The Souls WATCH: OR, A daybook for the Devout SOUL. Consisting of 52 heavenly Medications, and diverse godly Prayers, ●●●●d to all the days of ●he WEEK. Being holy Exercises for a Sanctified conversation, and spiritual riches for the ●●●●ard Man: By JOHN GERHARD Dr. of Divinity, and superintendent of Heldourge. PSAL. 143.10. Let thy good spirit lead me into the land of righteousness. Englished by R. B. With the Lords Prayer expounded by him. The fourth Edition. London, printed by Thomas Harper for john Harison, and are to be sold at his shop in Pater noster row at the sigue of the Unicorn. 1632. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, Religious and worthy Lady, the Lady LUCY, Countess of BEDFORD. Right Honourable: THe favour that these Meditations found with the more judicious and devout sort of people, when they where first imprinted, hath caused me to take more pains and care about this, than I did about the former. What I have swept out that was in that, what I have newly added unto this I have prefaced to the Reader. I have enough for all my pains, if the Prayers which I have added will serve at any time to stir up the lest fire or spark of devotion in any Christian heart: but for the Meditations I can never speak enough: so heavenly, so pithy, so feeling, and so quick, that he that reads or hears them, if he have any life of grace in him, shall feel them not only pleasing to his taste and sweet unto his ear, but moving his affections also, and working on his heart. Now, that this book is named unto your Honour from the man that you have not known, may be an imputation of my great presumption, that have dared to offer it, will be an intimation of your greater goodness vouchsafing to accept it: This may your Honour pardon in me, that shall I praise in you; and yet there are some reasons that have inclined me hereunto. For besides the advice of my friends herein, that are people of your knowledge, two things as just motives, have induced me thus to do. First, having lived some years in the place near, where your Honour kept your residence; and hearing diverse well-affected people testify of your love to religion, your pious heart, and godly conversation, I thought good in this living and lives like Book, to give a testimony thereof also to the men of this age, and to the people that shall come hereafter. Secondly, because I could not choose but do, as I think all other did, that either knew your person, or had heard of your Honourable name; and known your sorrow, namely, condole you in your loss I thought the comforts of this Book would befit your mourning, which speaks oppositely to that purpose, as in other places, viz the exercise of the first and seventh days, so especially in the two and thirtieth Meditation: you will think when you read it, that it was meant and written purposely for your comfort. I speak out of experience of mine own affliction, when the Lord of late had made many sorrows to lay hold of me at once, and brought upon me breaking upon breaking, like the waves of the Sea, one in the neck of another: after he had plucktout of my bosom, and slain the a Who died the 19 of August 1614 Mother of my children, mine honest and best-deseruing Wife: after he had bound me to the peace, on the Bed of my sickness, hopeless of life and health, and had like yet farther to have made a further slaughter in my house, amongst my young ones: In the recovery of my health, when I came to visit my solitary dwelling, these Meditations were mine especial comforts in the house of my mourning. God Almighty make this Book this way also useful unto your Honour, and otherwise profitable unto your soul, and to the souls of all that read it; and the Lord give unto you a blessing in the increase of grace and honour in this life, and the full fruition of happiness in the life to come. Your Honours to be commanded in the Lord Christ, RICHARD BRUCH. To the READER. I Am enforced to Epistle thee also (gentle Reader) that thou mayest know somewhat from me concerning the Editions of this Book; I made it indeed at first to speak English, and then delivered it to be printed; but there were added unto it diverse things without my knowledge. For it took from me neither name, nor any other thing in it else besides the version. All which things thus come into it, I have now taken out, & in this Edition have added to this Book near half so many Prayers as there were before Meditations. So that now there is nothing in it, but that which I must either answer for as another man's, or father as mine own. I must desire thee also, that hast seen the former Edition, to accounted it no violence offered to the Book, though many things are here inserted into the Meditations themselves, and Notes in the margin put unto them. All that hath been done, was to help thee in thy prayers and devotion. Far thou well. Thy in the Lord Christ, RICHARD BRUCH, Minister of God's Word. THE EPISTLE OF THE AUTHOR TO THE CONSULS, AND THE WHOLE Order of the Senators of the famous Common wealth of Halberstat. THey which compare Divinity and Physic together, are many, and they seem to unfold the matter very well. For, as the end of Physic is twofold, to maintain health in man's body, and to recover the same when it is lost: so Divinity, in respect of the diseases of the soul, after the same manner doth acknowledge a double end: for it shows not only how we may be freed from sins, but also how we may be preserved in grace. Both Physics, as well that of the body, as that of the soul are of God, as said Gregory, therefore also they agreed in the Author. Physic hath her certain principles: that is to say, Reason, and experience, which for that are called certain legs thereof, with which she accepteth that which is agreeable, and refuseth that which is disagreeing: so Divinity hath her sure and unmoved principle, the Word of God, comprehended in the Prophetical and Apostolical Writings, with which that which agrees, she doth accept of, that which disagrees, she doth refuse. Others go further, & show, that all true Physic is of regeneration, seeing that nothing can regenerate which is not itself regenerated, therefore to the cleansing of the vital spirits from the impure tinctures of diseases, which is as it were a certain regeneration, there are required regenerated bodies, that is, spirits which are bodies spiritual for penetration and tincture: and nevertheless they are all spirits corporeal: so also the true end of Divinity is, that spiritual regeneration of the inward man, which the Truth doth testify to be made of Water and the Spirit. They add also the comparison of the Philosopher's stone, with the blessed stone in the Church: but because this is neither known of all, nor granted of all, I will not devil on these things, it is sufficient for my purpose, that out of the comparison of Divinity with Physic, I can gather by very good reason, that Divinity is a practic doctrine: and therefore that they do not judge aright, which contend that it is only speculative, which in number are some of these School men; for although not only those things that are to be done, but also which are to be believed and hoped for, are proposed unto us in this heavenly Philosophy, yet that doth not hinder, but it may as yet be called practic, for Physic also is occuped in the Theory of certain things, neither yet is therefore a speculative discipline, because it follows this same Theory by reason of practice, and in order to practice: so is it in Divinity; yea, I may add, that in those very things that are to be believed, or in the Articles of the Faith, there is required not bore knowledge only, but also consent, which that it is an action of the part of the will, they do confirm by fit arguments to whom this care doth appertain. Now, if Divinity be a practic doctrine, than the end thereof shall not be bore knowledge and subtle Theory, but rather practice. If ye know these things, blessed are ye, if ye do them, saith our Saviour to his Disciples. The matters of our Religion do not consist in words, but in deeds, saith justin. Not to talk only, but also to be, makes Christians, saith Ignatius. The sum of Christian Religion is to imitate him whom thou worshippest, saith Augustine. What is Christianity? The likeness of God according to that which befalls the nature of man, saith Basil. Now if the end and perfection of Christian religion be not a bore knowledge, but a practice, how few true Christians shalt thou find at this day? there is every where much science, little conscience. It is very well done that the Orthodox doctrine is defended by Books, Disputations, Sermons, and all manner of means, but we must also do our endeavour, that our life may answer to the Christian profession. If I have the knowledge of all mysteries, and have not love, I am nothing, saith the Apostle. What then shall they answer hereafter, which have not the knowledge of all, but of few? not a perfect, but a very slender knowledge of mysteries, and yet they are proud of it; they contemn others, they envy others, scarcely making any account of Christian Charity. I will hither ascribe a place out of a certain notable Book. He that will fully and savourly understand the words of Christ, it behoves him that he study to conform his whole life unto Christ. What doth it profit thee to dispute on high of the Trinity, if thou want humility, from whence thou mayst displease the Trinity? If thou knewest the whole Bible, and the sayings of all the Philosophers, whar would all this profit thee without the love of God, and grace? Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity, besides the love of God and his service only. Knowledge without the fear of God, what doth it import? If I knew all things which are in the world, and were not in charity, what would it help me before God? By how much the more and better thy knowledge is, by so much the more grievous and heavy from thence shall be thy judgement, unless thou live the more holily. Be not therefore lifted up for any Art or Science, but rather fear for the knowledge that is given unto thee. Hither also pertaineth a place of Erasmus. Whereto pertains it to dispute how many ways sin may be taken, whether it be only a privation, or else a blemish inherent in the soul: let the Divine rather labour this, that all men may abhor and hate sin. We contend without end, what distinguisheth the Father from the Son, and both of them from the holy Ghost, res an relatio, and how it can be that they should be called three, of whom there can be none which is other, seeing they are one essence: how much doth it more pertain to the purpose, to labour this by all means, that we worship and adore godlily and holilty that Trinity, whose Majesty it is not lawful to search into, and that we express the unspeakable concord thereof by our concord, as fare as we may, so that hereafter it may come to pass, that we may be taken into the fellowship thereof? We dispute, how it can be, that the fire with which the souls of the wicked shall be tormented, seeing it is material, can work upon an incorporeal thing: how much more did it concern to labour with all our strength to this end, jest that fire find any thing in us, which it may burn, & c? But I say, again, that the thing itself is not taxed, but the abuse of the thing: it is well done, that our endeavour and study is spent on the accurate knowledge of the Articles of the Faith: it is well done, that the Orthodox doctrine is defended against Heresies, if so be that the sum and perfection of Christian Religion be not thought to consist therein, if so be also there be a respect had of Christian I fe and charity. There is an ill life where there is not a good belief in God: and again, it is an unprofitable belief, where there is not a good life: there is no true faith within, where works do not appear without: they that walk not in the light, are not the sons of light: they are not Christians which do not lead a life worthy of a Christian. That therefore in this most cold old age of the world, I might put to some heat to Piety, that is almost extinct, that I might put to a goad or somewhat that would prick forward, to those that are slow in the way of the Lord, and that I might admonish myself and others of our duty, I have written this little Book of holy meditations at successives hours, insisting in the footsteps of Augustine, Bernard, Anselme, Tauler, and others in this kind, whose sayings I do diverse times use in this Enchyridon, yet no where (which might most easily have been done) do I put to the names of the Authors, seldom note the places of Scriptures; for I did fear, jest thereby the meditation of those that read, might be troubled. I do not think that it skils much to be known, whether any thing be expressed in the words of the Fathers, or in mine, so that that which is spoken be diligently attended unto. If it please any one to attribute all things that are spoken fitly and conveniently in this little Book to the holy Fathers, and to assign those things unto me which are uttered nothing so fitly, I do not stand against it; that only I seek, that some fruit may redound from thence to the sons of the Church: and truly I shall think I have my wish, if out of the reading of this Book, some one godly & holy cogitation do arise but in one soul, at one moment. If any man meet with words that are not so pure, so fitly used, I say moreover with words that are not so fitly agreeing with the Analogy of Faith (which yet I hope he shall not) let him not straightway cast away the whole Book, nor straightway mark me for an Heretic, but let him weigh the kind of writing. I handle holy things, which do not much desire Rhetorical ornaments: I writ Homilies, not exact disputations; I would have a greater care of things, then of words. Thou shalt not find here thorny and knotty quest on's, but earnest exhortations to holy life: thou shalt not find here scurrilous conceits, but the spiritual riches of the inward man: thou shalt not find here, that which may exercise thee in the subtlety of disputing, but that which may instruct thee in the way of humility. I do sometimes follow Allegories, not that I think that all things must be transformed into Allegories, but because this kind of writing, being directed to teach and admonish, not to striving and disputation, did not seem to refuse them, but why do I speak more about this matter, and why do I bring so many things to defend myself? seeing I have already satisfied the indifferent Readers; but I shall be never able to satisfy the unjust Censurers. Now to you (most famous, wise and prudent men) do I dedicated and offer these holy meditations, that there may be some public testimony extant of mine observance towards your Honours, your constancy in preserving of the purity of religion is known of all, and praised of all, your singular prudence in the government of the Commonwealth, your benevolence towards all that are lettered, these and such like things have easily persuaded me, that I should not doubt to offer these first fruits of my studies, such as they be, this usury of my winter's rest, such as it is, to your Honours, with due signification of reverence, and specially seeing by my grandfathers, on the fathers and on the mother's side, of godly memory, some of your Honours famous Order do come near unto me in consanguinity and affinity. Take therefore (most excellent Men) with a cheerful countenance and indifferent mind, this paper gift from my tenuity, receive me into your protection, and go forward to favour my studies as heretofore, so hereafter. I beseech the good great God, with humble sighs, that he will continued your good things unto you, that is, that he vouchsafe most favourably to preserve the holy pledge of his Word, peace and tranquillity, an happy increase of the Common wealth, and all those good things which he hath most largely bestowed on your City, and that he vouchsafe also to pass them over to your posterity. At leans in the month of April. 1606. Your Honour's most dutiful M. JOHN GERHARDI. Quedlinburg. THE TABLE. Monday Morning Prayer; for Gods help & assistance in all our labours. Fol. 1 The Morning's Meditations. OF the unconstancy of this present life. Fol. 5 2 Of the vanity of the World. Fol. 15 Monday Noons prayer. The Noon meditations. 3 Of the lying in wait of the Devil. Fol. 25 4 Of the daily consideration of death, Fol. 35 Monday nights Meditations. 5 Of the grievousness of the torments of hell, Fol. 43 6 Of the eternity of the pains of hell. Fol. 53 Monday nights prayer, on the day's Meditations. Fol. 66 Tuesday Morning, a thanks giving for all kind of benefits. Fol. 63 The morning's Meditations. 7 Of the true acknowledgement of our sins. Fol. 69 8 Of the shaking off of security. Fol. 77 Tuesday noon, a Prayer. The noon Meditations: 9 Of the denying of a man's own self. Fol. 87 Tuesday nights Meditations. 10 Of the profit of Temptation. Fol. 97 11 Of the study of true humility. Fol. 105 Tuesday nights prayer, on the day's Meditations. Fol. 113 Wednesday morning, a prayer for a blessing in spiritual things. Fol. 116 The Morning's Meditations. 12 Of the assurance of our salvation. Fol. 119 13 Of Predestination. Fol. 126 14 Of the satisfaction for our sins. Fol. 135 Wednesday Noon, a prayer. The Noons Meditations. 15 Of the name of jesus. Fol. 142 16 Of the mystery of the Incarnation. Fol. 149 27 Of the wholesome fruit of the Incarnation. Fol. 158 Wednesday nights Meditations. 18 Of the fruit of the Passion of our lord Fol. 165 19 Of the Ascension of Christ. Fol. 172 20 An Homily of the Holy Ghost. Fol. 180 Wednesday nights Prayer, a confession of sins. Fol. 191 Thursday Morning, a Petition for temporal blessings. Fol. 194 The Morning's Meditations. 21 Of the natures & properties of true faith. Fol. 197 22 Of our true reconciliation with God. Fol. 206 23 Of the fruits of Baptism. Fol. 212 Thursday Noon, a Prayer. The Noons Meditations. 14 Of the dignity of the Church. Fol. 221 Thursday nights Meditations. 27 Of the mystery of the Lords Supper. Fol. 247 28 Of the serious preparation before the use of the Lords Supper. Fol. 254 29 Of the wholesome participation of the Body and Blood of Christ. Fol. 262 Thursday nights Prayer on the day's Meditations. Fol. 269 Friday Morning, a Prayer for deliverance from all spiritual evils. Fol. 271 The Morning's Meditations: 36 Of the wholesome efficacy of Prayers. Fol. 274 31 Of the custody of the holy Angels. Fol. 285 32 Of the consolation in the death of our friends. Fol. 299 Friday noon, a prayer. Fol. 305 The Noon Meditations. 33 Of the true rest of the soul. Fol. 306 34 Of an exercise of Faith, out of the love of Christ, in the Agony of death. Fol. 315 Friday nights Meditations. 35 Of the fruit of true & earnest repentance. Fol. 321 36 An exercise of repentance, out of the Passion of our Lord Christ. Fol. 331 37 A consolation of the penitent, out of the Passion of Christ, taken out of Ansel. especially. Fol. 338 Friday nights Prayer, for the Church, and all such as in charity we are bound to remember in our prayers. Fol. 345 Saturday Morning, a Prayer for deliverance from all bodily dangers. Fol. 348 The morning's Meditations, 38 Of general rules to live godly. Fol. 350 39 Of loving God only. Fol. 360 40 Of the holy imitation of the life of Christ. Fol. 370 Saturday Noon, a prayer. Fol. 378 The noon Meditations. 41 Of the pureness of the Conscience. Fol. 379 42 Of the avoiding of Covetousness. Fol. 389 43 Of the properties of true Charity. Fol. 400 Saturday nights Meditations. 44 Of the studay of Chastity. Fol. 411 45 Of the foundation of Christian patience. Fol. 421 46 How the temptation of perseverance is to be overcome. Fol. 430 Saturday nights prayer, on the day's Meditations. Fol. 447 Sunday Morning, a prayer that we may keep holy the Sabbath. Fol. 449 Sunday Morning's Meditation. 47 Of the spiritual resurrection of the godly. Fol. 452 48 Of the avoiding of Covetousness. Fol. 459 Sunday noon, a prayer. Fol. 462 The Noons Meditations. 49 Of the last judgement. Fol. 463 50 Of the desire of eternal life. Fol. 471 Sunday Night's Meditations. 51 Of the most sweet company of the Angels in Heaven. Fol. 481 52 Of the most blessed vision of God in Heaven. Fol. 489 Sundry Night's Prayer, on the days Meditations. Fol. 493 A prayer for a woman in travel of Child. The thanksgiving of a woman after the birth, and her deliverance. Lastly, the Lords Prayer expounded Fol. 105 A daybook for the Devout SOUL. Monday Morning Prayer. WHither, O Lord God, Father everlasting, maker of all things, Author of goodness, shall I direct my heart and voice? to whom shall I address myself for help and secure; but to thee, which art a God of nature most benign & loving, of grace most free, of power Almighty, and therefore most ready to hear, and most able to help. I know, O Lord, that without thee all mine endeavour is but vain: If thou do but blow upon my labour, it will come to naught; If I begin, and thou withdraw thyself from my help, I shall faint in the way, and fall from my purpose, because I am not able of myself as of myself, so much as to think, much less to do any thing that is good, but all my sufficiency is of thee: therefore I implore thine aid, and pray thee with thy grace preventing, accompanying and following, to be with me in all my works, and in all my ways, that I may see the success and prosperity of that which I shall take in hand, the dew of thy blessing distilling evermore on the works of mine hands. Direct thou, O Lord, my way in thy truth, put counsel and understanding into my heart, and into my reins. Grant that in all my business I may propose unto myself firmly these ends: First, thy glory, next, the good of mine own soul, than the profit of my brethren. Take from me floath and wearisomeness: give unto me strength, virtue, and courage, that I may both begin and finish the works of my Calling, with all faithfulness and diligence: But before all things, O Lord, put into my mind a care of religious duties, thy worship, and the works of Charity, that I may glorify thee in them here on earth which are in heaven. O Lord, in my beginning I take on me a vow of serving thee; give strength, O Father, that I may perform my vows! so assist me in thy service, so confirm me in thy ways that nothing be able to divert or turn me out of the right way. Rebuke Satan, that is on my right hand to hinder me, let not his contradictions, nor the gainesaying of men dismay me, or make me to quail: Let not mine own infirmity, the weakness of flesh and blood, make me either to halt in the way, or faint before I come to the end of the way: But grant that in thy power my soul may march valiantly, and that through thine assistance, I may run a good race, and finish up a good course, at the end whereof I may meet with bliss and immortality in thy Kingdom, where there is all joy without sadness, all mirth without mourning, full contentment without any disgust, sweetness without gall, satiety without surfer, peace without all wars, rest without disturbance, plenty without penury, the fullness of happiness, and the River of pleasures, unto which, thou which hast made me, bring me, for thy dear Son's sake Christ jesus. Hominis quid vita? Cylindrus. What is the life of man? a Cylinder. 1. Meditation. Of the unconstancy of this present life. Think, O devout soul, of the misery and unconstancy of this life, that thy heart may be lifted up to desire the heavenly inheritance. While this life doth grow, Waning. it doth daily decrease: while it is increased, it is also diminished: whatsoever is added unto it, somewhat also is taken from it. It is but a minute of time that we live, Short. and somewhat less than a minute: while we turn ourselves, immortality will be here: we are in this life as it were in another man's house. Sepulchre. 2 Abraham had not in the land of Canaan, a ground of his own to devil in, but only the inheritance of a sepulchre: so this life present, is a place of lodging and of a grange. Our life is like to one that sails: Death be ginneth. he that sails, whether he stand, or whether he sit, or whether he lie, always goes nearer to the haven, and thither he goes, whether he is led by the course of the Ship: so we also, whether sleeping, or whether waking, whether unwilling, or whether willing, by the moments of times, are always led to our end. This life is rather a death, because every day we die, seeing that every day we consume somewhat of our lives. The entrance into this life is straightways the beginning of death. 3 This life is full of the grief of the things that are past, Grievous. of the labour and pain of things that are present, of the fear of things to come. The Ingress Ingress. into life is lamentable, because an infant gins his life with tears, as it were foreseeing the evils to come: the Progress Progresse. weak, because many diseases do afflict us, many cares do vex us: the Egress Egress. horrible, because we go not forth alone, but our works go forth with us, and by death we go forth to the severe judgement of God. 4 Our conception is a fault: Sum. our birth is misery: our life is pain: our death is distress. We are begotten in filthiness, we are fostored in darkness, we are brought forth in heaviness. Before we come forth into the world, we are a burden to our wretched mothers: in our coming forth, we tear them after the manner of Vipers: we are pilgrims in our birth, and strangers in our life, because we are compelled to go forth by death. Life's parts miserable. The first part of our life, knows not itself, the midst is overwhelmed with cares, the last part is oppressed with troublesome old age. All the time of our life. is either present, or past, or to come. If it be present, it is unstable: if it be passed it is now nothing: if it be to come, it is uncertain. Matter miserable. We are putrefaction in our beginning, a bubble in all our life, and the food of worms in our death: we bear the earth we were the earth, we shall be earth. The necessity Necessity of our birth is abject, of our life is wretched, of our death is hard. Our body is an earthly habitation, in which dwells death and sin, which every day consume it. All our life is a spiritual warfare: the devils above us, Life crossed. wait for our destruction, on the right hand and the left, the world doth oppugn us, beneath us and within us, our flesh doth war against us: the life of man is a warfare, because in it there is a continual wrestling of the flesh and of the Spirit. 5 What therefore can be the joy No joy of man in this life, when there is no secure felicity in it? What can there happen unto us of things present to delight us, when all things passing away together, yet that doth not pass away that hangs over our heads? when this is wholly ended that is beloved, and that always comes nearer where grief is never ended: we gain that by our longer life, that we do the more evils, that we see the more evils, that we suffer the more evils: our longer life doth this for us, that in the last judgement the accusation of our sins is greater. Uncertain. 6 What is man? the slave of death, a traveller that passeth away, lighter than a bubble, shorter than a moment, vainer than an Image, vainer than a sound, frailer than a grass, more changeable than the wind, more inconstant than a shadow, more deceivable than a dream. 7 What is this life? Life miserable. an expectation of death, a scene of mockeries, a sea of miseries, one only vial of blood, which every light fall breaks, every little Ague doth corrupt. 8 The course Course. of our life is a Labyrinth, we come into it out of the womb, we go out of it by the gates of death. We are nothing but earth, Matter. but the earth is nothing but smokes but smoke is nothing. We therefore are nothing. 9 This life is fraste as glass, Uncertain. slippery as a River, miserable as warfare: and yet to many it appears very worthy to be desired. 10 This life appears a precious Nut outwardly, Deceitful but if thou open it with the knife of truth, thou shalt see that there is nothing but worms and rottenness within. There grow Apples about the Region of Sodom, which delight with the outward beasty, but being touched, do go into dust: so the felicity of this life doth delight outwardly, but if thou touch it with a straighter consideration, it will appear like to smoke and dust. Counsel. Do not therefore, O beloved soul, refer the chiefest of thy thoughts to this life, but with thy mind always aspire to the joy to come. Compare between themselves the most short moment of time, which is granted unto us in this life, with the infinite and never to be ended ages of ages, and it will appear how foolish a thing it is, to clean to this most inconstant life, and to neglect the eternal. This life of ours is most swift and vanishing, and yet in it eternal life is either gotten or lost. This life is most miserable, and yet in it eternal felicity is either gotten or lost. This life is most full of calamity, and yet in it eternal joy is either gotten or lost. 11 If therefore thou aspire to the life eternal, Use the World. desire it with all thine heart in this life most swiftly flying and fading away: use the world, but let not thy heart cleave to the world: follow thy business in this life, but let not thy soul be fastened to this life: the outward use of worldly things doth not hurt, if the inward love doth not cleave unto them. 12 In heaven is thy country, in the world thy lodging on the way: be not so delighted with the lodging of this world, which is but for a day, that thou be withdrawn from the desire of thy heavenly country This life is a sea, Trouble. Rest. eternal life is the Haven: be not so delighted with the momentany tranquillity, that thou contend not to come to the haven of eternall-tranquillity. Failing. 13 This life is slippery, and doth not keep touch with her lovers, because besides all opinion, it oftentimes flies from them: why therefore wilt thou put any trust unto it? It is a dangerous thing if thou surely promise' unto thyself but the security of one hour, because oft-times in that one hour this fading life is finished: it is most safe at all hours to expect the departure of this life present, & to prepare a man's self thereto by earnest repentance. Uncertain 14 In the gourd wherewith jonas was delighted, God prepared a worm that it might whither away: so in worldly things, to which many do cleave by love, nothing is stable, but the worms of corruption do breed in them. Counsel. The world is now worn out with so great a blemish of all things, that it hath also lost the show of seducing, forasmuch as they are to be praised and to be set out, which have not vouchsafed to flourish with the flourishing world so much are they to be blamed, and to be accused, whom it delighteth to perish with the perishing. Withdraw our hearts, O Christ, from the love of this world, & stir up in us a desire of the heavenly kingdom. Praestant aeterna coducis. Things eternal pass those that perish 2. Meditation. Of the vanity of the world. DO not love those things, O thou soul, which are in the world: the world shall perish, and all things that are in it shall been burnt: where therefore will thy love be then? Love the eternal good, that thou mayst live for ever. Creatures vain. 1 Every creature is subject to vanity: he therefore that cleaves unto the creatures by love, shall himself also become vain. Love the true and stable good, that thy heart may been made stable and quiet. Honour. 2 Why doth the honour of the world delight thee? He that seeks the honour of men, cannot been honoured of God: he that seeks the honour of the world, is constrained to conform himself to the world: he that pleaseth the world, cannot please God. All things are perishing and unstable, which are given from those which are perishing and unstable: wherefore the honour of the world cannot be stable: whom the day before they lifted up to Heaven with the highest glory, Quem dies veniens viderit superbum, etc. him ofttimes the day following, they reproach with the greatest ignominy. Desire to please God, that thou mayest be honoured of God: the honour of God, 1. Sam. 2. is true and stable. What is man the better from thence, that he is reputed greater of man? Rom. 2. 2. Cor. 10 As much as every one is in the eyes of God, so much he is, and no more. When Christ was sought for for a Kingdom, he fled away: Contempt better than honour. when he was sought for to reproaches and the ignominious punishment of the Cross, he offered himself of his own accord. That therefore thou mayest been conformed unto Christ, let the ignominy of the world delight thee more than the glory. He that for Christ doth not despise worldly honour, how would he lay down his life for him? And there is no other way to glory, but by the contempt of worldly glory, even as Christ by the ignominy of his cross entered into his glory. Phil. 2. 3 Love therefore to been contemned, to be despised, to be put back in this world, that thou mayest be honoured in the world to come. Christ hath taught us by his life, what we are to esteem of the worldly glory: all the glory of heaven doth serve him, nay, he alone is true glory, but he doth as it were cast away glory. By how much therefore a man is the more honoured, and abounds with the more corporal comforts, by so much he aught to be the more profoundly and inwardly sad, seeing himself to be so much the farther off from the conformity of Christ. Vain is the praise of man, if an evil conscience accuse us within: what doth it profit him that hath a fever, if he be placed in an ivory bed, when he is afflicted nothing the less with inward heat? true honour and true praise is the testimony of thine own conscience. No man is a more indifferent judge of thy doings then God and thy conscience, desire to approve thy doings to his judgement. Is it not sufficient for thee that thou art known to thyself, and that which is most of all to God? But why dost thou so much desire riches? Richeses. He is too covetous, to whom the Lord is not sufficient. This life is the way to the everlasting country: what then doth great wealth profit? It doth rather load the traveller, as great burdens the ship. 5 Christ, the King of heaven, Rom. 8. is the riches of the servants of God. The true treasure aught to be within a man, not without him. The true treasure is that which thou canst bring with thee to that universal judgement: Perish. 2. Pet. 3. Luk. 12. but all those exterior goods are taken away from us in death. They perish being gathered together, but the gatherer of them together doth perish worse, if he been not rich in God. Poor. Job 1. 6 Thou camest poor into the world, and thou shalt go poor out of it. Wherefore should the middle differ from the beginning and the end? Richeses should tend only to use, and how little will suffice? The least good of grace and virtue is more excellent than all earthly riches: why? because virtue pleaseth God, but riches do not, unless it be through virtue. Christ poor. 7 The poverty of Christ aught to been more acceptable unto us, than the riches of the whole world. Poverty is sanctified in Christ. He was poor in his Nativity, poorer in this life, most poor in his death. 8 Why dost thou doubt to prefer the poverty of the world before riches, Poverty better than riches. when Christ hath preferred it for the kingdom of Heaven? How will he trust God with his soul, which will not trust him with the care of his flesh? How will he lay down his life for his brother, which doth not lay out his riches for him? Richeses bring forth pain in the getting, fear in the possession, grief in the loss; and (that which is more to be lamented) the labour of the covetous is not only periturus, perishing, but also peremptorius, killing, as Bernard teacheth us. Thy love is thy God: where thy treasure is, Mat. 5. there is thy heart also. He that love's these corporal, worloly, perishing riches, cannot love the spiritual, heavenly, eternal riches: why? Because those do depress a man's heart, and draw it downwards, but these do lift it upwards. The love of earthly things is the birdlime of spiritual wings, said one of the true lovers of Christ. 9 The wife of Lot, turned into a pillar of Salt, doth as yet preach unto us, that we look not back to those things that are in the world: but that we go the strait way to our heavenly country. The Apostles leaving all did follow Christ. Why? Because the knowledge of true riches doth take away the desire of riches falsely so called. To him that hath tasted of the spirit, the flesh doth not relish well: the world is better to him to whom Christ is sweet. Pleasure. 10 But why dost thou so greatly desire pleasures? let the remembrance of him that was crucified, crucify in thee all desire of pleasure. Let the remembrance of the burning of hell, extinguish in thee all the heat of lust. Compare the most short Short. moment of pleasure, with everlasting torments 11 Pleasures are beastly, Beastly. and make us like to the bruit beasts. The sweetness of the kingdom of heaven doth not savour with him that is daily full of the husks of Hogs. Mortify it Let us mortify all the pleasures of our senses, and with Abraham, let us offer unto God in spiritual sacrifice, that beloved son, that is to say, the desires of our souls, voluntarily renouncing all pleasures, and embracing the sharpness of the Cross. 12 It is not a plain way and strawed with roses, Matth. 2. but a rough way, and beset with thorns, that leads to the kingdom of heaven. The outward man taketh increase by pleasures, the inward by the cross and tribulations: as much as the outward increaseth, so much the inward is diminished. Pleasures serve the body, but they that are truly godly, have the lest care of their body, and the greatest of their soul▪ Pleasures do captivated our heart, jest it should be free in the love of God. Thou shalt not carry away the pleasures, but the contempt of pleasures with thee in death, and bring it to the judgement. 13 Therefore let the love of God kill thy flesh, jest carnal love deceive thee. Let the remembrance of God's judgement be continually in thy mind, jest the perverse judgement of thy sensual appetite lead thee away into bondage. Regard not the flattering countenance of the serpent, Reu. 12. but think upon his tail that pricks sharply at the last. Overcome by the grace of Christ, that at length thou mayest be crowned a conqueror by Christ. Monday Noon. Prospero thou the works of our hands upon us, Psal. 90.17 O Lord o prospero thou our handy work. Quis norit daemonis astus? Who knoweth the devil's wiles? 3. Meditation. Of the lying in wait of the Devil. Think, O devout soul, in how great danger thou art which doth always hung over thee from thine adversary the devil: he is an enemy: Sat●●● arte. 1. in boldness most ready: 2. in force most strong, 3. in cunning most crafty, 4. of all treacheries most full, 5. in the desire of fight infatigable, 6. and into all shapes variable. 1 Treachery 2 He enticeth us unto diverse crimes, and after he hath enticed us, he doth accuse us before the tribunal seat of God. Gen. 3. Reu. 12: 2 Cunning He accuseth God with men, and men with God, and men again between themselves. He doth first exactly look into every one's inclination, and afterwards sets for him the snares of temptations: As they that assault Cities, Force. Comparison of assaulting Cities. go not in their assaults to the strong and fenced parts, but where they think that the walls are weak, the ditches plainer, and the towers not well guarded: so the Devil, always assaulting the soul of man, first sets upon that which he shall perceive to be weak, and of lest resistance. Being once overcome, he doth not altogether yield, Infatigable but he comes on again more valiantly to tempt, that he may overcome them by wearisomeness and negligence, whom he could not overcome by temptations violence. From whom can he refrain his wiles, 1 Bold. which durst to set upon the Lord of Majesty himself, with the fraud of his cunning? From what Christian will he abstain, which desired to winnow the Apostles of jesus Christ themselves as wheat? He deceived Adam in nature's institution, Cunning▪ whom shall he not be able to deceive in nature's restitution? He deceived judas in the school of our Saviour, whom shall he not be able to deceive in the world, the school of error? In all things the deceits of the devil are altogether to been feared: Infatigable cunning. In prosperity he provokes us to pride of mind: in adversity he eggs us on to desperation: If he seeth any one to be delighted in parsimony, he delights to tie him in the gives of insatiable covetousness: If he see one of a gallant and heroic spirit, he sets him on fire with the provocations of wrath: If he see a man somewhat jocund and merry, he provokes him to the heat of mad lust: those whom he sees fervent in Religion, be doth endeavour to hamper in vain superstition: those whom he sees placed in high dignities, them doth he vex with the firebrands of Ambition: when he drives unto sin, he amplifies the mercy of God: when he hath cast a man head long into sin, than he doth exaggerate the justice of God. First he will lead a man to presumption, afterwards he endeavours to bring him down to desperation. 3 Sometimes he doth oppugn us from without with persecutions: sometimes he doth oppugn us inwardly with fiery tentations: sometimes he doth impugn us openly and violently: sometimes hiddenly and fraudulently. Sometimes he distorteth the body with sickness, casteth into the fire, bloweth down houses, blasteth ourselves, servants, and cattles. Sometimes he raiseth open tyrants, oppressors, murderers, théeves, false witnesses, adulterers to spoil us. Sometimes false teachers, false friends, at home, abroad, in land, and sea, city and country, to seduce, betray, and make merchandise of us. He hath put gluttony in feeding, Corrupteth. luxury, in generation; sloth, in exercise; envy, in conversation; covetousness, in government; wrath, in correction; pride▪ in dignity; evil thoughts in the heart; false speeches in the mouth; unjust works in the members: in watching he moves to evil deeds, in sleeping to filthy dreams. So therefore every where, and in all things, the deceits of the devil are to be feared. Against security. 4 The Lord watcheth over us, and he watcheth: we are secure, and he goes about like a roaring lion. 5 If thou shouldest behold an angry lion to come violently upon thee, how wouldst thou tremble for fear? and when thou hearest that the infernal lion doth lay wait for thee, dost thou as yet sleep securely on both ears? Remedies. 6 Consider therefore, O faithful soul, the wiles of this most mighty enemy, 1 Spiritual armour. Ephes. 6. whom of thyself thou canst not escape, seek for the help of spiritual Armour: Let thy loins be girt with the truth▪ and putting on the breastplate of righteousness, put on the perfect righteousness of Christ, and thou shalt be safe from the temptations of the devil: hide thyself in the holes of the wounds of Christ: as often as thou art terrified with the darts of this malignant Serpent, do thou truly believe in Christ: as therefore Satan hath no right in Christ, so also he hath no right on him that truly believes in Christ. Let thy feet be shod in the preparation of the Gospel of peace. 7 Let the confession of Christ be always heard & sound in our mouth, 2 Confession. so no temptation of the devil shall hurt us: the words of the enchanter do not so much drive away the bodily serpent, as the speeches of a constant confession do drive away this spiritual serpent. 8 Let the buckler of faith 3 Faith. been taken up, that the fiery darts of this most wicked enemy may been quenched by us. It is faith, which also removes mountains: understand the mountains of doubtings, of persecutions, and of temptations. 9 The Israelites were not smitten of the Destroyer, whose posts were signed with the blood of the Paschal Lamb: they shall not be hurt of this Destroyer, whose hearts are sprinkled with the blood of Christ by faith. 10 Faith relies on the promises of God, but Satan cannot overturn the promises of God: therefore also he shall not be able to prevail against faith. 11 Faith is the light of the soul, therefore the temptations of the malignant spirit do easily appear in this light. 12 By faith our sins are cast into the deep sea of God's mercy, in that the fiery darts of the devil will easily be extinguished. 13 We aught also to take the helmet of Salvation, that is, 4 Hope. an holy hope: endure temptation, Fight better than peace. looking unto the end of temptation. For God is the governor of them that strive, and the crown of them that overcome: if there be no enemy, there is no fight: if there be no fight, there is no victory: it there be no victory, there is no crown: better is that fight which makes us near unto God, th●n that peace which enstrangeth us from God. 5 Sword of the Spirit. 14 We must also take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: let the consolations of the Scriptures be of more force with thee, than the contradictions of the devil: Christ overcame all the temptations of Satan with the Word, the Christians as yet overcome all the temptations of Satan with the Word. 6 Prayer. 15 To conclude, in prayers thou hast the greatest help against temptations: as often as the ship of thy soul is overwhelmed with the waves of temptations, awake Christ with prayers: by smiting we overcome our visible enemies, by pouring out of prayers, we overcome our invisible enemy. Fight, O Christ, for us, in us, that also we may overcome in thee. Mortis meditatio vita est. The meditation of death is life. 4. Meditation. Of the daily consideration of death. O Faithful Soul, Think of death all times. look for death every hour, because that lays wait for thee at all hours. In the morning, O man, when thou risest, think that this will be the last day of thy life: in the evening when thou goest to bed, think that this will been thy last night upon earth. 1 Whatsoever thou dost, In all works. whatsoever thou undertakest, think always first, and consider with thyself, whether thou wouldst do such things, if thou shouldest die this hour, and come to the judgement of God? Dost thou think, if thou dost not think of death, that it doth not draw near unto thee? or that death is hastened, if thou thinkest upon it? whether thou thinkest upon it or not, whether thou speak of it or not, it is always at thy back, hard at thy heels: thy life is but lent unto thee, it is not thy frée-hold. Thou camest in on this condition, that thou shouldest go out: thou camest naked, thou shalt go away naked: thy life is a pilgrimage, when thou hast walked long in it, at last thou must return: thou art but a Farmer and Tenant of the world, not a lasting Lord. Think every hour, that every moment thou art hasting. We are deceived in this that we think we die at the last gasp of our life: we die every day, every hour, every minute. That of our life which comes on also goes aways that of our life which is added, is likewise withdrawn and taken from us: we do not suddenly fall on earth, but we go towards it by degrees. 2 This our life is a way, Compose thyself to die. we must daily finish somewhat of it. Death and life seem to be most distant, when notwithstanding nothing is nearer than death to life: this always slides away, and that follows hard after. As they that go a journey in a ship, ofttimes when they feel it not, when they think not of it come to their haven; so whatsoever we do, whether we eat, or whether we drink, or whether we sleep, always we draw near to death. Many have made an end of their way, when they seek things needful for the way. 3 No man receives death cheerfully when it comes▪ but he that hath long compo●ed himself unto it. Die to thyself daily in thy life, so thou mayest live in death unto God. Before thou diest, let thy vices die in thee: let the old Adam die in thee in thy life, so Christ shall live in thee in death: let the outward man daily decay in thy life, so the inward man shall be renewed in thee in death. Prepare to die to eternity. 4 Death doth forthwith translate thee to eternity, because where the tree falleth, there it will abide: how carefully therefore must we think on death? Time passeth away, & the infinite spaces of eternity remain, therefore in time prepare thyself to eternity. Such as we shall be for eternity, blessed or wretched, it is decreed in that one hour of death, in this one moment eternal felicity is either possessed or lost. Benefits of the meditation of death. 5 Wherhfore, O faithful soul, how carefully oughtest thou to prepare thyself to this hour? Thou shalt easily contemn all things in the world, if thou wilt but think that thou shalt die: Think on thine eyes that shall wax dim in death, & thou shalt easily turn them away from vanity: think of thine ears that shall wax deaf in death, and thou shalt easily stop them against wicked and obscene words: think of thy tongue that shall wax stiff in death, and thou shalt have a greater care of thy speech. Let the sweat and anxiety of those that die, be continually before thine eyes, so thou shalt easily contemn the delights of the world: let the nakedness of those that go out of this life been continually before thine eyes, and poverty in this life shall not be grievous unto thee: think on the horror of the whole body in death, and thou shalt easily contemn the glory of the world. See the pitiful wailing of the soul when it is compelled to go out of the house of the body, and thou shalt easily take heed of the guilt of all sin. Think on the rottenness that follows death, and thou shalt easily make humble thy proud swelling flesh. Think how destitute and naked thou art left of all the creatures in death, and thou shalt easily turn thy love away from them, and turn it to thy Creator. 6 Think how narrowly death doth look that thou carry nothing with thee out of this life, and thou shalt easily contemn all the riches of the world. Sin bringeth e●●rna●l de●th 7 He that in this life doth daily die through sin, passeth by death to the punishments of eternal death No man passeth to eternal life, but he that gins to live here in Christ: that thou mayest live in death, grafted thyself by faith into Christ: let death always be in thy thought, because it is always in expectation of thee: we always carry about death, because we always carry about sin: but the wages of sin is death. 