Chapter 36
That the admirable change which is made in the hart of sinners, and the great favours which our Lord doth to them, who follow him with perfect virtue, and do call upon him in their necessities, is a great testimony to the Truth of our Faith.
IN how much better case are they, who, with desire to serve God, have chosen to embrace this perfection of virtue; though all they that serve him do enjoy otherwise (if they will mark it) many testimonies, which Faith placeth in their hart. But especially do they enjoy it, who serve him, with a profiting, and proceeding virtue; many whereof were yet formerly in miserable case, and made slaves to sin; and so passionately affected to it, that their hearts did seem, even to be transformed into the same. And that with so great determination to follow wickedness, that they would pass (as we use to say) the vory pikes, for the committing thereof But1 these miserable captives, who were so weak, in the delivery of them selues from so strong a tyrant, have sometimes, by the hearing of one Sermon, other times, by making one confession, other times by some one single inspiration of God; and others by other means, which do abound in the Catholic Church, have found within themselves, a most powerful and mighty hand; which putting those in captivity who lead them captive, drew them out of the slavery of sin, wherein they were; and made a change of their hart, so truly changed; that many times, in less space, then of a month, yea and of a week, they have been seen, to have more abhorred wickedness, then formerly they were lovers of it. Saying with their hearts, I have abhorred2 sin; I have detested it; and I have loved thy law. And this they do so truly, as that they resolve not to commit a sin, neither for life, nor death; nor any thing created, as S Paul3 saith.
Who is he, that wrought this so strange, and happy change, in so short a time? Who drew water, out of so hard a rock? Who raised up such a miserable dead man, bestowing such an excellent life upon him? No other certainly, but the hand of God, who is so believed in, and so beloved, as the Christian Church believeth in him, and loveth him, by those means, which the Christian doctrine embraceth, and teacheth. And if this manner of proceeding with God, do pass on, (as in many it doth) in such sort, as that (leaving all things) they employ themselves wholly upon attending to God, who broke their chains; and if they began to walk, by the solitude of a spiritual life, and by that straight way which leadeth to true life (though many times, they might see themselves, in so great afflictions, and fierce tempests, that (as David saith) it makes such as sail, lose their courage, and their discourse) yet by calling upon their Jesus, who is the guide of their way; and at other times, by receiving the comfort of the Sacraments; and at other times again, by hearing, or reading the word of God; or by such other means as are in the Church; they have found themselves so wonderfully assisted, in their tribulation, as that (seeing the sea of their hart to be grown so still, upon such a sudden) it hath made them say, with the Apostles,4 Who is this, to whom the sea, and the winds obey? Certainly, this is the holy Son of God.
S. Bernard relateth, how by experience he had found many times, that the name of Jesus, being cordially called upon, was a remedy and cure, of all the infirmities of the soul; and that which the Saint did say, was approved in him, by experience. The same hath happened to many others, both before & after him; among whom S. Hierome may be one; who is worthy of all credit. He relateth, (as I have said before) that seeing himself in tribulation of the flesh, without meeting with remedy, in any thing that he had thought upon, & without knowing, what more to do, did find it out, by casting himself, at the feet of Jesus Christ, and by calling upon him with devour prayer. Whereupon his tempest received such a calm, that he seemed to himself, as5 if he were even assisting among the quires of Angels. For6 the favour which God is wont to do, doth not only remove the tribulation that a man is in, (which may happen sometimes, by the turning of his thoughts some other way, or by such other natural means as that) but it is a favour which God doth, whereby he planteth such a disposition in the mind, as is directly contrary to that which was felt before. Now this change and perfect delivery, and that upon such a sudden; is not in the power of any man to give himself; as7 he that shall try it, will confess.
From abroad it cometh; from God it cometh; and from such other Christian means it cometh; and so experience is taken, of that which S. Paul said, That Christ Jesus crucified, to them that were called by God, was the strength of God; and the wisdom of God; Because, they calling upon him in the day of tribulation, he giveth them light, and force; that so, overcoming all impediments, they may proceed in their way, and sing therein, as8 David doth, Great is the glory of our Lord. And so they find in themselves, that which the same Prophet9 saith, In whatsoever day I called upon thee, I have known, that thou art my ●od. For to remedy them so speedily, and so powerfully, is a great testimony, and motive to prove to them, that God is the true God, and that he hath care of them. And here we speak not of celestial visions, or revelations, which may rather pass amongst maracles, but only those things which are more ordinary; and which may be subject to better proof.
Footnotes
Chapter 38 of 115