CHAP. I. The Occasion of this treatise .

THERE are some yeares past , since I was called vnto one of the greatest cities of this kingdome , next vnto PARIS , for the distribution of the bread of the sacred Word , dureing the time of Aduent and Lent . Amongst the eares of corne which ripened in this ●aruest ; à person worthie of regard , and truely full of honour , & pietie , desired some particular assistance from me , for the guideing of her interiour . Her ordina●ie Confessor was à venerable Preist of her parish , one of sufficient capacitie , and most exemplar life . Shee had for Director à famous preacher , of à most austeere Order ; but such as did not apply it self vnto the administration of the Sacrament of Penance . I found this soule ( other wayes solidly devout ) in that anguish of spirit , which Iob calles , à certaine hangeing , or suspention ; Not in the suspention of powers , wherof the speculatiue diuines speake , and which approcheth vnto extasie : But that wherof I discourse , proceedeth of the vncertaintie , of that wherof shee ought to resolue her self , in diuerse occurrences , When the morall opinions of her Director , and her Confessour proue opposite . To speake the truth , this haleing of the spirit , diuided betwixt two considerations equally probable , as a peece of yron hangeing betwixt two Adamants , is such à torment , as can onely be knowen by him that feeles it : Place à man equally prest with hunger , and thirst , betweene meate and drink ; With out doubt he Will ( like à shipp which burnes in the sea ) perish in his proper remedy . For where will you haue him first to begin ? To eate and drinke both at à time , nature permitts not . The soule wherof I speak being Hungrie , and thirsting after Iustice , Which is to say , extreamely desirous to doe well ; and findeing it self some times vpon the same occation perswaded by the one , and disswaded by the other , falls into the agony of à Woman , Which endures the paynes of Child birth , and cannot be deliuered ; the vehement panges of her desire giueing her most tedious throwes . For one to build , and the other to demolish , is not the way ( sayth the Wise-man ) to raïse à greate building . It is like the Roape maker in the Embleme , wherein the asse gnawed asunder the cord as fast as he wrought it . It is the Webb of PEN●LOPE wouen in in the day , and vndon in the night . Besides the bitternes of spirit , this intangled it in à labyrinth of scruples , wherof it nether could perceiue the entrance , nor finde the outgate . And not to lye , I could never approve this distinction which some make of Direction , and of Confession , as if they did seuer things pretious from what is base , and to speake in schoole tearmes , the ARCHITECTONIQVE from the TECTONIQVE .

CHAP. II. Concerning Directors who heare not Confessions .

