A missive of consolation sent from Flanders to the Catholikes of England.

CHAP. X. Instructions in the duties of fraternall dilection.

SUpposing you now purified by this Christian ablution of sincere peni∣tence, having had, as the Apostle saith, your hearts aspersed with this cleansing water, I will lead you to the Altar of Christ, to make your oblation of Chari∣ty to your brethren, as well as to those who are but your half brothers, being of a diverse mother, as to those who have their uterine fraternity with you, as children of the Catholike Church. And because there are two principall articles of your present examination, your behaviour concerning the dome∣stikes of faith, and your discharge of the duties of your faith, relating to the aliens of Israel, I conceive it very per∣tinent to my subject, the endeavouring by the grace of God, to present you

some brief animadversions in these two Christian offices; and your present conditions, facilitate your compliance with the first, as they bring impedi∣ments to the correspondency with the later of them; for the association in sufferings, conducteth to the straight∣ning of the bands of Charity, between persons thus combined; but the pres∣sures of afflictions doe naturally loosen and relax our minds, in those tyes, whereby Religion conjoyneth our Charity to our enemies; so that this un∣fortified part of our nature, requireth a strong guard of Grace to defend it, against our spirituall enemy, when he stormeth it by the injuries of our owne brothers, and headeth his fiery darts, with the asperity of our owne former friends. When the great Maligner of our nature, bringeth in such enemies for the imbraces of our charity, we had need have our brests well stored with those flames which many waters cannot extinguish, when streames even of our owne blood, are thus powred out in enmities upon them; and it re∣quires

surely much of that love, which is stronger then death, to return love to that animosity against us, which is so much stronger then nature in friends, and brothers. In this case, it must needs be specially requisite, that you who are thus assayled, by these most powerfull temptations, should be furnished with the armour of God, for no lesse then the shield of the Catholike Faith, to which is coupled the helmet of salvation, can be of proofe against these fiery darts, where∣of there are now vollyes flying against you.

As touching the first of these two dutyes, I may say as Saint Paul saith to the Thessalonians in the like occasion, concerning the charity of the fraterni∣ty, We have no need to write to you, for your selves have learned of God to love one ano∣ther. The remisnesse of our vitiated nature in this precept, is commonly quickned, and invigorated by the same degrees, that a common persecution is strained upon us; wherefore I may trust even Vox populi, in these times to

preach fervour to you in this practice. It will be then more requisite for me, to insist upon what the Apostle procee∣deth to recommend in the same place, That you walk honestly towards them that are without. I shall then onely stay to set up some few lights before the shrine of this sort of Charity, referred to your friends, and fellow citizens of the Saints, and domestikes of God, and proceed to the saying of the office more amply of the other part of Cha∣rity, the dilection of enemies. But in∣deed both these duties are but divers branches, which have a continuity and unity in the same shaft, before they part, and break themselves into these two severall armes, of acting for friends, and affecting of enemies, and so we cannot touch the one, without some report, and relation to the other. For these two exercises, are but lower and higher boughes, growing upon the same shaft of the charity of God powred forth in our hearts by the holy Ghost which is given us.

Heaven is the orbe of mans joy, and

earth the element of his misery, and love is both the conveyance of man to heaven, and the consummation of his joy there; and the holy Ghost contri∣veth the raising of this our conducting love, very often, out of our consortings in the miseries of this life; for society in suffering here, exalts mutuall love, as communion in joyes, there, doth heighten reciprocall charity, which is some accession to the blisse of heaven. And in order to this, we see that the bleeding of the mysticall body of Christ, hath alwaies offered a kinde of spirituall cement to unite and compact the parts thereof. Whereupon the holy Ghost, who hath this commission to produce an union in the mysticall body of Christ, resembling that of the Blessed Trinity, (whereof he is the union) as he performeth this effectively by love, so he raiseth this love very often instru∣mentally by persecution. For we know in those times, when opposition to this tender body was most fierce, this union was so firme, and indissolu∣ble, as the holy Spirit seemeth to glory

