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THE 
 
 Chriflian  Patt 
 
 OR      T  H  F 
 
 [MITATION 
 
 OF 
 
 Jefus  Chrifl 
 
 Vol.   a 
 
 BEING 
 
 The  Genuine  Wo r k s   of 
 Thomas  a  Kempis. 
 
 Containing  Four  Books,  i/it^. 
 I.  The  Sighs  of  a  Penitent  Soul. 
 IL  A  Oiort  Chriftian  Dire6lory. 
 IIL  Of  Spiritual  Excrcifes. 
 IV.  Of  Spiritual  Entertainment?. 
 
 tranjiated  from    the  Origrnat  Latin,     and  veccmmended   b) 
 George  Hickes,  D.  D, 
 
 To  which  is  prefix'd, 
 A  large  Account  of  the  Author's  Life  and  Writings, 
 containing  much  of  the  Hiftory  of  tliofe  Times,  never  be- 
 fore fet  forth  in  Engli/h, 
 
 Summx  Religlontf  Chrijlianji  ell  IMITARJ  eum  quern  coli4. 
 
 S.  Aug. 
 
 ^l)C  ^cconD  <I3tJttion  lRe>jifct)» 
 
 L  0  "I^D  0  2i.  Printed  for  John  liicholfon  at  the  Ki}7r's  Jrms 
 in  Little  Britain^  Robert  Knaplock  at  the  ^n^ei  and.  Croy^n  in 
 St.Vaitl's  church-yard^  and  fonahBorvyer  at  the^o/ein  Ludgate- 
 fireet^  near  the  Weft  end  of  St.  /'Ws  Church.    1710- 
 
To  the  Honourable 
 
 Sir  William  Boothhy,  Bar; 
 
 O  F 
 
 Ashborn-Hall  in  Derhyjhire. 
 
 T 
 
 SIR, 
 
 HE  Author  of  this  Tranflation  is  a 
 worthy  Gentleman  of  my  acquaintance, 
 
 but  one  fo  very  modeft,    and  bafhfuJ, 
 
 that  I  cannot  perfuade  him  to  publifh  his  Name 
 with  his  Book,  though  he  hath  eafilv  prevailed 
 with  me  to  introduce  it  into  the  World  with 
 mine.  Indeed,  Sir,  he  is  modeft  ahnoft  to  a 
 Fault,  though  he  hath  no  Reafon  for  it,  being 
 well  (killed  in  the  Learned  and  in  the  Modern 
 Languages,  and  verfed  in  the  beft  Authors  writ^ 
 ten  in  them  all,  particularly  in  the  Writings  of  the 
 Old  and  New  Teftament,  which  he  reads  in  the 
 Originals,  and  for  which  he  hath  the  greateft 
 Veneration,  and  would  be  a  great  Ornament  to 
 our  Profeflion,  if  he  were  a  Divine.  He  hath 
 a  particular  Efteem  for  the  Writings  of  Thomas 
 a  Kempis,  as  ahnoft  all  Pious  and  Devout  Perr 
 fons,  both  of  the  Papal  and  Proteftant  Commu- 
 nions, have,  and  as  the  old  Verfions  oi  the  for- 
 
 A  2  mer 
 
The  Epijilc  Dedicatory. 
 
 mer  Part  moved  the  Reverend  and  Learned  Dr. 
 Stanhope^  Dean  of  Canterbury^  to  tranflate  it  to 
 very  great  x\dvantages  anew  :  So  an  old  Tranfia- 
 tion  of  fome  part  of  this,  which  is  nc; hing  in- 
 ferior to  the  former,  moved  this  Gentleman  to 
 give  the  whole  another  Verfion  in  more  proper, 
 fmooth,  and  polite  Englifh,  and  much  more 
 faitable  to  the  Speech  of  the  prefent  Age,  as 
 well  as  to  that  Divine  Spirit  of  Devotion,  which 
 breathes  in  the  Original,  and  hath  pafTcd  from  it 
 into  this  Tranflation,  as  the  Spirit  of  Elias  did 
 to  EUpja^  without  any  Diminution^  if  not  with 
 Encreafe. 
 
 Su\  you'll  find  this  Book,  as  well  as  the  for- 
 mer, fuited  to  all  States  and  Circumftances  of 
 humane  Life,  and  full  of  the  fame  Divine  Prin- 
 ciples, and  Doftrines  concerning  theVanity  of  the 
 World,  and  the  Contempt  that  Chriftians  ought 
 to  have  for  it  ^  the  great  and  fundamental  Duty 
 of  Self-denial  ^  Chriflian  Courage  and  Magnani- 
 mity 5  Conftancy  and  Perfeverance  in  perilous 
 Times  *,   total  Refignation  to  the  Will  of  God, 
 and  particularly  the  Doftrine  of  the  Crofs,  Paf- 
 five  Obedience^  in  its  true  extent,    as  compre* 
 hending  all  thefe  Chriftian  Virtues  fo  contrary 
 to  Flefh  and  Blood,  for  which  it  is  now  fo  de- 
 cry'd,    and  hated  ,by  the  \y'orld.     You'l  alfo 
 find  ibme  of  the  fame  Sentences  and  Maxims, 
 as  in  the  former  part,    and  fomctimes  alfo  in 
 |:he  fame  Terms.     You'll  likewife  find  him  as 
 great  (or   greater)  a  Scripturift  in  this,   as  in 
 
 the 
 
The  Epijile  Dedicatory. 
 
 the  former  Volume,  and  that  together  with 
 Sentences  of  Holy  Scripture  he  delights  in  the 
 Sayings  of  two  moft  devout  Writers,  St.AuguJIhi 
 and  St.  Bernard.  He  heartily  laments  the  Ambi- 
 tion and  Corruptions  of  the  Papal  Court  of  Rome^ 
 and  is  very  fenfible  of  its  publick  and  private  A- 
 bufes.  He's  no  Friend  to  Infallibihty,  as  you'll 
 find  by  his  Proteftation,  and  x^ddrefs  before  his 
 Fourth  Book.  You'll  alfo  find  he  was  againfl 
 Pilgrimages,  Appeals  to  Rome^  Mortuaries,  the 
 Corruptions  of  the  Clergy,  the  Idlenefs  of  the 
 Monks,  and  the  Difputacity  of  the  Schools  ifi 
 this  as  in  his  other  Works,  not  unlike  his  great 
 Patron  "^  Gerard  Groot^  who  was  put  under  all 
 Interdift,  and  fufpeded  of  Hefefy,  for  the  great 
 Liberty  he  took  in  preaching  againfl:  the  Vices  of 
 the  Clergy,  and  Errors  of  the  Church.  Yet  ne- 
 verthelefs  he  was  a  great  Lover  of  Peace  and  O- 
 bedience,  waiting,  I  doubt  not,  as  many  oth^r 
 Pious  and  Learned  Men  of  the  Church  of  Rome 
 then  did,  and  now  fl:ill  do,  for  the  happy  time 
 of  Reformation,  which  they  daily  pray'd  for. 
 
 It  hath  been  obferv'd  by  the  Editors  of  his 
 Works,  and  by  others,  who  have  written  the 
 Lives  of  Perfons  eminent  for  Sanctity,  that  a 
 peculiar  Blefling  hath  attended  the  reading  of 
 his  Works.  And  indeed  the  Religious  Exercifc^ 
 both  in  this  and  the  former  part  are  excellently 
 fitted  for  Perfons  of  all  Ranks,  and  in  every 
 
 f  Viu  Cirardi  Maini. 
 
 A  3  Cofl- 
 
The  Epijile  Dedicatory. 
 
 Condition  of  Life  ^    and  though  they  are  gene- 
 rally the  fame,  yet  they  are  here  done  more  at 
 large,  and  I  think  with  more  Advantage,  than  in 
 the  former  Book.     He  fpeaks  of  the  Nature  of 
 Prayer  in  a  mod  excellent  manner,  and  fets  the 
 feveral  Degrees  and  Kinds  of  it,   both  Internal 
 and   External,    Mental  and  Vocal,    in  a  true 
 Light.    To  be  as  iliort  as  1  can.  Sir,  various  are 
 his  Subjeds  in  this  Book  ;>  Of  the  Lord's  Prayer  ^ 
 Of  Chriftian  Mediocrity ,  Of  perilous  Times ,  Of 
 Communion  of  Saints  ^  Of  true  Religion-,  Of 
 Charity,  whereof  he  hath  laid  down  the  true 
 and  adequate  Notion  •,  againfl:  the  interfering  of 
 publick  and  private  Exercifes  of  Devotion ,  and 
 in  his  fourth  Book,  he  hath  truly  ftated  the  Com- 
 munion of* God,  and  the  Soul,  and  experimen- 
 tally illuftrated  the  fame,  together  with  the  va- 
 rious Changes,  Stages,  Appearances,  Progrefles, 
 and  Hindrances  of  the  Soul,  either  labouring  af- 
 ter, or  admitted  to  this  Divine  Communion.  To 
 conclude,  Sir,  here  you'll  find  Vertue  confider- 
 ed  as  in  it  felf,  and  as  in  Chrift,  and  the  devout 
 Man  bearing  his  Teftimony  againfl  humane  Poli- 
 ticks, and  Inventions  in  Religion,  and  the  Do- 
 ftrines  of  Perfection,  and  Supererrogation,  and 
 giving  needful  Cautions  againft  Spiritual  Vrtde 
 and  Erithufiafiical  Zeal,  Difeafes  incident  to  A- 
 fceticks,in  which  they  oftentimes  bring  difhonour 
 upon  the  practice  of  Devotion.  Healfo  gives  cau- 
 tions againfl  Melancholy,  and  prefcribes  the  befl 
 Remedies  againfl  the  excefs  of  it,  and  he  is  very 
 
 orthodox 
 
The  Epijile  Dedicatory. 
 
 ,^^m     III  '"'  "    ■  ■      "  ''i 
 
 orthodox,  and  exprefs  for  working  out  our  Sal- 
 vation in  the  time  of  this  Life,  and  is  alfo  very 
 orthodox  in  the  Dodrine  of  Juftification  and 
 Merit,  and  teacheth  plainly,  that  there  is  no  o- 
 ther  Name  under  Heaven  given  to  Men,  in  whom 
 and  through  whom  we  may  receive  Health  and 
 Salvation,  but  only  the  Name  of  our  deareft 
 Lord  Jefus  Chrift. 
 
 After  this  fliort  and  imperfed  Account  of  this 
 excelknt  Book,  perhaps  you  cannot  but  exped 
 I  fhould  fay  fomething  of  the  Divine  Author, 
 but  for  that  I  muft  fend  you  to  the  elaborate  Jc 
 count  of  his  Life  and  Works^  by  the  learned  and 
 diligent  Tranllator.  There,'  Sii\  the  curious 
 will  find  as  full  and  particular  a  Colleftion  of 
 every  thing  relating  to  the  Holy  Man,  as  cotild 
 be  gathered  out  of  his  own  Writings,  or  the 
 anonymous  coeval  Writer  of  his  Life,  and  three 
 or  four  others j  who  fince  undertook  to  give  a 
 Relation  of  it,  befides  the  Chro7iicle  of  the  Reli- 
 gious Houfe,  whereof  he  was  a  Member,  which 
 he  himfelf  began,  and  was  continued  by  Eiifchziis^ 
 another  Member  thereof.  There  alfo  you'll 
 meet  with  a  fuccind  Narrative  out  of  this  Chro- 
 nicle^ and  fome  of  his  other  Books,  of  the  Foun- 
 dation of  that  religious  Society,  in  which  for  70 
 Yeats  he  liv'd  a  moft  devout  Life,  together  with 
 the  Principles  and  Praftices  of  the  Founder,  and  an-^ 
 cient  Members  of  it,  his  Contemporaries,  and  their 
 Advancement  towards  a  real  Reformation,  accor-* 
 ding  to  the  Life  of  Chrift.  For  this  iioble  End, 
 you'll  alfo  ther§  find  how  they  refolved  to  go- 
 
 A  A.  ^^jn 
 
The  Epijile  Dedicatory. 
 
 vern  themfelves  chiefly  by  the  Maxims  and  Rules 
 of  St.  Au!rujlin  in  his  "^  Trad,  entitled,  REGULA 
 ad  SERVOS  DEI,  whereof  the  firft  Rule  of 
 twelve  is  De  Charhate  Dei,  d^  proximi,  of  the 
 Love  of  God  and  the  Brethren*,  and  fo  far  I  may 
 fay,  it  would  be  happy  for  the  Chriftian  World, 
 were  all  Monafteries  both  of  Men  and  Women, 
 truly  reform'd  according  to  thofe  Rules.  You'll 
 alfo  find  in  the  Account  of  his  Life  as  much  faid 
 of  his  Works  as  could  be,  with  any  Certainty  j 
 for  his  great  Humility  would  not  permit  him  to 
 fet  his  Name,  as  an  Author^  to  any  of  them. 
 There  alfo  you'll  meet  with  a  Summary  of  all 
 the  Claims  and  Pleas  that  have  been  made  for  o- 
 thers  to  entitle  them  to  his  Works,  and  their 
 feveral  Advocates ,  particularly  of  the  Contefts 
 between  two  Orders  in  the  Ro?m7i  Church  for 
 the  Honour  of  one  Piece,  that  hath  generally 
 been  afcribed  to  him,  together  with  fome  Pre- 
 fumptions,  which  make  it  probable,  that  the  firft 
 Penman  of  a  great  part  of  the  firft  Volume  was 
 cur  Countryman,  and  that  the  whole  was  after- 
 wards compiled  and  digefted,  as  it  is,  by  the 
 Care  and  Induftry  of  this  illuftrious  Devotee  ^ 
 of  the  Place  of  whofe  Nativity  there  hath  been 
 alfo  fome  Difpute,  both  L^f^W^r  and  Cologjiehz-- 
 ving:  contended  for  that  Honour,  as  the  Grecian 
 Cities  did  for  the  Birth-place  of  Ho7>ier,  and  as 
 Roterdam  and  Gonda  both  ftill  pretend  to  have 
 
 ^  0$cr»  5.  Aurel.Auguft.  TomA,  p,  589.  Edif.  Antvverpia:,  MDCC. 
 
 brought 
 
The  Epijile  Dedicatory. 
 
 brought  Erafmiis  into  the  World.  But  of  what 
 Town  or  Country  foever  he  were,  he  was  aa 
 eminent  Servant  of  God,  and  an  illuftrious  Ex- 
 ample of  true  Chriftian  Piety,  and  the  moft  ge- 
 nuine and  noble  part  of  it,  the  Contempt  of  the 
 Worlds  and  Worldly  Affairs  5  of  which  the  great 
 Latin  Philofopher  could  fay,  that  all  true  Great- 
 nefs  of  Mind  conlifted  in  it,  that  it  was  of  it 
 felf  the  moft  admirable  Virtue,  and  that  the 
 whole  Strength  and  Efficacy  of  a  good  Life  was 
 placed  therein. 
 
 Wherefore,  Sir^  I  now  prefume  to  fend  you 
 this  Book  of  this  great  and  heavenly  Reclufe,  as 
 the  beft  'New-Tear* s-Gift  I  am  able  to  prefent 
 you  with.  I  pray  you  to  accept  of  it  for  its  own 
 intrinfical  Worth,  and  as  a  Teftimony  of  the 
 particular  Efteem  I  have  for  you,  as  a  Gentle- 
 man, a  Scholar,  and  a  Chriftian,  whofe  Choice 
 is  Religion,  whofe  Study  is  Heaven,  whofe 
 Life  is  a  great  Example  of  Piety  in  a  very  impi- 
 ous Age,  and  whofe  Endeavour  is  to  adorn  vour 
 Chriftian  Profeflion  Vv^itli  truly  Chriftian  good 
 Works.  The  devout  Tranflator  defired  me  to 
 fend  it  abroad  under  my  Name,  becaufe  he 
 thought  I  was  a  Lover  of  Men  and  Books  of  De- 
 votion. I  hope  by  the  Grace  of  God  I  fliall  ne- 
 ver difappoint  him  or  others  in  that  good  Opi- 
 nion of  me  •,  and  for  the  fame  Reafon  he  defired 
 me  to  let  my  Name  attend  the  Publication  of  it, 
 I  have  prefumed  to  infcribe  it  with  yours,  who, 
 I  am  fure,  have  a  great  Refped  for  devout  Men 
 
 and 
 
The  Epiftle  Dedicatory. 
 
 and  Books ,  Devotion  being  a  great  part  of  your 
 daily  Employment,  whofe  Converfation  is  in 
 Heaven,  feeking  thofe  things  which  are  above, 
 where  Chrift  fits  at  the  Right  Hand  of  God. 
 
 Methinks  I  fee  how  theBleffed  Spirit  of  Tho- 
 mas  d  Kempis  is  pleafed  with  me  for  prefenting 
 his  Book  to  you,  and  beckning  his  Requeft  to 
 you  from  Heaven  to  accept  and  perufe  it.  Oh, 
 Sir,  may  we  both  before  we  die,  attain  to  the 
 higheft  Form  in  his  noble  School  of  Difcipline 
 andlnftrudion,  and  to  the  higheft  degree  of  Per- 
 f  edion  in  the  Imitation  of  Jefus  Chrijt,  as  he  pre- 
 fcribes  and  direfts.  This  is  a  Prayer,  in  which 
 I  am  fure  you'll  heartily  join  with  him,  who, 
 by  many  Obligations,  is  engaged  to  be, 
 
 S  I  R, 
 
 Ormond-Jlrset^  Lindon^ 
 
 Tour  mojl  Faithful 
 
 ^nd  Hu?nhle  Servant^ 
 
 George  H  i  c  k  e  s> 
 
 vV 
 
DIRECTIONS 
 
 Shewing  how  the 
 
 Books  of  Tho.  a  Kempis 
 
 May  be  read  with 
 
 EDIFICATION. 
 
 Done  from  the  Latin. 
 
 l-^^ET  a  certain  Time  f.fart  every  Day  for 
 ^^\  the  Reading  fame  Portion  of  thefe  Books^ 
 ^^  according  to  that  Method  which  the 
 Author  himfelf  direBs,  in  the  Third  Book  of  this 
 Second  T''olume  ^  and  inviolably^  as  much  as  is 
 pojfible^  ohferve  the  prefixt  Order.  Let  there  be 
 the  fame  Rule  both  for  thefe  and  the  Four  for?ner 
 Books  of  this  Imitation  of  Jefus  Chrifl.  If  any 
 jiiftifiable  Buftiiefs  fiould  take  up  or  fleal  away 
 the  Hour  that  is  for  this  afpointedy  let  it  be  made 
 
Diredions  for  Reading 
 
 up  in  the  next.  Forfmce  a  certain  fet  Time  is  ge- 
 nerally allowed  by  us  for  the  Refreflnng  of  the  Body 
 by  Food^  Sleeps  Recreation^  and  the  like  *,  and  that 
 we  do  this  (not  by  Compitlfwn  and  niggardly^  but) 
 both  wiUingly  and  largely  ,  njuhy  ftjould  not  alfo  fome 
 Portion  of  Time  be  as  well  allotted  for  that  of  the 
 Soid^  which  is  much  more  worthy  and  noble  ^ 
 
 II.  Prepare  thy  Soul  for  Readings  in  the  firjl 
 place^jby  Purity  of  Intention  •,  whereby  thou  art 
 to  feek  only  the  Edification  of  thy  Soul  *,  then  by 
 a  Jbort  lifting  up  of  thy  Hearty  or  Ejaculation  in 
 Spirit^  whereby  thou  muft  afk  for  the  Light  of  Un- 
 der/landing and  Heavenly  Wifdom  or  Grace ^  which 
 may  fit  thee  for  receiving  what  thou  Readeft.  For 
 fo  (Jjalt  thou  know  and  underftand  what  it  is  that 
 God  requires  of  thee.  And  to  this  fail  not  to  add 
 thirdly^  a  ferious  Refolution  of  executing  the  Di" 
 vine  Willy  when  known^  to  thy  utmofi. 
 
 III.  Read  not  herein  curforily  and  hafiily,  but 
 Point  by  Point,  fedately  and  with  great  Atten- 
 tion^ not  without  a  due  Paufe  and  Reft  ftill  inter- 
 pofed  :  that  fo,  by  the  means  of  this  thy  (lopping 
 now  and  then  a  little^  of  thy  recolleSing  what  hath 
 been  read^  and  of  thy  looking  about  thee^  and  con-^ 
 Jidering  after  what  manner  the  fune  may  be  beft 
 reducd  to  PraBice  •,  there  be  Roorn  for  the  Divine 
 Illumiiiation^  or  Irradiatioji.  Observe  that  there 
 m*e  many  Hints  here  given^  which  by  the  Reader 
 
 ought 
 
the  Books  of  the  Author. 
 
 ought  to  be  wrought  out  :  And  fee  thou  be  not  of" 
 fended  at  the  Style  of  this  Author^  if  it  appear  too 
 plain  and  fimple^  and  fomewhat  abrupt  here  and 
 there  ^  for  as  much  as  his  Thoughts  thou  jh alt  feel 
 to  be  folid^' and  full  of  UnEiion,  Whejj  therefore 
 thou  readeft^  read  with  Meditation  ^  and  po?ider 
 all  well  in  thy  Heart  •,  proceeding  leifurely  fiep  by 
 jiep^  afid  prayi?2g  therewith  evermore  in  the  Spirit, 
 
 IV.  Moreover^  let  the  Courfe  of  this  thy  Read- 
 ing be  for  the  mofi  part  Certain  and  Orderly :  Flee 
 thou  that  which  is  WaJidriiig  and  Defultory.  It's 
 the  Sign  of  a  bad  Stomachy  to  find  no  Reliflj  but 
 in  Variety  ofDiJIjes^  and  not  to  refi  contented  with 
 me  by  it  felf  For  fo  is  the  Body  rather  de- 
 fil'd,  than  jwurijlj'd.  Read  therefore  the  Book  in 
 order,  which  thou  /halt  take  in  hand  to  read.  Tet 
 if  any  Vart  thereof  feem  to  concern  thee  more,  or 
 do  more  nearly  touch  thy  AffeBions  and  Manner s^ 
 then  to  read  over  that  often  there  can  be  no  Hurt 
 hit  rather  a  great  deal  of  Good  *,  efpecially  if 
 there  be  added  to  it  a  Particular  Exanien  of  Con- 
 fcimcco 
 
 \  V.  Study  to  draw  forth  Confideraiions  and 
 Affedions  fuitable  to  the  Lefjon  that  is  read, 
 othervpife  the  Reading  will  be  empty  and  barren  ^ 
 which  may  enlighten  indeed theVnderJianding,  but 
 enftames  not  the  Heart.  And  hence  ?ww  and  then 
 there  ought  to  be  inferted  fojne  pious  Breathings  to 
 
 God^ 
 
Diredions  for  Reading 
 
 GoJy  whereby  Grace  and  Strejigth  may  he  fought ^ 
 for  effeBually  fulfilling  that  which  thou  readejt, 
 Ukewife  a  Method  ofFraBice  ought  by  thee  to  be 
 fortnd^  which  may  in  the  beft  manner  conform  to 
 it.     But  moreover  it  is  advi fable  to  feleEi  fome  of 
 the  brighter  and  more  eminent  Sayings  and  Mo^ 
 Tiitions  ^   a?id  to  lay  them  up  in  thy  Memory^  that 
 fo  thou  mayjl  at  all  Times  ponder  and  ruminate 
 upon  them.     Which ^  as  Arrows  out  of  a  Quiver  in 
 SeafcUy   thou  may  ft  draw  out  (as  occajfon  fjall 
 ferve)  either  againft  this  or  that  Temptation  af- 
 faulting  thee^  or  againji  this  or  that  Vice  under 
 which  thou  doft  chiefly  labour  ^  or  which^'  even  as 
 Spurs  of  Virtue^    thou  mayjl  ufe  for  the  Excite- 
 ment and  Growth   of  Humility^    Patience^   and 
 Divine  Love^    together   with   the   whole    Choir 
 of  Chrijlian  Graces^    and  Fruits  of   the  Holy 
 Spirit. 
 
 VI.  Conclude  thy  Reading  with  a  f)ort  Afpira- 
 tion  to  Almighty  God  ;  that  he  may  preferve  the 
 ,  Seed  fown  iii  the  Ground  of  thine  Hearty  andfru^ 
 ciify  ity  fo  as  it  may  bring  forth  Fruit  in  itsSeafon. 
 And  that  thou  maffl  not  account  too  tirefom  "what 
 is  here  direBed^  as  if  this  would  cofl  thee  a  vaft 
 deal  of  Time  -^  know  that  all  may  be  done  almoft  in 
 a  Moment^  and  as  it  were  even  with  one  Breathing 
 of  the  Mind.  If  yet  there  be  need  of  any  Stops^ 
 grudge  not  at  'em :  In  nothing  pojjible  ca?ijl  thou 
 better  employ  thy  time.  Conjider  how  in  other  things^ 
 
 and 
 
 4 
 
the  Books  of  the  Author. 
 
 and  thofe  too  oftefitimes  vain  and  of  no  Worthy  we 
 are  not  ordinarily  tired  out  with  a  little  Stay. 
 If  the  Readers  hereof  Jhall  obferve  thefe  fem 
 Rulesy  Chrift  doubtlefs  will  have  more  true  Fol- 
 Jowers. 
 
 AN 
 
^-i^^iiJVt  ^'Tv.-V  \'u\ir  't\ 
 
 ..I'^UQl 
 
 H 
 
AN 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 O  F    t  H  6 
 
 Life  and  Works 
 
 o  F    T  H  E 
 
 AV  TH  0  "R. 
 
 §•  !•  /  I  \TIoma^  (commonly  called)  ^  Kempis ,  waa 
 I  born  in  the  Year  o[ChriJ}  MCCCLXXX  at 
 1^  Kempen,  a  little  Town,  or  Borough,  in  the 
 "^  Territory  and  Diocefs  ofCologn  ;  Charh-i  IV. 
 being  then  Emperor,  and  Urhm  VI.  Pope.  From  this  Place 
 of  his  Birth  he  afterwards  took  his  Name.  They  who  will 
 have  him  a  Native  o^ Kempsn  in  the  Diocefs  of  C^)  Utrecht y 
 are  hence  evidently  miiiaken  •  he  himfelf  exprefiy  alferting 
 in  his  Chronicle  of  Mount  Sx,  Agnes,  that  he  was  of  (/>)G- 
 logn.  His  Parents  were  of  the  meaner  fort,  according  to 
 the  World ;  being  fuch  as  got  their  Livelihood  by  hard  La«=- 
 bour ;  But  are  recorded  to  have  been  Perfons  of  great  Pro- 
 bity and  Piety  ;  very  well  contented  with  their  mean 
 ERate,  and  glorifying  God  in  it,  but  efpecially  taking  a 
 mo(i  particular  Care  in  the  Chriltian  Education  of  their 
 Children.  His  Father  was  called  John,  and  his  Mother 
 Gertrude,  The  Surname  derived  to  Him  from  his  Father  was 
 H  AMMERKEN  or  HEMMERKIN,  otherwife 
 HAMMERLEIN  or  HAMMERSLY;  which  the 
 French  have  according  to  its  Signification  render'd  by  that 
 of  Maiiiety  or  Mda  as  it  is  written  by  us ;  and  hence  alfo 
 
 a  in 
 
 (a)  Bad.  Afcenf.  Vit,  R,  P.  Tho,  a  Km^,  C.  2.  &  5. 
 {b)  Chronic.  M,  AgmU  c,  8, 
 
ii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 in  the  Latin  came  the  Name  o{ MJlcoius  by  fome  Writers 
 to  be  affix'd  to  him.    There  are  iome  who  will  have  this 
 Name  to  have  had  fomewhat  Prophetical  in  it :  And  Ba- 
 dius,  in  particular,  is  very  prolix  upon  it,  fpending  a  mat- 
 ter of  two  whole  Chapters  to  this  purpose.    The  Subfiancc 
 of  which  in  fhbrt  is  this,  How  that  both  his  Name  and  Sur- 
 name were  predidive  and  expreffive  of  his  future  Holy  and 
 ApoHolical  Life,  as  in  the  near  Relation  he  Hood  XoChrift. 
 by  the  two  T»/»- Loves  of  God  and  Man,  and  the  Divifion 
 in  him  betwixt  the  Inward  and  the  Outward  Man,  that 
 was  fo  greatly  perfe<5fed;  according  to  the  former  cleaving 
 wholly  to  God,  according  to  the  latter  ferving  wholly  his 
 Neighbour,  whether  by  Writing,  Preaching  or  Working  : 
 So  mofi  eminently  in  that  he  was  defjgn'd  of  God,  as  an 
 Inftrument  of  breaking  and  bruifing  in  the  Souls  of  many, 
 the  Power  of  this  World,  and  the  God  thereof ;  by  the  en- 
 trance of  his  Works  as  an  Hammer  into  their  inward  Parts: 
 which  efted^ually  fo  came  to  pals.    The  Seeds  of  Piety  be- 
 gan very  early  to  put  forth,  and  to  be  taken'  notice  of  in 
 him,  by  his  Parents  and  Relations.    His  Mother  in  parti- 
 cular was  greatly  affected  with  it ;  and  made  it  her  whole 
 Endeavour  to  encourage  in  him  betimes  a  Contempt  of 
 the  Vanities  and  Toys  of  this  World,  and  to  infpire  him 
 liill  with  Aftedions  for  Heaven  Day  by  Day,  and  in  con- 
 lequence  thereof  for  the  humble  and  holy  Life  of  our  Blelfcd 
 Lord  ;  till  the  little  Sparks  in  his  tender  Soul  were  by  this 
 means  blown  up  into  a  Flame,  which  fail'd  not  afterwards 
 to  manife(t  it  lelf  ashe  grew  up,  after  various  mannets,  to 
 the  edifying  of  all  fuch  as  converfcd  with  him.  Alio  by  the 
 Lite  and  Exhortations  of  his  Father,  he  w^as  hardened  to  La- 
 bour :   And  was  principally  iniiruded  in  the  Exercifes  of 
 Poverty,  Modeliy,  and  Patience;  which,  imitating  his  Fa- 
 ther's Example,   he  in  a  few  Years  became  a  good  Pro- 
 ficient in.    This  fome  have  thought  to  have  given  Birth  to 
 his  mo(i  excellent  Trcatife  of  the  Thrse  Milnary  Vmws^ 
 otherv.'ife  cntituled  his  W^rk  of  the  Three  Tabernacles  :  As 
 alfo  to  abundance  of  Palfages  in  his  other  Writings.    In- 
 deed it  is  agreed,  that  his  Father  John  Hawmerl'm  was  an 
 humble  poor  Man,  very  indul^rious,  modeH,  and  patient; 
 which  was  for  certain  an  Advantage  and  Bkfling  to  this 
 our  Thowtu  of  very  great  Confidcration. 
 
 §.  II.  More- 
 
hife  and  Works  of  t}>e  Author,  ii't 
 
 §,  II.  Moreover  it's  notorious,  that  but  a  little  before  ia 
 thefe  ver^^  Parts,  that  holy  Man  Dr.  John  Thafder,  fo  highly 
 erteenui  of  by  our  firii  Reformers,  had  by  his  powerful 
 Preaching  began  and  promoted  a  confiderable  Reforma- 
 tion in  Manners,  and  drawn  great  Numbers  to  follow 
 liim  in  the  inward  and  fpiritual  Life  of  Chrittianity.  Be- 
 fides,  there  had  been  hereabouts  newly  fet  up  certain  Reli- 
 gious Societies,  for  the  promotion  in  the  firit  place  of  real 
 and  pradicalChrillianity,  and  for  the  better  Education  of 
 Children  and  Youth  ;  at  which  the  Court  of  Ror/^e  began 
 foon  to  be  jealous,  and  the  Author  and  Founder  of  thefe 
 (whom  w^e  lliall  have  hereafter  occafion  to  mention)  was 
 put  under  a  fort  of  Interdicl  by  the  Archbifliop  of  Utrecht 
 his  Diocefan.  That  now  both  the  Father  and  the  Mother 
 of  our  Author,  were  of  one  of  thefe  newly  ereded  Societies, 
 on  Congregations,  or  at  leaihvife  related  to  them,  there  are 
 not  lacking  feveral  Probabilities,  which  from  fomePalfa- 
 ges  in  the  HUbrical  Part  of  his  Writings,  may  be  eafily 
 col  led  ed. 
 
 §.  III.  When  he  was  arrived  to  the  Age  of  Thirteen, 
 his  Parents  fent  him  to  Deventer,  oiDavsntry,  anUniver- 
 fity  and  chief  City  o^Overylfel,  where  the  Principal  of  thefe 
 Societies  was  placed  by  their  Founder  j  and  whither  they 
 had  before  fent  his  elder  Brother,  that  (after  his  Father) 
 was  nam'd  John,  ^vho  having  there  gone  through  theCourfe 
 of  his  Studies,  became  afterward  Canon  o^  Windefheim  ; 
 where  he  liv'd  in  great  Reputation  ofSandity :  andisalfo 
 by  fome  fuppos*d  to  have  written  feveral  of  the  Treatifes 
 which  pafs  under  his  Brother's  Name  ;  as  particularly  thofe 
 which  make  up  the  firit  Volume  Of  the  Imitation  of  Jefus 
 Christ.  What  farther  determined  both  the  Parents  and  Son 
 to  this  Choice,  was  the  Fame  at  that  time  ofDr.- f '/or^«r/>^ 
 (the  true  Name  of  whom  was  LeiderdammJ  whofe  Learn- 
 ing and  Piety  were  mightily  celebrated  by  the  great  Num- 
 bers of  Students  that  liv'd  there  under  his  Tuition  and  In- 
 llru6lion.  For  he  being  Prefident  of  the  original  Society 
 of  theElhblilhment  abovemention'd,  had  drawn  together 
 a  feledt  Company  of  Perfons  pioufly  difpofed,  that  la- 
 boured after  a  folid  Reformation  both  in  the  Clergy  arxl 
 Laity,  by  promoting  at  once  the  true  practical  Chrifii- 
 iinityj  according  ^o  the  Gofpel  it  felf,  and  the  Pattern  of 
 
 a  2  the 
 
iv  An  Account  of  the 
 
 the  Fir(t  and  purcrt  Church  I'ucceeding  prcfently  after  odr 
 Bidied  Lord's  Afcenfion  ;  apd  by  propagating  of  Chriiiian 
 KnovvJedge  in  the  moii  effedlual  manner,  as  the  Times 
 could  then  beli  bear,  through  the  Charity-Schools  by  them 
 in  feveral  places  fet  up,  the  Diilribution  of  good  Books 
 among  the  Common  People,  the  Lecture  Sermons  oecail- 
 onally  preach'd  before  luch  Societies,  and  other  fuitabic 
 ways  and  means. 
 
 §.  IV.  So  fbonashe  came  to  Deventer^  being  wholly  on 
 Fire  with  what  he  had  heard  related,  his  firli  Care  was  how 
 to  find  out  his  Brother,  that  was  feveral  Years  older  than  he; 
 that  he  might  by  his  Advice  and  Means,  be  diredlcd  both 
 as  to  the  ordering  of  his  Studies,  and  the  manner  of  his  out- 
 ward Maintenance  ;  for  he  had  very  little  or  nothing  here 
 to  fubfjli  by,   which  yet  was  no  Difcouragement  to  him, 
 he  being  fully  periwaded  in  his  Mind,  that  he  ihould  in 
 this  place  by  fome  way  or  other,  be  fufficiently  provided  for, 
 lince  the  DeGgn  of  his  coming  hither,  w^as  Hncere  and  up- 
 right towards  God.    But  it  io  happened,  that  his  Brother 
 was  not  at  that  time  here,  but  at  the  Chapter  oiWindefheim ; 
 fo  he  was  obliged,  having  firft  taken  his  Infirudions  at 
 Deventery  to  go  on  to  \Vinciefl?ei??j,  where  meeting  at  length 
 with  his  Brother,  he,  by  his  Father's  command,  communi- 
 cated to  him  his  Intentions  of  becoming  a  Clerk  (if  it  were 
 feafible)  of  the  then  flourilliing  Community  Ol  Gerard  the 
 Great  2iiDevcnter ;  and  told  him,  How  earnelily  he  defir'd 
 for  this  end  to  obtain  a  Recommendation  to  F I  or  entius, who, 
 by  the  lafi  Teliament  of  the  Founder,  did  at  this  time  pre- 
 fide  in  it.  With  which  Propofal,  his  Brother  concurrM  moff 
 readily,  knowing  that  this  was  no  lefs  the  Will  of  their 
 Parents,  than  the  Lad's  own  Inclination,  to  have  him  pla- 
 ced out  in  fome  fuch  Religious  Community  :  So  he  mighti- 
 ly encourag'd  him  to  purfue  his  Relolution,  and  offer'd  him 
 all  the  AfTiIhnce  herein  that  he  was  capable  of:   edging 
 him  on  alfo,  with  the  Hopes  that  they  might  come  one  Day 
 to  live  both  together  in  the  fame  Society  ofCanons,  under 
 this  new  Reformation  and  Regulation. 
 
 §.  V.  Of  which  he  had  this  following  Account  given 
 him,  which  I  have  extraded  from  the  C^J  Memoirs  left 
 
 (a)  r;>.Gtii3rd.Magn.  mter  of  era  T.d  K.  Jodoe  B.id.  T;/.!.  a  K. 
 C.3.  Cai's  }iiii,Lim, J£^.6iju Pi?}. Blip liotb.Ecc. To.XLc.5.p.8s, 
 
hife  and  Works  of  the  Author,  y 
 
 with  him  by  his  faid  Brother,  and   by  Amilim  Burenfis^ 
 SuGcefTor  to  Florentim,  and  other  Elders  of  that  Order, 
 thinking  it  may 'afford  fome  Light  as  well  to  the  Hiliory 
 of  thofe  Times,  as  to  this  prefent  Book.    The  Foundation 
 of  this  Society  o^Dwotes  (for  by  this  Name  were  they  call'd) 
 came  to  be  e(iablifli'd  after  this  manner.     In  the  Year 
 MCCCXL  was  born  at  Devcnter^  in  Overyffd ,  Gerardu^ 
 Grotim^  or  Gerhard  Groot^  (thence  Sirnam'd  Magyius)  whom^ 
 his  Parents  being  wealthy,  fent  at  the  Age  of  Fifteen  to  Pa- 
 ris, as  reputed  themo(t  famous  Univerfity  at  that  time  in 
 Europe,  where  he  commenced  Matter  of  Arts  witliin  three 
 Years,  or  thereabouts.    After  which  he  fiayed  theie  fome 
 lime  converfmg  with  the  Divines :  And  being  of  a  quick 
 piercing  Wit,  and  indefatigable  in  his  Studies,  made  fucb 
 a  Progrefs  in  a  little  while  as  to  be  univerfally  taken  no- 
 pce  of  and  applauded.    His  Father  hearing  of  his  Fame 
 from  all  Hands  with  great  Joy  recalls  him  home.    Where 
 he  was  no  fooner  arrived,  but  prefent ly  he  gives  fuch  a  Spe- 
 cimen of  his  Parts  and  Learning,  both  in  difputing,  exa- 
 mining, interpreting  and  teaching,  as  he  was  admired  by 
 every  one  as  little  lefs  than  a  Prodigy.    Having  gotten  great 
 Glory  here,  he  was  ambitious  of  vifiting  other  Univerfities, 
 and  learned  Men :  Whereupon  he  went  with  a  great  Equi- 
 page to  refide  for  fome  time  at  Cdogn;   where  living  very 
 high,  and  cloathed  as  a  Nobleman,  his  Father's  Allowance 
 to  him  being  very  liberal,  the  bett  Company  of  the  Uni- 
 verfity and  City  were  ambitious  of  entertaining  him ;  And 
 here  by  Conferences  with  the  Learned,  and  both  by  Private 
 and  Publick  Ledures,  he  grew  daily  into  greater  and  great- 
 er Reputation.    But  it  came  to  pafs,  that  as  he  was  here 
 one  Day  diverting  himfelf  at  the  publick  Sights  and  Inter- 
 ludes, and  was  very  intent  upon  them»  there  came  up  to 
 him  a  Stranger  of  a  goodly  and  reverend  Afped,  in  the 
 Habit  of  an  Hermit,and  whifper'd  into  his  Ear  thefe  VVords, 
 
 Non  tihi,  Magnc,  din  SpeBacula  pana  placcbunty 
 Namque  vocare  alio  - 
 
 Hold !  Petty  Shews  not  long  (hall  thee  delight  : 
 For  thy  Great  Soul  -to  a  far  Greater  Sight 
 Is  naw  hence  call'd  4:va)^^ 
 
 a  5  And 
 
vi  An  Account  of  the 
 
 And  added  ,  "  Why  landed  thou  here  ,  O  Magnus  I 
 *'  Magnus!  loitering  ?  Fy!  why  mak'li  thou  thy  ielf  ib  Little^ 
 *«  Thoti  fhalt  be  Another,  Man  !  Ariie. 
 
 My  Child !  IVhat  do  ft  thou  Here  f  What  do/}  thou  See  i 
 Be  gone :  Another  Man  thou  art  to  he. 
 
 This,  tho'  it  appeared  to  him  indeed  ftrange,  yet  made  no 
 great  ImprefTion  on  him  at  that  time.  But  not  long  after  this 
 he  meets  with  a  Gentleman  at  Utrecht^  with  whom  he  had 
 been  formerly  moft  intimately  acquainted ;  but  who  being 
 weary  of  the  World,  had  chofen  himlelfa  Retirement  in 
 the  Chartsr-Houje  of  Adonchuyfen,  of  which  he  was  now  the 
 Governour.     This  good  Gentleman  (whofe  Name  is  not 
 known)  after   a  little  reviving  of  their  old  Acquaintance, 
 and   rcHeding  handfomely  on  their  former  Converfation 
 together  in  the  Vanities  and  Follies  of  this  deceitful  World, 
 very  dextroufly  and  clofely  accorts  him;  till  at  length  he 
 prevails  on  him  to  change  his  Courfe  of  Life,  and  devote 
 himfelf  entirely  to  the  Following  of  J^//^j  Chrifl.    Not  ma- 
 iiy  days  after  this  he  threw  off  his  rich  Cloaths,  and  cart 
 about  him  a  coarfe  Gown  when  he  went  abroad  ;  cutting 
 alfo  his  Hair  fliort,   and  wearing  in(tead  of  his  Dodors's 
 Cap,   a  black  Hood  that  reach'd  down  to  his  middle.     At 
 the  Sight  of  which,  they  that  had  before  the  mo^  admir'd 
 him,  now  concluded  that  he  was  run  befide  himfelf,  and 
 that  too  much  Learning  had  made  him  mad.     Hereupon 
 lome  of  the  principal  Perfons  of  the  City  came  to  him  to 
 examine  into  the  Matter ;  whom  he  fatisfied  fo  well,  as 
 they  departed  not   from  hun  without  bemg  much  edified. 
 Not  long  afterward  he  went  to  vific  the  famous  John  Ruf- 
 hroch,  caird  the  Divine  Don:or,  one  indeed  of  little  Learning, 
 and  of  great  fmiplicity,  but  of  fingular  Sancftity  and  mo(i  high 
 Contemplation,  whence  he  came  to  poflefs  a  very  deep  and 
 fundamental  Knowledge  of  all  the  Myilical  Theology,  by  the 
 way  of  Experience.     And  he  tarryed  fome  time  with  him  at 
 the  newly  founded  Monalkry  at  Wuvre^  near  Brufelsy  where 
 he  was  firrt  Prior  of  the  Pvcgular  Canons :  And  by  him  was 
 fullv  inltruclcd  in  all  what  appertained  to  the  Kingdom  of 
 God  in  the  Soul,  and  to  the  conltituting  of  fuch  a  Society  a- 
 mong  Chriliians  as  might  bd\  leibre  the  decayM  Primitive 
 and  Apofiolical  manner  of  Living.  This  now  he  was  wholly 
 
 bent 
 
hife  and.  Works  of  the  Author,  vU 
 
 bent  upon  :  And  having  inch  Examples  before  him  as  this 
 venerable  Man  and  ThauUrm^  both  almo(i  oFthe  fame  Cha- 
 racter, he  made  hafte  to  put  the  fame  in  Execution  accor- 
 dingl3^  Returning  then  home,  by  the  Advice  and  Encou- 
 ragement, of  the  faid  Rmhrochimy  as  alfo  of  other  Pious  and 
 Learned  Men,  and  finding  an  inward  powerful  Call, he  gave 
 hiiirfelf  up  for  this  End,  to  Preaching  the  Word  of  God ;  by 
 which  great  Numbers  were  converted  :  But  fome  were  much 
 exafperated  again (t  him  for  his  Liberty  m  Taxing  the  Evils 
 and  Corruptions  of  the  Times.  The  Provinces  ofUirecht 
 a.nd  Holland  w^re  chiefly  bkfled  with  his  Miniftry  ;  where 
 a  mighty  Progrefs  was  foon  made,  in  order  to  a  real  Refor- 
 mation both  in  the  Clergy  and  Laity.  To  the  obtaining  of 
 which,  he  thought  there  could  be  no  better  Method  than  to 
 begin  wifh  the  right  Education  of  Youth  ;  nor  any  othec 
 Standard  fo  fafeas  the  Holy  Scriptures,  when  duly  inter- 
 preted by  the  Catholick  Content  of  the  Church.  This  there- 
 fore he  ftridly  attended  to,  and  having  an  admirable  way 
 of  winning  on  the  Affedions  in  his  Converfation,  a  confi- 
 derable  Alteration  was  quickly  effeded,  among  the  younger 
 Sort,  at  leafi  ,•  w^ho  were  made  willing  to  embrace  an 
 humble  and  laborious  Life,  rather  than  to  enjoy  all  the 
 Vanity  and  Luxury  of  the  World.  A  great  number  of 
 hopeful  Boys,  and  poor  Clerks,  flock'd  to  him  apace  from 
 all  Parts,  who  by  his  means  receiv'd  their  Education  Gratis  ; 
 befides  which  he  fet  every  one  a  Task,  which  was  to  copy 
 oiit  the  facred  Books,  or  elfe  pieces  of  Devotion,  at  their 
 leif ure  Hours  from  Study  ;  Paying  them  the  juft  Price  for 
 what  they  writ,  but  not  all  at  once,  but  at  feveral  times ; 
 that  fo  coming  often  to  him,  they  might  frequently  receive 
 together  with  their  money  gond  Exhortations  to  Piety  and 
 folid  Chriliianity ;  and  aHo  might  be  prevented  froni 
 fpending  prodigally  what  they  receVd  at  onetime.  He  let 
 up  alfo  Charity-Schools  for  Girls :  A  nd  for  the  bigger  ones  he 
 purchafed  a  convenient  Houfe  for  them  to  cohabit  in,  where 
 they  were  brought  up  in  Spinning,  Weaving,  Sowing  and 
 other  Womens  Work,  till  they  ihould  be  difpofed  of.  He 
 was  contuiually  exercifed  in  the  Labour  of  Love^  always 
 abounding  in  acts  of  Mercy,  both  Ghofily  and  Bodily  ; 
 for  which  he  parted  with  his  whole  E(iate,  except  a  mo- 
 derate Ailovvance  which  he  refcrvcd  for  his  own  NecefTjties, 
 ■     '  ^  a  4  ■    i'k: 
 
viii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 He  preachM  generally  once,  and  often  twice  a  Day :  And 
 fometimes  when  the  Power  of  God  was  Rrong  upon  him, 
 they  fay,  he  would  continue  his  Exhortations  to  the  People 
 two,  or  even  three  Hours:    And  the  Churches  where  he 
 preach'd  would  be  fo  crowded  as  hardly  to  contain  the 
 Concourfe  of  all  Ranks;  Perfons  gladly  leaving  their  Bu- 
 finefs  and  their  Meals,  to  attend  on  his  In(iru6iions.    At 
 Utrecht,  Deventevy  Zvpoll  and  Kempen  he  fpread  the  Seed  of 
 the  Divine  Word  to  great  Increafe ;  and  in  this  lalt  Place 
 the  Parents  of  our  Thomas  having  often  opportunity  of  hear- 
 ing him,  were  mightily  edified  ;  and  being  by  him  direded 
 in  the  Principles  of  Chriiiian  Education  of  Children,  firit 
 committed  to  his  Tuition  their  eldelt  Son  John,  and  af- 
 terward to  his  Succeffor  this  their  youngeft.  Alfo  at  Leiden, 
 Pelf,  Goiide  and  Amflerdam  the  Word  of  God  fpread,  and 
 multiplied  abundantly  in  Hearts  that  were  difpofed  to  re- 
 ceive the  fame  :  And  Societies  of  the  Devotes  did  fpringup 
 and  eftablifh  themfelves  in  thefe  and  other  Cities  and 
 Towns  thereabouts,  according  to  the  Rule  and  Form  by 
 him  prefcrib'd  ;  yQ3.tvtnmGHelderland,  Brabant,  F landers, 
 l^rij eland,  WeBphaliaa.nd  Saxony,  wdthin  a  few  Years.  Thus 
 by  his  continual  Labour  of  Preaching,  Praying,  Teaching, 
 Exhorting,  Advifmg  and  Ordering  'of  Affairs  both  of  the 
 Schools  and  Religious  Societies,  he  fpent  himfelf  Day  and 
 Night  to  the  Glory  of  his  Malier.     But  while  he  had  farther 
 and  greater  Defjgns  in  his  Head,  he  was  taken  away  from 
 the  midit  of  an  evil  Generation,  the  corrupt  Prieds,  and 
 formal  Pharifees,  whq  lliarply  profecuted  him  for  his  boldly 
 rebuking  Vice,  and  condantly  fpeaking  the  Truth  wathou. 
 iefpe6t  of  Perfons ;    leaving   Dr.  Florentius^  Leiderdam,  a 
 Ferfon  of  a  noble   Extraction  and  Education,   who  foe 
 Confcience  fake  had  quitted  his  Preferment  in  the  Church, 
 to  fucceed  him,  and  to  carry  on  what  was  by  him  fo  hap- 
 pily begun.    He  died  in  the  Lord,  when  he  was  but  Four 
 and  Forty  Years  old ;  this  our  Thomas  bein^  then   but  a 
 Child,  upon  Atiguji  the  20th  A.  MCCCLXXXIV.     His 
 \Vorks  that  are  publick  are  his  Proteiktion,   concerning 
 the  True  and  fincere  Preaching  ;    his  Conclufions,  or  Re- 
 folves;  and  a  fhort  Treatifc  concerning  the  Study  of  the 
 Sacred  Books ;  which  are  generally  printed  with  the  Works 
 of  our  Author,  who  recciv'd  them  from  Dr.  William  de  Sal^ 
 '■'■■■  varvilla^ 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  ix 
 
 varvilla.  Archdeacon  of  Brabanty  who  writ  to  Pope  Ur- 
 ban VI.  on  his  behaif,  and  after  his  Deceafe  compiiM  his 
 Life.  Befides  which,  there  are  faid  to  be  about  Twenty  other 
 Treatifes,  liill  extant  in  fome  Libraries  of  the  Netherlands, 
 a  Catalogue  whereof  is  to  be  found  in  f'O  ^-^irdsm  and 
 Ce)  Sweert'iHs^  befjdes  fome  Pieces  of  Rnshrochm  by  him 
 tranflated  into  Latin^  particularly  that  excellent  one,  De 
 Septem  Gradibus  Arnoris^  or  the  Scale  of  Divdne  Love. 
 
 §.  VL  Now  according  to  Dr.  (fj  Salvarvil's  Telfimony 
 there  were  many  Thoufands  up  and  down  the  Low-Coun- 
 tries ^  that  had  been  convinc'd  by  his  Preaching,  and  turned 
 from  the  World  to  Chriji.  Thefe  he  advifed  if  they  were 
 Tingle,  to  live  together,  asmany  as  could  conveniently,  in 
 one  Houfe  for  mutual  Exhortation;  and  to  call  them- 
 felves  Brethren  and  Silkrs;  and  that  they  lliould  be  fure  t^^ 
 earn  their  Livelihood  with  the  Labour  of  their  Hands.  Hz. 
 would  fuffer  none  to  beg  at  the  Door,^  or  to  go  from  Hoiife 
 to  Houfe  out  of  Curiofity,  or  for  their  Maintenance;  bat 
 perfwaded  them  to  ftay  at  Home,  and  to  mind,  accordiiiT 
 to  the  Apotiles  Rule,  their  own  Bufinefs ;  yet  not  for  the 
 fake  of  greater  Advantage  to  fet  about  fuch  Employments, 
 or  to  attend  any  fo  much,  as  might  bean  hindrance  to  the 
 Duties  of  Devotion,  or  of  their  Station.  He  was  zealous 
 againit  feveral  Abufes  in  the  Canon  Law,  wherein  he  was 
 well  skill'd,  and  againl^  the  corrupt  Pradlices  of  Ecclefi- 
 aftical  Courts ;  cautioning  his  Congregation  earneQIy 
 againrt  them,  and  again(^  all  whatever  did  not  agree  with 
 the  Poverty  and  Simplicity  of  the  Life  o^ChriH.  But  tho' 
 he  charged  them  to  look  unto  Chriji  as  the  only  Beginner 
 and  Finilher  of  their  Felicity,  yet  he  confined  them  not  to 
 the  Reading  of  none  but  Chrilfian  Authors.  For  he  re- 
 commended to  them,  among  the  Philofophers,  Fdato  and 
 Arisiotle ;  but  far  the  highe(t  value  he  fet  upon  the  former, 
 for  the  excellent  Difcourfes  in  the  Perfon  o^  Socrates.  The 
 Morals  alio  o^ Seneca  exceedingly  pleas'd  him  ;  which  as  con- 
 taining in  them  a  rich  Mine  he  proposed  to  the  Members  of 
 his  Society.    In  the  Study  of  Pbyfick,  to  which  the  Charity 
 
 of 
 
 (d)  ^U(^uar.  c.  444, 
 
 (f)  Fr.  Siveert.  Athen.  Belg.  p.  208. 
 
 (f)  A^,  T.  c1  Kemp.  ViL  Gerard,  Magn, 
 
An  Account  of  the 
 
 of  his  InliitLition  led  him,  it  doth  not  appear  that  he  con- 
 cerned himielf  with  any  other  Authors  than  Hippocrares  a- 
 lone:  Or  in  that  of  the  Laws  with  any  other  than  the  Text 
 it  felr.  Tho' he  was  no  admirer  of  Poetry,  yet  it  appears 
 that  he  had  a  kindncfs  for  F'irgil.  But  above  all,  the  Study 
 of  Holy  Scripture  was,  as  the  Root  and  Foundation  of  all 
 Chrirtian  and  folid  Knowledge,  commended  by  him  to  his 
 Followers.  And  here  the  Gofpel  in  the  firlt  place,  as  con- 
 taining the  Life  of  our  great  Exemplar,  was  by  him  taken 
 notice  of.  R.^dix  Studii  tui  (fa  id  he)  &  fpccuUim  vita  fie 
 prJmo  Evangelium  Chrijii,  q»ia  ihi  efivita  Chrisli,  i.  e.  Let  the 
 Root  of  thy  Study,  and  Mirror  of  thy  Life,  be  in  the  fitli 
 place  the  Gofpel  ofChriR,  becaufe  therein  is  the  Life  of 
 Chrift.  This  was  the  Fundamental  Rule  of  the  Founder  of 
 the  Community,  wherein  our  Author,  now  young,  folicit- 
 tcd  that  he  might  Live  and  Die,  and  wherein  he  a6lually 
 liv*d  beyond  a  Man's  full  Age  ;  ami  is  indeed  the  Hinge 
 upon  which  all  his  Writings  turn.  In  the  next  place  he 
 recommended  the  Lheso^ihc  Fathers  and  aiitient  Saints, 
 particularly  their  Conferences,  as  great  Helps  and  Excite- 
 ments in  the  Chriftian  Race  ;  wherein  the  Author  of  the 
 Imitation  clofely  follows  him  in  like  manner.  He  read  alio 
 ihe  Writings  of  St.  ^mbrajc' a.ud  St.  Au^fin,  St.  Hicrom^  and 
 Gregory  the  Great,  with  thole  of  St.  Bern^.rd  and  our  Vene- 
 rable Bede:  And,  according  to  the  bert  Light  of  Antiquity 
 that  he  could  arrive  to,  eliablilli'd  luch  a  Chrirtian  Com- 
 n.unity,  as  was  highly  pleafing  to  many  good  Souls,  but 
 to  none  more  than  to  theic  two  Brethren,  John  and  Thomas, 
 
 a  Kef?? pis. 
 
 §.  VIL  Thomas  having  been  by  his  Brother  introduced 
 and  recommended  to  Florentms^wSii  of  him  moli  courteoufly 
 and  kindly  received.  Who  difcerning  him  to  be  a  very  hope- 
 ful and  modeii  Lad,  took  immediate  care  to  lee  him  pro- 
 vided with  a  Chamber,  Books  and  Diet.  So  upon  this  oc- 
 cafion  our  little  Devote  was  daily  in  the  Company  of  the 
 PrefidentF/orf«rz«j,in  whofeHoufe  he  was  at  fidi  lodg'd,and 
 of  others  the  moti  eminent  for  Piety  and  Learning  thatcon- 
 jorted  with  him  ;  and  he  faiPd  not  to  make  all  the  Advan- 
 tages hereof,  that  it  was  poffiblc  for  a  (iudious  and  pi- 
 oufly  difpofed  Youth.  An  account  of  this  is  given  by  him- 
 ielf in  the  Life  of  the  faid  Florentms^Xm  Matter,  after  the 
 
 toUovyiuD, 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  xi 
 
 following  manner,  "  When  for  the  fake  of  my  Studies,  I 
 "  was  in  my  younger  Years  arriv'd  at  Devsntery  I  iiiquifd 
 "  after  the  way  to  the  Canons  Regular  o^Wmdejljeim.  Whi- 
 ''  ther  profecuting  my  Journey,  and   having  there  found 
 "  the  Fraternity  of  the  faid  Canons,  and  with  them  my 
 "  own  Brother ;  by  his  Counfel  and  Encouragement  I  was 
 "  induc'd  to  addrefs  my  felf  to  that  mo(t  venerable  Perfon 
 *'  Dr.  Florentms,  the  fweet  Fragancy  of  whofe  Fame  had 
 "  already  reached  the  upper  Provinces  [of  Germany}  and 
 "  had  drawn  out  my  Mind  very  much  to  the  Love  of  him ; 
 "  as  having  heard  a  great  many  Scholars  fpeak  exceeding 
 "  well  of  him,  and  conftantly  extol   his  Performances  in 
 "  the  Cauie  of  God  and  of  Religion.    For  both  to  the  Eye 
 "  and  Ear  he  was  a  truly  Religious  Man  3  nothing  was  ei- 
 "  ther  feen  or  heard  of  him,  but  what  tended  to  Virtue  and 
 ''  Piety ;  and  in  the  Eyes  of  all  he  was  Graceful  and  Love- 
 *'  ly,  as  being  a  true  Worl"hipper  of  God,  and  a  devout 
 *'  Reverencer  oi  Holy  Church.    As  I  came  therefore  into 
 **  the  Prefencc  of  this  Reverend  Father,  he  being  mov'd 
 "  with  Pity  towards  me,  kept  me  for  fome  little  time  witit 
 **  him  in  his  own  Houfe,    and  there  he  prepared  and  in- 
 "  ftruded  me  for  the  Schools;    giving  me  moreover  fuch 
 "  Books  as  he  thought  I  might  ftand  in  need  of  After  this 
 *'  he  obtain'd  for  me  my  Chamber  and  Boardof  a  certain 
 "  honourable  and  devout  Matron,    w^ho  both  to  me  and, 
 ''  many  other  Clerks,  was  a  good  Benefa6lrefs.    Now^  be- 
 "  ing  thus  providentially  join'd  to  this  Holy  Man,  and  his 
 "  Brethren,  I  daily  attended  to,  and  infpedted  their  devout 
 ^'  Converfation,  and  was  greatly  rejoiced  and  delighted  in 
 "  their  good  Lives,  and  in  the  gracious  words  which  pro- 
 "  ceeded  forth  from  the  Mouths  of  thefe  humble  ones  -,  for  as 
 "  much  as  I  did  not  remember,  that  I  had  ever  before  feen 
 "  fuch  Men  as  thefe  fo  Devout  and  Fervent  in  the  Love  of 
 "  God,  and  of  their  Neighbour;  of  whom  I  obfervM  that 
 "  they  had  nothing  in  them  of  the  Life  of  the  World. 
 
 §.  VIIL  Then  he  acquaints  us  how  he  was  even  raviilrd 
 with  beholding  conttantly  the  Heavenly  Converfation  of 
 the  Reclor  of  this  Devout  Society,  a  Man  filled  with  Wil^ 
 dom  and  Llnderifanding  in  the  Knowledge  of  Chrift,  and 
 adorned  with  all  the  Chriftian  Graces,  humbly  imitating, 
 with  his  Presbyters  and  Clerks,  the  Form  of  the  true  .-^fo-^ 
 
 Bolical 
 
xii  An  Account  of  th^ 
 
 jhlical  Life,  and  of  the  C/?«rc-/>  of  Jerufalcm,  when  it  was 
 firit  founded.  Thefe  therefore  having  all  one  Heart  and  one 
 Soul  in  God,  brought  every  one  of  the  things  which  he 
 poiTelkd,  or  had  earned  by  his  Labour,  into  the  Common 
 Fund  ;  and  receiving  out  thence  again  necefTary  Food  and 
 Raiment,  were  therewith  contented,  taking  no  Care  for 
 the  Morrow,  but  enjoying  all  things  in  common,  and  cal- 
 ling nothing  their  own  :  For  having  here  dedicated  theni- 
 felves  to  God,  both  in  Body  and  Soul,  they  wholly  com* 
 initted  themfelves  to  his  Care,  and  were  for  his  fake  obe- 
 dient to  their  Spiritual  Redor.  "  They  iiudy'd,  fays  he, 
 *'  to  pay  therefore  a  ivilling  Obedience  to  the  Rector,  fee 
 "  over  them  by  God,  or  (in  his  abfence)  to  his  Vicar ; 
 *'  wMth  all  their  might  to  overcome  theinfelves,  to  refift 
 "  their  PaOions ,  to  break  the  Motions  of  their  own  Will  5 
 **  and  to  keep  a  fhicl  Watch  in  all  things  j  fervently  be- 
 "  feeching  the  rd\  to  give  them  Reproof,  or  Correction, 
 "  whenioever  they  fhould  need  it.  And  hereupon  going 
 to  give  fome  Account  of  their  particular  manner  of  Life, 
 and  therewith  doubtlefs  of  his  own,  he  tells  us  how  they 
 quietly  abiding  at  Home,  did  molt  carefully  employ  the 
 main  of  their  time  inTranfcribing  of  the  Scriptures,  and 
 other  good  Books:  And  how  being  much  alio  engaged  in 
 holy  Reading  and  devout  Meditation,  they  in  the  mid(l  of 
 their  Labours  had,  for  Refrelhment  of  themfelves,  recourfe 
 to  Eiaculatory  Prayers,  and  ("hort  Afpirations  of  the  Soul, 
 according  to  the  Method  here  laid  down  in  the  Second  and 
 Third  Book  of  this  Volume.  The  firlt  thing  in  the  Mor- 
 ning was  to  goto  Church,  and  there  offering  up  to  God  the 
 fir(^  Fruits  of  their  Lips,  and  the  Breathings  of  their  Hearts, 
 proihating  the  Body  they  lifted  tip  (fays  he)  pure  Hearts, 
 and  the  Eyes  of  the  Mind  towards  Heaven  :  beleechi  ng  God 
 with  Prayers  and  Tears  to  be  reconciled  to  them,  through 
 the  Death  and  Sacrifice  of  Chrilf .  So  there  was  great  Grace 
 and  true  Devotion  amongrt  them :  and  they  edified  many 
 both  by  Woid  and  by  Example.  And  by  Patience,  bear- 
 ing the  Scoffs  and  Taunts  of  them  that  were  yet  in  Bon- 
 dage to  the  World,  they  won  over  not  a  few^  of  thefe  to 
 ^he  Contempt  thereof,  and  to  the  Imitation  of  Chrirt,  and 
 Fellowfhip  with  the  Apofiles.  In  luch  Company  as  this, 
 our  young  Student  made  no  fmall  Pipficiency  iu  a  (hotc 
 
 time : 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  xlii 
 
 time  :  for  very  narrowly  obferving  all  what  he  faw,  he 
 took  Notes  of  every  thing  continually  that  he  remark'd  in 
 any  oFthem,  that  might  ferve  either  then,  or  thereafter,  for 
 his  edification  in  trire  and  folid  Piety.  Which  he  afterwards 
 occafionally  made  ufe  of,  not  only  to  write  the  Lives  of 
 fome  of  them  ;  but  alfo  in  his  Sermons,  in  his  Dialogue  of 
 the  Novice  and  Smior,  his  Manual  ofTotith,  and  fome  other 
 Pieces. 
 
 §.  IX.  Now  there  was  at  that  time  an  Holy  Man,  and 
 moll  devout  and  indefatigable  Preacher  of  God's  Word,  at 
 Deventer,  by  Name  Mr.  John  Brmchrinck,  that  had  been 
 a  Pupil  of  Dr.  Gerard ;  who  Preaching  upon  a  Good  Friday  ^ 
 and  taking  for  his  Text  thefe  Words  of  the  Aportle,  (^a)  He 
 that  ffared  not  his  own  Son,  hnt  delivered  him  up  for  us  allj 
 how  jhall  he  not  with  him  freely  alfo  give  us  all  things  f    did 
 thereby  greatly  excite  our  young  A  Kempt's,  am^ong  many 
 others  ;    the  ImprefTion  which  it  made  remaining  it  fecms 
 upon  him  for  all  his  Life  after  :    whence  he  makes  men- 
 tion of  it  himfelf,  wath  a  very  high  Charader  of  the  Prea- 
 cher, in(^)one  of  his  Books,  that  was  written  for  the  fpecial 
 fervice  and  ufe  of  that  Congregation.    And  indeed  his  Heart 
 was  fo  lively  touched  with  this  molt  melting  ExprefTion, 
 that  GOD  sfared  not  his  own  SON,  in  fo  pathetical  and 
 powerful  a  manner  inculcated  by  this  true  Evangelical 
 Preacher ;  as  it  appears  that  he  was  conftrained  by  the  Mer- 
 cies of  God,  to  fpare  nothing  from  thenceforth  of  what  was 
 molt  dear  to  him,  but  to  prefenthis  Body,  with  Chrilf's  Bo- 
 dy,^ Living  Sacrifice,  holy^  acceptable  unto  GOD,  as  his  Reajo- 
 nahle  Service.    Wherein  he  was  alfo  farther  afterward  efia- 
 blilhed  by  another  Paffion-Sermon  of  the  fame  worthy  Mi- 
 nifier  of  God,  preach'd  alfo  in  the  fame  Church  of  Deven- 
 ter,  upon  another  (I  fuppofe  the  next)  Good  Friday,  from 
 that  Paifage  in  the  Pfalms ;  (c)  What  foall  1  render  unto  the 
 Lord  for  all  his  Benefits  towards  me  ^    And  w' hat  Reflections 
 he  made  hereupon,  may,  by  his  ASis  of  Thanhf giving  at  the 
 end  of  the  4th  Book  of  this  Volume,  particularly  as  to  the 
 Second  and  Third  Articles,  be  in  part  feen.    But  befides 
 
 theie 
 
 {a)  Rom.  8.  31. 
 
 {b)  Lih.  de  DifdfulJdD,  Florenuit  di.  3, 
 
 (c;  Pf,  116,  12, 
 
xiv  An  Account  of  the 
 
 tbefe  Two,  there  was  alio  a  Third  Difcourfe  of  the  faid 
 Mx.Brinchrindj  by  means  of  which  this  our  molt  indultri- 
 ous  and  hopeful  Novice  was  confirmed  not  a  little  in  the 
 Refolution  he  had  taken  to  follove  Chriii,    It  was  a  New 
 Tear^s  Day  Sermon,  the  Subjed  whereof  was,  the  Impofiti- 
 on  at  Circumcifion  of  the  Holy  Name  JESUS.   Concerning 
 which  the  good  Man  Preach'd  as  one  that  had  Authority^ 
 and  that  was  filled  with  the  Spirit :  So  that  hereby  he  both 
 C^J  comforted  the  Lovers,  and  according  as  they  deferved 
 confounded  the  Deriders  of  the  Bleifed  JESUS ;  as  was 
 not  without  great  Pleafure  obferv'd,  by  this  his  young  Dif- 
 ciple.  Who  has  thence  given  hereof  a  particular  Account ; 
 with  the  manner  of  their  ordinary  Salutation  of  one  another, 
 both  Men  and  Women,  in  the  Name  ofjeftes.  And  this  was 
 afterward  made  by  him  the  beginning  and  ending  of  his 
 Spiritual  Exerdjes ;  as  may  appear  from  feveral  Panages  in 
 Iiis  Works,  fcattered  up  and  down.    But  the  laft  Chap- 
 ter of  the  Third  Book  in  this  prefent  Volume,  feems  to 
 contain  the  whole  Marrow  and  Subltance  of  his  Thoughts 
 upon  this  Matter,  according  to  the  Dodrine  which  he  had 
 early  lucked  in  from  the  Mouth  of  fo  excellent  a  Perfon  ; 
 who  had  taken  up  his  Model  of  Preaching  from  that  of 
 Dr.  Gerard  ;  of  whom  he  was  not  only  a  zealous  Difciple, 
 but  a  conliant  Companion  alfo  for  ieveral  Years  before 
 his  Death,  and  his  AfliRant  in  the  Work  of  the  Miniitry. 
 He  therefore,  according  to  the  Principles  which  he  had  re- 
 ceived of  his  Malter,  which  i)avc  already  been  hinted,  did 
 in  this  memorable  Sermon,  to  the  Joy  of  fome  andConfu- 
 lion  of  others  that  were  prefent,  demonftrate,  (h)  That  at 
 the  Name  of  JESUS  every  Knee  jhotdd  bovr,  of  things  in  Hea- 
 ven and  things  in  Earthy  and  things  under  the  Earth :    And 
 herein  fet  forth,  that  Chrilt  was  to  be  Loved  and  Adored 
 by  us,   without  any  Competitor,  becaufeGOD  had  16 
 highly  exalted  him,  and  given  him  a  Name  which  is  above  eve- 
 ry  Name  ;  for  as  much  as  this  was  particularly  apply 'd  by 
 him  to  the  CO  Saints  in  Glory,  as  we  arc  fufficiently  in- 
 firuded 
 
 (a)  Hxcdicens  Ut'ificnhat  nmatores  Jefu,  ^  confmMat  derifo^ 
 res  ejus  front  d'lgm  erant.     T.  ^  Kemp.  lib.  de  Vifc'ip.  Flor.  c.  5. 
 
 Ch)  Phil.  1.  10.  Nomen^Kt^u  fnper  ommnnomvia  exalt ando. 
 
 (cj  Et  ante  orm'ia  ^  fuper  ovinia  7W}Jima  fanSovum  dihgunt^ 
 &  adorant  Jefum  Dei  pl'mnu  T.  a  K-.  ibid. 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author,  xv 
 
 ftru6led  by  the  fliort  Nanative  our  Author  has  left  us  of 
 it.  Whence  it  is  I  think  obfervable,  that  fo  very  little  No- 
 tice is  taken  of  any  of  the  Saints  in  particular,  except  of 
 the  Bleiled  Mother  of  our  Lord,  in  the  devout  Trcatiies  of 
 our  Author,  (which  are  above  Twenty  ;)  nor  even  of  her 
 in  the  moii  celebrated  Piece  of  all,  by  way  o^  Invocation  : 
 Not  to  mention  the  Books  and  Remains  of  others,  which 
 I  have  feen  and  read  of  the  fame  Society  ;  in  ail  which, 
 the  means  of  reaching  the  Communion  of  Saints  glorified, 
 together  with  their  Suffrages  before  the  Throne  of  God  and 
 the  Lamb,  is  Hill  fuppofed  or  esprefTed  to  be  a  (a)  Con- 
 formity with  their  Lives  and  Docirines,  as  in  the  Unity 
 of  the  Spirit  of  Jefiis.  However,  it  is  certain  that  our  Au- 
 thor, at  leaii,  whounderitood  the  Maxims  of  his  own  Fra- 
 ternity as  well  as  any,  made  all  to  center  in  the  Imita- 
 tion of  Chrilt  himfeir,  and  in  feeking  above  ail  to  be  by 
 his  mott  powerful  InterceflTion  accepted  of  God  :  And  that 
 being  a  zealous  and  diligent  Hearer  of  the  Word  prea- 
 ched,as  well  as  a  [\nt\  Oblerver  of  all  other  Duties  publick 
 and  private,  he  made  in  a  little  time  no  little  Progrefs ; 
 siotwithRanding  the  difficulty  of  the  Times,  and  fevcrai 
 great  Temptations,  which  by  the  Will  of  God  were  fuf- 
 fer'd  to  try  him  at  Seafons  ;  and  of  which  there  is  fomc 
 mention  not  only  in  his  Soliloquy^  but  in  other  Treatifes 
 like  wife  of  his. 
 
 §.  X.  W^herefore  after  that  Florentim  had  thoroughly 
 try'd  him,  having  obferved  his  exa6t  Diligence  in  the  Per- 
 formance of  all  the  Duties  and  Exercifes  that  were  laid 
 upon  him,  and  the  great  Sincerity  and  Simplicity  whicli 
 appeared  in  all  his  Actions,  he  w^as  fo  well  pleasM  with 
 him  as  to  adopt  him  his  (hj  Son,  And  as  ILjch  he  took 
 delight  to  have  him  confhntly  near  him,  and  to  fend  him 
 in  MeiTages  of  Importance  ;  and  fometimes  aifo  to  receive 
 his  Dilates  in  Writing.    Whence  it  has  been  fuggefted  I 
 
 know 
 
 (a)  S\  vu  Deo  ^  fanciu  phcere mfp'ice  v'ltnm  ranaorum, 
 
 lege  doarmam  eomm  ut  cum  fanftis  fandus  fias,  gf  }  fanBis  eru^ 
 
 dions    &c.    DeDifcipl.  Clauflr.  lib.  i.  c.15.    Item  de  Imir. 
 
 Chnft    /   I     To  18.  lib.  3.  c.  5^.  &anin  frequenter, 
 
 (  h)  Nojlnm  Thomam  filii  loco  haMat.    Fr.  Tolenf.  vit, 
 Keinp.  ^.  8, 
 
xvi  An  Account  of  the 
 
 know  by  fome,  as  particularly  by  C^J  Heferus,  that  the 
 chief  Materials  for  writing  the  famous  Treatife  fo  hotly 
 contefted  about  by  two  Religious  Orders,  were  firft  col- 
 leded  from  the  Mouth  of  Florentius  by  our  Thomas  while 
 lie  attended  him,  who  having  taken  down  his  notable  Say- 
 ings into  his  Table-Book,  is  fuppofed  to  have  digelied  theui 
 into  that  Treatife  during  the  firft  Six  Years  after  the  De- 
 ceafe  of  this  his  fpiritual  Father,  when  he  had  moft  Lei- 
 fure,  as  being  not  yet  Profefs'd,  as  they  call  it,  or  at  leart 
 within  fome  few  Years  after,  and  before  the  Year  MCCCC 
 XVIII.  But  this  is  contradided  by  others,  yet  Frontean 
 feems  to  be  of  his  Opinion,  who  has  written  with  much 
 Reputation  in  Vindication  of  our  Author's  Right  to  it,  a- 
 gainft  the  Plea  of  an  Italian  Abbot.  Tis  certain  how- 
 ever that  his  Attendance  upon  this  excellent  Perfon,  could 
 not  but  be  of  a  fignal  Advantage  to  him,  in  the  future 
 Condu6l  of  his  Life  in  general,  and  in  the  formation  and 
 diredion  of  his  Studies  in  particular,  to  a  publick  Edifica- 
 tion. One  day  which  was  fome  great  Feliival,  after  the 
 ServMce  in  the  Choir  w-as  over,  Florentius  taking  notice  of  a 
 more  than  ordinary  Chearfulnefs  in  the  Countenance  of  his 
 Spiritual  Son,  call'd  him  to  him,  and  difcourfed  with  him 
 in  private  a  long  while,  (iyling  him  his  moji  beloved  Son  m 
 the  Lord,  and  mightily  encouraging  him  to  Perfeverance, 
 and  to  make  a  right  ufe  of  all  the  Benefits  which  he  en- 
 joyed, by  a  wife  and  prudent  Determination  of  himfclf. 
 And  thus  he  was  aiTi(kd  and  counfelled  by  him  upon  all 
 proper  Occafions,  growing  up  under  his  Care  as  a  young 
 Plant,  diligently  water'd  by  his  InfirudHons  and  Moniti- 
 ons. Now  this  Father  of  the  Devotes  being  in  his  latter 
 Years  very  fickly,  he  by  his  Attendance  upon  him  was 
 edify 'd  exceedingly,  and  fir'd  with  a  defire  of  copying 
 after  his  great  Patience  and  invincible  Tranquillity  : 
 but  efpecially  by  being  near  him  in  his  lali  Sicknefs,  he 
 greedily  iuck'd  in  his  Uli  Sayings,  and  trcafur'd  them  up 
 m  his  Heart ;  fome  of  which  he  has  taken  care  to  record 
 for  the  benefit  of  Polkrity  in  his  devout  Pieces,  particular- 
 
 (c)  Ge$rg.HeferiDiopyaKm£enfis,  Par,  i.viAnace^h,  §.  i. 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  'Author.  xvil 
 
 ly  in  that  which  makes  the  Fourth  Book  of  this  prefenS 
 Volume,  under  the  Perfon  of  Philothea,  And  thus  thd 
 whole  Gare  of  his  Education  from  the  Age  of  about  ThiN 
 teen  tili  Twenty  continued  with  the  good  Florentius,  who' 
 made  the  bd\  Provifion  for  him  that  was  in  his  Power.  • 
 
 §  XL  For  the  fir(t  Years  he  us'd  to  frequent  the  Le6ture$ 
 of  Or.  John  Behme,  who  was  Redlor  of  the  Scholars,  and 
 an  intimate  Friend  of  F/i?r^«rf'«j';  whom  at  the  endofthd 
 Courfe  he  offer'd  to  pay,  as  the  reft  of  the  Students  did^' 
 l-'lorentms  having  for  that  end  fupply'd  him-  with  Money^ 
 that  he  might  not  be  burthenfome  or  beholden  to  any.  Biii 
 ^r.Behme,  acquainted  with  his  Condition,  and  the  Re- 
 lation he  bore  to  fo  excellent  a  Perfon  as  Florsntms,  would 
 rot  accept  any  thing  of  him.  This,  tho'  not  in  it  felfrer^ 
 great,  that  he  might  exprefs  however  his  gratitude  to  them 
 both,  is  very  circumftantially  related  by  him.  In  which 
 plain  Account  it  is  obferoble,  that  hrs  earnefinefs  to  ini- 
 prove  himfelf  in  the  Academical  Studies,  ^was  fuch,a5  when 
 he  was  wholly  deftitute  of  Money  to  difcharge  the  ordinary 
 Fees,  he  work'd  hard  at  Writing,  'till  he  was  able  to  leave 
 a  Pledge  in  the  Profeffnrs  Hands  foi  fecurrty  ;  it  being  a 
 $ook  of  good  value  which  he  had  Copied  r  Alfo,  that  both 
 the  Juftice  and  Generofity  of  thefe  two  Doctors,  asofthcfr 
 fupillikewiie,  arenottinworthy  of  being  remark'd  ,  in  as 
 much  as  the  Principles  by  which  they  ^11  Three  mov'd  in  this 
 cafe,  w^ere  purely  Chriftian. 
 
 .  §,  XIL  And  here  he  fell  into  a  very  intimate  acquain- 
 tance w^ith  one  Mr^.  Arnold  Schoonhove,  a  Perfoa  from  hfs 
 very  Infancy  finguiarly  devoted  to  God,  whom  the  fame  of 
 Dr.  Leiderdam,  and  of  hismoH:  laudable  Inftitution  had  at- 
 tracted hither:  For  they  were  Chamber- Fellows  for  foin'c 
 time;  and  both  the  great  Harmony  and  Sympathy  of  their 
 Tempers,  and  the  , Heavenly  Grace  which  was  fo  plenti- 
 fully ill  ed  into  both  their  Hearts,  made  them  extreamly 
 dear  to  each  other.  This,  Friendiliip  w^hich  was  here  con- 
 traded,  lalied  all  their  Lives,,  and  ftili  more  and  more  in- 
 creased j  and  Slmnhove  dying  firi^,  he  w^it^sthe  Life  of  his 
 Friend,  wherein  having  givetj  an  Account  of  his  being  M- 
 tied  in  the  newly  inftituted  Holpital  of  Dr.  Lsiderdam,  a- 
 
 b        .  "joirg 
 
xviii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 inong  the  young  Students  of  Divinity  or  Clerks;  he  pro- 
 ceeds to  tell  bow,  by  the   AOUbnce  and  Diredion  of  the 
 iaid  good  Dodlor,   they  were  plac'd  near  together,   "At 
 "  the  lame  time,    fays  he,  by  the  means  of  F/orf/xrm,  I 
 *'  came  alfo  to  dwell  in  that  very  Hoiife,  and  I  abode  with 
 *'  ylrnold  in  that  Society  for  almo(t  a  twelve-Month,  we 
 "  beins;  both  contented  with  one  little  Chamber  and  one 
 *'  Bedr  A  nd  here  I  learned  to  write,  and  to  read  and  under- 
 *'  rtand  the  Holy  Scripture  ;  and  I  heard  Leclur's  ofMorali- 
 "  ty,  with  Treatiies  or  Dilcourfes  of  Dcvouon.     Like- 
 "  wife  I  was  mightily  animated  to  the  contempt  of  the 
 *'  World  by  the  moii  fwect  Converfation  of  the  Brethren, 
 *'  and  was  daily  aflifted  and  inltrudted  by  the  Pious  Ad- 
 "  inoni lions  of  Arnold. 
 
 §  XIII.  There  was  alfo  in  the  fame  Houfe,  at  the  very 
 fame  timCj  one  who  had  been  a  Merchant  in  Flanders  and 
 Holland,  3^N2Lt\vG  o^  Dufehroch  \n  the  Marquiiate,  not  far 
 from  VVejel,  by  Name  John  Keffel  or  Ketel ,  who   had  a 
 mind  to   leave  oft  his  Merchandize,   notvvithlianding  he 
 thriv'd  in  it  very  well,  in  hopes  at  Rti\  of  making  a  better 
 Merchandize  in  the  Church;  as  thinking  that  he  mi2,ht  by 
 hislnterelt,  or  by  Prefents,  come  without  much  difficulty 
 to  be  made  a  Bifhop,  or  a  Royal  Abbot.    In  order  to 
 which  he  had  already,  while  a  Layman,  provided  hi mfe If 
 with  moii  precious  Prieiily  Ornaments  and  Robes,  allim- 
 broider'd  with  Imagery  of  Gold,  iuch  as  any  Lord  Abbot 
 might  wear.  Eiu  he,  being  after  this  touch'd  in  Confcience, 
 and,by  God'sSpirit  powerfully  convincing  him  of  Sin,  bet- 
 ter informed,  upon  the  hearing  of  this  new  Iniiitution  at 
 Deventer,  quits  the  Houfe  that  he  had  at  Doyt,  comes  away 
 fpeedily  hiiher, ;  and  having  parted  with  all  the  fine  Trin- 
 kets he  had  bought,  that  he  might  dillribute  the  price  of 
 them  in   Charitable  ules,  he  now,  iniiead  thereof,  buys 
 himlelfvery  poor  Cloaths,  and  alfo  a  Frock  or  Apron  fuch 
 as  Cooks  have,  and  thus  accoutred  prefents  himfelf  to  ferve 
 in  the  Kitchin.    So  upon  his  inRant  prelTing  he  was  accord- 
 ingly receiv'd;  andin  thismean  Station  is  recorded  to  have 
 been  a  Ihining  Light,  and  a  mort  admirable  Example  of 
 Cbriliian  Humility,  Poverty  and  Charity.    With  him  our 
 young  Student  quickly  grew  to  be  familiarly  acquamtcd, 
 and  was  abundantly  edity'd  (as  he  owns)  in  his  Compa- 
 
 wy, 
 
Lije  and  Works  of  the  Author.  xix 
 
 ny ;  tho'  he  was  one  but  of  few  Wore!?,  and  Preached  rather  hy 
 Deeds,  according  to  what  he  has  written  of  him,'  than  by 
 verbal  dircourfe.    He  learnt  from  him  the  manner  of  his 
 Religious  Exercifes,  and  obtained  of  him,  notwithltanding 
 his  great  Secrecy  and  Humility,  a  Copy  of  the  fame ;  which 
 bv  this  means  is  prefcrv'd,  he  having  fubjoin'd  it  to  the 
 Narrative  of  his  Life,  whence  the  agreement  of  it  with  the 
 Third  Book  of  thisprefent  Volume  will  eafily  be  difcern*d: 
 nay  befides,  from  the  affinity  of  thefe  two  Names  John 
 Kejfd  and  John  Geffen.,  it  is  a  conjedlure  of  fome,  that 
 through  carelefnefs  of  Tranfcribers,  one  might  be  a  Cor- 
 ruption of  the  other  in  fome  of  the  Copies,  with  regard  to 
 the  former  Volume ;  the  true  Author  choofing  to  have  it 
 rather  infcrib'd  by  the  name  of  his  Friend,  who  might  give 
 occafion  to  it,   than  by  his  own.    Thus  much  however  is 
 certain  that  there  was  a  moft  fweet  Harmony  in  the  Senti- 
 ments, Maxims  and  Exercifes  of  thefe  two  Friends,  where- 
 by we  may  believe  they  did  not  a  little  mutually  ftrength- 
 en  and  edify  each  other,  as  may  be  gathered  from  his  fiid 
 Life ;  in  which  he  takes  alfo  notice  of  this  their  Friendfl-iip  ; 
 but  withal,  after  his  maimer,  fpeaking  as  little  of  himfelf 
 as  cou'd  be,  faying,   Hervas  extremely  well  knonn  to  mc  r^hen  1 
 diidied  (^t  Dcventer.  And  afterwards  he  mentions,  how  one 
 lime  this  good  Brother  difcourfmg  with  his  Companion  or 
 Friend  (probably  meaning  himielf)  concerning  Holy  Po- 
 verty and  Self- Abdication,  it  did,  both  from  the  gesture  of 
 hi?  Body,  and  the  alteration  of  his  Countenance,  appear 
 evidently,  that  he  muli  needs  inwardly  be  all  in  a  flame. 
 And  in  his  prefencetoo  it  is  notunHkely  that  thefe  moii  re- 
 markable words  were  utter'd  by  him,  in  his  Cooks  drefs, 
 and  with  exceeding  Fervour  and  Pleafantnefs,  t'/^.  -^  Am  I 
 not  nove  made  a  great  Priefi^  a>id  a  Prelate^  who  do  give  the  Com^ 
 munion  tmce  every  day  to  the  Brethren!  Signifying  in  this  Pa- 
 rable (fays  our  Author)  that  he  prcpar'd  Dmner  and  Suppet 
 for  the  Brother-hood,  and  kd  Chriif  in  each  of  them.  Thefe 
 two  Kejfel  and  Schoonh'^ve,   were  the  chief  of  his  Friends 
 while  at  Deventer :  The  firlf  of  whom  died  while  hi  con- 
 tinued there,  in  the  Year  MCCCXCVIII  j  butthe  other 
 iurviv'd  about  thirty  Years. 
 
 , hj. ^  XTV. 
 
 *  Nonne  Mag7ius  Sacerdosfa^us  fim^  FrAlatuSf  fui  omnidic 
 InsConminiKo  fratres,    V'iC.  Jo.  Cacab, 
 
xx^  An  Account  of  the 
 
 §.  XIV.  Another  of  his  Acquaintance  here,  wasCjfr^r^ 
 de  Zmphen,  one  ot  the  firft  Canons  of  St.  Au'Hn'^  Order, 
 and  Cierk  of  the  fame  Comninnity,  inliiriited  by  Dr.  (7f- 
 rardGr&vt;  who 'has  left  us  two  Aicctical  Pieces  ;  the  one 
 of  the  Internal  Reformation  of  the  Forces  of  the  Soul^  acid  the 
 other,  The  Spirittid  Progrejjes,  or  Jcnmeys^  \Thich  are  both, 
 Printed  in  the  Bihliotheca  Patruni^  and  in  foine  Editions  of 
 our  Authci's  Work?,  who  has  written  his  Life.  He  died 
 young,  about  the  Year  MCCCXCVIII,  being  then  aged 
 but  One  and  Thirty.  And  foon  after  this  a  Kemfis  had 
 Thoughts  oi\^7iw'm2,  Dcventer,  now  Death  had  icparated 
 from  him  two  iuch  dear  Spiritual  Friends  as  of  a  iudden  ; 
 whereby  he  was  {\\\\  exceedingly  more  drawn  from  the 
 Confideration  of  all  Creatures,  and  of  the  In(huments  in 
 particul-ir  of  God's  Grace  and  Blcfllng,  to  the  fovereign 
 Fountain  it  felf. 
 
 §.  XV.  But  we  cannot  here  altogether  omit  one  GerUc 
 Peter fen^  OX  Peters,  a  Native  o^  Reventer,  who  being  at- 
 tra6led  by  the  Clerks  of  the  Community  under  Flcrentti^s, 
 and  by  him  and  them  infiituted  in  the  way  of  tlie  Spiritual 
 tife,  w^as  tranflatcd  to  Windefheim  among  the  Canon  Re- 
 gtilars  of  that  Houie.  He  Hay'd  three  or  four  Years  lon- 
 ger at  Deventer  than  this  our  Author,  and  w^as  very  emi- 
 nent for  Piety,  and  lo  like  to  him,  as  to  be  a  fecond 
 a  Kempis ;  whence  his  Soliloquy  alio,  under  the  Title  of 
 ^her  Thomas  de  Kempts,  was  Printed- at  Paris ^  A.D.  1659. 
 ■which  breaths  an  excellent  Spirit,  and  has  in  it  the  true 
 Life  of  ChriHianity,  without  any  mixture  of  Superfiition. 
 His  Life  is  written  by  John  Bujch,  in  h\s  Chronicle  oflVin^ 
 dejheim.  ^\\h\\i[-\^b'^  Rojvccyd  ^l  Antwerp^  A.D.    1 621. 
 
 §.  XVL  Such  as  thefe  were  the  Friends  and  Compa- 
 nions of  our  Author  at  his  firlt  fctting  out,  who  left  a 
 Tindiure  upon  him  all  his  Life  after.  By  thefe  Examples 
 fct  before  him,  he  was  much  (iiri'd  up  to  an  holy  Emu- 
 lation, and  was  zealous  to  make  the  be(t  Advantage  of 
 all  whatever  did  occur,  approving  himftlf  an  excellent 
 Husband  of  Time.  He  was  diligent  at  Home,  affiduotis 
 in  the  Schools,  and  frequent  at  Church  -,  and  in  a  few 
 Years  he  made  a  confiderable  Progrefs,  as  the  many  Trea- 
 tifes  by  him  written  do  lufficicntly  bear  witnefs :  And  as 
 be  writ  a  very  good  Hand,  and  was  moil induftrious,  begot 
 
 not 
 
Life  and  JVorh  of  the  Author,  xxi 
 
 Kot  a  Hctle  by  Tranfcribing-oF  antient  and  valuable  Ma- 
 nufcripts  ,•  and  whatever  it  was  he  got  in  this  way,  the 
 whole  was  by  him  brought  into  the  common  Chcfh 
 
 §.  XVII.  Now  it  was  a  Cuiiom  among  the  Clerks  of 
 this  Congregation,  to  have  not  only  their  irated  Confe- 
 rences for  the  Advancement  of  Piety,  under  the  Diredioa 
 .of  their  proper  Superiour,  but  alfb  to  have  occafjonal  En- 
 •  tertainments,  or  Colloquies,  more  privately  for  this  End, 
 at  which  but  tivo  or  three  iliould  be  prefent.     A  zealous 
 Xover  and  Promoter  of  which,  was  our  77:o;«^- ;  together 
 with  his  beloved  Contemporary  Luhhem-u  Bemer^^  or  Ber- 
 /Jter,  a  Perfon  of  infiam'd  Devotion,  and  of  a  mol\  plea- 
 fant  and  chearful  Converfation,  whofe  common  Saying 
 waSj  Come  Brother,  let  m  now  jvarm  one  another,    when  he 
 ^lad  a  mind  to  put  forward  fome  Spiritual  Difcourfe  :  Or, 
 When  f  O  vphen  jhall  r^e  again  Fi-'e  our  felves  f     For  they 
 were  fo  earneltly  aftedted,  that  their  Hearts  fenfibly  burn- 
 ed within  them,  while  they  were  Co.nferring  together  about 
 Chrift,  their  Hope  of  Glory  :   So  that  they  fometimes  foir 
 |;at  themfelves,  tarrying  up  even  till  Midnight  aJmoft,  be- 
 ing kept  awake  as  with  a  Fire  in  their  Bowels,  fweetly 
 melting  them  into  the  Love  of  God,    and  of  his  Com- 
 mandments ;  whereby  they  experimented,  as  this  our  Au- 
 thor faith,   in  themfelves  that  of  the  Pfaimif^,  f^J  Thy 
 Word  is  Fired  [or  Fiery]  to  the  utr/iosf,  and  thy  Servant  hath 
 loved  it,  according  to  the  Vulgar.    It  was  alio  another 
 Cuiiom  for  them  to  take  their  Turn&  to  ferve  in  the  Kit- 
 chin,  together  with  the  Cook ;    that  fo  they  might  be  all 
 Servants  of  each  other,  not  excepting  the  very  meanefi  Of- 
 fices, and  well  exercised  hereby  in  tbe  Grace  of  Humility. 
 Now  when  it  came  to  him  to  keep  his  Week,  in  his  ap- 
 pointed Courfe,  he  was  not  a  little  (atisfyM  to  have  by 
 this  means  the  Enjoyment  of  his  dear  Friend  Keffel,  fo  long 
 as  he  was  living  ;   with  whom  he  contra6ted  an  intimate 
 Familiarity,  while  they  were  thus  employed  together:  and 
 profited  ia   his  Company,  exceedingly  ;   notwith/ianding 
 that  this  was  otherwile  a  Diverfion  from  fuch  Exercifes  and 
 Labours,  as  had  in  them  a  more  apparent  View  .of  Edi- 
 
 b  3  ^cation 
 
 (a)  Ignitum  Eloquium  tuum  vehementer.  Pf.u^,  i^o.  FJ<^.  - 
 J^ik  de  Difci^h  D.  Florent.  c*  4, 
 
xxii  -^^n  Account  of  the 
 
 fication.    And  here  there  was  nothing  fo  mean  that  he 
 willingly  fubmitted  not  to  5    and  in  particular  he  tells 
 hinifelF,  how  he  often  drew  Water  out  of  the  Well  (lying 
 at  fome  diftance  oft*)  for  the  ufe  of  the  Kitchin  ;    which 
 he  does  upon  occafion  of  a  certain  Man,  who  (a)  tum- 
 bling into  the  faid  Well  with  his  Head  foremoif,  as  he 
 was  fitting  with  fei^eral  others  upon  the  brim  of  it,  and 
 falling  afleep  through  Heavinefs,  at  a  publick  Conference 
 field  by  Florentws,  while  he  was  making  them  a  devout 
 Exhortation  ;   was  by  a  wonderful  Providence  preferv'd, 
 being  found  upon  his  Feet  (tho*  the  Well  was  narrow)  to 
 the  great  Ailonifnment  of  them  that  were  prefent,  and 
 4rawn  up  alive  and  found.    Out  Tho??;as  \Y2iS  not  then 
 prefent  when  this  happened;  but  his  frequent  drawing  of 
 Water  from  it,  when  he  had  well  examined  the  Matter 
 of  Fa(5l,  vvas  a  good  Memento  to  him  to  abide  Vigilant 
 and  Attentive  to  the  Exhortations  of  this  Holy  Man.     And 
 befides  this,  there  was  alfo  a  farther  Advantage  which  he 
 mentions,   in   doing   the  fervile  Offices  of  the  Houfe: 
 Which  is,  that  while  one  was  labouring  thus  for  the  reR, 
 ^11  the  reR  were  oblig'd  to  offer  up  Prayers  for  him.  And 
 for  thisReafon  even  Florent'ms  himlelf  would  by  no  means 
 be  excused  from  it,  tho'  never  fo  much  importun'd:  Who 
 tauglit  his  Difciples  this  Leffon,    by  his  own  Example, 
 that  W'orks  of  Piety  ought  fometimes  to  give  place  to  thofe 
 of  Charity  ;  and  that  an  Humble  Soul  is  capable  of  Bene- 
 fit more  by  rightly  doing  the  neceffary  Work  of  a  Family, 
 out  of  Love  to  Chrill's  Members,  whenfoever  thereto  cal- 
 jed,  than  either  by  being  at  Church,  or  by  Prayer  and  Me- 
 ditation in  the  Clofet ;  yea  that  the  very  vileft  Services  of 
 Charity,  were  to  be  preferred  before  the  molt  glittering  and 
 j"no(t  pompons.    This  with  other  Leflbns  of  his,  was  moPc 
 greedily  fuck'd  in,  and  imitated,  by  this  beloved  Son  ;  as 
 feveral  of  his  Writings  do  clearly  teltity. 
 '    §.  XVIII.  Having  continued  here  feven  Years,  the  good 
 F/orc'/^ri^jdied,  leaving  him,  as  it  were,  an  Orphan  ;  which, 
 iyith  the  Deceafeofhis  other  Friends  but  a  little  before, 
 made  a  deeper  Imprelfion  on  his  Mind,  than  all  what  he 
 bad  hitherto  at  any  time  met  with.    But  before  his  Death 
 
 he 
 
 "f  *■*"* 
 
 {a)  Vit.  I'iorent.  r.  20. 
 
Life  nnd  Works  of  the  Author.  xxiii 
 
 ht  caird  tor  Thowas  a  Kempis,  and  had  with  him  a  long 
 Difcoarle,  how  he  lliould  diipofe  of  him  (elf.  And  halv- 
 ing thereupon  an  earneft  Defire  to  retire  from  the  World, 
 and  to  devote  himfeif  wholly  to  the  more  immediate  Service 
 of  God,  yet  caring  not  to  enter  into  a  Monaikry,  as  was 
 the  general  Practice  of  thofe  times  ;  He  went  to  the  Mount 
 of  St.  Agnes y  which  is  iuli  by  the  Town  ot  Zivoll^  where 
 was  a  little  College  of  Regular  Canons,  newly  fet  up  on 
 the  fide  of  the  River  Oedcr:  and  carry'd  with  him  a  Letter 
 from  Florenti^u,  written  a  Utile  before  his  death,  to  recom- 
 mend him  for  a  Member  of  that  Houfe.  This  was  at  that 
 time  very  obfcure  ,  being  Icarce  known  to  any  body ; 
 whence  the  number  of  the  Canons,  and  thofe  that  inha- 
 bited in  it,  was  mighty  fmall  ;  Which  made  it  the  more 
 agreeable  to  him,  who  fought  only  where  he  might  lie  beft 
 hid,  and  have  the  Enjoyment  at  the  lame  time  of  two  or 
 three  faithful  and  pious  Friends,  with  whom  he  could 
 freely  converfe  concerning  the  Things  of  Heaven. 
 
 XiX.  Here  now  his  Brother  was  already  before  him, 
 which  prov'd  to  him  no  little  Encouragement.  He  received 
 him  in  the  Year  MCCCC  with  abundance  of  Joy  andKind- 
 irefs;  fo  that  they  both  huiil  out  at  once  together  into  this 
 Heavenly  Exclamation  of  Jubilee,  O  how  Good  and  Joyful  a 
 thing  it  is  for  Brethren  to  drsell  together  in  Unity  I  Some  relate 
 the  occafion  of  his  coming  hither  a  little  differently,  and 
 lay  his  defign  in  it  at  firft  was  only  to  gain  fome  Indul- 
 gences, which  Pope  Boniface  the  IXth  had  granted  to  the 
 Church  of  this  place  ;  but  that  afterwards  he  had  a  great 
 Defire  to  be  admitted  into  the  Society  of  thefe  Canons,  up- 
 on beholding  narrowly  the  manner  of  their  Life.  However  it 
 might  be,it  doth  not  any  where  appear  from  his  own  Works, 
 that  he  had  ever  any  great  valuation  for,  or  dependence  up- 
 on Papal  Indulgences,  but  rather  that  he  was  abfolutely 
 againii  ail  Trafficking  in  the  matter  of  Religion,  anda  (ii6: 
 Alfertor  of  Chritt's  Merits  again!!  all  Human  Confidence. 
 
 §.  XX.  Here  he  continued  full  five  Years  a  Probationer, 
 that  fo  he  might  both  moderate  the  EarnePinejs  of  his^leal, 
 and  thoroughly  aUo  try  how  well  fuch  a  fort:  of  Lire  as  he 
 had  here  propos'd  to  himfelf,  would  agree  with  him  ;  for 
 he  forefaw  the  great  Danger  and  Rocks  of  entring  raili ly 
 into  ipch  a  State,  without  ?l\1  that  due  Caution  aiid  Pre- 
 
 b  4  par^tipii 
 
xxiv  An  Account  of  the 
 
 Jparation,  which  both  Divine  and  Humane  Prudence  do  ab- 
 iblutely  require.  In  this  time  he  learnt  pcrfedly  the  Rules 
 and  Prefcripts  of"  this  Order,  as  they  were  deliver 'd  by  their 
 Founder;  the  chief oF which  were,  viz..  i.  Diligently  to 
 read  and  fcarch  the  Holy  Scriptures.  2.  In  the  Interpre- 
 tation thereof  to  bear  a  great  Deference  to  the  Antient  Do- 
 <!^ors  c^  the  Church,  fuch  as  St.  Hierom,  St.  u^nfiin,  Sec. 
 3.  To  labour  after  an  Imitation  of  the  Life  of  Chriii,  and 
 a  Conformity  with  the  Primitive  Chriliians,  both  in  their 
 Principles  and  Practices.  4.  Not  to  mind  much  curious 
 learning,  or  the  Bslle  Letterej  but  to  apply  their  Studies  to 
 Vvhat  IS  ufeful,  ^.  Freely  to  protcli  againli  the  Abufes  and 
 Corruptions  both  of  the  Clergy  and  Laity,  as  occafion 
 Should  offer.  6.^  Not  to  take  any  Honorary  Degrees  after 
 their  Admiflion  into  the  Society.  7.  Not  to  accept  of  any 
 Ecclefjafiical  Benefice,  but  to  Preach  the  Word  of  God  free- 
 ly. 8.  Not  to  (iudy  the  Law,  either  Canon  or  Civil,  un- 
 Jefsfor  the  more  facii  Compromifing  of  Differences  among 
 f^eighbours,  and  the  better  Maintenance  of  Concord  and 
 Chanty,  p.  Not  to  take  on  them  the  Bufmefs  of  their 
 Friends  or  Relations,  but  where  Mercy,  Piety  and  ]ullice 
 did  ftri6lly  require.  10.  In  the  Pra6^ice  of  Phyfjck,  ne- 
 ver to  preiume  to  adminifkr  doubtful  Medicines  to  any 
 one,  or  in  a  cafe  that  is  doubtful  any  whatever.  Yet  in 
 cafe  of  very  extreme  NecelFity,  and  where  no  body  cKg 
 could  be  had,  there  this  was  fometimesdifpenfcd  with  ;  and 
 ihey  being  (irongly  folicited,  were  at  liberty  to  give  their 
 Judgment  and  Help  according  to  the  bed  of  their  Know- 
 ledge. Befides  which,  there  are  a  great  many  other  Rules 
 and  Maxims  relating  to  this  Inflitution,  which  may  be  ga- 
 thered from  this  very  Author,  and  from  the  Chronicles  of 
 die  Order,      .  •  .  ,  . 
 
 ^  §.  XXI.  After  this,  in  the  fixth  Year,  he  took  on  him 
 the  Habit  of  the  Regulars  of  St.  ^«/?/«  in  that  place :  And 
 ^n  die  Seventh  bound  himfelf  by  Vow,  being  admitted  to 
 It  on  the  loth  o^Jnne,  in  the  Year  MCCCCVI.  whereof 
 ht  makes  mention  towards  the  end  of  this  prefent  Volume, 
 in  the  concluding Tbankfgiving  to  his  excellent  Soliloquy; 
 Mrhere  applying  to  himlelf  and  his  Beli^Jous  l^^'ocation  the 
 Wor^sof  the  Apofile,  "  Te  fie  your  CALLING, Brethren,  horv 
 Ij  dj£t  mt  many.wiff  Aiin  after  the  Flefh^  mc  wany  mighty,  net 
 **  hiii  ■:.  ......  \^  many 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author,  xxv 
 
 .'*  many  noble  are  called :  hut  GO  J)  hath  ckofen  thefooiifh  things 
 •"  of  the  World  to  confound  the  wife  ;  and  the  -weak  things  there- 
 "  of,  to  confound  the  mighty.  Which  things  I  confider  as  to 
 *'  my  felf,  who  being  contemptible  and  ufelefs  to  this 
 *'  World,  a:u  fnatched  away  from  the, Shipwreck  thereof, 
 "  through  thy  Holy  Calling,  and  (a)  admitted  into  the  Col- 
 "  /f^Tf  and  Society  of  thy  Devoted  .Servants.  And  that  I 
 "  might  not  go  back  again,  I  have  freely  and  of  my  own 
 /*  accord  (h)  bound  my  \df  by  a  FOW.  And  that  the  Reader 
 may  more  clearly  underliand  with  what  Frame  of  Spirit 
 he  enter'd  upon  this,  it  may  not  be  perhaps  amifs  here  to 
 infert  the  very  Form  of  his  Renunciation,  as  it  is  found  ia 
 his  Works,  notwithRandingfomewhat  that  will  feem  pret- 
 ty particular  and  uncouth  in  it  ;  and  that  mul^  by  no 
 means  be  firain'd  beyond  the  Gofpel- meaning. 
 
 The  Form  of  his  Renunciation^  (:f^r. 
 
 J-  *  O  So:b  Jefu  chrift^  mp  i^opc,  ant!  mp 
 ^^  U)ljo{e  ilefuge,  tl)c  ©eligijt  of  mp  lifc^ 
 anti  ^"fi^jntatiou  of  mp  33tr;anncr^^  t^i^  ©ap 
 bo  %  (N.  N.)  renounce  all  tilings?  tl^at  are  in  tfje 
 ^o?fD,  fo?  tt)e  Jlobe  of  €j^ee :  aintJ  tlyi^  %  long 
 to  perform  to  tlje  l^onour  of  tftp  j;5ame*  5;  re^ 
 atciince  in  tivi  firtT  place  all  mp  l^rientij^^  35arentiS?, 
 nelattcns^  anD  Mn^folfe ,  all  tljat  are  near  an^ 
 Dear  ftnoton  auD  familiar  to  me :  alfo  all  Cities, 
 €otDn^,  Cattle.^,  €a(lrllanie.^j  anti  Coun^-rp 
 ^eatiSf,  tDitlj  all  aBountain^  anb  a^allic^,  ixv. 
 \itt^  ant!  jrountaih.^;,  f  ielD.s?,  !3l?eaDota^  anti 
 IBootij^,  fljoulti  tl^en  at  aiip  time  fie  mine,  02 
 offcret!  to  me^  all  O^^nament.^,  ric^  ftcul^ol^ 
 J^tuff,  pleafant  anti  magnificent  l^oures?;  all 
 pralteriei?,  l^arpj^^oDjganiS?,  £i?uacian^,  J>ong,^, 
 '' '  ^ar^j 
 
 (a)  Tuo  merui  fonar'}  Collegio ■ quod  ulicpie  non  ine|s 
 
 mentis,  fed,  Sec.   c.  25.  n.^.   p.iii,h,  Ed.  Aiit,  i^j^, 
 (hjVoioviefponte  conftr'mxi.  ib.       "     ■" 
 t   00c,  Sepc.Oiar.  I.  &  d^  Difcipl.  CLvap.  Lih.  iv.  c.6. 
 
XX vi  A/2  Account  of  the 
 
 25anqucti9?^  Conbctl'ation.sf,  ^\i\i^^  j&alatati- 
 €11^,  fatioiitj^,  l^onom\'5^anb©di0tit^ofQ?cn  5 
 atl  23afffloncric.^,  liJoifc^,  flumour^,  5?Jnp^, 
 %t^^,  aiJantsring^,  €x*cutaoniB?^  €iimult.!^^  uic^ 
 icf^  <0ccupattDn,$ ;  al!  flicltie^,  ^ootje?^  oBmoUu 
 nicnt^^  f)  opmici^,  Cljargc^s^^  ©Ificci?^  ©igni^ 
 jicj^,  ^olaccmcntjsf,  Eecrcation.^  from  tDttfjout, 
 anti  all  tDJ^atclicr  citl^cr  tijc  f  Icil;  can  be  tempted, 
 alluircti  aiiD  Ddt0f)icl3  luitli  ^  o?  t|)c  Spirit  t)in^ 
 ijeli,  moIcllcD  and  ticfifcd  bp* 
 
 II.  €f|i^  tJap  mojeolJcr  %  maftc  cRoirc  of  t{)cc 
 foj  inp  oBoti  and  ^rotrtto:^  fo?  tijc  43o^f  mo:  of  mp 
 %\lt  •,  fo?  ttje  5|)joliitier  of  a!i  nip  ^cccaaricV  j  fo? 
 tIjc  Comfcrtci:  of  all  mp  ^o^jolnj^^  SUngmlljCjs? 
 anti  €rmptation!^,  a^  alfo  of  all  mp  Sabonr^, 
 iDljcrcinitlj  %  am  obligctj  to  labour  all  i^t 
 ®ap^  ofmp  3lifc^  fo?tJ|eI[obcof€ljcc,  anti  tl^c 
 ^aitiation  of  mp  ^mX.  ^€^011  art  mp  fJcfuec, 
 mp  I^oufcmp  €itp,  mp  habitation ;  tftou  art  mp 
 jpdoti^  tftou  art  mp  %ti\\\\y  tfjou  onip  art  mp 
 ileft  and  mp  Ji!cfcction:  €i|ou  art  mp  brioueti 
 Companion,  mp  intimate  jrricntij  mp  nearel! 
 JRcIation  and  itinfman  5  tijou  art  to  me  252orfjcr 
 and  lifter;  t|)ou  art  father  and  patron.  €l)ou 
 art  tl^e  <^hep^crd  and  45uardian  of  mp  tuftole 
 3life,  to  ijDiiom  St  faitljfuHp  commend  mp  felf, 
 tuitlj  all  tfiat  \^  mine ;  bee aufc  tfjere  \^  no  ^al=^ 
 Ijationout  ofCtjee^  no:  Eife  fafe  but  with  €t)ee* 
 ^ap  tl^ereto?ct|)p99crcp,  <£)3lojd,  be  upon  me^ 
 and  tf)p  4l5race  accompanp  nic  cVser  in  all  tftings? : 
 ^ap  alfo  tfjine  (Spe  be  upon  me  as?  tacli  bp 
 K^igJjt  a.9  bp  ®ap^  and  map  tfjp  i^and  alUtapj^ 
 p:orcct  me  botb  in  3I)jofpentp  and  StdbeiTirp; 
 and  boucljfafc  to  lead  me  t^e  ftraiteft  toap  into 
 tlK  J^cufeof  tl)e  j^abitation  of  tJjp  ©Ic?P3  itJliere 
 3i  map  praife  and  blef^tftce  HJorld  toitt)ont  €nd. 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author,  xxvii 
 
 §.  XXII.  This  being  then  tranfaded  in  private  betwixt 
 God  and  his  own  Confcience,  his  publick  ProfelTion  and 
 Vow  hereupon  cnfued,  as  the  Fruit  thereot.    Which,  ac- 
 cordingto  the  (b)  Form  that  was  then  received,  was  made 
 in  the  manner  following,  or  in  Terms  equivalent,   before 
 the  great  Alrar,  in  the  Collegiate  Church  of  St.  ^^»^/,  viz. 
 In  the  Name  cf  our  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST.    Amen.    In  the 
 Tear  from  kis  Birth  N.  [fuch  a  Day  of  fuch  a  Month]  7-  N. 
 of  N.  do  hereby  profefs  (b)  my  Stedfajfnefs,  md  Gmverfim  of 
 my  Manners,  and  Obedience  after  the  Rule  of  St.  Auliin,  be- 
 fore GOD  and  the  whole  Heavenly  Co  ptrt,  in  the  pre  fence  of  the 
 Reverend  Father  N.  and  other  Fathers  and  Brethren  of  this 
 Congregation  of  CanonR-egulars,  under  the  Rffle  aforefaid.     In 
 faith  whereof  I  have  hereunto  fubfcribcd  with  j^nne  own  Handy 
 the  Day  and  Tear  above-written.     And  at  the  iame  time  the 
 ufual  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience  to  his  Prelate  was  by 
 him  taken  ;  which  was,  (c)  Reverend  Sir,  I  promife  youO- 
 iedience  until  Death  in  what  is  GOOD.    Concerning  which, 
 he  has  abundantly  declared  his  own  conRant  Sentiment 
 in  iiiany  (d)  places  of  his  Writine^s,  which  the  Reader 
 may  confuk  ,*  and  wherein  he  will  find  fatisfadion,  as  to 
 the  ufe  that  was  by  him  made  of  it,  whether  it  was  to  be 
 praifed  or  not.    Whereof  I  lliall  fay  no  more,  but  that 
 the  Yoak  he  took  upon  him  was  fo  far  from  being  uneal)% 
 that  it  was  moft  pleafant  to  him ;   and  that  he  has  faid 
 fuch  a  world  of  fine  things  for  it,  as  if  he  that  reads  be 
 not  made  in  love  with  it,  'tis  moft  plain  that  He  vvas.  And 
 now  for  Ratification  of  all  this  in  the  molt  folemn  man- 
 ner,   he  took,   according  to  Culiom,   the  Sacrament  of 
 Chriit's  Body,  as  the  Seal  to  what  he  had  voluntarily  and 
 frankly  bound  himfelf,  after  io  long  and  full  Confidera- 
 tion.    This  Day  was  kept  ever  afterward  by  him  as  a  great 
 Sabbath,  and  Holy  Reli,  with  Devotion  more  than  ordi- 
 dinary,  and  renewed  Dedication  of  himfelf,  by  an  earned 
 
 and 
 
 (jj  Jo^  Caramnel  Lohkowkz  Tbeologia  Regularis,   hb,  7.  d'lfp* 
 41.   ?;.  516. 
 
 (b)  StahWitatem  vienm,  ^ converfionem  viorum  meorum,  ^  ole- 
 dient\am  fecundum  Regulaai.  'tb, 
 
 (c)  Reverejide  Donme,  promitto  voMs  Qhedientiatn  IN  BONO^ 
 iiffue  ad  mortem.  Id.  71.  514. 
 
 •"  \d)  VeLmtXbrift,  Hb,i.  f.9,  del)ifc'\^LClauh\hb.i.  C.4.&C, 
 
xxviii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 and  joyful  Confirmation  of  his  moR  Solemn  V^ow,  to  fol- 
 low Qirili  (iedfalily  to  the  Death,  and  by  bearing  his 
 Yoak  \\\  this  manner,  to  exprefs  his  utter  Contempt  of  the 
 ITorld;   and  alio  by  Praifes  and  Thanklgivings  for  fo  par- 
 ticular a  Grace  and  Favour  freely  beliowed  upon  him,  glo- 
 rifying God,  in  the  deepeR  Acknowledgment  of  his  own 
 demerits,  and  the  Divine  Goodnefs.    Wherefore  he  would 
 6y,  on  this  occafion,  "  I  afcribe  This,  Lord,  to  thy  Pro- 
 "  vidence  only;  and  to  nothing  that  is  in  me.    Alfo: 
 It  is  thou,  my  Lord,  that  halt  called  me,  and  redeemed 
 me  out  of  this  VVoild,  that  1  might  thus  lerve  Thee  in 
 the  Society  of  thy  Cholen  :  For  which  I  greatly  magnify 
 and  blefs  thy  Holy  Name,  becaufe  thou  halt  fo  vouch- 
 lafed  to  Call  me  hereunto  by  thy  Grace ;    removing  from 
 '^  me  the  Burden  of  my  Sins,  and  giving  unto  me  Good 
 *'  Will,  that  I  might  be  herein  obedient  to  thy  Holy  Will. 
 "  For  thou  haft  brought  me  under  thy  Diicipline  (a  fwett 
 *'  and  eafy  Yoak  !  )  foftening  my  Mind  wiih  the  Unclioft 
 *^  of  thy  Spirit,   which  the  World  knoweth"  not,    neither 
 *'  feeth  it,  nor  favoureth  it.    Hence  likewile  he  would 
 fometimes  cry  out  in  this  manner,  when  he  was  made  fe- 
 cretly  to  talle  of  this  hidden  Undion  :    ''  O  happy  and 
 "  venerable  Obedience  !    Preached  and  obferved  by  our 
 "  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  the  Eternal  Wifdom  of  the  Father, 
 faying,  J  came  down  from  Heaven  not  to  do  mine  own  Will, 
 *'  but  the  Will  of  Him  that  fent  me  :    And  when  he  went 
 *'  to  the  place  ofhisPaflion,  prayed  thus  with  refignaiion 
 **  of  his  own  Will :    O  my  Father,  if  it  be  prffibky  let  this 
 Ci4p  pajl from  me:  nevertheleflnot as  IrpUl,  hm  as  thou  wilt. 
 And:  If  this  Cup  may  not  paj^  away,  except  I  drink  of  itj 
 "  thy  Will  be  done.    For  as  the  Mafter  prayed,  fo  prayed 
 alfo  the  Difciple.     And  remembring  Ukewiie  .the  Word 
 of  his  Blelled  Mother,  when  vifited  by  the  Angel,  he  could 
 not  forbear  expreOuig  his  Submiflion  in  fome  luch  manner 
 too,  faying,  Behold  the  Servant  of  the  Lord  !    be  it  unto  me 
 according  to  thy  Will.    For  he  confidcr'd  him  to  whom  bt 
 had  thus  promised  Duty  and  Obedience,  as  an  Angel  of 
 the  Lord.    This  was  plainly  h'u  Senfe,  and   almolt  his 
 very  Words,  though  not  found  in  the  lame  place.    And 
 being  exceeding  fearful  moreover  of  his  own  Frailt}^,   he 
 carneftly  pray'd  that  Gud  would  ^raciouQy  picierve  in  hir^i 
 
 the 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  xxlx 
 
 fame  Good  Will  to  the  End,  and  increafe  in  him  his  Grace 
 day  by  day,  that  he  might  live  up  perfedHy  to  the  Pro- 
 ftfjl'-m  he  had  made.  God  heard  his  Prayer :  neverthefeik 
 it  was  his  pleafure  that  he  fhould  be  thoroughly  proved. 
 
 §.  XXIll.  The  Rfile  ot  this  Order  of  Reform'd  Canons 
 into  which  he  now  enter'd,  was  written  by  that  great 
 Light  of  the  Church  St.  AMgHslin^  and  is  extant  in  his 
 Works :  Whereof  I  fnall  only  here  tell  the  Reader,  that 
 the  main  Foundation  of  it,  is  no  other  than  the  Love  of 
 God,  and  next  to  that  the  Love  of  our  Neighbour ;  whence 
 it  begins  Vvfith  thefe  very  Words,  Before  all  things,  niydear- 
 eji  Brethren,  let  GOD  he  loved ^  and  in  the  next  place  our 
 Neighhotir  ;  for  as  much  as  thefe  are  the  Principal  Commatid-' 
 mems  given  tu.  And  this  excellent  Rule,  being  but  lliorC, 
 was  read  over  once  every  Week  by  him  after  that  he  was 
 profeii,  in  order  to  make  the  Imprellion  thereof  more  deep 
 and  conltant  upon  his  Mind,  according  to  the  Counfel  of 
 this  Holy  Father.  Befides  which  Rule,  there  were  likewife 
 the  (a)  Concluftons  of  their  Founder,  which  were  recom- 
 mended indeed  by  him,  but  not  held  Obligatory  by  way 
 o^f^oTp  5  and  the  Dicia  Seniortini,  or  Sayings  of  the  Elders, 
 vvjiereof  the  Reader  will  find  here  a  pretty  good  Colledi- 
 on  in  the  fecond  Book,  from  the  fifth  to  the  nineteenth 
 Chapter,  they  being  alfo  of  the  fame  Nature.  For 
 fome  of  the  firrt  Years  of  his  being  in  this  place , 
 and  even  after  his  Profrffion,  he  underwent  hence  great 
 Defertions  ,  Temptations ,  Ai;idities ,  and  confiderable 
 Pains  j  which  are  related  by  jlie  Author  of  the  Continu- 
 ation of  his  Chronicle  of  Mount  St.  Agnes :  And  will  be 
 fourd  here  defcribed  in  the  3d,  4th,  and  5th  Chapters  of 
 the  IVth  Book,  in  the  Perfon  of  Theophilm,  Notwith- 
 itai'ding  which,  he  pevfiiied  earneiUy  in  the  Exerciles  of 
 his  Calling  :  And  what  he  had  received  from  Florentii^^ 
 and  the  Seniors  of  this  Pious  Society,  whtu  ?.t  Deventer,  he 
 in  this  time  digelkd,  for  the  ule  of  others,  as  well  as  of 
 himfelf.  For  he  himfelf  tells  us,  hpvv  it  was  a  Cu^fotn 
 there  for  the  more  devout  Clerks,  to  take  Ck)  Minu':s  at 
 
 (a)  Cojulufa  ^  Provofta,  fednonVota,  in  nojuhie  Domim,  i 
 MagiftroGtxdiXd^oed%ta. 
 
 (h)  ^lidam  ex  ipfs  verha  Vn'i  Dei,  in  tabulis  fignahant,  8cc, 
 Vir,  Floy.  c.z^.  ^lidam  dcvoti  Verha  ah  ipfo  d'l^o  fcrij^feninf  h\ 
 tabulis  &  libellis. X'/;ro?z.  Nlont.  S,  Ague:,  c.ii,  the 
 
XXX  An  Account  of  the 
 
 the  Conferences  which  this  good  Man  frequently  held,  of 
 all  his  choiceR  Sayings^  and  then,  by  way  o^ Repnhion,  to 
 difcourfe  of  them  among  themfelves.  And  not  a  few  of 
 thefe  are  hence  preferv'd  by  our  Author  diftind^,  befides 
 thofe  that  are  dilperb'din  his  Work?,  in  an  (h)  appendix 
 to  the  Life  of  his  dear  Mafter  and  Father  in  Chrift.  Here,- 
 that  I  may  ufe  his  own  Words,  Silence  was  his  Friend, 
 Labour  his  Companion,  and  Prayer  his  Auxiliary. 
 
 §.  XXIV.  By  that  time  he  arriv'd  to  the  Age  of  Thirty, 
 tho'  he  indullrioully  laboured  to  conceal  himlelf  all  that 
 was  poffible,  he  began  to  be  eminent.  For  in  or  about  the 
 Year  MCCCCX  there  appear'd  fome  Pieces  abroad,  where- 
 of he  w^as  believed  to  be  the  Author,  that  were  mightily 
 read  and  approved.  However,  his  Name  was  not  prefixt 
 by  him  to  any  of  them  (as  far  as  I  can  fitnd)  either  now  or 
 at  any  time  afterward  ;  fo  far  was  he  from  any  Ambition 
 in  this  Cafe,  or  Thoughts  of  acquiring  a  Reputation  in  the 
 Church  by  what  he  had  written.  His  manner  gcneratly  was 
 only  at  the  end  of  the  Books  by  him  either  compofed,  ot 
 copied,  to  fubfcribe  his  Name  in  the  ufual  Form  of  the 
 Copyilis.  And  as  for  thofe  vvhicli  were  undoubtedly  of  his 
 own  compofmg,  as  were  his  more  publick  Difcourfes  and 
 Sermons,  which  therefore  it  was  no  wife  poOible  for  him 
 to  conceal,  he  ehofe  iniiead  of  his  own  Name  to  addrefs 
 them  to  thofe  that  had  before  heard  them  under  the  Ap- 
 pellation only  of  the  Poor  Pilgrim. 
 
 §.  XXV.  This  t  Poor  Pilgrim  then  (for  this  was  tlie 
 Name  wherein  he  delighted  chiefly)  perfilied  here  in  like 
 jnanner  as  he  had  done  at  Deventer,  in  followir.g  the  hum- 
 ble Steps  of  a  Crucified  Saviour;  having  bid  defiance  ta 
 the  World,  and  to  the  God  thereof  His  Piety  towards  the 
 True  God,  ^ndjejus  Chrisl,  his  Obedience  towards  his  Su- 
 periors, and  his  Charity  and  Brotherly  Kindnefs  towards 
 his  Collegues,  did  here  very  confpicuoufly  fhine  forth.    He 
 
 never 
 
 .,, .  • ^ 
 
 CI')  .^?/^^Jwnotabilia  Verba  D.  Florentn  Preshyteri, 
 \  Inlmxtanon  of  his  taking  up  tie  Name  o/Pauper  Peregrinus, 
 another  Devout  and  Sph  itnd  iTriter  fgt:ms  "not  long  Mfter  to  have 
 taken  that  o/Dedderius  Peregrinus  m  his  Thefauriis  Animro 
 Chriflianas,  tr av flat cd  from  the  Spamjh  into  elegant  Latin^  ani 
 Printed  at  Roterdam,  A.  1674.  in  16^. 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author,  xxxi 
 
 never  in  the  leafi  indulged  himfelf  in  idlenefs,  the  Sourfe 
 and  Parent  of  all  evils,  but  was  always  exercifing  himfelf 
 in  reading ^good  Books,  or  in  tranfcribing  them  for  acom- 
 nion  Benefit,  or  elfe  in  compofing  new  ones,  according  to 
 the  Occafions  given  him  at  fundry  times,  and  the  Mealures 
 of  Light  and  Grace  by  God  conferred  on  him.  Andvvhere- 
 as  It  was  one  of  the  principal  Occupations  of  the  Canon- 
 Regulars  of  t1iis  Congregation  to  write  the  Bible,  th* 
 Writings  of  the  Fathers,  and  Treatifes  of  Devotion  ,-' their 
 Patron  and  Founder  having  written  purpofely  on  this  ve- 
 ry Subje6t  to  excite  them  ;  he  not  only  apply'd  himfelf 
 earnelily  to  this  Labour,  to  which  he  had  been  before  ac- 
 cuftomed,  but  animated  others  likewife  mightily  to  it-  of 
 which  there  are  extant  no  few  *  Proofs.  And  in  acquit- 
 ting himfelf  of  this  Funilion,  he  praclifed  the  Counfel  of 
 one  of  the  Ancients ;  for  he  fiird  himfelf  in  fuch  wife  witli 
 the  Maxims  and  Truths  contained  in  the  Books  which  he 
 copied,  as  he  made  himfelf  capable  of  thereby  in(ku(^inff 
 others,  both  by  his  Example  and  Do6^rine,  by  word  of 
 Mouth,  and  by  Writing;  as  he  adually  did  in  hiq  Con- 
 verfations,  in  bis  Difcourfes,  in  the  Inttru^ ions  which  he 
 gave  to  his  Brethren,  and  in  the  Pieces  of  Piety  which  he 
 here  compofed.  Nay,  fo  induftrious  and  indefatigable  he 
 was,^that  he  would  frequently  fpend  the  gteatsii  Part  of 
 the  Nights  in  thefe  Exercifes  and  Studies,  defrauding  him- 
 felf even  of  the  neceilary  Refreihments  and  Repote  'to  the 
 Injury  of  his  bodily  Health.  There  are  to  this  prefent  rime 
 laid  to  be  extant  leveral  Manufcript  Volumes  upder  hrs 
 own  Hand,  and  particularly  a  fair  lar-e  Latin  Bible  in 
 l^our  Volumes ;  with  fome  Pieces  of  St.  %rnard. 
 
 §.  XXVL  In  the  Chappel  the  holy  Reverence,'  and  Pre- 
 tence of  Mind  which  conitantly  appeared  in  him  was  truly 
 inolt  edifying,  but  can  hardly  be  expreifed.  And  in  the 
 Difcharge  of  all  the  Offices  and  Duties  of  focial  Devotion 
 lie  lo  acquitted  himfelf,  as  even  to  fire  the  Souls  of  fuch  as 
 join  d  with  him  therein.  While  he  was  finging  of  Pfaims, 
 he  always  ufed  himfelf  to  ftand  with  his  Body  ered  with- 
 out ever  leaning  with  his  Elbows,  or  Back,  that  he  might 
 
 cafe 
 
 ^  DQarm.  Juven.  c.  4.  gf  7.  Difdp.  CkuJ}.  c.  6, 
 
xxxii  Ar2  Account  of  the 
 
 eafe  himleh  at  all ;  And  as  if  he  were  in  an  holy  ^  Rapture, 
 liis  Face  would  beconiiantly  lifted  up,  and  fixed  towards' 
 Heaven,  as  one  that  was  raviili'd  with  the  incredible' 
 Sweetnefsand  Dclicioufhefs  of  theP/^/z^/,-  which  he  pro-, 
 feffed  to  be  much  fweeter  to  his  Palate  than  either  Honey 
 or  the  Honey-Comb.  Nay  at  fome  times  as  he  waschaunt- 
 ing  them  forth,  they  that  were  nearert  to  him  thought  him' 
 to  be  in  an  Extafie ;  for  his  Countenance  would  ieem  to 
 fliine,  as  it  were  encompalTed  with  Light  and  Glory  •  and 
 he  would  but  ;u(i  touch  the  Ground  with  the  Tip  of  his" 
 Toes,  the  reR  of  his  Body  being  ready  as  it  were  to  flly 
 away  from  the  Earth  into  Heaven,where  his  Heart  already 
 was,  and  his  Defires  infeparably  were  fixed. 
 
 §.  XXVII.  Moreover  he  had  fuch  a  high  Veneration 
 for  the  ufe  of  the  Lord's  Prayer,  both  in  publick  and  in  pri- 
 vate, and  fo  perfedly  was  convine'd  of  the  Divine  Excel- 
 lence of  its  Form,  and  of  the  moli  high  Efficacy  th^reofj 
 whenever  taken  up  in  Spirit  and  Truth,  according  to  the; 
 Will  and  Defign  of  our  blelTed  Maikr,  who  has  taught  us 
 fo  to  pray  to  his  and  otir  Bather ;  as  he  would  fay,  that  it 
 not  only  excelf  d  the  Prayers  of  all  Saints,  but  that  it  con^ 
 tainedin  it  felf  efi-e6lually  all  the  Prayers,  Vowsar.d  Prai- 
 fes  that  ever  had  been  made  from  the  very  Foundation  of 
 the  World,  and  in  particular  all  that  are  found  either  in 
 the  Pfalms  or  in  the  Prophets,  after  an  eminent  manner. 
 This  he  accounted  a  powerful  Means  under  all  Dcprefli- 
 ons,  to  lilt  up  the  Soul  from  Earth  to  Heaven,  tp  make 
 her  afcend  above  the  Angels,  and  to  unite  her  with  God. 
 
 §.  XXVllI.  But  withal  it  mull  not  be  wondered  at  i£ 
 the  Darkncfs  of  the  Times  in  which  our  Author  livd  had 
 fome  Authority  and  luflucnce  over  him.  The  Jtluite  who' 
 has  given  us  his  Life,  excra6led  as  he  tells  from  fevcral  Au- 
 thors, is  pleafed  to  inlcrta  long  Story  of  a  Dream  he  had 
 
 when 
 
 \  BuviffallcYetvuUuftmper  in  Ccelum  fuhlato^  facro  enthiifi- 
 ^[mo  ajflat^Uy  diilcedme  ?nmv7im  pfiilmonim  iyicredilili  captusy  ^ 
 extra  fe  raptus  advertelaiur :  Sk  nt  nonmcnquam  cilcihuty  iwn 
 ten-A  hereret  wfixus^  fed  fummis  duntaxat pedum  d'lptis  foluin  con- 
 t'mgens  rel'i^uo  corpore'vi  ccelo  fiihvolarey  uh\  nnimo  ^  defiderii 
 c^ehaty  ryieduaretur,  Frane.  Tolenfis  Vil.  Thomae  Keinpiiii,  pV 
 1 5.  6^  Hen.  Rofweyd,  vU»  ejiad. 
 
Life  aniWorks  of  the  Author.  xxxiii 
 
 when  he  was  bur  a  young  Student  at  the  College,  where- 
 in the  Virgin  Mary  feeniM  to  appear  to  him  in  much  Ma- 
 jefty,  carefljng  the  rert  ot  the  youns;  Scholars  for  rhei;:  De- 
 votion towards  her,  but  giving  poor  Thor^as  a  Reprimand 
 for  hisNegledt  of  her.  A  Story  it  is  which  I  caniind  not 
 fo  much  as  the  leaft  Foot(kps  of,  either  in  Badins  or  To*- 
 lenfis,  who  had  both  for  certain  much  better  opportunity 
 to  have  been  acquainted  with  the  Truth  hereof,  had  it 
 been  16,  than  he  who  livM  io  long  after  them  ;  efpscail/ 
 the  latter,  being  of  the  fame  Order,  and  one  who  haa  ta- 
 ken pains  like  wife  to  fearch  into"  all  what  had  been  deli- 
 veiM  concerning  him  by  any  of  their  Elders,  or  Ancient 
 Brethren.  And  had  it  been  credited  within  the  firif  Hun- 
 dred Years  after  his  Death,  there  can  hardly  be  any  doubt 
 but  that  this  Author  would  have  taken  notice  of  it  in 
 writing  his  Life.  For  either  he  had  heard  of  it,  or  he  had 
 TiOt,  If  he  had  not  heard  of  it,  if  they  of  hi«  own  College 
 and  Order  had  not  then  heard  of  it,  if  nothing  of  u  fo 
 far  as  appears  was  to  be  met  with  either  in  their  Recoui?, 
 or  in  any  of  their  (or  others)  Writings,  before  the  Year  MTV . 
 LXXI,  at  leaif;  as  from  his  total  Silence  is  moff  pre 
 bable ;  then  I  ask  how  came  it  firlt  to  be  reported,  and 
 then  believed,  as  if  it  were  a  true  and  heavenly  Revelati- 
 on ?  But  if  it  was  then  already  reported,  and  he  had  fome 
 way  or  other  come  to  the  knowledge  of  it,  thence  is  the 
 Difficulty  (fill  greater,  rather  than  Ids.  Since  if  he  had 
 any  wife  heard  of  it,  he  mu(t  have  look'd  upon  it  as  Fa- 
 bulous, or  Frivolous;  or  at  be(t  as  doubtful.  This  is  plaia 
 from  the  Conclufion  of  his  Life,  wherein  he  te(fi(ies  his 
 Care  in  bringing  into  it  only  f^J  what  he  had  found  to 
 be  Certain.  And  were  it  not  fo,  no  other  Reaion  can  be 
 produc'd  why  itlLould  be  omitted  by  him.  Tiie  Account 
 is  indeed  very  formally  drefs'd  up,  and  circumfrantially 
 fet  off,  for  the  Advantage  of  a  Pradice  in  the  Church  of 
 
 c  Rome, 
 
 {n)  ^Kzveternm  fcYiptis  erutay  explorata  &  certa,  ^eThoma 
 /jahevm.  Ejufd.  Vit.  Th.  Kemp.  f.  i  $.  Ds  hmtandoChriJlo  con- 
 ienine7idkfq\  mundi  vaintatiJus^  Uh.  4.  Audore  Thoma  Kem- 
 pifiojfa?  latmo  latvimci  fa^'u    Ant,  1575, 
 
xxxiv  ^^^  Account  of  the 
 
 Rome,   which  even  the  C'^J  Sober  among  themfelves  feem 
 afham'd  ot     But  as  the  Relater  has  r.ot  told  us  of  his 
 Vouchers,  and  there  be  thele  obvious  Objedions,  btildes 
 foiTie  others  that  1  infill  not  on,  againd  the  truth  oi  the 
 FaC^ ;  X  think  we  nui(l  be.of  a  very  large  Faith  indeed  to 
 I'dy  any  Strelsiipon  a  Report  offuch  a  Nature,  that  vva^ 
 never  lo  much  as  heard  of  till  above  an  tjuridred  and  Fiity 
 Years  after  the  Perfons  Death  of  whom  it  is  toldt  -  AnH 
 yet  upon  the  Authority  hereof,  we  find^our  Author  pi-' 
 <^lur'd  kneeling  before  the  VirginVl/^ry  with  a  Rofary  in 
 his  Hands!    When  yef, there  is  not  one  Word  in  that 
 whole  Book  whereto  the  Effigies  of  him  is  ordinarily; pre- 
 fix'd,  that  can  countenance  this;  nor  one  Realon  why 
 an  Author  of  that  high  CUjs  in  the  School  of  Chriit,  ilipuld 
 be  thus  reprcfented  as  needing  the   help  o^' Images  aud 
 Beads  ^  which  are  calTd  generally  the  Books  of  the  Unlearned, 
 for  the  alTiltance  oi  his  Memory,  or  for  the  quickening  of 
 hislm.agination  ;  and  that  even  before  a  Treatife,  the  ve- 
 ry Title  and  Subje6t  of  one  Part  of  which,  is  the  (/?)  dramng 
 of  the  Soul  off  rrom  the  Externals  ro  the  InterndsX  commend 
 however  the  Diligence  of  thi$  Learned  Jciuite,    and  hi$ 
 great  Induiiry  in  vindicating  our  Author;  but  herein  I 
 praifc  him  not :  yet  neither  do  I  altogether  condemn  him, 
 as  if  m  this  Matter  the  Fraud  were  his,  for  it  might  very 
 well  be  from  ioiw^  other,  and  in  lefs  than  half  that  time 
 there  m.ight  be  Traditionary  Stories  enough  of  that  kind. 
 'Tis  more  than  probable  that  there  were  fome  fuch  which 
 Toler.fts  heard  and  examined,   aid  havmg  done  that  reje- 
 ded ;  for  which  lie  is  to  be  effeem'd.    This  may  be  thought 
 more  than  enough  concerning  that  Vifion  of  the  Blcifed 
 Virgin  which  is  pretended,  and  that  which  is  defign'd  to 
 be  infer'd  from  it.    W^herefoic  in  oiie  word,  as  I  accufe 
 not  the  Writer  of  Infmcerity,  lb  T  cannot  cxcuie  him  from 
 Creduliiy.     And  after  all,  whatever  Authority  he  might 
 
 have 
 
 (^)  In  France  7wyp  efpenaVy.  Hence  tie  \v\\o\[o\r\t  Advice  to 
 the  indifcrect  V/orfhipers  of  the  Eieifed  Vir^-in  Mary  hy  a  wife 
 andV'wus  Frdate.  of  the  Gz\\ici?.n  Church  ;  w'lth  the  viollifyvg 
 Xnterprstathm  of  Vr.ron,  the  £^JJ;op  ^/Meau^K,  a?7d  others, 
 (hj  JdmonuiDiizs  ad  Interna  trahentcs,  Lib,  z. 
 
Xife  and  Work}'  of  the  _  JiufJwr, "  xxxv 
 
 Iiave  for  Rich  an  Aecottnt,  which  at  nrofHvas  but  a  fa) 
 Dream,  there  is  another'  Palfage  which  he.  relates,  that  is 
 i  think  no  lefs  obfervable,  and  feems  not  fo  perfcdfy 
 well  to  fuit  with  it.-  And  this  is,  ho^vv  that  he  once  be- 
 lieved as  he  lay  mufing  on  his  Bed  (between  fleeping  and 
 waking)  he  faw  the  Devil  perfonally  tippear  to  him  in  a 
 very  hideous  Form, "whereupon  he  attempted  to  drive  hiai 
 away  (as  he  had  h^cn  taught)  by  repeating  over  the  An- 
 gelical Salutation  :  At  which  the  Evil  Spirit  was  but  I'lill 
 the  more  enrag'd,  and  approach'd  the  Bed  nearer  and 
 nearer  where  he  was  lying,  as  it  were  to  take  him  away'; 
 till  coming  to  the  end  of  it,  when  Our  Lord  ]  ESU  S 
 ■CHRIST  was  pronounced  by  him  aloud,  the  Devil  (as 
 Thunderllruck  with  fo  terrifying  a  Name)  could  then  ftay 
 110  longer,  but  was  coniirain*d  to  flee  apace.  Now  there- 
 fore feeing  that  Satan  was  not  able  to  (land  before  the 
 Power  of  fo  great  a  Name,  he  began  hereat  to  have  fome- 
 what  more  Boldnefs :  and  putting  his  Head  out  of  the  Bed, 
 repeated  many  times  together  that  iuoi\  Blefled  Name 
 JHSUS  CHRIST  ;  thereby  purfuing  the  Fugitive  Enemy. 
 Who,  the  more  ttrongly  that  he  cries  out  calling  upon 
 JESUS,  fled  the  more  precipitantly  away.  Which  when 
 the  good  Man  obferv'd,  giving  thanks  prefently  to  God, 
 he  faid  within  himfelf,  '  If  by  thismofl  holy  Name  of  JE- 
 SUS, I  can  fo  eafiiy  baffle  and  difcomfit  the  Powers  of 
 '  Hell ;  from  this  time  forth  will  I  not,  as  hitherto  I  have 
 '  bc'en,  be  fearful  of  the  Plots  of  the  Evil  Spirits,  or  waver 
 *  in  my  Faith,  let  them  rage  never  fo  much  againR  me, 
 '  and  threaten  my  Ruin.  By  which  it  appears  pretty 
 evidently,  whatever  this  Traniailion  might  be,  that  his 
 fole  Refuge  and  Help  was  placed  in  the  l^iame  of  JESUS 
 and  HI  no  other  whatfoever.  He  clearly  tells  us  more- 
 over, that  every  Creature  without  Exception  is  to  be  con- 
 fiderd  as  a  Poor  Beggar ^  and  God  in  Chrifi  is  only  that  ^ich 
 Per/on,  who  is  both  willing  and  able  to  help  every  one 
 according  to  all  their  NecelTities. 
 
 §.  XXIX.  It  is  certain  alfo  from  abundance  of  Places 
 in  his  Writings,  that  he  was  no  great  Friend  to  the  Court 
 
 c  '2  of 
 
 (aj   V^fiS  w&urnfl,  Rofweyd,  ih, 
 
XXX vi  An  Account  of  the 
 
 of  Rome ;  that  he  was  an  hearty  Lover  of  the  Simplicity  of 
 the  Gofpel  o(Chrijf  ;  and  that  he  could  in  no  wile  be  re- 
 conciled to  that  Ambition  and  Covctoufncfs,  which  did 
 lo  generally  predominate  then  both  among  the  Clergy  and 
 the  Monafticks,  and  did  in  his. Judgment  corrupt  the  very 
 Vitals  of  Religion.    He  was  a  Lover  of  Decency  in  the 
 Adorning  of  material  Churches,  but  feems  not  to  be  very 
 ivell  pleafed  with  the  exLravagant  AmalTing  of  ufelefs  Ri- 
 ches there.     He  w^asagainft  any  ones  quitting  the  World 
 (as  it  was  term'd)to  go  into  a  Monaftery  out  of  complai- 
 fanee  or  obedience  to  Friends,  or  upon  a  natural  Inclina- 
 tion or  Difguft,  or  for  outward  Convenience,  or  the  like : 
 He  thought  every  one  was  obliged  throughly  to  examine 
 their  Call ;  and  not  fo  much  to  give  heed  to  their  firfi  Fer- 
 vors, as  by  a  long  Trial  to  prove  their  Sutablenefs  for  fuch 
 •  or  fuch  a  State.    And  notwithftanding  he  was  himfelfa 
 mighty  Lover  of  Solitude  and  Silence,  he  feems  yet  to  pre- 
 fer the  mixt  State  of  Life  before  the  Reolufe :  And  there- 
 fore chofe  rather  to  live  in  a  Community  of  Regular  and 
 Reformed  Canons,  than  to  go  into  a  Monaiiery.    He  was 
 a  great  admirer  of  St.  Aujlin^  whom  he  looked  on  as  his 
 Father,  and  not  a  liitle  exercifed  in  the  beitof  the  Spiritu- 
 al and  Pradical  Writers;   whofe  Principles  he  greedily 
 imbib'd.    Now  this  feems  to  have  been  his  Method,  that 
 in  reading  and  tranfcribing  the  devout  Pieces  of  that  Fa- 
 ther, and  of  fome  few  others,  he  would  colled^  and  digeR 
 fuch  Sentences  out  of  them,  as  did  principally  affect,  and 
 order  them  for  his  own  ufe  under  fuch  and  fuch  Heads,  as 
 a  fort  Of  Memorandums,  or  Common  Places.    Herein  he 
 imitated  the  Malier  of  the  Sentences,  Peter  Lombard,  whofe 
 Divinity  then  only  prevailed  in  the  Schools ;  but  apply'd 
 all  to  the  pradicaland  devotional  Part,  as  very  much  dif- 
 liking  that  contentious  Learning  which  was  then  fprung 
 up  ;  and  Specially  the  Niceties  and  Subtilties  of  the  School- 
 men about  the  Trinity,  and  the  unfearchableMylicriesand 
 Depths  of  Divine  Wifdom.  For  he  accounted  of  no  Learn- 
 ing or  Knowledge  any  otherwiic,  than  as  it  is  tended  to 
 inform  and  meliorate  the  Soul,   by  transforming  it  from 
 Darknelsinto  Light,  and  making  it  partaker  of  the  Hea- 
 venly Nature  in  Chrifi. 
 
 ^  §.  XXX. 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author^  xxxvil 
 
 §.  XXX.    All  his  Difcourfe  was  concerning  God,  and 
 the  Holy  Scriptures,  which  were  his  continual  Meditation. 
 And  as  often  as  News  or  worldly  Affairs  were  difcouried 
 ofbelore  hiin,  it  has  been  obferved  that  he  would  fit  by 
 as  one  that  was  dumb,  and  not  open  his  Mouth.    Nay, 
 ae  if  he  v^ -rrs  wholK*  ignorant  of  all  thofe  Matters  which 
 P<^op!e  had  been  talking  about,  it  was  difficult  to  get  an 
 Aidn'er  out  of  him  when  ask'd,   unlefs  he  was  allured  to 
 it  fiv  the  Prcfped  o'"  oood,  and  the  Edification  oi  his  Bro- 
 ther.   He  had  io  (light  a  Value  for  the  World,  and  all 
 that  is  therein,  tnat  he  did  not  fo  much  as  care  to  learn 
 the  common  Names  of  many  Things,    and  their  ufe;  as 
 thirking  them  not  at  all  to  appertain  to  him.    But  if  the 
 Difcourfe  were  of  Chri(i  and  Heavenly  Matters,  then  be- 
 ing defired  to  declare  his  Senfe,  he  fpake  as  from  a  moft 
 clear  everflowing  Spring  within  him.     And  when  for  the 
 Spiritual  Benefit  of  fome  Perfons  who  took  great  Delight 
 in  htaiirg  him,  he  was  folicited  to  make  an  extemporary 
 Diicourle  or  Exhortation  to  them,  he  never  refufed  fo  to 
 do :  only  taking  a  little  while  for  inward  Recolleclion  and 
 Meditation ;  or  elfe  for  Sleep,  in  cafe  of  being  overtired 
 before.    And  he  grew  fo  famous  for  his  raoli  eafy,  and 
 alio  mort  powerful  way  of  Delivering  himfelf  on  all  Oc- 
 cafions,  whenfoever  he  was  defired,  fuitably  to  the  States 
 of  ihofe  he  had  to  deal  with  ;  as  great  Numbers  flock'd  to 
 him,  not  only  out  of  the  Neighbourhood,  but  out  of  the 
 Towns  and  Villages  lying   round   at  a  great  Di Ranee. 
 Thefe  excited  by  the  Fame  of  his  Piety  and  Powerfulnefs 
 of  his  MiniHry,  came  in  Crowds  to  St.  Agnes's  Mount, 
 that  they  might  receive  from  his  Mouth  that  Inlirudion 
 which  they  wanted,  and  fo  much  long'd  for^  and  might 
 be  throughly  eftabliili'd  in  the  Word  and  Work  of  God. 
 
 §.  XXXI.  He  was  of  fuch  an  affable  and  obliging  Con- 
 venation,  as  he  was  extreamly  beloved  by  all  that  were  of 
 the  fame  Houfe  and  Fellowfbip  ;  and  was  choien  much 
 againit  his  own  Will,  Vice-Prefident,  while  he  was  yet 
 but  young.  This  was  done  by  general  Confent,  his  Se- 
 niors freely  yielding  to  him,  and  preferring  him  to  them- 
 felves  for  his  undoubted  Capacity  to  difcharge  an  Office,  in 
 which  fo  great  Prudence  and  Experience  were  of  nece/Tity 
 faquir 'd,  •  After  tuis  he  was  chofen  alfo  Bmfar,  or  Treafu- 
 
 a  3  rex 
 
XXXV  iii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 rer;  they  having  not  only  a  good.Opirdon  of  him  for  his 
 Charitablenel<i,  but  alio  for  his  wife  D^iiiribution  of  all 
 that  was  eatmlkd  with  him.  But  becaufe  the  diligent 
 Diicharge  of  this:  place  did  too  much  take  him  oft*  from 
 Contemplation,  and  writine,  of  pious  Books,  therefore  he 
 was  eas'd  of  this,  and  re(-lored  to  his  former  Station. 
 
 §.  XXXII.  Now  it  did  often  fall  out,  that  as  he  was 
 converfmg  with  iome  of  his  Collegues,  and  conferring  with 
 them,  he  would  manifclily  perceive  God  calling  to  him 
 from  within  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  fpeaking  to  his  Heart : 
 Whence  modelUy  begging  leave  of  the  Company,  as  if 
 Iome  body  waited  to  ipeak  with  him,  he  would  (irait  with- 
 draw into  his  Bed-Chambcr,  or  Oratory.  Where  pour- 
 ing out  his  Heart  before  the  Lord,  he  drew  in  that  Hea- 
 venly Wifdom,  which  in  his  Golden  Remains  is  by  Per- 
 ions  of  Piety  fo  univerfally  admir'd  :  And  is  molt  proba- 
 bly fuppofed  to  have  had  that  Divine  Converfation,  which 
 is  found  in  part  defer ib'd  both  in  the  Third  Book  of  the 
 former  (according  to  its  true  Title  D^  Imerna  Locu: ions')  ^x\di 
 in  the  1 1  Id  and  IV  th  Books  of  this  prefent  Volume. 
 
 XXXIII.  He  was  much  delighted  with  this  Motto,  viz., 
 J  fought  for  re i%  bnt:  found  it  not,  except  in  little  Corners  ani 
 in  iitde  Boob,     The  Dfitch  was,    3i^^  Jl)OCClftf  11^  ailh 
 
 25occItcn*J ;  or  fometimcs,  %n  tcii  Ipoctlmx  met  ten 
 
 550CCkC31  ;  that  is,  in  one  little  Corner  rcith  one  little  Book  ; 
 as  rtill  fomewhat  more  exprefnve  than  the  former.  He  had 
 it  frequently  in  his  Mouth,  and  he  ^vritit  in  molt  or  all  his 
 Books,  as  meaning  thereby  to  declare,  where  and  how  the 
 true  Red  of  the  Soul  is  to  be  obtained :  Not  from  any  bor- 
 row'd  Notion  of  others,  but  from  his  own  moft  true,  cer- 
 tain, and  faithful  Experience.  Which  convinced  him  that 
 it  was  not  to  be  found  in  the  World,  but  in  Retirement; 
 not  in  great,  but  in  fmall  things ;  not  in  many  and  large 
 Volumes,  but  in  a  few  and  little  Books;  and  not  in  much 
 Reading,  but  in  much  Recolledion  of  the  Spirit,  and  Self- 
 Entertainment.  There  was  accordingly  a  rough  Pourtrait 
 or  Picture  of  this  Venerable  Man,  done  either  by  himfelf, 
 or  by  one  of  his  Contemporaries,  with  this  Inicription, 
 which  an  hundred  Years  after  his  Deceafe,  was  itill  kept 
 in  the  lame  Hcuie  where  he  had  liv'd,   tho'  very  much 
 
 then 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author,  xsxix 
 
 then  defaced,  which  I  find  was  (a)  fhew'd  as  a  devout 
 Curiofitv  to  fuch  as  vifited  the  place.  Thus  then  to  app  y 
 to  him  his  own  Words,  (/»)  ''  His  Incloiare  was  made 
 ''  to  him  asParadife,  and  the  Church  [or  Choir]  asHea- 
 "  ven,  while  the  Word  of  God  was  his  Food,  and  the 
 *'  Bread  of  Angels  his  hidden  Marine  to  feed  upon. 
 
 §.  XXXIV.  ""Concerning  the  Books  which  have  been 
 written  by  him,  there  have  been  a  ^reat  many  Dilputes, 
 And  i'everal  Treatifes  have  been  written  on  one  Me  and 
 the  other,  onely  about  one  of  them  ;  namely,  that  ot  the 
 Imltmon  or  Chrijl ;  which  iome  contend  not  to  be  wiitten 
 by  him,  but  either  by  the  famous  Chancellor  of  Rarts  Ger- 
 (on  or  elfc  by  one  Abbot  Gerfen,  a  S^rjojArd.    But  the  molt 
 have  been  written  for  this  latter,  as  moll  were  interefied 
 to  maintain  it  to  be  his.    Some  ihmk  there  are  not  want- 
 \\\o  Pretenfions  of  feveral  others  too,  which  may  deferve  to 
 be''compai\iwith  thofe  for  any  of  the  laid  Three.    Some 
 acrain  will  have  the  fird  three  Books  to  have  bear  written 
 by  one  of  thefe,  and  the  Fourth  by  another.     And  it  is  the 
 Opinion  of  fome  that  have  cunoutly  (earchM  into  the 
 ancient  Copies,   that  only  the  hrii  Book  ot  that  Treatiie 
 ou^ht  properly  to  bear  the  Name  ot  the  Imitatton  ofChrtJt ; 
 thc^other  Books  being  found  under  different  Titles  m  feve- 
 ral  Manufcripts.    Yea  the  very  Learned  Mi:  Dodnell  is 
 of  Opinion,   that  This  at  firit  was  only  the  Title  or  the 
 firsi  Chapter  of  the  firil  Book  ;    which* came  afterwards  to 
 be  miliaken  for  the  General  Title    by  tiie  Neglect  ^ot   the 
 Scribe;  who  defigning,  as  was  ufual,  to  ad.i  the  liile  ol 
 the  T'-eatife  fairly  ilkfmnAted  and  colourM  atter  all  ihould 
 b-  finirnM>  might  hence  happen  by  fome  Accident  or  other 
 to  omit  it,  leaving;  only  room  to  be  atterwards  hll'd  up; 
 and  lo  through  tliis  OmiOion  the  next  Tranfcriber,  not 
 knowina  how  to  fuuply  what  was  wanting,  might  leave 
 jio  room°  but  place'the  FanicJar  Title  up  higher,^as  it  ic 
 were  the  General  one,  not  confined  to  any  Part  orC^haprcr, 
 but  comprehending  the  Whole  of  all  the  Parts.    And  this 
 Coinedture  of  this  Learned  Man,  is  farther  alio  confirmed 
 ^  c  4 fr'->m 
 
 '  (a)  OJlenduuY  adhiic  cjua  Efigie:,  fed  admodum  deformata^fs- 
 vegue  o'duerata,  cum  hoc  wfigm  fymholo :    In  omnibus  iciiuiema. 
 '^c.  Tohiif.  Vit,  Kemp. 
 Q)  Dc  Difcipl  Qmtp\  Lib.  5.  c,  !$• 
 
xl  An  Account  of  the 
 
 from  the  (a)  fecond  and  (h)  third  Books,  or  Parts  of  the 
 faiiie  Treatile  ;  as  to  which  it  appears  that  in  feveral  Ma- 
 iiufcripts,  the  Particular  Titles  to  the  firlt  Chapters  in  both 
 have  been  in  like  manner  adv^ancM,  and  taken  for  more 
 General  ones ;  while  the  faid  Chapters  are  left  without  fo 
 much  as  any.  Howfoever  yet  it  may  be  as  to  the  Num- 
 ber, Order  and  Difpofition  of  thefe  Books,  which  muft 
 needs  be  confefTcd  to  be  very  intricate  ;  there  are  pretty 
 evident  Signs  and  Marks,  that  the  Author  of  oae  cannot 
 but  be  the  Author  (or  at  lea(i  the  Compiler)  of  the  reli,  as 
 alio  of  thofe  Tra6ts  now  brought  forth  in  Engiifh,  after 
 having  lain  as  it  were  buried  a  long  time  ;  and  digelied 
 into  another  Volume  under  the  fame  General  Title,^  by  the 
 lame  Right  as  the  former  was.  The  common  Suffrage  of 
 the  Manuicripts,  as  well  as  of  the  Prints,  carries  it  gene- 
 rally tor  our  Author  ;  which  is  farther  favoured  by  an  ori- 
 ginal Manulcript  written  with  his  own  Hand.  But  on  the 
 contrary,  there  are  Difficulties  in  a  manner  inextricable 
 on  the  other  fide.  For  befides  that  the  Subftription  at  the 
 end  of  the  faidTreatife  doth  not  argue,  fay  they,  outTho- 
 moi  to  be  fo  much  the  Author,  as  the  Tranfcriber  of  the 
 Book  ;  and  that  Cardinal  Bonaventure  quotes  part  of  a 
 Chapter  of  the  firit  Book  verbatim  ;  and  fays  that  they 
 were  the  Words  of  a  certain  devout  Book  of  the  Imitation 
 of  Christ :  There  is  faid  to  be  preferv'd  in  the  Monaliery  of 
 Mount  St.  Gerards  (Gerardi  Montenje)  a  Manufcript  with- 
 out the  Author's  Name,  before  the  Year  MCCCC.  and  a- 
 inother  that  is  yet  more  ancient,  in  that  of  Arone,  before 
 which  there  is  prefix'd  the  Nam.e  of  Gerfcn,  whom  they 
 make  to  have  flourifh'd  betwixt  the  Years  MCCXXX  and 
 MCCXLV.  And  moreover  the  Gr.-yror/,  fay  they,  of  the 
 Vnetian  Edition  MDI.  when,  they  prefix  d  the  Name  of 
 Abbot  'hhriy  do  appeal  lo  the  Original  of  the  Author's  own 
 Handwriting.  This  latter  Difficulty,  if  it  be  really  lo, 
 cannot  be  overcome.  But  the  former,  the  Friends  of  the 
 Author,  have  quite  enervated  ;  evincing,  that  the  above- 
 mentionM  Collations  or  Conferences,  are  faliiy  afcrib'd  to 
 BonaventPire ;  and  that  for  this  very  Reafon,  that  Ubertinus 
 de  Cafalis,  who  is  later  than  BonavmtJ^re,  is  found  cited 
 
 in 
 
 (j)  De  interna  Converfatione.         {b)  De  interna  Chriiii  Locutiom. 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  .  xli 
 
 in  them  ;  Vbminus  not  being  noted  till  about  MCCCXX, 
 whereas  Bonaventare  diedahi)o(-l  Fiftv  Years  before.  This 
 was  firir  liarted  in  Spain ^  and  Don  Pedro  Manriqnez.  was 
 the  firii  that  maintained,  in  the  beginning  of  the  la(i  Cen- 
 tury, that  d  Kernpis  could  not  be  the  Author ;  becaufc 
 the  laid  Book  was  cited  by  this  Writer  before  a  Kempis  was 
 born.  Hence  prefently  after  fprung  up  that  great  Contro- 
 verfie  betwixt  the  Benedicl:ins  and  the  Canon-Regulars, 
 that  each  might  have  the  Honour  and  Merit  of  juch  a 
 Book  alcrib'd  to  their  Order.  Now  fincc  there  is  perhaps 
 no  Book  in  the  World,  the  Author  of  which  has  been  more 
 contelkd,  or  about  which  fuch  a  Number  of  Books  hive 
 been  written,  the  Reader  I  hope  will  not  altogether  Jofe 
 his  Pains  to  find  here  a  iliort  Summary  of  the  feveral  Pre- 
 tenfions  that  have  been  made  to  it,  beginning  with  St. 
 Bernard,  and  fo  defcencing  to  a  Kempis.  This  is  not  fo 
 dry  a  Subjedl,  but  it  may  afford  ibme  ufeful  Reflexions, 
 which  every  one,  by  attendiiig  to  the  Charaders  of  the  Per- 
 fons,  will  be  able  for  himfelf  to  make. 
 
 §.  XXXIV.  St  Bernard  feems  to  hive  been  the  Perfon 
 that  was  in  thefirltPoiredionof  it,  at  leaR  it  was  under  his 
 Name,  lays  a  Learned  Cntick,  that  the  firfi  Edition  which 
 we  have  of  the  Treatile  of  the  Imitation  cfCkrift^  Printed  at 
 Breffe  in  the  Year  MCCCCLXXXV,  did  appear  ,•  which 
 was  doubtlels  from  a  Manufcript  older  than  that  Date.  And 
 it  was  alfo  under  his  Name,  that  the  very  firli  Tranflation 
 of  it  into  French  was  made  ;  for  in  the  Inventory  o^  John 
 Count  of  Ans^ouleme  and  Perigueux  drawn  up  in  1467 
 which  is  kept  in  the  Chamber  of  Accounts  of  P circs  under 
 this  Title,  Inventaire  des  Livres  trouvez.  en  I'  Am? aire  de  fen 
 Monjeigneur^  le  I  jourde  Janvier  V  an  1467  ;  there  is  found 
 at  the  end.  La  Irritation  de  S.  Bernard,  avc  ple^AJisrs  Oraifons 
 &  Devotions  en  Papier  &  Lettre  commune  &  hien  cadnqne ;  i.  e. 
 The  Imitation  of  St.  Bernard,  with  leveral  Prayers  and  Dev'o- 
 tionsin  common  Paper  and  Letter  fomewhat  faded.  Which 
 makes  it  appear  plainly  thatManulcript  was  old  in  theYear 
 1467;  and  conlequently,  that  it  had  been  a  long  while 
 that  this  Verfion  had  been  made  from  a  Mai  ulcript  bear- 
 ing the  Name  of  St.  Bernard :  Whettfore  in  tht  firli  Fre-^ch  E- 
 dition  of  r^^  Imitation,  which  was  at  Paris  MCCC(  XCIIF 
 it  is  remarkable,  that  cill  then  this  Book  had  been  general- 
 
^^i  An   Account  of  the 
 
 lv(at  lea(i  in  France)  attributed  to  St.  Bernard ^'ox  io'Ger/on, 
 The  Title  ot  which  runs  thus,*  Here  begins  the  n:oj} jalutary 
 Baoky  intittil'd,  De  Imitatione  jelu  Chrifii,  nhich  hath  been 
 ly  him  [  julque  a  prelent]  e7jen  to  this  pr'ejent  Day^attrihtned  to 
 Si.  Bernard,  or  die  to  Dr.  John  Gerlon.  And  in  another 
 Edition  let  tbnh*  at  Paris  in  or  about  the  Year  MD,  the 
 litle  is,  The  Book  of  the  Imitation  of  our  Lord,  attributed  to 
 St.  Bernard,  or  to  John  Gerlon,  tranfiated  from  Latin  into 
 French.  Bciidcs  which  there  are  laid  to  be  Icveral  Manu- 
 Icripts  extant  to  this  Day,  wherein  the  fame  is  attributed  to 
 Si. Bernard,  particularly  one  in  ihe  Library  of  St.  Genivieve 
 M.  num.  413,  mentioned  by  ^  Mr.  hllies  dn  Pin^  wliich  is 
 j<-\d2^'<^  to  be  betwixt  two  and  three  hundred  Years  old. 
 :^.nd  in  the  Regiircr  of  the  Monafiery  o^  Afelice,  there  is 
 mention  alfo  made  of  a  Manulcript  Volume,  in  which, 
 atier  the  firft  Book  of  the  Imitation,  follows  St.  Bernard's 
 Meditation  on  the  Palhon.  Nay,  in  a  Manufcript  bearing; 
 ihe  moli  antient  Date  of  all  that  are  kno\vn,  one  Book 
 thereof  is  joined  with  a  Piece  that  is  undoubtedly  St.  Ber- 
 nards. Notwithfianding  which,  that  Author  lays,  it  is 
 liTipoirible  to  maintain  that  it  is  of  St.  Bernard  :  and  the 
 Ecc-k  it  felf  gives  u?,  he  thinks,  a  demonKrative  Proof  that 
 it  is  not  his ;  for  in  the  50th  Chapter  of  the  Hid.  Book, 
 there  are  ihefe  Words  about  the  end,  HnmiUs  S.  Trancifcw, 
 Now  St.  Bernard  died  in  the  Year  MCLIII,  and  St.  Francis 
 vv^as  not  born  but  in  MCCXXVL  This,  if  it  were  lo,  is 
 indeed  a  Demoniiration  fufiicient.  But  to  this  it  is  replied, 
 that  the  Name  of  St.  Francis  is  not  found  i'.i  fome  Manu- 
 icript?,  but  only  SanEitiS  ^uidam,  a  certain  Saint,  or  Holy 
 Perlon  ;  and  that  probably  the  Name  of  St.  Francis  might 
 be  firii:  let  in  the  Margent,  and  m.ight  thence  creep  into  the 
 Text  :  That  the  Maxim  indeed  tficre  cited,  is  by  Bonaven- 
 twe  aicribed  to  S:.  Francis  ;  but  that  this  is  no  more  than 
 a  lingie  Conjedure,  groundod  upon  the  laying  o^  Bonaven- 
 ture,  which  may  as  well  belong  to  fome  others  as  to  him^ 
 being  an  ordinary  Maxim  which  St.  Francis  or  atiy  other 
 might  have  taken  up  :  The  Maxim  referr'd  to  is  this,  Man 
 is  iu  much  as  he  aM>^ars  in  thy  Lyes,  Lord,  and  no  more  :  Which 
 it  would  not  be  hard  to  parallel  both'inSt.i^cr;2^ir^  himfelf, 
 
 and 
 
 *  DJ/cytationfur  I  Aiiteur  dc  V  Imitation  de  J,  C. 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  xliii 
 
 and  in  St.  Ah  si  in  ;  which  lart  naight  herein  be  refer  r*d  to  by 
 the  former  without  naming  him.  And  Monf,  AnAry  in  the 
 Year  MDCXCII.  having  a  new  Verfion  of  this  Treatile, 
 according  to  its  Original,  from  an  antient  Gothic  Copy  thea 
 newly  foimd,  takes  exprefs  Notice,  that  in  the  faid  oldCjo- 
 th'ic  it  was,  comme  dit  quel  que  Saint  e  Perjonne  j  and  remarks 
 that  antiently  to  exprefs  a  Saint,  they  iis*d  to  fay,  Sa'mte 
 Perfonne  inrtead  of  «;'/  Saint.  Bat  befides,  it  will  be  readily 
 allow'd  OiSt. Bernard,  that  fuch  a  Work  of  his  miglit  be 
 touch'd  over  again,  either  by  Gerfon  or  4  Ke/npis,  or  Ibmc 
 other,  wdience  it  might  come  afterward  to  pals  under  their 
 Names:  And  thus,  fay  they,  it  wasfirft  afcrib'd  toGc-r/i/;?, 
 and  after  him  to  a  Kempi^,  Whence  in  the  old  Edition  of 
 Brejcia,  mention  is  made  of  its  having  been  attributed  to 
 the  former,  not  the  latter  ;  as  being  fuppofed  to  be  Printed 
 from  a  Manufcrlptof  a  more  antient  date,  than  any  bearing 
 his  Nanie  as  Author ;  and  the  Claim  OiGerJon  as  the  only 
 known  Claimant  befides,  being  rejedled,  it  is  vindicated 
 to  St.  Bernard  as  the  True  and  Genuine  Author. 
 
 §.  XXX VI.  Landnlph or  Ludolph  oi Saxony  the  Carthufian, 
 is  another  Competitor  for  the  Honour  of  this  Book  -  There  is  a 
 Manufcript  of  it  under  his  Name,and  it  has  been  once  print- 
 ed as  his.  He  writ  the  Life  ofChriji,  which  was  firfi  printed 
 at  Sirashnrg,  A.  MCCCCLXXXIII.  where  he  had  been 
 Prior  of  the  Charter-Houfe,about  ah  hundred  and  fifty  Years 
 before,  beingdigeliedoutof  the  four  Evangeliiis,  and  other 
 Ecclefiadical  Writers,  with  Commentaries  and  Prayers  to 
 each  Chapter.  This  was  had  in  particular  Elieem  by  the  Re- 
 gular Canons,  and  Friends  of  "T.  d  Kempi^^  and  pofRoly  lb 
 much  the  more  as  he  was  too  Originally  of  the  Diocels  of 
 Cologn,  were  his  Manufcripts  were  preferv'd.  And  as  the 
 Style  of  thele  two  Writers  is  fomevvhat  like,  and  the  fame 
 Perfons  that  had  a  Veneration  for  one,  had  generally  fo  for 
 the  other  j  hence  their  Bocks  might  be  confounded  together, 
 and  one  taken  for  the  others.  And  thus  it  is  proDable, 
 that  the  Life  of  Chrifl^  which  did  really  appertain  to  Lan- 
 dhlph,  came  to  be  printed  at  G%;?  under  the  Name  of  ^ 
 Kempis  5  as  the  Imitation  of  aKempis  under  that  of  Landnlph^ 
 There  is  alfo  an  antient  French  Verfion  of  it  found  under 
 the  fame  Name.  The  conformity  moreover  of  Stile,  and 
 of  Thoughts  of  the  Book  q'l  Imitation^  with  what  is  un- 
 doubtedly 
 
xiiv  An  Account  of  the 
 
 doubtedly  oF  this  Landulph  has  been  by  fome  taken  Notice 
 of.  But  the  Authorities  to  lupport  this  are  but  flender, 
 nv.d.  the  Conformity  not  greater  than  what  may  be  elfe- 
 whtre  IT) ft  with. 
 