I Could neuer finde it good , that Confessors should not direct : Nor that they who meddle in directing should not receaue Confessions . I cannot likewise comprehend , how Directors who will not heare Confessions , can profitablely meddle in giueing councell in à pratick , Wherof they hade onely à cold and superficiall Theory : Nor conceaue the stupide and indiscreete patience of Confessors , who see their hony spoiled by droanes which cannot makit ; Who onely deale in à trade , wherof they are wholy ignorant . I speake not without ground , with this litle touch and motion of Zeale , because the experience of . 25. yeares both publiquely , and priuately imployed , with sufficient attention vnto the service of soules , made me knowe , that some pull downe more by ignorance , then by malice , that which the science of others erects in good consciences with much labour . I doe not say that these companies which absteine from heareing Confessions doe ill : No truely , because to speake properly , this office is more Pastorall , then Cenobiticall ; seing indeede the same tends to the conseruation of their Clausteriall discipline , which they conceiue would therby be dissipated and relaxed , though other Congregations no lesse austeere , & reformed ; and who proforme this function , with much fruite & edification , are not of the same opinion ; grounded vpon this sayenig of the Apostole , That Charitie seekes rather the aduauncement of Gods glory , then its proper interest . But that which I finde of difficultie , is , that the vnexpertnes in an occupation which is the arte of artes ( since it is the guidance of soules wholly internall , and in the face of God ) causeth them to put their sickle into an others haruest , and by their directions to spoile ( who cannot without the seale of Confession be very internall ) the wholsome and holy Economie of Confessors . I verily beleeue they haue no intent to doe ill ; for who could iudge otherwise then well of the good intentions of such , as by the austeritie of their liues cast forth the good odour in Iesus-Christ , lyke vnto that of the Myrrhe , which distills from the wounded tree . A comparison which the eternall wisedome takes to it self . But I know well , that the successe of things doth not alwayes answeare the intentions : And that S. Paul did not alwayes act the good which he would , and that he was sontimes the cause of euill , which he willed not . I speake boldly in this for as much as it is of certaine knowledge . I thinke then , it would be to the purpose , to shew vnto theis our Maisters the DIRECTORS , so seuere to their bodyes , and so delicate in their spirits , and who are content to eate the sinnes of the people , without the paine or yrksomnes of heareing them ; that they should either wholly dedicate them selues to this practise , as the other austeere and reformed orders very worthily doe , should enter into the powers of our lord , and visit the interiour Hierusalem with the serching lampes at the Tribunall of Penance ; or that without embroileing the labours of the skilfull with their aduise which they deliuer as Oracles , yssueing from the horne of Dauid , and saluation ; They should containe them selues in à deuoute silence , which would be farr more perfect . & profitable , then to intrude themselues into families , & consciences , trayning into captiuity simple soules , loaden with sinne , ledd by diuers desires , and continually learning , without being able to arriue to the knowledge of Truth . Charitie , without emulation , or contention , hath prest me to make this censure ; Which is not yet so stronge , as the case deserues ; for as much as there arise from these contradictions , sundry impediments , to hinder the aduancement of many soules in the way of God . And his dinine goodnes gruant , that this seemeing Pietie , which tends to particular profitt , hurt not the particular profitt of true Pietie , which alone can say with the Apostle , T is you that I seeke , not yours , T is your soule , and not your goods . Our fishing is for the soules of men , not for their substance .

CHAP. III. Spirituall Libertie moderated .

NEither would I yet by blameing this varietie auoid one gulfe to run into another . All extreamitie is naught . I would not willingly take away from à soule , the libertie of searcheing euery where , for able and pious men , to conferr with them about the affayres of her saluation . For though the Scripture placeth Knowledge and the Lawe in the Mouth of the Preist ( note this particular ) and putteth euery word to be determined in the Mouth of two or three : yet neuertheles other where it sayes , that saluation consists in diuerse counsells ; There are neuer too many when they are good ; and then are they such , when they oppose not one another , strugling like Esau , and Iacob . Lett the soule then remayne in full libertie , for this respect ; because where the spirit of God dwells ther is the true libertie : Libertie of the children of God ; Children of the Free , not of the Bondslaue ; and who haue not the spirit of seruitude , but that of adoption , which makes them cry Abba Pater . Onely let discretion , the salt and seasoning of all vertues , serue it for à Torch to auoied the incommodities , which are found both in the vnitie , and multiplicitie , the same being subject to daungerous tyes , and to an Empire on the one side , and à Thraldome on the other ; which make , the yoake insupportable , when it is forced . And this engulfeing à soule into the trouble of incertitude , resembles these trauellers , who lodge euery where , & rest no where ▪ and these Bees which make no honney , when the spring ouer-abounds in flowers , because the delight they take in flying vp and downe , causeth them to forgett to retourne into their hiues , and there to lay vp prouision for winter . If some time it bee needefull for à soule to be thus diuided , betwixt à DIRECTOR , and à CONEESSOR , at least let these two persons be both learned , both deuoute , both expert , both charitable , and wnanimously conspireing to the good of that soule , which committs it self to their guideance , to the end , that as one yron cleeres another , & as one diamond polisheth another , they way explicate their difficulties , according to the occurrencies , without further entangleing them , or subiecting this spirit to the torture : The which will happen if both of them be Good practitioners , and well exercised in that profession , which goue●nes the keys of Heauen , bindeing , and vnbindeing consciences . But not soe , in case one of the two be onely versed in the Theory of that Theologie which is called Morall .