9 But if thou desire to scape the bitterness of death, By faith we scape death. keep the word of Christ. Faith doth conjoin and unite us with Christ. They therefore which are in Christ, die not, for Christ is their life. He that cleaves to God by faith, is one spirit with him: and therefore the faithful shall not die for ever, because God is his life. 10 The people of Israel pass through the Red-sea to the promised land: Death a gate to life and death Pharaoh and his army are drowned therein: so the death of the godly is the beginning to them of true life, and the gate of Paradise: but the death of the wicked and evil is not the end of their evils, but the knitting together of those that went before, and those that follow, they pass from the first death to the second. The benefit in death of our union with Christ. 11 So strait is the union of Christ and the faithful, that it cannot been dissolved by death: in the very thickest shadow of death, the torch of God's grace doth shine before them: in the perilous passage of death, Christ doth provide his beloved the protection of Angels. The bodies of the Saints are the temples of the holy Ghost: the holy Spirit will not suffer his temples to been utterly destroyed by death. The Word of God is an incorruptible séed, that is not extinguished by death, but is hidden in the hearts of the godly, and will quicken them in his time. Semper meditare gehennam. Think ever of hell 5. Meditation. Of the grievousness of the torments of hell. Think, O devout soul, on the heaviness of the pains of hell, and thou shalt easily overcome all the wicked pleasure of sinning. All evil no good to sinners. There will be the presence of all evil, and the absence of all good. What evil can be away from them which are punished for the greatest evil, that is to say, sin? What good can there be present with them, which are removed from the chiefest good, that is to say, God? whatsoever hath been given to the elect to the increase of their glory, all that shall turn to the damned to the augmentation of their pains. Touching. 1 There shall been the heat of fire, and the extremity of cold. There shall been perpetual darkness. There shall be smoke and continual tears. There shall be the terrifying sight Sight. of the devils. There shall be crying for ever. Taste. Smell. There shall been drought, thirst, the stink of brimstone, the worm of conscience, fear, grief, shame, Within. and the confusion of sins, manifested to all: envy, hatred, sadness, Without. the want of the sight of God, the taking away of all hope. 2 By the power of God the brightness of the fire Fire. shall be separated from the adustive virtue thereof. The brightness shall turn to the joy of the Saints: the force of burning to the torment of the damned. It shall shine to the wretched, not for an object of consolation, that they may see, whereat they may rejoice: but for increase of their misery, Shining to increase sorrow. Eyes. that they may see whereat they may more grieve. 3 The sight shall be deprived of the beholding of the Sun, the Moon, and all the Stars; as also of the sight of Christ, and all the Saints: and it shall be punished with weeping, smoke, and the beholding of the devils▪ and all the damned. The ears Ears. shall hear the howl and continual blasphemies of the damned: as also the horrible roar of the devils. The taste Taste: shall be afflicted with thirst and hunger: and shall be deprived of all the pleasure of meat and drink. Smell. The smelling shall be tormented with a sulphurous stink. The touching Touching. shall feel the fire burning within and without, and piercing even unto the marrow. Body deformed. 4 The bodies of the damned shall be ill-shapen, dark, slow, ponderous. The memory Memory shall be tormented with the remembrance of sins. Neither shall it grieve so much that it hath sinned, as that it hath lost his pleasures. The fantasy shall been afflicted with hard imaginations, and discourses of life and death, good and ill, heaven and hell. Spark many torments. One spark of the fire of hell, shall hurt the sinners, more than if a woman should endure a thousand years in labour, and bringing forth a child. There shall been no vice which shall not there have his proper torment. There shall been weeping for grief, and gnashing of the tooth for madness: in the flesh they shall been tormented by the worm of conscience. Nothing availeth. 5 As nothing is desired in the kingdom of God, which may not been found: so there is nothing found in hell, which is desired. It shall there nothing avail the damned, that they have used diverse pleasures Pleasures. in this life. But the remembrance of them shall rather torment them. It shall nothing avail the damned, that in this life they have lived in continual saturity and drunkenness: Drunkenness. Which cannot then obtain as much as a drop of water. It shall nothing avail them that they have been here gallantly arrayed, Apparel. because they shall be covered with confusion, and their bodies shall been clothed with shame. It shall nothing avail them that in this life they were placed in honours: Honour. because in hell there shall been no honour, but continual groaning and grief. Richeses. It shall nothing avail them, that in this life they have heaped riches: because there shall be equal poverty of all. Shall not see God. 6 They shall be removed from the blessed, and blessed-making sight of God: not to see God, is more than all the torments of hell. 7 If the damned that are shut up in the prison of hell, could see the face of God, they should feel no pain, no grief, no sadness. But they shall have experience of the wrath of God: and yet they shall never behold the blessed face of God: They shall feel punishments from his face: and yet they shall never behold his face. The wrath of God shall everlastingly inflame the fire of eternal damnation like a River of Brimstone. Neither shall they only be removed from the beholding of God, but they shall also miserably be tormented with the sights of devils. 8 They shall feel their scourges, Scourges of devils. Sight. whose will they have followed in their life. If the beholding of some spirit doth almost make a man dead in this life: what shall the horrible looks of the devil do, which shall abide for ever? 9 Neither shall the damned be constrained only to been perpetually conversant with the devils: Converse. but they shall also feel themselves to be everlastingly tormented of them. If the devil by the permission of God doth so grievously afflict the Saints in this life: how grievously shall he torment the damned, when they are delivered to his power for ever? The damned shall not only be tormented by the devils without: but also by the worm of conscience within. No help of repentance. 10 All the sins which ever they have committed, shall continually be set before their eyes: but the torment shall be by so much the more grievous, because there remains no more the benefit of repentance. When the virgins that are in readiness shall enter with the Bridegroom, by and by the gate shall be shut: No mercy understand the gate of indulgence, the gate of mercy, the gate of consolation, the gate of hope, the gate of grace, the gate of holy conversion. Not hills. 11 The damned shall cry out and say to the hills and rocks, fall upon us, and hide us from the wrath of the Lamb: but that cry shall be in vain, because heaven and earth shall fly from his wrath, as it is written, Every Island flies away, and the hills are not found. 12 The damned shall not feel any ease from thence, that some of their kinsfolk and friends are taken up into heaven: because the elect also shall feel no grief from thence, that they know that some of their kinsfolk are gone to everlasting punishment. 13 There shall be indeed degrees Degrees. of punishments, but yet he which feels the lest torments, shall thenceforth feel no ease. He that shall be tormented with greater torments, shall envy him which is afflicted with less. There shall be so great grief & torment in the damned, that their mind can be directed to no other thing, but to that the force of grief doth drive them. 14. The damned shall hate all the creatures of God, Hate God they shall hate one another, they shall hate the holy Angels, the elect men, yea, even God himself, not in himself, and in his nature, but in the effects of his justice. 15 All the evils of this life are singular: one is pressed down with poverty, another is tormented with the grievousness of a disease, one is cast down under hard slavery, another is burdened with an heap of reproaches: but there all shall be tormented together with all evils: There all. there shall be universal griefs in all the senses and members. Here hope There none. In this life the hope of ease doth mitigate all vexations: but there is left no hope of deliverance. The pain of hell is not only eternal, but also without interruption, even for the space of one minute. Great torments. 16 And hence it is, if all the men born since Adam until this day, and that shall be borne hereafter, and live till the last day: if they should divide but one punishment which the soul is constrained to endure for one sin in hell equally amongst them, than every particle of that punishment of one man, would be greater than all the torments which all robbers and malefactors ever have endured. O Lord grant that we may think upon hell, jest we fall into hell. Tormenta aeterna malorum. The torments of the wicked are eternal. 6. Meditation. Of the eternity of the pains of hell. Think, O devout soul, on the eternity of the pains of hell, and thou shalt the better understand the grievousness thereof. There is in Hell a raging flame, and burning without end: Life, death the life of the damned is to die without end: Torment. their death is to live in eternal pains. Neither is ho wearied which tormenteth: neither doth he at any time die which is tormented. The fire doth so consume there, that notwithstanding it always reserves: the torments are so augmented there, that notwithstanding they are always renewed, the damned shall so die, that they may always live: they shall so live, that they may always die. Never have desire. 2 That a man should be tormented for ever without end, that goes beyond all the bounds of desperation. For, what is more grievous than always to will that which never shall be, and always to be unwilling to that which for ever shall not choose but be? The damned shall not attain that which they would for ever, and they shall be compelled to suffer that which they would not for ever. 3 When the justice of God justice of God. shall be changed, the torments of the wicked shall also be changed: but the justice of God is invariable, therefore the punishments of the damned shall be eternal. When the wrath of God shall cease, God's wrath ever. the pains of the damned shall also cease: but his wrath is eternal, therefore their pains shall be eternal. 4 It pertains to the sentence of the severe judgement, ●udgement. that they never want punishment, which in this life would never want sin. The damned have chosen momentany pleasure, and the finite goods of the world, before the infinite good God: they have strove rather to attain the delights of this fading and short life, than the riches of the life eternal: it is just therefore that they feel infinite pains. It is just that there be no bounds of vengeance given to the damned, who, as long as he was able, would have no bound of sin. The damned have sinned for their lasting, Ever sin that is, as long as they lived: it is just that they be punished for God's everlasting. They have sinned with end, because they have lived with end: verily they would not have offended with end, if they might have lived without end, that they might sin without end. Devil's tormenting. 5 When the devils shall leave off to torment, the damned shall cease to been tormented: but the rage of the devil shall never cease; therefore the torment of the damned man shall never cease. Repenting never. 6 When the damned shall truly repent, they shall be freed from their sins: but the time of repentance is shut up before, therefore there remains no hope of mercy. An evil will shall never be taken away from the damned: The will ever ill. therefore the punishment of an evil will shall never be taken away. Fire eternal, sin. 7 The manner also of the fire of hell is eternal, that is to say, the spot of sin, theerefore also agreeably the pain is eternal. The filthiness of sins in the damned shall not been removed from the eyes of God: how then can the greatness of the punishments appointed against sin be removed? Sins object infinite. Moreover, sin is an infinite evil, because it is committed against the infinite good: and Christ paid for it an infinite price, therefore agreeably an infinite punishment is appointed for those which die in sins. 8 God created man in the beginning to his own Image, Creation. that he might live with him for ever. 9 Man killed God's Image killed. in himself the eternal good, therefore by the just judgement of God, he fell into the eternal evil. 10 God reform man, Reformation in Christ. being fall'n into sin, through Christ, to his own Image: he hath provided for him all the means of eternal salvation, and hath offered unto him all the rewards of eternal life: therefore it is just that they which will want the eternal rewards, been also subject unto eternal punishments. Eternity ever beginneth torments. 11 O eternity without all bounds! O eternity that can been measured by no spaces of time! O eternity that can been understood by no understanding of man! how much dost thou increase the punishments of the damned? After innumerable thousands of years, they shall always be constrained to think, that this is to them only the beginning of torments. Comparison. How grievous a thing is it to lie in a most soft bed unmoveable for thirty years? what will it been to burn thirty thousand years in that lake of fire and brimstone? 12 O eternity, eternity! thou alone beyond all measure dost exaggerate the torments of the damned. Grievous is the punishment of the damned, by reason of the sharpness of their torments: it is the more grievous, by reason of the diversity of their torments: it is most grievous, for the eternity of their torments: there shall be death without death, end without end, defect without defect: because death ever liveth, and the end ever beginneth, and the defect knoweth not how to fail. 14 The damned shall seek life, Seek ease in vain. and shall not find it, they shall seek death, and death shall fly away from them: after an hundred thousand thousand thousand years, without any end they shall return to renewed torments. The thought of the continuance of their grief shall more torment them, than the feeling of their outward torment: what can be more wretched than so to die, that thou mayest always live, so to live, that thou mayest always die? that life will be deadly, and death immortal. If thou art life, why dost thou kill? If death, why dost thou always endure? We do not perfectly know what manner of thing eternity may be. For it is no doubt, but that which is circumscribed by no measure of time, Eternity not known can also be comprehended by no created understanding. Yet if thou wilt esteem any thing of the space of eternity, thou must think of the time before the world: if thou canst find the beginning of God, thou mayest also find when the torment of the damned will have end. 15 Imagine some most high mountain, A mountain and bird. which in greatness may exceed the space of heaven and earth, Imagine a certain Bird to carry away every thousand years from this hill one little grain of the thinnest dust: It might been hoped, that at length, after many incomprehensible thousands of years, the greatness of that Hill would be finished: but it cannot be hoped that the fire of Hell will ever have end. 16 The rewards of the Elect shall never have end, Contrary to the same, joy. the torments of the damned shall never be finished: because as the mercy of God is infinite toward the chosen, so the justice of God is infinite towards the reprobate. 17 Imagine that there are as many kinds of torments in the damned as there are drops of water in the great Sea: A Sea and Bird. imagine that after every thousand year a certain Bird should come, and draw up one small drop of water: it might be hoped, that at length the abundance of the Sea might be exhausted, but it cannot be hoped that the torments of the damned should ever have end. Meditate, 18 O devout soul, let the eternal punishment of the damned be ever before thine eyes: the remembrance of hell keeps us from falling into hell. Repent. 19 Have a care of repentance, while there is as yet a time of mercy: what other thing shall that fire devour but thy sins? by how much the more thou heapest up sins, by so much thou reservest the more matter for the fire. O Lord jesus, which hast satisfied by thy passion for our sins, keep us from everlasting damnation. Amen. Monday, Evening Prayer. THat my mind being freed from the distractions of worldly businesses, which are the bane of piety, in the shutting up of this day, I may lay me down to quiet rest, ruminating devoutly on those holy Meditations wherein I have been exercised: purify, O Lord, and cleanse my heart from all worldly and thoughts, and put into it the desire of good things, that it being lifted up above these earthly, I may fasten the eye of my soul on the contemplation of heavenly matters. And because (my good Lord) that that spiritual Nahash, the Devil, labours to put this right eye of contemplation out of mine head, and to leave unto me only the left to look down upon, and to behold this earth and this world, which bewitching my senses, may make me enamoured of them, and forsaking thee, in inordinate love to cleave unto them. Give me, O Lord, the light of knowledge, to discern between the earthly and the heavenly, the perishing and the lasting, and the grace, these to prefer, to my chiefest joy, and to choose the better part, jest my soul cleaving to this earth and clay, and embracing this present evil world should leave and lose thee which art life and bliss, yea, and lose itself, and perish with the perishing. Grant therefore, O my God, that I may always think of the unconstancy of this life, jest I build unto myself here a Babel of confused, ruinous and forlorn hopes. Give grace that I may consider seriously of the vanity of this world; jest the honours, pleasures, riches, lusts thereof deceive me. Let not that wily Serpent entrap my soul, which lays his snares for me in all the paths wherein I walk: Make me, whilst here I live, to compose myself to death, that when the time of my dissolution shall come, I may not die the death: And save my soul, O Lord, from the lower-most Hell, the pains whereof are most grievous, and torments eternal, that I may live and praise thee in thy kingdom: unto which bring me for thy dear Son's sake, Christ jesus, which hath died for me to save me. To whom, etc. Tuesday, Morning Prayer. ABout the opening of the eyelids of the morning, when I awake (O my Lord God) and think of the benefit of rest, that thou hast given me, while I have paused in my bed by night, lo, the day sprung from on high visiting; and the light blessing mine eyes, minds me of thy other benefits & blessings, which thou hast given me, aswel the light as the night; the light, therein to go forth unto my labour until the evening, the night therein to pause & rest. Lord think I, what am I? or what is man? that thou shouldst thus make the Sun, the Moon, the Stars to serve us in their courses, to serve us in their seasons? Early and late thou visitest us, and fillest our hearts with joy and gladness: as if it had been a small thing for thee to have given us the sons of men, the earth for a possession, to have made us lords of the beasts of the field, of the fowls of the air, & the fishes of the sea, and to have put all these things in subjection under our feet: thou hast made the heavens themselves to serve us, nay what is more, the Angels also, the inhabitants of the heavenly country, to minister unto us. These are great and excellent things that I have spoken of, tokens of thy love; but when I think, how besides all these, thou hast sent thine own Son, thine only begotten Son, out of thine own bosom, in the similitude of sinful flesh, into this world, to poverty, ignominy, to death, even the shameful death of the Cross, for us men and for our salvation, than my heart faileth within me, melting away, because I cannot conceive sufficiently of so great a benefit of so great love, and of so great salvation: what thanks (O Lord) do I own unto thee, for creating me, when I was not? For redeeming me, when I was worse than naught? for calling me by thy Word, for justifying me by thy righteousness; for sanctifying me by thy Spirit; for conserving my body unto this day in the life natural, and my soul in the life of grace spiritual? I must confess with jacob, and say, I am less than all the mercy, and all the truth and goodness that thou hast showed unto thy servant: for thy goodness hath been greater towards me, than I can esteem: thy mercies have been more towards me, than I can tell how to number. I own unto thee my whole self, for that thou hast creaed me: I own unto thee more than myself, for that thou hast redeemed me. I cannot utter nor conceive thanks worthy of thy love and kindness, of thy bounty and goodness towards me; the oblation of my heart, the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, the calves of my lips I offer up unto thee; Accept them (O Lord) and accept me thy servant, in thy Son Christ jesus, and for his sake. To whom, etc. Sanat confessio Morbi. Confession cureth souls. 7. Meditation. Of the true acknowledgement of our sins. O Holy God, O just judge, my sins are always before mine eyes, always in my mind, every hour I think of death, because death hangs over mine head at all hours: I think every day of judgement, because I must tender an account of every day in judgement. Vain life. 1 I examine my life, and behold it is altogether vain and profane: vain and unprofitable are many my actions: vain as yet are more my speeches: vain moreover are most my cogitations: neither is my life only vain, but also profane Profane. wicked, I find no good in it, for if any thing seem in it good, it is not truly good and perfect, because the contagion of original sin, Corrupt. and my corrupt nature hath marred it with defect. 2 The holy man job said: I did fear all my works. If the holy man complain so, what aught the wicked man to do? Our best, corrupt. All our righteousness is like the cloth of a menstruous woman: if such be our righteousness, what will been our unrighteousness? 3 If you do all things (saith our Saviour) which are commanded you, Unprofitable. say ye are unprofitable servants: if in obeying we are unprofitable, surely in transgressing, we shall be abominable. 4 If I own myself, and whatsoever I can do, unto thee (O holy God) yea when I do not sin, what can I tender unto thee for my sin? Our righteousness itself, which seems to be such, compared to God's righteousness is mere unrighteousness. A light A light in the Sun. is seen to shine in darkness, which being put in the Sunbeams, is quite darkened by his brightness. A piece of wood is thought to been strait, if it be not laid to the Line, but when it is laid to the Line, Timber to the Line. by a certain crookedness it is found where it is out of square. A picture A picture to a workman. will seem perfect in the eyes of those that look on it, which notwithstanding is much unperfect in the eyes of the Artificer: so, that oftentimes is foul in the discretion of the judge, which shines in the opinion of the workman. For the judgement of God and of men are not all one. Memory. 5 The memory of many of my sins doth affright me: but more of them are hidden from me. Hid faults. Who understands his faults? Cleanse me (O Lord) from my hidden sins. No refuge in heaven 6 I dare not lift up mine eyes to heaven, because I have offended him which dwells in heaven. Neither do I find any refuge in the Earth: Earth. for what favour can I hope for of the Creatures, when I have offended the Lord of the creatures? Mine adversary the Devil doth accuse me: The devil's claim. Most just judge, saith he to God, judge him for his fault to be mine, which through grace would not been thine: thine he is by nature, mine by taking pleasure together with me in sin: thine he is by thy passion, mine by my persuasion: disobedient he is to thee, obedient to me: of thee he received the long robe of immortality and innocency, of me he hath received this patched coat of a most wicked life: he hath let go thy garment, and is come to me with mine. judge him to be mine, and to been damned with me. 7 All the Elements accuse me. The Heaven saith, Heaven. I have ministered light unto thee to comfort thee. The Air saith, Air. I have given thee all kind of birds to obey thee. The Water saith, Water. I have given thee all kind of fishes to feed thee. The Earth saith, Earth. I have given thee bread and wine to nourish thee: but yet thou hast abused all these, to the contempt of our Creator. Gen. 4. Therefore may all our benefit turn to thy torture. Fire. 8 The fire saith, let him be burned in me: the water saith, let him be drowned in me: the air saith, let him be winnowed in me: the earth saith, let him be devoured of me: and hell saith, let him be swallowed up of me. Lost the benefit of Angels. 9 The holy Angels accuse me, whom God had given to minister unto me in this life, and to keep me company in the life to come: but by my sins I have deprived myself of their holy ministry in this life, and of the hope of their society in the other life. God by the law accuseth. 10 The voice of God itself doth accuse me, that is to say his divine law: either I must fulfil the law of God or else I must perish: but that I should fulfil the law is impossible, and to perish everlastingly, is intolerable. God the most severe judge The judge doth accuse me, the most mighty executor of his eternal law. I cannot deceive him, for he is wisdom itself. I cannot fly from him, for he is the power that reigns every where. Wither therefore shall I fly? To thee most loving jesus, my only Saviour and Redeemer. Saviour, Satisfaction My sins are great, but thy satisfaction is greater. My unrighteousness is great, Righteousness. but thy righteousness is greater. I acknowledge, do thou forgive. I open, do thou shut. I uncover, do thou cover. There is nothing in me, but whence I may be damned: there is nothing in thee, All sufficient. but whence I may be saved I have committed many things for which I may be most justly damned: but thou hast not lost that through which thou mayest most mercifully save me. I hear the voice in the Canticles, which bids me hide me in the holes of the Rock: thou art a most sure Rock. Thy wounds my caves. The holes of the Rock are thy wounds, in them will I hide me against the accusations of all creatures. My sins cry unto heaven but thy blood Blood crieth. Heb. 12. which was shed for my sins, cries more strongly. My sins are of great power to accuse me before God, but thy passion is of greater power to defend Defend. me. My most unrighteous life is able to condemn me, but thy most just life is more able to save Save. me. I appeal from the Throne of thy justice in the Law, to the Throne of thy mercy in the Gospel. Neither do I desire to come to judgement, unless thy most holy merit be placed between me and thy judgement. Securè vivere, mors est. A secure life is death. 8. Meditation. Of the shaking off of Security. Think, O devout soul of the difficulty to be saved, and thou shalt easily shake off all security. At no time, and no where is there security, neither in heaven, nor in Paradise, much less in the world. 1 The Angel fell in the presence of the divinity. The holiest fall. Adam fell in the place of pleasure. 2 Adam was created to the image of God, nevertheless he was deceived by the cunning of the devil. 3 Solomon was the wisest of all men, notwithstanding he was turned away from the Lord by women. 4 judas was in the school of our Saviour, and did daily receive the wholesome words of that great Doctor: neither yet was he safe from the snares of the seducer: he was cast headlong into the pit of avarice and out of avarice, into the pit of eternal sadness. David was a man after Gods own heart, and the most dear Son of the Lord: but by murder and adultery, he was made the son of death. 5 Where therefore is there security in this life? cleave with a firm confidence of thy heart to the promises of God, God a safe refuge. and thou shalt be safe from the assaults of the devil. There is no security in this life, but that which the infallibility of God's promises yields to them that believe, and walk in the ways of the Lord. We shall come to the future felicity, then at length shall we have full security. In this life fear and religion are knit together, neither aught one to be without the other. 6 Be not secure in adversity, Adversity no security. but whatsoever adversities befall thee, think they are the scourges of thy sins. Often times God doth punish hidden faults by manifest chasticements. Think of the grievous blemish of thy sins, and fear the just revenger of sins. 7 Be not secure in prosperity: Prosperity for God is angry with him that is not corrected in this life. What are the afflictions of the godly? bitter darts cast out of the sweet hand of God. God counts many unworthy of the present punishment, which notwithstanding he doth reprobate for ever. The success of humane felicity is ofttimes a token of eternal damnation. Nothing is more unhappy than the felicity of sinners: nothing is more miserable than he that knows no misery. Wither soever thou turnest thine eyes, thou findest matter of grief, and beholdest remedies Remedies. against security. Above think of God, God. whom we have offended: Hell. beneath of hell, which we have deserved: behind of our sins which we have committed: Sins, judgement Conscience. before of the judgement, which we fear: within of our conscience, which we have defiled: without of the world World. which we have loved. Place. 8 See from whence thou comest, and blush: where thou art, and sigh: whither thou art going, and tremble. Gate and way. 9 Narrow is the gate of salvation, but yet straighter is the way of salvation. God hath given thee the treasure of faith: Faith. but thou bearest that treasure in earthen vessels. God hath given thee the Angels Angels. to keep thee: but the devil is not fare off to seduce thee. Renovation. He hath renewed thee in the spirit of thy mind: but thou hast much as yet of the oldness of the flesh. Grace. Thou art set in the grace of God; but thou art not yet placed in the eternal glory. 10 A mansion Mansion. is provided thee in heaven: but yet the world by her assaults must first afflict thee. 11 God hath promised thee leave to repent: Repentance. but he hath not promised to give thee a will to repent when thou dost offend. The consolations Consolation. of eternal life do abide thee: but yet thou must enter by many tribulations. The crown Crown. of eternal reward is promised thee: but there remains a great fight which must first be overcome of thee. God doth not change his promise, neither oughtest thou to change the study of an holy life. To the servant that doth not do as he is commanded, the Lord will do as he hath threatened. We must therefore sigh continually, and mourn, setting aside security: jest a man be forsaken by the just and secret judgement of God, and be left in the power of the devils, to be destroyed. So long as the grace of God is present with thee, be thou delighted in it: Grace delightful. yet so, that thou think not that thou dost possess the gift of God by an hereditary right, so secure of it, as if thou couldst never lose it, jest suddenly when the Lord shall withdraw his gift, and draw back his hand, thou been abashed in thy mind, and become more sad than thou oughtest. Happy art thou doubtless, Beware. if thou take care to beware of carefulness, the source of all evils. 11 God will not forsake thee, but take heed Take heed that God been not forsaken of thee. God hath given thee grace, Pray. pray that he may also give thee perseverance. God hath commanded thee that of thy salvation thou be sure, Be sure. but he hath not commanded, that thou be secure. 13 Thou must fight Fight. valiantly, that at length thou mayest triumph sweetly. Thy flesh within thee fights against thee, an enemy by how much the nearer, by so much the fearefuller. The world about thee fights against thee, an enemy by how much of the greater number, by so much the more to been feared. The devil above thee fights against thee, an enemy by how much the more mighty, by so much the more to been feared. Fear not in the strength of God to wrestle with those enemies, in the strength of God thou shalt get the victory. Enemies not observed. 14 But thou shalt not overcome so great enemies by security, but by continual fight. The time of thy life, is the time of fight. Than art thou specially set upon, when thou knowest not that thou art set upon. Than do they specially gather their strength, when they seem to yield thee some rest. Be ready. They watch, and dost thou sleep? They prepare themselves to hurt thee, and dost not thou prepare to resist? 15 Many faint in the way, before a place can be given them in the Country. How many of the Israelites died in the Desert, none of which attained unto the promised Land? How many of the spiritual sons of Abraham perish in the desert of this life, before they attain the promised inheritance of the heavenly Kingdom? Think of examples. There is nothing of more force to shake off security, then if we think of the small number of those that persevere. Therefore let there be so great desire of the heavenly Desire of heaven. glory in us, and love to come thither: let there be so great grief Grief, loss. that we have not yet attained it: let there been so great fear, Ever fear. jest we should not attain it, that we perceive no joy, unless it been of those things that minister unto us either help or hope to come thither. 16 What doth it avail thee to rejoice for a moment, joy momentany. if thou been enforced to lament everlastingly? What joy can there be in this life, if that pass away which delighteth, but that pass not away which tormenteth? 17 We live secure, as if we had passed over the hour of death and judgement. Christ saith, that he will come to judgement in the hour that we think not: Hear and fear. Unprovided. the truth saith this, and repeats it again: hear, and fear, If the Lord shall come in that hour in which we think not, it is greatly to be feared jest we come unprovided to judgement. If we come unprovided, how shall we be able to bear the severe examination of this judgement? Nevertheless that which is lost in this one moment, Lost, never got again judgement in a moment. cannot be gotten again for ever. It shall be adjudged in the shortness of one moment, what manner of men we shall be for all eternity. In this one moment, life and death, damnation and salvation, eternal pain, and eternal glory, shall been adjudged to every one. O Lord which hast given us grace unto good, give us moreover perseverance in that which is good. Tuesday Noon. What reward shall I give unto thee, O Lord, Psalm 116.11. for all the benefits that thou hast done unto me? Jlle negat Christum, qui se non abnegat ipsum. Thou must deny thyself, or Christ. 5. Meditation. Of the denying of a man's own self. HE that will follow me, Deny ourself. let him deny himself, saith our Saviour: to deny himself, is to renounce the love of his owno self, the love of a man's own self kéeps out the love of God: if thou wilt be the Disciple of Christ, it is necessary, that the root of the love of thine own self die in thee utterly. Root out self-love. No man love's Christ but he that hates himself. Unless the grain of corn that falls into the earth be dead, it brings forth no fruit: so also thou canst not entertain and receive the fruits of the holy Ghost, unless the love of thyself be dead in thy heart. Abraham forsook his country. Gen. 12. 1 The Lord said to Abraham, Go out of thy own land, and from thy kindred, and from the house of thy father, to the land which I shall show thee. Abraham could not have been made so great a Prophet, unless he had first gone out of his own country. Thou shalt not been a true Disciple of Christ, and a true spiritual man, before thou departest from thine own love. 2 jacob by the touching of the Angel did halt upon one foot, the other being sound and whole. Two feet double love. By these two feet is understood a double love, that of a man's own self, and that of God: then shall a man been partaker of God's blessing, when he shall halt on the foot of the love of himself, that other of the love of God remaining whole and sound. The eye. It cannot been that with one and the same eye thou canst behold heaven and earth: so it cannot be, that with one and the same will a man should love himself inordinately and God too. Love Love the best only. is the chiefest good of our soul, therefore we must give this chiefest good of our soul, to the chiefest of good, that is, to God. 3 Thy love is thy God, that is to say, What thou lovest, is thy God. whatsoever thou lovest principally, that dost thou set up in the place of God. Whatsoever thou lovest chief, that thou thinkest to be chiefest: but God is truly the chiefest of all things: he therefore that love's himself, Self love. Idolatry. thinketh himself to be God, and sets himself up in the place of God, which is altogether the greatest idolatry. 4 That which thou dost especially love, that thou esteemest the end of all things and holdest it the last compliment of thy desires: but God alone is the beginning and end of the creatures: he is the first and the last: he alone fills the desire of our heart, God fills all desires. and nothing of that which is created can satiate the desires: therefore thou oughtest to prefer the love of God, before the love of thine own self. God is the beginning and the end: in him therefore aught our love to begin, in him also aught it to end. 5 The Essence of God is without all the creatures, even as God was from everlasting Everlasting. in himself therefore withdraw thy love from all the creatures. Such as thy love is, such also are thy works. If thy works proceed out of true faith, and out of the love of God, they are acceptable unto God, and great in his eyes, although they be but little in the eyes of all men: if they proceed out of the love of thine own self, they can never please God. The love of a man's own self doth defile all the excellentest works. 6 When Christ was in the house of Simon, Mary's example good. a certain woman broke a vessel of precious ointment, and anointed the head of Christ: the work appeareth to be small, notwithstanding it was acceptable unto Christ, because it did proceed out of true faith, Luke 7. pure love, and serious contrition. The sacrifice was a work acceptable to God in the old Testament: notwithstanding it did not please God that Saul Saul ill. did separate the prey of the Amalekites, to offer sacrifices unto God. Why? because this did not proceed out of the love of God. For if he had loved God truly, he had not contemned the commandment of God of burning the spoil: he loved himself and his own devotion. Love is a certain fire, for so prays the Church: Come holy Ghost, and kindle the fire of thy love in the faithful. Love as fire ascendeth. Fire doth not stick as fastened in the earth, but always goes upward: so thy love aught not to rest in thyself, but to lift itself upward unto the Lord. 7 Moreover, to deny a man's own self, is to renounce his own honour. Honour given to God, not ourselves. The greatest and highest honour is due to the chiefest good alone: God is the chiefest good. He that seeks his own glory, cannot seek God's glory, as our Saviour said to the pharisees: How can ye believe, which receive glory one of another? Behold Christ's example and follow it: he oftentimes testifieth of his own self, Christ doth not seek his own glory. that he seeks not his own glory, that he receives not honour from men, that he is humble in heart. 7 All thy gifts thou receivest from God, therefore give all again unto God: all the rivers Rivers. of good things proceed from this fountain of divine goodness: therefore let all good things be carried again into the Sea. The herbs which are called Sollequia, Marigold. always turn themselves to the Sun, from whom they draw their life and nourishment: so with all thy gifts, and with all thine honour turn thee unto God, and attribute nothing unto thyself. If thou hast any thing of thyself, What hast thou that thou hast not received? thou mayest seek thine own honour, and attribute thy gifts unto thyself: but because thou hast nothing of thyself, but all from God, therefore thou oughtest not to seek thine own but God's honour. A man's own honour doth turn man away from God. There is an example Example. in Nabuchadnezzar which safe, This is that Babylon which I have built for the house of my kingdom, in the strength of my power, and for the glory of any Majesty. 8 But what follows? as yet the word was in the mouth of the King, when a voice came from heaven: I say unto thee, Nabuchadnezzar, thy kingdom is gone from thee: they shall cast thee out from among men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. So if of thine own honour and pride, that is to say, of the building of thine own works, thou esteem of thy spiritual Babylon, and givest the honour thereof to thine own self, and not to God alone, thou shalt be cast out of the sight of God. 9 To conclude, God's will best. to deny a man's own self, is to deny his own william. We must always obey the best will: but the will of God is always best. We must obey his will, from whom we have all that we have: but all things come from God unto us. We must obey his will, which always leads us to life, and to good: the will of God doth always lead us to life and to good. Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the request of thy heart. Our own will doth lead us to death and damnation. Through what did our first Father fall out of the grace of God and state of salvation, into eternal damnation? Setting aside the will of God, he followed his own will, he neglected the commandment of the Lord, and harkened to the persuasion of the devil. 10 Therefore the true disciple of Christ, renounceth his own will, and desires to follow the will of God. Behold Christ, he being in the agony of his passion, offers up his own will, as a most acceptable sacrifice unto God. Offer thou also thine own will unto God, Christ's will offered to his Father. and so thou shalt perform that which Christ requires of thee, the denying of thyself. O Lord, let thy holy will be done, as in heaven, so also in the earth. Crescit sub pondere palma. The Palm increaseth under the weight. 10. Meditation. Of the profit of Temptation. IT is profitable for the faithful soul, to been tried and confirmed by Temptations in this world. Christ tempted, Our Saviour himself would wrestle with the devil in the Wilderness, that he might overcome him for us: and for our salvation, and that he might been the first and faithful fighter of our conflict. He descended first into hell, afterwards again he ascended into Heaven: so the faithful soul doth first descend to the hell of temptations, that she may ascend to the heavenly glory. 1 The people of Israel Israel. could not possess the promised land of Canaan, unless they had first overcome diverse enemies: neither can the faithful soul promise to itself the kingdom of heaven, unless she first overcome the flesh, the world, and the devil. Temptation doth try us, purge us, illuminate us. Temptation doth try us: because our faith being shaken with adversity, is strengthened more firmly on the Rock of salvation, propagates itself wider into the branches of good works, & it is lifted up higher into the hope of deliverance. 2 When Abraham Abraham's sacrifice. being commanded to sacrifice his son, shown himself readily obedient to the commandment of God, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him after the temptation, saying, Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not spared thine only Son for me: so if thou shalt offer unto God the beloved son of thy soul, that is to say, thine own will in temptations thou shalt be reputed truly fearing God, and shalt feel the talk of God in thine heart. The fire tryeth gold; temptation, faith. Faith trie● by tentation. It appears in the battle how valiant the soldier is: so temptation shows how strong our faith is. When the boisterous rage of winds, and the tempestuous waves of waters rush upon the ship of Christ, than it appears, of how little faith are some of his disciples. 3 The Israelites, whom the Lord commanded to be led to overcome the Midianites, were first tried at the waters: so they are first tried in the waters of tribulations and temptations, which overcoming their enemies, are to be brought into the heavenly country. Whatsoever adversity therefore, whatsoever temptation happen to the faithful soul, let her think it to be for probation, not for reprobation. 4 Temptation doth also purge us. Our Physician Christ doth use many grains of Aloes to draw out the pestiferous humour of the love of ourselves, and the world. Tribulation doth stir us up to search our conscience, and calls again into our memory, the sins of our life that is past. Yea, as the physic of the body keepeth us from contagious diseases: so tribulation preserves us from sins. Man truly is always inclined to fall, yet more in the time of prosperity, Ease slayeth prosperity. then of adversity. Richeses are thorns unto many: Therefore God plucks up the thorns, jest they might strangle their souls. 5 Variety of worldly business Business. doth hinder many from the service of GOD: therefore God sends them diseases, that returning to themselves, they may begin to die to the world, to live to God. It hath been profitable unto many to have fall'n from the high tower, either of wealth or honour, unto the quiet rest of a mean condition. The honour Honour. of the world lifts up many unto pride: God therefore sends contempt, and withdraws that which nourisheth pride. ●ipes ●e understanding. 6 Finally, temptation doth enlighten us. We know not, we acknowledge not, unless it be in temptations, how frail and vain all the world's comfort is. When Stephen was stoned, he saw the glory of Christ: so Christ shows himself to the contrite soul in calamities. True and joy comes not but from God dwelling in us. God dwells in a contrite and humble spirit: it is affliction and temptation which makes the spirit humble and contrite: therefore true and solid joy is in the soul of the afflicted. 7 Temptation is a certain way to the knowledge of God: therefore the Lord saith, I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and make him see my salvation. 8 Tobias, when he was blind, saw nothing of those things which were above, beneath, or before him, not not himself: but being illumined of God, by the Angel Raphael, he saw all things, which before he could not see: using no other medicine than the gall Gall giveth sight. of the fish: that by this it might be declared, that our eyes must been anointed and illuminated with the gall of bitterness, that we may come to the true knowledge of ourselves, and the goods of the world. 9 Wherhfore saith the Apostle, that we know in an enigme or dark saying? because we know in temptations, that God can make his Elect merry, under the form of sadness: that he can quicken them, under the form of death: that he can heal them under the form of diseases: that he can enrich them, under the form of poverty. 10 Therefore the cross and temptation aught to been acceptable unto him, which is not ungrateful unto Christ that was crucified for us, and tempted for us. O good jesus, burn here, Correct us O Lord. strike here, that thou mayest spare us in the world to come. O good jesus, which ofttimes by sparing dost cast us from thee, make us by stripes to return unto thee. Afflict and press our outward man, that our inward man may grow and been lively: fight, O good jesus in me, against me. 11 Be thou my governor in striving, and my crown in overcoming. Let whatsoever adversity I feel in myself, be the strength and increasing of my faith. Increase our faith. Help, O good jesus, my weak faith, for so thou hast promised in thine holy Prophet. Even as a mother comforts her sons, so will I comfort you. A mother doth foster and nourish her sucking Infant with very great care: so, O good jesus, lift up and confirm my languishing faith. Grant that thy inward consolations may prevail more with me, than the contradictions of all men, and of the devil: yea, than the thoughts of mine own heart. O gentle Samaritane, Wine and oil. pour biting wine into my wounds, but put thereto also the oil of divine consolation: multiply thy cross, but vouchsafe unto me further ability to bear it. Quid homo? quid bulla? nihil sunt. What is man? a ●ubble? ●othing. 11. Meditation. Of the study of true humility. Wretched. Think, O faithful soul, on the miserable condition of man, and thou shalt easily escape all the temptations of pride. Man is vile in his ingress, wretched in his progress, lamentable in his egress. Sinful. He is impugned of the devils, he is provoked by temptations, he is enticed by delights, he is cast down by tribulations, he is wrapped in crimes, he is spoilt bore of virtues, he is ensnared in evil customs. 1 Whence therefore art thou Thou art. proud, earth and ashes? What wast thou before thy birth? stinking sperm. What art thou in thy life? a sack of dung. What shalt thou been after death? the food of worms. Thou hast If there be any good in thee, it is not thine, but Gods: nothing is thine but thy sins: therefore thou mayest arrogate nothing of those things that are in thee to thyself, but thy sins He is a foolish and unfaithful servant, which will been proud of the goods of his Master. 2 Behold, O man, the example of Christ: See Christ's example. all the glory of the heavens doth do service unto him. Nay, he alone is true glory, and nevertheless, he casts away from himself all worldly glory: be cryeth as yet, Learn of me: because I am meek and humble in heart. 3 The true lover of Christ is also an imitator of Christ. To whom Christ is dear, to him also his humility is dear. Let the proud servant The Servant as the Master. be ashamed and confounded, when the Lord of Heaven is so humble. Our Saviour saith of himself, that he is the Lily of the Valleys, Lily of the valleys. because that he which is the most noble flower, springs, and is preserved, not on the hills, that is to say, in proud and lofty hearts, but in the lower Valleys: that is, in the contrite and humble minds of the godly. For the humble soul, is verily the seat and delectable bed of Christ, as saith a certain holy man. 4 True grace The works of grace. doth not lift up, but humble a man: therefore he is not as yet partaker of true grace, which doth not walk in the humility of heart. 