S. AUGUSTINES MANVEL. Containing special, and piked meditations, and godly prayers: Drawn out of the Word of God, and writings of the holy Fathers, for the exercise of the soul. Corrected, translated, and adorned, by THOMAS ROGERS.  1. Thes. 5.17. PRAY CONTINVALIE. 
¶ Imprinted at London by Henry Denham, dwelling in Pater noster row, at the sign of the Star.  
Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.  
1581.   

¶ A Preface unto the Reader.  
THis Manuel so liked me, and the well accepting of other books which I have published to the same purpose, so pricked me forward, that I thought it requisite to set forth the same in such order as I have done.  
The rather I took this in hand before any other in the works of S. Augustine, because this commonly hath been annexed in our English tongue unto those of S. Augustine, which already I have translated; and therefore that, as hitherto they have been joined together, so henceforth they may be, if it so like the owners, I thought good to do this afore any other. Again, who so will duly compare this with the other, especially with S. Augustine's prayers, shall find this to be even an abstract in a manner of the rest, containing special and piked meditations in few words, which in other books be more at large. Finally, had this book neither been joined, nor yet had such affinity with the other of S. Augustine already in English: yet, so singularly divine are the prayers comprised in the same, that well I could not publish any other, before this were finished.  

1 This Book why called a Manuel.  I do call this book, as also the author doth, a Manuel, because my wish is, that Christians would use, and have it in their hands, not only when they are at home in their chambers, and studies privately, but also when they are abroad in the fields, gardens, and elsewhere idly: and that not to dandle, and to handle only, but diligently, and zealously, as the part of Christians is, to read the same for their spiritual exercise.  

2 Author of this Book, who.  Touching the Author, who he was, I dare not directly set down. For in some copies I find, that S. Augustine made the same, in others it is flatly denied. Therefore, although it be entitled S. Augustine's Manuel: yet is it in none other sense applied unto him, than are divers Psalms in the Psalter, entitled David his Psalms, which happily David never saw, much less indited. Notwithstanding, were S. Augustine the Author of the same, or were he not, it skilleth not greatly. For the matter it containeth, is very spiritual, godly, and necessary: and wise men either do not respect the Author, or not the Author so much as the matter; nor so much who writeth, as what is set down.  
The Argument of this book is doubtless very good, 
3 The Argument of this Book.  either holy meditations, or prayers: the one whereof, which is meditation (as Bernard noteth 
a D. Bern. in die S. Andreae serm. 1. ,) teacheth us what is wanting, the other, to wit, prayer, obtaineth that which we want; Prayer bringeth unto the end of our journey, meditation showeth the way; to conclude, by meditation we confess the dangers hanging over our heads, and by prayer we escape them, through the grace of our Lord jesus Christ, Of these this whole book doth consist.  
The occasion of making this treatise was this. 
4 The occasion why this Book was made.  The Author considering the frailty of all men in general, and especially his own weakness in particular; and seeking some prop to stay himself from falling, found none so sure à stay against the engines of Satan and his limbs, as continual meditation, and prayer. And therefore out of the meditations and prayers of the fathers (for so he saith) he gathered this book, as a precious jewel alway to be carried about him, both to keep him from security, and to inflame the zeal of godliness within him when he waxed cold.  

5 Method of this Book.  The method (for that is another circumstance to be noted in any book) is very exquisite: for never did Goldsmith more cunningly dispose either precious stones in a jewel, or links in a golden chain, than are both the meditations in this Manuel, and the sentences in each meditation, and each phrase well-nigh in every sentence.  

6 Use of this Book.  Last of all, how necessary this, and such like books are for this present time, he will confess that calleth into remembrance the great and general corruption of all mankind; and weigheth by what sleights and subtleties both the Devil seeketh to devour, the flesh to entangle, and the world to draw us headlong unto perdition: which to avoid, we have none other remedy, beside earnest, godly, and continual prayer. This made both our Saviour to command us to Watch and pray 
b Mark. 13, verse. 33. ; and S. Paul to bid us, Pray continually 
c 1. Thes. 5. verse. 17. ; and Cyril to break into these words 
d Cyril, praefat. Catech. , Be thou idle neither in the day time, nor in the night; and when sleep is gone from thine eyes, even then let thy mind be occupied in prayer. Hitherto agreeth that of Jerome 
e Jerome in Epist. , When you go abroad, pray; when you return home, pray; before meat, pray; and before you go to rest, pray. The reason Augustine doth yield. For prayer is, as a sacrifice unto God: so a scourge unto Satan 
f August. in serm. . 
f August. in serm. . Use therefore that which God delighteth in, but never do that which liketh Satan, that is, neglect not prayer.  
One Chapter you shall find in this book, less than is in the Latin copy: and yet more by two, than hitherto hath been in English. The addition, I doubt not, will like you, but the omission of a Chapter some perhaps will mislike, which notwithstanding was done, neither of negligence unwittingly, nor headily of presumption, but with good advisement, that thy zeal might not be cooled by the reading thereof. For it containeth strange, that I say not erroneous doctrine: as that unicuique 
g Manuel cap. 25.  propria voluntas est causa suae damnationis vel saluationis; that, Bona voluntas Deum ad nos deducit, & nos in eum dirigit; that, Per bonam voluntatem Deum diligimus, Deum eligimus, ad Deum currimus, ad Deum pervenimus, & eum possidemus, etc. which sentences being contrary unto the truth, and savouring of a superstitious time, were better quite omitted, than translated to the infecting of some, 
Manuel cap. 11.  or offence of any.  
Again, another Chapter there is, though not clean left out, yet applied from an ill, unto a good purpose, as the eleventh Chapter, where that which was spoken either of the sacrifice of the altar, is applied unto our Sacrament of thanksgiving, or of the real and carnal presence of Christ, unto his spiritual being at the Communion. And these are the things corrected in this book.  
To conclude, whatsoever is done either in translating, correcting, quoting, or publishing this book, is all done for thy edification, and to provoke thee unto this godly exercise of prayer. For a better means thou hast not to keep thyself in the fear of God than it is. Therefore the more zealous, godly, and learned books to this purpose are published, the more thou hast to praise God, and be thankful.  
The 15. of julie, Anno. 1581. Yours in Christ, THO. ROGERS.   

The Author's Preface.  
FOr so much as we are placed among manifold snares, our desire of heavenly things soon waxeth cold, & therefore we do stand continually in need of help, that so often as we slip aside, we may, being wakened out of security, run back unto our God, who is the true, and the sovereign happiness.  
In consideration whereof, not of rash presumption, but through the great love I bear unto my God, I have taken in hand this treatise for the advancement of his glory, to the end I might always have about me a short abridgement of such things as concern my God, collected out of the most piked sentences of the holy fathers, that so often as I wax cold, I might be inflamed again with an hot burning desire of him, through the fire which the reading thereof should minister.  
Now, O my GOD, whom I do seek, whom I do love, & whom both with heart, and with mouth, and with all my strength, I both glorify and worship, assist me.  
Truly, my mind consecrated to thy service, inflamed with thy love, coveting, sighing, desiring only to set thee, hath none other delight, but to talk of thee, to hear of thee, to wright of thee, to confer of thee, to meditate oftentimes of thy fame, and glorious estate, that thy sweet remembrance may be some refreshing for my soul amidst the raging storms of this wretched world.  
Unto thee therefore do I call most earnestly, unto thee do I cry aloud from the bottom of mine heart.  
And when I call unto thee, I call unto thee in myself: for unless thou wert within me, I should not be at all; and were I not in thee, thou shouldest not be within me.  
Thou art in me, because thou remainest in my memory, through it I have known thee, and therein I find thee, when I do remember thee, and take delight both in thee, & of thee, of whom, through whom, and in whom are all things.   
A godly Book, containing special, and piked meditations, and prayers.  

Chap. 1. Of the wonderful essence, or being which God hath.  
O Lord, thou fillest heaven and earth 
a jere. 23, verse. 24. : bearing up all things 
b Heb. 1, 3. , and yet not burdened; filling all things 
c Eccle. 23, verse. 18.19. , and yet not included; always working 
d joh. 5, 17. , and yet ever quiet; gathering, and yet lacking nought 
e Psal. 50, 8.9, etc. ; seeking 
f Luk. 15, 4.5, etc. , and yet wanting nought;  
Thou lovest entirely 
g Wis. 11, 23. john. 3, 16. john. 13, 1. , yet thou burnest not; thou art jealous, 
h Exo. 20, 5.  and yet secure:  
Thou repentest 
i jer. 26, 3. , and art not grieved; thou art angry 
k Psal. 79, 5. , but never impatient;  
Thou changest thy works 
l Wis. 7, 27. , but not thy counsel 
m Mal. 3, 6. : Thou receivest what thou findest, and yet never didst lose the same:  
Thou art never needy 
n Psal. 50, 8.9.10, etc. , and yet glad when thou gainest; at no time covetous, and yet exactest usury:  
Thou art bountiful, to whom thou owest nought; and many are bountiful, to bind thee unto them: Yet who hath aught which is not thine 
o 1. Cor. 7, verse. 4. jam. 1, 17. ?  
Thou payest debts 
p 1. Pet. 2, verse. 24. Isai. 53, 5.6, etc. , owing nought; thou forgivest debts 
q Matth. 18, verse. 23.27, etc. 35.  and yet forgoest nought:  
Thou art everywhere 
r job. 23, 8.9.  and everywhere all whole:  
Thou mayst be understood, but not seen 
s joh. 1, 18. 1. Tim. 6, 16. ; and art no where absent 
t Eccles. 23, verse. 18.19. , yet far thou art from the cogitations of the wicked 
u Prou. 15, verse. 29. :  
Yet art thou not absent there, where thou art far off; For where thou art not to show favour, thou art to execute vengeance:  
Thou art everywhere present 
x Eccl. 23, verse. 18.19. ; and yet mayst hardly be found:  
Thou standest still when we follow thee; yet can we not lay hold upon thee:  
Thou possessest all things 
y Psa. 50, 8.9, etc. ; fillest all things 
z jer. 23, 24. ; enuironest all things 
a jer. 32, 18.19. ; overpassest all things 
b Psa. 139, 7.8 ; and bearest up all things 
c Heb. 1, 3. .  
Thou teachest the hearts of the faithful 
d Isa. 54, 13. john. 6, 44.45. , without noise of words:  
Thou art neither stroughted out by places 
e Eccl. 16, 18 19 ; nor changed by time 
f Psa. 102, 24.25, etc. ; nor hast access and recess:  
Thou dwellest in the light that none can attain unto 
g 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16. , whom never man saw, neither can see:  
Abiding quiet in thyself, thou goest everywhere about the whole world:  
For thou canst not be cut, and divided, because thou truly art one 
h Deut. 6, 4. 2. Kings. 19, verse. 15.19. ; nor yet be brought into parts: but being whole, thou possessest, fillest, lightenest, and enjoyest the whole.   

