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COme unto me all yee that labour and are bur∣dened, and I will refresh you, saith our Lord.
2 The bread which I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world.
3 Take yee and eate, that is my Body that shall be delivered for you; doe this in remembrance of me.
4 He that eateth my flesh, and drin∣keth by blood dwelleth in me, and I in him.
5 The words which I have spoken unto you, are spirit and life.
THese are thy words O Christ, ever∣lasting Truth, though not spoken all at one time, nor written in one and the selfe same place; because therefore they are thine and true, they are all of them thankfully and faithfully to be received by me.
2 They are thine, and thou hast spoken them, and they are mine also, because thou hast spoken them for my salvation: I willingly receive them from thy mouth, that they may be the deeper imprinted in my heart.
3 These devout words so full of sweetnesse and love, doe stirre me up, but mine owne offences doe amaze
me, and my impure conscience driveth me back from the receiving of so great mysteries.
4 The sweetnesse of thy words doth incourage me, but the multitude of my sinnes doe oppresse me.
5 Thou commandest me to come confidently unto thee; if I will have part with thee: and to receive the food of immortality, if I desire to obtaine e∣verlasting life and glory:
6 Come, sayst thou, unto me all yee that labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you.
7 O sweet and lovely word in the eare of a sinner, that thou my Lord God shouldest invite the poore and needy to receive thy most blessed Bo∣dy!
8 But who am I Lord, that I may presume to approach unto thee, be∣hold the heavens cannot containe thee, and thou sayst, Come yee all unto me.
9 What meaneth this most pious benignity, and so loving invitation? How shall I dare to come, that know not any good in me, whereupon I may presume?
10 How shall I enter into thy
house, that have often offended thy most gracious countenance.
11 The Angels and the Archan∣gels honour thee, the Saints and just men doe feare thee, and thou saist, Come yee all unto me.
12 Vnlesse thou, O Lord didst say it, who would believe it to be true? And unlesse thou didst command it, who would dare to come unto thee?
13 Behold, Noah a just man labou∣red a hundred yeares in preparing the Arke, that he might be saved with a few: and how can I in one houres space prepare my selfe to receive with reve∣rence the Maker of the world?
14 Moses thy great servant and especiall friend, made an Arke of in∣corruptible wood, which also he cove∣red with most pure gold, to put the Ta∣bles of the Law therein: and I a rotten creature, how shall I so lightly dare to receive the maker of the Law, and the giver of life?
15 Salomon the wisest of the Kings of Israel, bestowed seven yeares in building a magnificent Temple, in in praise of thy name, and celebrated the feast of the Dedication thereof
eight daies together, he offered a thou∣sand peaceable sacrifices, and set the Arke in the place prepared for it with the sound of trumpets and joy:
16 And I the most unhappy and poorest of men, how shall I bring thee into my house, that can scarce spendone halfe houre devoutly? and I would to God it were once almost one half hour ••n worthy and due manner!
17 O my God, how much did they endeavour to please thee, and alas how ••itle is that which I doe? How short ••ime doe I spend, when I prepare my selfe to receive? I am seldome wholly recollected, very seldome altogether free from distraction.
18 And yet surely no undecent thought should occurre in the presence of thy Deity, nor any creature draw me unto it: for I am not to harbour an Ang••l, but the Lord of Angels.
19 And yet there is great diffe∣rence betweene the Arke and the Re∣liques thereof, and thy most pure body with his unspeakable vertues.
20 Betweene those legall sacrifi∣ces, figures of future things, and the true sacrifice of thy body, the comple∣ment
of oll ancient sacrifices.
21 Why therefore doe I not be∣come more fervent in thy venerable presence? Wherefore doe I not prepare my selfe with greater care to receive thy sacred gifts?
22 Sith those holy ancient Patri∣arches, and Prophets, yea Kings also & Princes with the whole people have shewed so great zeale of devotion to thy divine service.
23 The most devout King David danced before the Ark of God with all his force, calling to mind the benefits bestowed in times past upon his fore∣fathers.
24 He made instruments of sun∣dry kinds, he published Psalmes, and appointed them to be sung with joy: himselfe also oftentimes plaied upon the harpe.
27 Being inspired with the grace of the holy Ghost, he taught the peo∣ple of Israel to praise God with their whole heart, and with plesant voices e∣very day to blesse and praise him.
28 If so great devotion was then used, and such memory of divine praise before the Arke of the testament;
29 What reverence and devotion is now to be performed by me, and all Christian people in the presence of this Sacrament, in receiving of the most precious Body of Iesus Christ?
30 Many goe to sundry places to visit the Reliques of Saints, and are a∣stonished when they heare of their mi∣raculous worke:
31 They behold the spacious buildings of their Churches, and kisse their sacred bones wrapped in silke and gold:
32 And behold thou art here pre¦sent with me on the Altar, my God, the Holy of Holies, the Maker of all things, and Lord of Angels.
33 Oftentimes in those devotions there is but curiositie of men, and the novelty of the beholders in the seeing of such sights, and litle fruit of amend∣ment is gotten thereby, especially where there is so unconstant wandring without true contrition:
34 But here in the Sacrament of the Altar, thou art present, my Lord, God and Man, Christ Iesus, where al∣so plentifull fruit of, everlasting salvati∣on is obtained, as often as thou art
worthly and devoutly received.
35 No levity, no curiosity, or sen∣suality draweth unto this, but firme faith, devout hope, and sincere cha∣ritie.
36 O God the invisible Creator of the world, how wonderfully doest thou deale with us, how sweetly and graciously doest thou dispose of all things with thine elect, to whom thou offerest thy selfe to be received in the Sacrament.
37 O this exceedeth all under∣standing of man: this chiefly draweth the hearts of the devout, and inflameth their desire!
38 For thy true faithfull servants that dispose their whole life to amend∣ment, oftentimes receive great grace of devotion, and love of vertue.
39 O admirable and hidden grace of this Sacrament, which only the faith¦full of Christ doe know: but the un∣faithfull, and such as are slaves unto sin, canot conceive nor feele.
40 In this Sacrament spirituall grace is given, and lost vertue is resto∣red in the soule: and beauty disfigured by sin returneth againe.
41 This grace is sometimes so great, that with the fulnesse of devoti∣on, which is here given, not only the mind, but the weake body also feeleth great increase of strength.
42 Our coldnesse and negligence surely is much to be bewailed and pit∣tied, that we are not drawne with grea∣ter affection to receive Christ, in whom all the hope and reward of those that are to be saved doth consist.
43 For hee is our sanctification and redemption: he is the comfort of passengers, and the everlasting fruition of Saints.
44 It is much therefore to be la∣mented that many doe so litle consider this comfortable mysterie, which rejoy∣ceth heaven, and preserveth the whole world.
45 Oblindnesse and hardnesse of mans heart, that doth not the more deeply weigh the greatnesse of so un∣speakable gift, but rather comes by the daily use thereof, to regard it litle or no∣thing.