CHAP. IV. The anguish of à soule diuided betweene à Director , & à Confessor of different opinions .

NOw as if two horses which drawe à coach be not well trayned , or pull not alike , there is daunger , the one aduanceing the other going back , the one turneing on one side , the other on the contrary , that they euerturne and breake it in peeces : Soe likewise if à poore heart be rent , & as is were torne in sunder by two different guidances , what can it hope for , but to dye vnder so cruell à torment ? and to finde his punishment euen there , where it ought to expect consolation , and its direction vnto grace ? I haue sett forth that which is already spoken , vpon the subiect of this pious soule , wearied in this manner by the different opinions of those who did conduct it , and like vnto à shipp that cannot finde the porte , being tossed to & froe , at an instant by two contrary windes . Haueing therfore compassion of its payne , which onely proceedes from the excesse of Meekenes , feare , and docilitie , I thought my selfe obliged to correspond by my slender assistance , vnto the confidence , which it testified to repose both in my publique , and priuate speahes . I tooke then vpon me this care , amongst diuerse others ; and not withstandeing my dayly imployements in preaching , I repaired at certaine houres , to the Tribunall of Penance , which is in the church , as à Poole for sheepe , and as the Founteine of the house of Iacob , applied to the purgation of humane imperfections : I found this soule then in such sorte lost in seruile feare , and all worne-out with scruples , bredd by the contradiction of these guides , as being ledd by force it knew not well what way it went , so contrary was it vnto it selfe . The payne which I tooke to restore its spirit vnto à quiett and reposed seate , God he knoweth , that in my retirement I cast my thoughts on this soule , and that I ardently prayed for its consolation . In the end God heard the preparation of its heart , and disperseing these obscurities , and discontents , caused the splendour of his face to shine vpon it and rendred it the Ioy of its saluation , & confirmeing it with his principall spirit . Theis feares too seruile , and mercinary , as much swolne with self-loue , as voide of diuine dilection , by litle and litle , dissolue them selues , and charitie being diffused by the holy Ghost into its heart , this starr whose influences are so benigne , made , like the sunne in the spring , to open the flowers in the lande of its interiour . And when this sacred vertue , Queene of all others , had somwhat dilated its soule , the excessiue terrous , as the shadowes of the night , became dispersed by its amiable b●ames . And this soule aduanceth with so much ardor , and vigor in the way of God , that it seemes rather to flye , o● runn , then to walk . I left it in this good disposition , after I had finished the course of my preacheings , and was vpon the point of retireing vnto my residence . And because experience made me knowe , that all the trouble of its spirit , sprunge from noe other source , then the Antipathie of the councells of her ordinary Confessor , and this blessed Director , who was as greate à Theoritian , and Rhetoritian , as the other à good Practitian , and experienced in the gouerment of soules . I freely councelled her , and according to God , without any constraint ( as S. Peter sayth ) that if she would haue à Director besides her Confessor , she should make choise of one , who had the knowledge of the Theorie , ioyned with the Practise , and who did actually dedicate , and exercise himself in the seruice , and guidance of soules , at the Tribunall of Penance . For be he neuer so vnderstanding à man , yet defectiue in the experimentall parte , he cannot proue otherwise then vnfitt , and vnable ( not to call him à bad , and dangerous Director ) and one blinde leadeing another ; since he putts himself vpon an Arte , which he vsed not , and whose Practick is sometime as far distant from the Theoricke , as the North from the Southe .

CHAP. V. Concerning Theorie without Practise .

