A BOOK OF CONTEMPLATION THE WHICH IS CALLED THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING, IN THE WHICH A SOUL IS ONED WITH GOD

Edited from the British Museum MS. Harl. 674 With an Introduction BY

EVELYN UNDERHILL
SECOND EDI ION !ondon "OHN M. W# $INS %& Cecil Court' Charin( Cross )oad &*%%

INTRODUCTION
HE little famil+ of m+stical treatises ,hich is -no,n to students as .the Cloud of /n-no,in( (rou0'. deser1es more attention than it has hitherto recei1ed from En(lish lo1ers of m+sticism2 for it re0resents the first e30ression in our o,n ton(ue of that (reat m+stic tradition of the Christian Neo0latonists ,hich (athered u0' remade' and .salted ,ith Christ4s salt. all that ,as 5est in the s0iritual ,isdom of the ancient ,orld. hat ,isdom made its definite entrance into the Catholic fold a5out #.D. 677' in the ,ritin(s of the 0rofound and nameless m+stic ,ho chose to call himself .Dion+sius the #reo0a(ite.. hree hundred and fift+ +ears later' those ,ritin(s ,ere translated 805 n96: into !atin 5+ "ohn Scotus Eri(ena' a scholar at the court of Charlema(ne' and so 5ecame a1aila5le to the ecclesiastical ,orld of the West. #nother fi1e hundred +ears ela0sed' durin( ,hich their influence ,as felt' and felt stron(l+' 5+ the m+stics of e1er+ Euro0ean countr+2 5+ St. Bernard' the ;ictorines' St. Bona1entura' St. homas #<uinas. E1er+ reader of Dante -no,s the 0art ,hich the+ 0la+ in the Paradiso. hen' a5out the middle of the &4th centur+' En(land=at that time in the hei(ht of her (reat m+stical 0eriod=led the ,a+ ,ith the first translation into the 1ernacular of the #reo0a(ite4s ,or-. In Dionise Hid Divinite, a 1ersion of the Mystica Theologia, this s0iritual treasure>house ,as first made accessi5le to those outside the 0rofessionall+ reli(ious class. Surel+ this is a fact ,hich all lo1ers of m+sticism' all .s0iritual 0atriots'. should 5e concerned to hold in remem5rance. It is su00osed 5+ most scholars that 805 n97: Dionise Hid Divinite, ,hich=a00earin( as it did in an e0och of (reat s0iritual 1italit+>><uic-l+ attained to a considera5le circulation' is 5+ the same hand ,hich ,rote the Cloud of Unknowing and its com0anion 5oo-s? and that this hand also 0roduced an En(lish 0ara0hrase of )ichard of St. ;ictor4s Ben a!in Minor, another ,or- of much authorit+ on the contem0lati1e life. Certainl+ the influence of )ichard is onl+ second to that of Dion+sius in this un-no,n m+stic4s o,n ,or-=,or-' ho,e1er' ,hich o,es as much to the dee0 0ersonal e30erience' and e3traordinar+ 0s+cholo(ical (ifts of its ,riter' as to the tradition that he inherited from the 0ast. Nothin( is -no,n of him? 5e+ond the fact' ,hich seems clear from his ,ritin(s' that he ,as a cloistered monde1oted to the contem0lati1e life. It has 5een thou(ht that he ,as a Carthusian. But the rule of that austere order' ,hose mem5ers li1e 805 n9@: in hermit>li-e seclusion' and scarcel+ meet e3ce0t for the 0ur0ose of di1ine ,orshi0' can hardl+ ha1e afforded him o00ortunit+ of o5ser1in( and endurin( all those tiresome tric-s and a5surd mannerisms of ,hich he (i1es so amusin( and realistic a descri0tion in the li(hter 0assa(es of the Cloud. hese 0assa(es 5etra+ the half>humorous e3as0eration of the tem0eramental recluse' ner1ous' fastidious' and h+0ersensiti1e' lo1in( silence and 0eace' 5ut com0elled to a dail+ and hourl+ com0anionshi0 ,ith 0ersons of a less contem0lati1e t+0e2 some findin( in e3tra1a(ant and meanin(less (estures an outlet for su00ressed 1italit+? others o1erflo,in( ,ith a terri5le cheerfulness li-e .(i((lin( (irls and nice Aa0in( Au((lers.? others so lac-in( in re0ose that the+ .can neither sit still' stand still' nor lie still' unless the+ 5e either ,a((in( ,ith their feet or else some,hat doin( ,ith their hands.. hou(h he cannot (o to the len(th of condemnin( these ha5its as mortal 805 n9*: sins' the author of the Cloud lea1es us in no dou5t as to the irritation ,ith ,hich the+ ins0ired him' or the distrust ,ith ,hich he re(ards the s0iritual claims of those ,ho fid(et. he attem0t to identif+ this m+sterious ,riter ,ith Walter Hilton' the author of The "cale of Perfection, has com0letel+ failed2 thou(h Hilton4s ,or-=es0eciall+ the e3<uisite fra(ment called the "ong of #ngels$certainl+ 5etra+s his influence. he ,or-s attri5uted to him' if ,e e3clude the translations from Dion+sius and )ichard of St. ;ictor' are onl+ fi1e in num5er. he+ are' first' The Cloud of Unknowing$the lon(est and most com0lete e30osition of its author4s 0eculiar doctrine=and' de0endin( from it' four short tracts or letters2 The %&istle of Prayer, The %&istle of Discretion in the "tirrings of the "oul, The %&istle of Privy Counsel, and The Treatise of Discerning of "&irits. Some critics ha1e e1en dis0uted the claim of the ,riter of the Cloud to the 805 n9&7: authorshi0 of these little ,or-s' re(ardin( them as the 0roduction of a (rou0 or school of contem0lati1es de1oted to the stud+ and

0ractice of the Dion+sian m+stical theolo(+? 5ut the unit+ of thou(ht and st+le found in them ma-es this h+0othesis at least im0ro5a5le. E1er+thin( 0oints rather to their 5ein( the ,or- of an ori(inal m+stical (enius' of stron(l+ mar-ed character and (reat literar+ a5ilit+2 ,ho' ,hilst he too- the frame,or- of his 0hiloso0h+ from Dion+sius the #reo0a(ite' and of his 0s+cholo(+ from )ichard of St. ;ictor' +et is in no sense a mere imitator of these masters' 5ut introduced a (enuinel+ ne, element into mediae1al reli(ious literature. What' then' ,ere his s0ecial characteristicsB Whence came the fresh colour ,hich he (a1e to the old Clatonic theor+ of m+stical e30erienceB Dirst' I thin-' from the com5ination of hi(h s0iritual (ifts ,ith a 1i1id sense of humour' -een 0o,ers of o5ser1ation' a ro5ust common>sense2 805 n9&&: a 5alance of <ualities not indeed rare amon(st the m+stics' 5ut here 0resented to us in an e3treme form. In his ea(er (aEin( on di1init+ this contem0lati1e ne1er loses touch ,ith humanit+' ne1er for(ets the so1erei(n 0ur0ose of his ,ritin(s? ,hich is not a declaration of the s0iritual fa1ours he has recei1ed' 5ut a hel0in( of his fello,>men to share them. Ne3t' he has a (reat sim0licit+ of outloo-' ,hich ena5les him to 0resent the result of his hi(hest e30eriences and intuitions in the most direct and homel+ lan(ua(e. So actual' and so much a 0art of his normal e3istence' are his a00rehensions of s0iritual realit+' that he can (i1e them to us in the 0lain ,ords of dail+ life2 and thus he is one of the most realistic of m+stical ,riters. He a5ounds in 1i1id little 0hrases=.Call sin a lu!&'( .Short 0ra+er 0ierceth hea1en.2 .No,here 5odil+' is e1er+,here (hostl+.2 .Who that ,ill not (o the strait ,a+ to hea1en' . . . shall (o the soft ,a+ to 805 n9&%: hell.. His ran(e of e30erience is a ,ide one. He does not disdain to ta-e a hint from the ,iEards and necromancers on the ri(ht ,a+ to treat the de1il? he dra,s his illustrations of di1ine merc+ from the homeliest incidents of friendshi0 and 0arental lo1e. # s-illed theolo(ian' <uotin( St. #u(ustine and homas #<uinas' and usin( ,ith ease the lan(ua(e of scholasticism' he is a5le' on the other hand' to e30ress the dee0est s0eculations of m+stical 0hiloso0h+ ,ithout resortin( to academic terminolo(+2 as for instance ,here he descri5es the s0iritual hea1en as a .state. rather than a .0lace.2 .Dor hea1en (hostl+ is as ni(h do,n as u0' and u0 as do,n2 5ehind as 5efore' 5efore as 5ehind' on one side as other. Insomuch' that ,hoso had a true desire for to 5e at hea1en' then that same time he ,ere in hea1en (hostl+. Dor the hi(h and the ne3t ,a+ thither is run 5+ desires' and not 5+ 0aces of feet.. 805 n9&F: His ,ritin(s' thou(h the+ touch on man+ su5Aects' are chiefl+ concerned ,ith the art of contem0lati1e 0ra+er? that .5lind intent stretchin( to God. ,hich' if it 5e ,holl+ set on Him' cannot fail to reach its (oal. # 0eculiar talent for the descri0tion and discrimination of s0iritual states has ena5led him to discern and set 5efore us' ,ith astonishin( 0recision and 1i1idness' not onl+ the stran(e sensations' the confusion and 5e,ilderment of the 5e(inner in the earl+ sta(es of contem0lation=the stru((le ,ith distractin( thou(hts' the silence' the dar-=and the unfortunate state of those theoretical m+stics ,ho' .s,ollen ,ith 0ride and ,ith curiosit+ of much cler(+ and letterl+ cunnin( as in cler-s'. miss that treasure ,hich is .ne1er (ot 5+ stud+ 5ut all onl+ 5+ (race.? 5ut also the ha00iness of those ,hose .shar0 dart of lon(in( lo1e. has not .failed of the 0ric-' the ,hich is God.. # (reat sim0licit+ characterises his 805 n9&4: doctrine of the soul4s attainment of the #5solute. Dor him there is 5ut one central necessit+2 the 0erfect and 0assionate settin( of the ,ill u0on the Di1ine' so that it is .th+ lo1e and th+ meanin(' the choice and 0oint of thine heart.. Not 5+ deli5erate ascetic 0ractices' not 5+ refusal of the ,orld' not 5+ intellectual stri1in(' 5ut 5+ acti1el+ lo1in( and choosin(' 5+ that ,hich a modern 0s+cholo(ist has called .the s+nthesis of lo1e and ,ill. does the s0irit of man achie1e its (oal. .Dor silence is not God'. he sa+s in the %&istle of Discretion, .nor s0ea-in( is not God? fastin( is not God' nor eatin( is not God? loneliness is not God' nor com0an+ is not God? nor +et an+ of all the other t,o such contraries. He is hid 5et,een them' and ma+ not 5e found 5+ an+ ,or- of th+ soul' 5ut all onl+ 5+ lo1e of thine heart. He ma+ not 5e -no,n 5+ reason' He ma+ not 5e (otten 5+ thou(ht' nor concluded 5+ understandin(? 5ut He ma+ 5e lo1ed and 805 n9&6: chosen ,ith the true lo1el+ ,ill of thine heart. . . . Such a 5lind shot ,ith the shar0 dart of lon(in( lo1e ma+ ne1er fail of the 0ric-' the ,hich is God.. o him ,ho has so lo1ed and chosen' and .in a true ,ill and 5+ an ,hole intent does 0ur0ose him to 5e a 0erfect follo,er of Christ' not onl+ in acti1e li1in(' 5ut in the so1erei(nest 0oint of contem0lati1e li1in(' the ,hich is 0ossi5le 5+ (race for to 5e come to in this 0resent life'. these ,ritin(s are addressed. In the 0rolo(ue of the Cloud of Unknowing ,e find the ,arnin(' so often 0refi3ed to mediae1al m+stical ,or-s' that it shall on no account 5e lent' (i1en' or read to other men2 ,ho could not understand' and mi(ht misunderstand in a dan(erous sense' its 0eculiar messa(e. Nor ,as this ,arnin( a mere e30ression of literar+ 1anit+. If ,e ma+ Aud(e 5+ the e3am0les of 0ossi5le misunderstandin( a(ainst ,hich he is careful to (uard himself' the almost tiresome reminders that all his remar-s are 805 n9&6: .(hostl+' not 5odil+ meant'. the standard of intelli(ence ,hich the author e30ected from his readers ,as not a hi(h one. He e1en fears that some .+oun( 0resum0tuous (hostl+ disci0les. ma+ understand the inAunction to .lift u0 the heart. in a merel+ 0h+sical manner? and either .stare in the stars as if the+ ,ould 5e a5o1e the moon'. or .tra1ail their fleshl+ hearts outra(eousl+ in their 5reasts. in the effort to ma-e literal .ascensions. to God. Eccentricities of this -ind he finds not onl+ foolish 5ut dan(erous? the+ outra(e nature' destro+ sanit+ and health' and .hurt full sore the sill+ soul' and ma-e it fester in fantas+ fei(ned of fiends.. He o5ser1es ,ith a touch of arro(ance that his 5oo- is not intended for these undisci0lined see-ers after the a5normal and the mar1ellous' nor +et for .fleshl+ Aan(lers' flatterers and 5lamers' . . . nor none of these curious' lettered' nor unlearned men.. It is to those ,ho feel themsel1es called to 805 n9&7: the true 0ra+er of contem0lation' to the search for God' ,hether in the cloister or the ,orld=,hose .little secret lo1e. is at once the ener(iEin( cause of all action' and the hidden s,eet sa1our of life=that he addresses himself. hese he instructs in that sim0le +et difficult art of recollection' the

necessar+ 0reliminar+ of an+ true communion ,ith the s0iritual order' in ,hich all sensual ima(es' all memories and thou(hts' are as he sa+s' .trodden do,n under the cloud of for(ettin(. until .nothin( li1es in the ,or-in( mind 5ut a na-ed intent stretchin( to God.. his .intent stretchin(.=this lo1in( and 1i(orous determination of the ,ill=he re(ards as the central fact of the m+stical life? the 1er+ heart of effecti1e 0ra+er. Onl+ 5+ its e3ercise can the s0irit' freed from the distractions of memor+ and sense' focus itself u0on )ealit+ and ascend ,ith .a 0ri1+ lo1e 0ressed. to that .Cloud of /n-no,in(.=the Di1ine I(norance of the Neo0latonists=805 n9&@:,herein is .-nit u0 the (hostl+ -not of 5urnin( lo1e 5et,i3t thee and th+ God' in (hostl+ onehead and accordin( of ,ill.. here is in this doctrine somethin( ,hich should 5e 0eculiarl+ con(enial to the acti1istic tendencies of modern thou(ht. Here is no taint of <uietism' no in1itation to a s0iritual lim0ness. Drom first to last (lad and deli5erate ,oris demanded of the initiate2 an all>round ,holeness of e30erience is insisted on. .# man ma+ not 5e full+ acti1e' 5ut if he 5e in 0art contem0lati1e? nor +et full+ contem0lati1e' as it ma+ 5e here' 5ut if he 5e in 0art acti1e.. O1er and o1er a(ain' the em0hasis is laid on this acti1e as0ect of all true s0iritualit+=al,a+s a fa1ourite theme of the (reat En(lish m+stics. .!o1e cannot 5e laE+'. said )ichard )olle. So too for the author of the Cloud ener(+ is the mar- of true affection. .Do forth e1er' more and more' so that thou 5e e1er doin(. . . . Do on then fast? let see 805 n9&*: ho, thou 5earest thee. Seest thou not ho, He standeth and a5ideth theeB. rue' the ,ill alone' ho,e1er ardent and industrious' cannot of itself set u0 communion ,ith the su0ernal ,orld2 this is .the ,or- of onl+ God' s0eciall+ ,rou(ht in ,hat soul that Him li-eth.. But man can and must do his 0art. Dirst' there are the 1irtues to 5e ac<uired2 those .ornaments of the S0iritual Marria(e. ,ith ,hich no m+stic can dis0ense. Since ,e can 5ut 5ehold that ,hich ,e are' his character must 5e set in order' his mind and heart made 5eautiful and 0ure' 5efore he can loo- on the tri0le star of Goodness' ruth' and Beaut+' ,hich is God. E1er+ (reat s0iritual teacher has s0o-en in the same sense2 of the need for that ,hich )olle calls the .mendin( of life.=re(eneration' the re5uildin( of character=as the 0re0aration of the contem0lati1e act. Dor the author of the Cloud all human 1irtue is com0rised in the t,in 805 n9%7: <ualities of Humilit+ and Charit+. He ,ho has these' has all. Humilit+' in accordance ,ith the doctrine of )ichard of St. ;ictor' he identifies ,ith self> -no,led(e? the terri5le 1ision of the soul as it is' ,hich induces first self>a5asement and then self>0urification=the 5e(innin( of all s0iritual (ro,th' and the necessar+ antecedent of all -no,led(e of God. . herefore s,in- and s,eat in all that thou canst and ma+st' for to (et thee a true -no,in( and a feelin( of th+self as thou art? and then I tro, that soon after that' thou shalt ha1e a true -no,in( and a feelin( of God as He is.. #s all man4s feelin( and thou(ht of himself and his relation to God is com0rehended in Humilit+' so all his feelin( and thou(ht of God in Himself is com0rehended in Charit+? the self>(i1in( lo1e of Di1ine Cerfection .in Himself and for Himself. ,hich Hilton calls .the so1erei(n and the essential Ao+.. o(ether these t,o 1irtues should em5race the sum of his res0onses 805 n9%&: to the /ni1erse? the+ should (o1ern his attitude to man as ,ell as his attitude to God. .Charit+ is nou(ht else . . . 5ut lo1e of God for Himself a5o1e all creatures' and of man for God e1en as th+self.. Charit+ and Humilit+' then' to(ether ,ith the ardent and industrious ,ill' are the necessar+ 0ossessions of each soul set u0on this ad1enture. heir 0resence it is ,hich mar-s out the true from the false m+stic2 and it ,ould seem' from the detailed' 1i1id' and often amusin( descri0tions of the sanctimonious' the h+0ocritical' the self>sufficient' and the self>decei1ed in their .di1erse and ,onderful 1ariations'. that such a test ,as as (reatl+ needed in the .#(es of Daith. as it is at the 0resent da+. Sham s0iritualit+ flourished in the mediae1al cloister' and offered a constant o00ortunit+ of error to those +oun( enthusiasts ,ho ,ere not +et a,are that the true freedom of eternit+ .cometh not ,ith o5ser1ation.. #ffectations of sanctit+' 805 n9%%: 0retense to rare m+stical e30eriences' ,ere a fa1ourite means of ad1ertisement. Cs+chic 0henomena' too' seem to ha1e 5een common2 ecstasies' 1isions' 1oices' the scent of stran(e 0erfumes' the hearin( of s,eet sounds. Dor these su00osed indications of Di1ine fa1our' the author of the Cloud has no more res0ect than the modern 0s+cholo(ist2 and here' of course' he is in a(reement ,ith all the (reatest ,riters on m+sticism' ,ho are unanimous in their disli-e and distrust of all 1isionar+ and auditi1e e30erience. Such thin(s' he considers' are most often hallucination2 and' ,here the+ are not' should 5e re(arded as the accidents rather than the su5stance of the contem0lati1e life=the harsh rind of sense' ,hich co1ers the s,eet nut of .0ure (hostliness.. Were ,e trul+ s0iritual' ,e should not need them? for our communion ,ith )ealit+ ,ould then 5e the direct and ineffa5le intercourse of li-e ,ith li-e. 805 n9%F: Moreo1er' these automatism are amon(st the most dan(erous instruments of self>dece0tion. .Ofttimes'. he sa+s of those ,ho deli5eratel+ see- for re1elations' .the de1il fei(neth <uaint sounds in their ears' <uaint li(hts and shinin( in their e+es' and ,onderful smells in their noses2 and all is 5ut falsehood.. Hence it often ha00ens to those ,ho (i1e themsel1es u0 to such e30eriences' that .fast after such a false feelin(' cometh a false -no,in( in the Diend4s school2 . . . for I tell thee trul+' that the de1il hath his contem0lati1es' as God hath His.. )eal s0iritual illumination' he thin-s' seldom comes 5+ ,a+ of these 0s+cho>sensual automatism .into the 5od+ 5+ the ,indo,s of our ,its.. It s0rin(s u0 ,ithin the soul in .a5undance of (hostl+ (ladness.. With so (reat an authorit+ it comes' 5rin(in( ,ith it such ,onder and such lo1e' that .he that feeleth it ma+ not ha1e it sus0ect.. But all other a5normal e30eriences =.comforts' sounds and 805 n9%4: (ladness' and s,eetness' that come from ,ithout suddenl+.=should 5e set aside' as more often resultin( in frenEies and fee5leness of s0irit than in (enuine increase of .(hostl+ stren(th.. his health+ and manl+ 1ie, of the m+stical life' as a (ro,th to,ards God' a ri(ht em0lo+ment of the ,ill' rather than a short cut to hidden -no,led(e or su0ersensual e30erience' is one of the stron(est characteristics of the ,riter

of the Cloud) and constitutes 0erha0s his (reatest claim on our res0ect. .Mean onl+ God'. he sa+s a(ain and a(ain? .Cress u0on Him ,ith lon(in( lo1e.? .# (ood will is the su5stance of all 0erfection.. o those ,ho ha1e this (ood ,ill' he offers his teachin(2 0ointin( out the dan(ers in their ,a+' the errors of mood and of conduct into ,hich the+ ma+ fall. he+ are to set a5out this s0iritual ,or- not onl+ ,ith ener(+' 5ut ,ith courtesy( not .snatchin( as it ,ere a (reed+ (re+hound. at s0iritual 805 n9%6: satisfactions' 5ut (entl+ and Ao+ousl+ 0ressin( to,ards Him Whom "ulian of Nor,ich called .our most courteous !ord.. # (lad s0irit of dalliance is more 5ecomin( to them than the (rim determination of the fanatic. .Shall I' a (nat ,hich dances in h+ ra+' Dare to 5e re1erent.. Durther' he communicates to them certain .(hostl+ de1ices. 5+ ,hich the+ ma+ o1ercome the ine1ita5le difficulties encountered 5+ 5e(inners in contem0lation2 the distractin( thou(hts and memories ,hich torment the self that is stru((lin( to focus all its attention u0on the s0iritual s0here. he stern re0ression of such thou(hts' ho,e1er s0iritual' he -no,s to 5e essential to success2 e1en sin' once it is re0ented of' must 5e for(otten in order that Cerfect Goodness ma+ 5e -no,n. he .little ,ord God'. and .the little ,ord !o1e'. are the onl+ ideas ,hich ma+ d,ell in the contem0lati1e4s mind. #n+thin( else s0lits his attention' and soon 0roceeds 5+ 805 n9%6: mental association to lead him further and further from the consideration of that su0ersensual )ealit+ ,hich he see-s. he 0rimal need of the 0urified soul' then' is the 0o,er of Concentration. His ,hole 5ein( must 5e set to,ards the O5Aect of his cra1in( if he is to attain to it2 .!oo- that nothing li1e in th+ ,or-in( mind' 5ut a na-ed intent stretchin( into God.. #n+ thou(ht of Him is inade<uate' and for that reason defeats its o,n end=a doctrine' of course' directl+ tracea5le to the .M+stical heolo(+. of Dion+sius the #reo0a(ite. .Of God Himself can no man thin-'. sa+s the ,riter of the Cloud, '#nd therefore I ,ould lea1e all that thin( that I can thin-' and choose to m+ lo1e that thin( that I cannot thin-. . he uni1erses ,hich are amena5le to the intellect can ne1er satisf+ the instincts of the heart. Durther' there is to 5e no ,ilful choosin( of method2 no fuss+ acti1it+ of the surface>intelli(ence. he 805 n9%7: m+stic ,ho see-s the di1ine Cloud of /n-no,in( is to 5e surrendered to the direction of his dee0er mind' his transcendental consciousness2 that .s0ar- of the soul. ,hich is in touch ,ith eternal realities. .Meddle thou not there,ith' as thou ,ouldest hel0 it' for dread lest thou s0ill all. Be thou 5ut the tree' and let it 5e the ,ri(ht2 5e thou 5ut the house' and let it 5e the hus5andman d,ellin( therein.. In the %&istle of Privy Counsel there is a 0assa(e ,hich e30resses ,ith sin(ular com0leteness the author4s theor+ of this contem0lati1e art=this silent +et ardent encounter of the soul ,ith God. Cra+er' said Mechthild of Ma(de5ur(' 5rin(s to(ether t,o lo1ers' God and the soul' in a narro, room ,here the+ s0ea- much of lo1e2 and here the rules ,hich (o1ern that meetin( are laid do,n 5+ a master4s hand. .When thou comest 5+ th+self'. he sa+s' .thin- not 5efore ,hat thou shalt do after' 5ut forsa-e as ,ell (ood thou(hts as e1il thou(hts' and 805 n9%@: 0ra+ not ,ith th+ mouth 5ut list thee ri(ht ,ell. #nd then if thou au(ht shalt sa+' loo- not ho, much nor ho, little that it 5e' nor ,ei(h not ,hat it is nor ,hat it 5emeaneth . . . and loo- that nothin( li1e in th+ ,or-in( mind 5ut a na-ed intent stretchin( into God' not clothed in an+ s0ecial thou(ht of God in Himself. . . . his na-ed intent freel+ fastened and (rounded in 1er+ 5elief shall 5e nou(ht else to th+ thou(ht and to th+ feelin( 5ut a na-ed thou(ht and a 5lind feelin( of thine o,n 5ein(2 as if thou saidest thus unto God' ,ithin in th+ meanin(' 4 hat ,hat I am' !ord' I offer unto hee' ,ithout an+ loo-in( to an+ <ualit+ of h+ Bein(' 5ut onl+ that hou art as hou art' ,ithout an+ more.4 hat meedar-ness 5e th+ mirror' and th+ ,hole remem5rance. hin- no further of th+self than I 5id thee do of th+ God' so that thou 5e one ,ith Him in s0irit' as thus ,ithout de0artin( and scatterin(' for He is th+ 5ein(' and in Him thou art that thou art? 805 n9%*:not onl+ 5+ cause and 5+ 5ein(' 5ut also' He is in thee 5oth th+ cause and th+ 5ein(. #nd therefore thin- on God in this ,or- as thou dost on th+self' and on th+self as thou dost on God2 that He is as He is and thou art as thou art' and that th+ thou(ht 5e not scattered nor de0arted' 5ut 0ro1ed in Him that is #ll.. he conce0tion of realit+ ,hich underlies this 0rofound and 5eautiful 0assa(e' has much in common ,ith that found in the ,or- of man+ other m+stics? since it is ultimatel+ deri1ed from the (reat Neo0latonic 0hiloso0h+ of the contem0lati1e life. But the ,riter in1ests it' I thin-' ,ith a dee0er and ,ider meanin( than it is made to 5ear in the ,ritin(s e1en of )u+s5roec-' St. eresa' or St. "ohn of the Cross. .Dor He is th+ 5ein(' and in Him thou art that thou art? not onl+ 5+ cause and 5+ 5ein(' 5ut also' He is in thee 5oth th+ cause and th+ 5ein(.. It ,as a dee0 thin-er as ,ell as a (reat lo1er ,ho ,rote this2 one 805 n9F7: ,ho Aoined hands ,ith the 0hiloso0hers' as ,ell as ,ith the saints. . hat mee- dar-ness 5e th+ mirror.. What is this dar-nessB It is the .ni(ht of the intellect. into ,hich ,e are 0lun(ed ,hen ,e attain to a state of consciousness ,hich is a5o1e thou(ht? enter on a 0lane of s0iritual e30erience ,ith ,hich the intellect cannot deal. his is the .Di1ine Dar-ness.=the Cloud of /n-no,in(' or of I(norance' .dar- ,ith e3cess of li(ht.=0reached 5+ Dion+sius the #reo0a(ite' and ea(erl+ acce0ted 5+ his En(lish inter0reter. .When I sa+ dar-ness' I mean a lac-in( of -no,in( . . . and for this reason it is not called a cloud of the air' 5ut a cloud of un-no,in( that is 5et,i3t thee and th+ God.. It is .a dar- mist'. he sa+s a(ain' .,hich seemeth to 5e 5et,een thee and the li(ht thou as0irest to.. his dimness and lostness of mind is a 0arado3ical 0roof of attainment. )eason is in the dar-' 5ecause lo1e has entered .the m+sterious 805 n9F&: radiance of the Di1ine Dar-' the inaccessi5le li(ht ,herein the !ord is said to d,ell' and to ,hich thou(ht ,ith all its stru((les cannot attain..

.!o1ers'. said Catmore' .0ut out the candles and dra, the curtains' ,hen the+ ,ish to see the (od and the (oddess? and' in the hi(her communion' the ni(ht of thou(ht is the li(ht of 0erce0tion.. hese statements cannot 5e e30lained2 the+ can onl+ 5e 0ro1ed in the e30erience of me indi1idual soul. .Whoso deser1es to see and -no, God rests therein'. sa+s Dion+sius of that dar-ness' .and' 5+ the 1er+ fact that he neither sees nor -no,s' is trul+ in that ,hich sur0asses all truth and all -no,led(e.. . hen'. sa+s the ,riter of the Cloud$,his0erin( as it ,ere to the 5e,ildered neo0h+te the dearest secret of his lo1e =.then ,ill He sometimes 0erad1enture send out a 5eam of (hostl+ li(ht' 0iercin( this cloud of un-no,in( that is 5et,i3t thee and Him? and sho, thee some of His 805 n9F%: 0ri1it+' the ,hich man ma+ not' nor cannot s0ea-.. HHHHHHH Numerous co0ies of the Cloud of Unknowing and the other ,or-s attri5uted to its ,riter are in e3istence. Si3 manuscri0ts of the Cloud are in the British Museum2 four on 1ellum IHarl. 674' Harl. *6*' Harl. %F7F' and )o+al &7 C. 331ii.J' all of the &6th centur+? and t,o on 0a0er I)o+al &7 C. 331ii. of the &6th centur+' and )o+al &7 D. 1. late &6th centur+J. #ll these a(ree fairl+ closel+? e3ce0t for the facts that Harl. %F7F is incom0lete' se1eral 0a(es ha1in( disa00eared' and that Harl. *6* (i1es the su5stance of the ,hole ,or- in a sli(htl+ shortened form. he 0resent edition is 5ased u0on Harl. 674? ,hich has 5een transcri5ed and collated ,ith )o+al &7 C. 331i.' and in the case of s0eciall+ o5scure 0assa(es ,ith )o+al &7 C. 331ii.' )o+al &7 D. 1.' and Harl. %F7F. O51ious errors and omissions ha1e 5een corrected' and se1eral 805 n9FF: o5scure readin(s elucidated' from these sources. he Cloud of Unknowing ,as -no,n' and read' 5+ En(lish Catholics as late as the middle or end of the &7th centur+. It ,as much used 5+ the cele5rated Benedictine ascetic' the ;enera5le #u(ustine Ba-er I&676>&64&J' ,ho ,rote a lon( e30osition of the doctrine ,hich it contains. ,o manuscri0ts of this treatise e3ist in the Benedictine Colle(e of St. !aurence at #m0leforth? to(ether ,ith a transcri0t of the Cloud of Unknowing dated &677. Man+ references to it ,ill also 5e found in the 1olume called Holy *isdo!, ,hich contains the su5stances of #u(ustine Ba-er4s ,ritin(s on the inner life. he Cloud has onl+ once 5een 0rinted2 in &@7&' 5+ the )e1. Henr+ Collins' under the title of The Divine Cloud, ,ith a 0reface and notes attri5uted to #u(ustine Ba-er and 0ro5a5l+ ta-en from the treatise mentioned a5o1e. his edition is no, out of 0rint. he MS. from ,hich it 805 n9F4: ,as made is un-no,n to us. It differs ,idel+' 5oth in the matter of additions and of omissions' from all the te3ts in the British Museum' and re0resents a distinctl+ inferior recension of the ,or-. # man(led renderin( of the su5lime %&istle of Privy Counsel is 0refi3ed to it. hrou(hout' the 0ith+ sa+in(s of the ori(inal are either mis<uoted' or e30anded into con1entional and fla1ourless sentences. Numerous e30lanator+ 0hrases for ,hich our manuscri0ts (i1e no authorit+ ha1e 5een incor0orated into the te3t. #ll the <uaint and humorous turns of s0eech are omitted or toned do,n. he res0onsi5ilit+ for these crimes a(ainst scholarshi0 cannot no, 5e determined? 5ut it seems li-el+ that the te3t from ,hich Dather Collins4 edition ,as=in his o,n ,ords=.mostl+ ta-en. ,as a &7th>centur+ 0ara0hrase' made rather in the interests of edification than of accurac+? and that it re0resents the form in ,hich the ,or- ,as -no,n and used 805 n9F6: 5+ #u(ustine Ba-er and his contem0oraries. he other ,or-s attri5uted to the author of the Cloud ha1e fared 5etter than this. Dionise Hid Divinite still remains in MS.2 5ut the %&istle of Prayer, the %&istle of Discretion, and the Treatise of Discerning of "&irits, to(ether ,ith the 0ara0hrase of the Ben a!in Minor of )ichard of St. ;ictor ,hich is su00osed to 5e 5+ the same hand' ,ere included 5+ Henr+ Ce0,ell' in &6%&' in a little 1olume of se1en m+stical tracts. hese are no, accessi5le to the (eneral reader? ha1in( 5een re0rinted in the .Ne, Medie1al !i5rar+. I&*&7J under the title of The Cell of "elf+ knowledge, ,ith an admira5le introduction and notes 5+ Mr. Edmund Gardner. Mr. Gardner has collated Ce0,ell4s te3t ,ith that contained in the British Museum manuscri0t Harl. 674? the same 1olume ,hich has 0ro1ided the 5ase> manuscri0t for the 0resent edition of the Cloud. his edition is intended' not for the 805 n9F6: student of Middle En(lish' nor for the s0ecialist in mediae1al literature? 5ut for the (eneral reader and lo1er of m+sticism. M+ o5Aect has 5een to 0roduce a reada5le te3t' free from learned and critical a00aratus. he s0ellin( has therefore 5een modernised throu(hout2 and e3ce0t in a fe, instances' ,here 0hrases of a s0ecial charm or <uaintness' or the alliterati1e 0assa(es so characteristic of the author4s st+le' demanded their retention' o5solete ,ords ha1e 5een re0laced 5+ their nearest modern e<ui1alents. One such ,ord' ho,e1er' ,hich occurs constantl+ has (enerall+ 5een retained' on account of its im0ortance and the difficult+ of findin( an e3act su5stitute for it in current En(lish. his is the 1er5 .to list'. ,ith its adAecti1e and ad1er5 .list+. and .listil+'. and the su5stanti1e .list'. deri1ed from it. .!ist. is 5est understood 5+ com0arison ,ith its o00osite' .listless.. It im0lies a (lad and ea(er acti1it+' or sometimes an ener(etic 805 n9F7: desire or cra1in(2 the ,ish and the ,ill to do somethin(. he noun often stands for 0leasure or deli(ht' the ad1er5 for the ,illin( and Ao+ous 0erformance of an action2 the .0uttin( of one4s heart into one4s ,or-.. he modern .lust'. from the same root' su((ests a 1iolence ,hich ,as e30ressl+ e3cluded from the Middle En(lish meanin( of .list.. M+ heartiest than-s are due to Mr. Da1id In,ard' ,ho transcri5ed the manuscri0t on ,hich this 1ersion is 5ased' and throu(hout has (i1en me s-illed and untirin( assistance in sol1in( man+ of the 0ro5lems ,hich arose in connection ,ith it? and to Mr. ". #. Her5ert' #ssistant>-ee0er of Manuscri0ts in the British Museum' ,ho has read the 0roofs' and also dated the manuscri0ts of the Cloud for the 0ur0oses of the 0resent edition' and to ,hose e30ert -no,led(e and unfailin( -indness I o,e a dee0 de5t of (ratitude. E;E!KN /NDE)HI!!. 805 n9F*:

Glossary
Beholdin( Boisterous Cler(+ Con Counsel Doomsman E1en>christian Dairhead Dorso55ed Dorsun-en !et !e,d Namel+ Onehead OutL Cincher )a1ishin( )ec-less )on-er )onner S,inWittin( Wode )e(ard' consideration. )ou(h' 1iolent' uns-ilful' crude. !earnin(. o -no,' or 5e a5le. S0iritual ad1iser or director. "ud(e. Nei(h5our. Beaut+. Soa-ed or 0enetrated. Immersed. o hinder. /nlettered' or i(norant. S0eciall+. /nion. #las. # co1etous or ni((ardl+ 0erson. Ecstas+. Indifferent. # ,his0erer. # (ossi0 or tale>5earer. o la5our. $no,led(e. Mad' furious. 805 n94&:

Here e!"##e$% a oo& o' (o#$e)*la$"o#, $%e +%"(% "s (alle, $%e CLOUD OF UNKNOWING, "# $%e +%"(% a so-l "s o#e, +"$% GOD.
805 n94F:

Here Be!"##e$% $%e Prayer o# $%e Prolo!-e

GOD' unto ,hom all hearts 5e o0en' and unto ,hom all ,ill s0ea-eth' and unto ,hom no 0ri1+ thin( is hid. I 5eseech hee so for to cleanse the intent of mine heart ,ith the uns0ea-a5le (ift of h+ (race' that I ma+ 0erfectl+ lo1e hee' and ,orthil+ 0raise hee. #men. 805 n946:

Here Be!"##e$% $%e Prolo!-e

IN the name of the Dather and of the Son and of the Hol+ GhostL I char(e thee and I 5eseech thee' ,ith as much 0o,er and 1irtue as the 5ond of charit+ is sufficient to suffer' ,hatsoe1er thou 5e that this 5oo- shalt ha1e in 0ossession' either 5+ 0ro0ert+' either 5+ -ee0in(' 5+ 5earin( as messen(er' or else 5+ 5orro,in(' that in as much as in thee is 5+ ,ill and ad1isement' neither thou read it' nor ,rite it' nor s0ea- it' nor +et suffer it 5e read' ,ritten' or s0o-en' of an+ or to an+ 5ut if it 5e of such one' or to such one' that hath 5+ th+ su00osin( in a true ,ill and 5+ an ,hole intent 0ur0osed him to 5e a 0erfect follo,er of Christ not onl+ in acti1e li1in(' 5ut in the 805 n946: so1erei(nest 0oint of contem0lati1e li1in( the ,hich is 0ossi5le 5+ (race for to 5e come to in this 0resent life of a 0erfect soul +et a5idin( in this deadl+ 5od+? and thereto that doth that in him is' and 5+ th+ su00osin( hath done lon( time 5efore' for to a5le him to contem0lati1e li1in( 5+ the 1irtuous means of acti1e li1in(. Dor else it accordeth nothin( to him. #nd o1er this I char(e thee and I 5eseech thee 5+ the authorit+ of charit+' that if an+ such shall read it' ,rite it' or s0ea- it' or else hear it 5e read or s0o-en' that thou char(e him as I do thee' for to ta-e him time to read it' s0ea- it' ,rite it' or hear it' all o1er. Dor 0erad1enture there is some matter therein in the 5e(innin( or in the middle' the ,hich is han(in(' and not full+ declared ,here it standeth2 and if it 5e not there' it is soon after' or else in the end. Wherefore if a man sa, one matter and not another' 0erad1enture he mi(ht li(htl+ 5e led into error? and therefore in esche,in( of 805 n947: this error' 5oth in th+self and in all other' I 0ra+ thee for charit+ do as I sa+ thee. Dleshl+ Aan(lers' o0en 0raisers and 5lamers of themsel1es or of an+ other' tellers of trifles' ronners and tattlers of tales' and all manner of 0inchers' cared I ne1er that the+ sa, this 5oo-. Dor mine intent ,as ne1er to ,rite such thin( unto them' and therefore I ,ould that the+ meddle not there,ith? neither the+' nor an+ of these curious' lettered' or unlearned men. Kea' althou(h that the+ 5e full (ood men of acti1e li1in(' +et this matter accordeth nothin( to them. But if it 5e to those men' the ,hich althou(h the+ stand in acti1it+ 5+ out,ard form of li1in(' ne1ertheless +et 5+ in,ard stirrin( after the 0ri1+ s0irit of God' ,hose dooms 5e hid' the+ 5e full (raciousl+ dis0osed' not continuall+ as it is 0ro0er to 1er+ contem0lati1es' 5ut no, and then to 5e 0ercei1ers in the hi(hest

0oint of this contem0lati1e act? if such men mi(ht see it' the+ 805 n94@: should 5+ the (race of God 5e (reatl+ comforted there5+. his 5oo- is distin(uished in se1ent+ cha0ters and fi1e. Of the ,hich cha0ters' the last cha0ter of all teacheth some certain to-ens 5+ the ,hich a soul ma+ 1eril+ 0ro1e ,hether he 5e called of God to 5e a ,or-er in this ,or- or none. 805 n94*:

Here Be!"##e$% a Ta le o' $%e C%a*$ers

HE DI)S CH#C E) Of four de(rees of Christian men4s li1in(? and of the course of his callin( that this 5oo- ,as made unto HE SECOND CH#C E) # short stirrin( to mee-ness' and to the ,or- of this 5ooHE HI)D CH#C E) Ho, the ,or- of this 5oo- shall 5e ,rou(ht and of the ,orthiness of it 5efore all other ,or-s HE DO/) H CH#C E) Of the shortness of this ,or-' and ho, it ma+ not 5e come to 5+ the curiosit+ of ,it' nor 5+ ima(ination HE DID H CH#C E) hat in the time of this ,or- all the creatures that e1er ha1e 5een' 5e no,' or e1er shall 5e' and all the ,or-s of those same creatures' should 5e hid under the cloud of for(ettin( HE SIM H CH#C E) # short conceit of the ,or- of this 5oo-' treated 5+ <uestion HE SE;EN H CH#C E) Ho, a man shall ha1e him in this ,or- a(ainst all thou(hts' and s0eciall+ a(ainst all those that arise of his o,n curiosit+' of cunnin(' and of natural ,it HE EIGH H CH#C E) # (ood declarin( of certain dou5ts that ma+ fall in this ,or-' treated 5+ <uestion' in destro+in( of a man4s o,n curiosit+' of cunnin(' and of natural ,it' and in distin(uishin( of the de(rees and the 0arts of acti1e li1in( and contem0lati1e HE NIN H CH#C E) hat in the time of this ,or- the remem5rance of the holiest creature that e1er God made letteth more than it 0rofiteth HE EN H CH#C E) Ho, a man shall -no, ,hen his thou(ht is no sin? and if it 5e sin' ,hen it is deadl+ and ,hen it is 1enial HE E!E;EN H CH#C E) hat a man should ,ei(h each thou(ht and each stirrin( after that it is' and al,a+s esche, rec-lessness in 1enial sin HE WE!D H CH#C E) hat 5+ 1irtue of this ,or- sin is not onl+ destro+ed' 5ut also 1irtues 5e(otten HE HI) EEN H CH#C E) What mee-ness is in itself' and ,hen it is 0erfect and ,hen it is im0erfect HE DO/) EEN H CH#C E) hat ,ithout im0erfect mee-ness comin( 5efore' it is im0ossi5le for a sinner to come to the 0erfect 1irtue of mee-ness in this life HE DID EEN H CH#C E) # short 0roof a(ainst their error that sa+ that there is no 0erfecter cause to 5e mee-ed under' than is the -no,led(e of a man4s o,n ,retchedness HE SIM EEN H CH#C E) hat 5+ 1irtue of this ,or- a sinner trul+ turned and called to contem0lation cometh sooner to 0erfection than 5+ an+ other ,or-? and 5+ it soonest ma+ (et of God for(i1eness of sins HE SE;EN EEN H CH#C E) hat a 1er+ contem0lati1e list not meddle him ,ith acti1e life' nor of an+thin( that is done or s0o-en a5out him' nor +et to ans,er to his 5lamers in e3cusin( of himself HE EIGH EEN H CH#C E) Ho, that +et unto this da+ all acti1es com0lain of contem0lati1es as Martha did of Mar+. Of the ,hich com0lainin( i(norance is the cause HE NINE EEN H CH#C E) # short e3cusation of him that made this 5oo-' teachin( ho, all contem0lati1es should ha1e all acti1es full+ e3cused of their com0lainin( ,ords and deeds HE WEN IE H CH#C E) Ho, #lmi(ht+ God ,ill (oodl+ ans,er for all those that for the e3cusin( of themsel1es list not lea1e their 5usiness a5out the lo1e of Him HE ONE #ND WEN IE H CH#C E) he true e30osition of this (os0el ,ord' .Mar+ hath chosen the 5est 0art.

HE WO #ND WEN IE H CH#C E) Of the ,onderful lo1e that Christ had to man in 0erson of all sinners trul+ turned and called to the (race of contem0lation HE H)EE #ND WEN IE H CH#C E) Ho, God ,ill ans,er and 0ur1e+ for them in s0irit' that for 5usiness a5out His lo1e list not ans,er nor 0ur1e+ for themsel1es HE DO/) #ND WEN IE H CH#C E) What charit+ is in itself' and ho, it is trul+ and 0erfectl+ contained in the ,or- of this 5oo-. HE DI;E #ND WEN IE H CH#C E) hat in the time of this ,or- a 0erfect soul hath no s0ecial 5eholdin( to an+ one man in this life HE SIM #ND WEN IE H CH#C E) hat ,ithout full s0ecial (race' or lon( use in common (race' the ,or- of this 5oo- is ri(ht tra1ailous? and in this ,or-' ,hich is the ,or- of the soul hel0ed 5+ (race' and ,hich is the ,or- of onl+ God HE SE;EN #ND WEN IE H CH#C E) Who should ,or- in the (racious ,or- of this 5ooHE EIGH #ND WEN IE H CH#C E) hat a man should not 0resume to ,or- in this ,or- 5efore the time that he 5e la,full+ cleansed in conscience of all his s0ecial deeds of sin HE NINE #ND WEN IE H CH#C E) hat a man should 5idin(l+ tra1ail in this ,or-' and suffer the 0ain thereof' and Aud(e no man HE HI) IE H CH#C E) Who should 5lame and condemn other men4s defaults HE ONE #ND HI) IE H CH#C E) Ho, a man should ha1e him in 5e(innin( of this ,or- a(ainst all thou(hts and stirrin(s of sin HE WO #ND HI) IE H CH#C E) Of t,o (hostl+ de1ices that 5e hel0ful to a (hostl+ 5e(inner in the ,or- of this 5ooHE H)EE #ND HI) IE H CH#C E) hat in this ,or- a soul is cleansed 5oth of his s0ecial sins and of the 0ain of them' and +et ho, there is no 0erfect rest in this life HE DO/) #ND HI) IE H CH#C E) hat God (i1eth this (race freel+ ,ithout an+ means' and that it ma+ not 5e come to ,ith means HE DI;E #ND HI) IE H CH#C E) Of three means in the ,hich a contem0lati1e 0rentice should 5e occu0ied? in readin(' thin-in(' and 0ra+in( HE SIM #ND HI) IE H CH#C E) Of the meditations of them that continuall+ tra1ail in the ,or- of this 5ooHE SE;EN #ND HI) IE H CH#C E) Of the s0ecial 0ra+ers of them that 5e continual ,or-ers in the ,or- of this 5ooHE EIGH #ND HI) IE H CH#C E) Ho, and ,h+ that short 0ra+er 0ierceth hea1en HE NINE #ND HI) IE H CH#C E) Ho, a 0erfect ,or-er shall 0ra+' and ,hat 0ra+er is in itself? and' if a man shall 0ra+ in ,ords' ,hich ,ords accord them most to the 0ro0ert+ of 0ra+er HE DO) IE H CH#C E) hat in the time of this ,or- a soul hath no s0ecial 5eholdin( to an+ 1ice in itself nor to an+ 1irtue in itself HE ONE #ND DO) IE H CH#C E) hat in all other ,or-s 5eneath this' men should -ee0 discretion? 5ut in this none HE WO #ND DO) IE H CH#C E) hat 5+ indiscretion in this' men shall -ee0 discretion in all other thin(s? and surel+ else ne1er HE H)EE #ND DO) IE H CH#C E) hat all ,ritin( and feelin( of a man4s o,n 5ein( must needs 5e lost if the 0erfection of this ,or- shall 1eril+ 5e felt in an+ soul in this life HE DO/) #ND DO) IE H CH#C E) Ho, a soul shall dis0ose it on its o,n 0art' for to destro+ all ,ittin( and feelin( of its o,n 5ein( HE DI;E #ND DO) IE H CH#C E) # (ood declarin( of some certain deceits that ma+ 5efall in this ,orHE SIM #ND DO) IE H CH#C E) # (ood teachin( ho, a man shall flee these deceits' and ,or- more ,ith a listiness of s0irit than ,ith an+ 5oisterousness of 5od+ HE SE;EN #ND DO) IE H CH#C E) # sli(ht teachin( of this ,or- in 0urit+ of s0irit? declarin( ho, that on one manner a soul should she, his desire unto God' and on +e contrar+' unto man

HE EIGH #ND DO) IE H CH#C E) Ho, God ,ill 5e ser1ed 5oth ,ith 5od+ and ,ith soul' and re,ard men in 5oth? and ho, men shall -no, ,hen all those sounds and s,eetness that fall into the 5od+ in time of 0ra+er 5e 5oth (ood and e1il HE NINE #ND DO) IE H CH#C E) he su5stance of all 0erfection is nou(ht else 5ut a (ood ,ill? and ho, that all sounds and comforts and s,eetness that ma+ 5efall in this life 5e to it 5ut as it ,ere accidents HE DID IE H CH#C E) Which is chaste lo1e? and ho, in some creatures such sensi5le comforts 5e 5ut seldom' and in some ri(ht oft HE ONE #ND DID IE H CH#C E) hat men should ha1e (reat ,ariness so that the+ understand not 5odil+ a thin( that is meant (hostl+? and s0eciall+ it is (ood to 5e ,ar+ in understandin( of this ,ord in, and of this ,ord u& HE WO #ND DID IE H CH#C E) Ho, these +oun( 0resum0tuous disci0les misunderstand this ,ord in, and of the deceits that follo, thereon HE H)EE #ND DID IE H CH#C E) Of di1ers unseeml+ 0ractices that follo, them that lac- the ,or- of this 5ooHE DO/) #ND DID IE H CH#C E) Ho, that 5+ 1irtue of this ,or- a man is (o1erned full ,isel+' and made full seeml+ as ,ell in 5od+ as in soul HE DI;E #ND DID IE H CH#C E) Ho, the+ 5e decei1ed that follo, the fer1our of s0irit in condemnin( of some ,ithout discretion HE SIM #ND DID IE H CH#C E) Ho, the+ 5e decei1ed that lean more to the curiosit+ of natural ,it' and of cler(+ learned in the school of men than to the common doctrine and counsel of Hol+ Church HE SE;EN #ND DID IE H CH#C E) Ho, these +oun( 0resum0tuous disci0les misunderstand this other ,ord u&) and of the deceits that follo, thereon HE EIGH #ND DID IE H CH#C E) hat a man shall not ta-e ensam0le of Saint Martin and of Saint Ste0hen' for to strain his ima(ination 5odil+ u0,ards in the time of his 0ra+er HE NINE #ND DID IE H CH#C E) hat a man shall not ta-e ensam0le at the 5odil+ ascension of Christ' for to strain his ima(ination u0,ards 5odil+ in the time of 0ra+er2 and that time' 0lace' and 5od+' these three should 5e for(otten in all (hostl+ ,or-in( HE SIM IE H CH#C E) hat the hi(h and the ne3t ,a+ to hea1en is run 5+ desires' and not 5+ 0aces of feet HE ONE #ND SIM IE H CH#C E) hat all 5odil+ thin( is su5Aect unto (hostl+ thin(' and is ruled thereafter 5+ the course of nature' and not contrari,ise HE WO #ND SIM IE H CH#C E) Ho, a man ma+ ,it ,hen his (hostl+ ,or- is 5eneath him or ,ithout him and ,hen it is e1en ,ith him or ,ithin him' and ,hen it is a5o1e him and under his God HE H)EE #ND SIM IE H CH#C E) Of the 0o,ers of a soul in (eneral' and ho, Memor+ in s0ecial is a 0rinci0al 0o,er com0rehendin( in it all the other 0o,ers and all those thin(s in the ,hich the+ ,orHE DO/) #ND SIM IE H CH#C E) Of the other t,o 0rinci0al 0o,ers' )eason and Will' and of the ,or- of them 5efore sin and after HE DI;E #ND SIM IE H CH#C E) Of the first secondar+ 0o,er' Ima(ination 5+ name? and of the ,or-s and of the o5edience of it unto )eason' 5efore sin and after HE SIM #ND SIM IE H CH#C E) Of the other secondar+ 0o,er' Sensualit+ 5+ name? and of the ,or-s and of the o5edience of it unto Will' 5efore sin and after HE SE;EN #ND SIM IE H CH#C E) hat ,hoso -no,eth not the 0o,ers of a soul and the manner of her ,or-in(' ma+ li(htl+ 5e decei1ed in understandin( of (hostl+ ,ords and of (hostl+ ,or-in(? and ho, a soul is made a God in (race HE EIGH #ND SIM IE H CH#C E) hat no,here 5odil+' is e1er+,here (hostl+? and ho, our outer man calleth the ,or- of this 5oo- nou(ht HE NINE #ND SIM IE H CH#C E) Ho, that a man4s affection is mar1elousl+ chan(ed in (hostl+ feelin( of this nou(ht' ,hen it is no,here ,rou(ht HE SE;EN IE H CH#C E) hat ri(ht as 5+ the defailin( of our 5odil+ ,its ,e 5e(in more readil+ to come to -no,in( of (hostl+ thin(s' so 5+ the defailin( of our (hostl+ ,its ,e 5e(in most readil+ to come to the -no,led(e of God' such as is 0ossi5le 5+ (race to 5e had here HE ONE #ND SE;EN IE H CH#C E)

hat some ma+ not come to feel the 0erfection of this ,or- 5ut in time of ra1ishin(' and some ma+ ha1e it ,hen the+ ,ill' in the common state of man4s soul HE WO #ND SE;EN IE H CH#C E) hat a ,or-er in this ,or- should not deem nor thin- of another ,or-er as he feeleth in himself HE H)EE #ND SE;EN IE H CH#C E) Ho, that after the li-eness of Moses' of BeEaleel and of #aron meddlin( them a5out the #r- of the estament' ,e 0rofit on three manners in this (race of contem0lation' for this (race is fi(ured in that #rHE DO/) #ND SE;EN IE H CH#C E) Ho, that the matter of this 5oo- is ne1er more read or s0o-en' nor heard read or s0o-en' of a soul dis0osed thereto ,ithout feelin( of a 1er+ accordance to the effect of the same ,or-2 and of rehearsin( of the same char(e that is ,ritten in the 0rolo(ue HE DI;E #ND SE;EN IE H CH#C E) Of some certain to-ens 5+ the ,hich a man ma+ 0ro1e ,hether he 5e called of God to ,or- in this ,or#ND HE)E ENDE H HE #B!E OD HE CH#C E)S 805 n964: GHOS !K D)IEND IN GOD' I 0ra+ thee and I 5eseech thee that thou ,ilt ha1e a 5us+ 5eholdin( to the course and the manner of th+ callin(. #nd than- God heartil+ so that thou ma+est throu(h hel0 of His (race stand stiffl+ in the state' in the de(ree' and in the form of li1in( that thou hast entirel+ 0ur0osed a(ainst all the su5tle assailin( of th+ 5odil+ and (hostl+ enemies' and ,in to the cro,n of life that e1ermore lasteth. #men. 805 n966:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FIRST CHAPTER

,f four degrees of Christian !en-s living) and of the course of his calling that this .ook was !ade unto. GHOS !K friend in God' thou shalt ,ell understand that I find' in m+ 5oisterous 5eholdin(' four de(rees and forms of Christian men4s li1in(2 and the+ 5e these' Common' S0ecial' Sin(ular' and Cerfect. hree of these ma+ 5e 5e(un and ended in this life? and the fourth ma+ 5+ (race 5e 5e(un here' 5ut it shall e1er last ,ithout end in the 5liss of Hea1en. #nd ri(ht as thou seest ho, the+ 5e set here in order each one after other? first Common' then S0ecial' after Sin(ular' and last Cerfect' ri(ht so me thin-eth that in the same order and in the same course our !ord hath of His (reat 805 n966: merc+ called thee and led thee unto Him 5+ the desire of thine heart. Dor first thou ,ottest ,ell that ,hen thou ,ert li1in( in the common de(ree of Christian men4s li1in( in com0an+ of th+ ,orldl+ friends' it seemeth to me that the e1erlastin( lo1e of His Godhead' throu(h the ,hich He made thee and ,rou(ht thee ,hen thou ,ert nou(ht' and sithen 5ou(ht thee ,ith the 0rice of His 0recious 5lood ,hen thou ,ert lost in #dam' mi(ht not suffer thee to 5e so far from Him in form and de(ree of li1in(. #nd therefore He -indled th+ desire full (raciousl+' and fastened 5+ it a leash of lon(in(' and led thee 5+ it into a more s0ecial state and form of li1in(' to 5e a ser1ant amon( the s0ecial ser1ants of His? ,here thou mi(htest learn to li1e more s0eciall+ and more (hostl+ in His ser1ice than thou didst' or mi(htest do' in the common de(ree of li1in( 5efore. #nd ,hat moreB Ket it seemeth that He ,ould not lea1e thee thus li(htl+' for lo1e of His 805 n967: heart' the ,hich He hath e1ermore had unto thee since thou ,ert au(ht2 5ut ,hat did HeB Seest thou nou(ht ho, Mistil+ and ho, (raciousl+ He hath 0ri1il+ 0ulled thee to the third de(ree and manner of li1in(' the ,hich is called Sin(ularB In the ,hich solitar+ form and manner of li1in(' thou ma+est learn to lift u0 the foot of th+ lo1e? and ste0 to,ards that state and de(ree of li1in( that is 0erfect' and the last state of all. 805 n96@:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SECOND CHAPTER

# short stirring to !eekness, and to the work of this .ook. !OO$ u0 no,' ,ea- ,retch' and see ,hat thou art. What art thou' and ,hat hast thou merited' thus to 5e called of our !ordB What ,ear+ ,retched heart' and slee0in( in sloth' is that' the ,hich is not ,a-ened ,ith the drau(ht of this lo1e and the 1oice of this callin(L Be,are' thou ,retch' in this ,hile ,ith thine enem+? and hold thee ne1er the holier nor the 5etter' for the ,orthiness of this callin( and for the sin(ular form of li1in( that thou art in. But the more ,retched and cursed' unless thou do that in thee is (oodl+' 5+ (race and 5+ counsel' to li1e after th+ callin(. #nd insomuch thou shouldest 5e more 805 n96*: mee- and lo1in( to th+ (hostl+ s0ouse' that He that is the #lmi(ht+ God' $in( of $in(s and !ord of !ords' ,ould mee- Him so lo, unto thee' and amon(st all the floc- of His shee0 so (raciousl+ ,ould choose thee to 5e one of His s0ecials' and sithen set thee in the 0lace of 0asture' ,here thou ma+est 5e fed ,ith the s,eetness of His lo1e' in earnest of thine herita(e the $in(dom of Hea1en. Do on then' I 0ra+ thee' fast. !oo- no, for,ards and let 5e 5ac-,ards? and see ,hat thee faileth' and not ,hat thou hast' for that is the readiest (ettin( and -ee0in( of mee-ness. #ll th+ life no, 5eho1eth alto(ether to stand in desire' if thou shalt 0rofit in de(ree of 0erfection. his desire 5eho1eth alto(ether 5e ,rou(ht in th+ ,ill' 5+ the hand of #lmi(ht+ God and th+ consent. But one thin( I tell thee. He is a Aealous lo1er and suffereth no fello,shi0' and Him list not ,or- in th+ ,ill 5ut if He 5e onl+ ,ith thee 5+ Himself. He as-eth 805 n977: none hel0' 5ut onl+ th+self. He ,ills' thou do 5ut loo- on Him and let Him alone. #nd -ee0 thou the ,indo,s and the door' for flies and enemies assailin(. #nd if thou 5e ,illin( to do this' thee needeth 5ut mee-l+ 0ress u0on him ,ith 0ra+er' and soon ,ill He hel0 thee. Cress on then' let see ho, thou 5earest thee. He is full read+' and doth 5ut a5ideth thee. But ,hat shalt thou do' and ho, shalt thou 0ressB 805 n97&:

HERE BEGINNETH THE THIRD CHAPTER

How the work of this .ook shall .e wrought, and of the worthiness of it .efore all other works. !ID u0 thine heart unto God ,ith a mee- stirrin( of lo1e? and mean Himself' and none of His (oods. #nd thereto' loo- the loath to thin- on au(ht 5ut Himself. So that nou(ht ,or- in th+ ,it' nor in th+ ,ill' 5ut onl+ Himself. #nd do that in thee is to for(et all the creatures that e1er God made and the ,or-s of them? so that th+ thou(ht nor th+ desire 5e not directed nor stretched to an+ of them' neither in (eneral nor in s0ecial' 5ut let them 5e' and ta-e no heed to them. his is the ,or- of the soul that most 0leaseth God. #ll saints and an(els ha1e Ao+ of this ,or-' and hasten them 805 n97%: to hel0 it in all their mi(ht. #ll fiends 5e furious ,hen thou thus dost' and tr+ for to defeat it in all that the+ can. #ll men li1in( in earth 5e ,onderfull+ hol0en of this ,or-' thou ,ottest not ho,. Kea' the souls in 0ur(ator+ 5e eased of their 0ain 5+ 1irtue of this ,or-. h+self art cleansed and made 1irtuous 5+ no ,or- so much. #nd +et it is the li(htest ,or- of all' ,hen a soul is hel0ed ,ith (race in sensi5le list' and soonest done. But else it is hard' and ,onderful to thee for to do. !et not' therefore' 5ut tra1ail therein till thou feel list. Dor at the first time ,hen thou dost it' thou findest 5ut a dar-ness? and as it ,ere a cloud of un-no,in(' thou -no,est not ,hat' sa1in( that thou feelest in th+ ,ill a na-ed intent unto God. his dar-ness and this cloud is' ho,soe1er thou dost' 5et,i3t thee and th+ God' and letteth thee that thou ma+est neither see Him clearl+ 5+ li(ht of understandin( in th+ reason' nor feel Him in s,eetness of lo1e in thine affection. 805 n97F: #nd therefore sha0e thee to 5ide in this dar-ness as lon( as thou ma+est' e1ermore cr+in( after Him that thou lo1est. Dor if e1er thou shalt feel Him or see Him' as it ma+ 5e here' it 5eho1eth al,a+s to 5e in this cloud in this dar-ness. #nd if thou ,ilt 5usil+ tra1ail as I 5id thee' I trust in His merc+ that thou shalt come thereto. 805 n974:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FOURTH CHAPTER

,f the shortness of this word, and how it !ay not .e co!e to .y curiosity of wit, nor .y i!agination. B/ for this' that thou shalt not err in this ,or-in( and ,een that it 5e other,ise than it is' I shall tell thee a little more thereof' as me thin-eth. his ,or- as-eth no lon( time or it 5e once trul+ done' as some men ,een? for it is the shortest ,or- of all that man ma+ ima(ine. It is ne1er lon(er' nor shorter' than is an atom2 the ,hich atom' 5+ the definition of true 0hiloso0hers in the science of astronom+' is the least 0art of time. #nd it is so little that for the littleness of it' it is indi1isi5le and nearl+ incom0rehensi5le. his is that time of the ,hich it is ,ritten2 #ll time that is 805 n976: (i1en to thee' it shall 5e as-ed of thee' ho, thou hast dis0ended it. #nd reasona5le thin( it is that thou (i1e account of it2 for it is neither lon(er nor shorter' 5ut e1en accordin( to one onl+ stirrin( that is ,ithin the 0rinci0al ,or-in( mi(ht of th+ soul' the ,hich is th+ ,ill. Dor e1en so man+ ,illin(s or desirin(s' and no more nor no fe,er' ma+ 5e and are in one hour in th+ ,ill' as are atoms in one hour. #nd if thou ,ert reformed 5+ (race to the first state of man4s soul' as it ,as 5efore sin' then thou shouldest e1ermore 5+ hel0 of that (race 5e lord of that stirrin( or of those stirrin(s. So that none ,ent for5+' 5ut all the+ should stretch into the so1erei(n desira5le' and into the hi(hest ,illa5le thin(2 the ,hich is God. Dor He is e1en meet to our soul 5+ measurin( of His Godhead? and our soul e1en meet unto Him 5+ ,orthiness of our creation to His ima(e and to His li-eness. #nd He 5+ Himself ,ithout more' and none 5ut He' is sufficient to the full and 805 n976: much more to fulfil the ,ill and the desire of our soul. #nd our soul 5+ 1irtue of this reformin( (race is made sufficient to the full to com0rehend all Him 5+ lo1e' the ,hich is incom0rehensi5le to all created -no,led(ea5le 0o,ers' as is an(el' or man4s soul? I mean' 5+ their -no,in(' and not 5+ their lo1in(. #nd therefore I call them in this case -no,led(ea5le 0o,ers. But +et all reasona5le creatures' an(el and man' ha1e in them each one 5+ himself' one 0rinci0al ,or-in( 0o,er' the ,hich is called a -no,led(ea5le 0o,er' and another 0rinci0al ,or-in( 0o,er' the ,hich is called a lo1in( 0o,er. Of the ,hich t,o 0o,ers' to the first' the ,hich is a -no,led(ea5le 0o,er' God that is the ma-er of them is e1ermore incom0rehensi5le? and to the second' the ,hich is the lo1in( 0o,er' in each one di1ersel+ He is all com0rehensi5le to the full. Insomuch that a lo1in( soul alone in itself' 5+ 1irtue of lo1e should com0rehend in itself Him that is sufficient 805 n977: to the full=and much more' ,ithout com0arison=to fill all the souls and an(els that e1er ma+ 5e. #nd this is the endless mar1ellous miracle of lo1e? the ,or-in( of ,hich shall ne1er ta-e end' for e1er shall He do it' and ne1er shall He cease for to do it. See ,ho 5+ (race see ma+' for the feelin( of this is endless 5liss' and the contrar+ is endless 0ain. #nd therefore ,hoso ,ere reformed 5+ (race thus to continue in -ee0in( of the stirrin(s of his ,ill' should ne1er 5e in this life=as he ma+ not 5e ,ithout these stirrin(s in nature=,ithout some taste of the endless s,eetness' and in the 5liss of hea1en ,ithout the full food. #nd therefore ha1e no ,onder thou(h I stir thee to this ,or-. Dor this is the ,or-' as thou shalt hear after,ard' in the ,hich man should ha1e continued if he ne1er had sinned2 and to the ,hich ,or-in( man ,as made' and all thin(s for man' to hel0 him and further him thereto' and 5+ the ,hich ,or-in( a 805 n97@: man shall 5e re0aired a(ain. #nd for the defailin( of this ,or-in(' a man falleth e1ermore dee0er and dee0er in sin' and further and further from God. #nd 5+ -ee0in( and continual ,or-in( in this ,or- onl+ ,ithout more' a man e1ermore riseth hi(her and hi(her from sin' and nearer and nearer unto God. #nd therefore ta-e (ood heed unto time' ho, that thou dis0endest it2 for nothin( is more 0recious than time. In one little time' as little as it is' ma+ hea1en 5e ,on and lost. # to-en it is that time is 0recious2 for God' that is (i1en of time' (i1eth ne1er t,o times to(ether' 5ut each one after other. #nd this He doth' for He ,ill not re1erse the order or the ordinal course in the cause of His creation. Dor time is made for man' and not man for time. #nd therefore God' that is the ruler of nature' ,ill not in His (i1in( of time (o 5efore the stirrin( of nature in man4s soul? the ,hich is

e1en accordin( to one time onl+. So that man 805 n97*: shall ha1e none e3cusation a(ainst God in the Doom' and at the (i1in( of account of dis0endin( of time' sa+in(' . hou (i1est t,o times at once' and I ha1e 5ut one stirrin( at once.. But sorro,full+ thou sa+est no,' .Ho, shall I doB and sith this is thus that thou sa+est' ho, shall I (i1e account of each time se1erall+? I that ha1e unto this da+' no, of four and t,ent+ +ears a(e' ne1er too- heed of timeB If I ,ould no, amend it' thou ,ottest ,ell' 5+ 1er+ reason of th+ ,ords ,ritten 5efore' it ma+ not 5e after the course of nature' nor of common (race' that I should no, heed or else ma-e satisfaction' for an+ more times than for those that 5e for to come. Kea' and moreo1er ,ell I ,ot 5+ 1er+ 0roof' that of those that 5e to come I shall on no ,ise' for a5undance of frailt+ and slo,ness of s0irits' 5e a5le to o5ser1e one of an hundred. So that I am 1eril+ concluded in these reasons. Hel0 me no, for the lo1e of "ES/SL. 805 n9@7: )i(ht ,ell hast thou said' for the lo1e of "ES/S. Dor in the lo1e of "ES/S? there shall 5e thine hel0. !o1e is such a 0o,er' that it ma-eth all thin( common. !o1e therefore "ES/S? and all thin( that He hath' it is thine. He 5+ His Godhead is ma-er and (i1er of time. He 5+ His manhood is the 1er+ -ee0er of time. #nd He 5+ His Godhead and His manhood to(ether' is the truest Doomsman' and the as-er of account of dis0ensin( of time. $nit thee therefore to Him' 5+ lo1e and 5+ 5elief' and then 5+ 1irtue of that -not thou shalt 5e common 0ercei1er ,ith Him' and ,ith all that 5+ lo1e so 5e -nitted unto Him2 that is to sa+' ,ith our !ad+ Saint Mar+ that full ,as of all (race in -ee0in( of time' ,ith all the an(els of hea1en that ne1er ma+ lose time' and ,ith all the saints in hea1en and in earth' that 5+ the (race of "ES/S heed time full Austl+ in 1irtue of lo1e. !oL here lieth comfort? construe thou clearl+' and 0icthee some 0rofit. 805 n9@&: But of one thin( I ,arn thee amon(st all other. I cannot see ,ho ma+ trul+ challen(e communit+ thus ,ith "ES/S and His Aust Mother' His hi(h an(els and also ,ith His saints? 5ut if he 5e such an one' that doth that in him is ,ith hel0in( of (race in -ee0in( of time. So that he 5e seen to 5e a 0rofiter on his 0art' so little as is' unto the communit+? as each one of them doth on his. #nd therefore ta-e heed to this ,or-' and to the mar1ellous manner of it ,ithin in th+ soul. Dor if it 5e trul+ concei1ed' it is 5ut a sudden stirrin(' and as it ,ere unad1ised' s0eedil+ s0rin(in( unto God as a s0ar-le from the coal. #nd it is mar1ellous to num5er the stirrin(s that ma+ 5e in one hour ,rou(ht in a soul that is dis0osed to this ,or-. #nd +et in one stirrin( of all these' he ma+ ha1e suddenl+ and 0erfectl+ for(otten all created thin(. But fast after each stirrin(' for corru0tion of the flesh' it falleth do,n a(ain to some thou(ht 805 n9@%: or to some done or undone deed. But ,hat thereofB Dor fast after' it riseth a(ain as suddenl+ as it did 5efore. #nd here ma+ men shortl+ concei1e the manner of this ,or-in(' and clearl+ -no, that it is far from an+ fantas+' or an+ false ima(ination or <uaint o0inion2 the ,hich 5e 5rou(ht in' not 5+ such a de1out and a mee- 5lind stirrin( of lo1e' 5ut 5+ a 0roud' curious' and an ima(inati1e ,it. Such a 0roud' curious ,it 5eho1eth al,a+s 5e 5orne do,n and stiffl+ trodden do,n under foot' if this ,or- shall trul+ 5e concei1ed in 0urit+ of s0irit. Dor ,hoso heareth this ,oreither 5e read or s0o-en of' and ,eeneth that it ma+' or should' 5e come to 5+ tra1ail in their ,its' and therefore the+ sit and see- in their ,its ho, that it ma+ 5e' and in this curiosit+ the+ tra1ail their ima(ination 0erad1enture a(ainst the course of nature' and the+ fei(n a manner of ,or-in( the ,hich is neither 5odil+ nor (hostl+=trul+ this man' ,hatsoe1er he 5e' is 0erilousl+ 805 n9@F: decei1ed. Insomuch' that unless God of His (reat (oodness she, His merciful miracle' and ma-e him soon to lea1e ,or-' and mee- him to counsel of 0ro1ed ,or-ers' he shall fall either into frenEies' or else into other (reat mischiefs of (hostl+ sins and de1ils4 deceits? throu(h the ,hich he ma+ li(htl+ 5e lost' 5oth life and soul' ,ithout an+ end. #nd therefore for God4s lo1e 5e ,ar+ in this ,or-' and tra1ail not in th+ ,its nor in th+ ima(ination on no,ise2 for I tell thee trul+' it ma+ not 5e come to 5+ tra1ail in them' and therefore lea1e them and ,or- not ,ith them. #nd ,een not' for I call it a dar-ness or a cloud' that it 5e an+ cloud con(ealed of the humours that flee in the air' nor +et an+ dar-ness such as is in thine house on ni(hts ,hen the candle is out. Dor such a dar-ness and such a cloud ma+est thou ima(ine ,ith curiosit+ of ,it' for to 5ear 5efore thine e+es in the li(htest da+ of summer2 and also contrari,ise in the 805 n9@4: dar-est ni(ht of ,inter' thou ma+est ima(ine a clear shinin( li(ht. !et 5e such falsehood. I mean not thus. Dor ,hen I sa+ dar-ness' I mean a lac-in( of -no,in(2 as all that thin( that thou -no,est not' or else that thou hast for(otten' it is dar- to thee? for thou seest it not ,ith th+ (hostl+ e+e. #nd for this reason it is not called a cloud of the air' 5ut a cloud of un-no,in(' that is 5et,i3t thee and th+ God. 805 n9@6:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FIFTH CHAPTER