 §.  XXXVII.  A  third  Cotnpetltor  brought  in  by  the  Au- 
 thor of  ihc  Con  jcclay^,  printed  ?xi Rnnie^  A.  1667,  i^Uherdmu 
 tic  Cafalis :  Bur  it  is  not  (o  much  as  pretended  that  thisU/^^r- 
 f/>7/^  wrote  all  the  four  Books,  bur  only  fome  part  of  them. 
 He  liv'd  in  the  bcg^inning  of  the  XlVth  Century,  and  was 
 the  cfaief  of  thole  that  w^ere  calTd  Spiritttalijh:  He  wrote  a 
 Book  o(  the  Crucified  Life,  and  anor'ner  of  the  Seven  States  ef 
 the  Churchy  which  were  both  printed  at  l^enice.  He  was  in- 
 cited confrderable  in  his  rime,  being  confukcd  by  Perfons  of 
 the  highci^  Eminence  in  the  Church  ;  and  hisM?,xims  feem 
 to  have  been  very  agreeable  with  thole  of  the  Imtation  : 
 And  a  great  deal  of  what  the  Benediciins  bring  in  favour 
 o^Gerfen,  will  quite  (as  well  if  not  better)  agree  to  th^s  U- 
 hrtinfis.  He  was  yet  lufpedted  of  Herefie,  a  daccus'd  by 
 f  omc  of  the  Frier?  both  at  the  Council  oiFienna  and  at  Rome, 
 And,  fearing,  as  it  is  laid,  the  Storm  that  was  coming 
 upon  him,  he  chofe  to  quit  his  Order,  after  he  had  been 
 rcfus'd  leave  to  retire  with  his  Followers.  Some  of  thefe 
 protelied  againft  the  Pope's  ufurp'd  AuthoritVj  and  went 
 even  lo  far  as  to  call  him  the  Myliical  Antichrilf,  or  the 
 lore- runner  of  Antichri^. 
 
 ^.  XXXVIII.  The  fourth  is  Peter  R<.nnal:iz,z.i  ofCorhario^ 
 a  Dominican  Frier,  and  Apoiiolick  Penitentiary  at  Rome, 
 contemporary  with  the  former,  who  had  the  Reputation  of 
 j'ireat  SancHty  ;  and  by  the  Intereft  of  Lewis  o\:  Brrjaria,  was 
 ;nade  Pope  (in  oppofition  to  John  XXII.  whom  the  Emperor 
 had  formally  depos'd)  under  the  Name  Oi  Nicholas  the  Vth. 
 but  being  afterward  deferted,  and  then  be.ray'd  by  Count 
 Boniface,  ^nd  carry'd  to  Avignon  ;  he  there  fubmitted  him- 
 Iflf,  and  liv'd  and  dyM  very  Penitent  three  Years  after. 
 Jn  which  time  he  is  fuppos'd,  according  to  the  Roman  Con- 
 ;e<5^urcr,to  have  written  the  three  firii  Books  of  r^^  Imitation  : 
 For,  as  for  the  fourth,  his  Determination  is,  that  G  erf  on 
 ciid  undoubtedly  write  the  fame  ;  and  that  all  four  were 
 afterwards  compll'd  together,  Revis'd,  and  Digelied  by  our 
 a  Kempis,  in  that  Form  which  they  are  at  prelent  foiind 
 in.    In  casing  up  indeed  of  the  Evidence,  after  his  having 
 
 wei^h'4 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  xlv 
 
 weigh'd  the  feveral  Reafons  and  Authorities  on  each  tide, 
 this  Author  a  little  demurs,  which  of  thcle  Three  have  the 
 better  Title,  Ubertin  otCaJaL  Gerjen  oi^  rercelli,  ot  P.ter  o[ 
 Orbario  ;  but  is  chiefly  incliu'd  to  the  latter,  for  which  he 
 bririgs  the  Teliimonv  ofone  Marimas  a  FLrenme  whojn 
 ^if.Tl^^}'^'^^  ^^  haveflourilLM  near  the  beginning  oK  the 
 AVth  Century*  But  his  Arguments  were' refuted  by  f 
 PapeyrochiHS,  who  (liews  Mari^nm  to  have  been  an  hun- 
 dred Years  later. 
 
 §.  XXXfX.  Th;  next  Competitor  is  Pope  Inncccn^  III 
 who  wrote  indeed  (before  he  was  Pope)  Three  Books  of  the 
 Contempt  or  the  World  ;  which  may  have  been  taken  by 
 lome  for  the  Three  M\  Eooks  of  the  Imitauon,  which  are 
 ill  ""^er  that  very  Title  :  As  alio  being  in  fomc  Coi- 
 eldtons  by  the  Tranfcnbers  put  together,  the  Reader 
 might  thence  confider  them  both  as  of  the  fame  Author- 
 and  accordingly  they  have  been  both  Primed  together  as 
 particularly  in  the  Edition  of  Lions,  1570.  12.  ' 
 
 i^V^i-  ,  ^'^^r  ^^^^  ^^   J^^^^  ^^'  Canabaco,  or  Cmabacco, 
 Whole  litle  is  founded  upon  a  Manufcript  without  date 
 butluppos'd  as  old  as  T.  a  Kempis,  which  Cardinal  BiUu 
 Drought  out  of  Germany   to  Ro?m;  which  contaii.ed'ihe 
 Works  oi  NichoUs  hchelfpuel  Reftorofthe  Univerficy  of 
 t'iennai  and  John  deTambach  Regent  of  the  Uiiiverfity  o^ 
 ^agtie,  with  the  Four  Books  of  the  Imitation,  under  the 
 Name  of  this  76'/>;?  de  Candaco ;  for  the  Tide  is,  Ucipi^ 
 J  rattatm  johannis  de  Canabaco,  de  Imitatiaie  Chrisli,  &  con- 
 temptu  omnium  vanitatum  Adundi,  &  dividuur  in  htiMn^rU' 
 ^ros:  1.  e.  Here  begins  the  Treatife  ^'ifohn  de.  Can.baco  of 
 ff7,f!T  ^f^^'-'fl^  ^^«^^f  the  Contempt  of  all  the  Faniiics 
 oft^e  noHd,  which  is  divided  into  Four  Books.     In  the  fame 
 Manufcnpt  there  is  a  Bull  dated  at  Ftenna  in  MCCC:CX- 
 J^vni,  andyvritten  in  the  fame  Hand  as  the  Imitation. 
 Ihe  Benedidins  would  have  Ji  de  Cmabaco  to  be  the  lame 
 ^ll^^     T  r^''^'"^''^  ^'^>'  but  their  Proofs  arc  not  at 
 f,  K  \T-  Z/''^^-,  J^"^^''^"^^^^^y  Opinions  of  the  Criiicks 
 who  this  lliouKl  be,  all  Hiftory  being  filent  of  fuch  an  one  ; 
 
 and  atter  all  their  Difquifitions,  itlsasmuch  or  more  in 
 liie  dark  than  at  hrli.     But  it  feems  molt  probable  that 
 
 .    this 
 
 t  Conat.  Chon,  Ifijl,  ad  CataL  l><;ntif,  Var,  z,  p.  8z7      ^"^ 
 
xlvi  An  Account  of  the 
 
 this  John  was  really  no  other  than  Johannes  dc  Tambaco  or 
 Tanahaco(Soi  the  more  foft  Pronunciation  after  the  Italian 
 manner  when  he  was  at  Rome)  that  was  Redlor  of  the 
 Univerfity  of  Pragne,  and  in  MCCCLXVI,  Malicr  of  the 
 Palace  to  Urban  V.    So  this  is  a  real  not  imaginary  Per- 
 Ion  ;  who  writ  befides  the  Coniolation  of  Divinity,  or  the 
 Mirror  of  Wildom,  finii"h'd  1385?,    which  has  had  feveral 
 Editions  at  Paris,  Cologn  and  Nurcnherg;  alfo  a  Trcatife 
 oFNature  and  Grace,  and  the  Delights,  of  Faradife,  with 
 fome  Sermons.    Nor  are  there  any  Manufcripts  yet  produ^ 
 ced,  after  the  fearch  made  in  all  the  Libraries  of  Europe, 
 which  can  pretend  to  a  greater  Antiquity,  than  what  may 
 very  well  agree  Avith  this  Age;  who  died  in   the  XVth 
 Century,  Aged  above  fcurfcorc.     As  there  is  alio  nothing 
 in  the  difpiited  Book  it  felf,  w^hich  may  not  fuit  with  his 
 Character,  if  it  were  well  examined.     It  doth  not  there- 
 fore appear,  that  any  other  befjdes  him  can  be  here  meant, 
 any  more  than  there  is  Inch  a  Place  as  C^rJi^.haco,  or  any 
 thing  like  it  to  be  found  in  the  Piemo?itefe.    And  that  he 
 alone  is  here  really  m.eant,  is  from  the  following  Confide- 
 rations  farther  confirmed,    i .  This  Manuicript  was  brought 
 out  of  Germany^  near  the  place  where  this  Author  is  known 
 to  have  flourifh'd.     2.    It  is  in   the  fame  Volume  im- 
 mediately   fubjoin'd   to    the   undoubted  Works   of  this 
 John  Ae  Tambaco;    and   the    whole  Volume  feems    but 
 as  a  Collection  oF  the  Writings  of  thofe  two  Contemporary 
 Regents  ot^ Prague  and  Vienna.     3.  That  he  w^as  a  Perfon 
 em.inent  for  Piety,  and  a  diligent  reader  of  God's  Word, 
 a  Zealous  and  Powerful  Preacher,  and  one  that  reform'd 
 alfo  diverfe  Abufesofthat  Corrupt  Court,  in  which  he  for 
 Ibm.e  while  liv'd.    4.  That  in  his  Sermons  and  Writings, 
 the  Seeds  of  a  mpi\  necefl'Lry  Reformation  according  to  the 
 Lifeot  Chrii^,  and  oHfis  Apoiilcs,  were  lb\vn  by  him  in 
 the  Univtrfity  of  Prague.     5.  That  during  the  Life  of  our 
 Ken:pis,  this  was  publill^'d  together  with  his  Works.  And, 
 6.  that  Dr.  Leiderdam  might  very  well,    when  he  ikidied 
 at  Prague,  receive  the  faid  Trcatife  immediately  from  the 
 Hand   of  Dr.  l^an  Tarnbach  [Df  Tambaco]  if  he  were  the 
 Author,,  and  might  bring  it  with  him  to  Deventer ;  and 
 thence  a  Kemvis  could  not  but  eafily  receive  it,  and  fo 
 might  taanicribc  it  for  the  uie  of  the  Society,  or  for  his 
 
 own 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author,  xlvii 
 
 own  Edification.  As  for  xht  Italian  Termination,  and 
 the.miiUke  of  a  C  for  a  T,  they  would  be  of  lirtle  CorSi- 
 deration,  were  bnt  the  Allegations  in  his  Favour  other- 
 wife  confiderable  enouoh. 
 
 §  XLI.    The  feventh  is  yo/?«  C^r/^^z,  zVns  Gerje/^,  alias 
 Gsffen,  alias  Gefin,  alias  Gers,  (for  after  fo  many  different 
 ways  is  his  Name  written)  faid  to  be  Abbot  of  a  Bene- 
 di61:in  Monalkry  at  P^ercelii,  and  to  have  flourilVd  in  the 
 Xlllth  Century,  whofe  Right  is  founded  partly  in  theTi- 
 tl0of  the  former,  that  is,  o^  John  de  Tanabaco^  and  partly 
 on  fome  Lalian  Manufcripts  ;  upon  the  Authority  of  whicii 
 it  was  Printed  at  Rovie  under  this  Abbots  Name,  by  a 
 certain  f  Sicilian  Abbot  of  the  fame  Order,  a  Mm  of 
 gopd^Farts  and  Learning,  but  extreamly  bic^otted.    The 
 Benedi6tin  Monks  finding  the  Honour  of  their  Order  con- 
 cern'd  in  it,  have  written  abundance  of  Books  in  vindica- 
 tion of  his  Right ;  and  when  Cardinal  Richelieu  was  about 
 to  Re-print  this  Book  at  the  Lmvre^  with  a  defign  of  pre- 
 fixing to  it  the  Name  ot^Tho,  a  KempM^    the  Benediclins  of 
 France  prefently  interpofed,  and  petitioned  him  to  put  the 
 Name  of  John  Gerfen  to  it,    maintaining  that  they  haJ 
 four  Manufcripts  of  this  Book  at  Rome  which  bear  hi§ 
 Name.    He  granted  them  what  they  ask'd  conditionally 
 that  this  fhould  be  well  prov'd  and  aver'd  by  Perfons  of 
 Probity   and  Skill.    Richelien  writ  .hereupon  to  Cardinal 
 Bagni,  who  causVl  tlie  faid  four  Manufcripts  to  be  brought 
 to  him,  and  to  be  nicely  examin'd  in  his  Prefence.    But 
 tho*  the  determination  was  noway  favourable  for  the  Be- 
 nediclins,  this  was  lo  far  from  putting  an  end  to  the  Dif- 
 pute ,  that  it  feem'd  but  to  heighten  it.    N.v/Aa'u^  Secre- 
 tary to  the  Cardinal,  gave  a  relation  of  this  whole  Tranf- 
 
 aCtioii 
 
 f  M.igvA_^VeneYalUis  Servi  DHJohannis  Gerfen  Ahhatis  ha-^ 
 lo-BenedicTuii  de  Lmtahone  Chrifi^  Lihri  ^latuor  plme  Droini, 
 Nunc  denuo  adfidemper  antiqiwrum  M.SS.  Codd.  recenfiti^  ^  au~ 
 V?i,  atque  JpologetKO  Lihello  Uluflran  a  D.  Conftantino  Cajeta- 
 no.^  Siculo,  Syracufano,  CafinenfiAhhati,  Prefidente  Jpoftolici  Col- 
 legki  Gregori.vii,  Domtts  S.  Benedi^i  de prop:tganda  Fide,  eodema- 
 Confuhore  Sacrsi  hfius  Covgreganonis.  Jd  fav^if.  D .  N'  (nnol 
 centium  Papain  X.  Ro)m  J.  C.  1644.  Ex  Typcgy.  Offchia  S, 
 Coiigregationu  de  Propaganda  Fide  i«  S'^.fuvenorujn  Aaaor'uati 
 
xlvlii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 adtion  in  which  he  was  principally  coPiCernYi,  in  a  Letter 
 to  Aiejfimrs  Ac  Puy^  which  *  Fronteau  Printed  in  his  Edi- 
 tion of  the  Imitation  ;  'he  which  was  by  two  Benedidin 
 Monks,  Walgravs  and  Qnatrem aires  Imartly  oppos'd.  And 
 a  Trial  loon  atter  commenced  before  the  Lords  of  the  Re* 
 qucfts  in  the  Court  of  Parliament  upon  this  Matter,  be- 
 twixt the  Canons  of  St.  Genevieve  and  the  Benedidlin?  of 
 St.  Germ.nns ;  the  former  taking  the  part  o^  Naudce^,  who 
 had  been  too  indecently  treated  by  thefe.    This  lalied  a 
 good  while,  and  the  Caufe  having  been  learnedly  pleaded 
 to  on  all  fides,  after  no  iefs  than  fix  Hearings  a  Prohi- 
 bition was  decreed  by  the  Court  againfi   Printing  the 
 Imitation  under  the  Name  of  Abbot  C/fr/fw,  and  a  Li- 
 cenfe  granted  to  Print  it  under  that  of  T.  a  Kempls.    Yet 
 neither  was  this  Judgment  fufficient  to  end  the  Quarrel, 
 but  they  continued  Itill  vvriciug  on  both  fides  as  before. 
 It  is  incredible  what  a  va(t  number  of  Books  have  beea 
 written  on  a  Difpute  io  very  (light  as  this,  becauie  the  In- 
 tereit  of  two  Religious  Orders   were  io  far  engag'd  in  it, 
 as  neither  could  with  Honour  recede.     It  was  in  the  Year 
 MDCLI,  that  N^tuddipu  Publilli'd  at  Paris  his  Bihliographia 
 Kempcnfii,  in  which  he  gives  an  account  of  all  fuch  as  ei- 
 ther by  their  Diilertations  or  Books,  had  in  publick  de- 
 fended the  Caufe  of  a  Kempis  againll  the  Gerfeni^s  j  who 
 appear'd  as  numerous  as  the  others.    Since  which  time  a- 
 bove  as  many  more  have  written  as  were  then ;  and  feve- 
 ral  Affemblies  likewife  of  the  moll:  eminent   Criticks  of 
 France,  by  a  CommiHion  from  the  Archbil"hop  of  P^m, 
 have  been  held,  to  inquire  afrelh  into  this  Affair,  parti- 
 cularly in   the  Years   MDCLXXI,    MDCLXXIV,   and 
 MDCI.XXXVII,  of  which  the  Accurate  du,  Pin  has  given 
 an  x\ccount ;  who  has  abridgM  more  than  forty  Treatifes 
 written  on  this  very  Sbu^ed.     And  indeed  there  are  a  great 
 many  more;  Naadxpu  alone  having  even  in  the  Year  MD- 
 CLIII,    when  he  died,  Publil"h'd   in  French  and  Latin, 
 no  fewer  than  ten  of  his  own,  befides  feveral  others  recom- 
 mended 
 
 *  ThomA  a  Kempls  de  hmtatwne  Chvijliy  Libri  IV.  cum  evi^i- 
 om  Fraudis,  qua  nonmill'i  hoc  opus  Joharnn  Gerfen  BenediSlino  at- 
 tribuerc  Fdnfiis,  ex  Ojiciihi  Comimfuvia^  1649,  in  8"^, 
 
, ^ . . ^- 
 
 Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  xlix 
 
 mended  by  him  to  the  Prefs  with  Prefaces,  which  were  but 
 Anfwersand  Re-joinders  to  what  the  Friends  o^GerJert 
 had  Printed  againft  him.  Since  whofe  Deceaie,  the  latter 
 have  met  with  more  favourable  Judges  than'  before  ;  the 
 great  Integrity  as  well  as  Learning  of  Mabilion  being  a 
 good. weight  on  their  behalf:  But  the  Caufe  however  rc-^^ 
 mains  ftil  I  undecided  to  this  very  day » 
 
 §  XLII.  The  eighth  is  John  Charliere  de  Gerfon,  fo  cal- 
 led from  the  place  of  his  Birth  in  the  Diocefs  of  Rhcmes^ 
 an  Author  of  as  greai  Reputation,  profound  Learning  and 
 folid  Piety,  as  any  the  Church  had  for  feveral  Ages  toge- 
 ther. And  truly  all  the  Maiaifcripts  w^hich  are  fotGerfen^ 
 Gejfen,  &c.  (one  only  exceptea  w4nch  bears  the  Title  of 
 Abbot)  may  be  underliood  of  GHon^  by  the  Corruptiort 
 of  his  Name.Therc  is  no  antient  Author  (peaks  any  thing  of 
 this  pretended  Abbot  Gerfsn,  His  Name  was  never  io  much 
 as  heard  of  before  the  Year  MDCXIII,  that  is,  about 
 Four  Hundred  Years  after  he  is  lappoied  to  have  wrirten-j 
 Abbot  Caetano  then  began  the  Diipute  about  him,  foi^ 
 the  Honour  of  his  Order  j  but  not  one  Author  could  be 
 produc'd  for  the  Exilience  Of  any  fuch  one*  The  fir(i  of 
 his  being  mentioned  in  Hillory,  was  by  Fr.  AHguiiiyio  delU 
 Chief  a  in  hhChronicle  ofPiemont ;  Printed  A.  MDCXLVIII| 
 that  is,  above  thirty  Years  after  the  Contefi  began:  where- 
 in he  reckons  him  among  the  Abbots  of  F'snefli,  and  gives 
 him  the  Honour  of  being  the  Author  of  r/?f  hmtation;  and 
 yet  it  is  obferv'd,  that  he  makes  no  mention  of  him  in  his 
 Hiflory  of  Fercelli.  There  is  no  proof  at  all  that  any  fuc^ 
 as  J.  Gerfen  was  ever  Abbot  (as  is  pretended)  of  St,  Stephens 
 o^FercelU:  There  is  none  at  all  that  he  was  a  Native  of 
 Citnab^co,ot  that  by  Canahaco  is  to  be  underlboi  CavAglia,  or 
 that  John  oi  f^enelliy^nd  jobn  oi  Canahaco  are  one  individual 
 Perfon.  Nor  does  any  o'ne  know  who  this  Gerfen  ihould 
 be,  whoie  Name  is  found  in  the  Manulcripts.  There  is 
 hot  any  one  A:fS.  that  gives  him  the  Title  of  Abbot,  buc 
 that  o[  Arone,  where  he  is  always  call'd  Abbot,  but  m 
 iiotice  is  taken  either  of  what  Order,  or  what  Place.  So 
 the  Bcnedi(flins  have  no  more  Riaht,  according  to  this,  ta 
 challenge  him  for  Theirs,  even  allowing  him  to  be  a  real- 
 Author  ;  then  the  Bsrnardines.,  or  any  other  that  have  _Ab-* 
 
I  An  Account  of  the 
 
 bies,  as  has  been  moft  truly  obferv'd  by  an  able  f  Exami- 
 ner of  this  whole  Aftair.    And  indeed   both  the  Reafons 
 and  Authorities  for  Gerjon^  rather  than  Gtrfen,  are  fo  con- 
 fiderable,  as  were  it  not  for  difbbliging  lo  great  a  Body  as 
 the  Bencdidlins,  not  to  mention  others,  there  is  a  H:rong 
 Prefumption  it  would  have  been  decided  in  his  Favour  at 
 the  Affembly  of  MDCLXXXVH,  or  at  lead:  before  this 
 time.    For  it  is  anedg,M  that  he  is  a  real  Author,  one  who 
 has  compofed  Pieces  of  a  like  nature,   and  who  was  in  a- 
 dualPofTcaion  ofit  not  only  before  this  pretended  Ab- 
 bot, but  even  as  foon,  if  not  fooner  than  any  other  ;  that 
 if  the  Title  ^{  Ahhot  (with  the  difference  of  a  Letter)  be 
 found  in  one  Manufcript,then  is  there  oi  Chancellor  in  others, 
 yea  alfo  Chancellor  of  Par r^,  which  can  podibly  be  attribu- 
 ted to  no  other  but  him  ;  that  his  Name  is  found  alfo  ;?- 
 (Slually  written  Gerfen,  with  his  Title  of  FrofefTor  of  Divi- 
 nity at  Paris,   in  a  certain  famous  .Epitaph,  and  that  too 
 prefevv'd  by  theBenedidins  themfelves :  And  that  the  com- 
 mon Vogue  and  Opinion  was  for  him  both  in  France  and 
 /m/;,  for  the  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  Centuries.    He  was 
 born  in  1363,  fent  to  the  Univerfity  in  1377,  admitted  in- 
 to the  Theological  Faculty  in  1382,  made  Maiierofthe 
 College  of  Navarre  m  1392,  and  lliortly  after  Chancel- 
 lor of  P^m ;  In  1414  he  was  fent  to  the  Council  of  Con- 
 fiance.^s  AmbalTador  from  the  King,and  Deputy  of  the  Uni- 
 verfity.   His  Title  wa  Do^or  Chri(tiamJfimHs,  or  the_  molt 
 ChriRian  Do6lor :  And  a  Spirit  of  Genuine  Chriliianity 
 runs  thro'  his  Works;  tho'  having  written  much^allpofTibly 
 may  rot  be  fo  corre6>  and  of  a  Piece.    He  did  all  that 
 was  poflTible  to  take  away  the  Schifm,  and  to  relfore  Peace 
 and  Purity  to  the  Church,  by  cutting  off  its  Errors,  and 
 Vviping  away  its  Spots  ;  and  labotit'd  that  the  whole  Chri- 
 iiian  World  both  m  Head  and  Members  might  be  Refor- 
 med.   And  fo  foon  as  he  found  that  the  Popc_did  with- 
 liand  the  wifh'd  for  Reformation,   he  w^rote  that  famous 
 Tf  eatiie  De  Atiferihilhate  Papa  ah  Ecclefta,  which  was  ap- 
 pio/'d  of  by  the  Fathers  of  the  Council:  And  fo  great  was 
 the  Fame  of  his  Learning  and  Piety,  and  luch  his  Autho- 
 rity 
 
 t  J5«  Pin  NoircMlTpXll.p.  (>o,  78.  DiffurP  Aut.  §  VlL&'r. 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author, li 
 
 rity  in  the  faid  Council,  that  in  all  their  Conferences  and 
 SelTions,  he  had  the  principal  Place,  and  was  unanimous^- 
 ly  choien  by  them,  to  draw  up  the  Decrees  and  Keiolves 
 of  the  Council.    Alio  of  fuch  Reputation  was  his  Tripar- 
 tite, wherein  he  treated  of  the  Decalogue,  of  ContelTion^ 
 and  of  the  Art  of  Dying,  that  by  the  Command  oF  no  lels 
 than  Seventeen  Synods  it  was  recommended  to  tlie  Presby- 
 ters and  Curates  to  be  made  ufe  of  in  their  Catechetical 
 Ledures,  their  hearing  of  Confedlons,  and  their  Vifitations 
 of  the  Sick  ;  and  was  transferred  alfo  uitothe  Rituals  and 
 Offices  of  feveral  Churches,  which  are  particularly  enume- 
 rated by  Mr.  de  Lamoy^m  his  Learned  Hiftory  of  the  College 
 of  Navarre,    Who  has  written  likewife  on  purpofe  to  ftate 
 this  t  Controverfy,while  the  Suit  was  depending  betwixt  the 
 Two  Orders,  and  all  the  Criticks  were  generally  engag'dfor 
 one  or  for  the  other  of  them:  And  notwithlianding  he  was 
 carried  to  favour  his  Friends  theBenedidms  and  their  Pre- 
 tenfionsjbefore  the  Congregation  of  St.  Maur  and  theirs ;  has 
 faid  a  great  deal  that  is  more  favourable  for  the  Chancellor 
 than  for  the  Abbot,  and  taken  away  all  at  once  the  common 
 Objedlion  of  the  Gerfeniib,  viz..  That  in  themoiVantient 
 MSS.  there  was  the  Quality  of  that  Abbot  affix'd  to  the 
 Author,  but  that  of  Chancellor  in  none,  by  his   own  At« 
 tertation  of  what  he  had  both   feen  and  handled.     For 
 whom  alfo  Mr.  Du  Pin  is  a  VVitnefs  too.    *  Mr.  LMe  has 
 done  the  fame,  or  rather  more,  writing  on  purpofe  to  de- 
 fend the  Title  oiGerfon  to  the  Imitation  ;    whole   Obierva- 
 tions  hereupon  are  own'd  to  contain  feveral  curious  Palia- 
 ges  by  competent  and  indifferent  Judges     It  is  urg'd  be- 
 fides,   that  there  are  feveral  Manufcripts  of  it  under  his 
 Name,   particularly  iXr^toi  Si.  Germ mn  des  Prcz.,  and  o£ 
 Stratz^Lurg,  the  one  MCCCCLX,  the  other  MCCCCLX- 
 III,  with  an  ancient  Vellum  Manufcriptofl/^^^/^f/^^r  with 
 out  Date  :  Whereas  the. MS.  of  P^ir;;;^  is  the  fivrt  MS.  with 
 Date,  which  has  the  Name  of  Gerfin,  and  that  only  be- 
 
 d  2  fore 
 
 f  Jo.w  LaunonCovJl.mtwi,  Rnifievf  T/jeoL  Dlpytat'w de  Jii^ 
 aore  Lic\  de  Imitat.  Chrirt.  Panf,  i.66g    Ed.  ^to. 
 
 *  Ohfcrvatwm  de  Charles  Lahbipour  h  Redituiton  deLwre  dQ 
 laiitatioiie  ChriiU,  a  [on  vra\  aufor  Jinn  GerPm  Chancdier,  &c,: 
 
lii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 fort  the  Fourth  Book ;  it  is  dated  MCCCCLXVI,  which 
 is  Six  Years  at  leali  after  it  was  fet  forth  under  the  others 
 Name.    Thofe  of  Podalirione  and  Slufe  are  undoubtedly 
 later,  and  fo  acknowledg'd  by  two  Affemblies  of  Criticks, 
 otherwife  favourable  enough  to  the  Caul'e  of  the  Bencdi- 
 cHns.    That  oi  Arone  is  indeed  judg'd  earlier,  but  was  re- 
 fufed  to  be  brought  into  France  with  other  Manufcripts, 
 while  Nauddim  was  alive,  tho*  the  Benediclins  were  not 
 onty  by  him  challeng'd  to  it,    but  aifo  invited  by  a  Re- 
 ward, and  that  even  while  their  Caufe  was  depending  be- 
 fore the  Lords  of  the  Requeffs;   and  to  whom  they  theni- 
 f elves  too  had  remov'd  it  from  an  Inferior  Court.    Befides 
 there  are,  fay  his  Friends,  about  Twenty  feveral  Editions 
 of  this  Book,  which  they  reckon  up,   bearing  his  Name 
 as  Author,  at  Venice,  Mil  an  j  Lions ,  Rome    and  Vienna  ; 
 moff  of  them  ancient,  and  one  fo  very  ancient  without 
 Date  of  Year  or  Place,  as  is  thought  to  have  been  at  the 
 firft  Invention  of  Printing,  and  by  confequence  in  the  Life 
 time  of  4  Kempis,    Farther  they  endeavour  to  give  an  ac- 
 count how  Gerfon  cameto  write  the  Imitation,  and  teli 
 us  that  the  Celeflins  had  made  application  to  him,  that  he 
 might  write  fomewhat  for  their  Inftru6lion  and  Confolation 
 on  the  Words  of  Chrift :  If  any  Man  mil  come  after  me^  let 
 him  deny  himfelf,  and  tah  up  his  Crofs,  and  follow  me :  Where- 
 upon it  is  fpecioufly  fuppos'd  that  he  anfw^er'd  them  with 
 the  Book,  which  begins,  He  that  followeth  me  \   becaufe  it 
 appears  from  a  Letter  of  his  own  to  them,    that  he  had 
 accordingly   latisfied    their  Requel^  ;   and  alfo  that    he 
 after  this  compofed  another  Treatife  for  them,  upon  thefe 
 Words,  Come  unto  me  ally,  that  are  heavy  laden,  with  which 
 the  Fourth  Book  begins.    For  the  Teiiimony  of  Authors 
 alfo  there  is  no  want.    So  that  Lannoy  boaRs  of  more  than 
 an  Hundred,and  more  confiderable  than  thofe  for  any  other ; 
 which  yet  the  Benedidins  would  have  to  favour  their 
 Caufe.    And  befiiles  thefe  Authorities,  there  are  feveral 
 Keafons  which  they  bririgto  make  it  more  probable  as  (i.) 
 the  comparing  it  with  his  Treatiie  of  the  Spiritual  Life  of 
 the  Soul,  to  the  Bifliop  of  C<?w/;?'^7,  with  his  Confiderati- 
 ons  on  Myftical  Divinity,  with  his  Book  of  the  Purifcation 
 of  the  Interior  Senfcs  j  that  of  the  Illumination  of  the  Heart, 
 or  the  one  Pearl  ,•    that  of  Meditation,  which  is  found 
 
 fomc- 
 
hife  and  Works  of  the  Author,  liii 
 
 fometimes  join*d  with  the  Imitation  ;  and  that  of  Confor- 
 Ciity  with  Chrift,  (hewing  how  the  Child  JESUS  may  be 
 Spiritually  ConceivM,  Born,  and  Educatcvi  in  every  one 
 of  us ;  together  with  foine  others  of  a  like  fort.  (2.)  That 
 the  Author  mult  have  been  bred  up  in  foine  Univ.erfjty,and 
 have  had  a  ^eat  Acquaintance  with  the  Do6lors  and  Ca- 
 nons of  his  time.  (3.)  That  he  muli  have  liv*d  under  the 
 Government  of  a  King.  (4.)  That  there  is  a  manifett  Con- 
 formity of  Principles  and  Sentiments.  And  («^.)  fome  a- 
 greeable  Circum (dances  as  to  his  E<:ernal  State  and  Rela- 
 tion in  the  World.  This  is  the  fumm  of  the  Plea  for  him. 
 The  curious  Reader  may  here  confult,  if  he  pleafe,  the  E- 
 laborate  DifTertation  on  this  Controverfy,  which  is  prefixc 
 before  the  lafi  Edition  of  his  Works  at  Paris,  in  four  Vo- 
 lumes, folio^  by  the  indefatigable  and  candid  Da  Pin,  and 
 his  Life  in  his  EccleGartical  Hiiiory.  He  died  A.  1429  at 
 LionSy  and  is  there  buried  in  Sr.  PauVs  Church,  having 
 thefe  Words  written  on  his  Tomb,  P^znitemini  &  Credite 
 Evangelio,  [;.  e.  Repent,  and  beHeve  the  Gofpe)]  which  he 
 frequently  us'd  in  his  Sermons  and  Difcourfes. 
 
 §.  XLIII.  The  ninth  Competitor  is  John  (the  Brother 
 of  Thomas  J  a  Kempisy  fuppos'd  to  be  call'd  John  the  Abbot  ^ 
 by  an  eafy  mi(iake,  &om  the  Priory  which  he  held  in  Win- 
 deflmm.  In  favour  of  whom  it's  feid,  that  the  Author  muii 
 have  liv'd  in  that  time,  when  the  Apoltolical  manner  of  Life 
 was  renewed,  by  divers  Congregations  or  Fraternities  fee 
 up;  that  he  muIi  have  been  a  Canon  Regular,  or  a.  Devote^ 
 not  properly  a  Monk ;  that  mention  is  made  by  fome  Wri- 
 ters of  an  eider  a  Kempisy  the  Difciple  (not  oi  Florentine ^ 
 but)  of  (j^r^r^,  who  initituted  thefe  Societies  for  the  Reno- 
 vation of  the  Apoftolical  Life  and  Spirit ;  that  he  was  fa- 
 mous about  the  Year  MCCCCX,  but  his  Brother  not  till 
 twenty  or  thirty  Years  afterward  ;  that  the  moli  antient 
 dated  MSS.  from  1421  to  J44T,  do  conclude  as  much  at 
 kart  for  him,  as  for  Gerfon^  or  Gerfen ;  that  the  Seniors  who 
 reported  to  ^  TrithemifHy  that  their  Seniors  had  read  this 
 Book,  did  generally  afcribe  the  fame  to  the  ddtta  Kmpii; 
 d_^ that 
 
 *  Trith.  de  illujlnh.  German.  Viris,  Mr,  Ar.dry  Bijjertcithon 
 ferv,  du  Pref,  a  la  Confolation  Inteneure.  Par.  1692.  Du  Molinet 
 ^vertifsmpnt  des  Cbanoims  J^eguUsrs  delaCongregahon  de  FrancCf 
 ?«87.       ■    •  • 
 
liv  An  A c count  of  t he 
 
 that  the  fame  Trithewif^,  without  mentioning  them  to  be 
 Brethren,  remarks,  that  it  was  believ'd  there  were  two  of 
 the  fame  Name,  both  of  them  Regulars,  both  Perfons  of 
 goodSenfe,  and  both  Authors  of  feveral  Treatifes  of  Piety; 
 that  the  fir(t  of  thefe  was  Converted  in  the  time  of  the 
 great  Gerard,  and  entefd  into  the  Community  by  him  e- 
 flablilli'd,  after  St.  ^«;fw's  Order,  about  ten  Years  at  leaft 
 before  Thomas  was  fent  to  Deventer.    All  which  can  agree 
 with  none  fo  well  as  with  the  eldeft  of  thefe  Brethren  :  And 
 there  is  alfo  extant  an  antient  MS.  in  the  Bodley  Library, 
 containing  all  the  four  Books  of  the  Imitation  compleat, 
 which  has  the  Name  o^  Johannes  a  Kempis  on  the  firft  Page, 
 Nor  are  there  any  MSS.  yet  found  fo  antient,  which  can 
 witneis  that  he  could  not  be  the  Author ;  as  concerning 
 the  younger  Brother  is  much  pretended.    And  farther  that 
 C<fr/o;z*s Title  doth  not  hold  againit  his,  there  are  fome  Rea- 
 fons  aliedg'd  worthy  of  Consideration,  as  that  it  is  not  put 
 in  the  Catalogue  of  his  Works,  made  by  his  Brother  the 
 Celesiiriy  or  in  that  of  Carefti^  -,  that  it  is  generally  omitted 
 in  the  Editions  of  his  Works,  and  not  only  SLtCologn,  Strafe 
 hurg  and  Bafd,  but  even  at  Paris  it  felf ;  that  fome  of  them 
 liave  particularly  excepted  againft  it  by  Name ;  that  the 
 Charadier  of  his  Perfon  doth  not  agree  at  all  with  that  of 
 a  Regular,  which  frequently  herein  occurs  ;    and  lalily, 
 that  there  is  a  confiderable  difference  in  the  Stile.    As  for 
 any  of  the  other  Johns,  as  the  Gejfen  o^Caetano,  the  Gerfen 
 o^Walgrave,  &c.  vvhile  Hifiory  is  fo  wholly  filent  concern- 
 ing them,  their  Competition  cannot  be  thought  any  wife 
 confiderable.    The  confufion  of  the  Manufcripts  in  this 
 cai'e;  the  evident  Miftake  of  the  Tranfcribers ;  the  proba- 
 bihty  of  putting  an  e  for  an  o,  either  ignorantly,  or  rather 
 defigneJly,  in  a  Country  where  the  Name  o^ Gerfon  might 
 mot  be,  for  fome  Rcafons,  fo  very  acceptable,  as  in  Italy; 
 and  lome  alfo,  not  ungrounded  fufpicions  concerning  the 
 interpolation  of  the  Author's  Title  and  Quality,  as  well  as 
 Name,  v^ith  the  eafy  derivation  of  the  Original  (whether 
 ignorant  or  wilful)  Miiiake  through  the  MSS.  ot'  Italy  from 
 that  oi  -Arone,  which  appears  to  be  the  antientefi,  do  all 
 feem  to  make  tor  this  John,  or  for  Gerfon  ;  and  if  the  Title 
 of  the  latter,  for  the  Reafons  aforefaid,  can  be  fairly  pre- 
 cluded againfl;,  there  is  none  of  all  the  Johns  who  is  able 
 
 to 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  Iv 
 
 to  bring  in  a  better  Plea  than  John  a  Kempis,  or  even  fo 
 good  an  one. 
 
 §.  XLIV.  The'Reafons  that  are  brought  for  the  Right  oF 
 the  other  Brother,  are  in  fhort  thefe,    i .  The  Conformity  of 
 Stile  of  this  Work  with  the  other  Works  o^Thomas^  a  Kempis^ 
 both  in  the  ufe  of  certain  uncommon  and  barbarous  Terms, 
 almoil  peculiar  to  him,    frequent  Interje6lions,   the  fame 
 manner  of  exprefling  himfelf,  in  low  and  iimple,  but  ve- 
 ry expreflive  and  afFe6ling  Terms,  and  in  the  ufe  of  a  lliort 
 and  fententious  Stile,  fo  that  each  Phrafe  is  a  Sentence  and 
 a  Maxim.     2.  The  Conformity  of  Thoughts  and  Sentiments 
 in  this  Book  with  the  others,  that  are  by  all  granted  to  be 
 his.     3.  The  great  multitude  oi  Flemmijh  or  Dutch  Expref- 
 fions,    which  make  it  appear  clearly  the  Author  muft 
 have  been  no  Italian  or  Frenchman,     4.  The  Do6lrine  and 
 Maxims  of  the  Canons  Regular  of  the  Congregation  of 
 Gerard  the  Great  ;  which  is  a  Proof  that  it  muft  be  one  of 
 his  Difciples.    This  is  evidencM  by  Proofs  taken  not  only 
 from  ihoit  Exercifes  which  are  preferv'd  by  a  Kempis  in  his 
 Lives;  but  alfo  by  a  confiderable  Letter  of /o^^;*  F"^;* 
 Hfiefden,  one  of  the  firfk  Priors  o[\Vindefheim,  ^nd  a  Friend 
 of  this  a  Kempis,     5.  The  Name  ot  Devotes yw[Ach  he  very 
 frequently  gives  to  thofe  Congregations,  and  Religious  So- 
 cieties, amongrt  whom  he  feems  to  place  himfelFas  a  Mem- 
 ber ;  which  is  that  very  Name  that  was  commonly  given 
 to  the  Canons  of  this  Congregation, 'as  already  has  been 
 hinted,  and  as  is  evident  from  the  Lives  o^  Gerard  the  Great, 
 Fhrentip^y  and  others,  written  by  a  Kempis  himfelf;  and 
 from  Bajch  in  his  Chronicle.    It  mull  however  be  acknow- 
 ledg'd,  that  moft  of  thefe  Reafons  make  as  much  for  one, 
 as  for  the  other  Brother ;  but  againft  the  other  Pretenders 
 they  feem  conclufive.    Now  the  W^itnefTes  for  his  Title  are, 
 I.  George  Pirc-Kamer,  Prior  of  the  Carthufians  at  Nuremberg, 
 contemporary  with  our  Author,  who,  in  the  beginning  of 
 MCCCCXCIV,  writes  a  Letter  to  Mr.  Peter  Danhaafjer,  to 
 recommend  the  care  of  the  Lnprefllon  of  this  and  the  other 
 Books  of  our  Author.     2.  John  Mat-iherHf  Abbot  o^  Lions y 
 contemporary  alfo  with  him,  and  his  Friend,  who  having 
 writ  an  Hilfory  of  the  Church  Writers  of  the  Orders  of  the 
 Canons  Regular,  places  this  our  Author  in  the  number  of 
 thefe,  as  for  feveral  devout  Books  by  him  composed,  fo  par- 
 
 d  4  whereiu 
 
r 
 
 Vi  An  Account  of  the 
 
 ticularly  for  that  which  begins,  Q^i  feqmur  me :  and  in 
 his  Spiritual  Rofe  Garden,  printed  at  Ba/il,  A.  MCCCCXCI, 
 be  exprefly  cites  the  Imitdcinn  under  the  Name  of  ^  Kempis, 
 5.  John  Kmne  of  DaderBat,  who  causM  to  be  printed  iri 
 the  Year  1485?,  a  Book  of  the  Soul's  Elevation  to  God, 
 wherein  he  attributes  the  Book  of  the  Imitation  to  him. 
 4.  Peter  Schoty  Canon  0^  Sf  ashurg^  in  his  Edition  of  G^r- 
 fons  Works,  wherein  he  remarks,  that  he  had  purpolely 
 omitted  fuch  Treatifes  which  were  fometimes  attributed  to 
 Gerfon,  but  which  have  another  certain  Author,  as  the 
 Book  de  ComemptH  Mmdi,  which  it  is  manifeft  was  fet 
 forth  by  one  Thomas^  3.  Canon  Regular.  5.  The  Anony- 
 mom  Co^eval  Author  of  his  Life,  who  fays,  that  what  he 
 fpake  to  the  Lord  in  his  Solitude,  is*  to  be  feen  in  his  fe- 
 cond  Chapter  of  the  Interior  Convcrfation  of  Chrift  with 
 the  Soul.  6.  Matthias  Farinator,  a  Carmelite  o^  Vienna^ 
 Author  of  a  Book  callM,  The  Light  of  the  Soul,  printed  at 
 Antmrpy  A.  1477,  who  is  related  to  have  writ  the  Book 
 of  the  Imitation^  with  his  own  Hand,  about  the  Year  1472, 
 under  the  Name  o^  a  Kempis  :■  But  his  Copy  is  not  now  to 
 be  found  j  tho'  they  fay  it  was  kept  with  other  Treatifes  in 
 the  Library  o^Atishnrg,  as  the  Catalogue  of  the  faid  Libra- 
 ry doth  teflify.  7.  The  Chronicle  of  Windefheini  is  alfo  for 
 jiim  :  And  Heferm  has  brought  no  lefs  than  a  whole  Cen- 
 tury ofWitneiresforhim  ;  which  he  calls  CentHmvirale  Ju- 
 fli^'itifn,  or  the  Jridgment  of  an  hundred  Men.  Other  Evi- 
 Idence^and  *  Teftimonies  of  a  Frellier  date,  are  ofLucof 
 HolUcniHs,  of  Leo  AllatitiSj  of  Gamilh  di  Capoaa,  which  the 
 Roman  Advocate  Payen  has  publilh'd  ;  together  with  Bol- 
 land;:s,  Petavim,  Papehrochii^Sy  and  a  great  many  others 
 vvho  have  a  Name  among  the  Learned,  whom  it  would  be 
 tedious  to  produce.  The  lait  that  has  appeared  in  hisCaufCy 
 is  Du  Molinet,  a  Learned  Antiquary  of  the  Congregation 
 h^^i.  Genevieve;  whofe  Modeliy  would  not  fufe  him  to 
 pubiilli  what  he  had  written  hereupon  ;  wherefore  he  fcnt 
 but  a  few  Copies  of  his  Manufcript  DilTertation,  written 
 in  the  Name  of  that  Congregation,  to  the  Benedidins  of 
 6t.  German  des  Prcz.  and  to  lome  few  others  among  the 
 Learnedc  Which  according  to  his  Defire  was  kept  private 
 ^ .  "'■•  -'  •      ■  -  ■  in 
 
 ■*  Tesi'momum  adv.  Gcrfemjlas  tr'ipkx'  Jh  Am.  Franc,  t'ayeu, 
 JdvGGaio  in  curia  Romana  C^khrrimo,  An.  i6^ic  8. 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  Ivii 
 
 in  Manufcnpt  for  twenty  Years,  till  a  Copy  of  it  falling 
 into  the  Hands  of  Pere  Simon,  as  is  thought,  was  by  him 
 publilliM  in  the  firft  Tome  of  the  BihliotheqHe  CritiqHe  ^ 
 printed  at  Paris  and  Ainjierdcim,  A.  1708.  which  is  a  very 
 curious  Piece ;  and  brings  the  Controverfy  betwixt  the  two 
 Orders  to  a  (Thort  liTue. 
 
 §.  XLV.  But  after  all,  there  remains  another,  who  has 
 not  yet  been  taken  notice  of,  as  I  find,  by  any  :  And  this 
 is  an  Englijhman^  and  an  eminent  Light  of  Religion  in  his 
 day :  I  mean  f  Walter  Hilton,  a  Carthnftm  Monk,  and  Do- 
 dor  in  Divinity,  who  liv'd  in  the  Charter- Houfi  founded 
 by  King  Henry  V.  that  was  call'd  Bethlehem,  of  whofe 
 Birth  and  Death  I  can  find  nothing  certain,  but  only  that 
 be  flourifh'd  under  hisSucceiTor  Henry  Yl.  As  he  was  emi- 
 nent for  his  Piety  and  Learning  in  general^  lb  particularly 
 for  his  continual  Attention  to  ,  and  high  Advancement 
 in,  the  contemplative  Life.  Befidcs,  iht  Scale  of  Chrlfiian 
 PerfeEiion,  defervedly  valu'd  by  the  molt  experienc'd  Judges, 
 he  has  writ  a  Book  0^  Spiritual  Afcenftons,  another  ofG;^- 
 folation  in  Temptations,  one  of  Holy  Living,  one  of  the  Idol 
 of  the  Heart,  or  Spiritual  Idolatry,  two  Oi  Contemplation,  with 
 feveral  others  which  have  not  yet  been  publiih'd,  but  lie 
 buried  up  and  down  in  Libraries.  His  Style  is  plain,  after 
 the  manner  of  the  Imitation,  without  any  AfFe6iation  or 
 Elevation  ;  but  his  Thoughts  are  folidj  and  that  he  might 
 alfo  be  the  Author  of  this,  was  fuggelkd  to  me  by.  my  ve- 
 ry worthy  Friend  the  Honourable  Charles  Hat^tonj^Efq-,  from 
 whom  in  confirmation  hereof,!  received  the  following  Letter. 
 
 Dec.  2.  1706. 
 
 AFter  a  long  Expe^ation,  Sir,  that  the  Bool  which  I  menti- 
 on d  to  'you  C  concerning  which  you  defr^d  of  me  a  farther 
 Information)  Walter  Hilton  his  Treatife  deMufica  Ecclefi- 
 aliica,  might  he  found  among  the  MSS.  (for  I  never  could 
 learn  that  it  ever  appear  d  in  Print)  in  fome  Library  either  in. 
 Oxford  cr  Cambridge';  I  am  at  lafi  affurd  from  my  Cor  re - 
 fpondents  there  whom  I  had  dcj}r\i  to  make  enquiry  and  fear ch 
 for  it,  that  accordingly  they  had,  hut  coH\i  neither  dif cover  it,  or 
 gather  any  Information  to  encourage  them  to  hope  that  they  may. 
 '    And  therefore  I  fl?all  not  now  longer  defer  acquainting  you 
 
 with 
 
 •    t  P^if'  dejllnfl,  Angl  Script  or,  adan^^A^n.  n,  805.  Bah  etiam. 
 
Iviii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 mth  the  Motives  vphich  indue'' d  me  to  Jay^  that  more  probable 
 Reafons  might  be  produc^d^to  incline  any  unbiafid  P  erf  on  to  fup- 
 pdji^ihat  moll  eminently  Devout^  and  Learned  Carthufian  Frier 
 (our  Qmtryman)  Walter  Hilton,  to  have  been  the  genuine 
 Author  of  that  justly  Celebrated  Pions  Book  de  Imitatione  Chri- 
 ili,  which  hath  mofl  generally  been  ajcrib^d  to  Thomas  a  Kem- 
 pis,  than  there  is  tof(ippf)fe  any  one  ofthofe  in  vphofe  behalf  (in 
 oppofuion  ro  Thomas  a  Kempis)  a  Claim  thereto  vfos  in  the  la/i 
 yigefet  up  ;  for  there  are  irrefragable  Exceptions  a^rainfi  the 
 probability  of  the  Pretences  made  in  their  favour^  as  may  appear 
 in  Dr.CsiVts  Hilioria  Literaria,  and  much  more  fully  infeve- 
 ral  TraEis  on  thatfubjecty  pubiifh'd  by  the  famed  Gabriel  Nau- 
 dsus,  Father  Fronteau,  and  divers  other  Learned  Men. 
 
 Nay  J  more  colourable  Pretences  may  be  alledgd  in  behalf  of 
 Walter  Hilton,  than  have  been  produced  in  favour  0/ Thomas 
 a  Kempis,  mhofe  Jujlification  to  be  Author  of  the  Bool  de  Imita- 
 tione Chrifii  depends  chiefly  on  the  Authority  of  a  AiS.  thereof^ 
 in  ffhich  it  is  not  faid  that  he  is  the  Author,  but  only  Finitus  & 
 Completus  A,D.i44i.  permanus  Thomse  A  Kemp,  in  Mon- 
 te S.  Agnet.  prope  ZwolJ,  which  might  have  been  afferted,  if  he 
 had  only  tranjcrib'd  it.  Now  it  is  apparent  out  of  Pitfcus  his 
 RelationeSjHiftoricaede  Rebus  Anglicisj^^r/  from  the  Autho- 
 rity of  other  Authors,  that  Walter  Hilton  flour ifUd  before  the 
 d^te.  of  that  MS.  for  he  was  famed  for  his  eminent  Piety  and 
 Learning,  A.  D.  1453.  ^^'^  *^^^  ^^  ^^  obferv'd,  that  the  like  fir  ain 
 of  Devotion  with  that  in  the  Book  de  Imitatione  Chrifii,  runs 
 through  his  highly  esteemed  piom  Treatife  siifd  Scala  ChrifH- 
 ana?  Perfe6lionis,  of  which  Walter  Hilton  is  undoubtedly  the 
 Author :  and  tho*  that  be  the  only  Book  I  coud  ever  meet  with 
 Composed  by  him,  yet  Joan.  Jacobus  Frifius,  in  his  Epitome 
 BibiotheCdE  Gefnerian^r,  and  our  Countryman  Pitfeus  (as  un- 
 doubt edlyTiKodorus  Pdtreius,  and  others  who  give  an  Account 
 of  the  Carthufian  Writers,  tho  J  have  not  fecn  any  of  them)  do 
 enumerate  jeveral  other  devout  Books  writ  by  him,  and  among 
 them  oneftifd,  de  Mufica  Ecclefiattica,  which  begins  Qui  fe- 
 quitur  ine  non  ambulat. 
 
 Which  having  mention  d  Imufi  obferve  to  you,  that  at  the  time 
 when  was  mojilootly  debated  the  long  and  not  yet  dstermind  Con- 
 troverfie  betixixt  the  Canon- Regulars,  whofioutly  did  and  dofiand 
 up  to  maintain  Thomas  a  Kempis  fjv/jo  haibeen  of  their  Frater- 
 nity) his  Title  to  the  Book  de  Imitatione  Chritti,  and  the  Bene- 
 
 diElin 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author,  lix 
 
 diBin-A4onksj  who  pretend  that  there  is  extant  an  Anthemick 
 MS,  of  that  Book,  to  vohich  is  annex\l  Cas  bein^  Au:hor  there- 
 of)  the  Name  of  an  Abbot  who  had  been  of  their  Order,  one  John 
 Gerfen  orGefTen,  tvho  fiourijh'd  betwixt  the  Tears  12:50.  anil 
 1245  '  ^'^'■^  ^^  V-^l^^fy  '^^^^  Pretence,  they  cans' d  (ahom  the  mid" 
 die  of  the  laji  Century  that  MS.  to  be  brought  from  Italy  to  Pa- 
 ris, as  likewife  another  (farther  to  invalidate  the  Claim  of  the 
 Canon  Regulars)  which  bore  date  before  the  Tear  1400,  with^ 
 OHt  any  Author  s  Name  thereunto  :  Which  MS.  w,ts  at  the 
 Ahby  of  the  BenediElins  ^^  Paris,  expofed  to  publick  J^^iew  to  be 
 per  us*  d  and  exawind  by  the  moji  Celebrated  Learned  Perfons, 
 and  the  befl  Judges  of  the  Atithentichiefs  of  ancient  Mann- 
 fcripts ;  amongfi  whom  Gabriel  Naudseus,  and  feveral  other 
 Learned  Men,  and  fam*d  for  their  Knowledge  therein,  did  de^  ' 
 clare,that  the  Title  of  the  Booh  nowfUl'd  de  Imitatione  Chrifti, 
 ippas  in  all  the  mojl  antient  MSS.  entituled,  de  Mafica  Ecclefi- 
 attica :  And  the  newTitle  taken  from  the  initial  Words  thereof. 
 Qui  fequitur  me  non  ambulat  inTenebris,  is  of  a  much  la- 
 ter date.  This  gives  me  occafion  to  take  notice  to  you,  that  Se- 
 baftian  Cattalio  in  his  Trandation  of  that  Book  into  elegant 
 Latin,  juflly  takes  exception  again  ft  that  Title  as  improper,,  and 
 Biles  his  polite  Tranflation  de  Chrifto  Imitando. 
 
 /  muji  further  declare  to  you,  that  the  aforementiond  time  of 
 the  hot  Controverfle  betwixt  the  Canon- Regulars^  and  the  Bene- 
 diBin^Monks,  Gabriel  Naud^us,  and  divers  other  eminently 
 Learned  Men,  did,  in  fever alTraUs  they  then  publifh'd  on  that 
 SubjeB,  pofnively  affert,  that  the  affixing  the  Name  0/ Joan- 
 nes Gerfen,  five  de  Geffen  to  the  MSS.  on  the  Authority  of 
 yphich  the  Benedi^ins ground  their  Qaim,  was  an  apparent  For- 
 gery,  as  alfo  was  the  date  of  all  other  MSSt.  before  the  Tear 
 1400.  without  any  Author  s  Name  infer  ted. 
 
 I  fhall  now  only  add,  that  fome  Tears  ago  being  in  Converfation 
 with  ^^/r.Obadiah Walker,/?^  happened  to  cite  an  Exprejjion  out 
 of  his  Favourite  Book  (as  he  termd  it)  Je  Lnitatione  Chriili, 
 omitting  the  Name  cfT.  aKempis,  to  whem^tis  f/.o ft  commonly 
 afcrib'd,  which  occafiond  a  Difcoarfe  about  the  eminent  Contra- 
 verjie,  who  was  the  genuine  Author  thereof ;  and  upon  my  re- 
 marking to  himy  r/?^f  Joan.  Jac.  Frihus  in  his  Epitome  ofGcC" 
 ner'jBibliotheca,  and  Joaii.  Piikus  renumerating  ihe  Works 
 of  Walter  Hilton,  make  mention  of  a  Book  composed  by  him^ 
 iiiN,  de  Muiica  Ecclefiaiiica,  and  recites  thefirii  Words  there- 
 
 of. 
 
Iviii  An  Account  oj  the 
 
 cf,  Qui  fequitur  me  non  anibulat,  &c.  vehich  are  the  initial 
 Words  of  the  Book  de  Imitatione  Chrilii,  and  enqmringof  him 
 Tfhether  he  had  ever  taken  any  notice  thereof  in  thofe  Authors, 
 te  not  only  fold  me  he  had,  bm  did  pofitively  aver  to  n^.e,  that 
 he  hadfeeny  perus'd  and  compar'd  the  A4S.  o/Walter  Hilton, 
 de  Mufjca  Ecclefiaftica,  mth  the  Bool  de  Imitatione  Chrifii, 
 mc^ generally  afcrih'd  to  Thomas  a  Kempis,  and  that  through- 
 QHty  it  exactly  agreed  therewith^  abating  Jome  literal  Errata^ 
 and  Jome  few  Words  and  Exprejjions  which  did  not  in  the  leaji 
 vary  the  Senfe.  Whiljf  rve  were  thus  dijcourfing,  jome  Pcrfons^ 
 Strangers  to  me,  intervening^  with  whom  Mr.  Walker  decla- 
 red he  had  [owe  private  Concern  I  left  him,  and  to  my  great  Re^ 
 gret^  never  had  an  opportunity  ofjeeing  him  afterwards^  which 
 if  I  had,  I  fhotild  not  have  faiVd  to  enqnire  of  him,  where  he 
 jaw  that  MS.  0/ Walter  Hilton  ?  What  was  the  date  thereof  f 
 u4nd  if  he  coud  inform  me  where  it  might  now  be  found  f 
 
 In  obedience  to  your  Commands  I  fend  you  this  Account, which 
 I  juhmit  to  your  Candid  Cenjure,  and  am  with  a  iusl  regard^ 
 SIR,  Your  mort  faithful  and  very 
 
 Humble  Servant,   C,  H  ATTON, 
 
 %.  XLVI.  And  here  I  lliall  add  an  Extra6l  of  another 
 Letter,  lent  me  from  Oxford,  in  Anfwer  to  an  Enquiry 
 of  mine  upon  this  Head,  by  the  Occafion  of  the  foregoing 
 Letter,  viz..  *  According  to  your  Order  we  have  conlulted 
 
 *  Theod.Petreiw,  in  his  Catalogue  of  the  Writings  oiWalt, 
 
 *  Hilton,  he  reckons  this  Book  de  Ecclefiaflica  Aiufvca,  ancl 
 .*  cites  for  his  Authority  Pojfevinfu  and  Simlems.  We  conful- 
 
 *  ted  the  Titles  of  the  Treatifes  of  this  Letter  contained  in 
 
 *  our  pubhck  Library,  and  finding  nothing  that  promifed 
 
 *  any  Account  of //i/^,'-w  ;  we  hadre.courle  to  PojfevintUy 
 
 *  who  attributes  Mufica  EccUfujlica  to  Hilton  ;  Pofevins 
 ^  Book  was  publilli'd  about  the  Year  1633,  under  the  Title 
 -•^  of  Apparatus  facer  Eccleftajiicorum  Scriptorum,  As  for  the 
 '  Manufcripts,  there  are  none  either  in  Merton  or  Lincoln. 
 *■  College,  according  to  the  printed  Catalogue.  In  Magda- 
 ^  len  College  we  found  one  entitled,  A<fufica  Ecclejiajlica,  the 
 
 *  iiame  with  the  Book  de  Imitatione  Chrijji,  but  aicribed  to 
 ^  no  particular  Author.  The  Bodleian  Library  has  two 
 ^  Manufcripts,'  with  the  fame  Title  of  Muftca  Ecclefiafiica, 
 ^  One  contains  only  the  firlt  Book  de  Imiut,  Chrifii,  and 
 
 *  no 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  llx 
 
 no  more  :  The  other  contains  the  whole  Book  de  Imitat. 
 &c.  excepting  the  firlt  Chapter,  with  a  little  of  the  be- 
 ginning of  the  fecorid,  which  are  wanting,  but  the  Au- 
 thor is  mentioned  in  neither  of  them.  As  for  the  Birth 
 and  Death  of  Hlltm^  neither  Pojfeviny  nor  Petrcius  fay 
 any  thing  of  it  ;  only  the  former  has  this  ExpreflTion, 
 Ahmt  vero  earn  flGruiffeHmricofexto  Anglorum  ^d-^f, which 
 Petreim  repeats  out  of  him  with  thfs  Addition,  Licet  Car- 
 tujlam  in  qna  vixerit,  non  exprinjant.  At  the  end  or  the 
 more  perFe(5l  of  the  two  above- mention'd  Bodleian  Manu- 
 faipts,  there  is  this  Advertifement  added  in  a  Red  Letter, 
 but  in  the  fame  Charadler  with  the  Black  Letter  of  the 
 Manufcript,  Scriptm  erat  Liber  ille  anno  Verhi  incarnati 
 J  E  S  U  Milleff,  Quadringinteff.  LXIX.  &  anno  InviEtiff. 
 Pnncipisj  &  Domini  nofiri  Domini  Edwardi  Dei  Gratia  Regis 
 AngVu  &  FranciiCy  ac  vsri  &  induhitati  Heredis  Regum  Ca- 
 HelU  &  Lcgionum  otlavo.  i.  e.  This  Book  was  written 
 in  the  one  thoulandth,  four  hundredth  and  LXIXth  Year 
 of  the  Word  Incarnate  JESUS,  and  in  the  Vlllth  Year  o£ 
 the  moil  invincible  Prince,  and  our  Lord,  the  Lord  Edward^ 
 by  the  Grace  of  God  King  of  England  sind  France,  and 
 true  and  undoubted  Heir  of  the  Kings  of  CaFiile  and  Leon, 
 From  which  it  is  evident,  that  it  was  copied  under  this 
 Title  while  a  Kempis  was  living  ;  and  none  have  yet  been 
 able  to  find  T.  a  Kempis  ever  put  out  a  Book  under  the  Titfe 
 of  Mujica  Eccle[lafica,  (or  indeed  any  oi^o.  elfe,  befides  our 
 Walter  Hilton  J  which  begins  with  thefe  "Words,  Qui  feqtti^ 
 tur  me.  Wherefore,  if  this  were  truly  the  ancient  Title, 
 according  to  what  the  three  mention'd  O.v/or^  Manuscripts 
 would  perfuade  us,  as  alfo  according  to  thofe  others  which 
 Pojfevin^  Simler  and  Pitfeiu  mult  probably  refer  to,  as  well 
 as  thofe  that  were  examined  by  Naudiim  bearing  tliat  in- 
 fcription  :  There  is  little  doubt  but  that  Hilton  muii  have 
 been  the  Author,  if  not  of  the  whole  four  Books,  at  leaft 
 of  one  of  them.  The  Magdalen  MS.  is  itiil  more  ancient, 
 being  dated  A^o?/.  25?.  1433.  ^^^^  ^^^  written  alfo  by  one 
 of  the  linl:  Recluies  of  that  very  Houie  in  which  Hilco7% 
 liv*d.  And  now  at  this  very  >ii-ne  I  h.ave  in  my  Hands 
 an  exaclTranfcript  of  a  very  old  Englijh  Manufciipt,  which 
 is  mention'd  in  the  Appendix  to  iht  Catalogue  ot  the  Bod- 
 Uian  MSS.  and  did  formerly  belong  to  Dr.  -jQhn  Madden^ 
 
 late 
 
Ixii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 iate  ot  Dublin  ;  containing  the  three  firR  Books  of  that  Di- 
 vine Treatife  (but  wanting  that  which  we  call  the  fourth  J 
 without  any  Name,  or  fo  much  even  as  mentioning  it  to 
 be  a  Tranflation, under  this  very  Title  of  Muftca  Ecclcjlaliica ; 
 the  wich  w^ouLl  afrord  occafion  for  feveral    Refle6tions, 
 which  muft  not  here  be  infiikd  on.    It  was  fince  the  firft 
 Edition  of  this  Volume,communicated  to  me  generoufly  by 
 my  moii  Learned  and  Pious  Friend  Mr,  Henry  Dodwclly  who 
 look'd  on  the  Original  as  fo  valuable  a  Piece,that  he  thought 
 it  not  unworthy  his  Labour  and  Time  to  copy  it  himfelF 
 Literatim^  with  the  greateft  Accuracy.     It  is  without  Date 
 alfo,  as  well  as  without  Name  :  but  by  the  Language  of  it, 
 ^tismanifert  that  it  mu(t  have  been  written  about  the  time 
 of  our  Edward  the  IVth,  or  while  Hilton  was  yet  living. 
 And  it  is  farther  remarkable,  that  it  is  not  divided  into 
 Books,  but  into  Parts^  as  Hilton's  Treatifes  are  obferv'd  to 
 have  been,  particularly  his  famous  one,  intitufd,  ScaU 
 PerfeEiionis^  or  the  Ladder  of  Perfedion  ;  and  as  is  agree- 
 able alfo  with  another  Manufcript,  which  did  belong  to 
 Leo  Allatimy  and  with  the  French  Cothid,  whereof  a  Tran- 
 flation  was  fome  few  Years  fince  publilli'd  at  Paris  ;  fo 
 that  all  the  three  Parts  make  but  one  Book,  which  is  alfo 
 caird  the  Book  oC Inward  Confolation,   upon  the  Authority 
 not  only  of  the  Englifh,  but  alfo  of  the  French  and  Latin 
 Manufcripts,    which  appear  nnolf  ancient.     Whence  'tis 
 not  unreafonable  to  fuppofe,  that  the  divifion  into  Parts, 
 %vas  ancienter  than  that  into  Buob:  And  that  the  true  and 
 genuine  Title  hereof,  was^  MUSICA  ECCLESL4STICA, 
 whereunto,  for  Interpretation  of  it,  there  was  afterward 
 added,  Sive  de  Interna  Conjolatione  i    that  is.  o-  Spiritual 
 Confolation.    It  being  falliionable  about  that  time  to  give 
 fuch  myliical,  or  metaphorical  Titles  to  their  Treatifes  of 
 Piety  and  Devotion  :  And  it  being  highly  alfo  improbable, 
 that  if  this  had  not  been  the  true  Title,  any  one  (whether 
 Tranfcriber  or  Tran(latcr)  would  have  left  out  the  plain 
 Title  of  the  Ir?tiiation  ofChrifl,  and  in  theroom  of  it  iubfii- 
 tuted  This,  that  feems  at  firlt  io  (trange.  Wliich  may  fuf- 
 fice  concerning  the  Tttle,  as  it  is  found^  in  the  Catalogue 
 o[ Hilton's  Treatifes,  and  in  no  other  befidcs.    And  farther 
 it  is  worthy  of  Rcmaak,  ihdi  there  are  no  Marks  in  this 
 Manuiitript,  by  which  it  may  plainly  be  made  out  to  be 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author,  Ixiii 
 
 a  Tranflation  :  and  were  it  not  for  the  univerfal  Traditioa 
 of  its  having  been  firft  written  in  Latin,  there  are  fome, 
 and  thofe  not  a  few,  which  might  render  it  doubtful,  whe- 
 ther the  Original  were  Latin  or  Englifh.    Nor  is  there  any- 
 thing in  the  whole,  fo  far  as  I  can  find,  but  what  is  well 
 enough  agreeable  with  the  Chara6ler  of  our  Hilton.    Be- 
 fides  which,  I  have  been  alfo  informed  by  another  worthy 
 and  learned  Friend,  concerning  an  ancient  W.^l/h  Manu- 
 Icript  of  the  fame,   containing  alfo  no  more  than  three 
 Books,  or  Parts,  and  favouring  the  aforefaid  Conie«51ure  ; 
 but  of  this  latter  I  mull  be  at  prefent  filent.    And  as  for 
 the  former,  I  cannot  here*  i\a.y  to  fhew  the  Conformity  of 
 the  Style  and  Language,  with  that  which  is  undoubtedl\? 
 Hilton  s  ;  as  well  as  of  the  Sentim.ents  and  Maxims  found 
 in  this  Book,  with  thofe  which  are  in  his  Ladder  of  Per:^e- 
 Bion.    Some  worthy  and  judicious  Gentlemen  of  my  Ac- 
 quaintance that  have  feen  it,   have  hejeupon  earneftiv 
 prefs'd  me,  that  I  would  hand  it  into  the  VVorld,  that  (o 
 valuable  a  Remain  of  Englifh  Antiquity  and  Piety,  mic^ht 
 not  be  utterly  loft.    And  accordingly,   having  the  Leave 
 and  Approbation  of  Mr.  DodweH,  with  his  and  others  Ad- 
 vice, the  fame  is  now  almoft  fitted  for  the  Prefs,  with  Ob- 
 fervations  upon  it,  and  3.Glojfary  of  the  antiquated  Words 
 and  Terms  ;  befides  a  Verfion  of  it  in  modern  EngH[h^  for 
 the  fake  of  the  unlearned  Reader,  and'aDJlTertation  upoa 
 the  whole,  in  order  to  make  it  probable  that  the  Pipce  is 
 cither  a6lually  o'i Englifh  Extrad^ion,  or  elfe  very  early  Na- 
 luraliz'd  by  our  Countryman  Hilton,  and  that  the'lVth 
 Book  was  afterward  added  by  fome  other  Hand.  But  whe- 
 ther Hilton,  or  any  other,  were  the  original  Author  of  fome 
 Fart ;   it  fufBciently  appears,  that  all  mulf  at  lead  have 
 been  compil'd,  digeiied,  and  improved,  as  now  it  is    by 
 this  our  Author  ;  for  whom,  befides  the  Authority  of  an- 
 cient Manufcripts  and  Editions,  there  is  abundance  mors 
 to  be  iaid,but  I  am  afraid  I  have  been  already  too  tedious^ 
 §.  XLVIL  To  conclude  this  Matter:  Amon^  all  the 
 Competitors  with  our  Author,  none  has  a  fairer  Plea 
 than  our  Country  Man ;  for  whom  there  are  fome  othci" 
 Arguments  yet  behind,  which  may  not  have  been  obfer- 
 ved  hitherto,  that  feem  much  to  legitimate  his  Title  to  the 
 precedent  Volume,  or  sogd  part  thereof.    Bat  ihould  thar 
 
 1)£ 
 
Ixiv  An  Account  of  the 
 
 be  even  granted,  this  will  no  wile  invalidate  the  Authori- 
 ty of  the  bleffed  Saint ;  from  whofe  n:iore  certainly  Genuine 
 Works  this  prefent  Volume  is  compil'd  in  EngliQi.    So 
 that  by  following  only  the  Method  of  our  Country-man 
 Ciirrc  in  his  Thorrnu  a  Kcmpis  afeipfo  ReslitHtm^  it  may  be 
 no  fuch  hard  matter  to  find  out,  whether,  and  how   far 
 Lis  Right  may  be  eHabli(h*d  with  refpe6l  to  both  thefe  Vo- 
 lume?.   I  have  faid  little  as  to  the  Evidence  from  Manu- 
 fcripts,  that  having  been  handled  abundantly  by  others. 
 So  much  foul  Play  has  been  herein  uled,  as  would  be  end^ 
 lefs  to  unravel,  as  well  as  ufelefs.    There  are  Five  Manu- 
 fcripts  in  Oxford:,  and  of  thefe  Three  are  inlcrib'd  A'^ti[lcd 
 Ecclefi4icA,\ht  fourth  is  without  either  Name  orTitle,having 
 three  Leaves  cut  out  in  the  beginning  as  with  a  Pen- knife ; 
 and  the  Fifth  which  bears  the  (now  common)  Title  Ve  Imi- 
 tatione  Chriki,  and  comes  nearell  the  printed  Copies,  has  the 
 Name  (as  was  before  obferv'd)  of  the  elder  a  Kewpi^^not  of 
 ours.  As  it  was  the  Method  of  our  Author  to  publifh  his  own 
 Treatifes,  either  as  Anonymomy  or  elfe  iinder  the  Name  of 
 Frater  Peregrinus,  it  has  been  fo  very  difficult  from  hence 
 to  determin  exadlly  which  are  His.    And  thus  by  his  Hu- 
 iTiihty,  Occafion  was  s^iven  for  iheBrigues  of  the  Contend- 
 ing Parties,  to  the  noTmall  Scandal  of  Religion.    There 
 is  among  the  Manufcripts  of  Arch-Bifhop  Latdi  a  very  old 
 ImprclTion  ;  dated  1485.  which  has  thisSubfcription.  Ex- 
 plicit Lih^  de  Imit.  Chrijfi  conjcripm  a  viro  quod^.m  Relmofo, 
 qui  forte  oh  hiimlitatem  Juam  nolmt  fibi  afcrihers  hujufniodi  li- 
 Imm  per  proprium  Nomen  :  i.e.     Here  endeth  the   Book  of 
 the  Imitation  of  ChriR^  written  by  a  certain  Religioiu  [or 
 ReRular]  who  pofTibly  by  reafon  of  his  Humility,  would 
 not  afcribe  tohmIelffuchaBookbyhisO«-«  Name,  which 
 may  feive  fcr  an  Anfwer  to  the  violent  Contenders  about 
 
 this  Matter.  .  . 
 
 §  XLVIII.  As  for  his  Works,  both  thofe  which  were 
 by  himfelffirrt  written,  and  thofe  that  were  Compild  by 
 him  out  of  others,  take  this  imperfed  Account,  inliead  of 
 Better.  In  the  Edition  of  them  by  FontebrMd^au  at  An- 
 werp,  A.  IS74.  they  are  in  this  Order,  i.  Of  the  Iimta- 
 tion  ofChriltrT^a  Books ;  the  Firft  Book  containing  XXX- 
 VII  Chapters.    And  this  comprehends  the  whole  ^irlt 
 
hife  and  Works  of  the  Author^  Ixv 
 
 and  Second  Books  as  found  in  the  vulgar  Editions  ofthi^ 
 Divine  Treatife.      The  Second  Book    containing  LXIV 
 Chapters,  makes  the  more  confiderable  Part,  and  treats 
 purely  of  Myflical  Theology;    being  that  which  is  com- 
 monly caird  the  Third,    2.  The  little  Book  of  the  Sacra- 
 ment of  the  Altar,    which  is  the  fame  with  the  I  Vth  Book 
 of  the  Imitation;    containing  Xyill  Chapters,  to  which 
 Three  others  are  added  in  a  Roman  Edition^  under  the  Name 
 o^  the  Great  and  Venerable  Servant  of  G(idy  John  Gerfen  ;  buC 
 which  are  undoubtedly  later,  and  by  another  Hand,     j* 
 Of  the  Difcipline  of  Reclufes,  Five  Books,  whereof  the  Firji 
 is  by  fome  made  a  Fifth  Book  of  the  Imitation  of  Chrirt, 
 or  a  Continuation  of  the  aforefaid  Treatile.    This  has  ne- 
 ver been  yet  dilputed  to  be  of  our  T.  a  Kempis,    The  othet 
 Four  Books  were  fuperadded,  we  are  told,  by  the  Celefiinci 
 Monks  oiVtlleneHve  in  Soiffem:  They  are  compil'd  togethct 
 in  that  Form  out  of  feveral  Trads  of  our  Author,  prfuch  as 
 were  at  leatt  tranfcrib'd  by  him,  and  had  the  Stamp  upon 
 them  of  that  Society  whereof  he  was  a  Member  ,•   among 
 which  I  elieem  that  of  the  Elevation  of  the  Mind   to  .the. 
 Search  after  the  Supreme  Good,  which  is  inferred  in  the 
 IVth  Book,to  be  one  of  the  morf  Confiderable.  4.  The  No- 
 vices, a  Dialogue.   This  alfo  was  certainly  written  by  out 
 Author,  and  feems  to  be  chiefly  a  Collection  of  the  Memo  • 
 rable  Sayings  and  Counfcls  of  the  antient  Fathers  of  that 
 Congregation,  fuch  as  both  the  Gerardsy-  Florentius,  Brinck- 
 erinliy  f^ander-BttJche,  Gruter,  Schoe/jhove,  &c*  but  without 
 reciting  their  Names  in  a  Conference  betwixt  Novice  and 
 Senior.    5.  The  young  Mans  Manual  or  Dofirinal,  which 
 feems  mtich  of  a  piece  with  the  former.    And  therefore 
 it  is  not  improbable  but  it  may  contain  the  Leifons  which 
 Florentim  g?Lvt  him.    The  Foundation  of  it  is  the  diligent 
 Study  of  the  Holy  Scripture.    6.  The  Erudition  of  a  good 
 Steward  in  Three  Books.     This  Treatife  dirtindtly  confjdefs 
 the  State  of  the  A6tive  and  Contemplative  Lives,  and  gives 
 a  comparifon  of  them  both^  under  the  Allegory  of  Martha 
 and  Mary  ;  very  uleful  to  them  that  follow  either.    7.  Of 
 Solitude  Tivo  Books.    In  praife  of  the  Solitary  Life,  and  of 
 Silence,  written  to  a  Religious  Man  that  was  difmils'd 
 from  his  O^qq,  that  he  might  the  better  apply  himfelf  to 
 a  Life  of  Contemplation,    8.  Of  th€  three  Tabernacles  i 
 
 €  An 
 
Ixvi  A^.  Account  of  the 
 
 An  admirable  Treatiie  concerning  the  three  Military  Vir- 
 tues, which  are  Poverty,  Humiluy  and  Patience  5  and  one 
 never  yet  queftion'd  to  have  been  written  by  this  our  Au- 
 thor,   though  it  be  found  in  a  Manufcript  pretended  to 
 have  been  writ  about  an  Hundred  Years  before  he  was 
 Born,  and  that  even  by  no  lefs  a  Perfon  than  the  Learned 
 Mahillun  himlelf,  that  great  Honour  of  his  Order.    Who, 
 to  give  an  Inttance  from  MSS.  of  the  manner  of  writing 
 about  the  MCCQh  Year,  brings  a  MS.o^xht  Imitation 
 belonging  to  Mr.  Tkevenot,  after  the  Firrt  Book  of  which, 
 there  follows  this  -tvery  Treatife  of  the  Military  Virtues 
 written  with  the  fame  Hand.  ^  Notwith(bndiiigthat  A'f^t- 
 billon  doth  exprefly  allow  this  to  be  a  true  and  genuine 
 Piece  of  our  ^  Kempis,  in  his  very  Animadverfions  againll 
 his  Vindication,  and  confequently  that  the  faid  MS,  could 
 not  poHibly  be  written  before  the  Year  MCCCC  at  foon- 
 e(i    Such  a  iirange  Power  has  Prejudice  for  or  againli  an 
 Author,  as  even  to  blind  a  Man  of  his  Sagacity  and  un- 
 common Candour,  and  to  make  him  by  inadvertence 
 chqofe  this,  which  even  other  wife  would  have  be^n  very 
 difputable,  when  he  could  have  found  an  Hundred  In- 
 fiances  of  that  time  which  might  have  been  undifputed. 
 p.  Of  the  true  CompuncUon  of  the  Heart ;  which  is  gene- 
 rally confefs'd  to  be  his ;   and  by  none  that  I  know  of 
 yet  diiputed*    It  may  very  well  be  read  the  firii  of  all  his 
 Works,  as  a  moft  proper  Introdudion  to  them.     lo.  The 
 little  Rofe-Garden,^   containing   the  Maxims  of  iMorality 
 andPra6ficalHoline(s,  according  to  the  Rule  of  St.  ^^/i- 
 siiny  in  that  Society  of  his  Canons,  a  Piece  alfo  never  yet 
 que(iion'd  to  be  of  him.     ii.  The  Valley  of  Lillie si  much 
 of  the  fame  Kind,  as  well  as  Style  with  the  former,  being 
 a  rare  Treatiie  of  Chriliian  Ethicks,  with  proper  Medita- 
 tions on  Soliloquies,  on  fome  Paffages  of  God's  Word.  12. 
 The  Coiifolation  of  the  Poor:    A  fort  of  Appendix  to  the 
 two  lalt  Treatifes,  which  feems  to  have  been  addrefs'd  to 
 fome  particular  Perfonsofhis  near  Acquaintance,  then  in 
 Trouble  or  Temptation.     13,  and  14.  The  httle  Manual 
 cf  the  Religions ,   and  the  Life  of  a  goo.l  Religious,   are 
 iliort  Memorials  fitted  chiefly  for  the  ule  of  the  Cloilier, 
 and  the  latter  is  for  the  help  of  the  Memory,  put  into  the 
 Monkill-i  Rhymes ;  under  which,  yet  the  Lcffons  contained 
 
 are 
 
Life  and.  Works  of  the  Author.  Ixvii 
 
 are  not  fo  much  to  be  difpifed.  1 5.  The  Marmal  of  the  little 
 Ones  upon  thofe  Words  o[ Chx'iik,  S^er  litfle  Children  to 
 come  mto  me :  A  mort  cominendable  Tra6l  for  the  Educa- 
 tion of  Youth.  16.  Ihe  Hofpital  of  the  Poovy  wherein 
 there  is  mention  made  both  o^ Florentm  and  Gerardus  Ma<y^ 
 nusy  and  both  their  Maxims  and  manner  of  interpreting 
 the  Scriptures,  are  followed.  17.  The  The  Soliloquy  of  t^i 
 Sod,  never  dilputed  to  be  our  Authors.  18.  Sermons. 
 Two  Books.  One  to  the  Novices,  the  other  to  the  Piofef- 
 fed.  ^  That  to  the  Novices,  is  divided  into  three  Parts,  con-^ 
 taining  in  all  XXX  Sermons;  the  other  confids  but  of  IX, 
 and  thefe  are  particular  Difcourfes  to  the  Brethren,  which 
 may  as  well  be  callM  fo  many  Chapters,  being  written  in 
 the  Style  of  his  other^  Books,  with  a  Sentence  of  Scripture 
 in  the  beginning  of  it,  but  without  any  Texts  to  the  rert ; 
 and  treating  upon  the  priiicipal  Subjeds  of  their  Profef- 
 fion,  as  the  for  faking  of  Self  and  Contempt  of  earthly 
 Comforts,  of  the  Confolation  of  the  Soul  in  God,  of  the 
 twofold  Compun6lloH  of  the  Soul  for  the  Heavenly  Coun^ 
 try,  of  the  Pearl  ot  ChafUty,  of  Temptations  and  the 
 Thorn  in  the  Flelli,  of  the  Benefit  of  Solitude,  of  the  Fruit, 
 of  Silence,  and  of  the  Souls  Internet  Qiiiet,  or  Solitude  of 
 the  Heart,  lifting  up  of  the  Soul  above  her  felfinto  Chrifr. 
 Thefe  have  the  Character  of  being  Genuine,  but  there  is 
 not  fo  much  to  be  laid  for  the  third  part  at  thofe  to  the  No-* 
 vices.  19.  His  Epislles  follow  nest,  which  never  have  been 
 doubted  of  by  any;  and  which  in  my  opinion  fail  not 
 lliort  of  any  thing  that  has  been  publilVd  in  his  Name<i 
 The  firi^  of  them  is  a  mott  fweet  and  admirable  Ircitc^ 
 ment  to  a  Progrefs  in  the  Spiritual  Life  ;  and  is  Printed* 
 by  H/r/?//Af  asa  fet  Difcourfe  at  the  end  of  the  Second  Vo- 
 lume, of  the  Seled  and  Genuine  Pieces  of  our  Author^  he 
 having  contrived  in  two  Uttlc. Volumes  for  the  Pocket,  the 
 Fotir  Books  which  fo  hotly  have  been  controverted,  with 
 ufeful  Annotations,  and  as  many  others  which  never  have 
 been  controverted  at  all,  but  do  breathe  the  very  fame  Spi- 
 rit, for  the  perfeding  of  the  Chrifiian  Traveller ,  of  Follower 
 of  Chrill.  The  Tetters  of  his  that  are  preferv'd  are  but  Six, 
 ^0.  H!4  Lives,  In  Three  Books*  The  firli  contains  the 
 W^t  oiGerardus  Alagmis,  wherein  we  have  a  very  plain 
 but  good  Account  of  thg  Rife  of  the  Congregation's  tot 
 
 s  a  Re, 
 
Ixviii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 Reformation,  according  to  the  Primitive  and  Apoiiolical 
 Standard.  The  Second  contains  that  o^Florentins ;  where- 
 in we  have  an  Account  of  the  Eiiablilhment  of  the  fame 
 under  his  SuccefTor,  with  the  complete  Charadter  of  a  true 
 Spiritual  Governor,  or  Pallor.  Tlie  Third  -contains  the 
 Hiiiory  of  hh  Difciples,  being  Contemporaries  with  our 
 Author;  LeGronde  only  excepted,  that  dyM  a  Year  be- 
 fore his  coming  to  Deventer,  wherein  we  have  related  the 
 flourilhing  Progrefs  of  this  Eftablillimcnt,  in  the  Holy  Lives 
 of  Nine  of  the  firlt  Clerks  of  this  Society.  There  is  like- 
 wife  added  in  lome  later  Editions  of  his  Works,  the  Life 
 of  a  certain  Miraculous  Dntch  Maid,  but  which  for  (cveral 
 Reafons  I  conclude  to  be  Spurious.  The  Monks  Alpha- 
 bet is  alfo  pretty  generally  attributed  to  our  Author,  but 
 fome  think  that  Bonavenmre  has  the  better  Title  to  it ;  and 
 accordingly  it  is  Printed  in  his  Works.  There  are  fome 
 again  that  divide  the  Matter,  claiming  it  for  BoriAvemure 
 originally,  but  fuppofing  that  a  KempU  might  revife  it, 
 and  add  to  it  the  Prologue  and  Epilogue.  Concerning  the 
 Hymns  that  are  under  his  Name,  I  can  fay  little,  whe- 
 ther they  be  his  or  anothers.  But  concerning  his  Chroni- 
 cle, tho'  la(i  publilh'd,  there  has  never  been  the  leafl 
 doubt  made  by  any  to  this  day.  There  is  a  great  Diffe- 
 rence in  the  Editions  of  his  Works ;  but  I  have  chofen  this 
 rather  than  another,  as  being  neither  a  very  early  nor  a 
 very  late  one,  againft  both  of  which  there  lie  Objections. 
 
 §.  XLIX.  As  to  his  Style  and  manner  of  Writing,  take 
 his  Character  given  by  a  Judicious  Obferver,  and  one 
 that  was  as  well  acquainted  with  it  perhapsas  any  :  His 
 Style,  tho*  fimple  and  wholly  unembelliiht,  fit'd  with  the 
 Genius  of  the  Age,  and  hardly  to  be  caird  Latin^  is  nevcr- 
 thelels  clear  and  open,  lo  as  it  never  liicks  for  want  either 
 of  Words  or  Things,andhath  in  it  nothing  hard  or  perplcx'd. 
 What  he  conceived  and  brought  forth  in  his  Mind,  was 
 evidently  demonfirated  by  him  under  the  Poverty  of  Speed, 
 and  in  defpight  of  the  World  fet  forth  in  a  poor  Style,  for 
 he  fcarce  ever  forced  himfelf  to  hide  or  fupprels  what  he 
 thought,  or  to  put  any  Colours  upon  it,  but  eafily  and 
 clearly  expreffes  all  his  Sentiments,  or  Conceptions,  after 
 a  free  and  frank  manner.  This  is  the  Judgment  of  ro/f«y?T, 
 whOjUponconfiderationoftheBarbarouiiiefs  of  the  Sty k, 
 
 living 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author,  Ixix 
 
 Jiving  in  an  Age  when  the  Ciceronian  was  much  fiudied, 
 was  excited  to  do  the  fame  for  the  Roman  Catholick,  as 
 Caiialio  for  the  Protettant  Reader,  with  refpe6t  to  the 
 Treatife  f  of  the  Imitation ;  that  it  might  thereby  be  bet- 
 ter entertain'd  by  thofe  who  had  cart  off  even  the  reading 
 of  the  Bible  it  (elf,  becaufe  of  the  Barbarity  of  its  Lan- 
 guage inthereceivM  Tranflation,  for  fear  kl\  it  might 
 Ipoil  their  Latin. 
 
 §.  L.  In  writing  feveral  of  his  Treatifes,  he  confefTes 
 that  he  had  the  AiTiftances  of  ieveral  of  his  devout  Con- 
 tempories,  befides  the  Memoirs  of  bis  Predeccifors  and  El- 
 ders. And  it  feemsto  me  as  if  all  thofe  Book?  of  his  which  ,/ 
 are  written  by  way  of  Dialogue,  betwixt  a  Novice  and  a 
 Senior,  or  which  are  chiefly  a  Colledion  of  wife  Sayings 
 digefkd  under  certain  Heads,  are  of  this  Number.  There- 
 fore the  Preface  to  his  Dialogue  of  ths  Contempt:  of  the  Worlds 
 which  we  call  the  Novices,  begins  with  that  Command 
 of  out  Lord  in  John  vi.  12.  Gather  up  the  Fragments  that  re- 
 main, that  nothing  he  losl,  which  are  by  him  apply 'd  to  the 
 memorable  Sayings,  and  pious  Remains,  of  them  that  had 
 been  eminent  in  that  Society,  leaving  behind  them  a  fweec 
 Odour  of  unfeigned  Holinefs.  And  it  is  obfervable  that 
 all  the  three  Books  of  Lives  are  continued  after  the  fame 
 manner,  in  form  of  a  Conference  betwixt  a  Novice  and 
 his  Senior,  or  Inlkudlor,  wherein  he  was  certainly  helpt 
 by  Friends;  fome  of  whofeNames  hehasmention'd.  Now 
 befides  thofe  that  have  been  already  taken  notice  of,  it 
 appears  that  he  had  alfo  a  particular  Efteem  for  thefe  here 
 that  follow,  as  firrt,  Mr.  Warmbold,  a  famous  Preacher  at 
 Utrecht,  being  a  mott  fervent  Lover  of  the  Holy  Scripture, 
 and  a  great  Friend  of  Florenti^u,  mightily  flock'd  too  :  1  - 
 Then  Mr.  William  Herrys  oi  Amersford,  who  begun  a  Con- 
 gregation of  Clerks,  which  afterward  became  Canons  of 
 St.  Aulhns-Rtiley  following  the  Pattern  both  of  Gerard ta 
 and  Florentius :  Mr.  Henry  Good  of  Zrooll,  another  excel- 
 lent Preacher,  very  devout,  and  a  notable  Defpifer  of  the 
 World.    Mr.  Gerard  Kalker  of  the  fame  Place,  Rc6tor  of 
 
 e  3  the 
 
 \  Ds  hmtando  Chrifto,  &c.  Lihri  IV.  Aiuhove  Th&ma  Kempfioy 
 ex  Latino  Latinioresfacli,  F.  Francifco  Tolenfi  Cayion  Regular^ 
 intsr^rets,  Antwerpi*  apud  Joanneme  Belkrum,  1575. 
 
Ixx  -^^  Account  of  the 
 
 the  Devout  Clerks,  and  a  very  exccllenc  Informer  in  Vir- 
 tue and  Religion.    Tliefe  were  all  of  the  Province  of  17- 
 trecht,  and  took  their  Stfps  in  concert  with  the  Canons  of 
 Dr.  Gerard,'s  Eablifhment.    Alio  Mr.  Pauli  of  Medenhlk, 
 a  Perfon  of  a  downright  honclt  Heart,  and  wholly  devo- 
 ted to  God,    Mr. HMgh  GQldjm'uh of  Harlem^  well  acquaint- 
 ed with  Dr.  Gerard  and  Florentms,   and  by  them  much  e- 
 fleem'd.    Mr.  Henry  Brtme,  or  Brown,  of  Leyden,   famili- 
 arly acquainted  with  our  Author,  and  by  whom  he  pro- 
 felTes  himfdf  to  have  been  trery  much  Edified ;  beholding 
 him  as  a  true  Ifraelite  in  whom  there  was  no  Guile,  and 
 as  a  Dove  without  any  worldly  Gall ;  he  being  endowed 
 with  a  Gngular  lanocency  of  Life,  and  holy  Simplicity  of 
 Manners ;  and  befides  a  great  Contemplatili.    Mr.  Gilbert 
 Don,  ^r  Dove^  o[  Aw/ferdam,  the  Founder  of  two  Religi- 
 pug  Hcufes  there,  and  a  general  Promoter  of  Spiritual  Life. 
 Mr.  Daricl  Gruter  of  Duyfhtirotdch,  in  Gneiderland^  an  Old 
 JDiiciple'of  Dr.  Gerard,  from  whom  our  Author  received 
 jnuch  Information  concerning  him .  To  whom  may  dcferve 
 to  be  added   Dr.  John  Behme,   Vicar  of  the  great  Church 
 at  Dev enter,  and  Re6tor  of  the  School,  our  Author's   Tu- 
 tor, that  has  been  before  mentionM:  and  Dr.  Everhrad 
 Ez.a  o^Almelo,  a  Phyfician  of  great  Pra6lice,but  very  Cha- 
 ritable, who  was  a  good  Friend  o^Florentim  ;  and  ready  to 
 ferve  him  and  his  Clerks  for  God's  Sake.    Thefe  are  thofc 
 whofe  Memories  arc  honout'd  by  our  Author,  with  whom 
 hz  had  fweet  Fellowfhip  in  the  Spirit ;  and  with  whofe 
 Charity  and  Zeal  for  the  Honour  of  God  he  was  built  up 
 Ijimfelf,  and  built  up  others;  and  therefore  it  was  thought 
 i)t  here  to  prelerve  their  Memorial,  together  with  his. 
 
 §.  LI.  He  died  July  the  Twenty  Fit'th,  in  the  Year 
 MCCCCLXXI  of  Chnfi  and  the  XCIldofhis  Age,  with 
 tiie  fweet  Odour  of  San6l!ty,  having  liv'd  Threefcore  and 
 jileven  Years  in  religious  Retirement,  and  feen  Five  Em- 
 peeors.  Twelve  Popes,  and  Three  Antipopes.  ForhisPcr- 
 ion,  he  was  of  a  little  Stature,  well  proportion'd,  of  a 
 lirong  brown  Complexion,  of  a  manly  Countenance,  and 
 pf  a  quick  piercing  Eye;  which  notwithlianding  all  his 
 >3ight- labours,  grew  not  dim,  fo  that  even  to  the  laft  he 
 pever  ufed  Spedacles,  but  contmued  a  iLarp  and  (trong 
 Si^ht.    The  indullrious  and  learned  Fapcbrochms  gives  an 
 
 hint 
 
hJfe  and  Works  of  the  Author,  Ixxi 
 
 hint  that  there  was  fome  Thoughts  in  the  Church  of  Ro^e 
 of  Canonizing  him  for  a  Saint:  And  Badins  in  the  Life 
 of  him,  expreily  gives  him  the  Tide  oi^  Divm,  no  Jefs  than 
 Beams  :^  And  the  fame  Papehrochius  relates  how  his  Body 
 was  fmiraculoufly  difcoveredin  1672  on  the  13th  of  v^«- 
 gt4Ji,  N,  S.  and  adds,  that  it  was  to  be  hoped,  m  Rsligiofo 
 culm  cum  aliqmndo  vsnerari  lie  eat, 
 
 §.  LII.  As  for  what  is  performed  in  this  prefent  Vo- 
 lume of  his  Works,  rendered  \\\io  Englijh,  and  compil'd 
 out  of  his  feled  Pieces,  according  to  the  Method  of  the 
 precedent  Volume  of  tliC  Imitation ;  Care  has  been  taken 
 to  exprefs  the  Mind  and  Spirit  of  the  Author,  with  as  much 
 Exa6lnefs  as  the  Dift'erence  of  Circum(tanccs  would  per- 
 mit ;  and  without  Jofing  too  much  of  that  true  native  Sim- 
 plicity, which  is  an  elegance  Tranfcending  all  what  is  ■ 
 ino(i  Artificial.  When  I  met  with  any  thing  more  pe- 
 culiarly to  be  noted,  or  very  cmphatical  in  the  Original, 
 there  I  have  ftricHy  and  clofely  adhered  to  the  Letter  of 
 my  Author.  Ocherwife  I  have  taken  fuch  a  Liberty,  as 
 any  one  in  prudence  ought,  and  as  he  himfelf  has  recom- 
 mended. In  the  Firft  Book  is  contain'd  the  Authors  ex- 
 cellent Trad  oFtrue  Compundlion,  with  the  Subftance  of 
 another  concerning  Mortification.  In  the  Second  Book 
 are-  the  Morals  of  this  Author,  as  contained  in  his  Hortulm 
 Rofarum^  and  the  Epitaphium  honi  Monachi,  with  fome 
 few  Fragments  i  being  digeiied  by  way  of  Conference  be- 
 tween Mafter  and  Difciple.  This  to  the  Twentieth  Chap- 
 ter was  about  Fourfcore  Years  fince  done  into  Englifh  by 
 one  Hill,  under  the  Title  of  A  linle  Garden  ofRofes;  or. 
 Holy  Ohfervations  of  InjiruEiion :  and  the  Farsweho  the  Worlds 
 in  the  third  Chapter,  is  reformed  from  him.  In  the  Third 
 Book  are  compriz'd  the  Two  Books  of  his  Spiritual  Exerci- 
 fes,  with  what  is  of  the  like  nature  fcatter'd  in  his  other 
 Writings.  Of  this  I  know  nothing  that  has  been  ever 
 yet  attempted  in  EngliJJy:  And  yet  perhaps  no  Part  of 
 his  Works  will  be  found  more  ferviceable  to  many  De- 
 vout Souls,  than  this.  Here  I  was  obli2.\i  to  take  a  great- 
 er Liberty,  [to  make  that  more  Univerfal,  which  was 
 defigned  only  for  the  Ufe  of  a  particular  Society ;  yet  was 
 »at  to  depart  herein  either  from  the  Genius  and  Spirit  of 
 
 c  4  the 
 
Ixxii  An  Account  of  the 
 
 the  Author,  or  from  what  he  had  principally  in  Aim  in 
 this  Bipartite  of  Holy  Exercifes,  Outward  and  Inward  ; 
 or  to  givre  oflfence  to  any  Party  or  Body  of  Chriftians.  And 
 in  the  IVth  Book  is  that  moft  rich  Treafure  of  the  Solilo- 
 Quy  of  the  Soul ;  which  was  in  the  Reign  of  Q.  Eliz^abeth 
 firrt  fet  forth  in  Englifh  by  Mr.  T.  Rogers,  as  a  Fourth 
 Book  of  the  Imitation  ;  and  which  Horftins  has  placed 
 firft  in  the  fecor.d  Volume  of  his  moH  curious  Edition  of 
 his  Fiat  or  Chri /Han  us  y  as  immediately  fucceeding  the  faid 
 Imitation,  which  makes  the  ¥ni\  (as  this  with  iome  others 
 cf  his  choiceft  Pieces  make  the  Second)  Volume.  Rogers 
 gives  it  the  Title  ofT7j^  Sole-talk  of  the  Soul ;  or,  "  A  Spi- 
 '^^  ritual  and  Heavenly  Dialogue  betwixt  the  Soul  of  Man 
 "  and  God.  Which  for  the  great  Affinity  it  hath  with 
 **  other  Books  of  the  Autnor,  publilli'd  heretofore  in  oi^r 
 ^*  native  Tongue,  is  now  entituled,  The  Fourth  Book  of  the 
 *^  Imitation  of  Christ.  Trandated  and  Corrc(^^ed  by  Thomas 
 **  Roger Sy  A.  1 598.  This  Old  Tranilation  I  had  heard  of, 
 but  met  not  with  it  till  the  greatert  part  of  my  Labour  be- 
 ing over,  I  was  mightily  pleafed  to  find  that  he  had  the 
 very  fame  Sentiments  with  me,  in  perfe6t  Agreement  with 
 the  Author's  own  Intention,  according  as  he  thus  exprefs- 
 eth  himfelf.  **  Being  much  and  earnertly  requeued  here- 
 "  unto,  I  have  publilTi'd  in  our  Vulgar  Tongue  another 
 ^•'  of  Malleolus^  alias  Thomas  a  Kempts ,  or  Kempifius  his 
 ^'  Works:  Not  That  I  confefswhichoffome  well  Weening 
 "  [^Meaning']  though  not  fo  well  Deeming  [Difcerning] 
 "  Perfons  was  commended  unto  me;  I  mean  that  in  the 
 "  Old  Englifh  Tranilation,  and  in  fome  Latin  Copies  too, 
 "  calPd,  The  Fourth  of  the  Imitation  of  Chrifi,  which  indeed 
 *-  is  altogether  De  S.jcramento  Altarisy  and  lb  entituled : 
 "  But  the  next  to  that  in  Kempifms's  Works,  namely, 
 "  the  SolilGcViium  Anima.  This  I  have  termed  for  the  great 
 ^'  Affinity  it  hath  with  the  Books  of  Kempi/ias,  by  me 
 ^'  heretoibre  divulged,  The  Fourth  Book  of  the  Imitation  of 
 ^'  Chrij}.  In  the  doing  whereof,  I  have  as  little  as  might 
 •^  be  varied  from  the  Authors  Words  and  Phrales,  and  no 
 *?  where  from  the  Scnfe,  but  where  himielf  hath  varied 
 ^*  from  the  Truth  of  God  :  And,  I  douht  not,  would  have 
 *^  redreifed,  had  he  liv'd  in  thel'e  Days  of  Light,  as  he  did 
 *^  in  tlie  Time  of  moli  palpable  Darkneis.    And  this  I 
 
 "  have 
 
Life  and  Works  of  the  Author.  Ixxiii 
 
 have  done  with  the  greater  Alacrity,  becaufe  I  find 
 '  (and  thou  mayett  read  it  alfo  in  the  Author's  own  Pre- 
 '  face)  that  he  not  only  doubted  that  he  might  utter  fome- 
 ^  thing  borh  fond  and  oftenfive^  but  alfo  wifhed  to  have 
 
 *  fome  godly  Corredor  of  his  Faults,  and  prayed  unto 
 
 *  Almighty  God  gracioufly  to  reveal  fuch  things  as  were 
 '  ofFenfjve,  either  unto  himfelf,  or  unto  fome  other. 
 '  Whofe  godly  Prayer  God  hath  heard,  and  difcovered 
 '  thofe  things  for  thy  Benefit ;  and  a  Telttfication  JDefides 
 '  how  Kempififis  the  Author  howfoever  living  in  a  Po~ 
 
 *  pifh  time,  v/as  yet  in  Heart  no  Papiil,  but  would  like 
 '  wt  11  of  that  which  is  done,  as  I  truft  thou  wilt.    Thus 
 
 far  Rogers,  in  his  Preface. 
 
 §.  LIII.  Now  as  this  was  a  good  Apology  for  the  Old 
 Tranflator,  it  can  be  no  bad  one  for  the  New  ,*  who  thinks 
 he  fliould  have  been  unjuft  to  the  excellent  Author,  had 
 he  not  accepted  the  Liberty,  which  he  freely  gives,  and 
 not  only  gives,  but  even  prefTes.  I  (hall  conclude  witli 
 the  Words  of  Pirc-Kamer  in  a  Letter  of  his  to  Danhanpr^ 
 i^p^  Feb.  12.  "Nothing  more  holy,  nothing  more  ho- 
 "  nourable,  nothing  more  religious,  nothing  la(fly  more 
 *'  for  the  Chriftian  Common-weal  can  you  ever  do,  than 
 "  to  take  care  that  thefe  Books  of  T.  a  Kempu  be  made 
 "  publick  t  Which,  tho'  hitherto  not  taken  notice  of,  as 
 "  Fire  hidden  in  the  Veins  of  a  Flipt,  may  be  very  great- 
 "  ly  ufeful  and  ferviceable  to  the  Chriftian  Religion. 
 Then  he  tells  how  fome  had  with  thefe  put  to  flight 
 the  Powers  of  Darknefs :  And  having  given  a  Character 
 of  the  Author  upon  his  own  Knowledge,  he  addreffes  him- 
 felf to  his  Friend  again,  in  this  manner:  "  It  will  be 
 **  well  and  confiderately  done  of  you,  if  you  bring  them 
 "  out  of  Duft  and  Obfcurity  into  the  Light,  that  they 
 "  may  be  commonly  read,  as  which  do  either  lead  Minds 
 "  difpofed  and  prepared  to  the  Queft  of  their  eternal  Hap- 
 "  pinefs,  and  the  Contemplation  of  ufeful  Learning  and 
 *'  folid  Wifdom ;  and  this  after  an  eafy,  fwift,  andcom- 
 "  pendious  Method :  Or  elfe  do  fortify  thofe  that  are  al- 
 ^  ready  Devout  and  Spiritual ;  vindicating  them  from  the 
 "  fhameful  Ignorance  and  Inexperience,  which  is  here 
 *'  fo  extreamly  dangerous.  And  of  how  great  Edificati- 
 ][  on  thele  Works  are  like  to  be  for  all  Chriftians,  even 
 
Ixxlv  An    Account  of  the 
 
 the  greatcit  and  the  moil  learned  not  excepted,  it  is  im- 
 "  pofTible  to  fpeak  or  write.  Do  not  then  flight  them, 
 "  courteous  Sir,  for  that  they  are  compofed  in  a  vulgar 
 *'  and  plain  Style;  for  as  much  as  God  himfelf  would  have 
 "  it  to  be  fo  with  the  Apoliles,  that  they  might  be  wdth- 
 "  out  the  enticing  Flattery  of  Words,  and  Ornament  of 
 "  Speech ;  becaufe  that  Truth  for  being  fimple  and  naked 
 *^  is  fo  much  the  brighter,  and  facred  Theology  enough  in 
 *^  her  felf  adorn'd,  with  the  Addition  of  outward  Orna- 
 "  ments  is  but  corrupted,  and  daub'd  over  as  with  Fucus, 
 "  With  Fallliood  and  Error  this  may  agree  well  enough, 
 *^  that  have  need  to  appear  under  another  and  a  fairer 
 *'  Drefs  than  their  own.  Whereas  the  venerable  Father 
 *'  Thomas  of  Kempsn  noC  trutting  to  Eloquence,  but  to 
 ^'  Truth,  compofed  thefe  Works:  Whofe  Style,  tho'  it 
 *'  flow  but  meanly  as  from  a  gentle  bubling  Spring,  yet 
 *'  liiines  clearly  wdth  its  own  Light  and  intrinfick  Lullre, 
 *'  As  for  Philofophers,  with  Orators  and  Poets,  while  they 
 '•^  with  the  enticing  Words  of  Mans  Wifdom,  and  the 
 *'  fweet  Charms  of  Numbers  are  fitted  to  allure  and  defile 
 *'  the  Mind,  they  are  herein  for  certain  very  Pernicious  to 
 "  the  Unwary.  Wherefore  thefe  fame  Trads  of  St.  Tho- 
 "  mas  a  Kempis  are  no  wile  for  want  of  thefe  to  be  negleded, 
 "  or  (lighted,  by  any  Learned  Man,  O  mod  Learned  Pe- 
 "  ter ;  for  fo  1  ftnd  the  Holy  Scripture  it  felf  has  been  by 
 **  fame  of  the  Learned  defpifed  for  the  iameReafon. 
 
 THE 
 
THE 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 BOOK      I. 
 
 The  Sighs  of  a  Penitent  Soul,  or  a  Treatife  of  true 
 
 CompunStion. 
 
 Chap.  I.  c^^H  E  Shiner  legmnwg  to  return.  Page  t 
 
 Chap.  II.  His  Fear  and  Dread.  p.  z 
 
 Chap.  III.  His  Confolation  and  EncoiLVCigement,  p  5 
 
 Chap,  IV.  His  Fahth  and  Confidence,  p  4 
 
 Chap,  V.  The  Gofpel  Tejlhnony ,  p.  5 
 
 Chap.  VI.  The  Vrayer  of  a  Sinner  converted  to  God,  p.  y 
 
 Chap.  VII.  J  Meditation  on  the  Divine Long'fufering,  p.  8 
 Chap.  VIII.  Of  the  Divine  Methods  in  and  after  Converjion^  p.  10 
 Chap.  IX.  Onihe  State  of  the  Unconverted,  p.  11 
 
 Chap.  X.  On  the  Mifery  and  Dangers  of  this  pefent  Life.  p.  i^ 
 Chap.  XI.  The  Coyifiiti  letwixt  the  Flejh  and  the  Spirit.  ibid. 
 
 Chap.  XII.  The  Efjicacy  of  Divine  Grace  and  Confolation  p.i  j 
 Chzip,  Till,  The  fiibjeBion  of  the  FleJJ}  to  the  Spirit,  p.    16 
 
 Chap.  XIV.  The  Body ^  hovp  a  "Partner  with  the  Soul  here  and  here- 
 after, P*  17 
 Chap.  XV.  The  Fears  of  an  exile  Soidhemoaning  her  Captivitytip.iS 
 Cnap.  XV^I.  The  earnefi  Lon?ing  of  the  devout  Soul  after  Dijfo- 
 hition.                                                                                V'  ^9 
 Chap.  XVII.  The  Penitenfs  Prcgrefs,  after  thU^  in  the  refigned 
 .     and  lowly  Life  of  ChriH:.                                                       p.  zi 
 Chap.  XVIIL  His  Humiliation  hereupon^  and  propofal  ofchrijl 
 both  for  a  Pattern  and  a  Standard.                                       p.  24 
 Chap.  XIX.  Farther  Afpirations  of  a  contrite  Soul  after  the  Life 
 '     ofChriJl.  P'  ^7 
 Chap.  XX.  The  necejjity  of  a  daily  Death  towards  the  attainment 
 of  this  Life.                                                                         p.  28 
 Chap.  XXI.  A  Lamentation  ofjhe  Soul  for  her  Infirmity^  and 
 ■    iinfleadfajinefs  in  the  Chriftian  Race*                               P«  3 1 
 
 Chap.  XXII. 
 
The  Contents. 
 
 Chap.  XXII.  The  Tank  of  Chrijl  fweet  to  the  True  Penitent,  p.  35 
 Chap.  XXIII.  //a  Thankfulnefs  in  all  Eflates  P*  34 
 
 Chap.  XXIV.  The  Narrow  Path  of  Perfe^  Mortification.      p.  56 
 Chap.  XXV.  Jgainjl  the  falfe  Rejls  of  the  Soul  }n  the  Work  ofCon^ 
 vfrfion,  P«  58 
 
 The  Prayer  of  an  Hnmble  Penitent.  p.  gp 
 
 BOOK     II. 
 
 A  (hort  ChriRiRian  Direclory,  digefled  into  Conferences 
 betwixt  an  Old  Chri(iian  and  a  Novice,  or  the  Matter 
 and  the  Dilcipk. 
 
 Chap.  I.  r\Ffeeking  Good  andJJmnning  Evil  Company.      p.  40 
 
 Chap.  II.  Offorfaking  the  IForldyand  the  Snares  of  the  Devil,  p.  42. 
 Chap-  III.  A  Farewelto  the  World.  By  the  Difciple.  p.  44 
 
 Chap.  IV.  OfTiueWifdomtohefough  fromGod.  P- 4*^ 
 
 Chap.  V.  Of  the  Warfare  againfi  a  Mans  own  proper  Vices,  p.  50 
 Chap.  VJ.  Of  the  Grace  of  Devotion.  p.  54 
 
 Chap.  VII.  Of  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  Word  of  Maiu  p.  56 
 Chap.  VIII.  Of  Divine  Confolation  in  AffliUions,  p.  58 
 
 Chap.  IX.  Ofthejoy  of  agoodtonfciencein  the  HolyGhoJl.  p,  60 
 Chap.  X.  Of  the  Good  Converfation  of  an  Humble  Chrifiian.  p.  65 
 Chap.  XI.  The  Injl ability  of  Mans  Heart,  p.  67 
 
 Chap.  XII.  Of  the  Trujl  we  ought  to  have  in  God  in  Time  of  Trouble, 
 
 p.  6p 
 Chap.  XIII.  Of  the  Power  of  Prayer,  and  Vrofit  of  Reading,  p.  71 
 Chap.  XIV.  The  Praife  of  chanty,  and  the  Fruits  of  it,  p.  77 
 Chap.  XV.  Of  Watchful  Care  and  Labour  agai?isi  Tempt atiojis, 
 
 p.  81 
 Chap.   XVI.  Of  Fraternal  hearing  one  anothers  Burthens,     p.  82 
 Chap.  XVII.  0 f  the  Love  0 f  Chrijl,  and  Hatred  of  the  If"  or  Id.  p.  84 
 Chap.   XVIII.  Of  the  Imitation  of  the  mojl  Holy  Life  of  our  Lord 
 and  Saviour  Jefus  Chrijl.  p.  89 
 
 Chap.   XIX.   The  Souls  Afpirarion,  By  the  Difciple.  p.  98 
 
 Chap.   XX.OftheEteriialPraifeofGod.  p.  91 
 
 Chap.  XXI,  The  Strait  Way.  p.  99 
 
 Chap.  XXII.  The  Guard  of  the  Heart  and  Mouth.  p.  loi 
 
 Chap.  XXIII.  Frequent  Invocation  of  the  Name  cfChriJ!.  p.  loj 
 Chap.  XXIV.  The  daily  Combat.  p.  104 
 
 Chap.  XXV.  The  Souls  bejl  Goods.  p.  106 
 
 Chap,  XXVI.  pK  True  and  Inward  Com  fort,  p.  T08 
 
 Chap.  XXVII. 
 
The  Contents. 
 
 Chap.   TDJll.  The  RecolMion  of  the  Heart  mS'iUncc  p.  109 
 
 Chap.  XXVIII.  ^gamft  Vam-GIory.  p.  "t 
 
 Chap.  XXIX.  Cle^vefs  of  Heart,  p.  "i 
 
 Chap.  XXX.  The  True  Peace.  r-  "? 
 Chap.  XXXI.  The  earnejl  Defire  of  the  t)\fc\^le  to  pefs  forward 
 
 in  this  Way.  P*  ^'4 
 
 Chap.  XXXII.  Of  the  PraBlce  of  a  Pious  Man.  p.  116 
 
 Chap.  XXXIII.  Confideration  of  Human  Mif cry  P- i^r 
 
 Chap.  XXXIV.  Of  the  Prefaration  for  Death.  p.  lij 
 
 Chap.  XXXV^  Heaven  the  Native  Home  of  the  Saints.  p.  lij 
 
 A  FiSLytr,  i>y  the  Difcij^le.  V' ^^7 
 
 BOOK    III. 
 
 OF  Spiritual  Exercifes. 
 
 Chap.  I.  *^HE  Great  Benefit  offuch  Exercifes ;  with  fome  Pre- 
 
 A    paratory  Rules  and  Reflexions-,  V'  ^l^ 
 
 Chap.  II.  The  Moriwig  Exercife^  at  fir  ft 'Waking.  p.  1^5 
 
 Chap.  III.  Of  the  Elevation  and  DireHion  of  the  Heart  to  GOD. 
 
 p.  136 
 Chap.  IV.  Of  the  Guard  of  the  Outward  Senfes.  p.  159 
 
 Chap.  V.  The  Great  Duty  of  Recollection  ioth  at  Home  and  Abroad. 
 
 p.  142 
 
 Ch3L]p.  VI.  Of  Holy  l^igUance.  '  v  1^6 
 
 Chap.  VII.  Preparation  for  J  and  Attendance  at  the  Pulick  Wor- 
 
 Jhip.  p.  hB 
 
 Chap.  VIII.  Of  External  A^s  and  Geftttres  in  Divine  Worjhip. 
 
 p.  150 
 Chap.  IX.  Converfaiion at  Meals.  p»  15? 
 
 Chap.  X.  Confideration  of  God's  good  Pleafnre,  a7id  Confidence  un- 
 der Adverfity.  P*  1 38 
 Chap.  XI.  Examination  at  Night.  p-  1^0 
 Chap.  XII.  Erercife  in  the  Bed.  p.  1^2 
 Chap.  XIII.  The  Exercife  of  Obedience.  p.  i<5  j. 
 Chap.  XIV.  Of  the  more  hiward  Exercifes.  p.  l65 
 Chap.  XV.  The  Duty  and  Advantage  of  Prayer,  Reading,  arid 
 Work.  r-  *^7 
 Chap.  XVI.  Of  the  Exercife  of  the  Virtues  hoth  Interior  and  Es.^ 
 
 terior.  P«  ^7^ 
 
 Chap.  XVII.  The  Exercife  of  Holy  Courage  a7idRefolution.Y).iy^ 
 Chap.  XVIII.  Ofihs  Orh:7Dn  and  Union  of  our  Exercifes -^  par-- 
 
 ticuUrly  of  Natural  A(^ions.  P-  ^7^ 
 
 ^  Chap.  XjX: 
 
The  Content 
 
 s. 
 
 Chap.  XIX.  Some  farther  LireBmis  mid  Encouragements,  p.  178 
 Chap.  XX.  A  Pemtential  Exerdfe,  p.  180 
 
 Chap.  XXI.  An  Eudwijlical  Exercife,  p.  184 
 
 Chap.  XXII.  The  Exerafe  of  the  Hcly  Crofs,  p-  185 
 
 Chap.     XXIII.  //d/J£SU;  o>-,  the  'ialittnthn,  d.  186 
 
 Chap.  XXIV.  An  Exerc'ife  of  SanB:'-ificatwnof  Chnjl''s  Name.    By 
 
 way  of  Soliloquy  betwixt  the  Soul  and  her  Lord.  p.  i88 
 
 Ghap.  XXV.  CHRIST  ^/;e  hegmmvg  and  end'vig  of  the  Saint'' s  Ex~ 
 
 ercifes,  "       p.  ipg 
 
 A  Prayer.  p.  207 
 
 BOOK      IV 
 
 Spiritual  Entertainments ;   or,   The  Soliloquy  of  the  SohU 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 §.  I.  7he  Scope  and  Mind  of  the  Author,  p.  211.  §  II.  HU  Appeal 
 p.  213.  §  III.  A  Prayer  for  ohtammg  Tranqiiillity  of  Mmd^ 
 in  order  to  binder Jl  and -the  Scriptures,  p.  hh,  Perfons  f^ppofed  to 
 fpeak.  p.  214, 
 
 Chap.  I.  r\F  the  Defire  of  the  Sonl  which  feeks  after  GOD.    In 
 vy  a  Conference  hetmxt  Theophilus,  Philothea  and 
 
 the  Beloved.  P-2.I5 
 
 Chap.  II.  The  Call  of  GOD  oheyed  hy  the  Soul.  p.  222 
 
 Chap.  III.  Gjd'sjhi^  Judgment.  p.  224 
 
 Chap,  IV.  The  jrearinefs  ajid  Uunflayednefs  of  the  Soul  aft sr  Con-- 
 
 verjion,  in  the  Race  ofChriJlian  l^irtues,  p.  228 
 
 Chap.  V.  Refe^ions  on  the  State  of  this  prefent  Life.         p.  .231 
 Chap.  VI.  Of  Panting  after  Eternal  L^fe,  p.  246 
 
 Chaj).  VII.  The  AffeBionate  ViJIjes  of  the  Chrijlian  Traveller  for  a 
 
 Blejfed  Departure.  p.  2-41 
 
 Chap.  VIII.  More  Breathings  of  a  Vev out  Soul  for  a  Dehverance 
 
 out  of  the  Body.  P*  ^5^ 
 
 Chap.  IX.  The  Myjlical  Death,  p.  ^SO 
 
 Ciiap.  X.  Of  Sequejlration  frovi  Creatures.  p.  2-59 
 
 Chap.  XI.  Of  Contempt  0^  all  Earthly  Comforts.  p.  264 
 
 Chap    XII.  Ofthegreat  ^weetnefs  and Confolation  found inGODi 
 
 p.  271 
 Chap.  XIII.  Of  the  only  and  Supreme  GOOd,    And  the  manner  of 
 
 feciing^t.  ^  ,     -  7  ^r^r^      ,  ?' J"^!^ 
 
 Chap.  XIV.  Of  the  Union  of  the  Soul  with  GOD  :  And  of  the 
 
 witldyawing  of  his  Grace,  ^'i?^ 
 
 Chap.  XV» 
 
The  Contents. 
 
 Chap,  XV.  The  Souls  fndnefs  for  tie  Al fence  of  her  BeJoved,^,  505 
 Chap.  _  XVI.  J  ScTUtmy  concernmg  the  BELOVED,  and  the  Gifts 
 
 of  his  Grace.  p.  ?ii 
 
 Chap.  XVII.  Of  the  vioft  Gracious  Vrotellwn  oftheBeloved  p.  3  zx 
 Chap.  XVIII.  The  Beloved'^  Jnfwer  givwg  an  Account  ofhk 
 
 W%thdrawmg.  P«  ??7 
 
 Chap.  XIX.  OfConfidence  in  the  Divine  Mercy.  P»  547 
 
 Chap.  XX.  The  Befire  of  Divine  Fruition,  A  Meditation,  p.  55J 
 Chap.  XXI.  The  Sighing  of  the  Soulhy  reaf on  of  Glory  deferred. 
 
 p.  564 
 Chap.  XXII.  Of  the  Heavenly  Cou7itry,  P-  ?7i 
 
 Chap.  XXIII.  Of  the  Approach  to  the  Holy  of  Holies  Chrijl^jefm 
 
 KingofAvgels.  p.  ^^^ 
 
 Chap.  XXIY.  ThajikfgivingtoGod,  p.  ^8j 
 
 AdsofThankfgiving.  I.For  Gfjriow,   3 94 II.  For  Redemption. 
 
 396    III.  For  Juftification,  oi'  SantUfcation^  400,  IV.  Ths 
 
 Communion  of  Saints^  406, 
 
 O  F 
 
ERRATA 
 
 PAge  42.  Chap.  V.  r.  11.  4.3.  1.  17.  and  r.  aff  $6. 
 1.6.  theff  r.  fAere.  44. 1.  18.  forjaki^g  \j\V]h 
 27.  /^Z?'^/^  r.  aS/d.  45.  1.  12.  r.  trampled.  161. 
 1.24.  <?/r. or.  181.  1.  22.  Slaver.  Salve.  187. 1. 
 5.  in  r.  into.  200.  1.  penult.  Head  r.  Heart.  209. 
 1.  18.  p^y  r.  r^/.  204.  I.  12.  ^^^///^[thee]  209.  L 
 7.  Horrours  r.  Honours  1.  17.  /^r  r.  irom.  226.  L 
 ;>e;/«/^  /»'£'//j  r.  fmells.  248.  1.  15.  thk  r.  his. 
 
J. 
 
O  F    T  H  E 
 
 IMITATION 
 
 OF 
 
 Tefus  Chrift. 
 
 Cl^e  jfirft  JSooft. 
 
 The  Sighs  of  a  Penitent  Soul: 
 
 O  R,     A 
 
 Treatise  of  True  Compun6lion. 
 
 Chap.    I. 
 27:?^  Sinner  /beginning  to  Return, 
 
 E  E  P  vvith  me,  all  my  Friends,  and  fee 
 my  Grief  ^  for  it  is  vehement.  Look  up- 
 on my  Wound  ^  for  it  is  deep.  What  is 
 it  that  I  weep  for  ?  It  is  this,  even  for  this, 
 that  I  amcaft  out  from  the  Face  of  the  God  of  Heaven, 
 and  from  before  his  Eyes.  I  (It  in  Darknefs,  and  in 
 the  Shadow  of  Death  j  and  I  behold  not  the  Light  of 
 Heaven. 
 
 B        '  What 
 
€>t  t^e  Smitation       Vol.  il 
 
 What  Joy  therefore  can  there  be  for  me  ?  I,  poor 
 little  wretched  Man,  went  down  from  Jerufdem  to 
 Jericho^  and  fell  among  moft  cruel  Thieves*,  who 
 even  robbed  me  of  my  Robe  of  Immortality  ,  and 
 having  grievoufly  wounded  me,  departed,  leaving  me 
 half  dead. 
 
 The  Watchmen  of  the  City  found  me,  they  fmote 
 me,  they  wounded  me  alfo  ^  and  the  Keepers  of  the 
 Walls  moreover  took  away  my  Veil  from  me. 
 
 Now  therefore,  O  ye  Daughters  of  JerHfaUm^  go 
 tell  the  Beloved,  that  I  am  filled  with  Grief.  Send 
 unto  him,  faying.  Behold^  Lazarnsj  whom  thou  loveftj 
 is  fick.  Lord,  thy  Servant  lieth  on  the  Bed  lick  of  the 
 Palfie,  and-is  grievoufly  tormented.  I  have  now  thefe 
 many  Years  laboured  under  this  Infirmity,  I  have 
 been  long,  long,  difcafed  ^  I,  thy  Servant,,  have  been 
 a  Cripple  from  the  Womb  of  my  Mother  :  bccaufe 
 I  am  obnoxious  to,  and  bow'd  down  with,  the  Bond 
 of  Original  Sin. 
 
 Chap.    II. 
 
 His  Fear  and  Dread, 
 
 AH  me  r  I  am  the  Son  of  Adam  the  Trangreflbr,. 
 and  the  Son  of  Death,  wholly  born  in  Sin-, 
 Wretched  my  Entrance,  and  horrible  my  Exit !  And 
 whither  fhall  I  flee?  1  know  not. 
 
 If  I  afcend  into  Heaven,  thou  art  there,  who  fparefl 
 not  Sinners ,  and  if  I  defcend  into  Hell,  thou  art  pre- 
 fent,  that  thou  may'fl  punifh  the  Tranfgrcirors. 
 
 Ah!  Where  fhall  I  hide  my  felf  from  the  Looks  of 
 thy  Wrath  ?  For  I  have  finned  exceedingly  in  my  Life. 
 I  looked  up  towards  Heaven,  and  God  faid,  Let  tha 
 Wicked  be  taken  away^  that  he  fee  not  my  Glory, 
 
 Thea- 
 
Book!.        of  Jesus  Christ.  3 
 
 Then  again  looked  I  down  into  the  ^hyfs^  and  a 
 terrible  Voice  founded  in  my  Ears  :  Bifid  him  Hand 
 and  Footf  and  take  him  avoay^  and  cafl  him  into  oHter 
 darknefsf  where  is  weeding  and  gnajhi^g  of  Teeth, 
 
 Hence,  greatly  confounded,  I  began  to  Dread,  and 
 to  be  exceeding  Sorrowful ,  nay,  and  all  my  Bones  to 
 quake  and  (hiver,  from  before  the  prefence  of  the 
 Lord  and  of  his  Fiery  Wrath  and  Indignation.  Fear- 
 fulfiefs  and. Trembling  are  come  upon  me,  and  an  hor- 
 rible Darkhefs  hath  overwhelm'd  me. 
 
 And  I  faid.  Who  then  can  be  faved  ?  And  if 
 thou  wilt  be  extreme  to  mark  what  is  done'amifs, 
 O  Lord,  who  may  abide  it?  Terrible  and  Holy  is 
 thy  Name. 
 
 Chap.    III. 
 
 His  Confolation  and  Encenrageifienti 
 
 UT  now  hold,  and  be  filent,  my  Soulv  for  I  have 
 
 heard  a  comfortable  Voice  fpeaking  to  them  that 
 
 are  in  Sorrow  and  Mourning :  Write')  Bleffed  are  they 
 that  moHrn^  for  they  fiall  be  comforted.  And  again: 
 Repent  J  for  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  is  at  handi 
 
 The  Voice  of  the  Lord  comforting  his  Servants  t 
 The  Voice  of  the  Lord  admonifhing  from  behind:  Re-^ 
 turn^  faith  the  Voice, j^'^  backfliding  Children: 
 Return^  and  live.    Retn-n  to  me^  and  I  will  re"  X^^^,"^'  "A', 
 turn  to  yoii.     Come  unto  mc^  all  ye  that  labour  Match,  xi. ' 
 and  are  heavy  laden  ^  and  Izviil  give  you  refi. 
 
 And  the  Prophet  of  the  Lord  meeting  them  that 
 grieve,  faith  thus  :  The  Lord  is  nigh  nnto  them  that  are 
 of  a  contrite  heart.  And  concerning  himfelf,  he  de- 
 clareth  this  Word,  full  of  Confolation  •  "  The  Lord 
 *'  hath  heard,  and  hath  had  mercy  upon  me  :  The 
 
 B  2  Lord 
 
4  fiDf  tl)c  9imitatio«       Vol.  ii. 
 
 '^  Lord  is  become  my  Helper^  for  he  hath  not  d?- 
 '''^  fpifed  the  Prayer  of  the  Poor. 
 
 Behold,  there  is  yet  room  ^  and  the  Door  is  not  yet 
 fhut.  Thou  caiift,  by  Repentance,  recover  all  again  ^ 
 and  make  up  thy  Lofs,  both  as  to  the  Evil  thou  haft 
 done,  and  to  the  Good  thou  haft  left  undone. 
 
 Be  not  therefore  now  too  much  caft  down,  or  terri- 
 fied :  For  the  Son  of  Man  came  to  feek  and  to  fave  that 
 which  was  loft.  And  again  :  lam  not  come  (faith  he) 
 to  call  the  Righteous^  but  Sinners  to  Repentance, 
 
 Chap.     IV. 
 
 His  Faith  and  Confidence. 
 
 LIFT  up  therefore  thy  felf,0  my  Soul,  into  a  good 
 Confidence^  for  that  the  Lord  hath  fpoken. 
 Thy  Life  drew  near  unto  Hell,  and  thou  waft  deli- 
 vered up  unto  Death  :  But  the  Lord  took  pity  upon 
 thee,  and  confidered  how  to  ftiew  thee  his  Mercy. 
 
 Thou  waft  greatly  afraid  of  the  Face  of  the  Lord, 
 and  thoughteft  with  thy  felf  how  thou  fhouldft  hide 
 thy  ielf  from  Him,  even  as  ¥ athQV  j4 dam  did  when 
 he  (inncd.  Thou  waft  alfo  meditating  a  flight  into 
 fome  Region  or  other,  in  like  manner  as  Jonas  fled 
 from  the  Prefence  of  the  Lord  with  a  Ship.  But  here- 
 in alfo  thou  haft  feen  the  Vanity  of  thy  Attempt,  and 
 expofed  the  more  thy  own  Folly.  All  in  vain  haft 
 thou  laboured:  For  neither  by  hiding,  nor  by  fleeing, 
 fhalt  thou  efcape  the  Hand  of  God. 
 
 Return  therefore  into  the  Heavenly  Region  by  ano- 
 ther Way;  a  Way  which  the  Lord  hath  fhewed  thee, 
 that  thou  may'ft  walk  in  it.  This  is  the  Way :  ^^- 
 pent.  This  is  the  Way  :  He  that  njill  follow  Me^  faith 
 the  Holy  One  thy  Redeemer,  Ut  him  deny  himfelf 
 
 The 
 
Book  I.        of  J  E  s  u  s  Christ. 
 
 The  belt  Comfel^  and  the  ftrongeft  Hdf  is  given 
 thee  from  Heaven.  The  Coimfel  is  this  :  That  thou 
 worthily  Repent  thee  for  all  thy  Mifdeeds,  and  by 
 Sorrow  unfeign'd  avenge  thy  felf  as  it  were  on  the 
 fame^  and  fo  make  thy  Peace  with  God  in  Faith. 
 
 Thy  Hclf  is  from  the  Lord,  even  the  Lord  that 
 made  Heaven  and  Earthy  who,  being  fo  Great>  yet 
 hath  vouchfafed  to  pay  for  thee  the  whole  Debt. 
 
 For  he  delivered  up  his  Soul  unto  Death,  and  made 
 Interceflion  for  the  Tranfgreflbrs,  that  they  might 
 not  perifh :  And  fo  by  his  own  Death  hath  he  fnatched 
 thee  from  Eternal  Death  ^  and  wrought  out  Salvation 
 for  thee  through  his  Crofs. 
 
 For  thy  Tranfgrefllon  he  was  ftricken  ^  and  for  thee, 
 O  wretch,  he  poured  out  his  Soul  an  Offering  for 
 Sin,  that  ^o  thou  might'fl:  be  acquitted.  Lo!  Was 
 there  ever  any  Love  like  to  this  Love  ?  Be  aftonilh'd, 
 O  ye  Heavens ! 
 
 Chap.    V. 
 
 The  GofpeUTeJlifiioyiy, 
 
 BEhold,  the  Lamb  of  God,  that  hath  taken  away 
 our  Sins,  nailing  them  to  his  Crofs  ^  and  hath 
 blotted  out  the  Hand-writing  that  was  againfl:  us; 
 fpoiling,  for  our  fakes,  even  Principalities  and  Powers, 
 and  openly  triumphing  over  them  !  Glory  be  to  thee, 
 O  Lamb  of  God,  Saviour  of  the  World  ! 
 
 This  now  is  what  the  Evangelical  Prophet  has  in. 
 mofl  lively  Colours  defcrib'd,  by  whom  the  Holy 
 Ghoft  did  forefhew,  how  the  Chaftifement  of  thy  Peace, 
 O  my  Soul,  was  upon  him,  and  how  with  his  Stripes 
 thou  art  to  be  healed.  This  is  whatalfotheholy  Apoftle, 
 St.  Paitly  recommends  to  the  Faithful,   alluring  us, 
 
 B  3  that 
 
^  €>t  tbe  %nitation        Vol.  n. 
 
 that  through  the  Faith  of  Divine  Operation,  we  are 
 quickened  together  withhim^  who  were  before 
 ^Pff -.V'  dead  in  our  TrefpalFes  and  Sins,  that  fo  we 
 might  live  unto  Him. 
 
 Hence  alfo  in  another  place  the  fame  Apoflle  faith, 
 This  is  a  true  Sayings  and  worthy  of  all  Mm  to 
 1  Tim.  1.  y^  received^  that  Chrifi  Jefus  came  into  tie 
 World  to  Jiive  Sinners 
 
 And  this  alfo  agrees  with  what  that  beloved  Apo- 
 
 ftle,  St.  John^  hath  written,  faying,  //'  any 
 
 1  Joha  u.    j\^liin  fm-i  we  have  an  Advocate  ivith  the  Father\ 
 
 Jefiis  Chrifi  the  RighteoHs-t  and  he  is  the  Propitiation  for 
 
 ffttr  Sins* 
 
 Behold,  what  Confolation,  and  what  and  how  great 
 Hope  God  hath  left  for  Sinners  :  But  yet  not  tor  all 
 promifcuoully,  but  for  the  Penitent  and  Converted 
 Ones. 
 
 Be  thou  now  mindful,  O  returning  Soul,  of  his 
 Holy  Word,  wherein  he  hath  given  thee  a  ground 
 of  Hope^  lay  faft  hold  on  all  the  fweet  and  tender 
 Promifes:  And,  being  weary  and  heavy  laden  with 
 the  weight  of  thy  Cori\iption  ,  delay  not  to  come 
 unto  him  h  but  obey  presently  his  moft  loving  and 
 amiable  Call. 
 
 And  now,  O  Lord,  I  proflrate  my  felf  in  Prayer 
 before  Thee*,  and  do  cry  unto  Thee  from  the  very 
 bottom  of  my  Heart.  O  let  my  Groans  come  up  in 
 thy  fight  •,  and  let  my  Petition  find  Favour  and  Accep- 
 tance with  Thee,  my  God,  the  Father  of  all  Mercies , 
 who  art  infinitely  and  enencially  Mercys 
 
 C  TI  A  P. 
 
Book  I.         of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  R  I  S  T. 
 
 Chap.    VI. 
 
 The  Prajer  of  a  Smter  converted  to  God. 
 
 LORD  G  O  D^  Holy  Father,  I  have  finned  againft 
 Heaven,  and  before  thee,  and  am  not  worthy  to 
 be  called  thy  Son:  But,  O  my  Father,  I  befeech  thee, 
 make  me  at  leaft  but  as  one  of  thine  hired  Servants. 
 
 Thou  ^xtJHfi  in  thy  Dealing,  if  thou  cafteft  me 
 away  quite  from  thy  Prefence  :  Yea,  Jufl  art  thou, 
 O  Lord.  But  thou  dealelt  with  me  mercifully^  re- 
 ceiving one  that  am  unworthy  of  every  Benefit,  evea 
 altogether  unworthy  of  the  very  meaneft  of  all  thy 
 Benefits. 
 
 Confiding  therefore  in  this  thy  Mercy,  I  call  my 
 felf  down  at  thy  Feet,  I  pour  forth  my  Tears,  I  a- 
 dore  and  devoutly  kifs  thy  Footfteps,  deprecating 
 with  an  humble  and  contrite  Heart  thy  juft  Wrath 
 againft  me. 
 
 ^O  God  moft  Merciful!  Canft  thou  look  upon  a  Flea, 
 or  upon  a  dead  Dog  ?  If  thou  canft,  O  look  upon  me, 
 and  be  pitiful  to  me,  even  as  thou  waft  to  the  moft 
 blelTed  M^iry  Magdalene'^  once  a  Sinner  like  to  me, 
 who  could  fo  foon,  fo  eafily  wrefta  Pardon  from  thee, 
 while  fhe  lay  at  thy  Feet.  O  moft  fweet  and  com- 
 panionate Jefii-i  as  thou  didft  receive  her,  even  fo  re- 
 ceive miealfo  now,  and  difdain  not  my  Cry. 
 
 Draw  out  at  length  thy  Loving-kiadnefs  to  them 
 that  know  Thee:  Hold  forth  thy  Mercy  tome,  feek- 
 ing  thy  Face  :  Reach  out  thy  right  Hand  to  thy  Fu- 
 gitive Servant,  and  let  thy  moft  pitiful  Eyes  fee  the 
 Contrition  of  my  Heart.  Neither  let  my  Lord  be 
 angry  for  evermore,  becaufe  of  the  WicKednefs  of  his 
 Servant*,  but  let  him  call  to  mind  the  multitude  of 
 his  Mercies  ^  yea,  the  univerfal  multitude  of  his  Mer- 
 cies ffom  the  beginning  of  the  Wen  Id,  or  even  from 
 
 B  4  before 
 
8  m  tt^t  %mitation        Vol.ii. 
 
 bciore  the  Wovld ;  aad  fo  let  him  be  appeafed  and 
 reconciled  to  his  servant. 
 
 Hear,  O  Lord*  Hear  this  one  Petition  which  thy 
 Servant  poureth  fori.i  before  thee-,  bowing  his  Knees 
 before  thy  Omnipotence,  adoring  fiat  upon  the  Earth 
 the  Majeftyofthy  glorious  Countenance,  becaufel  have 
 done  foolifhly,  and  have  ac^ed  exceeding 'madly,  in 
 fo  many  times  offending  thy  Clemency,    not  fearing 
 
 the  Throne  of  thy  Kingdom. Forgive,  1  be- 
 
 feech  thee,  all  manner  of  Guilt  to  thy  Servant^  and 
 blot  not  out  my  Name  from  the  Book  of  the  Living, 
 but  mercifully  vouchfafe  therein  to  write  me  among 
 thofe  thou  haft  chofen  for  thy  felf  ^  that  fo  I  may  be 
 found  to  the  Praife  and  Glory  of  thy  Name.  Amen. 
 
 Chap.    VIL 
 A  Meditation  on  the  Divine  Long-fufferifig. 
 
 OHow  great  is  thy  Mercy ,  Lord  !  Who  more  a- 
 bundantly  to  fhew  forth  thy  Goodnefs,  was  gra- 
 cioufly  pleafed  to  deliver  from  Death,  the  Sons  of  Men 
 moft  worthy  of  Death.  Moreover,  thou  haft  ftrove 
 to  recall,  with  thy  moft  gracious  Voice,  the  Vaga- 
 bonds and  Fugitives^  fending  thy  faithful  Servants  and 
 Friends  at  the  Hour  of  Supper,  to  tell  thofe  that  are 
 invited,  how  that  all  things  are  ready,  and  that  there- 
 fdre  they  fhould  come  to  the  Marriage. 
 
 Whereas,  according  to  the  Order  of  Juftice,  thou 
 oughteft  to  have  fent  poft  thy  Purfuivants  or  Officers 
 after  thine  Enemies,  who  would  not  have  thee  to  Reign 
 over  them,  and  to  flay  thofe  Mntherers,  becaufe  they 
 are  worthy  '-,  or  to  have  them  caft  into  Prifon,  till 
 they  pay  the  utmoft  Farthing,  and  to  be  buried  with 
 them  thar  he  in  the  HelL 
 
 But 
 
Book  I.  OfjESUsCHRIST.  9 
 
 But  thou  haft  not  made  ufe  of  this  thy  Authority 
 and  Power,  but  haft  (hewed  all  thy  Clemency  and  Gen- 
 tlenefs,  patiently  bearing  all  things  till  the  time; 
 that  io  thy  Beloved  Ones  may  be  delivered,  and  may 
 flee  from  the  face  of  thy  Juftice  ^  that  is,  that  they 
 by  a  true  Converfion  may  prevent  the  Judgment 
 which  is  to  be  dreaded. 
 
 For  if  thou  would'ft  have  ftretched  out  thy 
 Hand  againft  the  Wicked ,  and  as  many  as  have 
 finned,  thou  hadft  deftroyed  many  who  are  become 
 thy  Friends,  and  have  even  found  with  thee  place  a- 
 mong  the  Chiefeft. 
 
 Thou  would'ft  not  now  have  had  in  Heaven  Pe- 
 ter, who  finned,  denying  thee  thrice  *,  nor  Paul^  who 
 perfecuting  thee,  blafphemed^  nor  Matthew  3.  Pub- 
 lican, who  gaped  after  Earthly  Lucre ;  nor  indeed 
 any  one  of  thy  great  and  principal  Apoftles,  whom 
 thou  haft  appointed  Judges  over  the  whole  Earth. 
 
 But  now  they  are  become  to  thee  verily  moft  Dear 
 and  Beloved^  and  thou  haft  made  known  to  them  all 
 things  which  thou  haft  heard  from  the  Father:  And 
 thou  art  glorified  in  them,  and  they  have  glorified 
 thy  Name  upon  the  Earth. 
 
 This  thy  Omnipotent  Hand  hath  done,  and  thy 
 Mercy,  and  thy  Right  Hand  filled  vyjth  all  Sweet-^ 
 nefs. 
 
 For  hiding  all  thy  Wrath,  thou  haft  been  pleafed 
 to  make  us  Children  of  Grace,  Partakers  of  the  Di- 
 vine Nature,  and  Coheirs  of  thy  Kingdon;.  There- 
 fore, All  Glory  be  to  thee,  O  God. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
to  jSDf  tf}z  9imitatrotj^    Voh  IL 
 
 Chap.    VIII.       . 
 Of  the  Divine  Methods  i?i  and  ap9^  C0t^rjio7i. 
 
 O  Fountain  of  Pity  and  infinite  Coinpafllon,  who 
 never  ceafefl  to  overflow,  but  abided  always 
 ftretched  out  to  them  that  draw  near  to  thee !  Fain 
 would  1  that  all  might  enter  in  unto  thee,  and  taite 
 of  the  Provifions  of  thy  Table;  for  they  are  fweet, 
 and  in  them  there  is  no  Death,  (as  the  Sons  of  the  Pro- 
 phets of  old  complaia'd)  lijv  indeed  any  Bitternefs. 
 
 However,  lam  not  well  pleafed  with  all:  Forma- 
 lly do  backflide  agam,  loving  this  World  more  than 
 the  Society  of  thy  Children*,  defpairing  in  them- 
 felves,  and  therefore  yielding  themfelves  up  to  ferve 
 Iniquity  and  Uncleannefs ;  for  whom  there  abideth  a 
 certain  and  fearful  Judgment.  And  thefe  being  now 
 afar  off  from  thee,  do  exped  to  find  De- 
 Job  XXX.  lights  among  Bufhes,  and  as  it  were  under 
 the  Nettles  gather  themfelves  together,  in  an  eager 
 purfuit  of  their  own  fordid  and  moll  flinging  Affe- 
 ctions :  For  even  fo  it  becomes  Foolifh  Chtldrep^  and 
 fuch  are  Viler  than  the  Earth 
 
 As  for  thy  Beloved  Children,  and  faithful  Servants, 
 being  fuch  as  have  in  abhorrence  the  Evil  Things,  they 
 love  thee  with  their  whole  Heart,  and  meditate  Night 
 and  Day  in  thy  Comma^menfs ;  and  thefe  thou  hideft 
 under  thy  Wings,  that  they  may  not  be  caught  with 
 the  Allurements  of  the  World. 
 
 Thefe  for  the  mofl  part,  burning  with  a  vehement 
 Defire  of  Everhfting  Life  ,  do  long  rather  to  be 
 diflblved,  than  to  flay  longer  here  \  that  fo  they  may 
 live  zcith  Thee  much  more  happily.  ^ 
 
 And  if  they  are  not  heard  ,  according  to  their 
 will,  it  makes  yet  for  their  Salvation,  and  thy  Dif- 
 penfation,that  they  flill  becxcrcifed  with  Labours. 
 
 Not  th3t  thou.  Lord,  doll  tlien  love  them  at  all  the 
 ■  '  Icfs, 
 
Book  I.         of  Je'^^s.Christ.  ii 
 
 lefs,  becaufe  thou  fulfilleft  not  prefently  their  Prayers 
 and  defires  ,  but  by  thus  delaying,  thy  Mind  is  more 
 plentifully  to  reward  thofewhom  thou  permittelt  more 
 largely  to  be  exercifed  and  wearied  in  this  World. 
 
 Well  is  it  for  them,  who  have  obtained  from  thee 
 fo  great  a  Grace,  who  are  now  wholly  enflamed  with 
 the  delire  after  Eternal  Life*,  and,  by  the  fruits  of  well- 
 doing, even  anticipate  in  feme  degree  the  Sheaves  of 
 theHarveft.  Blelled  are  they  whofe  Converfation  is 
 thus  in  Heaven,  while  they  are  upon  the  Earth  ;  and 
 who  have,  even  here,  a  foretafte  of  the  fweet  and 
 holy  Powers  of  the  World  to  come. 
 
 I,  who  am  a  Sinner,  and  who  am  pre  fled  down  mth 
 the  weight  of  my  Sins,  how  fhall  I  dare  to  lift  up 
 mine  Eyes  to  thofe  choice  Hills,  thy  great  Saints,  who 
 have  outgrown  the  Earthly  Habitation,  or  the  Valley 
 bif  Tears ;  and  do,  even  now,  touch  Heaven  by  the 
 piercing  Eye  of  Divine  Contemplation  ! 
 
 Ah!  How  am  I  confounded,  when  I  look  but  to- 
 wards thefe  Holy  and  Heavenly  Ones,  who  are  thq 
 Men  in  Chrifl^  being  grown  up  in  Him  to  the  ftature 
 of  the  perfed  Manhood !  O  what  a  Dwarf  am  I,  at 
 the  very  belt,  in  comparifon  of  thefe  !  I  am  not  able 
 to  look  up-,  for  my  Soul  is  bowed  downward,  and 
 even  touches  the  Earth.  O  how  blefled  and  happy 
 are  they,  who  are  redeemed  thus  from  the  Earthy  and 
 who  confequently  can  follow  thee,  O  Chrill,  whither- 
 foever  thou  calleft  or  leadefl  them  ! 
 
 Chap.    IX. 
 
 On  the  State  of  the  Unconverted. 
 
 O,  Wo,  Vv/o  (faith  St.  John  the  Apoftle)  to  the 
 Inhabitants  of  the  Earth,  Wo  to  the  Carnal 
 JVlinds^  and  fi^ch  whofe  Defires  are  fixed  upon  this  pre- 
 '''-    '  a  ient: 
 
12  jSDf  tiic  imitation       Voi.  u. 
 
 ient  World.  W^o  alfoto  them  whoare com pafTed about 
 with  the  Stings  of  many  Paflions.  And  Wo  to  them 
 that  flray  afar  off  from  the  Way  of  the  Righteous. 
 Who  with  their  Hearts  inhabiting  the  Earthy  do  not 
 weep,  but  vainly  laugh  :  And,  what  is  ftill  more  grie- 
 vous, when  they  do  Evil  in  the  prefence  of  God,  are 
 not  afraid  hereof,  but  prefently  llight  it,  as  if  it  were 
 fbme  trivial  matter  only. 
 
 What  wonder  is  it  therefore,  if  I  now  Grieve  !  If 
 yet  (as  is  moft  fit  and  meet)  I  do  indeed  Grieve  !  For 
 the  right  and  inward  Grief  changes  wholly  the  Af- 
 fection of  the  Ferfon-,  and  will  notconfequently  fuffer 
 him  to  rejoice,  or  take  henceforward  any  Confolation, 
 in  Earthly  Hiings  and  Obieds. 
 
 See  what  and  how  great  occailon  there  is  for  thee, 
 G  Man,  now  to  grieve  and  weep.  The  Mind  but  fel- 
 dom  gathers  in  it  felf  perfedly  as  it  ought,  and  now 
 and  then  the  Truth  hardly  fhines  upon  it,  and  the 
 Soul  but  in  a  very  little  proportion  receives  of 
 her  Heavenly  Food.  Hence  her  Tears  and  Groans  do 
 defervedly  flow  forth,  as  fhe  feels  her  felf  heavy  ladeq 
 with  the  Love  of  Earthly  things,  and  finds  her  felf 
 fuch  a  ftranger  both  to  God  and  to  her  own  felf. 
 
 Whoever  therefore  hath  an  Heart  within,  let  him 
 take  up  his  Lamentation,and  fay  from  the  ground  there- 
 PPi  ..  ofinhimfelf:  J  have  eaten  j4^ns  as  it  z^ere 
 '  ^'^*  Breads  and  have  mingled  my  Drink  with  Weeding. 
 This,  I  fay,  is  that  which,  pondering  within  my  felf, 
 I  muH  needs  deplore.  Too  oft,  alas !  1  am  unnecefTari- 
 ly  involved  in  Earthly  and  Vifible  Things  5,  fonietimes 
 alfoam  delighted  therein  ;  and  now  and  then,  which 
 is  worftofall,  am  vvith  difiicuUy  plucked  thence. 
 
 Ah  me!  Fool  that  I  am,  who  fhall  deliver  me  trom 
 thefe  Evils  that  encompafs  me  round?  Ah,  what  do 
 I  fufTer,  by  touching  the  AiTairs  of  the  World,  which 
 areerer  hurtful  tome*,  and  which,  tho'  I  many  times 
 hate  and  detelU  yet  1  am  again  captivated  thereby. 
 -  CHAP. 
 
Boot  I.        OfjESUsCHRIST.  I3 
 
 Chap.    X. 
 On  the  Mtfery  and  Dangers  of  this  prefe^it  Life. 
 
 OMire,  O  worldly  Mire!  How  long  wilt  thou  ftick 
 to  me  ?  O  Darknefs  and  Slipperinefs !  How  long 
 niuft  I  be  clofed  about  with  you  ?  How  long  by  your 
 means,  entangled  muft  I  be?  How  long  fhall  I  fufFer 
 you?  And  how  long  fhall  I  be  with  you  ? 
 
 Great  is  my  Infirmity,  fo  that  to  fland  is  hard; 
 but  to  fall  under  Vices  and  Calamities  of  Mind  is  eafie. 
 
 For  I  am  Earthly,  being  formed  of  the  Earth  ^  and 
 hence,  by  Natural  Frailty,  perceive  my  felf  to  be 
 moved  vaftly  more  by  Earthly  than  by  Heavenly 
 I  m  pre  (lions. 
 
 The  eternal  Good  Things  I  have  but  a  fmall  ap- 
 petite for  *,  I  relifh  not  the  things  that  are  above*,  and 
 my  Strength  dryeth  away  as  a  Potiherd,  for  I  have  for- 
 gotten to  eat  my  Bread.  Mine  !  I  call  it,  even  mine, 
 which  my  Heavenly  Father  has  given  me  :  But  now 
 it  is  changed  to  me  into  that  which  is  Earthly.  And 
 1,  who  could  have  been  filled  with  the  Com  of  Heaven^ 
 lo  I  Do  now  feed  on  Afhes. 
 
 Chap.    XI. 
 
 The  ConfliS  betmxt  the  FleJIj  and  the  Spirit. 
 
 AH,  wretched  Man  that  I  am  I  What  a  ftrange 
 Change  is  this!  And  how  exceeding  Unhappy 
 am  I,  who  am  come  into  fuch  a  famifhing  Condition ! 
 Alas!  How  am  1  fallen  from  what  I  was!  So  as  not 
 knowing  (or  not  caring  for)  thofe  delicious  Objects 
 that  are  above,  I  turn  my  felf  to  hunt  after  thofe 
 
 forry 
 
14  ^t  tf)t  %mimion       Vol.  ir, 
 
 forry  ones  that  are  below.  Whence,  O  whence  is  it, 
 that  I  can  be  thus  content  to  lick  the  Dult,  and  to 
 feed  upon  Dirt  and  Afhes ! 
 
 I  was  created  for  Everlafting  Delicacies,  fweeter 
 than  Hony,  and  the  Hony-Gomb  :  But  finning  againft 
 my  God,  was  blinded,  and  loft  thofe  Dainties  ^  fo 
 that  I  am  now  forced  to  take  up  with  the  Husks  of 
 this  World. 
 
 And  with  fo  much  the  more  greedinefs  is  my  Heart 
 poured  out  toward  Earthly  Delights,  according  as  it  is 
 farther  driven  from  its  inmoft  Ground,  where  only 
 the  true  Joy  and  Reft  is  to  be  met  with. 
 
 Neverthelefs,  if  I  but  turn  at  any  time  into  my 
 felf,  I  find  there  quickly  how  wofully  I  am  cheated  v 
 and  that  I  am  not  to  be  accounted  happy  in  thefe 
 created  things,  whatever  I  may  foolilhly  imagine. 
 For  I  am  truly  encompafTed  and  filled  with  many 
 Adverfities,  and  manifold  Dolours  ^  and  am  fet  in 
 fo  great  Anguilh  ,  and  am  fo  frequently  bowed 
 down  with  Sorrow,  as  I  cannot  tell  what  to  choofe, 
 or  what  I  ought  to  do. 
 
 lam  ftraighten'd  hence  exceedingly  betwixt  two; 
 and  which  to  prefer  before  the  other,  I  difcern 
 very  (lowly,  if  at  all.  As  for  thofe  things  that 
 arc  above  me,  my  defire  is  that  they  may  come  to 
 me  •,  and  thefe  are  not  always  at  hand  :  As  for  thofe 
 that  God  hath  put  below  me,  I  wifh  that  they  may 
 depart  from  me  ;  and  thefe  will  abide  with  me  unin- 
 vited and  unwelcome. 
 
 They  come  flocking  to  me  apace,  and  therewith 
 fundry  and  manifold  Cogitations  v  fome  of  thefe  from 
 the  World,  others  from  the  Flefh,  more  from  th6 
 Devil :  And  furrounding  me  about  on  all  fides,  they 
 fay,  ''  We  are  thy  Bone^  and  thy  FUJIj  h  Let  us  tarry 
 "  a  little  3vith  thee*,  Confent  thou  to  usy  Be  thou 
 **  our  Frfend,  and  fit  thou  here  alfo  among  us. 
 
 With 
 
Book  I.      of  Jesu  s  C  HR  1ST.  15 
 
 With  their  Compliments  and  great  Promifes  thus 
 they  c!  aftily  lie  in  wait  for  me*,  and  on  the  other  fide, 
 with  their  Threats  and  Terrors,  and  various  Events  of 
 Evil,  they  ftrive  alfo  to  afflidt  and  terrifie  my  Soul. 
 
 Chap.    XII. 
 
 The  Efficacy  of  Divine  Grace  and  Confolation, 
 
 "N  D  I,  for  as  much  as  I  am  a  Mortal  Man,  and 
 weak,  alas  I  To  refill,  do  not  as  I  ought  contra- 
 did  the  Perfuafions  and  Importunities  of  thefe  my 
 difguifed  Enemies. 
 
 If  I  Ihould  do  as  they  perfuade,  it  is  certain  that 
 I  am  cheated  ;  for  as  much  as  they  fpeak  with  all  de- 
 ceitfulnefs.  For  fiich  a  Perfuafion  as  this  haling  me 
 to  run  after  the  created  things,  can  no  wife  be  of 
 God,  b  t  of  the  wicked  One. 
 
 For  they  that  are  Born  of  God  refill  the  Devil,  and 
 he  tieeth  Irom  them.  And  as  for  them  that  bear  an 
 hatred  to  the  World,  and  to  the  things  that  are 
 therein,  there  is  nothing  in  their  way  can  flop  or 
 retard  them. 
 
 Alfo,  they  that  are  wife  in  God  believe  not  every 
 Srnit:^  but  are  ufed  to  try  all  things,  and  to  examine 
 well  whether  the  Spirit  be  of  God,  or  of  the  World. 
 
 They  indeed  hear,  but  they  confent  not  j  faying, 
 ¥/e  know  not  zvhenceye  are  :  Or,  Depart j  for  ye  are  of 
 the  Devil  yonr  Father  y  and  the  truth  is  not  in  yon> 
 
 Sach  as  this  is  the  Conflid  of  the  Godly  :  And  the 
 Lo?d,  who  regards  all  things,  knows  how  great  the 
 Labour  and  Exercifeof  ail  their  Temptations  is. 
 
 This  Life  is  full  of  Dolours  and  Preflures,  as  the/ 
 very  well  know,  who  have  drunk  of  the  Cup  of  its 
 Bitternefs.  , 
 
 Therefore 
 
1 6  flDf  tlje  Simttation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 Therefore  it  is  that  the  Mind  of  Man  feeks  whence 
 it  may  be  refrefhed  :  But  all  Comfort  is  vain,  without 
 the  Benefit  of  the  Divine.  Daily  Experience  in- 
 ftrufts  how  fallacious  all  Earthly  Hope  is ;  and  it  (hall 
 infallibly  turn  to  Bitternefs,  whatever  he  feeks  befides 
 or  without  God,  in  this  time  of  his  Pilgrimage. 
 
 Chap.    XIII. 
 
 The  SuhjeBion  of  the  Flejh  to  the  Spirit. 
 
 WO  is  me,  that  my  Habitation  is  fet  afar  off! 
 and  that  there  is  not  any  fuch  thing  in  this 
 Life,  as  wherein  my  Soul  can  fafely  take  up  its  Reft  ! 
 
 All  and  each  of  my  Members  fay  unco  me  :  "  Odo 
 *'  not  weary  thy  felf  for  nought^  For  as  much  as  thou 
 *'  (halt confume  away  before  it  will  bepoflible  for  thee 
 *'  to  be  fatiated  with  thefe  Earthly  Things. 
 
 My  Spirit  alfo,  which  is  always  craving  for  the 
 beft,  fweeteft,  and  moft  delicious  Food,  then  accofts 
 *'  me,  and  fays  :  '^  I  will  return  into  my  Houfe,  from 
 ''  whence  I  came  out  ^  for  it  was  better  for  me  then 
 "  than  it  is  won?  .•  Yea,  I  even  feel  a  Naufeoufnefs 
 "  and  Loathing  in  all  thofe  things  which  are  pre- 
 *'  fented  me  from  without. 
 
 But  would  to  God,  O  my  Flelh,  that  thou  would'ft 
 hear  this  Voice  ^  and,  neglecftingthine  own  Prudence, 
 would'ft  emulate  the  Spirit:  This,  without  all  doubt, 
 would  be  the  way  for  thee  to  find  Life,  and  to  avoid 
 Everlaftiag  Death. 
 
 NeceiTary  it  is  however,  that  thou  pay  a  Temporal 
 Debt,  becaufeinthe  Trft  Prevarication  thou  Itandelt 
 condemned.  And  hence  thou  wilt  do  difcreetly,  if 
 thou  fubmit  thy  f:''  with  all  Gentlenefs  to  the  Spirit, 
 and  make  not  thy  iclf  a  Rebel  againft  the  fame :  That 
 
 fo 
 
Book  I.  of  J  E  S  U  S   C  H  Fv  I  S  T.  \j 
 
 fo  the  fecond  Death  may  not  touch  thee,  and  thou 
 may'ft  have  Admidion  into  that  everlalliing  Sabbath 
 of  Refl,  which  thou  chiefly  lovefl. 
 
 Chap.    XIV. 
 
 The  Body  how  a  Partner  with  the  Soul  HeH  and 
 
 Hereafter, 
 
 Follow  therefore  me,  faith  the  Spirit  of  Jeliis,  and 
 grieve  no  longer  thy  Spirit  by  lulling  againft  it^ 
 but  rather  be  thou  ready  for  all  things,  which  it 
 commandeth  thee.  I  fay  unto  thee,  if  thou  fllalt  be 
 Partaker  with  it  of  Tribulation,  thou  Ihalt  be  alfo 
 Partaker  of  its  Gonfolation. 
 
 Cover  thy  felt  with  Afhes  and  Sackcloth,  defcend 
 thou,  and  lit  ia  the  DuU,  O  Daughter  of  Sion.  La- 
 ment with  me,  for  I  am  not  well  ^  and  my  Grief 
 is  neither  fmal],  nor  Momentary. 
 
 My  God  and  my  Lord  is  angry  with  his  Servant, 
 and  he  has  cur  fed  his  Works,  and  fa  id.  In  the  Sweat 
 of  thy  Brow  jhalt  thou  eat  thy  Bread  :  And  I  confefs^ 
 that  hence  I  havejuff  ly  loft  the  defirable  Land,  for 
 that  I  have  not  kept  the  Commandment  of  my  God* 
 
 Before  I  fell  hither,  my  Food  was  not  Animal, 
 Terreftrial  and  Corporeal  \  but  Heavenly,  Angelical 
 and  Spiritual. 
 
 It  was  Bread  of  the  finell  Wheat  Flower,  even  out 
 of  the  Rock,  which  my  God  had  prepared  for  me  5 
 but  that  which  I  have  now,  is  as  it  were  of  wild  Grain^ 
 is  both  courfc  and  mouldy.  And  if  alfo  1  fhould  fay 
 that  It  is  baked  under  the  Ajhes^  and  never  turned,  I 
 ihould  fpeak  herein  nought  but  the  Truth* 
 
 G  Qn  hVi 
 
i8  £)f  tl^e  imitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 Chap.    XV. 
 
 The  Tears  of  an  exile  Soulbemoaiiingher  Captivity. 
 
 Right  well,  therefore  do  I  deplore  my  Eftate,  and 
 expofe  my  Grief,  which  I  have  conceived  con- 
 cerning the  Banifhment,  wherein  I  was  born  ^  and 
 my  Lofs,  which  I  fuftain  in  a  flrange  Land,  even  a 
 Ihange  and  a  foreign  Country  to  me. 
 
 Lament  together,  ye  Children  of  Men,  and  weep 
 .over  your  felves  ye  Children  of  Adam^  who  do  eat 
 .  Afhes  as  it  were  Bread,  and  have  changed  the  Hea- 
 venly for  the  Earthly  Food.     And,  O  Unhappy  and 
 Blind  Children,  what  have  ye  loft  ! 
 
 But  becaufe  ye  know  it  not,  therefore  ye  w^ep  not 
 
 in  the  leafl:,  and  therein  are  ye  the  more  to  be  wept 
 
 'for,  and  lamented.     For  by  reafon  that  your  fo  great 
 
 IMifery  is  not  feen  of  you,  thence  is  it  fo  exceeding 
 
 great  and  deplorable. 
 
 Look  upon  me,  O  all  ye  that  walk  by,  and  behold 
 
 -What  Delights  I  am  deprived  of,  and  what  great  E- 
 
 vils  I  am  hedged  about  with.     Look  upon  my  Defo- 
 
 ,  lations,  and  fee  how  I  am  as  cut  off  from  the  glorious 
 
 Land  of  the  Living,  to  live  an  Exile   here  in  this 
 
 Valley  among  mortal  Shadows. 
 
 .     Mabour  now  in  this  prefeat  Life,  and  Night  and 
 
 Day  do  I  breath  after  that  eternal  Banquet,  where 
 
 none  is  athirlt,  but  all  drink  Wine  out  of  the  Cup 
 
 of  Salvation   chearfully  and  abundantly  ^    even  the 
 
 AVinc  which  cheareth   and  clarifieth  the   Hearts  of 
 
 the  Saints,  without  overturning  or  difordcring  the 
 
 IMiiid.     O  who  will  give  me  to  drink  hereof? 
 
 There  is  none,  alas!  To  give  me  a  draught  of  this 
 Celellial  Wine.  Hardly  is  there  fo  much  as  one  little 
 Cup  of  that  Salutary  IVatcr^  which  fo  overflows  in 
 the  Heavenly  Kingdoms  and  Manfions  of  Glory,  to 
 
 be 
 
Book  I.        ofjESusCHRiST.  19 
 
 be  here  obtained  by  me  a  poor  Supplicant.  Heaven 
 is  (hut  againfl:  me,  and  the  Earth  giveth  not  her 
 Fruit,  butbringeth  forth  to  me  Thorns  and  Thiftles ; 
 and  ye  fay  unto  me.  Why  weepefl  thou  ?  Why 
 eatell  thou,  and  drinkeft  thou  not  ? 
 
 Ye  Children  of  Men,  how  long  will  ye  be  dull  of 
 Heart?  How  long  relilh  ye  fuch  things?  Will  ye 
 never  be  wifer  ?  And  wherefore  afflid  ye  my  Heart, 
 fpeaking  to  me  Foolifhnefs  ? 
 
 Ye  have  no  Portion  in  the  Word  of  the  Lord,  and 
 ye  feek  to  fubvert  that  which  is  juft  with  a  lying 
 Promife,  faying,  Feace^  Peace^  and  there  is  no  Peace, 
 What  have  you  to  do  with  Peace  ?  There  is  no  Peace  to 
 the  Wicked^  faith  the  Lord, 
 
 As  for  me,  the  Reafon  why  I  weep  is  not  becaufe 
 I  am  not  Rich,  or  becaufe  I  do  not  abound  with 
 Wine  and  Bread,  Corn  and  Oil,  from  the  outward 
 Principle,  as  ye  feek  to  abound  ;  But  becaufe  I  am 
 in  the  World,  and  do  not  fee  Him  yet,  who  is  the 
 true  Peace,  and  the  chief  and  only  real  BlefFednefs. 
 
 Look  upon  my  Sore,  and  handle  my  Wounds ;  and 
 if  with  me  ye  have  no  mind  to  weep,  let  me  alone, 
 that  1  may  lament  a  little  by  my  felf,  and  pour  out 
 my  Grief  before  I  go  hence  and  return  not  again. 
 
 Chap.    XVJ. 
 
 The  earnejl  Longing  of  the  detmit    Soul    after 
 
 Dijfolution, 
 
 1  Will  fit  me  down  in  the  mean  while  mourning;  I 
 1  will  go  on  forrowful,  fowin^  in  Tears;  I  will  hide 
 my  felf  from  the  World  ;  I  will  not  go  abroad,  but 
 will  die  in  my  little  Neil,  and  will  be  buried  ia 
 my  Grave  which  J  have  dug  for  my  fdt. 
 
 C  2  Aud 
 
2  o  ^t  tf)t  gimttaticn       Vol.  ii. 
 
 And  mighty  glad  am  I  that  I  have  found  a  Sepul- 
 chre, that  fo  I  may  fleep  therein,  and  may  not  fee  the 
 Evils  upon  the  Earth.  My  Soul  is  verily  tired  out 
 with  my  Life,  and  my  Grief  is  renewed  every  Day. 
 
 Wherefore,  I  beg,  O  my  Lord  God  ,  that  thou 
 wouldell  abfolve  and  loofe  me  from  every  Bond  of 
 Sin,  and  fnatch  me  away  from  the  Earth,  becaufe 
 Death  is  better  to  me  than  Life. 
 
 Since  what  fhall  I  do  here  more  ?  For  Days  upon 
 Days,  Months  upon  Months,  Years  upon  Years  Aide 
 away:  And  yet  thy  Servant  ftill  all  this  while  is  not 
 much  Improved,  by  all  the  Experiences  that  I  have  hi- 
 therto had,  and  by  all  the  Afllftances  of  thy  good 
 Spirit  following  me  continually^ 
 
 0  do  not  thou  longer  protrad,  and  hold  in  cx- 
 pedation  thy  unworthy  Servant:  Nor  fuffer  him  lon- 
 ger to  wander  after  the  Vanity  of  this  Life. 
 
 1  have  gone  aftray  like  a  Sheep  that  is  loll :  O 
 feek  thy  Servant,  Lord,  for  it  is  tlmt.  It  is  not  my 
 Righteoufnefs,  nor  my  Godnefs,  O  Lord  :  But  it  is 
 thy  Mercy  and  Gentlenefs,  which  cannot  be  meafu- 
 red,  that  maketh  this  Claim. 
 
 According  to  this  do  unto  thy  Servant,  and  vi- 
 fit  me  with  thy  Salvation,  that  1  may  live  in  the 
 Goodnefs  of  thy  Saints,  which  is  thy  Goodncfs :, 
 and  rejoice  in  the  Joy  of  thy  Nation,  even  Thy  Joy  : 
 So  to  praife  thee  with  thine  Inheritance,  which  thou 
 hafl:  purchafed  with  thy  moft  precious  Blood,  who 
 with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghofl;  abidelt  God  BIcf- 
 fed  for  ever. 
 
Book  I.  of  J  E  S  U  S   C  H  F.  I  S  T.  21 
 
 Chap.    XVII. 
 
 77:?^   Fenitenfs   Progrefs    after  this  m   the   R(?- 
 ftgned  and  Lowly  Life  of  Chrlfi. 
 