5 The streams of God's grace do flow downwards, not upwards. As the waters by nature do not go to high places: so the grace of GOD doth not flow but to humble hearts. The Psalm saith, So singeth the virgin Mary. the Lord dwelleth on high, and beholds the low and humble things in heaven, and in the earth. This truly is wonderful, that we do not draw near to the greatest and highest God, but by humility. He that is vile in his own sight, is great in Gods: he that displeaseth himself, pleaseth God. 6 God made the heaven and the earth of nothing. Ephes. 2. As it was in the creation: so is it as yet in man's reparation. God creates of nothing, and he repairs of nothing. That therefore thou mayst be partaker of the regeneration, and reparation, Be humble. be nothing in thine own eyes, that is, attribute nothing to thyself, arrogate nothing to thyself. We are all weak and frail, but judge no man frailer than thyself. It hurts not if thou judge thyself inferior to all, and through humility put thyself under all: but it doth much hurt, if thou set thyself but before one. 7 The twenty four Elders, Elders. that is to say, the whole Church triumphant, casts away their crowns before the Throne, gives all righteousness and glory unto God: what then may a vile sinner do? The Scraphins, the holy Angels Angels. Isa. 6. cover their faces in the sight of the majesty of God: what may man do, so vile a creature, and so many ways unthankful to his Creator? Christ Christ. the true and only begotten Son of God, out of his wonderful humility, descended out of heaven, and too●e our frail nature upon him, set himself as low as our flesh, to death, to the Cross: what may man do, who through his sin hath departed so fare from God? See, O faithful soul, with what wonderful humility Christ Fellow Christ. hath healed our pride: and dost thou as yet desire to been proud? By the way of his humility and passion, Christ entered into his glory: and dost thou think that thou canst come to the heavenly glory walking in the way of pride? The devil The devil. for his pride was expelled out of the kingdom of heaven: and dost thou, which wert never yet in the glory of Heaven, go thither wards, thorough the way of pride? Adam Adam. for his pride, was cast out of Paradise, and dost thou desire to come to the heavenly Paradise through the way of pride? Let us desire rather to serve and wash the feet of others, with Christ, then to seek for the more worthy place with the Devil: Let us been humbled in this life, that we may be exalted in the life to come. See thy want. 10 Think always, O faithful soul, not of what thou hast, but of what is wanting unto thee. Grieve more for the virtues which thou hast not, then brag of the virtues which thou hast. Cover thy virtues, Cover virtue. reveal thy sins. For it is greatly to be feared, jest if thou lay open the treasure of thy good works, through glory, the devil spoil thee thereof through pride. 11 The fire is best kept, if it be covered with ashes: so the fire of Charity is never kept more securely, then when it is buried in the ashes of humility. Pride Pride's mischief. is the séed of all sins: take heed therefore, that thou be not lifted up, jest it happen that thou been cast headlong into the deep pit of sin. Pride is the acceptable chamber of the devil: The devil's Chamber. take heed therefore that thou be not litted up, jest it happen that thy wretched soul be subdued of the devil. Pride is a wind that burns and dries up the fountain of God's grace: Drieth up grace. take heed therefore that thou been not lifted up, jest it happen that thou been separated from the grace of God. 12 Heale, O Christ, the swelling of our pride: let thy holy humility be unto us the merit of eternal life: let it been also the example of our life: let our faith firmly embrace thy humility, and let our life constantly follow the same. Tuesday, Evening Prayer. I Will not hide my sin, like Adam, but I will confess against myself, mine own unrighteousness, that there may be an healing of my sin, that thou, O Lord, mayest do all mine iniquity out of thy sight: I will bewail mine original corruption, I will confess against myself mine actual transgression: my best things are but bad, my worst things are abominable, Lord, be merciful unto me a sinner. While sin dwelleth in my house, whilst the devil daily fights against my soul, and lays siege unto it, I will not say to my soul, Peace, peace, when there is no peace; but I will stand upon my guard, jest in my security the enemy oppress me at unawares. To whom should I fly for secure in all my distresses, but to my Saviour? O Christ, I will cleave unto thee, I will leave, I will deny, I will hate myself for thy love: I will love thee above all things, I will honour thee above all other, I will resign my will to thine, since I have learned, that mine own will leads me to death, and to damnation, but thy will to life and health. Give strength, O Lord, that I faint not for the fiery trial, but that I may stand fast in the evil day, & possessing my soul in patience, by thy help profit by all manner of Temptations. Above all things, O Lord, let not pride get the upper hand of me; but grant me, that considering mine own vileness and misery, and looking upon the example of thine humility, I may from thence learn to be lowly and small in mine own eyes, that so thou mayest exalt me in the time of need. In conclusion of this my prayer, I pray thee to close up mine eyes this night in quiet sleep: yet while mine eyes sleep, O Lord, let my heart watch and wake unto thee. Lighten thou mine eyes, O Lord, that I sleep not in death, but raise me here from the death of sin, to the life of grace elsewhere, to the life of glory, that therein thy light I may see light, and be partaker of thy glory. Amen. Wednesday, Morning Prayer. IT is the word of Truth itself, which saith, Ask, and it shall be given unto you: I wretched creature (O Lord) which know myself to have fall'n into the hands of those thiefs, which have not only wounded me, but also utterly stripped me of grace, so that to me is left no good thing, relying with assurance on the confidence of this word and promise, do ask those things at thy hands, which my soul wanteth, whereof she hath been spoilt, that thou with a free hand mayest give them unto me. Now of the things whereof I feel myself to stand in need, what shall I ask first? Even thy grace to strengthen me in mine inward man, that I may be able to resist and overcome mine own corruptions, mine own evil nature, the law of sin in my members, which contradicting the law of my mind, leads me captive to sin, and draws me to destruction. Thy grace (O LORD) I beg and crave, without which I can do nothing, which strengthening me in thee, I am able to do all things. Next to this gift of grace, the gift of fear bestow upon me, O Lord, thy fear to wound my flesh, jest the love of sinful flesh deceive me: with these give me a firm faith, with faith, sound hope and confidence, then let all other virtues and spiritual graces come trouping into my soul, like the company of Leahs' children into jacobs' house, with temperance, patience; with patience, humility; with humility, true obedience; and with these, meekness and holiness, chastity of mind, chastity of body, the love of thee my God, and the love of my neighbour. O gracious and loving God, withdraw not thyself from my help, withhold not from thy servant any thing that shall be good for him, but fill my soul with all spiritual benediction, that it may be as the field which the Lord hath blessed, sweetly smelling, richly fruitful in all grace and goodness, which thing I beseech thee to grant unto me for thy dear Son's sake Christ jesus. Bona spes confundere nescit. Good hope shameth not. 12. Meditation. Of the assurance of our salvation. Why art thou troubled, Thy Creator maketh. O my soul? why dost thou as yet doubt of the mercy of GOD? Remember thy Creator, who created thee without thee; who form thee in secret, when the house of thy body was framed, in the lower parts of the earth. He therefore which undertook the care of thee when as yet thou wert not, should not he take a care of thee, after be hath made thee to his own Image? After his own image I am the creature of God, I turn me to my Creator. What if my nature been infected of the Devil? what if it been maimed and wounded of théeves, that is to say, of sinners? yet my Creator life's as yet: Creator cureth. he that could make me, he also could renew me. He that created me without any evil, can also take from me all evil, which being entered into me by the suggestion of the Devil, by Adam's transgression, and by mine own action hath gone through my whole substance. Therefore my Creator can renew me, if so be he william. Yea, God's love. and he will: for who ever hateth his own work? Are not we before him as clay in the hands of the Potter? but if he had hated me, he had never created me of nothing. He is the Saviour of all, especially of those that believe. 1 He hath created me wonderfully, Christ's Passion. but he hath redeemed me more wonderfully. It never appeared more clearly that God loved us, then in his wounds and passion. Phil. 2. He is truly beloved for whom the only begotten is sent out of the bosom of the Father. 2 If thou didst not desire my salvation O Lord jesus, wherefore shouldest thou descend from heaven? but thou hast descended to the earth, to death, to the cross. That God might redeem his Servant, Redemption. he spared not his Son. He therefore love's mankind with a truly great love, which for the redemption of mankind delivered his Son to been afflicted, to be slain, to been crucified. 3 It is altogether a dear and great price, with which we are redeemed: dear therefore and great is the mercy of the Redeemer. It may seem therefore to some, that God loveth His love in adoption. his chosen sons, as well as his only begotten Son. For that on which we bestow any thing, is dearer than that on which we bestow nothing. That he might have adopted sons, he spared not his natural and coessential Son. 4 What great thing is it therefore, that he hath provided for us mansions in the house of heaven: Mansions in heaven. when he hath given us his own Son, in whom is all the fullness of his Godhead? Surely where is the fullness of the Godhead, there is the fullness of eternal life Fullness of eternal life. and glory. But if he hath given us the fullness of eternal life in Christ, how shall he deny us the lest particle thereof? The heavenly Father love's us sons adopted with a truly great love, for whom he delivered up his only begotten Son. The Son embraceth us with truly great love, which for us delivered up himself. That he might make us rich, Maketh us rich. he endured extreme poverty: for he had not where he might lay down his head. That he might make us the sons Sons. of God, he was borne man. Neither having once performed the work of our redemption, doth he afterward neglect us: but he is as yet placed on the right hand of the Majesty of God, Maketh still intercession Obtaineth all things. and makes intercession for us. 5 What will he not obtain for me necessary to salvation, when he hath imparted himself to deserve my salvation? What will the Father deny the Son, who was made obedient unto him, even unto the death, yea, the death of the Cross? What will the Father deny the Son, which hath accepted the price of redemption, paid by the Son? Great is mine assurance in the holy spirit. For my Saviour died to sand him to my comfort. He tells my spirit I am the son of God. He helps me to cry to my Father. Yea, in this sinful vale he leads me to the land of righteousness. Rom. 8. Nothing separateth from God's love: Not Satan 6 Let my sins accuse me, I trust in this Intercessor: he is greater that excuseth, than he that accuseth. Let my weakness affright me, I glory in his strength. Let Satan accuse me, so that this Mediator excuse me: Let heaven and earth accuse me, and sue me guilty of iniquity: it sufficeth me, that the Creator of heaven and earth, and righteousness itself, doth entreat for me. 7 It sufficeth me to merit, to know that my merit is not sufficient. Not sinne It sufficeth me to have him favourable unto me, against whom only I have sinned. Whatsoever he hath decreed not to impute, shall be as if it had not been. Neither doth it move me, that my sins are both heavy and diverse, and often doubled: for unless I were laden with my sins, I should not desire his righteousness. 8 Unless I had a disease, I should not crave the help of the Physician. He is the Physician, he is the Saviour, he is the righteousness, he cannot deny himself. I am sick, I am damned, I am a sinner, I cannot deny myself: Have pity upon me, O thou the Physician: O thou the Saviour: O thou the righteousness: O thou the comforter and rejoicer of the heart. Amen. In Christo electio facta. God chose in Christ. 13. Meditation. Of Predestination. By God's decree before the foundation of the world. Reu. 13. & 17. Ephes. 1. AS often, O devout soul, as thou wilt think of thy predestination, behold Christ hanging on the Cross, dying for the sins of all the world, rising again for our righteousness. Begin from Christ lying in the manger, and so shall shy disputation of Predestination go on in good order. Chosen in Christ. 1 God hath chosen us before the foundations of the world were laid, but yet the election was made in Christ. If therefore thou been in Christ by faith, Faith. doubt not that the election doth pertain unto thee also. If thou cleave unto Christ with a firm confidence Confidence. of heart: doubt not that thou art in the number of the elected. 2 But if from the former, without the bounds of the Word Not without the Word. thou wilt search the depth of Predestination, it is greatly to be feared jest thou fall into the depth of desperation. Without Christ God is a consuming fire: take heed therefore that thou come not near this fire, God a fire without Christ. jest thou be consumed. Without the satisfaction of Christ, God by the voice of his Law doth accuse all, doth condemn all; take heed therefore, that thou draw not the mystery of predestination out of the Law. Inquire not into the reasons of God's counsels, Predestination no● in the law jest thy thoughts do much seduce thee. Be sober. 3 God dwelleth in the light that no man can attain unto, endeavour not rashly to go forward unto it. The Gospel safe. But yet God hath revealed unto us the light of the Gospel: in this thou mayest safely inquire after the doctrine of this secret, The secrets belong to God, the revealed thing to us. Deut. 16. in this light thou shalt see true light. Leave the profundity of this eternal and from everlasting made decree, and turn thee to the clearness of the manifestation made in time. justification, that is made in time, is the lookingglass of Election, which was made without time. 4 Acknowledge out of the law Law. the wrath of God for sins, and repent thee. Acknowledge out of the Gospel, Gospel. the mercy of God for Christ's merit, and apply that by an assurance to thyself. Acknowledge the nature of Faith, Working faith. and show it through a godly conversation. Acknowledge Gods fatherly chastisement in the cross, Correction. and bear it with patience. Than at length begin to handle the doctrine of Predestination. This method hath the Apostle shown us: let the true disciple of the Apostle follow this method. 5 Three things there are, which are always to be observed in this mystery. The mercy of God, God's mercy. that love's us: the merit of Christ, Christ's merit. that suffers for us: the grace of the holy Ghost, Grace of the Spirit. that calls us by the Gospel. 6 Great is the mercy of God, because he hath loved all the world. The earth Great as the earth. is full of the mercy of the Lord, nay, it is greater than the heaven and the earth. For it is so great as God himself is: because God is love. As himself He hath testified in his word, that he would not the death of a sinner. Saith it. If this be little, he hath also confirmed it with his oath. Sweareth it. If thou canst not believe Believe. God when he promiseth, at lest believe him when he swears for thy salvation. 7 He is called the Father Father. of mercies, because it is his property to pity and to spare. Pity from himself. He takes the cause and original of showing pity from his own: judgement from others. of judging and revenging rather from another. So that taking of pity seems to proceed fare otherwise from his heart, then taking of punishment. Great also is the merit of Christ, because he hath suffered for us all. Love in creation. What therefore could prove the love of God more openly, then that he loved us, when as yet we were lost, because it is of his love that we are created? In giving his Son. He loved us moreover when we were turned away from him, because it is a part of love, that he gave his Son unto us to be a Redeemer. To the sinner that is adjudged to eternal torments, and not having wherewith he may redeem himself, saith God the Father, Take my only begotten, and give him for thee. The Son himself saith Take me, and redeem thyself. 8 Christ is the flower of the field, Cont. not the flower of the Garden: Christ's merit open. because the savour and smell of his grace is not shut up to a few, but opened unto many. And jest thou shouldest doubt of the greatness of his merit, Christ, To his enemies. when he suffered, prayed for those that crucified him▪ and poured forth his blood for them which poured forth his blood themselves. 9 Great also and large are the promises of the Gospel: because Christ saith, Mat 1●. All come. Come unto me all ye which labour. That which was performed for many, is offered unto many. As much as thou shalt stretch forth the foot of confidence in these good things: so much also shalt thou obtain. Christ denies his grace Grace. unto none, but to him that thinks himself unworthy of it. Consider therefore O faithful soul, these three props Three props. of Predestination, and lean on them with a firm confidence of thine heart. Consider the benefits of God's mercy, that are past, and thou shalt not doubt of final perseverance. Creation. 10 When as yet thou wast not, God created thee: when thou wert damned by Adam's fall, he redeemed thee: Redemption. Calling. Instruction. when thou didst live in the world, out of the Church, he called she: when thou wert ignorant, he instructed thee: when thou goest astray, Seeking. he brought thee back: when thou didst sin, he corrected thee: Correction Upheld. when thou stoodst, he held thee: when thou didst fall, he raised Raised. thee up: when thou didst go, he led thee: Load. Received when thou camest unto him, he took thee up: in expecting thee, he shown his long suffering: Patience. Pardon. in pardoning, that he was easy to be entreated. 11 The mercy of God goes before thee, Mercy first and last. hope firmly that it will follow thee also. The mercy of God doth prevent thee, that thou mayest be healed, it will follow thee also that thou mayest been glorified. It preventeth thee, that thou mayest live godly, it will follow thee also, The Lord preserves that thou mayst live for ever with him. Wherhfore is it, that falling thou art not bruised? Who hath put under his hand? who but the Lord? Trust therefore hereafter also in the mercy of God, and hope firmly for the end of thy faith, eternal salvation. God's hands safe 12 In what hands also can the matter of thy salvation more safely lie, then in those which have made heaven and earth? in those which are not shortened? in those which do flow with the bowels of mercy: neither want their holes, by which it may flow out? Election for sanctification: 13 Howbeit, think, O devout soul, that we are chosen of God, that we should be holy and without rebuke. In whom therefore there is not the study of an holy life, to them the benefit of election doth not pertain. We are chosen in Christ: in Christ we are by faith: faith shows itself forth by love: therefore where there is not love, there is no faith: where there is no faith, there is no Christ: where there is no Christ, there is no election. Truly, the foundation of God abideth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth who are his. But yet let him departed from iniquity, whosoever calls on the Name of the Lord. No man shall snatch the sheep of Christ out of his hand: but yet let the sheep of Christ hear his voice. We are the house of God: but let us retain the confidence and glory of our hope firm unto the end. O Lord, which hast given unto us to will, give unto us also to do thy william. Mors Christi vita piorum est. Christ's death Saints life 14. Meditation. Of the satisfaction for our sins. COme unto me, ye which labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you: they are the words of our Saviour. Truly, O Lord jesus, I am too much laden, and groan under the burden of sin: but I haste me unto thee, the fountain of living water. Christ first came, to entice us to come. Come unto me, O Lord jesus, that I may come unto thee. I come unto thee, O Lord, because first thou camest unto me. I come unto thee, O Lord jesus, and carefully I seek thee: for I find no good in myself. No help in man. But if I could find any good in myself, I should not seek thee so carefully. Truly, O Lord jesus, I labour and am laden: neither can I compare myself to any of thy Saints: or else of penitent sinners, unless perchance to the Thief upon the cross. Have pity upon me, O Lord, because thou hadst pity upon the Thief on the cross. 1 I have lived wretchedly, I have lived in sins, Desire a good death by Christ's mediation but I desire to die godly: but I desire to die in righteousness. But piety and righteousness is fare from my heart: therefore I fly to thy piety, and to thy righteousness. Let thy soul (O Lord) help me, which thou hast laid down for a redemption for many. Let thy most holy body help me, afflicted for me with scourges, spittings, buffets, and thorns, and fastened also to the cross. Let thy holy blood, O jesus, help me, which was poured out of thy side, as thou didst suffer and die, which cleanseth us from all sins. Divinity resting, but present in the passion. Let thy most holy Divinity help me, which sustained thy humane nature in thy passion, and which resting, and not showing itself forth, the most holy mystery of our Redemption was wrought, and which added infinite power and weight to thy holy Passion: So that God hath purchased me poor wretch to himself with his blood. Let thy wounds help me, in which is all my soul's salvation. Christ suffered for sinners, not for himself. Let thy most holy passion help me, let thy merit help me, my last refuge and remedy against sin, for that which thou hast suffered, thou hast suffered for me. 2 That which thou deservedst, that dost thou also deserve for me, and mine unworthiness. God giveth his Son. Therefore God doth commend his charity and love in us, and doth prove it by a testimony that exceeds the understanding of all men, yea, of the Angels, that Christ died for us, when as yet we were sinners, To sinners and the enemies of God. 3 Who wonders not hereat? who can choose but been amazed? being entreated of no man, yea being hated of men, the most merciful Son of God doth entreat sinners and his enemies. Neither doth he only entreat: Satisfaction by Nativity, holy Life, Passion, Death. but he also makes satisfaction to the justice of God, by his nativity most poor, by his life most holy, by his passion most bitter, by his death most cruel. 4 O Lord jesus, jesus loveth first. which didst entreat for me, suffer and die for me, before I could desire thy merit and passion, or could solicit thee with prayers to pay my Redemption: how wilt thou cast me from thy face? how wilt thou deny me the fruit of thy most holy passion, when now out of the deeps I cry unto thee, Cries not cast away. and desire the fruit of thy merit with tears and groans. 5 I was an enemy by nature: now since thou hast died for me, I am become a friend, a brother, and a son by grace. Thou heardst thine enemy, when he did not yet entreat thee: how shalt thou despise thy friend when he comes unto thee with tears and prayers: A friend not despised. Thou wilt not cast him forth that comes unto thee, because thy Word is truth. Come but in God's truth. 6 Thou hast spoken unto us in spirit and truth, and we have received of thee the words of eternal life. Attend, and lift up thyself, O my soul: before we were sinners by nature, now we are just by grace▪ before we were enemies, now we are friends and allies: before our help was in the death of Christ, now also in his life: before we were dead in our sins, now we are quickened in Christ. 7 O the great love of God, wherewith he loved us! O the abundant riches of his divine grace, Divine riches. whereby he hath made us to to fit together in heavenly places! O the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which he hath visited us, rising from on high! Of death. Rom 5.10. Of life. Now if the death of Christ hath brought life and righteousness to us, what can his life? If our Saviour paid a price to his Father for us dying, what shall he do living, and making intercession for us? For Christ life's and dwells in our hearts, if so be there live and flourish in them the remembrance of his most holy merit. 8 Draw me, O Lord jesus, Cant. 1.5. that I may possess that in very truth, which here I expect in a sure hope: let thy Minister, The Servant with the Master I beseech thee, be with thee and see the brightness which thy Father hath given thee: let him inhabit the mansion, which thou hast provided for him in thy Father's house. Blessed are they that devil in thy house, O Lord, they shall praise thee for ever and ever. Wednesday Noon. Psal 68.16: Turn thee unto me, O Lord, & have mercy upon me: give thy strength unto thy servant, and help the son of thine handmaid. Nomine quid Jesu suavius esse potest? What can be sweeter than the name of jesus? The sweetest. 15. Meditation. Of the name of jesus. O Good jesus, been thou also unto me jesus: for thy holy Name, have pity upon me. My life doth condemn me, but the Name of jesus will save me. For this thy name, do unto me according to thy name. And whereas thou art a true and great Saviour, jesus respecteth sinners. thou dost also respect true and great sinners. Have mercy upon me, O good jesus, in the time of mercy, jest thou condemn me in the time of judgement. If thou receive me within the bosom of thy mercy, jesus ample. thou wilt not be for me more straitened. If thou distribute unto me the crumbs of thy goodness, thou wilt not be therefore more needy. For me thou hast been borne, for me thou hast been circumcised, be thou also unto me jesus. 1 O how sweet and delectable is this name! for what is jesus, but a Saviour? and what inconvenience can happen unto those that are saved? what can we ask, or what can we expect as yet beyond our salvation? Desire it in thy particular. Take me, O Lord jesus, within the number of thy sons, that with them I may praise thy holy and saving name. Where sin aboundeth, grace aboundeth. Rom. 5: If I have taken away mine own integrity, have I also destroyed thy mercy? If I wretched man, was able to destroy and damn myself, art not thou therefore, merciful Lord, able to save me? Do not, O Lord, attend so to my sins, that thou forget thy mercy. Do not so weigh and ponder my defaults, that they preponderate thy merit. Do not attend so unto mine evil, that therefore thou forget thy good. Be not mindful of thine anger against the guilty, but be mindful of thy mercy toward the wretched. jesus showeth our misery to help us. 2 Thou which hast given me a mind that I might desire thee, wilt thou withdraw thyself from my desire? Thou which hast showed unto me mine unworthiness, and just damnation, wilt thou hide from me thy worthiness, and promise' of eternal life? 3 My cause is to be handled before the judgement seat in heaven: jesus is judge. but it comforts me, that the name of Saviour is assigned unto thee in the Court of heaven: because that name was brought by an Angel from heaven. 4 O most merciful jesus, to whom wilt thou be jesus, if to wretched sinners, which seek grace and salvation, thou wilt not been jesus? jesus calleth not the righteous but sinners. They that trust to their own righteousness and holiness, seek salvation in themselves: but I, because I find nothing in myself worthy of eternal life, fly unto thee my Saviour. Save me that am condemned: have mercy upon me a sinner: justify me that am unrighteous: absolve me that am accused. Thou (O Lord) art truth, thy name is holy and true. Let therefore thy name be true in me, be thou also unto me jesus and a Saviour. Every where be jesus. 5 Be thou unto me jesus in this life present: be thou unto me jesus in death: be thou unto me jesus in the last judgement: been thou unto me jesus in the life eternal. Yea, thou wilt be, O good jesus, because as thou art invariable in Essence, so thou art invariable Inuariable in mercy: thy Name shall not be changed, O Lord jesus, for me one only wretched sinner, but thou wilt also be unto me a Saviour. For thou dost not cast forth a doors him that comes unto thee. Thou that hast given me a will to come, wilt give me also favour, joh. 6. that coming I may be received. For thy words are truth and life. 6 Let the propagation of original sin in me condemn me: Conquer through him that loved us. notwithstanding, thou art unto me jesus. Let my conception made in sin condemn me: notwithstanding thou art unto me jesus. Let my shape made in sin and under the curse condemn me: notwithstanding thou art my Saviour. Let my corrupt nativity condemn me: notwithstanding thou art my salvation. Let the sins of my youth condemn me: yet thou art my jesus. Let the leading of my whole life, spotted with most grievous sins condemn me: yet thou remainest my jesus. Let death which is to been inflicted upon me for my sins and diverse offences condemn me: yet thou art my Saviour. Let the most district sentence of the last judgement condemn me: yet thou art my jesus. Death in us, life in jesus. 6 In me is sin, reprobation, damantion: in thy name is righteousness, election, salvation: but I have been baptised into thy name: I believe on thy name: I will die in thy name: I will rise again in thy name: I will appear before the judgement in thy name. All things are provided for us in this name, and shut up like a treasure: so much is wanting of these good things, that I detract by my diffidence. Which that thou mayest command to be fare from me, I pray thee by that very name, O good jesus, that I be not damned by my fault and unbelief, whom thou desirest to have saved by thy precious merit, and thy saving name. Fulgent cunabula Christi. Christ's cradle doth shine 16. Meditation. Of the Mysteries of the Incarnation. LEt us withdraw our minds a little from these temporal things, The Nativity. and behold the mysteries of the Nativity of our Lord. The Son of God descendeth out of heaven unto us, that we may obtain the adoption Adoption. of sons. God is made man, that man may been made partaker of the divine Divine. grace and nature. Christ would been borne about the evening of the world, that he might signify that the benefits of his Incarnation do not concern this life Life. present, but the life eternal. 1 He would be borne in the time of Augustus the peaceable, Peace. which hath made mankind at peace with God. He would been borne in the time of the servitude of Israel, which is the true deliverer, Deliverer. and avenger of his people. He would be borne under the Empire of another Lord, Empire of another world. as he whose kingdom was not of this world. He is borne of a Virgin, that he may signify that he is not conceived and borne but in the hearts of them which are spiritual Virgins, Spiritual Virgins conceive Christ. Reu. 14. that is, whose minds do neither cleave to the world, nor to the Devil, but to God in one spirit. He is borne pure and holy, that he may sanctify our impure and defiled nativity. Sanctify our nativity. He is borne of a Virgin that was espoused to a man, for the honour of Matrimony, instituted of God, and to draw us to love our spiritual marriage with him▪ He is borne in the darkness of the night, Enlighten the dark world. which was the true Light, enlightening the darkness of the World. He is borne in Bethlehem, that is to say, in the house of Bread, which brought with him most plentiful food of the heavenly benefits. He is laid in a cratch, which is the true food Food. of our souls. john 6. He is borne between an Ox and an Ass, that he might restore men unto their ancient dignity, Dignity. which were made like unto the beasts by sin. He is the first begotten, and the only begotten of his mother in earth, which according to his divine nature is the first begotten, and the only begotten of his Father in heaven, that we might be numbered among the first begotten, whose names are written in heaven. He is borne poor and needy, that he may get for us the heavenly Richeses. Richeses. He is borne in a vile Stable of Cattles, that he may bring us to the Palaces of the heavenly Court. Heavenly places. 2 The messenger of so great a benefit is sent out of heaven, because none in the earth did understand his greatness. Of celestial gifts, there is also worthily a celestial messenger. Mat 11. Angel's fellows. The armies of the Angels rejoice, which may have us fellows of their happiness, for the incarnation of the Son of God. 3 So great a miracle is first told to Shepherds, because the true Shepherd of our souls Shepherd of souls. was come to bring back the lost sheep into the way. The matter of so great joy is told to the contemned and ignoble, Ignoble partake in Christ. because none can been made partaker thereof, which doth not displease himself in his own eyes. This Nativity is told to them that watch by their flock, because not they which snort in sins, but whose heart doth watch to God, Watchful. are made partakers of so great a gift. The company of the heavenly Soldiers doth triumph, Angel's joy which was grievously sorrowful for the fault of our first Parent. 4 The brightness of that Lord and King, A light in darkness. appears in the Heavens, whose baseness man did despise in the earth. The Angel commands to let go fear, because he was borne, which was to take away out of the midst, Cast out fear. the causes of all fear. 5 joy is denounced out of heaven, because the Author and giver of all joy was borne. Rejoice. joy is commanded, because the enmity between God and men, the cause of all sadness, is removed. Glory Glory. is given unto God on high, which our first parent, by the unlawful transgression of the commandment, would have snatched away. 6 True peace Peace. is gotten by this Nativity, because before men were enemies unto God: before their own conscience was an adversary unto them: before they were at difference with themselves, between themselves. True peace is restored Restored. to the earth, because he is overcome which did hold us captives. Go to Christ. 7 Let us also with the Shepherds go unto Christ's Cratch, that is, the Church, and we shall find this infant wrapped up in Swaths, that is to say, the holy Scriptures. Let us also conserve with Mary, the holy Mother of the Lord, Keep his words. the words of so great a mystery, and let us renew the same always in our daily remembrance. Let us with our voice follow the Angels that sing before us, Sing with Angels. and let us give deserved thanks for so great a benefit. Let us rejoice and be glad with the whole heavenly army. With the heavenly Army. For if the Angels do rejoice so greatly for our sakes: how much more aught we to rejoice, for whom this Infant was borne and given? 8 If the Israelites did lift up their voices, With Israel and shout when the Ark of the covenant was brought unto them, which was the figure and shadow of the Lords incarnation: how much should we rejoice that the Lord himself hath descended, taking our flesh upon him? If Abraham With Abraham. did rejoice when he saw the day of the Lord, and when the Lord appeared unto him in the shape of a man taken upon him for the time, what shall we do, when he hath joined our nature unto him in a perpetual and indissoluble league? 9 Let us here marvel at the infinite bounty of God, who when we could not ascend to him, Admire Cod's bounty. would himself descend unto us. Let us wonder at the infinite power of God, which of two things most distant, that is to say, the divine and humane nature, could make one thing most coniunct, that now one and the same is both God and man. Let us wonder at the infinite wisdom Wisdom. of God, which could find a means of our redemption, when neither Angels nor men could see the means. The infinite goodness was offended, and an infinite satisfaction was required: man hath offended God, of man was the satisfaction required: but neither could an infinite satisfaction be performed of man: neither could the divine justice been satisfied without an infinite price. 11 Therefore was God made man, that both he which had sinned might make satisfaction: and that he which was infinite, might pay an infinite price. Look upon and desire it. Let us wonder at this amazing temper of God's justice and mercy, which no creature, before God did manifest it, could find out, nor since it is manifested, can fully perceive. Let us wonder at these things, let us not search curiously into them, let us desire to look into them, although we cannot fully conceive them: let us rather confess our own ignorance, then go about to deny God's power, bounty, or wisdom. Sit grata Redemptio Christi. Be thankful for Christ's redemption. 17 Meditation. Of the wholesome fruit of the Incarnation. I Bring you tidings of great joy, saith the Angel, at the Nativity of our Saviour. Truly it was great, and greater than man's understanding can conceive. It was the greatest of evils, that we were held as captives under the wrath of God, under the power of the Devil, under eternal damnation. It was a greater evil as yet, that men were either ignorant of these greatest evils, or else did neglect them. But now tidings of great joy is brought unto us, joy for salvation. that he came into the world, which should free us from all these evils. The Physician Physician. came to the sick, the Redeemer Redeemer. to the Captives, Way. Life. the way to the wanderers, life to the dead, salvation to the damned. 1 As Moses was sent of the Lord, Moses. to free the people of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt: so Christ was sent of his Father to redeem all mankind from the captivity of the Devil. Even as the Dove, Noah's Dove. when the waters were dried up, after the Deluge, brought a branch of Olive to the Ark of Noah: so Christ came in to the world to preach peace, and the reconciliation of mankind with God. We do therefore worthily rejoice, Due joy. and conceive great things of the mercy of God, which loved us so, when we were as yet enemies, that he scorned not to assume our nature into the most strait embracing of the Divinity. Assuming our nature. Therefore denieth nothing. What shall he deny them which are joined unto him by participation of his flesh? who ever hated his own flesh? how therefore can that highest and infinite mercy, drive us away from him, being now made partakers of his nature? Wondrous mystery. 2 Who can conceive aright of the greatness of this mystery, much less utter it in words? there is the greatest height, and the greatest baseness: there is the greatest power, and the greatest infirmity: there is the greatest majesty, and the greatest frailty. What is higher than God, and viler than man? What is mighter than God, and weaker than man? What is more glorious than God, and more frail than man? God's power reconcileth all as in itself impossible. But that greatest power did find a mean, whereby these things might been joined together, when that greatest righteousness did require the necessity of such a conjunction. 3 Who also can conceive the greatness of this mystery? Infinite sins require infinite price. an equivalent and infinite price was required for the offence of man: because man hath turned himself away from the infinite goodness, that is to say, God. But what can be equivalent to the infinite God? The infinite justice therefore, as it were of itself, doth take an equivalent price to itself, and God the Creator doth suffer in the flesh, jest the flesh of the creature should suffer for ever. The infinite goodness was offended, there could none but the Mediator of infinite power make intercession, but what is infinite besides God? Therefore God himself hath reconciled the world to himself, God himself is made the Mediator: God himself redéemes mankind with his own blood. The Creator reconcileth the creature. 4 Who can perceive the greatness of this mystery? the great Creator was offended: neither was the creature careful to pacify him, or to make a reconciliation with him, the same that was offended, assuming the flesh of the creature, made the reconciliation. 5 Man had forsaken God, and had turned himself to the enemy of God, the Devil: but he that was forsaken, doth carefully inquire after him that forsook him, and doth most kindly again invite him to him. Man went away from the infinite good, and was slipped into the infinite evil, but that infinite good, giving the infinite price of his redemption, set free the creature from that infinite evil. 6 Is not this infinite mercy, which exceeds all the finite understanding and thought of man? our nature is made more glorious by Christ, Moore glorious in Christ. than it was disgraced by the sin of Adam We have gained more in Christ, than we have lost in Adam: sin did abound, Rom. 5. but God's grace did superabound. 7 In Adam we have lost innocency, in Christ we receive full righteousness. 8 Let others marvel at God's power, his divine bounty God's bounty the greatest marvel. is more to be marvelled at, although in GOD both power and mercy be equal, both of them infinite. Let others marvel at the Creation, I rather list to marvel at the redemption: although both the creation and the redemption been deeds of infinite power. It is a great thing to created man which had deserved nothing at all, as who as yet had no existence: but it seems as yet a greater thing to redeem man which had ill deserved, Wonderful. and to take the satisfaction Satisfaction of the debt upon himself. It is a wonderful thing, that our flesh and our bones Bones. were form unto us of God: it is as yet more wonderful, that God would be made flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bones. O my soul, be thankful Be thankful. unto thy God, which created thee, when as yet thou wast not: which redeemed thee, when thou wert damned through sin: which hath prepared the heavenly joys for thee, which cleavest by faith to Christ. Measpes est passio Christi. The passion of Christ my hope. 4. Meditation. Of the fruit of the Passion of our Lord. AS often as I think of the passion of Christ, so often I presume highly of the love of God, and of the forgiveness of my sins. His Head is bowed down to kiss Kiss. me: his Arms are stretched forth to embrace me: Cant. 1.1. Embrace. his Hands are open to give Give. unto me: his Side is open to show me his Heart flaming with love: See love. he is exalted from the earth, that he may draw Draw me. all to himself: his wounds are pale with grief, but bright in love. Therefore by the overture of his wound we aught to enter Enter in to him. into the secret of his heart. Doubtless there is plentiful redemption Plentiful redemption. with him; because not some drop only, but a whole stream of blood did flow plentifully thorough five parts of his body. Even as the grape cast into the winepress, is broken by the weight that is laid upon it, and on every Every way flowing. side pours out his liquor: so the flesh of Christ pressed down with the weight of God's wrath, and the burden of our sins, doth every where pour forth the liquor of his blood. 1 When Abraham would have offered his son in sacrifice, the Lord said, Now I know for a truth that thou lovest me: do thou also acknowledge the great love of the eternal Father, Great love that he would deliver his only begotten Son to death for us. We were beloved, when as yet we were enemies: Loves enemies. shall he forget us now, when an atonement is wrought by the death of his Son? Can the so precious blood of his Son be forgotten before him, when he also numbers the tears and the steps of godly men? Numbereth tears. Can Christ forget them in life, for whom he would sustain even death? Sustaineth. Can he forget them in his glory, for whom he suffered such torments in his humility? 2 Consider, O faithful soul, In death. the manifold fruit of the Passion of our Lord. Christ poured out a bloody sweat for us, jest the most cold sweat in the agony of death In the Agony of death. should oppress us. He would wrestle with death, jest we should faint in the agony of death. He would sustain a most grievous anxiety and sadness, even unto death, Sorrow. that we might be made partakers of eternal joy in heaven. 3 He would be betrayed with a kiss, which is a sign of friendship and good will, that that sin might been extinguished, Treason of the serpent. by which Satan under the show of singular good will betrayed our first parents. He would be taken and bound of the jews, that he might lose us which were tied with the bonds of sin, Bond of sin. and were to be cast into eternal damnation. 4 He would have his passion to begin in the Garden, Garden. that he might expiate the sin Sin removed. which had his beginning in the Garden He would be comforted of an Angel, Company of Angels that he might make us companions to the Angels in heaven. He is forsaken of his own Disciples, that he might join us to himself, which were severed from God Unite us to God. by so foul a falling away. He is accused of false witnesses before the Council, that we might not be accused of Satan, Not accused. by the Law of God. He is condemned in the earth, that we might be absolved Absolved. in heaven. He held his peace for our sin, Open our mouths before him which had done no sin, jest we should be constrained to hold our peace for our sins brought against us into the judgement of God. He would be buffeted, Freed frō●●pes. that we might been absolved from the stings of our own conscience, and the buffet of Satan He suffered himself to be mocked, Mocks. that we might mock at the insulting Satan. His face was covered, that he might remove the veil of sin from us, Veil of sin. which hinders in us the sight of God, and brings into us damnable ignorance. He would be stripped of his garments, that the garment of innocency, lost by sin might be restored unto us. He is pricked with thorns, that he might heal the compunctions of our heart. He bore the weight of his Cross, Heale the heart. that he might remove from us the weight of eternal pain. Remove burdens. He cryeth out that he was forsaken of God, that he might provide an eternal habitation for us with God. Provide habitation with God. He thirsted on the Cross, that he might deserve for us the dews of God's grace, Dew of grace. and jest we should be constrained to perish with eternal thirst. He would be scorched with the heat of God's wrath, that he might take from us the fire of hell. Take away hell fire. He was judged, that he might free us from God's judgement. He was pronounced guilty that he might absolve us from guilt. Absolve us He was beaten with unrighteous hands, that he might take away from us the stripes of the devil. From the Devil's stripes. He cried out for grief, that he might keep us from everlasting howl. Howling. He poured forth tears, that he might wipe away our tears. Tears. He was dead, that we might live. He felt the pains of hell throughly, Hell. that we might never feel them. He was humbled, Pride. that there might a salve be brought for our proud swelling. He was crowned with a thorny crown, Give a crown. Save all. that he might deserve for us the heavenly Crown. He suffered of all, that he might bring salvation unto all. His eyes were darkened in death, See heaven. that we might live in the light of the heavenly glory. He heard contumelies and reproaches, that we might hear Hear Songs. the jubilies of Angels in heaven. 5 Despair not therefore, No d●sp●ire● O faithful soul. The infinite goodness is offended by thy sins, but an infinite price is paid for it. Thou art to be judged for thy sins, but the Son of God is judged already for the sins of the whole world, which he hath taken upon him. Thy sins are to be punished, but God hath punished them already in his Son. Great are the wounds of thy sins, but precious is the balm of the blood of Christ. Moses pronounceth thee cursed, because thou hast not kept all things which are written in the book of the Law, but Christ is made a curse for thee. There is an hand-writing against thee in the Court of heaven, but it is blotted out by Christ's blood. Therefore thy passion, O holy jesus, is my last refuge. Cum Christo ascendere nostrum est. Ascend w th' Christ. 19 Meditation. Of the Ascension of Christ. Think, O faithful soul, on the ascension of thy husband, Christ hath withdrawn his visible presence from his faithful, that Faith might have her exercise: We walk by faith, not by sight. for blessed are they which see not and believe. Where our treasure is, there also let our heart he. Our treasure, Christ, is in heaven, Col. 3. therefore set our heart adhere to heavenly things, and think on those things that are above. The Bride desires the return of the Bridegroom, with most ardent sighs: so the faithful soul always desireth that the day may come wherein she may be brought unto the marriage of the Lamb. Let her trust in the earnest of the holy Spirit, Trust the Spirit. which the Lord left her when he descended unto her. Let her trust in the body and blood of the Lord, The Testament. which she receives in the mystery of the Supper. Let her believe that our bodies being filled with this incorruptible food, shall sometime be raised up again. That which we now believe, than we shall see, Our hope a possession. and our spes shall been res, we shall enjoy the substance of our hope: the Lord is present with all travellers under a strange form, but in the heavenly country we shall see him, and know him as he is. 1 Now our Saviour would ascend from mount Olivet: the Olive is a sign of peace and joy, therefore he doth fitly ascend from mount Olivet, which by his passion hath brought forth peace and tranquillity to the consciences that were terrified and cast down. Peace: He doth fitly ascend from the mount Olivet, who is received with the greatest triumph of the Court of heaven, because he is the King of Peace. 