope, this is all my trust.  
But how fareth it with a good and pure conscience? What saith the chaste, and devout soul? Come, saith she, Lord jesus 
p Reu. 22, 20 , o come, and tarry not; untie my sins, lose my fetters, bring me out of prison, out of the lake of misery, and miry clay 
q Psal. 40, 2 1 .  
I have waited patiently for thee, o Lord, incline to me, and hear my cry. Leave me not any longer in this wicked world.  
Let it content thee that hitherto I have striven, that so long I have been in exile; that I have not deserved to enjoy thee, nor to see thee face to face 
r 1. Cor. 13, verse 12 Revel. 21, 4 .  
Grant me to enjoy the long desired joy, which no time shall end, nor troubles overshadow.  
Show me thy countenance, which the angels continually do behold 
s Mat. 18, 10 .  
Let thy voice be heard in mine ears, which they without ceasing do hear.  
Come Lord jesus, and take me out of this foreign country; call me wretch home unto my country 
t Heb. 11, 10 13 , and restore me a sinner unto my former purity.  
Come gracious Redeemer 
u Matt. 1, 21 , make me partaker of thine eternal glory.  
It is high time that I return unto thee; it is now time that I commend my body to the earth, whereout it was taken 
x Gene. 2, 7. .  
The matter is not great where the body be laid, or how it be handled, if so be the soul be safe, and come unto thee.  
Let my spirit do well, which I commend into thine hands; and let my flesh rest in hope to be raised up again in the last day 
y 1. Cor. 15, verse 51 52 53 . For wheresoever it be buried, it can never be far, or hid from thee.  
Remove me from the company of men, and join me to the society of thy saints. For this temporal life is irksome to me: but to think of the day of eternal glory, rejoiceth mine heart.  
Oah, let not the old serpent 
z reve. 12, 9  withstand me at my departure out of Egypt; let not the enemy bark against me in the gate: let neither Satan with his ugly sight terrify, nor the horror of death trouble me: but let thine holy angels faithfully assist, stoutly aid, valiantly protect, lovingly receive, and joyfully bring me unto the everlasting felicity of thy celestial paradise.  
And merciful, lovely, and blessed jesus, do thou graciously, I beseech thee, behold me; and cast me not out of the number of thy servants: but remember, o Son of God, how thou hast redeemed me with thy precious blood 
a Ephes. 1, 3 7 .  
Receive me into glory, and that in thy mercy and goodness: 
●. Pet. 1, 18 19  because greatly have I wished to solemnize a passover with thee.  
Oah happy day of my desired reward! Come blessed hour of blessed passage, which long I have desired, and kept before mine eyes.  
What now have the troubles and afflictions in the world hurt me? 
b Rom. 8, 18  What am I the worse for the contempt, labour, and humiliation for thy name sake?  
Thou hast been my life, and now death will be to me an advantage 
c Phil. 1, 24 , and to be with thee in thy kingdom will be absolute felicity.  
Now praise and glory be to thee, who art the life, of such as live 
d joh. 11, 25 , the hope, of those which die 
e Act. 2, 26 , the salvation and rest of all which trust in thee 
f Psal. 17, 7 Psalm. 34, 8 Prou. 16, 20 .   

CHAP. 8.  
A meditation of one dead unto the world, yet alive in Christ.  
Turn away mine eyes from regarding vanity 
a Psa. 119, 37 .  
Oah jesus, which art the true life 
b joh. 11, ●5 , which never shall have an end, give me grace that through love of thee I may be consumed, through love wounded, through love killed, that the flesh prevail not over me.  
I am not as yet thoroughly dead to the world, but the old man yet liveth in me 
c Rom. 7, 23 , raising up within me much contention, and desires of manifold evils, and making the nights bitter, and the days tedious unto me.  
Oah, when will it fall out, that boldly I may say, I thought myself as a dead man? For he which dead is, doth way neither the praises of men, nor the reproaches of the malignant, because he is dead.  
He which touching the flesh is dead, neither speaketh, nor smelleth, nor tasteth, nor exerciseth any work, yea he neither heareth also the vanity of this world: again he regardeth not curious and beautiful things enticing unto the love of some vile thing upon earth.  
And he which is dead to the world, is not in the world, but in God to whom he liveth; even as Paul to the beloved disciples doth say 
d Col. 3, 3. , ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  
This man doth so speak, so think, so behold things without, as though they were not. For the things which are seen, are temporal, and vane 
e 1. joh. 2, 17 : but the things which are not seen, are eternal 
f 2. Cor. 4, 18 .  
Hither doth he cast his eye; hither doth he hasten; hither is his desire; for these things doth he labour, to attain these things is all his study 
g Col. 3, 1 2 .  
These things he wisheth, these things he loveth, these things he seeketh, these things he savoureth, even which are within, and secret, to wit, great good things, sovereign, and eternal things, of which he cannot think too often, because they are exceeding precious, and sweet, and delectable, and more than utterable 
h 1. Cor. 2, 9 .  
This man is far estranged from present things 
i Gal. 6, 1● , and breatheth altogether after things eternal 
k Colos. 3, 2 , having the dominion over the sensual appetite.  
For the flesh seeketh outward, desireth pleasant, loveth present, loatheth absent, flieth all sharp and bitter things, which notwithstanding are good for the soul 
l Rom. 8, 4 5. etc. . Whence it cometh that it will not suffer the spirit to be at rest, but layeth before it sundry fantasies, which are scarce to be spoken, and in truth not to be accounted of.  
But he which is endued with the grace of spiritual fortitude, may with more ease subdue the insolent motions of the flesh, singing in the word of the divine power 
m Psal. 118, 6 , The Lord is with me, therefore I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.  
Therefore albeit this sensuality doth move battle, and the voice of the flesh doth secretly murmur 
n Rom. 8, 23 : yet doth not the spiritual man easily consent; for greater is the force of the divine love which inwardly doth comfort.  
This man now and then so sweetly, so strongly, and so earnestly is drawn, ravished, and in love with God, that scarcely he doth see, and perceive the things about him, and be heard in the world: because he is not there, but elsewhere 
o Matth. 6, 21 ; not below, but aloft even with God, and in God, which moveth the spirit within him, and erecteth, and as it were carrieth it away in a fiery chariot, that at the length it may enjoy him in an happy, and holy, and long wished desire of his heart.  
This man is seldom found (idle) abroad, because his friend hath borne him away. There quietly and alone he heareth his speech, even the speech of his beloved, and greatly doth rejoice to hear the voice of his unsuspected spouse.  
Neither straightway doth he cas● his vial upon the ground to draw● up vanity: but hideth the founden treasure, and shutteth it under loc● and key, that the foot of pride com● not in, and so all virtue do perisho For thus he saith to him 
p Sal. S. 8, 6 , Set me a● a seal on thine heart, and so forth as i● followeth in that place.  
It is good to seal the heart, and to keep it, lest the beloved go back, and fly away: because he seeketh and visiteth above all a pure and an humble heart 
q Math. 5, 8 Math. 11, 29 .  
These things he thinketh with himself, and is astonished at that good thing which passeth all sense, and gifts. Yea still he wandereth, and inquireth diligently, what thing is this? and exceedingly rejoiceth, for that Manna is come down from heaven.  
And he which ministereth true bread from heaven 
r john. 6, 31 32 , doth give also a good understanding to the taster, that he may know, how every good giving, and every gift is from above, and cometh down from the father of lights 
s jam. 1, 17 .  
This word now, saith he, is from God 
t john. 1, 3 . Without him there is nothing, I have all things from him.  
Furthermore (this spiritual man) he woondereth, and lamenteth that he so lightly esteemeth so excellent a good thing, by the which he is not a little blessed; and why also he doth not oftener bend his heart to hear and to see that, than the which nothing is more sweet, and blessed to be desired.  
And would to God henceforth I might thus do! For this exceedingly doth delight me, and more will delight me, the more I give myself unto these meditations.  
Oah that my beloved would come into mine heart, that I might taste the sweetness of his apples!  
Oah that he would decline unto me, and show himself to me, and me to himself! He is my felicity, and mine only delight.  
Now begin I to covet, and desire, and greatly to love this good thing, in whom all good things are 
u Act. 17, 28 ; this joy, in whom is all joy; this one thing, in whom are all things, small and great, base and high; yet nothing created, but without all conceit of man, the beginning and the end of all the good things which he hath form 
x Revel. 1, 8 17 .  
Hence it is that now and then I would thoroughly be replenished with this good thing, and filled with that so heavenly joy, and I covet after a sort even to be swallowed up and consumed utterly of him, that mine insatiable desire might once be satisfied, in such sort, that nothing in me might be mine, but his only, whose the fire and heat of love is, whose this wonderful work is also, that so I might the more greedily be carried to himward, and be made one spirit together with him.  
Notwithstanding all this doth not puff up the godly man, or make him to think himself somewhat, or to despise others, or to judge inferiors: for he knoweth that whatsoever he hath cometh not of himself, but it is the free gift of God 
y 1. Cor. 4, 7 , that thereby he is not to wax proud, when he perceiveth himself to be so comforted of the Lord.  
For he seeketh not the praise of man, he careth not for foreign favour, but he seeketh the beloved, his praise and his favour he only desireth, in whom he hath all things, and shall find more than all these things: because he preferreth his love, his sweetness, and the joyful enjoying of him before all transitory things; and his honour he seeketh and sigheth for above all things else. And therefore he cannot be proud, nor boast of any thing.  
(God) he is his glory, his praise, and his comfort 
z 2. Cor. 1, 31 . (God even) he is his true and perfect joy, his sovereign and sole happiness, all his desire and perfection. And which more is, he would have others also thus to rejoice with him, and to enjoy such felicity without end both in this world, and in heaven too.  
For this is his desire and prayer, that God would reveal himself to all men, and that he would vouchsafe to convert and draw all unto him, that he alone might be praised and glorified; for he is both love itself 
a 1. joh. 4, 8 , and such a fountain of love, as never can be drawn dry. For he doth more love all men, than all men (set together) can love him.  
Notwithstanding it liketh him well if any man have a desire to love him from the bottom, although he cannot sound unto the depth. For he in loving devoureth, vanquisheth, and surpasseth all.   

CHAP. 9  
A desire of the Soul, that no earthly creature may carry her away unto vanity.  
BEhold, I would take my flight far off, and lodge in the mountains 
a Psal. 55, 7 .  
Oah how profitable, how sweet, and how joyful a thing is it to sit solitarily in silence, to talk with God, and to enjoy the only good thing, in which are all good things 
b jam. 1, 17 !  
Would to God I were so conjoined to that all simple and only good thing, that I might be moved with none affections and distractions of transitory things; nor curiously fasten mine eyes upon any creature, and visible thing!  
O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver from the body of this death 
c Rom. 7, 24 ?  
Alas, how often dieth my soul for the creatures which she loveth! oah many times she forgetteth her creator, and is carried away for their sakes!  
Mine unstable mind now willeth this thing, now that thing, now it is here, now there, seeking but not finding rest in creatures: because there is no creature which can yield full satiety to be enjoyed 
d Ecclus. 1, 8 , though it hath some delectation for use.  
The heart of man is unsearchable, and who can know it 
e Hier. 17, 9 ? O Lord, thou knowest the thoughts of men, that they are vane 
f Psal. 94, 11 .  
O eternal God 
g 1. Tim. 1, verse 17 , most high and infinite 
h Psa. 139, 7 8, etc. , the creator 
i Act. 17, 24.  and governor of all things 
k Psal. 97, 1 , I am thy creature 
l Psal. 100, 3 Psal. 119, 73  which thou hast made by thy power.  
Thou hast made me that I should love thee, and gladly would I love thee, but I cannot as I would.  
For I am fettered with vane love, and with clammy affections of transitory things, from which, while I would rid myself, hardly or not at all can I so do without great pain.  
Oah how soon would they fly and perish, if thou, Christ, wert sweet, and diddest ●auor in my nostrils!  
Notwithstanding sometime through the sight of the mind I do behold thine invisible things by the creation of the world 
m Rom. 1, 20 , and thee also the sovereign felicity, the true and eternal God.  
And gladly would I continue in these meditations, but forthwith I know not with what wind I am blown away from them, and held down 
n Wisd. 9, 15  like a miser by the love and weight of visible things.  
Behold, I firmly do purpose in mine heart, as it were making a covenant between me and thee, that for thy noble and precious love, I will neither love nor look upon any creature, but will contemn all things, yea myself and all mine 
o Rom. 8, 35 : but straightway worldly, fleshly, and familiar cogitations do ascend into mine heart as though in them were a certain felicity, and as though, if I contemned them, I were to forego some great good thing; and these bear a good countenance, but they hide the woeful end; showing what is present, but hiding the inconvenience that will ensue, as though everywhere and in all creatures thou art to be sought, and that nothing were to be neglected or despised, which hath been made of my God: and thus they withdraw me oftentimes fro my purpose, and at the length utterly seduce me.  
Oah how vane, and deceitful, and almost nothing, are things which now stand and flourish, proved to be 
p 1. joh. 2, 15 16 17 , which flying away after their sudden joys, do leave me among the thorns and briers of a guilty conscience.  
But woe is me, Lord, yea woe again to me, because so soon I have believed and assented to vanity, and so quickly forsaken thee, which art the truth 
q john. 14, 6 .  
Oah, how greatly have I sinned even in this, that I have not sticken to thee alone, neglecting all things else 
r Luk. 18, 29 30 !  
For I was made to love and to enjoy thee, but by following after creatures inordinately I have lost thee, and found no rest for mine heart in them neither 
s Eccles. 1, 8 .  
But turn me unto thee, o Lord, and leave me not in earthly things, thou which hast vouchsafed to promise celestial things to such as follow thee 
t Mat. 19, 28 Luke. 9, 23 .   

CHAP. 10.  
1. A comparison between earthly, and heavenly joys; 2. with a prayer for grace to contemn this transitory world.  
MY soul hath refused comfort 
a Psal. 77, ● .  
Wander thou not after deceitful vanities & madness, o my soul, but turn unto the Lord thy God, for he is the fountain of all comfort 
b 2. Cor. 1, 3 .  
Whatsoever thou seekest either among men, or among creatures, thou shalt lose it, and shalt well perceive it to perish. For though I grant, they may yield some show of comfort, yet sure I am nothing doth continue 
c 1. joh. 2, 15 16 17 1. Cor. 7, ●1 .  
Why so vainly wilt thou be deceived? It is egregious folly to beg of a beggar, when he that is rich will give abundantly. Every creature is but poor to minister comfort unto us; but God which is rich in mercy 
d Ephes. 2, 4  giveth to all men liberally 
e jam. 1, 5 , and reproacheth no man, if thou for thy part diligently do seek 
f Matth. 7, 7 , and patiently expect his leisure.  
Return, o my Soul, return down unto Noah in the ark 
g Gen. 8, 9 , even unto Christ in thine heart, because it is not good to abide long abroad.  
See thou refuse outward comfort, if inwardly thou wilt be refreshed 
h 1. joh. 2, 15 . Do not thou with the crow abide without the ark 
i Gen. 8, 7 , but with speed avoid the carcase. Return thou an hungered, and Christ so will feed thee with the bread of life 
k john. 6, 31 32 35 .  
If urgent necessity, or weakness hold thee abroad, take heed thou make no stay, but with speed get thee home, lest thou be either overwhelmed with the flood of words, or comprehended in the snares of devilish tentation.  
Many traps are laid for the wandering soul; and great safety hath the quick returning dove: which not finding where to set her foot, made haste to come back unto Noah in the ship 
l Gen. 8, 9 .  
Go thou therefore unto thy secret place and abide there, yea let it be a grief for thee to be elsewhere.  
Oah blessed is the soul, which hath a clear conscience before God 
m Math. 5, 8 , and is not delighted with any vane thing 
n Luk. 18, 29 30 , which is neither polluted with loving any thing 
o 1. joh. 2, 15 16 , nor wearied with extremely hating any man 
p Matt. 5, 22 23, etc. !  
Blessed is the soul that seeketh no comfort of creatures, but fixeth all her hope in the Lord 
q Psal. 40, 4 !  
Blessed is the soul which refuseth all outward and temporal quietness, and whatsoever belongeth unto the welfare of the body; and which for the love of Christ doth willingly embrace both pain and poverty 
r Mat. 19, 29 !  
Blessed is the soul which commendeth herself to God, that he may do with her even as he thinketh good!  
Blessed is the soul which at no time seeketh her own glory 
s jere. 9, 24 1. Cor. 1, 31 , which desireth at no time to have her own will done, but continually mindeth, loveth, and preferreth the glory and will of God above all things!  
Blessed is the soul which doth es●ange herself from whatsoever is temporal 
t 1. joh. 2, 15 16 , and keepeth herself pure and undefiled before God in all her dealings 
u Psal. 15, 1 2 !  
O rejoice and be thou much glad, thou which art such a soul, for thou mayst abide in secret and celestial (cogitations,) and so magnify the Lord day and night!  
Blessed and blessed again is the soul whose desires are to heavenward 
x Colos. 3, 1 2 ; whose hands and arms are outstretched even as the two wings of the Cherubims 
y Eze. 11, 22 ; whose eyes are pure to behold God 
z Math. 5, 8 ; whose inward power and strength doth go altogether, and ascend, and returneth not, until it have him whom only she loveth before all things! And when she hath found him, she followeth him whether soever he will have her!  
And when he speaketh, he rejoiceth to hear her make answer, saying; I am thine only beloved, of thee elected. I am thine exceeding great reward 
a Gen. 15, 1  Be thou neither proud in prosperity, nor impatient in adversity. Consider how they which love me, are comforted of me. How sweetly, thinkest thou, I will entreat them, when they shall be received unto the eternal rest, after that the troubles of the body and soul are laid aside!  
Oah that I enjoyed such pleasure, as doth the holy soul, when the senses being asleep, she is carried aloft, and elevated above herself beloved, and coupled to God by the bond of most hearty friendship! O my God, which art the treasure of mine heart 
b Mat. 6, 21 , thou knowest right well how this would be the only comfort of mine inward grief. But thou art the giver, and the pourer in of this ointment.  
Thou teachest 
c 2. Tim. 3, 16 , thou exhortest, thou cherishest, thou comfortest, thou carriest, thou upholdest, thou guidest out and bringest back, thou dost with the soul whom thou hast chosen, even as thou wilt, and whatsoever thou dost and wilt, it is all good.  
But I who am as a sour vessel, altogether unworthy to receive th'infusion of thy good spirit, do humbly crave that plentifully it may so spout forth upon me, that I may both taste the sweetness of thine inward love, and also perceive those sacred pleasures, the which, I doubt not, the religious soul doth feel by thy grace.  
I did smell the celestial perfumes a far off, when I did meditate certain inward cogitations of the mind concerning the soul: but, Lord, thou knowest how seldom, how little I do think of eternal things, how often words do whither, how rude the understanding, how unquiet the conscience, how my heart is troubled, darkened and irreligious, and only through mine own default.  
Notwithstanding sometime seeking a way unto spiritual matters, having taken my cogitations with me in secret, I begin seriously to call into my remembrance the good things of the blessed soul, how great are the celestial joys, and spiritual delights which are in her heart; what peace, what tranquillity, what hope and rejoicing in God her Saviour, whose words be sweet, and face beautiful. And these cogitations though short they endure: yet when they come blessed is the hour.  
And I thus thinking, and thou enlightening my darkness, I do find just complaints upon myself, and by privy holes of grace I perceive how such and such is the soul inwardly united unto thee, and tha● so and so thou hast spoken to her.  
She is still from all things sensible, and thou in the spirit speakest to her of invisible matters.  
She seemeth as it were to be forsaken of all creatures, and after an unspeakable manner thou dost comfort her.  
So that I said again in mine heart woe to the sinful soul 
c Deu 27, 26 Gala. 3, 10 , to the grieved conscience 
d Prou. 3, 33 P●ou. 24, 19 , to the man which is neither hot nor cold 
e reve. 3, 15 16 , destitute of the light of grace, and of spiritual comfort, seeking tears, and yet finding none.  
But peace be to him which unfeignedly doth love Christ, and never turneth aside the eyes of his heart from his Saviour 
f Coloss. 3, 1 : but continually seeketh the things which are pleasing in his eyes.  
For he shall walk in peace and equity, and no stranger shall participate of his pleasure. He shall well perceive that his rest is good, and taste how sweet his Lord God is, in whom he trusteth 
g Psal. 34, 8 . He shall set him far from outward tumults, and with hearty desire expect his prosperous coming. Lo, thus worketh the Lord in his elected vessels!  
He which cometh unto him shall not return empty away: for cheerfully he bestoweth upon the thirsty drink, and bread upon the hungry 
h Mat. 25, 35 .  
O my God, when thou interest into the house of the soul which loveth thee, wilt thou not feed her with thy milk? yea and bring her sometime beside herself, through thine abundant sweetness, to the taking of thee without any corporal similitude!  
O truth, truth, of what force and power is love!  
Then wilt thou speak thy word to her all secretly, and show the things that shall be, and have been in most happy charity, and fruition, where the words of man shall no more be heard.  
From thenceforth thou wilt cause her no whit to doubt any more of eternal rest, and of the fellowship of sancts: but now by differing the token of special grace, thou makest her the more able to hope for the things she seethe not 
i Rom. 8, 24 , and to despise present things which by sense she comprehendeth.  
O merciful God, be mindful of me a poor beggar even of thy great mercy 
k 1. Cor. 1, 3 ; and send the true bread from heaven 
l john. 6, 31 32, etc. , thy good word so full of comfort and grace.   