 N'Everthelefs  bow  down  thy  felf,  O  my  Soul,  to 
 the  moft  Holy  and  Righteous  Will  of  God, 
 eyen  7l?v  God^  with  all  ehearfulnefs  *,  whatfoever  he 
 may  pleafe  to  determine  concerning  thee,  or  to  make 
 the  Term  of  thy  Probation  here  long  or  fhort.  If  it 
 be  his  Pleafure,  that  thou  (houldeH  continue  in  the 
 Wildernefs  of  this  Earth  a  Pilgrim,  and  an  Exile  yet 
 many  Days^  repine  not  at  what  thou  here  fufFerefl, 
 according  to  his  moil  Wife  Difpenfation,  and  moft 
 jull  and  gracious  Order  \  but  entirely  fubmit  thy  felf, 
 and  be  in  all  things  content  and  pleafed  :  But  if  it  be 
 his  good  Will  and  Pleafure,  rather  to  deliver  theefoou 
 out  of  the  miferies  of  this  finful  World,  and  to  tran- 
 flate  thee  Home  \  be  thou  alfo  pleafed,  and  fee  thou 
 dream  not  away  the  little  remainder  of  thy  Time, 
 how  little  thou  knoweft  not,  but  with  all  diligence 
 get  thy  feif  ready  for  thy  Journey^  trim  thy  Lamp, 
 and  go  thou  forth  to  meet  thy  Bridegroom,  that  fo 
 he  may  embrace  thee  in  his  Arms,  and  lead  thee  into 
 the  Bride-Chamber,  where  thou  mayft  for  ever  enjoy 
 his  Prefcnce. 
 
 Bow  down  thy  felf,  O  my  Soul,  in  moft  meek  and 
 lowly  Refignation  :  For,  lo!  Thy  Lord  cometh  unto 
 thee,  yea  the  Lord  thy  king  cometh,  who  is  Meek 
 md  Lowly »  O  he  thou  alfo  like  unto  him :  Bow, 
 bow  thy  felf  before  his  Majefty,  and  proftrate  adore 
 the  King  of  Humility  and  King  of  Glory.  Stoop,  my 
 Soul,  humbly  and  of  thine  own  Accord  to  God  *,  who 
 muft  ftoop,  whether  thou  wilt  or  no.  Make  hafte  to 
 call  thy  feif  down  at  his  Footftool,  with  deepeft  Sdfr 
 Abafement :  So  will  he  lift  thee  up,  and  delight  ia 
 
 G  3  thee^ 
 
22  jSDf  tlje  imitation       Vol.  IL 
 
 T  ■  ■ 
 
 tlice  i  beholding  there  his  own  moft  lovely  and  belo- 
 ved Image  of  Humility  of  Heart. 
 
 Leani  of  me^  faith  he,  who  is  thy  fupream  Mafter 
 and  Law-giver,  ¥or  I  am  Meek  and  Lowly  in  Heart.  O 
 that  I  could  but  learn  this  one  Leflbn  well,  then  need 
 I  not  fear  !  O  how  do  I  long  to  learn  this  dear  Leflbn, 
 this  Leflbn  of  Leflbns,  my  Blefled  Jefu  !  Which  who- 
 foever  fliall  heed  and  obferve,  will  foon  by  it  arrive 
 to  very  great  Perfedion  ^  and  without  which  no  other 
 Leflbn  can  avail  ought,  becaufe  he  labours  in  vain, 
 who  fl:rives  to  know  any  thing  without  Humility,  or 
 begins  not  with  this  in  Chrift's  School.     For  this  is 
 verily  the  F/r/  Leflx)n  of  Chrif!-,  thy  fweeteft  Savi- 
 our, even  Poverty  of  Spirit  and  Lowlinefs  of  Heart : 
 which  is  as  the  Foundation  of  all  Virtue,  and  mofl: 
 abfolutely  and   indifpenfably  neceflary  to  arrive  at 
 eternal  Salvation. 
 
 Wherefore  if  any  one  delire  to  have  either  Grace 
 now,  or  Blefled nefs  of  Life  hereafter,  let  him   give 
 good  heed  to  this  facred  and  falutary  Leflx^n:  But 
 whoever  is  negligent  in  this,  whatever  he  may   do 
 or  think,  he  is  certain  to  mar  all,  and  to  lofe  all. 
 Would  to  God  therefore  that  every  one  might  learn 
 thoroughly  the  Do^f^rineof  Chrifh  (even  this  Funda- 
 mental Doctrine)  that  bears  the  Name  of  Chrijtian: 
 And  that  all  Sorts  and  Conditions  of  Men  profefling 
 his  Holy  Name  and  Religion  whether  of  the  Clergy 
 or  Layety  ,  whether  Princes  or  Subjeds,  Noble  or 
 pimple,  Rich  or  Poor,  Learned  or  Unlearned,  might 
 be  univcrfally  difciplin'd  according  to  it,  and  well 
 infl;ru<fled  and  enured   in  it,  as  in  the  Royal  Way, 
 which  the  King  of  Saints  has  chalked  out  for  us  by 
 his  own  Example!  For  thou,  O  Chrifl:,  teacheft:  not 
 t,he  things  that  are  High,  but  that  are  Lowly  ^  not 
 thofe  that  ar,e  Vain,  but  them  that  are  Profitable  \  not 
 the  Falfe,  but  the  True,  not  the  Earthly,  but  the 
 Heavenly. 
 
 He 
 
Book  I.       of  J  E  s  u  s   C  H  K  IS  T.  .23 
 
 ;  He  therefore  will  in  a  fhort  while  be  both  Learned 
 and  Blefled,  who  (hall  hnrnkly  Imitate  Thee,  follow- 
 ing thy  Steps  in  Poverty  and  Reiignation  of  Heart. 
 For  thou  knowefl-,  O  my  Soul,  that  Humility  is  the 
 lingular  and  darling  Vertue  of  Chrill :  And  that  wbo- 
 foever  Ihall  be  conformed  to  him  therein,  fhall  there- 
 by alfo  be  confdrmed  to  him  in  Glory,  it  is  the  Fa- 
 vourite of  thy  Saviour's  Heart :  Hoil  oggQ.fiff^to^tJi^e 
 Devil,  moft  contrary  to  the  Worlir  • .  ,w  •/." 
 
 Ah  me!  Could  rbutpoflefsin  Heart  and  Deed  this 
 Bioil  precious  Grace,  then  fhouldl  pteafe  the  Majelly 
 .of  God,  delight  my  Redeemer  ChriiK,  make  his  Aii- 
 gel^i- rejoice,  and  fecure  my  Fafla^eout  of  thisWorJd: 
 Since  he  my  Redeemer  liveth  whp.ha):'h  faid  fo,  and 
 fince  it  is  the'^r;?  BlelTiag  th^t^vyas^h^  him  prohdiin- 
 ced  from  the  IVlqufit:  of  his  -LaWp  .vlZr'  ^^/^/^^^  ah 
 the  Poor  in  SpritJfor.,tketrs  is  th^yKprigdom  of  Hea^ 
 1'^;?.''  Hence  with0;ui\this  Povqrty.arid  Humility;  of 
 Spirit  I  f^e  that  therVtan  be  no^S^lVation  •,  and  .that 
 without  it  there  is  lio  Vertue,  jicf^  AQ-ion  accepted 
 of  God  ,  how  bright  foever.  It 'ni^y  appear.  \A I] 
 Labour,  let  it  be  never  fo  great.^  or  jet  it  be  of  n^Yer 
 fo  long  Continuance,  doth  without  this  fig nify  riier.e 
 nothing:  All  Vigilance  is  vain  and  fruitlefs With- 
 out it  j  but  with  it  the  End  neyer  fails  of  being  ob'- 
 tain'd.  For  profound  Humility  keeps  the  Caflle'of  all 
 the  Virtues,  and  triumphs  always  over  the  Enenltes.,' 
 
 Wouldeft  thou  not  be  afraid  of. thine  AdveiTary 
 ithe  Devil?  Humble  thy  felf,  O  my,  Soul':  For  114- 
 rnility  of  it  felf  alpneefcapes  all  the  Devil's  Snares, 
 defeats  all  his  Devices,  and  tramples  on  his  Pqwer. 
 As  many  as  have  been  deceived, 'aj^d  thrown  down 
 as  from  the  Pinnacle  of  the  Church,^  have  fallen  by 
 being  puffed  up  in  the  Haughtineffes  oftheir.M'inds:' 
 ,. ..Be  thou  therefore  humble,.  O  my,  Soul,  and  ^^\\^ 
 in  thine  own  Eyes,  lelt  thou  difpleafe  God,  and  Wrii- 
 ble  thy  felf  down  headlong  with  the  Father  of  Piide. 
 
 C  4  For 
 
24  M  ti)z  imitation        Vol.  Ii. 
 
 For  Ksaven  receives  none  but  the  Humble ,  God 
 chooles  none  but  the  Humble,  Chrifl:  approves  as 
 Jlishteous  none' i^ut;  the  HuniMc. 
 
 Chap.    XVIH 
 
 His  Himiliation  hereupon:  And propofal  of  Chr^i 
 both  for  a  fattern  md,  a.  Standard. 
 
 BOw  down  thy  felf  therefore,  O  my  Soul,  deeply 
 under  God,  and  under  every  Creature  for  the 
 fake  of  God.  Again  and  again,  I  fay,  Bow^  bow.  Make 
 thy  felf  leafl,  yea  the  very  leaft  of  all,  in  thine  owi; 
 Heart :  Neither  cfleem  thy  fdf  fo  much  as  worthy  to 
 en)oy  the  common  Light  of  this  World"^  for  as  rriuch 
 '$s  thou  haft  through  thy  Sins  grievoufly  offended 
 God,  moft  jufily  provoking  tiis  holy  Indignation 
 againft  thee,  fo  as  utterly  to  have  deftroyed  thee*, 
 liad  not  the  Bowels  of  his  Meixy  in  Jefus  riiy  Sa;i^iqur 
 Jijterpofed  for  thee,  and  raifed  tliee  up.  ^ '^'  ''  - 
 '  For  this  be  thou  humbled  to  the  Duft  fpbmitting 
 thy  felf  wholly  and  atall  times  to  his  Will,  depending 
 upon  his  Mercy  alone,  aud  purpofjng  by  his  Grace 
 to  ftrve  and  pteafe  Him  from  this  very  Hour  ever 
 hereafter,  in  alLnewnefs  of  Life,  And  with  Pray- 
 ers and  Tears^yTii  Faith  and  Humility,  come  thou 
 before  his  Mercy-Seat,  the  Throne  of  Grace  la  the 
 Heavens  \  and  thus  addreft  thy  felf  to  the  great  High 
 Prieflt  in  the  Celeftial  Sanctuary,  that  he  may  carry 
 the  Petitions  of  thy  Heart,  and  offer  them  up  to  the 
 Father,  who  be:^rs  thy  Name  upon  his  Breaft,  even 
 ppbn  his  Heart. 
 
 O  Lord  Jefu  Chrifl-,  the  True,  Eternal  and  Immu- 
 table Light,  who  to  enlighten  the  Darkncfs  of  Human 
 opace,  dldll;  vonchfifcro  dcfcend  into  the  Prifpii 
 
Book  I.         of  Jesus  Chris T.  25 
 
 of  this  World*,  that  thou  mighteft  (hew  unto  us  the 
 Way  to  our  Native  Country  of  Everlafting  Clarity 
 and  Clory,  where  thou  art  always  prefent  to  the 
 Holy  Angels  and  BleOed  Saints,  and  (hineft  ever  in 
 thy  full  Luflre,  without  any  interpoling  Cloud  or 
 Mift  :  Bow  down  thine  Ear,  and  liflen  to  the  Prayers 
 of  my  Lowlinefs  ^  and  fo  infufe  into  my  Heart,  of 
 thy  gracious  Liberality,  that  Deifying  Light  which 
 thou  haft  preached  to  the  World,  and  haft  command- 
 ed to  be  preached  to  all  Nations  throughout  the 
 Earth ;  as  I  may  know  and  underftand  in  the  Land 
 of  my  Pilgrimage  Ti^)'  Way^  fo  far  as  abandoning  the 
 Vanity  of  the  World,  and  rejeding  all  Carnal  Cares 
 and  Concerns,  I  may  with. the  fteps  of  Love  follow 
 Thee,  my  Creator  and  Redeemer,  even  to  the  laft 
 PafTage  and  Exit  of  my  Life  v  in  all  Poverty  and  Hu- 
 mility v  in  all  Patience  and  Long-fufFering^  in  al! 
 Faith,  Hope  and  Charity^  in  all  Sobriety,  Chaftity 
 and  Obedience. 
 
 ^  For  thou  art  the  Mirror  of  Life,  and  the  Light  of 
 all  Holinefs,  O  Lord  Chriil,  who  hall  gone  before 
 hie  in  the  Way  of  Virtue,  that  thou  mighteft  thereby 
 reduce  me,  who  was  involved  in  many  Errors  and 
 Sins,  to  the  Knowledge  of  the  Truth.  Thou  haft 
 propofed  thy  felf  to  me  for  an  Example  of  Living, 
 that  fo  if  1  might  not  be  altogether  fo  well  fatisfied 
 to  Imitate  fome  one  of  the  Saints,  at  lead  I  might 
 have  nothing  to  objedt  againft  Imitating  and  Follow- 
 ing Thee,  my  Lord  and  my  God.  And  that  I  might 
 not  judge  this  to  be  impolUble,  thou  haft  left  me 
 Inany  Thoufand  Examples  of  thy  Saints,  who  have 
 iealouily  traced  thy  Steps,  and  ardently  followed 
 thee  in  the  Regeneration.  Thefe  may  be  the  Tattems 
 unto  m^^  fo  far  as  they  were  Followers  of  thee,  and 
 walked  with  thy  humble  Majefty  in  the  Valley  of  the 
 Liilies  5  but  they  cannot  be  my  Standard :  Whereas 
 ■  -  thoug 
 
26 m  ti)t  gimttatton        Vol  n> 
 
 thou,  O  Chrifl,  art  not  only  the  Chriftians  Pattern'^ 
 but  his  Standard  too. 
 
 G'l^t  therefore  unto  me,  mofl  loving  Jefn^  the  Fer- 
 vour of  thy  Spirit:  Kindle  in  me  that  Fire,  which 
 thou  cameft  to  fend  into  the  World,  that  fo  I  may 
 defpife  all  thefe  low  and  trifling  Things,  and  may 
 defire  with  all  my  Heart  to  live  unto  Thee  alone, 
 may  lludy  to  pleafe  Thee  alone^,  and  may  not  bea- 
 fraid  of  being  flighted  and  negle(f^ed  for  thy  fake, 
 and  the  Love  of  thy  NaiDe.  Be  thou  my  Joy,  my 
 only  Joy,  O  thou  rwee^efs  of  my  Soul :  Dwell  thou 
 with  me,  and  let  me  dwell  with  thee;  Let  us  dwell 
 together  Thou  and  J^^.^fcptting  out  /pr, this,  end  ;.aH 
 the  \Vorldc  '  ;;     ,-r  '  »    I-     \    V  '     > 
 
 O  mofl:  fvveet  mofl:  ineffable  Society.'!  'Abide,  I  pray 
 thee,  with  me  now,  and  permit  me  never  to  leave 
 thee  more.  Be  thou  to  me  my  Teacher  and  my  Ma- 
 iler, my  Learning  and  my.Wifdom,deareft5^^y^.  Be 
 thou  henceforth  to  me  continually  the  Standard  and 
 the  Rule  of  Life  :  Be  thou  the  Beginning  and  the  End 
 of  my  Way.  Following  thee,  I  cannot  err  :  Behold** 
 ing  thee  conflantly,  I.  fliall  not  matter  the  Speeches  or 
 Arguments  of  fuchas  would  withdraw  me  back.  Let 
 all  Labour  feem  to  me  little  for  thee,  all  Adverfity 
 light,  and  all  whatever  is  Heavy  be  made  tolerable, 
 yea,  more  than  tolerable.  Let  thy  Love,  O  Lord, 
 which  overcometh  all  things,  and  which  maketh  us 
 to  overcome  afl  things  alfo,  grant  me  thefe  things 
 which  I  now  ask  of  thee,  to  the  Honour  and  Glory 
 of  thy  Name.  And  may  Humility  of  Heart  flill  fol- 
 low, which  fulfilling  all  things,  yet  accounts  not  as 
 if  flie  had  done  any  thing. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book  I.         of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  Pv  I  s  T.  27 
 
 Chap.    XIX. 
 
 Farther  Afpnations  of  a  Contrite  Soul  lifter   the 
 Life  of  Chrijl. 
 
 THou  art  my  Expectation,  and  the  fulfilling  of  my 
 Defire^OLord  Chrift:  Thou  art  my  Recreation, 
 and  the  Illumination  of  my  Heart,  whonever  forfakelb 
 them  that  hope  in  thee  :  However  thou  fufFerelt  them 
 to  be  tempted  for  an  hour^  that  they  may  know  them- 
 feives  better,  and  be  mindful  how  that  they  are  not 
 able  to  do  any  thing  without  thee.  ;;; .-  -y'^ 
 
 O  my  Faithful  and  All-happy  Friend,  the  Lover  of 
 returning  Prodigals,  take  me  fo  unto  thee,  wheufo- 
 ever  thou  (halt  perceive  my  Affeftions  to  be  either 
 prefs'd  down  at  any  time  with  the  Weight  or  Burthen 
 of  Sin,  or  held  or  detain'd  with  the  unneceflary  Af- 
 fairs of  the  World  :  That  I  may  not  wander  again, 
 running  far  altray  from  thee,  after  the  fwarm  of  vain 
 or  wicked  Imaginations,  and  fo  be  depriv'd  of  thy 
 Graces  without  which  preventing  and  affifting  me, 
 I  fee,  I  am  never  able  to  effedt  the  leait  Good  Thing, 
 or  to  enjoy  thy<  Love. 
 
 O  Jefu  !  The  true  Life  of  every  one  that  trulfeth  in 
 thee^  give  me  Grace,  that,  through  thy  Love  abiding 
 in  me,  I  may  henceforward  live  unto  thee,  as  one 
 dead  to  the  World  ^  and  that  I  may  fo  fpeak,  fo  think, 
 and  fo  behold  the  things  that  are  zi^ithout^  as  tho'  they 
 were  not.  For  the  things  zvhich  are  feen  are  temforalj 
 and  vain  :  Bi4t  the  things  which  are  not  jeen  are  eternal^ 
 and  unchangeable. 
 
 Now  he  that  is  dead  to  the  World,  is  not  in  the 
 World,  but  in  God,  to  whom  he  lives.  And  there- 
 fore if  I  am  yet  truly  dead  unto  the  World,  then  is 
 my  Life  hid  volththee^  O  Clirifl:,  in  God.  O  that  thou 
 would'ft  turn  in  unto  me,  and  at  once  fhew  thy  felf 
 
 to 
 
28  0t  t^e  Smitatwu       Vol.  ii. 
 
 to  me,  and  to  my  felf^  not  as  in  a  Glimpfe  tran- 
 /iently,  but  fully  and  permanently:  For  thou  truly 
 art  my  Life,  my  Felicity,  and  my  fole  Delight. 
 
 O  my  only  Beloved  Jefu  I  Leave  me  not  to  my  felf 
 in  the  Banifhment  of  this  World-,  but  as  thou  haft 
 faid,  and  promifed,  even  fo  do  thou  with  me:  And  if 
 thou  art  pleafed  to  withdraw  for  a  little  while,  make 
 then  no  long  tarrying,  bat  come  again  in  a  feafonable 
 hour^  till,  the  term  of  my  Probation  being  fin ifhed, 
 and  I  utterly  dead  to  the  World,  but  alive  unto  thee, 
 thou  may'ft  take  me  to  thy  felr  into  thy  everlafting 
 Glory,  wherein  thou  liveft  and  reigneft  with  the  Fa- 
 ther and  the  Holy  Spirit,  blefied  for  ever. 
 
 Chat.    XX. 
 
 7^1?  l^ecejjity  of  a  'Daily   Death  tovpards  the  At- 
 tainment of  this  Life. 
 
 THE  Glorious  Apoflle  St.  Vaul^  whofe   Life  was 
 thus  hid  in  GqcL^  through  perfect  Mortification 
 to  the  World,  teacheth  me  in  like  man  er  to  llay  my 
 corrupt  Life,  faying,  Reckon  your  felves  to 
 I\om.  vi.     be  dead  mto  Sin  Land  the  World,]   hut  aliv^ 
 unto  God^  through  Jefns  Chrtft  our  L.ord.   And 
 2  Tim.  ii.    again,  in  another  place  he  fays,  //  i^t  be  dead, 
 imh  itmy  vce  fijall  live  u'ith  him.     Whence  I 
 conclude,  that  fuch  a  Death  to  the  World  and  Sin  is 
 of  molt  abfolutc  neceliity  ^  and  that  in  every  thing  I 
 ought  to  deny,  forfake,  and  conquer  my  felt  for  the 
 fake  of  Chrift,  who  for  me  both  died,  and  rofe  again 
 from  the  Dead ;    that  1  might  be  even  as  He,  and 
 where  He  is. 
 
 Alas,  how  often  dieth  niy  Soul  for  the  Creature^ 
 which  fhe  loveth  !  Ah,  how  many  a  time  is  f|ie,  foi> 
 
 getting 
 
Book  L      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  29 
 
 getting  her  Creator  and  Saviour,  carried  away  for 
 their  fakes  !  Ah,  wretched  Man  that  I  am !  Who  fhail 
 deliver  me  from  this  Death,  and  bring  me  to  that 
 other  Death,  whereby  alone  I  can  be  faid  to  enjoy 
 Life? 
 
 ^  In  the  Life  0^  my  Lord,  I  find  the  perfed  Medita- 
 tion of  my  felf,  according  to  the  Affedion  of  Nature, 
 and  the  Inclination  of  Senfuality,  which  mufl  be  kept 
 with  Bit  and  Bridle.  1  find  alfo  in  the  Death  of  my 
 Lord  a  certain  Spiritual  and  Internal  Life  full  of 
 Grace  and  of  all  Virtues,  with  which  I  do  rife  agaia 
 from  ail  perifhing  Things,  and  from  all  Creaturely 
 Adhelions  without  or  within  me,  of  what  nature  or 
 fort  foever. 
 
 And  when  I  Hand  naked  and  free  of  all  things,  and 
 do  remain  unfill'd  and  unpolFefs'd,  then  do  I  go  for* 
 ward  indeed  to  my  Heavenly  Country  with  Chrift: 
 Nor  doth  any  thing  then  delight  me,  nor  any  out- 
 ward Solace  or  Comfort  find  me  Recreation  ^  but  only 
 the  Union  of  my  Soul  with  Chrift  my  Lord,  his  Glo- 
 ry, and  to  be  with  this  my  Lord.  Whom  I  defire  to 
 be  the  very  Life  of  my  Life,  now  and  ever. 
 
 O  how  happy  to  me  is  this  Death,  which  opens  to 
 me  the  Gate  of  Everlafting  Life!  The  BlefTed  Apoftle 
 and  Evangelift  of  his  Bofom,  heard  an  Heavenly  Voice 
 faying  to  him,  Bleffed  are  the  Dead^  ziho  die  in  the  Lord. 
 And  who  are  thofe  that  die  in  the  Lord^  if  not  thole 
 who  are  firft  dead  to  the  World,  and  crucified  to  the 
 Flefii?  And  why,  or  how  are  they  Bleffed^  but  that 
 from  henceforth^  faith  the  Spirit,  they  may  refi  from 
 their  LahgHTs?  O  what  a  moft  Heavenly  Word  is  this! 
 Lo  !  Here  is  the  true  Reft  from  our  Labours  attained; 
 herein  is  the  unutterable  Peace  of  Mind  found,  and 
 the  fweet  fecret  Confolation  of  the  Spirit  ari/ing  out 
 of  the  nioft  perfed  Difentanglement  from  the  World, 
 and  Difengagement  from  the  Flelh, 
 
 Noyv 
 
so ^f  tljt  gitttitatton       Vol.  11. 
 
 Now  if  be  whoas  touching  the  Flefh  is  dead,  neither 
 fpeaks,  nor  fmells,  nor  taftes,  nor  regards  any  cu- 
 rious and  beautiful  things ;  then  fo  it  ought  to  be 
 with  thee  in  like  manner,  O  my  Soul,  if  fo  be  that 
 thou  art  thoroughly  mortified  to  the  World,  and  to 
 thine  own  corrupt  Nature,  as  thou  ftandeft  in  Union 
 with  a  Body  of  Sin. 
 
 But,  alas !  I  fear,  that  thou  art  not  yet  perfedly  dead 
 to  the  World,  fo  as  to  |ive  in  Ghrift  :  But  that  the 
 ,^  Old  Alan  after  all  is  Hill  alive  in  thee,  rai- 
 Rom.  xii.  fing  up  within  thee  much  Contention,  and 
 Defires  of  manifold  Evils.  Hence  thou  art  affeded 
 with  the  Praifes  and  Reproaches  of  Men  •,  which 
 ought  not  to  move  thee  at  all :  And  hence  alfo,  are 
 thy  Days  tedious  to  thee,  and  thy  Nights  bitter,  that 
 is,  even  becaufe  thou  art  not  yet  come  to  Reft  from 
 thy  Solicitudes  and  Labours  as  thou  oughteft,  but 
 art  ftill  too  much  in  the  Multiplicity  of  thy  own 
 Thoughts. 
 
 Whereas  the  true  internal  Peace  and  Sabbath  of  the 
 Soul  is  never  to  be  found,  unlefs  a  Man  be  firft  wholly 
 difentangled  from  the  Earth  and  Earthly  Objeds, 
 and  be  fpiritually  dead  to  himfelf  and  to  the  World. 
 
 Neither  is  it  enough  to  be  once  Dead  \  but  here  the 
 Chriftian  Soul  muft  difpofc  her  felf  to  die  daily. 
 
 For  every  Day  muft  I  refolve  to  be  ready  and  wil- 
 ling to  dye  for  Chrift,  and  to  begin  my  Life  anew, 
 even  as  if  I  had  never  begun  hitherto  ^  and  to  pre- 
 pare my  felf  for  Suffering  and  Dying,  and  for  the 
 Conqueft  of  Self.  Nay  at  all  times ,  and  in  all 
 Places,  every  Hour  and  every  Minute,  I  ought  to  en- 
 deavour to  go  forth  out  of  my  felf,  and  to  leave  my 
 felf  thoroughly  and  perfectly  for  Christ,  and  in  the 
 Love  of  him  to  deny  and  annihilate  my  own  Love  to 
 my  Mf. 
 
 Since  fo  much  do  I  gain  as  I  lofe  for  Chrift-,  and 
 
 fo  much  do  1  advance  forward,  as  1  go  out  of  my  felf. 
 
 I*  .  Where 
 
Book  I.      of  Jesus   Christ.  31 
 
 Where  I  forfake  my  felf>  there  I  find  my  felf ^  where 
 I  feek  my  lelf,  there  I  undo  my  felf  j  and  where  I 
 look  but  to  my  own  private  Interefl,  there  am  I  fure 
 always  to  hurt  my  felf,  and  to  do  the  greatell  DiiTer- 
 vice  there,  where  I  would  Serve  molt. 
 
 Chap.    XXf. 
 
 A  Lamentation  of  the  Soul  for  her  Infirmity  and 
 Unjledfaflnefs  in  the  Chrijiian  Race. 
 
 IN  many  things,  alas!  I  am  yet  to  die.  Ah!  Ma- 
 ny Deaths,  1  fee,  there  are  to  be  palTed  through, 
 as  I  am  pafiing  this  Vale  of  Sin  and  Death.  Now 
 according  to  the  Spirit  1  am  indeed  moft  willing  to 
 fubmit  hereto*,  but  myFlefhis  weak  j  nor  is  it  only 
 weak,  but  rebellious  too. 
 
 I  mull  hence  frequently  do  that  which  I  would  not 
 do,  and  often  leave  that  undone,  which  I  would  fain 
 have  done.  And  in  thefe  things  is  my  Conflict  ^  but 
 then  in  thefe  alfo  doth  my  Vidory  confifl:. 
 
 BlefTed  is  the  Man,  who  knoweth  how  in  all  things 
 to  forfake  and  break  himfelf  ^  for  he  fhall  receive  a 
 Crown  of  Life  from  God.  Human  Rewards  are  all 
 vile  and  inconliderable  j  and  as  for  their  Duration  it 
 pafleth  away  in  a  Moment  ^  but  with  God  nothing 
 can  be  loft,  either  in  Time,  or  in  Eternity. 
 
 Very  fain  would  I  tarry  with  my  Beloved  Lord, 
 let  him  deal  with  me  as  it  pleafeth  him.  For  if  I 
 have  done  amifs,  lo  ;  He  is  ready  to  forgive  •,  and  if 
 I  have  done  well,  he  is  ready  to  reward  the  Work  of 
 his  own  Grace  in  his  Servant. 
 
 O  Beloved  Jefu,  vouch  fa  fe  me  this  Favour,  becaufe 
 I  am  nothing.  Well  may  1  complain  of  my  Cdf^  and 
 greatly  bewail  and  lament  my  fclf  *,    becaufe  when  I 
 
 -    rightly 
 
3  ^  M  tl)e  31mttatton        Vol.  il 
 
 rightly  refled  and  corifider,  I  my  felf  alone  am  all 
 that  which  hindreth  and  weigheth  me  down. 
 
 1  confefs  therefore  to  God  that  it  is  my  own,  yea 
 my  own  Fault:  I  acknowledge  before  him  my  daily 
 Deviations,  even  after  his  Grace  who  had  laid  hold  on 
 me,  and  the  Cords  of  his  Love  had  drawn  me.  O 
 that  my  gracious  Father  would  now  caft  a  merciful 
 Eye  upon  my  f  mprifonment  and  my  Thraldom,  as  at 
 the  beginning !  That  he  would  fo  lighten  all  the  ob- 
 fcure  Places  of  my  Heart,  as  that  I  might  difcern  at 
 all  times  the  Path  in  which  I  am  to  walk  ! 
 
 0  Lord  my  God ,  moft  gracious  and  holy,  what 
 will  become  of  me  in  the  end  ^  feeing  1  make  no  grea- 
 er  Advancement  in  my  fpi ritual  Race,  after  all  the 
 Afllftances  of  thy  Grace,  which  1  have  moft  freely  re- 
 ceived from  thee,  and  all  the  Attradiions  of  thy  Holy 
 Spirit,  which  I  daily  feel?  O  when  will  it  be  better 
 with  thy  poor  Servant?  When  fhall  he  be  able  to 
 run  after  thee,  O  Chrift,  and  there  be  nothing  to 
 (top  him  ?  Fain  would  I  be  fet  at  liberty  from  what 
 fhackles  me  down  to  the  Earth,  if  it  were  thy  good 
 Pleafure  to  break  all  my  Snares  in  funder,  for  then 
 would  I  run  and  leap  in  the  Ways  which  thou.  Lord, 
 haft  appointed  unco  me,  both  by  thy  Precept  and 
 Example. 
 
 1  muft  own  and  confefs  that  I  am  in  the  Faultonly, 
 in  that  1  have  not  fo  freely  and  fully  concurred  with 
 the  Drawings  of  thy  Grace  and  Wifdom,  as  I  ought 
 to  have  do  e.  Wherefore  I  will  humble  my  felf  yet 
 more  deeply. 
 
 And  fo  much  the  more  as  I  humble  and  defpifemy 
 felf  for  being  the  Impediment  and  Obftacle  to  thy 
 gracious  IMotions,  fo  much  the  more  eafily  do  I  ar- 
 rive at  both  RemifTion  of  Sin  and  Increafe  of  Grace  ; 
 And  do  overcome  every  Burthen,  by  bearing  it  to- 
 gether with  Chrift's  Burthen. 
 
 ^    C  H  A  P^ 
 
Book  I.        of  J  E s us  CHaisT.' 5| 
 
 Chap.    IX. 
 
 The  Toak  of  Chr'iji  Sweet  to.  the  true  Penitenti 
 
 IT  is  bkfled  thing  for  thee,  O  my  Soul,  that  thoa 
 art  come  at  length  under  the  Yoak  of  ChriH  ^  for 
 there  is  no  Burthen  but  will  be  made  light  to  thee, 
 as  thou  faithfully  abidefl;  under  it :  And  therefore 
 feek  not  to  fhift  it  from  thy  felf  to  another.  For  what 
 will  it  profit  me  to  impofe  my  Weight  or  Burthea 
 upon  another  ?  If  I  am  in  the  right,  it  is  good  for  jme 
 to  hold  my  Peace,  and  to  bear  quietly,  frnce  much 
 Complaining  will  never  better  me.  If  I,  am  in  the 
 wrong,  then  it  is  better  to  yield  early  than  late.       ^ 
 
 O  Beloved  Jefu,  help  me  to  carry  tny  Burthen^' 
 for  without  thee  thou  •  feeft  that  I  can  do  nothing. 
 Thou  art  my  mod  faithful  Friend  and  beil  Helper^ 
 whenever  any  Neceffity  prefents  it  felf.  It  is  hence 
 both  my  Intereft  and  Duty,  that  committing  ray 
 felf  to  thee  in  Peace,  I  permit  all  things  to  pafs  over 
 me  ^  and  that  I  evenly  bear  both  what  is  jufl  and  what 
 is  unjuft  •,  and  with  a  generous  "Unconcernednefs  of 
 Mind  leave  my  felf  wholly  to  thy  Condud,  under  all 
 the  fundry  and  various  Events  of  thy  mod:  wife  Pro- 
 vidence. Whence  though  it  be  often  very  grievous  and 
 irkfom  to  Nature,  I  am  refolved  notwithflanding  to 
 refign  my  felf,  thy  Grace  herein  aflifting  me,  and  to 
 facrifice  my  Will  upon  thy  Altar,  O  God:  For  as 
 much  as  in  this  Life  there  mufl  quickly  be  an  end  both 
 of  Joy  and  Lamentation^  and  all  then  will  be  as  a 
 Shadow  that  is  pafFed. 
 
 BlelTed  is  he  who  waits  in  Faith  for  the  fulfilling  of 
 the  divine  Promifes,  and  permits  God  to  deal  with 
 him  always  in  all  things,  as  his  Majefty  ihall  fee  moft 
 convenient  and  fuitable,  without  any  Eledion or  feek- 
 in  of  his  own.     O  how  BlelTed  is  the  Man  that  is  in 
 
 D  fuch 
 
34  ^f  ti^^  ^mitatc'on       Vol.  ii. 
 
 fuch  a  Cafe !  O  fweet  Burthen  !  O  eafy  and  pleafant 
 Yoak  of  my  Jefus !  Blefled  and  Magnified  be  thou, 
 O  Lord  my  Saviour,  for  having  called  me  to  this 
 State  by  thy  Grace*,  there  being  nothing  greater  or 
 better  that  I  can  wifh  for  here,  than  a  Life  of  Faith 
 and  Dependence,  fuch  as  this,  whereby  1  become  en- 
 tirely thy  Care. 
 
 I 
 
 C  H  A  P.    XXIIL 
 
 His  Thankfiilnefs  in  all  EJlates. 
 
 Thank  thee,  O  Lordi  for  every  Burthen  or  out- 
 ^  ward  Evil,  as  well  as  for  every  Good,  outward 
 and  inward,  which  I  receive  at  thy  Hands,  who  am 
 moft  unworthy  of  the  lattery  for  lo!  I  am  lefs  than 
 the  leaft  of  all  thy  Mercies,  and  nothing  is  there  in 
 me,  that  Ihould  any  wife  attrad  thee,  or  caufe  thee 
 to  be  favourable  and  gracious.   I  thank  thee,  O  Lord 
 of  Heaven  and  Earth,  both  for  one  and  for  the  other 
 in  like  manner:  And  my  Soul  praifeth  and  adoreth 
 thee  as  well  for  the  heavieft  Load  of  AlHidion,  which 
 thou  for  my  Trial  doft  at  any  time  lay  upon  me-,  as 
 for  the  fmallelt  Drop  of  true  Ghollly  Confolation, 
 which  thy  Majefty  is  pleafed  foraetimes  to  difpenfe 
 towards  me  for  my   Support  and  Encouragement, 
 while  I  am  walking  through  this  Vale  of  Tears. 
 
 Praifed  be  thou,  and  BlelTed,  for  every  Suffering 
 which  I  fuffer  for  and  with  thee  !  Praifed  be  thou, 
 and  for  ever  Blefled,  for  every  Comfort  which  I  have 
 at  any  time  felt,  wherein  thou  haft  comforted  me  in 
 the  Houfe  of  Sorrow  and  Bondage !  All  Praife,  all 
 Glory,  all  Love  be  unto  Thee,  my  God  and  my 
 King. 
 
 1  am 
 
Book  I.       of  Jesus  Christ.  35 
 
 I  am  often  molt  furprifingly  deliver'd,  even  in  an 
 Inftant,  from  the  n>oft  heavy  Preflures  and  Calami- 
 ties which  bind-me  down  j  and  then  again  Itrait  it  is 
 thy  good  pieafure  to  exercife  me  afrefh,  and  fo  I  have 
 enough^ven  me  to  bear  ^  for  there  is  a  continual  Vi- 
 ciflitude  for  me  in  this  mortal  and  (hadowy  State  of 
 my  Being,  and  nothing  nnder  the  Snn  is  durable.  O 
 that  my  Soul  were  therefore  fo  clothed  with  Thee, 
 O  Sm  of  Righreoufnefs,  as  I  needed  no  more  fear  the 
 Shadows !  And  fo  as  I  might  live  in  thy  Light  for 
 evermore,  without  Danger  either  of  Setting,  or  of 
 being  Eclipfed  ! 
 
 Thus  far  the  matter  is  here  come:  So  it  hath  been 
 hitherto,  and  fo  it  will  ftill  go  on.  To  fufFer  in  this 
 World  none  fhall  ever  want,  wherefoever  he  may  be, 
 or  whatfoever  he.may  have.  BleiTed  be  God  ;  as  for 
 me,  I  have  well  deferved  to  fufFer,  and  rightly  to  me 
 doth  it  appertain  indeed  to  be  afflided  and  flighted. 
 
 Help  me,  deareft  Jefu,  that  I  may  fo  follow  the 
 Example  of  thy  holy  Patience,  as  I  fail  not  of  at- 
 taining the  good  End  of  my  prefent  Sojourning  here; 
 and  difpofe  the  Way  of  me  thy  poor  Servant  in  all 
 things,  fo  as  may  be  molt  for  the  Honour  and  Praife 
 of  thy  Name. 
 
 Yet  fometimes  I  know  not  what  to  fay,  or  think: 
 Alas  !  When  I  confider  mine  own  Infirmity  I  anx 
 utterly  gone.  I  hope  however,  yea  I  hope  firmly, 
 that  yet  all  will  be  better  with  me:  Notwithflanding 
 that  for  the  prefent.  Matters  feem  to  go  ^o  uneven, 
 and  fo  contrary.  Upon  what  can  I  confide,  unlefs 
 upon  thy  Mercy,  O  my  Beloved  Lord,  who  art  my 
 only  Refuge,  and  the  God  of  my  Hope. 
 
 D  2  CHAP. 
 
3^  €)f  ti)t  imitation       Vol.  ir. 
 
 Chap.    XXIV. 
 
 The  Narrow  Path  of  perfeEi  Mortification* 
 
 WHat  avails  then  all  Humane  Comfort,  when 
 thou,  Lord,  forfakefl  me  ?  Or  what  can  hinder 
 me  when  thou  affifteft  me  ?  But  thou  art  often  at  a 
 diltance  from  me,  or  art  at  leaft  hidden.  Ah  !  I  cannot 
 confide  in  any  Comfort,  or  in  any  delightful  Senfation 
 of  my  Heart :  Since  I  am  frequently  deprived  of  all 
 before  I  know  it,  or  have  time  to  make  any  Refledion 
 upon  it. 
 
 And  here  it  is  needful  for  me  that  I  again  learn  to 
 dye  to  Self,  even  with  refped  to  thefe  ^  and  that  I  de- 
 ny all  inward  Confolations,  and  that  1  lay  down  my 
 Will  in  the  Will  of  my  Lord  ^  and  that  I  ftudy  to  en- 
 dure quietly  my  Banifliment,  my  Preflure,  and  my  Ob- 
 fcurity,  until  it  Ihall  pleafe  him  gracioully  to  have  Pi- 
 ty upon  me  his  poor  Creature,  and  to  comfort  me. 
 
 I  mult  wait  for  the  Grace  of  God,  and  help  my 
 felfwith  true  inward  Poverty,  and  confider  foberly 
 bow  that  I  am  not  worth  one  Mite.  Nothing  there 
 is  that  I  can  make  any  Pretence  or  Claim  to  :  God 
 is  the  Beginning ,  and  God  is  the  End  of  all  the 
 Goods  either  of  Grace  or  Nature.  It  is  he  that  of 
 a  fudden  maketh  Rich,  and  maketh  Poor  :  He  both 
 cooleth  and  inflameth  ^  he  it  is  that  lifteth  up,  and 
 that  calleth  down  •,  that  exalteth,  and  again  depref- 
 fcth  •,  that  illuftrateth  ,  and  that  cloudeth  ^  doing 
 many  wonderful  things  inwardly  and  fecretly  in  the 
 Soul  of  the  true  Penitent,  which  are  no  wife  eafy  to 
 be  declared. 
 
 Ah  my  Beloved  Jefu  !  Do  thou  with  me  as  it  feem- 
 eth  beft  to  thee  ^  becaufe  i  do  not  throughly,  and 
 in  the  ground,  underftand  my  felf  Unto  thee  alone 
 is  known  what  is  mofl;  profitable  for  me.    I  commit 
 
 my 
 
Book  I.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  57 
 
 my  felf  to  thee,  deal  thou  with  me  according  to  thy 
 moft  dear  and  precious  Will. 
 
 When  there  is  ought  that  withftands,  it  is  prefent- 
 ly  perceived  *,  for  ReftlefTnefs  and  Difquiet  of  Heart, 
 thence  fpringing,  are  not  delighful  to  be  born,  but 
 grievous.  But  whence  is  all  this?  It  is  not  from  thy 
 felf?  Yea  verily. 
 
 Every  Impediment  and  every  Perturbation  cometh 
 from  ones  own  feeking.  Nature  always  feeks  thofe 
 things  which  are  her  own,  after  divers  manners,  both, 
 within  and  without,  both  ia  great  and  in  fmall  *,  and 
 is  moft  hard  to  be  brought  to  be  willing  to  die,  and 
 to  deny  her  felf.  Neverthelefs  die  fhe  muft,  and  be 
 wholly  conquered,  that  the  Spirit  may  be  at  reft,  and 
 be  united  with  Chrift. 
 
 O  my  bejpved  Lord  !  Make  me  Partaker  of  thy 
 Grace,  and  defert  me  not  in  my  Neceflities  *,  for  I 
 have  many  things  yet  to  hope  for.  For  I  have  not  yet 
 thoroughly  and  fundamentally  forfaken  my  felf  ^  nor 
 am  totally  dead  to  my  felf^  nor  am  1  loofed  and 
 emptied  of  all  created  things  ^  nor  am  I  got  rid  of 
 all  bafe  and  fenfitive  Affedtionsj'which  either  clip  the 
 Wings  of  the  Soul,  or  cling  to  them  like  Birdlime: 
 But  Nature  lives  yet  ftrongly  in  me,  giving  me  to  un- 
 derftand,  that  the  ^J^^/^/z/rf  (that  is,  the  Fuel  of  Sin)  is 
 yet  in  the  Land,  or  the  Earth  (that  is,  in  my  Earthly 
 Body,  or  Flefi.)  Be  kind  yet  unto  me,  dear  Lord,  for 
 thy  Grace's  fake  :  O  do  good  unto  thy  Servant,  be- 
 caufe  of  thy  tender  Mercies  ^  for  in  thy  Strength  do 
 all  my  Enemies  prefently  fall  to  nothing.  With  one 
 only  Word,  and  in  the  Twink  of  an  Eye,  all  are 
 fcatter'd  before  thee,  O  Lord. 
 
 *  This  is  grounded  on  Deut.  xx.  17.  foff}.  xv.  55.  and  2  S,im.  v.  8, 
 Conpared  wich  che  Apoftle's  Reafonuig,  Gal*  iv.  22»— 50.  and  Rom. 
 vii.  17. 
 
 D  3  C  H  A  P^ 
 
g  8  flDf  t^e  imitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 Chap.    XXV. 
 
 Agahijl  th^  falfe  Rejis  of  the  Soul  in  the  Work 
 
 of  Converjion. 
 
 However,  it  is  highly  incumbent  on  me  to  fland 
 always  in  Awe,  and  never  to  truft  to  my  felf  j 
 for  though  I  am  often  pluck'd  out  of  the  Gin,  and  de-  - 
 liver'd,  yet  am  I  not  therefore  at  all  fecure.  I  can 
 truft*  to  no  manner  of  Relifh,  nor  to  any  Gults  or 
 Senfations,  nor  to  any  Convenience  or  Interefl;,  nor 
 to  any  Comfort  or  Solace-  but  merely  and  folely  to 
 thy  Mercy  alone,  O  fweet  and  merciful  Lord. 
 
 Without  thee  I  am  a  Burthen  and  a  Clog  to  my  very 
 felf :  But  with  thee,  and  in  thee,  I  am  made  firm  and 
 free  \  and  may  be  faid  to  be  my  own  Man,  by  being' 
 thine.  I  cannot  fet  my  Heart  upon  any  Thing  or 
 Place,  howfoever  Beautiful  it  may  be^  for  as  much  as 
 all  is  tranfitory,  that  is  look'd  after  Without:  All  is 
 unliable  and  infecure,  in  Men,  in  Things,  in  Houfes, 
 in  Colleges,  m  Monafteries,  and  Seats  of  Religious 
 Retirement  and  Enclofure  ;  and  every  where  there  is 
 found  defed,  contrariety  and  refiftance,  in  one  or  in 
 another  •,  and  every  thing  in  this  prefent  State  that 
 occurs,  of  what  nature  or  fort  foever  it  may  be,  is 
 altogether  an  cccafion  to  the  Soul  of  making  it  fuffer, 
 and  be  prefFed  down,  both  from  within  and  without. 
 ^For  when  Suffering  comes,  it  helps  not,  how  adorn'd 
 and  pleafant  foever  the  Place  be,  or  what  and  how 
 many  Goods  there  be  poffefied. 
 
 He  that  knows  well  how  to  behave  himfelf  in  Po- 
 verty, and  with  regard  to  it,  that  accounts  it  bell  to 
 fuffer  for  God,  and  always  defires  rather  more  than 
 lefs,  he  fhall  obtain  a  greater  Peace,  and  an  higher 
 Joy  with  God.  When  ought  Temporal  is  loved  too 
 much,  Internal  Peace  cannot  long  be  kept.     With  a 
 
 fimple 
 
Book  I.       of  Jesus  Chkist.  39 
 
 llmple  Eye  and  with  a  pure  Heart  all  things  are  to  be 
 look'd  upon  ^  and  you  mufttake  heed,  that  the  Things 
 or  Objeas,by  you  confider'd,  be  not  confider  d  vvith 
 any  fenfual  Delight  or  Pleafure^  for  fo  Ihalla  Man 
 abide  without  hurt,  and  pure  in  Confcicnce.  To  be 
 preferr'd  before  all  things  of  the  World,  and  even  be- 
 fore all  the  Joys  of  Heaven,  is  the  Will  of  God, 
 Which  God  grant  us.     Amen. 
 
 The  Prayer  of  an  Humble  Penitent. 
 
 o 
 
 Mofi  merciful  God^  whofe  Nature  is  goodnefs-,  and 
 
 . .    whofe  Work  is  Mercy,  grant  me-,  according  to  the 
 
 mHltitude  of  thy  Mercies^  to  have  a  perfe^  Contrition  for 
 my  Sins,  that  being  pricked  at  the  Heart  with  true  inter' 
 nal  Sorrow,  J  may  mofl  bitterly  lament  the  fame,  and  tn 
 thefacred  haver  of  Repentance,  be  thoroughly  waped  and 
 cleanfed,  to  the  Honour  of  thy  Grace.     Let  me,  I  hejeecb 
 thee,  be  armed  with  a  Zeal  of  Jnftice  againft  my  jeLJj 
 that  I  may  even  rife  up  with  Indignation,  as  againft  a 
 Villain  or  High-wayman  ',for  that  I  have  moft  gricvonfly 
 cf ended  thee,  my  God,  and  have-not   rendered  thee  the 
 Honour  due  to  thee  \  but  often  attributing  fomethmgjat 
 leaft)  of  Good  to  my  felf,  have  therein  done  moft  vilely^ 
 moft  bafely,  moft  ungratefully^  I  have  grievoufty  wounded 
 my   Soul  with  the  poifonous  Darts  of  Sin,  and  by  eafily 
 yielding  to  the  Temptations  of  the  Flefh,  have    quenched 
 and  fain   the  Spirit.     Wherefore,    O  Lord,    RighteoHS 
 Judge,  ftrong  and  patient,  give  mefucha  due  CompunBicn 
 and  hearty  Contrition,  at  the  Heinoufnefs  of  my  Sins  re^ 
 quires.  And  do  thou  rather  punift]  and  corre^  me  in  thts 
 prefent  Life,  than  referve  my  Evils  for  the  Judgment  to 
 come.     O  God,  moft  Gracious,  moft  Pitiful,  moft  Clcmenty 
 have  mercy  upon  me,  an  unworthy  Sinner,  who  for  ^^y^^^ 
 of  Sinners  and  the  Vnrighteous,  came  ft  into  the  World,  and 
 gaveft  thy  felf  a  Ranfomfor  the  ZKorft  of  Sinners,  even  for 
 me.  Help  me  therefore,  O  God  my  Savtenr,  and  f<^^  ^'^ 
 Glory  of  thy  Name  deliver  me\    Amen*  ^* 
 
4° Of  tl^e  Simttation        Vol.li. 
 
 OF    THE 
 
 IMITATION 
 
 O  F 
 
 Jefus  Chrift. 
 
 Ci^e  ^econD  25ooft* 
 
 A  Ihort  Chriftian  Directory : 
 
 Digcfted  into  Conferences  betwixt  an  Old 
 Chriftian  and  a  Novice,  or  the  Mafter 
 and  the  Difciple. 
 
 Chap.    I. 
 Of  feehng  Good  and Pninning  Evil  Company. 
 
 The  Mafter.     - 
 
 He  that  zvalketh  z^ith  the  Wife  (hall  he  Wife  :  But  a  Com- 
 f  anion  of  Fools  jlj  all  be  defiroyed^  (or  broken)  Prov.  xiii. 
 
 I.  4  Ttend  with  diligence,  Beloved  in  Chrift, 
 and  take  good  heed  continually,  left  thou 
 be  feduced  by  Vicious,  Diflblute,  or  Care- 
 lefs  Company.  Converfe  with  fuch  as  are 
 
 yir^uous  and  Learned  ^  and  with  them  that  keep  good 
 
 I  Orders 
 
 A 
 
^dook  u'a^  C(  mil  ens  ifapicnj  (Ja/.^c/ihcj^  crit 
 
Book  II.        of  Jesus  Christ.  41 
 
 Orders  and  Difcipliiie  make  thy  felf  familiar  :  Since 
 with  the  Holy  thou  (halt  learn  to  be  Holy\  but  with 
 the  Perverfe  thou  (halt  learn  Perverfenefs.  More  par- 
 ticularly therefore  accompany  thy  felf  with,  and  cleave 
 clofe  to  fome  one  Perfon,  of  well  approved  Piety  and 
 Experience ,  that  is,  a  ftrid  Obferver  of  Rules,  yet 
 not  afFeding  to  be  thought  fo^  from  whom  thou 
 may'ft  always  hear  fome  good  Difcourfe,  fuch  as  may 
 be  both  Comfortable  and  Edifying,  and  at  once  de- 
 lightful to  the  Ear,  and  worthy  thy  Imitation.  For 
 even  as  a  dead  Coal  by  touching  of  Fire  becomes 
 thereby  Hot  and  Burning  *,  ^o  a  Lukewarm  Chriftian 
 in  like  manner  aflbciating  himfelf  with  one  that  is 
 Fervent  and  Devout,  catches  fire,  and  becomes  hini- 
 lelf  Fervent  and  Devout  too  j  and  is  greatly  both  in- 
 ftruded  and  regulated. 
 
 2,  The  Apoflles,  by  adhering  to  Chrifl,  were  made 
 Holy  Men,  and  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghoft.  St.  Mark^ 
 joining  himfelf  with  St.  Feter^  was  made  learned  in 
 the  facred  Gofpel,  which  he  heard  from  him  with 
 great  Joy.  Timothy  ,  accompanying  himfelf  with 
 St.  Panlj  was  inftruded  in  Holy  Writ,  even  from  his 
 Youth  j  and  afterwards,  profiting  in  the  Grace  of 
 God,  was  ordained  of  him  Bifhop  of  Efhefus^  and  no 
 lefs  beloved  of  him  than  an  only  Son  is  of  a  dear  and 
 tender  Father.  Polycarpy  by  converfing  with  St.  Joh^ 
 the  Apoftle,  became  a  zealous  Preacher  of  the  Faith 
 unto  the  People,  and  a  famous  Martyr  with  Holy  Ig- 
 natms.  St.  Auftin  being  inftru(fted  by  St.  Amhrofe^  be- 
 came at  length  a  glorious  Dodor  of  the  Church,  and 
 hath  obtained  an  honourable  Mention  and  Efteem 
 throughout  the  whole  World,  even  unto  this  very 
 Day.  And  fo  was  fweet  St.  Bernard^  by  adhering  to 
 a  certain  holy  and  venerable  old  Man,  called  Stephen^ 
 made  the  Light  of  Religion,  and  as  it  were  a  bright 
 Star  Ihining  in  Heaven.  Hereof  there  are  many  In- 
 ftances  both  Modern  and  Ancient. 
 
 Very 
 
42  €>f  t^e  imitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 Very  many  thus  are  the  Examples,  both  new  and 
 old,  to  every  one  known,  which  demonftrate  how 
 Beneficial  to  the  Soul  good  Company  is,  and  how  Pre- 
 judicial on  the  contrary  the  bad  is.  Good  Reading 
 profiteth^  Evil  Hearing  hurteth:  Solitude,  with 
 Silence  is  good  j  but  Tumult,  with  extravagant  Wan- 
 dring,  will  be  no  wife  agreeable.  Be  therefore  either 
 alone  with  God,  waiting  upon  Him,  in  the  perfor- 
 mance of  thy  Duty  ^  or  elfe  with  a  Devout  Com- 
 panion, difcourfing  of  Chrift,  and  conferring  of  the 
 Graces  and  Virtues  which  did  fo  fupereminently 
 adorn  his  moft  Holy  Life.  But  moreover,  take  heed 
 not  to  fearch  too  curioufly  into  things  too  high  for 
 thee  •,  ftudy  to  make  thy  felt  acquainted  well  in  the 
 firft:  place  with  thy  Faults  ^  and  learn  next  to  apply 
 proper  Remedies  to  the  Difeafes. 
 
 Chap.    V. 
 Ojforfaking  the  Worlds  and  Snares  of  the  DeviL 
 
 The  Mailer  and  Difciple. 
 ^  Wife  Man  by  hearing  will  learn  Wifdom^  Prov.ii. 
 
 i.TJEar  (O  young  Man)  the  Word  of  Eternal  Wif- 
 Jni  dom,  more  profitable  for  thee  than  all  the 
 VVifdom  of  the  World  befides. 
 
 Love  not  the  World,  nor  the  things  in  the  World  ^ 
 but  rejed  them  as  Dung  and  Poifon.  Think  upon 
 the  End  without  End,  and  Temptation  will  ceafe. 
 Beware  of  thy  Soul's  Peril. 
 
 Give  Offence  to  none,  no  not  fo  much  as  in  an 
 unfeemly  Word. 
 
 If  thy  Earthly  Father  endeavour  to  draw  thee  from 
 God,  anfvver  him,  Thou  hall  a  Father  in  Heaven.    If 
 
 thy 
 
Book  11.        of  J  E  S  U  S  C  H  R  I  S  T.  43 
 
 thy  Mother  or  Sifter  go  about  to  impeach  thee  in  the 
 Ways  of  Piety,  fay  unto  them,  '^  Ye  are  mortal  and 
 *'  deceitful  j  he  who  created  me,  fhall  govern  me  j 
 "  and  1  am  aflured,  he  that  ferveth  God  fhall  never 
 "  want  ought  that's  good. 
 
 Commend  all  thy  Friends  to  God :  And  intreat  them 
 to  amend  themfelves,  and  take  heed  of  Sin,  left  they 
 offend  God,  and  lofe  Celeftial  Treafures  for  Terrc- 
 ftrial  Toys. 
 
 Frequent  viliting  of  Friends  is  a  difturbance  of 
 the  Mind.  The  World  paffeth  away,  and  the  Lufb 
 thereof^  and  fo  fhalt  thou  alfo,  and  all  thy  Friends 
 with  thee. 
 
 The  Devil  lays  many  Snares  \  and  he  who  defires 
 to  become  Rich,  and  feem  Great ,  falls  into  divers 
 of  his  Temptations.  His  ordinary  Baits  are  Meat 
 and  Drink,  a  wandring  Eye,  idle  Talk,  and  uncon- 
 ftant  Heart,  and  wearinefs  of  Well-doing.  Riches, 
 Honour,  Power,  are  all  but  Vanity. 
 
 What  then  feekeftthou?  What  defireft  thou  to  find 
 in  the  World,  where  there  is  nothing  pure  ?  All  is 
 vain,  falfe,  and  variable,  belides  the  Love  of  God, 
 and  conftant  doing  of  Good.. 
 
 Thou  canft  not  love  God  perfedly,  unlefs  thou 
 contemn  thy  Self  and  the  World  for  God's  fake  : 
 who  will  recompence  thee  an  hundred  fold  here,  and 
 reward  thee  with  Eternal  Life  hereafter. 
 
 Let  it  not  grieve  thee  to  be  removed  far  from  thy 
 Friends  and  Acquaintance,  who  do  oftentimes  prove 
 an  Impediment  to  thine  Everlafting  Safety,  and  do 
 withdraw  Divine  Confolation  from  thee. 
 
 Where  are  now  thy  Companions,  with  whom  thou 
 laughedft  and  fportedft  thy  felf  ?  Thou  wilt  doubtlefs 
 fay,  I  know  not^  they  are  gone  and  have  left  me.  Where 
 is  that  thou  did  ft  fee  butyefterday?  Thou  wilt  fay, 
 I  know.  It  is  vanijhed.  What  hurt  hath  thine  Ab- 
 ftinence  done  thee  ?  Thou  wilt  anfwer  me,  None  at  all, 
 I  He 
 
44  0f  t^e  3]mitation       VoL  ii. 
 
 He  therefore  who  ferveth  God  truly,  and  defpifeth 
 the  whole  World,  with  all  its  tranfitory  Delights, 
 is  Wife ^  ye,  he  is  Wife  indeed:  But  he  that  ferveth 
 the  World  is  molt  llnwife  ^  and  he  that  defpifeth 
 Chrill,  and  his  Crofs,  the  greateft  of  Fools. 
 
 Wo  unto  all  that  arc  drunk  with  the  Enticements 
 of  the  World,  whofe  merry  Mates  fhall  quickly  for- 
 fake,  flee  from,  and  bury  them. 
 
 Difciple,  Beiiold,  they  are  all  dead,  and  fhall  never 
 return  unto  me.  I  Ihall  rather  follow  them,  when  it 
 fhall  pleafe  God  to  call :  They  were  Strangers  upon 
 Earth  *,  and  fo  am  I :  They  have  left  all  behind  them  ^ 
 and  fo  fhall  I :  They  are  all  paffed  away  like  a  Sha- 
 dow j  and  fo  mufl:  I. 
 
 Chap.    III. 
 
 A  Farewell  to  the  World. 
 
 Difciple. 
 Behold  we  have  for faken  atid  followed  Thee, 
 
 FArewel,  ye  gilded  Follies,  pleaflng  Troubles-, 
 Farewel,  ye  Honoured  Rags,  and  Cryflal  Bubbles  ^ 
 Fame's  but  an  hollow  Eccho,  Gold  poor  Clay  *, 
 Honour  the  Darling  but  of  one  Ihort  Day  *, 
 Beauty's  chief  Idol,  but  a  Damask  Skin  *, 
 State,  but  a  Golden  Piifon  to  live  in. 
 And  torture  Free-born  Minds  •,  Imbroidered  Trains, 
 But  goodly  Pageants^  proudly  fwelling  Veins, 
 And  Blood  allay'd  to  Greatnefs,  is  but  Loan 
 Inherited,  not  Purchas'd,  not  our  own. 
 
 'f  Vit»  Bon,  Alonach.  fy  Epitaph,  Brev,  Mon, 
 
 Fame 
 
 V. 
 
Book  II.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  a  I  s  T.  45 
 
 Fame>  Riches,  Honour,  Beauty,  State,  Trains,  Birth, 
 Are  but  the  fading  Bleflings  of  the  Earth. 
 I  would  be  Rich  ^  but  fee  Man,  too  unkind, 
 Digs  in  the  Bowels  of  the  Richeft  Mine. 
 I  would  be  Great  ^  but  yet  the  Sun  doth  ftill 
 Level  his  Beams  againfl  the  riling  Hill. 
 I  would  be  Fair  ^  but  fee  the  Champion  proud. 
 The  World's  fair  Eye,  oft  fetting  in  a  Cloud. 
 I  would  be  Wife  J  but  that  the  Fox,  I  fee, 
 Sufpeded  Guilty,  when  the  Fox  is  free. 
 I  would  be  Poor  ^  but  fee  the  humble  Grafs 
 Tramped  upon  by  each  unworthy  Afs. 
 Rich,  hated\  Wife,  fnffeEled'^  [corned  if  Poor ^ 
 Great, /<?^rV  ^  Fair,  tempted  ^  High  Itill  envyd  more. 
 Would  the  W^orld  then  adopt  me  for  her  Heir, 
 Would  Beauties  Queen  entitle  me  the  F^/r, 
 Fame  fpeak  me  Honour's  Minion  \  and  could  I, 
 With  Indian  Monarchs,  and  a  fpeaking  Eye, 
 Command  bare  Heads,how'dKnees^  ftrikejuftice<^;^w^&, 
 As  well  as  Blind  and  Lame^  and  give  a  Tongue 
 To  Stones,  and  live  in  them  ^  could  I  be  All 
 That  makes  a  Figure  on  this  Earthly  Ball : 
 Could  I  be  more  than  any  Man  that  lives. 
 Great,  Wife,  Rich,  Fair,  all  in  Superlatives: 
 Yet  I  thefe  Favours  wou'd  more  free  relign. 
 Than  ever  Fortune  would  have  had  them  mine. 
 I  count  one  Minute  of  my  Holy  Leifure 
 Beyond  the  Mirth  of  all  this  Earthly  Pleafure. 
 
 Mafier  Remember,  my  Son,  the  Refolution  thou  haft 
 now  made  :  And  having  taken  thus  at  length  thy  leave 
 of  the  Sodom  of  this  World,  make  hafte  for  thy  Life  j 
 and  fee  that  thou  caft  not  once  thine  Eyes  upon  it  a- 
 gain.  Having  laid  thine  hand  to  the  Plough,  there 
 is  no  looking  back  for  thee  more.  Having  taken Up- 
 onthy  Shoulders  the  Crofs  of  Chrifl,  there isrio calling 
 it  away  again.     Hold  to  thy  Refolution.     What  haft 
 
 thou 
 
4^  €>f  tlje  limitation        Vol  ii. 
 
 thou  to  do  longer  with  the  World?  Follow  thou  Chrift. 
 This  is  true  Wifdom. 
 
 Chap.    IV. 
 Of  true  Wifdom  to  he  fought  from  God. 
 
 The  Mailer. 
 Blejfed  is  the  Man  that  hath  found  Wifdom-i  Prov.  iii. 
 
 SEEK  that  true  Wifdom,  which  Chrifl  taught  by 
 Dodtrine  and  Example.  A  truly  Wife  Man 
 hateth  Iniquity,  fpeaketh  Truth,  and  worketh 
 Righteoufnefs.  He  who  liveth  Soberly,  Chaftly,  Pi- 
 oully,  Humbly  and  Devoutly,  and  doth  avoid  the 
 Danger  of  Temptations,  is  a  Wife  Man,  and  pleafeth 
 God  ^  he  hath  a  good  Report,  keepeth  a  good  Con- 
 fcience,  driveth  away  Sadnefs,  pofleiTeth  Peace,  and 
 oftentimes  receiveth  that  Divine  Confolation  into  his 
 Heart,  which  the  World  neither  favourcth  nor 
 knovveth. 
 
 The  Wifdom  of  the  World  is  reputed  Vanity  and 
 Folly  with  God:  It  deceives  its  Lovers,  and  in  the 
 end  torments  them.  The  Wifdom  of  the  FleJIi  is  the 
 Death  of  the  Soul,  which  fuddenly  fnatches  away  In- 
 temperate and  Voluptuous  Perfons  j  for  Sorrow  and 
 Pain  conllantly  attend  thefe  Carnal  Joys.  But  true 
 Wifdom  is  drawn  from  the  fweet  Words  and  facred 
 Ads  of  Chrift.  Who  counfelleth  us  to  defpife  the 
 World,  flee  Delights,  tame  the  Flefli,  fuffer  Grief, 
 undergo  Labour,  and  follow  Him  fully. 
 
 Now  if  any  one  therefore  have  a  mind  to  obtain 
 the  Divine  Wifdom,  let  him  defpife  the  Delights  of  the 
 Flefh,  and  keep  a  ftrid  Guard  on  his  outward  Senfes, 
 left  he  draw  in  the  Vanities  of  the  World ;  Let  him 
 
 r      '  tura 
 
Book  II.         of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  K  I  S  T.  47 
 
 turn  himfelf  Inward^  infped  his  own  Defers,  examine 
 day  by  day  his  Confcience,  bewail  his  Offences,  and 
 do  all  that  is  pofTibleto  prevent  the  fame  for  the  fu- 
 ture :  Let  him  breath  after  Heavenly  Objeds,  account 
 this  prefent  Life  as  a  Prifon,  feel  much  Pain  in  being 
 abfent  from  Chrift,   and  reckon  moft  tirefome  the 
 being  detained  from  the  Company  of  the  Blefled :  Let 
 him  not  covet  to  poffefs  any  thing  in  this  World,  that 
 fo  his  Heart  may  be  always  free:  Let  him  elteem  all 
 Temporal  Joy,  Sorrow  ^  and,  through  the  Defire  of 
 the  Eternal  Invifibles,  confider  the  affluence  of  all  Ex- 
 ternals no  otherwife  than  as  Indigence  it  felf     Thele 
 moft  intimate  Sentiments,  he,  that  fuffers  himlelf  to 
 be  carried  Outwards  muft  needs  be  Ignorant  of  ^  and 
 he  that  hankers  after  Honours,  fhall  be  fure  never  to 
 find  the  true  Wifdom. 
 
 Blefled  therefore,  O  young  Man,  is  that  Difciple 
 in  vvhofe  Heart  the  Law  of  God  refleth  ^  whofe 
 Mouth  meditateth  the  Wifdom  of  the  Saints,  not  the 
 Vanity  of  the  Worlds  whofe  Words  are  not  Flafhy, 
 but  proceed  from  a  right  and  mature  Judgment,  ac- 
 cording to  folid  Piety  ^  whofe  Deeds  always  tend  to 
 the  Will  of  God,  and  the  Hallowing  of  his  Name  ; 
 vvhofe  Steps,  both  Interior  and  Exterior,  both  at 
 Home  and  Abroad,  are  all  direded  according  to  the 
 Divine  Word,  and  adjufted  to  the  Evangelical  Stan- 
 dard. Hence  it  is  the  Wife  and  Spiritual  Man's  Study 
 to  difcern  Truth  from  Falfliood,  Vice  from  Vertue, 
 what  is  neceflary  from  what  is  Superfluous,  what  is 
 Honourable  from  what  is  Scandalous,  what  is  Evident 
 from  that  which  is  Obfcure,  what  is  Expedient  from 
 that  which  is  Unlawful  \  and  to  diftiiiguifh  the  Pri^ 
 vate  from  the  Publick,  the  Crooked  from  the  Strait, 
 the  Righteous  from  the  Perverfe,  the  Sincere  from 
 the  Hypocritical,  the  Real  from  the  Counterfeit,  and 
 Simplicity  and  Innocence  from  Craftinefs  and  Guile. 
 
4^  ^t  ti)t  imitation        Vol.  ll. 
 
 Difciple.  And  hei)ce,  I  fuppofe,  it  is  that  the  Lord 
 hath  faid  by  his  Prophet,  If  thou  take  forth  the 
 Jer.xv.ip.   pyecious  from   the  Viie^  thou  Jljalt  he  as  my 
 Mouth.     Is  it  not  fo,  1  pray  ? 
 
 Mafter,  He  faid  fo  to  his  Prophet  and  gav-e  it  him 
 as  a  moll  particular  and  exprefs  Charge  :  He  faid  fo 
 even  to  Jeremy^  who  from  a  Child  had  been  ordained 
 and  confecrated  to  the  Prophet's  OfTIce,  which  ren- 
 ders it  Itill  the  more  weighty  *,  and  fets  forth  more 
 the  great  necefTity  of  watching  ftridly  againft  all 
 Mixtures,  as  well  as  Counterfeits,  in  Religion  -^  and 
 of  feparating  diligently  the  Falfe  from  the  True,  and 
 the  Vile  from  the  Precious.  Nothing  then  is  rhore 
 proper  to  our  purpofe,  both  in  the  Refearch  and  Pof- 
 feifion  of  the  Heavenly  Wifdom  ,  than  this  Divine 
 Caution  and  iMonition  :  Which  thou  haft  done  well  in 
 this  place  to  alledge  ^  and  in  thy  Progrefs .  muft  take 
 good  heed  hereafter  never  to  forget.  For  True  and 
 Juft  is  God  ^  and  by  Wifdom  are  we  made  the  Sons 
 of  God,  in  all  Truth  and  Jultice.  What  faid  David 
 in  Spirit  ? 
 
 Difciple.  Righteous  is  the  Lord^  faid  he  :  He  loveth 
 Right eoHJnefs'f  and  will  behold  the  thing  that  is  JHfl^  and 
 true* 
 
 Jllafler.  And  therefore  he  feeks  fuch,  and  loves 
 them  who  walk  before  him  in  Truth.  Their  Steps 
 fhall  not  be  fupplanted  by  the  Adverfary  ^  neither 
 fhall  the  Blandiihments  pf  the  World  be  able  to 
 wheedle  them,  nor  their  own  Concupifcences  to  en- 
 fnare,  and  lead  them  aftray  ^  but  they  fliall  be  fecured 
 as  in  the  f.cret  Place  of  the  Moft  High,  by  that  Wif- 
 dom which  is  Pure,  Peaceable,  Gentle,  without  Par- 
 tiality, and  without  Hypocriiie.  For  the  Right  Hand 
 of  God  never  fails  to  protect  thofe  that  walk  in  Sim- 
 plicity of  Heart  under  his  Wings  ^  and  all  that  they 
 fhall  fay  or  do,  Ihall  be  unto  them  for  Good,  fhall  ad- 
 vance them  to  higher  degrees  of  Perfetftion  here,  and 
 add  to  their  Crown  of  Glory  hereafter.  Blefled 
 
Book  II.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R I  s  t.  45^ 
 
 BlelTed  are  all  they  who  receive  this  true  VVifdom, 
 as  their  Heritage  from  God ;  for  by  it  a  Door  is  open'di 
 for  them  into  the  Heavenly  Palace,  and  they  fhall 
 reign  with  Chrill  for  ever,  and  be  feafted  with  ^bra-^ 
 ham  and  with  all  Saints.  Imitate  therefore  the  Hum- 
 ble Life  of  Chrill,  if  thou  feekeft  Wifdom  in  earnelt. 
 Where  Humility  is,  there  is  Wifdom  v  but  where 
 Pride  is,  there  is  always  Shame  and  Folly.  Shut  alfd 
 the  Door  of  thy  Mouth,  and  reveal  not  thy  Secret  td 
 every  one.  Draw  in  and  recoiled  thy  felt^  in  Peace 
 and  Silence  of  Mind  ^  and  pray  thy  Heavenly  Father 
 to  bellow  this  moil  rich  Gift  upon  thee :  Befeech  him 
 to  do  this,  not  for  any  Defert  of  thine  own,  but  out  of 
 his  mere  overflowing  Grace,  for  the  moll  precious 
 Merit  of  his  Beloved  Son,  our  Lord,  that  Wifdoiri 
 (and  Word)  which  was  for  thee  made  Fie flj^  and  dweln 
 among  us. 
 
 ^Now  it  behoveth  thee  to  open  unto  him  the  Clofef 
 of  thy  Heart ;  thatfo  he,  who  flood  fo  long  at  the 
 Door  thereof,  and  knocked,  may  enter  in,  and  dwell 
 with  thee  after  an  hidden  manner.  Open  wid^,  Q 
 beloved  Chriflian,  thy  Heart,  for  him  to  enter  in^ 
 who  IS  the  Wifdom  of  God,  and  Light  of  the  World, 
 the  belllnflrudor,  the  moil  loving  Comforter^  and 
 the  mod  faithful  Guide  of  thy  Life  ^  and  with  Ear- 
 neilnefs  and  importunity,  befeech  his  Majefly  that  he 
 would  often  be  pleafed  to  Viilt  and  Enlighten  thee,  to 
 teach  thine  Ignorance,  to  ilrengthen  thy  Weaknefs^  td 
 raifeupthyHope,  to  difpel  Diffidence,  confirm  Faith,^ 
 mhife  Chanty,  and  increafe  Devotion. 
 
 Dlfiiple^  He  it  is  indeed  that  Jfa^ids  at  the  Door  of 
 my  Heart,  and  all  the  while  thou  art  fpeakin?  fo  me 
 Wi ;  I  will  open  then  to  Him,  that  fo  I  mrfy'learn 
 true  Wifdom ;  and  be  Hrengthen'd  topurfue  my  War^ 
 ^re,  and  by  an  holy  Violence  obtain  the  Heavenly 
 5viingdom.  ^ 
 
50  fS>(  tt)e  gimttatioiT       Vol.  ii. 
 
 C   H    A    p.      V. 
 
 Of  the  Warfare  againjl  a  MaiCs  own  proper  Vices. 
 
 The  Mafter. 
 The  Kingdom  of  Heaven  fajfereth  Flolence^  Mat.  xi. 
 
 MAny  Begin  well,  fome  Proceed  well,  but  very 
 few  come  to  Perfedion :  For  either  we  lean  too 
 much  unto  the  Flefh,  or  are  puff'd  up  with  Pride,  or 
 cad  down  with  Afflidion.  Alas  !  how  difficult  a  thing 
 it  is  to  find  a  Man,  who  can  feek  God  purely,  over- 
 come Himfelf  perfedly,  and  relinquifh  the  World, 
 not  by  halves,  but  thoroughly.  Hence  a  certain  Holy 
 Man  was  wont  to  fay,  Chrifiian  Terfetfion  is  a  Fhoe- 
 nix  in  the  World  j  [o  exceeding  hard  it  is  entirely  to  con^ 
 quer  Self* 
 
 r.  He  that  labours  not  for  Virtue,  Ihall  never  be 
 filled  with  the  Sweetnefs  of  it. 
 
 2.  All  Virtue  hath  Good  annex'd  to  if,  ^and  the 
 Good  doth  recreate  him  that  endeavours  lawfully  to 
 obtain  it. 
 
 3.  All  Vice  is  attended  with  Evil,  and  hath  a  Rod 
 at  its  Tail  for  the  Fool :  There  is  a  dying  even  with 
 Laughter. 
 
 4.  Whoever  works  Wickednefs,  procures  himfelf 
 a  bad  End  :  he  forfeits  his  Honour,  deftroys  his  Refl, 
 meets  with  Pain,  incurs  Shame,  multiplies  Sorrow, 
 and  at  laft  lofcs  even  all  Tafte  of  Good. 
 
 5.  He  that  abftains  from  lawful  things,  is  in  the 
 lefs  danger  to  be  hurt  of  unlawful. 
 
 (5.  He  that  ties  a  Dog's  Tongue,  need  not  fear 
 Biting  ^  and  he  who  ftridtly  keeps  Silence,  will  not 
 offend  with  his  Lips. 
 
 7.  He 
 
iBobk  IL       ofjEsusCHRisT.  51 
 
 ,  7.  He  is  far  from  Lying,  Strife,  Detraftion,  Evil- 
 fpeaking,  Wrath  and  Murmuring,  who  loves  to  be  hid 
 in  a  little  ftill  Corner ,  and  he  who  takes  Pleafure  in 
 locking  up  his  Lips  in  Silence,  beyond  fpeaking  to 
 the  World,  is  by  this  means  fafe  from  fuch  Harpies 
 as  thefe. 
 
 8.  He  who  heareth  not  Evil,  nor  looketh  upon  Va- 
 nity, can  more  eafily  avoid,  and  negleft  to  think 
 thereupon  :  For  the  Cuftody  of  the  Senfes  is  theCaufe 
 of  Purity,  the  Difeipline  of  Peace,  and  the  Oratory 
 of  Devotion. 
 
 9.  When  Anger  entreth  the  Mind,  Wifdom  de- 
 parteth  from  the  Prudent. 
 
 to.  He  who  fpeaks  roughly,  is  made  thereby  like 
 to  a  fnarling  Dog  :  Whereas  he  that  anfwers  niildlyj 
 mitigates  the  force  of  Wrath  *,  and,  inftead  of  Thorns, 
 affords  Rofes  to  the  afflided  Soul. 
 
 11.  Blefled  is  the  Tongue  of  the  Prudent,  becaufe 
 it  healeth  the  Wounds  of  the  angry  Man. 
 
 12.  The  Mouth  of  the  Righteo^^s,  having  God's 
 Law  in  his  Heart,  fpeaketh  Wifdom;  and  his  Tongue 
 will  be  difcourfing  of  Jadgmeat  and  Truth. 
 
 13.  Wifdom  is  the  principal  Thing:  therefore  let 
 thy  Eyes  look  ftrait  ^^cfore  thee  \  and  buy  the  Truth 
 at  any  rate,  and  fell  it  not  again. 
 
 14.  He  who  withftands  Vices  at  the  beginning,  and 
 before  they  get  too  much  an  head,  may  then  far  more 
 eafily  fubdue  and  expel  them,  than  when  they  grow 
 greater  and  more  ftubborn. 
 
 15.  He  who  is  bulled  about  devout  Exercifes,  as 
 Prayer,  and  Meditation  on  Heavenly  Objedls,  is  like 
 unto  a  wife  Gardener,  who  planteth  Rofes  and  Lillies 
 in  his  Garden  :  His  Joy  fhall  be  great  in  the  future 
 V/orld  •,  with  Holy  Angels  he  will  rejoice  in  the  Ce- 
 leftial  Paradife» 
 
 ^  }^i  He  who  keepeth  the  Purity  of  his  Body  and 
 ^in<ii  is  like  unto  i\iQ  Angels :   But  he  is  a  Slave  of 
 
 E  2.  Vcvilsi 
 
52  €>t  tljt  imitation       Vol.  U- 
 
 JDevits^  who  pleafeth  himfelf  in  vicious  Gourfes,  and 
 wicked  Imaginations. 
 
 17.  An  liard  Combat  it  is  to  refift  Pleafure  ^  but 
 far  harder  will  the  Punifhment  and  Pain  hereafter  be. 
 And  who  is  he  that  ihall  contend  with  Everlafting 
 Burnings  ? 
 
 18.  Heat  is  overcome  with  Heat  '->  the  Heat  of  Luft 
 with  the  Heat  of  Divine  Charity  :  One  Nail  is  driven 
 out  with  another. 
 
 19'  When  the  Love  of  God  enters  into  the  Heart, 
 all  tranfitory  Things  depart  thence. 
 
 20.  Wife  is  he  that  contemns  a  thoufand  Thoufands 
 of  them  J  and  that  efteems  the  World,  the  whole 
 World,  as  a  meer  Nothing.  According  to  an  old  Pro- 
 verbial Rhime,  which  runs  thus  ; 
 
 ^  Or  What  is  the  Pope  <*  What  is  the  King  f 
 
 A.  The  Pope  and  King  are  both  Nothing. 
 
 Q.  What  means  the  Pope  withes  Leaden  Bull  ? 
 
 A.  Both  He  and  That  are  [urely  Null. 
 
 Pope,  Emperor  and  King  all  are  merely  Nothing  5 
 The  End  of  them  all  is  Death,  the  Worm,  loathfome 
 Carrion,  and  Afhes.  Let  a  Man  therefore  vaunt  him- 
 felf as  much  as  he  pleafe,  he  is  Nothing:  Death 
 fweeps  all  away.  Happy  then,  yea,  thrice  Happy  is 
 that  Pilgrim  who  finds  Entertainment  in  Heaven,  and 
 who  has  there  an  Abiding  City. 
 
 Dijciple.  What  thou  hail  fpoken  to  me  is  matter  of 
 much  Satisfadion  and  Delight.  And  as  a  good  Di^ci- 
 pie  is  always  ready  to  acqiiie fee  in  his  Mailer's  Coun- 
 fel,  and  will  prefume  to  do  nothing  rallily  upon  his 
 own  head,  without  his  Judgment  and  Dctermi:]3tioa 
 firil  had  ^  fo  am  I  defirous  chearfully  to  fubmit  to 
 thtie  Counfeis  of   Wifdom,  and  to  be  dc:ermiu'd  by 
 
 '^-  Omnia  funt  Nulla  :  RcXj  Fa^^,  ^  Flumbea  Bulla. 
 
 what 
 
Book  If.      ^of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  a  I  s  T.  55 
 
 what  thou  Ihalt  convince  me  to  be  the  Will  of  our 
 Mafter  in  the  Heavens,  who  hath  granted  a  Commif- 
 llon  to  thee  to  inltriid  and  teach  me  in  the  Path  of 
 Life.     How  delightful  to  my  tafte  are  thy  Oracles, 
 
 0  Wifdom  of  God  !  Thy  Proverbs  have  given  me 
 Underftanding.  O  that  I  could  obferve  thy  Precepts, 
 which  are  more  delicious  than  Honey  to  my  Mouth  I 
 Thy  Tellimonies  verily  are  wonderful  \  and  the  Ma- 
 nifeftation  of  thy  Words,  O  Chrift,  giveth  Light : 
 Therefore  Ihall  my  Soul  fearch  into  them  ^  becaufe 
 hereby  llnderflanding  is  afforded  to  the  little  Ones, 
 fuch  as  I,  and  a  Lamp  is  given  to  my  Feet.  O  that 
 my  Ways  were  henceforward  made  fo  dired,  that  I 
 might  not  offend  either  in  Word  or  Deed  *,  and  that 
 
 1  might  walk  at  liberty  with  an  enlarged  Heart,  my 
 Feet  being  kept  out  of  every  evil  Way  !  O  that  1  were 
 for  this  end  girt  with  Strength,  and  that  the  Hands 
 which  hang  down  were  taught  to  fight  in  the  Spiri- 
 tual Battel  \  and  ray  Arms  made  like  a  Bow  of  Brafs, 
 to  refift  all  the  Enemies  which  war  againft  my  Soul 
 to  deftroy  it !  Well,  I  hope,  that  thefe  holy  Obfer- 
 vations  and  Inflrudions,  which  I  have  heard,  (hall  a- 
 bide  with  me,  and  fortif^y  me  under  every  NecelTityjor 
 Temptation,  againft;  fuch  evil  Inclinations  of  Nature 
 as  I  am  chiefly  prone  too,  or  fuch  perverfe  Habits  as  I 
 heretofore  foolifhly  have  contraded :  And  that  the  Dis- 
 cipline of  my  Lord  Chrift  fhall  thoroughly  amend  me, 
 and  his  right  Hand  always  hold  me  up,  fo  that  my  Feet 
 may  be  made  to  tread  firm,  and  I  may  even  run  in  the 
 way  which  his  Majefty  hath  prefcribed  me.  But  the 
 Grace  of  Devotion  I  ftill,  alas !  find  to  be  very  much 
 wanting  in  me,  which  makes  me  more  fhy  and  back- 
 ward than  I  ought  to  be  in  my  Approaches  before 
 Him.  Could  I  but  arrive  at  this,  then  fhould  I  not 
 defpair  of  obtaining  all  fuch  things  as  are  needful  for 
 me  in  the  Houfe  of  my  Pilgrimage,  and  would  not 
 feint  in  my  Journey,  but  proceed  on  till  I  come  to 
 
 E  3  the 
 
54  SOC  t\)t  gimitation        Vol.  ii, 
 
 the  Mount  of  God.  Wherefore  I  beg  yet  this  farther 
 Favour,  that  1  may  be  inftrnded  to  the  Attainment 
 01  this  moil  neceflary  Grace,  which  my  Soul  prefers 
 before  ali  Riches.  And  for  as  much  as  I  have  iJ^^n 
 many  relinquifli  the  World,  and  after  that  return  to 
 it  again,  and  wallow  more  than  ever  in  the  Mire  of 
 their  Corruptions  ',  and  as  thou  hall  warned  me  ex- 
 prefly  concerning  the  many  that  begin  well,  whereof 
 there  are  but  very  few  who  proceed  and  perfevere  to 
 the  End  :  Therefore  am  I  now  very  prefTmg,  that  I 
 may  know  where  and  how  to  obtain  this  which  1  Hand 
 in  fuch  need  of,  to  fupport  and  lead  me  on. 
 
 Chap.    VI. 
 
 Of  the  Grace  of  Devotion. 
 
 The  Mafler  and  Difciple. 
 Wo  unto  yon  that  Laugh^  for  ye  jJjallWeep-,  Luke  xi- 
 
 AS  Virtue  and  Vice  cannot  dwell  together,  fo  nei- 
 ther can  Devotion  be  attained  in  merry  and  fro- 
 thy Company,  but  in  Stillnefs  and  Solitarinefs.  It  is 
 not  to  be  fought  for  with  Laughter,  and  at  a  Fealt ; 
 but  with  Mourning,  and  in  Silence. 
 
 Perfed  Virtue  is  net  fuddenly  acquired,  but  by  lit- 
 tle and  little,  with  much  Wreftling  and  Fain.fulnefs, 
 and  a  firm  Refolution  to  grow  continually  better  •, 
 which  mull:  ilrcngthen  it  felf  olten  with  Fading, 
 Watching,  Praying,  Meditating,  Studying,  Exerci- 
 fing,  and'by  abflaining  from  idle  Converfation  •,  re- 
 maining alfo  Willingly  with  God  in  fccrct.  This  is 
 the  Path  leading  to  Devotion  ',  and  by  thcfe  Mear;S 
 aiuil  thou  maintain  the  Fervour  of  Rcligiouo 
 
 •    '•      '  ■■    "  '       ■  '    '—  '  All 
 
Book  11.      of  Je  sus  Chr  I  ST.  55 
 
 All  Joy,  which  is  not  of  God,  doth  foon  perifh, 
 defile  and  hurt^  but  Godly  Sorrow  begets  a  Joy  in  the 
 Spirit,  which  cannot  be  taken  away:  honed  Difcourfe 
 delights  the  Ear -^  but  rude  Language  difturbs  the 
 Mind,  and  idle  Talk  fruitlefly  ravels  out  Time. 
 
 Be  Diligent  in  doing  Good  ^  Patient  in  fuffering 
 Evil :  For  fo  fhalt  thou  be  Comforted  of  God. 
 
 The  only  way  to  make  thy  felf  happy,  is  by  prai- 
 fing  God  perpetually  :  The  only  way  to  praife  God 
 acceptably,  is  to  fulfil  his  Will  readily,  to  depend 
 upon  his  Grace  fully,  and  to  watch  thine  Heart  con- 
 Hantly. 
 
 Seldom  fhalt  thou  be  without  one  of  thefe  two,  Joy 
 or  Grief '^  and  happy  is  he  that  converts  all  into  Good, 
 and  makes  Advantage  of  the  worft.  He  who  loves 
 God,  receives  Bitter  and  Sweet  both  alike  from  his 
 Hands  ;,  and  gives  Thanks  for  all- 
 
 He  (lands  upon  a  good  Foundation,  who  neither  in 
 himfelf,  nor  any  ether  Man,  but  in  God  alone  placeth 
 all  his  Hope. 
 
 Dlfcifle.  All  my  Hope  is  in  thee,  O  God  :  I  ftand 
 Naked  and  Poor  before  thee,  begging  thy  Grace,  and 
 imploring  thy  Mercy.  Do  thou  refrefh,  Good  Lord, 
 thy  hungry  Beggar  ^  enflame  his  cold  Heart  with  the 
 Fire  of  thy  Love  ^  enlighten  his  Blindnefs  in  the 
 Brightnefs  of  thy  all-raiHng  Prefence,  Let  all  Earth- 
 ly Things  be  changed  into  Bitternefs,  all  heavy  and 
 contrary  Things  into  Patience. 
 
 O  my  God,  Love  Everlafting,  my  whole  Good, 
 and  boundlefs  Felicity,  with  what  a  vehement  Dedre 
 doth  my  Soul  loag  to  entertain  Thee  I  O  that  thou 
 would'll:  To  wholly  fire  me  with  thy  Prefence^  as  by 
 the  Grace  of  internal  Union,  and  moll  ardent  (Love,  I 
 may  become  with  thee  One  Spirit  :  and  may  thence 
 pleafe  thee  in  all  Hoiinefs  of  Living,  according  to  this 
 v^xy  Foundation  which  thou  thy  felf  hall  laid  ia  me  ; 
 and  as  thy  Saints  ii^  their  feveral  Generations  have 
 flone  \       '  E  ^  Chap*. 
 
56  0f  t!?e  imitation        Voi.ii. 
 
 Chap.    VIL 
 
 Pf  the  Wprd  ofGoJ^  and  the  Word  of  Man. 
 
 The  Mafter  and  Difciple. 
 Plcjfed  are  they  which  hear  the  Word  of  Cod^  Luke  xL 
 
 Mafter^Y^J^^'^  tlie  Word  of  God  is  read,  God 
 VV  fpeaketh  unto  thee  :  Liflen  therefore 
 then  with  all  Humility  and  Thankfulnefs  unto  the 
 Voice  of  God. 
 
 Difciple.  I  mull  confefs  my  Curioflty  has  often  hin- 
 der'd  me  much  in  Reading  the  Scriptures,  when  I 
 would  needs  nicely  underftand  and  difcufs,  what  be- 
 came me  better  to  pafs  over  in  Simplicity,  and  to  re- 
 ceive with  humble  Thankfulnefs. 
 
 Mafter.  Thou  oughteft  to  read  the  Scriptures  in  the 
 fame  Spirit  wherein  they  were  v/ritten. 
 
 Difciple.  BlefTcd  is  he  whom  the  Truth  thus  teach- 
 eth:  and  to  whom  the  Spirit  is  given,  which  mayun=- 
 feal  what  is  herein  written  by  it  felf. 
 
 A/after.  Yea,  BlefTed  is  he  indeed«  But  defpair  not 
 thou  of  obtaining  a  meafure  of  this  good  Spirit,  which 
 the  Father  will  not  refufe  to  give  thee  for  asking,  and 
 believing.  For  where-ever  the  Word  of 
 iT/l.  i  God  is  read,    there  the  holy  Spirit  doth 
 
 -'  bidden ly    operate  ^    who    reproveth    the 
 
 Wicked  of  Sin,  and  fortifieth  the  Godly,  through 
 Hope  and  Confolation  of  the  Scriptures. 
 
 Now  as  for  other  Books  of  Devotion,  which  may 
 be  written  according  to  thefe,  the  Simple  and  Plain 
 thou  oughteit  always  to  efleem  no  lefs  than  the  Pro- 
 found and  Deep.  '  Let  not  the  Authority  of  the  Ah- 
 ri7or  either  offend  or  invite  thee,  but  let  the  Love  of  the 
 
 tTruth  draw  thee  only^  without  Refpeft  to  Perfons  or 
 
 i  .u.-.  ....  V.  ...  .    ,  Names* 
 
Pook  II.        of  Jesus  Christ. 57 
 
 Names.    Truth  is  not  to  be  defpifed,  of  whomfoever 
 it  be  uttered. 
 
 .   He  who  lives  well,  teaches  well  j  and  he  that  reads 
 well,  is  the  Meflenger  of  God. 
 
 A  faithful  Meflenger  concealeth  what  is  hurtful, 
 revealeth  what  is  profitable,  and  cannot  counterfeit, 
 
 Simple  Truth  hath  a  pleafant  Sound  ^  and  when  it 
 1$  moft  Naked,  is  moft  Eloquent. 
 
 Subtil  Speech  hurteth  thofe  that  are  weak  *,  and 
 fmooth  Language  deceiveth  often.  A  falfe  Babler  is 
 a  Difturber  of  Peace  *,  and  he  that  hearkneth  to  him 
 fhall  not  efcape  Scandal. 
 
 A  difcreet  judicious  Perfon  is  worthy  of  all  Praife; 
 but  he  that  is  harfli  is  not  worthy  of  Favour,  and  the 
 unmerciful  Man  deferves  no  Mercy. 
 
 A  froward  Mind  tormenteth  it  felf  grievoufly,  vex- 
 eth  the  Innocent  frequently,  curfeth  fecretly  fuch  as 
 are  in  Authority  ^  and  derideth  openly  thofe  that  do 
 well,  and  far  better  than  himfelf.  He  that  is  fraudu** 
 lent  in  Words  deceiveth  fuch  as  truft  in  him  ^  and 
 therefore  fhall  have  but  few  Friends. 
 
 To  conceal  Evil,  is  Good  j  to  fpeak  Truth,  Holy  ^ 
 to  live  Temperately,  Reafonable  •,  to  hurt  none,  is 
 but  Juft-,  to  do  good  to  all,  Pious*,  to  edify  thy 
 Neighbour,  both  by  Counfel  and  Example,  Religi- 
 ous. 
 
 It  is  the  part  of  a  prudent  Man  to  premeditate  al- 
 ways what  he  hath  to  do  ;  and  not  without  a  Caufe 
 to  be  changing  his  Meafures,  or  feeking  after  fome- 
 what  new  ;  not  (lightly  to  declare  things  unknown, 
 nor  prefently  to  confirm  what  is  doubtful. 
 
 The  Silence  of  the  Tongue  helps  much  the  Peace 
 of  the  Heart  ^  for  the  Mouth  of  a  Fool  is  always  open. 
 He  who  defireth  to  pleafe  God,  let  him  always  keep 
 Watch  before  his  Heart,  and  before  his  Tongue,  left 
 he  lofe  the  Grace  of  Devotion,  and  offend  the  Chil- 
 .4ren  of  Peace.     Many  fair  Words  will  not  fill  a  Sack  ^ 
 
 *  \  '  neither 
 
58  €>f  t^e  gimttatton       Vol.  it 
 
 neither  is  the  Eloquence  of  Words  able  to  fandify 
 any  Perfon.  He  who  doth  well,  fhall  have  well  :  It  is 
 the  Doer^  the  Doer  alone. 
 
 Difciple.  O  let  my  Heart,  Lord,  be  found  in  thy 
 Statutes  !  They  are  dearer  to  me  than  Gold  and  To- 
 pazes. Let  thy  Law  be  my  only  Meditation  ;  and 
 make  me  in  all  my  Adions  to  confult  thy  Precepts, 
 that  I  may  be  comforted. 
 
 Chap.    VIII. 
 
 Of  Divi?ie  Co7ifolation  in  AffliBion. 
 
 Xhe  Lord  is  with  them  that  are  of  a  contrite  Hearty 
 Pfal.  xxxiv, 
 
 Mafter.'npHQVQ  is  no  Man  fo  Religious  and  Devout, 
 X  as  to  be  always  lively  and  vigorous  in 
 Spiritual  Exercifes,  and  that  meeteth  not  with  fonie 
 dead  Weight  now  and  then  to  pluck  liim  downwards 
 When  therefore  thou  (lialt  be  in  Trib;ilation,  or  Sor- 
 row of  Heart,  then  thou  art  with  Chrift  upon  the 
 Crofs :  But  when  again  thou  findeH:  Comfort  by  Pray- 
 er, through  the  Afliftance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  then 
 thou  rifeft  again  (as  it  were)  with  Chrift:  from  the 
 Grave,  and  doft  joyfully  celebrate  the  Fcaft  of  Paflb- 
 eyer  in  newnefsof  Life  v\ith  thy  Saviour  Chrift. 
 
 Again,  when  thou  (halt  hear  any  fpreaking  rough- 
 ly or  reproachfully  to  thee,  then  is  given  unto  thee 
 to  drink  of  thy  Lord  and  Saviour's  Cup,  Vinegar  and 
 Gall,  for  the  healing  of  thy  Soul.  Be  lilent,  and 
 drink  of  the  Cup  of  Salvation  without  murmuring, 
 and  the  Lord  will  anfwer  for  thee  in  Life  and  in 
 peath  :  God  will  not  forget  thce» 
 
Book  11.         of  J  E  S  U  S   C  H  R.  I  S  T.  59 
 
 There  is  nothing  more  Glorious  than  by  Silence 
 and  Patience  to  ftop  the  Mouths  of  Evil  Speakers, 
 and  fo  follow  Chrift's  Example,  who  fpake  not  a  word 
 before  FiUte^  when  he  was  moft  vehemently  and  ma- 
 licioufly  accufed  of  many  falfe  Crimes.  For  thou  art 
 not  better  fure  than  thy  God  and  Lord,  who  was 
 fcourged  and  fcofFed  at  for  thee,  and  at  length  crucified 
 by  the  wicked  Jews.  Tribulation  and  Anguifh  is  the 
 Touchflone  of  Virtue  and  Goodnefs.  Chrift  fhall  not 
 want  Lovers  and  Companions  at  a  Feafl,  but  he  fhall 
 find  few  Followers  at  a  Fait. 
 
 He  that  is  a  true  Lover  of  the  crncified  Jefus,  nei- 
 ther refufeth  nor  blufheth  at  his  Sufferings,  that  he 
 may  bear  part  with  him  in  the  Scandal  of  the  Crofs  ^ 
 for  he  whofe  Life  is  hid  withChrifl  in  God,  will  ac- 
 count it  greateft  gain  to  fuffer  and  die  for  Chrift.  By 
 how  much  more  fbrvently  any  Man  loveth  God,  by  fb 
 much  the  lefs  doth  he  fear  Death,  and  hath  fo  much 
 the  greater  Defire  to  be  diflblved  \  and  to  live  happi- 
 ly with  Chrifl,  and  participate  of  the  Joy  of  Saints 
 and  Angels  for  ever. 
 
 Happy  Souls,  whofe  Bowels  yearn  after  the  Lord 
 Chrift,  and  do  in  all  Humility  proftia'te  thcmfelves  ia 
 Prayer  at  his  Feet,  that  they  may  conftantly  perfeyerc 
 and  go  on  in  Grace  unto  the  End  !  O  happy  Souls  in- 
 deed !  who  even  burn  and  melt  at  Heart  with  the 
 Love  of  Jefus  ^  who,  even  for  his  fake,  defpife  and 
 fpurn  at  the  good  Things  of  this  prefent  fading  Life, 
 at  all  Appearances  of  Good  in  the  Creatures  \  yea,  who 
 bearalfo,  not  only  with  Patience,  but  Chearfulnefs, 
 ^he  Evil  Ones  too,  as  looking  upon  Jefus,  who  was 
 confummated  and  perfeded  by  Sufferings. 
 
 Verily  bleffed  and  happy  are  they,  who,  for  the 
 Name  of  Jefus,  are  ready  both  to  Do  and  Suffer  all 
 things  *,  efccerning  the  greateft  Reproach  that  can  be 
 underwent  for  it  as  the  highefl:  Honour,  and  as  th^ 
 moil  excelling  Glory  of  an  humble  Follower  of  his 
 '"    '  ^  Steps. 
 
6o  jSDf  tl^e  Smitatton        Vol.  ii. 
 
 Steps.  In  Jefus  is  their  Safety  and  their  Glory,  a- 
 midlt  all  their  Troubles  in  this  World  :  Their  Suc- 
 cour is  from  him,  and  in  him  is  their  Hope  always. 
 Therefore  pour  they  forth  their  Hearts  before  him,  and 
 eveniaadefart  unpafTableLand,  and  without  Water, 
 they  contemplate  his  Power  and  Mercy,  and  with  joy- 
 ful Lips  offer  him  Praifes  •,  for  that  he  maketh  for 
 them  the  Rock  a  River,  and  replenifheth  their  fa- 
 mifhed  Souls  as  with  Marrow  and  Fatnefs. 
 
 Chap.    IX. 
 
 Of  the  Joy  of  a  good  Confdence  in  the  Holj  Ghojl, 
 
 Rejoice  in  the  Lord  always j  Phil.  iv. 
 
 1. 13  Ejoice  with  the  Good,    bear  with  the  Evil, 
 JtV  f^ffer  with  the  Afflicted,  pardon  fuch  as  tref- 
 pafs  againft  thee,  and  pray  for  all. 
 
 2.  Call;  far  irom  thee  anxious  and  din:ra(!ling 
 Thoughts  and  Cares  ,  and  Ziuth  all  thy  Power  jhnn  Me- 
 lancholy^ which  produces  Deadnefs  in  Devotion,  and 
 Rancour  of  Spirit. 
 
 3.  But  do  thou  folace  thy  felf  v^ith  the  fweet  and 
 facrcd  Meditation  of  the  Life  and  PafTion  of  Chrift  j 
 fo  fhalt  thou  find  a  fovereign  Remedy  againft  all  Sor- 
 row, and  all  Temptation. 
 
 4.  A  good  Life,  that  is  good  indeed,  deferveth 
 Praife  \  but  a  di^ll  tepid  Converfation  is  burthenfome 
 both  to  it  felf  and  others. 
 
 5.  A  good  Confcience  never  wanteth  Joy  j  but  an 
 evil  Confcience  is  its  own  proper  Torment. 
 
 <5,  Study  always  to  do  well,  and  thou  flialt  never 
 want  a  fweet  Tranquillity  of  Mind» 
 
 7»  The 
 
BooklL      of  Jesus  Christ.  6t 
 
 The  evil  Converfation  of  the  Wicked  cannot 
 
 7« 
 
 hurt  thee,  if  thou  remain  firm  in  the  Way  of  Righ- 
 
 teoufnefs.  -  i.  «.  t   ,    <r 
 
 8.  A  good  Converfation  brmgeth  with  it  Joy  ot 
 Heartland  the  fweet  Odour  of  deferved  Praife,  where- 
 as contrariwife  a  vain  Oftentation  perifhcth  even  in  the 
 
 very  fpeaking.  ^       ^,     i^ 
 
 9.  Much  better  is  the  fharp  and  even  four  Check 
 of  the  Wife,  than  the  fair  and  flattering  Praife  of 
 
 Fools.  .         .       TT 
 
 10.  An  humble  Prayer  mounteth  up  into  Heaven, 
 
 appeafeth  God,  obtaineth  Mercy,  and  defeateth  the 
 Devil's  deepeft  Subtilties. 
 
 11.  An  humble  ConfefHon  prccureth  Pardon,  but 
 a  frivolous  Excufe  aggravateth  the  Guilt. 
 
 12.  True  Contrition  defaceth  Sin,  and  fervent  De- 
 votion diminifheth  Punifhment. 
 
 13.  Idle  Jangling  withdraws  the  Grace  of  Devoti- 
 on, but  Religious  Conference  augments  Joy. 
 
 14.  An  heedful  Guard  over  the  Senfes  is  every 
 where  necelTary  ^  and  Reilraint  is  profitable  for  a 
 wandring  Mind. 
 
 15.  Frequent  Prayer  is  a  firm  Protection  :  and  a 
 filent  Mouth  is  a  Manfion-houfe  of  Peace. 
 
 '  1(5.  Manyare  very  hot  in  the  Beginning,  but  Perfe- 
 
 Yerance  gets  the  Crown. 
 
 17.  The  Yoke  of  Chrifl  is  light  to  all  that  love 
 iiim*,  heavy  to  fnch  as  bear  lukewarm  AfFedions  to 
 him  :  Bitter  to  the  Proud,  Gentle  to  the  Meek,  and 
 Dear  to  the  Humble* 
 
 18.  Sweet  Jcfm  maketh  all  things  Sweet  \  and  he  bear- 
 ing the  Burthen,  it  cannot  but  be  light. 
 
 I  (p.  The  Carnal  Man  always  feekethpleafant  things, 
 but  the  Spiritual  thofe  only  that  are  profitable. 
 
 20.  It  is  the  good  Man's  greateft  Grief,  that  he  can- 
 not extinguifh  all  the  Motions  of  Sin  ^  but  wherefore 
 doth  God  permit  Sin  ?  Even  for  this  very  End,  that 
 ^  -  ^  Maa 
 
 r 
 
62  flDf  ti^c  Hmttatton        Voi.n, 
 
 Man  may  humble  himfelf,  and  implore  the  help  of 
 God.  ;i  :t 
 
 21.  As  the  proud  Man  takes  pleafure  in  his  Ho- 
 noufs,  arid  the  rich  Man  in  his  Wealth,  even  fo  doth 
 the  truly  humble,  in  Contempt  of  himfelf  ^  and  the 
 poor  in  Spirit,  ia  his  Poverty  of  Eftate. 
 •  22.  The  Glory  and  Riches  of  the  Servants  of  God, 
 are  Chrift,  the  King  of  Heaven,  the  King  of  Glory  : 
 For  in  him  are  all  the  Treafures  of  the  Godhead  de- 
 pofited,  and  the  overflowing  Fulnefs  of  allBIefTednefs; 
 
 23;  All  Delight  without  God  is  vain  and  filly  *,  All 
 Joy  is  Madnefs,  all  Plenty  is  Penury^  becaufe  nothing 
 can  fatisfy  the  hungry  Soul,  but  that  God  alone  who 
 created  it,  and  created  it  for  himfelf  to  fill. 
 
 24.  It  is  a  great  Noblenefs  of  Mind  to  be  above  co- 
 veting any  Worldly  Thing  ;  and  no  fmall  Freedom  is 
 it  not  to  be  a  Slave  to  Earth. 
 
 -  25.  The  Life  of  Righteoufnefs  is  to  "^  do  Good^  to 
 fHJfer  Evily  and  to  praife  God  in  ally  and  for  all  ^  and 
 never  to  be  proud  of  ones  good  Deeds. 
 ,  2(5.  He  truly  praifeth  God,  who  thinketh  vilely  of 
 himfelf*,  and  whatfoever  Good  he  thinketh,  fpeaketh, 
 or  adeth,  doth  faithfully  afcribe  the  Glory  of  all  un- 
 to God.  When  therefore  thou  (halt  be  tempted  to 
 Vain-glory,  confent  not  unto  it  ^  but  forthwith  hum- 
 ble thy  felf,  and  fay  with  the  holy  Prophet,  Not  unto 
 ■Uiy  Lord^  not  nnto  id-s^'  but  unto  thy  Name  give  the  Glory. 
 \  27.  It  is  the  mofb  glorious  Triumph  of  Man,  to 
 jtrample  on  his  own  Delights,  to  aflault  his  own  Fears, 
 and  to  fuffer  with  Meeknefs  the  greateft  Trials  of  his 
 Patience. 
 
 *  Bon;i  agere^  malafati, 
 
 CHAft 
 
Book  II.         of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  R  I  S  T.  6? 
 
 Chap.  X* 
 
 Of  the  good  Converfatioji  of  an  humble  Chrijlian, . 
 
 The  Mafter  and  Difciple. 
 
 God  giveth  Grace  mto  the  Hnmhle-i  Jam.  iv. 
 
 I.  ip  Very  Word  and  Adion  of  a  Religious  Perfoa 
 JlL  fhould  be  adorn'd  with  an  humble  Modelty, 
 and  free  from  all  touch  and  tindure  of  Vain-glory. 
 
 2.  It  is  a  good  lign  of  growing  Virtue  in  Youth, 
 when  they  are  lowly  in  Carriage,  and  parfimonious  ia 
 Speech,  and  efpcclally  in  Prefence  of  the  Aged. 
 
 3.  He  that  endureth  not  himfelf  to  hear,  and  doth 
 not  learn  to  be  lilent,  fhall  never  be  reputed  amongfb 
 the  Sage  and  Learned  *,  therefore  many  are  efteem'd 
 Fools,  by  reafon  of  their  rude  and  barbarous  Manners. 
 
 4.  To  obey  readily,  to  pray  frequently,  to  medi- 
 tate devoutly,  to'ftudy  chearfully,  to  labour  patient- 
 ly, to  fhun  Diverfion,  and  to  love  Retirement,  do 
 make  a  Religions  Man,  and  give  a  quiet  Mind. 
 
 We  do  read,  that  God  had  refped  unto  Abel 
 and  his  Offering,  but  unto  Cain  and  his  Offering  he 
 had  no  regard  :  Why  ?  Becaufe  Abel  was  Innocent 
 and  Humble,  Cain  was  Envious  and  Perverfe.  Be 
 thou  an  Abel  likevvife. 
 
 5.  Have  Patience,  O  Abel^  with  him  that  injures 
 thee  :  Strive  not  with  Cain^  left  thou  lofe  thy  Peace 
 and  good  Name. 
 
 d.  It  is  better  to  lofe  thy  Subfl:ance  than  difpleaie 
 God,  hurt  thy  Brother,  and  break  Charity. 
 
 Difcipie.  This  I  know:  But  what  it'  I  fhould  nei- 
 ther pleafe  God,  nor  do  my  Brother  any  good,  yet 
 lofe  my  Snbf]-ance  too.  This  then  I  would  be  gladly 
 fatisfied  in,  how  I  ought  to  part  with  it,  fo  as  belt 
 
 to 
 
 r 
 
^4  flDf  tf)t  imitation       Vol.  il 
 
 to  fecure  my  Intereft  in  God,  and  to  be  moft  advanta- 
 gious  to  my  Neighbour. 
 
 Mafier,  God  is  not  Unrighteous  that  he  will  forget 
 thy  Works  and  Labour  that  proceed  of  Love  :  Shew 
 this  Love  for  his  Name's  fake,  by  miniflring  according 
 tathy  Power  out  of  what  thou  haft  to  the  Saints,  and  to 
 all  tMen.  So  (halt  thou  both  pleafe  him,  and  do  the 
 greateft  good  both  to  others  and  to  thy  felf  •,  that  is, 
 doing  it  for  his  Name^  and  as  unto  Chrifc  hinifelf 
 folely  and  purely. 
 
 Difciple*  I  hope  to  remember  this ;  and  (by  his 
 Grace)  to  dired  my  Eye  aright  always  herein  ^  and 
 to  lay  up  in  ftore  for  my  felf  a  good  Foundation  a- 
 gainil  the  time  to  come.  But  pray  proceed  on,  that 
 1  may  learn  Inftrudtion. 
 
 Mafter.  If  thou  wilt  gain  Treafure  in  Heaven,  load 
 not  thy  felf  with  Earth  ^  if  thou  defireftEverlafting 
 Honour,  defpife  Temporal  Glory  ^  if  thou  wifhell 
 for  Peace,  give  no  Place  to  Wrath  %  if  thou  wilt  be 
 great  in  Heaven,  belittle,  very  little  in  the  Worlds 
 Juftify  not  thy  felf  before  Men,  if  thou  v/ould'ft  be 
 juftified  before  God. 
 
 7.  The  Praife  of  Man  is  vain,  where  an  ill  Confci- 
 ence  accufeth. 
 
 8.  A  daring  and  a  wordy  Man  are  both  alike  blame- 
 worthy, neither  obferving  the  Golden  Rule  of  Me- 
 diocrity. 
 
 9.  Many  ftrong  Men  have  perilhed  through  their 
 over-much  Confidence  ^  and  many  weak  ones  have  re- 
 covered Strength,^  for  that  diffiding  in  themfeives^ 
 they  hoped  in  and  called  on  the  help  of  God. 
 
 10.  The  humble  and  meek  render  themfclves  ami- 
 al)le  unto  all  ^  but  the  rigid  a.nd  auftere  rnake  the 
 neareft  unto  them  ftand  afar  off. 
 
 11.  He  that  fuffereth  lilently,  vanquifheth  his  Ene- 
 my with  abfequious  Charity. 
 
 i  iii  He 
 
^Book  IL        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R I  s  T.  65 
 
 12.  He  who  voluntarily  afllfleth  others,  and  fym* 
 pathizeth  with  the  Afflided,  doth  multiply  Friends* 
 
 13.  He  who  knoweth  not  how  to  befileatinfeafoni 
 doth  lay  himfelf  open  to  publick  Shame. 
 
 14;  He  is  a  wife  and  skilful  Mailer  of  Ai-t  indeed^ 
 Who  hath  learned  to  render  himfelf,  both  for  his  Mo- 
 ral and  Chriflian  Virtues,  approved  and  commendable 
 in  the  Sight  of  God  and  Men. 
 
 1 5.  He  is  a  valiant  Man  indeed,  who  manfully  op- 
 pugneth  his  Vices. 
 
 i^.  So  he  is  a  great  Lord,  who  is  Lord  of  himfelf, 
 being  able  to  fubdue  his  own  flnful  Lufts  *,  and  he  a 
 Hout  and  well  armed  Soldier,  who  can  beat  down  hi^ 
 proud  Flefh  with  the  Arms  of  Continency  ^  and  he 
 worthy  to  have  a  Place  v'/ith  Angels  in  Heaven^  who 
 keeps  his  VefFel  hdy  upon  Earth. 
 
 17.  Whofoeverdoth  thus  is  the  Friend  of  God,  the 
 Companion  of  Angels,  the  Kinfman  of  the  Heaven- 
 ly Virgins,  and  Beloved  Fellow-Citizen  of  the  Saints 
 above.  The  Chafte  Humble  Perfon  overcometh  De- 
 vils, and  is  a  Terror  to  the  Unclean  Spirits. 
 
 18.  He  is  a  great  Prelate-,  who  carrieth  himfelf 
 Virtuoufly  and  Godly  *,  and  giveth  a  good  E.tample 
 tinto  thofe  that  are  under  his  Charge. 
 
 19.  He  is  worthy  to  be  celebrated  with  the  Praifes 
 of  all  good  Men,  who  earneftly  endeavours  to  become 
 Like  Uiito  them  in  folid  Virtue  and  Goodnefs. 
 
 20.  He  is  truly  Noble,  whofeown  proper  Virtue? 
 have  ennobled  him  *,  and  he  thebefl  Gentlertian,  who 
 is  the  leafl  a  Slave  to  his  own  PalTioris. 
 
 21.  He  is  Fair  that  is  made  clean  from  Sin  ^  but  the 
 Wicked,  let  him  be  never  fo  Beautiful  without,  is  as 
 Black  as  Hell  within. 
 
 22.  He  is  Happy  arid  Rich,  vvho  is  r^plenifhecf 
 ^ith  the  Gracfe  of  God.,  and  dejjreth  no  other  Ho- 
 ildxtt  md  Wealth  Khan  this. 
 
 r 
 
.  66  ^t  ti}t  imitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 23.  He  is  a  Fool  and  a  Mad  Man,  who  loveth  things 
 Hurtful,  and  leaveth  fuch  as  are  Ufeful,  with  refpeft 
 to  his  Grand  Intereft. 
 
 24.  He  is  a  Wife  Man,  who  wandereth  not  out 
 of  the  holy  Paths  of  his  Fathers*,  and  keepeth  the 
 Articles  of  his  Faith,  without  wavering  and  without 
 mixture. 
 
 25.  The  Love  of  God  and  of  his  Precepts  is  honou- 
 rable Wifdom  :  And  the  Fear  of  his  Name  the  prin- 
 cipal point  of  Underftanding. 
 
 26  If  any  defire  to  be  inftrudied  by  thee,  (hew  him 
 the  Way  of  Humility ^  and  chalk  it  out  to  him  by  thy 
 own  Example. 
 
 27.  He  who  is  truly  Humble  cannot  be  puffed  up, 
 fcorneth  to  be  commended,  rejoiceth  when  he  is  vili- 
 fied, and  quickly  pardoneth  when  he  is  injured. 
 
 Difciple.  Thefe  Inftrudions  will  I  bind  upon  my 
 Fingers,  and  endeavour  to  write  them  upon  the  Ta- 
 ble of  my  Heart,  that  they  may  be  always  for  my 
 life.  They  are  to  me  as  Apples  of  Goldfet  in  Tables 
 of  Silver :  Hereby  fhall  I  know  how  to  direft  my  Con- 
 verfation  aright.  Exceeding  Righteous  and  True  are 
 the  Teftimonies  and  Counfels  which  I  hear  :  O  that 
 I  had  Underflanding  accordingly^  and  that  I  was 
 made  ftrong  in  the  Strength  of  my  Salvation  to  fulfil 
 the  fame  !  Let  thy  Wifdom,  and  thy  Grace,  O  Lord 
 Chrift,  be  with  me  to  dired  me  in  all  thy  Ways,  and 
 uphold  my  Feet  from  falling.  Let  the  Proverbs  of 
 thy  Mouth  enter  into  my  Soul,  and  engrave  them 
 on  my  Heart  *,  that  1  thereby  may  be  made  Wife  and 
 Gracious,  Valiant,  and  Mighty  in  thy  Spirit,  and  in 
 the  Law  thereof;,  and  may  conftantly  abide  in  thee, 
 fo  as  by  a  good  Converfation  to  bring  forth  good 
 Fruit,  to  the  fafety  of  my  Soul.  I  know  that  of  my 
 felf,  1  am  as  unliable  as  Water :  and  that  all  my 
 Thoughts  vanifh.  But  in  thee,  Lord,  is  my  TruH,  who 
 art  my  Rock. 
 
 C    H    A   P> 
 
Book  II.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T-  67 
 
 C  H  A  p.    XL 
 
 The  hjiahility  of  Man's  Heart. 
 
 Mafter. 
 
 Hs  which  ahideth  in  me^  and  I  in  him^  hringeth  forth 
 mnch  Fruity  John  XV. 
 
 THE  Cogitations  and  Affedions  of  Men  are  vari- 
 ous and  mutable i  but  they  are  all  vain  and  im- 
 pure which  are  not  of  God.  O  Heart  of  Man!  Too 
 tooGovetous  andInratiabie5howderperate  and  wicked 
 a  thing  it  is  for  thee  to  forfake  thy  God!  What  doft 
 thou  talk  of  fo  many  vain  Trifles,  which  can  neither 
 perfedly  Comfort  thee,  nor  plenarily  Suffice  thee? 
 What  then  wilt  thou  do?  Which  Way  wilt  thou 
 turn  thy  felf,  that  it  may  go  well  with  thee?  O  return 
 fpeedily  unto  thine  Heart  ^  confider  how  grofly  thou 
 haft  offended,  and  labour  dirligently  to  amend.  Make 
 thine  Heart  a  fit  Habitation  for  God  to  dwell  in: 
 Keep  out  all  vain  Imaginations,  and  external  Cares, 
 which  would  rufliin  upon  theej  that  thou  may'fl:  be 
 filled  with  the  fweet  Confolation  of  the  holy  Spirit* 
 
 He  who  wanders  often  abroad,  feldom  comes  bet- 
 ter home.  All  outward  fair  fliews  tend  to  nothing; 
 they  neither  fatisfie  the  Eyes  that  fee  them,  nor  fill 
 the  Ears  that  hear  them  :  And  unlefs  all  be  referr'd 
 unto  the  Glory  of  God  that  made  them,  the  Vilioa 
 of  all  that  behold  them  is  but  vain.  This  Confide- 
 ration  made  David  fing  Praifes  with  his  Harp  unto 
 God  on  high:  71?^^  hafi  delighted  me^  O  Lord^  (faith 
 he)  with  that  which  thopt  haft  made  ^  and  I  will  rejoice 
 in  giving  Praife  for  the  Operation  of  thi??e  Hands.     No 
 
 Man  can  find  folid  Contentment  l^^  any  created  Good. 
 
 F  %  Abid^ 
 
 r 
 
68  S)f  tl^e  9|mttation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 Abide  in  the  Truth,  and  the  Truth  fhall  make  thee 
 free  from  all  Lies  and  Crimes  fabuloufly  reported  of 
 thee:  All  falfe  Slanders  and  Detractions  fhall  be  re- 
 turned upon  the  heads  of  the  Detractors.  Chrift  is 
 Truth,  and  he  who  is  Chrill's  Difciple  loveth  Truth, 
 and  embraceth  Virtue. 
 
 He  whoabandoneth  the  Truth  for  Temporal  Gain 
 and  Honour,  deftroyeth  his  Faith,  and  lofeth  the  Fa^ 
 vour  of  God.  God  is  Truth,  and  fufFereth  not  long 
 Lyars  to  lie  hid.  A  wicked  Perfon  may  counterfeit 
 for  a  time,  but  the  Truth  fhall  prevail  in  the  end  *, 
 and  the  Lyar  fhall  be  confounded,  when  he  leafl  think- 
 eth  of  it. 
 
 Think  not  on,  neither  defire  any  thing,  but  what 
 is  jufl  and  lawful,  pleafing  and  acceptable  in  the 
 fight  of  God^  and  fuch  are  Virruous  Operations,  and 
 Charitable  Works,  done  to  the  Honour  of  God. 
 
 He  who  fpeaketh  Truth,  and  hateth  Wickednefs, 
 Ihall  be  great  in  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  \  he  who 
 worketh  llnrighteonfnefs,  and  hateth  Truth,  fhall  be 
 tormented  with  unutterable  Pains.  Abide  in  Truth 
 and  Love,  fo  fhalt  thou  find  Favour  with  God,  An- 
 gels, and  Men.  Fear  not  a  wicked  Perfon,  who  haply 
 may  rob  thee  of  Tranfitory  Things^  but  be  thou 
 Patient,  and  God  will  recompence  thee  with  thofe 
 that  are  incomparably  greater  and  better,  even  Eter- 
 nal Beatitudes,  and  Riches  which  no  Canker-worm 
 can  touch. 
 
 If  thou  wilt  preferve  Peace  and  a  good  Confcience, 
 thou  mufl  be  Patient,  Humble,  and  Obedient:  Thou 
 haft  no  more  dangerous  Enemies,  than  thine  own  in- 
 ordinate Lufls.  Wherefore  if  thou  ponder  advifedly 
 thine  own  Defeats,  thou  wilt  weigh  little  the  Deeds 
 of  others. 
 
 Chap. 
 
Bpok  n.  of  J  E  S  U  S   C  H  K  I  S  T.  69 
 
 Chap.    XII. 
 
 Of  th^  Triijl  we  ought  to  have  in  God  in  Time 
 '"'  '^  of  Trouble^ 
 
 Hope  in  Gody  and  do  Good^  Pfal.  xxxvii. 
 
 i.T  E  T  no  Man  pride  himfelf  vainly  in  his  Tein- 
 I  J  poral  Goods^  nor  prefunte  fooliflily  of  his 
 great  Friends  and  Kindred,  becaufe  all  are  Uncertain 
 and  full  of  dangers:  But  he  who  putteth  his  truft 
 in  the  Lord,  and  caileth  upon  him  in  time  of  need, 
 ftali  never  be  forfaken  of  him,  in  what  trouble  foe- 
 ver  he  flial]  be.  :;;:/j -'•'.;  i:-. 
 
 2.  There  is  a  great  -Peace  to  him.that  faith  well, 
 that  doth  well,  that  hijrteth  none,  and  keepeth  him- 
 felf our  of  all  Evil  Ways  and  Wicked  Imaginations. 
 
 3.,  Shut  the  Door  of  thy  Houfe,  and  thou  (halt 
 bs  in  Peace.  .,/:.; 
 
 4.  He  is  very  2t^t'tf>  be  foiled,  who  fenceth  not 
 his  Heart  daily  with  Tome  Good  againft  the  Itrokes 
 of  Satan. 
 
 5.  Many  there  are,  that  when  the  World  goes  not 
 well  with  them,  defiit  to-  pray,  and  to  ftrive^  when 
 notwith [landing  Virtue  is  not  gotten  without  Labour 
 and  Strife,  nor  kept  without  Care  and  Caution. 
 
 6.  A  licentious  vain  Perfon  abhorreth  DifcipHne 
 and  Retirement,  as  the  Bird  doth  the  Snare ;  But 
 whofoever  accepteth  God's  Rod  as  a  Boon,  by  the 
 Stripes  thereof  obtaineth  his  Soul's  Salvation,  and 
 Everlafting  Health,  and  fhall  receive  in  Heaven  a 
 Crown  of  greater  Glory, 
 
 7.  When  thou  art  grieyoufly  tempted,  or  fharply 
 cba.ftifed,  derided  or  fcoraed,  defpair  not  ♦,  bat  re- 
 member that  thine  Ii^iquity  doth  jultly  deferi'e  greater 
 
 F  3.  Afflictions 
 
70  jflDf  tl^e  imitation       Vol.  il 
 
 S  '  J  III.  I  I  --  .1    » 
 
 Afflidions  fhould  be  laid  upon  thee.  Endure  therefore 
 patiently  whatfoever  (hall  befal  thee  ^  and  fay  confi- 
 dently, It  was  good  for  me,  (0  Lord)  that  I  was  affli^ 
 cledy  that  I  might  learn  thy  righteoHs  Statutes* 
 
 Difci^le.  Indeed  my  Fleihand  my  Heart  at  firfl:  fail- 
 ed me  ^  but  God  was  the  Strength  of  my  Heart,  in 
 the  midft  of  my  AfBidion  and  Temptation  :  And 
 he  therefore  fhall  be  my  Portion  for  ever  v  there- 
 fore I  fhal]  not  be  moved. 
 
 Mafter*  Temptation  and  Trouble  (hew  a  Man  the 
 Greatnefs  of  his  own  Poverty  and  Indigence,  and 
 teach  him  what  great  need  he  hath  of  God.  Be  not 
 then  over  Confident. 
 
 He  is  a  foolifh  and  unfaithful  Servant,  who  grows 
 proud  of  his  Mafler's  Goods,  and  takes  liberty  there- 
 by to  defpife  others. 
 
 He  who  contemneth  his  Fellow  Servants,  and  think- 
 eth  himfelf  better  than  they,  is  an  Offence  to  God 
 and  Man  ^  howbeic  this  is  an  Error  we,  alas!  are  ve- 
 ry much  fubjed  unto  through  want  of  Humility,  and 
 due  Confideration  of  our  own  Deferts,  which  upon 
 all  occafions  we  ought  heedfully  to  Weigh  and  Re- 
 fped. 
 
 Every  Man  is  Burthen  enough  to  himfelf:  What  then 
 can  it  profita  Mantothruft  his  Shoulders  under  another 
 Man's  Load,  and  to  take  up  more  than  he  is  able  to 
 bear?  For  this  very  Caufe  a  Man  doth  fometimes  fall 
 and  err  openly,  and  negled  fomewhat,  to  the  end 
 that  being  afhamed,  he  may  humble  himfelf  before 
 others,  and  may  learn  to  fympathize  with,  and  fup- 
 port  fuch  as  are  falling  ;  and  being  taught  by  his  own 
 Experience  may  fay,  '^  This  is  a  Man,  not  an 
 ^'^  Angel  :  And  as  it  happened  unto  me,  fo  it  hath  be- 
 *'  fallen  him*,  we  are  Brethren.  I  vvas  evil  conceit- 
 *'  ed*,  haply  he  was  well  minded.  It  is  proper  to 
 God  alone,  neither  to  fall,  nor  to  fail.  W^herefore 
 then  doll  thou  rejoice  at  another  Man's  Failings  ? 
 
Book  IL      of  Jesus  Christ.  7^ 
 
 rhoti  which  ftandefi  take  heed  left  than  fall :  Be  aihamed 
 of  thine  om\  BackQiding  ^  open  Confufion  is  often- 
 times the  efFed  of  vain  Oftentation. 
 
 Difcivle.  I  faid  in  my  haft  I  (hall  not  he  moved.  The 
 2;ood  Lord  be  merciful  unto  me  :  And  free  my  Soul 
 from  all  vain  Confidence.  O  that  he  would  vouch- 
 fafe  to  look  upon  this  my  Petition :  And  fave  his 
 Servant  who  trulls  in  him!  Lead  me,  O  God,  m  thy 
 Way  \  and  caufe  me  to  enter  into  thy  Truth.  Sup- 
 port me,  good  Lord,  or  1  faint,  O  let  my  Prayer 
 come  up  now  before  thee  h  left  I  fall ,  and  rife  not 
 again. 
 
 Chap.    XIII. 
 
 Ofthe?owerof?rayer,  and  Profit  ofReaJing. 
 
 Mafter  and  Difciple. 
 Tray  continnally^    i  TheiT.  V, 
 
 Mafler.  T^Ray  without  Intermiflion. 
 i  Df/c/p/f.  Wherefore? 
 Mafter,  Becaufe  Tribulations  and  Temptations  are 
 every  where  ^  Snares  and  Pitfals  every  where  ^  and 
 the  Invafions  and  Infults  of  Evil  Angels  indifferently 
 in  all  Places ,  at  Home  and  Abroad.  There  is  no 
 Peace  or  Reft,  any  where  :  Good  News  is  rarely 
 heard.  Hoftilities  are  continually  committed  :  Ma- 
 ny Difficulties  and  Battles  on  every  fide  rife  up : 
 Within  are  Fears*,  without  are  Fightings.  There 
 is  not  one  Day  without  Labour  and  Trouble  :  Nor 
 fo  much  as  one  Hour  without  the  Apprehenfion  of 
 Death  :  Nor  even  one  Minute  wherein  thou  canft 
 pretend  to  be  perfectly  fecure,  and  without  all  Pe- 
 ril. And  fince  it  is  fo,  it  behoveth  thee  for  certain  e- 
 
 F  4  very 
 
7  2  M  r«e  Simftatton        Vol.  ii. 
 
 very  where,    and   without  ceafing,  to  ftand  on  thy 
 Guard>  and  to  Pray, 
 
 Doll  thou  confider  alfo  the  I-ace  of  the  Prefent 
 Times,  aud  the  Teoipcfts  of  God  fhaking  the  Earth, 
 and  calling  as  it  were  aloud  to  Pray?  Confider  welU 
 O  Beloved  in  Chrift  :  And  refledt  foberly  on  what 
 thou  feelt,  and  on  what  thou  heareft,  continually  : 
 For  undeniably  Wars  and  Combuftions  fall  out  by 
 the  juft  Judgments  of  God  for  the  Sins  of  Men,  and 
 that  4II  true  Chriftian  People  may  be  quickened  by 
 thofe  Stripes,  unto  the  Search  of  Heaven  and  Hea- 
 venly Things  :  And  therefore  afllduous  faithful 
 Prayer  is  no  lefs  expedient  againft  the  Perils  of  the 
 World,  than  3  Goat  of  Mail  is  requilite  againft  the 
 Darts  of  our  Enemies.  Remember  he  who  prayeth 
 not,  fighteth  not :  And  he  that  refifteth  not  manfully 
 is  quickly  overcome,  and  lofeth  the  Crowa. 
 
 Difciple.  But  who,  alas !  Is  able  to  Pray  and  Fight 
 Cont'wually, 
 
 Mafter,  All  things  are  poffible  to  him  that  calleth 
 upon  and  trulleth  in  God,  For  the  Lord  is  p^^j  ^^j^ 
 near  unto  all  them  that  call  Hfcn  him  in  Truth 
 and  Sincerity,  And  he  has  moreover  taught  us  by  a 
 Parable  from  his  own  Mouth,  how  wc  ^ 
 ought  Always  to  Fray  and  not  to  fain t*  O  ^"'^- ^^"'* 
 my  Friend!  Pray  uiito  him  with  Conftancy,  and  Im- 
 portunity :  So  will  he  perform  the  Dch'res  of  thy 
 Soul,  and  will  fave  thee,  after  that  thou  art  humbled 
 to  the  lail  Extremity.  If  thou  canft  not  always  pray 
 Vocally,  yet  pray  always  Mentally  and  Spiritually  v 
 having  always  an  holy  Deiireand  Pious  Purpofe  unto 
 Prayer.  A  conllann  good  Difpofition  of  Service  and 
 Obedience,  is  our  accepiahle  and  continual  Sacrifice 
 ofTcr'd  up  unto  God  upon  the  Altar  of  the  Heart.  He 
 ■prayeth  always,  who  always  W^r/;  welL  He  who  griev- 
 eth  for  Evil  paft,  and  groaneth  panting  for  Good  to 
 come,  prays  without  ceafing.'  Say  thou,  with  hol^ 
 
 2  Davids 
 
Book  II.        of  Jesus  Christ.  75 
 
 Davidy  Ady  Defire  (O  Lord)   is  with  thee^ 
 and  my  Groaning  is  not  hid  from  thee.   Thou         '  ^^^^"N 
 itefl,  O  Lord,  what  I  dellre  :  And  my  Sighs  are  all 
 numbred  by  thee^  not  one  of  them  is  forgotten,  or 
 unobferved,  by  thee. 
 
 Difcifle,  Yea,  my  Defire  is  with  Chrift,  but  my 
 Fiefli  fainteth  :  And  my  fecret  Groaning  is  not  hid 
 from  God  j  yet  am  I  Itill  diftraded  neverthelefs  about 
 many  things,  and  want  the  true  Recolledion  of  Mind. 
 How  may  this  be  obtained  1 
 
 Mafter,  The  Word  of  God  and  holy  Reading  is  ve- 
 ry profitable  to  recoiled:  the  Mind,  diftraded  about 
 many  things,  or  opprefled  with  any  Pafllon :  Read- 
 ing fheweth  thee  the  right  way  of  Converfation  ;  Ex- 
 ample provoketh  thee  unto  Imitation  \  and  Prayer 
 obtaineth  for  thee  the  moft  excellent  Grace  ofPerfe- 
 ftion,  which  is  Charity.  To  read  of  God  is  good  • 
 to  pray  unto  God  better :  But  to  obey  him  befl  of  all. 
 For  the  bell  of  all  Sacrifices  is  Obedience :  And  this  is 
 Indeed  an  efFedual  and  habitual  Prayer,  which  pierces 
 Heaven,  and  is  a  fweet  Incenfe  in  the  Noilrils  of  the 
 Almighty. 
 
 BleiTed  is  he  who  di reels  all  his  Words. and  Works 
 pnto  the  Glory  of  God,  as  unto  the  tndi  of  Bleiled- 
 nefs,  that  God  may  be  all  in  all,  and  blefled  above  all, 
 and  praifed  of  all  throughout  all  Ages.  Lo!  This  is 
 to  pray,  without  cealing,  the  moll  acceptable  Prayer. 
 
 How  can  a  Chriftian  be  called  devout,  who  delight- 
 eth  more  in  idle  Chat,  than  in  reading  or  Praying? 
 Surely  nothing  is  more  contrary  to  Devotion,  or  Spi-, 
 ritual  Recollection,  than  wandring  outwards,  and 
 iceking  Diverilon  in  the  V/orld- 
 
 He  who  hath  a  willing  Ear  to  hear,  and  a  ready 
 Tongue  to  talk  of  Vanity,  fells  his  Soul  for  nought : 
 And, whatever  he  thinks  of  himfelf,  isa  Fool  in  grain. 
 
 |n  all  times  of  Troubles  and  Temptations,  addrefs 
 thy  felf  unrq  Prayer^  as  unp,  a  ^dt  Harbourj  imp.lo- 
 
74 C^f  ti)e  imitation        Vol.  ir. 
 
 ring  the  Divine  Afliftance^  the  fooner  the  better,  the 
 later  the  vvorfe  ^  the  more  frequently  the  more  profi- 
 table, the  more  fervently,  the  more  acceptable  it  is 
 unto  God. 
 
 Our  Merciful  and  Gracious  God  will  be  called  up- 
 on :  He  giveth  us  occaiion  to  pray,  and  promifeth 
 to  hear  our  Payers,  faying,  Ask  and  it  jhall  he  given 
 ttntoyon  :  He  exhorts  us  with  Words,  excites  us  by 
 Examples,  threatens  us  with  Rods,  allures  us  with 
 Rewards ,  challifes  us  with  Evil,  chears  us  with 
 Good  :  And  fo  the  Morning  and  the  Evening  is  but 
 one  Day.  God  alio  doth  give  that  Senie  of  inward 
 Sweetnefs,  to  fuch  as  pray  devoutly,  wait  patiently 
 in  fecret,  and  be  pioufly  filent  ^  which  he  denieth  to 
 idle  Bablers,  and  extravagant  Wanderers. 
 
 He  who  delireth  to  hear  good  News,  let  him  liften 
 unto  Chrifij  fpeaking  of  the  Kingdom  of  God,  and  of 
 the  Judgment  to  come,  of  the  Heavenly  Jerufalentj 
 of  the  Happinefs  of  the  Citizens  above,  of  the  Orders 
 and  Choirs  of  Angels,  of  the  Glory  and  Honour  of  all 
 the  Firft  born  and  Elect  of  God,  of  the  Rewards  and 
 Pleafures  of  all  Saints,  whofe  Joys  are  everlafling; 
 and  whofe  Kingdom  is  World  without  end.  Let  him 
 hear  the  Prophets^  declaring  the  Myfteries  of  Chrift, 
 and  thundering  out  Threatnings  againll  obftinate 
 and  impenitent  Sinners  :  Let  him  hear  the  Afoftles 
 and  the  Evangelifls^  preaching  the  great  Works  and 
 Miracles  of  Chrift:  Let  him  hear  thefweet  Difcourfes 
 of  the  holy  Fathers  and  Dodors  of  the  Church,  whe- 
 ther Preaching  powerfully,  in  their  Sermons^  or,  in 
 their  Commentaries,  expounding  the  more  obfcure 
 places  of  Holy  Writ*,  or,  in  their  Trads  of  Piety 
 and  Devotion,  excellently  adorning  in  themfelves, 
 and  forming  in  others,  the  Chriftian  Life  ^  or  laftly, 
 in  their  Apologetical  Difcourfes  for  the  Faith,  confu- 
 ting thofe  Errors  and  Herefies,  which  are  as  the 
 Tares  fprung  up  in  the  Field  of  the  Church. 
 
 Let 
 
Book  II.        of  Jesus  Christ.  7$ 
 
 Let  every  one  here  take  what  is  moft  for  his  Turn, 
 what  belt  fuits  with  his  Capacity,  or  State,  and 
 wherewith  he  is  principally  delighted  and  affedied. 
 But  above  all,  let  him  take  heed  not  to  defpife  what 
 is  fimple  and  plain :  Nor  to  reprehend  thofe  things 
 which  he  underftands  not  *,  as  being  indeed  too  deep 
 and  profound  for  him.  For  it  is  the  Mark  of  a  Fool 
 to  be  blaming  the  Wife :  And  the  Property  of  the 
 Unholy  to  be  carping  at  the  Holy  ones  of  God.  No- 
 thing for  certain  is  more  (illy,  tho'  nothing  more 
 common,  than  fuch  a  Procedure  as  this:  And  nothing 
 alfo  in  it  felf  more  unjuft  and  unequal. 
 
 For  there  is  not  fure  a  greater  Injuftice  than  to  cen- 
 fure  excellent  Perfons,  and  Friends  of  God,  for  what 
 we  know  little  or  nothing  of^  merely  perhaps  upon 
 fome  Prejudices  taken  up  at  fecond  Hand,  and  by 
 hearfay :  As  there  is  not  at  the  fame  time  a  more  ri» 
 diculous  (as  well  as  prefumptuous)  piece  of  Folly, 
 than  for  the  Wit  of  Man  to  judge  the  Wifdom  of 
 God,  or  than  for  a  Man  born  blind  to  read  Ledures 
 upon  Light  and  Colours.  Lo  !  Every  Man  is  bom 
 Blind, 
 
 III.  Labour  firfl  humbly  to  learn  and  truly  to  ful- 
 fil the  lejfer  Ads  of  Piety  and  Religion,  and  God 
 will  quickly  (if  his  Wifdom  fee  it  neceflary  for  thee) 
 reveal  unto  thtQ greater.  Where  there  is  much  Know- 
 ledge, there  much  is  required*,  he  who  knoweth  to 
 -do  well,  and  doth  it  not,  unto  him  not  to  doit  is  a  Sin. 
 He  then  who  knoweth  and  readeth  a  great  deal,  and 
 praftifeth  not  thofe  things,  he  knoweth  and  hath 
 learned,  departeth  an  empty,  hungry,  and  ilarved 
 Perfon,  from  a  plentiful  and  fumptuous  Feaft. 
 
 1.  Wherefore  let  thine  Ear  be  now  open,  and  let 
 thy  Heart  be  lifted  up  to  God  without  being  tir'd. 
 
 2.  He  who  prayeth  little,  and  praftifech  lefs,  muft 
 Jieeds  remain  cold  and  poor. 
 
 3.  He 
 
^6  iSDf  tije  Slwitation;       Vol.  ii. 
 
 3.  He  who  difputeth  agaiafl  Vices,  but  reiiHeth 
 them  not,  cafteth  good  Seed  amongfl  Thorns. 
 
 4.  He  gathereth  little  Fruit  from  many  Words, 
 who  fonifieth  not  his  Heart  againftevil  Thoughts. 
 
 5.  Happy  Soul  which  ftridly  keeps  it  felf  from  all 
 Impurity  \  and  fufFer$  nothing  to  lie  hid  in  the  Heart, 
 which  may  fecretly  offend  the  pure  Eyes  of  God. 
 
 6.  Humble  Confejfion  oj  Sins  is  a  Purgation  of  all 
 Vices  in  a  lowly  and  contrite  Heart  before  God. 
 
 7.  A  Devout  Perfon  is  delighted  in  Prayer,  the 
 Studious  in  Books,  the  Vertuous  in  Vertues  \  the 
 Proud  is  pleafed  in  Honour,  the  Humble  even  in 
 Difdain  ^  the  Rich  in  PoiTeflions ,  and  the  Poor  in 
 Dependencies-,  and  the  Covetous  in  his  Chefts, 
 and  the  Beggar  in  Alms  ^  the  Glutton  in  Meats 
 and  Drinks,  and  the  Sober  in  Abftinence*,  the  Fool 
 in  his  Folly  ,  and  the  Wife  in  Wifdom  '^  but  the 
 Love  of  God  and  a  good  Confcience  delight  and 
 chear  the  Heart  above   all. 
 
 8.  If  thou  wilt  overcome  the  wicked  Enemies  of 
 thy  Soul,  retire  thy  felf*,  be  iilent  and  quiet,  pray, 
 fall,  fludy,  wreltle,  labour. 
 
 9.  An  holy  Man  meditateth  upon  holy  Things, 
 fpcaketh  Truth,  worketh  Rightecufnefs,  contcmneth 
 Earth,  and  contemplateth  Heaven. 
 
 10.  An  humble  Man  hearkeneth  unto  Counfels  *, 
 a  wife  Man  guardeth  againft  Perils  ^  a  patient  Man 
 meekly  b.earcth  Troubles  ;  a  diligent  Man  ncgledcth 
 
 not  his  CalUng. 
 .IT.  He  who  heedcth  not  fmall  Evils,  fiiall  be  lure 
 
 to  fall  into  greater.  . 
 
 12.  He  who  is  coldiOi  in  the  I\}ormng,    feldom 
 
 erows  hot  in  the  Evening.  .„     r        j 
 
 13.  He  who  betimes  cafteth  off  Sluggininels,  and 
 betaketh  himfelf  to  Labour,  acquireth  Joy  and  great 
 Honour-,  if  not  of  Men,  )a  undoubtedly  oi  God  i 
 Which  is  more  to  be  wifh^d,  an  J  nreferv  dot  all  Men  v 
 
 toraimuc^ 
 
Book  II.       of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  R  I  S  T.  7/ 
 
 forafmuch  as  he  himfelf  is  the  Reward  and  Crown 
 of  all  good  Deeds  and  Labours  of  all  the  Saints. 
 
 14.  A  vicious  Perfon  is  never  fatisfied  with  his 
 own  Delights,  whereas  he  that  is  vertuous  will  fome- 
 tiines  abridge  himfelf  even  of  what  is  lawful. 
 
 15.  He  ilandeth  firmly,  and  walketh  uprightly, 
 who  groundeth  himfelf  in  Humility ,  and  valueth  as 
 nothing  all  the  Honours  of  the  World. 
 
 16.  He  is  truly  wife,  and  ads  wifely,  whoapplieth 
 himfelf  to  pleafe  God  only,  fleeth  Exterior,  feeketh 
 Interior,  defireth  Celeltial,  difdaineth  and  defpifeth 
 all  Terreflrial  things  *,  and  always  preferreth  the  Love 
 ef  Cod  to  all. 
 
 Chap.    XIV. 
 
 The  Praife  ^Charity,  and  the  Fruits  of  it. 
 
 Let  all  things  be  done  in  Charity^  I  Cor.  xvi.  14. 
 
 CHarity  is  a  noble  Vertue  and  fupereminent  above 
 all  other  Vertues,  Sciences  and  Gifts.  Sheembra- 
 ceth  God,  and  aflbciateth  Angels  with  Men,  and 
 makes  the  Sons  of  Men  the  Sons  of  God,  and  Friends 
 of  Saints.  She  caufed  Chrift  to  be  born  of  a  Virgin, 
 and  to  fufFer  Death  upon  the  Crofs  for  a  Man's  Salva- 
 tion :  She  purifieth  the  Soul  from  Sin,  and  draweth 
 it  up  with  the  whole  Heart ,  AfFedion  and  Under- 
 Handing  unto  the  Love  of  God  *,  and  filleth  and  en- 
 fiameth  it  with  wonderful  Sweetnefs.  She  maketh 
 Sinners  Righteous,  Servants  Free,  Enemies  Friends, 
 Strangers  Citizens  ,  unknown  Familiar,  inconftant 
 Stable,  proud  Humble,  perverfe  Meek,  Covetous  Li- 
 beral, earthly  Heavenly,  and  Idiots  Wife.  Charity 
 filed  abroad  in  the  Hearts  of  the  Faithful,  worketh  all 
 
 thefe 
 
78.  SDf  tije  3!mitatton       Vol.  ii, 
 
 thefe  EfFeds,  by  the  holy  Spirit  given  them  from 
 Heaven.  Charity  hath  mofl  large  and  long  Wings  > 
 Ihe  flieth  over  the  Gherubims  and  Seraphims,  and  all 
 the  holy  Company  of  Angels ;  fhe  joineth  things 
 above  with  things  below,  pafTeth  through  the  middle, 
 returns  to  the  top,  and  of  many  makes  One  '■,  fhe  fil- 
 leth  with  rejoicings  all  and  every  one  who  glorieth 
 not  vainly  in  himfelf,  but  extendeth  himfelf  above 
 himfelf  in  the  Love  of  God. 
 
 Charity  compafTeth  about  Heaven  and  Earth,  the 
 Sea,  and  dry  Land,  and  whatfoever  fhe  feeth  in  any 
 Creature  referreth  it  wholly  to  the  Praifeand  Glory 
 of  God  the  Creator:  For  there  is  nothing  fo  meaa 
 or  vile  in  the  World,  in  which  the  goodnefs  of  God, 
 the  work  of  the  Artificer,  the  Power  of  the  Creator, 
 the  Wifdom  of  the  Difpofer,  the  Providence  of  the 
 moft  excellent  Moderator,  manifeftly  appeareth  not. 
 This  Gonfideration  maketh  the  devout  Soul  to  praife 
 God;  yea,  even  to  leap  and  fing  for  Joy  at  all  times, 
 and  in  all  Places :  By  this  fhe  burneth  within,  as  Wax 
 melting  before  the  Fire,  and  keepeth  no  mean*,  but 
 mounteth  often  over  the  Lights  of  Heaven,  that  fhe 
 may  find  out  her  dearly  and  only  Beloved,  the 
 Maker  and  Governcur  of  all  things,  to  the  end  that 
 fhe  may  folace  her  felf  moll  happily ,  and  repofe 
 iier  felf  moft  fecurely  in  him. 
 
 DifclfUy  O  how  fweetly  and  comfortably  fareth  it 
 with  him,  unto  whom  it  is  given  to  cleave  clofe  un- 
 to God,  and  to  enjoy  him  in  the  fecret  Recefs  of  his 
 Heart !  O  that  it  were  lawful  for  me  to  have  but  a 
 Tafte  and  Glimpfe  of  that  that  Angels  fee  Clearly 
 and  Everlaflingly  ? 
 
 Mafter^  But  we  mufl  return  unto  an  AElwe  Lifcj 
 O  Soldier  of  Chrift,  and  fight  couragioufly  againft 
 ouradiduous  Temptations,  by  the  Force  and  Vertueof 
 Charity  ;  for  after  Mourning  followeth  Mirth  *,  after 
 Sadnefs,  Solace  *,  after  Tears,  Laughter ,  after  A  nxiety. 
 
 Peace 
 
Book  II.      of  J  £  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  79 
 
 Peace  and  Tranquillity  :  So  alfo,  in  this  State,  after 
 Mirth  returns  Mourning  ^  and  great  Confolation  is  at- 
 tended with  grievous  Defolation,  or  urgent  Tempta- 
 tion, or  Vexation  of  Men,  or  Subflradion  of  Friends, 
 or  Invalion  of  Enemies,  or  Trouble  of  Mind,  or  De- 
 rilion  of  Little  Ones,  or  Increpation  of  great  Ones : 
 All  thefe  things  come  to  pafs,  in  order  to  beat  dowa 
 the  Pride  of  our  Hearts,  and  to  teach  us  to  Coni- 
 paffionate  the  Weak,  Afflided,  and  Tempted  Ones. 
 
 Let  us  not  therefore  trufl  in  our  felves,  nor  inter- 
 meddle in  Matters  too  high  for  us,  nor  feck  our  own 
 Profit  only,  or  a  private  Intereft :  But  in  ail  things 
 let  us  humble  our  felves,  fubmitting  our  felves  in  true 
 Charity  to  God,  and  to  our  Brethren  and  Silters  for 
 God's  fake. 
 
 Charity  brought  God  unto  Men,  and  reduces  Men 
 unto  God:  By  Charity  God  came  into  the  World; 
 and  by  Charity  he  brought  back  Man  into  Heaven  ; 
 By  Charity  Chrifl  defcended  to  linful  Man  ^  and  by 
 Charity  and  the  Crofs,  he  afcended  to  his  Father. 
 
 Charity  is  never  idle:  For  fhe  worketh  great  and 
 fublime  Things,  and  doth  alfo  willingly  fubmit  her 
 felf  unto  bafe  and  abjed  Offices  :  She  lovingly  per- 
 formeth  honourable  Anions,  and  is  delighted  out  of 
 Obedience  to  be  enjoyned  fuch  as  are  more  vile.  Cha- 
 rity abhorreth  not  to  touch  the  unfavoury  Sores  of  the 
 Sick,  to  wafh  their  Feet,  to  make  their  Beds,  to  purge 
 their  Veftments,  to  cleanfetheir  Fiithinefs :  She  bears 
 Grievances  patiently;  and  takes  even  Pleafure  in  Re- 
 proaches :  When  fiie  is  perfecuted,  (he  Rejoices ;  and 
 to  be  Crucified  with  Chrifl,  fhe  counts  ail  Glory. 
 
 As  Fire  confumeth  Wood,  fo  doth  Charity  extin- 
 guifh  Vice:  For  itcleanfeth  the  Heart  by  Contrition, 
 wafheth  it  by  Confeffion,  purifieth  it  by  Prayer,  il- 
 luminateth  it  by  holy  Reading,  enflameth  it  by  de- 
 vout Meditation,  collefteth  it  and  draweth  k  inwards 
 by  fecret  Habitation,  and  uniteth  it  to  God  by  fer- 
 vent Love,  I  Charity 
 
8o €>f  tl)t  31mttatton        Vol  ii 
 
 Charity  exciteth  the  Tongue  to  glorifie  God,  the 
 Hands  to  perform  A(fts  of  Piety,  the  Feet  to  walk 
 in  the  Ways  of  Righteoufnefs,  the  Eyes  to  behold 
 and  contemplate  the  Works  of  God,  the  Memory  to 
 record  his  loving-kindnefs,  the  exterior  Members  to 
 ferve  him,  and  the  interior  Gifts  to  love  him  above 
 all  the  Good  in  Heaven  and  Earth. 
 
 Charity  blotteth  out  all  Sins  pad  in  an  humble 
 Soul,  and  muniteth  it  againfl:  thofe  that  are  to  come  : 
 She  inftrufteth  it  touching  things  prefent ;  freeth  it 
 from  many  Doubts,  with-holdeth  it  from  Curiofitiesj 
 loppeth  off  Superfluities,  excludeth  Vanities,  reprov- 
 eth  Falfities,  hateth  Filthinefs,  mitigateth  harfhnefs, 
 cleareth  Obfcuricies,  revealeth  Divine  Myfteries  to 
 him  that  Prayeth,  and  ordereth  all  things  well  both 
 Within  and  Without. 
 
 Charity  is  the  Good-will  (or  pious  Difpofition)  in 
 an  holy  SoHlt  which  dejifis  not  from  well-ordered  Opera* 
 tions  *,  albeit  fometimes  Weaknefs  or  Necejfity  may  not 
 •permit  to  do  the  Good  it  defires  or  aims  at. 
 
 O  happy  pure  Soul,  unto  whom  God  is  All  in 
 All !  Which  thinketh  nothing  fweet  or  precious^ 
 but  all  things  bitter  and  burthenfome  without  God  : 
 Such  an  one  God  requireth,  fuch  an  one  God  loveth, 
 who  defpifeth  and  relinquidieth  himfelf^  and  all 
 things  for  Love  of  him,  who  flriveth  manfully, 
 and  keepeth  his  Heart  watchfully  in  all  Purity  :  That 
 Soul  doth  quickly  and  freely  pafs  unto  God,  without 
 Impediment  of  any  Creature,  which  delireth  not  the 
 Profit  nor  Preferment  of  the  World.  The  Love  of 
 Chrift  loofeth  all  the  Bonds  of  the  World,  maketh 
 all  Burthens  light;,  caufeth  us  to  ufe  all  diligence 
 faithfully  to  accomplifh  the  Will  of  God  in  all  things  5 
 and  with  Chrift  to  pray  and  fay.  Father^  not  my  IVtHj 
 ^lit  thy  Will  be  done  always-^  and  every  where* 
 
 Difcifle*  Amen,  Amen, 
 
 C  n  A  ?v 
 
Book  II-  df  J  E  S U  S  C  H  K  I  S  T.  8l 
 
 Chap.    XV» 
 
 Of   Jratchfui  Care  and  Labour  to  he  itfed  d^ 
 gainfi  Temptations, 
 
 Refili  the  Devil^  and  he  will  flee  from  thee-^  Jam.  iv. 
 
 Mafier.  TX'THere-ever  a  good  Man  fha]!  be  eni- 
 VV  ployed  in  godly  Exeicifes,  as  id 
 Prayer^  Meditation,  Reading,  Writing,  &c,  there 
 are  the  holy  Angels  rejoicing  with  him,  and  there  ard 
 Evil  Spirits  tempting  and  diftrading  him.  ^ 
 
 When  thou  beginneft  to  Pray,  the  Devils  fly  front 
 thee,  as  from  the  Lightning  of  the  Holy  GhofI:  ;  and 
 when  thou  falleft  again  into  idle  Ghat,  they  all  return 
 fuddenly  to  raife  vain  Rumours  to  entertain  thee. 
 
 Rerilain  therefore  in  Silence,  and  think  on  God  for 
 thy  Delight  V  for  thoii  fhait  be  free  from  Wearinefs 
 in  Well-doing j  arid  perfevere  in  the  good  thou  haft 
 begun. 
 
 Be  faithful  in  a  little,  and  thou  (halt  gain  teitthou- 
 fand  Talents  in  the  Kingdom,  of  Heaven. 
 
 Be  riot  Idle  in  private;  nor  talkative  in  publickj' 
 and  thou  Ihalt  vanquifh  the  Devil,  and  put  him  toi 
 flight :  For  he  hateth  Labour  and  Silence,  Prayer  and 
 Meditation  of  Good. 
 
 Wherefoever  thou  (halt  be,  either  alone  or  in  Com- 
 pany, it  behoveth  thee  to  ftrive,  to  watch  and  pray 
 againft  the  Temptations  of  the  Flefh  and  Evil 
 Spirit. 
 
 Strive  valiantly.  Pray  fervently,  Labour  diligent- 
 ly. Study  fervently,  keep  Silence  willingly,  and  Suffer 
 patiently,  hope  in  the  Lord  always,  how  gre^t  foevef 
 thy  Tribulation  or  Defoiation  be. 
 
82 g)i  ti)t  imitation        Vol  IL 
 
 He  who  difpofeth  himfelf  in  all  Places,  and  all 
 Times,  unto  Patience,  fhall  enjoy  greater  Peace,  and 
 triumph  over  his  Adverfaries  here,  and  hereafter  ob- 
 tain a  more  honourable  Crown  of  Glory  with  theEleft 
 of  God. 
 
 C    H   A    P.      XVI. 
 
 Vf  Frater7ial  Bearing  one  another's  Burthen. 
 r  .  Bear  ye  om  another  s  Burthens-^  Gal.  vi. 
 
 BEcaufe  indeed  we  are  all  one  in  Chrift,  we  ought 
 therefore  to  keq)  Brotherly  Charity  in  the  Bond 
 of  Peace,  and  a  conftant  Agreement  in  good  :  We  are 
 all  the  Members  of  Chrifl,  Regenerated  in  Baptifm  by 
 the  Grace  of  the  HolyGhoft,  Redeemed  by  thePadion 
 of  Chrift,  Purified  by  the  Blood  of  Chrift,  Refreflied 
 by  the  Body  of  Ciiiift,  Inftructed  by  the  Woi^ts  of 
 Ghrift,  Confirmed  by  the  Miracles  of  Chriil,  and  Edi- 
 fied by  the  Examples  of  Chrifl. 
 
 Why  therefore  (my  Brethren)  do  you  injure  one 
 another?  He; who  wrongeth  his  Brother,  either  in 
 Word  or  Deed,  cfFendeth  .Chrilt,  and  Chrift  will  re- 
 venge it. 
 
 We  have  all  one  Father  in  Heaven  ;  we  arc  all  Bre- 
 thren in  Cbrifl;  from  whatfoever  City  or  Country 
 we  are  here  aflembled  *,  or  from  what  Parentage 
 focver,  Noble  or  Ignoble,  we  are  defcended  :  One 
 God  created  us  all,  the  fame  God  nourifhcth  and 
 governeth  us  all  ;  and  he  hath  called  us  all  to  one  and 
 the  felf  fame  Happinefs,  and  doth  continually  call 
 us  hereunto,  both  by  outward  Vocation,  and  by  in- 
 ward Contrition  \  who  hath  promifed  us  the  fight  of 
 his  Divine  Eiience  for  our  Reward  in  the  Prefence  of 
 
 his 
 
Book  II.      ofjESUsCHaiST.  83 
 
 -i ■ ■-'"''!'" — '"-^ 
 
 ills  Angels,  with  the  unanimous  Felicity  of  all  the 
 Saints  above*  If  therefore  we  are  called  of  one  God^ 
 and  have  all  one  Price  of  our  Redemption,  which  is 
 Chrift ;  one  new  Birth  by  the  Holy  Giioft ,  let  us  all 
 ftudy  to  love  and  ferve  out  another. 
 
 If  we  defire  to  pleafe  Chrift,  let  us  be  helpful  ond 
 to  another  for  Chrift's  fake,  and  out  of  Charity  pray 
 one  for  another  5  for  by  this  means  God  is  in  us,  and 
 we  are  in  God.  Hence  whatfoever  Imperfections,  or 
 linaptnefs  we  fee  or  hear  of  in  others,  let  us  give  i 
 pious  and  charitable  Interpretation  of  it,  as  v/e  defiie 
 fliould  be  done  of  our  felves. 
 
 O  beloved  Brother  !  bear,  and  thou  (halt  be  born 
 withal^  excufe,  and. thou  fhalt  be  excufed  •,  (hewr 
 Pity,  and  thou  (halt  find  CompafTion  •,  Comfort  fucit 
 as  are  afflified,  and  thou  llialt  be  comforted  of  hint 
 thatrejoiceth  ;  Raife  him  that  is  fallen,  and  thou  fhalt 
 be  lifted  up  by  the  help  of  God :  As  thou  fhalt  do  un- 
 to another,  fo  fhall  it  be  even  done  unto  thee  by  hint 
 ihat  judgeth  righteoully. 
 
 Be  notflricken  with  Wonder,  nor tranfported  with 
 Indignation,  if  a  frail  Man  fall  hi  the  World,  whea 
 an^ngelfd]  in  Heaven,  /^dam  in  Paradife  overcome 
 of  a  little  Apple. 
 
 Many  times  a  very  little  thing  procureth  Man  great 
 Ten:ptation  in  himfelf,  and  no  lefs  Vexation  front 
 another.  God  doth  juftly  permit  it  to  fall  out  fo,  to 
 the  end  thou  may  ft  know  o(  a  Truth,  that  if  thoii 
 canft  not  overcome  fmall  things,  thou  fnalt  never  be 
 able  to  overcome  greater. 
 
 Demean  thy  felf  gently  towards  thy  Brother  ia 
 Temptation,  and  pray  for  him  that  is  in  AfBidion  as 
 for  thy  felf;  thy  good  is  my  good  by  Congratula- 
 tion, and  my  evil  is  thy  evil  by  Conipaffion :  For  all 
 of  us  are  weak  Men,  and  therefore  are  ail  ol-  us  bound 
 in  Love  to  afTifl  one  another  with  our  mutual  Pray- 
 ers ^  llace  no  Man  upbraideth  the  .defect  of  another, 
 
 G  i  with 
 
84  JfiDf  t]^e  imitation:        Vol.  Ii. 
 
 with  the  negledt  of  his  own  :  For  if  a  linful  Man 
 ihould  defpile  another  Man  for  Sin,  it  is  all  one  as  if 
 a  Blind  Man  fliould  play  upon  a  Blind  Man,  a  Deaf 
 curfe  a  Deaf  Man,  or  a  Fool  laugh  a  Fool  to  fcofn. 
 
 Forbear  to  detraft  or  cenfure  another,  which  is  not 
 lawful  for  thee  to  do  *,  and  have  refped  rather  unto, 
 and  corred  thine  own  Evil  Deeds  :  If  thou  wouldeft 
 not  fail  in  thy  Judgment,  and  defireft  to  amend  thy 
 Neighbour,  begin  with  thy  felf  ^  and  then  proceed 
 not  roughly  and  angrily,  but  modeftly  and  difcreet- 
 ly :  If  thou  loveft  me  fincerely  and  brotherly,  com- 
 mtfeiate  me  as  thy  felf,  and  pray  for  me.  He  who 
 I'eproveth  another,  and  in  the  mean  while  neither 
 prayeth  for,  nor  condoleth  with  him,  is  a  cruel  Ene- 
 my \  no  Gonfcionable  Phyfician,  but  a  troublefome 
 wrangling  Companion.  He  who  prayeth  for  another 
 as  for  himfelf,  doth  him  a  twofold  good  :  By  how 
 much  the  more  Brotherly  Love  any  Man  hath  in  him, 
 by  fo  much  the  more  willingly  doth  he  pray  for  ano- 
 ther \  that  he  may  throughly  amend  himfelf,  and  not 
 offend  the  Eyes  of  the  Weak  *,  therefore  is  his  Sorrow 
 the  more,  if  he  will  not  hear,  but  grow  angry  at  Ad- 
 monition. Every  Man  is  to  another  either  a  fweet  Rofe, 
 or  a  fharp  Thorn, 
 
 Chap.    XVH. 
 
 Cf  the  Love  of  Chrijl^  and  Hatred  of  the  IForld. 
 
 The  Beloved,  the  Mailer,  and  the  Novice. 
 
 Beloved.  Mlde  in  my  Love-,  John  xv. 
 
 Majfer*  i.TpHE  Voice  of  Chrill  is  fweet  to  hear,  j 
 X     faving  to  obsv. 
 i.  The  Love  of  Chrift  is  (he  Pleafure  of  the  Mind,, 
 
 the 
 
Book  11.        of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  K  I  s  T.  85 
 
 the  Paradife  of  the  Soul :  It  excludeth  the  World, 
 vanqiiifheth  the  Devil,  fhutteth  up  Hell,  openetii 
 Heaven. 
 
 3.  The  Love  of  Chrifl  and  the  World  are  clean 
 contrary,  and  have  nothing  at  all  common,  nor  caa 
 they  abide  together. 
 
 4.  The  Love  of  Chrill  is  the  fiery  Chariot  of  Ellas 
 afcending  into  Heaven  :  The  Love  of  the  World  is 
 the  Devil's  Waggon,  hurling  Men  down  into  HeH. 
 
 5.  Self-love  is  Self-treafon  j  and  he  that  fee^s  hini- 
 felf  only,  is  truly  Felo  de  fe, 
 
 6.  The  Oblivion  of  the  World,  is  the  Recovery 
 of  Heaven  ^  and  the  Abdication  of  that,  is  as  the  In- 
 auguration in  this. 
 
 7.  He  that  faveth,  even  lofeth  what  he  hath ;  but 
 he  that  lofeth,  certainly  findeth  it  again  with  much 
 Intereft,  in  the  Love  of  Chrill. 
 
 8.  The  flattering  Speech  of  a  feigned  Friend  doth 
 more  hurt,  than  the  fharp  Reproof  of  a  righteous 
 Man  :  The  Heart  of  a  deceitful  Perfon  forgeth  Lyes, 
 but  the  Mind  of  a  jult  Man  meafureth  things  with  a 
 right  Line. 
 
 9.  He  fhall  never  be  free  from  Shame  that  flandereth 
 his  Neighbour  :  Neither  fhaFI  he  avoid  Scandal,  who 
 gives  Scandal  to  another  ^  but  the  fcandalous  Dealer 
 ihall  be  fcandaloufly  dealt  with. 
 
 10.  God,  who  icnowethand  ruleth  the  Hearts  of 
 all,  fufFereth  not  long  his  Lambs  to  flray  ^  but  either 
 revoketh  them  with  the  gentle  ftroke  of  Fear,  or 
 bringeth  them  home  again  with  the  fweet  Afpe(a  of 
 Love. 
 
 Novice.  I  have  ftray'd  from  thy  Ways,  Lord^  as  a 
 loft  Sheep  :  O  look  thou  upon  me!  O  bring  me  home 
 again  into  thy  Fold,  fweet  Jefu  !  1  have  waited  for  thy 
 faving  Mercy  *,  O  make  me  to  underftand  the  Way  of 
 thy  Love  1  that  I  alfo  may  talk  of  thy  wondrous 
 Works,    and  may  come  to  poflefs  that  true  Peace 
 
 G  3  and 
 
86  £)f  tl)t  gimitatton       Vol  il  * 
 
 and  Quiet  of  Miad,  v/hich  is  in  the  Enjoyment  of 
 thee. 
 
 II.  Mafter.  Where  Peace  and  Concord  is,  there  is 
 God,  and  all  that's  good  :  Where  Strife  and  Diffen- 
 tion  is,  there  is  the  Devil,  and  all  that's  Evil. 
 
 iZ,  Where  Humility  is,  there  is  Wifdom  :  But 
 where  Pride  is,  there  is  the  Root  of  all  Wickednefs. 
 Subdue  Pride,  and  thy  Soul  fhall  be  at  Peace. 
 
 13.  Bitter  Words  do  wound  the  very  Bowels  of 
 Charity. 
 
 14.  Solitude  and  Silence  work  Quietnefs  :  And  in 
 keeping  them  aright,  is  kept  the  Sabbathof  the  Soul. 
 
 .  15.  Labour  and  Diligence  profit  rnuch  the  Religi- 
 ous ;  without  wliicli  all  will  foon  be  unravell'd  again 
 that  is  well  done. 
 
 16.  Without  good  Order  and  great  Diligence,  nei- 
 ther the  bell  Purpofes  nor  the  wifeft  Ihilitutions  can 
 long  fubfift." 
 
 17.  Vv^here  there  is  Laughter  and  difTolute  Mirth, 
 there  is  Devotion  made  to  flee. 
 
 18.  AnidlePerfon,  and  full  of  Words,  is  feldom 
 pricked  in  his  Heart,  feldom  free  from  Offence. 
 
 19.  Where  there  is  a  ready  Obedience,  there  is  a 
 joyful  Confcience. 
 
 20.  Where  there  is  much  Jangling,  there  is  little 
 Work  :  Where  there  is  much  vain  Chat,  there  is 
 fown  nought  but  Wind  ^  and  poor  will  be  the  Har- 
 
 vefto 
 
 21.  Where  a  Man's  Heart  is  wholly  fct  to  feek 
 his  own,  there  is  Charity  driven  away  :  Where  there 
 is  Self-intereilednefs,  there  mull  be  want  of  Love, 
 whatever  to  the  contrary  be  pretended. 
 
 ^    %if.  Where  the  Dodtrine  of  Chrift  flourifheth,  there 
 the  Safety  of  the  Soul  increafeth  :  Where  the  Life  of 
 Chrift  groweth,  there  his  Kingdom  openeth. 
 ^   15';  Wlicre  is '  Brotherly  Concord,  there  is  fwee{ 
 Mdddy.'  "'      ^     '  "''   ■  ^  "    -^ 
 
'*Book  II.       of  J  E  s  U  S   C  H  Fv  I  s  T.  87 
 
 24.  Where  Mediocrity  is  abferved,  there  the  Vir* 
 tue  of  Agreement  or  Unanimity  is  beft  preferved. 
 
 25.  VVhere  Difcretion  is  ufed  in  Reproof  of  Sin, 
 there  no  Man  can  juftly  complain,  nor  enter  into 
 Indignation  with  him  that  is  fet  over  him.  Where- 
 upon one  well  faid  : 
 
 *  In  all  things  ufe  a  Mean  *,  ohferve  it  ev€r^ 
 Mediocrity  and  Virtue  go  together* 
 
 16,  Where  is  Patience,  there  is  a  great  Conqueft 
 over  the  Enemy. 
 