46 For if this most holy Sacra∣ment should be celebrated in one place only, & consecrated by one only Priest
in the world, with how great desire doest thou think would men be affe∣cted to that place?
47 And what esteeme would they have of such a Priest of Almighty God, by whom they might enjoy the conso∣lation of these divine mysteries.
48 But now there are many Priests, and Christ is offered up in many places that so the grace and love of God to man may appeare so much the greater, hovv much the more this sacred Com∣munion is common through the world.
49 Thankes be unto thee, good Iesu, everlasting Pastour of our soules, that hast vouchsafed to refresh us poore and banished men, with thy precious Body and Blood!
50 And to invite us to the recei∣ving of these mysteries with the words of thy owne mouth, saying, Come un∣to me all yee that labour and are bur∣dened, and I will refresh you.
PResuming of thy goodnesse and great mercy, O Lord, being sick, I approach unto my Saviour, hungry and thirsty to the fountaine of life, needy to the King of heaven, a servant unto my Lord, a creature to my Creator, deso∣late to my mercifull comforter.
2 But whence is this to me, that thou vouchsafest to come unto me? Who am I that thou shouldest give thy selfe unto me?
3 How dare a sinner presume to appeare before thee? And thou, how doest thou vouchsafe to come unto a sinner?
4 Thou knowest thy servant, and seest that he hath no good thing in him, for which thou shouldest bestow this benefit upon him.
5 I confesse therefore my unwor∣thinesse,
and I acknowledge thy good∣nesse: I praise thy mercy▪ and give thee thankes for this thy unspeakable cha∣rity.
6 For thou doest this for thine owne sake, not for any merits of mine, to the end that thy goodnesse may be better knowne unto mee, thy charity more abundantly shewed, and thy hu∣mility more highly commended.
7 Since therefore it is thy pleasure, and hast commanded that it should be so, this thy bounty is also pleasing to me, and doe wish that my offences may be no hindrance unto it.
7 O most sweet and bountifull Ie∣su, how great reverence and thanks, with perpetuall praise is due unto thee for the receaving of thy sacred body, whose worth and dignity no man is a∣ble to expresse!
8 But what shall I think of at this time, now that I am to receive this di∣vine Sacrament, and to approach unto my Lord, to whom I am not able to give due reverence, and yet I desire to receave him devoutly?
9 What can I thinke better, and more profitable, then to humble my
selfe wholly before thee, and to ex∣alt thy infinite goodnesse above me.
10 I praise thee my God, and will exalt thee for ever, and I doe despise, and submit my selfe unto thee, even in∣to the depth of my unworthinesse.
11 Behold, thou art the Holy of Holies, and I the skum of sinners! be∣hold thou bowest thy selfe downe un∣to me, who am not worthy so much as to look up unto thee!
12 Behold thou comest unto me: it is thy will to be with me, thou invi∣test me to thy banquet:
13 Thou wilt give me the food of heaven, and bread of Angels to eat, which is no other truly then thy selfe, the lively bread, that descendedst from heaven, and givest life unto the world.
14 Behold from whence this love proceedeth! what kind of favour and benignity is this which shineth upon us! What thankes and praises are due unto thee for these benefits.
15 O how good and profitable was thy counsell, when thou ordai∣nedst! How sweet and pleasant the banquet when thou gavest thy selfe to be our food.
16 How wonderfull thy worke, O Lord, how powerfull thy vertue, how unspeakable thy truth! For thou saidst the word, and all things were made, and this was done which thou commandest.
17 A thing of great admiration, and worthy of faith, and surpassing the understanding of man, that thou, my Lord God, true God & Man, shouldst be exhibited unto us by the elements of bread and wine, and thy body wor∣thily receaved should be the spirituall food of our soule.
18 Thou who are the Lord of all things, and standest in need of none, hast pleased to dwell in us by meanes of this thy Sacrament.
19 Preserve my heart and body unspotted, that with a cheerefull and pure conscience, I may often celebrate thy mysteries, and receave them to my everlasting health, which thou hast chiefly ordained and instituted for thy honour, and perpetuall memory.
20 Rejoyce O my soule, and give thankes unto God for so noble a gift and singular comfort, left unto thee in this vale of teares!
21 For as often as thou callest to mind this mystery, and receavest the body of Christ, so often dost thou re∣member the worke of thy redemption, and art made partaker of all the merits of Christ.
22 For the charity of Christ is ne∣ver diminished, and the greatnesse of his mercy is never drawne dry.
23 Therefore thou oughtest al∣waies to dispose thy selfe hereunto by a fresh renewing of thy minde, and to weigh with attentive consideration this great mystery of thy salvation.
24 So great, now, and joyfull it ought to seeme unto thee, when thou commest to the holy Communion, as if the same day Christ first descended in∣to the wombe of the Virgin, were be∣come man, or hanging on the crosse, did suffer and dye for the salvation of mankinde▪
BEhold, O Lord, I come unto thee, that I may be comforted in thy gifts, and be delighted in thy holy ban∣quet, which thou, O Lord, hast prepa∣red in thy sweetnesse, for the poore.
2 Behold in thee is all whatsoever I can, or ought to desire: thou art my health, and my redemption, my hope and my strength, my honour and my glory.
3 Make joyfull therefore this day, the soule of thy servant, for that I have lifted it up to thee my sweet Iesus, I de∣sire to receave thee now with devotion, and reverence.
4 I doe long to bring thee into my house, that with Zachreus I may ob∣taine to be blessed by thee, and num∣bred amongst the children of Abra∣ham.
5 My soule thirsteth to receave thy body, my heart desireth to be united with thee.
6 Give thy selfe to me, and it suf∣ficeth: For besides thee no comfort is availeable, I cannot be without thee, nor live without thy gracious visitation.
7 And therefore I must often come unto thee, and receave thee as the only remedy of my health, lest perhaps I faint in the way, if I be de∣prived of thy heavenly food.
8 For so, most mercifull Iesus, thou once didst say, preaching to the people, and curing sundry diseases, I will not send them home fasting, lest they faint in the way.
9 Deale thou therefore in like manner now with me, who hast vouchsafed to leave thy selfe in the Sa∣crament for the comfort of the faith∣full.
10 For thou art the sweet refecti∣on of the soule, and he that eateth thee worthily, shall be partaker, and heire of everlasting glory.
11 It is necessary for me, that doe so often fall and sinne, so quickly waxe dull and faint, that by often prayers and confessions, and receaving of thy sacred body, I renew, clense, and in∣flame my selfe, lest perhaps by long
abstayning. I fall from my holy pur∣pose:
12 For man is prone unto evill from his youth, and unlesse this divine remedy helpe him, he quickly slideth to worse.
13 This holy communion there∣fore draweth back from evill, and com∣forteth in good.
14 For if I be now so often slack and negligent when I communicate or officiate, what would become of mee, if I receaved not this remedy, & sought not after so great helpe.
15 Though every day I be not sit, not well prepared to communicate, I will endeavour notwithstanding at convenient times to receave the divine mysteries, and make my selfe partaker of so great a grace.
