The contempte of the vvorld, and the vanitie thereof, written by the reuerent F. Diego de Stella, of the order of S. Fr. deuided into three bookes, and of late translated out of Italian into Englishe, vvith conuenient tables in the end of the booke

Title

The contempte of the vvorld, and the vanitie thereof, written by the reuerent F. Diego de Stella, of the order of S. Fr. deuided into three bookes, and of late translated out of Italian into Englishe, vvith conuenient tables in the end of the booke

Author

Estella, Diego de, 1524-1578.

Publication

[Rouen :: Printed at Fr. Parsons's press],

Anno domini. 1584.

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Subject terms

Asceticism -- Early works to 1800.

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"The contempte of the vvorld, and the vanitie thereof, written by the reuerent F. Diego de Stella, of the order of S. Fr. deuided into three bookes, and of late translated out of Italian into Englishe, vvith conuenient tables in the end of the booke." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A00412.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 2, 2024. content_copy

Contents

• title page
• part
• TO MY DEARE AND LOVINGE countreywomen and sisters in Christ as∣sembled together to serue God, vnder the holie order of S. Briget in the towne of Rone in Fraunce.
• text
  • OF THE DESPI∣singe the vanitie of the vvorlde. The first parte.
    • ovv that vve can neither tast of God, nor enioye any spirituall delighte and diuine comforte, yf first vve despise not the vvorld, and the Plea∣sures therof. CHAP. 1.
    • THAT PERFECT PEACE IS not fovvnd, but of the humble & meeke mynde, vvhiche is not gotten, but by mortification of our ovvne vvilles and by volūtarie suffering of vvordlie pai∣ne and tribulatiō for the loue of Christ. CHAP. 2.
    • Y THE LYFE AND DEATH of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, it is plainly perceyued, vvhether the honour and riches of this vvorld ovvght to be estee∣med or no, VVho being hym selfe vea∣rie true god, both by his example and doctrine, teacheth vs vvhich vvaye they haue to take vvhich desire to goe the streight and direct vvay. CHAP. 3.
    • THE THINGES OF THIS vvorlde allthoughe in apparence they seeme good and delightfull, yet are they in deede full of falsehood and vani∣tie, and that for their instabilitie vvee ought not to putt any trust in them, lest that in the generall daye of iudgemēt vve doe in vaine repent vs, that vvee haue loued more those vanities, then God our Creatour. CHAP. 4.
    • VVHOSOEVER VVILL KNOVV hovv vayne these vvorldlie thing are, muste not onelie consider the bgynnyng of them, but vvaye vvith the end of them, vvhich is allvvay accōpanied vvith bitternes & sorov▪ CHAP. 5.
    • VVYSE MAN OVVGHTE allvvayes diligentlye to consider the end of his actions, to the intent that knovvinge the filthie ende that synne bringeth vvith it, he maye vvell take heede and bevvare thereof. CHAP. 6.
    • HOVV MAN OVVHGT NOT to muche to be aggreeued vvhen men doe murmure against hym: Nor reioyce ouermuche of prayses that be gyuen vnto hym, for before the face of God, the iudgemēts of men doe neither hurt, nor good. CHAP. 7.
    • SINCE EVERIE ONE OF VS must be iudged by God hym selfe, vvho is the onlie searcher of harts: vve ought not to make any reckenynge of mens vvordes, but labour to haue a cleare conscience before hym. CHAP. 8.
    • LET EVERIE ONE LABOV to doe good onelie to please God vvit all, and not for the desire of vvorldli prayse, yf he looke to be revvarded fo his vvell doinge. CHAP. 9.
    • HOVV GREATE A SYNNE vaynglorie is, and of hovv much mis∣cheefe that is the cause: And hovv carefullie they oughte to auoyde it, that doe tend to the perfection of Chistian Religion. CHAP. 10.
    • HE CONSIDERATION OF thyne ovvne vveakenes and defectes, and the greate labours vvhiche holie saints haue suffered here in the vvorld are vearie good remedies against vain∣glorie, the vvhich is vvont to marre all the good deedes▪ vvhich are vvrought by man. CHAP. 11.
