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.
