THE peace of our Lord Iesus Christ , be euer with you . I receiued a letter of yours some daies past , written in Seuill ; whereof though I were very gladd , yet should I haue reioyced much more , to be there to enioy your conuersation , which I haue soe long desired . I beseech Christ , that wee may see one another in heauen ; where all our desires will be at an end ; possessing him who is the true fulfilling of them all .

Sir I would extreamely desire , that the smo●ke of theis temporall things , did not blinde our harts , and hinder vs from the sight of such as are eternall . What an ill exchange doth hee make , who Looses that which may be interiourly possessed , and which indeede is the true fruite ; for that which is exteriour , and which is noe better then the shell , or crust . Woe be to that man , who hath more care of his goodes , then of his conscience ; and who puts the soule in hazard , to secure the life of his body . Not soe , Gen. 39. ô you men , not soe , but rather as Ioseph did ; whoe to secure his chastity , left his vper garment in the hands of her , whoe would haue robbed him of that treasure . It is the sentence of Christ our Lord , Matth. 5. that if our right eye be an occasion to vs of sinne , wee must pluck it out and cast it from vs . The right eye , is the loue which we carry towards goods , or honour , or life , or freinds ; which , if by the inordinate aboundance thereof , it be an occasion to vs of sinne , wee are to estraunge our selues from it , and to cutt it of , least otherwise we be estraunged from God .

Wee must loue nothing soe well , as that wee may not treade it vnder foote , if it hinder vs from being well with God . There is noe such thing , as holding freindship with that soueraigne king , but onely such a man as will confesse , that heauen is had very cheape , though it should chance to cost him his life . They who will thinke to comply both with their owne proper affections , and with the loue also of our Lord , are mightily deceiued . For theis men loue not God , but soe as they alsoe loue many other things , whereas God will be loued , aboue them all .

O errour of the sonnes of men ; and who hath thus deceiued them , and whoe shall be able to vnbeguile them ? who hath pluckt out their eyes to leade them blinde-fould , in a ringe like another Sampson , Iudges . 16. liuing according to the suggestion of vice , and in the displeasure of our Lord ? Who shall be able to make them vnderstand that they are straungely deceiued in seeking riches in the first place , and vertue , in a second . Yea and if it soe fall out , that both of them cannot be kept , men are content to be without vertue , soe that they may not be without money . And thus put they light , into the place of darkenes ; and darkenes into that of light . O that our Lord would open the eyes of theis men ! and how bitterly would they weepe , seeing how badd exchaungers they had beene ? Is not perhaps the freindship of God , which is obteyned by the exercise of vertue , of more valew , then all the rest of things , which can be wished ? Are not perhapps the commaundements of God more worthy to be desired then thousands of gold and siluer ? where shall we finde a true paire of scales to weigh euery thing out , for iust as much as it is ; that soe we may not thus for euer liue in lyes .

Men fly as farre as they cann from being deceiued , in their temporall states . But why fly they not with greater diligence from being deceiued in some what els , which imports them more ? They complaine if they be cosened in halfe the worth of any thing , which they are to buy ; yea and there is noe meanes to appease them , but they will needes be seeking a remedy against that abuse . And yet they are very ready , to loose their soules for a little gaine , or for an act of murmurring , or some other sinne . And we cannot soe much as preuaile with them , to the end that they may haue some feeling of it , and say I am deceiued , let soe great a wrong as this , be remoued .

That soule , O men which you are loosing , is more worth then all that which can be giuen you , in exchaunge thereof ; what doe you gett by gayning it all , if you loose your selues alone ? what doth it profitt you to see euery body good , if withall your selues be wicked ? what doth it profitt you , to gaine and growe great in point of fortune , with preiudice to your soules ? and to be mighty in the sight of men , but not to be acknowledged in the sight of God ?