    • VV LITLE A MAN OVVGHT o esteeme hym selfe for greate in this vvorld, asvvell because that beinge in hat state, he is in more daunger of fa∣vvlinge into synne: As also for that he most parte of men, throvvghe the piniō of their ovvne greatenes, forsake cleane the seruinge of God. CHAP. 12.
    • HE GREAT BONDE THAT greate men are in, and that it is much better for our sovvles, that vvee be sub∣iectes, then gouernours, because they haue to render accompte of the sovvles mmyted to theyr chardge. CHAP. 13.
    • NSIDERINGE HOVV ITTLE ime vvee haue to tarie in this vvorld, vvee oughte not to set our loue vpon any of these vvorldlie thinges, but haue ur eye fied still tovvard heauen, for he vvhich vvee vvere created, and so ughte vvee to vse these vvorldlie hinges in this our Pilgrimage▪ as vvee ay gaine by them the things celestiall. CHAP. 14.
    • THAT THE BEVVTIE OF TH soule is more to be set by, thē the bevv of thy bodie, vvhiche is but a ver small thinge to be made accompte and therefore is thy mynde to be fixe vpon the contemplation of diuine an celestiall thinges vvhich ought onelie be loued and esteemed. CHAP. 15.
    • THE VVEARINGE OF Ggious and braue apparell, is not conient for a true proffessor of Chri Religion, cheefelye because th tokens of a vaine glorious mynde. CHAP. 16.
    • AT TRVE NOBILITIE IS ot that vvhich the men of the vvorld o much glorie in, that is to saie. The discending of noble hovvses, and from uch Auncestours as vvere of singuler nd rare vertues: But that is true no∣ilitie vvhich euerie one getteth by this vvne vertue. CHAP. 17.
    • HAT RICHES BE AS IT vvere certain snares to catch them vvithall, that are in loue vvith them, and are content to be made slaues vnto them: And therefore they ought of a christian man to be dispised and con∣temned, and in the steade of them, the stable and suer riches of heauen are to be esteemed vvhich be full of euerla∣sting comforte. CHAP. 18.
    • THE RICHES OF THE VVORLD are declared to be but of vile substāce, And therefore vnvvorthye eyther to be loued or esteemed of a man vvho is adorned vvith so manye good gyftes by God, to the end, he sholde not abase hym selfe in the louing of so vile thin∣ges, but sholde vvholie direct his loue tovvard his deuine maiestie, to be after partaker in heauē vvith hym for euer. CHAP. 19.
    • NO MAN OVGHTE TO BE proude, nor to glorie of his earthly pos∣sessions, vvhich doe further nothinge tovvard the attaynynge of vertue, but rather as hurtfull thinges they ovghte to be reiected and abhorred of vs. CHAP. 20.
    • MAN BEINGE CREATED TO the image and similitude of God, ought onlie to loue hym, and not these earthlie riches, vvith vvhich in deede he hath no maner of resemblance. CHAP. 21.
    • EARTHLY RICHES OVGHT TO be despised together vvith the desire o them because they are heauie, and doe hynder a man that is clyminge vp tovvard heauen. CHAP. 22.
    • VVITH MANY GOODLIE REA∣sons and examples of gods frendes, he proueth that in this vvorld mournyng is better thē laughinge, And trauayle and payne more profitable then plea∣sure and solace. CHAP. 23.
    • GREAT VANITIE IT IS FOR A mā to gyue hym selfe vnto the pleasures & delightes of this vvorld, the vvhich doe runne so fast avvay, and vvhiche doe cause hym at last to loose the eter∣nall ioyes of heauen, CHAP. 24.
    • ALL YOVR IOY OVGHT TO BE in God, for of euerie earthelie thing the ioye is vnperfect, But in hym it is so full that nothing can be desired more. CHAP. 25.
    • OVV GREAT SO EVER ANY mans honours in this vvorld be, yet they all vanysh avvay at the last, and true honour doth only rest in the ser∣uantes of God, both here in this vvorld, and in the vvorld to come. CHAP. 26.