Chap. 2. Of God his unspeakable knowledge.  
WEre the whole world replenished with Books: yet could not thine unspeakable knowledge be uttered forth. For, because thou art in deed unutterable, thou canst by no means be either written, or concluded.  
Thou art the fountain of heavenly light; & the Sun of eternal brightness.  
Thou art great without quantity, and therefore unmeasurable 
a job. 23, 8.9. Psal. 139, 7.8. ; and good without quality, and therefore in deed & sovereignly good 
b jam. 1, 17. : yea, to say the truth, there is none good, but thou alone 
c Mar. 10, verse. 18. Luk. 18, 18. : whose will is a work, and whose will is ability:  
Who, even because it was thy pleasure, diddest make all things, which thou hast created of nothing 
d Gen. 1, 1.2. Heb. 1, 1.2. :  
Who possessest all the creatures 
e Psal. 50, 8.9.10, etc.  without any lack; and governest them 
f john. 5, 17. , without pain; and rulest them 
g Matth. 11, verse. 25. Luk. 10, 21.  without weariness; for there is nothing, either of things on high, or of things below, that can disturb the order of thy government:  
Who art in all places without any place; and containest all things without enclosure; and art present everywhere 
h jer. 32, 19  without seat or motion:  
Who neither art the author of sin 
i Eccles. 15, verse. 20. , which thing only thou canst not do 
k Psal. 11, 5.6.7. , who canst do all things 
l Exod. 6, 3. Gen. 35, 11. ; neither haste thou been sorry for aught thou hast done:  
Of whose goodness we were created 
m Gen. 1, 26.27. Psal. 100, 3. Psal. 119, 73. ; of whose justice we are punished 
n Dan. 9, 4.5.6, etc. ; of whose mercy we are saved 
o Gal. 3, 13. 1. Tim. 2, 6. Psal. 103, 1.2.3.4, etc. ;  
Whose almightiness doth govern, rule, and fill all things 
p jer. 23, 24. , which it hath created:  
Neither in saying, thou fillest all things, mean we that they contain thee; but how they rather be contained of thee, neither by parts fillest thou all things, nor yet may it be thought, that every thing according to the greatness of the quantity it hath, receiveth thee, that is, the greatest thing more, and the smallest thing less; thou rather being in all things, or more truly all things in thee 
q Act. 17, 28. :  
Whose omnipotency encloseth all things; 
r Psa. 139, 7.8, etc.  whose power none may escape.  
For whosoever hath not thy favour, can by no means avoid thy displeasure 
s Reu. 6, 15.16.17. .   

Chap. 3. The desire of that soul which hath a feeling of God.  
FOR thee than I do call into my soul, o most gracious God, which thou preparest to receive thee through the desire which thou enspirest into the same.  
Oh, enter thereinto, I beseech thee, join it to thyself, that both thou mayst possess that which thou hast not only made 
a Gen. 1, 26.27. Colos. 3, 10. , but also renewed 
b Rom. 5, 15 16, etc. ; & I may enjoy the● as a seal upon mine heart.  
Merciful God, I beseech thee, forsake him not whic● calleth upon thee now: fo● before ever I could call upon thee, thou diddest not call m● only 
c Rom. 8, 30 , but also seek me 
d Luk. 15, 4.5, etc. , t● the end that I thy servant might seek thee, & through seeking find thee, and bein● found, love thee.  
I have sought, and I hau● found thee, o Lord, graun● that I may love thee.  
Increase my desire, & gra●●● my request: for though tho● give me all things which thou hast made, yet unless thou give thyself withal, I thy servant shall never be satisfied.  
Wherefore bestow thyself upon me, o my God, bestow thyself upon me.  
Lo, I do love thee; and if too little I love thee, my desire is to love yet more entirely.  
I love thee I say, I long for thee, I am much delighted to think upon thee.  
Behold, while fro mine heart I do sigh, and call into my remembrance thine unspeakable kindness, the burden of my flesh the less grieveth; troublesome cogitations the less invade; the weight of mortality, & miseries do not so load me as they were wont; all things are hush, every thing is quiet. Mine heart burneth; my mind is jocund; my memory fresh; mine understanding clear; and all my spirit, inflamed through the desire of thy sight, perceiveth how it is ravished with the love of things unseen.  
Let the same my spirit take the wings as the Eagles 
e Isai. 40, 31. , let it flee, and not be weary; let it flee, and never faint, until it come unto the place where thine honour dwelleth 
f Psal. 26, 8. , even unto the throne of grace▪ there at the table, where the supernal Citizens do repast, to be fed from thine eyes in green● pasture 
g Psal. 23, 2. , by the still waters.  
Be thou our joy 
h Reu. 7, 15.16.17. , our hope 
i 1. Tim. 1, 1.  our salvation 
k Hos. 13, 9 , & redemption 
l Isa. 41, 14. Isa. 44, 24. ▪  
Thou which hereafter wil● be our reward, be thou ou● comfort.  
Let my soul evermore sek● thee; and grant that neue● it may cease to seek, Amen▪   

Chap. 4. The miserable state of that soul which neither loveth our Lord and Saviour Christ, nor seeketh after him.  
woe to the wretched soul, which neither seeketh, nor loveth Christ: such à soul abideth both dry, & miserable.  
He looseth his life time, that loveth not thee, o God. And he that would live, but not to serve thee, is doubtless nothing, and so to be accounted.  
He which refuseth to live to thee, is already dead: and he that savoureth not of heavenly wisdom, is a very fool 
a 1. Cor. 1, 17.18.19, etc. .  
O most gracious God into thine hand I do commend, render, and yield myself, through whom I both am 
b Gen. 1, 26.27. Psal. 119, 73. , live 
c Act. 17, 28 , and have understanding 
d jam. 1, 17. .  
In thee I do repose mine whole trust, confidence, and hope, through whom I shall rise again 
e joh. 11, 25. , live 
f john. 14, 6 , and rest.  
Thee do I long for, thee do I love, thee do I worship, with whom I shall everlastingly abide, reign, and be blessed 
g Reu. 21, 4. Reu. 22, 5. .  
The soul which neither seeketh, nor loveth thee, is a friend of the world 
h Mat. 6, 24. Luk. 16, 13. , the slave of sin, subject to all manner wickedness; never quiet, at no time secure.  
Therefore, merciful Saviour, as for my mind let it attend on thee; my pilgrimage let it be toward thee; and mine heart let it even burn with the love of thee.  
Let my soul rest on thee, my God; let it, I say, deeply meditate of thee; let it sing-out thy praises with joy; & let this be all my comfort in this mine exile.  
Let the shadow of thy wings be a refuge for my soul from the parching heat of worldly cogitations. Let mine heart, a very great sea, swelling with waves trust in thee.  
Thou which aboundest with all good dainties, and art a most liberal bestower of supernal satiety, o God, give thou food to the wearied; gather the dispersed; deliver the captived; amend the parted.  
Lo, he standeth at the door, & knocketh: I therefore even by the bowels of thy mercy, whereby thou, the day spring from on high hath visited us 
i Luk. 1, 78. , beseech thee command the door to be opened to him which knocketh, that boldly he may enterin to thee, and rest in thee, and be refreshed of thee, the heavenly bread. For thou art the bread 
k joh. 6, 35.48.50, etc. , and the well of life 
l john. 4, 13 14. ; thou art the light of everlasting clearness 
m Reu. 21, 23 ; to conclude thou art all things, whereof the righteous do live, which love thee.   

Chap. 5. A very Christian desire of the soul after God.  
O God, thou who art both the light of the hearts 
a john. 1, 9  that see thee; and the life of the souls 
b john. 4, 13 14.  that love thee; and the strength of the minds that seek thee, give me grace evermore to cleave unto thine holy love.  
O come, I pray thee, into mine heart, and make me drunk with the river of thy pleasures 
c Psal. 36, 8. .  
It shameth, and it irketh me at the very heart even to suffer those things which are done in this wretched world.  
The very sight of worldly vanities is a grief unto me; and to hear of these transitory things it doth trouble me much.  
Help me, o Lord my God, and cause mine heart to rejoice in thee; come thou unto me, that I may behold thee.  
I am penned in this house of my soul, until thou come thereinto, and make it wider. It is ruinous, o repair the same!  
Many things, I acknowledge and know are in it, which may offend thine eyes; but alas who can make it clean; or unto whom else beside thee should I cry for help?  
Cleanse me, o Lord, fro my secret faults 
d Psal. 19, 12 13. ; keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins.  
Give me grace, o sweet Christ, o good jesus, give me grace, I beseech thee, for thy love & desire sake to laie-off the heavy burden of carnal desires, and earthly lust 
e ●. joh. 2, 15 .  
Let the soul over the flesh; let reason over the soul; let thy grace over reason bear sway; and make me both in body and soul evermore to obey thy will 
f Matt. 6, 10 .  
Grant that both mine heart, and my tongue, and all my strength may extol thy goodness.  
Enlarge mine understanding, and lift up the eyes of mine heart, that my spirit with swift cogitation may attain unto thee the everlasting wisdom 
g Heb. 1, 1.2, etc. , abiding above all things.  
Lose me, I beseech thee, from the fetters wherewithal I am fast bound, that leaving all these worldly things, I may hasten unto thee, cleave to thee alone, and think only upon thee.   

