John Tauler · 80 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. · 67.

Some say you ought to consider your fellowmen and omit it for God’s sake. Whoso goeth worthily to the table of the Lord, giveth alms to the whole of Christendom, and to each one is given according to his worthiness. But whoso omitteth it giveth nothing to any one, and letteth all men hunger. Whoso blameth a good man for receiving the Body of Christ maketh himself unworthy of all the good of the whole of holy Christendom; but the highest good of Christendom is this, that good men receive the Body of Christ. Now, he who sinneth and maketh himself unworthy in the highest, maketh himself also unworthy in small things; whoso treateth God with dishonour, he dishonoureth also all the saints. On account of this unworthiness of his Censor no one should omit the Sacrament, in order that all other men should not have to answer for it if one sinneth. If he omitteth it when he ought to do it, he falleth into the same unworthiness in which he is who blameth him. In doing thus he followeth him more than God, therefore he hath more likeness to his blamer than to God. He also showeth no use to him or any one if he omitteth it. Whoso standeth on a weak tree, which is shaken by a vehement wind, must fall down, and if he falleth not at the first gust of wind, he falleth after another; but as he must needs fall, it is better that he should fall through the first than through a following gust. But to receive the Body of Christ is an occasion of falling to no one; it is his own wickedness which is in him, and if it is not revealed in this, it will be revealed in another work, and therefore he cannot escape. It is quite right that such persons should be judged, for it is the greatest work to receive the Body of Christ, and man in his weakness cannot prepare himself worthily for it; therefore it is necessary that he should be helped, in order that he may the sooner step up to it worthily. God permitteth that a judgment should fall upon him; these judgments make him pure, so that he may the more worthily receive the Body of the Lord: if any one flee these judgments, he will not let himself be prepared for it. Hence it belongeth to a poor life that a man be judged, in order then to be free, that he may commune with God immediately and work out each virtue in the most perfect manner.