The spiritual conflict writen in Italian by a deuout seruant of God ; and lately translated into English out of the same language.

How the most Blessed Sacra∣ment is a most potent means to ouercome our passions.

Chap. 29▪ (Book 29)

THe most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist is recei∣ued for diuers ends, but if thou wilt particularly receiue it for

aid to destroy thy euil inclina∣tions, thou shalt dispose thy selfe in this manner.

Before thy receiuing, hauing conuenient time, begin ouer∣night to consider the desire the sonne of God hath, that thou receiue him in the holy Sacrament of the Alter, there∣by to vnite himself vnto thee, to the end thou maiest ouer∣come euery vitious passion. This desire in God is so great, that it cannot be comprehen∣ded of any vnderstanding cre∣ated. But that thou in som sort maist perceiue it, consider two things. First how much that great God delighteth to bee with vs, sith he calleth this his delights, and requires againe of vs, that we giue him also in

like sort our heart. Secondly, consider that he hateth sinne aboue all measure, as an impe∣diment to his vnion with vs, & as altogether contrary to his infinite perfections: for hee beeing the chiefe good, pure light, and all beautie, cannot but hate, and haue in great ab∣homination, sinne, which is no other thing but darknesse, de∣fect, and the blot of our foules.

And the better to imprint in thy mind, this inflamed de∣sire of thy Sauiour, turne thy thoughts to the workes of the olde and new Testament, and particularly to that of his death, and passion, for all this was wholly performed to de∣liuer vs wretches from our sinnes, and from euery will of

ours that is contrary to him.

Whereupon the illumma∣ted seruants of God do affirm that our blessed Lord, to anni∣hilate in vs anye little passion whatsoeuer, and self-wil, wold againe, if it were needfull, ex∣pose himselfe to a thousand deaths.

By the which considerati∣ons, knowing the desire thy Sauiour hath, to enter into thy soule, thou shalt stirre vppe in thy selfe a feruent will to re∣ceiue him, with these or such like iaculatory prayers.

Ah, come my Sauiour, & succour this thy miserable cre∣ature against his aduersaries▪ when will that houre be that I may receiue thee? when will the time come that I comfor∣ted

by thee the bread of life, shal ouercome my owne pro∣per will.

Afterward being strength∣ned with the hope of the com ming of thy Sauior, call often times to battell that passion, with the which thou dooest fight, and enforce thy selfe to represse it with redoubled and disdainefull wils, and to bring foorth afterward, actes of de∣sires, of the vertue contrary to the same passion. And thus thou shalt continue the euen∣ing (as I haue saide) and the morning after thou shalt be a∣waked.

When the time of receiuing comes, a litle before thou shalt briefely consider thy defects, and vnfaithfulnes, which thou

hast vsed towards thy Sauior, from the time of thy last recei uing the Blessed Sacrament, and with shamefastnesse, and with a holy feare, thou shalt be confounded, for thy ingra∣titude, and vnworthinesse. But thinking afterward vpon the vnspeakeable goodnesse of God (who although thou hast bin rebellious vnto him, yet notwithstanding, he willeth that thou receiue him) thou shalt goe confidently to that sacred banquet. After thou hast receiued, withdraw thy selfe as soone as thou canst in∣to the closet of thy heart, and lay open to thy Sauior thy de∣fects and wants, saying thus in thy mind: thou seest my Saui∣or, how easily I offend thee,

and how much I want, how strong this passion oppres∣seth me, and that it is not pos∣sible that by my selfe I can be deliuered. Therefore this bat∣taile is thine, and from thee onely I hope for victorie: af∣terwards turne thy selfe to the father, and offer vp to him, for the same effect, his most bles∣sed Sonne, whom now thou hast within thee: and with faith expect his diuine succor, the which wil not faile thee al∣thogh thou shouldst not presently feele his helpe.