one, then another, that at last some pious affection may be stirred up in the soul, like him that with a steel striketh tire out of a flint; but it is the property of contemplation, which followeth meditation, to enjoy this kindled fire; that is to say, to embrace that affection, which, with much labor, he hath sought and found, in deep silence and tranquillity of spirit, not with many discourses and speculations of the understanding, but with a pure simple relation, and eye to verity. Hence a certain doctor saith, that meditation doth discourse with labor and small profit, but contemplation without any trouble, and with much fruit; the one doth seek, and the other findeth; the one doth chew, and the other eateth the meat; the one doth reason and consider, the other contemplateth those things she loves and tasteth; and, in fine, the one is the means, the other is the end; the one is the way and motion, the other the term of the way and end of the action. From these things which we have said, that rule or axiom is very frequent amongst spiritual masters, which few of their scholars do rightly understand: that is, fine adepto media omnia cessare: the end being attained unto, all means do cease. For example, the mariner resteth when he hath arrived to his desired haven. So he that meditates, when, by the means of meditation, he shall come to the rest and sweet gust of contemplation, ought to leave the cragged way of reasoning and discourse, contenting himself with the memory
