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CONSIDER that since now the yeare of your nouishippe, or tryall, is come to an end; and that by Gods spe∣ciall grace and assistance, (to his honour and glorie, and the
good of your soule) you haue conceiued a generous resolu∣tion, to sett vpon the building of the Euangelicall Towre, you are highly concerned maturely to examine how it is to be done. Nor can you pro∣ceede more securely then by taking it from the mouth of
Prime Truth, saying: which of you mynding to build a tower, doth not first sitt downe and reckon the char∣ges that are necessaire whe∣ther he haue to finish it, least that after he hath layd the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mocke him, saying: this man began to build, and he could not finish it.You ought therfor to consider the strength of your body: the
bent of your mynde; the motiues which brought you hither: that so you may dis∣couer, whether your body be not in truth too infirme: your mynd too weake and waue∣ring: your motiues too light, and incōsiderate; out of some disgust, rather then a disinter∣rested choyce: out of confi∣dence of your owne abilitie and strength rather then Gods inspirations and dependance of his grace.
AFFECTION. Let this be done, my soule, in sinceritie and truth; with grauitie and care; still taking your coun∣sells with God, and from God. It is not a childs play you are going about but the worke of a perfect man. Your choyce is not for a day, but for life. The
consequence of it not for a tearme of some fewe yeares, but for eternitie, eternitie, my soule. In thinges, in a manner, indifferent, the choyce is in∣different. In such things of smale importance, it litle im∣portes whether this, or that be done: so either of them be done to Gods glorie, God is pleased, and we merite. If we should stand a waighing Dou∣bles, saith B. Sales, trading would proue too troublesome, Marrie, goes on the same, the choyce of ones vocation: the proposition of a matter of great consequence: a worke of much difficultie &c. de∣serue a serious ponderation, that Gods will (which is our dutie happinesse and perfec∣tion) may be discerned therin.
And let our firme resolutions be made accordingly.
Consider with what it is that this Euangelicall Towre, or spirituall building ought to be built, and S. Augustine will teach you, that it is to be done vvith noe other treasure, then the forsaking of all, and follovving of Christ, which he takes from Truth it selfe, saying: Euery one of you that doth not renounce all that he hath can not be my Disciple. And the same Truth expresses what he meanes by renounceing of all, in these words; If any man come to me, and hateth not his Father and mother, and vvife, and children, and bre∣thren and sisters, yea and his
ovvne life besides, he cannot be my Disciple.
AFFECTION. This, my soule, is the condition of the obli∣gation into which we are to enter, for the building of this spirituall Towre. This must be performed by vs, and euen by all Christians in generall (at least in preparation of mynde) or els in vaine doe we pretend to be the Disciples, or seruants of Christ. Giue all, and gayne all. At any lesse coste, this spirituall Towre will not be finished: at any lesse rate the Euangelicall pearle will not be purchaced. Vnlesse all this be performed, saith Christ himselfe, You cannot be my Disciples: you cannot be true Religious, and true followers of Christ. Vn∣lesse
this generous resolution be absolutley vndertaken: let our designe be absolutly for∣saken. To serue God by halues, will proue vnprospe∣rous tovs, God desires the hart which was made by himselfe, and for himselfe, and he will haue it whole. The virgines whole thoughtes, and sollici∣tudes ought to be imployed vpon the thinges vvhich per∣taine to our Lord: that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. Remember that it was S. Paule who said it.