That in the ti!e of this word all the creatures that ever have .een, .e now, or ever shall .e, and all the works of those sa!e creatures, should .e hid under the cloud of forgetting. #ND if e1er thou shalt come to this cloud and d,ell and ,or- therein as I 5id thee' thee 5eho1eth as this cloud of un-no,in( is a5o1e thee' 5et,i3t thee and th+ God' ri(ht so 0ut a cloud of for(ettin( 5eneath thee? 5et,i3t thee and all the creatures that e1er 5e made. hee thin-eth' 0erad1enture' that thou art full far from God 5ecause that this cloud of un-no,in( is 5et,i3t thee and th+ God2 5ut surel+' an it 5e ,ell concei1ed' thou art ,ell further from Him ,hen thou hast no cloud of for(ettin( 5et,i3t thee and all the 805 n9@6: creatures that e1er 5e made. #s oft as I sa+' all the creatures that e1er 5e made' as oft I mean not onl+ the creatures themsel1es' 5ut also all the ,or-s and the conditions of the same creatures. I ta-e out not one creature' ,hether the+ 5e 5odil+ creatures or (hostl+' nor +et an+ condition or ,or- of an+ creature' ,hether the+ 5e (ood or e1il2 5ut shortl+ to sa+' all should 5e hid under the cloud of for(ettin( in this case.

Dor althou(h it 5e full 0rofita5le sometime to thin- of certain conditions and deeds of some certain s0ecial creatures' ne1ertheless +et in this ,or- it 0rofiteth little or nou(ht. Dor ,h+B Memor+ or thin-in( of an+ creature that e1er God made' or of an+ of their deeds either' it is a manner of (hostl+ li(ht2 for the e+e of th+ soul is o0ened on it and e1en fi3ed thereu0on' as the e+e of a shooter is u0on the 0ric- that he shooteth to. #nd one thin( I tell thee' that all thin( that thou thin-eth 805 n9@7: u0on' it is a5o1e thee for the time' and 5et,i3t thee and th+ God2 and insomuch thou art the further from God' that au(ht is in th+ mind 5ut onl+ God. KeaL and' if it 5e courteous and seeml+ to sa+' in this ,or- it 0rofiteth little or nou(ht to thin- of the -indness or the ,orthiness of God' nor on our !ad+' nor on the saints or an(els in hea1en' nor +et on the Ao+s in hea1en2 that is to sa+' ,ith a s0ecial 5eholdin( to them' as thou ,ouldest 5+ that 5eholdin( feed and increase th+ 0ur0ose. I tro, that on no,ise it should hel0 in this case and in this ,or-. Dor althou(h it 5e (ood to thin- u0on the -indness of God' and to lo1e Him and 0raise Him for it' +et it is far 5etter to thin- u0on the na-ed 5ein( of Him' and to lo1e Him and 0raise Him for Himself. 805 n9@@:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SI/TH CHAPTER

# short conceit of the work of this .ook, treated .y /uestion. B/ no, thou as-est me and sa+est' .Ho, shall I thin- on Himself' and ,hat is HeB. and to this I cannot ans,er thee 5ut thus2 .I ,ot not.. Dor thou hast 5rou(ht me ,ith th+ <uestion into that same dar-ness' and into that same cloud of un-no,in(' that I ,ould thou ,ert in th+self. Dor of all other creatures and their ,or-s' +ea' and of the ,or-s of God4s self' ma+ a man throu(h (race ha1e fullhead of -no,in(' and ,ell he can thin- of them2 5ut of God Himself can no man thin-. #nd therefore I ,ould lea1e all that thin( that I can thin-' and choose to m+ lo1e that thin( that I cannot thin-. Dor ,h+? 805 n9@*: He ma+ ,ell 5e lo1ed' 5ut not thou(ht. B+ lo1e ma+ He 5e (otten and holden? 5ut 5+ thou(ht ne1er. #nd therefore' althou(h it 5e (ood sometime to thin- of the -indness and the ,orthiness of God in s0ecial' and althou(h it 5e a li(ht and a 0art of contem0lation2 ne1ertheless +et in this ,or- it shall 5e cast do,n and co1ered ,ith a cloud of for(ettin(. #nd thou shalt ste0 a5o1e it stal,artl+' 5ut Mistil+' ,ith a de1out and a 0leasin( stirrin( of lo1e' and tr+ for to 0ierce that dar-ness a5o1e thee. #nd smite u0on that thic- cloud of un-no,in( ,ith a shar0 dart of lon(in( lo1e? and (o not thence for thin( that 5efalleth. 805 n9*7:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVENTH CHAPTER

How a !an shall have hi! in this work against all thoughts, and s&ecially against all those that arise of his own curiosity, of cunning, and of natural wit. #ND if an+ thou(ht rise and ,ill 0ress continuall+ a5o1e thee 5et,i3t thee and that dar-ness' and as- thee sa+in(' .What see-est thou' and ,hat ,ouldest thou ha1eB. sa+ thou' that it is God that thou ,ouldest ha1e. .Him I co1et' Him I see-' and nou(ht 5ut Him.. #nd if he as- thee' .What is that GodB. sa+ thou' that it is God that made thee and 5ou(ht thee' and that (raciousl+ hath called thee to th+ de(ree. .#nd in Him'. sa+' .thou hast no s-ill.. #nd therefore sa+' .Go thou do,n a(ain'. and tread him 805 n9*&: fast do,n ,ith a stirrin( of lo1e' althou(h he seem to thee ri(ht hol+' and seem to thee as he ,ould hel0 thee to see- Him. Dor 0erad1enture he ,ill 5rin( to th+ mind di1erse full fair and ,onderful 0oints of His -indness' and sa+ that He is full s,eet' and full lo1in(' full (racious' and full merciful. #nd if thou ,ilt hear him' he co1eteth no 5etter? for at the last he ,ill thus Aan(le e1er more and more till he 5rin( thee lo,er' to the mind of His Cassion. #nd there ,ill he let thee see the ,onderful -indness of God' and if thou hear him' he careth for nou(ht 5etter. Dor soon after he ,ill let thee see thine old ,retched li1in(' and 0erad1enture in seein( and thin-in( thereof he ,ill 5rin( to th+ mind some 0lace that thou hast d,elt in 5efore this time. So that at the last' or e1er thou ,it' thou shalt 5e scattered thou ,ottest not ,here. he cause of this scatterin( is' that thou heardest him first ,ilfull+' then ans,eredest 805 n9*%: him' recei1edest him' and lettest him alone. #nd +et' ne1ertheless' the thin( that he said ,as 5oth (ood and hol+. Kea' and so hol+' that ,hat man or ,oman that ,eeneth to come to contem0lation ,ithout man+ such s,eet meditations of their o,n ,retchedness' the 0assion' the -indness' and the (reat (oodness' and the ,orthiness of God comin( 5efore' surel+ he shall err and fail of his 0ur0ose. #nd +et' ne1ertheless' it 5eho1eth a man or a ,oman that hath lon( time 5een used in these meditations' ne1ertheless to lea1e them' and 0ut them and hold them far do,n under the cloud of for(ettin(' if e1er he shall 0ierce the cloud of un-no,in( 5et,i3t him and his God. herefore ,hat time that thou 0ur0osest thee to this ,or-' and feelest 5+ (race that thou art called of God' lift then u0 thine heart unto God ,ith a mee- stirrin( of lo1e? and mean God that made thee' and 5ou(ht thee' and that (raciousl+ hath called thee to th+ 805 n9*F: de(ree' and recei1e none other thou(ht of God. #nd +et not all these' 5ut if thou list? for it sufficeth enou(h' a na-ed intent direct unto God ,ithout an+ other cause than Himself. #nd if thee list ha1e this intent la00ed and folden in one ,ord' for thou shouldest ha1e 5etter hold thereu0on' ta-e thee 5ut a little ,ord of one s+lla5le2 for so it is 5etter than of t,o' for e1er the shorter it is the 5etter it accordeth ,ith the ,or- of the S0irit. #nd such a ,ord is this ,ord GOD or this ,ord !O;E. Choose thee ,hether thou ,ilt' or another? as thee list' ,hich that thee li-eth 5est of one s+lla5le. #nd fasten this ,ord to thine heart' so that it ne1er (o thence for thin( that 5efalleth. his ,ord shall 5e th+ shield and th+ s0ear' ,hether thou ridest on 0eace or on ,ar. With this ,ord' thou shalt 5eat on this cloud and this dar-ness a5o1e thee. With this ,ord' thou shall smite do,n all manner of 805 n9*4: thou(ht

under the cloud of for(ettin(. Insomuch' that if an+ thou(ht 0ress u0on thee to as- thee ,hat thou ,ouldest ha1e' ans,er them ,ith no more ,ords 5ut ,ith this one ,ord. #nd if he 0roffer thee of his (reat cler(+ to e30ound thee that ,ord and to tell thee the conditions of that ,ord' sa+ him2 hat thou ,ilt ha1e it all ,hole' and not 5ro-en nor undone. #nd if thou ,ilt hold thee fast on this 0ur0ose' 5e thou sure' he ,ill no ,hile a5ide. #nd ,h+B Dor that thou ,ilt not let him feed him on such s,eet meditations of God touched 5efore. 805 n9*6:

HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHTH CHAPTER

# good declaring of certain dou.ts that !ay fall in this word treated .y /uestion, in destroying of a !an-s own curiosity, of cunning, and of natural wit, and in distinguishing of the degrees and the &arts of active living and conte!&lative. B/ no, thou as-est me' .What is he' this that thus 0resseth u0on me in this ,or-? and ,hether it is a (ood thin( or an e1ilB #nd if it 5e an e1il thin(' then ha1e I mar1el'. thou sa+est' .,h+ that he ,ill increase a man4s de1otion so much. Dor sometimes me thin- that it is a 0assin( comfort to listen after his tales. Dor he ,ill sometime' me thin-' ma-e me ,ee0 full heartil+ for 0it+ of the Cassion of Christ' sometime for m+ ,retchedness' and for man+ other reasons' that me 805 n9*6: thin-eth 5e full hol+' and that done me much (ood. #nd therefore me thin-eth that he should on no,ise 5e e1il? and if he 5e (ood' and ,ith his s,eet tales doth me so much (ood ,ithal' then I ha1e (reat mar1el ,h+ that thou 5iddest me 0ut him do,n and a,a+ so far under the cloud of for(ettin(B. No, surel+ me thin-eth that this is a ,ell mo1ed <uestion' and therefore I thin- to ans,er thereto so fee5l+ as I can. Dirst ,hen thou as-est me ,hat is he' this that 0resseth so fast u0on thee in this ,or-' 0rofferin( to hel0 thee in this ,or-? I sa+ that it is a shar0 and a clear 5eholdin( of th+ natural ,it' 0rinted in th+ reason ,ithin in th+ soul. #nd ,here thou as-est me thereof ,hether it 5e (ood or e1il' I sa+ that it 5eho1eth al,a+s 5e (ood in its nature. Dor ,h+' it is a 5eam of the li-eness of God. But the use thereof ma+ 5e 5oth (ood and e1il. Good' ,hen it is o0ened 5+ (race for to see th+ ,retchedness' the 0assion' 805 n9*7: the -indness' and the ,onderful ,or-s of God in His creatures 5odil+ and (hostl+. #nd then it is no ,onder thou(h it increase th+ de1otion full much' as thou sa+est. But then is the use e1il' ,hen it is s,ollen ,ith 0ride and ,ith curiosit+ of much cler(+ and letterl+ cunnin( as in cler-s? and ma-eth them 0ress for to 5e holden not mee- scholars and masters of di1init+ or of de1otion' 5ut 0roud scholars of the de1il and masters of 1anit+ and of falsehood. #nd in other men or ,omen ,hatso the+ 5e' reli(ious or seculars' the use and the ,or-in( of this natural ,it is then e1il' ,hen it is s,ollen ,ith 0roud and curious s-ills of ,orldl+ thin(s' and fleshl+ conceits in co1etin( of ,orldl+ ,orshi0s and ha1in( of riches and 1ain 0lesaunce and flatterin(s of others. #nd ,here that thou as-est me' ,h+ that thou shalt 0ut it do,n under the cloud of for(ettin(' since it is so' that it is (ood in its nature' and thereto 805 n9*@: ,hen it is ,ell used it doth thee so much (ood and increaseth th+ de1otion so much. o this I ans,er and sa+= hat thou shalt ,ell understand that there 5e t,o manner of li1es in Hol+ Church. he one is acti1e life' and the other is contem0lati1e life. #cti1e is the lo,er' and contem0lati1e is the hi(her. #cti1e life hath t,o de(rees' a hi(her and a lo,er2 and also contem0lati1e life hath t,o de(rees' a lo,er and a hi(her. #lso' these t,o li1es 5e so cou0led to(ether that althou(h the+ 5e di1ers in some 0art' +et neither of them ma+ 5e had full+ ,ithout some 0art of the other. Dor ,h+B hat 0art that is the hi(her 0art of acti1e life' that same 0art is the lo,er 0art of contem0lati1e life. So that a man ma+ not 5e full+ acti1e' 5ut if he 5e in 0art contem0lati1e? nor +et full+ contem0lati1e' as it ma+ 5e here' 5ut if he 5e in 0art acti1e. he condition of acti1e life is such' that it is 5oth 5e(un and ended in this life? 5ut not so of contem0lati1e 805 n9**: life. Dor it is 5e(un in this life' and shall last ,ithout end. Dor ,h+B hat 0art that Mar+ chose shall ne1er 5e ta-en a,a+. #cti1e life is trou5led and tra1ailed a5out man+ thin(s? 5ut contem0lati1e sitteth in 0eace ,ith one thin(. he lo,er 0art of acti1e life standeth in (ood and honest 5odil+ ,or-s of merc+ and of charit+. he hi(her 0art of acti1e life and the lo,er 0art of contem0lati1e life lieth in (oodl+ (hostl+ meditations' and 5us+ 5eholdin( unto a man4s o,n ,retchedness ,ith sorro, and contrition' unto the Cassion of Christ and of His ser1ants ,ith 0it+ and com0assion' and unto the ,onderful (ifts' -indness' and ,or-s of God in all His creatures 5odil+ and (hostl+ ,ith than-in( and 0raisin(. But the hi(her 0art of contem0lation' as it ma+ 5e had here' han(eth all ,holl+ in this dar-ness and in this cloud of un-no,in(? ,ith a lo1in( stirrin( and a 5lind 5eholdin( unto the na-ed 5ein( of God Himself onl+. 805 n9&77: In the lo,er 0art of acti1e life a man is ,ithout himself and 5eneath himself. In the hi(her 0art of acti1e life and the lo,er 0art of contem0lati1e life' a man is ,ithin himself and e1en ,ith himself. But in the hi(her 0art of contem0lati1e life' a man is a5o1e himself and under his God. #5o1e himself he is2 for ,h+' he 0ur0oseth him to ,in thither 5+ (race' ,hither he ma+ not come 5+ nature. hat is to sa+' to 5e -nit to God in s0irit' and in onehead of lo1e and accordance of ,ill. #nd ri(ht as it is im0ossi5le' to man4s understandin(' for a man to come to the hi(her 0art of acti1e life' 5ut if he cease for a time of the lo,er 0art? so it is that a man shall not come to the hi(her 0art of contem0lati1e life' 5ut if he cease for a time of the lo,er 0art. #nd as unla,ful a thin( as it is' and as much as it ,ould let a man that sat in his meditations' to ha1e re(ard then to his out,ard 5odil+ ,or-s' the ,hich he had done' or else should do' althou(h the+ 805 n9&7&: ,ere ne1er so hol+ ,or-s in themsel1es2 surel+ as unli-el+ a thin( it is' and as much ,ould it let a man that should ,or- in this dar-ness and in this cloud of un-no,in( ,ith an affectuous stirrin( of lo1e to God for Himself' for to let an+ thou(ht or an+ meditation of God4s ,onderful (ifts' -indness' and ,or-s in an+ of His creatures 5odil+ or (hostl+' rise u0on him to 0ress 5et,i3t him and his God? althou(h the+ 5e ne1er so hol+ thou(hts' nor so 0rofound' nor so comforta5le.

#nd for this reason it is that I 5id thee 0ut do,n such a shar0 su5tle thou(ht' and co1er him ,ith a thic- cloud of for(ettin(' 5e he ne1er so hol+ nor 0romise he thee ne1er so ,ell for to hel0 thee in th+ 0ur0ose. Dor ,h+' lo1e ma+ reach to God in this life' 5ut not -no,in(. #nd all the ,hiles that the soul d,elleth in this deadl+ 5od+' e1ermore is the shar0ness of our understandin( in 5eholdin( of all (hostl+ thin(s' 5ut most 805 n9&7%: s0eciall+ of God' min(led ,ith some manner of fantas+? for the ,hich our ,or- should 5e unclean. #nd unless more ,onder ,ere' it should lead us into much error. 805 n9&7F:

HERE BEGINNETH THE NINTH CHAPTER

That in the ti!e of this work the re!e!.rance of the holiest Creature that ever 0od !ade letteth !ore than it &rofiteth. #ND therefore the shar0 stirrin( of thine understandin(' that ,ill al,a+s 0ress u0on thee ,hen thou settest thee to this ,or-' 5eho1eth al,a+s 5e 5orne do,n? and 5ut thou 5ear him do,n' he ,ill 5ear thee do,n. Insomuch' that ,hen thou ,eenest 5est to a5ide in this dar-ness' and that nou(ht is in th+ mind 5ut onl+ God? an thou loo- trul+ thou shalt find th+ mind not occu0ied in this dar-ness' 5ut in a clear 5eholdin( of some thin( 5eneath God. #nd if it thus 5e' surel+ then is that thin( a5o1e thee for the time' and 5et,i3t thee and th+ God. #nd therefore 0ur0ose thee to 0ut 805 n9&74: do,n such clear 5eholdin(s' 5e the+ ne1er so hol+ nor so li-el+. Dor one thin( I tell thee' it is more 0rofita5le to the health of th+ soul' more ,orth+ in itself' and more 0leasin( to God and to all the saints and an(els in hea1en=+ea' and more hel0ful to all th+ friends' 5odil+ and (hostl+' <uic- and dead=such a 5lind stirrin( of lo1e unto God for Himself' and such a 0ri1+ 0ressin( u0on this cloud of un-no,in(' and 5etter thee ,ere for to ha1e it and for to feel it in thine affection (hostl+' than it is for to ha1e the e+es of th+ soul o0ened in contem0lation or 5eholdin( of all the an(els or saints in hea1en' or in hearin( of all the mirth and the melod+ that is amon(st them in 5liss. #nd loo- thou ha1e no ,onder of this2 for mi(htest thou once see it as clearl+' as thou ma+est 5+ (race come to for to (ro0e it and feel it in this life' thou ,ouldest thin- as I sa+. But 5e thou sure that clear si(ht shall ne1er man ha1e here in this life2 5ut the 805 n9&76: feelin( ma+ men ha1e throu(h (race ,hen God 1ouchsafeth. #nd therefore lift u0 th+ lo1e to that cloud2 rather' if I shall sa+ thee sooth' let God dra, th+ lo1e u0 to that cloud and stri1e thou throu(h hel0 of His (race to for(et all other thin(. Dor since a na-ed remem5rance of an+ thin( under God 0ressin( a(ainst th+ ,ill and th+ ,ittin( 0utteth thee farther from God than thou shouldest 5e if it ,ere not' and letteth thee' and ma-eth thee inasmuch more una5le to feel in e30erience the fruit of His lo1e' ,hat tro,est thou then that a remem5rance ,ittin(l+ and ,ilfull+ dra,n u0on thee ,ill hinder thee in th+ 0ur0oseB #nd since a remem5rance of an+ s0ecial saint or of an+ clean (hostl+ thin( ,ill hinder thee so much' ,hat tro,est thou then that the remem5rance of an+ man li1in( in this ,retched life' or of an+ manner of 5odil+ or ,orldl+ thin(' ,ill hinder thee and let thee in this ,or-B I sa+ not that such a na-ed sudden 805 n9&76: thou(ht of an+ (ood and clean (hostl+ thin( under God 0ressin( a(ainst th+ ,ill or th+ ,ittin(' or else ,ilfull+ dra,n u0on thee ,ith ad1isement in increasin( of th+ de1otion' althou(h it 5e lettin( to this manner of ,or-=that it is therefore e1il. Na+L God for5id that thou ta-e it so. But I sa+' althou(h it 5e (ood and hol+' +et in this ,or- it letteth more than it 0rofiteth. I mean for the time. Dor ,h+B Surel+ he that see-eth God 0erfectl+' he ,ill not rest him finall+ in the remem5rance of an+ an(el or saint that is in hea1en. 805 n9&77:

HERE BEGINNETH THE TENTH CHAPTER

How a !an shall know when his thought is no sin) and if it .e sin, when it is deadly and when it is venial. B/ it is not thus of the remem5rance of an+ man or ,oman li1in( in this life' or of an+ 5odil+ or ,orldl+ thin( ,hatsoe1er that it 5e. Dor ,h+' a na-ed sudden thou(ht of an+ of them' 0ressin( a(ainst th+ ,ill and th+ ,ittin(' althou(h it 5e no sin im0uted unto thee=for it is the 0ain of the ori(inal sin 0ressin( a(ainst th+ 0o,er' of the ,hich sin thou art cleansed in th+ 5a0tism=ne1ertheless +et if this sudden stirrin( or thou(ht 5e not smitten soon do,n' as fast for frailt+ th+ fleshl+ heart is strained there5+2 ,ith some manner of li-in(' if it 5e a thin( that 0leaseth thee or 805 n9&7@: hath 0leased thee 5efore' or else ,ith some manner of (rum5lin(' if it 5e a thin( that thee thin- (rie1eth thee' or hath (rie1ed thee 5efore. he ,hich fastenin(' althou(h it ma+ in fleshl+ li1in( men and ,omen that 5e in deadl+ sin 5efore 5e deadl+? ne1ertheless in thee and in all other that ha1e in a true ,ill forsa-en the ,orld' and are o5li(ed unto an+ de(ree in de1out li1in( in Hol+ Church' ,hat so it 5e' 0ri1+ or o0en' and thereto that ,ill 5e ruled not after their o,n ,ill and their o,n ,it' 5ut after the ,ill and the counsel of their so1erei(ns' ,hat so the+ 5e' reli(ious or seculars' such a li-in( or a (rum5lin( fastened in the fleshl+ heart is 5ut 1enial sin. he cause of this is the (roundin( and the rootin( of +our intent in God' made in the 5e(innin( of +our li1in( in that state that +e stand in' 5+ the ,itness and the counsel of some discreet father. But if it so 5e' that this li-in( or (rum5lin( fastened in th+ fleshl+ heart 805 n9&7*: 5e suffered so lon( to a5ide unre0ro1ed' that then at the last it is fastened to the (hostl+ heart' that is to sa+ the ,ill' ,ith a full consent2 then' it is deadl+ sin. #nd this 5efalleth ,hen thou or an+ of them that I s0ea- of ,ilfull+ dra, u0on thee the remem5rance of an+ man or ,oman li1in( in this life' or of an+ 5odil+ or ,orldl+ thin( other2 insomuch' that if it 5e a thin( the ,hich (rie1eth or hath (rie1ed thee 5efore' there riseth in thee an an(r+ 0assion and an a00etite of 1en(eance' the ,hich is called Wrath. Or else a fell disdain and a manner of loathsomeness of their 0erson' ,ith des0iteful and condemnin( thou(hts' the ,hich is called En1+. Or else a ,eariness and an unlistiness of an+ (ood occu0ation 5odil+ or (hostl+' the ,hich is called Sloth.

#nd if it 5e a thin( that 0leaseth thee' or hath 0leased thee 5efore' there riseth in thee a 0assin( deli(ht for to thinon that thin( ,hat so it 5e. Insomuch' 805 n9&&7: that thou restest thee in that thou(ht' and finall+ fastenest thine heart and th+ ,ill thereto' and feedest th+ fleshl+ heart there,ith2 so that thee thin- for the time that thou co1etest none other ,ealth' 5ut to li1e e1er in such a 0eace and rest ,ith that thin( that thou thin-est u0on. If this thou(ht that thou thus dra,est u0on thee' or else recei1est ,hen it is 0ut unto thee' and that thou restest thee thus in ,ith deli(ht' 5e ,orthiness of nature or of -no,in(' of (race or of de(ree' of fa1our or of fairhead' then it is Cride. #nd if it 5e an+ manner of ,orldl+ (ood' riches or chattels' or ,hat that man ma+ ha1e or 5e lord of' then it is Co1et+se. If it 5e daint+ meats and drin-s' or an+ manner of deli(hts that man ma+ taste' then it is Glutton+. #nd if it 5e lo1e or 0lesaunce' or an+ manner of fleshl+ dalliance' (losin( or flatterin( of an+ man or ,oman li1in( in this life' or of th+self either2 then it is !echer+. 805 n9&&&:

HERE BEGINNETH THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER

That a !an should weigh each thought and each stirring after that it is, and always eschew recklessness in venial sin. I S#K not this for that I tro, that thou' or an+ other such as I s0ea- of' 5e (uilt+ and cum5ered ,ith an+ such sins? 5ut for that I ,ould that thou ,ei(hest each thou(ht and each stirrin( after that it is' and for I ,ould that thou tra1ailedst 5usil+ to destro+ the first stirrin( and thou(ht of these thin(s that thou ma+est thus sin in. Dor one thin( I tell thee? that ,ho ,ei(heth not' or setteth little 5+' the first thou(ht=+ea' althou(h it 5e no sin unto him=that he' ,hosoe1er that he 5e' shall not esche, rec-lessness in 1enial sin. ;enial sin shall no man utterl+ esche, in this deadl+ life. But 805 n9&&%: rec-lessness in 1enial sin should al,a+s 5e esche,ed of all the true disci0les of 0erfection? and else I ha1e no ,onder thou(h the+ soon sin deadl+. 805 n9&&F:

HERE BEGINNETH THE TWELFTH CHAPTER

That .y 1irtue of this word sin is not only destroyed, .ut also 1irtues .egotten. #ND' therefore' if thou ,ilt stand and not fall' cease ne1er in thine intent2 5ut 5eat e1ermore on this cloud of un-no,in( that is 5et,i3t thee and th+ God ,ith a shar0 dart of lon(in( lo1e' and loathe for to thin- on au(ht under God' and (o not thence for an+thin( that 5efalleth. Dor this is onl+ 5+ itself that ,or- that destro+eth the (round and the root of sin. Dast thou ne1er so much' ,a-e thou ne1er so lon(' rise thou ne1er so earl+' lie thou ne1er so hard' ,ear thou ne1er so shar0? +ea' and if it ,ere la,ful to do=as it is not=0ut thou out thine e+es' cut thou out th+ ton(ue of th+ mouth' sto0 thou thine ears and th+ 805 n9&&4: nose ne1er so fast' thou(h thou shear a,a+ th+ mem5ers' and do all the 0ain to th+ 5od+ that thou ma+est or canst thin-2 all this ,ould hel0 thee ri(ht nou(ht. Ket ,ill stirrin( and risin( of sin 5e in thee. Kea' and ,hat moreB Wee0 thou ne1er so much for sorro, of th+ sins' or of the Cassion of Christ' or ha1e thou ne1er so much mind of the Ao+s of hea1en' ,hat ma+ it do to theeB Surel+ much (ood' much hel0' much 0rofit' and much (race ,ill it (et thee. But in com0arison of this 5lind stirrin( of lo1e' it is 5ut a little that it doth' or ma+ do' ,ithout this. his 5+ itself is the 5est 0art of Mar+ ,ithout these other. he+ ,ithout it 0rofit 5ut little or nou(ht. It destro+eth not onl+ the (round and the root of sin as it ma+ 5e here' 5ut thereto it (etteth 1irtues. Dor an it 5e trul+ concei1ed' all 1irtues shall trul+ 5e' and 0erfectl+ concei1ed' and feelin(l+ com0rehended' in it' ,ithout an+ min(lin( of the intent. #nd ha1e a man ne1er so man+ 1irtues 805 n9&&6: ,ithout it' all the+ 5e min(led ,ith some croo-ed intent' for the ,hich the+ 5e im0erfect. Dor 1irtue is nou(ht else 5ut an ordained and a measured affection' 0lainl+ directed unto God for Himself. Dor ,h+B He in Himself is the 0ure cause of all 1irtues2 insomuch' that if an+ man 5e stirred to an+ one 1irtue 5+ an+ other cause min(led ,ith Him' +ea' althou(h that He 5e the chief' +et that 1irtue is then im0erfect. #s thus 5+ e3am0le ma+ 5e seen in one 1irtue or t,o instead of all the other? and ,ell ma+ these t,o 1irtues 5e mee-ness and charit+. Dor ,hoso mi(ht (et these t,o clearl+' him needeth no more2 for ,h+' he hath all. 805 n9&&6:

HERE BEGINNETH THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER

*hat !eekness is in itself, and when it is &erfect and when it is i!&erfect. NOW let see first of the 1irtue of mee-ness? ho, that it is im0erfect ,hen it is caused of an+ other thin( min(led ,ith God althou(h He 5e the chief? and ho, that it is 0erfect ,hen it is caused of God 5+ Himself. #nd first it is to ,it' ,hat mee-ness is in itself' if this matter shall clearl+ 5e seen and concei1ed? and thereafter ma+ it more 1eril+ 5e concei1ed in truth of s0irit ,hat is the cause thereof. Mee-ness in itself is nou(ht else' 5ut a true -no,in( and feelin( of a man4s self as he is. Dor surel+ ,hoso mi(ht 1eril+ see and feel himself as he is' he should 1eril+ 5e mee-. ,o 805 n9&&7: thin(s there 5e' the ,hich 5e cause of this mee-ness? the ,hich 5e these. One is the filth' the ,retchedness' and the frailt+ of man' into the ,hich he is fallen 5+ sin? and the ,hich al,a+s him 5eho1eth to feel in some 0art the ,hiles he li1eth in this life' 5e he ne1er so hol+. #nother is the o1er>a5undant lo1e and the ,orthiness of God in Himself? in 5eholdin( of the ,hich all nature <ua-eth' all cler-s 5e fools' and all saints and an(els 5e 5lind. Insomuch' that ,ere it not that throu(h the ,isdom of His Godhead He measured their 5eholdin( after their a5leness in nature and in (race' I defail to sa+ ,hat should 5efall them. his second cause is 0erfect? for ,h+' it shall last ,ithout end. #nd the tother 5efore is im0erfect? for ,h+' it shall not onl+ fail at the end of this life' 5ut full oft it ma+ 5efall that a soul in this deadl+ 5od+ for a5undance of (race in multi0l+in( of his desire=as oft and as lon( as God 1ouchsafeth for to ,or- it=shall ha1e suddenl+ 805 n9&&@:

and 0erfectl+ lost and for(otten all ,ittin( and feelin( of his 5ein(' not loo-in( after ,hether he ha1e 5een hol+ or ,retched. But ,hether this fall oft or seldom to a soul that is thus dis0osed' I tro, that it lasteth 5ut a full short ,hile2 and in this time it is 0erfectl+ mee-ed' for it -no,eth and feeleth no cause 5ut the Chief. #nd e1er ,hen it -no,eth and feeleth the tother cause' communin( there,ith' althou(h this 5e the chief2 +et it is im0erfect mee-ness. Ne1ertheless +et it is (ood and not,ithstandin( must 5e had? and God for5id that thou ta-e it in an+ other manner than I sa+. 805 n9&&*:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER

That without i!&erfect !eekness co!ing .efore, it is i!&ossi.le for a sinner to co!e to the &erfect 1irtue of !eekness in this life. DO) althou(h I call it im0erfect mee-ness' +et I had liefer ha1e a true -no,in( and a feelin( of m+self as I am' and sooner I tro, that it should (et me the 0erfect cause and 1irtue of mee-ness 5+ itself' than it should an all the saints and an(els in hea1en' and all the men and ,omen of Hol+ Church li1in( in earth' reli(ious or seculars in all de(rees' ,ere set at once all to(ether to do nou(ht else 5ut to 0ra+ to God for me to (et me 0erfect mee-ness. Kea' and +et it is im0ossi5le a sinner to (et' or to -ee0 805 n9&%7: ,hen it is (otten' the 0erfect 1irtue of mee-ness ,ithout it. #nd therefore s,in- and s,eat in all that thou canst and ma+est' for to (et thee a true -no,in( and a feelin( of th+self as thou art? and then I tro, that soon after that thou shalt ha1e a true -no,in( and a feelin( of God as He is. Not as He is in Himself' for that ma+ no man do 5ut Himself? nor +et as thou shalt do in 5liss 5oth 5od+ and soul to(ether. But as it is 0ossi5le' and as He 1ouchsafeth to 5e -no,n and felt of a mee- soul li1in( in this deadl+ 5od+. #nd thin- not 5ecause I set t,o causes of mee-ness' one 0erfect and another im0erfect' that I ,ill therefore that thou lea1est the tra1ail a5out im0erfect mee-ness' and set thee ,holl+ to (et thee 0erfect. Na+' surel+? I tro, thou shouldest ne1er 5rin( it so a5out. But herefore I do that I do2 5ecause I thin- to tell thee and let thee see the ,orthiness of this (hostl+ e3ercise 5efore all other e3ercise 805 n9&%&: 5odil+ or (hostl+ that man can or ma+ do 5+ (race. Ho, that a 0ri1+ lo1e 0ressed in cleanness of s0irit u0on this dar- cloud of un-no,in( 5et,i3t thee and th+ God' trul+ and 0erfectl+ containeth in it the 0erfect 1irtue of mee-ness ,ithout an+ s0ecial or clear 5eholdin( of an+ thin( under God. #nd 5ecause I ,ould that thou -ne,est ,hich ,ere 0erfect mee-ness' and settest it as a to-en 5efore the lo1e of thine heart' and didst it for thee and for me. #nd 5ecause I ,ould 5+ this -no,in( ma-e thee more mee-. Dor ofttimes it 5efalleth that lac-in( of -no,in( is cause of much 0ride as me thin-eth. Dor 0erad1enture an thou -ne,est not ,hich ,ere 0erfect mee-ness' thou shouldest ,een ,hen thou hadst a little -no,in( and a feelin( of this that I call im0erfect mee-ness' that thou hadst almost (otten 0erfect mee-ness2 and so shouldest thou decei1e th+self' and ,een that thou ,ert full mee- ,hen thou ,ert all 5ela00ed in foul stin-in( 805 n9&%%: 0ride. #nd therefore tr+ for to tra1ail a5out 0erfect mee-ness? for the condition of it is such' that ,hoso hath it' and the ,hiles he hath it' he shall not sin' nor +et much after. 805 n9&%F:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER

# short &roof against their error that say, that there is no &erfecter cause to .e !eeked under, than is the knowledge of a !an-s own wretchedness. #ND trust steadfastl+ that there is such a 0erfect mee-ness as I s0ea- of' and that it ma+ 5e come to throu(h (race in this life. #nd this I sa+ in confusion of their error' that sa+ that there is no 0erfecter cause of mee-ness than is that ,hich is raised of the remem5rance of our ,retchedness and our 5efore>done sins. I (rant ,ell' that to them that ha1e 5een in accustomed sins' as I am m+self and ha1e 5een' it is the most needful and s0eedful cause' to 5e mee-ed under the remem5rance of 805 n9&%4: our ,retchedness and our 5efore>done sins' e1er till the time 5e that the (reat rust of sin 5e in (reat 0art ru55ed a,a+' our conscience and our counsel to ,itness. But to other that 5e' as it ,ere' innocents' the ,hich ne1er sinned deadl+ ,ith an a5idin( ,ill and a1isement' 5ut throu(h frailt+ and un-no,in(' and the ,hich set them to 5e contem0lati1es=and to us 5oth if our counsel and our conscience ,itness our la,ful amendment in contrition and in confession' and in ma-in( satisfaction after the statute and the ordinance of all>Hol+ Church' and thereto if ,e feel us stirred and called 5+ (race to 5e contem0lati1es also =there is then another cause to 5e mee-ed under as far a5o1e this cause as is the li1in( of our !ad+ Saint Mar+ a5o1e the li1in( of the sinfullest 0enitent in Hol+ Church? or the li1in( of Christ a5o1e the li1in( of an+ other man in this life? or else the li1in( of an an(el in hea1en' the ,hich ne1er felt=nor shall feel=805 n9&%6:frailt+' is a5o1e the life of the frailest man that is here in this ,orld. Dor if it so ,ere that there ,ere no 0erfect cause to 5e mee-ed under' 5ut in seein( and feelin( of ,retchedness' then ,ould I ,it of them that sa+ so' ,hat cause the+ 5e mee-ed under that ne1er see nor feel=nor ne1er shall 5e in them=,retchedness nor stirrin( of sin2 as it is of our !ord "ES/S CH)IS ' our !ad+ Saint Mar+' and all the saints and an(els in hea1en. o this 0erfection' and all other' our !ord "ES/S CH)IS calleth us Himself in the (os0el2 ,here He 5iddeth that ,e should 5e 0erfect 5+ (race as He Himself is 5+ nature. 805 n9&%6:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SI/TEENTH CHAPTER

That .y 1irtue of this work a sinner truly turned and called to conte!&lation co!eth sooner to &erfection than .y any other work) and .y it soonest !ay get of 0od forgiveness of sins. !OO$ that no man thin- it 0resum0tion' that he that is the ,retchedest sinner of this life dare ta-e u0on him after the time 5e that he ha1e la,full+ amended him' and after that he ha1e felt him stirred to that life that is called

contem0lati1e' 5+ the assent of his counsel and his conscience for to 0rofer a mee- stirrin( of lo1e to his God' 0ri1il+ 0ressin( u0on the cloud of un-no,in( 5et,i3t him and his God. When our !ord said to Mar+' in 0erson of all sinners that 5e called to contem0lati1e life' . h+ sins 5e 805 n9&%7: for(i1en thee'. it ,as not for her (reat sorro,' nor for the remem5erin( of her sins' nor +et for her mee-ness that she had in the 5eholdin( of her ,retchedness onl+. But ,h+ thenB Surel+ 5ecause she lo1ed much. !oL here ma+ men see ,hat a 0ri1+ 0ressin( of lo1e ma+ 0urchase of our !ord' 5efore all other ,or-s that man ma+ thin-. #nd +et I (rant ,ell' that she had full much sorro,' and ,e0t full sore for her sins' and full much she ,as mee-ed in remem5rance of her ,retchedness. #nd so should ,e do' that ha1e 5een ,retches and accustomed sinners? all our lifetime ma-e hideous and ,onderful sorro, for our sins' and full much 5e mee-ed in remem5rance of our ,retchedness. But ho,B Surel+ as Mar+ did. She' althou(h she mi(ht not feel the dee0 heart+ sorro, of her sins=for ,h+' all her lifetime she had them ,ith her ,hereso she ,ent' as it ,ere in a 5urthen 5ounden to(ether and laid u0 full 0ri1il+ in the hole of her 805 n9&%@: heart' in manner ne1er to 5e for(otten=ne1ertheless +et' it ma+ 5e said and affirmed 5+ Scri0ture' that she had a more heart+ sorro,' a more doleful desire' and a more dee0 si(hin(' and more she lan(uished' +eaL almost to the death' for lac-in( of lo1e' althou(h she had full much lo1e Iand ha1e no ,onder thereof' for it is the condition of a true lo1er that e1er the more he lo1eth' the more he lon(eth for to lo1eJ' than she had for an+ remem5rance of her sins. #nd +et she ,ist ,ell' and felt ,ell in herself in a sad soothfastness' that she ,as a ,retch most foul of all other' and that her sins had made a di1ision 5et,i3t her and her God that she lo1ed so much2 and also that the+ ,ere in (reat 0art cause of her lan(uishin( sic-ness for lac-in( of lo1e. But ,hat thereofB Came she therefore do,n from the hei(ht of desire into the dee0ness of her sinful life' and searched in the foul stin-in( fen and dun(hill of her sins? searchin( 805 n9&%*: them u0' 5+ one and 5+ one' ,ith all the circumstances of them' and sorro,ed and ,e0t so u0on them each one 5+ itselfB Na+' surel+ she did not so. #nd ,h+B Because God let her ,it 5+ His (race ,ithin in her soul' that she should ne1er so 5rin( it a5out. Dor so mi(ht she sooner ha1e raised in herself an a5leness to ha1e oft sinned' than to ha1e 0urchased 5+ that ,or- an+ 0lain for(i1eness of all her sins. #nd therefore she hun( u0 her lo1e and her lon(in( desire in this cloud of un-no,in(' and learned her to lo1e a thin( the ,hich she mi(ht not see clearl+ in this life' 5+ li(ht of understandin( in her reason' nor +et 1eril+ feel in s,eetness of lo1e in her affection. Insomuch' that she had ofttimes little s0ecial remem5rance' ,hether that e1er she had 5een a sinner or none. Kea' and full ofttimes I ho0e that she ,as so dee0l+ dis0osed to the lo1e of His Godhead that she had 5ut ri(ht little s0ecial 5eholdin( 805 n9&F7: unto the 5eaut+ of His 0recious and His 5lessed 5od+' in the ,hich He sat full lo1el+ s0ea-in( and 0reachin( 5efore her? nor +et to an+thin( else' 5odil+ or (hostl+. hat this 5e sooth' it seemeth 5+ the (os0el. 805 n9&F&:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER

That a 1ery conte!&lative list not !eddle hi! with active life, nor of anything that is done or s&oken a.out hi!, nor yet to answer to his .la!ers in e2cusing of hi!self. IN the (os0el of Saint !u-e it is ,ritten' that ,hen our !ord ,as in the house of Martha her sister' all the time that Martha made her 5us+ a5out the di(htin( of His meat' Mar+ her sister sat at His feet. #nd in hearin( of His ,ord she 5eheld not to the 5usiness of her sister' althou(h her 5usiness ,as full (ood and full hol+' for trul+ it is the first 0art of acti1e life? nor +et to the 0reciousness of His 5lessed 5od+' nor to the s,eet 1oice and the ,ords of His manhood' althou(h it is 5etter and holier' for 805 n9&F%: it is the second 0art of acti1e life and the first of contem0lati1e life. But to the so1erei(nest ,isdom of His Godhead la00ed in the dar- ,ords of His manhood' thither 5eheld she ,ith all the lo1e of her heart. Dor from thence she ,ould not remo1e' for nothin( that she sa, nor heard s0o-en nor done a5out her? 5ut sat full still in her 5od+' ,ith man+ a s,eet 0ri1+ and a list+ lo1e 0ressed u0on that hi(h cloud of un-no,in( 5et,i3t her and her God. Dor one thin( I tell thee' that there ,as ne1er +et 0ure creature in this life' nor ne1er +et shall 5e' so hi(h ra1ished in contem0lation and lo1e of the Godhead' that there is not e1ermore a hi(h and a ,onderful cloud of un-no,in( 5et,i3t him and his God. In this cloud it ,as that Mar+ ,as occu0ied ,ith man+ a 0ri1+ lo1e 0ressed. #nd ,h+B Because it ,as the 5est and the holiest 0art of contem0lation that ma+ 5e in this life' and from this 0art her list not remo1e for nothin(. Insomuch' that ,hen 805 n9&FF: her sister Martha com0lained to our !ord of her' and 5ade Him 5id her sister rise and hel0 her and let her not so ,or- and tra1ail 5+ herself' she sat full still and ans,ered not ,ith one ,ord' nor she,ed not as much as a (rum5lin( (esture a(ainst her sister for an+ 0laint that she could ma-e. #nd no ,onder2 for ,h+' she had another ,or- to do that Martha ,ist not of. #nd therefore she had no leisure to listen to her' nor to ans,er her at her 0laint. !oL friend' all these ,or-s' these ,ords' and these (estures' that ,ere she,ed 5et,i3t our !ord and these t,o sisters' 5e set in ensam0le of all acti1es and all contem0lati1es that ha1e 5een since in Hol+ Church' and shall 5e to the da+ of doom. Dor 5+ Mar+ is understood all contem0lati1es? for the+ should conform their li1in( after hers. #nd 5+ Martha' acti1es on the same manner? and for the same reason in li-eness. 805 n9&F4:

HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER

How that yet unto this day all actives co!&lain of conte!&latives as Martha did of Mary. ,f the which co!&laining ignorance is the cause.

#ND ri(ht as Martha com0lained then on Mar+ her sister' ri(ht so +et unto this da+ all acti1es com0lain of contem0lati1es. Dor an there 5e a man or a ,oman in an+ com0an+ of this ,orld' ,hat com0an+ soe1er it 5e' reli(ious or seculars=I out>ta-e none=the ,hich man or ,oman' ,hiche1er that it 5e' feeleth him stirred throu(h (race and 5+ counsel to forsa-e all out,ard 5usiness' and for to set him full+ for to li1e contem0lati1e life after their cunnin( and their conscience' their counsel accordin(? as fast' their o,n 5rethren and their sisters' and 805 n9&F6: all their ne3t friends' ,ith man+ other that -no, not their stirrin(s nor that manner of li1in( that the+ set them to' ,ith a (reat com0lainin( s0irit shall rise u0on them' and sa+ shar0l+ unto them that it is nou(ht that the+ do. #nd as fast the+ ,ill rec-on u0 man+ false tales' and man+ true also' of fallin( of men and ,omen that ha1e (i1en them to such life 5efore2 and ne1er a (ood tale of them that stood. I (rant that man+ fall and ha1e fallen of them that ha1e in li-eness forsa-en the ,orld. #nd ,here the+ should ha1e 5ecome God4s ser1ants and His contem0lati1es' 5ecause that the+ ,ould not rule them 5+ true (hostl+ counsel the+ ha1e 5ecome the de1il4s ser1ants and his contem0lati1es? and turned either to h+0ocrites or to heretics' or fallen into frenEies and man+ other mischiefs' in slander of Hol+ Church. Of the ,hich I lea1e to s0ea- at this time' for trou5lin( of our matter. But ne1ertheless here 805 n9&F6: after ,hen God 1ouchsafeth and if need 5e' men ma+ see some of the conditions and the cause of their failin(s. #nd therefore no more of them at this time? 5ut forth of our matter. 805 n9&F7:

HERE BEGINNETH THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER

# short e2cusation of hi! that !ade this .ook teaching how all conte!&latives should have all actives fully e2cused of their co!&laining words and deeds. SOME mi(ht thin- that I do little ,orshi0 to Martha' that s0ecial saint' for I li-en her ,ords of com0lainin( of her sister unto these ,orldl+ men4s ,ords' or theirs unto hers2 and trul+ I mean no un,orshi0 to her nor to them. #nd God for5id that I should in this ,or- sa+ an+thin( that mi(ht 5e ta-en in condemnation of an+ of the ser1ants of God in an+ de(ree' and namel+ of His s0ecial saint. Dor me thin-eth that she should 5e full ,ell had e3cused of her 0laint' ta-in( re(ard to the time and the manner that she said it in. Dor that that she 805 n9&F@: said' her un-no,in( ,as the cause. #nd no ,onder thou(h she -ne, not at that time ho, Mar+ ,as occu0ied? for I tro, that 5efore she had little heard of such 0erfection. #nd also that she said' it ,as 5ut courteousl+ and in fe, ,ords2 and therefore she should al,a+s 5e had e3cused. #nd so me thin-eth that these ,orldl+ li1in( men and ,omen of acti1e life should also full ,ell 5e had e3cused of their com0lainin( ,ords touched 5efore' althou(h the+ sa+ rudel+ that the+ sa+? ha1in( 5eholdin( to their i(norance. Dor ,h+B )i(ht as Martha ,ist full little ,hat Mar+ her sister did ,hen she com0lained of her to our !ord? ri(ht so on the same manner these fol- no,ada+s ,ot full little' or else nou(ht' ,hat these +oun( disci0les of God mean' ,hen the+ set them from the 5usiness of this ,orld' and dra, them to 5e God4s s0ecial ser1ants in holiness and ri(htfulness of s0irit. #nd if the+ ,ist trul+' I daresa+ that the+ ,ould neither do nor 805 n9&F*: sa+ as the+ sa+. #nd therefore me thin-eth al,a+s that the+ should 5e had e3cused2 for ,h+' the+ -no, no 5etter li1in( than is that the+ li1e in themsel1es. #nd also ,hen I thin- on mine innumera5le defaults' the ,hich I ha1e made m+self 5efore this time in ,ords and deeds for default of -no,in(' me thin-eth then if I ,ould 5e had e3cused of God for mine i(norant defaults' that I should charita5l+ and 0iteousl+ ha1e other men4s i(norant ,ords and deeds al,a+s e3cused. #nd surel+ else' do I not to others as I ,ould the+ did to me. 805 n9&47:

HERE BEGINNETH THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER

How #l!ighty 0od will goodly answer for all those that for the e2cusing of the!selves list not leave their .usiness a.out the love of Hi!. #ND therefore me thin-eth' that the+ that set them to 5e contem0lati1es should not onl+ ha1e acti1e men e3cused of their com0lainin( ,ords' 5ut also me thin-eth that the+ should 5e so occu0ied in s0irit that the+ should ta-e little heed or none ,hat men did or said a5out them. hus did Mar+' our e3am0le of all' ,hen Martha her sister com0lained to our !ord2 and if ,e ,ill trul+ do thus our !ord ,ill do no, for us as He did then for Mar+. #nd ho, ,as thatB Surel+ thus. 805 n9&4&: Our lo1el+ !ord "esus Christ' unto ,hom no 0ri1+ thin( is hid' althou(h He ,as re<uired of Martha as doomsman for to 5id Mar+ rise and hel0 her to ser1e Him? ne1ertheless +et' for He 0ercei1ed that Mar+ ,as fer1entl+ occu0ied in s0irit a5out the lo1e of His Godhead' therefore courteousl+ and as it ,as seeml+ for Him to do 5+ the ,a+ of reason' He ans,ered for her' that for the e3cusin( of herself list not lea1e the lo1e of Him. #nd ho, ans,ered HeB Surel+ not onl+ as doomsman' as He ,as of Martha a00ealed2 5ut as an ad1ocate la,full+ defended her that Him lo1ed' and said' .Martha' MarthaL. ,ice for s0eed He named her name? for He ,ould that she heard Him and too- heed to His ,ords. . hou art full 5us+'. He said' .and trou5led a5out man+ thin(s.. Dor the+ that 5e acti1es 5eho1e al,a+s to 5e 5usied and tra1ailed a5out man+ di1erse thin(s' the ,hich them falleth' first for to ha1e to their o,n use' and 805 n9&4%: sithen in deeds of merc+ to their e1en> christian' as charit+ as-eth. #nd this He said unto Martha' for He ,ould let her ,it that her 5usiness ,as (ood and 0rofita5le to the health of her soul. But for this' that she should not thin- that it ,ere the 5est ,or- of all that man mi(ht do' therefore He added and said2 4But one thin( is necessar+.4 #nd ,hat is that one thin(B Surel+ that God 5e lo1ed and 0raised 5+ Himself' a5o1e all other 5usiness 5odil+ or (hostl+ that man ma+ do. #nd for this' that Martha should not thin- that she mi(ht 5oth lo1e God and 0raise Him a5o1e all other 5usiness 5odil+ or (hostl+' and also thereto to 5e 5us+ a5out the necessaries of this life2 therefore to deli1er her of dou5t that she mi(ht not 5oth ser1e God in 5odil+ 5usiness and (hostl+ to(ether 0erfectl+>=

im0erfectl+ she ma+' 5ut not 0erfectl+=He added and said' that Mar+ had chosen the 5est 0art? the ,hich should ne1er 5e ta-en from 805 n9&4F: her. Dor ,h+' that 0erfect stirrin( of lo1e that 5e(inneth here is e1en in num5er ,ith that that shall last ,ithout end in the 5liss of hea1en' for all it is 5ut one. 805 n9&44:

HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER

The true e2&osition of this gos&el word, 'Mary hath chosen the .est &art.' WH# meaneth this? Mar+ hath chosen the 5estB Wheresoe1er the 5est is set or named' it as-eth 5efore it these t,o thin(s=a (ood' and a 5etter? so that it 5e the 5est' and the third in num5er. But ,hich 5e these three (ood thin(s' of the ,hich Mar+ chose the 5estB hree li1es 5e the+ not' for Hol+ Church ma-eth remem5rance 5ut of t,o' acti1e life and contem0lati1e life? the ,hich t,o li1es 5e 0ri1il+ understood in the stor+ of this (os0el 5+ these t,o sisters Martha and Mar+=5+ Martha acti1e' 5+ Mar+ contem0lati1e. Without one of these t,o li1es ma+ no man 5e safe' and 805 n9&46: ,here no more 5e 5ut t,o' ma+ no man choose the 5est. But althou(h there 5e 5ut t,o li1es' ne1ertheless +et in these t,o li1es 5e three 0arts' each one 5etter than other. he ,hich three' each one 5+ itself' 5e s0eciall+ set in their 0laces 5efore in this ,ritin(. Dor as it is said 5efore' the first 0art standeth in (ood and honest 5odil+ ,or-s of merc+ and of charit+? and this is the first de(ree of acti1e life' as it is said 5efore. he second 0art of these t,o li1es lieth in (ood (hostl+ meditations of a man4s o,n ,retchedness' the Cassion of Christ' and of the Ao+s of hea1en. he first 0art is (ood' and this 0art is the 5etter? for this is the second de(ree of acti1e life and the first of contem0lati1e life. In this 0art is contem0lati1e life and acti1e life cou0led to(ether in (hostl+ -inshi0' and made sisters at the ensam0le of Martha and Mar+. hus hi(h ma+ an acti1e come to contem0lation? and no hi(her' 5ut if it 5e full seldom and 805 n9&46: 5+ a s0ecial (race. hus lo, ma+ a contem0lati1e come to,ards acti1e life? and no lo,er' 5ut if it 5e full seldom and in (reat need. he third 0art of these t,o li1es han(eth in this dar- cloud of un-no,in(' ,ith man+ a 0ri1+ lo1e 0ressed to God 5+ Himself. he first 0art is (ood' the second is 5etter' 5ut the third is 5est of all. his is the .5est 0art. of Mar+. #nd therefore it is 0lainl+ to ,it' that our !ord said not' Mar+ hath chosen the 5est life) for there 5e no more li1es 5ut t,o' and of t,o ma+ no man choose the 5est. But of these t,o li1es Mar+ hath chosen' He said' the 5est &art) the ,hich shall ne1er 5e ta-en from her. he first 0art and the second' althou(h the+ 5e 5oth (ood and hol+' +et the+ end ,ith this life. Dor in the tother life shall 5e no need as no, to use the ,or-s of merc+' nor to ,ee0 for our ,retchedness' nor for the Cassion of Christ. Dor then shall none 5e a5le to hun(er nor thirst as no,' nor 805 n9&47: die for cold' nor 5e sic-' nor houseless' nor in 0rison? nor +et need 5urial' for then shall none 5e a5le to die. But the third 0art that Mar+ chose' choose ,ho 5+ (race is called to choose2 or' if I soothlier shall sa+' ,hoso is chosen thereto of God. !et him lustil+ incline thereto' for that shall ne1er 5e ta-en a,a+2 for if it 5e(in here' it shall last ,ithout end. #nd therefore let the 1oice of our !ord cr+ on these acti1es' as if He said thus no, for us unto them' as He did then for Mar+ to Martha' .Martha' MarthaL.=.#cti1es' acti1esL ma-e +ou as 5us+ as +e can in the first 0art and in the second' no, in the one and no, in the tother2 and' if +ou list ri(ht ,ell and feel +ou dis0osed' in 5oth t,o 5odil+. #nd meddle +ou not of contem0lati1es. Ke ,ot not ,hat them aileth2 let them sit in their rest and in their 0la+' ,ith the third and the 5est 0art of Mar+.. 805 n9&4@:

HERE BEGINNETH THE TWO AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER

,f the wonderful love that Christ had to !an in &erson of all sinners truly turned and called to the grace of conte!&lation. SWEE ,as that lo1e 5et,i3t our !ord and Mar+. Much lo1e had she to Him. Much more had He to her. Dor ,hoso ,ould utterl+ 5ehold all the 5eha1iour that ,as 5et,i3t Him and her' not as a trifler ma+ tell' 5ut as the stor+ of the (os0el ,ill ,itness=the ,hich on no,ise ma+ 5e false=he should find that she ,as so heartil+ set for to lo1e Him' that nothin( 5eneath Him mi(ht comfort her' nor +et hold her heart from Him. his is she' that same Mar+' that ,hen she sou(ht Him at the se0ulchre ,ith ,ee0in( cheer ,ould not 5e comforted of an(els. Dor ,hen the+ s0a-e unto 805 n9&4*: her so s,eetl+ and so lo1el+ and said' .Wee0 not' Mar+? for ,h+' our !ord ,hom thou see-est is risen' and thou shalt ha1e Him' and see Him li1e full fair amon(st His disci0les in Galilee as He hi(ht'. she ,ould not cease for them. Dor ,h+B Her thou(ht that ,hoso sou(ht 1eril+ the $in( of #n(els' them list not cease for an(els. #nd ,hat moreB Surel+ ,hoso ,ill loo- 1eril+ in the stor+ of the (os0el' he shall find man+ ,onderful 0oints of 0erfect lo1e ,ritten of her to our ensam0le' and as e1en accordin( to the ,or- of this ,ritin(' as if the+ had 5een set and ,ritten therefore? and surel+ so ,ere the+' ta-e ,hoso ta-e ma+. #nd if a man list for to see in the (os0el ,ritten the ,onderful and the s0ecial lo1e that our !ord had to her' in 0erson of all accustomed sinners trul+ turned and called to the (race of contem0lation' he shall find that our !ord mi(ht not suffer an+ man or ,oman=+ea' not 805 n9&67: her o,n sister=s0ea- a ,ord a(ainst her' 5ut if He ans,ered for her Himself. Kea' and ,hat moreB He 5lamed S+mon !e0rous in his o,n house' for that he thou(ht a(ainst her. his ,as (reat lo1e2 this ,as 0assin( lo1e. 805 n9&6&:

HERE BEGINNETH THE THREE AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER

How 0od will answer and &urvey for the! in s&irit, that for .usiness a.out His love list not answer nor &urvey for the!selves

#ND trul+ an ,e ,ill lustil+ conform our lo1e and our li1in(' inasmuch as in us is' 5+ (race and 5+ counsel' unto the lo1e and the li1in( of Mar+' no dou5t 5ut He shall ans,er on the same manner no, for us (hostl+ each da+' 0ri1il+ in the hearts of all those that either sa+ or thin- a(ainst us. I sa+ not 5ut that e1ermore some men shall sa+ or thin- some,hat a(ainst us' the ,hiles ,e li1e in the tra1ail of this life' as the+ did a(ainst Mar+. But I sa+' an ,e ,ill (i1e no more heed to their sa+in( nor to their 805 n9&6%: thin-in(' nor no more cease of our (hostl+ 0ri1+ ,or- for their ,ords and their thou(hts' than she did=I sa+' then' that our !ord shall ans,er them in s0irit' if it shall 5e ,ell ,ith them that so sa+ and so thin-' that the+ shall ,ithin fe, da+s ha1e shame of their ,ords and their thou(hts. #nd as He ,ill ans,er for us thus in s0irit' so ,ill He stir other men in s0irit to (i1e us our needful thin(s that 5elon( to this life' as meat and clothes ,ith all these other? if He see that ,e ,ill not lea1e the ,or- of His lo1e for 5usiness a5out them. #nd this I sa+ in confusion of their error' that sa+ that it is not la,ful for men to set them to ser1e God in contem0lati1e life' 5ut if the+ 5e secure 5efore of their 5odil+ necessaries. Dor the+ sa+' that God sendeth the co,' 5ut not 5+ the horn. #nd trul+ the+ sa+ ,ron( of God' as the+ ,ell -no,. Dor trust steadfastl+' thou ,hatsoe1er that thou 5e' that trul+ turnest thee from the ,orld unto God' that one of these 805 n9&6F: t,o God shall send thee' ,ithout 5usiness of th+self2 and that is either a5undance of necessaries' or stren(th in 5od+ and 0atience in s0irit to 5ear need. What then rec-eth it' ,hich man ha1eB for all come to one in 1er+ contem0lati1es. #nd ,hoso is in dou5t of this' either the de1il is in his 5reast and ree1eth him of 5elief' or else he is not +et trul+ turned to God as he should 5e? ma-e he it ne1er so <uaint' nor ne1er so hol+ reasons she, there a(ain' ,hatnot e1er that he 5e. #nd therefore thou' that settest thee to 5e contem0lati1e as Mar+ ,as' choose thee rather to 5e mee-ed under the ,onderful hei(ht and the ,orthiness of God' the ,hich is 0erfect' than under thine o,n ,retchedness' the ,hich is im0erfect2 that is to sa+' loo- that th+ s0ecial 5eholdin( 5e more to the ,orthiness of God than to th+ ,retchedness. Dor to them that 5e 0erfectl+ mee-ed' no thin( shall defail? neither 5odil+ thin(' nor (hostl+. Dor 805 n9&64: ,h+B he+ ha1e God' in ,hom is all 0lent+? and ,hoso hath Him=+ea' as this 5oo- telleth=him needeth nou(ht else in this life. 805 n9&66:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FOUR AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER

*hat charity is in itself, and how it is truly and &erfectly contained in the work of this .ook. #ND as it is said of mee-ness' ho, that it is trul+ and 0erfectl+ com0rehended in this little 5lind lo1e 0ressed' ,hen it is 5eatin( u0on this dar- cloud of un-no,in(' all other thin(s 0ut do,n and for(otten2 so it is to 5e understood of all other 1irtues' and s0eciall+ of charit+. Dor charit+ is nou(ht else to 5emean to thine understandin(' 5ut lo1e of God for Himself a5o1e all creatures' and of man for God e1en as th+self. #nd that in this ,or- God is lo1ed for Himself' and a5o1e all creatures' it seemeth ri(ht ,ell. Dor as it is said 805 n9&66: 5efore' that the su5stance of this ,or- is nou(ht else 5ut a na-ed intent directed unto God for Himself. # na-ed intent I call it. Dor ,h+' in this ,or- a 0erfect Crentice as-eth neither releasin( of 0ain' nor increasin( of meed' nor shortl+ to sa+' nou(ht 5ut Himself. Insomuch' that neither he rec-eth nor loo-eth after ,hether that he 5e in 0ain or in 5liss' else that His ,ill 5e fulfilled that he lo1eth. #nd thus it seemeth that in this ,or- God is 0erfectl+ lo1ed for Himself' and that a5o1e all creatures. Dor in this ,or-' a 0erfect ,or-er ma+ not suffer the memor+ of the holiest creature that e1er God made to commune ,ith him. #nd that in this ,or- the second and the lo,er 5ranch of charit+ unto thine e1en>christian is 1eril+ and 0erfectl+ fulfilled' it seemeth 5+ the 0roof. Dor ,h+' in this ,or- a 0erfect ,or-er hath no s0ecial 5eholdin( unto an+ man 5+ himself' ,hether that he 5e -in or stran(er' friend or foe. Dor all men 805 n9&67: him thin-s e<uall+ -in unto him' and no man stran(er. #ll men him thin-s 5e his friends' and none his foes. Insomuch' that him thin-s all those that 0ain him and do him disease in this life' the+ 5e his full and his s0ecial friends2 and him thin-eth' that he is stirred to ,ill them as much (ood' as he ,ould to the homeliest friend that he hath. 805 n9&6@:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER

That in the ti!e of this work a &erfect soul hath no s&ecial .eholding to any one !an in this life. I S#K not that in this ,or- he shall ha1e a s0ecial 5eholdin( to an+ man in this life' ,hether that he 5e friend or foe' -in or stran(er? for that ma+ not 5e if this ,or- shall 0erfectl+ 5e done' as it is ,hen all thin(s under God 5e full+ for(otten' as falleth for this ,or-. But I sa+ that he shall 5e made so 1irtuous and so charita5le 5+ the 1irtue of this ,or-' that his ,ill shall 5e after,ards' ,hen he condescendeth to commune or to 0ra+ for his e1en>christian=not from all this ,or-' for that ma+ not 5e ,ithout (reat sin' 5ut from the hei(ht of this 805 n9&6*: ,or-' the ,hich is s0eedful and needful to do some time as charit+ as-eth=as s0eciall+ then directed to his foe as to his friend' his stran(er as his -in. Kea' and some time more to his foe than to his friend. Ne1ertheless' in this ,or- he hath no leisure to loo- after ,ho is his friend or his foe' his -in or his stran(er. I sa+ not 5ut he shall feel some time=+ea' full oft=his affection more homel+ to one' t,o' or three' than to all these other2 for that is la,ful to 5e' for man+ causes as charit+ as-eth. Dor such an homel+ affection felt Christ to "ohn and unto Mar+' and unto Ceter 5efore man+ others. But I sa+' that in the time of this ,or- shall all 5e e<uall+ homel+ unto him? for he shall feel then no cause' 5ut onl+ God. So that all shall 5e lo1ed 0lainl+ and na-edl+ for God' and as ,ell as himself.