2 Those mountain places do call us unto heavenly things: Set affect●o●s on heavenly things. let us follow with holy desires, because we cannot follow with bodily feet. Moses likewise went up unto the Lord, in the mount: the holy Patriarches worshipped on the Mount: Abraham chose the hills, but Let the plains. 3 Let the faithful soul leave the plains of the world, and strive with an holy devotion unto the hills of heaven: There speaks with God so shall she perceive the most sweet talk of God, speaking inwardly unto her: so in her prayer, she shall been able to worship in the Spirit: In spirit. so shall she be able with Abraham, to escape Escape. the everlasting conflagration that is prepared for the plains of the world. Gen. 19 4 Bethany doth note unto us the Village of humility and affliction: by which there is an entrance for us to the kingdom of heaven: Humility, the gate to glory. as Christ also out of the village of affliction, hath descended unto the heavenly joys. Paradise open. 5 Hitherto heaven did seem to be shut, and the uper paradise to be kept by the glittering sword: now Christ the conqueror opens heaven, that he might show us the way into our heavenly country, from which we are fall'n. The disciples did stand with lifted up eyes, Look thither. looking into heaven: so the true disciples of Christ lift up the eyes of their hearts to behold heavenly things. 6 O Lord jesus, how glorious a conclusion did follow thy Passion? how happy and how sudden a change was this? what a one did I behold thee suffering in mount Caluary? and what a one do I now behold thee in the mount Olivet? Alone. there thou wert alone, here accompanied with many thousands of Angels. With Angels. There thou didst ascend Ascend. unto thy Cross: Cross. here thou dost ascend in a cloud to heaven. Heaven. There thou wert crucified among théeves: With Thiefs. here thou dost triumph among the quires of Angels. Angels. There thou wert fastened to the Cross with nails, Suffered Delivered and condemned: here thou art free and a deliverer of the damned. There thou wert dying and suffering: die. Triumph. here thou art rejoicing and triumphing. 7 Christ is our head, The change in Christ our joy. we are his members: be glad therefore, O faithful soul, and rejoice in the ascension of thy head. The glory of the head is also the glory of the members. Where our flesh Flesh, reigneth, there let us believe that we shall reign: Where our blood Blood. bears rule, there let us hope that we shall be glorious, although our sins do honour us, yet the communion of nature Nature. doth not repel us. Where the head Head. is, there also shall the rest of the members be: our Head is entered into heaven, therefore the rest of the members have just reason to hope for heaven: not this only, but they have already taken their possession in heaven. Came, etc. Ascended for us. 7 Christ came down out of heaven to redeem us: he ascended again into heaven to glorify us. He was borne for us, he suffered for us, therefore also he ascended for us. Ground. Our charity is grounded on the passion of Christ, our faith on the resurrection, our hope on the ascension. 8 Now we must follow Follow. our Husband and Bridegroom, not only with ardent desires, but also in good work. Nothing that is defiled shall enter into that City that is above: Undefiled. in token whereof the Angels coming out of the heavenly jerusalem, Like Angels. appeared clothed in white garments: by which is set out unto us pureness and innocency. 9 Pride doth not ascend with the master of humility, Sins enter not. nor malice with the author of goodness: nor discord with the friend of peace: nor lust and luxury with the Son of the Virgin. Vices do not ascend after the father of virtues: nor sins after the Just: neither can infirmities go after the Physician. He that desires sometimes to behold God face to face, let him also live worthily in his sight. He that hopes for heavenly things, Hate earth. let him contemn earthly things. Draw our hearts unto thee. O good jesus, to Paradise, where thou art. Electos Deus obsignat spiramine sancto. The elect are sealed by the spirit. 20. Meditation. An Homily of the holy Ghost. Gift of the holy Ghost Our Lord ascending into the heavens, and entering into his glory, sent the holy Ghost unto his Disciples, on the very day of Pentecost. Even as in the old Testament, God promulging his Law on mount Sinai, did descend unto Moses himself: so when the Gospel was to be propagated, through the whole world by the Apostles, the Spirit itself did descend to the Apostles. The Law thundereth There were thunderings, and lightnings, and the most shrill voice of a trumpet, because the Law doth thunder against our disobedience, and proves us guilty of the wrath of God: but here is the sound of the Wind Gospel sh ill wind. making a still noise, Flye. Exod. 20. because the preaching of the Gospel doth lift up the minds that are cast down. There was the fear and terror of all the people, because the law worketh wrath: but here the whole multitude comes together, Assembly. Act. 2. Heb. 12. and hears the wonderful things of God: because there is a passage open for us unto God, by the Gospel. There jehovah comes down in fire: but in the fire of wrath Fire of wrath. and fury, therefore the hill was moved and did smoke: but here jehovah, the holy Ghost, descends in fire, Fire of love. but in the fire of love and charity, from whence the house is not moved with the wrath of God, but rather it is wholly filled with the glory of the holy Ghost. What marvel is it if the holy Ghost be sent out of the Court of heaven to sanctify mankind, when the Son was sent to redeem mankind? the Passion of Christ had not been profitable, unless it had been declared unto the world by the Gospel. For what use is there of a treasure Treasure communicated. that is hid? therefore the most benign Father not only prepared a great benefit by the passion of his Son, but also would offer it to the whole world, by the sending of the holy Spirit. Two breasts 1 A faithful mother gives both her breasts to her tender son: our faithful God sends unto us, poor wretches, both his Son and his holy Spirit. Son and Spirit. But the holy Ghost came upon the Apostles when they did continued together with one accord in prayer: Spirit of prayer. for it is the spirit of prayer, it is obtained by prayers, and it drives unto prayers. Why? because it is that bond by which our hearts are united unto God, Spirit uniteth to God. even as it unites the Son with the Father, and the Father with the Son. For it is the mutual substantial love of the Father, and of the Son. This spiritual conjunction of us with God is made by faith, By faith. but faith is the gift of the Spirit, it is obtained by prayers, but true prayers are made in the Spirit. 2 In the Temple of Solomon when Incense was burned unto the Lord, Spiritual prayers sweet odours, the Temple was filled with the glory of the Lord: so if thou offerest the sweet odours of prayers unto God, the glory of the holy Ghost will fill the temple of thine heart. 3 Let us here marvel at the mercy and grace of God: Marvellous help of prayer. the Father promiseth to hear our prayers: the Son makes intercession for us: the holy Ghost prayeth in us: the Angels carry our prayers unto God, and so the whole court of heaven is open to our prayers. Affection. 4 The merciful God gives us an affection to pray, because he gives unto us the spirit of grace, and of prayers. He also gives unto us the effect of prayer, Effect. because he always hears our prayers, if not according to our will, yet to our profit. 5 The holy Ghost came, when they were all with one accord in one place: Spirit of concord. With Christ, God. Man. forsooth he is the spirit of love and concord: he joineth us unto Christ by faith: he joineth us unto God by charity, he doth unite us also with our neighbour by love. The devil divideth. 6 The devil is the author of discord and separation, he separates us by sins from God: he separates men from themselves by hatred, contentions, and brawls: but the holy Ghost, The spirit joineth. as it hath joined together in Christ the divine and humane nature, by his wonderful over-shadowing: so also by his gifts that are poured forth upon us: he joins together both men with God, and God with men. 7 As long as the holy Ghost remains in man, As long as he abideth. by his grace and by his gifts, so long man abides united unto God. As soon as man by his sins falls from faith and charity, and shakes off the holy Ghost, he is separated from God, and that most blessed union is taken away. 8 He that hath the holy Ghost, No hate of members. hateth not his brother. Why? because by the spirit he is made partaker of the mystical body of Christ, whose members are all the godly: but who ever hateth his own members? Ephes. 5. But love. Nay, he loveth his enemies which is governed by the Spirit of the Lord. Why? because he that cleaves to the Lord, is made one spirit with him. But now God suffers his Sun to arise both upon the good and upon the evil, and hateth nothing of those things that he hath made: Like God. so he that hath the Spirit of God, is ready to serve all, after his power, doth do good unto all; offers himself to been used of all, because God also is the fountain of all mercy and grace towards all. Spirit worketh God's Image. Now the holy Ghost brings to pass such motions in man as he himself is. Even as the soul makes the body to have life, feeling, and moving: so the Spirit maketh a man spiritual, Maketh spiritual. it doth fill a man's mind with the pleasure of God's sweetness, and doth direct all his members to perform obedience to God and his neighbour. That found came out of heaven, which was a token of the holy Ghosts coming, because that holy Spirit is of an heavenly nature, that is to say, Heavenly of the same essence with the Father and the Son, from which Father and Son he proceedeth from all eternity: he makes men also to have mind of heavenly things, and to seek those things that are above: he that doth yet cleave to earthly things, and is knit to the love of the world, he is not made partaker of the holy Spirit. 10 He comes under the similitude of a wind or breath, Comfortable. because he doth minister lively consolation to the afflicted. Because also by a reciproque breath and respiration of the aerial spirit, we live according to the flesh: Life. therefore he came under the similitude of spirit and breath, which gives unto us, that we live according to our better part. Joh. 3. 11 The wind blows whither it will, and thou hearest the sound thereof, Passing understanding. but knowest not whence it comes, and whither it goes: so is every one which is begotten of the Spirit. 12 He came also agreeably under the similitude of breath, which proceeds from the Father and the Son at one breathing from everlasting. That was a vehement breath, Quickening. because the grace of the holy Ghost knows no slow endeavours. That holy Spirit doth move the godly, in whom he dwelleth, to every good work, and so moves them, Ready. that they neither care for the threatenings of Tyrants, nor the deceits of Satan, nor the hatred of the World, but in all temptations serve God with a ready mind. 13 He bestows on the Apostles the gift of tongues, because their sound aught to go forth into all the earth. Speaking. And so the confusion of tongues which had been a punishment of the pride and rashness in building of the Tower of Babel, is taken away: and now the Nations that were dispersed through the diversity of languages, Gathering and conversing are gathered together by the gift of the holy Ghost into the unity of faith. He came agreeably under the figure of tongues, of whom inspired, the holy men of God have spoken, which spoke in the Apostles, which puts the word of God in the mouths of the Ministers of the Church. 14 Think, O devout soul, of this great gift which Christ ascending gave thee. The great goodness and mercy of the Lord is made thine own only by his blessed spirit. Thou wast empty, it filleth thee with graces. Thou wast a stranger, it knitteth thee to God. Thou didst stray like a lost sheep, the Spirit only brought thee to the Shepherd of thy soul, and led thee in all truth. Thou wast without hope, the Spirit did fill thee with hope. Many were the just causes of sorrow for fear of sin to infect thee, the Devil to accuse thee, God to judge thee, Hell to swallow thee, the world to fail thee, and every misery to gnaw upon thee. The Spirit it is that in all afflictions doth comfort thee, turneth thy tears to joy, thy sighs to smiles, thy fears to assurance, by assuring thee that the Father doth love thee and provide for thee, to whom the Son will bring thee. O dear Soul, keep safely this pledge and earnest, of thy happiness, grieve not him that is thy comfort, quench not that fire that burneth up thy corruptions, and inflameth thy cold heart with charity and zeal. Let this sweet loving Spirit sleep sweetly in thy breast, and wake him not till himself do please. For so great gifts that holy spirit is to be lauded and blessed, together with the Father and the Son for ever. Wednesday, Evening Prayer. When I draw near unto thee (O Lord my God) and think of the many rebellions and transgressions which I have committed against thee, me thinks I cannot but take up the word of the Prodigal Son against myself, and say; Father, I have sinned against heaven and against thee, I am no more worthy to be called thy son: I blush and am ashamed to lift up mine eyes unto thee: I think myself unworthy to lift up mine eyes to heaven; for my sins have covered my face with confusion, mine offences have taken such hold of me, that I am unable to look up. What shall be done unto the man that hath dishonoured his Father? that hath disobeyed his Master? that hath dealt unfaithfully with his friend? that hath rebelled against his Prince? that hath sinned against his God? O Lord, I am that son of confusion, that servant of undutifulness, that companion of unfaithfulness, that subject of rebellion, that creature of sin: thy sentence is gone forth against me in thy Word, that I am but the son of death, I have received the sentence of death in myself. What help, what hope is left unto me, wretched and vile sinner? Wither shall I fly to save me from the tempest of thy wrath? my help is in thy mercy, my hope is also in thee, I will fly from thy wrath to thy good pleasure; from thee my God offended with me for my sin to thee my God appeased toward me in thy Son. O Lord unto me belongeth shame and confusion, but to thee mercy and forgiveness: remit therefore the evil deservings of thy servant, for the merits sake and good deserving of thy Son. Look O Lord, upon the face of thine anointed, and hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine offences. Take me, O Lord, again into thy favour, take me this night also into thy safe protection, watch over me whilst I sleep: keep me as the apple of thine eye: hide me under the shadow of thy wings: compass me about with the wall of Angelical defence: give sweet sleep to mine eyes, and slumber to my eyelids, and raise me up in the morning to walk before thee in thy fear, through thy Son Christ jesus: To whom, etc. Thursday, Morning Prayer. WE have a sure word of promise in thy Word (O gracious, loving, and bountiful God) not only of spiritual, but also of corporal things, as of food convenient, and those things that shall be needful for this bodily life: yea, the Truth hath taught us also to pray for daily bread, and confuted our mistrust of having sufficient food and raiment, from thy feeding of the young Ravens that call upon thee, and clothing of the Lilies. Now as these things, though not in the first place to be sought, yet are to be sought for; so likewise, though not in the first place, yet are they to be prayed for. I therefore, knowing how many things the frailty & necessity of my life requireth, do call upon thee the Author & giver of every good and perfect gift, beseeching thee to give me things needful for this life, food and raiment, and a mind therewith content, and cut out unto me my commons, O Lord, according to Agurs wish, neither too much, nor too little, jest plenty and fullness make me either to forget or deny thee, jest poverty & want make me to fall to stealing & take the name of thee (my God) in vain. And whereas, O Lord, thou hast placed me in a particular calling, therein to serve thee here on earth, grant, I pray thee, that herein I may walk conscionably, and bless thou the works of mine hands upon me: make all my ways, mine out-going, and my incomming to prospero unto me. Give me health and strength of body, and a good disposition of mind, that I may be the better fitted unto all my labours: take from me rebuke and shame, the thing that I fear: vouchsafe me the sweet savour of a good name, with the testimony of a good conscience, which may refresh and feast me in this life, and at the end of my pilgrimage here on earth, bring me (O Lord) to everlasting life. Amen. Viva est & victrix, si modo vera fides. True faith a lively conqueror. 21. Meditation. Of the nature and properties of true Faith. O Beloved Soul, consider the power of faith, Faith grafteth us into Christ. and give thanks unto God the only giver of faith It is faith alone that doth grafted us again into our Saviour: that as the Vine branches draw juice out of the Vine, so we may draw out of him life, righteousness and salvation. 1 Adam fell from the grace of God, Gives favour and God's Image. and lost the Image of God by his incredulity: but we are received again into favour by faith, and the Image of God gins to be reform in us. 2 By faith, Christ ours. Christ is made ours, & dwells in us. But where Christ is, there is the grace of God. Where is the grace of God, there is the inheritance of everlasting life. Abel's sacrifice. By faith Abel offered a greater sacrifice to God then Cain: so we offer spiritual sacrifices to God by faith, that is to say, Henochs' translation. the fruit of our lips. By faith Henoch was translated: so faith doth translate us out of the society of men, into the society of heaven: yea, even in this life. For even now Christ dwells in us, even now there is in us everlasting life, Noah's Ark. but hidden. By faith Noah prepared the Ark: so by faith we go into the Church, in which our souls are saved, all the rest perishing in the vast sea of the world. Abraham left Idolatry. By faith Abraham did leave the Idolatrous land: so by faith we go out of the world, leaving parents, brothers, and kinsfolk, and cleaving to the Word of Christ that calls us. By faith he sojourned as a stranger, sojourneth. and looked for the promised land: so we do look for the heavenly jerusalem, which God hath prepared in Heaven: we are strangers and pilgrims in this world, by faith aspiring to our heavenly country. By faith Sara conceived Sara conceived aged. her son Isaac in her age: so we being dead spiritually, do receive virtue to conceive Christ spiritually. For as Christ was once conceived in the holy bowels of the Virgin Mary: so he is daily borne spiritually in the faithful soul, which keeps itself pure from worldly companies. 3 By faith Abraham offered Isaac: Abraham offered Isaac. so we by faith do spiritually kill and sacrifice our own will, which is the beloved son of our soul. For he that desires to follow Christ, aught to deny himself, that is to say, renounce his own will, his own honour, his own love. Isaac blessed jacob. 4 By faith Isaac blessed jacob: so by faith we are made partakers of all the heavenly blessings. For in the séed of Abraham, that is, joseph removed. in Christ, all nations are blessed. By faith joseph prophesied of the going of the Israelites out of Egypt, and gave commandment of his bones: so by faith we look for a going out of this spiritual Egypt, Moses hidden. that is, the world, and an happy resurrection of the body. By faith Moses was kept for three months: so faith doth hide us from the tyranny of Satan, till at last we be brought into the regal palace of God, and adopted for spiritual kings. By faith Moses chose rather to be partaker of the calamities of his people, Chooseth affliction. then to live in the glory of Egypt: so faith doth stir up in us a contempt of the glory, honour, riches, and pleasures of this world, and a desire of the heavenly kingdom. By faith we chose rather the rebukes of Christ, than the treasures of this world. By faith Moses left Egypt, Left Egypt. neither feared the king's wrath: so faith doth animate and confirm us, that we be not terrified with the threatenings of the tyrants of this world, but that with a valiant and constant mind we obey God when he calls. By faith Israel did celebrated the Passeover: The Passeover. and we also by faith do celebrated our Passeover Christ. Our Passeover is sacrificed for us, whose flesh is meat indeed, and whose blood is drink indeed. Israelites pass the Read sea. By faith the Israelites passed over thorough the Red-sea: so we by faith do pass thorough the Sea of this world. By faith the walls of jericho jericho falleth. fell down: so we by faith do destroy all the munitions of Satan. Rahab safe. By faith Rahab was saved: so in that universal overthrow of the whole world, by faith we shall be saved from destruction. Father's mighty by faith. By faith the Fathers overcame kingdoms, stopped the mouths of Lions, put out the force of fire: so we also by faith destroy the kingdom of Satan, escape the snares and rage of the infernal Lion, and are freed from the burning of the fire of hell. Faith, where it is 5 Howbeit faith is not a bore opinion and profession, but a lively and effectual apprehension of Christ proposed in the Gospel: it is a most full persuasion of the grace of God, a fiducial rest of our heart, and peace relying on the merit of Christ. 6 This faith springs out of the séed of the word of God. It springs from the Word. For faith and the spirit are one: but the Word is the Wagon of the holy Ghost The fruit follows the nature of his séed. Fruit of divine seed Faith is a divine fruit, therefore there must be a divine séed, that is to say, the Word. Even as in the creation the light did spring out of the Word of God: for God spoke, and the light was made: so the light of Faith springs out of the light of God's Word. In thy light shall we see light, saith the Psalmist. All the Word is light: but the word of promise bringeth in Christ, that Sun that enlighteneth every one that cometh into the world. There faith doth spring from the word of promise as from the greatest light. 7 Seeing Faith doth join unto us Christ: Mother of 〈◊〉 virtues seeing Faith doth unite us with Christ, therefore it is also in us the mother of all virtues. Where is faith, there is Christ: where Christ is, there is an holy life, that is to say, true humility, true meekness, true love. Without Christ we can do nothing. Joh. 15. Christ and the holy Spirit are not disjoined: where the holy Spirit is, there is true holiness. Therefore where there is not an holy life, there is no holy Spirit: where there is no Spirit, Not Christian life, no faith. there is no Christ, where there is no Christ, there is no true faith at all. What branch soever doth not draw life and juice out of the Vine, it is not to be judged to been joined with the Vine: so we are not as yet joined unto Christ by faith, unless we draw life and juice out of him. Faith is a certain spiritual light: for our hearts are enlightened by faith: Faith light. therefore it scatters abroad the beams of good works. Where there are not the beams of a spiritual life, there also, as yet, is not the true light of faith. Ill works darkness. Evil works are the works of darkness: but faith is light. Now what society hath the light with darkness? Evil works are the séed of Satan, faith is the séed of Christ. Now what society hath Christ with Satan? Faith purifieth. By faith our hearts are purified: but how can there been an inward purity of the heart, where impure words and impure works appear from without? Ouercometh. Faith is our victory: therefore how can there be true faith, where the flesh overcomes the spirit, and leads it as it were captive? By faith we have Christ, and in Christ eternal life: but no impenitent person and that persevers in his sins, is partaker of eternal life: how therefore of Christ? how therefore of faith? Kindle in us, O holy jesus, the light of true faith that by faith we may attain everlasting salvation. Solvit mea debita Christus. Christ pays my debts. 22. Meditation. Of the Reconciliation with God. Christ our buckler. Gen. 15. TRuly God hath taken upon him our infirmities, and he hath borne our griefs. O Lord jesus, that which deserved in us eternal punishment, that hast thou translated upon thyself. Refreshing Mat. 11. Thou hast taken upon thee the burden that was ready to press us down unto hell. Thou art wounded for our iniquities, Health. and thou art smitten for our sins. By thy stripes we are healed. The Lord hath laid on thee the iniquities of us all. Wondered change Wonderful truly is the change, thou translatest our sins on thyself, and thou givest thy righteousness unto us: thou layest death, that was due unto us, on thyself, and givest unto us thy life. I cannot therefore by any mean doubt of thy grace, No cause of despair Christ taketh the worst that is in us. or despair for my sins. 1 Thou hast translated that which was worst in us on thyself: how shalt thou despise that which is best in us and thy work, that is to say, our body and our soul. Leaveth us not. Psal. 32. Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption. For he is truly holy, whose sins are abolished and taken away: he is happy, whose iniquities are remitted, to whom the Lord doth not impute sins. 2 How can the Lord impute our sins to us, when he hath imputed them to another? for the wickedness of his people he struck his most beloved Son: Struck for us. he therefore with his knowledge shall justify many, and he shall bear their iniquities. 3 How shall he justify his? Hear, Christ justifieth. O souls, and attend: he will justify them which cleave unto him by knowledge: By knowledge. that is to say, by a saving acknowledgement of God's mercy and grace in Christ, and by a firm apprehension of the same by faith. Faith. This is life eternal, that they know thee the only true God, joh. 17. and whom thou hast sent, thy Son jesus Christ: and therefore if thou shalt confess thy Lord jesus with thy mouth, Rom. 10. and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Satisfaction. 4 But faith doth apprehended the satisfaction of Christ. For he hath borne the sins of his: he hath taken upon him the sins of many, and hath made request for the transgressors. For truly he had had none just, unless he had mercifully received the sinners. 5 Thou shouldest have, No condemnation to the faithful. O jesus, few just, unless thou didst remit their sins to the unjust. How then shall Christ judge the sins of the penitent in severe judgement, which he hath taken upon himself? how shall he condemn him that is guilty of sin, when he himself was made sin? He shall judge those whom he calls friends: he shall judge those for whom he hath prayed: he shall judge those for whom he hath died. 6 Lift up thyself, Have peace with God. Rom. 5. O my Soul, and forget thy sins, because the Lord hath forgotten them. Whom dost thou fear to take vengeance of thy sins, but the Lord which hath satisfied for thy sins? No other name under heaven. If any one else had paid the price for my sins, I might as yet doubt whether the just judge would accept that satisfaction. If any man or Angel had satisfied for me, it might been doubted whether the price of the redemption were sufficient. But now there is no place left for doubting. No fear. 7 How shall he not accept the price which he paid himself? how shall that not he sufficient which was paid by God himself? Why art thou as yet troubled, O my soul? Mercy and justice do comfort us. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth: for the Lord is just, and just is his judgement. Why art thou troubled, O my soul? let the mercy of God lift thee up: let the justice of God comfort thee. For if God be just, he will not exact a double punishment for one only fault. For our sins he smote his Son: how shall he smite us his servants for the same? how shall he punish in us the sins thae were punished in his Son? for the truth of the Lord shall not fail for ever. Truth. I will not the death of a sinner, but that he may be converted and live, cries our God. 8 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you, cries our Saviour. Shall we go about to convince God of a lie? and shall we endeavour to depress his mercy with the weight of our sins? The greatest sin to distrust God. To accuse the Lord of a lie, and to deny his mercy, is a greater sin than all the sins of the whole world: when judas sinned more in despairing, than the jews in crucifying Christ. Grace most rich. 8 But rather where sin hath abounded, there grace hath abounded also, which is infinitely more weighty than the balance of our sins. For the sins are of men, but the grace is of God. Sins are temporal, but the grace of our Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. Satisfaction is made for my sins: the grace of God is repaired by the death of Christ, and established for ever, to whom I fly with all devotion and humility. Sacrum Baptismalavacrum est. An holy bath is Baptism. 23. Meditation. Of the fruits of Baptism. REmember, O faithful soul, the great grace of God shown unto thee in the wholesome bath of Baptism. Baptism is the washing of regeneration: therefore seeing thou art dipped in the font of Baptism, New birth thou art not altogether in the oldness of the carnal nativity: but because thou art borne of God, that is, by water and the Spirit, Son and heir. therefore thou art also a son of God, and because a son, therefore also an heir of eternal felicity. 1 For as the eternal Father at the Baptism of Christ, uttered this voice: Mat. 4: This is my beloved Son: so all that do believe and are baptised, he doth adopt for sons. Even as in the Baptism of Christ, the holy Ghost appeared in the shape of a Dove: so also in our Baptism, the same spirit Receives the Spirit. of the Son of God is present, and giveth force unto it. Yea, by Baptism he is bestowed on the believers: and he worketh new motions in them, that they may been prudent as Serpents, and simple as Doves. 2 As it was in the Creation: so it is also in our regeneration. In the first creation of things the Spirit of the Lord rested on the waters, and gave unto them vital force: so also in the water of Baptism the holy Ghost is present, Spirit of life. and makes it the wholesome means of our regeneration. Our Saviour Christ himself would be baptised, that he might make it known that we are made his members by Baptism. Christ's members. Physic to the head for the members. Oftentimes physic is applied to the head, that the other members of the body may be healed: our spiritual head is Christ, he took the physic of Baptism for the health of his mystical body. 3 In the Circumcision God did enter into a covenant with his people in the old Testament: so by baptism we are received into the Covenant of God in the new Testament, Enter into the kingdom of heaven. because Baptism succeeded in the place of Circumcision. He therefore that is in the covenant of God, let him not fear the accusation of the devil. 4 In Baptism Christ is put on. Christ put on. Hence the Saints are said to have made white their long robes in the blood of the Lamb. The perfect righteousness of Christ is that most fair garment. As a robe. He therefore that is clothed with this garment, let him not fear the spots of sin. There was at jerusalem a pool about the shéepe-market, john 5. into which at a certain time an Angel did descend and trouble it: he that first after the troubling of the water did go down into it, was healed of whatsoever disease he was holden. All diseases cured. The water of Baptism is that pool which doth heal us from every disease of sins, when the holy Ghost descends into it, and troubles it with the blood of Christ, which was made a sacrifice for us: as also in time passed in that fish-poole at jerusalem the sacrifices were washed. Heaven's gate. 5 About the Baptism of Christ, the heavens were opened: so also in our Baptism the gate of heaven is opened. In the Baptism of Christ there was present the whole holy Trinity: so also he is present in our Baptism. Trinity present. And so in that word of promise which is annexed unto the element of water, faith receives the grace of God that adopts, Received. the merit of the Son that cleanseth, and the efficacy of the holy Ghost that regenerates. Pharaoh and all his Army was drowned in the Red-sea, the Israelites passed thorough well and safely: so in Baptism all the army of vices is drowned, Vice drowned. and the faithful come safely to the promised inheritance of the heavenly kingdom. Therefore Baptism also is that Sea of Crystal glass, Reu. 4. & 15. which john saw thorough, as thorough a certain glass, the bright shining of the Sun of righteousness doth enter into our minds. Washed white before the Throne. But that Sea of glass was before the throne of the Lamb: the throne of the Lamb is the Church, in which alone is found the grace of holy Baptism. 6 The Prophet Ezekiel saw waters going out of the Temple, Chap. 47. Waters of health issue out of th' Temple. which did quicken and heal all things: in the spiritual Temple of God; that is, the Church, do as yet spring forth the wholesome waters of Baptism, into the depth whereof our sins are cast: all things shall be healed and live, to which that brook shall come. 7 Baptism is the spiritual Deluge, Drown sin. in which all the flesh of sin is drowned: the unclean crow or devil goeth out, but the Dove or holy Ghost flies back, and inspires into our minds, the leaf of Olive, that is, peace and tranquillity. Memorable favours. 8 Remember therefore, O faithful soul, that great favour that was showed unto thee in Baptism, and give due thanks unto God. 9 Howbeit by how much the grace bestowed upon us by Baptism is more plentiful, by so much there aught to be a more diligent custody of the gifts that are conferred. Keep them We are buried with Christ by Baptism into his death: therefore as Christ was raised up from the dead, into the glory of the Father, so let us also walk in newness of life. New life. We are made whole, therefore let us sinne no more, Sin no more. jest a worse thing happen unto us. We have put on Christ's righteousness, a most precious garment, therefore let us not defile it with the spots of sins. Our old man is crucified, Fall not. and dead in Baptism: therefore let our new man live. Mortify the old man. We are regenerate and renewed in the spirit of our mind in Baptism: therefore let not the flesh reign Let it not reign. over the Spirit. Old things are passed away, behold, all things are made new: let not the oldness of the flesh therefore prevail over the newness of the Spirit. We are made the sons of God by spiritual regeneration: therefore let us lead a life worthy of such a Father. Walk worthy our Father. We are made the temple of the holy Ghost: let us prepare therefore an acceptable resting place for so great a guest. Cleanse the Sanctuary We are received into the covenant of God, let us take heed therefore that we serve not under the devil's pay, Keep covenant. and so fall from the grace of the covenant. 10 Bring all these things to pass in us, O blessed Trinity, which art one God: thou hast given us so great grace in baptism, give us also perseverance in so great grace. Thursday Noon. Psal 85.13. O Lord God, be thou my light and defence: give me grace and worship, and no good thing withhold from me that am thy servant. Christi Ecclesia sponsa. The Church Christ's Bride. 24 Meditation. Of the Dignity of the Church. Think, O devout soul, how great a benefit God hath bestowed upon thee, Communion. that he hath called thee to the communion of his Church. My beloved is one, saith the Husband in the Canticles: one indeed, because the true and orthodox Church is one only, the beloved Spouse of Christ. One Church. Without the body of Christ is not the Spirit of Christ, but he which hath not the spirit of Christ is not his: he that is not Christ's, One spirit▪ cannot be made partaker of eternal life. 1 All without the Ark of Noah, Without, all perish, 1 Pet. 3. were constrained to perish in the deluge: without the spiritual Ark of the Church all are folded up in everlasting destruction. Not God's sons. He shall not have God his Father in heaven, which hath not the Church his Mother on the earth. Meditate on this. 2 Think, O devout Soul, that every day many thousand souls go down into hell, therefore, because they are without the bosom of the Church. Nature hath not separated thee from them, but the grace of God alone that took pity upon thee. When Egypt was wrapped up in palpable darkness, Darkness. amongst the Israelites only was light: so in the Church alone is the light of the knowledge of God: they which are without the Church, pass from the darkness of ignorance in this life present, to the darkness of eternal damnation in the life following. He that is not a portion of the Church Militant, shall never been a portion of the Church triumphant. Unseparable communion. For these things are most inwardly joined together, God, the Word. Faith, Christ, the Church, and Life eternal. 3 The holy Church of God is a Mother, a Virgin, and a Spouse. Mother. She is a Mother, because she doth daily bring forth sons unto God: Virgin. she is a Virgin, because she doth keep herself clean from the embracements of the Devil and the World: she is a Spouse, Spouse. because Christ hath espoused her to himself, in an everlasting covenant, and hath given her the carnest of the Spirit. 4 The Church is that Ship Ship. which carries Christ and his Disciples, and brings us at last to the haven of eternal happiness: the Church sails, being furnished with the stern of Faith, with an happy course through the Sea of this world, Steerman. having God her stéerman: Rowers. Fraight. the Angels her Rowers: carrying the Quires of all the Saints: and in the midst of her, as her Mast, Mast. is set up the wholesome tree of the Cross, on which are hanged up the sails of the faith of the Gospel: Wind. by which the holy Ghost blowing on them, she is brought to the security of the eternal rest. Vineyard. Isa. 5. Planted. 5 The Church is that Vineyard which God hath planted in the field of this world: which he hath watered with his blood: Watered. which he hath compassed with the hedge Hedged. of Angelical protection: in it he hath built the winepress Winepress. of his passion: and out of it he hath taken stones Stones taken out. & stumbling blocks. Reu. 12. The Church is that Woman Woman clothed. which is clothed with the Sun, because she is covered with Christ's righteousness: Her footstool. she treads the Moon under her feet, because she despiseth earthly things, that are subject to diverse changes: crowned with stars for celestial doctrine. 6 Consider this great dignity of the Church, O devout Soul, Meditations. and give due thanks unto God. Verily, great are the benefits of God in the Church, but they are not obvious unto all. It is a garden A garden. that is enclosed, and a fountain that is sealed up: no man sees the beauty of a garden that is enclosed, but he which is in it; so no man acknowledgeth these great benefits in the Church, but he which is in it himself. 7 This Spouse of Christ is black outwardly, Blacks Psal 45. but fair inwardly: for great is the glory of the King's daughter within. This ship is shaken with diverse tempests of persecution, Shaken. yet arriveth safe to her desired haven. This Vineyard being down, is raised up: Cut. being cut, is increased. The infernal Dragon himself doth diverse ways lay wait for this woman. Among Thorns. 8 The Church is a fair Lily, but yet amongst thorns. The Church is a most fair Garden, but when the North wind Wind. of tribulations blow upon it, then do her Spices give their smell. The Church is the daughter of God: but very much hated of the world. She looks for the heavenly heritage, Hated. therefore she is constrained to be a pilgrim Pilgrim. in this world. In her pilgrimage she is oppressed: in her pressure she is silent: in her silence she is strong and valiant: in her strength she overcomes. The Church is a spiritual mother: Mother under the Cross. but she is constrained to stand under the Cross, as also Mary, of whom Christ was borne into the world, stood under the Cross. The Church is a Palm, because it grows more and more under the weight of tribulations and temptations. Palm. 9 Think, O devout soul, Depend on thy mother. of the dignity of the Church: and take heed thou do nothing that is unworthy of her. The Church is a mother, take heed therefore that thou contemn not her voice. She is a mother, therefore thou oughtest to hung upon her breasts. The breasts of the Church are the Word and Sacraments. The Church is a Virgin: Keep thy Virginity▪ if therefore thou been her true son, abstain from the embracings of the world. Thou art a member of the Vir●in Church: see that thou prostitute not thy Virgin's members, and commit whoredom with the Devil through sin. 10 The Church is the Spouse Be a good Spouse. of Christ, as also every devout soul: let her take heed therefore that she cleave not to the devil. Thou art the spouse of Christ, see that thou lose not the earnest of the holy Ghost that is given unto thee. Thou art the Spouse of Christ, pray daily that thy Husband may make haste and bring thee in to the heavenly marriage. Now thy husband will come in the night of security: watch therefore, jest when thy husband shall come he find thee sleeping, and shut against thee the gate of eternal salvation. Let the oil Have oil. of thy faith shine, jest at the coming of the Bridegroom thou be constrained to desire it in vain. Make not shipwreck. 11 Thou art carried in a ship: see that thou cast not thyself headlong into the sea of the world, before thou come to the haven. Thou art carried in a ship, pray that it be not swallowed up of the tempests of afflictions, and of the waves of temptations. 12 Thou art called into the Vineyard of the Lord: Labour. see that thou labour stoutly, let the consideration of thy hire, the penny, take away from thee the tediousness of the day. Thou art the Vineyard of the Lord, Prune thee. cast away the unprofitable branches, the unfruitful works of the flesh: and think that the whole time of thy life, is the time of pruning and cutting. Thou art a branch in the true Vine Christ: see that thou abide in him, and bear much fruit, joh. 15. because the heavenly Husbandman will take away the branch that bears not fruit, and will purge that which bears fruit, that it may bring forth more fruit. Thou hast put on Christ by faith, Affect not earthly things. Col. 3. and art clothed with this Sun of justice: keep therefore thy garments, jest thou walk naked: see that thou tread the Moon, that is, all earthly things under thy feet, and in respect of the everlasting good things, esteem little of all things. O good jesus, which hast brought us into the Church militant, bring us also at length into the Church triumphant. Animarum sponsus jesus. jesus the Souls Bridegroom. 25. Meditation. Of the spiritual marriage of Christ and our Soul. Christ the Husband. I Will espouse thee for ever to myself, saith Christ to the faithful soul. Christ would be present at the marriage that was celebrated at Cana Testified at Cana. in Galilée, that he might show that he came into the world to spiritual marriage. Rejoice in the Lord, and triumph, O faithful soul, in thy God, which doth thee with the garments The bride▪ garments of salvation, and compasseth thee about with the vesture of righteousness, as a Spouse adorned with jewels. Rejoice for the honour of thy husband: A husband chief of a thousand. Cant. rejoice for the comeliness of thine Husband: rejoice for the love of thine Husband. 1 His honour is very great, for he is the true God, blessed for ever: how great therefore is the dignity of this creature, that is to say, the faithful soul, that the Creator A Creator Comely. Psal 45. himself will espouse her unto himself! His comeliness is very great, for he is fairer than the sons of men. Truly they saw his glory, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father: his face did shine like the Sun, his garments were like snow: Mat. 17. grace is poured out in his lips: he was crowned with honour and glory. A part of how great mercy Unspeakable mercy. therefore is it, that bright beauty doth not scorn to choose unto himself for a Spouse, the soul deformed with the spots of sin? there is very great majesty of the part of the Bridegroom, very great infirmity of the part of his Bride: very great comeliness of the part of the Bridegroom, very great deformity of the part of the Bride: and greater is the love of the Bridegroom toward his Bride, Love.. then of the Bride toward that most honoured and beautiful Bridegroom. 2 See the unmeasurable love of thy Bridegroom, O faithful soul. Love drew him from heaven to the earth, bound him to a pillar, fastened him to the Cross, shut him up in the sepulchre, and drew him down to hell. Who did all these things but love toward his Spouse? Unkind Spouse. but our heart is more heavy than stone and lead, that the bond of so great love doth not draw it upwards unto God, since first it drew God down unto men. The Spouse was naked, neither could she so naked been brought into the royal Palace of the heavenly kingdom: He clothed her that was naked. he clothed her with the garments of salvation and righteousness, when she lay wrapped in the loathsome garment of her sins, and in the most filthy rags of her iniquity: he granted her, that she should cover herself with shining and white Silk, which Silk are the righteousnesses of the Saints. This garment was gotten by the righteousness, death, Reu. 19 and passion of the Husband himself. 3 jacob did labour fourteen years, that he might get Rachel to wife: Serveth more than jacob. Christ for almost four and thirty years did sustain hunger, thirst, cold, poverty, ignominies, reproaches, bands, scourges, the bitterness of gall, death, the cross, that he might get the faithful soul a Spouse for himself. 4 Samson went down, and from amongst the Philistines, a people adjudged to destruction, Excelleth Sampsons' love. he sought him a wife: the Son of God comes down, and chooseth him a Spouse from amongst men that were condemned & adjudged to eternal death. Rom. 5. Enemies reconciled 5 The kindred of his Spouse was at enmity with his heavenly Father, but he hath reconciled it to his Father by his most bitter passion. His spouse was defiled in her own blood, Filthy. and cast out in the face of the earth, but he hath washed Washed. her with the water of Baptism, and made her clean in a most holy Bath. He hath cleansed the blood of the Spouse with his own blood, because the blood of the Son of God doth cleanse us from all sins. 6 His Spouse was foul and deformed, Deformed Beautiful but he hath anointed her with oil, that is to say, with mercy and grace. His spouse was not honourably attired, but he gave unto her bracelets, and earrings, and adorned her with virtues, and diverse gifts of the holy Ghost. His spouse was most poor, Poor cnriched. and had nothing that she might give in stead of earnest, therefore he left unto her the earnest of the Spirit, and took from her the earnest of the flesh, and brought it into Heaven. His Spouse was hungry: but he gave unto her fine flower and honey, and oil to eat: he féeds her with his flesh, Hungry fed. and with his own blood unto everlasting life. His Spouse is disobedient, Adultress converted, is accepted. and oftentimes breaks her faith plighted in Marriage, she commits fornication with the world and the Devil: but out of his infinite love, her husband takes her again into favour, as often as in true conversion she returns unto him. 7 Acknowledge, O faithful soul, so many and so great tokens of his infinite love. Love, O faithful soul, the love of him, which for the love of thee came down into the womb of the Virgin. Love him again. By so much aught we to love him more than ourselves, by how much he is greater, which hath delivered himself for us. Let all our life be made conformable unto him, which for the love of us hath conformed himself wholly unto us: he is accounted deservedly most unthankful, which love's not him again that loveth him: how much therefore is he to be beloved of us, which for the love of us hath forgotten as it were his own Majesty? Happy is the soul which is joined unto Christ in the bond of this spiritual marriage. True happiness, It doth apply all those benefits of Christ to herself safely and confidently: as otherwise in marriage, the wife shines bright by the beams of her husband. By faith we are married to Christ. Engraffeth, But we are made partakers of his happy and spiritual marriage by faith alone, as it is written, I will espouse thee to myself in faith. Faith doth grafted us branches into Christ, as it were the spiritual Vine, that we may draw life and juice out of him. And even as they that live in marriage, are no more too but one flesh: so they which cleave unto the Lord by faith, Maketh one with him. are made one spirit with him, because Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, and that faith, if it be true, is working through love, as a good tree beareth fruit. 8 Even as in the old Testament the Priests were constrained to marry Virgins: Present thyself a Virgin. so that heavenly Priest doth couple such a Virgin to himself spiritually, which keepeth herself whole and undefiled from the embracements of the Devil, the World, and her own Flesh. Make us worthy, O Christ, that one day we may been led in to the marriage of the Lamb. Amen. Quid Deus est animae? lux, medicina, cibus. What is God unto the soul? Light, Physic, Meat. Prou. 9 26. Meditation. Of the spiritual repast of the Soul. THE most bountiful God hath prepared a great banquet, Banquet. but we must bring hunger-bitten hearts unto it. He doth not perceive the sweetness of the heavenly banquet, which tastes it not, he tastes it not, that hungers Hunger. not. To believe in Christ, joh. 6. is to come to the heavenly banquet: but no man can believe, but he which acknowledging his sins; is truly contrite and penitent. Contrition is the spiritual hunger of the soul: faith is the hand, mouth, and stomach that receiveth, and profitably digesteth this spiritual food. 1 God gave Manna to the Israelites in the Desert, the bread of Angels: in this banquet of the new Testament God gives the heavenly Manna, Christ the true Manna. that is to say, his grace, the forgiveness of sins, nay, his own Son, the Lord of the Angels. joh. 6. 