16 For this is the only chiefe com∣fort of a faithfull soule, whilest she wandreth from thee in this mortall bo∣dy, that being mindfull of her God, she often receave her beloved with a devout minde.
17 O wonderfull benignity of thy mercy towards us, that thou, Lord God, the Creator and giver of life to all
spirits, doest vouchsafe to come unto a poore soule;
18 And with thy whole Deity and Humanity to turn her hunger into sa∣tiety •• o happy minde and blessed soule that is vouchsafed to receave thee her Lord God, with devout affection, and in receaving of thee to be filled with spirituall joy!
19 O how great a Lord doth she entertaine? How beloved a guest doth she harbour? how pleasant a compani∣on doth she receave? how faithfull •• friend doth she accept? how beautifull and noble a spouse doth she imbrace?
20 Shee imbraceth him who is to be loved above all that is beloved, and above all things that may be desired. Let heaven and earth & all their beau∣ty be silent in thy presence:
21 For what beauty and praise soever they have, it is receaved from thy honour, and shall not equall the beauty of thy name, of whose wisdome there is no end.
O My Lord God, prevent thy servant in the blessings of thy swetnesse that I may attaine thy favour to ap∣proach worthily and devoutly to the holy Sacrament!
2 Stirre up my heart unto thee, & deliver me from all heavinesse & sloth•••• visit me with thy comfort, that I may tast in spirit thy sweetnesse, which i•• this Sacrament as in a fountain plent•• fully lyeth hid.
3 Give light also to mine eyes •• behold so great a mystery, and strong then me to believe it with undoubte•••• faith.
4 For it is thy worke, and no•• mans power, thy sacred institution, no•• mans invention:
3 For no man is of himselfe able to comprehend and understand th••••
things, which surpasse the deepest reach even of Angels.
4 What therefore shall Iunwor∣thy sinner, earth and ashes, be able to search and comprehend of so high and sacred a mystery?
5 O Lord in syncerity of my heart, with a good and firme faith, and at thy commandement, I come unto thee with hope and reverence; and doe ve∣rily believe, that thou God and Man affordest a gracious presence at this Sa∣crament.
6 Thy holy pleasure is, that I re∣ceave thee, and by charity doe unite my selfe unto thee:
7 Wherefore I doe flee unto thy clemency, and doe crave speciall grace, that I may wholly melt in thee, and a∣bound with love, and hereafter never admit any externall comfort.
8 For this most high and worthy Sacrament is the health of the soule and body, the remedy of all spirituall sicknesse.
9 By it my vices are cured, my pas∣sions bridled, temptations overcome or weakned, greater grace infused, ver∣tue increased, faith confirmed, hope
strengthened, and charity inflamed and enlarged.
3 For thou hast bestowed, & still oftentimes doest bestow many bene∣fits in this Sacrament upon thy belo∣ved that receave it devoutly.
11 O my God the Protectour of my soule, the strengthener of humane frailety, and the giver of all inward comfort,
12 Thou impartest unto them much comfort against sundry tribulati∣ons, and liftest them up from the depth of their own basenesse, to the hope of thy protection, and doest in∣wardly refresh and illustrate them with a certain new grace.
13 In such sort, that they who be∣fore Communion felt themselves hea∣vy and indisposed, afterwards being strengthened with heavenly meate and drinke, doe find in themselves a great change to the better;
14 Which thou dost so dispose to thy elect, that they may truly acknow∣ledge, and patiently proove, how great their own infirmitie is, and what be∣nefit and grace they receave from thee.
15 For they of themselves are
cold, dull, and undevout, but by thee they are made fervent, cheerefull and full of devotion.
16 For who is there, that ap∣proaching humbly unto the fountaine of sweetnesse, doth not carry away from thence at least some litle sweet∣nesse?
17 Or who standing by a great fire, receaveth not some small heat thereby? Thou art a fountaine alwaies full and overflowing; a fire ever burn∣ing and never decaying.
18 Wherefore if I cannot draw at the full out of the fountaine, nor drink my fill, I will notwithstanding set my lips to the mouth of this hea∣venly conduite, that I may draw from thence at least some small droppe, to refresh my thirst, to the end I wither not away and utterly perish.
19 And though I be not altoge∣ther celestiall, nor so inflamed as the Cherubims and Seraphims, notwith∣standing I will endeavour to apply my selfe to devotion, and dispose my heart to obtaine some small sparke of divine fire by humble receaving of this life∣giving Sacrament.
20 And whatsoever is hereunto wanting in me, good Iesu, most bles∣sed Saviour, doe thou supply for me: most benigne and gracious Lord, who hast vouchsafed to call all unto thee, saying, Come unto mee all yee that la∣bour and are burdened, and I will re∣fresh you.
21 I labour in the sweate of my browes, I am vexed with griefe of heart, I am burdened with sinnes, I am troubled with temptations, I am intan∣gled and oppressed with many evill passions;
22 And there is none to helpe me, none to deliver and save me, but thou, Lord God, my Saviour, to whom I commit my selfe, & all mine, that thou maist keep me, and bring me to life e∣verlasting.
22 Receave me to the honour and glory of thy name, who hast prepared thy Body and Bloud to be my meat & drinke.
23 Grant O Lord God, my Sa∣viour, that by frequenting thy myste∣ries, my zeale and devotion may in∣crease more and more.
IF thou hadst angelicall purity, and the Sanctity of S. Iohn Baptist, thou ••vert not worthy to receive, nor handle ••his Sacrament:
2 For it is not within the compasse of the deserts of men, that man should consecrate and handle the Sacrament of Christ, & receive for food the bread of Angels.
3 A great mystery, and great is the dignity of Priests, to whom is granted that which is not permitted to the Angels:
4 For Priests alone rightly institu∣ted in the Church, have power to ce∣••ebrate, and consecrate the Body of Christ.
5 The Priest is the Minister of God, using the words of God, by the commandement, and appointment of of God, but God is there the principal
Author, and invisible Worker, to whom is subject all that he pleaseth, and all that he commandeth, doth obey.
6 Thou oughtest therefore to give more credit to God Almighty in this most excellent Sacrament, then to thine owne sense, or to any visible signe: And theresofore thou art to come unto this mystery with feare and reve∣rence.
7 Consider attentively with thy selfe, and see what that is, whereof the Ministry is delivered unto thee by the imposition of the hands of the Bishop.
8 Behold thou art made a Priest, and consecrated to officiate: see now that in due time thou offer Sacrifice un∣to God faithfully and devoutly, and carry thy selfe so, as thou maist be with∣out reproof.
9 Thou hast not lightned thy bur∣then, but are now bound with a straiter bond of discipline, and art obliged to a more perfect degree of sanctity.
10 A Priest ought to be adorned with all kind of vertues, and to give ex∣ample of good life to others.
11 His conversation should not be according to the ordinary and common
proceedings of men, but like to the Angels in heaven, or to perfect men on earth.
12 A Priest clothed in sacred gar∣ments is the Vicegerent of Christ, to pray humbly, and with a prostrate mind unto God for himselfe and the whole people.