Dor as all men ,ere lost in #dam and all men that ,ith ,or- ,ill ,itness their ,ill of sal1ation are sa1ed or 805 n9&67: shall 5e 5+ 1irtue of the Cassion of onl+ Christ2 not in the same manner' 5ut as it ,ere in the same manner' a soul that is 0erfectl+ dis0osed to this ,or-' and oned thus to God in s0irit as the 0roof of this ,or- ,itnesseth' doth that in it is to ma-e all men as 0erfect in this ,or- as itself is. Dor ri(ht as if a lim5 of our 5od+ feeleth sore' all the tother lim5s 5e 0ained and diseased therefore' or if a lim5 fare ,ell' all the remnant 5e (ladded there,ith=ri(ht so is it (hostl+ of all the lim5s of Hol+ Church. Dor Christ is our head' and ,e 5e the lim5s if ,e 5e in charit+2 and ,hoso ,ill 5e a 0erfect disci0le of our !ord4s' him 5eho1eth strain u0 his s0irit in this ,or- (hostl+' for the sal1ation of all his 5rethren and sisters in nature' as our !ord did His 5od+ on the Cross. #nd ho,B Not onl+ for His friends and His -in and His homel+ lo1ers' 5ut (enerall+ for all man-ind' ,ithout an+ s0ecial 5eholdin( more to one than to another. Dor all that ,ill lea1e sin 805 n9&6&: and as- merc+ shall 5e sa1ed throu(h the 1irtue of His Cassion. #nd as it is said of mee-ness and charit+' so it is to 5e understood of all other 1irtues. Dor all the+ 5e trul+ com0rehended in this little 0ressin( of lo1e' touched 5efore. 805 n9&6%:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SI/ AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER

That without full s&ecial grace, or long use in co!!on grace, the work of this .ook is right travailous) and in this work, which is the work of the soul hel&ed .y grace, and which is the work of only 0od. #ND therefore tra1ail fast a,hile' and 5eat u0on this hi(h cloud of un-no,in(' and rest after,ard. Ne1ertheless' a tra1ail shall he ha1e ,ho so shall use him in this ,or-? +ea' surel+L and that a full (reat tra1ail' unless he ha1e a more s0ecial (race' or else that he ha1e of lon( time used him therein. But I 0ra+ thee' ,herein shall that tra1ail 5eB Surel+ not in that de1out stirrin( of lo1e that is continuall+ 805 n9&6F: ,rou(ht in his ,ill' not 5+ himself' 5ut 5+ the hand of #lmi(ht+ God2 the ,hich is e1ermore read+ to ,orthis ,or- in each soul that is dis0osed thereto' and that doth that in him is' and hath done lon( time 5efore' to ena5le him to this ,or-. But ,herein then is this tra1ail' I 0ra+ theeB Surel+' this tra1ail is all in treadin( do,n of the remem5rance of all the creatures that e1er God made' and in holdin( of them under the cloud of for(ettin( named 5efore. In this is all the tra1ail' for this is man4s tra1ail' ,ith hel0 of (race. #nd the tother a5o1e=that is to sa+' the stirrin( of lo1e=that is the ,or- of onl+ God. #nd therefore do on th+ ,or-' and surel+ I 0romise thee He shall not fail in His. Do on then fast? let see ho, thou 5earest thee. Seest thou not ho, He standeth and a5ideth theeB Dor shameL ra1ail fast 5ut a,hile' and thou shalt soon 5e eased of the (reatness and of the hardness of this tra1ail. 805 n9&64: Dor althou(h it 5e hard and strait in the 5e(innin(' ,hen thou hast no de1otion? ne1ertheless +et after' ,hen thou hast de1otion' it shall 5e made full restful and full li(ht unto thee that 5efore ,as full hard. #nd thou shalt ha1e either little tra1ail or none' for then ,ill God ,or- sometimes all 5+ Himself. But not e1er' nor +et no lon( time to(ether' 5ut ,hen Him list and as Him list? and then ,ilt thou thin- it merr+ to let Him alone. hen ,ill He sometimes 0erad1enture send out a 5eam of (hostl+ li(ht' 0iercin( this cloud of un-no,in( that is 5et,i3t thee and Him? and she, thee some of His 0ri1it+' the ,hich man ma+ not' nor cannot s0ea-. hen shalt thou feel thine affection inflamed ,ith the fire of His lo1e' far more than I can tell thee' or ma+ or ,ill at this time. Dor of that ,or-' that falleth to onl+ God' dare I not ta-e u0on me to s0ea- ,ith m+ 5la55erin( fleshl+ ton(ue2 and shortl+ to sa+' althou(h I durst I ,ould do 805 n9&66: not. But of that ,or- that falleth to man ,hen he feeleth him stirred and hel0ed 5+ (race' list me ,ell tell thee2 for therein is the less 0eril of the t,o. 805 n9&66:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVEN AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER

*ho should work in the gracious work of this .ook. DI)S and foremost' I ,ill tell thee ,ho should ,or- in this ,or-' and ,hen' and 5+ ,hat means2 and ,hat discretion thou shalt ha1e in it. If thou as-eth me ,ho shall ,or- thus' I ans,er thee=all that ha1e forsa-en the ,orld in a true ,ill' and thereto that (i1e them not to acti1e life' 5ut to that life that is called contem0lati1e life. #ll those should ,or- in this (race and in this ,or-' ,hatsoe1er that the+ 5e? ,hether the+ ha1e 5een accustomed sinners or none. 805 n9&67:

HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHT AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER

That a !an should not &resu!e to work in this work .efore the ti!e that he .e lawfully cleansed in conscience of all his s&ecial deeds of sin. B/ if thou as-eth me ,hen the+ should ,or- in this ,or-' then I ans,er thee and I sa+2 that not ere the+ ha1e cleansed their conscience of all their s0ecial deeds of sin done 5efore' after the common ordinance of Hol+ Church. Dor in this ,or-' a soul drieth u0 in it all the root and the (round of sin that ,ill al,a+s li1e in it after confession' 5e it ne1er so 5us+. #nd' therefore' ,hoso ,ill tra1ail in this ,or-' let him first cleanse his conscience? and after,ard ,hen he hath done that in him is la,full+' let him dis0ose him 805 n9&6@: 5oldl+ 5ut mee-l+ thereto. #nd let him thin-' that he hath full lon( 5een holden therefrom. Dor this is that ,or- in the ,hich a soul should tra1ail all his lifetime' thou(h he had ne1er sinned deadl+. #nd the ,hiles that a soul is d,ellin( in this deadl+ flesh' it shall e1ermore see and feel this cum5rous cloud of un-no,in( 5et,i3t him and God. #nd not onl+ that' 5ut in 0ain of the ori(inal sin it shall e1ermore see and feel that some of all the creatures that e1er God made' or some of their ,or-s' ,ill e1ermore 0ress in remem5rance 5et,i3t it and God. #nd this is the ri(ht ,isdom of God' that man' ,hen he had so1erei(nt+ and lordshi0 of all other creatures' 5ecause that he ,ilfull+ made him underlin( to the stirrin( of his su5Aects' lea1in( the 5iddin( of God and his Ma-er? that ri(ht so after' ,hen he ,ould fulfil the 5iddin( of God' he

sa, and felt all the creatures that should 5e 5eneath him' 0roudl+ 0ress a5o1e him' 5et,i3t him and his God. 805 n9&6*:

HERE BEGINNETH THE NINE AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER

That a !an should .idingly travail in this work, and suffer the &ain thereof, and udge no !an. #ND therefore' ,hoso co1eteth to come to cleanness that he lost for sin' and to ,in to that ,ell>5ein( ,here all ,oe ,anteth' him 5eho1eth 5idin(l+ to tra1ail in this ,or-' and suffer the 0ain thereof' ,hatsoe1er that he 5e2 ,hether he ha1e 5een an accustomed sinner or none. #ll men ha1e tra1ail in this ,or-? 5oth sinners' and innocents that ne1er sinned (reatl+. But far (reater tra1ail ha1e those that ha1e 5een sinners than the+ that ha1e 5een none? and that is (reat reason. Ne1ertheless' ofttimes it 5efalleth that some that ha1e 5een 805 n9&77: horri5le and accustomed sinners come sooner to the 0erfection of this ,or- than those that ha1e 5een none. #nd this is the merciful miracle of our !ord' that so s0eciall+ (i1eth His (race' to the ,onderin( of all this ,orld. No, trul+ I ho0e that on Doomsda+ it shall 5e fair' ,hen that God shall 5e seen clearl+ and all His (ifts. hen shall some that no, 5e des0ised and set at little or nou(ht as common sinners' and 0erad1enture some that no, 5e horri5le sinners' sit full seeml+ ,ith saints in His si(ht2 ,hen some of those that seem no, full hol+ and 5e ,orshi00ed of men as an(els' and some of those +et 0erad1enture' that ne1er +et sinned deadl+' shall sit full sorr+ amon(st hell ca1es. Here5+ ma+est thou see that no man should 5e Aud(ed of other here in this life' for (ood nor for e1il that the+ do. Ne1ertheless deeds ma+ la,full+ 5e Aud(ed' 5ut not the man' ,hether the+ 5e (ood or e1il. 805 n9&7&:

HERE BEGINNETH THE THIRTIETH CHAPTER

*ho should .la!e and conde!n other !en-s defaults. B/ I 0ra+ thee' of ,hom shall men4s deeds 5e Aud(edB Surel+ of them that ha1e 0o,er' and cure of their souls2 either (i1en o0enl+ 5+ the statute and the ordinance of Hol+ Church' or else 0ri1il+ in s0irit at the s0ecial stirrin( of the Hol+ Ghost in 0erfect charit+. Each man 5e,are' that he 0resume not to ta-e u0on him to 5lame and condemn other men4s defaults' 5ut if he feel 1eril+ that he 5e stirred of the Hol+ Ghost ,ithin in his ,or-? for else ma+ he full li(htl+ err in his dooms. #nd therefore 5e,are2 Aud(e th+self as thee list 5et,i3t thee and th+ God or th+ (hostl+ father' and let other men alone. 805 n9&7%:

HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER

How a !an should have hi! in .eginning of this work against all thoughts and stirrings of sin. #ND from the time that thou feelest that thou hast done that in thee is' la,full+ to amend thee at the doom of Hol+ Church' then shalt thou set thee shar0l+ to ,or- in this ,or-. #nd then if it so 5e that th+ foredone s0ecial deeds ,ill al,a+s 0ress in th+ remem5rance 5et,i3t thee and th+ God' or an+ ne, thou(ht or stirrin( of an+ sin either' thou shalt stal,artl+ ste0 a5o1e them ,ith a fer1ent stirrin( of lo1e' and tread them do,n under th+ feet. #nd tr+ to co1er them ,ith a thic- cloud of for(ettin(' as the+ ne1er had 5een done in this life of thee 805 n9&7F: nor of other man either. #nd if the+ oft rise' oft 0ut them do,n2 and shortl+ to sa+' as oft as the+ rise' as oft 0ut them do,n. #nd if thee thin- that the tra1ail 5e (reat' thou ma+est see- arts and ,iles and 0ri1+ su5tleties of (hostl+ de1ices to 0ut them a,a+2 the ,hich su5tleties 5e 5etter learned of God 5+ the 0roof than of an+ man in this life. 805 n9&74:

HERE BEGINNETH THE TWO AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER

,f two ghostly devices that .e hel&ful to a ghostly .eginner in the work of this .ook. NE;E) HE!ESS' some,hat of this su5tlet+ shall I tell thee as me thin-. Cro1e thou and do 5etter' if thou 5etter ma+est. Do that in thee is' to let 5e as thou ,ist not that the+ 0ress so fast u0on thee 5et,i3t thee and th+ God. #nd tr+ to loo- as it ,ere o1er their shoulders' see-in( another thin(2 the ,hich thin( is God' enclosed in a cloud of un-no,in(. #nd if thou do thus' I tro, that ,ithin short time thou shalt 5e eased of th+ tra1ail. I tro, that an this de1ice 5e ,ell and trul+ concei1ed' it is nou(ht else 5ut a lon(in( desire unto God' to feel Him 805 n9&76: and see Him as it ma+ 5e here2 and such a desire is charit+' and it o5taineth al,a+s to 5e eased. #nother de1ice there is2 0ro1e thou if thou ,ilt. When thou feelest that thou ma+est on no,ise 0ut them do,n' co,er thou do,n under them as a caitiff and a co,ard o1ercome in 5attle' and thin- that it is 5ut a foll+ to thee to stri1e an+ lon(er ,ith them' and therefore thou +ieldest thee to God in the hands of thine enemies. #nd feel then th+self as thou ,ert foredone for e1er. a-e (ood heed of this de1ice I 0ra+ thee' for me thin- in the 0roof of this de1ice thou shouldest melt all to ,ater. #nd surel+ me thin- an this de1ice 5e trul+ concei1ed it is nou(ht else 5ut a true -no,in( and a feelin( of th+self as thou art' a ,retch and a filth+' far ,orse than nou(ht2 the ,hich -no,in( and feelin( is mee-ness. #nd this mee-ness o5taineth to ha1e God Himself mi(htil+ descendin(' to 1en(e thee of thine enemies' for to ta-e 805 n9&76: thee u0' and cherishin(l+ dr+ thine (hostl+ e+en? as the father doth the child that is in 0oint to 0erish under the mouths of ,ild s,ine or ,ode 5itin( 5ears. 805 n9&77:

HERE BEGINNETH THE THREE AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER

That in this work a soul is cleansed .oth of his s&ecial sins and of the &ain of the!, and yet how there is no &erfect rest in this life. MO)E de1ices tell I thee not at this time? for an thou ha1e (race to feel the 0roof of these' I tro, that thou shalt -no, 5etter to learn me than I thee. Dor althou(h it should 5e thus' trul+ +et me thin- that I am full far therefrom. #nd therefore I 0ra+ thee hel0 me' and do thou for thee and for me.

Do on then' and tra1ail fast a,hile' I 0ra+ thee' and suffer mee-l+ the 0ain if thou ma+est not soon ,in to these arts. Dor trul+ it is th+ 0ur(ator+' and then ,hen th+ 0ain is all 805 n9&7@: 0assed and th+ de1ices 5e (i1en of God' and (raciousl+ (otten in custom? then it is no dou5t to me that thou art cleansed not onl+ of sin' 5ut also of the 0ain of sin. I mean' of the 0ain of th+ s0ecial foredone sins' and not of the 0ain of the ori(inal sin. Dor that 0ain shall al,a+s last on thee to th+ death da+' 5e thou ne1er so 5us+. Ne1ertheless' it shall 5ut little 0ro1o-e thee' in com0arison of this 0ain of th+ s0ecial sins? and +et shalt thou not 5e ,ithout (reat tra1ail. Dor out of this ori(inal sin ,ill all da+ s0rin( ne, and fresh stirrin(s of sin2 the ,hich thee 5eho1eth all da+ to smite do,n' and 5e 5us+ to shear a,a+ ,ith a shar0 dou5le>ed(ed dreadful s,ord of discretion. #nd here5+ ma+est thou see and learn' that there is no soothfast securit+' nor +et no true rest in this life. Ne1ertheless' herefore shalt thou not (o 5ac-' nor +et 5e o1erfeared of th+ failin(. Dor an it so 5e that thou ma+est ha1e (race to destro+ the 0ain 805 n9&7*: of thine foredone s0ecial deeds' in the manner 5efore said=or 5etter if thou 5etter ma+est=sure 5e thou' that the 0ain of the ori(inal sin' or else the ne, stirrin(s of sin that 5e to come' shall 5ut ri(ht little 5e a5le to 0ro1o-e thee. 805 n9&@7:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FOUR AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER

That 0od giveth this grace freely without any !eans, and that it !ay not .e co!e to with !eans. #ND if thou as-est me 5+ ,hat means thou shalt come to this ,or-' I 5eseech #lmi(ht+ God of His (reat (race and His (reat courtes+ to teach thee Himself. Dor trul+ I do thee ,ell to ,it that I cannot tell thee' and that is no ,onder. Dor ,h+' that is the ,or- of onl+ God' s0eciall+ ,rou(ht in ,hat soul that Him li-eth ,ithout an+ desert of the same soul. Dor ,ithout it no saint nor no an(el can thin- to desire it. #nd I tro, that our !ord as s0eciall+ and as oft= +eaL and more s0eciall+ and more oft=,ill 1ouchsafe to ,or- this ,or- 805 n9&@&: in them that ha1e 5een accustomed sinners' than in some other' that ne1er (rie1ed Him (reatl+ in com0arison of them. #nd this ,ill He do' for He ,ill 5e seen all>merciful and almi(ht+? and for He ,ill 5e seen to ,or- as Him list' ,here Him list' and ,hen Him list. #nd +et He (i1eth not this (race' nor ,or-eth not this ,or-' in an+ soul that is una5le thereto. #nd +et' there is no soul ,ithout this (race' a5le to ha1e this (race2 none' ,hether it 5e a sinner4s soul or an innocent soul. Dor neither it is (i1en for innocence' nor ,ithholden for sin. a-e (ood heed' that I sa+ ,ithholden' and not ,ithdra,n. Be,are of error here' I 0ra+ thee? for e1er' the nearer men touch the truth' more ,ar+ men 5eho1eth to 5e of error. I mean 5ut ,ell2 if thou canst not concei1e it' la+ it 5+ th+ side till God come and teach thee. Do then so' and hurt thee not. Be,are of 0ride' for it 5las0hemeth God in His (ifts' and 5oldeneth sinners. 805 n9&@%: Wert thou 1eril+ mee-' thou shouldest feel of this ,or- as I sa+2 that God (i1eth it freel+ ,ithout an+ desert. he condition of this ,or- is such' that the 0resence thereof ena5leth a soul for to ha1e it and for to feel it. #nd that a5leness ma+ no soul ha1e ,ithout it. he a5leness to this ,or- is oned to the ,or-4s self ,ithout de0artin(? so that ,hoso feeleth this ,or- is a5le thereto' and none else. Insomuch' that ,ithout this ,or- a soul is as it ,ere dead' and cannot co1et it nor desire it. Dorasmuch as thou ,illest it and desirest it' so much hast thou of it' and no more nor no less2 and +et is it no ,ill' nor no desire' 5ut a thin( thou ,ottest ne1er ,hat' that stirreth thee to ,ill and desire thou ,ottest ne1er ,hat. )ecthee ne1er if thou ,ittest no more' I 0ra+ thee2 5ut do forth e1er more and more' so that thou 5e e1er doin(. #nd if I shall shortlier sa+' let that thin( do ,ith thee and lead thee ,hereso it list. !et it 5e the ,or-er' 805 n9&@F: and +ou 5ut the sufferer2 do 5ut loo- u0on it' and let it alone. Meddle thee not there,ith as thou ,ouldest hel0 it' for dread lest thou s0ill all. Be thou 5ut the tree' and let it 5e the ,ri(ht2 5e thou 5ut the house' and let it 5e the hus5andman d,ellin( therein. Be 5lind in this time' and shear a,a+ co1etise of -no,in(' for it ,ill more let thee than hel0 thee. It sufficeth enou(h unto thee' that thou feelest thee stirred li-in(l+ ,ith a thin( thou ,ottest ne1er ,hat' else that in this stirrin( thou hast no s0ecial thou(ht of an+ thin( under God? and that thine intent 5e na-edl+ directed unto God. #nd if it 5e thus' trust then steadfastl+ that it is onl+ God that stirreth th+ ,ill and th+ desire 0lainl+ 5+ Himself' ,ithout means either on His 0art or on thine. #nd 5e not feared' for the de1il ma+ not come so near. He ma+ ne1er come to stir a man4s ,ill' 5ut occasionall+ and 5+ means from afar' 5e he ne1er so su5tle a de1il. 805 n9&@4: Dor sufficientl+ and ,ithout means ma+ no (ood an(el stir th+ ,ill2 nor' shortl+ to sa+' nothin( 5ut onl+ God. So that thou ma+est concei1e here 5+ these ,ords some,hat I5ut much more clearl+ 5+ the 0roofJ' that in this ,or- men shall use no means2 nor +et men ma+ not come thereto ,ith means. #ll (ood means han( u0on it' and it on no means? nor no means ma+ lead thereto. 805 n9&@6:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER

,f three !eans in the which a conte!&lative Prentice should .e occu&ied, in reading, thinking, and &raying. NE;E) HE!ESS' means there 5e in the ,hich a contem0lati1e 0rentice should 5e occu0ied' the ,hich 5e these= !esson' Meditation' and Orison2 or else to thine understandin( the+ ma+ 5e called=)eadin(' hin-in(' and Cra+in(. Of these three thou shalt find ,ritten in another 5oo- of another man4s ,or-' much 5etter than I can tell thee? and therefore it needeth not here to tell thee of the <ualities of them. But this ma+ I tell thee2 these three 5e so cou0led to(ether' that unto them that 5e 5e(inners and 0rofiters=5ut not to them that 5e 805 n9&@6: 0erfect' +ea' as it ma+ 5e here=thin-in( ma+ not (oodl+ 5e (otten' ,ithout readin( or hearin( comin( 5efore. #ll is one in manner' readin( and hearin(2 cler-s readin( on 5oo-s' and le,d men readin( on cler-s ,hen the+ hear them 0reach the ,ord of God. Nor 0ra+er ma+ not (oodl+ 5e (otten in 5e(inners and 0rofiters' ,ithout thin-in( comin( 5efore.

See 5+ the 0roof. In this same course' God4s ,ord either ,ritten or s0o-en is li-ened to a mirror. Ghostl+' the e+es of th+ soul is th+ reason? th+ conscience is th+ 1isa(e (hostl+. #nd ri(ht as thou seest that if a foul s0ot 5e in th+ 5odil+ 1isa(e' the e+es of the same 1isa(e ma+ not see that s0ot nor ,it ,here it is' ,ithout a mirror or a teachin( of another than itself? ri(ht so it is (hostl+' ,ithout readin( or hearin( of God4s ,ord it is im0ossi5le to man4s understandin( that a soul that is 5linded in custom of sin should see the foul s0ot in his conscience. 805 n9&@7: #nd so follo,in(' ,hen a man seeth in a 5odil+ or (hostl+ mirror' or ,ots 5+ other men4s teachin(' ,herea5outs the foul s0ot is on his 1isa(e' either 5odil+ or (hostl+? then at first' and not 5efore' he runneth to the ,ell to ,ash him. If this s0ot 5e an+ s0ecial sin' then is this ,ell Hol+ Church' and this ,ater confession' ,ith the circumstances. If it 5e 5ut a 5lind root and a stirrin( of sin' then is this ,ell merciful God' and this ,ater 0ra+er' ,ith the circumstances. #nd thus ma+est thou see that no thin-in( ma+ (oodl+ 5e (otten in 5e(inners and 0rofiters' ,ithout readin( or hearin( comin( 5efore2 nor 0ra+in( ,ithout thin-in(. 805 n9&@@:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SI/ AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER

,f the !editations of the! that continually travail in the work of this .ook. B/ it is not so ,ith them that continuall+ ,or- in the ,or- of this 5oo-. Dor their meditations 5e 5ut as the+ ,ere sudden conceits and 5lind feelin(s of their o,n ,retchedness' or of the (oodness of God? ,ithout an+ means of readin( or hearin( comin( 5efore' and ,ithout an+ s0ecial 5eholdin( of an+ thin( under God. hese sudden conceits and these 5lind feelin(s 5e sooner learned of God than of man. I care not thou(h thou haddest no,ada+s none other meditations of thine o,n ,retchedness' nor of the (oodness of God II mean if thou feel thee thus stirred 5+ (race and 5+ counselJ' 5ut such as thou 805 n9&@*: ma+est ha1e in this ,ord SIN' and in this ,ord GOD2 or in such other' ,hich as thee list. Not 5rea-in( nor e30oundin( these ,ords ,ith curiosit+ of ,it' in 5eholdin( after the <ualities of these ,ords' as thou ,ouldest 5+ that 5eholdin( increase th+ de1otion. I tro, it should ne1er 5e so in this case and in this ,or-. But hold them all ,hole these ,ords? and mean 5+ sin' a lu!&, thou ,ottest ne1er ,hat' none other thin( 5ut th+self. Me thin- that in this 5lind 5eholdin( of sin' thus con(ealed in a lum0' none other thin( than th+self' it should 5e no need to 5ind a madder thin(' than thou shouldest 5e in this time. #nd +et 0erad1enture' ,hoso loo-ed u0on thee should thin- thee full so5erl+ dis0osed in th+ 5od+' ,ithout an+ chan(in( of countenance? 5ut sittin( or (oin( or l+in(' or leanin( or standin( or -neelin(' ,hether thou ,ert' in a full so5er restfulness. 805 n9&*7:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVEN AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER

,f the s&ecial &rayers of the! that .e continual workers in the word of this .ook #ND ri(ht as the meditations of them that continuall+ ,or- in this (race and in this ,or- rise suddenl+ ,ithout an+ means' ri(ht so do their 0ra+ers. I mean of their s0ecial 0ra+ers' not of those 0ra+ers that 5e ordained of Hol+ Church. Dor the+ that 5e true ,or-ers in this ,or-' the+ ,orshi0 no 0ra+er so much2 and therefore the+ do them' in the form and in the statute that the+ 5e ordained of hol+ fathers 5efore us. But their s0ecial 0ra+ers rise e1ermore suddenl+ unto God' ,ithout an+ means or an+ 0remeditation 805 n9&*&: in s0ecial comin( 5efore' or (oin( there,ith. #nd if the+ 5e in ,ords' as the+ 5e 5ut seldom' then 5e the+ 5ut in full fe, ,ords2 +ea' and in e1er the fe,er the 5etter. Kea' and if it 5e 5ut a little ,ord of one s+lla5le' me thin- it 5etter than of t,o2 and more' too' accordin( to the ,or- of the s0irit' since it so is that a (hostl+ ,or-er in this ,or- should e1ermore 5e in the hi(hest and the so1erei(nest 0oint of the s0irit. hat this 5e sooth' see 5+ ensam0le in the course of nature. # man or a ,oman' afraid ,ith an+ sudden chance of fire or of man4s death or ,hat else that it 5e' suddenl+ in the hei(ht of his s0irit' he is dri1en u0on haste and u0on need for to cr+ or for to 0ra+ after hel0. Kea' ho,B Surel+' not in man+ ,ords' nor +et in one ,ord of t,o s+lla5les. #nd ,h+ is thatB Dor him thin-eth it o1er lon( tarr+in( for to declare the need and the ,or- of his s0irit. #nd therefore he 5ursteth u0 hideousl+ 805 n9&*%: ,ith a (reat s0irit' and cr+eth a little ,ord' 5ut of one s+lla5le2 as is this ,ord .fire'. or this ,ord .outL. #nd ri(ht as this little ,ord .fire. stirreth rather and 0ierceth more hastil+ the ears of the hearers' so doth a little ,ord of one s+lla5le ,hen it is not onl+ s0o-en or thou(ht' 5ut 0ri1il+ meant in the dee0ness of s0irit? the ,hich is the hei(ht' for in (hostliness all is one' hei(ht and dee0ness' len(th and 5readth. #nd rather it 0ierceth the ears of #lmi(ht+ God than doth an+ lon( 0salter unmindfull+ mum5led in the teeth. #nd herefore it is ,ritten' that short 0ra+er 0ierceth hea1en. 805 n9&*F:

HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHT AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER

How and why that short &rayer &ierceth heaven #ND ,h+ 0ierceth it hea1en' this little short 0ra+er of one little s+lla5leB Surel+ 5ecause it is 0ra+ed ,ith a full s0irit' in the hei(ht and in the dee0ness' in the len(th and in the 5readth of his s0irit that 0ra+eth it. In the hei(ht it is' for it is ,ith all the mi(ht of the s0irit. In the dee0ness it is' for in this little s+lla5le 5e contained all the ,its of the s0irit. In the len(th it is' for mi(ht it e1er feel as it feeleth' e1er ,ould it cr+ as it cr+eth. In the 5readth it is' for it ,illeth the same to all other that it ,illeth to itself. In this time it is that a soul hath 805 n9&*4: com0rehended after the lesson of Saint Caul ,ith all saints=not full+' 5ut in manner and in 0art' as it is accordin( unto this ,or-=,hich is the len(th and the 5readth' the hei(ht and the dee0ness of e1erlastin( and all>lo1el+' almi(ht+' and all>,ittin( God. he e1erlastin(ness of God is His len(th. His lo1e is His 5readth. His mi(ht is His hei(ht. #nd His ,isdom is His dee0ness. No ,onder thou(h a soul that is thus

ni(h conformed 5+ (race to the ima(e and the li-eness of God his ma-er' 5e soon heard of GodL Kea' thou(h it 5e a full sinful soul' the ,hich is to God as it ,ere an enem+? an he mi(ht throu(h (race come for to cr+ such a little s+lla5le in the hei(ht and the dee0ness' the len(th and the 5readth of his s0irit' +et he should for the hideous noise of his cr+ 5e al,a+s heard and hel0ed of God. See 5+ ensam0le. He that is th+ deadl+ enem+' an thou hear him so afraid that he cr+ in the hei(ht of his s0irit this little ,ord .fire'. or this 805 n9&*6: ,ord .out.? +et ,ithout an+ 5eholdin( to him for he is thine enem+' 5ut for 0ure 0it+ in thine heart stirred and raised ,ith the dolefulness of this cr+' thou risest u0=+ea' thou(h it 5e a5out mid,inter4s ni(ht=and hel0est him to slac- his fire' or for to still him and rest him in his distress. Oh' !ordL since a man ma+ 5e made so merciful in (race' to ha1e so much merc+ and so much 0it+ of his enem+' not,ithstandin( his enmit+' ,hat 0it+ and ,hat merc+ shall God ha1e then of a (hostl+ cr+ in soul' made and ,rou(ht in the hei(ht and the dee0ness' the len(th and the 5readth of his s0irit? the ,hich hath all 5+ nature that man hath 5+ (raceB #nd much more' surel+ ,ithout com0arison' much more merc+ ,ill He ha1e? since it is' that that thin( that is so had 5+ nature is nearer to an eternal thin( than that ,hich is had 5+ (race. 805 n9&*6:

HERE BEGINNETH THE NINE AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER

How a &erfect worker shall &ray, and what &rayer is in itself) and if a !an shall &ray in words, which words accord the! !ost to the &ro&erty of &rayer. #ND therefore it is' to 0ra+ in the hei(ht and the dee0ness' the len(th and the 5readth of our s0irit. #nd that not in man+ ,ords' 5ut in a little ,ord of one s+lla5le. #nd ,hat shall this ,ord 5eB Surel+ such a ,ord as is 5est accordin( unto the 0ro0ert+ of 0ra+er. #nd ,hat ,ord is thatB !et us first see ,hat 0ra+er is 0ro0erl+ in itself' and thereafter ,e ma+ clearlier -no, ,hat ,ord ,ill 5est accord to the 0ro0ert+ of 0ra+er. Cra+er in itself 0ro0erl+ is not else' 805 n9&*7: 5ut a de1out intent direct unto God' for (ettin( of (ood and remo1in( of e1il. #nd then' since it so is that all e1il 5e com0rehended in sin' either 5+ cause or 5+ 5ein(' let us therefore ,hen ,e ,ill intenti1el+ 0ra+ for remo1in( of e1il either sa+' or thin-' or mean' nou(ht else nor no more ,ords' 5ut this little ,ord .sin.. #nd if ,e ,ill intenti1el+ 0ra+ for (ettin( of (ood' let us cr+' either ,ith ,ord or ,ith thou(ht or ,ith desire' nou(ht else nor no more ,ords' 5ut this ,ord .God.. Dor ,h+' in God 5e all (ood' 5oth 5+ cause and 5+ 5ein(. Ha1e no mar1el ,h+ I set these ,ords for5+ all other. Dor if I could find an+ shorter ,ords' so full+ com0rehendin( in them all (ood and all e1il' as these t,o ,ords do' or if I had 5een learned of God to ta-e an+ other ,ords either' I ,ould then ha1e ta-en them and left these? and so I counsel that thou do. Stud+ thou not for no ,ords' for so shouldest thou ne1er come to th+ 0ur0ose nor to this ,or-' for it is 805 n9&*@: ne1er (ot 5+ stud+' 5ut all onl+ 5+ (race. #nd therefore ta-e thou none other ,ords to 0ra+ in' althou(h I set these here' 5ut such as thou art stirred of God for to ta-e. Ne1ertheless' if God stir thee to ta-e these' I counsel not that thou lea1e them? I mean if thou shalt 0ra+ in ,ords' and else not. Dor ,h+' the+ 5e full short ,ords. But althou(h the shortness of 0ra+er 5e (reatl+ commended here' ne1ertheless the oftness of 0ra+er is ne1er the rather refrained. Dor as it is said 5efore' it is 0ra+ed in the len(th of the s0irit? so that it should ne1er cease' till the time ,ere that it had full+ (otten that that it lon(ed after. Ensam0le of this ha1e ,e in a man or a ,oman afraid in the manner 5eforesaid. Dor ,e see ,ell' that the+ cease ne1er cr+in( on this little ,ord .out'. or this little ,ord .fire'. ere the time 5e that the+ ha1e in (reat 0art (otten hel0 of their (rief. 805 n9&**:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FORTIETH CHAPTER