CHAP. 11.  
1. That all comfort, and pleasures are in God. 2. A prayer that all people may glorify the Lord. 3. The blessed state of good men. 4. That we are to be ready against the coming of our Saviour Christ.  
ALl my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee 
a Psal. 35, 10 !  
There is one 
b Deut. 6, 4 , and like to him there is none 
c 1. Kin. 8, 23 , even my GOD it is 
d joh. 20, 17 , to whom, whatsoever is compared, is nothing 
e Prou. 3, 15 Isai. 46, 9 .  
My God is entirely to be loved, and a most faithful friend, which ne●er forsaketh the soul that loveth ●im 
s john. 13, 1 , but continually abideth with ●er for company. And if sometime ●e hide himself, and suffer her to be ●roobled, it is not done of him to destroy, but to try her 
g jam. 1, 12 , to purge her 
h Wisd. 3, 5 6 , and to instruct her 
i Psa. 119, 71 . So that even ●hen he forsaketh not, but the more wisely instructeth, that every one may see what he is of himself, and how far he is come forward (in religion.)  
O my beloved, thou art all fair and lovely, but not to the flesh, but to the mind; not to the eye or sense, but to the faithful soul, to him which hath a pure heart 
k Mat. 5, 8 , to him which is altogether addicted unto things invisible and spiritual 
l 2. Cor. 4, 18 .  
So that who so desireth to be united to thee by a religious affection, he must of necessity mortify in himself all fleshly motions, and above all retain a pure conscience. For thou art much displeased then, when a man doth go unto frail crreatures to seek consolation.  
And therefore thou callest me inwardly to love thee 
m Luk. 10, 27 , and thou commandest that I wait for thee: for than I shall find thee, when I do humble myself, and wish that which thou wilt.  
And this shall be all my felicity, even freely to serve thee, neither dreading any loss, nor seeking any gain: because thou allowest that soul which pure lie doth love 
n Mat. 10, 37 .  
Oah blessed is he, which both in life and death sticketh only to thee▪  
But as for me I am far-awaie cast oftentimes from thy favour by loving, and that both inordinately, and undiscreetly, transitory things. But that I may not perish with them, I with all speed will return, and behold in them thy glory 
o Rom. 1, 21 , and direct all my cogitations to thee w●rd.  
O my Lord, and God, which of nothing hast made all things 
p Gene. 1, 1 2, etc. , give me grace for all things to praise thy name. 
john. 1, 1 2 Act. 17, 24   
For all power 
q Revel. 4, 8. , wisdom 
r jam. 1, 17 , goodness and mercy is thine 
s Mat. 19, 17 ; thine also is everlasting glory and majesty 
t reve. 7, 12 .  
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom 
u Psa. 145, 13 ; and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages.  
Thou orderest all things 
x Wisd. 8, 1 , both things above, and things in earth.  
Thou knowest all things 
y Ecclus. 23 verse 19 , and possessest all things 
z Psal. 95, 4 Eccles. 9, 1 ; nothing doth resist 
a Dan. 4, 32 , or trouble thee: but quietly thou rulest the world, and makest the rebellious to stoop, and to serve 
b Wisd. 12, 3 4, etc. Daniel. 9, 3 12 .  
Thou art privy of all things which are done in the world 
c Ecclus. 23, 19. ; and before they were done thou knewest their ends 
d Isai. 46, 10 .  
Thou art the God both of heaven and earth 
e Ezra. 5, 11 , the creator of things visible and invisible 
f Psal. 89, 11 Psal. 115, 15 , the governor of the whole world 
g Psal. 47, 1 2 6, etc. , and the disposer of the seasons 
h Ecclus. 4●, verse 5 6, etc. .  
O bless thy servants, I beseech thee, dispersed far and wide over the world, yet serving thee most religiously. Make them (constantly) to sound forth thy praise, and in all places with one voice to glorify thy name.  
Stir up their hearts firmly to love thee; and grant that all their enterprises may take a good end.  
Oah, how gracious, and how good art thou to such as love thee 
l 1. Cor 2, 9 ! how sweet art thou to them which taste thee 
k Psal. 34, 8 !  
They which have felt thy sweetness, know thereby the better how both to think and speak. For thy sweetness surpasseth all sweetness; and thy pleasures do sweeten all bitterness.  
O Lord my God, holy men have spoken, and Prophets have talked of thee.  
All the godly from the world's beginning have believed in thee, have served thee, have glorified thee both with sacrifices and oblations, they have praised and blessed thine holy name: because they have both acknowledged thee to be the creator and maker of the universal world, and also trusted in thee above all things 
l Hebr. 11, 2 3, etc. .  
They have known thee in their visions, for thou hast revealed thy name to them; and beside thee they knew no God. They observed the law of thy commandments, which thou gavest them.  
They followed not the foolish imaginations of false Gods: but they worshipped thee which livest for ever 
m 1. Tim. 1, verse 17 , the creator of all things 
n Act. 17, 24 Hebr. 1, 3 .  
They lifted up their voice to thee with thanksgiving: because from on high thou soundest in their ears, saying 
o Exod. 3, 14 , I am that I am. Before me there was no God form 
p Isa 43, 10 , neither shall there be after me. I have ordained the things which shall be, and I forget not whatsoever is past.  
This when they heard and understood, they cast the eyes of their faith a far off, believing that God will save us; and that he which shall come, will come, and will not tarry 
q Heb. 10, 37 .  
Knowing these things afore hand they were not a little comforted, and marvelously astonished, at the presence of the glory to come, they fainted. But afterward coming by little and little to themselves, and with joy beholding the power of God approaching, they said, He is, even he is the Lord our God, and we have none other. He hath taken us, and he will save us. He cannot deny himself 
r 2. Tim. 2, 13 , because he is faithful. As we have heard, so we have seen 
s 1. joh. 1, 1 3 : as we have believed, so we have spoken, and borne witness to the truth 
t john. 3, 11 .  
Once the Lord did speak, and it was done 
u Psal. 33, 9 . He said, My counsel shall stand 
x Isai. 46, 10 : but yours shall come to nought, o ye sons of men 
y Psal. 33, 10 .  
woe unto them which imagine evil 
z Mich. 2, 1 , and afterward make a scoff at the word of God  
woe unto you which do feign a religion out of your own brain, and are exalted in your own power!  
Hear the word of the Lord, ye which serve the Lord: know ye that he hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the earth 
a Hos. 4, 1 .  
To turn away yourselves, it is not good; stand ye therefore and consider his ways.  
Return you and come unto him, so will he joyfully receive you into favour; for the Lord is gracious and merciful 
b Exo. 34, 6 jonas. 4, 2 .  
He keepeth not his anger as man doth 
c Hos. 11, 9 , but pardoneth all sins, yea and moreover he restoreth the former grace with the later.  
Only return you with all your hearts: and dedicate yourselves wholly and unfeignedly to his service. Thus do the sancts speak in mine ears.  
That which music is at a banquet, and sweet smelling frankincense in a censar: even that is the word of God in a pure heart.  
And thy sancts, Lord, filled with thy spirit, have thus sounded forth the memory of thine abundant sweetness; and have lest their words unto us to be sounded abroad.  
But my speech often-time is stopped, so that it hath no passage to ascend. But if that fire come from above, then shall my tongue be hot: and if it once be inflamed, I shall forthwith be consumed.  
I shall not be able to stand in the presence thereof; for as the wind driveth away chaff, so shall sorrow be expelled from the heart. And as the rust by the fire: so shall my sins be consumed.  
The fire of God which consumeth all things, shall sweep the floor of man's heart. Descend, and get up; touch me a little, and I shall flee.  
Things passed shall be as though they had never been, and that to come shall not be accounted of: for all sins shall utterly be forgotten.  
Old things shall pass away, new shall come abundantly; holy desires shall increase, and rise up on all sides, wheresoever the good spirit shall blow.  
Fear shall departed, love shall possess the hearts of all; all affliction shall cease: for this alteration is by the hand of God.  
Therefore that which I say is not to mine own, but to his praise.  
The pensive hath comfort; the hungry, bread; the thirsty, drink;  
The sick is healed; the wavering, assisted; the weak, strengthened; the weary, quieted; the hopeless, comforted; the complainer, pitied;  
To the blind, sight; to the wandering, a ready way; to the knocker, the gate is opened.  
He which doubted, is now resolved; he which staggered, is now strengthened; he that diligently inquired, is now entertained joyfully by mother charity. The friend cometh more joyfully to meet, than is the soul desirous to speak with him.  L. 
Lo now am I present, saith he, say on, what new thing hath fallen out? What, have you forgotten what you are to suffer and to do for my sake?  B. 
Yet this stayed me not being desirous to go forward with him. So straightway I mounted aloft, and forgot all mine affliction.  
He would not by and by discomfort the party so longing to abide with him: but with gentle words he said, that in due time it should be performed.  L. 
Thy desire is good, and request unto me doth like me well: notwithstanding, it may not presently be granted.  
Go thy way, and get home to thine own house, and declare to thine acquaintance what the Lord hath done for thee.  
Say unto them, Prepare your hearts every one of you; and lay down the heavy burden of sin; and be ye wary, and strong to resist the snares of Satan 
d jam. 4, 7 .  
Watch and pray, lest ye fall into tentation 
e Mat. 26, 41 Mark. 14, 38 .  
I will come shortly, look that I find you ready.  
Lo, I have warned you aforehand.   

CHAP. 12.  
1. The desire of the soul after God. 2. The properties of God by the sundry titles ascribed unto him. 3. None cometh unto God, unless God draweth him.  
Say unto my soul I am thy salvation 
a Psal. 35, 3 .  
O, of what excellency art thou, my soul, what wonderful virtue is hidden in thee, that thou canst never be at rest, until thou have attained perfect happiness, and found the last end which thou so desirest! which once being known and found out, the care is gone.  
Oah happiness above all happiness; o end without end, when shall I both without measure, and everlastingly enjoy thee!  
I find many good things in this world. But they continue not 
b 1 Cor. 7, 31 1. john. 1, 15 16 , neither do they satisfy my desire 
c Ecclus. 1, 8 .  
But one thing is necessary 
d Luk. 10, 42 ▪ This one thing is that I seek; this o●e thing I desire.  
For one thing are all things 
e Isai. 43, 7 ; and of one thing are all things 
f Gen. 1, 1 2, etc. john. 1, 1 3 . If I ●et this thing, I shall be co●●ent: but if I enjoy it not, I shall continually be tossed, because many things cannot satisfy me.  
What is this one thing? I am not able to say what it is; sure I am I desire that, than which, nothing either is, or ma●e be imagined either better or greater 
g Isai. 46, 5 6, etc. job. 41, 1 2, etc. .  
For this is not one thing among many things; but one thing above all things 
h Ezra. 5, 11 . And it is my God, to whom if I stick, I shall do well 
i Psal. 73, 2● .  
To him I say, to him I 〈◊〉, when I say, Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation 
k Psal. 35, 3 .  
O my soul, my longing soul, what more desirest thou? Is it not better for th●e to clea●e unto one thing, than unto many things? Of one thing are many things 
l Act. 17, 24 , but one thing is not of many things.  
Cease to seek many things, join thee to one, stick unto one: for in one thing all things consist.  
Let others inquire after manifold and divers outward things: but do thou seek one inward good thing, and it is sufficient.  
Lo, this man seeketh a farm 
m Mat. 22, 5 Luke. 14, 18 ; that man traveleth about his merchandise; another heapeth up much gold and silver; another hunteth after pleasures and preferment; another visiteth his friends and kindred; another is merry with his acquaintance; another rideth unto cities and castles; another doth long to see divers countries of the world; another desireth wisdom, another preferment, another principality, another a kingdom: and thus one wisheth one thing, another man another thing even aswell among the spiritual sort, as among the secular. But few do seek one thing, and (other things) purely and simply for one thing. And therefore they neither do find any sure peace; nor yet savour the inward grace of the spirit.  
For so many as are (the servants) of Christ, do covet not temporal, not earthly things 
n Colos. 3, 1 , as though they were then jolly and glorious fellows, if they abunded therewith.  
What then? wilt thou say that the things which they seek for, do touch thee, o devout soul? in truth thou canst not.  
For my part, I detest all these things: for my good thing is but one thing; I love but one thing, I require but one thing; and this one thing is better to me than all other things either in heaven or earth.  
If thou hast found such a good thing, my counsel is, that you hold and keep it, for who●e sake you have contemned all things. For having that, it shall not grieve you to want other things; nay, you will judge it reason for the getting thereof, that you do both give 
o Phil. 3, 8 , and suffer all things 
p Rom. 8, 35 38 .  
Now therefore, o my soul, seek thou after so singular, and superexcellent a good thing.  
So long as you live in the flesh, you are of necessity to seek: because that cannot too carefully be sought for, which can at no time sufficiently be comprehended 
q 1. Cor. 2, 9 .  
But then shall you cease seeking, when the hour of enjoying is once come. For than shall he be all in all 
r 1. Cor. 15, verse 28 , even he which alone is all sufficient for all, and every man.  
And although there too he must be sought, where he is continually sound: yet is he not there sought with labour, as in this world, but with surpassing pleasure, and love 
s ●. Cor. 13, 13 .  
What he is in this life to the godly, it may be declared by his manifold titles: and such as have experience (of his goodness) know very well how it may be shown.  
Notwithstanding, consider what the names of God are, as I have learned them in the school of experience: I will recite a few, but the grace (of his spirit) may put you in mind of many more beside.  
Lo, he is a spouse 
t Mat. 9, 15 , to such as love; but to such as still serve him in fear, a dreadful Lord 
u Deut. 6, 13 Math 4, 10 .  
He is a father, to good children 
x Math. 6, 9 ; but to the obstinately wicked, a severe judge 
y 2. Tim 4, 8 Hebr 12, 23 .  
To the sick, he is a physician 
z Matt. 9, 12 , and to the whole, wholesome food 
a john. 6, 55 56 .  
To the ignorant, a teacher 
b john. 7, 16 , and to the obedient, an everlasting Saviour 
c Math. 1, 21 .  
He is the way 
d joh. 14, 6  for beginners, the truth, for proceeders, the life 
e john. 11, 25 , for the absolute performers of his holy will.  
He is the hope 
f Col. 1, 27. 1. Tim. 1, 1  of repenters, and a surpassing comforter 
g joh. 14, 26  of the righteous.  
He is a crown 
h Luk. 2, 32  for the humble, and a punishment 
i Rom. 9, 33  for the proud.  
In darkness, he is a light 
k john. 1, 8 9 john. 3, 19 ; and in the night, a lantern 
l john. 8, 12 1. john. 1, 5 .  
He giveth medicine to the diseased souls, and much wine of comfort, to the sorrowful.  
With such as stand to the battle, he standeth; with such as proceed in their journey, he walketh; with such as fervently make haste, he runneth; with such as mount in divine contemplation, he flieth.  
Do you pray? he is present with you. Do you read? he is talking with you. Do you meditate? he is still with you.  
One and the same God worketh in all these things, showing himself to every one, even as he thinketh good: in his words there is no fault, and his works are past finding out.  
For great and unsearchable are his judgements 
m Rom. 11, 33 , and no man is t● say unto him, why dost thou so● or why dost thou choose this ma● rather than that man 
n Isai. 45, 9 10 11 .  
It is folly for a man to reason against the almighty: and all the will of Adam's children is vane, 
Rom. 9, 20 21, etc.  an● to no purpose.  
How like you these things, and how doth God savour unto you?  S. 
He seemeth sweet unto me; neither am I offended at his works.  
He is righteous 
o Psalm. 119, verse 137 , and who can rebuke him of ill dealing 
p joh. 8, 46 ?  
He that so doth, doth set himself against God, and shall be reproved of his irreprehensible light.  M. 
But what thou hast heard, what is it in his presence? scarce undoubtedly so much as a sparkle, without that which is hidden within.  
Ask you what that is? I must say, I know it not, it is altogether above my capacity, even as a certain cloud far off, whose beginning and end are unknown.  
And therefore meditate rather, and think more often upon the base humanity of jesus, and do not mount up too high, least of his glorious majesty you be confounded.  
But, forsomuch as burning love doth now and then forget all reverence and fear, you are (in that respect) the more to be borne withal, if sometime, being extremely set on fire with the love of jesus, you do consider not only how he cried in the manger 
q Luke. 2, ● , and how he hanged upon the cross 
r Mat. 27, 31 32▪ etc. : but also how he reigneth now in heaven all gloriously 
s Philip. 2, 9 10 , and ruleth all things under heaven most wonderfully 
t Revel. 1, 5 .  S. 
O most lovely jesus, gladly do I follow thee in earth: but more gladly would I follow thee unto heaven.  
Where my treasure is, there would mine heart be also 
n Math. 6, 21 .  
Oah thou art my treasure, thou which art at the right hand of the father 
x Rom. 8, 34 Hebr. 1, 3 , art dearer to me than any creature. For my sake thou wast incarnate, for my sake thou wast elevate.  
Thou didst leave thyself an example upon earth 
y joh. 13, 15 1. Pet. 2, 2● ; thou keepest thyself for a reward in the heavens.  
Upon thee therefore mine eyes are fixed, and after thee do my feet trace. To thee mine heart saith, my face seeketh thee o Lord, I will continually seek thy face 
z Psal. 27, ● .  
O Lord, how long wilt thou hide the sight of thy glory? Why hi● est thou thy face 
a job. 13, 24 , and takest me for thine enemy?  
Thou knowest right well, my mind will be distracted hither and th●ther, and be diversly beat, until it be fast joined to thee her friend in the heavens.  
For the force of love knoweth not how to be quiet 
b Sal. S. 8, 6 7 : but vnce●santlie maketh inquiry of her lover, sendeth forth messengers, and dobleth prayers: neither doth it so give over, because love will altogether possess that which it desireth.  
Therefore draw me 
c Sal. S. 1, 3 , that I may begin zealously to run after thee. I had need to be drawn, and with great force to be drawn. For unless thou draw, none will come 
d john. 6, 44 , none will follow: because every one is naturally inclined to himselfe-ward.  
But if thou once draw, lo then I do hasten, than I run, than I wax hot. But if thou do not draw, I do neither run, nor seek, yea scarce have I any desire at all to follow. If thou reach out thine hand, I do run so much the more swiftly, as thou forcibly dost draw.  
This is the voice of my lover drawing 
e joh. 12, 32 , And when I am ●ift up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.  
O sweet jesus, draw me after thee, and then not I only, but all shall run after thee by the savour of thine ointments 
f Sal. S. 1, 2 3 .  
First therefore draw me after thee, then let others follow, seeing an example of good life.  
But, that we may not wax proud, it is good that we mark this withal, how that we began to run, not through our own strength, but by the savour of thine ointments.  
This is the heavenly drawing, without which no man can go forward, no not so much as begin, as likewise thou diddest say 
g joh. 6, 44 : No man can come unto me, except my father draw him.  
So that whom the father draweth, he followeth thee, and forsaketh himself.  
He seemed to be well drawn that said 
h Mat. 8, 19 Luke. 9, 57 : Master, I will follow thee, whether soever thou goest. But every one hath not the gift to be so affected: neither is it a weak stomach that can so readily follow thee unto all things.  M. 
What let hast thou, o my soul, that thou dost not forsake all for jesus sake? Why so unwillingly do you departed from vane and transitory things? What good can these worldly things do you?  
Behold, while you pass by mortal things, and visible creatures, willing to delight yourself in them, you forget better things. While you so do, you sever yourself from the sovereign good thing, and turn your mind from the true, blessed, and eternal life.  
And therefore you shall continue miserable and wretched, full of grief and vexation 
i Eccles. 2, 17 .  
For turn yourself on which side you will, and you shall find matter of continual sorrow, and much tediousness, until you turn again unto thy creator: because he is thy peace 
k joh. 16, 33 , and secure quietness.  
But, if thou neither make stay in earthly things, nor fasten thy foot in the mire, but rather behold and worship in the glass of worldly creatures, not the figure which passeth away 
l 1. Cor. 7, verse 3● , but him whose image and superscription it is, blessed art thou, and shalt never die 
m reve. 21, 4 .  
For when thou seekest after these visible things not to enjoy them, but beholdest them to the end to glorify the name of thy creator, by making to thyself of his best and basest works a kind of ladder wherewithal thou mayst ascend, thou shalt be delivered so from the filthy bowels of this world, and thoroughly be coupled to thy desired end, which is above all things the blessed God for ever and ever.   

