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

Of spirituall Receiuing.

Chap. 31. (Book 31)

ALthough thou canst not receiue thy Sauior more then once a day sacramentally, notwithstanding thou maiest receiue him spiritually, eue∣ry houre and moment. And this cannot be taken from any creature, but by their owne negligence, or other voluntary fault. And sometimes it may proue, that this spiritual recei∣uing shall be more profitable to our selues, and acceptable to God, then many other Sa∣cramentall receiuings in re∣spect of the wants, and defects of them that receiue. There∣fore how oft soeuer thou shalt

dispose and prepare thy selfe to this spiritual receiuing, thou shalt find the Sonne of God ready with his owne proper hands to feede thee spiritually with himself. And thou maist prepare thy selfe in this man∣ner.

Turne thy selfe to him for this end; and briefely consider thy defects, be sorie that thou hast offended him, and with a louing affection, craue of him, that he wil vouchsafe to come into thy poore soule to feede it with himself: or other∣wise, when thou goest about to vse violence to thy selfe, or to mortifie any passion in thee or to exercise any act of ver∣tue, do it to this end, and turne thee to thy Sauior, and cal vp∣on

him with a feruent desire in the secret of thy soule. Or again, finally, calling to mind the last time that thou didst receiue before, say with an in∣flamed desire: when (my god) shall I receiue thee another time in the Scrament of the alter? ah why comest thou not now with the same ver∣tue spiritually vn∣to me?