That in the ti!e of this work a soul hath no s&ecial .eholding to any vice in itself nor to any virtue in itself. DO thou' on the same manner' fill th+ s0irit ,ith the (hostl+ 5emeanin( of this ,ord .sin'. and ,ithout an+ s0ecial 5eholdin( unto an+ -ind of sin' ,hether it 5e 1enial or deadl+2 Cride' Wrath' or En1+' Co1et+se' Sloth' Glutton+' or !echer+. What rec-s it in contem0lati1es' ,hat sin that it 5e' or ho, muc-le a sin that it 5eB Dor all sins them thin-eth=I mean for the time of this ,or-=ali-e (reat in themsel1es' ,hen the least sin de0arteth them from God' and letteth them of their (hostl+ 0eace. #nd feel sin a lum0' thou ,ottest ne1er ,hat' 5ut none other thin( than 805 n9%77: th+self. #nd cr+ then (hostl+ e1er u0on one2 a "in, sin, sin3 ,ut, out, out3' his (hostl+ cr+ is 5etter learned of God 5+ the 0roof' than of an+ man 5+ ,ord. Dor it is 5est ,hen it is in 0ure s0irit' ,ithout s0ecial thou(ht or an+ 0ronouncin( of ,ord? unless it 5e an+ seldom time' ,hen for a5undance of s0irit it 5ursteth u0 into ,ord' so that the 5od+ and the soul 5e 5oth filled ,ith sorro, and cum5erin( of sin. On the same manner shalt thou do ,ith this little ,ord .God.. Dill th+ s0irit ,ith the (hostl+ 5emeanin( of it ,ithout an+ s0ecial 5eholdin( to an+ of His ,or-s=,hether the+ 5e (ood' 5etter' or 5est of all=5odil+ or (hostl+' or to an+ 1irtue that ma+ 5e ,rou(ht in man4s soul 5+ an+ (race? not loo-in( after ,hether it 5e mee-ness or charit+' 0atience or a5stinence' ho0e' faith' or so5erness' chastit+ or ,ilful 0o1ert+. What rec-s this in contem0lati1esB Dor all 1irtues the+ find and feel in God? for in Him is all 805 n9%7&: thin(' 5oth 5+ cause and 5+ 5ein(. Dor the+ thinthat an the+ had God the+ had all (ood' and therefore the+ co1et nothin( ,ith s0ecial 5eholdin(' 5ut onl+ (ood God. Do thou on the same manner as far forth as thou ma+est 5+ (race2 and mean God all' and all God' so that nou(ht ,or- in th+ ,it and in th+ ,ill' 5ut onl+ God. #nd 5ecause that e1er the ,hiles thou li1est in this ,retched life' thee 5eho1eth al,a+s feel in some 0art this foul stin-in( lum0 of sin' as it ,ere oned and con(ealed ,ith the su5stance of th+ 5ein(' therefore shalt thou chan(ea5l+

mean these t,o ,ords=sin and God. With this (eneral -no,in(' that an thou haddest God' then shouldest thou lacsin2 and mi(htest thou lac- sin' then shouldest thou ha1e God. 805 n9%7%:

HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER

That in all other works .eneath this, !en should kee& discretion) .ut in this none. #ND furthermore' if thou as- me ,hat discretion thou shalt ha1e in this ,or-' then I ans,er thee and sa+' ri(ht noneL Dor in all thine other doin(s thou shalt ha1e discretion' as in eatin( and in drin-in(' and in slee0in( and in -ee0in( of th+ 5od+ from outra(eous cold or heat' and in lon( 0ra+in( or readin(' or in communin( in s0eech ,ith thine e1en>christian. In all these shalt thou -ee0 discretion' that the+ 5e neither too much nor too little. But in this ,or- shalt thou hold no measure2 for I ,ould that thou shouldest ne1er cease of this ,or- the ,hiles thou li1est. 805 n9%7F: I sa+ not that thou shalt continue e1er therein ali-e fresh' for that ma+ not 5e. Dor sometime sic-ness and other unordained dis0ositions in 5od+ and in soul' ,ith man+ other needfulness to nature' ,ill let thee full much' and ofttimes dra, thee do,n from the hei(ht of this ,or-in(. But I sa+ that thou shouldest e1ermore ha1e it either in earnest or in (ame? that is to sa+' either in ,or- or in ,ill. #nd therefore for God4s lo1e 5e ,ar+ ,ith sic-ness as much as thou ma+est (oodl+' so that thou 5e not the cause of th+ fee5leness' as far as thou ma+est. Dor I tell thee trul+' that this ,or- as-eth a full (reat restfulness' and a full ,hole and clean dis0osition' as ,ell in 5od+ as in soul. #nd therefore for God4s lo1e (o1ern thee discreetl+ in 5od+ and in soul' and (et thee thine health as much as thou ma+est. #nd if sic-ness come a(ainst th+ 0o,er' ha1e 0atience and a5ide mee-l+ God4s merc+2 and all is then (ood enou(h. Dor I tell thee 805 n9%74: trul+' that ofttimes 0atience in sic-ness and in other di1erse tri5ulations 0leaseth God much more than an+ li-in( de1otion that thou ma+est ha1e in th+ health. 805 n9%76:

HERE BEGINNETH THE TWO AND FORTIETH CHAPTER

That .y indiscretion in this, !en shall kee& discretion in all other things) and surely else never B/ 0erad1enture thou as-est me' ho, thou shalt (o1ern thee discreetl+ in meat and in slee0' and in all these other. #nd hereto I thin- to ans,er thee ri(ht shortl+2 .Get that thou (et ma+est.. Do this ,or- e1ermore ,ithout ceasin( and ,ithout discretion' and thou shalt ,ell -en 5e(in and cease in all other ,or-s ,ith a (reat discretion. Dor I ma+ not tro, that a soul continuin( in this ,or- ni(ht and da+ ,ithout discretion' should err in an+ of these out,ard doin(s? and else' me thin- that he should al,a+s err. 805 n9%76: #nd therefore' an I mi(ht (et a ,a-in( and a 5us+ 5eholdin( to this (hostl+ ,or- ,ithin in m+ soul' I ,ould then ha1e a heedlessness in eatin( and in drin-in(' in slee0in( and in s0ea-in(' and in all mine out,ard doin(s. Dor surel+ I tro, I should rather come to discretion in them 5+ such a heedlessness' than 5+ an+ 5us+ 5eholdin( to the same thin(s' as I ,ould 5+ that 5eholdin( set a mar- and a measure 5+ them. rul+ I should ne1er 5rin( it so a5out' for ou(ht that I could do or sa+. Sa+ ,hat men sa+ ,ill' and let the 0roof ,itness. #nd therefore lift u0 thine heart ,ith a 5lind stirrin( of lo1e? and mean no, sin' and no, God. God ,ouldest thou ha1e' and sin ,ouldest thou lac-. God ,anteth thee? and sin art thou sure of. No, (ood God hel0 thee' for no, hast thou needL 805 n9%77:

HERE BEGINNETH THE THREE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER

That all witting and feeling of a !an-s own .eing !ust needs .e lost if the &erfection of this word shall verily .e felt in any soul in this life. !OO$ that nou(ht ,or- in th+ ,it nor in th+ ,ill 5ut onl+ God. #nd tr+ for to fell all ,ittin( and feelin( of ou(ht under God' and tread all do,n full far under the cloud of for(ettin(. #nd thou shalt understand' that thou shalt not onl+ in this ,or- for(et all other creatures than th+self' or their deeds or thine' 5ut also thou shalt in this ,or- for(et 5oth th+self and also th+ deeds for God' as ,ell as all other creatures and their deeds. Dor it is the condition of a 0erfect lo1er' not onl+ to lo1e that thin( that he lo1eth 805 n9%7@: more than himself? 5ut also in a manner for to hate himself for that thin( that he lo1eth. hus shalt thou do ,ith th+self2 thou shalt loathe and 5e ,ear+ ,ith all that thin( that ,or-eth in th+ ,it and in th+ ,ill unless it 5e onl+ God. Dor ,h+' surel+ else' ,hatsoe1er that it 5e' it is 5et,i3t thee and th+ God. #nd no ,onder thou(h thou loathe and hate for to thin- on th+self' ,hen thou shalt al,a+s feel sin' a foul stin-in( lum0 thou ,ottest ne1er ,hat' 5et,i3t thee and th+ God2 the ,hich lum0 is none other thin( than th+self. Dor thou shalt thin- it oned and con(ealed ,ith the su5stance of th+ 5ein(2 +ea' as it ,ere ,ithout de0artin(. #nd therefore 5rea- do,n all ,ittin( and feelin( of all manner of creatures? 5ut most 5usil+ of th+self. Dor on the ,ittin( and the feelin( of th+self han(eth ,ittin( and feelin( of all other creatures? for in re(ard of it' all other creatures 5e li(htl+ for(otten. Dor' an thou ,ilt 5usil+ set thee to 805 n9%7*: the 0roof' thou shalt find ,hen thou hast for(otten all other creatures and all their ,or-s=+ea' and thereto all thine o,n ,or-s=that there shall li1e +et after' 5et,i3t thee and th+ God' a na-ed ,ittin( and a feelin( of thine o,n 5ein(2 the ,hich ,ittin( and feelin( 5eho1eth al,a+s 5e destro+ed' ere the time 5e that thou feel soothfastl+ the 0erfection of this ,or-. 805 n9%&7:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FOUR AND FORTIETH CHAPTER

How a soul shall dis&ose it on its own &art, for to destroy all witting and feeling of its own .eing. B/ no, thou as-est me' ho, thou ma+est destro+ this na-ed ,ittin( and feelin( of thine o,n 5ein(. Dor 0erad1enture thou thin-est that an it ,ere destro+ed' all other lettin(s ,ere destro+ed2 and if thou thin-est thus' thou thin-est ri(ht trul+. But to this I ans,er thee and I sa+' that ,ithout a full s0ecial (race full freel+ (i1en of God' and

thereto a full accordin( a5leness to recei1e this (race on th+ 0art' this na-ed ,ittin( and feelin( of th+ 5ein( ma+ on no,ise 5e destro+ed. #nd this a5leness is 805 n9%&&: nou(ht else 5ut a stron( and a dee0 (hostl+ sorro,. But in this sorro, needeth thee to ha1e discretion' on this manner2 thou shalt 5e ,ar+ in the time of this sorro,' that thou neither too rudel+ strain th+ 5od+ nor th+ s0irit' 5ut sit full still' as it ,ere in a slee0in( de1ice' all forso55ed and forsun-en in sorro,. his is true sorro,? this is 0erfect sorro,? and ,ell ,ere him that mi(ht ,in to this sorro,. #ll men ha1e matter of sorro,2 5ut most s0eciall+ he feeleth matter of sorro,' that ,otteth and feeleth that he is. #ll other sorro,s 5e unto this in com0arison 5ut as it ,ere (ame to earnest. Dor he ma+ ma-e sorro, earnestl+' that ,otteth and feeleth not onl+ ,hat he is' 5ut that he is. #nd ,hoso felt ne1er this sorro,' he ma+ ma-e sorro,2 for ,h+' he felt +et ne1er 0erfect sorro,. his sorro,' ,hen it is had' cleanseth the soul' not onl+ of sin' 5ut also of 0ain that it hath deser1ed for sin? and thereto it 805 n9%&%: ma-eth a soul a5le to recei1e that Ao+' the ,hich ree1eth from a man all ,ittin( and feelin( of his 5ein(. his sorro,' if it 5e trul+ concei1ed' is full of hol+ desire2 and else mi(ht ne1er man in this life a5ide it nor 5ear it. Dor ,ere it not that a soul ,ere some,hat fed ,ith a manner of comfort of his ri(ht ,or-in(' else should he not 5e a5le to 5ear the 0ain that he hath of the ,ittin( and feelin( of his 5ein(. Dor as oft as he ,ould ha1e a true ,ittin( and a feelin( of his God in 0urit+ of s0irit' as it ma+ 5e here' and sithen feeleth that he ma+ not=for he findeth e1ermore his ,ittin( and his feelin( as it ,ere occu0ied and filled ,ith a foul stin-in( lum0 of himself' the ,hich 5eho1eth al,a+s 5e hated and 5e des0ised and forsa-en' if he shall 5e God4s 0erfect disci0le learned of Himself in the mount of 0erfection=so oft' he (oeth ni(h mad for sorro,. Insomuch' that he ,ee0eth and ,aileth' stri1eth' curseth' and 5anneth? and shortl+ to 805 n9%&F: sa+' him thin-eth that he 5eareth so hea1+ a 5urthen of himself that he careth ne1er ,hat 5etides him' so that God ,ere 0leased. #nd +et in all this sorro, he desireth not to un5e2 for that ,ere de1il4s madness and des0ite unto God. But him listeth ri(ht ,ell to 5e? and he intendeth full heartil+ than-in( to God' for the ,orthiness and the (ift of his 5ein(' for all that he desire unceasin(l+ for to lac- the ,ittin( and the feelin( of his 5ein(. his sorro, and this desire 5eho1eth e1er+ soul ha1e and feel in itself' either in this manner or in another? as God 1ouchsafeth for to learn to His (hostl+ disci0les after His ,ell ,illin( and their accordin( a5leness in 5od+ and in soul' in de(ree and dis0osition' ere the time 5e that the+ ma+ 0erfectl+ 5e oned unto God in 0erfect charit+=such as ma+ 5e had here=if God 1ouchsafeth. 805 n9%&4:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER

# good declaring of so!e certain deceits that !ay .efall in this work. B/ one thin( I tell thee' that in this ,or- ma+ a +oun( disci0le that hath not +et 5een ,ell used and 0ro1ed in (hostl+ ,or-in(' full li(htl+ 5e decei1ed? and' 5ut he 5e soon ,ar+' and ha1e (race to lea1e off and mee- him to counsel' 0erad1enture 5e destro+ed in his 5odil+ 0o,ers and fall into fantas+ in his (hostl+ ,its. #nd all this is alon( of 0ride' and of fleshliness and curiosit+ of ,it. #nd on this manner ma+ this deceit 5efall. # +oun( man or a ,oman ne, set to the school of de1otion heareth this sorro, and this desire 5e read and s0o-en2 ho, that a man 805 n9%&6: shall lift u0 his heart unto God' and unceasin(l+ desire for to feel the lo1e of his God. #nd as fast in a curiosit+ of ,it the+ concei1e these ,ords not (hostl+ as the+ 5e meant' 5ut fleshl+ and 5odil+? and tra1ail their fleshl+ hearts outra(eousl+ in their 5reasts. #nd ,hat for lac-in( of (race and 0ride and curiosit+ in themsel1es' the+ strain their 1eins and their 5odil+ 0o,ers so 5eastl+ and so rudel+' that ,ithin short time the+ fall either into frenEies' ,eariness' and a manner of unlist+ fee5leness in 5od+ and in soul' the ,hich ma-eth them to ,end out of themsel1es and see- some false and some 1ain fleshl+ and 5odil+ comfort ,ithout' as it ,ere for recreation of 5od+ and of s0irit2 or else' if the+ fall not in this' else the+ merit for (hostl+ 5lindness' and for fleshl+ chafin( of their nature in their 5odil+ 5reasts in the time of this fei(ned 5eastl+ and not (hostl+ ,or-in(' for to ha1e their 5reasts either enflamed ,ith an un-indl+ heat of nature 805 n9%&6: caused of misrulin( of their 5odies or of this fei(ned ,or-in(' or else the+ concei1e a false heat ,rou(ht 5+ the Diend' their (hostl+ enem+' caused of their 0ride and of their fleshliness and their curiosit+ of ,it. #nd +et 0erad1enture the+ ,een it 5e the fire of lo1e' (otten and -indled 5+ the (race and the (oodness of the Hol+ Ghost. rul+' of this deceit' and of the 5ranches thereof' s0rin( man+ mischiefs2 much h+0ocris+' much heres+' and much error. Dor as fast after such a false feelin( cometh a false -no,in( in the Diend4s school' ri(ht as after a true feelin( cometh a true -no,in( in God4s school. Dor I tell thee trul+' that the de1il hath his contem0lati1es as God hath His. his deceit of false feelin(' and of false -no,in( follo,in( thereon' hath di1erse and ,onderful 1ariations' after the di1ersit+ of states and the su5tle conditions of them that 5e decei1ed2 as hath the true feelin( and -no,in( 805 n9%&7: of them that 5e sa1ed. But I set no more deceits here 5ut those ,ith the ,hich I tro, thou shalt 5e assailed if e1er thou 0ur0ose thee to ,or- in this ,or-. Dor ,hat should it 0rofit to thee to ,it ho, these (reat cler-s' and men and ,omen of other de(rees than thou art' 5e decei1edB Surel+ ri(ht nou(ht? and therefore I tell thee no more 5ut those that fall unto thee if thou tra1ail in this ,or-. #nd therefore I tell thee this' for thou shalt 5e ,ar+ there,ith in th+ ,or-in(' if thou 5e assailed there,ith. 805 n9%&@:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SI/ AND FORTIETH CHAPTER

# good teaching how a !an shall flee these deceits, and work !ore with a listiness of s&irit, than with any .oisterousness of .ody

#ND therefore for God4s lo1e 5e ,ar+ in this ,or-' and strain not thine heart in th+ 5reast o1er>rudel+ nor out of measure? 5ut ,or- more ,ith a list than ,ith an+ ,orthless stren(th. Dor e1er the more Mistil+' the more mee-l+ and (hostl+2 and e1er the more rudel+' the more 5odil+ and 5eastl+. #nd therefore 5e ,ar+' for surel+ ,hat 5eastl+ heart that 0resumeth for to touch the hi(h mount of this ,or-' it shall 5e 5eaten a,a+ ,ith stones. Stones 5e hard and dr+ in their -ind' and the+ hurt full sore ,here the+ hit. #nd surel+ such rude 805 n9%&*: strainin(s 5e full hard fastened in fleshliness of 5odil+ feelin(' and full dr+ from an+ ,ittin( of (race? and the+ hurt full sore the sill+ soul' and ma-e it fester in fantas+ fei(ned of fiends. #nd therefore 5e ,ar+ ,ith this 5eastl+ rudeness' and learn thee to lo1e listil+' ,ith a soft and a demure 5eha1iour as ,ell in 5od+ as in soul? and a5ide courteousl+ and mee-l+ the ,ill of our !ord' and snatch not o1erhastil+' as it ,ere a (reed+ (re+hound' hun(er thee ne1er so sore. #nd' (amin(l+ 5e it said' I counsel that thou do that in thee is' refrainin( the rude and the (reat stirrin( of th+ s0irit' ri(ht as thou on no,ise ,ouldest let Him ,it ho, fain thou ,ouldest see Him' and ha1e Him or feel Him. his is childishl+ and 0la+in(l+ s0o-en' thee thin- 0erad1enture. But I tro, ,hoso had (race to do and feel as I sa+' he should feel (ood (amesome 0la+ ,ith Him' as the father doth ,ith the child' -issin( and cli00in(' that ,ell ,ere him so. 805 n9%%7:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVEN AND FORTIETH CHAPTER

# slight teaching of this work in &urity of s&irit) declaring how that on one !anner a soul should shed his desire unto 0od, and on ye contrary unto !an. !OO$ thou ha1e no ,onder ,h+ that I s0ea- thus childishl+' and as it ,ere follil+ and lac-in( natural discretion? for I do it for certain reasons' and as me thin-eth that I ha1e 5een stirred man+ da+s' 5oth to feel thus and thin- thus and sa+ thus' as ,ell to some other of m+ s0ecial friends in God' as I am no, unto thee. #nd one reason is this' ,h+ that I 5id thee hide from God the desire of thine heart. Dor I ho0e it should more clearl+ come to His -no,in(' for th+ 0rofit and in fulfillin( of th+ 805 n9%%&: desire' 5+ such an hidin(' than it should 5+ an+ other manner of she,in( that I tro, thou couldest +et she,. #nd another reason is' for I ,ould 5+ such a hid she,in( 5rin( thee out of the 5oisterousness of 5odil+ feelin( into the 0urit+ and dee0ness of (hostl+ feelin(? and so furthermore at the last to hel0 thee to -nit the (hostl+ -not of 5urnin( lo1e 5et,i3t thee and th+ God' in (hostl+ onehead and accordin( of ,ill. hou ,ottest ,ell this' that God is a S0irit? and ,hoso should 5e oned unto Him' it 5eho1eth to 5e in soothfastness and dee0ness of s0irit' full far from an+ fei(ned 5odil+ thin(. Sooth it is that all thin( is -no,n of God' and nothin( ma+ 5e hid from His ,ittin(' neither 5odil+ thin( nor (hostl+. But more o0enl+ is that thin( -no,n and she,ed unto Him' the ,hich is hid in dee0ness of s0irit' sith it so is that He is a S0irit' than is an+thin( that is min(led ,ith an+ manner of 5odil+ness. Dor all 5odil+ thin( is farther 805 n9%%%: from God 5+ the course of nature than an+ (hostl+ thin(. B+ this reason it seemeth' that the ,hiles our desire is min(led ,ith an+ matter of 5odil+ness' as it is ,hen ,e stress and strain us in s0irit and in 5od+ to(ether' so lon( it is farther from God than it should 5e' an it ,ere done more de1outl+ and more listil+ in so5erness and in 0urit+ and in dee0ness of s0irit. #nd here ma+est thou see some,hat and in 0art the reason ,h+ that I 5id thee so childishl+ co1er and hide the stirrin( of th+ desire from God. #nd +et I 5id thee not 0lainl+ hide it? for that ,ere the 5iddin( of a fool' for to 5id thee 0lainl+ do that ,hich on no,ise ma+ 5e done. But I 5id thee do that in thee is to hide it. #nd ,h+ 5id I thusB Surel+ 5ecause I ,ould that thou cast it into dee0ness of s0irit' far from an+ rude min(lin( of an+ 5odil+ness' the ,hich ,ould ma-e it less (hostl+ and farther from God inasmuch2 and 5ecause I ,ot ,ell that e1er the more that th+ s0irit hath of 805 n9%%F: (hostliness' the less it hath of 5odil+ness and the nearer it is to God' and the 5etter it 0leaseth Him and the more clearl+ it ma+ 5e seen of Him. Not that His si(ht ma+ 5e an+ time or in an+ thin( more clear than in another' for it is e1ermore unchan(ea5le2 5ut 5ecause it is more li-e unto Him' ,hen it is in 0urit+ of s0irit' for He is a S0irit. #nother reason there is' ,h+ that I 5id thee do that in thee is to let Him not ,it2 for thou and I and man+ such as ,e 5e' ,e 5e so a5le to concei1e a thin( 5odil+ the ,hich is said (hostl+' that 0erad1enture an I had 5idden thee she, unto God the stirrin( of thine heart' thou shouldest ha1e made a 5odil+ she,in( unto Him' either in (esture or in 1oice' or in ,ord' or in some other rude 5odil+ strainin(' as it is ,hen thou shalt she, a thin( that is hid in thine heart to a 5odil+ man2 and insomuch th+ ,or- should ha1e 5een im0ure. Dor on one manner shall a thin( 5e she,ed to man' and on another manner unto God. 805 n9%%4:

HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHT AND FORTIETH CHAPTER

How 0od will .e served .oth with .ody and with soul, and reward !en in .oth) and how !en shall know when all those sounds and sweetness that fall into the .ody in ti!e of &rayer .e .oth good and evil I S#K not this 5ecause I ,ill that thou desist an+ time' if thou 5e stirred for to 0ra+ ,ith th+ mouth' or for to 5urst out for a5undance of de1otion in th+ s0irit for to s0ea- unto God as unto man' and sa+ some (ood ,ord as thou feelest thee stirred2 as 5e these' .Good "ES/L Dair "ES/L S,eet "ES/L. and all such other. Na+' God for5id thou ta-e it thusL Dor trul+ I mean not thus' and God for5id that I should de0art that ,hich God hath 805 n9%%6: cou0led' the 5od+ and the s0irit. Dor God ,ill 5e ser1ed ,ith 5od+ and ,ith soul 5oth to(ether' as seeml+ is' and ,ill re,ard man his meed in 5liss' 5oth in 5od+ and in soul. #nd in earnest of that meed' sometimes He ,ill enflame the 5od+ of de1out ser1ants of His here in this life2 not once or t,ice' 5ut 0erad1enture ri(ht oft and as Him li-eth' ,ith full ,onderful s,eetness and comforts. Of the ,hich' some 5e not comin( from ,ithout into the 5od+ 5+ the ,indo,s of our ,its' 5ut from ,ithin? risin( and s0rin(in( of a5undance of (hostl+ (ladness' and of true de1otion in the

s0irit. Such a comfort and such a s,eetness shall not 5e had sus0ect2 and shortl+ to sa+' I tro, that he that feeleth it ma+ not ha1e it sus0ect. But all other comforts' sounds and (ladness and s,eetness' that come from ,ithout suddenl+ and thou ,ottest ne1er ,hence' I 0ra+ thee ha1e them sus0ect. Dor the+ ma+ 5e 5oth (ood and e1il? ,rou(ht 5+ a (ood 805 n9%%6: an(el if the+ 5e (ood' and 5+ an e1il an(el if the+ 5e e1il. #nd this ma+ on no,ise 5e e1il' if their deceits of curiosit+ of ,it' and of unordained strainin( of the fleshl+ heart 5e remo1ed as I learn thee' or 5etter if thou 5etter ma+est. #nd ,h+ is thatB Surel+ for the cause of this comfort? that is to sa+' the de1out stirrin( of lo1e' the ,hich d,elleth in 0ure s0irit. It is ,rou(ht of the hand of #lmi(ht+ God ,ithout means' and therefore it 5eho1eth al,a+s 5e far from an+ fantas+' or an+ false o0inion that ma+ 5efall to man in this life. #nd of the tother comforts and sounds and s,eetness' ho, thou shouldest ,it ,hether the+ 5e (ood or e1il I thinnot to tell thee at this time2 and that is 5ecause me thin- that it needeth not. Dor ,h+' thou ma+est find it ,ritten in another 0lace of another man4s ,or-' a thousandfold 5etter than I can sa+ or ,rite2 and so ma+est thou this that I set here' far 5etter than it is here. But ,hat 805 n9%%7: thereofB herefore shall I not let' nor it shall not no+e me' to fulfil the desire and the stirrin( of thine heart? the ,hich thou hast she,ed thee to ha1e unto me 5efore this time in th+ ,ords' and no, in th+ deeds. But this ma+ I sa+ thee of those sounds and of those s,eetnesses' that come in 5+ the ,indo,s of th+ ,its' the ,hich ma+ 5e 5oth (ood and e1il. /se thee continuall+ in this 5lind and de1out and this Mist+ stirrin( of lo1e that I tell thee2 and then I ha1e no dou5t' that it shall not ,ell 5e a5le to tell thee of them. #nd if thou +et 5e in 0art astonished of them at the first time' and that is 5ecause that the+ 5e uncouth' +et this shall it do thee2 it shall 5ind thine heart so fast' that thou shalt on no,ise (i1e full (reat credence to them' ere the time 5e that thou 5e either certified of them ,ithin ,onderfull+ 5+ the S0irit of God' or else ,ithout 5+ counsel of some discreet father. 805 n9%%@:

HERE BEGINNETH THE NINE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER

The su.stance of all &erfection is nought else .ut a good will) and how that all sounds and co!fort and sweetness that !ay .efall in this life .e to it .ut as it were accidents. #ND therefore I 0ra+ thee' lean listil+ to this mee- stirrin( of lo1e in thine heart' and follo, thereafter2 for it ,ill 5e th+ (uide in this life and 5rin( thee to 5liss in the tother. It is the su5stance of all (ood li1in(' and ,ithout it no (ood ,or- ma+ 5e 5e(un nor ended. It is nou(ht else 5ut a (ood and an accordin( ,ill unto God' and a manner of ,ell> 0leasedness and a (ladness that thou feelest in th+ ,ill of all that He doth. Such a (ood ,ill is the su5stance 805 n9%%*: of all 0erfection. #ll s,eetness and comforts' 5odil+ or (hostl+' 5e to this 5ut as it ,ere accidents' 5e the+ ne1er so hol+? and the+ do 5ut han( on this (ood ,ill. #ccidents I call them' for the+ ma+ 5e had and lac-ed ,ithout 5rea-in( asunder of it. I mean in this life' 5ut it is not so in the 5liss of hea1en? for there shall the+ 5e oned ,ith the su5stance ,ithout de0artin(' as shall the 5od+ in the ,hich the+ ,or- ,ith the soul. So that the su5stance of them here is 5ut a (ood (hostl+ ,ill. #nd surel+ I tro, that he that feeleth the 0erfection of this ,ill' as it ma+ 5e had here' there ma+ no s,eetness nor no comfort fall to an+ man in this life' that he is not as fain and as (lad to lac- it at God4s ,ill' as to feel it and ha1e it. 805 n9%F7:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FIFTIETH CHAPTER

*hich is chaste love) and how in so!e creatures such sensi.le co!forts .e .ut seldo!, and in so!e right oft. #ND here5+ ma+est thou see that ,e should direct all our 5eholdin( unto this mee- stirrin( of lo1e in our ,ill. #nd in all other s,eetness and comforts' 5odil+ or (hostl+' 5e the+ ne1er so li-in( nor so hol+' if it 5e courteous and seeml+ to sa+' ,e should ha1e a manner of rec-lessness. If the+ come' ,elcome them2 5ut lean not too much on them for fear of fee5leness' for it ,ill ta-e full much of th+ 0o,ers to 5ide an+ lon( time in such s,eet feelin(s and ,ee0in(s. #nd 0erad1enture thou ma+est 5e stirred for to lo1e God for them' and that shalt thou feel 5+ this2 if thou (rum5le o1ermuch 805 n9%F&: ,hen the+ 5e a,a+. #nd if it 5e thus' th+ lo1e is not +et neither chaste nor 0erfect. Dor a lo1e that is chaste and 0erfect' thou(h it suffer that the 5od+ 5e fed and comforted in the 0resence of such s,eet feelin(s and ,ee0in(s' ne1ertheless +et it is not (rum5lin(' 5ut full ,ell 0leased for to lac- them at God4s ,ill. #nd +et it is not commonl+ ,ithout such comforts in some creatures' and in some other creatures such s,eetness and comforts 5e 5ut seldom. #nd all this is after the dis0osition and the ordinance of God' all after the 0rofit and the needfulness of di1erse creatures. Dor some creatures 5e so ,ea- and so tender in s0irit' that unless the+ ,ere some,hat comforted 5+ feelin( of such s,eetness' the+ mi(ht on no,ise a5ide nor 5ear the di1ersit+ of tem0tations and tri5ulations that the+ suffer and 5e tra1ailed ,ith in this life of their 5odil+ and (hostl+ enemies. #nd some there 5e that the+ 5e so ,eain 5od+ that the+ 805 n9%F%: ma+ do no (reat 0enance to cleanse them ,ith. #nd these creatures ,ill our !ord cleanse full (raciousl+ in s0irit 5+ such s,eet feelin(s and ,ee0in(s. #nd also on the tother 0art there 5e some creatures so stron( in s0irit' that the+ can 0ic- them comfort enou(h ,ithin in their souls' in offerin( u0 of this re1erent and this mee- stirrin( of lo1e and accordance of ,ill' that them needeth not much to 5e fed ,ith such s,eet comforts in 5odil+ feelin(s. Which of these 5e holier or more dear ,ith God' one than another' God ,ots and I not. 805 n9%FF:

HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER

That !en should have great wariness so that they understand not .odily a thing that is !eant ghostly) and s&ecially it is good to .e wary in understanding of this word 'in,' and of this word 'u&.' #ND therefore lean mee-l+ to this 5lind stirrin( of lo1e in thine heart. I mean not in th+ 5odil+ heart' 5ut in th+ (hostl+ heart' the ,hich is th+ ,ill. #nd 5e ,ell ,ar+ that thou concei1e not 5odil+ that that is said (hostl+. Dor trul+ I tell thee' that 5odil+ and fleshl+ conceits of them that ha1e curious and ima(inati1e ,its 5e cause of much error. Ensam0le of this ma+est thou see' 5+ that that I 5id thee hide th+ desire from God in that that in thee is. Dor 0erad1enture an I had 5idden thee 805 n9%F4: she, th+ desire unto God' thou shouldest ha1e concei1ed it more 5odil+ than thou dost no,' ,hen I 5id thee hide it. Dor thou ,ottest ,ell' that all that thin( that is ,ilfull+ hidden' it is cast into the dee0ness of s0irit. #nd thus me thin-eth that it needeth (reatl+ to ha1e much ,ariness in understandin( of ,ords that 5e s0o-en to (hostl+ intent' so that thou concei1e them not 5odil+ 5ut (hostl+' as the+ 5e meant2 and s0eciall+ it is (ood to 5e ,ar+ ,ith this ,ord in, and this ,ord u&. Dor in misconcei1in( of these t,o ,ords han(eth much error' and much deceit in them that 0ur0ose them to 5e (hostl+ ,or-ers' as me thin-eth. Some,hat ,ot I 5+ the 0roof' and some,hat 5+ hearsa+? and of these deceits list me tell thee a little as me thin-eth. # +oun( disci0le in God4s school ne, turned from the ,orld' the same ,eeneth that for a little time that he hath (i1en him to 0enance and to 0ra+er' ta-en 5+ counsel in confession' 805 n9%F6: that he 5e therefore a5le to ta-e u0on him (hostl+ ,or-in( of the ,hich he heareth men s0ea- or read a5out him' or 0erad1enture readeth himself. #nd therefore ,hen the+ read or hear s0o-en of (hostl+ ,or-in(=and s0eciall+ of this ,ord' .ho, a man shall dra, all his ,it ,ithin himself'. or .ho, he shall clim5 a5o1e himself.=as fast for 5lindness in soul' and for fleshliness and curiosit+ of natural ,it' the+ misunderstand these ,ords' and ,een' 5ecause the+ find in them a natural co1et+se to hid thin(s' that the+ 5e therefore called to that ,or- 5+ (race. Insomuch' that if counsel ,ill not accord that the+ shall ,or- in this ,or-' as soon the+ feel a manner of (rum5lin( a(ainst their counsel' and thin-= +ea and 0erad1enture sa+ to such other as the+ 5e=that the+ can find no man that can ,it ,hat the+ mean full+. #nd therefore as fast' for 5oldness and 0resum0tion of their curious ,it' the+ lea1e mee- 0ra+er and 0enance o1er 805 n9%F6: soon? and set them' the+ ,een' to a full (hostl+ ,or- ,ithin in their soul. he ,hich ,or-' an it 5e trul+ concei1ed' is neither 5odil+ ,or-in( nor (hostl+ ,or-in(? and shortl+ to sa+' it is a ,or-in( a(ainst nature' and the de1il is the chief ,or-er thereof. #nd it is the readiest ,a+ to death of 5od+ and of soul' for it is madness and no ,isdom' and leadeth a man e1en to madness. #nd +et the+ ,een not thus2 for the+ 0ur0ose them in this ,or- to thin- on nou(ht 5ut on God. 805 n9%F7:

HERE BEGINNETH THE TWO AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER

How these young &resu!&tuous disci&les !isunderstand this word 'in,' and of the deceits that follow thereon. #ND on this manner is this madness ,rou(ht that I s0ea- of. he+ read and hear ,ell said that the+ should lea1e out,ard ,or-in( ,ith their ,its' and ,or- in,ards2 and 5ecause that the+ -no, not ,hich is in,ard ,or-in(' therefore the+ ,or- ,ron(. Dor the+ turn their 5odil+ ,its in,ards to their 5od+ a(ainst the course of nature? and strain them' as the+ ,ould see in,ards ,ith their 5odil+ e+es and hear in,ards ,ith their ears' and so forth of all their ,its' smellin(' tastin(' and feelin( in,ards. #nd thus the+ re1erse them a(ainst the course of nature' and ,ith this curiosit+ 805 n9%F@: the+ tra1ail their ima(ination so indiscreetl+' that at the last the+ turn their 5rain in their heads' and then as fast the de1il hath 0o,er for to fei(n some false li(ht or sounds' s,eet smells in their noses' ,onderful tastes in their mouths? and man+ <uaint heats and 5urnin(s in their 5odil+ 5reasts or in their 5o,els' in their 5ac-s and in their reins and in their mem5ers. #nd +et in this fantas+ them thin- that the+ ha1e a restful remem5rance of their God ,ithout an+ lettin( of 1ain thou(hts? and surel+ so ha1e the+ in manner' for the+ 5e so filled in falsehood that 1anit+ ma+ not 0ro1o-e them. #nd ,h+B Because he' that same fiend that should minister 1ain thou(hts to them an the+ ,ere in (ood ,a+=he' that same' is the chief ,or-er of this ,or-. #nd ,it thou ri(ht ,ell' that him list not to let himself. he remem5rance of God ,ill he not 0ut from them' for fear that he should 5e had in sus0ect. 805 n9%F*:

HERE BEGINNETH THE THREE AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER

,f divers unsee!ly &ractices that follow the! that lack the work of this .ook. M#NK ,onderful 0ractices follo, them that 5e decei1ed in this false ,or-' or in an+ s0ecies thereof' 5e+ond that doth them that 5e God4s true disci0les2 for the+ 5e e1ermore full seeml+ in all their 0ractices' 5odil+ or (hostl+. But it is not so of these other. Dor ,hoso ,ould or mi(ht 5ehold unto them ,here the+ sit in this time' an it so ,ere that their e+elids ,ere o0en' he should see them stare as the+ ,ere mad' and leerin(l+ loo- as if the+ sa, the de1il. Surel+ it is (ood the+ 5e ,ar+' for trul+ the fiend is not far. Some set their e+es in their heads as the+ ,ere sturd+ 805 n9%47: shee0 5eaten in the head' and as the+ should die anon. Some han( their heads on one side as if a ,orm ,ere in their ears. Some 0i0e ,hen the+ should s0ea-' as if there ,ere no s0irit in their 5odies2 and this is the 0ro0er condition of an h+0ocrite. Some cr+ and ,hine in their throats' so 5e the+ (reed+ and hast+ to sa+ that the+ thin-2 and this is the condition of heretics' and of them that ,ith 0resum0tion and ,ith curiosit+ of ,it ,ill al,a+s maintain error. Man+ unordained and unseeml+ 0ractices follo, on this error' ,hoso mi(ht 0ercei1e all. Ne1ertheless some there 5e that 5e so curious that the+ can refrain them in (reat 0art ,hen the+ come 5efore men. But mi(ht these men 5e seen in 0lace ,here the+ 5e homel+' then I tro, the+ should not 5e hid. #nd ne1ertheless +et I tro, that ,hoso ,ould straitl+ (ainsa+ their o0inion' that the+ should soon see them 5urst out in some 0oint? and +et them thin- that all that

e1er the+ 805 n9%4&: do' it is for the lo1e of God and for to maintain the truth. No, trul+ I ho0e that unless God she, His merciful miracle to ma-e them soon lea1e off' the+ shall lo1e God so lon( on this manner' that the+ shall (o starin( mad to the de1il. I sa+ not that the de1il hath so 0erfect a ser1ant in this life' that is decei1ed and infect ,ith all these fantasies that I set here2 and ne1ertheless +et it ma+ 5e that one' +ea' and man+ one' 5e infect ,ith them all. But I sa+ that he hath no 0erfect h+0ocrite nor heretic in earth that he is not (uilt+ in some that I ha1e said' or 0erad1enture shall sa+ if God 1ouchsafeth. Dor some men are so cum5ered in nice curious customs in 5odil+ 5earin(' that ,hen the+ shall ou(ht hear' the+ ,rithe their heads on one side <uaintl+' and u0 ,ith the chin2 the+ (a0e ,ith their mouths as the+ should hear ,ith their mouth and not ,ith their ears. Some ,hen the+ should s0ea- 0oint ,ith their fin(ers' either on their 805 n9%4%: fin(ers' or on their o,n 5reasts' or on theirs that the+ s0ea- to. Some can neither sit still' stand still' nor lie still' unless the+ 5e either ,a((in( ,ith their feet or else some,hat doin( ,ith their hands. Some ro, ,ith their arms in time of their s0ea-in(' as them needed for to s,im o1er a (reat ,ater. Some 5e e1ermore smilin( and lau(hin( at e1er+ other ,ord that the+ s0ea-' as the+ ,ere (i((lin( (irls and nice Aa0in( Au((lers lac-in( 5eha1iour. Seeml+ cheer ,ere full fair' ,ith so5er and demure 5earin( of 5od+ and mirth in manner. I sa+ not that all these unseeml+ 0ractices 5e (reat sins in themsel1es' nor +et all those that do them 5e (reat sinners themsel1es. But I sa+ if that these unseeml+ and unordained 0ractices 5e (o1ernors of that man that doth them' insomuch that he ma+ not lea1e them ,hen he ,ill' then I sa+ that the+ 5e to-ens of 0ride and curiosit+ of ,it' and of unordained she,in( and co1et+se of -no,in(. 805 n9%4F: #nd s0eciall+ the+ 5e 1er+ to-ens of unsta5leness of heart and unrestfulness of mind' and s0eciall+ of the lac-in( of the ,or- of this 5oo-. #nd this is the onl+ reason ,h+ that I set so man+ of these deceits here in this ,ritin(? for ,h+' that a (hostl+ ,or-er shall 0ro1e his ,or- 5+ them. 805 n9%44:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FOUR AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER

How that .y 1irtue of this word a !an is governed full wisely, and !ade full see!ly as well in .ody as in soul. WHOSO had this ,or-' it should (o1ern them full seeml+' as ,ell in 5od+ as in soul2 and ma-e them full fa1oura5le unto each man or ,oman that loo-ed u0on them. Insomuch' that the ,orst fa1oured man or ,oman that li1eth in this life' an the+ mi(ht come 5+ (race to ,or- in this ,or-' their fa1our should suddenl+ and (raciousl+ 5e chan(ed2 that each (ood man that them sa,' should 5e fain and Ao+ful to ha1e them in com0an+' and full much the+ should thinthat the+ ,ere 0leased in s0irit and hol0en 5+ (race unto God in their 0resence. 805 n9%46: #nd therefore (et this (ift ,hoso 5+ (race (et ma+2 for ,hoso hath it 1eril+' he shall ,ell con (o1ern himself 5+ the 1irtue thereof' and all that lon(eth unto him. He should ,ell (i1e discretion' if need ,ere' of all natures and all dis0ositions. He should ,ell con ma-e himself li-e unto all that ,ith him communed' ,hether the+ ,ere accustomed sinners or none' ,ithout sin in himself2 in ,onderin( of all that him sa,' and in dra,in( of others 5+ hel0 of (race to the ,or- of that same s0irit that he ,or-eth in himself. His cheer and his ,ords should 5e full of (hostl+ ,isdom' full of fire' and of fruit s0o-en in so5er soothfastness ,ithout an+ falsehood' far from an+ fei(nin( or 0i0in( of h+0ocrites. Dor some there 5e that ,ith all their mi(ht' inner and outer' ima(ineth in their s0ea-in( ho, the+ ma+ stuff them and under0ro0 them on each side from fallin(' ,ith man+ mee- 0i0in( ,ords and (estures of de1otion2 more loo-in( 805 n9%46: after for to seem hol+ in si(ht of men' than for to 5e so in the si(ht of God and His an(els. Dor ,h+' these fol- ,ill more ,ei(h' and more sorro, ma-e for an unordained (esture or unseeml+ or unfittin( ,ord s0o-en 5efore men' than the+ ,ill for a thousand 1ain thou(hts and stin-in( stirrin(s of sin ,ilfull+ dra,n u0on them' or rec-lessl+ used in the si(ht of God and the saints and the an(els in hea1en. #h' !ord GodL ,here there 5e an+ 0ride ,ithin' there such mee- 0i0in( ,ords 5e so 0lenteous ,ithout. I (rant ,ell' that it is fittin( and seeml+ to them that 5e mee- ,ithin' for to she, mee- and seeml+ ,ords and (estures ,ithout' accordin( to that mee-ness that is ,ithin in the heart. But I sa+ not that the+ shall then 5e she,ed in 5ro-en nor in 0i0in( 1oices' a(ainst the 0lain dis0osition of their nature that s0ea- them. Dor ,h+' if the+ 5e true' then 5e the+ s0o-en in soothfastness' and in ,holeness of 1oice and of their s0irit that 805 n9%47: s0ea- them. #nd if he that hath a 0lain and an o0en 5oisterous 1oice 5+ nature s0ea- them 0oorl+ and 0i0in(l+=I mean 5ut if he 5e sic- in his 5od+' or else that it 5e 5et,i3t him and his God or his confessor=then it is a 1er+ to-en of h+0ocris+. I mean either +oun( h+0ocris+ or old. #nd ,hat shall I more sa+ of these 1enomous deceitsB rul+ I tro,' unless the+ ha1e (race to lea1e off such 0i0in( h+0ocris+' that 5et,i3t that 0ri1+ 0ride in their hearts ,ithin and such mee- ,ords ,ithout' the sill+ soul ma+ full soon sin- into sorro,. 805 n9%4@:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER

How they .e deceived that follow the fervour of s&irit in conde!ning of so!e without discretion. SOME men the fiend ,ill decei1e on this manner. Dull ,onderfull+ he ,ill enflame their 5rains to maintain God4s la,' and to destro+ sin in all other men. He ,ill ne1er tem0t them ,ith a thin( that is o0enl+ e1il? he ma-eth them li-e 5us+ 0relates ,atchin( o1er all the de(rees of Christian men4s li1in(' as an a55ot o1er his mon-s. #!! men ,ill the+ re0ro1e of their defaults' ri(ht as the+ had cure of their souls2 and +et the+ thin- that the+ do not else for God' unless the+ tell them their defaults that the+ see. #nd the+ sa+ that the+ 5e stirred 805 n9%4*: thereto 5+ the fire of charit+' and of God4s lo1e in their hearts2 and trul+ the+ lie' for it is ,ith the fire of hell' ,ellin( in their 5rains and in their ima(ination.

hat this is sooth' it seemeth 5+ this that follo,eth. he de1il is a s0irit' and of his o,n nature he hath no 5od+' more than hath an an(el. But +et ne1ertheless ,hat time that he or an an(el shall ta-e an+ 5od+ 5+ lea1e of God' to ma-e an+ ministration to an+ man in this life? accordin( as the ,or- is that he shall minister' thereafter in li-eness is the <ualit+ of his 5od+ in some 0art. Ensam0le of this ,e ha1e in Hol+ Writ. #s oft as an+ an(el ,as sent in 5od+ in the Old estament and in the Ne, also' e1ermore it ,as she,ed' either 5+ his name or 5+ some instrument or <ualit+ of his 5od+' ,hat his matter or his messa(e ,as in s0irit. On the same manner it fareth of the fiend. Dor ,hen he a00eareth in 5od+' he fi(ureth in some <ualit+ of his 5od+ ,hat his ser1ants 5e in s0irit. 805 n9%67: Ensam0le of this ma+ 5e seen in one instead of all these other. Dor as I ha1e concei1ed 5+ some disci0les of necromanc+' the ,hich ha1e it in science for to ma-e ad1ocation of ,ic-ed s0irits' and 5+ some unto ,hom the fiend hath a00eared in 5odil+ li-eness? that in ,hat 5odil+ li-eness the fiend a00eareth' e1ermore he hath 5ut one nostril' and that is (reat and ,ide' and he ,ill (ladl+ cast it u0 that a man ma+ see in thereat to his 5rain u0 in his head. he ,hich 5rain is nou(ht else 5ut the fire of hell' for the fiend ma+ ha1e none other 5rain? and if he mi(ht ma-e a man loo- in thereto' he ,ants no 5etter. Dor at that loo-in(' he should lose his ,its for e1er. But a 0erfect 0rentice of necromanc+ -no,eth this ,ell enou(h' and can ,ell ordain therefore' so that he 0ro1o-e him not. herefore it is that I sa+' and ha1e said' that e1ermore ,hen the de1il ta-eth an+ 5od+' he fi(ureth in some 805 n9%6&: <ualit+ of his 5od+ ,hat his ser1ants 5e in s0irit. Dor he enflameth so the ima(ination of his contem0lati1es ,ith the fire of hell' that suddenl+ ,ithout discretion the+ shoot out their curious conceits' and ,ithout an+ ad1isement the+ ,ill ta-e u0on them to 5lame other men4s defaults o1er soon2 and this is 5ecause the+ ha1e 5ut one nostril (hostl+. Dor that di1ision that is in a man4s nose 5odil+' and the ,hich de0arteth the one nostril from the tother' 5eto-eneth that a man should ha1e discretion (hostl+? and can disse1er the (ood from the e1il' and the e1il from the ,orse' and the (ood from the 5etter' ere that he (a1e an+ full doom of an+thin( that he heard or sa, done or s0o-en a5out him. #nd 5+ a man4s 5rain is (hostl+ understood ima(ination? for 5+ nature it d,elleth and ,or-eth in the head. 805 n9%6%:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SI/ AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER

How they .e deceived that lean !ore to the curiosity of natural wit, and of clergy learned in the school of !en, than to the co!!on doctrine and counsel of Holy Church. SOME there 5e' that althou(h the+ 5e not decei1ed ,ith this error as it is set here' +et for 0ride and curiosit+ of natural ,it and letterl+ cunnin( lea1e the common doctrine and the counsel of Hol+ Church. #nd these ,ith all their fa1ourers lean o1er much to their o,n -no,in(2 and for the+ ,ere ne1er (rounded in mee- 5lind feelin( and 1irtuous li1in(' therefore the+ merit to ha1e a false feelin(' fei(ned and ,rou(ht 5+ the (hostl+ enem+. Insomuch' that at the last the+ 5urst u0 and 5las0heme all the saints' sacraments' 805 n9%6F: statutes' and ordinances of Hol+ Church. Dleshl+ li1in( men of the ,orld' the ,hich thin- the statutes of Hol+ Church o1er hard to 5e amended 5+' the+ lean to these heretics full soon and full li(htl+' and stal,artl+ maintain them' and all 5ecause them thin- that the+ lead them a softer ,a+ than is ordained of Hol+ Church. No, trul+ I tro,' that ,ho that ,ill not (o the strait ,a+ to hea1en' that the+ shall (o the soft ,a+ to hell. Each man 0ro1e 5+ himself' for I tro, that all such heretics' and all their fa1ourers' an the+ mi(ht clearl+ 5e seen as the+ shall on the last da+' should 5e seen full soon cum5ered in (reat and horri5le sins of the ,orld in their foul flesh' 0ri1il+' ,ithout their o0en 0resum0tion in maintainin( of error2 so that the+ 5e full 0ro0erl+ called #ntichrist4s disci0les. Dor it is said of them' that for all their false fairness o0enl+' +et the+ should 5e full foul lechers 0ri1il+. 805 n9%64:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVEN AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER

How these young &resu!&tuous disci&les !isunderstand this other word 'u&') and of the deceits that follow thereon. NO more of these at this time no,2 5ut forth of our matter' ho, that these +oun( 0resum0tuous (hostl+ disci0les misunderstand this other ,ord u&. Dor if it so 5e' that the+ either read' or hear read or s0o-en' ho, that men should lift u0 their hearts unto God' as fast the+ stare in the stars as if the+ ,ould 5e a5o1e the moon' and hear-en ,hen the+ shall hear an+ an(el sin( out of hea1en. hese men ,ill sometime ,ith the curiosit+ of their ima(ination 0ierce the 0lanets' and ma-e an hole in the firmament to loo- in thereat. hese men ,ill ma-e 805 n9%66: a God as them list' and clothe Him full richl+ in clothes' and set Him in a throne far more curiousl+ than e1er ,as He de0icted in this earth. hese men ,ill ma-e an(els in 5odil+ li-eness' and set them a5out each one ,ith di1erse minstrels+' far more curious than e1er ,as an+ seen or heard in this life. Some of these men the de1il ,ill decei1e full ,onderfull+. Dor he ,ill send a manner of de,' an(els4 food the+ ,een it 5e' as it ,ere comin( out of the air' and softl+ and s,eetl+ fallin( in their mouths? and therefore the+ ha1e it in custom to sit (a0in( as the+ ,ould catch flies. No, trul+ all this is 5ut deceit' seem it ne1er so hol+? for the+ ha1e in this time full em0t+ souls of an+ true de1otion. Much 1anit+ and falsehood is in their hearts' caused of their curious ,or-in(. Insomuch' that ofttimes the de1il fei(neth <uaint sounds in their ears' <uaint li(hts and shinin( in their e+es' and ,onderful smells in their noses2 and all is 5ut falsehood. 805 n9%66: #nd +et ,een the+ not so' for them thin- that the+ ha1e ensam0le of Saint Martin of this u0,ard loo-in( and ,or-in(' that sa, 5+ re1elation God clad in his mantle amon(st His an(els' and of Saint Ste0hen that sa, our !ord stand in hea1en' and of man+ other? and of Christ' that ascended 5odil+ to hea1en' seen of His disci0les. #nd therefore the+ sa+ that ,e should ha1e our e+es u0 thither. I (rant ,ell that in our 5odil+ o5ser1ance ,e should lift u0 our e+es and our hands if ,e 5e stirred in s0irit. But I sa+ that the ,or- of our s0irit shall not 5e direct neither u0,ards nor

do,n,ards' nor on one side nor on other' nor for,ard nor 5ac-,ard' as it is of a 5odil+ thin(. Dor ,h+' our ,orshould 5e (hostl+ not 5odil+' nor on a 5odil+ manner ,rou(ht. 805 n9%67:

HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHT AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER

That a !an shall not take ensa!&le of "aint Martin and of "aint "te&hen, for to strain his i!agination .odily u&wards in the ti!e of his &rayer. DO) that that the+ sa+ of Saint Martin and of Saint Ste0hen' althou(h the+ sa, such thin(s ,ith their 5odil+ e+es' it ,as she,ed 5ut in miracle and in certif+in( of thin( that ,as (hostl+. Dor ,it the+ ri(ht ,ell that Saint Martin4s mantle came ne1er on Christ4s o,n 5od+ su5stantiall+' for no need that He had thereto to -ee0 Him from cold2 5ut 5+ miracle and in li-eness for all us that 5e a5le to 5e sa1ed' that 5e oned to the 5od+ of Christ (hostl+. #nd ,hoso clotheth a 0oor man and doth an+ other (ood deed 805 n9%6@: for God4s lo1e 5odil+ or (hostl+ to an+ that hath need' sure 5e the+ the+ do it unto Christ (hostl+2 and the+ shall 5e re,arded as su5stantiall+ therefore as the+ had done it to Christ4s o,n 5od+. hus saith Himself in the (os0el. #nd +et thou(ht He it not enou(h' 5ut if He affirmed it after 5+ miracle? and for this cause He she,ed Him unto Saint Martin 5+ re1elation. #ll the re1elations that e1er sa, an+ man here in 5odil+ li-eness in this life' the+ ha1e (hostl+ 5emeanin(s. #nd I tro, that if the+ unto ,hom the+ ,ere she,ed had 5een so (hostl+' or could ha1e concei1ed their 5emeanin(s (hostl+' that then the+ had ne1er 5een she,ed 5odil+. #nd therefore let us 0ic- off the rou(h 5ar-' and feed us off the s,eet -ernel. But ho,B Not as these heretics do' the ,hich 5e ,ell li-ened to madmen ha1in( this custom' that e1er ,hen the+ ha1e drun-en of a fair cu0' cast it to the ,all and 5rea- it. hus should not ,e do if ,e ,ill ,ell do. 805 n9%6*: Dor ,e should not so feed us of the fruit' that ,e should des0ise the tree? nor so drin-' that ,e should 5rea- the cu0 ,hen ,e ha1e drun-en. he tree and the cu0 I call this 1isi5le miracle' and all seeml+ 5odil+ o5ser1ances' that is accordin( and not lettin( the ,or- of the s0irit. he fruit and the drin- I call the (hostl+ 5emeanin( of these 1isi5le miracles' and of these seeml+ 5odil+ o5ser1ances2 as is liftin( u0 of our e+es and our hands unto hea1en. If the+ 5e done 5+ stirrin( of the s0irit' then 5e the+ ,ell done? and else 5e the+ h+0ocris+' and then 5e the+ false. If the+ 5e true and contain in them (hostl+ fruit' ,h+ should the+ then 5e des0isedB Dor men ,ill -iss the cu0 for ,ine is therein. #nd ,hat thereof' thou(h our !ord ,hen He ascended to hea1en 5odil+ too- His ,a+ u0,ards into the clouds' seen of His mother and His disci0les ,ith their 5odil+ e+esB Should ,e therefore in our (hostl+ ,or- e1er stare 805 n9%67: u0,ards ,ith our 5odil+ e+es' to loo- after Him if ,e ma+ see Him sit 5odil+ in hea1en' or else stand' as Saint Ste0hen didB Na+' surel+ He she,ed Him not unto Saint Ste0hen 5odil+ in hea1en' 5ecause that He ,ould (i1e us ensam0le that ,e should in our (hostl+ ,or- loo- 5odil+ u0 into hea1en if ,e mi(ht see Him as Saint Ste0hen did' either standin(' or sittin(' or else l+in(. Dor ho,so His 5od+ is in hea1en=standin(' sittin(' or l+in(= ,ots no man. #nd it needeth not more to 5e ,itted' 5ut that His 5od+ is oned ,ith the soul' ,ithout de0artin(. he 5od+ and the soul' the ,hich is the manhood' is oned ,ith the Godhead ,ithout de0artin( also. Of His sittin(' His standin(' His l+in(' needeth it not to ,it? 5ut that He is there as Him list' and hath Him in 5od+ as most seeml+ is unto Him for to 5e. Dor if He she, Him l+in(' or standin(' or sittin(' 5+ re1elation 5odil+ to an+ creature in this life' it is done for some (hostl+ 5emeanin(2 and 805 n9%6&: not for no manner of 5odil+ 5earin( that He hath in hea1en. See 5+ ensam0le. B+ standin( is understood a readiness of hel0in(. #nd therefore it is said commonl+ of one friend to another' ,hen he is in 5odil+ 5attle2 .Bear thee ,ell' fello,' and fi(ht fast' and (i1e not u0 the 5attle o1er li(htl+? for I shall stand 5+ thee.. He meaneth not onl+ 5odil+ standin(? for 0erad1enture this 5attle is on horse and not on foot' and 0erad1enture it is in (oin( and not standin(. But he meaneth ,hen he saith that he shall stand 5+ him' that he shall 5e read+ to hel0 him. Dor this reason it ,as that our !ord she,ed Him 5odil+ in hea1en to Saint Ste0hen' ,hen he ,as in his mart+rdom2 and not to (i1e us ensam0le to loo- u0 to hea1en. #s He had said thus to Saint Ste0hen in 0erson of all those that suffer 0ersecution for His lo1e2 .!o' Ste0henL as 1eril+ as I o0en this 5odil+ firmament' the ,hich is called hea1en' and let thee see M+ 5odil+ standin(' trust fast that as 1eril+ stand I 5eside 805 n9%6%: thee (hostl+ 5+ the mi(ht of M+ Godhead. #nd I am read+ to hel0 thee' and therefore stand thou stiffl+ in the faith and suffer 5oldl+ the fell 5uffets of those hard stones2 for I shall cro,n thee in 5liss for th+ meed' and not onl+ thee' 5ut all those that suffer 0ersecution for Me on an+ manner.. #nd thus ma+est thou see that these 5odil+ she,in(s ,ere done 5+ (hostl+ 5emeanin(s. 805 n9%6F:

HERE BEGINNETH THE NINE AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER

That a !an shall not take ensa!&le at the .odily ascension of Christ, for to strain his i!agination u&wards .odily in the ti!e of &rayer( and that ti!e, &lace, and .ody, these three should .e forgotten in all ghostly working. #ND if thou sa+ au(ht touchin( the ascension of our !ord' for that ,as done 5odil+' and for a 5odil+ 5emeanin( as ,ell as for a (hostl+' for 5oth He ascended 1er+ God and 1er+ man2 to this ,ill I ans,er thee' that He had 5een dead' and ,as clad ,ith undeadliness' and so shall ,e 5e at the Da+ of Doom. #nd then ,e shall 5e made so su5tle in 5od+ and in soul to(ether' that ,e shall 5e then as s,iftl+ ,here us list 5odil+ as ,e 5e 805 n9%64: no, in our thou(ht (hostl+? ,hether it 5e u0 or do,n' on one side or on other' 5ehind or 5efore' all I ho0e shall then 5e ali-e (ood' as cler-s sa+. But no, thou ma+est not come to hea1en 5odil+' 5ut (hostl+. #nd +et it shall 5e so (hostl+' that it shall not 5e on 5odil+ manner? neither u0,ards nor do,n,ards' nor on one side nor on other' 5ehind nor 5efore. #nd ,it ,ell that all those that set them to 5e (hostl+ ,or-ers' and s0eciall+ in the ,or- of this 5oo-' that althou(h the+ read .lift u0. or .(o in'. althou(h all that the ,or- of this 5oo- 5e called a stirrin(' ne1ertheless +et them

5eho1eth to ha1e a full 5us+ 5eholdin(' that this stirrin( stretch neither u0 5odil+' nor in 5odil+' nor +et that it 5e an+ such stirrin( as is from one 0lace to another. #nd althou(h that it 5e sometime called a rest' ne1ertheless +et the+ shall not thin- that it is an+ such rest as is an+ a5idin( in a 0lace ,ithout remo1in( therefrom. Dor the 805 n9%66: 0erfection of this ,or- is so 0ure and so (hostl+ in itself' that an it 5e ,ell and trul+ concei1ed' it shall 5e seen far remo1ed from an+ stirrin( and from an+ 0lace. #nd it should 5+ some reason rather 5e called a sudden chan(in(' than an+ stirrin( of 0lace. Dor time' 0lace' and 5od+2 these three should 5e for(otten in all (hostl+ ,or-in(. #nd therefore 5e ,ar+ in this ,or-' that thou ta-e none ensam0le at the 5odil+ ascension of Christ for to strain thine ima(ination in the time of th+ 0ra+er 5odil+ u0,ards' as thou ,ouldest clim5 a5o1e the moon. Dor it should on no,ise 5e so' (hostl+. But if thou shouldest ascend into hea1en 5odil+' as Christ did' then thou mi(htest ta-e ensam0le at it2 5ut that ma+ none do 5ut God' as Himself ,itnesseth' sa+in(2 . here is no man that ma+ ascend unto hea1en 5ut onl+ He that descended from hea1en' and 5ecame man for the lo1e of man.. #nd if it ,ere 0ossi5le' as it on no,ise ma+ 805 n9%66: 5e' +et it should 5e for a5undance of (hostl+ ,or-in( onl+ 5+ the mi(ht of the s0irit' full far from an+ 5odil+ stressin( or strainin( of our ima(ination 5odil+' either u0' or in' on one side' or on other. #nd therefore let 5e such falsehood2 it should not 5e so. 805 n9%67:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SI/TIETH CHAPTER

That the high and the ne2t way to heaven is run .y desires, and not .y &aces of feet. B/ no, 0erad1enture thou sa+est' that ho, should it then 5eB Dor thee thin-est that thou hast 1er+ e1idence that hea1en is u0,ards? for Christ ascended the air 5odil+ u0,ards' and sent the Hol+ Ghost as He 0romised comin( from a5o1e 5odil+' seen of all His disci0les? and this is our 5elief. #nd therefore thee thin-est since thou hast thus 1er+ e1idence' ,h+ shalt thou not direct th+ mind u0,ard 5odil+ in the time of th+ 0ra+erB #nd to this ,ill I ans,er thee so fee5l+ as I can' and sa+2 since it so ,as' that Christ should ascend 5odil+ 805 n9%6@: and thereafter send the Hol+ Ghost 5odil+' then it ,as more seeml+ that it ,as u0,ards and from a5o1e than either do,n,ards and from 5eneath' 5ehind' or 5efore' on one side or on other. But else than for this seemliness' Him needed ne1er the more to ha1e ,ent u0,ards than do,n,ards? I mean for nearness of the ,a+. Dor hea1en (hostl+ is as ni(h do,n as u0' and u0 as do,n2 5ehind as 5efore' 5efore as 5ehind' on one side as other. Insomuch' that ,hoso had a true desire for to 5e at hea1en' then that same time he ,ere in hea1en (hostl+. Dor the hi(h and the ne3t ,a+ thither is run 5+ desires' and not 5+ 0aces of feet. #nd therefore saith Saint Caul of himself and man+ other thus? althou(h our 5odies 5e 0resentl+ here in earth' ne1ertheless +et our li1in( is in hea1en. He meant their lo1e and their desire' the ,hich is (hostl+ their life. #nd surel+ as 1eril+ is a soul there ,here it lo1eth' as in the 5od+ that Doeth 5+ it and to the ,hich 805 n9%6*: it (i1eth life. #nd therefore if ,e ,ill (o to hea1en (hostl+' it needeth not to strain our s0irit neither u0 nor do,n' nor on one side nor on other. 805 n9%77:

HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND SI/TIETH CHAPTER

That all .odily thing is su. ect unto ghostly thing, and is ruled thereafter .y the course of nature and not contrariwise. NE;E) HE!ESS it is needful to lift u0 our e+es and our hands 5odil+' as it ,ere unto +on 5odil+ hea1en' in the ,hich the elements 5e fastened. I mean if ,e 5e stirred of the ,or- of our s0irit' and else not. Dor all 5odil+ thin( is su5Aect unto (hostl+ thin(' and is ruled thereafter' and not contrari,ise. Ensam0le hereof ma+ 5e seen 5+ the ascension of our !ord2 for ,hen the time a00ointed ,as come' that Him li-ed to ,end to His Dather 5odil+ in His manhood' the ,hich ,as ne1er nor ne1er ma+ 5e a5sent in His Godhead' then mi(htil+ 5+ the 1irtue of the 805 n9%7&: S0irit God' the manhood ,ith the 5od+ follo,ed in onehead of 0erson. he 1isi5ilit+ of this ,as most seeml+' and most accordin(' to 5e u0,ard. his same su5Aection of the 5od+ to the s0irit ma+ 5e in manner 1eril+ concei1ed in the 0roof of this (hostl+ ,or- of this 5oo-' 5+ them that ,or- therein. Dor ,hat time that a soul dis0oseth him effectuall+ to this ,or-' then as fast suddenl+' un,ittin( himself that ,or-eth' the 5od+ that 0erad1enture 5efore ere he 5e(an ,as some,hat 5ent do,n,ards' on one side or on other for ease of the flesh' 5+ 1irtue of the s0irit shall set it u0ri(ht2 follo,in( in manner and in li-eness 5odil+ the ,or- of the s0irit that is made (hostl+. #nd thus it is most seeml+ to 5e. #nd for this seemliness it is' that a man=the ,hich is the seemliest creature in 5od+ that e1er God made=is not made croo-ed to the earth,ards' as 5e an other 5easts' 5ut u0ri(ht to hea1en,ards. Dor ,h+B hat it 805 n9%7%: should fi(ure in li-eness 5odil+ the ,or- of the soul (hostl+? the ,hich falleth to 5e u0ri(ht (hostl+' and not croo-ed (hostl+. a-e heed that I sa+ u0ri(ht (hostl+' and not 5odil+. Dor ho, should a soul' the ,hich in his nature hath no manner thin( of 5odil+ness' 5e strained u0ri(ht 5odil+B Na+' it ma+ not 5e. #nd therefore 5e ,ar+ that thou concei1e not 5odil+ that ,hich is meant (hostl+' althou(h it 5e s0o-en in 5odil+ ,ords' as 5e these' u0 or do,n' in or out' 5ehind or 5efore' on one side or on other. Dor althou(h that a thin( 5e ne1er so (hostl+ in itself' ne1ertheless +et if it shall 5e s0o-en of' since it so is that s0eech is a 5odil+ ,or- ,rou(ht ,ith the ton(ue' the ,hich is an instrument of the 5od+' it 5eho1eth al,a+s 5e s0o-en in 5odil+ ,ords. But ,hat thereofB Shall it therefore 5e ta-en and concei1ed 5odil+B Na+' 5ut (hostl+' as it 5e meant. 805 n9%7F:

HERE BEGINNETH THE TWO AND SI/TIETH CHAPTER

How a !an !ay wit when his ghostly work is .eneath hi! or without hi!, and when it is even with hi! or within hi!, and when it is a.ove hi! and under his 0od.