CHAP. 13.  
1. How, and when the soul and God are united together. 2. The misery where God is not present.  
MY Soul cleaveth unto thee 
a Psal. 63, 8   
O my God, the true comforter, thou knowest how thou likest me well, and how I take pleasure daily to be talking with thee secretly alone.  
But where may I seek thee, if happily I do miss thee for an hour? who shall bring me unto thee?  
Thou art God above all things 
b Isai. 46, 9 ; and I beneath all things a miserable man. Thou art in heaven 
c Matth. 6. 9 , and I in the world. Thou art most high, but I am poor, and a beggar.  
Who ever hath measured the distance between heaven and earth? Far asunder be they: but farther art thou fro me, o God.  
Who therefore shall unite me to thee? either thou must do it, or none can.  
But if thou wilt, it may speedily be done. And thou knowest, how of myself I may easily fall: but that I do stand, and go forward, it is of thy goodness.  
So that my soul dependeth upon the grace of thy spirit, and of the infusion of thy special favour.  
I● thou command, it shall be lifted up from earth: but if thou turn away thy face, it shall be greatly troubled.  
But of thy wonted favour and mercy receive me; and let thy right hand guide me wonderfully unto thee.  
Hear this, all ye people 
d Psal. 49, 1 , give ear all ye that dwell in the world; for it is an easy thing with God to bring it to pass, as it is written, that the rich and poor may be all one.  
I am poor, and lack many things; but this my God is rich, and wanteth nothing 
e Psal. 50, 11 12 .  
And although no great experience, yet I have an undoubted testimony to prove that the soul through grace may be united to God.  
My beloved is mine, saith he 
f Sal S. 2, 16 , and I am his, he feedeth among the lilies.  
This is the testimony of the friend, and his darling; of the bridegroom, and the spouse: and it is a very fit, and a strong testimony of the holy law.  
The next is like to this 
g joh. 17, 21 : I will that they all may be one, as thou, o father, art in me, and I in thee.  
Behold the notable testimonies of two books, whereby it plainly appeareth, that the soul, through special grace from above, may be linked familiarly unto God.  
And although it rarely come so to pass: yet is it dearly to be accounted of, and not altogether unknown to the lover. And again, though very hardly: yet may it fall out.  
The soul therefore so conjoined to God, let no man dare to separat, or to trouble.  
If thou dost wonder at this marvelous union, wonder thou and marvel at the excellency of his goodness, and at the strange and singular uniting of the human body (to his Godhead.)  
He may do what he will, which only doth great wonders 
h Psal. 136, 4 .  
If thou lookest for merits, you shall find it is his good pleasure to have it so.  
O sweet society with Christ, and under the wings of Christ!  
O gracious conjunction, full of love, and sweetness of the holy Ghost, the which is perceived better than uttered!  
These things belong unto the soul that is estranged from all worldly matters, and is not delighted with this present life: but is carried aloft in godly meditation.  
The more the lover knoweth this, the more am I ignorant. Notwithstanding, gladly would I be in presence when the devout soul is in such an happy case.  
And then is she so, when the spouse and she is together at the noon day. But than it fareth ill with her, and that very ill too, if it happen that jesus be away; if the perfumes of grace run not from above; if no pleasure she take in the holy Bible; if it be irksome for her to continue in prayer and godly meditation; if the clouds of the heart be so thick, and hurtful cogitations do so prevail, that they cannot be restrained, but do labour to overwhelm in a manner all the former good things.  
O Lord God, why dost thou so? What play is this? O blessed jesus, what mean you hereby?  
If it were not offensive to thine honour, I could wish to have farther communication between thee, and thy beloved.  
Forsomuch as she is so greatly desirous of thy gracious presence, whereby she may be nourished with chaste delights, I do much muse why sometime you suffer her to fit so desolate. Thou passest by, and goest thy way, as though she had no desire unto thee. But she is alone all pensive. For thus she saith in effect 
i Isai. 26, 9 , With my soul have I desired thee in the night.  
It is night with her, when thou, the true light, art not present. So that she prayeth for thy presence, that the darkness of sin comprehend her not. For she feeleth manifold discommodities when thy gracious visitation is taken from her. For, had she not suffered somewhat, she had never so earnestly cried unto thee.  
Another also, which was before said, cried thus 
k Psal. 63, 8 , My soul cleaveth unto thee.  
But I think no trouble is or seemeth so troublesome to her, as the want of thy presence.  
And no marvel, if through this want the waieward soul do languish away in sorrow. For thou art very hardly found at any time, and being found, she rejoiceth at thy return, hoping to spend the day merely with thee: but thinking little of thy departure, she suspecteth no adversity to come. But, handling another matter secretly, thou often takest thy flight.  
For thou departest suddenly out of her hands, when she cannot lay hold upon thee.  
I do praise thee, but in this how shall I praise thee? If thou hast any praise and sweetness, why do you seem to forego it in this deed?  
If thou wert not, she might be offended. But she can take none offence at thee, who so mightily dost love her.  
If therefore any good reason be signified under that lesson, o God show it me.  
For gladly would I understand the same: neither do I think it unnecessary to learn though it be but little.  
Because no man of himself can behold thy secret judgements: but it is thy light which doth both enlighten dark, and drive away hurtful things.  
What therefore may the cause be that sometime so secretly you withdraw yourself from the soul, she not witting thereof?  
Do you love her, or no? If you do love her, then why do you leave her, my beloved? If you love her not, why then have you visited her before time? Again, if you love her not, why do you make return, why knock you at the door, why enter you in again? What, is it of lightness that you do so both go and return? God forbidden.  
But so often change doth not a little grieve her; yea much it doth disquiet her. Yet the grief would be the lesser, if thou wouldst say plainly 
l joh. 14, 28 , I do go, and will come unto you; your hearts shall rejoice, and your joy no man shall take from you 
m joh. 16, 22 .  
But now you cast out never a byword; only she thinketh upon that speech, which she well perceiveth to be performed in herself, how jesus hide himself, and went out of the Temple 
n joh. 8, 59 .  
A few things I have against you, but my complaint doth spring out of a good root. I humbly request to be instructed, I love not to contend.  
And therefore, when occasion serveth, make answer I beseech you.  
Also let the godly soul say for herself somewhat for her learning.  
Likewise make you answer boldly when your part requireth.  
O my soul, answer thou thy beloved boldly. For thy friend will patiently hear, and meet thee with mild words, that you may suffer none hindrance.  
For if he be not thy comforter, who will comfort thee? And who more favourably will bear thine infirmity, than he which beareth all things, and yet is not burdened? And to whom more safely can you reveal your misery, than to him which perfectly knoweth all things? 
o Ecclus. 23 verse 19  Or in whom may you put more confidence, than in the truth which deceiveth not 
p john. 6, 14 ?  
Now, if any stranger, or one that is not a friend to the spouse, shall hear these things, let him be driven from the doors. But if he love the spouse, if he be faithful, if devout and spiritual, let him have free ingress.  
If he be a keeper of a good conscience, a lover of virtue and discipline; if he be pure in heart 
q Matth. 5, 3 , and clear in judgement; if humble in himself, and good towards others; if he can neither wickedly carp at, vainly extol, rashly reprove, impudently maintane, nor proudly commend things; but contrariwise if he have learned both, the things which he conceiveth not, to reverence, and also rightly to interpret obscure and mystical matters, let him have entrance, and hear the communication. For the affection of the heart through the sound of words ought to be noted rather than the quality of voices.  
And therefore tell me, o soul, how dost thou feel thyself wanting now the grace of thy beloved? I for my part do see that hardly I can take it well, if he keep himself long away: and I conceive the like of you.  
If you think good let us sit here together, and confer we hereof to our comfort.   

CHAP. 14.  
1. A lamentation of the soul for the want of grace.  
MIne heart breaketh for desire 
a Psa. 119, 20 .  
What is it thou sayest? Why sayest thou, Zion, the Lord hath forsaken me?  
Fear not daughter, Zion, thou loving and religious soul, lo thy king, and well-beloved friend cometh to thee.  
Arise, stand up, and behold the joy which cometh toward thee from thy God.  S. 
I have sought, saith the soul, and have not found 
b Sal. S. 3, 2 , I have called, and he hath not answered, and therefore I do break for thought.  M. 
Then said I, this is the voice of the Turtle having lost her mate.  
It is not now with you as it was yesterday, and erewhile, when you sang the songs of mirth.  S. 
The morning is past, night cometh, and the spouse resteth himself at noon tide: yet may I not come nigh him.  M. 
Your words are sorrowful, and your eyes shed tears. O soul, thou art grieved, and hast need of comfort. But speak, whence cometh your grief?  S. 
I am not troubled either for gold or silver, or any worldly matter, neither for lucre, nor for hurt, neither for injury, nor for poverty, for I am now dead, and crucified to the world.  M. 
If I be not deceived, long since you renounced the world. But whether in all things perfectly you have denied the same, and art come even into a very hatred of yourself, I would feign know.  S. 
Very few have that gift, and it is especially looked for at your hands.  M. 
Why therefore are you so pensive? What have you foregone? If it be for your friend his sake, I must needs confess you do well to be sad: neither should you take delight in any thing, until he return, and visit you again.  
But in the mean while, how do you sustain yourself upon the beloved, o sweet soul?  
And sure I am he is not alway present at a wish. Therefore while he is absent, what comfort have you, wherein do you take delight?  
Tell me your secrets, be they never so grievous.  
That you bear the absence of Christ heavily, no man doubteth, but he only that loveth not.  
Now you are sad, I take it, not for this world, but for the spouse Christ. And I know full well that when he shall return, you will be merry again: because he will not always forget you. For he hath said 
c joh. 14, 18 , I will not leave you comfortless, but I will come to you.  
Therefore your words are not vane, being uttered with such grief, but they declare a loving heart, and strike the cold affection, which is not inflamed with the love of Christ.  
For your voice, is the voice of a Turtle, not the crying of a murmurer. And therefore I trust you shall find him, whose loss you so lament.  
Notwithstanding I demand, What say you of him, whose absence you do so bewail? Is he good, or no?  S. 
Doubtless he is good, and singularly good too 
d Mat. 19, 16 , righteous, and faithful, in him there is no wickedness 
e job. 34, 10 , neither can be.  M. 
Why therefore lament you for the good in whom is no deceit 
f 1. Pet. 2, 22 ?  S. 
I weep not for the good, in respect that he is good: but I lament mine own miserable condition, because I have lost a good and a faithful friend.  
I, even I have deserved this: but alas, alas that I kept not his favour.  
By the lack, I have now learned what I have lost. And the absence of a friend showeth, what his presence did good.  
I was merry and jocund with him: but I did no whit consider of his speedy departure.  
He came skipping upon the mountains, he was joyful and jocund in the porches of mine house. And straightway I locked the doors of the flesh, and let in the beloved unto me. I did sit, and rested within under his shadow from the hail and rain. And it did me much good to have his company.  
Why should I not rejoice? He is my joy, and the comfort of mine heart.  
Ah, what had I? And what then did I possess?  
I am not able to utter, how well I prospered then; neither is it convenient that I should. I could not desire more than I had, he being present whom alone I loved.  
Oah, how did I love, when I despised both myself, and all things beside!  
I had either little or no care at all of any thing that might delight me; for I was ravished with love of him, and whatsoever was not my beloved, I loathed as altogether unsavoury. But he being taken away, I am in a manner clean out of heart.  
For my soul depended upon his grace, because I had none other comfort besides him, whose absence I do thus lament. He did content me, and was sufficient to the making of true mirth in deed.  
As I would, so was he; and whatsoever he enjoined me, I took it in good part, and I consecrated myself wholly and frankly to his will. So that there was a good agreement, and great quietness between us.  
No man durst be so bold as to interrupt our silence, when he had commanded so through my mouth.  L. 
I charge you, o daughters of jerusalem 
g Sal. S. 2, 7 , by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor waken my love, until she please.  S. 
Now therefore note, if you be able to conceive my words, what great cause I have to lament the absence of my friend, by whose presence I began to be so rich with all good things.  M. 
Hereunto I answered. I know well what you say: by often experience I have proved so much as you speak.  
But let us comfort ourselves in this, that the dispensation of his will, is the increase of our zeal, and devotion.  
And now I have received with thankfulness that which you have uttered: notwithstanding, I would more thoroughly have them beaten into mine head. For they which be hard of conceiving, are often to be told of a matter.   

CHAP. 15.  
1. Touching the fruit of friendship. 2. The benefits of Christ upon man. 3. The true felicity and joy of the soul. 4. The affinity between Christ, and the soul of man.  
PRaised be GOD which hath not put back my prayer fro me 
a Psal. 66, 20 .  
Therefore I am now again zealously to inquire, if your friend at any time left you without inward comfort.  
What mean you? What muse you here about? How also may he be reconciled and reclaimed?  
Of all friendship, I beseech you, o dear and beloved soul to Christ, conceal none of these things which I am to demand of you.  
You may so do me a pleasure, in opening to me your godly cogitations.  
By your talk. I shall be able to measure the weight of my grief, whether justly or without cause I was pensive.  
For I have seen you sometime merry, and sometime sad, and by and by glad again, and by you I did somewhat consider of myself.  
But I suppose the chiefest cause of this your alteration is that returning and departure of the beloved. The which hath made me, perceiving how you have run over many matters, for mine instruction to resort unto you.  S. 
According to your desire, I will bend myself somewhat to unfold the things which I feel within me, both when I am with my friend, and also when I am alone, looking for him whom I so do love.  
This first understand, I reap not so much joy and pleasure by his presence, but I find as much sorrow and bitterness through his absence.  
But why it pleaseth him so to come and go, rather I had he should declare than I  
But you shall hear it when I have finished the words of my song, because in the end we will bring him in unto us, and sitting among us, he shall teach us his order, the which he useth to show unto such as desire his presence.  
In the mean while give attentive ear unto me, and be not offended at mine homely speech.  
For we are now come together to stir up our hearts, and either to weep together, or through love to rejoice together.  
For woe unto him that is alone 
b Eccles. 4, verse 10 , because when he falleth into some sorrow or tentation, there is not a second to lift him up. And if to be together they will comfort one the other, while one being sad, the other ministereth joy; or if he refuse to be comforted, he shall be pitied forthwith, and grief will be taken for his grief; and so it will fall out that either they will both be glad, or both sad together. And although some sorrow do yet still continue for some adversity, or matter of sorrow: yet the more patiently they bear it, because their hearts be so linked, that nothing can change or alter their minds.  
Now, who seeing this faithful concord of minds, but must needs break into these words, and say, 
c Psal. 133,  Behold, how good, and how comely a thing it is, brethren to dwell even together.  
And therefore I can the more boldly tell you what I think, because I dread no deceit, or subtlety in you.  
Lo, this all sweet spouse, and best beloved friend, our Lord jesus Christ, the lover of holy souls 
d Wisd. 11, 23 , even of pure love, not able otherwise to do, alured me unto him; and when I was not, he gave me life 
e Act. 17, 22 , wisdom, and power to behold this common light.  
He gave me grace to be borne anew by Baptism, and adorned me with the robe of his precious merits.  
Over and beside, when afterward I had foully bespotted myself with sin, and was far unfit to love him, he cast not his eye upon my filthiness, but upon the side of his mercies.  
For when as yet I wandered out of the way, he reclaimed me of his goodness 
f Rom. 8, 30 , not suffering me to perish in this wicked world.  
Moreover, he hath provided me a place to rest in so long as I live in this mortal body.  
Notwithstanding, this dwelling under the shadow of the beloved is not the true rest, nor the rest which shall for ever continue: but that is the true rest, which we shall feel after the labours of this present life 
g reve. 21, 4 .  
Yet for the soul to perceive herself to be unburdened of worldly cares, and there to rest where she may the more fully serve her beloved, and attend upon him in the secret chamber of silence, it is a kind of comfort.  
Furthermore, my friend hath not left, but assisted me in my divers troubles, and sorest temptations.  
Also, he hath both instructed me oftentimes with profitable sermons, and confirmed me in his word.  
And as young plants are wont to be watered with showers: so he hath watered me with inward comfort, that the virtue newly implanted within me may not whither.  L. 
And he said to me, If thou hast a lust unto me, and wilt hearken unto me, thou shalt enjoy good things; if thou wilt do, whatsoever I command you, thou art a friend of mine 
h joh. 15, 4 .  
If thou wilt choose me, and love me above all things, all things that you ask, my father will give you: but if you forego me, then shalt thou come to destruction, for my wrath shall be incensed against thee; if thou seek after another, he shall not please thee long, but thou wilt loathe and abhor him. Because I am the salvation, and the life of the soul 
i john. 14, 6 john. 11, 25 .  S. 
So I turned me unto him which had done me good, and expelling myself from out the dust of earthly affections, I decreed in mine heart from thenceforth to serve him only: because I found nothing better than him, nor could imagine no covenant more profitable.  
Let others jet, and seek what friendship they will elsewhere, I am thoroughly persuaded this is the true man of the soul, for whose sake me thinks I could gladly forsake this world, to enjoy his love everlastingly.  
And therefore I stuck unto him, for he liked me still; neither could I find a better friend.  
For my soul alway hath exceedingly desired such a one, as is the greatest, for power, the best for goodness, the worthiest for dignity, and the most happy for all good things.  
And because he is very courteous, he gave me comfortable words, warely foreseeing that they should neither terrify, nor break me through overmuch roughness, but rather enjoin and teach me that which should be both light, and sweet to be borne, that so my young affection might the better be drawn on, and the more forcibly addicted to the friend beloved, and shrink not back.  M. 
She shall the better, said he, be instructed, and profit, if not by force, but through gentleness she be provoked forward. She will the more easily receive my yoke, rather by love with rewards, than by fear with punishment. And if she need impulsion, let it wisely be used, that violence do not overthrow her.  
For he knew right well what was best for a young plant, and what profit this his kindness would bring unto me, especially at the time of trial, when I should easily call into my remembrance the good things which at the first he did unto my soul, and thereby take courage to proceed in the battle.  
He would not straightway open unto me, what and how much trouble I was to endure in his service; but sometime he tempered adversity with prosperity, well considering my weakness at the first, until through experience I had gotten strength to endure affliction.  
After all this he carried me about, instructed, and boar me upon his shoulders.  
He conducted me over the holy Scripture, and with the heat of his holy Spirit he armed me against the wicked temptations of Satan.  
Moreover, he placed before mine eyes examples of all the virtues, namely, the holy patriarchs, and Prophets, besides the glorious lights of the new Testament.  
Even as a Mother teacheth her little child, so he instructed me, breaking spiritual shells, and putting the carnels into my jaws, because they were sweet to be eaten.  
Search if you can what they signify, and where such may be found.  
Open the apostolical book, read advisedly, and see if you are able to comprehend so great mysteries.  
Peruse the Prophet Isaiah; look into the Gospel, the light of all lights, and mark if they do not yield most pleasant notes of themselves.  
In them whatsoever you find which is obscure, and hard to be understood, that is a nut in a shell.  
But if you hear it expounded, and understand that which afore you did not, then broken is the shell, and the sweetness of the ●ut doth savour in the heart. And so are we to judge of other dark sentences. Whereby you may behold so many nuts, as you see hidden sentences.  
And how, think you, did he bear me on his shoulders? That he did so often as he beheld mine infirmity, and yet neither cast me off, nor despised me, but patiently and mercifully did bear with me 
k 2. Pet. 3, 9 .  
Again, he did bear me on his shoulders, when he made other men to bear with mine infirmities, and whatsoever was blameworthy within me.  
Besides, yet more lovingly he did bear me on his shoulders when he bore his cross unto the place, called the place of dead men's skulls 
l joh. 19, 17 18, etc. , where he was crucified. For than was I a more heavy burden unto him, than the cross was. And my sins were more grievous to his bones 
m 1. Pet. 2, 24 , than this wood of the cross to his back. Because for my sake that cross was carried 
n Isai. 53, 5 6 , not for his own sake.  
Oah, how is he above all things to be loved, and to be worshipped, by whose grace and merits I am thus both found out 
o Luke. 15, 4 5, etc. , and redeemed 
p Gal. 3, 13 . And therefore he shall be as dear to me, as the child is to his mother.  
But well I know, that I am far unmeet to love him. Notwithstanding my boldness cometh from his goodness. Neither could I do otherwise but run unto his most friendly embracements, when he showed himself so kind unto me.  
I do well remember what the Prophet David in a certain place doth say 
q 1. Sam. 18, verse 18 :  
What am I? and what is my life, or the family of my father in Israel, that I should be son in law to the King?  
But our affinity together is much more excellent, than this of David and Saul. Because ours is a pure and sincere kindred, not with flesh and blood, but between God himself, between faith unviolated, and a good conscience.  
Of this, did that Disciple whom jesus loved, speak on this wise 
r 1. john. 4, 4 :  
Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  
For God is love 
s 1. joh. 4, 16 , and love bringeth forth this kindred.  
Therefore sith David thought himself far unmeet to be son in law unto an earthly King: much more abashed ought I to be, to enter into alliance with the King of all Kings, that vouchsafeth to allure me, vile wretch, into his friendship.  
So that he hath dealt with me, not according to my deserts, but even as it seemed good in his merciful eyes.  
Oah blessed, and happy art thou, soul, now thou art fast bound with the chain of the heavenly love!  
Oah how noble, and free art thou, seeing thou art privy even to the sigh of so holy copulation!  
But seeing I have spent many words about the beloved, and yet have not answered fully unto your demand, let us now begin afresh, and God grant that our speech may be both to our comfort, and profit.   