 27.  Where  Trouble  entereth,  from  thence  Peace 
 quickly  departeth. 
 
 28.  Shut  the  Door  of  thy  Mouth,  and  ponder  well 
 thy  Words  before  thou  fpeak. 
 
 29.  Where  is  Faithfulnefs  and  Verity,  there  is  af- 
 fu ranee  of  Peace. 
 
 30.  Where  is  Fraud  and  Malicioufnefs,  there  is 
 foolilh  Imagination  and  blind  Prudence. 
 
 31.  Where  is  Charity,  there  is  the  Holy  GhoH. 
 
 32.  Where  is  light  Sufpicion,  there  is  frequent  In- 
 dignation* 
 
 53.  Where  is  Knowledge  of  the  Truth,  there  is 
 Joy  to  the  upright  in  Heart. 
 
 34.  Where  is  an  humble  Confeflion,  there  is  an 
 eafy  obtaining  of  Pardon. 
 
 35.  Where  Humane  Wifdomfaileth,  there  the  Di- 
 vine Protection  is  the  more  to  be  invoked. 
 
 35.  He  who  malicioufly  covereth  his  Wickednefs, 
 fhall  be  fure  to  have  an  ill  End  *,  but  unto  him  that 
 worketh  Righteoufnefs,  and  difpofeth  himfelf  unto 
 Patience,  belongeth  much  Peace. 
 
 37.  Wo  unto  him  that  is  without  Fear,  impious 
 in  Evil,  and  fiditious  in  Good  *,  becaufe  his  Iniquity 
 
 ^  Omnibus  Me  Modum  ;  Modm  e(l  pklcherrima  llrtus, 
 
 G  4  hurteth 
 
88  mn)t  imitation        Voi.ii? 
 
 hurteth  no  Man  ii)ore,  than  his  Hypocrify  doth  him- 
 felt. 
 
 38.  Where  is  double- heartednefs,  there  is  Uncon- 
 ilancy  and  much  Wickednefs. 
 
 39.  It  f^res  well  with  the  llmple  and  fincere  i^ 
 Heart  ^  becaufe  God  is  with  them,  apd  direfteth  alj 
 Iheir  Works  in  a  right  Way. 
 
 '  40  H^  who  regardeth  not  his  Word,  who  wjll  ea- 
 lily  believe  him  ?  But  he  who  changeth  his  Word  for 
 the  bttter,  doth  not  infringe  the  Word  of  Truth. 
 
 41 .  It  is  delightful  to  hear  Good,  but  it  is  laudable 
 to  do  Good.  The  belt  Task  we  can  undertake  is  th^ 
 ^tTicn4ment  of  Life  :  The  belt  Conference  is  the  Con- 
 fukation  of  Wifdom. 
 
 "  42.  The  Fruit  of  good  Conference,  is  to  abllaia 
 from  Sin,  and  to  grow  in  Grace. 
 -   43.  TJie  Fruit  of  devout  Prayer,  i$  to  unite  the 
 Heart  to  God  in  the  Fervour  of  the  holy  Spirit. 
 
 44.  He  prayeth  devoutly,  who  riddeth  his  Heart 
 from  all  Vanity. 
 
 45.  H^  who  meditateph  on  Chriil  crucified,  doth 
 quickiy  repel  the  Illuilp,ns  of  the  Devil. 
 
 4<5.'rhe  continual  Remembrance  of  Chrift'sPafiion, 
 i?  the  Soul^s  fwee tcft  Cogitation. 
 
 47"  He  who  daily  pondereth  the  facred  Wounds  of 
 l:iis  -aviour,  reckoneth  all  earthly  things  as  Dung, 
 and  ticlireth  not  the  Honours  of  the  World,  getteth 
 a'^e^a  Heart,  ancj  feryeth  God,  without  Impeach- 
 mtuL. 
 
 48.  He  prcifeth  and  honoureth  God  highly,  who 
 h^)in;.leth  iumfeif  lowly,  ^nd  advifedly  confidereth 
 b^>v  "'ieth  and  weepeth  for  his  ovyn  Defeds. 
 
 4v.  The  Voice  of  a  truly  contrite  Heart,  proceed- 
 ing 6)j\.  of  the  Mouth  of  an  humble  Sinner,  maketh  a 
 l^ud  Cry  in  the  gracious  Ears  of  God  Almighty. 
 '    50,    Whatfogver  Good  thou  doft,   do  it  ;o  thp^ 
 Praifc  of  God. 
 *  5I0  H^ 
 
goak  11.        Of  Jesus  Christ.  89 
 
 51.  He  who  fimply,  intirely,  purely,  and  freely 
 referreth  all  his  own  and  others  good  Deeds  unto  the 
 Honour  and  Praife  of  God,  afcribing  them  wholly  un- 
 to God's  Grace,  and  attributeth  nothing  unto  bis  own 
 Power  or  Merit  *,  but  doth  defpife  and  ftrip  himfelf 
 naked  of  all,  he  trampleth  under  foot,  and  utterly 
 deftroyeth  all  Pride,  Envy  and  Vain-glory. 
 
 52.  But  he  depriveth  himfelf  of  Eternal  Glory,  and 
 Honour,  who  glorieth  in  himfelf,  and  not  in  God  the 
 chiefeft  Good  :  And  therefore  that  holy  Apoftle 
 St.  Pad  faith,  He  that  thinketh  himfelf  to  he  fomethingy 
 zphen  he  is  nothings  deceiveth  himfelf  He  who  was 
 wrapt  into  the  Third  Heaven,  was  not  proud  of  it  5 
 but  vvhatfoever  Good  he  performed,  taught,  or  dila- 
 ted, he  faithfully  afcribed  all  ynto  God,  faying,  By 
 the  Grace  of  Cod  I  am  that  I  am. 
 
 Chap.    XVIII. 
 
 V    - 
 
 Oflh^,  Imitation  of  the  inpjl  Holy  Life  of  our  Lord 
 and  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift. 
 
 That  which  ye  have  done  mto  one  of  ipy  Prcthren^  ye 
 have  done  it  unto  me-^  Matth.  XXV. 
 
 MArk  his  Words,  feal  up  his  Myfteries,  imitate 
 his  Examples. 
 T.  He  who  relieveth  his  poor  Chriftian  Brother, 
 holdeth  faft  Chrill  by  the  hand. 
 
 2.  He  who  beareth  with  Patience  the  Burthen  that 
 is  laid  upon  \\\%  Brother  in  Chrift,  fupportethChrift, 
 and  him  crucified  upon  his  Shoulders. 
 
 3.  He  who  fpeaketh  comfortably  unto  his  grieved 
 Brother,  faluteth  Jefus'bis  Saviour  with  Kifles  of 
 Love. 
 
 ^''"  4.  He 
 
90  €>f  tl^e  Jmttation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 4.  He  who  bewaileth  another  IMan's  Sin,  interceed- 
 ing  with  Tears  for  his  Pardon,  doth  wafh  and  wipe 
 |)is  Saviour's  Feet. 
 
 5.  He  who  pacifieth  an  angry  Brother,  makes  a  Bed 
 of  Flowers  to  lodge  Chrifl:  in  his  Soul. 
 
 6.  He  who  provideth  for  his  Brother  better  than 
 himfelf,  feedeth  Chrift  with  the  choiceft  Delicates, 
 and  giveth  him  the  Honey- comb  to  fuck. 
 
 7.  He  who  taketh  up  good  Meditations  concerning 
 GOD,  and  Divine  Objedts,  thereby  doth  receive 
 Chrift  into  the  Bed  of  his  Heart. 
 
 8.  He  who  offers  to  his  Brother  a  Religious  Book, 
 doth  drink  unto  Chrift  in  a  Cup  of  choice  Wine. 
 
 p.  He  who  hindreth  vain  Babbling  at  Meals,  fca- 
 reth  the  Flies  from  Chrift's  Table. 
 
 10.  He  who  refufeth  to  hear  Detraftions,  and  re- 
 proveth  difhoneft  and  immodeft  Talk,  driveth  away 
 the  Black  Dog  from  Chrift's  Houfe. 
 
 11.  He  who  heareth  of  other  Mens  Faults,  and 
 grieveth  for  them,  toucheth  and  anointeth  the  facred 
 Wounds  of  Chrift. 
 
 12.  He  who  declareth  the  good  Examples,  and  ver- 
 tuous  Adions  of  his  Neighbour,  prefenteth  fair,  love- 
 ly Flowers  to  Chrift's  Eyes. 
 
 1 3.  He  who  readeth  and  preacheth  devoutly  Chrift's 
 Words,  fprinkleth  fweet  Spices  in  the  Ears  of  his 
 Auditors. 
 
 14.  He  who  fuftaineth  and  excufeth  other  Mens 
 Failings,  fliall  ealily  obtain  Mercy  at  Chrift's  hand. 
 
 15.  He  who  concealeth  the  Infamy  and  Offence  of 
 his  Neighbour,  beftows  Garments  on  the  naked  Mem- 
 bers  of  Chrift. 
 
 <  id.  He  who  doth  ferioufly  think  upon,  and  fweet- 
 ly  ruminate  in  his  Heart  the  Divine  Miracles,  and 
 l6wly  Works  of  Chrift,  receiveth  Honey  an^  Milk 
 from  the  Mouth  of  Gliriftv 
 
 X7.  H^ 
 
Book  II.  of  J  E  S  y  8    C  H  R  1  S  T.  91 
 
 17-  He  who  prayeth  devoutly,  abftaineth  from 
 Delicacies,  aud  renouncetli  his  ovyn  Worthiiiefs> 
 offereth  with  the  wife  Men  three  precious  Gifts  unto 
 Chrifl. 
 
 18.  He  who  fecretly  retires  himfelf  unto  his  Devo- 
 tion, goeth  with  Chrifl  into  the  Defert. 
 
 19.  He  who  refideth  Sin,  and  mortifieth  his  Earth- 
 ly Members,  keepeth  a  Faft  with  Chrilt. 
 
 20.  He  that  at  the  Table  hath  the  Eye  of  his  Mind 
 fixt  on  the  Spiritual  and  Heavenly  Food,  eateth  and 
 drinketh  with  Chrift. 
 
 21.  He  who  difcourleth  religioufly  with  his  Bro- 
 ther, preacheth  the  Kingdom  of  God  with  Chrift. 
 
 22.  He  who  prayeth  faithfully  for  the  diftrefled 
 and  tempted,  vifitethLa2iarHs  yvithChviit^  andweep- 
 eth  with  Martha  and  Mary. 
 
 23.  He  who  treafureth  up  in  his  Heart  the  Words 
 of  Chrift,  when  he  jfitteth  at  Meals,  and  fecretly 
 cheweth  and  pondereth  upon  them,  doth  with  the 
 Beloved  Difciple  lie  in  his  Bofom  at  Supper. 
 
 24.  He  who  in  fuch  things  as  are  difagreeable  gnd 
 contrary  to  him  humbly  and  readily  obeyeth,  doth 
 truly  follow  Jefus  with  his  Difciples  to  Mount  Olivet^ 
 where  he  was  betrayed  and  leized. 
 
 25.  Fie  who  in  Tribulation  and  Temptation  in- 
 ftantly  and  fervently  prayeth,  doth  with  Jefus,  ia 
 his  /^gony,  fight  with  the  Devil. 
 
 16.  He  who  doth  wholly  renounce  his  own  WiH^' 
 performeth  gladly  with  Chrift  the  Will  of  his  Fa- 
 ther :  And  beareth  his  Crofs  unto  Mount  Calvary. 
 ^  27.  He  who  prayeth  for  his  Adverfaries,  and  wil- 
 lingly pardoneth  fuch  as  offend  him,  intefcedeth  mt;h 
 Chrift  for  his  Enemies,  that  they  fl:ould  not  peri(h, 
 tut  be  converted  unto  God  and  live. 
 
 28.  He  that  heartily  renounces  all  the  things  of  the^ 
 Vv'orld  for  the  Love  of  God,  and  can  be  contented 
 fven  with  an  utter  Oblivion  of  them^    may  be  faid 
 
 to 
 
92  €>f  ti)c  %mitation       Vol.  ll. 
 
 to  die  with  Chrift  on  the  Crofs,  and  with  Paul  to  be 
 caught  into  Paradifc. 
 
 ip.  He  that  keeps  his  Heart  clean,  and  quiet, 
 has  prepared  clean  Linnen  to  lay  the  Body  of  Jefus 
 in. 
 
 30.He  who  perfevereth  in  the  Service  of  Chrifl  unto 
 the  end  fweetly  fleepeth  and  repofeth  himfelf  with 
 Chrift  in  the  Sepulchre. 
 
 31.  He  who  layeth  up  all  the  Words  and  Ads  of 
 Chrifl,  and  doth  ruminate  upon  them,  he  prepareth 
 for  him  fundry  kinds  of  fweet  Spices,  which  will  be 
 very  prevalent  for  the  Comfort  of  his  aiBided  Soul. 
 
 32.  He  who  returneth  humble  and  devout  Thanks 
 for  the  Bleffings  he  hath  received,  he  carrieth  with 
 Mary  MagdaUn  fweet  Spices  unto  the  Sepulchre  of 
 Chrifl. 
 
 33.  He  who  after  Contrition  putteth  on  a  firm  Re- 
 folution  to  amend  his  Life,  rifeth  again  with  Chrift 
 from  the  Death  of  Sin. 
 
 34.  He  who  cafleth  from  him  the  Diilnefs  and 
 Foulnefs  of  his  Difpofltion,  and  quickeneth  himfelf 
 with  the  Heat  and  Fervour  of  Devotion,  cel^rateth 
 a  new  .Spiritual  PaiFoever  with  Chrifl,  and  joyfully 
 beareth  a  part  with  him  in  that  Song  Hallelujah, 
 
 35.  He  who  contemneth  all  Terrene  Joys,  fiieth 
 from  Dangers,  feeketh  and  accepteth  a  Religious  Life  ; 
 lie  goes  with  Chrifl  and  his  Difciples  into  a  fecret 
 Chamber  that  he  may  there  ferveGod  the  r,iore  freely, 
 live  more  holiiy,  and  receive  a  greater  Meafure  of  the 
 holy  Spirit. 
 
 .  35.  He  who  negledeth  all  Temporal  Things,  and 
 is  wholly  enflamed  with  the  Medication  of  Heavenly, 
 he  mounteth  and  afcendeth  with  Chrifl  into  FJeaven. 
 
 37.  BlefFed  is  the  Soul  which  accounteth  it  Gain  tQ 
 live  and  die  with  ChriH. 
 
 58.  He  mufl  die  unto  himfelf,  who  defireth  to  live 
 nato  Chrifl  j   he  mufl  rcUnquifh  all  fading  Vanities, 
 
 who 
 
Book  11.      Of  Jesus  Christ.  93 
 
 who   will  tafte   of  the  Wifdom  and   Sweetnefs  of 
 
 39.  There  is  Sorrow  in  Living,  and  Grief  m  Dy- 
 ing *,  but  with  Chrift  is  Eternal  Life  and  Safety. 
 
 Difciple.  Oh  when  will  the  time  come  that  I  may  enjoy 
 CodferfeBlyt  and  be  wholly  united  unto  him!  For  fo  long 
 as  the  faithful  Soul  is  not  united  unto  Cod  inClory^  it  can^ 
 not  be  fully  blejfed. 
 
 Maker,  Wherefore  follow  thou  Chnft  with  the 
 Footfteps  of  L.ove  in  thy  Life,  by  Faith,  warm'd 
 with  Charity,  that  thou  maylt  be  made  worthy  to  be- 
 hold God  Face  to  Face  •,  and  partake  of  the  Beatitude 
 
 of  An£els. 
 
 Mafter  and  Difciple.  To  which  blefed  Fifion^  vouch^ 
 fafey  O  Lord  Jefu4  Chrift^  to  bring  us  all  \  who  hafi  fuf- 
 fered  for  us  ally  the  moft  bitter^  Jlameful,  jainful  and 
 
 accurfed  Death  of  the  Crofs,     Amen. 
 
 G    H  A   P.      XIX. 
 
 Of  the  Eternal  ?rajfe  of  God. 
 His  Fraife  is  ever  in  my  Mouthj  Pfal.  xxxiv* 
 
 Mafter,  /^H  fweet  Voice  in  the  Ears  of  all  devout 
 V_7  Perfons,  but  fweeter  in  the  Prefence  of 
 God  and  his  holy  Angels.  If  all  the  Inftruments  of 
 Mufick  were  founded  out  at  once^  and  fhould  not  re- 
 found  the  Glory  and  Praifeof  God,  well  they  might 
 make  a  confufed  Noife  and  Jangling,  but  they  could 
 never  recreate  or  fatisfy  an  holy  Soul  ^  for  it  is  expe- 
 dient that  God  and  his  Honour  be  the  Caufe  of  all  our 
 Mirth  ;  but  then  all  Vanity  muft  be  utterly  excluded; 
 if  we  look  to  have  our  praifing  of  God  grateful  and 
 aoceptabk. 
 
,94  ^f  tift  %mtation       Vol  ii- 
 
 If  the  purpofe  of  thy  Heart  be  fliicere,  then  thou 
 inayft  rejoice  and  ling  cordially  and  truly  with  the 
 l)le(red  Virgin  Mary  ^  faying,  My  Sod  doth  magnify 
 the  LORD  J  and  my  Spirit  rejoice  in  God  my  JESVS» 
 
 Qh  what  a  fweet  Harmony  it  makes  in  Heaven  and 
 £arth,  when  Man  and  every  Creature  with  a  pure 
 He^rt,  and  unanimous  Confent,  fet  forth  the  Praifes 
 of  God  for  his  immenfeGoodnefs,  and  excellent  Mag- 
 nificence \  Verily,  a  molt  pleafant  delectable  Work  it 
 lis  to  glorify  God  at  all  times,  to  love  the  Creator  of 
 ^11  things,  and  to  celebrate  with  higheft  Honour  the 
 liberal  Donor  of  Eternal  Life ;  for  truly  the  Life, 
 Glory,  and  Honour  of  the  blelTed  Angels,  is  a  conti- 
 •nuaU  conftant,  and  indefatigable  Adt  of  glorifying 
 God,  with  fincere,  hearty  and  moft  intimate  Affe- 
 £tions,  without  all  Tindure  or  Touch  of  Vain- 
 glory. 
 
 This  alfo  do  the  Souls  of  all  Saints  perform  in 
 their  Geleftial  Country,  being  freed  from  the  Fetters 
 of  the  Body  and  Snares  of  Satan,  fecured  from  all 
 Temptations,  united  to  God  in  perfedt  Charity,  and 
 replenifhed  by  Virtue  of  this  Union  with  unfpeakable 
 joy  and  Blefiednefs.  Thefe  being  there  fet  free,  and 
 enlarged,  do  revolve  with  great  Contentment,  and 
 with  abundance  of  Pleafdre  and  Sweetnefs  do  re- 
 fieQ:  in  what  Tribulation  and  Afflidions  they  fomc- 
 times  were;  and  how  great  Perils  and  Temptations 
 they  efcaped  and  vanquifhed  in  the  World  :  But  now 
 all  their  Accents  of  Sorrow  are  turned  into  Joy,  and 
 the  Grievoufnefs  of  their  CrolTes  adds  a  glorious  Lu- 
 itre  unto  their  Crowns.  Their  Lamentation  is  made 
 a  Jubilee  :  The  Thorns  which  fo  pricked  them  here 
 are  all  changed  into  Rofes. 
 
 Oh  how  bleired  is  that  Country,  wher6  is  all  Peace, 
 Xio  Sadnefsi  all  Pleafure,  and  alj  things  full  of  divine 
 Fraifcs  and  melodious  Songs- 
 
 Blefs 
 
Book  IL      ofjESUsCHRisT.  9I 
 
 Blefs  therefore,  O  thou  faithful  Soul,  the  Lord  of 
 Heaven  !  Praife  thy  God,  O  Sion>  while  thou  art 
 here  fighing  and  groaning  under  the  Weight  of  thy 
 linful  Flefh  !  Call  upon  Jefus  in  this  place  of  TriaU 
 that  he  may  vouchfafe  thee  a  place  with  his  holy  An-f 
 gels :  Pray  that  the  Devil's  AfTault  may  not  prevail 
 againft  thee,  neither  the  Wantonnefs  of  thine  own 
 Flefli  deceive  thee,  nor  the  Labour  of  thy  Body  dif- 
 courage  thee :  Put  thy  Shoulder  to  the  Burthen  of 
 the  Crofs  for  Chrift's  fake,  who  will  open  unto  thee 
 the  Gates  of  the  Kingdom.  What  doit  thou  more 
 delire  ? 
 
 The  high  Royal  Way  to  go  unto  Chrifl,  is  to  fub- 
 due  thy  own  Will,  to  fultain  Lofs,  and  not  to  feek 
 the  Contentments  of  the  Flefh.  Know  afluredly  thou 
 fhalt  have  Eternal  Reft  for  a  little  Labour,  Eternal 
 Honour  for  an  humble  State  and  low  Degree.  Let 
 the  Praifes  of  God  therefore  be  always  in  thy  Mouthy 
 in  Profperity  and  Adverlity  *,  for  by  this  means  mayft 
 thou  profit  thy  ielf  much,  if  thou  make  a  plenary  Fle- 
 fignation  of  thy  felf  unto  the  VV^ili  of  God. 
 
 Whatfoever  Grief,  inward  or  outward,  fhall  befal 
 thee,  entertain  it  pioufly  and  meekly,  as  coming  from 
 the  hand  of  a  moft  gracious  Creator,  who  provideth 
 for  all,  little  and  great :  For  he  who  made  thee  after 
 his  own  Image,  will  be  fure  to  take  care  of  thee  in 
 time  of  need,  for  his  own  tender  Mercies  fake. 
 
 Open  therefore  thy  Mouth  in  the  Praifes  of  Al- 
 mighty God,  whofe  Providence  governeth  all  things, 
 both  in  Heaven  and  Earth,  the  Sea  and  all  the  Depths. 
 Glorify  thy  Creator^  who  made  thee  a  Man,  and  not 
 a  Beaft  ;  and  if  he  had  made  thee  a  Fly,  he  had  done 
 nothing  amifs,  but  had  been  worthy  to  be  praifed. 
 The  Lion  cannot  boall:  of  his  Strength  againft  a  Fly 
 or  Gnat  ^  for  although  the  Lion  can  roar,  and  make 
 an  hideous  Noife,  yet  he  cannot  foar  aloft  like  a  Fly : 
 He  may  cry  louder,  but  cannot  raife  himfelf  fo  high. 
 
 Wherefore 
 
*i    I  1  I  ■-    11  1  "  .         ■l,,         I  --•■* 
 
 96  ^f  tj^e  9ImitatioiT        Vol.  ir^ 
 
 Wherefore  let  there  be  no  Strife  between  great  and 
 fmall,  rich  and  poor,  flrong  and  weak,  wife  and 
 jimple,  Mailer  and  Servant  5  bat  let  us  all  alike  Praife 
 the  Lord  our  God,  who  hath  created  with  fiich  won- 
 derful Beauty  and  Variety,  all  Creatures  in  their  fe- 
 Veral  Orders,  for  the  Glory  and  Honour  of  his  own 
 Name,  and  for  publick  Demon ftration  of  his  Love 
 and  Liberality  unto  Mankind. 
 
 Magnifie  (O  faithful  Soul!)  thy  Redeemer^  who 
 hath  ranfom'd  thee  out  of  the  hand  of  the  Deftroyer^ 
 and  vanquifhed  Death  by  his  bitter  PafTion  y  whofe 
 Merit  indeed  thou  canft  not  worthily  give  tha^iks  for^ 
 no  not  if  thou  wert  able  to  die,  and  be  crucified  a 
 thoufand  times  for  him:  All  would  bevaftly,  infinite^ 
 ly  fhort  of  the  Thanks  due  to  him. 
 
 Praife  thy  VrbteBor^  who  hath  kept  thee  from  many 
 dangerous  Sins :  and  who  continueth  10  frotech  thee 
 from  the  Evil  which  furroundeth  thee. ' 
 
 Glorify  thy  BenefaEior^  who  hath  fo  magnified  and 
 multiplied  his  Benefits  upon  thee;  Opening  his  Hand-i 
 and  filling  thee  with  Blejfing  daybyday. 
 
 Behold  yet  ftill  he  entertaineth  thee  with  new  Gifts,- 
 and  cometh  unto  thee  alfo  himfelf  in  the  holy  Sacra- 
 ment^ where  he  communicateth  unto  thee  Himfelf,  and 
 all  his  Benefits  :  For  all  thefe,  he  requireth  nothing 
 of  thee,  nor  receiveth  any  thing  fo  lovingly  froiii 
 thee,  as  the  Purity  and  Sincerity  of  thy  Love,  and 
 Thankfulnefs  returned  ;  with  Praifes  offered  up  mito 
 him  ',  which,  for  his  own  infinite  Goodnefs  fake,  h^ 
 is  gracioufly  pleafed  to  accept. 
 
 When  thy  Heart  fhali  be  cheered  with  the  profpe- 
 rous  Succefs  of  thine  Affairs,  or  with  the  Internal 
 Confolation  af  his  Grace,  give  him  Thanks  and  Praife, 
 becaufe  he  hath  vouch fafed  out  of  his  tender  Affection 
 to  comfort  thee,  left  thou  fhould'H:  faint  in  the  Way. 
 For  as  often  as  thou  readeft,  or  hearefi:  the  ^Vord  of 
 God,  and  meditaceft  devoutly  upon  the  Incarnation 
 )  and 
 
Book  IL        Of  J  Esus  Christ. 97 
 
 and  Paffion  of  Chrift  ^  fo  often  doth  he  fend  thee 
 Bread  from  Heaven  to  refrefh  thy  Soul. 
 
 When  Sicknefs  or  Sadnefs  Ihall  feize  upon  thee^ 
 praife  and  thank  him  likewife  *,  becaufe  he  then  vi^ 
 iiteth^  proVeth,  and  pui'geth  thee,  left  thou  grovr 
 proud  and  forget  him,  and  prefum^  too  much  upon 
 thy  felf  *,  for  the.  AiHi^ion  of  the  Body  oftentimes 
 dra^^.s  the  Heart  to  Compunction.  Wlieu  thoailiak 
 Le  Healthful  and  Strong,  let  him  have  the  Thanks  and 
 Praife,  becaufe  he  hath  given  thee  Strength  to  labour 
 and  affift  others,  that  fo  thou  may'ft  fpend  noTrffTe 
 idly. 
 
 When  thou  walkeffc  in  thy  Gat"den  or  Orchard^ 
 and  feeift  fundry  Trees  laden  with  feveral  kinds  of 
 pleafant  Fruits,  with  other  excellent  variety  of  de- 
 lightful Plants,  and  odoriferous  Flowers,  as  Rofes, 
 Lilies,  and  the  like,  alj .  fair,  frelh,  and  flour i (hi i1^: 
 Forget  not  then  to  render  thanks  unto  him,  becaufe 
 he  hath  manifelled  unto;  thee  hisgreiat  and  marVelTous 
 Works,  by  the  Produdion  and  Fruitfnlnefs  of  the 
 Earth,  which  he  reneweth  yearly  by  his  wonderful 
 Power  and  Wifdom,  out  of  his  mere  Bounty,  for  the 
 Utility  of  Men,  and  for  a  natural  Figure  unto  thefei 
 of  the  Refurredion. 
 
 In  every  place  therefore,  and  at  all  thiies,  praife 
 God,  and  give  him  Thanks,  becaufe  the  Earth  is  full 
 of  his  Majefty,  and  his  Glory  is  above  the  Heavens. 
 
 Praife  the  Lord  all  ye  his  Saints  on  Earth,  whole 
 Praife  all  the  Angels  of  Heaven  firlg  without  ceafing. 
 
 If  thou  praife  God,  thou  refembleft  the  Angels^  if 
 thou  praife  him  not,  thou  are  Ingrateful,  and  worfe 
 than  brute  Beads. 
 
 Confider  how  the  Birds  f!y  in  the  Ait,  the  Fifhe^ 
 fwim  in  the  Sea,  all  Cattle  cry,  and  all  the  Elements 
 move  in  their  Order,  to  the  Praife  of  God,  and  da 
 demonftrate  by  their  Natural  MotionSj  the  Magnifi° 
 cence  of  their  Creator. 
 
 H  U 
 
98  iSDf  t^e  Simttatwn        Vol.  ii. 
 
 In  all  thy.  Thoughts  therefore  fet  God  before  thine 
 Eyes  •,  beware  thou  do  not  offend  him  *,  return  him 
 Thanks  for  all  his  Benefits ;  and  at  the  end  of  every 
 one  of  thy  Works,  conclude  with  hearty  Thanks  to 
 God,  and  fay^  Glory  he  to  God^  now  and  ever.  Let 
 every  thing  that  hath  Breath  praife  the  Lord. 
 <:  Then  the  Difciple  PraifedG>odwith  the  Mafter  ^  and 
 Rejoiced  exceedingly  in  the  Lord  hisSavionr :  And  they 
 bothfmd^  Amen.  -'.■..  -"1       .;    .   i; 
 
 -oo 
 
 C   H   A    P^   ^.,._ 
 
 ,  The  Sours  Ajpiracipn.  - 
 
 f?ilo>i   >f   f^icjY/ci^  ?fio-:oliiobo  bnc  '.  in';'' 
 
 jDifciple.  O  God^  nfy  SmlfUrfi^th  after, thee ^  PfaLlxiii- 
 
 OHad  rof.  hfefLove  but'p^rti  ^'^^-^^  ; 
 
 That  chofen  was  by  God's  own  Heart !  • 
 Then  would  I  neither  Giant  feary- 
 Nor  Lion,  that  my  Soul  wou'd  tear. 
 No  Paffions  Ikoa'd  my  Spirit  vex, 
 Nor  Sorrow  once  my  Mind  perplex  ^  - 
 But  f  (hou'd  iftiill  all  Glory  give- 
 Unco  my.  God;  by  whomMi've: 
 And  to  the  Glory  of  his  NametJ   • 
 Wou'd,this  throughout  the  World  proclaim. 
 My  Walk  Ihou'd;  be  but  iii  hh  Ways, 
 MY*JaIk  but  odiyin  his  Praife  5'  -^ 
 My.  Life  a.  Dnnhyhui  in  his  Love  ; 
 My  Death  a  Lite  for  him  to  prove  ^ 
 U:f  Care  to  keep'aiGonfcience  clean; 
 L>A.y  Wilihom  \iiicfced  Thoughts  to  wean  j 
 My  Pain^  a  Flea  fare ;  Tr^ttr/,  Eafei 
 My  God  thus  in  all  things  to  Pleafe. 
 Nor  Earth,  nor  Heaven  (hou'd  me  move  ^ 
 Butiliil  my  Lord  fhou'd  be  my  Love.  ^       If 
 
Book  II.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T,  py 
 
 If  I  were  Sick^  he  were  my  Health  j 
 If  I  were  Poor^  he  were  my  Wealth  : 
 If  I  were  Weakj  he  were  my  Strength  \ 
 If  Dead,  he  were  my  Life  at  length  j 
 If  Scorn  d^  he  only  were  my  Grace  j 
 If  Banifljed^  he  my  Reftlng-flace  : 
 If  Wrong  dj  he  only  were  my  Right  j 
 If  Sad^  he  were  my  Soul's  Delight* 
 III  Sum,  and  All,  All-only  he, 
 Shou'd  be  All,  above  All^  to  me. 
 
 Tljen  the  Mafler ,  faid  to  the  Difciple  in  this  manner  f 
 Thou  haft  made  a  good  Choice,  my  Son-,  and  the 
 Breathings  of  thine  Heart  are  doubtlefs  accepted  be- 
 fore the  Moft  High.  Now  therefore  according 
 to  thy  Refolution  thus  made,  even  fo  be  it.  The 
 Way  is  prepared  for  thee  to  Walk  in  :  Yea  his  Path 
 is  made  Strait  \  fee  that  thou  depart  not  from  it. 
 
 Chap.    XXL 
 
 The  Strait  Way. 
 
 Mafter.  "the  Way  of  the  Jufi  is  V fright  nefs^  Ifa.  xxvii'v 
 
 D.  'T^HE  Way  of  the  Righteous  is  made  flraic,^ 
 X    and  the  Journey  of  the  Saints  is  prepared. 
 
 M.  How  ? 
 
 D.  By  Dolour  and  Labour.  This  is  that  Way  wt 
 travel  to  Heaven  by. 
 
 M>  Is  there  not  another  Way  to  Life  everlafting  ^ 
 
 p.  No.  The  only  ftrait  W.^Jy^  js^  that  oi  the 
 Crofs.  •       ' 
 
 M,  Is  it  fo  ? 
 
 H  -  VAt 
 
>*■ 
 
 100  iSDt  tl)t  Sinittatton:       Vol.  II. 
 
 D.  It  is  fo  verily  5  Chrift  has  taught  this  Way 
 by  his  Word  j  and  by  his  holy  Example  has  chalk'd 
 it  out  to  be  followed  by  all.  This  all  the  Saints  have 
 walked  in  after  his  Steps,  even  unto  the  Death,  ac- 
 cording to  that  faying  of  the  Lord*,  Ejner  ye  in  at 
 the  Strait  Gate^  which  leadeth  unto  Life, 
 
 M.  O  devout  Soul,  what  doft  thou  in  the  Clofet  ? 
 
 X>.  I  Read,  I  Write,  I  gather  Honey. 
 
 M,  Thou  hall  well  faid^  for  the  Clofet  of  the  De- 
 vout Chridian  ought  to  be  imployed  fervently  about 
 holy  Books,  godly  Meditation,  and  fuch  other  holy 
 Exercifesand  Labours.     Well,  what  dolt  thou  in  the 
 
 Church  ? 
 
 D,  I  confefs  my  Sins  before  God^  I  render  him 
 Thanks  for  all  his  Benefits^  1  fing  forth  his  molt  wor- 
 thy Praife*,  I  hear  his  moft  holy  Word  *,  and  to  con- 
 clude, 1  ask  of  him,  in  the  Communion  of  all  Saints, 
 whatever  is  requifite  and  needful  for  Body  and  Soul, 
 glorifying  him  in  all,  and  for  all  that  I  receive  at  his 
 Hands. 
 
 ^/.  Thou  haft  well  anfwered  \  for  thefe  are  the  true 
 Ends  of  going  to  Church.  Confeflion,  Thankfgiving 
 and  Praife,  with  hearing  the  Holy  Scriptures  read 
 and  preached  ,  do  here  challenge  our  Time  *,  not 
 omitting  fuch  other  Addrefles  of  Supplication  and 
 Literceflion  as  are  fuited  to  our  Neceflities,  and  are 
 becoming  the  Divine  Majefty  to  grant.  But  of  all 
 the  Publick  Service,  the  principal  feems  to  be  the 
 Lauds,  and  the  Singing  or  Reading  the  Ffdms  with 
 a  Voice  of  Jubilee.  For  here  ought  God  to  be  praifed 
 *vith  Heart  and  Mouth,  even  as  it  is  in  Heaven.  For 
 as  it  is  meet  and  right  at  all  Times,  and  in  all  Places  | 
 too,  to  ufe  this  //^^^^w/y  Exercife^  fo  ought  we  moft  | 
 chiefly  fo  to  dc^,  when  we  are  aflembled  for  this  very  ' 
 End  in  the  Church.  And  hence  it  is  not  without 
 good  Ground  fubjoined,  Tlocrefore  zcith  j^ngels  and 
 Archa^jgelsy  and  ivith  all  the  Qmfany  of  Heaven^  z^e 
 Lnitd^  &c.  ■^-  With 
 
Book  II.     of  Jesus  C  HP.  1ST.  loi 
 
 r 
 
 D.  With  thefe  truly  I  laud  and  magnify  God's 
 Glorious  Name,  in  the  publick  Congregation ;  and 
 therefore  do  1  alfo  fing,  To  thee  fill  Angels  cry  doitd^ 
 the  Heavens  and  all  the  Powers  therein. 
 M*  What  doft  thou  at  the  Table  f 
 X>.  I  both  Eat  and  Drink  in  remembrance  of  my 
 Saviour,  and  offer  np  the  Creatures  upon  the  Altar 
 of  his  Crofs  \  prefenting  as  well  my^  Body  as  my 
 Soul  to  be  a  reafonable  Sacrifice  unto  him. 
 
 M.  It  is  well  anfwered  of  thee  •,  for  this  ought  to 
 be  the  ultimate  End  of  our  Natural  Food.  But, 
 pray,  i>chat  doll  thou  eat  ? 
 
 D.  The  Gall  of  Chrifl.  I  ruminate  upon  his 
 Wounds,  I  condole,  I  caft  up  their  Number,  and  I 
 then  one  by  one  bewail  them. 
 
 M.  Thou  haft  well  ruminated  in  thy  Mind  upon 
 it^  for  nothing  could  be  ever  more  juft  than  this 
 Thought  of  thine.  Since  the  Table  of  the  Poor 
 ought  to  be  principally  employ'd  about  the  Poverty 
 and  Sufferings  of  Chrift,  with  giving  of  Thanks. 
 But  what  eateft  thou  here  belides  i 
 
 D»  There  is  fometimes  given  me,  by  the  Grace  of 
 my  Heavenly  Father,  a  certain  hidden  Manna '^  which 
 I  am  no  wile  able  to  defcribe.  But  this  1  know, 
 that  it  has  in  it  all  variety  of  Savours,  according  as 
 the  Palate  is  which  talles  it. 
 
 M,  It  is  true  that  thou  haft  faid  :  And  blefTed  art 
 
 thou  in  being  fo  highly  favoured  as  to  tafte  of  this 
 
 fpiritual  Food  *,  which  v^^ill  ftrengthen   thee  for  thy 
 
 Journey  to  that  Land  of  Delights,  which  I  perceive 
 
 thou  art  travelling  to,     But  what  Drinkefi  thou  ac 
 
 Supper  ? 
 
 I).  Good  Leffons,  full  of  Nedar. 
 
 M,  Well  haft  thou  anfwered  again.    For  the  Meals 
 
 of  the  Devout  Chriftian  ought  to  be  accompanied 
 
 with  holy  Reading,  and  drawing  the  W^ater  of  Life 
 
 put  of  the  Weils  of  Salvation  I  Or  with  fome  good 
 
 H  3  and 
 
I02  ^t  t\)t  SitHltattOlT  Vol.  II. 
 
 and  profitable  Difcourfe.  For  is  not  the  Soul  more 
 than  the  Body  ?  If  a  good  Draught  is  refrefhing  in 
 the  Mouth,  how  much  more  a  good  llnderflanding  of 
 the  Sacred  Scripture  in.  the  Heart. 
 
 Chap.    XXIL 
 77:?^  Guard  of  the  Heart  and  Month, 
 
 1  faid  1  will  tale  heed  to  my  Ways  that  1  offend  not  in  my 
 Tongue ^  Pfalm-  xxxix. 
 
 '^TEver  be  thou  Idle,  nor  Talkative,  nor  Curi- 
 JL  ^  ous,  nor  given  to  Laughter.  Before  thy  La- 
 hour,  and  in  thy  Labour,  be  thou  (till  mindful  of  the 
 Lord  thy  God,  that  he  may  keep  thee  in  all  thy 
 Ways. 
 
 Thou  art  always  amongfl:  Enemies,  and  art  amidft 
 the  Perils  of  a  tempeftuous  Sea  now  tofs'd  to  and  fro^ 
 therefore  mull  thou  pray  without  ceaiing,  that  thou 
 oeefc  net  overcome  of  the  Vices  and  Pafllons,  and 
 drovvned  in  the  Gulf  of  Defparatlon. 
 
 Stand  up  ftoutly  *,  do  not  at  all  flinch  in  thy  daily 
 Combat:  But  fpecially  have  a  Care  of  three  Bealls. 
 J  a  the  Morning  fight  againft  5/5^^-,  at  Noon  againft 
 (jliittony  \  at  Night  againft  Fleflily  LMft.  The  Dog 
 -nil  ileep  late,  the  Wolf  will  eat  a  great  deal,  the  ^y.f 
 will  be  wanton  in  lying  down.  Roufe  up  the  Dog 
 with  a  Whlp^  beat  the  Wolf  with  a  Stnff^  fcourge  the 
 Afs  with  prickly  Thorns.  The  Whip  is  the  Fear  of 
 Deaths  the  Staff  is  the  Fire  of  f/f//,  the  Tliorns  the 
 Pajjion  of  Ciiriil:.  With  thefe  tiiree  Weapons  are  the 
 Vices  of  the  Melh  overcome  and  fubdu'd. 
 
 Leave  tQ. the  World  its  Vanities :    But  bufie  thon 
 thy  feif  ill  th^  Way.  of  God.     Follow  thou  Chrift  li- 
 
 lently. 
 
Book  II.      of  Jesus  Ch  a  I  ST.  103 
 
 lently.  Shut  thy  Door  upon  thee,  and  call  into  thy 
 Heart  Him,  who  hath  fo  loved  thee,  as  even  to  lay 
 down  his  Life  for  thee. 
 
 Chap.    XXIII. 
 
 Frequent  Invocatmi  of  the  T^aine  of  Chriji, 
 Help  me^  and  fo  Jhall  J  he  faved^    PfaL  cxix. 
 
 SE  E  that  thou  invocate  God  in  every  Work, 
 Morning,  Noon  and  Night  at  leafl:^  and  fo  with 
 holy  Da?7iel  (halt  thou  be  helped  in  every  Neceffity, 
 as  well  of  the  Body  as  of  the  Soul. 
 
 Have  Jefus  in  thy  Hearty  fo  (halt  thou  be  dean  from 
 all  Filth.     For  where  He  is  no  Unholinefs  can  abide. 
 
 Have  his  Prayer  in  thy  Spirit,  and  have  it  often  too 
 in  thy  Mouth  -,  To  (halt  thou  be  filled  with  the  Con- 
 folation  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  who  is  truly  called  the 
 Comforter,  as  thou  then  wilt  find  by  Experience. 
 
 Solitude  and  Silence ,  Prayer  and  Fafting  are  the 
 Arms  of  the  Spiritual  Chriftian. 
 
 To  labour  in  the  Day-time,  and  to  watch  and 
 pray  in  the  Night,  is  the  fpecial  Exercife  of  the 
 Saints.  This  is  acceptable  to  God,  pleafing  to  the 
 Angels,  and  contrary  to  the  Devils ;  profitable  to  the 
 Young  and  delightful  to  the  Aged  ^  to  the  Slothful 
 it  is  hard  and  burthenfom,  but  to  the  Devout  it  is 
 light  and  pleafant,  eafie  and  fw^et. 
 
 When  thou  canft  not  watch  as  thou  oughteft,  be 
 fure  to  call  upon  the  Name  of  Jesus  i  fo  fhall  the 
 Devil,  the  Enemy  of  all  Good,  be  made  to  flee  from 
 thee.  , 
 
 When  thou  canft  not  fleep  for  very  Sorrow,  and 
 all  Reft  departeth  far  from  thee  ^  endeavour  to  medi- 
 
 H  4  ^^^^ 
 
IC4  M  tl^e  limitation        Vol.  ii> 
 
 tate  upon  the  Land  of  everlafting  Peace,  and  the 
 Inhabitants  thereof  ^  fo  (halt  thou  have  the  good  An- 
 gel of  the  Lord  pre  fen  t  with  thee. 
 
 When  thou  art  tired  with  Prayer,  be  it  vocal  or 
 mental,  ftrive  to  ponder  and  ruminate  a  little  on  the 
 Ffalms:  So  fhalt  thou  be  fortified  by  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
 the  beft  Comforter,  the  inmoft  Teacher,  and  the 
 greateft  Enlightncr  of  the  Heart. 
 
 Chap.    XXIV. 
 
 The  Daily  Combat. 
 
 'The  Violent  take  it  by  force  t  Mat.  xi. 
 
 PUT  on  therefore  the  Arms  of  the  holy  Crofs,  fight 
 as  a  good  Soldier,  fludy  as  an  induflrious  SchoT 
 lar  in  Chrill's  School,  pray  as  a  devout  Lover,  la- 
 bour as  a  faithful  Servant  of  God  j  and  thou  fhalt  be 
 in  Heaven  glorioully  crowned. 
 ■  As  one  Nail  is  driven  out  with  another;  fo  is  Vice 
 ipxpelled  by  Virtue.  Wrath  is  rellrained  by  Silence, 
 <31uttony  refrained  by  Fafling,  Sloth  put  to  flight  by 
 Labour,  idle  Laughter  is  diffolved  by  holy  Sorrow, 
 Hatred  is  llain  with  Love,  and  an  Enemy  is  appeafed 
 yvith  Kindnefs. 
 
 Peace  of  Heart  is  obtained  by  Patience  ;  and  he  that 
 lightly  reproveth  others,  falkth  eafily  into  Indigna- 
 tion. For  to  be  but  a  little  entangled  in  Bulinefs,  is 
 the  Acquifition  of  much  Peace.  The  Lefs  of  the 
 .World,  die  more  of  Chrift. 
 
 It  is  often  faid,  and  often  \t  ought  to  be  repeated, 
 Z;hat  it  may  be  kept  well  in  mind :  Nothing  is  more 
 eafie  to  be  faid,  more  ble (Ted  to  be  done,  according 
 to  ChrlftV  own  Words  :  If  ye  know  thefe  things^  Blef- 
 fed  are  ye  if  ye  do  thcm^  -  Many 
 
Book  IL       of  Jesus  Chkist.  105 
 
 Many  are  full  of  Words  v  iew  can  keep  Silence. 
 Many  are  full  of  Defires,  few  that  are  contented  with 
 a  little.     Here  is  the  great  Exercife. 
 
 No  one  is  fully  contented,  unlefs  he  fully  enjoys  the 
 Supreme  Good. 
 
 That  is  a  poor  Table  where  Bread  and  Salt  is  want- 
 ing; that  is  an  inllpid  Meal,  where  Chrill,  the  Bread 
 of  Heaven,  and  Salt  of  Souls  preferving  them  from 
 Corruption  is  abfent,  and  God  is  forgotten  •,  and  where 
 vain  Words  abound.  The  belt  Difh  for  the  Soul  is 
 the  Word  of  God  heard,  and  well  digefted.  Look 
 l^p  to  Heaven  with  the  Eye  of  F^ith,  fo  Ihak  thou  be 
 made  to  partake  of  the  Bread  thereof,  and  thy  Heart 
 fhall  tafle  the  Sweetnefs  of  the  Lord. 
 
 He  is  fed  with  delicious  Food,  who  is  delighted 
 with  the  facred  Books :  But  he  that  willingly  hears, 
 and  feeks  after  vain  Difcourfe,  fhall  be  famiihed ;  ancl 
 fhall  remain  for  a  long  while  after  dry  and  undevout. 
 
 But  O  that  thy  Children,  O  Lord,  might  know,  and 
 duly  at  all  times  confider,  that  it  is  not  the  Growirjfr 
 qf  Fruits  that  nouri[heth  Man'^  but  that  it  is  thy  IVordy 
 fullaining  and  upholding'all  Creatures,  which  prefer- 
 veth  thsm  that  fut  their  trufi  in  thee!  And  that  it  is  not 
 by  the  omzvard  Bread  only^  or  principally,  but  by  every 
 Word  that  proceedeth  out  of  thy  Mbitth^  that 
 they  do  live:  For  the  Creature  verily  is  l^^uf.  yiii^ 
 made  obedient  to  thy  Grace^  that  nonrifljeth  all     ?Jf.":  ^^''Z 
 
 I.  J'  1  J    r  r     1  J  Wild.  XVI. 
 
 things-,    according   to  the   dejire  of  them  that 
 have  need^  and  lh2itfray  unto  thee   iov  Food  conveni- 
 ent, 
 
 O  that  my  Children,  whom  thou  lovell,  O  Lord, 
 might  know  this,  and  attend  thereto  whenfoever  they 
 eat  and  drink !  And  that  thou  wouldeft  be  prefent 
 with  them,  opening  thine  Hand,  and  fatisfying  the 
 Defire  of  their  Souls !  Are  we  not  hungry,  and  thir- 
 fty,  in  the  Wildernefs?  O  fatisfie  us  right  foon  J 
 $atis{ie  us,  left  we  faint  by  the  W'ay  ^  and  fo  enter 
 ^ ' '  no: 
 
iG^  flDf  t^tJ?rittatton        Vol.  IL 
 
 ^ — it— ^ . 
 
 f 
 
 not  into  the  Reft  of  tli«e,  our  King  and  our  Saviour. 
 So  will  we  utter  the  Mei^orial  of  thy  great  Goodnefs  i 
 and  will  ling  of  thy  Love. 
 
 Chap.    XXV, 
 The  Sours  bejl  Goods. 
 I  will  love  thee  O  Lord^  my  Virtue^  Pfal.  xviii. 
 
 AMong  the  Noble,  that  is,  fuch  as  are  Noble 
 indeed,  nothing  is  more  noble  than  Virtue  \ 
 among  the  Ignoble,  nothing  more  bafe  than  Vice  \ 
 among  the  Fair  and  Beautiful,  nothing  fairer  than 
 Chaftity^  am.ong  the  Sciences,  nothing  higher  than 
 Wifdom  j  among  Books  of  Devotion,  nothing  more 
 edifying  than  the  Life  of  Chrijl  •,  among  all  the  Pray- 
 ers and  Praifes  of  God,  nothing  to  be  compared  with 
 tilQ  Lor£s  Prayer. 
 
 This  holy  Prayer  excels  all  the  Vows  and  Defires 
 oi  the  Saints;  for  in  it  Telf  it  contains  all  the  Sayings 
 of  the  Prophets,  and   the  mellifluous  Words  of  the 
 Pfalms  and   Canticles,  after  a  moil  full,  but  fecret 
 manner.    It  petitions  for  all  things  needful  *,  it  Prai- 
 fes God  moll  highly;  it  knits  the  Soul  to  God,  and 
 lifts  her  up  from  the  Earth  to  Heaven  ;  it  penetrates 
 the  Clouds,  and  even  tranfcends  the  Angels.    Blefled 
 is  he  that  attentively  confiders  every  Word  of  Chrifl: 
 therein,  as  in  the  Name  and  Spirit  of  its  Author. 
 ^  By  this  the  PaHlons  are  reprefled,   the  Tempta- 
 tions overcome,  the  Vices  healed,    the  Virtues  aug- 
 mented, the  Graces  ftrengthened  :  Faith  by  it  takes 
 a  new  Vigour,  Hope  is  eilabliflied,  and  Charity  be- 
 comes both  more  ardorous  and  more  extenlive. 
 
 The  Name  of  God  is  thus  fanv^lified  in  the  Will 
 and    Uaderftanding  •,    his  Kingdom  comes  into  the 
 
 Soul 
 
Book  II.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  Pv  I  s  T.  IC7 
 
 Soul  in  Truth  and  Peaces  his  Will  is  done  and  ful- 
 filled therein  as  by  the  holy  Angels  in  Heaven  \  the 
 Coleltial  Manna  and  the  new  Name  are  given;  all  paffc 
 Trefpafles  and  Trangreflions  are  entirely  blotted  out ; 
 and  laltly  the  Evil  one  is  confounded  to  fee  himfelf 
 fo  difappointed  in  his  Attacks  and  Temptations,  he 
 being  not  In  the  leaft  able  to  hurt  the  Praying  Chri- 
 Itian  v^ho  thus  exercifes  himfelf  as  he  is  command- 
 ed and  dire(f^ed. 
 
 Blefled  is  he  that  attentively  confiders  and  v;reigh<; 
 all  the  Words  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl: :  For  in  them 
 is  Life  indeed  ^  and  they  are  the  Words  of  Eternal 
 Truth.  Let  him  that  hath  an  Ear  hear,  what  the 
 Truth  it  felf  fpeaketh. 
 
 Whatever  any  IVlan  bnildeth  upon  the  Oracles  of 
 Chrifl,  is  bulk  upon  a  Rock:  But  what  is  built  on 
 Human  Sayings,  is  founded  on  the  Qiiick^fands.  The 
 Righteoufhefs  of  Chrifl  is  far  different  from  that  of 
 all  the  Phiiofophers:  As  thou  art  a  Difjiple  there- 
 fore of  Chrifr,  and  not  of  Men,  let  his  Righreouf* 
 nefs,  rather  than  theirs,  be  thine  :  Follow  thou  him, 
 not  them  *,  and  make  his  Virtue,  which  is  perfeCl,  thy 
 Standard. 
 
 It  is  indeed  a  great  matter  to  value  Virtue  for  it*^ 
 own  Excellence  and  Beauty:  But  if  thou  dofl  fo, 
 what  doit  thou  more  than  what  even  the  very  Hea- 
 thens by  their  Natural  Light  have  done  ?  As  for  thee 
 now,  who  profelfefl  thy  felf  a  Follower  of  Him,  and 
 of  his  Law,  thou  mufb  learn  to  value  Virtue,  for  the 
 Beauty,  Vv^orthand  Excellency  which  it  has  in  Chrilb 
 Jefus,  in  whom  thou  flialt  find  it.  For  in  its  Self., 
 Virtue  is  a  thing  Natural-^  but  as  confider'd  in  Hlm^^ 
 it  is  Divine.  Love  it  therefore,  becaufe  thou  admi- 
 red and  adorefl  if,  in  Chrifl:  Pradife  it,  becaufe 
 it  was^  Chrift's  Praifiice  ;  and  that,  in  fo  doing, 
 thou  copiefl  after  him,  v>?{fo  is  the  moil  perfect  Ori- 
 ginal, the  mofl  beautiful  Examplar,  and  mofl  fate 
 Foundation.  C  ?i  a  p» 
 
ic8  jfiDf  tlie  imitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 Chap.    XXVI. 
 
 Tloe  True  and  Inward  Comfort. 
 
 To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  Hidden 
 Manna^  and  vcill  give  him  a  new  Name^  Rev.  ii. 
 
 THE  Hidden  Manna  is  theConfolation  of  the  Holy 
 Ghofl:,  from  the  Hope  of  Pardon,  and  from  the 
 Contrition  of  Sins,  with  a  good  Purpofe  and  firm  In- 
 tention of  leading  a  new  Life,  and  perfifling  and  im- 
 proving therein  to  God's  Glory.  God  is  true,  and 
 all  his  Works  are  true  ,  they  are  not  to  be  ihaken. 
 Heaven  and  Earth  may  pafs  away :  But  thefe  (hall 
 remain*,  they  fhall  remain  for  ever  and  ever.  Verily, 
 verily,  here  is  the  Confolation  of  the  Saints. 
 
 A  true  and  faithful  Friend  fpeaketh  no  Lye,  nor 
 dealeth  fraudulently  with  his  Neighbour.  If  any  one 
 deceive  another,  the  Truth  is  not  in  him.  The  faith- 
 ful Friend  is  a  Comforter  in  God's  Hand*,  and  if  he 
 knoweth  to  do  good,  and  to  give  good  Gifts,  where 
 heloveth^  how  much  more  doth  our  heavenly  Friend? 
 
 He  that  is  Proud  of  any  Good,  is  neither  Grateful 
 jior  Faithful  to  God.  Be  not  exalted  with  Pride,  left 
 thou  lofe  that  Gift  which  thou  haft  received  from 
 above,  without  any  Merit  of  thine  own. 
 
 Have  a  care  of  thy  good  Name^  but  do  not  feign 
 thy  felf  Better,  nor  believe  thy  felf  Holier  than  others. 
 
 A  good  Life  makes  a  good  Name :  And  he  that 
 governs  himfelf  ill,  need  not  complain  if  he  lofe  his 
 
 good  Name. 
 
 He  obtains  again  the  iV^Tpiv-^wf,  who  puts  ott  the 
 
 corrupt  Habits  of  the  Old  Nature^  and  forfakes  all 
 Evil  Manners.  This  is  the  Way  only  for  thee  to  ar- 
 rive at  interior  Confolation,  and  to  purchafe  the  Pre- 
 cious Jewel  of  the  Peace  of  God  in  the  Soul. 
 
 He 
 
»     II    I     ■     I  I  '         < •-- 
 
 Book  II.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  109 
 
 He  truly  begins  to  live,  as  a  Child  that  is  new 
 born,  who  firmly  propounds  henceforward  to  walk 
 in  the  Spirit ,  and  ihuns  and  defpifes  all  things 
 hurtful. 
 
 Better  is  a  good  Fame  from  Holinefs  of  Life,  thaa 
 the  fweet  Odour  of  moft  precious  Ointment,  or  than 
 much  Riches.  And  the  Internal  Peace,  which  is  fowa 
 in  the  Silence  and  Solitude  of  the  Heart,  that  is  drawa 
 from  the  World,  and  fet  wholly  upon  God,  is  indeed 
 infinitely  beyond  all  that  can  be  hoped  for  on  Earth* 
 
 Chap.    XXVII. 
 
 The  Recolkclion  of  the  Heart  in  Silence. 
 
 ^My  Secret  is  with  w^,  lia.  xxiv.  yalg,  Lat* 
 
 •T-rrHen  thou  (halt  find  thy  felf  diflra^ed  ,  or 
 VV  drawn  outwards,  by  reafon  of  long  Difcourfes 
 and  Conferences,  recoiled  thy  felf  again  in  long  Si- 
 lence, abiding  within  alone  in  thy  Clofet,  and  groan- 
 ing in  the  Secret  Ground  of  thy  Heart  for  what  thou 
 haft  committed. 
 
 The  Diftradion  of  Heart  foon  comes  from  things 
 £t^R  and  heard :  But  frequent  Prayer,  and  internal 
 Compundion,  expel  thence  all  noxious  Imaginations 
 and  fuperfluous  Cares. 
 
 Now,  tho'  the  outward  Solitude  may  here  much 
 aflift  for  the  obtaining  the  defired  Peace  of  Mind  y 
 yet  know,  that  it  is  poflible  for  thee  to  be  alone  and 
 lilent,  even  in  the  heart  of  a  Crowd,  and  in  the  great- 
 eft  Multitude,  by  keeping  a  ftrong  Guard  at  the  Door 
 of  thy  Heart  and  Mouth. 
 
 ^  Secret  um  meum  mi  hi. 
 
 This 
 
110  mtU  imitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 This  interior  Solitude  of  the  Souljcoafiflsin  a  Dif- 
 engagement  from  all  Creatures,  and  a  Nakednefs  of 
 all  the  AfFe(fl:ions  ,  Defires  and  Thoughts  of  this 
 World.  O  how  happy  is  that  Soul,  that  is  once  come 
 to  be  truly  Solitary  I 
 
 True  and  undefiled  Religion  conflfls  not  in  a  noify 
 Appearance,  but  in  a  filent  fweet  Compofednefs  of 
 Mind,  influencing  and  gently  direding  the  whole 
 Courfe  of  Life,  according  to  the  Pattern  giv^nby  our 
 Lord  in  the  Mount. 
 
 Learn  then  to  retire  in  the  true  Poverty  and  Na- 
 kednefs of  Spirit,  turning  the  Eyes  of- thy  Mind, 
 with  allthelntelleSual  Powersand  Faculties, inwards^ 
 and  let  thy  Soul,  taken  off  from  the  World,  fweetly 
 repofe  in  the  Arms  of  her  Jefus.  The  more,  O  Soul, 
 thou  fhalt  difrobe  thy  felf,  the  more  flialt  thou  be 
 clothed  with  Chrift  *,  and  the  more  empty  thou  art 
 of  thy  own  Will,  the  more  (halt  thou  be  filled  with 
 his  Spirit,  and  eflablifhed  in  his  Will.  O  feek  him 
 only,  and  let  him  have  all  thy  Sighs. 
 
 Go  on  without  ftop :  Halt  not  in  any  Creature 
 whatever*,  but  prefs  forward  towards  this  Internal 
 Retirement,  wherein  God  is  found,  and  his  marvel- 
 lous Converfation  is  enjoyed.  Rt colled,  ccmpofe, 
 and.drefs  thy  Mind  in  the  Divine  Prefence*,  and  for- 
 get every  Care  and  Thought  that  would  drag  thee 
 down,  or  divert  thee  from  fo  high  a  BlelTing,  as  the 
 intimate  and  fwect  Llnion  of  Love,  which  is  felt  in 
 this  holy  Solitude. 
 
 He  that  feeks  not  after  Profit,  nor  covets  any  thing 
 on  the  Esrth,  and  retires  frbm  all  Tumult  and  Hur- 
 ry^ may  foon  learn  to  fiee  freely  to  Chrift  in  the 
 Heavens',  according  to  what  St.  Aforricay  the  nioft  de- 
 vout Mother  of  St.  Aitfl-in^' {-Avs  in  a  certain  place, 
 Chrijlians^  let  us  fly  to  Heaven, 
 
 G  H  A  p. 
 
Book  II.      of  Jesus  Christ.  m 
 
 Chap.     XX\1II- 
 
 Jgainjl  Vain  Glory. 
 
 Every  Man  living  is  altogether  Vanity^  Pfal.  xxxix. 
 
 -QllT  hadfl:  thou  even  Wings  to  fly  up^  and  mount 
 JJ  Heaven  ^  yet  take  very  great  heed  to  thy  felf. 
 For  thou  art  not  out  of  Danger  be  thou  never  fo  high- 
 ly Favoured.  In  thy  moll  holy  Solitude  the  Tempter 
 will  ftrfve-ta  break  in,  and  to  lift  thee  up. 
 
 Shun  being  extoll'd  for  any  Good  before  Men  *,  for 
 thou  haft  many  Defaults  within  which  God  difcern-- 
 eth  but  which  thou  thy  felf  feell  not,  neither  confide- 
 refl '^s  thou  oughteft. 
 
 There  is  no  greater  hindrance  than  this,  of  true 
 InternarPeaGe  :  And  for  Man  who  is  Vanity,  to 
 glory  in  himfelf,  is  the  mofb  infamous  and  fcandalqus 
 of  Li^^l  Aniwo; 
 
 '-  ■■  He  who  fedketh  after  the  Praife  of  Men  for  feme 
 fingul'ar  Deed,  doth  often,  by  the  wife  PermifTionqf 
 God,  incur  Gonfufion  before  a  Multitude  openly.  ' 
 ■V  A  g<5bd  ComplexionfhewsbeftvvithQut;  Painting  : 
 And  where  Virtue  isS'  it  will  appear  to  itl:owri 
 Praife  j  although  all  the  Tongues  and  Pens  of  Men  be 
 *Klenr.  And  thole  only  are  truly  Praife-worthy, 
 whofe  own  proper  Virtues  fpeak  their  own  Praifes,: 
 Whole  Praileis  not  of  Men,  but  of  God.'  ;*';^^^'':^ 
 
 Vain  Glory,  and  the  Love  of  one's  own  Praife,  de- 
 ceive very  many  *,  depriving  them  of  the  Eternal 
 good  Things ;  As  appears  in  the  FoollJI)  Firginr^^  who 
 vainly  imagined  tliemfelves  to  be  as  the  Wife. 
 
 What  is  more  foolilh  than  to  chufe  the  vain  and 
 ihadowy  things,  and   to  reject   the  troe  and  real  ? 
 What  more  perverfe  than  to  r^egled  God,  and  to  at- 
 tend 
 
112  jflDf  t\)t  imitation        Vol.  il 
 
 tend  to  Man?  What  more  extravagant  than  to  value 
 the  World  ,  and   undervalue  Heaven  ? 
 
 Let  nothing  be  great  unto  thee,  nothing  high,  no- 
 thing grateful,  nothing  acceptable,  b^utonly  God  him- 
 lelf  purely  :  Or  that  which  is  for  God,  and  in  perfed 
 Subordination  to  him. 
 
 The  Heart  of  the  Rich  Man  is  in  'the  Earth  :  The 
 Heart  of  the  Poor  Good  Man  is  in  Heaven.  The 
 Heart  of  the  humble  One  is  Hf7d€r  God:  The  Heart 
 of  the  Proud  is  againfi  God. 
 
 Chap.    XXIX. 
 
 ■  MA  '• 
 Cleanefs   of  Hearts 
 
 Bhjfed  are  the  Pure  in  Hearty  Matt.  V* 
 
 ■i »  -^ 
 
 .        ^    i  '-_...    . 
 
 CLeanfe  thy  Heart  from  Vices,  following  the  Di- 
 vine Grace,  that  fo  thou  may'H  be  truly  good  : 
 For  why,  O  Wretch,  feekeft  thou  to,  be  commended 
 for  thofe  good  things  which  thou  haft  not?  Thoii 
 art  truly  defpifable  in  many  things,  fo  as  thou  may  ft 
 defervedly  blufh  at  thy  felt  for  thefe,  however  thou 
 careft  not  to  hear  thereof  from  others. 
 
 Who  are  thofe  that  love  Vanity?  Such  as  affed  tlig|i 
 Praife  of  Man,  rather  than  of  God.     The  more  \^ 
 lently  and  fecretly  thou  doft  any  good   Aftion,  it  is 
 always  the  heft. 
 
 The  humble  Perfon,  and  he  that  is  vile  in  liis  owa 
 Eyes,  flands  in  the  Truth:  And  never  lifts  up  him- 
 felf  for  any  Good  that  is  in  him  ^  but  continually 
 humbles  his  Soul,  and  confefTes  himfelf  a  Sinner, 
 and  laments  for  the  fame  bitterly. 
 
 Look 
 
 & 
 
Book  II.       ofjESusCHKisT.  1 13 
 
 Look  into  thy  felf  thoroughly  well  ^  fearch  what  lies 
 molt  deep  hidden  within  thee:  And  do  not  flightly  be- 
 lieve a  ftrange  Tongue,  or  windy  Fame.  I  have  feea 
 one  praifing  his  Neighbour  to  the  Face,  and  behind 
 his  Back  moll  vilely  detrading  from  him  :  And  oa 
 the  other  fide,  I  have  conlidered  a  Perfon  ferioufly 
 reproving  his  Friend  in  Charity,  and  excufing  him 
 publickly,  when  he  knew  nothing  of  it. 
 
 When  Truth  and  Charity  meet  each  other,  thea 
 manage  they  together  the  things  of  Peace  and  Salvati- 
 on in  excellent  Harmony. 
 
 Wafli  thy  hands  from  the  perverfe  Work  ;  and  re- 
 frain thy  Lips  from  idle  Speech,  thine  Eyes  from 
 hurtful  Sights,  and  thine  Heart  from  evil  thinking, 
 and  thou  fhalt  be  clean  before  God. 
 
 Chap.    XXX. 
 
 The  True  Peace. 
 
 Blejfed  are  the  Teace-Makers^  Matth,  V. 
 
 GOD  loveth  a  pure  Heart,  Chrifl  dwelleth  in  Peace; 
 and  the  Holy  Spirit  refteth  upon  the  humble  and 
 the  meek.  As  often  as  thou  hall  an  Opportunity  pre- 
 fented,  let  it  be  thy  earned  fludy  to  prevent  Mifan- 
 derflandings,  and  to  compofe  Differences  among  the 
 Brethren- 
 
 In  the  Crowd  Jefiis  is  lofi  %  in  Laughter  he  is  offend- 
 ed i  in  Anger  he  is  driven  away  ;  in  a  Lie  he  is  fpic 
 upon-,  ia  Detradion  he  is  Itripped  *,  in  Guile  he  is 
 fraitten  •,  in  Hatred  he  is  crucified:  Whatever  Evil  is 
 thrown  upon  thy  Chriftian  Neighbour,  Jefus  com- 
 plains thereof  as  done  to  himfelf. 
 
 1  Take 
 
114  jaDf  tl)c  31mttation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 Take  heed  of  offending  God  :  Take  heed  alfo  of 
 offending  thy  Neighbour,  made  after  the  linage  of 
 God. 
 
 Recal  the  Wanderer,  inftrud  the  Ignorant,  fet  a 
 good  Example,  remove  every  Block  of  Offence,  fol- 
 low JESUS  bearing  his  Reproach,  return  Good  for 
 Evil,  and  thou  (halt  receive  for  every  little  that  is 
 here  endured  an  eternal  Reward,  and  Joy  with  the 
 holy  Angels  in  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven.  This  is  tlie 
 IKzy  of  Peace  \  the  Bleffed  of  the  Lord  fliall  walk  in 
 it,  and  their  Memorial  ihall  be  precious. 
 
 Chap.    XXXL 
 
 The  Fame  ft  Defire  of  the  Novice  to  prefs  forward 
 in  this  way :  With  his  Petit:o?i  for  Divifie 
 Grace. 
 
 Difciple. 
 
 /  will  rnn  the  way  of  thy  Commandments-^  zvhen  thou  hafi 
 fet  my  Heart  at  Liberty^  Pfal.  cxix. 
 
 TFIIS  is  what  my  Heart  indeed  burns  with  a  Defire 
 to  attain  *,  but  it  feems  tome  more  than  poffible 
 for  a  poor  Creature,  in  fuch  Circumitances  as  I  am 
 ac  prefent  in.  All  my  Hope  and  Comfort  is,  to  have 
 recourfc,  according  as  you  have  diredcd  me,  to  my 
 moll  gracious  Lord  ;  and  to  invoke  him  from  the  bot- 
 tom of  my  Heart,  that  he  would  lead  me  in  this  way 
 of  Humility  and  Peace  j  in  the  fure  Confidence  that  I 
 may  depend  at  all  times  on  his  Aid  and  Support,  which 
 is  fufTicient  for  me. 
 
 O  Heavenly  and  Divine  Grace  !  without  which  all 
 
 the  good  Works  that  caa  be  doiie,  and  ail  the  Gifts  of 
 
 4  Nature, 
 
Book  IJ.         of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  R  I  S  T.  i  I  5 
 
 Nature,  are  not  worthy  of  any  Elieem  or  Conlidera- 
 tion.  What  am  I  without  thee,  but  a  dry  piece  of 
 Wood,  good  for  nought  but  the  Fire  ? 
 
 Strengthen  me,  O  Lord  my  God,  who  art  the  Ob- 
 ject of  my  Sighs  and  Defires,  in  comparifon  of  whom 
 the  whole  World  is  molt  burthenfome  and  naufeousi 
 Give  me  Grace  to  follow  the  Example  of  thy  Life,  to 
 defpife  always  this  World  as  thou  haft  done,  and  to 
 be  content  to  have  that  alfo  defpife  me,  as  it  defpifed 
 thee. 
 
 Give  me  thy  Grace,  that  I  may  know  and  confidef 
 my  felf  ^  that  (in  defpight  of  the  World)  I  may  feek 
 thy  Kingdom  with  the  Righteoufnefs  thereof^  that  1 
 may  diligently  learn  the  Practice  of  a  true  Difciple  of 
 thine  in  all  Eftates  and  Conditions  *,  that  I  may  trea- 
 fure  up  the  Obfervations  and  Maxims  which  I  have 
 heard  from  thy  Servant  whom  thou  fenteft  me,  and 
 bring  forth  the  Fruit  thereof  in  all  good  Living  to  thy 
 Glory  only  s  and  that  duly  weighing  the  State  of  Hu- 
 man Mifery  and  IMortality,  both  in  my  felf  and  others^ 
 and  the  Changes  and  Chances  of  this  prefent  dying 
 Life,  I  may  wifely  fet  my  Houfe  in  Order,  and  abide 
 in  a  continual  Preparation  for  my  Paffage  hence,  when- 
 foever  thou,  O  Lord  my  Saviour,  fhalt  pleafe  to  call 
 and  deliver  me  out  of  my  Captivity. 
 
 I  offer  my  felf  now  unto  thee,  O  my  God,  in  the 
 Simplicity  of  my  Heart :  I  offer  my  felf  unto  tiiyMa^ 
 jelly  in  a  Sacrifice  of  Praife  for  evermore,  being  made 
 willing  to  ferve  and  obey  thee  eternally.  I  have  aa 
 extreme  Grief  for  all  my  Faults,  1  make  a  firm  Refo- 
 Jution  through  thy  Grace  not  to  commit  them  again, 
 and  I  am  ready  henceforward  to  mind  my  own  Bufi- 
 nefs,  and  to  make  all  poffible  Reparation  and  Satisfa- 
 dion  for  the  evil  Influence  and  Example  by  me  at  any 
 time  given.  Hear  my  Supplication,  O  God  of  my 
 Salvation,  and  be  favourable  unto  thy  Servant  for  thjr 
 Mercies  Sake. 
 
 i  ^  6  H  A  Pi' 
 
1 16  jflDf  tt^t  imitation        Vol.  ir. 
 
 Chap.  XXXIL 
 
 Of  the  PraBice  of  a  PmiT  Man. 
 
 Mailer. 
 
 Seek  firfi  the  Kingdom  of  God  and  his  Right eonfnefs* 
 
 I.  T^HE  Life  of  a  Difciple  of  Chrift  ought  to  fliine 
 X  with  all  the  Vertues,  that  he  may  be  inward- 
 ly fuch,  as  outwardly  he  feemeth  unto  Men.  Nay, 
 he  ought  to  be  much  more  with'n  than  is  perceived 
 without  ^  for  God  beholdeth  the  Heart,  whom  we 
 ought  moft  highly  to  reverence,  wherefoever  we  are, 
 and  walk  in  Purity  like  Angels  in  his  Sight.  For 
 which  it  is  fit  to  renew  daily  our  Purpbfes,  and  ftir 
 up  our  felves  to  Fervour,  as  though  this  were  the  firfl: 
 Day  of  our  Converfion,  and  to  fay,  '^  Help  me,  O 
 *'  my  God,  in  this  my  good  purpofe,  and  in  thy  ho- 
 *'  ly  Service :  And  grant  that  I  may  now  this  Day 
 *'  begin  perfedly,  for  that  which  I  have  done  hither- 
 *'  to  is  nothing. 
 
 2.  Now  according  to  our  Purpofe  Ihall  be  the  Suc- 
 cefs  of  our  Profit :  but  much  Diligence  is  necelTary 
 to  him  that  will  profit  much.  And  if  he  that  firmly 
 purpofeth,  often  faileth  ^  what  fhall  he  do  that  fel- 
 dom  purpofeth  any  thing,  or  but  with  little  Certain- 
 ty ?  It  may  fall  out  fundry  ways,  that  we  may  leave 
 off  good  Purpofes  ;  but  if  for  light  Occafions  we  o- 
 rait  our  fpiritual  Exercifes,  this  feldom  is  without 
 fome  Lofs,  and  that  very  conflderable  too. 
 
 3.  It  is  the  Cuftom  of  a  great  many,  before  they  be 
 fufficiently  grounded  and  fettled,  that  when  they  hear 
 any  one  but  greatly  commended  for  their  Virtues  and 
 Religious  Exercifes,  thcyare  fo  inflam'd  with  the 
 great  Charader  that  is  eiyen,  and  with  the  high  Prai- 
 
 ''  .   '.:  'J  ^  i  fes 
 
Book  II.       of  Jesus   Chris T,  117 
 
 fes  which  they  hear,  as  theyinftantly  defire  to  follow 
 and  take  upon  them  the  fame  State  and  Vocation  with 
 them,  which  is  a  very  great  Miftake.  For  by  fuch  a 
 Changeablenefs  and  Diverfity  of  Purpofes,  they  re- 
 ceive Damages,  and  not  Profit.  Since  he  that  ftudies 
 or  follows  after  many  things,  will  hardly  obtain  one 
 of  them. 
 
 4.  Therefore  it  is  meet  and  expedient  for  every  one, 
 according  to  the  Purpofe  which  he  has  made,  and  ac- 
 cording to  the  Grace  which  he  has  received,  to  ha- 
 ften  with  all  Induftry  and  Diligence  to  arrive  at  the 
 Perfedion  of  that  Work  which  he  fhall  have  under- 
 taken :  and  though  thou  mayft  be  delighted  to  hear 
 others  prais'd  for  their  good  Exercifes,  and  mayH 
 have  in  Admiration  their  Virtues;  yet  depart  not 
 therefore  from  thy  Profeflion,  which  thou  fhalt  have 
 once  made  choice  of.  For  by  feveral  Paths  we  may  tend 
 to  the  fame  End  :  and  by  different  Courfes  we  may 
 come  to  Chrifl,  and  imitate  his  Life.  For  this  Rea- 
 fon  thou  mufl,  with  an  irrevocable  Intention,  conti- 
 nue and  purfue  the  way  thou  hail  taken  ;  endeavour- 
 ing by  all  means  to  be  as  perfeft  as  it  is  pofllble 
 therein,  life  frequent  Recolletflion  for  this  Purpofe, 
 that  fo  thy  Heart  may  be  fully  eftablilhed  and  fixed. 
 
 5.  If  thou  canfl  not  always  recoiled  thy  felf,  yet 
 do  it  fometimes  ;  at  lealt  once  every  Day.  In  the 
 Morning  make  thy  good  Purpofes  or  Refolutions  r  In 
 the  Evening  examine  thy  felf  according  to  thefe  what 
 thou  hafl  been  that  Day  in  Thought,  Word  or  Deed  ; 
 ia  thefe  oftentimes  perhaps  thou  fhalt  have  both  of- 
 fended God  and  thy  Neighbour,  and  wounded  thine 
 own  Soul. 
 
 6.  Arm  thy  felf  in  the  Day-time  with  Courage  and 
 Valour  againit  the  Attempts  of  thine  Enemy.  Never 
 be  altogether  idle,  but  ever  efl^ding  fome  of  thy 
 good  Purpofes,  which  thou  madeft  in  the  Morning, 
 when  thou  waft  fetting  the  Affairs  of  the  pay  in  or- 
 
 I  3  dec 
 
ii8  €)C  m  gimitatton       Vol.  Ii. 
 
 der  J  even  as  if  thou  wert  fuddenly  to  depart  this 
 fhort  Life,  and  to  enter  into  Life  Eternal :  That  fo 
 whether  thou  live  or  die,  GOD  may  be  always  glori- 
 fied in  thee. 
 
 7.  Confider  this  Life  as  a  continual  Warfare  :  And 
 flee  not  fhamefiilly  from  thy  Colours,  neither  fhrink 
 from  bearing  the  Burthen  and  Heat  of  the  Day  ^  but 
 at  all  times  be  thou  prepared  for  the  Spiritual  Combat, 
 and  pray  frequently  in  thy  Heart,  that  thou  mayft  be 
 one  of  the  chofen  Servants  of  jihrahams  Houfhold, 
 by  Faith  milking  Kings  with  their  Armies  to  flee 
 apace,  and  by  Prayer  fcattering  the  confederated 
 Princes  of  Darknefs,  together  with  all  their  Hofts  '■, 
 piake  War  againft  them  all  with  the  help  of  thy  God, 
 wreftling  in  Supplication,  fubduing  the  Flelh  to  the 
 Spirits,  and  patiently  bearing  all  Crofles,  as  all  the 
 Saints,  and  chiefly  the  Martyrs  of  Chrifl  have  done. 
 Who,  fighting  moft  courageoufly,  have  overcome  their 
 Adverfaries :  And  by  a  fweet  and  gentle  way  of  fuf- 
 fering,  have  obtain'd  the  nobleft  Victories,  and  pur- 
 chas'd  to  themfelves  Laurels  that  never  fade.  Thefe 
 have  not  had  Refpedt  to  their  Friends  and  Relations 
 after  the  FleOi,  when  made  Inftruments  in  the  hands 
 of  the  Tempter,  neither  to  Temporal  Riches  and 
 Honours ;  but  to  the  Eternal  Rewards,  to  the  Hea- 
 venly Treafines,  to  the  Triumphant  Crowns  above, 
 to  the  cver-flourifhing  Palms,  and  to  the  uncorrupti- 
 ble and  nnperifhable  Glories  of  the  Inhabitants  in 
 Light.  For  by  fliort  tranfitory  Torments,  and  the 
 Rcproiches  but  of  a  Moment,  they  have  been  fitted 
 by  Chrift  to  pafs  without  Delay  into  the  everlafl:ing 
 Joys.  And  no'wv  do  their  Souls  rejoice  in  the  Hea- 
 venly Manlions,  who  have  followed  the  Steps  of 
 Chrift  in  this  Life,  and  bare  his  Crofs  after  him  in 
 tnuch  ignominy  and  grierous  Pain.  Do  thou  fo  in 
 like  nunnery  fo  flialt  thou  not  tail  with  them  like- 
 vviic  iQ  be  crovvn'd, 
 
 8.  Con- 
 
Book  II.         ofjEsusCHRisT.  119 
 
 8.  Conlider  ilfo,  and  ponder  in  thy  Mind,  how 
 the  holy  Confejfors^    in    their   feveral  Generations, 
 have  fought,    by  living  foberly,    righteoufly,  and 
 godiily  in  this  prefent  Worlds  by  falling,  by  watch- 
 ing, by  praying,    by  meditating,  by  lludying,    by 
 labouring,  by  lighing,  by  lamenting,  by  fupplicating 
 for  the  Sins  of  themfelves  and  others  ^  by  bearing  of 
 Gainfayings,  Slanders,  Railings,  Murmurings,  evil 
 Whifperings,    Derilions,  Menaces,  Loiles,  and  all 
 manner  of  Injuries  \  and  by  perfevering  through  all 
 Trials,  in  true  Faith,  firm  Hope,  and  perfect  Cha- 
 rity, even  to  the  Death.     Put  on  therefore  the  whole 
 Armour  of  Chrift:  And  be  girt  about  efpecially  with 
 the  Sword  of  the  Spirit,  and  of  the  Word  j  where- 
 by thou  may'ft  be  able  to  defeat  all  thofe  evil  Le- 
 gions that  fet  themfelves    in  Battel-Array  againffc 
 thee. 
 
 p.  Thou  mull  above  all  things  have  a  low  and  pro- 
 found Knowledge  of  thy  Vilenefs,  Rottennefs  and 
 Mifery:  And  though  every  thing  Ihould  fall  out  con- 
 trary to  thee,  mufl  neither  be  difquieted,  nor  afflict- 
 ed at  it  *,  but  adore  herein  the  wife  and  righteous  Dil^ 
 penfation  of  God,  and  as  one  fwallowed  up  in  the 
 Depth  of  thine  own  Nothing,  muft  wait  for  the  Com- 
 munication of  the  Divine  Light,  Peace  and  Love. 
 
 As  for  thy  exteriour  Converfation,  thou  mull  be 
 intent  always  upon  the  End,  that  it  be  juflifiable  and 
 praife-worthy  :  And  thou  mufl  learn  to  break  thine 
 own  Will  in  many  things,  yea,  even  in  fome  good 
 things  too,  if  thou  wilt  have  Peace  and  Concord  with 
 others. 
 
 10.  If  thou  wilt  perfevere  in  Grace  as  thou  ought- 
 ell,  efleem  thy  felf,  O  Beloved  inChrifl,  as  a  banifh- 
 ed  Man  and  a  Pilgrim  upon  Earth.  Thou  mufl  not 
 think  of  taking  up  thy  Habitation  in  an  Inn  :  Nei- 
 ther mufl  thou  let  any  thing  flop  thee  by  the  way. 
 Thou  mufl  well   be  contented    for  the   Love    of 
 
 I  4  Chriii. 
 
120  jSDf  tl)t  91mttatton       Vol  IL 
 
 Chrift  to  be  efteemed  as  a  Fool  in  this  World,  if 
 thou  defire  to  lead  a  Religious  Life.  Since  God  in- 
 carnate was  call'd  Fool,  and  faid  to  have  a  Devil, 
 what  a  Folly  is  it  for  thee,  to  defire  and  expeft  better 
 Treatment  from  the  World,  than  he  had !  If  thou 
 indeed  tread  in  his  Steps,  and  imitate  his  Virtues  *,  it 
 will  feem  but  a  hght  thing,  that  it  is  with  the  Servant, 
 even  as  it  is  with  the  Mafter. 
 
 He  that  feeketh  any  thing  but  God,  and  the  Wel- 
 fare of  his  Soul,  (hall  find  nothing  but  Tribulation 
 and  Sorrow  :  And  he  that  looketh  to  any  but  Chrift, 
 in  his  Spiritual  Travels,  Ihall  afTuredly  ftray  from  the 
 Truth. 
 
 Thou  cameft  to  ferve,  not  to  be  ferved  -^  thou  waft 
 called  to  fuffer  and  labour,  not  to  be  idle,  or  fpend 
 thy  time  in  Vanity  :  For  in  the  School  of  Chrift  Men 
 are  tried  as  Gold  in  the  Furnace.  If  thou  follow  him 
 not  through  the  Fire,  verily  thou  art  by  no  means 
 worthy  of  him. 
 
 No  Man  can  ftand  untefs  he  be  low  in  his  own 
 Eyes,  and  humble  himfelf  with  his  whole  Heart  for 
 the  Love  of  God.  Now  the  humble  in  Heart  is  never 
 concern'd  in  that  he  cannot  do  great  things  ^  for  he 
 always  ftands  in  his  own  Nothing  and  Mifery  ^  and 
 here  he  is  fafe^ 
 
 Cm  A  ?• 
 
Book  II.         ot  Jesus  Christ.        i2i 
 
 Chap.  XXXIII. 
 
 Confi deration  of  humane  Mifery. 
 Man  is  born  to  Trouble  as  the  Sfarh  fiy  upward. 
 
 i.Tk  /rlferable  thou  art  where-foever  thou  turneft, 
 JVl  if  thou  turn  not  thy  felf  to  God.  Why  art 
 thou  troubled  when  things  fucceed  not  as  thou 
 wouldit  and  defireft  ?  Who  is  there  that  hath  all 
 things  as  he  will  ?  Neither  I,  nor  thou,  nor  any  Man 
 upon  the  Face  of  the  Earth.  Who  thiokeft  thou  then 
 is  in  the  bell  Cafe  ?  Truly  he  that  willingly  fufFera 
 any  thing  for  God. 
 
 2.  The  Felicity  of  Man  confifteth  not  in  having 
 abundance  of  Temporal  Riches  :  A  mean  fujfficeth.  It 
 is  truly  Mifery  enough  to  live  upon  Earth  :  No  Man 
 can  be  faid  to  be  really  happy  on  this  fide  the  River  of 
 Death.  How  much  the  more  a  Man  advanceth  to  be 
 Spiritual,  fo  much  the  more  diftaftful  is  this  prefent 
 Life  unto  him  ;  for  he  better  perceiveth,  and  feeth 
 more  clearly  the  Defeds  of  all  things  humane,  and 
 the  Corruptions  of  the  very  beft  laid  Deligns. 
 
 3.  The  inward  Man  is  much  opprefs'd  with  corpo- 
 ral Neceflities,  whilft  he  is  in  this  World  ^  but  woe 
 unto  them  that  know  not  their  Mifery,  and  much 
 more  to  them  that  love  this  miferable  Life  :  For 
 fome  there  be  alas  !  fo  dotingly  affe^ed  to  it,  that 
 although  they  fcarce  get  Bread  to  eat,  yet  if  they 
 might  live  here  but  always,  they  would  care  little  for 
 the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  and  the  Riches  of  it. 
 
 4.  The  Saints  of  God,  and  the  devout  Servants  of 
 Chrift,  refpeded  little  what  pleas'd  their  natural  In- 
 clinations, or  what  flourilh'd  in  this  Life  ^  but  with 
 their  whole  Hodcs  and  Intentions  they  fought  after 
 
 tho 
 
122 m  t^e  imttatton        Vol.  u. 
 
 the  Riches  of  Heaven.  Their  whole  Dedre  was  car- 
 ried up  to  thole  everlafting  Treafures,  which  are  ia- 
 vifible :  Left  they  might  have  beea  drawn  down  to 
 bafe  Affedions,  by  the  Love  of  vifible  things. 
 
 5.  Lay  up  there  thy  Treafure  in  like  manner :  And 
 for  this  lofe  not  any  Hour  to  profit  in  Spiritual  Mat- 
 ters. There  is  yet  time  ^  the  Hour  is  not  yet  paft. 
 Why  wilt  thou  defer  thy  good  Purpofe  ?  Rife  up 
 this  very  Inftant,  and  begin  and  fay,  *'  Now  is  the 
 **  time  to  work,  the  time  to  fight  ^  now,  even  now 
 •'  is  a  fit  time  to  amend  my  felf.  Why  delayeft  thou, 
 "  O  my  Soul,  the  Execution  ?  In  the  Name  of  the 
 **  Lord  Jefus  up  and  be  doing. 
 
 6.  We  would  gladly  enjoy  Quietnefs ;  but  having 
 by  Sin  loft  our  Innocency,  we  have  by  it  too  loft  our 
 Happinefs.  And  therefore  it  behoveth  us  to  have 
 Patience,  and  to  expert  till  this  Iniquity  have  an  end, 
 and  that  which  is  mortal  be  fwallowed  up  of  Immor- 
 tality. 
 
 Difcifle.  Oh  how  great  is  the  Frailty  of  Man,  that 
 is  always  inclined  to  Evil !  to  Day  I  confefs  my  Sins, 
 and  to  Morrow  I  commit  the  fame  which  I  did  con- 
 fefs.    Now  I  purpofe  to  take  heed,  and  within  an 
 Hour  I  do  as  if  I  had  made  no  purpofe  at  all.  I  ought 
 therefore  with  great  Reafon  to  humble  my  felf,  and' 
 never  to  think  of  my  felf  with  any  Efteem,  being  ^o 
 weak  as  I  am  ;  that  is,  fubjec^  to  every  Change,  and 
 toffed  about  with  every  Puff  of  Wind  hither  and  thi'- 
 ther.     Full  foon  (God  knows)  is  that  loft  by  Negli- 
 gence, which  with  much  Labour  was  hardly  gotten 
 by  Grace.     What  will  become  of  me  in  the  end,  who 
 do  fo  early  begin  to  wax  cold  ?  Woe  be  unto  me,  if  I 
 will  now  give  up  my  felf  to  Eafe,  as  if  all  were  al- 
 ready in  Peace  and  Security.     Othat  I  could  but  hold 
 out  till  the  End  of  the  Day,  and  not  faint  before  mj^. 
 Warfare  (hall  be  accomplifhed. 
 
 Chap. 
 
Book  II.         of  J  E  S  U  S   C  H  R  I  S  T.  I  2? 
 
 Chap.    XXXIV. 
 0/  the  Preparation  for  Death 
 
 Mafter. 
 Te  know  not  what  Honr  your  Lord  doth  come* 
 
 THE  Hour  of  Death  will  quickly  overtake  thee, 
 and  therefore  look  how  thou  liveft  :  To  Day  a 
 Man  is  living,  to  Morrow  he  doth  not  appear  j  and 
 being  once  out  of  fight,  he  is  alfo  quickly  out  of  mind. 
 O  Dulnefsand  Hardnefs  of  Man's  Heart,  whothink- 
 eth  only  on  that  hefeeth,  and  forefeethnot  that  which 
 is  to  come !  If  thou  hadft  a  good  Confcience,  thou 
 would'ft  not  much  fear  Death.  It  is  better  verily  to 
 avoid  Sin,  than  to  flee  from  Death.  If  thou  be  not 
 prepared  to  Day,  how  wilt  thou  be  prepared  to 
 Morrow  ?  To  Morrow  is  uncertain  *,  and  whether 
 thou  fhalt  lee  it  or  no,  thou  knoweft  not. 
 
 Blelled  is  he  that  hath  always  before  his  Eyes  the 
 Hour  of  his  Death,  and  difpofeth  himfelf  daily  there- 
 unto. When  it  is  Morning,  think  that  perhaps  thou 
 fhaflt  not  live  tifl  Nighty  and  when  Evening  comes, 
 do  not  dare  to  promife  thy  felf  the  next  Morning. 
 Be  always  ready,  and  fo  order  thy  Life,  that  Death 
 may  never  take  thee  unprepared.  When  that  laft 
 Hour  (hall  come,  thou  wilt  begin  to  think  far  other- 
 wifeof  thy  felf:  and  wilt  much  lament,  that  thou  haft 
 been  fo  Hack  and  fo  negligent. 
 
 Oh  how  wife  and  happy  is  he,  that  now  laboureth 
 to  be  fuch  in  his  Life,  as  he  wifheth  to  be  found  at 
 the  Hour  of  Death  !  For  the  Contempt  of  the  World, 
 the  fervent  Defire  to  profit  in  the  Ways  of  Godlinefs, 
 the  forfaking  of  our  felves,  and  adhering  unto  Chrift, 
 
 will 
 
124 gDf  tpt  gimttattott       Vol.  ir- 
 
 will  give  great  Confidence  of  an  happy  End.  Thou 
 may'il  do  much  good  whilfl  thou  art  well  and  in 
 Health  ;  but  when  thou  art  fick,  what  thou  wilt  be 
 able  to  do,  I  know  not ;  for  few  do  grow  better,  and 
 amend  themfelves  with  Sicknefs. 
 
 Truft  not  upon  thy  Friends  or  Relations,  what 
 they  fhall  do  for  thee  at  or  after  thy  Departure  y 
 neither  do  thou  put  off"  to  a  future  time  the  Care  of 
 thy  Soul's  Healthy  for  thou  Ihalt  fooner  be  forgotten 
 than  thou  doft  imagine.  It  is  better  now  to  provide 
 in  time,  and  do  fome  good  before  thou  goeft,  than  to 
 trufl  in  the  help  of  others  when  thou  art  gone.  If 
 thoa  halt  no  Care  of  thy  felf  now  when  thou  haft 
 time,  who  thinkeft:  thou  (fuppofing  this  would  avail 
 thee  ought)  will  be  careful  for  thee  hereafter?  Time, 
 which  now  thou  hafl  by  the  Fore-lock,  is  very  pre- 
 cious. Now  are  the  Days  of  Health,  now  is  the  ac- 
 ceptable Time:  But,  alas  I  that  thou  fpendeft  fo  lit- 
 tle of  it  to  thy  Profit,  in  which  thou  mightefl  gain 
 eternal  Life. 
 
 Oh  my  dear  Friend  !  from  how  great  Danger 
 may'il  thou  be  deliver'd  ?  From  how  great  Fear 
 may'ft  thou  be  freed,  if  thou  doft  now  live  careful 
 of  thy  Death  ?  Live  then  in  fuch  fort,  as  at  the  Hour 
 of  Death  thou  may'ft  rather  rejoice  than  fear.  Le^rn 
 now  to  die  to  the  World,  that  thou  may'ft  then  begin 
 to  live  with  Chrift.  Learn  now  to  contemn  all  Earth- 
 ly Things,  that  thou  may'ft  then  freely  go  to  Chrift, 
 not  being  held  back  by  any  Encumbrance. 
 
 Why  doft  thou  think  thou  (halt  live  long,  being  not 
 certain  of  as  much  as  one  Day?  How  many  alas  !  have 
 been  deceived,  andtakenoutof  this  World  on  a  Hidden, 
 When  they  leaft  expefted  it?  How  often  haft  thou 
 heard,  that  fuch  an  one  was  murther'd,  another  was 
 drown'd,  another  died  at  his  Meat,  another  when  he 
 was  at  Play  ^  one  came  to  his  End  by  Fire,  a  fecond 
 l)y  Sword,  a  third  by  the  Hands  of  Thieves  ?   So  a^ 
 
 Death 
 
Book  11.       of  J  E  s  U  8  C  H  R  I  S  T.  1^5 
 
 Death  is  the  end  of  all,  and  the  Life  of  Man  pafleth 
 away  like  a  Shadow, 
 
 Do  now,  yea,  do  now  what  thou  canfl  ^  for  thou 
 knoweft  not  how  foon  thou  fhalt  die,  nor  what  ihail 
 befal  thee  after  thy  Death  :  Now,  whilfl  thou  haft 
 time,  heap  together  the  eternal  Riches^  now  think oa 
 the  Health  and  Salvation  of  thy  Soul.  Efieem  thy 
 felf  as  a  Pilgrim  upon  Earth,  and  as  one  to  whoni 
 the  Affairs  of  this  World  do  no  ways  appertain. 
 Keep  thy  Heart  free,  and  lifted  up  to  Godj  for 
 thou  haft  here  no  continuing  City.  Settle  here  thy 
 Converfation  in  Heaven.  Send  thither  thy  Prayers 
 daily  with  Sighs  and  Tears,  that  thy  Soul  may  pafs 
 with  much  Satisfaction  from  Death  to  Life,  from 
 Earth  to  Heaven,  where  there  is  Fulnefs  of  Joy  and 
 Pleafure  for  evermore-  To  which  may  Chrift  of  his 
 infinite  Mercy  bring  us  all. 
 
 Dlfcifle*  Amen. 
 
 Chap.   XXXV. 
 
 Heaven  is  the  Native  Home  of  the  Saints. 
 
 The  Beloved  and  the  Difciple. 
 
 Chrift.  In  my  Father  s  Honfe  are  many  Manfions, 
 
 Difciple*  T  Deiire,  Lord,  to  fee  that  Place  where  thou 
 A  haft  prepared  me  an  everlafting  Manfion. 
 For  I  am  here,  alas  !  but  a  Stranger  and  a  Pilgrim  ; 
 and  the  Days  of  my  Pilgrimage  are  few  and  evil.  I 
 long  to  fee  my  Heavenly  Country,  accounting  my  felf 
 as  banifhed  in  this  World.  I  perceive  hourly,  that 
 this  Life  pafleth  away  as  a  vain  Shadow  :  My  Days 
 are  numbred,  and  my  Subftance  is  as  nothing  before 
 
 1  thee 
 
i  2  6  m  tl^e  3jtnitatton       Vol.  IL 
 
 thee.  And  what  now  is  my  Hope?  Is  it  not  thou> 
 Lord  ?  Yea,  thou  art  my  Hope  ^  and  thou,  I  trult^ 
 flialt  make  me  to  drink  out  of  the  Torrent  of  Plea- 
 sure, which  is  at  thy  Right  Hand  :  For  my  Soul  is 
 a  thirft  after  thee  in  this  dry  barren  Wildernefs ; 
 and  being  here  wearied  and  fainting,  pants  after  the 
 Waters  of  Eternal  Life,  and  thofe  Streams  that  flov\r 
 continually  from  under  thy  Throne,  O  God. 
 
 2.  How  long  muft  I  continue  here  an  Exile  and  a 
 Prifoner  ?  How  long.  Lord,  mufl:  my  Paflage  be 
 through  this  Valley  of  Sorrow  and  Sin  >  O  let  thy 
 Right  Hand  lead  me  forth,  and  let  thy  good  Spirit 
 guide  me  fafe  to  the  Land  of  the  Living,  where  I  long 
 to  be,  and  to  appear  before  thee  in  the  Beauty  of  thy 
 Holinefs.  O  when  fhall  there  be  an  end  of  all  thefe 
 Evils,  which  I  am  here  opprefs'd  with  ?  When  fhall 
 I  be  difcharged  of  the  miferable  Captivity,  under 
 which  I  groan,  as  faft  bound  under  the  Influences  of 
 this  wicked  World?  When  fhall  I  be  without  all  hin- 
 drance in  the  true  Liberty,  without  any  Impediment 
 of  Mind  or  Body?  When  fhall  1  Itand  in  thy  Pre- 
 fence,  fweet  Jefff^  and  contemplate  the  Glory  of  thy 
 Kingdom  ? 
 
 3.  Alas  !  I  am  an  Exile  and  a  Caft-out  in  an  Ene- 
 my's Country,  where  there  are  daily  Wars,  and  very 
 great  and  deplorable  Mifchief s  :  O  do  thou  comfort 
 my  Banifhment,  mitigate  my  Grief,  and  fatisfy  my 
 eager  Longing  *,  for  all  my  Defire  is  towards  thee  : 
 Whence,  whatever  this  World  doth  or  can  prefent 
 to  eafe  me,  is  to  me  altogether  burthenfome.  But 
 lift  up  thy  felf,  O  my  Soul,  and  afpire  towards  thine 
 Inheritance  in  God.  For  the  Lord,  the  Lord  himfelf, 
 is  the  Portion  of  thy  Heritage,  and  thy  exceeding 
 great  Reward  *,  and  becaufe  he  hath  loved  thee,  will 
 he  fill  thee  with  the  Joy  of  his  Couuteaauce  for  ever- 
 more.   Amen* 
 
 J 
 
Book  11.       of  Jesus  Christ.  127 
 
 A 
 
 PRAYER 
 
 By  the  Disciple. 
 
 t.  T  Befeech  thee^  O  Lord^  mofi  Holy  Father^  xoho  haji 
 '^  L  made  all  things  in  Number^  Weight  and  Meafttre  9 
 zvho  expe^lefi  that  a  due  Service  he  faid  thee  by  every 
 Rational  and  Intelligent  Creature  ^  and  chiefly  in  thy 
 Servants  J  loveft  and  reqiiirefi  to  have  a  free  Service  j 
 Guide  my  free  u4^s  in  thy  good  Will^  lead  me  gently^ 
 according  to  thy  moft  righteopt^s  Vleafure-i  fit  thou,  at  the 
 Helm  in  mcy  and  turn  it  as  thou  fleafefl  ^  bring  under 
 the  rehellioHs  Motions  of  my  Flejh  in  all  things^  to  the 
 Government  of  thy  Divine  Diffofal  \  and  grant  me  Power 
 entirely  to  break  and  fnbdue  mine  own  Will. 
 
 II.  So  order  thou^  good  Lord^  all  my  Affefiions^  Oi  I 
 may  reje^  thofe  that  are  Evil  at  the  very  firfty  and  va» 
 liantly  and  ftrenuoujly  hold  faB  thofe  that  are  Good  ;  may 
 love  thofe  that  are  pure  ,  and  may  learn  to  contemplate 
 theey  my  God^  without  any  Bodily  Image*  So  temper 
 therefore  my  Natural  Forces  and  Operations^  which  of 
 themfelves  tend  outvpards-,  04  I  may  not  he  immersed  wholly 
 in  OhjeUs  of  the  Earth-y  or  ftick  in  them  ^  hut  that  I 
 may  have  Strength  fufflcient  from  thee  to  turn  afide  from 
 them^  and  to  turn  unto  thee»  So  prefer ve  me  in  the  t>efire 
 of  the  Eternal  Things^  in  the  Love  of  the  Holy  P^'irtues 
 and  Chriflian  Graces^  and  in  fome  degree^  even  of  En' 
 joyment  of  the  Heavenly  Realities  ,  as  thou^  O  Lord  God^ 
 mayU  thereby  have  greater  Honour^  and  1  a  better  PrO" 
 grefs  in  the  Work  of  the  inward  Regeneration* 
 
 *T  ■— —  — — — — ■  ■  ■»•"■  l«U<    i»  1^1  r        1 
 
 J  De  DJfc'fpl,  Claujlr,  c.  10.         ~  '        '- 
 
 III. 
 
138  £)f  tl^e  imitation       Vol.  il' 
 
 IIL  Suffer  me  not  to  he  puffed  up  with  any  Self-appUnfe  ^ 
 hecaufe  of  thy  moFt  gracious  and  condefcendingVtfitation\ 
 neither  let  the  Plague  of  Vain-Glory  ever  in  the  leaft  in- 
 feEi  or  difiurb  me  :  Permit  me  not  to  he  deceived  hy  Sa- 
 faris Delufion-i  nor  to  he  taken  with  falfe  Sweetneffes  and 
 Senfations^  nor  for  the  Sake  of  private  Devotion^  to  ne- 
 qleih  the  public k  ^  nor  with  immoderate  Exercife  and  Mor- 
 tification^  too  much  to  break  Nature :  But  grant  unto  mey 
 that,  by  the  Ajfiflance  of  thy  IVifdom^  I  may  do  all  things 
 with  Difcretion  j  never  pretending  tOj  or  attempting  any 
 things  without  mature  Deliberation  andCounfelfirfi  had^ 
 and  that  with  Fear  and  Reverence  of  thy  Majefly^  I  may 
 Walk  in  thy  Sight  holily  and  freely  y  wifely  and  prudently^ 
 withoHt  all  Pajfion  and  AJfeition  for  corruptible  Things  ^ 
 with  an  Eye  jlill  fixed  on  my  Heavenly  Country^  and  fie d- 
 fafily  looking  unto  thy  Son^  my  beloved  Lordy  as  the  fole 
 Author  and  Finifher  of  my  Faith  and  Salvation, 
 
 IV.  Grant  me  to  poffefs  an  humble  and  a  quiet  Spirit  , 
 never  to  he  immoderate  or  extravagant  in  any  things  nor 
 to  cleave  to  any  Creature  by  a  fond  and  vicioiu  Love  ^  but 
 to  preferve  continually  my  Heart  pure  and  quiet  for  thee 
 alone  %  that  being  ever  lifted  up  in  Mind  to  Heaven^  and 
 fecretly  bent  upon  thee-,  my  God-,  J  may  he  captivated  hy 
 nothing  viftble  \  but  may  per  fever  e  to  the  end.,  a  true  De- 
 fpifer  of  the  World.,  and  Follower  of  Thee. 
 
 V.  Grant  me  to  perform  Outward  Things  in  Time  and 
 Seafon.,  according  as  the  feveral  Circumflances  requre., 
 after  the  beB  and  fitteU  manner  ^  and  fpecially  fo  as  they 
 may  he  no  kind  of  detriment  or  hindrance  to  the  Inward  \ 
 that  is,  my  Spiritual  and  Internal  Exercifes  :  But  that., 
 on  the  contrary.,  every  Work  and  Labour  for  thee  under^ 
 taken ^  may  afford  me  both  Furtherance  and  Guidanee  to 
 wait  more  freely  upon  thee  \,  and  may  enlarge  my  Soul  to 
 a  greater  Capacity  and  Willingnefs  in  ferving  thy  Majcfiy^ 
 and  honouring  thy  Name.,    as  voith  the  Liberty  of  Saints 
 
 and  Angels* 
 
 VI. 
 
Book  III.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  K I  s  T.  129 
 
 Vl.  Vouch fafe  alfo^  that  all  what  I  do  Outwardly^  of* 
 what  I  under  ft  and  Inwardly^  I  may  he  enabled  by  thy  ara* 
 clous  Aid  to  ferformf  fimfly  and  purely  for  the  greater 
 Honour  of  thy  Name^  and  Love  of  thy  mo  ft  Bleffed  Willf 
 full  of  Goodnefs  and  Tendernefs  *,  and  readily  and  cheer ^ 
 fully  to  reftgn  my  felf  to  thee  in  every  defirable  Things  as 
 alfo  in  what fo ever  may  be  contrary  to  Nature  ^  patiently 
 alfo  to  hear  the  Load  and  Burthen  of  this  prefent  Life^  fj 
 far  as  thoujljalt  command y  and  as  the  Term  of  my  Lot 
 jhall  reachf  and  I  be  called  hence :  And^  finally^  to  com- 
 mend in  Faith  to  thee^  my  Creator  and  my  Redeemer ^  both 
 my  Body  and  my  SouL  Be  mindful  of  me^  O  Gody  in 
 the  laft  Hour^  the  Hour  of  utmoft  Extremity  ^  and  deal 
 with  thy  Servant  mercifully  :  For  ^  Not  in  my  own  Me- 
 rits, but  in  thy  Mercy  and  Pity,  do  I  triiit,  O  Lord, 
 my  Godj  and  my  Redeemer, 
 
 *  iVj/i  in  merUis  msis^  fed  In  tua.  miferatione  ^  pktate  confido. 
 
 iJJtri.ii. 
 
 t    .  OF 
 
13©  flDf  tl^e  9iwwtatton        Vol.  ii. 
 
 O  F    T  H  E 
 
 IMITATION 
 
 O  F 
 
 Jefus  Chrift. 
 
 Of  spiritual  Exercifes, 
 
 C   H   A   p.      I. 
 
 The  great  Be7iefit.of  fuch  Exercifes-^    with  fame 
 Preparatory  Rules  ayid  Reflexions. 
 
 Be  renewed,  in  the  Spirit  of  your  Mind,  faith  the  BlefTed 
 A^oith  Paul^  Ephef.  iv- 
 
 IT  is  the  Cuftom  of  Devout  Chriflians  to  have 
 certain  Exercifes^  whereby  they  may  be  exeited 
 and  quickened  to  a  Spiritual  Growth,  and  the 
 Love  of  Piety.  Such  delight  not  to  be  in  the 
 Crowd  and  Hurry  of  the  World,  but  love  rather  Pri- 
 vacy and  Retirement:  They  carefully  examine  and 
 difcufs  their  own  Life^  and  if  they  fliall  have  offended 
 in  any  thing,  prefently  they  endeavour,  through  the 
 
 help 
 
7(1"  fx^:ricnfiLf,verir/7fti/rai/lntQYioy2i:  al  Snfcrim^u.f  ab  ^upeiiora; 
 a  Gcrporaalu.f  ad  5piiitiii}lia .  j£:r:^-  OusAtScu//:'  ■ 
 
Book  III.       of  J  E  s  u  S  C  H  R  I  S  T.  I  3  I 
 
 help  of  Chrift,  to  purge  the  fame  with  due  Contrition« 
 They  watch  over  their  Thoughts;  they  take  a  flridt 
 notice  with  what  Affe^ions  they  are  principally 
 movM;  and  by  frequent  Prayer,  and  Meditation  of 
 the  Holy  Scripture,  they  fortifie  themfelves,  and  fay, 
 Remove  from  me  the  Way  of  Vftrighteoptfnefs  *, 
 and  cUhcerning  thy  Lmv^  have  thou  mercy  nf  on  P^^^i.cxix. 
 me.  For  It  can  be  no  otherwife,  but  that  the  Heart 
 which  inlifts  not  on  Devout  and  Internal  Exercifes 
 ihould  be  carried  away  into  Vanity  and  Multiplicity 
 of  Objedts,  and  fo  be  defiled  eafily  with  the  Filth  of 
 Sin,  and  the  wretched  Mud  of  this  World. 
 
 The  firft  of  all  thefe  Exercifes,  and  the  moft  ufcful 
 ill  order  to  the  Purification  of  the  Mind,  is  to  know 
 and  confefs  the  vitious  Paflions  of  the  Soul ;  and  to 
 feek  after  the  proper  Remedies  for  them  from  God, 
 through  Ghrifl,  with  Sighs  and  Tears.  For  certain- 
 ly, if  the  Poor,  the  Sick,  the  Wounded,  do  by  their 
 piteous  Cries  extort  Compaflion  from  fuch  as  pafs  by, 
 and  frequently  move  them  to  adminifler  feme  conve- 
 nient help-,  much  more  fhall  the  merciful  and  Gra- 
 cious Lord  not  defpife  the  Prayer  of  the  contrite  Spi- 
 rit, lighing  after  Eternal  Salvation. 
 
 Thou  muft  then  have  certain  Exercifes  fuited  to  thy 
 Converfation,  and  manner  of  Life  ;  which  mayferve 
 to  inftrua,  renew  and  enflame  thee,  when  thou  art 
 alone.  Nor  mufl  thefe  Private  Exercifes  exclude  or 
 interfere  with  fuch  as  are  more  publick,  or  of  com- 
 mon Obligation  :  But  rather  ought  they  to  render 
 thee  more  Prompt  and  Expeditious  to  thefe  •,  ^o  as 
 thou  may'ft  not  incur  any  lofs  or  detriment  of  Inter- 
 nal Peace.  Neverthelefs  if  it  /hould  fo  happen,  that  by 
 fome  nccelFary  occafion  intervening,  thou  ihaltbehin- 
 dred  from  making  an  end  of  thefe  thy  Exercifes, 
 when  thou  haft  begun  them  •,  then  endeavour  as  foon 
 as  is  poflible,  to  return  to  thy  felf,  and  recoiled:  thy 
 Mmd  infecret. 
 
 Ji  2  Moreover, 
 
152  flDf  tlie  Slmttatton       Vol.  ii. 
 
 Moreover,  it  is  advifable,  that  thou  keep  a  little 
 Book,  in  which  may  beregifter'd,  for  thy  own  pri- 
 vate life,  whatever  is  worthy  to  be  remark'd  concern- 
 ing thine  ontward  and  ujvpard  Life.  And  thou  muft 
 frequently  alfo  look  into  this  Book,  and  fpecially  at 
 certain  ftated  Seafons  of  Self-Examination  :  That  fo 
 thou  may'fl  have  a  better  and  more  diftind  Know- 
 ledge either  of  thy  Advancement  and  Proficiency  in 
 the  Spiritual  Way,  or  elfe  of  thy  going  backwards 
 and  Deficiency  in  it. 
 
 According  to  the  Grace  which  is  given  thee,  be 
 fure  to  form  in  thy  Mind,  and  fet  before  thy  felf  fix- 
 edly, a  Rule  and  Standard  to  go  by.  Let  this  Rule 
 never  depart  from  thee^  but  take  good  heed  to  it  con- 
 tinually •,  fquare  all  thy  Adions  by  it,  and  alfo  thy 
 very  Words  and  Thoughts^  look  unto  Chrift  herein, 
 without  IntermifTion,  as  the  fole  Author  and  Finifher 
 of  thy  Faith,  and  of  every  good  Word  and  Work  ^ 
 fee  alfo  that  this  thy  Rule  be  comprehenfive  enough, 
 and  that  it  contain  a  Standard  both  of  our  Holy  Re- 
 ligion in  general^  and  the  Imitation  of  our  Lord,  and 
 likewife  of  thy  particular  Jnftitution  of  Life,  and  the 
 more  near  and  immediate  Concerns  in  thy  ordinary 
 Converfation. 
 
 None  is  better  intruded  to  every  good  thing,  than 
 he  who  is  inwardly  led  of  the  Holy  Ghoft*,  whofe 
 Undion  the  meek  and  humble  Man  is  fitted  to  re- 
 ceive. 
 
 It  is  the  part  of  a  wife  Man  tofethisLife  in  order, 
 and  to  prefix  a  due  End  to  all  his  Adts  of  every  kind. 
 And  it  is  needful  farther,  that  he  diligently  inquire 
 after  the  convenient  Methods  and  Means,  by  which 
 he  may  arrive  at  his  principal  Intent.  One  well  ordered 
 hdi'ion  only  of  a  wife  Man  is  of  far  more  Worth  than 
 the  fullclt  Employment  of  a  Fool :  And  a  moft  fimple 
 Ad,  when  rightly  determined,  is  of  vaftly  greater 
 Value  than  a  Multitude  of  others,  even  the  moft  com- 
 plicated 
 
Book  III.      of  J ESU8  Chr  iST.  13^ 
 
 plicated,  when  loofely  or  irregularly  perform'd.  For 
 he  that  mfeafonMy  and  unconfiderately  ads,  let  him 
 him  do  never  fo  well,  yet  is  not  therefore  in  the  right. 
 Through  Inconfideration  and  negled  of  Opportunity 
 we  eafily  offend:  And  thus  offending  no  wonder  if 
 we  have  Grief,  and  do  fmart  for  our  Folly.  The  for- 
 ward and  rafh  Zealot  will  have  always  caufe  enough 
 to  repent :  And  never  walks  long  without  ftumbling. 
 But  he  whofe  manner  it  is  providently  and  naturally 
 to  deliberate,  before  he  fet  about  any  thing,  will  have 
 Joy  in  the  end  of  his  Labours :  And  will  be  always  fuc^ 
 cefsful,  either  according  as  he  himfelf  did  propofe,  or 
 elfe  as  God  fhall  better  difpofe. 
 
 However  be  mindful  ftill  of  thy  own  Frailty,  let 
 thy  Succefs  be  never  fo  good,  or  great:  And  make 
 not  any  account  of  thine  own  Wifdom  for  it  *,  but 
 iink  down  in  Poverty  and  Nakednefs  of  Spirit,  and 
 afcribe  not  the  leafl:  thing  to  thy  felf,  but  all  to 
 the  Grace  and  Help  of  God.  Who  knocks  down  the 
 Proud,  and  tramples  on  the  Haughty,  confounding 
 the  Wifdom  of  the  Wife,  and  enervating  the  Strength 
 of  the  Mighty.  For  God  is  the  Hammer  of  the  Proud  : 
 And  the  Self- conceited  will  he  bruife  in  a  Mortar. 
 
 C    H  A  P.      II. 
 
 The  Morning  Exercife^  atfirjl  zvak'mg, 
 
 EVery  Morning  it  is  fit  thou  propofe  to  thy  (elf, 
 after  what  manner  to  fpend  with  greateft  Profit 
 the  enfuing  Day.  At  the  fame  time  particularly  ex- 
 amining thy  own  Confcience,  thou  art  to  take  a  more 
 diligent  Care  about  thofe  Vices  and  PafTions,  which 
 do  moft  infell:  thee  \  or  to  which  thou  art  either  na- 
 turally or  habitually  prone:  Left  thou  be  unawares 
 furpriz'd5  and  do  fall  in  the  Temptation, 
 
 K  3  Daily 
 
1 54  SDf  tl?e  Sitwttation       Vol,  ii. 
 
 — —  _■  ■  ■!  Mil        I  ■'  ■'        ■■' -■■■■■  ,  — ^ 
 
 Daily  Exercife  fits  the  Soul  for  daily  Increafe  of 
 Grace  :  And  Perfeverancc  in  Good  leads  on  the  Chri- 
 ftian  Combatant  to  a  full  Vidory  j  and  advances  us 
 to  the  very  pitch  of  Virtue. 
 
 Perhaps  this  very  Day  may  be  thy  laft^  perhaps 
 too  this  may  be  even  thy  lalt  Hour :  The  Morrow  fliall 
 jgiqt  find  thee,,  it  may  be  ^  or  pofllbly  the  very  next 
 Hour.  Set  then  a  Guard  now  upon  thy  felf^  keep 
 leduioufly  and  firmly  thy  Purpofe ',  negled  not  ihy 
 Time,  but  be  fare  to  make  the  belt  <^  that  which  is 
 Li.thy  han^.^^  vvhea  the  Hour  is  once  pafs'd,  it  returns 
 notagain;;^5j5  •.,i\-^,j, 
 
 Fight  the  good  Fight.  Pray  for,  Grace:  And  Vir 
 elory  fhall  be  given  tl^eq, from  9eav;en,  even  an  holy 
 Vidory.  Study  to  joyercome  thy  lelf  ia  lefler  Mat- 
 ters, that  fo  Sloth  prevail  not  oyer  thee,  and  thou  fall 
 in  o  that  vvhidi  is  worfe.  Let  the  Law  of  God  be  fa- 
 miliar in  thine  Heart :  And  let  not  giving  of  Thanks, 
 and  the  Voice  of  Praife,  ever  grow  cold  in  thy 
 Mouth. 
 
 All  Time  that  is  not  fpent  with  God  bewail  thou 
 ailofl.  Take  heed  of  engaging  thy  felf  in  flight  or 
 trivial  Difcaurfes,  and  prevent  as  much  aspoflible  all 
 unneceflary  Viuts.  For  this  end  in  thy  Clofet  it  may 
 not  be  unfit  to  have  always  fome  Memento  {qi  as  in 
 thine  Eye:  Vv^hich  may  both  premonifli  thee  at  thy 
 going  out,  and  reprove  thee  when  thou  tarrieft  long 
 abroad  j  as  for  initance,  fome  moft  remarkable  and 
 powerful  Sentence,  with  which  thou  art  chiefly 
 afl^eded,  written  in  Capitals,  fuch  as ,  1  COME 
 QllICKLY^:Qr'this,  WATCH,  or  the  like.  In 
 b?ing  among  liiqny  Men,  and  of  Variety  of  Humours, 
 is.  thy  Danger.  Watch  thy  Steps  therefore,  and 
 watch  thy  Company. 
 
 With  the  Beginning  of  the  Day  blefs  the  Creator 
 of  Heaven  and,  Earth,  who  has  granted  to  thee  far- 
 ther Time  and  Space  for  Amendment,  and  leading  a 
 
 Life, 
 
Book  III.      of  Jesus  Christ.  135 
 
 Life  according  to  Chrift^  and  has  made  his  Sun  to 
 rife  upon  thee  for  various  and  manifold  Ufes.     Make 
 halte  to  bow  thy  Soul  before  His  Majefty,  and  with  all 
 Care  and  Exadtnefs  to  drefs  thine  Inward  Man.    And 
 be  fure  that  no  Worldly  or  Indifferent  Affairs  take 
 up  thy  Mind  at  the  beginning  of  the  Day  :  Neitherde- 
 fer  thou,  or  curtail,  thy  Religious  Exercifes,  upon  any 
 llnwillingnefs,  or  flight  Pretence.     Thou  muft  be  a 
 good  Husband  of  thy  Hours  ^  and  if  thou  art  wife, 
 thou  wilt  never  fquander  away  Time  in  drefliug  thy 
 Body.    And  for  as  much  as  thy  Calling,  or  Employ- 
 ment, may  confift  of  feveral  Branches,  or  particular 
 Occupations  and  Services  •,  look  that  one  do  not  en- 
 croach upon  the  other:    But  fee  to  prefer  the  moit 
 important  for  the  time  prefent,  and  for  the  principal 
 End.     Now  what  is  this  End?  It  is  no  other  undoubt- 
 edly than  CHRIST.     Let  Him  be  thy  Life,  and   the 
 fole  Standard  of  thy  Words  and  Adtions.   For  thee  to 
 live  let  it  be  Chrift  :  And  let  all  thy  Works  be  Chrift  j 
 that  is,  make  Him  the  End  of  them  all,  as  well  as  the 
 Beginning;  and  direft  them  always  to  his  Praife  and 
 Glory.     Let  Him  be  thy  whole  Hope,  and  the  ever* 
 lafting  Reward   which  thou  exped^ell: :    And  neither 
 feek  for,  nor  afFed  the  Favour  of  Men. 
 
 If  thou  care  ft  not  to  be  deceived,  be  not  tickled 
 with  foolifh  Praifes.  God  knows  thine  Heart,  and 
 difcerns  how  impure  and  vain  it  is.  Regard  not  him 
 that  fiattereth  ;  but  liften  thou  rather  to  him  that  re- 
 proveth,  who  while  he  rebuketh  thee  for  thy  Faults, 
 doth  thee  the  belt  Service  *,  though  he  be  not  a  plea- 
 fant,  yet  he  is  a  good  Counfellor  for  thee.  Have  al- 
 ways in  a  readinefs  the  holy  Exercife  of  Prayer,  as  aa 
 invincible  fhield  againft  every  thing  that  would  crofs 
 thee,  and  againft  all  the  Attacks  of  the  Tempter. 
 
 K  4  Chap. 
 
136  f3D(tf)t  9!mttatioti        Vol.  ii. 
 
 Chap.    HL 
 
 Of  the  Elevation  and  DireBion  of  the  Heart 
 
 to  GOD. 
 
 BEfore  any  External  Work  firft:  lift  up  thy  Heart 
 to  GOD.  Whatever  Good  thou  Ihalt  do,  or 
 fpeak,  make  but  light  account  of  it :  Thou  (halt  not 
 for  it  have  any  better  Opinion  at  all  of  thy  felf  ^  but 
 fhalt  of  thy  felf  be  judged  to  be  a  mere  unprofitable 
 Servant  indeed.  For  even  but  a  flight  rifing  up  of 
 the  Heart  is  offenfive  to  the  Eyes  of  the  Divine  Ma- 
 jelly.  Would  to  God  that  thou  couldfl  but  fpend 
 one  Day  at  leafl,  or  one  Hour,  or  even  but  one  half 
 Hour,  entirely^  as  thou  oughtelt,  with  thy  Lord  and 
 Saviour.  Alas!  there  where  thou  fhouldft  be,  and 
 where  thou  feemeft  alfo  to  be,  more  devout  than  or- 
 dinary, there  is  found  in  thee  far  too  little  of  Atten- 
 tion or  Purity.  And  how  thinkefl  thou  that  thy 
 Prayers  I'hould  afcend,  or  that  thy  Words  fhould  be' 
 acceptable  ^  while  thou  art  fo  unftedfall,  and  fo  un- 
 purified. 
 
 Thy  Work  being  ended,  or  the  folemn  Office  of 
 Prayer  performed,  render  Thanks  for  what  is  well 
 done,  and  ask  pardon  with  a  lowly  and  contrite 
 Heart  for  the  Negligences  that  may  have  crept  in, 
 and  furprizedthee.  Humble  Deprecation,  and  begging 
 of  Pardon,  before  God,  and  in  the  Prefence  of  his 
 holy  Angels,  is  that  which  greatly  purgeth  away 
 Tranfgrefiion  ;  And  is,  through  the  Blood  of  Chrift, 
 the  Ablution  of  the  Confcience  when  foiled. 
 
 At  your  folemn  Offices  of  Prayer,  and  in  all  your 
 Exercifes  of  Piety,  it  may  be  very  profitable  to  make 
 ufe  of  the  Lord's  Prayer  as  a  means  of  Recolledioa 
 with  Gogl  m  Spirit.    Nothing  can  be  more  proper 
 
 thaa 
 
Book  III.      of  Jesus  Christ.  137 
 
 than  this  to  excite  and  quicken  the  Heart ;  to  inflame 
 it,  and  gather  it  inwards  *,  to  unite  it  againft  Diftra- 
 dions,  and  fortifie  it  againft  Temptations :  Nothing, 
 in  a  word,  more  acceptable  to  the  God  and  Father 
 of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  the  Author,  who  will  not 
 lend  any  away  empty,  any  that  comes  to  him  through 
 Faith  in  his  Son's  own  very  Words.  This  is  Gather- 
 irjg  vf'ith  Chrift  in  a  true  Senfe,  to  gather  up  thy  Soul 
 into  his  Spirit,  according  as  he  himfelf  hath  taught 
 thee  j  and  thus  to  come  unto  his  Father  and  thy  Fa- 
 ther, 2iS  \n  His  Name :  And  whofoever  Gathereth  af- 
 ter this  manner  can  never  for  certain  be  a  Lofer.  But 
 He  that  gathereth  not  with  me  ^  faith  our 
 Blefled  Jefus,  fcattereth  abroad:  And  he  ^^"'  ^"* 
 that  is  not  withme^  by  being  gather'd  inwards  is  againfi 
 tne^  by  being  drawn  outwards^  and  by  wandring 
 forth  into  the  World,  and  its  deluding  Objeds,  the 
 poor  Soul  thus  quickly  lofeth  her  felf,  becaufe  (lie 
 is  no  more  with^  but  without ^  yea  againft  Chrift.  Ah 
 poor  Soul!  Whither  fleeft  thou  ?  "Whither  gaddeft 
 thou?  What  is  it,  thinkeft  thou,  that  the  Creatures 
 can  give  thee?  Where  is  thy  Jefus?  in  the  Crowd? 
 Ah!  never,  never  Ihalt  thou  find  him  in  the  Crowd 
 of  thy  Thoughts.  Retire,  recoiled.  Gather  thy  felf 
 with  Him :  So  will  he  be  found  of  thee  ^  he  will  be 
 found  in  his  Father^s  Honfe^  and  about  his  Father  s 
 Bufmefs\  he  will  be  found  in  thy  Fleart,  where  he 
 loveth  to  be,  and  to  make  it  an  Houfe  of  Prayer,  when 
 thou  ihalth'd^QJhMt  the  Door  of  it,  diligently  keeping 
 all  the  Avenues  that  the  Enemy  Ileal  not  in. 
 
 Let  the  Sweet  and  Powerful  Name  of  JESUS  be 
 frequently  in  thy  Mouth,  conftantly  in  thy  Heart. 
 Thou  fhait  prefently  draw  fweetnefs  out  of  it,  and 
 Comfort  to  thy  Soul,  in  every  Diftrefs  and  Difficul- 
 ty: And  (halt  be  effedually  convinced  of  how  great 
 Value  the  true  Internal  Love  of  Jefus  is,  and  receive 
 a  fenfible  Experience  of  the  Benefits  accruing  to  thee, 
 
 by 
 
138 m  tijt  imitation        Vol  il. 
 
 by  thy  invocating  that  holy  Name  in  Faith  rooted  on 
 Love.  But  he  that  is  negligent  herein  fhall  foon  find 
 to  his  own  Coft,  that  being  not  inwardly  gather'd  in 
 the  Unity  of  this  Name,  with  all  Saints,  he  is  not 
 one  of  their  Number  whofe  Work  it  is  to  gather  with 
 Chrifl,  Wherefore  let  him  recoiled  himfelf,  and  ga- 
 ther in  apace  his  Mind  to  be  with  ChriO:^  keeping  a 
 Uriel  Watch  for  the  future  againft  all  fenfible  Objeds 
 and  Ideas,  that  he  be  no  more  fo  eafily  again  furprized 
 and  captivated  by  them.  But  ftiould  it  happen,  O 
 beloved  Chriftian,  that  thou  art  fonietimes  fnatch'd 
 away  by  thefe  bufy  Intruders ,  and  doft  wander  out  a 
 little  into  the  Creatures,  flee  thou  ftrait  to  his  Name 
 for  thy  Refuge  :  Here  take  up,  here  reft^  for  hereby 
 Ihail  thine  Enemies,  even  as  many  as  would  flay  thy 
 Soul,  befcattcr'd  as  the  Dull,  and  driven  as  the  Chaff* 
 before  a  mighty  Wind. 
 
 Marvellous  are  the  Experiences  of  devout  Perfons, 
 as  to  this  Matter,  which  confirm  the  Truth  of  all 
 what  here  has  [>ecn  faid.  Attend  therefore  diligently, 
 and  love  to  be  much  alone  with  thy  Jefus:  And 
 whenfoever  thou  art  molefted  by  the  things  that  are 
 without,  then  ufe  thy  felf  to  invccate  his  Name  for 
 Succour  •,  and  confidently  ejaculate  forth  thy  Soul  as 
 into  his  Arms  in  fome  fhort  ardent  Breathing.  And 
 whether  thou  art  at  Home,  or  whether  thou  art  A- 
 broad,  ftiil  be  thou  communing  with  him  in  Spirit : 
 And  let  his  Name  be  to  thee  at  all  times,  and  in  all 
 Places,  for  a  Shield  -^  which  thou  oughteflnot  through 
 Carelefnefs,  or  Cowardice,  to  let  drop,  as  thou  va- 
 iliefl:  thy  Life.  Call  to  mind  the  moft:  facred  Vows 
 and  Ties  thou  art  under,  remember  that  thou  art  a 
 Soldier  lifted  in  his  Service,  that  thou  art  folemnly 
 fworn  to  fight  under  the  Banner  of  his  Crofs  to  thy 
 Life's  end  :  And  go  not  off" from  thy  Watch,  to  which 
 thou  art  appointed.  Keep  thy  Soul  in  thy  Hands 
 vvherefoever  thou  art,  have  a  ftrid  Eye  over  thy  felf: 
 
 I  And 
 
Book  III.        of  Jesus  Christ.         159 
 
 And  ftrive  clofely  to  follow  the  Steps  of  thy  Lord, 
 walking  after  him  in  all  Humility  and  Patience.  Par- 
 ticularly forget  not  the  Refolution  of  this  Day,  which 
 thou  madeft  in  the  Morning  :  This  thou  art  too  apt 
 to  let  flip  out  of  thy  Memory  *,  but  be  careful,  and 
 take  good  heed  to  it,  that  ib  at  Night  thou  maylt 
 have  a  comfortable  Refledion  of  the  Day  pail,  and 
 therewith  lie  down  in  Peace.  Look  to  thy  Intentioa 
 always  that  it  be  upright  and  pure  :  And  that  thy 
 Heart  be  habitually  direded  in  all  things  to  the  Di- 
 vine Glory,  fctting  Chriil  continually  before  thine 
 Eyes  in  whatever  thou  dofl-,  that  he  may  be  both 
 the  Author  and  the  Perfecter  in  thee  of  every  good 
 Word  and  Work.  Watch  every  where  :  for  every 
 where  there  are  Snaresof  the  malicious  Enemy  laid  to 
 catch  wandring  Sonls.  -'-  -^^^  -^i  ^! 
 
 C   HAP.      IV. 
 
 Of  the  Guard  of  the  Outward  Seiifes^ 
 
 THere  is  no  fafer  Place  for  a  Servant  of  God  in  this 
 W^orld,  than  a  ftill  retired  Room  •,  where  un- 
 difturbed  and  nnobferved,  he  can  pray  unto  the  Fa- 
 ther with  a  free  Mind,  Shutting  out  whatever  would 
 crowd  in  from  without.  If  thou  hafl  then  fuch  a 
 Convenience,  keep  that,  and  that  (hall  keep  thee. 
 There  is  always  Danger  in  thy  going  from  Home, 
 uniefs  upon  neceflity  or  Duty.  But  the  abiding  with- 
 in, where  thou  haft  Time  and  Opportunity  for  Holy 
 Retirement,  is  certainly  the  Reft  of  a  raoft  devout 
 Life.  Whofoever  accuftoms  himfelf  to  withdraw 
 much  into  his  Chamber,  or  Clofet,  and  there  to  wait 
 upon  God,  and  commune  with  him  in  the  Deep  of 
 the  Soul  5  fhall  foon  draw  thence  the  Peace  of  Heart, 
 
 which 
 
140  flDf  ti)t  imitation        Vol.  IL 
 
 which  pafleth  the  Natural  Man's  Underftanding,  and 
 fhall  be  defended  from  very  great  and  many  Dangers. 
 Solitude  is  the  Mother  of  Devotion  :  But  the  Crowd 
 is  a  troubler  of  it.  Chrift  who  could  not  be  hin- 
 der'd  in  a  Crowd,  or  Multitude,  yet  withdrew  him- 
 felf  from  it.  He  withdrew  himfelf,  we  find,  fre- 
 quently out  of  the  Crowd,  either  to  a  Mountain,  or 
 a  Defart,  or  a  Garden,  or  the  like,  that  he  might 
 pray  his  Father  in  fecret :  And  there  is  no  doubt  at 
 all  to  be  made,  but  that  this  is  written  of  him  for  our 
 Information,  as  well  as  Comfort^  and  that  we  ought 
 therefore  to  make  him  herein  our  Pattern,  by  a  pru- 
 dent Retreat,  as  much  and  as  often  as  is  poflible,  and 
 as  is  confident  with  our  Vocation  in  the  World,  and 
 the  Lot  whereto  we  are  appointed  of  Providence. 
 
 The  Solitary  Life  is  generally  a  Friend  of  Peace  *, 
 and  is  acceptable  to  God  and  his  Angels  \  who  are 
 fent  of  him  to  minifter  in  the  VVildernefs  to  his  hid-^ 
 den  Ones,  and  are  delighted  in  the  Converfation  of 
 fuch  who  love  Privacy  and  Purity  ;  He  that  can  re- 
 ceive it,  let  him  receive  it:  But  to  all  it  is  not  given  : 
 for  al]  are  not  call'd  tair.  Some  are  rather  call'd  to 
 an  adive  Life  upon  the  Stage  of  this  prcfent  World, 
 and  others  to  a  mixt  fort  of  Life,  betwixt  this  and  the 
 former.  Let  each  one  be  fure  to  obferve  carefully  the 
 Call  of  God,  and  the  Station  wherein  Providence  hath 
 
 placed  him. 
 
 He  that  is  in  Spirit  truly  retired,  hath  the  King- 
 dom of  God  in  filence :  And  the  end  of  fuch  an  one 
 is,  having  renounced  ajl  Worldly  Things,  to  give  up 
 himfelf  wholly  unto  God,  and  to  wait  on  him  in  Pure- 
 nefs  of  Heart,  and  Watchfulnefs  of  the  Mouth.  Va- 
 liant is  he  who  overcomes  the  World  :  But  flill 
 more  valiant  is  he  who  overcomes  himfelf,  and  that 
 perfedtly  *,  by  a  voluntary  Conformity  to  the  Pover- 
 ty of  the  Lord  jefus  Chrift,  and  by  a  full  and  pe- 
 remptory Renunciation  of  one's  own  Willj  and  Re- 
 
 fignment 
 
Book  III.      of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  K  I  S  T.  14^ 
 
 fignment  of  it  up  into  the  Hands  of  the  Father  of  our 
 Lord,  and  our  Father  alfoin  Him.  Deny  therefore  th'/ 
 felf  in  all  things  for  Chrift's  fake :  Withdraw  thy  felt 
 out  of  the  Multitude  for  his  fake,  and  to  be  with  him  : 
 Deliver  up  thy  Will  into  God's  Hand,  without  referve, 
 for  the  Love  of  him  ♦,   and  that  thou  may'ft  Imitate 
 him  in  this  great  Point,  to  the  Honour  of  his  Name. 
 And  efpeciaTly  thou  muft  take  heed,  if  thou  would  ft 
 be  kept  from  outward  Diftradionsandfpiritual  Lofs, 
 not  to  entangle  thy  felf  with  the  Concerns  of  others. 
 What  thou  haft  no  Commiflion  for,  fee  thou  inter- 
 meddle not  with,  either  by  Word  or  Deed.  Should  ft 
 thou  fee  things  done  which  are  not  right,  yet  do  not 
 Judge  raflily  of  Fads  j   the   Circumftances  of  which 
 may  poffibly  be  unknown  to  thee.     Deliberate  well 
 before  thou  fpeakeft,  that  thou  be  not  furprized  in  a 
 
 Word.  ^       ,         , 
 
 Be  very  cautious  of  being  too  much  Abroad  ^  and, 
 where  there  is  no  need,  be  not  forward  to  go.     If 
 either  Authority  commands,  or  Ufefulnefs  requires  ^ 
 if  it  be  either  in  Obedience  to  thy  Lawful  Superiors^ 
 or  in  Difcharge  of  thy  private  Duty  or  Obligation  •, 
 obferve  in  thy  going  forth  ftill  a  decent  and  comely 
 Difcipline,  and  a  prudent  and  eafie  Deportment  *,  and 
 return  quickly   again  to  thy  own  Privacy.     Now, 
 when  thou  art  abroad  in  Company,  keep  thine  Eyes 
 diligently,  ftop  thine  Ears  againft  Rumours,  refrain 
 thy  Tongue,  and  employ  thine  Heart  in  fome  good 
 Meditation.     Before  tiiou  goeft  out  of  thy  Chamber, 
 or  Houfe,  ufe  fome  fhort  Ejaculatory  Prayer,  for  the 
 Divine  Grace  to  keep  thee  in  thy  Ways,  fuch  as  this : 
 *^  Make  my  Way  ftraight,  O  Lord  my  God,  .. 
 
 *'  in  thy  fight:  Make  firm  my  Seeps  in  thy  ^^^i.xvn. 
 "  Paths ,    that  I  may  never  tread  out  of  the  Way. 
 *'  The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  me  always  on  the  Way^ 
 *'  and  his  Angel  accompany   me  going  forth,    and 
 
 '^  coming  in. 
 
 I  La 
 
142  m  ti)t  Slnutatton       Vol.  il 
 
 In  the  midfl  of  all  thy  Works,  be  ever  mindful  of 
 thy  Beloved  Jefus,  who  difcerneth  all  things  that  are 
 under  the  Heaven^  and  fearcheth  the  Hearts  to  the 
 bottom  in  all  places  and  Times.  Fix  thy  Mind  fteadi- 
 ly  upon  him  ^  fo  Ihall  thy  Heart  be  kept  in  Awe,  and 
 the  Motions  thereof  from  wandring.  If  thou  halt  a  de- 
 iire  not  to  be  enfnared,  then  do  not  look  about  thee 
 much.  The  Eyes  lead  the  Senfes  j  and  the  Senfes 
 foon  infedl  the  wandring  Heart.  What  avails  it  to 
 look  on  that,  which  it's  not  permitted  to  have  ?  That 
 is  often  drawn  in  from  without,  by  which  the  Interior 
 Man  is  defiled  and  polluted^  It  is  an  hard  matter  to 
 behold  Beautiful  Objects,  and  not  to  be  affeded  with 
 them.  An  Image,  which  is  once  view'd,  and  is  not 
 plucked  out,  doth  either  beget  Hurt,  or  Strife,  in  the 
 Fleihly  Heart. 
 
 C  H  A  P.     V. 
 
 TJ:)e  great  Duty  of  RecolleSion ,    l?oth  at  Horns 
 
 and  Abroad. 
 
 FOR  tKe  avoiding  therefore  both  of  the  more  open 
 and  hidden  Snares,  fee  that  thou  keep  but  little 
 Company,  fo  far  as  this  is  left  to  thy  tree  Choice; 
 and  that  thou  continually  ftand  as  upon  thy  W^atch- 
 Tower,  where-ever  thou  art,  and  in  whatever  Com- 
 pany^ without  fulfering  thy  felf  to  be  tempted  down 
 from  it.  Prefer  thy  Home,  let  it  be  never  fo  homely 
 (as  we  fay)  to  all  that  is  moft  attradive  Abroad,  and 
 that  would  divert  and  fcatter  thy  Thoughts  too  much 
 outwards.  Returning  therefore  to  thy  little  Cham- 
 ber, or  Oratory,  here  do  thou  fix  the  Anchor  of  Sta- 
 blenefs,  by  fervent  Prayer  and  devout  Reading.  For 
 the  Place,  having  been  by  thee  fpecially  coafccrated 
 
 to 
 
Book  III.      of  Jes  us  C  HR  I  ST.  143 
 
 to  Divine  Service  and  Religious  Exercifes,  becomes 
 a  means  of  recalling  thee  inwards,  and  qiiickning  thy 
 Devotion :  It  endures  thee  not  to  abide  in  it  long 
 idle,  or  carelefly  and  deadly  there  to  trifle  away  thy 
 time.  Prefently  bend  thy' Knees,  and  bow  thy  Head, 
 with  a  Senfe  of  the  Prefenceof  the  Divine  Majeft^,  or 
 as  if  thou  didft  aduaily  there  behold  Jefus  Chrift 
 crucified  before  thee:  And  fay  in  thy  Heart  with 
 Faith,  O  Lamb  of  God  that  takefl  away  the  Sins  of  the 
 Worlds  have  mercy  lifon  me  \  have  mercy  H^on  me\  and 
 grant  me  thy  Peace, 
 
 Let  Peace  be  in  thy  Houfe:  And  as  for  thy  Cham- 
 ber, in  particular,  let  it  be  the  Chamber  of  Peace,  And 
 if  it  (hall  have  pleafed  the  good  God  to  blefs  thee  with 
 a  little  quiet,  and  agreeable  Room  for  thy  devout  Re- 
 tirement, then  forget  not  to  give  Thanks:  And  often 
 repeat  to  thy  felf  with  deep  Attention,  as  confidering 
 and  contemplating  in  Faith  the  Ark  of  the  Lord  there 
 prefent,  thefe,  or  fome  fuch  Words  as  thefe:  "  Sure- 
 ''  ly  this  have  I  chofen  to  be  an  Habitation  for  me, 
 *'  O  Lord  my  God :  Here  I  will  reft  with  thee ;  here 
 "  I  will  dwell  j  becaufe  itisaPlaceofmyownchooling. 
 "  Lord,  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here  ^  yea,  above  all 
 ''  the  defirable  things  of  the  Earth  moft  defirable : 
 "  For,  lo  !  this  Place  is  Holy. 
 
 Wherefore,  as  long  as  thou  (halt  live  in  this  Earth- 
 ly Tabernacle,  retire  as  much  as  thou  canft  from  the 
 worldly  Crowd  into  thy  fecret  Chamber,  where  thou 
 may'ft  be  alone  with  God,  and  keep  up  thy  Conver- 
 fation  in  Heaven^  till  at  length  thou  put  oif  this  Bur- 
 then of  Earth,  and  the  Heavenly  Paradife  be  open'd 
 unto  thee  *,  with  free  admifllon  into  the  Society  of  the 
 Firft-born,  who  are  the  Kings  and  Prieils  of  God  for 
 ever,  reigning  with  Chrill,  the  He  id  of  every  Princi- 
 pality. Lead  here  then  an  Angelical  Life,  converhng 
 with  Heavenly  Objeds,  and  fulfilling  the  Will  otGod 
 with  all  readinefs  and  cheerfulnefs  j  fo  ihalc  thou  be 
 
 made 
 
1 44  ^f  tl^e  imitation        Vol.  ii* 
 
 made  a  fit  Companion  for  Angels  hereafter,  when  thou 
 Ihalt  be  called  into  the  Joy  of  thy  Lord. 
 
 Now,  for  as  much  as  there  is  a  neceffity  for  thee  to  be 
 fometimes  abroad  in  the  World,  theSociety  whereof  is 
 commonly  as  Pitch,  defiling  where-ever  it  toucheth ; 
 therefore  when  thou  haft  been  from  home,  forbear  not 
 to  examin  thy  felt  at  thy  return,  where  thou  haft  been, 
 and  what  thou  haft  done  or  fpoken.  This  will  be  no 
 hard  matter  for  thee,  as  thou  (halt  accuftom  thy  felf 
 to  it :  For  an  Habit  will  render  it  very  eafie  and  fa- 
 miliar *,  and  the  Advantage  hereof  thou  wilt  find  to 
 be  exceeding  great.  Haft  thou  fallen,  rife  up  agaia 
 in  the  Name  of  God  •,  earneftly  beg  Forgivenefs  ^  la- 
 ment thy  own  miferable  Frailty,  and  that  thou  art 
 fo  nightly  turned  afide  from  thy  holy  Refolution. 
 What,  I  pray,  haft  thou  gain'd,  if  thou  haft  loft  God 
 and  PeaceofConfcience  in  worldly  Conference?  Be- 
 hold !  without  God  all  things  are  Vanity,  .all  are  Bit- 
 ternefs  :  But  to  meditate  of  God,  is  wonderful  Sweet- 
 nefs  to  the  Mind,  is  charming  Delight  to  the  Heart. 
 
 Would  to  God  that  thou  would'ft  learn  at  leaft  by 
 thy  lofs,  and  be  inftrufted  by  what  thou  haft  already 
 fuffer'd  *,  how  abfolutely  necefTary  it  is  for  thee  to 
 ftand  always  on  thy  Guard,  whatever  the  Company 
 may  be  which  thou  art  in*,  and  to  be  exceeding  cau- 
 tious not  to  fall  into  a  Snare,  through  the  variety  and 
 multiplicity  of  Difcourfe  that  may  offer  it  felf.     Haft 
 thou  wandred?  Return  at  laft  unto  thy  felf,  however 
 defiled  or  outwardly  attraded.     Recover  in  Secret 
 what  thou  haft  loft  in  Publick.     Alas !  It  is  feldom 
 we  go  forth  without  Danger^  and  very  feldom  it  is 
 we  return  home  without  Hurt.     Watch  therefore,  O 
 Chriftian,  with  all  Watchfulnefs ;  and  being  return- 
 ed, enter  into  thy  Clofet,  or  fccret  Chamber,  and  fhut 
 the  Door  thereof*,  be  iilent  for  fome  while,  and  ex- 
 clude all  whatever    might    difturb    or   diftrad   thy 
 Thoughts.     Be  mindful  of  God  alone*,  fix  thy  felf 
 
 as 
 
Book  III.        of  J  E  s  u  s  Christ.  145 
 
 as  in  his  Prefence  fteadily  ^  and  fervently  befeech  him 
 fo  to  eftablifh  thee  with  his  free  Spiritists  thou  may'Ilbe 
 able  to  ftand  henceforward  in  every  Temptation^  and 
 not  to  be  drawn  more  from  him  into  the  Spirit  of 
 this  World.     So  Ihall  his  Majefty   not  only  repair 
 what  through  thy  Frailty  hath  been  decay 'd  in  thee, 
 but  alfo  fill  thee  more  abundantly  than  ever  with  his 
 Grace,  and  ftrengthen  thee  in  tiie  inward  Man  :  fo  as 
 thou  may'It  day  by  day  grow  up  flil]  in  Conformity 
 to  the  Life  of  thy  Jefus,  till  at  length  thou  arrive  at 
 the  Maturity  of  the  wifh'd-for  Eftate  in  Him^  and  be 
 nu m bred  among  the /?r<?w^  Merj^  who  hav^e  overcome 
 the  Wicked  One,  and  have  the  Word  of  God  abiding 
 in  them,  as  a  permanent  Principle  of  Life,  to  fecure 
 them  againft  all  the  Ailaults  of  the  World.     Retire 
 then  within,  be  itill,  wait,  pray,  without  fainting- 
 I  have  ken  many  that  have  taken  great  Delight  ia 
 gadding  abroad  for  their  Diverfion  :  And  I  looked  to 
 fee  what  Fruit  they  brought  with  them  home*,  and, 
 behold  !  it  was  either  none  at  all,  or  elfe  fuch  as  they 
 had  much  better  have  been  without. 
 _  In  the  time  of  Labour  thy  Mind  may  continue  exer» 
 cifed  with  God:  And  forget  not  to  have  recourfe  to 
 him  at  every  turn  with  fome  Ihort  Prayer  or  other,  fuch 
 as  may  be  molt  fuitable  and  moll  affecting  to  thee. 
 Ponder  on  fome  Verfe  out  of  the  Pfalms^  or  repeat 
 to  thy  felf  fome  Word  out  of  the  Gofpel^  with  which 
 thou  Irafl  been  livelily  touch'd  at  any  time ;  as  alfo 
 fome  Paflage  out  of  the  Epifihs^  that  is  very  llroilgljf 
 imprelTed  ori  thee  5  which  may  ferve  to  comfort  aiid 
 fupport  thee, to admonifh  thee  alfo,  and  driveaway  the 
 feeming  Tedioufnefs  of  the  Time.     Thus  while  thou 
 art  at  Work,  thou  performeft  a  moll  acceptable  Ser- 
 vice and  Sacrifice  to  Almighty  God  :  And  the  La- 
 bour of  thine  Hands,  being  thus  con  fee  rated,  IhalL 
 fraife  thee  in  the  Gates  ^  even  in  the  Gates  otjerufalem^ 
 which  is  above  7  and  Strength  and  Honour  ihall  be 
 
 L  thy 
 
h6  fSDt  ti^e  gimitattou         Vol.  ii. 
 
 thy  Clothing,  and  thou  (halt  rejoice  in  the  Time  to 
 come  with  the  Spirits  of  the  Perfed  Ones,  who  in  the 
 Days  of  their  Flefh  did  thus  alfo  in  like  manner  La- 
 hour  and  Pray.  This  is  a  true  Obfervation  :  Would 
 any  one  be  glad  to  make  a  confiderable  Progrefs  in  the 
 Service  of  God,  and  to  perfevere  in  it  to  the  end,  then 
 let  fuch  a  Perfon  fail  not,  either  in  being  diligent  at 
 Work,  or  fervent  in  Prayer.  For  by  Diligence  in  thy 
 Vocation,  as  well  as  by  Fervour  m  Prayer,  thou  truly 
 fervefb  God,  fo  long  as  thou  holdeft  this  method 
 which  is  here  propofed :  Only  keep  thy  FJeart,  and 
 fufFcr  not  the  AfFedions  thereof  to  be  poured  forth 
 toward  Vifible  Objedts.  While  the  Hands  work,  the 
 Hea^'t  may  pray. 
 
 But  ftiould  wandring  and  impertinent  Thoughts 
 crowd  in  upon  thee  never  fo  fall,  be  not  thou  hereat 
 difcouraged,  O  Soldier  of  Chrift  \  but  run  to  thy 
 ufual  Arms  of  Prayers  and  Meditations.  And  for 
 this  end  it  is  farther  advifable,  that  thou  pitch  on 
 fome  particular  Point  of  the  PafTion  of  Chrift,  or  other 
 fuitable  Subjeft. 
 
 Chap.    VI. 
 
 Of  Holy  Vigilance. 
 
 THere  are  many  and  great  Duties,  which  I  am  ob- 
 liged to,  merely  as  an  FJuman  and  Reafonable 
 Creature;  of  which  the  Philofophers,  by  the  Light  of 
 Nature  only,  have  treated  at  large :  And  truly  ex- 
 cellent Patterns  there  are  of  them  that  have  liv'd  up 
 to  that  Light.  There  are  others  again,  and  greater 
 than  thefe,  which  1  ftand  obliged  to,  not  as  Man^  but 
 as  Chriflian\  And  which  I  am  bound  by  exprefs  Vow, 
 and  molt  folema  Padt  and  Agreement,   to  perform, 
 
 through 
 
Book  III.      of  Jesus  Christ.  147 
 
 through  the  Affiftance  of  the  Grace  of  my  God,>  which 
 he  hath  promifed.  Moreover,  there  are  alfo  different 
 Degrees  of  Chriitian  Duties  and  Holiriefs,  as  there 
 are  different  Ages  and  Statures  in  the  Myftical  Body> 
 together  with  a  great  variety  of  Vocations  and  Cir- 
 cumllances,  either  more  outward  or  inward.  Now  as 
 for  me,  who  have  had  feveral  Advantages  above  many 
 others,  and  who  am  not  only  a  Ghriftian  by  Baptif- 
 mal  Confecration  ^  but  am  alfo  a  Chrifiian  DevoUf 
 lying  under  more  peculiar  and  eminent  Ties  of  Ser- 
 ving God,  and  following  Chrift  fully,  through  the 
 fpecial  Favours  and  Graces  which  I  have  received  ^  it 
 mufl  needs  be  incumbent  on  fuch  an  one,  to  prcfs 
 after  the  very  highell  Degrees  of  Duty,  fince  a  more 
 than  ordinary  Pitch  of  SanQity  is  there  for  certain 
 required,  where  the  Affiflance  afforded  is  beyond  what 
 is  common. 
 
 Af.  Wherefore  banifh  Sloth  from  thy  Heart,  and  let: 
 
 Drowfinefs  depart  from  thine  Eyes:  Shake  off  Dul- 
 
 nefs,  expel  Heavinefs,  tread  down  the  Daintinefs  arid 
 
 Softnefs  of  the  Flefh,  put  on  a  good  Courage,  and  be 
 
 early  at  the  Divine  Service,  and  the  Duties  of  thy  Vo- 
 
 'cation.  Be  thou  ready  and  prepared  for  all  thofe  things 
 
 vyhith  thou  fhalc  know  thy  felf  boand  -to  perform  : 
 
 Becaufe  great  Ihall  be  thy  Reward,  and  infinite  the 
 
 'jGloty  which  the  Lord  thy   Saviour  fhall  graeioufly 
 
 ycTnfer  upon  thee. .  ,^...     ::.-... ..         , 
 
 "Loiter  not  in  thy  Bed,  when  it  l§  ^imt  f^t  thee  lb 
 
 Rife:^  Butaccuftom  thy  felfto  Ri#'early,  and  to  be 
 
 ibnick:  aifo  in  Drefling  thy  Body^  For  this  purpofe  be 
 
 \hou  triitidfulof  the  Words  of  the  Lord  Jefus,  roufing 
 
 up  his  Difciples  :  Why  Jleep  ye  ^  faid    he, 
 
 Eife  and  Pray ^  lefi  ye  enter  into  T'emptation,     tuk..,,xxij. 
 
 Read  alfo  and  ponder  the  Saying  of  St.  Pant-,     j^oJ^.  iiiri. 
 
 iVo-n?  it  is  high  time  to  awake  out  of  Sleep :  For 
 
 'now  are  our  Eyes  opened,  that  v/e  may  rife  unto  Chrift"^ 
 
 as  out  of  a  dead  Sleep.      Say  then  in  thy  Heart  with 
 
 L  2  Faiths 
 
i4§  ^C  ti^e  Sitnitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 Faith,  ^^^ Awake,  O  my  Soul,  unto  Righteoufnefs  ^  for 
 *^*  thy  Night  furely  is  far  fpent,  and  the  Day  of  thy 
 ''•  Salvation  is  at  hand  ^  even  nearer  at  hand  than  thou 
 "leanft  eafily  believe.  Why  fleepeft:  thou  thus?  Why 
 ^^'lA  fuch  a  Slumber  t-  Rife^  and  Pray.  Caft  off  the 
 *'  Covering  of  Darknefs,  with  all  the  Works  thereof, 
 v^as  the  Bed-Clothes  that  lie  upon  thee*,  and  put 
 *<'thou  on  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl,  with  the  whole  Ar- 
 ■f*  tnour  of  Light:  And  make  not  Provifion  for  the 
 -*'-'Flefh,  but  for  the  Spirit.  Rife  then,  and  Tray  ^  bcr 
 ^^Ing'  bbedient  to  thv  Lord's  Word. 
 
 Fiisn?)  iotoiod:t,cV  vTii^tif'r'ta  i- 
 rrej^arationjorydnd' Attendance' at  the  PuMick 
 
 j'W'TjrTHen/.thoa'.ait/rifen,.  iiiaKe  haft  to  Worfiiipv 
 
 VV    and  intermit  not  an    opportunity  of  being 
 
 e^irly  ^t  the  ;Ghurqh,   when  and  where  it  is  in  thy 
 
 Power/.   But;  fi^ft.be.  fure  to  drefs  thy  Soul,  and  to 
 
 :ord€r  thy  St($r?j.:C'.iAi;id  never  let  Worldly  Matters 
 
 ttake  up  thy  Mind,;  without  there  be  a  prefent  and  ab- 
 
 MutQ  neceflity  ,  at  the  firfl  of  the  Day.^    Let  no 
 
 JPretence  ordinarily  hinder  thee  from  aiUfting.  at  the 
 
 xfpl^mn  Services:  of  the  ChuiGh,  with  the  firft,  both 
 
 :Morjling  and:  Evening ;  and  let  all  Private  Duties  tend 
 
 ito  jit  thee  for,  and  to  improve  the.  .Publick  j  that  in 
 
 Vhe  .holy  Affeijiblies  thou  may'ft  bear  a  better  part 
 
 \vith  Saints:,a[nd  Angels,,  and  more  glcrifie  and  mag- 
 
 ni fie  God.     Go;  therefore  with  all  due  Preparation  j 
 
 and  hearing.the  fedt  to  R,ing  in,  make  hafte,  that  thou 
 
 get  there  in  feafon,  before  the  Service  begins  and  fay 
 
 to  thy  felf,  "This  is' the  Signal  of  the  great  King, 
 
 ^V  let  me  go  and  .worfliip  Him. 
 
 "■,       ^  "       ^  When 
 
Book  III.         of  J  E  S  U  S   C  H  R  I  S  T.  I49 
 
 When  thou  art  come,  let  the  Place  of  his  Worfhip 
 appear  Beautiful  to  thee:  Shake  offtheDuft  from  thy 
 Feet,  pm  off  thy  bemired  Shoes^  leaving  behind  all  in- 
 ferior and  corrupt  AfFedions,  or  whatever  may  be 
 faid  to  touch  the  Earth  ;  and  enter  into  his  Courts 
 with  a  profound  Senfe  and  Veneration  of  his  Holinefs. 
 Abide  therein  all  the  while  v/ith  Fear  and  Reverence, 
 Prayiifg  before  his  Footflool,  and  praifing  the  Name 
 of  the  Lord  moft  High.  Be  entirely  drawn  and  col- 
 lected into  thy  felf,  and  firmly  intent  upon  God. 
 Diligently  hear  God's  Words,  which  are  there  Read 
 or  Sung.  Be  not  wearied  with  thy  Attendance  ;  nor 
 think  it  too  long  that  thou  art  here  employed  in  this 
 fo  Honourable  Service:  But  conftrain  thy  Body  to 
 ferve  the  Spirit,  and  rouze  up  the  iMind  that  is  ready 
 to  flag.  For  oftentimes  there  is  new  Grace  given  of 
 God,  tothofe  that  perfifl  ftedfaflly,  notwithftanding 
 the  Weight  that  opprefleth  them,  either  of  Nature  or 
 Difeafe^  and  that  are  not  difcouraged  prefently  thro' 
 the  want  offenfihle  Devotion  ^  but  do  wreftle  in  Prayer 
 with  their  Bodily  Infirmities,  as  becometh  the  faithful 
 Difciples  of  Chriic  jefus :  Who  here  are  called  to 
 Wdfch  mto  Prayer^  in  the  Communion  of  all  Saints  j 
 that  fo  by  the  Union  of  many  Spirits  m  one,  ther-e 
 may  be  a  mutual  Supply  unto  every  Member,  accord- 
 ing as  it  requireth,  in  the  fellowfhip  of  the  fame  Spi- 
 rit, and  Performance  of  the  fame  Spiritual  Service  \ 
 and  that  their  Supplications  and  Thankfgivings,  thus 
 united,  may  more  powerfully  afcend,  and  be  as  an  In- 
 cenfe  of  moH  fweet  Savour  before  the  Throne  of  God 
 in  the  Heavens.  Continue  then  but  to  Watch  as  thou 
 oughteft,  without  being  too  much  concern'd  for  the 
 llneafinefs  which  thou  perhaps  feelefl^  and  remain- 
 alFured,  that  God  will  give  thee  his  Grace,  and  accept 
 the  Sacrifice  which  thou  ofFereil-,  howfoever  imperfed 
 in  it  felf  it  may  be.  If  then  thou  perceivefl  little  or 
 j>o  Relifli  in  the  LelTons  when  they  are  read,  or  in  the 
 
 L  3  '      Prayers 
 
ISO  m  ti^t  9!mitatton       Vol.  ii. 
 
 Prayers  or  Pfalms  when  thou  joiiiefl:  in  them  ^  ac- 
 knowledge thine  Infirmity  humbly,  exped  the  Grace 
 of  God  confidently,  and  perfevere  to  the  End  refo- 
 lutely.  For  the  Lord  will  come,  and  not  flay  :  Yea, 
 he  cometh  unto  thee,  O  Soul,  that  art  heavy  and  caft 
 down '-,  he  cometh,  without  any  delaying,  to  thy  help  •, 
 and  he  will  vifit  the  Defolate  that  crieth  unto  him, 
 and  feekth  him  with  a  loving  Defire.  Then  fhall 
 thine  Heart  be  ftruck  with  Wonderment,  and  Ihall 
 be  enlarged  in  all  things,  which  thou  Ihalt  either  Hear 
 or  Read,  while  thou  art  waiting  in  the  Lord's  Houfe : 
 And  thou  (halt  underftand  how  Manifold  and  Won- 
 drous his  Law  is.  And  Blefled  is  the  Man,  whom  he 
 teacheth  his  Teftimonies,  fhalt  thou  then  fay  :  Yea, 
 Blefled  is  the  Man  whom  the  Lord  thus  viliteth  ^  and 
 whofe  Heart  is  thereby  difpofed  to  fulfil  his  Com- 
 mandments at  all  times,  and  with  great  diligence, 
 being  made  ftrong  in  Faith  and  Love. 
 
 Chap.    VIII, 
 
 Of  External  ABs  and  GeJInres  in  Divine  Worfiip. 
 
 NOw  there  are  fome  things,  which  pofljbly  may 
 appear  in  themfelves  very  Infignificant,  which 
 yet  often  contribute  not  a  little  to  the  Quickning  of 
 Devotion,  and  the  exciting  of  the  SouJ,  when  it  be- 
 gins to  be  feized  with  Drowfinefsor  Dulnefs.  There 
 are  certain  outward  Adionsand  Geftures,  which  have 
 in  them  a  fort  of  Natural  Tendency,  however  by  ma- 
 ny not  obferved,  or  inconfiderately  flighted,  to  aflifb 
 the  devout  Soul  in  her  Religious  Exercifes,  both  fo- 
 lemn  and  private,  according  to  thefeveral  kinds  and 
 parts,  which  muft  diligently  be  heeded  ^  and  to  ex- 
 prefs  the  inward  AfFedions  and  Difpofitions  in  fuch  a 
 
 manner  o 
 
Book  III.      of  Jesus   ChfvIst.  151 
 
 manner,  as -thereby  alfo  the  more  to  inkindle  and  en^ 
 flame  what  may  fometimes  lie  in  us  as  hidden  under 
 theAfhes.  Therefore  Bowing,  Kneeling,  Proilration, 
 and  other  goodCufloms,  ought  not  to  be  negledted  of 
 thee;  neither  wilt  thou  by  any  means  defpife  them, 
 if  thou  art  wife  ;  but  wik  with  all  Humility,  yet  with- 
 out any  Affeftednefs,  obferve  them  *,  that  fo  the  dull 
 Bodies,  which  are  apt  to  be  foon  tired  out,  may  here- 
 by be  rouzed  almolt  continually,  and  kept  in  a  more 
 watchful  poflure. 
 
 All  thefe  A£lions,  if  duly  performed  ,    however 
 otherwife  inconfiderable  in  themfelves,  are  of  no  mean 
 acceptance  with  Almighty  God.     I  fay,  //  duly  per- 
 formed^ ih^t  is  ^  obediently,  prudently,  and  humbly; 
 elfe  they  avail  thee  not.     For,  in  one  Word,  without 
 the  Spirit  of  Life  do  accompany  and  animate  them, 
 all  is  but  as  a  mere  Farce,  or  a  dead  Puppet-Worihip; 
 but  with  this  Animation  it  becomes  a  Reafonable  Ser- 
 viccy  and  is  accordingly  of  great  Power  and  Efficacy. 
 For  thus  our  very  Lord  Jefus  Chrill  himfelf,  when  the 
 Hour  of  his   Paflion    was   drawing  near , 
 kneeled  down,    and  fell  on  his  Face,  and  Matc.Kxvi. 
 prayed  the  Father.    So  alfo  the  Protomartyr  ^"^^  ^^"' 
 St.  Stephen  kneeled  down,  and  prayed  for  his  ^(x%  vii. 
 Perfecutors.  St.  P^ffr  likewife  kneeled  down, 
 and  fo  raifed  up  to  Life  the  Dead  Widow  by  ^^^  ^^* 
 Prayer,  afTifted  with  outward  Geflure.  Mary 
 Magdalene^  by  bowing  her  Body,  and  looking  ^       ^^' 
 into  the  Sepulchre,  had  a  fight  of  the  Holy  Angels,  as 
 (hcfiooped  down,  St.  P^w/obferved  this  too,that  fo  taking 
 hisfolemn  Leave  of  the  Elders  of  the  Church 
 in  Afiay  he  kneeled  dow/i-y  and  prayed  with  them     Actsxx. 
 alL    Stand  therefore  reverently,   as  it  becometh  the 
 Servants  of  Chrilt ;  or  kneel  devoutly,  or  proftrate 
 thy  felf  humbly,  as  thou  art  obliged  ;  omitting  no- 
 thing of  what  is  required  of  thee  by  the  Rules  of  thy 
 holy  InftitutioDj  or  by  the  common  Practice  of  the 
 
 L  4  Church, 
 
152 £)f  tl^e  imitation        Vol. ii. 
 
 Church,  as  to  all  fuch  Externals  or  Circumftantials-. 
 /:et  not  Lazinefs  or  IndifFerency  be  feen  in  thy  fitting, 
 but  ufe  a  compofed  and  attentive  Poflnre:  When  thou 
 iitteft,  fit  as  the  Prophet  David  fat  before  the  Lord  ^  di- 
 ligently recoiled  thy  Spirit,  and  earneftly  bovv^  thine 
 Ear  to  what  thou  heareft  of  the  Divine  Word. 
 
 And  as  on  one  fide  thou  mufl  labour  to  fhakeofFall 
 Dulnefs  and  Tepidnefs,  and  to  fhun  all  Appearance 
 thereof  in  thy  Behaviour,  while  at  Church  :  So  like- 
 wife  oughteft  thou  here  always  to  avoid  every  fhew  of 
 Lightnefs  and  Inconitancy,  inthe  manner  of  thy  Hand- 
 ing, or  moving  up  and  down,  or  in  looking  about 
 thee,  and  taking  notice  of  what  is  there  done  by  others, 
 or  of  any  outward  and  worldly  Appearances.  Let 
 there  not  be  refped  of  Perfonsinthe  Houfeof  Prayer ; 
 but  keep  diligently  thy  Foot  when  thou  entreft  into 
 it ;  and  while  thou  art  there,  let  not  thy  Eye  go  after 
 a  few  Flics,  for  as  much  as  thou  art  in  the  prefence  of 
 the  Majefty  of  Heaven  and  Earth. 
 
 Shew  in  thy  Behaviour  here  a  Modefly  mix'd  with 
 a  Religious  Cheer fulnefs,  as  becometh  a  fincere  and 
 devout  Chrillian.  And  left  thou  be  diverted  by  the 
 Company  that  is  near  thee,  or  dillurbed  by  the  Con- 
 fufion  and  Indevotion  of  fome  that  may  be  there,  as 
 to  their  Bodies  only,  while  their  Minds  are  gadding 
 elfewhere*,  look  thou  lledfaftly  before  thee,  be  intent 
 with  all  thy  might  upon  what  thou  art  bufied  ^  ob- 
 ferve  the  Minifter  of  God,  as  reprefenting  to  thee  the 
 Perfon  and  Office  of  Chrift^  and  fpecially  dired  thine 
 Eye  towards  the  holy  Table  and  Altar,  and  thine  Heart 
 thereby  to  the  Confideration  of  thofe  molt  Auguft 
 Myfleries,' which  the  Angels  themfelves  are  delighted 
 here  to  look  into.  To  do  any  thing  in  an  Holy  Place 
 that  is  unfcemly,  or  uncomely,  fhall  not  pafs  un- 
 punifhed.  Where  God  is  fpecially  Prefent,  and  his 
 holy  Angels  do  frequent,  there  for  certain  thou  dofr 
 very  foolifhly  to  intermeddle  at  all  with  Temporal 
 
 Matters, 
 
Book Ill.^jf^J E s u s  Christ.  i59 
 
 Matters.  Art  thou  in  his  Prefence,  and  in  theirs  too, 
 as  his  immediate  Attendants  ?  It  behoveth  thee  verily 
 to  watch  with  all  diligent  heed,  to  think  only  upon 
 what  is  Divine  and  Heavenly  •,  and  not  to  touch  the 
 Earth,  or  what  is  Earthly,  in  thy  Thoughts.  Re- 
 member therefore  the  Call  and  Admonition  of  Chrilt, 
 fpeaking  to  ^^^^  ^^^e  Prieft,  and  fay-  ,  ^^^^^^  ,^^,^^ 
 ing,  ^  Lift  Hf  your  Hearts  '^  and  do  tnou  ' 
 not  only  anfwer  with  the  Mouth,  but  let  thy  Heart 
 echo  back  to  the  fame,  and  be  accordingly  lifted  up. 
 So  fhall  the  King  of  Glory  come  unto  thee  j  and  he 
 will  prepare  himfelf  an  Habitation  in  thee,  and  abide 
 
 with  thee.  t     ^t       t. 
 