#ND for this' that thou shalt 5e a5le 5etter to ,it ho, the+ shall 5e concei1ed (hostl+' these ,ords that 5e s0o-en 5odil+' therefore I thin- to declare to thee the (hostl+ 5emeanin( of some ,ords that fall to (hostl+ ,or-in(. So that thou ma+est ,it clearl+ ,ithout error ,hen th+ (hostl+ ,or- is 5eneath thee and ,ithout thee' and ,hen it is ,ithin thee and e1en ,ith thee' and ,hen it is a5o1e thee and under th+ God. #ll manner of 5odil+ thin( is ,ithout th+ soul and 5eneath it in nature' 805 n9%74: +eaL the sun and the moon and all the stars' althou(h the+ 5e a5o1e th+ 5od+' ne1ertheless +et the+ 5e 5eneath th+ soul. #ll an(els and all souls' althou(h the+ 5e confirmed and adorned ,ith (race and ,ith 1irtues' for the ,hich the+ 5e a5o1e thee in cleanness' ne1ertheless' +et the+ 5e 5ut e1en ,ith thee in nature. Within in th+self in nature 5e the 0o,ers of th+ soul2 the ,hich 5e these three 0rinci0al' Memor+' )eason' and Will? and secondar+' Ima(ination and Sensualit+. #5o1e th+self in nature is no manner of thin( 5ut onl+ God. E1ermore ,here thou findest ,ritten th+self in (hostliness' then it is understood th+ soul' and not th+ 5od+. #nd then all after that thin( is on the ,hich the 0o,ers of th+ soul ,or-' thereafter shall the ,orthiness and the condition of th+ ,or- 5e deemed? ,hether it 5e 5eneath thee' ,ithin thee' or a5o1e thee. 805 n9%76:

HERE BEGINNETH THE THREE AND SI/TIETH CHAPTER

,f the &owers of a soul in general, and how Me!ory in s&ecial is a &rinci&al &ower, co!&rehending in it all the other &owers and all those things in the which they work. MEMO)K is such a 0o,er in itself' that 0ro0erl+ to s0ea- and in manner' it ,or-eth not itself. But )eason and Will' the+ 5e t,o ,or-in( 0o,ers' and so is Ima(ination and Sensualit+ also. #nd all these four 0o,ers and their ,or-s' Memor+ containeth and com0rehendeth in itself. #nd other,ise it is not said that the Memor+ ,or-eth' unless such a com0rehension 5e a ,or-. #nd therefore it is that I call the 0o,ers of a soul' some 0rinci0al' and 805 n9%76: some secondar+. Not 5ecause a soul is di1isi5le' for that ma+ not 5e2 5ut 5ecause all those thin(s in the ,hich the+ ,or- 5e di1isi5le' and some 0rinci0al' as 5e all (hostl+ thin(s' and some secondar+' as 5e all 5odil+ thin(s. he t,o 0rinci0al ,or-in( 0o,ers' )eason and Will' ,or- 0urel+ in themsel1es in all (hostl+ thin(s' ,ithout hel0 of the other t,o secondar+ 0o,ers. Ima(ination and Sensualit+ ,or- 5eastl+ in all 5odil+ thin(s' ,hether the+ 5e 0resent or a5sent' in the 5od+ and ,ith the 5odil+ ,its. But 5+ them' ,ithout hel0 of )eason and of Will' ma+ a soul ne1er come to for to -no, the 1irtue and the conditions of 5odil+ creatures' nor the cause of their 5ein(s and their ma-in(s. #nd for this cause is )eason and Will called 0rinci0al 0o,ers' for the+ ,or- in 0ure s0irit ,ithout an+ manner of 5odil+ness2 and Ima(ination and Sensualit+ secondar+' for the+ ,or- in the 5od+ ,ith 5odil+ instruments' 805 n9%77: the ,hich 5e our fi1e ,its. Memor+ is called a 0rinci0al 0o,er' for it containeth in it (hostl+ not onl+ all the other 0o,ers' 5ut thereto all those thin(s in the ,hich the+ ,or-. See 5+ the 0roof. 805 n9%7@:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FOUR AND SI/TIETH CHAPTER

,f the other two &rinci&al &owers 4eason and *ill) and of the work of the! .efore sin and after. )E#SON is a 0o,er throu(h the ,hich ,e de0art the e1il from the (ood' the e1il from the ,orse' the (ood from the 5etter' the ,orse from the ,orst' the 5etter from the 5est. Before ere man sinned' mi(ht )eason ha1e done all this 5+ nature. But no, it is so 5linded ,ith the ori(inal sin' that it ma+ not con ,or- this ,or-' unless it 5e illumined 5+ (race. #nd 5oth the self )eason' and the thin( that it ,or-eth in' 5e com0rehended and contained in the Memor+. Will is a 0o,er throu(h the ,hich ,e choose (ood' after that it 5e determined 805 n9%7*: ,ith )eason? and throu(h the ,hich ,e lo1e (ood' ,e desire (ood' and rest us ,ith full li-in( and consent endlessl+ in God. Before ere man sinned' mi(ht not Will 5e decei1ed in his choosin(' in his lo1in(' nor in none of his ,or-s. Dor ,h+' it had then 5+ nature to sa1our each thin( as it ,as? 5ut no, it ma+ not do so' unless it 5e anointed ,ith (race. Dor ofttimes 5ecause of infection of the ori(inal sin' it sa1oureth a thin( for (ood that is full e1il' and that hath 5ut the li-eness of (ood. #nd 5oth the Will and the thin( that is ,illed' the Memor+ containeth and com0rehendeth in it. 805 n9%@7:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND SI/TIETH CHAPTER

,f the first secondary &ower, 5!agination .y na!e) and of the works and the o.edience of it unto 4eason, .efore "in and after. IM#GIN# ION is a 0o,er throu(h the ,hich ,e 0ortra+ all ima(es of a5sent and 0resent thin(s' and 5oth it and the thin( that it ,or-eth in 5e contained in the Memor+. Before ere man sinned' ,as Ima(ination so o5edient unto the )eason' to the ,hich it is as it ,ere ser1ant' that it ministered ne1er to it an+ unordained ima(e of an+ 5odil+ creature' or an+ fantas+ of an+ (hostl+ creature2 5ut no, it is not so. Dor unless it 5e refrained 5+ the li(ht of (race in the )eason' else it ,ill ne1er cease' slee0in( or ,a-in(' for to 0ortra+ 805 n9%@&: di1erse unordained ima(es of 5odil+ creatures? or else some fantas+' the ,hich is nou(ht else 5ut a 5odil+ conceit of a (hostl+ thin(' or else a (hostl+ conceit of a 5odil+ thin(. #nd this is e1ermore fei(ned and false' and ne3t unto error. his ino5edience of the Ima(ination ma+ clearl+ 5e concei1ed in them that 5e ne,lin(s turned from the ,orld unto de1otion' in the time of their 0ra+er. Dor 5efore the time 5e' that the Ima(ination 5e in (reat 0art refrained 5+ the li(ht of (race in the )eason' as it is in continual meditation of (hostl+ thin(s=as 5e their o,n ,retchedness' the 0assion and the -indness of our !ord God' ,ith man+ such other=the+ ma+ in no,ise 0ut a,a+ the ,onderful and the di1erse thou(hts' fantasies' and ima(es' the ,hich 5e ministered and 0rinted in their mind 5+ the li(ht of the curiosit+ of Ima(ination. #nd all this ino5edience is the 0ain of the ori(inal sin. 805 n9%@%:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SI/ AND SI/TIETH CHAPTER

,f the other secondary &ower, "ensuality .y na!e) and of the works and of the o.edience of it unto *ill, .efore sin and after. SENS/#!I K is a 0o,er of our soul' rec-in( and rei(nin( in the 5odil+ ,its' throu(h the ,hich ,e ha1e 5odil+ -no,in( and feelin( of all 5odil+ creatures' ,hether the+ 5e 0leasin( or un0leasin(. #nd it hath t,o 0arts2 one throu(h the ,hich it 5eholdeth to the needfulness of our 5od+' another throu(h the ,hich it ser1eth to the lusts of the 5odil+ ,its. Dor this same 0o,er is it' that (rum5leth ,hen the 5od+ lac-eth the needful thin(s unto it' and that in the ta-in( of the need stirreth us to ta-e more than needeth in feedin( 805 n9%@F: and furtherin( of our lusts2 that (rum5leth in lac-in( of 0leasin( creatures' and lustil+ is deli(hted in their 0resence2 that (rum5leth in 0resence of misli-in( creatures' and is lustil+ 0leased in their a5sence. Both this 0o,er and the thin( that it ,or-eth in 5e contained in the Memor+. Before ere man sinned ,as the Sensualit+ so o5edient unto the Will' unto the ,hich it is as it ,ere ser1ant' that it ministered ne1er unto it an+ unordained li-in( or (rum5lin( in an+ 5odil+ creature' or an+ (hostl+ fei(nin( of li-in( or misli-in( made 5+ an+ (hostl+ enem+ in the 5odil+ ,its. But no, it is not so2 for unless it 5e ruled 5+ (race in the Will' for to suffer mee-l+ and in measure the 0ain of the ori(inal sin' the ,hich it feeleth in a5sence of needful comforts and in 0resence of s0eedful discomforts' and thereto also for to restrain it from lust in 0resence of needful comforts' and from lust+ 0lesaunce in the a5sence 805 n9%@4: of s0eedful discomforts2 else ,ill it ,retchedl+ and ,antonl+ ,elter' as a s,ine in the mire' in the ,ealths of this ,orld and the foul flesh so much that all our li1in( shall 5e more 5eastl+ and fleshl+' than either manl+ or (hostl+. 805 n9%@6:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVEN AND SI/TIETH CHAPTER

That whoso knoweth not the &owers of a soul and the !anner of her working, !ay lightly .e deceived in understanding of ghostly words and of ghostly working) and how a soul is !ade a 0od in grace. !O' (hostl+ friendL to such ,retchedness as thou here ma+est see 5e ,e fallen for sin2 and therefore ,hat ,onder is it' thou(h ,e 5e 5lindl+ and li(htl+ decei1ed in understandin( of (hostl+ ,ords and of (hostl+ ,or-in(' and s0eciall+ those the ,hich -no, not +et the 0o,ers of their souls and the manners of their ,or-in(B Dor e1er ,hen the Memor+ is occu0ied ,ith an+ 5odil+ thin( 5e it ta-en to ne1er so (ood an end' +et thou art 5eneath th+self in this ,or-in(' and 805 n9%@6: ,ithout an+ soul. #nd e1er ,hen thou feelest th+ Memor+ occu0ied ,ith the su5tle conditions of the 0o,ers of th+ soul and their ,or-in(s in (hostl+ thin(s' as 5e 1ices or 1irtues' of th+self' or of an+ creature that is (hostl+ and e1en ,ith thee in nature' to that end that thou mi(htest 5+ this ,or- learn to -no, th+self in furtherin( of 0erfection2 then thou art ,ithin th+self' and e1en ,ith th+self. But e1er ,hen thou feelest th+ Memor+ occu0ied ,ith no manner of thin( that is 5odil+ or (hostl+' 5ut onl+ ,ith the self su5stance of God' as it is and ma+ 5e' in the 0roof of the ,or- of this 5oo-2 then thou art a5o1e th+self and 5eneath th+ God. #5o1e th+self thou art2 for ,h+' thou attainest to come thither 5+ (race' ,hither thou ma+est not come 5+ nature. hat is to sa+' to 5e oned to God' in s0irit' and in lo1e' and in accordance of ,ill. Beneath th+ God thou art2 for ,h+' althou(h it ma+ 5e said in manner' that in this time God 805 n9%@7: and thou 5e not t,o 5ut one in s0irit= insomuch that thou or another' for such onehead that feeleth the 0erfection of this ,or-' ma+ soothfastl+ 5+ ,itness of Scri0ture 5e called a God=ne1ertheless +et thou art 5eneath Him. Dor ,h+' He is God 5+ nature ,ithout 5e(innin(? and thou' that sometime ,ert nou(ht in su5stance' and thereto after ,hen thou ,ert 5+ His mi(ht and His lo1e made ou(ht' ,ilfull+ ,ith sin madest th+self ,orse than nou(ht' onl+ 5+ His merc+ ,ithout th+ desert are made a God in (race' oned ,ith Him in s0irit ,ithout de0artin(' 5oth here and in 5liss of hea1en ,ithout an+ end. So that' althou(h thou 5e all one ,ith Him in (race' +et thou art full far 5eneath Him in nature. !o' (hostl+ friendL here5+ ma+est thou see some,hat in 0art' that ,hoso -no,eth not the 0o,ers of their o,n soul' and the manner of their ,or-in(' ma+ full li(htl+ 5e decei1ed in understandin( of ,ords that 5e ,ritten to 805 n9%@@: (hostl+ intent. #nd therefore ma+est thou see some,hat the cause ,h+ that I durst not 0lainl+ 5id thee she, th+ desire unto God' 5ut I 5ade thee childishl+ do that in thee is to hide it and co1er it. #nd this I do for fear lest thou shouldest concei1e 5odil+ that that is meant (hostl+. 805 n9%@*:

HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHT AND SI/TIETH CHAPTER

That nowhere .odily, is everywhere ghostly) and how our outer !an calleth the word of this .ook nought. #ND on the same manner' ,here another man ,ould 5id thee (ather th+ 0o,ers and th+ ,its ,holl+ ,ithin th+self' and ,orshi0 God there=althou(h he sa+ full ,ell and full trul+' +eaL and no man trulier' an he 5e ,ell concei1ed= +et for fear of deceit and 5odil+ concei1in( of his ,ords' me list not 5id thee do so. But thus ,ill I 5id thee. !oo- on no,ise that thou 5e ,ithin th+self. #nd shortl+' ,ithout th+self ,ill I not that thou 5e' nor +et a5o1e' nor 5ehind' nor on one side' nor on other. .Where then'. sa+est thou' .shall I 805 n9%*7: 5eB No,here' 5+ th+ taleL. No, trul+ thou sa+est ,ell? for there ,ould I ha1e thee. Dor ,h+' no,here 5odil+' is e1er+,here (hostl+. !oo- then 5usil+ that th+ (hostl+ ,or- 5e no,here 5odil+? and then ,heresoe1er that that thin( is' on the ,hich thou ,ilfull+ ,or-est in th+ mind in su5stance' surel+ there art thou in s0irit' as 1eril+ as th+ 5od+ is in that 0lace that thou art 5odil+. #nd althou(h th+ 5odil+ ,its can find there nothin( to feed them on' for them thin- it nou(ht that thou dost' +eaL do on then this nou(ht' and do it for God4s lo1e. #nd let not therefore' 5ut tra1ail 5usil+ in that nou(ht ,ith a ,a-in( desire to ,ill

to ha1e God that no man ma+ -no,. Dor I tell thee trul+' that I had rather 5e so no,here 5odil+' ,restlin( ,ith that 5lind nou(ht' than to 5e so (reat a lord that I mi(ht ,hen I ,ould 5e e1er+,here 5odil+' merril+ 0la+in( ,ith all this ou(ht as a lord ,ith his o,n. !et 5e this e1er+,here and this 805 n9%*&: ou(ht' in com0arison or this no,here and this nou(ht. )ec- thee ne1er if th+ ,its cannot reason of this nou(ht? for surel+' I lo1e it much the 5etter. It is so ,orth+ a thin( in itself' that the+ cannot reason thereu0on. his nou(ht ma+ 5etter 5e felt than seen2 for it is full 5lind and full dar- to them that ha1e 5ut little ,hile loo-ed thereu0on. Ne1ertheless' if I shall soothlier sa+' a soul is more 5linded in feelin( of it for a5undance of (hostl+ li(ht' than for an+ dar-ness or ,antin( of 5odil+ li(ht. What is he that calleth it nou(htB Surel+ it is our outer man' and not our inner. Our inner man calleth it #ll? for of it he is ,ell learned to -no, the reason of all thin(s 5odil+ or (hostl+' ,ithout an+ s0ecial 5eholdin( to an+ one thin( 5+ itself. 805 n9%*%:

HERE BEGINNETH THE NINE AND SI/TIETH CHAPTER

How that a !an-s affection is !arvelously changed in ghostly feeling of this nought, when it is nowhere wrought. WONDE)D/!!K is a man4s affection 1aried in (hostl+ feelin( of this nou(ht ,hen it is no,here ,rou(ht. Dor at the first time that a soul loo-eth thereu0on' it shall find all the s0ecial deeds of sin that e1er he did since he ,as 5orn' 5odil+ or (hostl+' 0ri1il+ or dar-l+ 0ainted thereu0on. #nd ho,soe1er that he turneth it a5out' e1ermore the+ ,ill a00ear 5efore his e+es? until the time 5e' that ,ith much hard tra1ail' man+ sore si(hin(s' and man+ 5itter ,ee0in(s' he ha1e in (reat 0art ,ashed them a,a+. Sometime in this tra1ail him thin- that it 805 n9%*F: is to loothereu0on as on hell? for him thin- that he des0aireth to ,in to 0erfection of (hostl+ rest out of that 0airs hus far in,ards come man+' 5ut for (reatness of 0ain that the+ feel and for lac-in( of comfort' the+ (o 5ac- in 5eholdin( of 5odil+ thin(s2 see-in( fleshl+ comforts ,ithout' for lac-in( of (hostl+ the+ ha1e not +et deser1ed' as the+ should if the+ had a5ided. Dor he that a5ideth feeleth sometime some comfort' and hath some ho0e of 0erfection? for he feeleth and seeth that man+ of his fordone s0ecial sins 5e in (reat 0art 5+ hel0 of (race ru55ed a,a+. Ne1ertheless +et e1er amon( he feeleth 0ain' 5ut he thin-eth that it shall ha1e an end' for it ,a3eth e1er less and less. #nd therefore he calleth it nou(ht else 5ut 0ur(ator+. Sometime he can find no s0ecial sin ,ritten thereu0on' 5ut +et him thin- that sin is a lum0' he ,ot ne1er ,hat' none other thin( than himself? and then it ma+ 5e called the 805 n9%*4: 5ase and the 0ain of the ori(inal sin. Sometime him thin- that it is 0aradise or hea1en' for di1erse ,onderful s,eetness and comforts' Ao+s and 5lessed 1irtues that he findeth therein. Sometime him thin- it God' for 0eace and rest that he findeth therein. KeaL thin- ,hat he thin- ,ill? for e1ermore he shall find it a cloud of unknowing, that is 5et,i3t him and his God. 805 n9%*6:

HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVENTIETH CHAPTER

That right as .y the defailing of our .odily wits we .egin !ore readily to co!e to knowing of ghostly things, so .y the defailing of our ghostly wits we .egin !ost readily to co!e to the knowledge of 0od, such as is &ossi.le .y grace to .e had here. #ND therefore tra1ail fast in this nou(ht' and this no,here' and lea1e thine out,ard 5odil+ ,its and all that the+ ,or- in2 for I tell thee trul+' that this ,or- ma+ not 5e concei1ed 5+ them. Dor 5+ thine e+es thou ma+est not concei1e of an+thin(' unless it 5e 5+ the len(th and the 5readth' the smallness and the (reatness' the roundness and the s<uareness' the farness and the nearness' and the colour of it. 805 n9%*6: #nd 5+ thine ears' nou(ht 5ut noise or some manner of sound. B+ thine nose' nou(ht 5ut either stench or sa1our. #nd 5+ th+ taste' nou(ht 5ut either sour or s,eet' salt or fresh' 5itter or li-in(. #nd 5+ th+ feelin(' nou(ht 5ut either hot or cold' hard or tender' soft or shar0. #nd trul+' neither hath God nor (hostl+ thin(s none of these <ualities nor <uantities. #nd therefore lea1e thine out,ard ,its' and ,or- not ,ith them' neither ,ithin nor ,ithout2 for all those that set them to 5e (hostl+ ,or-ers ,ithin' and ,een that the+ should either hear' smell' or see' taste or feel' (hostl+ thin(s' either ,ithin them or ,ithout' surel+ the+ 5e decei1ed' and ,or- ,ron( a(ainst the course of nature. Dor 5+ nature the+ 5e ordained' that ,ith them men should ha1e -no,in( of all out,ard 5odil+ thin(s' and on no,ise 5+ them come to the -no,in( of (hostl+ thin(s. I mean 5+ their ,or-s. B+ their failin(s ,e ma+' as thus2 ,hen ,e read or hear 805 n9%*7: s0ea- of some certain thin(s' and thereto concei1e that our out,ard ,its cannot tell us 5+ no <ualit+ ,hat those thin(s 5e' then ,e ma+ 5e 1eril+ certified that those thin(s 5e (hostl+ thin(s' and not 5odil+ thin(s. On this same manner (hostl+ it fareth ,ithin our (hostl+ ,its' ,hen ,e tra1ail a5out the -no,in( of God Himself. Dor ha1e a man ne1er so much (hostl+ understandin( in -no,in( of all made (hostl+ thin(s' +et ma+ he ne1er 5+ the ,or- of his understandin( come to the -no,in( of an unmade (hostl+ thin(2 the ,hich is nou(ht 5ut God. But 5+ the failin( it ma+2 for ,h+' that thin( that it faileth in is nothin( else 5ut onl+ God. #nd therefore it ,as that Saint Denis said' the !ost goodly knowing of 0od is that, the which is known .y unknowing. #nd trul+' ,hoso ,ill loo- in Denis4 5oo-s' he shall find that his ,ords ,ill clearl+ affirm all that I ha1e said or shall sa+' from 805 n9%*@: the 5e(innin( of this treatise to the end. On other,ise than thus' list me not cite him' nor none other doctor' for me at this time. Dor sometime' men thou(ht it mee-ness to sa+ nou(ht of their o,n heads' unless the+ affirmed it 5+ Scri0ture and doctors4 ,ords2 and no, it is turned into curiosit+' and she,in( of cunnin(. o thee it needeth not' and

therefore I do it not. Dor ,hoso hath ears' let him hear' and ,hoso is stirred for to tro,' let him tro,2 for else' shall the+ not. 805 n9%**:

HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND SEVENTIETH CHAPTER

That so!e !ay not co!e to feel the &erfection of this work .ut in ti!e of ravishing, and so!e !ay have it when they will, in the co!!on state of !an-s soul. SOME thin- this matter so hard and so fearful' that the+ sa+ it ma+ not 5e come to ,ithout much stron( tra1ail comin( 5efore' nor concei1ed 5ut seldom' and that 5ut in the time of ra1ishin(. #nd to these men ,ill I ans,er as fee5l+ as I can' and sa+' that it is all at the ordinance and the dis0osition of God' after their a5leness in soul that this (race of contem0lation and of (hostl+ ,or-in( is (i1en to. Dor some there 5e that ,ithout much and lon( (hostl+ e3ercise ma+ 805 n9F77: not come thereto' and +et it shall 5e 5ut full seldom' and in s0ecial callin( of our !ord that the+ shall feel the 0erfection of this ,or-2 the ,hich callin( is called ra1ishin(. #nd some there 5e that 5e so su5tle in (race and in s0irit' and so homel+ ,ith God in this (race of contem0lation' that the+ ma+ ha1e it ,hen the+ ,ill in the common state of man4s soul2 as it is in sittin(' (oin(' standin(' or -neelin(. #nd +et in this time the+ ha1e full deli5eration of all their ,its 5odil+ or (hostl+' and ma+ use them if the+ desire2 not ,ithout some lettin( I5ut ,ithout (reat lettin(J. Ensam0le of the first ,e ha1e 5+ Moses' and of this other 5+ #aron the 0riest of the em0le2 for ,h+' this (race of contem0lation is fi(ured 5+ the #r- of the estament in the old la,' and the ,or-ers in this (race 5e fi(ured 5+ them that most meddled them a5out this #r-' as the stor+ ,ill ,itness. #nd ,ell is this (race and this ,or- li-ened unto that #r-. Dor ri(ht as 805 n9F7&: in that #r- ,ere contained all the Ae,els and the relics of the em0le' ri(ht so in this little lo1e 0ut u0on this cloud 5e contained all the 1irtues of man4s soul' the ,hich is the (hostl+ em0le of God. Moses ere he mi(ht come to see this #r- and for to ,it ho, it should 5e made' ,ith (reat lon( tra1ail he clom5 u0 to the to0 of the mountain' and d,elled there' and ,rou(ht in a cloud si3 da+s2 a5idin( unto the se1enth da+ that our !ord ,ould 1ouchsafe for to she, unto him the manner of this #r->ma-in(. B+ Moses4s lon( tra1ail and his late she,in(' 5e understood those that ma+ not come to the 0erfection of this (hostl+ ,or- ,ithout lon( tra1ail comin( 5efore2 and +et 5ut full seldom' and ,hen God ,ill 1ouchsafe to she, it. But that that Moses mi(ht not come to see 5ut seldom' and that not ,ithout (reat lon( tra1ail' #aron had in his 0o,er 5ecause of his office' for to see it in the em0le ,ithin the ;eil as 805 n9F7%: oft as him li-ed for to enter. #nd 5+ this #aron is understood all those the ,hich I s0a-e of a5o1e' the ,hich 5+ their (hostl+ cunnin(' 5+ hel0 of (race' ma+ assi(n unto them the 0erfection of this ,or- as them li-eth. 805 n9F7F:

HERE BEGINNETH THE TWO AND SEVENTIETH CHAPTER

That a worker in this work should not dee! nor think of another worker as he feeleth in hi!self. !OL here5+ ma+est thou see that he that ma+ not come for to see and feel the 0erfection of this ,or- 5ut 5+ lon( tra1ail' and +et is it 5ut seldom' ma+ li(htl+ 5e decei1ed if he s0ea-' thin-' and deem other men as he feeleth in himself' that the+ ma+ not come to it 5ut seldom' and that not ,ithout (reat tra1ail. #nd on the same manner ma+ he 5e decei1ed that ma+ ha1e it ,hen he ,ill' if he deem all other thereafter? sa+in( that the+ ma+ ha1e it ,hen the+ ,ill. !et 5e this2 na+' surel+ he ma+ not thin- thus. Dor 0erad1enture' ,hen it li-eth unto God' that 805 n9F74: those that ma+ not at the first time ha1e it 5ut seldom' and that not ,ithout (reat tra1ail' sithen after the+ shall ha1e it ,hen the+ ,ill' as oft as them li-eth. Ensam0le of this ,e ha1e of Moses' that first 5ut seldom' and not ,ithout (reat tra1ail' in the mount mi(ht not see the manner of the #r-2 and sithen after' as oft as 5+ him li-ed' sa, it in the ;eil. 805 n9F76:

HERE BEGINNETH THE THREE AND SEVENTIETH CHAPTER

How that after the likeness of Moses, of Be6aleel, and of #aron !eddling the! a.out the #rk of the Testa!ent, we &rofit on three !anners in this grace of conte!&lation, for this grace is figured in that #rk. H)EE men there ,ere that most 0rinci0all+ meddled them ,ith this #r- of the Old estament2 Moses' BeEaleel' #aron. Moses learned in the mount of our !ord ho, it should 5e made. BeEaleel ,rou(ht it and made it in the ;eil after the ensam0le that ,as she,ed in the mountain. #nd #aron had it in -ee0in( in the em0le' to feel it and see it as oft as him li-ed. #t the li-eness of these three' ,e 0rofit on three manners in this (race 805 n9F76: of contem0lation. Sometime ,e 0rofit onl+ 5+ (race' and then ,e 5e li-ened unto Moses' that for all the clim5in( and the tra1ail that he had into the mount mi(ht not come to see it 5ut seldom2 and +et ,as that si(ht onl+ 5+ the she,in( of our !ord ,hen Him li-ed to she, it' and not for an+ desert of his tra1ail. Sometime ,e 0rofit in this (race 5+ our o,n (hostl+ cunnin(' hel0ed ,ith (race' and then 5e ,e li-ened to BeEaleel' the ,hich mi(ht not see the #r- ere the time that he had made it 5+ his o,n tra1ail' hel0ed ,ith the ensam0le that ,as she,ed unto Moses in the mount. #nd sometime ,e 0rofit in this (race 5+ other men4s teachin(' and then 5e ,e li-ened to #aron' the ,hich had it in -ee0in( and in custom to see and feel the #r- ,hen him 0leased' that BeEaleel had ,rou(ht and made read+ 5efore to his hands. !oL (hostl+ friend' in this ,or-' thou(h it 5e childishl+ and le,dl+ s0o-en' I 5ear' thou(h I 5e a ,retch 805 n9F77: un,orth+ to teach an+ creature' the office of BeEaleel2 ma-in( and declarin( in manner to thine hands the manner of this (hostl+ #r-. But far 5etter and more ,orthil+ than I do' thou ma+est ,or- if thou ,ilt 5e #aron2 that is to sa+' continuall+ ,or-in( therein for thee and for me. Do then so I 0ra+ thee' for the lo1e of God #lmi(ht+. #nd since ,e

5e 5oth called of God to ,or- in this ,or-' I 5eseech thee for God4s lo1e fulfil in th+ 0art ,hat lac-eth of mine. 805 n9F7@:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FOUR AND SEVENTIETH CHAPTER

How that the !atter of this .ook is never !ore read or s&oken, nor heard read or s&oken, of a soul dis&osed thereto without feeling of a very accordance to the effect of the sa!e work( and of rehearsing of the sa!e charge that is written in the &rologue. #ND if thee thin- that this manner of ,or-in( 5e not accordin( to th+ dis0osition in 5od+ and in soul' thou ma+est lea1e it and ta-e another' safel+ ,ith (ood (hostl+ counsel ,ithout 5lame. #nd then I 5eseech thee that thou ,ilt ha1e me e3cused' for trul+ I ,ould ha1e 0rofited unto thee in this ,ritin( at m+ sim0le cunnin(? and that ,as mine intent. #nd therefore read o1er t,ice or thrice? and e1er the ofter the 5etter' and the 805 n9F7*: more thou shalt concei1e thereof. Insomuch' 0erad1enture' that some sentence that ,as full hard to thee at the first or the second readin(' soon after thou shalt thin- it eas+. KeaL and it seemeth im0ossi5le to mine understandin(' that an+ soul that is dis0osed to this ,or- should read it or s0ea- it' or else hear it read or s0o-en' 5ut if that same soul should feel for that time a 1er+ accordance to the effect of this ,or-. #nd then if thee thin- it doth thee (ood' than- God heartil+' and for God4s lo1e 0ra+ for me. Do then so. #nd I 0ra+ thee for God4s lo1e that thou let none see this 5oo-' unless it 5e such one that thee thin- is li-e to the 5oo-? after that thou findest ,ritten in the 5oo- 5efore' ,here it telleth ,hat men and ,hen the+ should ,or- in this ,or-. #nd if thou shalt let an+ such men see it' then I 0ra+ thee that thou 5id them ta-e them time to loo- it all o1er. Dor 0erad1enture there is some 805 n9F&7: matter therein in the 5e(innin(' or in the midst' the ,hich is han(in( and not full+ declared there as it standeth. But if it 5e not there' it is soon after' or else in the end. #nd thus if a man sa, one 0art and not another' 0erad1enture he should li(htl+ 5e led into error2 and therefore I 0ra+ thee to ,or- as I sa+ thee. #nd if thee thin- that there 5e an+ matter therein that thou ,ouldest ha1e more o0ened than it is' let me ,it ,hich it is' and th+ conceit thereu0on? and at m+ sim0le cunnin( it shall 5e amended if I can. Dleshl+ Aan(lers' flatterers and 5lamers' ron-ers and ronners' and all manner of 0inchers' cared I ne1er that the+ sa, this 5oo-2 for mine intent ,as ne1er to ,rite such thin( to them. #nd therefore I ,ould not that the+ heard it' neither the+ nor none of these curious lettered nor unlearned men2 +eaL althou(h the+ 5e full (ood men in acti1e li1in(' for it accordeth not to them. 805 n9F&&:

HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND SEVENTIETH CHAPTER

,f so!e certain tokens .y the which a !an !ay &rove whether he .e called of 0od to work in this work #!! those that read or hear the matter of this 5oo- 5e read or s0o-en' and in this readin( or hearin( thin- it a (ood and li-in( thin(' 5e ne1er the rather called of God to ,or- in this ,or-' onl+ for this li-in( stirrin( that the+ feel in the time of this readin(. Dor 0erad1enture this stirrin( cometh more of a natural curiosit+ of ,it' than of an+ callin( of (race. But' if the+ ,ill 0ro1e ,hence this stirrin( cometh' the+ ma+ 0ro1e thus' if them li-eth. Dirst let them loo- if the+ ha1e done that in them is 5efore' a5lin( them thereto in cleansin( of 805 n9F&%: their conscience at the doom of Hol+ Church' their counsel accordin(. If it 5e thus' it is ,ell inasmuch2 5ut if the+ ,ill ,it more near' let them looif it 5e e1ermore 0ressin( in their remem5rance more customa5l+ than is an+ other of (hostl+ e3ercise. #nd if them thin- that there is no manner of thin( that the+ do' 5odil+ or (hostl+' that is sufficientl+ done ,ith ,itness of their conscience' unless this 0ri1+ little lo1e 0ressed 5e in manner (hostl+ the chief of all their ,or-2 and if the+ thus feel' then it is a to-en that the+ 5e called of God to this ,or-' and surel+ else not. I sa+ not that it shall e1er last and d,ell in all their minds continuall+' that 5e called to ,or- in this ,or-. Na+' so is it not. Dor from a +oun( (hostl+ 0rentice in this ,or-' the actual feelin( thereof is ofttimes ,ithdra,n for di1ers reasons. Sometime' for he shall not ta-e o1er 0resum0tuousl+ thereu0on' and ,een that it 5e in (reat 0art in his o,n 0o,er 805 n9F&F: to ha1e it ,hen him list' and as him list. #nd such a ,eenin( ,ere 0ride. #nd e1ermore ,hen the feelin( of (race is ,ithdra,n' 0ride is the cause2 not e1er 0ride that is' 5ut 0ride that should 5e' ,ere it not that this feelin( of (race ,ere ,ithdra,n. #nd thus ,een ofttimes some +oun( fools' that God is their enem+? ,hen He is their full friend. Sometimes it is ,ithdra,n for their carelessness? and ,hen it is thus' the+ feel soon after a full 5itter 0ain that 5eateth them full sore. Sometimes our !ord ,ill dela+ it 5+ an artful de1ice' for He ,ill 5+ such a dela+in( ma-e it (ro,' and 5e had more in daint+ ,hen it is ne, found and felt a(ain that lon( had 5een lost. #nd this is one of the readiest and so1erei(nest to-ens that a soul ma+ ha1e to ,it 5+' ,hether he 5e called or not to ,or- in this ,or-' if he feel after such a dela+in( and a lon( lac-in( of this ,or-' that ,hen it cometh suddenl+ as it doth' un0urchased ,ith 805 n9F&4: an+ means' that he hath then a (reater fer1our of desire and (reater lo1e lon(in( to ,or- in this ,or-' than e1er he had an+ 5efore. Insomuch' that ofttimes I tro,' he hath more Ao+ of the findin( thereof than e1er he had sorro, of the losin(. #nd if it 5e thus' surel+ it is a 1er+ to-en ,ithout error' that he is called of God to ,or- in this ,or-' ,hatsoe1er that he 5e or hath 5een. Dor not ,hat thou art' nor ,hat thou hast 5een' 5eholdeth God ,ith His merciful e+es? 5ut that thou ,ouldest 5e. #nd Saint Gre(or+ to ,itness' that all hol+ desires (ro, 5+ dela+s2 and if the+ ,ane 5+ dela+s' then ,ere the+ ne1er hol+ desires. Dor he that feeleth e1er less Ao+ and less' in ne, findin(s and sudden 0resentations of his old 0ur0osed desires' althou(h the+ ma+ 5e called natural desires to the (ood' ne1ertheless hol+ desires ,ere the+ ne1er. Of this

hol+ desire s0ea-eth Saint #ustin and saith' that all the life of a (ood 805 n9F&6: Christian man is nou(ht else 5ut hol+ desire. Dare,ell' (hostl+ friend' in God4s 5lessin( and mineL #nd I 5eseech #lmi(ht+ God' that true 0eace' hol+ counsel' and (hostl+ comfort in God ,ith a5undance of (race' e1ermore 5e ,ith thee and all God4s lo1ers in earth. #men. HE)E ENDE H HE C!O/D OD /N$NOWING.