Of Suffering and Bearing the Crosse – Scholarly Edition

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Oh can that soule that loues her God
          For very shame complaine
To any other then him selfe
          of what she doeth sustaine
Noe way to him was euer found
          or euer shall there be
But takeing up thy Crosse1“Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24, Douay-Rheims Bible). my Lord
          Thereby to follow thee
 
This is the way the trueth ye life2“Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6, Douay-Rheims Bible).
          which leadeth vnto heauen
None is secure but only this
          Though it seeme nere so eauen
Those that doe walke this happie path
          Iesus doeth company
But those that goe another way
          will Erre most shamfully
 
In this waie doe not thinke it much
          If thou doest here endure
Suffering euen by Sts themselfes
          For God doeth this procure
That thou maist seeke him selfe alone
          And putt thy trust in him
And not in any creature being living
          How good soere they seeme
 
For suffering by the meanes of ill
          Would little thee aduance
But to be censured by the good
          Goes nere to thee prchance;
Alas we shew but little loue
          If wee must chuse wch way
Our Lord shall trie our loue to him
          And not in all obey.
 
Wee must submitt our selues to him
          And be of chearfull heart
For he expecteth much of her
          That he giues Maries part3Within the convent, the “better part” references the contemplative life of the cloister as opposed to the active life of the world associated with Mary’s sister, Martha: “Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things: But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42, Douay-Rheims Bible).
For she must beare a censure hard
          From all wthout exception,
Yet thou o Lord wilt hir excuse
          Who art her soules Election
 
If she will patiently sustaine
          And be to the attent
Thou fauourably wilt Iudge of her
          Who knowes her harts Intent.
For all but thee, as well she sees
          May erre concerning her.
They onely iudge as they conceiue,
          But thou dost see more farre
 
Cumplaine not therefore louing soule
          If thou wilt be of those
Who loues theire God more then them selues
          And Maries part haue chose
If all thou dost be taken ill
          By those of high perfection
And farther if thou be accus’d
          To be of some great faction
 
Or Lord will answere for thee, if
          Thou wilt but hold thy peace,
And if that he doe thinke it good,
          If not content surcease
Leaue all thy care to this thy God
          And him alone attend,
Yet what is ill reforme in thee,
          And this will all amend
 
As farre as he doeth thinke it good
          Who is most Iust and wise
For by afflictions he doeth purge
          what doeth displease his Eyes.
wilt thou of all that lou’st thy God
          From suffering be exempt
O noe but bleasse as others doe
          Thy God and be content
 
Amidst the seuerall accidents
          That doeth to the befall
Committ thy selfe and all to God
          who seeks our good in all.
Thy selfe art blind and canst not Iudge
          what is the best for thee
But he doeth pierce into all things
          How hidden so eure they be.
 
My heart shall only this desire
          That thou my Lord dispose
Of all things as thou pleasest best
          Till these my Eyes thou close
By death, wch I so much desire
          Because it will procure
Me to enioye my God my all
          Where I shall be secure
 
That none from me can take my Lord
          But for Eternitie
I shall enioye my only good
          And to him euer be
Vnited by a perfect loue
          wch none can Interposse,
Being by thee assured then
          That him I cannot losse.
 
O happy houre when wilt thou come
          And sett my spirit free
That I may loue and praise my God
          Wth all perpetually
Contemplating his glorious face
          Wth all yt him adore
Singing wth them his swetest praise
          For euer euer more.
 
My God the summum bonum4“The highest good.” is
          Yea all that’s good is his,
And those yt seeke himselfe alone
          of him shall neuer misse
In thee my God my soule shall rest
          Not in created things
For thou alone o Lord of lords
          True peace to spirit brings
 
All other things wisht or desire’d,
          How good so ere they be
Cause perturbation to our heart
          Nor can wee rest in thee
Whilst we doe pleasure take in them
          contrary to thy mynde
And Nothing prospers we attempt
          whilst wee remain thus blinde
 
O God the portion of my heart
          Be thou my Lord for euer
In thee alone lett me haue part
          And lett noe thing vs seuer
I doe inuite with all my soule
          All creatures thee to praise
And begg of thy celestiall Host
          To supplie our delayes
 
But praise thy selfe my blessed God
          Yea for them all and me
For thou alone canst giue whats due
          Vnto thy Maiestie.





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Source: Bodleian, pp. 11-16