Chapter 102

That, not all those things which we desire to do, or demand to have; are to be called a man's proper will; & how we may know what our Lord demandeth at our hands.

IF thou have well considered, that which hath been said to thee, in those former words; thou wilt easily have perceived, that two things were recommended to thee. The one, The flying of thine own will; The other the following of the will of God. Now for the declaration of these two things, I must let thee know; that for thee to desire, or beg in particular manner of Almighty God, that he will deliver thee out of any spiritual inconvenience, whereof thou art most in danger; or, that he will impart some virtue to thee, whereof thou art in particular need, is not any vicious act, of thine own will, but it is a means, & that a good one, to enable thee to fulfil the will of God; who commandeth us, to departed from evil, and to do good. For, if thou observe it well, thy begging of a thing in particular, through¹ the particular necessity thereof, wherein thou art; doth help thee to ask it, with greater efficacy; and with a more profound sigh of thy hart; which are means, whereby God is induced the more easily to grant that which is desired. Which very thing would not perhaps be granted, if it were asked with that tepidity, which useth to accompany requests which are made in general terms. And this doctrine is agreeable, to the holy Scripture. since our Lord himself doth teach us, in that prayer of the Pater Noster, to ask things in particular manner. And so also, did the Prophet David, as his particular necessities did present themselves; and so have other Saints used to do, when they asked any thing, either for themselves, or others. And although, the same may also be done, whilst we are desiring temporal things, of God, (as we read of the² blind man, who begged his sight, and of many others) yet because nothing that is temporal, deserveth to be much esteemed; (and the love whereof, doth use to carry danger with it, (and the contempt whereof, deserveth praise) so great liberty is not given us, to discharge our hearts wholly in the desire, and suit for such things, as for spiritual; although it be not ill done of us, to demand temporal things; so that it be without excess of earnestness, and under this condition, if it so be pleasing unto our Lord.

Concerning the accomplishment of the will of our Lord, (wherein consisteth all our good) thou wilt ask perhaps, How may I know, what that is? To which I answer, That³ whensoever the word, or commandment of God, or of his Church, doth ordain any thing, thou art to make no further inquiry; but to rest assured, that it is the will of our Lord. And when there is no such express commandment, esteem that to be of the same rank, which is imposed on thee by thy superior; if it do not evidently appear to be against the law of God, or of his Church; or the light of Nature. For since S. Paul⁴ saith, That although the superior be an infidel; yet the Christian man must obey him; and that, not only to avoid punishment, but by obligation of conscience; how much more then, must this be true, in the case of Christian superiors; of whom we are to⁵ believe, that God will enable them to command just things And when any of all these commandments shallbe wanting to thee; thou shalt embrace and follow (as the will of our Lord) that counsel which any such person shall give, of whom thou oughtest to take it. And do not think, for all this, that thou art exempted, from the necessity of begging the light of the Holy Ghost; that so thou mayst take right, to the service of God. For our necessities are so many, and do press us in so particular manner; that no Master, without this, will serve the turn. And so, The King will grow to desire thy beauty.