Chap. 6. The happiness of that soul which is delivered out of the earthly prison of the body.  
O Happy is the soul, which loased from the earthly prison 
a Phil. 1, 23. , soareth without let unto heaven; which face to face beholdeth thee 
b 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. reve. 22, 4. , the most gracious Lord; which is touched with no fear of death at all 
c Reu. 7, 15.16. , but triumpheth with an incorruptible crown of perpetual glory!  
O quiet and secure is such à soul; and feareth now neither enemy, nor death 
d Reu. 21, 4. !  
She enjoyeth thee her good Lord, whom long she sought, and alway loved;  
Now joined to the singing quires, she soundeth-out without ceasing unto the praise of thy glory, o Christ, her King, o sweet jesus, most melodious Psalms she singeth of aye lasting joyfulness.  
For she is satisfied with thy fatness 
e Psal. 36, 8. ; thou dost give her drink out of the river of thy pleasures.  
Happy is the fellowship of supernal Citizens, and glorious is the solemnity of such as return unto thee from the painful toil of this pilgrimage 
f Heb. 11, 13. Heb. 13, 14. , unto the wonderful beauty, unto the surpassing glory, unto the excellency of all comeliness, where continually thy Citizens, o Lord, behold thy face 
g Reu. 22, 4. . There nothing is heard to trouble the mind 
h Reu. 21, 4. .  
What mirth 
i Reu. 5, 8. ! what melody! what singing! what Psalms be there song without ceasing!  
There the pleasant organs do sounde-out most heavenly hymns; the blessed Angels most sweetly do sing; & songs of rare excellency are uttered out by the supernal Citizens, unto the praise and glory of thy Name.  
There is neither gall, nor any bitterness in that blessed region 
k Reu. 21, 4. . For there is no wicked person 
l Reu. 21, verse. 27. , nor any wickedness at al.  
There is neither enemy to impugn, nor any enticement to offend.  
There is no lack 
m 1. Cor. 2, verse. 9 , no shame, no contention, no upbraiding, no blaming, no fear, no unquietness, no punishment; doubtfulness, violence, discord there is none.  
But singular peace, and perfect love, and lasting triumphs, and praising of God, and secure quietness, which never shall have end, and continual joy in the holy spirit there is.  
Oh, how happy should I be, did I hear those most comfortable songs of thy Citizens, and the sugared verses uttering forth with due reverence the praises of the sacred Trinity!  
But most singularly blessed should I be, might I also with them sing to my Lord jesus Christ one of the pleasant songs of Zion 
n Psa. 137, 3 .   

Chap. 7. The blessed joy of the heavenly Paradise.  
O lively life! o everlasting life, and everlastingly blessed! whereas joy is and no sorrow 
a Reu. 7, 16, 17. reve. 21, 4. ; rest is and no labour; honour is and no fear; wealth is and no loss; health is and no sickness; abundance and no want; life and no death; immortality and no corruption; happiness, & no misery at all is!  
Whereas all good things are in perfect love; where sight is face unto face 
b Reu. 22, 4. ; where perfect knowledge is in all men 
c 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12.13. , & all things are known; whereas Gods sovereign goodness is perceived, and the light enlightening, is glorified of the saints;  
Where the present majesty of God is beholden, and the mind of the beholders is filled continually with this meat of life:  
They see continually, and yet they desire to see; they desire without grief, and without loathing they be satisfied:  
Where the true son of righteousness 
d reve. 21, verse. 23.24. reve. 22, 5. , with the wonderful show of his beautiful beams, doth refresh all beholders, and so enlighteneth all the Citizens of the celestial country, that they do give light, to wit, a light enlightened through God, à light shining more clearly, than doth either the Sun at any time, or the Stars.  
They do cleave unto the immortal Godhead, and thereby they become immortal, and uncorruptible, according to the promise of our Lord and Saviour 
e joh. 17, 24. , Father, I will that they which thou hast given me, be with me even where I am, that they may behold my glory; that they all may be one, 
21.  as thou, o Father, art in me, and I in thee, even that they also may be one in us.   

Chap. 8. The glorious condition of the kingdom of Heaven.  
THE kingdom of heaven, is a most happy kingdom, a kingdom both immortal 
a Reu. 21, 4. , and everlasting 
b Dan. 7, 27. .  
There no times succeed by ages; neither night followeth after day 
c Reu. 21, 4. ;  
There the valiant soldier after battles fought, is adorned abundantly with unspeakable rewards 
d 2. Tim. 4. verse. 7.8. ; and crowned honourably with an everlasting crown.  
Oh that Christ of his divine goodness, having eased me of the heavy load of my sins, oh that he would bid me, even the basest of all his servants, to lay off the burden of this flesh 
e Phil. 1, 23. , that I might to my comfort 
f Reu. 7, 16.17. , pass over unto the everlasting joys of his city; be admitted into the fellowship of the Saints above 
g Reu. 5, 1.2, etc. ; attend upon the majesty of the Creator, with the blessed Spirits; behold the countenance of God 
h 1. Cor, 13, verse. 12. ; be never touched any more with fear of death 
i Reu. 21, 4. ; but rejoice securely for the immortality attained 
k 1. Cor. 15, verse. 53.54. ; and joined to him which knoweth all things 
l Eccles. 23, verse. 19.20. , might forego all blind ignorance 
m 1. Cor. 13, verse. 13. , and neither make account of earthly things; nor vouchsafe either to behold, or to remember this vale of tears any more, whereas the laboursome life 
n job. 7, 1. , the corruptible life 
o Psa. 102, 11. Psa. 103, 14.15. , the life replenished with all manner bitterness is 
p job. 14, 1. , such à life as is the Lady of evils, the handmaid of Devils.  
The which both humours puff up, and sorrows pluck down; heat withereth, and ill aërs infect; which both much eating maketh pursy, and much fasting maketh lean;  
Which by mirth is loosed, and by sadness consumed; by care is shortened, and by security dulled; by riches made proud, and by poverty overthrown; by youth exalted, & by age bowed;  
Which is both by sickness broken, and by sadness depressed; which both the Devil entrappeth by his snares; and the world deceiveth by flattery; & the flesh destroyeth by filthy pleasure.  
Whereby the soul is made blind, and the whole man distempered:  
And after these so many, and so great evils, succeed raging death, which bringeth vain delights unto such an end, that when they are once gone, they are as quite forgotten, as if they had never been at all!   

Chap. 9 How God after much troubles doth comfort the pensive soul.  
BUT what praises, or what thanks may we render 
a Psa. 116, 12.  unto thy goodness, o GOD, who ceasest not for all this by thy gracious visitation, to comfort us amids so great wretchedness of our mortality!  
While I dread much to die; while I consider the multitude of my sins; while I do fear thy heavy judgement; while I call into mind the hour of death; and am aghast at the horrible pains of hell; while I wots not how precisely, and how strictly thou wilt weigh my deeds; and am utterly ignorant how I shall end my life; and ponder many other things in mine heart, lo, of thy wonted goodness, o Lord my God, thou art present to comfort me, wretch, replenished with much sorrow, and from these piteous complaints and crying, thou carriest my pensive and troubled understanding over steep hills, unto the beds of sweet spices, and makest me to rest in green pasture 
b Psa. 23, 2. , by the rivers of sweet waters, where thou preparest a table diversly furnished against my coming, to refresh my wearied spirits, and to comfort my sorrowful heart, and so refreshed with those dainties, I forget at the length my manifold miseries, and exalted over the earth, I do rest myself in thee which art the true peace 
c Phil. 4, 7. .   

Chap. 10. A prayer for grace to love God.  
O Lord my God, I do love thee; and more and more I desire to love thee.  
Give me grace, o Lord my God 
a Psal. 7, 1.3. , who art fairer than the children of men 
b Psa. 45, 2. , give me grace not only to desire thee, but also to love thee both as I would, and as I am bound.  
Thou art unmeasurable 
c job. 23, 8.9. Psal. 139, 7.8. , and therefore to be loved without measure, especially of us whom thou hast so loved 
d joh. 3, 16. , so saved 
e 1. Pet. 2, verse. 22. , for whose sakes thou hast done such and so great things.  
O Love, which burnest alway, and never goest out, o sweet Christ, o good jesus, o my God who art love itself 
f 1. joh. 4, 8. , set me wholly on fire with thy fire, with the love of thee, with thy sweetness, with hearty affection toward thee, with a desire of thee, with godly charity, with godly joy, and rejoicing; with godly kindness and sweetness; with godly delectation and concupiscence, the which is holy and good, and chaste and pure, that being throughlie replenished with the sweetness of thy love, and altogether purged from the gross vapours of earthly cogitations by the fire of divine charity, I may love thee, most sweet, and most lovely Lord, with all mine heart, with all my soul, with all my strength, and with all my mind 
g Deut. 6, 5. Matt. 22, 37. Luke. 10, 27. , and that with much sorrow of heart, and plentiful tears of the eyes, with much fear and trembling 
h Phil. 2, 12. , having thee in such wise both in mine heart, and in my mouth, that no strange loves may find room within me.   