13 And know that he is placed as a modiatour betweene God and the sinner: Neither ought he to cease from praior and holy oblation, till he obtaine grace and mercy.
14 When a Priest doth celebrate, he honoureth God, rejoyceth the An∣gels, edlfieth the Church, helpeth the living, and maketh himselfe partaker of all good deeds.
VVHen I weigh thy greatnesse, O Lord, and mine unworthi∣nesse, I tremble, and am confounded in my selfe.
2 For if I come not unto thee, I fly from life; and if I unworthily in∣trude my selfe, I incurre thy displea∣sure.
3 What therefore shall I doe my God, my Helper, and my Counsellour in necessitie?
4 Teach me the right way, appoint me some briefe exercise sutable to this holy mystery of the sacred Communi∣on.
5 For it is good for me to know, how I should reverently and devoutly prepare my heart unto thee, for the pro∣fitable receiving of thy Sacraments, or for the celebrating of so great and di∣vine a Sacrifice.
ABove all things, the Priest of Go•• ought to come to celebrate, han••dle, and receive this Sacrament wit••
great humility of heart, and lowly re∣verence, with a full faith, and a godly desire of the honour of the divine Ma∣jestie.
2 Examine diligently thy consci∣ence, and to thy power, purge & clense it with true contrition, and humble con∣fession:
3 So as there may be nothing in thee, that may be burdensome unto thee, or that may breed thee remorse of conscience, and hinder thy free accesse to these heavenly mysteries.
4 Repent thee of all thy sinnes in generall, and in particular bewaile thy daily offences: And if thou hast time, confesse unto God in the secret of thy heart, all the miseries of thy disorde∣red passions.
5 Lament and grieve, that thou are yet so subject to sensualitie,
6 So addicted unto the world,
7 So unmortified in thy passions, so full of the motions of concupiscence,
8 So unwatchful over thy outward senses,
9 So often entangled with many vaine fantasies.
10 So vehemently inclined to all
outward things,
12 So wonderfull negligent in the interiour,
13 So prone to laughter and in∣modesty,
14 So hard to teares and compun∣ction,
15 So prompt to ease and plea∣sures of the flesh,
16 So dull to austeritic and fer∣vour,
17 So curious to heare newes and see vaine sights,
18 So slack to imbrace that which tends to thine owne humiliation and contempt,
19 So covetous of abundance, so ••••iggardly in giving,
20 So fast in keeping,
21 So inconsiderate in speech,
22 So unbridled to silence,
23 So loose in manners,
24 So couragious in deeds,
25 So greedy to meat,
26 So deafe to the Word of God,
27 So hasty to rest,
28 So slow to labour,
29 So watchfull to tales,
30 So drowsy to watch in the ser∣vice of God,
31 So hasty to the end thereof,
32 So inconstant in attention,
33 So negligent in saying thy prai∣ers,
34 So undevout in celebrating, the Communion.
35 So dry in receiving,
36 So quickly distracted,
37 So seldome wholly recollected.
38 So suddenly moved to an anger,
39 So apt to take displeasure a∣gainst another,
40 So prone to judge,
41 So severe to reprehend,
42 So joyfull in prosperity,
43 So weake in adversitie,
44 So often purposing much good, and performing litle.
45 These and other thy defects confessed, and bewailed with sorrow, and great dislike of thine owne infirmi∣ty, make a firme purpose alwaies to a∣mend thy selfe, and to goe forwards in vertue.
46 Then with full resignation, and with thy whole will offer thy selfe up to the honour of my name, a perpe∣tuall sacrifice in the Altar of thy heart:
47 Faithfully committing thy bo∣dy
and soule unto me, that so thou maist also obtain that favour, to come worthily to offer sacrifice unto God, and to receive profitably the Sacrament of my body.
48 For there is no oblation wor∣thy, nor satisfaction greater, for the wa∣shing away of sinnes, then to offer up our selves unto God purely & whol∣ly in the holy Communion.
49 And when a man shall have done what lyeth in him, and shall be truly penitent, as I live, saith our Lord, who will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live, and I will not remember hir sinnes any more, but they shall be all forgiven him and fully pardoned.
AS I willingly offered up my selfe unto God my Father, with my
hands stretched forth on the Crosse, and my body naked for thy sinnes, so that nothing remained in me that was not turned into a sacrifice, for the ap∣peasing of the divine wrath:
2 So oughtest thou also to offer up thy selfe willingly unto me daily, as a pure and holy oblation, with thy whole force and desire, in as hearty manner as thou canst.
3 What doe I require of thee more then that thou resigne thy selfe wholly unto me?
4 Whatsoever thou givest besides thy selfe, is of litle accompt in my sight, for I seeke not thy gift, but thee.
5 As it would not suffice thee to have all things whatsoever besides me: so neither can it please me whatsoever thou givest, if thou offerest not up thy selfe: Offer thy selfe unto me, and give thy selfe all that thou art, for God, and thy offering shall be grate∣full.
6 Behold I offered up my selfe wholly unto my Father for thee, and gave my whole body and blood for thy food, that I might be wholly thine, and thou remain mine.
7 But if thou abidest in thy selfe, and doest not offer thy selfe up freely unto my wil, thy oblation is not entire, neither shall the union betweene us be perfect.
8 Therefore a free offering up of thy selfe into the hands of God, ought to goe before all thy actions, if thou wilt obtaine freedome and grace.
9 For this cause so few become in∣wardly illuminated, and enjoy true li∣bertie of heart, for that they doe not resolve wholly to denie themselves.
10 My saying is undoubtedly true: Vnlesse one forsake all, he cannot be my Disciple. If thou therefore wish to be mine, offer up thy selfe unto mee with thy whole desires.
THine, O Lord, are all things that are in heaven and in earth: I de∣sire
to offer up my selfe unto thee, as a free oblation, and to remaine alwaies thine.
2 O Lord, in sincerity of my heart, I offer my selfe unto thee this day in sacrifice of perpetuall praise, to be thy servant for ever.
3 Receive me with this holy obla∣tion of thy precious body, which in the presence of the Angels invisibly atten∣ding here upon thee, I offer up this day unto thee, that it may be to the health of my soule, and the salvation of all thy people.
4 I offer unto thee, O Lord, all my sinnes and offences, which I have com∣mitted in the sight of thee, and thy ho∣ly Angels, from the day wherein I first could sinne, to this houre, upon thy ho∣ly Alta••••.
5 That thou maist consume and burne them all with the fire of thy cha∣ritie, and wash out all the staines of my sinnes, and cleanse my conscience from all offence, and restore to me againe thy grace, which I lost by sinne, forgi∣ving me all my offences, and receiving me mercifully in the kisse of peace.
6 What can I doe for my sinnes▪
but humbly confesse and bewaile them and intreate alwaies for mercy without intermission? I beseech thee, heare me in thy abundant mercy, when I stand before thee my God!
7 All my sinnes are very displea∣sing unto me: I will never commit them any more, but I am sory, and will be so∣ry for them as long as I live, and am ready to repent, and doe any thing that may move thee to pardon them.