2 Christ is that true heavenly bread, which came down from heaven, that he might give life unto the world. He that is full of the husks of hogs, that is to say, of the delights of this world, doth not desire that sweetness. The outward man doth not perceive what is sweet to the inward. God gives his Manna in the Desert, that is to say, where all earthly food, Given where is no food. all earthly consolation is withdrawn from the soul. They that have Wives delay to come: the chaste virgins, that is, Virgins. the souls which neither cleave to the Devil through sin, nor to the World through delights, do come to this banquet. I have espoused you a chaste virgin to one man, saith the Apostle: Beware Adultery. our soul aught not to give itself to spiritual adultery, that God may contract with it spiritual marriage, and so bring it to his heavenly banquet, where doth enter none that is unclean They that were withheld with the delight of seeing of the field, did refuse to come, they which love the pleasures of this world, Pleasures. do not aspire to the heavenly sweetness. Desire is the foot of the Soul, our soul doth not come to this mystical banquet, if it doth not desire it: the soul that is filled with the consolation of this world, cannot desire the heavenly sweetness. Richeses. When the rich young man heard, that the riches to which his soul did stick fast, must be forsaken for Christ, he departed heavy. Christ the heavenly Elizeus, Filleth the empty, not rich. Christ doth not pour in the oil of celestial sweetness, unless all the vessels be first empty: the love of God doth not enter into our soul, unless the love of ourselves, and the love of the world, do first go out of it. Love draweth. Where our treasure is, there is our heart: if the world be thy treasure, thy heart is on the world. The force of love is to unite, if thou lovest the earth, thou art united to the earth. Uniteth. The force of love is to change, Changeth. if thou lovest the world, thou shalt become worldly, if thou lovest heaven, thou shalt be heavenly. Covetous. 3 They that buy Oxen, and do trade, come not unto Christ: they that cleave unto riches with their heart, seek not the heavenly riches. Earthly riches fill the desire of the soul with a certain false show of sufficiency: jest it should go to seek her true sufficiency in God, which doth fully satiate. All earthly riches consist in the creatures, in silver, gold, buildings, grounds, cattles: but no creature doth truly satiate our soul, because that it is more excellent than all the creatures, No satiety in earth. for all of them were made for her use. How weak the creatures are to fill and satiate our desires, appears in death, in which we are forsaken of all the creatures. Fly at death. It is a wonder that we stick so firmly to the creatures, when they stick so weakly and unconstantly to us. 4 Adam when he turned himself away from the comfort of God, Lust of the world, is the loss of life. and sought delight in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he was driven out of Paradise: our soul if it turn itself from God to the creatures, is deprived of the heavenly consolation, and is driven altogether from the tree of life. Neglecters deprived of food. 5 But what remains to them which neglect this banquet? the world passeth away, and all that cleave unto it: the creatures pass away, and all that put their hope in them. The heavenly Father swears that they shall not taste of his Supper, which prefer Oxen, Farms, Wives, that is to say, whatsoever earthly things, before the sweetness of the heavenly Banquet. After Supper there is no more meat provided, when Christ is neglected, there remaineth no further remedy. Those contemners shall been punished with eternal famine, Famished. and shall live in everlasting darkness, which would not hear Christ's calling, Come unto me ye which labour, and are laden. They shall hear him sometime commanding, Go ye cursed into everlasting fire. Cursed. 6 The Sodomites were consumed with fire, Like Sodomites. when called to this banquet by the preaching of Lot, they refused to come: the fire of the wrath of God that endures for ever, shall consume them, which being called by the Gospel, have despised this banquet. When the Bridegroom was coming, Foolish Virgins. the Virgins, whose Lamps were destitute of oil, made delay; in the mean time the gate was shut: they whose hearts are not filled with the oil of the holy Ghost in this world, Christ will not let them into his joy, but the gate of indulgence shall be shut against them, the gate of mercy, the gate of consolation, the gate of hope, the gate of grace, the gate of good works. 7 There is as yet a certain inward calling of Christ: happy is he which hears it. Happy hearers, knockers by sighs. Chiist oftentimes knocks at the door of our hearts by holy desires, by devout sighs, by holy cogitations, happy is he that opens to him when he knocks. 8 As soon as thou feelest any holy desire of heavenly grace in thy heart, Desire. set down this surely with thyself, that Christ doth knock at thy heart: Open. let him in, jest he pass away, jest he shut against thee afterward the gate of his mercy. 9 As soon as thou feelest any little flame of holy meditations in thy heart, Meditation. think that it is kindled by the heat of the love of God, that is to say, of the holy Ghost: foster and cherish that flame, that it may grow out into a fire of love: take heed that thou quench not the Spirit, and hinder the work of the Lord. 10 He that destroys the temple of the Lord, shall feel his severe judgement. 11 The temple of the Lord is our heart: that doth he destroy, Destroyer's of the temple. which refuseth to give place to the holy Ghost, calling him inwardly by the Word. In the old Testament the Prophets could hear the Lord speaking inwardly: in the new Testament all that are truly godly, do feel those inward motions and drawings of the holy Ghost. Blessed are all which hear and follow. Mirari, non rimari sapientia vera est. Wisdom wondereth, enquireth not. 27. Meditation. Of the mystery of the Lords Supper. IN the holy Supper of the Lord, there is a great and wonderful mystery proposed unto us, there is the treasure The Supper a treasure. and store house of the grace of God. We know that the Tree of Life A tree of life. was planted of God, whose fruit should keep our first parents, and their posterity, in the happiness of the immortality wherein they were created. There was also placed in Paradise the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Which lost by sin. But even that same which was given of God for their health and life, and for the exercise of their obedience, that was an occasion of death and damnation: while they poor wretches are led by the enticements of Satan and their own desires. Is here restored. Here again is gotten that true Tree of Life, that sweet wood, whose leaves are healing, whose fruit is salvation: the sweetness thereof takes away all bitterness of evils, yea, even of death itself. 1 Manna True Manna. was given to the Israelites, that they might be nourished with heavenly food: here is that true Manna which came down from heaven, that he might give life to the world: this is the heavenly bread, and Angelical food, of which if a man eat, he shall never hunger. 2 The Israelites had the Ark The true Ark. of the covenant and the propitiatory, where they might hear the Lord speaking face to face: here is the true ark of the covenant, the most holy body of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of knowledge & wisdoms here is the true propitiatory in the blood of Christ, which makes us to be beloved in the beloved. Neither doth he only speak unto us by inward consolation, The true Oracle. but he dwells in us. He doth not feed us with heavenly Manna, but with himself. Here surely is the gate of heaven, Heaven gate. and the Ladder of the Angels: for whether is heaven greater, than he that is in heaven? whether is heaven knit nearer and straighter unto God, then man's flesh and nature which he hath assumed? Heaven truly is the seat of God, but in the nature that Christ hath assumed rests the holy Ghost. God is in heaven, Heaven. but in Christ dwells the fullness of the Godhead. Verily this is a true and infallible pledge of our salvation. He had no greater thing that he might give: for what is greater than himself? what is so straightly knit unto him, as his humane nature, which being taken into the society of the most blessed Trinity, Knit to the Trinity. is made the treasury of heavenly good things? 3 What is so straightly joined unto him as his flesh and blood? but with this heavenly nourishment he doth refresh us miserable worms, and makes us partakers of his nature, We are in him partakers of divine nature. how not also of his grace? who ever hated his own flesh? how therefore can the Lord despise us whom he féeds with his own flesh, Despiseth us not. & his own blood? how can he forget them, to whom he hath given the earnest of his body? how shall satan be able to subvert us, Satan hurteth not. when we are refreshed with heavenly food, that we faint not in the battle? Christ doth esteem us dear, because he bought us dear: Dear to Chr st bought. he doth esteem us dear, because he feeds us with dear and precious things: Fed. be doth esteem us dea●e, because we are his own flesh and members. Members. Healthful Balm. 4 This is the only sovereign salve of all spiritual diseases: this is the salve of immortality: for what sin is so great, that the holy flesh of God may not expiate? Quickening. 4 What sin is so great, that the quickening flesh of Christ may not heal? what is so deadly, that it may not be taken away by the death of the Son of God? Devil's darts quenched Spots cleansed. what darts of the devil are so deadly, that they may not be extinguished in this Fountain of the grace of God? What spot of the conscience is so great, that this blood may not cleanse? the Lord was present with the Israelites in the cloud and fire: Light. but here not the cloud, but the Sun of righteousness itself is present, which is the present light of our souls. Here the fire of God's wrath is not felt, Not fear of wrath. but the heat of his charity, neither doth he departed from us, but he makes his abiding with us. 5 Our first Parents were brought into Paradise, that most fragrant and sweet garden, a type of the eternal blessedness, that being admonished of God's benignity, they might yield due obedience to their Creator. 6 Behold more than Paradise, Better than Paradise. in this place: for the creature is filled with the flesh of the Creator: the penitent conscience is cleansed by the blood of the Son of God: the members of Christ, Benefits. the head, are nourished with the body of Christ: the faithful soul is fed with divine and celestial banquets. 7 The holy flesh of God, which the Angels do adore in the unity of person, the Archangels do worship, the powers do tremble at, Most reverend food. the virtues do admire, that is made our spiritual nourishment. Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth triumph: but more the faithful soul, on whom gifts so great and of such quality are bestowed. Christi sis providus hospes. Be Christ's careful guest. 28. Meditation. Of serious preparation before the use of the Lords Supper. NOT vulgar banquet, neither any feast of a King, but the most holy mystery of the body and blood of Christ is set before us: therefore there is required worthy preparation: Worthy preparation. jest for life we find death, jest for mercy we receive judgement. How doth that most holy Patriarches, Abraham. famous for the strength of his faith, tremble? how doth he fear, when the Son of God appeared unto him in the shape of a man, and told him before that he would overturn Sodom? Here the Lamb of God is not set before us to be looked upon but to be tasted, and to be eaten. Tremble then at his presence. 1 Vzzias when he came unconsiderately to the Ark of the Covenant, was forthwith stricken with leprosy of the Lord: what marvel is it therefore, if he eat and drink his own judgement, Tremble at the judgement. which eats of this bread, and drinks of this wine unworthily? for here is the true Ark of the new Covenant, prefigured by that old. 2 But the Apostle teacheth us true preparation in one word: let a man, saith he, examine himself, Examine. and so let him eat of this bread. But as all godly and divine examination is to be tried by the rule of the holy Scripture, in like reason also this, which the Apostle requires. Our corrupt nature. 3 In the first place therefore let us consider our own infirmity. What is man? dust and ashes: out of the earth we are borne, of the earth we live, unto the earth we return. What is man? stinking sperm, a sack of dung, and the food of worms. Frail life. 4 Man was borne to labour, not to honour. Man was borne of a woman, and therefore with guilt: he life's a short time, and therefore with fear: he is full of many miseries, and therefore with weeping: and very many, because of body and soul together. 5 Man knows not his birth: he knows not his death: we are for a while as the herb of Summer, And short. and that short life hath griefs and labours that are nothing short. Vain compared to God. 6 In the second place, let us consider our unworthiness: surely every creature in respect of the Creator is a shadow, a dream, nothing, so also is man. 7 But more and more heinous ways is man unworthy: for he hath offended his Creator with his sins. Sins. God is just by nature and essence: he is angry therefore at sins by nature and essence. 8 What are we but stubble to that consuming fire? how shall our most foul facts consist? That cannot consist. or how shall our iniquities appear, which thou puttest before thee, and our errors which thou placest in the light of thy countenance? God is infinite, and always like himself, Before an infinite God. of infinite justice, and of infinite wrath. For if he be so in all his works, he is so also in wrath, in righteousness and in vengeance. God is altogether great and wonderful. That spared not his Son. 9 He that hath not spared his Son, shall he spare his other workmanship? he that hath not spared the most holy, shall he spare an evil servant? In so great hatred is sin with God, that he punisheth it in his most beloved: which appears in Lucifer, the chief of the Angels. The chief Angels. Examine the Sacrament. 10 Howbeit, let this examination not only respect ourselves, but this blessed bread also, which is the communion of the body of Christ, then will the true fountain of grace, and the unexhausted spring of mercy appear. God cannot altogether neglect us whom he hath made partakers of his own flesh: In the benefits. for who ever hated his own flesh? therefore these holy feasts shall transform our souls: Of making us divine. these divine banquets shall make us divine men, until at last we be made companions of the future felicity, being capable of God wholly and alone, and wholly like unto God. That which we have here in faith, and in a mystery, there we shall have in deed and most openly. Let us therefore examine ourselves, whether we be in the faith or not: Examine then thine eye of faith by knowledge, whether it truly discern the Lord's body, in this mystery. Examine the ground of thy faith, whether it be assured, without wavering. Examine the fruit of thy faith, whether it hath banished all ungodliness and unrighteousness, and hath begot an Academy of virtues: so shall temptations give ground, and fly, and so shall appear the happy change of thy soul. 11 Our bodies also shall attain this dignity, Happy body. that in them we shall see God face to face, which now are the temples of the holy God: and are sanctified and quickened by the body and blood of Christ dwelling in them. This most holy salve heals all the wounds of sins: All whole by salve. this quickening flesh overcomes all mortal sin. This is the most holy seal of the promises of God, By promises sealed. which we may show before the judgement of God. This pledge By pledge. being given us, we boast safely of eternal life. If Christ's body and blood be exhibited unto us, than also all the benefits which are gotten by that most holy body, and by that blessed blood. Gift. How shall he that hath given us greater things, deny us the less? he that hath given his Son unto us, Rom. 8. how shall he not with him give us all things? 12 Therefore let the Spouse rejoice: Rejoice. because the time is nigh, that she shall be called to the marriage of the Lamb. Let her been clothed Be clothed. with her precious garments, let her take the wedding garment, that she be not found naked. That garment is the righteousness of the Bridegroom, which we put on in Baptism. So fare is it that our righteousness should be the wedding garment, that it is rather the cloth of a menstruous woman. Let us therefore fear to bring to the solemnity of that marriage, the most filthy and stinking garments of our own works: let the Lord cloth us, that we be not found naked. Vitae fons est caro Christi. Christ's flesh, life's fountain 25. Meditation. Of the wholesome participation of the body and blood of Christ. HE that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, shall live for ever, saith Christ. Verily, great is the benefit of our Saviour, that he hath not only taken upon him our flesh, and lifted it up into the Throne of the heavenly glory: but also féeds us with his body and blood to life eternal. O wholesome dainties of the soul! Wholesome dainties. O desired banquet! O celestial and Angelical food! Although the Angels desire to look into that great mystery, Seen of Angels. yet he did not take upon him the Angels, Heb. 2. but the séed of Abraham, our Saviour is nearer unto us, Christ nearest us then to the Angels themselves: because we have known his love out of this, that he hath given us of his Spirit: In Spirit. and not only of his Spirit, but also of his body Body. and his blood, for so doth the Truth speak of the bread and wine in the Eucharist. This is my body: This is my blood. How can the Lord forget them, Cannot forget us. whom he hath redeemed with his body and blood, whom he hath nourished with his body and blood. 1 He which eateth the flesh, and drinketh the blood of Christ, abides in Christ, In Christ. & Christ in him. 2 I do not therefore greatly wonder, that the hairs of our head are numbered, that our names are written in heaven, that we are written in the hands of the Lord, Excellent benefits. and that we are carried in his bosom, and in his womb, because we are fed with the body and blood of Christ. Dignity of soul. 3 Verily, great is the dignity of our souls, which are fed with the precious price of his redemption. Great also is the dignity of our bodies, which are the habitations of the soul, that is redeemed by the body of Christ, that are filled with the body Body. of Christ, which are the temples of the holy Ghost, and houses of the whole most holy Trinity. For it cannot be that the same should abide in the grave, Christ raised us. when they are nourished with the body and blood of our Lord. It feedeth us by changing us. 4 This is that meat of men, that are of age, we eat it, neither yet do we change it into our body, but are changed into it. Lively members fed. 5 We are the members of Christ, we are quickened by his Spirit, and we are fed by his body and blood. 6 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life to the world: of it if any one shall eat, he shall not hunger for ever. That hunger not. This is the bread of grace and mercy, which if any man shall eat, he tastes and sees how sweet our Lord is, and of his fullness he receiveth grace for grace. Taste sweet grace. This is the bread of life, not only living, but also quickening, if any one eats of this, he shall live for ever. Live ever. This bread cometh down from heaven, neither is it only heavenly, but also it makes the guests heavenly Maketh heavenly guests. which eat it wholsomely and in the spirit. They shall be heavenly, because they shall not die, but shall been raised raised. up again in the last day. But they shall been raised up not unto judgement, because he which eateth of this bread, comes not unto judgement; not to condemnation, because there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ jesus: but to life Life. and salvation. For he which eats the flesh of the Son of man, and drinks his blood, hath life in himself, and shall live: for Christ his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed. 7 Let us therefore be filled Be filled. not with the food of our own works, Eat. but of the Lord. Let us be drunken of the fullness not of our own house, Drink. but of the Lords. This is the true fountain of life, The fountain of life. he that shall drink the water thereof, it shall become in him a fountain of water springing up unto eternal life. 8 All ye that thirst, come Come. to these waters, and you that have no silver, make haste, buy, eat: let them that are athirst come: come also my thirsty soul, vexed with the heat of thy sins. 9 But if thou art destitute of the silver of thy deserts, make so much the more haste: Haste. being destitute of thine own merit, haste thee so much the more earnestly to Christ's merit: make haste therefore and buy without silver. Here is the chamber of Christ To Christ's Chamber. and our soul, from which let not thy sins deter thee, neither let thy merits enter with thee. 10 But what can our merits been? Without merit. They weigh silver, but not for bread: and labour, but not for fullness, saith the Prophet. Our labours do not fill us, neither is the grace of God bought with the money of our merits. Hear therefore, O my soul, and eat that which is good, and be delighted in fatness. 11 Those words are spirit and life, and the words of eternal life. Eternal life. The cup of blessing is the communicating of the blood of Christ: the bread which we break, is the participation of the body of the Lord. We cleave unto the Lord, therefore we are one spirit with him: we use not only the communion of nature with him, but also the participation of his body and blood. John 6. 12 Therefore I do not say with the jews, how can he give us his flesh to eat? But I rather cry out, how doth the Lord distribute unto us his flesh to eat, and his blood to drink? I search not into his power, I wonder at his good will: Wonderful good william. I look not into his majesty, but I worship his bounty: I believe a presence, Presence inward. I am ignorant of the manner of the presence: I certainly know that it is most straight and inward. Ephes. 5. 13 We are members of his body: flesh of his flesh, bone of his bones: he dwells in us, and we in him. My soul desires to be drowned in the cogitation of this most profound depth: The soul drowned in meditation. it hath not as yet found out by what words it may utter or declare that goodness: but if is utterly amazed at the beholding of that so great grace in God, and that so great glory in the blessed. Thursday, Evening Prayer. O Lord God, gracious and merciful Father, having learned what is the nature and properties of true faith, and desiring it earnestly for the excellency thereof, I come humbly to crave it at thy merciful hands, that thou vouchsafing to enrich me with so great a blessing, in the power thereof, I may overcome the World, and being fully persuaded thereby of thy love and favour towards me in Christ, in whom thou wast reconciling the world to thyself, I may know for certain, that thou art at peace with me, and may also feel the fruits of my Baptism in my soul, through which I had an entrance into thy Church; the dignity whereof is such, that thy Son hath knit it in the straightest bond unto himself, in which alone is salvation; out of which all that are, are yet in the state of damnation. O Lord, vouchsafe to keep me always within this thy fold, a lamb of thy flock, a member of this Church. And to this end knit my soul unto thee, espouse it to thy Son, that I may partake of this honour, and be made comely by his beauty, and enriched with his love, and satisfied evermore with the fatness of thine house, partaking here of the spiritual repast that is offered unto me in thy Word, and at thy Table, until the time come, that I shall drink the wine of gladness within thy kingdom, there to rejoice with thee everlastingly, O blessed God, Father, Son, and holy Ghost. Amen. Friday, Morning Prayer. THis life being full of cares, this world full of snares, wherewith the cruel Nimrod, the Devil, hunts for the souls of men: what shall be my comfort in this life, but thy refreshing, O God of all comforts and consolations? What shall be mine assurance and direction in the ways of this world, to avoid the snares of death, but thy hand and thy staff, O Lord, that leadest unto life, even those that walk in the shadow of death? Give me therefore thy refreshing Spirit, I do beseech thee, to comfort and cheer me up in all the afflictions of my life, that I be not overcome of too much sorrow. Give me thy Spirit of truth to lead me into all truth, that I perish not in the common errors of the world, nor in the gainsayings of the rebellious children, nor fall into the pit that the enemy hath digged to entrap my soul; but that preserved in the truth, I may walk safe from all dangers, through the labours of this valley of tears, towards my rest in the heavenly Country. Free me, O Lord, from all spiritual evils: keep my soul from the jaws of the Lion: take the seals of ignorance from mine eyes: take the cawl of hardness from mine heart: keep me from presumptuous sins, that they get not the dominion over me. Let not pride puff me up let not covetousness press me down: let not the filth of mine own flesh defile me: let not the deceivableness of the world beguile me: let not wrath and passion transport me: let not sloth make me to be likened to the Dog, or to the Swine: let not envy blear mine eyes: let not surfeiting drown mine heart: let me not presume to take thine office upon me to revenge myself, but grant that in all my pleasures, in patience I may possess my soul. Have pity (O Lord) upon mine infirmity, and lose the yoke of my captivity, and from all sin and danger of the enemy deliver me this day and ever, for thy dear Son's sake Christ jesus, Amen. Penetrant suspira Coelum. Sighs pierce the Skies. 30 Meditation. Of the wholesome efficacy of prayers. THis is an exceeding great benefit of God, that he requires the familiar talk of godly prayers: Talk with God. he gives unto us the affection to pray, he also gives unto us the effect of our prayer. Great is the force of prayer. Prayer forcible. which is poured forth in the earth, but works in heaven. The prayer of the just is the key of heaven: The key of heaven. prayer doth ascend, and God's deliverance doth descend. Prayer is the buckler of salvation, Buckler, by which all the darts of the wicked are driven back. 1 When Moses did stretch forth his hands, Israel did prevail against the Amalekites: if thou stretch forth thy hands unto heaven, Satan shall not prevail against thee. Weakeneth enemies. Even as a wall by the enemy, so the wrath of God is broken by the prayers of the godly. 2 Our Saviour himself did pray. not for any necessity, Christ's example. but that he might commend unto us the dignity of prayers. Prayer is the tribute of our subjection, Tribute. because God hath commanded us that we offer unto him daily prayers, as a certain spiritual tribute. It is the ladder of our ascension: A Ladder. because prayer is nothing else but a certain peregrination of the mind unto God. It is the buckler of our defence: Buckler. because the soul of a living man is safe in prayer from the assaults of the devil. It is the faithful messenger of Embassage: Messenger. because prayer ascends to the Throne of God, and invites him to help us: this messenger is never frustrate of his purpose, for God always hears us, if not according to our will, Euerheard yet for our profit and salvation. We may hope for one of the two undoubtedly, either he will give us that which we ask, For good. or that which he knoweth to be more profitable. 5 God gave his Son, that most excellent gift, being not entreated: what shall he do being entreated? Without doubt. we can neither doubt of the Father's hearing, nor the Son's intercession. In any cause whatsoever, thou mayest enter with Moses into the Tabernacle, to ask counsel of the Lord, and thou shalt soon hear the answer of God. When Christ prayed, he was transfigured: so in prayer there are made great changes in the soul because prayer is the light of the soul, Transfiguring the soul. which very often leaves him triumphing whom it found despairing. With what forehead dost thou behold the Sun, All sanctified by prayer, Sun. unless thou hast first worshipped him which sends that most sweet light to thine eyes? by what means dost thou enjoy thy table, Table. unless thou hast first worshipped him, which doth give and minister unto thee so great good? with what hope wilt thou deliver thyself to thy night's rest, Rest. unless thou hast first guarded thyself with prayer? What fruit canst thou hope for of thy labours, Labours. unless thou hast first worshipped him, without whom all labour is unprofitable? Ask. If therefore thou desire gifts either spiritual or corporal, ask, and thou shalt receive. If thou desire Christ, seek Seek. him by prayers, and thou shalt find him. If thou desire to have the door of God's grace and eternal salvation opened unto thee, knock Knocke. at it by prayers, and it shall be opened unto thee: If the thirst of tentations and the penury of spiritual good things doth afflict thee in the Desert of this world, draw near Draw near. to the rock of spiritual things, which is Christ, by devotion, and smite it with the rod of prayer, and thou shalt feel that the waters of God's peace can quench the thirst of thy penury. 4 Wilt thou offer Offer. an acceptable sacrifice unto God? offer prayers: God shall feel the odour of sweetness, and his wrath will cease. Wilt thou daily be conversant with GOD? love prayeers', Confer. which are the spiritual conference of GOD and the devout soul? Taste God. wilt thou taste how sweet the Lord is? invite him by prayers to the house of thy heart. 5 Prayer doth please GOD but it is that prayer which is made after a due manner: therefore he which desires to be heard, let him pray wisely, As he aught. Wisely. ardently humbly, faithfully and confidently. Let him pray wisely, that is, that he pray for those things which serve for the glory of God and the salvation of his neighbours. GOD is almighty, therefore thou mayst not let him down a measure in thy prayers: he is most wise, therefore thou mayst not prescribe him an order: prayers may not break forth rashly, but let them follow, faith going before: but faith respects the word. Those things therefore which GOD promiseth absolutely in his word, thou mayest pray absolutely Absolutely for: those things which he promiseth with a condition, With condition. as temporal things, those thou mayest likewise pray for with a condition: those things which he by no means promiseth, No promise, no prayer. thou mayest also by no means pray for. Ofttimes God grants that when he is angry, which he denies when he is pleased: follow Christ therefore, which wholly resigneth his will unto God. God's will be done. 2. Ardently: Secondly, let him pray ardently: for how canst thou require that God should hear thee, when thou canst not hear thyself? Wilt thou have God to be mindful of thee, when thou art not mindful of thyself? When thou wilt pray, go into thy chamber, and shut the doors: thy chamber is thy heart, into it thou must enter. If thou wilt pray after a due manner, thou must shut to thy doors, jest the thoughts of worldly businesses chance to trouble thee. See none trouble thee. The words come not to the ears of God, unless there be an affection of the mind. Stir the mind. The mind aught to be so stirred up with the heat of cogitation, that it may fare go beyond all that which the tongue expresseth: and this is to worship in spirit In Spirit. and truth, which the Lord requireth. Christ did pray in the mount, and lifted up Job. 4. Lift up. his eyes to heaven: so having turned our mind away from all the creatures, we aught to turn it unto God. Thou dost injury unto God, if thou prayest him that he would attend unto thee, when thou dost not attend to thyself. We may pray uncessantly, if we pray in the Spirit, that is, if our mind do always watch with holy desires unto God. Not cries. 6 It is not always needful to cry out, because God also hears the sighs of the heart, seeing bee dwells in the hearts of the godly. Much babbling. There is not always need of many words, because he is also amidst our thoughts. Sometimes one groan, One true groan. one sigh stirred up by the holy spirit, and offered in the spirit unto God, is more acceptable unto God, than the prolix saying of prayers, where the tongue speaks, but the heart is dumb. Thirdly, let him pray humbly, 3 Humbly. Without our merit. that he trust not to his own merit, but only to the grace of God. If our prayers rely on our own worthiness, they are condemned, although for devotion our heart should sweat out blood. No man pleaseth God, but in Christ: In Christ. therefore also no man prays aright, unless through Christ, and for Christ. The sacrifices did not please God, which were not offered on that only altar of the Tabernacle: Prayer pleaseth not God, which is not offered on that only altar The only altar. Christ. The Israelites were promised the hearing of their prayers, if they prayed with their face turned to jerusalem: so let us turn ourselves unto Christ in our prayers, which is the temple of the Divinity. And divine Temple. 7 Christ being about to pray in his passion, Cast thee down. casts himself on the earth: see how that most holy soul doth humble himself before the divine majesty! Fourthly, let him pray faithfully, 4 Faithfully. that he offer himself to the wanting of all joy in himself, and to the patience of all punishment. By how much a man prays the sooner, by so much the more profitable. Soon. By how much the oftener, Oft. by so much again the more profitably. By how much the more fervently, Fervent. by so much the more acceptably unto God. Fifthly, let him pray confidently, 5 Confidently. and with perseverance: Persevere. because when the Lord gives slowly, he commends his gifts, he doth not deny them. Things that are long in desiring, are the more sweet in the obtaining. Again, let him pray confidently, that is, that he make request, nothing doubting Not doubting. in faith. O most merciful God, which hast commanded us to pray, grant also that we may pray aright, and thereby obtain that which is for our good. Sanctis sacer Angelus astat. Saints kept by Angels. 31. Meditation. Of the custody of the holy Angels. Think, O devout soul, Angels assist us. how great the grace of God is, that he hath appointed thee the guard of Angels. The heavenly Father sends his Son to deliver us, the Son of God was incarnate to save us, the holy Ghost is sent to sanctify us: the Angels are sent to protect us. Protect us. So therefore the whole Court of heaven All the Court of Heaven. doth as it were serve, and traduceth their benefits unto us. I do now no more marvel, that all the inferior Creatures were created for man, when the Angels themselves, which are fare more worthy Creatures, Creatures. do not deny their ministry unto man. 1 What marvel is it, that the heaven doth minister light Light. unto us in the day, that we may labour: darkness Dark. in the night, that we may rest, when the inhabitants themselves of the heavenly kingdom minister unto us? What marvel that the air Aire. gives us vital breath, and all kind of birds to obey us, when the heavenly Spirits do watch for the preservation of our lives? What marvel that the water gives us drink, cleanseth our uncleanness, waters Waters. our dry places, and affords us all kind of fishes: when the Angels themselves are at a readiness, when we are wearied with the heat of calamities and tentations, that they may refresh us? What marvel that the earth Earth. doth hear us, that it nourisheth us with bread and wine, that it fills our tables with all kind of fruits and living creatures: when charge is given to the Angels, that they keep us in all our ways, Psal. 91. that they bear us in their hands, jest we offend our foot against a stone? 2 The Angels were careful of Christ, The Angels served Christ. because an Angel doth tell of his conception, an Angel doth manifest his nativity, an Angel doth command him to fly into Egypt, the Angels serve him in the Desert, the Angels minister unto him in the whole ministry of his preaching: an Angel is present with him in the Agony of death, an Angel appears in his Resurrection, the Angels were present in his ascension, and shall be present in his future return to judgement. As therefore the Angels served Christ in the days of his flesh: So us the faithful. so they are also careful over all them which are incorporate into Christ by faith: Members as they served the head, so do they serve the members. They do rejoice to serve them in the earth, whom they shall sometimes have for their companions in Heaven: Their companions, And fellows. they do not refuse their Ministry, whose most sweet fellowship they do sometimes hope to have. 3 The tents of the Angels appear to jacob in the way to his country: so the Angels are given as keepers to the godly in this life, As they did Jacob. which is the way to the heavenly country. The Angels protect Daniel Daniel. in the midst of the Lions: so they keep all the godly in safety, from the laying await of the infernal Lyon. The Angels do deliver Lot Lot. out of the burning of Sodom: so they often deliver us by holy inspirations, from the devil's tentations: and by their protections, out of the infernal fire. The Angels carry the soul of Lazarus Lazarus. into the bosom of Abraham so do they translate the souls of all the elect, into the palace of the heavenly kingdom. The Angel brings Peter Peter. out of prison: so he often delivers the godly out of present dangers. 4 Verily, great is the power of our Adversary the Devil, but let the custody of the Angel's comfort us. Neither do thou doubt, but that these helpers are present Comfortable. Present. with thee in all dangers, because the Scripture, under the figure of the Cherubin and Seraphim, doth paint them out unto us winged, that thou mayest certainly resolve, that they will been present with incredible swiftness, Speedily. to bring help unto thee. Doubt not, but that in all places In all places. these protectors are present with thee: because they are most subtle spirits, Without impediment. whom no body can withhold. All bodies alike, howsoever they be solid and thick, are pierced by them, and are pervious to them. Doubt not, They know. but that these spirits do know thy dangers and afflictions: because they always see the face of the heavenly Father, and are pressed most readily to all his ministeries. 5 Think also, O devout soul, that these Angels are holy: They be holy. therefore study holiness, if thou wilt have them thy fellows. The similitude of manners, doth especially reconcile friendship: accustom therefore thyself to holy actions, if thou desirest the custom of the holy Angels. 'Cause of care in all places. 6 In every place and corner yield reverence to thine Angel: neither do any thing in his presence, which thou art ashamed to do in the sight of men. These spirits are chaste, therefore they are driven away Easily driven away. with filthy actions. Smoke expels Bees; and stink, Doves: so woeful and stinking sin drives away the Angels that are the keepers of our life. These guards being lost through sins, To our danger, by devils. how wilt thou be safe from the snares of the devil? being destitute of the Angels protections, how wilt thou be safe from the incursion of diverse dangers? If thy soul want the wall of Angelical defence, the devil will soon overcome it by the deceit of evil persuasion. 7 These holy Angels are sent from God to their ministry: therefore thou must first been reconciled unto God by faith, Be faithful if thou wilt have the Angel of God to be thy keeper. Where there is not the grace of God, No grace, no Angel. there also is not the custody of the Angels. 8 Let us behold the Angels as certain saving hands of God, which can move themselves to no work but by his direction. Directed by God. joy in our conversion. There is joy in heaven before the Angels over one sinner that repenteth: the tears of penitent sinners, are as it were the wine of Angels, but the impenitent heart drives away the Angels keepers. Let us therefore repent us, that we may stir up joy to the Angels. Be penitent. 9 The Angels are of an heavenly and spiritual nature; therefore let us think on heavenly and spiritual things, Have heavenly thoughts. that it may be a pleasure unto them to be present with us. The Angels are humble, Be humble and pride is altogether hateful unto them, because they are not ashamed to do service unto little children: why therefore is dust and ashes so proud, when the heavenly spirits do humble themselves so much? 10 The craft of the devil is specially to be feared at death, Proved for death. because it is written, that the Serpent lays wait for the heel: the last part of our body is the heel, the last term of our life is death. In that last agony of death, most necessary is the custody of the Angels, which may deliver us from the fiery darts of the devil, and convey our soul, when it is gone forth of the house of our body, into the heavenly Paradise. When Zacharias did perform his holy ministry in the Temple, the Angel of the Lord came unto him: Rejoicing in prayers. so also if thou reioycest in the exercise of the word and prayers, thou shalt enjoy the patronage of the Angels. O most merciful God, which dost lead us by the holy Angels through the wilderness of this world, grant that by the same we may be brought to thy heavenly kingdom. Vitam moriendo lucramur. Life gained by death. 32. Meditation. Of the consolation in the death of our Friends. Think, O devout soul, on Christ thy Saviour, and thou shalt not fear death's terror. If the violence of death make thee sad, let the power of Christ again lift thee up. The Israelites could not drink the waters of Mara, for the bitterness: but God shown Moses a tree, Death's sweetening. which being cast into the waters, made them sweet. If thou art afraid for the bitterness of death, God shows thee a tree which turns it into sweetness, that is to say, the branch which springs out of the root of jesse: that branch is Christ, whose word who so shall keep, he shall not see death for ever. 1 Our life is full of burdens the ease of them therefore is good. Misery, not the man dieth The misery of a Christian man dies, and not a Christian man. It is but a certain taking of a journey, A journey. which we think to be death: it is not an end, but a passage. We do not lose our friends, but sand them before us: they die not, but are as it were borne again. They go before us, they go not away, they departed not utterly from us: it is not a death, but rather a going away for a short time. The departure of the godly is the doubling of their life, their burials are their advantage. Death's advantage. 2 Our friends die: interpret it thus: that they cease to sin: that they cease to be tossed up and down: that they cease to be miserable. Cease to be miserable. 3 They die in the faith, interpret it thus: that they departed out of the shadow of life, that they may pass to the true life: Go to . out of darkness, that they may go unto light: from men, that they may go unto God. Our life is a navigation, Navigation. death is the most safe haven. 4 We must not therefore grieve that our friends are dead: but we must rather rejoice on their behalf, that they are come out of the turbulent sea, into the haven. 5 This life is the prison Deliverance from prison. of the soul, but death is the deliverance: therefore Simeon being about to die, cries out, Lord now lettest thou thy servant departed. He desired to be dismissed, being shut up as it were in the prison of his body. Therefore we must rejoice with our friends, that being freed out of this prison, they are come to the true liberty. The Apostle likewise desires to be dissolved, Slavery dissolved. as though he were tied to this body of earth, in a certain wretched slavery. Shall we therefore be sad, that our friends having wrested themselves out of these hands, are now truly free? shall we wear for them black garments, when they have taken on them white robes? because it is written, that to the elect are given white robes for their innocency, Reu. 6.1. and palms in their hands for victory: shall we afflict ourselves with tears and sighs for them, when God hath wiped away all tears Tears wiped away. from their eyes? shall we mourn for them and trouble ourselves in our sorrow, when they are in such a place where neither mourning, nor grief, nor crying is heard any more, and they rest Rest. from their labours? shall we kill up ourselves with immoderate sadness for their death, when in the fellowship of the Angels With Angels, they enjoy true and solid gladness? shall we lift up a weeping voice for them, when they before the Lamb sing Sing. a new song, having their Harps and golden Viols? shall we grieve that they are gone out of this earth, when they rejoice Rejoice. on their own behalf that they are departed? How much it profits to go out of this world, Christ showeth, who, when his disciples were sad, because he said that they would go away, answered: If you loved me, you would versly rejoice. 6 If when thou didst sail a troublesome and stormy tempest, the waves being stirred up with the force of the winds, should foreshow shipwreck Exempt from shipwreck. to come, wouldst thou not betake thee to the haven with all haste? behold, the world doth flit and slide, and testifies her ruin not only by her age, but also by the end of things: and dost not thou give God thanks, dost thou not rejoice in the behalf of thy friends, that by a more timely death, are exempted from the ruins, and shipwracks, and plagues that hung over their heads? In whose hands is the salvation of thy friends more safely Safe. placed, then in the hands of Christ? In what place shall the soul of the friends more safely abide, then in the kingdom of Paradise? Hear what the Apostle saith of death: death is gain: Gaine. it is gain to have escaped the increase of sin, it is gain to have avoided worse things, it is gain to have passed to better. If those whom thou hast lost by death, were very dear, let God be dearer, Let God be dearer. which would have them to been translated unto himself. Be not angry with the Lord, which hath taken away nothing, but that which he gave, he took back his own, Which taketh his own. he hath not taken away thine. 7 Be not angry with the Lord, that he should ask that which he gave thee only to loan. The Lord alone foresées the evils to come: Provideth for them. therefore he doth provide for thine, jest they should be wrapped in the disasters to come. They that are dead in the Lord, rest sweetly Sweet rest. in their graves, when they that remain alive, are grievously vexed, in the very palaces of their kingdom. 8 If thou hast lost thy dear friends by death, Thou shalt have them again. believe that hereafter thou shalt receive them more dear. Shortly. A short space of time doth separate thee from them, blessed and secure eternity shall join thee again together with them. When thou goest For we do hope on a most faithful promise, that when we go out of this life, from whence we have sent some of our friends before us, we shall come to that life, where, by how much they shall be better known unto us, so much they shall be dearer Moore dearer. unto us, and without the fear of any dissension amiable. 9 The multitude of the heavenly spirits, shall receive as many souls as there shall been, and as many as have been before us, with great applause. With applause. Here we shall know the countenances of our own Nation, and talk together with them: And knowledge. here the sister shall go with the brother, the sons with the parents, neither shall any evening shut up their Festival days. 10 Do not therefore regard only the time of forsaking, for that thy friends forsake thee in death: but also respect Respect this. the time of restitution, when they shall been restored unto thee in the resurrection. Where there is a firm faith By faith of the resurrection, there is not the shape of death: but of rest rather. 11 The whole university of things is a lookingglass of the resurrection. The resurrection shown. The light By lights. that sets daily, doth shine forth again: the herbs Herbs. that are dead in the Winter, do revive in the Spring: the Phoenix Phoenix. doth engender itself again in death: the times Times: begin where they are ended: the fruits Fruits. are consumed and do return: the seeds Seeds. do not rise up fruitfully, unless they be corrupted and dissolved: all things are preserved by perishing: all things resume their shape out of death. What then, is God to be thought to have set forth such types unto us in nature in vain? shall nature been more mighty than God God's promise. that promiseth the resurrection of our bodies? 