Chap. 11. A prayer for grace both duly to thank God for our redemption; and worthily to approach unto the holy Table.  
O Christ my Saviour, who art of all the fairest 
a Psa. 45, 2. , through the shedding of thy precious blood, wherewithal we be redeemed 
b 1. Pet. 1, 18.19. , I humbly beseech thee, give me grace unfeignedly to repent, & heartily to bewail my sins, especially at such times when I offer prayers unto thee, when I sing-foorth thy praises; when I call into mind the mystery of our redemption 
c 1. Tim. 3, verse. 16. , a manifest argument of thy mercy to man ward; when I am at the holy Table, though unworthy to approach thereunto, desiring to participate of that wonderful, and heavenly, and reverend Sacrament, which thou, o Lord my God, the unspotted Priest 
d Heb. 7, 26 27.  didst institute, and command to be received 
e Luk. 22, 19  in remembrance of thy love, to wit of thy death 
f 1. Cor. 11, verse. 26. , and passion for our salvation, and for the strengthening of our daily weakness.  
Let my mind at such mysteries be confirmed with the sweetness of thy spiritual presence; let it behold thee with the eyes of faith, and rejoice in thy sight.  
O sweet Christ, o good jesus, who art both the fire burning always, and the love inflamed evermore; the everlasting and never wasting light 
g Reu. 21, 23 24. , and the bread of life 
h joh. 6, 35.48.51. , feeding us, and yet never diminished, and eaten-of daily, and yet continually abiding whole;  
Shine thou upon me, and set me on fire, enlighten and sanctify me; purge thy vessel from the dregs of malice, fill me of thy grace, and keep me full, that I may eat the meat of thy flesh unto the salvation of my soul, that feeding upon thee, I may live of thee, and through thee, I may attain unto thee, and rest in thee, Amen.   

Chap. 12. A zealous prayer for grace to meditate deeply upon the goodness of God.  
O Sweet love, & lovely sweetness, let my stomach digest thee; and with the nectar of thy love be all my bowels filled; & let mine heart utter-forth good matter 
a Psal. 45, ●. .  
O my God, who art charity itself 
b 1. joh. 4, 8. , the delectable honey, the snowy milk, and the food of the strong, make me to grow-up in thee, that thou with à sound palate mayest be tasted of me.  
Thou art my life 
c joh. 14, 6. john. 25, 11. , whereby I do live 
d Act. 17, 28. ; the hope whereunto I trust 
e 1. Tim. 1, 1. ; and the glory, which I desire to attain 
f Col. 3, 4. .  
Guide thou mine heart, rule thou my mind, direct mine understanding, erect my love, cheer up my soul, and quench thou the thirst of my spirit, which longeth after thee, with thine heavenly rivers.  
Let the tumultuous cogitations of the flesh, hold their peace I beseech thee; let earthly, and worldly fantasies be still; let all dreams, and vain revelations, let every tongue, every sign, and what else soever doth vanish-awaie, be silent.  
Yea, let mine own soul also be dumb too; and overpass itself, not by thinking on itself, but upon thee, my God: because thou art in deed all mine hope and confidence 
g 1. Tim. 1, 1. .  
For in thee our most gracious, and kind, & merciful Lord, and God, jesus Christ, each of us hath a portion both of blood & flesh 
h Eph. 5, 30. .  
Therefore where a piece of myself doth reign, there I believe I do reign; where my blood hath dominion, there I trust I have dominion; where my flesh is glorified, there I know I am glorious.  
And although I am yet a sinner, yet I doubt no whit of this participation of grace; although my sins do hinder me, yet my substance doth require it; and although mine own offences do exclude me, yet the communion of nature doth not repel me.   

Chap. 13. A thanksgiving unto God for the incarnation of his dear Son to save man.  
FOr the Lord is not so unkind, that he can hate his own flesh 
a Eph. 5, 29. , his own members, his own bowels.  
Surely I might utterly despair, in respect of mine outrageous offences, and infinite sins, which I both have committed, and daily do commit both in heart, word, and deed, and by all means whereby the frailty of man may transgress, had not thy word, o my God, been made flesh 
b john. 1, 14. , and dwelled among us.  
But now I dare not despair, because he having shown himself obedient to thee unto the death, even the death of the cross 
c Phil. 2, 8. , hath taken away 
d Col. 2, 14.  the hand-writing of our sins, and fastening it upon the cross, hath crucified both sin and death.  
In him therefore who sitteth at thy right hand, and maketh request also for us 
e Rom. 8, 34 , I take heart again.  
Through mine hope 
f 1. Tim. 1, 1. , in whom we are quickened 
g Eph. 2, 5.6. , and raised, and sit together in the heavenly places, I desire to come unto thee.  
To thee be praise 
h Reu. 19, 1. , to thee glory, to thee honour, to thee thanks, Amen.   

Chap. 14. The more God is thought-upon, the more lovely he seemeth.  
O Most gracious Lord, who hast so loved 
a john. 3, 16 , and saved us 
b 1. Pet. 1, 18.19. ; so quickened 
c Eph. 2, 5. , and glorified us 
d Rom. 8, verse. 30. ; o most gracious Lord, how sweet is thy remembrance! The more I think on thee, the sweeter thou seemest, and the more amiable in mine eyes!  
Therefore thy good things do much delight me; and uncessantly do I covet, with a pure sight of the heart 
e Matt. 5, 8. , and with the sweet affection of godly love, as farforth as I am able in the place of my pilgrimage, and so long as I carry these frail members about me, to desire, and to thinke-upon thy wonderful love, and beauty.  
For I am wounded with the dart of thy love; I do burn exceedingly with desire of thee; I covet long to be with thee 
f Phil. 1, 23. ; to behold thee, is all my desire.  
And therefore I will stand-upon my guard, and with watchful eyes I will sing with the spirit 
g 1. Cor. 14. verse. 25. , and I will sing with the understanding also, and with all my strength too.  
I will praise thee my maker 
h job. 10, 8. Psal. 100, 3. , & renewer; I will pierce the heavens with mine heart, and in desire I will be with thee, so as my body only shall be in this miserable world, but in thought, and in mind, and in desire 
i Col. 3, 1.2.  I will be where thou art; and where thou my rich 
k Matth. 13, verse. 44.45. , and incomparable, and much desired treasure art, there shall mine heart be also 
l Matt. 6, 21. Luke. 12, 34. .  
But lo, o most gracious and merciful God, mine heart is not able to consider the glory of thine infinite goodness, and mercy. For thine honour, thy beauty, thy strength, thy glory, magnificence, majesty, and love, exceed all sense 
m Phil. 4, 7.  of man's understanding; even as the courtesy of thine eternal love, whereby thou givest to such the adoption of sons 
n Rom. 8, 15 Galat. 4, 5.6. , and joinest them to thyself, whom thou hast created 
o Gen. 1, 26.27. , is inestimable.   

Chap. 15. How the troubles in this world are nothing answerable to the joys in heaven.  
O My soul, were we every day to endure torments; and to suffer the pains of hell à long space, if we would behold Christ in his glory, and be joined to his saints; were it not meet that we suffered all kind of adversity 
a Rom. 8, 18 , to attain unto the participation of such felicity, and of so great glory!  
Let the devils than lie in wait, and prepare their temptations; let fastings break the body; let hard apparel bring-downe the flesh; let labours grieve; watchings drie-up; let this man cry out upon me; let him or them disquiet me; let cold benumb; the conscience murmur; heat parch me;  
Let mine head ache, my breast burn, my stomach swell, my countenance become pale, let every part of me be weakened.  
Let my life waste in heaviness 
b Psal. 31, 10. , and my years with mourning;  
Let rottenness enter-into my bones 
c Hab. 3, 16. , and let me tremble in myself, so I may rest in the day of trouble, and ascend-up unto the saints of God.  
For how singular shall the glory of the righteous be 
d 1. Cor. 2, 9 ! how great the joy of all the sancts, when each of their faces shall shine as the Sun 
e Matth. 13, verse. 43. ! when the Lord shall begin to sort his people into sundry degrees in the kingdom of his Father; and according to each man's deserts and works 
f Rom. 2, 6. Reu. 22, 12. , as he hath promised, render his rewards, even celestial for earthly 
g Matth. 25, verse. 34.35, etc. , eternal for transitory, and great things for very trifles!  
Doubtless there shall be store of happiness, when the Lord shall bring his sancts to the contemplation of his father's glory 
h 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. Reu. 22, 4. , and make them to sit together in heavenly places 
i Eph. 2, 6. , that God may be all in all 
k 1. Cor. 15. verse. 28. .   

Chap. 16. Of the kingdom of heaven, and how it may be attained.  
O Happy joyfulness, & joyful happiness, to see the Sancts, to be with the Sancts, to be a Sanct; to behold God 
a 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. , and to enjoy God from everlasting, to everlasting!  
Hereupon let us earnestly muse; these things let us heartily desire, the sooner to come unto their happy state.  
Askest thou how this may be done; or by what merits or means? Listen o man. This matter consisteth in the power of the worker, for the kingdom of God suffereth violence 
b Matth. 11, verse. 12. .  
The kingdom of Heaven o man, asketh none other price, but thyself; it is worth so much as thou art thyself. Give thyself, and thou shalt have that.  
What art thou troubled about the price? Christ hath given himself 
c 1. Pet. 1, verse. 18.19. , that he might purchase thee à kingdom to God even the Father 
d 1. Cor. 15, verse. 24. .  
So give thou thyself, that thou mayst be his kingdom, and let not sin reign in thy mortal body 
e Rom. 6, verse. 12. , but the spirit to the attainment of life.   