8 Forgive me, O God, forgive me my sinnes, for thy holy names sake. save my soule, which thou hast redeemed with thy most precious Blood.
9 Behold I commit my selfe unto thy mercy, I resigne my selfe over into thy hands: doe with me according to thy goodnesse, not according to my wickednesse, and manifold iniquitie.
10 I offer up also unto thee all whatsoever is good in me, although it be very litle and imperfect, that thou maist amend and sanctifie it, that thou maist make it gratefull and acceptable unto thee.
11 And alwaies perfect more and more that which thou hast begun, and bring me also, who am the slothfull
and unprofitable servent to a good and blessed end.
12 I offer up also unto thee all the godly desires of devout persons, the ne∣cessitie of my parents and friends, my brethren and si••ters, and of all those that are deare unto me, and that have done good either to my selfe or others for thy love:
13 And that have desired mee to pray for them, and all theirs, that they all may receive the helpe of thy grace and comfort, protection from dangers, delivery from paine, and being freed from all evils, may joyfully give worthy thankes to thee.
14 I offer up also unto thee my praiers and sacrifices, especially for them who have in any thing wronged, grie∣ved, or standered me, or have done me any damage or displeasure:
15 And for those also, whom I have at any time grieved, troubled, and scandalized by words, or deeds, wit∣tingly, or at unawares, that it may please thee to forgive us all our sinnes and of∣fences, one against another.
16 Take O Lord, from our hearts all jealousie, all indignation, wrath, and
contention, and whatsoever may hure charitie, and weaken brotherly love.
17 Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those, that crave thy mercy: give grace unto them that stand in need thereoff, and grant that we may be worthy to enjoy thy grace, and attain unto life everlasting, Amen.
THou oughtest often to have re∣course to the Fountaine of grace, and of divine mercy; to the Fountaine of goodnesse, and of all purity, that thou maist be cured of thy sinnes and passions, and be made more strong & vigilant against all temptations and de∣ceipts of the Divell.
2 The enemy knowing the grea∣test profit, and remedy to consist in the holy Communion, endeavoureth by all meanes and occasions to withdraw & hinder faithfull and devout persons from it:
3 Some when they purpose to re∣ceave the sacred Commnnion, suffer greatest assaults of the Divell:
4 For that wicked spirit (as is writ∣ten in Iob) commeth amongst the Sons of God, to trouble them with his ac∣customed malice and impiety, or to make them overfearefull and perplex∣ed:
4 That so he may diminish their affection, or by his subtile assaults, take away their faith, to the end they may either altogether abstaine from this di∣vine food, or at least come unto it with lesse devotion.
5 But there is no heed to be taken of his fraudes and malicious suggesti∣ons, be they never so filthy and hide∣ous, but all is to be turned back upon his own head.
6 Thou oughtest to contemne & scorne him miserable wretch, and not to omit the sacred communion for his assaults, and the troubles which hee raiseth.
7 Oftentimes also an excessive care for the obtaining of devoti∣on, and a certain anxiety for the ma∣king of thy confession hindereth thee.
8 Follow in these occasions the counsell of the wise, and put away all anxiety and scruple, for it hindreth the grace of God, and over throweth de∣votion.
9 Omit not for every small vexa∣tion of the minde which hapneth, to receave this holy Sacrament.
10 But goe presently to confesse thy sinnes, and willingly to forgive o∣thers, whatsoever offences they have done against thee, and if thou hast of∣fended any, humbly crave pardon, and God will willingly forgive thee.
11 What availeth it to delay con∣fession, & to deferre receaving? Purge thy selfe with speed, spit out the venom presently, make hast to take a remedy, and thou shalt finde it better, then if thou deferredst it long.
12 If thou omittest it to day for this cause, perhaps to morrow some greater will fall out, and so thou maist be hindred a long time from these di∣vine mysteries, and become more un∣fit.
13 Stirre up thy selfe, and shake off all heavinesse and sloth, with the greatest force and speed thou canst.
14 For it profiteth nothing to continue long in disquietnesso & trou∣ble of mind, and for daily occurring impediments to withdraw thy selfe from the Sacraments.
15 Yea it hurteth very much to de∣fer Communionlong, for it is wont to breed a great and dangerous dulnesse.
16 Alas, some cold and dissolute people doe willingly delay their con∣fession, and doe therefore deferre the sacred Communion, lest they should be bound to greater watch over them∣selves.
17 O how litle charity and weak devotion have they that so easily omit the receaving of these holy mysteries!
18 How happy is he and gratefull to God, who ordereth so his life, and keepeth his conscience in such purity, that he may be ready and fit to com∣municate every day, if it were coveni∣ent and might be done without notice taken!
19 If any one sometimes abstaine of humility, or by reason of some law∣full impediment, he is to be commen∣ded for the revorence which therein it shewed.
20 But if it proceedeth of coldnesse, he must stirre himselfe up, and doe what lyeth in him, and God will pro∣sper his desire, for the good will hee hath to doe it, which God doth chiefly respect.
21 And when any lawfull hinde∣rance doth happen, he must alwaies have yet a good will and loving desire to communicate, and so shall he not loose the fruit of the Sacrament.
22 For a devout person may every¦day and houre profitably and without let, receave Christ spiritually.
23 And yet on certain daies, and at time appointed he ought to receave Sacramentally, with an affectionate re∣verence, the Body of his Redeemer, and rather seeke the honour and glory of God, then his own comfort.
24 For he communicateth mysti∣cally, and is invisibly fed, as often as he devoutly calleth to mind the mystery of the incarnation, and the Passion of Christ, and is inflamed with his love.
25 He that prepareth not him∣selfe, but when a feast draweth neere, and when custome compelleth him thereunto, shall often be unprepared.
26 Blessed is he that offereth him∣selfe as an Holocaust and burnt offe∣ring to our Lord, as often as he doth celebrate or communicate.
27 Be not too long nor too short in officiating, but keep the accustomed manner of those, with whom thou li∣vest.
28 Thou oughtest not to be tedi∣ous and troublesome to others, but to observe the common course according to the appointment of thy Superiours.
29 And rather frame thy selfe to the profit of others, then to thine own devotion or desire.
O Most sweet Lord Iesu, how great is the delight of a devout soule that feasteth with thee in thy bntiquet.
2 Where there is no other meat
offered to be eaten, but thy selfe her only beloved, and most to be desired above all the desires of her heart.
3 And verily it would be a great comfort unto me, to powre out teares from the bottome of my heart in thy presence, and with devout Magdalen to wash thy feet with the teares of mine eyes.
4 But where is this devotion? where is so plentifull shedding of holy teares? Surely in the sight of thee and thy holy Angels, my whole heart should be in∣flamed and dissolve into teares for joy.
5 For I enjoy thee in the sacra∣ment truly present, though darkned & in a shadow.
6 For to behold thee in thine own divine brightnesse, mine eyes would not be able to endure it, neither could the whole world stand in the cleere∣nesse of the glory of thy Majesty.