The day will come , infallibly it will come , when God will destroy all them whoe worke iniquity ; and for what then will that serue , to which they haue most pretended heere ? O day of giuing accounte for all the daies of our liues , how little art thou considered , and therefore how little art thou feared . And men , in the meane tyme runne with the bridle loose , and in their teeth , for the gathering of this little miserable flower which soe quickly Fades , and they see with their very eyes , that it is euen slipping from betweene their fingers ; and yet , there is neuer want of some body , who hath a minde to hould fast this world , whilst still it is flying speedily from them .

Sir our true repose , and our kingdome , is not to be had in this world . What is this life , but a way from our owne houses reaching to the place , where theeues desire to cutt our throates ; since euery day we walke on more and more , and it is noe whether els , but towards death . Now who would be soe absurdly inconsiderate , as that when he were to be conducted to execution , and that much hast were vsed to dispatch him , the delinquent should yet , fall into great afliction , because lie were not sumptuously cladd ; or who in such a case , would attend to busy himselfe about hearing some relation of the liues of others , or would delight himselfe , with looking vpon some publick entertainement and pastime ? Or would put himselfe to study what the reason might be , why men put not of their hatts to him , with a good graces And yet how many doe wee see ( through our sinnes ) depriued of all sense , who ( goeing , as we all doe , to that resting place of their graues ; yea and running faster thither , then any arrow flyes out of a bowe , ) doe yet detaine themselues foolishly , some vpon fine cloathes ; others , vpon a certaine paltry smoake of honour , and others , who grow angry at the hart , because iust that which they desire , is not done . And yet those very things which they desire , are neither such as helpe them to obtaine true felicity , not hinder them from falling into eternall misery .

What in the name of God , is this which hath soe blinded vs , as that we should make Tyme of Eternity , and Eternitie of Tyme ? For soe haue men despised that eternall blisse , which God hath prepared for them in heauen , as if it were but temporall ; and soe haue they lodged all their loue vpon this transitory world , as if this were the thing which is eternall . How few are there on earth , whoe passe through it , like straungers , as S. Peter saith we must ; 1. Pete● 2. and who fasten their harts vpon the Future , as vpon their Cittie , and true place of rest ? Let the tongue say what it will , but our workes proclayme vs to be Cittizens of this world , since we extreamely desire , to be accommodated , and exalted heere , and so take noe care though we should be but as straungers in the next world . Perhaps we are growne to be of opinion , that the kingdome of heauen may be obteyned without any great labour , or care . But the truth is , that euen they who take most paines , will finde that still they haue enough to doe , & that still they must continue in doubt , whether it will serue the turne , or noe ; and what then will become of the rechlesse person , but that he will be sure to loose it ?

Our life is a very match of wrastling , and he whoe wrastles as the Apostle saith , must wholly vntye , and dis-intangle himselfe that he may gaine his crowne . 1. Cor. 9. Wee are running for a wager , and the Prize , is noe lesse then the kingdome of heauen . Yet not all they , who runne , are to haue this Prize , but they onely , who runne best . What a madd man were hee , who should shackle his feete , and then thinke that he were to carry the Prize , which must be giuen to that man whoe runnes a pace . And it is not a lesse absurde strange thing , that a man should ensnare his soule , with the heauy aflictions of flesh and bloud , which permitt him not to flye vp , towards God .

God commaundes that to him who should strike thee , vpon one of thy cheekes , thou shouldest turne the other , Ma●● 5. ● which is as much as to say ; that not onely thou must not reuenge thy selfe , for the iniury receiued , but that thou art to keepe thy hart prepared , to endure an other , if it be giuen , and still if another blowe be offered to turne the other cheeke ; that is , to prepare thy selfe for enduring iniuries , more and more , in such sort , that the other may be sooner weary of doeing ill , then thou of suffering it , for thy goodnes is to be greater , then his mallice . But how then shall hee bee able , to make a speedy course in this way , who is fettered in the chaines of worldly Honour which requires that we reuenge the iniuries which are done vs . For as S. Gregory saith , Noe man feeles the weight of dishonour , but he who loues his owne honour . And therefore if this loue be not laid a side ; how shall we be euer able to runne .