Chap. 17. What Paradise is: and the joys thereof.  
NOw my soul, return we unto the celestial City, wherein we be written 
a reve. 20. verse. 12. , and of which we be members.  
For as Citizens with the Saints 
b Eph. 2, 19 , and of the household of God; and as the heirs of God 
c Rom. 8, 17 , and heirs annexed with Christ, let us call into mind, as we are able, the happy state of our City. Say we therefore with the Prophet, Glorious things are spoken of thee 
d Psa. 87, 3. , o City of God; they which dwell in thee are like such as sing. It is fair in situation, even the joy of the whole earth 
e Psal. 48, 2. .  
There is neither age, nor the misery of age in thee; in thee there is no maimed, nor lame, nor crooked, nor deformed person; for all do meet together unto a perfect man 
f Eph. 4, 13. , and unto the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.  
Then what happier thing can there be than this life, where neither poverty is to be feared, nor sickness 
g Reu. 21, 4●  to weaken! where no hurt is done, and no man will either be angry, or envious!  
Where there is no burning concupiscence; no desire of meat; no suing for honour and preferment!  
Where we shall be out of all fear of the Devil; of his traps; and of damnation!  
Where neither body, nor soul shall die 
h Reu. 21, 4. ; and a joyful and immortal life is!  
Where no evils at all, nor discord shallbe; but all things well, all things at quiet: because the hearts of all the Sancts shall wish and will one thing!  
Where peace and mirth do possess all; all things are as they should be, and at a good stay.  
Where continual light shall be; not such a light as we now enjoy, but so much clearer, as it is more blessed! For that City, as we read, hath no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to shine in it 
i Reu. 21, 23. ; for the glory of God shall in●ighten it, and the Lamb is the light of it.  
Where the Sancts shall shine as the Stars for ever & ever 
k Dan. 12, 3. ; and they that turn many unto righteousness, as the brightness of the firmament!  
So that no night shall be there 
l Revel. 21. verse. 25. , no darkness there; no gathering together of clouds there; no complaining there either of parching heat, or of nipping cold:  
But such à temperature of all things there shall be, as eye hath not seen 
m 1. Cor. 2. verse. 9 isaiah. 64.4. , neither ear hath heard, nor at any time hath come into the heart of any man, they only excepted, who are found worthy to enjoy that happiness, whose names be written in the book of life 
n Revel. 21, verse. 27. .  
Notwithstanding, a greater happiness than all this is, to be joined to the quires of Angels, and of Archangels, and of all the celestial powers; to behold the patriarchs, and the Prophets; to see the Apostles of Christ, and all the Saints, and our parents also.  
This is a great glory: but the greatest of all is, to behold God himself face to face 
o 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. reve. 22, 4. ; to see the incomprehensible light.  
The superexcellent glory shall be, when we see God in himself, and when we shall both see, and enjoy him in ourselves too, of which sight there shall be none end.   

Chap. 18. That we can not please God, but through love.  
THE soul, being goodly through the image of God 
a Gen. 1, 26.27. Colos 3, 20. , and glorious through his likeness, hath in it of God, whereby it may be warned always either to stand with him, or to return unto him, if she be moved with her affections, or defections rather.  
And hath not only whence to take heart again, through hope of pardon, and mercy, but also whence boldly to aspire unto the marriage of the word 
b Matth. 22. verse. 2.3, etc. , and to enter into the covenant of fellowship with God, and to bear the pleasant yoke of amity with the king of Angels.  
All this worketh love, if the soul show herself like to God in will, as she is to him by nature, loving as she is beloved 
c joh. 3, 16. .  
For of all the motions, senses, and affections of the mind, love only it is, whereby man may, though not fully satisfy the love of God, yet answer in a sort his good wil  
When love once cometh, it draweth unto it, and captiveth all other affections. Love sufficeth of itself; pleaseth of itself, and for itself.  
Love is the merit, the reward, the cause, the fruit, the use. For by love we are conjoined to God 
d 1. Cor. 13, verse. 1.2, etc. .  
Love maketh one spirit of two. Love maketh to will, and to nil one thing. Love maketh first to frame our manners; afterward to consider things that are, as though they were not; and thirdly with a pure sight of the heart 
e Matth. 5, verse. 8. , to behold heavenly, and spiritual things.  
Through love, first honest things are well handled in the world; secondly, honest things of the world are despised 
f Phil. 3, 8. , and last of all, the secrets of God are seen and beholden 
g 1. Cor. 13, verse. 13. .   

Chap. 19 How God requireth some thing of us like to himself.  
GOD the Father is charity 
a 1. joh. 4, 8. , God the Son is lovingness, God the holy Ghost is the love of the Father, and of the Son.  
This charity, and this love requireth a like thing in us, even love again, whereby we may be linked, and joined to God, as it were by some alliance of kindred.  
Love is ignorant what dignity meaneth, knoweth no reverence.  
He that loveth, approacheth boldly unto God, and speaketh familiarly to him without fear, and stopping.  
He that loveth not, liveth not: but he that loveth, looketh evermore upon God whom he loveth, whom he desireth, upon whom he thinketh, in whom he delighteth, upon whom he feedeth, in whom he groweth.  
A man so devout, doth evermore so sing, and so read, and so circumspectly, and warely behave himself in all his actions, as if God were, as in deed he is 
b Eccle. 23, verse. 19.20. , alway present before his eyes.  
He so prayeth, as if he were taken-up and presented before the face of God in his majestical throne, whereas thousand thousands minister to him 
c Dan. 7, 10. , and ten thousand thousands stand before him.  
The soul which he visiteth with love, awakeneth him that sleepeth; it monisheth, and mollifieth the soul, and woundeth his heart.  
It enlighteneth dark things; it unlocketh things shut-vp; it inflameth cold things; it mitigateth the froward, angry, and impatient mind.  
It chaseth away vices; bridleth carnal affections; amendeth manners; reformeth and reneweth the mind; and restraineth the light motions, and actions of slippery youth.  
All these things love worketh when it is present; but when it is wanting, the soul beginneth to droop, even as a boiling cauldron doth when fire is taken from under the same.   

Chap. 20. Of the boldness of the soul that loveth God.  
Love doubtless is a great thing, by it the soul of herself, doth boldly approach unto God, and cleaveth constantly unto him.  
The soul that loveth, asketh questions of God familiarly, and consulteth with him in all matters.  
She can think of nothing, and speak of nothing beside God, all other things she loatheth, and contemneth 
a Matth. 6, verse. 24. .  
Whatsoever she mindeth, and whatsoever she speaketh, it savoureth of love, and smelleth of love, so wholly hath the love of God won her unto him.  
He that would have the knowledge of God, let him love.  
In vain doth he give himself either to read, or to study, or to preach, or to pray, that loveth not 
b 8. Cor. 1, 2, etc. .  
The love of God engendereth the love of the soul, and maketh her to hearken unto itself.  
God loveth, because he would be loved again. When he loveth, he would be loved, knowing that through love they are blessed which love him.  
The loving soul renounceth all her own affections, and wholly giveth herself to love, that in rendering love for love, she may answer the love she hath found: and when she hath loved what she can, yet what is it unto the everlasting stream of that heavenly fountain!  
For love and the lover, the soul and God, the Creator and the creature meet not alike together: yet if man with all his heart wholly doth love thee, o GOD, there lacketh nothing where all is.  
Let not the soul than fear which loveth; but let the soul shake and tremble that loveth not.  
The loving soul is carried with desire, and drawn with longing; she dissembleth her deserts; shutteth her eyes from the majesty of God; openeth them to pleasure; reposing her trust in thy salvation, and confidently rejoicing therein.  
Through love the soul withdraweth herself, and departeth from the bodily senses, to the end that feeling God, she may have no feeling of herself.  
Which falleth-out when the mind alured by an unspeakable sweetness of God stealeth away from herself, yea is ravished and slippeth-awaie, the better to enjoy God at her full pleasure. And this pleasure surpasseth all pleasure, where it is of continuance.  
Of love springeth familiarity, of familiarity boldness, of boldness taste, of tasting hunger.  
The soul which the love of God hath touched can think none other thing, and desire nothing else, but with often sighs saith, As the Hart braieth for the rivers of water 
c Psal. 42, 1. : so panteth my soul after thee, o God.   

Chap. 21. The singular love of God to man ward.  
THrough love GOD himself came unto men 
a john. 3, 16 , came into men, was made man 
b john. 1, 14. .  
Through love the invisible God became like unto his servants 
c Phil. 2, 7. Mat. 20, 28. . Through love he was wounded for our transgressions 
d isaiah. 53, 5. 1. Pet. 2, 24. .  
In those wounds of our Saviour, sure and safe rest is for weaklings and sinners. There I dwell without care, his bowels of mercy are laid open to my sight through his wounds.  
Whatsoever I lack of myself, that I do boldly take out of the bowels of my Lord: For his mercies abound, and there want none holes for them to issue out by.  
Through the holes of the body, I behold the secrets of the heart; I see the great mystery of godliness 
e 1. Tim. 3, verse. 16. ; and the bowels of the mercy of our God 
f Luk. 1, 78. , whereby the day spring from an high hath visited us, are open to mine eyes.  
The wounds of jesus Christ are full of mercy, full of clemency, full of sweetness, and love.  
They bored his hands, and his feet 
g Luke. 24, verse. 39.40. john. 20, 25 , and pierced his side with a spear 
h joh. 19, 34 .  
By these holes I may taste, how gracious the Lord is 
i Psal. 34, 8. ; for doubtless the Lord is good and merciful 
k Psal. 86, 5. , and of great kindness to a which call upon him in truth 
l Psa. 145, 8 , to all yea which call upon him 
m isaiah. 55, 6 , but especially to such as love him 
n Ezo. 20, 6. .  
Great redemption is given us through the wounds of our Saviour Christ 
o 1. Pet. 1, 18.19. 1. Pet. 2, 24. , great goodness, much grace, and all virtues perfectly.   

Chap. 22. The refuge of à Christian in the time of tentation.  
WHen I am tempted with any filthy cogitation, I run forthwith unto the wounds of Christ; when my flesh subdueth me, I rise-againe through the recordation of my Lord his wounds; when the devil layeth snares to entrap me, I do fly unto the tender mercy of my Lord, and he leaveth me.  
If burning lust do inflame me, it is quenched through the calling of the wounds of our Lord 
a Col. 1, 2.3. , the Son of God 
b Mat. 16, 16 Luke. 1, 35.  into mind.  
In all extremities I can find none so good à remedy, as the wounds of Christ.  
In them I sleep securely, and rest without fear. Christ hath died for us 
c Rom. 5, 6.7.8. Rom. 14, 15. 1. Cor. 15, 3. .  
Nothing is so bitter unto the death, but may by the death of my Lord be helped.  
His death is my merit; my refuge, salvation, life and resurrection 
d joh. 11, 25. . The Lord's mercy, is my merit.  
I can not lack merits, so long as the Lord of mercies is with me. And if great is the Lords mercies 
e Psal. 86, 5.15. Psa. 119, 156 , doubtless great are my merits.  
The more able he is to save, the less care do I take.   

