Chapter 95

That from the knowledge of the love, which Christ beareth to us, we are to draw a reason, for loving our neighbours.

CONSIDER¹ now, how thou art to draw this love of thy neighbours, out of the knowledge of Christ. Consider with how great mercy, the son of God made himself man, for the love of men; and with how great care, he did (throughout his whole life) procure their good; and with how excessive, both love, and grief, he offered his life for them, upon the Cross. And as, by reflecting upon thyself, thou didst behold thy neighbour, with humane and gentle eyes; so considering Christ, thou wilt behold him² with Christian eyes; that is, with such eyes, as wherewith he was pleased to behold thee. For if Christ remain in thee, thou wilt have the same sense or feeling of things, which he had; and thou wilt see with how great reason, thou art obliged to tolerate thy Neighbour's frailty, whom he loved, and esteemed, as the head doth, his body; as the spouse, his fellow-spouse; as a brother, his brethren; and as an indulgent Father, his children. Beseech thou our Lord, that he will open thine eyes, wherewith thou mayst see, that inflamed fire of love, which burned in his hart, when he went up to the Cross, for the good of all men; little, and great; good, and bad; past, present, and to come; yea even for them, who then, were in the act of crucifying him. And consider again, that this love of his, is not grown cold; but that, if the first death were not sufficient for our remedy, with the same love, would he dye again, wherewith then, he died. And as he offered himself corporally once to his Father; so doth he often make this oblation, by acts of will, and with the self same love.

Come³ now, and tell me, who is he, that can find in his hart to be cruel to them, to whom Christ was so full of pity. How shall he find a way to desire evil, to one whose good, and salvation is so desired, by God. It cannot be spoken, nor written, what a profound, and tender love, is engendered in the hart of a Christian, who considereth not his neighbours, according to external respects (such as are riches, or kindred, or the like) but as parts of the very bowels of Christ Jesus; and as a thing knit to Christ, by all the bands, both of kindred, and friendship. How then can it seem much to thee, that a man, who is a lover of Christ, should love his neighbours, considering, that they are his very mystical body; and that the same Lord hath said, by his own mouth, That the good, or bad, which he shall do to his Neighbour, our Lord receiveth it, as done to himself. And from the deep consideration of these words, the⁴ good Christian grows to converse amongst his neighbours, with a certain profound reverence; and with a deep and tender love; and with a smooth kind of meekness; by having patience with them; and by a watchful care, not to offend, or hurt them; but rather to profit, and please them. For it seemeth to him, that he is conversing with Christ himself; since he beholdeth him in them, to whom, in his very hart, he doth esteem himself more a slave, then if they had bought him, by some mighty sum of money. For, considering that dear price which Christ Jesus paid for man (when he purchased him upon the Cross, with his precious blood) what can such an one be able to do, but to offer himself all, to the service of Christ; desiring, that some occasion were presented, wherein he might express the gratitude, and love, he beareth to him. And when he heareth this from the mouth of God, If thou love me, feed me sheep; and again, He that receiveth one of these little ones, receiveth me; and, He that showeth works of mercy to one of them, doth show them to me; he, I say, doth esteem it, for⁵ an incomparable favour, that he hath so close at hand, so fit a means to show, and exercise, the love which he beareth to Christ Jesus; the⁶ labour seeming small which he endureth for his Neighbour; and the years seeming short; through the strength of that love, which he carrieth to Christ, for himself; and to others, for the love of him, and in him. And ever doth he carry at his hart, that to which our enamoured Lord, did so straight enjoin us, when he said, My⁷ commandment is this, that you love one another, as I have loved you.