A Spiritual Consolation

This was written to his sister, Elizabeth, to console her in the trying times of the Protestant revolt in England. Saint John Fisher begins: "SISTER Elizabeth, nothing doth more help effectually to get a good and a virtuous life than if a soul, when it is dull and unlusty without devotion, neither disposed to prayer nor to any other good work, may be stirred or quickened again by fruitful meditation. I have therefore devised unto you this meditation that fol1oweth, praying you for my sake and for the weal of your own soul, to read it at such times as you shall feel yourself most heavy and slothful to do any good work. It is a manner of lamentation and sorrowful complaining made in the person of one that was hastily prevented by death (as I assure you every creature may be): none other surety we have, living in this world here." Also included is an instruction on the ways to perfect religion, and a sermon on the prophet Ezechial, Lamentations, song and woe.