12 He which quickeneth the grains of seeds which are dead and putrified, Moore excellent them nature. by which thou mayest live in this world, will much more raise up again thee, and thine, that thou mayest live with them for ever. 13 God hath called thy beloved to his chambers, do not envy Enuyeth not. them their secure rest, shortly will come the time of raising them up again. Thou perhaps didst hope that thy friends before their death would be profitable members of the militant Church: but it hath pleased God that they should be members of the triumphant The triumphant members. Church: it hath pleased God, let it also please thee. Thou perhaps didst hope that they should have gotten the knowledge of diverse things before their death, but it hath pleased God that they should learn true wisdom in the heavenly University: Truly wise this hath pleased God, let it also please thee. 14 Thou perhaps didst hope, that thy friends before their death should first been lifted out of the dust, and placed with Princes: but it hath pleased God to associate them to the heavenly Princes, Advanced. the holy Angels: this hath pleased God, let it also please thee. Thou perhaps didst hope, that thy friends before their death should get together much riches: but it hath pleased God that they should feel the pleasures Rich pleasure. of the heavenly kingdom: this hath pleased God, let it also please thee. O holy God, thou hast taken away that which thou hast given, thy holy Name be blessed for ever. Friday Noon. DEfend me, o Lord, Psal. 91.4. under thy wings, and keep me safe under thy feathers: let thy faithfulness and truth be my shield and buckler. That no evil happen unto me, Verse 10. nor no plague come nigh my dwelling. Domino mens nixa quieta est. The mind is quiet that relies on God. 33 Meditation. Of the true rest of the soul. THE soul ofttimes seeks her rest in transitory and worldly things, No peace in the world. but doth not find it. Wherhfore? because the soul is more worthy than all the creatures, therefore she cannot find rest & peace in those viler things. All worldly things are vain and transitory: Which is transitory. but the soul is immortal: how therefore should she find true rest in them? All these things are earthly: Earthly. but our soul is of an earthly beginning, how therefore should she be able to fulfil her desire in them? In Christ she finds rest, Rest in Christ by faith. In his wounds. he can satiate and fulfil her desire. 1 Against the wrath of God, she rests in the wounds of Christ against the accusation of Satan in the power of Christ. Against the terror of the Law in the preaching Preaching Blood. of Christ. Against her sins accusing, in the blood of Christ, which speaks better before God, than the blood of Abel. Against the terror of death she is at rest, and trusts in the sitting of Christ at the right hand Sitting at God's right hand, of the Father. 2 And so our faith finds rest in Christ, but our charity Charity resteth. Not on the world. also finds the chiefest rest there. He which love's earthly things, hath not true rest, because earthly things themselves have it not, neither can they sufficiently satiate the appetite of the soul, because they are all finite, but our soul being made after the Image of God, desires that infinite good, But on infinite good. in whom are all good things. 3 As therefore our faith aught to rely on none of all the creatures, but on the only merit of Christ: so our love also aught to cleave to no creature, not not to our own selves: And on God's love for the love of ourselves doth hinder the love of God: and we aught to prefer the love of God before all things. A Spouse. 4 Our soul is the Spouse of Christ; therefore she aught to cleave to him alone. Our soul is the habitation of God, Dwelling. therefore she aught to give place to him alone. Many seek rest in riches, Not in riches. but without Christ there is no rest of the soul: but where Christ is, there is poverty, if not indeed, yet in affliction. He the Lord of Heaven and earth, had not where to lay down his head: and so would he commend and consecrated poverty unto us. Richeses are without us, Without. but that which must make our soul at rest, aught to be within us. But to what shall our soul cleave in death, when all things in the world are to be left? That leave us. either riches forsake us, or we them, very often in our life, but always in death. Where therefore then shall the soul find peace and rest? Many seek rest in pleasures, Not pleasures. but that may be the rest and quiet of the body for a while, but not of the soul: at length follows the companion of this pleasure, grief, and mourning. 5 Pleasures belong to this life: but the soul is not created for this life's sake, because it is constrained to go out by death. How therefore can she find rest in pleasures? Not without Christ without Christ there is no rest of the soul, but what manner of life was the life of Christ? Christ life. The greatest grief from the first time of his Nativity, even to his death. No pleasure. 6 So he that could truly esteem of all things would teach us, what we were to think of pleasure. Not honours. Many seek rest in honours: but they are wretched which are constrained to want their rest upon every change of the favour of the people. Fleeting. Honour is a good external, and most fléeting, but that which aught to give rest to the soul, must been in ourselves. What wilt thou speak more of humane praise and glory, then of the praised picture of Apelles? Consider the corner wherein thou liest hid, how great is the proportion thereof to the whole Province, to Europe, to the whole world, that is habitable. 7 That is the true honour which shall be bestowed hereafter of God upon his chosen. Rest in thy end. The rest of a thing is in the end thereof, neither doth a thing rest naturally, but after it hath obtained his end and place. The end of the created soul, is God: Which is God. seeing it is made to the Image of God, therefore she cannot be quiet and pacified, but in that her end, that is to say, in God. 8 As the soul is the life of the body, In life. so God is the life of the soul: as therefore the soul life's truly, in which God Of God. dwells by spiritual grace: so the soul is dead, Without him dead. which hath not God dwelling in it: But what rest can there be to a dead soul? that first death, in sins, doth necessarily draw with it the second death of damnation? Damned. 9 He therefore which cleaves firmly in love unto God, Rest not disturbed. and cnjoyes inwardly the divine consolation, outward evils cannot disturb his rest. In sorrow he is joyful, joyful. Rich. Secure. in poverty rich, in the tribulations of the world secure, in worldly troubles at tranquillity, amongst the reproaches and contumelies of men pacified, Pacified. Ever alive in death itself alive. He cares not for the threatenings of Tyrants: because he feels inwardly the riches of God's consolation. 10 In adversity he is not sad, Not sad. because the holy Ghost doth comfort him effectually within. He is not vexed in poverty, Vexed. because he is rich in God's bounty. He is not troubled Troubled. with the rebukes of men, because he enjoys the pleasures Enjoyeth pleasure. of God's honour. He cares not for the pleasure of the flesh, because he accounts the sweetness of the Spirit The sweet spirit. more acceptable. He seeks not the friendship of the world, because he feels the pleasures of God, God's pleasures. who is kind and friendly unto him. He doth not gape after the earthly treasures, because he hath his chief treasure Treasures. laid up in heaven. He fears not death, Life. because he life's always in God. He desires not greatly the wisdom Wisdom. of the world, because he hath the holy Ghost to teach him inwardly: the perfect takes away that which is more imperfect. He doth not fear lightnings and tempests, burnings, and the overflowings of waters, the sad configurations of the Planets, and the darken of the Lights of heaven: because being lifted up above nature, he relies by faith on Christ, he life's in Christ. Lives in Christ. 11 He is not drawn away with the enticements of the world, because he hears in himself the sweeter voice Heareth his voice of Christ. He fears not the power of the Devil, because he feels Feels mercy. the mercy of God. Strength. He is stronger which life's and overcomes in him, than the devil which in vain doth go about to overcome him. He follows not the enticements of the flesh, because living in the Spirit, Quickening Spirit. he feels the riches of the Spirit: the quickening of the Spirit doth mortify and crucify the flesh. 12 He fears not the devil his accuser, because he knows Christ to be his intercessor. Intercession. The only Lord our God, which is blessed for ever, the Author and giver of this rest, grant unto us this true rest of our soul. Mihi Jesu gratia quaestus. Christ's grace my gain. 34. Meditation. Of an exercise of Faith, out of the love of Christ in the Agony of death. SEe, O Lord jesus, how injurious I am to thy passion: my heart is vexed, and my soul is very sad, because I have no works of mine own, no merits, when notwithstanding, Christ's Passion our action. thy passion is mine own, thy works are my merits. I am injurious to thy passion, because whereas that is most sufficient, I do yet doubtfully seek mine own works supplement: Wrong to seek work for supply. now if I could find righteousness in myself, thy righteousness would profit me nothing: or surely I should not so much desire it. Law condemneth. If I require the works of the Law, I shall been condemned out of the Law. 1 But I know that I am now no more under the Law, but under grace, I have lived wretchedly: I have sinned, O holy Father, against heaven, neither am I worthy to be called thy son, yet thou wilt not refuse to call me servant. God calleth me servant. Christ's Passion freeth the soul. 2 I beseech thee let not the most holy fruit of thy Passion been denied me: let not thy blood wax dry and barren, but let it bring forth fruit in fréeing my soul. Killeth sin. My sins have always lived in my flesh: let them, I beseech thee, Causeth the spirit triumph. Mortifieth the flesh. at length die with me. Always hitherto hath my flesh had dominion over me, at length let the spirit triumph: let my outward man be subject to rottenness and worms, that mine inward man may come forth unto glory. Always hitherto have I obeyed the devil's suggestions, at length I beseech thee, let him be beaten down under my feet. 3 Satan is ready, and doth accuse me, but he hath nothing in me. The shape of death doth affright me, but death is the end of my sins, and the beginning of a holy life. Now at length I can perfectly please thee, O my God, now at length I shall be confirmed in goodness and virtue. 4 The Devil terrifies me with my sins, but let him accuse him, which hath undertaken mine infirmities, whom the Lord hath smitten for my sins. My debt is very great, neither can I pay any thing thereof: but I trust in the riches and benignity of my surety let him free me which became surety for me, let him pay for me, which hath taken my debt upon himself. 5 I have sinned, O Lord, and my sins are very great, yet I will not commit that heinous sin to accuse thee of a lie, God acquiteth me which testifiest by thy words and deeds, and oath, that thou art satisfied for mine iniquities. I fear not my sins, because thou art my righteousness. Righteousness. I fear not mine ignorance, because thou art my wisdom. I fear not death, because thou art my life. Life. I fear not errors, because thou art my truth. Truth. I fear not corruption, because thou art my resurrection. Resurrection. joy.. I fear not the sorrows of death, because thou art my joy. I fear not the severity of judgement, because thou art my righteousness. 6 Let the dew of thy grace and quickening consolation be instilled into my thirsty soul. Refresheth▪ Comforteth. My spirit is dry, but shortly it shall rejoice in thee: my flesh languisheth, and is withered, but shortly it shall wax green. Reviueth. I am constrained to undergo corruption, but thou shalt deliver me out of my corruptions, From corruption. which hast delivered me out of all evils. Thou hast created me, how can the workmanship of thine own hands been dissolved? Not to be dissolved Thou hast redeemed me from all mine enemies, how then can death alone have dominion over me? Nor die. Thou hast spent thy body and thy blood, and all that thou hast, yea, even thine own self, for my salvation, how then shall death detain those things which are redeemed with so precious a price? Thou art righteousness, Christ Almighty to save. O Lord jesus, my sins shall not prevail against thee: thou art the life and the resurrection, my death shall not prevail against thee: thou art God, Satan shall not prevail against thee. Gives the spirit. 7 Thou hast given me the earnest of thy Spirit: therein I rejoice, therein I triumph, and most firmly believe, nothing doubting but it shall been granted me to enter into the marriage of the Lamb. 8 Thou art my wedding garment, Wedding Garment. most dear husband, which I have put on in Baptism: thou shalt cover my nakedness: neither will I sow the rags of my righteousness to this precious and most fair garment. What is the righteousness of man, but a menstruous cloth? how then should I dare to sow that abominable rag to the most precious garment of thy righteousness? 9 In this garment will I appear before thy face in thy judgement, when thou shalt judge the whole world in justice and equity. In this garment will I appear before thy face in the heavenly kingdom: this garment shall cover my confusion & shame, Covers our shame. that it be remembered no more for ever. 10 There will I appear glorious Glorious appearance. and holy in thy face, and this my flesh, this my body, shall be clothed with most blessed glory, I say, with glory everlasting, and that shall endure world without end. Come, Lord jesus, and he that loveth thee, let him say, Come. Christus Resipiscite clamat. Christ cries, Repent. 35. Meditation. Of the fruit of true and earnest Repentance. THE foundation and beginning of an holy life, is wholesome repentance. Repentance. For where there is true repentance, there is remission Remission. of sins: where there is remission of sins, there is the grace Grace. of God: where is the grace of God, there is Christ: where is Christ, Christ. there is his merit: Merit. where is Christ's merit, there is satisfaction for sins: where is satisfaction Satisfaction for sins, there is righteousness: where is righteousness, Righteousness. there is a glad and quiet conscience: Quiet conscience. where there is tranquillity of conscience, there is the holy Ghost: Holy Ghost. where there is the holy Ghost, there is the whole holy Trinity: where the holy Trinity Trinity. is, there is life eternal: Eternal life▪ therefore where there is true repentance, there is life eternal. No repentance, no life. 1 Where true repentance is not, there is neither remission of sins, nor the grace of God, nor Christ, nor his merit, nor satisfaction for sins, nor righteousness, nor a quiet conscience, nor the holy Ghost, nor the holy Trinity, nor life eternal. Defer not. 2 Why therefore do we defer our repentance? why do we cast it off till to morrow? neither to morrow, nor true repentance, are in the power of our strength: Accounted for every day. neither must we only tender an account of to morrow, but also of this day in judgement. To morrow is not so certain as destruction to the impenitent. God hath promised forgiveness to him that reputes, but he hath not promised him to morrows No promise for to morrow. day to repent in. 3 There is no place for Christ's satisfaction, Christ's only plac● but in that heart where there is true contrition. Our sins make a separation betwixt God and us, as witnesseth the Prophet Esay, but by repentance we return unto him. Acknowledge and be sorry for thy sin, so shalt thou find God pacified toward thee in his Son. I blot out thine iniquities, saith the Lord: Sins writ. therefore our sins were written in the Court of heaven. Turn thy face from our sins, Put out. prays the Prophet: therefore God puts out our iniquities in his sight. Sin separateth. 4 Be thou turned unto us, O God, prays Moses: therefore our sins do separate us from God. Our sins have answered us, complains Isaiah: therefore they do accuse Accuse. us before the tribunal seat of God's justice. Cleanse me from my sins, prays David: therefore sin is a most filthy Filthy: soulness before God. Heale my soul, because I have sinned against thee, prays the same Prophet: therefore sin is a disease Disease. of the soul. Whosoever shall sin against me, Blotteth us out. I will blot him out of my book, saith the Lord: therefore for our sins we are blotted out of the book of life. Casts us away. Cast me not from thy face, prayeth the Psalmist, therefore for our sins we are cast from God. Quencheth the spirit. Take not thy holy Spirit from me: therefore the holy Ghost is cast out of the Temple of our hearts by sins, as Bees are driven away with smoke, and Doves by stink. Restore unto me the joy of salvation: therefore sins do vex the mind, Vex us. and draw out the juice of the heart. The land is infected by her inhabitants, which have transgressed the Law, cryeth the Prophet Isaiah: therefore sin is a certain contagious venom. Contagion. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord, saith the Psalmist: therefore by our sins we are depressed even unto hell. Depresseth us. 6 Sometime we were dead in sin, saith the Apostle: therefore sin is the spiritual death Death. of the soul. By deadly sin man loseth God: God is infinite and incomprehensible goodness, therefore to loose God, is infinite and incomprehensible evil. Incomprehensible ill. Greatest. Affliction not evil. Even as God is the greatest good, so sin is the greatest evil. Punishments and calamities are not true evils, because many good things are drawn out of them, nay, from thence it appears that they are also good, because they come from the chiefest of good, that is to say, God, from whom there can proceed nothing but good: they were in the chiefest of good, that is to say, Christ, but the chiefest of good doth not partake of that which is truly evil. But good. They lead also to the chiefest of good, that is to say, eternal life: through his suffering Christ entered into his glory. And through many tribulations, Christians do enter into life eternal. 7 The greatest evil therefore is sin, because it draws us away from the greatest good: as much as thou drawest near to God, so much thou dost recede from sin: as much as thou dost draw near to sin, so much thou dost departed from God. Draweth from God How wholesome a thing therefore is repentance, which recalls us from sin, and reduceth us to God? Sin, as great as God. Truly so great is sin, as he is great which is offended by the sin, but him heaven and earth cannot contain: again, so great is our repentance, as he is great to whom we return by repentance. Repentance great Sin accused by the conscience. 8 The sinner is accused of his own conscience, which he hath polluted: of his Creator, Creator. Fault. whom he hath offended: of the fault, wherein he hath transgressed: of the creature which he hath abused: of the Devil, Abused. Devil. whose instigation he hath followed. How wholesome therefore is repentance, Repentance freeth. which fréeth us from so great accusations? 9 Let us hasten Haste. therefore, let us hasten to so wholesome a medicine of so great a disease. If thou repent at thy death, Before death. thou dost not leave thy sins, but thy sins leave thee: thou shalt scarcely find any one that did truly repent him at his death, but that one Thief on the Cross. Fourteen years have I served thee, Than rare said jacob to Laban: Do as jacob with Laban. it is time that I provide for mine own house: and then, if thou hast served this world and this life so many years, is it not fit that thou begin to provide for thy soul? every day our flesh heaps up sins, every day Every day therefore let the spirit wash them away by repentance. Christ died, Because Christ took them away. that sin should die in us, and will we that that should live & reign in our hearts, whose life that he might take away, the Son of God himself did suffer death? 10 Christ doth not enter into the heart of man by grace, Else Christ doth not enter. God first humbleth, then lifteth up. unless john Baptist make way for him by repentance. GOD doth not pour the oil of his mercy, but into a vessel that is well contrite. The Lord doth first kill by contrition, that afterward he may quicken by the Spirit of consolation, He doth first lead us into hell, by earnest grief, that he might bring us back out of hell by the savour of grace. Elias first heard a great and strong wind, which overturned the mountains, and tore the rocks, and after the wind, an earthquake; and after the earthquake, fire; but at length followed the still noise of a soft air: so also terror goes before the taste of God's love, Sense of terror before of love. and sadness before consolation. God doth not bind up the wounds, unless thou do first acknowledge and deplore Deplore. them. Uncover. God doth not cover them, unless thou first detect them. He doth not pardon them, unless thou first acknowledge them. He doth not justify thee, unless thou first condemn thyself. He doth not comfort thee, unless thou first despair in thyself. God bring to pass in us this true repentance by his Spirit. Amen. Patientem respice Christum. Behold Christ suffering. 36. Meditation. An exercise of repentance, out of the Passion of our Lord Christ: BEhold, O faithful soul, the grief of him that suffers, A blessed spectacle. the wounds of him that hangs, the torments of him that dies upon the Cross. That head which is feared of the Angelical spirits, is pricked Head pricked. with thick thorns: the face which is fairer than the sons of men, is deformed Face deformed. with the spittle of the wicked: the eyes Eyes darkened. that are brighter than the Sun, are darkened in death: the ears Ears have mocks. which hear the praises of Angels, are full of the outrageous mockings, and bitter scoffs of sinners: the mouth Mouth bittered. that utters heavenly sayings, and teacheth the Angels, is drenched with Gall and Vinegar: the feet, Feet nailed. Hands stretched. at whose footstool there is worship done, are fastened with nails: the hands which have stretched forth the heavens, are stretched forth on the Cross: the body, Body beaten. which is the most holy seat, and most pure habitacle of the Deity, is beaten and wounded with the Lance, neither remained there any thing whole in him, but his tongue, that he might pray for those that crucified him. 1 He that reigns in heaven Heaven's King crucified. with the Father, is most woefully afflicted of sinners on the Cross. God God suffereth. dies, God suffers, GOD pours out his blood. From the greatness of the price, esteem of the greatness of peril: Than great was our misery. from the price of the remedy, esteem the danger of the disease. Surely, great were the wounds which could not been healed but by the wounds of that quick and quickening flesh: surely great was the disease, which could not be cured but by the death of the Physician. 2 Consider, O faithful soul, Great is our Advocate Christ the burning wrath of God, after the fall of our first Parent: his eternal and only begotten, and only beloved Son, became an Intercessor. He made intercession: by whom he made the heavens: And he the great Advocate of our salvation, took the cause of us poor wretches on himself. Notwithstanding, as yet was not his wrath turned away. Incarnate. Our Saviour put on our flesh upon him, that the glory of the Divinity being communicated to our flesh, For us in communion Expiation. might expiate our sinful flesh: that the medicinable force of his perfect justice, being communicated to our flesh, Healing. might wipe away the venomous quality of sin, sticking in our flesh, and that grace might be given to our flesh. Giving grace. Notwithstanding, as yet was not his wrath turned away. He translated our sins and the merits of our sins on himself: Taketh our sins. Suffered. his body is bound, beaten, wounded, nailed, crucified, laid down into the Sepulchre: Buried. Bloodshed. the blood, like unto dew, flows most abundantly through all his members as he suffers: his most holy Soul Sad soul. is sad beyond measure: nay, he is sad even unto death: To death. he is subject to the pains of hell. Hell. The eternal Son of God cries out, Cryeth. that he is forsaken of God. He pours out such abundance of bloody sweat: Sweat. he feels so great anguish, Anguish. that he wants the comfort of an Angel, which comforts all the Angels: Death. he dies, which is the giver of life to all the living. 3 What shall be done in a dry tree, if this been done in a green? what shall been done to sinners, All due to us sinners. if this be done with him that is just and holy? Moore due. how shall he punish the sins of offenders, which was so fierce toward him that had not offended? how shall he endure that perpetually in his servants, which he punished so grievously in his Son? what shall they suffer whom he hath reprobated, if he suffer so great things whom he only loveth? If Christ went not out without a scourge, that came in without sin, of how many scourges are they worthy, which come into the World with sin, live in sin, and go out with sin? The servant rejoiceth while the son sorrows grievously for his fault: Wonderful love. the servant heaps up the wrath of his Lord, whiles the Son labours so much for the appeasing and pacifying of the wrath of his Father. God's wrath feared. O the infinite anger of God O his unspeakable wrath! O the inestimable rigour of his justice! he that is so fierce against his only and most beloved Son, which partakes of his own essence; not for any fault of his, but because he makes intercession for his servant, what will he do to that servant, that persevers carelessly in sins and offences? 4 Let the servant fear Than fear servant. and tremble, and be sad for his own deserts, when the Son is punished for the merits that are not his. Let the servant fear which doth not cease to sin, Sinner. when the Son endures so much for sin. Let the creature Creature. fear, which hath crucified his Creator: let the servant fear, which hath slain his Lord. Let the wicked Wicked. and sinner fear, which hath so afflicted the holy and just▪ 5 Let us hear him crying out most clearly: let us hear him weeping: he crieth from the cross: See man, what I suffer for thee: I cry unto thee, because I die for thee: see the pains with which I am punished: see the nails with which I am pierced: there is no grief like to my grief: when mine outward grief is so great, mine inward plaint is more grievous, when I found thee so ungrateful. Have pity, have pity upon us, thou that only dost take pity, and turn our stony hearts unto thee. Let every several branch of thy bitter passion, destroy a several root of sin in our naughty hearts. Crux Christi nostra corona est. Christ's Cross out crown. 37. Meditation. A consolation of the penitent, out of the Passion of Christ: taken out of Anselme especially. ALl the glory of the godly Godly glory. is in the ignominy of our Lord's Passion All the rest Rest. of the godly is in the wounds of our Saviour: Life in Christ. our life is in his death, our glory in his exaltation How great is thy mercy, O heavenly Father, Almighty God? I could offend thee by myself, but I could not pacify thee towards me by myself: therefore thou dost reconcile Reconciliation. me to thyself in Christ. 1 See therefore, O holy God, the sacrament of his flesh, and remit Remit. unto me the guilt of my flesh. Behold what the good Son hath suffered, and forget Forget. what thy evil servant hath committed. My flesh hath provoked thee to anger: but I beseech thee, let the flesh of Christ bend thee to mercy. Incline thy mercy Great is that which I have deserved by mine iniquity but fare greater is that which my Redeemer hath deserved by his piety. To desert. Great is mine unrighteousness, but much greater is my Redéemers righteousness. Righteousness. For by how much God is higher than man so much my wickedness is inferior to his goodness, as in quality, so also in quantity. 2 All that I am by condition is thine, grant also that by love it may be all thine. Let me be thine. Thou that makest me to ask, make me also to receive. To receive. Thou givest unto me to seek grant me also to find. Find. Thou teachest me to knock, open therefore unto me that knocks. Of thee have I to desire, Enter. of thee also let me have the compliment of my desire: Have my desire. thou hast given me to will, To william. give me also to do thy william. O holy God, O just judge, if my sins been covered, they are incurable: if they be seen, they are detestable: they afflict me with grief, but they do more terrify me with fear. I beseech thee, withhold not so true mercy, where thou dost acknowledge so true misery. Show mercy to true misery. Thou findest here great sin, let thy grace as yet be greater and more full. O holy Father, I beseech thee pour not forth upon me thy wrath, Not wrath. seeing for my sins thou hast already smitten thine own Son. Holy jesus, jesus free me. free me from the wrath of God, which hast borne it upon thee for me on the Cross. O holy Spirit, protect me Holy spirit protect me. with thy consolation against the wrath of God, which hast preached mercy to the contrite and penitent in the Gospel. O holy God, O just judge, I find no place No place else safe. into which I can fly from the face of thine anger. If I climb up into heaven, Heaven. thou art there, if I go down into Hell, Hell. thou art there also, if I take the wings of the morning, and devil in the uttermost part of the Sea, Sea. there also thine hand will lead, and thy right hand will lay hold on me. I will fly therefore unto Christ, Christ safe and will hide me in his wounds. By his wounds. O merciful God, behold the body of thy Son, wounded on every part, with wounds, and behold not the wounds of my sin. Let the blood Blood. of thy Son wash me from all the spots of my sin. Hear his most ardent prayers Prayers. offered unto thee for the salvation of thine elect. Life a terror. 4 O holy Ghost, O just judge, my life doth terrify me, for being diligently sifted, it appeareth wholly to be either sin or barrenness: and if any fruit be seen in it, so it is, that it is either feigned, or imperfect, or some ways corrupted, that it can either not please, or else that it doth altogether displease thine eyes. Surely my whole life is either in sin, and so damnable: or else unfruitful, and so contemptible: but why do I separate unfruitful from damnable? Damnable. for if it be unfruitful, it is damnable: for every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall been cast into the fire: not only that tree that brings forth evil fruit shall be cast into the fire, but that also which brings forth no fruit. 5 The Goats Goat's terrible. do affright me, that stand at the left hand of the judge: not because they have done any evil, For omission. but because they have done no good, they have not given meat to the hungry, nor drink to the thirsty. 6 O therefore dry and unprofitable wood, and worthy of eternal fire: what wilt thou answer in that day, when an account Accounted fearful. shall been required of thee, even to the twinkling of an eye, of all the time of life that God hath lent thee, how it hath been spent by thee? an hair of thine head shall not perish, nor a moment of thy time. O woeful streights! Woeful streights. on this side of thee shall be thy sins Sinne. accusing, on that side, justice justice. terrifying, under thee the horrible pit of hell Hell. gaping, above thee, the angry judge judge. threatening, within thee, thy conscience Conscience. burning, without thee, the world World. flaming. The just shall scarce be saved, the sinner taken after this sort, whither shall he turn him? to lie hid will be impossible; to appear will been intolerable. 7 Whence therefore is the salvation of my soul? whence is the counsel? jesus the counsellor who is it which is called the Angel of the great Counsel? It is even jesus himself, the same is the judge, between whose hands I tremble. Take heart, Conforter. O my soul, despair not. Hope in him whom thou fearest, fly to him whom thou hast forsaken. O jesus Christ, for this thy Name, do unto me according to thy Name, look upon me poor wretch, calling upon thy Name. If thou wilt admit me into the most broad bosom of thy mercy, His bosom large. it will not been the narrower for me. It is true, O Lord, my conscience hath deserved damnation, and my repentance is not sufficient for satisfaction: but it is certain that thy mercy doth exceed all trangression. In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust, let me not be confounded for ever. Friday, Evening Prayer. THou (O Lord) which hast taught us to pray, hast commanded us not to pray only for ourselves, but minding us in the first words of that prayer which thy Son hath taught us, of a common Father, hast showed that we are to commend others to thy piety in our prayers, as well as ourselves. Wherhfore as a feeling member of that body whereof thy Son jesus Christ is Head, I beseech thee that thy goodness may be plentifully showed on thine own Vineyard, thy Church, the inheritance which thou hast purchased to thyself. Water it (O Lord) with abundance of rain from Heaven, take out of it all things that offend, and commit abomination; bless it universally, with all spiritual blessings: but more especially I do beseech thee, to look on the members thereof, in these our kingdoms, and grant that here thy Word having free passage amongst us, many Sons and Daughters may thereby be begotten unto thee. And because as in the health and good disposition of the body, the soul can better show forth her force, and use her faculties; so also in the peace and prosperity of the Commonweal, the Church will also the better flourish. Bless Lord, and prospero the government established here amongst us: bless the King, and his Progeny, with the whole Council, Clergy, Nobility, Gentry, and Commons of this Land, and make these kingdoms as a City or a Country, that is at unity in itself, which being safe from all homebred enemies, may the better be defended from all foreign invasion, and power of the Aliens. Look, Lord, I pray thee, on the distress and affliction of all poor people, that are either under pressure of any want, sickness, prison, infamy, or under any other kind of trouble or danger; be merciful unto them, and deliver them, and give them, for what they want here of outward comforts, a full measure of inward consolations. Behold with the eye of pity, all men of a wounded heart, and broken spirit; bring home to thy fold all sheep that wander and go astray: forgive mine enemies and persecuters, recompense their good plentifully to the souls of my Benefactors: deal graciously with those of mine own flesh, and of my family; and confirm me O Lord, in all goodness, and keep me safe this night, and the whole course of my life from all dangers, for thy dear Son's sake, Christ jesus. Amen. Saturday, Morning Prayer. While I bear about me this body of clay, this body of death, I am daily in danger for my body, jest the things from within or without me, offend my health, and be to me an occasion of ruin: as well plenty as penury may hurt me, as well that which I have, as that which I want may annoyed me: as well labour as ease may destroy me. What from the beasts of the field, what from the sons of men set on fire, what from the violence of fire, what from the tempests, infection, unseasonableness of the air, drought and moisture, heat and cold; what from the depth and raging of the waters; what from the pits and praecipices of the earth, I am daily in hazard of breaking and spilling this vial of blood. The pestilence consuming with a whole band of other diseases, the war wasting, and sword devouring, famine pinching, and making to pine away, are three main enemies of my bodily life. I may say of the dangers of my body, as David of the number of his enemies, they are more than the hairs of my head. Seeing then I walk in the midst of so many perils, what shall be my security and defence against all inconveniences, fears and hurts, but the shadow of thy merciful wings (O Lord) under which I do beseech thee, to hide me this day, and all the days of my life, that neither the shape of death affright me, nor any evil come near to hurt me, but that I may be preserved as in soul, so in body, from all things that may annoyed me: which thing I beseech thee to grant unto me, for thy dear Son's sake, Christ jesus. Amen. Pietas sapientia summa est. Godliness chiefest wisdom. 38. Meditation. Of general rules to live godly. Learn to die. EVery day thou drawest more ●eare to death to judgement, and eternity: think therefore every day how thou mayst stand in the severe discussing of death and judgement: And live. and how thou mayest live for ever. We must have a strait care of all our thoughts, Look to thoughts. words, and deeds, because hereafter a strict account must been rendered of all our thoughts, words, and deeds. Think in the evening, that death Death imminent. hangs over thy head this night: think in the morning, Certain. that death hangs over thy head this day. Defer not thy conversion and good work till to morrow, because to morrow is uncertain, To morrow uncertain. but death that hangs over thy head is always certain. Nothing is a greater adversary to piety, Delay, foe to piety. then deferring. If thou contemnest the inward calling of the holy Ghost, To the holy Ghost. thou shalt never come to true conversion. Defer not thy conversion and good deeds to thine age: but offer unto God the flower of thy youth. Give God thy youth. Age is uncertain to a young man, bot certain destruction is prepared for an impenitent young man: Impenitent youth no age is more fit for the service of God than youth, that flourisheth in strength both of body and mind. 1 Thou oughtest to undertake an evil action for no man's favour: Respect no man's favour. for not that man, but God sometimes shall judge thy life: therefore resolve that no favour of men is to be preferred before the favour of God. In the way of the Lord, we do either go forward, or go backward, examine Examine thy mending. thy life therefore every day, whether in the study of godliness, thou be proficient, or deficient. 2 To stand still Stand not still. in the way of the Lord, is to go backward: let it not delight thee therefore to stand still in the course of piety, but study always to walk in the way of the Lord. In thy conversation Wise conversation to God. be kind to all, grievous to none, familiar to few: to God-ward live godly, to thyself Thyself. chastely, to thy neighbour justly: use thy friend Friend. with favour, thine enemy Enemy. with patience, all with benevolence, those whom thou canst with beneficence: die daily Die daily. in thy life to thyself, and to thy vices, so in death thou shalt live unto God. 3 Let mercy appear in thy affection, Be gentle. benignity in thy countenance, humility in thy habit, modesty in thy dwelling, patience in thy tribulation. Always think of three things that are past: Three things past. the evil that thou hast committed, iii. the good Good: that thou hast omitted, the time Time. that thou hast lost. Always think of three things present, Three present. the shortness of this life present, the difficulty to be saved, Short life: the small number Number. of those that are to been saved. Salvation. Always think of three things to come death, Three to come, Death. than which nothing is more horrible, judgement judgement. then which nothing is more terrible: the pains of hell, Hell. than which, nothing is more intolerable. Let day mend day. 4 Let thy evening prayers amend the sins of the day that is past: let the last day of the week amend the faults of the days that went before. Think in the evening, how many have been cast headlong into hell that day: and give God thanks that he hath granted thee a time of repentance. 5 Three things are above Three above. thee, of which let the remembrance never departed from thee. The eye Eye. that sees all, the ear Eare. that hears all, and the books Books. into which all things are written. God hath communicated himself wholly unto thee, communicate thyself also wholly unto thy neighbour: God to thee, thou to thy neighbour that is the best life which doth serve wholly for others. To all sorts. Show to thy superior obedience and reverence, to thine equal counsel and help, to thine inferior keeping and discipline. 6 Let thy body be subject to thy mind, Order. and thy mind unto God. Respect. Bewail thine evils that are past, lightly esteem the good things present, and desire the good things to come, with the whole desire of thy heart. 7 Remember Remember thy sin, that thou mayest grieve for it: remember death, that thou mayest cease from it: remember God's justice, that thou mayest fear: remember God's mercy, that thou do not despair. As much as thou canst, withdraw thyself from the world, Go from the world to God. and addict thyself wholly to the service of God. Think always that chastity is in danger Virtues in danger. in delights; humility, in riches, piety, in worldly affairs. Desire to pelase none but Christ, Please Christ. fear to displease none but Christ. Always pray Pray. God that he command what he will, & give what he commands: that he hide that which is done, that he govern that which is to come. Petitions. No Hypocrite. Such a one as thou wilt seem to been, such a one also oughtest thou to be, for God judgeth not according to the appearance, but according to the truth. 8 In words, Words▪ take heed of babbling, because the judgement requires an account of every vain word: thy works, Works. whatsoever they be, do not pass away, but are cast as certain seeds of eternity: if thou sow in the flesh, of the flesh thou shalt reap corruption: if thou sow in the spirit, of the spirit thou shalt reap the reward of eternal retribution. The honours Honours, etc. follow not. of the world will not follow thee after death, nor the heaps of riches: pleasures will not follow thee, nor the vanities of the world: but after the last date of thy life, all thy works Works. will follow thee, 9 Such therefore as thou wilt be in judgement, such appear Appear well. to day in the sight of God. Esteem not of the things that thou hast, but rather esteem Esteem aright. of the things that thou hast not. Be not proud for that which is given thee, but rather be humbled Humble. for that which is denied thee: learn to live, Live. while as yet thou mayst live. Here work In this life eternal life is either gotten or lost, after death there remains no time of working, but there gins the time of recompense: The recompense in the life to come working is not looked for, but the retribution of works. 10 Let holy meditation Meditation. bring forth in thee knowledge; Knowledge. knowledge compunction; Compunction. compunction devotion; Devotion. let devotion make prayer. Prayer. A great good for the peace of the heart, is the silence Silence▪ of the mouth. By how much the more thou shalt be separated Separated. from the world, by so much the more shalt thou been acceptable unto God. Whatsoever thou desirest to have ask it of God, Ask of God. Give all to God. whatsoever thou hast, attribute it unto God: he is not worthy of the things that are to be given, which doth not give thanks for the things that are given, the course of graces cease, where there is not a recourse of thanks. All to the best. 11 Whatsoever happens unto thee, turn it into good: as often as prosperity Prosperity. happens unto thee, think that there is ministered unto thee matter of blessing and praising: as often as adversity Adversity: befalls thee, think that it is an admonition of repentance and conversion. Show the force of thy power in helping, the force of thy wisdom in teaching, All to edification. Not hurt. the force of thy riches in doing good. Let not adversity break thee, neither let prosperity lift thee up. Let Christ been the scope Scope. of thy life, whom follow in the way, that thou mayest attain him in thy country. 12 In all things let this been thy greatest care, profound humility, and ardent charity. Charity. Let charity lift up thy heart unto God, that thou mayst cleave unto him: let humility depress thy heart, Humility. Esteem God a Father. Lord. jest thou be proud. Esteem God a Father in clemency, a Lord in discipline: a Father in mild command, a Lord in severe: love him as a Father, godlily: fear him as a Lord necessarily: love him because he will have mercy: fear him because he will not sin: fear the Lord, and hope in him: acknowledge thy misery, and proclaim his grace. O God which hast given unto us to will, grant us also to perform thy william. Domino iungaris amore. Be joined to God by love. 39 Meditation. Of loving God only. God the true good. LIft up thyself, O faithful soul, and love that chiefest good, in which are all things that are good, without which there is no other true good. No creature can exatiate our will, because no creature hath in it perfect, but only Only. the participated good. A certain little stream of goodness is derived from the divinity to it, but the fountain And fountain. always abides in God, wherefore then leaving the fountain, will we follow these little streams? all the goodness that is in the creatures, is but a certain image and shadow of that perfect goodness which is in God, Perfection nay, which God himself is. Wherhfore catching at the shadow, Body. will we forsake the thing itself? The Dove which was sent out of the ark of Noah, could not on the sliding water find where her foot might rest: so our soul, in the number of all things under the Moon, All else fragile. cannot find any thing which can fully replenish her desire, by reason of their great inconstancy and fragility. 1 Doth not he do injury to himself, which love's any thing below his own worth? Below our worth. But now our soul is more noble than all the Creatures, because it is redeemed by the Passion and death of Christ. 2 Wherhfore then will it love the creatures? is it not contrary to the Majesty into which God hath exalted it? whatsoever we love, Causes of Love.. we love it either for the might, Might. or for the wisdom, Wisdom or for the beauty: Beauty. but what is mightier than God? what is wiser than God? what is more full of beauty than God? In a l God excelleth. all the might and power of worldly kings is from him, and under him: all the wisdom of men compared to God's wisdom, is but foolishness: all the beauty of the creatures compared to that of God, is but deformity. 3 If some most mighty King A mighty king offereth marriage. should deal by his Ambassadors about marrying with a Virgin of low estate and condition, should not that Virgin do foolishly, if passing by that most potent king, she should adhere to the poor ambassadors and Ministers of the king? so God by all that beauty of the creatures would call us unto himself, would stir us up to the love of himself: Cleave not to messengers. why then doth our soul, whom her Husband Christ desires, cleave unto the creatures which are as the Ambassadors of this spiritual marriage? the creatures themselves cry, Which advice us better. Why do you cleave unto us? why do you put the end of your desire in us? we cannot fill your appetite: go to the Creator of us both. There can no reciprocke love been hoped for from the Creatures: no love also begun towards us from the creature, God love's first. but God which is love itself, cannot choose but love him that loveth him: nay, with his love he prevents all our desires, all our love. How much therefore is he to be loved, which loved us so much first of all? Before we were. he loved us when as yet we were not: for it is of the love of God, that we are borne into this world. 4 He loved us when we were his enemies: When enemies. for it is of the mercy and love of God, that he sent his Son the Redeemer. He loved us when we were fall'n into sins: Fallen. for it is of the love of God, that he doth not forthwith deliver us unto death if we sin, but expect● our conversion. Translateth us. 5 It is the love of God, that besides our deserving, yea, contrary to our deserving, he doth translate us to the heavenly habitations. Love bringeth knowledge. Without the love of God thou shalt never come to the saving knowledge of him: without the love of God, all knowledge is unprofitable, nay, it is hurtful. Wherhfore doth love exceed the knowledge of all mysteries? because this is also in the Devils, that but in the godly. Misery not to love God. Why is the Devil most unhappy? because he cannot love the chiefest good. Wherhfore on the other side, Happy love. is God most happy and most blessed? because he love's all things, he is delighted in all his works. 6 Why is the love of God in this life not perfect in us? Love as knowledge in part. because we love but as much as we know: but in this life we know only in part, and in a dark saying: in the other life we shall be perfectly Or perfect blessed, because we shall love God perfectly: we shall love him perfectly, because we shall know him perfectly. 7 No man can have hope of the perfect love of GOD in the other World, Begin here. that doth not begin to love him in this world: the kingdom of God must begin in the heart of a man in this life, otherwise it shall not be consummate in the life to come. Without the love of God there is no desire of eternal life, Love desires eternity. how then can he partake of the greatest good which doth not love? which doth not seek? which doth not desire? Such as thy love is, such art thou thyself, because thy love doth change thee Love changeth thee. into itself. Love is the greatest bond, because the lover and the thing beloved are made one. To be one. What hath conjoined God the most just, and forlorn sinners? what hath joined these things together, so infinitely distant between themselves? infinite love. Yet jest the justice of God should been impaired, With God the infinite price of Christ did come between. What as yet doth join together God the Creator, and the faithful soul created, things infinitely distant? Love. By Christ to the highest degree. In the life eternal we shall be joined in the highest degree to God: why? because we shall love him in the highest degree. 8 Love doth unite and change: if thou lovest carnal things, thou art carnal: if thou lovest the world, thou shalt become worldly: but flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 9 If thou lovest God and heavenly things, To become heavenly. thou shalt become heavenly. The love of God is the chariot of Elias Elias chariot. ascending into heaven. The love of God is the pleasure of the mind, the Paradise of the soul, Benefits of love. it excludes the world, it overcomes the devil, it shuts hell, it opens heaven. The love of God is that seal Seal of the elect. with which God doth mark the elect and believing. God in the last judgement will acknowledge none for his, which is not marked with this seal. For faith itself is not the only true cause of our righteousness and salvation, unless it show forth itself by love. There is no true faith, unless there been a firm confidence: there is no firm confidence Gives confidence. without the love of God: the benefit is not acknowledged for which we give not thanks▪ we give not thanks to him whom we do not love. Faith's fruit. 