288

MAN SUBJECT TO FLUCTUATION.

The less there is of our particular interest in the pursuit of Virtues, the more brightly shines the purity of the love of God in us. Francis de Sales.

Certainly the least consolation of devotion which we receive is worth all the most excellent recreations in the world. He that once hath tasted them esteemeth all other consolations but gall and wormwood. As they that hold the herb Scitique in their mouth, receive such a sweetness from it that they feel neither hunger nor thirst; so they to whom God hath given this heavenly manna of internal consolations, can neither desire nor receive the Content.ments of the world, at least to entertain their affections in them.

When we shall have these tendernesses and consolations, we must humble ourselves profoundly before God; and let us take heed of saying, by reason of these comforts, 'O how good am I!' but let us say 'O how Good is God to such as hope in him, to the soul that seeketh him!' He that hath Sugar in his mouth cannot say that his mouth is sweet, but that the Sugar is sweet; so though the spiritual sweetness be very good, and that God who giveth it to us is most good, yet it followeth not that he which receiveth it is good.

Let us esteem these graces and favours exceeding precious, not so much because they are so in themselves, as that it is the hand of God which infuses them into our Hearts; as a loving Mother would do, who, to flatter her Child, putteth the Sugar-plums into his mouth with her.

own hand one by one, for if the Child had wit he would more esteem the sweetness of his Mother's affection and tenderness than that of the Sugar-plums. So it is much, Philothea, to have this sweetness; but it is the sweetness of all sweetness to consider that God with his loving and tender hand putteth them, as it were, into our mouths, into our Heart, our soul, and our mind. Wherefore think we doth God bestow this sweetness upon us? To make us sweet toward every one. When therefore we shall receive any spiritual consolation, we must that day render ourselves more diligent in good works and humility. Besides all this, we must from time to time renounce such sweetness, tenderness, and consolations, separating our Heart from them, and protesting that it is not these we seek but God and his holy love, not the comforts but the Comforter, not the sweetness but the sweet Saviour, not that tenderness, but him that is the sweetness of Heaven and Earth.

This fair and pleasant weather will not last always; it will sometimes happen that thou shalt be so destitute and deprived of all sense of devotion, that thou wilt think thy soul a wild fruitless barren field in which there is neither path nor way to find God. Yet in all this drought and sterility let us not lose courage, but expecting patiently the return of consolations, let us go on our way, and forsake not any exercise of devotion, but, if it be possible, multiply good works; and not being able to present to our Spouse moist sweetmeats, let us offer him dry ones,

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for all is one to him, provided that the heart which offered them be perfectly resolved to love him. De Sales.

Many say they have no peace nor rest, but so many crosses and trials, afflictions and sorrows, that they know not how they shall ever get through them. Now he who in truth will perceive and take note, perceiveth clearly, that true peace and rest lie not in outward things; for if it were so, the Evil Spirit also would have peace when things go according to his will, which is nowise the case.

Therefore we must consider and see what is that peace which Christ left to his disciples when he said: "My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.”

Christ meant that inward peace which can break through all assaults and crosses of oppression, suffering, misery, humiliation and what more there may be of the like, so that a man may be joyful and patient therein; and what was bitter to him before, shall become sweet, and his heart shall remain unmoved under all changes, at all times. Theologia Germanica.

As soon as a man turneth himself in spirit, and with his whole heart and mind entereth into the mind of God which is above time, all that ever he hath lost is restored in a moment. And if a man were to do thus a thousand times a day, each time a fresh and real union would take place, and in this sweet and divine work standeth the truest and fullest union that may be in this present time.

Ib.

One evening Luther saw cattle going in the fields, in a pasture, and said: Behold there go our preachers, our milk-bearers, butter-bearers, cheese and wool-bearers, who do daily preach unto us the faith towards God, that we should trust in him, as in our loving father, he careth for us and will maintain and nourish us. Luther.

I, said Luther, would fain see one that could make these two agree together; (to be joyful) and (to be afraid;) I cannot behave myself in that manner towards God; but my little son John can show himself so towards me; for when I sit in my study and write, or do something else, then my boy sings me a song, and when he will be too loud, then I check him a little, yet nevertheless he singeth on, but with a more mild and softer voice, and somewhat with fear and reverence. Even so will God likewise have us to do, that we should always rejoice in him, yet with fear and reverence towards God. Ib.

The most acceptable service that we can do and show unto God, and which he only desireth of us, is that he is praised of us; but he is not praised except he be first loved; he is not loved unless he be first bountiful and doth well; he doth well when he is gracious; gracious he is, when he forgives sins. Now (said Luther) who are those that do love him? They that are the small flock of the faithful, that do acknowledge such graces, and do know that through Christ they have forgiveness of their sins. Ib.

292

GIVING THE HEART UNTO GOD.

The heart is to be given unto God. The Will hath never more freedom, than when it moves toward God. And heavenly duties, and spiritual performances are to flow freely from the soul like those voluntary drops that come from the Honeycomb of its own accord, without any pressing, without any crushing at all. It is only the dregs of Obedience that come forth with squeezing and wringing. There should be no need now of binding the sacrifice with cords unto the Altar, unless it be with the cords of love, those soft and silken knots of affection.

Give it, do not lend it. There are some that will lend their hearts to God upon some special occasions, for an hour at a sermon, for a little while in prayer, lend it him upon a Lord's day, upon a day of Humiliation, and then call for the heart again and bestow it upon their lusts. But so great a Majesty will not borrow of creatures he will not receive hearts unless they be wholly given to him. Give it, do not sell it.'Tis very sordid and odious to be hirelings in Religion. They sell their hearts unto God, that serve him only for by-ends, and self-respects. This is Donum Hamatum, a gift with a hook in it; they give somewhat that they may catch more. Whereas Religion should be loved for her beauty, and not for her dowry. God should be loved for those excellencies and transcendencies that are in himself; for those treasures of goodness and wisdom that are stored up in his own glorious Essence.

Thou shouldst love him though he did not love thee again. Why shouldst thou not love a thing truly amiable