What I then spake with the Sourdine , I doe now publishe with the Trumpett ; What I sayd vnto one soule , I speake vnto all ; What I councelled in particular , and private , I preach vpon the howse topps ; what I sett forth with my tongue , I signe it with my hand by this treatise ; And I say againe , that à Director without Practise , that is to say , without experience , is à hollow read , on which no man ought to leane : For as much , as by this fayre theorie without the vse , he spoiles all , in lieu of perfitting : he hinders in steede of advanceing ; he darkens where he should illuminate ; he imbroiles in place of disintangleing , he imprisoneth , where he ought to free ; he demolisheth where he should build , he misleades in lieu of directing ; and causeth to stray , where he should reduce . And like vnto that temerarious of the fable , who ambitious to guide the chariott of the Sunne , gaue fire where he thought to haue produced light ; troubleing the spirits , and breaking the braynes , whose weakenes is no lesse worthy of pittie , then their subtiltie culpable , who practise vpon their docilitie an imperious gouerment , which comes very neere vnto tirannie . Everie one is not an Elias to guide well the chariott of Israell ; It is an act wherto certes knowledge is needefull ; but much more experience , which to speake the truth is not attayned but by practise , not vnlike vnto that of Phisitiones , who become not able but by vse . And indeed who in à daungerous sicknes , would putt his lyfe into the handes of à Phisition well versed in greeke , and Arabique , and who in his art should speak wonders , yet wanted the Practick ? Who would comitt his cause vnto an Aduocate , whose memory were stuffed , with the leaues of the Code , and the Pandecte ye● knowes not the ordinary waye of the courte ? Who knowes not that à simple Atturney wanting both Latine , and learning , shall better manage à busines , then the ablest Professor in the lawes ? To become à Good Painter , it sufficeth not , to talk well of colours , shadowes , proportions , if he know not by the pencille how to set forth his work . So it is in all artes , all sciences , and professiones : And who can be found , who knowes not the greate Chaos betweene the Theorique , and the Practique ? He who swolne with à self-opinion , through the conceipt which he hath of the same , thinkenig himself to be à greate maister therin , is his owne deceauer , and this passage of the diuine Apostle may be applied vnto him ; he that thinketh himself to know something in which he knoweth nothing ; as yet knoweth not in what manner he ought to knowe . All which causeth me te say , that à Soule which for its greater securitie , or consolation , would consult with à Director besides its Consessor , in respect two eyes see more then one ; and one brother assistes another ; ought to choose one not onely expert in the administration of the Sacrament of Penance ; but of à capacitie , and experience so transcendinge , and surpassing its ordinary Confessor , that no emulation , or dispute be made betweene these Angells , about the body of Moses , that is to say , about the guidance of this hearte , which with all candor and simplicitie , yeelds it self vp into their hands : Otherwise it vndergoes the daunger of resenting many contradictions in it self , and the same panges of minde which Rebecca suffered in her body , when she complained of those two nations which in the persons of the twinnes did combatt in her sides . If then the Church guided by the holy-ghoste , giues but one Pastor vnto à flocke composed of diuers sheepe , yea and euen in her full extent , which is vniuersalle , acknowledgeth but one Pastor , as she makes but one body , and one flock , In what manner can one onely soule be diuided in its gouerment , vnto so many Confessors and Directors who often in lieu of cure , cause siknes : As that auntient Emperour sayd toucheing the multitude of his Phisitions , to which he artributed the cause of his death . I doe not therfore absolutely blame à man , for consulteing with diuerse ; for one cannot take councell enough , in à thing of soe greate importance as saluation , on which depends an Eternitie : Nor the haueing diuerse Directors at one time , as we haue in the Ecclesiastick , and Politick state , many Superiours ouer vs , though subordinate one vnto the other , and of an vnequall power : for as I sayd before , when à Director hath à greate height , and eminencie much eleuated aboue the Confessor , as well in the Theorique , as the Practique , there is neuer any debate , because the greatest light , obscures the lesser , and in that respect there needes no deliberation which councell to followe . But excepting this case , I saye ( and think therin to speake according to the spirit of God , who is life and veritie ) that this occurrence is daungerous vnto à Soule which findes it self sometimes betwixt two yrons , and as it were wauernig in such sorte , that it knowes not which way to tourne it selfe , seeing euill euery where , and good on no side , though many tîmes it is not so , nor can there be à more tedious torment , then that of an erronious conscience .