If God commaund that wee must rather dye then committ a mortall sinne , how shall we be able to comply with his will heerein , if wee cast not of the chaynes of that inordinate loue which we carry to this life . Couetousnes is a Chaine , which permitts vs not to liue in good neighbourhood with others . Enuy is a Chaine , Anger is a Chaine , and the loue of our selues is a Chaine , and roote of all the rest . What a sottish thing is it therefore , for a man to thinke that hee , whoe affects those things which his owne will suggests , is able to runne that carriere , wherein the seruants of God must runne , and whoe because he contents himselfe , thinkes that God will also be contented with it , and who liuing after his owne fashion , will yet conceiue , that he may liue soe with God .

Away , away , lett vs awake at last , for the loue of God lett vs awake , before hell-fire awake vs . And lett vs knowe , that the kingdome of God is a hidden treasure ; and that he who findes it must bestowe all that he hath , vpon the purchase thereof , esteeming himselfe more happy and rich in this alone , then in all things els . A man who hath a minde to gaine this kingdome , is not bound to become bankrupt , or to be a beggar , but that which he needes is , that for the loue of this kingdome , hee cutt of all occasion of inordinate loue which he may carry to riches , and to honour , and to a delicate and delightfull life , and in fine to his owne proper will . Christ our lord will haue vs all naked , that soe we may runne on apace to him , who dyed naked for vs . That man is naked , who houlds his life , and his honour , laid vnder , and in subiection to the will of Christ our Lord , doeing what Christ will , and not that , which is suggested by pleasure , or honour ; and who makes as light account of these things , as if he had them not ; and is ready to cast them all into a light fire , rather then to goe against the freindship of our Lord God , by committing soe much as one sinne . And though perhaps a man may attend to the improuement of his estate ; it must not be for the loue , which he carryes to it ; but because God commaunds it . If he liue , it must not be because he loues life , as making that the end of his care ; but he must keepe it , for the seruice of God ; and sooner throwe it away , then offend him . If he be to aparell himselfe , he must not take counsaile with vanity how he may be esteemed for his cloathes ; but with the word of our Lord which commaunds that we vse them not with superfluity , but for the supply of iust necessity . And soe this kinde of man , doth not hould himselfe to be his owne , but as one who belongs wholly to God . He cares not , for what himselfe desires , but for that which God commaunds . He layes all things , and himselfe withall , to be trodden vpon , vnder foot ; for soe he may hould God aboue his head . God commaunds and hee obeyes ; God directs and hee submitts ; and as the shadow followes the body , soe hee followes the will of God .

Theis are true sonnes of Obedience , to whome it is promised , that they shall sitt at the table of God ; And that , as the true sonne suffered by Obedience , and entred soe into his kingdome , soe the adopted sonnes must alsoe enter in , by the same meanes . There is noe coulour of reason why a man , for hauing obeyed the orders of the great Turke , should goe to aske a reward of the Christian Emperour ; and yet if hee should it would be easy to make him this answeare , Let him pay you , whome you haue serued And soe will God answeare them , whoe liued heere in obedience to their owne appetites when they shall aske him that reward of glory .

Great thankes doe we owe to Christ our Lord , for hauing warned vs of this soe longe before , that soe if we will thinke thereon , we may not finde our selues deceiued by him , who soe deerely loued vs . His aduertissement is this . Not euery one whoe saith to mee Lord , Lord , shall enter into the kingdome of heauen ; but he shall enter in who doth the will of my Father , who is in heauen . What neede haue wee of any more , since the word of Christ our Lord can neuer faile ? And who is that man , who will not awake with this . For the question is not now , concerning any earthly kingdome , but the kingdome of heauen ; since noe man enters thither but he who shall haue done the will of God . Let this therefore , be our study , let this be our discourse , let vs counsaile men to this , and let vs in fine obserue vigilantly , if we doe any thing which carryes not true conformitie , with the will of our Lord . And because our owne watchfulnes will not suffice , lett vs call vpon our Lord , that hee may assist vs . Let vs acknowledge our owne misery , and let vs cordyally implore his mercie . Our lord who must helpe vs is noe such person , as that he can deny himself to such as seeke him , with their harts . And if we did indeede knock & call vpon him , infallibly he would anfweare & open to vs . And he knocks indeede ; who knocks both by prayer , & by the practise of vertue . And he shall be heard when he calls , who was content to hearken to his neighbour , when he was called vpon by him ; and whoe assisted him in his necessities , and who pardoned his errours , and who neither did ill to him , nor refused patiently to suffer ill from him .