in this operation, as having wrought this similitude of unity so perfectly, as he pronounceth The multitude of belee∣vers to have had one heart, and one soule; so that here was that similitude accom∣plished in them, which Christ asked thus of his Father, for the beleevers in him, that They may be one as we also are one. For this seemeth a good resem∣blance of that union is in the Blessed Trinity, wherein there is distinction of Persons, and unity of Essence, since here, the multitude consisting of divers per∣sons, were all one heart, and one soule. This simplicity, and unanimity slakned, even in those times, by the same de∣grees that the pressures which lay upon this arch of the Church, were lightned, and removed. But in all times we finde that a common persecution hath in some measure straitened and com∣bined the minds consorted in that band of Religion, which is the cause of their pressure, and gravation. So as we can∣not doubt but these times have in a good proportion closed, and compa∣cted more your hearts in a mutuall

zeal, and charity towards one another; which unity of spirit is very sutable with the uniformity of your Religion, and no violence can suppresse a free exercise of this act thereof. And as this sort of communication to one ano∣thers necessities, is a means left you still to exercise your charities, so I hope in God, you are very faithfull, and active in this commerce with one ano∣ther, and that both sorts drive a greater trade of charity in your severall facul∣ties then ever.

Those who have beene in the office of giving materiall almes, doe now I hope endeavour to compensate the losses of the poore, who are Gods re∣ceivers, by proving themselves, the devouter, and better beggers of God, releefe for the common distresses, and they who have received much from others upon Gods tickets, do I hope now bring them in to God more fervently then ever, showing him what they have received upon his account, and so may be earnest solicitors, for the payment of that Interest, which they

doe witnesse to be due upon this con∣tract of the holy Spirit, Faeneratur Domi∣no quí miseretur pauperi, & vicissitudinem suam reddet ei; and thus both parties, may still commerce for their severall accommodations, those who have beene Gods creditors, in the sense a∣foresaid, may seeme more sensible of the suspension of this quality, then of their personall deprivements, and may most zealously intercede for the sup∣plying of that office by some other means; and those who are miserably distituted now by the obstruction of this conduit of reliefe, may be so gratefully zealous, as to intend more the bringing into God the accounts due to such ministers of his, as stand now suspended, then their owne pri∣vate suppeditations, and both shall by this means, hold their proper parts in this consort of charity, the one shall forget their good works before God, and the other shall remember him of them.

Thus spirituall good works, may still multiply among you, while the

one part of you sorroweth most for the intermission of the practicall mi∣nistry of them, and the other feeleth more their religious gratitude to their distressed benefactors, then their pri∣vate grievances. And this kinde of weeping, in your widowes, and shew∣ing the coats and garments which the Dorcases were wont to make them, who are now dead to that function, is one of the likelyest meanes to obtaine their resuscitation, and re-instating in that condition. For as the Wiseman saith, Facile est Dec honestare pauperem, and the Apostle S. James proposeth Jobs tempo∣rall resurrection and restauration as an object of comfort to faithful expecters of Gods time; and therefore these two duties faithfully performed by both your conditions, may make the highest poverty amongst you abound unto the riches of simplicity, the which may also intercede so powerfully for the other part, as it may prove such an Angelicall mediation as is spoken of in Job, If there shall be an Angel speaking for him, one of thousands to declare mans equi∣ty,

he shall have mercy on him, and shall say, Deliver him, that he descend not into corruption, I have found wherein I may be propitious to him; the voyce of the poore, bringing in these testimonies of their former equities for your Jobs, (whom their friends doe not know sitting in the ashes of their consumed fortunes) these I say that have not made the eyes of the widdow expect, nor have eaten their morsell alone, such bills and evidences brought in to Christ, as debts wherewith he hath charged his per∣son, may perhaps procure Jobs latter daies, for such who have passed thorough his first estate, and are now sitting in his second translation. But in all cases, these notes of the hands of the poore shall be sure assignments for that better and permanent substance which the Apostle saith is their inheri∣tance, of those who have susteined a great fight of passions, and have had compassion on them that were in bonds, and have taken the spoile of their goods with joy. For which rea∣son this mutuall commerce of spiritu∣all

charity, is that I now recommend unto you, for the exercise of fraternall dilection; that while you cannot turnish the Altar without the veyle, with the fat of your flocks, you may the more largely serve the table of Incense, with these odours of internall cha∣rity.