CHAP. 16.  
1. The more we love Christ, the more we may. 2. Tentation and when. 3. Happiness of the life to come. 4. How to bear affliction.  
BEhold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters; and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress 
a Psal. 12 3, 2 : so mine eyes are fixed continually upon my friend.  
Since first I began to love him, I have had a great desire to continue with him. And this mine intent liked him well, and he allowed the same, saying 
b john. 15, 5 :  
He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.  
But that the truth, the strength, and the purity of my love might appear, it was behoveful that I should be tempted. And so I could not be, unless he both suffered the same, and hid himself.  
And, because tentation serveth both for the purging of the inner man 
c Psa. 119, 73 , and for the fruitful bringing forth of virtue; and also for the better perceiving the spiritual graces of God, I was tried, and exercised therewithal.  
How strongly, and how often he flung me this way and that way, my God and Lord, which knoweth all secrets 
d Ecclus. 23, verse 19 , and is a witness to every privy cogitation of the heart 
e Act. 15, 8 , and still seethe me, and perceiveth how I am nothing else but a frail creature 
f Psa. 102, 11 , even he knoweth right well.  
If therefore he had not assisted me, when I was extremely afflicted, doubtless I had perished 
g Psa. 119, 92 , be●ing ready to fall into the pit of desperation. But he, whose manner is to comfort the troubled in spirit 
h Psal. 34, 18 , took mercy upon me.  
For, if God helped and assisted not, who were able to bear so manifold temptations!  
And therefore it was of his great mercy that I stood before the face of such trooblesome tempests: and also it is of the same his goodness, that still I do stand and fall not.  
But hereof I may not vainly ●oast so long as I live in this mortal ●odie.  
For though I see the element is now clear, yet do I not think that long it will continue quiet. For the wind suddenly will arise, and that happily when we think lest thereof.  
So that by so much I perceive I do need my friend his assistance, by how much I perceive I do lie open on all sides to troubles.  
We shall be quiet no where but in heaven 
i Revel. 21, 4 , where my friend doth feed his elect with joy and exultation.  
But when there? What can I speak thereof? Scarce can I think any thing thereof, and that not evidently enough; and enter thereinto I may not.  
Oah that he would come, and set me in that all glorious, quiet, and fructfull pasture of his sancts, where neither Satan is, nor danger to be feared!  
As yet I toil in the sea, and whether I shall attain unto the port of salvation by reason of my troubles arising through so many contrary winds, I am utterly ignorant.  
So that I am altogether out of quiet. Notwithstanding, it is a shield and comfort unto me, that I still do behold the light of faith; that with all submission I seek the favour of my beloved; that I bear toward him a constant hope; that I will not be separated from his love 
k Rom. 8, 35 ; and that I do rest upon his providence, and unsearchable goodness, more than upon myself.  
And therefore, though too too often I do stagger, yea and fall too sometime into sin: yet am I not to despair, but rather continually to fly unto him, and to cry:  
O Lord my God, have mercy upon me, and suffer me not to perish through my manifold temptations, but assist me faithfully, that valiantly I may resist, and overcome.  
Reach out thy right hand unto the work of thine own hands 
l job. 14, 15 Psalm. 95, 7 , oah thou which triest me by Satan, and settest me oftentimes on thy left hand.  
And if any such tentation shall come, as will stay me from crying unto the Lord, then will I sigh from the bottom of mine heart. For he knoweth even the very secrets of the heart 
m Psal. 7, 9 , and is privy to the groanings of the spirit 
n Rom. 8, 26 27 . It is not his will that any one even of the least should perish 
o Mat. 18, 14 .  
Oah, how great was his goodness to mee-ward, in that it pleased him to be present with me in my trouble, when I did not know, nor could mark so much! For often he preserved me from being utterly given over unto my wicked affections.  
Through his secret judgement it came to pass now and then, that I fell, and was foiled even in trifles, that I might not wax proud 
p Psa. 119, 73 , and be high minded for great things, but learn through humiliation, how I was nothing even then when I seemed to stand upright, and to flourish 
q 1. Cor. 4, 7 .  
And therefore I wish you not over-rashly, or quickly to commend me, though I seem to prosper in your sight, but reserve all praise until the good day of my death, yea rather praise the Lord, and not me.  
Give the glory unto God on high 
r Luke. 2, 14 , which assisted me in all my temptations.  
For he delivered me of his mercy many a time, when I was taken of mine enemies.  
Also, when they came as a whirlwind to destroy me, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them 
s Psal. 18, 14 , and he increased lightnings and appalled them, so that they left me for a time. Because he would not have me to be without that, which from time to time he hath acquainted his sancts withal 
t Act. 14, 22 Psal. 34, 19 .  
So that I had afterward a little quietness, and peace by the means of my friend.  
Whereupon, I did betake me not unto bodily, or worldly, but unto spiritual ease, beholding the earth a far off, and casting my thoughts upon the secrets of heaven 
u Colos. 3, 1 2 .  
I gave diligence to see what manner of person I am, and how I might best please him, which had revealed unto me so many tokens of love, far beyond all deserts of mine.  
And so much as in me lay, I wished continually for this joyful peace, the better to cleave unto him, and to serve him the more freely.  
But many times the soul hath not her desire. But sometime it is granted, sometime upon good consideration it is differred.  
For who would not wish still to rest under the shade of the beloved, if it might be granted him, and if time and place were convenient? But now my friend worketh with me again.  
I feel not affliction alway, neither yet do I enjoy continual rest, but by an evening and morning a day is made.  
For this mortal life is spent in coming and going both through prosperity and adversity 
x Act. 14, 22 .  
This was in the mind of that sanct which said 
y job. 7, 18 :  
Thou dost visit him in the morning, and triest him every moment.  
Notwithstanding, it seemeth a kind of rest, if the enemy do neither too often, nor too importunately assail.  
And therefore when it shall be granted me even a little to rest myself sweetly in my beloved, I will take it in good part, and rejoice. I will rejoice I say, yea and alway rejoice for that grace of God.  
Moreover, it maketh me bold to pray unto him in all my necessities, because he hath freely prevented me so oftentimes with his merciful visitation.  
For when he doth but approach, minding to keep holy day with me, even then suddenly there shineth a light over mine heart, which forthwith driveth out the clouds of all wicked cogitations, whereby I do enjoy the long desired clearness of God his light.  
Because no unclean, nor filthy thing can stand where he entereth in 
z Revel. 21, verse 27 , for he loveth purity 
a Matth. 5, 8 , and is the ingraffer of the same; so that of necessity all satanical illusion, together with the pomps of this world, must be packing.  
Therefore my passions and temptations which I did endure being surprised, I began both the more evidently to know, and the more earnestly to love, and the more heartily to praise him, for vouchsafing at the length to beat back the damned crew of the wicked from assailing me.  
For they do disturb my peace, and sin doth so shut up my mouth, that I am ashamed to speak unto my well-beloved.  
But in vain do they bend themselves against his power and wisdom, because even in a moment he can slide down into mine heart, and pour in secretly good motions, that I may both contemn, and utterly neglect all their privy whisperings.  
O my faithful, and all happy friend, take me so unto thee, whensoever thou shalt perceive mine affections to be either pressed down at any time with the weight of sin, or to be held with unnecessary business, that I may not wander far astray from thee after the swarm of wicked cogitations, and so overhastely be deprived of thy grace, without which I shall not be able to enjoy thy friendship.  
For thou art my Lord, and my God 
b Matt. 4, 10 , which by thy word dost both heal, and sanctify; which holdest my soul in life 
c Psal. 66, 9 , and sufferest not my feet to slip, but deliverest me from the evil day, and from the snares of death.  
Oah, how many have been cast off, and utterly perished, that have been much more innocent than I am!  
And therefore my soul, praise thou the Lord, and all that is within me bless his holy Name 
d Psal. 103, 1 2 .  
My soul, I say, praise thou the Lord, and forget not all his benefits.  
It is all too little, and far unsufficient whatsoever thou shalt either think, or speak, or promise to his praise. For he exceedeth all praise, and is much sweeter than any music.  
Wherefore my soul cleaveth to thee alone, and loveth thee above all other gifts, notwithstanding it be exceedingly beautiful and sweet which of mere good will thou hast sent unto me.  
For thou alone art the spouse 
e Matt. 9, 15 , as for all things else they are gifts, and arguments of love.  
In steed of thee I will not love them; neither will I believe that any thing, or all things in the world can suffice me, if I have not thee: for in so doing, I may perchance forego thee with them too.  
Thou givest me leave to use many things for thy sake; but I may not enjoy so much as one thing in thy steed 
f Exod. 20, 3 .  
And therefore, o Christ my sweet spouse, I have preferred thee afore all other things, and my care hath been above all things to love thee.  
Wherefore, grant that blessedly I may enjoy thee, and in that union everlastingly to triumph in happiness together with thee.  
But how far am I come? I have lengthened my speech more than perhaps you would. But pardon me, good friend. For I have been carried aloft through the love of mine especial, and only friend; and would to God it would please him still to lift up both me and you too in contemplation!  
Let him provide an heavenly ascension, but let us not keep a base going down.  M. 
Ask you me, whether I am forsaken at any time of my beloved?  S. 
Yea, I say so.  M. 
But how do you behave yourself in trouble?  S. 
I take all things as patiently as I can, expecting his coming.  
Naturalie I am grieved, but as touching my spirit, I have inward patience; that my grief prove not incurable. For I forget not, how he that loveth, liveth in pain.  
I live by faith 
g Rom. 1, 17 ; I believe the holy Scriptures; I give credit to the words of comfort. And although I endure affliction: yet I doubt not, neither in deed ought I to doubt, but that God (when it pleaseth him) can send me ease.  
For true, and to be credited are those words which are declared. Because the very sancts themselves have been exercised in many, and proved in like things 
h Hebr. 11, 4 5 6, etc. .  
Nature continually doth wish for quietness, and seeketh to be comforted in some thing: but the spirit notwithstanding is ready to sustain whatsoever the will of God is I should endure 
i Mar. 14, 38 .  
If therefore I shall be less zealous, and less willing to do good, my punishment shall be the more grievous. Though he slay me, saith the wiseman 
k job. 13, 15 , yet will I trust in him.  
If I love virtues, patience is a great virtue: therefore let patience evermore be retained. For the more praise we purchase, the more pains we take in bringing things to pass.  
And that our virtue may be proved, and made the more glorious, we are commonly exercised by contrary events.  
Therefore whensoever any such trial shall happen, be not out of heart, neither fall down; but retain thou patience, and extol the righteousness of God. The Lord is not so hard and pitiless, that he can suffer you to abide long uncomforted.  
Only have a care, that you neither lament immoderately, nor yet murmur against the righteous and just God, because you are forsaken 
l 1. Cor. 10, verse 10 , lest the wicked spirit do send unto you more grievous temptations of your faith, whereby being overfearefull, you shall extremely be afflicted.  
Wherefore bear a little, and suppress your sorrow, although the grief both of your heart and body be never so great.  
Abide constant in that good purpose, which at the first you intended to keep. For it is good, especially at such an extremity, to cast all confidence upon the beloved.  
Look thou patiently for God his heavenly comfort, so shall you speedily perceive a special favour, and sight of God.  
Lo, you have a faithful witness, saying 
m Psal. 40, 1 , I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  
And that in your need you may find the like favour, I do wish you both earnestly to pray yourself, and desire others to pray for you also, and so commit yourself wholly and is privy unto the things to come? Even I, the Lord, which have done all things in measure, number, and weight 
f Wis. 11, 17 .  
I am the creator both of heaven and earth 
g Isai. 42, 5 ; the ruler of this world 
h 1. Tim. 1, verse 17 ; the knower of hidden things 
i Revel. 3, 15 Ecclus. 42, verse 20 ; the revealer of secrets 
k Mat. 10, 26 ; the possessor of the whole world 
l Psal. 50, 12 , and the beholder of the causes of all particulars.  
I am God, and change not 
m Mal. 3, 6 , who have continually with me the causes of all changes in the world.  
I am God the almighty 
n Gen. 35, 11 Revel. 4, 8 reve. 11, 17 , whose power is invincible 
o Rom. 9, 19 ; I am God the most high 
p Isai. 14, 14 , whose highness can not be attained 
q Psal. 139, 7 8, etc. ; I am God, the most righteous 
r Mat. 19, 17 , whose being can not be conceived 
s job. 11, 7 8, etc. .  
I am for my presence everywhere 
t Psal. 139, 7 8 9 , and yet no where to be seen 
u job. 23, 8 9 .  
I am the most spiritual, and farthest from the senses of man 
x john. 1, 18 .  
I bear all things, yet never burdened 
y Hebr. 1, 3 , and I fill and rule each place, and yet unstretched.  
I behold both things past, and things to come alike, as though they were present 
z Wisd. 8, 8 Ecclus, 42, 15 .  
I surpass all creatures both spiritual, and corporal 
a Psal. 35, 10 .  
I am diversly to be named: yet no thought is able to conceive me as I am.  
I show myself suddenly, and forthwith when one would little think, I am gone again.  
I am in deed the invisible God 
b 1. Tim. 6, verse 16 , which after a thousand ways declare my presence to my friends.  
And thus I spoke unto the loving soul:  
I will hide my face for a little season, I will forsake her for a while, to see if her love be pure, and unfeigned.  
It is a great matter to love unfeignedly. For that is to love me neither for her own sake, nor for any temporal commodity, or spiritual comfort; but to love me, and me only 
c Mat. 4, 10 , and that for mine own sake, and that to the end, and that in hope of nothing at mine hands.  
It is not in every one thus to love me; but this prerogative of pure loving, is properly to the perfect soul.  
But she that is yet unperfect, hath great need often to be proved, and exercised, that she may know both how much she loveth me, and how greatly she despiseth herself.  
For you said in your heart: Truly I do love (Christ,) yea, and often you repeat the same thing, I love him in deed.  
But I credit not words, or thoughts only. For I will make due trial of that love.  
When I am present, and speak fair; when I either put, or increase good motions in the mind; when I grant prosperity most commonly or pleasure, then can you say with all devoutness, O my beloved, I do love you. And you say well. For I am greatly to be loved, and you are at no time either to think, or speak otherwise than friendly, and honourably of me.  
But for prosperity, and good turns only to love, and to commend me, what great thing is it? Because even sinners do the same. For when they have received what naughtily they craved, they oftentimes bless me for the same. But praise is not seemly in the mouth of the sinner 
d Ecclus. 15, verse ● .  
He therefore which either for some profit, or comfort received, doth love me, doth no more than a covetous man doth. But exceed him, I say, exceed him, and proceed unto greater righteousness.  
Be ashamed still to be weak and tender; learn to eat man's meat, be not still fed with the milk of children.  
Attain thou to the company of the stout David's, that can hold both spear, and sword, and shield.  
Take up the cross, and follow me 
e Luk. 9, 23 .  
Make haste to be in the number of them, which have learned to bear divers afflictions, and much banishment for my name sake. You are too much given unto ease.  
I purpose to try you, and to turn unto the other side, that you may know what you can suffer, lest you seem over innocent and holy in your own conceit.  
Tribulation, and anger, and mine heavy displeasure, together with sore temptations of wicked spirits, shall come upon you. Some unjustly shall spoil you of your goods; others shall take no compassion upon you; others shall defame; others shall resist; others shall overcharge; others shall carry you perforce whether you would not go; some outwardly, others inwardly, shall trouble you. Some shall be advanced unto high degree, and honour, but you shall be left unto reproaches, and endure servile pains. In all these, yea and in greater things you shall be proved, whether you are a valiant soldier of mine, or no.  
I will departed, and not give over, until I have made sufficient trial, whether you bless me to my face.  
Now if I find, that from the heart unfeignedly you do love me, and continually do praise my name, then is it meet that from thenceforth I call you Spouse, and that you shall have a secret chamber with me.  
But if I perceive that you cannot Bear my correction, but will judge my punishment to be oversharp, and still bewail mine absence, wishing for me with hearty and earnest desire, I will send you my staff, that you may arise thereby, and afterward myself will come, and restore you again unto my wonted favour. For it is not my will that you should utterly faint; because him that loveth me, I will love to the end 
f john. 13, 1 .  
And although your love be not so perfect as could be wished; yet I will not despise you, but provide that you may grow on in loving. For my care is that you do well; and therefore mistrust me not.  
I know what you can endure, which maketh me to temper my course, that you be not tempted above your strength, and so faint.  
And if I stay, in your opinion, somewhat too long, look for me until the day of my visitation. For coming I will come, and perform my promise.  
Be you still in prayer, still meditating upon the holy scripture, and alway be patiented, and suffer.  
I am not ignorant but your grief will be much: but so quickly to be overthrown, and to be out of all hope of my return, I cannot like that.  
Where is your faith? A great faith you had need of especially on this behalf: for although you see not me, yet are you seen of me 
g Ecclus. 23 verse 19 , into whose hands you are to commend both yourself, and all that you have.  
For although you are not privy to my judgements: yet having a strong faith, you must of necessity say 
h Psalm. 119, verse 137 , Righteous art thou, o Lord, and just are thy judgements.  
So then be of good comfort, for this affliction is not to your destruction, but for the glory of God.  
I denied your petition, because I would have due proof of your faith and love.  
For all this I did that you should well understand both your own weakness, and my goodness 
i Psa. 119, 67 71 .  
I know what you are 
k Psalm. 7, 9  better than yourself doth. Yea, I have known you thoroughly, not of late, but from everlasting 
l Wisd. 8, 8 .  
Wherefore acknowledge the benefit which you have by me; behold how miserable you should be, if once I forsake you.  
As yet you have not profited sufficiently in the knowledge of yourself. And because it is very expedient that you have that knowledge, my will was that by experience you should attain thereunto.  
It is very good for you to be forsaken, to be troubled, to be humbled sometime, that so the better you may even sensibly perceive your own weakness 
m Psal. 119, verse 71 .  
I know right well this will make you a good disciple of mine. And what, I pray you, have you lost, if hereby you prove more wise and watchful?  
Oftentimes you are too arrogant, and forgetful of yourself, thinking that goodness to be within you which is not; self-love doth deceive you, and while you think not of the giver, you do abuse the gift. I made you drunk; but you forgot how the grape did grow upon mine own vine.  
Try yourself a little, acknowledge your strength. If that which you had came of yourself, why did you not hold it? But if you could not hold it, confess that you received it from above 
n 1. Cor. 4, 7 jam. 1, 17 . And therefore ascribe all the honour to the mercy of God, and openly confess, how without me you can do nothing 
o joh. 15, 5 .  
Consider both in what steed I stand you, and how able also I am to confirm you in all goodness.  
Where were you before I called you, but weltering in sin and wickedness? And now how would you wander, if I directed you not? Yea, and when also went it well with you, if you had not my favour?  S. 
And I said, At no time, sweet Lord. Thou alone, art my singular good friend, in all things, and above all most faithful.  L. 
Why then did you purpose so wickedly with yourself, to go after strange lover?  
What misliked you in me; was it either my majesty, or my beauty?  S. 
Ah Lord, there is none comparable to thee either for beauty, or for glory, or for riches, or for authority; neither in heaven nor in earth is any like unto thee 
p 1. King. 8, verse 23 . For thou only art most high over all creatures.  
The heavens are thine 
q Psal. 89, 11 , the earth also is thine; thou hast laid the foundation of the world, and all that therein is.  
Much it is that thou hast imparted upon thy creatures, by which, thy beauty, wisdom, and goodness doth appear 
r Rom. 1, 20 : but yet in comparison of thy blessed, and glorious presence, it is nothing. So that by experience I have learned now, that I cannot lack thy company one hour together, but with much grief to my soul.  L. 
Return therefore unto me; thou hast hitherto wandered enough about.  
Let not henceforth to be more stayed, and mild, and faithful, yea and to trust in me, not only in the day of my gracious visitation, but much more in the night of tentation.  
I have let you slip, that being wearied, you might return unto me the more speedily, and being frustrate of outward comfort, at length understand how much you are bound unto me, that so often have called unto you.  
And therefore liften now at the last, for it is not without cause that sometime you are forsaken; that you are cold sometime in zeal; that it irketh you; that you are overwearied with temptations; that on all sides you are afflicted; that you can neither find any counsel, nor feel comfort, but are enforced to endure anguish and misery at all times, and in all places.  
I am absent, to the end you may know how needful it is that I be present with you, not only in one matter, or in a special cause, but in every action, in all places and times, so well early as late, wheresoever you shall become, go, or stand.  
For this will teach you to walk warely with your friend; to abstain from vanities; and to take heed of offences 
s Mich. 6, 8 .  
I do leave you, that you may well understand how much you are bound to love me, that is, that you may see a manner how to love me in deed.  
It is very true you thought yourself more stout, and happy, than in truth you were; but when I did once withdraw mine aid from you a little, it than appeared to the world how you were very poor, and miserable 
t Revel. 3, 17 .  
How shall your love be known, unless you bear my yoke with patience?  
Sometime I see you to wax sluggish, and therefore I do hide myself for an hour, like a friend standing behind the wall 
u Sal. S. 2, 9 , that you may be stirred up the more zealously to seek me.  
I know for my part, and I see all things 
x Ecclus. 42, verse 19 20  but troublous trials (which are good for many causes) do make you the more heedy and wise in all your actions 
y Isai. 28, 19 .  
Moreover, if you love me, you will not wax the more sluggish in seeking me for all this; if you like me, you will seek me.  
What? Wots you not, how riches painfully come by, are kept most carefully? Who so wisheth rest, as the wearied man? Who loveth so kindly, as he which hath sighed most heavily? And is not that jewel which was lost, and is found again, much more esteemed than before it was 
z Luk. 15, 19 ? So, even so is the joy double, and the mirth doubled, at the long wished presence of the beloved.  
And therefore it is much for your profit that I withdraw myself: because I do it, not for any ill will to you-wards, but upon very good cause; so do I dally with my friends.  
Let it suffice you at this time, that you have been in my favour to hear so much at my mouth.  
Besides, when you have need, return unto me, and fear not. For I never shut mine ears against that person which humbly and earnestly crieth for mine assistance 
a Math. 7, 7 8 .   