10 If therefore thy faith been true, it will acknowledge the benefit of Christ thy Redeemer, it will acknowledge, and it will give thanks: it will give thanks, and it will love. 11 The love of God is the life and rest of our soul: Love of God, the soul's life. when the soul departs by death, the life of the body dies: when God departs from our souls through sin, In us. the life of the soul dyeth. Again, God dwelleth by faith in our hearts, he dwelleth by love in our soul, because the love of God is poured out into the hearts of the elect by the holy Ghost. There is no tranquillity of the soul, Love of the world troubleth it. without the love of God: the world and the devil are her greatest perturbation, but God is her greatest rest. There is no peace of conscience, but in those that are justified by faith: there is no true love of God, but in them which are affected with a filial confidence Filial confidence. in God. Therefore let there die in us the love of ourselves, the love of the world, the love of the creatures: that there may live in us the love of God, which may begin in us in this world, and may be perfected in that to come. Sit vitae regula Christus. Christ's life be thy life's rule. 40 Meditation. Of the holy imitation of the life of Christ. THe holy life of Christ is the most perfect pattern Perfect pattern. of Virtues: every action of Christ is also our instruction. Many would attain Christ, but they refuse to follow him: they would enjoy Christ, but they would not imitate him. Learn of me, because I am meek and humble in heart, For disciples. saith our Saviour to his Disciples: unless thou wilt be the disciple of Christ, thou shalt never be true Christian. 1 Let not only the passion of Christ be thy merit; but let also the action of Christ been the example of thy life. Thy beloved is white and ruddy: be thou also read with the aspersion of the blood of Christ, and white with the imitation of the life of Christ. 2 How dost thou love Christ truly, Imitation Of holy life. if thou lovest not his holy life? If ye love me, saith our Saviour, keep my precepts. He therefore that keeps not his commandments, doth not love him. The holy life of Christ is a perfect rule of our life. One only rule of the life of Christ, is infinitely to be preferred before all the rules of men whatsoever. 3 If thou wilt be the adoptive son of God, As the Sons see how that only begotten Son had his conversation. If thou wilt be a coheir Coheires. of Christ, thou oughtest also to been the imitator of Christ. He that will live with vices, Vice▪ hath given himself over to the obedience of the Devil. But he that will be with the Devil, how can he also be with Christ? To love sins and vices, Loves the devil. is to love the devil, because all sins are of the devil: how therefore can he been a true lover of Christ, Not Christ. which is a lover of the devil? To love God, is to love an holy life, Holy life. Loves God. because all holy life is from God. How therefore can he be a lover of God, which is not a lover of an holy life? The trial of love is the showing forth of the work: it is the property of true love to obey him that is beloved, Obeyeth him. to will the same with him that is beloved, to think the same things with him that is beloved. If therefore thou lovest Christ truly, thou wilt show thyself obedient to his commandments, thou wilt love an holy life with him: and being renewed in the spirit of thy mind, thou wilt think on heavenly things. 4 Eternal life is in the knowledge of Christ, Without love, no virtue. but he that love's not Christ, doth also not know him: he which love's not humility, chastity, meekness, temperance, charity, doth not also love Christ: because the life of Christ was no other thing, but humility, chastity, meekness, temperance, charity. Christ saith, that he doth not know them which do not fulfil the will of his Father: therefore also they know not Christ, No knowledge of Christ. Christ's Spirit fruitful. which do not the will of the heavenly Father. 5 But what is the will of the Father? Even our sanctification, saith the Apostle. He is not Christ's, which hath not the spirit of Christ: but wheresoever the holy Ghost is, there he is present with his gifts and fruits. But what are the fruits of the Spirit? Love, joy, peace, lenity, benignity, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Even as the holy Ghost did rest upon Christ, Upon the faithful. so he doth also rest upon all those which are in Christ by true faith: because the Spouse of Christ doth run in the smell of the ointments of Christ. Who knit in spirit. 6 He which cleaveth to the Lord, is one spirit with him. Even as the carnal knot of the man and wife, maketh of them one flesh: so the spiritual conjunction of Christ and the faithful soul, maketh of them one spirit. 7 But where there is one spirit, there is the same will: where is the same will, there are also the same actions. Are conformed to him. He therefore which doth not conform his life to the life of Christ, is convinced that he neither cleaves unto the Lord, nor hath the Spirit of Christ. As is meet Is it not meet and just, that all our life be made conformable unto him, which out of his love hath conformed himself wholly unto us? God manifesting himself in the flesh, In the flesh. hath set forth unto us the example of an holy life, jest any one refusing an holy life, should betake himself to the excuse of the flesh. True pleasure. No life is more pleasant and quiet than Christ's life, because Christ is true God: But what is more pleasant, or more full of tranquillity than God, as who is the chiefest good? And good. the life of the world brings short joy, but draws with it eternal sadness. 8 To whomsoever thou conformest thyself in thy life, Like here goeth to like at last. to him also thou shalt be conformed in the Resurrection. If thou beginnest here to conform thyself to the life of Christ, Christ. thou shalt also more fully be conformed unto him in the Resurrection: if thou conform thyself to the devil by heinous wickedness, Or the devil. in the Resurrection thou shalt be conformed unto him by grievous torments: 9 He which will follow me, let him deny himself, Deny thyself. saith our Saviour, and let him take up his cross daily. If in this life thou deny thyself, Christ will acknowledge thee Honour thee. Christ in the judgement will acknowledge thee to be his. If for Christ in this life thou renounce thine own honour, thine own love, thine own will, Christ in the life to come, will make thee partaker of his honour, of his love, of his william. If in this life thou art partaker (Crucis) of the Cross, in the life to come thou shalt been partaker (aeternae lucis) of the eternal light. Give thee light. If in this life thou art partaker of tribulation, in the life to come thou shalt be partaker of the consolation: if in this life thou art partaker of persecution, in the life to come, Consolation. thou shalt be partaker of the most large retribution. 10 He that confesseth Confesseth thee. me in this world, saith Christ, I will also confess him before my Father which is in heaven. Keeping doctrine and life. But we aught to confess Christ, not only in the profession of doctrine, but also in the conformity of life, so at length he shall acknowledge us for his in judgement. Whosoever shall deny me before men, Else deny. I will also deny him before my Father which is in heaven. 11 Christ is not only denied in words, His deniers. but also much more in a wicked life. Him therefore which denies Christ in his deeds in this world, will Christ deny in deeds in the judgement. He is not a Christian, which hath not the true faith of Christ: but true faith doth grafted us into Christ the spiritual Vine, as it were branches: every branch in Christ that bears not fruit, And fruitless branches. the heavenly Husbandman takes away: but he which abides in Christ, and in whom Christ dwells by faith, this man brings forth much fruit. That branch is not in the Vine, which doth not draw nourishment out of the Vine: Which are not in him that soul is not in Christ by faith, which draws not the spiritual moisture of charity out of Christ by faith. Conform us to thy life, O good jesus, in this world, that we may be fully conformed unto it in the world to come. Amen. Saturday Noon. Psal. 91.11. Give thine Angels charge over me, O Lord, to keep me in all my ways. Mens recti conscia vita est. A good conscience is life. 41 Meditation. Of the pureness of the Conscience. IN all thy actions have the greatest care of thy conscience: Conscience. If the Devil entice thee to any sin, fear the inward judgement of thy conscience. If thou fearest to sin in the presence of other men, Use. much more let thine own conscience recall thee from sin: the inward testimony is of greater force than the outward. Although therefore thy sins escape the accusation of all men, Force. yet they can never escape the inward testimony Testimony of thy conscience. Conscience shall been amongst those Books, A book. Reu. 20. 1 Book of knowledge. which the Apocalypse doth testify that they shall been hereafter opened in judgement. The first is the Book of God's al-knowledge, in which shall shine forth manifestly the deeds, the words, the thoughts of all men whatsoever. 2. Of life. The second Book is Christ, which is the Book of Life. In this whosoever shall be found written by true faith, he shall be conveyed of the Angels into the Court of heaven. The third Book is the Scripture, 3 Scripture. according to the rule whereof our faith and works shall be judged: The word which I have spoken, saith our Saviour, shall judge them in the last day. The fourth Book contains the outward testimonies of the poor, 4. Poor. Luke 16. which in the day of judgement shall receive us into the everlasting habitations. The fifth Book contains the inward testimony of our conscience, 5. Conscience. because our conscience is the Book in which all our sins are written: the Conscience is a great volume, A great volume. in which all things are written with the pencil of truth. The damned shall not be able to deny their sins in judgement, because they shall be convinced Convincing. by the testimony of their own conscience. From which no flying. They shall not be able to fly from the accusation of their sins, because the tribunal of their conscience is within them. 1 A pure Conscience is the most clear lookingglass A lookingglass. of the soul, in which it doth behold itself and God: an uncleance sight cannot behold the brightness of the true light. Hence saith our Saviour; Blessed are the pure in heart, because they shall see God. 2 As the fair and clean face of man is acceptable Accepted. to the sight: so a pure and clean conscience is accepted before the eyes of God, but a putrified conscience begets the neverdying worms. Worms begot. To be strangled. Therefore in this life present we must feel and strangle the worm of conscience, and not cherish it to immortality. Conscience controlled. 3 To amend this Book, all the other were invented. What profits great science, if there be an impure conscience? Thou shalt be judged when the time comes, before the Throne of GOD, By it judged. not out of the Book of Science, but out of the Book of Conscience. If thou wilt writ this book aright, Make it by the book of life, Christ. By conformity. writ it according to the example of the Book of life, the book of life is Christ: let the profession of thy faith be conformed to the rule of the doctrine of Christ: let the leading of thy life be conformed to the rule of the life of Christ. 4 Thy conscience will be good, Good. if it hath pureness in thy heart, truth in thy mouth, and honesty in thy actions. Use it a light. Use thy conscience for a light in all thy actions: for it will throughly show what are the good actions in thy life, and which are the bad. Fly this judgement Fly it in judgement of Conscience, in which one and the same is the guilty, the plaintiff in Law, the witness, the judge, the torturer, the prison, the whip, the executioner and hangman. No escape. What escaping can there been here, where the same that accuseth is the witness, and nothing can be hidden from him that judgeth? Else no profit. what profiteth it thee, if all praise thee, and thy Conscience accuse thee? what can it hurt thee, Hurt. if all derogate from thee, and thy Conscience alone defend thee? This judge alone is sufficient for every man to accuse him, Sufficient. to judge him, to condemn him. This is an uncorrupt Uncorrupt. judge, neither can he be won with prayers, nor corrupted with gifts. Wither so ever thou goest, wheresoever thou art, Present. thy conscience is always with thee, bearing with it, Register. whatsoever thou hast put into it, whether it been good or evil. This keeps for a man, Remembrancer. and restores to him when he is dead the charge which it received to be kept. So they of a man's own house, are his enemies indeed; so in thine own house, and of thine own Family, thou hast thine accusers, Accuser. observers, torturers. What profiteth it to live in the plenty of all abundance, and to been tormented with the scourge Scourge. of Conscience? the fountain of man's felicity, The fountain within. and misery is in the very mind. What doth it profit him that is afflicted with a burning Fever, to be placed in a golden Bed? what doth it profit him that is tormented with the Firebrands of his conscience, to rejoice in the abundance of outward felicity? As great a care Care. as thou hast of eternal salvation, so great also let thy care be of conscience: for when a good conscience For good conscience. is lost, faith is lost: when faith is lost, the grace of God is lost: when the grace of God is lost, Greatest loss. how can we hope for eternal life? Such as is the testimony of thy conscience, such a judgement shalt thou expect from Christ. The sinners, when none accuse them, or bring any thing into the midst against them, they themselves shall be made their own accusers. Self accusing. 5 As a drunken man, when he swills in much Wine, feels no hurt of the wine, but afterwards when he is raised up from his drowsiness and sleeping, Sin not at first felt. he feels the discommodities of drunkenness: so sin also, until it be finished, doth darken the mind, and as it were a thick cloud, doth shadow the brightness of true judgement: but then at length the conscience riseth up, Gnaweth at last. and gnaws more grievously than any accuser. 6 There are three judgements, Three judgements. the judgement of the world, World. the judgement of thyself, Thyself. and the judgement of God. But as thou canst not escape the judgement of God, God. so also thou canst not escape No escape. the judgement of thyself, although sometime thou escape the judgement of the world. Not walls do hinder, that this witness should not see thine actions. What excuse shall be able to defend thee, No defence. when the inward accusation doth condemn thee? The peace of conscience is the beginning of life eternal: thou shalt take more true and pleasant joy True joy of a good conscience in distress, then of a bad conscience amongst all worldly delights: against all the backbiting of ill-willers thou mayest confidently Confidence. turn the excuse of conscience. Ask thyself of thyself, because thou knowest thyself far better than any other man. In the last judgement what will other men's false praises avail thee, or what will other men's false backbitings hurt thee? thou shalt stand or fall to Gods or thine own judgement. Thou shalt not stand or fall Stand or fall by thy conscience. Eternal. to other men's testimony. The conscience never shall end, even as the soul never hath end. The joys of the saved shall endure so long, to lift them up on high in God's favour, as the defence of a good conscience doth last. The pains of hell In hell. shall so long press down the damned, as the accusation of conscience shall endure. Not outward fire doth so greatly afflict the body, as this inward flame doth grievously Most grievously. burn the soul. Eternal is the soul which is burned: eternal is the fire of conscience which burneth. Not outward scourges are so grievous to the body, as these inward wounds are tormenting to the soul. Fly therefore the guilt Fly guilt. of sin, that thou mayest escape the torment of conscience. Blot out thy sins Blot sin by true repentance out of the book of Conscience, that they be not read in judgement, and the voice of God's sentence be to be feared of thee. Kill the Worm Kill the worm. of Conscience by the heat of devotion, jest the gnawing thereof bring forth unto thee eternal horror. Quench this inward fire by thy tears, that thou mayest feel the pleasures of the heavenly cooling. Quench fire with tears. O Lord, grant that we may war a good warfare, fight a good fight, holding the faith, and a good conscience, that at last we may come safe and sound to the heavenly country. Quis verè pauper? Avarus. Who's poor indeed? the covetous. 42. Meditation. Of the avoiding of covetousness. AS acceptable as is the salvation of our souls, so odious aught the sin of covetousness Odious Covetousness. to been unto us. The covetous is the poorest of all men, because he wants as well that which he hath, as that which he hath not. The covetous is the most afflicted Afflicted of all men, because he is good to none, but he is worst to himself. 1 The beginning of all sin is pride, the root Root of ill. of all evil is covetousness, that by turning away from God, this by turning unto the creatures. Richeses cause sweat Richeses cause sweat. in the getting of them, they breed fear Fear. in the possessing of them, they bring forth grief Grief. in the losing of them: and that which is worse, the labour of the covetous is not only perishing, Perishing. but also killing: either thy riches do forsake thee, or thou them. 2 If therefore thou hope in riches, what will thy hope No hope. be in the hour of death? How wilt thou trust God with thy soul, Nor trust in God. The might if thou wilt not trust him with thy body? the Almighty God takes care of thee: wherefore dost thou doubt, left he cannot sustain thee? The wisdom. the most wise God takes care of thee, wherefore dost thou doubt, how he will sustain thee? The most bountiful Bounty. God takes care of thee, wherefore dost thou doubt, whether he will sustain thee? Thou hast the hand-writing By writing. of Christ, the Lord of all in heaven & earth, that nothing of those things which are needful for man shall be wanting to them which seek the kingdom of God: trust to this promise of Christ, he will not deceive, for he is the truth. 3 Covetousness is the root of all evil. As the brief of all goodness is in all charity, so the seeds and sum of holy wickedness, is in covetousness. What sin is there against God or man, but it springeth from covetousness? 4 Covetousness is the highest Idolatry, Idolatry. because it sets the creatures in the place of God: the covetous man doth translate the confidence that is due unto God, to the creatures: whatsoever is more loved than God, that is preferred before God: whatsoever is preferred before God, is set up in the place of God. Belly. 5 Esau sold the right of his birthright for pottage: so many s●ll the inheritance of the kingdom of Heaven, which is gotten by Christ, for to get temporal goods. 6 judas sold Christ for thirty pieces of silver: Silver. the covetous cell the grace of Christ for temporal riches. How can he aspire Hindereth to aspire. to the kingdom of heaven, which is every day full of the husks of hogs? how can he strive to God-ward in lifting up of his heart, which studies to find the rest of his soul in riches. Richeses are thorns, Richeses thorns. saith the Truth: he therefore that love's riches, love's very thorns. O Thornes, how many souls do ye choke! Choke. Thorns do hinder Hinder. the increase of the séed, so the care of riches doth hinder the spiritual fruit of the Word. Thorns afflict Afflict, the body with prickling, so riches do vex the soul with cares. 7 Thou shalt perish, They perish. if thou gather only perishing treasures. They that gather together treasures in the Earth, are like to them which lay up their corn in low and moist places, not regarding that there it will most quickly putrify. 8 How foolish Foolish end. are they that place the end of their desires in riches? how can a bodily thing fill the soul which is a spirit, Not fill the Spirit when rather the spiritual nature by his own virtue, doth so comprehend corporal things, that it is stretched forth by no quantity? The soul is created to eternity, thou dost injury Injury to eternity. unto her, if thou place the end of her desires in temporal To make her end temporal. and momentany things. 9 The soul, by how much the more it is lifted up unto God, The soul to God. by so much the more it is withdrawn from the love of riches. From riches. All things, by how much they are nearer to heavenly Near heaven. things, by so much they desire less, and gather together lesser things: as the fowls Like fowls. of heaven do neither sow nor reap. It is a great token that the soul doth think on heavenly, if she little esteem and contemn earthly goods. Not esteeming earthly things. The Mice Like mice and the creeping things do heap together in their caves, for they are of worse condition, and more ignoble nature than the Birds. 10 It is a great sign that the soul is turned away from God, Be not turned from God to love riches. and fastened to earthly things, if it cleave to riches with an inordinate love. 11 God hath given thee thy soul, and darest thou not trust Trust God. him with the care of thy flesh? God féeds the birds As Birds. of heaven, and dost thou doubt whether he will sustain thee, seeing thou art created to his own Image? God clotheses the Lilies And Lilies. of the field, and dost thou doubt whether he will provide thee clothing? Let it shame us, that faith and reason By faith & reason. cannot work that in man, which natural instinct doth work in the bird. The birds do neither sow nor They sow nor. reap, but commit the care of their little body unto God. The covetous do As covetous do. not give credit to the Word of God, before they have provided wherewith to sustain themselves. 12 The covetous man is most unjust: Unjust. Why? because he brought nothing into the world with him, and yet he is so careful of earthly goods, as if he should bear away very many things out of the World with him. 13 The covetous man is most unthankful: Unthankful. Why? because he enjoys much of God's goods, and is never carried up with a confidence of his heart, to the giver of those good things. The covetous man is most foolish. Foolish. Why? because he leaveth the true good, without which nothing is truly good, and cleaves unto that which without the grace of God is not good. 14 He that is entangled in the love of earthly things, doth not possess Possessed not possessing. them, but is possessed of them▪ Covetousness is neither extinguished by abundance, Not satisfied. nor want: it is not therefore diminished by want, By want: because the desire of having doth increase, when that cannot been obtained which is long desired: it is not therefore diminished by abundance, By abundance. because the covetous man by how much the more he gets, by so much the more he seeks. When that is gotten which was desired of covetousness, there is withal ministered as it were under hand, a new matter of desiring: New desire. and so after the manner of fire, Like fire. when it hath taken the Woods that it consumes, it increaseth. Covetousness is a Brook, Or a Brook increaseth. little in the beginning, but afterwards it increaseth unmeasurably. Set down therefore a bound Set bounds. to thy desire of riches, jest that desire draw thee to eternal destruction. From hell. Many devour in this life that which afterwards they digest in hell: many while they thirst after gain, run into present destruction. And destruction. 15 Thinking on these things, O devout soul, as much as thou canst, fly Fly. from covetousness. Thou shalt bear nothing Thou shalt carry nothing. of thy goods to judgement with thee, but that which thou hast given to the poor. But alms. Deny not to the poor thy perishing & frail goods, for whom Christ hath not refused to give his life. Give to the poor, Give to the poor. that thou mayest give to thyself: whatsoever thou hast not given to the poor, another shall have. 16 He is too covetous, to whom the Lord is not sufficient. The Lord sufficient. He doth not yet truly hope Not true hope in riches. for heavenly things, which doth much est●eme earthly goods. No love. How would he lay down his life for his brother which denies his brother whom he asks his temporal substance? The hand of the poor is the treasure of heaven, The poor heaven's treasure. that which it takes, is put in heaven, jest it perish in the earth. Wilt thou perform an acceptable duty to Christ? Christ. Exhibit a benefit to the poor: that good which is done to the members, the Head takes as done to himself. 17 Christ saith unto thee. Give Give to Christ. me of that, which I have given thee of thine own. Do good of thy good, that thou mayest get thee good. Give earthly things Earthly things. that thou mayest keep them because thou shalt lose them, by keeping them too sparingly. 18 Hear Christ's adminition, jest thou been enforced to hear him saying in judgement, Mat 25. 'Cause of damnation. Go ye cursed into everlasting fire: because ye have not fed me, when I was an hungered. Alms deeds are an holy séed, Seed and Harvest. as it is scattered sparingly or bountifully, the harvest will be either sparing or plentiful. If thou wilt be in the number of the sheep, Sheep. do some good also to the sheep. Uncharitable. Let the goats Goats. which are placed at the left hand terrify thee: not because they have taken away, but because they have not fed. Incline our heart, O God, to thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Sanctos dilectio signat. Love is the Saints mark. 43 Meditation. Of the properties of true Charity. TRue and sincere Charity, is the constant property of the godly. There is no Christian without faith, and no faith without charity: Charity Unseparable. where there is not the shining of charity, there also is not the heat of faith: remove light from the Sun, and thou mayst remove charity from faith: 1 Charity is the outward act of the inward life of a Christian A Christians life. man. A dead body is without breathing, so dead faith is without love. He is not Christ's, which hath not the Spirit Fruit of the Spirit. of Christ: he hath not the Spirit of Christ, which doth not show forth the gift of charity, because the fruit of the Spirit is love. Matth. 7. A good tree is not known, unless it been seen to bring forth good fruits. Charity is the bond of Christian perfection. Bond of perfection. As the members of the body are joined together by the spirit, that is, the soul: so the true members of the mystical body, are united in the bond of charity through the holy Ghost. 2 In the Temple of Solomon all things were laid over with gold True gold. within and without: so in the spiritual Temple of God, all things are adorned with charity within and without. Let charity move the heart to compassion: let charity move the hand to liberality. Compassion Compassion. is not sufficient, if there be not also outward liberality: Liberality. outward liberality is not sufficient, if there be not also inward compassion. Faith receives all from God: Charity on the other side gives all to his neighbour. Giving. 3 By faith we are made partakers of the divine nature, but God is charity. He that hath not charity, hath not God. Therefore where charity No charity, no faith. doth not show itself outwardly, let no man believe that there is faith within. No man believes in Christ, which doth not love Christ: no man love's Christ, but he which also love's his neighbour. He doth not as yet with true confidence No confidence. of heart apprehended the benefit of Christ, which denies a due office to his neighbour. 4 That is not a good work Not good work. indeed, which proceeds not of faith, neither is that a good work indeed, which proceeds not of charity. Charity is the séed of all virtues: Charity virtue's seed. there is no good fruit, but that which springs of the root of Charity. Charity is the spiritual taste of the soul. Souls taste. For this alone doth season all that is good, all that is hard, all that is full of adversity, all that is laborious. The taste of charity also doth make death most sweet: because love is strong as death, nay stronger than death: because love brought down Christ to death. Love also doth stir up Stirreth us up. those that are truly godly, that they doubt not to die for Christ. 5 All the works of God do proceed of love, yea, even punishments themselves: so let all the works To works. of a Christian man proceed out of charity. In all the creatures God hath set before us a lookingglass of love. All showeth love. The Sun and the Stars Stars. do not shine for themselves, but for us. The herbs Herbs. do not purge themselves, but our bodies. Elements. The air, the water, the brute beasts, Beasts, &c and all the creatures serve man: so do thou also give thyself wholly to do good to thy neighbour. 6 The knowledge of tongues The tongues comparing with charity. doth not profit without love, because without love the knowledge Knowledge. of tongues puffeth up, but love edifieth. The knowledge of mysteries doth not profit without love, because mysteries are also known to the devil, but love is only the true property of the godly. Faith Faith. also that removes mountains, doth not profit without love: because such a faith is only a miraculous, not a saving faith. 7 Charity excels the gift of working miracles: Better than miracles. because that is the indubitate note of true Christians: this is sometimes granted to the wicked. Alms. It profits not to distribute all our substance to the poor, if there be no charity, because the outward action is hypocritical, it there be not inward love. 8 The rivers of beneficence Beneficence: profit not, if they spring not out of the fountain of charity. Charity is patiented, Patience. because no man is easily angry with him whom he love's truly. Charity is bountiful: for he which hath given his heart the chiefest good of his soul, through love, how should he deny the outward things which are nothing so good? Charity envies not: Envies not because she beholds other men's goods as her own. Charity doth not frowardly, Not froward. because no man doth easily hurt him whom he love's truly, and from his soul. Charity is not puffed up, Puffed up. because by love we are made the members of one body, but one member doth not prefer itself before another. Charity doth not behave itself uncomely, Uncomely because it is the property of an angry man to behave himself uncomely, but charity is the bridle of anger. Charity doth not seek those things that are her own: Seeketh not her own. because that which one loves, he prefers before himself, and seeks the good thereof more than his own. Charity is not provoked: Not provoked. because all anger is out of pride, but charity casts itself below others. Charity doth Doth none ill. think no evil: because it is manifest that a man doth not truly love him, against whom he is known to plot evil. Charity rejoiceth Rejoiceth not in ill. not in iniquity, because charity makes other men's misery ● trowne. Charity endureth all Endureth all. things, it believeth all things, it hopeth all things, it sustaineth all things: for that which charity desires to have done to itself, she refuseth not to do to others: the tongues shall cease, prophesyings shall be abolished, and knowledge shall vanish away, Lasteth. but charity shall not cease: the imperfection thereof shall be complete in the life to come, and the perfection Perfected. thereof shall be increased in the life to come. 9 God commanded two altars to be set up in the Tabernacle, the fire from that without was translated to that within: God hath gathered together a twofold Church, Militant and Triumphant: the fire of love in time to come shall be translated Translated to triumph. from the militant to the triumphant. 10 Thinking on these things, (O devout soul) apply Apply love. thy 〈◊〉 to holy charity. Whosoever is thy neighbour, he is the man for whom Christ would die. Wherhfore then dost thou deny to lay out thy love on thy neighbour, To thy neighbour. when Christ did not doubt to spend his life for him: if thou lovest God truly, thou oughtest also to love his Image. God's Image. We are all one spiritual body, With one Spirit. therefore let there be one spiritual mind of us all. It is an unjust thing, that they should be at difference in the earth who sometimes must live together Must live together. in heaven. While our minds agree in Christ, let our wills also be conjoined: One household. we are the Servants of one Lord, it is not meet that we should be at difference between ourselves. That member of the body Body. is dead, which doth not feel the affection of another: let him not esteem himself a true member of the mystical body of Christ, which is not grieved with another member that suffers. 11 There is one God the Father One Father. of all, whom bring taught of Christ, thou dost daily call Father: how shall he acknowledge thee his true Son, vnl●ss● thou again acknowledge his sons for thy brothers? Love Love him that G●d commendeth. the man that is commended unto thee of God, if he be worthy, Worthy. because he is worthy whom thou lovest: but if he be unworthy, Unworthy love him therefore, because God is worthy to whom thou shouldst obey. By the love of man, thine enemy, Enemy. thou art showed to be the friend of God. Attend Attend not man, but God. not what man can do unto thee, but regard what thou hast done unto God. Attend not what injuries thine enemy doth thee: but regard what benefits He confers upon thee which commands thee that thou love thine enemy. We are neighbours in the condition of our earthly nativity, we are brethren in the hope of the heavenly inheritance, let us therefore love one another. Kindle in us (O God) the fire of charity by thy Spirit. Amen. Christi, mens casia, cubile. The chaste Soul Christ's chamber. 44. Meditation. Of the study of Chastity. HE that will be the true disciple of Christ aught to give himself to holy Chastity. Chastity necessary The most bountiful God is a chaste God chaste: and pure Spirit: him thou oughtest to call upon with chaste prayers. A certain wise man said, that chastity of the body, and sanctity of the soul, are two keys of Religion Two keys of religion. and happiness. 1 If the body be not kept pure and unspotted from whoredom, Whoredom. the soul can hardly be fervent in prayer. Hindereth prayer. Our body is the temple of the holy Ghost, we must take great heed that we defile not this holy habitation of the holy Ghost. Defileth God's temple. Our members are the members of Christ, we must take heed that we take not the members of Christ Prostitute Christ's members. and make them the members of an harlot. 2 Let us clean unto the Lord by faith and chastity, that we may be one Spirit with him. Let us not cleave unto an harlot, jest we be made one body One body with a harlot. with her. The Sodomites burning in lusts, were stricken of the Lord with blindness Punished with blindness. both corporal and spiritual. the same as yet this day is the punishment of unclean men. The lusts of the Sodomites were revenged with fire With fire. and brimstone that came down from heaven: so God will torment the heat of that evil concupiscence in whoremongers, with eternal fire: this fire is not put out, but the smoke of the torments doth ascend throughout all ages. Without Without heaven. that is to say, of the heavenly jerusalem, are dogs, that is to say, impure and libidinous men. 3 Christ doth wash us with his precious blood in Baptism: we must take great heed, that we defile not Defile not. ourselves with unclean lusts. By the guidance of Nature itself, wicked men do blush to commit such heinous sins in the sight of men, and yet they are not ashamed to commit them in the sight of God and the Angels. Before Angels And God Not walls do hinder the eyes of God, which are brighter than the Sun: no corners do exclude the presence of the Angels. E●●●p ● sent. Before Conscience. Not withdrawing places do take away the inward testimony of the Conscience. This is a wonderful thing, that the heat of luxury Luxury crye●h to heaven and hell. doth ascend as it were to heaven, when as yet the stink thereof doth descend to hell. That short pleasure Pleasure short. will bring forth eternal pain: it is but a momentany thing that delighteth, it is eternal that tormenteth: short is the pleasure of fornication, perpetual is the punishment Perpetual punishment. of the fornicator. Let mortify thee the cross. 4 Let the remembrance of him that was crucified, crucify in thee thy flesh. Let the remembrance of hell Hell. extinguish in thee the heat of concupiscence. Let the tears Tears. of repentance extinguish in thee the heat of lust. Let the love of God Love of God. kill thy flesh, jest carnal love deceive thee. Think that the desire of lust is full of anxiety and folly, the act of abomination Abomination of the lust. and ignominy, the end, of sorrow and shame. Look not on the flattering face of the devil, Devil's flattery. when he enticeth thee to lust, but his pricking tail when he flies from thee: think not on the short pleasure, but rather on the eternal damnation. 5 Love the knowledge of the Scriptures, Scriptures and thou shalt not love the vices of the flesh. Be always doing somewhat, Labour. that when the tempter comes, he may find thee busied. He deceived David in idleness, he could not deceive joseph in his business. 6 Think on death Death that hangs over thy head at all hours, and thou shalt easily despise all the pleasure of the flesh. Love's temperance, Temperance. and thou shalt easily overcome evil concupiscence: the belly that is hot with wine, doth quickly froth over into lust: chastity is endangered in dainties: if therefore thou feed thy flesh with immoderate dainties, thou nourishest thine own enemy. So must the flesh been nourished, that it may serve thee: so must it be tamed, that it be not proud. 7 Think on the terror of the last judgement, Last judgement. and thou shalt easily extinguish the heat of lust: the secrets of hearts shall be revealed, All manifest. how much more the deeds that were committed in secret? an account must then be rendered of unprofitable words: how much more of filthy speeches? an account must be given of filthy words; how much more of deeds? Accounted to be made of words, Deeds. as long as thy life hath been, so long Long. All. shall thine accusation been. As many as thy sins have been, so many shall be thine accusers: those thoughts, which with us are common, will not abide in the discussing. 8 What therefore doth it profit thee, that thy whoring should been hid for a time before men, when in the day of judgement it must be revealed Revealed. unto all men's eyes? what doth it profit thee to escape the judgement of an earthly judge, when as yet thou canst not escape the tribunal of the judge judged The judge not corrupt. that is above? thou canst not corrupt this judge with gifts, for he is a most just judge. Thou canst not overcome Overcome. him with prayers, for he is a most severe judge. Thou canst not escape Escaped. out of his Province and jurisdiction, for he is a most mighty judge. Thou canst not deceive Deceived. him with vain excuses, for he is a most wise judge. Thou canst not appeal from Appealed from. the sentence that he gives and promulges, for he is the supreme judge: there will been truth in the Inquisition, openness in the Publication, severity in the Execution. 9 Therefore, O devout soul unto God, let the terror Set before thee terror. of this judge be ever before thee, so the heat of lust shall not deceive thee. Been thou the Rose of Charity, the Violet of Humility, and the Lily of Chastity. Learn humility of Christ Christ's example. thine Husband, learn chastity also of him. Great is the dignity of Chastity, which was consecrated Consecrated. in the body of Christ. Great is the dignity of Chastity, because it makes a man to live in the flesh, besides the flesh. 11 As nothing is more vile then to be overcome of the flesh; so nothing is more glorious then to overcome the flesh. Neither are outward whoredoms only to been avoided, but also impure thoughts, Impure thoughts. because GOD is not only the judge of our exterior actions, but also of our interior cogitations. Piety is ofttimes hurt with the countenance; chastity is ofttimes hurt with the eyes. Hear what the Truth saith: He that looks Looks. upon a woman to lust The mischief of lust. after her, hath committed fornication already with her. As hard as the fight is here, so glorious is the victory. It is an hard thing to quench the burning of lust: it pricks on those that are not ripe of age, Ripe age. it sets young Yong. men on fire, it wearies the old Old. men and decrepit, it despiseth not cottages, it fears not Palaces. But as hard a thing as it is to fight here, so glorious Glorious victory. a thing it will been to triumph here. The first assaults must been repressed, neither is the fuel of evil cogitations to be put unto this flame. 12 The Apostle when he sets down how he must wr●Sstle with all vices, against fornication he commands not fight, but flight: By flight. Fly, saith he, fornication: for even as a strange beggar comes unto us with feigned simplicity, that he may deceive us: if we do not admit him, he goes away, if we suffer him to enter, he becomes a guest, Admit nor an i'll guest. he gathers strength, at last, if we agree thereto, he becomes a master: so the motions of evil concupiscence do prick us, if we give them not kind entertainment they departed. If thou wilt not have this enemy to rule over thee, receive him not into the house of thine heart. Conserve us, O God, in sanctity of soul, and chastity of body. Amen. Tandem Patientia victrix. Patience overcometh at last. 45. Meditation. Of the foundations of Christian Patience. REst thee, O devout soul, and patiently bear the Cross Bear the Cross. that is laid on thee of GOD. With Christ. Think on the Passion of Christ thine Husband. He suffered for all, Suffered for all. of all, in all. He suffered for all, even those which contemn that his precious Passion, Even enemies. and trample on his blood nefariously with their feet. He suffered of all: Of all. of his heavenly Father, Father. he is delivered, bruised: left of his beloved Disciples, Disciples. he is forsaken: of his own peculiar people People. the jews he is rejected, which prefer the Thief Barrabas before him: of the Gentiles Gentiles. he is crucified: refused by the Master-builders, to build upon the heathen Tyrants of Rome: Builders. he bears the sins of all men; therefore also he is afflicted of all men. All men. He suffered also in all. In all. His soul Soul. is heavy even unto death, & presseth down with the feeling of God's judgement, cries out that she is forsaken of God: all his members Members. do sweated out blood, his head Head. is crowned with thorns, his tongue Tongue. tastes a bitter cup, his hands Hands. and his feet Feet. are boared through with nails, his side Side. is wounded, his whole body Body. is scourged and stretched forth on the Cross. He suffered hunger, Hunger, etc. thirst, cold, contempt, poverty, reproaches, wounds, death, the Cross. Now how unjust a thing were it, that the Lord should suffer, So suffered the Lord. and the servant rejoice? how unjust a thing were it, that our Saviour Saviour. should be grievously punished for our sins, and that we should still take pleasure in them? how unjust a thing were it, that the head Head. should be afflicted, and the rest of the members should not grieve together with it? Nay, rather, as it behoved Christ, by his passion, to enter into the heavenly glory, so also it behoves us by many tribulations Fellow him by tribulation. to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 1 Think also on the large reward. Be patiented for the reward. The sufferings of this time are not worthy of the glory Glory. that is to come. How great so ever our suffering be, it is but temporal, nay sometimes but for a day: but that glory is eternal. Eternal. God doth diligently observe all our adversities, and will one day bring them into judgement: All come to judgement. how filthy a thing will it be therefore, in that most glorious meeting of the world, to been seen without the ornaments of the Cross Ornaments of the cross. and sufferings. He also will wipe away all tears Tears wiped. from the eyes of those that are his. 2 O happy Happy. tears, which the hand of such and so great a Lord shall wipe away! O happy cross, which shall find his reward in heaven! 3 David was not ten whole years in banishment, but forty Ten to forty. in the kingdom: A figure. here is prefigured the shortness of sufferings, but the eternity of the glory following. Moment to everlasting. It is but a moment of time in which the Saints are exercised by the cross: the mercies are everlasting, by which they are gathered together, and so surely to the morning's sorrows succeed the evenings' joys. Learn patience of the Saints. 4 Think moreover on the tribulation of all the Saints. Behold job job. mourning on the dunghill, john John. hungering in the wilderness, Peter Peter. stretched out on the cross, james james. beheaded of Herod's sword. 5 Behold Mary Marry the type of the Church. the blessed mother of our Saviour, standing under the Cross of her Son, which bears the Type of the Church, the spiritual mother of the Lord. 6 Blessed are ye, saith Christ, if they shall persecute you for my name, for so did they to the Prophets. Prophet. Consider the Martyrs of jesus, that shed their blood in the sight of all the world, and then ascended to heaven. O glorious persecution! which makes us conformable to the Prophets and Apostles, to the blessed Martyrs, yea, to all the Saints, nay, to Christ himself. Let us therefore suffer with those that suffer, Suffer with them. let us be crucified with those that are crucified, that we may been glorified with those that are glorified. But if we be sons, let us not detract the condition of the rest of the sons. If we do verily desire the inheritance of God, let us take it whole. Inheritance, joy with sadness. 7 But now the sons of God are not only the heirs of the joy and glory in the life to come, but also of sadness and sufferings in the life present, because God scourgeth every son To receive sons. that he receiveth. He punisheth their sins, that he may spare them in the judgement To spare at the judgement. to come: he multiplieth here their tribulation, that there he may multiply their reward, To multiply the reward. and so not so much the persecution, as the reward is multiplied. Benefit of the Cross 8 Think on the happy condition of the Cross. It doth extinguish the root of worldly love Rooteth out worldly love. in us, and doth sow the séed of the love of God in our hearts. The Cross engenders in us the hate of worldly things, Engendereth hate of the world. and lifts up our minds to heavenly things: when the flesh is mortified, the spirit life's, when the world waxeth bitter, Christ waxeth sweet. 9 Great is the mystery of the Cross, because by it God doth call us to contrition, Calleth to contrition to true fear, to the exercise of patience: let us open to him that knocks, and we shall hear what the Lord will speak in us. The sight of the Cross is contemned before the world, and before the carnal eyes of the outward man: it is glorious before God, Glorious before God. and before the spiritual eyes of the inward man. 10 What was accounted of the jews more vile and abject, than the suffering of Christ? As Christ's sufferings. but what was more worthy and precious in the eyes of God than it? as that which is the price for the sins of the whole world. So also the just is afflicted, the just man dyeth, and no man considereth it, but precious is the cross, precious is the death Precious death. of the Saints in the sight of the Lord. Trouble black. 11 Black is the Church, the Spouse of Christ outwardly, by reason of calamities and persecutions: fair inwardly, by reason of God's consolation. Consolation fair. The Church is a garden shut up, and every faithful soul, because no man knoweth the beauty thereof, but he that is in it. We shall never fully and perfectly feel the consolation of the Spirit, In spirit. unless our flesh be afflicted outwardly. 12 If the love of the world devil in us, there is no place for the love of God to enter: a full vessel cannot be filled with new liquor, Empty the pleasures of the world. unless that which was in before be evacuated: therefore let us pour out the love of the world that we may be filled with the love of God. Fill with God's love. 13 Therefore doth God, by the Cross, extinguish in us the love of the world, that there might been place for the love of God. Place for God. Besides, the cross drives us to prayers, Pray. and is the occasion of virtue. When the Northwind Northwind. blows upon the garden, that is, when persecutions exercise the Church, then do her sweet odours flow, Make odours flow. then are her virtues increased, which breathe out an acceptable smell before God. 14 The beloved Husband of the soul is white and ruddy: So Christ. white in his innocence, ruddy in his suffering: so also the beloved Spouse of Christ, Made white: Dan. 12. that she may be white in her virtues, is made read in her sufferings. And so the grace of God can bring forth oil and honey Oil and honey. out of the most hard stone of afflictions: so knows he out of the root of calamity to bring forth the most sweet fruit of eternal glory: To which the same grace promote us and bring us in. Amen. Spes confisa Deo nunquam confusa recedet. Hope departeth not with shame. 36. Meditation. How the temptation of perseverance is to be overcome. O Holy Lord jesus, the most dear husband of my soul, when will it been, that thou wilt lead me into the solemnity of thy marriage? When? Married. I am a pilgrim, and am in banishment from thee: but I most firmly believe, nothing doubting, Not doubting. that it will come to pass shortly, that being loosed out of the bands of thy body, I shall appear before the face. Fear 1. Fear. and trembling are come upon me, because I bear my treasure in earthen vessels, my mind is prove to errors, my will is prove to sins: Prove to sin. whereupon the Spirit is not always ready in me, but the flesh is always weak. Not ready Sin leads me captive, and the law of my members doth resist the law of my mind. Fear and trembling are come upon me, because Satan 2. Satan. lays wait for my treasure: his craft is great, his desire to hurt is most earnest, his power is greatest. 