    • ALL DESIRE OF VVORLD honour is to be fledde, for by them d thou incurre infinite daungers losinge thy soule, and by them th are greate offences committed agai thy lord God. CHAP. 27.
    • THIS VVORLDLY PROSPERITY▪ ought much to be feared, for asmuch as many greate men of this vvorld, vvhich haue bene good and iust in ad∣uersitie, haue yet in prosperitie bene founde to be full of vvretchednes and iniquitie, commytting dyuers offences, vvhich haue bene both against gods high honour, & their ovvne saluation. CHAP. 28.
    • THE PROSPERITIE OF THIS vvorlde gyueth shevve of the paynes and infelicitie of the next, And the persecutions and afflictions suffered for Christ, are sure testimonies, of his diuine loue, And of his chosing of th to be of the number of his elect. CHAP. 29.
    • VVORLDLIE FAVOVRS DOE keepe a man from knovvynge of hym selfe, and doe so dryue hym into pride, that he loseth thereby the grace of God, and his celestiall gyftes, except they be tēpered vvith humilitie & knovvledge of hym selfe. CHAP. 30.
    • HE BEST AND THE REA∣diest vvay for the vvynninge of Para∣dise, is to suffer persecutiōs and tribu∣lations in this vvorld, & for that pur∣pose be they sent vs by God, that vvee may be purged by them, as golde is purged by the fier. CHAP. 31.
    • OVR BEINGE OVER CAREFV for matters of this vvorld, (beside it shevveth diffidēce in gods prom made vnto vs,) it letteth and hynd vs, frō our spirituall exercyses vvi vvee ought most to attend vnto. CHAP. 33.
    • HOVV DECEIVABLE AND false the vvisdome of the vvorld is, vvhich iudgeth onelie by those thinges vvhich appeare good to the vvould, not considering hovv acceptable to God they be, and vvhat revvard they doe deserue, vvhiche for the loue of God dispise all those thinges, vvhich the vvorld holdeth most deare. CHAP. 33.
    • HE VVISDOME OF GOD exceedeth all the depth of mans vvis∣dome, the vvisdome of the vvorld being foolishenes before God, and by the con∣temnynge of the vvorld is that other vvisdome gotten. CHAP. 34.
    • OVR LYFE IS SHORTE, AND passeth avvay like a vvynde, And it is lesse also then yt seemeth to be, for yt is no perfect lyfe, but a shadovv of the lyfe to come. CHAP. 35.
    • SO GREAT IS THE LOVE OF God tovvard vs, that this lyfe here being full of sorovves and afflictions, He of his goodnes hath shortened yt, that vvee may sone be ridd of these infelicities and miseries. CHAP. 36.
    • INNVMERABLE BE THE daungers, vnto vvhich this lyfe of man is subiect, and in hovv much higher state he liueth here, into so many more trovvbles and daungers is he brought by meanes of them. CHAP. 37.
    • THE TYME OF OVR LIFE being short & vncertayne, vvee ought not to prolonge our pennance, lest vvee be taken by death vnprovyded, and so svvalovved vp by the deuill in to hell. CHAP. 38.
    • A MAN OVVGHT TO CON∣uert hym selfe to God, and to doe pen∣nance, vvhile he is in health, and not differre the doinge of yt vntill the hovver of death, for at that tyme pen∣nance is many tymes vnprofitable. CHAP. 39.
    • A DISCOVRSE HOVV NO mā ought in this lyfe to put trust in any vvorldlie thinge, shevvinge that there is no assurance or stabilitie in any vvorldlie thinge, but all thinges in this vvorld are vnstable, and full of vanitie. CHAP. 40.
  • OF THE CONTEM∣nynge of the vanities of the vvorlde. The second parte. VVherein is conteyned hovv per∣uerse the vvorldlie customes are.
    • He shevveth first the vvorld to be full of deceipte, false shevves, and lyeng: and hovv it is enemy to all that loue it, lading all those that doe esteeme it, vvith infinite miseries and calamitie. CHAP. 1.