Chap. 23. Special medicines against sin, and despair.  
Greatly have I sinned, o Lord, and my conscience accuseth me of manifold offences; yet do I not despair. For where sin abounded 
a Rom. 5, 20  grace abounded much more.  
He that in consideration of his heinous wickedness doth despair, denieth God to be a merciful God.  
He greatly defaceth the glory of God, which doubteth of his mercy; and as much as in him is, denieth God to have love 
b john. 3, 16 1. john. 4, 8. , truth 
c Psa. 86, 15. Rom. 3, 4. , & power in him 
d Gen. 35, 11 Revel. 4, 8. , wherein all mine hope consisteth (to wit in the love of his adoption 
e Rom. 8, 15 16, etc. , in the truth of his promise 
f Rom. 4, 16. Gal. 4, 28. , & in the power of his redemption 
g 1. Pet. 1, 18.19. .)  
Then let my foolish cogitation murmur as much as it will, saying, who art thou; how great is that glory; & by what merits hopest thou to obtain the same? And I will boldly make this answer: I know whom I give credit unto; for of his tender love he hath adopted me for his Son 
h Gal. 4, 28. : who is both of his promise true 
i john. 3, 33 , and also mighty in performance, and he may do what he will 
k Ecc. 46, 6. 2. Cor. 6, 18. .  
The multitude of my sins can not dismay me, if the death of Christ come into my mind: for my sins are not able to overmatch his mercy.  
The nails, and the spear do cry unto me, that I am reconciled to Christ, if I love him heartily.  
Longinus with his spear hath opened to me the side of Christ 
l joh. 19, 34. , and I am gone-in, and rest there quietly.  
He that feareth, let him love. For perfect love casteth-out fear 
m 1. joh. 4, 18 .  
There is no such remedy against the heat of lust, as the death of my redeemer.  
He stretched-out his arms upon the cross, and held-out his hands 
n Matt. 27, verse. 35. Gal. 3, 13. , to show how he is ready to embrace the penitent sinners.  
Between those arms of my Saviour, I both wish to live, and desire to die. There I will sing without care: I will magnify thee, o Lord, for thou hast exalted me 
o Psal. 30, 1. , and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.  
Our Saviour bowed his head 
p joh. 19, 30 , and gave up the ghost, even to kiss his beloved. And so often do we kiss God, as we are pricked at the heart with the love of him.   

Chap. 24. A zealous meditation to move unto the love of God.  
O MY Soul, thou which art endued with the image of GOD 
a Gen. 1, 26.27. Col. 3, 10. , redeemed with the blood of Christ 
b 1. Pet. 1, 18.19. , betrothed through faith 
c 2. Cor. 11, 2 , endued with the Spirit 
d Rom. 8, 9.15. , adorned with virtues, and counted with the Angels 
e Luke. 20, verse. 36. :  
Love thou him, who hath so loved thee; care thou for him, who hath a care of thee 
f 1. Pet. 5, 7. ; seek thou him, who seeketh thee.  
love thy lover, of whom thou art loved 
g 1. joh. 4, 7.8, etc. ; who in loving hath prevented thee 
h 1. joh. 4, 19 ; who is the cause of thy love 
i jam. 1, 17. . He is the merit; he the reward, he the fruit, the use, and the end.  
Be thou careful with the careful; be thou at leisure, with him that hath leisure; clean with the clean; and holy with the holy.  
As thou offerest thyself in the presence of God, so will he appear in thy sight.  
A good, and merciful God, of great kindness 
k Psal. 86, 5. , requireth such as are good, and merciful, and loving, and humble, and kind.  
Love thou him who hath brought thee out of the horrible pit 
l Psal. 40, 2. , out of the miry clay.  
Choose him for thy friend before all friends; who when all things shall fail, will keep his faith 
m joh. 13, 1. .  
In the day of thy burial, when all thy friends will departed from thee, he will not forsake thee 
n Psa. 37, 28 Psal. 27, 10. ; but protect thee from the roaring of them that be ready to devour 
o Eccl. 51, 3. , and conduct thee through an unknown country, and bring thee unto the streets of supernal Zion, & there place thee with the Angels before the face of his majesty 
p Reu. 22, 4. , where thou shalt hear that angelical music, Holy, Holy, Holy 
q isaiah. 6, 3. .  
There is the song of mirth 
r Reu. 5, 9 Reu. 14, 3. , the voice of joy and welfare, and thanksgiving, and praising, and Halleluiah for ever and ever.  
There is perfect felicity, excellent glory, surpassing joy, and all good things 
s 1. Cor. 2, 9 .  
O my soul sigh heartily, and earnestly desire to attain unto that supernal city, whereof such glorious things are spoken 
t Psal. 87, 3. : in which who so dwell are all even like such as triumph with joy.  
Through love thou mayest ascend. To the lover nothing is hard, nothing unpossible.  
The soul that loveth doth oftentimes ascend, and boldly runneth about the streets of celestial Jerusalem, visiting the patriarchs and Prophets; saluting the Apostles, wondering at the armies of Martyrs, and Confessors; and beholding the flocks of virgins.  
Heaven & earth, and all things in them contained, do call upon me continually to love my Lord God.   

Chap. 25. Of true knowledge, what it is.  
WHat is the knowledge of the truth? It is first to know thyself, and that thou both study to be such as thou oughtest to be; and also amend that which is to be reform. secondly, it is to know, and to love thy maker; for this is all man's happiness 
a joh. 17, 3. .  
Consider therefore how unspeakable the love of God is to manward. He created us of nothing 
b Gen. 1, 26.27. job. 10, 8. Psa. 119, 73. ; and whatsoever we have, he gave the same 
c 1. Cor. 4, verse. 7. jam. 1, 17. .  
But forsomuch as we loved the gift more than the giver; the creature than the creator 
d Gen. 3, 6.7, etc. , we fell into the snare of Satan, and became his bondslaves 
e Rom. 6, 16.17. .  
Nevertheless, God of his great love, sent his own Son 
f joh. 3, 16.17. , to redeem servants 
g Rom. 8, 3. ; and sent also the holy Ghost, whereby he made servants his sons by adoption 
h Gal. 4, 6. .  
He gave his Son for a ransom 
i 1. Pet. 1, 18.19. Gal. 4, 4.5. ; the holy Ghost for a pledge of his love 
k 2. Cor. 1, verse. 22. Ephe. 1, 13.14. ; and reserveth himself wholly for the inheritance of adoption 
l Rom. 8, 17. .  
And thus God, as he is very gracious and merciful 
m Psa. 86, 5. , of his good will and love to mankindward, bestoweth not his goods only, but himself also to redeem man, and that not so much for his own sake, as for man's behoof.  
That men might be borne of God, God first was borne of man 
m joh. 1, 14. .  
Now what heart is so flinty, but will be softened by this love of God, so preventing man 
n 1. john. 4, verse. 19 !  
O vehement love, that God for man's cause can vouchsafe to become man 
o Matt. 1, 21. !  
Who can hate man, whose nature and likeness he beholdeth in the humanity of God?  
Doubtless, who so loveth not man, hateth God; and so abideth in death 
p 1. john. 3, verse. 14. .  
For God became man for man's sake 
q Luk. 1, 31.69. , that he might be a redeemer 
r 1. Pet. 1, 18.19. , as he was before a creator 
s john. 1, 1.3. Heb. 1, 3. ; and that man not only might be ransomed through his riches, but also love him the more entirely.  
God appeared in the similitude of sinful flesh 
t Rom. 8, 3. , that each sense of man might be made blessed in him, and as well the eye of the heart be renewed in his divinity, as the eye of the body in his humanity, that whether it go in, or out, man's nature which he hath created 
u Gen. 1, 26.27. , might in it find comfort and refreshment.   

Chap. 26. What the sending of the holy Spirit worketh in us.  
FOR our Saviour came into the world 
a Luke. 2, 11.  and was crucified, and put unto death for our sakes 
b Rom. 5, 6.8. , that he might through his death 
c Heb. 2, 14. , destroy him that had the power of death, that is the Devil.  
And seeing the grapes of his flesh were carried unto the winepress of the cross, and the pleasant wine of his divinity began to spout-foorth; the holy Spirit was sent to make ready men's hearts, that new wine might be put into new vessels 
d Matt. 9, 17. , and to see first that they were clean, lest otherwise they marred that which should be powred-in; and than that they were well hooped that they leaked not: I mean that they were cleansed from the delight of wickedness; and hooped to keepe-out the delight of vanity.  
For that which is good could not enter, till that which il is were gone.  
The delight in wickedness polluteth; and the delight in vanity sheddeth.  
The delight in wickedness makes the vessel to stink; and the delight in vanity maketh it full of clefts.  
Men delight in wickedness, when they love sin; and they delight in vanity, when they love transitory things.  
Then cast away that which is evil, that you may taste that which good is. Powre-out bitterness, that you may be replenished with sweetness.  
The holy Ghost is joy, and love, than cast out the spirit of the Devil, and the spirit of this world, that you may be capable of the holy Ghost.  
The spirit of the Devil worketh the delight of iniquity; and the spirit of the world, the delight of vanity. And these delights are evil, because the one is a sin of itself, and the other is an occasion of sin.  
But when these evil spirits are throwne-out, the spirit of God will come, and enter into the tabernacle of the heart, and work a good delight there 
e Rom. 14, verse. 17. , even a good love, which shall expel the love both of the world, and of wickedness.  
The love of the world allureth, and deceiveth 
f 1. john. 2, verse. 15.16.17. ; the love of sin defileth, and bringeth unto destruction 
g Rom. 6, verse. 23. : but the love of God enlighteneth the mind 
h Rom. 5, 5. , cleanseth the conscience 
i 1. Cor. 13, 1.2, etc. , rejoiceth the heart 
k Gal. 5, 22. , and bringeth into the sight of God 
l 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. .   