This is the generation of them who seeke our Lord , Psal. 13. and they shall finde him . Let vs therefore goe , and runne this carriere . For happy are those labours , which are endured for the obteyning of this Crowne . And they shall soone passe away , but their reward is to last for euer . Let vs lay vp our treasure there . It will be highly enough for vs , to possesse God ; and let vs not loose our tyme , for it was not giuen vs to be lost . But let vs liue , to the end that we may euer liue ; and soe wee shall passe on , from contumely to glory , from pouerty to plenty , from banishment to our owne country , which we shall possesse through the eternities of all eternities . Amen .

He will enable vs to looke vpon himselfe with open eyes ; and to shutt them towards all other things , and he will imprint himselfe soe fast vpon our harts , that , for the loue and memory of him , wee shall forgett not onely all other things , but our very selues alsoe . This will he doe , whoe is soe pittious , & soe powerfull , and his name is holy , and hee it is , whoe loues vs more then we can either say , or thinke . For his workes exceede all created vnderstanding . To him be glorye for the eternitie of all eternities . Amen .

As for that which you aske mee , concerning my health , it goes ill with mee , since I am vnworthy of sicknes . For if I were not very vnworthy , our Lord would not haue taken my paine from mee , soe soone , as he hath taken it . And as for the rest of your letter , I answeare that a great fire , by how much the more it is shutt vp and concealed , soe much the hotter it burnes . Christ our Lord make you his true and faithfull disciple , that soe you may , in some sort correspond to that vnspeakeable and diuine loue of his , as I cordially desire of him for you .

It is but reason that wee be taken by the loue of him , who was taken thereby for vs ; & deliuered ouer for our sakes , into such fierce hands . Lett vs enter into that prison of his loue , since he entred into the prison of ours , and thereby was made as tame , as any lambe , before them who treated him soe ill . And this prison was that , which made him remaine quiet vpon the Crosse . For more strange , and rude , were those ropes , and prisons of his lòue , then the nailes and ropes which restrayned his person . These later , laying hould but vpon his body , but his loue being that which seized his soule . And therefore lett our harts be tyed by his loue ( that tye of saluation ) and lett vs not desire such liberty , as may carry vs out of his prison . For as he is very ill in health , who is not wounded , and made sick of his loue : soe is he very ill at liberty , who is not restrayned in that prison . Lett vs now resist him noe longer , let vs yeild our selues conquered by his armes , which are his benefitts , whereby he procures to kill vs , that soe we may euer liue with him . He desires to burne vs vp , that soe the old man who was conforme to Adam being consumed , the new man who is conforme to Christ our Lord may rise againe by loue . He desires to melt our hardnes , to the end that as vpon mettall which is made liquid by heate , that forme is imprinted which is desired by the worke-man ; soe wee ( being softned by that loue , which makes vs melt by hearing our beloued speake to vs ) may be ready , without all resistance , that soe Christ our Lord may imprint vpon vs , what figure shall be most pleasing to him . Now that figure , which he desires to imprint , is noe other then that of Loue. Iohn . 15. For Christ our Lord is very Loue it selfe ; & he commaunded that we should loue one another , as he loued vs . Gal. 2 And S. Paule tells vs , that we must soe be in loue with Christ our Lord , as he loued vs ; and deliuered himselfe vp for vs . Soe that vnlesse we loue , we are vnlike him ; our countenance hath noe resemblance to his , but we are poore , naked , blinde , deafe , and dumbe , and dead . For loue alone , is that which quickenes all things , and loue is that , which is the spirituall-cure of our soules . For the soule without loue is iust such a thing as the body is , without the soule .