    • IT BEHOVETH THEE TO BE vvyse and vvary, in knovvinge of the deceyts of the vvorld, lest thou be taken by the false shevves thereof. CHAP. 2.
    • THERE IS NO CREDITE TO be gyuen to the vvorld in any thinge, for all the fayre shevv that it maketh, tendeth but to falsehood, and fayned flatterie, vvhiche doe dravve a man from God, & doe throvv hym dovvne headlong into the depth of all miseries. CHAP. 3.
    • THE FALSE PROMYSES OF the vvorld are not to be trusted vnto, for it giueth the cleane contrarie of that vvhich in shevv it pretendeth. CHAP. 4.
    • THE MEMORY OF THEM that haue despised the vvorlde conti∣nueth: but of those that haue bene louers of the vvorld, the remembrance is soone gone avvaye. CHAP. 5.
    • THE VVORLD EXALTETH his frendes vvhyle they doe lyue, but vvhen their lyfe is ended, tyme taketh avvay all the memorie of them, as though there had bene none such. CHAP. 6.
    • HOVV GOOD AND DILI∣gēt seruice so euer a man doth vnto th vvorld, yet doth the vvorld neuer re∣member it, neither vvill it knovv hy that serued it: But vvill calle vvell to mynde, and haue in remembrāce, thse that misused, and euill intreated it. CHAP. 7.
    • THIS VVORLD IS LIKENED to a tempesteous Sea, in the vvhich our Soules are tossed and turmoyled vvith infinite daungers, from the vvhiche there is no vvay to scape, but by reti∣ring into the harborovvgh of pēnance. CHAP. 8.
    • THE FAVORS OF THIS vvorld be but as a shadovv that soo passeth avvay, And therefore they that doe trust in thē vvithout thinking of their soules saluation, at the last are likelie to rest in the fier of hell. CHAP. 9.
    • HE THAT SERVETH THE vvorld, not onelie hath no revvard of it, but also is kept by it in contynuall broyles & troubles, and at last brought to a miserable ende. CHAP. 10.
    • THE CONSIDERATION OF much bitternes that vvee fynde in the vvorld, (vvherein so little svvee∣tenes is to be fovvnde, and that but onelie in apparence) doth gyue vs ease∣lie to vnderstand, hovv heauie the yoke of his bondage is, and hovv much it is to be eschevved, CHAP. 11.
    • HE SHEVVETH HOVV there is no pleasāter nor svveeter thing, then the yoke of Iesus Christ, and that it is easie and light of cariage to those that doe loue hym, because he helpethe to beare parte of the burthen vvith thē. CHAP. 12.
    • IN ALL OVR TRAVAYLES and troubles, vvee must haue our re∣course vnto God, vvith full hope and trust to be holpen by hym, and not haue any confidēce in vvorldlie help, vvhich is such as vvee can haue no cōforte by. CHAP. 13.
    • THE THINGES OF THI vvorld doe passe avvay in that hast quicknes that the vearie considerat thereof might make a man to desp them, And seke to gett thinges of stabilitie and contynuance. CHAP. 14.
    • THE DESIRE THAT MAN hath to content his ovvne vvill, and to abounde in the thinges of this vvorld, doth cause hym to haue much care & trouble of mynde, vvhich neuer vvill let hym be quyet, but doth put hym still into nevv thovvghtes, & more anguy∣she of mynde. CHAP. 15.
    • BECAVSE THAT ALL THE consolations of this false vvorld be ac∣companied vvith so many infinite soro∣vves and troubles, and are full of bit∣ternes and greefe vvee ought onlie to loue God, and his eternall beatitudes. CHAP. 16.
    • THE VVORLD DOTH SO blinde his seruantes vvith the smoke of honors, and vvith the svveetenes of his delightes, that they setting their vvhole mindes thereupon, can not per∣ceyue the deceyts thereof, nor the fovvle filthines of synne, vvhich they are drovvned in. CHAP. 17.
    • THE DEPARTINGE FROM this present lyfe is a most terrible and sharpe thinge to the louers of this vvorld, asvvell for their riches & ho∣nors vvhich they leaue behinde them, as for the paynes vvhich they knovve that they shall susteyne vvhen they be gone hence. CHAP. 18.
