rumble, and fall into so great sorriness, that scarcely
may any man comfort them: and so slander they GOD, striving and fighting
against His judgments. And that is caitiff praise that any wealth of the
world makes: but that praise is of great price that no violence of
sorrow can do away.

The fifth asking was: _In what state men may most love GOD?_ I answer,
in such state as it be that men are in most rest of body and soul, and
least occupied with any needs or business of this world. For the thought
of the love of JESUS Christ, and of the joy that lasts aye, seeks
outward rest, so that it be not hindered by comers and goers, and
occupation of worldly things; and it seeks within great silence from the
annoyances of desires, and of vanities, and of earthly thoughts. And
especially, all who love contemplative life they seek rest in body and
soul. For a great Doctor says: "They are GOD'S throne who dwell still in
one place, and are not running about, but in sweetness of Christ's love
are fixed." And I have loved for to sit: for no penance, nor fantasy,
nor that I wished men to talk of me, nor for no such thing: but only
because I knew that I loved GOD more, and longer lasted within the
comfort of love: than going, or standing, or kneeling. For sitting am I
in most rest, and my heart most upward. But therefore, peradventure, it
is not best that another should sit, as I did and will do to my death,
save he were disposed in his soul, as I was.

CHAPTER XI.

Seven gifts of the Holy Ghost are in men and women who are ordained to
the joy of heaven and lead their life in this world righteously. These
they are: _Wisdom: Understanding: Counsel: Strength: Knowledge: Pity_
and the _Fear of GOD_. Begin we at _Counsel_, for thereof is most need
at the beginning of our works, which we dislike not afterwards. With
these seven gifts, the Holy Ghost touches separate men separately.
_Counsel_ is doing away with the world's riches, delights, and all
things with which men may be ensnared in thought or deed: and therewith
(i.e. _Counsel_) be drawn inwardly to contemplation of GOD.
_Understanding_ is, to know what is for to do, and what to leave
(undone): and that which shall be given, to give it to them that have
need, not to others that have no need. _Wisdom_ is forgetting of earthly
things, and thinking of heaven, with discretion in all men's deeds. In
this gift, shines contemplation, that is, as S. Austen says "A ghostly
death of