7 I doe really enjoy and adore him whom the Angels adore in hea∣ven, but I as yet for the time in faith, they in his proper forme, and without shadow.
8 I ought to be contented with
the light of true faith, and to walke therein, untill the day of everlasting brightnesse break forth, and the shad∣dowes of figures passe away.
9 But when that shall come which is perfect, the use of Sacraments shall cease: For the blessed in heavenly glory need not the remedy of Sacra∣ments, who rejoyce without end in the presence of God:
10 Beholding his glory face to face, and being transformed by his brightnesse, into the brightnesse of the incomprehensible Deity, they tast the word of God made flesh, as he was from the beginning, and as he remain∣eth for ever.
11 Whilest I remember these wonderfull works, even all spirituall comfort whatsoever becometh very te∣dious unto me: for that as long as I behold not my Lord openly in his glo∣ry, I make no accompt of whatsoever I see or heare in this life.
12 Thou art my witnesse, O God, that nothing can comfort me, no creature give me rest, but thou my God, whom I desire to behold everlast∣ingly.
13 But this is not possible whilest I remaine in this mortall life, therefore I must frame my selfe to much pati∣ence, and submit my selfe to thee in all my desires.
14 For thy Saints also, O Lord, who now rejoyce with thee in the Kingdome of heaven, whilest they li∣ved, expected in faith and great pati∣ence the comming of thy glory.
15 What they believed, I believe, what they hoped for, I expect; whi∣ther they are come, I trust by thy grace I shall also come.
16 In the meane time I will goe forward in faith, strengthened by the examples of the Saints.
17 I have also devout bookes for my comfort, and for the guide of my life, and above all these, thy most holy Body for a singular remedy and ••e∣fuge.
18 For I perceive two things to be chiefly necessary for me in this life, without which this miserable life would be insupportable unto me.
19 Whilest I am kept in the prison of this body, I acknowledge my selfe to stand in need of two things, to wit,
food, and light.
29 Thou hast therefore given un∣to me, weak creature, thy sacred Body for the refection of my soule & body, and hast set thy word as a light unto my feet.
30 Without these two I could not well live: For the word of God is the light of the soule, and thy Sacrament, the bread of life.
31 These also may be called the two tables set on the one side and the other, in the store-house of the holy Church.
32 One is the table of the holy Altar, containing the sacred bread, that is, the precious body of Christ:
33 The other is of the divine law, containing holy doctrine, teaching true faith, and certainly leading to the part of the Temple within the veile, where are the Holy of Holies.
34 Thanks be unto thee, Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉, light of everlasting light, for thy able of holy doctrine, at which thou ••••vest us by thy servants the Prophets and Apostles, and other Doctors.
••5 Thanks be unto thee Creatour and redee••••er of man, who to manifest
thy charity to the whole world hast prepared a great supper, wherein thou hast offered to be eaten, not the mysti∣call lambe, but thine own most sacred Body and Blood:
36 Rejoycing all the faithfull with thy holy banquet, & replenishing them to the full with thy heavenly cuppe.
37 In which are all the delights of heaven, and the holy Angels doe feast with us, but with a more happy sweet∣nesse.
38 O how great and honourable is the office of Priests, to whom it is granted with sacred words to conse∣crate the Lord of Majesty, with their lips to blesse him, with their hands to hold him, with their own mouth to re∣ceave him, and to administer him to o∣thers!
••2 O how clean ought to be those hands! How pure that mouth! How holy the body! How unspotted the heart of the Priest, into whom the Author of purity so often entreth.
40 Nothing but holy, no word but chast and profitable ought to pro∣ceed from the mouth of the Priest, which so often receaveth the Sacra∣ment
of Christ.
41 Simple and chast ought to be the eyes, that are wont to behold the body of Christ, the hands pure and lif∣ted up to heaven, that use to handle the Creator of heaven and earth.
43 Vnto the Priests especially it is said in the Law, Be ye holy, for that I your Lord God am holy.
43 Assist us Almighty God with thy grace, that we, who have underta∣ken the office of Priesthood, may serve thee worthily and devoutly in all pu∣rity, and with a sincere conscience.
44 And if we cannot live in so great innocency as we ought to doe, grant us notwithstanding in due man∣ner, to bewaile the sinnes which we have committed:
43 And in the spirit of humilitie, and syncere intention to serve thee hereafter with more fervour and devo∣tion.
I Am the lover of purity, and the gi∣ver of all sanctity, I seeke a pure heart, there is the place of my r••st: Make ready and adorne for me a great chamber, and I will make with thee the Passeover for my Disciples.
2 If thou wilt have me come unto thee▪ and remaine with thee, purge the old leaven, and make clean the dwel∣ling of thy heart, shut out the whole world and all tumult of vices.
3 Sit like a sparrow solitary ••••on the house top, and think of thy offence in the bitternesse of thy soule.
4 For every lover prepareth ••he best and fairest roome for his beloved, and herein is known the affection of him that entertaineth his beloved.
5 Know thou notwithstanding
that the worth of no action of thine is able to make this preparation suffici∣ent, although thou shouldest prepar•• thy selfe a whole yeare together, and thinke on nothing else:
6 But of my mercy and grace only thou art suffred to come to my table, like a begger invited to dinner to a rich man, who hath nothing else to returne him for his benefits, but to humble himselfe, and give him thanks.
7 Doe what lieth in thee, and doe it diligently, not for custome, nor for necessity, but with feare and reverence, and hearty affection receave the body of thy beloved Lord and God, who vouchsafeth to come unto thee.
8 I am he that have called thee, I have commanded it to be done, I will supply what is wanting in thee, come and receave me.
9 When I bestow the grace of de∣votion on thee, give thanks to God, for it is given thee, not for that thou deservest it, but because I have mercy on thee.
10 If thou have it not, but rather feele thy selfe dry, continue in prayer, sigh and knock, and give not over un∣till
thou hast attained to some crumme or drop of saving grace.
11 Thou hast need of me, not I of thee, neither comest thou to sanctify me, but I come to sanctify and make thee better.
12 Thou comest that thou maist be sanctified by me, and united unto me, that thou maist receave new grace, and be stirred up againe to amend∣ment.
13 Neglect not this grace, but prepare thy heart with all diligence, & receave thy beloved into thy soule.
14 But thou oughtest not only to prepare thy selfe to devotion before Communion, but carefully also to con∣serve thy selfe therein, after thou hast receaved the Sacrament.
15 Neither is the carefull guarde of thy selfe after, lesse exacted, then devout preparation before.
16 For a good guard afterwards is the best preparation thou canst make for the obtaining againe of greater grace.
17 Because that mans minde be∣cometh very indisposed, if he presently powre himselfe forth to outward com∣forts:
Beware of much talke, remaine in some secret place, and enjoy thy God.
18 For thou hast him whom all the world cannot take from thee: I am he to whom thou oughtest wholly to give thy selfe, that so thou maist live hereafter not in thy selfe, but in me, without all care.