CHAP. 18.  
1. The confidence of a true Christian. 2. God justifieth the ungodly. 3. giveth whatsoever good is to man. 4. will have no man to despair, 5. but that all sinners should fly unto his mercy.  
MY Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded 
a Isai. 50, 7 .  S. 
Let it grieve no body, though I love much to speak with my Lord God, whose goodness hath alured, and inflamed me both to pray, and to meditate in such sort, that me thinks I should be too hard and unkind, if I made none answer unto his words.  
But happily some one will say against me, Therefore neither do you fear God, seeing you are a foul sinner, unworthy even to live in this world.  
Whence is it, that you dare so presume in your heart? And, being the least, and vilest of all others, with what face can you thrust forth yourself so to talk with your Lord God 
a Ecclus. 15, verse 9 john. 9, 13 ? Whom do you make yourself?  
Oah, my loving Lord, do thou answer on my behalf. For the mouth of the wicked is opened upon me 
b Psal. 109, 2 .  
If I would justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me 
c job. 9, 20 . And though I were clean, yet did not my soul know so much.  
Oah, Lord, thou knowest my folly, and my shamefastness. Speak thou on my behalf, and I full gladly will keep silence.  L. 
Give thou none heed to the words of the wicked: but rather do thou remember how I have said, I came not to call the righteous, but the sinners unto repentance 
d Mark. 2, 17 .  
Am not I to do what I will 
e Mat. 28, 17 Mark. 17, 2 Hebr. 2, 8  Who may resist my pleasure?  
If I think it good to show favour to thee-ward, though little thou deserve the same at mine hands, who shall reprove me therefore 
f Rom. 8, 33 34 ?  
He that is without sin, let him throw the first stone at thee 
g john, 8, 7 . But if they, all the pack of them are sinners, with what face can they find fault with my favour to thee-ward?  
You have not chosen me 
h joh. 15, 16 , but my mercy did prevent you.  
Dareth any yet murmur against you for coming unto me? Comfort thyself, his murmur is not against thee, but flatly against my person, because it is I that receive 
i 1. Tim. 1, 15 , and ●eate with sinners 
k Matt. 9, 11 12 13 .  
And why ought you not to challenge mine acquaintance, the which 〈◊〉 rejoice to offer rather than to withdraw from any one?  S. 
Oah gracious Lord, lay not this ●in to their charge, but to me, and to my sins.  
I cannot deny, but deservedly they conceive ill of me; yea I do openly acknowledge this withal, ●hat I am much more wicked than ●nie man doth know.  L. 
You do well thus to humble your ●elfe. For in so doing, you shall ever gain, and more easily obtain my favour.  
Notwithstanding, I will not therefore cast you away, because you are 〈◊〉 sinner, and faulty, albeit that should ●ake you both to think basence of ●our self, and alway to have in mind what great sins you are polluted withal.  
But that you perish not through desperation, consider how many righteous men I have made of sinners 
l Mark. 2, 17 Luke. 15, 1 2, etc. , friends of enemies, choosing the humble, and refusing the proud 
m Luke 1, 51 52, etc. Luke. 18, 14 james. 4, 6 .  
I have no need of any gift of thine 
n Psal. 50, 11 12 : only this I require at your hands, namely, that you love me with a pure heart 
o Mar. 12, 33 , and I am satisfied.  S. 
I am clean dashed, for, alas, there is nought within me to stir up your love thus to mee-ward.  L. 
I do neither respect, nor require the things that this world doth offer to get favour withal; if you do love, and that your love be fervent, and constant, it is all that I ask.  
But, I pray thee, whose are the things that do, or may adorn a man? Are not all things mine, whatsoever do glitter either in the body, or mind 
p jam. 1, 17 1. Cor. 4, 7. ?  
As for that of the world, and which set out the body, they ought little to trouble your mind. But the things which belong to the beautifying of virtue, it standeth you upon to seek, that you may please the Lord in the light of the living.  
Howbeit, you have well done in humbling, and accusing yourself so well outwardly as inwardly before the face of my majesty, by confessing unfeignedly your great weakness, and wickedness, and by fetching deep sighs, for that you are very unworthy to challenge the favour of my familiarity even but one hour, being, as I am a glass pure without spot 
q Wisd. 7, 26  and you are a great sinner, and unclean even from your infancy 
r Gene. 8, 21 .  
And therefore be ever mindful both of your frail condition, and of my glorious majesty, and so with humble reverence approach boldly into my presence.  
For I am he that putteth away thine iniquities, and will not remember thy sins 
s Isai. 43, 25 ; it is I that justify the ungodly 
t Rom. 4, 5 , and this I do for mine holy name sake; yea and I am still ready to minister greater gifts of mercy unto thee.  
Because I do ever choose to show favour rather than displeasure, as one who had rather spare than punish.  
Yea, all this seemeth but little in mine eyes, neither am I so content with the first grace that I will not add a second, or a third rather, yea, in very deed, as I can set none end to my mercies 
u Psa. 145, 9 : so neither can the number of my gifts and benefits be recited 
x Psa. 68, 19 .  
Last of all, after that I for my part have pardoned sins, and men for their parts by their goodness have testified to the world their unfeigned repentance, then do I restore for the most part the comfort of mine healthful countenance, by pouring in most plentiful manner the grace of mine holy Spirit.  
And although a sinner do abide still in the flesh: yet do I receive him into my familiarity, so that he is not to fear the utter confusion for sins committed: but rather to thank and praise God, that old things be passed away, and that all things are become new 
y 2. Cor. 5, 17 .  
So gracious, and merciful am I, that always I am more ready to forgive, than thou art to beg forgiveness at mine hands; more ready to give, than thou art to ask.  
Therefore why fear you? What dismayeth you to approach unto the side of such favour? And why do you estrange yourself from so great kindness offered unto you so frankly of mine own accord?  
Doubtless, though you did certainly understand that I were purposed to give you the denial: yet ought you not to desist from prayer, nor yet to be out of all hope of being heard; but so much the more earnestly to be instant in crying, until you were heard.  
For my mercies are infinite, and what I deny at one time, may be granted favourably at another.  
How know you whether I will turn my face unto you, and grant you the desire of your heart?  
And what saith the Prophet concerning me? Approach unto him, and be enlightened, so shall not your faces be confounded.  
Wherefore accuse your slow coming unto me rather than your often approaching; and rather your fearful shamefastness than your prompt presuming of forgiveness.  
To hope well of my goodness, is a very token of true humility, and of a great faith.  
This do I speak, that you may not offend; and that when you do offend, you despair not, but rise again with speed. For yet you have hope, and an advocate with the Father 
z 1. john. 2, 1 .  
What? Look you to be all worthy before you make access unto me? And of yourself when will you be so?  
If only such as are good and worthy, and great, and perfect, should approach unto me, to whom should sinners and publicans approach?  
So then, what saith the Gospel? There resorted unto him publicans, and sinners to hear him 
a Luke. 15, 1 .  
Therefore let the unworthy approach, that they may become worthy; let the wicked approach, that they may be made good; let the weak and unperfect approach, that they may prove strong and perfect; yet let all and every one approach, that they may receive from the abundant streams of the well of life 
b joh. 4, 14 . I am the well of life, that can not be drawn dry.  
He which is a thirst, let him come unto me, and drink 
c john. 7, 37 . And he which hath nothing, let him come and buy without silver, and without money 
d Isai. 55; 1 .  
He that is sick, let him come to be healed 
e Math. 9, 12 . He that is neither hot nor cold, let him come to be inflamed 
f Mar. 9, 24 .  
He that is fearful, let him come to be encouraged; he that is sorrowful, let him come to be comforted.  
He that is withered, let him come to be fatted; he that is wearied with cares, let him come to be refreshed with joy.  
Lo, my delight is to be with the children of men 
g Rom. 8, 31 .  
He that desireth wisdom, let him come unto my lessons 
h Psal. 119, 9 24 .  
He that seeketh riches, let him come to receive those which are eternal, and uncorruptible 
i Math. 6, 19 20 .  
He that hunteth for honour, let him come to get an everlasting name in the inheritance of heaven; he that wisheth for felicity, let him come, and he shall taste the sovereign, eternal, and infinite happiness 
k 1. Cor. 2, 9 .  
I, even I it is which give all temporal good things 
l jam. 1, 17 , yea and besides that, I give eternal riches in the heavens 
m Rom. 6, 23 . And what I promise I will perform, at such time as my commandments are duly observed. And he then shall be crowned gloriously in heaven, that hath fought courageously in this world 
n 2. Tim. 2, verse 11 12 .   

CHAP. 19  
1. The desire of a Christian Soul is never satisfied, till God be enjoyed. 2. No comfort any whit comparable to the spiritual joy.  
LEt the meditation of mine heart be acceptable in thy sight 
a Psal. 19, 14 .  
What can be more comfortable: What more joyful to the faithful Soul, than still devoutly to meditate upon her Lord God; that whom she cannot as yet behold in a clear, and blessed sight, at the least she may, as it were, make him present by earnest calling him into mind?  
Therefore let her behold him as in a glass darkly 
b 1. Cor. 13, 12 , whom she is not to see face unto face.  
And albe she may not have a full sight of him in his majesty: yet let her search for him by types in the Scriptures.  
Oah that the care to seek the face of the Lord did never wax cold within me, but daily more and more increased!  
Howbeit, the soul that loveth God, hath a wonderful desire to enjoy the sight of God. For to see him is happiness in deed, and the absolute felicity 
c reve. 22, 4 .  
Wherefore she desireth this blessedness, that, her whole appetite having attained her end, she may be satisfied, and at quiet, for nothing in the world is able to content her 
d Eccles. 1, 8 .  
For long experience hath taught her, that the more she estraieth from celestial happiness, the more unhappy and unquiet she is, in as much as in this world nothing is permanent, or durable 
e 1. Cor. 7, 3● 1 john. 2, 15 16 17 , that may assuage the heat of her affection.  
So then let her make return unto him that made her 
f Gen. 1, 26 27 Wisd. 2, 23 , and let her desire to be blessed of him, who at the first created her.  
For doubtless, he that made the soul, must satisfice the soul with good things 
g Psal. 103, 5 . Because, such a desire hath he instilled into her, that he being gone, nothing will content her; nor any joy comfort her greatly.  
And therefore, soul of mine, stand not here still, for this is no place of rest for thee: but mount aloft, ascend unto him that made thee. For he hath now sent his messengers, and biddeth thee to ascend.  
So many desires of eternal life as he inspireth, so many messengers he doth send. Which being entertained, prepare thyself to the journey.  
Then goest thou on, when thou desirest to see him; when thou labourest to please him; when thou renouncest this world; when thou dost, whatsoever thou dost, even of pure love to himward.  
For had he not first sought thee, and powered holy cogitations into thy breast, thou couldst never seek him 
h john. 6, 44 .  
For that soul doth languish not for love, but through weariness, which is not enlightened with the beams of the eternal Son 
i john. 1, 5 .  
But, if through the sweet blasts of the Southern wind her frozen coldness, and sorrow be once resolved, then by reason of the light inspired, and incomprehensible divinity, she beginneth to sweat through the hotness of love.  
Oah infinite heat of the true Son, what boilings dost thou cause then within the heart of the lover? Thou dissolvest the darkness of a sorrowful mind, and bringest the laboursome toil unto nothing. The long time and days of poverty thou dost comfort and that abundantly, with one simple beam of thy glorious light.  
O salve of the sorrowful 
k Matt. 9, 12 ! o shining light of such as wander and seek!  
Shine thou continually upon me; prepare thou a mansion place within me, even till thine everlasting light do appear.  
Oah how sweet, and how comfortable will thy presence be, seeing even of a little remembrance, so unspeakable joy doth arise!  
How gladly can I turn unto thee; how frankly do I renounce even this world, that I may be comforted with thine heavenly favour!  
For it will be none hard matter for the soul which longeth for the sight of thy countenance, to bereave herself of all outward pleasure, when she shall either feel now a greater in the mind, or very shortly expect with a perfect faith for the same.  
Furthermore, none is to be so foolish as to think, that thou wilt leave the devout soul any long while uncomforted; or that the gifts of thy favour which she is to receive for all her conquests over nature, shall be small; for no earthly comfort, whatsoever it be, or whence soever it arise, is any whit comparable either in the quality, or quantity of sweetness to the heavenly joy.  
And therefore labour thou, o faithful soul, to show thyself such toward thine heavenly spouse Christ, that he may continually be gracious and favourable unto thee; for through him and in him you shall in most abundant manner find that, which exceedingly shall minister comfort unto you in all extremities.  
The oftener you have access unto him, and the nigher you do approach unto his side, the sweeter he will appear, and the more amiable in your eyes.  
But if you withdraw yourself, than the loss will be your own; and he abiding in his beauty, shall feel neither grief nor trouble.  
You stand in need of his, but he of no man's goodness.  
So that you may become blessed through him, but so cannot he by your proceeding.  
He alone sufficeth himself; he alone can neither be augmented, nor diminished.  
Through his goodness all things are, whatsoever be, whether they have life, sense, or understanding 
l Act. 17, 28 .  
And therefore just it is that all creatures everlastingly should bless him 
m Psa. 150, 6 .  
Oah, how gladly would I discourse and speak of him unto thee, if I were able sufficiently so to do!  
But what? He neither is, nor may be uttered. Again, as he cannot be uttered by means, so can he not be conceived in mind.  
Which being so, think notwithstanding of thy Creator so well as man may, taking the remembrance of his abundant sweetness for a comfort, until such time as he revealeth the sight of his own countenance unto thee in the heavens 
n reve. 22, 4 .   