Chap. 27. The effects of true love.  
HE that loveth God unfeignedly, doth evermore think it long until he come unto God 
a Phil. 1, 23. , until he leave the world, until he be free from the corruption of the flesh 
b Rom. 7, verse. 24. ; his heart and affection are set on things above 
c Col. 3, 2. , that he may find the true peace 
d Phil. 4, 7. Reu. 21, 4. .  
Whether he sitteth, or walketh, or resteth, or whatsoever he doth, his heart is with God 
e 1. Cor. 10, verse. 31. .  
He exhorteth all men to love God; he commendeth the love of God to all men, and both in heart, in word, and by his conversation he showeth, both how sweet the love of God is, and how evil and sour the love of the world.  
He derideth the glory, and reproveth the care of this world, and showeth what a foolish thing it is to put any confidence in transitory things 
f 1. joh. 2, 15.16.17. .  
He wondereth at the blindness of men, that they can love; he wondereth also that every man will not forsake these transitory and fleeting things of this world 
g 1. Cor. 7, verse. 31. .  
He thinketh that what he savoureth, should seem sweet to all men; what he loveth, should like every man; and what he knoweth, every man should understand.  
Much and oftentimes doth he muse upon God, and is sweetly refreshed through such heavenly contemplation; and the oftener he doth so, the greater is his joy.  
For very comfortable is it alway even to think upon that, which to love and to commend, is so delightful to the mind.   

Chap. 28. What the true quietness of the mind is.  
Doubtless the heart is then at rest, when through desire it is wholly fixed upon the love of God; and desireth nothing else, but with a certain blessed sweetness is much delighted in that which it hath; and in delighting is made jocund.  
And if any time either by a vain cogitation, or through worldly business, it be somewhat drawn away therefrom, it hasteneth to return thither with all speed, deeming it a banishment to be anie-where beside.  
For, as every moment, man may either enjoy, or use the goodness of God: so every moment is man to think upon God.  
And therefore his offence is not small, who in praying is carried suddenly away from his sight, as though he did neither hear, nor behold.  
Which is then done, when man followeth his evil, and unbridled affections; and, whereunto the sight of the mind is easily carried, preferreth some vile creature before God, by musing, & thinking thereupon, oftener than upon God, who daily is to be thought-upon as a creator 
a job. 10, 8. Psal. 119, 73. ; to be worshipped, as a redeemer 
b Gal. 3, 13. Gal. 4, 4.5. ; to be expected, as a saviour 
c Phil. 3, 20.21. ; and to be feared, as a judge 
d Acts. 10, verse. 42. 2. Tim. 4, 1.8. .   

Chap. 29. That whatsoever withdraweth the sight of the mind from God, is altogether to be shunned, and abhorred.  
Whosoever thou art that lovest the world, look aforehande, whether thou must go. The way which thou takest, is the worst way, and very dangerous 
a Matth. 7, verse. 13. .  
Wherefore, o man, avoid by little & little thy worldly business; & withdraw thyself awhile from troublesome cogitations.  
Cast away heavy cares, lay aside grievous distractions of the mind; find some leisure to serve God, and rest thyself somewhat in him.  
Enter into the chamber of thy mind 
b Matth. 6, verse. 6. ; exclude all things save God, and what makes to the seeking of him; and the door being shut, seek him.  
And with thine whole heart say unto God, I seek thy face, o Lord, I seek even thy face.  
Oh then, o Lord my God 
c Psal. 7, 1.3. , give thou mine heart instructions, both where & how to seek thee; both where and how to find thee.  
O Lord, if here thou art not, where shall I seek thee absent? but if thou art everywhere 
d Eccle. 23, verse. 18.19.20. jere. 23, 24. , then why do I not see thee present?  
But undoubtedly thou dwellest in the light that none can attain unto 
e 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16. .  
But how may I come unto the light that cannot be attained? Or who shall guide, and conduct me thereinto, that therein I may behold thee? Furthermore by what tokens, and with what face may I seek thee?  
O Lord my God, I never saw thee 
f joh. 1, 18. 1. john. 4, 12. ; I know not thy countenance.  
Then what shall he do, o Lord most high 
g Luk. 2, 14. , what shall this thy far exiled servant do 
h Heb. 11, 13. ? what shall thy servant do, who is in perplexity through the love of thee; and castaway far fro thy presence?  
Lo, he longeth greatly to behold thee; yet thy countenance is far from his sight. He desireth to come unto thee; yet unto thy dwelling no man can attain 
i 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16. . He coveteth to find thee; yet he wotteth not where. He loveth to seek thee; yet he knoweth not thy face.   

Chap. 30. How through sin man both lost the sight of God, and found wretchedness.  
O Lord, thou art my God 
a Psal. 7, 1.3. , & my Lord 
b Mat. 4, 10. , yet did I never see thee 
c john. 1, 18. : thou hast both made me 
d Psa. 100, 3. Psa. 119, 73. , yea and made me again 
e Gal. 4, 4. , and bestowed upon me what good things soever I enjoy 
f 1. Cor. 4, 7. , yet hitherto have I neither seen, nor known thee.  
To be short, I am made to see, yet hitherto have not I attained the thing, that I was made for. O miserable condition of man, seeing he hath so undiscreetly foregone that, for which he was created! o heavy, and o hard chance!  
Alas, alas what hath he foregone, and what hath he found? what is lost, and what hath remained?  
He hath foregone happiness, for which he was made; and he hath found misery 
g Gen. 3, 16.17, etc. , for which he was not made. He hath lost that, without which nothing is happy; and that remaineth which of itself is merely miserable.  
Man did then eat even the Angel's meat, which now he desireth; and now he feedeth upon the bread of sorrow, which then he knew not.  
O Lord, how long wilt thou forget, for ever 
h Psal. 13, 1 ! How long wilt thou hide thy face from us! when wilt thou respect, and hear us! when wilt thou enlighten our eyes, and show us thy countenance! when wilt thou restore thyself unto us!  
Behold and hear us, o Lord our God; lighten our eyes, and show us thyself. Restore thyself to us, that we may prosper without whom we are in such misery. Invite us, and help us Lord, we beseech thee.  
Mine heart is become sorrowful being made desolate: o make it cheerful again, Lord, with thy consolation.  
I have begun to seek thee with an hungry stomach, o let me not give-over unrefreshed of thee; I come with a greedy appetite, let me not departed unfed; I who am in poverty, com● unto thee that art rich 
i Rom. 10, 12 Ephes. 2, 4. ; in misery, unto thee most merciful 
k 2. Cor. 1, 3  o let me not go-awaie empty and contemned.  
O Lord, I am bowed, and crooked very sore 
l Psal. 38, 6. , erect me that may looke-up, and behold thee  
Mine iniquities are gon-oue● mine head, and as a weighty burden, they are too heavy fo● me.  
O unwrap, and unload me, that the deep swallow me not up 
m Psa. 69, 15 .  
Teach me to seek thee; and show thyself to him that seeketh thee: for I can neither seek thee, without thou teach me; neither find thee, except thou reveal thyself.  
Let me seek thee in desiring, and desire thee in seeking; let me find thee in loving, and love thee in finding.   

Chap. 31. Of God his wonderful mercy.  
I Confess LORD, thanks unto thee therefore, that thou hast made me after thine own image 
a Gen. 1, 26.27. Col. 3, 10. , to the end I should remember thee, think on thee, and love thee.  
Notwithstanding, through the corruption of wickedness thine image is so defaced, and so blurred with the smoke of sin that, without thou renew, and reform the same, it can not do the thing, for which it was created.  
Wherefore, Lord, who givest the gift of faith 
b Rom. 12, 3 , I beseech thee, give me grace perfectly to know how great thou art.  
For according to our belief thou art; and we believe thee to be such à thing, than which there can be imagined nothing either for quantity greater 
c jer. 32, 18.19. , or for virtue better 
d isaiah. 6, 3. .  
Then what art thou, o Lord God, than whom nothing is either greater, or better; but even that, which being only the sovereign good thing of all others of itself, hath made all other things of nothing 
e Gen. 1, 1.2.3, etc. .  
Then what good thing is there wanting to the sovereign goodness 
f jam. 1, 17.  through whom is every good thing?  
Wherefore thou art righteous 
g Psal. 11, 7. , and true 
h isaiah. 45, 21 Psal. 86, 15. john. 3.33. Rom. 3, 4. , and blessed 
i Reu. 5, 12.13. ; & whatsoever is otherwise, better is it not to be at all, than to be.  
But if thou art altogether most singularly good, how is it that thou sparest the wicked? Is it because thy mercy is over all thy works 
k Psa. 145, 9 ? But this lieth hid in the light which none can attain unto 
l 1. Tim. 6, 16 .  
verily the fountain, whence the river of thy mercy doth flow, lieth-hid in the deep and most secret bottom of thy goodness.  
For, although thou art wholly and soverainglie righteous: yet thou sparest of thy goodness the wicked 
m Mat. 5, 45 , because thou art wholly and most singularly merciful too.  
For in very deed thou shouldest not be so singularly good, unless thou wert gracious to some offenders.  
For he who is good both to the just and to the unjust, is better than he who showeth favour only to the good.  
And he which is good to the wicked, both by sparing, and by punishing them, is better than he, who is good only by punishing.  
So thou art therefore merciful, because thou art altogether, and sovereignly good.   

Chap. 32. The happy state of such as enjoy the joys of heaven.  
O Infinite goodness, passing all understanding!  
Let that mercy come upon me, which proceedeth from such riches;  
Let it have influence into me, which floweth from thee; Spare of thy mercy, but revenge not in thy justice.  
Rise up now, o my soul, and lift up all thine understanding; consider so well as thou canst, how great, and what manner of good thing, God is.  
For if each particular good thing be delectable, way advisedly how delightful that good thing is, which containeth the sweetness of all good things 
a 1. Cor. 2, 9 ; and not such as commonly we perceive of things created, but so much differing there from, as the creator differeth from the creature!  
For if the life created be good; how good is the life that created it 
b joh. 11, 25. ! If the welfare that is wrought, delight; how shall the welfare which worketh all salvation 
c Esa. 12, 1.2.3. , delight! If the wisdom consisting in the mind, or in the knowledge of known things, be lovely; how lovely is that wisdom which made, and created all things of nothing 
d john. 1, 1.2.3. Hebr. 1, 2. Prou. 8, 22.23, etc. ! To be short, if there be much and great delight in delectable things; what and how great shall the pleasure be in him, who made these delectable things!  
Oh what shall he have, or what shall he not have, that enjoyeth this felicity! doubtless, whatsoever he can wish, he shall have it; and what he would not have, shall not come to him.  
For there shall be the goods both of soul and body, such goods as eye hath not seen 
e 1. Cor. 2, 9 , neither ear hath heard, neither came into man's heart.   