What I have said in way of direction to these interiour acts of charity, is to extenuate the paines of those Tobi∣asses, who it may be are now reduced, from being almoners to be their owne almes-men, having scarce left for their support that which was heretofore their waste, that ran over, and fed their brothers. But I doe not intend this as a dispensation to any, who have yet any thing left which they may pru∣dently deny themselves, in contributi∣on to the releife of such, who have no portion of subsistance. For now every one should square his mind, by the new modell of these times, and the same clay that the potter hath beene pleased to turn from a larger into a lesser vessell, must attend to his present

forme, and not reflect upon his other measure, and designe his charity upon his proportion of selfe-denyall, not up∣on his present possessions, estimated with the requisites of his former condi∣tion: & thus, every one should now be the best husband of the state of pover∣ty, to improve that to the highest rent of merit it may be raised unto, which is to be done by straining somwhat, even upon their incommodities, to minister to the more pressing necessities; so that every one should now tax their owne state of suffering, with some voluntary imposition, laying upon it the privati∣on of some part of what is remaining in their power, offering it up to the common necessity; and thus every crumme, given out of your owne crums, will be no lesse a Pacifike offe∣ring, then heretofore your whole cakes of fine floure covered with oyle, which were then (it may be) the crums of your tables; and by this ingenious way of manageing the fortune of poverty, you may make out of it, the complete benefit of all your former fortunes,

for thus, you give still all you ever had to dispose of. For you prove mani∣festly, that you would still distribute what you had done formerly, when you give what you cannot well spare. So that before God you appeare offe∣ring more then ever, when you must rob your nature to be able to give any thing. And thus you exercise two singular virtues in one act, Charity, and mortification; and if almes and fasting in their owne nature, are so accepta∣ble to God, how much must they be endeared, by this supererogatory cir∣cumstance, when we are faine to im∣pose fasting on our selves to raise almes for others? I humbly therefore recommend this excellent oeconomy to all such, as have yet a stock capable of this improvement. And though this may seeme somwhat asperous to nature, to presse her thornes farther into her, yet this may be sweetned, when it is considered, that we are members of that head, who trod much harder upon all the thorns he felt then was precisely requisite; when we pon∣der,

how he that was richer then we can conceive, made himselfe poore, that by his poverty we might be rich, can it seeme rigorous, when we are involun∣tarily made poore, willingly to make our selves a little poorer, that by this our poverty he may be somwhat more accommodated? For we know, the nakednesse we cover, and the hunger we stay, never so little, is all referred to his solacing; and he tasts much better a little that we take out of our owne mouthes, to give him, then much more of the leavings of our satiety. Every cup of cold water taken from our own thirst, and given to his, is turned into the best wine of the feast, by another manner, then that of Cana, for here Christs receiving it, maketh the conver∣sion, and every one shall see this kind of Charity, acknowledged in that best species, wherein Christ shall owne the having received his refreshment.

Upon this reflection, let none omit this conjuncture of acquiring that me∣rit, with a little, which in the fulnesse of his fortune he could not have had

for a great deale more; for to suffer himselfe, in the act of giving to others, in other times of plenty, would have cost him much more, and no circumstance can more enrich pra∣cticall charity, then an intermixture in it of our proper patiency, or self-di∣stressing and incommodation. Wee know Christs judgement upon the Widdows donative, given out of the abundance of her heart, and the penury of her substance; and Gods remunera∣tion to the Widdow of Sarepta, who did not consult her owne wants, when the Prophet stood in need of part of her substance; and we may from hence de∣rive a good inference, for the esteeme of this sort of charity, wherein acting and suffering are conjoyned, since God was pleased to be served by it, for the reliefe of his dearest friend upon earth, Elias, rather then to imploy still his owne immediate hand, in the first mi∣racle of feeding him in the torrent of Carith. For God could have furnished water there still, as easily as bread and flesh before the torrent was dryed,

therefore he seemed to have transpor∣ted Elias expresly, to give an occasion for the acting of this disposition in the Widdow of Sarepta, as thinking this virtue worthy the sharing with the miracle of his preserving the Prophet, and so he joyned his reward of this charity, in commission with his love to Elias, making the charitable Widdow partner in the benefit of this second miracle, of multiplying the floure and the oyle for both their sustenances. So as we may say, Gods love seemed e∣qually divided here, between this cha∣rity of the widdows heart, and the ad∣mirable sanctity of the Prophet.

