The narrow path of divine truth described from living practice and experience of its three great steps, viz Purgation, illumination & union according to the testimony of the holy scriptures; as also of Thomas a Kempis, the German divinity, Thauler, and such like. Or the sayings of Matthew Weyer reduced into order in three books by J. Spee. Unto which are subjoyned his practical epistles, done above 120 years since in the Dutch, and after the author's death, printed in the German language at Frankfort 1579. And in Latin at Amsterdam 1658. and now in English.

CHAP. XXVI.

TRue Godliness suffers vehement trials and temptations through all degrees, or steps whatsoever. He therefore that endeavours to be pious in God, he must yield himself up to affliction, and must not refuse death, nor any pains, or do∣lours: Blessed is the man that endureth his tryal, &c. We must either confess, or deny Christ, in the time of afflicton, and necessity: and if then we do not de∣ny Christ, but stay with, and near him, and firmly keep our standing, that temp∣tation bringeth great increase, and pro∣fit to us; and our vertue is inlarged, and strengthened; so that we shall be enabled to stand upright also, in a greater temp∣tation, and to confess Christ therein. The Psalmist saith: They shall go from virtue to virtue, or from strength to strength, and the God of Gods shall be seen in Zion. God doth grant his gifts to man, yet not with∣out trying him, either before, or after: Wherefore it is written, Prepare thee for the trial, and bear patiently. The Lord

saith: Ye are they who have persevered in my temptation, and I, &c. Again: He that overcometh even as I overcame, shall be heir of all. Man therefore ought to reduce his life, to become a meer com∣bate. Job saith: What is man, that thou magnifiest him, or why settest thou thy heart upon him? When our Lord teacheth his disciples to pray: Lead us not into tempta∣tion, he does not mean that they should not be tried, but that they should not be overcome in the temptation, or try∣al, but that they should remain constant: Therefore to this purpose belong Watch∣ings, Fastings, and Prayers, as he himself saith: Watch and Pray, least ye fall into temp∣tation. These words he said unto his disci∣ples, when he arose from prayer, in that most remarkable temtation. So they (in 2. Chron. 20.) also called upon God, in the time of battle, and he was intreated of them, for they trusted in him: Shall not therefore our God judge them? true in∣deed there is no such courage, and strength in us, that we are able to resist a multi∣tude, which rusheth in upon us; but when we know not what we ought to do, we

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

have only this refuge left, to direct our eyes unto thee. Hearken all ye of Judah•• and those that inhabit Jerusalem, Thus saith the Lord: Be not ye afraid, nor trem∣ble at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but the Lords, do you only stand still, and ye shall see the salvation of God on your behalfs: Trust ye in the Lord your God, and you shall be safe: Believe his Prophets, and all shall happen well. As Jehosaphat gave councel, the children of Judah were made strong, for they trusted in the Lord the God of their fa∣thers; Help us O Lord our God, for in thee do we put our trust.