    • THE VVORLD VSETH TO gyue in recompence of long payneful seruice, short and false ioyes, and at las revvardeth them vvith the fier of hell, and therefore it ought to be fled fro, and God allmightie to be folovved, vvho for small seruice, and little tra∣uayle, vvill gyue good and euerlasting revvardes. CHAP. 19.
    • THE VVORLD HATH NO sooner aduanced those vvhich doe ser∣ue it vnto preferment, but that it doeth straight vvayes agayne forsake them, and so much as it exalteth them higher, so much the sorer falle doth it gyue them, and maketh them in a moment to vannish avvay vvith all the riches & honors that they haue gotten. CHAP. 20.
    • THE HARTES OF VVORLD∣lie men be so vexed vvith the insatia∣ble desire of the riches, honors and solace of this vvorld, that eyther they perceyue not, or vvill not perceyue, the holie inspirations of God, by vvhiche he calleth on them to seeke theyr ovvne saluation. CHAP. 21.
    • HE SHEVVETH HERE BY sundrie examples out of the olde testa∣ment, and many authorities of the olde and nevv testament both, hovv the good are allvvayes persecuted, and the vvicked are fauored & esteemed. CHAP. 22.
    • HOVV INIVRIES OVVHGT patientlie to be borne and not to be re∣uenged, but the reueng to be committed into gods hande, for vvhose sake thou oughtest to forgyue all vvronges that be done vnto thee. CHAP. 23.
    • BECAVSE THE VVORLD IS fll of confusion, disorder and miserie▪ it oughte to be fled from, of hym that is desirous to fynde the treasor of heauē∣lie riches. CHAP. 24.
    • IN NOTHINGE DOTH THE vvorld keepe any assured stay, but cō∣tynuallie in euerie thing maketh nevve alterations and chaunges, & therefore ought not any man to put any trust in it, but onlie to place all his confidence in God. CHAP. 25.
    • HOVV EVERIE SINNE BE IT neuer so small, ought to be auoyded, & euerie occasion eschevved, that maye dravv a man into it, for one synne euer dravveth on an other, And bringeth still more daunger vvithall, to cast the soule avvay at the last into eternall dā∣nation. CHAP. 26.
    • THE COMPANY AND CON∣uersation of euill men, is to be fled from, for the great daunger that good men doe stand in thereby. CHAP. 27.
    • THE COMMODITIES AND comfortes that are founde by them that keepe company vvith those vvhich be good, be great & many, as is proued by sundrie examples, out of the olde and nevv testament. CHAP. 28.
    • ONLY FOR THE LOVE OF God, and for the desire of obeying his holie vvill, ought man to despise the vvorlde, and the vanities therefore, yf he vvill that the despising of them shall serue hym for the gettinge of heauenlie glorie. CHAP. 29.
    • THE CONTINVAL REMEM∣brance of death, and that our bodies must be turned into Ashes, is the per∣fectest, and the best remedie against the temptation of sinne. CHAP. 30.
    • VVHEN EACH MAN LABOV∣reth so earnestlie to bring any vvorldly busines to passe by some certayne ty appoynted hym, much more ought to labor earnestlie about his soules b∣sines, and doe pennance for his sinnes, lyfe being so shorte, and the houre of death so vncertaine. CHAP. 31.
    • BECAVSE THAT EVERIE man sholde still be prepared, and that no man sholde take licence to sinne, our Lorde vvill not that the houre of our death sholde be knovven vnto vs. CHAP. 32.
    • THERE IS NO OTHER ME∣decine so good against death, as the often meditation of death, for yt cau∣seth a man so to lyue, as at the houre of his death he ouercommeth death and begynneth a happie and a perpetuall lyfe. CHAP. 33.
    • HOVV GOD SENDETH tribulation vnto man, to conquer pryde in hym, vvhich is the begynnynge and roote of all his miserie, and doth accom∣pany hym that is subiect, vnto it i his actions and thoughtes. CHAP. 34.