Chap. 33. That sovereign happiness is to be sought for.  
WHY then rangest thou about, o silly man, seeking the goods of thy soul, and of thy body? Love one good, in which are all good things, and it sufficeth. Desire the simple good, which is all that good is, and it is enough.  
For what lovest thou, o my flesh? what desirest thou, o my soul? There it is whatsoever thou lovest; there it is whatsoever thou desirest.  
If beauty delight thee; the just men shall shine as the Sun 
a Matth. 13, verse. 43. : If either such swiftness, strength, or liberty of the body, as nothing may withstand; they shall be as the Angels of God in heaven 
b Matth. 22, verse. 30. . For it is sown a natural body 
c 1. Cor. 15, verse. 44. , but shall rise a spiritual body, to wit, by the power of God, not through the strength of nature:  
If a long, and an healthful life; there shall be found eternity, and eternal soundness 
d Reu. 21, 4. , because the righteous shall live ever 
e Wis. 5, 15. ; their reward also is with the Lord:  
If satiety; when the glory of the Lord appeareth, 
f Psa. 17, 15.  they shall be filled:  
If drunkenness; they shall be satisfied with the fatness of the Lords house 
g Psa. 36, 8. :  
If pleasant music; the Angels there shall sing praises without ceasing unto the Lord:  
If all manner honest, not unhonest pleasure; the Lord shall give them drink out of the river of his pleasures 
h Psal. 36, 8. :  
If wisdom; the very wisdom of God shall show itself to them 
i 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. Reu. 22, 4. :  
If faithful amity; they shall both love GOD more than themselves, and one another as themselves; yea, and God shall love them, more than they can themselves. For they love both him, themselves, and one another through him; and he loveth both himself, and them too through himself.  
If concord; all they shall be of one mind 
k 1. Cor. 13, verse. 13. ; for they shall will nothing, but what God willeth himself:  
If power; they shall have full power over their own will, as God hath of his. For as God of himself can do what he will: so they can do what they will, through him. Because, as they list none otherwise, than he listeth: so he listeth, as they list, and what he will, must needs come to pass.  
If honour, and wealth: God will make his good and faithful servants 
l Matth. 25, verse. 23. , rulers over much; yea, they shall be called the sons of God 
m Rom. 8, verse. 16.17. , yea, and gods too; and be the heirs, even the heirs of God, and heirs annexed with Christ.  
To conclude, if certain security; they shall be as sure that that felicity shall not fail them 
n Reu. 7, 15.16.17. Reu. 21, 4. , as they are sure that neither they for their parts would willingly forego the same; nor God for his part will bereave his friends thereof against their wills; nor that any thing is so mighty, that it can separate God and them.  
Now what, and how great joy is there, where such and so great felicity is!   

Chap. 34. How the Sancts love each other mutually in Heaven.  
O heart of man; o poor heart; o heart full of miseries, yea, overwhelmed with miseries, how greatly wouldst thou rejoice, if thou aboundedst with these good things!  
Ask even the most secret cogitations of thine heart, if they could receive the joy of so excellent bliss.  
But if another, whom thou lovest as thyself, did enjoy with thee the like felicity, doubtless thy joy would be doubled; because thou wouldst so much rejoice at his felicity, as at thine own.  
Now if two, or three, or more, were so blessed of God, thou wouldst be as glad for each of them, as for thyself, if thou diddest love them even as thyself.  
Then, how great shall the joy be in that perfect love of the innumerable company of blessed Angels and men; where each shall love another even as himself! for every man there shall rejoice as much for the happy estate of each particular person, as for his own felicity.  
If therefore the heart of man shall hardly receive the joy of his own bliss; how shall it comprehend such great joys of so many of his friends! for undoubtedly, even as we love a man, so shall we be glad for his felicity.  
As in that blessed happiness every man shall love God sovereignly above himself, and all others with him: so most singularly shall each man be more glad of God's felicity, than of his own, and of all others with him.  
And if they shall so love God with all their hearts, with all their minds, and with all their souls, that neither all their hearts, nor all their minds, nor all their souls can be able to comprehend the excellency of the love: assuredly the Sancts with all their hearts, with all their minds, and with all their souls shall so rejoice, as neither their hearts, nor their minds, nor their souls, shall be able to comprehend the abundant streams of celestial joy.   

Chap. 35. Of the perfect joy of eternal life.  
O MY God 
a Psal. 7, ●▪ 3. , and my Lord 
b Matt. 4, 10 , mine hope 
c Psal. 18, 1.2. , & the joy of mine heart, resolve my soul whether this be the joy whereof thou speakest by thy Son, Ask, and ye shall receive 
d joh. 16, 24. , that your joy may be full. For I have found a certain joy which is full, yea, and more than full.  
For notwithstanding the whole heart, be full; the whole mind, full; the whole soul, full; yea, whole man, full of this joy: yet shall there remain joy for all that, which is incomprehensible.  
So then, that whole joy shall not enter into the reioicers; but all the reioicers shall enter into the joy of their master 
e Matth. 25, verse. 21. .  
Speak Lord, tell thy servant secretly in mine heart, if this be the joy whereinto thy servants shall enter, who shall enter into their masters joy.  
But surely, that joy, wherewith thine elect shall rejoice, neither eye hath seen 
f 1. Cor. 2, 9 , nor ear hath heard, nor entered ever into the heart of man.  
Then Lord, I have not yet conceived in mind, much less uttered by words, how greatly thine elect shall rejoice.  
Undoubtedly they shall so greatly rejoice, as they shall love; they shall so entirely love, as they shall know thee, o Lord.  
And how entirely shall they love thee? surely neither man's eye hath seen, nor his ear hard, nor came it ever into his heart in this world 
g Esa. 64, 4. 1. Cor. 2, 9 , how perfectly they shall both know thee 
h 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12.13. , & love thee in the world to come.  
O my God, I beseech thee, grant that I may know thee, love thee, and rejoice in thee.  
And although I cannot so thoroughly do so in this life as I should; yet give me grace to profit from day to day, until I come unto perfection.  
Let thy knowledge so grow up within me here, that it may be found ripe there; and thy love so increase within me here, that it may be perfect there; that my joy may be great here in hope, and in deedeful there.  
O just God, my humble suit is, that I may have the thing which thou promisest, even that my joy may be full 
i john. 16, verse. 34. .  
In the mean space, let my mind meditate thereof, my tongue speak thereof, mine heart long for it, my speech reason thereof, & my soul hunger for the same.  
Let my flesh thirst therefore, and all my substance desire it, even until I enter into the joy of my master 
k Matth. 25, verse. 21. , there to abide for ever and ever, Amen.   
FINIS.  

¶ THE SUM OF EVERY CHAPTER CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK, ACCORding as the titles do import, with the just number of the page where every particular chapter is to be found.  

1 OF the wonderful essence, or being which God hath, pag. 1.  
2 Of God his unspeakable knowledge, pag. 4.  
3 The desire of that soul which hath a feeling of God, pag. 7.  
4 The miserable state of that soul, which neither loveth our Lord & Saviour Christ, nor seeketh after him, pa. 11.  
5 A very Christian desire of the soul after God, pag. 14.  
6 The happiness of that soul which is delivered out of the earthly prison of the body, pag. 17.  
7 The blessed joy of the heavenly Paradise, pag. 20.  
8 The glorious condition of the kingdom of Heaven, pag. 22.  
9 How GOD after much trouble doth comfort the pensive soul, pag. 25.  
10 A prayer for grace to love God, pag. 27.  
11 A prayer for grace both duly to thank God for our redemption; & worthily to approach unto the holy Table, pag. 29.  
12 A zealous prayer for grace to meditate deeply upon the goodness of God, pag. 32.  
13 A thanksgiving unto God for the incarnation of his dear Son to save man, pag. 34.  
14 The more God is thought upon, the more lovely he seemeth, pag. 36.  
15 How the troubles in this world are nothing answerable to the joys in heaven, pag. 38.  
16 Of the kingdom of heaven, and how it may be attained, pag. 41.  
17 What Paradise is: and the joys thereof, pag. 42.  
18 That we can not please God, but through love, pag. 46.  
19 How GOD requireth some thing of us like to himself, pag. 49.  
20 Of the boldness of the soul that loveth GOD, pag. 41.  
21 The singular love of GOD to manward, pag. 55.  
22 The refuge of à Christian in time of tentation, pag. 57  
23 Special medicines against sin, and despair, pag. 59  
24 A zealous meditation to move unto the love of God, pag. 62.  
25 Of true knowledge, what it is, pag. 65.  
26 What the sending of the holy Spirit worketh in us, pag. 68  
27 The effects of true love, pag. 71.  
28 What the true quietness of the mind is, pag. 73.  
29 That whatsoever withdraweth the sight of the mind from God, is altogether to be shunned, and abhorred, pag. 75.  
30 How through sin man lost the sight of God, and found wretchedness, 78.  
31 Of God his wonderful mercy, pag. 81.  
32 The happy state of such as enjoy the joys of heaven, pag. 84.  
33 That sovereign happiness is to be sought for, pag. 87.  
34 How the Sancts love each other mutually in heaven, pag. 91.  
35 Of the perfect joy of eternal life, pag. 93.   
FINIS.   

1581.  
OS HOMINI SVBLIME DEDIT  
Printed by Henry Denham, dwelling in Pater noster Row, at the sign of the Star.  
Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.