 When  thou  goef!:  at  any  time  through  a  Church,  or 
 a  Church-yard,  call  to  mind  the  Day  of  thy  Death, 
 unknown  to  thee.  Look  alfo  upon  the  Sepulchres  of 
 the  Dead^  whom  in  a  ihort  while  thou  art  to  follow, 
 and  fnalt  be  cover'd  with  Earth  in  like  manner,  and 
 no  more  thought  of  than  now  they  are.  Earth 
 thou  art,  and  to  Earth  thou  (halt  return,  to  be  trod- 
 den under  Foot  of  Men.  Remember  thy  laft  End  : 
 Lo  1  all  things  pafsaway  as  a  Shadow,  and  their  Image 
 perifheth  out  of  the  Land. 
 
 Chap.    IX. 
 
 Converfation  at  Meals, 
 
 BEfore  thou  fitteft  down  to  Meals,  lift  up  thine 
 Eyes  to  Heaven,  and  fay  with  the  Prophet  in  the 
 Tfalms^  or  meditate  by  Faith  in  the  Heart,  after  this 
 manner,  viz.  The  Eyes  of  all  wait  upon  thee^ 
 0  Lord  •,  and  thou  givefi  them  their  Meat  in  ^  •^^^• 
 du.e  Seafon.  Be  therefore  watchful,  that  thou  neither 
 Eat  nor  Drink  out  of  Seafon,  or  fo  as  to  prejudice 
 *  any 
 
1 54  €>f  tift  gimttatron        Vol.  IL 
 
 -*——--   -  I  -  — ■ —  - .___ 
 
 any  ways  thy  felf  by  whac  was  given  ibr  tliy  Good. 
 Thou  Ihalc  alfo  pray  with  che  Prophet,  faying,  Thou 
 fit  alt  feed  us^  Lord^  with  the  Bread  of  Tears-,  and  jljalt 
 give  US  to  drink  of  Tears  in  Meafure. 
 
 Eat  with  Modefty,  and  the  Fear  of  God  *,  giving 
 Thanks  from  thy  Heart,  and  fandifying  all  whatever 
 thou  takeft  m  the  Name  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift. 
 Have  in  Remembrance  the  manner  of  his  eating  and 
 drinking  with  his  Difciples,  when  he  was  upon  the 
 Earth,  and  efpecially  of  his  lafl  mofl  holy  SHpper\  and 
 Paflbver,  which  he  kept  with  them  juft  before  his  De- 
 parture; and  of  all  that  he  then  faid  and  did  for  aa 
 Example  and  a  Memorial  unto  all  his  true  Followers  to 
 the  end  of  the  World.  Refled  very  particularly 
 what  a  wonderful  Pattern  he  fet  before  thee  by  him  of 
 Humility  and  Charity  towards  thy  Chriftian  Bre- 
 thren, in  his  walhing  the  Feet  of  his  Difciples,  and 
 Attendance  upon  them  in  the  Form  of  a  Servant :  And 
 ponder  and  ruminate  in  thy  Heart  what  he  then 
 faid  to  them,  and  now  fays  to  thee,  I  have 
 Jon.  xm.  giygfj  yoit  an  Example^  that  ye  fhoidd  do  as  I 
 have  done  to  yon  :  7  he  Servant  is  not  greater  than  his 
 Jjord^  neither  he  that  is  fent  than  he  that  fent  him^  Hap- 
 py art  thou  if  thou  both  knoweft  this,  and  doft  it  j 
 exercifing  thy  felf  with  all  Lowlinefs  and  Condefcen- 
 ^ion,  in  Ads  of  CompaHion  and  Charity,  Spiritual 
 and  Bodily,  according  to  thy  Power. 
 
 The  Order  of  thy  ProfefTion  is  founded  upon  Him, 
 and  upon  the  Apoftolical  Way  of  Living  :  According 
 to  that  Ride  which  he  himfelf  gave,  and  by  his  own 
 holy  Example  hath  confirmed:  Which  verily  could 
 not  be  for  the  firft  Ages  of  his  Church  only,  but  for 
 all  the  fucceeding  ones  even  to  this  very  Day,  and  to 
 the  Confummation  of  the  World;  that  we  Ihould  all 
 who  bear  his  Name  do,  even  as  he  hath  done  to  us. 
 For  to  every  one  of  us  in  like  manner  is  the  Charge 
 given,  as  from  his  holy  Mouth,  f^erily^  verily-^  1  f^y 
 
 hnio 
 
Book  III.  ___onE s u  s  C  H  R I  s T.         155 
 
 unto  you.    Liften  therefore  to  the  Voice  of  thy  Lord, 
 O  Beloved  in  Chrift,  whenfoever  thou  fitteft  down 
 atthe Table :  And  never  turn  thy  Face  from  thy  poor 
 Brother,  or  Sifter,  that  fo  thy  Lord  s  Face  may  not 
 be  turned  away  from  thee.    But  be  merciful  after  thy 
 Power,  in  the  Humility  of  Love ;  And  if  thou  haft 
 but  a  little,  do  thy  Diligence  gladly  to  give  even  of 
 that  little.    And  if  thou  haft  nothing,  yet  let  thy 
 Heart  be  liberally  minded :  And  be  lure  never  to  for- 
 cet  thy  good  Benefaftors,  and  Friends,  if  his  Good- 
 nefs  Ihal!  have  raifed  thee  any  to  fupply  thy  Bodily 
 Neceflities;  but  let  them  be  reprefented  before  thy 
 God  and  Saviour,  and  ofFer'd  up  continually  with  In- 
 terceffion  and  Thankfgiving.    Glonfie  him  in  all, 
 and  blefs  his  holy  Name  for  all. 
 
 For,  confider  thou  muft,  that  whatever  thy  State 
 or  Portion  may  here  be,  it  is  God  who  opens  his 
 mnds,  after  this  or  that  manner,  fo  filling  M  thwgs 
 Uving  with  Flenteoufnefs  :  That  he  that^<«-  ^^^  ^^. 
 thereth  little  may  have  no  lack,  and  he  that  • 
 
 ?athereth  much  may  have  nothing  over.  Let  therefore 
 the  Lord  thy  God,  whether  thou  aboundeft,  or  whe- 
 ther thou  wanteft  be  glorified,  who  hath  ordained 
 fuch  a  Provifion  for  all :  And  addrefs  thy  felt  to  him 
 in  Faith  {or  the  Bread  of  the  Day,  not  without  dili- 
 gent feeking  it  alfo  according  to  the  Order  of  his 
 Providence  i  and  fee  when  thou  haft  it,  that  thou 
 keep  it  not  beyond  the  Command  •,  left  it  breed  Wormj, 
 and  fiink,  and  fo  the  Wrath  of  the  Lord  be  kindled 
 againft  thee,  for  thy  hoarding  up  of  that  which  thou 
 oughteft  to  have  communicated  for  the  Neceflities  ot 
 the  Brethren,  laying  up  in  Store  thereby  for  thy  felf, 
 -a  lood  Foundation  againfi  the  time  to  come. 
 
 If  thou  feeft  the  outfide  of  the  Cup,  and  of  the  Plat- 
 ter, made  clean,  call  to  mind  the  Words  of  the  Lord, 
 who  faid,  Cleanfe  firft  that  which  is  within. 
 Se  not  thou  therefore  like  to  the  Blind    Mwt,  xxm. 
 
 Tharijety 
 
15^  jflDf  ti)t  3imTtacfoir       Vol.  u. 
 
 Tharifee^  in  a  fuperflidous  Regard  to  thine  outward 
 Behaviour  ^  neglecting  in  the  mean  time  the  more  in- 
 ward Life  and  Spirit  of  Religion.  For  nothing  is  more 
 deplorable,  as  well  as  ridiculous,  than  to  appear  Bean- 
 tifui  oHtward^  and  to  be  zmhin  full  of  Vncleannefs  :  To 
 be  outwardly  righteous  unto  Men,  and  not  to  be  in- 
 wardly fo  unto  God,  and  in  the  Sight  of  his  holy 
 Angels,  who  diligently  obferve  thee,  as  the  Eyes  of 
 the  Divine  Majefty  running  to  and  fro  upon  the 
 Earth.     Keep  therefore  a  Watch  before  thy  Mouth, 
 but  above  all  before  thy  Heart:    As  underftanding 
 and  duly  recollefting,  that  not  that  ZJchichgo- 
 Mate. XV.      fth  into  the  Mouth  defileth  a  Man:  But  that 
 which  Cometh  out  of  the' Month  th^  defileth  a  Man.      For 
 from  within ,    out   of  the  Heart,  proceed 
 Mark.  vii.     ^^//  Thoughts  ,    with  the  whole  Train  of 
 Evils,  which  defile  the  Man.     Hear,  and  underltand: 
 For  thou  knowelt  well  whofe  Dodrine  it  is." 
 
 So  eat,  and  fo  drink,  in  the  Fear  of  God  continu- 
 ally, as  not  to  adminifter  Fuel  at  any  time  to  Evil. 
 Let  not  what  is  given  thee  for  Good,  be  made  a  Snare 
 imto  thee :  And  thou  hereby  be  hurt  either  in  thy 
 Mind^  through  Temptations,  or  in  thy  Body  ^  by 
 Difeafes :  Or  hinder  thy  felf  either  in  the  Services  of 
 thy  Mafter,  or  in  thine  own  Affairs. 
 
 Dinner  or  Supper  being  over,  let  not  thy  Mind 
 however  be  prefently  bent  with  too  great  Earnellnefs : 
 Yet  take  diligent  heed  of  the  Breaches  of  Time,  and 
 fee  that  thefe  do  not  put  thee  too  far  out  of  the  way, 
 or  interrupt  thee  too  long.  And  becaufe  when  the 
 Body  is  rcfrefhcd ,  we  are  generally  more  prone  to 
 talk  and  laugh-,  therefore  have  then  an  efpecial  Care 
 to  bridle  thy  Mouth  with  Prudence,  that  thou  offend 
 not  in  thy  Tongue.  Flxpcnd  not  more  time  than  is  ne- 
 cefTary  in  providing  for  the  Body,  that  it  faint  not  ; 
 And  return  again  to  the  Duty  of  t|iy  Calling,  as  foon 
 
 as  conveniently  thou  can  ft. 
 
 Be 
 
Book  III.     of  Jesus  C  HRisT.  157 
 
 Be  mindful  of  poor  LaT^arus^  who  was  carry'd  into 
 Abraham^  Bofom,  after  a  Life  here  in  great  Want 
 and  Penury  :  And  of  theVich  Glutton,  who  was  bu- 
 ried in  Hell,  after  having  here  fared  fumptuoufly 
 every  Day. 
 
 Learn,  in  a  w^ord,  to  imitate  the  Model  and  Life 
 of  J  E  S  U  S,  with  all  Lowlinefs  and  Simplicity  of 
 Heart:  Copy  after  him  in  the  manner  of  hisConver- 
 fation  at  the  Table  :  whereof  the  holy  Gofpel  affords 
 thee  fundry  Inftances.  Take  up  thy  Crofs  daily, 
 overcoming  thy  Defeds,  and  mxanfully  refilling  Tem- 
 ptations. For  as  much  as  the  Body  being  refrefhed, 
 the  Flefh  is  thereby  more  ready  and  vigorous  to 
 tempt  :  Whence  it  is  to  be  kept  under  by  the  means 
 of  Labours  and  Studies,  fuch  as  are  both  proper  ia 
 this  Cafe,  and  fuited  to  thy  Calling.  Take  a  llrid 
 accountof  thy  felf :  And  for  Bulinefs  both  or  dinar  y 
 and  extraordinary  allot  thou  the  fitteft  Time  *,  and 
 having  firfl  attended  upon  God,  be  diligent  to  difpatch 
 the  fame  in  Humility,  Obedience  and  Charity. 
 
 If  thou  canft  not  prefently  after  Meals  t^t  upon 
 thofe  Matters  that  are  greater  and  more  important, 
 be  yet  gladly  employ'd  about  fomewhat  that  is  of 
 leller  Confequence.  Never  indulge  thy  felf  at  all  in 
 Sloth  ,  nor  take  pleafure  in  vain  Tales,  and  foolifh 
 Jefting.  Conlider  that  thou  art  bound  to  fet  tliy  felf 
 a  Guard,  and  thy  Brother  a  good  Example. 
 
 Ch  Ai*; 
 
158  €>ft^c3imitatton        Vol.  11. 
 
 'Chap.    X. 
 
 ConfiJeration  of  God's  good  Pleafure,  and  Con* 
 fidence  imaer  Adverjhy. 
 
 IN  every  thing  therefore  that  is  to  be  done,  either 
 within  or  without,  feek  thou  diligently  the  good 
 Pleafure  of  Almighthy  God  :  And  be  fure  to  prefer 
 his  greater  Honour,  before  all  thy  own  private  Ad- 
 vantages ;  and  the  general  Good  of  his  Church  before 
 any  particular  Interefl,  or  Satisfaction-  If  any  thing 
 that  isforrowful  and  crofs  befal  thee,  be  not  there- 
 upon cafl  down  with  fudden  Fear  ^  but  humbly  flee 
 unto  the  Lord,  who  forfakeft  not  them  that  put  their 
 Truft  in  him.  But  all  them  that  prefume  in  them- 
 felves  doth  God  humble:  Yea,  he  doth  confound  in 
 their  own  Craftinefs  the  Confident.  As  for  all  the 
 Children  in  the  Kingdom,  they  have  been  proved, 
 and  daily  are  proved,  with  many  CrofTes  and  Adver- 
 fities  :  That  fo  being  humbled  in  the  Truth,  and  pu- 
 tified  in  this  prefent,  they  may  be  more  glorioully 
 exalted  in  the  World  to  come. 
 
 When  thou  art  at  any  time  overtaken,  or  fallefl 
 into  any  excefs,  let  not  thy  Heart  thereat  be  cafl: 
 down :  Neither  do  thou  prefently  dclpair,  when 
 inafter'd  by  ill  Habit,  or  fiidden  Surprize.  But  ac- 
 knowledge thy  Guilt,  and  confefs  thy  TranfgrefTion, 
 begging  pardon  for  the  fame  through  Chrift's  Merits^ 
 and  purpofing  firmly  to  amend,  and  to  take  heed  for 
 the  future  according  to  all  thofe  Obligations  thou 
 ilandefl;  in. 
 
 The  prefumptuous  Perfon  quickly  defpairsin  Ad- 
 Verfity:  But  the  humble,  when  he  is  perfecuted,  and 
 fufFers  all  manner  of  Contempt  and  Reproach,  puts 
 fo  much  the  more  his  Trull  in  God,  has  a  greater 
 and  furer  Confidence,  is  better  fortified  and  fatisfied  ^ 
 and  by  being  prefled  the  more  down,  rifes  up  ftill 
 
 higher^ 
 
Book  IIL      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  159 
 
 higher,  and  gets  above  all  the  Weights  that  would 
 clog  his  Afcent  to  God. 
 
 He  that  regards  not  either  the  Humours  of  the 
 World,  or  Temporal  Lucre,  may  go  any  where  fe- 
 curely  and  joyfully:  But  he  fhaFl  not  fail  to  meet 
 with  Anguifli,  who  followeth  after  Earthly  things. 
 
 Out  of  Brotherly  Love  and  Holy  Obedience  omit 
 fuch  things  as  more  particularly  concern  thee  :  And 
 do  thofe  things  vvhich  may  be  more  profitable,  though 
 not  fo  agreeable  to  thee  ;  yea  fhould  they  be  evea 
 contrary,  it  may  be  fometimes  good  for  thee  to  be 
 humbled  after  this  manner,  and  fo  to  learn  the  entire 
 fubduing  of  thy  Will  to  God's.  God  will  fupply  all 
 things,  and  that  much  better  than  thou  canft  imagine, 
 v/here  ought  is  omitted  by  thee  upon  thefe  Motives. 
 But  fhould  there  an  Injury  happen  to  be  done  thee 
 in  this  Cafe,  whether  by  Superiors  or  Equals,  conii- 
 der  that  this  is  no  more  than  what  thou  hall  well  de- 
 ferved.  Wherefore  readily  and  gladly  forgive  what-* 
 ever  Injuries  thou  fufferefl  from  any  hand,  and  all 
 outwards  Evils  whencefoever,  or  by  whomfoever  in- 
 flided  :  That  fo  God  may  of  his-  abundant  Mercy 
 again  forgive  thee  all  thy  Offences.  Should  any  one' 
 fpeak  roughly  to  thee,  contend  not  again  with  fuch 
 an  one  morofely :  But  patiently  bear  thou  the  Infir-* 
 mities  of  thy  Brother  9  and  with  foft  and  prudent 
 Difcoufe  teach  him  that  is  undifciplin'd.  If  any 
 Man  offend  not  in  Word,  the  fame  is  a  perfed  Man, 
 faith  Sr.  James.  Would  to  God  that  thou  didft  labour 
 to  utter  as  many  good  and  holy  words,  as  thou  haft  here- 
 tofore fpoken  vain  ones.  And  for  fome  amends  there- 
 fore of  fo  many  idle  and  hurtful  Words  which  thou 
 haft  been  guilty  of,  learn  either  to  hold  thy  Peace 
 with  true  Compundion  of  Heart>  or  elfe  to  fpeak 
 difcreetly  with  juft  Deliberation,  fo  as  to  edifie  thofe 
 tjiat  hear  thee.  Thus  look  both  to  thy  felf.  and  to  thy 
 Company,  into  which   thou  Ihalt  come :  That  thou 
 
 4  -     -        .  be 
 
i6o ^t  ti)z  gimttatioiT        Vol.  ii- 
 
 be  not  the  worfe  for  them,  but  the  better;  nor  they 
 the  worfe  any  way  for  thee,  but  the  better,  both  by 
 thy  Silence  and  thy  Speech. 
 
 Chap.    XL 
 Examhiatioii  at  Night. 
 
 f^Vening  being  come,  thou  mufl  enter  upon  the 
 J  Examination  of  thy  Confcience,  and  the  State  of 
 the  Day  palt.  Herein  thou  art  to  make  diligent  In- 
 quiry, what  Advancement  thou  haft  made,  or  what 
 Lofs  thou  haft  fuftained;  what  thou  haft  committed, 
 or  omitted  ^  how  thou  haft  performed  thy  Exercifes 
 of  Religion,  both  outward  and  inward;  and  whether 
 thou  feeleft  an  Increafe  or  Decreafe  of  holy  Fervour 
 and  Vigilance  ia  the  Spiritual  Courfe. 
 
 Spare  not  thy  felf  in  the  Difcovery  or  the  Cor- 
 redion  of  thy  Faults;  but  implead  thy  felf  impar- 
 tially for  all  of  them  ;  arraign  and  judge  thy  felf  for 
 all,  which,  through  thy  own  Folly  and  Iniquity,  thou 
 haft  done.  Run  over  the  Particulars  in  thy  Mind^ 
 according  to  fuch  certain  Heads  as  are  to  be  found  in 
 many  Books  of  Devotion,  and  efpeciaily  fuch  as  pur- 
 pofely  treat  of  Examination  for  the  Holy  Communion. 
 Think  on  what  has  palFed  with  thee  at  Home  or 
 Abroad,  at  thy  Work  or  Study,  Alone  or  in  Com- 
 pany, in  thy  Chamber,  at  the  Table,  or  at  Church. 
 Thou  art  Guilty  ;  fee  thou  confefs,  and  deny  it  not : 
 For  to  plead  Not  Gmlty^  is  here  moft  certain  Con- 
 demnation. 
 
 Say  unto  thy  Soul:  "  When  wilt  thou,  O-  Soul, 
 '^  amend  this?  When  thinkeft  thou  to  fatisfie  God, 
 '^  Angels  and  Men?  Or,  How  <\oQ:  thou  think  ever 
 ''  to  make  the  leaft  Satisfadion  to  him  or  them?  Alas! 
 '*  alas !  poor  Soul,  what  art  thou  here  capable  of?  For 
 
 *'  thou 
 
Booklll.      Of  Jesus  Christ.  i6i 
 
 "  thou  art  a  Debtor  unto  all  *,  and  to  pay  all  thefe 
 ^^  thy  Debts,  thou  haft  but  one  little  mite.  What 
 is  that  ?  That  is  the  ConfelTion  of  the  Mouth  out  of 
 the  true  Contrition  of  Heart.  Whereby  there  is  full 
 Satisfadion  made,  through  the  Grace  of  the  Lord 
 Chrifl  communicated  to  thee  ^  who,  by  his  own  Pay- 
 ment for  thee,  taketh  away  the  Hand-writing  which 
 was  againft  thee,  and  maketh  thee  a  Free- Man  *,  that 
 thou  may'ft  ferve  him,  and  walk  before  him,  all  the 
 remaining  Days  of  thy  Life,  in  Rigkeoufnefs  Luke  i. 
 and  true  Holinefs' 
 
 Acknowledge  therefore  thy  Sins  unto  the  Lord  be- 
 fore thou  lieft  down,  that  he  may  forgive  the  Wicked* 
 nefs  thereof,  and  fay  with  the  Pfalmift,  I  will 
 confefs  my  Tranf^reffions  unto  the  Lord-,  who 
 is  faithful  and  ]uQ:  to  forgive  me  my  Sins,  and  then  to 
 vleanfe  me  from  all  llnrighteoufnefs.  For  this  fij all 
 every  one  that  is  Godly  fray  unto  thee^  in  a  time  when 
 thou  mayfl  he  found^  or  in  a  Seafonable  Time,  Since 
 that  the  moft  Seafonable  Time  for  the  Recolledion  of 
 the  Heart,  that  hath  been  in  the  Day-time  diflipated 
 and  diftraded  through  the  variety  of  Bufinefles,  feems 
 to  be  the  Hour  of  Complin,  or  juft  before  thy  going 
 to  Bed  ^  which  is  appointed  unto  a  Reft  of  holy  Va- 
 cation, for  the  {tilling  and  calming  the  Confciencei 
 by  ballancing  the  Affairs  of  the  Day,  and  making  all 
 things  even  betwixt  God  and  thee,  through  the  Con* 
 fcflion  of  Faith  and  Repentance. 
 
 Wo  unto  him  that  carelefly  lets  this  Hour  pafs  % 
 and  that  from  Hour  to  Hour,  and  from  Day  to  Day, 
 lengthens  out  Difcourfes,  though  of  little  or  no  Edi- 
 fication *,  but  that  hardly  fo  much  as  once  in  a  Day 
 examines  the  State  of  his  own  Heart,  which  yet  it 
 would  be  neceflary  for  him  to  do  every  Hour;  For  as 
 much  as,  let  thy  Indifferency  herein  be  never  fo  great» 
 God  will  not  fiifFer  ought  to  go  undifcover'd,  or  un- 
 punifh'd,  unlefs  thou  Repent  ♦,   but  will  require  of 
 
 M  thee 
 
i62  m  ti}z  imitation:      ^  Vol.  il 
 
 thee  the  Talent  entrufted  to  thee,  even  to  the  very 
 utmoft  Farthing.  For  he  hath  given  to  us  every  one, 
 Senfe  and  Underdanding,  and  appointed  us  the  Law 
 pf  Life  4Jiid  Difcipline,  .ths^t  we  might  do  well,  and 
 proceed  on  always' to  what  is  better;  But  he  hath  not 
 given  unto  any  Time,  that  it  fh6,uld  be  idly  and  vain- 
 ly trifled  away.  Return,  Return  therefore  unto  thy 
 felf,  O  wretched  Man,  tho'  it  be  late,  tho'  it  be  even 
 the'laft  Hour  of  the  Day  :  For  thouknoweft  not  when 
 the  Lord  voill  come,  or  whdn  thou  fhalt  be  called  to 
 give  an  account  of  the  Work  of  thy  Day. 
 
 C   H  A  P.     XI L 
 
 ^   Exercifispti^ihe  Bed. 
 
 AFter  the  Examination  and  Scrutiny  of  thy  Gon- 
 fcieoce  made  before  thou  goeft  to  fleep,  ac- 
 cuftom  to  arm  thy  felf  with  fome  good  Meditation, 
 or  fcxercife  of  Mental  Prayer,  the  Matter  of  which 
 may  be  any  part  of  the  holy  Gofpel,  or  fuch  good 
 Subjed  as  the  Soul  moft  relifhes,  or  is  bell  fuited  to 
 thy  prefent  State. 
 
 Call  upon  God,  through  Chrifl,  with  enflamed 
 Afpiratious,  and  commend  thy  felf  wholly  into  hif 
 gracious  Keeping  ^  that  fo  he  may  give^a  Charge  un- 
 to his  holy  Angels  to  watch  over  thee,  guard  thee 
 from  Evil,  an,d  repel  the  lllufions  of  the  Night:  So 
 fhall  thy  Sleep  not  be  Beltial  ^  but  Sober,  Chafte  and 
 Quiet.  A  good  Watch  over  the  Heart  and  Senfes  by 
 Day,  promotes  fober  Reft  at  Night.  For  the  Images 
 of  thofe  things,  which  we  are  l)ulied  about  when 
 Awake,  readily  prefent  themfelves  to  us  when  A- 
 
 fleep. 
 Let  thy  Bed  be  to  thee  a  kind  of  Sepulchre,  in  which 
 
 thou 
 
Book  IIL      of  Jesus  CHaisT*  i^3 
 
 thou  art  33 bout  to  reft  for  a  little  while,  thence  to  rife 
 again  quickly  to  celebrate,  the  Divine  Praifes,  and  t5 
 perform  the  Duties  and  Exercifes  of  the  holy  Reli- 
 gion which  thou  profeOefl-,  O  Difciple  ot  Chrift* 
 Themore  prepared  that  thou  Heft  down  to  Reft,  th^ 
 more  prepared  alfo  wilt  thou  be  to  Rife  up.  Thoii 
 ilialt  be  fo  much  ths  more  Lively  and  Cheerful  in  the 
 Morning,  as  thou  wei't  when  thou  wenteft  to  Bed 
 more  Stiid:  aiid  Severe. 
 
 When  thou  art  laid  down  in  thy  Bed,  ufe  thy  felf 
 to; think  over  in  thy  Heart,  or  even  foftly  to  repeat 
 with  thy  Mouth,  fome  devout  Hymn,  Canticle  ot 
 Pfalm,  till  thou  beginnelt  fweetly  to  drop  afleep. 
 
 Let  the  laft  Words  of  Chrifb,  which  he  fpake  ori 
 the  Crofs  giving  uptheGhoft,  be,  in  Remembrancgdf 
 his  Death,  and  in  Preparation  for  thine  own,  through 
 the  virtue  thereof,  faithfully  ruminated  upon,  and 
 devoutly  breathed  forth,  lifting  up  thine  .  .  , 
 Eyes  and  Heart  to  Heaven:  *^  Father^  into  Jrj:^'^ "^"''-' ■> 
 **  thy  Hands  I  commend  my  Spirit '^  for  thou  *        * 
 
 *'  haft  redeemed  me,  O  Lord,  thou  God  of  Truths 
 ^'  through  the  exceeding  great  Love  of  thy  Son,  the 
 **  Son  of  thy  Love* 
 
 Compofethy  felf  in  Bed  decently  ;  let  there  appear 
 a  certain  Modelty  and  Reverence  in  the  very  laying 
 and  ordering  thy  Members :  Uncover  not  thy  Body 
 irreverently,  becaufe  of  the  holy  Watchers,  who  are 
 commanded  to  keep  the  Servants  of  God  ^  neither 
 frequently  turn  and  tofs  thy  felf  ^  but  lie  thou  flill, 
 and  as  upon  thy  Guard,  mindful  of  thy  Lord  Chrifl 
 hanging  on  the^Crofs,  and  of  his  falling  alleep  there- 
 upon by  Death,  which  is  made  unto  thee  Life. 
 
 If  in  the  Night  thou  feeleft  thy  felf  to  be  temptecj 
 by  the  Flefh  or  the  Devil  '^  if  Fear  falls  upon  thee,  or 
 thou  art  feared  with  Dreams,  or  art  difturbed  by  any 
 Paflion  of  the  Mind  whatever,  that  fo  rhod  art  not 
 ablg  quietly  to  take  thy  Refti    Have  recourfe  imme- 
 
 M  a  diacelv 
 
1 64  flDf  tlie  Sintitation        Vol.  11. 
 
 diately  to  Prayer,  and  call  by  Faith  upon  the  Name 
 of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrill,  in  fome  fliort  fervent  and 
 quiet  Afpirations,  fent  forth  tike  Darts  \  and  take  up 
 by  Meditation  the  Crofs,  together  with  the  Scourge^ 
 the  Bitter  Cup,  the  Crown  of  Thorns,  the  Spear,  and 
 the  whole  Armour  of  thy  Crucified  Jefus,  to  fight  there- 
 with againft  the  wicked  Enemy  ^  who  will  foon  by  this 
 means  be  made  to  ftee.  Fear  him  not  at  all  ^  while 
 thou  art  thus  armed,  it  is  impolTible  for  him  to  do 
 thee  any  hurt.  Be  then  Courageous  iri  the  Power  of 
 that  Name,  whereby  thou  art  called,  and  under  which 
 thou  art  a  lifted  and  fworn  Soldier,  to  fight  for  thy 
 Lord's  Honour,  and  for  thine  own  Welfare,  to  the 
 laft.  They  that  are  with  thee  are  more  than  they 
 that  are  againft  thee. 
 
 Call  likewife  to  mind  the  Tortures  of  the  holy  Mar- 
 tyrs, the  Conftancy  of  the  magnanimous  ConfelTors, 
 and  the  mighty  Trophies  of  the  Virgins*-  Think  how 
 fome  of  thefe  were  tortured,  not  accepting  Delive- 
 rance ;  how  others  were  cruelly  mocked  and  fcourged  ^ 
 Iiow  fome  were  ftoned,  others  fawn  afunder  ^  fome 
 Hain  by  the  Sword,  and  others  by  wild  Beafts  ;  fome 
 Burnt,  fome  Crucified,  fome  Flea'd  alive,  fome  broken 
 On  Wheels,  6^c.  Confider  attentively  the  Gridiron 
 of  Laurence')  the  Clubs  of  Marcelks^  the  Nails  ofFin-^ 
 cent^  the  Wheel  of  Catherijje-t  the  Flames  oi  Agnes -^  the 
 fharp-pointed  Shells  oi  Agatha^  the  boiling  Waters  of 
 Cecilia^  the  Teeth  of  wild  Beafts,  horrid  Dungeons^ 
 and  moft  heavy  Bonds  of  the  Saints.  So  by  the  Grace 
 of  God  pondering  on  thefe  things,  thou  fhalt  over- 
 come Fire  by  Fire,  (halt  confound  the  Devil,  fhalt  Ho- 
 nour the  Saints,  and  ftialt  fleep  in  the  Peace  of  Chrift, 
 taking  fweet  Repofe. 
 
 In  the  Night,  after  thy  Sleep,  it  is  not  to  be  won- 
 
 der'd  at,  if  thou  at  fir  ft  feel  thy  felf  as  it  were  drown'd 
 
 in  thy  Bodily  Senfes  *,  whence  impertinent  Thoughts 
 
 ^  of  the  World,  or  other  Vanities,  will  be  apt  to  prefs 
 
 iato 
 
Boofelll.        of  Jesus  Christ.  165 
 
 into  thy  Mind.  But  labour  thou,  by  all  poflible  means, 
 to  quicken  thy  Heart  towards  God,  fo  foon  as  thou 
 awakeft,  and  to  draw  in  thy  Thoughts  from  outward 
 Objeds,  and  the  vain  Imaginations,  that  of  themfelves 
 are  continually  crowding  in  upon  thee.  For  this  end 
 jenter  thou  into  fome  Spiritual  Thoughts,  or  Medita- 
 tions, as  was  faid  before :  Let  the  Remembrance  of 
 thine  own  Frailties,  and  of  the  Omnipotent  Power  of 
 the  Divine  Grace,  be  continually  before  thee. 
 
 Chap.    XIIL 
 The  Exenife  of  Obedience^ 
 
 THE  fafeft  Way  to  Heaven,  is  to  abide  in  Obe- 
 dience, and  live  under  Difcipline.  For  he  who 
 fubmits  faimfelf  to  Man  for  God's  fake,  fliall  receive 
 a  fpecial  Grace  of  the  Lord  here,  and  be  hereafter 
 exalted  in  the  Glory  of  the  Saints.  So  long  fhall 
 there  be  Strife  and  Contention  in  Man,  as  he  conti- 
 nues in  his  own  Will.  God  ought  always  to  be  con- 
 lider'd  as  the  Cauie  and  Reafon  of  our  Obedience  to 
 Superiors,  whether  they  be  Civil  or  Eccleliaftical, 
 Much  fafer  is  it  to  Obey  than  to  Command. 
 
 Soon  fhall  he  arrive  at  Peace,  who  foon  fubmits  and 
 Obeys.  The  Obedient  Matt  declareth  ViEiories^  faith 
 the  wife  Proverb  :  But  he  that  recoileth  back^jhallfinke 
 himfelf  againft  the  Pricks^  and  flj^llfalL  If  the  Life  of 
 him  that  is  let  over  thee  by  God,  be  not  fo  Perfedt 
 and  Praife.worthy  as  his  State  and  Order  might  re- 
 i^uire,  thou  nevertheiefs  dofl  well  by  obeying  him  ia 
 that  which  is  Good  ;  for  as  much  as  thou  art  not 
 from  Man,  but  from  God,  to  exped  thy  Reward. 
 
 Learn  patiently  to  bear  thy  prefent  Goveniour  ^  if 
 4hou  hadft  not  him,  thou  mightell  perhaps  have  a 
 
 M  3  Worf% 
 
i66  !©(  tl^e  fitwtaticn         Vol.  IL 
 
 worfe-  Thou  muft  have  one  or  other  •,  and  never 
 ilialtthou  find  one  perfedly  in  all  things  to  thy  liking, 
 fearch  thou  after  never  fo  many.  A  good  JDifciple 
 jiever  had  fo  bad  Mafter,  as  that  he  could  not  be  Be- 
 iiefitted  by  him,  or  that  he  might  not  reap  Good  to 
 jiimfelf  from  Humility  and  Obedience  ia  all  things 
 lawful. 
 
 '  By  the  Example  therefore  of  Chrill  and  of  his  Saints, 
 i^udy  thou  J  for  Chrifi's  fake,  fimply  and  purely  to 
 Obey,  for  the  fake  alfoboth  of  Confcience  and  a  good 
 Name,  and  for  the  obtaining  of  Peace  of  Mind,  and 
 the  Glory  of  Life  Eternal,  No  Perfon  lives  fo  quiet^ 
 }y,  no  Perfon  dies  fo  fecurely,  as  he  thatis  truly  Obe- 
 dient, and  in  all  things  fubmitted  to  God,  and  to  the 
 Government  by  him  appointed. 
 
 Chap.    XIV. 
 Of  the  more  Inward  Exercifes. 
 ■    Rom  the  more  Outward,  it  is  fit  to  proceed  to  the 
 
 __  more  Inward  Exercifes  of  Religion  \  from  the 
 Inferior  to  the  Superior,  from  the  Corporeal  to  the 
 $piritual.  The  Difciple  of  Chrilt  follows  on.  gra- 
 dually, by  little,  and  little,  learning  to  tread  in  his 
 blefled  Mailer's  Steps*,  and  that  by  the  meaiis  of  daily 
 jpixercifes^  whereby  both  Body  and  Soul  are  brought 
 at  laft  under  Subjedion  to  the  holy  Difcipline  of  his 
 profs.  And  though  at  firft  many  of  thefe  may  be 
 li^avy  and  burthenfome,  yet  being  brought  into  a 
 Cuftom,  they  become  both  light  and  pleafant. 
 ^  In  all  thy  Exercifes  have  regard  to  thy  Ground,  or 
 tbe'  Spring  and  Center,  from  which  they  proceed  ; 
 Incj  above  all,  have  care  of  keeping  thy  Interior, 
 i^]^  that  thy  Hear:  be  not  pofFefTed  of  vain  and  ufelefs 
 -^  Matter  S3 
 
Book  III.      of  J E  sus  Chr  I  ST.  167 
 
 Matters,  which  may  break  in  upon  thee  in  the  midftof 
 thy  Holy  Exercifes :  Watch  over  the  Motions  of  thy 
 Soul,  and  take  heed  that  no  Diforder  arife  in  it. 
 
 Do  not  imagine  that  Devotion  confifts  In  making 
 long  Prayers,  or  in  being  a  great  while  at  Church, 
 and  many  times  in  a  Day,  or  in  any  of  the  External 
 Ads  and  Exercifes  of  Religion,  however  in  their 
 Place  and  Order  ufeful  and  laudable.  No  fuch  mat- 
 ter: Devotion  is  a  great  Readinefs  and  Facility  of  the 
 Soul,  to  do  and  fuffer  all  whatever  it pleafeth  God. 
 This  is  the  ExerciTe  of  all  Exercifes^  and  to  which 
 all  the  reft  ought  to  tend. 
 
 When  therefore  thou  fhalt  be  content  with  all  that 
 God  fhall  fend  thee,  when  thou  fhalt  receive  as  wil- 
 lingly the  Evil  as  the  Good,  when  thou  fhalt  be  in- 
 different to  every  thing  that  can  come  from  him,  and 
 when  thou  fhalt  feel  an  inward  Joy  and  Cheerfulnefs 
 to  do  his  Commandments,  and  to  fuffer  for  the  Love 
 of  Him  j  then  fhalt  thou  have  fome  part  of  true  De- 
 votion. But  after  all,  think  not  the  better  of  thy 
 fdf:  Giorifie  thou  God,  and  confefs  thy  felf  a  poor 
 unprofitable  Servant. 
 
 C  -H  A  P.      XV. 
 
 The   Duty   and  Advafitage  of  Prayer,  Reading, 
 
 md  Woxk. 
 
 THere  are  three  Exercifes  which  are  needful  gene- 
 rally to  a  Religions  Perfon,  without  which  be- 
 ing performed,  there  is  no  fubfiflence  long  in  an  holy 
 Courfe  of  Living:  Thefe  are  Prayer^  Readings  and 
 Working'  In  thefe  muft  thou  be  fure  daily  to  exercife; 
 thy  felf,  and  to  be  employed  about  oae  or  other  of 
 them  always. 
 
 M  4  Prayer 
 
i68  <£>t  tl^e  gimttattoiT        Vol.  IL 
 
 Prayer  enlightens,  purifies  and  comforts  the  Soul  ^ 
 it  obtains  Favour  and  Grace,  drives  away  Melancholy, 
 expels  Drowlinefs  and  Carelefnefs ;  it  eafes  the  bur- 
 then of  Labour,  nourifhes  Devotion,  and  produces 
 holy  Confidence,  and  Hope  that  maketh  not  ajhamed  ^ 
 it  puts  to  flight  the  Devil,  and  overcomes  Temp- 
 tation. 
 
 Let  it  not  therefore  be  uneafie  to  thee  to  Pray,  if 
 thou  defireft  to  be  freed  from  Evil,  and  deliver'd  fron^ 
 thine  own  Vices  and  corrupt  Defires.  Prayer  is  at  all 
 times  needful,  as  well  as  Graces  without  which  we 
 cannot  Spiritually  Live.  We  ought  ever  to  pray  for 
 Grace,  becaufe  it  is  Grace  that  we  ftand  fo  much  in 
 need  of  always,  and  every  where.  It  is  better  to 
 Pray  than  to  Read  j  yet  in  its  feafon  both  ought  to 
 be  done. 
 
 ^^^^/>;^  ought  to  be  as  a  fortof  Prayer ;  and  before 
 thou  Readeft,  let  Prayer  be  offcr'd  up.  Holy  Read- 
 ing inftrufbs  our  Ignorance,  folves  Doubts,  corrects 
 Errors,  teaches  Morality,  manifefts  Vice,  encourages 
 Virtue,  excites  to  Zeal,  ftrikes  a  holy  Dread,  gathers 
 in  the  Spirit  j  andlaftly,  refrefhes  and  recreates  the 
 Mind. 
 
 And  becaufe  thou  canft  not,  as  to  the  exprefs  A(^, 
 continually  Pray  and  Read,  there/ore  oughteft  thou  to 
 operate  and  work  outwardly  fomewhat  or  other  :  la 
 which  Operation  or  Work,  let  there  be  the  Company 
 of  Prayer,  both  before,  in  the  midfl,  and  at  the  end 
 of  it.  To  work  with  the  Hands  after  this  manner, 
 is  both  good  for  the  Body,  and  ferviceable  to  the  Spi- 
 rit*, it  is  an  Edification  of  thy  Neighbour,  and  a  Re- 
 paration of  thy  Senfes  or  Spirits,  after  too  great  In- 
 tehfion  of  them,  either  in  Prayer  or  Study  ^  though 
 fometimes  we  may  be  flothful  and  lazy,  yet  by  per- 
 leveririg  we  overcome. 
 
 There  is  a  labour  both  of  the  Body  and  of  the. 
 Mind  :  Both  are  in  their  feafon  Ufeful  and  Needful ; 
 
 and' 
 
Book  III.       of  J  E  S  U  S   C  H  R  I  S  T.  169 
 
 and  both,  according  to  the  different  Station  and  Lot 
 which  Providence  may  have  appointed  to  each  one, 
 are  required  of  us.  But  that  which  is  of  the  Body 
 doth  molt  tend  to  promote  in  us  Humility,  Obedience, 
 Patience,  Vigilance,  and  Dependance  *,  and  being  fan- 
 dilied,  according  as  thou  art  taught  by  the  Example 
 of  Chrift  and  his  Saints,  it  may  become  truly  an  Ad 
 of  Divine  Service ,  and  Religious  Worfhip.  Let 
 therefore  the  whole  Bufinefs  of  thy  Employment,  or 
 whatever  thou  dolt  operate,  whether  in  or  out  of  the 
 fame  being  confecrated  by  Prayer ;  and  both  begun, 
 continued  and  ended  in  the  Name  of  J  E  S  U  S.  Par- 
 ticularly, in  whatever  thou  writeft,  let  this  Rule  be 
 conftantly  obferv'd ;  Let  God's  Glory  be  Itill  in  thy 
 Eye,  fubmit  herein  to  the  Difcipline  of  his  molt  wii^ 
 Providence  with  all  Cheerfulnefs,  and  be  fure  to  con- 
 lider  the  Work  of  thy  Calling,  as  the  Will  of  God 
 outwardly  fet  before  thee*,  fo  fhalt  thou  be  according- 
 ly blefled  in  it,  and  he  Ihall  efiahlijli  the  Work  of  thine 
 Hands  u^on  thee, 
 
 O  how  Devout  have  fome  of  the  Saints  been,  who 
 Prayed  without  cealing!  How  Studious,  who  were 
 never  tir'd  with  holy  Reading,  and  Meditation  upon 
 it ^  yea,  never  could  be  enough  fatisfy'd  therewith! 
 How  fervent,  laltly,  and  Zealous,  whom  no  Labours 
 were  able  to  break,  and  no  Work  from  without  could 
 any  ways  hinder,  as  to  that  deep  and  hidden  Work 
 which  was  within !  Without  Prayer  and  Labour  what 
 great  thing  hath  any  ever  attain'd  to  ?  Be  thou  then 
 Vigilant  and  Patient :  Pray,  Read,  Labour. 
 
 Doth  it  go  againft  the  Grain  of  thee  to  Work  ? 
 Crofs  herein  thy  Nature.  Whoever  doth  Violence 
 to  himfelf  for  God's  fake,  Ihall  of  God  receive  greater 
 Grace,  and  ihall  quickly  be  changed  into  a  Man  in 
 Chrift.  Bad  Cuftom  is  changed  by  the  contrary  Good 
 one  J  and  the  Good  Cuftom  is  at  length  turned  into 
 
 Nature. 
 
lyo  -flDf  ti)t  imitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 Nature.  That  which  was  at  firft  difficult,  is  after- 
 wards made  to  appear  both  light  and  eafie. 
 
 Thefe  three  Exercifes  of  Praying,  Reading,  and 
 Working  or  Operating,  we  meet  with  to  be  per- 
 form'd  by  us  at  Church.  For  here  is  Prayer  chiefly 
 exercifed  in  the  Pfalms,  Hymns,  and  Colleds.  Here 
 is  alfo  Reading  in  the  Leflbns,  Epiftles,  and  Gofpels, 
 Moreover,  here  is  Working  Ukewife,  while  we  ftand 
 with  the  Body  (or  the  like)  and  employ  our  Mouths 
 in  chanting  forth  alternately  the  Praifesof  Almighty 
 God.  This  verily  is  a  good  and  acceptable  Opera- 
 tion of  Body  and  Mouth:  And  a  Working  which 
 both  profiteth  onr  felves  not  a  little,  and  edifieth 
 others  who  obferve  our  Behaviour  in  the  Houfe  of 
 God,  and  are  fenfibly  often  quicken'd  by  fuch  exter- 
 nal Ads  and  Demonfbrations  as  thefe. 
 
 Prayer  is  beautiful  in  the-  Houfe  of  Prayer,  whea 
 the  Devotion  of  the  Heart  and  the  Order  of  the 
 Church  go  along  together.  Sacred  Reading  is  here 
 alfo  both  comely  and  edifying  :  Therefore  while  the 
 Leffons  are  read  let  your  Mind  be  compofed  with  all 
 Attention  and  Reverence  as  to  the  exprefs  Word  and 
 Meflageof  God  from  Heaven.  And  if  there  be  a  di- 
 ligent Attention  and  Devout  Obfervation,  there  is 
 enough  certainly  to  be  learnt  from  the  publick  Service 
 alone  of  the  Church,  and  particularly  from  what  is 
 therein  read  to  us  out  of  the  holy  Scriptures.  Here 
 Jefus  talketh  with  us,  and  we  with  him.  Hetalketh 
 with  us,  when  we  hear  his  Words  ,  as  when  it  is; 
 founded  in  our  Ears,  Come  mto  me  all  that  travel  *,  or 
 when  we  are  call'd  of  him  to  repent,  for  that  the  King- 
 dom of  Heaven  is  at  hand^  or  the  like  :  We  talk  with 
 him  when  we  joyfully  cry  out.  Thou  art  the  King  of 
 GloryyOChrifi'^  or  when  we  utter  to  him  in  Faith, 
 Thou  art  the  everlafiing  Son  of  the  Father^  and  fo  in  nu- 
 merous Inftances  "befides.  Thus  alfo  our  Jefus  fpeak- 
 ingwichus,  faith,    Se&k  ye  my  Face:    And  we  pre- 
 
 ient\y 
 
Book  HI.      of  Jesus  Christ.  \1\ 
 
 (bntly  again  fpeak  with  him,  according  as  the  holy 
 Ghoft  hath  of  old  inftruded,  faying,  %  Face,  Lord^ 
 zmllwefeeh  And  thus  a  mutual  Converfation  is  kept 
 up  betwixt  Chrift  and  the  devout  Soul  in  the  publick 
 Offices  of  the  Church,  according  to  the  feveral  Parts 
 thereof:  He  plainly  telleth  her,  /  am  thy  Salvation  y 
 and  fhe  as  plainly  telleth  him,  rhm.  Lord, 
 art  the  thing  that  I  long  for,  thou  art  my  hope  '     ,' 
 
 from  my  Tomh.     This  now  refers  properly  to  the  pub- 
 lick  Exercifes  of  Prayer  and  Reading  in  the  Church  : 
 But  yet  the  t:.ird,  which  is  that  of  external  Opera- 
 tion, is  in  no  wife  here  to  be  left  out.     Since  con- 
 itantly  to  frequent  the  Church  at  the  appointed  Sea- 
 fons,  both  early  and  late,  where  God  hath  granted 
 Convenieoce  and  Leifure  f^fficient,  is  for  certain  aa 
 ufeful  Work  and  fruitful  Labour.     For  he  is  not  idle 
 who  prays  devoutly  :  Nay  it  is  a  very  great  Labour, 
 for  one  to  compofe  himfelf  to  Prayer,  when  the  Flelh 
 draweth   him  back,  and  he  hath  no  Pleafure  m  it. 
 Neither  is  he  idle,    who  readeth  the  Scriptures,  or 
 heareth  them  read,  or  meditateth  upOn  them,  and 
 pondereth  them  in  his  Heart.     The  Church  is  in  a 
 fort  Heaven  unto  him,  who  begins  to  take  delight  la 
 all  the  Divine  Scriptures,  and  is  refrefhed  with  the 
 Sacred  and  Solemn  Services.    For  he  glorifieth  God 
 with  the  Angels. 
 
 Chap.    XVI. 
 
 Of  the  Exercife  of  the  Virtues  both  jnteriorrand 
 
 Exterior* 
 
 THere  are  three  principal  Virtues  in  the  Praaice 
 of  which  thou  art  obliged  to  exercife  thy  felt 
 much  in  Converfation s   Which  are  Charity,  Purity 
 
 ■      •        '      '    '"    ' and 
 
172  mti^t  "S^mitation       Vol.  ir. 
 
 and  Humility.  The  firft  regards  thy  Neighbour,  to 
 whom  thou  art  to  render  all  Duties  of  AfFedion  and 
 Good  Will^  as  Occafions  Ihall  prefent  themfelves. 
 The  fecond  obliges  not  to  fay,  do  or  think  any  thing 
 that  has  the  leaft  llncomelinefs,  or  fo  much  as  to  crt 
 dure  any  thing  of  that  kind  in  others,  where  thou  art 
 prefent,  and  hafl  either  any  Authority  or  Refped. 
 The  third  binds  to  yield  to  every  one  as  much  as  pof- 
 fible,  that  is,  in  things  lawful,  or  indifferent  j  yet 
 ftiJl  with  Difcretion. 
 
 There  are  alfo  three  other  lefs  principal  Virtues,and 
 that  regard  more  the  Exterior  of  Man,  as  the  former 
 the  Interior :  Which  are  Modelly,  Gentlenefs,  and 
 Difcretion.  The  firft  regards  our  outward  Comport- 
 ments, our  Words,  our  Looks,  our  Geftiires,  our 
 Adions,  our  Drefs,  our  Ornaments,  with  all  what- 
 ever appears  outwardly  ;  which  ought  to  bear  the 
 Mark  of  Virtue  and  Piety.  The  fecond  confifts  in 
 being  gentle,  gracious,  fubmiflive,  refpeaful,  com- 
 palTionate,  courteous,  and  humble  of  Heart  towards 
 every  one.  The  third  will  make  thee  foberly  confi- 
 der,  what  thou  fhalt  have  to  do,  or  to  fay,  fo  that 
 BO  Body  may  thereby  be  offended,  and  that  no  occa- 
 lion  be  given  by  thee  for  any  one  to  offend  God. 
 
 As  for  the  harfher  Exercifes  of  Penance  and  Morti- 
 fication, if  thefe  be  not  found  fo  very  fuitable  to  thee, 
 let  every  thing  at  leaft  thou  doft  be  done  for  the  Love 
 of  God,  and  through  a  Spirit  of  Piety  :  Which  is  that 
 which  gives  the  Worth  to  thy  Anions,  even  fuch  as 
 are  purely  natural,  human  and  indifferent. 
 
 Now  this  confifts  in  three  things.  FirJ^ ,  thoi; 
 muft  offer  up  unto  Almighty  God  in  his  Son's  Name, 
 theAdion  that  thou  art  about  toad,  before  thou  be- 
 ginneft  it:  Praying  him,  that  nothing  may  pafs 
 thereinto  which  agreeth  not  perfeftly  with  his  Will ; 
 and  that  he  would  be  pleas'd  to  add  to  it  his  Grace 
 aud  Bleffing,  to  the  end  thou  may'ft  be  able  to  per- 
 
Book  III.      of  Jesus  Christ.  175 
 
 form  it  according  as  he  would  have  it  to  be  per- 
 formed. Next  thou  muft  do  the  faid  Adion,  under 
 this  Confideration  that  it  is  a  thing  impofed  of  God 
 upon  thee,  in  that  Condition  wherein  he  has  put  thee; 
 chiefly  if  it  be  a  Matter  of  Duty,  of  Bulinefs  or  of 
 Management  of  the  Houfe.  In  the  third  place,  thou 
 muft  refer  the  fame  to  God  :  Thou  mufl  will  and  de- 
 iire  that  it  may  be  to  his  Honour,  and  that  he  may 
 thence  draw  all  the  Glory,  which  it  is  his  good  Plea- 
 fore  to  have  drawn  thence. 
 
 All  Exercifes  are  to  be  direfted  to  this,  that  the 
 Paflions  be  overcome,  that  Self-will  be  mortified,  that 
 the  World  be  defpifed,  and  that  God  beloved  :  That 
 fo  all  AfFeftions  being  pacified ,  Purity  of  Heart 
 and  Tranquillity  of  Mind  may  be  poiTelled.  Thou 
 fhalt  labour  a  little:  And  thou  fhalt  find  great  Rell» 
 Short  is  the  time  of  our  Pilgrimage  \  but  the  Reward 
 Ihall  be  Joy  without  end.  Many  undergo  greater 
 things  for  the  World,  than  we  for  God.  Many  fuf- 
 fer  harder  things,  and  ad  with  more  Courage  for 
 Hell,  than  we  for  the  Heavenly  Kingdom. 
 
 C  H  A  P.    XVIL 
 
 'The  'Exercise  of  Holy  Courage  and  Refolution  ^ 
 With  the  proper  Means  of  attainingthe  fame. 
 
 AC  T  manfully :  And  let  thy  Heart  be  comforted, 
 and  fortified.  Be  thou  llrong  *,  and  put  thy 
 truft  in  the  Lord  :  For  he  fljall  comfort  thine  Heart. 
 Fear  not^  the  Lord  fhall  be  with  thee  always,  and  iu 
 every  place.  Seek  him,  and  thou  Ihalt  find  :  Cry  * 
 Geafe  not:  If  he  Hay,  exped  him  yet  •,  and  if  he  fhall 
 Qelay,  fay  unto  him,   "  Come^  Lord,  agd  make  no 
 
 (C 
 
174  ©f  ti^c  Simitation        Vol.IL 
 
 *'  long  tarrying  :  O  Lord,,  make  hafte  to  help  me. 
 *'  Help  me.  Gracious  Jefa  :  And  iny  Soul  fhall  be 
 *^  fafe.'  I  am  thy  Servant  :  Give  me  the  Succour  of 
 *^  thy  Grace,  and  it  fhall  foon  be  well  vvich  me*  Arife, 
 *'  help,-  and  deliver  me,  O  Lord  Qirift,  for  thy 
 •*'  Name's  fake. 
 
 Sayalfo:  ''  Vouchfafe,  Lord,  to  be  with  me^  for 
 *'  I  have  a  very  great  mind  to  be  with  thee,  Lord, 
 **•  for  thy  fake  I  began:  For  thy  fake  1  renounced 
 *'  the  World  :  For  thy  fake  alfo  I  left  the  fame,  even 
 *'  to  follow  thee.  And  for  thy  fake  1  fuffer  thefe 
 "  Temptations.  For  thy  fake  1  have  undertaken 
 "thefe  Labours,  and  for  thy  fake  I  die  every  Day. 
 *^  For  the  fake  of  thee  I  am  efteemed  as  a  Fool,  and 
 *'  as  an-  ivfelefs  Man.  For  the  fake  of  thee,  my  Lord, 
 "  I  am  reproved  and  correded :  For  thee  I  rife  early, 
 **  and  fit  up  late:  For  thee  I  faft  and  watch:  For  the 
 *'  fake  of  thee  I  work,  I  write,  [_!  do  t^jlsj  or  that :  2 
 *'  For  the  fike  of  thee  I  love  to  be  retir'd  much  from 
 **  the  Noife  of  the  World,  and  in  Silence  and  Se- 
 **'  crecy  to  poflefs  my  own  Soul.  For  thy  fake  I  do 
 *'  and  bear  all  thefe  things  *,  for  thou  art  worthy,  and 
 *'  artbountiful  to  requite  me,  in  a  time  that  ihall 
 *'  feem  to  thee  good.  Lord  receive  thy  Servant,  O 
 *'  mercifully  accept  thy  poor  Servant:  So  (hall  1  not 
 «'  fear,  what  FleOi,  or  Man,  can  do  againft  me. 
 
 When  any  Adverfity  or  Oppreflion,  either  from 
 without  or  within  fhall  occur,  then  muft  thou  have 
 prefent  recourfeto  Chrift'^ -Paffion  for  thy  Support, 
 duly  pondering  his  moft  bitter  fufferings  for  the  fake 
 of  us  unworthy  Wretches.  And  herein  ought  we  to 
 be  comforted,  that  he  grants  us  to  drink  out  of  his 
 Cup:  And  that  it  is  his  Will,  that  we  fhould  learn 
 in  our  felves  to  I.iave  a  perfect  feeling  of  his  holy 
 Pafliori,  and  thereby  to  bear  as  it  were  the  Marks 
 hereof  in  our  own  Bodies,  to  his  Praife* 
 
 »  Little 
 
Book  III.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R I  s  T.        175 
 
 Little  available  is  it  to  meditate  upon  what  Chrilb 
 has  fuffered  for  us,  if  we  be  not  willing  for  his  fake 
 to  fuffer  too,  and  to  be  made  conformable  to  our 
 Blefled  Head.  Very  greatare  the  Benefits  of  frequent 
 Meditation  on  his  Death  and  PafTion,  when  there  is 
 fuch  a  Preparation  and  Readinefs  of  the  Heart  ac- 
 companying it ;  For  thereby  we  receive  the  Seal  of  our 
 adual  Incorporation  with  him,  and  being  made 
 Partakers  of  the  like  Sufferings  are  greatly  incouraged 
 to  draw  near  to  him  in  firm  Faith  and  Afiuraace  of 
 his  merciful  Afliftance  and  Confolation. 
 
 Wherefore  with  an  humble  Boldnefs  come  nigh  to 
 thy  Lord  and  Saviour:  And  calling  thy  felf  entirely 
 upon  him,  let  thy  Heart  fpeak  unto  him  after  this 
 manner,  <^  Lord  Jefu,  be  thou  my  Refuge,  and  my 
 "  only  Delight.  Be  thou  my  fpecial  Friend^  for  all 
 *'  my  Friends  have  forfaken  me.  Be  thou  my  Hope; 
 "  becaufe  vain  is  the  Hope  in  Man.  Be  thou  my  Joy  ; 
 "and  the  chearing  of  my  Heart  ^  becaufe  ail  Joy  that 
 "  is  of  the  World  is  altogether  empty.  Be  thou  my 
 "  Leader,  be  thou  my  familiar,  and  my  Companion, 
 *'  in  this  Way  wherein  I  Walk^  becaufe  Men  will 
 "  foon  fail,  and  be  taken  away  from  me.  In  thee  i$  my 
 **  Singing  ^  in  thee  is  my  Comfort  ^  in  thee  is  all  my 
 *'.  Trull.  Be  thou  my  Health,  and  my  Honour  \  be 
 *'  thou  my  Riches,  and  my  faving  Strength  \  be  thou 
 *'  my  Love,  and  pleafantnefs  to  my  Palate.  Grant 
 *'  me  to  love  thy  Crofs,  and  to  imitate  the  Footfteps 
 *'  of  thy  PafTion.  Write  thy  Wounds  in  my  Heart, 
 *'  and  grant  me  cheerfully  to  fuffer  Reproaches  and 
 *'  Injuries  from  every  fide,  and  to  be  conformed  to 
 "  thee  in  Life,  and  in  Death.  Let  my  living  be 
 "  to  lead  thy  Life:  And  to  die  for  thee,  my  Dear 
 *'  Jefu,  let  me  account  great  Gain. 
 
 Chap* 
 
176  jSDf  tl^e  Simftation       VoL  IL 
 
 Chap.    XVIIL 
 
 Of  the  Oblation   and  Union  of  our  Exercifes  t 
 Particularly  of  Natural  Aftions. 
 
 AS  thefe  thy  Exercifes,  and  all  Works  of  Piety, 
 have  no  manner  of  Merit  before  God,  but  that 
 which  they  receive  from  Chrill  Jefus  only:  So  it  is 
 abfolutely  neceflary  for  thee  to  give  them  all  unto 
 him,  that  fo  he  by  fprinkling  them  with  his  Blood, 
 may  fet  upon  them  the  Price  and  Value  which  they 
 are  to  have  before  God.  And  as  to  whatever  thou 
 fhalt  fufFer,  either  by  Bodily  Malady,  Poverty,  Re- 
 proach, or  otherwife^  thou  mull  not  fail  to  unite 
 all  this  with  the  Pains  and  Sufferings  which  Chrifi 
 did  bear  for  thee  upon  the  Earth  *,  praying  him  to  re- 
 ceive that  little  which  thou  fufferefb  in  Honour  of, 
 and  Union  with,  that  which  he  himfelf  fufferM  on  thy 
 Behalf:  Difpoling  thy  felf  thus  to  accept  with  a 
 good  Courage  that  Share  of  his  Crofs  which  he  is 
 pleas'd  to  give  thee,  and  counting  it  for  an  Honour 
 that  he  vouch  fafes  thus  to  admit  thee  into  the  Fellow- 
 yZ?//>  of  his  Sufferings. 
 
 God's  iirfl;  Dedgn  was  to  fave  Man  without  Pain 
 and  Labour,  he  put  him  into  an  Earthly  Paradife, 
 amidft  Delights  and  Abundance  of  all  things,  and 
 would  hereby  have  led  him  to  Heaven  ^  had  he  been 
 but  obedient  in  a  fmall  Matter  by  denying  his  own 
 Will :  But  this  Way  having  not  fucceeded,  God  has 
 gracioufly  put  him  now  into  another^  which  is  quite 
 contrary  to  the  former,  even  the  Way  of  the  Crofs, 
 t)f  Pains  and  Sufferings,  eftablifhed  by  Chrift  on  the 
 Earth.^  Refolve  then  ftedfaftly  to  pafs  by  this  Way^ 
 according  as  all  the  Saints,  and  even  the  Son  of  God 
 himfelf  hath  done.    Remember  thou  how  it  is  wric- 
 
Book  III.         of  J  E  S  U  S   C  H  R  I  S  T.  I77 
 
 ten,  that  both  he  that  fanBifiethj  and  they  who      ^^  .    ^j^ 
 are  fanEiified  are  all  of  one  :  And  confider  in 
 good  earneft  why  it  is  thatChrift  Is  not  afhamed  to  call 
 us  Brethren* 
 
 For  there  cannot  be  for  certain  a  more  ufeful  Exer- 
 cife  than  this,  of  Union  by  Faith,  of  our  Adions  and 
 Sufferings  with  thofe  of  Jefljs,  as  the  Captain  of  our 
 Salvation.  Wherefore  it  is  mod  ad vi fable  for  thee 
 to  offer  up  unto  him  all  thy  Adions,  in  Homage  of 
 thofe.  which  he  did  living  in  the  Woi-ld,  as  alfo  all 
 thy  Sufferings  in  Honour  of  his.  Say  hence  in  thy 
 Heart':  '*  Lord  JefnChrift,  accept  of  me  this  petty 
 ^'  Oblation  of  what  I  am  now  about  to  do,  or  to 
 '^  fuffer:  Let  it  be  united,  good  Lord,,  with  what 
 *'  thou  didfl-,  or  with  what  was  endured  by  thee  in 
 "  Flelh. 
 
 Chrifl,  during  his  Life  upon  Earth,  did  fandifie 
 all  the  human  Anions :  Do  tlvou  accordingly  in  this 
 Faith  addrefs  him  j  take  and  gather  the  Grace,  which 
 he  put  into  them.  Art  thou  about  to  eat?  Goniidef 
 how  he  being  on  the  Earth  did  alfo  eat,  and  how  this 
 Adion  in  him  was  fanthlfled.  O  let  not  the  Grace 
 hereof  be  loft  as  to  thee  !  So  if  thou  art  lying  down 
 to  Heep,  reflect  with  thy  felf  how  Chrift,  when  he 
 was  in  the  World  did  alfo  fleep,  being  made  fubject 
 to  our  infirmities :  And  with  this  Refiedtion  let  thy 
 faith  be  quickenM,  ^  and  thereby  make  an  Oblation 
 to  him  of  thy  Sleep,  in  Honour  of  and  Union  with 
 that  which  he  took  upon  the  Earth.  The  very  fame 
 Adtion  or  Fundion,  may  be  confider'd  both  as  Na- 
 tural and  Divine,  in  divers  refpeds :  And  whether 
 thou  eateft  or  drinkeft  licteit  or  waikeit,  lieit  down 
 or  rifeft  up,  all  may  be  to  God's  GJbry,  and  in  Ho- 
 nour of  :ne  Humanity  of  Chrift,  wherein  ,the  Fulnefs . 
 of  the  Deity  dwelt  Bodily.  /Nay,  even  the  very  lit- 
 tle Recreations  and  innocent  Diverfioas,  which  fome- 
 times-may  beneceflary  for  the  Health  of  Body  and* 
 
 N  '  Refrefh- 
 
178 m  ti^e  limitation       Vol.  IL 
 
 Refrefhmentof  Mind,  may  after  this  Manner  too  be 
 confecrated,  being  united  with  the  holy  Childhood  of 
 Jefus.  However,  very  great  Caution  is  herein  requi- 
 red :  Let  therefore  a  deep  Reverential  Awe,  O  be- 
 loved Brother,  continually  reft  upon  thee-,  as  thou 
 ftandeft  in  fo  great  a  Prefence,  and  halt  fo  glorious  a 
 Pattern  given  thee  to  copy  after. 
 
 Chap.    XIX. 
 
 Some  farther  Dir^Bions  and  Encouragements*' 
 
 THus  then  offer  thy  felf  up  to  God  for  a  facrifice' 
 of  perpetual  Praife,  in  all  whatever  thou  doeft, 
 or  fuffereft,  during  the  whole  Day,,  and  even  at 
 Night  too:  That  fo  he  may  vouchfafe  to  preferve 
 thee  \xi  the  Praife  and  Love  of  his  holy  Name  both  by 
 Day  and  by  Night.  For  this  ought  to  be  thy  principal 
 Work  to  praife  God  always^  and  to  perform  all  our 
 Works  and  Operations,  whether  outward  or  inward, 
 little  or  great,  bodily  or  fpiritual,  purely  and  with 
 the  whole  Heart  to  his  Honour,  and  in  Union  with 
 the  Exercifes,  Labours  and  Sufferings  of  Chrift. 
 
 Accuftom  thy  felf  to  thefe  Exercifes,  and  count  that' 
 Day  loft  wherein  thou  haft  not  made  fome  Advance- 
 ment in  them.  Fail  not  to  confider  hereby  what  thou 
 haft  gain'd  or  loft :  That  fo  thou  mayft  give  Thanks  or 
 Pray-  Do  every  thing  as  hath  been  prefcribed,  in  the 
 Name  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  thy  Head  and  Saviour'^ 
 looking  for  Strength  and  Affiftance  in  and  through 
 him:  And  prefentto  him  all  Honour  and  Glory,  Obe- 
 dience and  Love,  in  the  Unity  of  the  Father  and  Spi- 
 rit, both  now  and  ever.  And  fo  caft.ing  out  all  fervile 
 fear,  put  on  the  Spirit  of  Zealand  Love,  of  Forti- 
 tude 
 
Book  MI.      of  J  E  s  u  s  Christ.  179 
 
 tude  and  holy  Vidory.  Receive  Strength,  put  on  the 
 whole  Armour  of  God,  that  thou  mayft  be  able  to 
 ftand  in  the  Evil  Day.     Be  firong^    O  Difciple  of 
 Chrift,  and  of  a  good  Courage  \  be  not  afraid,  neither 
 be  thou  difmayed  \  for  I  am  with  thee,  faith  the  Lord, 
 that  I  may  deliver  thee.    Yea,  the  Lord  thy  God  is 
 with  thee  whitherfoever  thou  goeft,    or  whatfoever 
 thou  undertaken  in  his  Name  and  Fear :    He  will  not 
 failthee^  nor  for  fake  thee  >  Be  only  encouraged,  and  let 
 not  thine  Heart  faint  at  all  ^  becaufe  more  are  they  that 
 are  with  us,  than  they  that  are  agaiAft  us.     I,  faith 
 the  Lord,  will  go  before  thee,  and  will  fight  for  thee: 
 I  will  be  with  thee  always,  and  every  where,  fo  that 
 there  fhall  not  any  be  able  to  ftand  before  thee  all  the 
 Days  of  thy  Warfare  on  Earth  ;  as  thou  ihalt  obferve 
 to  do,  according  to  the  Pattern  and  Commandment 
 which  is  given  thee.    Put  therefore  thy  whole  Hope 
 in  the  Lord  ^  and  be  not  a  Coward,  but  conflant  and 
 Valiant,  as  to  all  things.     Behave  thy  felf  in  all  Mat- 
 ters as  a  Soldier  of  Jefus  Chrifl,  yea,  as  a  good  and 
 faithful  Soldier'^  and  let  thy  Heart  be  flrengthen'd  in 
 the  Might  of  thy  Salvation :  So  (hall  the  Enemy  be 
 made  to  flee. 
 
 BlelTed  is  he  whole  flrength  is  in  the  Lord  his 
 God ;  and  who  hath  not  his  Comfort  in  Earth,  but 
 in  Heaven.  Blefled  is  he  who  defpifeth  for  Chrifl's 
 fake  all  Temporal  Reft,  and  fighteth  manfully  to  the 
 end.  Blefled  is  he  who  knoweth  how  to  fuffer,  when 
 he  is  as  forfaken  of  God  and  Man.  Blefled  is  he  who 
 goeth  not  out  ofhis  Rank,  but  as  a  well  difciplin'd 
 Soldier,  patiently  waiteth  in  the  fame,  flridly  herein 
 obferving  the  Ordinance  of  God.  BlefFed  is  he  who, 
 being  exercifed  in  the  Battels  of  the  Lord,  both  againft 
 Fleih  and  Blood,  and  againfl  Principalities  and  Powers, 
 followeth  his  great  Leader,  obeyeth  his  Word,  fub- 
 mitteth  intirely  to  his  Difpofal,  and  receiveth  all 
 things  from  his  Hand  contentedly  and  cheerfully. 
 
 N  2,  Chap. 
 
1 8  o  isDf  tl^e  gimitatton       Vol.  ii 
 
 Chap.    XX. 
 A  Penitential  Exercife, 
 My  Grief  is  ever  before  tTiey? ^Sih  xxxviii.. 
 
 OMy  God,  I  have  defiled  "and  fpotted  my  Life 
 with  many  Sins ;  but  fee  my  Tears,  which  I 
 now  pour  out  in  thy  Sight  becaufe  of  them.  For  I 
 know  that  in  me  dwelleth  no  good  thing  5  and  that  as 
 long  as  I  bear  about  me  this  mortal  Body,  I  am  not 
 free  from  falling  into  Sin. 
 
 I  do  thence  what  is  Evil,  and  lin  daily  •,  but  what 
 is  yet  more  grievous  than  all,  I  fufFer  fundry  Sins  to 
 pafs  away  without  a  penitent  Sx)rrow,  and  true  Con- 
 trition. For  being  often  intent  upon,  and  involved 
 in  outward  Affairs,  and  diftraded  with  vain  Curio- 
 lities  J  I  cannot  fo  fwiftly  return  back  to  my  falutary 
 Weeping  again. 
 
 And  from  this,  alas,  it  is  that  fo  powerfully  there 
 are  multiplied  upon  me  the  Darknefles  of  my  Sins; 
 flopping  up  the  Springs  of  Grace,  and  cutting  off 
 from  me  the  Streams  of  Divine  Confolation.  And  is 
 this,  think  you,  a  fmall  Evil  ?  No  verily.  It  is  a 
 great,  a  mighty  Evil,  my  God !  and  fo  much  the 
 greater  and  mightier,  as  it  pafleth  off  the  fooner  from 
 the  Heart,  not  leaving  there  fuch  a -real  Compunction 
 as  were  to  be  wiflied. 
 
 2.  Lord,  wilt  thou  (or  canfl  thou)  look  on  me  ? 
 Oh!  ftill  fhal]  I  be  lliuffling  with  thee,  and  cheating 
 my  felf?  How  long  art  thou  lilent,  O  Lord  1  Where 
 is  thy  Rod?  Where  is  thy  Goad?  and  where  thy 
 Staff?  Why  fuffereft  thou  Judgment  and  Hell  to  be 
 withdrawn  from  before  mine  Eyes?  Since  werethefe 
 but  (landing  always  before  me,  never,  never  durft  I 
 lead  a  carelefs  Life. 
 
 If 
 
Book  III.  of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  Fv  I  S  T.  l8l 
 
 If  for  the  fake  of  Amendment,  thou.  Lord,  holdeft 
 thy  Peace,  hereby  manifeftelb  thou  indeed  thy  Long- 
 fuffering*,  but  if  I  fhall  negled  this,  abu ling  thy  Pa- 
 tience, wilt  thou  not  afterward  feverely  corred,  if 
 not  in  this ,  certainly  in  the  next  World  ?  For  no- 
 thing fhall  pafs  unpunifhed,  whether  the  Sin  be  great 
 or  fmall.  But  better  is  it  here  to  bear  the  Punifh- 
 ment  of  our  Tranfgreflions  for  a  while,  than  to  put  it 
 off  till  we  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Divine  Juftice  ia 
 another  State,  of  which  we  know  but  little:  And 
 better  to  undergo  a  fliort  Afflidion  allotted  us  in  this 
 prefent  Life,  than  but  to  run  the  rifque  of  being 
 judged  in  another  to  mofl  horrible  and  exquiflte  Tor- 
 ments *,  could  thefe  be  fuppofed  alfo  to  have  an  end 
 at  laft,  much  better  fure  is  it  here,  where  Mourning 
 is  profitable,  where  Interceflion  is  pravelent,  where, 
 comparatively,  the  Pains  is  but  fhort  which  is  taken, 
 and  the  Labour  eafie  *,  whare  alfo  the  Satisfadion  is 
 accepted,  and  the  Reconciliation  provided  on  terms 
 no  wife  hard. 
 
 Spare  riot  therefore  here:  Spare  not  thy  Rod,  O 
 God  ^  but  anoint  mine  Eyes  with  fuch  an  Eye-Slave 
 that  is  fharp  and  pungent.  Neither  do  thou  referve 
 my  TranfgrefTions  for  hereafter;  left  peradventure 
 I  be  delivered  up  to  the  Officers  of  Juftice,  and  be 
 caft  into  Prifon,  to  abide  there  till  the  Payment  of  the 
 uttermoft  Farthing.  Far  better  is  it  now  to  fufFer  a 
 little,  than  to  be  grievoufly  tormented  in  the  World 
 to  come  •,  and  to  bear  a  few  ihort  and  wholefome 
 Stripes  for  a  Seafon,  than  to  undergo  the  long  and 
 bitter  Pains  of  naked  Souls  in  their  dark  Prifons, 
 
 Wherefore  I  muft  Lament  and  Mourn  ^  and  grie- 
 vous Sorrow  for  my  Sins  layeth  hold  upon  me.  Ma- 
 ny things  have  I,  for  which  I  ought  to  Weep  :  But 
 why  Ihould  I  Laugh,  or  be  Merry,  there  is  no  Caule 
 at  all.  The  Darknefs  of  my  Heart,  and  the  Slip- 
 perinefs  qf  my  Goufcience,  the  Falling  into  Vices, 
 .     -  N  3  with 
 
i82  <aDC  tt)t  Slmttattou        Vol.  ii^ 
 
 with  the  Falling  away  and  Lofs  of  Grace,  are  motives 
 tome  of  continual  Grief:  They  perfwade  me,  yea, 
 they  often  compel  me  through  very  Anguifhto  Weep 
 and  Sigh  heavily. 
 
 Alfo  when  I  confider  the  many  feveral  Temptations 
 and  Incurlions  of  Evil  Spirits,  which  I  Itand  fubjeS: 
 to,  what  Ground  can  there  be  for  Laughter?  Spare 
 me,  O  Lord,  Spare  me  ^    my  Sorrow  is  ever  before 
 me  ^  and  the  Bread  of  Tears,  which  I  eat,  is  by  me 
 preferred  far  before  all  the  fond  and  foolifh  Mirth  of 
 the  World.     And  if  being  inwardly  touched  with 
 Grief  of  Heart,  I  (hall  weep^  even  as  a  Child  weepeth, 
 let  this  not  be  wonder'd  at :  Is  it  any  Wonder  that  a 
 Man  fhould  weep,  when  it  is  the  Time  of  Weepng  f 
 O  happy  Hour,  when  Grief  fprings  in  me  for  my 
 Sins !  O  blelTed  Tear,  which  floweth  out  of  the  Earneft- 
 nefs  of  Contrition,  from  a  thorough  Infpecfiion  of 
 every  Spot  in  the  Soul !  O  joyful  Birth  of  fuch  a 
 Sorrow! 
 
 3.  But  who  is  fuflicient,  alas,  fully  to  difcufs  and  exa- 
 min  this  Abyfs  of  Pollution  in  the  Heart,  and  to  re- 
 prehend its  latent  Corruptions,  without  any  GlofTing 
 at  all  ?  O  my  God,  the  True  Light!  thou  canft  En-* 
 lighten  all  the  Darknefles  of  my  Heart,  and  Burn  up 
 at  once  all  the  Spots  and  Defilements  thereof,'  by  the 
 Spirit  of  Bimiing  and  of  Judgment »  To  thee  it  belong- 
 eth  to  give  a  nexo  Heart,  to  create  a  clean  Heart,  and 
 to  prepare  there  a  fecret  Habitation  *,  fo  as  it  may  be 
 made  the  Place  of  thy  Reft,  and  the  Tabernacle  of  thy 
 Name,  O  God  my  Lord,  who  art  the  Lover  of  Ciean- 
 nefs,  and  the  Gueft  of  a  good  Confcience. 
 
 Yet  becaufe  thou  doft  not  willingly  vifit  the  Houfe 
 that  is  neglected  •,  nay,  doft  often  leave  it  to  be  mocked 
 at  for  its  Beaftlinefs^  giving  it  over  to  the  treacherous 
 Condud  of  Brntifl)  Affedions  and  Manners  ^  therefore 
 ?m  I  follicitous,  led  this  alfo  might  happen  to  me. 
 But  do  thou  mercifully  and  gracioully  haften  to  my 
 
 afliftance 
 
--  >  .'..■'  .       .  , ......      .11  ,,  ,,,» 
 
 Book  III.      of  Jesus  Christ.  185 
 
 afTiftance,  O  my  God  ;  and  with  thy    Salvation  viiit 
 me,  that  my  Breaches  may  be  repaired. 
 
 \A^o  unto  him,  whom  thou,  Lord,  fhalt  withdraw 
 from  in.  Anger :  But  Peace  unto  him,  whom  thou  fhalt 
 defcend  to,  and  with  whom  thou  ihait  abide. 
 
 As  for  me.  Wretch  that  I  am,  behold  me  placed  in. 
 the  midft  of  Snares,  and  fhackled  down  with  the  Fet- 
 ters of  my  Sins !  And  now,  what  Counfel  is  there  for 
 me,  or  what  Remedy  to  be  found,  unlefs  it  be  to  lift 
 up  my  contrite  Eyes  unto  thee,  if  peradventure  my 
 Cry  may  enter  into  thy  Holy  Place? 
 
 Nor  can  the  Confcience,  which  is  by  Sin  polluted, 
 ever  find  or  poflefs  a  better  Medicine,  or  a  more  effica- 
 cious Remedy.  Nothing  more  wholefome  for  fuch  a 
 Soul,  than  by  Prayer,  with  moft  bitter  Agonies,  to 
 offer  up  it  felf  a  Sacrifice  to  its  God. 
 
 And  how  can  the  Importunity  of  Temptation,  con- 
 tinually befetting  me,  be  better  provided  againft,  and 
 defeated,  than  by  continual  Prayer  poured  forth  to 
 thee,  and  by  moH  deep  Humiliation?  But  who  fhall 
 beflow  upon  me  thefe  Benefits?  Who  will  give  unto 
 me  to  Pray  and  Weep,  as  it  behoveth?  Whence  (hall 
 Humility  come  unto  me,  and  fo  great  a  Plenteoufnefs 
 of  Tears,  as  I  have  need  of? 
 
 Verily  it  can  come  from  none  but  thee  ,  O  Lord, 
 with  whom  there  is  Mercy  and  plentiful  Redemption; 
 With  thee  it  is,  and  from  thee  I  feek  it.  Therefore 
 Jet  not  my  Lord  be  angry  at  this  time,  if  I  beg  of  him 
 this  Favour  j  nor  let  him  calt  out  my  Petition,  which 
 I  here  offer  up. 
 
 / 
 
 N  4  C  H  A  F^^ 
 
184         ■  M  ttie  SlmttatioiT       Vol,  II- 
 
 C   H  A   P.     XXI. 
 
 Jn  Eiichar'ijiical  Exercife. 
 Traife  God  in  his  Holinefs^  Pfal.  cl. 
 
 OLord,  our  God,  how  admirable  is  thy  Name 
 overall  the  Earth!  and  how  excellent  is  the 
 Memorial  of  it  over  the  Children  of  thine  Inheritance, 
 whom  thou  teacheft  in  thy  Law  !  Thou  haft  raifed  me 
 
 /from  the  Gates  of  the  nethermoft  Hell,  that  I  rnight 
 declare  forth  thy  Praifes  in  the  Gates  of  the  Daughter 
 
 ,of  Sion\  and  rejoice  in  thy  Mercy,  vyho  haft  faved 
 
 ••  m^,  before  the  Congregation  of  thy  Saints. 
 
 I  will  praife  thee,  my  Saviour,  with  my  whole 
 Heart',  and  will  relate  all  the  wonderful  things  that 
 thou  haft  done  for  me.  For  thou  haft  undertaken  my 
 Caufe,  and. haft  judged  it  for  me.  Mine  Enemy  haft 
 
 •  thou  driven  back  \  and  all  they  that  hate  my  Soul  fhall 
 fink  and  fall  before  thee,  O  Lord,  the  Refuge  of  the 
 Poor,  the  Helper  of  the  Troubled,  and  the  Judge  of 
 the  whole  E^rth,.  Wherefore  I  will  rejoice,  and  be 
 overjoy'd  in  thee :  And  becaufe  thou  haft  raifed  me 
 up,  I  will  celebrate  thy  Praifes  with  Voice  and  In- 
 ftrument. 
 
 .  For  I  cried  out  to  thee,  O  Lord  my  God,  and  thou 
 'haft  healed  me  :  Thou  haft  brought  my  Soul  out  of 
 Hell,  and  haft  faved  m^from  being  one  of  thofe  who 
 defccnd  into  the  Pit,  where  there  is  no  Wafer. 
 
 How  was  my  Life  wafted  in  Sorrow,  and  my  Years 
 fpent  in  Sighs !  My  Natural  Strength  was  weaken'd  by 
 Poverty  *,  and  my  Bones  had  loft  their  vigour.  My 
 Heart  and  my  Bowels  were  in  great  diforder  ^  and  I  was 
 become  like  a  broken  Pitcher.  But  thou.  Lord,  hafl 
 turned  my  Heavinefs  into  Joy  \'tl90ii  hafi  fHt 
 Pful.  XXX.      off  my  Sackcloth^  arid  girded  me  with  GUdneJs. 
 
 There- 
 
Book  III.     of  Jesus  Christ.  185 
 
 Therefore  will  I  glorifie  thee  henceforth,  my  King 
 and  my  God,  and  will  celebrate  the  magnificent  Glory 
 of  thy  Holinefs  j  for  thy  Majefty  is  infinite.  The 
 Memory  of  thy  abounding  Sweetnefs  will  I  pnblifh  j 
 and  in  thy  Righteoufnefs  fhall  my  Soul  rejoice. 
 
 For  thou  haft  lifted  up  him  that  was  fallen  \  and 
 haft  raifcd  from  the  Ground  him  that  was  forely 
 bruifed.  Therefore  all  Love  and  Glory  be  unto  thee, 
 O  merciful  Lord,  whofe  Mercies  are  above  all  thy 
 Works.  And  therefore  let  all  thy  Works  praife  thee-, 
 and  let  all  Flefh,  with  me,  blefs  thine  holy  Name  for 
 ever  and  ever.  .  Amen, 
 
 Chap.    XXII, 
 
 The  Exen'ifs  of  the  Holy  Crofi. 
 As  SojcroTv/nl^  yet  always  Rejoicing-^  2  Cor.  vi. 
 
 IHave  received  the  Crofs  from  thine  Hand,  O  my 
 dear  Saviour*,  and  as  thou  haft  impofed  it  on  me, 
 1  hope  to  bear  it  even  to  the  Death,  through  thy  Help, 
 and  in  the  Faith  of  thy  PaHion,  and  all  the  Benefits 
 thereof.  For  moft  true  it  is,  that  a  Chriftian's  Life 
 is  the  Crofs. 
 
 Take  then  the  Crofs,  O  my  Soul,  and  follow  thy 
 Jefus-,  fo  (halt  thou  arrive  to  that  Life,  the  Blefled- 
 nefs  of  which  hath  no  end.  All  good  things  are  hid- 
 den in  the  Crofs :  But  then  I  muft  remain  thereupon 
 with  Perfeverance,  and  follow  even  through  the  Death 
 the  Lord  of  Life.  In  the  Crofs  is  ray  Salvation  :  In 
 the  Crofs  is  my  Protedion,  and  my  Defence.  The 
 Crofs  is  the  Standard,  under  which  I  march  to  go  to 
 Heaven  :  Without  it  there  is  no  Salvation,  noi  Hope 
 of  Salvation.    Since  I  have  ^receiv'd  it ,  I  muft  not 
 
 quit 
 
X  86  m  ti)t  ftmtation       Vol.  it 
 
 quit  it:  It  is  not  lawful  for  me  to  flinch  back,  after 
 that  I  have  fworn  to  fight  under  it  to  the  Death. 
 
 In  the  Crofs  is  found  all  Chriflian  Perfedion  and 
 Holinefs :  In  the  Crofs  is  the  Soul's  Joy,  and  the  Spi- 
 rit's Strength:  In  this  is  my  Life^  and  in  this  is  my 
 Way  made  ftrait:  Neither  can  there  be  a  nobler  or  a 
 fafer  Way,  than  the  Way  of  the  Crofs. 
 
 This  is  the  Way  that  I  have  chofen:  I  have  em- 
 braced the  Crofs  of  my  Jefus.  For  the  Love  of  Him 
 I  joyfully  accepted  it ;  and  may  the  Love  of  my  Jefus 
 l)e  ftiirilronger  and  Wronger  in  me,  that  I  may  bear 
 it  unto  the  end  after  him  j  and  ever  hold  fafi  that 
 ivhich  I  have  received. 
 
 L*o!  our  King  is  enter'd  before  us  :  He  will  fight 
 for  us  7  let  us  be  of  good  cheer,  and  not  be  terrified 
 at  any  thing.  For  it  is  he  that  leads  us  on  :  Let  us  be 
 ready  to  die  Courageoully  in  the  Battel,  .that  we  may 
 not  tarnifii  our  Glory  with  a  fhameful  Flight. 
 
 O  King  of  Patience  !  deareft  Lord  Jefu,  thou  calleffc 
 me,  thou  draweit  me  j  and  I  am  overcome  of  thy  Love 
 in  fuch  a  manner,  as  I  would  not  only  follow  Thee  at 
 diftance  in  the  Royal  Way  of  thy  Crofs,  but  fain  would 
 even  rm  after  thee  in  the  fame :  That  fo  Thou  may'ft 
 be  Glorified  ^  and  that  Patience,  which  thy  Grace  ia 
 me  operates,  may  have  its  perfect  Work.    Amen. 
 
 Chap.    XXIIL 
 
 Hail  JESU:   Or^  The  Salutation, 
 That  at  the  Name  of  JESVS  every  Knee  may  bow. 
 
 x.TT  Ail  Lord  Jefu  Chrifl,  King  of  Angels;  whom, 
 
 iTl  all  the  Heavenly  Powers  obey;  whom  Chern^ 
 
 him  aud  Seraphim  continually  do  Worlhip,  Praife  and 
 
 Blefs  for  ever  and  ever.  2.  Hail 
 
Book  III.      ofjESUS  Christ.  187 
 
 2.  Hail  Lord  Jefu  Chrift,  the  true  Meflias,  King 
 of  Saints,  the  Holy  One,  the  Holy  of  Holies,  fent 
 from  the  Father's  Tower  in  the  World  :  Whom  the 
 Patriarchs  with  earneft  Defires  longed  to  fee  ',  whom 
 the  Prophets  with  fundry  Elogies  foretold  to  come. 
 
 3.  Hail  Lord  Jefu  Chrift,  King  of  Righteoufnefs, 
 the  Redeemer  of  Mankind*,  whom  the  Apoftles  and 
 Evangelifts  preached  to  the  World,  and  taught  to  be 
 the  true  Son  of  God,  who  for  us  was  made  Flelh,  Suf- 
 fer'd,  and  Rofe  again  from  the  Dead/,  planting  thy 
 Holy  Church  throughout  the  World  with  glorious 
 
 Signs  arid  Miracles.  r^  r    . 
 
 4  Hail  Lord  Jefu  Chrift,  the  moft  ftrong  Defender, 
 and  moft  faithful  Helper  of  the  Saints ;  whom  the 
 glorious  Martyrs,  defpifing  both  the  Delights  of  this 
 W^orld,  and  Bodily  Torments,  have  imitated  m  the 
 Agony  of  a  Blefled  Paffion  *,  and  for  the  Teftament  of 
 Faith   here,   conftantly  delivered  themfelves  up  to 
 
 Death.  .  •    ^      .- 
 
 5.  Hail  Lord  Jefu  Chrift,  the  Sovereign  Sacnhcer, 
 true  High  Prieft,  and  Everlafting  Shepherd  •,  whoni 
 the  Priefts  and  Levites,  Dolors  and  ConfeiTors  have 
 clorified  in  their  Life,  Knowledge  and  Virtues  *,  and 
 whom  holy  Anchor etszn^l  Devotes^  travelling  the  ftraic 
 and  narrow  Way,  have  lov'd  with  the  utmoft  De- 
 votion of  Mind. 
 
 6.  Hail  Lord  Jefu  Clirift,  the  Bridegroom  of  Vir- 
 gins, the  Comfort  of  Widows,  the  Hope  of  Orphans, 
 the  Refuge  of  the  Deftitute,  the  Refrefhment  of  the 
 Sad,  the  Eternal  Salvation  of  Believers,  and  the  moft 
 joyful  Haven  of  them  that  come  to  thee :  Whom  an 
 innumerable  Choir  of  Virgins  followeth,  in  the  fpe- 
 cial  Beauty  of  Purity,  fowing  the  unfpotted  Garland 
 of  their  Integrity. 
 
 7.  Hail  Lord  Jefu  Chrift,  Light  of  the  World, 
 Fountain  of  Life,  the  Soul's  Paradife,  the  Heart's 
 Pleafantnefs,  the  Giver  of  Grace,  the  Reftorer  of  In- 
 
 nocency  j 
 
i88 -fiPf  tl^e  imitation        Vol  li. 
 
 nocency  ^  in  whom  are  all  the  hidden  Treafiires  of 
 the  Wifdom  and  Knowledge  of  God :  Whom  to 
 know  is  to  live,  and  whom  to  ferve  is  to  reign : 
 Whom  once  to  have  fee n,  is  to  have  learnt  all  things  ; 
 In  whom  the  Angels  earneftly  long  to  look,  and  with 
 a  continual  new  Delire  contemplating  are  fatisfied. 
 To  thee  be  Praife,  to  thee  be  Glory,  to  thee  be 
 Thankfgiving,  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
 for  ever  and  ever.    Amen* 
 
 Chap.    XXIV. 
 
 An  Exercife  of  SanBifi cation  ofChriJVs  'Name, 
 
 By  way  of  Soliloquy  betwixt  the  Soul  and  her  Lord. 
 
 I  wiU  remember  thy  Name  from,  one  Generation  to  ano- 
 ther^ Pfal.  xlv.  1 8. 
 
 NOtwithflanding  there  is  not  the  leaft  Pretence  of 
 Merit  in  me  for  fo  high  a  Favour,  being  con- 
 ic lous  to  my  fclf  ofmy  great  and  manifold  Sins  and 
 Tranfgrenions  \  yet  have  I  neverthelefs  great  Hope 
 in  thee,  becaufeofthy  molt  meritorious  Death  and 
 Paflion,  O  my  dearelt  Lord  J  E  S  11.  Yea,  I  have 
 now  exceeding  great  Hope  in  thee,  the  Strength  of 
 my  Salvation,  fw eeteft  Lord  JESU  ^  becaufe  of  all 
 thy  Sufferings  and  mofl  unutterable  Merits. 
 
 LORD,'  My  Pafion  is  thy  Merits  O  xMan :  This  is 
 to  thee  a  fare  Anchor  of  Hope  ;  hold  it  faft. 
 
 SohL  Strengthen  me  fo  to  do,  kindell  Saviour: 
 And  enable  me  to  flee  unto  thee  at  all  times  by  Faith  \ 
 and  to  confide  fully  in  thee,  under  every  Difficulty 
 and  Temptation,  who  hall  fo  tenderly  invited  me  to 
 
 comQ 
 
Book  III.      of  Jesus  Christ,  189 
 
 come  unto  thee,  with  all  Freedom.  O  the  Uxifpeaka- 
 ble  Riches  of  thy  Love!  O  the  inexhaiiftible  Abyfs  of 
 thy  Merits ! 
 
 Which  at  this  time  I  humbly  and  heartily  dedre  to 
 recoiled  and  confider,  as  I  ought,  for  thine  Honour 
 alone  O  do  thou  therefore,  fweet  Lord  Jefu  Chrilt^ 
 grant  me  thy  Leave  and  Grace  thus  to  do. 
 
 For  vho  am  I,  that  I  fhculd  approach  nigh  unto 
 thee,,  uiilefs  I  have  Licenfe  from  thy  Majefly  fo  to 
 do,  and  Grace  therewith  to  effedt  alfo  the  good  Deilres 
 that  are  already  ftirr'd  in  me  ! 
 
 I  am  fenfible,  alas  !  even  deeply  fenfible  of  mine 
 own  Unworthinefs  to  appear  in  the  Prefence  of  thee 
 my  Lord,  and  my  King,  whom  all  the  Orders  of 
 Angels  do  v^^orlhip  with  profound  Reverence  and 
 Abafement  :  Saying, 
 
 "  Who  is  this  that  cometh  up  from  the  Wllder- 
 ''  nefs,  and  bringeth  up  thence  his  Sheep  that  were 
 "  loft  ?  Who  is  this,  O  who  is  this,  that  cometh 
 again  out  of  the  Wildernefs,  the  Wildernefs  of  the 
 Earthy  flawing  with  the  Delights  of  Paradife,  and 
 overflowing  all  around  him  ?  He  is  the  King  of 
 Saints:  He  is  the  King  of  Glory.  Who  is  this 
 that  cometh  up  laden  with  Triumphs,  and  bearing 
 "  with  him  the  Keys  of  Death  and  Hell  ?  He  is  the 
 *'  King  of  Saints :  He  is  the  Fling  of  Glory. 
 
 Thou  art  indeed  the  King  of  Saints,  OCh rift,  whom 
 the  Angels  proftrate  adore.  Thou  art  the  King  of 
 Glo^y,  and  of  thy  Kingdom  there  fhall  be  no  End, 
 C  Lord  Chrift^  therefore  let  Angels  and  Saints  toge- 
 ther fing  of  the  glorious  Honour  of  thy  Majefty, 
 and  declare  of  all  thy  wondrous  Works  for  poor 
 Mortals. 
 
 L  acknowledge,  O  moft  blelTed  Saviour,  Pling  of 
 Angels  and  Saints,  that  I  am  altogether  unfit  and  un- 
 worthy, even  fo  much  as  to  mnk^  of  thy  Glory  and 
 
 Honour, 
 
 u 
 cc 
 
I90  iS>(  ti)t  Slmitatton        Vol.  ir- 
 
 Honour,  of  thy  Bounty  and  Magnificence.  For  why 
 ihould  Duft  and  A  flics  prefume  fo  far  ?  Still  more 
 bafe  and  vile  am  I  than  Earth  and  Aflies ,  becaufe 
 I  am  a  Sinner,  and  prone  to  all  manner  of  Wic- 
 iednefs. 
 
 But  thou  being  made  higher  than  Heaven,  and  the 
 Heaven  of  Heavens,  haft  the  whole  World  under  thy 
 Feet  :  And  art  worthy  to  be  praifed  and  glorified  for 
 ever  and  ever  by  all  the  Hofts  of  Heaven. 
 
 Howbeit  of  thy  Free  Grace  and  unutterable  Good- 
 nefs,  which  furpafleth  all  Underftanding,  I  am  drawn 
 ilrongly  in  Affection  toward  thee  ^  for  as  much  as 
 thou.  Lord ,  art  the  Comfort  of  the  Comfortlefs, 
 whofe  Cuftom  it  is  moft  readily  to  help  the  worll  and 
 moft  miferable  of  Sinners.  .'      . 
 
 I  acknowledge  and  confefs  that  I  am  not  only  defti- 
 tute  of  all  Comfort,  and  all  Good  :  But  that  I  am  al- 
 fo  moft  unable  of  my  felf  to  do  the  leaft  thing  that  can 
 be  for  my  own  Advantage.  But  merciful  Jefu,wouldft 
 thou  vouchfafe  to  confider  my  Bafenefs,  and  pity  my 
 Infirmity^  then  fliould  I  both  be  aflifted  and  comfort- 
 ed moft  plenteoufly  in  this  my  Tribulation,  while 
 I  walk  through  this  Valley  of  Tears. 
 
 Whenfoever  therefore  I  am  encompafTed  about  with 
 Afflidion  and  Temptation,  my  immediate  Recourfe 
 ought  prefently  to  be  unto  thee.  For  I  fee  well,  that 
 there  is  none  like  unto  thee  :  Or  that  can  help  as  thou 
 helpeft.  Wherefore  being  defolate  and  tolTed  to  and 
 fro  in  my  Mind,  I  will  ftraitways,  and  without  Fear 
 or  Trembling,  flee  unto  my  Jefus.  Since  there  Mer- 
 cy is  always  moft  ready,  where  Grace  doth  moft 
 abound. 
 
 Full  art  thou  of  Grace  and  Truth,  O  Lord  Jefu 
 
 Chrift:  Full  alfo  art  thou  of  Mercy  and  Faithfulnefs 
 
 from  Generation  to  Generation.     1  acknowledge  thee 
 
 the  Fountain  of  Grace :  I  confefs  thee  the  Foundation 
 
 of  Mercy. 
 
 .  Hail 
 
Book  III.  of  J  E  S  U  S    C  H  K  I  S  T.  19! 
 
 Hail  deareft  Saviour,  Jefu  Chriil,  Prince  of  Life, 
 King  of  eternal  Righteoufnefs^  who  art  full  of  all 
 Grace  and  Lovelinefs  :  Fain  would  I  love  thee,  praife 
 thee,  and  adore  thee ,  as  1  ought,  and  as  becometh 
 thy  Majeily. 
 
 But  I  fee,  that  whenever  I  have  a  mind  to  praife 
 thee  in  the  moft  honourable  manner,  and  duly  to  con- 
 iider  of  thy  mofl  glorious  Eftate,  I  muft  not  be  too 
 hafty  herein :  But  had  beft  wait  to  be  made  firffc 
 purer  in  Heart,  than  I  am  yef,  and  not  to  proceed  ia 
 fuch  an  Angelical  Exercife  without  the  Cbndud  of  the 
 Divine  Light. 
 
 For  a (Tu redly  he  fhall  not  have  Glory,  but  rather 
 Confuiion  and  Reproach,  who  hafteth  to  draw  near 
 to  the  Holy  of  Holies,  with  an  Heart  that  is  impure,' 
 and  under  the  bare  Condnd  of  his  own  treacherous 
 Light.  And  whojR)ever  prefumeth  irreverently  to  ap- 
 proach unto  thy  Gate,  O  Prince  of  the  Sanduary, 
 with  Lauds  and  Thankfgivings  ^  is  worthy  for  fuch 
 Prefumption  to  be  call  out  of  the  Camp  of  thy  Iprael^ 
 and  to  be  debarred  quite  from  thy  Favours. 
 
 Wherefore  he  who  approacheth  thereto  muft  with 
 all  Reverence  and  Lowlinefs  proceed  forward:  And 
 he  muft  add  to  this  a  good  Hope,  that  he  may  find 
 Grace  to  be  admitted. 
 
 Humbly  therefore  and  reverently,  devoutly  and 
 confidently,  I  draw  near  unto  thee,  O  Lord  Chrift, 
 Lamb  of  God,  Son  of  the  Father,  that  takeft  away 
 the  Sins  of  the  World  :  I  go  to  thee-ward,  bowing 
 down  my  Head,  and  ftretching  forth  my  Arms,  that 
 I  may  receive  and  embrace  thee,  JESVS  is  my  S a- 
 ofionrj  I  repeat  a  thoufand  times.  Again,  ten  thoufand 
 times  I  repeat,  in  Spirit  the  fame:  And  could  wifh 
 that  all  the  Heavens  might  ring  herewith  ten  thou- 
 fand times  ten  thoufand  times,  yea  inceflantly.  No- 
 thing more  worthy,  nothing  more  fweet,  for  the  pre- 
 fent,  can  I  think  on  to  offer. 
 
 4  l^et 
 
192  fiDf  tijt  Simttatfon       Vol.  ii 
 
 Let  the  godly  Lover  of  thy  Name  liflen  then  to 
 what  I  fay:  JESVS  is  my  Saviour.  Nothing  more 
 fweet,  than  JESVS  is  my  Saviour.' 
 
 The  Heaven  rejoices  to  hear  it ,  and  the  Earth 
 wonders  at  it,  when  by  Faith  I  fay,  JESVS  is  my  Sa- 
 viour, '        . 
 
 Sataii  skulks  away,  and  Hell  trembles,  when  my 
 Heart  breaks  forth  with  this  triumphing  Shout,  JE- 
 SVS is  my  Saviour. 
 
 The  World  waxeth  vile  in  my  Eyes,  and  the  Flefh 
 is  humbled,  when  my  Confcience  crieth  out,  JESVS' 
 is  my  Saviour, 
 
 Sorrow  departeth,  and  new  Joy  approacheth,  when 
 my  believing  Mind  pronounceth,  JESVS  is  my  Saviour* 
 
 Sluggifhnefs  vanifheth,  and  my  Heart  through  Love 
 even  melteth  away,  when  zealoufly  I  fay,  JESVS  is 
 my  Saviour, 
 
 Devotion  encreafeth,  and  CompunSion  fpringeth^ 
 when  a  Chriftiandoth  aiftdtionately  utter,  JESVS  is 
 my  Saviour. 
 
 Hope  advanceth,  and  Confolation  waxeth  ftrong, 
 and  greatly  is  augmented,  when  my  panting  Soul 
 but  foundeth,  JESVS  is  my  Saviour, 
 
 The  Mind  is  recreated,  and  the  fickly  Affeftion  is 
 made  found  again,  and  eftablifhed  in  a  good  State  of 
 Health,  when  from  the  ground  of  the  Heart  I  fay, 
 JESVS  is  my  Saviour, 
 
 For  fuch  i  ndeed  is  the  Sweetnefs  of  thefe  Words,  and 
 fuch  the  Efficacy  thei:eof,  when  utter'd  by  a  Faithful 
 Soul,  as  it  can  never  be  explicated  by  Human  Expref- 
 lion:  But  ftill  it  rem;uns  more  high  and  excellent, 
 more  profound  and  myfterious,  than  may  be  reached 
 to  by  the  Wit  and  Sagacity  of  any  Creature. 
 
 Which  makes  me  once  again  moft  humbly  to  bow 
 my  Knees  unto  thee,  O  Bleffed  Saviour,  dearefl  Jefu ; 
 And  ftill  do  1  fay,  in  Heart  and  Spirit,  JESVS  vs  my 
 Saviour, 
 
 I  IL  O 
 
Book  III.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  195 
 
 II.  O  mofl  Gracious  JESU  receive  my  Prayer,  and 
 me  with  it:  That  To  I  may  have  fomewhat  that  may 
 pleafe  thee  acceptably,  that  may  embolden  my  Confi"* 
 dence  towards  thee,  that  may  enkindle  in  me  conti- 
 nually a  greater  Love  of  and  Zeal  for  thee,  and  that 
 may  keep  me  evermore  in  conftant  Devotion  to,  and 
 Praifing  of,  thine  Holy  and  Reverend  Name* 
 
 Oh,  that  for  the  fatisfying  my  ardent  Defire  to 
 praife  thee  from  the  very  bottom  of  my  Heart,  and 
 to  honour  thee  as  thou  defervefl,  both  all  my  iViem-* 
 bers  were  forthwith  converted  into  Tongues ,  and 
 thofe  Tongues  into  fiery  Voices,  that  fo  I  might  find 
 a  way  to  glorifie  thee,  O  Son  of  God,  World  with=» 
 out  end  ! 
 
 Oh,  that  for  all  my  Sins  wherewith  I  have  merited 
 thine  Indignation,  and  moH  grievoufly  offended  thy 
 Father,  and  difhonoured  thee,  I  might  fo  throughly 
 bewail  and  repent  me  for  what  is  pafl:,  that  hence^ 
 forward  1  may  take  a  new  Courfe  of  Life  to  thy  Glory 
 and  to  the  Comfort  of  my  Soul ! 
 
 Oh,  that  thou,  feeing  that  my  Life  is  fo  frail  and 
 fubje»ft  to  fall  into  Sin,  would'fl  be  pleafed  to  pre- 
 ferve  and  defend  me  evermore  from  Evil,  and  to  affiffe 
 and  flrengthen  me  in  all  Well-doing,  to  the  Honour 
 of  thy  great  Name  ! 
 
 O  pardon  thou,  and  forgive,  dear  Saviour,  all  my 
 Sins  either  wilfully  or  negligently  committed,  hj 
 Thought,  Word,  or  Deed ,  but  fpecially  the  Dead-^ 
 nefs  and  Coldnefs  in  my  Addreffes  to  thee,  and  Ap- 
 proaches to  thy  Throne  of  iMercy. 
 
 Humbly  do  I  throw  down  my  felf  at  thy  Feet  la 
 Heart,  earneil^y  with  Tears  imploring  thy  Royal 
 Pardon  and  Favour  :  That  thou  wouldefc  vouchfafi 
 to  be  good  unto  me,  according  to  thy  Covenant,  and 
 to  give  me  fome  Sign,  that  1  may  come  once  to  be- 
 hold thy  Divine  Countenance  la  the  Heavens. 
 
 O  Omofi 
 
194  C>f  ti)t  9!mttatton       Vol.  ii. 
 
 O  moffc  fvveec  JESll,  above  all  things  to  be  loved, 
 above  all  things  to  be  praifed  ^  with  the  Father,  ia 
 the  Unity  of  the  One  Holy  Eternal  Spirit,  to  be  ado- 
 red and  magnified:  I  falute  thee,  as  I  am  bound,  even 
 from  the  ground  of  the  Heart  ^  and  pre  fen  ting  my 
 felf  to  thee,  Ifay  with  the  Spirit,  Hail  JESV  my  Sa* 
 vlour  ! 
 
 Nothing  it. is  that  I  have:  And  can  I  facrifice  of 
 Nothing  ?  I  have  Nothing  \  I  am  Nothing  ,  1  can  do 
 Nothing  without  thee  :  And  nothing,  Lord,  do  I  de- 
 fire  but  thee.  Therefore  my  Soul  exulteth  within 
 me  and  my  Heart  leapeth  to  hear  thy  Name:  Hall 
 JESV  my  Saviour, 
 
 Nothing  it  is  that  I  can  render  unto  thee,  for  all 
 thy  Mercies  which  are  To  infinite  toward  me:  But  ac- 
 cept, I  befeech  thee,  this  my  lowly  and  mean  Sacri- 
 fice ^  and  hear  me,  whenever  I  call,  and  fay,  Hail 
 JESV  my  Saviour  ! 
 
 Let  the  Choirs  of  Heavenly  Angels,  attending  abou-t 
 thee,  found  forth  thine  infinite  Praifes  on  my  Behalf  : 
 And  let  the  Souls  of  the  Righteous  made  perfed 
 repeat  the  fame.  Hail  JESV  full  of  Grace  and  Truth, 
 In  the  mean  while,  what  fhall  I  here  below  do  in 
 the  Praife  of  thy  mofl  Sacred  Name  ?  Hov^  fiiall  I  ad- 
 mire and  adore  like  them  ?  Now  proftrate  hence  in  thy 
 Prefence,  O  my  fweet  Saviour,  1  fall  down,  and  with 
 earneft  Devotion  being  by  them  invited,  and  with  the 
 Reverence  of  thy  mofl:  ravifhing  Name  being  all  en- 
 flamed,  I  muflr,  I  cannot  but  burfl  out  again  and  again, 
 laying,  Elail  JESV  my  Saviour -^  full  of  Grace^  arid  full 
 of  Truth,      Hail  JESV,  &C. 
 
 O  JESV  my  Saviour  I  I  will  therefore  read  of  thee, 
 I  will  write  of  thee,  I  will  fing  of  thee,  I  will  think 
 of  thee,  I  will  fpeak  of  thee,  1  will  work  for  thee  ^ 
 And  for  thee  will  I  fuffer  too.  In  thee  alfo  will  I  re- 
 joice, thee  will  I  praife,  thee  will  I  magnifie,  thee  will 
 I  glorifie  :  Had  JESV  my  Saviour. 
 
 Write 
 
Book  IIL      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  a  I  s  T.  195 
 
 Write  ray  Name,  O  Lamb  of  God,  in  thy  Book  of 
 Life  :  And  be  thou  henceforward  my  Comfort  in  the 
 Place  of  my  Pilgrimage,  that  I  being  mindful  of  thy 
 exceeding  great  Love,  may  readily  run  in  thy  Ways, 
 and  chearfully  follow  thee  without  fainting,  O  ray 
 fweet  Advocate,  my  Comforter,  my  Provider,  my 
 LIpholder,  my  Lord,  my  Friend,  my  only  and  lingu- 
 lar Friend  ;  who  art  the  Joy  and  Crown  of  all  Saints, 
 and  my  allured  Truil:,  and  certain  Hope,  that 'haft 
 never  yet  failed  me,  or  any  one.    Hail  JESV  my  Sa*^ 
 
 III.  LORD,  Come  then,  Othou  faithful  Soul,  unto 
 me:  Offer  thy  felfto  mei  open  thy  whole  Heart;  let 
 the  hidden  Secrets  thereof  be  unfolded;  let  thy  Wifhes 
 and  Prayers  be  direded  all  unto  me,  and  through  me 
 unto  the  Father;  and  in  me  let  all  thy  Counfels  abide. 
 I  am  thy  Light,  I  am  thy  Rule,  I  am  thy  Joy:  And 
 r  mud  be  thy -^^. 
 
 Sml.  1  come  to  thee,  dear  Lord,  becaufe  thou  draw- 
 eft  me :  The  fweet  Odours  of  thy  Garments,  as  thou 
 flaadefl:  in  the  Sanduary,  and  the  perfume  of  thy 
 Name,  as  a  mofl  precious  Ointment  poured  forth  ; 
 make  me  forget  my  own  Unworthinefs  and  Bafenefs 
 and  my  Haltings,  and  to  run  after  thee.  O  the  irre- 
 iiftible  Cords  of  thy  Love,  with  which  thou  haft  lead 
 me  to  thy  felf!  I  cannot  reft,  but  where  thou  art:  Foi: 
 well  I  fee,  that  thou  indeed  muft  be  my  ^//. 
 
 Sweeteft  J  ESQ,  I  therefore  come  unto  thee:  O  JESU 
 full  of  Grace,  be  thou  my  ylll :  O  JESU  full  ofTrnthy 
 be  thou  my  AIL 
 
 Thou,  Lord,  art  Full,  and  I  am  Empty  :  Grant  me 
 then  that  I  may  partake  of  thy  E^hefs ;  aad  be  filled 
 with  thy  Grace,  according  to  the  Meafure  and  Capa- 
 city of  my  VefTel,  that  fo  1  may  be  found  walking  in 
 the  Truth,  and  not  in  a  vain  Shew  only.  Hail  JEST^^ 
 fall  of  Grace  a^d  7rmh» 
 
 0  2  A  Sea- 
 
T96  fiDf  tije  gimttatton        Vq1> H- 
 
 A  Sentence  this  is,  Short  in  Words,  but  Compre- 
 henflve  in  Power  *,  a  Prayer  it  is,  Brief  in  the  Letter, 
 but  moll  Extenfive  in  the  Spirit  *,  Little  in  ExprefTion, 
 Great  in  Efficacy  *,  Plain  to  the  Simple,  full  of  deep 
 Myfteries  to  the  Wife^  more  Sweet  than  Honey,  more 
 Precious  than  the  finelt  Gold  j  continually  to  be  Ru- 
 minated in  the  Heart,  and  with  pure  Lips  to  be  fre- 
 quently Repeated.  Hail  jESV'i  my  Saviour^  full  of 
 Grace  and  Truth  ! 
 
 Hereby  I  pray  for  Pardon  for  all  my  pafl  Tref- 
 pafles :  Hereby  alfo  I  pray  to  be  defended  from  fu- 
 ture Sin  and  Evil :  By  this  little  fhort  Prayer,  or  Sa- 
 lutation of  Faith,  I  lay  hold  on  my  dear  Saviour  ^  and 
 he  is  held  fo  fafl  by  it,  as  he  cannot  get  away  without 
 Blefling  me:  By  this  I  fweetly  conftrain  him  to  grant 
 me  my  Petition,  that  his  Grace  may  always  prevent 
 and  follow  me,  and  make  me  continually  to  be  given 
 to  all  good  Works,  unto  his  Honour^  and  that  his 
 Spirit  which  is  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  may  in  all  things 
 diredl  and  rule  my  Heart.  Wherefore  my  Heart cea- 
 leth  not  to  cry :  Hail  JESV^  my  Saviour^  full  of  Grace 
 And  Truth  I 
 
 It  is  hereby  I  Remember  thy  Name^  fweetefl,  deareft' 
 JESII :  And  hereby  is  this  thy  Name  fanEtified  in  me. 
 O  let  me  for  this  end  receive  of  thy  overflowing  Fd- 
 nefs^  even  Grace  for  Grace  \  that  fo  I  may  grow  con- 
 tinually more  Devout,  more  Fervent,  and  more  At- 
 tentive, in  faying,  JESVS  is  viy  Saviour  ^  both  in  my 
 Heart,  and  with  my  Mouth  \  in  Company,  and  in  my 
 Chamber  alone  ^  in  the  Garden  and  in  the  Field  j  and 
 in  all  Places  wherefoever  I  fhall  be.  And  now 
 what  more  (hall  1  ask  of  thee,  O  Jefit  my  Saviour  ! 
 
 What  is  Better,  or  more  Profitable,  or  more  Ne- 
 ceHary  for  me,  an  unworthy  Wretch,  than  to  find 
 Favour  and  Grace  in  thy  fight,  0  JESV  my  Saviour! 
 
 And 
 
Book  III.  of  J  E  S  U  S   C  H  R  I  S  T,  197 
 
 And  hence  it  is  that  I  have  earneilly  defired,  and 
 Hill  do  defire,  that  through  thy  IntercelTion  and  Means 
 I  may  above  all  things  obtain  the  Grace  of  God,  thy 
 Father;  And  this  1  aflurediy  truft  that  1  fhall,  for  as 
 much  as  it  is  undoubted,  that  thou  halt  all  Power 
 given  thee  both  in  Heaven  and  in  Earth,  0  Jefa  my 
 Saviour  ! 
 
 There  is  no  Prayer  more  welcome  to  thee,  than 
 this  is :  Nor  anything  that  I  fo  much  ftaud  in  need 
 of,  as  the  Grace  and  Mercy  of  God,  The  Grace  of 
 God  is  fufficient  for  me,  of  it  felf:  For  if  I  have  but 
 that,  whatfoever  elfe  I  may  want,  I  am  Rich  enough : 
 But  if  I  want  that,  what,  alas,  will  all  my  Endeavours 
 avail?  Surely  nothing.  What  is  all  the  Labour  of 
 Man,  without  this  Divine  Grace  ?  What  can  I  do^  if 
 I  have  it  not  ?  Again,  what  can  I  not  do^  if  I  am  aid- 
 ed  and  aflifted  by  it?  Nothing  is  poffitle  for  rnQvoith- 
 om  it:  Nothing  is  impopble  for  me  with  it,  O  Jefti^  my 
 Sitviour^  full  of  Grace* 
 
 Many  and  divers  SicknefTes  of  Mind  I  fuffer  ^  but 
 the  Divine  Grace  is  a  molt  efficacious  Medicine  againit 
 all  my  Ails :  And  if  once  it  pleafe  to  come,  it  will 
 not  fail  to  bring  with  it  Eafe  to  them  all.  I  ftand  alfo 
 in  need  of  Spiritual  Wifdom  and  Knowledge:  But  the 
 Divine  Grace  is  a  moft  excellent  Teacher,  the  fu- 
 preme  Tutorefs  of  Humble  Souls,  and  the  Inltru- 
 drefs  of  Heavenly  Difcipline*,  and  is  able  even  of  a  fud- 
 -  ^t'^  to  inform  me  in  whatever  things  are  neceflary  by 
 me  to  be  known.  For  to  ask  for  more  than  is  neceffary, 
 or  to  defire  to  know  more  than  is  lawful,  is  what  I 
 am  difluaded  from  by  this  very  Grace  of  God  •,  ad- 
 monifhng  and  teaching  me  to  be  humbled  under  it, 
 and  to  be  contented  with  it. 
 
 Wherefore  obtain  for  me,  I  befeech  thee,  dear  Lord 
 Jefu,  this  Grace^  which  is  fo  Noble  and  fo  Precious, 
 that  indeed  I  ought  neither  to  defire  or  crave  any  o- 
 ther  thing  than  Grace  for  Grace,  So  will  I  remember  thy 
 
 O  3  N^ms 
 
flDf  tU  Simttation        Vol.  ir. 
 
 Name,  O  Jefuy  my  Savionr^  from  one  Generation  to 
 another  ^  and  will  give  Thanks  to  thee,  O  Lord  my 
 Redeemer,  World  without  end  *,  faying,  HailJESZJ\ 
 my  Saviour^  full  of  Grace  and  Truth  :  Blejfed  be  thoity 
 O  Chrifi^  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 
 
 Chap.    XXV. 
 
 CHRIST  the  Begimimg  and  Efid  of  the  Saints. 
 
 Exercifes, 
 
 Continued  after  the  fame  manner  as  the  former. 
 
 FhII  of  Grace  are  thy  Lifs^  Pfalm  xlv*  3. 
 
 I .  Soul  XT"  7  Herefore  fpeak  Lord  *,  for  thou  haft  the 
 VV  Words  of  Eternal  Life  :  And  incline 
 thou  my  Heart  unto  the  Words  of  thy  Mouth,  even 
 thy  Words  which  diftil  down  like  the  Dew  :  Yea, 
 fpeak,  Lord  JESU,  unto  thy  Servant,  who  heareth  : 
 Open  thy  Mouth,  and  let  thy  Lips  drop  Confoiation, 
 O  Jefu  my  Saviour^ 
 
 Lord.  I  am  the  Fountain  of  Mercy  ^  full  of  Love 
 and  of  Sweetnefs.  I  am  the  Ladder  for  Sinners:  I 
 am  the  Hope  and  Pardon  of  the  Guilty :  I  am  the 
 Comfort  of  the  Sorrowful :  I  am  the  fpecial  Joy  of 
 all  Saints:  I  am  thy  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  b  Be- 
 loved Soul :  I  am  thy  Advocate,  and  the  Propitiation 
 for  thy  Sins.  I  feed  among  the  Lilies:  1  love  to  reft: 
 upon  thy  Breafts,  and  dwell  within  thy  Heart.  I  am 
 the  Way  for  thee  untothe  Father :  I  am  the  Mirror  of 
 Life,  and  the  Light  of  the  Soul. 
 
 Come 
 
Book  III.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R I  s  T.  199 
 
 Gome  therefore  near  if  thou  liafl  a  mind,  and  re- 
 ceive of  my  Fulnefs:  For  it  is  my  pleafure  to  giye 
 thee,  even  according  as  thoa  haft  asked,  Grace  for 
 Grace*  ^ 
 
 Come  alfo  unto  me,  both  Righteous  and  Sinners. 
 I  will  fue  unto  the  Father  for  you:  i  will  iatreat  him 
 to  be  good  unto  you,  and  to  jfill  you  with  the  Holy 
 Ghoft,  and  with  Wifdom. 
 
 Let  as  many  as  love  me  come  unto  me,  and  fill 
 themfelves  at  the  Brealts  of  my  Confolation  :  For  I 
 am  Good  and  Gracious  to  all  that  call  upon  me. 
 
 Let  them  alfo  that  love  me  not,  be  peifwaded  how- 
 ever to  come  likewife  ^  becaufe  I  am  not  bounded  in  my 
 Love  as  they  are  *,  and  of  the  Fulnefs  of  ray  Love  let 
 them  freely  partake. 
 
 I  invite  all,  I  expeft  all,  I  defire  all  may  come  \\z\t^ 
 me  :  No  Sinner  do  I  ever  defpife  ;  but  with  the^  A  a- 
 gels  in  Heaven  I  rejoice  exceedingly  over  that  Sinner 
 v^ho  repents,  and  ]^o  comes  into  the  Favour  of  my  Fa- 
 ther. For  not  one  Drop  of  my  precious  Blood,  which 
 I  have  filed  for  the  World,  is  in  vain. 
 
 Therefore  draw  near  unto  me,  O  ye  Children  of 
 Men:  Confider,  and  behold,  my  Zeal  for  you  unto 
 God  my  Father.  Lo  !  i  have  taken  his  Wrath  ]i}poa 
 my  felf;  I  have  born  his  Difpleafure  ^  and  continually 
 do  I  make  IntercefTion  for  you  to  him,  whom  yc  knovy 
 that  ye  have  moft  grievouily  offended. 
 
 Turn  then,  and  Approach  ;  Turn  unto  me  :  Tura 
 (I  fay)  again,  ye  Backiliding  Children  *,  for  why 
 would  ye  die?  Draw  ye  near  to  my  Throne  of  Grace; 
 Repent  and  Believe:  fo  may  ye  be  confident  from  me 
 of  a  free  Pardon. 
 
 Behold,  1  Hand  between  Heaven  and  Earth,  between 
 God  and  the  Sinner :  And  that  this  World  perifh  not, 
 1  obtain  through  my  Prayers,  andmy  Sacriace  once- 
 made  for  the  Sins  thereof, 
 
 O  4  Whcrefo;-^ 
 
2  CO  jgDf  ti^e  gimitattoiT       Vol.  li. 
 
 Wherefore  abafe  not  my  Mercy  and  Clemency  ^  but 
 beware  of  offending  :  Left,  when  ye  little  think  there- 
 of, Indignation  be  poured  upon  you,  and  intolerable 
 Vengeance. 
 
 I  do  forewarn  you  as  Children,  I  do  befeech  you 
 as  Friends,  that  ye  follow  not  the  World,  but  that 
 ye  follow  Me  ^  and  that  ye  be  Perfed,  as  your  Heaven- 
 ly Father  is  Perfed. 
 
 Forget  not  me,  who  have  been  and  am,  and  will 
 be  always  mindful  of  you.  For  I  do  both  pity  fuch. 
 as  are  in  Mifery,  and  intercede  for  thofe  who  call  up- 
 on me ;  as  the  mofi  merciful  Advocate  of  all  the  Faith- 
 ful, and  the  mofl;  fure  Refuge  of  every  one  that  is 
 heavy  laden.  Come,  O  come  unto  me,  and  1  will  give 
 yon  refi. 
 
 Soul.  O  Gracious  Speech,  and  full  of  all  Comfort ! 
 O  Words  of  Celeftial  Sweetnefs,  mofl  divinely  ra- 
 vifliing  the  Ear!  Full  of  Grace  indeed  are  thy  Lips, 
 dearefl  Saviour  Jefu  ,  and  Ffill  ofTrmh  are  they. 
 
 O  Heavenly  Voice,  gently  dropping  from  Heaven 
 as  the  Honey  Dew,  foftly  influencing,  comforting  the 
 Sinners,  and  making  the  Righteous  glad  !  O  Celeftial 
 Mufick,  how  fweetly,  how  pleafantly,  doll  thou  re- 
 found  in  a  defpairing  Confcience  ! 
 
 Whence,  O  whence  is  it  that  the  King  of  Glory, 
 the  Saviour  of  Mankind,  thus  deigneth  to  talk  with 
 me,  even  me  a  poor  Worm  ?  Yea,  whence  is  this  to 
 me,  that  my  Lord  fhould  even  humble  himfelf  to  come 
 to  me? 
 
 BljfTed  art  thou,  O  Lord  Chrifl,  and  Blefled  are 
 the  Words  of  thy  Mouth.  For  Honey  is  under  thy 
 Tongue  •,  and  the  Savour  of  thy  Speech  excelleth  all 
 Sweetnefs:  Even  as  Milk  it  lioweth  forth  ^  and  the 
 Fragrancy  of  it  is  above  all  Spices, 
 
 My  Soul  was  mollified,  fo  foon  as  thou  fpakefl,  O 
 Jefii  my  Saviour  \  and  my  Head  even  melted  as  Wax, 
 when  thou  didft  call,  O  Chrifl  my  Redeemer. 
 
 Be  Vol  P- 
 
Book  III.       of  J  E  S  U  S   C  H  K  I  S  T.  20I 
 
 Behold,  no  fooner  did  thy  Voice  found  in  mine 
 Ears,  but  my  Soul  within  did  fpring  for  Joy. 
 
 For  my  Spirit  revived  within  me,  and  all  my  En- 
 trails were  filled  with  new  Comfort^  becaufe  Good 
 and  Joyful  Things  are  told  me  this  Day  by  Thee,  O 
 Jefn  my  Saviour. 
 
 I  was  Doleful,  but  now  I  am  Cheerful,  becaufe  of 
 thy  Voice :  For  thy  Voice  is  pleafant  in  mine  Ears, 
 O  Jefn  my  Saviour. 
 
 .  I  was  Grieved  and  Defolate,  but  now  I  am  Raifed 
 from  the  Dull  in  which  1  fat,  and  am  greatly  Con- 
 folated  :  I  was  very  Dead  and  Lumpifh,  but  now  I 
 am  Revived,  and  made  Merry.  For  thou,  Lord, 
 haft  fent  thine  Band  from  on  High,  and  touched  me^ 
 and  I  was  healed  thereby  ftrait  of  mine  Infirmity.  I 
 was  lick,  and  in  Prifon,  but  thou,  O  Chrift,  haft  vi- 
 iited  me^  and  now  by  thy  Word  I  am  made  whole, 
 and  my  Bonds  by  thy  free  Spirit  are  broken  in  fun- 
 der.  I  halted,  but  now  lam  made  even  to  leap:  And 
 of  weak,  I  am  become  ftrong,  becaufe  thou  fentelt 
 thy  Word. 
 
 Scarce  could  I  fpeak  at  all ;  but  now  methinks  I  can 
 fing,  and  enter  into  thy  Courts  with  high  and  magni- 
 ficent Praife  :  fince  thou  haft  m.ade  my  Heart  to  re- 
 joice, and  haft  opened  my  Lips,  0  Jefu  my  Saviour. 
 
 Life  was  Wearinefs  to  me,  and  Pain  ^  to  Live  1  knew 
 not  how ,  and  to  Die  I  was  afraid  :  But  now  I  am 
 contented  to  live  in  this  World,  even  as  thy  Majefty 
 v/ill  have  me;  neither  do  I  fear  to  61^^  becaufe  I  have 
 thee,  O  Chrift,  for  mine  Advocate  with  the  Father, 
 To  whofe  Mercy  I  commend  my  felf,  now,  from 
 this  prefent  Hour,  and  henceforvv'ard  every  Moment 
 that  I  have  here  to  be  and  fubfift. 
 
 For  fince  thy  Majefty  firft  began  to  fpeak  unto  the 
 Heart  of  the  defolate  Orphan,  I  have  been  changed 
 into^a  better  State:  As  foon  as  thou  didft  open  thy 
 moft  Gracious  Lips,  I  found  my  fclf  preiently  as  it 
 
 were 
 
202  fl)f  tl^e  Sltnttatfon       Voi.ii. 
 
 were  quite  another  Perfon,  I  was  thereby  fo  greatly 
 Comforted  and  Eftabliflied  in  my  Mind.  For  which 
 all  Glory  be  to  Thee,  O  Jefn  my  Saviour, 
 
 II.  I  was  verily  almoft  in  Defpair,  when  thy  Con- 
 folation  came,  and  lifted  me  moll  pleafantly  up  with 
 fuch  Words  as  thefe  : 
 
 Lord.  What  is  the  matter,  Child?  and  who  are 
 they  that  would  hurt  thee?  Fear  not,  yea,  Fear  not 
 at  all :  I  will  fee  unto  thee,  my -Son  \  I,  even  I,  will 
 take  care  of  thee.  I  live^  and  my  Father  liveth  :  Be 
 not  thou  afraid;  for  in  my  Hands  thou  art  fafe.  I 
 do  live  with  GOD  my  Father,  and  I  fit  at  his  Right 
 Hand,  being  for  thee  a  faithful  High  Prieft,  and  an 
 Intercefibr,  becaufe  of  thy  Sins.  In  Me  therefore  let 
 thy  Truft  be  fully  repofed  ;  for  I  am  both  the  Giver 
 of  Life ,  and  the  Deftroyer  of  Death  :  Who  was , 
 for  thy  fake.  Incarnated  of  a  Virgin  in  Time  *,  but 
 of  my  Father,  Begotten  before  all  Times":  and  who, 
 when  the  Fulnefs  of  Time  came,  fuffered  for  thy  Sal- 
 vation the  bitter  Death  of  the  Crofs;  thereby, 
 through  Death,  bringing  Life  and  Immortality  into 
 the  World. 
 
 Lo,  whence  is  Hope,  and  whence  is  Confolation? 
 Is  it  not  from  me?  And  by  whom  is  Faith  and  Vido- 
 ry?  Is  it  by  any  one  elfe?  No  verily.  Behold,  I  am 
 the  Hope,  and  the  Comfort  of  every  one  that  will 
 draw  nigh:  And  by  me  is  Faith  given,  and  Vidory 
 attained.  Therefore  let  not  me,  nor  thefe  things  be 
 out  of  thy  Mind :  fo  (halt  thou  have  no  reafon  to  fear 
 any  of  Satan's  Darts.  Rem.ember  always,  that  I  ani 
 JESVS  thy  Saviour. 
 
 SohI.  O  happy  Hour,  O  bleffed  State!  that  my 
 Lord  and  Saviour  doth  condefcend  to  vifit  on  this 
 wife  my  poor  tribulated  Heart!  O  truly  happy  Hour, 
 wherein  he  will  vouchfafe  thus  to  comfortj  with  his 
 f  refence,  the  troubled  Soul ! 
 
 5f  P  hap-; 
 
Book  III.      of  Jesus  Christ.  205 
 
 O  happy  Hour,  but  Ihort!  O  how  fhort  is  it!  Me- 
 thinks,  it  is  but  a  Moment.  Whole  Days  would  feem 
 tome,  while  thou  fpeakeft,  O  Chriil,  but  as  one  Mo- 
 ment. O  that  1  might  evermore  hear  thy  fo  comfor- 
 itable  Words*,  for  vehemently  do  they  enfiame  and 
 affed  me,  and  I  am  fo  touched  by  them,  to  the  quick, 
 as  nothing  can  poflibly  exprefs!' 
 
 They  fire  me,  and  move  me,  beyond  all  what  I  can 
 litter.  They  fearch  the  very  hi  molt  ground  of  my 
 Heart,  and  there  doth  Wifdoni  inllrud  me  in  fecret. 
 Thy  Words  are  Words  of  Grace  and  Power.  They 
 are  as  a  Fire  within  my  Bowels :  And  as  a  Flame  with? 
 in  thy  Servant's  Heart,  cauling  it  to  mount  ftrongly 
 upwards,  fo  are  they. 
 
 Now  I  know,  O  Lord,  that  thou  hafl  the  Words 
 of  Eternal  Life  :  For  the  Fital  Flame  I  feel  within  me 
 burning  of  an  Heavenly  Vital  Fire^  which  proceedeth 
 forth  from  my  Mouth  ^  whereby  I  am  quicken'd  in 
 my  interior  M^n,  and  raifed  as  from  Death  to  Life. 
 BlelTed  is  the  Man  that  heareth  thy  Words :  For  they 
 are  Spirit  and  Life. 
 
 Bleffed  are  the  Ears  which  hear,  when  thou,  my 
 Lord,  whifpercfl:  And  which  are  not  dillraded  by 
 the  Noife  of  the  World  from  attending  to  thy  flill 
 foft  Voice*,  in  which  there  is  both  the  Breath  of  Life, 
 and  the  Spirit  of  Power. 
 
 BlelTed  is  the  Soul  that  is  not  wearied  with  waiting 
 upon  thee:  For  thou  wilt  fay  unto  her,  /  am  thy 
 Teace  and  thy  Life\  and  thou  wilt  make  her  to  under- 
 Itand  thy  Ways,  having  led  her  Into  Solitude*,  and 
 wiltinllrud  her  iilently,  and  teach  her  Songs  of  Sal- 
 vation. 
 
 Hi.  O  BlelTed  Jefu,  thou  never  ceafeil  to  fend  forth 
 the  lincere  Milk  of  Heavenly  Confolation  I  Since  by 
 reafon  of  the  Abundance  of  thy  Grace,  thou  canft  not 
 deny  it  to  fuch  as  crave  the  Favour  at  thine  Hands*, 
 jhou  ftandefl  always  ready  to  beilow  it  accordingly 
 
 Oil 
 
204  0{  tljt  SimttatfotT        Vol.  11. 
 
 on  every  Soul  that  thirfteth  after  it,  and  that  crieth 
 unto  thee  in  the  Child -like  Faith  ;  Yea,  thou  art  often 
 aifo  exhibiting  this  thy  Grace,  and  (hewing  Royal 
 Acts  of  Mercy,  even  to  fuch  as  beg  it  not,  and  go  oa 
 tranfgrefling  flill  in  many  things  againft  thy  Divine 
 Majefty.  O  infinite  Grace  of  my  dearefl:  Saviour ! 
 O  Mercy  and  Love  of  my  JESUS,  how  unutterable! 
 Yea,  how  unconceivable!  Hail^  J  ESV^  full  of  Grace 
 O/id  Afercy. 
 
 O  moft  Magnificent  JESU!  how  can  I  magnifie 
 thee,  as  I  ought,  for  the  Abundance  of  thy  Grace? 
 When  fhall  I  thank,  as  I  am  bound,  in  that  thy  Mer- 
 cies are  To  infinite  towards  me  a  loft  forlorn  Creature? 
 O  boundlefs  Ocean  of  Grace,  Glory  be  to  thee. 
 
 O  moft  Lovely  JESU,  who  didft  leave  thy  felf  aa 
 Example  upon  Earth,  and  keepeft  thy  felf  for  a  Re- 
 ward in  the  Heavens :  Upon  thee  mine  Eyes  are  fixed, 
 and  after  thee  do  my  Feet  trace.  Gladly  do  I  follow 
 thee  now  in  Earth  :  But  more  gladly  would  1  follow 
 thee  unto  Heaven. 
 
 And  how  can  1  but  follow  thee,  O  my  Treafure, 
 ten  thoufand  times  dearer  to  me  than  all  the  World  ? 
 For  where  my  Treafure  is,  there  would  my  Heart  be 
 alfo :  Since  to  be  without  my  JESUS  is  a  bitter  Death  • 
 but  to  abide  with  him  is  a  moft  fweet  Life  indeed. 
 O  Treafure  of  my  Life!  deareft  JESU,  Treafure  a- 
 bove  ail  Treafures,  Glory  be  unto  thee. 
 
 O  Lord  Jefij  Chrift,  without  whom  whofoever  li- 
 veth  is  moft  miferable,  and  \vhom  truly  to  know  is 
 great  Riclies,  for  thee  1  will  neither  fear  to  die,  nor 
 refufe  to  live.  And  conlider  therefore,  I  befeech 
 thee,  the  Affection  of  mine  Heart  which  1  bear  to- 
 wards thee^  not  for  my  Merits,  but  for  thy  Mercies 
 fake',  who  vouchfafeft  to  be  loved  even  of  the  un- 
 worthy. 
 
 For  thou  art  the  Fountain  of  all  Goodnefs ,    the 
 Fountain  of  Life,  the  Fountain  of  Grace :  And  never 
 
 doll 
 
Book  III.      cf  Jesus  Christ.  205 
 
 doft  thou  once  defpife  the  Unworthy  ,  for  then  there 
 would  be  none  to  draw  near  unto  thee  ,  and  thou 
 vvouldefl  be  a  King,  O  Chrifl,  without  Subjefts. 
 
 But  as  thy  Power  is,  Lord,  fo  is  thy  Mercy :  And 
 as  thy  Wifdom  is,  fo  is  thy  Grace.  O  Mercy  with- 
 out Bounds,  and  Grace  without  Meafure!  Who  caa 
 fufficiently  (or  even  but  tolerably)  utter  the  Omni- 
 potent Power,  the  immenfe  Greatnefs,  and  the  inlcrn- 
 table  Wifdom  of  thy  mofl  merciful  and  gracious  Love, 
 O  JESV  my  Saviour. 
 
 O  Chrift,  the  Rock  of  Saints,  the  Hopes  of  the  De- 
 folate,  the  Salvation  of  all  the  Ends  of  the  Earth, 
 ho7/  ^\^ttt  is  thy  Grace,  how  pleafantly  doth  it  found, 
 how  fweetly  doth  it  enter ,  how  ftrongly  doth  ic 
 bind! 
 
 O  Saviour  of  the  World,  how  dolt  thou  excel  ia 
 Pity,  and  in  Charity!  How  dolt  thou  abound?  and 
 not  o/^/y  abound,  but  even  fuperabound,  in  the  Riches 
 of  Grace!  O  the  Riches  of  the  Fulnefs  of  the  God- 
 head dwelling  Bodily  and  Ferronally  in  JESVS  my 
 SavioHT* 
 
 O  molt  merciful  Jefu  ,  to  thee  none  is  to  be  com- 
 pared :  Thou  art  above  all  to  be  loved,  and  above  all 
 to  be  revered.  Thou  art  not  only  fairer  than  the 
 Children  of  Men :  But  even  the  molt  deformed  are  by 
 thee  made  fair  ^  being  renewed,  in  the  Spirit,  after 
 thy  Image. 
 
 O  molt  Amiable,  molt  Venerable,  molt  Incompa- 
 rable One,  who  art  the  Holy  of  Holies,  and  the 
 Saint  of  Saints,  how  wonderful  is  thy  Majelty  which 
 is  over  all  the  Earth!  And  thy  Mercy,  which  is 
 over  all  thy  Works,  which  of  the  Angels  can  de- 
 clare ? 
 
 O  Son  of  God,  by  whom  we  are  alfo  made  the  Sons 
 of  God ,  thou  alone  mult  Angularly  be  loved  and 
 ferved-,  becaufe  thou  alone  art  the  good  and  faithful 
 Friend*    Whence  is  ic  that  thou  callelt  thy  Name  up- 
 
 t  oa 
 
2c6  Of  tl)e  imitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 on  US!  And  therewith  makeft  us  Heirs  of  God  thy 
 Father,  and  Coheirs  with  thy  felt?  How  hath  thy 
 Grace  attradted  me !  How  have  the  Cords  of  thy 
 Love  bound  me!  O  bind  me  ftill  fafler  and  falter  to 
 thee :  And  fuffer  me  not  to  depart  from  thee  for  one 
 Moment. 
 
 O  Friend  of  all  Friends  ,  King  of  Heaven  and 
 Earth,  Lord  of  Angels,  Conqueror  of  Devils,  draw 
 me  after  thee :  Left  I  fall,  and  fo  reft  uader  the  hea- 
 vy Burthen  of  Sin.  Draw  me,  that  I  may  begin  zea- 
 louily  to  run  after  thee,  Draw  me*,  and  then  not 
 only  I,  but  all  fhall  run  after  thee,  by  the  Savour  of 
 thine  Ointments. 
 
 Pour  out  thy  Grace,   fend  me  thy  comforting  Dew 
 from  above:  That  I  may  truly  perceive,  and  right-^ 
 ly  reflect,  how  thou  art  the  fole  Giver  of  Grace,  and 
 the  open  Fountain  of  Mercies. 
 
 IV.  Lord.  I  am  indeed  the  Spring  of  holy  Love, 
 and  of  Chad:  and  Religious  Fear^  of  Godiy  Confe- 
 rence, and  of  fweet  Confolation.  Therefore  when  ye 
 do  hear  my  Name,  rejoice  with  your  whole  Hearts  and 
 magnifie  the  Goodnefs  of  your  God. 
 
 In  honouring  me  you  honour  the  Father,  even  the 
 Father  in  me,  and  mc  in  the  Father.  For  1  am  JESZJS 
 the  Son  of  Cod:  And  this  Name  ihall  I  have  while 
 the  World  endureth. 
 
 *  ''  But  what  is  Jefus?  Even  the  CHRIST,  the 
 *'  Son  of  the  Living  God  •,  the  Saviour  of  the  World*, 
 ''  the  King  of  Heaven  *,  the  Prince  of  the  Kings  of  the 
 ^  Earth  \  the  Lord  of  Angels  ^  the  Redeemer  of  the 
 *'  Faithful^  and  the  Judge  of  the  Qjiick  and  Dead. 
 
 "  And  what  is  JESUS;  The  Hope  of  the  Godly; 
 "  the  Comfort  of  the  Defolate^  the  Riches  of  the 
 "  Poor;  the  Glory  of  the  Humble',    the  Strength  of 
 
 *  The  SjuI  here  Dilcoujlcs  with  herklf  upcn  the  Woids  of 
 Chria. 
 
 "  the 
 
Book  III.        of  Jesus  Chpvist.        207 
 
 "  the  Weak^  the  Way  of  fuch  as  wander  ^  the  Light 
 *^  of  the  Blind  *,  the  Staif  of  the  Lame  j  the  Stay  of 
 ''  the  OpprefTed  ^  the  Help  of  the  Perfecuted  j  and 
 "  the  fingular  Refuge  of  all  good  Chriftians,  at  all 
 ''  Seafons. 
 
 Blefs  now  the  Son  with  the  Father ;  So  will  the  Fa- 
 ther blefs  you  ^  even  blefs  yon  through  the  Son.  And 
 we  will  both  come,  and  dwell  with  you  :  And  mine 
 and  my  Father^s  Kingdom  fhall  be  ellablifhed  in  the 
 midft  of  you. 
 
 Wherefore,  whether  ye  (land  or  fit,  pray  or  read, 
 write  or  work,  let  my  Name  JESUS,  and  the  Name 
 of  GOD  my  Father,  be  often  reverently  in  your 
 Mouths,  but  continually  in  your  Hearts. 
 
 Soul  To  this  do  thou  fay  Amen^  dear  Jefu  :  And 
 let  all  People  and  Tribes,  and  Languages  ferve  thee-, 
 and  let  all  Creatures  bow  down  at  thy  Prefence.  Lee 
 the  Heaven  fay,  REIGN  JESUS:  Let  the  Earth  make 
 Anfwer,  Tea  for  ever  and  ever  let  JESVS  REIGN, 
 
 Yea,  let  all  the  Saints  confefs  thy  Glorious  Name 
 together:  And  let  all  that  are  confecrated  and  devo- 
 ted to  it  rejoice  therein  for  evermore^  triumphantly 
 exulting  before  the  Father,  and  thee  his  Lamb,  who 
 livefl  and  reigneft  with  him  in  the  Unity  of  the  fame 
 Eternal  Spirit,  blefled  for  ever.     Amen^  and  Amen, 
 
 A  Prayer. 
 
 I.  y^  Lord  JESV  CHRIST^  v:ho  art  the  'Beginning  ami 
 \_J  the  End  of  all  my  Exercifes,  the  Firjl  and  the  Laffy 
 the  Alpha  and  the  Omega,  full  of  Grace  and  Truth, 
 enlightening  and  inftriiBing  every  Soul  coming  by  Faith  un- 
 to thee  ^  /  hnmbly  befeech  thee  to  prefent  me  in  thine  own 
 Name  before  thy  Father  ^  cloathed  with  thine  own  Nature^ 
 ubich  thou  brought eji  down  from  Heaven  *,  and  quicken  d 
 
 Uiitb 
 
2o8  jSDf  ti)t  Sintitattoit        Vol.  Ih 
 
 with  thine  own  Spirit^  zvhich  thon  fendefl  forth  from  the 
 Father  and  thy  felf  according  to  thine  own  infallible  Pro- 
 mife:  that  fo  all  my  Steps  may  henceforth  he  guided  in  the 
 Way  of  Feace  and  Salvation  *,  and  all  my  Exercifes^  pri-^ 
 vate  or  pMick^  may  he  dire^ied  purely  to  thy  Glory^  nn- 
 der  thy  mo  ft  gracious  ConduB. 
 
 II.  Do  thou  gracioufly  therefore  prevent  and  affifl  mB 
 in  whntfoever  I  fet  about  ^  and  he  thou  the  only  Rule  and 
 Standard  of  my  Words  and  AEiions  :  that  fo^^  according 
 to  thy  Image ^  J  may  Day  by  Day  be  renewed  in  the  Spi- 
 rit of  my  Mind,  and  made  conformable  unto  thee  ,  O 
 Jefii  my  Saviour  \  by  a  Death  unto  the  Animal  and  Sen^ 
 
 Jttive  Life-,  and  by  a  rifimr  again  unto  a  fpirituul  and 
 fuperfenfual  Life  ,  after  thy  Likenefs.  And  let  it  be  my 
 daily  Exercife  to  copy  after  thee\  and  by  the  pure  Eleva^ 
 tion^  and  conftant  Dire5iion  of  my  Heart  towards  thecj 
 and  confequently  the  guard  of  all  my  outward  Senfes^  to 
 make  my  Way  firaight  in  thy  fight^  to  fix  my  Mind 
 fteadily  upon  Heavenly  and  Eternal  Obje5ls  ,  and  t(t 
 dwell  and  converfe  with  thee  ,  as  they  that  ferve  thee  in 
 thy  Celeflial  Tabernacle  \  zvho  are  always  following  and 
 obeying  thee^  zvherefoever  thou  leadeft  them^  O  Jefu  my 
 Saviour. 
 
 III.  For  this  End  let  me  he  fully  infiru^led^  I  hefeeth 
 thee^  by  thy  good  Spirit^  in  the  great  Duty  of  Self- Re- 
 collection, whether  I  am  at  Home  or  Abroad^  in  Solitude 
 or  in  Company ,  in  my  Clofet  or  at  Church.  And  teach 
 me  the  holy  Art  of  wifely  redeeming  the  Time ,  and  of 
 Godly  Vigilance  \  with  the  Art  of  Fraying  continually^ 
 and  of  paying  due  Attendance  in  thy  Courts*  Wherefore 
 let  both  my  Bed  and  my  Board  be  Holinefs  unto  thy 
 Name:  And  even  my  outward  A5ls  and  Geftures  ^  as 
 well  as  my  inward  Motions  and  Senfations^  be  entirely 
 confecrated  to  thy  Service  and  Workup  ,  from  this  very 
 Moment* 
 
 IV.  Grant 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  209 
 
 IV.  Gramme  not  to  be  difconraged  through  the  want  of 
 any  fenfible  Devotion^  hut  make  me  to  wreflle^  unto  th$ 
 Endy  in  Prayer  with  my  bodily  Infirmities '-j  and  to  con- 
 ftrain  my  Flejh  to  ferve  the  Spirit j  as  becometh  thy  faith" 
 fnl  Difciple  and  Servant ,  by  ready  and  hearty  Obedi- 
 ence to  whatfoever  thou  enjoinefi.  And  fnffer  me  not  to 
 regard  at  any  time  the  Horronrs  of  the  World^  or  tempo* 
 rat  Lucre  and  Advantage^  where  thy  Honour^  and  the 
 Good  of  thy  Churchy  are  inter  eft  ed  ^  bptt  caufe  me  always-i  in 
 all  things  to  confiderthy  good  Pleaftre^  and  revealed  Will  9 
 and  both  in  Adverjtty  and  Profperity  to  put  my  whole  Truft 
 and  Confidence  in  thee  alone^  O  Jefu  my  Saviour. 
 
 V.  Grant  me^  in  all  my  Exercifes  of  Religion^  ftill  to 
 have  regard  to  their  true  Ground-^  and  to  keep  the  Eye  of 
 my  Mind  ufon  the  Spring  and  Centre^  for  which  they  do 
 froceedj  and  the  Relatiot^  which  they  bear  unto  thee^  O 
 my  deareft  Saviour,  And  teach  me  hovo  to  pafs  from 
 the  more  outward  to  the  more  inward^  and  from  the  in» 
 ferior  to  the  fiiperior ,  till  at  length  both  my  Body  and 
 Soul  be  brought  entirely  under  the  holy  DifcipUne  of  thy 
 Wifdom,  O  let  this  thy  Wifdom  gently  guide  me  in  the 
 TraEhice  of  all  the  Virtues^  both  interior  and  exterior  ^  and 
 fweetly  lead  me  into  the  Exercife  of  all  the  Graces  , 
 both  Divine  and  Humane  -,  as  in  thy  Perfon.  And  a^ 
 bove  all ,  grant  me  holy  Courage  and  Perfeverance  in 
 thefe  my  Spiritual  Exercifes,  till  they  fti all  have  obtain^ 
 ed  their  End  :  And  dire^  me  how  to  make  an  Oblatioa 
 and  Union  of  them^  yea  of  my  very  natural  Anions 
 tooy  with  all  thi^.t  was  done  and  fufferd  by  thee  for  me-t 
 O  Jefu  my  Saviour. 
 
 VI.  And  thus  being  led  nnd  encouraged  by  thee^ 
 after  having  fown  in  Tears^  I  truft  that  thou  wilt  bring 
 me  ,  by  the  Exercife  of  the  Crofs  ,  to  reap  in  Joy  , 
 and  to  praife  thee  in  thy  Holinefs-,  compajfing  thy  Al" 
 tar  with  Eucharillical  Hymns^  where  1  bow  my  Knees 
 before  thee-,  and  will  remember  thy  NAME  for  ever  and 
 
 P  fVfr  \ 
 
2IO  0i  tlje  imitation        Vol.  IL 
 
 ever'^  fo  exceeding  full  it  is  of  ^11  that  is  moft  lovely^ 
 jinci  I  befeech  thee  ,  be  thou  mndfid  of  my  low  Eft  ate  : 
 ^nd  vouchfdfe  me  the  mv ft  gracious  Cortfolation  ofthyPre^ 
 fe>7ce  ,  comforting  me  with  the  Voice  of  thy  Salvation  ^ 
 and  making  me  to  feel  that  fnll  qf  Grace  are  thy  Words'^ 
 fven  Words  of  eternal  Lif^  *,  wherewith  thou  hafi  raifed 
 my  SouL^  06  frqrri  Deaths  that  I  may  live  before  thee-,  and 
 magmjy  thy  gloriopu  Name-,  with  Angels  and  Archangels f 
 ^nd  with  all  the  Heavenly  Hofi^  for  ever  and  ever.  A»» 
 ineu» 
 
 O  F 
 
 !■        I  I 
 
^ovixfj4^^' 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  2Ii 
 
 OF    THE 
 
 IMITATION 
 
 O  F 
 
 Jefus  Chrift. 
 
 Spiritual  Entertainments : 
 
 OR,    THE 
 
 S  o  L I L  o  Qj;  Y  of  the  S  o  u  L. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 JJ  I.  The  Scope  and  Mind  of  the  Author. 
 
 |0  R  myown  pri\rate  Benefit  and  Confoiation, 
 I  have  heap'd  together  certain  Devout  Sen- 
 tences, and  the  better  to  commit  them  toMe^ 
 
 mory  have  here  compil'd  them  into  a  little 
 
 Book ;  which  I  had  a  mind  only  to  have  kept  by  me 
 as  a  precious  Repofitory,  and  with  much  AiFedlion  to 
 have  laid  up  in  my  Heart.    Now,   for  this  End ,   I 
 
 P  2  difpos^d 
 
 F 
 
212  €>f  t^t  9itn t tation        Vol.  li. 
 
 difpos'd  them  alfo  as  into  a  pleafant  Orchard  or  Gar- 
 den, that  is  planted  with  divers  forts  of  Trees,  and 
 beautified  with  great  Variety  of  goodly  Flowers:  In- 
 to which  I  might  now  and  then  enter,  and  walk  for 
 my  Recreation^  and  fo  might  both  chufe  and  behold 
 ^t  my  need  fuch  Matter  as  iny  Heart  flioiild  incline 
 to  moil,  according  to  my  prefent  State,  fqr  its  Re- 
 lief and  Diredion  ^  and  be  ftirr'd  up  eitiier  to 
 read,  or  to  meditate  on,  fuch  deiirable  Siibjeds  as 
 are  proper  to  cherifh  and  refrefh  the  Minds  that 
 are  clouded  with  Lafiitude,  or  opprefs'd  with  Me- 
 lancholy. 
 
 And'  tliat  I  might  clearly  and  readily  find  out  at  all 
 times  under  what  Tree  I  was  to  rell  j  or  what  Flower 
 would  be  for  me  moft  grateful  and  pleafant  to  be  ga- 
 thered, in  the  Readings  I  took  care  to  "^  diftinguifh 
 the  feveral  Sedions  of  each  Chapter  by  the  means  of 
 red  Capitals,  or  Titles. 
 
 As  to  the  Style  which  I  have  chofen  to  life,  there's 
 no  reafon,  flnce  the  Manner  and  Form  of  the  Speech 
 herein  is  fovery  various,  why  it  (hould  be  always  one 
 and  the  fame.  Accordingly  then,  fometimes  SLsSpeak- 
 ingAlone^  fometimes  as. £)//^//n"«^,  fometimes  as  Pr^j/- 
 ing^  fometimes  as  Conferring-^  fometimes  in  my  Own^ 
 and  fometimes  in  jinothers  Perfon*,  I  have  taken  a 
 great  Liberty  of  Expreflion,  and  fo  accommodated  the 
 Text,  as  to  let  nothing  appear  in  it  ftrain'd,  or  the 
 Elfed  of  Art. 
 
 The  Reader  therefore  is  intreated  not  to  be  offend- 
 ed at  the  Writer  for  his  introducing  fuch  a  way  of 
 difcourllng  with  himfelf.  And  that  he  would  be 
 pleasM  to  pardon  alfo  the  Want  of  Compofition,  and 
 the  Simplicity  of  Wording,  from  this  Confideration, 
 that  not  thofe  things  which  are  molt  Artificial,   but 
 
 *  Rubric atis  Tithlis  pxf^lgere  feci, 
 
 which 
 
BooklV.        of  Jesus  Christ.  2i| 
 
 which  are  moft  Simple,   and  mofl  Pure,    are  chiefly 
 acceptable  with  Almighty  God. 
 
 And  if  any  where  theSenfe  fhall  appear  to  be  either 
 not  compleat,  or  not  clear  enough  •,  as  eafily  it  may 
 happen,  wherever  that  fhall  be,  I  beg  the  Pious  Can- 
 did Perufer  to  correct  the  fame.  Whom  I  aiTure,  that 
 if  any  thing  improper  or  unfit  fhall  be  found  herein, 
 that  it  has  rather  cfcap'd  me  out  of  Inadvertence  j 
 than  proceeded  from  DelTgn. 
 
 ^  II.  Hh  Appeal 
 
 Moreover,  for  as  much  as  Human  Judgments  (how- 
 ever Probable  they  be)  are  Fallible  ^  I  therefore  moll 
 humbly  addrefs  my  felf  to  Thee,  Almighty  GOD 
 and  Father  of  Lights,  as  thy  poor  Difciple  begging 
 to  be  taught  of  thee,  and  do  hereby  prefent  to  thy 
 Majefby  this  SOLILOQUY :  To  the  end  ^^  thou  may'H: 
 approve  what  is  right,  and  difapprove  what  is  faul- 
 ty therein,  and  may'ft  by  thy  holy  Spirit  iaiinuate  in- 
 to me,  or  into  fome  other  Servant  of  thine,  whonl 
 thou  findeft  faithful,  what  thou  would'il  have  to  be 
 re^ified,  or  f  put  into  a  better  Light. 
 
 ^  III.  ATrayer  for  obtaining  Tranquillity  of  MinJ^ 
 in  order  to  under f  and  the  Scriptures. 
 
 And  alfo  I  befeech  thee ,  Holy  FATHER,  that: 
 thou  would'ft  be  pleafed  to  grant  me,  thy  poor  Ser- 
 vant, Time  and  Opportunity  of  taking  my  Abode 
 in  the  moft  rich  Paftures  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
 which  are  my  deareft  Delights,  and  fhall  be,  till  the 
 Day  of  Eternity  fhine  forth,  and  the  Shadow  of  Mor- 
 tality go  down. 
 
 *  Vt  tH  di$iu  appfobes^  v'lthfa  mprobes.  f  Serenanda. 
 
 P  ^  Ami 
 
214  ^t  ttie  limitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 And  for  this  end  withdraw,  I  pray  thee,  from  me 
 unprofitable  Cares,  Temporal  Loves,  hurtful  Pafil- 
 ons,  and  all  other  Caufes  whatever,  that  may  retard 
 my  Attainment  of  the  lojig'd  for  Reft.  For  the  Mind 
 that  would  meditate  on  Interior  and  Divine  Matters, 
 mufl;  poflefs  it  felf  in  Liberty  and  Tranquillity. 
 Which  that  I  may  be  made  worthy  to  obtain,  I  be- 
 feech  thee  gracioufly  to  pour  down  upon  and  endue 
 me  with  the  BlefTmg  of  thy  fweet  Heavenly  Grace  : 
 That  what  is  fpoken  or  written  by  me,  as  with  regard 
 to  thee,  may  tend  to  the  Glory  of  thy  Name,  and 
 with  regard  to  my  felf,  to  the  miniftring  of  fome  fot:|; 
 of  Spiritual  Confolation. 
 
 The  Perfons  fuppofed  to  fpeak. 
 
 THEOPHILllS,    the  Servant  of  the  Lord^    being 
 newly  converted  *,  under  whom  the  Author  exprejfes 
 himfelf^  and  his  own  State. 
 PHILOTHEA,  a  certain  Holy  Soul,  highly  favoured  of 
 God\    by  whom  Theophilus  is  dire^cd  to  find  what 
 he  was  feehing  for, 
 T'i??  BELOVED,    the  Lord  ^    confider'^d  as  the  Fountain 
 of  all  Grace  and  Beauty,  who  draws  both  T\^to\)\\\\w^ 
 and  Philothea  after  him  by  the  irrejifiihle  Cords  of  his 
 Love, 
 
 Befides  whom,  there  are  imagin'd  alfo  prelent  the 
 
 Friends  or  Companions  of  the  Beloved\  confining 
 
 of  the  Holy  A-ngels  ^    and  the  Spirits  of  the  JhJ}  made 
 
 PerfeSi* 
 
 Note,  fn  this  Divine  Soliloquy,    tho""  the  State  of 
 
 a  Servant,  and  of  a  Spoufe  of  Chnft^  is  reprefen- 
 
 ted  under  two  diflmSt  Chara^ers  or  Perfons^   for  the 
 
 better  Exprejfionofeach'y  yet  this  doth  not  hinder  bat 
 
 that  all  may  be  tranfaEied  in  one  and  the  fame  Sonlj 
 
 bat  according  to  the  different  Degrees  and  Growths  of 
 
 the  Spiritual  Regeneration^ 
 
 Chap. 
 
ok  IV.      of  Je  strs  Chk-Ist.  215 
 
 Chap.    I* 
 Of  the  Defire  of  the  Soul  ivhkh  feeks  dft&r  GOV^ 
 
 la  ^  ConkrQncQhctmxt  Theof  hi Ipf^f  Phiiothea^  and 
 
 the  Beloved. 
 
 Philothea. 
 "^  But  it  is  good  for  the  to  hold  me  faTt  to  COD 6 
 
 iiy^  Sweet  and  fhott  Word,  embracing  God,  and 
 V_y  e:tcluding  the  whole  Univerfe  I  What  more  is 
 tb  be  faid?  or  what  is  to  be  willl'd  for  more?  Is  it 
 not  enough,  if  that  only  be  done  which  is  now  laid? 
 And  tho'  other,  yea  very  many  other  things  might  be 
 laid,  yet  are  not  All  reducible  to,  and  comprehended 
 in  this  Onef  Say  therefore  again,  O  my  Soul,  with 
 the  Prophet,  It  is  good  fot  me  to  adhere  to  God* 
 
 O  my  GOD,  thou  art  my  only  Good  :  Thou  atone 
 art  Good,  Thou  alone  art  Sweet.  To  fpeak  of  Thee 
 is  fweet  to  the  Lover;  to  tluuk  of  T  ee  'n  delicious 
 to  the  Devote.  Whofe  Heart  is  riot  iai\\^  World  ^ 
 but  is  hidden  with  thee  in  Heaven  :  Thatthou  may'Il  be 
 tinto  him  the  only  true'Rell,  and  intimatfe  Sweetnefsi 
 dnd  that  he  may  not  be  difquieted  more  with  thofe 
 Thingsorbbjects,  which  the  fallacious  Concupifcence 
 doth  tempt  Man  by«  My  God!  how  is  it  with  him 
 at  Heart,  who  burns  with  thy  Love?  What  manner 
 of  Joy  is  his ,  whom  nothing  of  the  Va.dty  of  the 
 Creatures  doth  allure,  or  delight?  Sin;z,snnt  hisVoice 
 in  the  Pfalm^  out  of  which  1  haVe  taken  the  beginning 
 of  this  my  Speech,  as  after  this  manner:    IVhom  have 
 
 *  Mfhf  aktem  Adhmre  DEO  bonum  efl.  Pf,  73. 
 
 '  '  '    "  ^'       P  4  lin 
 
%i6  m  tl^e  Siinttatfon       Vol.  ii. 
 
 J  in  Heaven  hut  thee'-,  and  there  is  none  upon  Earth  that 
 I  defire  in  compart  [on  of  thee*  Or  elfe:  What  have  I  to 
 do  with  Heaven  /*  what  have  I  to  zvijh  for  there^  hut  on- 
 ly Thee?  and  what  befide  Thee  fijoMld  J  defire  on  Earth  f 
 What  is  there,  either  on  the  Earth,  or  even  in  Hea- 
 ven, for  me  to  adhere  to,  but  only  Thee,  O  my  God, 
 and  my  Good  ! 
 
 Theoph.  O  holy  Soul,  who  art  fo  devout  and  lifted 
 up  to  God!  O  thou  ecftatick  Soul!  what  is  this,  I 
 pray,  that  I  hear  from  thee?  Seem  they  then  to  thee 
 to  be  all  but  fmall  Things,  both  which  are  in  Heaven 
 and. in  Earth.    .  .  ..- 
 
 U.  Philoth.  Altthings  verily  are  fmall  to  me:  What 
 is  there  on  the  Earth  to  be  delired  ?  Or  what  is  there 
 for  me  in  Heaven?  Nothing  that  is  contain'd  therein 
 will  fatisfie  me:    Surely  I  take  all  things  but  for 
 
 Trifles.  r'-jr'v;   -r 
 
 Theoph,  Whatisitthoufeekeftthen?  Whomdefireft 
 thou  without  and  beyond  thefe?.  And  where  wilt  thou 
 find  Him,  if  not  with  them  ?  Hath  he  a"  Name,  or 
 Place,or  Habitation,  that  he  may  be  fought  out  ?  W  here 
 is  the  Place  of  the  Habitation  of  his  Glory?  Of  whom 
 I  have  heard  thee,  in  a  certain  Pfalm^  finging: 
 
 ?Ul  xxxi. 
 
 O  Godj  thy  Honfe  I  love  mofi  dear^ 
 
 Whofe  Glory  doth  excel: 
 J  have,  delight^  and  zvonld  be  near 
 
 There  where  thy  Grace  doth  dwell. 
 
 Anfwer  me,  I  befcech  thee.  For  if  thou  canfl  fhew 
 him  unto  me,  I  wiil  go  along  wirh  thee,  and  v^e  will 
 ieek  him  together^  and  thy  God  fhall  be  my  God  : 
 And  it  fhall  be  well  with  us  when  he  fhall  be  found  by 
 us,  and  be  holden  fait. 
 
 III.  Philoth..  What  is  this  thou  feekefi:  of  me  ?  Or 
 why  pryelt  thou  after  any  thing  of  this  Nature,  as  if 
 it  were  with  me?  Thinkelt  tl\ou  1  ihould  tell  thee, 
 
 or 
 
Book  IV.     of  Jesus  Christ.  217 
 
 or  am  able  to  tell  thee  thi^ags  of  fuch  a  kind  as  this  ? 
 And  if  fo.  Charity  might  herein  pofTibly  prompt  to 
 fome  Difcovery  thereof^  yet  furely  doth  there  not  lie 
 flill  a  ftronger  Prohibition  againft  the  Divulging  it, 
 both  from  the  Rarenefs  of  the  Matter,  and  the  Pro- 
 foundnefs  of  the  Secret  ?  But  why  askefl:  thou  me  ? 
 Ask  of  thofe  who  have  heard  and  feen.  Behold,  thele 
 are  they  that  know  vcho  He  is^  whom  thou  art  in  quelt 
 after.  -< 
 
 But  flill  rather  go  thou  and  ask  Him,  to  whom- no- 
 thing is  unknown.  For  it  is  even  He  of  whom  our 
 prcfcnt  Difcourfe  is^  and  he  will  bed  of  all  difcover 
 himfclf  to  ttiee,  and  will  demonftrate  far  more  clear- 
 ly rhan  any  Qth^i'vjhere  it  is  he  dwelleth.  For  as  much 
 as  it  is  He  who  teacheth  Man  Knowledge -^  afid, 
 who  give th  hts  Grace  to  the  Humble.  r  '-  i ': '  ^      ^^^^* 
 
 Draw:  near  therefore  unto  Him,  who  revealeth  him- 
 felf  wheafoever  and  to  whomfoever  it  pleafeth  him  : 
 Nor  is  there  any  one  without  him,  or  bellde  him,  who 
 can  ever  open  this  Thing.  He  only  hath  Power  to 
 reveal  to  thee  the  Joy  of  thofe  that  love  him,  in- 
 finitely beyond  all  thou  canft  exped  to  learn  ofme. 
 
 IV.  Theoph.  And  what  now  ?  What  is  the  meaning, 
 O  holy  and  humble  Soul,  that  thou  fpeakeft  thus  ? 
 Think  not  that  I  would  fift  out  from  thee  ought,  that 
 it  may  be  is  not  lawful  to  be  known,  or  not  pofhble 
 to  be  fpoken.  Let  thy  Secret  abide  with  thee  ^  let 
 thy  Door  be  clofe  fhut  upon  thee  ^  let  the  Seal  of  Faith 
 remain  unbroken  and  firm  ^  neither  let  the  Veil  be 
 taken  from  the  Sanduary.  Eat  holy  Bread  in  the  ho- 
 ly Place  :  Enter  into  the  Tabernacle  of  thine  Houfe  j 
 afcend  into  the  uppermoft  (or  innermoft)  Chamber: 
 Go  into  the  Wine  Cellar  of  the  Everlalting  King  : 
 Or,  which  exprefles  yet  fome  what  more*  Excellent, 
 and  more  Amiable  fbill,  into  the  very  Bride-Chamber 
 of  thy  Heavenly  Bridegroom. 
 
 3  I  acknow* 
 
^^8 €)ftt)e3|nxitation       VoL  it 
 
 I  acknowledge  it  is  written  :  It  is  not  meet  to  take 
 the  ChiLdrens  Bread^  and  to  give  it  to  Dogs, 
 This  I  know  I  have  read.  But  pray  fee  what  ^^^^f«i5« 
 follows  artery  and  have  thou  pity  upon  me,  not  flight- 
 ing the  Anfwer  of  her  who  faid,  The  Dogs  eat  oj  the 
 Crumbs  which  fall  from  their  Majier  s  'Table. 
 ^  Do  not  then  hide  from  me  the  Thing  I  am  inqui- 
 ring after:  Conceal  it  not  altogether  -^  but  out  of  the 
 Copioufnefs  of  Internal  Sweetnefs,  be  a  little  Com- 
 municative, and  ihed  forth  at  leaft  one  Spark  of  that 
 enfited  Love,  with  which  thou  flameft  \  give  me  but 
 the  leafl:  drop  of  the  precious  Wine,  with  which 
 thou  art  filled  \  fend  forth  from  this  moft  rich  Oint- 
 ment, wherewith  thou  artanointed,  fome  little  Breath, 
 or  Guft,  of  its  Odoiir  on  tne^  that  even  I  alfo  may 
 have  a  tafle  df  That,  the  beft  part  whereof  is  known 
 and  enjoyed  by  thee,  and  is  fo  much  and  often  thy 
 lovely  Comfort,  and  thy  refrefhing  Eafe* 
 
 V*  Why  (O  why)  delayeft  thou?  Satisfie  him 
 that  defireth,  and  open  the  Door  to  a  Friend,  that 
 hath  now  a  third  time  knocked.  Speak,  O  Beloved,  of 
 thy  Well-Beloved !  Yet  fo  fpeak,  as  not  to  pafs  me  by. 
 If  thou  art  not  able  to  fpeak  of  him  ^  He  isy  fpeak 
 of  him  however  as  thou  ca-dfl.  For  who  fhall  be  able 
 to  fpeak  of  him  according  as  he  is?  And  who  alfo 
 would  underlland  him  that  fhould  fo  fpeak? 
 