CHAP. 20.  
1. A complaint of the Soul for the want of her blessed state. 2. What weeping pleaseth God. 3. Who truly blessed. 4. A description of God.  
I Said in mine heart I am cast out of thy sight 
a Psal. 31, 22 .  
Mine heart is wounded within me, through the long differing of thy glory.  
I will speak therefore, and reason with my grieved Soul. The great zeal of love compelleth me to speak, and suffereth nothing to be concealed from thee.  
What then shall I say? Lo my God, in peace is my most bitter bitterness.  
He that is ignorant, wotteth not the meaning hereof. But it is not so with me. I know, and I understand it, and therefore I am not ashamed to sing with the Prophet.  
I speak to thee my Lord 
b Psal. 38, 15 , who knowest all things 
c reve. 3, 15 Ecclus. 42, verse 20 ; and givest both knowledge and understanding according to thy good pleasure, that neither I may glory more than is meet I should, nor the fool advance me, when in truth I am simple.  
I may confess then what I have received from thee. And yet what need have I to tell you thereof, when as you are neither ignorant, nor can take any pleasure of the same.  
Again, what comfort can come unto you, which art the comfort of the comfortless?  
So that the profit is mine, which do lack the consolation of words, thereby to stir up mine affection to thee-ward, and to find some ease for my desolate soul.  
For, seeing I may not behold thy presence, I will bewail thine absence; because even this is a token of love, and a great pleasure to the loving soul.  
Now than the sense of this sentence appeareth. Because it is rightly said of the loving soul, how, the more fervently she loveth, and the more earnestly she longeth after eternal things, the more truly she feeleth the power thereof working within her.  
They are not cold words, but to the unkind soul; neither deaf organs, but to the hardened heart.  
The loving and zealous soul knoweth this well; and is so often inflamed in heart, as she is pricked with the desire of eternal peace.  
And therefore she speaketh to thee her Lord God, not to men, of whom she would not be known.  
And although sometime she talketh with men: yet that which they hear is to the outward sense. But whatsoever she saith to thee, it is to the very soul, and rather by sighing of the heart, than by sounding words.  
Lo (saith she) in peace is my most bitter bitterness. As if she said; After that of thy goodness I returned unto the peace of mind, the transitory state of the world began to be still more grievous unto me. For I see in this peace, how far I am separated from the sovereign peace.  
And in deed being first busied with earthly desires, and moved with divers passions, I was greatly hindered from spiritual cogitations, and so from heavenly contemplation, after which I should have much longed: but that could I least of all do, because through slothfulness I did forego all sense of inward sorrow.  
But now seeing the troubles of idle thoughts are taken away, I do somewhat rest in the peace of conscience, and am drawn unto heavenly matters with mine whole heart, and I do more lament, that I do not enjoy the good things of God, than erst I did mourn being vexed with the troubles of this world.  
So that it is bitterness to my soul even to live in this world; and to go under the heavy burden of sin. But it is bitterest of all, when somuch as I may, all mine affections being gathered together, I do enjoy now the good things of the heart, and bend myself, even with hearty zeal toward the arms of eternal peace, and yet may not attain thereunto, because of the bonds of my mortal state.  
And this makes me even with grief of heart to cry unto thee, and to say:  
O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death 
d Rom. 7, 24 ?  
There is none so grievous a burden unto me, as still to wander from thee by living in the world; for labouring in love, I wish for no comfort beside thee.  
For by good experience I have long sithence learned, that my soul can neither be satisfied with the good things of this world 
e Ecclus. 1, 8 , nor yet be blessed until she be joined unto thee in the celestial habitation.  
For as exceedingly she doth love, burn, and use contemplation while she is in the body: so will her desire be insatiable until the body be laid off.  
And therefore her end must be made perfect by attaining the sovereign felicity, and the light of thy countenance 
f Revel. 22, 4 .  
O King of heaven 
g 1. Tim. 6, 16 Revel. 1, 5 Revel. 17, 14 , so amiable in all respects; o my all lovely beloved, even wholly to be desired, when wilt thou fill me with the light of thy countenance 
h Psal. 16, 11 ; when wilt thou satisfy my longing with the well of life?  
My soul hath much thirsted after thee 
i Psal. 42, 2 ; and greatly will be troubled until she attain thee.  
Living in the world, and not seeing thee, I can take no comfort of whatsoever I behold; so greatly doth zeal wax hot, that not once, but often I break into these words:  
When shall I come, and appear before the face of my God 
k Psal. 42, 2 ?  
And this love of mine ceaseth not, but increaseth more and more, in such sort, that I am driven even to weep night and day, while continually I do think with myself, Where is now my God?  
For it is a comfort to the loving soul to weep for thy sake, while she must want her desire; and still expect thy coming.  
And these tears do more feed and refresh the loving soul, than if she enjoyed all the things of this world. For did she love them 
l Math. 6, 24 , she would not weep for thee.  
Oah how blessed, and pleasing to thee is the shedding of such tears!  
For they do both kill the desires of secular and temporal joys; and also they obtain the celestial consolation.  
And therefore none do shed such holy tears, but they which are both singularly in love, and very notably religious.  
Far of another kind be the tears of such as miserably be troubled in this world.  
For one man weary because he is sick; another for that he is oppressed; another because he is injured; another because his mind is contraried: but it is thou, religious soul only which pourest forth tears even of pure love to thy Savior-ward; as for temporal damage, and worldly causes, they trouble thee not, for thou submittest thyself to the righteous judgement of God 
m Psal. 119, verse 137 , and art thankful.  
And for so doing, let no worldly creature judge thee either foolish, or impatient: because thy tears do not grieve, but comfort; they do not blur the face, but wash it; they hurt not the eyes, but they purify the sight of the mind.  
Howbeit, let others conceive hereof as they will, I cannot but think otherwise than well of you; for I do wish to drink deep of such tears.  S. 
If you wish to weep with me, then may you be comforted with me.  
Oah that your soul were as I am, you could never forget what I do feel!  
I know whom I credit; and sure I am it is a more easy thing to deny that there is any heaven and earth, than that there is a God.  
And I know also he is my full happiness; and that I shall never be blessed until I have an absolute sight of his majesty 
n reve. 22, 4 .  
Whose sight, because it is not yet granted me, nor always assured me, doth make me to lament, inasmuch as I am deprived of happiness, wrapped in the darkness of this life, and downpeised with the weight of mine own infirmity 
o Wisd. 9, 15 , that I am not of power to suffer that wonderful light, and that whatsoever I do think concerning the glory of heaven, is so little, and overshadowed as it were with a cloud.  
Hence it is that I double my complaint in steed of a song; and while they still say unto me, Where is thy God 
p Psal. 42, 10 ? my spirit is the more troubled.  
For thus I think then, Where is my felicity? where is the full joy of mine heart? where is my true peace and rest?  
Where be all the good things that are unspeakable, but only in my God? And when shall I enjoy them, unless I be joined unto him, having nothing between?  
Yea, when shall I there be? I know not, but I believe well; I do hope well, but yet I have not.  
Why then, where is my God, whom I love so, and yet I see him not? Through whose love I am so often wounded; through whose absence I am so grieved; through whose gracious visitation so refreshed sometime?  
Where is my God, whom even once to see, is to know all things?  
Where is my God, in whom both mine heart, and my flesh do so earnestly desire to rejoice?  
Where is my God, for whose love I suffer such pain and sorrow? His very remembrance is sweet, but his presence is more lovely, and expelleth all sadness fro mine heart.  
Where is mine hope, and my crown? Is it not in thee my God, and in thy blessed countenance 
q 1. Cor. 13, verse 12 .  
Oah, show me once thy glory, and thy face, so will I cease to complain!  
If I contend a little with thee, o blame me not; extreme zeal of good will hath many wonderful devices.  
I am driven to expect, and moved still to long; and so this joyful combat doth continue.   

CHAP. 21.  
1. The delaying of the happy is patiently to be borne. 2. The felicity of the life to come. 3. with a Prayer for the same.  
O Lord, I have loved the habitation of thine house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth 
a Psal. 26, 8 .  
How gladly I would be with thee, thou knowest full well o my God; and how entirely I desire the same, I am not able sufficiently to express.  
I wish it, not only when I am evil at ease, but also what prosperity soever I enjoy, my desire is to be with thee.  
But how shall my longing be satisfied?  
Hear it grieveth me to continue 
b Phil. 1, 23 , and yet of necessity I must, but my desire is to be with thee, and I may not yet.  
And therefore I see no remedy, but that I am with patience to endure this delay, and to refer my wishing to thine holy will.  
For what? Is it meet I should murmur, when it must be so? God forbidden.  
Again, I have the examples of many of God's children, which have used long patience in this life 
* Hebr 11, 13 14, etc. , and yet their hearts were in heaven 
c Colos. 3, 1 2 .  
Therefore if thy will be to prolong my pilgrimage, I am willing to abide, and obey your pleasure.  
Howbeit, that with less grief I may bear my longing to be with thee, I will till that time still meditate with myself of that celestial habitation.  
Yet I presume not to pierce into the least of those joys which thou hast prepared for such as love thee 
d 1. Cor. 2, 9 : but of this and that I will meditate, to the end that mine affection being pressed down and infected oftentimes, it may be stirred up, and lifted into the hope of eternal bliss.  
O that that day had once shined, whether then had the joys of heaven ravished me!  
How merry at the heart should I be then, and how happy should I think myself!  
How happy should I then be, enjoying a continual peace 
e reve. 21, 4 !  
From thenceforth should I make none inquiry for any thing, seeing no secret could be hid.  
But my life is spent in darkness, and therefore no marvel, though my sight do dazzle between the clouds of glory.  
Notwithstanding I will lift up mine eyes, and though a far off, behold and salute that holy city jerusalem builded in the heaven even of lively stones 
f reve. 21, 10 11, etc. , namely of holy angels and men, replenished continually with praise, & mirth, and magnifying the Lord their God for ever and ever.  
Now therefore my soul, take unto thee the wings of desire, and fly upward, fly I say from all bodily senses, ascend from the visible form of this world, unto the holy house of God, even unto the new jerusalem, builded substantially in aye lasting peace, crowned with glory and honour, and blessed with the abundance of all good things.  
Lo, wonderful and unspeakable are the things (of heaven) which no man either can, or may utter 
g 1. Cor. 2, ● .  
No sense is able to conceive, neither can the understanding of man attain to know, how God is in his sanctes glorious, and wonderful in his majesty.  
Mount thou in cogitation even unto the highest things, stretch thy desire into the everlasting eternity, and say with the Prophet 
h Psal. 87, 3 ; Glorious things are spoken of thee, o city of God.  
There whatsoever can be wished of man, is had 
i Revel. 21, 4 ; and what is once got, is kept without care 
k reve. 7, 17 .  
God there is beheld face to face clearly 
l 1. Cor. 13, 12 , truly, continually, and eternally.  
There the blessed and all glorious Trinity, in one unseparable unity, which of all the blessed citizens of heaven is worshipped, praised, and magnified 
m Reue 7, 12 , is perfectly known.  
There is mine only and right singularly beloved friend 
n Sal. S. 1, 1 2, etc. , which is more precious (to me) than all riches 
o Mat. 10, 37 38 , and the treasure above all to be desired, 
Math. 6, 19 20 21  even my Lord jesus Christ 
p Rom. 1, 3 7, etc. , the immortal spouse of the Church 
q Eph. 5, 25 26, etc. Revel. 21, ● , in whom are hid 
r Math. 11, 25  (but yet revealed to the sanctes) from the beginning of the world, the whole treasure of wisdom and knowledge 
s Colos. 2, 3 .  
O how jocund are the saints now before the face of the most holy, who is the cause and spring of their blessedness!  
For there he speaketh unto them not in parables, but plainly of the Father 
t joh. 16, 25 .  
He is their book, even the word which in the beginning was with God 
u john. 1, ● , teaching all things, and performing all things, so that they want nothing in glory.  
O blessed, and everlasting glory, not of small remembrance, but all happy in God his presence!  
There is also the most glorious Mother of our Saviour, and constant virgin Ma●●e, beautifying the whole celestial court with her comeliness and beauty, compassed and accompanied with troops of virgins, as with sweet roases, and lilies of the valies.  
There be the angels and archangel's placed in order, who most cheerfully sound forth the praises of God.  
● There be the patriarchs, and Prophets, even they which being filled long ago with the holy Ghost, did foretell of Christ his coming 
x Gen. 49, verse 10 Num. 24, 17 Dan. 9, 24 25 Isai. 7, 14 Iere. 31, 22 Psal. 132, 11 Hag. 2, 8 10 Mala. 3, 1 , whom now they both know, and evermore confess to be their Lord and Saviour, the King of kings 
y Reu. 17, 14 Revel. 19, 16 , and perfect God.  
There they behold eye to eye their Redeemer, whom long they looked for, and for whose coming they longed.  
There be the lords Apostles, and Disciples, those most reverend and renowned Fathers, which were filled with holiness and grace, and laid a strong foundation of the Catholic faith.  
There especially shineth that reverend man john, which baptised our Saviour Christ 
z Math. 3, 13 14. etc. Mark 1, 9 10 Luke. 3, 21 , and was a special friend 
a john. 20, 2 john. 21, 7 20  of my Spouse.  
There is Peter, and Paul, and Andrew, and Philip, and Thomas, and james, and john, and all the other Apostles and Evangelists, pillars of the Church.  
To keep the faith, and to follow the example of these men, is the ready way unto everlasting life.  
Moreover, there be the valiant Martyrs enriched with their proper blood, and everlastingly blessed with Christ, whose bodies though they were most cruelly flean: yet could not their souls by any torments be severed from Christ.  
Also, there be the noble Confessors, which contemned this present life, that they might be in heaven.  
There be the great and glorious Doctors that were so carried aloft in contemplation, of which many have left a lively image of holiness in their writings.  
There be young men and maidens, old men and children praising the name of the Lord continually, and ascribing the goodness which they had at any time unto his mercy.  
There they are I say, alway grateful, alway zealous, alway jocund, alway religious, never loathing, but ever loving the Lord.  
Oah, how glorious is this kingdom, where all the Sanctes do reign with Christ, arrayed with the first robe 
b reve. 6, 11 Revel. 7, 13 , and be without care of the other!  
There they follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth 
c Reu. 14, ● , for they cannot part; but rejoicing everlastingly, shall joy in the Lord.  
O my Soul, muse thou upon these things, and cast thy thoughts upon heavenly matters.  
That place in deed is an holy place, and God is in the same.  
There is surpassing joy and peace 
d Reuel● 21, 4 ; good things abound, and evils there be none.  
Oah, if thou couldst even a little comprehend the unspeakable joys of God his sanctes, than should you find some comfort!  
For in me you shall be sure to find nothing but labour and sorrow, and temptations, with troubles of this world.  
Oah that the giver of supernal light 
e jam. 1, 17  would vouchsafe to inspire some portion of these joys into you, and not send you back unto my new withering food, but according to the riches of his superabundant mercy, purify and rid you of all material forms, and bring you yea by force into the deep of his eternal brightness!  
Would to God, you could carry back from that heavenly sanctuary, a form and example of true holiness, which you might imitate.  
For better, and more true are the examples of celestial, and strong things, than they which are confirmed by earthly demonstrations.  
Therefore grant Lord, that I may savour and know what the perfect felicity of sanctes is, not so much by written books thereof, as by the holy Ghost, which teacheth of celestial secrets in such sort, as no sense of man is able to reach thereunto.  
grant also that from henceforth I may lift up my mind more fervently unto heavenly things; and amid my grievous troubles, valiantly bear the garland of patience, till the debt of flesh being paid, I may attain through thy mercy unto this felicity that I so desire.   

CHAP. 22.  
1. A godly meditation, concerning the access unto the holy of holies, even jesus Christ, the king of angels. 2. godly petitions for the forgiveness of sins.  
THou art my King, o God 
a Psal. 44, 4 .  
Arise now my soul, come, and enter into the wonderful tabernacle even into the house of God.  
For it is meet that omitting other things, thou with all reverence do proceed to salute our Lord jesus Christ 
b Rom. 1, 3 7, etc. , thy Saviour 
c Mat. 1, 21 , and redeemer 
d Gal. 3, 13 , which is the head of all principality and power 
e Reu. 17, 14 ; the joy and crown of all sanctes; the assured trust and certain hope of all the faithful 
f Col. 1, 27 .  
He it is which hath made 
g Psal. 100, 3 Psal. 119, 73 , and redeemed thee 
h 1. Pet. 1, 18 19 ; he it is which hath for thy sake both laboured 
i Isai. 53, 3 4, etc. , strived 
k 1. Cor. 15, verse 55 56, etc. , and overcome 
l Matt. 4, 10 11 john. 16, 33 .  
He is thine advocate 
m 1. joh. 2, 1 2 , and the propitiation for thy sins.  
He is thy comforter, thy provider, and thy Lord 
n Reu. 19, 16 .  
He is thine only & singular friend that feedeth among the lilies 
o Sal. S. 2, 16 , and loveth to rest him upon thy breasts 
p Sal. S. 1, 12 .  
Who ever hath done the like for thee? who ever loved you so entirely?  
Come thou unto him; offer yourself to him; open your whole heart, and unfold even your hidden secrets unto him.  
For no man will better either declare, or else reveal how you should behave yourself in this world, in the which, things fall out so strangely.  
Let your wishes and prayers be directed unto him; and in him let all your counsels abide.  
Vain is the hope of man 
q Psal. 62, 9 ; but he is the upholder of peace.  
Through him we have open access unto the Father 
r Ephes. 2, 18 ; and from him we receive all goodness, and virtue 
s 1. Cor. 1, 30 31 .  
Whether you mourn, or whether you rejoice, make continual recourse unto him.  
He is the glass of life; the rule of righteousness; the light of the soul; the love of shamefastness; and the joy of a good conscience.  
If thou lovest him, it will be none hard matter for thee to despise the vane pleasures of this world; if thou lovest him, all sour things will seem sweet; all heavy things will seem light; and that which otherwise you should mislike, you will like right well for his sake 
t Rom. 8, 35 .  
To be brief, of him, and through him, and for him, are all things 
u Rom. 11, 36 .  
The principal end both of all our thoughts, and of all our actions, and of our speech, and of our reading, praying, meditating, and speculation, should be jesus Christ.  
Through him you attain salvation 
x Gal. 3, 13 , and everlasting life.  
For his love you will neither fear to die 
y Rom. 8, 35 36 , nor refuse to live 
z Phil. 1, 23 ; because you are to commit yourself wholly to his trust, and to prefer nothing before his love, and honour.  
Wherefore come near, and give thanks to thy Redeemer.  S. 
O most sweet jesus, above all things to be loved, I salute thee most religiously, I commend thee most highly, and I bless thee now and everlastingly with all thy creatures.  
O most renowned jesus, how can I praise thee as I ought? When shall I thank thee, as I am bound, in that thy mercies are so infinite to mee-ward?  
Again, whatsoever I give, it is thy gift, and I received it from thee 
a 1. Cor. 4, 7 .  
But little, or nothing it is that I have: and can I then sacrifice of nothing?  
Howbeit, accept I beseech thee, mine humble, base, and vile sacrifice; and let my gifts be ascribed to thy goodness.  
Let the quires of heavenly angels attending about thee, sound forth thine infinite praises on my behalf: also let the souls of the righteous repeat the same.  
In the mean while what shall I do in memory, and praise of thy most sacred name?  
Much I ought to do, and for many things I am greatly bound; yet am I not able to perform the least.  
And therefore I will read of thee, o my sweet Saviour, I will write of thee; I will sing of thee; I will think of thee, I will speak of thee, I will work for thee, and for thee will I suffer.  
In thee will I rejoice, thee will I praise, thee will I magnify, thee will I glorify.  
As it is meet I will worship thee, because thou art my God 
b Math. 4, 10 , in whom I believe, whom I do love, seek, and have alway desired.  
Give me some good sign, that mine eyes may behold thy goodly countenance in the heavens.  
Humbly I do throw down myself at thy feet in heart, earnestly with tears desiring thy favour, that thou wilt vouchsafe to be good unto me.  
Writ my name in the book of life; and let that never be out-blotted, which thine holy hand hath written.  
I, wretch that I am, and far inferior to any of thy sanctes, yet trusting boldly upon the more than excellent prerogative of thy mercies, beseech thee, that at the leastwise I may be counted among the basest and worst of thine elect.  
I confess, my life and conversation is not such, that I dare presume any thing of myself; and therefore all mine hope and comfort is, and resteth in the price of thy precious blood, wherein I do wholly repose myself, and deem it requisite that I should do so, together with all which I have done, offended, deserved, and omitted.  
And therefore behold, most gracious jesus, my baseness and humility, consider the affection of mine heart which I bear toward thee, not for my merits, but for thy mercy sake, which vouchsafest to be loved even of the unworthy.  
In respect of mine unworthiness I am greatly ashamed to come in thy presence; but I am drawen-on and emboldened through your wonderful goodness and humility 
c Mat. 11, 28 29 , which hast in perfect good will 
* Rom. 5, 7  yielded not only to become man 
d john. 1, 14 , but also to suffer 
e Isai. 53, 3 4, etc. , die, and to be buried for my sake: and therefore unto thee do I make recourse, for I find no goodness in myself.  
Supply that for my sake, which of myself I cannot perform.  
Thou hast given me a desire 
f Phil. 1, 13  to pray unto thee, to praise, & to bless thee: because thou art mine hope, and my portion in the land of the living 
g Psal. 143, 5 . Al my desire is to be with thee in the kingdom of heaven; but inasmuch as my time is not yet come, I will wait until the night approach.  
In the mean while, this may be my comfort in the place of my pilgrimage, that I am mindful of thy name, and of thine exceeding great love; and that I behold thee in this life by the eyes of my faith.  
To live in this world, and yet to repose no trust in thee, o Lord, were a thing intolerable to my soul.  
I do not consent to rejoice with the world 
h Luke. 6, 25 ; and, that I may not abide without joy and comfort, I have determined to place my joy in thee 
i 1. Cor. 1, verse 31 .  
Much and often should I go astray, greatly should I be tossed in cogitations, did I not retain thee fast in my mind, and thoughts.  
And for somuch as I am unable to sound the depth of thy divinity, I think it best for me to turn unto the deeds and sayings of thine humanity; because, being in these cogitations, I serve not altogether from thy divinity.  
Thanks be to thee, good jesus, sweet and lovely jesus, for vouchsafing to become my brother, to take my flesh and bones upon thee 
k joh. 1, 14 Math. 1, 23 .  
Thanks I say to thee for entering into the womb of good Marie thy Mother, of whose maidenly flesh thou tookest the holy members of thy body, which thou diddest unite to thy divine nature.   