CHAP. VI. The surlie Director .

THe person of Whom I speake was in this state ; for though her DIRECTOR , made more noyse , and was in more vogue by his preacheing , I knowe not whether he yeelded more fruite then her CONFESSOR : à man full of zeale in the seruice of soules , who did many good workes without soundeing the trumpett , serueing God with his substance , and with couered dishes , as our sauiour commaunds in the Gospell . This I knowe , and with assurance , that he had farr more experience in the conduct of soules at the Tribunall of Penance , then the DIRECTOR ; though he beleeud it not ; and that the DIRECTOR contrarywise , esteemed himself much more fitt then he , and endeuored like à Pedant vpon all occasions , to gouerne both him , and the penitent Soule with à browe farr more humbleing , then humble ; and who had much more of the Pharisie , then of the Publican . When this good Preist gaue vnto this pious Soule some spirituall aduise , which he conceiued profitable , she presently related it vnto the DIRECTOR , as vnto her touch-stone ; yf it pleased not this Preacher , he declamed against it with full voyce , and with such scornefull , and despiseing tearmes , no lesse vnbeseemeinge the mouth which vttered them ; then honorable vnto the modestie and patience of him , vnto whom they were addressed . How ofte had the austeere Empire of this sufficient DIRECTOR caused the Penitent person to forsake her CONEESSOR , yf he had not bene affrayed to loose the absurd practise of his loftie Theorie , and that the streames of this source , should haue bene spent vpon other Meadowes then those of his owne house ? And then seeing himself to haue gotten the absolute dominion , both ouer the spirit of the Penitent , and the CONFESSOR , it delighted him to ouerthrowe with the impetuous blast of his mouth , all whatsoeuer the other had endeuored to buid vp solid : and to pluck vp whatsoeuer he had planted , before it had taken any deepe roote , seldome giuing any other reason , then the ignorant condition of this poore Confessor , and of à man litle versed in these Anagogies ( for this word pleased him ) of the superessentiall , & supereminent life . Hee treated him as one of à meane spirit , litle illuminated , and no wayes skillfull in the interiour , and contemplatiue life , not so much as vnderstandeing those fayre tearmes of the misticall Theologie , which with their emphasie astoinsh the World , and which are more like the language of Angells , rather then of men ; so farr are they aboue the base and lowe stile of the Earth . To conclude , he made vse verie authentically of the priuiledge which the Apostle giues vnto the spirituall man , which is to Iudge all others , and not to be Iudged by any . When I had discouered this whole misterie ( which certes was not of iniquity yet where I noted à manifest injustice ) I placed my self on that side , which I esteemed the more lust according to the imitation of our sauiour , who vpheld the penitent Mary against the censure of the Pharisie . I took parte with the Confessor oppressed by this Rabby , whose wine he dimolished and dissipated , sometimes like the boare , sometimes like the fox , to the greate trouble , and damage of this Soule , which was incomparably better counselled and directed by her owne prudent , capable , and charitable Confessor , who cheerely vnderstood her whole interiour , then by this imperious Director , who onely beholding the superficiall parte , and that which he could onely gather by à bare conference , made himself growe into an Arte wherof he had no practise , neither could he exercise it being restrained by his Institute . I tooke then this creature off from this double torture , and leaueing her in the ordinary question of the judiciary seate , which God hath established in his Church , I freed her from the extraordinary question of this vnexperienced Director , wherof she found her selfe much eased , as of à troublesome yoake , or rather of an insupportable burthen , à burthen which he himself who layd it on , would not perchaunce , haue so much as touched , with the tip of his finger .

CHAP. VII . Subiect of Murmure .