 Wherefore  if  thou  canft  not  fpeak  of  him  as  he  is 
 in  himfelf^  fpeak  at  leaft  of  him  as  he  is  in  thee.  If 
 thou  art  ignorant  what  he  is  (or  doth)  as  to  himfelf:^ 
 yet  break  forth,  and  declare  what  good  he  fhall  have 
 done  to  thee.  For  indeed  who  is  there  that  fhall  fearch 
 him  out,  to  know  what  he  is  in  himfelf  ?  Thou  (halt 
 not  be  able,  for  as  much  as  thou  haft  confeffed,  and 
 denied  it  not,  faying,  Such  Knowledge  is 
 too  Excellent  ^nd  Wonderful  for  me',  and  I  ^^'^-  *^^'^^^^- 
 cannot  attain  y^nto  it.  thither  Jliall  I  go  from  thy 
 Spirit  f 
 
 Since 
 
Book  iV.        Of  J  E  S  U  S  C  H  Pv  I  S  T. 
 
 19 
 
 Since  if  thou  art  not  fufficient  to  dive  into  thine 
 own  Spirit,  which  the  Creator  and  Quickner  of  all 
 Spirits  have  created  ^  how  much  lefs  (halt  thou  dive 
 into  that  which  is  uncreated  1  Was  it  not  hence  there-' 
 fore  that  thou,  as  one  all  amazed,  didflcryoutjLor^, 
 who  is  like  unto  thee  ? 
 
 Neverthelefs,  of  all  Friendfhip,  pray  tell  me  hj 
 fome  fort  of  Lihnefs  or  other,  what  That  is,  the£y^ 
 fence  whereof  thou  haft  not  reached  to.  Neither 
 oughteft  thou  to  deny  a  part,  to  whom  thou  thinkeft 
 the  whole  fhould  not  be  revealed. 
 
 VI.  Philoth,  I  muft  needs  be  plain,  (faid  Jhe)  thott 
 art  indeed  too  Curious  and  too  Importunate  with  me. 
 Thou  fearcheft  all  what  pertains  to  me  through  and 
 through,  and  putteft  in  thine  Hand  by  the 
 
 Hole  of  my  Door,  I  fent  thee  to  him,  and  ^*°f-  "^' 
 again  comeft  thou  to  me  :  Seekeft  thou  me,  or  feekelt 
 thou  him  ?  But  I  demand  of  thee,  whofe  Spirit  art 
 thou?  Pray  be  quiet,  and  be  not  troublefome  to  me^ 
 for  he  is  above  me^  whom  thou  feekeft? 
 
 VII.  Theofh.  And  I  fdid,  Shall  he  who  feeketh  God 
 fo  eafily  then  be  put  off?  Shall  he  give  over  his  pur- 
 fuit,  and  be  quiet?  Do  not  fo  protraft  Words  any 
 longer  ^  fince  thou,  if  thou  wilt,  art  able  prefently  to 
 minifter  Confolation.  Alas!  how  long  keepeft  thou 
 my  Soul  in  fufpenfe?  What  fayeft  thou?  Or  what 
 fayeft  thou  not?  Surely,  as  my  Soul  liveth,  I  will 
 not  let  thee  go,  unlefs  thou  firft  blefs  me.  And  this 
 now  fhall  be  the  Blefling  wherewith  thou  (halt  blefs 
 me:  Thou  (halt  fhew  Him  unto  me.  Now  therefore, 
 if  he  hath  been  {^ta  of  thee,  be  plain  and  open  with 
 me :  And  I  will  lay  hold  on  him. 
 
 VIII.  Again,  reply'd  Philothca  :  I  fee  thee  to  be  in 
 a  prefling  Delire,  and  earneft  Love  of  thy  Creator. 
 Thou  haft  asked  of  me  an  hard  thing  :  Nor  do  I  know 
 whether  that  can  be  done,  which  thou  wifheft  for. 
 He,  whom  thou  feekeft,  kaowerh  well,  how  it  is  not 
 
 ia 
 
220 jgPf  t\)t  gimttattoit        Vol.  ih 
 
 in  me  to  tell  thee  this.  Thy  Search  and  Scrutiny,  bear- 
 ing no  Denial^  feemcth  to  be  like  that  of  the  Spoufe 
 in  the  Canticles:  Shew  me  him  faith  flie)  whom  my 
 Sold  loveth. 
 
 Wouldll  thou  therefore  learn  of  me,  a-^<?  and  what 
 he  is,  and  what ^W  he  hath  done  unto  me  ?  Know, 
 that  both  the  one  and  the  other  of  thefe  is  a  Secret 
 entrufted  with  me. 
 
 But  ftill  thou  art  not  contented,  I  fee:  Neither  art 
 thou  deterred  by  his  Greatnefs,  who  encompafleth  the 
 Heavens ;  nor  difcou raged  by  my  Littlenefs,  who  am 
 of  no  Moment*,  yea,  not  fo  much  as  the  leaft  Duft 
 of  the  Balance,  in  his  fight.  How  is  it  that  thou  haft 
 laid  on  me  fuch  a  Burthen  as  this  ?  Since  to  tell  this  is 
 too  painful  for  me,  till  I  enter  into  the  Saifidluary  of 
 my  God,  and  there  underftand.  Why  is  thy  Will 
 thus  bent  to  know  what  is  not  fo  very  lawful  to  be 
 fpoken. 
 
 IX.  Theoph.  And  I  anfwered,    faying:    And   wilt 
 thou  not  then  ?  O  how  fain  would  I  be  inflruded  ! 
 For  thofe  things  which  moft  hardly  may  be  revealed, 
 we  are  generally  moft  earneft  to  know  j  and  the  more 
 importunate   ftill   are  we  in   fearching   after   thofe 
 which  are  more  difficultly  difclos'd.     Notwithftand- 
 ing,  once  again,  I  pray,  be  not  fo  hard  towards  me, 
 as  altogether  to  hold  thy  Peace.     Fear   not   that  I 
 ftiall   fo  foon  betray  thefe  matters  to  the  Enemies. 
 No :  I  will  keep  thy  Word  for  Friends )  and  even 
 for  none  but  the  very  choiceft  of  thefe  too.     Safely 
 may'ft  thou  tell  nie  in  the  fecrecy  of  thy  filence  ;  Be- 
 hold,  we  two  are  here  alone  :  Nothing  need  divert 
 us  farther  ^  fmce  while  thou  art  difcourfing,  neither 
 fhalllbe  delighted  in  Curiofity,  nor  thou  in  Boafting^ 
 but  in  him  alone  ftiall  be  both  our  delights,  becaufe 
 he  hath  made  us  truft  in  him,  and  commit  our  felves 
 to  his  Condudx. 
 
 And  if  he,  of  whom  we  fpeak,  fliould  himfelf  coitie 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ. 221 
 
 in  upon  us,  as  we  are  fpeaking  of  him,  we  will  give 
 him  place,  and  he  fhall  be  in  the  midft  of  us.  And 
 if  moreover  his  Majeily  fhall  vouchfafe  to  fpeak,  we 
 will  be  ready  to  liften  attentively  ^  and  (hall  in  the 
 mean  time  remain  filent.  Nor  Ihalt  thou  be  obliged 
 at  all  in  that  hour  to  anfiver  my  Delires.  For  while 
 he  fpeaketh,  it  is  meet  and  fit  all  Flelh  fhould  be 
 filent. 
 
 X.  Then  Ihe  again.  Well:  it  is  agreed.  May  but 
 he  be  with  us  only  *,  and  may  we  but  be  carried  into 
 Qm/ecret  Chamber.  O  may  he  be  our  Guide,  and  the 
 Opener  of  our  Mouth:  And  where  we feek  to goy  may 
 we  be  led  of  him* 
 
 This  beloved,  that  is  fought  after  by  thee  with  the 
 utmoft  diligence  polTible,  thou  mult  know  is  fuch  aa 
 one,  and  fo  great  as  can  never  be  expreffed  by  any 
 Speech  ^  feeing  he  is  Ineffable  :  He  is  fo  high,  and  fo 
 far  exalted  above  all  Creatures,  as  he  muft  remain 
 always  Incomprehenfible :  His  Strength  and  Magni- 
 ficence are  boundlefs.  Whatever  is  faid  or  written 
 of  him,  muft  be  believed  to  be  altogether  unwor- 
 thy of  him  j  becaufe  he  is  fupereminently  above  all 
 
 things. 
 
 The  Heavens  faid:  He  paffed  through  us,  and 
 afcended  up,  and  hath  prevailed  over  us.--  The  Earth 
 juade  anfwer :  If  the  Heaven  of  Heavens  contaiir htm 
 not,  ceafe  to  enquire  of  me.  The  Stars  fang:  We 
 are  Darknefs,  and  not  Light,  if  he  Ihine  forth.  The 
 Sea  trembled,  and  faid:  He  is  not  in  me.  And  the 
 Dee^  was  ignorant  of  him. 
 
 Heareft  thou  now  (continued  Thilothed)  what  thefe 
 
 fay? 
 
 Then  anfwer ed  1^  and  [aid:  I  have  heard,  and  was 
 greatly  troubled  \  becaufe  of  their  Voice,  my  Lips 
 trembled.  What  therefore  fhall  be  done?  Whatifwe 
 fhould  enquire  of  him  himfelt? 
 
 Whereupon  fie  again  :  Weil  haft  thou  faid  ',  we  will 
 enquire  then,  TheophiUts 
 
2  2  2  gDf  ti)t  91ittitation        Vol.  IL 
 
 Theo^loiUs  and  Phllothea  both :  LORD,  art  thou  the 
 fame  ot  whom  the  holy  Men  of  Old  have  fung^  and 
 I31KO  whom  all  things,  according  to  their  feafuns,  are 
 obedient  ? 
 
 Exod  iii  ^^'    ^^^^  Beloved'  Yea  verily:   I  AM 
 
 Peuc.'iv.'      THAT  I  AM:    And  Besides  ME 
 
 ifa.  xlv.  THERE    IS     NOT    ANOTHER.      I    AM 
 
 Rcv.i.  THE     FIRST     AND     THE     LAST^ 
 
 lla.xiiji.        Creating  AND  Governing  ali* 
 Afts x?U.       Things.    As  I  Live,  say  I,  thb 
 
 Heb.  i.  LORD,    I    WILL     BE     KlNG     FOR 
 
 ir^^w;        Ever,  Even  for  "^  Ever   and 
 ■*  Ever. 
 
 Chap.    II. 
 
 The  Call  of  GOB  Ohefd  hy  the  Soul 
 
 Thilothea  and  Theofhilftj, 
 
 Behold^  I  am  Vile^  uchat  Jljall  I  Arjfwer  Thee  f 
 
 I.  Thiloth.yjr 7* Hat  fayefl  thou  now,  O  little  Worm, 
 W  being  furrounded  with  fo  huge  a 
 Light  ?  Behold  !  thy  Beloved  fpeaketh  with  thee,  and 
 is  with  thee  :  He  is  with  thee,  whom  thou  thoughteffc 
 to  be  with  me.  With  me  he  was,  when  I  faid  unto 
 him,  It  is  good  for  me  to  hold  me  fafi  to  God.  With 
 thee  will  he  be,  if  thou  in  like  manner  doll  fay :  ^^My 
 ^^  Soul  refhfeth  to  he  comforted^  and  the  Bay 
 PfaUxxvii.  cc  ^j^  j^^^  I  have  not  coveted  ^  hut  in  Thn^ 
 Jcr.  xvii.  UQ  LORD,  will  J  hope  :  For  thoH,  LORD^ 
 **  art  my  King,  and  my  God.     Thou  fhalt  not  be  like 
 
 '^  In  sternum  \{y  ultra, 
 
 to 
 
Book  IV.         of  J  E  s  U  8  C  H  F.  I  s  T.  Q25 
 
 to  wandring  Lovers  ^  but  as  the  Only  One  fiialc  thou 
 be  of  the  Only  One  ^  feeking  after  One  only  Thing, 
 and  requiring  One  only  Beloyed,  that  can  admit  of 
 no  Corrival  from  without. 
 
 Let  therefore  thy  Speech  be  in  Solitude,  as  betwixt 
 him  and  thee  alone.  Farther  alfo,  if  he  fhould  gp 
 away  and  leave  thee,  fit  Itill  as  a  Widow,  patiently 
 bearing  all  things :  For  this  is  his  manner,  thus  to  Go 
 and  Come,  and  to  try  his  Beloved,  to  the  lend  he  may 
 make  her  perfe(^  in  Love. 
 
 Let  not  his  Departure  trouble  thee*,  if  thou  vvifhefi; 
 his  Return,  wait  and  wait  again  :  He  will  go  away 
 for  a  little  while,  and  after  a  little  while  he  will  come 
 again.  And  all  this  is  but  the  efFedt  of  Love  ^  which 
 fometimes  lifteth  up  the  Soul  into  the  Heights,  and 
 fomctimes  again  letteth  her  down  into  the  Depths. 
 
 II.  Here  having  Panfedj  flje  again  Proceeded  thtes—^ 
 His  Love  is  full  of  all  Graces  and  all  Lovelinefles  j  no 
 Flower  is  fo  pleafant  as  it,  no  Lily  fo  white ,  no 
 Jewel  fo  Ihining  Fair.  He  is  more  Gracious,  more 
 Lovely,  more  Pleafant,  more  Sweet,  more  Bright, 
 more  Fair,  than  any  of  thefe.  For  nothing  in  the 
 Creatures  is  to  be  preferred  before,  or  even  to  be 
 compared  with  the  Love  of  Him  :  And  therefore 
 for  his  fake^  if  thou  truly  ibvelt,  thou  mull  defpife 
 every  thing. 
 
 III.  Theop.  "  I  being  touched  inwardly  with  the 
 *'  Love  of  Him,  began  hereupon  fo  to  burn  in  my 
 ^'  Heart,  as  not  to  be  eafie  till  1  had  taken  my  Leave 
 *'  of  all  Created  Beings  j  for  no  other  end,  but  that  I 
 *'  might  be  in  a  capacity  of  fuing  only  for  his  moft 
 **  Cbaft  Embraces.  And  I  fent  forth  upon  this  a  moffc 
 '*  ftrange  ancj  uncommon  Voice,  even  as  if  I  had  caft 
 "  up  Coals  of  Fire  out  of  a  Burning  Furnace:  Crying 
 f*  out,  What  have  Jin  Heaven  bejide  Theef  Bejide  'Ihee 
 "  what  have  Ide/ired  Hpon  Earth?  O  God  of  my  Hsart  ! 
 l^  My  Portion  art  thon^  0  Cod^  to  all  Eternity* 
 
 ^  '       ■  '  '^'^  '"''"■ Phikth^ 
 
224  ^f  t^  imitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 PhiL  Now  underftand  concerning  thy  Beloved, 
 who  and  what  he  is,  and  of  what  Qiiality  and  Gran- 
 deur, who  doth  incomprehenfibly  tranfcend  all  Be- 
 ings. Yet  though  he  be  above  all  Words,  and  even 
 above  all  Thoughts  too,  for  as  much  as  he  is  infinite  i 
 he  is  however  moft  Amiable,  moit  Gondefcending, 
 mofl  Familiar,  and  moft  Exorable  and  Eafie  to  be  in- 
 treated.  Sothatakho'  he  cannot  be  comprehended, 
 he  may  yet  be  loved  :  And  while  it  is  not  poITible  to 
 reach  him,  it  may  be  yet  pofllble,  by  a  wonderful 
 Way  to  embrace  him. 
 
 Nay,  by  loving  we  may  reach  him  ^  and  by  loving 
 too  we  hold  him  faft.  For  Love  can  do  all  things : 
 By  this  he  is  taken  and  comprehended  •,  by  this  he  is 
 embraced  and  grafped  clofe.  By  defiring  we  feek, 
 by  praying  we  knock,  by  patient  waiting  we  prevail  j 
 but  by  loving  we  do  all.  I  have  faid  enough  :  And 
 if  hitherto  I  have  not  yet  fatisfied  thee  ^  may  he  him- 
 felf  whom  thou  haft  fought,  give  thee  that  Satisfa- 
 dion  thou  lacked: :  And  may  he  teach  thee,  above 
 and  beyond  all  Teachers,  how  he  will  Be  found. 
 
 Chap.    III. 
 
 Of  God's  JlriB  Judgment. 
 
 theojhilus  alone.     A  Meditation. 
 
 *  Let   my  Heart  rejoice^  that  it  may  fear  thy  Name^ 
 Pfal.  Ixxxvi.  lo. 
 
 77;fop/7.iy  >|YGod,  thou  art  very  lovely,  but  thou 
 
 LV 1  art  alfo  very  Terrible,    Let  him  that  lo- 
 
 veth  C as  thou  O  happy  Philothea']   Rejoice:  But  let 
 
 him  Fear  that  loveth  not.     None  but  a  Madman  and 
 
 '^  LitttuT  cor  meum,  ut  timeat  nomen  tmm,  V.  L. 
 
 a  Fool 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  G H  R  I  s  T.  225 
 
 a  Fool  but  muft  either  Love,  or  Fear :  For  it  is  d 
 dreadful  thing  to  fall  into  thy  hands.  And  who,; 
 Lord,  knoweth  the  Powei  of  thine  Anger?  For  evert 
 thereafter  as  a  Man  feareth,  fo  is  thy  Difpleafure^ 
 And  when  thou  entreft  into  Judgment,  who  fhall 
 Hand  in  thy  Prefence?  O  knit  therefore  my  Heart 
 unto  thee,  ray  God,  that  I  may  fear  thy  Name. 
 
 .  For  who  may  abide  the  Day  of  thy  coming?  Ve- 
 rily, as  a  Lion  roareth,  fo  (halt  thou  roar  alfo in  thine 
 Indignation  t  And  as  the  Fire  bhzeth  on  every  fide, 
 fo  is  thy  Sword,  which  thou  fhalc  unfheath.  At  the 
 Cry  of  thy  Voice  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Earth  fhall  be 
 put  into  a  wonderful  Commotion  ;  And  all  the  Foun- 
 dations of  the  Earth,  when  thou  comeft,  (hall  be  Iha- 
 ken  mightily. 
 
 Who  therefore  fhall  not  fear?  Or,  how  fhall  any- 
 one think  to  efcape  thine  hands  ?  If  a  Man  fhall  hide 
 himfelf  under  the  ftrongeft  Rock,  thou  (halt  thunder 
 upon  this  Rock,  and  the  Strength  thereof  fliall  be  cleft 
 afunder.  And  if  he  fhall  abfcond  in  the  Caves,  or 
 in  the  Mountains,  thence  (hall  he  be  drawn  forth  : 
 And  having  taken  no  care  to  have  an  appeafed,  he 
 fhall  be  forced  to  bear  an  incenfed  Deityo 
 
 II.  Verily,  there  is  not  a  Place  where  Man  can  be 
 hid  from  thy  Face.  For  as  mnch  as  all  things  are  na^ 
 ked  and  open  before  thee.  Alfo  thou  piercelt  througfi 
 all  the  inwards  Parts  of  Man:  And  the  moll  fubtil 
 Motions  of  his  Thoughts  thou  fpieft  altogethero  Nd 
 Secret  therefore  is  fiiut  up  from  thine  Eyes. 
 
 O  how  terrible  wilt  thou  be  to  Sinners,  and  har- 
 dened Souls!  Who  glory  when  they  have  done  Evi!^; 
 and  even  triumph  in  the  bafeft  Deeds  ^  and  fay  in  their 
 Hearty  Tufli,  the  Lord  feeth  not^  neither  doth  God 
 underdand.  As  if  thou  wert  not  to  come  at  all,'  fo' 
 are  they  puffed  up  with  fwelling  and  em.pty  Words  i 
 And  they  turn  away  their  Eyes,  that  tiiey  may  not 
 fte  unto  the  ^ad^ 
 
 Q,  Bui 
 
226 g>f  tU  gimttation        Vol. ii. 
 
 But  thou  wilt  come  in  an  Hour  which  they  think 
 not  of:  And  they  fhall  be  caught  in  their  Iniquities, 
 and  in  their  own  Snares  fhall  they  be  enfnared.  And 
 as  Thieves  and  Highway-men  when  apprehended  are 
 confounded,  fo  fhall  they  be  confounded  in  like  man- 
 ner, when  the  time  for  it  is  come.  Thou  (halt  laugh 
 at  them,  who  now  laugh  at  thofe  that  are  thine:  And 
 thou  fhalt  render  unto  them  their  own  Wickednefs, 
 who  have  had  in  Hatred  thy  Righteoufnefs. 
 
 At  prefent  they  are  deaf  to  thy  Voice:  But  the 
 time  cometh  ,  when  they  fhall  cry,  and  none  fhall 
 hear.  Now  they  turn  tfiy  Word  into  a  Fable*,  but 
 they  themfelves  fhall  then  be  turned  into  a  Flame.  For 
 with  an  horrible  Blaft  fhall  thy  Word  go  forth  ^  and 
 it  fhall  ftrike  through  the  Wicked  and  the  Faithlefs 
 without  Mercy. 
 
 HI.  What  then  fliall  the  Proud,  what  fhall  the 
 Haughty  one  fay  ^  who  is  blown  up  with  Knowledge, 
 and  rwol'n  with  Power?  What  fhall  heanfwer,  when 
 the  laft  Trumpet  fhall  found?  When  thou,  O  Lord 
 our  God,  Oialt  appear  in  the  Brightnefs  of  thy  Ma- 
 jefty,  attended  with  Angels  and  Archangels,  what. 
 Plea  will  fuch  an  one  then  put  in  ? 
 
 Then  certainly  all  the  wicked  Scoffers  at  thy  Word 
 fhall  be  ftruck  dumb  :  And  they  fhall  be  on  all  hdes 
 bitterly  perplexed,  who  did  not  fear  to  perfecute, 
 or  deride,  thy  Servants  devoted  to  thee. 
 
 Then  fliall  they  be  confounded  with  a  very  great 
 Confufion,  who,  having  made  a  Shipwreck  of  their 
 Confcience  and  of  Probity  of  Life,  fhall  have  given 
 themfelves  up  for  Slaves  to  the  Vanities  of  the  World 
 and  the  Allurements  of  Flefli.  Then  fliall  they  reap 
 in  Tears  what  is  now  fown  in  Merriment,  who  have 
 let  loofe  the  Reins  to  Folly.  Then  fliall  there  be  in- 
 flead  of  the  Voice  of  Mullck,  and  the  Dance,  Lamen- 
 tation and  Howling  ^  inftcad  of  fweet  Swells  an  horri- 
 ble Stink  3    and  Burning  inllead  of  Beauty.     Then 
 
 ftiili 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  2:^7 
 
 ihall  every  thing  be  converted  to  Mouruiag,  which 
 was  Matter  of  immoderate  Joy.  Then  ihall  they 
 be  faggotted  together  in  Bundles  for  the  Fire,  who 
 were  here  Companions  in  Drunkennefs.  Then  fhall  all 
 they  whom  FriendOiip  did  make  Accomplices  in  the 
 fame  Guilt,  be  Sharers  alfo  in  the  fame  Punilhment : 
 And  as  they  were  confederated  in  their  Life  to  do 
 Evil,  fo  fhall  the  Wheel  of  God's  fiery  Wrath  not  fe- 
 ver them,  but  grind  them  together. 
 
 IV.  O  Fools  and  Wretches!  O  flupid  and  blind 
 Lovers  of  the  World,  what  is  it  ye  do,  or  what  dd 
 ye  pretend  ?  How  will  ye  flee  from  the  W^rath  of  the 
 Lord  ?  Why  make  ye  fuch  hafte  to  everlafting  Tor- 
 ments for  the  fake  of  a  little  paultry  Pleafure  which 
 ye  are  in  love  with?  Why  tremble  ye  not  at  Hell, 
 who  are  fo  much  afraid  but  of  a  littl  -  mortifying  the 
 Body?  And  ye  that  flee  from  the  Death  of  the  Fielh^ 
 why  feek  ye  fo  little  to  prevent  the  Eternal  Dying  of 
 the  Soul? 
 
 For  unlefs  ye  fhall  be  converted,  ^nd  mortifie  iii 
 you  the  Deeds  of  the  Fiefft,  think  not  that  ye  ihall 
 efcape  thofe  dreadful  Evils  ,  and  fiery  Judgments^' 
 Know  that  GOD  is  juil;,  and  an  Avenger  of  ail  Un- 
 righteoufnefs. 
 
 Horror  and  Trembling  feize  me,  as  I  am  mufing 
 on  the  lafi;  Day  and  Hour  :  For  God  will  not  then  be 
 intreated  with  Prayer^  but  in  juitice  will  judge  eve°^ 
 ry  Man. 
 
 Wherefore,"  O  Lord  God,  mofl  Holy,  O  Lord,,^ 
 mofc  Mighty,  O  Hcjy  and  moil  Merciful  Saviour,? 
 deliver  me  not  into  the  bitter  Pains  of  Eternal  Death; 
 But  fpaje  me  a  litile,  giving  me  fpace  and  Opportu- 
 nity for  Repentance  ^  that  fo  before  I  depart  hencej,^ 
 I  may  worthily  lament  my  Sins  ,  and  receive  the  Seat 
 e'f  thy  Pardon, 
 
228  ^f  tl^e  gimitatton       Vol.  ii. 
 
 Chap.    IV. 
 
 The  Weaknefs  4ind  Unftayednefs  of  the  Soul  after 
 Co7iverfw7Jy  171  the  Race  of  Chrifian  Virtues. 
 
 Theo^hllns  with  Thilothea,     A  Lamentation. 
 
 ■^  'Thine  Eyes  have  feen  that  ZJchich  is  in  me  imperfeBy 
 Pfal.  cxxxix.  1 6»  [Thou  hafl;  kea  my  weak  fide.3 
 
 Theoph.  A  H  Lord  God !  What  Ihall  ever  be  done 
 i\  with  me,  lince  I  fail  and  faint  every 
 Day  ?  How  fhall  I  perfedly  amend  my  Life  ?  Or  when 
 will  it  be  better  with  me  ?  When  fhall  I  be  in  Health  ? 
 And  when  fhall  I  overcome  all  ?  Thinkeft  thou,  Lord, 
 there  may  be  yet  any  hopes  of  my  rifing  again,  of  my 
 amending,  of  my  proceeding,  and  of  my  fafe  arriving? 
 
 I  have  no  hope  at  all  for  my  felf,  iinlefs  thou  haft 
 it  for  me.  There  is  verily  no  hope  in  me  :  O  that  it 
 may  be  flrong  in  thee!  For  mighty  Defpair  is  caffc 
 into  me,  becaufe  of  mine  Infirmity,  which  through 
 long  Vexation  grows  on  me  very  much  :  Neither 
 can  I  Tee  any  end  of  my  Grief  and  of  my  Iniquity. 
 And  though  I  fhould  fay.  Now  will  I  begin,  behold 
 this  is  the  Time  ,  I  will  endeavour  to  my  very  ut- 
 moft:  Sin  prefently  ftands  at  the  Door,  and  my 
 Enemy  is  lifted  up  againfl  me  ^  and  the  Habit  of  Evil 
 holds  me  captive  againft  my  Will,  and  will  not  let 
 me  go. 
 
 II.  See,  Lord  the  Dejedtedneis  of  my  State,  and 
 how  I  am  trodden  down  on  every  fide.  Lord  !  how 
 is  my  Soul  cafl  down,  and  trampled  on:  Look  thou, 
 and  pity  all  the  Calamity  which  I  endure.     Let  thy 
 
 Mil  —  ■"  "      '  ' 
 
 ^  ^  Jmpcrfc^li.m  meiim  videmnt  oculi  tut, 
 
 right 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  229 
 
 right  Hand  be  exalted  ^  and  deliver   me  from  them 
 that  have  (hut  me  up :  Becaufe  the  Fear  of  them  is  fal- 
 len upon  me.     Counfel  hath    perilhed  from  me^  and 
 Strength  hath  failed  me.   My  Arm  alfo  is 
 broken ,  it  is  broken,  alas !  to  pieces :  And      ^^^^'  ^*^^' 
 my  Sword  will  not  be  able  to  fave  me. 
 
 I  fee  not  unto  whom,  in  this  Extremity,  I  can  turn 
 alide  :  Neither  is  there  any  one  that  may  receive  and 
 take  care  of  me,  who  appeareth.  Thou  alone  haft 
 remained  a  Refuge  for  me  to  flee  unto  :  But  becaufe 
 I  have  offended  thee,  this  is  it  that  deterreth  me,  and 
 driveth  me  back.  I  dare  not  approach  for  Shame  ^ 
 becaufe  I  have  finned  againfl:  Heaven,  and  have  pro- 
 voked thy  Majelty. 
 
 Lord  !  I  have  finned  ^  pardon  me.  All  that  is 
 within  me  doth  repent:  yea  repent  very  grievoufly. 
 It  paineth  me  exceeding  much.  Do  unto  me,  Lord, 
 whatever  feemeth  right  in  thy  Sight :  But  be  favou- 
 rable, be  favourable,  O  thou  who  in  Judgment  re- 
 membreft  Mercy.  Juftly  haft  thou  indeed  forfaken 
 me  :  Juftly  haft  thou  delivered  me  up  to  th^  Adver- 
 fary  ^  for  fo  to  me  it  appeareth. 
 
 '  Yet  remember,  1  pray,  the  Work  of  thine  Hand  , 
 and  raife  up  again  what  is  fallen  j  fince  of  it  felf  ic 
 was  not  able  to  ftand. 
 
 Give  ear  unto  my  Groaning  *,  attend  to  my  NecefTi- 
 ty.  Let  not  my  Labour  and  the  Grief  of  my  Heart  be 
 had  in  Forgetfulnefs  before  thee.  Have  regard,  O 
 moft  merciful  Father,  to  my  Captivity  and  Imprifon- 
 menr,  to  the  OpprelTion  and  Exadion  which  I  fuffer^ 
 and  bring  me  out  of  the  Prifon  wherein  I  am  bound 
 faft  :  Have  thou  now  regard  unto  me,  break  all  my 
 Chains,  the  Chains  of  my  Corruption,  and  lead  me 
 forth  out  of  this  Houfe  of  miferable  Bondage,  where 
 the  Irons  (alas !)  have  entred  into  my  Soul. 
 
 HI.  Then  I  farther  faid,  if  a  Man  ihall  live  many 
 Years^  what  fhall  he  be  yet  for  this  amended  ?  And 
 
 Q^  3  who 
 
230  <S)f  ti)t  9iniitation       Vol.  11. 
 
 who  knows  whether  he  fhall  be  the  better  or  worfe? 
 The  Progrefs  of  a  Man,  alas !  is  uncertain,  as  alfo  the 
 planner  of  his  Exit,  and  his  Perfeverance  doubtful  ■, 
 by  reafon  of  the  feveral  Cafes  and  Contingencies  of 
 Evil,  and  the  Perils  of  Temptations. 
 
 There  are  many  who  at  their  firft  Converfion  are 
 good,-  and  humble^  but  are  afterward  perverfe  and 
 rebellious.  At  firil  they  appear  to  be  full  of  the  Fear 
 of  the  Lord  and  of  Devotion,  and  to  pofiefs  a  con- 
 trite and  filent  Heart  ^  but  after  this  they  by  de- 
 grees become  carelefs  and  difTolute,  talkative,  and 
 very  unguarded  in  their  Lives.  And  thefe  who  at 
 firft  did  reftrain  their  very  Thoughts,  do  hardly  take 
 care  afterward  of  Words,  or  even  of  Deeds.  And 
 thus  by  little  and  little  every  Evil,  not  prevented  or 
 guarded  againft  in  the  Beginning,  groweth  ftill  from 
 worfe  to  worfe. 
 
 Who  therefore  ought  not  to  fear,  and  to  ufe  Cir- 
 cumfpedion,  fince  there  are  fa  many  unhappy  Acci- 
 dents which  befal  the  beft  and  the  raoft  modeft  ?  And 
 who  alfo  knoweth,  whether  he  be  chofen  or  appoint- 
 ed for  fuch  an  end,  and  whether  he  can  bear  all 
 things  ? 
 
 ly.  Thiloth.  It  behoveth  verily  that  all  be 
 Aft.  XIV.  j-yi^^'^  aj^d  yyj^Q  15  certain,  that  he  may  not 
 
 ^      '   *   hcBMrmt'  Seeing  that  Temptation  is  a  F;Vf. 
 
 The  Duty  therefore  of  all  is  to  J^ear :  And  fo  to 
 fear,  as  yet  to  Hofe  for  the  bell^  and  fo  to  hope,  as 
 neither  on  one  hand  to  prefume  rafhly,  nor  on  the 
 other  through  vain  Confidence  to  grow  iluggifh  and 
 inad:ive. 
 
 The  Gold  which  is  tried  in  the  Fire  Ihall  be  faved  *, 
 but  the  Stubble  fhall  be  burnt  up.  See  then,  O  Man, 
 ^  ...  of  what  fort  of  Subitance  thou  art.  The 
 .  a.iu.^  Heavenly  Refiner  will  refine  and  purifie  all 
 the  Children  of  Levi^  events  many  a$  ferve  him  and 
 wait  in  his  Courts, 
 
 ?  It 
 
'BooklV.        Of  J  Esus  Gh  RisT.  231 
 
 It  is  not  always  Gold  which  to  Men  ^litters  as 
 Gold  :  Nor  is  it  always  Stubble,  or  reprobate  Silver, 
 which  is  made  to  bear  the  Flail  and  the  Fire. 
 ^  Becaufe  God  looks  upon  the  Intentions  and  beholds 
 the  Piearts^  there  working  his  Wonders  for  the  moft 
 part,  where  by  many  they  are  thought  to  be  lofl. 
 
 V.  Theopk.  And  1  faid:  O  Lord  GOD!  What  Joy 
 can  I  have  in  the  World,  if  I  begin  but  throughly 
 to  confider  the  Uncertainty  and  Infirmity  of  every 
 thing  under  Heaven?  Neverthelefs,  concerning  thee 
 I  am  certain  :  Becaufe  thou,  LORD,  art  Good  ;  and 
 becaufe  thy  Mercy  endureth  for  ever,  and  is  over  all 
 them  that  fear  thee. 
 
 Forthy Goodnefs  and  thy  Pity  are  infinitely  greater 
 than  all  my  Iniquity.     And  this  fhall  be  my  Comfort 
 ^^s  long  as  thou  (halt  grant  me  fpace  of  Repc;:t3nce. 
 
 C   H.  A   P.      V. 
 
 RefleBions  on  the  State  of  this  prefent  Life. 
 
 Theofhiliis  alone.     A  Meditation, 
 
 Declare  to  me  the  Shortnefs  of  Days^  Pfal.  cii.  23. 
 
 S  long  as  I  am  in  the  World  I  cannot  be  pure  *, 
 
 but  the  Duft  thereof  alas !  cleaveth  to  my  Soul. 
 
 And  as  long  as  I  abide  here,  I  am  a  poor      r^b  ^^j^ 
 Pilgrim  and  Stranger  upon  Earth  \  not  an      Heb.  xi.' 
 Inhabitant,'  but  a  Guefl  only.     Nothing      >  Tim.  vi. 
 have  I  brought  into  this  World,  and  nothing  can  I 
 carry  thence  ^  iQv  naked  came  1  in  hither,  and  naked 
 maft  I  go  out, 
 
 QL4  As 
 
2  3  2  ^t  tl^e  gimt  tation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 As  the  Shadow  that  is  pafTed  by,  and  as  a  Drop  of 
 Rain  that  is  d  fperfed  with  the  Wind,  and  as  a  Guefl 
 but  of  oj7e  Nighty  prefently  (hall  I  pafs  hence. 
 
 This  whole  Life  is  but  as  a  moft  (hort  Night.  Few 
 and  evil  are  my  Days ,  and  after  a  very  little  while 
 they  fhail  be  ended,  and  (hall  be  as  if  they  had  never 
 been. 
 
 When  a  Man  is  dead  what  is  there  left  in  him  be- 
 hind, but  Vilenefs  and  Corruption  ?  Who  is  there 
 that  will  take  delight  in,  or  care  for,  a  ftinking  and 
 noifome  Carcafs?  And  who  will  enquire  after  the 
 abfent  Dead,  who,  even  while  he  was  Living,  was 
 hot  counted  for  any  body. 
 
 The  Remembrance  of  Man  is  (hort  upon  the  Earth, 
 and  that  as  well  with  the  Known  as  the  Unknown. 
 Eut  the  Righteous  (hall  be  had  in  Everlafting  Re- 
 membrance :  For  as  much  as  he  (hall  be  Everlaftingly 
 Conjoined  with  GOD,  who  never  Dieth. 
 
 Happy  therefore  is  he  who  putteth  not  his  Truft  iri 
 Man,  nor  is  delighted  overmuch  with  any  Thing  of 
 the  World,  or  any  Appearance  thereof^  but  who  hath 
 his  Heart  fixed  in  Heaven  *,  becaufe  all  th^t  is  here 
 below  is  tranlitory  and  vain. 
 
 Go  Number  all  thofe  that  have  been  from  the  be- 
 ginning of  the  World  until  nov/,  and  tell  me,  I  pray 
 thee,  where  they  are?  And  thofe  that  are  yet  alive, 
 whom  thou  feeft,  or  heareft,  how  long  thinkefl  thou 
 Vv'ill  they  endure  ?  Pronounce  therefore  concerning 
 them  all,  that  tvery  Man  living  is  Vanity, 
 
 O  poor  and  wretched  Life,  frail  and  lamentable 
 Lii'w',  which  the  Godly  rather  fuffer  than  enjoy  '■,  ra-p 
 ther  bear  with,  than  love!  And  though  the  Wicked 
 do  greatiy  love  it,  yet  cannot  they  fublill:  long  in  it. 
 
 Oh  I  When  wilt  thou  be  at  an  end,  and  when  (hail 
 all  this  World's  Vanity  ceafe  ?  But  the  Time  will 
 come  when  all  the  Eled  fhall  be  delivered  from  the 
 ijdjdage  of  Corrnption  j  yvlii^are  now  Mourning  and 
 
 Lamenting^' 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Chr  I  ST.  233 
 
 — •* — — — - 
 
 Lamenting,  by  reafon  of  their  Abfence  from  Chrift, 
 and  from  his  Kingdom. 
 
 O  would  to  God  that  this  whole  World  might  even 
 wither  up  in  my  Heart,  and  there  totally  dry  away ! 
 And  that  nothing  might  be  dear  or  fweet  to  me,  be- 
 ijde  the  Lord  God,  my  Immortal  Bridegroom  !  Othat 
 nothing  but  He  might  feem  fweet  unto  my  Soul! 
 
 The  flitting  Joy  of  this  Life  is  verily  a  deceitful 
 and  moft  bitter  Draught.     Let  them  drink  of  it  who 
 pleafe  for  me:  For  it  fhall  be  an  hard  Potion  to  them, 
 whatever  they  now  may  think*,  and  all  that  dofo, 
 fhall  certainly  rue  it  hereafter.     And  the  more  that 
 any  one  fhall  be  intoxicated,   or  drunk  therewith,  fo 
 much  fharper   fhall  be  his  Torment.     For  all  the 
 pleafant  things  in  this  World  fhall,  fwifter 
 than  the  Wind,   pafs  away,  and  fhall  leave    ?^!^^  ^; 
 to  their  Lovers  nought  but  Dolours  and    *^"^^^^*' 
 Burnings.  * 
 
 II.  Flee  from  me  therefore,  O  deceitful  Glory  of 
 the  World,  with  all  the  foolifh  fenfelefs  iVlirth  of  the 
 Flefli !  Flee,  I  fay,  and  be  gone.  Thou  drawefl  and 
 enticeit  many  *,  but  in  the  end  thou  leaveil  them,  and 
 drownefl  them.  Wo  unto  them  that  believe  thee! 
 Wo,  wo  unto  them,  than  are  by  thy  means  drowned ! 
 
 Come,  and  draw  near,  O  holy  Self- denial  I-  and 
 teach  me  the  perfed:  Contempt,  and  utter  DefpilTng, 
 of  all  the  Pomps  of  the  World,  and  gawdy  Vanities 
 of  the  Age:  And  let  not  the  wholfonie  Remembrance 
 of  my  Pilgrimage  depart  from  me,  ieH  I  fhould  forget 
 that  I  am  but  a  Stranger. 
 
 What  am  I  but  Aihes  and  Earth?  And  whither 
 mufl:  I  return  again,  but  to  the  Earth  ?  O  miferable 
 Earth  !  0  vile  Dufl,  that  I  am  !  Who  is  it  that  fhall 
 deliver  me?  • 
 
 O  what  a  Wretch  am  I  become  I  and  what  juft  caufe 
 have  I  to  be  fad,  when  I  refled  on  my  Pilgrimage  I  ai; 
 whQ  am  ignorant  after  what  manner  ir  may  yet  end. 
 
 ^^'If 
 
234 ^f  t\)t  imitation        Vol.  ij. 
 
 If  I  live  well,  and  peiTevere  to  the  lad,  there  can 
 be  no  fear  of  a  bad  Death  ,  I  am  fenfible.  But  who 
 is  there  that  can  boaft  of  a  Godly  Life,  and  an  Unre- 
 proachable  Confcience?  He  that  knoweth  himfelf  to 
 be  fo,  (if  fiich  there  be)  let  him  boaft  in  the  Lord, 
 and  have  pity  on  me,  a  poor  Sinner. 
 
 To  Live,  it  pleafeth  me  not^  becanfe  Mifery  pref- 
 feth  on  every  fide.  To  Die,  an  Evil  Confcience  hath 
 ground  fufficient  to  fear  j  becaufe  it  cannot  anfwer 
 God  for  one  of  a  thoufand-»  fhould  he  enter 
 '°  '^^*  into  Judgment.  Very  different  from.fuch 
 a  State  of  Trembling  as  this,  is  that  whereof  the  Roy- 
 ^.,      ...     al  Prophet  fpeaketh,  faymg.  My  Hearty  O 
 
 PiakCXVlll.         ^     J  ■  J      .  rr  •  J 
 
 uod^  IS  ready  \  yea-^  my  Heart  is  ready ^ 
 O  that  I  could  but  in  like  manner  fay ,  My  Heart  is 
 ready, 
 
 III.  O  Lord  God  of  my  Salvation,  give  me  a  good 
 end  of  my  Life^  and  prolong  not  the  Days  of  my 
 Mourning.  Weeping  1  came  into  this  Prifon  \  nor 
 ihall  I  quit  it  without  Fear. 
 
 This  Life  feems  to  me  long  •,  but  this  proceeds  but 
 from  that  Mifery  and  Sorrow  which  herein  comes  fo 
 thick  upon  me.  Whereas  in  reality  it  is  not  long  : 
 But  ray  Days  are  fwifter  than  a  PoU:. 
 
 To  one  that  is  in  Sorrow  and  Pain,  no  Time  but 
 appears  longj  and  he  accounts  a  Day  for  a  Year- 
 Tedious  therefore  is  my  Life  unto  me  :  And  fo  much 
 the  more  tedious  is  it,  and  the  more  grievoufly  doth 
 the  length  thereof  afBid  me,  according  as  I  more  tru- 
 ly look  into,  and  meditate  on,  all  its  feveral  Mi- 
 feries. 
 
 IV.  And  notwithflanding  there  are  fome  Confola- 
 tions,  and  Joyful  Miiiutes,  which  come  now  and  then 
 betwixt*,  yet  ought  I  to  look  about  me,  and  to  be 
 well  fatisfied  whether  they  be  of  God,  or  no.  If  they 
 be  of  God,  I  do  willingly  accept  them  :  But  then  I  know 
 not  how  long  they  will  lafl,     Neverchelefs,  how  Ihort 
 
 pr 
 
Book  IV.     of  Jesus  Christ.  235 
 
 or  how  fmall  foever  thefe  be,  they  are  truly  Pleafing 
 and  Palatable.  Whence  I  would,  O  my  God,  that 
 thefe  might  flow  more  freely  and  plenteouily,  if  it  be 
 thy  bleffed  WilU  and  that  they  make  not  fuch  fljort 
 Hours  more,  when  with  me  ^  yea,  fuch  jlwn  Minutes 
 rather. 
 
 Now,  on  the  contrary,  thofe  Confolations  which 
 are  not  of  God,  are  fordid  and  bafe :  And  foon  will 
 perifli,  however  pleafant  and  lufcious  they  may  feeni 
 to  look  on.  So,  even  fo,  pafleth  away  this  Life; 
 v;herein  the  Evil  Things  are  conftantly  mixed  with 
 the  Good,  and  the  Good  with  the  EviL 
 
 As  long  as  I  am  here ,  I  am  a  poor  Stranger.  I 
 cannot  fay,  with  refped^  to  the  Good  that  1  receive,  it 
 is  enough  *,  becaufe  in  this  prefent  Life  there  never 
 is  enough  of  any  Good  :  For  the  longing  Soul  is  not 
 here  to  be  fdtiated.  But  Thou,  even  Thou,  O  GOD, 
 art  the  Good  which  I  wait  for :  Thou  art  my  Goody  in 
 whom  I  Believe,  in  whom  I  Trufl,  and  for  whom  I 
 go  iighing  all  the  Day  long.  And  therefore,  when 
 thy  Glory  fhall  appear,  and  /hall  fill  me,  then  will  1 
 confefs  unto  thee,  That  now  it  is  indeed  enough,  al- 
 together enough,  for  me. 
 
 However,  \xi  the  mean  while,  becaufe  this  is  hidden 
 from  me,  Mourning  and  Lamentation  have  feized  on 
 rne,  and  manifold  Sorrow  hath  encompaffed  my  Soul 
 about.  Wherefore  being  mindful,  Lord,  of  thy  ho- 
 ly Word,  I  frequently  repeat  with  my  felf  ^  . 
 after  thee.  My  Soul  is  exceeding  Sorrowfrd-,  '  ^^^^'  ^''*^^'* 
 ^ven  unto  Death.  Well  would  it  be  for  me,  if  this 
 Hour  were  paffed  away ;  and  that  Mourning  and  Grief 
 did  not  in  this  manner  reft  upon  me.  But  let  thy  Pi- 
 ty.  Lord,  I  befeech  thee,  preferye  me^ 
 
 S^  K  A  S* 
 
^J^ m  t\)t  9!mrtation       Vol.  ii 
 
 Chap.    VI. 
 
 Of  Panting  after  Eternal  Life. 
 
 Theofhlliis  ill  Solitude,  Praying, 
 Brifj^  my  Soul  ont  of  Vrifon ,    Pfal.  cxlii.  7. 
 
 MY  Grief  is  fo  great,  fo  violent,  fo  exuberant, 
 as  it  fulfereth  me  not  to  be  fileat.  And  for 
 what  do  I  tarry  here  any  longer?  For  I  know  not 
 what  my  being  here  fignifieth.  I  make  but  too  (low  a 
 Proficiency^  and  inftead  of  going  forward,  I  wifh  I 
 do  not  rather  go  backward. 
 
 How  well  would'ft  thou  do  forme,  LORD,  iffoon 
 thou  would'ft  take  me  hence,  that  fo  it  might  not  be 
 worfe  with  me !  My  Life  fpendeth  it  felf  in  Grief : 
 But  what  am  I  therefore  mended  in  Manners?  It  fle- 
 eth  away,  and  1  fee  no  Good :  I  fee  no  good  to  me 
 by  living  here,  unlefs,  befides  Sighs  and  Tears,  there 
 v^ere  alfo  Works  and  Deeds,  that  might  teftifie  the 
 Reality  of  my  Converfion  to  thee,  and  a  Solid  (not 
 Superficial)  Amendment  of  Life.  What  is  ail  Sorrow 
 without  this? 
 
 If  thou  v/aiteft  for  me,  I  am  not  mended  by  it: 
 Yea,  I  rather  abufe  thereby  thy  Long-fufFering.  And 
 if  thou  corredeft  me,  I  can  hardly  bear  it, 
 Jc  ,  xiii.       becaufe  thou  purfaefi  the  dry  StMle. 
 
 Why  therefore  doft  thou  not  take  thy  Servant  away  ? 
 Since  for  what  purpofe  doth  lie  cumber  the  Ground  ? 
 Why  dwelleth  he  with  good  People,  and  keepeth 
 Company  vvith  them*,  and  yet  amendeth  no  more  his 
 Life  and  Manners?  Why  doth  he  unworthily,  and  to 
 liis  own  lofs,  fill  uptiie  Place  of  a  better  than  himfelf? 
 And  for  vvhatend  is  it,  that  one  vyho  behaveth  hin;ifelf 
 4  WUS^ 
 
Book  IV.        of  Jesus  Christ.        237 
 
 with  fuch  Negligence  and  Lukewarmnefs  in  that  State 
 of  Hoiinefs,  to  which  he  hath  been  called  by  thee, 
 fhould,  through  his  longer  abode  here,  be  a  means  of 
 hindering  fome  Perfon  that  would  be  more  diligent 
 and  zealous  in  thy  Church,  for  promoting  thy  King- 
 dom and  Glory? 
 
 And  this  is  what  I  fpeak,  as  in  the  Ears  of  my  God, 
 with  very  great  Sorrow,  in  the  Bitternefs  of  my  Soul. 
 Alas  !  why  filll  the  room  of  a  Better  than  my  felf  ? 
 Why  do  I  thus  cumber  the  Earth  ?  . 
 
 II.  But  good  Lord,  I  befeech  thee,  do  not  in  thine 
 Anger  cry  out  againft  me  :    Cut  down  the  ... 
 
 Tree-i  and  cafl  it  into  the  Fire.  ^*"* 
 
 I  accufe  my  Infirmjty  before  thee,  that  thou  may'fl 
 forgive  me,  who  confefs  my  Tranfgrefllon,  and  hide 
 it  not.  It  belongeth  to  me  to  Accufe^  it  belongeth 
 to  thee  to  Acquit:  It  is  for  me  to  Weep  and  Grieve 
 heavily^  it  is  for  thee  to  Comfort  and  Raife  up  mer- 
 cifully. 
 
 Wherefore,  OLordGod,  either  vouchfafe  to  grant 
 me  greater  Grace  in  this  Life;  or  clfe  take  me  foon 
 out  of  it,  that  fo  the  Breach  be  not  made  worfe. 
 
 For  to  live  long,  and  not  to  live  better,  doth  but 
 ferve  to  make  the  Account  the  heavier  at  laft.  Length 
 of  Life,  without  true  Amendment  thereof,  is  nought 
 but  an  heaping  up  of  Judgment. 
 
 Such  a  Life  cannot  be  at  all  plealing  to  me,  in  which 
 I  neither  fee  any  Advancement,  nor  worthily  bewail 
 the  Want  of  it;  in  which  the  Proficiency  is  little  or 
 none,  and  in  which  the  Deficiencies  pafs  unobferved 
 and  unlamented. 
 
 For  whofoever  liveth  Holily  and  Righteoully,  is 
 grieved  always  for  whatfoever  he  faileth  ihort  in.  ; 
 and  all  his  Failings  are  before  him  continually.  He 
 alfo  hath  evermore  an  ardent  delire  that  he  may  grow 
 in  Virtue  and  Grace*  1 
 
 But 
 
238  jflDf  tljt  Smtta  troll       Vol.  I  h 
 
 But  what  fhall  he  do  here,  who  feeleth  himfelf  eve- 
 ry Day  to  fail,  and  go  backwards,  and  perceiveth  the 
 Flefh  ftrongly  to  rife  up  againfl  the  Spirit  ?  And  not 
 only  fo,  but  who  alfo  fometimes,  being  worn  out  and 
 overcome  with  the  tedioufnefs  of  the  Conflid,  or  be- 
 ing grown  into  a  fort  of  lukewarm  Indifference,  for 
 want  of  Watchfuinefs,  and  diligent  keeping  of  Time, 
 doth  give  over  Fighting,  and  fo  ceafeth  longer  to  re- 
 fill: Or  who,  having  thrown  away  his  Spiritual  Wea- 
 pons, followeth  the  impetuous  Inclinations  of  his 
 Flefh,  and  Drivings  of  his  own  Will. 
 
 Such  an  one.  Ah  Lord  God !  approacheth  even  to 
 the  Gates  of  Death  ^  and  while  that  he  liveth  in  the 
 Flefh,  he  incurreth  the  Death  of  his  Soul. 
 
 O  how  much  ought  every  one  to  be  afraid  of  being 
 
 led  a  fide,   and  fupplanted  by  the  Enemy? 
 
 pf^i'^r'        There  is  none  Safe^    there  is  none  Pure, 
 
 James  Hi.      "^  "°^  ^"^  *    ^"^  ^^^^^  ^^  Frailty  remain- 
 ing in  all. 
 
 III.  But  thou,  O  Lord  ,  to  whom  all  things  are 
 Poffible,  and  all  things  Known,  Raife  up  the  Broken 
 in  Heart,  and  Cleanfe  the  Unclean  from  all  Filth,  and 
 give  him  a  new  Spirit  within  his  Bowels :  That  fo  all 
 Lukewarmnefs  and  Deadfiefs  may  depart  from  him  v 
 and  Spiritual  Fervour  may  return  to  him  again,  and 
 thy  Love  may  abide  in  him  lledfaft  and  unmoveable  to 
 the  very  end. 
 
 He  needeth  but  thy  Help  only,  who  is  weighed 
 down,  and  hindred  by  his  own  Weight.  Nor  can 
 he  do  any  thing  of  himfelf,  without  thy  lifting  Hand 
 to  raife  and  dcli^'-r^r.  No  ability  is  there  in  him  to 
 call:  off  the  he.ivv  Burthen  of  his  Sins,  unlefs  thou 
 from  Heaven  befcoweft  Grace,  even  fuch  as  may  be 
 Urong  enough  to  loofe  the  hard  Bonds  of  the  PafTi- 
 ons :  Which  I  earnellly  beg  thee  may  not  be  refilled 
 to  me,  but  that  thou  would'lt  gracioully  vouciilafe  ttf 
 give  me  this  thy  Grace,  O  Lord  y  that  I  may  be  always 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  239 
 
 kept  by  it :  Without  which  it  is  not  poflible  either  to 
 lead  a  good  Life  here,  or  to  obtain  Life  everlafting 
 hereafter. 
 
 But  that  I  now  live  in  the  Body  is  no  Confolation 
 to  me  ^  becaufe  Death  is  better  to  me  than  Life.  And 
 whyfo?  The  Reafon  is  evident,  it  is  namely,  becaufe 
 by  this  Life  I  ftand  at  a  diflance  from  that  Life  which 
 is  Eternal  in  the  Heavens :  The  which  cannot  come, 
 unlefs  Death  deftroy  this  prefent  Life  firfl,  and  fo  be 
 himfelf  hereby  deflroy'd  too. 
 
 Therefore  my  Defire  looketh  upward  :    And  my 
 Heart  feeking  after  Eternal  Rell,    deeply 
 panteth  and  crieth  out,  ^  It  is  enough^  Lord^     iKmgsxix. 
 take  away  my  Soul^  which  thou  haft  redeemed  with  thy 
 Blood. 
 
 Lord, •  it  is  enough.     What  (hall  I  do  here  ?  Now, 
 
 0  Lord,  take  away  my  Life:  Take  now  away  my 
 Soul  into  thy  iMercy.  Lo  !  I  am  profitable  neither  for 
 my  felf,  nor  for  others.  For  what  end  therefore  do  I 
 live,  who  to  my  felf  am  burtheafome,  and  to  others 
 tedious?  What  (hall  be  done  with  me?  1  knew  not. 
 Lord.  If  thou  haft  provided  any  better  thing  for  me, 
 why  (hould  my  Deiires  be  put  off? 
 
 I  acquielce  however  in  thy  Difpofal ;  becaufe  it  is 
 good.  Thou  haft  my  Confcar,  Lord,  to  all  whatever 
 in  thy  Wifdom  is  ordained  :    But  becaufe  in  my  felf 
 
 1  find  nothing  but  Evil,  therefore  for  me  to  live  in  the 
 World  is  a  Burthen  and  Heavinefs  of  IVlind.  For  dai- 
 ly do  I  fin,  and  add  Sin  upon  Sin  :  But  1  do  not,  ac- 
 cording to  the  Multitude  and  Weight  thereof,  repent. 
 
 Now  were  I  fet  free  from  this  Body  of  Sin,  and  ta- 
 ken up  into  the  Fellowfhip  of  thee  in  thy  Kingdom  : 
 neither  fhould  I  any  more  commit  Sin,  nor  wouldeft 
 thou  be  offended  at  me  m  any  thing  more  j  but  I  Oiould 
 always  be  praifing  thee,  ray  God. 
 
 *  Skfficit  mih'i  Domme^  folk  an'imum  meam,  V.  L. 
 
 ^  But 
 
240  €)f  ti)t  SImttatron        Vol.  IL 
 
 But  hitherto  thou  bearefl  with  me,  and  fheweft  all 
 manner  of  Patience.  I  acknowledge  my  Fault :  I 
 know  my  felf  guilty  *,  and  Guilty^  Lord,  I  plead. 
 For  becaufe  of  my  Sins  it  cannot  be  lawful  for  me  to 
 enter  into  the  Kingdom  \  for  nothing  that  is  unclean, 
 or  unholy,  (hall  find  Admiflion  into  it. 
 
 Ah  !  But  when  Ihall  I  be  without  Sin?  When  fhall 
 I  be  cleanfed  fully  \  fo  that  I  need  not  fear  a  Repulfe^ 
 but  upon  good  grounds  be  confident  of  a  ready  Admif- 
 iion?  When  fhall  Fear  ceafe,  and  I  be  full  of  Gladnefs 
 at  the  Prorpe(5t  of  my  DifmifTion  hence?  Surely,  if  I 
 do  not  proceed  on  with  greater  Fervour,  than  hitherto 
 I  have  done^  if  1  be  not  more  folicitous  and  watchful, 
 than  to  this  very  Day  I  have  yet  (hewed  my  felf  j  1  am 
 afraid  ray  Hope  will  be  fmall  enough.     ' 
 
 But  thou,  O  Lord,  whowilleftnot  any  to  perifh, 
 ^.  ..  but  that  all  may  be  faved,  vouchfafe  to  be- 
 •  *  flow  on  me  a  greater  Portion  of  thy  Grace, 
 for  the  effedual  Amendment  of  my  Life :  And  for  Dry- 
 nefs  give  me  the  Spirit  of  internal  Fatnefs  and  Sweec- 
 iiefs*,  that  in  thy  Salvation  I  may  rejoice,  having  a 
 good  Hope  of  the  Heavenly  Things,  and  thofe  hidden 
 Joys  and  Goods  which  thou.  Lord,  haft  treafured  up 
 for  as  many  as  feek  thee,  and  breath  after  thee.  Where- 
 fore nerer  let  my  Heart  here  be  any  more  joyful  after 
 the  Flefh :  But,  if  itrejoyce  at  all,  let  it  be  joyful  ac- 
 cording to  the  Spirit. 
 
 Let  the  Senfe  of  my  Mortality  quafh  all  vain  De- 
 fires  and  Joys.  Let  no  Creature  hold  me^  let  no  Care 
 feize  me  ^  but  let  thy  wifh'd  for  Prefence,  draw  me, 
 and  comfort  me. 
 
 Blelled  is  he  who  waiteth  for  thee,  O  Lord  :  But 
 more  Blejfed  is  he  who  is  already  departed  out  of  this 
 wicked  VV9rld  ^  for  he  fhall  not  feel,  or  fear,  any 
 more  of  Trouble,  being  delivered  from  all  Evil. 
 
 6  H  ^  F; 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  Christ.  241 
 
 Chap.    VII. 
 
 The  AffeBionate  Wipes  of  the  Chrijlian  Traveller 
 for  a  Blejfed  Departure. 
 
 Theophilas  alone :  Wreflling  in  a  great  Agony  of  Soul. 
 
 TTioH  art  my  Hope^  LORD-,  even  from  my  ToHth. 
 Pfal.  Ixxi.  4. 
 
 IN  this  Hope  I  have  recourfe  unto  thee,  when  the 
 lafl:  Hour,  and  Time  of  my  Diflblution  fhall  come. 
 
 0  that  I  were  but  well  prepared  for  it;  that  I  might 
 die  in  thy  Favour,  under  the  Condud  of  Grace !  O  that 
 
 1  had  but  put  off  once  this  Bodily  Weight,  were  but 
 once  freed  from  this  Load  of  Flefh,  and  once  got  over 
 by  an  happy  Paflage  this  Sea  of  Mortality  and  xMifery; 
 what  Perils,  and  what  Fears,  fliould  I  then  be  rid  of? 
 
 Happy  is  he,  whom  thou  hafl  chofen  and  taken  up 5 
 who,   having  put  off  the  Body,  is  pafTed  out    ^^^^  ^ 
 
 of  this  World  unto  the  FATHER  ;    from    x'xv.* 
 
 Banifhment  to  a  Kingdom*,  from  a  Prifon  to    Phil.i. 
 a  Palace ;  from  Darknefs  to  Light ;  from  Death    Rev.xxi. 
 to  Life;  from  Perils  to  Security,  from  La-        ^^"* 
 hour  to  Reft ,  and  from  all  kind  of  Miferies  to  per- 
 petual Bleflednefs. 
 
 Happy  is  that  Soul,  which  is  already  entred  into 
 the  Joy  of  its  Mailer;  which  hath  flnifhed  its  War- 
 fare, and  obtained  the  Crown ;  rejoicing  ia  thee  the 
 Lord  its  God,  and  its  everlafting  Rock. 
 
 But  wo  is  me,  that  1  am  conftrained  to  dwell  with 
 Mefech'.,  and  that  my  Soul  is  thus  long  forced  to  dwell, 
 and  be  a  Pilgrim,  in  the  Land  of  the  Shadow  of  Death! 
 Ah !  how  is  my  Pilgrimage  here  lengthened  out  even 
 unto  this  Hour?    Ho^v  gracioully  and  mercifully 
 
 R  wouldeft 
 
242  m  tl)c  9intitatton        Vol  if. 
 
 wouldeft  thou  deal  with  me,  fooner  to  havecalled  me 
 hence,  and  to  have  fuffered  me  to  come  to  thee :  That 
 where  thou  art,  there  alfo  1  might  be. 
 
 Ah !  Hadfl:  thou  taken  me  fooner  out  of  this  World, 
 while  yet  I  was  unacquainted  with  its  Defilements, 
 and  while  I  was  afraid  of  finning  even  in  fmall  things  ^ 
 how  much  Good  wouldeft  thou  have  done  to  me  herein  ? 
 How  happy  had  I  then  been?  But  now  by  living  lon- 
 ger, I  have  wand  red  farther  from  thee,  and  have  of- 
 fended in  many,  very  many  things:  And  the  longer 
 here  I  continue,  the  more  ftill  I  do  wander*,  for  1  am 
 ever  ftraying,  of  my  felf,  from  thy  moft  righteous 
 Paths,  O  Lord,  moft  Holy! 
 
 II.  Wo  is  me,  what  have  I  done!  I  have  followed 
 flefhly  PalTions*,  I  have  attraded  Vanities*,  I  have  de- 
 ferred the  Virtues  *,  I  have  not  kept  Innocency.  1  have 
 added  Evil  to  Evil:  And,  alas!  1  have  to  my  Grief 
 .  ...  experimented  what  I  have  fometime  read,  Wo 
 unto  the  Wicked^  it  (is,  or)  jhall  be  ill  with  him. 
 Why  fo  ?  For  the  Reward  of  his  Hands  ^3  all  he  given  him. 
 
 Wo  is  me,  if  according  to  the  Evil  which  I  have 
 heaped  up,  thou.  Lord,  (houldeft  deal  with  me,  and 
 not  blot  out  Tranfgreflions  and  Iniquities."  With 
 much  ado  I  returned  back  at  length  to  thee;  I  began 
 late  \  and  having  begun,  in  the  return  I  haftened  not 
 'as  I  ought  *,  having  made  fome  Progrefs,  I  dallied  ftill, 
 and  was  no  ways  warm  in  my  Intentions  of  Proceed- 
 ing*, I  grew  not  in  Fervour,  and  Spiritual  Diligence; 
 yea  what  is  worfe,  I  have  even  grown  cold  as  to  that 
 Divine  Warmth  which  I  felt  in  the  beginning  to  burn 
 within  me,  and  have  forgotten  in  a  great  Meafurethe 
 Endearments  of  my  Firjh  Love. 
 
 And  hence  I  have  been  often  afraid  of  dying,  be- 
 caufe  my  Confcience  impleading  me  ftill  told  me,  I 
 had  not  lived  as  I  ought  to  have  done. 
 
 Notwithftanding  by  reafon  of  the  Perils  of  Temp- 
 tation j  uato  which  I  am  fubjeft,  and  left  ihs  laft  Er- 
 
 rour 
 
fill  1 1  n 
 
 CC 
 (C 
 
 Book  IV,      of  Jesus  Christ.  243 
 
 rour  fhould  be  worfe  than  the  firfl,  I  have  frequent- 
 ly wi/hed  even  for  Death,  and  into  thefe  Words  have 
 I  burft,  faying:  ''  O  that  now  God  in  Mercy  would 
 '*  take  ine  out  of  this  World  ,  that  I  might  lin  no 
 more  upon  Earth !  O  that  I  had  been  even  now  al^ 
 ready  dead,  while  yet  the  Light  of  his  Grace  did 
 fhine  upon  me,  that  I  might  not  be  afFeded  with 
 fo  great  Evils,  as  I  daily  here  meet  with  in  this 
 LandoftheCurfe!  Othatfpeedily  l.e  would  vouch- 
 <'  fafe  to  redeem  me  from  the  Earth  I  Ah  me!  Where 
 "  am  I?  Othat  my  God,  I  fay,  would  but  take  me 
 "  hence  in  Seafon  right  early,  and  put  an  end  to  my 
 "  Labours!  In  what  an  happy  State  fhould  I  then  be! 
 "  O  that  he  had  but  taken  me  away  e'er  this^  and 
 "  cut  fliort  this  toilfome  dangerous  State-,  how  well 
 **  then  had  it  been  forme!  But  in  thy  Will,  O  Lord, 
 *'  are  all  things;  And  all  thy  Dealings  with  me  are 
 *'  exceeding  righteous  and  good.  Wherefore  I  zvi/l 
 "  alfo,  that  all  things  be  even  as  thou  wilt. 
 
 Thus  many  a  time  have  I,  in  ConHderation  of  the 
 dangerous  Temptations  lam  here  exposed  to,  and  that 
 my  Sins  might  not  encreafe  more  and  more,  groaned 
 in  Spirit  for  Deliverance^  yet  bowing  ftill  my  Will 
 to  God's  Will,  as  is  molt  meet.  Wherefore  my 
 Heart  melteth  with  very  fervent  Heat:  And  my  Bow- 
 els, that  are  greatly  moved,  fay,  '' O  that  thou  woul- 
 "  deft  mak€  an  end,  Lord,  of  my  Labours !  Yet  it 
 "  behoveth  that  all  things  be  according  as  thou  wil- 
 "  left.  If  thou  mind  therefore  to  do  what  I  requeft, 
 "  it  fhall  forthwith  be  accomplidi'd  accordingly :  But 
 *'  if  otherwife,  thy  Will  be  done,  m.oft  Ric;hteous 
 **  Father.  "^ 
 
 So  I  utter  forth  the  Weight  of  my  Heart,  not  as  to 
 One  who  is  ignorant  thereof  ^  but  that  I  may  find  fome 
 comfort  at  leaft  hereby  to  my  Spirit.  Neither  do  I 
 go  at  this  time  to  infinuate  my  Delire,  and  the  Cala- 
 mity which  I  fufFer,   unto  thee,    Lord,   as  if  thou 
 
 R  ^  kneweit 
 
244  ^f  tl^e  Siniitattdit       Vol.  ii. 
 
 kaewefl  it  not:  But  only  that  I  might,  by  fuch  a  fort 
 of  Difcourfe,  caufe  fome  Refrefhment  to  my  Soul.  O 
 Lord,  thou  knoweft  all  that  is  to  come,  and  all  that  is 
 pafl ;  Thou  haft  tried  me,  and  haft  known  me»  Afar 
 off  haft  thou  difeovered  my  Thoughts:  And  all  my 
 moft  hidden  Steps  haft  thou  traced. 
 
 Therefore  alfo  hath  Terrour  again  feized  me  •,  and 
 now  I  flee,  as  before,  from  ih^  Shadow  of  Death.  For, 
 alas!  1  am  not  yet  ready,  thou  knoweft,  as  I  ought 
 to  be:  Lord!  I  am  not  ready,  and  when  I  Ihall  be 
 made  ready  for  thee,  I  know  not.  This  only  I  know, 
 that  I  am  not  yet  well  prepared^  fo  that  my  Confci- 
 ence  is  ftill  very  much  afraid.  Afraid  indeed  I  am 
 exceedingly,  O  I-.ord  moft  holy  !  And  what  wonder  is 
 it,  if  La  wretched  Sinner  do  fear,  when  even  many  of 
 the  Holy  Fathers,  and  precious  Saints  of  thine,  feared 
 not  a  little  j  fince  thy  Judgments  are  not  as  our  Judg- 
 ments, neither  thy  Thoughts  as  our  Thoughts. 
 
 But  how  (hall  I  be  prepared?  It  were  well  indeed 
 that  I  could  better  prepare  my  felf  agairift  that  Day, 
 which  I  am  ignorant  of  ^  not  knowing  whether  it  may 
 be  even  this  Day,  or  to  Morrow.  But,  ah!  how 
 ihall  this  be?  Lord,  how  fhall  I  prepare  my  felf? 
 
 Well,  thy  Grace  alTifting  me,  I  am  refolved  to  do 
 all  what  is  poffible  for  me  henceforth,  that  1  may  be 
 in  fome  Preparation,  when  that  Day  cometh^  that  it 
 overtake  me  not  unawares.     I  will  moft  firmly  renew 
 my  Purpofe^  which  I  made  in  the  beginning  to  imitate, 
 and  follow  thee,  my  dear  Saviour  ^  I  will,  to  my  Pow- 
 er, confirm  all  thofe  holy  Refolutions  thou  haft  at  a- 
 ny  time  fince  infpired  into  me,  and  leave  thee  to  fet 
 thy  Seal  to  them  ^  I  will  bewail  and  abhor  my  Unwor- 
 thinefs  and  Ingratitude,  in  having  fo  greatly  and  often 
 violated  the  moft  facred  Engagements  ^  yea  in  the  Bit- 
 ternefs  of  ray  Soul  will  I  lament  and  deplore  all  thofe 
 impure  Loves  that  I  have  been  led  away  with,  and  fe- 
 duccd  from  thee  the  hfimte  Good:  I  will  utterly  re- 
 
 2  nou nee 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  C  Ha  I  ST.  245 
 
 nounce  all  things  that  may  be  any  ways  difpleafing  to 
 thee,  to  whom  I  long  infeparably  to  be  united*,  I 
 will  offer  up  my  felf  wholly  and  entirely  a  Sacrifice  to 
 thee,  and  fo  without  more  ado  commit  all  to  thy  Mer- 
 cy, commending  my  Spirit,  withall  that  I  have,  into 
 thy  righteous  and  loving  Hands  for  evermore. 
 
 O  Lord  my  God,  in  thy  Mercy  all  my  Works  have 
 their  Acceptance-,  by  this  they  ftand,  but  without  it 
 they  fall  ^  for  it  is  thy  Mercy  alone  that  makes  our 
 Merit.  Alas!  without  thy  infinite  Pity  and  ^  ^  ^ 
 Companion  be  prefent  with  me  ,  what  are  ^  *  * 
 all  my  higheft  Merits,  and  moft  righteous  Deeds,  but 
 mere  Drofs  and  Dung,  Rags  and  Filth?  Mercy,  Mer- 
 cy, dear  Lord!  Mercy^  my  Soul  inftantly  cries,  and 
 repeats  and  knocks*,  abhorring  her  felf,  that  (he  may 
 glorifie  thee,  and  exalt  the  Triumphs  of  thy  Mercy : 
 That  Mercy  which  endHreth  for  ever.  And  this  is  my 
 Hope,  and  my  Truft. 
 
 Thefe  are  the  Meditations  of  my  Heart  (faid  Theo- 
 fhihts^  here  addrefling  himfelf  to  Philothen)  who  am 
 covered  over  with  Sin  and  Iniquity :  But  how  it  is 
 with  fuch  as  have  led  an  uncorrupted  Life ,  I  would 
 fain  alfo  know.  There  are  fome  who  run  the  Ways 
 of  God's  Commandments,  for  which  they  have  been 
 early  fet  at  Liberty:  Perhaps  it  may  be  otherwifc 
 with  them,  than  with  me.  How  is  it  therefore  with 
 the  good  and  undefiled  Confcience?  What  faith  the 
 ^haft  and  devout  Soul  ? 
 
 ^   3  CHAt. 
 
246  C>f  tlje  gimitation       Vol.  H 
 
 Chap.    VIII. 
 
 More  BreMhings  of  a  Devout  Soul  for  Deliverance 
 out  of  the  Body, 
 
 Thllothea  purfiies  what  'Theophllns  had  defjred:    Anc| 
 expielles  her  earnefl  Pantings  to  be  fet  free. 
 
 T^he  Spirit  and  the  Bride  fay  COME^  Rev.  xxii.  17. 
 
 Thlloth.  f^Om^,  Lord  JESV  i  Come,  and  tarry  not; 
 V>  come,  dear  Lord,  come  away,  come,  Q 
 come,  and  break  my  Bands  afunder^  come,  and  re- 
 leafe  me  from  the  Chains  of  Sin  and  Corruption;  O 
 bring  me  out  of  this  Houfe  of  Bondage,  out  of  this 
 Lake  of  Mifery,  and  out  of  this  Dunghil  of  all  Filth 
 and  Naftinefs.  Come  to  me,  O  my  Deliverer,  and 
 bring  my  Soul  out  of  Priion^  for  1  faiiit  after  thee- 
 How  long  mull  I  dwell  yet  in  Egy^t ,  and  have  my 
 Habitation  in  thefe  Tents  of  Kedar  ?  Why  comelt 
 thou  not  yet?  Come,  come  away  my  Beloved.  Come 
 to  me,  skipping  over  the  Mountains,  O  thou  whom 
 my  Heart  panteth  for:  And  break  down  all  Partition 
 Walls  that  would  divide  thee  and  me.  Come  quick- 
 ly. Lord  JE^V! 
 
 '  Ah  !  do  not  longer  leave  me  in  this  World.  Let 
 it  fuffice,  that  hitherto  I  have  laboured  and  fought ; 
 fhat  fo  long  time  I  have  been  an  Exile  here,  as  ba- 
 hiflied  from  my  Heavenly  Country,  and  thy  glorious 
 Prefence-,  that  I  have  been  a  Pilgrim  and  a  Stranger, 
 on  the  Earth,  as  all  my  Fathers  were  with  continued 
 Toil  and  Trouble,  pafTing  through  this  Valley  of 
 Tears  i  th;^t,  laftly,  I  have  not  in  all  this  while  been 
 ^ble  fo  to  improve  my  felf,  notwithllanding  the  A- 
 bundance  of  thy  Grace  confer'd,   as  to  be  fit  for  the 
 
 enjoying 
 
.Book IV,        Of  Jesus  ChPvIst,  i^i 
 
 enjoying  thee,  by  Contemplation  of  thee  Face  to  Face. 
 Let  it  content  thee.  Lord,  that  hitherto  1  have  flri- 
 ven^  that  I  have  been  fo  long  an  Exile*,  that  I  can 
 never  deferve  to  enjoy  thee. 
 
 Now  at  length  then  vouch  fa fe,  dear  Lord,  to  grant 
 metheFruitionof  that  Joy,  which  thou  haft  laid  upfor 
 me;  A  Joy  unbounded,  and  uninterrupted  ^   which 
 cloyeth  never,   but  is  always  new  and  fre(h.    O  the 
 Streams  of  Eternal  Delight,  and  Rivers  of  unfading 
 Pleafure,  which  in  thofe  bleft  Manfioas  above  are  ever 
 flowing  forth  from  thee!  How  do  they  overflow  eve- 
 ry VefTel  there:  And  evermore  furprizingly  delight, 
 charm,  and  ravifh!  O  when,  when  Ihall  I  thus  come 
 to  behold  thee?   Is  it  not  long  enough  yet  that  thou 
 haft  tarried:    And  that  I  alfo  have  tarried  waiting 
 for  thee,  my  Lord?  O!  (hew  me  thy  Face:  That  Face 
 which  Angels  always  behold,   and  always  adore.    O 
 let  thy  Voice  be  beard  in  my  Ears  :  That  Voice  which 
 they  without  Intermiflion  hear-,  and  hearing  always 
 proclaim,  and  echo  forth  with  fweeteft  Melody. 
 
 II.  Gome,  Lord  JLSV:    Yea,  come,  and  take  mc 
 away  out  of  a  ftrange  Land  \   call  me  home  to  my 
 own  Country  in  the  Heavens,  who  am  here   (alas!), 
 but  as  an  Abjea:  and  a  Vagabond',  the  difinherited  do 
 thou  bring  back  to  his  Native  Inheritance :  The  fal- 
 len do  thou  raife  up  to  his  former  Degree  again. 
 Come,  gracious  Redeemer,  reftore  me  to  my  Primae- 
 val State,  from  which  I  fo  foolilhly  fell:  And  make 
 me  Partaker  of  thy  everlafting  Glory.     It  is  time  that 
 1  return  to  thee:   It  is  time  that  thou  commend  my 
 Body  to  the  Earth  ,  out  of  which  it  was  taken.    No 
 great  matter  is  it,    where  this  be  put,  or  how  it  be 
 treated:   So  the  Spirit  be  but  fafe,  and  lodged  with 
 thee.    Well  (hail  it  be  with  my  Spirit,  which  I  com- 
 mend into  thy  Hands:  And  my  Flefh  alfo    ^  ^^^  ^^ 
 ihall  reft  in  Hope,  which  thou  fhalt  raife 
 up  again  at  the  laft  Day.    For  wherefoever  may  it  be 
 
 R  4  depofited. 
 
248  M  t1ot  imitation        Vol.  11. 
 
 depofited  ,  or  hid,  it  cannot  be  removed  from,   or 
 unknown  to  thee. 
 
 .  O  receive  me  up  from  among  Men,  and  join  me  to 
 the  Society  of  thy  Saints  above:  That  1  with  them, 
 and  they  with  me,  may  continually  laud  and  magnifie 
 thy  mofl  glorious  Name.  I  am  weary,  exceeding 
 weary  of  this  Temporal  Life:  Nought  but  the  Day 
 of  Eternal  Brightnefs  can  delight  me.  Let  that  Day, 
 I  befeech  thee,  now  dawn  upon  me:  And  bring  me 
 forth  out  of  this  Land  of  thick  Darknefs,  and  of  the 
 Shadows  of  Mortality^  yea,  make  hall:  to  bring  me 
 forth,  O  my  Lord,  and  my  Saviour. 
 
 III.  Let  not  the  old  Serpent  ftand  in  my  way  at  my 
 going  forth  hence  out  of  Egypt '^  let  not  the  Enemy 
 bark  againft  me  in  the  Gate  *,  let  not  this  difmal  Image 
 at  all  terrifle  me^   neither  let  the  Horrour  of  Death 
 put  me  into  Confufion.  But  let  thy  Holy  Angels  faith- 
 fully afTilt  and  ftand  by  me,  powerfully  help,  valiant- 
 ly proted,   gently  and  tenderly  receive.,    and  trium- 
 phantly condud  me  to  the  Heavenly  Paradife.     Let 
 alfo  thofe  blelTed  Souls  that  are  there  arrived  before, 
 €ven  the  feveral  Orders  of  the  Juft  made  perfect,   be 
 for  the  fame  end  commanded  by  thee  to  entertain  and 
 welcome  me  immediately  upon  my  Departure  out  of 
 this  Houfe  of  my  Captivity.     But  above  all,    and  in 
 the  firft  Place,  dothoudearefl-,kindeft,  fweeteft  ;7£Si;/ 
 O  Lord  moft  gracious,  O  Lord  moft  tender,  6  Lord 
 moft  merciful !  Then  give  me  the  Joy  of  thy  Counte* 
 nance,  and  reprobate  me  not  from  among  the  number  of 
 thy  blefTed  Saints,  but  let  me  be  admitted  by  thee  into 
 that  alldefirable  Society.     Therefore  do  thou  call 
 to  Remembrance,  and  refled  again  and  again,  O  Son  of 
 God,  that  thou  haft  redeemed  me  from  the  Enemy 
 through  thy  moft  precious  Bloody   and  that  I  am  fo 
 thy  Purchafe,  as  nothing  can  be  more*     Verily  I  atn 
 thy  Purchafe,  O  blellcd  Lord,  Lamb  of  God,   Savi- 
 our of  the  World:  I  am  thine  j   therefore  take  me, 
 
 feiz^ 
 
Book  IV,       Of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  R  I  S  T- 
 
 249 
 
 feizeme^  poiTefs  me  for  thine  own.  O  fit  and  pre- 
 pat  e  me  for  thy  dear  Prefence,  that  according  to  the 
 Preparation  of  the  Sanduary  I  may  be  clean  and  holy, 
 and  without  Spot  or  Wrinkle  prefented  by  thee  to 
 thy  Father  and  my  Father.  O  Lamb  of  God,  that 
 tdkell  away  the  Sins  of  the  World,  receive  what  I 
 humbly  commend  into  thy  hands ,  befeeching  thee, 
 it  may  be  precious  in  thy  Sight.  In  thee  have  I  put 
 my  Truft^  be  thou  my  ftrong  Hold,  whereunto  I 
 ma^  in  that  Hour  refort:  And  a  Tower  of  Defence 
 againfl  the  Face  of  the  Enemy  be  thou  unto  me  5  for 
 my  fure  Confidence  is  in  thee.    Go  not  far  from  me, 
 
 0  God:  My  God,  hafte  thee  to  help  me,  and  when 
 
 1  pafs  hence  out  of  this  Earthly  Prifon,  cover  thou 
 my  Enemies  that  war  againfl:  my  Soul  with  Shame 
 and  Con fu lion.  So  fhall  they  gnafh  their  Teeth  ^  but 
 1  will  go  forth  in  the  Strength  of  thee,  O  Lord  my 
 God.  For  1  both  know  and  feel,  that  there  is  none 
 other  Name  under  Heaven  given  to  Men  ,  in  whom  and 
 through  whom  there  is  to  be  obtained  Health  and  Salva- 
 tion, but  thine  only,  my  Deareft  Jefu  :  Therefore 
 will  I  make  mention  of  thy  Righemfnefs  only,  in  the 
 great  Congregation  of  thy  Saints  •,  and  before  the 
 Church  of  the  Firfl-born  will  I  declare  what  great 
 things  they  are  that  thou  haft  done  for  my  Soul,  whea 
 I  am  fet  at  Hberty,  and  joined  to  them  in  thofe  blifs- 
 ful  iManfions.  Oh!  when  fhall  this  be?  Come  my  dear 
 Redeemer  :  And  deliver  my  panting  Soul  out  of  Pri- 
 fon *,  for  I  long  for  nought  but  thee,  and  to  be  with 
 thee,  my  Jefu.  O  receive  me  into  Glory  in  thy  Mer- 
 cy, and  in  thy  Goodnefs^  for  as  much  as  I  have  ear* 
 neftly  defired  to  keep  this  T^.ffover  with  thee, 
 
 IV.  Welcome  happy  Day,  which  I  have  fo  panted  and 
 thirfted  after,  welcome  moft  happy  Day  which  fliall  put; 
 an  end  to  all  the  Miferles  of  Mortality  1  O  bleft  Hour 
 ofthatblefl^ed  P^/T^^f,' which  Lhave  io  long  defired^ 
 dn4  have  hac}  always  before  mine  Eyes  ^  Welcome  ; 
 u^^  '  thrice 
 
5^  ^f  ti)t  Sinutatiou        Vol.  u. 
 
 thrice  Welcome  art  thou  !  What  am  I  now  the  worfe 
 for  the  Troubles  and  Preflures  I  have  endured  in  this 
 World  ?  Or  what  hurt  have  I  received  from  the  Con- 
 tempt, and  Labour,  and  Humiliation,  which  for  thy 
 Name's  fake,  O  Lord,  I  have  pafled  through?  Thou 
 
 haft  been  to  me  my  very  Life  :  And  now  to 
 Phil.i.  die  is  an  Advantage^  and  to  be  with  thee, 
 Pfa]?xl\'i.    ^^  ^^y  Kingdom,  will  be  far  better  than  to 
 
 abide  in  the  Flefh.  To  thee  be  Praife  and 
 Glory,  who  art  the  Life  of  the  Living,  the  Hope  of 
 the  Dying,  the  Salvation  and  the  Reft  of  all  that  fully 
 come  to  Thee. 
 
 Chap.    IX. 
 
 Tlje  Myjllcal  Death, 
 
 *theofhilus  and  Philothea^  declaring  how  the  World  be- 
 ing Dead  to  a  Chriftian,  his  Life  is  hid  in  Chrill. 
 
 Ti^rn  awity  mine  Eyes,  that  they  behold  not  FAnity-^  PE  cxix. 
 
 Vjeofb'f\  LORD  JESU,  who  art  the  true  Life,  the 
 V-/  Life  which  cannot  die  !  Grant  unto  me 
 fo  to  know  and  feel  thee  to  be  in  me  the  Power  and 
 Energy  of  an  endlefs  Life  ,  as  I  may  be  content  out  of 
 Love  to  be  bruifed  for  thee^  nor  only  to  be  bruifed 
 and  wounded  for  thee,  but  out  of  the  fame  Love  even 
 to  die  *,  that  the  Flefh  may  not  have  Dominion  over 
 me.  O  give  me  Grace,  that  through  Love  of  Thee 
 I  may  be  melted  down,  and  fo  die  thoroughly  to  the 
 Worldly  Life.  Since  I  am  not  yet,  alas !  dead  to  the 
 World  •,  but  hitherto  the  old  ^dam  ftill  lives  in  me  i 
 ftirring  up  within  me  contmually  many  pilTentions 
 
 and 
 
Book  IV.     of  Jesus  Christ.  251 
 
 and  Quarrellings,  with  Luftings  after  fundry  pvii 
 and  Noxious  Things  •,  caufnig  me  both  bitter  Nights 
 and  tirefome  Days.  O  when  (hall  it  be,  thap  with 
 Coafidence  1  may  fay,  /  am  Crucified  to  the  World  \ 
 and,  /  accomt  my  fe If  as  one  Dead  upn  the  Earth  .?  Fot 
 he  that  is  dead,  cares  not  for  the  Praifes  of  Men,  be- 
 caufe  he  is  Dead:  Neither  cares  he  for  the  Re- 
 proaches of  the  malicious  Tongue,  becaufe  he  is  dead. 
 The  Dead  obferve  not  any  thing.  '  ^^  " 
 
 :r   Philoth,  He  that  is  Dead  in  the  Flefli,  Speaks  not. 
 Smells  not,  Taftes  not,  neither  exercifes  himfelf  about 
 
 any  Work.     Is  it  not  fo  ?  t.     n.  t,  » 
 
 rheofh.  That  is  undoubted.  And  hereby  Ihall  I 
 Know  whether  1  am  dead  to  the  World  or  no.  If  I 
 have  any  delight  to  fpeak  of  the  World,  if  I  have 
 longer  any  Relifh  for  it,  if  I  am  attra^ed  with  the 
 Vapours  of  it,  if  I  trouble  my  felf  about  any  of  its 
 Concerns-,  I  have  certainly  good  reafon  to  queftion, 
 whether  I  am  fo  dead  thereto,  as  poffibly  I  might  at 
 firft  imagine  to  my  felf.  .. 
 
 "  Philotk  For  what  are  all  the  Pomps  and  Vanities  of 
 the  World' to  one  that  is  dead  ?  Surely  they  are  no- 
 thing. He  neither  Hears  what  paffes  m  it,  nor  Sees 
 what  is  admir'd  for  Curious  and  Beautiful.  Nor  are 
 any  of  thofe  things,  which  are  capable  of  alluring  to 
 the  Love  of  the  Earth,  able  to  reach  his  Senfes,  or 
 
 niove  him  in  the  leaft.  t  /•      -r  t  l 
 
 rheoph.  So  then  it  muft  be  with  me,  I  fee,  it  1  be 
 truly  Crucified  and  Dead  to  the  World. 
 
 Fhiloth.  He  who  is  Dead  to  the  World,  is  not  m 
 the  World,  but  jn  God,  unto  whom  he  lives  ^  for 
 this  is  a  moft  fure  and  faithful  Teftimony,  that  fuch 
 an  one  is  in  Chrift,  andChrifl  in  him.  See  therefore 
 that  thou  be  not  in  the  World,  by  the  World  s  being 
 in  thee :  But  be  out  of  the  World,  even  while  thou 
 ^rt  in  it^  by  being  Senfelefs  to  it,  and  Alive  to  thy 
 God  only-    He  th^;  is  thus  Dead,  h  Spiritually  Rifea 
 
252  iS>t  ti^  %mit&ticn       Voi.n. 
 
 .  -i .  ■  «    .^A*.  „ 
 
 with  Chrift ;  for  he  can  feek  only  thoie  things  which 
 arcabove>  where  Chrift  is.  This  is  the  hiddeii  and 
 myftical  Death,  the  only  Way  to  true  Lite.  Ot  which 
 the  blefled  Apoftle  St.  Paul  accordia^ly  bears  this  Re- 
 cord, faying  to  the  Primitive  Saints  under 
 ^Irm-  his  Charge:  Te  are  Dead ^  and  ygnr  Lije  it 
 hjid  with  Chrlfl  in  God, 
 
 '  He  that  is  thus  Dead,  fo  Speaks  fo Thinks,  fo  Sec$ 
 thofe  Objefts  which  are  Without,  as  if  they  were  not 
 istall^  becaufe.that  vyhich  isjfeen  is; Temporal  and 
 Vain^  but  that' only  which  \%  mt  Jeenh  Eternal  and 
 True.  The  things  which  we  here;  fee  arc  Shadows  9 
 thofe  which  are  above,  and  here  unfecn,  are  the  5«^- 
 fiancesp  Hither  theretore  he  looks,  this  is  tnat  which 
 fets  him  all  ia  a  Flame  •,  hither  his,  AfFe-ftions  move 
 with  the  greateft  Svviftaefsand  Alacriry  :  For  tiiis  is 
 all, his  Labour  ^  for  this  is  all  his  Toil,  and  Sweat, 
 i^nd  Suffering  •,  all  tend  to  this  \  all  his  Defires  center 
 h"ere  *,  this  is  his  Treafrre^  and  hereih  is  his  Heart. 
 3^his-,  and  nought  but  this,  he  wills*,  This  he  loves, 
 Tjlis  he  purfues^  This  only  he  has  a  relifli  for :  No- 
 tbiag  can  he  now  favour  in  the  leaft  but  this  Internal 
 Goodv  which  is  hidden,  even  that  chief  and  ever- 
 laflingGoodV  in  Thinking  and  Refleding  on  which 
 he  can  never  have  enough,  in  as  much  as  it  is  to  him 
 exceedingly  Dear,  and  Sweet,  and  Delightful,  and 
 pipft  UnexprefTjble  ;  as  infinitely  Surpading,  not  on- 
 ly all  the  Power  of  Words,  but  even  of  Thoughts 
 too. 
 
 !;  He  that  is  Dead  in  this  manner,  is  cqnfequently  fet 
 a't  a  vaft  diftance  from  all  things  Temporal,  his  Af- 
 fections being  wholly  taken  up, with  thofe  that  are 
 Eternal,  by  the  fubduing  of  the  fenfible  Appetite,  in, 
 j^brtifying  all  its  Motions  and  Delires,  which  are  eyef 
 warring  again  ft  the  Soul.  For  the  Life  of  Senfe,  or 
 Senfuality,  feeks  the  things  that  are  VVithoqt,  covQt^ 
 thofe  that  are  Delightful ,  confiders  thofe  that  are 
 '^    '  Prefents 
 
Book  IV.        pf  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  Pv  I  s  T.        25'3 
 
 .rru 
 
 Prefent,  neglc^^s  thofe  that  are  Future,  and  always 
 Ihuns  vvherefjever  it  can  thofe  that  are  (or  feem  to 
 be)  Bitter  and  Harlh  ^  which  yet  are  very  often  Me- 
 dicindl  and  Improving  to  the  Spirit. 
 
 Whence  it  [jerinits  not  the  Spirit  to  a^  in  Silence 
 and  Relt  ^  but  brings  to,  and  fets  before  it  divers 
 Phantifin'^,  which  are  fcarce  fit  to  be  mentioned,  and 
 aie  leai'y  to  be  accounted  of  as  nothing,  as  indeed 
 th^y  are  in  themfelves.  But  whoever  hath  the  Grace 
 oi  Splfitkal  Fortttndey  can  quickly  command  and  fub- 
 jugdte  the  infolent  Motions  of  the  Fle/b^  finging  ia 
 the  Word  of  Divine  Power,  The  Lord  is 
 on  my  fide  :  J  will  not  fear  what  Flefll  can  do  ^^*^'  cxviii. 
 unto  me. 
 
 Now  therefore,  however  the  Sen/itivehife  may  raife 
 up  a  War  in  fuch  a  Soul,  and  the  Voice  of  Flefll  may 
 mutter  and  murmur  *,  yet  becaufe  the  Force  of  Di- 
 vine Love,  which  inwardly  comforts  and  ftrengthens, 
 is  greater  than  that  of  the  Flefll,  which  diflieartens 
 and  relifbs,  flie  is  generally  pretty  fecure  from  all  its 
 Attacks.  Nor  need  flie  at  all  be  led  alide,  if  flie  buE 
 gives  her  felf  up  wholly  to  the  Condud  of  this  Love 
 of  God  which  is  flied  abroad  in  her. 
 
 By  Virtue  whereof  the  Divine  Lover  is  at  fome  Sea- 
 fons  fo  fweetly,  (b  powerfully,  and  fo  ardently  drawn, 
 fnatch'd  away,  and  tranfported  to  God,  and  fo  held 
 in  God,  (being  taken  up  in  Contemplation  of  his  in- 
 finite Lovelinefs,  and  of  the  unfearchable  Abyfs  of 
 his  endlefs  Mercies  and  Compaflions)  as  to  befl:ripp'd 
 in  a  manner  for  the  time  of  all  outward  Senfation:  So 
 that  he  is  as  one  perfedly  Lifelefs  to  all  thofe  things 
 that  are  about  him,  and  even  touch  him.  For  his 
 Eye  is  turned  away  from  this  Region  of  Vanity,  fo 
 that  he  beholds  nothing  that  is  done  here  *,  and  it  i$ 
 turned  to  the  World  of  Eternal  Truth,  where  it  is 
 fixed.  HeTees  not,  he  hears  not,  he  perceives  not, 
 he  feels  not  the  Objects  (  Ah  vain  and  deceitful  Qb- 
 
 jeds!) 
 
254  flDf  tl)e  3jtmtatfo!t       Voi.ir. 
 
 je6ls !  that  furround  him,  ^ad  make  fiicll  ^  rioifeand 
 buftle  in  the  World  ;  For  as  much  as  he  is  not  here,  but 
 elfevvhere;  not  below,  but  above  ^  even  with  God, 
 and  in  God.  Who  ceafes  not  to  move  him  froni  what 
 is  Exterior  and  Inferior,  to  that  which  is  Interior  and 
 Superior^  who  moil  fweetly  attrads  him  Inwards, 
 by  the  foft  and  gentle  Methods  of  his  Grace  5  lifts 
 him  up,  by  the  flrong  Cords  of  his  Love  ^  and  carries 
 him  away  hence,  as  it  were  in  a  fiery  Chariot :  That 
 fo  he  may  even  anticipate  Heaven,  and  receive  a  fore- 
 tafte  of  the  Powers  and  Joys  of  the  World  to  come  v 
 fometime  enjoying  his  God  after  this  manner  ,  before 
 he  fhall  here  put  off  the  Mortal  Flefh,  in  the  happy 
 and  blelTed  Communion  of  his  Love  ^  to  the  fatif- 
 fying  the  long  and  vehement  Defire  of  his  Heart,  and 
 the  holy  Ardours  of  his  inflamed  Affedion,  conflant- 
 ly  moving  Heavenward. 
 
 This  Divine  Lover,  Dead  to  the  World,  but  Alive 
 to  God,  is  not  found  any  where  abroad,-  or  without : 
 For  his  Paramour  hath  taken  him  away.  And  he  hath 
 a  Place  prepared  for  him  in  the  Wildernefs,  even  a 
 Tlacc  prepared  of  God,  that  he  may  be  hid  from  the 
 World  :  And  here  alfo  hath  he  a  Table  fpread,  a 
 Table  at  which  Angels  minifler  ^  where  he  who  took 
 •him  away  fits  by  him,  and  feeds  him  with  the  hidden 
 Manna  of  his  precious  Favours  and  Confolations. 
 Here,  being  feparated  from  the  vain  Noife  and  Crowd 
 of  Worldly  Encumberances,  he  hears  alone  his  Words, 
 even  the  Words  of  his  Beloved*,  and  rejoiceth  with 
 exceeding  Joy,  becaufe  it  is  the  Voice  of  the  Bride- 
 groom in  nothing  fufpe&d  to  him. 
 
 Neither  doth  he  prefently  pour  forth  his  Vial  into 
 the  Sun,  to  draw  in  Vanity  :  But  he  hides  the  Trea- 
 fure  which  he  has  found,  and  clofes  it  faft  with  a  Seal, 
 that  fo  the  Foot  of  Pride  may  not  enter  into  it,  and 
 all  its  Virtue  be  loft.  For  he  remembers  who  it  is 
 that  faid,  Set  mf  as  a  Seal  upon  thine H^art,  and  whofe 
 
 Saying 
 
Book  IV,      of  Jesus  Christ,  255 
 
 Saying  it  is  even  until  now.  This  feaUd  Love  betwixt 
 holy  Lovers,  is  truly  ftrong  as  Death,  and  inflexible 
 as  the  Graven  and  whofe  Coals  are  Coals  ofFlre^  fend- 
 ing forth  a  mofi  vehement  Flame^  which  cannot  reft 
 before  they  fhall  have  burnt  up  all  the  Hay  dind  Stubble 
 that  ftand  in  their  way. 
 
 Nothing  therefore  can  be  of  greater  life  to  the 
 loving  Soul,  than  to  feal  the  Heart,  and  to  keeplt'^ 
 left  the  Beloved  peradventure  Jhould  pafs  by,  and 
 flee  from  it,  becaufe  he  findeth  it  unfealed  and  cn- 
 kept:  Who  delighteth  much  to  vilit  and  court  that 
 Heart  which  is  pure  and  humble,    recolleded  and 
 
 filent. 
 
 Thefe  things  now  fhe  compareth  and  difcourleth 
 in  fecret  in  her  felf ;  and  admireth  at  fo  great  a  Good, 
 furpafling  all  Senfe  and  Under  Handing,  as  well  as 
 tvevY good  Gift.  Again  Ihe  admireth*,  and  ftandeth 
 admiring  and  gazing ,  in  much  fufpenfe  and  fur- 
 prize. 
 
 For,  becaule  the  Soul  zijlft  not  v:hat  it  was  at  nrft, 
 when  flie  was  thus  vifited,  it  appearing  to  her  fo  ex- 
 ceeding ftrange,  fhe  was  not  able  to  give  over  her 
 Wonderment  for  a  long  while.  So  ftill  being  takea 
 up  with  Admiration,  fhe  diligently  asketh ,  as  did 
 outward  Jfrael  heretofore,  ^Vhat  is  this  ?  And  fhe 
 vehemently  hereupon  rejoic^th  to  find,  that  This  is 
 the  Bread  which  the  LORD  hath  given  her  to  eat^  and 
 the  M^NNAwhkh  defcendeth  down  from  Heaven, 
 and  which  is  in  Heaven. 
 
 Now  he  who  admjniftreth  the  true  Bread  from 
 Heaven,  giveth  alfo  at  the  fame  time  to  the  Soul  that 
 tafteth  thereof,  a  good  underftanding,  and  a  difcern- 
 ing  Palate,  that  fhe  may  know  how  that  every  good 
 Gift^  and  every  perfe^  Gift  is  from  above^  and  cometh 
 down  from  the  Father  of  Lights. 
 
 "  This,  This  (fays  ^h  prefently)  is  from  God  un- 
 
 *'  doubtedly.   Verily,  this  Word  is  of  the  Lord,  and 
 
 z  "  of 
 
55^  m  tl)t  "Smtation        Volii. 
 
 *'  of  no  other.  Nothing  comes  to  me  without  him  : 
 *^  From  him  are  all  things  that  I  poflefs.  And  He  is 
 **  AH,  and  is  in  All,  and  is  above  all :  BlelTed  for  ever, 
 «i  World  without  end. 
 
 Again,  after  this  the  Soul  looketh,  and  wondereth, 
 and  complaineth,  whence  and  how  it  is  that  fhe  taketh 
 fo  indifferent  a  Care  about  fo  great  a  Good  as  this ; 
 with  which  neverthelefs  her  whole  Welfare  is  entire-- 
 ly  wrapt  up,  and  which  doth  fo  abundantly  at  once 
 both  Delight  and  Profit  ,  and  why  it  is  fhe  inclineth 
 not  her  Heart  more  frequently  to  hear  and  fee  that 
 Objed,  than  which  nothing  can  be  fweeter  or  hap- 
 pier in  the  Enjoyment. 
 
 And  then  fhe  burfts  out  of  a  fudden,  as  not  longer 
 able  to  contain  her  felf,  after  this  manner :  ^^  But 
 '^  O  that  for  the  future,  at  leaft,  a  proportionable 
 "  Care  might  betaken!  O  that  it  be  never  fo  again  ! 
 "  For  this  is  the  Thing  that  mainly,  yea  that  fove- 
 «  reignly  delights  me:  And  this  ihall  flill  more  and 
 "  more  go  on  to  delight,  charm  ,  and  ravifh,  if  I 
 *'  do  but  apply  my  felf  to  wait  thereupon.  Let 
 *'  my  Beloved  come  into  ray  Heart,  that  I  may  eat 
 *'  of  the  Fruit  of  his  Apples.  Let  him  turn  alide 
 "  unto  me,  and  fhew  himfelf  nnto  me  ^  that  1  may 
 *'  fhew  my  felf  unto  him.  He,  he  only  is  my  Good, 
 *^  and  my  Joy.  O  my  Good  !  O  my  Joy  !  O  Good 
 "  mofl  High!  O  Joy  unfpeakable  and  full  of  Glory  ! 
 
 Then  prefently  fhe  begins  to  pant  and  long,  and 
 vehemently  to  be  in  Love  with  this  Good,  wherein  is 
 all  and  every  Good ;  and  with  this  Joy,  wherein  is  all 
 and  every  Joy^  this  O;;^,  wherein  are  All  Things, 
 both  great  and  fmall,  high  and  low  •,  yet  nothing  of 
 all  this  in  any  Creaturely  Form,  but  Supereminently 
 in  thofe  pure  and  limple  Ideas,  which  have  their  Sub- 
 liflence  in  the  Divine  Intellea-,  the  uiidefiled  and  un- 
 formed Mirror  of  all  Truth  :  Th'  only  One,  the  Be- 
 ginning and  the  End  of  all  cr  .     1  Goods  and  Joys. 
 
 And 
 
 ~^ 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  Christ.  257 
 
 And  hereupon  fhe  is  fometimes  mighty  defirous  and 
 earnefl  to  be  all  over  replenifhed  out  of  this  Good,  to 
 be  overflowed  with  this  molt  fweet  delicious  Joy,  and 
 to  be  taken  even  into  this  original  Source  and  Foun- 
 tain of  all  Lovelinefles,  this  hidden  Root  of  all  plea- 
 iing  and  delightful  Forms :  Yea,  She  covets  to  be 
 fwallowed  up,  and  engulphed  as  it  were  therein  whol- 
 ly, to  be  in  a  manner  devoured  and  confumed  there- 
 by, ib  thinking  tofatisfie  her  unfatiMe  Love  j  to  the 
 end  that  nothing  of  herfelf  may  remain,  if  pofTible  5 
 but  that  all  that  remains  may  be  of  him,  and  ihe  by 
 confequent  may  be  all  and  entirely  his  *,  whofe  is  the 
 Fire  and  the  Torrent  of  Love,  and  whofe  is  all  this 
 marvellous  Operation  :  That  fo  through  the  Vehe- 
 mence of  her  ardorous  Breathings  fhe  may  be  caught 
 ^way  as  into  him,  and  may  be  made  together  with 
 him  One  Spirit.  And  this  is  her  Attainment  of  the 
 Myftical  Death,  in  the  very  higheft  Degree  of  it,  by- 
 her  preffing  into  the  Unity  of  Life,  in  the  Life  of 
 'Cod'j  though  it  be  a  Life  that  is  indeed  wholly  hid 
 from  the  World. 
 
 But  the  Soul,  when  ftie  is  arrived  thus  far,  as  dead 
 both  to  the  World  and  to  her  felf^  and  living  not  her 
 own,  but  the  Life  of  Chrill  in  the  World,  by  being 
 brought  into  this  Onenefs  with  the  Spirit  of  God  and 
 Chrill,  is  not  in  the  leaft  exalted  and  elevated  hereby  5 
 but  is  rather  fo  much  the  more  deprefled  and  humbled 
 in  her  Thoughts.  She, makes  no  manner  of  account 
 of  her  felf  •,  nor  defpifes  the  others  (  how  mean  fo- 
 ever  :  )  She  cenfures  not  any  for  not  being  as  fhe  is  : 
 She  judges  not  any,  but  her  felf  only  ^  for  as  much  as 
 it  is  not  her  own  which  fhe  hath  ,  but  the  mere  free 
 Gift  of  God  :  So  that  there  is  not  the  leaft  ground 
 for  her  to  think  highly  of  her  felf,  or  to  extol  her 
 bwn  Merit  in  this  Cafe,  as  fhe  very  well  knows  i  fee- 
 ing that  all  is  thus  continually  derived  to  her  from  his 
 lafluxj  and  that  fhe  is  after  fuch  a  manner  quickned 
 
 %  and 
 
^$s  <s>t  ttie  3inittatt on       VqL h- 
 
 and  comforted  by  him.  This  is  the  Courfe  of  her 
 Behaviour.  For  fhe  feeks  no  Praife,  nor  minds  the 
 Favour  of  any :  But  feeks  the  Beloved,  whofe  Praife 
 and  Favour  (he  only  thirfts  after  •,  in  whom  fhe  hath 
 all  things,  yea  more  than  all  things.  Becaufe  fhe 
 prefers  his  Love,  his  Sweetnefs,  and  his  Joyous  Frui- 
 tion, before  all  the  things  that  are  Created  and  Tran- 
 llent,  and  covets  his  Honour  above  them  all  *,  loving 
 it  beyond  all  Crowns  and  Diadems.  And  hence  it  is 
 impoffiblefor  her  to  boaft  of  any  Good  poffeffed  by 
 her  ^  or  vainly  either  to  flatter  her  felf,  or  to  fufter 
 her  felf  to  be  flatter'd  by  others.  He  is  her  Glory» 
 her  Praife,  and  her  Exultation.  He  is  unto  her  the 
 true  and  unmixed  Joy,  the  Supreme  and  Fountain- 
 Good,  her  whole  Defire  and  Confummation. 
 
 Thus  fhe  boafts  in  the  Beloved  alone,  refling  in 
 and  leaning  upon  Him  folely:  But  yet  fhe  cannot  be 
 at  reft,  without  he  be  alfo  loved  and  adored  by  others, 
 as  by  her.  Therefore  fhe  pants,  and  fighs,and  wrellles, 
 that  many  may  Rejoice  together  with  her,  and  may 
 enjoy  this  chief  and  fovereign  Good  without  end,  both 
 here  and  hereafter. 
 
 For  ilie  c^rneltly  begs  him,  and  with  mighty  Groans 
 and  Interceflious,  through  the  Spirit,  addrefles  her 
 felf  before  his  Footftool,  Befeeching  him  that  he 
 would  be  pleafcd  to  make  himfelf  known  unto  all 
 Men  ^  and  that  he  would  convert  all,  and  draw  all  un- 
 to himfelf  :  That  fo  He  alone  may  of  all  be  Praifed 
 and  Glorified,  whofe  Will  it  is  that  all  may  be  faved. 
 For  her  Beloved  is  Supreme  Charity,  and  a  Well  of 
 Love  that  can  never  beexhaufled.  For  he  loveth  All, 
 more  than  he  can  be  loved  of  All-,  even  Every  one 
 Individually,  more  than  All  together  are  ever  capable 
 of  exerting  their  Love  to  him. 
 
 Neverthelefs,whofoever  fhall  have  an  earneft  Long- 
 ing to  Love  him  from  the  very  Ground  of  the  Soul, 
 fuch  an  one,  though  he  may  poffibly  not  arrive  to 
 
 love 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  Esus  Christ.  259 
 
 love  him  according  to  this  ground,  is  yet  well-plealing 
 and  acceptable  in  his  fight ,  fince  his  manner  is  to 
 devour  all  in  Love,  and  by  infinite  degrees  to  over- 
 come and  furpafs  them. 
 
 O  how  profitable,  how  pleafant,  and  how  joyful 
 a  thing  is  it  to  fit  in  filence,  and  commune  with  God  *, 
 and,  as  one  dead  out  of  the  World,  to  enjoy  his  Com- 
 pany in  the  Solitude  of  the  Heart,  being  ravi.ihed  with 
 his  Love!  O  Love  that  can  never  be  drawn  dry! 
 Woijid  to  God  that  I  were  thoroughly  Dead  to  this 
 World,  that  I  might  henceforward  be  moved  with 
 no  AfFedion  to  what  is  Tranfitory,  nor  carried  out 
 to  fix  my  Eyes  upon  any  Creature  whatever:  And 
 that  1  were  fo  joined  to  him  through  Love,  as  I  mighc 
 evermore  live  in  him  ^  and  fo  glorifie  him,  for  whom 
 to  die  is  Life,  even  Life  Eternal. 
 
 Chap.    X. 
 
 Of  Sequeflratton  from  Creatures, 
 
 TheophilHs  afpires  from  the  Creaturely  to  the  Divine 
 
 LOVE. 
 
 ^  Loy   I  get  me  etvoay  far  off\  and  remain  in   the  Wii* 
 dcrnefs^  [ov^  in  Solitude,]  Pfalm*  Iv.  7» 
 
 L  Tkop/^.^^  How  good,  how  pleafant,  how  joyful, 
 \_J  how  fvveet  it  is  to  fit  in  Solitude,  to 
 hold  one's  Peace,  and  to  fpeak  with  GOD  ^  and  fo 
 to  enjoy  the  fole  Chief  GOODj  in  which  ^11  Goods  arg 
 contained  ! 
 
 ^  Ecc^  dongfiv't  fastens ^  fymanfi  :n  SolHudm* 
 
26o  jSDf  ti)t  imitation       VoJ.  IL 
 
 O  that  I  were  both  fo  conjoined  with  that  moG:  Sim- 
 ple and  Only  GOOD,  as  1  might  be  moved  by  no 
 AfFedions,  and  hurried  by  no  Diftradions,  of  Tran- 
 fitory  Things ;  that  I  might  not  adhere  to  any  Crea- 
 ture, or  be  in  love  with  any  Vifible  Thing  ^  or  out 
 of  Curiofity  lend  my  Eyes  to  fee  and  obferve  what 
 pafTeth  without!  But,  Wretched  M^in  that  I 
 Rom.  vii.  ^^^  zvho  fljall  deliver  me  from  the  Body  of  this 
 Deaths  For,  alas  I  how  often  dieth  away  my  Soul, 
 for  the  fake  of  the  Creatures  which  it  loveth?  Often- 
 time  for  their  fake  it  forgetteth  the  Creator,  and  is 
 feduced,  and  miferably  enfnared. 
 
 My  unliable  Mind  now  willeth  this,  now  that  *,  now 
 it  is  here,  now  again  it  is  there  ^  feeking  after  Peace 
 in  the  Creatures  and  not  finding  it.  For  as  much  as 
 every  Creature,  though  it  may  have  fome  Delight  for 
 life,  yet  affbrdeth  no  Satisfa&ion  for  Fruition. 
 
 Unfearcheable  indeed  is  the  Heart  of  Man,  and  who 
 knoweth  it  ?  O  Lord,  thou  knoweft  the  Thoughts  of 
 Man,  how  vain  they  are:  Thou  traceft  all 
 ^^!^;^^^1'  his  Steps  j  and  afar  off"  thou  underftandeft 
 Vfai.xciv.  ^^^  vvinnoweft  all  his  Ways.  Wherefore 
 what  meaneth  my  Heart  after  this  manner  to  amufe 
 it  felf,  and  thus  to  bow  down  before  Images  and  ly- 
 ing Vanities? 
 
 II.  O  GOD  Everlafting,  Supreme  and  Infinite,  the 
 Maker  and  Governour  of  all  things,  I  am  thy  Crea- 
 ture, which  thou  madefl  in  thy  Power,  and  which 
 thou  upholdeft  in  thy  Love.  To  love  thee,  of  a 
 Truth,  was  I  made.  And  at  this  time  willing  alfo 
 am  I  to  love  thee  *,  but  am  not  able  to  do  this,  accord- 
 ing to  what  1  am  willing.  For  the  Truth  is,  I  am 
 bound  with  Vain  Love,  lam  fetter'd,  I  am  chain'd  ^ 
 I  am  held,  alas!  to  the  Earth  with  the  glutinous  Af- 
 fedion  of  fading  Things  ,  the  Birdlime  of  the  wick- 
 ed Fowler  -^  from  which,  while  I  ftrive  to  fhake  my 
 felf,  and  make  my  efcape,  cither  I  cannot  do  it  at  all, 
 
 or 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  261 
 
 or  at  leafl:  not  without  very  great  Pain  and  Grief. 
 Ah!  what  can  I  do?  Thou  knoweft.  Lord,  that  I  can 
 do  nothing  of  my  felf.  At  the  beft,  it  is  grievoully 
 painful  to  me,  as  I  am  thus  glued  to  tiiis  Vifible  Creati- 
 on ^  and  every  Attempt  of  this  fort  is,  without  thy  af- 
 Hi^iiag  Grace  and  Goodnefs,  moil  irkfome  to  the  Soul. 
 Alas,  how  is  my  Soul  Hill  hamper'd  with  thefe  low 
 and  fordid  Affedtions  !  O  how  gladly  would  I  love 
 thee,  O  Lordi  But  I  cannot,  yea,  I  cannot,  as  I 
 would.  Who  fhall  deliver  my  Feet  out  of  the  Net 
 of  the  falfe  Love  ?  O  the  Itrong  Magnetifm  of  Earth 
 attrading  my  Mind  !  Who  is  there  that  fhall  diflblve 
 it  for  me  ?  It  is  thou,  O  God  of  Love,  that  mull  do 
 it.  Come,  I  pray  :  Come ,  dear  Lord  ,  and  make 
 hafte  to  break  all  my  Chains  ^  for,  lo!  I  am  exceed-^ 
 ingly  pained. 
 
 O  that  thou  therefore  would'ft  but  open  in  me  thy 
 Gracious  Sweetnefs ,  and  thy  mod  Refrefhing  and 
 Comfortable  Savour !  O  that  thou  wert  but  Sweet 
 unto  my  Mouth,  and  Honey  to  my  Palate  ! 
 
 If  thou  wert  fo,  Lord,  how  foon  fhould  they  thea 
 flee  all  away,  and  perifh,  which  have  fo  captivated  my 
 Soul  ?  O  reveal  therefore  thy  Sweetnefs  to  my  inward 
 Palate,  that  I  may  truly  relifh  and  favour  thee  as  I 
 ought :  And  that  being  drawn  of  thee,  I  may  take  my 
 flight  from  all  Creatures  afar  off,  and  lodge  with  thee, 
 my  Beloved,  in  the  Mountains,  th^  Mourn ains  of 
 Slices* 
 
 However,  fometimes  I  fee,  by  the  Ught  of  the  Mind, 
 thy  Invifible  Things,  through  thofe  which  are  made  j 
 and  Thee  alfo,  the  chief  Good  ,  the  true  God,  who 
 inhabiteft  Eternity:  And  I  make  as  it  were  a  Ladder 
 of  the  Creatures,  whereby  to  afcend  unto  thee. 
 
 And  it  delights  me  to  make  a  ftay  in  thefe  Medi- 
 tations :  But  prefently,  I  know  not  with  what  Blall, 
 as  one  driven  hence  violently  away,  I  am  recalled  fro.ii^ 
 this  Study  and  Delight  of  mine  ,  and  am,  poor  lan- 
 
 S  3  guilhing 
 
5^2  0i  tije  31mitat(oiT       Vol.  ii. 
 
 giiifhing  Wretch,  detain'd  airefh  in  rhe  Love  and 
 Bondage  of  Vilibles.  How  doth  it  fometiities  delight 
 and  pleafc  me  to  conveiTe  with  the  Invilibles  !  But 
 then  again,  how  foon  am  I  laid  hold  on,  and  capti- 
 vated with  this  bafe  Love  of  the  things  that  are  feen  ! 
 And  being  kept  down  with  the  Burthen  and  Weight, 
 thereof,  cannot  afcend  up,  as  fain  I  would. 
 
 For,  lo!  I  firmly  do  purpofe  in  my  Heart,  as  the 
 flgn  of  the  Covenant  betwixt  thee  and  me,  that,  for 
 the  fake  of  thy  noble  and  precious  Love,  I  will  not 
 regard  or  love  any  Creature  :  But  on  the  contrary, 
 defpife  them  all,  and  even  my  very  felf  ^  and  likewife 
 forfake  all  things  which  may  appertain  to  me,  where 
 and  whenever  thy  Honour  and  the  Intereft  of  thy 
 Kingdom  fhall  be  concerned. 
 
 III.  But  then,  after  this,  there  rife  up  in  me  the 
 Thoughts  of  this  World,  and  of  theFlcfn,  that  Kinf- 
 woman  and  Neighbour  of  mine,  full  of  Sin  ^  fo  fvveet-» 
 ly  infinuating  themfclves  into  my  Heart,  as  if  in  them 
 were  fome  Felicity  ;  And  as  if  1  weretolofe,  forfooth, 
 fome  great  matter  of  Good,  fiiould  I  defpife  or  llight 
 them ;  They  making  a  fhew  of  a  Cheerful  Counte- 
 nance, but  hiding  and  concealing  the  Fearful  End  ; 
 putting  on  a  good  Face,  to  cover  a  filthy  and  moa- 
 ftrous  Tail  •,  letting  that  only  be  feen  which  is  Pre- 
 fent,  but  with  perfect  Silence  covering  over  that  which 
 is  Future,  and  the  Evil  Confequences  that  neceflarily 
 attend  the  prefent  Imaginary  Goods, 
 
 It  is  pretended  for  this,  that  Thou  every  where, 
 and  in  all  the  Creatures,  art  to  be  fought  for,  and 
 enjoyed  ^  and  tlut  nothing  confcquently  is  to  be  caft 
 away  or  defpifed  ^  which  yet  was  neverthelefs  done 
 by  Thee,  my  Lord,  and  my  God.  And  fo  they  lead 
 meafide  oftentimes  from  my  Purpofe:  And  at  length 
 do  altogether  Seduce  mcj  and  lam  drawn  by  them 
 into  the  Snares  of  Death. 
 
 IV.  O 
 
BooklV,        of  Jesus  Ch  KisT.  263 
 
 IV.  O  how  vain,  how  deceptory,  and  how  almoil 
 nothing  do  they  prove,  even  in  their  beft  and  fiou- 
 riihing  State  !  And  how  after  their  tranfient  momen- 
 tary Pleafnres  do  they  flee  away,  and  are  fcattered 
 mofl  fwiftly,  leaving  me  amongft  the  Thorns  and 
 Thirties  of  an  Evil  Confcience  ! 
 
 Wo  is  me,  Lord  :  Yea,  wo  is  me  *,  that  I  have  at 
 fome  times  fooner  trulled  and  alTented  to  Vanity^  than 
 to  thee  the  Eternal  Verity:  And  that  ^<d  eafily  I  have 
 forfaken  thee,  O  thou  unfpotted  Truth. 
 
 Oh  !  How  greatly  have  I  finned  herein,  that  to"the 
 negleding  of  all  things  I  did  not  cleave  to  thee  alone ! 
 Since  what  have  I  in  Heaven  but  thee?  And  what 
 fhould  I  defire  in  the  Earth  with  thee  ? 
 
 For  to  love  and  to  enjoy  thee  I  was  created  *,  but  in- 
 ordinately following  the  Creatures,  I  have  left  thee, 
 and  in  them  have  found  no  Reft  or  Satisfadion  to  my 
 Heart.  But  turn  me,  O  LORD,  unto  thee:  Turn 
 me,  good  Lord  \  and  fufFer  me  not  to  go  after  Earth- 
 ly Objeds,  who  has  vouchfafed  to  promife  Heavenly 
 ones  to  fuch  as  follow  THEE. 
 
 V.  Now  Praife  and  Glory  be  to  thee,  O  God  of  all 
 Grace  and  Confolation,  who  haft  fo  fweetly  drawn 
 my  Soul  unto  thee  :  And  given  Wings  to  my  Soul, 
 that  ftie  might  fly  away  as  into  the  Wildernefs,  where 
 ihe  may  fecurely  reft  under  thy  hiding,  and  be  fafe 
 from  the  Deluge  of  the  World  and  Satan  caft  out 
 againft  her.  O  blefled  Solitude  of  the  Soul,  that 
 waiteth  upon  and  converfeth  with  her  God  !  O  my 
 God,  how  fweet  is  the  Meditation  of  thee  to  my 
 Heart !  How  infipid  now  are  all  the  Creatures  to  me, 
 in  comparifon  of  thee,  fweeteft,  deareft  Lord !  Yea 
 they  are  even  Bitternefs  it  felf,  and  intolerable  Nau- 
 feoufnefs,  without  thee,  O  Fountain  of  all  Grace  and 
 Sweetttefs.  Wherefore  my  Soul  rejoiceth,  rcfufing 
 all  creaturely  Confolation,  for  fakeof  thy  Love:  And 
 my  Heart  burfteth  forth  in  thy  Praife,  who  haft  dealt 
 
 S  4  with 
 
264  jaDf  tl^e  Simttation        Vol.  it 
 
 with  me  after  this  manner.  All  Glory  be  to  thee,  O 
 Lord,  for  breaking  the  Bonds  of  Creaturely  Affection, 
 and  for  fo  powerfully  attracting  me  to  follow  after 
 thyMajefty. 
 
 Chap.    XI. 
 
 Of  Contempt  of  all  Earthly  Comforts^ 
 
 I'heophilfiSj  Thilothea^  and  the  Beloved  here  confer. 
 
 together. 
 
 My  Soul  reftifeth  Comfort^  Pfal.  Ixxvii.  2. 
 
 I.  7'/;f^p^.T"T"TAnder  not  forth,  O  my  Soul,  after 
 W    Vanities,  nor  after  lying  MadnefFes  ^ 
 but  be  turned  to  the  LORD  thy  God  j  for  he  is  the 
 Fountain  of  all  Confolation. 
 
 Whatever  thou  Ihalt  look  for  in  Men,  or  in  any 
 Creatures  thou  ihalt  lofe,  and  fhall  be  fenfible  too  of 
 thy  Lofs :  Becaufe,  tho'  fomewhat  of  Comfort  or 
 Eafe  may  appe^r^  yet  nothing  thereof  can  ablde-i  in 
 them. 
 
 Why  deceivefl  thou  thy  felf  for  nought  ?  Surely  it 
 is  a  FoFly  to  beg  of  a  Beggar^  when  a  rich  Perfon  is 
 minded  to  give  thee  enough.  What  more  mad  than 
 to  feek  of  the  Poor ^vf  ho  have  it  notthemfelves,  what 
 the  Rich  are  mofl:  ready  to  give  but  for  asking ! 
 
 Every  Creature  is  as  this  poor  Beggar^  with  refpeft 
 to  Comforts,  which  cannot  help  Tt  felf,  much  lefs 
 another  :  But  GOD  is  the  Rich  One,  who  out  of  the 
 ^  Riches  of  his  Grace,  giveth  to  all  Men  liberally^ 
 
 4     *  ^*    and   Hpbraideth  not  ^    that  is,  provided  thou 
 feek  diligently,  and  wait  patiently.  ■  ^ 
 
 II.  Fhiloth: 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Chk  1ST.  263 
 
 11.  Philoth.  Return,  O  Soul:  Return,  O  Dove,  to 
 th^Noah  in  the  Ark,  to  Chrift  into  the  fecret  Glofet 
 of  thy  Heart  *,  becaufe  it  is  not  fafe  for  thee  to  be  long 
 abroad.  Refufe  to  be  comforted  outwardly^  if  thoa 
 haft  a  mind  to  be  recreated  inwardly. 
 
 Tarry  not  with  the  Raven  without  the  Ark-,  but 
 immediately  flee  from  the  Garcafe.  Being  hungry 
 return  *,  Chrift  fhall  feed  thee  with  the  Bread  of  Hea* 
 ven. 
 
 If  Neceffity  however  Ihould  prefs  thee,  or  Infirmi- 
 ty fhould  now  and  then  keep  thee  withont  ^  take  Heed 
 of  Delay,  come  again  prefently  within^  that  thou  pe- 
 riJh  not  with  the  Deluge  of  Words,  neither  be  caught 
 in  the  Snare  of  the  Tempter. 
 
 Many  are  the  Gins  for  that  Soul  which  loves  to  gad 
 abroad,  and  great  are  the  Securities  and  Prefervations 
 of  that  Dove  which  ufes  fuddenly  to  return  again. 
 Which  when  Ihe  could  fnd  no.  reft  for  the  fole 
 of  her  Foot-i  returned  unto  him  into  the  Ark*  Go  ^cn'"^i'- 
 thou,  and  do  in  like  manner.  Return  unto  thy  Jefus; 
 who  is  reaching  out  his  Hand  unto  thee :  Return  into 
 the  Ark  of  thy  Salvation. 
 
 III.  BlefTed  is  that  Soul  whofe  Gonfcience  is  clean 
 before  God,  and  is  not  captivated  with  any  vain  thing : 
 Neither  is  polluted  with  the  Love,  nor  confumed  a- 
 way  with  the  Hatred  of  any  created  Objed. 
 
 Blefled  is  that  Soul,  which  feeketh  no  Gonfolation 
 from  any  Creature  j  but  placeth  all  her  Hope  in 
 G  OD. 
 
 Blefled  is  that  Soul,  which  rejefteth  all  temporal 
 Reft,  with  whatever  appertains  to  the  Conveniences 
 of  the  Fleffi;  and  freely  embraceth  for  Ghrift's  fake 
 Labour  and  Want. 
 
 •  Blefled  is  that  Soul  which  committeth  it  felf  to 
 God,  that  he  may  do  with  it,  as  it  fliall  feem  good 
 to  him.     '    ^  •   ■ 
 
 Blefled 
 
266 m  ti)t  imitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 Blefled  is  the  Soiil  which  never  feeks  her  own  Glo- 
 ry, never  defires  her  own  WiiJ  to  be  done ,  but  in- 
 tends, loves,  and  purpofes  God's  Glory  and  Will  in 
 all  things  whatever.  • 
 
 BleiTed  ,  in  a  Word  ,  is  the  Sonl  which  alienates 
 her  felf  from  all  manner  of  Temporals  j  and  keeps 
 her  felf  pure,  as  in  the  Prefence  of  God,  in  all  her 
 Ads. 
 
 IV.  Whatfoever  Soul  thou  art,  Handing  in  fiich  a 
 Frame  as  this,  rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad^  for 
 as  much  as  thou  art  made  able  to  converfe  in  the  moft 
 inward  and  Heavenly  Places,  to  abide  in  fecret  Con- 
 templation and  Meditation,  and  to  praife  God  Night 
 and  Day. 
 
 Happy  and  blefled  of  God  is  that  Soul,  whofe  De- 
 fires  are  lifted  upward  :  Whofe  Hands  and  Arms  are 
 Itretched  forth,  as  the  two  Wijjgs  of  the  Cherubims : 
 whofe  Eyes  are  clean,  that  they  may  contemplate 
 GOD. 
 
 All  whofe  Vigour  and  Labour  prefleth  more  deep- 
 ly inward,  and  afcendeth,  and  returneth  not  till  fhe 
 have  found  him,  whom  fhe  loveth  before  all.  And 
 when  fne  lliall  have  found  him,  then  forgetting  all , 
 fhe  folioweth  him  ,  whitherfoever  her  Beloved  ihall 
 pleafe,  and  (hall  lead  her.  For  fo  foon  as  he  fhall 
 fpeak,  fhe  will  rejoyce  at  his  Voice,  which  fays  un- 
 to her^ 
 
 Beloved.  I  am  thy  Beloved:  The  only  one  whom  thou 
 hafl  chofen.  I  am  thy  exceeding  great  Reward,  Be  thou 
 humble  in  Profpcrity ,  and  ftrong  in  Adverfity.  Behold 
 they  that  love  me^  how  they  are  comforted  by  me  I  How 
 pleafantly  f  how  delicioitjly  ^  thinkefl  thou  will  they  be 
 treated^  when  having  pnt  off  all  the  Painfniaefs  of  Bo- 
 dy  and  Souly  they  jJiall  be  received  of  me  into  everlajiing 
 Reft  ! 
 
 V.  Theoph.  O  that  I  might  but  enjoy  fuch  a  Sweet- 
 nefs,  fuch  a  Pkafure,  fuch  a  Delight,  as  thou  0  ho- 
 ly 
 
mf  "  —  ■  '  ^ 
 
 Book  IV.     of  Jesus  Christ.  267 
 
 ly  Soul,  Beloved  of  God,  and  to  him  devoted !  O  that 
 1  might  buta  little  perceive  of  that  fweetTade,  which 
 by  laying  the  Senfes  aileep  the  Soul  is  capacitated  to 
 receive,  when  (he  is  carried  up  into  the  Spirit,  and 
 is  elevated  above  her  felf  into  Embraces  of  her  Belo- 
 ved*, and  is  knit  and  united  to  GOD  by  the  Bond  of 
 intimate  Love. 
 
 0  my  God,  the  Treafure  of  my  Heart,  thou  art 
 not  ignorant,  how  this  v^^ould  be  the  only  Refrefhmenc 
 and  Relief  of  my  Grief,  that  is  hidden  within. 
 
 But  thou  art  the  Beftower  of  this  Undion,  and  the 
 Pourer  of  it  forth ,  out  of  thy  mere  Grace.  Thou 
 teacheft,  thou  exhortefb,  thou  cheri/hefl,  thou  com- 
 forteft,  thou  promoteft  and  fuftaineft  *,  thou  leadeft 
 forward,  and  thou  leadeft  back  j  and  thou  dofl  with 
 the  Soul,  which  thou  haftchofen,  even  as  thou  wilt: 
 And  all  is  good  whatever  thou  dofi'^nd  vclileft. 
 
 1  acknowledge  my  felf  a  Veflel,  that  is,  as  it  were, 
 tainted  and  foured,  and  wholly  unfit  and  unworthy 
 for  thejnfulion  of  thy  good  Spirit:  But  yet  thpu  , 
 Lord,  canft,  and  wilt  (1  hope)  remove  this  accurfed 
 Taint  and  Sournefs.  And  then  i  befeech  thee  to  en- 
 large to  me  the  facred  Emanation  of  this  Spirit,  lb  far 
 as  1  may  be  both  able  to  tafte  the  internal  Sweetnefs 
 of  thy  intimate  Love,  and  to  participate  aforehand  of 
 thofe  Celeflial  Delicacies  and  Dainties  which  thence 
 do  fpring  forth.  For  as  for  that  Soul  which  ftudi- 
 oufly  waiteth  on  thee,  being  emptied  of  her  Mf^  I 
 know  that  thou  wilt  not  difappoint  her  ^  but  wilt  give 
 her,  at  Seafons,  aTaile  hereof. 
 
 And  I  have  even  fcented  from  afar  the  Celeiliil  Spi- 
 ces, as  I  have  been  meditating  on  the  interior  Studies 
 of  the  Mind,   from  an  holy  Soul. 
 
 But  thou,  Lord,  knoweft  how  rare  with  me,  and 
 how  flender  the  Mditation  of  the  eternal  Invifibles 
 \i  i  how  frequently  nought  but  dry  inlipid  Words  ^ 
 
 how 
 
268  ^f  tl^e  gitnitattoiT       Vol.  il 
 
 howgrofs  and  dull  theUnderflanding ;  how  diflur  -  i 
 and  unpacified  theConfcience ;  how  huddled  and  l  i- 
 fufed  all  my  Inwards,  how  unenlightened  and  unde- 
 vout  j  and  that  not  through  any  others,  but  thro -^h 
 my  own  Fault  alone. 
 
 Neverthelefs  feeking  fometimes  the  way  towarc.  the 
 interior  things  of  the  Kingdom  j  and  taking  with  me, 
 in  fecret,  Meditations  and  Refledions,  I  ferioully  fet 
 about  the  Confideration  of  the  Benefits  and  Pri vi le- 
 ges of  an  eledl  Soul  efpoufed  to  Ghrift :  As,  how  great 
 the  Heavenly  Joys  are  ia  the  Heart  of  fuch  an  one^ 
 how  vail  the  Spiritual  Delights  *,  how  ravifhing  the 
 Angelical  Delicacies;  what  manner  of  Peace,  what 
 Tranquillity,  whatSerenenefs,  what  Hope  and  Exul- 
 tation in  God  her  Saviour.  Whofe  Speech  is  fweet, 
 and  Face  pleafant:  Whofe  Stay,  though  fhort, 
 
 *  Is  full  of  rapt'^rom  Pow^r^ 
 A  Jhort^  bnt  fleapng  Hour  ? 
 
 Now  while  I  am  thinking  on  thefe  Matters,  and 
 thou  art  enlightening  my  Darknefs,  I  find  that  thou 
 haft  juft  Complaints  concerning  me :  And  I  feel  and 
 perceive  as  -f-  by  the  little  hidden  Chinks  of  Grace,  that 
 fuch  and  fuch  is  the  Soul  which  is  intimately  united 
 to  thee*,  and  fo  and  fo  thou  fpeakeft  to  her. 
 
 She  is  filentfrom  all  things  fenlible:  And  thou 
 fpeakeft  to  her,  in  Spirit,  of  thofe  that  are  invifible 
 and  infenfible.  She  feems  to  be  as  forfaken  by  all  the 
 Creatures:  And  thou  comforteft  her  by  ways  that  are 
 unutterable. 
 
 *  Et  licet  brev'is  fit  mora. 
 Eft  tamen  grat'iofa  Horn, 
 
 f  FeY  occultfts  GratU  riwulas, 
 
 Again^ 
 
Book  IV.  of  J  E  S  U  S    C  H  Fv  I  S  T.  l6() 
 
 Again  I  f^ake  thefe  things  in  my  Heartj  viz. 
 
 Wo  to  the  finning  Soul,  to  the  dull  Confcience,  to 
 the  lukewarm  Converfation,  that  has  neither  the  Light 
 of  Grace,  nor  the  folacing  Joy  of  the  Spirit ;  To  him 
 that  feeketh  for  Tears,  and  findeth  none. 
 
 Peace  be  to  that  Soul,  which  iincerely  loveth  Chrifi:, 
 and  never  turneth  a  fide  the  Eyes  of  her  Heart  from 
 him  •,  but  always  is  feeking  after  fuch  things  as  are 
 well  pleafing  to  him.  For  in  Peace  and  Righteouf- 
 nefs  fhe  fhall  walk,  and  a  Stranger  fhall  not  intermix 
 with  her  Joy. 
 
 She  fhall  fee  how  good  it  is  to  wait  on  him  in  Still- 
 nefs ,  after  having  flopped  her  own  Adivity :  And 
 fhall  taft  that  the  Lord  her  God,  in  whom  fhe  trult- 
 eth,  is  fweet.  She  will  remove  her  felf  afar  off  from 
 all  external  Tumults :  And  to  her  great  Edification, 
 and  Progrefs,  fhe  will  exped  his  coming ,  as  fhe  is 
 moft  recolledled  inwardly.  Behold,  thus  GOD  doth 
 operate  in  his  chofen  VefTels.  If  any  one  come  unto 
 him,  fuch  fhall  not  be  turned  back  empty :  For  none 
 would  he  have  to  be  turned  away,  who  freely  giveth 
 Water  to  the  Thirfty,  and  Bread  to  the  Hungry. 
 
 O  my  God,  when  thou  fhalt  enter  into  the  Houfe 
 of  the  Soul  that  loveth  thee,  wilt  thou  not  feed  her 
 with  thy  Milk,  and  lead  her  fometimes  out  of,  and 
 beyond  her  felf,  through  the  Abundance  of  thy 
 Sweetnefs,  to  the  end  fhe  may  receive  thee  without  all 
 bodily  Image? 
 
 O  Truth,  Truth!  How  great  is  the  Power  and  A^ 
 divity  of  Love?  How  great  is  its  Worth?  And  its 
 Energy  who  can  find  out? 
 
 Then  fpeakeft  THOU  to  her  thy  Word  moft  fe- 
 crctly,  and  fheweft  her  all  things,  new  and  old,  thofe 
 particularly  that  are  called  the  lafi  things  y  in  moft 
 happy  Fruition,  and  fruitive  Charity,  whereat  all  hu-- 
 
 maa 
 
2  70  sDf  tl)t  ^ImttatfotT       Vol  II 
 
 man  Words  mufl  ceafe.  From  thenceforward  thou 
 makefl  her  mod  fully  to  confide  in  thee  ,  as  to  Reft 
 everlafting,  and  her  Fellowfhip  with  the  Saints  in 
 Blifs:  Forafmoch  as  by  laying  thus  down  before  an 
 Z^r;?^?/?  of  Spiritual  Grace,  thou  makeft  her  llronger, 
 certainly,  both  in  the  Hope  of  fuch  things  as  fhe  be- 
 holdethnot,  and  in  theContempt  of  the  prefeut  things 
 which  fall  under  the  Senfe. 
 
 Then  my  Soul  refufed  to  be  comforted  with  any  of 
 the  things  that  fhe  could  meet  with  in  this  Land  of 
 her  Pilgrimage  *,  and  being  made  thus  to  defpife  all 
 Earthly  Confolations,  in  Comparifon  of  thofe  inefti- 
 mable  ones,  whereof  a  fmall  Earned  had  been  gra- 
 cioufly  given  me.  I  found  how  poor  and  naked  I  was 
 when  that  was  withdrawn.  And  moreover,  1  was 
 greatly //^/?^^jV,  as  being  unable  to  feed  longer  on  the 
 Husks  of  this  World  :  And  in  the  Earnednefs  of  my 
 craving  Hunger,  my  Soul  cryedout,  and  faid  :  "  Be 
 **  mindful  of  me  a  poor  Beggar  (O  Father  mod 
 "  gracious)  through  the  Bowels  of  thy  Mercy:  And 
 *'  fend  down  the  true  Bread  from  Heaven,  the  Good 
 "  WORD,  full  of  Confolation  and  of  Grace,  then 
 he  heard  me> 
 
 Chap. 
 
BooklV>      oCJesus  Christ.  271 
 
 Chap.    XII. 
 
 Of  the  g-reat  Sn'eetnefs  and  Confohtmi  found  in 
 ^         ^  GOD. 
 
 rheofhihis  and  the  B  ELOFE  V. 
 
 ^  J II  my  Bones  jJjallfay^  LORD,  who  is  like  unto  thee^ 
 Pfal.  XXXV.  10. 
 
 Theovh,T  TE  is  One'^  and  lih  to  him  there  is  none: 
 Xj[  And  every  thing  compared  to  him  is  m- 
 thin^.  He  is  my  GOD,  and  my  ALL:  My  intimate 
 Beloved  ,  and  my  molt  faithful  Friend,  who  never 
 forfaketh  any  one  that  loveth  him,  and  freely  alTocia- 
 teth  himfelf  with  whomfoever  is  his  Lover. 
 
 And  if  at  any  time  he  hides  himftlf,  or  permits  the 
 Lover  to  be  flraiten'd  •,  he  doth  this  not  that  he  may 
 calt  away,  but  that  he  may  gather:  Not  for  Reproba- 
 tion'^ but  for  Probation,  for  PMrgation,  and  for  In- 
 ftrnEiion,  or  Information.  He  doth  not  now  therefore 
 at  all  forfake  or  defert ;  but  doth  more  wifely  inftrua: 
 and  inform:  So  as  every  one  may  appear  what  he  is 
 of  himfelf,   and  how  far  he  hath  attained. 
 
 Thou  art  Fair,  my  Beloved,  and  exceeding  Lovely : 
 Yet  not  to  the  Fleih ,  but  to  the  Mind;  not  to  the 
 outward  Eye,  or  Senfe,  but  to  the  inward*,  even  to 
 the  Soul  that  Believeth,  that  hath  a  clean  Heart,  and 
 that  is  of  her  own  accord  fweetly  tranfported  toward 
 Invifible  and  Spiritual Objeas.  Whofocver  therefore 
 is  dejiroiis  of  being  by  Devout  Affedion  united  to 
 thee^  miift  of  neceffity  mortifie  in  himfelf  every  Car- 
 
 Omnia  ojfct  msa  dicent, 
 
 nal 
 
272 €»f  tt>e  gimttatton        Vol.  ii. 
 
 »^/ Affection  ^  and  above  all,  retain  Purenefs  of  Con- 
 fcience,  and  Integrity  of  Heart; 
 
 For  it  is  difpleafing  to  thee,  if  any  one  go  out  to 
 frail  Creatures,  to  beg  of  them  Relief  and  Gonfolati- 
 bn.  Nor  is  there  a  more  egregious  Folly,  than  to  ruii 
 after  them,  for  what  it  is  not  in  their  Power  ever  to 
 give  me. 
 
 For  this  end  thou  calleft  me  Inward ,  that  I  may 
 love  thee  ^  and  commanded,  that  by  Love  I  expedl 
 thee.  For  I  Ihall  be  fure  to  find  thee  as  often  as  in  this 
 Expedation  I  pollpone  my  felf :  And  whenfoever  as 
 thou  willefl,  fo  alfo  I  do  will.  Since  as  often  as  lo- 
 ving thee,  1  expeft  j  and  expeding  thee,  I  prefer  thee 
 before  my  felf  ^  and  thus  preferring  thee,  I  will  ai 
 thou  alloweft  and  willeft*,  nought  can  ever,  I  am  fure, 
 difappoint  me  in  the  Queft  of  thee,  my  Lord. 
 
 And  this  ihall  here  be  all  my  Advantage,-  and  my 
 Benefit,  that  I  may  freely  worfhip,  and  difinterefTedly 
 ferve  Thee:  And  fo  Worfhiping  and  ferving  thee 
 for  thine  own  felf,  may  have  no  concern  at  all  for  the 
 lofs  of  the  Creatures  ^  but,  as  Wholly  fearlefs  of  any 
 Lofing  by  Love  ,  and  againfb  all  Trading  with  Love , 
 may  tend  continually  forward  to  the  Perfe»flion  hereof, 
 in  order  to  arrive  at  the  defired  Unity. 
 
 O  that  I  might  thus  Love,  Worfhip,  and  Serve 
 Thee,  without  fearing  eithr  lofs  through-,  Or  prafti- 
 fing  Avarice  zmh  this  fo  Heavenly  an  Affedion!  And 
 that  nothing  of  Merchandizing,  or  of  U fury,  might 
 creep  at  all  into  it!  For  Love  is  no  llfUrer,  or  Nig- 
 gard :  And  Thou  ,  who  art  the  only  Objed  of  my 
 Love,  approveft  the  Soul  which  loveth  Thee  purely. 
 
 O  that  Soul,  that  bleiTed  Soul,  which  thus  is  one  ! 
 One  in  Life,  and  One  in  Death  with  Thee  alone. 
 
 But  as  for  me  (ah  me!)  I  am  call  out  fir  from  thee, 
 and  often  do  I  go  llraggling  by  another  Way,  loving 
 andpurfuing  after  the  things  that  periQi^  and  this  nei- 
 ther as  1  ought,  with  refped  to  the  Manner,  or  to  the 
 End,  which  is  fiti  4  ^  Ysi 
 
Book  IV-      of  J  E  s  u  s  Christ.  275 
 
 Yet  that  I  perifh  not  together  with  thefe,  O  may  I 
 return  very  fuddenly,  Gonfidering  in  them  thy  Prai- 
 fes,  and  direding  through  them  my  AfFedions  to 
 thee ! 
 
 Do  thou,  O  Lord  my  God,  who  madefl:  AH  Things 
 out  of  Nothing,    make  me  out  of  All  Things  to  iing 
 Lauds  unto  Thee,  glorifying  thine  holy  Name.     For 
 thine  is  the  Power,    thine  is  the  Wifdom, 
 thine  is  the  Goodnefs,  thine  the  Mercy  and  ^^^^^  ^^•.^. 
 CompafTionatenefs,  thine  alfo  the  Everlaft*  r^ "Vh.  ' 
 ing  Majefty  and  Glory:  All  are  thine*,    and 
 thine  for  ever  and  ever  are  all  the  Glories  that  can  be 
 conceived. 
 
 Thy  Kingdom  is  an  Everlafting  Kingdom,  and  thy 
 Dominion  endureth  throughout  all  Ages.  From  Ge- 
 neration to  Generation  thou  art  King :  Thou  difpofelt 
 all  things ,  both  thofe  which  are  above  ,  and  thofe 
 which  are  in  the  Earth  below. 
 
 Thou  knowell  all  things*,  thou  haft  all  things  ia 
 thine  Hand  ^  nothing  refifteth  thee,  nothing  difturb- 
 eth  thee:  But  with  ftillnefs  thou  judgeft  all  things; 
 and  even  the  Rebellious  alfo  thou  fubdueft  to  thy 
 fdf,  and  caufeft  them  too  to  ferve. 
 
 Thou  underftandeft  all  things  which  are  tranfaded 
 in  the  Univerfe*,  and  before  they  are  done,  thou  haft 
 concluded  them  within  a  certain  Bound.  Thou  art 
 the  God  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  the  Creator  and 
 Governor  of  all  things,  Vifibleand  Invifible,  and  the 
 Difpofer  and  Orderer  of  all  Times. 
 
 Preferve ,  I  befeech  thee ,  thy  Servants  all  the 
 World  over,  and  fuch,  in  the  firft  Place,'  as  are  more 
 fpecially  Dedicated  and  Deputed  to  thy  Service  and 
 Miniilry,  wherefoever  they  may  be  difperfed  ,  or 
 howfoever  diflreiTed:  Caufe  them  to  declare^  forth 
 thy  Praifes,  and  with  the  Voice  of  Concord  every 
 where  to  publifh  thy  Glory.  Stir  up  their  Hearts 
 powerfully  in  the  Love  of  Thee*,   and  grant  them 
 
 T  .  Strength 
 
274  ^f  ttft  imitation        Vol. ii- 
 
 Streagch  whereby  they  may  perfed  all  their  Works 
 with  this  Holy  End  ,  and  confummate  them  to  thy 
 Honour  alone. 
 
 O  how  Kind,  how  Sweet,  how  Good  art  Thou  to 
 them  that  love  Thee!  How  Pleafing,  how  Grateful, 
 how  Delicious  to  them  that  tafle  Thee !  They  that 
 have  Experienced  thy  Sweetnefs,  have  learnt  thence 
 both  to  Think  and  Speak  better  concerning  it.  They 
 alone  can  fpeak  thereof  in  fome  Meafure  as  is  fit. 
 
 For  unto  what  can  it  be  compared?  Since  thy  Sweet- 
 nefs  overcometh  every  Sweetnefs  j  and  Sweetneth  eve- 
 ry Bitternefs. 
 
 .  O  LORD  my  God,  Holy  Men  of  Old,  having  the 
 Tafte  thereof,  have  fpoke^  of  Thee^  and  the  Pro- 
 phets have  not  been  filent.  All  the  Saints  that  have 
 ever  been  from  the  Foundation  of  the  World  ,  have 
 believed  in  Thee,  have  ferved  Thee,  '  have  in  their 
 Sacrifices  and  Oblations  worlhipped  Thee,  have  prai- 
 fed  thy„Holy  Name,  have  blefTed  and  magnified  thy 
 Glorious  Majefty,  in  as  much  as  they  have  known 
 Thee  their  Creator,  and  the  Maker  and  Builder  of  all 
 things,  and  have  hoped  in  Thee  above  all  things. 
 
 They  have  known  thee  in  their  Vifions^  for  thou 
 didft  reveal  thy  Name  unto  them :  Befide  thee,  none 
 did  they  know. 
 
 They  kept  the  Law  of  thy  Commandments,  which 
 thougaveft  them ;  they  went  not  after  the  moftfoolifh 
 Inventions  of  falfe  Gods,  but  adored  Thee  only  tlie 
 living  God-^  Thee,  the  Creator  of  all  things,  they  ac- 
 knowledged ,  and  fpake  of  thy  Goodnefs,  and  thy 
 Truth  everlafting,  who  livefl  for  ever  and  ever. 
 
 They  lifted  up  their  Voice  in  the  Confeffion  of  thy 
 Praife:  For  that  thou  from  on  High  didft  pour  into 
 their  Ears,  a  great,  a  mighty  Voice,  faying, 
 Exod  hi.  cc  I  AM  THAT  1  AM.  BEFORE  ME 
 iiat.  xim.  ,,  THERE  WAS  NO  GOD  FORMED: 
 ^'  NEITHER  SHALL  THERE -BE  AFTER  ME. 
 
 *'  I  have 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  1  s  T.  275 
 
 *'  I  have  made  thofe  Things  which  yet  are  to  Be : 
 *'  And  thofe  that  are  pafl  are  not  perifhed  from  my 
 *'  Memory. 
 
 Thefe  Words  hearing,  and  alfo  underftanding^ 
 they  lifted  up  even  afar  ofF  the  Eyes  of  Faith,  belie- 
 ving that  Thou  waft  to  fave  all  the  Ends  of  the  Earth: 
 And  that  he  that  was  to  come,  would  come,  and  would 
 not  Lye. 
 
 Thou  fpakeft  unto  them,  and  faideft,  I,  EVEN  I 
 AM  THE  LORD  :  AND  BESIDE  ME  IS  NO 
 SAVIOUR.  They  heard,  and  believed,  and  hoped  ^ 
 waiting  for  Thee  accordingly  to  come:  who  didit 
 come,  and  didft  not  fail. 
 
 They  foreknowing  then  thefe  things,  which  in  the 
 Fulnefs  of  Time  were  to  come  to  pafs,  were  comforted 
 not  a  little  3  and  vehemently  admiring  the  Prefence 
 of  the  Majefty  that  was  to  prefentiate  it  felf  Bodily, 
 through  Aftonifhment  they  fainted  away,  and  there 
 remained  in  them  no  Strength  or  Comelinefs. 
 
 When  taking  a  little  Breath,  and  coming  to  them- 
 felves  again,  as  through  Joy  beholding  the  Power  of 
 God  that  was  coming,  they  could  not  forbear  to  burlt 
 out  after  fuch  a  manner  as  this,  and  fay:  ^'  He,  e- 
 *'  ven  He  is  the  Lord  our  God ;  and  there  is  none  be- 
 *^  fides.  He  hath  Begun,  and  he  will  fave  .  .. 
 «  us.  He  cannot  deny  HIMSELF^  hecanfe  ^  '^^^'  "* 
 "  He  is  True, 
 
 "  As  we  have  Heard,  fo  alfo  have  we  Seen  j  as  we 
 *'  have  Believed,  fo  alfo  do  we  Speak,  and 
 ''  bear  witnefs  to  the  Truth.     Once  hath     i  John  u 
 *'  GOD  Spoken :  He  faid  the  Word,  and 
 "  theyweremade.     Hefaid,  MY  GOUN.     PfaUxxiif, 
 "  SEL  SHALL  STAND:  But  yours,  O    Ifai.xlvi. 
 ''  Children  of  Men,  Ihall  perilh. 
 
 "  Wo  to  them  that  devife  Iniquity,  that  imagine 
 '^  tothemfelves  what  is  ufelefs,  and  that       .    ., 
 *^  having  heard  ,   deride  the  Words  of    ^''''  "' 
 
 T  2  "GOD 
 
27^  ^f  ti)t  limitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 **  GOD  moil  High.  Wo  unto  you  who  carve  out  of 
 ''  your  owu  Heart  Wifdom ,  and  who  in  your  own 
 *'  Power  are  exalted.  Wo  unto  yon  who  do  feign 
 ^'  a  Religion  out  of  your  own  Brain,  and  are  lifted 
 "  up  in  your  own  Strength  and  Policy. 
 
 ''  Hear  the  Word  of  the  LORD,  ye  that  feek  the 
 ''  LORD,  and  know  that  He  hath  a  Con- 
 Hof.  IV.  u  troverfiewiththelnhabitantsoftheEarth, 
 «'  and  that  his  Judgment  is  with  the  ftrong  Foundati- 
 *'  ons  thereof-,  becaufe  there  is  no  Wifdom,  no  Pow- 
 **  er,  no  Truth  in  Man. 
 
 '^  O  hear  his  Voice!  Hear,  O  ye  Mountains,  the 
 "  Lord's  Controverfie ;  and  let  the  Hills  hear  the 
 "  Voice  of  his  Judgment ,  and  bow  down  thereat. 
 *'  Why  will  ye  be  as  the  deaf  Adder?  It  is  not  good 
 *'  that  ye  be  turned  afide  :  Stand  ye,  and  confider  his 
 "  Ways.  Turn  again ,  O  turn  again ,  and  come  ; 
 *'  freely  he  will  receive  you:  For  Merciful  and  Gra- 
 *'  cious  is  the  Lord. 
 
 "  He  keepeth  not  Wrath,  as  Man^  but 
 Ex.  xxsir.  u  pardoneth  Sins  and  TranrgvcflTioas,  and 
 tfof]  xt  '^  moreover  will  rellore  the  former  with 
 *^  the  latter  Grace.  Only  be  ye  converted 
 ''  with  all  your  Hearty  and  give  your  felves  unto  him, 
 "  to  ferve  him  with  a  faithful  Mind. 
 
 Thefe  are  the  Saints  Words  founding  in  my  Ears. 
 
 As  Mufick  at  a  Banquet ,  and  as  Incenfe  fuming 
 from  the  Cenfer,  fo  is  the  Word  of  God  in  a  pure 
 Heart.  Even  fo  thy  Saints,  O  Lord,  being  filled  with 
 thy  Spirit,  have  for  a  Memorial  of  moft  fweet  Savour, 
 expreflcd  forth  th6  Abundance  of  thy  Sweetnefs  to- 
 ward them :  and  have  left  their  Expreflions,  and  Ex- 
 perimental Sayings,  to  be  ex  pre  fled  forth  again  by  me, 
 as  out  of  a  deep  ground  of  the  Heart  riling  up,  and 
 afcending  to  Heaven  in  a  Pillar  of  Fire. 
 
 But  my  Sp;;ech  is  commonly  enclofed,  and  fhut  up 
 in  ftraic  Limits,  and  hard  Confinements  ^  fo  that  ic 
 
 Hath 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  K  I  s  T.  277 
 
 hath  no  room  to  afcend.  Ncverthelefs  if  Fire  come 
 down  from  above,  then  fhall  my  Speech  aifo  be  all 
 on  fire:  And  my  Words  fhall  afcend  up  into  thy  ho- 
 ly Tabernacle.  Then,  then  fhall  I  fpeak,  as  with  a 
 fiery  Tongue^  of  the  fuperabounding  Sweetnefs  of  thy 
 Love:  and  my  enlarged  Soul  fhall  have  room  to  mount, 
 and  freely  to  play,  in  the  mofb  ravifhing  and  melodi- 
 ous Exercife  of  thy  Praifes. 
 
 This  holy  Fire  of  Love  defcending  on  me,  and  fil- 
 ling me,  my  Words  will  then  furely  be  Words  tried 
 in  the  Fire,  And  as  it  Ihall  wax  within  me  hotter 
 and  hotter,  it  muft  needs  even  confume  me:  that  is, 
 confume  all  that  I  am  in  my  felf. 
 
 I  fhall  not,  I  cannot,  hence  fubfilt  before  it:  All 
 Self-hood  cannot  but  here  evanifh  and  difappear. 
 For  as  Chaff  by  the  Wind,  {o  fhall  all  Sadnefs,  be- 
 caufe  it  is  grounded  in  Self  ^  with  all  manner  of 
 Earthiinefs,  and  all  Superfluity  of  Naughtinefs,  here- 
 by be  driven  from  the  Heart:  And  even  as  Ruft  is  by 
 the  Fire,  fo  fhall  by  it  my  Sins  be  utterly  confumed. 
 The  Divine  Fire  burning  up  all  things,  fhall  thus 
 cleanfe  the  Floor  of  my  Heart. 
 
 O  let  this  Fire  burn  in  me,  and  having  burnt  up 
 all  that  is  of  me,  create  in  me  a  clean  Heart  I  O  let 
 it  come  quickly,  yea,  quickly  !  that  I  herewith  may 
 be  enfired  and  renewed*  Come,  O  Fire,  come !  Enkin- 
 dle me:  Touch  me  but  a  little,  and  I  fhall  fly  away. 
 
 How  of  a  fuddendoth  it  Transform!  Behold!  by  it 
 I  am  quite  another  than  1  was!  O  BlelTed  Defcenfion  of 
 this  Fire,  this  fweet  Fire !  O  mofl  Bleffed  Afcenfion  of 
 this  mofl  powerful,  this  moft  rapturous  Flame  of  Love! 
 
 All  Old  Things  fhall  now  with  me  pafs  away ; 
 and  in  their  ftead  the  New  Things  fhall  in  all  abun- 
 dance fucceed :  and  Holy  Defires  fhall  flow  and  o- 
 verflow.  And  they  fhall  rife  up  together  on  every 
 fide,  and  fhall  go  forth  wherefoever  the  Spirit  blow- 
 €th,  and  fannech  with  his  all-cherifhing  Breath,  There 
 
 T  3  fcall 
 
278  M  tl^c  imitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 ■  — — —    '1  ' ' 
 
 Iha'il  be  no  Fear  more^  but  Love  fhall  fill  all:  And 
 Tribulation  fhall  then  ceafe  ^  for  this  Change  is  the 
 Cha.ige  of  the  Kight  Hand  of  the  Lord :  And  no  more 
 hencetbrth  fhall  there  be  any  Shakings.  The  Right 
 Hand  of  the  Lord  hath  done  it. 
 
 That  therefore  which  I  fpeak,  is  the  Praife  not  of 
 m,  nor  of  any  Creature,  but  of  Him.  Confolatioa 
 is  i>nt  to  the  Mourner^  Bread  is  given  to  the  Beggar, 
 and  rood  difperfed  to  him  that  hungereth^  the  Thir- 
 fty  hath  received  a  comforting  Draught*,  the  Healing 
 Hand  is  laid  upon  the  Sick^  the  wearied  Traveller 
 hath  a  Staff  given  him  to  lean  on ;  he  that  before  halt- 
 ed, is  made  to  leap  and  fing  in  God's  Ways^  to  the 
 Wanderer  a  Guide  is  come ,  and  to  the  Staggerer  a 
 firm  Support^  he  that  was  Fainting  hath  now  recove- 
 red Strength,  and  he  that  was  Tired  hath  found  Red. 
 To  him  that  was  in  Defpair,  a  Light  is  feen  to  arife*, 
 even  a  Light  new,  and  never  feen  by  him  before  :  And 
 to  him  that  cried,  yea  cried  aloud,  and  in  the  Bitter- 
 nefs  of  his  Soul,  an  Anfwer  is  brought,  an  Anfwer  of 
 Joy  and  Confolation. 
 
 I  was  Dim  in  my  Sight,  very  Dim  and  Dark*,  and 
 my  Darknefs  is  taken  away:  So  that  in  the  Light  of 
 my  God  I  now  behold  Light.  I  was  Ignorant,  and  the 
 Way  was  fhewn  me  ^  I  knocked,  and  prefently  the  Door 
 was  opened  to  me  ^  1  groaned  for  my  Error,  and  the 
 Truth  was  prclent  with  me:  When  I  wavered,  u4Htho- 
 r/fyftepped  in  tofuccour  me  ^  and  when  I  affectionate- 
 ly fought  her,  my  Mother  Charity  met  me,  prefenting 
 her  felf  to  me;  And  as  I  was  longing  to  difcourfewith 
 my  Beloved,  behold  he  himfelf,  with  a  great  deal  of 
 Tendernefs,  meets  me  too  ;  and  being  exceeding  glad 
 of  this  Meeting,  yea,  gladder  than  I  my  felf  could 
 be,  thus  He  addreifeth  himfelf  to  me : 
 
 Beloved.  ''  Lo!  I  am  prefent  with  thee,  tell  me 
 "  what  this  new  thing  is  that  hath  happened  unto 
 *'  thee.     But  fee  it  ilip  not  from  thee,  ia  this  Excefs 
 
 of 
 
BooklV.        of  Jesus  Christ.  279 
 
 *'  of  thy  Joy,  what  thou  art  both  to  f^jfer^   and  to 
 "  do^  for  My  Name  fake. 
 
 Now  as  I  was  willing  to  go  forward  along  with  him, 
 he  did  not  prohibit  me  at  all.  So  I  prefentiy  afcended : 
 and  I  forgat  whatever  Trouble  I  had. 
 
 Then  was  I  defirous  to  abide  and  dwell  with  Him. 
 And  as  I  was  thus  defirous  to  flay  there,  and  go  no 
 more  from  him,  hewasnot  willing  to  grieve  me;  but 
 with  foft  and  gentle  Words  declared  to  me,  how  that 
 for  the  prefent  it  was  not  convenient  fo  to  be. 
 
 Beloved,  "  Thy  Defire  (faith  he)  is  good,  and  well- 
 "  pleafing  is  the  Prayer  which  thou  haft  prefented 
 ''  unto  me :  But  it  is  meet  yet  for  a  while  to  be  defer- 
 **  red.  Go  thou,  and  return  back  then  into  thine 
 "  Houfe;  and  declare  to  thofe  of  thy  Spiritual  Con- 
 ''  fanguinity,  how  great  things  the  Lord  hath  done 
 unto  thee.  And  fay  unto  them :  Prepare  ye  every 
 one  your  Hearts  \  and  lay  afide  the  heavy  Bptrthen 
 that  deprejfeth  yon  to  the  Earth  ;  and  be  ye  Camiomj 
 and  V all  ant -i  again fl  the  Snares  of  the  Evil  One. 
 Watch  ye -i  and  Pray^  that  ye  enter  not  into 
 *'  Temptation,  The  Time  is  near  :  See  that  ^^^^'  xxvi. 
 /  find  yoii  ready.     Behold.^  I  have  foretold  yon* 
 
 cc 
 
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 \" 
 
 T  4  Chap* 
 
28o  0f  tf^t  gimitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 Chap.    XIIL 
 
 Of  the  Only  and  Snpre?ne  GOOD :  And  the  Ma?u 
 tier  of  Seeking  it, 
 
 Thilothea  and  Theofhilm:  Who  are  both  Vifitfd  by  the 
 
 Beloved, 
 
 Say  unto  my  SohI^  I  am  thy  Salvation^  Pfal.  xxxv.  3. 
 
 I./^  How  Noble  art  thou,  O  Soul!  and  how  won- 
 
 \J  derful  a  Power  in  thee  lies  hidden*,  who  canll 
 not  reft,  before  thou  haft  reached  the  Sovereign  Good^ 
 .and  found  the  Vltimate  End !  Which  being  known 
 and  found,  thy  Motion  then  ceafeth. 
 
 Philoth,  O  GOOD,  that  art  above  every  Good ! 
 and  END,  without  End ^  when  ftall  I  enjoy  Thee 
 without  Meafure,  and  without  End?  It  muft  not  be 
 denied,  but  that  I  find  many  Good  Things  here,  even 
 in  my  Paffage  to  thee*,  but  which  do  Refrefti  only, 
 not  Satisfie.  And  if  thefe  fatisfie  not^  let  them  be 
 never  fo  many^  or  feem  never  ib  greats  in  vain  is  the 
 Soul  carefitl  or  tronhled  about  them. 
 
 JB/it  ONE  is  Ncedfid.  This  One  Thing 
 Luke  X.  needful  I  fcek:  This  Owe  I  defire.  For  the 
 fake  of  One  are  All  Things*,  and  out  of  OnQ  are  Ail 
 Things.  If  I  can  but  have  This,  I  fliall  be  content- 
 ed :  And  unlefs  I  do  obtain  it,  I  ftiall  be  always  flu- 
 ctuating and  wavering  j  for  many  things  cannot  fill  me. 
 
 Theofh.  And  I  faid,  what  is  this  ONE? 
 
 II.  Philoth.  I  knovy  not  what  to  fay :  Yet  this  I  know, 
 and  this  I  feel,  that'I  want  it,  and  that  I  defire  it  al- 
 fo:  And  that  nothing  either  is,  or  can  be  fo  much  as 
 phought  on,  Better  or  Greater  than  it. 
 
Book  IV.      ofjESUsCHRisT.  281 
 
 For  this  is  not  One  amongji  All  \  but  is  One  above 
 All.  It  is  MY  GOD,  to  whom,  and  in  whom,  it  is 
 good  for  me  to  Adhere^  and  Inhere.  Yea,  exceeding 
 good  it  is  for  me  to  cleave  unto  him  ,  and  him  only : 
 And  in  (as  well  as  for)  him  only  to  live,  by  his 
 Spirit  living  in  me.  To  him  1  fay,  to  him  1  cry,  to 
 him  I  call  aloud  :  Say  unto  my  Soul^  I  AM  THY 
 SALVATION. 
 
 What  is  there  beyond  this  that  thou  longeft  for,  O 
 Soul  full  of  De fires?  What  is  there  now^  that  thou 
 coveteft  after  befides?  Is  it  not  better  that  thou  adhere 
 to  One,  than  to  many  ?  Out  of  One  Many  are :  Not 
 out  of  Many  ONE. 
 
 Ceafe  then  to  leek  after  thefe  Many  :  Join  thy  felf 
 to  One  '-y  cleave  to  One.  In  One  the  whole  doth  coa- 
 lif!:.  And  this  is  the  WHOLE  oj Man.  it  is  his  whole 
 Duty,   and  his  whole  Intereft. 
 
 Let  others  feek  Many  and  Various  things  Without : 
 Do  thou  feek  the  One,  the  Inward  Good  j  and  it 
 fufficeth  for  thee. 
 
 III.  Here  is  One  that  is  defirous  of  a  pleafant  Coun- 
 try Seat ;  another  loves  more  the  City ,  and  his 
 Thoughts  perhaps  are  taken  up  with  Merchandizing  : 
 This  Man  is  for  heaping  up  to  himfelf  much  Silver 
 and  Gold  ;  but  that  is  more  carried  away  after  Plea- 
 fures,  as  another  is  after  Honours:  Again  fome  feek 
 after  the  Company  and  Diverfion  of  Friends  and  Re- 
 lations ^  and  fome  fpend  their  time  in  Vifits  of  ano- 
 ther Nature,  and  difdain  not  for  this  to  itudy  all  the  lit- 
 tle trifling  Arts  of  Converfation  :  One  has  an  itch 
 forfooth  to  view  Towns  and  Caltles*,  and  another  to 
 obferve  Men,. and  Manners:  Some  have  the  Curiofi- 
 ty  too  of  rair+bling  here  and  there,  only  to  pick  up 
 what  Rubbifh  they  can  find  of  the  old  Tower  oiCon- 
 fufion^  though  they  go  even  to  the  World's  End  for 
 •it*,  but  others  are  pleafed  better  to  fit  at  home  u^on 
 their  Qwu  L^e^^  and  ther^  dream  away  their  Lives,  ii^ 
 '  '      '      '      ■   '  ^"        ■  ^   ■■    ■  foUQwii;g 
 
382  fSIH  ti^t  imitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 following  blindly  their  own  fond  and  broken  Inven- 
 tions :  Oneaimeth  at  Humane  Wifdom  and  Learnings 
 as  if  there  were  nothing  beyond  it;  another  is  greedy 
 of  Povfer,  whether  it  be  Civil  or  Ecclefiaflical :  Some 
 carry  their  Ambition  into  the  Field,  and  think  of  no 
 Glory  but  what  is  to  be  won  in  Battles  and  Sieges  y  and 
 fome  again  at  Home  are  as  much,  or  more,  pleafed 
 to  entertain  themfelves  but  with  hearing  or  reading 
 fheNews  thereof :  The  Head  of  one  is  always  full  of 
 Proclamations  and  Matters  of  State  *,  but  of  another  it 
 jsonly  of  private  Amufements  and  petty  Toys :  To 
 one  nothing  is  more  pleafant  than  the  Walking  and 
 Rambling  of  the  Soul ;  but  to  another  better  is  tht 
 Sight  of  the  Eye^  with  the  Lull  thereof,  than  the  Walk- 
 i77g  afthe  Souiy  or  Wandring  of  the  Defire  :  And,  in  a 
 word,  there  is  no  end  of  the  flrange  Variety  of  Per- 
 fon's  Choices,  and  of  their  Chimerical  Purfuits  in  one 
 as  well  as  the  other  kind,  with  their  daily  Changes 
 and  Revolutions  ^  fo  long  as  they  ftand  in  the  Mnlti- 
 flicity,  and  are  far  off  from  the  ZJmty. 
 