HOw may I obtaine this, O Lord, that I may finde thee alone, and open my whole heart unto thee, and enjoy thee as my soule desireth?
2 And that no man may look up∣on mee, nor any creature move mee or respect mee, but thou alone maist speake unto me, and I to thee, as the beloved is wont to speak to his belo∣ved, & a friend to bāquet with his friēd.
3 This I pray for, this I desire, that I may be wholly united unto thee, and may withdraw my heart from all created things, and more by sacred Communion and often celebrating learne to tast of heavenly and everlast∣ing sweetnesse.
4 O Lord God, when shall I be wholly united unto thee, and swallow∣ed up by thee, and altogether forget∣full of my selfe! thou in me, and I in thee, and so grant us both to continue in one.
5 Thou art my beloved, the choi∣sest amongst thousands, in whom my soule hath taken pleasure to dwell all the daies of her life.
6 Thou art my peace-maker in whom is greatest peace, and true rest, without whom is labour and sorrow, and infinite misery.
7 Thou art a hidden God, and thy counsell is not with the wicked, but thy speech is with the humble and sim∣ple of heart.
8 O Lord, how sweet is thy spirit! who to the end thou maist shew thy sweetnesse towards thy children, vouch∣safe to feed them with the most de∣lightsome
bread which descendeth from heaven, and is full of all sweet∣nesse!
9 Surely there is no other Nation so great, that hath Gods approaching unto them, as thou our God art present to all thy faithfull.
10 Vnto whom for their daily comfort, and for the lifting up of their hearts to heaven, thou givest thy selfe to be eaten and enjoyed.
11 I or what other Nation is there so famous, as the Christian people? or what creature under heaven so beloved as a devout soule, to whom God him∣selfe commeth to feed her with his glo∣rious flesh.
12 O unspeakable grace! O ad∣mirable favour, O infinite love singu∣larly bestowed upon man!
13 But what shall I give unto our Lord in returne of this grace, for so singular a charity?
14 There is no other thing more gratefull that I am able to give, then to bestow my heart wholly on my God; and to unite it perfectly unto him.
15 Then shall all my bowels re∣rejoyce,
when my soule shall be per∣fectly united unto God: Then he will say unto me, if thou wilt be with me, I will be with thee.
16 And I will answer him: Vouch∣safe, O Lord, to remaine with me, I will very gladly be with thee: This is my whole desire, that my heart be u∣nited unto thee.
O How great is the store of thy sweetnesse, O Lord, which thou hast hidden for them that fear thee!
2 When I remember some devout persons, who come unto thy Sacrament, O Lord, with great devotion and affe∣ction, I am oftentimes confounded, & blush within my selfe, that I come so negligently and coldly to thy altar, and to the table of the holy Commu∣nion:
3 That I remaine so dry and with∣out any hearty affection, that I am not wholly inflamed in thy presence, my God,
4 Nor so earnestly drawne and moved, as many devout persons have been, who out of a vehement desire of receaving, and a feeling affection of heart, could not containe themselves from weeping:
5 But with the desire both of soule and body they earnestly longed after thee, O God, the lively fountaine, be∣ing not otherwise able to temper not satisfie their hunger, but by receaving thy body with all joy and spirituall greedinesse.
6 O most ardent faith of those persons, a probable argument of thy sacred presence.
7 For these truly know their Lord in the breaking of bread, whose heart burneth so within them, whilest thou, O blessed Iesu, walkest with them.
8 Such desire and devotion, I sel∣dome find in me; so vehement love and fervency is oftentimes farre off from mee.
9 Be mercifull unto mee, good Ie∣su,
sweet and benigne Lord, and grant me thy poore needy creature, to feele sometimes at least, in this holy Sacra∣ment, a litle hearty desire of thy love:
10 That my faith may be more strengthened, my hope in thy good∣nesse increased, and that my charity once pefectly inflamed, after the tast∣ing of heavenly Manna, may never de∣cay.
11 Thy mercy, O Lord, is able to give me the grace I desire, and to vis•••• me in thy bounteous clemency with the spirit of fervour, when it shall please thee.
12 For although I burne notwith so great desire as those that are so espe∣cially devoted unto thee, yet notwith∣standing by thy grace, I desire to have this great inflamed desire:
13 Praying and craving that I may participate with all such thy fervent lo∣vers, and be numbred among them in their holy company.
THou oughtest to seeke the grace of devotion instantly, to aske it ear∣nestly, to expect it patiently and con∣fidently, to receave it joyfully, to keep it humbly, to worke with it diligently▪
2 And to commit the time and manner of this heavenly visitation to God, untill it shall be his pleasure to come
3 Thou oughtest chiefly to hum∣ble thy selfe, when thou feelest in∣wardly litle or no devotion, and y••t be not too much dejected, nor grieve inordina••ly for it.
4 God often giveth in a short mo∣ment that which he hath a long time denyed, he giveth sometimes in the end, that which in the begining of prayes, he deferred to grant.
5 If grace should bee alwai••s
presently given, and at hand ever with a wish, it could not be well indured by a weak man.
6 Therefore devotion is to be ex∣pected with good hope, and humble patience; yet impute it to thy selfe, and thy sinnes, when it is not given thee, or when it is secretly taken from thee.
7 It is sometimes a small matter that hindreth and hideth grace from us, if it be to be called small, and not ra∣ther a great matter, that hindreth so great a good.
8 And if thou remove this, be it great or small, and perfectly overcome it, thou shalt have thy desire.
9 For presently as soone as thou givest thy selfe to God with thy whole heart, and seekest not this, nor that, for thine own pleasure or will, but setlest thy selfe wholly in him, thou shalt find thy selfe united unto him, and quiet.
10 For nothing will tast so well, and please thee so much, as the good will and pleasure of almighty God.
11 Whosoever therefore with a sincere heart directeth his intention to God, and ••mptieth himselfe of all in∣ordinate love, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dislike of any creature
shall be most fit to receave grace, and worthy of the gift of devotion.
12 When a vessell is full already all that you powre in runneth quite be∣side: For our Lord bestoweth his bles∣sings there, where he findeth his ves∣sels empty.
13 And how much the more per∣fectly, one forsaketh the basest things, and dieth to himselfe by contempt of himselfe,
14 So much the more speedily grace commeth, and entreth in more plentifully, and lifteth up the heart that is free, to a higher state of grace.
15 Then shall he see, and abound, and wonder, and his heart within shall be enlarged, because the hand of our Lord is with him, and he hath put him∣selfe wholly into his hand for ever.
16 Behold so shall the man be blessed, that seeketh Almighty God with his whole heart, and busieth not his soule in vaine.
17 This man procureth great grace of divine union, in receaving the holy Eucharist, for that he regardeth not his own devotion and comfort, but a∣bove all he prizeth the honour and glo∣ry of God.
