The Cell of Self-Knowledge:

Seven Early English Mystical Treatises

Printed by Henry Pepwell

MDXXI

Edited with an introduction and notes by
Edmund G. Gardner M.A.

1910

The Frontispiece is taken from B.M. MS. Faustina, B. VI.

"Stiamo nella cella del cognoscimento di noi; cognoscendo, noi pernoi non essere, e la bonta di Dio in noi; ricognoscendo l'essere, eogni grazia che e posta sopra l'essere, da lui."—St. Catherine ofSiena.

"Tergat ergo speculum suum, mundet spiritum suum, quisquis sititvidere Deum suum. Exterso autem speculo et diu diligenter inspecto,incipit ei quaedam divini luminis claritas interlucere, et immensusquidam insolitae visionis radius oculis ejus apparere. Hoc lumenoculos ejus irradiaverat, qui dicebat: Signatum est super nos lumenvultus tui, Domine; dedisti laetitiam in corde meo. Ex hujus igiturluminis visione quam admiratur in se, mirum in modum accendituranimus, et animatur ad videndum lumen, quod est supra se."—Richardof St. Victor.

CONTENTS

I. A very Devout Treatise, named Benjamin, of the Mights and Virtuesof Man's Soul, and of the Way to True Contemplation, compiled by aNoble and Famous Doctor, a man of great holiness and devotion, namedRichard of Saint Victor

The Prologue

Cap. I. How the Virtue of Dread riseth in the Affection

Cap. II. How Sorrow riseth in the Affection

Cap. III. How Hope riseth in the Affection

Cap. IV. How Love riseth in the Affection

Cap. V. How the Double Sight of Pain and Joy riseth in the Imagination

Cap. VI. How the Virtues of Abstinence and Patience rise in the Sensuality

Cap. VII. How Joy of Inward Sweetness riseth in the Affection

Cap. VIII. How Perfect Hatred of Sin riseth in the Affection

Cap. IX. How Ordained Shame riseth and groweth in the Affection

Cap. X. How Discretion and Contemplation rise in the Reason

II. Divers Doctrines Devout and Fruitful, taken out of the Life ofthat Glorious Virgin and Spouse of Our Lord, Saint Katherin ofSeenes

III. A Short Treatise of Contemplation taught by Our Lord JesuChrist, or taken out of the Book of Margery Kempe, Ancress of Lynn

IV. A Devout Treatise compiled by Master Walter Hylton of the Songof Angels

V. A Devout Treatise called the Epistle of Prayer

VI. A very necessary Epistle of Discretion in Stirrings of the Soul

...