1 He deceived Deceived. Adam in Paradise, judas in the School of our Saviour: how shall I poor wretch be secure from his deceits? Fear and trembling are come upon m●e, because I am as yet in the world, 3. World. which is wholly set upon wickedness: the delights Delights. of the world do invite me, the adversities Adversities. in the way of the Lord do affright me, sometimes the enticements Enticements. of the world please me well, all the world is full of snares; Snares. how shall I poor wretch been able to escape them? joy joy.. oppugnes me, Sorrow. sadness oppugnes me: how shall I poor wretch be able to stand? Fear and trembling are come upon me, because it is God 4: God. which works in me both to will and to do. I fear jest perchance my negligence and carelessness cause God to take away Take away. that good will also which he hath given me. I do unworthily use the remission of sins, and refuse the first grace that was given gratis: whereupon I fear, jest by the secret and the just judgement of God, that be taken worthily from me which I unworthily use. I fear jest I be forsaken Forsaken, of him, whom after my first conversion I have often forsaken. How grievously am I tormented, thinking that a grievous and a more severe judgement judgement. doth follow these benefits of God, if I use them unworthily? 2 But the infinite mercy of God doth lift me up, 1 Lifted up by mercy. who as he hath given me to will, so he will give me also to do his will, because he is God, and is not changed. His mercy also is confirmed Confirmed upon me, and shall not be changed. The foundation of God abideth firm: therefore firm, because it is in God himself, with whom there is no varying. Without varying. Therefore firm, because it is confirmed by the blood of Christ, By Christ's blood. which speaks always before the Throne of God. Therefore firm: because it is sealed Sealed. up with the sure seals of the Sacraments. Not the lest in my sell e. 3 If I should sake but for a very little of my salvation in myself, than might I well doubt of my salvation: but as all my righteousness, so all my hope of salvation is in Christ. If out of mine own will I had laid hand on Christ, I might very well fear jest my will Not my william. being changed, I might lose Christ. But he which was found of him that sought him not, 2 But in him that sought me. he undoubtedly after he is once found, will not withdraw himself. He that hath drawn me Drew me. out of the shadow of death, to the participation of light, he will not suffer me to be thrust out to the former darkness. 4 The gifts and calling of God are unchangeable Vnchangably. of the part and will of God: I would that I myself also were unchangeable in that which is good: that treasure is always present, but the hand that lays hold on it, doth sometime languish. 5 But I shall been able to lay hand on Christ, Christ giveth promise'. who as he hath revealed himself in his Word and promises, so he will grant most benignly, that I may give credit to his word and promises. Credence. With the help and safeguard of prayer Help of prayer. I will guard my faith, neither will I let the Lord out of the chamber of my heart, before salvation come unto me. I shall be able to be kept by the power of God to salvation, the power of the Lord doth lift me up 4 Gods power lifteth up. and comfort me, but mine infirmity doth cast me down, and make me sad. 6 Yet the power of the Lord will be brought to pass in mine infirmity, he will strengthen Strengtheneth. me, from whom comes all the strength of faith. The grace of GOD 5 Gods grace. doth lift me up, but mine unworthiness doth affright me. 7 But if I were worthy, now it should not be a grace, but a hire: No hire. if of works, than not of grace: for grace cannot by any means be grace, unless it be every way free. But free. The blessed Spirit of God doth lift me up. Mine own spirit doth cast me down with sad sighs and groans. But the Spirit of God doth help me, and in the midst of my sighs that would 'cause me sink, lifteth my sighs to God, as to my Father, with greatest assurance. Therefore I do not look unto my works. He will correct Correct. that which is amiss he will supply Supply. that which wants, he will abolish Abolish. that which is sin: that which he will not impute unto me, is even as if it were not: my salvation therefore is only in God, and thereupon sure. Saturday, Evening Prayer. Saving us from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate us, what dost thou require of us, merciful and gracious God: but that we should serve thee in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our lives? Which, that we may the better do, thou hast given us thy Word to be the square and Line by which we should walk, and furnishing us with many rules of godly living, commandest that we walk according to these rules, and promisest a blessing to us, if we so walk. Give grace therefore, O thou fountain of all grace, that observing all good precepts, and following all good rules, I may learn and do these things especially, namely, love thee my God only: follow the holy example of the life of thy Son: have a care of my conscience in all mine actions, to keep it pure and undefiled: keep the fire of charity ever burning on the Altar of mine heart: take heed of all fleshly pollution and uncleanness, that so I may possess my vessel in honour: take up and bear my cross with all patience, and rely always on thy grace and favour, nothing doubting of final perseverance in thy Son Christ jesus, our Lord and Saviour, to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all praise, honour, glory, dominion, power, now and evermore. Amen. Sunday, Morning Prayer. THis is the day, O Lord, that thou hast made for thyself, that it should be kept holy unto thee, wherein abstaining from all servile labours and works of the flesh, thy servants should hear thy Word, praise thy Name, and meditate on thy Works: unto which godly exercises, that I may be more religiously inclined, strengthen me, O Lord, with thine assistance, that in thy power I may thrust out of the house of my heart, all evil and strange guests, shake from my hands all wicked and unlawful works, and put off from my feet the shoes of mine own affections, that so I may prepare a clean & quiet lodging for thy spirit in my soul, that so I may be the better fitted to compass thine Altar, having beforewasht mine hands in innocency, and to tread within the Courts of thine house (O my God) where the ground is holy. O thou that hast the key of David, that openest and no man shutteth, and shutest, and no man openeth; open mine eyes this day, that I may behold the wonderful things in thy law, thy wonders in the world; shut them, that they behold not vanity, to have pleasure therein, or to seek after leasing. Open thou mine ears, that I may harken to the Word of Truth; shut them, that I hear not the lying words of wickedness, nor the songs of sinners. Open thou my lips, and my tongue, that they may speak to thy praise; shut them, that no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth. Open my heart, that it may receive the instruction of life: shut it against all wickedness, arising from mine own corruption, or proceeding from the devil's suggestion, that it enter not to lodge deep in me. Defend me, O Lord, this day from evil thoughts, from evil words, from evil works, and grant that I may keep it holy unto thee, meditating therein on thy Word, on all thy benefits, and on all thy goodness, and deliverances, studying therein, as also in the whole course of my life, holiness, and applying myself wholly thereunto, that so leading here an uncorrupt and holy life, and doing that which is right, I may be thought worthy hereafter to devil in thy Tabernacle, and to rest on thy holy hill, enjoying there thy blessed presence, and living in the light of thy countenance, everlastingly partaking of thine happiness, O blessed and everliving God. Cum Christo surgere vita est. It is life to rise with Christ. 47. Meditation. Of the spiritual Resurrection of the godly. THe Resurrection of Christ doth not avail thee, unless Christ also rise in thee. Christ rise in thee. As Christ must be conceived, borne, live in thee, so he must also rise again in thee. Death First death goeth before all rising again, because nothing but that which hath fall'n, riseth again: so also is it in the spiritual resurrection, Christ doth not rise again in thee, unless Adam Of Adam. first die in thee: the inward man doth not rise again, unless the outward man been first buried. Than riseth new life. The newness of the Spirit will not come forth, unless the oldness of the flesh be first hidden. Neither is it sufficient that Christ rise again once Not once. only in thee, because the old Adam cannot be extinguished in one moment, the old Adam will daily But daily. begin to live again in thee: therefore daily extinguish it, that Christ may daily begin to live in thee. 1 Christ did not ascend into heaven, First rise. neither did he enter into his glory, before he rose again from death: so thou canst not enter into the glory of heaven, Than enter heaven unless Christ first rise again in thee, and live in thee. He is not a part of the mystical body of Christ, in whom Christ life's not, neither shall any be brought of Christ to the Church triumphant, To triumph. but he which hath been a part of his body in the Church militant. 2 Betrothing Rising, a betrothing goes before marriage; the soul shall not be brought unto the marriage of the heavenly Lamb, which is not betrothed to Christ by faith in this life, and sealed with the earnest of the holy Spirit. Therefore let Christ rise again, and live in thee, that thou mayest live with him for ever. 3 This is the first resurrection: blessed and holy Holy. is he, which hath part in the first resurrection, on him the second death shall have no power. 4 If in the resurrection of the bodies thou wilt come forth to life; To life. Christ must every day rise again in thee in this life. When Christ did rise again, the Sun did rise: 1 Sun rose. so if Christ do rise again in thee spiritually, the light of the saving knowledge Knowledge rise. of God, will rise in thy soul. How can there been the light of the saving knowledge of God, where as yet the darkness of most grievous sins hath place? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, how then can there be heavenly wisdom, Wisdom where the fear of the Lord hath never had place? But he which is destitute of the light of the knowledge of God in this life, how can he be made partaker of the eternal light Light. in the life to come? The sons of light only pass to the eternal light: the sons of darkness to the eternal darkness. 5 When Christ rose again, he triumphed 2 Triumphed. over death: so he in whom Christ riseth again spiritually, hath passed from death to life, To life. neither can he be overcome of death, in whom liveth the conqueror of death. 6 Christ rising again, hath brought with him perfect righteousness: 3 Christ bringeth righteousness. for he died for our sins, and rose again for our righteousness. So also he in whom Christ riseth again spiritually, is justified from sin. For how should sin have place there, where the perfect righteousness of Christ doth live and flourish? To live and flourish. But that righteousness of Christ is applied unto us by faith. 7 Christ rising again brought back the victory from Satan, 4 Satan's. because in his descent into hell he destroyed his kingdom, he spoiled his palace, he broke his weapons. Weapons broke. So also against him in whom Christ riseth again spiritually, Satan can not prevail, neither can he be overcome Cannot overcome. of Satan, in whom life's the conqueror of Satan. When Christ rose again, there was a great earthquake: Earthquake. that spiritual resurrection with Christ, goes not without serious commotion and contrition Contrition necessary. of heart. 8 That old Adam cannot been extinguished in thee, without striving Strive. and resistance: therefore also Christ cannot rise again in thee spiritually, without great commotion. There is no spiritual resurrection with Christ, unless there be an abolishing of sin: For the abolishing of sin. there is no abolishing of sin, unless there go before an acknowledgement of sin: there is not as yet true acknowledgement of sin, unless there be a serious contrition By contrition. of the heart: therefore there is no spiritual resurrection with Christ, unless there go before an inward contrition of the heart. 9 Holy Ezechiah As Ezekiah. said, he hath broken all my bones in pieces like a Lion: see a great commotion. But by and by he addeth: O Lord, so they shall live, and in such is the life of my spirit: thou shalt rebuke me, and quicken me, thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. Rose from sin. See the spiritual resurrection from sins. 6 Angels come. Christ rising again, the Angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and sat upon the sepulchre: so if Christ rise again in thee spiritually, thou shalt enjoy the society For thy society. of the Angels. Where the old Adam life's, as yet, and reigns, there is an acceptable Chamber for the devil: but where Christ life's and reigns, there the Angels rejoice to devil for it is written that there is joy in heaven on a sinner that repenteth. 10 But where there is true repentance, No rising, no grace. there also Christ riseth again spiritually. Where Christ hath not yet risen again spiritually, there is not as yet the grace of God. But where there is not as yet the grace of God, there also is not the custody of the Angels. Nor Angels. Where Christ hath not as yet risen again spiritually, there as yet reigns the old Adam: but where reigns the old Adam, there sin But sin. reigns: where sin reigns, there the devil reigns: And Satan reigns. but what communion can there be of the Angels with the devil? Christ rising again, appeared 7 Appeared. to his Disciples, and shown himself to them alive: so if thou be made partaker of the spiritual resurrection by faith, To appear in thee. show thyself a lively member of Christ through love. A man is not judged to be alive, if he do not manifest the works of life By life. outwardly. Where Christ is, there is also the holy Ghost: where the holy Ghost Of the holy Ghost. is, there he drives and sets forward to every good work: because they which are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. As a son. 11 If therefore we live in the spirit, let us walk also in the spirit. The light of the Sun doth disperse the brightness of his beams every way, the light of faith Faith spreadeth. doth diffuse the heat of charity round about. Take away light from the Sun, and thou mayest separate charity from true faith. Sins are dead works: Sin's works dead if thou walkest in dead works, how dost thou live in Christ, & Christ in thee? Sins pertain to the old Adam: Pertain to the old man. if the old Adam reign as yet in thee, how hast thou risen again spiritually with Christ? Sins pertain to the oldness of the flesh: Flesh. if thou walkest in the oldness of flesh, how doth the new man live in thee? Raise us Raise us. up, O good jesus, from the death of sin, that we may walk in newness of life. Let thy death kill the old Adam By killing Adam. in us, let thy resurrection call back our inward man to life: let thy blood wash us from sins: let thy resurrection put upon us the garment of righteousness. After thee, O true life, do we sigh, Sigh for life. that are dead in sins: after thee, O true righteousness, For righteousness. do we sigh, that are turned away through sins: After thee, O true salvation, For salvation. do we sigh, that are damned for sins: quicken us, justify us, save us. Amen. Sunday Noon. Psal. 84.1, 2 O how amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord of Hosts! My soul hath a desire & longing to enter into the Courts of the Lord: My heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. For one day in thy Courts is better than a thousand. Psal. 27.4. One thing have I desired of the Lord, which I will require, even that I may devil in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to visit his Temple. Christi re verere tribunal. Reverence the throne of Christ. 48. Meditation. Of the last judgement. THe Father judgeth no man, but hath given all judgement to the Son. I know, O Lord jesus, that thou which art to come a severe judge Christ the judge. of all men, wilt bring to light All come to light. the hidden deeds, words, & thoughts of men. Above us will be the severe judge, Every way fearful. beneath us gaping hell, within us a gnawing conscience, without us burning fire, on our right hand our sins accusing us, on our left hand the devils affrighting us, there will be the good Angels driving us from heaven, and the evil drawing us to hell. Refuge. O Lord jesus, in these my distresses, to whom shall I fly? I fear all my works, knowing that thou dost not spare any one that sins. 1 I shall be set between time and eternity: the time is past, the infinite spaces of eternity Eternity. do yet remain. The evil spirits Evil spirits drawing. will search out the evil works which they have persuaded: in the most severe judgement they will bring forth all things, that they may draw my soul as a fellow with them to their torments. 2 All the power of the heavens shall melt Heaven's melt. away, and the heavens shall be folded together like a book: Stars fall. their whole array shall fall away, even as a leaf falls away from a Vine or a Fig-trée. The Sun shall wax read, Sun read. and the Moon shall be confounded. But if these the works of thine hands, Where the sinners. which never have committed any evil, fly from thy sight, how can I a wretched sinner, appear before thy face? The heavens of heavens are not clean Heaven's unclean. before thee: how should then wretched I which drink iniquity like water? But if the just shall scarce been saved, where shall the sinner appear? whither therefore shall I fly? to whom shall I turn me, The judge our refuge. but to thee. O Lord? Thou shalt be the judge of my sins, which hast died for my sins: Which died for us. for the Father judgeth no man, but hath delivered all judgement to the Son. The Father hath delivered Delivered by the Father. the judgement to the Son, but the Son again was delivered for our sins: for so God loved the world, that he did give joh. 3.16. Given. his only begotten Son, not that he should condemn the world, but that the world might be saved by him. 3 How therefore wilt thou judge me, O Lord jesus, whom thou art sent of the Father that I may been saved by thee? thou hast performed the will of thy Father in all things: how therefore shalt thou not perform it in saving In saving. me a poor wretch? It is not the will of thy Father, that one of the little ones The little ones. perish: I also am a little one in thy sight, a little one also in mine own sight. For what am I, but dust Dust. & ashes? and not only dust and ashes, but also too little and small in the proficience Not proficient. of piety: perform therefore in me a little one, the will of thy Father. 4 Thou camest, O jesus, to save that which was lost, how therefore canst thou judge him that desires to be saved? Desiring salvation. Accusers. Sinne. Christ taketh sin away. My sins will accuse me, and require the severe sentence of the judge: but thou hast translated my sins on thee, thou takest away the sins of the world: how not mine also? How shalt thou condemn me for my sins, which dyeest for them? Thou died'st for the sins Died for sins. of the whole world, how not for mine also? yea, O Lord jesus, if thou wouldst judge me severely, what had constrained thee to come down from heaven into the flesh, to death, Causes of his humility. to the Cross? 5 The devils will accuse me, and require the works of my soul, Satan. which they have persuaded her unto. judgeth Satan. But the prince of this world is judged, neither hath he any thing in thee. But if he hath not any thing in thee, neither hath he any thing in me: for I believe in thee, O Lord, therefore thou abidest in me, and I in thee. 6 He will accuse me thy friend, That accuseth. Friend. he will accuse me thy brother, he will accuse me the most beloved Son Son. of the eternal Father. How therefore wilt thou severely judge thy friend, Than do not judge him. Moses accuseth. thy brother, and thy son? Moses will accuse me in that judgement, he will say that I am cursed, because I have not kept all those things that are written in the Book of the Law. 7 But thou, O Christ, wert made a curse for me, that thou mightest free me from the curse Free from the curse. of the Law. By desiring a blessing. I shall be cursed of Moses, but blessed of thee: for I desire to hear that voice; Come ye blessed, possess the kingdom of my Father. Moses will accuse me, Christ accuseth not. but thou wilt not accuse me with my Father, but wilt make intercession for me. Therefore I do not fear the curse of Moses, because thou hast taken away the hand-writing Handwriting canceled. which was against me. 8 The damned 4 Damned will accuse me, and proclaim me guilty of the like fault with them. I confess, O Lord jesus, that guiltiness doth join me together with them: but the acknowledging of that guiltiness: and the saveing knowledge of thee doth disjoin Disjoined by knowledge, me from them. 9 He which hears thy Word, and believeth him which hath sent thee, hath life eternal, neither shall he come into judgement. I hear thy Word, O Lord: I believe in thee with a weak faith but yet with faith. I believe, Hearing. Faith. Weak. Yet faith. Lord, but help mine unbelief. I believe, Lord, but increase my faith. Although I am not free from the sins of all the damned: yet from incredulity alone thou wilt free me, O Lord. 10 All those accusers Accusers fearful. affright me: but thou the judge dost confirm me. To thee the father hath delivered all judgement, All Christ's he hath given all things into thy hands: but again he hath delivered thee for us all, Christ for all. thou also hast delivered thyself for thy Church, that thou mightest sanctify it, and cleanse it in the bath of water in the Word. How shalt thou judge them with severe judgement, judgeth not his. for whom thou hast delivered thyself to death, even the death of the cross? Thou wilt not hate thy flesh, we are members of thy body, of thy flesh, and of thy bones. Flesh and bones. Think, O devout soul, of this refuge and assurance at the last judgement. And O sweet judge, every day assure me of my justification that I may lift up my head at thy glorious coming, because it shall be the day of my redemption. Amen. Semper mens respice sursum. Soul ever look aloft 49 Meditation. Of the desire of eternal Life. O Devout soul, thou oughtest not to love the fading life, but rather the abiding. Ascend Ascend to Youth. Life, joy.. thither by desire, where there is youth without age, life without death, joy without sadness, a kingdom A kingdom. without change. If beauty delight thee, Beautiful as the Sun the just shall shine as the Sun. If swiftness or strength, Strength of Angels. Life eternal. Fullness of glory. Melody of Angels. the elect shall be like the Angels of God. If a long and healthful life, there is sound eternity, and eternal soundness. If fullness, the elect shall been filled when the glory of the Lord shall appear. If melody, there the Quires of Angels sing together without end. If cleanly pleasure, Pleasure. God will make his drunken, out of the river of this pleasure. If wisdom, Wisdom the wisdom of God will show itself unto us. If friendship, Friendship they shall love God more than themselves, they shall love one another as themselves, and God will love them more than themselves. 1 If concord Concord. delights us, all there shall have none ill. If power, all things All things shall be easy to the elect, they shall desire nothing that they shall not be able to do: nay, they shall desire nothing but that which God will have them will and desire. If honour Honour. and riches delight thee, God will appoint his faithful servants over many things. If true security, Security. there they shall be certain that that good will never fail them: Good faileth not. By loss. as they shall be sure that they shall not lose it of their own accord: neither that God that love's them, will take it away from those that love him against their will: Taking away. neither that any thing mightier than God, shall separate God and them, Separation. being unwilling. 2 Whatsoever the Elect can desire, Desires. there they find, because they behold him face to face, which is all things. Infinite. So great are the good things of that life, that they cannot be measured: so many, that they cannot be numbered: so precious, that they cannot been esteemed. There will be eternal soundness Soundness. of bodies: there will be the greatest pureness Pureness. of minds: there will be the fullness Eulnesse. of God's glory and pleasure: there will be perpetual familiarity Familiarity. of the Angels and Saints: there will be an admirable clearness Clearness. of their bodies. 3 The Elect shall rejoice for the pleasantness of the place, Rejoice in the place. which they shall possess: for the sweet society Society. in which they shall reign: for the glorification Glorification. of the body which they shall have: for the world World. which they have contemned: for hell Hell. which they have escaped 4 The lest crown Excellent Crown. of eternal life shall be more excellent than a thousand worlds: because that is infinite, but these all are finite: Neither is the envy No envy. of unequal brightness, there to be feared, because the unity of charity shall reign in all, by reason of that greatest charity and love. Whatsoever happens unto one of the Elect, All joy. shall make the rest so joyful, as if it were given to themselves. God possessed. 5 There is no greater good in heaven and earth than God, therefore also there can been no greater and perfecter joy then to see God, to possess God: Incomparable joy. therefore also to see God but for one moment, will overcome all joys. For we shall see God in himself, God in us, and ourselves in God. In the way of this life we have Christ with us, but covered under the veil of the Word and Sacraments, but we do not know him by certain knowledge: in the life to come we shall behold him face to face, 1 Joh. 3. See Christ when he shall distribute unto us the bread of eternal satiety: even as the Disciples did not know Christ in the way, but at last in the house, when he did break bread unto them. 6 That heavenly jerusalem hath not a Temple made with hands, neither the Sun nor the Moon, because the temple thereof for ever is God, the brightness God brightness. and light thereof. Vision shall succeed faith, comprehension hope, perfect fruition Perfect fruition. love. No noise. 7 In the building of the Temple of Solomon, the voice of an axe and hammer was not heard: so in the heavenly jerusalem, neither is pain nor tribulation felt: Not pne. because the matter of this Temple, that is to say, the spiritual stones, were prepared All prepared. now before in the world by tribulations. Soul a Queen. 8 The Queen coming to Solomon, is the Soul going to Christ into the heavenly jerusalem: she goes in with a great troop of holy Angels, with gold and precious stones of diverse virtues. She will wonder at the wisdom of Christ Wondering at Christ's wisdom. the King, and at the order of his Ministers, the Angels and Saints. The fullness of the meat of his table, Table. that is, of eternal refection: the preciousness of his garments, Garments that is, the glorification of our bodies: the fairness of his house, House. that is, the greatness of the heavenly Palace: the multitude of his Sacrifices, Sacrifices. that is, of divine praises. She will confess, being stricken into amazedness, that she could not believe those things, which she now sees with her eyes. Into this most glorious, and most desired presence, the soul is brought by the most comfortable and heavenly Spirit, with seven burning bright Lamps, that will reveal to her all the secrets of this blessed kingdom formerly not manifested, that hereby the soul shall look no way, whence unspeakable glory shall not make the soul shine with glory. 9 Therefore let the faithful soul lift herself up▪ and consider Consider. the good things that are provided for her: thither must we direct the spirit, Direct the spirit. whither it is sometime to go. Go. We must strive to go thither in time, where we must abide for all eternity. He shall not enter into this glory of his Master, With desire. which doth not desire to enter. 10 Thou hopest to appear sometime before the face of God, therefore thou must study holiness, Than study holiness because he himself is holy. Thou expectest the society of the heavenly Angels, Beware of sin. Desire not temporal. see therefore jest by thy sins thou drive their ministry from thee. Thou hopest for eternal things, wherefore then dost thou so greatly desire temporal? Thou seekest a city to come, wherefore then dost thou desire here a continuing place? Thou desirest to come unto Christ, wherefore then dost thou fear death? It is his part to fear death, Desire not to be here. which would not go unto Christ. Thou desirest to enter into the heavenly jerusalem; Fear no death. Defile not thyself. wherefore then dost thou defile thyself with so many and so great sins? when as yet it is written, that nothing defiled shall enter into it. Thou desirest hereafter to enjoy the tree of life, thou must first lay hold on Christ Lay hold on Christ. the true tree of life, in this life, by true faith, because it is written: Blessed are they which wash their long robes in the blood of the Lamb, that they may have power on the tree of life, The tree of life. and may enter through the gates into the City. Without are dogs Without are dogs: Murderers. and sorcerers, take heed therefore of uncleanness: without are murderers, take heed therefore of wrath: without are those that serve Idols, Idolaters. take heed therefore of covetousness: without are liars, Liars. take heed therefore of all the malice of sin. 10 If thou desirest to enter into the marriage of the Lamb, desire the coming of the Bridegroom: Desire the Bridegroom. the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. If thou hast not the earnest of the Spirit, by which thou mayest cry, that the Lord come, the Bridegroom will not lead thee into the heavenly wedding: thou art not the Bride, Else thou art no Bride. if thou desirest not the coming of the Bridegroom. Wilt thou have a place in the new heaven, and the new earth, why then dost thou cleave unto these old things? Cleave not to old things. wilt thou be made partaker of the Creator, why dost thou cleave to the beggarly creatures? Creatures. Dost thou look for a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in heaven, why then dost thou not desire that the earthly house Earthly house. of this our habitation be dissolved? dost thou desire to been clothed upon? why then dost thou not look that thou be not found naked? Be not naked. If in this life the holy Trinity doth not devil in thy heart by grace, it will never devil in thee in the life to come through glory. Begin here. If in this life thou dost not taste the beginning of eternal felicity, thou shalt never perceive the full compliment thereof. Coelestis curia nostra est. Christ's Court is ours. 50 Meditation. Of the most sweet company of the Angels in heaven. IN the resurrection of the dead, they shall neither be married, neither shall they marry wives, but they shall be like the Angels Like Angels. of God in heaven. Can any man set out this dignity Great dignity. of the blessed, with worthy praises? Into what man's heart hath this glory of the blessed ascended? The elect being renewed by the glory of the resurrection, without any fear Without fear. of death, without any spot Spot. of corruption, shall enjoy the saving vision Saving vision. of God. 1 I saw the Lord face to face, Face to face. and my soul was made whole, cryeth out the holy Patriarch. Now if the momentany vision of God could bring so great an heap of joy; what may his eternal Eternally. vision do? If the beholding of God, appearing in the shape of man, brought to the soul health and life, then undoubtedly the sight of him face to face will bring eternal life and beatitude. Blessed. 2 What then can happen further to this felicity? what can the elect desire besides the sight of God? yet nevertheless they shall enjoy the most blessed and sweet society of the Angels. Society of Angels. Similitude Neither shall they only enjoy their fellowship, but they shall also been like unto them in the agility, clearness, and immortality of their bodies. Of clothing. We shall be clothed with the same garment as they, in white robes standing before the Throne of the Lamb: we shall sing Sing. an everlasting song to the Lord: we shall shine Shine. in the same crown of virtues: we shall rejoice Rejoice. in the same privilege of immortality. 3 Manoah cries out, we have seen the Angel of the Lord, and we shall die: but we shall see a thousand thousand, and ten thousand hundred thousand Angels, and shall live for ever. And live ever. 4 Now if we shall be like unto the Angels, than it is no more to be feared, jest we may be separated Never separated. from them by the dissimilitude of sins. We shall put off the ragged coat of our sinful nature, and our nakedness shall be covered with the garment of salvation, and we shall be clothed Clothed. with the most bright Bright. robe of innocence. Not evils. None is hurt there, none is angry, none envies, no covetousness inflameth, no ambition of honour or power provoketh. We shall not be burdened with the weight of our sins, Burden of sins. neither shall we be compelled to bewail the blemishes of our sins with penitent tears. Tears. Neither are the deadly wounds Wounds. of the soul any more to be feared: for the Lion of the Tribe of judah hath overcome the world, and we have overcome in his strength, and our wounds are healed by his happy victory. 5 Again, if we shall been like unto the Angels, then shall there been no desire of meat No meat. or drink. God will be our meat, in whose delight we shall be satisfied. God will be our meat, who alone refresheth and fails not. The blessed shall neither hunger No hunger. nor thirst: the heat No heat. and the Sun shall not smite them: because he that hath mercy upon them shall govern them. God shall give them drink Drink. at the springs of waters, there the streams of living waters shall flow out of their belly: Floweth out of the belly. there is prepared a banquet of fat things, full of marrow, a banquet Banquet. of the pure vintage. 6 We shall feast, Feast. and we shall rejoice, and we shall triumph, by reason of the joy of our hearts. O Lord jesus, these things shall been performed in Spirit and Truth: In spirit and truth. of the fruit of the Vine shall we drink in the kingdom of thy Father, but in Spirit and truth. For the words which thou hast spoken unto us, are spirit and life, And life. and in the words of this word thou dost declare the joys of the life to come. Again, if we shall be like unto the Angels, than the fear of death No death shall be taken away, death shall be swallowed up in victory, death shall be cast down headlong for ever: and God shall wipe away all tears Tears wiped. from the eyes of his people. 7 Therefore there shall be joy joy.. without sadness, which contains everlasting gladness: there shall been health Health. without grief; life Life. without labour; light Light. without darkness, love Love.. shall never wax cold, joy shall never decrease, groaning shall not be heard: neither shall grief No grief be felt, no sad thing shall be seen, rejoicing shall always be had. There shall be the chiefest and certain security, Security. secure tranquillity, quiet pleasure, pleasant felicity, happy eternal blessedness, the blessed Trinity, Blessed vision of the Trinity. the unity of the Trinity, and the Trinity of the unity, and the blessed vision of the Deity. 8 Lift up thyself, O my soul, and weigh more deeply the honour Weigh the honour. that is bestowed upon us of Christ. We shall be associated to the troops of Angels, Society of mighty Angels. and Archangels, to Thrones and Dominions, to Principalities and Powers. Neither shall we only been associated unto them, but also we shall been like unto them. Like them. The Angel that kept us. We shall there know the Angel appointed to keep us in our life, neither shall we want his ministry, but we shall rejoice in his sweet society. We shall not desire his protection, No need of his protection. but we shall be glad in his sweet company, and we shall behold his brightness with eyes that are made bright. Again, Behold him. if we shall be like unto the Angels, than our frail weak mortal bodies shall be changed, and shall be made spiritual, Spiritual bodies. nimble, immortal. They shall been bright, Bright. because they are near unto God, which dwelleth in the light that no man can attain unto, and is clothed with light. They shall be incorruptible, Incorruptible. because they shall been like unto the Angels: nay, unto the glorified body of Christ: like I say to Christ Like Christ. at his transfiguration, when he appeared in his glory, where his face did shine as the Sun, and his garments were whiter than any Fuller can make, even glistering as the light. Here Saint Peter confessed it was good being, and such shall been the glory of the Saints. They are sown here in corruption, they shall rise again in incorruption: they are sown in dishonour, they shall rise again in glory: Glorious. they are sown in weakness, they shall rise again in power: Powerful it is sown a natural body, it shall rise again a spiritual body, which shall shine like the brightness of the firmament for ever. Come, Lord jesus, and make us partakers of that glory. Amen. Sanctorum patria Coelum. Heaven the country of Saints. 51. Meditation. Of the most blessed vision of God in Heaven. IN the house of my Father are many mansions: Many mansions. joh. 14. they are the words of our Saviour. I desire to see the place, I desire to see mine. O Lord, in which thou hast prepared for me an eternal mansion. I am a stranger and a pilgrim here, as were all my fathers. The days of my pilgrimage are few and evil; Banished desireth. In heaven therefore in the banishment of this world, I desire the heavenly country: for my conversation is in heaven, I desire to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. Short days. 1 This life passeth away in an image, my days may been measured, and my substance is as nothing before thee, what therefore is mine expectation? Expect. is not the Lord? O Lord jesus, when will it be that I shall come unto thee? when shall I appear Appearing before thy face? Even as the Hart desires the springs of waters, so my soul longeth after thee, O God. 2 O true and perfect, and full joy! Full joy. O joy above joy, overcoming all joy, without which there is no joy! when shall I enter into thee that I may see my God To see God. which dwelleth in thee? Thou shalt fill me with joy, with thy countenance. His countenance. O Lord, at thy right hand there are pleasures Pleasure. for evermore: I shall been satisfied with the fullness of thy house, and thou shalt make me drink out of the river of thy pleasures. With thee is the fountain of life. O desired life! Life. O blessed felicity! in which the most holy trinity Trinity seen. shall be the perfection of our desires, which shall been seen without end, shall been loved without loathsomeness, shall been praised without weariness. 3 It will overcome all joys to see God, to see Christ, God Christ. to live with Christ: to hear Christ will overcome all the desires of our hearts. 4 O jesus Christ, the most sweet Husband of my soul, when wilt thou bring thy Bride As a bride into thy kingly palace? what can there be wanting? Wanting nothing. what can there more be desired or expected, where God shall be all in all? God, fair Sweet. He shall be fairness to the sight, honey to the taste, an harp to the hearing, balm to the smelling; a flower to the touching. 5 God shall be all, and shall distribute good things to every one according to the desire of his heart: Giving all desires. if thou desirest life, if health, if peace, if honour, God will there be all in all. Knowledge of mysteries. 6 The Mysteries which are now sealed up to the chiefest Doctors in the Church, shall there be-plaine to little children. The blessed humanity of Christ will be present with us, By Christ's preaching and will preach in a most sweet voice of the hidden Mysteries of our salvation. His voice is sweet, Full of grace and his face is comely, grace is poured forth in his lips, he goeth on crowned with glory and honour. 7 But if God shall been all in all, than he shall be fullness of light Light: to the understanding, multitude of peace Peace. to the will, continuance of eternity Eternity. to the memory. The son will fill the understanding with most full knowledge, the holy Ghost the will with most sweet love, Love.. the father the memory with the secure remembrance of both. 8 Thou, O God, shalt be light, in whose light we shall see light, that is, thee in thyself, in the brightness of thy countenance, Bright countenance: when we shall see thee face to face. Neither shall we only see See. thee, but we shall also live with thee: neither shall we only live Live. with thee, but we shall also praise Praise. thee neither shall we only praise thee, but we shall be also partakers of thy joy: Partake thy joy. neither shall we only rejoice with thee, but we shall be also like unto the Angels: neither shall we be like to the Angels Like Angels. only, but shall be renewed to the Image of the most glorious Son of God, Like God. yea to God also himself, which is blessed for ever. 9 Let the faithful soul been here amazed, and adore the mercy Adore the mercy: of her Saviour. He doth not receive us his enemies only to favour: but he remits of sins: but he gives us righteousness: Remission Righteousness. but he brings us to the heavenly inheritance. Inheritance. This inheritance is immortal, & continueth for ever undefiled, without all blemish, It ever groweth green, and withereth not. It is heavenly▪ and hath nothing in it of the earth. 10 O most blessed City! Blessed city of God. O heavenly jerusalem! O holy seat of the most holy Trinity! When will it be that I shall enter into thy Temple? The Temple of the heavenly jerusalem is the Lamb: The Lamb is the Temple. the Lamb which takes away the sins of the world, and was slain for them from the beginning of the world. When will it be that I shall worship my God in that temple, that is to say, God in God? Worship God in God. when will that Sun rise unto me, which enlightens that holy City? I am a banished man from my country, but the inheritance that is laid up for me is large. Power is given by Christ to those that believe to be made the sons of God. But if we are sons, then are we also heirs, heirs of God, and coheirs of Christ. Coheires in Christ. 11 Lift up Lift up. thyself, O my soul, and aspire to thine inheritance. The Lord is the portion of mine heritage, and mine exceeding great reward. What could the most merciful bounty of God give beside this? he gives life: Gives life: he gives his Son: His Son. he gives himself: Himself: and if he knew any greater Nothing. greater. thing in heaven and earth, he would give that same unto us. We live in God, we are the temple of God, we possess GOD. Here truly in the Spirit, and in a mystery, but there in truth, there our spes shall been res, our hope shall be the substance of our hope: there we shall not only abide. but we shall also dwell for ever. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come even so come, come, Lord jesus, that my soul may come and enjoy thee. Amen. Sunday Evening Prayer. What should I meditate on in the day of rest, but on the everlasting rest? what should I think on in the end of this Sabbath, but on the endless Sabbath? My soul longeth for that day (O Lord) when delivered from the troubles of this life, the burden of this body, it shall enjoy thy blessed sight, and be blessed in thy sight, when for the company of sinful men on earth, it shall enjoy the sweet society and company of the blessed Spirits, Angels, and the souls of just & perfect men in heaven. There (O Lord) is mine heart and there is my treasure, there art thou, and there would thy servant be also. Unto which place of happiness, thy glorious Kingdom, that I may come, Give grace (O dear and loving God) that while here I live, I may walk in good works, which are the way of thy Kingdom, to which holy society that I may be joined, give me the grace while here I live, to study holiness, that so I may rise from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, and casting off the sin that hangeth on and presseth down, aspire with all earnestness to that eternal life and blessed company. Make me while I live here in the world, always to think of the judgement that shall be in the end of the World, that my conversation may be such, that when thou shalt come in the last day to visit the World, I may be of the number of thy sheep, standing on thy right hand to whom the comfort of that Word shall be addressed: Come, ye blessed of my Father, receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. O Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life: the Way, in precepts and example, the Truth in promises, the Life in reward, grant that I may so walk here after thy precepts and example, and so lay hold on thy promises, that by thee I may obtain the reward of the eternal and neverfading life, Amen. A Prayer for a woman in travail of Child. Help, Lord, thine Handmaid in her heaviness, strengthen her in her weakness, sustain her that she faint not in her bitter pains, give her patience to endure power to overcome, hold thou her up with thy merciful hand; lose the bands of her sorrows, give an happy issue of this her labour and trouble, and mercifully looking on her in these her sufferings, put an end to her affliction, and in thy good time make her a joyful mother, and give unto her to behold the fruit of her body with great gladness, for thy dear Sons sake, Christ jesus, Amen. The thanksgiving of a woman after the birth, and her deliverance. THou (O Lord) which hast promised to be with thin in trouble, hast performed thy promise to me thine Handmaid, wherefore my heart is glad, my soul rejoiceth, and my tongue shall speak of thy praise. O Lord, the help was thine, and thou hast given the issue: though I wrestled long with pain and sorrow in my heaviness, as jacob with the Angel in the night, yet at last thou gavest the blessing, a blessing in my safe deliverance, a blessing that I live to behold the fruit of mine own body. Now my mouth is filled with laughter, and I will rejoice; all that hear it, shall rejoice with me. Be thou pleased which art my helper & deliverer, to manifest thy mercies yet further on me and mine infant, in continuance of thy wont favours towards us, and addition of all blessings further needful and expedient for us: visit us, O Lord, and remember us evermore with thy mercies, and make me also to remember thee with praise, which hast done so great things for me, whereof I do rejoice. Amen. THE DIVISION OF THE LORDS PRAYER. The Lord's Prayer is thus to be divided, 1. The proem, Our Father. 2. The petitions, Hallowed, etc. 3. The Thanksgiving, For thine is. AN EXPOSITION ON THE LORDS PRAYER. Our Father] Act. 17.28. 1. NOt in name only, but of our life and being also. Granaten in Orat. Dom. 2. In affection, and 3 In effect and deed. For thou hast 1 Created us, 2 Adopted us, and 3 Ministrest all good things unto us, Which art in Heaven,] 1. Of greatest majesty. 2. Of perfect happiness. 3. Of everlasting continuance. For 1. Thou art higher than the highest. 2. In thy presence is the fullness of joy. 3. Thy years shall not fail. Hallowed be thy Name,] 1. While believing, we do after thy Word and commandments. 2. While we speak reverently of thy great name and titles. 3. While in our hearts we religiously regard and think of thy power, wisdom, mercy, justice, judgements, etc. For so 1. Shall we glorify thy name by our works. 2. Shall we praise it in our words. 3. Shall we hollow it in our thoughts, etc. Thy Kingdom come,] 1. In the preaching of thy Gospel. 2. In the power of thy Spirit. 3. In the appearing of thy glory For it 1. Will inform us in thy truth. 2. Will subdue us to thy sceptre. 3. Will bless us with thy sight. Thy will be done in earth, 1. On us, in all that thou shalt think good. 2. In us, in all that shall be good. 3. By us, in all that our hand shall find to do. For 1. All that comes from thee, works together for the best to thy children, Rom. 8.28. 2. This is thy will, even our sanctification, 1. Thes. 4: 3. Thus it behooveth us to conform all our actions to thy rule. As it is in Heaven, 1. By thine only Son. 2. By thy holy Angels. 3. By thy blessed Saints. For 1. He doth all thy william. 2. They obey the voice of thy Word. 3. They walk in thy sight. Give us this day our daily bread,] 1. For our present necessity. 2. Further commodity. 3. Future ability. For so 1. We shall be kept in life. 2. We shall have all needful comforts for our life. 3. We may also be helpful unto others. And forgive us our trespasses,] 1. Sinning of ignorance. 2. Falling of infirmity. 3. Offending of set purpose. For 1. We know not good from evil. 2. We are unapt to good, and prove to evil. 3. Our hearts are ofttimes hardened in evil, As we forgive them that trespass against us,] 1. Not retaining their injuries. 2. Not returning their injuries. 3. Doing them good moreover for their injuries. Though 1. Enviously they hurt us. 2. Maliciously they hate us. 3. Extremely they do mischief and endanger us. And lead us not into temptation,) 1. Withdrawing thy grace assisting, from us. 2. Stirring up storms and war against us. 3. Laying baits and blocks before us. For 1. Thereby we shall be ungarded. 2. Therewith we may be overwhelmed. 3. Thereat we may offend. But deliver us from the evil,) 1. Of our own concupiscence. 2. Of that wicked adversary. 3. Of the examples of this naughty age. For otherwise 1. We shall serve sin in the lusts thereof. 2. We shall be led captive of the devil after his william. 3. We shall be carried away with the current of the times corruptions. For thine is the Kingdom, 1. Over all excelling. the power, 2. All ruling and disposing. and the glory, 3. Always brightly shining. 1. Whereto none ma● 〈◊〉 compared 2. Which cannot be withstood. 3. Which shall not be obscured. For ever,) 1. In all ages past, 2. At this present, 3. In all times to come. Amen: So shall it be.) 1. As thou hast said, 2. As we have prayed. 3. Hereupon our faith is stayed. We believe, Lord, help our unbelief: even so, Lord Ie●●s, Amen, Amen. FINIS.