May I not then safely recommend to you this way, of making the best of your estate of sufferings, by retrench∣ing somewhat that is left in your po∣wer, to offer still to God upon his Al∣tars, of your more distressed brothers? And these cares of corne offered up as first fruits, even out of the gleanings you now live upon, will certainly have the vertue of that grain of wheat, which falling into the earth bringeth

forth very much fruit; for though I cannot make you the promise which Elias did to the Widdow, yet I may assure you as S. Paul did this kind of fidelity, God is not unjust that he should forget your worke and love which you have shewed in his name, which have ministred unto the Saints, and doe minister. Let eve∣ry one then that hath any competent stock left whereon to make this assesse∣ment, lay some little tax upon it, to∣ward the succor of the common indi∣gency. You have models before you of weekly meales, upon worse occasi∣ons, and this surcharge of incommo∣dity rated by your own will hath most affinity with the dispositions of Christ, who indured because he would have it so, as the Apostle saith, Oblatus est quia ipse voluit; So that I may fitly say as Saint Paul did to the Corinthians in this same perswasion, I speak not as comman∣ding, for it may be this solicitude is without the obligatory precept of charity, therefore as he saith in this point, I give councell. For this is pro∣fitable for you who have begun not

onely to doe, but to be willing; where∣by it may be inferd, that the willing∣nesse in this act of charity, over-prizeth the materiall value of it; wherefore a little now taken by your owne wills, even from your necessities, to give to other greater exigencies, out valueth a great deale overflowing from your former replenishments.

I beseech you then hearken to this advise of the Apostle of growing rich in good workes, for your present conditi∣ons doe not disable you, since the a∣batements in weight are made up in the species of your charities, which are all refined gold, when they are thus drawn out of the fire of your necessi∣ties, and so you may now make with a little, as much friendship towards your being received into the eternall Taber∣nacles, as when you had more of the Mammon of iniquity to make a greater number of friends. And thus while you are freed from all the temptati∣ons of riches, you are possessed of their greatest advantages. Old Tobyas saw this light in all his darknesse, and

poverty, when hee counselled his sonne, As thou shalt be able, so be merci∣full, if thou have much, give abundantly, if thou have little, study to impart also a little willingly, for thou dost treasure up to thy selfe a good reward in the day of ne∣cessity. And they who thinke seriously on that great day of necessity, will thinke little of their momentany in∣commodities, but in contemplation of providing their part in that day, will easily offer with Saint Peter, not only their feet, but even their hands, and their heads to the will of their master; they will not onely disperse faithfully what they can spare conveniently, but also deny their owne wants somewhat of their demands, to supply greater necessities which call to them in the person of one much worthyer then themselves, one from whom they have received themselves, and from whom they expect himselfe for retribution; O, how blessed a thing is charity, that hath no lesse then God for the subject it worketh upon in time; and no lesse then the becoming like God for the salary in eternity!

Notes

• Cant. 8.
• Ephes. 6.
• 1 Thes. 4.9
• Eph. 2.16.
• John 17.21, 23.
• Act. 4.32.
• Job. 17.22
• Pro. 19.17 He lend∣eth to our Lord that hath mer∣cy on the poore, and he will re∣pay him the like.
• Act. 9.59.
• It is an ea∣sie thing for God to accommo∣date the poore. James 5.11.
• Job 33.23.
• Heb. 10.
• 2 King. 3.17.
• Heb. 6.10.
• 2 Cor. 8.
• 2 Cor. 10.••
• 1 Tim. 6.9.
• Toby. 4.8.
• John 13.