 For  in  this  manner  one  is  for  this,  another  for  that 
 
 thing,  and  even  the  fame  Perfon  both  for  this  and 
 
 that  too  at  different  times ;  whereby  is  built  up,  and 
 
 maintain'd,  m  the  World,  that  great  City  of  Confn- 
 
 fon^  whofe  Foundations  are  on  the  Waters^  yea  on 
 
 many  Waters.     But  wo  unto  him,  that  buildeth  on  the 
 
 Waters :  And  that,  negleding  the  one  thing  necefla- 
 
 ry,  troubles  himfejf  about  the  many  that-are  unnecef- 
 
 fary  ^  while  he  adheres  not  to  the  Rock,  but  is  tofled 
 
 iiithcr  and  thither  continually  by  the  Waves  of  his 
 
 own  Imagination^ 
 
 IV.  Thus  uncertain  generally  are  the  Refearchesof 
 Mortals,  while  they  feek  after  Good  :;  by  departing 
 from  the  one  only  Fountain  of  Goodnefs,  and  hew- 
 ing out  fuch  and  fuch  Cifterns  to  themfelves  in  the 
 Creatures,  which  are  not  at  all  fit  to  contain  or  giv© 
 forth  fo  much  as  one  Drop  of  true  and  folid  Confo^ 
 ia:ion.  Behold, 
 
Book  IV.     of  Jesus  Christ.  283 
 
 Behold,  how  every  one,  in  his  Imagination,  rea- 
 ches forth  his  hand  to  this,  or  that.  Fruit  of  the 
 Creatures  ;  becaufe  it  is  fleafant  to  their  Eyes,  For  thus 
 it  is  both  in  the  fecular  and  Spiritual  State:  Since  in 
 the  latter,  no  lefs  than  in  the  former,  one  is  taken 
 chiefly  with  fleafant  fenfations  j  another  would  be 
 thought  Greater  ;  and  a  third  Wifer  than  the  reft : 
 And  fome  are  for  this  farty  and  others  for  that,  with 
 refped  to  each  of  thele,  as,  of  Pleafure,  Grandeur, 
 Wifdom,  or  the  like. 
 
 Broad  indeed  is  this  Way,  wherein  every  one  feek- 
 eth  after,  and  diverteth  himftlf  with,  what  feemeth 
 Good  to  him :  And  many,  many  they  be  that  go  in 
 thereat",  whofe  End  is  Deftrudion,  unlefs  they  re- 
 pent. Having  forfaken  One  to  feek  Many,  they  muft 
 forfake  again  Many  to  feek  One^  and  to  feek  it  alio 
 Onely, 
 
 Few  there  be  that  feek  ONE  :  And  fewer  flill  that 
 feek  this  ONE  for  the  fake  of  ONE  :  But  feweft  they 
 that  feek  it  for  its  own  fake  (not  only  principally^ 
 but,)  purely  and /imply. 
 
 And  hence  it  is  they  neither  find  a  fettled  Peace ;; 
 nor  have  a  true  relifh  of  inward  Grace- 
 
 For  they  that  are  Chrifl's  cannot  mind  the  things 
 below,  or  without :  They  are  like  to  get  nothing  but 
 rather  to  lofe,  by  abounding  with  thefe.  If  they  are 
 his,  they  muit  love  him  for  himfelf,  and  purely  for 
 himfelf:  And  this  can  never  be  done  without  the 
 greatell  Simplicity^  and  Singlenefs.  Lay  this  to  thy 
 Heart. 
 
 V.  Theoph.  Do  not  then,  O  fimple  and  devout  Soul, 
 fuch  things  as  fo  many  (even  almoft  al])  are  feeking, 
 ^nd  purfuing  after,  appertain  alfo  to  thee  ?  . 
 
 Fhiloth,  No,  verily. 
 
 Theoph.  That  is  ftrange-  Is  there  noConflderatioi^ 
 gf  Temporals  to  be  had  in  a  Life  that  is  Teniporal  i 
 
 3  fhiUthi 
 
2  84  !SDf  tije  imitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 Phlloth.  None  in  Confideration  of  Him  whom  thou 
 feekeft,  if  thou  feekeft  him  tmly  :  For  if  thou  loveft 
 him,  and  feekeft  him,  as  thou  oughteft,  that  is,  in 
 Purity  and  Simplicity  ;  thou  wilt  for  certain  be  molt 
 ready  to  quit  and  forfake  all  things  for  Love  of  him, 
 and  wilt  commit  thy  felf  entirely  into  his  hands  both 
 as  to  Soul  and  Body,  without  any  manner  of  Solici- 
 tude for  the  many  things  which  commonly  are  de- 
 iired. 
 
 Theoph.  This  will  feem  an  hard  Saying  to  mott. 
 
 Thiloth.  But  let  it  feem  never  fo  hard  to  any,-  we 
 are  fure  that  our  Beloved  has  told  us,  who  is  the 
 ONE  among  Ten  Thoufands,  that  we  mufl  not  ex- 
 ped  that  he  will  own  us  for  his,  unlefs  that  we  for 
 his  fake  forfake  all  things* 
 
 Hark  !  Hear  his  own  Voice. 
 
 VI.  Beloved,  "  If  any  Man  will  come  after  me,  let 
 *'  him  deny  himfelf,  taking  up  his  Crofs  in  all  things, 
 "  to  follow  me.  For  if  he  think  to  fave  his  Life,  by 
 *'  Carefulnefs  about  many  things,  he  fhall  certainly 
 *'  lofe  it :  On  the  contrary,  whofoever  is  content  to 
 ^'  lofe  his  Life,  and  all  that  he  hath,  for  my  fake,  fhall 
 '^  not  fail  to  find  it  again  in  the  Regeneration. 
 
 Philoth.  Let  my  Lord  fpeak  on  :  For  1  know  that 
 with  thee  are  the  Words  of  Truth. 
 
 Beloved.  '^  If  any  one  come  to  me,  and  hate  not, 
 ''  for  the  Love  of  me,  what  he  Naturally  loveth,  as 
 "  hii  Father^  and  Mother .^  and  other  deareft  Relations, 
 *'  yea  and  his  own  Life  alfo  ^  he  cannot  be  my  Difci-^ 
 '^  pie.     Verily,  Verily,  he  is  not  worthy  of  me.    . 
 
 Philoth.  He  is  not  worthy  of  thee  indeed,  O  Sove- 
 reign Good.  Let  me  lofe  therefore  all  things,  that 
 I  may  but  find  thee :  Yea,  let  me  lofe  my  felf^  that  I 
 may  but  find,  and  polfefs,  and  keep  that  One^  that 
 Onely  One^  that  I  love. 
 
 Theoph.  Are  all  then  to  be  lod,  all  to  be  forfaken, 
 all  to  be  hated  and  defpifed,  for  the  fake  oione  ?  An4 
 \%  thjin'e  no  Exception  at  all  \  fl^^Mk^^ 
 
Book  IV.        of  Jesus  C  HR  1ST.        285 
 
 Philoth.  Thou  hearefl:  that  thou  art  commanded  to 
 forfakeall,  as  if  thou  hadft  a  perfed  Hatred  for  them, 
 whenever  they  ftand  in  the  leaft  Competition  with  the 
 Chief  Good^  or  rather  the  Only  Good.  The  Prohibi- 
 tion equally  lies  againfl:  All,  none  excepted.  If  thou 
 haft  an  Ear  to  hear,  thou  muft  have  heard  it,  I  fay, 
 heard  it  in  the  fulleft  and  moftexpreflive  Terms.  And 
 where  no  Limitation  or  Exclulion  is  made,  fee  that 
 thou  make  none  to  thy  felf. 
 
 VII.  Theopb*  1  hear,  O  holy  and  devout  Soul,  what 
 the  Beloved  hath  commanded :  But  lo  !  I  have  been 
 carried  into  the  Wildernefs,  that  I  might  be  there 
 tempted.  And  while  the  Beloved  withdrew,  the 
 Tempter  came  ^  and  carrying,  me  in  the  Spirit,  up 
 to  an  exceeding  high  Mountain,  gave  me  a  Profped 
 of  all  the  Riches  and  Pleafures  that  are  in  all  the  Crea- 
 tures, telling  me  that  thefe  were  all  mine,  and  quo-« 
 ting  feveral  Scriptures  alfo  to  prove  what  he  afferted. 
 And  then  with  a  ftrong  AfTeveration  he  concluded, 
 that  thefe  were  all  as  much  made  for  Man,  as  Man  was 
 made  for  God. 
 
 Philoth.  He  is  a  cunning  Sophifter,  thou  knoweft: 
 And  will  dextroufly  blend  Truth  with  Falfhood.  Let 
 him  pretend  never  fo  much  Kindnefs  to  thee,  and 
 fpeak  alfo  never  fo  much  Truth,  be  fure  to  turn 
 away  thine  Ear:  For  under  the  fhew  of  Kindnefs,  and 
 the  covert  of  Truth,  the  Snare  is  laid  for  thee.  Stay 
 not  to  plead  with  him  •,  let  him  ufe  the  Rhetorick  of 
 an  Angel :  But  fay  to  him  roundly,  Get  thee  behind 
 me^  Satan^  even  when  he  is  transformed  into  a  Figure 
 moil;  unlike  his  own^  and  when  he  is  drawing  all  his 
 Arrows  out  of  the  very  Scriptures  themfelves. 
 
 Theopk  This  is  very  ordinary,  I  find,  with  him  : 
 That  he  may  thereby  divert  the  Soul  from  her  pur- 
 fuit  after  her  Beloved,  For  by  diftradling  her  among 
 the  many  things^  which  he  has  learnt  craftily  to  call 
 Creatnrely^  Blejjmgs^  his  Delign  is  evidently  no  other, 
 
 than 
 
286  fiDf  tije  3)twitation       Voi.ri. 
 
 m '       ■      I    I       I  ■■»! ■     III  II   ■■-  ■-  -    ■■■'      ■  "»  ■  ■■  ■■  — ^M^i^^^^— I  i^i^w^ 
 
 than  that  flie  be  wheedled  in  hereby  at  laft,  to  give  to 
 him  that  very  Homage,  and  Worfliip,  which  is  du« 
 to  none  but  to  the  'Beloved, 
 
 Philorh.  Nay  the  Soul  being  carried  out  into  the 
 Creatures,  and  fet  upon  this  great  Mountain,  he  pre- 
 fently  cafts  fuch  a  Mifl  before  her  Eye,  as  flie  moft 
 cafily  miflakes  him  for  the  Beloved^  as  who  is  then 
 withdrawn :  And  fo  (he  falls  down  and  worfliips  him  •, 
 but  knows  not,  fo  long  as  the  Mill  abides,  whom  it 
 is  fhe  worfhips. 
 
 Theoph.  How  is  this  ?  Satan,  Satan,  get  thee  behind ; 
 if  it  be  fo.  Yea,  with  all  thy  fair  ofers  get  thee  he* 
 hind  me :  I  have  need  of  none  of  them.  The  LORD 
 my  God  is  One  :  He,  even  he  is  fufficient.  And  he 
 has  faid  to  me,  I  am  thy  Salvation.  For  I  am  by  ma- 
 ny Titles  His :  And  I  will  worlhip  him  only,  and 
 him  only  will  I  ferve. 
 
 VIII.  But  yet  there  is  a  Law  in  my  Members  that 
 draweth  me  back.  ——And  doth  any  Man  hate  his 
 own  Flefh  ?  Tell  me  then,  I  pray,  what  1  am  to  do 
 with  the  Flejh. 
 
 Philoth.  Brother,  we  are  not  Debtors  to  the  Flefli, 
 to  live  after  the  Flefh.  For  if  thou  liveft  after  the 
 Flefh,  tofatisfie  the  Cravings  thereof,  thou  flialt  fure- 
 ly  die:  But  if  thou,  through  the  Spirit,  dofl  morti- 
 fie  the  Deeds  of  the  Body  ^  thou  flialt  live,  yea  in  li- 
 ving thou  fhalt  live,  and  the  fecond  Death  fhall  have 
 no  Power  over  thee. 
 
 The  Of  h.  But  how  fhall  I  know  this  ? 
 
 Philoth.  The  Spirit  it  felf  fhall  bear  Witnefs  with 
 thy  Spirit,  that  thou  art  numbred  among  the  Sons 
 of  God,  and  Heirs  of  his  Heavenly  Kingdom  :  And 
 extinguifhing  in  thee  all  Temporal  and  Earthly  De- 
 fires,  fhall  bring  thee  into  the  true  Liberty  of  the 
 Sjirit. 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  287 
 
 Thtopk  Then  1  perceive  there  is  no  fuch  thing  as 
 true  Spiritual  Liberty^  without  the  Extindion  of  every 
 Defire  after  Temporal  and  Terrene  Objeds. 
 Philoth.  There  is  none  moft  certainly. 
 Theoph.  Do  none  of  thefe  touch  thee,  O  devout 
 Soul,  who  art  His  Heir,  whofe  ar&all  the  Kingdoms 
 of  the  Earth  ? 
 
 Philoth.  They  touch  me  not  •,  and  I  touch  not  them. 
 My  Father  may  give  me  what  feems  to  him  good :  I 
 difpute  not  his  Will,  whether  it  be  to  give,  or  to 
 take.  I  am  in  his  Hand  :  And  his  Will  is  undoubted- 
 ly bell.  He  has  taught  me  both  how  to  want,  and 
 how  to  abound:  And  having  nothing,  he  has  made 
 me  to  pofTefs  all  things;  for  which  ever  blefled  be  his 
 Name.  Therefore  in  the  midfl  of  all  I  will  adhere  to 
 him  alone  ;  who  is  himielf  become  my  Portion,  and 
 my  Inheritance :  That  I  may  not  go  forth  to  feek  for 
 it  into  the  Creatures. 
 
 Theoph,  What  fayeft  thou  then  to  all  the  Pomp,  and 
 Grandeur,  and  Power,  and  Wealth,  and  PJeafure, 
 which  is  every  where  at  this  Day  fo  greedily  courted  : 
 And  that  not  by  Seculars  only,  as  I  lee,  but  even  by 
 Churchmen  ? 
 
 Philoth,  I  forfake  them  all :  For  the  Objcifl  of  my 
 Love  is  one,  and  one  only.  This  is  the  Good  that  i 
 long  for  :  The  One  Good,  even  my  Good, 
 
 All  befide,  and  all  without  this,  are  to  me  Canity ^ 
 and  Nothing.  All  that  would  draw  me  from  this,  arc 
 Vexation^  and  Death.  I  deteft  all,  I  hate  all,  1  defic 
 all:  All  and  every  thing  do  1  perfedly  abhor,  that 
 would  feparate  me  from  this  One,  which  is  a  thou- 
 fand,  yea  Millions  of  times  better  to  me  than  all  the 
 World. 
 
 What  fhall  feparate  m.e  from  it?  Shall  Angels^  or 
 Trincipdities ,   or  Powers  ?    no  verily  :    Not  any  of 
 thefe.     Shall  the  things  prefent  of  this  Life,  or  thifjgs 
 to  come  of  the  next  -,  Vilibles,  or  Inviilbles  j  Tempo- 
 ral 
 
288 m  ti)t  gimttatton        Vol  IL 
 
 ral,  or  Eternal  Forms  and  Beauties  ?  Verily,  verily, 
 none  of  thefe  at  all.  Nor  Height ^  nor  Dcpthy  ?ior  any 
 ether  Creature^  can  do  this. 
 
 IX.  Theofh.  O  Blefled  and  moft  deflrable  State, 
 to  adhere  to  the  One  Fountain  of  Good  !  How  meet 
 and  right  is  it,  that  I  forfake  all  things  in  order  to 
 cleave  to  it !  How  juft,  that  I  deteft  every  thing  that 
 would  in  the  lead  feparate  me  from  it !  Farewel  then, 
 all  things  for  the  fake  of  this  One:  Farewel,  1  fay* 
 I  defpife  you  all  for  the  fake  of  this  my  Beloved^  the 
 One,  the  Onely  One,  that  Virgin  Souls  admire,  love 
 and  follow. 
 
 For  this  one  thing  have  I  defired,  that  I  may  obtain 
 and  pofTefs  this  One,  whatever  I  lofe  hereby.  Great 
 I  know,  will  be  my  Gain,  by  lofing  all  things  to  gain 
 this.  And  fiiould  I  lofe  this,  what  would  it  profit 
 to  win  the  whole  World,  and  all  that  therein  is? 
 Wherefore  leaving  all,  I  take  henceforth  my  felf  to 
 One:  One  I  have  chofen  *,  One  I  love  *,  One  I  feek  ^ 
 One  I  purfiie.  And  this  is  T'k  COOD^  which  is  bet- 
 ter to  me  than  allGoods^  below  or  above,  in  Earth  or 
 Heaven. 
 
 Philoth.  Infinitely  better.  Wherefore  if  thou  hail 
 found  fo  great  a  Good,  I  exhort  and  counfel  thee, 
 that  thou  carefully  guard  and  keep  That,  for  which 
 thou  haft  thus  defpifed  all  things.  For  having  That, 
 it  will  not  be  burthenfome,  or  grievous,  to  thee,  to 
 bear  other  W^ants:  Yea,  moreover,  thou  wilt  judge 
 it  exceeding  fit  and  reafonable,  both  to  give  and  fuffer 
 all  things  in  lieu  thereof. 
 
 'Jheoph.  Seek  therefore  now,  O  my  Soul,  this  fo 
 lingular  and  fupereminent  a  Good.  As  long  as  thou 
 art  in  the  Flcfli,  ceafe  not  to  feek  :  For  as  much  as 
 that  can  never  be  fought  enough,  which  can  never  be 
 comprehended  to  the  full. 
 
 X.  Philoth.  But  thC^re  will  be  an  end  of  Seeking 
 when  the  Hour  of  Enjoying  (hall  come.     And  then 
 
 fhall 
 
Book  iV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  Christ.  289 
 
 Ihall  he  be  ALL  in  Jll^  even  he  the  One  Alone^  fuffi- 
 dent  for  All  jointly  and  feverally. 
 
 And  if  there  he  be  fought  for,  where  always  Ji€  1§ 
 found  ^  it  is  not,  as  it  is  here :  It  is  not  with  Pain  and 
 Labour  ;  but  with  the  highell  Joy  and  Love,  it  is 
 with  Delight  and  Peace  rtiofl  ravifhiiig. 
 
 But  as  for  what  he  i^  to  the  Godly  in  this  preft  ig 
 Life,  this  may  from  feveral  Names  and  Attributes  be 
 learnt:  As  likewife  front  rnany  e^tpetiencM  Souls, 
 who  can  from  numerous  Experiments  ,  confirm  the 
 >fame.  Vet  mind  a  little  what  thefe  Names  are,  ac- 
 cording as  my  School-miftrefs  Experience  ha«;  taughfe 
 me  them,  t  efe  Names  1  mean  of  the  Divine  Good- 
 nefs ,  with  refped  to  us  Travellers  here.  I  fliall 
 expound  a  it'sR  of 'em  :  But  his  Grace  fhall  teach  theg 
 tnore-i  and  even  decker  oiies* 
 
 XI.  Lo!  He  IS  the  Bridegroom  ol}Ao\^  Lovefs :  And 
 of  them  that  ferve  hiiii  with  Fear,  a  Mafter  ftriking 
 Awe. 
 
 He  is  a  Father  to  the  Orphans :  And  td  the  Wi- 
 dow Soul,  that  is  defolate  and  ftript  of  ail  things, 
 an  Husband, 
 
 To  the  Helplefs  he  is  a  prefent  Friend  i  And  to  the 
 injured  a  moll  righteous  Judge  is  he- 
 
 He  is  to  the  Sick  a  Phyfician:  And  to  the  Healthy 
 ftrong  Meat* 
 
 He  is  to  the  Ignorant  a  Teacher  :  And  to  them  that 
 obey  him  Salvation. 
 
 He  is  the  Way  to  Beginners^  the  Truth  to  Profici-* 
 cnts  ;  and  the  Life  to  the  more  Perfed. 
 
 He  is  the  Ho^e  of  the  Penitent !  And  of  the  Righte- 
 ous the  belt  Comfort. 
 
 He  is  i\\Q Glory  of  the  Humble:  And  the  Confhfwn 
 of  the  Proud. 
 
 He  is  Light  in  Darknefs :  Arid  a  Lami^  to  the  fee£ 
 of  the  Pilgrims  in  the  Night-feafoa. 
 
 U  He 
 
290  fiDf  tlje  limitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 He  giveth  Medicine  to  fick  Minds  :  And  the  Wine 
 of  Joyfulnefs  he  reacheth  to  the  Melancholy. 
 
 \{tfta?7deth  with  them  that  fight :  he  walketh  with 
 them  that  travel ;  he  rumeth  with  them  that  are  full 
 of  Fervour ,  and  he  fiietb  with  them  that  contem- 
 plate. 
 
 He  is  prefent  with  them  that  pray  \  he  difcourfeth 
 with  them  that  read  ;  he  refteth  with  them  that  medi- 
 tate. 
 
 Now  in  all  thefe  worketh  one  and  the  fame  God, ap- 
 pearing to  every  one  according  as  he  pleafeth.  He  is 
 Wife  and  Good  m  all  thefe.  His  Thoughts  are  moft 
 high,  even  while  molt  condefcending :  Neither  is 
 there  any  iearching  out  of  his  Works.  For  great  and 
 infcrutable  are  his  judgments :  And  none  can  fay  un- 
 to him,  Why  doft  thonthits  ?  Or,  why  chufeil  thou  one 
 rather^than  another  ?  Foolifli  is  every  queflioning  of 
 Man  againft  the  Almighty  :  And  every  Invention  of 
 the  Sons  of  u4dam  is  Vanity  and  Nought.  How  do 
 .  thefe  things  pleafe  thee  *,  And  how  doth  GOD  now 
 relilh  to  thee? 
 
 XH.  Theoph.  Sweet  is  his  Savour  to  me  :  Nor  can 
 his  Works  difpleafe  me.  All  reliflieth  to  me  well,  ex- 
 ceeding well.  Righteous  is  he  :  And  who  fhall  lay 
 Uarighteoufnefs  to  his  Charge?  Or,  who  fhall  fay, 
 his  Ways  are  unequal  ?  Whofoever  fhall  do  this,  he 
 fetteth  himfelf  up  againll  him,  even  againft  the  Al- 
 mighty, and  fhall  be  reproved  by  the  unreprovable 
 Light,  the  Light  of  the  Holy  One :  And  thereby 
 ftall  be  greatly  confounded. 
 
 O  irreprehenfible  Light  of  God  !  there  is  no  Dark- 
 nefs,  nor  Shadow  of  Death,  with  thee  ^  where  the 
 Workers  of  Iniquity  may  hide  themfelves,  who  wan- 
 der from  the  Unity  after  the  Creatures.  For  thou 
 wilt  not  lay  upon  Man  more  than  is  right :  That  he 
 fhould  enter  into  Judgment  with  God,  or  plead  with 
 the  molt  High.     Great  are  the  things,  and  exceeding 
 
 glorioiis. 
 
BooklV.        of  j£sus  Christ.  291 
 
 glorious,  which  I  have  heard:  And  I  am  ftruck  with 
 Ainazement  and  Silence. 
 
 Philoth.  Butthofe  which  thou  haft  heard,  what  are 
 they  in  his  Sight?  All  of  it  is  fcarce  a  little  Spark-,  in 
 -refped  of  that  which  lies  hid  within, 
 
 Theoph.  What  is  that  ?  Canft  thou  not  explain  it  ? 
 
 Fhiloth.  I  know  not  what  it  is,  but  it  is  fomewhat 
 that  is  all  above  me^  and  as  it  were  a  certain  inaccejfible 
 Mifit  the  Beginning  whereof^  as  well  as  its  End^  is  nrt^ 
 known. 
 
 Let  thy  Meditation  therefore  be  rather  upon  the 
 humble  Steps  of  thy  'Saviour's  Humanity-,  and  let  thy 
 AfFed:ion  here  more  frequently  exert  it  felf.  Learn 
 to  converfe,  in  the  firft  place,  with  thy  JESUS  on 
 ihQ  Earth '^  and  to  follow  him  in  his  Marches  here^ 
 before  thou  attempt  to  afcend  where  he  is  now^  fet 
 down  :  And  do  not  too  fuddenly  prefume  to  climb 
 up  to  the  Heights,  left  thou  be  opprelTed  by  the 
 Glory. 
 
 Neverthelefs  becaufe  intenfe  Love  is  fometimes 
 forgetful  of  due  Fear  and  Reverence,  and  knows  not 
 how  to  keep  its  proper  Diftaiice*,  it  is  to  be  tolerated, 
 if  now  and  then  when  the  Loving  Soul  is  all  in  a  Flame 
 on  account  of  her  Beloved,  (he  feek  out  and  confider 
 him  not  only  as  a  little  Child  laid  in  a  Manger,  and 
 lamenting  becaufe  of  the  WeaknelTes  of  its  Childifh 
 Nature  *,  or  as  banging  on  the  Crofs,  and  bearing 
 the  Load  of  a  whole  World  of  Sin  and  Mifery  ^  but 
 alfo  as  he  now  glorioully  reigneth  in  Heaven.,  and 
 marvellouily  difpofeth  all  things  under  Heaven,  fdr 
 the  Manifeftationof  his  Glory,  and  of  his  Good  Will 
 towards  Man. 
 
 Theoph.  Since  then  he  is  fo  altogether  above  my  Ca- 
 pacity, even  as  a  certain  Cloud  afar  off,  the  Beginning 
 and  End  whereof  are  unknown  ;  1  will  therefore  take 
 heed  not  to  mount  up  too  high,  left  I  be  confounded 
 by  his  Glorious  Majefty  :    But  will  chufe  rather  to 
 
 U  2  meditate 
 
29^  ^f  ti)t  SlmttattDtT        Vol.  II. 
 
 meditate  frequently  on  the  Humanity  of  the  Blefled 
 Jefus  J  and  to  follow  his  Steps,  while  I  remain  upon 
 the  Earth,  with  all  the  earneftaefs  and  Diligence  that 
 is  poiTible  on  my  part,  with  the  Aid  of  his  ftrength- 
 ning  and  Comforting  Grace.  But  as  for  thee,  O  Be- 
 loved Soul,  thou  may'ft  even  follow  thy  Well-beloved, 
 both  in  the  Heights  and  Depths,  without  thofe  Perils 
 that  1  am  expofed  to,  according  as  he,  who  is  the  De- 
 iire  of  thy  Heart,  (hall  attrad  thee. 
 
 XIH.  Fhiloth.  Gladly  do  I  follow  thee,  O  lovely 
 and  beloved  JESU,  on  the  Earth :  But,  were  it  thy 
 Will,  more  gladly  would  I  follow  thee  in  Heaven. 
 
 Where  my  Treafure  is,  there  fain  would  my  Heart 
 be  alfo.  Thou  art  my  Treafure,  dearer  to  me  than 
 the  whole  Creation :  Thou  who  art  at  the  right  Hand 
 of  the  Father,  art  all  my  Subflance. .  For  me  thou 
 waft  Incarnated  :  For  me  thou  art  Exalted.  An  Ex- 
 ample thou  haft  left  me  on  the  Earth  :  The  Reward 
 thou  kcepeft  for  me  in  Heaven.  Unto  thee  therefore 
 mine  Eyes  are  looking  up :  And  after  thee  are  all  my 
 Steps.  Whitherfoever  thou  goeft.  Lord,  thither  will 
 I  follow  thee.  For  my  Heart  hath  talked  of  thee, 
 and  thou  haft  talked  as  much  to  my  Heart,  faying, 
 SEEK  MY  FACE.  Therefore  Thy  Face,  ^., 
 LORD,  will  Ifeek-  ^^'^'  ''^'"• 
 
 How  long,  LORD,  is  the  Vifion  of  thy  Glory  de- 
 ferred? Wherefore  hideft  thou  thy  Face,  and  holdeft 
 me  for  thine  Enemy  ?  How  canft  thou  hide  thy  felf 
 thus  from  me,  whentbou  haft  commanded  me  to  feek 
 thy  Prefence  *,  Why  faideft  thou  to  my  Heart,  Seek 
 thou  wy  Face?  O  hide  not  thou  longer  thy  Face  from 
 me.  Full  well  thou  knoweft,  how  it  is  with  a  long- 
 ing Soul  •,  and  what  an  Unealinefs  it  muft  needs  be  to 
 me,  not  to  be  where  thou  art.  Thou  knoweft  verily, 
 that  this  my  Mind  is  tolled  to  and  fro  ^  carried  conti- 
 r.ually  now  hither,  now  thither,  in  Qjieft  after  thee  : 
 And  that  my  Affedioncan  be  at  no  manner  of  Reft, 
 
 but 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  293 
 
 but  floweth  and  refloweth  \  drawethand  withdraweth, 
 here  and  there,  and  every  where  ^  fo  long  till  at  laft 
 it  come  to  be  conjoined  and  united  with  thee,  as  with 
 its  own  mod  amiable  Object,  in  the  Heavens. 
 
 For  the  Power  that  is  in  Love  knows  not  how  toi 
 reft,  or  give  over :  But,  impatient  of  every  Delay, 
 incefTantly  makes  Inquiry  concerning  its  Beloved  \ 
 diligently  feeks  him  in  all  Places  ^  fends  out  MelTen- 
 gers  after  him  \  doubles,  and  redoubles  Prayers  and 
 Sollicitations  \  has  a  Multitude  of  Thoughts,  and  Strar 
 tagems  ;  rifes  up  all  of  a  fudden,  opens  for  him  the 
 Door,  and  runs  out,  yea  even  in  the  iVT^k-feafon ; 
 laying,  /  will  rife  now  and  go  about  the  City  in  the  Streets^ 
 ^nd  in  the  pHblick  Places  J  zvill  feek  him  whom  my  Soul 
 loveth  J  and  confefling  to  every  one,  viz..  1  am  fick  of 
 Love^i  and  defcribing  the  Perfon  of  the  Beloved  by 
 his  Perfedlions  and  Beauties.  Neither  Will  it  fo  let 
 him  go,  or  ever  ceafe  the  Search  ^  becaufe  Love  is  ab^ 
 folutely  for  pofleffing  that  which  it  coveteth. 
 
 But,  alas  !  how  Pajfionate  foever  my  Soul  may  be 
 in  the  Queft  after  thee  *,  yet  is  (he  very  Weak  for  cer- 
 tain, to  feek  thee  after  fuch  a  manner  in  the  City  of 
 this  Worlds  and  to  traverfe  the  Streets  thereof  to 
 iSnd  thee,  who  art  never  to  be  found  by  going  ottt'^ 
 but  by  ftaying  within.  Therefore  1  fought  thee,  but 
 I  found  thee  not :  I  fought  thee  abroad  ia  all  the  Crea-^ 
 tures,  in  a  thoufand  Places,  where  thou  art  not  ^ 
 while!  fhould  have  fought  thee  at  Home,  in  that  in- 
 moft  Ground  of  my  Heart,  which  firft  bid  me  feek 
 thee.  And  becaufe  I  fought  thee  alfo  in  my  own  Adiu 
 vity,  and  after  my  own  Thoughts  ajid  Reafonings,  it 
 was  impoffible  for  me  ever  to  find  thee.  O  Ihcw  me 
 where  thou  wilt  be  found :  And  lead  me  accordingly, 
 for  thy  Name's  fake ;  that  fo  I  may  not  luifs  of 
 thee,  dear  LORP^  and  be  difappointed  of  feeing  thy 
 Face. 
 
 U  3  Drav/ 
 
2a4  0t  ti^e  91rtiitation        Vo1.il 
 
 Draw  mc  therefore,  that  I  may  begin  fervently  to 
 run  a^'terthee.  /Need  have  I,  abroliite  need,  of  thy 
 Drawing  and  Attra(5l:!on;  ye^^  even  of  a  ftrong  At-i 
 tradion  too.  For  nnlefs  thou  draweft,  nonecometh  : 
 Except  thou  attradell:,  none  fol'loweth  ;  becaufe  that 
 every  one  is  bowed  down  to  hirhfelf.  By  Nature,  Q 
 Lord,  I  am  bowed  greatly  dowh  Co  my.  felf :  and;^ra 
 chained  as  it  were  to  the 'Eart;hi ''l'  ■''^^''  '''' 
 
 If  thou  draweft,  lo  !  I  come  :, Hoi,'  I  haften,  I  run, 
 I  am  on  fire.  But  if  not,  neither  do  I  rtm:  Nor 
 dolfeek^  nay,  hardly  do  I  i^i?/7r^  to  follow.'  With- 
 out thee  I  can  do  nothing ":  'But' if  thou  giveft  m^ 
 thy  Hand, .  then  nothing-  (hall  be  too  hard  for  me. 
 0  give  m^  thy  Hand,  Lord :  ^  So  much  the  more  fwift- 
 ly,3o  I  rW^  3s  thou  more  ftrongly  (halt  Draw  me. 
 
 me*,  t^^xi  mto  Thy  [elf * 
 '^'Thllofh',  dood  'JESU!  Dfaw  me  after  tftee;  and 
 Hot 'I  alone,  but  all  of  us  mllmn  after  [thee ^  even'he- 
 caufe  6{  t\\Q'  Sctvorir  of  thy  gvod  'Ointments/  In  the  firft 
 i^lace  therefore  draw  thou  mei^  even  me,  unworthy  me, 
 after  thee  :  And  then  may  Qthers  alfo  follow,  feeing 
 the  good  ExamJ^fe  of  rhy  Life,'  through  thy  Grace 
 fhed  forth  into'itie.  But  that  we  may  not  be  proud, 
 it  is  good  for  us'pxice and  always,  to  be  thorough,lyfen- 
 Cble,  how  that^vjTj^  began  not  in;cfur  own  Strength,  but 
 in  the"  Savour  bf  thy  Ointments,  !to  run  this  Race. 
 This  is  the  Oit^ he  Drawing,  'virithout  which  none 
 doth  proceed  :  A's  neither  doth  any  one  witlroui:  it'be- 
 gin,  accordingas  thou  li^fewife  haft Taid,  '  ' 
 ,     .         ^^/^T/f//.  ^'•NoMan  pancome'to'me,  ex- 
 
 Jo  .  VI.     jt  tept.the  Father  draw  him". 
 
 Philoth.  Whomfoever  the  Father  draweth,  he  then 
 
 followeth  thee,  and  forfaketh  himfelf.     Well  did  he 
 
 feem  to  be  drawn,  who  faid,  M^ficr^  J  mil  follow  thef 
 
 2  whither^ 
 
Book  IV.      of  J E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  295 
 
 zjohftherfoever  thou  goefl.  But  it  is  not  for  all  fo  to  be 
 afFeded  towards  thee  :  Nor  is  it  the  part  of  a  little 
 Soul,  to  be  thus  ready  to  follow  thee  in  all  things. 
 
 XV.  Theoph.  What  hinders  thee,  my  Soul,  that 
 thou  quitteft  not  ail  things  for  JESUS  ?  Why  fo  un- 
 willingly art  thou  feparated  from  vain  and  perifhing 
 things !  What  do  thefe  things  thou  feeft  help  thee  ? 
 
 Lo,  as  thou  pafTefl  forward  through  the  Mortal  and 
 Vifible  Creatures,  and  feekeft  in  them  Contentment, 
 thou  lofeft  unavoidably  the  better  things. 
 
 Thou  divideft  thy  felf  from  the  Sovereign  Good^ 
 whenever  thou  doll  this  j  and  turnefl  away  thy  felf 
 from  the  true  and  blefled  Life  which  is  Everlafting. 
 
 Wherefore  miferable  and  mofl  unhappy  (halt  thou 
 abide-,  full  of  Dolours  and  Anxieties.  Since  whither- 
 foeverthou  difpofeft  to  turn  thy  felf,  thou  /halt  al- 
 ways find  Pains,  Wearifomnefs  and  Vexation  in  abun- 
 dance, tired  in  every  thing,  and  perpetually  fruftra- 
 ted  *,  till  thou  (halt  be  turned  again  to  thy  Creator:  Be- 
 caufe  he,  even  he  alone,  is  thy  Peace,  and  thy  only 
 fecure  Reft. 
 
 However,  if  in  Earthly  Things  thou  fnalt  make  no 
 ftay,  neither  fix  thy  Foot  in  the  Mire ;  but  (halt  ra- 
 ther confider,  and  reverence  in  the  Glafsof  the  Crea- 
 tures, not  the  Image  which  pafleth,  but  HIM  whofe 
 Image  and  Superfcription  it  is  j  blefTed  (halt  thou  be, 
 and  /halt  not  die. 
 
 For  when  thou  feekell,  and  beholdefl,  the  Vifibles 
 of  this  whole  Creation,  not  to  poITefs  orenjoy,  but  to 
 blefs  and  magnifie  GOD  ^  thou  beholdefl:  in  them  the 
 Name  of  thy  Creator,  fafhioning  to  thy  fdf  out  of  his 
 higheft  and  loweft  Works  a  fort  of  Ladder,  which 
 may  be  a  help  for  thee  to  lean  on  in  getting  upwards  : 
 And  then  Ihalt  thou  alfo  be  kt  free  effeaually  from 
 the  molt  accurfed  Birdlime  of  this  World  *,  and^  be- 
 ing fully  thence  difentangled,  ihalt  very  intlmmly 
 be  coupled  with  thy  defired  End  j  which  h  GOB 
 ^bovi  AllEU^edforsver,     Amen. 
 
 U  4  Chap. 
 
P^6  M  t^it  3imitatiou        Vol.  ij. 
 
 Chap.    XIV, 
 
 Of  the  Union  of  the  Soul  with  GOD  :  And  of  the, 
 ivithdrawing  of  His  Grace. 
 
 Philothea  and  Theophilus. 
 Philoth.  f  2Uy  SohI  hangeth  ufon  THEE^   Pfal.  Ixiii.  9. 
 
 I,  Theofh,  7^  /fY  God,  my  true  Comforter,  leave  me 
 XV J.  not*,  thou  knoweftthat  I  am  not  wea- 
 ry of  thee  :  But  that  I  am  willing  and  glad  daily, 
 hourly  to  fpeak  with  thee  in  fecret?  even  in  my  fe- 
 crct  Chamber. 
 
 But  where  fliall  I  fearch  thee  out,  if  peradventure 
 I  fhould  lofe  thee  for  an  Hour  ?  Who  fhall  bring  me 
 tinto  thcc  r* 
 
 Thou  art  GOD  above  All*,  I,  among  thy  Lower 
 Works,  a  little  contemptible  diminutive  thing  of  a 
 'Man:  Or  rather  a  Worm  and  no  Man.  Thou  art  in 
 Heaven-,  and  I  in  |:he  W^orld  :  Thou  alone  art  the 
 moll  High,  and  I  am  made  moft  Low  :  Thou  art 
 the  King  of  Glory,  having  the  Riches  of  the  whole 
 llniverfe  •,  but  1  a  poor  outcafl  Beggar.  Who  hath 
 meafured  ever  the  Dj fiance  of  Heaven  and  Earth  ? 
 What  bold  Aftrcaomer  hath  been  able  ever  to  reach 
 with  his  Glafies  the  utmofl  Circumference  of  the 
 Heavens  ^  or  to  calculate  the  Number  of  Leagues 
 from  hence  thither?  They  are  exceeding  far  diftant 
 indeed  one  from  the  other  ^  yet  not  near  fo  far  as 
 thou  from  me.  Who  is  it  therefore  that  fhall  V^it& 
 (Tie  to  thee?  Oh  1  Who  ? 
 
 f  Adbrftt  An!  ma  rue  a  poft  Te.    V.  L. 
 
 Either 
 
Book  IV.      Of  J  E  s  u  s  G  H  R  I  s  T.  297 
 
 Either  thou  mufl:  do  it  thy  felf,  or  none  can.  Ne- 
 verthelefs,  if  thou  but  wilt,  it  fliall  moft  fpeeidily  be 
 done. 
 
 But  known  unto  Thee  it  is,  how  great  a  Proclivity 
 there  is  in  my  Nature  to  fall :  For  of  my  felf  |  can- 
 not but  fall  ^  but  of  thee,  and  from  thee,  Power  is 
 given  to  ftand  j  nor  only  to  ftand,  but  alfo  to  go  for- 
 ward. 
 
 And  hence  it  is  my  Soul  depends  on  the  Conde- 
 fcenfion,  or  Vouchfafement,  of  thy  Spirit;  and  on  the 
 Infufion,  orlnfpiration,  of  thy  Saving  Grace.  When- 
 ever thou  biddefl,  fhe  (ball  be  lifted  npfvom  the  Earth : 
 But  whenever  thou  turneft  thy  Face  but  afide,  fhe  fhal! 
 be  cafi  down  in  her  felf  >  and  Trouble  (hall  feize  her 
 as  a  ftrong  Earthquake,  f'  "J^  v  : 
 
 Yet  becaufe  of  thy  Charity,  and  thy  Meeknefs, 
 thou.  Lord,  ihalt  take  me  up,  and  thy  right  Hand 
 fhall  wonderfully  lead  me  to  thy  felf. 
 
 II.  Philoth.  Give  Ear  now  all  ye  Inhabitants  of  the 
 Earth  ,  hear  this  ,  and  ponder  it  all  ye  Children  of 
 Men;  that  it  is  poiTible,  yea  moft  eafie,  with  GOD 
 for  that  to  be  fulfilled  which  is  written,  viz..  "^  The 
 Rich  and  Poor  Care]]  together  in  One.  Poor  am  I,  and 
 want  AD  Things  :  Rich  is  He  j  wanting  Nothing,  and 
 filling  All  Things. 
 
 Now  that  the  Soul  may  be  Vnited  with  God,  or 
 made  One  with  Him  through  Grace;  tho'  I  have  no 
 Experience  my  felf  that  is  great  in  this  kind ,  yet  I 
 have  hovvever  a  faithful  T'eftimony^  whereby  I  can 
 prove  it,  which  is  this:  My  Beloved  is  mine-i 
 and  1  am  his-,  who  feedeth  among  the  Lilies.  Cant.  if. 
 This  is  the  Teftimony  of  the  two  efpoufed  Friends, 
 the  Bridegroom  and  the  Bride:  And  is  out  of  the  Old 
 Teftament  a  moft  fuitable  and  valid  one,  which  of  its 
 
 felf  alone  is  fufficient.     And  the  fecond  is  like  unto 
 
 I.  
 
 *  Slmd  In  umm  dives  ^  pauper.  V.  Lo 
 
 "     :  it, 
 
298  m  ti)t  imitation       Voi.ir 
 
 _  ..       it,  which  is  taken  out  of  the  New:  Father^ 
 
 '^  "*      /  win  that  they  all  may  be  One^  as  We  are  One. 
 
 Lo  !  thefe  are  the  undeniable  and  irrefragable  Te- 
 ftimonies  of  Truth,  the  molt  bright  Evidences  out  of 
 both  theTeftaments;  from  which  it  is  demonftrable, 
 that  the  Soul  of  Man  may  familiarly  be  canjoyri'd  with 
 GOD>  according  to  the  Grace,  beilow'd  oa  him  from 
 Above* 
 
 This  near  and  familiar  Con) undi on,  if  it  be  Rare, 
 afid  bard  to  be  Obtained,  is  however  doubtlefs  of  moft 
 exceeding  Worth  ^  even  fuch  as  will  infinitely  more 
 than  make  amends  for  all  that  can  be  done  or  fujffer'd 
 for  its  fake.  It  may  be  Rare,  but  yet  it  is  nQt  Un- 
 known to  the  Loving  Soul^  Difficult,  but  yet  not  al* 
 together  Impoffible  y  or  if  with  Man  ImpolTible,  yet 
 pot  with  God.  Whom  therefore  God  hath  fo  joyned 
 fogether^  and  even  with  Himfelf,  let  no  Man  dare  to 
 put  afunder:  Let  no  Man  once  prefume  to  diilurb 
 liich  a  Soul  that  hangeth  Hj[)on  her  Beloved. 
 
 If  thou  ftandeft  yet  aftonifhed  at  the  Vouch fafement 
 of  this  Vniorj^  let  Aftonifhment  and  Ama:£ement  ra- 
 ther fall  upon  thee,  and  great  Wonderment  ftrike  thee 
 through  and  through,  at  the  fingular  Vnion  in  his  Af- 
 furaption  of  the  Humanity,  which  is  the  very  Ground 
 of  this  *,  and  at  the  exceeding  Excellence  of  his  Good- 
 jiefs  towards  Man  therein. 
 
 Let  him  do  with  thee  whatfoever  he  then  pleafetha 
 ft  fufficeth  that  he  is  joined  to  thee,  and  thon  to  him. 
 Jf  thou  feekeft  after  Merits  thou  flialt  find  in  it  the 
 good  FkafHre  of  his  Will',  for  herein  alone  it  is  con- 
 tained. All  is  of  Grace;  all  is  of  Good] Will:  Lay 
 ^his  to  thine  Heart;  and  be  thou  deeply  Humble.  It 
 is  lawful  furely  for  him  to  do  as  he  willeth;^  who  a- 
 ,  ^  lone  doth  great  Wonders,  and  whofe  Grace 
 
 ^jxxxxvi.  gndureth  for  ever.  Let  thy  Heart  cleave  to 
 -Him  only,  and  to  his  Will;  So  Jhalt  thou  fit  under 
 hi$  Shadow. 
 
 HI  Q 
 
.  „  ,  ,  I         ■'    '    ' ' 
 
 BooklV.      of  Jesus  Chkist.  299 
 
 III.  O  fweet  Society  with  Chrifb,  and  Fellowfhip 
 molt  delightful  under  the  Wings  of  Chrift!  O  Gra- 
 cious Conjundion,  full  of  Love,  and  of  the  Sweet- 
 nefs  of  the  Holy  Ghofl: :  Which  is  better  felt  than 
 fpoken ! 
 
 ■Theoph,  Sweet  Society,  fweet  Fellowfhip  indeed,  and 
 Communion  unutterable!  But  this,  I  perceive,  belongs 
 not  but  to  the  Soul  that  hath  eftranged  and  alienated 
 her  felf  from  all  Earthly  Things ;  whom  the  Love  of 
 this  preient  Life  holdeth-  not  Captive,  nor  deprefleth 
 Earthward  : 
 
 Bi^t  leaving  the  hafe  fordid  Earth  helow^ 
 JDoes  into  GocCs  own  Manfion  lilentJ?orp. 
 *  i  3ioq<^  mn^'i 
 
 'iBut,  alas!  fb  much  the  more  known  as  this  is  to 
 the  Lover,  fo  much  obfcurer  ftill  is  it  to  me,  who 
 am  not  yet  arrived  to  that  State.  Neverthelefs  I 
 would  gladly  be  prefent,  methinks,  at  fuch  an  In- 
 terview as  this  •,  when  he  ufeth  to  vifit  a  dtvout  Soul, 
 and  to  fav6ur  her  with  fome  of  his  more  fpeeial  Com- 
 munications. Willingly  would  I  make  one  of  the 
 Company,  though  at  a  diftance,  when  it  is  well  with 
 fuch  a  Soul.  .^HD  r'y         ^     ;noti. 
 
 ^  ■  And  is  it  well  with  her,  while  fheis  with  the  Bride- 
 groom at  Noon, 
 
 '  Philoth.  It  is  truly  well  with  her.  It  is  well,  if  flie 
 has  found  where  he  feeds,  and  makes  his  facred  Flock 
 to  reft  at  Noon.  But  then  it  is  alfo  ill  with  her,  yea 
 mighty  ill,  if  it  ihould  happen  that  JESUS  Ihould  ab- 
 fent  himfelf ;  if  the  fweet  Odours  of  his  Grace  fhould 
 ceafe  to  flow  ^  if  the  Holy  Writings  (hould  not  relifh 
 fo  to  her,  as  before  ^  if  fhe  grow  tired,  and  be  not 
 able  to  bear  either  Contemplation  or  Meditation  ^  if 
 j:he  Mifts  of  her  Heart  arife  very  thick,  and  crowd  in 
 upon  her,  and  noxious  Thoughts  fo  prevail  againft 
 |ier,  as  there  is  hardly  any  fupprelTing  of  them  j  but 
 
 thai 
 
3  CO  m  t^e  9!mitatiDn       Vol.  ii. 
 
 that  they  feem  as  if  they  would  at  once  quite  over- 
 turn all  the  former  Good  Things  and  Graces.  j4h 
 my  Lord  I 
 
 IV.  At  which  Words  there  fell  of  a  fudden,  as  it 
 were  a  dark  Mift  :  And  in  the  Mill  the  Beloved  hid 
 himfelf  from  the  faithful  Soul,  fo  that  fhe  loft  the 
 iight  of  him  :  And  thus  even  at  Noon-day,  it  was 
 Parknefs  with  her  ^  and  as  fhe  felt  aboqt  after  him 
 Ihe  cried,  Ah^  my  Lord  I  But  he  anfwered  her  not. 
 ^nd  great  Dread  and  Pity  hereupon  feized  on  me : 
 And  my  Heart  was  opened  *,  and  I  could  not  forbear 
 fpeaking,  or  even  crying  out  vehemently  after  this 
 manner. 
 
 Theoph.  O  Lord  God,  what  is  it  thou  here  doft ! 
 Why  doft  thou  fo,  Lord  ?  What  a  ftrane;e  Sport  is 
 this?  O  JESU  !  Kind, Gracious,  Pitiful  JESUI  What 
 is  it  thou  defigneft  by  this  Fad  of  Thinje  ?.  O  What 
 nieaneft  thou  hereby  !     jzdz 
 
 If  it  would  not  difpleai^  thee,  I  could  well  wifh, 
 methinks,  to  have  yet  fome  Colloquy  and  Converfa- 
 tion  with  Thee,  and  this  thy  Beloved  Soul  and  Spoufe. 
 Since  (he  always,  and  with  all  Prayer  and  Supplica- 
 tioi)  fe^l^3  thy  Gracious  Prefence,  that  fhe  may  be 
 cherilhed  from  thee  with  Chafte  and  Holy  Delights, 
 Lord,  I  adiTiire  why  thou  fufFereft  her  fometimes  to 
 lit  thus  deft)late,  as  fhe  now  appears  tp  be.  For  as  if 
 it  were  not  fhe  that  had  fo  earneftly  fought  thee  out, 
 but  another  ^  thou  pafTeft  by,  and  departeft,  taking 
 no  notice  of  her 
 
 And  fhe  is  Groaning  alone  by  her  felf.  Lo!  how 
 fhe  fitteth,  as  qne  quite  forlorn  ^  while  her  iblitary 
 Sighs  afcend  continually  after  phep.  For  it  feeraeth  to 
 be  her  Voice  which  I  hear. 
 
 Philoth.  IVtth  my  Soul  h/ive  I  defyrU  Thef  in  the 
 Nighty  Llfdi.  xxvi.] 
 
 Theoph.  It  is  Night  with  her,  when  thou  the  true 
 Li^ht  arc  not  prefent-    She  prayeth  therefore  for  thy 
 
 Prefence, 
 
il .  \T-i* 
 
 Book  IV.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.        501 
 
 Prefence,  that  fo  the  Darknefs  may  not  comprehend 
 her;  meaning  the  Darknefs  of  Sin,  which  fhe  ex- 
 tremely dreads,  and  is  now  afraid  of  being  laid  hold 
 on  thereby.  And  many,  fure,  are  the  Inconveniences 
 which  (he  now  feeleth  j  the  Grace  of  thy  Vifitation 
 being  thus  withdrawn  from  her.  For  unlefs  fhe  were 
 under  fome  Suffering,  at  this  prefent,  never  would 
 fhe  fo  defiroufly  and  ardently  have  cried  after  thee. 
 But,  hark  !  Surely  'tis  fhe,  or  fome  other  like  her 
 that  crieth  out  again. 
 
 Phil.    My  Soul  hath  hanged  ufon  Thee-,  [yfah  Ixiii.] 
 
 Theoph.  She  is  in  great  diflrefs,  I  fee.  Thefeflrong 
 Cries  fhew  an  exceeding  Weight  of  Trouble :  But  I 
 do  not  think  that  any  Trouble  or  Painfulnefs,  either 
 is  or  can  feem  fo  troublefome  or  painful  to  her,  as 
 to  want  her  Lord's  Prefence. 
 
 V.  And  it  is  not  to  be  wonder'd  at,  if  out  of  this 
 Want  alfo  the  amourous  Soul  do  fall  as  it  were  into  a 
 certain  Languifhment  of  Heart,  as  juft  ready  to  Swoon 
 away.  For  fo  accordingly  the  Soul  feemed  here  to 
 faint  away,  as  fhe  was  flriving  to  grafp  the  Beloved, 
 but  could  not. 
 
 For  thou  art  fometimes  difficultly  found  *,  and  when 
 at  laft  thou  art  found,  fhe  is  glad  of  thy  Return,  and 
 hopes  thenceforth  to  lead  a  Joyful  Time  with  thee  j 
 promifing  her  felf,  that  thou  wilt  now  never  leave  her 
 more:  And  fo  being  nothing,  or  very  little,  fufpicious 
 of  thy  withdrawing  again,  fhe  apprehends  nothing 
 that  is  Sad  or  Melancholy.  But  thou  often,  as  not 
 minding,  but  as  doing  fomewhat  elfe,  dofl  filently 
 take  thy  flight.  For  thou  flippefl  fuddenly  away  out 
 of  her  hands,  fhe  not  having  the  leaft  Thought  or 
 Surmize  of  any  fuch  matter. 
 
 I  praife  thee:  In  this  yet  how  (hall  I  praife  thee? 
 If  there  be  any  Praife,  or  if  there  be  any  Sweetnefs, 
 which  thou  hafl,  why  feemell:  thou  to  lofe  it  by  this 
 Fad. 
 
 Were 
 
502  jgDf  tf)t  imitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 Were  it  any  other  befides  Thee,  belides  Thee  alone? 
 it  might  perhaps  beget  Scandal  to  her.  But  never, 
 never  can  flie  be  fcandalized  in  Thee ,  never  can  (he 
 be  offended  in  Thee,  of  whom  fhe  knows  her  felf  to 
 be  fo  flrongly  loved. 
 
 If  therefore  thou  dolt  figure  out  fomewhat  by  fuch 
 a  Teaching  as  this,  which  to  us  may  be  made  to  ap- 
 pear both  Jull  and  Rational,  Ihew  it  unto  me,  I  be- 
 feech  thee,  O  GOD.  For  fain  would  I  underlland  it  ^ 
 Nor  do  I  judge  it  ufelefs,  if  but  to  know  a  little  hereof. 
 Thy  hidden  Judgments  no  Man,  of  himfelf,  can  pene- 
 trate, or  look  into:  But  it  is  thy  Light,  which  il- 
 Juflrates  the  things  which  are  Obfcure,  and  which 
 difpels  thofe  which  are  Noxious. 
 
 VI.  Why  therefore  is  it  that  thou  withdrawefl  thy 
 felf  fometimes  fo  hiddenly  from  the  Soul,  while  (he 
 even  remains  ignorant  of  it  ?  Loveft  thou  her,  or  no? 
 If  thou  loveft,  why  fleeft  thou,  my  Beloved  ?  If  thou 
 loveft  not,  why  haft  thou  vifited  heretofore  ?  And  if 
 thou  loveft  not  norv^  why  then  returnelt  thou  again, 
 and  knockeft  at  the  Door,  and  entrelt  in? 
 
 Whence  is  it  that  thou  goeft  fo  in  and  out  ?  Can 
 there  be  any  Ficklenefs  with  thee,  or  any  manner  of 
 Lightnefs,  in  this  thy  Going  and  Coming  after  fuch 
 a  rate  ?  Far  be  it  for  me  to  think  fo.  Lord.  Who 
 Ihall  attribute  Folly  to  God;  or  fay,  that  Inconftancy 
 is  with  the  EverlalHng  One  ?  Is  the  Almighty  as  Man, 
 that  he  fhould  change?  No  :  O  Lord  my  God,  thou 
 art  the  fame  from  Everlafting  to  Everlafting ;  and 
 with  thee  is  no  Shadow  of  Change.  But  whence  then 
 cometh  this  moft  gloomy  and  dark  Scene?  Loveft  thou 
 hernotftill,  as  at  the  firft?  Yea,  Lord,  1  know  that 
 thou  loveft  her. 
 
 But  it  is  no  light  matter  to  her,  to  fee  this  frequent 
 Changing  ;  as  if  thou  would'ft  put  on,  at  leaft,  a  Sem- 
 blance of  Lightnefs,  after  the  manner  of  a  Man.  Yea, 
 there  arifes  in  her  hence  no  little  Diforder  and  Con- 
 ^  fulioni 
 
Book  IV.     of  Jesus  Christ,  505 
 
 fufion,    while  thou  appearefl  thus  as  one  eftranged 
 from  her.     And  perhaps  her  Complaint  might  have 
 hcQii  lefs,  hadft  thou  plainly  told  her,  I  go    *  .     .. 
 arvay^  and  com^  again  :  And  thine  Heart  JhaU    ^       „  v* 
 rejoice  j  and  thy  Joy  none  pall  take  from  thee* 
 
 Now  no  fuch  Saying  as  this  cometh  from  thy  pre* 
 cious  Mouth.  Only  fhe  calleth  to  mind  that  Woixi 
 which  is  written,  the  Truth  whereof  fhe  experka- 
 ceth,  But  JESVS  hid  himfelf^   and  went  oat  ,..^ 
 
 vf  the  Temple.  ^  J^^^^ 
 
 I  have  therefore  againfi;  thee  a  few  things :  But  this 
 my  Complaining  fpringeth  but  out  of  a  good  Root- 
 For  only  do  I  defire  humbly  to  be  inftruded^  nc^ 
 impatiently  to  contend.  And  do  thou  therefore  gra- 
 cioully  vouchfafe  to  give  me  an  Anfwer,  when,  and 
 as  it  fhall  be  convenient.  Alfo  for  the  better  llnder- 
 ftandiiig,  and  Clearing  up  of  this  whole  Matter,  kt 
 the  devout  Soul  fpeak  fomewhat  for  her  felf 
 
 VII.  And  do  thou  bear  freely  thy  Part  in  anfwer- 
 ing,  O  Faithful  and  Beloved  Soul.  Yea,  fpeak  thoa 
 freely^  I  fay,  unto  the  Beloved :  For  though  he  ibi^^fi^ 
 himfelf,  yet  will  he  hear  thee^  and  when  he  appear- 
 €th  again,  then  fhalt  thou  underftand  the  Reafon  here- 
 of, and  thy  Heart  fhall  exceedingly  rejoice. 
 
 And  here  Theofhilm  very  tenderly  addrefTed  himlelf 
 to  the  now  Di Icon  folate  Philothea^  prefling  her  much 
 to  be  Free,  and  to  open  her  Mind  with  Clearnefs.  For 
 (continued  he)  the  Beloved  will  patiently  hear  thee, 
 and  will  meet  thee  doubtlefs  with  Words  of  Peace, 
 that  thou  may'ft  be  fure  to  fuffer  no  Lofs.  And  who 
 is  it  that  fhall  Comfort  thee,  if  he  thy  Beloved  Ihall 
 pot  be  himfelf  the  Comforter?  Or  thine  Infirmity  who 
 (hall  bear,  but  he,  that  without  being  burthen'd,  bears 
 and  fupports  all  things?  Is  there  any  one  that  can  or 
 will  deal  better  with  thee  than  He,  that  is  the  GOOD 
 above  all  that  is  Good  ^  and  even  thy  Good  too?  Who 
 isiCj  thinkeft  thou,  iha U  treat  thee  with  more  of  Mild- 
 
 nefs 
 
^ 
 
 304  0f  the  gimttanon        Volif. 
 
 nefs  and  Clemency,  than  He  that  is  fovereign  Clemen- 
 cy it  felf?  To  whom  alfo  canft  thou  more  fafely  reveal 
 and  communicate  whatever  there  may  happen  to  lay 
 upon  and  deprefs  thy  Mind,  than  to  him  who  knoweth 
 'all  things  fully  ?  And  to  whom  canft  thou  give  more 
 Credit,  than  to  Him  ,  who  is  the  Faithful  One  ?  Or 
 whom  woud'ft  thou  truft  in  the  firfl:  place,  if  not  the 
 very  TRUTH,  which  never  deeeiveth  ,  neither  can 
 deceive  any  Man? 
 
 Now  if  any  Stranger,  or  mere  Outward  and  Formal 
 Profeifor,  fhould  over-hear  what  we  are  now  Difcour- 
 ling,  it  were  far  better  that  he  fhould  depart.  Nay, 
 whoever  is  not  of  the  Friends  of  the  Bridegroom,  ought 
 to  be  driven  indeed  from  the  Doors,  while  we  are  to- 
 gether in  tbisfecret Conference  and  Com'muuion.  Ne- 
 verthelefs,  if  there  be  any  one  who  hath  a  Love  to 
 the  Bridegroom.,  any  one  that  fhall  be  found  Faithful 
 and  Difcreet,  any  one  that  is  Devout  and  Internal,  let 
 fuch  have  here  free  Admillion  and  Ingrefs. 
 
 If  any  one  be  a  Keeper  of  Integrity,  and  Preferver  of 
 Confcience^  if  a  Lover  of  Virtue  and  of  Difcipline '-, 
 if  in  Affedion  pure,  and  in  llflderftanding  clear- 
 lighted  ^  if  in  himfelf  Humble  and  Meek,  and  towards 
 others  Companionate  and  Charitable  j  if  he  hath  learnt 
 neither  to  take  the  good  things  he  heireth  in  an  ill 
 Senfe,  nor  to  bring  them  out  vainly,  nor  to  difpute 
 about  them  raflily,  nor  to  defend  them  piflionately, 
 nor  to  publifh  them  proudly  i  but  on  the  contrary, 
 if  he  knoweth  how  to  receive  modeftly  thofe  that  are 
 Underftood,  to  reverence  duly  thofe  that  are  not  Un- 
 derftood,  and  to  Interpret  foundly  the  Obfcure  and  the 
 Myftical :  Such  an  one  may  very  well  be  introduced, and 
 may  mod  freely  alTift  at  this  Conference  of  ours. 
 
 Now  fhew  me,  O  Soul,  how  thou  doll  uphold  thy 
 felf  in  the  Abfence  of  the  Beloved,  and  in  the  VV'ith- 
 drawings  or  Hidings  of  his  Grace:  No  matter  for 
 Words  here,  or  for  Accuracy  of  ExprelTion.     Foi  not 
 
 io 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus   CnaisT.  305 
 
 fo  mdch  the  Words  themfelves ,  as  the  Affedion  of 
 the  Fleart,  out  of  the  Sounding  forth  of  the  fame, 
 <5Ught  herein  for  certain  to  be  weighed.  Tell  me  then, 
 dear  Soul,  how  bearefl:  thou  up  thy  felf?  As  for  m/ 
 own  felf,  I  feel  it  would  be  no  eaOe  Matter  for  me  to 
 fufFer  thiis^  if  he  fhotild  keep  himfelf  long  awa/.' 
 Indeed  I  fhould  hardly  take  it  well :  I  fpeak  my  Miad^ 
 irt  this  plainly*  And  I  cannot  but  alfo  think  mnch 
 the  fame  concerning  thee,  if  yet  thou  wile,  let  us  lit" 
 our  felves  here  down,  and  let  us  confer  together  uport 
 this  Matter,  for  fomewhat  of  mutual  Confolation  and 
 Edification  to  iis  both* 
 
 Chap.    XV. 
 The  SouVs  Sadnefs  for  the  Abfe7ice  of  her  BeloveJs 
 
 A  Conference  betwixt  Theophllns  and  Thilothedj   about 
 the  retiring  and  return  of  the  Bridegrooitio 
 
 Philothea. 
 "*  My  SohI  flumbereth  for  very  Heavinefs-^  Pfal.  cxix* 
 
 T'loeo^h.^yrjU^it  manner  of  Speech  is  this,  which  I 
 VV  hear  ,  What  fayeft  thou,  O  Slon: 
 Wherefore  art  thou  thus  dull  -,  and  cait  down,  as  it 
 were  among  the  Dead  ?  Why  layeft  thou,  the  LORD 
 hath  forfaken  me?  Fear  not,  Daughter  of  Sion^  thou 
 Loving  and  Contemplative  Soul:  Behold,  thy  King, 
 the  Beloved  of  the  Beloved,  is  coming  unto  thee.  A- 
 rife:  Stand  up^  look  about  thee  ^  and  behold  the  Joy 
 that  Cometh  unto  thee  from  thy  God. 
 
 Philoth.  I  have  fought  him '^  but  I  cannot  find  him:  I 
 kav6  called  him\  but  he  giveth  me  no  Anjvoer,  And 
 *«•   I  — 1 ..— , -. . — — — i 
 
 *  Dormitav'tp  mma  mea  pdt  tedio.  V.  L. 
 
 X  there- 
 
3o6  flDf  ftje  limitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 thtv^fovQ  Jlitmbereth  my  Soul ,   and  even  melteth  away, 
 for  Heavinefs.  * 
 
 Then  faid  I  within  my  felf,  hearing  thefe  her  bitter 
 Complaints :  ''  This  is  the  Voice  of  the  Turtle  that 
 ''  has  lofl  her  Mate.  It  is  not  to  Day,  as  it  was  Ye-. 
 *'  fterday,  or  the  Day  before,  when  thou  didft  fing 
 "  Songs  of  Joy. 
 
 r,  Philoth,  The  Morning  is  pafTed  *,  the  Evening  co- 
 meth,  the  Bridegroom  lieth  down  at  Noon-tide'^  yd, 
 \s  it  not  allowed  me  to  approach  him.  .  \i 
 
 ;.  And  1  fpake  to  her,  and  faid :        •  '^ 
 
 Theopk  Thy  Words  exprefs  Sorrow  and  Sadnefsi 
 And  thine  Eyes,  I  fee,  are  water'd  with  Tears.  O 
 Soul !  Thou  art  in  Grief,  and  haft  need  to  be  comfor- 
 ted.    Pray  tell  me,  wJience  doth  it  arife? 
 
 Philothea  hereupon  made  a  fhift  to  anfwer,  and  figh- 
 iiig  declared ,  as  follows.  It  is  not  a  Concern  about 
 Gold  or  Silver,  or  any  Worldly  thing,  that  doth  trou- 
 ble me.  No  ,  nothing  of  all  that  is  in  th.q  World- 
 Neither Lofs,  norGain,  afFe<ft  meat  all.  Neither  In- 
 jury nor  Penury  difturb  my  Reft.  1  ftand  indifferent 
 to  one  and  to  the  others  unmolefted  by  all  whatever 
 is  without.  I  matter  not  in  the  leaft  the  whole.  WprJd, 
 I  fay,  together  with  all  that  is  in  it,  or  can  even  be 
 imagined  to  be  la  it:  For  I  am  not  of  the  World^ 
 but  am  dead  and  crucified  unto  it. 
 .  Here  making  a  Paufe,  I  looked  earneftly  ujpon.  ber^ 
 faying,  viz..  ,.,,;,«  .  -..„, 
 
 Theoph.  If  I  know  thee  well,  thou  haft  a  long-wliile 
 renounc'd  all  that  is  of  the  IVorld.  But  give  me.lej^ye 
 alfo  to  ask  of  thee,  whether  thou  haft  in  every  thiag 
 fo  pcrfedly  renounc'd  and  deny'd  ihy  felf :  And  vy hea- 
 ther thou  art  alfo  fo  far  arriv'd,  as  even  to  abhor,  and, 
 contemn  this  dear  Self  of  thine?  This  is  what  is  of 
 thee  fpecially  required*,  but.  which  very  few  evcr^ 
 reach  to. 
 
 rhikth. 
 
Book  IV.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  a  I  s  T.  307 
 
 Philoth.  Thenlhe:  O  LORD,  RighteoUfaefs  truly 
 belongs  unto  thee^  but  even  unto  ine  Contufion  of 
 Face,,  with  deep  Sorrow,  as  at  this  Day.  For,  be- 
 hold !  I  am  vile-,  what  fhajl  lanfwer  thee?  I  am  vile: 
 Therefore  do  I  ever  abhor  and  defpife  my  feif  in  thy 
 Sight.  And  on  this  account  "have  I  nothing  to  lofe  3 
 iincc  I  have  accounted  it  the  greatefl  Favour  of  thyGrace 
 to  rid  me  of  my  Self-,  fo  as  I  might  have  no  felf 
 
 TheopL  Whence  is  then  thy  Grief?  What  hall  thou 
 loft? 
 
 Thlloth.  Oh!  That  it  were  but  all  the  World!  Oh, 
 that  it  were  but  all  this  my  vile  felf !  O  that  it  were 
 •anything,  or  all  things,  butO;?^,  even  that  ONE, 
 which  my  Soul  loveth. 
 
 Theofh.  If  it  is  the  lofs  of  thy  Bebved  tho^  fo  la- 
 rnenteft,  dear  Soul,  I  mull  needs  confefs  that  Sorrow* 
 hath  not  undefervedly  fill'd  thy  Heart.  Nor  can  any 
 thing  be  pleafant  to  thee,  till  he  return,  and  caufe  a- 
 gain  his  Face  to  fhiiie  upon  thee. .  But  how  in  the 
 mean  while  is  it  with  thee?  How  holdefl  thou  up^ 
 and  finkeft  not  quite,  O  thou  that  art  ^o  delicate  and 
 fo  tender^  and  that  leaned  fo  on  the  Beloved  ,  as 
 without  him  not  to  take  fd  much  as  one  lingle  Step  ? 
 This  I  would  gladly  know  ,  for  it  is  evident  to  me 
 alfo,  that  he  is  not  always  prefent,  when  he  is  wifh- 
 €d  and  waited  for.  Therefore  while  he  is  abfeiit,  what 
 Eafe  haft  thou,  (if  thou  haft  any)  and  wherein  doft: 
 thou  quiet  thy  felf?  I  fttall  reckon  it  a  fpeciat  Favour, 
 if  thou  pleafe  but  to  commimicate  to  me  thy  Secrets., 
 as  to  this  Matter,  how  ever  dolorous  and  melancholy 
 they  may  happen  to  be. 
 
 No  body  will  think  it  ftrange  that  thou  fliouldeft 
 grieve  for  an  Abfent  Chrifi^  unlefs  fuch  an  one  as  is 
 void  altogether  of  Love.  Thou  art  in  Sadnefs  at  pre- 
 fent *,  but  it  is  for  the  Bridegroom  Chrift,  not  for  this 
 World.  And  I  knov^^,  that  when  he  ftiall  return,  thou 
 {halt  again  be  comforted  *,   lince  he  will  not  always 
 
 X  2  forget 
 
3o8  fiDf  tiic  imitation        VoJ.  il 
 
 forget  thee.     For  he  hath  faid:    /  z<:ill,r7ot 
 John  XIV.      [gave  you  comfort  lefsj  J  idll  come  to  yoH. 
 
 Wherefore  thy  Words  are  no  empty  Words  •,  no 
 dead  inlignificant  Words  are  they,  which  with  fo  pier- 
 cing Grief  are  iitter'd^  but  do  at  once  demonftrate 
 the  Lover's  AfFedion,  and  flrike  the  Froi5.f»  Heart, 
 which  is  not  ktonFirc  with  the  Love  of  CHRIST. 
 For  thy  Voice  is  fweet:  It  is  the  Voice  of  the  Turtle;, 
 jnot  a  clamorous  Muttering.  Hence  I  am  confident, 
 thou  flialt  not  fail  to  find  him,  whom  thou  mourneft 
 after  as  loH. 
 
 II.  Yet  fain  would  I  interrogate  thee  a  little,  if 
 thou  pleafefl: ,  concerning  this  mournful  Occalion, 
 What  fayefl  thou  of  him,  whom  abfent  thou  bewail- 
 eft?  Is  he  Good,  or  hafl  thou  a  Sufpicion  to  the  con- 
 trary ? 
 
 Philoth.  Good  indeed  he  is*,  and  mofi:  exceedingly 
 Good :  Righteous,  and  Faithful,  in  whom  there  is  not 
 any  the  leaft  Iniquity,  neither  can  there  be. 
 
 Theoph.  If  he  be  fo  Good,  fovery  Good,  and  there 
 be  in  him  no  Evil  at  all,  why  is  it  then  thou  grieveft? 
 
 Philoth.  For  him  that  is  Good  I  grieve  not :  For  be- 
 caufe  he  is  Good,  therefore  need  I  not  to  grieve.  But 
 I  mourn  for  my  felf ,  Wretch  that  I  am  ^  becaufe  I 
 have  loft  a  Good  and  a  Faithful  Friend,  fo  Good  an 
 one,  fo  Faithful  an  one,  as  to  contain  in  himfelf  an 
 Ocean-Spring  of  all  Goodnefs  and  Faithfulnefs.  It  is 
 T,  even  I  it  is,  that  have  merited  this :  Alas  1  my  own 
 Fault  alone  it  is,  and  no  others.  Wherefore,  Wo! 
 Wo !  Becaufe  I  was  not  fo  felicitous  as  I  ought  to  have 
 been  in  keeping  his  Grace.  By  lofng  I  have  now  learnt 
 what  once  by  having  I  poilefs'd  :  The  Ab[e?Ke  of  the 
 Beloved  doth  now  convince  how  advantageous  his 
 Treftjice  was.  1  rejoiced  with  him,  and  was  pleafant 
 ill  his  Company  \  but  was  little  apprehenfive,  or  cau- 
 tious, concerning  his  fo  fwift  Departure. 
 
 3  He 
 
Book  IV.       of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  R  I  S  T.  3^9 
 
 He  came  skipping  on  the  Mountains*,  merry  and 
 pleafant  was  he  in  the  Gates  of  my  Houfe.  And  pre- 
 fently  hereupon  I  (hut  the  Doors  of  the  Fleih,  and 
 brought  in  the  Beloved  to  me  ,  even  into  my  fecret 
 Chamber  did  I  bring  him:  And  I  fat  with  him,  and 
 relied  within  under  his  Shadow,  fafe  from  the  W^J^^- 
 wind  and  the  Tempeft,  Then  was  I  glad,  yea  full  ot 
 Gladnefs,  that  I  had  the  Sisht  of  the  Beloved,     ^ 
 
 And  why  (hould  I  not  be  glad,  feeing  that  he  is  my 
 Gladnefs,  my  Joy,  and  the  Exultation  of  my  Heart . 
 Ah,  what  have  I  had,  and  what  pofTelTed  I  in  that 
 Hour !  It  is  not  poffible  for  me  to  tell  thee,  how  weU 
 it  was  with  me  :  Neither  is  at  this  time  indeed  expe- 
 dient fo  to  do.  Nothing  could  I  defire  more,  he  be- 
 ing  prefent,  whom  alone  Iloved. 
 
 O  how  much  loved  I  him,  when  I  negketed  my  ieir 
 and  all  things  befide!  I  was  little  or  nothing  caretul 
 about  any  thing  whatever  which  could  delight  me^  tor 
 his  Love  ravifhed  me  quite,  enflamed  me  throughout, 
 poflelled  me  whole:  And  whatfoever  he  was  not,  dia 
 feem  to  me  altogether  infipid.  ^ 
 
 But  he  being  taken  away,  I  am  in  a  manner  clean 
 out  of  Heart-,  yea  my  Heart  is  even  as  it  were  caft  a - 
 way  out  of  my  felf.  For  my  Soul  depended  on  his 
 Grace  merely  and  folely  ^  becaufe  I  had  no  other  Com- 
 fort befides  him,  whofe  Abfence  I  do  at  this  time  la- 
 ment. O  how  was  I  ravifhed  with  the  Love  of  him . 
 And  all  that  was  not  my  Beloved,  how  did  I  even  de- 
 fpife  and  loath,  in  Comparifon  of  this  my  Well-be- 
 loved, as  moll:  unfuitable  and  unfavory!  For  he,  and 
 none  but  he,  could  any  wife  content  me  :  All  was  fiat 
 befides-,  exceeding  flat  to  my  Palate.  1  could  not  in 
 a  Word  defire  more  than  1  had,  while  he  was  with  me 
 whom  my  Heart  loved.  ^^   u    \7 
 
 He  did  fuffice  me,  and  was  enough  for  all  the  va- 
 riety  of  Joy  and  Mirth.  What  I  would ,  the  fame 
 Hill  would  he  alfo:  And  everything  that  he  did  com- 
 
 X  3  mand 
 
310  M  thz imitation       Vo1.il 
 
 rnand  me,  1  did  willingly  accept,  and  did  give  my 
 felf  to  him  wholly  and  readily.  And  there  was  a  good 
 Agreement,  and  great  Tranquillity  between  us. 
 
 Nor  did  any  one  dare  to  break  in  upon,  or  to  in- 
 terrupt our  Silence^  he  fo  commanding  by  his  own 
 Mouth :  [Beloved,]  "  /  adjure  you^  O  ye 
 Cant.  1!.  cc  Daughters  of  Jerujal em y  by  the  Roes^  and  by 
 *'  the  Hinds  of  the  Field^  that  ye  ftlr  not  fip^  nor  awake 
 *'  my  Love-,  till  ^e  fleafe. 
 
 Now  then,  confider  thoroughly,  if  thou  beefl:  able 
 to  have  any  feeling  of  my  Words,  how  much  Reafoa 
 there  is  for  me  to  grieve  for  the  Abfence  of  the  Belo- 
 ved^ through  whofe  Prefence  I  began  to  abound  with 
 all  good  things,  and  to  be  enriched  with  all  Graces 
 and  Loveliaefs. 
 
 To  thefe  Tilings  I  anfwered: 
 
 Theoph.  I  know  what  thou  fpeakeft^  I  have  my  felf 
 likewifeexperimented  more  than  once  what  thou  fa yeft. 
 But  in  this  let  us  be  comforted,  that  the  Difpenfation 
 of  his  Will  is  the  Proficiency  of  our  Devotion, 
 
 And  now  all,  what  thou  haft  hitherto  faid,  I  have 
 taken  in  very  good  part ,  and  return  my  hearty 
 Thanks:  But  would  yet  fain  be  more  perfectly  inllru- 
 ded  of  thefe  Matters  from  thy  Mouth;  and  would 
 more  thoroughly  hive  them  beaten  into  mine  Head. 
 For  to  fuch  as  are  dull  of  Apprehenfion  there  is  need 
 of  a  more  particular  aad  circumftantial  Declaration. 
 
 C  H  A  3f . 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  ?i r 
 
 Chap,    XVI. 
 
 A  Scrutiny  cojicerning  the  BELOVED^  and  the 
 Gifts  of  his  Grace. 
 
 Thilothea  and  Theophilp^  continue  their  Conference  ^  and 
 Fhilothea  gives  a  large  Account  of  the  Conduft  of 
 the  Divine  Spirit  in  the  Spiritual  Warfare. 
 
 Philothea. 
 
 Blejfed  he  G  0  D^   who  hath  not  turned  his  Mercy  from 
 
 me-i  PfaJ.  Ixvi. 
 
 I.  TheopkT  Am  here  met  again,  with  a  Defign  to  in- 
 X  quire  of  thee  farther,  for  my  better  Affi- 
 llance  in  the  Courfe  of  true  Piety,  if  at  any  time  the 
 Beloved  leave  thee  without  inward  Confolation,  what 
 thou  doft  in  the  mean  time  ?  What  alfo  thou  would'ft 
 advife  in  this  Matter  to  be  done?  And  by  what  Art 
 or  Method,  he  may  be  reconciled  and  called  back? 
 
 Of  all  Friendfhip,  I  befeech  thee,  O  dearefb  and  de- 
 vout Spoufe  of  Ghrjft,  not  to  be  filent,  or  to  keep 
 from  me  any  of  thofe  things  which  I  am  now  coming 
 to  queftion  thee  about.  On  this  Account,  and  at  this 
 time,  thou  may'ft  be  not  a  little  ferviceable,  by  dif- 
 clofing  to  fuch  an  one  as  I  am  what  thou  feelell,  or 
 perceiveft,  in  thy  Breaft.  For  by  what  thou  (halt  de- 
 clare, I  (hall  be  made  capable  of  both  msafuring  the 
 Weight  of  my  own  Grief,  and  founding  the  Ground 
 thereof^  fo  as  to  determine  how  far  I  am  in  the  right 
 or  wrong,  when  my  Heart  is  peniive,  and  even  ready 
 to  break  through  Delire. 
 
 Forafmuch  asfometimes  then  I  have  feen  theechear- 
 ful,  butatother  times  melancholy^  and  by  and  by  have 
 
 X  4  beheld 
 
3 12  ^t  tf)t  imitation        VohiP 
 
 beheld  thee  aeain  rejoicing :  Hence  by  thee  I  have  df- 
 iigently  weighed  rny  felf,  and  by  thy  Cafe  for  a  while 
 hayepjiidered  myown. 
 
 Now  i  judge  che  chiefeft,  if  not  only,  Cauj^  of  this 
 Alteration  in  thee,  to  be  the  going  and  coming  again 
 of  thine  Only  Beloved.  In  which  C§fe,  underftand- 
 ing  that  thou  haft  run  through  very  majiy  things,  I 
 a^  come  hither  to  thee  to  be  informed. 
 
 II.  At  this  fhe  prefently  exprefTed  her  Readinefs 
 to  anfwer  my  Defire,  and  fatisfie  me  as  well  as  flie 
 could,  concerning  thefe  various  Vicifiitudes  which  the 
 Soul  palTes  through,  with  refpedi  to  tlie  Beloved,  when 
 abfent  or  prefent;  Saying, 
 
 Philo'^h,  Yielding  to  thy  urgent  Defires,  I  Ihall  at 
 lea'ft  then  endeavour  to  difcover  (  if  not  altogether, 
 yet)  in  fome  good  meafure,  fuch  things  as  are  tranf- 
 avf'ted  within  me^  whether  it  be  when  I  am  v^^ith  the 
 Beloved,  or  when  as  one  that  is  weaned  I  remain  alone, 
 6xpc(fting  Jiim  whom  my  Soul  loveth. 
 
 Truly,  this  thou  art  to  know  in  the  firft  Place  : 
 Thatfu  much  Joy  and  Sweetnefs  as  his  Grace  brings 
 along  wiih  it,  even  fo  much  Grief  and  Bitternefs  mi- 
 nifters  his  Abfence  to  me.  But  why  he  ads  with  me 
 after  this  manner,  difpenUng  forth  fuch  a  Variety  of 
 Ciianges  and  Turns*,  it  might  become  him  rather 
 himfelf  to  fay,    than  me. 
 
 And  Him  alfo  thou  fhalt  hear,  when  I  fhall  have  fi- 
 iiiihed  the  Words  of  this  my  Canticle:  For  after  that 
 We  will  intioduce  him  to  us^  and  he  fitting  in  the 
 rnidft  of  us,  Ihall  then  teach  us  his  Ordination,  and 
 Kiftrud  us  in  the  way  of  his  Difpofal,  which  ic  is  his 
 cuftom  to  v,ic  toward  thole  that  love  him. 
 
 But  now  hear  me  in  the  mean  while  with  Patience,  1 
 pray  ;  and  let  not  my  imperfed  or  ftammering  Speech 
 be  grievous  to  thee.  For  to  the  mutual  ftirring  up  of  our 
 Hearts,  and  Excitement  of  our  Spirits,  are  we  now  here 
 rnet  together :  That  we  may  either  mourn  together  a}ike, 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  313 
 
 or  that  out  of  Love  we  may  together  rejoice.  For  IVo  to 
 him  that  is  alone  \  becaufe  when  he  falleth  into  melan- 
 choly, or  into  Temptation,  there  is  not  anotlier  to 
 help  him  up.  Wo  to  the  Soul  that  is  alone,  when  (he 
 falleth  •,  having  no  Companion  to  raife  her  up,  or 
 to  comfort  her. 
 
 Howbeit,  if  Two  only  be  together,  and  alike  fort- 
 cd,  they  fliall  mutually  cherifh  each  other  :  While 
 one  of  them  is  fad,  the  other  fuggefteth  Confolation  •, 
 or  if  this  be  refufed,  as  it  happeneth  not  feldom,  he 
 immediately  bringeth  Compafiion,  and  beginneth  to 
 be  vehemently  grieved  over  his  Friend,  even  as  it 
 were  over  his  own  felf.  Nay,  where  the  one  refufeth 
 altogether  to  be  comforted,  and  even  rejedeth  with  a 
 fort  of  Indignation  the  Confoiating  Hand  of  the  other  \ 
 this  other  leaveth  him  not  therefore,  but  in  all  his 
 Infirmity,  and  in  all  his  Afflidion,  moil  tenderly 
 fympathizeth  with  him.  And  fo  it  cometh  to  pafs, 
 that  either  they  both  rejoice  together  ^  or  if  Joy  be 
 removed,  they  will  eafe  and  comfort  each  other  with 
 mutual  Tears. 
 
 And  notwithflanding  that  Grief  may  yet  abide  in 
 them,  by  reafon  of  fome  Caufe,  that  is  very  afflidive 
 and  forrowful,  they  bear  it  at  leaft  together  with 
 much  rriore  Eyennefs  of  Mind :  Becaufe  they  find 
 themfelves  fo  pf  ^  One  Hearty  as  by  the 
 Change  of  things ,  or  Circumflances ,  "^"^^^^^^f^^^- 
 their  Hearts  can  never  be  a  whit  changed  or  cor- 
 rupted. 
 
 Who  would  not  now  fay,  beholding  and  confider- 
 ing  fuch  a  faithful  Concord  of  Minds,  fuch  a  true  and 
 hearty  Unanimity  or  Onenefs  of  Heart :  Behold^  hoxo 
 good  and  joyful  ^  thing  it  isy  Brethren^  to  p^^^  cxxxiii. 
 dwell  together  hi  ONE;  even  il^  Vnity  of 
 Heart  and  Spirit. 
 
 III.  I  can  therefore   more  freely    tell  thee  what 
 I  my  felf  do  feel  j   with  all   Plainnefs,  becaufe  I 
 
 feel 
 
SH  iDf  tije  limitation:       Voi.ir. 
 
 feel  from  thee  no  manner  of  Guile ,   or  Gaptiouf- 
 
 nefs. 
 
 Lo!  He  my  fweetell  dearelt  Bridegroom,  my  moll 
 beloved  and  bofom  Friend,  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST, 
 the  Lover  of  Holy  Souls,  being  ftrongly  touched  with 
 Love  and  not  able  to  ceafe  from  it,  attracted  me,  vile 
 Wretch  hereby  to  himfelf.  And  even  when  I  was 
 not,  be  gave  me  Being,  Life,  Underftanding,  and  the 
 Enjoyment  of  this  common  Light.  Nor  ceafed  he 
 here,  but  conferred  upon  me  moreover,  through  the 
 Grace  of  Baptifm,  Power  to  be  Bom  again  *,  and  cloth- 
 ed me  upon  with  the  Glory  of  his  Merits :  Even  with 
 the  Robe  of  his  precious  Merits  he  adorned  me*,  call- 
 ing my  Rags  far  away. 
 
 After  this,  when  I  had  foolifhly  polluted  and  de- 
 formed my  felf  with  many  Sins,  and  i^o  was  become 
 nnfit  to  render  him  Love  for  Love,  he  looked  not  on 
 my  Filthinefs,  but  on  the  Bofom  of  his  infinite  Mer- 
 cies. For  he  called  me  by  his  Grace,  when  I  was 
 ilraggling  and  wandring  ftill  farther  and  farther  j  not 
 fuffering  me  to  perifh  in  this  Evil  World. 
 
 Then  provided  he  me  after  this  a  convenient  Place 
 to  reft  in,  and  paufe  as  it  were,  fo  long  as  1  am  to 
 be  in  this  frail  Body. 
 
 Notwith (landing  this  is  not  I  know  to  be  taken  for 
 the  true  Paufe,  or  Reft  of  the  Soul  *,  neither  is  this 
 Habitation  as  under  the  Shadow  of  the  Beloved,  how..- 
 ever  indeed  defirable,  a  lafting  one.  That  is  the  Soul's 
 right  Paufe,  true  Reft,  and  lafting  Peace,  which  after 
 the  Labours  of  this  prefent  Life  do  end,  is  by  her 
 perceived  and  enjoyed  in  her  own  true  Native  Coun- 
 try. 
 
 It  is  neverthelefs  in  the  mean  while  a  fweet  fort  of 
 Recreation  to  the  Soul  that  is  Sigh-ing  after  God,  to 
 fee  her  felf  unfhacklcd  and  unfetter'd  from  the  heavy 
 Bonds  of  the  World  \  and  to  be  in  fuch  a  place,  where 
 Ihe  may  more  fully  ftrvc  the  Beloved,  and  be  at  lei- 
 
 fure 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  515 
 
 fure  in  fecret  filently  to  attend  both  her  felf  and  him. 
 So  it  was,  of  a  truth,  to  me :  Nothing  appeared  to  me 
 more  fweet  and  pleafant,  than  to  attend  the  Society 
 of  my  Beloved  being  difentangled  from  Worldly 
 Cares  and  Objed^s. 
 
 IV.  Neither  was  he  wanting  in  divers  of  my  Ne- 
 ceflities  and  Troubles,  which  were  of  feveral  Kinds; 
 and  fpecially  in  the  firft  great  Onfets  and  Tempta- 
 tions of  the  Enemy,  which  followed  upon  my  Gonver- 
 fion,  he  was  always  with  me,  helping  me  and  fuc- 
 couring  me. 
 
 Frequently  alfo  he  hath  inflruded  me  with  Ufeful 
 and  Powerful  Difcourfes,  confirming  mein  his  Words, 
 jvhich  were  Light  to  my  Feet,  and  Melody  to  my 
 Heart.  He  hath  edined  me  oftentimes  with  profitable 
 Sermons,  and  good  Books :  He  hath  ,  in  fpeaking 
 through  them  to  my  interior  Ground  and  fecret  Life, 
 enlightned  my  Under  Handing,  quickned  my  AlFedi- 
 on,  and  made  ready  my  Heart  to  fulfil  his  Will.  He 
 confirmed  his  Truth :  He  eflablilhed  me  in  his  Word. 
 
 And  as  new  Plantations  ufed  to  be  water'd  with 
 Showers  fo  likewife  took  he  care  to  water  me  with 
 Internal  Gonfolations :  Left  that  Virtue,  which  was 
 in  me  begun,  fhould  as  a  Potlheard  dry  away,  and  fo 
 become  good  for  nought. 
 
 And  he  faid  to  me :  ^'  If  thou  fhalt  be  willing,  and 
 ^^  fhalt  hear  me,  then  fhalt  thou  fee  every  good  thing. 
 "  If  thou  fhalt  do  the  things  that  I  bid  thee,  thea 
 "  fhalt  thou  be  my  Darling  and  my  Love.  If  thou 
 *^  fhalt  choofe  me,  and  wilt  love  me  above  all  things, 
 then  fhall  there  be  granted  unto  thee  from 
 my  Father  all  whatever  thou  askeft.  "  But  J°"*  ^^* 
 f*  if  thou  fhalt  leave  me,  then  look  to  it  j  for  this 
 **  thing  fhall  be  to  thee  a  Stone  of  Stumbling,  againft 
 *'  which  thou  fhalt  dalh  thy  felf  ^  and  I  will  fet  my 
 "Zeal  againft  thee.  And  when  thou  fhalt  feek 
 t^  after  another  Lover  ?  he  fhall  not  long  pleafe  thee  ^ 
 
3 1 6  <©f  tt)t  Slmitatfon       Vol.  il 
 
 *'  but  (hall  be  turned  unto  thee  into  Tedioufnefs  and 
 **  Bitternefs  ^  for  as  much  as  I,  even  1  alone, 
 joh.  XIV.    tt  ^j^^  ^^Q  other,  am  the  Salvation  and  Life  of 
 *'  f/?^  So^il, 
 And  I  turned  me  to  him,  who  had  done  To  much 
 good  to  me,  readily  owning  him  for  my  only  Bene- 
 faAor  :  And  fhaking  my  felf  from  the  Dufl:  of  Earth- 
 ly AfFedion,  I  purpofed  in  my  Heart  to  live  the  reft 
 of  my  Life  wholly  to  him  alone. 
 
 Thus  then  was  I  turned  to  Him  from  all  Things 
 befides  ^  and  my  Refolution  was  firft  in  me  to  be  none 
 but  His:  For  that  nothing  was,  or  could  be.  Better 
 than  He  ^  and  nothing  was,  or  could  be,  more  Reafon- 
 able,  or  every  way  more  Advantageous  and  Salutary 
 to  me  in  my  State,  than  this  Padt  or  Covenant,  where- 
 by 1  afiign'd  my  felf  over  to  Him. 
 
 V.  Let  others,  who  will,  go  and  feek  after  whom 
 they  can  Love,  and  whom  they  may  make  an  offer  of 
 their  Service  to  :  As  for  me,  I  know  moll  afluredly, 
 that  he  is  the  true  Husband  of  the  Soul  •,  for  whom  it 
 would  not  be  hard  for  me,  1  think,  to  die^  that  fo  I 
 might  but  always  abide  in  thp  Love  of  Him,  and 
 might  hang  fail  to,  and  fubfifl:  in  Him,  without  fear 
 of  being  ever  paired  more. 
 
 I  adhered  therefore  to  him,  for  he  pleafed  me.  Nei- 
 ther could  I  find  any  one  that  did  pleafe  more,  or  that 
 was  on  all  accounts  more  Amiable,  or  indeed  that  was 
 to  be  any  ways  Compared  with  Him  :  Now  fuch  an 
 one  my  Soul  had  m  fl  vehemently  defired  and  longed 
 for,  than  whorp  none  might  be  Greater  j  or  Better^ 
 or  Worthier  ',  and  who  might  abound  with  ail  good 
 things. 
 
 For  as  much  now  as  \\q  is  exceeding  Kind  and 
 Courteous,  he  proceeded  to  give  rpe  yet  farther  n^any 
 Comforting  and  Encouraging  Words  ',  with  the  ut- 
 molt  Care  forefccing  and  providing,  that  his  Sayings 
 might  not  tcrrifje  or  break  me,  by  reafon  of  their 
 
 being 
 
BooklV.    ^C  Jesus  Christ.        317 
 
 being  at  any  time  too  rough  and  harfh  :  But  that  they 
 might,  on  the  contrary,  lay  upon  me,  and  fweetly  tutor 
 me  in  what  was  light  and  eafie  to  be  born^  that  fo 
 hereby  the  Affedion,  being  thus  initiated,  might  be 
 the  better  drawn,  and  the  more  ftrongly  tend,  to- 
 ward the  loved  Objed,  without  ever  Recoiling  back 
 
 "  Better  (faid  he)  will  ihe  be  taught,  and  a  greater 
 progrefs  will  fhe  make,  if  not  violently,  but  of  her 
 
 agam 
 
 4i 
 
 (I 
 
 "  Punifhments.  But  if  Ihe  fhall  need  a  driving,  lee 
 "  this  yet  be  done  with  fuch  a  skilful  Management, 
 "  as  may  belt  comport  with  her,  and  may  not  over- 
 "  whelm  her  through  Excefs. 
 
 For  he  knew  what  was  Expedient  for  his  new  Plan- 
 tation*, and  of  what  Ufe  and  Benefit  this  Tendernefs 
 of  his  might  hereafter  prove  to  me  ^  and  principally 
 in  the  time  of  my  Probation,  which  was  at  hand.  For 
 that  I  could  hence  eafily  recolle-ftwhat  great  things  he 
 had  in  the  beginning  done  for  my  Soul,  and  therefore 
 might  not  faint  in  any  Combat,  but  take  Courage  to 
 proceed  on  in  the  Battel. 
 
 Neither  would  he  prefently  difcover  to  me,  vyhat 
 and  how  great  things  I  was  to  fuifer  in  his  Service : 
 But  now  and  then  he  intermingled  Sorrowful  Things 
 with  Joyful-,  confidering  the  Feeblenefs  and  Incapa- 
 city of  the  tender  Shrub  juft  fpringing  up,  till  I 
 fhould  grow  ftronger,  fo  as  to  be  able  to  bear  Hard- 
 fhips. 
 
 VI  After  thefe  things,  he  led  me  about,  and  taught 
 me  ,  and  carried  me  on  his  Shoulders.  He  led  me 
 aboutthrough  the  facred  Writings*,  and  with  an  ho- 
 ly Gale,  he  armed  me  againft  the  Devil's  treacherous 
 Attacks. 
 
 He 
 
3i8       .     .m  ti}t  imitation     .  Vol.  ii, 
 
 V  He  propofeditd  nie  the  eminent  Patterns  and  Ejt- 
 emplars:pf.  all.  Virtues,  fuch  as  the  holy  Patriarchs 
 and  Prophets,  with  the  Apoftles  and  ^he  Glorious 
 Lights  ot  the  New  Teftament. 
 
 -.He  led  ni.©  about  alfo  through  the  places  of  the  De- 
 lartj  and  th€  Tabernacles  of  Egypi^  where  he  Ihewed 
 ine  multitudes  of  felf-denying  Souls,  who  in  the 
 earlieft  Days  retired  hither,  continuing  ftedfaft  in 
 the  Apoltle's  Dodrine,  all  of  one  Heart  and  of  one 
 Spirit  I,  calling  nothing  their  own,  but  having  all 
 things  common.  By  whofe  moil  holy  Converfation 
 and  Communion,  Egypt  and  Jfiael  was  made  one  j  and 
 the  Wildernefs  changed  into  Paradife:  Bearing,  in 
 giieat  abundance,  mod  lovely  Plants  of  Righteoufnefs  j 
 which  brought  forth  all  the  Fruits  of  the  Spirit,  ac- 
 cording to  their  Seafons* 
 
 ;  He  took  me  gently  by  the  Hand,  and  led  me  up  and 
 down  this  new  flouri/hing  Paradife,  where  was  a  greac 
 Multitude,  of  feveral  Ranks  and  Orders,  of  thofe  that 
 were  Redeemed  out  of  the  World,  who  followed  him 
 continually  whitherfoever  he  did  go.  O  what  a  good- 
 ly Train  was  here  to  behold  of  glorious  Martyrs,  no- 
 ble Con  feflbrs,  faithful  Paftors,  enlightn'd  Dodors! 
 O  mofl  delightful  Fountain-  of  Gardens  enclofed ! 
 where  walked  alio  holy  Ccenobites  and  Anchorets, 
 with  undefiled  Virgins,  and  thofe  that  made  theni- 
 felves  Eunuchs  for  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven's  fake. 
 '  He  gave  me  to  fee  thefe  Flocks  of  his  GompanionSi 
 for  my, Encouragement  and  Confolation,  whom  Jie  had 
 gathered  out  of  all  his  Tribes,  in  their  feveral  fuc- 
 cefTive  Generations :  And  feeing  how  they  were  Fol- 
 lowers of  Him  tin  the  Regeneration,  and  whattiiey 
 both  did  a-iid.  fufFer'd  on  his  Account,  and  treading 
 in  his  Steps,  1   was  hereby  very  much  animated  to 
 
 go- 
 
 For  by  this  Cloud  ot  Witnefles,  that  was  thus  fct 
 
 before  me,  I  was  convinced,   that  the  Reproach  of 
 
 Chriil 
 
Book  IV.     of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R I  s  T.  319 
 
 Chrilt  was'honourable,  and  his  Burthen  truly  light. 
 What  alfo  before  did  appear  to  me  impoflible,  now 
 by  their  Examples  feemed  to  me  very  imitable :  And 
 they  made  it  more  than  probable,  that  both  the  Yoak 
 of  the  Lord  was  eafie,  and  the  Broad  Way  of  the 
 World  bitter  and  deceitful.  Thus  was  I  carrie,d  about 
 by  him  to  the  Beds  of  Spices,  to  feed  with  him  in  the 
 Gardens :  and  giving  me  of  the  Honey- Comb  with 
 the  Honey,  he  faid  to  me,  Eat^  0  Friend  ^  and  giving 
 me  of  his  Milk,  mixed  with  Wine,  he  faid,  Drink^ 
 yea^  ar Ink  abundantly*      .jv  .,r,M    -.  ■■■^  ri-r  'n'' 
 
 He  taught  me  likewife^'as^a  tender  Nur'fe.dothjfier 
 Nurfling  v  yea,  even  as  a  Mother  teacheth  her  little 
 Child,  fohe  inilruded  me^  breaking  forme  tHe  Spi- 
 ritual Shells,  and  putting  into  my  Mouth  the  Rerpcls, 
 becaufe  they  were  fweet  to  feed  on.       .4 /,'Oii,  31  .>ov ; 
 
 Trace  out,  if  thou  can  ft:,  my  Friend,  ;wnat.;tnefe 
 fignifie,  and  where  they  may  be  found..  Opefithou 
 the  Code  of  the  Apoiholical  Epiflles,  and  cafting 
 thine  Eyes  attentively  there.  Read  ^  if  thou, art  able 
 to  conceive  fo' great  Myfl'erieSj:  Tur^n  over.,  the  Vo- 
 lume of  the  Prophet  EfaUs  ^  look  into  the  holy  Gof- 
 pel,  that  Light  of  all  Lights,  and  fee  if  they  produce 
 not  out  of  them  moll  pleafant  and  delicious  Keruelsi  • 
 
 Whatfoever  from  out  of  thele  thou  flialt  fiacj,  tha^ 
 is  Obfcure  and  Difficult  to  be  underflood,  that  is  the 
 Kernel  in  the  Shell.  But  if  thou  fhak  hear  them  ex- 
 pounded, and  Ihall  underfiand  that  which'befqre.thou 
 waft:  not  able,  thenis  theShell  broken,  and  tHeSweet- 
 nefs  of  the  Kernel  relifheth  in  the  Heart.,  So  is  iif  in 
 like  manner:  with  other  fubtiland  ingenious  Sayings. 
 And  hence  can  ft  thou  behold  even  as  many  Nuts,  as 
 there  are  La  ent  or  My ft:ical  Senfes. 
 
 VII.  And  how  thinkeft:  thou,  prithee,  that  he  car-^ 
 ried  me  on  his  Shoulders?  This  he  did  as  often  as  he 
 beheld  mine  Infirmity,  and  conlldered  my  Weaknefs : 
 Neither  did  he,  for  the  lake  of  this,  caft  me  from  him  \ 
 
 neither 
 
320 ^f  ti^c  gimitatton        Vol.  IL 
 
 neither  did  he  defpife  me  for  it,  or  treat  me  in  the 
 leaftnegledfully,  but  with  Patience  and  Long-fufFering 
 he  flill  fuftained  me,  and  bore  with  me. 
 
 .  He  carried  me  alfo  on  his  Shoulders,  when  he  hath 
 given  and  infpired  into  others  the  Virtue  of  fufFering 
 my  infirmities  and  Follies  j  and  of  gently  bearing  all 
 what  was  reprehenlible  in  me. 
 
 He  t^f ried  me  yet  mtich  more  dearly  on  his  Shoul- 
 ders, when  bearing  his  Crofs^  he  went  forth  into  a  Placcy 
 called  thf  Place  of  a  Sciill^  where  alfo  he  was  crucified. 
 For  it  was  more  I  that  was  there  carried  by  him,  than 
 even  the  Cfofs  it  {dU 
 
 And  my  Sins  were  Burthens  far  more  grievous  to 
 his  Shoulders,  than  was  this  Wood  of  the  Crofs:  Since 
 for  me  the  Crofs  vvas  born  *,  not  for  himfelf.  Yet  de- 
 ferves  it  however  tionorif  for  his  fake,  who  both  car- 
 ried it,  and  dy'd  on  it. 
 
 VIII.  O  how  much  is  Heabove  All  to  be  Loved  and 
 Reverenced,  by  whofe  Merit  and  Grace  I  was  in  fucU 
 a  manner  Sought  out  and  Redeemed!  Therefore  fliall 
 this  my  Beloved  be  of  me  loved,  even  as  a  Mother 
 loveth  her  only  Son. 
 
 I  know,  of  a  truth,  that  I  am  no  wife  agreeable^  or 
 fuitable  for  his  Love  :  But  ftill  1  muft  fay,  that  what- 
 ever  Freedom  I  have  herein  prefumed  to  take,  it  hath 
 proceeded  purely  from  his  Vouch fafement,  and  ama- 
 zing Condefcenfion.  The  natural  Confequent  where- 
 of was  this,  that  while  he  treated  me  with  fuch  art 
 humble  and  familiar  Kindnefs,  I  was  thereby  ftrong- 
 ly  encourag'd  and  prefs'd,  at  turns,  even  to  run  into 
 his  Embraces,  who  courted  me,  and  ran  into  mine. 
 
 It  runs  much  in  my  Mind  what  David  once  fafd: 
 ...  IVho  am  /,  and  what  is  my  Lifcj  that  J fhonld 
 iSam.xviii.  y^  Son-in-law  to  a  King  ?  But  far,  very  far 
 greater  is  this  Affinity  than  that :  Yea,  there  is  no  Com- 
 parifon  betwixt  them.  This  is  fuch  a  pure  and  fin- 
 cere  Relation,  or  rather  Cognation,  as  wherein  Flefh 
 
 and 
 
Book  IV.      cf  Jesus   Chf^ist.  321 
 
 ^nd  Blood  have  no  place  *,  but  unviolate  Fealty,  and 
 the  Anfwer  of  a  good  Confcience  towards  God.  Of 
 which  alfo  that  Difciple,  whom  JESUS  loved  greatly, 
 faith  :  Greater  is  he  that  is  in  its-^^  than  he  that 
 i  Johniy.      ^.^  .^  ^^^  World.  For  GOD  is  LOFE  :    And 
 
 Love  begetteth  this  Cognation,  and  bringeth  it  forth. 
 
 Since^therefore  that  David  fo  much  humbled  him- 
 felf,  that  he  might  become  but  the  Son-in-law  to  aa 
 Earthly  King  *,  how  humble  ought  1  to  conceive  and 
 thinkof  my  felf,  that  the  Lord,  the  King  of  Kings, 
 doth  vouchfafe  to  take  notice  of  fuch  a  vile  defpicable 
 Beggar  as  I  am,  and  one  that  had  Mo  doted  a^on  other 
 Paramours  J  defiling  my  felf  with  them  ^  and  thus  to 
 draw  me,  and  invite  me  to  the  Love  of  him. 
 
 IX.  He  hath  dealt  with  me  therefore  not  according 
 as  I  deferved  v  but  according  to  the  unmeafurable 
 Condefcenfion  of  his  Good  Will  and  Gracious  Power 
 towards  me^  as  in  all  things  it  did  feem  meet  to 
 LOVE,  and  to  his  Infinite  GOODNESS. 
 
 Flappy  and  BlefTed  is  that  Soul,  which  with  X.\\q 
 Bond  of  Divine  Love  is  bundled  up,  and  knit  together 
 fafl.  How  noble,  how  Honourable  is  fhe,  that  is  not 
 Ignorant  of  this  holy  Tie!  O  moft  high  Nobility  in- 
 deed ! 
 
 Here  Ihe  refted,  as  not  being  well  able  to  proceed 
 farther  at  this  time,  through  the  great  Weight  of  iid- 
 miration  which  feized  her  :  And  after  a  little  Paufe^ 
 ihe  addrefs'dherfelf  to  me,  iw  this  manner  concluding, 
 And  now,  my  Friend^  fince  this  Difcourfe  concerning 
 the  Beloved  is  grown  already  to  a  greater  Prolixity 
 than  firfl  might  be  expeded,  and  that  hitherto  the 
 Narration  has  not  been  given  of  what  was  principally 
 inquired  after  ^  therefore  we  mnft  Adjourn  the  relt  to 
 our  next  Meeting.  Which  may  he  blefs  to  us,  and 
 vouchfafe  to  make  both  Pleafantand  Fruicful. 
 
 Theoph,  Amen. 
 
52  2  m  tlte  Slntttatton        Vol.  ii. 
 
 Chap.    XVII. 
 
 Of  the  mojl  Gracious  froteBion  of  the  Beloved. 
 
 Fhilothea  continues  her  Difcourfe,  giving  a  Narration 
 of  what  farther  befel  her  in  her  Progrefs :  And 
 fatisfies  the  Doubt  which  TheophUns  had  propos'd. 
 
 Philothea.  Behold^  as  the  Eyes  of  a  Maiden  are  in  the 
 Hands  of  her  Miftrefs  :  Even  fo  mine  Eyes  wait  al- 
 ways upon  my  beloved,  Ffal,  cxxiii.  2. 
 
 FRom  the  Time  that  I  firfl:  began  to  Love  him,  I 
 was  minded  toPerfevere  with  him.  Which,  when 
 I  had  refolved  upon,  this  matter  pleas'd  him  much, 
 ^    and  he  confirmed  it,  faying,  Whoever  abideth 
 *'  ^*  in  me^  and  I  in  him^  bear eth  much  Fruit »     But 
 
 that  a  Trial  hereof  might  the  better  be  made,  and 
 Love  might  be  prov'd  with  refped  to  me,  and  to  my 
 Pretenfions  ^  for  difcovering  how  True  and  Real,  how 
 Strong  and  Powerful,  how  Chad:  and  Loyal,  my  Af- 
 fection was  \  it  was  necelTary  that  Temptati&n  fhould 
 open  and  difclofe  this.  Now  1  could  not  be  tempted, 
 but  as  he  fhould  himfelf  permit,  and  hide  himfeif  a 
 little. 
 
 And  becaufe  Temptation  is  wont  to  be  very  helpful 
 to  the  Purification  of  the  Interior  Man,  as  likewife  to 
 the  Frudification  of  Virtues  in  a  more  abundant  mea- 
 fure,  and  the  clearer  Perception  of  Spiritual  Gifts  : 
 it  was  permitted  accordingly  to  the  Tempter  to  lay 
 hold  on  me.     So  he  began  to  Exorcife  me. 
 
 How  mightily  and  how  frequently  I  was  tofTed  by 
 
 him  hither  and  thither,  my  God  and  my  Lord,  from 
 
 whom  no  Secret  is  hid,  moil  clearly  knoweth  ^  who 
 
 is  a  Witaefs  of  all  thofe  things  which  were  tranf- 
 
 4  '"  aded 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  523 
 
 aded  ia  my  Heart.  And  to  this  very  Hour  he  be- 
 holdeth  me,  and  confidereth  that  I  am  nought  but  a 
 frail  Creature,  and  an  Earthen  VefTel. 
 
 If.  llnlefs  he  therefore  had  come  into  my  Afli- 
 ftance,  when  I  was  fo  anxioufly  troubled  and  weighed 
 down,  as  I  could  hardly  believe  that  it  was  pofTible 
 for  me  to  live:  I  fay,  unlefs  he  had  been  then  my 
 Help,  My  SohI  had  almoft  dwelt  in  Hell^  or  fallen  into 
 the  Ditch  of  Defpair. 
 
 But  he  had  Mercy  upon  me,  who  accudometh  to  be 
 prefent  with  fuch  as  are  of  a  troubled  Heart:  For 
 who  could  have  been  mighty  enough  to  bear  fo  many 
 and  great  Temptations,  without  GOD  proteding 
 and  fuccouring  him  ? 
 
 That  therefore  I  was  able  to  ftand  before  the  Face 
 of  the  Wind,  and  of  the  Storm,  it  was  of  Mercy. 
 And  that  I  yet  know  my  felf  to  ftand  hitherto,  pro- 
 ceeds likewife  from  the  fame  bounteous  and  compaf- 
 lionate  Goodnefs. 
 
 •  Whence  1  ought  not  in  any  manner  to  truft  to  my 
 felf,  fo  long  as  I  live  in  the  Flefh.  Let  the  Heaven 
 appear  never  fo  fair  and  ferene,  I  dare  not  prefume 
 upon  it  \  for  there  is  no  concluding  that  it  fhall 
 therefore  abide  fo  for  time  to  come.  For  the  Air 
 ihall  of  a  fudden  be  tempeftuouily  ftirred  up,  and 
 perhaps  then  when  it  is  Icaft  of  all  expeded. 
 
 So  much  therefore  is  the  Grace  and  Protedion  of  my 
 Beloved  the  more  neceflary,  as  I  fee  that  almoft  all 
 things  are  conftantly  expofed  to  Perils  and  Dangers. 
 No  Place  any  where  is  fafe,  but  in  Heaven,  where  my 
 Beloved  feedeth  his  Followers  in  Joy  and  Exultation. 
 
 in.  But  Ah!  when  (hall  I  come  there?  What  can 
 I  fay  to  it  ?  Verily,  Nothing.  Think  of  it  a  little, 
 poflible  I  may  •,  and  that  too  not  clearly  :  But  enter. 
 I  can  by  no  means.  Oh,  that  he  would  come  him- 
 felf,  and  that  he  would  place  me  in  that  mofi:  light- 
 fome,  moft  fafe,  and  molt  pleafant  Pafture  of  his 
 
 Y  2  Saints  j 
 
324  C^f  tl|e  imitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 Saints^  where Sataa  is  not,  and  where  no  Evil  iiath 
 Admittance! 
 
 Hitherto  am  I  yet  toiling  in  the  Sea  *,  and  whether 
 or  no  1  may  ever  be  able  to  arrive  at  the  Haven  of 
 Salvation,  by  reafon  of  the  manifold  Temptations 
 fuelling  againll  me  from  a  contrary  Blall  flirred  up  j 
 I  can  no  wife  pofitively  aver. 
 
 Nothing  therefore ,  my  good  Friend  ,  is  fecure 
 with  me  :  Nothing  out  of  Danger.  But  this,  how- 
 ever, flill  abideth  my  Shield,  and  my  Covering,  that 
 I  do  always  behold  the  Light  of  Faith  ^  that  I  do  hum- 
 bly feck  for  the  Grace  of  my  Beloved^  that  I  unwea- 
 riedly  maintain  a  good  Hope  towards  him  j  that  I  am 
 not  any  wife  confenting  to  be  fcparated  in  the  leafl: 
 from  the  Love  of  him  '-,  and  laftly,  that  I  leave  my 
 felf  more  to  his  Providence  and  AbylTal  Mercy,  than 
 to  my  own  Induftry. 
 
 Wherefore,  although  I  may  very  frequently  Hum- 
 ble, and  even  fometimes  fall  into  open  Vice,  never- 
 thelefs  I  ought  not  for  this  at  all  to  defpair  '^  but  I 
 will  inftantly  cry  and  groan  unto  him:   '^  O  Lord  my 
 *'  God,  have  mercy  upon   my  Soul,   and  fuffer  me 
 not  to  be  overwhelmed  in  my  Temptations  ^  but 
 help  me  faithfully,   that  I  may  powerfully   refill 
 and  glorioully  overcome. 
 Alfo  I  cry,  being  tempted,  ''  Reach  forth  thy  right 
 "  hand  to  the  Work  of  thine  hands:  O  reach  it  forth 
 ''  to  me  thou  who  at  this  time  triefl  me  by  Satan, 
 ^^  and  who  often  fetteft  me  as  on  the  left  band  fide. 
 ''  O  Lord  Chrill,  make  hafte  to  help  me!  Let  not  the 
 *f "Floods,  I  bcfcech  thee,    fwallovv  me  up^    for  in 
 "thee  have  I  trullcd,  O  thou  Deliverer  of  the  Poor 
 ''  and  the  Defolate. 
 
 But  if  that  the  Temptation  fhould  happen  to  be  fo 
 grievous,  which  is  no  new  thing,  as  even  to  hinder 
 mc  from  callir?g  out  upon  the  Lord,  and  exprefling  ray 
 Cries  before  his  Sanctuary  ^    prcfently  from  the  in- 
 
 moil: 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  3^5 
 
 mod:  Depth  ofmy  Heart  will  Ifgh.  For  he  knoweth 
 the  very  Secrets  of  the  Heart,  and  underftandeth  what 
 is  the  Mind  of  the  Spirit,  and  what  it  defireth,  and 
 hiddeniy  intercedeth  for.  For  as  much  as  it  is  not 
 his  Will,  that  even  one  (yea  the  very  leaft)  of  the^ 
 little  ones  ihoiild  peri/h,  who  believe  m  him.  And 
 therefore  according  to  God,  niaketh  the  Spirit  In- 
 terceflion  for  thefe  with  hidden  Groanings,  iKhich  can- 
 not be  uttered,  as  by  Experience  I  know  full  well. 
 
 IV.  O  how  great  was,  and  is,  his  Mercy  towards 
 me !  How  great,  I  fay,  his  Mercy  ^  that  even  then  whea 
 I  was  ignorant  of  it,  or  did  not  heed  it,  he  was  itUl 
 notwithftanding  prefent  with  me  in  Tribulation. 
 For  many  times  he  preferved  me,  that  1  might  not 
 be  delivered  over  to  the  PafTions,  But  fometimes  a- 
 gain,  out  of  his  hidden  Judgment,  it  fo  came  to  pals, 
 that  I  fhould  fall  and  be  overcome  even  in  Imall 
 things,  left  peradventure  I  might  grow  proud,  ana 
 prefume  in  great  ones  ^  and  that  being  humbled  and 
 confounded  I  might  learn  that  I  was  nothing,  even 
 when  I  thought  1  ftood  well,  and  was  ma  flounlhing 
 
 Condition.  ,         ,       -  ,    . 
 
 1  would  advife  and  perfuade  thee  therefore  that 
 thou  do  by  no  means  rafhly  or  fuddenly  praife  me, 
 however  profperoufly  I  may  2p  forward  ^  but  referve 
 rather  thy  Praife  for  an  Holy  End :  Be  fure  thou 
 praife  me  not  before  \  yea  not  me,  even  then,  but  the 
 Lord,  even  the  LORD  only.  O  may  the  Glorious 
 GOD  alone  bepraifed,  alone  be  magnified,  alone  be 
 extolled^  who  hath  ftood  by  me  frequently,  yea 
 continually  in  my  Temptations. 
 
 V.  For  oft  times  when  I  was  feized  on  and  taken 
 Prifoner  by  them,  he  mercifully  fet  me  free.  And 
 fometimes  as  they  werecoming  againft  me  as  a  Whirl- 
 wind to  fcatter  me  altogether,  he  fent  forth  his^  Ar- 
 rows and  difperfed  them  *,  he  multiplied  his  Light* 
 aings,  and  confounded  them. 
 
326  j©f  tl^e  imitation       Vol.  ii- 
 
 And  they  departed  from  me,  for  a  Seafon.  For  he 
 would  not  that  I  fhould  be  without  them  altogether  ^ 
 as  what  rarely,  if  ever,  is  vouchfafed  of  him  to  any 
 of  the  Saints  in  this  Life. 
 
 After  this  therefore  I  had  reft  for  a  little  while  ^ 
 my  Beloved  beftowing  on  me  this  Peace.  Which  ne- 
 verthelefs  having  obtained,  I  applied  not  my  felf 
 hereupon  either  to  Bodily ,  or  Worldly  Reft  :  But 
 turned  me  to  that  which  is  of  the  Mind^  that  fo  I 
 might  from  afar  behold  the  Earth,  and  look  a  little 
 into  the  Heavenly  Sanduary. 
 
 Alfo  I  was  intent,  that  I  might  fee  and  difcover 
 what  manner  of  Perfon  1  was,  and  by  what  Ways  and 
 JMeafures  I  might  be  able  to  pleafe  him  better,  who 
 Ihewed  me  fo  great  Signs  of  Love,  as  vaftly  exceeded 
 all  what  there  vv^as  any  ground  in  me  to  expe<^. 
 
 For  I  was  notable  in  the  Whirlwind' of  Tempta- 
 tion to  fee,  how  fweet  my  Beloved  was,  how  plea- 
 fant,  and  how  lovely  ^  but  in  the  Serenenefs  of  my 
 Mind,  and  in  the  Quiet  of  Solitude  1  was  now  at  li- 
 berty to  fee  and  refled. 
 
 And  as  much  as  did  lie  in  me,  I  did  wifh  for  this 
 Serenity  of  Peace  without  Intermiffion,  that  fo  1  might 
 more  perfectly  adhere  to  him,  and  without  any  Hin- 
 drance or  Trouble  (ilently  wait  on  him. 
 
 VL  But  not  according  to  the  Delire  of  the  Soul, 
 doth  the  Effect  of  Grace  always  accompany.  Some- 
 times yet  the  Sweetnefs  defired  is  given  •,  but  then 
 fometimes  too  the  fame  is  delayed  very  rightly. 
 
 Yet  who  would  not  rather  chufe  to  lie  and  reft  un- 
 der the  Shadow  of  the  Beloved  j  if  it  were  but  per- 
 mitted, and  if  Time  and  Place  would  fo  admit? 
 
 And  now  again  my  Beloved  operateth  with  me,  at 
 certain  times,  as  afore  time.  Neither  do  I  feel  al- 
 ways that  which  troubleth  •,  nor  do  I  enjoy  unceffant- 
 ly  that  which  delighteth  *,  but  the  Eveni-ng  and  the 
 Morning  is  to  me  mi.<i^  ons  Day^  forafmuch  as  this 
 
 whole 
 
Book IV>        of  Jesus  Christ.  927 
 
 whole  Mortal  Life  is  nought  but  a  Flux  and  Reflux: 
 of  Good  and  Evil,  Light  and  Darknefs,  Day  and 
 Night :  And  is  palFed  away  in  coming  and  going 
 through  Joy  and  Sorrow,  Profperity  and  Adverfity, 
 Delight  and  Pain.  This  plainly  was  felt  by  thac 
 Saint  who  faid,  Thou  vifiteft  him  early  in  the  ,  ,  ... 
 Mornings  and  the  next  Moment  tho^t  triefl  J^  •'^"* 
 him.  And  therefore  he  could  not  forbear  crying  out, 
 What  is  Man  that  thou^  O  LORD^  jhoddefl  magnijie 
 him:  And  that  thou  Jhonldefi  fet  thy  Heart  l\\\x%  upfi 
 him  ? 
 
 Accordingly  then  he  fet  his  Heart  on  me,  to  vijit 
 me  gracioufly  in  the  Morning,  and  after  that  imme- 
 diately to  Try  me.  When  I  well  nigh  cried,  how 
 long  wilt  thou  let  me  alone,  till  I  fwallow  down  my 
 Spittle  ?  But  he  turned,  and  comforted  me  again  with 
 the  Vifitation  of  his  Love^  whereat  I  was  revived 
 greatly,  for  the  prefent,  till  new  Trials  and  Temp- 
 tations fucceeded.  For  which  alfo  I  was  hereby 
 Itrengthen'd,  and  my  Spirit  was  much  encouraged  to 
 go  forward  ftill.  ,  .         - 
 
 Nay,  it  feemeth  even  fome  fort  of  Reft,  if  the 
 Temptation  be  not  too  continual,  or  over  vehement 
 and  importunate.  So  foon  therefore  as  it  was  grant- 
 ed me  to  reft  in  the  Beloved  for  never  fo  little  a  time, 
 J  was  inftantly  full  of  Satisfadion  and  Delight.  And 
 whenever  leave  (hall  be  given  me  fweetly  to  repofe 
 my  felf  in  him,  I  have  then  what  I  wiihed  for,  and 
 all  is  exceeding  well.  In  this  I  rejoice^  and  always 
 Ihall  rejoice  for  fo  Divine  a  Gift,  by  which  the  Soul 
 is  transformed,  and  cometh  to  be  after  a  manner 
 pivine. 
 
 VIL  Moreover,  it  is  no  fmall  Advantage  to  have 
 the  Liberty  and  Confidence  of  difcourfing  him,  or  ad- 
 drefling  to  him,  upon  any  Occafion  that  may  prefent 
 it  felf  ^  for  which  hereby  he  giveth  fufficient  Encou- 
 ragement to  the  Soul.    For  by  his  fo  often  freely  pre- 
 
 Y  4  venting 
 
§  2  8  £)£  tl)e  gimitation        Vol.  it 
 
 venting  me  with  his  Gracious  Vifitation,  I  got  a  Fa- 
 iiiiliaricy  of  fpeaking  to  hinn,  and  telling  him  what- 
 ever I  had  a  iriiijd  for,  or  need  of. 
 
 Farthermorc  as  to  the  Operations  of  thefe  Vilits 
 from  the  Beloved,  know  that  when  he  approacheth, 
 and  is  minded  to  keep  holy  Day  with  me,  immedi- 
 ately there  /hineth  a  Light  into  my  Heart',  before  the 
 Brightnefsof  which  the  Miftinefs  of  all  vainThoughts 
 ^s  fcattered,  4nd  driven  away,  and  the  long  wifhed 
 for  Serenity  is  pofTefled. 
 
 For  wherever  he  maketh  his  Entrance  nothing  fil- 
 tiiy,  nothing  indecorous  can  fland^  fince  he  is  the 
 Lover  and  the  Engrafter  of  Cleannefs.  This  I  found 
 inoil  truer  Aiid  that  it  was  necefTary  fo  foon  as  he 
 enter'd,  for  every  lilufion  of  the  Devil,  with  all  the 
 Pomps  of  the  World,  to  depart  forthwith.  My  Paf- 
 fions  thus  being  fupprefled  ,  and  my  Temptations 
 which  I  fuffered  now  overcome  ^  1  began  both  more 
 (Evidently  to  know,  and  more  fervently  to  love  him. 
 1  ftudied  iikewife  more  heartily  to  giye  him  Thanks, 
 for  that  at  length  he  had  vouchfafed  to  deliver  me 
 from  the  UprOcir  of  my  Domellick  Enemies,  ,and  to 
 keep  me  from  the  Tumult  and  the  Hurry  of  Vices. 
 For  thefe  are  they  that  difqgiet  my  Peace,  and  would 
 Ihut  up  my  Mouth,  that  i  fpeak  not  to  my  Beloved. 
 
 But  in  vain  is  their  itriving  againfl:  the  Power  and 
 Wifdom  of  him,  who  in  the  midft  of  every  Tumult, 
 can  in  a  Moment  Hide  into  my  Hear:,  and  lilently  in- 
 fule  into  it  his  Secrets :  So  that  all  their  Whifperings 
 and  Buzzings  1  make  no  reckoning  of  at  all,  yea  i  do 
 lioc  fo  much  as  think  them  worth  my  Notice. 
 
 Viil.  O  my  moft  Heart-endeared  and  fairefc  Belo- 
 ved, fo,  even  fo  i  bei^ech  thee  take  me  unto  thy  felf, 
 even  to  thy  nearer  Vilits  and  Favours^  as  often  as 
 j:liou  (halt  fee  my  Alfedions  to  be  preffed  down  with 
 any  Weight  "pf  Sin,  or  detained  with  any  unneccllary 
 Bufinefs,  or  vain  ufelefs  Employ  ;  That  fo  1  may  not 
 
 begirt 
 
Book  IV.       Df  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  329 
 
 begin  to  waiidei  after  the  Flocks  of  evil  Cogitations, 
 and  thereby  ail  of  a  fudden  be  deprived  of  thy  Graces 
 without  which  I  fhall  not  be  able  to  continue  in  thy 
 itioft  imparaiiei'd  Friendfhip. 
 
 For  thou  arc  :ay  Lord  and  my  God  ,  v;ho  healefl: 
 and  halloweil ,  all  things  by  thy  Word  ;  who  halt 
 appointed  iny  Soul  for  Life,  and  eftablifhed  my  Feet 
 that  thoy  fr»oaJd  not  be  greatly  moved  :  And  who 
 hall  delivered  nie  from  the  Evil  Hour,  and  hall  pul- 
 led me  out  1  'in  the  Snares  of  Death ,  when  I  was 
 caught  by  then. 
 
 O  how  many  have  been  forfaken,  and  are  loll,  who 
 were  more  guiitlefs  than  I  am !  But  thou,  Lord,  halt 
 given  Commandment  to  fave  me,  who  art  m^  Rock 
 and  my  Fortrefs  for  ever. 
 
 Blefs  therefore  the  LORD,  O  my  Soul :  And  all 
 that  is  witltin  me  blefs  his  holy  Name.  Blefs  the 
 LORD,  O  my  Soul :  And  forget  not  all  his  Benefits. 
 All  is  lliort,  all  is  exceeding  Ihort,  whatfoever  thou 
 ihalt  fay  ,  or  think  ,  or  even  propofe  ,  in  Praife  of 
 him.  For  greater  is  he  than  all  Praifej  and  fweeter 
 than  all  Melody. 
 
 Therefore  my  Soul  cleaveth  unto  thee,  Lord,  a- 
 ione:  And  loveth  thee  beyond  all  things  thou  hall  gi^ 
 vcn ;  though  what  thou  fentefl  me  out  of  Charity  and 
 AfFedion,  ought  more  than  ordinarily  to  beelleemed 
 and  valued  of  me,  as  well  for  its  own  intrinfick  Worth, 
 as  for  the  moll  high  Excellence  of  the  Giver.  O  how 
 hall  thou  fdtisfied  me  many  a  time,  from  my  Youth 
 up,  even  until  now,  with  good  and  beautiful  things! 
 And  how  hail  thou  crowned  me  with  thy  Loving 
 Kindnefs,  and  thy  moll  fweet  tender  Mercies,  as  ia 
 the  Days  of  old !  But  how  Ihort,  yea  how  Ihort,  are 
 all  theie  of  thee  thy  felf  ? 
 
 For  thou  alone  art  the  Bridegroom  :  The  reft  are 
 Prefents  and  Love-Tokens.  I  will  not  love  them  in- 
 Jlead  of  thee :   Neither  will  \  believe  that  all  thefe 
 
 I         '         '   '  put 
 
3  3  o  m  t^e  gimttatton        Vol.  u. 
 
 put  together,  can  be  fufficient  to  fatisfie  me  without 
 theej  left  I  fliould  hereby  at  once  lofe  both  them  and 
 thee. 
 
 Thou  permittefl  to  ufe  many  things  for  the  fah  of 
 thee:  But  thou  allowefl  not  to  enjey  any  in  the  fiead 
 of  thee. 
 
 Hence,  O  my  Beloved,  my  Bridegroom,  my  Sa- 
 viour, fweetefl  JESU,  I  have  preferr'd  thee  before  all, 
 and  have  taken  care  to  love  thee  beyond  all.  Grant 
 therefore,  that  through  thy  Grace  I  may  arrive  hap- 
 pily to  enjoy  thee:  And  in  the  true  fruitive  Unioa 
 may  together  with  thee  be  perpetually  blefled  and  glo- 
 rified. 
 
 IX.  But  whither  have  I  run?  (faid  file,  here  recol- 
 lecting her  felf  again.)  Perhaps  I  may  have  been  too 
 tedious  for  thee,  and  have  carried  th,ee  farther,  than 
 willingly  thou  wouldft  have  gone  But  pardon  me, 
 my  Friend.  For  indeed  I  have  been  taken  up  as  it  were 
 out  of  my  felf  for  a  little  while,  by  the  Love  of  the 
 Supreme  Good,  and  the  one  only  Friend  ^  from  and 
 through  whom  our  Friendfhip  is  derived  down.  This 
 was  plainly  the  Occalion  of  my  Excurfion  ^  and  here- 
 by 1  was  not  a  little  relieved.  This  Love,  I  fay,  this 
 All-powerful  Love  lifted  me  up,  carrying  me  as  upon 
 his  Wings:  And,  Oh,  that  for  the  future  this  very 
 fame  Love  may  more  than  ever  lift  me  up  j  and  tranf- 
 port  thee  alfo  in  like  manner  on  high  I  Let  him  alone 
 to  provide  J  or  hs  the  Heavenly  Afcenlion  :  Let  m  but 
 keep  to  the  humble  Defcenlion. 
 
 Theoph.  Agreed. 
 
 Thiloth.  If  we  Defcendj  then  alfo  may  we  Afcend. 
 
 Theoph.  But  if  we  Defcend  not ,  then  I  perceive  that 
 7t either  can  we  Alcend. 
 
 Philoth.  It  is  very  true.  I  have  Defcended,  as  thou 
 haft  heard:  But  when  I  made  my  Bed,  even  in  Hell, 
 Lo!  He  was  there*,  and  he  brought  me  up,  and  made 
 me  to  Afcend  in  the  Flames  of  Love. 
 
 Theoph* 
 
Book  IV.     of  Jesus  Christ.  331 
 
 Theoph.  O  that  I  might  alfo  in  like  manner !  Behold, 
 they  that  go  down  into  the  Deep  fee  the  Wonders  of 
 our  Beloved.  O  the  Wonders  of  his  Love,  which  are 
 pafl:  finding  out:  And  of  his  Mercies,  which  have  no 
 End!  O  that  I  might 
 
 Fhiloth,  Thou  Jhdt  alfo  in  like  manner :  Only  bp 
 thou  flrong,  and  of  good  Heart*,  and  faint  not  when 
 thou  art  tried.  For  who,  thinkeft  thou,  (hall  be 
 Comforted,  but  they  that  Mourn  f  Or  who  fhall  be 
 filled  with  Righteoufnefs,  and  fatisfied  with  Peace, 
 but  they  that  Hunger  And  Thirfi  thereafter  ?  Or  who 
 fhall  inherit  an  everlafting  Kingdom,  but  the  Foot  in 
 Spirit  ?  Thus  then  it  behoveth  to  be,  that  we  fail  not 
 of  obtaining  the  Blejfing^  even  the  Promifed  Inheri- 
 tance of  the  Saints.     And  thus  it  even  was  with  me. 
 
 For  when  1  mourned  heavily,  then  comforted  heme, 
 and  his  Banner  over  me  was  Love;  when  I  was  an  h^n^ 
 gredy  then  gave  he  me  the  Bread  of  Heaven  to  eat  ^ 
 and  when  1  was  thirfly^  then  gave  he  me  to  drink 
 Wine  mingled  with  Milk:  Being  3,  Stranger^  and  a 
 Vagrant,  he  took  me  in  j  and  brought  me  to  his 
 Banqueting  Houfe:  Being  nahd^  and  afhamed  of  ray 
 own  Nakednefs,  he  clothed  me  with  the  Robe  of  his 
 immaculate  Righteoufnefs :  Being  fick^  and  fenfible 
 of  my  defperate  Condition,  he  vifited  me,  and  healed 
 all  my  Difeafes  *,  redeeming  my  Life  from  Deitrudi- 
 on  :  And  laftly,  when  I  was  in  Frifon^  and  as  one  call 
 out  from  the  Prefence  of  the  Lord,  Hell  with  her  Bars 
 feeming  to  clofe  me  about  for  ever;  then,  even  then, 
 came  he  unto  me*,  and  having  broken  the  Gates  ot 
 Brafs,  and  cut  the  Bars  of  Iron  in  funder,  brought 
 up  my  Soul  out  of  Darknefs,  and  the  Shadow  of 
 Death,  that  I  might  blefs  his  Name,  and  declare  what 
 he  hath  done  for  me  in  the  Congregation  of  his  Saints. 
 O  that  my  Soul  therefore  might  always  praife  the  Be- 
 loved for  his  Goodnefs ;  and  for  his  wonderful  Works 
 to  me,  unworthy  one,  v/hen  I  was  faffc  bound  in  AfBi- 
 
 dion 
 
3  3  -  €>f  tlje  limitation       Vol.  ii, 
 
 ftion  and  Mifery  ^  and  for  all  his  dear  Vouchfafements' 
 and  precious  Vifitations,  ever  fince,  to  this  very  Day 
 And  do  thou,  my  Friend,  praife  Him  with  me  alfo, 
 and  magnifie  Him  for  ever^  who  hath  delivered,  and 
 will  yet  deliver  thee  to  the  end,  as  thy  furc  Confidence 
 is  in  Him. 
 
 Theoph.  The  poor  fhall  praife  Him;  and  fuch  as 
 wander  now  in  the  Wiidernefs ,  in  a  folitary  Way, 
 hungry  and  thirlty,  whofe  Soul  fainteth  in  them, 
 fhall  greatly  magnifie  Him;  for  he  is  good,  and  his 
 Mercy  truly  endureth  forever.  He  will  bring  us  there- 
 fore to  a  City  of  fafe  Habitation,  where  Praife  wait- 
 €th  for  him.  What,  though  I  am  here  a  Stranger, 
 Naked  alfo.  Sick,  and  in  Prifon*,  thou  haft  convin- 
 ced me,  O  Faithful  and  Beloved  Soul,  that  I  need  no 
 more  but  look  unto  him,  who  is  always  nigh,  that 
 he  may  work  out  Salvation,  when  called  upon. 
 
 And  whofo  is  wife,  will  ponder  and  obferve  thofe 
 things  which  thou  haft  now  declared,  bringing  them 
 forth  out  of  the  abundance  of  thine  Htart:  That  fo 
 they  may  under  (land  the  exceeding  great  Loving  Kind- 
 nefs  of  the  LOPvD  our  Saviour,  who  only  doth  won- 
 drous Works.  As  for  me,  I  hope  not  to  forget  the 
 LefTon  thou  hafl  taught  me  at  this  time  ;  1  mean,  not 
 to  mind  fo  much  theAfcenfion  as  the Dcfcen lion;  and 
 to  commit  my  felf  herein  wholly  to  him,  that  taketh 
 care  for  me. 
 
 Philoth.  This  if  thou  obfervell,  then  art  thou  fure 
 not  to  be  forfaken  of  him.  And  if  he  (hould  feem 
 to  leave  thee  at  any  time,  be  fatisfied  it  is  but  the  more 
 ftrongly  to  raife  thy  Dellres  and  Affections  ,  and 
 thereby  to  attrad  and  knit  thee  to  him  fafler. 
 
 X.  T'heoph,  But  remcmbrel]:  thou  the  Qiieftion  that 
 was  put  by  me? 
 
 Phlloth.  Thy  Inquiry  is,  whether  1  be  not  fome- 
 times  left  of  the  Behoved?   1  Aafwer,  that  I  am. 
 
 Theopho 
 
Book  IV. of  }es  us  Christ.        33^ 
 
 Theoph.  Pray,  what  doll:  thou  then? 
 
 Philoth.  I  fullain  my  felf  with  all  the  Evennefs  of 
 Mind  that  is  poflible  for  me:  And  fo  I  exped  till  he 
 come  again.  In  Nature  1  am  buithen'd  ,  but  in  the 
 Spirit  am  inwardly  upheld  •,  otherwife  my  Grief  would 
 be  Inconfolable.  Then  1  conftantly  confider,  that 
 there  is  no  living  in  Love,  without  fom^e  Pain.  In 
 fhort,  I  Live  by  Faith  ^  1  Believe  the  Holy  Scriptures^, 
 I  AlTent  to  the  Promifes^  I  commit  my  felf  to  God's 
 
 Mercy.        r      ^  r 
 
 And  though  it  may  be  bad  with  me  for  the  prelent, 
 I  diftrull  not  but  that  It  may  be  foon  better^  and  that 
 God,  when  it  pleafes  him,  can  and  will  fend  me  eafe. 
 Neither  ought  I  therefore  to  diftruft  him:  For  true 
 and  faithful  are  the  Sayings  of  the  Saints  hereupon  •,  and 
 what  they  have  Hiftorically  and  Experimentally  deli- 
 ver'd,  as  to  this,  is  mod  firm,  and  without  all  doubt. 
 I  confider  then  that  they,  in  many  things,  have  beea 
 exercifed,  and  been  proved  in  like  manner  with  me: 
 That  they  might  be  made  Perfedl,  and  GOD  might 
 be  Glorified. 
 
 Nature  in  me  is  always  wiihing  to  be  eafed,  and  in 
 fomewhat  or  other  feeks  ftill  to  be  comforted.  But 
 the  Spirit  neverthelefs  is  ready  to  endure  all  things, 
 whatfoever  it  (hall  pleafe  GOD  that  I  fliould  fuffer. 
 Indevotion  and  Sluggilhnefs  do  very  greatly  indeed 
 fometimes  afFrighten  and  difpirit.  But  fliould  I  be 
 cold  in  my  Devotion,  and  liftlefs  to  Good  Deeds  ^  yet 
 is  not  my  Wound  therefore  without  a  Remedy  :  For 
 thoHgh  he  flay  me,  faith  the  Righteous  Man, 
 I'.bxiii.    y^^  J  ^'11  ^,^^ji  -^  i^i^^     SMhd^t  if  I  love  the 
 
 being  exercifed  in  Works  of  Virtueand  Piety  ?  Here 
 is  the  higheft  Work,  even  to  deny  my  Self.  Do  I 
 fcek  after  the  Virtues  ?  Certainly  Patience  is  a  great 
 Virtue  :  Let  that  therefore  now  be  diligently  kepK  to, 
 and  heeded. 
 
 For 
 
334  ^f  ti^c  3jmttatton       VoL  IL 
 
 For  the  DifEculty  of  the  Work  frequently  enhan- 
 ceth  the  Brightnefs  for  the  Virtue.  And  that  Virtue 
 may  be  tried,  and  made  more  Bright  and  Radiant,  it 
 is  ufual  for  it  to  pafs  through  contrary  Events.  By 
 this  means  it  is  the  more  exalted  and  purified  ^  and 
 its  Luftre  in  the  fight  of  God,  and  of  his  Angels,  is 
 far  greater. 
 
 If  therefore  any  fuch  Probation  fhall  hereafter  hap- 
 pen unto  thee,  my  Friend,  be  not  thou  diffident,  nei- 
 ther be  thou  caft  down^  but  preferve  Patience,  and 
 always  commend  God's  Juflice. 
 
 XI.  God  is  not  fo  Severe,  or  Unmerciful,  that  he 
 fhould  fuffer  thee  long  to  abide  Uncomforted.  Only 
 take  heed  ,  that  thou  do  not  immoderately  Grieve, 
 neither  Murmur  againft  the  Juft  and  the  Holy  One^ 
 left  hereby  the  Evil  Spirit  take  an  occafion  to  fend  on 
 thee  yet  Iharper  Temptations,  inciting  thee  to  Defpair 
 and  Blafphemy :  And  fo  thou  be  hence,  through  thy 
 own  Timoroufnefs  and  Cowardife,  vexed  and  tormen- 
 ted beyond  what  is  fit. 
 
 For  this  Reafon,  in  the  Name  of  God,  bear  up  thy 
 felf  a  little,-  and  fupprefs  Grief  ^  let  never  fo  great 
 Heavinefs  of  Heart,  or  Body,  fet  upon  thee,  and  af- 
 fail  thy  Conftancy.  Endure  firm  in  the  good  Refo- 
 lution,  which  thou  tookefl:  up  in  the  beginning.  Let 
 nothing  be  able  to  fhake  thee  from  it.  This  is  the 
 Critical  Point:  Now,  if  ever,  will  it  be  mainly  help- 
 ful to  thee*,  caft  all  thy  Hope  upon  the  Beloved.  In 
 this  Hour  of  Probation  be  fure  then  to  keep  upon 
 thy  Watch-Tower,  and  truft  him  vvholly. 
 
 Wait  with  Patience  for  the  Heavenly  Confolation  *, 
 fo  fhalt  thou  foon  find  more  plentiful  Grace,  and  a 
 more  kind  Regard  from  thy  God.  Lo !  thou  haft  for 
 this  a  faithful  Witnefs,  faying,  /  ivaited  pa- 
 Pfal.  xl.  tiemly  for  the  LO  RD  y  and  he  e?JC lined 
 unto  me. 
 
 Xll  And 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  ChfvIST. 555 
 
 XII.  And  that  it  may  not  be  long  before  thou  ob- 
 tain this,  but  it  may  be  almoft  prefently  granted  thee, 
 be  frequent  in  Prayer  and  Supplication,  and  beg  alfo 
 of  others  to  be  Prayed  for."  This  done,  commit  thy 
 felf  entirely,  without  any  fort  of  Referve,  to  his  Will 
 and  Ordination  ^  that  he  may  do  with  thee  even  what- 
 ever fhall  feem  good  to  him  :  So  he  will  do  for  thee 
 better,  than  thou  canft  choofe  for  thy  felf. 
 
 And  fay  thou  to  him  with  a  good  Confidence,  "  I?t 
 *'  thy  Hands^  LORD^  are  my  Seafons,  Let  my  Time 
 *^  be  thine.  Thou  knoweft  how  it  is  with  me  j  Thou 
 *'  underftandeft  what  it  is  I  fuffer :  And  now,  if  thou 
 *'  wilt,  very  foon  fhall  I  be  comforted.  But  let  that 
 ''  however  always  be,  which  feemeth  right  and  good 
 "  in  thine  Eyes:  And  have  Mercy  upon  me,  a  poor 
 "  and  defolate  Beggar,  humbly  groaning  to  thee. 
 
 Now  if  after  this  manner  thou  (halt  perfevere  in 
 Patience  and  Long-fuffering^  and  fhalt  not  for  the 
 fake  of  a  light  Tribulation  turn  afide  from  the  Faith^ 
 or  from  the  Love-i  which  are  in  Chrifl  Jefus :  Verily, 
 verily,  the  Splendor  of  his  Grace  fhall  be  reftored  to 
 thee  again,  and  more  than  ever  fhall  it  enlighten  thee. 
 And  the  Beloved  fhall  be  much  dearer  to  thee  as  he  re.- 
 turneth,  than  if  he  had  never  been  at  all  abfent* 
 
 For  it  is  not  an  Unrevokable  Sentence:  Neither  is 
 he  fo  offended ,  as  he  cannot  be  again  Reconciled. 
 He  will  be  appeafed  very  foon,  and  very  eafily^  do 
 thou  but  do  thy  Endeavour,  and  take  more  heed,  and 
 fee  to  perform  quickly  what  thou  fhalt  have  engaged 
 to  do. 
 
 If  thou  dofl  acquiefce  in  thefe  wholefome  Admoni- 
 tions, then  fhall  the  Beloved  be  with  thee  as  before^ 
 and  in  his  Prefence  greatly  fhalt  thou  be  delighted  , 
 aud  with  a  merry  Heart  fhalt  thou  fay,  '^  O  how  plen- 
 **  tiful  is  thy  Goodnefs,  how  great  is  thy  Svveetnefs, 
 ''  which  thou  haft  laid  up,  Lord,  for  them  that  fear 
 ^^  thee,   and  halt  prepared  for  them  that  truft  thee ! 
 
 ^'  Thou 
 
33^  <Df  tl^e  9imitattou     ■  Voi.iL. 
 
 **  Thou  fhalt  hide  them  in  the'Secret  of  rhy  Prefence 
 *'  from  the  Pride  of  Man  ^  and  under  the  Shadow  of 
 «  thy  Wings  fhalt  thou  keep  them  faiely,  as  in  a  Pa- 
 ''  vilion.     O  hov/  great  is  thy  Goodnefs ! 
 
 ^  O  Sioft^  thou  (halt  be  Renewed,  and  fhalt  fee  thy 
 Glorious  One,  who  is  to  Reiga  in  thee  He  is  the 
 King  of  Virtues,  the  King  of  Glory ;  and  he  is  thy 
 Beloved*,  w'hofe  -]-  Back  parts  Me  covtK^d^kh  the 
 tdenefs  of  Gold^  but  whofe  Head  is  of  Fu^efl  Gold. 
 
 And  (he  faid  to  me,  Thefe  things  which  are  fpoken 
 for  thy  Confolation,  fee  thou  tell  but  to  very  few.  But 
 as  for  what  remains,  and  what  I  have  pronrifed  to  kt 
 thee  know,  concerning  the  apparent  Changeabienefs 
 of  the  Beloved,  as  how  he  now  rhanifeits  himftlf  un- 
 der one  Appearance,  and  then  (trait  under  anofher^^ 
 and  how  he  feemeth  to  run  here  and  there,  and  fo  as  it 
 were  tofport  himfelf  with  thee :  At  our  next  meeting, 
 if  thou  be  prepared,  thou  (halt  hear  and  receive  from 
 his  own  Mouth. 
 
 ^  0  Sm  renovaher'is^  fy  videb'is  inclytim  tttum,  qui  regnatiirus  ejl 
 
 in  te. 
 
 f  Cujus  pofteriora  k  pallore  auri^  Pf.  6j.  13.  V.  L. 
 
 Chap, 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Chfv  1ST.  337 
 
 Chap.    XVIIL 
 
 The  BelovedV  Aiifwer^  giving  an  Account  of  his 
 
 Withdramng, 
 
 The  Soul  and  the  Beloved  here  Confer  together. 
 
 MarvelloMs  are  thy  Worh^  and  that  my  Soul  Icmweth 
 right  wellj  Pfal.  cxxxix. 
 
 ThilotL'X'TjBY  is  it,  my  Beloved,  that  thou  haft 
 VV  done  thus  ?  And  what  is  the  reafou 
 thou  leftell  me?  Anfwer,  1  befeech  thee.  Thou 
 lefteft  me,  and  wenteft  away.  But  thou  art  again  re- 
 turned back  to  me.  And  in  this  thing  haft  thou  done 
 well.  Had  ft  thou  not  come  again  foon,  I  fhould  well 
 nigh  have  fainted. 
 
 But  thou  haft  had  Mercy  upon  me,  my  Secrets  not 
 being  hid  from  thee.  For  I  was  forrowful  at  thy  De- 
 parture, and  now  am  I  comforted  afrefli  by  thy  Re- 
 turn. 
 
 Tell  me  however  fomethingformy  Inftrudion,  and 
 let  me  be  taught  what  Good  herein  thou  didft  pro- 
 pofe  ?  What  advantageth  it  thee  after  this  manner  to 
 run  about,  and  to  afflid  me  ?  Takeft  thou  a  delight 
 to  hear.  Abide  with  us^  Lord^  for  it  is  torvards  Evening  ? 
 Loveft  thou  thus  to  be  confirained  <* 
 
 Come,  and  lit  thou  in  the  midfi  of  Hs  ;  for,  lo  ! 
 there  is  I,  and  a  certain  other  Difciple  of  thine,  who 
 covet  much  to  hear  thee :  And  we  befeech  theeearneft- 
 ly,  that  thou  would'ft  therefore  pleafe  to  teach  us. 
 
 Speak  freely  all  what  thou  pleafeft:  And  turn,  if 
 thou  wile,  thy  Difcourfc  to  me.  None  do  I  more 
 readily  hear  fpeak  than  thee.  And  if  any  other 
 fpeak,  for  thy  iake  whofpeakeft  in  him,  his  Words 
 
 2  are 
 
o 
 
 38  €>f  ti)c  Slmttation        Vol.  11. 
 
 are  heard  of  me  :  And  liftning  to  thee,  as  fpeaking 
 through  him,  his  Speech  becometh  to  me  both  Audi- 
 ble and  Grateful. 
 
 The  Words  of  thy  Lips  therefore  are  fweeter  nnto 
 me  than  Honey  ,  and  the  Honey-Comb^  for  they  ex- 
 cel all  Sweetnefs  of  Words,  and  furpafs  all  that  caa^ 
 be  imagined.    Let  now  thy  Voice  found  in  my  Ears. 
 II.  The  Voice  of  my  Beloved  thundred  and  faid  : 
 The  Beloved.   I  am  He  that  fpeaks  Righteoufnefs. 
 .      Who  is  like  unto  me  inCounfel,  and  in  Pru- 
 Ifai.xiv.  ^g^ce?  \^i^Q  j^a^je  tjje  Sea,    and  the  dry 
 
 Land  ?  1,  the  LORD^  forming  the  Light  and  crea- 
 ting the  Darknefs. 
 
 Who  hath  entred  into  the  Abyfs,  and  brought  up 
 Waters  out  of  the  Deep  ?  I,  the  LORD  ^  fearching 
 the  Hearts  and  the  Reins. 
 
 Who  hath  known  All  Things,  the-Firfl  and  the 
 Laft  ,  and  hath  beheld  whatever  was,  or  is,  or  is  to 
 be?  I,  the  LORD,  who  have  made  all  things  in 
 Number,  and  in  Weight,  and  in  Meafure:  I,  the 
 Creator  of  Heaven  and  Earth  ^  the  Governour  of  all 
 Ages  and  Worlds.  « 
 
 I,  the  Difcerner  of  Secrets,  and  the  Revealer  of 
 hidden  Mifteries,  am  He.  I,  even  I,  containing  the 
 llniverfe,  do  comprehend  all  that  therein  is  at  once  : 
 I  both  fee  them  all  together^  and  I  fee  the  Caufes  of 
 every  Particular  individnally.  I  am  GOD,  and  am  not 
 changed  j  with  whom  the  Reafons  and  Proportions  of 
 all  things  Changeable,  do  Unchangeably  fubfiil-. 
 
 I  am  GOD  OMNIPOTENT,  whofe  Power  is  In- 
 fuperable. 
 
 I  am  the  Mofl  HIGH,  whofe  Height  is  Inacceflible. 
 
 lam  GOODNESS,  whofe  Being  is  Incommunicable. 
 
 I  am  the  moil  Prefent,  and  the  moll  Secret. 
 
 I  am  the  mofl  Intimate,  and  the  molt  Remote. 
 
 I  Bear  all  things,  without  any  Burthen. 
 
 I  Rule  all  things,  without  any  Diflention. 
 
 3  I  behold 
 
BooklV.      of  Jesus  Chfv  1  ST.  :^99 
 
 I  behold  all  things  at  once,  both  Fait  and  Future, 
 as  Prefent. 
 
 I  comprehend  every  Creature,  be  it  Corporeal  or 
 Spiritual  ^  being  comprehended  by  none. 
 
 I  am  named  after  vaiious  Manners,  yet  perfedly 
 Conformable  to  none. 
 
 I  fuddenly  Appear,  and  then  again  I  as  fuddenly 
 Difappear,  without  being  perceived. 
 
 Verily  I  am  an  Hidden  GOD  \  and  in  a  thoufand 
 Ways  do  I  manifeft  my  felf,  Sporting  and  Playing  a^ 
 it  were  with  them  that  love  mc  ,  by  a  continued  va^^ 
 riety  of  fucceflive  Difpenfations. 
 
 The  Beloved  faid  alfo  what  here  followeth  to  the 
 Loving  Soul. 
 
 III.  I  faid,  I  will  hide  my  F^ce  from  her  for  a  little 
 while  ^  I  will  leave  her  for  a  Moment :  That  I  ma/ 
 fee  whether  fhe  loveth  me  unfeignedly  and  purely. 
 
 It  is  a  great  thing  to  Love  pitrely  ,  becaufe  this  is  to 
 love  me  not  for  her  own  fake  ^  nor  for  the  fake  either 
 of  Temporal  Profit,  or  Spiritual  Comfort*,  But  to 
 love  me,  and  me  only,  and  for  my  own  fake  ^  and 
 finally  to  love  her  felf  for  the  Love  of  me  merely^ 
 and  not  for  any  thing  fhe  hopeth  to  obtain  from  me. 
 
 It  appertains  not  indeed  to  all  thus  to  love  me  ^  buC 
 it  is  the  Property  of  a.  molt  perfect  Soul,  and  corn- 
 mon  to  none  befides  is  this  Prerogative  otpHre  Love, 
 
 But  that  Soul,  which  is  yet  imperfed,  hath  need  to 
 be  frequently  proved  and  excited  :  That  hereby  ike 
 may  come  to  know  both  how  much  fhe  loveth  me, 
 and  how  greatly  fhe  defpifeth  her  own  felf,  of 
 whether  my  Love  in  her  do  aduajly  reach  to  Self- 
 contempt. 
 
 For  thou  haft  faid  in  thy  Heart,  Indeed!  Love:  And 
 this  fame  thing  thou  art  often  repeating,  I  Love.  Buc 
 1  trufl:  not  to  Words  alone,  or  to  Thoughts  alone  i 
 For  in  Truth  will  I  prove  thee. 
 
 2  2  Whea, 
 
340  €)f  tlje  gimitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 When  I  am  prefenr,  and  do  fpeak  fair  to  thee  9 
 when  I  either  give  Devotion,  or  encreafe  it  given  '^ 
 when  I  put  good  Motions  in  the  Mind  ,  or  raife  and 
 exalt  them  more  highly  ;  when  I  fend  nothing  but 
 what  is  Profperous,  or  at  leafl  for  the  belt  part  fo, 
 and  court  thee  much  with  pleafant  things-,  thencanft 
 thou  with  all  Devoutnefs  fay  :  My  Beloved^  1  love 
 thee.  And  well  fa  yell  thou  fo^  for  I  am  exceeding 
 Lovely.  And  all  the  things  that  can  be  faid  or 
 thought  of  me,  are  Lovely  and  Sweet,  and  Praife- 
 worthy  to  Eternity.  I  am  greatly  therefore  to  be 
 loved  of  thee  always  ',  and  thou  art  at  no  time  to 
 think  or  fpeak  otherwife  than  moft  Friendly  and  Ho- 
 nourably of  me. 
 
 But  to  love  and  Praife  me,  while  thou  receiveft 
 Benefits,  what  a  mighty  matter  is  it?  Do  not  even 
 the  Sinners  the  fame  ?  They  truly  often  Praife,  and 
 give  me  Thanks ,  when  they  receive  what  they  nn- 
 righteoufly  covet  and  long  for.  But  Praife  is  not 
 comely  in  the  Mouth  of  a  Sinner. 
 
 If  any  one  therefore  loveth  me,  for  the  fake  of 
 Benefit,  or  of  Confolation,  what  doth  he  more  than 
 the  Covetous  Worldling?  But  unto  thee  I  fay,  exceed 
 thou  him  :  And  proceed  unto  greater  Righteoufnefs. 
 Why  ftayeft,  why  ftoppeft  thou? 
 
 Go  on,  go  on  :  Prefs  forward  to  thofe  things  that 
 are  more  perfedf .  Come  up  higher ;  Reft  not  in  any 
 of  the  lower  Degrees. 
 
 Be  afhamed  to  be  always  feeble  and  foft  ^  learn  to 
 eat  ^rong  Meat-,  and  do  not  longer  feed  on  Child rens 
 Milk.     For  why,  wilt  thou  be  ever  a  Child  i 
 
 Pafs  thou  over  into  the  Number  of  the  mighty  Men 
 of  David,  of  them  that  hold  both  the  Spear,  and  the 
 Sword,  and  the  Shield.  Take  up  the  Crofs ,  and 
 follow  thou  me.  Make  hafte  to  be  numbred  among 
 thofe,  who  know  how  to  bear  for  my  fake  valiantly 
 the  many  Shocks  of  the  World,  and  of  the  Evil  One 
 A  that 
 
Book  IV.      Of  J Esus  Christ.  34t 
 
 that  ruleth  therein  :  Who  have  learnt  joyfully  to  un- 
 dergo for  me  divers  Tribulations  and  Grievances, 
 with  fundry  kinds  of  Exile  and  Death.  Thou  art 
 too  much  given  unto  Eafe. 
 
 Too  much  art  thou  bent  to  Confolation.  There- 
 fore I  have  a  mind  to  prove  thee,  and  to  bend  thee 
 to  the  other  fide*,  that  fo  thou  may'ft  experience 
 what  thou  art  able  to  fufFer,  left  thou  feem  to  thy  felf 
 Innocent  and  Holy.  j     -n  t 
 
 But  I  will  foon  undeceive  thee.  For  this  end  will  I 
 fend  upon  thee  Tribulation,  and  Wrath,  and  Indig- 
 nation ',  together  with  Evil  Angels,  that  (hall  not  fail 
 to  fift  thee.  Some  fhall  take  away  from  thee  fuch  things 
 as  are  thine  •,  others  (hall  refufe  thee  fuch  as  thou  need- 
 eft.  Some  (hall  backbite  thee',  others  iliall  refift  thee 
 to  thy  Face.  Others  (hall  lay  upon  thee  an  heavy 
 Yoak^  others  (hall  lead  thee  whither  thou  wouldeft 
 not.  Others  (hall  afflidl  thee  outwardly,  and  others 
 inwardly.  Others  (hall  be  preferred  to  Places  and  Ho- 
 nours;  thou  left  to  Contumely  and  Servile  Labour. 
 
 In  all  thefe,  and  in  greater  than  thefe,  (halt  thou 
 be  tried,  as  it  becometh  a  mighty  Champion.  I  will 
 depart:  Yet  will  I  not  difmifs  thee,  before  I  have 
 examined  thee  throughly,  and  proved  thee  on  the 
 Teft,  whether  thou  wilt  blefs  me  to  my  Face. 
 
 And  if  it  (hall  be  made  appear,  that  thou  loved;  me 
 with  all  thy  Heart-,  and  if  thou  (halt  always,  and  upon 
 every  Occafion,  blefs  rny  Name  •,  then  it  is  (it  that 
 thou  thenceforward  be  called  my  Spoafe^  and  do  ob- 
 tain a  fecret  Chamber  with  me. 
 
 Neverthelefs,  if  thou  art  not  fufficient  as  yet  to  bear 
 my  Rod^  and  (halt  count  hence  my  Difcipline  not  fo 
 very  lovely  ;,  bemoaning  for  many  Days  my  Abfence  •, 
 1  will  fend  thee  my  Siaff,  which  thou  beggeft  Co  migh- 
 tily for,  thatthou  mayeft  arife  :  And  after  that  I  will 
 come  alfomy  felf*,  and  thou  (halt  be  reftored  to  my 
 wonted  Favour,  and  (halt  be  raifed  up  to  thy  former 
 
 2  3  Grac^ 
 
342  jEDf  tl)t  Simitation       Vol.  ii- 
 
 Grace  again  ,   which  fhali  be  unto  thee  Life  from  the 
 Dead. 
 
 For  it  is  not  my  Will  to  have  thee  altogether  faint 
 awsy  J  fince  the  Soul  that  loveth  me  I  alfo  love.  And 
 if  thou  lovefl:  not  yet  perfedly,  or  as  thou  oughteft  ; 
 yet  defpife  not  I  thee  for  being  but  a  little  one  :  But 
 will  r/^ke  care,  that  thou  do  grow.  For  my  Care  is  of 
 thee,  that  it  may  be  well  with  thee :  I  will  therefore 
 that  thou  have  no  Doubt,  or  Hefitation  concerning 
 me. 
 
 V.  I  know  indeed  exadly  how  much  thou  art  able 
 to  bear  *,  and  hence  it  is  i  moderate  accordingly  my 
 hand  :  That  thou  mayeft  not  be  tempted  above  what 
 thou  haft  Strength  to  fullain,  and  fo  mayeft  not  fallo 
 But  ii  1  Hiall  delay  to  come,  what  hafb  thou  to  do, 
 but  wait  for  me  till  the  Day  of  Vifitation  ?  I  will  ve- 
 rily come  *,  and  fatisfie  my  Promife'.  In  the  mean 
 while  do  thou  apply  thy  felf  to  Prayer,  and  to  Read- 
 ing the  Holy  Bible  ^  and  fail  not  to  hold  fafl  in  every 
 thing  Patience  and  long  SufFering. 
 
 Neither  can  1  be  ignorant,  that  thou  during  my 
 Abfence  art  in  Sadnefs  and  Sorrowfulnefs :  But  cer- 
 tainly it  pleafeth  me  not,  that  thou  Ihouldeft  fo  fud- 
 denly  be  at  this  call  down,  and  fail  of  all  Hope,  as 
 as  if'  I  were  not  at  all  to  return  again.  Child,  where 
 is  thy  Faith? 
 
 Great  Faith  hafl  thou  need  of  on  this  account  chief- 
 ly •,  becaufe  if  thou  feefl;  me  not,  yet  art  thou  ihcn.  of 
 me:  To  v/hom  thou  oughtefl  to  trull  both  thy  felf, 
 and  all  that  thou  hall.  For  notwithllanding  that  my 
 Judgments  may  not  be  underftood  of  thee,  yet  the 
 Faith  that  is  firm  neverthelefs  faith  :  All  Is  Good  what- 
 ever God  difpofethf  or  iKorlieth, 
 
 Be  thou  therefore  comforted,  and  of  a  good  Hearty 
 for  I  fay  unto  thee,  this  Sicknefs  of  thine  is  not  unto 
 Death,  but  for  the  Glory  of  God.  Behold  I  have  ta- 
 ^  ken 
 
Book  IV.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R I  s  T.  g43 
 
 ken  from  thee  thy  Hearts  Deflre,  and  I  have  contri- 
 ved to  try  thy  Faith  and  thy  Love. 
 
 For  all  thefe  things  have  I  done,  that  fo  thou 
 mighteft  more  plainly  and  clearly  know  thine  Infir- 
 mity, and  Sicknefs  of  Heart :  And  mighteft  better 
 underftand  my  Goodnefs  and  my  faving  Health. 
 
 Thou  knoweft  not  thy  felf,  fo  well  as  I  know  thee. 
 I  know  thee,  and  all  what  is  thine,  not  only  from 
 Time,  but  from  Eternity. 
 
 Acknowledge  therefore  v;hat  it  is,  that  cometh  un- 
 to thee  from  me :  See  how  poor,  how  very  poor  thou 
 art  in  thy  own  felf  ^  how  little  it  is  of  thy  own 
 thou  haft  to  pretend  to,  if  thou  art  at  any  time  left 
 of  me.  Thou  haft  not  yet  made  Proficience  enough 
 in  the  true  Knowledge  of  thy  felf.  And  becaufe  it  is 
 highly  expedient  for  thee  to  attain  this,  my  Pleafure 
 is  that  thou  fhouldeft  learn  it  experimentally. 
 
 It  is  good  for  thee,  that  at  times  thou  art  afflid^ed ; 
 that  thou  art  defolated,  that  thou  art  in  Tribulation, 
 that  thou  art  humbled  ',  that  fo  thou  may'ft  make  a 
 more  manifeft  Difcovery  of  thy  own  Infirmity  to  thy 
 felf,  and  have  a  ftrong  and  evident  Senfation  of  it  on 
 thy  Mind. 
 
 I  know  this  will  moft  conduce  to  thy  Proficience, 
 and  Advantage,  every  way.  And  if  thereby  thou  fhalt 
 become  both  more  prudent  and  more  careful  in  every 
 thing  by  thee  undertaken,  or  defigned  j  tell  me  what 
 haft  thou  loft  ?  Thou  art  commonly  too  conceited,  and 
 ignorant  of  thy  felf  j  thinking  thou  haft  the  Good 
 which  thou  haft  not. 
 
 VI.  Thou  art  deceived  frequently  through  Self- 
 Love:  And  while  thou  confidereft  not  the  Giver, 
 thou  abufeft  the  Gift.  I  gave  thee  plentifully  to 
 drink,  and  thy  Heart  was  glad  :  But  thou  forgetteftt 
 that  the  Grape  was  of  my  Vine. 
 
 Try  but  thy  felf,  and  having  made  the  Experiment 
 ovvn  what  thou  haft  :  If  what  thou  haft  had  be  of  thy 
 
 Z  4  felf 
 
344  fS>l  tijt  imitation       Vol.  li; 
 
 felf,  then  why  keptefl  thou  it  not  ?  And  if  thou 
 couldeft  not  keep  it,  acknowledge  thou  haft  received 
 it  from  Above. 
 
 Give  thou  therefore  the  Honour  to  my  Grace  ;  and 
 confefs  that  without  me  thou  canft  do  nothing.  Con- 
 fider  how  necelTary  I  am  to  thee,  how  fufficient,  how 
 abundant  and  how  only  powerful  to  confirm  thee  in 
 every  good  thing. 
 
 Where  waft  thou  before  1  called  thee,  but  in  the 
 Mire  of  thy  Sins  ?  And  where  art  thou,  but  where  I 
 have  brought  thee  ?  Nay,  when  was  it  ever  well  with 
 thee  without  Me  ? 
 
 VII.  The  Soul  anfwered  and  faid  : 
 
 Never,  fweeteft  LORD:  Thou  art  my  Beloved 
 alone  ;  my  One,  Onely,  and  Singular  Beloved.  In 
 all  things  faithful  art  thou :  And  none  is  like  to  Thee. 
 
 To  whom  the  Lord  again  : 
 
 If  fo,  whence  is  it  then  thou  thoughteft  fo  amifs,  as 
 to  be  perfuaded  to  go  after  other  Lovers  ?  What  hath 
 difpleafed  thee  in  me  ?  Hath  my  Glory,  or  hath  my 
 Beauty? 
 
 Fhiloth.  Verily,  there  is  not  any  like  unto  THEE 
 in  Beauty,  or  in  Glory,  in  Riches,  or  in  Power :  Nor 
 is  there  fuch  an  one  in  Heaven,  or  on  Earth.  For 
 thou,  LORD,  alone  art  the  mofl  High  above  every 
 Creature.  Thine  are  the  Heavens,  and  thine  is  the 
 Earth  alfo  :  Thou  haft  laid  the  Foundation  of  the 
 round  World,  and  all  that  therein  is.  What  thou 
 haft  given  to  the  Creatures  is  not  fmall.  From  which 
 thy  great  Beauty ,  Wifdom  and  Goodnefs  do  fliine 
 forth  :  But  nothing  is  it  in  Comparifon  of  thy  own 
 Blefled  and  Glorious  Prefence.  I  have  now  learnt  by 
 Experience,  that  it  is  a  bitter  thing  to  me,  but  to 
 have  left  thee  only  for  an  Hour. 
 
 VIII.  The  Beloved.  Return  therefore  unto  me,  faith 
 thy  Beloved.  It  is  enough  that  hitherto  thou  haft  run 
 up  and  down.     Learn  to  be  ftedfaft  and  meek,  ho- 
 ping 
 
Book  IV.        of  Jesus  Christ.        545 
 
 ping  and  trulting  in  me,  not  only  in  the  Day  of  Vi- 
 litation,  but  abundantly  in  the  Night  of  Tempta- 
 tion. 
 
 I  let  thee  go,  that  fo  being  tired  thou  mighteft 
 come  back  to  me  again  the  fooner  :  And  being  difap- 
 pointed  in  thy  outward  Solacement  mighteft  at  length 
 underftand  what  a  Difference  there  is  betwixt  the 
 Creature  and  me  ^  and  of  what  high  Advantage  my 
 Love  hath  been  above  all  other  Loves  to  thee,  by  which 
 thou  haft  been  fo  often  invited. 
 
 Take  notice  therefore  now,  that  it  is  not  without 
 all  Reafon,  that  thou  art  by  me  left  *,  that  thou  abi- 
 deft  dry,  and  without  Devotion  \  that  Tedioufnefs 
 and  Heavinefs  feizeth  thee^  that  thou  art  wearied 
 out  with  Temptations  *,  that  thou  art  affli(fled  here 
 and  there  ^  that  thou  findeft  no  Counfel  ^  neither 
 feeleft  any  Help^  but  fuffereft  on  every  fide  Strait- 
 nefs  and  Poverty.  Know  that  nothing  of  this  com- 
 eth  to  pafs,  but  with  good  Reafon. 
 
 I  leave  thee,  to  give  thee  to  know  how  neceflary 
 my  Prefence  will  be  to  thee,  not  only  in  one  Matter, 
 or  in  fome  particular  Caufe  of  greateft  Import  *,  but 
 indeed  in  every  Adron,  in  every  Place  and  Time,  as 
 well  early  as  late,  and  wherefoever  thou  Ihalt  be,  go 
 or  ftand.  And  thus  fhalt  thou  be  inftruded  how  to 
 walk  more  carefully  with  me  thy  Beloved,  and  to 
 abftain  from  Vanities  and  take  heed  of  Offences. 
 
