CHAPTER IX.
_That the body of Christ, and the holy scripture, are most necessary unto a faithful soul._
_The voice of the disciple._
O LORD Jesus, how great sweetness hath an holy soul that feasteth with thee in thy banquet, where there is set no other food to be eaten but thyself, her only beloved, and the most to be desired above all desires of her heart!
And verily it would be a sweet thing unto me to pour out tears from the very bottom of my heart in thy presence: and with holy _Magdalene_ to wash thy feet with my tears.
But where is this devotion? Where is this plentiful shedding of holy tears?
Surely in the sight of thee and thy holy angels my whole heart should be inflamed, and even weep for joy.
2. For to behold thee in thine own divine brightness, mine eyes would not be able to endure it.
Neither could the whole world stand in the brightness of the glory of thy majesty.
I really enjoy and adore him whom the angels adore in heaven.
But I, as yet, by faith; they by sight, ♦and without a veil.
♦ duplicate word “and” removed
I ought to be content with the light of true faith, and to walk therein until the day of everlasting brightness break forth, and the shadows of figures pass away.
But when that which is perfect shall come, the use of the sacraments shall cease.
For the blessed in heavenly glory need not any sacramental remedy, but rejoice without end in the presence of God.
Beholding his glory face to face, and being transformed from glory to glory into the image of the incomprehensible Deity, they taste the word of God made flesh, as he was from the beginning, and as he remaineth for ever.
3. Thou art my witness, O God, that nothing can comfort me, no creature can give me rest, but thou my God, whom I desire to behold everlastingly.
But this is not possible while I remain in this mortal life:
Therefore I must frame myself to much patience, and submit myself to thee in all my desires.
For thy saints also, O Lord, who now rejoice with thee while they lived, expected in faith and great patience the coming of thy glory. What they believed, I believe: what they hoped for, I also hope for: whither they are come, I trust I shall come by thy grace.
In the mean time I will go forward in faith, strengthened by their examples.
I have also thy holy book for my comfort and guide, and, above all these, thy spiritual body for a remedy and refuge.
4. I perceive two things to be especially necessary for me in this life, without which it would be insupportable, food and light.
Thou hast therefore given unto me a weak creature, thy sacred body and blood for the nourishment of my soul and body; and thou hast set thy word as a light unto my feet:
Without these two I could not well live.
For the word of God is the light of the soul, and thy sacrament the bread of life.
These also may be called the two tables, set on the one side and on the other, in the store-house of the holy church.
One is the holy altar, having the holy bread, that is the sign of the precious body of Christ.
The other is of the divine law, containing holy doctrine, teaching the true faith, and certainly leading to that within the veil, where is the holy of holies.
Thanks be unto ♦thee, O Lord Jesus, the light of everlasting light, for the table of holy doctrine, which thou hast offered us by thy servants the prophets, and apostles, and other teachers.
♦ “tbee” replaced with “thee”
5. Thanks be unto thee, O thou Creator and Redeemer of man, who to manifest thy love to the whole world, hast prepared a great supper wherein thou hast set before us to be eaten (not the typical lamb, but) thy most sacred body and blood.
Rejoicing all the faithful with thy holy banquet, and replenishing them with the cup of salvation, in which are all the delights of paradise: and the holy angels feast with us, but yet with a more happy sweetness.
Nothing but what is holy, no word but what is good and profitable ought to proceed from his mouth, who receiveth the sacrament of Christ.
7. Simple and chaste ought to be the eyes that behold the body of Christ.
8. Assist us, Almighty God, with thy grace, that we who have undertaken the office of priesthood, may serve thee worthily and devoutly, in all purity and good conscience.
And, if we cannot live in so great innocency as we ought, grant us at least duly to bewail the sins which we have committed; and in the spirit of humility, and with full purpose of heart, to serve thee hereafter more fervently.
♦CHAPTER IX.
_How he who is to communicate, ought to prepare himself._
♦ Chapter number duplicated in text
_The voice of the Beloved._
I AM the lover of purity, and the giver of all holiness.
I seek a pure heart, and there is the place of my rest.
Make ready and adorn for me the great chamber, and I will keep with thee the passover among my disciples.
2. Know thou, notwithstanding, that no merit of any action of thine is able to make this preparation, altho’ thou shouldst prepare thyself a whole year together, and think of nothing else.
Thou art of my mere grace and favour suffered to come to my table.
Like a beggar invited to dinner by a rich man, who hath nothing else to return him for his benefits, but to humble himself, and give him thanks.
Do what lieth in thee, and do it diligently; not for custom, nor for necessity; but with fear and reverence, and affection, receive thy beloved Lord God, who vouchsafeth to come unto thee.
*I am he that hath called thee; I have commanded it to be done; I will supply what is wanting in thee; come and receive me.
3. When I bestow the grace of devotion, give thanks to thy God; for it is given thee, not for that thou art worthy, but because I have mercy on thee.
If thou hast it not, but dost feel thyself dry, continue in prayer, sigh, and knock, and give not over until thou art meet to receive some crumb or drop of saving grace.
Thou hast need of me, not I of thee.
Neither comest thou to sanctify me, but I come to sanctify and improve thee.
Thou comest that thou mayst be sanctified by me, and united unto me, that thou mayst receive new grace, and be enflamed anew to amendment.