CHAP. 23.  
A godly Prayer; and commendation of our Saviour Christ.  
NOtwithstanding I am wicked, and guilty of manifold sins: yet have I great hope of salvation, because of thy suffering, and merits: whereof, as I have a good mind to consider, so grant, o my Lord Christ, that I may with good leave so do.  
For who am I to approach nigh unto thee, unless I have licence?  
I know mine unworthiness to appear in his presence, whom the very angels do worship with great reverence, saying:  
Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness of this world, so abunding in pleasure?  
Therefore, o most blessed Saviour, I am far unmeet to think of thy glory and honour, of thy beauty and magnificence; because I am earth and ashes 
a Ecclus. 10, verse 9 , yea more base am I then earth and ashes, because I am sinful, and prone unto all wickedness.  
But thou being made higher than heaven, hast the whole world under thy feet 
b Mat. 28, 18 Hebr. 2, 8 , and art worthy to be praised and honoured for evermore.  
Howbeit of thine unspeakable goodness, which passeth all understanding, I am drawn in affection unto thee; because thou art the comfort of the comfortless, and usest most willingly to help most miserable sinners.  
I acknowledge how I am not only destitute of all comforrt, especially of thy favour; but also very unable to do good unto myself.  
But, merciful jesus, wouldst thou vouchsafe to consider my baseness, then should I both be aided, and comforted most plentifully in this my trouble.  
Therefore I see well, whensoever I am compassed about with affliction and tentation, I am straightway and without fear to fly unto thee: for where mercy is most ready, there grace is in greatest plenty.  
And when I have a good mind to consider of thy most glorious estate, and to commend thee in most honourable manner, I must come forth with a much purer affection, and may not go forward without the conduction of God's heavenly light.  
Assuredly, he shall have no glory, but shame, that presumeth without all reverence to approach unto thy gate.  
And he which cometh thereinto, must proceed with all reverence and humility, joined with good hope, that he may find grace to be admitted.  
Wherefore both humbly, and reverendly and devoutly, and boldly I go to thee-ward.  
Let the godly lover of thy name listen then what I say.  
The heaven rejoiceth, the earth woondereth, when by faith mine heart saith, Christ is my Saviour.  
Satan flieth, hell trembleth, when my conscience crieth, Christ is my Saviour.  
The world waxeth vile, and the flesh humble, when as a Christian doth say, Christ is my Saviour.  
Sorrow departeth, new comfort approacheth, when my mind pronounceth, Christ is my Saviour.  
Slothfulness vanisheth, mine heart through love fainteth, when zealously I can say, Christ is my Saviour.  
Zeal increaseth, compunction ariseth, hope groweth, comfort waxeth strong, when my soul soundeth, Christ is my Saviour.  
Mine heart is jocund, mine affection becometh sound, when in truth I do say, Christ is my Saviour.  
For such is the force of these words uttered of a faithful soul, that no man is able to express the same in words, but still it resteth more high and excellent, than may be reached unto by the wit of man.  
Which maketh me once again most humbly to bow my knees unto thee, o blessed Saviour, and still I say, o Christ my Saviour.  
O most gracious jesus receive my prayer, and me with it, that I may find somewhat that may like thee well, and embolden me, and kindle my zeal, and keep me evermore in continual praising of thine holy Name.  
Oah that for the satisfying my desire to praise, and to pray unto thee from the very bottom of mine heart, both all my members were forthwith converted into tongues, and those tongues into fiery voices, that I might find a way to glorify thee, my Saviour, world without end!  
Oah that for all my sins wherewith I have deserved thine indignation, offended grievously thy Father, and dishonoured thee with all the host of heaven, I might once so thoroughly bewail, and repent, that I might hereafter take a new trade of life to thy glory, and the comfort of my soul!  
Oah that thou wouldest assist me in well doing, seeing my life frail and I all subject to offending!  
Oah pardon and forgive all my sins either wilfully, or negligently committed, all my vain thoughts, my ungodly speech, my abominable deeds!  
O most gracious jesus, I say, do thou both defend me from doing any wickedness hereafter, and forgive, I pray thee, all my sins forepast: so shall I be both the more devout, the more zealous, and the more careful in saying, thou Christ art my Saviour both in mine heart, and with my mouth, in company, and in my chamber, and in the garden, and in the field, and in all places wheresoever I shall be.  
And now, what more shall I ask of thee, o Christ my Saviour?  
What is better, or more profitable, or more necessary especially for me a great sinner, than to find favour in thy sight, o Christ my Saviour?  
And therefore it is that I have desired, and still do crave, even that by thine intercession and means I may have the grace of God thy Father, who, as both thyself hast said, and the Apostle doth witness, hast all power given thee both in heaven and earth 
c Mat. 28, 8 .  
There is no prayer more welcome to thee, than this is, nor any thing more necessary for me, than the grace and favour of God.  
If I have the grace of God, whatsoever else I do want, I am rich enough.  
For what is all mine endeavouring if I l●ck that? Again, what can I not do, if I be assisted and helped thereby?  
I see that many and divers are my wicked affections: but yet against all passions the grace of God is a most effectual medicine; and if once it come, it will mitigate them all.  
I do also stand in need of spiritual wisdom and knowledge: but the grace of God is a most excellent teacher, and instructor of heavenly knowledge, and is able even suddenly to instruct me in whatsoever things are necessary unto salvation.  
For to require more than is necessary, or to desire to understand more than is lawful to be known, is against the will of God, whose pleasure is that we should be humbled under his hand, and contented with his grace.  
Wherefore obtain this grace for me, o Christ, which is so noble and precious, that in deed I ought neither to desire or crave any other thing than grace for grace.   

CHAP. 24.  
A Prayer for comfort unto jesus Christ.  
GRace is poured into thy lips 
a Psal. 45, 2 .  
Oah my Lord, I beseech thee, at the length now vouchsafe to speak unto me, o Christ.  
Open thy mouth in thine own name, who art full of all spiritual graces 
b john. 1, 16 .  L. 
I am the fountain of mercy; full of love and sweetness.  
I am the ladder for sinners; the hope and pardon of the guilty.  
I am the comfort of the sorrowful, and the special joy of all sanctes.  
Come unto me so many as love me, and fill yourselves at the breasts of my comfort; because I am good and merciful to all which cry unto me.  
Come unto me both righteous and sinners, I will sue unto the Father for you; I will entreat him to be good unto you, and to fill you with the holy Ghost.  
I call every one, I look for all, I desire to have all to come unto me; I despise no sinner, but with the angels in heaven I rejoice exceedingly over that sinner which repenteth 
c Luk. 15, 10 , and so cometh into the favour of God: for no one drop of my blood which I shed for the world, is in vane.  
Therefore come unto me, ye sons of men, consider and behold my zeal for you unto God my Father.  
Lo, I have taken his wrath upon myself, I have borne his displeasure 
d Isai. 53, 1 2, etc. , yea, and continually do I make supplication for you unto him 
e 1. john. 2, 1 2  whom you know right well you have grievously offended.  
Turn then, and approach, repent, and of my word you shall have pardon.  
For lo, I stand between heaven and earth, between God and sinners; and that this world perish not, I obtain through my prayers.  
Wherefore, abuse not my goodness, and mercy; but beware of offending, lest when you little think thereof 
f Mat. 24, 44 , indignation be powered upon you, and intolerable vengeance 
g Rom. 2, 8 9 .  
I do forewarn you as children, I beseech you as friends, be you perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect 
h Mat. 5, 48 .  
Forget not me, who have been, and am, and will be mindful of you.  
For I do both pity such as are in misery, and I do entreat for those which cry unto me 
i 1. joh. 2, 1 2 .  S. 
O gracious speech, and full of all comfort!  
O heavenly voice sweetly dropping from heaven to the comforting of sinners, & rejoicing of the righteous!  
O celestial music, how sweetly dost thou resound in a desperate conscience!  
Whence is it that the Saviour of mankind will thus talk with me?  
Blessed art thou, o Christ, and blessed are the words of thy mouth. For honey is under thy tongue, and the savour of thy speech excelleth all sweetness.  
My soul was mollefied, so soon as thou spakest, o Christ.  
Behold, no sooner did thy voice sound in mine ears, but my soul within did spring for joy.  
For my spirit revived within me; and all mine entrails were filled with new comfort; because good and joyful things are told me this day by you.  
I was doleful, but now I am jocund because of your words. For your voice is sweet in mine ears.  
I was grieved and desolate; but now I am revived, and made merry. For thou hast sent thine hand from on high, and touched me, whereby of weak, I am become strong.  
Scarce could I speak, but now I have a good mind to sing, and to praise thee highly.  
I was loath to live, and now I am willing to die, because I have thee, Christ, for mine advocate, with the Father, to whose mercy I commend myself, even from this time for ever and ever.  
For since first you began to speak unto the heart of thy desolate orphan, I have been changed into a better state, and greatly comforted in my mind.  
I was almost at the door of desperation, but thy comfort came, and lifted me up with these words:  L. 
What is the matter Son? and who are they which would hurt thee? Fear not, I will see unto thee, my son.  
I do live with God my Father 
k Revel. 1, 4 , and I sit at his right hand, being a faithful high Priest, and an intercessor for thy sins 
l 1. john. 2, 1 2 .  
In me thou shouldest repose thy trust, because I do both give life 
m joh. 11, 25 , and destroy death 
n 1. Cor. 15, verse 55 .  
I was incarnate of a virgin in time 
o Math. 1, 18 19, etc. , but of my Father begotten before all times 
p Psal. 2, 7 Hebr. 1, 5 , and when the fullness of time came, I suffered for man's salvation 
q Gal. 4, 4 5 .  
Lo, I am the hope and comfort of the godly, and by me is faith and victory attained 
r 1. Cor. 15, verse 57 .  
And therefore let neither me, nor these things be out of thy mind, and thou wilt not fear any darts of Satan.  S. 
Oah happy hour! o blessed state, that my Lord and Saviour will vouchsafe to comfort on this wise my troubled heart!  
Oah that I might still hear thy so comfortable words, for greatly do they inflame, and move me, and touch me even at the very heart!  
O blessed Christ, thou never cessest to send forth the sweet milk of heavenly consolation!  
For by reason of the abundance of thy grace, thou canst not deny favour to such as crave the same at thine hands; yet often thou showest much mercy even to the very sinner 
s Math. 5, 45 .  
O Christ, thou excellest in pittifulnes, in mercy, and in loving!  
O Saviour, to whom none is to be compared, thou art above all to be loved, and to be worshipped.  
O Son of God, by whom we are also the sons of God 
t Gal. 4, 6 7 , and of whom we are called Christians 
u Act. 11, 26 , thou art of all good men to be served most religiously, and above all 
x Mat. 4, 10 .  
O friend of all friends 
y 1. joh. 3, 16 , King of heaven and earth 
z Revel. 1, 5 6 , Lord of angels 
a Hebr. 1, 6 7, etc. Mark. 1, 13 , conqueror of devils 
b Math. 4, 10 11 Mark. 5, 7 8 9, etc. , draw me after thee, lest I fall, and so rest under the heavy burden of sin.  
Pour out thy grace, send me thy comfortable dew from above, that truly I may perceive, how thou art the procurer, and the open fountance of all mercy 
c 1. Pet. 3, 24 25 .  L. 
I am in deed the spring of holy love, and of chaste and religious fear, of godly conference, and of sweet consolation.  
Therefore when you do hear my name, rejoice with your whole heart, and magnify the goodness of your God.  
In honouring me, you honour the Father which is God as I am 
d john. 1● 1 2, etc. . For I am jesus the Son of God 
e Math. 1, 18 20 , and this name shall I have while the world endureth 
f 1. Cor. 15, verse 28 .  
But what is jesus? even the Son of the living God 
g Math. 16, verse 16 ; the Saviour of the world 
h Math. 1. 21 1. Pet. 1, 18 19 ; the King of heaven and earth 
i Reu 17, 14 Revel. 19, 16 ; the Lord of Angels 
k Dan. 7, 10 Hebr. 1, 6 7, etc. ; the redeemer of the faithful 
l Gal. 3, 13 ; and the judge of quick and dead 
m Act. 10, 42 .  
And what is jesus? the hope of the godly; the comfort of the desolate; the peace of the meek; the riches of the poor; the glory of the humble; the strength of the weak; the way of such as wander, the light of such as see not, the staff of such as walk not; the oil of such as feel not, the stay of the oppressed, the help of the troobled, and the singular refuge of all good men 
n Mat. 11, 28 .  
Bless the Son with the Father, and so God will bless you.  
Give honour also and glory to the Father, whensoever you praise me.  
His glory, is my joy; and my praise, is his worship.  
Place me and the Father as a seal upon thine heart, and as a token upon thine arm.  
Therefore sit you, or stand you, or pray, or read, or wright, or work you, let my name jesus and God be often reverendly in your mouth, but continually in your heart.  S. 
O grant it may be so good jesus; and let all people, tribes, and tongues serve thee; and let all creatures bow at thy presence.  
Let heaven say, Reign thou jesus; let the earth make answer, yea for ever and ever let him reign.  
Yea, let all Sanctes confess thy glorious Name, and all good people rejoice before the Father, and thee his lamb 
o john. 1, 29 , and our Lord jesus Christ 
p Rom. 1, 3 7 , Amen.   