Let vs therefore loue , and we shall liue , let vs loue and we shall grow like God ; nay we shall wound him , whoe is to be wounded by loue alone . Lett vs loue and all things shall be ours , since they are all to serue vs , as it is written , They that loue God shall proue well in all things . If we loue this loue , lett vs apply the axe of diligence , to the roote of our owne selfe-loue , and soe bring this enemy of ours to the ground . What haue we of our selues ! let vs hedge our selues in God , and make noe account at all of any thing els . Let not our owne losses trouble vs , but the losses of God , which are the soules who depart from him . And because it is a hard thing , for a man to leaue to loue himselfe , let vs shed many teares , whereby it may be made easy for vs , to dig vp this earth . Let vs groane out to God , from the very profoundest of our harts , for our teares doe euen wound almighty God , though they be soe weake , and soft , and though he be omnipotent .

Lett vs entertaine good thoughts , for as Dauid saith ; Psal. 38. My thought is a very fournace . But aboue all let vs place our selues , and not come quickly out againe , but make our habitation , in the woundes of Christ our Lord , and particularly in his sacred side . For there his hart being deuided and peirced for vs , will receiue ours into it , and soe it will growe warme , through the greatnes of his loue . For whoe can remaine in fire , and not growe warme , at least to some proportion ? O that we could dwell there , and how happye should we be therein ? what is the reason that we depart thence soe soone ? Because we take not vp those fiue lodgings , in that high mountaine of the Crosse , where Christ our Lord was transfigured indeede , though not towards beauty , but towards deformitie , basenes and dishonour : which lodgings are granted to vs ; nay we are desired to take them , though those other three tabernacles which S. Peter desired , were denyed to him .

If some little sparke of this fire be kindled in our harts , let vs take great care , that the winde blowe it not out , since it is soe little . Let vs couer it with the ashes of humilitie , let vs hould our peace and hide it , and soe we shall finde it still aliue . Leuit. 6 And we must , dayly add some wood to it , as God commaundeth his Preists to doe . And that signifies to vs the doeing of good workes : and the not loosing of any tyme , and , aboue all things , we must approach to the true fire which may kindle and enflame vs , and this is Iesus Christ our Lord , in the Blessed Sacrament .

Let vs open the mouth of our soule , which is our desire , and let vs goe all gaping towards the fountaine of liuing water , for soe without doubt , if we take hony into our mouths , we shall haue some taste thereof . And in fine if the fire be in our bosome , it will heate vs . But both before and after we communicate , we must vse some preparations , and reflections ; and there cannot be any better , then a liuely Faith , that we goe then to receiue Iesus Christ our Lord ; together with a consideration , and loue of his passion , since that misterie was instituted , in memory thereof . Being thus refreshed , lett vs then prouide our selues for our communicating the next tyme after . For he whoe onely prepares himselfe , for the present tyme , shall seldome finde himselfe well prepared .

Let vs therefore runne after God , for we may be sure enough , that he will not flye from vs . He is nayled vpon the Crosse , and infallibly we shall finde him there . Let vs conveigh him into our harts , and then shutt the doore , that he retyre not thence . Let vs dye to all visible things , since there will come a tyme , when we must leaue them perforce .

Let vs renew our selues in newnes of spirit since we haue liued soe longe according to the old man . Eph. 4 Let vs be growing in knowledge and loue of Christ our Lord , who is the soueraigne good . And all this is to be obteyned by humble prayer , and perseuerant endeauour . More is receiued into the soule from without the soule , then doth proceede of the soule . It is more for it to be moued and disposed , then to worke when that is done . And therefore let vs remoue all impediments , and compose our owne harts within our selues , expecting Christ our Lord there ; who enters when the gates are shutt , to visit and comfort his Disciples ; and soe without doubt , he will come to vs . For Dauid saith of him , Psal. 144. Our Lord heard the desire of the poore , and his eares harkened to the preparation of his hart . And since Christ our Lord is principally he who must worke this in vs , Psal. 9. we haue noe reason to distrust , but taking courage and confidence in such a conductor as he is , let vs beginne to runne that course with feruour , which ends not , but in the obteyning of God .