THis passed not without Murmure , the vse wherof is no lesse frequent amongst those of the other world , then that of the Windes , and the Waues on the sea , according to the testimonie of S. Bernard ; But what imports it if men blaspheme vs , or speake euill of vs , so that God giue vs his blessing ? Whether by reproch , or by good fame , so as his diuine goodnes be serued therin , we haue our onely end . The cause of Quipps was not so much the zeale of the Soule , as the bitter and contentious zeale about the priuation of certaine commodities which proceeded from this precioús Direction . For there is this difference betweene zealous persons , that some are eaten vp with the zeale of the spirituall good of their Neighbour ; but the zeale of the others consumes their Neighbours goods , Shall I say , prouided I breake not the bond of concord , nor yet the chayne of Perfection , I loue certes Plato , and Socrates ; but I loue much more the truth , so that it be charitable , and respectfull ; because it is à testimony that the same proceedes from à Charitie , which is true , and full of respect . I will say then , that this person of whom I speake , was aged , without children , in state of Widow hoode , and , which is the pointe , well accommodated with the goods of fortune ; And who , by à liberalitie truely magnificent , distributed à greate parte therof to the needy , so that one might say of this person , as doth the Psalmist ; happie is the man , who mercifully giues ▪ Almes , for thereby prepares he the way , to receaue in the day of judgement à fau●urable sentence ; because the mercifull shall obteine mercy : And the eternall sentence ( Come ye blessed of my father ) shal be giuen in the examination of the works of Charitie . Thus goes on the Psalmist , sayeing , he who distributeth , and largely giueth to the poore , shal be declared Iust for euer ; he shal be exalted in glory , and he shall reape the benedictions which he shall haue sowen . Notwithstanding in the distribution of theise goods , I obserued no litle inequalitie ; for the Confessor who did vndergoe the weight , and heate of the day , and who had no other meanes to liue , then that which his diligence in the seruice of the Altar might yeeld him , in such sorte as I saied in the beginning , besides the salarie of certaine Masses , receaued no gratification from this Soule : the Pastor of the parish , as much as nothing , according to the custome of this present age ; the hospitalls and the rest of the poore , were litle assisted ; the masse of the cheife liberalityes streameing , by meanes of the Direction , I knowe not well whether directly or indirectly , opportunely , or importunely , by reprehendinge , by menaceinge , by prayeing , or by presseing , into the house of the Director ; and in such sorte , as the complaintes which the fupposed heires cast forth with lowd cryes , arriued euen vnto mine eares ▪ When the battrie was changed , and that with in the Magazines of the heauenly Wisedome , order was establissed concerning her Charitie , before too much disordered , the bubling streames of this fountaine appeared without , the waters were diuided euery where , the bread was broken vnto the necessitous , hospitality open vnto strangers , and the sick ; they whose birth or misfortune , or rather the diuine Prouidence , had seated in pouertie , found them selues comforted , as well as they who with an incomparable preeminency , through I know not what Thcologie , which I vnderstand not , call them selues the Euangelicall poore , as if the poore of all sortes were not recommended in the same Gospell . From thence the indignations and teares , from thence the complaints , and tumultuous garboiles , as sayth that auntient Poet ; as if I had taken away à direct rent , or rent of direction , from à house which had renounced it . This is not spoken of me without ground , because I had no sooner tourned my back to repaire vnto my flock , but that I was welcomed with à hayle of calumnie , for this occasion which I haue most ingenuously , and faythfully declared , and by à storme of detraction raised by sacred tongues , and so sugred , outwardly , as they seeme all hony and milke , but within ( I dare not say with the Psalmist , ) that there lay hidd the venome of the Aspe , an animal whose sting is the more daungerous when it is least perceiued , and the evill sooner ressented , then knowen from whence it Comes . I was thus beaten and stoned , ( though in my absence ) for an aduise , which I beleeue , that noe man of true sense , and void of passion , will adiudge to bee euill , or contrary to the spirit of God , whose honor loues iudgement .