CHAP. 25.  
That for God his benefits we are to thank him.  
BLessed be the glorious Name of the Lord for evermore 
a Psal. 72, 19 .  
O Lord my God 
b joh. 20, 17 , let all my doings, all my reading, all my wrighting, my thoughts, words, and understanding, tend unto the advancement of thine honour 
c 1. Cor. 10, verse 31 .  
Yea, let me both begin my business in thy Name, and go forward in thy fear, and finish it with thy blessing.  
That which thou hast given, that receive again; and from whence the streams do flow, thither let them return.  
It never goeth better with me, neither doth it realish better to my soul, than when unfeignedly I do ascribe all to thee, whatsoever I have either done, or thought as I should.  
My desire is to render thanks, which I then do as I ought, when for that I have received, and thou hast given, I ascribe all praise to thee, and nothing to myself.  
For what can I, a wicked and unprofitable servant, render unto thee my God? Alas, all that I can do, yea, if I should do all which thou commandest to be done, it is to none effect 
d Luk. 17, 10 .  
So that I am brought unto nothing, and rightly humbled. And in deed it is very well that I am so brought down 
e Psal. 119, verse 71 , that thou alone mayst be justified 
f Psal. 51, 4 , and have the praise of all, and that vile dust 
g Ecclus. 10, verse 9  may at no time glory in itself.  
Howbeit, I mind not to surcease, but will extol thee both with heart and mouth. For albe I discharge not my duty therein as I ought: yet ought I to speak of thy goodness, and not be silent.  
O my God, thou art my glory; my praise shall always be of thee 
h Psal. 71, 6 .  
He that would but a little consider of thy glory, and know what it is to glory in the Lord 
i jere. 9, 24 ; how would he despise all outward glory!  
He that would, even but a little taste of thy sweetness; how quickly would he loathe, as most bitter, the pleasure of this world!  
He which would receive even but a small sparkle of love into his breast, how would he burn in affection! For full gladly would he contemn all things to have thy friendship: and would count it all sweet, and easy to be borne, whatsoever he should do, or suffer for thy love sake 
k Rom. 8, 35 .  
He that would consider in his mind thy goodness to man-ward; how would he rejoice, and run after thee! He would seek nothing so charily, he would keep nothing so warely, he would pursue nothing so eagerly, as to serve thee. For in loving, he would feel no burden 
l Sal. S. 8, 6 7 , because love would bear all burdens.  
So then they which complain of the burden, do plainly declare how they have little true love in them.  
To serve of love, is of all others the greatest pleasure, and comfort in labour.  
True love doth neither respect commodity, nor fear damage, but in all things seeketh that which may please thee.  
Oah Christ, how sweet is thy love, how well doth it sound, how sweetly doth it enter, how strongly doth it bind!  
Oah that it would fast bind me to thy continual service! oah that it would wholly take me, and wholly subdue me, and wholly and altogether make me to be thine!  
For then, and not before am I free, when I am taken of thy love, and utterly deprived from all that mine is.  
O my Lord, I am thy servant 
m Psa. 143, 12 , yea thy servant am I, because thou hast redeemed me 
n 1. Cor. 6, 20 1. Cor. 7, 23 1. Pet. 1, 19 .  
I am thy servant with a very good will, and am not ashamed to be properly thine.  
I wish not to be mine own man again, and therefore, Lord, help me, that I may be freed from that which naturally is mine.  
Oah blow, and kindle, and inflame the fire of my zeal, so shall mine heart boil, and become pure, clear, and pleasant: for thy love expelleth vice, and consumeth sin.  
Lay thou fast hold upon the band of love, and I shall stand and continue in thy service.  
Full well I wots, no good can my service do you, Lord; but all the benefit redoundeth to myself, if I do that which I know is acceptable in thy sight.  
Would I did, and hide not, that I revealed, and concealed not thy works, Lord!  
When shall I be able worthily to consider the manifold benefits conferred upon me of God  
Mercifully hast thou dealt with thy servant, o Lord; but alack, I never thanked thee for the same, as thou deservedst.  
And therefore am I punished, and pinched at the very heart, even because I am unable to answer thy benefits so great, and so manifold.  
Oah that I could even but once worthily, and thoroughly thank thee for all these things!  
But what may proceed from him, in whom nothing is? An empty vessel, can minister no drink.  
What then shall I do? Something I must give. For it is not lawful to come before God with an empty hand. Because the Lord abhorreth the ungrateful man 
o Luke. 17, verse 17 .  
Oah that I could find something in this world to give you that might be acceptable in your sight!  
Oah my Lord, whom in heart I love, what would you that I should give you?  
As for any good thing of mine you need it not 
p Psal. 50, 12 . And why then exact you a gift at mine hands? For riches none is comparable to you, and yet require you somewhat of me?  L. 
That which I demand is even yourself wholly. For so it is expedient if you would purchase my favour.  
I will give grace to you, and you shall show grace to me; and so love shall be continued between us.  
Give me yourself, and you have given even all.  S. 
O good jesus, the fountain of all goodness, the fountain of life, the fountain of grace, the fountain of sweetness, the very fountain of aye lasting wisdom, power upon me, even at this instant, I beseech thee, the gift of thy celestial grace, and teach me to be grateful, and to give myself before all things wholly unto you; for this is the dearest thing that I can render.  
This I do know, and acknowledge. Therefore receive me, lo, I am wholly thine, and all that mine is, is thine.  
Only one thing there is which I cannot give; and that is my sin, which is mine indeed properly, and therefore not to be imputed unto thee.  
Sin mine is; and all defaults within me are to be ascribed to me only; but glory, and for all thy benefits thanks be unto thee.  
But now in calling thy benefits into mind, of many I gather only a few, and those which do most of all move me, and appear in my mind. For neither will the time suffer to recite, neither can my thoughts comprehend them all 
q 1. Cor. 2, 9 .  
Because for number they are infinite, for greatness incomprehensible, and inestimable for goodness. For bought they cannot be, because they are freely given 
r Mat. 10, 8 jam. 1, 17 . And therefore only thanks be required for them, otherwise all shall be taken away, as from that ungrateful one 
s Mat. 25, 28 .  
First therefore and afore all things, I thank thee, o Lord my God 
t Mat. 4, 10 , creator of all things 
u john. 1, 1 2 3 , for making me a man, after thine image and similitude 
x Gen. 1, 27 Psal. 119, 73 , and for placing me over the works of thine hands 
y Psalm. 8, 6 7, etc. .  
This is the great, and first benefit bestowed upon me, and that of thy mere goodness.  
For I made not myself, but thine hands did fashion me 
z Psal. 100, 3 , they brought me into this world through my parents 
a Psa. 139, 13 15, etc. , whom thy will was, should serve thee herein.  
And lo, I am better than other creatures, exalted above the beasts of the field, and birds of the aër 
b Gen. 1, 28 Wisd 9, 2 ; in that I am fashioned after thine image 
c 1. Cor. 11, 7 , endued with eternal wisdom, and naturally participate of the light uncreate, and of the unchangeable truth.  
Wherefore for my being, living, and understanding, I give thee everlasting praise, wishing and desiring herewithal that all creatures both in heaven and earth, may everlastingly commend thy glorious and most excellent name.  
I bless thee, o Father, Lord of heaven and earth 
d Psal. 97, 1 Psal. 99, 1 , who of nothing through thy only begotten Son jesus Christ in the holy Ghost, hast created all things 
e john. 1, 1 2 3 Hebr. 1, 2 .  
Yea all things thou hast made, not of necessary compelled, but of pure and special love moved thereunto, thereby to show thy power unto the sons of men 
f Psal. 145, 4 ; and by thine invisible and coëternall wisdom with thee, thou hast most perfectly disposed this visible world 
g Wisd. 9, 1 .  
Let all thy creatures subject in all things to thee 
h Mat. 28, 18 , and ordained for the use of man 
i Gen. 1, 28 , bless thee.  
For at thy commandment both rain falleth from heaven, and fruit springeth from the earth:  
The sun shineth brightly in the day time, the stars give light by course in the night:  
The fountanes spring, the rivers flow, and fishes of divers kinds do swim:  
The birds not only fly, but sing also; and the goats, the colts, and hearts, do spring upon the mountains:  
The sheep and other cattle dop joy in good pasture, and divers other living creatures do run about the groaves:  
The ground waxeth green, the fields prosper, and trees of the wood do yield both bows and fruit.  
O Lord, which only dost wondrous things 
k Psal. 72, 18 , even all these are thy works.  
Another benefit which thou hast bestowed upon me, is the mystery of incarnation 
l 1. Tim. 3, 16 , the work of my redemption, the price of our salvation, even the fruit of thy passion and death.  
O great work of mercy! Oah work of most excellent love 
m Rom. 5, 8 , most abject humility 
n Phil. 2, 5 6, etc. , of most rare patience 
o 1. Pet. 2, 21 22, etc. !  
No man could merit, nor Angel procure this thing.  
The Prophets have wondered at it; the Apostles have seen & taught it; the faithful have embraced it; and the elect especially do love, and call it into mind.  
The due consideration of this benefit stirreth up good desires; inflameth the heart; nurisheth devotion; enlighteneth the mind; purgeth the affection; draweth on to heavenward; withdraweth from the world; driveth unto God; and uniteth the soul with Christ.  
This benefit far excelleth the above mentioned: yet there is one which gave each, and hath bestowed both of them upon us, even our Lord jesus Christ.  
For what the better had I been for my life, if I had not been redeemed with the precious blood of my Saviour Christ 
p Gal. 3, 13 ?  
Therefore the grace, and mercy of God grew upon me, and plenteous redemption was made 
q Psa. 130, 7 : for the corrupted nature of man without the aid of God his maker, could never have been repaired.  
O Father of mercies, and God of all comfort 
r 2. Cor. 1, 3 , thou, to redeem thy damned servant 
s Ephes. 2, 3 , hast given thine only Son to the death 
t Rom. 8, 32 .  
O wonderful I kindness of thine to us ward, unto which, neither the wit of man, nor the understanding of Angels can attain 
u 1. Tim. 3, 16 ! But alone, sweet Christ, who art the beginning and the end of our salvation, and alone couldst help the miserable, and damned, thou alone art privy to the same.  
For thou diddest vouchsafe to appear unto the world in the likeness of a most vile servant 
x Phil. 2, 5 6 ; and for mortal worms 
y Ecclus. 10, verse 9  even of mere pity receivedst with a willing mind the judgement of a cruel death 
z Gal. 3, 13 .  
O good jesus, thou which art the fountain of mercy, the light of aye lasting glory, the pure glass without spot of God his majesty 
a Wisd. 7, 26 , kindle mine heart with the meditation of this unspeakable benefit, bestowed upon me, and upon all mankind 
b Rom. 5, 15 16, etc. .  
But this, as was the former, is general, sufficient to save all, but not effectual in all, by reason of the incredulity, and malice of many: howbeit it saveth, and is profitable to all the elect, for whose sake all things were created, and be, as I may say, created again, through thee my Saviour.  
O good jesus, how manifold are the benefits brought unto us by thine humanity!  
Thou becamest our brother, and flesh of our flesh 
c john. 1, 14 , that we might be counted the children of God 
d Gal. 4, 6 7 , and have access unto the Father through thee 
e 1. john. 2, 1 2 , the fire of whose displeasure none could quench, but thou alone of whom himself did say 
f Mat. 3, 17 Math. 17, 5 : This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  
Happy is the soul, which earnestly recordeth, and heartily loveth, & worthily extolleth the sacraments of our redemption; and for them thanketh thee; and finally dependeth upon thy counsel, more than upon her own sense.  
For none is meet to search out, no wisdom can reach into this mystery, only it is the strength of belief, and the pureness of the heart lightened from above 
g Matth. 5, 8 , that beholdeth the same.  
Oah, blessed is he that is worthy to receive that by grace, which the wise of the world could not understand by nature 
h Mat. 11, 25 !  
O sweet jesus, the wisdom of the Father, make me in the light of faith to know this great and wonderful mystery of thine incarnation 
i 1. Tim. 3, 16 , for therein the sweetness of our whole salvation lieth, and thereby the rarest friendship that ever was seen appeareth 
k 1. joh. 3, 16 Rom. 5, 8 Rom. 8, 32 , and through it the unsearchable fullness of thy wisdom glittereth most gloriously.  
Oah let thy servant grow on still in godliness, in the study of well doing, and more and more in this memorable secret of thine incarnation, make me acquainted with the mystery of thine holy passion, and draw me wholly into the meditation of thy works!  
The declaration of this love, and humility, is a wonderful deep, and a certain celestial sea, which may not be swam over, wherein do swim too and fro the spiritual fishes both small and great, which thou hast taken within the net of faith.  
Wherefore let this thy so great love and sweetness, thine so great humility and kindness abide still in my remembrance; let it alway remain in every sacrifice of prayer that I am to make; and in all mine holy exercises let there be somewhat, as pleasant frankincense, and delightful spices, for a sweet smelling savour to be offered unto God the Father, concerning the mystery of thine incarnation and passion.  
Let now then such as thou haste redeemed, I say whom thou haste redeemed out of the hand of the enemy 
l Luke 1, 74 , sing out with me the song of thine heavenly praise, and of inward joy together with thanksgiving.  
Yea, let all the Angels standing about thy throne, fall upon their faces, and worship the lamb of God, who hath taken away the sins of the world 
m john. 1, 29 , saying 
n reve. 7, 12 :  
Praise, and glory, and wisdom, and thanks, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our Lord jesus Christ for evermore, Amen.  
A third benefit, not inferior to the former, is the grace of justification, whereby of thy goodness thou haste drawn me unto repentance, and amendment of life, forgiving my sins, and giving me both hope of pardon, and willingness to do well, and to serve thee evermore.  
This after Paul duly had considered, he adhorteth his disciples to be both thankful for so great a benefit, and also mindful of the heavenly grace, and to study to show themselves worthy so spiritual a calling:  
Brethren, saith he 
o 1. Cor. 1, ●6 27 , you see your calling, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.  
These things I consider in myself, who notwithstanding I am contemptible, and unmeet for this world: yet by thine holy calling am I saved from the shipwreck of the same unto thine holy service. And this I ascribe wholly not unto any goodness of mine, but unto thy providence.  
For the which, I extol thy goodness, and bless thee, even I say, for calling me graciously, for giving me a desire to please thee, for pardoning all my sins; for putting me under thy sweet yoke, softening mine heart with the oil of thy spirit, whom the world neither knoweth, neither seethe, nor savoureth.  
O merciful jesus, keep me in this mind, I beseech thee, increase thy gifts of grace within me more and more, so long as I remain in this visible light.  
I perceive right well this calling of mine is a great benefit, not given to all men, but only to such as God the Father hath ordained thereunto: because it is not in him that willeth, nor in him that runneth, but in God that showeth mercy 
p Rom. 9, 16 , that every mouth may be stopped 
q Rom. 3, 19 , and all the world culpable before God; and that no flesh should rejoice in thy presence 
r 1. Cor. 1, 29 , nor ascribe any of their own virtues, or good works, to themselves.  
For if thou shouldest deal with me in justice, alas, I were then damned with the cursed spirits in hell.  
But of thy goodness, o Lord, thou hast spared me, and forgiven my sins, whereby I am not as the child of perdition.  
And therefore am I bound to render great thanks unto thee for so excellent a benefit; and would to God, both in my speech, and in my life, all the days of my life, I might answer my calling!  
But Lord, in steed of all thanks, receive I beseech thee, my poor service, whereby I desire, and in deed am bound to serve thee.  
grant also that the debt of my service may proceed from the heart, and finally agree to thy will and honour; and that mine heart be never turned from thy love, but that both my soul and body may alike watch and perseveare day and night in thine holy service, even so long as life is within my body, and I have my wits to remember thee; let thy praise be never out of my mouth, nor the remembrance of thy manifold benefits slip out of mine heart.  
And if thy servant shall yet live many years, either an hundred, or how many soever, grant that I may not prove lukewarm, or abashed at thy service, but be even so zealous and so willing to serve thee, as I was at the first hour and day when mine heart was admonished and confirmed of thee, even with a pure and whole mind only to follow thee my Lord.  
Neither let any infirmity or adversity hinder my purpose; but even as now I mean, and purpose in the hearing of thee my God: so I beseech thee give grace, that what now I have promised, I may perform.  
And although through my infirmity and faults this my course shall be broken, as there is no man so righteous upon earth but he sinneth 
s 2 Chro. 6, verse 36 ; yet suffer me not to despair, and to faint utterly, but put into my mind forthwith to bow the knees of mine heart, and with much sorrow and tears to offer unto thee my woeful and wounded conscience to be healed with the salve of thy mercy, and that my purpose may be bound more surely than ever it was.  
Let me never repent me of this covenant, but still give thanks that I have found such favour in thine eyes, as to be accepted into thine holy warfare.  
Thou canst, o almighty 
t Eze. 10, 5 2. Cor. 6, 18  and all merciful God 
u Wisd. 12, verse 20 2. Cor. 1, 3 , who hast of nothing created me 
x Gen. 1, 26 Psal. 100, 3 , and foreseest the fall, and infirmity of man; thou art able, I say, and that thou wilt I beseech thee, forgive the sins which I have committed; supply what I have omitted; restore what I have lost; heal what is sick; cleanse what is unclean; lighten what is dark; assuage that which swelleth; inflame what is quenched; repair that is broken; recover that is neglected; amend what is awry; make plain what is rouged; restrain what is curious; call home that which wandereth; place what is out of order; yea, and alter the whole state of my mind, that nothing be wanting to my former purpose, and let all occasion of evil work for the best unto me, I most humbly desire thee.  
This change, is made by the right hand of God; this is God his visitation; this is the manifold conference of the divine goodness.  
In steed of all thanks, accept the devout service of thine holy Church where-so-ever, with the sweet praises of the whole court of heaven.  
And let all the sanctes from the beginning of the world, which through thy grace have been enlightened and called; yea and all the faithful and Christian people which either be in the world, or have been afore us, or shall live hereafter, let them I say together celebrate and praise thy all sweet and glorious name, which is above all names to be blessed 
y Phil. 2, 9 10 .  
Let them repeat again, and again with great joy, repeat all praises duly and deservedly to be said of thy name, and that so many times, as there be either in the heaven, stars; or in the sea, fishes; or in the earth, corns; or in the Bible, letters.  
And all this being done, yet must I say, they have not praised thy name sufficiently, the which I desire to commend even to the uttermost of my strength, and by all means to extol, until I attain unto those praises, which now cannot be expressed by the voice of mortal men.  
So that thou seest now my Soul, the greatness and the excellency of God thy creator and redeemer his benefits, the which no creature, nor all creatures may recompense, whom he hath made unto the praise and glory of his eternal and blessed name 
z Isai. 43, 7 , who needeth no glory, but is alone all sufficient for himself; he that is what he is 
a Exod. 3, 14 , is his own glory.  
The number of his benefits was so great, that I could not place them all before thine eyes; and therefore of a great many I choase three precious gifts, even as the Wisemen did, which were about to offer to the Lord 
b Math. 2, 11 , wherein I thought good to comprehend the rest.  
For every benefit of God, if you mark well, is either of nature, or of grace, or of superexcellency: and whatsoever else is, may fully be referred unto one of these three kinds.  
In the Creation, you have the benefit of nature; in the Redemption, the benefit of superexcellency; in our justification, note the benefit of grace.  
For all which, and for every of them, glory be to thee, o sacred Trinity, one equal deity, both before all worlds, now, and for evermore 
c Reu. 17, 12 . Amen.   
The end of the fourth Book.  

A Table of the contents of every Chapter contained in this Book.  

ALonging of the Soul after God. The incomprehensible majesty of the Lord. An exhortation to the love of God. Chapter 1. Page 1  
Of God his distinct judgement at the end of this world. The cursed state of the ungodly. Chapter. 2. Page. 14  
An humble confession of sins; with a Prayer for grace to repent. Chap. 3. Pag. 19  
A lamentation of the Soul for her weakness, and unstaidness in the race of virtue. Chap. 4. Pag. 25  
Of the shortness and misery of this present life. A prayer for grace to renounce the world, and the vanities of the same. Chap. 5. Pag. 30  
An ardent desire of the Soul to be loosed from 〈◊〉, and from the trou●●● 〈…〉 this world. Chapter. 6. 〈◊〉. 37  
A godly desire for a good death. Chap. 7. Pag. 44  
A meditation of one dead unto the world, yet alive in Christ. Chapter. 8. Pag. 51  
A desire of the Soul, that no earthly creature may carry her away unto vanity. Chap 9 Pag. 59  
A comparison between earthly, and heavenly joys; with a prayer for grace to contemn this transitory world. Chap. 10. Pag 63  
That all comfort, and pleasures are in God A prayer that all people may glorify the Lord. The blessed state of good men. That we are to be ready against the coming of our Saviour Christ. Chap. 11. Pag. 71  
The desire of the Soul after God. The properties of God by the sundry titles ascribed unto him. None cometh unto God, unless God draweth him. Chap. 12. Pag 80  
How, and when the Soul and God are united together. The misery where God is not present. Chap. 13. Page 92  
A lamentation of the Soul for the want of grace. Chapter. 14. Page 101  
Touching the fruit of friendship. The benefits of Christ upon man. The true felicity and joy of the Soul. The affinity between Christ, and the Soul of man. Chapter. 15. Page 107  
The more we love Christ, the more we may. Tentation and when. Happiness of the life to come. How to bear affliction. Chapter. 16. Page 118  
The majesty, and omnipotency of God. How, and why the Lord afflicteth his children. Chapter. 17. Page 133  
The confidence of a true Christian. God justifieth the ungodly. giveth whatsoever good is to man. Will have no man to despair, but that all sinners should fly unto his mercy. Chap. 18. Pag. 147  
The desire of a Christian Soul, is never satisfied, till God be enjoyed. No comfort any whit comparable to the spiritual joy. Chapter. 19 Page 156  
A complaint of the Soul for the want of her blessed state. What weeping pleaseth God. Who truly blessed. A description of God. Chap. 20. Page 162  
The delaying of the happy is patiently to be borne. The felicity of the life to come: with a prayer for the same. Chap. 21. Pag. 171  
A godly meditation, concerning the access unto the holy of holies, even jesus Christ, the king of angels. godly petitions for the forgiveness of sins. Chap. 22. Pag. 180  
A godly prayer; and commendation of our Saviour Christ. Chapter. 23. Page 187  
A Prayer for comfort unto jesus Christ. Chap. 24. Pag. 194  
That for God his benefits we are to thank him. Chap. 25. Pag. 202   
FINIS.   

❧ AT LONDON, Printed by Richard Yardley, and Peter Short, dwelling at the neither end of Breadstreet, at the Sign of the Star. 1592.