O Most sweet and loving Lord, whom I now desire to receive de∣voutly, thou knowest my infirmity, and the necessity which I endure, with how many sinnes I am opp••essed, how often I am grieved, tempted, troubled, and defiled:
2 I come unto thee for remedy, I crave of thee thy heavenly comfort, & the ••ase of my paine.
3 I speak to him that knoweth all things to whom all my secrets are o∣pen, and who can only perfectly com∣fort and help me.
4 Thou knowest what it is, wher∣of above all I stand in most need, and how poore I am in vertues.
5 Behold I stand before thee, poore and naked, calling for grace and graving mercy.
6 Refresh this thy hungry & nee∣dy creature, give heat unto my cold∣nesse with the fire of thy love: give light unto my blindesse with the brightnesse of thy presence.
7 Turne all earthly things into bitternesse to me, all things grievous & contrary, into patience, all base and created things, into contempt and ob∣livion.
8 Lift up my heart to thee in hea∣ven, and suffer me not to wander upon earth: be thou only sweet and delight∣some unto me from henceforth for e∣vermore:
9 For thou only art my meat, and my drinke, my love and my ioy, my delight and all my good.
10 O th••t with thy presence thou wouldest wholly inflame, burne, and change me into thee, that I might be made one spirit with thee, by the grace of inward union & the melting of fer∣vent love.
11 Suffer me not to goe from thee hungry and dry, but deale mer∣cifully with me, as thou hast often∣times dealt wonderfully with thy Saiuts.
12 What marve••le if I should be wholy inflamed by thee, and dye in my selfe, sith thou art ever burning and never decaying, love purifying the heart, and inlightning the understan••••ing.
VVIth great devotion and bur∣ning love, with most hearty affection and fervour I desire to receive thee O Lord,
2 As many Saints and devout per∣sons have desired thee, when they re∣ceived thy Sacrament, who were most pleasing unto thee in holinesse of life▪ and most fervent in devotion.
3 O my God my everlasting love, my whole good, my happinesse with∣out end, I would gladly receive thee with the most vehement desire, and most worthy reverence, that any of the Saints ever had, or could feele.
4 And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion, yet I offer unto thee the whole affection of my heart, as if I alone had all those most sweet inflamed desires.
5 Yea whatsoever also a devout mind can conceive and desire, all that with greatest reverence, and most in∣ward affection I offer and present unto thee.
6 I wish to reserve nothing to my selfe, but freely and most willingly to sacrifice my self and all mine unto thee, my Lord God, my Creatour, and my Redeemer.
7 I desire to receive thee this day with such affection, reverence, praise and honour; with such gratitude, wor∣thinesse, and love, with such faith, hope and puritie,
8 As thy most blessed Mother the glorious Virgin Marie received, and desired thee, when she humbly and de∣voutly answered the Angell,
9 Who declared unto her the my∣sterie of the Incarnation, and said, Be∣hold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done unto mee according to thy word.
10 And as thy blessed Fore-run∣ner, the most excellent amongst the Saints, Iohn Baptist, cheerfully leaped with joy of the Holy Ghost, whilst he was yet shut up in his Mothers wombe;
11 And afterwards seeing Iesus walking amongst men, humbling him∣selfe very much, said with devout affe∣ction, The friend of the Bridegroome that standeth and heareth him, rejoy∣ced with joy for the voice of the Bride∣groome:
12 So I also wish to be inflamed with great and holy desire, and to offe•• my selfe up to thee with my while heart.
13 Wherefore I offer also and pre∣sent unto thee joyes, fervent desires, excesse of mind, spirituall illuminati∣ons, and heavenly visions of all devou•• hearts.
14 With all the vertues and prai∣ses exercised by all creatures in heaven and earth, for my selfe, and all such as are commended to me in praier, that by all thou maist be worthily praised, and glorified for ever.
15 Receive, my Lord God, the af∣fections of my heart and desires which
I have to give thee; infinite praise, and thankes, which according to the mea∣sure of thy unspeakable greatnesse are due unto thee.
16 These I yeeld thee, and desire to yeeld thee every day and moment of time, and I doe intreate, and invite all the heavenly spirits, and all thy devout fervants, to give thankes and praises to∣gether with me.
17 Let all people, Tribes, and Tongues praise thee, and magnifie thy holy and sweet name with great joy, and fervent devotion, and let all that ••everently and devoutly celebrate thy most high Sacrament, and receive it with full faith, find grace and mercy at thy hands, and pray humbly for me sin∣full creature.
18 And when they shall have ob∣tained their desired devotion and joy∣full union, and depart from thy sacred heavenly table, well comforted, and marveilously refreshed, let them vouch∣safe to remember my poore and needy foule.
THou oughtest to beware curious and unprofitable searching into this most profound Sacrament, if thou wile not be drowned in the depth of doubt.
2 He that is a searcher of Majesty, shall be oppressed by glory: God is able to worke more then man can under∣stand.
3 A pious and humble inquirie of truth is tolerable, so he be alwaies rea∣dy to be taught, and doe endeavour to walke in the sound paths of the anci∣ent Fathers doctrine.
4 Blessed is that simplicitie, that forsaketh the difficult waies of questi∣ons, and goeth on in the plaine and as∣sured path of Gods Commandements▪ Many have lost devotion, whilst they
would search after high things.
5 Faith and sincere life are exacted thy hands, not height of understan∣ing, nor the depth of the mysteries of God.
6 If thou doest not understand, or conceive those things that are under ••hee, how shalt thou be able to com∣prehend those that are above thee?
7 Submit thy selfe to God, and let thy sense be subject to faith, and the ••ight of knowledge shall be given thee in that degree, as shall be profitable and necessary for thee.
8 Some are grievously tempted a∣bout faith, and the Sacrament, but that is not to be imputed to them, but rather to the enemie:
9 Doe not regard nor dispute with thy thoughts, neither doe thou give an∣swer to the doubts moved by the ene∣mie.
10 But believe the words of God, believe his Saints and Prophets, and the wicked Serpent wil fly from thee.
11 It is oftentimes very profitable to the servant of God to suffer such things:
12 For he tempteth not Infidel••
and sinners, whom he already secure possesseth, but he sundry waies tem••∣teth and vexeth the faithfull and d••∣vout.
13 Goe forward therefore with sincere undoubted faith, and come 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Sacrament with unfeigned reve∣rence: And whatsoever thou art not a∣ble to understand, commit securely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Almighty God.
14 God deceiveth thee not: he deceived that trusteth too much to him selfe: God walketh with the simple, r••∣vealeth himselfe to the humble, give•• understanding to litle ones, openets the sense to pure minds, & hideth grace from the curious and proud.
15 Humane reason is weake, and may be deceived, but true faith canno•• be deceived.
16 All reason and naturall search ought to follow faith, not to goe before it, nor impugne it.
17 For faith and love doe chiefly excell, and worke in a hidden manner in this most blessed and superexcellent Sacrament.
18 God, who is everlasing, and of infinite power, doth great and in∣••••••utable
things in heaven and in earth, ••nd there is no searching out of his ••onderfull workes.
19 If the workes of God were ••••ch as might be easily comprehended by humane reason, they were not to be called won∣derfull and un∣speakable.