John Tauler · 79 of 121

The third way of a poor, perfect life, when you contemplate God internally, is, that a man do not fly from what may kill him in spiritual things. · 66.

The Sacrament of our Lord is God and man. Whoso wisheth to receive Christ here worthily, must as far as possible be like unto Him. As the Humanity is here pure, so must be also the man who receiveth Him in His externals be clear of all temporal things; and as God is here pure, so also must the spirit be freed from all things which are not purely godlike. In this way is the Sacrament worthily received. Christ saith, “Whoso doth not leave all, is not worthy of Me.” Such a one alone receiveth the fruit in the most perfect manner, for he hath nothing in himself that can hinder him from this fruit. He can therefore go every day and receive his own food; no one can do this properly but he alone. Whoso would refuse him this food would take from him his Fatherly inheritance, that Christ hath left him through His death, to live upon it and still his desire. Whoso goeth otherwise to the table of the Lord than in true reality, he goeth not as a child to his fatherly inheritance. You can withhold from him his inheritance without sin, so long till he hath been chosen as a legitimate child of the covenant; such must hold themselves back from the Holy Sacrament till they are better prepared. They must have awe of the judgment of people, as it is not yet their proper inheritance, for they can be judged rightfully. If they still go up to receive, they give scandal and are thus guilty, for they take what is not their property. But the true children of the covenant, whose inheritance it is, need not omit for the sake of any man, unless their own heart did not consent to it. They must then turn to their Father, and keep to their inheritance. No one giveth them scandal if they use their inheritance; but they do not only use it, but divide it with all men who desire it. They need not hold in awe any judgment, for no one can deny their right. They must hold fast their inheritance, and if they let it be denied them, they prove thereby no love to their Father, but would make themselves illegitimate children. Whoso were to withhold from them the Sacrament, would be like unto a man whom a housefather inviteth to himself as guest, offereth him meat and drink, and accepts nothing from him therefor; but the guest driveth the host from his table, upsetting meat and drink, so that they must both fast. A wise and determined house-father would not pardon the guest, and if he were to do so, he would be a fool and a coward, who never possessed a manly character, and is not worthy to eat his meat. Whoso now knoweth that God feedeth him with Himself, let him eat and drink without fear, and let every one murmur and judge as he will; he giveth right to himself, to God, and to all men. But if he omitteth it on account of murmuring and judgments, he showeth that he is no child of the covenant, and that he doth not rightfully eat this food.