 IX.  I  leave  thee,  to  give  thee  to  know  how  much 
 thou  loveft  me^  that  is,  that  the  Meafure  of  thy  Love 
 may  appear  to  tliee,  exadly  as  it  is.  Thou  didft 
 think  thy  felf  both  m.ore  mighty  and  blelfed,  than 
 really  thou  waft  :  But  it  has  been  moft  evidently 
 difcovered,  by  the  withdrawing  bnt  a  little  of  my 
 Succour  from  thee  *,  that  thou  waft  both  Poor  and 
 Wretched.  How  ftiall  thy  Love  be  ever  evidenced,  un- 
 iefs  thou  for  me  patiently  bear  Grievances  and  Suffe- 
 rings, 
 
 Sometimes 
 
54^  ^f  tU  ^ntitation        Vol.  ii. 
 
 f  V'-^^f^^^  ^  behold  thee  lukewarm  :  And  then  for 
 the  ftirring  uf>  thy  Zeal,  and  thy  Diligence  in  feek- 
 ing,  I  hide  my  felt  for  an  Hour,  as  the  Beloved  who 
 ftandeth  behind  the  Wall,  I  behold,  and  underftand  all 
 things  :  But  Exercife  is  profitable  for  many  things  ^ 
 and  it  giveth  often  a  greater  Inlight  and  more  tho- 
 rough Knowledge.  Since  if  thou  lovell  me,  thou  wilt 
 not  certainly  delay  to  feek  for  me.  If  I  pleafe  thee, 
 thou  wilt  take  care  to  make  a  Search  to  purpofe. 
 
 Kiioweft  thou  not  that  Riches  gotten  with  Labour 
 are  held  faft  with  more  earneftiiefs  ?  To  whom  is 
 Reft  fo  defirable  as  to  the  wearied  Traveller?  To 
 whom  is  Love  fo  pleafant  as  to  the  Lover  enduring 
 the  Sorrow  of  Reftraint  ?  And  a  Treafure  that  is 
 found  again,  after  being  loft,  is  it  not  twice  dearer 
 than  before  ?  Thus  by  the  Intermidion  of  the  Belo- 
 ved's Prefence  Joy  returns  double  to  what  it  v/as  at 
 iirft  *,  and  the  iatisfadion  in  recovering  the  fame  is 
 much  more  heightened  than  otherwife  it  could  poffi- 
 bly  have  been. 
 
 For  thy  Profit  therefore  I  withdraw  my  felf  foraf- 
 much  as  I  do  not  this  out  of  any  Difpleafure,  but  by 
 a  certain  Gracioqs  and  Loving  Difpenfation  do  play 
 with  the  Lovers.     Let  this  fuffice  for  the  prefent. 
 
 But  I  give  thee  leave  of  returning  to  me,  as  often 
 as  thou  ilialt  feel  there  is  need.  I  have  never  fhut  up 
 my  Bowels  againft  the  hum-ble  and  ferious  Suppli- 
 cant. 
 
 GhaTc 
 
^ook  IV.      of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  R  I  s  T.  347 
 
 Chap.    XIX. 
 OfCo7ijidence  in  the  Divine  Mercy. 
 
 A  Dialogue  betwixt  Theophlhis  and  the  Beloved:  Or, 
 the  Servant  and  the  Lord. 
 
 f  My  God^  my  Mercy!  C'he  God  unto  me  of  all  Mer- 
 cy] will  help  me  *,  therefore  jJiall  I  not  he  confounded^ 
 Pfai.  lix.  i7-andlfa.l.  7i  9- 
 
 THis  Servant  of  the  Lord,  by  this  time,  now  was 
 fully  fatisfied:  And  being  not  a  little  encou- 
 raged by  fuch  a  free  manner  of  Gonverfation  betwixt 
 him  and  that  devout  Soul,  received  Boldnefs  hereby 
 alfo  of  Accefs  to  him  immediately  \  not  defpairing  ia 
 the  leaft  of  an  Anfwer  from  his  iMajefty.  But  firfb 
 he  argued  thus  with  fome,  that  would  fain  have  diC- 
 fuaded  him  againft  it. 
 
 Let  it  not  feem  ftrange  or  abfurd  to  any  one,  if  i 
 long  frequently  to  converfe  with  the  Lord  my  God; 
 Whofe  Benignity  often  attrads  me,  and  even  fires  me 
 both  for  Prayer  and  Meditation,  though  in  my  felf 
 otherwife  mofl  dull  and  lazy,  cold  and  torpid  ^  fo  as 
 not  to  anfwer  therefore  to  the  Calls  of  his  fweet  Voice, 
 ibundeth  to  me  moft  harfh  and  ungrateful.  I  fay, 
 let  it  grieve  or  trouble  no  body,  tho'  I  love  much  to 
 be  fpeaking  with  my  Lord,  whofe  Goodnefs  hath  fo 
 allured,  and  whofe  Charity  hath  fo  enflamed  me  to 
 draw  nigh,  and  to  meditate  and  commune  with  hini 
 in  fuch  fort  *,  as  raethinks  I  fliould  be  not  only  too 
 hard  and  unkind,   were  he  no  more  than  a  common 
 
 ^  Dens  meus^  Mifsr'mrdU  ma, 
 
 ^  '      -  Friend 
 
348  aPf  t^e  fimitatton        Vol.  ii> 
 
 Friend,  but  even  utterly  inexcufable,  if  I  made  no  re- 
 turn to  his  gracious  Words. 
 
 But  perhaps  fome  body  may  objed  againfl  me: 
 '^  Therefore  fearefl  not  thou  God,  fince  thou  art 
 *'  truly  an  unclean  Sinner,  and  unworthy  even  of 
 "  Life  it  fein  Whence  arifes  in  thee  fuch  a  Prefum- 
 *'  ption  of  Heart?  And  feeing  thou  art  the  leaft  of 
 *'  all,  and  no  more  to  be  defpifed  than  any,  what  haft 
 *'  thou  to  do  to  thruft  thy  felf  thus  into  fuch  holy 
 <'  Colloquies,  and  divine  Converfations  ?  With  what 
 "  Face  canft  thou  put  forth  thy  felf,  fo  to  talk  with 
 «  God?  Whom,  pray,  makefl  thou  thy  felf  to  be? 
 
 Then  cried  1  unto  the  LORD  from  the  Deep  of 
 my  Soul :  And  my  Voice  enter'd  his  Ear. 
 
 II.  Theoph.  O  LORD,  my  Beloved,  anfwer  thou 
 for  me  *,  becaufe  the  Mouth  of  the  wicked  is  opened 
 againfl  me.  If  I  would  jullifie  my  felf,  my  own 
 Mouth  fhall  condemn  me.  And  though  I  were  Righ- 
 teous, yet  would  I  not  anfwer^  but  would  make  Sup- 
 plication to  thee  my  Judge  and  my  Advocate.  As  for 
 any  thing  that  is  good  in  me,  my  Soul  is  ignorant  of 
 it.  Thou  knoweft  my  Foolifhnefs,  and  my  Con- 
 fufion.  Speak  thou  :  And  1  will  gladly  hold  my 
 Peace. 
 
 And  the  Voice  of  my  Beloved  came  to  me,  fay- 
 ing' 
 
 The  Beloved,  Son,  heed  not  the  Words  of  them  that 
 
 upbraid  thee  ^  but  liflen  rather  to  what  1  have  faid, 
 I  come  not  to  call  the  RlghteoHs,^  but  Sinners.  Is 
 ^"^  ^^'  it  not  lawful  for  me  to  do  as  I  will?  Who 
 fhall  refill  my  Will  ?  If  I  have  a  mind  to  do  good  un- 
 to thee,  though  even  the  leafl  and  lafl  of  all,  who  is  it 
 that  fhall  reprove  me  for  having  done  Amifs  ? 
 
 Whofoever  is  without  Sin,  let  him  call  at  thee  the 
 firfl  Stone.  And  if  they  alfo  are  Sinners,  why  de- 
 tract they  then  from  Grace  ?  Thou  haft  not  chofen 
 
 me  ;  but  my  Mercy  hath  prevented  thee. 
 
 Doth 
 
Book  IV.      Of  Jesus  Christ.  349 
 
 Doth  any  one  yet  murmur  againft  thee,  becaufe 
 thou  haft  approached  me?  Surely  the  Murmuring  of 
 fuch  an  one  is  not  againft  thee,  but  it  is  openly  againft 
 me*  becaufe  that  I  entertain  Sinners,  and  do  eat  with 
 them.  And  why  ihouldeft  thou  not  vindicate  to  thy 
 felfmy  Familiarity,  which  I  rejoice  more  to  exprefs 
 than  to  withold. 
 
 III.  rozjchomi:  My  Beloved  Lord,  let  not  this  I 
 pray  thee  be  imputed  unto  them  ^  but  unto  me,  and 
 unto  my  Sins.  I  do  not  deny  ought  for  which  they 
 have  an  ill  Opinion  of  me  *,  but  readily  I  acknowledge 
 the  fame,  and  that  it  is  even  much  worfe  than  what 
 
 is  known. 
 
 He  anfwered  again  :   Well  is  it  for  thee,  that  thou 
 haft  humbled  thy  felf  ^  for  fo  art  thou  fure  always  to 
 sain  the  more.     Yea,  well  is  it  for  thee,  that  thou 
 haft  thus  abhorred  thy  felf,  and  that  thy  very  Heart 
 trembled  for  its  Tranfgreflions,  and  was  moved  out 
 of  its  place  :  For  hereby  fhalt  thou  the  moreeafily  ob- 
 tain  my  Favour,  and  fhalt  be  enriched  with  my  Grace, 
 above  others  of  thy  Companions.     Be  thou  of  good 
 Chear,  my  Son,  for  thy  Sins  are  forgiven  thee.    Thou 
 Ihalt  not  be  caft  away,  or  tlighted,  becaufe  thou  haft 
 been  a  Sinner,  and  art  fubjed  to  great  and  many  De- 
 feds.     Behold,  Salvation  cometh  to  thy  Houfe,   O 
 thou  that  fitteft  in  the  Duft,  and  knoweft  thy  felf  to 
 be  a  Worm.     Look  up,  and  behold  it  coming  to  thee. 
 Haft  thou  fmned?  Thou  haft  alfo  acknowledged  thy 
 Sin  :  Therefore  I  will,  be  thou  free.    Wherefore  let 
 others  take  heed  how  they  defpife  thee  :   Yet  art  not 
 thou  at  all  hereby  exempt  from  defpifing  thy  felf. 
 For  the  Senfe  of  thine  own  Unworthinefs  ought  fo 
 deeply  ftill  to  be  engraved  in  thy  Heart,  as  to  make 
 thee  continually  more  and  more  flight  and  contemn 
 thine  own  felf,  and  never  to  forget  in  how  great  things 
 thou  haft  offended. 
 
 But 
 
350 :aDf  tl)c  %iiiitation        Vol. If. 
 
 But  if  at  anytime  too  great  Anxiety,  and  an  unea- 
 iie  Solicitude,  fhouid  feize  upon  thee  j  then  conlider 
 thou,  how  often  of  Sinners,  I  make  Saints^  and  of 
 Enemies,  Friends:  Setting  alide  for  my  felf  the  Lowly 
 in  Mind,  but  leaving  thofe  that  prefiime  on  their  own 
 felves.  I  have  no  need  that  thou  fhould'lt  give  me  any 
 thing  of  what  is  thine,  only  this  I  require  at  thy 
 hands,  namely,  That  thou  love  me  with  a  pure  Heart, 
 and  it  fufficeth. 
 
 At  which,  being  touched  to  the  Quick,  I  could  not 
 forbear  burfting  out  in  this  manner  :  Ah,  fhame  upon 
 me,  that  there  is  nothing,  yea  nothing,  in  me,  that 
 could  be  an  Incitement  of  thy  Love  toward  me  ! 
 
 Then  comforted  he  me  again,  fpeaking  after  this 
 fort  to  my  Heart. 
 
 1  attend  to  nothing  of  all  thofe  things,  which  the 
 World  brings  topleafe  with  :  I  require  none  of  them. 
 Love  of  it  felf  is  fufficient.     Keep  this  but  hot,  and 
 let  it  perfevere  with  me.     Let  all  the  refl  go.  This  is 
 enough.      But  fuppofe  thou  hadil  them  all:    What 
 then  ?  Hadft  thou  alfo  all  theEmbeli{hments,BeautieSj 
 Graces  and  Excellencies,  which  thou  canft  fancy  to 
 thy  felf?  Thinkeft  thou  with  thefe  to  charm  my  Love 
 to  thee,  poor  Creature  ?  Whofe  are  they  all,  even  all 
 that  either  Adorn  or  Enrich  the  Man  ?  Are  they  not 
 all  Mine,  whether  they  appertain  to  the  Body,  or  to 
 the  Soul  j  whether  they  Bcautifie  the  one,  llluftrate 
 the  other,  or  Honour  both  ?  And  as  for  thofe  which 
 are  properly  of  the  World,  and  do  more  peculiarly 
 refped  the  Bodily  Part,  they  fure  deferve  very  little 
 thy  Concern.     But  thofe  which  relate  to  the  Beauty 
 of  Holinefs,  and  of  Virtue,  and  to  the  Ornament  of 
 a  good  Gonverfation,    ought  to  claim  the  utmoft  of 
 thy  Care  :  And  thy  undoubted  Interell  it  is  to  Watch 
 hereunto,  that  fo  thou  maj'il  Walk  in  all  Well-plea- 
 fing  before  me  ia  the  Light  of  the  Living. 
 
 Hovy^ 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  351 
 
 How  belt  thou  haft  jnftly  humbled  and  accufed  thy 
 fell  Hefore  the  Face  of  my  Majefty,  truly  confefling 
 thy  iiifirmities,  and  thy  Ihameful  Traiifgreffions,  and 
 inoft  deeply  lamenting  the  fame^  and  Groaning  ia 
 Spirit,  becaufe  thou  art  no  wife  worthy  of  my  Fa- 
 miliarity, or  to  claim  ray  Peace,  though  but  for  a  Mo- 
 Hient:  Since  I  sun  a  Mirror,  without  Spot ;  and  thou 
 a  Sinner,  fpotred  and  unclean  from  the  very  Womb. 
 
 Be  thou  mindful  therefore  of  thy  own  frail  Condi- 
 tion, and  ot  my  Sovereign  Glory  ^  of  thy  low  Eflate, 
 and  of  my  exceeding  Highnefs  :  And  fo  with  humble 
 Reverence  do  thou  approach  confidently  to  me.  1  am 
 the  Lord,  thy  Holy  One :  I,  even  I  am  He,  that  blot- 
 teth  out  thy  1  ranfgreflions  for  mine  own  fake^  and 
 will  not  remember  thy  Sins,  becaufe  of  my  Name 
 which  I  have  called  upon  thee. 
 
 iV.  Neither  do  I  only  confer  thefe  Benefits,  which 
 thou  feeft  and  feeleft^  but  have  I  yet  far  greater 
 Gifts  than  any  of  there,  and  more  triumphing  Mer- 
 cies than  what  thou  haft  hitherto  perceived  j  which 
 I  am  ready  to  bcftow  upon  thee.  For  1  always  choofe 
 rather  to  ftiew  Mercy  than  Wrath  ;  and  to  Spare  ra- 
 ther than  to  Punifh.  Nay  as  if  this  were  all  but  a 
 little  matter,  I  ftill  go  on:  Nor  am  I  content,  unlefs 
 after  thQ  firfi  Grace,  I  add  alfo  a  fecond^  and  even  a 
 third.  Yea,  there  is  no  End  which  I  put  to  my  Mer- 
 cies ^  nor  is  the  Number  of  my  Graces  and  Benefits 
 utterable. 
 
 In  the  laft  place  after  Pardon  of  Sins,  after  full  and 
 unfeigned  Repentance,  after  all  due  Satisfaction  givea 
 to  thy  Power,  and  after  a  continued  Courfe  for  fome 
 time  a  true  Virtue  and  Holinefs,  I  generally  Reftore 
 the  Joy  of  my  faving  Countenance,  by  infufinga  more 
 abundant  Grace  of  the  Holy  Ghoft. 
 
 And  though  even  the  Sinner  (hould  not  be  perfed- 
 ly  coiwerted  from  the  Flefh  to  me,  yet  receive  I  him 
 fometimes  to  a  nearer  Familiarity  with  me,diftiaining 
 
 iioc 
 
3^^ m  ti)t  imitation       Vol.  il 
 
 noc  his  AddrefTes :  Evea  while  he  flicks  in  the  Mire, 
 my  Mercy  lays  hold  on  him  ^  and  he  fees  himfelf  re- 
 ..ceiv'dinto  my  Friendfhip.  So  that  for  the  Evils  by 
 him  committed,  there  remains  no  longer  any  Con* 
 fufion  of  Face  :  But  rather  giving  of  Thanks,  and  the 
 Voice  of  Praife;  for  that  the  Old  Things  are  pall; 
 away,  and  all  things  are  made  New. 
 
 So  Companionate  and  Merciful  am  I,  as  to  be  al- 
 ways more  ready  to  Forgive,  than  thou  to  repent; 
 and  more  fwift  to  Grant,  than  thou  to  Ask.  What 
 art  thou  then  afraid  of?  Why  trembled:  thou  to  ap- 
 proach the  Bofom  of  fo  infinite  Goodnefs,  and  un- 
 parallell'd  Mercy?  And  why  (hould'fl:  thou  eftrange 
 thy  felf  from  my  Grace,  which  is  fo  freely  offer'd  ? 
 
 Nay  didfl:  thou  even  know,  that  I  had  purpofed  to 
 deny  thee ;  yet  neverthelefs  oughtefl  thou  not  for 
 this  to  defifl  from  Praying,  nor  to  let  go  the  Confi- 
 dence of  thy  being  Heard  :  But  with  fo  much  the 
 greater  Vehemence  to  prefs  on,  and  be  inftant  till  at 
 laft  thou  haft  thy  Petition  anfwered.  For  boundlefs 
 are  my  Compaflions:  And  that  which  at  one  time  is 
 denied,  at  another  may  begracioufly  granted.  There- 
 fore I  fay  unto  thee  faint  not. 
 
 V.  For  how  knowefl  thou,  but  that  I  may  fome 
 time  or  other  turn  to  thee  my  Face,  and  give  thee  the 
 Dellre  of  thy  Heart  ?  And  what  fayeth  the 
 Pf.  xxxiv.^.  Prophet  concerning  me,  Dram  ye  near  m^ 
 V.  L       '  ^^  hlm^  and  ye  Jljail  be  enllghtned  \  and  your 
 
 Faces  JJjall  not  be  a^iamed.  Seek  but  me 
 therefore,  and  I  will  hear  thee:  Yea,  I  will  deliver 
 thee  out  of  all  thy  Fear  \  that  fo  thy  Soul  may  make 
 her  boifl  in  me,  and  my  Praife  henceforth  may  be 
 ever  in  thy  Mouth.  Draw  near,  I  fay,  to  me*,  fofhalt 
 thou,  in  my  Light,  be  enlightned :  Draw  near  to  me, 
 thy  Salvation  ^  fo  (halt  thou  never  be  confounded  \ 
 for  mine  Eyes  a;e  ftill  over  thee,  and  mine  Ears  open 
 to  thy  devout  Addreffes.    I  rather  accuft  the  Rare- 
 
 nefs. 
 
BooklV.      of  Je  sus  Christ.  353 
 
 nefs,  than  the  Frequency  of  thy  Aproaches;  and  more 
 blame  a  cowardly  Baflifiilnefs  in  thee,  than  an  over- 
 forward  Confidence  of  Pardon* 
 
 To  be  confident  concerning  my  Goodnefs,  is  a  To= 
 ken  of  the  right  Humility,  and  of  great  Faith.  Thefe 
 things  I  fay  unto  thee,  that  thou  iln  not  5  and  if  thou 
 fin,  that  thou  defpair  not  ^  but  fuddenly  rife  again* 
 For  thou  hafl  yet  Hope,  and  an  Advocate  with  the 
 Father.  Wilt  thou  wait  till  thou  be  made  Worthy^ 
 before  thou  draw  near  ?  And  of  thy  felf,  v/hen  fliall 
 this  be  ?  O  when  fhalt  thou  be  able  to  dpprdachj 
 if  thou  Hay  till  then  ?  If  none  but  the  Righteous 
 and  the  Worthy,  but  the  Great  and  the  Perfect  Men^ 
 ought  to  come  near  to  me^  unto  whom  then  fhall 
 the  Sinners  and  the  Publicans  go  ?  What  therefore 
 fays  my  Gofpel  ?  Remembreft  thou  ? 
 
 Theoph,  I  remember  it  faith,  Then  drew  near  mto 
 him  all  the  THblicans  and  Sinners,  for  to  hear  ^  ,  j  . 
 mm* 
 
 The  Beloved,  Let  therefore  the  Unworthy  dra^-r 
 near,  that  they  may  be  made  Worthy.  Let  the  Wick- 
 ed draw  near,  fo  fhall  they  be  made  RighteousJ  Let 
 th^  Little  Ones  draw  near,  that  they  rilay  be  riiade 
 Great-,  And  the  Imperfect,  that  they  may  becortle 
 Perfed.  Let  all  and  every  one  draw  near,  let  all  ap- 
 proach feverally  and  together,  that  they  may  receive 
 of  the  Fulnefs  of  the  Living  Fountain.  I,  even  I,  ani 
 the  Fountain  of  Life,  which  can  never  be  drawn  dry» 
 Ho !  every  one  that  is  a-thirft,  let  him  come  to  me 
 and  drink.  And  he  that  hath  nothing,  let  him  come 
 and  buy  without  Money,  and  without  Frice^  He  that  isl 
 Sick,  let  him  come,  that  he  may  be  healed.  ^  He  that 
 is  Lukewarm,  let  him  come,  that  he  may  be  inflamed» 
 is  any  one  forrowful  ?  Let  him  come,  that  he  may  be 
 comforted.  Is  any  one  hea:vy  Laden?  Let  hint  cpme^* 
 that  he  may  be  eafed  of  his  Burden.  Is  any  one  Fear- 
 M  ?  Lti  him  come  that  all  Fear  m'ay  be  done  alway; 
 
354  ^t  tt)t  SlmitatioiT        Vol.  11. 
 
 Is  there  any  one  that  Halteth?  Let  him  come,  that 
 his  Feet  may  be  made  as  Hinds  Feet.  Let  him  that 
 is  Blind  come,  that  he  maybe  made  to  See,  and  tore* 
 joice  in  the  Light.  Let  him  that  is  Dumb  come,  that 
 his  Tongue  may  be  unloofed,  and  a  Song  of  Thankf- 
 giving  put  into  his  Mouth.  Let  him  that  is  Dry  and 
 Wafted  away  come,  that  he  may  be  filled  as  with  the 
 Marrow  and  Fatnefs  of  the  Spirit.  Let  him  that  is 
 dulled  with  Wearinefs  come,  that  he  may  be  refrefh'^ 
 ed  with  Joy. 
 
 Behold,  my  Delights  are  to  be  with  the  Children 
 of  Men.  Whoever  coveteth  after  Wifdom,  let  him 
 come  and  hearken  to  my  Inftrudion.  Whoever  fearch- 
 eth  after  Riches,  let  him  come,  that  he  may  receive 
 fuch  as  are  Inalienable  and  Incorruptible.  Whoever 
 hunteth  after  Honours,  let  him  come,  that  he 
 may  be  clothed  with  Honour  as  with  a-  Garment,  and 
 may  receive  a  Diadem  of  unfading  Glory.  Who- 
 ever is  Ambitious  of  a  Name,  let  him  come  that  he 
 may  inherit  an  Everlafting  Name  in  Heaven.  Whoever 
 defireth  Felicity,  let  him  come  that  without  fear  and 
 peril  he  may  poflefs  all  that  his  Heart  can  wifh< 
 Whoever,  laftly,  longeth  for  the  abundanee  of  all 
 Good  and  Defirable  Things,  let  him  come  to  me, 
 that  he  may  receive,  yea,  thoroughly  receive,  the  Su- 
 preme, Eternal,  and  Infinite  GOOD. 
 
 I  am  He,  that  beftow  all  Temporal  Good  Things  : 
 And  befides  and  above  thefe,  do  i  give  alfo  the  Eter- 
 naL  Nor  will  I  be  wanting  to  my  Promife,  when 
 the  Obfervance  of  my  Commandments  ihall  by  any  be 
 filled  up.  And  he  fhall  h^ glorionjly  Crowned  in  Hea- 
 ven, who  (hall  have  lawfnliy  Fought  in  the  Wot  id. 
 Remember  my  Words. 
 
 C  it  A  p. 
 
Book  IV.         of  Jesus  Christ.  5'^ 
 
 ?j 
 
 Chap.    XX. 
 The  Defire  of  Divine  Fruition. 
 
 Let  the  Meditation  of  my  Heart  he  always  in  thy  fightl 
 Pfal.  xix.  14. 
 
 A  MEDITATION. 
 
 I.-^O  a  Faithful  Soul,  what  can  be  more  Sweet,; 
 X  more  Pleafant,  or  more  Comfortable,  than  to 
 Meditate  upon  her  Beloved,  the  Divine  Bridegroom : 
 That  fo  flie  may  make  him  at  lealt  Prefent  to  her,  by 
 devout  Remembrance  and  Reflexion^  whorli  Ihe  is  not 
 yet  able  to  behold  With  an  open  Eye,  or  in  that  clear 
 and  beatific  Vifion  which  the  Bielfed  above  en joy^ 
 Let  her  therefore  in  the  mean  while  contemplate  hini 
 darkly,  at  leaft  through  a  Glafs,  whom  fhe  cannot  fee 
 Face  to  Face.  And  if  for  the  dazling  Brightliefs  of 
 his  Glory,  Ihe  be  not  able  to  fubfiil  even  in  this  Cdn' 
 templation  of  Him^  however  obfcure  and  weak  %  iet 
 her  then  fearch  him  out  diligently  through  the  facred 
 Scriptures,  and  look  for  him  under  thofe  My  flic  Veils 
 and  Figures ;  whereby  for  wife  ends,  he  has  beeii 
 pleafed  to  cloud  his  Majefty,  according  to  that  Pror 
 portion  we  were  befb  able  to  bear.  Let  her  behold 
 him  as  in  a  Mirror^  whofe  dired  Vifion  is^  infinitely 
 too  ftrong  for  her  to  bear:  Let  her  view  hinl  in  the 
 \\\xmh\QK?igs  oi  her  Humanity ^  if  ihebcHruck  Blind 
 by  the  refulgent  Luftre  of  hi^  Deity ^  even  when  but 
 Refleded  :  Arid  fhould  fhe  be  no  wife  fiiflicient  to  be- 
 hold him,^  either  one y/ay  or  the  other,  or  to  take  any 
 tight  view  of  him,  though  never  fo  imperfed  *,  let 
 her  not  give  over  fo  feek  for  him,  till^  by  .Reading 
 tft^a  MSditatiiig  bii  ifife  Holy  Recordsj  Tne  Jhali  have 
 
 Mi  i  iMm 
 
3  $6  M  tl^e  3int(tatton        Vol.  ii- 
 
 found  him  whom  {\]q  loveth  j  and  till  he  (hall  have 
 anointed  her  Spiritual  and  moft  Inward  Eye,  that  (he 
 may  fee  him  {landing  behind  her  Wall,  even  the  Flefh, 
 which  is  the  Wall  of  Partition,  and  looking  through 
 the  Lattefs  upon  her.  O  that  the  Study  of  Seeking  the 
 Lord's  Face  might  never  cool  \  but  that  it  might,  day 
 by  day,  grow  more  and  more  fervent !  Now  in  the 
 Soul  that  loveth  GOD,  there  is  an  unceffant  Heat, 
 and  unfatisfiable  Fervour,  fully  to  enjoy  the  Vifion  of 
 Him :  Becaufe  the  Vifion  of  GOD  is  the  higheft  Beati- 
 tude, and  moH  perfe<f>  and  confumraate  Felicity.  She 
 panteth  therefore  after  this  Beatitude  ^  fhe  breatheth 
 after  it  only  ^  fhe  longeth  and  ligheth  forit^  with  her 
 whole  Heart  (he  is  bent  to  obtain  it,  coft  what  it  will ; 
 all  her  Defire,  all  her  Longing,  all  her  Appetite  is 
 this  :  That  fo  her  whole  Appetite,  by  a  Conjundion 
 with  its  proper  End,  may  be  fully  fatiated  and  quieted^ 
 which  it  can  never  be  with  ought  here  below,  let  the 
 Appearances  thereof  be  never  fo  Promifing  and  Mag- 
 nificent :  Since  by  frequent  Experience  fhe  hath  iearn'd, 
 that  the  farther  fhe  wanders  from  Heavenly  BlefTed- 
 nefs,  or  goes  out  from  the  Prefence  of  the  Beloved  \ 
 fo  much  the  more  is  fhe  Reftlefs  and  Unhappy  :  For 
 as  much  as  fhe  finds  nothing  in  the  Creatures,  that  is 
 of  any  Stability  or  Duration,  or  that  is  capable  any 
 wife  of  allaying  her  FafFion,  or  filling  that  Amorous 
 Defire  with  which  fhe  burneth. 
 
 II.  Let  her  therefore  Return  unto  him,  by  whom  fhe 
 was  made  \  and  feek  for  Blefiednefs  from  him,  to 
 whom  fhe  ovveth  her  Original.  For  verily,  he  who 
 created  the  Soul,  is  he  who  fatisfieth  her  Defire  with 
 good  things,  \\x  thofe  that  love  him,  and  feek  him. 
 For  he  hath  implanted  fuch  an  AfFedion  in  her,  as 
 this  One  being  but  removed,  there  is  no  Good  that 
 can  content  her,  or  Joy  that  fhe  can  fafely  hold.  Tar- 
 ry not  therefore  here  my  Soul ;  for  as  much  as  this  is 
 not  the  Place  of  thy  Reft:  Bul  go  thou  on  Hill  for- 
 ward 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  Christ.  357 
 
 ward  and  upward^  Mount,  Afcend,  Fly  to  Him,  who 
 made  thee.     For  even  now,  at  this  very  inftant,  lo ! 
 he  is  fending  MefTengers,  and  inviting  thee  to  come 
 up  to  him.    As  many  holy  Defires  as  he  iufpires  into 
 thee,  and  as  many  Breathings  after  eternal  Beatitudes 
 he  quickens  thee  with :  So  many  Meflengers,  fo  many 
 Embafladors  fends  he  after  thee.     Whom  having  en- 
 tertained as  thou  oughteft ,   they  will  not  fail  to  ac- 
 company thee  on  in  thy  Journey  :    And  therefore  fo 
 foon  as  ever  thou  haft  received  them,  prepare  thy  felf 
 to  walk^  without  any  Demur  to  the  Matter,  or  Hefi- 
 ration  in  thy  Mind.    Thou  walkeft-,  if  thou  defireft  to 
 fee  him;  if  thou  ftriveft  to  pleafe  him;   if  thou  di- 
 vorceft  thy  felf  from  all  inferior  Loves ;  and  if,  having 
 renounced  the  World  and  all  that  is  in  it,  thou  adeit 
 in  all  things  merely  for  his  Sake,   and  from  his  Mo- 
 tion ;  and  fo,    through  the  Love  of  Him  working  ia 
 thee,  doft  whatever  is  to  be  done,  or  omittell  what- 
 ever is  to  be  left  undone.     For  then  thou  entertainell 
 his  Meflengers,  and  then  goeft  thou  on  with  them, 
 when  after  this  manner  thou  feekeft  him:  And  when 
 abdicating  this  World,   and  thy  own  Self  too,    thou 
 doll  whatever  thou  doft  even  of  pure  Love  towards 
 him;  refolving  to  follow  him,  without  any  Referve, 
 whitherfoever  his  Majefty  goeth,  or  inviteth  thee  to 
 go,  let  it  be  never  ^0  contrary  to  thine  own  Will,  or 
 Inclination  of  Nature.     Lo!  he  him  felf  goeth  before 
 thee,  who,  when  thou  waft  loft,  fought  thee  out,  and 
 fent  thefe  his  Harbingers  before  his  Face,  that  thou 
 mighteft  be  confirmed  in  his  Grace,  and  inftruded  to 
 tread  continually  in  his  holy  Footfteps.     For  thou 
 could'ft  not  have  ever  fought  him,  unlefs  that  he  had 
 Qrft  fought  thee,  and  railed  up  in  thee  Godly  Defires, 
 and  Devout  Afpirations.     Since  the  Soul  that  is  not 
 vifited  with  the  Rays  of  the  Everlafting  Sun,  doth  tru- 
 ly fit  in  Obfcurity,  and  in  the  Shadow  of  Death  j  not 
 
 Aa  3  ia 
 
S58  mm  imitation       Voiii. 
 
 In  the  leafl:  able  to  fee  how  to  help  her  felf,  or  even 
 to  jdifccrn  any  thing  aright  as  it  is  j  and  confequently 
 jnuch  kr§  to  fet  about  it.  Such. a  Soul  as  this  mull 
 iiecds  be  in  a  very  languifhing  Condition :  But  fhe  lan- 
 gnifteth  not  for  Love,  but  for  pernicious  Irkfomenefs. 
 Till  fhe  be  then  enlightned,  how  great  is  her  Dark- 
 nefs^  Ar.cl  till  fhe  be  infiamed,  how  great  is  her  Dead- 
 nefs?  Alas !  fhe  languifheth  not  through  the  Heat  of 
 Divine  Charity,  but  the  Chilnefs  and  Numnefs  which 
 bind  her  in  the  Abfence  thereof.  But  no  fooner  is  (he 
 thawed  opt  of  her  chill  and  frozen  State,  by  the  South- 
 Wind  gently  blowing  upon  her,  and  fweetly  fanning 
 the  warm  Beams  of  the  Sun  of  Righteoufnefs^  but 
 prefently  fhe  begins  to  wax  hot,  and  to  boil  up  (and 
 even  over)  with  the  Defire  of  the  Infpired  Light  and 
 Grace:  Ui  order  to  obtain  the  Glorious  Objeft  of  her 
 Love ,  and  to  comprcheiid,  after  a  manner,  fome- 
 what  of  the  Incomvrehenfible  Majefty  of  the  Divine 
 Being. 
 
 IH.  O  thou  Sun  of  Glory,  Immenfe  Fountain  of  all 
 Glories,  and  blefTed  Lights,  the  Root  and  Center  of 
 immortality^  who  art  the  only  Living  Light,  or  Light 
 pf  Life,  whereby  all  Intelligent  and  Rational  Spirits 
 have  their  Subfif^ence^  hov/  doftthou  recreate  and  vi- 
 yifietJipfainting  Soul,  and  exhilcrate  the  clouded  Mind! 
 How  goodly  is  thyTabernacle !  How  fair  the  firit  Bri- 
 dal Chamber  of  Nature,  and  the  Place  of  thy  Eternal 
 Coming  forth!  And  how  rejoicelb  thou  as  a  Giant  to 
 run  thy  Cpurfe  through  the  whole  Syllem  of  the  In- 
 telleaual  World  I  O  the  Charms  of  thy  All-ravifhing 
 beams!  O  the  irrefiftible  Fire  of  thy  Love,  and  the 
 imquenchable  Flames  thereof,  which  thou  enkindlelt 
 in  humble  and  dedicated  Hearts !  What  holy  ArdourS| 
 ivhat  rapturous  fiery  Flights,  what  Spring-tides  of 
 Love  and  Joy,  are  hence  produced  in  the  Soul  I  To 
 fhe  Li^ht  thereof  are  all  things  naked,  both  in  Heaven 
 
 'and 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  K  I  s  T.  359 
 
 and  Earth,  and  under  the  Earth:  And  nothing  is  hid 
 from  the  Heat  thereof.    It  diflblveth  the  fierce  Bonds 
 of  the  North,  and  breaketh  in  funderthe  Chains  of 
 Darknefs,  and  of  Death.     O  that  thon  my  Soul  wert 
 fet  on  fire  hereby,  and  that  thou  could'fi:  but  live  and 
 bask  thy  felf  in  thofe  burning  Streams  of  everlafting 
 Charity,  which  continually  ilTue  forth  from  the  im- 
 menfe  Ocean  of  the  Deity,  the  infinite  Abyfs  of  Light 
 and  Life.     Ah  !  why  defers  the  Beloved  of  my  Soul 
 fo  long  his  coming?    Is  he  afraid,    left  perhaps  (he 
 melt  as  Wax  before  the  Fire  at  his  Prefence !  and  that 
 my  Heart,    mufing  within  me,   be  turned  even  to 
 Alhes,  by  the  Breath  of  his  Mouth?   Well,  let  it  be 
 even  fo.     For  1  am  indeed  longing  to  be  after  this 
 manner  diflblved,    that  fo  I  may  be  with  my  Lord. 
 Since  this  would  be  to  rrie  not  Lofs,  but  Gdir^   yea, 
 abundant  and  over-flowing  Gain.     O  happy  Diifolu- 
 tion  in  thefe  Divine  and  moft  fweet  Flames!   O  the 
 transforming  Power  thereof!    How  wonderfully  do 
 they  draw  !    How  do  all  the  Thoughts  of  my  Heart 
 vanifh  of  a  fudden,  as  Smoke  before  them  ?  How  do 
 all  the  old  things  pafs  away,    and  how  arc  the  old 
 Heavens  themfelves  rolled  up  by  them  as  a  Scroll,  and 
 made  to  difappear !    Blefled,    eternally  blelTed,    be 
 thou,  O  Sun  of  Truth,  who  for  this  very  end  comeit 
 forth  as  a  Bridegroom  out  of  thy  Chamber:    Who 
 makeft  the  dead  earth  to  bio  (To  m  and  fpring  ^    and 
 turneft  the  Duft  thereof  into  Sparks  of  Fire  ,    that 
 they  may  run   to  and  fro  fulfilling  thy  Will.     If 
 thou  flayeft,    thou  aifo  makeft  alive:    And  the  Face 
 of  all  things  thou  reneweft,  O  my  Life,  and  my  Re- 
 furredion. 
 
 IV.  Thou  art  the  Refurredion  *,  of  a  T'''v:li,  thou' 
 art  the  Life  Eternal ;   thoa  ci'^i  my  Streii'^th  and  my 
 Redeemer,  the  Light  and  the  Joy  of  m.y  Heaic.,   for 
 ever  and  ever.     Thou  moldcft  the  Soul  is  V/3"x  in  th^ 
 Hands:  And  out  of  the  Alhes,  even  che  Afhes burnt 
 
 A  a  4  oa 
 
o 
 
 60  jfiDf  ti)e  Slmitation       Vol.  il 
 
 on  thy  mofl:  Sacred  Altar  of  Love,  a  Bird  of  Paradife 
 Js  f^en  to  arife,  and  to  mount  up  as  an  Eagle  to  thee, 
 if  my  Soul  melt  not  at  thy  dear  Pre  fence,  O  GOD, 
 py  Ssyiour,  how  fhall  it  receive  the  Impreflion  of  thy 
 Seal?  And  unlefs  lam  iirll  made  a  Sacrifice  on  this 
 thy  Altar,  how  can  I  exped  thee  to  be  made  to  me 
 fhe  Power  of  an  endlefs  Refurredion  ?  O  how  doft 
 thou  fire  Souls !  And  if  thou  fireft  them,  fhall  they 
 notafcend  to  thee  in  Flames^  Yea,  verily:  What 
 jfhall  be  able  to  hinder?  Wherefore  my  Soul  burns 
 with  theearqeft  Defire  of  pofie fling  thee,  and  cannot 
 reft.  Therp  is  no  reft  for  her,  till  fhe  be  faft  lodged 
 in  thy  Bofpgi.  How  many  fcorching  Heats  doft  thou 
 caufe  in  theXover,  that  was  once  altogether  ftifFand 
 frozen,  before  this  be  effeded  I  O  make  not  any  lon- 
 ger' tarrying,  but  perfed  thy  Work  in  me  fpeedily. 
 Why  fuifercft  thou  me  to  go  fo  heavily?  P  fend  out 
 thy  Ligh^ind  thy  Truth  ,  that  they  may  lead  me  : 
 And  give  me  Wings,  the  Wings  of  thy  Spirit,  that 
 1  may  fly  away  to  the  Sanduary  of  thee,  my  God;  and 
 have  my  DvieUing  in^tbe  Place  of  thy  Reft,  O  God 
 of  my  joy  anJ  my  Gladnefs.  The  long  Days,  and 
 Years  pf  Poytity,  thou  abundantly  makeft  up  for: 
 All  the  Evil  that  is  paft,  ail  the  Labours  underwent, 
 all  the  Pains  fuffered,  are  nothing,  when  Iconfiderthe 
 reviving  Light  of  thy  Countenance  :  The  leaft  Vifit, 
 and  Smile,  whereof  I  prefer  before  numberlefs. 
 Worlds. 
 
 '  V.  O  JESU,  ,  the  Medicine  of  the  forrowful,  the 
 l)right  Lamp  of  fuch  as  here  do  ftray,  and  feek  1  Do 
 thou  continually  fliixie  upon  me;  do  thou  prepare 
 thee  a  Manfion  in  me ;  do  thou  eftablifh  me  with  thy 
 Grace,  and  enlighten  me  with  thy  Wifdoni,  that  my 
 Feet  may  not  err;  ftay  thou  with  me,  as  a  Lamp  in 
 a  dark  Place^  till  the  everlafting  Day  do  break  forth 
 upon  me.  O  how  fweet  and  pleafant  will  thy  Pre- 
 fence  be,  when  thefe  Shadows  ihall  be  made  to  pafs 
 
 away  \ 
 
Book  IV.        of  Jesus  Christ.        g6i 
 
 away !  How  will  the  Soul  then  rejoice  under  the 
 Wings  of  thy  Salvation,  when  all  her  Darknefs  fhall 
 be  difllpated  at  once  by  the  Brightnefs  of  thy  Appear- 
 ance I  For  if  but  the  Memory  of  thee  alone  be  fo  de^ 
 ledable ,  and  if  fuch  Comforts  flow  but  from  bare 
 Reflexion  only j  how  great,  how  fweet,  muft  that 
 Delegation  be,  and  how  furpaflingly  large  thofe  Com- 
 forts, when  thou  flialt  adually  give  thy  felf  to  the 
 Soul,  to  be  enjoyed  and  polTefTed  of  her !  In  the  mean 
 while,  how  glad  would  I  be  to  be  rid  of  all  things, 
 that  this  World  can  tempt  me  with  j  that  fo,  being 
 wholly  turned  to  thee,  I  may  be  comforted  andftreng- 
 then'd  with  thy  Grace,  in  this  my  Pilgrimage!  For 
 it  will  be  no  fuch  hard  Matter  for  a  Soul  that  longs 
 to  behold  thy  Face,  to  ftrip  and  diveft  herfelf  of  all 
 that  is  Temporal  and  Tranfitory :  And  under  the 
 Power  of  thy  Drawings  to  difdain  that  Delight,  as 
 too  ignoble  for  her,  which  fprings  from  no  higher  a 
 Source  than  Earth.  And  lince  Ihe  already  feels  with- 
 in a  nobler  and  greater  ,  as  well  as  more  durable 
 Foundation  of  Joy,  no  Wonder  is  it  that  ihe  can  fo 
 eafily  defpife  and  fpurn  at  all  that  palFes  under  that 
 Name  and  Figure  here.  O  BlelTed  Soul,  whom  no- 
 thing of  this  W^orld  can  longer  charm,  as  having  him 
 that  is  greater  than  the  whole  World !  O  BlefTed  Soul, 
 that  haft  him,  when  thou  feeft  him  not,  and  think'ft 
 him  at  the  wideft  diftance  from  thee !  He  is  with  thee, 
 and  will  be  with  thee  to  the  end:  Who  will  not  fail 
 to  anfwer  thy  Faith,  which  is  in  Love,  and  to  crown 
 thee  in  the  end  with  the  Fulnefs  of  his  Joy. 
 
 VI.  Befides,  let  none  when  tempted,  foolifhiy  ima- 
 gine, that  thou.  Lord,  wilt  ever  leave  the  Soul  that  is 
 devoted  to  thee,  any  confiderable  time  without  Con- 
 folation ;  or  that  fhe  fhall  receive,  even  in  this  World, 
 but  little  Gifts  or  Tokens,  of  thy  more  fpecial  Grace 
 and  Favour,  for  all  her  Vidories  over  Nature,  under 
 |;hy  Banners  Since  there  is  ao  Earthly  Delight  what- 
 ever, 
 
5^2  M  t^e  %\hitktion       Vol.  ir. 
 
 ever,  no,  not  any  that  can  be  fo  much  as  conceiv'd, 
 which  either  for  Quality  or  Quantity  can  be  in  the 
 ieaft  compared  with  thy  Heavenly  Comfort,  where- 
 with thou  fometimes  in  this  Life  filleft  the  Soul  that 
 is  empty.  Study  therefore,  O  faithful  Soul,  fo  to 
 prefeut  thy  felf  to  Chrift  the  Heavenly  Bridegroom, 
 as  thou  may'H  be  found  always  fit  to  receive  of  his 
 Grace  and  Confojarion :  For  through  him,  and  in 
 him,  fhalt  thou  moft  plentifully  find  That,  which 
 fhall  be  able  to  comfort  thee  in  every  Anxiety,  and 
 to  raife  thee  up  under  every  Deadnefs.  The  more 
 frequently  thou  fhak  draw  near  to  him,  and  the  more 
 clofely  thou  fhak  cleave  to  his  fide,  fo  much  the 
 fweetcr  and  the  picafanter  will  he  appear  to  thee.  But 
 if  thou  fhalt  at  any  time  withdraw  thy  felf,  thou  a- 
 lone  fhalt  fuffer  the  Lofs:  For  he,  abiding  in  his 
 own  Lovelinefs  ftill  the  fame,  will  lofe  nothing  by 
 it.  Thou  hafl  need  of  his  Goodnefs,  not  he  of  thine, 
 or  of  any  Man's.  And  thou  art  capable  hence  of  be- 
 ing made  happier  by  him,  not  he  by  thy  Improve- 
 ment. He  is  alone*,  and  needeth  no  other:  The 
 only  Self-fuflicient  Being  is  he^  to  whom  nothing 
 can  be  added,  and  from  whom  nothing  can  be  taken. 
 By  his  Grace  are  all  things  that  are,  that  live,  that 
 are  endow'd  with  Senfe,  that  are  ennobled  witli  Rea- 
 fon,  or  that  are  illuflrated  with  pur^  Underftanding. 
 All  fubfifl:,  and  live,  and  move  in  him,  and  through 
 him:  And  if  he  withdraw  in  his  Breath  but  ne'er  fo  lit- 
 sle,  they  all  perifh,  as  if  they  had  never  been.  It  is 
 therefore  meet  and  right,  that  all  the  things  that  are 
 created,  do  evermore  laud  and  magnifie  his  glorious 
 Name,  praifing  him  according  to  his  excel- 
 Rom.  XI.  kntGreatnefs  j  ofwhom^  through  z^hom^  and 
 to  zvhom  are  all  things.  To  whom  accordingly  be 
 Glory,  and  Honour,  and  BlelUng,  and  Majefty,  and 
 pominion,  for  ever  and  ever.    Am^rto 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  365 
 
 This  being  ended^  the  Devout  Sonl  thus  addrejfed  her 
 felf^  and  [did  to  me : 
 
 VI r.  O  that  I  could  but  fufficicntly  declare  him  un- 
 to tliee!  How  fain  would  I  doit,  if  it  were  poflible! 
 O  that  I  could  but  more  open  and  unfold  to  thee  that 
 Beauty,  that  Lovelinefs,  that  Majefty,  which  I  be- 
 hold in  him,  and  which  have  drawn  me  fo after  him: 
 That  they  may  draw  thee  alfo,  in  like  manner,  to  the 
 fulfilling  of  thy  Joy.  How  glad  would  I  be,  O  my 
 Friend,  could  I  but  at  all  prove  ferviceable  in  this! 
 But  what  is  in  it  felf  unutterable,  can  never  for  cer- 
 tain be  uttered  :  And  of  what  is  unconceivable  there 
 can  no  Conception  be  formed.  But  iince  it  is  fo,  I 
 advifc  thee  however,  in  the  mean  time,  to  think  and 
 meditate  after  the  manner  of  a  Man^  that  is,  accord- 
 ing to  the  prefent  Capacity  of  thy  Faculties,  upon 
 thy  Creator.  Who,  according  as  thou  fhalt  nfe 
 them,  will  enlarge  them  j  and  fill  them  being  enlar- 
 ged: whereby  thou  may'fl  ftill  more  and  more  com-^ 
 prehend  of  his  incomprehenlible  Sweetnefs;  till  from 
 the  Reflexion  upon  it  Here,  thou  at  length  arrive  to 
 the  full  Poflefllon  of  it  in  his  Everlafling  Kingdom 
 Above.  jIt  which  my  Heart  being  much  fmit ten ^  f^id^ 
 Amen! 
 
 Chap. 
 
3^4 €»f  tl)t  3!mteatton        Vol.  IL 
 
 Chap.    XXL     • 
 
 The  Sighing  of  the  Soul  hy  reason  of  Glory  defer' d: 
 
 Philothea  and  Theophilus. 
 
 •f"  Philothea.  When  I  made  hafi  Cor,  when  I  was  heftde 
 my  [elf  ^  V.  L.]  /  [aid  I  am  cafi  out  of  the  Sight  of 
 thine  Eyes^  Pfal.  xxxi.  24. 
 
 MY  Heart  is  fmitten  within  me,  becaufe  of  the 
 Delay  of  thy  Glory.  I  will  fpeak,  and  I  will 
 commune  with  my  Lord  in  the  Bittemefs  of  my  Soul. 
 The  Force  of  thy  Love  conftrains  me  to  fpeak  \  and 
 will  not  let  me  hide  any  thing  from  thee..  But  what 
 now  fhalj  I  utter,  or  what  fliall  I  tell  thee?  Be- 
 hold, my  God,  "^  in  Peace  my  Bittemefs  is 
 If3,xxxviii.  exceeding  hitter.  He  that  is  void  of  Un- 
 •    •  derftanding,    can  never  know  what  thefe 
 
 Words  mean.  But  it  is  not  fo,  Lord,  v^ith  me  at  this 
 time,  fori  both  know  and  feel  what  it  is-,  and  there- 
 fore am  not  afhamed  to  take  up  here  the  Words  of 
 the  Prophet.  1  fpeak  to  thee  the  Lord  my  God,  to 
 v/hom  all  things  are  known,  and  who  hath  given 
 jpie  both  to  know  and  to  feel  the  fame,  according  to 
 thy  good  Pleafare:  Left  perhaps  I  fhould  boaftof  my 
 felf,  or  that  1  fhould  be  accounted  of  as  fomething  by 
 thf  llnwife.  That  therefore  which  I  have  received 
 from  thee,  1  declare  to  thee.  And  yet  what  need  is 
 there  that  I  fhould  tell  it  thee?  flnce  thou  knoweft  all 
 things^  and  expedeft  not  any  Aid  or  Comfort  from 
 them?  For  what  Aid,  what  Comfort,  whatConfola- 
 tion ,    can  thence  accrue  to  thee,  who  poiTeileft  the 
 
 •|:  Ego  d'txi  in  excejjn  mentis  nted, 
 *  In  Puce  amaritudo  mea  amdrifima. 
 
 infinite 
 
Book  IV,      of  Jesus  Christ.  365 
 
 inSnite  Fulnefs  thereof  in  thy  felf :  And  who  art  both 
 the  only  true  Help  of  the  Helplefs,  and  Gonfolatioa 
 of  the  Defolate.  So  that  indeed  it  may  be  altogether 
 profitable  for  me,  who  do  yet  Hand  m  need  of  be- 
 ing eafed  and  comforted  with  Words,  that  I  Ihould 
 quicken  my  AfFedion  up  toward  thee  t^ith  good  and 
 gracious  Difcourfes :  And  caufe  thereby  fome  Refrefh- 
 ment  to  my  forlorn  and  defolate  Soul.  This  there- 
 fore I  will  do.  And  becaufe  I  cannot  fee  thee  prefent, 
 I  will  lament  thee  abfent:  Inafmuch  as  even  this  is  a 
 Mark  and  Indication  of  Love,  and  is  no  fmall  Plea- 
 fure  oftentimes  to  the  Lover.  Now  then  the  Senfe 
 of  this  Verlicle  begins  to  appear;  becaufe  concerning 
 the  Loving  Soul,  nothing  can  be  more  properly  writ- 
 ten than  this,  when  it  is  duly  Conlidered.  For  fo 
 much  the  more  ardently  as  fhe  Loves ,  fo  much 
 the  more  vehemently  Longs  Ihe  after  thofe  things 
 that  are  Eternal;  and  fo  much  the  more  truly,  and 
 efficacioufly,  feels  fhe  the  Power  of  thefe  kv/  Words 
 to  live  in  her.  They  are  not  cold  and  lifelefs  ones 
 to  any^  but  to  fuch  as  are  void  of  Love-  The  loving 
 and  flaming  Soul  underllands  them:  And  as  often  as 
 her  Heart  grows  hot  within  her ,  fo  often  is  (he 
 ftruck  with  an  holy  Compundlion,  fpringing  from 
 the  Love  of  the  Everlafting  Peace.  She  therefore 
 fpeaketh  under  the  Influence  of  it,  unto  thee  the  Lord 
 her  God  *,  not  unto  Men,  to  whom  fhe  delires  to  be 
 unknown.  But  if  at  any  time  fhe  happens  to  fpeak 
 to  Men,  that  which  they  hear  is  but  fomewhat  ftill 
 without:  On  the  other  fide,  whatever  ihe  fpeaketh  to 
 thee,  fhe  fpeaketh  from  within.  W^hat  ihe  thus  fpeak- 
 eth is  not  to  the  outward  Ear,  but  to  the  inward  Life  : 
 not  to  the  Senfe,  but  to  the  very  Soul.  And  rather 
 by  the  mute  Language  of  Love,  than  by  the  tinckling 
 Eloquence  of  the  Theatre ;  that  is,  rather  by  ^Loving, 
 
 ^  Amando  magis  quam  fcnarJo^ 
 
 than 
 
^{  tf)t  imttatton        Vol.  ii 
 
 than  by  Sounding  it  forth  ^  and  by  fighing  of  the 
 Heart,  than  by  any  formal  or  exprefs  Words.  Be- 
 hold^ faith  the  Soul,  rn  Peace  my  Bitternefs  is  exceeding 
 bitter. 
 
 As  if  file  would  confefs  thus,  and  fay:  ''  Since  I 
 **  have  been  reltored,  Lord,  by  thy  gracious  Vouch - 
 *'  fafement  to  Peace  of  Mind,  the  deceitful  State  of 
 *'  the  World  grows  more  burthenfome  and  grievous 
 **  to  me.  For  I  behold  in  this  Peace ,  at  what  di- 
 **  fiance  I  ftand  from  the  Supream  Peace.  And  in- 
 *'  deed  fo  long  ^s  I  was  poflelTed  by  Earthly  Delires, 
 *^  and  tolTed  about  with  various  Paflions,  I  wasmigh- 
 *'  tily  hindered  from  my  interiour  Operations,  and 
 *'  all  what  more  nearly  belong'd  to  me  from  within, 
 «'  and  by  confequent  from  the  Contemplation  of  Ce- 
 *'  leftial  Obje(fts,  after  which  I  ought  to  have  figh'd 
 "  and  groan'd  ^  but  was  not  any  wife  capable  of  this, 
 «  for  that,  through  Careleifnefs,  I  had  even  loft  the 
 "  Senfe  of  internal  Compundion,  But  now  theTu- 
 "  mults  of  my  vain  Thoughts  being  ftilled,  I  take 
 ««  up  my  reft  a  little  in  Peace  of  Mind  ^  and  while  I 
 *t  fit  in  quiet  and  undifturbed,  I  am  drawn  with  the 
 «'  Whole  defire  of  my  Heart  to  thofe  things  that  are 
 «'  Above \  and  do  confequently  much  more  lament, 
 *'  becaufe  the  Fruition  of  the  Celeftials  is  yet  kept 
 **  from  me-,  than  I  did  at  firft  when  I  was  crofFed  onr 
 *'  ly  with  the  Terreftrials.  The  evil  things  that  I 
 *t  met  with  in  the  World  did  not  comparably  afBid, 
 "  as  the  long  deferring  of  the  good  things  of  God  do 
 *'  at  this  prefent.  Ah !  what  is  the  Lofs  of  this  whole 
 *'  Earth,  with  all  that  therein  is,  had  I  been  even 
 *'  abfolute  Mafterand  Proprietor  of  it  all,  in  Com- 
 *'  parifon  of  the  Abfence  of  my  Beloved?  O  my 
 «  Beloved!  Why  thus  hideft  thou  thy  felt  from  me  ? 
 «'  What  meaneth  this  Delay,  after  that  I  am  fo  drawn 
 •'  unto  thee  from  the  Ground  of  the  Heart?  O  De-. 
 **  lay,  to  me  moft  burthenfome,  and  moft  afflictive! 
 
 "  Lo, 
 
Book  IV.     of  Jesus  Christ.  367 
 
 "  Lo,   my  God,    ia  Peace  is  my  moft  bitter  Bit- 
 "  ternefs. 
 
 II.  It  is  therefore  Bltternefs  to  my  Soul  even  to  con- 
 verfe  in  this  Word,  and  to  lie  under  the  Loati  and  Bur- 
 then of  Sin.    But  this  becomes  to  me  yet  far  more  exceed- 
 ing hitter ^y^Si  it  is  a  moft  bitter  Bitternefsy  when  having  to 
 my  very  utmoft  recolleded  and  reunited  my  AfFedti- 
 ons ,  fo  as  I  come  to  enjoy  a  good  degree  of  Tran- 
 quillity and  Peace  of  Heart,  and  am  ftirred  up  thence 
 with  all  my  Might  and  Strength,  to  run  into  the  Em- 
 braces of  the  Eternal  Peace-,  yet  I  cannot  attain  it  by 
 reafon  of  the  Bonds  of  Mortality,   which  chain  and 
 fetter  me  down  fo  miferably.     And  therefore  am  I 
 conftrained  to  cry  unto  thee,  O  Lord,    with  heavy 
 Groaning  ^   and  needs  muft  I  fay,   O  wretched  Man 
 that  I  am,  who  fhall  deliver  mc  from  this  vile  Body 
 of  Death?    Since  I  feel  no  Burthen  heavier,  than  to 
 continue  long  a  Sojourner  and  Stranger  from  thee  ia 
 this  Worldly  Principle:    Becaufe  that  being  iick  of 
 Love,  I  require  no  other  Confolation  but  thee  *,  and 
 labouring  in  Love,  there  is  no  other  Reft  or  Refrefh- 
 ment  for  me,   but  thou  alone.     For  1  have  learnt  by 
 moft  evident  and  certain  Experience,    that  my  Soul 
 can  never  be  fatiated  with  the  good  things  of  this  Life^ 
 nor  can  ever  attain  to  true  BlefTednefs ,    but  as  being 
 joined  to  thee  Ihe  fliall  be  enfeoffed  in  the  Heavenly 
 Manfion.     For  though  (he  may  exceedingly  love  ^ 
 flame,  aad  contemplate  while  ftie  is  in  the  Body  ^  yet 
 her  A.ff:  dtion  can  never  be  fatisfied,   while  the  Body 
 is  not  put  ofF^  fuch  is  her  llnfatiablenefs.     The  Ac- 
 quirement of  the  Chief  Good,  and  the  Light  of  thy  4 
 Countenance,  is  the  Confummation  of  what  Ihe  pro- 
 pofes  to  her  felf. 
 
 HI.  O  King  of  Heaven,  King  of  Glory,  King  of 
 Love ,  Glorious  above  all  in  Majefty  and  Power, 
 Amiable  above  all  ia  Beauty  and  Sweetnefs !  O  my 
 Beloved,  who  art  moft  Fair,  yea  altogether  Lovely, 
 
 and 
 
368  m  ti)z  3!mttatton       Vol.  ii 
 
 and  the  only  Defirable:  When  wilt  thou  fill  me  with 
 Joy,  even  with  thy  Prefence?  When  wilt  thou  fatif- 
 iie  all  my  Defire  from  an  ever-flowing  Spring?  My 
 Soul  hath  been  much  a-thirfh  after  thee,  and  not  ob- 
 taining thee  is  in  fundry  manners  mightily  affli(fled. 
 As  long  as  I  live  on  the  Earth,  and  do  not  yet  be- 
 hold thee,  every  thing  that  I  look  upon  is  to  me  mat- 
 ter of  Sorrow.  My  Heart  waxeth  within  me  fo  very 
 hot,  as  that  I  do  not  only  once,  but  often  and  vehe- 
 mently cry  out,  even  as  in  a  Tranfport:  When  jlmll  I 
 come  J  and  dffear  before  the  Frefence  of  God  f  The  Love 
 Hill  grows  and  increafes,  andtheDefire  is  daily  more 
 and  more  fir'd :  So  that  I  ceafe  not  from  weeping  ei- 
 ther by  Day  or  by  Night,  while  I  am  thinking  Day 
 after  Day,  Where  is  my  God?  For  to  the  Lover  it  is 
 fweet  to  weep  for  thee,  fo  long  as  fhe  cannot  have 
 what  fhe  defires.  However^  it  is  her  bou-nden  Duty 
 to  wait,  and  to  want.  The  Loving  Soul  is  by  thefe 
 Weepings  fed,  and  fatisfied  more  than  if  Hie  had  all 
 that  the  Earth  can  give ;  than  ii  fhe  had  all  the 
 Worldly  Objedls  to  feed  and  delight  her  Senfes  with. 
 For  did  fhe  love  them,  ihe  certainly  would  not  weep 
 for  thee. 
 
 IV.  Theoph,  O  how  blefTed  and  how  pleafant  to  thee? 
 O  Choice  one  of  the  Beloved,  is  the  pouring  but  of 
 fuch  Tears  as  thefe!  Since  they  are  the  very  Deflroy- 
 ers  of  Secular  Joys  and  Temporal  Pleafures,  the  Pro- 
 moters of  Celeftial  Confolations,  and  the  devout  Pur- 
 chafers  of  Eternal  Blifs*,  wherein  all  Tears  fhall  be 
 wiped  away,  and  there  fhall  be  no  more  Sorrow  or 
 Crymg.  Wherefore  this  over-flowing  of  holyTears, 
 as  I  perceive,  is  only  to  be  found  in  fome  fpecially 
 Devoted  and  Amorous  Souls.  There  is  quite  another 
 Ground  of  Tears  in  them  who  in  the  World  labour 
 under  Neceffity  and  Mifery:  This  Man  for  inftance> 
 becaufe  he  is  fickly  *,  that,  becaufe  he  is  opprefled  5 
 and  another,  becaufe  he  is  fome  way  or  other  injured  *, 
 
Book  IV.      t)f  Jesus  Christ.  3^9 
 
 takes  on,  and  bitterly  laments.  And  another  per- 
 haps will  fometimes  even  weep  becaufe  his  Will  is 
 crofTed.  Ail  this  is  not  right.  It  is  thou  only,  O 
 Devout  Soul,  who  fheddeft  the  Tears  of  Divine  Love. 
 But  as  for  Temporal  Lofles^  and  Tranfitory  Caufes, 
 thou  fubmitjiefl  thy  felf  to  the  true  Judgment  of  God, 
 and  giveft  Thanks. 
 
 Let  not  then  he  that  is  Indevout,  feeing  thee  weep, 
 cenfure  thee  for  Foolifhnefs  or  for  Impatience;  For 
 fuch  Tears  as  thefe  do  not  fadden^  but  refreih ',  do  not 
 afflid,  but  relieve  ^  do  not  blot^  but  cleanfe  '•,  do  not 
 hurt  the  Eyes,   but  purifie  the  Heart.     Let  others 
 think  of  thee  even  as  they  pleafe,  for  my  part,  I  can- 
 not think  otherwife  than  well :  For  I  alfo  wilh  that  I 
 could  but  drink  of  a  Flood  of  Tears,  like  thme  :  For 
 certainly  to  fow  in  thefe  will  make  my  beft:  Harveft. 
 V.  Philoth:  If  thou  wifheft  to  mourn  with  me,  fear 
 not  but  thou  fhalt  be  comforted.,  O  that  thy^Soul 
 were  as  my  Soul,  then  would'ft.  thou  never  be  igno- 
 rant what  it  is  I  feel.    I  kaow  in  whom  I  have  be- 
 lieved, and  I  am  certain  :   Becaufe  it  is  eafier  to  deny 
 Heaven  and  Earth  to  be,  than  to  doubt  whether  <iod 
 is.  -  Yea^  I  know  him  verily  to  be  the  Good  of  my 
 Soul:  And  that  it  is  not.  ponible  for  me  ever  to  be 
 happy  without  the  perfed  Contemplation  of  Him.  ^ 
 -  The  Contemplation  of  whom  being  not  yet  fo  con- 
 ferred Upon  me^  as  I  long  for,  nor  fo  durably  conj 
 firm'd,  hence  I  go  mourning,  becaufe  I  am  deprived 
 of  fo  great  Felicity  5   becaufe  I  am  involved  in  the 
 Darknefs  of  this  Life  *,  becaufe  I  am  fo  aggrieved  with 
 mine  own  Infirmity,  a$  I  am  not  able  to  endure  that 
 Light;  and  becaufe  whatever  I  meditate  of  the  Hea- 
 venly Glory,  is  both  fovery  fhort  in  Duration,  and 
 fo  overclouded  with  Obfcurity.  ,,   ,. 
 
 VI.  Wherefore  I  often  repeat  niy  Groaning^^^s  it 
 were  dolefully  finging  :  And  while  they  daily  fay^un- 
 tome^  Where  is  now  thy  God?  My  Spirit  is  ^ore 
 
57*^  ^f  tlic  imitation        VoLiL 
 
 and  more  pierced  and  contrite.  For  ia  great  fufpenfe 
 I  ponder  and  ruminate,  Ah  !  Where  is  my  Good,  and 
 the  perfeft  J07  of  my  Heart?  Ah!  Where  is  Peace, 
 and  true  Reft?  Where  O  where  are  all  thefe  unutte- 
 rable Benefits,  but  in  my  God  ?  And  when  fhall  I  en- 
 joy them,  but  when  I  fhall  be  united  to  him,  without 
 the  Interpofition  of  any  dark  Medium  ?  And  when 
 fhall  this  be?  O  when  (hall  I  be  there?  I  Believe,  1 
 Hope  *,  But  I  poflefs  not. 
 
 Where  then  is  my  God,  whom  I  fo  L.ove,  and  Be- 
 hold not ;  whofe  Love  fo  often  wounded  me ;  whole 
 Abfence  fo  troubleth  me  ^  but  whofe  Vifitation  alfo 
 now  and  then  refrelheth  me  ?  Where  is  my  Gody 
 whom  even  once  to  have  feen,  is  to  have  learnt  all 
 things  ?  Where  is  my  God,  in  whom  my  Heart  is 
 fixed,  and  after  whom  even  my  Flefh  longeth  ? 
 
 Where  is  my  God,   for  whofe  fake  I  undergo  fa 
 many  Labours,  and  fo  many  Sorrows?  Ah!  where  is 
 my  God,  the  very  Remembrance  of  whom  is  fo  fweet, 
 but  whofe  Prefence  is  dearer,  driving  away  all  Sor- 
 row and  Mourning  from  the  Heart  ?   Where  is  my 
 Hope,  and  all  my  Boafting?  Is  it  not  in  thee,  O  my 
 God,  the  Health  of  my  Countenance,  and  my  Salva- 
 tion ?  Where  is  my  Treafure,  and  my  Crown?  Is  it 
 not  in  thee,  my  God,  and  inthyblelfed  Countenance ?^ 
 Shew  me  thy  Glory,  and  turn  not  away  thy  Face 
 from  me,  fo  fhall  I  ceafe  to  complain.     If  I  difpute 
 with  thee  a  little,  O  take  it  not  amifs  !   For  earned 
 Love  hath  many  wonderful  Methods,  with  many  fub- 
 til  Devices.     I  am  forced  to  Wait,  and  I  am  the  more 
 inftigated  to  Defire:  I  am  driven  to  Expecl ,   and 
 moved  ftill  to  Long  ^   yea,  to  Long  more  and  more 
 vehemently,  and  to  Wreftle  ftill  on  with  more  Earneft- 
 nefs  and  Importunity.     And  fo  this  joyful  Combat, 
 this  Lovely  Duel,  doth  continue  \  and  is  carried  oi> 
 after  a  marvellous  manner  in  the  Soul,  for  the  greater 
 Difplay  of  the  Wonders  of  Divine  Love. 
 
 C   K   A  P^ 
 
BooklV.      of  Je  sus  Ch  R  I  s  T.  :;7i 
 
 Chap.    XXII. 
 
 Of  the  Heavenly  Country, 
 
 0  LORDt    I  have  loved  the  Beauty  of  thy  Honfe  \  and 
 the  Place  of  the  Habitation  of  thy  Glory ^  Pfal.  xxvi.  8. 
 
 I.  TTOw  willingly,  how  gladly,  I  would  be  with 
 Xj.  thee,  thou  knoweft  full  well,  O  my  GOD  ! 
 And  how  intimately  I  defire  it,  how  intirely  I  long 
 for  it,  I  cannot  fufficiently  utter.  Nor  only  do  I  feek 
 for  this,  when  it  is  ill  with  me  *,  but  alfo  even  when 
 it  is  never  fo  well.  For  what  Profperity  foever  I  here 
 enjoy,  my  Defire  is  ilill  to  be  with  thee.     O  how  do 
 
 1  wifh  that  it  might  be  permitted  me,  whether  itgoeth 
 ill  or  well  with  me  in  this  World,  to  be  more  with 
 thee  :  Yea,  fo  to  be  with  thee,  as  never  to  be  fepara- 
 ted  more. 
 
 But  how  fhall  Satisfadlidn  be  given  to  my  Dedre  ? 
 it  tires  me  to  be  here*,  and  yet  of  necefHty  I  muft; 
 With  thee  fain  would  I  be  ^  but  it  is  not  as  yet  allow- 
 ed me.  I  fee  no  Remedy  then,  but  that  I  patiently 
 bear  this  Delay  ^  and  refign  my  Opinion  and  Choice 
 to  Thee  abfolutely.  For  why  ?  Shall  I  be  ready  to  re- 
 pine and  murmur,  when  thus  it  ought  to  be  ?  No,  far 
 be  this  from  me.  For  as  much  as  many  of  God's  Chil- 
 dren have  contentedly  continued  in  this  World,  and 
 yet  their  Hearts  were  in.  Heaven. 
 
 Now  therefore,  if  thou,  Lord,  fhalt  be  pleafed  to 
 prolong  here  my  Pilgrimage,  1  alfo  am  willing  td 
 obey,  and  abide,  even  as  long  as  it  (hall  be  well-pleallng 
 to  thee.  Neverthelefs,  that  the  a ffedionate  Longing 
 I  have  of  being  with  thee  may,  in  its  continued  Wait- 
 ing, be  the  better  contented  and  fatisfied  j  I  am  iu- 
 elined  in  the  mean  while  to  meditate  at  times  £6th€^ 
 
 B  b  2  ivhat 
 
372  £)f  tf^t  gimttation         Vol.  JI. 
 
 what  concerning  the  Heavenly  Manflon,  and  to  con- 
 fer with  thee  about  the  Beauty  of  thy  Houfe,  and  the 
 Glory  of  thy  Habitation. 
 
 Notwithllanding  I  do  not  prefume  hence  to  pene- 
 trate into  the  very  leafl  of  thofe  Joys,  which  thou. 
 Lord,  haft  prepared  for  them  that  love  thee ;  but  I 
 will  only  pick  up  a  little  here,  and  a  little  there,  to 
 refled  upon,  wherewith  my  AfFeiftion,  that  is  often 
 niiferably  weighed  down,  and  infedted,  with  Earthly 
 Things,  may  be  again  excited,  and  be  raifed  up  to 
 the  Hope  of  Life  everlafting,  and  to  the  Contemplati- 
 on of  Celeflial  and  Divine  Objedls. 
 
 II.  O  were  that  Day  but  once  come,  v/herein  the 
 Joys  of  Heaven  might  ravifh  me  away!  How  Joyful 
 then  at  Heart  fhould  I  be,  and  how  happy  (hould  I 
 think  my  felf !  O  how  Blefled  then  fhould  I  truly  be, 
 enjoying  a  continual  Tranquillity,  in  Peace  unmove- 
 able!  Then  would  there  be  no  more  any  need  of 
 fearchingout  any  thing,  fince  nothing  would  be  then 
 hid.  O  would  to  God  that  Day  had  but  fhined  up- 
 on me!  Whither  then  had  I  in  the  Light  thereof 
 been  carried?  Whither  O  my  Soul,  hadfl  thou  ia 
 the  Streams  of  this  its  Glorious  Light  ,  thus  de- 
 fcending  to  thee ,  been  raviflicd  and  tranfported  ! 
 From  thenceforth  fhould  I  make  no  Inquiry  for  any 
 thing,  feeing  no  Secret  could  be  longer  kept  in 
 the  Dark,  but  that  all  things  would  come  to  be  be- 
 held of  me  nakedly  in  God,  as  refledled  from  his 
 Countenance.  From  thenceforth  (hould  I  have  no 
 Thoughts  of  any  thing  befide  i  feeing  I  fhould  be  then, 
 wholly  fciz'd  and  taken  up  with  the  Vifion  of  his  Ma- 
 jefty,  as  contemplating  him  Eye  to  Eye.  No  longer 
 then  fhould  I  fpend  my  Years  thus  in  Darknefs :  Nor 
 walk  among  Shades  in  this  gloomy  Valley  of  Morta- 
 lity. But  who,  O!  who  will  bring  me  forth  hence  ? 
 Ah  I  when  will  this  long  wifh'd-for  Day  arife,  and  I 
 receive  the  Wings  of  the  Everlafting  Morning,  being 
 4  fes. 
 
Book  IV.      ot  ]  Esv  s  C  H  a  I  s  t.  37  3 
 
 let  quite  free  from  the  Contagion  of  this  Body  of 
 Darknefs !  O  Ble fled  and  Happy  Day  !  O  Glorious 
 and  Unlhaded  Light,  in  which  all  things  mull  needs 
 be  manifefted  as  clear  as  the  Sun  ! 
 
 But  myprefent  Life,  alas,  is  as  it  were  a  Night. 
 For  I  live  now  in  the  Night,  not  in  the  Day  :  And 
 therefore  no  wonder  is  it,  if  fometimes  amongfl:  the 
 Mifts  or  Clouds  of  this  World's  Glory  my  Sight  be 
 <lazled.  Neverthelefs  I  will  lift  up  mine  Eyes,  look- 
 ing from  afar,  and  falute  that  holy  City  Jemfalem^ 
 which  is  built  up  in  the  Heavens  of  Living  Stones, 
 namely,  of  Angels  and  Holy  Men  :  And  is  ever  full 
 with  the  high  Praifesof  God,  and  triumphant  Shouts 
 of  Glory,  wherewith  they  incelTantly  magaifie  his 
 Name. 
 
 Courage  then  my  Soul!  Courage!  O  ho  my  Soul! 
 Why  loitereil  thou  ?  Up,  Up  !  Advance,^  I  fay,  for- 
 ward ^  and  having  taken  the  Wings  of  Defires^  mount 
 Upwards  ^  make  no  Hay  here-,  fly  away  out  from  the 
 Corporeal  Senfes,  tranfplant  thy  Self  from  the  Vifible 
 Figures  of  the  World,  to  the  Holy  Habitation  of  God, 
 to  the  New  JerHfaUm^  eftabiiflied  with  perpetual 
 Peace,  crowned  with  Glory  and  Honour,  and  per- 
 fected with  the  aggregate  Fulnefs  of  all  Good  Things. 
 
 III.  Behold  things  ftupendoufly  Marvellous  and  In- 
 effable, the  which  it  is  not  lawful  or  poflible  for  Man 
 to  utter.  The  Senfe  of  Man  receiveth  not,  the  Un- 
 derftanding.of  Man  reacheth  not,  how  Glorious  GOD 
 is  in  his  Saints,  how  Wonderful  in  his  Majefly. 
 
 Stretch  forth  thy  Thought  to  the  utmoft:^  ftretch 
 it  forth  with  all  thy  might  j  extend  thy  Cogitation, 
 1  fay,  to  the  higheft  Heights ;  dilate  thy  Defire  into 
 the  perpetual  Eternities  ^  and  fay  with  the  Prophet, 
 Glorious  things  are  fpoken  of  thee^  O  thou  holy  City  of 
 God, 
 
 Here  whatever  is  defired,  is  had  ;  and  whatever  is 
 had^  is  fecurely  poflefTed .    Here  GOD  is  kQn  Face 
 
 B  b  3  tQ 
 
374  ^l  ti)t  9!witat(on       Vol.  ii 
 
 to  Face,  clearly,  and  without  a  riddle  '-,  not  through  a  ^ 
 Glafs,  not  by  little  Snatches,  but  mofl  Evidently  and 
 Perfpicuoufly,  and  this  without  any  end. 
 
 Here  the  Blcfled  and  A 11 -glorious  Trinity,  in  the 
 infeparable  Unity  is  known  :  Which  by  all  the  Citi- 
 zens of  Heaven,  is  Adored,  Praifed,  and  Blefled  for 
 evermore, 
 
 IV.  Here  is  that  only  One,  that  One  only  Beloved, 
 that  fingular  Eledt,  more  Precious  than  all  the  Riches 
 that  the  Heart  can  ever  wifh  for,  the  Deilrable  (the 
 only  Defirable)  Treafure,  my  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST, 
 the  Immortal  Bridegroom  of  the  Church  *,  in  whom 
 are  all  the  Treafures  of  the  Wifdom  and  Knowledge 
 of  GOD,  from  the  World  indeed  hidden,  but  to  the 
 BlefTed  above  manifefted. 
 
 O  how  pleafant  here  are  all  the  Saints,  before  this 
 Saint  of  Saints,  the  Holy  One  of  Holies,  the  Lord 
 their  Holinefs  *,  who  is  tbeCaufeand  Original  of  their 
 Salvation  !  For  here  he  fpeaks  not  to  them  in  Pro- 
 verbs, but  openly  he  Ihews  them  of  the  Father. 
 
 He  is  their  Book,  even  that  WORD,  nhich  was  in 
 the  Beginning  with  God^  both  informing  them  of  all 
 things,  and^fulfilling  in  them  all  things  \  fo  that  no 
 Glory  can  henceforth  be  wanting  to  them.     For  as 
 they  read  in  this  Divine  Book,  that  is  now  altogether 
 Unfeal'd,  they  c^n  lack  nothing  they  would  wifh  to 
 have;  all  things,  that  are  Good  and  Defirable  here, 
 are  prefent  with  them.     O  happy,  blefledp  everlafting 
 Glory  !  Not  proceeding  from  a  fhort  Superficial  Re- 
 frcfentation^  but  from  the  Real  Prefence  of  GOD,  in 
 the  Splendors  and  refleded  Beauties  of  his  Saints  ! 
 O  mofl  furpaffing  Glory,  and  Glory  of  Glories,  which 
 through  the  Glorified  Humanity  of  the  Lord  Chrilt, 
 is  uninterruptedly  here  communicated  to  the  whole 
 Body  of  Saints  and  Angels  in  the  Heavenly  Places,  as 
 Incorporated  under  this  their  Head,  theexprefs  Image 
 of  the  Fat'aer's  Glory  !  Whom  therefore  with  the  Fa- 
 ther 
 
Book  IV.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  Fv  I  s  T.  375 
 
 ther  they  Adore  as  the  only  Spring  of  their  BlefTed- 
 iiefs  ^  being  fall  knit  together  in  the  Bond  of  one  and 
 the  fame  Eternal  Spirit,  according  to  their  goodly 
 Orders  and  Hierarchies  *,  all  continually  looking  unto 
 Him,  the  Author  and  Finifher  of  their  Perfedtion  in 
 Light,  through  whom  all  the  Lights,  Glories  and 
 Beauties  of  that  Celeftial  Country  are  convey'd  and 
 tranfmitted,  in  all  Eternity,  as  from  a  Source  never 
 to  be  exhaufted. 
 
 V.  Here  are  Angels  and  Archangels,  here  are  Che- 
 rubims  and  Seraphims,  all  in  their  Glorious  Orders 
 placed  ;  cheerfully  intent  on  the  Divine  Praifes^  ia 
 their- diftinft  Hierarchies  and  Stations,  all  continually- 
 cxercifed,  without  any  Interruption,  to  perform  and 
 execute  the  Commands  of  Eternal  Love^  and  to  do  in 
 all  things  perfedly  the  Will  of  Him,  in  whom  they 
 live,  move,  and  fubfift,  as  Flames  of  Fire  fparkling 
 forth  from  the  Glory  of  his  Majefly. 
 
 Here  are  t)i\t  Tamdrchs  and  Prophets^  who  in  old 
 time,  being  full  of  theHoly  Ghoft,  fang  before  of  the. 
 Coming  of  Chriil  ^  whom  now  they  Behold,  whom 
 now  they  Adore,  and  with  paying  their  uncefFant 
 Homages  of  Praife,  do  Recognize,  as  King  of  Kings, 
 and  Lord  of  Lords.  Now  they  fee  Eye  to  Eye  their 
 Redeemer,  whom  they  long  waited  for,  and  defired 
 with  all  their  Heart  that  he  might  come. 
 
 Here  is  alfo  the  molt  Glorious  Mother  of  our  Sa- 
 viour, the  blefled  P^irgin  Mary^  beautifying  the  whole 
 Heavenly  Court  with  her  Comelinefs  and  Beauty  i 
 compalTed  with  Troops  of  Virgins,  as  with  fweec 
 Rofes  and  Lillies  of  the  Vallies. 
 
 Here  are  the  llluftrious  and  mod  Venerable  Heralds 
 ofChrift,  the  Difciples  and  Apoftles  of  our  Lord, 
 who  were  filled  with  Holinefs  and  Grace,  and  made 
 the  Founders  under  Him  of  the  Catholick  Faith,  and 
 Pilars  of  the  Church.    To  keep  whofe  Faith,  and 
 
 B  b  4  to 
 
37^  j©f  ti^e  imitation       Vol.  il 
 
 to  imitate  wliofe  Example,  is  the  ready  way  to  arrive 
 at  Everlafting  Life. 
 
 Here  is  the  Glorious  Army  of  Martyrs^  all  clad  as 
 in  Royal  Purple,  through  the  radiant  Tindture of  their 
 own  Blood,  together  with  the  Blood  of  the  LAMB, 
 with  whom  they  eternally  Reign  in  all  Blifs^  vyhofe 
 Bodies  being  moft  cruelly  Butcher'd,  yet  could  not; 
 their  Souls  be  feparated  through  Torments  from. 
 CHRIST:  For  Love  in  them  was  fcronger  than 
 Death. 
 
 Here  mod  brightly  do  ihine  the  noble  Fellow fhip 
 of  Corjfejfors ,  who  defpilmg  the  Earthly,  have  ob- 
 tained the  Heavenly  Life  :  And  efleeming  the  Re-^. 
 preach  of  Chrifl  greater  Riches  than  all  the  Treafures. 
 in  this  World,  have  obtained  the  Imniortal  Riches, 
 and  an  unfadable  Diadem  of  Glory. 
 
 Here  are  the  Eminent  and  Glorious  Tajlors.  of  the 
 Church,  Lights  in  their  Generation^  the  Teachers  ojf 
 Truths  who,  by  th^Holinefs  of  their  Liv^s,  fcaving 
 arrived  to  a  more  than  ordinary  Degree  of  Heavenly. 
 Contemplation ,  and  to  fome  nearer  Converfes  with., 
 God,  have  thence  left  behind  them  in  their  Writi^ngs 
 a  lively  Image  of  that  holy  Frame,  into  which  they, 
 were  Regenerated  by  the  Spirit  and  Power  of  God, 
 
 And  here,  laftly,  are  both  Toutig  Men  md  Maidens^ 
 Old  Men  and  Children^  continually  Praifing  the  Name 
 of  the  Lord  together  ^  whofe  Name  they  will  only 
 have  to  be  Excellent,  and  to  be  exalted  above  Heaven 
 and  Earth:  Afcribing  to  the  Divine  Majeily  what* 
 ever  they  did  in  this  Life,  through  his  Grace,  that 
 was  Good  or  Virtuous^  always  Thankful,  always  De- 
 vout, always  Pieafant,  and  alvyays  Inflamed  in  raptu- 
 rous Ardours  •,  never  weary,  or  tired  \  but  by  per- 
 petual Contemplation  raifed  up  as  into  God  j  and  fo 
 made  to  participate  with  Him  in  the  Glories  of  his 
 Light  and  Love. 
 
 O  hov^ 
 
Book  IV.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R I  s  T>        377 
 
 O  how  plorious  is  this  Kingdom  ,  wherein,  with 
 Chrift,  ali  the  Saints  do  reign,  being  clothed  with 
 their  Firfi  Robe^  and  fecure  of  that  which  is  to  follow  ! 
 Here  they  now  follow  the  Lamb,  whitherfoever  he 
 goeth  *,  forafmuch  as  there  (hall  be  no  Separation  from 
 him,  but  to  all  Eternity  rejoicing  they  fhall  rejoiqe  ia 
 the  Lord. 
 
 VL  Thefe  things  contemplate  thou,  O  my  Soul : 
 And  fufpend  thy  Thought  from  and  above  all  Vifibi- 
 iity.  Surely  this  Place  is  Holy,  and  the  Lord  is  in  it. 
 Here  Peace  and  Joy  always  abound  ^  here  is  the  Afflu- 
 ence of  all  good  things,  and  the  Abfence  of  all  Evil  > 
 and  this  too  is  perpetual  as  to  both. 
 
 O  that  thou  couldefl:  therefore  but  "^  fnatch  a  little, 
 but  favour  a  little,  but  take  in, a  little,  of  fome  little 
 Portion  of  the  unutterable  Joys  of  the  Saints!  That 
 fo  thereby  thy  Pilgrimage  might  be  fomewhat  eafed, 
 and  comforted  !  For  here,  alas,  with  this  Body,  thou 
 Ihalv  otherwife  find  nothing  but  Labours  and  Griefs, 
 Storms  of  Temptations  and  Floods  of  the  Worlds 
 and  indeed  all  manner  of  molt  melancholy  difmal 
 Scenes.  Whereas  if  thou  couldeft  even  a  little  com- 
 prehend of  their  unfpeakable  Joys ,  then  fhouldelt 
 thou  doubtlefs  find  Confolation  fufficient  for  the 
 Day. 
 
 O  that  the  Author  of  Supernal  Light  would  but 
 vouchfafe  to  infpire  fomewhat  hereof  into  thee,  and 
 that  he  would  not  fend  thee,  my  Soul,  back  empty 
 to  my  courfe  and  dry  Fare :  But  that  according  to 
 the  Riches  of  his  fuperabundant  Grace,  he  would  pu- 
 rifie  thee  from  all  Material  Forms,  wholly  evacuate 
 and  empty  thee  from  them  *,  and  lead  thee  into  the 
 Abyfs  of  his  Eternal  Charity!  Oh,  if  it  were  but 
 now,  at  leaft  for  a  Glimpfe  ! 
 
 ^  Rapere  al.  capcre^  al,  faptrs, 
 
 O  would 
 
g78 jflPf  tl^e  Slmitation:        Vol.  ij. 
 
 O  would  to  God  thou  mighteft  bring  back  from 
 but  of  the  Celeftial  Sanfluary  that  Form  and  Exemplar 
 of  true  HoUnefs,  which  thou  may'lt  imitate!  For 
 better  and  truer  are  the  Patterns  and  Examplars  of 
 the  Heavenly  things  themfelves,  than  what  by  any 
 Earthly  Demonftratlons  can  be  made  out; 
 
 Grant  me,  O  Lord  God,  therefore  to  tails  and  un- 
 derfland,  what  the  perfed  Felicity  of  thy  Saints  is, 
 not  fo  much  by  Books,  which  may  be  written  with 
 this  Aim*,  as  by  thy  Holy  Spirit,  who  inftrudteth 
 concerning  the  Heavenly  Secrets,  above  all  that  Hu- 
 man Senfe  can  reach  unto. 
 
 And  grant  me  alfo  Power  wherewith  to  elevate 
 more  ardently  and  fervently  my  Life  to  the  more  Spi- 
 ritual Objeds  J  and,  amidit  the  frequent  Weights 
 and  Burthens  of  Tribulation,  valiantly  henceforth  to 
 hold  fait  and  keep  the  Palm  of  Patience;  till  the  Debt 
 of  the  Flelh  being  paid,  I  may  at  length  through  thy 
 Mercy  arrive  to  that  Bleflednefs,  which  I  foearneft- 
 ly  do  defire,  and  pant  for. 
 
 C  M  A  p. 
 
3Book  IV.     of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  K I  s  T.  379 
 
 C  t^  A  p.    XXIII, 
 
 Of  the  Approach  to  the  Holy  of  Holies  Chrlfl  Jeftts^ 
 King  of  Angels, 
 
 Philothea  reads. 
 
 Thou  an  my  King^  and  my  God  :  Arife  my  Soul,  come^ 
 and  ^  enter  into  the  Place  of  the  Wonderful  Tabernacle^ 
 even  unto  the  Hopife  of  G  0  D-^  Pfal,  xliv.  5,  and 
 xlii.  4.  V.  L. 
 
 hThiU  A  ND  Reafon  good  it  is,  that  leaving  all 
 JLx,  other  things  behind,  thou  do  with  hum- 
 ble Reverence  prefs  forward,  to  falute  our  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrift,  thy  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  who  is  the  Head 
 of  every  Principality  and  Power  j  the  Joy  and  the 
 Crown  of  all  the  Saints ,  the  firm  Hope  and  certain 
 Expectation  of  all  the  Faithful. 
 
 He  it  is  that  hath  made  thee,  and  redeemed  thee, 
 He  it  is  that  for  thee  hath  laboured,  wreflled,  and 
 overcome.  He,  even  he  is  thine  Advocate,  and  the 
 Propitiation  for  thy  Sins. 
 
 He  is  thy  Comforter,  thy  Guardian,  and  thy  Go- 
 vernor. He  is  thy  Overfeer,  thy  Caterer,  and  thy 
 Shepherd  that  feedeth  thee.  He  is  thy  Beloved,  the 
 only  One  and  Singular  Beloved,  that  feedeth  amongft 
 the  Lillies,  and  that  longeth  to  reft  between  thy 
 Breads. 
 
 Who  is  there  that  ever  hath  done  thee  fo  great  Be- 
 nefits ?  Who,  I  pray,  hath  ever  loved  thee  with  fo 
 .great  and  entire  a  Charity  ?  Draw  near  then  unto 
 him :  Yield  thy  felf  up  to  him.  Open  unto  him  thine 
 Heart,  unfold  even  thy  hidden  Secrets  unto  him,  and 
 
 J  Ingredere  In  locum  tabernaculi  adm'mbilts^  ufque  and  Pmnm  VeK 
 
 enu- 
 
38o  m  tf)t  SInutatron        Vol.  ii. 
 
 enumerate  before  him  diflinclly  all  what  thou  haft 
 kept  a  long  while  to  thy  felf. 
 
 There  is  none  that  will  better  tell  thee,  or  reveal 
 to  thee,  what  Hope  or  Counfel  there  may  be  for  thee 
 in  the  Management  of  Humane  Affairs,  which  are 
 continually  fubjed  to  fuch  Variety  of  Events :  Or  let 
 thee  fee,  how  thou  fliouldefl:  to  thy  belt  Advantage 
 behave  thy  felf  in  this  World,  in  the  which  things 
 fall  out  fo  ftrangely.  /."'v 
 
 -  With  him  let  thy  Wifhes  and  Defiresbe,  and  m  him 
 let  thy  Comfels  abide-  The  Hope  of  Men  is  in  vain  j 
 but  heistheEftablilhment  of  Peace.  ^    ,-.:-.:: 
 
 'Through  him  (halt  thou  have  Accefs  to  the  Father : 
 And  from  him  all  Grace  is  given  to  thee,  and  a  grea- 
 ter Largenefs  ftill  of  Holy  Power  is  infufed. 
 
 Whether  thou  beell  fad,  or  joyful,  to  him  always 
 have  thou  recourfe.  He  is  the  Mirror  of  Life  j  he  is 
 the  Standard  of  Righteoufaefs.  He  is  the  Light  of 
 the  Soul,  even  its  never  failing  Lights  the  Love  of 
 Chaftity  and  Virgin  Bafhfulnefs  *,  the  Joy  of  the 
 Confcience,  and  the  Delight  and  Peace  of  humble 
 Minds. 
 
 For  his  fake  eafily  wilt  thou  defpife  all  whatever  is 
 accounted  delicious  and  pleafant  to  the  Senfes;  For 
 bis  fake  all  things  that  are  bitter  and  contrary  will  be 
 rendred  more  tolerable,  and  being  tolerated  and  fup- 
 ported  in  the  Love  of  him  will  ever  pleafe. 
 
 And  laftly,  of  him j  and  through  him-,  and  to  him  are 
 all  things.  To  him  principally  and  ultimately  every 
 Intention,  every  Adion,  every  Speech,  every  Read- 
 ing, every  Prayer,  every  Meditation  and  Speculation 
 ought  to  be  direded.  Through  him  Salvation  is 
 beftowed  on  thee ,  and  eternal  Life  prepared  for- 
 thee. 
 
 For  his  fake  thou  fhalt  neither  be  afraid  to  die,  nor 
 refufe  to  live  ^  becaufe  thou  oughteft  to  trull  to  him 
 in  Faithfulnefs,  and  not  to  prefer  any  thing  before 
 
 the 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  3  8 1 
 
 the  Honour,  and  Love  of  him.     Draw  near  therefore 
 now:  And  give  Thanks  to  thy  Redeemer. 
 
 II.  Theoph.  O  molt  Sweet,  molt  Lovely,  moft  A- 
 miable  JESU  !  O  thou  altogether  Lovely  One,  who 
 art,  than  all  the  Lovely  ones,  far  more  Lovely,  my 
 fweetefl,  deareft  Jefu  !  Moll  devoutly  be  thou  greet- 
 ed j  moft  loftily  be  thou  praifed  ^  and  now  and  eter- 
 nally by  every  Creature  be  thou  moft  exceedingly 
 blelTed  and  adored.  I  falute  thee,  I  love  thee,  I  praife 
 thee,  I  adore  thee  with  Angels,  and  all  the  Company 
 of  Heaven. 
 
 O  moft  Worthy,  moft  Honourable,  moft  Renown- 
 ed Jefu  !  O  Eternal  Renowned  Lord,  and  King  of 
 Glory,  What  Honour  fhall  I  ever  repay  unto  thee  ? 
 Oh,  what  ftiall  I  render  unto  thee  again  for  all  that 
 thou  haft  done?  Or  what  Sacrifice  of  Thankfgiving 
 fhall  I  make  unto  thee,  in  requital  for  thofe  infinite 
 Mercies  which  thou  haft  vouchfafed  to  me. 
 
 And  could  I  find  any  thing  which  I  might  give  thee, 
 would  it  not  be  thine  before  I  gave  it?  What  there- 
 fore, fhall  I  render  to  thee,  O  Lord  ?  Little  or  no- 
 thing it  is  that  I  have.  And  can  I  facrifice  out  of 
 Nothing  f 
 
 Accept  however,  I  befeech  thee,  the  Sacrifice  of 
 my  Humility,  Poverty  and  Nothingnefs :  And  let  AH 
 beafcribed  to  thee,  whatfoever  thou  haft  been  pleafed 
 to  impart  unto  me.  Accept,  I  fay,  this  mine  hum- 
 ble bafe  and  vile  Offering,  fuch  as  it  is,  at  this  time, 
 for  thine  own  infinite  Mercies  fake. 
 
 And  let  all  the  Choirs  of  Angels,  waiting  continu- 
 ally before  thee,  fince  I  am  not  able  to  praife  thee  as 
 I  would,  give  thee  for  me  immenfe  Praifes. 
 
 And  let  all  the  Spirits  ofjufl  Men  made  perfeB  do 
 in  like  manner^  with  a  lofty  and  joyful  Shout,  re- 
 peating the  fame,  and  echoing  forth  thQ  Wonders  of 
 thy  Mercy  to  me,  thy  moft  unworthy  Creature. 
 
 IIL 
 
382  m  tijt  imttation       Vol.  IL 
 
 III.  But  what  then  Ihall  I  my  felf  do,  to  the  Me- 
 mory and  Praife  of  thy  moft  Holy  Name?  Many 
 things  I  ought  to  do.  In  many  I  am  bound,  and  very 
 greatly  obliged.  Howbeit  fcarce  am  I  fufficient  even 
 for  the  leaft.  1 
 
 I  will  read  therefore  as  I  can,  concefning  thee,  my 
 fweeteft  Jefu  j  I  will  write  concerning  thee  ^  I  will 
 Ung  of  thee  j  I  will  meditate  of  thee  ;  I  will  contem- 
 plate on  thee  *,  I  will  work  alfo  for  thee ,  and  for 
 thee  too  will  I  fufFer.  In  thee  will  I  rejoice,  thee  will 
 I  praife,  thee  will  I  magnifie,  thee  will  I  glorifie. 
 And  as  it  is  moft  meet  and  rights  I  will  adore  thee, 
 fince  thou  art  my  GOD,  in  whom  I  have  believed, 
 whom  I  have  loved^  whom  I  have  fought  after,  and 
 whom  always  I  have  wifhed  for. 
 
 Shew  me  then  now  fome  Sign  for  Good.;  yea  fome 
 Token  at  leaft,  that  my  Eyes  fhall  fee  thy  Beautiful 
 Countenance  in  Heaven^  At  thy  Feet  I  humbly  pro- 
 Itrate  my  felf  for  this  end,  earneftly  deprecating  all 
 that  I  fear  and  ftand  obnoxious  to  ;  and  meekly  im- 
 ploring with  Tears  thy  Royal  Clemency,  fo  far  as 
 thou  wouldeft  vouchfafe  to  be  Gracious  and  Merci- 
 ful toward  me  a  Sinner. 
 
 Write  my  Name,  O  my  fweet  Saviour,  in  the 
 Book  of  Life:  Nor  let  that  ever  be  blotted  out,  which 
 thine  own  hand  hath  written  therein.-  O,  write  there 
 my  Name,  write  it.  Lord:  What  thou  writcft  can-; 
 not  but  endure  for  ever. 
 
 But,  Alas !  alas !  Unworthy  am  I,  altogether  un- 
 worthy, that  thou  fhouldeft  vouchfafe  to  take  fuch 
 notice  of  me*  Yet  unworthy  and  unhappy  as  I  am,- 
 Ah  unhappy  I !  And  moft  unlike  thofe  bleffed  Saints 
 in  whom  heretofore  thou  haft  been  fo  greatly 
 glorified  *,  putting  my  Truft  and  Confidence  not- 
 withftanding  in  the  fuperabundant  Prerogative  of 
 thy  Merits,  O  Lord  Chrift,  I  do  meekly  befeech  and 
 implore  thy  Grace,  that  1  at  kaft  thereby  may  be  but 
 
 iiumbrgd 
 
Book  IV.      oC  Jesus  Christ.  58^ 
 
 numbred  among  the  meaneft  and  loweft  of  thy  Heri- 
 tage among  the  weakefl  and  lefs  honourable  Members 
 of  thy  Body,  among  the  bafeft  and  the  woril  in  the 
 World's  Eye  of  thy  lowly  Followers.  O  that  Imight 
 but  obtain  to  be  counted  and  written  even  among  the 
 leaft  of  all  thy  little  ones !  O  that  I  were  but  a  Boor- 
 keeper,  or  any  thing  lefs  than  that,  in  the  Courts  of 
 my  God  I 
 
 IV.  Very  well  do  I  know,  that  my  Life  and  Con- 
 verfation  is  not  fuch,  as  to  give  me  the  leaft  ground 
 of  any  Prefumption  as  to  this  in  my  felf,  but  matter 
 rather  of  all  Difcouragement.  Lord  it  is  not  in  me, 
 but  in  thee,  and  in  thy  Merits  only.  And  therefore 
 my  whole  Hope  and  entire  Confolation  do  purely  con- 
 iift  in  the  Price  of  thy  moft  precious  Blood  ;  and  as 
 they  iiowfrom,  fo  do  they  reft  in  that  alone  :  Where- 
 in I  do  wholly  repofe  my  felf,  deeming  it  moft  high- 
 ly requifite  that  1  Ihoulddofo,  together  with  all  what- 
 ever 1  have  at  any  time  done,  be  it  good  or  be  it  evil ; 
 with  all  whatever  I  have  committed,  or  even  omitted  ; 
 with  all  wherein  I  have  offended,  and  all  wherein  I 
 may  have  at  any  time  pleafed. 
 
 Behold  therefore  my  Littlenefs  and  my  Indigence,' 
 moft  Gracious  Jefu  ^  and  attend  thou  to  the  Affe- 
 dlion  of  this  wounded  Heart,  which  I  bear  to- 
 wards thee  j  not  becaufe  I  am  worthy,  but  bc- 
 caufe  thou  art  worthy  and  canft  make  me,  if  thoa 
 pleafeft,  worthy  too:  O  Behold  my  Bafenefs  and 
 my  Humiliation,  and  confider  thou  the  driving  of  my 
 Heart,  and  the  lighing  thereof -,  yet  not  for  any  Me- 
 ritorioufnefs  which  is  in  me,  but  for  the  mere  Boun- 
 tifulnefs  which  is  in  thee*,  even  for  the  fake  of  thy 
 moft  bounteous  Loving  Kindnefs,  and  endlefs  Mercy, 
 O  thou  who  difdaineft  not  to  be  touched,  and  loved, 
 by  the  unworthy ! 
 
 Inrefpeclof  mine  Unworthinefs,Iam  yet  greatly  ftill 
 afhamed,  Lord,  to  come  into  thy  Prefence.  My  Im- 
 purity affrightens  me,  and  ftrikes  me  with  Terrour  ; 
 
 but 
 
3  84  €>f  t\)t  imitation       Vol.  ii. 
 
 but  then  again  I  am  drawn  and  allured  to  thee  by 
 the  exceeding  great  and  Sovereign  Pity,  and  moft 
 condefcending  Humility  of  Love-  which  made  thee 
 confent  not  only  to  become  Man,  but  alfo  to  fufFer, 
 die,  and  be  buried  for  finful  Man,  in  true  and  perfed 
 Charity  for  us ;  bearing,  believing,  hoping,  and  pa- 
 tiently enduring  for  my  fake.  Oh  !  Was  there  ever 
 Love,  was  there  ever  Humility,  like  to  this  Love  and 
 this  Humility  ? 
 
 And  hence  unto  thee  do  I  flee;  becaufe  in  my  felf 
 I  find  nothing  that  Good  is.  Do  thou  fupply  for  mc 
 what  my  Strength  is  little  able  to  afFed. 
 
 V.  Thou,  Lord,  haft  given  me  a  Delire,  to  pray 
 unto  thee,  to  praife  thee,  and  to  blefs  thee  j  for  thoii 
 art  my  Hope  and  my  Portion  in  the  Land  of  the  Living. 
 
 The  Defire  of  my  Soul  is  to  be  with  thee  in  the 
 Kingdom  of  Heaven  *,  but  becaufe  my  time  is  not  yetj 
 I  will  wait  for  thee  even  till  the  Evening. 
 
 In  the  mean  while,  let  this  be  my  Confolation  id 
 the  Place  of  my  Pilgrimage,  that  I  am  mindful  of  thy 
 Name,  and  of  thine  exceeding  great  Love  and  Cha- 
 rity *,  and  that  I  behold  thee  in  this  Life  by  the  Eyes 
 of  my  Faith. 
 
 Altogether  intolerable  would  it  otherwife  be  for' 
 me  to  live  in  this  World,  if  I  had  not  Hope  in  thee. 
 Lord.  For  I  am  not  free  to  rejoice  with  the  World  : 
 And  that  I  might  not  remain  without  all  Comfort  and 
 Joy,  have  I  placed  my  Joy  therefore  in  Thee. 
 
 Much  and  often  fhould  1  go  aflray,  much  fhould  I 
 flufluate  in  my  Thoughts,  and  waver  to  and  fro  •,  un- 
 lefs  I  kept  thee  in  my  Memory  and  my  Imagination. 
 
 And  becaufe  I  am  not  able  to  reach  the  Heigth  of 
 thy  Divinity,  nor  fufficient  to  comprehend  the  incor- 
 poreal Truth  ^  more  fafely  do  1  turn  my  felf  to  the 
 Holy  Ads  and  Sayings  of  thy  Humanity  •,  forafmuch 
 as  while  I  think  on  thefe,  I  do  not  at  all  recede  hereby 
 
 from  thy  Divinity. 
 
 Thanksy 
 
Book  IV.      of  Je  sus  Christ.  385 
 
 Thanks,  Thanks  now  be  to  thee.  Good  Jefii  ! 
 Thanks  to  thee,  Sweet  Jefii  !  Thanks  to  thee,  moft 
 Lovely  and  Beloved  Jefu  !  Thanks  to  thee,  I  fay  ^  all 
 Thanks  to  thee  be  given  for  that  thou  haft  vouchfa- 
 fed  thus  to  become  my  Brother,  my  Bone,  and  my 
 Flefh.  Glory  be  to  thee,  O  Lamb  of  God,  Son  of  the 
 Father,  for  that  entring  into  the  Womb  oi  Mary  thy 
 Mother,  thou  didft  of  her  Virgin  Flefh  take  the  Holy 
 Members  of  thy  Body,  for  my  Sake,  uniting  them  ua- 
 to  thy  Divine  Nature. 
 
 Chap.    XXIV.  ^. 
 Tbankfgtvhig  to  GOD, 
 
 TheophilH^  md  the  Beloved,    ., 
 
 Blejfed  h^  the  Lord  doky even 'the' Goi  of  ifrke]^  who  only 
 doth  wondrous  Things  :  And  blefed  he  the  Name  of  hU 
 Majefiy  for  ^x/^r,  Pfal.  Ixxii.   18,  19.  V 
 
 Tkoo/j.T?  Lefled  be  thy  Glorious  Name,  O  Lord,  for 
 Jlj  ever  and  ever.  And  may  all  be  to  thy 
 Service,  and  to  the  Honour  of  this  thy  Name,  what- 
 foever  1  Do,  or  Read,  or  Write*,  yea,  all  what  I  ever 
 Think,  or  Speak,  or  Underftand.  LetallmyWork 
 begin  from  thee,  O  Lord  my  God  *,  and  let  it  all 
 through  thee  and  in  thee  be  ended.  What  thou  halb 
 given  the  fame  do  thou  receive  ',  and  to  che  Place 
 from  whence  they  come,  lee  the  Rivers  return.  And 
 indeed  whatever  is  by  me  either  done  or  thought 
 aright,  lean  make  no  manner  of  account  of,  but  jult 
 fo  far  as  it  proceeds  from,  and  terminates  in  Thee, 
 mydeareft,  fweereft  Loid.  Nothing  doth  ever  pleafe 
 me  better,  or  relilh  with  a  finer  Guii,  than  to  have 
 
 G  c  Th€C 
 
386  m  tl)e  gimttatton        Voi^ii- 
 
 Yhee  in  every  thing  for  my  Objed  and  End,  and  in 
 every  thing  always  to  acknowledge  and  adhere  to  thee, 
 the  great  and  fovereiga  Good.  Nothing  of  what  I  do, 
 or  fpeak,  or  think,  in  the  way  of  thy  Righteoufnefs, 
 is  fo  well,  or  fo  favoury,  as  when  I  fincerely  furrender 
 it  all  back,  and  my  felt  too,  and  that  not  in  part,  but 
 wholly  to  Thee  :   For,   lo  !   I  am  nothing  withouc 
 Thee  ^  and  1  have  nothing  but  from  Thee,  O  my  God 
 and  my  All.     Wherefore  molt  juft  is  thy  Claim  to 
 me,  even  to  all  of  me,   and  to- all  what  is  abullveiy 
 called  mhie  :  For  thcfu  indeed  conliderefl  that  I  am  no- 
 thing of  my  felf,    if  not'even  a  degree  lower  and 
 worie  ^  and  that  I  can  do  nothing  of  my  felf,    but  as 
 thou  alTiftell  me,"  and  workell  with  me  and  in  me. 
 Take  then  to  tb-y  felf,  dear  Lord,   what  is  thy  own 
 undoubted  due  :    Take  all  that  I  am,  all  that  I  have, 
 and  all  that  I  can  do.     Nothing  but  thine  own  do  I 
 give  thee  *,  and  this  is  all  the  Thanks  that  I  am  able 
 to  repay  thee..     Fain  would  I  give  thee  Thanks  :  But 
 how  fliall  this  be  ?"  Or  what  Tribute  (hall  I  pay  unto 
 tfee,  my  King  and  my  God  ?    What  fhall  I  render 
 unto  thee  ?  VVhat  fiiall  an  evil  arid  a  llothful  Servant, 
 'a  vile  little, Wretch,    render  unto  thee,  Great  God! 
 Nothing,  mere  Nothing  is  my  Service,  (hould  I  even 
 do  all  whatever  thou  hall:  commanded.     For  what  is 
 my  Rightedufnefs  unto  thee?  Therefore  am  1  reduced 
 to  nought :    And  my  Humiliation  is  great,    as  thou 
 knoweft  right  well,  fo  that  I  am  not  able  to  look  up  ; 
 fbr  according  to  Truth,  and  in  theTruth  I  am  hum- 
 bled.   And  it  is  good  for  me  that  than  haTt  humbled  me^ 
 that   fo  thou  alone  mayft   be  juflified,   thou  alone 
 itiayft  be  praifed  of  all,  and  that  poor  vile  Duft  may 
 never  boall:  more  in  it  felf.     Neverthelefs  I  will  not 
 defilb  for  this,  but  will  praife  thee  with  my  Heart  and 
 my  Voice  \  fince  if  I  cannot  perform  it  worthily,  it  is 
 yet  a  thing  molt  unworthy  to  be  altogether  lilent,  and 
 to  make  wo  kind  of  Acknowledgment.  O  that  I  could 
 
 but 
 
Book  IV.        of  J  E  s  u  s  Christ.  387 
 
 but  praife  thee,  and  give  thee  Thanks,  as  I  defire  to 
 do,  and  as  by  the  BlelTed  Spirits  in  Heaven  is  conti- 
 nually done!  Fain  would  I  ling  unto  thee,  O  thou  ho- 
 ly One,  and  fpeak  of  thy  Righteoufnefs  and  thy  Sal- 
 vation. How  do  I  burn,  to  be  telling  of  what  greac 
 things  they  are  that  thou  haft  done  !  O  who  is  like 
 unto  thee?  Thou  art  my  Praife,  O  my  God  j  and  ia 
 thee  (hall  my  Song  be  always. 
 
 II.  He  that  hath  perceived  but  a  little  of  thy  Glo- 
 ry, and  what  it  is  to  glory  in  thee,  O  how  will  he 
 defpife,  trample,  and  account  as  Dung  all  the  de- 
 ceitful Glory  of  this  World  !  He  that  hath  tafted  but 
 a  little  of  thySweetnefs,  O  how  foon  will  all  Earthly 
 Delight  turn  bitter  to  him  !  He  that  hath  participated 
 bus  a  little  of  the  hidden  Riches,  which  thou  com- 
 municateft,  O  hov^^  will  he  account  for  nothing  all  the 
 Riches  of  this  outi^ard  Principle  I  O  how  would  fuch 
 an  one  burn,  as  hath  received  even  but  a  Spark  of 
 thy  Love  and  Charity  .'  for  hevvould  moft  gladly  con- 
 temn ail  things,  that  he  might  cleave  to  thy  Love; 
 And  every  thing  that  he  could  either  do  or  fuffer, 
 for  the  Love  of  thee,  how  hard  foever,  would  b^  to 
 him  moft  eafy  and  delightful.  Nothing  would  be 
 difficult  to  him,  nothing  p.unful  to  fuch  an  one,  in 
 whofeBreaft  thy  fweet  fire  burns,  which  irrcfiftibly 
 makes  its  way,  bearing  all  before  it  foftlyand  with- 
 out Noife.  O  how  would  he  dance  and  ling  for  Joy, 
 how  would  his  Heart  leap  and  exult  ^  how  eagerly, 
 vehemently,  unceifantly  would  he  run  after  thee  i 
 miudf*il  of  all  thy  Benehts  and  Graces  and  cheerfully 
 refleding  on  all  the  Good  of  every  kind  flowing  forth 
 from  thee,  the  Fountain  of  Lights  and  Beauties  !  No- 
 thing would  heeverfeek  with  more  Aftedion,  nothing 
 would  he  ever  hold  with  greater  Contentment  \  no- 
 thing would  be  more  dear  to  him  inflie  Purfuit,  or 
 more  happy  in  the  Acquiiltion,  than  to  be  in  a  Con- 
 dition of  doing  fomewhat  for  thy  Sake,  or  of  bearing 
 
 C  c  2  fome- 
 
388  m  m  imitation        Vol.  u. 
 
 fomewhat  for  thy  Love  purely.  O  how  greedily 
 would  he  evea  liuiit  after  Occaiions,  and  Citch  at  Op- 
 portunities of  ferving  Thee  and  thy  Love,  by  all  pof- 
 fible  Means  and  xMethods !  For  inafmuch  as  he  loveth, 
 he  would  never  at  all  feel  the  Burthen  ^  becanfe  Love 
 would  carry  all  Burthens.  And  hence  they  who  com- 
 plain of  the  Burthen,  do  thereby  Ihew  themfelves  not 
 to  have  advanced  very  far  in  Love.  For  it  is  an  infalli- 
 ble Maxini,  that  Love  heareth  all  thhigs.  And  nothing 
 in  the  World  is  fo  pleafant  as  the  Service  of  Love.  To 
 ferve  and  obey  thee  out  of  a  Principle  of  Love  (O  my 
 God  and  my  Love)  is  exceeding  delightful,  and  fweeter 
 even  than  Honey  or  the  Honey-comb:  It  is  the  Melo- 
 dy of  the  Heart,  the  Eafe  of  Pains,  and  the  Refrefh- 
 nient  of  Labours.  Love  rcgardeth  not  its  own  Con- 
 venience, nor  fearcth  to  fuffer  Inconvenience  *,  but 
 feeketh  in  all  things  thy  good  Pleafure,  -and  none  but 
 that.  Love  joyfully  for  thy  Sake,  in  Faith  and  Hope, 
 tndureth  all  th'wcrs, 
 
 III.  O  how  fweet  a  thing  is  thy  Love  !  how  charm 
 
 ing  fweet  is  it,    O  Chrifl !    how  pieafantly  doth  it 
 
 found,  how  deiicioudy  doth  it  enter,    how  forcibly 
 
 doth  it  hold,  how  exalting! y  doth  it  compiefs,  and 
 
 how  ftrongly  bind  !  O  that  it  would  oblige,  and  fad 
 
 bind  me  to  thy  perpetual  Service,  that  it  would  feize 
 
 and  fill  me  wholly,  that  it  would  reduce  and  fubdue 
 
 me  abfolutely,  and  would  appropriate  me  entirely  to 
 
 thee,  as  thy  mofb  peculiar  Property  and  Heritage  I 
 
 For  then  am  I  moft  at  Liberty,  when  captivated  by 
 
 thy  Love  \   and  then  i  ichcil,  when  deprived  of  all 
 
 Property,  and  alienated  of  what  was  counted  my  own. 
 
 I  am  never  free,  but  by  being  thy  Servant  ^  I  am  ne- 
 
 VQV  rich,    but  by  owning  nothing.     Thy  Servant ^ 
 
 LORD,  I  am  :  Thine,  I  fay^  for  thou  haft  purchas'd, 
 
 dearly  purchas'd  mc.  Thine,  Thine  1  am,  dear  Lord, 
 
 not  mine  own.      And  glad  with  all  my  Heart  am  I 
 
 thus  to  be  thine  :    Nor  am  I  in  the  leaft  afhamed  to 
 
 appertain 
 
Book  iV.      of  J  E  s  u  s   Christ.  389 
 
 appertain  to  thee  in  full  Propriety,  as  impropriated 
 altogether  from  what  I  was,  and  poflefling  nothing  in 
 my  f.lf,  or  for  my  felf.  I  am  not  willing  at  all  to  be 
 at  my  own  Difpofal  \  I  would  not  be  my  own  again 
 for  never  fo  much,  fince  I  am  now  thine,  fweetefl  Lord  : 
 
 0  help  me  ftill  to  become  more  and  more  thine  ;  till 
 at  length,  taken  out  of  my  felf,  I  be  taken  into  thee, 
 the  Rock  and  Fountain  of  my  Being.  Yea,  help  thou 
 me,  for  thy  Name's  fake,  that  fo,  through  thy  Grfce, 
 
 1  may  be  quite  fet  free,  both  from  my  own  haib  Liberty 
 and  falfe  Property.     Since  what  elfe  is  my  Liberty  but 
 pcrfed  Slavery,    and  my  Property  but  the  worfb  of 
 Beggary  ?    Make  hafle  therefore  to  deliver  me  from 
 one  and  the  other,  good  Lord  :  that  fo  1  may  pofTefs 
 the  true  Liberty,  which  is  that  of  thy  Children^  and 
 may  inherit  Siihftance^  by  being  evacuated  of  all  Self- 
 Propriety,  and  becoming  thy  fole  Property  in  confe- 
 quent  hereof.     For  this  End  do  thou  blow  upon  and 
 quicken  the  little  Spark  of  Fire  that  is  in  me  :    Do 
 thou  enkindle,  fan  and  liir  up  that  which  lies  as  co- 
 ver'd  under  the  Afhes,    fo  fhall  my  Heart  wax  hot, 
 and  fhall  be  made  pure,  and  be  undefiled  in  thy  Sight. 
 This  internal  and  fpiritual  Fire,    blown  up  by  thee, 
 fhall  foon  brighten  and  clarify  it,  (hall  exalt  it  to  very 
 high  degrees  of  Celefliality,  and  Jhall  render  it  won- 
 droufly  lovely,  joyful  and  pleafrnt.     For  thy  Love, 
 O  my  fweet  Saviour,  is  a  Fire  that  burns  up  all  the 
 Drofs,  and  devours  every  Thorn  and  Briar  in  the 
 corrupt  Field  of  Nature  :  it  flays  every  Vice,  it  con- 
 fumes  every  Sin,  it  fcatters  every  Pain.     O  Holy  and 
 Blefled  Fire  burn  in  my  Heart  yet  more  vehemently, 
 till  I  even  expire  in  thy  Flames,  they  are  fo  rapturouf- 
 ly  fweet.     O  facred  Bond  of  Love,  bind  me  faft  to 
 thy  felf    O  irrellftible  Charm  of  Love,  bind  in  me  all 
 that  would  oppofe  thee  :    Bind  me,  chain  me,  hold 
 me  )  fo  fhall  my  poor  Service  Hand,  and  be  accepted. 
 
 C  c  3  VI. 
 
390  £)f  tl)e  limitation        Vol.  u. 
 
 VI.  Nor  ;?m  i  ignorant,  how  that  my  Service  can  be 
 of  no  Advantage  to  thce>  O  Lord  :  but  to  me  it  is  no 
 fmill  Advantage  and  Profit,  if  I  perform  what  1  know 
 to  be  grateful  to  thee.     O  that  I  might  do  it  accord- 
 ingly, and  not  hold  my  Peace:    that  I  might  fpeak, 
 and  not  hide  thy  Works.     For  when  (hall  I  be  fnfH- 
 cient  worthily  to  think  upon  and  recoiled  all  thofe 
 Benefits  whicli  thou  haft  bouiiti fully  conferr'd  on  me 
 unworthy  one  ?  Great  is  thy  Mercy  which  thou  haft 
 ftiewed,  O  Lord,  unto  thy  Servant :    but  as  for  me, 
 Woe  is  me  !  i  have  not  dealt  by  thee  as  thou  haft  de- 
 ferved  at  my  Hands !  I  have  not  made,  alas !  any  fui- 
 table  Returns  to  thofe  ftrong  and  numerous  Engage- 
 iTients  I  have  Day  by  Day  received  from  thee,  who 
 art  tlTe  very  Life  and  Health  of  my  Soul,    even  my 
 God,  and  my  Rock.     And  for  this  have  Pains  laid 
 bold  on  me,  and  Dolours  of  Heart  feize  me  at  this 
 prefent  ^  beciufe  {  am  not  able  to  anfwer  thee  for  thy 
 Benefits,  they  are  both  f)  many  and  Co  great.     Ah! 
 how  tain  would  I  that  even  but  once  I  could  worthi- 
 ly and  entirely  render  thee  an  Acknowledgment  for 
 all  thefe.     Bit  there  where  there   is  nothiiig,   what 
 can  be  expefted  to  come  oat?  An  empty  Glafs  fure 
 none  can  drink  any  thing  out  of.  What  therefore  ftiall 
 I  do  ?  To  give  fomewhat  there  is  all  the  Obligation 
 polTible  :    Give  I  muft  fomething  or  other  *,  for  it  is 
 not  lawful  for  me  to  appear  before  thee  empty.      The 
 Reafbn  is,  thou  love!!  a  grateful  Heart  \  but  the  un- 
 grateful thou  haft  no  Pleafure  in:  and  every  one  that 
 i>  forgetful  of  what  he  has  rcceiv'd,  ftiall  be  himfelf 
 alfo  forgotten  and  pafs'd  by  in  the  Hour  of  Vifi- 
 tation. 
 
 V.  O  thu  1  had  but  anv  thing  in  the  whole  World 
 that  I  could  give,  and  that  might  be  acceptable  in 
 thine  Eyes!  What  wilt  thou  have,  O  my  Beloved 
 Lord  ?  For  no  need  haft  thou  of  any  of  my  Goods. 
 What  careft  thou  for  Thou  fa  ads  of  Rams,    or  ten 
 
 Thou- 
 
Book  IV.  ^      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  Fv  I  s  T.  391 
 
 Thoufands  of  Rivers  of  Oil  ?  Thou  needeft  not  thefe, 
 or  the  Fruit  of  my  Body  ;  why  then  requirefl  thou  of 
 me  a  Gift  ?  There  is  none  richer  than  thy  felf,  and 
 yet  askell  thon  of  me  ? 
 
 The  BELOVED.  "  My  Pleafure  it  is  to  have  the 
 *'  Whole.  For  this  is  expedient  for  thee,  if  thou 
 **  wilt  take  the  way  to  obtain  my  Grace.  1  will  give 
 *'  thee  Grace,  and  thou  (halt  render  me  again  Graces 
 **  and  Thanks  ;  and  ^o  will  we  both  maintain  a 
 *'  mutual  Love  and  Familiarity  conftantly  together. 
 "  Give  but  thy  felf  to  me,  my  Son,  and  thou  haft  gi- 
 *'  ven  the  whole. 
 
 Theophilt^.  O  Jefu,  the  Fountain  of  all  Good,  th^ 
 Fountain  of  Life,  the  Fountain  of  Grace  *,  O  Jefu, 
 the  Fountain  of  Svveetnefs,  Fountain  of  Eternal  Wif- 
 dom,  and  immenfe  Ocean  of  Truth  and  Righteouf- 
 nefs  !  pour  down  now  into  me  the  Gift  of  thy  Hea- 
 venly Grace,  according  to  thy  moft  tender  iMercies  : 
 and  teach  me  now  always  to  give  thee  Thanks,  and 
 above  all,  to  give  my  felf  to  thee  ;  becaufe  there  is 
 nothing  more  dear,  that  I  am  capable  to  render 
 thee. 
 
 rhe  BELOrED.  "  Give  thy  felf,  I  fay  to  me ; 
 *^  then  haft  thou  given  the  Whole. 
 
 Theophilm,  This  I  feel  and  under ftand,  and  here  do 
 give  with  all  my  full  Confent.  Take  me  :  lo  !  I  am 
 thine  wholly,  all  thine  5  and  all  that  mine  is,  is  thine 
 too. 
 
 Tie  BELOrED.  "  'Tis  agreed  ;  and  thou  art 
 *'  mine. 
 
 Theophili^,  But  one  thing  yet  there  is,  my  Lord, 
 that  I  cannot  render  to  thee  :  yea,  that  I  muft  not 
 render  to  thee. 
 
 The  BELOFED.  *'  What  is  that? 
 Theophilm.    'Tis  my  Sin  which  is  folely  and  pro- 
 perly my  own,   and  therefore  not  to  be  imputed  to 
 tKee.     Mine  be  the  Sin  ^  and  every  Fault  that  can  he 
 
 C  c  4  found 
 
392  <aDf  tlje  limitation:       Vol.  il 
 
 found  in  me,  to  me  alone  let  it  be  attributed  ^  but  un- 
 to thee  Glory  and  Honour  and  Thankfgiving  for  all 
 thy  Benefits. 
 
 The  BELOrED.  "  Nay,  let  mine  be  the  Sin  alfo; 
 *'  and  call  thou,  my  dear  Soul,  every  Fault  by  thee 
 *'  committed,  and  the  whole  Burden  of  thine  Iniquity 
 **  upon  me.  I,  even  I,  was  wounded  for  thy  Tranf- 
 *'  greflion  :  I  have  taken  the  Load  thereof  from  thee 
 "  upon  my  felf*,  the  Chaftifement  of  thy  Peace  being 
 **  upon  me  thy  Saviour.  Surely  1  bear  all  thy  Griefs, 
 *'  and  carry  all  thy  Sorrows  :  therefore  fear  not*,  but 
 *'  caft  thou  all  upon  me.  I  am  fufficient,  and  I  alone 
 *'  am  fufficient  to  bear  all. 
 
 Theophilm.  According  to  thy  Will,  O  Lord,  then 
 even  fo  let  it  be.  But  O  the  \A/'onders  of  thy  Love  ! 
 how  (hall  1  declare  or  fpeak  of  them  ?  O  the  unfearch- 
 able  Riches  of  thy  Mercy  !  O  the  deep  and  unuttera- 
 ble Compaflions  of  thy  Bowels  !  BlefTed,  thrice  blef- 
 fed  therefore  be  the  Name  of  thy  Majefty  for  ever  ; 
 and  let  all  the  Earth  be  filled  with  thy  Glory. 
 
 VL  Blefs  the  Lord,  O  my  Soul,  for  all  his  Bene- 
 fits :  and  try  if  thou  canft  expreis  his  noble  A^fls,  or 
 but  a  little  ftammer  forth  thofe  great  and  glorious 
 Wonders  he  hath  done  for  thee,  even  for  thee  mod 
 vile  unworthy  one.     My  Heart  is  ready  *,   but,  alas  ! 
 1  flag  :  My  Heart  is  now  ready  i  but,  Oh  me !  I  im- 
 mediately faint,  and  falter,   and  link  down,  1  am  fo 
 ovcrwhelm'd  with  the  exuberant  Greatnefs  of  the  Di- 
 vine Charity  towards  the  Children  of  Men  in  general, 
 and  towards  me  in  particular.     Neverthelefs  I  will 
 fecretly  ponder  thefe  things,  and  will  fing  and  give 
 praifeas  I  can  ^  remembring  the  times  pad,  and  mu- 
 ting upon  aH  the  Works  of  my  God.     O  Lord  my 
 God,  I  will  tell  of  thy  Greatnefs  and  Majefty  :  and 
 the  Memorials  of  thine  abundant  Kindnefs  fain  would 
 1  (hew  forth,  and  honourably  declare^   that  fo  with 
 me  Multitudes  might  flng  of  thy  Righteoufnefs,  and 
 
 pf 
 
Book  IV.        of  J  E  s  u  8  C  H  Pv  I  s  T-         §95 
 
 of  thy  Truth.     And  now  in  order  to  a  more  parti- 
 cular commemorating  of  thy  Benefits,  I  fhall  out  of 
 many  take  a  few,  even  fuch  as  are  moft  eminent  and 
 afFeding.     For  to  fearch  through  them  all,    neither 
 would  Time  permit,  nor  would  the  Mind  indeed   be 
 able  to  do  it.     Since  if  I  confider  their  Numerouf- 
 nefs,  it  exceeds  Arithmetick.     But  if  I  confider  their 
 Greatnels,  it  far  over- bears  the  Capacity  of  the  Hu- 
 man Mind.     And  if  their  Worth,  they  are  without 
 Price,    and  above  all  Price.     In  a  Word,  they  are 
 Numberlefs,  Unmeafurabile,   llavaluable.     And  be- 
 caufe  they  are  Unvalnable,  as  well  as  without  Num- 
 ber and  Meafure>  how  vain  a  thing  muft  it  be  for  a- 
 ny  to  go  about  to  buy  or  merit  thefe  ?  O  let  me  never 
 attempt  fuch  Folly  as  this !    Never,  never  may  1  fo 
 difhonour  thee  my  God,  ieternally  overflowing  Foun- 
 tain of  Good  !   For  1  know,  they  are  given  by  thee 
 moft  gratuitoufly,  and  that  nothing  is  required  in  lieu 
 thereof  but  grateful  Remembrances ,    and  Acknow- 
 ledgments only.  I  have  received  them  all  gratis  of  thy 
 Mercy  ^    for  bought  or  purchas'd  they  cannot  be  at 
 -any  rate  ^  and  therefore,  and  afore  all  things  I  thank 
 thee,  O  Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  the  Fountain  of 
 all  Goodnefs,  Grace  and  Sweetnefs.     Otherwife  all 
 would  be  taken  away,   as  from  the  ungrateful  one  in 
 the  Parable.  Wherefore  my  Soul  bleffeth  thee,  accor- 
 ding to  my  bounden  Duty,  and  ever  fhall  continue  to 
 blefs  thee,  O  everlafting  Spring  of  Felicity,    for  all 
 thy  Mercies,  Graces,  and  Benefits  fo  freely  conferred 
 upon  me  thy  poor  wretched  Creature  ^  .finging  Glory 
 he  to  the  Father^  and  to  the  Son^  and  to  the  Holy  Ghosi^ 
 as  it  ever  was,  and  is,  and  ever  will  be  to  all  Eternity. 
 
 Aas 
 
394 €>f  t\)t  gimitation        Vol.  ii 
 
 Ad:s  of  Thankfgivings. 
 
 §.  I.  F<:?r  Creation, 
 
 ThoH  art  worthy^  O  Lord^  to  receive  Glory  and  Honour^ 
 for  thou  hafl  created  all  things^  and  jor  thy  Pleafure 
 they  are  and  were  created. 
 
 IN  the  firft  Place  therefore  I  give  Thanks  to  thee,  O 
 Lord  my  God,  Maker  of  all  things,  for  that  thou 
 haft:  vouchfafed  to  create  me  a  IVIan,  endued  with  Ra- 
 tional Powers  ;  and  to  appoint  me  over  the  Works  of 
 thy  Hands,  as  to  my  Soul  made  after  thy  Image  and 
 Likenefs.     This  is  the  Fir  Ft  and  Great  Benefic  of  thy 
 mere  and  free  Goodnefs  conferrM  upon  me.     Since 
 that  I  made  not  my  felf,  but  thou  madeft  me,  intro- 
 ducing me  into  the  World  by  the  means  of  my  Pa- 
 rents, whom  thou  didft  ordain  to  ferve  thee  herein. 
 And  lo  !  I  am  made  more  excellent  in  Body,  as  well 
 as  in  Soul,  than  the  reft  of  my  Fellow-Creatures  *,  and 
 am  preferred  before  all  the  Beafts  of  the  Field,  and 
 the  Fowls  of  the  Air,  becaufe  form'd  after  the  image 
 of  God.     I  am.  capable  of  the  Eternal  Wifdom,  and 
 naturally  Partaker  of  the  uncreated  Light  and  immu- 
 table Truth.     For  all  therefore  whatever  I  am,  for  all 
 the  Powers  of  the  fenlltive  Life,  for  all  the  fuperiour 
 Springs  which  I  enjoy,  even  for  all  the  Seeds  in  me  of 
 Reafon  and  Underltanding  \    I  render  thee  perpetual 
 Thanks,   wifhing  and  bege;ing  that  all  Creatures  at 
 once,  both  they  that  are  in  Heaven  and  in  Earth,  may 
 praife  together  thy  wondrous  Name,  fo  exceeding  ad- 
 mirabb  and  highly  to  be  exalted  above  all  for  ever. 
 I  blefsthee,  O  Father,  and  Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth, 
 that  thou  haft  created  all  things  out  of  nothing,  thro' 
 thy  only  begotten  Son,  in  the  Holy  Gholt.    Not  out 
 
 of 
 
Book  IV.     of  Jesus  C  HR  1ST-  595 
 
 of  any  Neceflity,  but  of  thy  own  mere  Will  and  free 
 Choice  haft  thou  created  all  things,    that  fo  thou 
 mighteft  manifefl:  thy  Power  to  the  Children  of  Men : 
 and    haft  difpofed   this  vifible  World   in  the  very 
 beft  manner,    through  the  invifible  Wifdom  ,  Co- 
 eternal  with  thee.     O  may  all   thy  Creatures  blefs 
 thee,  obeying  thee  in  all  things,  gracioufly  by  thee 
 defignM  for  the  Service  of  Mankind.     For  at  thy 
 Command,  O  Lord,  the  Heaven  gives  its  fructifying 
 Showers,  according  to  the  Sea  Tons  ^   and   the  Earth 
 brings  forth  abundance  of  Fruit.     The  Sun  and  the 
 Moon  fhine  clearly  upon  the  Earth  j  the  Stars  in  their 
 Courfes  by  Night  fulfil  thy  Order.     The  Fountains 
 and  Rivers  flow  ^  and  Fi flies  of  fundry  kinds  fwira 
 and  play  in  the  Streams  thereof.     The  Birds  of  the 
 Air  do  fly  and  ling  :  upon  the  Mountains  the  young 
 Roes  and  the  Harts  do  skip  ;   and  the  Hills  are  a  Re- 
 fuge for  the  wild  Goats.     Thou  watereft  them  from 
 above,  and  the  whole  Earth  is  filled  with  the  Fruit  of 
 thy  Works.     Thou  hringeft  Food  out  thence,  and 
 Wine  that  makes  glad  the  Heart  of  Man,  with  Oil  to 
 make  him  a  chearful  Countenance,    and    Bread   to 
 ftrengthen  his  Heart.     All  Beafts  of  the  Field,  and 
 the  Lions  roaring  after  their  Prey,  do  feek  their  Meat 
 from  thee.     The  Meadows  are  green,  the  Fields  flou- 
 rifh,  and  the  Trees  of  the  Lord  are  full  of  Sap,  even 
 the  Cedars  of  Libanm,     Thefe  all  are  the  Works  of 
 thine  H^nds,  O  God,  who  only  doft  wondrous  things. 
 All  thy  Works  praife  thee  *,    and  Day  unto  Day  ut- 
 ters Speech,  declaring  thy  excellent  Glory  ;    while 
 Night  alfo  unto  Night  fheweth  Knowledge,  fpeaking 
 forth  thy  handy  Vv^ork.     How  comeft  thou  forth  as  a 
 Bridegroom  out  of  thy  Chamber,  and  rejoiceft  as  a 
 ftrong  Man  to  run  a  Race,    filling  ail  Nature,   and 
 making  thy  Circuit  unto  the  Endsof  it  *,  there  being 
 nothing  hid  from  the  vital  Hear  of  thy  Love,  O  God 
 of  Love  /  All  thy  Works  are  perfect  in  their  Order; 
 
 and 
 
39^ €»f  tf)t  imitation        Vol.  ir. 
 
 and  thy  Line  that  is  flretched  over  them  is  the  Perfe- 
 dion  of  all  Perfedion  :  therefore  (hall  they  all  praife 
 thee,  and  in  all  (hall  thy  Name  be  greatly  magnified 
 and  extolled. 
 
 §.  II.  For  ReJewption, 
 
 Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  flam  to  receive  Power ^  and 
 Riches^  and  Wifdom^  and  Strength^  and  Honour^  and 
 Glory^  and  Blejfmg. 
 
 THE  Second  Benefit  exhibited  to  me  is  the  Myfte- 
 ry  of  the  Incarnation^  the  Work  of  Redemption, 
 and  the  Price  of  Mens  Salvation  ^  v^hich  is  the  Fruit 
 of  thy  Death  and  Pafllon,  my  deareft  Saviour.  O 
 great  Work  of  Mercy  !  O  Work  of  moft  excellent 
 Charity,  of  fupreme  Humility,  and  of  fingular  Pa- 
 tience !  This  verily  Man  deferved  not ;  this  none  of 
 the  Angels  could  .perform  \  this  the  Prophets  had 
 however  a  Profped  of  ^  this  the  Apoftles  have  ^^^n 
 and  taught*,  this  all  the  Faithful  have  embraced  ^  and 
 this  the  choiceft  Souls,  thy  Spoufes,  do  chiefly  delight 
 in,  and  do  meditate  upon  :  This  Benefit  duly  pon- 
 der'd  excites  the  Defires,  enflames  the  Heart,  nou- 
 rifhes  Devotion,  enlightens  the  Mind,  purges  the  Af- 
 fection, attracts  to  Heaven,  retrads  from  the  World, 
 Jeads  to  Chrift  ,  and  unites  the  Soul  with  God.  This 
 Gift  is  fuper-abundantly  greater  than  the  former  *,  yet 
 it  is  one  that  gave  and  effected  them  both,  even  Jefus 
 Chrid,  the  Lord  our  God.  For  to  have  been  born 
 into  the  World  would  have  been  no  manner  of  Ad- 
 vantage to  me,  but  only  fo  far  as  it  is  made  fo  by  the 
 Price  of  this  my  dear  Saviour's  Redeeming  Blood. 
 Grace  therefore  fuccoured  me,  and  the  Divine  Mercy 
 as  it  were  (hot  forth  it  felf  ^   and  thus  was  wrought 
 
 our 
 
Book  IV.      of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  a  I  s  T.  597 
 
 out  a  plentiful  Redemption  :  fince  Nature  was  fo  vi- 
 tiated, that  it  was  wJioUy  impoffible.ever  to  be  re- 
 paired without  the  Aid  of  the  Creator  himfelf. 
 
 ^'  O  Father  of  Mercies,  and  God  of  all  Confolati- 
 *'  ons,  how  haft  thou,  to  ranfom  a  condemned  Slave, 
 **  delivered  up  thine  own  Son.  Thou ,  to  redeem 
 ''  the  Sons  and  Daug,hters  of  Death,  haft  given  evea 
 "  thine  onely  Son  to  the  Death.  O  wonderful  Vouch- 
 "  faferaent  of  thy  Pity  towards  Man  in  his  loft  Eftate : 
 *^  moft  wonderful  and  amazing  Condefcenfion  of  thy 
 ^^  merciful  Love,  which  neither  the  Reaft)n  of  Men, 
 *'  or  Underftanding  of  Angels  is  able  to  unfold  ! 
 *'  Glory  therefore  be  to  thee,  yea,  all  Glory  and  all 
 "  Love  be  to  thee,  O  Lord  God,  my  Heavenly  Fa- 
 "  ther,  who  firft  haft  loved  me,  and  made  me  ac- 
 *^  cepted  in  the  Beloved  ! 
 
 *'  O  fweeteft,  kindeft  jefu,  the  Beginning  and  the 
 "  End  of  our  Salvation,  thou  only  kneweft  how, 
 '^  who  only  waft  able,  to  bring  Help  to  the  Mifera- 
 ''  ble,  and  Life  to  the  Prifoners  of  Death.  For  in 
 "  the  moft  horrible  and  abjeft  Form  of  a  Servant, 
 "  thou  didft  not  difdain  to  appear  unto  them*,  but 
 "  didft  moft  readily  and  gladly  undertake,  for  the 
 *'  Sake  of  fuch  poor  little  defpicable  mortal  Worms, 
 ''  to  put  thy  felf  even  in  their  ftead  ^  and  fo,  out 
 "  of  the  mere  Motion  of  thy  commiferating  Charity, 
 *^  to  fubmit  to  the  Sentence  of  a  direful  Death  for 
 "  their  Releafement.  O  Jefu,  the  Fountain  of  Good- 
 "  nefs  and  of  Mercy,  the  Source  of  tendereft  Com- 
 "  pafiions,  the  Eternal  Light  of  Eternal  Light,  and 
 **  unfpotted  Mirror  of  the  Divine  Majefty,  do  thou 
 "  enflame  my  Heart  with  the  Meditation  of  this  un- 
 *'  utterable  Benefit,  which  thou  haft  vouchfafed  to 
 ^'  confer  upon  me  and  upon  all  Mankind. 
 
 This  is  a  general  Benefit  as  well  as  the  former, 
 
 which  for  all  is  fufficicnt  to  Salvation,    but  not  in 
 
 ail  efficacious  to  produce  Fruit,  by  reafon  of  the  In- 
 
 4  fidelity 
 
398  iDf  tl)t  gmitatton        Vol.  1 1. 
 
 fidelity  and  Malice  of  many.  But  to  all  the  Faithful 
 it  fully  anfwers  the  Ends,  bringing  forth  in  them  good 
 and  holy  Fruits  ^  for  whofe  Sake  all  things  were  cre- 
 ated, and  be,  as  I  may  fay,  created  again,  through 
 thee,  O  Chrifl  my  Saviour. 
 
 ''  O  Gracious  Jefu,  what  great  and  manifold  Bene- 
 *'  fits  haft  thou  beftowed  upon  us  in  thy  Humanity ! 
 *'  Thou  art  become  onr  Brother  and  our  Flefh,  that 
 *'  we  might  be  accounted  Sons  of  God,  and  might 
 *'  have  Accefs  throngh  thee  to  the  Father,  whofe  of- 
 *'  fended  Juftice  none  was  worthy  to  appeafe,  but 
 *'  thou  alone  ^  of  whom  he  himfelf  once  fa  id,  This 
 **  Is  my  Beloved  Son^  iyi  whom  I  am  well  f  leafed. 
 
 Happy  is  that  Soul  which  zealoufly  and  ftudioufly 
 recolleds  the  Myfteries  of  our  Redemption,  afFedio- 
 nately  loves  them,  duly  reverences  them,  and  grate- 
 fully gives  Thanks  for  them  ^  and  finally  depends  ra- 
 ther upon  thy  Counfel,  than  upon  her  own  Senfe. 
 For  there  is  not  anyone  that  is  capable  of  fearching 
 out  this  Myftery  of  himfelf,  nor  is  it  by  Human  Wif- 
 dom  attainable  j  but  rather  by  the  Strength  of  Faith, 
 and  by  the  Eye  of  a  pure  Heart  enlightned  from  a- 
 bove.  BlefTed  is  he,  who  is  accounted  worthy  to  re- 
 ceive through  Grace,  what  the  Wife  of  the  World 
 have  not  been  able  to  learn  through  Nature. 
 
 "  O  Jefu,  the  Wifdom  of  the  Father,  make  me  to 
 ''  underftand,  in  the  Light  of  Faith,  this  great  and 
 '^  marvellous  Myftery  of  thy  Incarnation.  Becaufe 
 "  therein  the  whole  Sweetnefs  of  our  Salvation  in  an 
 *^  hidden  manner  lies,  thegreateft  Charity  abounds, 
 ^'  the  rareft  Friendfhip  that  ever  was  ^QQa  appears, 
 "  and  theFulnefs  of  thy  unfearchable  Wifdom  (bines 
 *'  moft  glorioufly.  May  thy  Servant  continually  im- 
 *^  prove  by  the  Arguments  of  Virtues,  and  by  the 
 *^  Studies  of  fincere  Holinefs,  and  be  more  and  more^ 
 *'  inftruded  in  this  fccret  and  recondite  Memorial  of 
 ^^  thy  Incarnation,  together  with  that  profound  one 
 
 "  of 
 
Book  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  199 
 
 ''  of  thy  facred  PalTion  :  And  may  I  be  drawn  tho- 
 "  roughly  into  the  moll  private  and  intimate  Recel^ 
 *'  fes  of  thy  myfterious  Love.  O  moft  deep  Abyfs 
 *'  hereof!  O  Divine  Ocean  of  fo  great  Charity,  im- 
 "  menfe  G«Iph  ot  fo  great  Vouchfafement,  bottom- 
 *'  lefs  and  boundlefs  Sea  of  fuch  condefcending  Love, 
 "  as  never  can  be  .by  any  fadomed,  or  by  any  forded 
 ''  over:^  wherein  the  Spiritual  Fifhes  ,  great  and 
 *'  fmall,  which  thou  haft  caught  within  the  Net  of 
 "  Faith,  do  fwim  to  and  fro.  O  may  fuch  Charity 
 *'  and  Sweetnefs,  fuch  Humility  and  Meeknefs,  fuch 
 *'  Gentlenefs,  fuch  Condefcenlion,  fuch  Patience,  a- 
 **  bide  always  in  my  Remembrance  :  and  in  every 
 *^  Sacrifice  of  Prayer,  and  every  Exercife  of  Medita- 
 ''  tion,  may  there  fomew hat  fli  11  intervene  and  min- 
 *'  gle  it  felf  therewith  of  the  Myftery  of  the  Incar- 
 *'  nation  and  Paffion,  as  a  molt  bright  fhining  In- 
 "  cenfe,  and  a  moil  pleafant  odoriferous  Balfom,  for 
 "  a  fweet  Savour,  to  be  offer'd  up  to  God  the  Father! 
 
 Let  all  the  Redeemed  of  the  Lord,  whom  he  hath 
 redeem'd  from  the  Hand  of  the  Enemy,  ling  out  now 
 with  the  Song  of  Divine  Praife  :  and  let  them  pay 
 with  Thankfgiving  an  Hymn  of  internal  and  fpiritual 
 Jubilee  :  yea,  alfo  let  all  the  Angels  Handing  round 
 about  the  Throne,  fall  down  upon  their  Faces,  and 
 worfhip  the  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh  away  the  Sins 
 of  the  World  ^  faying, 
 
 *'  Praife  and  Honour  becometh  thee,  O  Lord.  Blef- 
 "  fing  and  Glory,  giving  of  Thanks,  and  the  Voice 
 «  of  Praife,  Strength  and  Empire,  Majefly  and  Wif- 
 "  dom  be  unto  our  Lord  God,  and  unto  the  Lamb  for 
 "  ever  and  ever.     Amm. 
 
 4  ^.IIL 
 
400  0t  tl)e  gimttattoiT        Vol.  u. 
 
 ^.  III.  For  Jujlification  :  or^  Sandification. 
 
 Bhjfed  he  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  ^efm  Chrifi^ 
 ^       who  hath  blejfed  us  with  all  Spritual  Blejjings  tn  tiea^ 
 "uenly  Places  in  Chrifi^ 
 
 THE  third  gvsind  Benefit,  not  inferiour  to  both  the 
 former,  is  the  Grace  of  Jujlification  ^  whereby 
 thou  haft  gracioully  drawn  me  to  Coaveriion  and  Re- 
 formation of  Life  ',  giving  me  Repentance  for  my 
 Sins,  the  Hope  of  Pardon,  and  the  Purpofe  of  Well- 
 doing, and  of  perfevering  to  the  end  in  thy  Service. 
 Which  BlefTed  Panl  clearly  confidering,  exhorts  his 
 Difciples  that  they  be  not  either  unmindful  of,  or  un- 
 grateful for  fo  great  a  Benefit  :  but  that  being  careful 
 of  the  Heavenly  Grace,  they  may  endeavour  and  ftu- 
 dy  how  to  return  Praifes  worthy  of  fo  high  a  Calling. 
 See  your  Calling,  Brethren,  faith  he,  how  that  not 
 many  wife,  not  many  mighty,  not  many  noble  are 
 called  :  but  the  foolifh  and  weak  things  of  the  World 
 hath  God  chofen.  And  wherefore  hath  he  chofen 
 fuch,  but  that  he  may  the  better  hereby  confound 
 the  wife  and  mighty,  and  that  no  Flefh  may  boaft  in 
 his  Prefence.  Thefe  things  now  I  confider,  as  to  my 
 felf,  who  being  unprofitable  to  this  World,  and  by 
 it  accounted  bafe  and  contemptible,  am  through  thy 
 Holy  Call  fnatch'daway  from  out  of  its  Wreck,  and 
 tranflated  into  the  Fellowfhip  of  thy  Saints,  that  I 
 might  ferve  and  worfhip  thee,  my  Lord  and  my  God, 
 without  Fear,  in  that  moft  facred  and  blefled  Commu- 
 nion. And  that  I  might  notgobackwardsagain,  I  freely 
 and  of  my  own  Accord  bound  my  felf  with  thy  graci- 
 ous Help  to  perfevere  unto  the  Death.  Which  1  afcribe 
 not  to  my  Merits,  or  to  any  Goodnefs  of  mine,  but 
 to  thy  Providence  wholly.    For  which  I  offer  unto 
 
 thee, 
 
Book  IV.         of  J  E  s  U  S  C  H  R  I  s  T.  401 
 
 thee,  O  my  God,  O  my  Love,  all  maguificenc  Praife, 
 and  high  BlefTing  \  m  that  thou  haft  been  pleafed  to 
 call  me  through  thy  Grace,    giving  me  at  the  fame 
 time  a  good  Will  to  follow  thee,    and  cafting  av/a/ 
 from  me  the  Load  of  my  Sins,  which  fo  mighcil/ 
 hindred  and  kept  me  back.     For  thou  haft  brought 
 me  uoder  thy  eafy  Yoke  ^  by  the  AfTiftance  and  Union 
 of  thy  Spirit,  which  the  World  knoweth  not,  neither 
 feeth,  nor  underftandeth,   breaking  and  mollifying 
 my  Mind,  that  fo  I  may  continue  to  labour  under  the 
 fame  with  much  Qiiiet  andSatisfadion.    Grant,  I  be- 
 feech  thee,    merciful  Lord,  that  this  Grace  of  thine 
 may  always  prevent  and  follow  me,  and  make  me  con- 
 tinually to  obferve  and  obey  thy  godly  Motions  ia 
 Righteoufnefs  and  true  Holinefs,   to  thy  fole  Ho- 
 nour and  Glory  *,  and  that  being  thus  gently  and  plea- 
 fantly  yoked,  according  to  the  Defire  of  my  Heart,  I 
 may  in  all  things  walk  worthy  of  the  Vocation  where- 
 with I  am  calledy  with  all  Lowlinefs,  Meeknefs  and 
 Long-fuffering.     And  forafrauch  as  thou  haft  given 
 me  an  hearty  Defire  to  ferve  and  love  thee,  do  thou 
 both  continue  and  fulfil  the  fame  ^    ftrengthen  what 
 thou  haft  grafted  in  me  by  thy  good  Spirit,    keep  it 
 mightily  from  the  Danger  of  the  Enemy,  and  uphold 
 me  in  every  Temptation  *,    and  becaufe  without  thee 
 I  cannot  but  fall,  fuftain  me  ever  by  thy  prefent  Help. 
 Set  a  Guard  upon  my  Heart,  and  as  long  as  I  am  m 
 tlie  Light  of  this  World,  encreafe  more  and  more  to 
 me  the  Gifts  of  thy  Grace,  that  1  thereby  may  chear- 
 tully  accomplifh  all  thofc  things  thou  vvouldeft  have 
 done,  and  may  according  to  the  utmoft  Capacity  of 
 my  Nature  glorify  thee  «pon  the  Earth. 
 
 This  Divine  Call  I  perceive,  and  experimentally 
 feel,  to  be  indeed  a  great  and  fpecial  Benefit,  not  gi- 
 ven to  all,  but  to  them  for  whom  it  is  prepared  of  the 
 Father  j  lince  it  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  or  of  hici 
 
 Dd  that 
 
^07  ^l  t^e  31mttatton       Vol.  ii. 
 
 |:hat  runneth,  but  of  Cod  that  jhexveth  Mercy  j   that  fo 
 every  Mouth  fpeaking  vain  things  may  be  flopped, 
 and  every  Man  may  be  fubjedi:  to  thee,    and  no  Flelh 
 glory  in  thy  Prefence,  nor  arrogate  to  himfelf  any 
 thing  of  his  own  "^  Merits  or  good  Works.     For  if 
 according  to  Juftice  thou  wouldefb  have  dealt  virith 
 nie,  I  had  now  been  numbred  with  them  that  are  in 
 l^el]/    But  thy  Mercy  hath  fpared  me,  Lord,  and 
 thou  hail  given  place  to  Indulgence,  that  I  might  not 
 be  like  unto  the  Son  of  Eternal  Perdition.     Where- 
 fore I  am  bound  to  render  thee  high  Praifes  for  fo 
 magnificent  a  Benefit :    And  Q  that  1  might  worthily 
 anfwer  both  in  Word  and  Deed  to  ail  what  thou  hafc 
 fo  bountifully  confer'd  upon  me,  and  might  corre- 
 fpond  with  all  thy  Motions,  and  by  a  fuitable  Con- 
 formity with  thy  Requirings  honour  thee  ail  the  Days 
 of  my  Life.     Wherefore  it  is  moft  meet,  right,  and 
 my  bounden  Duty,  that  I  fhould  at  all  Times,  and  in 
 all  Places,  and  for  all  Things,  give  Thanks  unto 
 thee,  O  Lord,  Almighty  and  Everlafting  God  :  And 
 accordingly  I,  thy  unworthy  Servant,  do,  with  all 
 my  Fellow-Pilgrims  and  Exiles  here,  give  thee  moft 
 humble  and  hearty  Thanks,  for  all  thy  Goodnefs  and 
 Lovins^-kindnefs  to  me,  and  to  all  Men.     I  blefs  thee, 
 I  praifs  thee,  1  glorify  thee,  O  God  of  Love,  for  all 
 thy  Benefits^  but  above  all,  for  this  thy  moft  inefti- 
 mable  Benefit,   the  Redemption  of  loft  Mankind. 
 Glory  be  to  God  as  on  high,   fo  on  Earth,  Good 
 Will  towards  Men.  Let  all  the  Angels  waiting  about 
 the  Throne,   with  the  Holy  Elders,   and  numberlefs 
 Company  of  the  Redeemed,  at  the  great  Redeemer's 
 ,  11  ■  ^ '  ■"  •■■'•■     • 
 
 *  Heme  it  evidently  appears^  that  mtwithfland'wg  this  Author  does 
 frequently  yea  continually,  apply  the  Words  Merer i  and  Meritum  t) 
 Man,  he  never  ufes  'em  in  that  Sepfs  which  Froteftants  commonly  in- 
 derfland. 
 
 Name 
 
Book  IV.        of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  R  I  s  T.  4Q^ 
 
 Name  bow  the  Knee,  fall  down  and  worlhip  before 
 his  Majefty,  faying,  "  Praife,  and  Glory,  and  Wif- 
 "  dom,  and  Thanks,  and  Honour,  and  Power,  and 
 "  Might,  be  i^nto  our  Lord  Jefiis  for  ever-more- 
 *'  Amen* 
 
 Now  I  befeech  thee,  O  Sovereign  Love,  that  for 
 giving  of  Thanks,  thou  would  be  pleafed  to  accept  of 
 my  poor  little  Obeyfance,  wherewith  I  covet  to  ferve 
 thee,  as  lying  under  the  highefl  Obligations  of  thy 
 Charity  fo  to  do  :  And  grant  that  the  bounden  Duty 
 of  my  Service  may  radically  proceed  from,  and  finally 
 tend  to  thy  good  Pleafure  and  Honour  ;  and  that  my 
 Heart  may  never  be  turned  alTde  from  the  Love  pf 
 thee,  but  that  my  Soul  and  my  Body  together  may  in 
 like  manner  vigoroufly  proceed,  grow,  and  perfe- 
 vere  in  thy  moft  holy  Service,  as  long  as  there  is  ari^ 
 Breath  within  me,  or  i  have  the  Enjoyment  of  m^ 
 Senfes  and  Memory.  Never  may  thy  Praife  be  out 
 of  my  Mouth  ^  nor  the  abundance  of  thy  Loving-? 
 kindnefTes  ever  depart  from  out  of  my  He^rto  And 
 if  it  fhall  pleafe  thee  that  thy  Servant  fliall  live  many: 
 Years,  fuppofing  that  he  was  to  live  even  In 'hundred 
 or  a  thoufand  Years,  yet  fhall  he  not  therefore  be 
 cool'd  or  deter'd  (I  humbly  truft)  from  waiting  up- 
 on thee,  or  wearied  out  in  the  Duties  of  his  Service 
 to  thee,  O  King  of  Saints,  my  Lord  and  my  God, 
 becaufe  thou  art  ever  with  him.  O  be  thou  ever  with 
 me,  and  take  up  thy  Habitation  in  my  Breafl:,  that 
 no  Strangers  n1ay  be  able  there  to  intrude  again  : 
 And  fhould  my  Life  be  never  fo  long  by  thee  pro- 
 traded,  yet  fuffer  me  not  therefore  to  grow  at  any 
 time  indifferent  or  lukewarm  *,  but  fan  thou  up,  O 
 King  of  Love  and  Peace,  in  me  continually  that  holy 
 Fire,  which  firft  came  down  from  Heaven  upon  the 
 Altar  of  my  Heart,  fo  as  valiantly  I  may  perfilt  under 
 a'll  tffbuMiibns  and  Temptations,  reiigued  perfectly 
 
 0d  2  to 
 
4^4  ^t  ti;}e  limitation        Vol.  ii.- 
 
 to  thy  blelled  Will*,  and  may  as  devoutly  and  willing- 
 ly, as  ferveiuly  and  chearfully,  in  aH  things  ferveand 
 obey  thee,  as  at  the  very  firft  Mour  and  Moment  whea 
 my  Heart  was  touched  of  thee.  O  may  there  be  the 
 fameFervoury  the  fjme  Alacrity,  the  fame  holy  Bold- 
 nefs,  without  the  lea  It  Detriment  or  Diminution,  as 
 was  in  the  Beginning,  when  I  was  called  by  the  fween 
 Odours  of  thy  Grace,  and  m?.de  to  run  after  thee,  and 
 for  thee  to  forfake  ct\]  he  fides !  O  blelTcd  Day,  blelTed 
 Hour,  bleilcd  Moment,  when  thoa  didit  PirO:  touch  my 
 dead  Heart,  and  command  it  to  live  y  aad  didft  then 
 admonifh  and  confirm  it  to  follow  thee  the  Lord  only, 
 even  with  a  pure  and  perfecl  Mind!  O  my  God  and 
 jTiy  Love,  never  may  tlic  fame  he  once  forgotten  of  me  : 
 O  make  me  evermore  to  remember  my  Eril  Love,  and 
 ^my  fird  Works  •,  and  to  hold  fail  to  what  [  received 
 from  thee  on  the  Day  of  my  firfl:  ^  Erpoiifjls.  For  I 
 have  fworn,  O  Lord  my  God,  aiid  will,  through  thy 
 Grace  aiding,  perform  it,  that  I  will  keep  thy  moft 
 righteous  Commandments,  and  take  thy  Tefti monies 
 as  my  Heritage  for  ever.  Thy  Love  fhallbe  the  con- 
 /ftant  Byafsof  my  Soul,  the  natural  Spring  and  Weight 
 .of  my  Heart,  the  foie  Rule  and.  Guide  of  my  Life  ; 
 And  thee  will  i  follow,  even  unto  the  end,  whither- 
 
 '^  Tb:  Autfr.r  hac  aIU'Jcs  to  his  Prcfeflion,  and  f'^lcmn  Et^.igsmer't 
 t^  (erviGod  iwdcr  tie  Rh]-^  of  St.  Augufunc  •,  and  it  is  Uid  of  hii^, 
 that  he  was  n^ort  frequently  to  thank  (ioc^  for  the  fe  Keur  things-,  P'^Jh 
 th  It  he  rvas  born  not:  urrnvg  Ir.pdrls^  but  unovg  Chr'iftians^  and  (oUn:u^ 
 I)  cot^l'ecritcd  f-'.m  his  fnii  Infu:c)  to  be  a  Dijciffc  f<nd  FoUcn-rr  of  Jc- 
 ']ii4  Chrij}.  Secindly^Th.it  he  was  i'^oin  mt  only  nf  Chri'lianFarciits,  hut; 
 'ih')fc  alio  that  rvtre  Reli^^J-us  -ind  Devout^  and  that  had  Hien-iie  but  lit- 
 tle of  th'.VVc'.r  Id.  Thirdl),  Thar  hevpartcd  r.nt  the  hcj}  Educatiw  thtS 
 ■Tw.ii  the.7i  to-  be  had  j'<y  true  (Uniilian  Fiety,  uvdcr  the  mi',l  (xf>eric"c  i 
 ~'  ' .......  .     ^      .     .^^ 
 
 Thi;rh;r 
 
 ^6' 
 
iBook  IV.      of  Jesus  Christ.  405 
 
 foever  thou  leadeft  j  lince  'tis  thou  --thy  felf  halt 
 wrought  in  me  this  Will.  Glory  be  to  thee,  O  God 
 of  Love. 
 
 Nor  fhall  any  Infirmity  nor  Adverfity,  as  I  truft, 
 by  its  intervening^  be  able  to  hinder  this  Purpofe,  or 
 Ihock  this  Refolution  of  mine:  But  as  I  now  feel,  and 
 in  the  hearing  of  thee  my  God  at  this  time  do  purpole 
 and  declare  j  fo  what  is  once  gone  out  of  my  Lips,  by 
 thy  ready  Aid,  I  covet  and  hope  to  fulfil.  But  if  ne- 
 verthelefs;,  through  any  Frailty  or  any  Fault,  this 
 Will  fhould  happen  to  be  fhatter'd,  or  this  Purpofe 
 to  be  broken  *,  feeing  there  is  not  a  Man  upon  Earth 
 fo  righteous,  as  to  live  and  fin  not,  I  will  not  yet 
 defpond  at  all,  nor  will  I  let  thee  go :  But  I  will  pre- 
 fently  bow  the  Knees  of  my  Heart,  with  much  Con- 
 trition and  Tears,  offering  to  thee  my  fad  and 
 wounded  Confcience,  that  thou,  by  the  Medicine  of 
 thy  Grace,  mayfl  heal  the  fame,  and  bind  up  more 
 flrongiy  my  faid  Purpofe  than  ever  it  was  before^ 
 tying  it  as  it  were  with  a  molt  firm  and  eafy  Bandage. 
 It  fhall  not  repent  me  ever,  I  hopcg  of  my  good  Re- 
 folution and  Undertaking,  but  rather  I  will  give 
 Thanks  •,  forafmuch  as  having  confented  and  vowed 
 to  be  thy  faithful  Soldier  for  ever,  and  to  fight  under 
 thy  Crofs  to  the  end,  there  is  now  no  flinching  back 
 for  me.  Yea,  being  afflided,  I  will  give  thee  with 
 my  whole  Heart  Thanks  *,  becaufe  this  is  that  which 
 I  have  chiefly  defer ved  to  receive  from  thee,  my 
 Lord*,  and  which,  having  thus  furrender'd  my  felf 
 to  thy  Difpofal,  I  ought  never  to  be  afhamed  or  a- 
 fraid  of. 
 
 O  Almighty  and  mofl  Merciful  Lordj,  who  haft  cre- 
 ated me  of  nothing,  and  who  forefawelt  from  the  be- 
 ginning the  Infirmity  and  the  Fall  of  Man  -^  Power- 
 ful art  thou,  in  thy  molt  tender  Grace  and  IVIercy,  to 
 pardon  me  all  my  Traafgreffions  that  I  have  ever  com- 
 mitted ^ 
 
406  m  tlje  gimttatron       VoL  IL 
 
 Initted,  to  make  up  and  fiipply  all  what  I  have  left 
 tindonc,  to  purify  my  Uncleannefs,  to  ftrengthen  my 
 Weaknefs,  to  reftore  again  the  things  that  are  loft, 
 to  erflighten  fuch  as  are  dark,  to  rekindle  fuch  as  are 
 txtinft,  to  rebuild  fuch  as  are  ruinated,  to  recover 
 the  negleded,  to  corred  the  depraved,  to  level  the 
 uneven,  to  fmooth  the  rough,  to  make  ftraight  the 
 crooked,  to  fet  right  the  dillocated,  to  reftrain  the 
 curious,  to  recollect  the  icattered,  to  bind  up  the 
 wounded,  to  heal  the  difeafed,  to  re-sflablilh  the 
 iapfed  ^  and  in  a  word,  tocompofe  all  whatever  is  in 
 Diforder,  and  to  change  the  whole  State  of  my  Mind 
 for  the  better ;  that  fo  nothing  may  be  wanting  of 
 my  Srft  Vow,  and  moll  folemn  Engagement,  made 
 ivhen  I  was  devoted  a:nd  confecrated  to  thy  Service^ 
 but  that  every  occaiion  of  Evil  may  co-operate  for 
 good,  yea  even  for  the  beft  unto  me,  who  lie  humbly 
 proflrate  here  at  thy  Feet. 
 
 Lo!  this  is  the  Change  of  the  Right  Hand  of  the 
 molt  High  ^  this  is  the  Heavenly  Vifitation  ;  this  is 
 the  manifold  Donation  and  Dillribution  of  the  Divine 
 Mercy  *,  this  is  entirely  the  gracious'  Vouchfafemen; 
 bf  Sovereign  Charity. 
 
 §".  IV.  The  Conwiimion  of  SaintSo 
 
 Praife  ye  the  Lord  all  his  Angels  :  Pralfe  ye  him  all  his 
 Hofis.  Praife  the  Lord  from  the  Hsuvcns :  Praife  tht 
 Lord  from  the  Earth. 
 
 Accept  likcwife,  O  Infinite  Love,  all  the  devout 
 Services  of  thy  Holy  Church  Univerfjl,  with 
 the  unanimous  Confentof  the  whole  Heavenly  Court, 
 for  a'  Thank-ofFerins  to  thy  Name,    And  my  all  the 
 
 Saints, 
 
Book  IV.     of  J  E  s  u  s  C  H  a  I  s  T.  407 
 
 Saints,  who  from  the  very  beginning  of  the  World 
 have  through  thy  Grace  be.en  call'd  and  enlightened  : 
 Alfoall  the  Faithful,  bearing  the  Name  of  Chrift,  ia 
 every  People,  and  Tribe,  and  Language  and  Nation, 
 both  they  who  are  unto  this  Day,  and  they  who  have 
 been  before  us,  and  they  that  iiial]  be  after  us,  cele- 
 brate and  laud  together  thy  moft  fweet  and  glorious 
 Name,  which  is  blefTed  above  every  Name.  Let  them[ 
 again  and  again  repeat,  with  immenfe  Joy,  univerfal 
 and  united  Praife's  to  this  thy  Name :  Let  them  repeat 
 them  as  many  times  as  there  are  Stars  in  the  Heaven, 
 or  Fifiies  in  the  Sea,  or  Blades  of  Grafs  on  the  Earth: 
 Let  them  repeat  the  fame,  after  all  this,  as  many  times 
 as  there  are  Words,  or  Letters,  or  even  Points  in  the 
 whole  Bible.  And  when  they  fliall  have  done  ail  this, 
 and.fhall  have  ofl^r'd  me  up,  together  with  them- 
 ijlves,  as  a  little  Fellow- Member  in  the  fameMyftick 
 Body  •,.  then  will  Iconfefs  to  thee,  how  that  even  yec 
 all  is  far  too  Ihort  for  that  inefi-able  Praife  which  i^ 
 due  to  thy,  moft  glorious  Name  •,  the  which  1  would 
 fain  magnify  with  my  whole  Strength,  even  with  all 
 the  Powers  and  Faculties  of  my  Soul  and  Spirit,  and 
 would  by  all  ways  and  means  exalt,  yea,  fuper-^xalt 
 thy  great  Majefty  j  until  at  Length  I  arrive  at 
 thofe  Heavenly  Praifes,  which  the  Voices  of  Mor- 
 tal Men  are  not  able  to  reach,  or  any  wife  pro- 
 fecute. 
 
 Thou  feeft  now,  O  my  Soul,  the  Greatnefs  and 
 Piecioufnefs  of  the  Benefits  of  thy  Creator  and  Re- 
 deemer, the  Lord  thy  God  ^  Whom  even  the  whole 
 •  Creation  is  not  ftifficient  to  thank,  no,  not  the  whole 
 Creation  Vifibleand  Invifible,  which  he  hath  created 
 to  the  Glory  of  his  Etenial  Blefled  Name,  who  verily 
 needs  not  any  Glory,  or  any  one's  Praife,  lince  he 
 alone  is  fufficient  for  himfelf,  and  there  is  no  other 
 befides ,  he  alone  tor  himfelf  alone  h  bis  own  Glory 
 
 i§ 
 
4Q8         €>f  tl^e  3!niitatton>  <5cc.    Voi.  ir. 
 
 is  he  3  who  will  not  give  his  Glory  to  another,  nor  take 
 it  from  another. 
 
 Thus  appears  it,  tliat  the  Multitude  of  his  Benefits 
 is  fo  great,  9s  it  was  impoflible  for  me  to  fet  them 
 at!  before  thy  Eyes :  But  out  of  the  great  Number,  I 
 have  chofen  three  precious  Gifts  after  the  manner 
 the  Eaftern  Magi  did,  when  they  prefented  their  Of- 
 ferings to  the  Lord  ^  in  which  Three  yet  we  may  con- 
 chide  all  the  reft  to  be  comprehended.  For  every 
 Divine  Benefit,  if  diligently  attended  to,  will  be  found 
 ekhertobe  of  Nature,  or  of  Grace,  or  of  Super-ex- 
 cellence :  And  if  there  be  any  other  than  thefe,  it  may 
 conveniently  enough  be  reduced  to  one  or  other  of 
 the  three  afore-mention'd.  In  Creation^  thou  haft  to 
 confider  the  Benefit  of  Nature  *,  in  Redemftioriy  the 
 Benefit  of  Super-excellence  *,  in  Jafiificathn-,  the  Gift 
 of  Grace. 
 
 For  all  and  each  of  which,  Glory  be  to  thee,  O  Fa- 
 tijer,  with  the  Son  and  Holy  Spirit,  as  it  was  in  the 
 beginning,  is  now,  and  ever  fhall  be,  World  without 
 end.     Amen> 
 
 Wi-\' 
 
 \\       ^f: 
 
 FINIS. 
 
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1    1012  01002  6526 
 
 'W^f^> 
 
 -.r,V' 
 
 \.  .'^'/^^