    • OVR GREAT AND MIGHTIE God, doth loue humilitie in man, and therefore in all ages the humble be most aduaunsed, and the more that one doth humble hym selfe, the more nighe doth he dravve to God. CHAP. 35.
    • THERE IS NOT AMONGEST all the synnes vvhich doe reigne in the vvorld a vyce more hurtfull to man∣kinde, then couetousnes. The coue∣tous man being cruell to all sorts of per∣sons, and cheefelie to his ovvne bodie and his soule, and is of all men hated and abhorred, and doth neyther enioye this vvorld, nor the vvorld to come. CHAP. 36.
    • HE THAT VVILL BE LIBE∣rall vnto our Lord Iesus Christ, in the person of his poore people, shall al∣vvayes abounde, & no necessarie thing shalbe vvanting vnto hym in this lyfe, and in the next lyfe he shall fynde, that he hath chaunged his noughtie money for good. CHAP. 37.
    • THE GREATEST MISERIES and calamities that the vvorld hath euer receyued, hath bene caused by the abhominable vice of lecherie & fleshe∣lie lustes, from vvhich vvhosoeuer desi∣reth to be kept free, and cleane, must flie all occasions of striuinge therevvithall. CHAP. 38.
    • CHASTITIE MAKETH A man to be beloued of God, and he hath alvvaies had those in great estimation, vvhich haue led a chaste lyfe, vvhich is gotten by chastenyng of the flesh, and flying from daungerous company. CHAP. 39.
    • THOSE THINGES VVHICHE seeme most goodlie to the vvorld, being compared vvith heauenlie thinges, be as it vvere nothinge, And therefore happie are they that doe consider it, And doe despise the vvorlde vvith all the vanities thereof, and ioyne them selues vnto Christ, of vvhome they may afer receyue the revvarde of eternall lyfe. CHAP. 40.
  • THE THIRD BOOKE of despisinge the vvorld. VVhich teacheth how by despisinge these vanities wee may serue Iesus Christ. The thirde parte.
    • All thinges of this vvorlde be false and vayne, and therefore they can not sa∣tiate our soules, but God onlie, vvho is our cheefe good of all, doth perfectlie satiate and fall all those that doe feede ym. CHAP. 1.
    • THE SOVLE BEINGE indued vvith reason, and created after the image of God, ought to de∣lighte and reioyce onlie in hym, and of hym receyue perfect comforte. CHAP. 2.
    • GOD IS ONLIE THE FOODE of our soule, for he hath made vs onlie for hym selfe: and our soule beinge a spirite, it is vnpossible to satiate it vvith corporall thinges, because there is no conformitie betvvixt them and it. CHAP. 3.
    • VVHOSOEVER DESIRETH to finde rest let hym not seeke it in thinges of this vvorlde, for they be all full of trouble and turmoyle, but let hym turne hym vnto God, and he shall enioy quyetnes, and most happie tran∣quillitie. CHAP. 4.
    • THERE IS NO TRVST TO be had in thinges of this vvorlde, f at our most neede, they be gone avv from vs, onlie God is to be loued: a in hym is our trust to be placed, for neuer forsaketh them that trust in hym but is alvvayes a readie helpe for th in all their afflictions. CHAP. 5.
    • AS GOD DOTH IN GOOD∣nes exceede all other thinges, so ought man to loue hym incomparablie abou all other thinges, vvhich yf they haue any iote of goodnes in them, they haue it by participation of some peece of gods infinite goodnes. CHAP. 6.
    • THE LOVE OF THY NEIGH∣bour is so ioyned vnto the loue of God, that it is vnpossible for thee to loue the one, and to hate the other, And there∣fore it is a most sure thinge, that he vvhiche loueth not his neighbour, is condemned to perpetuall payne of hell. CHAP. 7.
    • FOR THE RARE AND greate spirituall profittes, that are got∣ten by louinge of our enemies, euerie good christian ought vvith all his harte to loue them, especially for that it is the proper qualitie of Christian perfection. CHAP. 8.
    • THE LOVE OF A MANS ovvne selfe, doth so occupy his vnder∣standing, that yt taketh avvay cleane the knovvledge of God, and of his neighbour, and shutteth vnto hym the gate of euerlasting saluation. CHAP. 9.
    • THE TRVE PERFECTION of a Christian, consisteth not onlie in despisinge of temporall thinges: but he must also despise hym selfe, and vvho∣lie deny his ovvne proper vvill. CHAP. 10.
    • A PERFECT CHRISTIAN doth not onlie despise honor, riches, an euery other commoditie of this vvorld but desireth also for the loue of Chri to be despised and contemned, and th good vvhich he doth, he doth it not f his ovvne spirituall comfort, but for th loue of God, and for to doe him serui CHAP. 11.
    • OVR SOVLE AND BODI haue contynuall battaile together, yf the victorie happen vpon the bo behalfe, then are both bodie and so subiect to the cōdemnation of hell fi but if the soule obteine the victorie, b of them are crovvned vvith heauen glorie for euer. CHAP. 12.
    • A GODLIE INSTRVCTION to teach thee to knovve thy selfe, of vvhich knovvledge doth after grovve vnto thee, the knovvledge of our Lorde God. CHAP. 13.
    • THERE IS NOT ANY CREA∣ture in this vvorld more poore and miserable then man, vvho can not get his liuinge, nor any thing perteynynge tovvard it, vvithout payne and tra∣uaile, and that vvhereon he liueth must be had of creatures much inferior to hym selfe. CHAP. 14.
    • IT IS NOT SVFFICIENT onlie to knovve that there is a God, but requisite also for vs to vnderstande all such particularities, as his de∣uine Maiestie, vvill gyue vs leaue to knovve. CHAP. 15.
    • VVITH THE VVINGES OF meditation and contemplation a man ought to lifte vp his harte to loue the infinite goodnes of God, for perfection consisteth in loue, and not in contem∣plation. CHAP. 16.
    • HE THAT VVILL LYVE vvith Christ, must first die to the vvorld, the flesh, and his ovvne disor∣dinate appetites and desires. CHAP. 17.
    • IT IS MEETE FOR VS TO mortefie and chasten our flesh, by ab∣steynyng from meate, to the end, that vvhen our sensuall appetites be tamed, vvee may vvith more ease obey the spirite. CHAP. 18.
    • OVR EARNEST LABORING aboute earthlie affaires, doth turne avvay our myndes from deuotion and the seruice of God, therefore ought vvee to vvith dravve our selues vnto quyetnes and solitarines, the better to attend the saluation of our soules. CHAP. 19.
    • SILENCE IS A GREAT keeper and maynteyner of deuotion religion, and therefore, they that obserue it not, but are full of vvordes, d make avvay for the deuill to h them, and can by no meanes be perfec religious men. CHAP. 20.
    • THE GOOD SERVANTES OF Iesus Christ ought to flie idell talk vvhich breedeth much daunger an detriment to the spirituall lyfe, and gyue them selues to the contynual exercise of godlines and pietie. CHAP. 21.
    • NE OF THE GREATEST mischeefes that reignes amongest men, is murmuring, the vvhich spareth no man, neyther good nor bad, neyther those that are liuinge, nor those that are deade, and to them that doe vse it, it is the cause of most harme of all, vvhich is the losse of heauen. CHAP. 22.
    • VHERE THERE IS MVCH curiositie vsed of inquiring after other mens doinges, there vvill neuer be good rest nor quietnes, and of curiositie doth murmuringe grovve, and despisinge of our neighbour, and the curious person is of all men euer misliked. CHAP. 23.
    • THOV MVST NOT BE A rash and a rigorous iudge of thy neighbours deedes, but patientlie beare vvith them, and take them all to the best, & if any amongest them be levvd, yet despise thou hym not, cast hym not of, for thou knovvest not vvhat shall be the end of hym. CHAP. 24.
    • AS SOONE AS ANY VVIC∣ked thoughtes doe approche vnto thy mynde, they must straight vvayes be driuen avvay and extynguished, for thoughe they be neuer so small at the first, yet if they doe contynue, they vvill grovve greater, and vvax stronger, vvhereby they vvill be able to dravve thee into distruction. CHAP. 25.
    • IDLENES DOTH CAVSE in man dishonest thoughtes, & openeth the gate vnto all vice, but the good exercise of vertues, doth shut vp the vvay of temptation, that the deuill can not get in. CHAP. 26.
    • OVR LORD GOD MAKETH greater accompte of the feruor of spir vvherevvith he is serued, then of l seruice slackelie and slovvlie perfour∣med, and therefore all good vvork ought to be done vvith feruor of spiri CHAP. 27.
    • BEFORE THAT ANY MAN doth bend hym selfe tovvarde any vvoorke that apperteyneth to his sal∣uation, it is good for hym to consider the qualitie of the enterprise that he taketh in hande, and his ovvne force in performynge it, lest he shold incon∣sideratelie beginne a thing, that he cold not goe through vvithall. CHAP. 28.
    • THE FEARE OF GOD driueth avvay from man, all kinde of other feare, and maketh hym bolde against all force of man: but he that feareth not God, doth stande in feare of euerie thinge. CHAP. 29.
    • VVEE MVST BE OBEDIENT vnto the commaundementes of God, vvithout any greate seekinge to knovve the causes of them, vvee must also be content to yeld our obedience to our su∣periours, althoughe they be in diuers respectes inferior vnto vs, folovvinge the example of our Sauiour, vvho vvas obedient for vs vnto the death. CHAP. 30.
    • THE POVERTIE VVHICH the gspell teacheth, is vearie greate riches, for that it leadeth vs the right vvay to heauen, and gyueth vs the meanes to helpe others thether. CHAP. 31.
    • OD VVOLD HAVE VS contynuallie to be exercised in doinge good deedes, for vnto them that doe them in the state of grace, they gayne eternall lyfe, and they doe dispose them that are out of that state, the sooner to doe pennance. CHAP. 32.
    • THE REVVARD OF ETER∣nall lyfe, is not gyuen vnto them th beginne to doe vvell, and after leaue it of agayne, but they are onely crovvne vvith euerlastinge glorie vvhich do perseuer therein vnto the ende. CHAP. 33.
    • OVR LORD GOD SVFFRETH vs to be tempted dyuerslie, to the intēt, that vvhen vve haue by his helpe ouer∣come the sundry temptations of our spi∣rituall enemy, vve may receyue the greater revvarde and glorie at gods hande. CHAP. 34.
    • GOD SENDETH VS AL∣vvayes temptations to amend vs by them, and to make vs better, and that vvee may be vanquishers of them, vvhereby vvee may be made vvorthie of the glorie celestiall. CHAP. 35.
    • PRAYER IS A SINGVLER remedie agaynst temptations, that yt may the better be heard of God, it beho∣ueth it to be often, feruent, and free from all vvorldlie affection. CHAP. 36.
    • EVERIE THINGE DOTH naturallie tend vnto his proper ende, and the ende for vvhich man vvas created beinge God hym selfe, he ought to despise all vvorldlie thinges, that mighte dravv him from the right vvay vnto hym, and onely applie hym to the exercise of such thinges as may further hym to that ende vvhich he seeketh after. CHAP. 37.
    • ORRIBLE AND FEARE∣full shall the day of Iudgement be, in the vvhich thou must render accompte of thy thoughtes, vvordes, and vvorkes, and shalt be iudged for them accor∣dinge to the rigour of iustice. CHAP. 38.
    • THE PERPETVALL PAINE of hell vvhich are prepared for louers of these vvorldlie vanities, greate, so horrible, and so fearefull, the onely consideration thereof, vv sufficient occasion to hold a man ba from sinne, if there vvere none other. CHAP. 39.
    • THE GLORIE FELICITIE, and beatitude, vvhich they get, vvhich for the loue of God doe despise the vvorlde vvith all the vanities thereof, is so greate and infinite, that it farre exceedeth all mans vnderstandinge, neyther can any tongue of man expresse it, or declare it. CHAP. 40.
• HERE FOLOVVETH A table of the chapters conteyned in this booke.
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